Conduct Unbecoming

In 1878, two young British officers, Arthur Drake and Edward Millington, arrive in India to join a colonial regiment. Drake is eager to prove himself and to fit into the regiment's social circle, while Millington comes from a general's family and carries different expectations. They face the daunting distance from home and the start of regimental life.

Drake, belonging to a middle-class background, wants to honor his father's service and win acceptance among the officers. He works to navigate the regiment's social hierarchy and prove his worth. The pressure to conform shapes his early interactions.

Millington, the son of a general, confides to Drake that he intends to deliberately fail his three-month probationary period. He reveals a mindset aimed at provoking the officers rather than proving himself. His candor reveals the underlying approach toward the regiment.

Following his confession, Millington outlines that he will actively antagonize his fellow officers to destabilize the group. He expects friction to test loyalties and resilience. This plan signals a cold strategic approach rather than honest ambition.

As the probation begins, Millington's antagonistic remarks and provocations start to surface in small exchanges. Drake watches the emerging tensions, weighing his own anchor in the shifting dynamic. The regiment notices the uneasy atmosphere taking root.

Millington intensifies his efforts to provoke his peers, creating deliberate conflicts and undermining authority figures. The regiment's daily routines become punctuated by clashes and whispered criticisms. His actions threaten the cohesion the officers rely on.

Other officers begin to feel the strain as Millington's schemes ripple through conversations and assignments. Accusations and suspicions creep into the social circle, complicating lines of trust. The tension tests friendship and professional duty.

Drake is torn between loyalty to Millington and his own ambition to secure his place in the regiment. He contemplates whether to confront the behavior or to stay silent for the sake of his career. The dilemma highlights the conflict between personal integrity and professional belonging.

The three-month probationary period becomes a crucible for the two officers, testing character under pressure. Millington's plan continues to unfold while Drake weighs the consequences of choices made in this period. The outcome could redefine their paths within the regiment.

Millington risks damaging his career and tarnishing family expectations if his plan is exposed. The regiment could suffer from a breakdown in trust and discipline. Drake's reputation also stands to be affected by the surrounding turmoil.

Drake begins to navigate the unfolding drama, seeking to preserve his own standing while finding a way to address the toxicity. He tries to steer conversations away from personal attacks and toward professional matters. The balance between loyalty and duty becomes more delicate.

The dynamic underscores how class background and family status influence behavior within the regiment. Drake's middle-class roots and Millington's general lineage shape expectations and judgments. These tensions foreshadow deeper conflicts beyond personal grievances.