Billy Budd Page #2

for king and country?

Aye, sir.

Like that?

- Say "I swear."

- I swear.

- Age?

- I don't know, sir.

- You don't know your age?

- That is, sir, I'm not quite sure.

I think 17, 19, or...

Or...

Eighteen?

Or 15 or 14?

- Place of birth?

- Please, sir, I don't know that either.

You don't know your age

or where you were born?

I was found one morning

in a silk-lined basket...

...hanging on the knocker

of a man's door in Bristol.

Silk-lined?

I take it then you're...

- A bastard, sir?

- Aye.

Aye.

Sign.

Master-at-arms.

Claggart, our new recruit, William Budd.

I suppose that is your name?

Aye, sir.

You look sturdy enough.

What was your station aboard?

I was a merchant seaman, sir.

We took turns at doing everything.

You'll have a station here.

Maintop, Jenkins' watch.

Squeak, take him below,

assign him a hammock...

...show him where to stow his gear.

- Aye, sir.

- Thank you, sir.

Well, life's full of surprises,

I always say.

And the better for it, Captain Hallam.

Here, mate.

- Back here?

- Yeah.

This is your hammock.

All hands on deck

to witness ship's punishment.

Best put down your bag, Budd.

It'll only be a matter of minutes.

Dansker, look after Budd.

Boatswain...

...do your duty.

Very well, boatswain.

Release the man.

Mr. Ferriman...

...you will see him to sick berth.

Ship's company, dismiss.

Away there, mate.

What was his crime?

God only knows, young man.

You mean you don't know what he did?

Flogging...

...is the only solution to every problem.

I warrant even the culprit himself

doesn't know.

It was just his turn.

What is it, Budd?

Did they not indulge in flogging

on the Rights of Man?

No, sir.

All right, Budd.

You'll keep your hammock

properly lashed in this manner.

Never get caught

with your bag out of order.

You wouldn't be wanting

to find yourself on ship's report.

Like the lad who was flogged.

- Why was he flogged?

- It could've been for one of many reasons.

You mean you don't know?

It's not for the likes of us to know,

just to witness, see?

- Hungry?

- Aye.

Well, this is the captain

of the maintop, Jenkins.

Right, Budd, this is your table.

Make room for him.

All events, you're welcome here, lad.

Here, boy, take my seat.

Here's a plate.

His first day

aboard our happy ship.

What was the ship

they impressed you off?

I couldn't read it at that distance.

You can't read at any distance.

Don't take offense,

you're in good company.

I can't read either.

She was called the Rights of Man.

You come off a ship called that?

Rights of Man?

My name's William.

Billy, if you like.

Oh, this is Payne, Kincaid,

Jenkins, O'Daniel, and I'm Talbot.

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