SCENE: During the Mexican War, TIBBALS was a young Lieutenant in the American army where he was given his first unit to command. On his to inspect the unit, he encounters SERGEANT HEATHCOTE, a brash young soldier who will play an important role in Tibbals' upcoming campaign.
Tibbals nods. Heathcote chuckles.
HEATHCOTE
See? That’s exactly why I’m glad I never became an officer. More pressure than I care to handle.
TIBBALS
I don’t suppose you could help me, could you? Sergeant…?
HEATHCOTE
Heathcote, sir. At your service. Come right this way, Lieutenant.
Tibbals lets Heathcote lead the way. After a few seconds of walking, he addresses the Sergeant.
TIBBALS
I suppose you’re one of those people who has a sixth sense about these things?
HEATHCOTE
Not really. You think you’re the first First Lieutenant who ever came out of his Captain’s tent after a promotion feeling like he’d just got the wind knocked out of his sails? No sir. I’ve seen `em come and I’ve seen `em go and that’s the way they always are.
TIBBALS
And just how many have you seen, may I ask?
HEATHCOTE
More than I care to have, let me tell you. Some of `em I’ve gotten along with like kin, others I prayed would go down with the first volley of enemy fire.
TIBBALS
I hope you’re not saying you feel that way about me, Sergeant.
HEATHCOTE
Don’t know you well enough yet to make a call one way or the other, sir. Though I’m sure that’ll happen in time.
TIBBALS
In time?
HEATHCOTE
(chuckling)
That’s what I love about you Officers. So caught up in your own self-importance that you forget just how sharp we enlisted boys we really are. How do you think it is that I knew you were going to emerge from that tent and need to be lead to your new unit?
Tibbals cannot answer. He is in awe of Heathcote’s directness.
HEATHCOTE
It’s ‘cause I’m your new second-in-command. Got my orders at mess this morning, probably while you were still shaving that well-chisled Officer face of yours.
TIBBALS
May I ask how long you’d been standing there?
HEATHCOTE
Since just before you went in. Captain Jefferson himself told me to watch for the young man coming out of his tent looking like he’d just had his teeth jarred by an artillery shell, and that would be my new unit commander.
Heathcote walks out of shot, leaving Tibbals standing there to shake his head with amused bewilderment at the Sergeant. After a second, he hears Heathcote call out to him…
