The Ghost and the Darkness Page #5

What we have then, as far as living places are concerned, are

dozens of clusters of tents. (Eventually, as the terror began,

these areas all got surrounded, each with its own thorn fence.)

The places we'll come to know best are, among others, Patterson's

living area, the hospital tent area, the area by the river where

the bridge is to be built, etc., etc.

As they move, Samuel points out various camps.

A SECT OF INDIANS is getting ready for prayer.

ANOTHER SECT OF INDIANS is eating.

A GROUP OF AFRICANS are cleaning their tent area.

Anyway, you get the idea. Just remember that the place covered a

wide expanse, maybe a mile square, maybe more.

Okay, back to the story.

PATTERSON:

(as they pass the INDIAN

tent area where prayer is

starting)

It's all wonderfully under control,

Samuel- you've done a splendid job.

SAMUEL:

Thank you. The truth is this: you

have to work at it constantly.

PATTERSON:

The workers don't get on?

SAMUEL:

Get on? They detest each other.

Obviously the Africans hate the

Indians. But the Indians also hate

the other Indians. Some of them

worship cows, while others eat them.

(As they move on)

CUT TO:

RAILROAD TRACK.

PAN ALONG TO:

MORE RAILROAD TRACK.

KEEP PANNING:

And suddenly the track just stops in mid-air as we

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

PATTERSON AND SAMUEL standing high above the Tsavo River. The

track has come to the edge of the area above the riverbank- where

it just stops-

-and picks up on the far side. All that's missing, in other words,

is the hundred-yard-long bridge that will connect the pieces of

track.

SAMUEL:

(to the far side)

Railhead is across there.

CUT TO:

THE DISTANCE. Nothing can be made out clearly but there are great

clouds of dust.

SAMUEL:

Three thousand men laying track- when

the bridge is done, it all joins up.

Patterson nods, says nothing, but goes to his haunches, staring at

the space where the bridge is to be.

SAMUEL:

Did it look like this in your mind?

PATTERSON:

(shakes his head)

This is more difficult-

CUT TO:

PATTERSON. CLOSE UP. Excited.

PATTERSON:

(eyes bright)

-but how wonderful that it's

difficult, it should be difficult-

what better job in all the world

than build a bridge?- make things

connect- bring worlds together- and

get it right!

(Now from Patterson-)

CUT TO:

THE HOSPITAL TENT

as Patterson and Samuel walk in. Patterson glances around-

-it's not bad at all. Of course there are some patients, injured

or with fever. But like the rest of the camp we've just seen,

everything is working well, everything is under control. Starling

approaches.

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