Archipelago Page #2

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Cyn:
a natural thing to do.

> Edward in his dimly lot room, night shirt already on, removing his trousers to put his pajama bottoms on. Folds the pants, belt still on and tosses them over a chair at the bottom of the bed. Removes his boxers, brief flash of backside from the side before he pulls on the bottoms, making a fuss with the long ties before grabbing a pen from his pants and climbing into the nearly too small bed and preparing to do a bit of journaling. Something isn't right thoigh and he fidgets, the overwhelming dinner plaguing him.

> Rose in the kitchen, dishwasher going as she wipes down things, putting cups and silverware away.

> Rose in the small room upstairs, opposite of Edward. She removes rings and watch, tinkering with a nailset as something thumps in Edward's room reminding us how close everyone is.

> Rose comes down the twisting stairs in the morning, dressed casually instead of in her chefs uniform. Coat now on, she takes a bike and rides off.

> Edward wanders into Rose's room, a sweater on over his night shirt. He plays with things on her dressing table: a squeaking toy, smells some perfume, looks at a photograph and smiles, plays with a metal bird.

> Edward riding a bike, alone, his feet dangling and dragging along as he rides down a hill that curves; a breeze shaking the trees.

> A short of the heavy clouds voices off screen.

C:
Abstraction is a reductive process, a way of simplifying.

Cyn:
Mmm.

C:
Distilling, really. So, uh, there's no such thing as, really, abstraction, if you like. There's no such thing as reality, so-

> Christopher sits, framed by foliage, his profile in focus.

C:
abstraction is a way of simplifying and distilling the important information, so you get it home. (Chuckles) You know, you get your intention clear across to the viewer. Uh, and- well, actually, most people just want to paint the view, but- (Laughs again) which is a starting point, but, uh, that's the way I started. As you get older, I suppose, you want to say something with it.

> Close angle image of Cynthia painting into a water color book, surrounded by paper and drinking glasses of muddied paint water.

C:
So, it's a bit of- sort of a strange thing, that I'm teaching. I'm teaching very specific-focused, uh, things to do-

> Cynthia nodding along beside Patrica, both painting and listening to Chris' lecture.

C:
and yet I'm also introducing the idea of chaos, as well. And that's part of this kind of wonderful, well, sort-of journey. Like a two-horse race, galloping off into no-man's land. With these two horses, I suppose. And one sometimes gets in front of the other, but the intention is where- that's the main thing. What do I want to do? But you need the tools. I mean, I'm giving your mum- trying to give her as many tools, or hooks, in which to work with as she possibly can.

Cyn:
Mmm.

C:
So...So, did we do anything else?

> Rose in the kitchen once more in her chefs uniform, attempting to butcher some meat; her knife work surprisingly unsure.

> The family sits outside at the table the paint lesson occurred, the women on one side, Edward on the other and Chris at the head of the table; regailing them with a trip he once took.

E:
Um, is it light all night, all day?

C:
Yeah, yeah. A couple of hours it's not, and it just goes a bit duller.

P:
Can you sleep?

C:
I slept out on the ice.

P:
Did you?

C:
Yeah.

P:
Goodness me.

C:
In a sleeping bag, which was fantastic. I woke up with all this prism of colours bouncing off all the icebergs. It was just amazing.

P:
Oh, wow.

C:
I just thought I wanted to, kind of, you know, a bit like you, just go somewhere which was, erm, uh... And do something that I'd never, ever do again.

P:
Yes, yes. Yes.

C:
Or might not do again.

P:
A real adventure.

C:
Yeah.

> Rose standing outside with Edward, still in his pajamas ad he sits, eating his breakfast.

R:
Um, I've got two older sisters.Yeah.Three girls.

E:
And you're the youngest.

R:
I am. Yeah.

E:
Me too.

R (laughing):
Yeah, it's tough. It's tough at the bottom.

(Laughter)

R:
Yeah, no, they, they- because they- Yeah. They always used to wind me up so much when I was younger, because they're actually closer in age, and then there's a sort of gap between me and Chloe, so it's, you know-

E:
Chloe?

R:
Yeah.

E:
My girlfriend's called Chloe.

R:
Oh, right. It's a lovely name.Yeah, so they all used to, you know, wind me up... and uh, I just fell for it, every time. But, uh, yeah, so, lots of cooking. To come.

E:
For them?

R:
For them. I'll get some gruel.

E:
And your mum and dad?

R:
Erm...My, erm, well my dad died last year. So, erm, yes, it's just my mum. And sisters; so, it's actually four girls.

E:
I'm so sorry.

R:
Yeah, no, no, it's fine.

Cyn:
Hi.

R:
Hi-

Cyn:
Hi.

R:
Would you-

E:
Morning.

Cyn:
Morning.

R:
Uh, are you ready for breakfast?

Cyn:
I'll be up and down, so don't worry, thank you.

R:
Okay.

Cyn:
Um... You're not dressed.

E:
Oh, but it'll only take-

Cyn:
Mum didn't sleep well at all. She feels dreadful. She's wondering about the picnic.

E:
Oh, I can't bear it.

Cyn:
Rose?

R:
Yeah?

Cyn:
Um, could you- I know we talked about soup and other things, but could we just try and keep the picnic as small as possible? So, simple, just one basket.

R:
Sure. Yeah

Cyn:
I think if there's less faff and carrying stuff, she might be persuaded.

E:
Mmm.

Cyn:
Oh, can you go up, Edward?

E:
Yeah.

Cyn:
Thank you. (Sighs) Rose....

R:
Yeah?

Cyn:
Did you find, uh, the- both rugs?

R:
Erm, no. I've only found one. The, um, the cream one, I couldn't find it.

Cyn:
There's a check one. Oh, right, OK. Here, I'll come and have a look.

R:
Sorry.

Cyn:
It's all right.

> A hallway, the stairs to the bedrooms obscured, yet footsteps are heard.

Cyn (off screen): Mum, you nearly ready?

E:
(Sighs and grunts, sitting down on the landing to put his shoes on)

> Christopher shows up for the picnic, things begin to get busy as Rose brings baskets and things to the doorway and Cynthia gathers other items.

C:
Hello.

E:
Hi. How are you?

C:
Good.

R:
You ready?

C:
Yeah.

Cyn:
Hi, Christopher.

E:
Just get my boots on.

R:
Hi.

E:
Hi, Cynthia. Sorry, yeah.

C:
Hi.

Cyn:
Good day for it, isn't it?

C:
Do you need a hand with anything?

Cyn:
Uh, no, I think we're all right. Ready to go.

R:
I think that's it.

Cyn:
Here, Edward. Torch.

E:
Great, thanks. So that's all ready.

R:
Yep, think so.

Cyn:
Mum!

E:
So, what have we got?

R:
Uh, just basics, you know. Sandwiches, crisps, dips.

E:
Caviar?

R:
Yeah, champagne! (Laughs)

Cyn:
(Scoffs)

E:
She's brushing her teeth.

Cyn:
What? (Laughs)

P:
Ah! Hello.

E:
Hey. All right?

P:
Yes.

Cyn:
Right, let's go. On the road.

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