INT.
ORPHANAGE CLASSROOM NIGHT
SISTER VIRGINIA has MAGPIE led across her lap,
like Pietà, and stroking the hair of MAGPIE who is still in shock. SISTER
TERESA comes to the door.
SISTER TERESA
Mother, the police found Little Tommy and brought him back... He’s
injured but okay.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Thank you. Could you take care of him Sister Teresa? I will talk
to him later.
SISTER TERESA
Of course Mother. Do you require anything else?
SISTER VIRGINIA
No sister, thank you. Go take care of Little Tommy, I imagine he must
also be very scared.
SISTER TERESA gives a little bow and retires
to deal with LITTLE TOMMY. SISTER VIRGINIA looks at MAGPIE.
SISTER VIRGINIA
You
see what has happened?... Well... I will not give you a sermon now. All that has
happened is very sad. Only I can know how my heart aches.
MAGPIE
I
believe you Sister... I know I will never forgive myself...
SISTER VIRGINIA
Magpie,
nobody will think badly of you. The damage is done and has consequences that
will remain with you forever... But you are not guilty of Jay’s death.
MAGPIE
But
we went out again... If only we had been sleeping.
SISTER VIRGINIA
See...
The lesson cost dearly. Jay was called by our Lord, but do not think it was
your fault. Time will one day heal the wound. It's always like that when
someone who is dear to us dies.
MAGPIE
Why
does everyone have to die near me?
SISTER VIRGINIA
Do
not say that Magpie... That is not true.
MAGPIE
Yes
it is Sister... Why did I come to the orphanage? Where are my parents? Dead. Is
that not true?
SISTER VIRGINIA
(Flustered)
Well... I do not know. I mean…
MAGPIE
Do
you know what happened to them? Why was I brought to the orphanage?
SISTER VIRGINIA
It’s
best to leave this conversation for another time... You have been through a lot
today.
MAGPIE
No
Sister... Please. I want to know.
SISTER VIRGINIA
I
do not really know what happened... It has been many years.
MAGPIE
(Begging) Please tell me…
SISTER VIRGINIA takes a deep breath and after a
little time begins to speak quietly.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Well
... what we know is that you were found in a wardrobe in a bedroom of a pub. In
the same room was a girl ... in her twenties. She was lifeless and still had a
baby in her womb ... They could also not save him.
MAGPIE
It
was my mother?
SISTER VIRGINIA
Yes
... your mother and your twin brother. Your mother must have sensed that you
were in danger and hid you in the wardrobe. But she did not have time to hide your
brother.
MAGPIE
I
did not know I had a brother ... (Thoughtful) And my father? Do you know
anything of him?
SISTER VIRGINIA
No
one knows. Nobody knew of any man who was with your mother. The police also did
not find much. On the day you were born it was the semi final of the football Euro
Cup ... England lost and there was lots of riots in the streets. no one wanted
to talk about anything else. Even the newspapers the next day just talked about
the football, no one wanted to know anything else. The police only discovered
what had happened because the pub was open all night ... no one shut or locked
the doors and they found that strange. It was when they found you crying in the
wardrobe, and your mother and brother. After leaving, the police forbid entrance
and no one ever went there.
MAGPIE
Why
do I have this curse?
SISTER VIRGINIA
There
is no curse Magpie, don’t say that. You were very lucky to be saved. If they
had not found you, you would not have survived.
MAGPIE
Perhaps
that would’ve been better.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Do
not say that. You're a joy in this house. You’re a mischievous boy, but we all
love you very much.
SISTER VIRGINIA smiles. MAGPIE remains silent
for a moment.
MAGPIE
Sister ... where is this pub?
SISTER VIRGINIA
Why do you want to know?
MAGPIE
No reason ... just curiosity.
SISTER VIRGINIA
It's been a long time ... If I remember correctly it was near the High Street. The police took you to
the University Hospital near by ... well but do not think about it now. You
need to rest.
MAGPIE agrees. They rise. SISTER VIRGINIA
gives Magpie a kiss on the forehead.
MAGPIE
Good
night Sister Virginia ... Thank you.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Good
night my son. If you need anything, just call me. (Pause) ... Magpie, you're a
good boy.
MAGPIE smiles shyly and exits to the dormitory.
SISTER VIRGINIA lets a tear fall down her face, emotional.
INT.
ORPHANAGE DORMITORY NIGHT
MAGPIE is lying on his bed, in the dark,
watching the ceiling. He looks at the empty bed of Jay and weeps silently.
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