WILHELM: Yes.

HARTLEY: You see Wilhelm; you are a good boy sometimes. We'll be doin' toes then.

Lieutenant Hartley continues joyfully picking through his toolbox.

WILHELM: (Inaudibly) Where did you fight?

HARTLEY: How's that?

WILHELM: The war, where did you fight?

HARTLEY: Oh no I didn't do no fightin' me, I'm a pacifist see.

Lieutenant Hartley pulls out a pair of heavy, iron pliers.

HARTLEY: Now don't suppose you remember how to crush toes with these do you? There is a knack to it, but I daresay I'm a bit rusty.

Swallowing his fear, Wilhelm shakes his head.

HARTLEY: We'll leave it, save 'em for a special occasion.

Lieutenant Hartley returns his attention to the toolbox.

HARTLEY: Hang on, what now's this?

Lieutenant Hartley removes a small cocktail stick from the box.

HARTLEY: Look here Willie, be a toothpick! How'd this wee nipper get in 'ere? You know when I was in France I saw these in peoples drinks all the time I did, as confusin' to me now as it was then. Why would you ruin a perfectly good drink with the possibility that your windpipe be impaled?

WILHELM: You're supposed to remove it before you drink.

Lieutenant Hartley stares at the cocktail stick in quiet disbelief.

HARTLEY: You know I think you might be on to something there lad.

Lieutenant Hartley hunches over the toolbox, his back facing outwards, covering it from view.

HARTLEY: (To himself) Remove it...

Something in the box catches the Lieutenant's eye.

HARTLEY: Willie, have you ever pitched a tent like?

WILHELM: Yes?

HARTLEY: So you know that them pegs need be hammered into ground?

WILHELM: Yes...

HARTLEY: And Doctor Willie, do toenails grow back?

Pause.

WILHELM: Yes.

Lieutenant Hartley turns around, a wide smile stretched across his face. In one hand he holds the cocktail stick, in the other, a large, wooden mallet.

HARTLEY: Good.

WILHELM: Oh fuck...

Lieutenant Hartley begins walking towards Wilhelm.

WILHELM: Get away from me!

Wilhelm begins frantically attempting to free himself.

HARTLEY: Oh come now Willie-

WILHELM: (Tearfully) Please! You can't do this, please!

HARTLEY: Willie-

WILHELM: (Sobbing) I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do it I'm so sorry! Please don't hurt me, please!

HARTLEY: (Agitated) Willie...

Wilhelm's sobbing is uncontrollable.

WILHELM: Mumma-!

Flight of the Maybug (Script)Where stories live. Discover now