A Soldier's Story Page #2

Where's he from?

He's from Washington, DC.

He's here on special assignment.

Washington?

Yes, sir.

You gotta be shittin' me.

So, they assigned a lawyer

to the Military Police?

Where'd you graduate at law school?

Howard University.

Your parents rich or something?

No, my father's a mailman.

I graduated at the Point.

I didn't see any Negroes at the Point.

In fact, I never saw a Negro until I was...

...I think, 12 or 13.

Have you seen my orders, Captain?

Yes, as soon as Colonel Nivens

received them.

Look, I think it only fair to tell you...

...that had I known you'd be a Negro...

...I would have requested the immediate

suspension of the investigation.

- Now, look, may I speak freely?

- You haven't stopped yet.

Look, these local people aren't going

to charge a white man in this parish...

...on your say-so.

Nivens knows that.

He doesn't give a damn about this killing.

Your being here proves it.

They're making a fool out of you.

Can't you see?

Will you take off those damn sunglasses?

I like these. They're like MacArthur's.

All right now, look.

Let me explain something to you.

You go near Tynin in your uniform,

sounding white and charging local people...

...and you'll wind up

just as dead as Waters.

This isn't Washington, Davenport.

I know where I am.

Do you know how many times

I've asked Nivens to look into this killing?

Every day since it happened.

- Do you suspect someone?

- Don't play lawyer with me, soldier!

With you on this case,

we are not going to get anywhere.

Like it or not, Captain, I am all you've got.

Your orders instruct you to cooperate.

Now...

...is there anything else?

- Ellis!

- Yes, sir?

Captain Davenport will need

some assistance with the men.

- You'll excuse me, won't you, Captain?

- I'm glad I met you.

Captain.

I hope we get to fight soon, sir.

Next, they'll have us picking

this year's cotton crop.

Don't worry, Corporal.

They don't grow much cotton in Germany.

Yes, sir.

How long was

Captain Taylor's investigation?

Two days, sir.

Two days? Who did he question?

Well, mostly guys who had contact

with Sarge that day: guys in his platoon...

...then anybody who could've seen him

on the road. Wasn't but a handful.

- Did you see him that day?

- Nope.

No, sir.

Did your sergeant drink a lot?

I didn't know him well enough to say, sir.

All right, soldiers,

let's get back to those exercises.

Haven't you ever seen

a colored officer before?

No, sir. Have you, sir?

Ten-hut!

This is it, sir.

The captain instructed everyone

in the sergeant's platoon to be here.

As you were.

Sergeant Waters' room is right there, sir.

Sir...

I think I ought to tell you, sir:

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