- (GLASS SMASHES) - DAVID, SOBBING: They're all dead! - How many are in the house, mate? - Five. Five. - We've got another body down here! - Of all the children, who was Dad's favourite? - Arawa would be least. She and he never saw eye-to-eye. - (SLAM! CROCKERY CLATTERS) - Maybe it'd be easier if you just left. (CHUCKLES) - (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - Poor boy. Mm. - Would you like me to come? - It's OK, mate. That won't be necessary. - (SIGHS HEAVILY) (SOMBRE, BROODING MUSIC) - Robin, one shot to the head. Margaret, one above the eye. Uh, Laniet, three shots. She probably survived the first. Stephen, one to the hand and one to the top of the head. Arawa, one to the forehead. Maybe the noise wakes her. She wonders what the fuck is going on. She gets up to have a look. The shooter's coming towards her, so she ducks back into the room. The shooter fires a shot that misses her. One shot, two holes, because the curtain was folded like this. Then he follows her into the room. The victim backs away, or maybe she's down on her knees, um, praying for her life, when he,... uh, shoots her at close range. - All these flowers and cards and calls of support ` it's been non-stop. They were all very loved. There's no doubt about it. It says something, doesn't it, that people care? Just goes to show that` - I want to see the newspaper. - SIGHS: Oh, love. - Maybe leave it for a while. - No. I wanna see it. - (CHAIR SQUEAKS SOFTLY) - (DRAWER OPENS, PAPER RUSTLES) - Thanks. - You wanna take everything with a grain of salt. David, put it down. Come on. (SIGHS) - What did they look like? - At peace. (SIGHS) All were shot in the head,... so it would've been quick. Except poor Stephen. They say he put up a hell of a fight. - EXHALES SHAKILY: They're coming. WHISPERS: They're coming. - Now, David` - They're coming. - Now, now, don't start. - They're coming. - (DAVID WAILS) (WHIMPERS, SOBS) - Aww. Oh, you poor boy. I know. I know. It's OK. - They lied to me. They were awake! They` They knew. (BREATHES SHAKILY) - Wh-Who knew? The family, you mean? - They... GASPS: They` They were... They were awake. They` They would've seen him. WHISPERS SHAKILY: Black hands, coming to take away my family, and I ca` I can't` I ca... I can't stop them. - What are you saying, David? What do you mean? - SHAKILY: De-Dead. Dead and dying. - Who's dying, David? - (BREATHES HEAVILY) - Your family? David, did you see your family dying? David, were you there? - What? No. I only saw m-my mum and dad. They were already dead. (UNSETTLING ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) Captions by Maeve Kelly. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2020 (MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Don't leave me. You can't leave me. I love you. Please, let us be together forever and ever. - Yes. No. I can't. - Why not? - GOOFY VOICE: Cos I'm a fish, just swimmin' around in this little Southland river. - I love fish. - (GASPS) - And chips. - What? - Oh my God, I am a fish! (GIGGLES) - Oh, oh! I love your scales. - (GASPS) Let's swim away together. - (GASPS) - Upstream. - When we spawn, what then? - At least we'll die in each other's fins. (SIGHS) - This isn't Romeo and Juli-net. - (SNORTS) - (AUDIENCE LAUGHS, GROANS) - LAUGHS: I'm sorry. I'm sorry, but ` fish?! (LAUGHS) Whose idea was that? - (APPLAUSE, CHEERING) - (LAUGHS) Charlotte? Oh my God, everyone, this is Charlotte. She's, like, my oldest friend from Bayfield. What're you doing here? (GIGGLES) - Hi. (GIGGLES) This year's been a bit of a write-off. Too much partying, to be honest. So I thought I might as well enrol. - Yeah, might as well. - (BOTH LAUGH) - So, how's the family? - Yeah, great. Mum and Dad are just the same. Dad's still principal down at Taieri Mouth, and Stephen's nearly 14, (CHUCKLES) would you believe? - (CHUCKLES) I see Laniet around sometimes. - Oh, yeah. Her and Mum weren't getting on, so she's flatting in Russell St now. But, um, David's coming to uni soon. - I thought he would be finished by now. - Yeah, he tried the whole zoology whole thing, but it didn't really work out. (CHUCKLES) But, like they say, if at first you don't succeed... - Says the overachiever. - I am not. - Once a head girl, always a head girl. - (GIGGLES) (BROODING MUSIC) - (STUDENTS CHATTER IN DISTANCE) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - (DOORBELL RINGS) - (PEOPLE CHATTER) - They're here! Oh, lovely. - We made it! - (BOTH CHUCKLE) - Come on in. Everyone's out the back. - (CHILDREN GIGGLE, DOG PANTS, WHINES) - Stephen! Don't get Casey worked up. She'll bite someone. - No, she won't. She's a good dog. - (CASEY BARKS) - (LAUGHS) - (CASEY WHINES) - Casey! - Leave her alone. She's fine. She's my dog. - Well, my dog, Sasha, was way better. Still never forgive the council for putting her down. - Yeah, cos she bit someone. - (CHATTER, LAUGHTER IN DISTANCE) - And it was` - Arawa. Come and tell Uncle Bob about Queen o' the Heather. - Oh. (CHUCKLES UNCOMFORTABLY). - She's competing this year. We're very proud. - My teacher suggested I sign up. First place was the trip to Sydney, so I thought, 'Why not?' (LAUGHS) - (CHUCKLES) - And I could go with you, so... - Oh, well, I'd have to win first. - SCOTTISH ACCENT: You can take the lassie out of Scotland, but you cannae take Scotland out of the lassie. - (ALL CHUCKLE) - Oh, don't you just hate Arawa? She's so good at everything she does. - Well, I'm doing Summer Shakespeare. You should come. The Tempest? - Mm-hm? - You know? Like, um, STILTED: 'We are such stuff as dreams are made on.' - (CHUCKLES) - (CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY) - Cool. - Yeah. - Yeah. - Oh. - (WOMAN CHUCKLES) - (INDISTINCT CONVERSATION) (UNEASY MUSIC) - (KEY RING CLINKS) - SOFTLY: Bel, be gone. Bel, be gone. Satan, be clear. Bel, be gone. - (CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS) - Huh. - (ARAWA CHUCKLES) - That's great. - (CLICK!) - How's that? (GIGGLES) - There we go. - (CLICK!) - (CLICK!) - Pretty. - (GIGGLES) You mean like this? - Oh, that's the one (!) - (CLICK!) - (LAUGHS) - You look just like David. - Oh God. (GIGGLES) - Perfect. - Ho, ho, ho. Here she is. - Laniet's just taking photos for my Queen of the Heather application. - Oh, yeah. Reminds me ` I've gotta get those papers and photos from Scotland when I'm at your grandmother's. Yeah. Well, uh,... better get inside. Mind your head. (GROANS) - (BIRDS TWITTER IN DISTANCE) - (GROANS) - (DOOR CREAKS, ROBIN GRUNTS) - It's not like he's even gonna be here for Christmas. Thanks, Mum (!) - You OK? Dad's still paying for your rent, isn't he? - Yeah, but it's not like I can actually afford to have a life. It's not my fault if I have to... - What? - You don't wanna know. (CHUCKLES HALF-HEARTEDLY) DAVID, IN DISTANCE: # ...was to poor shepherds # in fields as they lay. # In fields where they # lay keeping their sheep` - Baa! - Stephen! - ARAWA, LAUGHING: Don't. - (BAAS HOARSELY) - Stop! - What is that, a goat? - It's not funny. - Can we open our presents now? - Oh, maybe just wait for Mum. - Yeah, we gotta wait for Mum. Hey` - It's all right. ('THE FIRST NOEL' PLAYS QUIETLY ON STEREO) - Thanks, sis. - Aw, it's OK. Merry Christmas. - Thanks. - (CHUCKLES INDULGENTLY) - Oh, who's this one for? - (PAPER RUSTLES) - Uh, that's for Dad. Just leave it