SERGEANT PARKER
What'd you do when you was at home, then?

PHILIP ASHTON
Strolled around Liverpool...when the stitches stopped pulling...went to the flicks a few times, did a bit of swotting.

PARKER
(laughing)
A bit of wenching, eh?

PHILIP
No, not really.

PARKER
You homesick?

PHILIP
In a way, I suppose. You?

PARKER
Yeah. And then...I'll never get used to the vino.

PHILIP
Do you honestly think we should try for that hill?

PARKER
You don't win battles sitting on your breaches' backside like we are.

PHILIP
Do you think we're going to win? In the end, I mean.

PARKER
Been listening to Norton, have you?

PHILIP
I should have thought it was a fair question.

PARKER
Sooner or later, lad, you've got to stand up and be counted. With us or against us. Up the hill or sitting on your backside. You don't think about winning -- you take the hill, lad. The end justifies the means.

PHILIP
Any means...any price?

PARKER
It's got to be paid, like it has been paid. Because, by Christ, if they win, then we shall pay a price. We'll pay a price then. Us...fellows like me, not Norton and his ilk. Fellows like me.

PHILIP
You're wrong about Norton, Parker.

PARKER
With us or against us, lad. Stand up and be counted, eh?

(Saying nothing in response, Philip turns and walks away.)

 

(from "To Die for Spain" by John Finch)