Caslis fo che orignal production, opening in the Nation ‘Theatre's Cottesloe Theat, 2 Augen 2012: 1on Stephens The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time CChuisoper Boone Lake Treadaway™ Siobhan [Niamh Cusack my Paul Riter Joly Mrs Alexander Mex Shears Me'Thompson No.0 Roger Shears Reverend Peters Adapted fom the nove by Mark Haddon Mohs parts play mbes of he Company Fur the transfer tothe Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue ro 1 March 2013, ‘Sen Gleeson ook over from Paul Rives, Holly Aird foun Nisa Valk, and Tilly Tremayne from Una Stubbs; Johnny Gibbon played Christopher at wine performances, and Jake Fes Jane Lambert, David Mara 2 Claive Winsper sl joined the ‘ensemble Direcor Marianne Eiioee Designer Bunny Chrissie Lighting Designer Paul Constable Video Designer Finn Ross Movemene Directors Scott Grabam and Steven Hogget for FranticAsembly Manic Adrian Sutton . Sound Dexigner Tan Dickinson for Autograph Associate Diector Nadia Fall ight Director ate Waters Resident Director Katy Rodd BLOOMSBURYCharacters Christopher Boone Siobhar Fd Judy Mrs Alexander / Posh Woman / Voice Six Mrs Shears / Mrs Gascoyne /Voice One / Woman on Train ‘Woman on Heath Shopkeeper Roger (Mr Shears) / Duty Sergeant / Voice Two/ Me Wise/ Man behind Counter / Druak One Policeman One / Mr Thompson / Voice Three/ Drunk Two / ‘Man with Socks Man on Phone London Transport Policeman / London Policeman ‘Number 40 Voice Five/ Lady in Street / Information / Punk Giel All actors emai on stage urls presried otherwise ‘There is also a dead dog. With fork sticking out fit Scenes rn ino one anathr without interuption regardless of lterations in space or ine or chronology. Part One A dead dog isn the middle of the tage large goden fork is sticking ont of it side Christopher Boone, 15 yas old, sands om one side oft His 42-year-old nsighbour Mes Shears sar onthe othe They tad for aie without saying anything. The vest ofthe company awcich, iting ose who i ging a dave to speck fs. Mrs Shears What in fuck's name have you done to ry dog? Christopher i froin othe sp Mrs Shears Ohno. Oh no, Oh no, Ob my fucking Cris Ghristopher’ teacher, 27-yor-ld Siobhan, opens Christopher’ look, She reads from Siobhan Twas seven minutes after midnighs, The dog was Tying on che grass in the middle of the lawn infront of Mrs Shears’ house Mrs Shears Get away from my dog. Siobhan Its eyes were closed. Ic looked as fit was runt fom its side, the way dogs run when they think they are chasing a eat ina dream. But the dog was not running or asleep. The dog was dead. Mrs Shears Get away from my dog. Siobhan There was a garden fork sticking ouc ofthe dog. The dog was called Wellington, Ie belonged to Mrs Shears ‘who was our friend, She lived on the opposite side of the road, two houses tothe let Mes Shears Get away from my dog. Christopher tales tw steps aay from the dog4 The Curious Incident ofthe Dog in the Night-Time Siobhan My name is Christopher Joha Francis Boone. I know al the countries ofthe world and the capital cites, And every prime number up to 7507. Mrs Shears Getaway ftom my dog for Christ's sake. Christopher puts his hand ver is ar, He closes his yes “Ht als forward, He preset fread onto the grass. He sorts groaning. Siobhan After twelve and a half minutes a policeman arrived. He had a big orange leaf stuck to the bottom of his shoe which was poking out from one side. This is good Christophier. I's quite exciting. Hike the details, They make it more realistic, Policeman One ers. He has big onange leaf stuck to the bron of his shoe, which poking out from on side, He spats next ‘o Christopher. Siobhan He squatted down next to me, He sti ro me: heistopher sop: grooning Policeman One Would you like to tell me whats going on here, young man: Christopher lifts his head fam the ground. Theres sme tne, (Christopher looks at the policeman ‘There is some tne, Siobhan I do not tell ies. Mother sed to say that this was because I was a good person. But itis not because | ama ‘good person. Ibis because I can't tell ies, Christopher The dog is dead, Policeman One I'd gor that fr Christopher I think someone killed the dog. Policeman One Hoveld are you? PartOne 5 Christopher I'm fifieen years and three months and ‘wo days Policeman One And what precisely are you doing in the garden? Christopher I'm talking o you. Policeman One OK, what were you doing in the garden in the frst place? Christopher Iwas holding the dog. Policeman One Why were you holding the dog? Why were you holding the dog? Christopher like dogs. eat Christopher I did not kill the dog sman One Did you kill he dog? Policeman One Is¢his your fork? Christopher No. Policeman One You seem very upset about this T'm going to ask you once again. Christopher starts groaning, Policeman One ‘Tersfic Christopher caries an grooning Policeman One Young man I'm going to ask you to stop taking that noise and to stand up please calmly and quietly Christopher carries on grosning Policeman One Marvellous. Great Just flipping — Policeman One tries if him np by har. Christopher sereans, He its Policeman One, sho stares ot Christopher. Fora wile dhe foo lak atone anothe, neither cently sane what to say o quite bling what has jut happened5 Ty Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Policeman One I'm arresting you for assaulting a police officer: strongly advise you to get into the back of the police car because you try any ofthat monkey business again you litle shit Tam going to seriously love my rag, Is that understood? Siobhan [find people confusing. This is for two main reasons. The first main reason is that peaple doa ot of talking without using any words, Siobhan says that if you raise one eyebrow itcan mean lots of different things Tecan, mean, ‘T want to do sex with you.’ I never said that Christopher Yes you did, Siobhan I didn'c use those words Christopher, Christoper You did an 12 September last year. At fest, break ‘Siobhan And itcan also mean, ‘Tuhink that what you just said was very stupid.” Duty Sergeant Could you take your laces out of yout shoes please Christopher? (Christopher does Duty Sergeant ‘Thank you, Could you empty your pocket onto the desk please? Christopher ts thatin case I have anything in them that 1 could use to kill myself escape or attack a policeman with? ‘The Duty Sergeant sath fra beat Duty Sergeant ‘That's right. Christopher Y've got a Swiss Army knife but [only use that for doing ‘odd jobs’ not for stabbing things or husting people Past One 7 Duty Sergeant Jolly good, Christopher empties his pokes Woice Four A piece of tring Voice Five A piece ofa wooden puzzle Voice Six. Three pellets of rat food for Toby, my pee rat, Voice Four £1.47 (his was made up of' £1 coin, a 20p coi, sw 10p coins, a 5p cain and a 2p coin Voice Six A red paperdip Voice Four A key forthe front door Voice Five A Swiss Army knife with thirteen attachments including a wire stripper and a saw and a toothpick and Duty Sergeant Could you take your watch off please Christophe Christopher No Duty Sengeant I'm sorry Christopher? Christopher I need my watch to know exactly what time itis i Duty Sergeant Take your watch of please Chiistoper. | Chritopher plese will you take your waich of Ti sting | Give it here la. he Duty Sergeant isto take the wath (Christopher srt srvaming The Duty Sergeant stop, He moves oxy, He nad is hua. (Christopher tps eenvaning. Duty Serge Ie'sall right son. You keep Christopher cans down Duty Sergeant Do you haveany family Christopher?8 The Curious ncident of the Dog in the Night-Time wher Yes Ido, ‘Duty Sergeant And who is your family? Christopher Pather and Mother but Mother's dead. And also Uncle Terry who isin Sunderland. He is my father’s brother and say grandparents toa but three of them are ead and Grandma Burton is in a home because she has senile dementia and thinks T'm someone on television Duty Sergeant Right. Lovely. Do you know your father's phone number Christopher? (Christopher turns fo Bd, Ea lots at him, He ld’ his hand in font of hin with his finger stretched. Chistopher does the saine, They touch fingers. Then let go Ed Could you Christopher Some people think the Milky Way isa Jong, Tine of stars, but it isnt. Our galaxy isa huge dis of stars of tillions oflighe years across and the sola system is somewhere near the outer edge of the dise Ba Isthae right? Christopher Fora long tine scientists were puzzled by the fact that the sky is dark at night even though there are billions of stars in the universe and there must be starsin every ditection you look, so that the sky should be fl of starlight because there i very lite in the way to stop Ue [ight reaching earth, stares ot him. Says nating. Ghristopher Then they worked out that the universe was expanding, thatthe tars were all rushing away from one fanother after the Big Bang and the further the stars were ‘aay from us the faster they were moving, some of them neatly as fas asthe speed of light, which was why their light never reached us t Part One 9 Ea Terrific Doty Sergeant this way pleaser Christopher Are you going to interview me and record the Duty Sergeant Pee spoken (o your the policeman. chistopher. Mr Boone. Could you come [loo think there will be any need for that father and he says yo Did you mean to hit the policeman? Christopher Yes. Duty Sergeant But you didn’t mean to burt the policeman? Ghristopher No I dida’t mean to hurt the policeman T just wanted him to stop touching me, Duty Sergeant