The Ballad of Jack and Rose Page #3

Kathleen?

Well, you raised her,

so she couldn't love anybody else.

She's not used to having

anybody around.

We come along and she

gets a little upset.

What are you going to do when

it's time for her to get a job?

Listen, there are wonderful schools for

children with problems. My cousin Vera...

Shut your bloody mouth!

Did you hear that?

There's nothing wrong with Rose.

- If you don't think things will work

out here, fine. - I don't. I...

Jack, I didn't mean it that way.

I'm just...

Look, it's not, you know,

that easy for me.

I mean, I just, you know, I...

I'm sorry, OK? I'm not judging you.

It's just like, you know, we see

each other... I'm not, you know.

We see each other for four months,

you don't tell her about me

and I'm supposed to move in here.

I don't...

- What?

- I don't... I don't understand.

Understanding, whatever the hell that means,

doesn't make a blind bit of difference.

Look, believe me, Kathleen,

I've...

...I've made a mess of a lot

of things in my life.

I don't have time

to pay for them.

So I'm just trying to live

a different way now.

- I'm sorry.

- I'm sorry.

That's what I need you for.

Are you equal to it or not?

- Yeah.

- Good.

OK.

I'm going to take really

good care of you. OK?

I believe it.

Careful.

I'm a sick man.

Good morning, Rose.

- How are you feeling today?

- Fine.

Breakfast in a minute, Rodney.

Don't look so droopy.

Thaddius!

Thaddius!

Morning, Rodney.

Interesting job

on Rose last night.

- Thank you.

- I think it looks great, honey.

I didn't mean for it

to be so explosive.

You sure scared

us last night, Rose.

You know, you shouldn't walk around

with guns, even when you're kidding.

- I wasn't kidding.

- Excuse me?

What are you wearing?

Huh?

Well, that's half the

day's electricity gone!

Oh, no food again.

Thank God!

You've already lost 16lb, honey.

Let's just keep it up.

- Thaddius! Breakfast.

- Hey...

Now!

I love my life.

Excuse me.

- What are you doing today?

- I don't know.

Maybe I'll go find a job mowing

some other rich people's lawns.

Are there any other people

on this island, or what?

Soon you won't be able to take

a piss without 15 people clapping.

May I be excused?

Turn the light on, at least. You'll ruin

your eyes always reading in the dark.

You know, Thaddius used

to work in a garage.

I was just thinking, you know,

it's amazing your skin stayed so clear

after working in that grime for so long.

- Pancake, Rose?

- Sure.

- What are you on about?

- He's gorgeous.

He probably already has a date

lined up for tonight. Right, Thaddius?

He has been known to date farm

animals under extreme duress.

Rodney, are you ever going to take

that jacket off so I can wash it?

- Yeah, Linus, maybe you'd

get a date too. - Hey...

Can I come with you

to look for your job?

You're not going anywhere.

You've got work to do.

And you can start by

putting some clothes on.

I see that I'm on toilet duty again today.

- It's a rotating schedule.

- Mm.

- Another man, another programme.

- Would you please shut your mouth?

If this one ever gives you anything,

I'd like a commission.

Well, what do you know?

You're interested in make-up.

Oh, don't worry about it.

Let me help you.

Do you want to sit down?

You're such a pretty girl,

you should learn how to use it.

I was only a couple of

years older than you...

...when I had Rodney.

It's hard to believe.

You seem like a little girl.

Do you want to

be my dad's wife?

Er...

Well, one step at a time.

With your dad's heart as weak as it is,

I'm just trying to keep him alive.

It would help if he ate

a little meat occasionally.

This... you need to learn

to do without a mirror.

Mm.

Do you ever want to

have kids some day?

Do you want to work?

Have a career?

Do you ever want

to leave the island?

- Aah! - Why do you

always wear that jacket?

- Just scrub your tub, Miss Muffet. - You

know what? It's too hot, so take it off.

- You're all sweaty. I'm going to

get that off you! - Help, help!

No! That's not funny!

You're a sadist.

- You're a sadist! Stop it!

- Jesse?

Jesse!

Come here, boy!

Hey!

What happened to you?

Mom's got me

cleaning the latrines.

- Who's Mom?

- Ask Jack.

- You've brought everything?

- Yep.

That's great.

Thanks.

Hi.

- Hi.

- I'm Kathleen.

- I deliver flowers for Rose

every now and then. - Oh.

- Well, you must have a name.

- Gray.

That's a nice name.

Rose certainly is a passionate gardener.

Er, yes, she's... got the touch.

Yeah. It's probably

good for her, too.

All right. Well, go on with your day.

It's nice to meet you.

If you want any lemonade,

I've got some in the kitchen.

OK.

Hi.

I didn't see you there.

- Could you do me a favour?

- Sure, what?

Could you teach me how to kiss?

- What?

- Please.

What happened to you?

You used to be so shy.

I just have to.

You don't want to

do that with me.

Why?

Well, because your first kiss

is supposed to be romantic...

...and, like, an accident.

It's not like learning to swim.

Well, can't we be romantic?

I just... I don't think

of you that way.

Bye.

Jesse!

Come here, boy!

I hope you don't think I'll

be frying that up for supper!

We're not really in

much of a rush.

It's OK.

- Have you ever thought of suicide?

- Yeah.

But I'd like to do it myself,

if you don't mind.

I'm going to,

when my dad dies.

Is that a definite plan?

Yeah.

- Rodney!

- Oh, she's with child.

What's up?

Ooh, watch the baby!

This is... my friend Rose.

Rose, Red Berry.

Hello.

It's nice to meet you.

- Shall we?

- Shall we, indeed.

So I'm totally excited

about seeing this commune.

- How's the baby? - Heavy.

It's going to be a big boy, just like you.

- Hey, Gray.

- Picked up your mail on the way in.

- That old Ferenzie working you pretty hard?

- Oh, not too bad.

When is he going to

make you manager?

Er... I don't know.

Maybe this summer.

You must have been working there, what?

Five years?

Seven.

That's too long to work by the hour.

He's exploiting you.

You know more about his

business than he does.

Well, he... owns the place.

Thanks for the cheque.

Could have used you here

when it was up and running.

Let me know when you're ready

to build something of your own.

We'll talk about a loan.

Thanks, Jack, but...

I... I wouldn't be able to do that.

If you don't like your situation, change it.

If you can't change it, leave it.

It's your f***ing life, man!

I appreciate it.

So see you on Saturday.

Saturday, was it?

- Yeah, thanks.

- All right. Thanks, Gray.

- On.

- Yeah.

Oh, my God!

- This is awesome! What is this place?

- It used to be an acid pad.

Aha! I bet you guys

do a lot of drugs.

Hey, Rose, I wanna show you something, OK?

Just stand back for a second.

All right, are you ready?

Oh, you had the baby.

Fantastic.

Hey, Rose, do you think

I could see your palm?

Wow! There is, like, hardly

any lines in your hand.

Oh, well. I guess some people just

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