1. PROJECT ERNIE - INTERVIEW WITH A HERO
(first 26 pages)
by
Chuck Loch
14314 Summertime Lane
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 713-5480 Voice
(310) 559-2331 Fax
chuck9@sbcglobal.net

2. 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 rise
above the din of the house. Then sink back again.
At a FORMICA-TOPPED TABLE in the corner, Regimental Sergeant
Major Retired, ERNEST BENNETT, Ernie, 83, reaches for a PINT
OF BEER.
He takes it from an ARRANGEMENT OF FULL GLASSES lined-up on
the table in front of him like soldiers in formation.
Above him hangs a REPRODUCTION of John Singer Sargent's famous
painting, "GASSED," depicting soldiers blinded by mustard
gas, stumbling along in a line, hands on each other's
shoulders.
AT THE TABLE
Ernie's neatly dressed in a BOW TIE, sharply-creased TROUSERS,
and a checkered SPORTS COAT with three polished MEDALS on
the pocket.
A dark wooden CANE is hooked over the arm of his CHAIR.
He appears frail, halfway between life and death, softly
mumbling to a wall - and unseen long-ago "chums."
ERNIE
Willy, my lad, and Jimmy. Glad to
have you join me. How are the others
from the company? Fine, you say? And
what 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, both
late 20s, and their son, LITTLE JACQUES, aged 5 - wander in.
Make their way to Ernie's table.

3. 2.
AT THE TABLE
JACQUES
Happy Christmas, Ernie. Would you
like another beer?
Ernie's lined face and heavy-lidded eyes light up with the
enthusiasm of a man half his age.
ERNIE
Happy Christmas, Jacques. You're
most kind. Don't mind if I do.
The Father signals the BARMAID, who nods, heads to the bar.
JACQUES
Can you tell me boy a story?
ERNIE
I hope you don't mind, my boy, but
it is getting late and I'm a bit
tuckered out.
JACQUES
C'mon, Ernie. It's for me little
boy. Tell him how you almost "went
west" when you mounted the top in
'15.
Jacques hands Ernie a CIGAR.
ERNIE
Thank you again, my Boy.
Ernie pops it into the medal pocket of his jacket beside two
others.
ERNIE
For the lad, is it?
Jacques nods "yes."
The Barmaid delivers another GLASS OF BEER. Ernie lines it
up behind the others.
ERNIE
I can tell that story. But it will
be 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.

4. 3.
ERNIE
(to Little Jacques)
Do you know what your daddy meant
when he said I almost went west?
The Boy shakes his head "no."
Ernie offers Little Jacques a sip of his beer. He screws up
his face. Pushes it away.
Ernie demolishes the pint in one long drink.
ERNIE
"Blighty," our name for England - my
home at the time - is west of Belgium.
During the war, there was only one
way to go home. When a soldier died,
we said he "went west" - his body
was sent home at last.
LITTLE JACQUES
Went west. Home.
ERNIE
I went over the top of the trenches
four times. Once I had a very narrow
escape. I was very lucky to be
standing sideways. A German bullet
went right through my breast pocket,
bending the tips of the cartridges I
was carrying there.
The Barmaid delivers another GLASS OF BEER. Ernie raises it
in salute.
ERNIE
Today is a lucky day too. Thank you.
Cheers.
Those around him raise their glasses in return.
JACQUES
On the last day of the war, you must
have felt very lucky. Do you have a
story there?
Ernie stops drinking. Loses his smile.
ERNIE
Please understand, my Boy. I wish I
could forget that day. There are
some stories that can never be told.
Little Jacques stares. Points at the medals on Ernie's chest.

5. 4.
LITTLE JACQUES
Train?
ERNIE
Ah yes, my boy. I can tell you a
little story about a train.
Ernie puts down his glass, settles back.
ERNIE
I was new to the Royal Engineers...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MAKESHIFT TRAIN STATION 1916 DAY
Legend: St. Juliaan, West Flanders, Belgium, Christmas Day
1916
ERNIE (V.O.)
We had just put the station together
at St. Juliaan when the wounded came
pouring in.
A booted-up STEAM LOCOMOTIVE hisses anxiously in the cold
sunshine.
ENGLISH TROOPS, in ragged brown UNIFORMS, fatigued to the
point of resembling the walking dead, unload STRETCHERS of
WOUNDED SOLDIERS from horse-drawn Red Cross WAGONS.
They carry their "mates" to a half dozen iron-clad PASSENGER
CARS strung out behind the restless engine.
Plastered in mud from the trenches, limbs missing and eyes
bandaged, their faces are blank or frozen with horror from
the combat they've just experienced.
RED CROSS NURSES and a small group of CIVILIANS rush to put
CIGARETTES between lips and hand out cups of tea and chocolate
bars.
A YOUNGER SERGEANT ERNEST BENNETT (ERNIE), then 21, GQ
handsome and a take-charge kind of guy, walks ram-rod straight
among the litters, directing the worst cases to the front
cars, the less badly wounded to those further back.
Ernie reaches down to take the hand of a gaunt and ashen
YOUNG MAN, also 21. Ernie walks beside the Young Man's pallet
as it's carried to the first car behind the engine.

