The Golden Age of the Piano Page #2

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and she won't have him touch it!

He can't read! He's ignorant!

He wants to improve himself,

and you'll be able to play it.

Teach him how to look after it!

You can't go on like this!

We're a family now. We all

make sacrifices, and so will you!

You will teach him,

and I will see to it!

A Broadwood!

A fine instrument!

I've not seen one here,

nor in New South Wales

where I've tuned 200.

They like their pianos there.

Scent?

And salt, of course.

Mother says she can't stand

to teach piano

with it out of tune.

So, I'm to do scales.

I hope you've scrubbed your hands.

It's in tune.

It's in tune.

I was teaching!

Mother would like to see

what you can play.

I'd rather not play.

I want to listen,

and learn that way.

Everyone has to practise.

I just want to listen.

Ow!

Lovely.

Oh, but tell me again.

Was he your teacher?

How did you speak to him?

What happened?

Why didn't you get married?

Shall I kiss you good night?

Get out! You need a bath!

Out! Bad dog!

Move! Go on!

Bad bloody dog!

Ada, wait. Wait.

Do you know how to bargain?

There's a way

you could have your piano back.

Do you want it back?

You want it back?

You see...

I'd like us to make a deal.

There's things I'd...

like to do while you play.

If you let me,

you can earn it back.

What do you think?

One visit for every key.

Your dress?

Skirt?

For every black one?

That's a lot less. Half.

All right, all right.

Then the black keys.

Poor baby!

What horrid little person

put you in the rain

and shoved you with a stick?

Hmmm, baby? Huh?

You're all right with moi.

Scissors.

Thank you.

Nessie! Put that down

and come and put your hand out.

Oh, no. Use Mr Stewart.

Nessie, please!

All right, Mary, come along.

Down here.

- Come on, girl.

- All right, then!

Down here. Put out your hand.

Now.

No, no. Put out your hand. Here.

Now.

Look, look! You're being attacked.

No, there you go.

With the blood,

it will be a very good effect!

Here, Flynn!

Flynn, Flynn, Flynn!

Flynn, Flynn! Bad boy!

Bad, bad boy!

Flynn, you want to be in trouble?

Flynn? Flynn!

I want to speak to my mother.

I don't want to be outside.

I want to watch.

I'll be very quiet!

I won't look at him!

- Be very careful.

- Careful.

I hardly need to give one to you,

but here you are, anyway.

Don't be late.

You accompany a performer,

and need to make the earlier

of the two times.

Wait!

How are the lessons going?

Getting on all right, then, is he?

She seems quietened down.

Is she more affectionate?

Ah, well. Slowly, slowly.

Lift your skirt.

Lift it higher.

Higher.

Higher!

Lift it higher.

You no worry, Peini.

- I save you.

- I have a wife.

I save her, too!

- Where's your wife?

- My wife?

She has a life of her own,

in Hull, England.

Must be ugly- for you to run away.

You need another wife.

Undo your dress.

I want to see your arms.

Play.

Two keys.

"I shall listen hard at rehearsal

because I live too far

to come often. "

Which sign is the word "rehearsal"?

I can't imagine

a fate worse than being dumb.

To be deaf.

Aye. Deaf, too? Terrible! Awful!

To tell you the whole truth, mother

says most people speak rubbish

and it's not worth the listen.

Well, that is a strong opinion.

Aye. It's unholy.

What do they say?

Are they selling?

Offer blankets for half the land.

Twelve.

Offer the guns, Baines.

What do they want the land for?

They don't cultivate it,

they don't burn it back. Nothing.

I mean, how do they

even know that it's theirs?

Thought I might as well

mark it out as we agreed.

Yes, why not?

Well, Ada says

you're doing well with the piano.

I'd like to come and hear you play.

- What do you play?

- Nothing just yet.

No?

Ada, four keys.

Why five? I just want to lie.

All right, all right - five.

## In the month of May #

# The angels were sweetly singing #

# A young man on his deathbed lay #

# For love of Barbara Allen #

We're running late!

If you haven't got your lip colour

on, line up behind Rose, please.

- Been to the lavatory?

- Yes!

No running on the stage!

They're bringing in

extra chairs!

Do not touch the blood!

Look who's here -

musical Mr Baines!

What are you going to play for us

tonight? "Twinkle, Twinkle"?

How about a little tinkle-tinkle?

Would you turn Nessi's pages?

She's playing for the children.

I'm in costume.

I'm very pleased

you've taken up the piano.

Now, where's this song?

George, how about

"Mary Had A Little Lamb"?

A polka? Come on, what's it to be?

Fools.

Come on, George. Move along.

Ladies and gentlemen,

take your seats, please.

We're about to begin.

Early in the month of May

The angels were sweetly singing

A young man on his deathbed lay

For love of Barbara Allen

Out of there sprung a red rose full

And out of it a briar

Then they flew up

to the high church wall

Till they could go no higher

And then

they came in a true love's lock

The roses and sweet briar

So the young maid came upon each

and all of Bluebeard's

missing wives...

Their severed heads

still bleeding,

their eyes still crying!

But hush!

Who comes?

I am home early, my sweet wife!

Where art thou?

Oh! Husband!

- What a surprise!

- Yes, wife!

A surprise, indeed!

- So now you know my secret!

- No! No!

You, the youngest...

and sweetest...

...of all my wives...

- No!

... must be prepared...

to die!

No! No! Wait!

I shall not wait!

Bare your neck!

Chief, I'd like to introduce you.

This is Mrs Williams,

this is Mrs Parsons, this is

Mrs Reid, this is Miss Palmer,

and this is Miss Kerr.

Kia ora koutou, wahine mai.

Tene koutou.

Very... very nice.

Do what you like.

Play what you like.

I want to lie together

without clothes on.

How many would that be?

Yes. Ten keys.

What the clock say, Missa Tewart?

(Never behave like that.

Never nowhere.)

(I'm greatly shamed!

You've shamed these trunks!)

I know why Mr Baines

can't play the piano.

You missed some here.

She never gives him a turn.

She just plays what she pleases.

Sometimes she doesn't play at all.

When's the next lesson?

Tomorrow.

I have given the piano back to you.

I've had enough.

The arrangement

is making you a whore

and me wretched.

I want you to care for me,

but you can't.

It's yours. Leave.

Go on, go.

Stop right there!

This isn't yours. What are you

doing with the piano? Hmm?

He's given it to us.

Put that down. Put it down!

You're cunning.

I've seen through you.

I'm not going to lose

the land this way. Stay there!

Hori George don't wanna see nobody.

He's sick.

You got the tupeka for Hira?

No.

Baines.

Baines... Baines, look.

Don't give up the piano.

I'll make sure you're properly

taught. Music on sheets and so on.

I don't want to learn.

- You don't want to learn?

- No.

But our bargain...

I can't afford the piano

if you mean me to pay.

No, no payment.

I have given it back.

I'm not sure I want it myself.

It was more to your wife

that I gave it.

Oh...

Oh, I see.

Well...

I expect she will appreciate it.

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