My Boy Jack Page #3

Well, if he's a young man, he's

old enough to make his own decisions.

This is absolutely his own decision,

but I want him to make the most of...

You want.

For his sake. It's Jack's future.

Precisely.

- No, I'm not going to argue, Carrie.

Rud, his eyes are not an excuse.

The navy gave him five minutes.

Do you really think it's fair

to encourage him?

I would think it very unfair

if I didn't.

Breathe in.

And out.

This shouldn't take long,

it's all standard stuff.

A quick look at the ears.

I've always wondered, Kipling...

- Other ear.

...how on earth

do you think up the story?

Well, inventing the story

isn't the problem.

It's putting the jigsaw together

afterwards that can be troublesome.

Pants down, please.

Ah, it's the structure

that's a bit tricky, is it?

My son's just polished off

the Jungle Books.

Absolutely loved them. Cough.

I suppose you've read

all your father's books?

I've never read the Jungle Books.

- I don't believe it.

Cough again.

Jolly good. Pants up.

Clean bill of health?

- Yes, fighting fit.

Just the eye test and we can relax.

Spectacles off.

- It's a pince-nez, actually.

From the top, off you go.

I can't see anything, I'm afraid.

Nothing?

Would you walk towards the board...

...and stop when you can clearly read

the top letter?

T, Q, U.

And the next line.

Y, O, w.

This is very serious myopia,

we couldn't possibly...

There are very strict guidelines.

- I think Colonel Brooks would agree,

we were prepared to stretch a point.

BROOKS:
Indeed,

but there has to be a limit.

If he lost his spectacles,

he'd be a danger to himself.

And to his men.

I'm very sorry.

- So am I.

You haven't given the boy a chance.

It's precisely the sort of inflexibility...

...this country needs

to get out of its system.

John has so much to offer.

It's a great shame.

I agree. I do agree.

Well, clearly you don't

or we'd be looking for a way forward.

Nothing you can do? Hmm?

Well, I'm not calling it a day,

I shall write.

I think it's utterly gutless.

It's so spineless.

Come on, John. We're off.

My son's commitment is second to none.

He deserves this opportunity

and he will get it.

Jack.

Jack.

I'm sorry.

No, you're not,

you're absolutely delighted.

Best beloved brother.

Bird.

They turned me down.

- I guessed.

Can I have a puff?

Don't you hate this room?

There's not one comfortable chair

in the whole bloody building.

It's true.

- I have to get out of this house.

I can't bear it.

I can't bear being geed up

and encouraged.

Better than being criticised.

- No, it's not.

You see, you don't understand,

I have to be with other people.

Oh, thank you.

- No, not you.

I don't want to leave you. I just...

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