The Victors Page #4

- better have another drink, quick.

- You're a funny man.

- bonsoir, messieurs.

- bonsoir. Please sit down.

- You speak English?

- A little.

- Would you like a drink?

- No, thank you.

Are you sure?

Maybe later.

Cigarette?

Thank you.

I enjoyed your playing.

It's too bad you can't play

somewhere nice, where people listen.

- Where?

- There are other places.

I've never played in any.

- You play as if you had real training.

- Yes.

I studied in the Conservatoire

in brussels until I stopped.

Why'd you give it up?

Why don't you go back?

I...I'm sorry.

Are my questions annoying you?

No, I'm not annoyed.

There's no use to go back.

Why not?

You shouldn't stay here

in a place like this.

(CHASE) Um...

- How old are you?

- Twenty-one.

Where's your family?

Deported.

When we were in Naples,

there was this opera company

that gave a concert to the troops.

I never cared for opera,

but it became so interes...

- Hi, Chase.

- Eldridge.

Trower.

- I'll buy the drinks.

- No thanks.

- Sure?

- Mm-hm.

- Am, uh, I intruding?

- Yeah.

Come on. The Corporal doesn't mind.

Do you, Corp?

- What's your name, baby?

- Regine.

You, uh...

Uh...

Come over to the bar

and I'll buy you a drink.

What's wrong with here?

I said the bar.

I never say no.

I'll see you again, honey,

when I'm in the mood.

I'm sorry about that.

A soldier.

Would you like a drink now?

No, thank you.

- Would you like to dance?

- No.

but I'll answer all your questions.

I study in the Conservatoire

until I am 17.

And just after the war starts,

my parents bring me here

and leave me with family

they know...and go back to brussels.

Then after a time, their letters stop

and I hear they are taken away.

I've no one else. I must work.

There's no use to go

some other place.

It does not matter to me what I do.

I'm very tired.

I think I shall go home now.

- Can I see you home?

- As you wish.

I'd like to.

- Hey, Corp. I got the pass.

- Swell.

I have to go to brussels tomorrow.

NCO School.

Is there anything

I can do for you there?

No.

I don't know

when I can get back here again,

but when I do, I'd like to come

to the bar again, if you don't mind.

- As you wish.

- I wish.

(SOFT MUSIC PLAYING)

Good night.

Good night.

(WOMAN SINGING LOVE SONG)

(PEOPLE CHATTERING OUTSIDE)

(MUSIC PLAYING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

- Want to go?

- No.

Why don't you dance then?

You haven't noticed it,

but there is a nice redhead over there

who's been giving you the eye.

No, you dance.

- bartender.

- Oui, monsieur?

Two brandies.

They're both for you.

Hello, honey.

My name's Eisenhower. What's yours?

(MUSIC ENDS)

Come on, let's get a drink.

Oops. Pardon me.

Hey, Corporal! Howdy doody?

I'll buy you a drink, huh?

- No thanks. I got these.

- I mean a real drink, champagne.

It's a gentleman's drink.

barman, a bottle of champagne, huh?

Excuse me.

- He wants to buy us champagne.

- Hey, hi, pal.

business must be good.

- I got a good little thing going here.

- Never mind. We're drinking brandy.

Never turn down a drink, pal.

Right, Corp?

- What's the matter? You look sick.

- Forget it.

I know what's good for you.

Oh, I know. The chick, huh?

You had a yen for her, didn't you?

Cheer up. You can have her.

Yeah, take her down the road.

For nothing.

She's got a nice little place. Clean.

What d'you say, chickie?

Take a walk with the Corporal, huh?

If he wishes.

- There y'are, pal, all set.

- No thanks.

- Let's go.

- Finish your drink.

- Eldridge.

- What?

Have much trouble with her?

Well, let me tell you.

I took her out a couple of times.

The third time,

I gave her the message.

She didn't get it at first.

She just sat there

for about five minutes, thinking.

I let her think.

Then she got up, shrugged

her shoulders and out she went.

been as good as gold ever since.

I haven't had a complaint yet.

You really know how to handle 'em.

You're quite a guy.

Well, you've got to be firm.

You know, you've got

to let them know they need you.

You gotta make 'em understand

they're better off with you

than they are without you.

No different here than back home.

Like they say, it's all one world.

I just hope she appreciates...

all you've done for her.

Oh, she's crazy about me.

She knows who's taking care of her.

Don't you, huh?

(DANCE MUSIC STARTS)

- She wants to dance.

- Well, she likes dancing.

I think I'll give her a little exercise.

- Come on, baby. Dancey-dancey.

- Dancey-dancey.

Stick around. I'll be back.

Do us a favour and drop dead first.

Oh, what's the matter? Jealous, huh?

Naughty, naughty.

- Eldridge.

- Yeah?

Hey!

Ah!

(COMMENTATOR) Blizzards and

the coldest winter in recorded history

bring the war to a standstill

on the Western Front

both on land and in the air,

Along the entire length

of the battlefront,

hostilities come almost

to a complete stop

as roads become useless

and the countryside impassable

for large-scale operations,

But G,I, Joe, somewhere in Belgium,

can't stand inactivity for long,

Deprived of the chance to fight

a real war, he stages one of his own,

# Jingle bells, jingle bells

# Jingle all the way

# Oh, what fun it is to ride

# In a one-horse open sleigh

# Jingle bells, jingle bells

# Jingle all the way

# Oh, what fun it is to ride

# In a one-horse open sleigh

# Dashing through the snow

# In a one-horse open sleigh

# O'er the fields we go

# Laughing all the way

# Bells on bobtail ring

# Making spirits bright

# What fun it is to ride and sing

# A sleighing song tonight

# Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells

# Jingle all the way

# Oh, what fun it is to ride

# In a one-horse open sleigh

# Jingle bells, jingle bells

# Jingle all the way

# Oh, what fun it is to ride

# In a one-horse open sleigh

# All sing, jingle bells, jingle bells

# Jingle all the way

# Oh, what fun it is to ride

# In a one-horse open sleigh

# Jingle bells, jingle bells

# Jingle all the way

# Oh, what fun it is to ride

# In a one-horse open sleigh #

What's happening, Sarge?

"The following named enlisted men,

drawn by lot,

"have been selected

to act as witnesses

"to an execution for desertion.

"They will proceed at 0630 hours..."

etc etc etc.

I'm not gonna read your names.

They're all on the list.

(SERGEANT SHOUTS) Fall in!

Company, attention!

Left face! March left! March!

# Have yourself

a merry little Christmas

# Let your heart be light

# Next year all our troubles

# Will be out of sight

# Have yourself

a merry little Christmas

# Make the Yuletide gay

# Next year all our troubles

# Will be miles away

# Once again as in olden days

# Happy golden days of yore

# Faithful friends who were dear to us

# Will be near to us once more

# Someday soon

we all will be together

# If the Fates allow

# Until then

# We'll have to muddle through

somehow

# So have yourself

# A merry little Christmas now

# Once again as in olden days

# Happy golden days of yore

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