“One Woman, One WarOne Woman, One War”
by
Tim Reynard
Produced and Directed
by
Tim Reynard and Nathan Hutchinson
© tReynard Pictures and Focal Point Imaging 2006. All Rights Reserved.
31.
"One Woman, One War"
CHARACTERS
PRIVATE SUSAN (SAMUEL) KING
SERGEANT WELLS
SERGEANT HAMILTON
PRIVATE ABBY (ARTHUR) GRANGER
FIELD MARSHAL FITZ-WILLIAMS
GENERAL DAVID LERITH (NEINBOTZ)
WINSTON CHURCHILL
PRIVATE TOM NAPIER
PRIVATE EDWARD RECTOR
PRIVATE JAMES HUGHES
SNIPER #1
SNIPER #2
GERMAN #1
GERMAN #2
GERMAN #3
ADOLF HITLER
COLONEL VON LUGER
GENERAL KNOBBLESKORF
AARON KING
FADE IN:
1 EXT. VILLAGE HALL - Day
Susan is sitting on the step outside the village hall. She is looking out into the distance. She suddenly lightly groans, and put her head in her hands, and puts her hands and head on her knees.
Sgt Wells (O.S.)
Next please.
Susan looks up, then turns her head round and looks at the door. On the door is a sign saying “ENLISTING OFFICE”. Susan breathes in a preparation manner. She stands up, turns round, and checks her hair is in the back of her shirt. She tucks her shirt in again, and opens the door with another preparation breath.
2 int. village hall, enlisting office – day
Sgt Wells and Sgt Hamilton are sitting at a desk with lots of papers. Sgt Hamilton is writing on piece of paper, whilst Sgt Wells is looking through his papers. Arthur Granger walks out of the back door. The front door opens slowly; Susan herself enters very slowly. Sgt Wells looks up.
sgt Wells
Come on, we haven’t all day!
Susan walks across the room, and stands one metre or so away from the desk. Susan stands in a formal military stance.
sgt Wells
Name?
SUSAN
(slowly) S, s, Sam-uel King.
Sgt Hamilton looks up.
sgt Hamilton
King you say?
susan
Yes Sir.
sgt Wells
Age?
SUSAN
Nineteen.
Sgt Hamilton is looking at Susan with fear and curiosity. Susan keeps on narrowly looking back at him.
sgt Wells (O.S.)
Residence?
SUSAN
1 Chapelfields.
Sgt Hamilton is still looking at Susan with curiosity and fear. Susan is still looking back at him occasionally.
sgt Wells (O.S.)
Could you name any parents, husband, children, sisters, brothers...
Sgt Hamilton stands up and gathers his papers. He turns round and stops.
sgt Wells
Where are you going?
sgt Hamilton
I’m, erm, not feeling, erm, too well...
Sgt Hamilton turns his head and looks at Susan. She looks back. Sgt Hamilton picks up his briefcase and walks towards the back door. He puts his hand on the doorknob and pauses.
SUSAN
Where did you see him?
sgt Hamilton
I, erm, I, I don’t, I don’t, know what you’re talking about.
Sgt Hamilton twists the doorknob, opens the door, and rapidly leaves, letting the door shut itself. Sgt Wells looks at Susan, Susan’s eyes stay transfixed on the back door. Susan starts to run to the door, she too turns the doorknob, and runs out of the door.
3 INT. SMALL CORRIDOR, VILLAGE HALL – DAY
Sgt Hamilton is walking along the small corridor. Susan bursts through the door. Sgt Hamilton doesn’t turn around, he just stands there, facing the door not Susan.
susan
Where is he?
Sgt Hamilton doesn’t answer.
SUSAN
Tell me! Where is he?
Sgt Hamilton puts his right hand in his right pocket. Susan has tears slowly rolling down her eyes.
SUSAN
Where is he?
Susan is quietly crying. Sgt Hamilton draws out a gun from his pocket.
SUSAN
Please, where is he?
Sgt Hamilton turns around and faces Susan. He puts the gun to his head. He pulls the trigger, he freezes. The body of Sgt Hamilton momentarily turns into Aaron’s body. Susan looks dead on at the figure. The body has once again resumed Sgt Hamilton’s body. Blood is slowly trickling down the side of his face. The dead Sgt Hamilton has a scared expression on his face. The body of Sgt Hamilton falls to the floor, and blood slowly flows from the wound and onto the wooden floor.
4 ext. graveyard – night
Susan is in the graveyard at night, looking at the grave of Aaron. The grave says “THE BODY OF AARON WAS NEVER FOUND”. Susan bends down and stares at the grave.
susan
(whispers) Where are you?
5 ext. red brick house – night/rain
It is raining. Suddenly Aaron walks round a corner. He stops, and turns his head around. He then turns his head round, and starts walking again.
6 int. village hall, enlisting office – day
Susan walks through the open front door and walks confidently upto Sgt Wells. He looks her in the eye, she returns the look.
sgt Wells
Samuel King?
susan
Yes.
