PROJECT ERNIE - INTERVIEW WITH A HERO(first 26 pages)

by

Chuck Loch

14314 Summertime LaneCulver City, CA 90230(310) 713-5480 Voice(310) 559-2331 Faxchuck9@sbcglobal.net

FADE IN:

INT. CAFE T'CANON 1978 NIGHT

Legend: Cafe T'Canon, Ypres, Belgium, Christmas Eve 1978

The cafe sparkles with CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.

Families of TOWNSFOLK eat, drink, laugh, sing.

Spontaneous outbreaks of FLEMISH CAROLS momentarily riseabove the din of the house. Then sink back again.

At a FORMICA-TOPPED TABLE in the corner, Regimental SergeantMajor Retired, ERNEST BENNETT, Ernie, 83, reaches for a PINTOF BEER.

He takes it from an ARRANGEMENT OF FULL GLASSES lined-up onthe table in front of him like soldiers in formation.

Above him hangs a REPRODUCTION of John Singer Sargent's famouspainting, "GASSED," depicting soldiers blinded by mustardgas, stumbling along in a line, hands on each other'sshoulders.

AT THE TABLE

Ernie's neatly dressed in a BOW TIE, sharply-creased TROUSERS,and a checkered SPORTS COAT with three polished MEDALS onthe pocket.

A dark wooden CANE is hooked over the arm of his CHAIR.

He appears frail, halfway between life and death, softlymumbling to a wall - and unseen long-ago "chums."

ERNIEWilly, my lad, and Jimmy. Glad tohave you join me. How are the othersfrom the company? Fine, you say? Andwhat have I been up to? Oh, the usual.I drink. I read. I think. I wait.It's all just waiting anymore.

AT THE DOOR

A family - JACQUES BERGIERE, and his wife, NATALIE, bothlate 20s, and their son, LITTLE JACQUES, aged 5 - wander in.Make their way to Ernie's table.

2.

AT THE TABLE

JACQUESHappy Christmas, Ernie. Would youlike another beer?

Ernie's lined face and heavy-lidded eyes light up with theenthusiasm of a man half his age.

ERNIEHappy Christmas, Jacques. You'remost kind. Don't mind if I do.

The Father signals the BARMAID, who nods, heads to the bar.

JACQUESCan you tell me boy a story?

ERNIEI hope you don't mind, my boy, butit is getting late and I'm a bittuckered out.

JACQUESC'mon, Ernie. It's for me littleboy. Tell him how you almost "wentwest" when you mounted the top in'15.

Jacques hands Ernie a CIGAR.

ERNIEThank you again, my Boy.

Ernie pops it into the medal pocket of his jacket beside twoothers.

ERNIEFor the lad, is it?

Jacques nods "yes."

The Barmaid delivers another GLASS OF BEER. Ernie lines itup behind the others.

ERNIEI can tell that story. But it willbe brief.

Townsfolk notice a beer has been added to Ernie's formation.They pull their chairs around.

Ernie reaches out to Little Jacques. Pulls him onto his lap.

3.

ERNIE(to Little Jacques)

Do you know what your daddy meantwhen he said I almost went west?

The Boy shakes his head "no."

Ernie offers Little Jacques a sip of his beer. He screws uphis face. Pushes it away.

Ernie demolishes the pint in one long drink.

ERNIE"Blighty," our name for England - myhome at the time - is west of Belgium.During the war, there was only oneway to go home. When a soldier died,we said he "went west" - his bodywas sent home at last.

LITTLE JACQUESWent west. Home.

ERNIEI went over the top of the trenchesfour times. Once I had a very narrowescape. I was very lucky to bestanding sideways. A German bulletwent right through my breast pocket,bending the tips of the cartridges Iwas carrying there.

The Barmaid delivers another GLASS OF BEER. Ernie raises itin salute.

ERNIEToday is a lucky day too. Thank you.Cheers.

Those around him raise their glasses in return.

JACQUESOn the last day of the war, you musthave felt very lucky. Do you have astory there?

Ernie stops drinking. Loses his smile.

ERNIEPlease understand, my Boy. I wish Icould forget that day. There aresome stories that can never be told.

Little Jacques stares. Points at the medals on Ernie's chest.

4.

LITTLE JACQUESTrain?

ERNIEAh yes, my boy. I can tell you alittle story about a train.

Ernie puts down his glass, settles back.

