The Ghost and the Darkness Page #3

As they move, Samuel points out various camps.

A SECT OF INDIANS is getting ready for prayer.

ANOTHER SECT OF INDIANS is eating.

A GROUP OF AFRICANS are cleaning their tent area.

Anyway, you get the idea. Just remember that the place covered a

wide expanse, maybe a mile square, maybe more.

Okay, back to the story.

PATTERSON:

(as they pass the INDIAN

tent area where prayer is

starting)

It's all wonderfully under control,

Samuel- you've done a splendid job.

SAMUEL:

Thank you. The truth is this: you

have to work at it constantly.

PATTERSON:

The workers don't get on?

SAMUEL:

Get on? They detest each other.

Obviously the Africans hate the

Indians. But the Indians also hate

the other Indians. Some of them

worship cows, while others eat them.

(As they move on)

CUT TO:

RAILROAD TRACK.

PAN ALONG TO:

MORE RAILROAD TRACK.

KEEP PANNING:

And suddenly the track just stops in mid-air as we

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

PATTERSON AND SAMUEL standing high above the Tsavo River. The

track has come to the edge of the area above the riverbank- where

it just stops-

-and picks up on the far side. All that's missing, in other words,

is the hundred-yard-long bridge that will connect the pieces of

track.

SAMUEL:

(to the far side)

Railhead is across there.

CUT TO:

THE DISTANCE. Nothing can be made out clearly but there are great

clouds of dust.

SAMUEL:

Three thousand men laying track- when

the bridge is done, it all joins up.

Patterson nods, says nothing, but goes to his haunches, staring at

the space where the bridge is to be.

SAMUEL:

Did it look like this in your mind?

PATTERSON:

(shakes his head)

This is more difficult-

CUT TO:

PATTERSON. CLOSE UP. Excited.

PATTERSON:

(eyes bright)

-but how wonderful that it's

difficult, it should be difficult-

what better job in all the world

than build a bridge?- make things

connect- bring worlds together- and

get it right!

(Now from Patterson-)

CUT TO:

THE HOSPITAL TENT

as Patterson and Samuel walk in. Patterson glances around-

-it's not bad at all. Of course there are some patients, injured

or with fever. But like the rest of the camp we've just seen,

everything is working well, everything is under control. Starling

approaches.

STARLING:

Finish your tour?

PATTERSON:

(nods)

And anxious to get started.

(indicating the hospital)

What is this, mostly malaria?

STARLING:

Yes- but their suffering is only

transitory- once they except God

into their hearts, He will vanquish

all pain.

MAN'S VOICE (over)

That's just vomitous talk, Nigel- the

poor bastards will relapse if you keep

on that way.

(As they turn-)

CUT TO:

DOCTOR DAVID HAWTHORNE. A tough, middle-aged cockney. And a heavy

drinker. A man who hasn't been tactful in twenty years.

HAWTHORNE:

(to Patterson)

I'm David Hawthorne, this is my

hospital. And my advice to you is,

"don't get sick in front of it."

(beat)

That was meant to be charming,

sorry. I seem to have lost the knack.

STARLING:

You never had it.

HAWTHORNE:

Nigel and I don't like each other much.

SAMUEL:

(breaking the tension)

I am also liaison between these two.

PATTERSON:

(to Hawthorne)

Clearly you don't agree about building

the railroad?

HAWTHORNE:

This sham? Ridiculous. Who needs it?

It's only being built to control the

ivory trade, make men richer.

PATTERSON:

Then why do you stay?

HAWTHORNE:

Who else would hire me?

(to Starling)

Beat you to it, didn't I?

(beat)

Oh yes, almost forgot- brought you a

little welcoming gift.

(Now he gestures and we-)

CUT TO:

A NERVOUS ORDERLY who approaches them. He has been freshly

bandaged across one shoulder.

HAWTHORNE:

This is Karim, one of my orderlies-

attacked by a man-eater earlier

today- first incident of that kind

here.

Patterson says not a word, just studies the wounded man.

STARLING:

(incredulous)

A man-eater attacks and you're such

a buffoon you almost forget to mention

it?

HAWTHORNE:

Well, he got away, didn't he?

(to Patterson)

Riding a donkey not far from here

when the lion sprang on them- donkey

took the brunt of it- then suddenly

the lion ran off.

CUT TO:

PATTERSON. Listening. No emotion on his face.

CUT TO:

HAWTHORNE. He's kind of enjoying this. Bearing down.

HAWTHORNE:

I know it's your first day and of

course you must be tired from the

journey-

(beat)

-but what are you going to do about

it?

PATTERSON:

(a long pause, then evenly-)

Karim will have to show me where it

happened. And of course, I'll need

the donkey.

(beat)

With any luck, I'll sort it out tonight.

(And he walks out, leaving

an astonished Starling

staring after him)

CUT TO:

PATTERSON'S TENT AREA

Starling has a tent there, too, as do Samuel and Hawthorne. And

there are half a dozen ORDERLIES.

Right now, Patterson is unpacking, moving in and out of his tent.

Starling, sipping tea, sits and watches.

STARLING:

I couldn't believe it when you said

"sort it out." As if it were the most

normal thing in the world. "Ho-hum,

what lovely tea, I think I'll bag a

killer beast this evening, nothing

much else going on anyway."

PATTERSON:

Well, he put me in a spot, didn't he?

But that's all right- after all, I'm

responsible for everything that happens

here. And it certainly won't do much

for morale if a man-eater's on the prowl.

He goes into his tent with some books now and we go with him.

There is a photo of Helena on a small table. A photo of an ELDERLY

COUPLE, clearly his parents. His clothes are stacked with

precision. He arranges his books precisely too.

Clearly, John Patterson is a man who believes in order.

STARLING:

(calling out)

You said "of course" you'd need the

donkey. Why "of course"?

PATTERSON:

(taking a rifle,

moving outside)

We know three things about man-eaters.

First, they always return to where

they've attacked before. Second, they're

always old- they can't catch other

animals so they turn to us. And third,

they're always alone- they've been cast

out by their pride because they can't

keep up.

CUT TO:

STARLING, sipping his tea and there's no hiding it, he's excited.

But also a bit reluctant.

STARLING:

I don't suppose I could watch.

PATTERSON:

(delighted)

Might be exciting for you.

STARLING:

I've never been all that adventurous.

I wouldn't be in the way?

PATTERSON:

I'd love the company. And I've hunted

all my life.

STARLING:

(gathering courage)

Well, why not? You seem so calm and

experienced.

(standing, teacup in hand)

Why not, indeed!

(Now from that-)

CUT TO:

A SLIGHTLY WOUNDED DONKEY

It's roped loosely to a tree, bells around its neck. When it

moves, they make a sound. Middle of the night. A night wind.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

We're in a clearing with thick trees all around.

KEEP PULLING BACK TO REVEAL

PATTERSON AND STARLING, seated uncomfortably in a tree on the edge

of the clearing, twelve feet up in the air. Patterson has his

rifle ready. This next is all whispered.

STARLING:

(embarrassed)

I hate to be a bother, John, but the

cramp's getting worse.

(Pulls up his trousers-

his leg is knotted)

The pain is actually quite unbearable

now.

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