31
CYNTHIA: No. What is this? I'm not a baby, you know.
COUNSELLOR: I know that. I'm not patronising you.
Sometimes it helps to use pictures when we can't express
how we feel with words. (pause) Your mum remarried
recently didn't she?
(CYNTHIA nods slowly)
COUNSELLOR: What sort of relationship have you got with
your step father?
CYNTHIA: (weakly, fading) What?
COUNSELLOR: Do you get on well with him?
CYNTHIA: Can...can I go?
COUNSELLOR: If you want to.
(CYNTHIA unsteadily rises to her feet, sways a
little and turns to go. The COUNSELLOR, seeing
that something is amiss, rises in time to catch
her as she falls.
Blackout.)
SCENE 2:
CYNTHIA walks towards the tree on the hill.
The BOY takes a few steps towards her to greet her.
CYNTHIA: No surprises this time?
BOY: What, and be scolded like I was last time?
'Faith no, my ears could not take more of that.
A less informal greeting seemed more wise.
(he stops and bows low)
So madam, welcome to my humble hill.
(He takes her hand and begins to lead her up the
hill, she starts to follow but then stops and
looks around.)
CYNTHIA: It's so much nicer here than where I come from.
BOY: Is that so strange? Is that not why you come?
CYNTHIA: (pause) I suppose so.
(The BOY walks up the hill and sits in the shade
of the tree. CYNTHIA moves closer but stays
standing in the sun.)
