The Body in the Basement - Alex Broun

49EILEEN:MAX:EILEEN:MAX:I was going to say burning flesh.Sssh ! Someone’s coming.Or maybe gunpowder mixed with burning flesh.Quiet, I think it’s …A FIGURE IS EMERGING THROUGH THE SMOKY BATTLEFIELDTOWARDS THEM.MAX:Look, it’s … It’s …THE FIGURE IS COMING CLOSER. WE CAN NOW SEE IT IS THE MANIN BLACK BUT NOW DRESSED AS A YOUNG SOLDIER.HE IS DRESSED IN THE ANZAC UNIFORM OF WORLD WAR ONE. HEWEARS A TIN HAT.HE LIMPS ON ONE LEG, THE OTHER LEG IS BLACK AND BLOODIEDBY A WOUND AT THE KNEE. IT HANGS LIMPLY. HE USES HISRIFLE AS A CRUTCH TO HOLD HIMSELF UP.HE KICKS THE RUBBLE OF THE WALL OUT OF THE WAY ANDENTERS THE LIVING ROOM. THE SOUNDS OF BATTLE FADE.THE SOLDIER LOOKS AROUND. HE REMOVES HIS TIN HAT ANDLOOKS AT MAX.MAX: Jeremy ?THE SOLDIER PUTS DOWN HIS RIFLE AND GOES TO MAX ANDEMBRACES HIM.SOLDIER:Dad.EILEEN: When did Jeremy join up ?THE SOLDIER RELEASES MAX AND GOES OVER TO EILEEN.MAX:Last time I saw him he was working in the Video Ezy down by the station.THE SOLDIER EMBRACES EILEEN.SOLDIER:EILEEN:MAX:Mum.I didn’t know he was working there.He asked me not to tell you.