IN. MAGISRATE'S ROOM
DAWN Dim lights, Magistrate is in bed peering out the window
CLOSE UP SHOT- MAGISTRATE ~to~ P.O.V. SHOT- SUN SETTING THROUGH THE WINDOW
VOICE OVER If I had only handed over these two absurd prisoners to the Colonel, I reflect 'Here, Colonel, you are the specialist, see what you can make of them!' I did not mean to get embroiled in this. I am a country magistrate, a responsible official in the service of the Empire, serving out my days on this lazy frontier, waiting to retire. I collect the tithes and taxes, administer the communal lands, see that the garrison is provided for, supervise the junior officers who are the only officers we have here, keep an eye on trade, preside over the law-court twice a week. For the rest I watch the sun rise and set, eat and sleep and am content. When I pass away I hope to merit three lines of small print in the Imperial gazette. I have not asked for more than a quiet life in quiet times.
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