FROZEN

b -NOJ?SOUTlfWTERN
T UNIJRSTrY LIBRARiEs ROZEN
lM.2W IIIIIIIIIIII~III~III
3 8132 1045 0686 7 RY(lNY I.lAVERY
One evening ten-year-old Rhona goes missing. Her mother, Nancy,
'I'uears into a State of frozen hope. Agnetha, an American academic,
«unes ro England LO research a thesis: "Serial Killing - A Forgivable
1\, I?" Then there's Ralph, a loner who's looking for some distraction.
1_)I;lWIt together by horrific circumst-ances; these three embark on a
luug, dark journey which finally curves upward into the lighr. Angry,
hum.ine and compassionate, FROZEN is an extraordinary play rhat
I~IHwines the lives of a murderer, the mother of one of his victims and
I.i~psychologist to explore our capacity for forgiveness, remorse and
d.llllgC afier an act char would seem to rule them out entirely.

Ii••• [a] fiue play ... so concentrated and unflinching that at times it takes
1'11"( hrouh away." -The Observer (London)

Of" 1I",}"r pilly , ,. thrilling, humane and timely. "

-The Times (London)

"". fill big. brave, compassionate play about grief revenge, forgiveness and
!'r·,1.rill.,< the unbearable. " -The Guardian (London)

r;;l)lJislr'fltiy surprising and even bravely comic ... The almost thriller-like
jlfDfllht s
IJ/thr play climactic confrontation is like a time-bomb ticking in
Ih" {!oI(~. '{yollr bead. .. -The Independent (London)

ISBN 0-8222-1 945-X

90000>

I tll:\ 1,\ 1 1'1 f r,

1'1.'\\ I H\'.I( '{
It\}(
ftltAMt'\'I'ISTS PlAY SERVlCE, INC. 9"780822 "2 I 9453
FROZEN officially opened on Broadway ,II (:i,l lc in the Square CHARACTERS
Theatre on May 4, 2004, with the same cast ,11ll1 creative team as
above and produced by MCC Theater (Robert lul'one, Bernard AGNETHA
Telsey, Artistic Directors; Wtlliam Canrlcr, Associate Artistic
Director, John G. Schultz, Executive Director), Harold Newman, RALPH
Zollo/Paleologos & Jeffrey Sine, Roy Gabay, Lorie Cowen Levy & NANCY
Beth Smith, Peggy Hill, Thompson H. Rogers, Swinsky/Filermanl
Hendel, Sirking/Mills/Baldassare, Darren Bagert. The fight direc- GUARD
tion was by Rick Sordelet; the makeup and tattoo design were by
Angelina Avallone; the production management was by B.D.
White; the dialect coach was Stephen Gabis; the production stage PLACE
manager was jarnes Fitzsimmons; the general manager was Roy
Gabay; and the associate producers were Edmund & Mary Fusco. England.

TIME
The revised version of the text is the one published here to coincide
with the MCC Theater production of the play. The present.

4 5
 FROZEN
ONE - FAREWELL TO NEW YORK

N~ York strut sounds ... busy. whirling traffic and uoices.

Steps abruptly as light reveals ... Apttha. hallway of htr
aparsment, Neu/ York. Chtcking her airline tielw.!. passport.

AGNETHA. Yes.
yes.
yes.
yup.
yeah.
yo.
(All is rl!ady. Sh« looks around. Looks through a doorway.)
Bye room.
(Gillt! fht room a link wallt.)
Bye bedroom.
-. , bathroom.
..-
office.
(Sht salaams gravtly.)
Bye home.
(Thty all gtt u/avet, thumbs up. high sings as appropriate. Until ...
sht's rl!ad) Sb« picks up airline tickttr, carry~on bag. Shls rtad} Then,
she unclenches her jaw ... and ber tttth start chanmng.)
Oh no.
J do not need this.
Not now.
Please.
(But it is now. Sht puts down htr n·cktts. Her tuth chatter uncontrol-
lably. Sh« succumbs loudly to tb« chattering ... )
er g-g-g-g-g-g-g-g
CHJ g-g-g-g-g~g-g

7
 okay
out
good. TWO - FAMILY LIFE
(Sb« waits again. Then Win fill her ryes and she starts blabbing, She
mcouragn htru/f to cry ... then bato! . .. tber« is somtthing deliberate
and good-humourtd about it ... IU ifshe is two ptOplt ... one express- The gmllt chirrup, hum. buzz of an English gardm ...
ing emotion, the other encouraging it out ... ) Nancy. home. her back gardm. evming, idly nipping Inuis off.
mmmmuuuuuuurrr ...
mmmmmmaaaaaaaaaaa ...
yes, come on ... NANCY. I should have gone round myself with those garden
wwwwwaaaaaaahhhhhhh . shears .•
mmmmmmaaaaaaaaaahhh . Mother and I've never seen eye to eye on shrubbery.
come on ... I'm prune-to-a-dormant bud
plane to catch ... ! but she'll be instigating a slash-and-burn-regime.
oh boy ... She's let her Clematis Montana Alba do its own thing.
(The bawling moues into kuning and howling, so Agnttha must pick Isaid "they like their fect in the shade and their
up hv ca~on bag. which she screams into. muffling the sound some- head in the sun" but she's plonked it
what. She screams and screams. Finally ... ) in a south-facing bed
okay. sandy soil
finished? and it's gone on the rampage over into next door's
Finiro? specialty alpines.
(Sht cbecks.) I offered to go round myself tomorrow and CUt it
yes. back for her
yep. but she says "It's Bridgnorth tomorrow"
okay. Always leaves it to the last minute and then its got to
good. be
(Picks up her travel documents, bag, etc. again.) done This Minute Now Immediately.
yes yes yes yup yeah yo So I asked for volunteers but that was like: gcrting
(She calls loudly through the ioalls.) someone to sign up ror active service ...
Sorry, Mrs. Lipke! Bob's got Nautilus training ...
The Big Noise is leaving! and what's that all about ... ?
Sorry Mr. Chen! (A plant flits overhead. Nancy "nas" gmtly)
Crazy Horse is curta here! been very happy with his Aab till now
(Sh« leaves for the airport. The sound of a largt plane flying over ... and I always say "I'm very partial to your love handles"
heading towards ... ) when we have a cuddle
but
well
so J need one of the girls to look lively
But J ngrid'~ "Off" Grandma at the moment because of
The Make- Up Question
so I think easier all round if I send Rhona ...

8 9

'.
,·r
but Rhona's so good I always put on her lsay hopefully "Now stop chat nonsense ...
and I try to be fair )love you both equally in different ways"
so I gird my loins [0 tackle Ingrid Idon't.
in spite of it being like negotiating with Anila The )don't love either of them at ali at the moment!
Hun rhese days ... Or Bob!
I've taken a Deep Breach ... Or Macher!
when suddenly crash Bang Wallop Any of them!
Holy War breaks out upstairs! ... They can all go to hell for all I care
"What Is lr Now?" ... I go - and that's when Bob (Quiu close by.·a van accelerates ... )
slithers OUt ... but anyway
he's so ... sntalry these days ... somehow it happens
no "Goodbye then Nancy love ..... Ingrid has me agreeing to Icc her go our
well and chain of command's pur the youngest soldier on
In The War Zone ... secateur duty!
There's 3 Max Factor Thick-Lash mascara wand Little Panda.
gone missing from Attila's private drawer My mother's going to think I'm letting her wear
and who's Suspect Number One ... ? makeup tOOyoung and be Reading The Riot Act! ...
Ingrid goes into Rhona's room That's why Rhona's not back yet.
[0 obligingly fetch her for me, Yes!!!
drags her back by her hair, so IsqJarau them
and look at Rhona.
(Sht smiles.)
She looks like a Panda! THREE - A BAD PATCH
Great black-rimmed eyes.
] say to Ingrid "go on, give her a bamboo shoot"
wrong thing to say ... Ralph, in his room, washing his hands at a sink.
111
"Mum! Rhona's not funny!
You should take this uriously"
r say "Who takes me seriously about a ceasefire on RALPH. You know
this Fighting?" it's one of those days
and I pop in "So ... Ingrid ... why don't you go you're just going to do it
round to you might do it
Grandma's for a bit of peace?" I suppose mostly I'm a bit of a cold fish
and she's almost hooked when I add ... "And you (Hi! dries his hands ca~fully on a small, clean rowtl.)
could take hut then, these times
the garden shears while you're at it ... n things hot up
and she's off again "I'm JUSt an unpaid scivvy in this .It's been a bit of a bad patch for me ...
establishment ... I wish I was an orphan ... I wish fucking landlady .
somebody pardon my French .
would adopt me ... nobody loves me ... despite [ told her I don't eat lamb
everybody loves Rhona best ... " despite [ told her I'm not a big cater ...

10 11

~.
 despite I made rhnr clear ... NO( with me.
turns up on the plate Ijust said "Hello."
and I've eaten it before I've said Hello.
"this isn't lamb is it ... ?" Hello.
and it was ... Hdlo.
(Takes a small bonk of hand lotion. poun a doJlop on one palm, starts I'm saying "hello" to you.
10 rub it into both bands.) Least you can do is make conversation.
and I've gone out with Kind of world is this
hoojit ... Raymond Quantock . folk can't be sociable?
and that wassnarne from work Dick Bottle ... Polite.
and I've kept up with them purring it away ... Least you can do is make a response.
otherwise ... It's Bad Manners if you don't.
and drunk five lagers Bad manners.
and two ... Rude.
(Counts in his head.) r said "Hello"
... four ... Hello
Jack Daniels Hello
and I've gone over on that damn foot again ... Hello
lightning strike of pain ... Hello
and it's put me in a strop Hello then ...
nobody better mess me with finally .
nobody better finally .
been like ... offish she goes
and ... "Hello"
(He's on a strer: someuibere.)
Ijust see her I think she quite liked me
and decide
I'm going to get her in the van oh yes
I JUSt want to keep her for a bit She was interested
Spend some time with her.
I just do it. the van's down here
It's a rush of blood. it's only fifty yards away
Hello. it's convenient
Hello. obviously
I said "Hello" the back door's not locked
are you deaf? because I've thought ahead
It's rude ro ignore people. obviously
are you loony? she wants (0 come
you're loony.
I'm only being polite. I've got cushions in the back
No need to get the hump. And a sleeping bag.

12 13

~.
 Obviously. Mum, do you want a cup of hot chocolate?
Mum, shall we have a milky drink?
sometimes you're fucked by Mum, Cherry Bakewell?
circumstances
things don't go your way I've lost nearly twO stone.
(Picks something up. R~gard.! it.) I've gone back to smoking.
the garden shears Cast Iron Excuse.
I don't bargain for Even my Mother has to let me.
bur
in the event It's bad today because it's Rhona's
they turn out birthday tomorrow and they say
useful Missing Children often phone on their
and add (0 it all birthdays
passing off Get in touch ...
efficiently {She holds her stomach. Swalloun.)
but so I thought
logistically dean her room
she's persuaded it's time her Nature Table's a bit dusty
to get in the van
you make it work give me something to do
she's in the van.
when she comes back
Lovely evening everything will be nice
Sunny ... but with a light southerly breeze ... everything be the same
everything familiar

that's gorse
FOUR - NATURE TABLE . with some sheep's wool tangled in it
From Brccon Beacons.
I got stuck between a lamb and its mother
Nancy. Rhona's bedroom, seuen months lata ... a window the mother ran at me ...
olJn1ooking tbe garden. I ran like billy-o
the girls fell over laughing!
Rhona found this in the gap ...
NANCY. This is Leo. we had cheese and chutney sandwiches.
(A small, tbreadbar« sofi-wy lion. She smiles slightly.) (A cold wind bloios ... )
He's bald where she played Hairdressers on him. Brecon Beacons.
"Rhona's Rough Cuts" She loved that day!
Wales! She's maybe ...
Ingrid's making me a cup of coffee. (Tbinks.)
She's like the Catering Corps these past few days. No. We leafletted Wales.

14 15

".
 Rhona
this is her witch stone
it's a witch stone if it has a
where are you?
natural hole in it.
Sec.
[ know you're somewhere!
(Looks through it.}
you can see things in a wirchy way ...
ir's magic.
(Holds it tightly in her hand, ry~s tight closed. Making a wish.}
kept it there.
FIVE - MOVING ON

mmm.
Ralph brings a suitcase into his room.
(Puts it back exactly.)
What are you doing on here, Leo?
RALPH. That incident up Scotland
You live on the bed!
not down to me
[ operate in a southwards direction
Sornebody's been in here ...
Midlands Leicester Home Counties
maybe Bob ...
to primp and preen in private!
Not fucking Scotland
I know what's going on and
Not cold icy windy Scotland!
I know who with
Anybody with a brain would know that's Too Far!
It's all gone a bit softly-softly and undercover
Too far from my centre of operations
what with The Disappearance ...
[ mean you're looking at transportation
but if it's over I'm Raque1 Welch!
something what over two hundred miles ...
whore's the sense in that?
don't care
Wherc's the efficiency?
You've got to keep things clean in C'Verysense
These books arc different.
I never touch anything outside an eighty mile: radius
of my centre of operations
Ingrid!
oh no
(It is stifling her ... )
oh no
Washing up
once you've got a site sorted
Cleaning
well, you don't mess with that, do you?
Doing
obviously
Helping!
but
well it's not!
I don't want anyone in here moving her things mud sticks
round I want to keep it exactly as it was!
I gOt 750 pounds for [he van.
If I have (0 get Bob to puc a lock on chat door
Him who boughr it
I will!
17
16

~.
 didn't notice the chas sis's all rust Child Love
fuck him if he can'r make a thorough check! Lesbian Lolita at School
(H~ turns a vitko th~ right way round ... mock exasperation ... he
I'll get something a later reg. /OVN these oideos.)
That's been a bit of an unlucky vehicle: for me. Lolita's Examination
So's this place. Lolita's Auntie
Landlady ... Pre- Teen Trio
despite when The police: come here
they found nothing Sweet Patti
despite it's clean Sweet Susan
despite I'm dear Little Linda
despite that ... Baby Bonnie ...
has gone "sling your hook
don't want you here these cost!
go What!!!
clear off ... " so I put them in safe storage
and I've no comeback on it in law! obviously.
cunt Protect my investment.
Fucking Cheek! ... 'scuse mer I've had to get these from abroad!
Kept it like a New Pin! Amsterdam, some of these'
France.
Who do they think they are? Denmark.

Should be a law nobody's having these

You should have a guaranree of security
for your money they're precious
oh yes
Good job I done planning here. oh yes
Good job I thought logistically ...
had these in lock-up. I'm going to have to safe-keep these in
(Taps bead.) my centre of operations
You've gor to wake up very early to get ahead of me! until I get a new residence
Oh yes I'm going to have to get some sort of
Oh yes! protective filing system
(Vid(os au packtd, title: mostly upnght. H~ rums 01U round. Tak~s I'm not sure that shed's efficient
out a notebook. Rifm to it.) dampwise ...
Lollitots (H( malus a short list.)
Lesbian Lolita now I'm moving on
lirtle Red Riding Hood
(&autifol, romantic, y~llrning music .. , sounds of summa countryside.) new stan
Little Ones In Love

18 19

~.
 ---- --=- -- - -- --

alchemised me into
oh yes
Miss Fudge Feeling of Washington Square
oh yes
who is shit-scared of flying!
(A car driv~s off. Ovn-hrad suady thrum of plane as ... )
Give me back my real brain!
Hand over my native intelligence!
when we crash
SIX - THIS FLIGHT TONIGHT because of you
because of you taking away my faith in anything at
all ...
Agn~tha, on an aeroplane, laptop on her lap, !trying sporadi- [ rake innocent people with me ...
Lily-White Souls perish here ...
cally ... also drinkingfrom a plastic cup ...
(Sh« puun a non-existent drop of brandy into her glass.)
although the stewardess serving me deserves to die ...
a lonely, painful. lingering, agonising death
AGNETHA. for the impressive number of
(Krys.) times she has wilfully ignored my request for brandy
"Serial Killing ... a forgivable act?"
{Sh« drains her drink. Presses the "Flight Anendant" summoning light and for a certain radiant spitefulness over her
inability to provide me with a vegetarian meal ...
. .. no mpons~ . .. Krys.) I imagine pouncing,
"Judicial Revenge ... a political choice?"
(POUN non-~isunt drops of liquid from two or thre« small in-flight bot- sinking my teeth into her neck just above her
tles of hrandy into th« glass. Presset Flight Attmdan: Gail again ... no white pretty blouse and biting OUt her throat
murmuring all the time
mpons~. Keys.) "How's this for going with
Brandy Refill ... a Forlorn Hope?
Yes I think so ... Close File Save? ... The Meat Option?"
shit F. Mail ... oh yes please . (Sh~ couers her laptop scum with a "dont copy my homework" arm,
against her nat-door n~ighbour. Looks out of the toindoto.}
(She starts writingft4riously ... )
Still over sea.
Dear David,
Dearest Damn Fuck You Then David
Watcry death for us all then ...
I hate you
Lovely, violent in-flight movie
I hate hate hate hate hate you
All the people on this flight arc in mortal danger and Many good and worthless men perished
in explosions of bright red blood.
it is your fault.
You will be responsible for these multiple deaths
[ thought of you.
as we plummet out of the sky
into the sea a very very very long way down there (Her ryrs fill Shr wipes them sumpritiousiy ... then.)
right under where Iam sitting. you bastard
you make me frightened of everything!
on big air
{Tb« plane fl;~! on. Ping of "Fasten seat belts" sign flashing on ... )
over big sea
Oh my God !
it is your fault
(Rrads computer]
you and your Big News
you and your Hilarious Damn Bad Behaviour have SEND?

20 21

".
 __ --.....;;""1:... .,...jio-'!('".. - -,. _ .....CJ!:!I8' .....,....-_ - -

Every night I pray

Why not?
that whatever reason is stopping her coming home
{The plant j1~s on.) will be removed
and that she'll phone
or wrrte
or JUSt knock on the door
SEVEN - FLAME
and say "Mum, it's me"

Bob says he always watches that bit

Nancy, smart suit, drink, her house, four ytlzrs later.
it gives him a chill down his back he says
I've gOt him giving me lifts to these dos
it's brought us closer together,
AGNETHA. It always works, ..
cemented us
but it was magnificent tonight!
I get whoever's in charge of introducing stopped that nonsense
with that Nautilus trainer woman
co say quite sirnply , ..
I've gO( him on jogging ...
"from the organisation FLAME ... "
he said "when you showed our Rhona's
Mrs, Nancy Shirley ...
photograph tonight, I thought, we're going
and I find if you just give it a minute
to get lucky this time .....
... they settle , ..
and then 1 go ...
and then [ pick up the other photograph
(Sht is in a school hall, many silent people.)
and go ...
Ladies and gentlemen of the .. ,.
and I fill in where we are ...
tonight it was a Parem/Teachers thing
This .. ,
is Robert Greaves.
in Spalding".
Ladies and gentlemen of the iohateuer ... He disappeared on his way to
Boy Scouts on September 14th 1976.
on April 17th, 1980,
He was fourteen.
my daughter,
Today's his birthday ...
Rhona .,'
you could have heard a pin drop",
and I pick up her photograph ...
walked out of my house
He's twenty-three ...
to go to her Grandma's house
And four weeks ago he walked through
she never got there
his parents' front door in Braintree, Essex,
she never came back
and said "Mum. I'm back"
she was ten.
because we at FLAME found him!
She's been missing for
Even though my little girl
five years.
my Rhona is still out there
She will be fifteen years old tonight.
I rejoic« for Mr. and Mrs. Greaves
1 know she's alive.
that our organisation
r have Faith.
22 23

~ .
 __________ :_ .._ ......,;;.~"'.c---....,.-..,._- _---

(Pause.)
was able reunite them
to
I say well never mind do you want some
with their Robert .. ,
drinking chocolate
but she's off again
and Bob has the leaflets ready, ..
"but do you know what 1 do then?"
because FLAME is about
just that ...
and I say no what
keeping that flame of hope alive
and she laughs
keeping it burning
so chat our missing children
daft mad laugh
can see its light
and says
and feel its warmth
"Oh
and come towards it!
I go inside of course
,..I to get warm"
it's funny
{Pause.)
1 fed I was born to do this
II::;, Bloody girl!
Ifound nOlhing so easy to do as this
it's funny
1 but this is when I fed most alive". Bloody girl!
'I
(A confiiStd explosion of time markers '.' Neto }Lar bells ,., bonfirt
, ,' (Rtt'Ums to her room.)
firtworks ". Christmas .. , time pasJing . " clacks.)
" 1:11 so ."
I'm not best pleased to get back to a
drunk Ingrid
'j ash tray piled
another fag burn on the settee arm, .. EIGHT - TAlTOO YOU
. 'I
she says
"I had a bad dream
II ,lill
1
I'm in the frozen frozen Arctic
I've lost somebody
Ralph, summa shirt, bench. He has tears in his
ytars later.
tytS, Twmty

the body's under the ice

but it's getting harder and colder
the ice is building up , .... RALPH. Oya
Isay "no wonder, you've let the thermostat Ora
go off .. ' .,
Oya
but she wails like a great soft thing, .. (Limping, " sit1 down, rubbing his ankle.)
Fuck .,' rhis fucking hurts!
says , ..
Stinging!
"I look for a hole
Oya!
Bur you gar to suffer for something worthwhile!
I look for a seal hole
bur there's no hole
the: body's down there
Ohyes
but it's all gctting whiter" Ohyes

24 25

~.
 ....-------- ._ ...-~~--,--.-.--.--
..

(Pulis up his trouser kg, down his sock ... reveals a ft~sh tattoo.) {Strokes tattoo.)
Madonna and Child
This is "The Grim Reaper"
four colours ...
seventy-five quid
(Herculean struggk to remember ... )
three hours twenry-three minutes
),1 1 1
twO needles
Tattoo Shack!
The Tattoo Shack!
five colours!
it's a traditional design
U Bridgnorrh. A456.
big with bikers
illl,l you get sickle and scythe.
ex-biker
f brilliant.
three hours forry ...
fucking craftsman!
r(
!j (Otber ann, fimarm ... )
"The Necdlemaster" in Burley.
Chuck's Custom Tattoos.
good service.
I" cup of tea if you want
I'm not happy with that.
II
Too plain.
and clean
I'm going to get it adorned.
spanking dean.
I·· (Upper arm ... )
as this.
not like
I designed that.
(Contempt.) That's an original.
"Body An Tattooing, Dc:rsingham"!
Angels fighting Devils.
(Shows a tattoo on his right ann.)
With l.cafy- Tree backgrou nd,
Sunburst Dagger of De-ath.
Got done December for Christmas .. ' (Quoting.)
"Your design or mine.
needier's a fucking woman ...
"Gaua's booked. I'm registered. Call now or just pop in.
Thousands of designs co choose from
Take it or leave it ... "
professional and friendly." A4112.
(Suppms(d ragr.J
"Sacred Art" ... Leominster, this one.
I [I well, I couldn't come back
I . obviously ...
Good.
!, so ...
(Rubs his neioly-tattooed ankle again.)
1'1 ~ she's jabbing and poking ...
one hour forty-three minutes ... Oya.

II I came up like a balloon!

Oya.
Oya.
I cunt!
. II (Tattoo on fomlrm .,. )
III! I": \1 compared to I'm going to have to take my mind
111 ' I This. off this
11 III (Cant remember) (H( stands up, jhing his foot.)
'I;'!I .1 This. oh yes
I "1 oh yes
I I1II Aw. Shir .. . don't wanna be feeling this all the way back

~II! : j. 26 '
•
J
27
! $ D

s,
 "
_-;-
~----~-_._ .,

he says
IS Rhona"
somebody to talk to
(Sound of gn-ar jet jlo~s breaking up. cracking, churning .. , )
spend a bit of time with
1 wanted to go out for a walk
would be ideal
up a hill somewhere
obviously
sun's hot
find some fresh air
(Sus something .. , becomes v~ry still, JoCUJ~d.)
there's no air
Hello.
I said "Hello."
Message
Hello.
after message
Hello.
after message
Hello.
on the answerphone
~II~I (Ayuung girl laughs someusher« ... )
Newspapers
we must we must we must
I.,
want to talk to them
NINE - CHICKENS COMING HOME
I;'" Ingrid
comes over
:[ Nancy walking... thru or Jour days l4ur.
makes something with noodles
can't touch it
but I show willing
twirl it around on the plate a bit with a fork
I NANCY. sun's so hot.
Ingrid says
'I "try with chopsticks ... I'll show you how to ... "
, four days ago
Ii but I leave it all sitting there
phone call from the police
dumped on the plate
il~ they think they have some news for us
can they come over?
puts me in mind of worms
I
terrible terrible restlessness anxiety
II, then [wo young policemen .,' iMJs .
one with fine soft hair like a kiddie's .
I've given Bob some more paraccrcrnol
his headache's approaching Gale Force ...
"1
other lovely polished shoes
all this rime
pitch up
I've been growing her up
say ...
she's been
"we: have apprehended a man in the
unsuccessful attempted abduction of a young girl ... he's had her buried away ...
subsequent inquiries have uncovered a lock-up shed
the earth Aoor contains the remains of other children I wish this weather would break.
the man is now giving us names
I wish it would pour it down.
one of them

28 29

••
 it's unbearable. dark-haired little ...

Great Big Srorm, same

Tarroo Shack. Bridgnorrh
(A hug~ storm brtaks ... )
kid in the shorts ...
I was there
Madonna and Child.
TEN - SWEATING
Realty, statistically,
once they put that information
with my petrol book and receipts
Ralph. a cell.
and the real slip-up in terms of
efficiency over this latest incident ...
I've got to let them take me on it!
RALPH.
(Hand bt'twt'tn his kgs.)
Piss! So r admit
Shit!
Igive them my shed
centre of my operations
they've just come the questions they get my special videos
all the: time
all the ... relentless I'm helpful
without thinking you might need a break polite
bit of time to think collect your thoughts ... so
how come then
so
obviously they're taking turns with the whispering and
when this fucking woman policeman cunt threats ...
I!'
.![ comes the nice the interested the ... You're not a man
"those are interesting tattoos, That's not a man
did you get them all done in the same place?" you're going to have to have ears in your neck boy
I'm not thinking I'm not sharp enough in your shoulders in your arsc
logistically to understand every second in here
that they're putting me in the frame in when you eat
the picture in the area for think what we've put in there
the incidents! think about it
and think about bum and knob and what
Sunburst Dagger of Death comes out of there boy smegma come wank-juice
logged ...I mean, the language .
date and even when you're locked up alone don't sleep
area boy because all around you we're lying eyes
fucking woman needier wide open thinking what next what idea next
places me in the area where the for you losing your eye say gcning your knob

30 31

••
----- .. , I!'
sliced like a breakfast sausage heard a oh sound
somebody shoving somming like chis ... seen across there
.,i' up your smelly arse till you shit blood something that made me go across
.!
snot in your food investigate
don't ever rest don't ever sleep
yes, you keep your head down. boy she must have known how ncar [ was
you keep flicking those eyes about jf she'd made a noise
till we get you! I could have heard her I think
oh
not on!
oh no oh
oh no oh
(A sound of clapping ... )

ELEVEN - NFAR
TWELVE - LOVELY TO BE HERE

", Nancy. by a window, looking out.

Agnetha, a largt, academic hail someiohere.

NANCY police
the fair tufty-haired one said ... AGNETHA.oh
there's something you should know ... oh
something he's said . oh
where he took her . well thank you!
what a warm reception!
that shed on Far Forest Lane Thank you!
He took her there I'm very touched. Sincerely.
all the time we were first looking It's terrific to be here!
she was just over there England. I'm honored.
London. I'm touched.
I went past it! Ladies and Gentlemen ...
How many times? Please. Now ...
Let me repay you for your very generous Visiting
not on her way co my Mother's at all Fellowship by '"
there So ...
if I'd thought earlier Let's see me cam my bucks!
got up from gardnzing earlier (.'·jheget! business-like. Takes lip a place behind a lectern. Notes. A
gone down there srreen backs up what she is saying.)
spotted a light the title of my thesis is

32 33

,.
 ,[ "Serial Killing ... A Forgivable Act?" to organise behaviour
and it is a critical examination of the differences and decision-making
between crimes of evil to learn and stick to

I!"~ and crimes of illness.

I will base my critique upon
rules of everyday life.
Ladies and Gentlemen ...

i I! A psychiatric and neurological study of

(he criminal brain conducted by myself and colleagues
they arc responsible for making us human.

during my tenure as I intend here to examine

I J Arnex-Suntori Chair of Psychiatry what goes wrong with that humanity ...
I.,
New York University School of Medccinc ... which can make certain individuals appear inhuman
using data collected from case studies
okay conducted by myself and colleagues
Iii:;; the personal stuff ...
My name is Dr. Agnetha Gotrmundsdottir ...
of men who have received (he death sentence over
the past ten years for their crimes in the US
My ancestors came [0 America plus my present case work here in England ...
from a small frozen very cold icc-bound where of course you have abolished the death penalty.
I1II place which experiences for a lot of the time
perpetual night ... Ralph Ian Wantage
I, so I guess it is in my Icelandic genes 10 want to take is currently in Long Larron Maximum Security Prison
myself and you, in my thesis ... serving a life sentence without remission
to explore just such a frozen place ... for the abduction. sexual assault
But I am :1 psychiatric explorer. and murder of seven young girls
So My chosen expedition will be ... over a period of twenty-one years ...
The Arctic frozen sea that is ... (Th« light on Ralph extends. Agn~tha and Ralph a" in lh~same space.)
the criminal brain RALPH. Cunr.
(Ralph's head lit as ifit is an exhibit.) AGNETHA. Doctor.
Let us take a look Let us be polite with one another, mm?
(Sh~ walks OV(T to stand b(hind Ralph. demonstrating around his h(ad, RALPH. I can be polite.
but not touching. A prison guard stands some way off, ioatcbing.) I've got manners.

