DUDMAN'S COLD STARE 1916

A OFFICER RETURNS HOME WITH SHELL SHOCK FROM WAR AND IS WELCOMED HOME BY PARENTS AND SERVANTS IN 1916

A car arrives in the drive

and stops outside

the front door

all the servants are there

and George's parents

wait there all importantly

watching the car door

the chauffeur gets out

and opens the back door

and George back

from the hospital

for shell shock

gets out and puts a hand

over his forehead

to block out sunlight

then looks around the grounds

around the house

his mother steps forward

and takes his hand

welcome home George

she says

George stares at her

he nods but doesn't smile

he looks into the faces

of all those standing there

by the front door

as if amongst strangers

his father moves forward

and gently takes his son's arm

George moves forward uncertainly

his feet unsteady

his hands shaking slightly

his eyes move over the servants

wide and staring

then he stops

and points to Polly

Polly

he says softly

almost a mumble

she gazes at him

uncertain what to do

the mother looks at Polly

come help Polly

Master George recognizes you

and indicates

with her other hand

that she should come

so Poly walks

to George's side

and says nothing

but smiles at him

and he smiles back

we'll go to his room

the father says

a footman takes the bags

and follows George

and his parents and Polly

inside the house

and up the wide staircase

the other servants

including the butler Dudman

move away from the door

and go about their tasks

Dudman goes in

and stares at the party

walking upstairs slowly

and sighs

Polly has overstepped the line

as far as he is concerned

he'll have to watch her

he muses watching the party

disappear from the stairs

and gives the absent Polly

one of his cold stares.