there. Hey, is Mum awake yet? - I` I took her a coffee. Um... W-Well, (CLEARS THROAT) uh, this is for you. It's perfume. It's my favourite. - Oh. Thanks. - (MUSIC CONTINUES PLAYING) - (CURTAINS RATTLE) - Mum? You getting up? We're doing presents. - (GROANS) No. Not today. - But you have to. Wh-What about Christmas lunch? - SIGHS: Oh, I'm not getting up into the atmosphere out there, Arawa. We're not clear, and it's... (SIGHS) it's making me ill. You and David need to sort it. - But that's not fair. Dad's not even here. - Just don't shout at me! (SIGHS) (MELANCHOLY MUSIC) - You're being so unreasonable. Why can't we be a normal family for once?! - Apologise. I mean it, Arawa! You say that you're sorry. - It's Christmas. - ROBIN ON VIDEO: Who can tell me what today is? - It's Jesus' birthday! - And we call it... Christmas...? - Christmas Day! - ...Day! - Yay! - OK, we'll say grace. Everyone hold hands. - MARGARET: Magic! (LAUGHS) - ROBIN: Santa's a prankster. - STEPHEN: It's empty! - Oh no (!) - Would you like to give that one to me so I can put it under the chair? Thank you so much. - OK, who's the next one? Oh. - Here we go. What's this? - OK. Arawa, what've you got? - Thank you. - (LAUGHS) - Oh, wow. Lovely. - (PARTY HORN HONKS FEEBLY) - Stephen. - Stop. Stephen. - Here you go. That's for you. - Thank you. - David? There you go. - Thanks, Arawa. - Thanks. - You're welcome. (SIGHS) (BROODING ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) - Where are you going? - I'm just going out. - You` Well, who with? - Some friends. From our drama group. - I can take you. - It's OK. I'm already getting picked up, so don't worry about it. - SOFTLY: Have you talked to Mum yet? It's been weeks, Arawa. - It's not my fault. - (VEHICLE APPROACHES, HORN BLARES) - That's my ride. Bye. - (DOOR CLOSES) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Wow. This is amazing! Where am I? - CHILD: Sailing ship! - CHILD: A rubbish dump! - A rubbish dump. - Oh, look! What a lovely used nappy! - Ew! - Poo! - CHILDREN: Eww! Yuck! - (GIRLS LAUGH) - Hi. I'm a... - Princess! - CHILD: A clown. - (BOTH GASP) - Clown. - BOTH: A clown. - Honk, honk! - (BOTH GIGGLE) - Well, we're all clowns here, aren't we? - Oh, we are. We are, yes. - (APPLAUSE) - (CHILDREN CHEER) - That was marvellous. - Mm. - Well done. - Oh, well, wasn't just me. (CHUCKLES) - You're gonna make a wonderful teacher. Your whole future's ahead of you. Don't let anyone try and stop you. - Mm. Thanks, Dad. (CHUCKLES) - (CHUCKLES) - Anyway, I should... - I-I'd give you a lift, if you don't mind waiting for a bit. - Oh` I mean, it's OK. I` My friends. You know. (CHUCKLES) (BROODING ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) - (MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ON RADIO, FOOTSTEPS THUD) - Can you help me clean up? - No, I'm doing the washing. - (FRIDGE DOOR OPENS) - There's nothing to eat. - Well, if you help with the dishes, then I'll go to the supermarket. - (IMITATES BUZZER) Wrong. - Do the dishes! - No. - Stephen! He should do it cos I say so. - Yeah, cos that works (!) - (FOOTSTEPS RECEDE, ORCHESTRAL MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO) - (CLANG!) - Ah! (HISSES IN PAIN) - The Devil gets in, you know. When we think bad thoughts, it makes our bodies unwell. How does that feel? - So good. (CHUCKLES WEAKLY) - (CHUCKLES) Was there something you wanted to say to me? - Sorry for yelling at you. - Well, that's all right, then. (CHUCKLES GENTLY) Oh, this shoulder's always been a bit dicky. - Mum. - Mm? - What are we gonna do about David? - How d'you mean? - (SIGHS) He's being such a pain. Especially with Stephen ` always trying to boss him. He tries to act like Dad, but he's not. - (SCOFFS) Your father's not much chop either. - W-Why don't you just.... Why don't you just get a divorce? I mean, lots of people do. (MELANCHOLY MUSIC) - Your father won't agree. - Why not? He's hardly ever here, anyway, and when he is, he's just... (SIGHS) - WHISPERS: I'll have a word with David. ECHOES: 'This is the fourth time, David! 