6. 5.
The Young Man's BLANKET is soaked in blood. It drips a spotted
trail behind them, one of many such trails across the frozen
ground.
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's
attention toward the ENGINEER who leans out his window. Points
in the direction of the blasts. Yells
ENGINEER
Jerrys. On the far side of the field.
EXT. TRAIN 1916 DAY
The smokestack releases a steady stream of PUFFS. The cars
lurch back and forth. The wheels rhythmically churn out
forward progress along the tracks.
INT. TRAIN 1916 DAY
PASSENGER CAR
Ernie sits in the first car with the badly wounded Young
Man, his "chum" LEOPOLD ACHELY.
Ernie leans over and whispers in Leo's ear
ERNIE
You'll be wanting to see Molly again,
Leo. She's waiting for you to come
home.
Leo rolls his head to face Ernie with unseeing eyes.
He raises his hand. Ernie takes it.
LEO
Is that you Molly?
ERNIE
(whispering)
Fight it, Leo. Stay with me for Molly.

7. 6.
EXT. TRAIN
The wheels lock. Reverse. Sparks fly. The horrible SQUEAL of
metal 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 the
large BRAKE LEVER. Ernie pokes his head in from the coupling
platform.
ERNIE
Good God, Daniel, we're slowing down.
What's going on? The boys in the
back need all the speed you can give
them.
The Engineer points toward the front of the engine.
ENGINEER
It's Fritz. He's broken through.
Ernie leans out the window.
POV ERNIE
Up Ahead, GRAY-UNIFORMED GERMAN SOLDIERS rush to take up
positions along the tracks. They aim their RIFLES toward the
train.
An ARTILLERY UNIT wheels a 76 MILLIMETER HOWITZER onto the
tracks, simultaneously lowering its barrel to point directly
at the locomotive.
Two MACHINE-GUN CREWS set up their deadly GUNS on either
side of the cannon.
DISSOLVE BACK TO:
INT. CAFE T'CANON 1978 NIGHT
Ernie stares at the wall, mumbles.
ERNIE
Forgive me.
JACQUES
(interrupting Ernie's
reverie)
And then what happened?

8. 7.
Ernie sets Little Jacques down onto the floor.
ERNIE
I talked some sense into those Heinies
and they let the train through. We
all made it back, of course. Then I
was given the Queen's own medal and
promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major.
AT THE DOOR
PATTY AND FRANK BISHOP, early-20s, married American grad
students, stumble in. Though full of jet lag, they look as
determined as preppie bull dogs.
Both are festooned with CAMERAS, BINOCULARS, MAPS. An AUDIO
CASSETTE RECORDER hangs from Frank's BELT.
PATTY
That God damn cheap charter flight
to Brussels. Packed us in like
sardines. And I never heard of an
airline running out of food. You
really did it up big. Spared no
expense.
FRANK
You left it up to me. I tried to
stretch out our travel money as best
I could.
PATTY
It 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 over
the bar towards them.
BARTENDER
Wiltu een pintje hebben?
PATTY
What?
BARTENDER
Would you like a drink?
FRANK
Oh, uh... Not right now. I'm looking
for Regimental Sergeant Major Retired
Ernest Bennet?

9. 8.
BARTENDER
You mean Ernie. He's over there.
He points to Ernie's table.
BARTENDER
He's quite a handful. I suggest you
buy him a pint and a cigar.
FRANK
Yeah. Sure.
AT THE TABLE
Carrying the beer and cigar, Frank leads Patty to the table.
Ernie looks up as they approach.
ERNIE
That's quite a handful you have there
my Boy.
Frank puts the pint and the cigar down in front of Ernie.
FRANK
These are for you.
INT. CAFE MOMENTS LATER
AT ERNIE'S TABLE
The students sit next to Ernie.
ERNIE
Come all the way from America, did
you? Well, blow me down. Excuse me a
moment there's some chums I'd like
you to meet.
Ernie stares again at the wall, addresses his unseen chums.
ERNIE
Willie and Jimmy, I'd like you to
meet my long lost nephew, Frank, and
his mam'selle, Patty...Yes, she is
very pretty.
He winks at Patty then returns to the wall.
ERNIE
They're at University. Going to write
something called a thesis about our
old war. Going to record me for a

10. 9.
ERNIE
living history exhibit. Seems I'm
the only one still alive with the
Queen's medal.
Ernie nods sleepily. Yawns. Speaks slowly, haltingly. Slurs
his words.
ERNIE
Never dreamed anyone would be
interested enough to come all this
way after so long a time. Makes me
feel I should be in some sort of
museum myself. An old relic. I told
them I have a few stories but they're
not worth much. We were just doing
our duty, the same as any man would.
Ernie dozes.
Patty, Frank whisper an exchange.
PATTY
Who was he talking to?
FRANK
I think they're friends he lost in
the war. Remember what the nuns said
in their letter.
PATTY
He lives too much in the past.
FRANK
Wouldn't you if you were eighty-three
with a bad heart and knew...you were
dying?
PATTY
It's a good thing we came when we
did.
Ernie snaps awake.
ERNIE
They're not just friends. They're me
chums. 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.

11. 10.
ERNIE
Don't be alarmed. It's just something
passing through me. Happens whenever
I'm excited.
Ernie calms down. His breathing returns to normal.
PATTY
You okay now?
FRANK
Maybe we should just let him sit for
a minute.
ERNIE
I'd be much obliged if you could
help me up. I must be getting on
home. Can't take the late hours
anymore.
FRANK
We could do that.
PATTY
We've got a car. We could give you a
ride - for a story.
ERNIE
Young Lady, I'm afraid I'm all out
of stories.
PATTY
Can't I have even one little one -
the one you like the most?
Patty winks at Ernie.
ERNIE
In that case, I'd be most happy to
make the trade.
Ernie winks back at her.
PATTY
Then we'll do it. Won't we Frank?
FRANK
Of course.
Frank holds out his hand to Ernie.
ERNIE
Thank you, my Boy.

12. 11.
Instead of taking Frank's hand, Ernie pulls himself to his
feet hand-over-hand on his cane.
EXT. NAZARETH REST HOME 1978 NIGHT
The Students help Ernie crawl through his window.
ERNIE
Shhhh. The nuns are very strict.
They've put me on a curfew.
They crawl through the window after him. The recorder still
hangs from Frank's belt.
INT. NAZARETH REST HOME NIGHT
ERNIE'S ROOM
It's very Spartan. Ernie has no real decorations, only a
yellowed PHOTO - dated 1914 - of himself in uniform, and a
few RELIGIOUS ITEMS - presents from the nuns.
They all sit on Ernie's bed.
Patty looks around.
PATTY
Where's your Christmas decorations?
The tinsel? The Christmas stockings?
The boughs of holly?
Ernie hisses in reply.
ERNIE
The season has never brought me
comfort or cheer. Nothing but bad
luck. I don't wish to celebrate it.
FRANK
What bad luck, Uncle?
(beat)
Wait a minute 'till I turn on the
recorder.
Frank fumbles with the recorder.
ERNIE
No use to get it out. I won't speak
about the season.

13. 12.
PATTY
Then, how about the story you promised
me? Tell us one of good luck.
ERNIE
I did make the promise. I will tell
you one story of a year of good luck
that turned bad on Christmas Day.
But I don't know how long I can hold
up tonight.
Ernie props himself up into a comfortable position on his
pillows.
ERNIE
A long time ago, I was quite the up-
and-coming rugby player. My
photograph was in all the
newspapers...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. NAZARETH REST HOME NIGHT
ERNIE'S ROOM
PATTY
My God, Ernie. How could that story
be bad luck?
Ernie doesn't answer. He's asleep.
They tuck him in.
As they squeeze back out Ernie's window, Frank drops his
keys inside Ernie's room.
He searches for them, finds an antique Princess Mary Christmas
Box under Ernie's bed. It's heavy, full of something.
He cracks the lid.
FRANK
Old mementos and letters.
He picks up a handful.
PATTY
Let's read them.
FRANK
Without Ernie's permission? No.
That would be wrong

14. 13.
INT. ENGLISH RENTAL CAR NIGHT
They ride home.
PATTY
What if he never shows them to us?
FRANK
What?
PATTY
The letters. The mementos.
FRANK
Then it was never meant to be.
PATTY
Why are we here if you won't do all
you can to get us the information we
need?
FRANK
So we have to read the old man's
keepsakes against his permission?
PATTY
If you won't do it, I'm going back
to the states. Now. Tonight.
He tries to hide his panic inside.
FRANK
Patty that's crazy. There's no reason
to go. All we have to do is ask him
in the right way. You know, catch
flies with honey?
She flips him the bird.
FRANK
Listen to me. If we go back, we'll
lose everything. The dissertation.
The degrees. Our Career.
PATTY
I don't care about those things
anymore.
FRANK
(whispers)
If you leave now, you'll lose me.
PATTY
I've already lost more than that.

15. 14.
EXT. NAZARETH REST HOME DAY
Frank, Patty walk up to the front door. Frank rings the
bell.
No answer.
Frank rings it again, harder.
No answer again.
PATTY
Maybe they can't hear us.
She pounds on the door with her fist.
PATTY
Ernie!
ERNIE (O.S.)
Go away!
FRANK
Ernie, it's Frank and Patty.
Ernie opens the door a crack. Peers out.
PATTY
We'd like to take you to Christmas
dinner at the Cafe this evening.
ERNIE
I'm sorry. I shall not be joining
you today. I'll be spending it with
my 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. He
breathes heavily. Clutches his chest. Staggers backwards
despite his cane.
They stop for him. Help support him. Stand with him.
ERNIE
It's getting to be quite a long walk
to visit my chums.

16. 15.
He eyes them both up, down.
ERNIE
Does 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.
ERNIE
Damn these people and their happy
families. Damn them all.
A little louder.
ERNIE
I wish my chums were here.
Patty raises her glass.
PATTY
Here's to your chums.
Before anyone can join in her toast, Ernie interrupts.
ERNIE
Wouldn't you rather toast your family,
my dear?
Patty looks at Ernie aghast.
PATTY
I..I..have no family left. Frank is
all I...
She puts her glass down.
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM NIGHT
They are sitting on the bed again.
FRANK
Last night you told us you were about
to be picked to play on the All-Star
Rugby team. How was that bad luck?
Ernie pulls out the Princess Mary Gift box, rummages through
the papers inside.

17. 16.
ERNIE
This is my "Treasure Box."
Hands shaking, he takes out an old Christmas card with a
Christmas tree printed on its front.
ERNIE
Earlier in the day, my fiancée
Elizabeth and I exchanged cards.
The tree morphs into a Christmas tree in a well-to-do 1913
English 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 rest
of the room.
The Young Ernie stands as if at attention, stares at portraits
of military officers that hang on the wall.
Behind his back, Ernie holds a present in holiday wrapping.
ERNIE
It had been some time since her mother
had called her out of the room.
INT. ADJACENT SITTING ROOM 1913 DAY
ELIZABETH SAMS, 18, thin, dressed in a Victorian wasp-waisted
dress, paces in front of her MOTHER, LUCY SAMS, 40, medium
build. She sits in an overstuffed chair.
MOTHER
How ever will you tell him?
ELIZABETH
Oh, Mama, I don't really know.
Gently, I hope. He's so innocent.
He has no idea of my feelings for
Roger. I don't want to hurt him.
But, he so often wears his heart on
his sleeve. How do I do this, Mother?
It's the hardest thing I've ever
done.

18. 17.
MOTHER
You're sure of Roger? Yes, of course
you are. Stay true to yourself my
dear, and to Roger, and to Ernest.
Staying true is all we have. In the
end, it will be kinder and easier on
everyone.
ELIZABETH
I guess you're right. Sometimes he
can be so stuffy. He refuses to
learn tennis. Says football is the
only man's sport. And he walked
right off the floor during dance
lessons when the instructor pointed
out he always turned counter-clockwise
instead of clockwise. He even had
the nerve to tell him that it felt
right that way and he always did
what felt right. Even though all
the other couple on the floor were
turning the other way.
Elizabeth gazes out a window at gently falling snow.
ELIZABETH
He said it was his duty to do what
felt right. Duty, duty, duty!
Sometimes I think that duty means
everything to Ernie. He's just
finished caring for his mother, God
rest her soul. And because of that
he has no career to speak of. Just
some military school as a boy and
his damned football! And no
inheritance! His father's entire
estate went to his mother's care.
Elizabeth turns back to her mother.
ELIZABETH
And nothing I do ever seems to please
him. He doesn't laugh. He won't
have fun with me. His idea of a
good time is to play football and to
go have a few beers and one of those
dreadful cigars with his chums.
They all love him though. It seems
like they'd follow him anywhere,
even off the face of the earth.
Well now he can be with them all he
wants. All they do is talk about
joining up for the war. It's their
"duty".

19. 18.
She sits on the arm of her mother's chair.
ELIZABETH
Oh, Mother. He's not right for me.
From one day to the next, I'd never
know if he'd leave me for Lord
Kitchner.
She's on the verge of tears.
ELIZABETH
I am doing right, aren't I?
MOTHER
Just follow your heart. That's all
I can say. That's all I will say.
She pats Elisabeth's hands.
ELIZABETH
(Hesitates)
Then, I'll do it, Mummy. I'll do it
now.
Elizabeth strides to the door, opens it briskly, turns to
glance 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.
ERNIE
Hello, Elizabeth.
ELIZABETH
Hello Ernest. I'm sorry I kept you
waiting. We must talk.
ERNIE
And I have a million things I want
to say to you--
ELIZABETH
--Ernie, I'm afraid our engagement
will never work.
Ernie's smile freezes in place, then evaporates.

20. 19.
ERNIE
(whispers)
Elizabeth.
Ernie drops the present.
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM NIGHT
FRANK
I don't know what to say.
ERNIE
You need not say a thing, my boy.
What's done is done.
Patty rubs Ernie's shoulders
PATTY
What if we changed the subject. Talked
about other things in the box?
ERNIE
I'm sorry, my dear. I don't wish to
talk about them. Too sad.
FRANK
I see some medals in there. Can't
you tell us how you got them?
ERNIE
My boy, it would be like bragging
about how many men you have killed.
It's not me.
Ernie reaches behind the bed, comes up with a bottle of
Glenfiddich single malt. He puts a finger to his lips.
ERNIE
Shhh. The nuns here are very strict.
He eases the cork out, tugs on the bottle. Offers it to
Frank, who does the same, then offers it to Patty who takes
a long full swallow.
FRANK
Thank you, Uncle.
PATTY
Yes, thank you, Ernie. If we brought
you another bottle will you tell us more?
Ernie takes his own long swallow, allows the liquid to settle
in his stomach.

21. 20.
ERNIE
Perhaps after the holiday passes,
the crowds go home, and I feel a
little better. Will you young people
take me to Tyne Cot cemetery tomorrow?
I have a little business to do for a
chum whose birthday it is.
PATTY
Of course.
Ernie lays back onto his bed, closes his eyes.
ERNIE
Thank you.
(mumbles)
I told you Leo. I haven't forgotten
you. Tomorrow, I'll be sure to
prepare the garden for the spring.
The students exit gracefully through the door, leaving Ernie
alone with his memories.
ERNIE
Yes, Leo. I'll be sure to cut the
roses back so they have room to grow.
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM MOMENTS LATER
The Students' car engine ROARS to life outside, it's
headlights cast a sweeping fading shadow on the wall.
The light is gone, Ernie mumbles.
ERNIE
Yes, I know I need to talk to them,
Leo. I need to tell them my
story...our story...the whole story.
But, it would help no one. It would
only bring up the pain again. Yet,
I know I must do it. Move past the
pain. It's been with me too long.
INT. ENGLISH RENTAL CAR NIGHT
Frank, Patty ride in silence until..
FRANK
I'm surprised a woman broke his heart.
PATTY
It proves he's human.

22. 21.
PATTY
What would break your heart?
Frank opens his mouth, no words come out.
PATTY
I knew I should have broken up with
you when I first got the news.
Frank puts his hand on her knee.
PATTY
Don'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.
ERNIE
The nuns baked these from a very old
recipe.
INT. ENGLISH RENTAL CAR DAY
TYNE COT CEMETERY
ENTRANCE GATE
Patty gazes over the tens of thousands of white crosses that
serve as tombstones.
Her hands shakes. Then, her whole body.
EXT. ENGLISH RENTAL CAR DAY
TYNE COT CEMETERY
ENTRANCE GATE
FRANK
This isn't the place for this kind
of thing.
PATTY
Frank, I can't get out of the car.

23. 22.
She hangs on to the door handle for dear life.
FRANK
Not in front of Ernie. C'mon. Get
out of the car.
PATTY
I can't.
FRANK
Snap out of it. Take a pill. Do
whatever. Just get out of the car.
Patty sobs.
Ernie move close to her window.
ERNIE
Death often brought these soldiers a
blessed 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. Hands
shaking, with tears in her eyes, she softly comments
PATTY
They 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.
ERNIE
Archie 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.

24. 23.
All are in uniform and great coats; all are very handsome.
One of Ernie's chums, ARCHIE DURHAM, 24, leans forward and
blows 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. He
takes a bite.
ERNIE
Quite a bit better than rations
wouldn't you say?
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM DAY
Without prompting by the Students, Ernie takes a WWI
recruiting poster out of his treasure box, carefully unfolds
it with shaking hands, shows it to them.
ERNIE
After my folly with Elizabeth, I
decided to join up. It's where I
met Archie and his family.
The old poster morphs into…
EXT. RECRUITING HALL 1914 DAY
…a new one fresh off the presses, tacked on a speakers
platform 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 SOLDIERS
in 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.

25. 24.
SPEAKER
With the Huns on our door step it is
imperative that every good son of
Britton do their duty`
Chums and Family Men enter the recruiting hall, Young Soldiers
in new uniforms come out a side door, revolving door style.
The Crowd forms a chorus and loudly sings the rousing
recruiting song, "We don't want to lose you, but we think
you ought to go…"
Over the song, the Speaker exhorts the Crowd.
SPEAKER
Do not believe the rumors of vast
numbers of our soldiers killed and
maimed. It is enemy propaganda. Do
not look at the wounds and missing
limbs of the wounded around you.
They are all proud to have done their
duty. Think of the war's noble
purpose.
The song ends in wild CLAPPING, CHEERING, SHOUTING, WHISTLING,
with the newly-uniformed Soldiers all in teary-eyed salute
to the Union Jack fluttering on the platform.
A young family, consisting of Archie, ANN DURHAM, 24, his
wife, and LITTLE ARCHIE, 6, break from the Crowd and head
toward 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's
entrance.
The family pauses outside. Little Archie asks his father
LITTLE ARCHIE
What 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 into
the hall behind Archie.
Ernie's Other Two Chums, Ann, and Little Archie, linger off
to the side just inside the door. Other RECRUITS enter behind
them, pushing them forward.

26. 25.
The interior is decorated with the obscene recruiting posters
of Lord Kitchner, which promise recruits everything.
The activity within is directed by a most enthusiastic highly-
decorated LEFTENANT in uniform, conducting his business from
a wheelchair. He has no legs.
LEFTENANT
Step up smartly, lads. We have a
war it fight.
The Men in line push Ernie into Archie, who turns, extends
his hand.
ARCHIE
Great day to join up.
Ernie takes Archie's hand.
ERNIE
My name is Ernest Bennett. My friends
call me Ernie. And this is Leo Achely.
LEO
Yes, it's a great day.
MONTAGE
The Crowd pushes Ernie, Leo and Archie from table to table
in 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 becomes
quiet and still.
Archie and Little Archie don't notice her change.
Ernie notices, and from across the room whispers something
to Leo.
Ernie's other two chums yell over
TWO CHUMS
Ernie! Leo! Give the Germans what
they've got coming. Give it to them
from us!"

27. 26.
Ernie and Leo salute their Chums.
The legless LEFTENANT herds Archie, Ernie, and Leo toward a
door in the back of the hall.
LEFTENANT
Come along now, Lads, we've got to
get you into uniform. We've got a
war to fight.
Little Archie yells after his daddy.
LITTLE ARCHIE
Have 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 ARCHIE
There goes my Daddy.
FADE UP FROM BACK:
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM DAY
Patty weeps.
FRANK
Please, Patty please. We can talk
it out back in our room.
He puts his arm around her shoulders.
She backs away from him, knocks Ernie's treasure box to the
floor, spilling its contents.
PATTY
Murderer! You made me kill our son!
She breaks down completely. Can only talk through sobs.
PATTY
I just wanted a little baby. To
hold him. To feed him. To change
him. You would never have had to do
any of that. We could have afforded
him. For Christ sakes, Frank we
could have afforded our baby.