You know that i's wrong co hita policema don't you? Christopher uty Sergeant Did you kill the dog Christopher? Christopher I didart kill che dog 5 rong oie 10a Duty Sergeant Do you know that itis wrong policeman and that you can get into a very great deal of trouble ifyou do? Christopher Yes. Daty Sergeant Do you know who killed the dog? to, Christopher No. Duty Sergeant Are you telling the wrath? Christopher Duty Sergeant Right. I'm going to give you a caution, Christopher Is that going to be on a piece of paper like a certificate Tea keep? Yes. always cell dhe truth,10 The Curious ncident of the Dog in the Night-Time Duty Sergeant No, A caution means thet we are a are going to keep a record of what you did, that you hit policeman but that was an acidentand that ou dea to hur the policeman, Christopher Buti wasn’ an accident. Ed. Christopher, please. Duty Sengeant Ifyou get into any more trouble we will ‘ake out this record and see that you have been given 2 ‘ution and we wil ike things rueh more seriously. Do you understand what I'm saying? “ Christopher Yes. Siobhan “The second main reason is that people often talk using metaphor These ae examples f meeps Weice Two Hewat he apple ofhereye Voice Three They hd skeleton in the cupboard Woice Four Wea eal pg ofa dy Voice Five The dog was sone dead Siobhan "The word metaphor means crying somethin Fromone pacevoanther aenomenye eee something by using word for something that Tie means tha the word metaphor isa metaphor. Wow. That's Ghristopher I0strue Siobhan Yes. I dhink it should be called a le because a pig isnot lita day and people do aac have seleons in thelr ‘cupboards. And when Try and make a picture of the phrase in my head it use confuses me because imagining an apple in someone's eye doesn't have anything to do with Liking Someone alot and it makes you forget what the person was talking aboue, PartOne 11 Christopher turns Ba, Christopher P'm sorry. Ha 1°s 0K, Christopher I didn kill Wellington, Fd Tknow, Christopher you have to stay ont of trouble, OK? Christopher 1 didn’t know Twas going to get ino trouble. Thike Wellington and I went to say hello co him, but I dida’t know that someone had killed his. Bd_ Just ry and keep your nose out of eer people's business Christopher Tam going to find out who killed Wellington. Ed_ Were you listening to what I was saying, Christopher? Christopher Yes Iwas listening to what you were saying but when someone gets murdered you have to find eut who dit so that they ean be punished. Ed_ Isabloody dog Chnistopher, a bloody dog. Christopher I think dogs are important wo. I think some dogs are deverer than some people. Steve, for example, who ‘comes to school on Thursdays needs help eating his food and he probably couldn't even fetch a sick. Ed Leaveit Ghristopher I wonder ifthe police wil find out who killed him ancl punish the person, Ed I suid leave it for God's sake Christopher Are you sad about Wellington? Ed Yes Christopher you could say that, You could very well, say that, ‘Siobhan seas more from the book12 The Curious lncident ofthe Dog in the Night-Time Siobhan Mother died two years ago. Teame home from school one day and no one answered the door so Ywent and found the secre key that we keep under a flowerpot ouside the kitchen window. Tlet myself ato the hhonse and wiped my feet on the ma. [put the key in the bowl on the table, [took my coat offand hung it bythe se ofthe fridge s0 it would be ready for school the next day ad save three pellets of rat food to Taby who is my pet rat. 1 ‘made myself a raspberry milkshake and heated ir up in the icrowave. Then T went up to my bedsoom and turned on my bedroom light and played six games of Tetris and got to Jevel 38 which i my fourth best ever seare An hour later Father came home from work Bd_ Christopher have you seen your sum? Christopher No Siobhan He went downstairs and started making some Phone calls. Idd not hear what he said. Then he eame up to ‘my room and said fie had to go out fo a while and he wase't sure how long he would be. He sad that i T needed anything 1 should call him on his mobile phone, He was away for wo and a half hours, When he came back 1 went downstairs, Ed_ I'm afraid you won't be seeing your mother fora while Christopher Why not? Ed Your mother has had to go into hospital Christopher Ed No, Christopher Why can't we? Fd She needs rest. She needs to be on her own, we visit her? Christopher Is ita psychiatric hospital? Ed _No.I’s.an ordinary hospital, She has a problem... problem with her heart. Part One 13 ke food to her Christopher We will need 10 Bd _['lltake some to her during the day when you're at school and I'l give it to the doctors and they can give it 10 your mum, OK? Christopher Buc you can't cook. Bd Christopher, Look. 1 buy some ready-made sul from Marks Spencer and take thei, She ike thot Christopher I'l make her a get-well card, eT make her a get-well card will you take iin for her romorrow? Siobhan How are you today Christopher? Christopher I'm very well thank you. Siobhan That's good. Christopher In the bus on the way school we four red ears in 2 row. assed Siobhen Four? Christopher So today isa Good Day. Siobhan Great, Tam glad. Christopher I've decided 1 am going to try an find out who killed Wellington because a Good Day isa day for projects and planning things jobhan Who's Wellington? Christopher Welington ta dog tat used obeong to my beighhour Mrs Shears who is ou friend but hein dead now teense somebody killed him by puting» garden fork through him, And {found hin sad then a polcenan thought a llled him bu Tada tand then he ied co touch me 0 [hit him and then Thad to goto Une police14 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Siobhan Gosh, Christopher And 1am going to find out who really killed ‘Wellington and make ita project, Even though Father cok Siobhan Did he? Christopher Yes. Siobhan I see, Christopher 1 don't always do what I'm tld Siobhan Why? Christopher Because when people tell yon what to do its usually confusing and does nor make sense, For example people often say ‘Be quiet but they don’ tel you how long tobe quiet for Siobhan No. Why did your father tell you not to try to find our who killed! Wellington, Christopher? Christopher I don't know. Siobhan Christopher if your father's tal you not todo something maybe you shouldn't doit ‘Well, we're meant to be writing stories today, so why don't you write about what happened to Wellington? Christopher OK Iwill Siobhan Tan help you. Christopher Will you help me with the spelling and the ‘grammar and the footnotes? a Christopher, I'm sorry your mother’s died She's had a hear attack ewan expected, Christopher What kind of heart attack? Part One 15 Ed_ I don't know what kind of heart attack. Now isnt the ‘moment Christopher to be asking questions like that, Christopher Tt was probably an anewrysm, Bd_ I'm sorry Christophers, 'm seally sorry Mrs Shears hos is asenblad Siobhan ‘That evening I went round to Mrs Shears’ house and knocked on the door and waited for her to answer Mrs Shears answers her door She is drinking a cup of ta Mrs Shears What are you doing her Christopher Lwanted to come aud tell you that I did't kill Wellington. And also T want to find out who killed hin, Mrs Shears Christopher, Lveally don't think I want to sce you right now, Christopher Do you know who killed Wellington? Mrs Shears Can you go now Christopher: Christopher I wanted to see if the fork was in the shed, Mrs Shears Ifyou don't go now I will all the police again. Christopher Reverend Peters, where is heaven? Reverend Peters I'm sorry Christopher? Christopher In our universe whereabouts sit exactly’ Reverend Peters I's notin our universe. I's another kind of place altogether. Christopher ‘There isn't anything outside our universe Reverend Peters. There isn't another kind of place altogether. Except there might he ifyou go through a black hole. Buta black hole is what is called a singularity which ‘means its impossible to find out what ison the other side16 ‘The Curious Incident of che Dog inthe Night-Time because the gravity of black hole isso hig that even. electromagnetic waves lke light can’t get out oft, and electromagnetic waves are how we get information about things which are far away. And if heaven ison the other side (fa black hole then dead people would have to be fired into space ona rocket to get there and hey ret or people Reverend Peters aks ohio for a ide yfne he respond Reverend Peters Well when I say heaven is outside our universe it’s really just a manner of speaking. I suppose what irealy means is that they are with God. Christopher But whereis God? Reverend Poters Christopher we should talk about cis om another day when [have more time Siobhan The next day was Saturday and shere is not much todo.on a Saturday unless Father takes me out somewhere ‘on an outing tothe boating lake orto the garden centre, bu om this Saturday Engiand were playing Romania at football Which meant that we weren't going to go on an outing because Father wanted to watch the match on the television, So Tmade a decision. I decided to do some more detection. 