Cal (1984) Movie Script
I've just been handed a traffic report
from the RUC to say that there's been
an accident on the M1 at
the Moira roundabout where
an articulated lorry is blocking
two lanes in a south-bound direction.
It's hoped that everything will
be cleared up within the next hour.
Broadcasting to the greater Belfast area
on 1026AM and 96...
Marcella...
Marcella...
"The wages of sin is death"
Crilly!
Hey, Crilly!
Hi, Cal.
What about ya?
Is me Da about?
Seamie! Seamie!
Cal's here.
Any fags, Da? Any fags?
15 Thanks Da. See ya.
- Hi, Cal.
- Hello, Artie.
What are you doing with yourself
this weather?
- Fuck all.
- I see they're looking for brain surgeons.
- Any experience needed?
- Nah.
Come on, it's freezing.
Bollocks.
Do you know her?
No.
That other one was powerful,
Powerful altogether.
There's nothing like
a good mystery.
- How are you getting on here?
- Oh, it's fine.
Well, it takes some getting used to anyway.
Aye.
Well, the best of luck to you, Marcella.
- Looks like rain.
- Ah, Cal. Aye, it does a bit.
- Is she new in there?
- Ah, that's Marcella Morton.
Lives out Magheragall Road. You
know that police fella got shot last year.
No luck with a mixed marriage.
She's one of ours you know.
I'll see ya.
Are you going - Aye, I may
as well, follow the geriatrics.
Here, our friendly village idiot
Whisht
- Last Saturday in August.
- Bloody bigots.
Would ya look at that Cyril Dunlop?
In every parade ever there was
No Protestant git's going
to drive me out
They'll have to kill me first.
- Da!
- Waste not, want not
- It makes the milk taste funny.
- Your arse.
- How are you getting on here?
- Oh it's fine.
- It'll take a bit of getting used to.
- Oh, it will.
The best of luck to you anyway, Marcella.
McCluskey!
Thank you, Mr. McCluskey.
Isn't it McCluskey?
Yeah.
- Jesus, Cal, where were you?
- Out.
You sit in that bloody room of your all summer,
the day it rains you decide to go out for a walk.
Your dinner's ruined.
Why didn't you put on the spuds before
you went out? You've bugger all else to do.
Crilly wants to see you.
- Can I have the van?
- I suppose.
I don't like you knocking about with him.
It sticks in my throat he got your job.
You and your weak stomach...
Ah, what about your dinner?
- What about ye?
- Hi.
- (in Irish Gaelic) May God be with you
- Hello.
And how are you, Cal?
- OK.
- Good.
And your father?
- Fine.
- Good, good, good.
I suppose you heard a couple of
our volunteers were lifted last night.
We're losing too many good people.
That's why we wanted to see you.
We need a driver.
Cal, you're very quiet.
Anything wrong?
- I want out.
- You're not even fucking in.
Oh that word again.
I'm far enough in to want out.
I've no stomach for it.
It makes things very awkward.
If it's only for funds, just once.
- Then get somebody else.
- Attaboy, Cal.
Good man.
- Can I see your bag, please?
- Over here sir, please.
- I hope you're not superstitious.
- Oh, that's too bad.
Thanks very much.
Oh, let me.
Where to?
It's just down here.
Thank you.
- Do you play the guitar?
- Sorry?
Long nails.
Well, on the one hand they're long
and on the other hand, they're not.
It's just here.
Thanks very much.
You work in the library?
Yes.
It must be nice and warm,
working inside.
Bye now.
We're gonna burn you out, McCluskey!
"Get out you Catholic scum or
we'll burn you out. UVF"
Shamie.
Hey, Shamie.
Bastards.
Good oul' Crilly
I don't like him, mind...
- Will we fill the bath?
- Aye, just in case.
Don't put the blanket in.
It's a bugger to dry.
If this goes on,
I'm getting a bloody fire extinguisher.
Cal?
The door is locked?
Whispering in our own house...
Here, put this on you.
You'll freeze.
The lining's cold.
You're very quiet these days, Cal.
What's up?
- Nothing.
- You go off to that room...
- A good job would help.
- You should never have left the abattoir
- It stinks, Da.
- You would have got used to it.
- They employ few enough Catholics.
- Crilly's a Catholic.
He's not my son.
Smoke your own.
- Do you think we ought to move?
- England?
It's rotten to the core.
I went aross the water
a few years ago.
Away from your mother.
Do you remember that?
Vaguely.
Cal.
Cal!
- Why didn't you waken me?
- I did.
- I'll take the van to Magheragall.
- You'll never make it.
Did you sleep alright, after that?
Once or twice.
At the turn of each tide,
He is there, at my side,
and his touch
is as gentle
as silence.
There've been times, when I've turned
from his presence
and I've walked other paths,
other ways.
But I called on his name
in the dark of my shame
and his mercy
was gentle as silence
- Go, the Mass has ended.
- Praise be to God.
He said we could have
it for next to nothing.
Says it's in the way.
We're doing him a favour.
Have ye a buyer in mind? Huh?
Ah Jesus, fuck!
Da!
- And it still stinks...
- Away you go.
- How are you getting on here?
- Oh fine.
Right well, best of luck
to you, Marcella.
That's Marcella Morton.
Lives out Magheragall Road.
You know, married to that police
fella got shot last year
- Do you need any firewood?
- How much?
50 quid.
- Is it dry?
- It'll dry if they're stacked.
- Oh they'd never fit the Rayburn.
- Could you split them?
- Oh aye, easy.
- You're very kind.
- I'll take the lot.
- I didn't mean I would do it.
I'll take them anyway.
Fuck off!
Fuck off!
- Who did that to you?
- I don't know.
- How many of them?
- Three.
Freakin' savages...
- What do you want?
- I've to split those logs over there.
- What's the name?
- Cal McCluskey.
McCluskey?
Does your dad work in the abattoir?
You're Shamie's boy?
If they were all like Shamie, there'd
be less trouble round here.
Hola.
Hello.
- Can I watch for a while?
- OK.
Hello.
I'm trying to tire that one out,
before she goes to bed.
- It's a nice evening.
- Oh yes.
- Did you get home alright the other day?
- Sorry?
With the groceries.
Oh yes, that's you.
Yes, I did, thanks very much again.
Yes. You know I was in a terrible
state that week.
It was my first week back at work.
Well. Well, I think I'd better
take her off to bed.
Nice to see you again.
Lucy?
Lucy, where are you?
Come in.
Come on.
Take those boots off ye.
That's dry work.
Aye. Aye, it is.
- Is this what you do?
- No, no, I'm out of work.
We'll be lifting spuds,
the day after next..
If you're interested in that.
- We start at 8:00.
- Great.
7:30 at the Post Office corner.
Terrific.
Thanks for the drink.
Excuse me, a minute.
Jesus, they'll sell no ice-cream
going at that speed.
- These sacks are never ending, are they?
- "Let them eat 'Smash'"!!
Lucy?
Are ye gonna sit there all day?
- Thank you.
- Thanks very much.
Thank you.
Wait behind.
Thank you.
All the best.
We're still short-handed.
Do you want a job?
You can start on Monday.
See Mr. Dunlop.
He'll fix you up.
Run, run!
Come on, Cal! Come on!
What are you and that fella
up to?
He wants to see you again.
- What the hell kept you?
- Nothing.
- It's on.
- Shit.
Don't sound so fucking keen.
- Is your Daddy in?
- Da, it's for you.
Ah, it's you, Crilly.
You didn't notice it had
gone until after 23:00.
If you do, I'll break your legs.
If I don't, someone else will.
- Jesus, do you wear stilts...
- This is yours.
- I don't want it.
- This time you'll hold it just in case.
- I'll only shoot myself.
- We'll not use it.
Go a bit faster.
That's it.
- Have you checked it out?
- Twice this week.
Keep that engine running.
- How d'you like me?
- Not a lot.
Come on, come on,
ya big bastard!
- Was it any good?
- What?
The fucking picture!
What happened to the women?
I made them lie on the floor - Jesus
Christ, I thought you'd killed them.
It was easy.
A cinch.
They were shaking in their fucking high-heeled
shoes. Couldn't get it in quick enough.
You should have heard her.
"Which side is it this time?"
I said: " D'ya think I'd be workign
for the other side?" Stupid bitch!
In ye go there boys.
- We're not going to the pub?
- No, we'll have a drink here.
I'd like you to meet my father, Cal.
This is the man I
told you so much about, Cal.
Sit down, Dad.
Daddy was telling a great story there
before you came in
about going through the barrier today.
You see the transistor's been fading...
Is it whiskey, Cal?
Some water?
And Daddy was on down to get batteries...
What about yourself, Daddy?
He got them outside the security gates
and this young Brit frisked him
"What's this?" says the Brit
Says Daddy, "Batteries", as cool as
you like. "On you go", says the Brit.
You could have a bomb up your coat
and they'd wave you on.
I'm a teacher, Cal.
I know the kind of boys
who join the army.
The idiots, the psychopaths...
The one class of people who
shouldn't be given a gun.
You know, Daddy, he can spin a
great yarn when he gets going
Do you remember the story dad about
Dev in O'Connell Street..? Sorry?
Yes of course you should.
You'll have to excuse me.
Very precise about bedtime.
The wit's off to his pit.
Well, Cal. Feel any
better after tonight?
No.
Not to act is to act.
By doing nothing,
you're keeping the Brits here.
Poor Padraig Pearse.
"My sons were faithful and
they refused to fight?"
This is not like 1916.
It wasn't like 1916 in 1916.
You're saying to yourself:
"Now he knows nothing about it."
I was in Derry the day the British
army murdered 13 of my countrymen.
Your countrymen.
They had us cowering behind a wall.
There was an old man lying in the open.
One of his shoes had come off.
Do you know this, Cal?
There was a hole in the heel of his sock.
Will that be recorded
in the history books?
I can hear him dying, Cal.
I can see his blood on the paving stones.
Then the priest came running with the
white hanky to give him the Last Rites.
And we are all Irishmen
living in our own country.
They were the trespassers.
Will we count this money?
Hey! McCluskey.
Come on, if you're coming.
You're lucky, you got that job.
- Not many of your sort.
- My sort?
Well, you know what I mean.
I haven't got anything
against Catholics, as such.
