Parer's War Page #6

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a tougher nut than Ambush.

You sure you wanna take him

all the way in with you?

It's what he wants.

I reckon he's earned it.

Christ, he's like a f***in'

border collie herding sheep.

Damien! Back here!

Mate, you'll cop it if you're

the first target the Japs see.

Don't stop him, boss. Some galah's

gotta get out there, act as bait.

I thought that was your job, Scotty.

When we get out there,

I want you behind me.

Yeah, understood.

But it's in their eyes, Johnny.

Gotta get a bit of that.

Keep an eye on him. He's starting

to take a few too many risks.

Not that way.

It's bloody suicide.

Go around the back.

We'll flank 'em.

Cheeky bastard!

Keep your bloody head down,

Damien!

Keep moving through, boys.

Keep your eyes open.

This one's still alive.

Two men down on this point.

Losing light. It's getting a bit

dark for any more pictures.

Some things I can't trust 'em

with.

They don't even

get their own wounded out.

They just leave 'em for the rats.

Well, it's done.

But it bloody cost us.

I saw Hooksie cop it.

Alright. Get any comms.

Who else?

Bucks and Bonny Muir.

The wife?

Nah.

Maybe.

Who bloody knows?

That definite?

Oh, maybe one day,

she'll take me by storm,

if I come back still in one piece,

not missing bits and things.

Yeah.

You?

Yep. Yep, same.

If I'm still around.

Anyway...

Something the boys souvenired

off a Jap officer on the Knoll.

Ah, she's a beaut.

They want you to have it.

Well, I'm blowed.

There's one more thing

we'd like you to do.

Above all,

taking the shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able

to quench

all the fiery darts

of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit.

I am the Resurrection and the life,

saith the Lord.

He that believeth in me,

though he were dead,

yet shall he live.

And whomsoever liveth

and believeth in me

shall never die.

As the rain seeps down,

comrades whose memories

will never dim

are laid to eternal rest.

Tread softly, for the valiant

sleep in hallowed ground,

and before them,

men's mute homage to a majesty

of their giving.

How in God's name

could those drongos at DOl

have been stupid enough

to lose him?

They are your men,

your sons, husbands, brothers.

Working for the Americans,

Damien?

I still have to earn a living, Ken.

And how else am I gonna stay

on the front line filming the boys?

Well, the Yanks are no place

for you, Damien.

Yeah, but I gave them my word,

and they're the ones

that gave me a lifeline.

And you will serve out

your contract with Paramount.

But you are a mug if you think

they will let you film

Australian boys

on an American payroll.

There's more chance there

than with Hawes and the Department.

I had to go AWOL to get this film.

Just like Kokoda.

Bide your time, Damien.

We'll have you back.

But next time, on your own terms.

Maxey.

'All my love... Marie. '

Now, you have rung Cotter?

She does know you're coming?

Yes. I'm picking her up after work.

You're quite certain?

No bottling out this time.

I think I've been a bloody fool,

Ronnie.

She's the best thing

that's ever come into my life,

and it's a pretty empty one

without her.

Have you told her that?

Well... not yet.

Not in so many words.

You said you were going to

write to her.

Yeah, I know, but it's a bugger

trying to write things like that.

You managed to write it

perfectly well to me.

Well, didn't you tell her?

It's not me she's going to be

asked to marry, Damey boy.

I rather think she needs to

hear it from you.

I will. Course I will.

And preferably without it

leading to another bust-up.

There's one or two other things

we need to talk about as well,

given the monastic life you've led.

Oh, he's nice.

Yeah, he's mine.

Oops. Sorry.

Here I am, Cotter.

You look nice.

Different.

I can't have changed that much

in a year and a half.

Well, come on, then.

We can't keep Ronnie waiting.

Oh, heavens,

we can't have that, can we?

We're meeting Ronnie for a drink

at the Kurrajong

and then on to dinner

with Ken Slessor.

And Chester's at the War Memorial.

He's working on my film.

So he's gonna join us too.

How does that sound?

Crowded.

I thought you were coming

to see me.

There's plenty of time for that.

I like the hat.

Yeah, so do I.

You said you wanted to talk.

Yeah, I just thought we should,

you know, chat about things.

What sort of things?

Oh, the way I treated you in

the past, it was a pretty poor show.

You could have said that

on the phone.

I'm listening.

There you are. I haven't changed

at all. I'm still pushing you.

...and now we're gonna have to bring

the 39th back to the beaches.

The 6th Army are gonna have

to come over. Why?

Because they're not doing

the proper research.

I mean, it's just ridiculous.

Yeah, but forget about

what you're hearing at HQ.

The mad Major has an unenviable

record of losing his men, Damien.

Oh, yeah, but look at

what he's got to work with.

Warfe's the best attack commander

they've got,

so they give him the worst job.

There's a certain truth in that.

Look at the footage that we're

re-editing from the Timbered Knoll.

That's all he's gotta take to place

with. Those boys in the...

And of course the casualties

are high. They're bloody awful.

But nowhere near

what they should have been.

You're quite right. They played

merry hell with that Jap gun.

The point is, OK,

he's got damned all to work with

and no hope of reinforcements.

If you'll excuse me for a moment.

Are you deliberately trying to

start a blue with her?

But the men couldn't hope for

a better commander.

Is that for me, Willy? Goodness!

Actually, it's my Liszt.

There's only a handful of boys

up on the Knoll.

16 men, for goodness sake.

And who are the officers up there?

What on earth's taking Marie

so long?

Um... Hughie, he copped it.

And Ron Garland.

Winterflood came later, I think.

Cotter, come back to the table.

You can't leave Damien like this.

Oh, can't I?

He's wondering where the devil

you've got to.

Well, he can come

and find me himself.

This is not the way to do it.

Do what?

You know perfectly well

why he's come here.

No, as a matter of fact,

I don't...

Outside, Cotter.

Now, if you please.

We both know he's been

a bit of a mess

and he mucks it up every time,

but do you have to give him

the brush-off

just when he has finally

decided to live!

I will not put up with it again.

I mean, look how he's behaving!

He couldn't care less

if I'm here or not.

And you rise to the bait

as always. That's helpful.

Well, the only reason

he came to see me

is because you and Max

told him to.

Did he say that?

More or less.

Just marry him, Marie,

before he drives us all mad.

Well, how am I supposed to do that

if he doesn't ask me?!

You're a woman!

Make him!

As you all do. Take charge.

Are you cold?

No, I'm quite alright, thank you.

You should have brought a jacket.

I'm due back in Sydney tomorrow.

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