Nicholls Is Topthorn out in the paddock?

Stewart Yes.

Nicholls I’ll take Joey out to him. Tell the men to prepare, will you? Reveille at five thirty.

Exit Stewart.

The scene becomes a paddock.

Enter Topthorn. Joey and Topthorn react to one another.

Joey, listen. Sort out who’s in charge. No fighting – save all that for Fritz … You’ll be all right, won’t you, boys? I just hope that I’m up to it when the time comes. You think I’ll be up to it?

Joey and Topthorn are only interested in each other.

Exit Nicholls.

NINE

Same. Continuous.

This is a big moment for Joey – the first time we’ve seen him alone with another horse since he was separated from his mother. He and Topthorn cautiously explore each other … They test each other … They compete … They play … They become friends. Topthorn is the dominant horse – and remains so until Friedrich harnesses them to the ambulance – but the piece of elastic is between them.

Nicholls draws Joey throughout.

Soldiers load Joey and Topthorn …

TEN

Aboard ship, 11 November 1914.

Joey and Topthorn, uneasy at their uncertain footing, fail to be comforted by Stewart and Nicholls.

The troopers give up – horses and ships just don’t mix – and instead sing a song, perhaps ‘It’s a Long Way to Tipperary’.

ELEVEN

Quayside, Calais, France, 11–12 November 1914.

Nicholls leads Joey.

The sight of soldiers being shipped home upsets Nicholls. Etched on every one of them is wretched misery and pain. There are limbs missing, bloodstains, heads that appear to be incomplete underneath bandages.

Nicholls has to stop for a moment to compose himself.

It’s uncertain whether Joey puts himself between Nicholls and the men or if Nicholls puts Joey there, but Joey is definitely sensitive to Nicholls’ distress.

Nicholls fusses Joey, as if it’s Joey who’s upset rather than himself.

Enter Stewart and Topthorn. Everyone is shocked by the sight of the wounded.

Stewart My God, sir.

Nicholls Don’t show any fear or horror, and modify any overt signs of pity. This is normal, from now on.

Stewart Yes, sir.

Nicholls Captain Stewart?

Stewart Sir.

Nicholls Now’s the time we must rally the men. Sergeant Greig? Fall the men in by their mounts.

Bugler sounds commands.

Sergeant Greig Fall in! Stand to your horses!

The soldiers and horses fall into line.

They remain until the wounded have passed.

Nicholls We didn’t seek this war – the Kaiser unleashed this havoc and his minions, his dogs of war, perpetrated those terrible things on your comrades – the enemy who did that are very near, killing and maiming more of your comrades. They must be stopped, and you are the men to do it! You are the finest soldiers in the finest army on earth! What is more, you have right on your side! So, the task is clear, our motives are the best, and this is the means. You have each a sword, and a rifle, and one hundred and forty rounds. They are swords of justice, and rounds of retribution! A German world? I don’t think so, do you? Make the Kaiser rue the day! Let every man do himself, his King, his country and his fallen comrades, proud! Be brave! Fear God! Honour the King!