It's the religion I hate.
- It's yourself, Cyril.
- How're ya goin'?
I didn't recognise the car.
Alright, off ye go.
Oh, hello.
- Have I seen you here before?
- Yes.
Do you read much? It's part of our job,
you know, to encourage the public.
I know.
- What kind of things do you like to read?
- Oh I don't know.
- Lots of things.
- Well, like novels?
No.
I wish I was like you.
I could start all over again.
They're... they're playing
our tune.
Mrs. Morton?
My Da!
Has anyone seen my Da?
Thank God.
Thank God.
- I thought you were in the bedroom.
- Are you alright?
I'm ashamed...
ashamed.
Bastards...
So long as Cal is safe.
Keep trouble in the family.
You take my bed, Shamie.
This will do me.
I suppose a cup of tea wouldn't
go astray
- Are we insured?
- Not for years.
Not since your mother died.
I can't stay here.
Where would you go?
Did you tell anybody about my job?
- Crilly?
- No.
Well do me a favour.
Don't.
If anybody's looking for
me, just say I've gone.
- To England, maybe?
- Are you in any trouble?
I'll tell you some day.
OK?
I didn't expect to see you.
You heard then?
What happened?
We were burned out.
There are bad bastards on both sides.
Thanks.
- Well, are you coming?
- No, I'm staying with a mate tonight.
He'll pick me up -
the same in the morning.
Alright, suit yourself.
- In here.
- Where are you, you bastard?
Here!
Who are you?
- What are you doing here?
- I work here.
- Get him out! You lying Paddy. What are you doing here??
- Get him out!
Stand up.
Hold him there.
Hands up there Paddy...
- Oh but I know him.
- He says he works here Miss.
Yes, yes that's right, he does.
No, it's OK.
Yes, we know him.
Why didn't you tell us
you were burned out?
I have a good mind to
pay you off here and now.
The army says, we'll have to
get that place bricked up now.
A security risk.
All because of you.
Where will you go now?
He'll sleep on the couch in the front.
And what about tomorrow..?
Gran...
Now.
This is Marcella's idea.
The army can't object,
if we make you a tenant
- I'll charge you no rent.
- I'll pay.
If you paid, you could complain.
This way you have no legal rights.
- You go when I say you go.
- I'll pay in some way.
Oh, don't you worry.
I'll take it out of you in work.
Marcella has a day off tomorrow.
She'll look after you.
This reminds me of playing house
when I was little.
- Where was that?
- In Portstewart.
My parents ran the ice-cream parlour.
They're Italian you know.
- I went back there this summer with Lucy.
- Did you have a good time?
Oh, aye.
I had to get away.
Oh God...
these are Robert's things.
You heard what they did to my husband?
I'm sorry.
Did you lose everything?
Here, take these.
- Oh maybe you don't like wearing a dead man's...
- No. It's not that.
Take them and bring me your things.
I'll wash them. OK?
That iron is too hot.
Do you still fold shirts that way?
Yes.
Here. Here you are, all done.
They're still warm.
You've done a good job.
I had to get out of that house.
That coughing.
I would have made a terrible nurse.
Oh God help me.
It would have been better
if he'd died.
- Can I help?
- No.
I'm very callous you know.
I'm only crying for myself.
They're not my responsibility.
I just want to get out of there.
Why don't you?
I wish I could help.
I'm sorry.
Would you like a lift to Mass on Sunday?
- Yeah.
- OK.
- Well, how's the squatter?
- Me?
Who else?
Were you listening to the news?
They're at it again.
What a fucking country.
Sometimes, I think Hitler
had the right idea.
What's up?
Cal...
How's things?
I don't know whether I'm coming or going.
How long has thins been going on?
Since the house.
- Has he not been to a doctor?
- He says he's not sick.
Shamie.
Go to the doctor, it's free.
I know what he'll say.
"Snap out of it."
Tell him you're depressed.
Isn't everybody?
How is it at work?
I have no heart in it son.
Shamie, don't. Don't.
There was two men here looking for you.
One of them, that school teacher fella.
A very nice man.
Hey.
How have you been?
Not too bad.
- The blackberries have all gone.
- Yeah.
Oh, Mr. Morton has to go into
hospital - Belfast.
He's very bad.
She's going with him.
See you.
You...
are...
a good boy.
Early quitting.
You lock up.
"This is the property of Marcella
D'Agostino. 4a Portstewart Convent."
- Hello, Cal.
- Hello.
Hello, Cal.
Now I've got the house to myself
I'm going to have a treat.
Do you like eating Italian?
Why don't you come over, later?
About 8?
I'll shovel sausages and beans into
that one and I'll make you a real spaghetti
What a wonderful night
for a moondance.
Neath the... woah...
and the stars up above.
What a wonderful
night for a moondance...
I'll be right with you.
Can I set the table?
You don't think we're going
to eat in here do you?
Just bite it.
Let it fall.
Is that Robert's tie?
So is everything else.
- "Scaloppine di vitello".
- In the name of God!
- It's veal.
- Veal?
I know, isn't it awful of us.
Do you know what a vet does
when a calf is too big to be born?
Oh please, Cal, not now.
Here, have some more wine.
It's so nice to have you here without them
It makes me feel alive to entertain.
