(AUDIENCE TEST SCENE NO. 1)


"THE SAND PEBBLES"

FADE IN

1 - LONG SHOT OF 1925 BATTLESHIP OR CRUISER OFF CHINA COAST

Superimpose

CHINA 1926

RAVAGED FROM WITHIN BY CORRUPT RIVAL WARLORDS...
OPPRESSED FROM WITHOUT BY THE ENSLAVING TREATIES
FORCED UPON HER BY THE GREAT POWERS WHO HAVE BEATEN
CHINA TO HER KNESS IN 1841, WHEN SHE HAD TRIED TO
CLOSE HER DOORS FOREVER TO THE "FOREIGN DEVILS"...

A COUNTRY IN CHAOS, WANTING TO BECOME A NATION...
THROUGH REVOLUTION

2 - VIEW FROM ABOVE DECK - DAY

Bugle sounding formation for inspection. Men in whites
hurrying out of hatches and scattering around the deck
to form up. All very trim and brisk as orders are
barked by Division Officers.

3 - COMPARTMENT - DAY

Holman, a wry, well-built man of about 26. Just now,
his face stiff, he is packing his sea bag, neatly and
carefully. He glances up contemptuously at the military
sounds coming from above: Bugles, barked commands  --
"Engineering division, fall in! -- "Dress right, dress right!"
-- "Ready, front!" -- "Prepare for inspection!" Holman
finishes packing his bag.

4 - ON DECK

Bugle... Bos'un's Mate...whistle...

BOS'UN'S MATE

Secure from inspection!

The men break ranks.

5 - BELOW DECKS - DAY

Holman, now fully dressed and carrying his sea bag over
his shoulder, proceeds up ladders, against the stream
of sailors coming down from formation. His expression
is set. He doesn't look at them, and they pay no
personal attention to him.

6 - QUARTER-DECK - DAY

Holman salutes the OOD.

HOLMAN

Holman, Machinist Mate first class. (flatly)
Transferring.

The OOD senses an undercurrent of hostility in Holman,
chooses to ignore it. He takes the manila envelope
containing Holman's orders, opens it, starts making
entries in the log.

OOD

The San Pablo.  What's that?

HOLMAN

Gunboat. Yangtse River Patrol.

OOD

Gonna be a river rat, huh?

Holman barely nods.

OOD

You know where to find her?

HOLMAN

Central China. I take a --(fishes for the word)--
civilian steamer upriver.

The OOD hands the orders back to Holman.

OOD

You ask for this duty?

HOLMAN

I asked for it.

OOD

There's no liberty in Shanghai, so report for further
transportation at once. (drily) Good luck, sailor.

Holman shoulders his sea bag, stops for a moment at the
top of the gangway, salutes the OOD and the flag.  The
OOD returns both salutes, walks to the gangway and
watches Holman go down.

DISSOLVE TO:

END...