The Rainbow Page #2

I should think. It depends.

Real kisses, I mean. Not just flirting. He's a soldier.

Where did he kiss you?

In church.

I see. And what time was it?

Erm. About a quarter to seven.

Oh, yes, I think it'd be very wrong.

What do you think of the new athletics mistress?

Not a lot. She was rough with me.

Ursula. Ursula.

I enjoyed our race, did you?

Erm, yes. Yes, I did.

Tell me, have you a bicycle?

No. Er, yes.

My sister does, we share it.

Would you like to come for a swim on Saturday? I've a cottage on the river, you could stay for tea.

Thank you. Yes, I'd like that.

Come along, Class Three. Come on, girls. Come along.

Into the water. You'll be swimming like dolphins in no time.

NO, YOU CAN'T! I NEED IT! LISTEN TO ME!

STOP, WILL YA?! I SAID NO!

Stop! Oh, I hate you.

Mmm! Such peace.

Be more comfortable with your boots off. Here.

How do you spend your weekends?

Helping Mother. Going to church.

Church is peaceful.

GIGGLES:

Why do you laugh?

The last time it was anything but!

I was with a friend looking for seclusion.

Choir practice?

Restoration.

Do you think it's blasphemous to make love in church?

No. Merely uncomfortable.

Such narrow pews.

Or did you do it standing up in a confessional?

We were only kissing.

Oh, I thought you meant f***ing. Who was he?

A soldier.

What's the matter?

My father was a soldier. Coarse brute.

Treated my mother little better than a whore.

How do you mean?

As a person in her own right my mother did not exist.

She was an instrument for his perverted sexuality.

Was there no love?

The best you'll ever get from a man is passion.

Even that can't last.

I think we're in for a storm - the milk's turned.

Perhaps I should be off.

Don't say that, not before our swim.

In the rush I forgot my costume. Besides, it looks like rain.

In the water what do raindrops matter?

Besides, it's best in the rain.

It's safe, the grounds are private.

We'll undress inside and run down. It's all right.

DISTANT THUNDER:

BOTH LAUGH:

Come on.

You're tickling me!

Relax! You're in the hands of a qualified osteopath.

That's lovely.

I think you better go soon, it's getting late.

Can I not stay with you?

Your parents wouldn't approve.

When will we see each other again?

Monday, silly.

Swimming class.

I meant like this.

I was thinking of taking a school party to the Lakes next weekend. Want to come?

I'm not that fond of hiking.

I wouldn't bother, then.

I meant a party of one.

I love hiking!

Your mother'll think you've been kidnapped. Come along.

You heard me. I need it to get the groceries.

I had to carry them home. What have you got to say?

Damn the groceries! I'm sick of being told what to do.

- ALL:

- # We're bading in the sea, Mother

# We're bading in the sea, Mother... #

And I am standing here with your nightshirt.

# We're bading in the sea, Mother... #

Come on, Rupert, get up now.

Will somebody love me, Mother?

We say "bathing", not bading. We all love you.

But will somebody love me ?

Some man will love you, because that's your nature.

I hope he loves you for what you are, not what he wants of you.

What did you want for yourself?

What I've got.

Billy, where is your nightshirt?

I don't know.

Then look for it!

Marie pulled my hair.

Oh, you two, get along.

We have a right to what we want.

Now then! What you up to?

Nothing.

Yes you are, you wicked lad. Up you get, plenty of room.

Why aren't they in bed?!

The children must live.

But I must live, too.

We all live together, lass.

My teacher's taking a party to the Lakes next weekend.

You're Uncle Henry's invited us to the hall on Saturday.

Anton'll be there.

I think not. I really must go with my school.

Your mother's right.

Men have fixed ideas of what a woman should be.

Any woman who fits their definition, they say they love her.

They're only in love with themselves.

Like a serpent who swallows his tail when he's hungry.

But women - they have fixed ideas, too.

Can you see it? Can you make out what it is?

No.

Can't you?

Up there, on the summit. The lion lays down with the lamb.

Can you see it now?

Yes! It's good, isn't it?

Can we get up there?

Let's have a drink before we tackle it.

Wave to the ladies.

Hello!

How I love lions.

God is like a lion to me.

Not like those silly toy lambs in church.

Lambs or lions.

Buddha or Apollo. Christ or Zeus.

They're only symbols of man's instinctual desires - illusions.

Who do you worship?

I worship this.

GROWLS:
I would like to be proud and strong like a lion.

Not weak like a lamb, who only exists to be loved and sacrificed.

To love and be loved are equally important.

When the lion lays down with the lamb in you, you'll know peace.

EXPLOSION:

We're workin' the mine! Be off with you!

Didn't you read the sign, woman!

You are a monster. How dare you come here with your filthy mind?

EXPLOSION:

Come on, Ursula!

Man is terrible. The works of man are more terrible still.

The mines are the most terrible of his works.

My Uncle Henry owns several of the Grange pits.

Really? Remember the painting at the cottage? It's Mack.

I sometimes model for the old rascal.

Mack!

We saw it so clearly from below. Where is it?

Where d'ya think? Use your eyes.

If you're looking for a public convenience it's behind a rock.

I'm looking for the lion and the lamb

It's behind you, silly.

It's an illusion - the lion laying down with the lamb.

You're the third person today to say that. Must be true.

Distance lends enchantment. This is Ursula, one of our favourite sorts.

Is she now?

Do you always meet casually on mountains?

More often in the studio. Do you think she'd pose for me, Fred?

Would you like to, Ursula?

I don't know, I'm a bit of a fidget. When?

There'll be some pocket money in it for you. How's next Saturday?

I'll come along, if you like.

No, it's all right.

I'm not a child.

I shall call it, "Experience Rewarding Innocence".

I generally choose titles with cynicism, but this is an exception.

I'd almost given up hope of finding purity in a girl your age.

Would you like me to smile?

It's not your face I'm painting at the moment.

You're a good girl, Ursula, are you not?

My parents don't always think so.

Parents seldom do.

Do they smack your bottom?

Not any more.

Domestic bliss is a pleasure I've been denied.

I'm childless and wifeless.

I have to rely on others for my creature comforts.

Free spirits, untamed by convention.

Jolly good sports, like Fred.

I feel you are such a kindred spirit, Ursula.

You have the power to make me the happiest of men.

At first the idea of my chastising you may seem abhorrent.

That is merely through association.

When you see the delight it affords me...

..you'll see it, not as a violation, but an act of love.

I'll awaken in you a world of sensuality.

You'll not find my gratitude ungenerous.

The pain is nothing, passes in a moment. And the marks soon fade.

But should I draw blood you'll feel the salt of my tears in your wounds.

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