It's a bit old I know, but luckily events have conspired to extend its sell by date just a little bit. All comments of all hues greatly appreciated.
MILES:Many countries have tried to assert their dominance over Afghanistan, and all but one of them have been Britain. Working on an engagement strategy of 'third time lucky', British forces, working with the Afghan Defence Force, moved on Taliban strongholds in Helmand this week. Newjack's own Emma Fireperson is with them. Emma hello...
FXBURST OF GUNFIRE. SHOUTS
MILES:Emma are you ok?
LIEUTENANT: (Off Mike) CEASEFIRE!!
EMMA
orry Miles, couldn't hear you for a moment. We're near a small village and we seemed to have stopped shooting because there's a white flag flying .... and a sign ... written in Pashto, I think.
LIEUTENANT:Ali? ALI!
ALI:Yes, sir.
LIEUTENANT:Can you read it?
ALI: I think so ... it says ... 'allright ... allright ... 50, then ... but with... holiday pay!'
LIEUTENTANT: Tell them to lay down their weapons and come out with their hands up!
ALI:[Shouts in Pashto]
EMMA:The translator is telling them to surrender and there's another sign going up, If I can just get my mike on translator.
ALI: Sir! It says 'Aren't you going to haggle?'
LIEUTENANT:Just tell them to surrender!
ALI(Off Mike) [Shouts in Pashto]
EMMA:Well Miles, that seems to have worked. Some Taliban fighters are emerging from an outhouse with their hands up and ...
FXSINGLE SHOT RINGS OUT
EMMA
h my god, they shot one!
FXHUBBUB OF ANGRY AFGHAN VOICES.
LIEUTENANT:Ali! What the hell are they doing?
ALI:It's the men sir. They say 'Bloody bastards, we don't even get fifty'
LIEUTENANT: Oh for God's sake! Excuse me, could you turn that thing off?
EMMA: Miles? I'm going to have to go now ... Hang on! I don't even get fif...
MILES:And I think we'll leave it there.
END