31 Plays in 31 Days, #7 - "Special Command"

[breakinglight11]

This scene isn't terribly good, but it does depict another pivotal point in the Hawking timeline. We know that Reginald spent a lot of time, about eight or so years, where he was barely ever in London and was instead out abroad for his military duty. He specifically requested this, to get him out of the house after they lost the baby and Mrs. Hawking basically stopped talking to him completely. Bernie and I imagined he ended up as the leader of some irregular special ops team, going around the empire running missions too dangerous or covert for regular soldiers. Some of these missions were heroic, some of them less so. I picture them as a sort of Howling Commandos-type assortment of which you could tell a whole other series of stories.

Maybe I will some day.

Day #7 - "Special Command"
From Mrs. Hawking
By Phoebe Roberts

LORD GENERAL CHARLES DEARBORN, a high-ranking commander in the British army, late fifties
MAJOR REGINALD HAWKING, a distinguished soldier, late thirties

London, England, 1865
~~~

(The general sits in at his desk in his office. After a moment, enter REGINALD, who bows.)

REGINALD: Lord General.

GENERAL DEARBORN: Ah, major! Come in, my good man.

REGINALD: Thank you for seeing me, my lord.

GENERAL DEARBORN: Not at all, I’ve been meaning to have you in for some time.

(REGINALD sits.)

GENERAL DEARBORN: You ought to know, your efforts across this bloody empire haven’t gone unnoticed. At the moment, that record of yours has got a fair number of eyes on you.

REGINALD: I’m glad to have been of service.

GENERAL DEARBORN: It’s won you more than gratitude, major. They’ve got you in mind for a colonelcy.

REGINALD: Indeed?

GENERAL DEARBORN: It’s coming down the command chain as we speak. As far as I can tell, there isn’t a voice in her majesty’s army that would object. You could name your own posting.

REGINALD: By Jove.

GENERAL DEARBORN: You’ve earned it, major. My congratulations.

REGINALD: Thank you, sir. Do they… is a there a particular posting in mind yet?

GENERAL DEARBORN: You could swing it that you could stay in London, if you like. I know you’ve only just bought the house.

REGINALD: That’s true, but… is there anything abroad?

GENERAL DEARBORN: There’s always something. I’m sure we could fix you one of the civic commands in India or Hong Kong. Tell me, are your further ambitions political?

REGINALD: No, sir. But I was looking to travel again.

GENERAL DEARBORN: City life too dull after all that time on exotic campaign? Well, I promise you they’re quite comfortable. The wife won’t bother at all.

REGINALD: If it’s all the same, sir… I’d prefer something in active service.

GENERAL DEARBORN: Major Hawking, surely you’ve earned the right to move on from all that. No man can serve on the front lines forever. That’s a young man’s game, and you’ve a family to think of now.

REGINALD: Are you— are you referring to my wife, sir? Because that’s just who I’m thinking of.

GENERAL DEARBORN: I’m afraid I don’t understand.

REGINALD: I would very much prefer a post that would allow my wife to remain here.

GENERAL DEARBORN: By sending you back into action?

REGINALD: It would be the best thing for all parties involved.

GENERAL DEARBORN: Are you quite sure you’re thinking about this clearly?

REGINALD: Sir?

(Pause.)

GENERAL DEARBORN: My dear boy, you’ll forgive me for saying so, but I’ve heard that things have not been well of late for you.

REGINALD: Have you?

GENERAL DEARBORN: Lane Spencer and I belong to the same supper club. From what I hear, your brother and sister-in-law have become quite concerned.

REGINALD: I see.

GENERAL DEARBORN: Now, it’s none of my affair, but I wonder if perhaps you’re not in the best way to think of this.

REGINALD: Sir, I… I would not be here if I weren’t rather at the end of my rope.
GENERAL DEARBORN: So you’ll throw yourself back into the line of fire? Major Hawking, is there no other way?

REGINALD: Please, sir.

(DEARBORN regards him a long time.)

DEARBORN: There is one position… a special command.

REGINALD: Yes?

(DEARBORN rises to find a packet of papers.)

DEARBORN: There was talk of assembling… a specialized unit of sorts. One to send into certain difficult situations, where the delicate circumstances necessitating managing them carefully and quietly. They need a commander. But I’ll be honest, major. We hadn’t thought to give it to anyone with such a distinguished record as yours. I think they were hoping for someone desperate enough to take all the rubbish that’s going to come with it.

REGINALD: What kind of rubbish?

DEARBORN: These campaigns won’t be read about in the papers. And they won’t come to you if they was a clean way through.

REGINALD: Shall I choose the recruits?

DEARBORN: No. As I said, they are specialized. And from what I hear, they won’t be your typical soldiers either.

REGINALD: And how long abroad?

DEARBORN: Indefinite.

(Pause.)

REGINALD: Then I’ll do it.

DEARBORN: Are you certain, Reginald? There could be so much more for you.

REGINALD: Thank you, sir. But I think this is exactly what I need.