70. INT.ORPHANAGE NIGHT
SISTER VIRGINIA and SISTER TERESA are talking to two POLICE. MAGPIE is with them, crestfallen.
POLICE 2
We found the boy in an alley near the railway station. He appeared to be very scared.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Thank God! Thank you very much Sir. (To MAGPIE) Are you ok?
MAGPIE does not respond, but nods in agreement.
SISTER TERESA
You may leave now Officers. We will take care of him now.
POLICE 2
Sure Sister. Good night. And you boy, stay out of trouble. Ok?
The POLICE exit to the street. SISTER TERESA closes the door while SISTER VIRGINIA interrogates MAGPIE.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Do you want something to eat?
MAGPIE
No, ma'am. I've eaten recently.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Ate where?
MAGPIE
I ate with Mr. Michael.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Who is this Mr. Michael?
SISTER TERESA and SISTER VIRGINIA exchange a worried look.
MAGPIE
He's my friend... I'm working at his home.
SISTER TERESA
Working?! What job is this? What are you doing?
MAGPIE
I am helping in the garden...
SISTER VIRGINIA
Hold on boy! You will me explain all. Do you not know
how dangerous it is to walk around like this today? Who knows who Mr
Michael really is... who could know? He may be any kind of criminal...
MAGPIE
Everyone knows Sister... Mr. Michael Thompson is a television actor. He is my friend.
SISTER VIRGINIA
A TV Actor? I will have to get this mess cleaned up.
Go to your bed and don’t even think about escaping again. The next time
you will be sent straight to York.
MAGPIE dejectedly heads towards the dormitory. SISTER VIRGINIA and SISTER TERESA follow him with their eyes, concerned.
SISTER TERESA
I do not like this story... He can only be lying. Now he says he’s a friend of TV stars.
SISTER VIRGINIA
I also have my doubts. Tomorrow I will make a call to
York and see if they have a vacancy for him to leave the following the
day.
71.EXT.MICHAEL’S HOME GARDEN DAY
JOHN is working in the garden. MICHAEL comes from the house and goes to him.
MICHAEL
Good morning John... Has Magpie not turned up today?
JOHN
Not yet. I’ve waited all morning for him.
MICHAEL
Weird.
MICHAEL heads back to his house, disappointed. JOHN looks suspiciously at MICHAEL.
72.INT.ORPHANAGE DORMITORY DAY
MAGPIE sits on the bed, grumpy and sad. SISTER TERESA
is standing by MAGPIE so he cannot escape. SISTER VIRGINIA enters from
outside. She speaks firmly.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Magpie, gather your things. Today you'll go to York. I called them and they confirmed that they have a vacancy for you.
MAGPIE is broken. He reacts in despair.
MAGPIE
What? You cannot do that to me! Please don’t! I have
to stay here... I have to help in the garden of Mr Michael. I do not
want to lose another friend...
SISTER VIRGINIA
Magpie Enough! No more nonsense. You will do exactly as I say.
MAGPIE
I won’t do it (begging)... Please.
MAGPIE is in tears. SISTER JOSEPHINE appears at the door and calls SISTER VIRGINA.
SISTER JOSEPHINE
Mother you have is a call...
SISTER VIRGINIA
I will take it. There is no going back Magpie. It’s safer for you. Now, arrange your things.
SISTER VIRGINIA heads out into the hallway. SISTER TERESA tries comfort him a little.
73.INT.ORPHANAGE CORRIDOR DAY
SISTER VIRGINIA goes up to the phone. She picks up the handset which is resting on the table.
SISTER VIRGINIA (ON PHONE)
Hello?... Who is this?... (Surprise) Who?!... Yes
sir, yes I know. I have been told... Yes for sure... (Looks at her
watch) Well, I will wait then. Certainly.
SISTER VIRGINIA disconnects the call. She is very surprised.
74.INT.ORPHANAGE DORMITORY DAY
SISTER TERESA is helping MAGPIE to pack his clothes in a suitcase. SISTER VIRGINIA rushes to the door.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Sister Teresa, can you come here?
SISTER TERESA
Yes Mother, of course.
SISTER TERESA goes up to SISTER VIRGINIA. They talk
quietly so that MAGPIE cannot hear them. SISTER TERESA shows surprise.
They look at MAGPIE. MAGPIE closes his suitcase, desolate. SISTER
VIRGINIA and SISTER TERESA approach.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Magpie, have you already finished packing your bag?
MAGPIE nods upset.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Well... We'll have to wait a little. I need to
confirm a situation. The best thing for you to do would be to go and
eat something in the canteen.
SISTER VIRGINIA exchanges a look with SISTER TERESA.
MAGPIE does not answer but goes to the canteen. The SISTERS follow
behind him.
75.INT.ORPHANAGE CANTEEN DAY
MAGPIE comes from the dormitory and sits at a table. SISTER TERESA and SISTER VIRGINIA come with him.
SISTER VIRGINIA
What do you want to eat?
MAGPIE
Nothing.
SISTER VIRGINIA
You had better eat something. Let us choose for you.
MAGPIE shrugs. SISTER VIRGINIA begins to select food for him.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Well, if you cannot decide. I’ll choose for you. Then you can’t complain.
SISTER TERESA
MAGPIE, we're trying to protect you even if you don’t notice that. Furthermore, I am sure you will like it there in York.
MAGPIE
I will not go. It is in London that I want to stay.
SISTER TERESA
You cannot stay here. You will end up having problems and it will be dangerous for you.
SISTER VIRGINIA comes back with a tray with some food on. She places it in front of MAGPIE.
SISTER VIRGINIA
There. Now let’s see if you eat something.
MAGPIE reluctantly takes a little food and eats without willing. They hear the doorbell. SISTER TERESA goes to open the door.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Magpie do not get angry with us. You know how much we like you. You'll see that soon. You will make lots of new friends.
MAGPIE
But I don’t want to go. I don’t need new friends. I have my friends here.
MAGPIE pushes the tray of food to the side. In that
moment SISTER TERESA returns with surprise. With much formality she
invites someone to come into the canteen. At that moment MICHAEL
appears at the door. SISTER VIRGINIA is also surprised. MAGPIE looks
and sees MICHAEL. He rises and runs to embrace him.
MAGPIE
Mr Michael! You came! Oh my God, do not let them take me away! Do not leave!
MICHAEL, emotional, hugs him tightly.
MICHAEL
I won’t let them do anything Magpie.
SISTER VIRGINIA and SISTER TERESA watch excitedly.
SISTER TERESA
He was speaking the truth... it is Mr. Michael Thompson...
SISTER VIRGINIA
Yes... When I got the call from Mr. Michael, I still waited to see if it could be true...
MICHAEL
And now, Sister? What can I do for Magpie not to go?
SISTER VIRGINIA
Well... I can call York and cancel the trip... But only for now. We'll have to discuss this situation.
MICHAEL looks at MAGPIE and smiles.
MICHAEL
Let's wait to see the best way to solve everything.
MAGPIE
Can I go with you Mr Michael?
SISTER VIRGINIA
Magpie, things are not that simple.
MICHAEL
Who knows… maybe I could think of adopting Magpie, Sister.
MAGPIE is greatly joyous.
MAGPIE
Really? Are you being serious?
MICHAEL
Why not? (Laughs)
SISTER VIRGINIA
Well... the process is down to you Mr Thompson. But in any event Magpie is no longer a baby, so it may be easier.
MICHAEL
Let's see then.
MICHAEL embraces MAGPIE.
MICHAEL
I don’t know if you can go with me now, but there is a lot of work to do in the garden.
MICHAEL looks at SISTER VIRGINIA.
SISTER VIRGINIA
It seems that Mr. Thompson needs you... I think I'll let you go to finish your tasks. (Giggle, loving).
MAGPIE
Really? I can go?
SISTER VIRGINIA
Yes you can. After a meeting with Mr Thompson to discuss what he will do. You cannot always be skipping our classes.
SISTER TERESA
I am sure that we can find a way for everyone to be happy and comply with all their duties.
MICHAEL
Of course. Magpie, you will promise to study and not miss your lessons and then I can come to see more times.
SISTER VIRGINIA
And meanwhile, you will sleep in the orphanage every night...
MICHAEL
Unless we go on holiday somewhere.
MICHAEL looks amused to SISTER VIRGINIA, who is disconcerted.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Well this soon...
MICHAEL stops SISTER VIRGINIA, who ends up laughing and not finishing the sentence.
MICHAEL
Thank you for your kindness Sister Virginia. I knew you would agree with me.
SISTER TERESA
It is best to go away before Mother changes her mind.
Everyone laughs in good disposition.
MICHAEL
I promise to bring him back soon.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Thank you for taking care of him sir. May God bless you.
MICHAEL smiles at MAGPIE and motions him to the door. The two leave. SISTER TERESA does not hide her enthusiasm.
SISTER TERESA
Did you see Mother... It was Michael Thompson... all that emotion.
SISTER VIRGINIA
Behave Teresa.
SISTER TERESA is very serious. SISTER VIRGINIA laughs, more relieved.
SISTER VIRGINIA
I’m glad everything ended well. But I’m not sure what that kid did to capture such a famous actor.
SISTER TERESA
It’s Magpie.
76.EXT.CITY MICHAEL’S CAR DAY
MICHAEL drives while MAGPIE sits very happy at his side.
MAGPIE
You arrived just in time... They were going to take me to York, to another orphanage.
MICHAEL
You’re a very lucky boy. As you didn’t show up this
morning, I was worried and went looking for you. I went to the house of
your mother and I called for you. When you didn’t answer I remembered
to call the orphanage...
MAGPIE
The police found me and took me there... Your friend tried to catch me but I managed to escape.
MICHAEL
Who?! (surprised)
MAGPIE
Your friend, who was there at your home. He was waiting for me at the pub...
MICHAEL
George?!
MICHAEL panics in the car and gives his full attention to MAGPIE.
MICHAEL
What's he done to you?!
MAGPIE
Nothing... I managed to escape. He was hiding there
in the pub when I arrived. He tried to catch me, but I ran into the
street. That's when the police found me and brought me back to the
orphanage.
MICHAEL
My God, George is crazy. Look at me. You will not go
out by yourself anymore, understand? You only go out with me or some
other trusted person. At least until we solve this situation.
MAGPIE
But why does he want to hurt me?
MICHAEL
I can’t say no... Sorry... But we have to be really careful with this guy. He is very dangerous. VERY dangerous, you hear?
MAGPIE becomes scared. MICHAEL begins to speed. MAGPIE is afraid to speak.
MAGPIE
Mr Michael... Can we stop at the pub just for me to pick up my magazines and photo of my mother?
MICHAEL hesitates, nervous.
MICHAEL
Let's not take that risk Magpie.
MAGPIE is dejected. Sad. MICHAEL notices and says with some fear.
MICHAEL
Are you listening very carefully? Let's run there, grab the stuff and then promise to never ever go there again.
MAGPIE agrees. MICHAEL is more persistent.
MICHAEL
Magpie! I want to hear it from your mouth! Do understand what I’m saying?
MAGPIE
I understand, sir.
MICHAEL
Ok, better. Come on then. But let's check if everything is clear first.
MAGPIE
You can lead...
MICHAEL drives them to the pub. He stops the car some
distance away and watches the street carefully. The people pass by in
the street. MICHAEL, looking nervous, approaches the pub trying to see
if anything is wrong. He advances slowly until near the pub.
MICHAEL
It looks safe. I will come with you!
MICHAEL and MAGPIE get out of the car. MICHAEL continues to nervously look around. They approach the pub with caution.
77.INT.PUB DAY
MICHAEL and MAGPIE enter with caution. They head to the bedroom.
78.INT.PUB BEDROOM DAY
They come from the bar. MAGPIE grabs the bag that is on his bed and checks the magazines. He looks around.
MAGPIE
The magazines are here, but I can’t see the picture. I was sure that it fell on the floor.
MICHAEL looks too.
MICHAEL
I see nothing here... Are you sure?
MAGPIE
Yeah. The frame broke and I saw it there... But I could not get the picture in time.
MICHAEL
There is some glass on the floor... but I can’t see the picture...
At this point, GEORGE appears from the hallway,
wielding the photograph in one hand and a pistol in the other. GEORGE
waves the photograph.
GEORGE
Is this what you’re looking for?
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