Sgt Wells picks up a rifle, and places it in Susan’s hands.
sgt Wells
(whispers) Be strong.
susan
I am.
Susan grabs the rifle, and starts to walk towards the front door.
sgt Wells
Other door.
SUSAN
I can’t go there again.
Sgt Wells nods, he points his hand towards the front door. Susan walks towards the door and walks out.
7 int. field marshal Fitz-Williams’s office - DAY
Field Marshal Harold Fitz-Williams is sitting at his desk drawing a strategy on a piece of paper. There is a knock at the door.
Field marshal Fitz-Williams
Come in.
8 ext. field marshal Fitz-Williams’s office - DAY
The doorknob is turned. A sign on the door says “FIELD MARSHAL HAROLD FITZ-WILLIAMS”. The door is opened.
9 int. field marshal Fitz-Williams’s office - DAY
The door opens slowly. Field Marshal Fitz-Williams turns around. The audience do not see the intruder. The audience see the hand of the intruder holding a gun. Field Marshal Fitz-Williams looks at the intruder, and shuts his eyes...
10 ext. radio
winston churchill (V.O.- RADIO)
Murdered, Field Marshal Fitz-Williams. By whom, we do not know. Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened. But in this instance we must find out the truth. One of our enemies – it could have been, and if they want us to surrender, they are mad. We shall never give in! Never give in! Never, never, never, never - in nothing great or small, large or petty. Never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. We have to replace Fitz-Williams. A replacement has been made. I like an man who grins when he fights, and Field Marshal Fitz-Williams’s replacement is such a man. A dear friend of mine will take the position, his name is...
11 INT. CHURCH - DAY
General Lerith is standing in the church at the altar. There is Susan, Arthur Granger, Edward Rector, James Hughes and Tom Napier. They are all scattered around the church.
LERITH
General David Lerith. Known to you as Sir or General. Despie being General, I shall being fighting. You have all been placed under my command. The six of us shall be the most elite squad in the British army. We shall be aiming to retrieve the large town of St. Nazaire in France from the Germans. Our troops yesterday took Sword Beach from the hands of the Germans, during Operation Neptune – the 1st phase of Operation Overlord. We therefore will be shipped out tomorrow to Sword Beach in Normandy where we shall start our advance to St. Nazaire. Private Napier, Private Hughes, Private Rector, Lieutenant Granger and Private King, Let Battle Commence!
12 int. field – day
Susan, Arthur, Lerith, Napier, Rector and Hughes are all walking in a field. Lerith is at the front, holding a pistol. Napier, Arthur and Rector are all standing a few metres between each other in a line a few metres behind Lerith, all holding their rifles. Susan and Hughes are standing a metre apart in a line, both also holding rifles. Napier walks over to Susan.
HUGHES
How you doing?
susan
I’m okay thankyou. A bit nervous as it’s my first mission for the army.
HUGHES
Your first mission? You mean assignment!?
susan
Yes, sorry. How many assignments have you been given then?
HUGHES
Erm… I believe this is my eigth. It’s strange that they gave you such a difficult assignment for your first one. I just did some street fighting before I was sent to re-capture a place!
susan
Oh okay. You must be pretty experienced now then?
HUGHES
Yes, I suppose so. So where you from?
susan
Coventry.
HUGHES
We’re all from Coventry! Which part?
susan
Chapelfields.
HUGHES
Walsgrave. The name’s James Hughes.
susan
Susan King.
HUGHES
Sorry?
susan
…Is my wife. My name’s Samuel King.
Hughes chuckles.
HUGHES
For a moment there, I thought you were a woman!
Hughes walks back into formation. Susan looks down and closes her eyes momentarily.
13 int. wood - night
Susan is sat on the floor drinking from her bottle. Hughes, Napier and Rector are all sat talking by a fire. Hughes is writing a letter. She puts the bottle down. She looks at her watch. The watch has stopped going round. Susan fishes out a small picture of Aaron from her top pocket. She looks at it. A tear trickles down her cheek. Suddenly Arthur comes from nowhere and stands infront of Susan.
arthur
You King?
susan
Yes.
Susan quickly puts the picture of Aaron back in her top pocket.
arthur
Could you help me gather some firewood?
susan
Sure.
Arthur turns round and heads off to the right. Susan stands up and wipes the tear from her eye. Susan follows Arthur. Arthur stops after a while and kneels down. Susan looks down at Arthur. Arthur looks up at Susan.
arthur
Arthur Granger. Don’t just stand there King.
susan
Sorry.
Arthur starts to walk around picking up twigs and pieces of wood. Susan does the same.
susan
Arthur, when did you join the army?
arthur
Few weeks ago, I was threatening to go and fight for ages. But, my parents wouldn’t let me. One night, I had a row with my parents, and, I left, I went to join the army. What about you Susan?
SUSan
Sorry? You just called me Susan!
arthur
Well that’s your name isn’t it? I’ve seen you singing.
susan
You must have mistaken me for someone else.
Susan drops the wood and starts to run off.
arthur
I’m Abby Granger. Did the same as you, didn’t like the women - joined the men.
