51
(BECKY rushes back into the room and screams.)
BECKY: No! Leave her alone!
(The little girl launches herself at the man and
grabs his arm in an attempt to stop him hitting
CYNTHIA.)
BECKY: You're killing her!
(The STEPFATHER, distracted, tries to shake his
arm free but the little girl is clinging on to
tight.)
STEPFATHER: Let go of me you little shit.
(He uses his free hand to tear BECKY off his arm
and throws her against the wall just as the MOTHER
rushes in and switches on the light.
For a split second the scene is frozen in the
bright light, BECKY is against the wall,
CYNTHIA is unconscious, her mouth and nose bleeding and
the STEPFATHER lifts his arms to shield his
face
from the glare.
Then the MOTHER holds her hands to her head and
screams.
The STEPFATHER runs, pushing past her out of
the room.
The MOTHER screams and screams.
Blackout.)
SCENE 4:
The grassy hill. As always, the sun is shining brightly and
the sound of birds is heard above the soft rustle of the wind
through the grass and leaves. Over both can be heard the pan
pipes as the BOY sits under a tree, CUMZEN nestled in his lap,
playing. The tune is slow and a little sad. CYNTHIA walks up
to the hill, lies down on her back with her hands behind her
head and closes her eyes.
The BOY finishes his tune and turns to CYNTHIA, her eyes are
still closed and he gently strokes her hair. She opens her
eyes and smiles at him. She reaches over to tickle CUMZEN's
head.
CYNTHIA: Hello, little Cumzen.
BOY: It seems a weight has lifted from your heart;
It's been long since your eyes have twinkled so.
Your smile just like a sunbeam now shines forth,
That mine eyes may bask, joyous in it's rays.
Tell me, sweet friend, what is it makes you thus?
When last you came I thought to never see
Your visage sans the dark lines of a frown,
The heavy, clouded eyes of sorrows deep
And the grim line of a humourless mouth.
So if you have good tidings, pray tell me.
