Foxtrot

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1

THE FELDMANS:

Mrs. Feldman?

Mr. Feldman.

I'm sorry.

There's no easy way to say this.

Your son Jonathan

was killed tonight in the line of duty.

I'm leaving you some pills.

Take them if you feel pressure,

suffocation,

a ringing in your ears

or intense headaches.

I don't expect you to eat,

but you must drink.

It's important to drink

a lot of water.

Is this your phone?

You'll be notified

of the funeral time later today.

You don't have to take care of anything.

The funeral officer

will come this afternoon

and go over the procedure with you.

Here, Mr. Feldman. Drink.

Drink a bit.

Would you like us

to help you notify anyone?

A brother, sister or friend?

Maybe have someone come over to help?

I've set your phone to beep every hour.

It'll remind you to drink.

Now try to finish your water.

Mr. Feldman.

Slowly.

Slowly.

That's it.

A bit more.

Take it easy.

Take a deep breath.

It's 8:
00 now.

Your phone will beep at 9:00.

Then at 10:
00 and so on.

Drink a glass of water every hour.

Make sure you do that.

Mr. Feldman, I'm leaving you a note

with a phone number...

for any issue that comes up, any question.

Or if you just need to talk to someone.

Don't hesitate to call.

The line is open 24/7.

Your wife will sleep

for four to five hours.

Someone will examine her

when she wakes up.

And don't forget to drink.

Even if you're not thirsty.

That's it, Mr. Feldman.

We'll be leaving now.

Are you sure you don't want us

to help you inform your family?

Your brother, perhaps?

Someone from your wife's family?

Someone from work?

If you change your mind,

just call the number I gave you.

They'll help you let people know.

Our condolences, Mr. Feldman.

Michael.

Michael.

Hey, this is Alma.

I can't pick up right now.

Text me or I'll call you back

as soon as possible. Bye.

We have to let people know.

I don't want people here now.

DRINK A GLASS OF WATER

I'll tell Mom. You start making calls.

I don't want anyone here when I get back.

Come on, Michael.

Leave Mom out of this for now.

I need some air, AVIGDOR. I can't breathe.

Forward, forward, right and stop.

Back, back, left and stop.

Michael Feldman.

Tuck your shirt in.

Mom, something terrible has happened.

I came to tell you

that Jonathan was killed.

You do remember Jonathan?

Of course I do.

Who's Jonathan?

Your son, the soldier.

So you understood what I told you?

Of course I did.

DRINK A GLASS OF WATER

What did you understand of what I said.

That Jonathan was killed.

AVIGDOR.

AVIGDOR.

Mr. Feldman.

Second Lt. Israel Schwartz

of the Military Rabbinate.

My condolences.

I'm in charge of funeral arrangements.

We need to coordinate some details,

and brief you.

In private, if possible.

You can wait for me in the study.

"With deep sorrow," yes.

"We announce the passing of our dear son,

Jonathan Feldman.

May he rest in peace. Fallen..."

What?

No, I'm not his father. I'm his uncle.

Instead of "fallen," maybe "plucked?"

"Prematurely"

or "in the prime of his life?"

For a soldier it's only "fallen?"

No, then that's fine.

"Fallen in the line of duty,"

if that's customary.

The funeral will take place...

Hey, this is Alma.

I can't pick up right now...

Enough!

Before we begin,

I want to confirm a few details.

Does the deceased have a middle name?

No, just Jonathan Feldman.

Staff Sergeant Jonathan...

He's a corporal, not a staff sergeant.

He was promoted after death.

A privilege for fallen Israeli soldiers.

Jonathan Feldman,

son of Michael and DAPHNA?

Then he should be a sergeant,

not a staff sergeant.

Maybe he's getting a special honor.

So... the funeral is set

for 3:
00 p.m. tomorrow.

The command car with coffin

will arrive at 1:00 p.m.

I guess you know

soldiers are buried in coffins.

At 1:
20, a bus will arrive, and at 1:30,

we'll head north toward the cemetery.

I'll lead the convoy in my jeep.

At 2:
00 p.m., we'll be at the cemetery.

The coffin, wrapped in the national flag,

will stand in the main hall

for 40 minutes.

By 2:
45, we'll begin the rending ceremony,

and the rabbi will tear your shirt.

A small rip near your heart.

As written:
"Jacob tore his garments

and mourned his son Joseph"

when they mistook him for dead.

Genesis 37:
34. Then you'll recite

your first Mourner's Kaddish.

At 3:
00 p.m., the funeral procession

will travel to the military plot.

You could help carry the coffin,

but I wouldn't recommend it.

It's better to support your wife.

At the grave, we begin the ceremony

for the burial of the coffin.

That's a difficult moment,

especially for the mother.

For you, too, of course.

But after all, we're men.

We'll begin the ceremony

with a three-gun salute.

Then we'll recite "May he rest in peace,"

throw dirt on the coffin,

and say the "Righteous Judgment" prayer.

You'll recite a second Mourner's Kaddish.

Then the eulogies.

That's the moment to do something special,

if you want.

Like read a poem

or tell a story about him.

Say something about his character.

Maybe even something amusing.

You know,

a little smile can help you cope...

and carry on.

Then we lay the wreaths.

Two female soldiers will lay four wreaths.

I want to see him.

Who?

Jonathan.

- My son.

- Mr. Feldman, that's unnecessary.

What do you mean?

A father wants to see his son

before burial. How's that unnecessary?

That's not in my hands.

Then who?

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