(In search of Smithy, pilot Ken Beaumont has just left the office of Susan Reynolds, director of the local Study Centre of the Women's Voluntary Service.)

SUSAN REYNOLDS
I suppose, as pilot, he's the captain of your crew.

DAVID ASHTON
That's right. When Ken says jump, you jump.

SUSAN
If you're in Air Force uniform.

DAVID
(offering her a smoke)
Cigarette?

SUSAN
No, not for me, thanks. You go ahead.

DAVID
So, what's, uh, Smithy studying?

SUSAN
Oh, he wants to teach eventually... arts subjects. He has a great feeling for history.

DAVID
Did you say your name is Reynolds?

SUSAN
Yes.

DAVID
You wouldn't be...

SUSAN
Jack Reynolds was my husband, yes.

DAVID
(with sadness)
I was navigator on the same crew.

SUSAN
Yes, I, uh... I recognised the name.

DAVID
Why didn't you say?

SUSAN
Well, we were talking about Smithy, weren't we?

DAVID
I was, uh... I was on leave that night, you know. I'd messed my pencil hand up. You know, I fell off a bike. I'm sorry...it sounds like an excuse, doesn't it?

SUSAN
An excuse for being alive, when Jack isn't? You don't have to excuse that to me, Sergeant. What do you take me for?

DAVID
I'm sorry.

(He turns away to light his cigarette.)

DAVID
Have you been here long?

SUSAN
Since a week before. I, uh, took the job so I could be near the base.

DAVID
Are you staying?

SUSAN
I don't know. Perhaps.

DAVID
Look, uh...we're usually at The Turk's Head, if you ever...well, you know.

(Susan does not respond.)

DAVID
Jack was a mate of mine.

SUSAN
Yes, I know.

(They look at each other for a brief moment, but then Susan's attention returns to the book she is examining.)

 

(from "One of Ours" by Leslie Sands)