Odd Man Out Page #7

- Is that all?

- He's doomed.

- So are we all.

- Is he really dying, Tober?

- We're all dying.

Could you not fix him up

so he could walk home?

I'd see him safe along the road.

Maybe I'd go with him.

Shell, in my room

there's some brandy. Bring it.

Aye. That'll give him the strength.

Father, it's an inspector.

Where will I go?

You stay here.

I'll see him downstairs.

- Hello, Fred.

- Father. I just wanted a few words.

I've a visitor upstairs.

Come into the vestry.

Thank you.

I know what

you've come to talk about.

- It's a serious matter, Father.

- Johnny McQueen's doings.

And Kathleen Sullivan

was seen entering your house.

There's nothing against her, surely?

In the eyes of the law,

she's dangerous.

- I've been listening to her.

- She asked you where to find Johnny?

- That's a crime?

- A serious one.

From your experience of men and

women, would you say they're all bad?

In my profession,

there is neither good nor bad.

There is innocence and guilt, that's all.

I've seen the bad in them

and would condemn that, and rightly too,

but what do we do when we find

something that is good in them?

Shouldn't we recognise that?

I know what you're saying.

This woman loves McQueen.

She can't find him,

so she comes to you to ask for help.

All the people here

expect me to do miracles.

Father, I have my duty to do.

Where is this man McQueen?

Out there amidst the stones of the city.

Is that all you have to tell me?

You all come asking my assistance

but I wanted to see him for a reason.

- Why?

- You'll think it strange

but I wish I could've seen him

before his arrest.

I wanted so much to comfort him.

That isn't unreasonable, Father,

but you can't do that

unless he's coming here.

I'll have the streets watched

and, Father, don't interfere.

Oh, I wasn't interfering.

I was only just wondering

if there mightn't be a little mercy.

It's my duty to bring this man to justice.

That's the duty of all of us.

Father, it might be better if

that young woman stayed here with you.

- You understand.

- Good night.

The young lady left.

She said she couldn't stay.

- Where did she go?

- She didn't say.

It's time you were in bed, Father.

Wait a little longer.

The tide's dropping. By midnight,

the ship will be grounded.

He'll be at Father Tom's any minute.

Get him here by midnight.

I can't do a thing after that.

I'll get him before then.

Aye, you'd have been

a great doctor, Tober,

if only you'd finished your studies.

You'd have had a top hat

and fine clothes and a big house

and rich customers coming to you

to be cured.

And you wouldn't have to get out

of bed till ten in the morning

when the streets would be sort of aired.

Easy now. Easy.

He's ready for hospital now, Lukey.

Give me a hand with him.

- He'd better rest a bit longer.

- He must have a blood transfusion.

- What good is that?

- It might save his life.

- He's not fit to be moved.

- Your infernal paintings!

- Give him a brandy.

- While the life dribbles out of him!

The pot calling the kettle black!

You don't care a pin about him.

Yammering about his body

and his soul.

He has an immortal soul.

He must go to hospital.

Make up your mind about him quick.

I'm not going to stand any nonsense

from you fellas!

Do you think I dressed his wounds

so you could paint him?

You only fixed him up

to be proud of what you've done!

- If he dies...

- Give him peace to do it in then.

And what if he does?

What do we tell the police?

I will not allow him to sit there

and die in that chair!

Aren't you going to hand him over

to the priest?

They'll keep him there. When he's fit,

the police will put him up for trial.

- You expect me to hide him?

- He should stay here.

It won't take me much longer...

- Can't you see...?

- I see life.

Have you ever heard tell

of Father Tom?

Father Tom.

- The old priest at St Catherine's?

- That's him.

Where is he?

Tell me, Father,

like you used to tell us.

The police will put him on trial.

I tell you, he should stay here.

Louder, Father. I can't hear you.

Let him rest.

- Can't you see...?

- What I see is life.

- Now come on.

- No, leave him.

Look.

We've always drowned your voice

with our shouting, haven't we, Father?

We never really listened to you.

We repeated the words

without thinking what they meant.

But I remember when I was a boy...

I remember.

When I was a child,

I spoke as a child,

I thought as a child,

I understood as a child.

But when I became a man,

I put away childish things.

Though I speak

with the tongues of men and of angels

and have not charity,

I am become a sounding brass

or a tinkling cymbal.

Though I have the gift of prophecy

and understand all mysteries

and all knowledge

and though I have all faiths

so that I could remove mountains

and have not charity...

I am nothing.

He's mad. He's out of his mind.

He's delirious.

I'm going to fetch an ambulance.

Father Tom is waiting for you.

There's a young lady named Kathleen

with him.

Could you get as far as Father Tom's

if I gave you a hand?

Shell!

Come on now. You're doing fine.

Step it out. That's the lad.

Step it out. That's it.

That's right, son.

- Show me the way.

- Right, Johnny. Come on.

That's the boy.

That's right.

Come on, Johnny. Come on.

That's right. You're doing fine.

Come on.

Stay there, Johnny.

So as I was saying...

This fella says to me if you bring

the bird round to me next week...

Come on.

Johnny, come on.

Come on.

It's all right, Johnny.

Come on, it's all right.

Johnny, listen to me. You stay here.

I'll get past the police

and I'll bring Father Tom to you.

Stay there, Johnny.

It's a hardy old night, Sergeant.

Where is he?

- I left him safe a wee bit back.

- Where?

- Just before the square.

- Take me there.

- The police are all around.

- Don't! Wait!

- I have to tell Father Tom.

- Tell him we've gone to the square.

Aye, that's right.

Me shoelace is busted.

Me shoe's come off.

A sock full of snow and ice!

Johnny.

Kathleen.

- Is it really you?

- Come to me and see.

I can't.

If you are real,

stretch out your hand to mine.

What d'you want with me?

Go back to life and peace.

I'll stay with you, my love.

Hold up your head. Don't cry.

That's our chance.

Will you take it with me?

- Is it far?

- Keep hold of my hand.

- Father Tom. My shoe came off.

- Where is she?

- The lace busted. She went on.

- Which way?

I couldn't keep up with her.

Kathleen, where are you?

It's all right, Johnny. I'm here.

Is it far?

It's a long way, Johnny,

but I'm coming with you.

We're going away together.

There's their gun, sir.

- Two shots fired.

- That's when we had to fire back.

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