The Hill Page #6

Look, it's not just disobeying orders.

It's rules, regulations, me.

But, man, you saved all them boys

from getting killed for nothing.

The troop sergeant took them in.

I was put under close arrest.

None of them came back.

Bloody cockroaches.

As if we haven't got enough to suffer

without you two talking half the night.

Can't you let a man sleep?

You ain't been sleeping

much yourself, Joe.

- No.

- Another stinking hot day.

- You can practically hear it boiling already.

- Look at Monty, flat out!

Wake up!

- Who done that?

- I did.

You want to watch it, mate.

You just want to watch it.

Somebody ought to write to their MP

about this dump.

- Yeah? Why don't you?

- What, him? I bet he can't even write.

What's so clever

about being able to write, then?

The secret in this old world, mate,

is to use your loaf. Maybe I can't read.

When it comes to knocking off stuff,

I'm away out in front on me own.

I'll bet you are.

You're a fair sample of the no-talent class.

Thieving three bottles of whisky, blimey.

I didn't thieve them, man, I drank them.

Bet he can't write, neither.

Monty, just because I'm black,

do I have to be damn ignorant, too?

You blacks ain't got the brains

of us whites.

- Listen to that man.

- You've got it downstairs, mate,

but we've got it upstairs.

Live up trees, you blokes do.

I seen a film about his tribe once.

It's called Tarzan and the Ape Men.

When Charlie Bloggs found you lot,

you was walking around starkers,

living on monkey nuts.

So this is a member of the great white

race, and there's plenty like Monty.

We just call them white trash.

Now, look, I don't go for that expression,

white trash.

What's Staff Williams?

Belt up!

We don't want to hear about Williams.

That I can believe.

I'm making a report about Williams.

Now, listen, Roberts,

we're all aware of what happened,

but there's nothing we can do about it.

- Yeah.

- So.

- It's a pity about old Stevens...

- We're all in sympathy?

You had a rough deal.

So I can count on you

when we go to see the Commandant?

- To enquire after his health, or what?

- But of course.

Then we'll slap a murder charge

against Williams.

Wakey wakey! Rise and shine!

Let's have you.

Who killed Stevens?

Do you hear that?

Now, are you going to sit

on your jacksies and do nothing?

Take over, Staff!

- Staff! What the hell's going on here?

- Sir, the prisoners.

Sounds like victory celebrations. Get every

available staff here at the double.

Armed, sir?

Where the hell do you think you are,

Chicago?

Staffs! Let them out!

I said let them out!

- Stevens, Stevens.

- Stevens, Stevens.

What's your name? Oliver Twist?

Put that mess tin down.

It's too early for breakfast.

What's your name?

- Stevens!

- Staff Burton!

We've had a miracle.

Here's a man returned from the dead.

Take him back to the mortuary.

- Mortuary, sir?

- In the mortuary, via the hill.

Give him a last good run

before we bury him.

Double him away!

Left, right, left, right, left...

- Staff!

- Sir.

Double away

and get me a copy of the KRs.

Sir.

- Johnson!

- Sir.

- Did you start the mutiny?

- I didn't start anything.

Then what was all the noise in aid of?

Exercising your lungs?

Who killed Stevens?

- Staff.

- Sir!

Double this man out to the mortuary.

Show him the body. If he finds any marks,

abrasions or bullet wounds on the body,

take him over to the Commandant's office

and stay with him

while he writes out his statement.

Then let him see the Commandant

on his own so he can speak freely.

- Yes, sir.

- Double out.

Double out!

Left, right, left, right, left, right, left.

Left wheel.

Now, you've all been making

a hell of a racket.

There'll be no more of it,

or I'll have the lot of you over the hill.

Every damn one of you.

Now, if you've any complaints,

you're free to see the Commandant.

Any more trouble

and I'll read you the Riot Act.

You know how long it takes.

And if that doesn't have any effect,

I'll charge the ring leaders with mutiny.

- Who's the ring leaders?

- Every fifth man!

Think that over.

I don't waste my breath on idle threats.

Now, let's have you looking like soldiers.

Prisoners, attention!

Stand at ease! Let's have that again.

Attention! Better.

Now, any man here got any complaints?

Anybody want to see the Commandant?

Anybody witnessed any murders recently?

Scared to open your traps or what?

Anybody wishing to see the Commandant,

step forward.

Why do you want to see him?

I wish to report, sir, Staff Williams

responsible for Stevens' death.

Witnesses?

All the men in my cell

know what happened, sir.

Bartlett, double over here.

You saw Staff Williams murder

Private Stevens. Is that right?

No, sir.

I never saw nothing of the kind, sir.

Don't lie to me, lad.

You saw him with blood-stained hands,

didn't you now?

No, sir. Never saw nothing, sir.

Request to be moved to another cell.

Request refused. Get back in the line.

McGrath, double over here.

Is it right you saw murder committed,

McGrath?

No, sir, but I'll be committing one

if Roberts doesn't stop squawking.

Double back.

King, double over here.

Now let's hear from you, King.

Staff Williams murdered Stevens all right.

My only worry's how we're gonna prove it.

Double away, King.

- Staff Williams!

- Yes, sir.

- Did you hear that?

- Yes, sir.

Serious allegation that is.

He's lying, sir.

I never laid a finger on Stevens.

- Staff Harris!

- Sir.

I want Roberts and King on

Commandant's parade, 0930 hours.

- Yes, sir.

- And notify the medical officer

he's wanted at the Commandant's Office

0930 hours.

Seems Stevens didn't die of sunstroke.

He was murdered in cold blood.

- Is that right, sir?

- Tell him be sure to be there.

His professional reputation's at stake.

Our M.O., sir? I won't wear that.

It's well known he can make

the lame walk, the blind see

and the maimed dance over the hill.

What else can he do, Staff?

Ride a bicycle on the sea, no hands,

and turn water into wine, sir.

But can he raise the dead, Staff?

No, sir. He can't raise them,

but he can lower them.

Yes, I got your vocation placed now!

You should have been a music hall comic!

Yes, sir.

Permission to organize a smoking concert

for the prisoners?

You've organized too bloody many

all ready, Charlie!

Think I don't know?

Got a light, sir?

No, but I've got a pack to put on your back

if I catch you smoking.

Bartlett and McGrath, stand by for a call.

You may be needed.

Now, you'll all be having cheese

with your lunch today.

Now, get back into your cells,

and look sharp about it.

You've all had a lovely time.

Staffs, take over.

- Trying to get at me, eh, Charlie?

- Who me?

As from now,

you'll take your orders from Williams.

So that's the way it is.

I know you won't mind.

You're always bragging you don't seek

promotion or favors.

I'd sooner be out of it, sir, well out of it.

You're getting passed over, Staff.

Inside, King.

- Think you can get away with this?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes