An Encounter

EXT. DIRT ROAD LEADING TO A COVERED BRIDGE, DUBLIN - MORNING

For a moment, the bridge stands undisturbed, bathed in the brilliant serenity of sunshine in the morning. It is nature at its finest, with the white noise of hidden animals and a soft wind sneaking through the brush.

CIARAN, 8-10 years old, with dirty blonde hair, runs to the foot of the bridge. He is dressed in a Catholic school uniform, and carrying schoolbooks, bound together with a rope. When he stops, he leans over, hands on his knees, to catch his breathe. He looks around to see if he’s been followed, and smirks when he realizes that he’s safe and alone.

Ciaran congratulates himself inwardly for his clever get away, and looks around for somewhere to leave his books. He settles on a bush, and obscures the bound volumes from sight. Ciaran then untucks his shirt, and loosens his collar.

Ciaran waits for a moment with nervous glances in any direction, then begins pacing, clearly trying to spot something. He checks his watch at some point as well.

After having looked in all directions, Ciaran takes a seat at the foot of the bridge. He checks his watch again, and looks around, nervous and bored. To occupy the time, he picks at his shoes and throws rocks.

When Ciaran seems to have relinquished all hope and stands up to leave, MAHONEY walks on casually. He is the same age as Ciaran, but taller and lankier, with dark hair and blue eyes. He is also dressed in his school uniform, but wears a cap with a silver cricket pin. He waves to Ciaran.

CIARAN
There ya are! I been waitin’ forever for ya!

MAHONEY
Forever? It’s only three after, Ciaran. That’s the shortest I ever heard of forever bein’.

Mahoney looks around.

MAHONEY (CONT’D)
Where’s Leo?

CIARAN
Don’t know. He hasn’t shown up yet.

MAHONEY
Should we wait for him then?

CIARAN
Yeah.

Ciaran and Mahoney both sit down at the foot of the bridge. Mahoney pulls a sling shot out of his back pocket before sitting fully.

CIARAN (CONT’D)
You brought your catapult?

MAHONEY
Aye. I tightened up the slinger last night. Should be shootin’ a lot harder now. And with better aim.

Mahoney picks a rock up off the ground and loads it into his slingshot. He turns towards Ciaran, with his arm cocked, ready to shoot.

CIARAN
Hey! Knock it off!

MAHONEY
Relax. Move your head, it’s gonna drop across the water.

Ciaran moves his head away, and Mahoney shoots a rock out of the slingshot. It plops in the water.

MAHONEY (CONT’D)
Could still use a little work.

CIARAN
Why’d you bring that thing, anyway?

MAHONEY
This? I don’t know. Figured I could blast a bird or two, maybe even once we’re at the Pigeon House. Besides, we need some protection if the Bunsen Burner comes at us for skippin’ out on classes.

CIARAN
You realize we’ll be whipped if Father Bunsen ever catches us.

MAHONEY
That’s why I brought the catapult.
(beat)
Still no sign of Leo, eh?

CIARAN
Nope. Fatty’s either eatin’ up his breakfast still, or else he chickened out. I’ll even bet his sixpence that he did.

MAHONEY
What are we gonna do then?

CIARAN
Let’s go.
Ciaran walks onto the bridge.

MAHONEY
You’re gonna keep his money?

CIARAN
Well it looks like I just won the bet! It’s forfeit now. We’ll buy ourselves a chocolate.

Ciaran turns and continues across the bridge. Mahoney follows.

FADE TO BLACK.

WHITE TEXT ON BLACK SCREEN-“AN ENCOUNTER”

FADE IN:

EXT. DUBLIN STREETS - MORNING
Ciaran and Murphy exit from the covered bridge and turn down the first street they find. A sign reading “Vitriol Works” hangs in front of one of the buildings; everything else looks to be storage or unmarked factories. The sound of children playing is heard in the distance. Ciaran looks around in amazement at everything he sees. Mahoney walks along casually.

MAHONEY
Ya hear that up ahead? Maybe we should play the Indians.

CIARAN
I’m not sure, I-

MAHONEY
Leo would’ve done it. Besides, I’ve got the catapult.

Mahoney beats his palm against his mouth, making stereotypical “Indian” noises. He darts around the corner with his slingshot in his hand.

Mahoney turns the corner, and comes out on Wharf Road; this road has more store fronts than the last, and seems to be more of a Main Street. The streets are mostly vacant, but for several GIRLS playing a game on the sidewalk. They wear ragged dresses, and play with dirty dolls while shop owners open up their shops.

Mahoney runs at the girls, brandishing his slingshot.

MAHONEY (CONT’D)
Come on, ya filthy white varmints! Ya never seen an Indian brave before?

After chasing the girls for a bit, Mahoney loses them behind an empty fruit and vegetable stand. The girls duck under and behind the stand, and Mahoney is unable to stop his momentum until he passes them.

CIARAN
I don’t think you’re an Indian, Mahoney.

More screams are heard from Mahoney and the girls as Ciaran looks on.

CIARAN (CONT’D)
Ya haven’t got the red skin.

One of the girls defends herself, backed up towards a store front, with a few wooden fruit stands between her and Mahoney. They both stutter step, trying to fake the other one out to lead him or her in the opposite direction. Mahoney does his Indian battle cry again.

CIARAN (CONT’D)
Mahoney!

As Ciaran calls Mahoney’s name, a rock comes from behind and hits Mahoney in the head. He turns around to face his attacker, and the girl escapes.

Two BOYS of about 6 or 7 years of age stand across the street, throwing rocks. Their clothes are like rags, and they wear caps. Still, there is a certain air of confidence and chivalry about them.

BOY 1
Pick on some one your own size, ya Swaddler scum!

BOY 2
Ya jerks! Ya Protestants!

MAHONEY
Knock it off, would ya? I wasn’t actually gonna hurt ‘em. Quit throwin’ rocks!

The boys do not listen to Mahoney. He tries to avoid the rocks, but can only do so much.

MAHONEY (CONT’D)
I’m twice your size, ya brats! I could beat ya both up, at the same time!

BOY 2
Get out of the country! Da says that ya don’t belong here anyway!

BOY 1
We’re doin’ this for Ireland, ya swaddler. And for the girls!

MAHONEY
Ciaran, let’s get out of here.

Ciaran and Mahoney run away around a corner.

CIARAN
Ya could have used your catapult!

MAHONEY
I didn’t want to hurt ‘em!

CIARAN
Why’d ya bring it, then?

MAHONEY
I told you! For the Pigeon House. Or for Father Bunsen. But only if I hafta!

The boys keep moving for a bit. Ciaran notices Mahoney wiping tears out of his face.

CIARAN
What’s the matter?

MAHONEY
Grand da was a cricket player. That’s where I got the pin, ya see? Right there on my cap. But it don’t mean I’m a Protestant.

CIARAN
Hey-you want to run a siege? Maybe get ‘em back a bit. Like the Wild West!

MAHONEY
Ah, but we can’t. Ya need three people for a siege. Leo only pulls it off because he has his big brother’s help, that’s why it’s only two of ‘em. We could never do it on our own. Besides, I’d feel bad pickin’ on a kid that’s half my size.

Ciaran chuckles softly.

CIARAN
Alright. Let’s keep goin’.

EXT. STREETS OF DUBLIN - DAY

Ciaran and Mahoney walk with fascination through the streets. The entire area is unfamiliar but exciting to them. WE SEE:
--Various store fronts opening, bustling with commerce.
--A homeless man, shaking a cup and asking for change. Mahoney and Ciaran quickly move away, frightened.
--Ciaran reaches into his pocket and looks regretfully at the money that he is hoarding, specifically the sixpence that Leo had given him that is now considered extra. Ciaran separates the money into three piles of sixpence in his hand and looks back at the homeless man.
--Mahoney, meanwhile, spies a cat, and begins to chase it down an alley with his slingshot.
--After a moment of hesitation, Ciaran follows Mahoney down the alley.
--Mahoney loses the cat near the docks, and the boys continue their journey.
--As they walk past the docks, fisherman and cranes load and unload boats full of fish and supplies.
--Mahoney picks a stick up and drags it across a fence, clicking obnoxiously.
--The boys come upon a store front.

EXT. GENERAL STORE FRONT - DAY
Mahoney and Ciaran stop in front of a general store.

CIARAN
Mahoney, how ya holdin’ up?

MAHONEY
I’m alright. I heard my belly groan a bit, but I can keep on movin’ if ya’d like.

CIARAN
I’ve a bit of a hunger on me. What say we stop and get some food while we’re here?

MAHONEY
Sounds grand.

INT. GENERAL STORE - DAY
Ciaran and Mahoney cruise the aisles of the store, looking for things to eat. They look through several aisles before quickly settling on a chocolate bars and biscuits.

MAHONEY
Do we have enough?

CIARAN
Yeah. And what with Leo’s extra pence, we can stand to get a little more!

Ciaran adds two more biscuits to their pull.

MAHONEY
But I wanted more chocolate.

CIARAN
Sorry, but we haven’t got that much extra money.

MAHONEY
But you grabbed two more biscuits! I don’t want a biscuit, I want a chocolate.

Reluctantly, Ciaran puts a biscuit back.

CIARAN
Fine, take your chocolate, but let’s get movin’. We have to home by 4:00, or else our Mums will know we’re skippin’ class.

The boys leave the aisle and walk over to the cashier to pay. While Ciaran hands his money over the counter, Mahoney is distracted by the magazine rack nearby.

MAHONEY
Ciaran, do ya see this? They’ve got those books here, the one’s that Leo always talks about! The Halfpenny Marvel, and the Union Jack!

Ciaran does not respond, as he is in the midst of a transaction.

MAHONEY (CONT’D)
Ciaran, did ya hear me, Ciaran? They’ve got the Wild West ones!

Ciaran takes his change and the food from the cashier and joins Mahoney at the magazine rack.

CIARAN
I heard ya, Mahoney. C’mon.

MAHONEY
Well, we should get some, don’t ya think? Bring it back for Leo, you know, so he don’t forfeit his sixpence entirely.

CIARAN
But I already spent the money, to get your stupid chocolate. Besides...

Ciaran notices copies of Black Mask, Boys of New York, New York Weekly, the Fireside Companion and Ten Cent Irish Novels. He goes over to the rack, picks up a copy of Black Mask, and starts to skim through it.

CIARAN (CONT’D)
...these are where the real stories are.

MAHONEY
The Black Mask? Never heard of ‘em.

CIARAN
Yeah, ya wouldn’t have. There aren’t Indians in these ones.

MAHONEY
Then what do all the cowboys do?

CIARAN
There ain’t cowboys, either. Now come on, let’s find a place to eat.

Ciaran leads the way out of the store, with Mahoney following, confused by the exchange.

EXT. DUBLIN DOCKS - DAY
After exiting the store, Ciaran and Mahoney walk down to the docks. They find a quiet pier, and sit down to eat their biscuits and chocolate. They have barely begun to eat their food when the rest of the laborers on the docks take their lunch breaks as well and invade in the pier on which they sit. Ciaran and Mahoney are clearly nervous and uncertain about this. A few sailors sit down next to them, puzzled by the presence of the children in day time.

SAILOR 1
Whatcha got there?

MAHONEY
Chocolate and biscuits.

SAILOR 2
Chocolate and biscuits? That’s not a fittin’ breakfast for a boy like ya. Did yer mother pack it?

CIARAN
She did.

SAILOR 1
She did, did she? And then she sent ya out to the docks to eat it, huh?

CIARAN
Yes, sir.

The Sailors laugh together. Ciaran and Mahoney shift with discomfort and silently continue eating their food.

SAILOR 1
It’s alright, boys. We won’t tell yer mothers that yer skippin’ school.

The Sailors laugh again, and then continue with their regularly lunch time conversation (ad lib).

A glance is exchanged between Ciaran and Mahoney as they finish up their lunches. Following a large bite of his biscuit, Mahoney suddenly looks up, eyes wide, and chews his food faster in an attempt to get it down.

CIARAN
What is it?

Mahoney mumbles an unintelligible response with his mouth shut, still chewing. Ciaran laughs. Beat. Mahoney swallows his food hard, and finally answers.

MAHONEY
It’s that cat, from before!

The cat that Mahoney had chased earlier can be seen in the grass on the side of the road just off the pier.

CIARAN
How do you know it’s the same one?

Mahoney throws the rest of his biscuit down on the pier, and jumps up to chase after the cat.

CIARAN (CONT’D)
Mahoney!

Ciaran scrambles to jump up and chase after Mahoney; he pauses for a moment to take one last bite of his biscuit, however, and then runs after his friend.

A SERIES OF SHOTS:
--Ciaran running after Mahoney down the pier.
--The cat perking up and noticing the approaching boys.
--Mahoney leaping towards the cat, onto the grass from the pier.
--The cat running away, with Mahoney’s feet landing where the cat stood a moment ago.
--Various shots of Ciaran chasing Mahoney chasing the Cat through the streets of Dublin, eventually running into the woods.

EXT. LARGE OPEN PASTURE - DAY
Mahoney runs into a large open field and stops in his tracks, trying to locate the cat. Ciaran turns the corner and runs into Mahoney, almost knocking him over into the grass. The two boys lie on the ground laughing together for a moment before standing up, out of breathe.

CIARAN
Did ya see where it went?

MAHONEY
Nope. Did you?

CIARAN
I was six meters behind ya!

MAHONEY
Ah well.

Ciaran and Mahoney walk out into the middle of the field.

MAHONEY (CONT’D)
It’s a real nice day.

CIARAN
Sure is.
(beat)
You know what time it is?

MAHONEY
How should I know? You’re the one in charge here.

CIARAN
I guess so.

Ciaran sits down in the grass and leans back, looking up at the sky.

MAHONEY
What are ya doin’?

CIARAN
Takin’ a rest. It’s been a long day, and I just chased a cat for half a kilometer.

A soft whistling can be heard in the distance, gradually getting louder. The boys pay little attention to it at first.

MAHONEY
Aye, that’s a good idea. But what about the Pigeon House?

CIARAN
I’ll be honest with ya-I don’t really care about the Pigeon House right now. We got to be home for four o’clock anyway, so let’s just rest a while here, yeah?

Mahoney sits down in the grass next to Ciaran. Mahoney pulls a blade of grass and chews on it.

The whistling grows louder, as the boys take in a moment of serenity.

MAHONEY
Do ya hear that?

Ciaran looks behind him, towards the source of the sound. Mahoney turns his head a moment later.

Walking towards them, they see A MAN in his mid-40s with an Ashen-grey moustache, dressed in a shabby greenish-black suit and a tall hat. He walks with one hand on his hip; in his other hand, he holds a stick with which he lightly taps the grass as he walks.

Man walks up to Ciaran and Mahoney and stops for a second, looking down at them, before continuing on his way.

Ciaran and Mahoney exchange concerned looks.

MAHONEY (CONT’D)
Do ya think that Leo’s gonna snitch us or-

The Man turns around and walks back towards Ciaran and Mahoney; they silently anticipate his approach.

MAN
‘Ello, boys.

The Man dips his hat in greeting to the boys and sits down beside Ciaran. Ciaran and Mahoney mumble quiet, unintelligible responses.

MAN (CONT’D)
Gorgeous day, ain’t it? Haven’t seen a day this nice in, oh, quite a while. It’s like the weather in every childhood memory. But I bet you boys haven’t much of those yet, have ya? ‘Course not! You’re still in yer childhood!

Ciaran and Mahoney shift uncomfortably.

MAN (CONT’D)
Don’t suppose you boys have names?

CIARAN
Sean.

MAHONEY
Leo.

Ciaran nudges Mahoney.

MAN
Hello Sean. Hello Leo. What are you boys doin’ out here? Shouldn’t ya be in school right about now?

CIARAN
We’re just enjoying the day.

MAHONEY
It’s a holiday.

MAN
A holiday? I didn’t know today was a special one. That’s too bad, really. When I was your age, I loved goin’ to school. Every schoolboy’s fondest memories are forged while he’s in school. Ah, what I would give to be a boy again. Pretty days like this, runnin’ ‘round in uniform shorts. It just makes a life a simpler thing, ya know? How old are you boys, anyhow?

Ciaran and Mahoney exchange nervous glances, realizing that they have been caught in a lie. The Man just looks ahead and keeps talking, running his fingers through the grass and massaging the stick in his hand.

MAN (CONT’D)
Well, when I was about your age, maybe a little older, I loved books. I loved to read-ya don’t get the chance to read as much when you’re my age. Do ya boys like books?

CIARAN
Yeah, they’re alright.

MAN
Well I bet your a bookworm just like me. What kind of books do ya like?

MAHONEY
The Halfpenny Marvel and The Union Jack!

CIARAN
He means to say the Wild West. I like the detectives more, and their mysteries.

MAN
Ah. So he goes more in for games, I see. Have ya ever read a poem, my boy?

CIARAN
Aye, a few.

MAN
I love the poems. Have ya read Thomas Moore, perhaps or Sir Walter Scott?

CIARAN
Oh, yeah. Absolutely.

Mahoney looks at Ciaran with confusion. Ciaran shrugs.

MAN
I’ve all the works of Sir Walter Scott back at home. And Lord Lytton! He’s the favorite. I never tire of readin’ ‘em.
(laugh)
Of course, there are some of Lytton’s works which boys like you should never read. At least, they’d never let ya.

The Man smiles creepily, revealing broken, yellowed teeth.

MAN (CONT’D)
So, tell me. Do ya boys have sweethearts?

MAHONEY
Oh, yeah. I’ve got three totties back at school. They’re waitin’ for me.

MAN
And what about you, young man?

CIARAN
I got none.

MAN
But you’re a handsome boy, I’m sure you’ve got at least one.

MAHONEY
Well, how many have you got, mister?

The Man smiles again.

MAN
When I was your age, I had plenty of sweethearts. Every boy has a little sweetheart.
(beat)
Those little girls, they have such-such soft hair, and the glowin’ lit’le eyes. Have ya touched a girl’s skin? It’s like silk, it is. Nothin’ that I like so much as lookin’ at a pretty little girl, with her nice hands, or her long, flowin’ hair, maybe tied back in a black velvet band.

At this point, the boys mostly stop listening to him, but they let him ramble on for a bit.

MAN (CONT’D)
Gentle skin, reflectin’ off the sun, and the shimmerin’ hair. Ya ever get ‘em close-get ‘em real close, and smell a pretty girl like that? She smells as if a warm spring day had blossomed from her neck. A day like this will make you long for the warm touch of skin.

Ciaran and Mahoney are visibly creeped out by this.

MAN (CONT’D)
Of course, a girl is not as good as she would let ya to believe.

There is a short pause, as the Man’s last words linger, and echo off the slope of a hill in the pasture.

MAN (CONT’D)
You’ll excuse me for a minute, won’t ya? I’ve a thing to do.

CIARAN
Yeah, sure.

The Man gets up and walks away towards the end of the field, and disappears from sight amongst the foliage. An awkward moment of silence passes between Ciaran and Mahoney.

When Ciaran finally begins to break the silence, Mahoney’s eyes widen.

CIARAN (CONT’D)
Well, he’s a queer ol’ josser, ain’t he?

MAHONEY
Look! Do ya see what he’s doin’? Look!

Ciaran and Mahoney shift their eyes in the direction that the man had walked away in. They shift their focus away, and sit again in silence until the Man returns.

Just as the Man is about to sit down again, Mahoney catches the glimpse of the cat that he had been chasing earlier.

MAHONEY (CONT’D)
There he is!

Mahoney jumps up and chases after the cat as the Man sits down beside Ciaran.

MAN
Well. Boys will be boys, eh?

Ciaran and the Man watch Mahoney chase the cat for a bit.

Over the course of the following dialouge, Ciaran grows progressively more uncomfortable, and subtly tries to get Mahoney’s attention; Mahoney, meanwhile, keeps chasing the cat, sometimes throwing rocks or using his slingshot.

MAN (CONT’D)
He’s a rough boy. Leo, was it? Tell me-is he whipped a lot? At school, I mean.

CIARAN
(quietly)
We’re not-we’re not from the National School.

MAN
Well, if I’ve come to know a thing in my life, it’s that every boy deserves a whippin’. They ought to be whipped, and whipped well at that. Boys like him, they’re rough, unruly, and a slap on the hand or a box on the ear is no good. Not compared to a nice, hard whippin’. That’s what he wants, a whippin’, warm and sound.

Ciaran glances up at the Man’s face for a moment, but the man does not notice or stop; he is too engaged in his monologue.

MAN (CONT’D)
If I ever met a boy who didn’t know a girl was bad for him, I would whip there myself. I would hit him hard enough to teach him not to talk to any girls. And a boy who has a sweetheart and told me any lies about it, I would whip him like nothin’ in the world. Oh, there’s nothin’ I would love so well as that. To bend him over a desk, and take a ruler, or a hand and hit him right on the behind. It wouldn’t be right unless I heard the slap, or seen the cheeks redden and swell with the mark of my hand. Yes, a boy’s got to be punished when he’s takin’ good to a girl. If he’s rough, then he’s to be roughened up. Ya understand, yes? Dear God, it would be better than a thing in the world, if I could teach the boys in such a way, make every one better, and wiser, and strong, by a whip.

The Man, wrapped up in the ecstasy of his monologue, takes a pause, and Ciaran abruptly stands up. He looks around for a moment for a suitable exit before bending back down and pretending to tie his shoe.

CIARAN
It’s been good to meet ya, sir, but I’ve got to get goin’. Got to be home for supper, or my mum’ll be all in a rage. Cheers!

Ciaran turns to leave the pasture, walking quickly. The Man moves his hand around in the grass, near Ciaran’s ankles, grabbing clumps grass and earth and prompting Ciaran to walk faster.

As Ciaran reaches the top of the hill of the pasture where they first entered, he turns around, and blindly calls across the field without looking back to see the Man.

CIARAN (CONT’D)
Leo! LEO!

Mahoney hears him after the second time, and gives up his pursuit of the cat to meet Ciaran at the top of the hell. Mahoney runs with a feigned air of bravery, as if he were bringing aid to Mahoney

Ciaran peers back over his shoulder with a look of disdain to make sure that Mahoney is coming.

CIARAN (CONT’D)
Go n-ithe cata thu agus go n-ithe an diabhaill an cata.

FINAL FADE OUT

Based on "An Encounter" by James Joyce, from the Dubliners series.

Nov.-Dec. '07