fine harry. relieved to see a few familiar faces. when are you boys shipping out? harry next month.
your father and i served in bombay. there are worse places they could have sent you. harry yes sir. harry smiles politely. sutch is sensitive enough to see that his mind is on other things. he lets father and son talk.
he's been very withdrawn. i've tried to persuade him to leave the house but he's a stubborn man. harry will he see me?
i don't think so.  . but if it's money you need he won't cut you off. he hinted as much to me. harry i don't need money, sir. harry turns away. sutch looks torn. as a soldier he disapproves of what harry's done, but as a family friend he can't help feeling sorry for the boy.
you were never cut out for this proffession. harry was it that obvious?
it was to me. ever since you were a child. i only wish i'd said something to your father. harry turns and faces him. harry how did you know i didn't have it in me?
what difference does it make? harry it does to me, sir. it's all i think about. what makes a man a coward?
that's enough harry. get on a grip on yourself. you're no use to anyone, sitting here all day, driving yourself mad.  the outburst seems to release sutch from his soldier's reserve. he's all concern now.
what's done, is done. harry no sir, it isn't. harry reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small white box. he opens it in front of sutch. there are four white feathers inside. sutch stares at the names on the cards.
who sent you the fourth? jack? harry ethne. sutch looks up in surprise, beginning to realise the full extent of harry's heartache.
throw them away. they don't mean a thing.
harry, this is morbid. harry i don't mean it that way.  you see, if there was something i could do, something so undeniable. i'm not saying it would change anything, it's too late for that. but if the feathers can be given, then they can be taken back.
harry, your friends are in egypt.
you're a civilian. even if you find them, there's nothing you can do. harry i'm well aware of my chances.
then what's the point!? you think ethne will take you back? is that what you think?! from the look in his eyes it's clear the thought had entered his head. sutch's words bring him back down to earth. his voice is quieter now, resigned. harry i don't have any choice.  i'm not sure how much longer i can live with myself, here, like this.  colonel sutch stares at him with pity, seeing the depth of his anguish. harry i'm leaving for egypt tomorrow.
do you want me to tell your father? harry only if something should happen to me. i'll write and let you know how i am, as often as i can.
what about ethne? harry has to think long and hard about this. the thought of her fills him with sadness. harry i'd rather you didn't tell her anything. after all i've put her through the least i can do is let her forget me in peace. colonel sutch looks moved by his predicament, and impressed by these first, grasping signs of nobility. harry maybe i'll come back sooner than i think -- hear the guns booming off the african coast, and take the first ship home.
i doubt it, harry. colonel sutch smiles weakly. ext. harry's pov. view of the african coast - day. through the shimmering heat we see the outlines of the african mountains: an arid moonscape, dust clouds blowing in the wind. ext. port of alexandria - day. the same veil of dust blows through the crowded port. harry covers his eyes. his hair is longer now, his face gaunt and bearded. clutching his suitcase, he moves through the throng. ext. streets of alexandria - day. the alleyways look almost dreamlike through the shimmering heat. it's as if we're in harry's head, reflecting his state of mind. a crowd of urchin boys are following his every step, imitating his langorous walk. harry doesn't notice them. his gaze is riveted by the sights around him: the merchants beckoning him into their shops; the british soldiers on leave, sheltering in the cool hollows of the cafes and whorehouses; the beggars, hunched up against the stone walls, their faces covered with flies. through the arches of the souk, a wedding procession appears. the bride and groom sit on brightly painted donkeys. all around them women and children clap and shrill. harry catches a glimpse of the bride's face. she gazes at him for a moment, then looks away. int. colonial hotel.  alexandria - day. the colours of the souk give way to the cool white emptiness of a colonial hotel. english guests talk in hushed whispers as egyptian waiters serve them tea. harry sits in a corner of the lobby, nursing his drink, observing a group of english officers, laughing amongst themselves. harry looks thoughtful, wondering how to approach them. suddenly he hears a commotion. a drunk british corporal is escorted out of the hotel by a group of senior officers. he shouts and swears, but they ignore him, throwing him out of the door. harry gets up as he sees his chance. int. egyptian bar - brothel.  bazaar.  alexandria - night. the rhythmic beating of drums. tattooed women dance on a makeshift stage, mesmerising the crowd of eager soldiers. harry sits with the drunken british corporal. the man's eyes keep drifting longingly towards the stage, as if he hasn't seen a woman in months. harry fills his glass.