Reach for the Sky Page #3

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They're holding a Court of Enquiry.

- Yes, they'll come to see you.

- They'll know it was my fault.

Don't worry about it.

You'd think you'd been run over

by the Air Marshal's daughter!

- Will they let me stay in?

- They'll just ground you.

Probably promote you into a staff job.

I couldn't stand that, Harry.

Tied to a desk all day. I'd rather die.

Now, Douglas...

I've got to fly again, old boy,

I've simply got to!

All right, don't get excited.

Who says you won't fly?

Look at Freddie West.

He lost a leg in the last war.

He flew solo yesterday.

You wait till I get my tin legs.

I'll show you.

Home, James.

We'll see.

No, I'm all right. Leave me alone.

- You're being obstinate.

- Please, Brace.

I've got to do it by myself.

How long have you been out here?

Only about half an hour.

I didn't hurt myself.

Really, you're worse than a baby.

- How many times did you fall?

- About six.

- Serves you right for rushing.

- It's this blasted peg leg.

- It hurts like blazes.

- I'll have a look at it inside.

You can't expect it to be perfect

in three days. Be patient.

Now, will you be warm enough?

The wind is cold.

I'm all right.

We'll put the rug round you.

I've got some news for you.

I've had all the news I want.

I've heard from Sally.

What's the matter?

- If you must know, she's left me.

- What?

She doesn't say so, but her mother's

taken her to South Africa.

- For a holiday?

- For heaven's sake, be your age!

She's not going to have her daughter

mixed up with a cripple...

...and she's right.

- You're better off without her.

- Thank you.

Read about Johnson?

Crashed-killed outright, lucky devil.

- Don't you dare say that!

- He is lucky!

I'd rather be dead than like this.

Listen to me. You're alive

and you're going to stay alive.

You can see, you can hear, you can talk.

Before long,

you're going to be able to walk.

Know something? A lot of people have

spent a great deal of time on you.

They've worked for you,

fought for you and prayed for you.

And all you can say is that

you wish you were dead.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

Where's that... that pamphlet?

You don't think they're shooting

a line, do you, Brace?

You really can walk on their tin legs?

Yes, of course.

Now, would you like to hear my news?

The Court of Enquiry have recommended

that no disciplinary action be taken.

- What?

- Flight Lt Day rang and told me.

- Said to tell you he's delighted.

- (whistles)

- I'm delighted, too.

- So they can't kick me out.

No.

If I'm still in the Air Force,

they can't stop me flying!

I'd like to see them try!

Thanks, Brace.

I won't let you down again, I promise.

I'll be leaving here soon.

I shall miss you.

Will you?

- Come on, twice round the garden!

- I've got work to do.

- I can't spend my time pushing you.

- Never mind your work, let's go.

Mr Bader'll be back in a minute.

He's just gone for a walk.

Cor blimey!

That's the point, isn't it?

- I think it's time we turned back.

- Yep.

I don't know what the devil

I'll do without you, Brace.

The same as ever -

exactly what you want to do.

- The car is here.

- Well... just a moment.

I shan't get another chance to say this.

You don't have to.

- You saved my life. You know that?

- Nonsense.

Yes, you did. The others cut me up,

but you put me together again.

Well, let's say

we fought the battle together.

And we won it, didn't we?

Yes, we did.

Dear Brace.

I've another patient coming in

this afternoon.

Your room is in a dreadful state.

Another patient? Lucky man.

Come along.

Yeah.

Careful of those gramophone records.

Yes, ma'am, don't you worry.

Here they come, sister.

Come along,

you're keeping the RAF waiting.

- Do 'em good! What about my records?

- All aboard, sir.

Ah, we're just in time. Don't worry, Bader,

this is purely a social visit.

We had to come and say goodbye.

How sweet of you, Sister Thornhill.

I'll be back soon on my tin legs.

- We'll have a party.

- Lovely.

- Come on, it's time you were off.

- Right. Well...

Goodbye, doc, and thank you

for everything you've done.

You're going into the outside world.

You've got what it takes. Goodbye.

- Good luck to you.

- Thanks.

Well, sister, it's a good job

I can't shake hands.

- Goodbye.

- Thank you.

Now you, sister.

- Goodbye, and take care of yourself.

- Goodbye and thank you.

Now you, nurse, your turn next.

- Oh, permission to carry on, sister?

- (laughs)

Nurse Nichols. Come on, don't be shy.

I say, what a day this is!

Brace.

Goodbye, Brace.

Good luck.

Thank you, Corporal. All set for take-off?

- Yessir.

- Good.

Right... Goodbye, ladies. Don't let

any of the other patients kiss you!

(All) Goodbye!

(Drill Corporal)

Squad will retire. Left... turn!

Oh, bust again!

- 52,000.02. Like a hand, Douglas?

- With you two sharks? No!

- (drill shouted outside)

- Shut the window.

Anybody'd think we were in the army.

How about a spin in your Bentley, Peely?

I'm bored.

We wouldn't make one good driver!

- It's against regulations.

- Good! If you're windy, I'll drive.

Gentlemen,

you've found yourselves a chauffeur.

- Got my arm out!

- Hope Matron doesn't see us.

- We won't have a leg to stand on!

- Speak for yourself!

Open up a bit,

we're not going to a funeral! Let me!

If I'm to have my arm broken again,

I'd rather a surgeon did it.

I can use my peg leg on the clutch

and the hand throttle.

- What do you think, Vic?

- Well, a few more broken bones...

All right.

That's fine, Douglas,

but how are you going to stop?

Let's worry about that

when the time comes. Hang on!

(revs up engine)

I'm getting the hang of it!

- Yes, but how will you stop?

- Stop? You can't have everything!

Look out!

What's your name, mate? Death?

- I missed him!

- Go on doing that, will you?

- Stand by for take-off!

- Contact.

Chocks away! (whistles)

(whistles cheerfully)

- Ah, tea!

- Tea? What for? I'm enjoying myself.

- You may be, we're not.

- Yes, pull over.

- Well, we made it.

- Let's have my prop.

Thanks.

Where are we going? There?

Poor dear.

I bet you could do with a cuppa!

- Three teas.

- Cream or plain?

Cream. Not a conversationalist,

but very nice.

- I wonder if there are any more like her.

- Aye-aye!

Hey, what sort of place is this?

- I thought you were off.

- I'll just serve those three boys.

- (laughs) Want any help?

- No, thanks, I can manage.

I was a bit worried about Paddy.

I noticed we were getting too close

for comfort, so Danny...

- You seem to have crashed.

- It's a habit.

If you take your plane off the table...

I'm so sorry.

Do you mind if I leave the bill?

I'm going off now.

You ought to do that, too,

then we'll both have good luck.

- I wonder if she's got a sister.

- No, a brother, six-foot-four(!)

- She's left her pencil.

- I'll take it.

- He doesn't miss a trick!

- Swindler!

- Pour the tea, be back in a sec.

- Will you be mum? No, perhaps not.

You forgot your pencil.

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