The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years Page #9

In any case, I think it might be

better if the judge doesn't talk to her.

What is your relationship

with Mrs. O'Neill, Archbishop?

Ive known Mrs. O'Neill

since she was very young.

Since she first came

here many years ago.

I advise her on religious matters.

And what is your

relationship with Drogheda?

The Church owns Drogheda. The

Clearys manage it for the Church.

The Catholic Church

owns all of Drogheda?

-Yes.

-How so?

The property was left to the

Church by Mary Carson, who owned it.

Left to you.

What does Mr. O'Neill mean by that?

The Archbishop was Mary Carson's

religious advisor as well.

She left the property

to the Church...

so long as the worth and ability of

Ralph de Bricassart is appreciated.

So, you would have a

considerable personal interest...

in what happens at Drogheda?

Not in the day-to-day running of the

place. The Clearys do that very well.

But we do have an

interest, of course.

It's more than an interest.

You're always poking your nose in.

Mr. O'Neill. Please.

Having control of such

an enormous property...

must be helpful to your career.

Being a priest is not

a career, Your Honor.

Nevertheless, the Church

continues to appreciate...

your worth and ability.

I hope Ive been of service.

What is your Church's

position regarding...

Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill's marriage?

It is the position of the Church

that their marriage is sacrosanct.

So you would advise Mrs. O'Neill

that her place is with her husband?

Yes.

-And she chooses to ignore you?

-I only advise.

And do you also advise

Dane on religious matters?

I hardly know Dane. Ive spent

very little time with him.

But you have spoken

about religion with him?

-Briefly, yes-- -Do

you see what I mean?

The micks have really

got their claws--

Mr. O'Neill, I appreciate that

you're representing yourself.

So you are aware of Dane's

desire to become a priest?

Yes.

And have you tried to discourage him?

I have tried to point

out the disadvantages...

the sacrifices he must make.

So you have, in effect, advised

him on religious matters?

-I have briefly discussed God with him.

-See what I mean?

Do you have an attitude to

Dane's desire to become a priest?

Of course.

Are you able to share

that attitude with us?

A calling to the priesthood

is a sacred thing.

lf it's a true vocation, it's

the greatest gift I can imagine.

Even at his age?

He is very young...

but there have been

saints as young as he.

There have indeed, Archbishop.

That will be all. Thank you.

Ill go and see how Justine is.

Im sorry, Meggie. It was an

unfortunate line of questioning.

You've broken all your other vows.

Why do you have to be

honest at my expense?

Because this is too important.

More important than

Dane coming back to me?

You heard the judge. You know

what he thinks about Catholics.

I couldn't lie. I

couldn't lie about Dane.

He's not going to become a priest.

He's a little boy growing up

here, miles from anywhere...

and the Church is magical to him.

God's his friend, someone

to talk to when he's lonely.

But he'll grow out of it.

He'll want to get

married and have children.

I couldn't lie.

Damn you.

There you are, at last. Ive got

dinner on and a nice cup of tea.

Mrs. Smith, where's Justine?

She's not in her room.

No? She took off early this

morning, just after you left.

-Didn't you know?

-No, we didn't know.

But where the devil could she be?

It went very well today, Dane.

-The judge doesn't like Catholics,

does he? -Not much.

Nor do l.

-Then why do you love me?

-Because you're my son.

And Id love you no matter what.

Looks like we got visitors.

-Justine!

-Dane!

Hello, Dad. Ive got dinner ready.

What are you doing here? Stupid.

You're gonna ruin everything.

No, it's all right. Im

gonna make it all right.

You'll see.

Yeah, well, maybe you

can help after all.

That's a young girl.

Now, what's for supper?

Why did you run away

from home, Justine?

Because I wanted to be with my daddy.

-Don't you love your mommy?

-No.

She's never loved me.

She's never cared about me.

-Never been interested in what I wanted.

-That is not true.

Drogheda doesn't feel like home.

I wanted a proper

home, a proper family.

So you were happy when your

father came to Drogheda?

Yes. He was wonderful to us.

Even Mom was happy...

till he showed up.

Then Mom changed.

She didn't seem to care

about Daddy anymore.

She wanted to be with the priest.

She spent all her time with him,

whispering to him, hugging him.

She started having rows with Dad.

And then she said we weren't

gonna move to the farm.

We had to stay at

Drogheda without Dad.

I didn't want that. I just

want to be with my dad.

I don't understand why

she doesn't love him.

I do.

Tell me, Justine...

how do you feel about your religion?

I don't have a religion. I used

to be Catholic. Not anymore.

I can't stand it now. They're

always ramming it down my throat.

Mom, the nuns, and now him.

-That is not true!

-It's worse for Dane.

-They're trying to force him to be

a priest. -Why do you say this?

-He doesn't want to be...

-You see what I mean?

It's not true, Justine. You're

lying! Why are you lying?

That's gone far enough!

All his life he has never had a

father. I brought him up on his own.

I never heard from

Luke, from my husband.

But Dane has been given

love and affection...

and my two brothers have

been like a father to him.

For nine years...

For nine years he ignored Dane...

just as he completely

ignored Justine.

You walked out on me, remember?

-Mr. O'Neill. -I never

even knew that I had--

I will not warn you again.

The marriage was over.

Be that as it may,

do you not think...

that a man has the right

to know that he has a son?

Would you tell His Honor why you

won't go back to your husband?

Because he was violent toward me.

Because of him, I lost

the child I was carrying.

And I won't be able to have any more.

-Is this child Mr. O'Neill's child?

-Of course.

I have no more questions, Your Honor.

-Would you like a little break,

Mrs. O'Neill? -No, thank you.

Mr. O'Neill, do you

have any questions?

Why did you leave me?

Because you neglected me and

you ignored your children.

Dane wasn't even born

when you walked out on me.

Justine was. You didn't

even want to see her.

She was two years old before

you even set eyes on her.

Because I was so busy working.

As Your Honor is very well

aware, this is not a divorce case.

Quite right, Mr. Gough.

I don't see any value in going back

over your marriage, Mr. O'Neill.

We are agreed that there is

an irreconcilable breakdown.

Im not.

I loved my wife and

my child, my children.

And I took my duty as a husband

and provider very seriously.

I tried to look after their future...

and I will not have

my boy become a priest!

You weren't even there!

All these years you haven't

cared what your son wanted to be.

-Why do you care now?

-I didn't know I had a son.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes