Secret Ceremony

Mummy.

I anoint you with this saving oil

in Christ Jesus Our Lord,

that you may have eternal life.

Amen.

Do you believe in God, the Father

Almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

I do believe.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ,

His only Son, Our Lord,

who was born and suffered for us?

I do believe.

Do you believe in the Holy Ghost,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of Saints,

the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection

of the body and life everlasting?

I do believe.

Are you willing to be baptised?

I am.

Joseph, I baptise you

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

May Almighty God,

the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has given you new life

through water and the Holy Ghost,

and forgiven you all your sins,

Himself anoint you with saving chrism

in the same Jesus Christ Our Lord,

- that you may have eternal life.

- Amen.

- Peace be with you.

- And with you.

Take this white garment,

and see that you carry it without stain

before the judgment seat

of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

that you may have eternal life.

Take this burning light

and keep true to your baptism

throughout a blameless life.

Keep the commandments of God,

that when the Lord shall come

like a bridegroom to His marriage feast...

.. you, in company with all the Saints,

may meet Him in the heavenly courts

and there live forever.

Amen.

Amen.

Go in peace, Joseph,

and the Lord be with you.

Amen.

You... you... Wait here.

Wait.

Mummy! Mummy!

I'm not who you think I am, kid.

Now, there's a good girl. Let go.

Will you let me go?!

What the hell do you want from me?

Can't you say something?

The cat got your tongue?

Would you like some breakfast?

Yes.

Ooh...

Oh, that was delicious!

Thank you. I've never had a more...

.. scrumptious breakfast.

Mmm!

You didn't prepare that all by yourself,

did you?

Nobody helped you?

Don't you remember?

- Don't I remember what?

- You let Nanny and the cook go.

- Oh, I did?

- Fired them ruthlessly.

Are you here all alone?

There's nobody else downstairs?

Nobody.

Is anybody coming later on?

No.

Where's Daddy?

You know damn well where he is!

Well, I wouldn't have asked

if I'd known, would I?

The last postcard was from Philadelphia.

- It was?

- You tore it up yourself.

I haven't the faintest recollection.

You said never to mention his name again

in this house.

Well, I can change my mind, can't I?

It's my house.

After his scandalous behaviour

in the kitchen?

- You mind your manners.

- It wasn't me who threw the inkwell.

- Don't be fresh with me.

- It wasn't me who ordered him out.

- Cut that out!

- "I don't want to hear his name again. "

We all have our days.

I may have lost my temper.

- Albert, Albert, Albert...

- I don't want to hear that name again!

Are you still jealous?

Young lady, you go to your room at once.

He touched me.

Oh, excuse me. Won't you?

Oh...

Oh, you poor little doll.

I don't know what came over me.

It was like having my ears blown out.

Oh...

Would you like me to move in with you

for a while, to take care of you?

What do you mean?

You've always taken care of me.

You've got fever.

Every time you went out,

shopping or to the doctor's,

you said, "I'll be back. I'll be back,"

and you always came back,

except the last time when the pain was bad

and the wind knocked down the cherry tree.

I'm back now.

I don't usually take a nap during the day,

but I might now.

Oh, I just might.

You're sweet.

Where did you get these awful stockings?

Would you like me to wash your back?

No, thank you. I can reach it myself.

What are you doing, a big girl like you?

On Sundays, Mummy,

you always let me wash your back.

- Is it Sunday?

- Oh, you're a silly Mummy.

I'd better get out before I fall asleep.

And drown?

What do you know about drowning?

- Ducks don't drown. Look.

- No! No, let it be!

Don't!

I'm so glad you're back.

Can I crawl into bed with you?

Please, Mummy, can I?

It's so nice, isn't it?

You used to say, remember,

"All one needs is a great big bed

with all the people one loves in it. "

When you're older, you'll appreciate

the advantages of sleeping alone.

I'm scared when I sleep alone.

There's nothing to be scared of.

- What about the moon dog?

- The what?

The moon dog.

He sits up there watching me.

Oh, that's just a nice old man

who forgot to shave.

Nobody's just a nice old man.

Sometimes he shows his teeth

and goes, "Grrr!"

Well, you just say, "Down, boy. Down. "

Down, boy! Down!

- He's gone.

- See?

He'll be back.

Not if you say your prayers.

Prayers? In the afternoon?

That's when the good Lord

has time to listen.

Why? What does he do at night-time?

He worries.

I don't know any prayers.

Dear God, by whose mercy...

Dear God, by whose mercy...

.. I am shielded for a few hours...

.. I am shielded for a few hours...

.. let no one snatch me from this heaven.

.. let no one snatch me from this heaven.

Since you're so clever,

why can't you understand that my

virginity is the only thing I possess?

Ha-ha. I know it's funny.

Shh...

Mother is asleep.

But I warn you,

I will do absolutely nothing

to hurt her feelings.

Will you stay in that chair? Do you hear?

Eat this.

Mother is Mother.

Now, that's something to be.

You're a teacher.

You can put that in your passport.

What have I got?

Cenci...

Engelhard...

Burton.

That's me.

That's all I am.

I often think of our day on the Downs

and the leaves on which we lay.

I didn't mind getting wet.

I saw the clouds beyond you.

You said, "Am I too heavy?"

I didn't mind that,

or your breathing or anything like that,

as long as we were dressed.

But I will not undress for you.

I won't let you get that close.

Do you want to touch my hair?

All right, you may... touch my hair.

Oh...

Let go of me!

I'll give you the sound if you let go.

What's so great about that sound anyway?

Why do you make such a fuss

about that sound?

Take your hand off me!

Please! Take your hand away!

Take your bloody hand off me!

Mummy... Come along, Mummy.

Come along.

Where...?

Good morning, Mummy.

- Good morning.

- How is the pain?

Pain?

I slept marvellously.

Oh, I'm so glad.

Spring has come overnight.

Where are my clothes?

What do you want to wear?

Well, you choose, darling.

You've always had such distinguished taste.

No. That's too drab for a spring day.

That should be worn

on a day when it rains like piss.

I beg your pardon.

I don't know what made me say that.

You know, I was having, er... tea

the other day, at the, er...

when this... the, er...

the Duchess said the selfsame expression.

Can you believe it?

Oh... that must be an original!

It is. I'd completely forgotten it.

When was the last time I wore it?

It must have been...

Oh, yes, of course,

the Queen's birthday party.

Just the thing for a... formal occasion.

Like the opera.

- Or the... the ballet.

- The opera.

Or a sit-down supper party.

Oh, God, I'm getting so fat!

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes