DAVID RUSH
Writer
During a quiet moment, Claggart approaches Billy to try to determine a weakness;
CLAGGART
Where to, Budd? You’re not on this watch.
BILLY
No, sir.
CLAGGART
Where to then?
BILLY
… I like to sit on a yard and watch the waves, sir.
CLAGGART
The waves?
BILLY
Yes, sir.
CLAGGART
You see them all day every day, lad; what are you talking about?
BILLY
… I don’t know. They’re peculiar.
CLAGGART
They’re wind and water, Billy. Clear and simple as a rock.
BILLY
Hard to explain, sir. They’re all alike and all different at the same time. I don’t know how to say it.
CLAGGART
You’re blocking my sun standing up there, lad. Come down where I am.
(BILLY hesitates.)
CLAGGART (ctd)
Don’t be afraid, lad.
(BILLY climbs down.)
CLAGGART (ctd)
Why this fascination with waves? Do they undulate and make you think of women?
BILLY
No, sir. It’s.. it’s… you see, up on the top, where they rise and fall, some are lower or higher or faster or slower or smaller or bigger, but down fathoms down, they’re all deep water and dark and very still, like maybe pudding on a Christmas platter. I like to wonder how far down you’d have to go to find the plate and what it looks like. I told you I don’t know how to say it.
CLAGGART
Exactly like people then, Billy?
BILLY
…I don’t know, sir.
(A little pause. BILLY uncomfortable, CLAGGART studying)
CLAGGART
… It looks to be a fair day.
BILLY
Aye, sir, it does.
CLAGGART
God willing, we’ll catch ourselves a Frenchie today.
BILLY
… Aye, sir.
CLAGGART
…Have you seen battle yet, Billy?
BILLY
Aye, sir. At St. Vincent, aboard the Captain. I was a powder boy.
CLAGGART
And how did you acquit yourself?
BILLY
Sir?
CLAGGART
Were you afraid? Did you hide?
BILLY
No, sir. No time to be afraid. No place to hide. I was wounded though. The mainyard (“m’n-yurd”) fell, a piece hit my leg. When we met the Rights of Man, they put me there.
CLAGGART
Out of the line of battle.
BILLY
Aye, sir. For the time being, it turns out.
CLAGGART
That was good fortune, lad.
BILLY
No, sir, for I left good friends behind.