1 decided to-go out on my ove, Mr Thompson Can t help you? Christopher Do you know whe kiled Wellington? Mr Thompson Who are you? Christopher I'm Christopher Boone from murnber 36 and knot you, You're Mr Thompson, \Me‘Thompson I'm Ms’Thompson's brother, Christopher Do you know who killed Wellington? MrThompson Who the fuckis Wellington? Part One 17 Christopher Mrs Shears’ dog. Mrs Shears is from nussber a. Me‘Thompson Someone killed her dog? Christopher With fork, MrThompson Jesus Christ, Christopher Agarden fork, Mr'Thompson Oh. Christopher Do you know who killed him? Mr‘Thompson Thaven'ta bloody clue Christopher Did you see anything suspicions on Thursday Me‘Thompson Look son, do you really thiok you should be going round asking questions like this? Ghristopher Yes, because I want to find out who killed Wellington an I am writing a hook about ic MrThompson Well was in Colchester on Thursday so you're asking the wrong bloke, Christopher ‘Thank you. Number 40 Christopher isn Christopher Yesitis. Do you know who killed Wellingto Number 40 No, No. I don't. No. Pin sorry. Christopher Did you see anything suspicions on Thursday evening, which migbt be a clue? Number 40. Like what? Christopher Like strangers or the sound of people arguing. Number 40 didn't Christopher, no18 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Christopher Do you know of anyone who might wane to make Mrs Shears sad? Number 40. Pethaps you should be talking to your father about this, Christopher I can‘ talk to my Euther about it because he told me to say out of other people's busines Number 40. Well maybe he has a point Christopher: Christopher So you don'tknow anything that might be ue Number 40 No. You be careful young man. Christopher 1 willbe. Thank you for helping me with my ‘questions. Do you know who killed Wellington on Thursday night? Mr Wise Bloody hell. Policemen really ae getting younger aren't they? Mr Wise aughs. Christopher walks away Christopher Do you know anything about Wellington setting killed? Mra Alexander I'm afraid you're going to have to say that again. Pm litle deaf Christopher Do you know anything about Wellington getting killed? Mrs Alexander I heard about it yesterday, Dread Dreadful Christopher Do you kaow who killed him? Mrs Alexander No, T don't Christopher Somebody must know because the pesson ho killed Wellingion knows that they Killed Wellingeon Unless they were a mad person and didn't know what they ‘were doing, Or unless they had amnesia, Mrs Alexander Will T suppose you've probably rghe. ParcOne 19 Christopher Thank you for hel investigation 1g me with my Mrs Alexander You' Christopher Ves live at number 86 Mrs Alexander We haven't talked before, bave we? thristopher aren't you? Christopher No.1 don’ calk co strangers, But Pm doing detective work, Mrs Alexander 1 sce you every day, going to school on your school bus. It's very niee a you to come and say hell, yen it's only because you're doing detective work Christopher ‘Thank you, Mrs Alexander Thavea grandson your age. Christopher My ageis fifteen years and three months and three days, Mrs Alexander Well almost your age. You don’t have a dog, do you? es Christopher Most people don’ ike rats because they think they carry diseases ike bubonic plague. Bue that’s only because they lived in sewers and stowed away on ships ‘coming from foreign countries where there were strange diseases. But rats are very dean, Mrs Alexander Do you want to come infor tea? Christopher I don't go into other people's houses.20 ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Mrs Alexander Well maybe I could bring some tea out here. Do you like lemon squash? Christopher Tonly ike orange squash, Mrs Alexander Luckily have some of thatas well. And what about Battenberg? Christopher I don’: know because I don'e know what Battenberg is Mrs Alexander Il'sa kind of cake, Ichas mareipan iding. round the edge. Christopher Ts ira long cake witha square cross-section ‘whieh is divided into equally sized, alternately coloured squares? Mrs Alexander Yes I think you could prebably describe it like that, Christopher Tthink Id ike the pink squares but not the yellow squares because I don't like yellow. And I don't know ‘what marzipan iso I don't know whether Til ike that Mes Alexander I'm aftaid marzipan is yellow too, Perhaps {should bring out some biscuits instead, Do you like bisewie? Christopher Yes, Some sorts ofbiscults. Mis Alexander I'l geta selection, She goes ina her hese, He wits, Then before she gets bask. Siobhan She moved very slowly because she was an old Jady and she was inside the house for more than six minutes and Tbegan to get nervous because I did't know her well enough to know whether she was telling the ruth about getting orange squash and Battenberg cake. And E thought she might be ringing the police and then I'd gee into much -mote serious rouble because ofthe caution. So I walked away. Part One 21 ‘The Gompany ches as ifs goal has bwen scored. Christopher Why would you killa dog? Siobhan I would’, Ghristopher I think you would only killa dog if) you Inated the dog orb) ityou were mad or c) because yout ‘wanted to make Mrs Shears upset. I don't know anybody ‘who hated Wellington soi it was a twas probably 2 ranger. I don't know any mad people either, so iFit was b) it was also probably a stranger. Siobhan Right, Christopher But most murders are committed by someone ‘who is known tothe vetim, Infact, you are most ikely to be rnurdered by a member of your own family on Christmas Day. Siobhan Isthata fic? Christopher Yes actully its a fut, Wellington was therefore most likely to have heen killed by someone known tobim, Lonly know one person who did't like Mrs Shears anal that is Mr Shears who divorced Mrs Shears and left her {olive somewhere else and who knew Wellingion very well indeed. This means that Mr Shearsis my Prime Suspect Siobhan Christopher Christopher Lam going to find out more about Mr Shears Mrs Gascoyne Mr Boone, nobody has ever taken an A. level in the choo! before. Ha He canbe the first then. Mrs Gascoyne Idon't know if we ave the facil school to allow him to do that. Ed Then get the facilities. the22 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Mrs Gascoyne I can't treat Christopher differently to any other student Ed Why now? Mrs Gascoyne Because then everybody would want tbe reated diflerently. Bd So? Mrs Gascoyne It would seta precedent. Christopher can always do his levels iter. When he’s 18, Ed_ Christopher is geting a crap enough deat already don’t you think, without you shitting on him from a great height as well. Jesus, thisis the one thing he’s realy good a. Mes Gascoyne We should tak about this later, Maybe on Ed _Are thete things which you're tao embarrassed to say to me in front of Christophe: Mrs Gascoyne No, I's not that Ba Say them now then, Mrs Gascoyne I[Christopher sits an A level then he would have to havea member ofsaff looking after him on his own ‘a separate room, Ed_Tllpay forit. They can doit afterschool. quid. Is that enough? Mrs Gascoyne Mr Boone, 6, Fifty Ed_I'm not going to.ake no for an answer Bd Joy 0 Christopher. Ed Where have you been? Christopher Thave been out. Ed have just had a phone call from Ms Shears. What the hel! were you doing poking round ber garden Par One 23 Christopher I was doing detective work trying to figure ‘out who Killed Wellington Ed How many times do I have to tell you Christopher? T told you to keep your nose out of ether people's business Christopher I think Mr Shears probably kiled Wellington. Fa (cious) I will not have that man’s name mentioned in ny howe. Beat Everybody o sage Pauses to ook at Ed and Christopher, Christopher Why not? Ed. That man is vil. Christopher Does that mean he might have killed Wellington? Ha. Jesus wept Christopher | Tknow you told me not to get involved in other people's business bur Mrs Shears is a fiend of ours. Bd Wel, she's nota friend any more Christopher Why not? Ed OK Christopher. am going to say this for the last and final time, Twill not rell you again, Look at me when Pmt talking to you for God!’ sake. Look at me. You are not to go asking Mrs Shears who killed thar bloody dog. You are not to .g0 asking anyone who killed that bloody dog. Voit are not to {go trespassing on other people’ gatdlens, You are to stop {his ridiculous bloody detective game right now. Lata going, fomake you promise me Christopher. And you know what it ‘means when make you promise. Christopher Tkiow, Ed_ Promise me that you will give up this ridiculous game right now, OK? Christopher I promise24 ‘The Cutions Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Siobhan think I would make a very good astronaut, Ed Yes mate, You probably would Siobhan, ‘To bea good astronaut you have tobe inellgent and T'm intelligent. You also have to understand how ‘machines work and I'm good at understanding how ‘machines work, Christopher You aso have o be someone who would like being on their own ina tiny spacecraft thousancls ana thousands of miles ayay from the surface ofthe earth and hot pani or get claustrophabia or homesick or insane, And T really fke litle spaces so long as there i no one else in them, with me, Ba. I noticed, than Sometimes when I want tobe on my own I get into the airing cupboard and slide in beside the boiler and Pallthe door closed bend me and sc there and think for hhoursand it makes me fel very cal, Ghristopher So I would have to be an astronaut on may ‘own or have my own part ofthe spacecralt that no one else could come into. And also there are no yellow things or brown things in a spacecraft so that would be OK, too. ‘And 1 would have o talk to other people from Mission Control, but we would do that throngh a radio link-up and a TV monitor sit woulda’ be like real people who are strangers but it would be lke playing & computer gatne, Ha Which you like Christopher Also I woulda't he homesick a all because Td be surrounded by lots of things Tike, which are machines land computers and outer space. And T would be able to look cut ofa litle window in the spacecraft and know that there was no one else near me for thousands and thousands Fa. Christopher ° Christopher Whae? Part One 25 {Ba Could you plese, jon, give a bie of break, mate Please Siobhan And know that there was no one els nea thonrandl and thowsands of miles which what [sometimes pretend at ight in the summer when I go and lic onthe Irn and look up athe sky and I put oy hands sound the Sides of mi fae to that T can't se the fence andthe chimney nd the washing ine and Tcan pretend I'm n space. se for And all could see would be stars. Aud stars re the places ‘where the molecules that ies made of were cmatrited Uillons of years ago. For example al the ion in your bod, ‘wbich rope you cing anaemic, was made i ast And I would fike iti could take Toby with me into space, ‘and that might be allowed because they sometimes do take animals into space for experiments, s0 if could think of a s c hae dda ue te good experiment you could do witha rat th Tat, I could make thew let me take Toby Butifthey didn’t et me T would sil go because it would be a Dream Come True Christopher Father said. Siobhan Tee that’s pity Ghristopher So the book is finished Siobhan Well, Christopher, if your father ssid he wanted you to stop chen I think he probably has 2 good reason and T ‘think you should stop. But you can sil be very proud because what you've written so far is just, wells great, Ghristopher Is very short Siobhan Well some very good books are very short. Christopher I'snota proper book. Siobhan Why not? |26. ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Christopher 1: doesnt have a proper ending. I never found out who killed Wellington, So the murderer i still At Large. ‘Siobhan Not all murders are solved Christopher. Not all murderers are caught Christopher I don‘ like the idea that be could be living somewiiere nearby and that I might meet him when I go out for a walk at night Siobhan I don't think that’s going to happen Christopher, Christopher Father said Twas never to mention Mr Shears name in our house again and that he was an evil man and maybe that meant he was the person who killed Wellington. Siobhan Christopher, [think you should do what your father tells you todo, Mrs Alexander What happened to you the other day? Christopher Which day? Mrs Alexander I came out again and you'd gone. I had to ‘eat all the biscuits myself Christopher T went away. Mrs Alexander I gathered that Christopher I thought you might ring the police. Mrs Alexander Why on earth would I do that? Christopher Because I was poking my note into other [people's business and Father sid I shouldn't investigate who Kslled Wellington. And policeman gave me a caution and if {get into trouble again ic will bea lo worse because ofthe Mrs Alexandler You're very shy aren't you Christopher? Christopher I'm not allowed to talk to you, Part One 27 Mrs Alexander Dos’t worry I'm not going to ell dhe police ‘nd I'm not going to tel your father berause there's nothing trrong with having a chat. Having a chats just being friendly isn ie? Christopher I don't do chatting Mrs Alexander Do you lke computers? Christopher Yes, Iike computers. Thave a computer at home in my bedroom. Mrs Alexander I know. Ican see you sting at your computer in your bedroom sometimes when f look across the street, Christopher And [like maths and looking after Toby. And Talso ike outer space and Tlike being on Mes Alexander I het you're very good at Maths aren't you? Christopher Tam. I'm going to do A level Maths next month. And I'm going to get an At Mrs Alexander Really? Alevel maths? a Mes Alexander I apologise. I didn’t mean to suggest that I {you were lying. I just wondered if heard you correety. I'm a lile deaf sometimes topher Yes. I don't tl es Christopher remember you told me. I'm the frst penton to doan A level from my schoo! hecause it's special schoo Allthe other children at my school are stupid, ExcepeT'm ‘not meant to call them stupid, even though that is what they Mrs Alexander Well Iam very impressed. And Thope you do getan A* hi Mrs Alexander And the other thing Tknow about you is your favourite colour isnot yellow. topher Twill.28 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Christopher No. And it’s not brown either: My favourite colour is red and metal colour. Do you know Mr Shears? Mrs Alexander Not really, no, F mean I knew his well ‘enough to say hello but I didn't know much about hit. think he worked in the National Westminster bank in town, Christopher Father ssid that he isan evil man, Do you Know why he sid that? Mrs Alexander Feshaps it would be bes ot co talk about ‘hese things Christopher: Christopher Why not? Mrs Alexander Because maybe your father is right and you shouldn't go round asking questions about this. hristopher Why? Mrs Alexander Because obviously he is going to find it aguite upsetting. Christopher Why is he going to find it quite upsetting? Mrs Alexander I chink you know why your father doesn't like Me Shears very much, Ghristopher Did Me Shears kill Mother? Mrs Alexander Kill he: Christopher Yes, Did he kill Mother? ‘Mars Alexander No. No. Ofcourse he dida’t ill your mother Christopher But did he give her stress xo that she died of a heart atack? Mrs Alexander I honestly don't know what you're talking “about, Christopher. Ghristopher Or did he hurt her so that she bad to go into hospital? Pat One 29 Mrs Alexander Did she have to go into hospital? (Christopher Yes. And ic wasn't very serious at frst but she had @ heart attack when she was in hospital Mrs Alexander Ob my goodness. Ghristopher And she died. Mrs Alexander Oh my goodness, Oh Chistopher Tam so, sosorry. Inever realised. Christopher Why did you say ‘chink you Inow why your father doesn't ke Mr Shears very much?” Mrs Alexander Oh dear, dear, dear, So you don't know? Ghristopher Don't know what? Mrs Alexander Christopher look, perhaps we should take afile walk in the park together. This is not the place to be talking about this kind of ting. Mrs Alexander 1am going to sy something to you and you mist promise not to ell your father that Lol you this Christopher Why? Mrs Alexander T shouldn't have said what I said. And if don't explain, you'll earry on wondering what I meant. And you might ask your father: And I don't want you to do that because I don’ want you to upset him. But you have to promise not to tell anyone std this to you. Christopher Why? Mrs Alexander Christopher, please, just trust me. Christopher I promise Mrs Alexander Your mother hefore she died was {good frends with Mr Shears Christopher I know.30 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Mrs Alexander No Christopher, mean that they were very good frie fiends not sure that you do. is. Very, very good Christopher Do you mean that they were doing sex? Mrs Alexander Yes, Christopher, that is what T mean, Tm sorry Christopher. really didn't mean to say anything. that was going to upset you. Christopher Was that why Mr Shears eft Mrs Shears, because he was doing sex with someone else when he was smarvied to Mss Shears Mrs Alexander Yes, Lexpect so. Christopher I think I should go now: Mrs Alexander Are you OK Chtistopher? Christopher Te area stranger: Mrs Alexander Iiend, lhe on my own with you because yout 'm not a stranger Christophes, Ima a And what have you been up t, young man? Christopher I went co the shop to get some liquorice laces anda Milky Bar Ba. You were a long time, Christopher talked to Mrs Alexander's dog outside the shop. And stroked him and he sniffed my trousers. Rhodri God you do get the third degree, don't you! hhow are you doing captain? Christopher I'm doing very wel, thank you Rhodri \ Rhodsi What's 251 times 864? Christopher 216,864. Is chac righ? Rhodei haven't gota bloody ci, Part One 31 Ed_Tllstick one ofthese aloo gobi sag things in the oven for you, OR? Christopher OK. Rhodri With your litte botle of red paint init eh Christopher? Christopher 1's not red paint it's red food colousing because don't eat yellow food. IF you pat red paint into a ccurty it would be extremely dangerous and it would probably kill you, Ed_ Hal Rodderst You Plonker! Ea lougls ot Rhodri, Rhode lowes. ad finds Christophers bak onthe hidehon table Siobhan Have you told your futher about cis? Christopher No. Siobhan Are you going to tel your father about this? Christopher No, Ed goes to the book There ie tone, He gins wading Christopher's bok jobhan Did it make you sad to find this out? Christopher Find what out? Christopher No. Siobhan Are you telling the wruch Christopher Ghristopher Lalvays tll ue truth. I don't feel sad about it because Mother is dead and because Mr Shears isn’ around any more. So T would be feeling sid about something that isnt real and doesn’t exist and that would be stp32. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Siobhan What was your mother like Christopher? Do you remember much about her? Christopher I remember 20 July 2008. 1 as 9 years old. He ‘was.a Saturday. We were on holiday ia Cornwall. We were on the beach i a place called Polperro. Mother was wearing x pair of shorts mace out of denins and a sripey blue swimming costume and she was smoking cigarettes called Consulate, which were mint flavour. And she wasn’t 1G:0n a towel, which had red and purple stipes, and she was reading a book by Georgette Heyer called The Maxqueraders. And then she finished sunbathing and went into the water and she sid Judy Bloody Nora's col. Christopher “Bloody Nora it's cold’ And she said I should ‘ome and swim too, but Ich’ like switaming because T don't like taking my clothes off: And she said I should just roll up my trousers and walk into the water litle way. 501 did, And Mother said Judy Cluistopher! Christopher! Over here love Christopher! Look it’s lovely Christopher And she jumped backwards and disappeared tunder the water and I thought shark had eaten her and T screamed. And she stood up out ofthe water again and came ver to where I was standing and held up her right hand and spread out her fingers like a fan Judy Come on Christopher, touch my hand. Gome on nov, Stop screaming. Touch my band, Listen to me Christopher, You can do it. es OK Christopher I's OK, There aren any sharks in Cornwall Ed When we were inside the park Mrs Alexander stopped walking and said “Tam going to say something to you anes ‘YOU must promise not to tell your father that I toll you this, Part One 38 Your mother before she died was very good friends vith Mr Shears Christopher And other times she used to say: Judy IFT hadn't married your father I think Yd be living in a lite farmhouse in the South of France with someone talled Jean. And he'd be, ooh, a local handyman. You know, doing painting and decorating for people, gardening, building fences. And we'd havea veranda with figs growing over itand there would be afield of sunflowers atthe bottom, ofthe garden and alte own on the killin the distance and ‘we'd sitoutsde in the evening and drink red wine and smoke Gauloise cigarettes ancl wateh the sun go down, Fa What is thi? Christopher foots at Bd. Christopher 1's book I'm writing, Ed _Isthis true? Did you speak to Mrs Alexander? Christopher Yes Ea _ Jess, Christopher, how stupid are you? What the fxck did Ttell you Christoph Christopher Not to mention Mer Shears name in the house And not to go asking Mrs Shears, or anyone about who killed that bloody dog. And not to go respassing on other people's gardens. And to stop this bloody ridiculous detective game. Except I haven't dome justasked Mrs Alexander about Me Shi Ed Don't give me that bollocks you litle shit. You knew exacly what you were bloody doing. I've read the book, remember. What else did I say Christopher? Christopher I don’t know,Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night‘Time Ed_ Come on you're the memory man, Not to go round sticking your fucking nose into other peaple’s business. And what do you do? You go around sticking your nose into other people’ business, You go around raking up the past and shasing it with every Tom, Dick and Harry you bump. into, What am I going to do with you Cheistopher? Whatthe 4 fuck am I going to do with you? a throws Christopher's book, Christopher Iwas just chatting with Mrs Alexander: wasn't doing investigating, Bd Lask you to do one thing for me, Christopher, One hing Christopher 1 didn't want to talk to Mrs Alexander: Ie was Mrs Alexander who Ed graés Christopher's an, Christopher sans. Tha fight each eter Ed shakes Christopher hard with bth hands, istopher falls unconscious fora few tconds ad stands abo i Ha. Teed adrink. He gos and picks up the He eaves He comes back witout the bok Ed Tm sorry tit you, book 1 did't mean to ove you very much Christopher: Don't ever forget that. I know Lose my rag occasionally: And Iknow Tshouldn't, But | only do it because T worry about you, because I dort want osce you geting into trouble, because Idan’ want you to get hurt. Do you understand? Part One 35 Christopher Where's my hoo! Ed_ Christopher, do you understand that Love you? [Ed holds hi ight hand up and spreads his fingers out in. fn (Christopher does th same with his lft hana, They make thet fugers and thumbs touch each ater Christopher Tsit in the dustbin a¢ the front ofthe house? Siobhan Christopher, why have you gota bruise on the side of your fice? Christopher Father was angry: He grabbed me so hit him and then we had a fight. Siobhan Did he grab you hard? Christopher Yes Siobhan Christopher, are you frightened of going home? Christopher No. Because [need to find my book. Siobhan Do you sant to talk about ie any more? ‘Christopher No. Because grabbing is OK ifs on your arm or Your shoulder when you are angry, but you cat grab someone's hair or their face, But hitting is not allowed, ‘except if you are already in a fight with someone then itis snot so bad, Siobhan When I got home from school Father was silat work s0 I went outside and looked inside the dustbin, Bue the book wasn't there, wondered if Pather had pu it into his van and driven to the tip and put itimto one ofthe big bins these but I did not want that to e rue because then T would never se it again One other possibly was that Father had hidden my book somewhere in the house. So I decided to do some detecting and see if could find it86. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time I started by looking inthe kitchen ‘Then 1 detected inthe utility root, ‘Then I detected in the dining room, ‘Then I detected in the living room where 1 found the missing wheel from my Airfix Saturn Th Rocket 172 modet under the sofa, Then I went upstairs but T didn't do any detecting in my ‘own room because I reasoned that Father wouldn't hide something from me in my own roosn unless he was being very clever and doing what is called 2 Double Blu ike in a real murder mystery novel, so T decided to look in my own ‘room only if couldn’ find the book anywhere else 1 detected in the bathroom, but the only place to look was in the airing cupboard and there was nothing in there. ‘Which meant the only root lef to detec in was Father's bedroom, I stared by looking under the bed There were seven shoes and a comb with lots of bair in it and ‘a monkey wrench and a ehoeolate biscuit and a magazine called Men Onlyand a pair of navy underpants fron Marks & Spencer that are called ¥ fronts and a Homer Simpson pattern te and a wooden spoon, but not miy book, Then I looked in the drawers on either side of tae dressing table. But these only contained aspirin and nail clippers and bbateties and dental floss and tissues and a spare false tooth and a tampon but my book wasn't there ether, ‘Then [looked in his clothes cupboard. In the bottom of the cupboard was large plastic toolbox which was fll of tools for doing-i-yoursell but I could see these without opening the box because it was made of wansparent grey plastic Then I sav that there was another box underneath the A teolbox. The other box was an old cardboard box thats called a shint box because people used to buy shirts in them, PurcOne 37 Christopher finds thse tings telung, fll the shit bo Siobhan And when opened th was inside i, hist box saw my book Christopher fnds his book Siobhan ‘Then T heard his van palling up outside the hhouse and I knew that T had to think fast and be clever: heard Father shutting the door ofthe van, And thatis when I saw the envelope. Te wasan envelope addressed to me and it was lying under ry book in the shirt box with some other envelopes. I picked it up. Christopher finds the envelope Siobhan Itad never been opened. Resaid Judy Christopher Boone, 36 Randolph Street, Swindon, Wiltshire Siobhan ‘Then I noticed there were lots of envelopes and they were all addressed to me, And this was interesting and confusing, ‘And then I noticed how the words Christopher and Swindon. were written. They were writen like this. Judy Christopher Swindon Siobhan only know three people who do litle circles instead of dots over the Ieter i And one of them is Siobhan, ‘nd one of them was Mr Loxley who used to teach 2 School. And one of them was Mother Ea. Chriscopher? Christopher Hello, Ed_ So what have you been up to young man?58 The Curious Incident of the Dog inthe Night-Time Chuistopher Today we did Life Skills with Siobban, Which was Using Money and Public ‘Transport. And Thad tomato soup forlunch and three apples, And I practised some rath in the afternoon and we went for'a walk inthe park ‘with Mry Peters and collected leaves for making collages, Ed_ Excellent, excellent, What clo you faney for chow tonight? ° Christopher Baked beans and broccol Ed_ I think that can be very easily arranged i just going to put those shelves up inthe ving room i that’s all ight with you. Pil make a bic ofa racket I'm ataid sf you want wo watch television we're going to have to shift icupsair. Christopher Il goand be on my own in my root Ed Good man, an_T ent wp tomy rons And when Twain the room Tahut the door and cook out he emvelape Lepened the envelope. Inside dere wasa lee, And this way what Judy 451¢ Chapter Road, Willesden, London NW2 5NG (020 8887 8907. Dear Christopher. Pn sorry it's been such a very long time since I wrote my lat letter to you. F've heet very busy. F've gota new job working as a secretary fora factory that makes things out of cee. You'd like ita lot. The factory is full of huge machines that make the steel and cut i and bend it into whatever shapes they need. Alo we've jou can see from the address, s nice as the old one and I don’t ike Willesden very ‘much, but it’s easier for Roger to get to work and he’s bought i (he only rented the other one) so we ca get our ‘own furniture and paint the walls the colour we want 1. You haven't written to me yet, so I know that you are probably, still angry with me. Im sorry Christopher. But sll ove you. Thope you don’: say angry with me forever. And Ta Past One 39 ove iti'you were able o write mea lever (but remember to fend itto the new address). { chink abour you all the time otsoflove, ‘Your Mum, Siobhan I was really confused. Mother had never worked fea scctetary for a factory that made things out of steel. And ‘Mother had never lived in London, And Mother bad never snvtten a leter to me before, There was no date oa the letter so Teouldn’t work out when, Mother had written the leter and then Tlooked atthe front af the envelope and I saw there was a postmark and these tray a date on the postmark, 16 October 2011, which meant that the leteer was posted eighteen months after Mother bad ied Bd Whacare Christopher I'm reading a leer you doing? Ed_ I've finished the drilling, That David Awenborough ature programme's on telly ifyou’re interested, Christopher OK. Rd ‘Siobhan When I started writing my book there was only ‘one mystery to solve. Now there were evo. Perhaps the letter was in the wrong envelope and ithad been writen before ‘Mother had died. Perhaps it wasn't a lewer from Mother Perhaps it was a letter to another person called Christopher ristopher’s mother. Perhaps someone ese had from that Cl ‘written the letter and pretended to be Mother, 1 decided that I would nor think about it anymore that night because I didn’t have enough information and could easily LEAP TO THE WRONG CONCLUSIONS. Ghristopher lies down on the flor He curt himself wp into a bal40 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime Nightfall, Morning ries. The net day Christopher comes howe from hoo Bd_ You're soaking. Christopher Yes Bd_ Give me your coat Pil hang it up. How was school? Christopher Tt-vas good thank yo Joseph Fleming took his trousers off and went 10 the collet all over the Goor of the changing room and started toeatit, bbut Mr Davis stopped bir, Ed_ Good old Me Davis ch? Christopher Joseph eats everything. Ed Does he? Christopher He once ate one of the litle blocks of blue disinfectant, which hang inside the wiles. And he once atea {E50 note from his mother's wallet. And he eats string and rubber bands and times and writing paper and paints and plastic forks. Also he bangs his chin an seneams a lot. Ed L know how he feels, Christopher Christopher ‘Tyrone said that there was a horse and a pig inthe poo so I said he was being stupid, but Siobhan said he svasn't They were small laste animals from the library that the staff use to make people tll stories, And Joseph had eaten them, Ed Christopher Fve got to go out Christopher Why Ed I've just had aca there's lady. Her cellar has flooded. ve got to go out and fx it Christopher Isican emergency? Part One 41 ka Yesmac. Ghristopher Why can’t Rhodri go? Bd He'salready out on a cal, Christopher So there are two emergencies, Ba That's right mate Christopher is raining very heavily Fd tis Christopher The sain looks like white sparks Fd_ Christopher iT go out will you be OK? Christopher Yes Iwill because there's no one azound because everybody's staying in doors. Ed Good. Good. Good. Good Ind. Christopher Tlike looking at the rain. Ba Tertifi Christopher Tlike it because it makes me think how all she ‘water in the world is connected, Ea. Tilhave my mobile with me. Christopher Yes. Ea So you can call me if there's2 problem. Christopher Yes. Ed Behave yoursell Christopher yeah? Christopher Yes. Ed exits: Siobhan So I went into his hedsoom and opened up the ‘cupboard and lifted the toolbox off the top of the shirt box and opened the shirt box. I counted out the leters. There ‘were foxty-three of them. They were all addressed to me in the same handwriting, I took one and opened it, Inside was this letter.42 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time As Judy reads 0 Christopher bgins assemble is tran se. His ‘nding becomes frantic. A times abst baltic Judy 451c Chapter Road London NW2 5NG 020 8887 5907. Fas looking through some old photos lastnight, whieh made me sad, Then [found a photo of you playing. with the tain set we bought for you a couple of Christmases ‘ago. And that made me happy because it was one of the really good times we had together. Do you remember how you played with itall day and you refused to go to bed at ‘ght because you were sill playing with it. We old you about train timetables and you made a train timetable. And there was little wooden station, too, and we showed you hhow people who wanted to go om the train went tothe sation and bought a icket and then got on a train? And you played with it for weeks and weeks and weeks, I liked remembering that alot. ‘Siobhan ‘Then I opened another envelope, This was the Teter that was inside Christopher continues to build «train set. shouldbe as bg as he an possibly make it He makes it wth anton and deta os the eter conte. Judy Dear Christopher, I said that I wanted to explain to you why L went away when I had the time to doit properly. Now I have lot of time. So I'm siting on che sofa here with this etter and the radio on and I'm going to ty and explain. Iwas not very good mother Christopher. Maybe if things hhad been different, maybe if you'd been different, T might hhave been better a it But that’s jus the way things turned Tm not like your father. Your father is a much more patient person. He just gets on with things and ifthings upset him hhe doesn't lecit shows. Bur that’s not the way Iam and there's nothing Tean do change it Part One 43 Do you remember once when we were shopping in town together? And we went into Bentalls and it was really crowded and we had to get a Christmas presen for Grandma? And you were frightened because of all the people in the shop. I¢ was the middie of Christmas shopping ‘when everyone was in town, And I yas talking to Mr Land ‘who works on the kitchen floor and went 1 schoo! wich me, And you crouched down on the floor and put your hands ‘over your ears and you were in the way of everyone s0 I got cross because T con't like shopping at Chstmas cither, and I (old you to behave and I ered to pick you up and move you. But you shouted and you knocked those mixers off che self and there was abig cash. And everyone turned round to see ‘what was going on and Mr Land was really nice about it but there were boxes and bts of string and bits of broken bow ‘athe floor and everyone was staring and I saw that you had wet yourself and I was so eross and T wanted to take yoss ‘ut ofthe shop but you wouldn'elet me touch you and you Just lay on the floor and screamed and banged your hands ‘and feet on the floor and the manager came and asked me “what the problem wasand I was atthe end of my tether and Thad to pay for two broken mixers and we jusclbad to wait Until you stopped screaming, And then I had to walk you all, the way home, which took hours because I knew you ‘wouldn't go on the bus again, And I remember that night I just eried and cried and cried ‘and your father was really nice about tat first and he made you supper and put you to bed and he said these things happen and it would be OK. But I suid T couldnt take it anymore and eventually he got really cross and he old mie 1 ‘was being stupid and said I should pull myself together and hit him, which was wrong, but Twas so upset ‘We had a ot of argument ike that Because [often thought I couldn't take itany more, And your father is really patient, but I'm not. get cross, ever, though Tdon't mean to, And by the end we stopped talking44 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time to-each other very much because we knew it would always end up inan argument. And Tel realy lonely, Siobhan And that was when I started spending lots of tine vith Roges: Judy And that was when I started spending lots of ine With Rogen ‘And [know you might not understand any ofthis, but ‘wanted to ey to explain so that you knew, Siobhan We had afoin common, And then we ralsed that we were in love with one ano Jody 1 suid chat T could leave you and he was sd about that but he understood chat you were realy important to Siobhan And you started to shout and I got ross and T threw the food aeros the room. Which Tknow I shoulda’. have done Judy You grabbed the chopping board and you threw it land it itm foot and broke my oes Siobhan Andafierwards at home your father and I had a huge argument Judy And 1 couldet walk propely fora month, do you remember and your father hac to look after you. Siobtan And I remember looking a the wo of you and seeing you together and thinking how you were rally Aliferene with him. Mach calmer Judy And itmade me so sad because it was like you didi’ ‘eed meatal, Siobhan And I think then realised you and your father ‘were probably beter offi Twas living in the house Judy And Roger asked me if wanted to come with him. Siobhan And itbroke my heart but eventually I decided it would be better for all of us iT went, Part One 45 Judy And s0 Isaia yes, Siobhan And I meant to say goodbye, Judy But when I rang your father he sad I couldn't — He was really angry. He said I couldn’ Siobhan He said Teoulda’t alk to you Jody And Idide’t know what todo, Siobhan He said I was being selfish and that L was never set foot inside the house again. Judy And so Thaves't Siobhan I wonder if you can understand any of this, 1 know it willbe diffent for you. Jody Tchought whet I was doing was the best forall of ws. 1 hope itis Siobhan Christopher I never meant to hurt you. Judy Tused to have dreams that everything would get beter: Do you remember you used to say that you wanted to beau astronaut? Well Fused ta have dreams where you were an astronaut and you were on television and I thought that's my son. I wonder what itis that you want to be now Hos it changed? Are you stil doing maths? Lope you ave, Judy Loads and loads of love, Mother. Christopher moves tothe midi of te track. He crouches down. “He als himself na ball. le stars hitting his hands an hs fut ‘an his ead agains the floras the ltr continues, Fis th ‘has echasted him. He has ben si. Hele ail fra hil, ‘wrapped in bal Bd Christopher? Christopher? Christopher dass’? rspond, Fa_ Christopher, Christopher what the hell are you doing? Whac are you? These are. Oh shit. Oh Christ, Christopher doesn't mows or respond.4% The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Ed thins fom ong Ra Tewasan accident Christopher dos’ respond Ed. I don't know what to say... Twasin sucha mess... said she was in hospital. because {didn't know how to explain it was 90 complicated. And once Pel said that. Teoulda’t change it. Irjust.. It got ou of control. Christopher doen’ respond Afier atime Ea approaches him Very, very gently be touch his sulder Christopher doen't spond. ‘Oh Jesus, Christopher: You've got sick all over your... Ed_ Let's sicyou up and get your dothes off and. into bed OK? I'm going to have to touch you, but its ong robe all right Falls Christopher onto the side ofthe bed. Christopher doesn't sil or fight at al [Ed takes Christopher's jumper and shin off Bd Have you had anything to eat this evening? Gan I get you anything 0 eat Christopher? OK. Look, Fm going to go and put your clothes into the ‘washing machine and then T'lleome back, OK? Edd oncoes any. Christopher sis one. Ed comes back. Ed How are you feeling? Can I get you anything? ‘Look maybe I shoulda say cis, But... Twant you to know that you can trust me ... You have to know that Tam going totell you the truth rom now on. About everything. Because * ifyou don’ ell the truth now, then later on it hurts even Inore, So... killed Welingeon, Christopher Just... etme Part One 47 ‘explain. When your mum let... Fileen ... Mrs Shears she was very good to me. She helped me through a very ifficult rime, Well, ou know how she was round here most fdays. [thought ... Well... Shit Christopher, 'm trying to keep this simple. ., I ehought she might carry on coming over... L thought... and maybe I was being stupid «..T thought she might. - eventually. want 1o move in here, (Or that we migh move into her house, I honght we were fiends. And I guess I thought wrong, We argued Christopher, and... She said some things I'm not going to say 1o you because they're not ice ... [think she eared more for that bloody dog than for ns, And maybe that’s not «0 stupid looking back, Maybe its easier living on your own looking after some stupid mut, than shaving your life with ‘other actual human beings. mean, shit, buddy we're not ‘exactly low maincenanee, are we? Anyway, we bad this row. ‘And after this particularly nasty litle blow-out, she chucked ‘me out ofthe house. And you know what that bloody dog. ‘was ike. Nice as pie one moment, roll over tickle its Stomach, Sink its teeth into your leg the next. Anyway, we're yelling ac each other and it's in the garden. So when she slams the door behind me the bugger’s waiting for me. And know, I know. Maybe if just given ita kick it would probably have backed of But, shit Christopher, when the red mist comes down ... Christ, you know what I'm talking about. I mean we're not that diferent me and you, And it tras like everything Yd been botling up for ovo years just Tnever mean; fort to tuen out ike this. diol hi ight hand up for Christopher to touch. Christopher ignores it, Ha stars ot Christopher Ed_ OK. Look. Christopher: I'm sorry. Let's leaveit for ‘onight, OK? Ym going t go downstairs and you get some sleep and we'll talkin the morning. I's going to be all right. “Honesty. Trust me Ba aes. Christopher groan. He tarts counting.48 ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Christopher 2, 4,8, 16,52, 64, 128, 256, 519, 1024, 2048, 4096, $192, 16984, 92, 768, 32, 768, 32,768 — jobhan Father had murdered Wellington, ‘That meant he could murder me. had to get out ofthe house made a decision. I did this by thinking ofall the things I could do and deciding whether they were the right dei Ed Stay home, Siobhan I decided 1 couldn't stay home any more Ed Christopher, pleat. Christopher No because I can'c live in the house with you any more because itis dangerous. Tean't go and live with you because you can'tlook after me ‘when school's closed, Siobhan I could try and ~ Christopher No ecause you're teacher Siobhan Yes Christopher Nota fiend or amember of my family Uncle Terry You could go and live with your Unele'Terry. Christopher You live in Sunderland. I don’t know how to sget to Sunderland. Unele Terry Geta train. Get the train from Swindon. Christopher And you smoke cigarettes, And you stroke my hain, You're nots friend either ‘Mis Alexander Think Lama friend, Christopher No. And you're nota member of my family Mrs Alexander Ido havea dog. | Pat one 49 Chisopher Yes bt 1’ stay overnight in your howe or ‘your let cane youve ned ad youve a suanger Mev Alexander In not aly stranger Critphet, Ctuisopher Yes. Judy 451 Chapter Road London NW SNC. ‘8c Chapter Road, London NW2 5NG, 45 Chapter Road, London NW2 SNC, Christopher kt Jy, s5leChapter Road, Cristopher London NW2 5NC. Light falls,Part Too ‘The Company ison sage. Siobhan Christopher I want to ask you something. Mrs ‘Gascoyne wondered if we would like to doa play this yea: ‘She atked me to ask everybody if we'd like to make some kind of performance forthe school. Everybody could join in and play apart ini Mrs Gascoyne I think it would bea good thing for ‘everybody to join in and playa pare int ‘Siobhan I as wondering i you'd lke to make a play out of your book. Christopher No. ‘Siobhan 1 think t could be really good fun Christopher Mrs Gascoyne I thinkit could be realy good fun. Christopher No. I's book and its for me and not ‘everybody just for me. Siobhan 1 know that Christopher but I think alot of people would he interested in what would happen if people ook your hook and started acting bits out oF, Christopher No. I don’ lke acting because itis pretending that something is real when itis not really real at allo itis like kind offi. Siobhan or people ike stories Christopher. Some people find things which are kind of trae in things which are made ‘up. You like your Sherlock Holmes stories and you know Sherlock Holes isn'ta real person don't you? would help you if you were wortied aboot that, Christopher No. Reverend Peters I thiak M'd rather like to take the part of a policeman, Rie | Part Two 51 Ghristopher You're 00 old o be a policeman, Ed (outing) Chyistopher. Christopher Company move into the space and watch Bd, Christopher hides. [Nobody gies Ba aclu sto where Christopher i Afr aie he gives up ‘Then Christopher cones ou. Hes holding Toby in hit cage. Mrs Alexander Chrxopher, what on ets as happened to you! Ghristopher Gan you look after Toby for me? Mrs Alexander Who's'Taby? Christopher Toby's my pet rat, Mrs Alexander Oh told me. Christopher He eats special pellets and you can buy them from a pet shop. And he needs new water in his boule every day, 00, Mrs Alexander Why do you need somebody to look after ‘Toby, Christopher? Christopher I'm going to London. «Oh yes, Frememher now. You Mrs Alexander How long are you going for? Christopher Unil go to university Mrs Alexander Right. Are you and your father moving. house? Christopher No. Mrs Alexander So, why are you going to London? Christopher I'm going to live with Mother52. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Mrs Alexander I thought you told me your mother was dead. is thought she was dead but she was sll alive, ‘And Father led to me, And also he killed Wellington and so thar means that he could kill me, Mrs Alexander Is your mother here? Christopher No, Mother isin London. She lives at 461e ‘Chapter Road, Landon NW2 5NG. Mrs Alexander So you're going o London on your own? Christopher 1 think Jam going to do that yes. Mrs Alexander Look, Christopher, why don't you come inside and sit down and we ean talk about this Christopher No, I can't come insite, Will you look after ‘Toby for me? Mrs Alexander I eally don't think that would be good idea Christopher, ‘Where's your futher atthe moment Christopher? Christopher I don't know. Mrs Alexander Well perbaps we should try and give hima ing and see if we can getin touch with him. Pm sure he's ‘worried about you, And I's sure that there's been dreadful misunderstanding. Christopher lass He goes back to his house. “He ses Bas cashpoin card onthe fl: He stares ait fron in is tracks. He opproashes the card. Ho takes i, put is is poke, Part Two 53 Company 9558. 3558. 