Any time.
You know I feel so isolated here...
only Robert's friends call.
- That's not my doing.
- What?
The photo.
His mother wanted it.
I've never even been to the grave.
Do you have many friends, Cal?
No.
- School was different.
- Oh yes, it's more intense.
We used to have this test:
"Would you die for him?"
Did you ever hear of Saint Maria Goretti?
Well, when she was twelve,
this man threatened to kill her
if she wouldn't let him rape her.
So she was stabbed to death.
The most incredible part
was that at her canonization,
the man who killed her, took
communion with her own mother
I found that amazing
To have that amount
of forgiveness in you...
Ah, we used to cry at that.
We thought the mother should
have been made the saint.
No. No, Cal.
- No, we can't.
- Why not?
Oh, be sensible!
They cut them up with cheese wire.
The vet puts cheese wire inside the cow
and cuts them up.
Before they're born.
They get born in bits.
- You should know things like that.
- You're being childish.
Please, Cal.
Be my friend.
Don't be miserable.
Cal...
I'm sorry.
I feel bad about hurting you the
other night. Do you forgive me?
Look what I brought to warm us up.
We can make some punch.
Look, I've even brought cloves.
Can I come in?
Yeah.
I'm glad you put me out.
Why?
Because we have this now.
Yes.
Would you die for me?
Fuck!
Marcella...
Marcella...
Go! Go!
Go like fuck!
Burn, ya bastard, burn.
Come on, come on!
Come on!
Dance. Be seen.
Was it alright?
Eventually.
Were you in love with him?
With Robert?
- Once upon a time.
- And you went on living with him?
For God's sake, I'm still
living with his family.
Did you even like him?
No. Eventually, no.
Not much.
He told lies, Cal.
All the time.
Oh he was nice sometimes.
Once we'd had a terrible row
and he ran out into the garden and
brought me back a big bunch of dandelions
And then sometimes...
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
- Hello? Hello?
- Yes?
- I'd like to buy some perfume please.
- Well, there are these ones, or these ones.
- What's this like?
- They're all lovely.
I'll take it.
- How much is it?
- 3,99.
Grand. Oh I need something for my father.
Aftershave.
These ones up here,
or this one, at five pounds.
- I'll take it.
- That'll be 8,99.
- I suppose you want it wrapped?
- No, no not at all.
Thank you.
Thank you.
- Merry Christmas
- Merry Christmas
And then, after this,
comes the judgement,
just as Christ was offered once
to take away the sins of man
Whereas a death has taken place
for redemption
For transgressions committed
under the former covenant
And they who have been called may
receive eternal inheritance
according to the promise.
For a testament is valid only
when men are dead!
8,60, please.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Well, well.
Look what the cat's dragged in.
What the hell are you doing here?
I'm not as stupid as I look.
Jesus!
- Skeffington would like a word.
- I'm not interested.
- Why a bookshop?
- Why not?
We've been looking all over for you.
I have to see my Da first.
- Did nobody tell you?
- What?
Ah Jesus...
They took Shamie away.
He's in the asylum.
- What?
- I know, it's rough.
Did you hear about Skeffington's father?
He got knocked down by a car.
The bastard was only sixteen.
Fractured his skull and
broke both his legs.
Where's Shamie?
In Derry, I think.
Anyway, Skeffington said he wanted
an example made of this guy.
I never done a kneecapping before.
But I says, I'll have a go.
Says he: "I want to
see this one for myself.
I don't want this bastard to walk again."
Get the captive bolt
from the abattoir.
Wallop! Wallop!
Both knees.
And your wee man's on the ground,
squealing like a stuck pig.
With old Skeffington sitting on his head.
Stupid.
They'll trace it.
Jesus.
- How did it go?
- Easy, a cinch.
Out the Plantation Road.
We share a problem, Cal.
Our fathers.
Why didn't you let us know
where you were?
I want out.
I was just telling him about your friend.
I was just trying to put him in the mood.
Anyway, it was your idea to use the
cattle gun - they'll trace it.
It's unlikely.
Cal is no longer on our side.
Where are you staying?
So as we can keep in touch.
- The price of getting out is staying in?
- Cal, think of issues, not people.
- And if I say no?
- This is not a game we're playing, son...
Ah Jesus, the Brits!
Take it easy.
Don't panic.
Is this your own car?
Could I see your licence, sir?
Where are you coming from?
Just the town.
To visit friends.
- Where?
- Cookstown.
- Run for it.
- Are you mad?
We're dead if they search us
- Go!
- No.
- Go!
- No, no, you fool!
Christ, this one's a goner.
Just you wait, McCluskey!
Bastard!
You're not going to get out of this one!
- What is it? What's happened?
- It doesn't matter.
Oh, you're hurt.
- Look...
- Will you come? Come inside, Cal.
No, I have to go.
Are you in trouble?
This is for Lucy.
I'm sorry about the paper.
I had something for you,
but it got lost.
And there's something else.
I would die for you.
Remember you asked me if I'd ever
done anything really bad?
Well, I have.
A while ago.
- A year ago.
- No.
Don't.
I want to tell you.
But I can't.
Remember that.
Remember that.
We're here to make an arrest,
Mrs. Morton.
He was our mate, ya bastard.
from the RUC to say that there's been
an accident on the M1 at
the Moira roundabout where
an articulated lorry is blocking
two lanes in a south-bound direction.
It's hoped that everything will
be cleared up within the next hour.
Broadcasting to the greater Belfast area
on 1026AM and 96...
Marcella...
Marcella...
"The wages of sin is death"
Crilly!
Hey, Crilly!
Hi, Cal.
What about ya?
Is me Da about?
Seamie! Seamie!
Cal's here.
Any fags, Da? Any fags?
15 Thanks Da. See ya.
- Hi, Cal.
- Hello, Artie.
What are you doing with yourself
this weather?
- Fuck all.
- I see they're looking for brain surgeons.
- Any experience needed?
- Nah.
Come on, it's freezing.
Bollocks.
Do you know her?
No.
That other one was powerful,
Powerful altogether.
There's nothing like
a good mystery.
- How are you getting on here?
- Oh, it's fine.
Well, it takes some getting used to anyway.
Aye.
Well, the best of luck to you, Marcella.
- Looks like rain.
- Ah, Cal. Aye, it does a bit.
- Is she new in there?
- Ah, that's Marcella Morton.
Lives out Magheragall Road. You
know that police fella got shot last year.
No luck with a mixed marriage.
She's one of ours you know.
I'll see ya.
Are you going - Aye, I may
as well, follow the geriatrics.
Here, our friendly village idiot
Whisht
- Last Saturday in August.
- Bloody bigots.
Would ya look at that Cyril Dunlop?
In every parade ever there was
No Protestant git's going
to drive me out
They'll have to kill me first.
- Da!
- Waste not, want not
- It makes the milk taste funny.
- Your arse.
- How are you getting on here?
- Oh it's fine.
- It'll take a bit of getting used to.
- Oh, it will.
The best of luck to you anyway, Marcella.
McCluskey!
Thank you, Mr. McCluskey.
Isn't it McCluskey?
Yeah.
- Jesus, Cal, where were you?
- Out.
You sit in that bloody room of your all summer,
the day it rains you decide to go out for a walk.
Your dinner's ruined.
Why didn't you put on the spuds before
you went out? You've bugger all else to do.
Crilly wants to see you.
- Can I have the van?
- I suppose.
I don't like you knocking about with him.
It sticks in my throat he got your job.
You and your weak stomach...
Ah, what about your dinner?
- What about ye?
- Hi.
- (in Irish Gaelic) May God be with you
- Hello.
And how are you, Cal?
- OK.
- Good.
And your father?
- Fine.
- Good, good, good.
I suppose you heard a couple of
our volunteers were lifted last night.
We're losing too many good people.
That's why we wanted to see you.
We need a driver.
Cal, you're very quiet.
Anything wrong?
- I want out.
- You're not even fucking in.
Oh that word again.
I'm far enough in to want out.
I've no stomach for it.
It makes things very awkward.
If it's only for funds, just once.
- Then get somebody else.
- Attaboy, Cal.
Good man.
- Can I see your bag, please?
- Over here sir, please.
- I hope you're not superstitious.
- Oh, that's too bad.
Thanks very much.
Oh, let me.
Where to?
It's just down here.
Thank you.
- Do you play the guitar?
- Sorry?
Long nails.
Well, on the one hand they're long
and on the other hand, they're not.
It's just here.
Thanks very much.
You work in the library?
Yes.
It must be nice and warm,
working inside.
Bye now.
We're gonna burn you out, McCluskey!
"Get out you Catholic scum or
we'll burn you out. UVF"
Shamie.
Hey, Shamie.
Bastards.
Good oul' Crilly
I don't like him, mind...
- Will we fill the bath?
- Aye, just in case.
Don't put the blanket in.
It's a bugger to dry.
If this goes on,
I'm getting a bloody fire extinguisher.
Cal?
The door is locked?
Whispering in our own house...
Here, put this on you.
You'll freeze.
The lining's cold.
You're very quiet these days, Cal.
What's up?
- Nothing.
- You go off to that room...
- A good job would help.
- You should never have left the abattoir
- It stinks, Da.
- You would have got used to it.
- They employ few enough Catholics.
- Crilly's a Catholic.
He's not my son.
Smoke your own.
- Do you think we ought to move?
- England?
It's rotten to the core.
I went aross the water
a few years ago.
Away from your mother.
Do you remember that?
Vaguely.
Cal.
Cal!
- Why didn't you waken me?
- I did.
- I'll take the van to Magheragall.
- You'll never make it.
Did you sleep alright, after that?
Once or twice.
At the turn of each tide,
He is there, at my side,
and his touch
is as gentle
as silence.
There've been times, when I've turned
from his presence
and I've walked other paths,
other ways.
But I called on his name
in the dark of my shame
and his mercy
was gentle as silence
- Go, the Mass has ended.
- Praise be to God.
He said we could have
it for next to nothing.
Says it's in the way.
We're doing him a favour.
Have ye a buyer in mind? Huh?
Ah Jesus, fuck!
Da!
- And it still stinks...
- Away you go.
- How are you getting on here?
- Oh fine.
Right well, best of luck
to you, Marcella.
That's Marcella Morton.
Lives out Magheragall Road.
You know, married to that police
fella got shot last year
- Do you need any firewood?
- How much?
50 quid.
- Is it dry?
- It'll dry if they're stacked.
- Oh they'd never fit the Rayburn.
- Could you split them?
- Oh aye, easy.
- You're very kind.
- I'll take the lot.
- I didn't mean I would do it.
I'll take them anyway.
Fuck off!
Fuck off!
- Who did that to you?
- I don't know.
- How many of them?
- Three.
Freakin' savages...
- What do you want?
- I've to split those logs over there.
- What's the name?
- Cal McCluskey.
McCluskey?
Does your dad work in the abattoir?
You're Shamie's boy?
If they were all like Shamie, there'd
be less trouble round here.
Hola.
Hello.
- Can I watch for a while?
- OK.
Hello.
I'm trying to tire that one out,
before she goes to bed.
- It's a nice evening.
- Oh yes.
- Did you get home alright the other day?
- Sorry?
With the groceries.
Oh yes, that's you.
Yes, I did, thanks very much again.
Yes. You know I was in a terrible
state that week.
It was my first week back at work.
Well. Well, I think I'd better
take her off to bed.
Nice to see you again.
Lucy?
Lucy, where are you?
Come in.
Come on.
Take those boots off ye.
That's dry work.
Aye. Aye, it is.
- Is this what you do?
- No, no, I'm out of work.
We'll be lifting spuds,
the day after next..
If you're interested in that.
- We start at 8:00.
- Great.
7:30 at the Post Office corner.
Terrific.
Thanks for the drink.
Excuse me, a minute.
Jesus, they'll sell no ice-cream
going at that speed.
- These sacks are never ending, are they?
- "Let them eat 'Smash'"!!
Lucy?
Are ye gonna sit there all day?
- Thank you.
- Thanks very much.
Thank you.
Wait behind.
Thank you.
All the best.
We're still short-handed.
Do you want a job?
You can start on Monday.
See Mr. Dunlop.
He'll fix you up.
Run, run!
Come on, Cal! Come on!
What are you and that fella
up to?
He wants to see you again.
- What the hell kept you?
- Nothing.
- It's on.
- Shit.
Don't sound so fucking keen.
- Is your Daddy in?
- Da, it's for you.
Ah, it's you, Crilly.
You didn't notice it had
gone until after 23:00.
If you do, I'll break your legs.
If I don't, someone else will.
- Jesus, do you wear stilts...
- This is yours.
- I don't want it.
- This time you'll hold it just in case.
- I'll only shoot myself.
- We'll not use it.
Go a bit faster.
That's it.
- Have you checked it out?
- Twice this week.
Keep that engine running.
- How d'you like me?
- Not a lot.
Come on, come on,
ya big bastard!
- Was it any good?
- What?
The fucking picture!
What happened to the women?
I made them lie on the floor - Jesus
Christ, I thought you'd killed them.
It was easy.
A cinch.
They were shaking in their fucking high-heeled
shoes. Couldn't get it in quick enough.
You should have heard her.
"Which side is it this time?"
I said: " D'ya think I'd be workign
for the other side?" Stupid bitch!
In ye go there boys.
- We're not going to the pub?
- No, we'll have a drink here.
I'd like you to meet my father, Cal.
This is the man I
told you so much about, Cal.
Sit down, Dad.
Daddy was telling a great story there
before you came in
about going through the barrier today.
You see the transistor's been fading...
Is it whiskey, Cal?
Some water?
And Daddy was on down to get batteries...
What about yourself, Daddy?
He got them outside the security gates
and this young Brit frisked him
"What's this?" says the Brit
Says Daddy, "Batteries", as cool as
you like. "On you go", says the Brit.
You could have a bomb up your coat
and they'd wave you on.
I'm a teacher, Cal.
I know the kind of boys
who join the army.
The idiots, the psychopaths...
The one class of people who
shouldn't be given a gun.
You know, Daddy, he can spin a
great yarn when he gets going
Do you remember the story dad about
Dev in O'Connell Street..? Sorry?
Yes of course you should.
You'll have to excuse me.
Very precise about bedtime.
The wit's off to his pit.
Well, Cal. Feel any
better after tonight?
No.
Not to act is to act.
By doing nothing,
you're keeping the Brits here.
Poor Padraig Pearse.
"My sons were faithful and
they refused to fight?"
This is not like 1916.
It wasn't like 1916 in 1916.
You're saying to yourself:
"Now he knows nothing about it."
I was in Derry the day the British
army murdered 13 of my countrymen.
Your countrymen.
They had us cowering behind a wall.
There was an old man lying in the open.
One of his shoes had come off.
Do you know this, Cal?
There was a hole in the heel of his sock.
Will that be recorded
in the history books?
I can hear him dying, Cal.
I can see his blood on the paving stones.
Then the priest came running with the
white hanky to give him the Last Rites.
And we are all Irishmen
living in our own country.
They were the trespassers.
Will we count this money?
Hey! McCluskey.
Come on, if you're coming.
You're lucky, you got that job.
- Not many of your sort.
- My sort?
Well, you know what I mean.
I haven't got anything
against Catholics, as such.
It's the religion I hate.
- It's yourself, Cyril.