ERNIEI was new to the Royal Engineers...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MAKESHIFT TRAIN STATION 1916 DAY

Legend: St. Juliaan, West Flanders, Belgium, Christmas Day1916

ERNIE (V.O.)We had just put the station togetherat St. Juliaan when the wounded camepouring in.

A booted-up STEAM LOCOMOTIVE hisses anxiously in the coldsunshine.

ENGLISH TROOPS, in ragged brown UNIFORMS, fatigued to thepoint of resembling the walking dead, unload STRETCHERS ofWOUNDED SOLDIERS from horse-drawn Red Cross WAGONS.

They carry their "mates" to a half dozen iron-clad PASSENGERCARS strung out behind the restless engine.

Plastered in mud from the trenches, limbs missing and eyesbandaged, their faces are blank or frozen with horror fromthe combat they've just experienced.

RED CROSS NURSES and a small group of CIVILIANS rush to putCIGARETTES between lips and hand out cups of tea and chocolatebars.

A YOUNGER SERGEANT ERNEST BENNETT (ERNIE), then 21, GQhandsome and a take-charge kind of guy, walks ram-rod straightamong the litters, directing the worst cases to the frontcars, the less badly wounded to those further back.

Ernie reaches down to take the hand of a gaunt and ashenYOUNG MAN, also 21. Ernie walks beside the Young Man's palletas it's carried to the first car behind the engine.

5.

The Young Man's BLANKET is soaked in blood. It drips a spottedtrail behind them, one of many such trails across the frozenground.

Off in the distance, a soft WHUMPING sound repeats itself.

Artillery shells WHIZ overhead.

BLAM! BLAM!

They explode just beyond the station.

A shrill SCREECH from the train's whistle draws everyone'sattention toward the ENGINEER who leans out his window. Pointsin the direction of the blasts. Yells

ENGINEERJerrys. On the far side of the field.

EXT. TRAIN 1916 DAY

The smokestack releases a steady stream of PUFFS. The carslurch back and forth. The wheels rhythmically churn outforward progress along the tracks.

INT. TRAIN 1916 DAY

PASSENGER CAR

Ernie sits in the first car with the badly wounded YoungMan, his "chum" LEOPOLD ACHELY.

Ernie leans over and whispers in Leo's ear

ERNIEYou'll be wanting to see Molly again,Leo. She's waiting for you to comehome.

Leo rolls his head to face Ernie with unseeing eyes.

He raises his hand. Ernie takes it.

LEOIs that you Molly?

ERNIE(whispering)

Fight it, Leo. Stay with me for Molly.

6.

EXT. TRAIN

The wheels lock. Reverse. Sparks fly. The horrible SQUEAL ofmetal on metal overpowers all other sounds on the train.

INT. TRAIN 1916 DAY

ENGINE CAB

With all his might, the Engineer pulls back again on thelarge BRAKE LEVER. Ernie pokes his head in from the couplingplatform.

ERNIEGood God, Daniel, we're slowing down.What's going on? The boys in theback need all the speed you can givethem.

The Engineer points toward the front of the engine.

ENGINEERIt's Fritz. He's broken through.

Ernie leans out the window.

POV ERNIE

Up Ahead, GRAY-UNIFORMED GERMAN SOLDIERS rush to take uppositions along the tracks. They aim their RIFLES toward thetrain.

An ARTILLERY UNIT wheels a 76 MILLIMETER HOWITZER onto thetracks, simultaneously lowering its barrel to point directly at the locomotive.

Two MACHINE-GUN CREWS set up their deadly GUNS on eitherside of the cannon.

DISSOLVE BACK TO:

INT. CAFE T'CANON 1978 NIGHT

Ernie stares at the wall, mumbles.

ERNIEForgive me.

JACQUES(interrupting Ernie'sreverie)

And then what happened?

7.

Ernie sets Little Jacques down onto the floor.

ERNIEI talked some sense into those Heiniesand they let the train through. Weall made it back, of course. Then Iwas given the Queen's own medal andpromoted to Regimental Sergeant Major.

AT THE DOOR

PATTY AND FRANK BISHOP, early-20s, married American gradstudents, stumble in. Though full of jet lag, they look asdetermined as preppie bull dogs.

Both are festooned with CAMERAS, BINOCULARS, MAPS. An AUDIOCASSETTE RECORDER hangs from Frank's BELT.

PATTYThat God damn cheap charter flightto Brussels. Packed us in likesardines. And I never heard of anairline running out of food. Youreally did it up big. Spared noexpense.

FRANKYou left it up to me. I tried tostretch out our travel money as bestI could.

PATTYIt wasn't good enough.

Patty turns away from him. Pushes her way to the bar.

AT THE BAR

Patty signals the busy middle-aged BARTENDER. He leans overthe bar towards them.

BARTENDERWiltu een pintje hebben?

PATTYWhat?

BARTENDERWould you like a drink?

FRANKOh, uh... Not right now. I'm lookingfor Regimental Sergeant Major RetiredErnest Bennet?

8.

BARTENDERYou mean Ernie. He's over there.

He points to Ernie's table.

BARTENDERHe's quite a handful. I suggest youbuy him a pint and a cigar.

FRANKYeah. Sure.

AT THE TABLE

Carrying the beer and cigar, Frank leads Patty to the table.

Ernie looks up as they approach.

ERNIEThat's quite a handful you have theremy Boy.

Frank puts the pint and the cigar down in front of Ernie.

FRANKThese are for you.

INT. CAFE MOMENTS LATER

AT ERNIE'S TABLE

The students sit next to Ernie.

ERNIECome all the way from America, didyou? Well, blow me down. Excuse me amoment there's some chums I'd likeyou to meet.

Ernie stares again at the wall, addresses his unseen chums.

ERNIEWillie and Jimmy, I'd like you tomeet my long lost nephew, Frank, andhis mam'selle, Patty...Yes, she isvery pretty.

He winks at Patty then returns to the wall.

ERNIEThey're at University. Going to writesomething called a thesis about ourold war. Going to record me for a

9.

ERNIEliving history exhibit. Seems I'mthe only one still alive with theQueen's medal.

Ernie nods sleepily. Yawns. Speaks slowly, haltingly. Slurshis words.

ERNIENever dreamed anyone would beinterested enough to come all thisway after so long a time. Makes mefeel I should be in some sort ofmuseum myself. An old relic. I toldthem I have a few stories but they'renot worth much. We were just doingour duty, the same as any man would.

Ernie dozes.

Patty, Frank whisper an exchange.

PATTYWho was he talking to?

FRANKI think they're friends he lost inthe war. Remember what the nuns saidin their letter.

PATTYHe lives too much in the past.

FRANKWouldn't you if you were eighty-threewith a bad heart and knew...you weredying?

PATTYIt's a good thing we came when wedid.

Ernie snaps awake.

ERNIEThey're not just friends. They're mechums. We put up with a lot together.We did.

Ernie chokes. Gasps for air. Slaps his own chest.

Frank jumps up. Pulls Ernie and his chair back from the table.Ernie waves him off.

10.

ERNIEDon't be alarmed. It's just somethingpassing through me. Happens wheneverI'm excited.

Ernie calms down. His breathing returns to normal.

PATTYYou okay now?

FRANKMaybe we should just let him sit fora minute.

ERNIEI'd be much obliged if you couldhelp me up. I must be getting onhome. Can't take the late hoursanymore.

FRANKWe could do that.

PATTYWe've got a car. We could give you aride - for a story.

ERNIEYoung Lady, I'm afraid I'm all outof stories.

PATTYCan't I have even one little one -the one you like the most?

Patty winks at Ernie.

ERNIEIn that case, I'd be most happy tomake the trade.

Ernie winks back at her.

PATTYThen we'll do it. Won't we Frank?

FRANKOf course.

Frank holds out his hand to Ernie.

ERNIEThank you, my Boy.

11.

Instead of taking Frank's hand, Ernie pulls himself to hisfeet hand-over-hand on his cane.

EXT. NAZARETH REST HOME 1978 NIGHT

The Students help Ernie crawl through his window.

ERNIEShhhh. The nuns are very strict.They've put me on a curfew.

They crawl through the window after him. The recorder stillhangs from Frank's belt.

INT. NAZARETH REST HOME NIGHT

ERNIE'S ROOM

It's very Spartan. Ernie has no real decorations, only ayellowed PHOTO - dated 1914 - of himself in uniform, and afew RELIGIOUS ITEMS - presents from the nuns.

They all sit on Ernie's bed.

Patty looks around.

PATTYWhere's your Christmas decorations?The tinsel? The Christmas stockings?The boughs of holly?

Ernie hisses in reply.

ERNIEThe season has never brought mecomfort or cheer. Nothing but badluck. I don't wish to celebrate it.

FRANKWhat bad luck, Uncle?

(beat)Wait a minute 'till I turn on therecorder.

Frank fumbles with the recorder.

ERNIENo use to get it out. I won't speakabout the season.

12.

PATTYThen, how about the story you promisedme? Tell us one of good luck.

ERNIEI did make the promise. I will tellyou one story of a year of good luckthat turned bad on Christmas Day. But I don't know how long I can holdup tonight.

Ernie props himself up into a comfortable position on hispillows.

ERNIEA long time ago, I was quite the up-and-coming rugby player. Myphotograph was in all thenewspapers...

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. NAZARETH REST HOME NIGHT

ERNIE'S ROOM

PATTYMy God, Ernie. How could that storybe bad luck?

Ernie doesn't answer. He's asleep.

They tuck him in.

As they squeeze back out Ernie's window, Frank drops hiskeys inside Ernie's room.

He searches for them, finds an antique Princess Mary ChristmasBox under Ernie's bed. It's heavy, full of something.

He cracks the lid.

FRANKOld mementos and letters.

He picks up a handful.

PATTYLet's read them.

FRANKWithout Ernie's permission? No. That would be wrong

13.

INT. ENGLISH RENTAL CAR NIGHT

They ride home.

PATTYWhat if he never shows them to us?

FRANKWhat?

PATTYThe letters. The mementos.

FRANKThen it was never meant to be.

PATTYWhy are we here if you won't do allyou can to get us the information weneed?

FRANKSo we have to read the old man'skeepsakes against his permission?

PATTYIf you won't do it, I'm going backto the states. Now. Tonight.

He tries to hide his panic inside.

FRANKPatty that's crazy. There's no reasonto go. All we have to do is ask himin the right way. You know, catchflies with honey?

She flips him the bird.

FRANKListen to me. If we go back, we'lllose everything. The dissertation. The degrees. Our Career.

PATTYI don't care about those thingsanymore.

FRANK(whispers)

If you leave now, you'll lose me.

PATTYI've already lost more than that.

14.

EXT. NAZARETH REST HOME DAY

Frank, Patty walk up to the front door. Frank rings thebell.

No answer.

Frank rings it again, harder.

No answer again.

PATTYMaybe they can't hear us.

She pounds on the door with her fist.

PATTYErnie!

ERNIE (O.S.)Go away!

FRANKErnie, it's Frank and Patty.

Ernie opens the door a crack. Peers out.

PATTYWe'd like to take you to Christmasdinner at the Cafe this evening.

ERNIEI'm sorry. I shall not be joiningyou today. I'll be spending it withmy chums.

He closes the door in their faces.

EXT. MENIN ROAD DAY

Frank and Patty drive between cemeteries along the road.

Ernie plods slowly in the mud through a cemetery's gate.

He reaches the road. Stops. Rests. Leans on the gate. Hebreathes heavily. Clutches his chest. Staggers backwardsdespite his cane.

They stop for him. Help support him. Stand with him.

ERNIEIt's getting to be quite a long walkto visit my chums.

15.

He eyes them both up, down.

ERNIEDoes your offer of dinner still stand?

INT. CAFE NIGHT

At the cafe, Ernie holds court.

A scuffle at the bar breaks out.

Under his breath Ernie curses.

ERNIEDamn these people and their happyfamilies. Damn them all.

A little louder.

ERNIEI wish my chums were here.

Patty raises her glass.

PATTYHere's to your chums.

Before anyone can join in her toast, Ernie interrupts.

ERNIEWouldn't you rather toast your family,my dear?

Patty looks at Ernie aghast.

PATTYI..I..have no family left. Frank isall I...

She puts her glass down.

INT. ERNIE'S ROOM NIGHT

They are sitting on the bed again.

FRANKLast night you told us you were aboutto be picked to play on the All-StarRugby team. How was that bad luck?

Ernie pulls out the Princess Mary Gift box, rummages throughthe papers inside.

16.

ERNIEThis is my "Treasure Box."

Hands shaking, he takes out an old Christmas card with a Christmas tree printed on its front.

ERNIEEarlier in the day, my fiancéeElizabeth and I exchanged cards.