If The cortex is the thick covering of grey I'm a gendcrnan.

Ohycs
,
matter on the upper part of every
human brain Ohyes
and the function of the cortex. AGNETHA. Yes.
and in particular, Good.
111'l those pans of the cortex (Riliph assents ... big accommodating g~sturt. As sh« measures his
beneath the forehead known as head, h~ sniffi her. Sh~ u/rites.)
II" the fronral lobes RALPH. Cunr.
is to modulate the impulses that surge up AGNETHA. No.
Ii I' from within the brain. Chand Number 19

l,:
II
The cortex and the frontal lobes and a mild and gentle soap.
arc there to provide judgement, StOP being dangerous. Ralph,

34 35

••
 rv,..;-·-

I I RALPH.

AGNETHA.
If you know my name,
you know my reputation.
Sure Ido.
I'm not gonna harm you.
I'm gonna tap you on the nose ...
Just let me ...
Can you hold your hands apart (She taps a rhythm on the bridg( of his nose. H( blinks rapidly. gm
~ like ... distrtsS~d as ... )
and spread your fingers ... RALPH. Hey
good ... hey
I' . (H~ copies ber.) hey
·1I Interesting tattoo. hey ...
,I' RAlPH. Oh no, clever cunt. (Sound of girl laughing. .. Lights doum on RAlph as Agn(tha moues
What you after? away ... showing us on her own nose.)
I ,II AGNETHA. I'm looking for discontinuous, AGNETHA. when you tap someone on the
bridge of the nose, it's reasonable
jerky little movements ...
Ii ~.I (As his ftngm, arms jak ... ) for the person to blink a coupla times
ah-ah. because there is a threat from outside .
. II
t,. (Sh« holds up a fing(r, forty-filJ~ ekgrm to his Itft.)
would you let your eyes
when it's clear there is no threat ...
a person should be able to accommodate that.
follow my finger, please ... ? But if the subject blinks more than three times,
(His foIJow iaki/y.)
ry(S
that's what we call "insufficiency of suppression"
RALPH. Oh ... ! Shire. which may show frontal lobe disfunction.
(She stops.} The inability to accommodate
AGNETHA. can we try that again ... means you can't adapt to a new situation.
can you try to watch it go smoothly across ... ?
('fry it again. Juky again.) There's a certain rigidity there.
RALPH. Shire.
AGNETHA. Okay. Good. Like the person is icc-bound
Now look at the ceiling
Just with your eyes ...
(He cannos.)
RALPH. Shire. THIRTEEN - SUFFER
This has got to stop!
AGNETHA. I'm sorry.
Just ... Nancy. smoking, her bouse.
I please stay stili ...
~I j (To guard.)
It's okay ... NANCY. I'd like [0 see him die

I: , 1\1
(Sh( gOtS
I'm just going to ...
behind him, reaches over the top of his head, h( starts.)
Watch him
Suffcr
1 I RALPH. Hey. no way! he wouldn't suffer like she suffered
AGNETHA .... touch him ... but it would be something
: ,;1 I'm sorry, I did not mean to startle you! An eye for an eye
.,
36 37

,.
 r.---

tooth for a tooth

I want to see that
I the warders were 1J"y sympathetic
the enforcement workers always arc .
.

111 and then, you can be: present,

everybody at FLAME's members of victims' families
been very understanding at that final moment
the cornmirtec were in absolute agreement he doesn't suffer like she sufTered
I when I suggested we shifted focus but it would be somerhing
"
from missing persons, .. (A sound of lightning ~omucring with ~aTlh laura.,. )
to spotlight an even more crucial area of There was a grandmothn- on the video '"
cornrnuniry rcsponsibiliry , .. eighl:}'-something, she wenr ...
10,
Pa~tft,phi/~ltkntificarion ... little grandkiddy shot stone-dead by a killer ...
Marjorie Alexander pressed my arm talk abour gurs!
and said "we're with you rwo hundred percent" she goes
I,
when I get up now (Bad American accent.)

f and say

"If we had known (f,'ng/isIJ.)

"I kin fergive,
but I kain'e fergir."

ladies and gentlemen I can forgive,

that within a few hundred yards of us but I can't forget,
in a rented lock-up shed Mother says '"
there was a known convicted paedophilc ... "I'm a forgiving woman
we would have been vigilant but I can't forgive what he's done.
we would have been forewarned I'd be there, Nancy, I'd be there ... "
we would have been able to protect our little girl .,' n

the clapping is always tumultuous Bob says "Id be there"

people always stand up. I said "If you were there, you'd go for him"
a few at first He says "I would ... if there were a window of
then it's a full-blown ovation.,. opporruniry, I'd be through it ... .,
we're tapping into something very, very deep here He would.
(I'aust.}
I got back tonight All through this, not a peep out of Ingrid.
somebody from an affiliated organisation's Eating from a big Economy bag of crisps.
"I sent me a video Size of her since she gave up her smoking
America and drinking!
they've got a scheme Hasn't thought to hand them round.
• you can go and be there when they die Just ... hugs the bloody bag to herself ...
murderers chomping ".
,I' you get a run-up VISIt
they show you the electric chair
suddenly '" she says
"I'm going ofT.
:1 how it all works Travelling.
I
they take you through the procedure I thought India, Nepal.

~ 38
• 2
l _it·
39

••
 The F~1.~t." fourteen.
forty-four.
Why? {Pause.)
four.
Why) AGNETHA. You've said that, Ralph ...

t, Danger
Hot
RALPH. I'm nor fucking stupid!
I'm not fucking stupid you know ...
Filth AGNETHA.
I .J
Dirt (nits his arm.)
I don't care. Shhh.
It's all right.
It's not an intelligence rest.
You do very well in intelligence tests.
FOURTEEN - FOUR FARM FUCK You're nor stupid.
(As she waJks /lway from him.)
.. , you're manipulative and intense and
III !I,j Agnetha, with Ralph, prison. Guard on duty. kinda mesmerising like a rattlesnake and you're a
multiple
,
I
' , ~
killer and I'd JUSt really like a cigarette suddenly
but you're not ...
.- AGNETHA. Okay. Good .
: I; ;:

' ... give me as many words as you can (Into lecture hal! ... )
I' .;;: that begin with ... This is not an intelligence test.
F. If I asked Ralph to list ... say sixteen products
'.t.
I. ~

RALPH. four he might buy in a supermarket .

'.
' ;;.!f. fourteen
RALPH.
he would do just as well as anyone else ...
beans, lamb chops, pizza, pocarocs, Smash,
I :J~!
III "j'
,.,
I I
(Pause.)
forty-four.

farm.
biscuits, lager, whiskey, apples, carrots,
crab sticks. steak ... hamburgers ... pop tarrs
farm. (I:(c. and on ... as ... )
J' ACNETHA. That is a structured rest,
III! ;;l farming.
farming.
farm.
with familiar objects.
The word-fluency test I have done asks

II l~
farm. [he rcsrce (0 cope with situations
where there arc no rules,

~!
(Pause.)
fuck. where they have to improvise,
,I fucker. where they make unfamiliar associations.
fucking. My colleague David Nabkus and I have
been conducting these tests for over twenty years ...
I II~~ (He is pleased with these.)

AGNETHA.
fuck.
any more, Ralph?
(/',Juu.)
sorry.
RALPH. four. something in my eye.

40 41

••
rt
. 'II; r-

1,1 sorry. he says "where shall [ start?"

RALPH. economy sausages I said
fish fingers "that front bit where it happened"
frozen peas and he hit it with the first swing
I AGNETHA. and (A hMvy crunch, metal against stone ... )
Normal is fourteen. give or take . and the corner of the shed caved in
Anyone who does less than nine . and he went swinging at it again and again
IIIII is abnormal. and
And falls within mine and David Nabkus' study. within minutes
I. it was gone
: II! We believe Ralph is abnormal it was like my heart torn out of my chest
and we believe we can show you and oh
the reason why ... there was nothing there any more
II nothing at all
I1;1 for what it's worth JUSt nothingness
(A sound of splintering ice fum ... )
hey David? oh
help
II help
.•.
.....
;bool

~I
help
FIFTEEN - ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

-
·· -.
...
· "1-\
- ~, ~ : II
,
Sound of machinery ...
Rhona!

Ingrid!

I
,I
r-·_.L
•1 NANCY . workman plaid shin
II came and knocked SIXTEEN - THE BRAINS OF IT
I said
"Mrs. Shirley ... we're going to have it down for you
that shed ACNETHA. At this stage,
!; III do you want to come and watch?" Dr Nabkus, who is the neurologist in our
1 [ said parrnersh ip,
'11
"I do" (Slight pause.)
takes a detailed medical history.
;.'[1 We walked In his absence
"Ii it's no distance (Sligh, pause.)
1:1 and . ... 1 will endeavour to find out
\'j (Nearer machinery mgines ... ) what he would find 0I1t ...
big mechanical digger ... (SJ" sift. RaLph circles round her. She watches him for a time.)
:I ... big heavy bail ... he climbs in You have a lirrlc limp there, Ralph ...

Illi 42 43
 'ij RALPH. No.
RALPH.
(/;'uchtS a.)
AGNETHA. Yes, 1 think so.
(Silt watches him as be circle: her ... so he stands still bthind her.) This.
Ralph. Er.
Don't stand behind me. Ifell off a roof.
RALPH. It frightens you. blacked Out.
I AGNETHA. No. bosh.
"

They stOP us meeting if you ... Iwas pissed pissed

'II Come in front of me. and
Let me see this limp. Iwas getting away from somebody
1'1, and
RALPH. No limp.
(He wallts to stand in front of her.) bosh
,, AGNETHA. Mmmm. JUStover and then whack
Can you hop? On the right leg. nothing broken
I
,, For just a little time? JUStlike this bruise come lip fucking large as an egg ...
(Rolls his (JtS because sh« is mad ... but hops.) "CNETHA. how old were you?
Good. J~"LPH. 'bout .,. eighteen .
1
I
1 Now the left. probably ... yeah no no no! .,. this was a car!
we got this car ... and took it out for a burn yeah ...
,JI'
I, ...
(Ra/ph does so ... staggm. Far away. something falls from
htight ... fractum ... )
a grMt
and whacked it into a wall yeah ...
.:
. - RALPH. Shire!
I wasn't driving
obviously
(Trus again.)
' I ' I'
I ~'I Shite! but I go smack! seat in front ...

