Almásy gets up and loads the flare with what is clearly the last charge. This time the effect is dramatic with A RED UMBRELLA OF LIGHT. Katharine comes up beside him. They wait, hope fading with the flare.
KATHARINE
(blank): Geoffrey's not in Cairo.
(Almásy looks at her)
He's not actually a buffoon. And the plane wasn't a wedding present. It belongs
to the British Government. They want aerial maps of the whole of North Africa.
So I think he's in Ethiopia. In case you were counting on his sudden appearance.
ALMÁSY: And the marriage--is that a fiction?
There's a beat. Katharine has a hundred answers.
KATHARINE: No, the marriage isn't a fiction.
The light from the flare fades on them and they stand in the dark. Suddenly on the far horizon, behind their heads, AN ANSWERING FLARE fireworks into the sky.
KATHARINE: Thank God. Oh thank God.
There's excited shouting from the two fit boys. Then a distant reply. Almásy laughs with relief.
ALMÁSY: It's Madox.
He turns to Katharine. She shudders.
KATHARINE: Am I K in your book? I think I must be.
Almásy turns to her. He runs the blade of his arm across her neck.