December Boys Page #3

No, but I believe

a lot of things I can't see.

Me too.

You ever think about

running away?

There's no place to run.

When I get 18,

they make you leave anyway.

Like music?

So, what do you do

for fun out there?

When it floods,

we can swim or go fishing.

We have a footy team and a choir.

Can you sing?

Not really.

Try singing this.

I'm no good.

Give it a go

and I'll give you a prize.

Listen.

What'd you think?

That was good.

That was your first kiss, I bet.

I can teach you if you want.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying

I'm a better rider than Fearless.

All I'm saying is that

what he does ain't as hard as it looks.

You're full of it.

You've never ridden a bike in your life.

It's all right to be jealous, Misty,

my little mate.

Me and Fearless have something

in common that you'll never have.

Hey, what was that for?

Get back here.

Get you later, you little mongrel.

We've come to tell you, Vernon...

...you're to be adopted.

You can stay here

as long as you like.

And now for some

excellent cartwheels.

He's not good for much, but at least

my uncle can make decent grog.

Who do you think they'll choose?

I don't know.

Spit's clever.

He can fix most anything.

Misty's the youngest,

and he's a good artist.

And Spark's got good energy.

He's the fastest, wins all the races.

What about you? Aren't you good

at anything? I know it's not singing.

Well, I don't wanna be adopted.

What's the big deal

about parents anyway?

Where have you been?

I think Skipper's dead.

What do you mean dead?

Well, lads...

...the skipper's...

...a bit under the weather tonight...

...so I suppose it'll be

bread and jam for tea.

Anyway, as the next

highest-ranking officer...

...she has asked me to carry on.

I think it's appropriate...

...and not out of place...

...to give you your Christmas gifts

tonight.

- Any objections?

- No.

Right, good show.

- Merry Christmas.

- Thanks, Bandy.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas, Bandy.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- And merry Christmas.

- Thanks, Bandy. Merry Christmas.

What is it?

Well, I don't suppose

you've seen one of these...

...but every ship has one.

It's called a gyroscope.

Keeps your vessel balanced.

It's like the ship's conscience.

I'll leave the bread and jam

on the sideboard.

Thanks.

If Misty's right,

they'll send us packing.

- Misty's always making stuff up.

- We've gotta go and have a closer look.

- I'm not going in their bedroom.

- Me neither.

Then Misty and me will go.

When Bandy goes out, we'll go in.

Remember, we don't know anything.

So just...

...look cheerful.

What happened to Misty?

He's shining his glasses.

Hey. Merry Christmas, boys.

- Where's Misty?

- He's coming.

- He's always late.

- He can't be trusted.

Here he is.

- What do you got there, mate?

- I made you two a present.

Thanks, buddy.

All right.

Now that you're all here,

me and Tess have got a surprise for you.

Now, we weren't real sure about the

sizes, but they all got drawstrings. So...

- Misty.

- Merry Christmas.

- Merry Christmas.

- Thank you.

- Merry Christmas.

- Spark.

Merry Christmas, boys.

Well, go on, open them up.

Open them up.

- Thanks.

- Thank you.

Where's Bandy and Skipper?

Well, Mrs. McAnsh is a bit sick,

but Bandy will be by later.

Okay.

- All right, that's French for ''let's eat.''

- Sit where you like.

Skipper?

Skipper?

Skipper?

She wasn't such a bad old stick.

She looks like a car without a driver.

I saw Bandy giving her pills,

but I never knew how bad she was.

I hope she didn't suffer.

Well, she's probably up there,

in heaven...

...looking down on us, thinking:

''What's those silly buggers doing? ''

Go on. Touch her.

- I'm not touching her.

- I will if you go first.

Don't be a nancy.

Pray with me.

I'll look after her, doctor.

I'll be back tomorrow evening.

Father.

Father...

...tell the boys to come in.

Sorry. We just wanted to...

Wanted to know

what was happening. I know.

Come closer.

I'm sorry you have to see me like this.

I must look a fright.

It was selfish of me

to invite you here...

...but I thought it'd be nice to have

some young energy in the Cove.

And I was right.

It's just...

...my disease won't cooperate.

What's wrong with you?

I got cancer.

Will we have to go back now?

I was hoping you'd stay.

Bandy's taking it hard...

...and I know you boys

can help lift his spirit.

Well, it's the calling.

They say no matter how hard

you don't want to do it...

...if God wants you, he'll get you.

But what if you just didn't do it?

- I mean, you could refuse.

- That's what I'm saying.

You can't not do it.

I had a teacher once

who told me she was called.

She tried to fight it.

She traveled through Europe...

...drinking, having sex

like nobody's business.

But she knew she couldn't be happy

until she was a nun.

Do you think you'll get called?

I sure hope not.

But it's like you're metal...

...and God's the biggest,

most powerful magnet ever made.

So do you think you'll be a priest?

Hell, no.

I go to a Catholic school,

but it's not like they turn you into one.

They teach you other stuff.

Father Maps.

I've been a very bad girl.

Why have you been a bad girl,

Sister Lucy?

Well, Father,

I've been thinking about a boy.

You have?

I like him.

I let him touch me.

Everywhere.

Kiss me on the neck. I like that.

Come closer.

Pull down your pants.

Hey! Hey!

Get out of my boat!

Nobody gave you permission!

Get out!

Serves you right.

I want you to always remember me

as your first.

No worries.

Where?

Where?

I can't see anything.

I told you. You're seeing things.

Hey, Maps,

you can see her public hair.

What's on your neck?

What did you do?

Maybe you'll figure it out

when you're older.

Let me go. Come on, get off.

Henry.

I caught Henry!

He's mine! Yes! Yes!

Yes, I caught him!

I told you I would and I did!

Yes! I'm the best fisherman

in the Cove! Yes!

Oh, yes!

You saw me, I caught him!

Yes!

Told you I'd catch him!

You could have him if you want.

You could stuff him

and put him up in your hut.

Get a spade...

...and give him a proper burial.

Mr. Watson?

What's the picture like?

I'm up top.

Can you make out anything?

Should be something Christmassy.

Is Lucy here?

Lucy? No.

She's gone up to Darwin to her dad.

When is she getting back?

Maybe next summer.

I'll give you some to take for Bandy.

I don't mean to be rude...

...but this is the best meal I've had

since I got here.

It's the best meal I've ever had.

This is the best meal...

...l'll ever have.

Aren't you hungry, Maps?

You know, I've never been

to the outback. What's it like?

You can't fish unless it floods.

It's boring.

It's a hundred times better here.

How about you, Maps?

Are you homesick?

I like the outback all right.

You can count on things out there.

I guess it's what you're used to.

You well and truly

screwed yourself.

You might as well have said

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