Oh, I'd say the odds against a successful escape are about 100 to 1...But may I add another word, Colonel...The odds against survival in this camp are even worse. You've seen the graveyard. There you realize. You give up hope of escape. To even stop thinking about it is like accepting a death sentence.

Why haven't you tried to escape, Commander?

Oh, I've been biding my time, waiting for the right moment, the right company.

I understand how you feel. Of course, it's normally the duty of a captured soldier to attempt escape. But my men and I are involved in a curious legal point of which you are unaware. In Singapore, we were ordered to surrender by Command Headquarters, ordered, mind you. Therefore, in our case, escape might well be an infraction of military law. Interesting?

Yes, interesting point.

I'm sorry sir. I didn't quite follow you. You mean you intend to uphold the letter of the law, no matter what it costs.

Without law, Commander, there is no civilization.

Well see, that's my point. Here, there is no civilization.

Then, we have the opportunity to introduce it. I suggest that we drop the subject of escape.