1. PROJECT ERNIE - INTERVIEW WITH A HERO
(last 20 pages)
by
Chuck Loch
14314 Summertime Lane
Culver City, CA 90230
(310) 559-2331 Voice
(310) 559-2332 Fax
chuck9@sbcglobal.net

2. 86.
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM DAY
Ernie paces while the Students sit and listen.
ERNIE
I dare say, I don't think this is
working out. You've gotten me to
speak about things, horrible things,
I've tried to forget since they
happened. I will not be drawn further
into their discussion.
FRANK
I thought you said you wanted to
tell your stories to help the young
who could be drawn into war again.
You said if only you had known what
war was really like, you never would
have joined up.
ERNIE
I'm sorry, my boy, but the young are
no longer my problem. They rightly
belong to you. I've told the both of
you the truth - all that my heart
can bear.
PATTY
But we don't have enough.
FRANK
This means our whole trip is a
failure. We never got to your diaries,
we don't even have enough to explain--
PATTY
--What'll we do, Frank?
FRANK
Maybe if you had been a little bit
nicer--
PATTY
--Maybe if you had planned this better--
FRANK
--Don't you see? Ernie lied to us.
He promised to give us all the help
we needed.
ERNIE
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have promised.

3. 87.
PATTY
We've talked about splitting up if
this didn't work out. Right now I
don't ever want to see him again.
ERNIE
Young lady, go ahead and leave the
boy if you must. Just remember, the
both of you, you can always find
another love.
PATTY
How would you know? You haven't had
a date since 1919.
FRANK
Patty, that's none of our business.
We're here to get his story about
the war.
ERNIE
It's quite all right, my boy. I will
gladly talk about a woman I adored,
if you'll be kind enough to listen.
PATTY
Go on, please.
ERNIE
I met her five years ago. Flemish
Independence Day, I believe. I had
marched in their parade and was on
Plug Street, on the other side of
town.
EXT. PLOEGSTREET/STELLA'S CAFE 1973 DAY
THE ENTRANCE GATE
An old outdoor cafe, filled with tourists. Ernie, 78, wearing
the dress uniform of the Somersets (it still fits like a
glove) strolls up and stands in line for the next opening.
A 73-year-old woman, still hot for her age in a flowered sun
dress and a wide-brimmed hat, sits alone close to the street.
Ernie smiles at her. She smiles back then gets up and slides
between the tables toward him.
ERNIE (V.O.)
Her name was Stella. She was a bit
younger than me.
STELLA
I don't remember you from when the
Somersets were here in 'seventeen.

4. 88.
ERNIE
Good heavens, we were billeted right
here in the village weren't we?
STELLA
Indeed you were. I only worked here
then. Saw you boys every day. Always
so polite. Won't you join me?
STELLA'S TABLE
Ernie and Stella sit drinking beers. They flirt as they talk.
STELLA
You boys would say to me, 'Stella
what do you have to eat?' And I would
say, 'Beefsteak and chips.' They
would all eat that, the same thing,
all the time.
ERNIE
It was my distinct loss not to have
tasted your beef and chips.
Stella leans back, relaxes.
STELLA
Can you believe I was eighteen then?
ERNIE
You're not a day over that today.
STELLA
And I suppose you're twenty-two.
ERNIE
Feel like it today. Marching and
all. And meeting you.
STELLA
You boys did like to march. Just
like the London Rifles...we called
them the Black Buttons.
She smiles at her fond memories.
ERNIE
They could never hold a tight
formation.
STELLA
And I used to dance for both of you.
Ernie perks up.
ERNIE
Where?

5. 89.
Stella nods.
STELLA
Inside. At night, we had a cabaret.
She swivels sideways and kicks up one of her still glamorous
legs.
STELLA
You boys would come to see me dance.
She pushes herself up and executes a few dance steps.
ERNIE
Jolly good. Bravo.
When she sits down, Ernie looks into her eyes.
ERNIE
That's lovely, my dear. Would you
mind showing me where the cabaret
was? I would very much like to see
it, if it's not too much trouble.
Stella stares back into his.
STELLA
It would not be too much trouble at
all. We use it as a banquet room.
They're setting up now for a dinner.
ERNIE
There's to be a spread, you say?
STELLA
Why yes. Tonight.
Ernie stands and holds out his elbow.
ERNIE
Then lead me to the feast.
Stella rises and takes his arm.
As they step toward the building, she wobbles, catches a
breath, and lays a hand on her chest.
ERNIE
Trouble, my dear?
STELLA
It's just my pacemaker working
overtime.

6. 90.
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM 1979 DAY
Ernie searches through his treasure box and comes up with a
small envelope.
He pulls a color photo of himself and Stella, dressed to the
nines, standing arm and arm, from the envelope.
ERNIE
We were together night and day for
over a year. Of course, I couldn't
bring her here. The nuns, you know.
Another color photo falls out of the envelope: Ernie stands
alone, looking quite sad, in a very blue suit.
PATTY
Why so sad?
ERNIE
I was savaged by Stella's children
for walking in her funeral procession
and wearing a blue suit instead of a
black one. They couldn't understand
I wore it because it was her favorite.
FRANK
You lost her?
ERNIE
Yes, but every moment we spent
together was worth it. How many men
can say that?
PATTY
Not many men or women.
INT. PRIVATE HOSPITAL ROOM 1975 NIGHT
Stella lies propped up in bed. Ernie holds a mirror for her
to see her freshly shampooed tresses flowing down the pillows.
She runs her fingers through her hair, feeling its cleanliness.
ERNIE (V.O.)
The night before she died, I shampooed
her hair in the hospital bathroom.
A HOSPITAL NURSE interrupts.
HOSPITAL NURSE
I'm sorry, Sir. You'll have to leave,
visiting hours are over.

7. 91.
Ernie puts the mirror down on the bedside table, gathers
Stella up in his arms, and gives her a big kiss. He turns to
leave but she doesn't let go. Her lips move.
Ernie leans down. Puts his ear next to her lips.
STELLA
(whispering)
I'll see you later.
She lets go. Ernie sees the old twinkle back in her eyes.
ERNIE
Good night, my darling.
He backs out of the room, never taking his eyes off her.
The nurse follows and switches off the lights.
Light from a window into the hallway illuminates a CLOCK on
the wall. It shows nine o'clock.
MATCH CUT TO:
INT. PRIVATE HOSPITAL ROOM 1975 NIGHT
The clock shows midnight.
Stella lies awake and uneasy, still propped up in her bed.
She breathes in small gasps.
The door opens slowly.
Ernie peeps his head in and looks around. He smiles broadly
at Stella.
She turns toward him and returns his smile.
STELLA
I knew you'd come back.
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM 1979 DAY
ERNIE
I held her for a little while. It's
never long enough when the one you
love is slipping away.
Patty dabs at her eyes.
ERNIE
When the nurses made their rounds, I
hid in the bathroom. But, the nurses
found me and I had to leave. She
died later that night.

8. 92.
PATTY
Oh, Frank.
Patty grabs a very surprised Frank and hugs him.
Ernie smiles at the two of them.
ERNIE
I have a secret to confess.
He fluffs his pillow.
ERNIE
For months afterward, I would pat a
little bit of her perfume on my pillow
so when I fell asleep it would smell
like she was here.
PATTY
How could you let her go?
ERNIE
I never let her go. But, I learned a
long time ago that life goes on.
He picks up a pile of fresh letters from his desk.
ERNIE
These are from Dorothea, a friend of
Stella's. We've been writing.
He leafs through the pastel sheets of paper.
ERNIE
Finding love is easy. Making it last
is hard.
PATTY
You never gave up.
FRANK
Of course he didn't.
PATTY
I admire that in a man.
FRANK
In case you haven't noticed, I've
never given up on you.
PATTY
It would have made it easier.
ERNIE
You youngsters haven't yet learned
that life gives you another chance
at most things - if you survive the

9. 93.
ERNIE
first. Maybe if you give each other
another chance, it'll be the charm.
PATTY
It feels like I've given him many,
many chances.
FRANK
She's never forgiven me.
ERNIE
I'm talking of chances where you
both put everything behind you and
start over. Promise me you'll try?
FRANK
I'll give her another chance.
PATTY
I don't know if I can.
Ernie shakes his head and returns the letters to his desk.
ERNIE
I'm tired. Tomorrow is a new year.
Perhaps I'll find the strength to
carry on then. You may call for me.
But not too early, if you please.
EXT. NAZARETH REST HOME NIGHT
The Students walk to their car.
FRANK
Want to stop at the cafe for a night
cap? See how these Belgians celebrate
New Year's Eve?
PATTY
I'm exhausted. Let's just go back to
our room. Okay?
FRANK
Okay.
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM NIGHT
Ernie's alone and in bed, propped up on pillows. He picks up
the top letter in the pile from Dorothea and reads.
DOROTHEA (V.O.)
September 21st. By the time you read
this I shall be gone to find my peace
in the sweet hereafter. Hearing your

10. 94.
DOROTHEA (V.O.)
charming voice in your letters every
month has made my last years a joy. I
am so thankful to Stella for the chance
to know you. Goodbye, dear Ernie.
He drops the letter on his lap. His eyes close. He sleeps.
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM NIGHT (DREAM)
Stella stands in the doorway, wearing the flowered sun dress
and hat from when they first met.
STELLA
Happy New Year's Eve, Ernie. I thought
I'd come and spend one more with you.
She comes over and lays beside him.
STELLA
We used to have so much fun on New
Year's Eve.
ERNIE
That we did.
He puts his arm around her.
ERNIE
I'd like you to join me in the new
year, if it wouldn't be too much
trouble
They lay so close he can feel her breath on his face.
STELLA
Go to sleep, my Darling. I'll see
you tomorrow.
Ernie closes his eyes.
END ERNIE'S DREAM
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM DAY
New Year's morning church bells awaken Ernie.
He feels the pillow next to him then opens his eyes. No one's
there.
ERNIE
Stella, where did you go?
He sniffs her pillow and smiles.

11. 95.
SUDDENLY he grabs his chest and struggleS to breathe. He
jerks a pull-cord behind his bed. A CHIME SOUNDS. He jerks
it again and again and more CHIMES sound. He pulls it out of
the wall.
EXT. NAZARETH REST HOME DAY
Fog and a cold rain drizzles down.
The Students run from their car to the front door.
Frank BANGS the heavy KNOCKER.
A SISTER answers.
PATTY
We've come for Ernie.
SISTER
He's very sick today. Had one of his
spells this morning. Sorry.
She closes the door.
PATTY
Cafe?
FRANK
Cafe.
INT. CAFE T'CANON DAY
INSIDE THE DOOR
They push their way to the bar through wall-to-wall men in
WWI British and German uniforms.
AT THE BAR
FRANK
Do you Belgians always dress up on
New Year's?
BARTENDER
Around here we do - to celebrate the
end of the 1914 Christmas Truce.
PATTY
Why not on Christmas?
BARTENDER
Because New Year's was the day the
troops on both sides were told they'd
be considered traitors and shot if
they didn't fight again.

12. 96.
PATTY
Can you imagine what they felt? It
must have been horrible.
BARTENDER
Most of the men got drunk, sang a
last song together, then stumbled
out into the darkness and became
each other's enemy again.
PATTY
Sick. Can you find us a table?
BARTENDER
I've been saving one for Ernie. Is
he coming in?
FRANK
Doubt it. The nuns said he was sick.
BARTENDER
Then it's yours.
AT ERNIE'S TABLE
They drink their pints in silence, until
FRANK
I was miserable last night. I felt
so alone on my side of the bed. Afraid
to turn over because I might bump
into you. Afraid to talk because I
might say the wrong thing. Afraid to
get up because I might wake you--
PATTY
I didn't sleep--
FRANK
--I wanted to yell 'What do I have
to do so we can go back to how it
used to be?' But I was afraid.
PATTY
It was no way to spend a New Year's
Eve.
FRANK
Remember how we used to love
celebrating? We'd go over to Max
and Irma's and dance and dance and
dance? We'd get those big mugs of
champagne and during the countdown
we'd pour them over each other?
Patty, caught up in a moment of memory, jumps in.

13. 97.
PATTY
Then when you kissed me you'd cop a
feel and turn me on.
FRANK
And then we'd go back to the apartment
and make mad passionate love?
Patty falls silent with a far-away look in her eyes. Then
she delivers the hammer blow.
PATTY
I don't know if I can ever make love
to you again.
Frank's at a loss for words. Patty caught him between the
eyes. He stammers for a moment.
FRANK
Patty, I...I...I...uh...
Patty gets up to go. Frank grabs her arm and pulls her down.
FRANK
What Ernie said yesterday, about one
more chance?
She nails him again.
PATTY
What if I want a baby?
FRANK
That's...that's...up to you. I made
a mistake last year. The abortion
was wrong.
PATTY
You'll never know how wrong it was
for me...to listen to you...to kill
our son. I never should have. That
was my mistake.
FRANK
We both made a mistake. Maybe now
that we've admitted it, we can put
it behind us and go on. Even have a
child.
PATTY
If we forgive ourselves and each
other, maybe we can start over again,
a little bit wiser this time. Like
Ernie.
FRANK
Like the Ernie who never gave up?

14. 98.
PATTY
Like that one. I don't want to turn
out like the Ernie who couldn't
forgive himself.
INT. ERNIE'S ROOM DAY
The Sister sits next to Ernie's bed and feeds him a last
spoonful of soup. Most of it dribbles down his chin. She
wipes his chin and takes his hand.
ERNIE
I dislike soup immensely.
SISTER
Get used to it. It's all you'll be
eating for awhile.
She winks, squeezes his hand, and gets up.
SISTER
I've got to be going to Mass.
She gathers up the bowl and a half empty glass of milk.
ERNIE
Sister, don't go.
She pauses at the door.
SISTER
I'll have someone look in on you.
ERNIE
I have nothing to live for, you know.
SISTER
Such talk. You have me and the other
sisters.
She closes his door behind her.
Alone, Ernie talks to himself.
ERNIE
My nephew Frank and his Patty, they
have their problems and their fears.
They talk and talk and talk about
them until they go away.
He looks to the wall on the opposite side of the room.
ERNIE
I've talked to you for years and it
hasn't helped even a bit. Just free
me from this fear of dying and of

15. 99.
ERNIE
this pain of living. Haven't I done
enough for you? For all of you?
He turns his head towards his window.
ERNIE
Thank you, Archie. I know what to
do. I'll tell them one last story,
our story. Then I'll be free.
He takes the cassette recorder and microphone from his night
stand. He pushes the "ON" button and clears his throat into
the microphone. Then he speaks.
ERNIE
It was after we heard about the
Armistice by telly.
EXT. TRENCH 1918 NIGHT
Ernie stands toe to toe in the drizzling rain with Colonel
Edwards, staring into his face with incredulity and hate.
COLONEL
I don't care what you've heard over
the telly, RSM Bennett. I've received
no official dispatch and I've given
your unit an order to hop the bags.
Either you pass the order on to your
men or I'll charge you with treason.
Ernie salutes, does an about face, and walks over to his
MEN. He talks to them in a low voice the Colonel can't hear.
ERNIE
Just try to get through the night,
lads. Nothing more. Nothing less.
He glares back at the Colonel who waits expectantly. Then,
Ernie blows his command whistle.
ERNIE
Up and over, lads.
The Men scurry up the trench ladders and crawl off into the
darkness. The TIT-TIT-TIT of a machine gun a hundred yards
away drifts back into the trench.
Ernie waits until his last Man's feet wiggle out of sight
then follows.
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND 1918 NIGHT
Ernie lays on his back alone in a shell hole. An occasional
flare streaks overhead lighting up the pockmarked field.

16. 100.
A steady TIT-TIT-TIT alternates between the left and right
sides of his position.
He peeps over the edge of the hole toward the German line.
A flare
SUDDENLY ERUPTS
over the Germans.
Silhouetted by its light he catches a glimpse of a HELMETLESS
MAN crawling from their line toward his hole.
He levels his rifle across the field and waits for the next
flare.
SUDDENLY ONE ERUPTS DIRECTLY OVERHEAD.
THE HELMETLESS SOLDIER IS ON TOP OF HIM.
HE FIRES POINT BLANK INTO THE HELMETLESS MAN'S CHEST.
The Helmetless Man collapses into Ernie's shell hole.
Ernie pushes the Soldier over with his boot.
IT'S ARCHIE!
ERNIE
My God. My God. My God.
He cradles Archie across himself and takes his head into his
hands. Blood oozes out of him and all over Ernie.
ARCHIE
I was lost - out there all alone -
saw your crater - thought it was
refuge.
ERNIE
Don't talk. You'll be all right.
It'll be morning soon. The medics
will take care of you.
ARCHIE
It's so cold, Ernie. Hold me.
Archie's teeth chatter and his eyes close.
ARCHIE
So tired, Ernie. So tired.
Ernie takes off his jacket and shirt and holds Archie close
to him while he covers then both again with his clothes.
Ernie quietly sobs into his jacket.

17. 101.
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND 1918 NIGHT
The Eastern horizon glows signaling dawn's coming.
Ernie, still holds Archie close. They're both soaked with
blood. Ernie's teeth chatter as he softly hums, It's A long
Way to Tipperary.
Archie's eyes blink open.
ARCHIE
I'm going west, old chum. Ann's
waiting in Blighty for me and little
Archie's there too.
ERNIE
Hang on a little longer, Archie.
Medics'll be here any minute.
ARCHIE
No time, Ernie. I'll say 'Hi' for
you to the wife and kids.
Archie gasps for breath one last time and goes limp in Ernie's
arms. His eyes, still open, stare lifelessly toward the
western horizon.
Ernie tenderly closes them and holds Archie all the more
tightly.
EXT. NO MAN'S LAND 1918 DAY
The sun sits high overhead as Ernie sits in the same position
still holding Archie.
A BRITISH MEDIC looks down into the hole.
MEDIC
Anybody alive down there?
Ernie cocks his head and stares at the Medic.
The Medic jumps down into the hole. He take hold of Archie's
limp body.
MEDIC
Here, let me take him.
Ernie won't let Archie go.
ERNIE
He's my Man. I'll take care of him.

18. 102.
MEDIC
(gently)
There's nothing more either of us
can do for him. You okay?
Ernie slowly releases Archie's body, letting the Medic take
him.
MEDIC
Congratulations, Sergeant. You've
made it. The war is over.
EXT. NAZARETH REST HOME 1979 DAY
Ernie carries the recorder and his treasure box down the
street through the cold rain.
INT. CAFE T'CANON DAY
Patty and Frank finish their beers.
FRANK
Let's get out of here.
PATTY
And go back to our room?
FRANK
You want to have that baby, don't
you?
They stand and signal the Bartender.
FRANK
Put it on our tab.
BARTENDER
Where you going?
FRANK
To celebrate a new year.
EXT. CAFE T'CANON DAY
Frank and Patty walk arm and arm around the corner just as
Ernie appears from the opposite direction.
INT. CAFE T'CANON DAY
BY THE DOOR
Ernie, dripping wet, looks around at all the men in uniform,
confused. The Bartender calls to him

19. 103.
BARTENDER
Ernie, your table just opened up.
ERNIE
And what of my young friends?
BARTENDER
They've gone off to celebrate.
Ernie smiles.
AT ERNIE'S TABLE
Ernie catches the BAR MAID's attention. She comes over.
BARMAID
You've got three beers left over
from last night. Shall I bring them
one at a time, or all at once?
ERNIE
None for me today, young lady, thank
you just the same. I would, however,
greatly appreciate it if you would
bring me pencil and paper.
Ernie writes "for Patty and Frank" on a sheet of paper and
place it carefully on his treasure box.
He turns and looks at the wall.
ERNIE
All right lads, I've done it.
ARCHIE (V.O.)
Good for you, old boy.
LEO (V.O.)
We knew you could do it.
Ernie smiles and drops the cassette inside his treasure box.
Ernie's chums, Archie, Leo, The Kid, Jimmy, and Percy,
materialize in the corner.
They wear their dingy, field-worn uniforms, which are in
stark contrast to all the clean and new ones worn by the
others in the cafe.
But they blend in nicely with the crowd.
Stella's with them - in her best dress.
STELLA
Happy New Year, Ernie.

20. 104.
ERNIE
It's tomorrow, isn't it?
Ernie keels over onto the table and steps out of his body in
full field uniform, as dingy as theirs.
Vigorous handshakes and hugs all around.
All Ernie's chums whisper something to him as they embrace.
ARCHIE
I forgive you Ernie. No hard feelings,
eh?
LEO
You did your best to save us.
THE KID
It wasn't your fault.
JIMMY
You fought for us.
PERCY
You did your duty.
When he comes to Stella, he holds her hands for a moment,
and gazes into her eyes.
SUDDENLY
she throws her arms around him and gives him a big kiss.
ERNIE
Thank you for leaving your perfume
on my pillow.
STELLA
We didn't want you to lose hope now,
did we?
Laughing, arm and arm, with his chums leading Ernie, they
all walk through the wall pointed out by the signpost labeled
'West.'
EXT. TYNE COT CEMETERY DAY
Still linked arm-in-arm they march through the gates of the
cemetery that now holds all their graves side-by-side.
They point to a new headstone with Ernie's name on it lined
up beside theirs.
They walk on past an arrowed signpost pointing out "England -
70 Miles."

21. 105.
ARCHIE
You're finally going home, old chum.
INT. HOTEL ROOM DAY
Patty and Frank lay under the covers in each other's arms
PATTY
I really missed you...and that.
FRANK
Do you think we made a baby?
PATTY
If we did, I hopes he or she turns
out to be like Ernie.
FRANK
Don't worry. It's a sure thing. I can
feel it.
FADE OUT:
THE END