1
I
'i,.,'~
~,'
'1.
AGNETHA. Okay.
Pardon my French.

You're just proving something for me.

No Big Deal.
Come sit down.
I\CNETHA.
I{ALPH.

(Right ryt')
this was when you were ...
sixteen?
blood all in my eye

couldn't see fuck when we legged it!

Talk [0 me. but
(Ralph sits doum. Agnetha r~gards him ... then lean: forward and go~ hey ... ?
to touch his Jorthtad gmt/y. Ralph fiinchts back, swatting her. Sht give us your hand ...
flinchts back.)
AGNETHA,
L ( /n gUllrd.)
RALPH. Sorry'
AGNETHA. Sorry! I'm touching him. okay?
It's just investigative, okay?
RALPH.
AGNETHA.
Sorry.
Sorry. t"0 lilly sh~ dots ... }
(Both look towards gJuzrd. To Guard.) ItAI.PH. fed there .
Sorry. 1\( ;NETHA .... oh yes .
what happened there?
(To Ralph.)
',I I was just going to ask ... 1(I\I.I'H. 1 fell down a mine shaft'
how did you get rhat scar? J was blacked our for hours ycah i ••

44 4S

..
 ,...-"
l r:
I. was running
didn't see it just didn't sec it ...
" bosh SEVENTEEN - A LINE OF WASHING
nip
bosh
, fall Nancy, h" kitchen gardm. a pile of washing. a clothe: line.
I whack March. Morning.
,:1 out!
it was serious because it was same place as
~II where my mam threw me in the sink ... NANCY. instead of letters

il AGNETHA.

RALPH.
when was this?
when your mom - mam threw you in the: sink?
oh
telling us where she was
how she was getting along and wharnor
these mucky little parcels start arriving
a kid inside
1.11 little clorh squares about this big ...
obviously ... bright colours
I:
,I
AGNETHA.
when she could get away with it still!
over the years
with foreign-type writing on ...
Handkerchiefs?
L Dr Nabkus and myself have studied Head Squares?
more than 250 dangerous criminals ... Then a postcard ...

:~I in significant numbers,

these men have incurred physical damage to
the brain
"In Lhasa. Hope you got the Tibetan
prayer flags.
They are printed with spiritual blessings.
we: have compiled a list of all the They arc hung up each year
,":"~I
::~
verifiable brain injuries suffered by
fifteen randomly selected Death Row inmates ...
to signify
hope
as you will sec from the paper ... transformation
I 1i page five, table 0 ".
the instances are many.
and the spreading of compassion. As the year pro-
gresses
the wind disperses the energy of the words.
III After Doctor Nabkus has finished which carry the power to pacify and heal
his medical history ... everything they touch.
[ look for evidence of child abuse ... Lots Of Love.
(A sound of biusury wind ... )
I Ingrid. "

shoved them in my bits and bobs drawer.

Daft business.
II

Then ... the trial stares to happen ...

'IiIYIS ptgging out '" )

46 47
 has died recenrly ... when something traumatic happens ...
I'm sorry. RALPH.
Where were we? (To Guard.)
RALPH. You put your chair very dose in [0 the table. What arc you looking at?
You open your legs as wide as they'll go. AGNETHA. the brain responds by releasing
Then f put my hand slowly slowly several waves of hormones ...
down so Chummy over there the last of which is cortisol.
sees nothing {Somewhere. some liquid starts dripping slowly ... )
AGNETHA. Ralph ... which is supposed to bring everything back to normal
RALPH. and I search with my fingers till they find The problem is ... cortisol is toxic ...
your pussy RALPH. I'm sorry. Sorry.
your knickers arc there ... AGNETHA. if someone is exposed to [00 much stress
so I go rip! over too long a time ...
II AGNETHA.
my finger ends arc touching pussy now.
Ralph ...
all that cortisol begins to cat away at the part
of the brain known as the hippocampus
I find where you go in. which serves as the brain's archivists ...
II [ position. organising and shaping memories,
Then Iram in putting them in context
obviously placing them in space and time
again and again and again and again RALPH. She was asking me something.
oh yes AGNETHA. Abuse also affects the relationship between
oh yes! the left hemisphere of the brain ...

I .' .;,
AGNETHA. Guard ...
you see
which plays a large role in logic and language
and the right hemisphere.
,

• the second critical argument in my thesis which is thought to playa disproportionately large
is that the mental abuse of children role in creativity and expression
causes profound and pathological changes in RALPH. She was consulting with me
the structure of the brain a~ surely :l.~docs physical obviously
IIIJury oh yes
We brain scanned the children oh yes
of severe neglect AGNETHA. in the children we studied
We found that entire ~I nu IUf(" 111'1 heir correx not only was the abnormality twice as high
never properly dcvrlupl'd ... as a non-abused group,
these cortical r('lti()l\~ were I WC'III Y 1I1 I IIirI Y pcrccn r but in every case
smaller the abnormality was on the left
than normal ... where logic dwells
RALPH. (A sound of!om~lhing bUllking ... )
(To GfUlrd.) RALPH. it's a question of the doctor
Whar :UC: yOIl lonk i"14 .11' doing research
AGNETHA. abuse also dimlpl' 1"(' lu.un', 'II .. I, I""'~I" systcrn AGNETHA. What you get is a kind of erraticness ...
with profound r('\III__.,' they can be very different in one situation

'In 51
L._, _
 compared ro another ... our stuff ...
there is a sense that they don't have a give her some pro(t~ Iion
larger moral compass ...
RALPH. She likes me! just been
AGNETHA. in someone abused or neglected just now
the section of the brain involved
in attachment I thought they'd refuse
in mak.ing emotional bonds red tape
would actually look different sub judice ct cetera
the wiring wouldn't be as dense, but no ...
as complex. Mortician showed us straight into the chapel of rest
RALPH. she wants to spend time with me Her coffin
AGNETHA. they arc literally lack.ing some brain organisation Ingrid says "We've got some things, we'd like to put
that allows them to make strong connections them with her ... ~
to other human beings ... I thought he'd draw the line at that,
(LightJ up once again on her and Ralph.) but no ...
RALPH. Was lout of order then? he rakes a screwdriver out of his tOP pocket

I,
AGNETHA. Yeah.
Sarra.
But it's okay, Ralph.
, unscrews the lid
takes it off and stands with it.
There's two cardboard boxes ... different sizes ...
DIY-archive system type ... we've gOt them in the
I It's not your fault. ,,
You can't help it. FLAME
office for files ...
1 Ingrid points to the smaller one ...
up the ... up the head end ...
NINETEEN - THE BONFS OF IT and says "Is this the skull?"
He nods.
"Go on" she says to me, very quiet, "open it."
Nancy, smart outfit, sits on something low, unsuitable, lights .,
cigamu with quitl~ring hand 1(5

.,
ItS
NANCY. Well.
Well It'S beautiful
Well (Sound of summer gardm .. , )
... We've just come from the chapel of rest. I take it out and hold it in my hands
They still won't release her hones and . and
i said "I can't bear it, tl(}(hill~'~ moving " I C<lO fed her head
and Ingrid says its shape and texture and ...
in her new, quiet, c.ilm ... rom,,1 voice ... resilience
"Ids cake some srutl down Ihell .

'il 53
c·~· _
 compared to another ... our stuff ...
there is a sense that they donr have a give her some protection
larger moral compass ...
RALPH, She likes me:! just been
AGNETHA. in someone abused or neglected just now
the section of the: brain involved
in attachment I thought they'd refuse
in making emotional bonds red tape
would actually look different sub judice ct cetera
the wiring wouldn't be as dense, but no ...
as complex. Mortician showed us straight into the chapel of rest
RALPH. she uiants to spend time with me Her coffin
AGNETHA. they arc literally lacking some brain organisation Ingrid says "We've got some things, we'd like to put
that allows them to make strong connections them with her ... "
(0 other human beings ... 1 thought he'd draw the line at (hat,
(Lights up once again on h~r and Ralph.) but no ...
RALPH. Was [ out of order then? he takes a screwdriver out of his top pocket
AGNETHA. Yeah. unscrews the lid
Satta. takes it ofT and stands with it.
But it's okay, Ralph. There's twO cardboard boxes ... different sizes ...
Ir's not your fault. DIY-archive system type ... we've got them in the
You can't help it. FUME
office for files ...
Ingrid points to the smaller one ...
up [he ... up the head end ...
NINETEEN - THE BONES OF IT and says "Is this the skull?"
He nods.
"Go on" she says to me, very quiet, "open it."
Nancy, smart outfit, sits on something low, unsuitable, lightS
cigarett« with quivtring hand it's

it's
NANCY. Well.
Well Its beautiful
Well (Sound of summer gartinz .. ' )
"I I take it out and hold it in my hands
... We've JUSt corm: from the chapel of rest.
They still won't release her bones and . and
I said "I can't bear it. nothing's moving " Ican feci her head
and Ingrid says its shape and texture and ...
in her new, quiet, calm ... round voice ... resilience
"let's take some stuff down then .

52 53
,J )
 ~
and I'm flootkd with its joy.'!' .... I feci at peace.
(Bird song, summer insects buzz ... ) We're holding hands.
and I say to The Mortician "It's beautiful!" Me and ... bloody Ingrid!
and he: just nods
because he knows it is and she says .
well, if anybody would know that he'd know that ... "Now Mum Be In The Moment"
and after a while I give it to Ingrid Isay "What, Petal?"
who says "this fantastic brown it is" She says "Mum ...
and she holds it here You're in a Very Bad Space.
(Her heart.) You've Got To Let Go Of Your Anger.
for a long time You've got to Move On.
and then she puts Rhona's witch stone If You Hold On To Your Rage,
with it back in the box It Will Consume You.
and closes the lid. Let It Go.
Make Space for Other Things To Enter Your Heart"

,II Bigger box.

Ingrid takes the lid off.
She's got this new way of talking ...
It's like listening to a Diet and Exercise Book.
I said "What do you want me to do?"
different pans of her they managed to ... .,. (that's how you talk back to them) ...
I thought top of the arm ... and she said ...
collar bone ... :I
I
"I think what we Have To Do
is Forgive Ralph Wanrage With Our Whole: Hearts"
leg '"
1,!, I said "I want to slap you
in there, we put a piece of gorse off
her nature table ... I want to spit in your face
sheep wool wrapped in it ... I want to scratch you
place she looed to go to ... windy hill ... I want to tear your eyes out with my ... "
daft really but ...
also ... Leo The Lion ... She said "She's been dead for rwenty years.
I go to The Chap ... "Guard her, keep her safe" It's long enough.
and we aJl smile. Let Her Go."

And then ... all the lids go back on. I said "I just did, in there"
He: screws the lid back on the coffin
and I say I couldn't bear (0 look at her.
Thank you
And he says "No problem. She said "You should go and see him.
I wish more people could be doing this" Tell him you forgive him"
(Sht lights another cigamu. Agitaud, angry, unsettled as ... )
then we come outside into this place. I said "If I go to see him.
Handy little parky garden place. I'm taking a gun.

tJ J '
54
, ~~--------------------- 55
 , blow his brains all over the wall
I'm taking a knife
slice his thing off
stick the blade through his eye ACTlWO
and take our his brains that thought
what he thought to do what he did ...
She was my little girl!" TWENTY - A PHONE CALL HOME
and she said

(Pause.) Agnetha, drink in one hand, cigaretre in the other, circling a

so was [ telephone. She is thinking about phoning sometimes the
decision is "no. " sometimes it is nearly "yes" then, finally.
Forgive that monster it is, fock it, "yes" ...
Ican't do that
How can I do that?
It's tOO much AGNETHA. Hi ...
[s that ...
It's too much Mary?
It's too much ... you sound like you're in a ... bathosphere or
something! ...
End of Act One do l? .
no I'm JUSt in London ...
(EngLish pronunciatian.)
yeah ...
(Grand.)
"The Brit Lecture"!
yeah the: one David and 1 were gonna ...
it's well /tinJa weird ...
but hey .
Listen ... how you doing? ...
(She listens.)
... well. you would you will .
ah, Mary ... I know I know .
but .,.
(She listms.)
Mary you just hafta be kind to yourself ...
and give yourself treats ... and ...
keep warm .. ,
and ... make everybody else look after you ...
Even The Kids.'
How are the ... ?

56 I 57
1. ~ ------------------
 Give 'ern a kiss from me, okay? that's ...
(Agnetba, away from the phone, bmds ouer in agony. Slrtlig"(~m, dup

1 Hell ... give 'em Two!

(Sh~ talm a dup bretuh and
listen, Mary .
) breath, and then .. , )
I ...
no, never mind ...
I've did a dumb thing ...
I got drunk and . listen ...
I'll come see you when 1get .
I know I don't I don't smoke either ... that's
No ... I haven't met anyone .
the ptcu/iarthing ...
apart from serial killers ...
but okay, I got ... major pie-eyed and I ...
This Brit Killer made me an offer I could refuse .
sent an E-mail to David
but hey, he's not dating at the present moment .
and I'm frightened you gOt it (Listens.)
... sure he's crazy ...
oh
What else is new with me ... ?
you ...
listen .. , I'm "aUy sor ...
you must have ... Mary ...
I have: to ...
whaddya mean it made you laugh? ... Mary .,.
Mary!!! (She lifts up her hand. The fingm a" crossed.)
Oh uh my cab's JUSt pulled up
another woman sends your dead husband a
piece of Hate mail and Gosh it's early
you laugM?? I gona go ...
What kinda woman are you? okay! ...
(Beat.) yeah!
So it didn't make you ... right!
You didn't get ... You too.
{Listens rtaUy hard ... ) Take Care!
(Phone rfplaud. Pause. Sh( uiatches as Nancy walks into a room some-
Ir's just .
Mary I rca.lly miss him uihere.}
Take Care.
(Agnttha, kaving her personal detritus, assuming an authoritativt
I played some footage of him
and ... on
demeanour; walks into she same room as Nancy ... )

yeah ... with The: Vicious Haircut ...

Mary .. , you know I love you ...

lWENlY-ONE - TWO CARING WOMEN MEET
(Sht listms.)
do you ?
NANCY. I'm "in a very bad space"
(Sh« shalm her htad )
thank you ... I know chat.

S9
58
L .---------------.---------------------
 And I need co "move on" If I could understand why ... [ might feel ...
I know chat. it mighr be ... better ... or even JUSt bloody
I know I'm ready. diffrrtnt ...
AGNETHA. How? I might be able to ...
NANCY. he (For the third time, tht hand gtst7lrt.)
(Sh« has 10 do this ... ) I've read all [he data vis-a-vis the use of
took her Victim-Offender Communication in the
she was going to Grandma's for me ... Trcarrnenr of Sexual Abuse and
and he forced her into the van Violent Crime Trauma ...
and My organisation is monitoring all the
she's ten Victim-Sensitive Offender Schemes Stateside ...
and Research-wise I'm impeccably prepared
and he ... I think my letters state: char I'm up ro
then he wrapped her in polyrhcnc sheeting speed.
she was unconscious They said you could help.
but she wasn't dead then Rubber Stamp It,
he took her to a sh~d near Fast-Track [c.
and lr's Time.
we think he sexually assaulted her I want a visit.
before he held the polythene on her face (Agnttha stands. Walks to tht coffu machine, thinking. Looks back at
and suffocated her Nancy.)
(She is short of breath.) AGNETHA. Coffee?
AGNETHA. Breathe. (Nancy shakts her htlld. Agrwha pours two CUP$ and carries them into
(801h inhale and exhal«, hands on breasts, Nancy sort of folwUJing the next scene for ... )
Agn~tha ... )
NANCY. I'm accepting it.
I'm accepting she's dead.
Bur lWENTY- TWO - MY CHILDHOOD
(Pause. Somehow an awful admission of guilt ... )
I'm not
Ralph and Agneth«, Cf4pof hot coffu tach. Sort of both off
and [ need to duty/role. Guard still there.
(The same hand gtsturt of moving forward ... )
so
he's the next step RALPH. . .. no .. , my video collection was in the back of the
shed ... my the girls were in the main body of the
1 Iwant ro know UJhy. building ...
II [ want (0 know why her.
I want him to know what he's done.
AGNETHA.
RALPH.
but ... nJt'1)'thing ... wrapped in polythene .. : right?
ohyes
I want him to know how I ftt!' oh yes
I want to understand. AGNETHA. and ... filed?

60 61
 RALPH. obviously {Pause.)
everything was in order AGNETHA. Tell me about your childhood then, Ralph,
the whole lay-out made sense RALPH. Big kitchen ... we had a big kitchen obviously .. ,
if they'd aslt~d me Id've taken them through it with filled cupboards ... and shining work ~lIr(I~(,~
methodically ... ... and that's where all
they needn't have ... the kettles and pans ... copper, all copper, all glc:\m.
going in mobhanded ... they destroyed ... the log
videos ... in the light ... because there were lights everywhere: ...
you're looking at about three: thousand quid ... spotlights on tracking yeah to JUSt touch in a mood
AGNETHA. ... but you see their point, Ralph ... of country .. , and a log fire with them ... whatsis
RALPH. oh yes still ". smkr ...
coulda been more org4nis~d wood ... pine ... antiquey ... and here is where the
AGNETHA. No remorse then, Ralphie? dog sits ...
RALPH. Remorse. So what is that ... remorse? lits ... when he's not guarding ... or going out on
AGNETHA. Like Regret. But more. (he hills
Ir's a feeling of ... compunction ... with us, romping ... and then we come back and
of ... deep ... ut"t . open the
you reprru your sin . tin of Pal Pedigree dogfood and he gets it, bosh, in
last cookie ... a special new shiny tin on the red stone floor ...
RALPH. last what? AGNETHA. What kind of dog is he, Ralph?
AGNETHA. last ... RALPH. Golden Retriever.
(Rtmtmhn1 urord.) Pedigree. Kennel Club obviously.
... biscuit ... last biscuit. AGNETHA . What's his name?
... split it? RALPH.
(Ralph nods. Sb« splits th~ last biscuit and thry share it as.) (P4US~.)
you feel '" He doesn't have a name.
sorrow We don't go in for names.
pity (Pa~.)
compassion ... Lassie.
a son of . .. tender feeling ... AGNETHA. Tell me about your parents.
RALPH. Ican't say Ido. RALPH. Moth" does the meals.
(Pause. Thinks.) She goes to Safeways and Sainsburys and Tescos
The only thing I'm sorry about is that and she getS a lJari~ty and she doesn't put up with
it's not legal. UJw standards ... .
AGNETHA. What's not legal? oh no
RALPH. Killing girls. oh no
I'I
(Agn~tha loolts at her uiatch, picks up her writing pad, switches on ber the long pine table always has a selection of
:1 rap~ ... business again.) ... and the correct cutlery crockery for different
AGNETHA. Tell me abour killing girls, Ralph. meals ... and we all sit down to eat together ...
I RALPH. No. AGNETHA. And what does ... Mother ... cook for you all?
Ir's Private. RALPH. Sreakmasters ... Oven Cook Chips ... Viennetras ...

62 63
 ...