The tree morphs into a Christmas tree in a well-to-do 1913English living room.

INT. FORMAL WELL-TO-DO ENGLISH LIVING ROOM 1913 DAY

Legend: Christmas 1913.

A large Christmas tree decorated with antique ornaments,burning candles stands in a corner.

Turn-of-the-century Victorian style furniture fills the restof the room.

The Young Ernie stands as if at attention, stares at portraitsof military officers that hang on the wall.

Behind his back, Ernie holds a present in holiday wrapping.

ERNIEIt had been some time since her motherhad called her out of the room.

INT. ADJACENT SITTING ROOM 1913 DAY

ELIZABETH SAMS, 18, thin, dressed in a Victorian wasp-waisteddress, paces in front of her MOTHER, LUCY SAMS, 40, mediumbuild. She sits in an overstuffed chair.

MOTHERHow ever will you tell him?

ELIZABETHOh, Mama, I don't really know. Gently, I hope. He's so innocent. He has no idea of my feelings forRoger. I don't want to hurt him. But, he so often wears his heart onhis sleeve. How do I do this, Mother? It's the hardest thing I've everdone.

17.

MOTHERYou're sure of Roger? Yes, of courseyou are. Stay true to yourself mydear, and to Roger, and to Ernest. Staying true is all we have. In theend, it will be kinder and easier oneveryone.

ELIZABETHI guess you're right. Sometimes hecan be so stuffy. He refuses tolearn tennis. Says football is theonly man's sport. And he walkedright off the floor during dancelessons when the instructor pointedout he always turned counter-clockwiseinstead of clockwise. He even hadthe nerve to tell him that it feltright that way and he always didwhat felt right. Even though allthe other couple on the floor wereturning the other way.

Elizabeth gazes out a window at gently falling snow.

ELIZABETHHe said it was his duty to do whatfelt right. Duty, duty, duty! Sometimes I think that duty meanseverything to Ernie. He's justfinished caring for his mother, Godrest her soul. And because of thathe has no career to speak of. Justsome military school as a boy andhis damned football! And noinheritance! His father's entireestate went to his mother's care.

Elizabeth turns back to her mother.

ELIZABETHAnd nothing I do ever seems to pleasehim. He doesn't laugh. He won'thave fun with me. His idea of agood time is to play football and togo have a few beers and one of thosedreadful cigars with his chums. They all love him though. It seemslike they'd follow him anywhere,even off the face of the earth. Well now he can be with them all hewants. All they do is talk aboutjoining up for the war. It's their"duty".

18.

She sits on the arm of her mother's chair.

ELIZABETHOh, Mother. He's not right for me. From one day to the next, I'd neverknow if he'd leave me for LordKitchner.

She's on the verge of tears.

ELIZABETHI am doing right, aren't I?

MOTHERJust follow your heart. That's allI can say. That's all I will say.

She pats Elisabeth's hands.

ELIZABETH(Hesitates)

Then, I'll do it, Mummy. I'll do itnow.

Elizabeth strides to the door, opens it briskly, turns toglance at Lady Sams.

Her mother lowers her head.

INT. FORMAL WELL-TO-DO ENGLISH LIVING ROOM 1913 DAY

She enters, closes the door behind her.

With a big smile on his face, Ernie turns to face her.

ERNIEHello, Elizabeth.

ELIZABETHHello Ernest. I'm sorry I kept youwaiting. We must talk.

ERNIEAnd I have a million things I wantto say to you--

ELIZABETH--Ernie, I'm afraid our engagementwill never work.

Ernie's smile freezes in place, then evaporates.

19.

ERNIE(whispers)

Elizabeth.

Ernie drops the present.

INT. ERNIE'S ROOM NIGHT

FRANKI don't know what to say.

ERNIEYou need not say a thing, my boy. What's done is done.

Patty rubs Ernie's shoulders

PATTYWhat if we changed the subject. Talkedabout other things in the box?

ERNIEI'm sorry, my dear. I don't wish totalk about them. Too sad.

FRANKI see some medals in there. Can'tyou tell us how you got them?

ERNIEMy boy, it would be like braggingabout how many men you have killed. It's not me.

Ernie reaches behind the bed, comes up with a bottle ofGlenfiddich single malt. He puts a finger to his lips.

ERNIEShhh. The nuns here are very strict.

He eases the cork out, tugs on the bottle. Offers it toFrank, who does the same, then offers it to Patty who takesa long full swallow.

FRANKThank you, Uncle.

PATTYYes, thank you, Ernie. If we broughtyou another bottle will you tell us more?

Ernie takes his own long swallow, allows the liquid to settlein his stomach.

20.

ERNIEPerhaps after the holiday passes,the crowds go home, and I feel alittle better. Will you young peopletake me to Tyne Cot cemetery tomorrow? I have a little business to do for achum whose birthday it is.

PATTYOf course.

Ernie lays back onto his bed, closes his eyes.

ERNIEThank you.

(mumbles)I told you Leo. I haven't forgottenyou. Tomorrow, I'll be sure toprepare the garden for the spring.

The students exit gracefully through the door, leaving Erniealone with his memories.

ERNIEYes, Leo. I'll be sure to cut theroses back so they have room to grow.

INT. ERNIE'S ROOM MOMENTS LATER

The Students' car engine ROARS to life outside, it'sheadlights cast a sweeping fading shadow on the wall.

The light is gone, Ernie mumbles.

ERNIEYes, I know I need to talk to them,Leo. I need to tell them mystory...our story...the whole story. But, it would help no one. It wouldonly bring up the pain again. Yet,I know I must do it. Move past thepain. It's been with me too long.

INT. ENGLISH RENTAL CAR NIGHT

Frank, Patty ride in silence until..

FRANKI'm surprised a woman broke his heart.

PATTYIt proves he's human.

21.

PATTYWhat would break your heart?

Frank opens his mouth, no words come out.

PATTYI knew I should have broken up withyou when I first got the news.

Frank puts his hand on her knee.

PATTYDon't touch me.

EXT. NAZARETH REST HOME DAY

MORNING

IN FRONT OF THE CONVENT

Ernie holds a bag of fresh baked buns. Chews on one.

Frank, Patty walk up to him.

ERNIEThe nuns baked these from a very oldrecipe.

INT. ENGLISH RENTAL CAR DAY

TYNE COT CEMETERY

ENTRANCE GATE

Patty gazes over the tens of thousands of white crosses thatserve as tombstones.

Her hands shakes. Then, her whole body.

EXT. ENGLISH RENTAL CAR DAY

TYNE COT CEMETERY

ENTRANCE GATE

FRANKThis isn't the place for this kindof thing.

PATTY Frank, I can't get out of the car.

22.

She hangs on to the door handle for dear life.

FRANKNot in front of Ernie. C'mon. Getout of the car.

PATTYI can't.

FRANKSnap out of it. Take a pill. Dowhatever. Just get out of the car.

Patty sobs.

Ernie move close to her window.

ERNIEDeath often brought these soldiers ablessed relief and peace.

BETWEEN THE ROWS OF GRAVES

Frank, Patty walk the rows of graves with Ernie.

Patty lingers at a number of them. Examines a few. Handsshaking, with tears in her eyes, she softly comments

PATTYThey were so young.

ERNIE(whispers)

Most were just boys.

Ernie stops, places a bun in front of one of the headstones.He inserts a candle in it, lights the candle.

ERNIEArchie liked these.

The bun with the lit candle morphs into…

EXT. TOWN CENTER OF YPRES 1914 DAY

OUTDOOR CAFE

…one just like it sitting on a tabletop.

Legend: Christmas 1914

Snow falls on a number of ENGLISH SOLDIERS seated around it They include Young Ernie and his chums.

23.

All are in uniform and great coats; all are very handsome.

One of Ernie's chums, ARCHIE DURHAM, 24, leans forward andblows out the candle.

MATCH CUT TO:

EXT. TYNE COT CEMETERY DAY

The wind has blown out the candle, leaving it smoking.

Ernie takes a bun and passes the bag to the Students. Hetakes a bite.

ERNIEQuite a bit better than rationswouldn't you say?

INT. ERNIE'S ROOM DAY

Without prompting by the Students, Ernie takes a WWIrecruiting poster out of his treasure box, carefully unfoldsit with shaking hands, shows it to them.

ERNIEAfter my folly with Elizabeth, Idecided to join up. It's where Imet Archie and his family.

The old poster morphs into…

EXT. RECRUITING HALL 1914 DAY

…a new one fresh off the presses, tacked on a speakersplatform draped with banners.

It's raining.

A BRASS BAND plays a medley of early war tunes.