Susan stops running. She looks back at Abby.
susan
Abby?
abby
Yes.
susan
Do you know Aaron King?
abby
Yes, I went out with him.
Susan starts crying. She runs to Abby and hugs her.
susan
I miss him so much. I know he’s not dead. I just know it. He’s out there somewhere. Please help me find him. Please. Please.
14 int. field #2 – day
Susan, Abby, Lerith, Napier, Rector and Hughes are all walking in formation through a field. (Dir: Camera overview)
15 INT. FOREST – DAY
Susan, Abby, Lerith, Napier, Rector and Hughes are all walking through a forest. (Dir: Camera floor-up view)
16 int. street – day
Susan, Abby, Napier, Rector and Hughes are all being lead by Lerith with their guns held at eyes. There are lots of civilians around at their doors looking very scared. (Dir: Circular Close Eye view)
17 int. field #3 – day
Susan, Abby, Lerith, Rector, Napier and Hughes are all walking in formation. Lerith stops. Everyone else stops as well.
lerith
I am going to the toilet. You all carry on. I will catch up.
Susan, Abby, Hughes, Rector and Napier all carry on walking in formation. Lerith meanwhile kneels down and takes something out of his bag. Lerith turns around. Suddenly there is a bang. Lerith looks around. Hughes is lying on the floor. He runs towards Hughes. Napier and Rector drop their rucksacks and start to rummage around. Napier pulls out a medical kit.
napier
Rector, what do you need?
rector
Erm… give me some padding. Everyone, give me any clothing.
Hughes is breathing really heavily, his clothes are going red, blood is covering them. Napier takes some white cotton wool style padding from his rucksack. He hands it quickly to Rector.
napier
Here you go.
Susan, Lerith and Abby rummage around in their rucksacks, they eventually all pull out some clothes and chuck them to Rector.
lerith
What the hell happened?
napier
I don’t know Sir.
susan
We heard a bang, and there was Hughes on the floor.
Rector rips Hughes’ shirt open. Hughes has a bullet sized wound in the top right of his chest. Rector starts pressing the clothing and padding on Hughes’ wound.
rector
Hughes, Hughes, you’re gonna be okay, don’t worry man, you’re gonna be okay. Just keep breathing, keep breathing, keep breathing.
Blood suddenly comes pouring out of Hughes’ mouth. Hughes starts choking. Hughes stops breathing. He is still breathing. Rector’s hands are covered in red blood. Susan is quietly crying. The padding is blood red. Hughes stops moving, his eyes stand still. His body shuts down. Hughes is dead.
rector
Gimme some more padding.
Lerith slowly shakes his head.
rector
Gimme some more padding!
Lerith and the other just stand there watching.
rector
What the hell you doing? Hughes is dying. Gimme some more shitting padding!
lerith
He’s dead Rector.
rector
No he’s not. Not yet. Give me the shiteing padding!
lerith
Rector: He’s Dead!
rector
No he’s not.
lerith
Rector, I want him alive just as much as you. But he’s dead.
Rector starts crying himself. He starts breathing really heavily. Hughes’ body is dead on the floor. Rector is staring at it.
rector
No, no. How did he die? Why Hughes? Why Hughes.
Rector carries on crying his eyes out. Rector reaches down and hugs the dead body of Hughes.
lerith
Get him away Napier.
Rector carries on crying as Napier starts to pull Rector away from the body. Rector tries to grab onto Hughes.
rector
No, no, no, no.
Lerith
Hit him and get him away.
Napier hits Rector in the face. Rector is out and is dragged away by Napier. Susan and Abby are both crying.
lerith
Bury the body.
Lerith looks at Susan and Abby. Susan shuts her eyes whilst she still cries. Susan goes to one end of Hughes’ body, whilst Abby looks away and goes for the other end. They pick up the body and take it over to the other side of the field. (Dir: Pan round, camera out, slow out aerial view. Fade out.)
18 ext. wall in field #3 – night
Susan and Abby are sitting next to each other infront of a wall. Napier and Rector are getting a fire lit next a few metres away. Lerith is sat another few metres away by the wall writing on a piece of paper.
abby
You never said how you joined the army Susan.
susan
All my family died. My parents went out for the night, never came back. They went to a party, and the party was bombed. They died in the blast. I had to sing to get money to keep Aaron, my other brother and two sisters and myself alive. My Aaron, always wanted to enlist, I tried to stop him. But when I wasn’t looking he went and did so, even though he knew I really didn’t want him to.
abby
So did you try and stop him?
susan
I ran after him, but I never saw him. I ran to the enlisting office but I couldn’t see him. I knew he’d enlisted ‘cos I saw his friend David looking very smug. A few seconds later a bomb went off; hit my house. All three of my younger brothers and sisters died. With his dying words, Tommy, my brother, said, “He forgot his watch”. Aaron had obviously come back to get his watch. The bomb hit Aaron’s room where his watch was, where he presumably was when the bomb hit. They couldn’t find his body, as it had obviously been blow apart. But I know he’s alive, the hints say so.