The Third Soldier picks up Marban’s knife and tosses it toward the Second Soldier.

Use his knife.

Second Soldier I wonder about you sometimes.

Third Soldier Cut him! Make him look pretty!

Second Soldier Dear oh dear.

The Second Soldier picks up the knife and makes a cut on Marban’s soldier blade.

Third Soldier Got no fucking idea at all, have you.

The Third Soldier, now half naked, takes the knife from the Second Soldier, kneels and cuts Marban on the buttocks.

Marban moans, as if with a question, looking at the Second Soldier who holds him by the shoulders.

Marban Hunh?

The Second Soldier, into Marban’s face.

Second Soldier My friend has been to the Orient. Persia? Funny little ways he’s picked up, in his career. But what the fuck do you expect, from a man who’s been in Persia?

Marban Hunh?

Second Soldier Hunh?

Third Soldier Ooh, he’s begun to shit himself.

Second Soldier Persia? The other side of the world?

Marban Hunh?

Second Soldier World?

Marban Hunh?

Third Soldier Rub it in. Make it smooth.

Second Soldier Empire?

Marban Hunh?

The First Soldier is now naked. He spits on his cut arm and rubs the spit in. The Third Soldier holds Marban’s thighs and attempts to bugger him.

First Soldier Just a scratch.

Second Soldier (to the First Soldier) You pig.

He laughs.

Third Soldier (to the Second Soldier) Y’can – y’can give us a kiss.

Second Soldier Fucking Greek.

Third Soldier Yeah.

First Soldier (examining his belly) I’ve got little spots. I’m coming out in little spots.

Third Soldier Go – and have – a swim – you’re taking my mind – off what I’m doing.

First Soldier I will.

The First Soldier cartwheels.

Third Soldier Keep this fucking arse still!

Second Soldier Sorry, veteran of Persia.

The Second Soldier blows the Third Soldier a kiss.

First Soldier (cartwheeling) Days and days – I have wanted a swim.

He cartwheels off, into the river, out of sight.

Third Soldier This in’t no – in’t no – at all –

Second Soldier In trouble, comrade?

Third Soldier In’t no arse at all.

The Third Soldier rolls away. Marban begins to struggle.

Marban Hunh Hunh Hunh –

Third Soldier Not even got it up anymore!

Marban Hunh Hunh –

The Second Soldier hits Marban on the top of the head with the butt of his sword. Marban is knocked unconscious. His left leg twitches twice then is still.

A silence.

Third Soldier Oh. (He sits up.) Oh oh.

Second Soldier I said, are you in trouble comrade?

Third Soldier Arseful of piles. Like fucking a fistful of marbles. I mean, what do they do in this island, sit with their bums in puddles of mud all year long?

He stands.

Huh.

He looks at himself.

And I’m covered in shit.

The Second Soldier, running his hand over Marban’s back.

Second Soldier Good shoulders.

Third Soldier I don’t want you talking about this.

Second Soldier Did I say a word?