After Dinner Mints ... Hamlet Cigars ... recommending Mrs. Nancy Shirley
Crusty Warm Bread. . visit Ralph Wantage ... "
Haagen-Dazs ice cream any many flavours .. _ Mixed
Grills ...
AGNETHA. Is Father there?
RAI:.PH. Yeah. Father. Dad. TWENlY.1HREE - TIlE SACRED AlU OF FFNG-SHUI
Except when we're out riding ponies,
Or reading poytry.
In the room with all the books on shelves. Nancy. paint-spl1ttmd clothes ... a splodg~ of whiu paint
And the Nicam Digital television. ludicrously across her fact ...
AGNETHA. Any Brothers or sisters, Ralph?
RALPH. No.
I'm an only child. NANCY. Drip-Free Paint!
A much-loved only child. Liars!
Spoilt rotten.
But what can I do? it's big, this room
AGNETHA. with everything out of it.
(Sh« ~gards him for a time.) spacious.
Childhood's kinda private too, huh, Ralph? you can swing a cat in here now ...
RALPH. Yes
I'd swing that bloody American Doctor woman
oh yes.
(Sh~picks lip the biscuit pla~. Cn~mbr on il. Carria it out past tht guard) round by her .,.
AGNETHA. But we know you're a liar, Ralph.
And inconsistent. (QUOI~S.)
We gOt a few crumbs from you. "the apaimmt is unviablcl
(Sht moistens 11 fording", starts picking tip the biscuit crumbs, eating the components unstable!"
them, as ... ) Who does she think she is?
little bits of you, cookie!
your mom pops you ill (he sink I've wrirren some letters
step dads arrive made some phone calls
you get chased that's what you learn if you run an organisation ...
you get fucked Usc The Right People!
up your little bottom, don't you?
up your sad, dirty little ass ... I'll get {hat visit!
we're onto you,
you sad, predictable, banal whole house is bigger now ...
fuck ... Rhona's kiddie furniture gone
(She realises sh~ is eating his crumbs. She retches as ... ) Boo's stuff ...
Ilc:ft a message saying "WillI drop your stuff round?"
"Memo.
Restorative Justice Lobby. but he's lying low
I would not be comfortable in Sulking.

64 I 65

~----------------------------------
,.' , Only Ingrid speaks to me.

Nobody else. 1WENTY~FOUR - CONCLUDING MY ADDRESS

They think what I want to do is ... criminal .,.

(Laughs.) Agnttha at th« lectern ... ~rge ball:
So much for Families

Doesn't matter. AGNETHA. I spoke, in my preamble

of myself as explorer ...
Bob was Yesterday's Newspapers for me anyway. of ... navigating
The Arctic sea of the criminal brain ...
I said "I'm sorry, but how I felt about you well the expedition is complete
just hasn't survived ... what discoveries do we bring back from that alien
it didn't keep ... like something in the fridge ... a terrain
leftover ... to help make our own inner and outer landscape
in a jar ... and when Ipicked it up .. , it was empty warmer safer kinder betrer?
Cold comfort I'm afraid ...
and he said "Don't get tkscriptive with Me! You see ...
Icould have set up with Marie from Nautilus Most forensic psychiatrists tend [0 buy into the
... why leave it rill I'm nearly bloody PllJt It?" notion of evil.
I said "Revenge, Probably" ... but I don't mean that. I don't.
I don't mean him no harm. Ican't.
I've got no malice in me. I find no evidence that people are born evil.
No nothing. To be evil is, dictionary definition, to be "morally
Just space depraved."
for To my mind, that bespeaks having conscious control
something fresh over something.
bit of ... light The serial murderers Ihave tested arc not in that cat-
in the red egory.
Their deeds themselves are bizarre grotesque
bit of fresh air life-destroying
new feelings but not evil.
(It burts.) They arc driven by forces beyond their control.
Once: this visit's I might go somewhere The difference between a crime of evil
I don't need to be here and a crime of illness is the difference
nothing's keeping me between a sin and a symptom.
And I guess ... as a moral society ... as a
I'm free to go
(Sound of wingr fluttmng, not birds ... Som« beautiful music plays ... )

I 66 1~ 6_7 _
, punishment society ...
..
You got my lencr.
we cant Jet the notion of these deeds being "symp- You agreed to sec me.
roms
00
Shall I sir down?
intrude in the relationship between (Sh« does. For a long time, thry look, thry Trally b;ok, at ant another ... )
murderers RALPH. She was your kid ...
and the rest of us One ofrhem.
because This ...
then we'd have to Stop NANCY. Rhona.
and observe differently RALPH. Rhona.
the distinctions Funny you coming.
between right and wrong (Pause.)
between the speakable and unspeakable NANCY. I want you to know
between the forgivable and unforgivable I forgive you for killing my daughter.
the way sins do ... (Silence. Ralph abruptly covers his ryt socktts with both hands. Long
(Aputha moues away from th« Lectern ... ) paust. Guard watche$ Ralph. Nancy gLanm at Guard. Ralph brings
But when you get back his hands down, looks somewhere III the comer of her.)
and you're cold RALPH.
you're frcezing yourself ... (Vtry long pau.st ... then the words sound vtry ru.Jty .. , )
you've got snow in your head ... Thank you.
What then Doctor Gonmundsdonir ... (Thry sit for a time.)
What then Cookie? It's a nice day anyway.
don't you cease to be an explorer NANCY. Yes.
and start ... There's buds out.
living there? We saw a great bank of Pussy willow on the way here.
I should have brought you some.
Are you allowed ... that sort of thing?
(He ignortS her. He has no itka ifht is a"oll/~d that sort of thing. Both
TWENlY-FIVE - THE VISIT glanct at Guard. Guard nods. Thry both look away.)
RALPH. We can have videos now.
NANCY. That's nice.
Prison visiting room. Ralph seated, Nancy at the entrance. A Is that nice?
guard. RALPH. It's all right.
(Long pause.)
NANCY. I want you to know
NANCY. I don't hate you.
(To Guard) RALPH. Okay.
That's him? NANCY. I used to.
(Guard nods ... she gats to stand in front of Ralph.} But [ don't any more.
Ralph Wantage? RALPH. Okay.
(Ralph looks up. Bartly nods.) NANCY. My daughter ... Ingrid ... said ... Let It Go ...
Nancy Shirley. Like A Bird Into The Wind.

68
L- _ 1 . M
 She's Spiritual.
r they ...
RALPH. How old is she? (Body langtulg~shiversand vibrates ... )
NANCY. thirty-three RALPH. I don't think I hurt her.
RALPH. Oh. NANCY. You did.
(H~ it not inrerestrd.) RALPH. I don't think she was frightened at all ...
NANCY. I've brought some photographs. NANCY. She must have been.
Would you like to see them? (RAlph thinks for a long time. Nancy watch~shim cartfully. Whm ht
RALPH. Of ... her? looks up sud.dmly. sb« holds his gau. H~ looks away ... she touches his
NANCY. Rhona. arm ... )
And our family. Ingrid. Bob. My husband. RALPH. You're not allowed to touch.
(5h~ gus them out. A small dog-~aud selection.} J NANCY. Sorry.
NANCY. That's Rhona as a baby. ( (Guard it watching. Sh« removes her hand. Both sit back.)
(Hands tbrm to him in tum ... ) l NANCY. But she must have been frightened!
That's me holding her.
This is Ingrid, that's her sister, holding her.
r (RAlph kups thinking ... )
RALPH. Do you live on a farm
This is them holding their pets. and ride horses
Her cat is Fluff and read poytry
Ingrid's holding Black-and- White. and have warm bread?
You can sec why they're called that ... because she's 1 NANCY. Not on a farm
fluffy ... and he's '" see... ?
This is Rhona with Ingrid and my husband Bob.
We were on a day out.
) No horses
We aren't particular big on poetry.
Books though.
I took it ... it's uneven ground '" f Yes. Sometimes. Warm bread.
that's why they're slightly ... \
On cold days. You just pop it in the oven on
(H" body indicates kaning ... )
This is Rhona dressed as an octopus.
t a low heat. Few minutes ...
(Ralph nods. H~ kntw tbis.)
For a fancy-dress competition.
RALPH. Did she win? \ RALPH.
Did your mother ever ... ?
Oh yes
NANCY. She came third. Ohycs
Behind Little Miss Muffet (Sh~ didn't.)
and a loch Ness Monster. NANCY. And your dad? What did he do?
(Sh~points them out.) RALPH. my dad
RALPH. She should have won. well
NANCY. That's what we thought. he was the: disciplinarian
But we were biased obviously. obviously
RALPH. That's good those arms. NANCY. Made you behave, did he?
How did you do them? RALPH. oh yes
NANCY. She did them. oh yes
Rhona. say you swore filthy language
They're wire she made into springs. he's got you by the hair here
When you touched them, (Back of neck.)

70 71
 and you're in the washing up water (Dry painful sobs start.)
bosh, wash your mouth Out with soap water! (A'''fiJ. embarassing. rusty crying.)
or you done wrong (Nancy uiatches. Guard watches. He holds his dust in pain as he rub-
anything! silks. Calmly. she laJw out a tissue. Holds it "P to Guard qutstioningly.
he's He nods slightly. dismissilldy. Nancy hands it to RaLph. He usn it. PU/J
(In Dad's uoice.) it on the table between them. Guard uuuches.)
Sec it in my eyes, rwat? Don't come and bother me again.
Can you see it. you fucking little pillock? Cum.
I'm looking into you and I'm seeing shit! (A pause. Then, It genuine apology ... )
You keep yourself clean! Pardon my French.
You hear me? (Nancy exits. Guard stands ouer Ralph. RaLph stands. then walks in a
(Sf)und of a thump on fosh ... Ralph ugiJtm it. silk of bead.) circle round his cell.)
You deaf little bugger!
(Anothu thump. same sid« of bead. Ralph's body r~gisunit.)
You listening to me?
Your head TWENTY-SIX - LETTER-WRITING
(Tap on fo1Yh~ad.)
taking this in?
I'll make sure you hear what I say ... Ralph. communal area, writing ... iflttrruptille kJ,ld music
Stand still playing off centre ...
Stand still
Stand still
you stand still and don't move one muscle RALPH. Dear Mrs. Shirley ...
not one Dear Nancy ...
you donr even blink, [War Dear Mrs. Shirley ...
until Iknow you know I mean what Isay. I am writing to you ...
"See it in my eyes, rwar?" Iam sorry ...
(Ralph is blinking rapidly.) Iam very sorry ...
NANCY. Frightening bugger. I am sorry ...
(Ralph nods.) I am sorry that I murdered ...
Hurt you a lot. ( am sorry that I abused ...
(Ralph. afur a time, nods.) I am sorry that I ...
Can you see it hurt Rhona then?
Can you see it frightened her? turn the fucking music!!!
What you did. turn the fucking noise down!!!
(Ralph thinks impassive for a kJng time. Then .,. ) You ... Fuck! ... down!!!
RALPH. Yes.
(He nods.) Down!
(Nods mort'limn)
(Tears in his eyes.) Bit of fucking pttlC~ ... Jesus!
(He Il)ipt's them fieruly. ViolmtLy.) (He aligns his stationery and pens into neatness. And again. And again.)