Young Ernie weaves his way through a milieu of YOUNG SOLDIERSin new uniforms; OLDER SOLDIERS; the walking wounded:bandaged, in wheel chairs and on crutches; NURSES; PRIESTS;NUNS; CIVILIANS WITH FAMILIES OR GIRLFRIENDS; and groups of"CHUMS" - single guys, friends, eager to enlist together.

SPEAKERS PLATFORM

Ernie stops to listen to the SPEAKER.

24.

SPEAKERWith the Huns on our door step it isimperative that every good son ofBritton do their duty`

Chums and Family Men enter the recruiting hall, Young Soldiersin new uniforms come out a side door, revolving door style.

The Crowd forms a chorus and loudly sings the rousingrecruiting song, "We don't want to lose you, but we thinkyou ought to go…"

Over the song, the Speaker exhorts the Crowd.

SPEAKERDo not believe the rumors of vastnumbers of our soldiers killed andmaimed. It is enemy propaganda. Donot look at the wounds and missinglimbs of the wounded around you. They are all proud to have done theirduty. Think of the war's noblepurpose.

The song ends in wild CLAPPING, CHEERING, SHOUTING, WHISTLING,with the newly-uniformed Soldiers all in teary-eyed saluteto the Union Jack fluttering on the platform.

A young family, consisting of Archie, ANN DURHAM, 24, hiswife, and LITTLE ARCHIE, 6, break from the Crowd and headtoward the entrance of the recruiting hall.

A taxi pulls up and three of Ernie's CHUMS alight.

They greet Ernie soundly. Then all head toward the hall'sentrance.

The family pauses outside. Little Archie asks his father

LITTLE ARCHIEWhat will you do in the war, Daddy?

The Crowd WHOOPS it up again, drowning out Archie's answer.

INT. RECRUITING HALL 1914 DAY

Ernie and one of his Chums, LEOPOLD ACHELY, 19, stride intothe hall behind Archie.

Ernie's Other Two Chums, Ann, and Little Archie, linger offto the side just inside the door. Other RECRUITS enter behindthem, pushing them forward.

25.

The interior is decorated with the obscene recruiting postersof Lord Kitchner, which promise recruits everything.

The activity within is directed by a most enthusiastic highly-decorated LEFTENANT in uniform, conducting his business froma wheelchair. He has no legs.

LEFTENANTStep up smartly, lads. We have awar it fight.

The Men in line push Ernie into Archie, who turns, extendshis hand.

ARCHIEGreat day to join up.

Ernie takes Archie's hand.

ERNIEMy name is Ernest Bennett. My friendscall me Ernie. And this is Leo Achely.

LEOYes, it's a great day.

MONTAGE

The Crowd pushes Ernie, Leo and Archie from table to tablein a lock-step semi-automatic way.

They fill out papers at each.

The lot of them are sworn in.

END MONTAGE

Archie breaks ranks to go to his family, kisses them goodbye.

Ann, reservedly enthusiastic until now, suddenly becomesquiet and still.

Archie and Little Archie don't notice her change.

Ernie notices, and from across the room whispers somethingto Leo.

Ernie's other two chums yell over

TWO CHUMSErnie! Leo! Give the Germans whatthey've got coming. Give it to themfrom us!"

26.

Ernie and Leo salute their Chums.

The legless LEFTENANT herds Archie, Ernie, and Leo toward adoor in the back of the hall.

LEFTENANTCome along now, Lads, we've got toget you into uniform. We've got awar to fight.

Little Archie yells after his daddy.

LITTLE ARCHIEHave a jolly good time!

Ann stands frozen in terror. She stares after them.

ALL SOUND AND ACTIVITY IN THE ROOM SLOWS DOWN AND STOPS.

FADE TO BLACK:

IN BLACK:

LITTLE ARCHIEThere goes my Daddy.

FADE UP FROM BACK:

INT. ERNIE'S ROOM DAY

Patty weeps.

FRANKPlease, Patty please. We can talkit out back in our room.

He puts his arm around her shoulders.

She backs away from him, knocks Ernie's treasure box to thefloor, spilling its contents.

PATTYMurderer! You made me kill our son!

She breaks down completely. Can only talk through sobs.

PATTYI just wanted a little baby. Tohold him. To feed him. To changehim. You would never have had to doany of that. We could have affordedhim. For Christ sakes, Frank wecould have afforded our baby.