'The fourth time I've had to talk to you about the state of the house. 'The` The untidiness of everything, and` and the garden. 'And there's no point in blaming others. 'There's no caring or giving out there on the other side of my curtains, 'and I am so angry at the continued selfishness.' - (GRUNTS) Casey! Come on. Come on, Casey! Come on, Casey! Come on! (PANTS) - (PLAYS FALTERING, TUNELESS MELODY) - (BIRDS TWITTER IN DISTANCE) - (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) - Oh. Morena. What's that you got there? - It's my report for Teachers' College. - Well, this is outstanding. A's. (CHUCKLES) Attitude ` excellent. Well done. - You can't tell Mum. - Oh, she'll want to know. - Yeah, but she'll tell David, and he's already stressed about going back to varsity, so... - A's. - (CHUCKLES) - (GIRLS GIGGLE, INDISTINCT CHATTER) - Um, well, we could take turns for study group. My place, and then Arawa's? - Oh, why don't we just use the library? - Because we can't have pizza. - (CHUCKLING) - My place is kind of difficult. (CHUCKLES UNCOMFORTABLY) - Library works for me. We can get pizza after. - I might catch you guys up later. - (STUDENTS CHATTER, LAUGH) - David. Hey. - Oh. Hey. - How's your day goin'? - Great. Um, my music teacher's impressed with me. Very impressed. He said that I'm so far ahead of all the other students that I probably shouldn't even be here, so... Is that your boyfriend? - Nah, he's just my friend. (CHUCKLES UNCOMFORTABLY) - You know guys only want one thing. - SOFTLY: I know him from youth opera, and I thought he was nice, in a goofy kind of way. But then my boyfriend told me this story. In their final year at Bayfield, David told him about this girl who lived on the next street over. He said he could... rape her and get away with it if he used his paper run as a cover story. - OK. That's creepy. - Right? - Oh, come on. What were they, like, 17? It was probably just stupid boy talk. - Except there was, like, a book with times written down and everything. - Oh. Well, do us a favour ` don't say anything to Arawa. She really cares about him. - Still got an hour and a half before Classics, if you wanted to go to the library and... - Oh` - ...study or something. - I mean, we can meet for lunch most days. You're free, eh? Just` I have study group. Also, um, you won't have to drive me any more, fingers crossed. I'm going for my licence. - Why would you want to do that? - CHUCKLES: So you don't have to drive me. - I don't mind. - It's just something I wanna do, you know? I want my independence, too, OK? - You don't even have a car. - Well, I can use Mum's while I save up. - Well, not while I'm using it most of the time. - You can use your bike sometimes. - (PAPERS RUSTLE) - David. - I'll see you at home. Maybe you can get your boyfriend to give you a ride. (SOFT, UNEASY MUSIC) - (CICADAS CHIRP) - (WATER TRICKLES, MUFFLED LAUGHTER) - WHISPERS: I'll just get some glasses. (SIGHS) - (BOTH GIGGLE) - GIGGLES: Mum would have kittens if she knew we were doing this, but I don't care. I live here too. - (MELLOW MUSIC PLAYS ON STEREO) - I hear it, but I don't believe it. - Hey, I can be bad if I wanna be. - (CHUCKLES) So, you and... Matt? What's the story? - He's my best friend. Even if David doesn't approve. - And...? - He's my best friend, and I love him to bits. - And...? - (SIGHS) Sex always makes things too complicated. - Mm. Not always. - OK. (GIGGLES) My parents used to all the time back in PNG,... - Um` - ...and we could hear them doing it,... - Whoa. Stop. - ...and the dorm would be open... - No! - ...and we'd sneak in and listen. - (BOTH LAUGH) - Shh. Shh! Shhh! - (BOTH GIGGLE) - Mm. Gross. - INDIGNANTLY, MUFFLED: Mm! - Shh. Did you hear a car? - Relax. I'm the one smoking, not you. - I know. It's just... David'll be home soon, so... - So? - OK, so, he's got a gun. - (WHEEZES) - Uh, yep. It's only meant for rabbits, but sometimes he just walks around the house holding it. Kinda freaks me out. - What's he gonna do? - I don't know. - Are you serious? - CHUCKLES: No. (SIGHS) This family's so friggin' full of secrets that you don't wanna know. (UNEASY MUSIC) - (MUFFLED CHATTER, LAUGHTER) - (MUFFLED GIGGLING) (MELANCHOLY, BROODING MUSIC) - (BIRDS TWITTER) - (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) - WOMAN: Hello? Is Arawa about? I wanted to see if she was free to babysit Saturday. - I dare say. - Have you been away? - Sorry? - Haven't seen you around lately. - No. I've been in bed. Six weeks. You should try it. It... SIGHS: Well, it gives such a fresh perspective. - Oh, I wanted to say ` about your guttering. Wayne's mentioned it to Robin. When it rains, it pours off your roof. - What about it? - It's eroding the bank by our shed. - Well, it's... it's all coming down. The house, I mean. We're building a new one. Spic and span. - I know. You've been planning it for a while. - (EXHALES SLOWLY) - You'll mention it to Arawa? About the babysitting? - Mm. - (BIRDS TWITTER IN DISTANCE) - (CLASSICAL OPERA PLAYS ON STEREO) - Oh, uh, I saved the liver and kidneys for Casey. - Please don't. It makes her breath stink. Hey, have you done the washing? Where's all my stuff? - Well, I don't know. - David, I'm gonna be late for work. - Maybe it got mixed in with my stuff. Yeah, I'll go take a look. - No, it's fine. I'll go. - Uh` Arawa. No, uh... - (SCOFFS) God, David. Do these look like yours? You've got one job in this house. - That is not true. And you're never home these days. - Excuse me? - Things are gonna be changing with the new house. - SIGHS: Oh, who says I'll even be here then? - You're not going anywhere. (SOFT, UNEASY MUSIC) - (FOOTSTEPS RECEDE) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - (SIGHS) - (WATER RUNS) - CHILDREN: Arawa! - CHUCKLES: Hi, guys. - Can we build a fort? - That's a good idea. (LAUGHS) - Yes! - Have you got pillows? - Yup. - And what about blankets or sheets? - Lots of those. Oh, that's what we need. (GIGGLES) - Hey, kids. Time to go brush your teeth. - CHILDREN: Aww. - Hey, if you hurry, we might have time to build a fort before bed. - BOTH: Yay! - OK. (CHUCKLES) - (RUNNING FOOTSTEPS RETREAT) - You are so good with them. - (BOTH CHUCKLE) - (SIGHS) Come on, Wayne! We'll be late! I was talking to your mum. She said that plans are coming along nicely for the new house. - Yeah. Yeah, it's gonna be really amazing. (CHUCKLES) Gonna have a dome for watching the stars and even a water feature in the garden, where we can just sit and think or whatever. It's gonna be really cool. - Hm. Well, that sounds very nice. - (CHUCKLES) - Hm. - (CROCKERY CLINKS SOFTLY) (MELANCHOLY ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) - (SIGHS SOFTLY) - (RAIN PATTERS QUIETLY) - ROBIN: It all started with John Bain MacKay, the founder of the Bain clan. - MARGARET: Started with the Cullens, don't you mean? We were early settlers in Dunedin. - Well, the Bains weren't far behind. - Hm. - We have a long history of service with the Presbyterian ministry. - Well, my speech is meant to be personal. You know? About what my Scottish heritage means to me. - Marvellous. Let's hear it. - Oh, it's not ready. Anyway, Rose Campbell will win. She's been Scottish dancing since she was 5. - Well, I'm sorry there wasn't a lot of Scottish dancing to be had when you were growing up in New Guinea. - Well, we had some wonderful square dancers. - You're not helping, Robin. There. You're going to be the belle of the ball. - Hm. - And that Rose Campbell is very plain. - It's not a beauty contest, Mum. Don't you think it's a bit...? - It's perfect. Never be ashamed of your body. It's as God intended. It's the new Wonderbra. (SIGHS) It'll take some getting used to. - Mum! - Wonderbra! - What's going on? - Wonderbra, David. - Arawa has balls to attend for the competition. Her sponsors donated these. - She looks beautiful. Oh. Uh, guess what. The breakfast they're having at the Eunice's place, I'm going too. - Oh, I-I think it's just for contestants and sponsors. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know. Um, I rang up Eunice, and one of the chaperones couldn't make it, so I'm taking his place. So we can go together. - Yeah, that's really neat. - MARGARET: Now, you boys can leave, because we have another dress to do. David likes to be involved. That's all. - Yeah, I know, but sometimes it's a bit much. You know? He won't leave me alone. - Hm. Well, he's your brother. He cares about you. - Hey, Mum... - Hmm? - How would you feel about me getting a flat? I don't mean now, not right away, but, um, maybe next year? - (SIGHS) God told me this was your year to make the most of your abilities. Mm? But... (SIGHS) ...that doesn't mean you can turn around and ruin everything. - Mum, I-I didn't mean to upset you. - Maybe I should just tear up all my plans and designs and drawings and buy a little apartment for me and Stephen and leave the rest of you to your selfishness. Oh, this is your father. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) He's infected us all with Bel. (SIGHS) I need to clear the room. I need to clear all the rooms. Hm? (MELANCHOLY MUSIC) - (BELL TOLLS, BIRD SCREECHES, STUDENTS CHATTER IN DISTANCE) - Oh, you have to come skiing with us this semester break. - I'll try. (CHUCKLES) - Oh, you have to. It's so boring being stuck in Wanaka with just my family. - Oh, poor you (!) - (LAUGHTER)) - OK, that's just rude. - (GIGGLES) - (SCOFFS LIGHTLY) - Um, I might catch you guys up later. - But we're having lunch in the cafeteria. - Yeah, but I should probably sit with David. (CHUCKLES WEAKLY) - He's big enough and ugly enough to take care of himself. - He can make his own friends. - You don't have to babysit him. - Come on. (SOFT, UNEASY MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - Hiya. - Hi. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY) Can I talk to you? - Come on, pretty lady, join us. Have a beer. - (GIGGLES) - Come on. If you play your cards right, you and I do bit of little business together. - Darren! (CHUCKLES) - She even know what we're talkin' about? WHISPERS: Bet she doesn't. - She's done a few jobs before. She's a real goer, my sister. Ask anyone. - Ah. - Relax. We were just... getting used to it. Don't worry about it. (SIGHS) Make yourself at home. Oh. Oh. - Um,... - (SIGHS) - ...I (SIGHS) went by Rigoletto's. They said you don't work there any more? - Uh, they gave me the boot. Um, it wasn't my fault. - Well, does Dad know? (SIGHS) You have to come home, Lani. People talk. Stuff gets around. - Darren and me, we're just mates. - I know what he is, Lani. How do you think Mum and Dad would feel if they knew about it? It would break their hearts. Breaks my heart. (MELANCHOLY MUSIC) - It's all right for you. I mean` (CHUCKLES TEARFULLY, SNIFFLES) You're the golden girl. Everyone loves Arawa, and... I'm the fuck-up, and` - Hey. Hey, I wasn't saying that. - Yeah. (SNIFFLES) I know you're ashamed of me, but` - I'm not. I care about you. - Why? I'm such a loser. - No, you're not. You're my favourite sister. (CHUCKLES WEAKLY) - I'm your only sister. (SNIFFLES) - You used to be so sweet and happy. Even if your room was a pigsty. - Hey. - Some things never change. (LAUGHS) - Hey! - LAUGHS: Hey! - (SNIFFLES) - MARGARET: You got up to seven? That's so many times. D'you want help? - (INDISTINCT CHATTER CONTINUES) - (CHILDREN SQUEAL HAPPILY) - (BIRDS TWITTER IN DISTANCE, FOOTSTEPS THUD) - What are you doing? - Oh. Uh, the computer and stuff. Someone could steal it, so... we're keeping it locked when I'm not here. - SIGHS: All right, have you got the car keys? - Where are you going? - Just to the pictures. - Who with? - On my own. - I'll drop you off. - (KEYS JANGLE) - (DOOR OPENS) - (RAIN PATTERS STEADILY) - (INDISTINCT CHATTER) - Leanne. Hi. - Oh. Hi, Arawa. - (CHUCKLES) Is Laniet here? - Oh, no. Just me. Hm. - OK. I haven't seen much of her lately. - Oh, yeah. She went a bit wild for a while there, but, um, she's actually working with me at the museum cafe now, so... - Oh, that's so good to hear. I'll drop by for a coffee. Definitely. - Mm-hm. - Anyway... - Oh` Do you want a lift home? - It's OK. I can get the bus. - Well, David's picking me up, and... we can give you a ride. - Honestly. - Oh, you'd be doing me a favour. (CHUCKLES WEAKLY) Please. - Are you OK? (SOFT, UNEASY MUSIC) - I mean, it's not that bad. (CHUCKLES) Oh, here he is now. Are you coming? - If you like. - Thank you. (CHUCKLES) I told Leanne we'd give her a lift. - LEANNE: Hi. - Hey. - (WINDSCREEN WIPERS WHINE, SEAT BELT BUCKLES CLICK) CHUCKLES: Yes! (TABLET KEYBOARD CLICKS) This for the car? No. (UPBEAT MUSIC) Yeah? (DOG GRUMBLES) Nooo. (FLOOR SQUEAKS) (HUMS SOFTLY) 'Zero rhythm?' (PHONE CHIMES) Yeah? Nah. (GRUNTS) (SCOFFS) (DOG BARKS) Take a right. No, you want to go left. - (BAGPIPES PLAY TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH DANCE TUNE) - And now the moment you've all been waiting for. Our judges have made their decision, and a very difficult one it was, too. What a lovely and talented group of young ladies we have competing this year. All right. - (APPLAUSE SUBSIDES) - Fourth place. The MacNicol cup goes to... Arawa Cullen Bain! - (APPLAUSE) - STEPHEN: Boo! Boo! - Stephen. - Well done, Arawa. - And third place goes to... Lisa Rawlings! - (APPLAUSE) - (APPLAUSE SUBSIDES) - (CLAP!) - (EXCITED CHATTER) - Well done, Arawa. - Yeah, you too! - Your speech was really good. - Really? I dunno. (GIGGLES) No. Hey. - Well done. - Thanks. (GIGGLES) I told you Rose Campbell would win. - You were way better. LOUDLY: It was rigged! - (CHUCKLES) Nah, it was just the Scottish dancing. But... it's just fun to be part of it, you know? - Yeah, well, not as fun as actually winning, but... - Yes, David. (CHUCKLES) Don't be mean. Dad. - Hello. - What are you doing here? - Have you been here the whole time? I thought you were on camp with Lani. - Oh, and miss your triumph? Never. It was a lovely speech. Lovely. I was very moved. - Not good enough, though. (CHUCKLES) - Oh, well, it's better to have tried. Your mother's not...? - Oh, nah. She had another asthma attack. - We were actually just about to go get some coffee, so... - Oh, yeah. Well, I'll, uh, leave you to it, and, uh... - No, I'm` I'm glad you came. And, actually, I told my friends I'd catch up with them afterwards, so... see you guys later. (MELANCHOLY ORCHESTRAL MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) - (RAIN PATTERS SOFTLY) - (SOFT FOOTSTEPS APPROACH, CROCKERY CLINKS) - How are you feeling now, David? - Uh, better, thanks, Auntie. Yeah. - Well, that's good to hear. Isn't it, hon? - (INHALES) Yes. Yes. Uh, we do need to talk. The subject of the funeral ` the funerals ` has come up, and of course, you don't have to be involved if you don't want to. - Oh, no, no, I do. I absolutely do. I already told the lady at Victim Support that. - All right. Well, um... - I'll need a new black top, for a start. - No. No, don't do that. Death isn't a bad thing. Not in our family. The funerals should be a celebration. Sunday... would be good. It was our f-family day. - Well, we were thinking it might be nice if you accompany your grandmother. She's quite frail, but she'd love to attend, and` - No. No. (CHUCKLES) No, that won't work. - Sorry, I-I don't understand. - I should be walking behind the coffins by myself. And then, inside the church, I should be singing a solo for Mum. A-Alongside the male choir. Something... Something from Faure's Requiem, I think. Yeah. And obviously, for Laniet, we should be playing Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen. It was her favourite song. Um... I've actually been m-making a funeral tape. (RUMMAGES) Do you... you wanna listen? Here. - (TAPE CLATTERS, MUSIC PLAYS FAINTLY THROUGH HEADPHONES) I think Laniet should be wearing dark green. Or blue. Why aren't you crying? I think Arawa should be wearing her ball gown dress, the, uh` the blue one. and also her Wonderbra, with her gold earrings on as well. - SIGHS: All right, now. - An-And it was... it was also her 20th birthday this weekend, so, well, we have to have a party. - That's enough. That's enough for now. We can talk about all of this later. (SOFT, UNEASY MUSIC) - But I know exactly what I want. - Yes. You seem quite sure. - Yeah. I've had a lot of time to think about it. The funerals and... We talked about it as a family ` what we wanted, and things. E-Except for Stephen. He wasn't really interested. Yeah. (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) He was always a fighter. He's a good kid. He was a... fighter, though. I mean, he didn't go easy, so... - David. - You wanna know something? If Dad did it, then... then I could never forgive him. - (MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY ON TV) - Uh, night, everyone. - Night. - Oh, night, David. Sleep well, love. - Yeah. - (TV CHATTER CONTINUES IN DISTANCE) - (FLOORBOARD CREAKS SOFTLY) - He's always been a bit of an odd one. - (DOOR CLOSES) - The detective said I should call him if we have any worries or concerns. - Hm. (SOFT, UNEASY MUSIC) Well, then? (MUSIC CONTINUES) - SIGHS: What do we got? - I found this. - A lens? Where was it? - On the floor of the youngest boy's room. - Christ. It's taken, what, three days to find it? - Well, you saw the state of the room. David said his own glasses were away being repaired. So why do you reckon there was another bent frame in his room and a matching lens on Stephen's floor? (SOFT, UNSETTLING MUSIC) - According to his aunt, David's got all kinds of crazy plans for the funeral. Wants to cremate his parents, bury his siblings, with a place left for him. The family aren't happy, but... he won't be talked out of it. - If I'm being honest, uh, the boss wants us to arrest him before the funeral to avoid a fuss, but... I'd like a bit more time. (UNSETTLING MUSIC CONTINUES) (HAUNTING CHORAL MUSIC) www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2020