- How're ya goin'?
I didn't recognise the car.
Alright, off ye go.
Oh, hello.
- Have I seen you here before?
- Yes.
Do you read much? It's part of our job,
you know, to encourage the public.
I know.
- What kind of things do you like to read?
- Oh I don't know.
- Lots of things.
- Well, like novels?
No.
I wish I was like you.
I could start all over again.
They're... they're playing
our tune.
Mrs. Morton?
My Da!
Has anyone seen my Da?
Thank God.
Thank God.
- I thought you were in the bedroom.
- Are you alright?
I'm ashamed...
ashamed.
Bastards...
So long as Cal is safe.
Keep trouble in the family.
You take my bed, Shamie.
This will do me.
I suppose a cup of tea wouldn't
go astray
- Are we insured?
- Not for years.
Not since your mother died.
I can't stay here.
Where would you go?
Did you tell anybody about my job?
- Crilly?
- No.
Well do me a favour.
Don't.
If anybody's looking for
me, just say I've gone.
- To England, maybe?
- Are you in any trouble?
I'll tell you some day.
OK?
I didn't expect to see you.
You heard then?
What happened?
We were burned out.
There are bad bastards on both sides.
Thanks.
- Well, are you coming?
- No, I'm staying with a mate tonight.
He'll pick me up -
the same in the morning.
Alright, suit yourself.
- In here.
- Where are you, you bastard?
Here!
Who are you?
- What are you doing here?
- I work here.
- Get him out! You lying Paddy. What are you doing here??
- Get him out!
Stand up.
Hold him there.
Hands up there Paddy...
- Oh but I know him.
- He says he works here Miss.
Yes, yes that's right, he does.
No, it's OK.
Yes, we know him.
Why didn't you tell us
you were burned out?
I have a good mind to
pay you off here and now.
The army says, we'll have to
get that place bricked up now.
A security risk.
All because of you.
Where will you go now?
He'll sleep on the couch in the front.
And what about tomorrow..?
Gran...
Now.
This is Marcella's idea.
The army can't object,
if we make you a tenant
- I'll charge you no rent.
- I'll pay.
If you paid, you could complain.
This way you have no legal rights.
- You go when I say you go.
- I'll pay in some way.
Oh, don't you worry.
I'll take it out of you in work.
Marcella has a day off tomorrow.
She'll look after you.
This reminds me of playing house
when I was little.
- Where was that?
- In Portstewart.
My parents ran the ice-cream parlour.
They're Italian you know.
- I went back there this summer with Lucy.
- Did you have a good time?
Oh, aye.
I had to get away.
Oh God...
these are Robert's things.
You heard what they did to my husband?
I'm sorry.
Did you lose everything?
Here, take these.
- Oh maybe you don't like wearing a dead man's...
- No. It's not that.
Take them and bring me your things.
I'll wash them. OK?
That iron is too hot.
Do you still fold shirts that way?
Yes.
Here. Here you are, all done.
They're still warm.
You've done a good job.
I had to get out of that house.
That coughing.
I would have made a terrible nurse.
Oh God help me.
It would have been better
if he'd died.
- Can I help?
- No.
I'm very callous you know.
I'm only crying for myself.
They're not my responsibility.
I just want to get out of there.
Why don't you?
I wish I could help.
I'm sorry.
Would you like a lift to Mass on Sunday?
- Yeah.
- OK.
- Well, how's the squatter?
- Me?
Who else?
Were you listening to the news?
They're at it again.
What a fucking country.
Sometimes, I think Hitler
had the right idea.
What's up?
Cal...
How's things?
I don't know whether I'm coming or going.
How long has thins been going on?
Since the house.
- Has he not been to a doctor?
- He says he's not sick.
Shamie.
Go to the doctor, it's free.
I know what he'll say.
"Snap out of it."
Tell him you're depressed.
Isn't everybody?
How is it at work?
I have no heart in it son.
Shamie, don't. Don't.
There was two men here looking for you.
One of them, that school teacher fella.
A very nice man.
Hey.
How have you been?
Not too bad.
- The blackberries have all gone.
- Yeah.
Oh, Mr. Morton has to go into
hospital - Belfast.
He's very bad.
She's going with him.
See you.
You...
are...
a good boy.
Early quitting.
You lock up.
"This is the property of Marcella
D'Agostino. 4a Portstewart Convent."
- Hello, Cal.
- Hello.
Hello, Cal.
Now I've got the house to myself
I'm going to have a treat.
Do you like eating Italian?
Why don't you come over, later?
About 8?
I'll shovel sausages and beans into
that one and I'll make you a real spaghetti
What a wonderful night
for a moondance.
Neath the... woah...
and the stars up above.
What a wonderful
night for a moondance...
I'll be right with you.
Can I set the table?
You don't think we're going
to eat in here do you?
Just bite it.
Let it fall.
Is that Robert's tie?
So is everything else.
- "Scaloppine di vitello".
- In the name of God!
- It's veal.
- Veal?
I know, isn't it awful of us.
Do you know what a vet does
when a calf is too big to be born?
Oh please, Cal, not now.
Here, have some more wine.
It's so nice to have you here without them
It makes me feel alive to entertain.
Any time.
