DAY TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO - 6/17/17
“THE CADETS” by DJS
Here’s a short one – but what I like is that it spans a few scenes. And it’s fairly open to contextual interpretation. My favorite scene is actually the last one.
1. MORNING
The cadets go through a series of callisthenic exercises, overseen by their drill instructor.
2. AFTERNOON
The drill instructor meets with his captain to discuss the cadets’ progress.
CAPTAIN Well, overall I’d have to say we’re very impressed.
DI Thank you, sir. They’re a good group of boys. Very dedicated.
CAPTAIN I can see that. This report reads like a dream. The future of the service is in good hands.
DI My thoughts exactly. Pleased you agree, sir.
CAPTAIN There’s just one thing, one small matter. Number four.
DI Number four, sir? Johnson?
CAPTAIN Is that his Christian name?
DI Yes sir. If you mean number four, sir.
CAPTAIN I do.
DI What about him, sir?
CAPTAIN Well, his scores are off the charts. Physical and mental. Haven’t seen anyone like him in ten years.
DI Glad you noticed, sir. Yes, even amongst a class as strong as his, the boy excels.
CAPTAIN Indeed. Which is why it’s high time you took him down a peg or two.
DI I’m—sorry, sir? What?
CAPTAIN Make an example of him. For the other boys’ benefit, as a lesson, you understand. Show ‘em that even the best of us is fallible.
DI But is that—sorry, sir, no disrespect—but is that the wisest course of action?
CAPTAIN Don’t care if it’s wise. It’s necessary.
DI But the test scores, you said yourself—
CAPTAIN Look, Major, now I’m going to ask you a question. A simple yes or no question, to which you will give a simple yes or no answer. Is that understood?
DI Yes sir.
CAPTAIN Good. Now: Are any of us perfect?
DI No sir.
CAPTAIN I’m going to ask you one more time for the sake of clarification: Are any of us perfect?
DI No sir.
CAPTAIN And yet my fear is that these boys, who are at a very impressionable age, just might get that idea in their heads. That they can somehow attain perfection. Now am I wrong?
DI Sir?
CAPTAIN Is my opinion off the mark?
DI No sir.
CAPTAIN So you agree, something must be done to dissuade them of this notion.
DI Yes.
CAPTAIN I feel a “but” coming, Major.
DI But—it won’t be easy, sir.
CAPTAIN Why not?
DI Well, sir, Johnson, sir—number four, that is, he—he doesn’t often make mistakes. In fact, I’d go so far as to say he’s quite calculating about his every decision.
CAPTAIN I know, I’ve seen his test scores.
DI And his psych eval, sir—
CAPTAIN Yes, yes. He’s a credit to you, Major. Both your tutelage and your discipline.
DI Thank you, sir, but that wasn’t what I—
CAPTAIN Why you can’t see this as an extension of that same guiding hand, I don’t know.
DI I guess I’m struck by the unfairness of it, sir.
CAPTAIN How is that? How is it unfair?
DI Well, because the boy didn’t do anything, sir. He did nothing to warrant—
CAPTAIN Did nothing to warrant being attacked? But isn’t that the very nature of war: an unprovoked attack? And how we choose to respond?
DI Yes sir.
CAPTAIN You will simply have to get creative.
DI Creative, sir?
CAPTAIN You know what I’m talking about. Think outside the box, Major.
DI Yes sir.
CAPTAIN If at all possible, I’d like the task completed tonight. Time is of the essence, etcetera. Do you think you’ll be able to accomplishment that?
DI Yes sir.
CAPTAIN I don’t have to explain to you this is an order.
DI No sir.
CAPTAIN Very good. Then you’re dismissed.
3. NIGHT
The cadets come back from dinner to find Number Four’s bed untucked.
DI Number Four. Johnson. Is this your bunk?
FOUR Yes sir.
DI And will you check for me. Is the bottom right corner untucked?
FOUR Yes sir. But I don’t see how—
DI Pushups, Number Four.
FOUR How many, sir?
DI Until I tell you to stop. The other boys will watch and count.
Number Four does pushups.
BOYS 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—10—11—12—13—14—15—16—17—18—19—20—21—22—23—
The drill instructor kicks Number Four’s arms out from under him and he drops to the ground.
DI Cadet, you stopped before being given the order to do so. Start again.
BOYS 1—2—3—4—5—6—7—8—9—
The drill instructor kicks Number Four’s arms out from under him again.
DI Number Four. Cadet, you can’t seem to do anything right today. What is the problem?
FOUR Well—Sir—you keep kicking my arms out from under me.
DI Correct. So?
FOUR Well it makes completing the task—doing pushups—very difficult, if not impossible.
DI So we should pity you then, is that what you’re saying?
FOUR No sir, I only meant—
DI We are only as strong as the weakest link in our chain. Isn’t that right, boys?
BOYS Yes sir.
DI And the weak link today, is Number Four. Isn’t that right, boys?
BOYS Yes sir.
DI We take care of our own, don’t we, men?
BOYS Yes sir.
DI Then I leave the further disciplining of Cadet Johnson to you all. Goodnight. Lights out in fifteen.
4. NEXT MORNING
The cadets do their callisthenic exercises, observed by the drill instructor.
DI Number Four, come over here.
FOUR Yes sir.
DI Is that a bruise on your cheek?
FOUR Yes sir.
DI How does it feel?
FOUR Stings, sir.
DI But other than that?
FOUR I’m fine, sir.
DI I didn’t check your bunk this morning. If I did, would I find everything ship-shape?
FOUR Yes sir.
DI Positive?
FOUR Yes sir.
DI Do you disagree with my methods, cadet?
FOUR No sir.
DI Is that the truth, Number Four?
FOUR As far as I know. Sir.
