Two Soldiers (A Scene)mature

Scene One

Sound of distant gunfire.

Silence.

Lights up. Dawn. A bunker. A trench with sandbags. An ammo box.

Adrian, a soldier in his thirties, stands at the firing post, rifle laying over the sandbags. Lucas, a soldier in his twenties, walks out of the bunker, his helmet un-strapped, and sits on a ammo box beside him. Adrian acknowledges him then looks out over the trench. Lucas breathes into his palms then rubs them.

Lucas: There’s frost forming on the bodies.

Adrian doesn’t respond.

Lucas: They’ll be stiffer than a bottle of port, by midday. Well, least it suppresses the odour. Counted fifteen this morning, that’s the lowest this week. Man, it’s cold, you got some tea?

Without looking at him, Adrian with one hand, undoes a pouch on his webbing and takes out a water bottle, handing it to Lucas. Lucas takes it, unscrews the lid, and takes a drink.

Lucas: When’s the last time you were on leave, Adrian? I think I’ll write a letter to my loved one tonight. Yes, that’s what I’ll do. The last letter I sent was three months ago, I haven’t heard back. Maybe she didn’t get it. Do you think? Her last few have been getting shorter and arriving later. She says she’s well, and hoping I had a good Christmas. (Laughs) Mother’s been working in the shell factories, she says, “I’m making sure the ammo my boy gets is the best. Shoot true, son.”

Sound of distant gunfire.

Lucas winces and put a hand to his head.

The firing stops, he relaxes.

Lucas: Wouldn’t you agree? That the folks back home have been supporting us. Oh, I know, there’s some that say, we shouldn’t be here. That it’s all politics, but it’s not, is it? It’s nothing we didn’t sign up for. We’re liberating, aren’t we? Invasion, liberation, there’s quite a difference. More importantly, the people are grateful. That’s what’s important. Last Tuesday, when we were on that patrol, a kid ran up to us. Not to close, mind you. He called out something, I don’t know what he said, but it sounded happy. Then he smiled.

He takes another drink.

Lucas: Then insurgents ambushed us, and he was killed in the crossfire. I hope it wasn’t one of our bullets that dashed his brains across the floor.

He drinks once more, then hands it back to Adrian. Adrian remains posted, and replaces the water bottle back in his webbing, doing it up. Then hand returns to the rifle.

Lucas: You know Ralph? Ralph Dormend. A corporal in third platoon. He got his on Wednesday. Couldn’t believe it. I know these things happen, but you don’t think there going to happen to people you know.

A shot is fired overhead. Adrian ducks, leans back over and returns a couple of shots. Ducks again. Silence.

Lucas: I mean taking out a machinegun position single-handedly, then getting a medal. I would of shot him for craziness, wouldn’t you?

Adrian: Magazine!

Lucas: Hmm? Oh, the box is empty. But you can have one of mine.

Lucas undoes his webbing, fumbles, takes out a magazine and passes it to Adrian. Adrian unloads, takes the magazine, reloads. Then returns to his position on the firing post.

Lucas: Is it my turn to sentry? If it wasn’t, why am I up? Who got me up? Maybe I’m so used to it, my body’s alarmed. (Laughs) I saw a rat earlier, came scuttling over no-ma’s land. It must have had a field day. (Laughs) Hard to believe anything lives out there. Never seen bird here though. Metaphor, you think? Maybe they’re omens. You know, rat for bad, bird for good. Or maybe the other way around.

Adrian steps down off the firing post.

Adrian: Lucas.

Lucas: Maybe grounded cunning wins over soaring majesty.

Adrian: I can’t do this anymore.

Lucas: You’re tired. Yes, you must of done your time now. I’ll take over, you get your head down.

Adrian: Lucas.

Lucas: What is it, Adrian?

Adrian: Can I have a cigarette?

Lucas: Oh, sure.

Lucas fumbles through his pockets, and finds a cigarette, then produces a match. He gives them to Adrian.

Adrian: Thank you.

Lucas begins checking his rifle and adjusting his helmet. Adrian takes his helmet off and puts the cigarette in his mouth. He steps back onto the firing post, standing tall so his head and shoulders are above the parapet. He lights the cigarette. Lucas looks up, face aghast.

Lucas: Adri-

A shot is fired. Adrian falls back.

Blackout.