You know I feel so isolated here...
only Robert's friends call.
- That's not my doing.
- What?
The photo.
His mother wanted it.
I've never even been to the grave.
Do you have many friends, Cal?
No.
- School was different.
- Oh yes, it's more intense.
We used to have this test:
"Would you die for him?"
Did you ever hear of Saint Maria Goretti?
Well, when she was twelve,
this man threatened to kill her
if she wouldn't let him rape her.
So she was stabbed to death.
The most incredible part
was that at her canonization,
the man who killed her, took
communion with her own mother
I found that amazing
To have that amount
of forgiveness in you...
Ah, we used to cry at that.
We thought the mother should
have been made the saint.
No. No, Cal.
- No, we can't.
- Why not?
Oh, be sensible!
They cut them up with cheese wire.
The vet puts cheese wire inside the cow
and cuts them up.
Before they're born.
They get born in bits.
- You should know things like that.
- You're being childish.
Please, Cal.
Be my friend.
Don't be miserable.
Cal...
I'm sorry.
I feel bad about hurting you the
other night. Do you forgive me?
Look what I brought to warm us up.
We can make some punch.
Look, I've even brought cloves.
Can I come in?
Yeah.
I'm glad you put me out.
Why?
Because we have this now.
Yes.
Would you die for me?
Fuck!
Marcella...
Marcella...
Go! Go!
Go like fuck!
Burn, ya bastard, burn.
Come on, come on!
Come on!
Dance. Be seen.
Was it alright?
Eventually.
Were you in love with him?
With Robert?
- Once upon a time.
- And you went on living with him?
For God's sake, I'm still
living with his family.
Did you even like him?
No. Eventually, no.
Not much.
He told lies, Cal.
All the time.
Oh he was nice sometimes.
Once we'd had a terrible row
and he ran out into the garden and
brought me back a big bunch of dandelions
And then sometimes...
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
- Hello? Hello?
- Yes?
- I'd like to buy some perfume please.
- Well, there are these ones, or these ones.
- What's this like?
- They're all lovely.
I'll take it.
- How much is it?
- 3,99.
Grand. Oh I need something for my father.
Aftershave.
These ones up here,
or this one, at five pounds.
- I'll take it.
- That'll be 8,99.
- I suppose you want it wrapped?
- No, no not at all.
Thank you.
Thank you.
- Merry Christmas
- Merry Christmas
And then, after this,
comes the judgement,
just as Christ was offered once
to take away the sins of man
Whereas a death has taken place
for redemption
For transgressions committed
under the former covenant
And they who have been called may
receive eternal inheritance
according to the promise.
For a testament is valid only
when men are dead!
8,60, please.
Thank you.
Thanks.
Well, well.
Look what the cat's dragged in.
What the hell are you doing here?
I'm not as stupid as I look.
Jesus!
- Skeffington would like a word.
- I'm not interested.
- Why a bookshop?
- Why not?
We've been looking all over for you.
I have to see my Da first.
- Did nobody tell you?
- What?
Ah Jesus...
They took Shamie away.
He's in the asylum.
- What?
- I know, it's rough.
Did you hear about Skeffington's father?
He got knocked down by a car.
The bastard was only sixteen.
Fractured his skull and
broke both his legs.
Where's Shamie?
In Derry, I think.
Anyway, Skeffington said he wanted
an example made of this guy.
I never done a kneecapping before.
But I says, I'll have a go.
Says he: "I want to
see this one for myself.
I don't want this bastard to walk again."
Get the captive bolt
from the abattoir.
Wallop! Wallop!
Both knees.
And your wee man's on the ground,
squealing like a stuck pig.
With old Skeffington sitting on his head.
Stupid.
They'll trace it.
Jesus.
- How did it go?
- Easy, a cinch.
Out the Plantation Road.
We share a problem, Cal.
Our fathers.
Why didn't you let us know
where you were?
I want out.
I was just telling him about your friend.
I was just trying to put him in the mood.
Anyway, it was your idea to use the
cattle gun - they'll trace it.
It's unlikely.
Cal is no longer on our side.
Where are you staying?
So as we can keep in touch.
- The price of getting out is staying in?
- Cal, think of issues, not people.
- And if I say no?
- This is not a game we're playing, son...
Ah Jesus, the Brits!
Take it easy.
Don't panic.
Is this your own car?
Could I see your licence, sir?
Where are you coming from?
Just the town.
To visit friends.
- Where?
- Cookstown.
- Run for it.
- Are you mad?
We're dead if they search us
- Go!
- No.
- Go!
- No, no, you fool!
Christ, this one's a goner.
Just you wait, McCluskey!
Bastard!
You're not going to get out of this one!
- What is it? What's happened?
- It doesn't matter.
Oh, you're hurt.
- Look...
- Will you come? Come inside, Cal.
No, I have to go.
Are you in trouble?
This is for Lucy.
I'm sorry about the paper.
I had something for you,
but it got lost.
And there's something else.
I would die for you.
Remember you asked me if I'd ever
done anything really bad?
Well, I have.
A while ago.
- A year ago.
- No.
Don't.
I want to tell you.
But I can't.
Remember that.
Remember that.
We're here to make an arrest,
Mrs. Morton.
He was our mate, ya bastard.