Ned Hickey - A Hero of Two Revolutions
Page 5
ANDY HICKEY
I know you will, Ned, but now we must look after the wake and the funeral. Dysart's time will come.
The people raise the body and carry him into the cottage. Father Quinn arrives, rushes in for the anointment and the last prayers.
ANDY HICKEY
We should go in, Ned. We have to be there in spite of everything. I need you with me for I don't know what I might say to the priest when he tells me again to turn the other cheek.
They go together into the cottage.
FADE OUT
EXT. - CHURCHYARD CEMETERY - DAY
JAMES HICKEY's body is carried in long procession down the hill from cottage. The priest waits by the church gate. The mourners with Andy and Ned take turns carrying the bier. As they arrive at the church, a troop of yeomen gallops up from the village with Bully Dysart at its head.
BULLY DYSART
We want you, Andy Hickey, and now we've got you, without your father's help. Come out here and confess to murdering Clarence Grimes. You have talked sedition and treason for years and now you will hang for it.
The crowd mills around the coffin and those bearing it. The yeomen present their weapons: blunderbusses, muskets and pistols. Father Quinn steps into the space between them.
FATHER QUINN
Mr Dysart, please leave us to bury our dead. Isn't one Hickey enough for you today?
BULLY DYSART
I want the killer and no priest will prevent me from getting him. Out of my way, papist, or you'll swing beside him.
FATHER QUINN
You are wrong, Mr Dysart. On the night of Mr Grimes' sad end, I was with Andy Hickey. We played chess well into the night as my housekeeper will confirm. There are villagers who saw him enter my house and leave it. You have no evidence.
He faces Dysart for a long moment.
BULLY DYSART
You will burn, Mr Quinn, in this life and the next and I will drink to that.
Dysart wheels his horse around savagely and leads his men away at the gallop. The crowd cheers. The priest signals for quiet and the funeral moves through the gate and to the graveside where the keening of the women fills the air.
FADE OUT
EXT. - PROCTOR'S FARMYARD - DAY
(one year later) Young Sir Philip Butler and his party ride up to the gate.
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
Proctor. Are you in, man? I say, Proctor.
Robert Proctor emerges from the house, Ned Hickey follows.
ROBERT PROCTOR
Sir Philip, I'm glad to see you. We haven't met since Sir Richard's untimely passing.
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
He always spoke very highly of you, Proctor, and of the coveys of partridge you raised for him. Have you any sport for us today?
ROBERT PROCTOR
Indeed I do, Sir Philip. Young Ned here always knows where to find them and will show you gladly, won't you, Ned? And he can load for you as you go.
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
Excellent, Proctor. Before we go, allow me to introduce Lieutenant FitzHenry who has shown the good sense to come over to me from Burton Hall. Deuced good fellow. Will be looking after things on the estate while I'm away at Parliament betimes.
FitzHenry nods to them superciliously, absorbs all information, says nothing.
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
We'll away then and leave the horses in your stables. Give them a rubdown and a bite of your best oats. Come along, Ned, where are these birds?
The party dismounts, walks through the yard into an adjoining field. Ned carries a spare gun for Sir Philip.
(Later, same day)
The shooting party returns, in jovial mood, with some birds.
ROBERT PROCTOR
So you got some shooting, Sir Philip.
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
Indeed we did, Proctor. Splendid day. And your man, Ned, here bested us all. I told him to have a go and, bless me, he took one down from eighty paces, didn't he, Fitz?
FITZHENRY
A lucky shot, Sir Philip, as he admitted himself.
ROBERT PROCTOR
(eagerly) No luck about it. I've never seen any man shoot as he does. You should see him with the pistol.
Ned looks fiercely at him but too late.
FITZHENRY
How can that be? And he a Papist, surely?
ROBERT PROCTOR
(flustered) Well, I know 'tis unusual but I feel more secure now that I'm getting on in years to have someone able to protect the farm if needs be. So, I taught him all I know.
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
It's alright, Proctor. I trust your judgment. Let's see what he can do then.
CUT TO:
INT. - PROCTOR'S TACKROOM - DAY
Robert Proctor brings the pistol-case. Ned sets up the target.
ROBERT PROCTOR
I've loaded the pistols, Sir Philip. Do you want to have a shot?
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
No, Proctor. We came to see your protegee. Let's get on. Pay attention, Fitz.
FitzHenry puts down the book he had picked up from a shelf above Ned Hickey's bed. It is "The Social Contract". He makes no comment but watches Ned with greater interest.
ROBERT PROCTOR
No need to be nervous, lad. Remember what I taught you.
Ned steps up, checks the pistol, turns, aims and fires with rather more than usual care and deliberation.
FITZHENRY
One inch left, Sir Philip. Not bad. But I bet you five he cannot do it again.
Ned quickly takes the second pistol, turns and fires without even a pause to aim.
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
That's five pounds on my side of the ledger, Fitzy. He scored a bull.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. - DRAWING ROOM - NIGHT
A ball is in progress at the home of Sir Edward Crosby. Dancers float by the drawingroom door to music and laughter.
Sir Philip Butler is in party mode, drunk and getting more so. FitzHenry is worried.
FITZHENRY
Would you step outside, Sir Philip? For a moment.
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
Go away, Fitz. I'm enjoying myself here with Captain Beevor. He tells good stories of the Americas and holds his drink like a gentleman.
FITZHENRY
An urgent matter, Sir Philip. Most urgent.
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
Oh, alright, Fitzy. I might as well be married, having a nag like you along. Hold there, Captain Beevor. Secure another bottle for us on my return.
FitzHenry and Sir Philip go out on the terrace where FitzHenry speaks to him quietly but urgently.
CUT TO:
EXT. - TERRACE - NIGHT
Sir Philip and FitzHenry stand outside the drawingroom window, in conversation. Captain Beevor watches intently.
FITZHENRY
There is some mischief brewing, Sir Philip. I feel it gather. Since when has a lackey of the Dysarts and the Burtons made friendly with you and especially now that they are fighting for their political lives. Be aware. Go carefully, for I know they would destroy you.
SIR PHILIP BUTLER
Lieutenant FitzHenry, you overstep your place. I came here to enjoy myself and have a drink in congenial company and I will do so. Do not interrupt me, sir.
Sir Philip goes back inside.
FADE OUT
INT. - DRAWING ROOM - NIGHT
(Later) Sir Philip at table with a beautiful, vaguely theatrical woman. They laugh and drink together familiarly. Sir Philip is increasingly drunk.