December Boys Page #2

...come to the end of the sermon,

and he says:

''Therefore, many are cold

but few are frozen.''

And it was the middle of winter.

You know, it's good

with Lucy around this summer.

- Give Tess some girl company.

- By the way, how's her father doing?

Still looking for work in Darwin.

Five minutes to dinner.

- Thanks, darling.

- Cheers, Teresa.

Hey, he just swiped your beer.

Let them have their fun.

Wait for me. Wait.

I don't expect it's a picnic

where they're from.

For all you hear,

it's not too bad out there.

They're well cared for.

Yeah, I'll bet they are.

I think I'll go and see

if I can give the girls a hand.

Still, it's not the same

as a family.

Indeed, it isn't.

I think Tess blames me

for taking her away from her family.

Her country.

We're supposed to be

starting our own out here.

You know, maybe it's the accident

that shook something loose.

Well, there's no substitute for family,

that's for sure.

You're not saying

you're giving up hope?

No.

I'm not saying that.

It's just...

...you get to a point, you know?

You start to see things

like they are.

Sure never pictured

a life without kids.

The pity of it is,

there are children...

...just like those boys next door,

desperate for a good home.

And here you are,

desperate for children.

You got a point there, Father.

We want a kid...

...and they need parents.

We could just line them up

and pick which one we like the best.

They get you?

What happened?

My glasses got knocked off.

We saved you some.

I'm going to bed.

Come on, Spit.

Dad.

Thank you, Vernon.

More tea?

There you are.

I want you all to take notice...

...of how sharp young Vernon

looks this morning.

Good on you, son.

You all right?

If it's all right,

I'd like to say grace.

That'd be lovely, Vernon.

O Lord, we beseech thee

in your wondrous grace...

...and thank you for the food

we're about to receive. Amen.

Amen.

Got you.

Hey, get back.

No. Don't leave me here. No.

- No fair.

- Yeah.

- I got you already.

- You didn't.

- You're it.

- No.

If you get me,

I'll kiss Sister Beatrice.

Hey, you can't run around

the cross.

Where is my precious Misty?

He's been adopted.

He was always the best of the lot.

You the one living in the cave?

I don't live there.

I just come up here to observe.

You can come up if you want.

You one of them orphan kids?

Yeah.

- What's your name?

- Maps.

So, what are you observing?

You had a good look at these rocks?

I've seen them.

Haven't you noticed

anything strange?

They are weird-looking.

They were left here by aliens.

Same as Stonehenge.

You ever heard of Stonehenge?

Kind of.

Well, it's the same.

When they come back,

I'll be ready.

People from outer space?

Of course.

I don't guess you see

many women where you're from.

Nuns, mostly. Nuns.

Yeah, I've seen some of those.

Want some? It's my last one.

By the way...

...my name is Lucy.

Good to meet you.

- Hey, look, what's that?

- Yeah?

Come on, Spit.

- Hey, wait up.

- No.

Dirty trickster.

Look at all this.

Oh, check out the net.

And this is a spear.

What do you reckon he does with this?

What the hell

do you think you're doing?

We was just looking around.

Seeing as you can see so well,

can you read that sign?

That's a heavy line you got there.

What are you fishing for, Moby Dick?

When it rains, Spark's the best

fisherman at Bible Creek.

You see a creek around here, boy-o?

He's worried I'll catch Henry

before he does.

What do you know about Henry?

A fish is a fish.

Henry's a king of fishes.

He's a masterpiece.

He was swimming in these waters

long before you were born.

He's bigger and smarter

than you will ever be.

Get lost.

Can't I make a suggestion

without getting my bloody head bit off?

It's not a suggestion.

You gave up.

For chrissake, Tess.

Listen to me.

All right? I'm not saying

that we won't have a baby.

All I'm saying

is we should talk about...

...adopting one of those kids

that needs a home.

I talked to someone

at the archdiocese.

It's possible.

That's all I'm saying.

So you've decided.

No.

Tess... No...

Tess, you're not listening to me.

No. It's your fault

I can't have babies.

Whoa, look at that.

- Come on, put some more on.

- You don't need any more.

She's getting naked.

No. Guys, wait.

Wait. Go slow.

Quick, run.

I'll yell.

Misty, I know there's gotta be

a very good explanation for that...

...so why don't you come out

and tell us what it is?

I promise nothing

will happen to you.

No.

Just remember,

I keep you from getting killed...

...and soon we'll all be back

at St. Greg's.

That's what you think.

Boys...

...I have great news.

Father Scully

is taking confession today.

Clean slate.

Just in time for Christmas, eh?

- Great.

- Beauty.

- Ripper.

- Yeah, great.

Next.

Vernon.

What's troubling you, son?

Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.

How long is it

since your last confession?

About three weeks.

I've had some unclean thoughts.

And I pulled a face

at one of the sisters.

Is that all?

Not exactly.

Oh, come on, lad.

I'm gonna need basting in a minute.

Let's say there was something

you wanted.

You know, something you wanted

more than anything.

And you had an advantage...

...because the others don't know.

What is the point in giving it up?

I mean...

Look, I can't guess, son.

You're gonna have to tell me.

It'll ease your mind

if you unburden yourself.

I heard something.

Can you tell what he's saying?

Something about...

...big breasts.

What?

If you keep this knowledge to yourself,

are you being fair with the other boys?

I think you should tell them.

The burdens and the joys of this world

are always better shared.

Do you understand me?

I've got to share.

That's right.

Now, for your penance,

you say five Hail Marys...

Something else happened last night.

Save it till next time. I'm cooked.

Oh, Hail Mary.

Oh, Hail Mary.

It's time to come clean.

Get off me.

My arm can't breathe.

Tell us or we'll slag you.

Now then,

I wouldn't want anything...

...coming out of Spit's mouth

landing on my face.

I'll tell you.

Fearless and Teresa

are gonna adopt one of us.

I swear.

Let him up.

- I swear.

- When?

I don't know.

Before we leave. They're gonna choose

which one of us they like best.

Why would they want us?

We're too old.

Speak for yourself.

We're not as old as you are.

Did they say who they want?

You don't know which it is.

- Where are the others?

- I'm not sure.

My real name's Vernon.

You know,

Africa is just over there.

Vernon, do you remember

your parents?

I think I do...

...but maybe it was a photo.

My dad was tall and tan.

And my mother

had long, dark hair.

She was smiling.

They died in a car accident.

I don't know why I wasn't there.

Nobody ever told me.

If my parents were still alive,

I'd never let them out of my sight.

What's he doing?

That's Socrates.

Shellback says he catches fish

and feeds them to the cats.

Have you seen him do it?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes