The Four Feathers Page #5

trench

Did he say anything to you, Jack?

DURRANCE:

(Quietly)

No. Nothing.

DURRANCE remembers his conversation with Harry the previous night.

WILLOUGHBY:

An action like this dishonors the entire Regiment.

DURRANCE:

(Suddenly venting his anger on Willoughby)

Will you forget about your bloody Regiment for once!

WILLOUGHBY:

Alright then, it dishonours us!

He stares at DURRANCE with conviction.

willoughby

He was my friend too, Jack...

(A beat)

...but a man who isn't prepared to give his life for his friends, isn't a man at all...

From the look on their faces, it's clear TRENCH and CASTELTON are beginning to agree with him.

wILLOUGHBY

This has to be answered.

DURRANCE shakes his head, refusing to turn on Harry. He storms out of the room.

INT. TRAIN to BINTREE - night.

The whistle of a train. HARRY sits in a crowded carriage, looking stiff in his civilian clothes. He glances out of the window, but sees only his own reflection in the glass.

EXT. ethne's carriage/ BINTREE - day.

ETHNE drives the carriage through the country lanes, overjoyed to see HARRY.

ETHNE:

...How many days leave have they given you?

harry

How many days would you like?

ETHNE:

They shouldn't have let you out of their sight. I'm going to kidnap you.

harry

I thought as much. This doesn't look like the way to your house.

ETHNE laughs happily. HARRY can't quite bring himself to tell her yet.

INT. village church near ethne's home - day.

Dappled light shines in the small stone Church. ETHNE takes HARRY under the arm, and walks him up the aisle.

harry

Isn't this supposed to be bad luck?

ETHNE:

Seeing me in the wedding dress is bad luck. This is practice.

ETHNE looks towards the church benches, as if she's greeting the guests.

harrY

So I'm playing your father?

ETHNE:

You have to be a little less steady on your feet. He's had a few to drink.

harry

(Taking slow deliberate steps)

How is he?

ETHNE:

Fine. He'll be thrilled to see you.

ETHNE lets go of his hand as they reach the altar. She walks around him, and takes his other hand, as if he's the groom now.

ETHNE:

"Do you Harry Feversham --

harrY

(Skipping the rest)

-- You may kiss the bride."

He tries to kiss her.

ETHNE:

(Laughing)

You can't jump ahead like that. You have to let me enjoy my wedding. It's your fault the real one isn't for another year.

HARRY hesitates, finally seeing his opportunity.

harry

There's nothing to stop us getting married whenever we like, Ethne. I've handed in my papers.

A long silence. ETHNE stares at him, not sure she's understood.

ETHNE:

...When?

harry

Yesterday. I'd been thinking about it for a while.

ETHNE:

Why didn't you tell me? Was it because of me?

HARRY:

Because of you. Because of me. I couldn't see the point of continuing. The moment I fell in love with you my career in the army was over.

ETHNE:

I would have supported your career. My mother did the same for my father. It's what's always been expected of me.

harry

I didn't think it was what you wanted.

ETHNE still looks conflicted.

ETHNE:

...It is my fault Harry. I gave you the wrong impression. I'm really much more stoical than that. It wouldn't have been easy, but I'd have coped. I love you far too much to let a year make a difference.

hARRY

It wasn't what I wanted for us.

(A hint of guilt as he hides the whole truth from her)

I love this place. I love you in this place. We'll help your father with the farm. We'll get it going again. We'll begin our lives together.

ETHNE is silent, moved by his words.

harrY

All I want is for you to be happy.

ETHNE:

(The smile slowly returns to her face)

I am happy Harry.

She rests her head in his arms again.

ETHNE:

As long as you're sure?

hARRY

Of course I'm sure.

He holds her close, kissing her hair, hiding his eyes from her.

EXT. courtyard/ ETHNE'S HOME/ BINTREE - DAY

DERMOD's dogs leap on HARRY as he jumps off the carriage.

HARRY:

Whoa! You ought to train these beasts Dermod.

DERMOD:

I have. Trained them to scare away prospective son in laws.

HARRY and DERMOD hug each other, already like father and son.

INT. ENTRANCE/ ETHNE'S COUNTRY HOME - DAY

A MAID hands ETHNE some letters and a parcel as she enters the house. HARRY follows her up the stairs.

ETHNE:

Which room do you want?

harry

The one with the connecting doors.

ETHNE:

You must have imagined that one.

INT. the guest room/ ethne's house. day.

Sunlight fills the room as HARRY throws open the blinds. He takes a long look at the fields outside.

ETHNE:

(Glancing through her letters)

I see you've moved in already.

harry

Why?

ETHNE:

This one's addressed to you.

She holds out the small parcel. HARRY walks over curiously.

ETHNE:

(Teasing him)

A secret admirer?

harry

(Teasing her back)

I wonder which one it is.

ETHNE:

I'll open it, thank you.

She undoes the wrapping. There's a small white box underneath. She opens the lid. There's nothing inside, except three white feathers, pinned to three visiting cards. ETHNE's about to make a joke when she suddenly sees how pale HARRY looks.

ETHNE:

What is it?

(Looking at the feathers again)

What does this mean?

HARRY:

(Slowly)

That there are some things that can't be hidden.

ETHNE:

(Beginning to look worried)

I don't understand.

harry

These are feathers of cowardice.

ETHNE laughs, nervously.

ETHNE:

What a horrible joke.

harry

It isn't a joke Ethne. They were sent in earnest.

ETHNE:

By whom? Who sent them?

(Her anger rising)

How dare they!...

harry

(Reading the cards)

Willoughby, Trench, and Castelton.

ETHNE:

You see it is a joke. They're your friends.

She looks to HARRY for confirmation.

HARRY:

(All he can say)

You're the most important thing to me.

ETHNE:

(Panicked by his tone)

Why are you saying that to me now? What is it Harry?

harry

We were told on Tuesday night that the regiment would be shipping out to the Sudan instead of India. That we'd be seeing war within a week. I handed in my resignation the following morning.

There's a long silence as ETHNE takes it in. Like Durrance she won't accept it.

ETHNE:

I don't believe that's why you resigned. You wouldn't have come to me like this. You wouldn't have been able to look me in the eye.

HARRY stares at her guiltily, tormented.

ETHNE:

(The tears shining in her eyes)

...I don't believe you. Three white feathers and our world is at an end. It can't be that simple...

And still he doesn't answer.

ETHNE:

...Please Harry... You have to answer these charges...

harry

(Finally)

I can't. All my life I've been following a path that's filled me with dread. I kept going because of the people behind me, and the people beside me, but all I wanted to do was turn and run. I didn't even have the courage to do that until I met you...

ETHNE:

Don't use me as an excuse.

harry

Ethne --

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