72 73

.
,
 y
,
To a Chinese R~SIf11mtlll!
I am sorry.
Mince in lenuc« leaves flllL ("II wit II yllll! 11111'. It
] am sorry from the bottom of my heart.
and Prawns in ginger and .,'
all this wash~d down with some ~()rI III
I am thinking about what] did.
Oriental wine
I am thinking about what] did and I get riddly and
you know what's coming next
he says "can I come in for a bit"
I am realising
and] say "Lovely"
and next thing we're up there
I realise in abusing and killing your daughter
doing ... well ... you can imagine!
... Rhona ...
Ingrid dropped by with this ...
hurt her , .. "Remorse" , ..
(Looks closer.)
... "Resolve" ... Resolve."
you
(H~ "aligns th~pap~r ... pm .. , mv~lop~. And again.)
Ingrid says she understands
Oh Christ.
(H~ spitSon the papn, folds it ca~lUy, putS it in the mvtlop~. Seals it.
Which is more than I do!
Tear: it up. He starts 10 colkct and align the torn pieces into a pilL as , , .)

Flicking Music! She says "lr's The Life Force"

The Wine Talking More Like!

I said "This isn't M« .. , Ingrid ., ...

TWENTY-SEVEN - SOMETHING AWFUL
She said "He's not bad looking .....
Nancy. a cup of morning tea, a drming gown .. , a sacba of
resolue.
[ said" Please don't tell your father!"

NANCY. Well! Lifo Foret!

Well!
Well ... I'll go to sea on a duck's back!
Shc talks such .,. hocus pocus!
Nancy Shirley!
Nancy Shirley how could you?
I've [ust done something awfol! "

I've been out on a DATE!

~
With a Man!
Roy Taylor!
R", Tay"'"

~ I
I
('

75

,.
 with the heart!
Fucking Quack Cunt!
TWENTY-EIGHT - QUIET AND SILENCE AGNETHA. How long have you been in pain. Ralph?
RALPH. Er .. ,
It started ... night aftcr that mother of that
Agrwha and Ralph, prison room ... a tapf "cord" ... notes. girl Rhona I done came ... that was Thursday ...
Agnflha closes her notebook. so ...
(Counts on his fingn-r.)
It's been a bit.
AGNETHA. Wcll, Ralph. This is my last visit. AGNETHA. Mrs. Shirley came to see you?
Iwondered if you wanted to tell me anything more. Irecommended she .,.
And [ came to ~ay "Goodbye" RALPH. Yes, well ... you were overruled by
RALPH. Can you turn that thing off? The Doctor-in-Charge of Nutting-Off
(Tapt.) weren't you?
I've been wanting to tell you things [ AGNETHA. And she visited with you?
don't want recorded, yeah? RALPH. Yes.
AGNETHA, Okay. She's forgive me, actually.
(Turns off tht tape.) We're straight on it.
Y~? (Spasm in his chest.)
RALPH. [ think I've caught something. Ora
I think I caught cancer or something. Oya .
Here. Oya.
That's lungs right? AGNETHA. Ithink you should talk to your doctor again.
Lung cancer. Ask to sec a psychologist.
And that's me not even fucking smoking! What you are feeling may be psychological.
AGNETHA. What does the doctor say? What you are feeling may be
RALPH. Says it's JUSt Stress! Remorse.
Fucking Shire! And that will be very painful for you
Fucking Quack cum! Ralph.
Stress is in here Try rub it here.
(Forehead.) (She shows him on hme/f middl« of the che«. just below the stemum.)
Iknow where RALPH. Fucking hurts.
Fucking Stress Is! Burns.
This fucking gnawing, Here! Eats.
(Chm.) Gnaws.
Not Fucking Stress! Fucking Cancer.
AGNETHA. Where is this pain. Ralph? AGNETHA. Well. I'm sorry.
(H« shows her ... ) 1 hope they find OUt what it is and ...
That's your heart, Ralph. sort it out.
Did the doctor check Out your heart? So.
RALPH. Says there's nothing fucking wrong This is Goodbye.

76 77

III •
 --I

(Sh~ stands.) sixteen

Take care. seventeen eighteen
Bye Ralph, runeteen
(To GIard) twenty
Sue me. yes!!!
(&/ph tidies and realigns ~v"ylhing on th« table lOp.And again. And (He drops. Unwinds a iong cloth from round his neck. Wipts th« sweat
again ... ) . from his brow, body. One of his tattoos catches his ryf. Leaks at it cart-
RALPH. It's" question of finding a window folly. fondiy.)
of opportunity Angels Fighting Devils.
of always being ready (GOfs to a chair. Sirs in it.}
of always doing research Fucking craftsman.
of committing yourself to {He stands up, S[i'lg; th« cloth all" tht pull-up bar. With his btlt he
the rehearsal fashions a noose. Stands on his chair.)
the training Gnawed to death?
for practising 1 don't think so.
for when that (He complete: his preparations. Kicks th« chair away from him. He
one golden moment hang;, choking, j"king as ... )
shines Hello
Oh yes Hello
Ohyes Hello
(8~autifu£ haunting music plays) Hell
He ...
(A burst of wild, btaufifo' music plays ... )

TWENlY-NlNE - HOW HE DOES IT,

WHY HE DOES IT
THIRTY - GRAVESIDE

Ralph, in his cell, Ilu~afing, training g~ar. Working out ...

Nan", in a Memorial Garden. Some church-likt music off to
the silk C(Jm~Jto an end. Agnnha, mitring, watchts her for a
RALPH. It's all a question of energy expended fnv seconds.
vee caloric intake, yeah?
Fitness is what it's all about
Which is twenty-percent genetic AGNETHA. Not a big funeral .
and cighry-pcrccnt working at it yourself NANCY. Bit of a surprise person with his talent for putting
You can beat any condition if sunshine in everybody's life ...
you gor a healthy body AGNETI{A. I think the old lady in the black fur was his mother ...
oh yes NANCY. His foster mother,
oh yes AGNETHA. She: looked ... bad .
fifteen NANCY. Not as bad as if she had been his mother ...

78 79
(AgTwha thinks about this ... ) I've been sad enough.
AGNETHA. Yes. Yes. I'll be glad.
Ithink that would be unbearable. That murdering bugger's kept me from
NANCY. Actually, nothing's unbearable. happiness
AGNETHA. You wenr ro see him. and .. , 1:'.Ughill~
NANCY. And you tried to stop me. and
AGNETHA. Iwas trying to protect everybody. cheer
NANCY. Him. for bloody twenty-odd years ...
AGNETHA. Everybody. Bugger it.
NAI'lCY. Him. Glad.
How much time and energy did you give him? Laugh.
And me? Have a joke.
And the others? AGNETHA. My colleague and best friend.
Cigarette? David ...
AGNETHA. rold jokes ...
(Wants to, but ... ) NANCY. Does he?
I'm trying not to ... AGNETHA. Did. Told. He died three months ago ...
NANCY. me too. stupid accident ...
(Puts hers away too.) wcaring a scat belt ...
You look upset. observing the speed limit .
Were you fond of Ralph? a truck goes out of control .
AGNETHA. It's nor for Ralph ... [he driver is on crack ...
It's for somebody else. the truck smashes the car ...
For me. the truck driver is unhurt.
NANCY. Me as well. David ...
Icouldn't feci much for him really ... (Nancy takes Agn~tha's hand. ~ry malta offoct')
AGNETHA. No. Anyhow.
It was ... Good joke from him.
nor easy. These two lovers decide to commit suicide.
(Both nod thoughtfolly.) They both work in the same office.
NANCY. 00 you think he did it ... So they put arsenic in their sandwiches ...
the ... suicide ... go to work
Ralph ... twelve-thirty
because I went to see him ... ? they car them.
(Long silence.) It's a Suicide Pact Lunch.
AGNETHA. yes. (Both women smile ... laugh? ... )
(Long silence.) NANCY.
NANCY. Idon't know whether to be sad or glad. (Acknow'~dg~s.)
AGNETHA. be both. Suicide Pact Lunch.
NANCY. No. AGNETHA. Iworked with him every day for ten years.
Bugger it. Two days before he died ...

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••
 ~

I slept with him. PROPERTY LIST

It juSt happened. Airline tickets (AGNETHA)

Passport (AGNETHA)
His wife is a very good friend. Carry-on bag (AGNETHA)
Towel (RALPH)
Why am I telling you this? Hand lotion (RALPH)
NANCY. Why are you? Stuffed toy lion (NANCY)
AGNETHA. Do I cell her? Stone with hole in it (NANCY)
NANCY. No. Suitcase (RALPH, AGNETHA)
You just suffer. Videos (RALPH)
Notebook (RALPH, AGNETHA)
"the difference between a crime of evil Paper and writing utensil (RALPH)
and a crime of illness is the difference Laptop (AGNETHA)
between a sin and a symptom ... " Plastic cup (AGNETHA)
Small bottles of brandy (AGNETHA)
Your words. Drink (NANCY, AGNETHA)
Notes (AGN ETHA)
I read your thesis ... Cigarctte (NANCY, ~GNETHA)
You knew what you were doing. Pile of washing (NANCY)
Live with it. Clothespins (NANCY)
(Near: the sound of dck/UI fontrtal music foom the crematorium chapel) Tibetan prayer flags (NANCY)
Oh, perfect Lighter or matches (NANCY)
another funeral ... ! Telephone (AGNETHA)
(The sun breaks through, birds tuntter; music plays, Nancy smile: at Pot of coffee (AGNETHA)
Agnetha as ... ) Cups (AGNETHA. NAl'lCY)
Cookie on plate (AGNETHA)
End of Play Writing pad (AGNETHA)
Tape recorder (AGNETHA)
Photos (NANCY)
Tissue: (NANCY)
Paperwork (AGNETHA)
Clothing (AGNETHA)
Envelope (RALPH)
Sachet (NANCY)
Long doth (RALPH)

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