Jasper Jones Page #2

She's so pretty and dignified.

I wish I was Holly Golightly in

my own apartment in Manhattan.

I would love that too.

Well, you could be Paul.

He lives next door. He's a writer.

- That's what I want to be.

- Really?

Well, that's perfect.

We can go to the New

York Public Library together

and sign a copy of your book.

There's so many

policemen in town.

You haven't heard?

Heard what?

It's because of my sister.

What happened?

She's gone missing.

I didn't know.

Do they know where

she might have gone?

They don't know anything.

I need you to take this.

Quick.

Promise you won't read it

before me, OK?

- OK.

- Just keep it safe.

Stupid, stupid little girl!

Where have you been?

I was meeting Charlie at the library.

I told Dad before I left.

Don't tell me lies!

Come with me, now!

I told you to stay

in the street!

Calm down.

Don't you tell me to calm down,

Charles Bucktin!

Where were you?

- At Jeffrey's.

- Don't...

Don't lie to me!

I was just at the library.

This is 'your' fault.

This obsession with books.

What did I say to you last night?

I said stay in the street

where I can see you.

- Ruth, come on, love...

- No!

Don't undermine me.

This is important.

There is a girl missing!

Do you understand?

Laura Wishart, Gwen's girl.

No-one's seen her since Christmas Day.

Anything could have happened to her.

And that is why I asked you

to stay close by!

- I didn't know.

- Yeah, of course you didn't know!

Because as much as you would like to

think of yourself as Errol Flynn,

you're still a boy!

The snow

upon the sleigh is falling

Christmas in the air

Santa's here

Hear the sleighbells ring

as we ride...

...sleighbells

ring loud and clear

Hear them ring from

the depths of the valley...

Hi, Jude.

Chuck, pick a card.

Pick a card.

Just put them away.

Everyone's attention,

please. Quieten down.

Thank you.

Firstly, I'd like to thank you

all for turning out this evening

in response to what are some

very concerning circumstances.

As many of you are aware,

Laura Wishart, the daughter

of our shire president,

Pete, and his wife, Gwen,

has not been seen

since Christmas Day.

So, tomorrow,

with the assistance of

the West Australian Police Force,

we will be conducting

a district-wide search,

and we are asking that any of

you who can spare the time

to please volunteer.

Now, the muster point

will be here at 5:30 am.

Spotter planes will

be in operation

and dive teams

will be combing the river.

Furthermore, all residents

who are under the age of 18

must remain in their

homes after sunset.

At this point,

I'd like to hand over to

Pete Wishart to say a few words.

It has to be magic.

I told you.

Good evening.

It means a great

deal to us to...

see so many of you here tonight.

It's particularly

humbling to see

Brian and Sue Findlay

in attendance,

having tragically lost their boy

Danny in Vietnam overnight.

Now, I think I can speak

for the whole town when I say

that our thoughts and our

prayers are with you both.

At this time of year,

we're all reminded of

the importance of family

and the value of

community, but...

it's never been more clear

to me than it is right now,

and I just want to thank

each and every one of you

for all your words

of compassion and support.

Now, if any of you

have any information

that might assist us

in finding Laura,

please, just come forward.

- I'm not hungry.

- Here you go. I am.

Your boy

doing alright, eh?

Stuffing his face like a pig!

Is your boy alright?

'Cause mine isn't.

Mine's dead.

My boy's dead!

No, no, no.

No more, please.

Your mother's staying here

to help pack up the hall.

Nobody helped Mrs Lu.

They just watched.

Thanks, Susan.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Yes.

I know.

Let's get home.

Even the police saw what happened and

Miss Findlay can just walk away?

Yes, I know. Just keep it down.

- Mrs Lu didn't hurt anyone.

- I know.

Let's talk about this

when we get home, alright?

- Goodnight, Peter.

- Wesley.

Come on, Charlie.

What do you think happened?

Truthfully...

before tonight,

I would have thought

the most logical likelihood

is that she's run away.

I've taught Laura

for a few years now and...

she's a bit remote.

Wouldn't surprise me

if she'd skipped town for the city,

and I hope I'm right.

But...

But?

I shouldn't be

telling you this...

but when they

searched her room,

the window was wide open

and everything was a mess.

And there was blood on the floor

and on her bed.

So, I don't know.

It's very concerning.

Which is why there's

such a serious response.

Do they have any suspects?

No, not really.

Although, I have heard talk

that they're looking

for Jasper Jones.

Wh-Why?

Because they blame that poor kid

for everything.

Wait.

What are you working

on in there?

In here?

Well, I'm learning the bassoon.

What?

Yeah, that's right.

Do you want to hear me play?

Ooh.

Sounds like more of a trumpet.

Yeah, well, like I said,

I'm just learning.

Goodnight, mate.

Charlie!

Jasper, where have you been?

- What happened at the town hall?

- They're looking for you.

I know.

They've been staking out my old man's

place for the past two days.

Can you come out?

But there's a curfew on.

Wait a second.

Come on.

The lights are on.

He might be home.

Jasper, there's no way

I'm going in there.

We're not going in.

Just watching.

It's... not my brand.

Come on.

What is it?

Um... it's Pelham's.

I think it's Irish.

Nicked it from my old man.

He goes through it so fast,

doesn't notice

when it's missing.

Are you worried he'll tell

the police where you are?

He wouldn't have a clue.

After my mum died...

he just went to sh*t.

Well, when did she die?

When I was real young.

Car crash.

I don't remember her at all.

I haven't even

seen a photograph.

But I know she's where

I get my colour from.

Her people aren't

from round here.

Did you love her? Laura?

We were planning

to leave together.

When?

As soon as we could.

That's why I've been gone

these past couple of months.

Been out Donnybrook way

picking stone fruit.

Didn't get a chance

to tell Laura.

Well, why not?

There wasn't time.

I couldn't go near her house

during the day.

Think of that.

I could only ever see her

when it was dark.

It's like she was a dream

or something.

I came back Christmas night...

with enough money

to get us out.

Went straight to her window...

and she was gone.

And then you came here.

I heard her screaming.

And then I found her.

I never should have left.

I should have stayed here.

It's not your fault.

Enough people blame you already.

Someone else did this.

I let her down.

Is that why you wrote that?

What?

On the tree.

What does it say?

Uh...

- You wrote it, didn't you?

- What does it say?!

It says "sorry".

- You mean you didn't write it?

- No.

Then who did?

It had to be... it

had to be Mad Jack.

He's been back here. Last night.

What if he's here, Jasper?!

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