The Four Feathers Page #7

COLONEL SUTCH:

You were never cut out for this proffession.

harrY

(A thin smile)

Was it that obvious?

COLONEL SUTCH:

It was to me. Ever since you were a child. I only wish I'd said something to your father.

HARRY turns and faces him.

harrY

(With an almost morbid curiosity)

How did you know I didn't have it in me?

COLONEL SUTCH:

What difference does it make?

harrY

It does to me, Sir. It's all I think about. What makes a man a coward?

COLONEL SUTCH:

(Losing patience)

That's enough Harry. Get on a grip on yourself. You're no use to anyone, sitting here all day, driving yourself mad...

The outburst seems to release SUTCH from his soldier's reserve. He's all concern now.

COLONEL SUTCH:

What's done, is done.

harrY

(Quietly)

No Sir, it isn't.

HARRY reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small white box. He opens it in front of SUTCH. There are four white feathers inside. SUTCH stares at the names on the cards.

COLONEL SUTCH:

(Stunned)

Who sent you the fourth? Jack?

harrY

Ethne.

SUTCH looks up in surprise, beginning to realise the full extent of Harry's heartache.

COLONEL SUTCH:

Throw them away. They don't mean a thing.

HARRY:

They do to me, Sir. They're all I have left of my friends.

COLONEL SUTCH:

Harry, this is morbid.

harrY

I don't mean it that way...

(Trying to make him understand)

You see, if there was something I could do, something so undeniable...I'm not saying it would change anything, it's too late for that...but if the feathers can be given, then they can be taken back.

COLONEL SUTCH:

Harry, your friends are in Egypt.

HARRY:

Yes Sir. In Alexandria. They transfer to Suakin in a fortnight.

SUTCH doesn't understand at first. Then he looks at the newspapers and maps spread out across the floor, and begins to see the method in Harry's madness.

COLONEL SUTCH:

(In disbelief)

...You're a civilian. Even if you find them, there's nothing you can do.

harry

I'm well aware of my chances.

COLONEL SUTCH:

Then what's the point!?

(Staring at him in dismay)

You think Ethne will take you back? Is that what you think?!

From the look in his eyes it's clear the thought had entered his head. Sutch's words bring him back down to earth. His voice is quieter now, resigned.

harrY

I don't have any choice...

(With a terrible honesty)

I'm not sure how much longer I can live with myself, here, like this...

COLONEL SUTCH stares at him with pity, seeing the depth of his anguish.

haRRY

I'm leaving for Egypt tomorrow.

COLONEL SUTCH:

(He realises there's no point trying to dissuade him)

Do you want me to tell your father?

harry

Only if something should happen to me. I'll write and let you know how I am, as often as I can.

COLONEL SUTCH:

What about Ethne?

HARRY has to think long and hard about this. The thought of her fills him with sadness.

hARRY

I'd rather you didn't tell her anything. After all I've put her through the least I can do is let her forget me in peace.

COLONEL SUTCH looks moved by his predicament, and impressed by these first, grasping signs of nobility.

harrY

Maybe I'll come back sooner than I think -- hear the guns booming off the African coast, and take the first ship home.

COLONEL SUTCH:

I doubt it, Harry.

COLONEL SUTCH smiles weakly.

EXT. HARRY's POV. VIEW OF THE AFRICAN COAST - day.

Through the shimmering heat we see the outlines of the African mountains: an arid moonscape, dust clouds blowing in the wind.

EXT. port of ALEXANDRIA - DAY.

The same veil of dust blows through the crowded port. HARRY covers his eyes. His hair is longer now, his face gaunt and bearded. Clutching his suitcase, he moves through the throng.

EXT. streets of ALEXANDRIA - DAY.

The alleyways look almost dreamlike through the shimmering heat. It's as if we're in Harry's head, reflecting his state of mind. A crowd of URCHIN BOYS are following his every step, imitating his langorous walk. HARRY doesn't notice them. His gaze is riveted by the sights around him: the MERCHANTS beckoning him into their shops; the BRITISH SOLDIERS on leave, sheltering in the cool hollows of the cafes and whorehouses; the BEGGARS, hunched up against the stone walls, their faces covered with flies.

Through the arches of the Souk, a wedding procession appears. The BRIDE and GROOM sit on brightly painted donkeys. All around them WOMEN and CHILDREN clap and shrill. HARRY catches a glimpse of the bride's face. She gazes at him for a moment, then looks away.

INT. COLONIAL HOTEL/ ALEXANDRIA - DAY.

The colours of the Souk give way to the cool white emptiness of a colonial hotel. ENGLISH GUESTS talk in hushed whispers as EGYPTIAN WAITERS serve them tea. HARRY sits in a corner of the lobby, nursing his drink, observing a group of ENGLISH OFFICERS, laughing amongst themselves.

HARRY looks thoughtful, wondering how to approach them. Suddenly he hears a commotion. A drunk BRITISH CORPORAL is escorted out of the hotel by a group of SENIOR OFFICERS. He shouts and swears, but they ignore him, throwing him out of the door. HARRY gets up as he sees his chance.

INT. EGYPTIAN bar - brothel/ BAZAAR/ ALEXANDRIA - night.

The rhythmic beating of drums. Tattooed WOMEN dance on a makeshift stage, mesmerising the crowd of eager SOLDIERS. HARRY sits with the drunken BRITISH CORPORAL. The man's eyes keep drifting longingly towards the stage, as if he hasn't seen a woman in months. HARRY fills his glass.

BRITISH CORPORAL

(Resuming their conversation)

...It's all reconnaisance trips. The river's too swollen to move troops in numbers. Her Majesty's army's rotting in Suakin.

harry

Which other regiments were with you?

BRITISH CORPORAL

They're all there: the Hussars, the Highlanders, the Grenadiers...Which newspaper did you say you were from?

hARRY

The London Times.

BRITISH CORPORAL

You must think I'm a disgrace? 'Sand happy'. That's what those Officers called me.

harry

How much longer do you think the troops will be held up in Suakin?

BRITISH CORPORAL

As long as they can if they're lucky.

(He finishes his drink)

Does the Prime Minister read your paper?

harrY

I imagine so.

BRITISH CORPORAL

Then tell him from me we're on a losing wicket here. These bastards aren't scared of anything. If they saw death walking down the street they'd hide in an alleyway and try to pick him off with a stone. How do you fight people like that...

He tries to drain the last few drops from his empty glass, then looks over longingly, at the tattooed DANCERS.

EXT. SAND STORM/ desert near SUAKIN/ sudan - DAY.

Thick gusts of sand blow at us. As the swirling clouds settle we see a group of misshapen figures, huddled together. As they finally rise and start to move, we realise they're BRITISH SOLDIERS, on camels. Amongst the dust caked faces we see TRENCH, CASTELTON, WILLOUGHBY and DURRANCE.

EXT. DESERT near SUAKIN/ SUDAN - DAY.

The sand storm has cleared, and in its place a harsh desert sun beats down. The COLUMN OF BRITISH SCOUTS trudges forward. DURRANCE rides at the front, looking as if he were born here, eyes alert to every shimmer and nuance.

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