3558, 2558, 3558, Christopher 3588, He lee the hone, ‘The Company make Swindon town centre, Christopher Where can I buy a map? Lady in Street Pardon? Christopher Where can Tbuy a map? Lady in Street A map of where? Christopher A map of here Lady in Street I don't know where do you want to get so? Christopher I'm going to the tain station. Lady in Street You don't need 2 map to get to the train Christopher I do because I don't know where the tain Lady in Street You can seeit from heve, Christopher No I can't And also I need to know where there is2 cash machine. Lady in Street There, That building. Says signal point on the top, There's a British Rail sign on the other end, The station's atthe bottom af that, Christopher Do you mean the ssipey building with the orzo windows that you can ee poking ou over the uses? Lady im Street “That's the one. Christopher Hoy do gett thar building? Lady in Street Gordon Bennett.54 "The Gurious Incident of the Dog in the Night Christopher I knew that the tain station was somewhere reat And if something ie nearby you can find it by moving in 2 spiral, walking clockwise and taking every right turn until yout come back toa road you've already walked on, then taking the next left, then taking every right carn and soon. ‘Ad that was how I found the station The Votees here are p-rconiod. Voice One Customers secking access to the car park please use assistance phone opposite, right of the ticket office Voice Two Warning CCTV in operation Voice Three Great Western Voice Voice Two CAUTION WET FLOOR Voice Four Your 50p will keep a premature baby alive for LB seconds Cold beers and lagers Voice Three Transforming travel Voice Fi Retreshingly Different Voice One Ic Choe Deluxe elicious i's creamy and its only £1.30 Hot Voice Two 0870777 7678 Voice Four ‘The Lemon Tree Voice One No Smoking Voice Two Fine teas Voice Five Automatic Fire Door Keep Clear Voice Two Air Conditioned Voice Three Reserved Parking Voice Four Open As Usal This Way Pare Two Voice Three No Smoking Voice Five Noaleohol Voice Three Dogs must be carvied Voice One RV Voice Three Dogs must be carried Voice One LFB Voice Four A Pesfect Blend Voice Two Royal Mail Voice Fo Mon-Fri? am-7 pms Voice Three Dogs must be carried at all vimes Voice Five Special Lunch Offers Voice One Parking Subject o the Railway Byetaws Section 219 of the Transport Aet 2000, Voice Three Please stand on the right Voice Four Superb Coffec Voice Two Step-free Access Voice Five ‘Take Extra Cave with Children Voice Four Superb Coffee Voice Three Cash Dispensers Voice Four Superb Coffee Voice yree Dogs must be carried at al cimes Station Policeman Are youll right, young man? Ghristopher You're too ol. Station Policeman Ave you allright, young man? Chuistopher You're wo old to ay a policeman, Station Policeman Axe you allright, young man?56 ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Chuistopher No, Station Policeman You're looking abit worse for wear. The lady atthe cafe says that when she (ried talking to you, you were ina complete trance, Whats your nam Christopher Christopher Boone. Station Policeman Whe: Christopher 36 Randolph Street. Station Policeman What ure you doing here? do you live? and think, Christopher Tneeded to sit down and be q Station Policeman OK let's keep it simple. What are you doing atthe railway station? Christopher I'm going tosce Mother Station Policeman Mother? Christopher Yes, Mother. Station Policeman When's your train? Christopher I don't know. She lives in London. I don’ know when there'sa train to London, Station Policeman So, you don‘ live with your mother? Ghristopher No. But F'm going to, Station Policeman So where does your mother live Christopher In London, Station Policeman Yes, but wherein London, 451¢ Chapter Road, London NW2 8NG. ion Policeman Jesus, What i that? Christopher ‘That's Toby, my pet rat. Station Policeman A pet rat? Christopher Yes, pet rat, He's very clean and he hasn't ‘go: bubonic plague, Pare Tro 57 tion Policeman Well, that’s reassuring, Christopher Yes. Station Policeman Have you gota ticket? Christopher No, Saati Policeman Show preset were you ging o get Christopher Ihave a cushpoint card Station Policeman Is this your card? Christopher No it's Father's, Station Policeman Fathers, Christopher Yes, Father's Station Policeman OK. Christopher He told me the number, I's 3558, Station Policeman Shhh. Why don't you and I take a stroll to the cash machine, ch? Christopher You rmusta’t touch me, Station Policeman Why would I want to touch your? Christopher I don't know. Station Policeman Well, nither do I. Christopher Because I gota caution for hiting a policeman but I didn't mean to hurt him and if I doit again Tgetinto even bigger trouble, Voice One Please insert your car Station Policeman You're sevious aren't you? c istopher Yes. Voice One Enter your personal identification number Station Policeman You lead the way. Christopher Where?‘The Curious Incident ofthe Dog in the Night- Station Policeman Back by the ticket oie Voice One Please enter amount, Ten pounds, Tweaty pounds. Fity pounds. One hundred pounds Christopher How much does it costo geta ticket to London? Station Policeman About twenty quid. Voice One Please wait. Your transaetion is being processed, Christopher Is hat ps Station Policeman Christ alive, Yep. Ts twenty pouncs Voice One Please take your card and wait for your cash, mls? at Station Policeman Well I guess I shouldn't keep you ‘coating any longer Christopher Where do I eta ticker forthe train from? Station Policeman You are a prize specimen aren't you Christopher Where do I get ticket forthe tain from? Station Policeman To there. Now are you sure you know what you're doing? Christopher Yes. I'm going to London to live with my mother Station Policeman Has your mother got a telephone ‘number? Christopher Yes. Station Policeman And can you tell me what itis? Ghristopher Yes. Its 020 8887 8907 Station Policeman And you'llzing her ifyou get into any trouble O1 Christopher I want to go to London. Man behind Counter Ifyou don't min Part Two 59 Christopher I want to goto London, Man behind Counter Single or return? Christopher What does single or return mean? Man behind Counter Do you want to go one way or do you ‘want to come back? Christopher I want to stay there when I get there. Man behind Counter For how long? Christopher Until 1 goo university, ‘Man behind Counter Single then, That'll be £17, Christopher When isthe wain to London? Man behind Counter Platform 1, five minutes, Christopher Where is Platform 1? ‘Man behind Counter ‘Through the underpass and up the stairs, You'l see the sigas : : Somebody banps io Cheistopher. He barks at then like a dog Siobhan Underpass means tannel Christopher: In your head imagine a big redline across the floor: It starts at your feet and goes through the tunnel, And walk along the line. And count the rhythm in your head because that helps doesnt it? Like when you're doing music or when you're doing drumming. Left, right, let right, lef, right, Jet right Christopher Let, right, lft, right, left, ight, te. vight, lef, right Ie, right, Christopher Is this the wan to London’ Station Policeman Christopher. Caught you justin time We've got your father atthe police station, He's looking for you Christopher know,60 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time Siation Policeman So why are you going to London? Christopher Because I'm going olive with Mother Staton Policeman Well think your father might have something to say about that Ghristopher ris to. Station Policeman grt in. Ghrispher scams Station Policeman ls go. Station Policeman OK, Jet's not get over-excited here. going otake you back the police ston and you and me find your dad can sit down and havea itl chat about who's going where Christopher Have you arrested Father? Staion Policeman Arrested hin? What fr? Christopher He kileda dog. With a garden fork, The dog ‘was called Wellington. Station Policeman Well, we can alk about thatas well Right now, young man, {think you've done enough adventring for one day. ‘The Station Policeman rach out 10 touch hin. Christopher Station Policeman Now listen, you litle monkey. You can either do what say, or I'm going to have to make ‘Theta begins to mae, Shitting fuck, Christopher Why are you swearing? Have we started? Has the train started? Station Policeman Don't move, Rob? Yeah it's Nigel. I'm stuck ere on the bloody train Yeah, Don't even .. Look. Ie stops at Didcot Parkway. So if you can get someone to meet me with a car... Cheers, Tel his old man we've got him bucit’s going to take a while, OK? ‘Great, Let's get ourselves a seat, Park yourself. You are a bloody hanelilyou ave. Joe Part Tio 61 Christopher I see everything. Most other people are ‘They never look at everything They dowhat need glancing, which is the same word for bumping off something and carrying on in almost the same divection, And the information in their head is really simple, For example, i they are on a train looking out ofa wineove atthe countryside it might be Voice One 1. 1am siting on a train looking out at afield thats full of grass Voice Two 2, There are some cows inthe field, Voice Three 3. is sunny with a few clouds, Voice Four 4. There are some flowers in the grass. Voice Five 5. There isa village in the distance Voice One 6. Theresa fence at the edge ofthe fie and it basa gate in Christopher And then they would stop noticing anything because they would be thinking something else ike Voice Two ‘I realy want a bag of quavers! Christopher or, Voice One ‘I'm worried that I might have let the gas cooker on.” Christopher or Voice Four ‘I wonder if Juli has given birth yet” Christopher But if am siting Looking out of the window ‘ofa train onto the countryside Fnotice everything, Like Ase tals he raps outa eros ry with his hand I. There are nineteen cows inthe field, Fiftecn of which ane black and white and four of which are brown and white 2. There isa village in the distance, which bas 31 visible hhouses