Historical Drama: Day 11 (Sample #2)

This scene takes place in Bombay, just after Arthur has arrived in India. It introduces some major and minor characters in Arthur's early story. Richard, his elder brother and Governor General of India, is Arthur's largest supporter, though that very support often earns the ire of other elder generals. It also introduces General George Harris (May be replaced by Baird to simplify things) who is Arthur's original commanding officer. This scene also introduces Thomas Munro who is getting some unfair treatment from me. Munro filed a report condemning Wellesley's tactics at Assaye and for this reason I'm making him an early villain. Stevenson who remains a supporter and friend to Arthur through this first movie (He dies... :-(... Sorry) gets to chime in a little and even gets promoted to Colonel.

INT. Mornington Estate, Office - (Day) [1799]

The interior of RICHARD's apartment are rich and tastefully blended between Victorian and Indian fashions. RICHARD sits in a similarly blended uniform that has been hybridized for comfort in the hot Indian climate. ARTHUR sits stiffly in his own chair, still fully dressed in his bright red uniform. HARRIS sits in a sun-faded uniform as well as MUNRO and STEVENSON.

Munro

What the army needs is more cavalry to match the tippoo sultan's. The 33rd will clearly be quite helpful to our cause, but without horse, how are we to fight them off?

HARRIS

We will match them as best we can.

ARTHUR

Have the men form squares.

MUNRO

Perhaps the colonel is not aware of the prodigious amounts of canon the sultan has gathered not to mention the rockets. Screaming devils that they are.

ARTHUR

Cavalry cannot put up much with infantry once they are in square.

MUNRO

Have you marched under canon and rocket fire? I doubt very much you know the terror of moving in those terribly slow squares while canons fire non-stop.

ARTHUR

I beg your pardon, sir, but I have.

RICHARD

Atty fought in Holland with his 33rd. They're seasoned troops and my brother, despite appearances is a seasoned leader.

HARRIS

Excellent! Forgive me, Colonel Wellesley, but when I saw you I feared that your brother had brought me another damned colonel without a lick of military experience.

RICHARD

Were, my younger brother anything less I would not trouble you with him, general. No, Our Atty has made a fine man of himself since he enrolled at the military school in Angers.

MUNRO

I heard less glowing things about his time in Eton.

RICHARD

Yes, well... if we were all judged by our first attempts at anything-

MUNRO

And how was your first attempt at military command? Holland, was it?

ARTHUR

I-

STEVENSON

If I may, sir. The colonel followed his orders well sir, it was only the delay in receiving orders that prevented our victory. The men handled themselves well, under the circumstances.

HARRIS

Your name was?

STEVENSON

Stevenson, sir. Major James Stevenson.

HARRIS

Well, Munro, I'm sure this Mr. Stevenson's word can be taken in this account. I do apologize to you Arthur, but I fear we may need to rob you of your Major, the fever has taken quite a few of our officers.

ARTHUR

Of course, general.

RICHARD

Now gentlemen, if you will allow, I'll have the servants bring up dinner.

HARRIS

Excellent!