Scene 1: Father Ralph's Church

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Narrator: (Describing the legend) There is a legend about a bird...
which sings just once in its life...
more sweetly than
any other creature...
on the face of the earth.

Scene 2: Outside the Church

---------------------------
Father Ralph: (Speaking to the refugees) From the moment it leaves the nest...
it searches for a thorn tree...
and doesn't rest
until it's found one.
Then, singing among
the savage branches...
it impales itself upon the
longest, sharpest spine.
And dying, it rises
above its own agony...
to out-carol the lark
and the nightingale...
and the whole world
stills to listen...
and God in his heaven smiles.

Refugee Father: (Desperate) For the best is bought only

at the cost of great pain...
or so says the legend.

Priest: Inside, everybody!

You, priest!
-Don't you know about the curfew?
-A man is dying.

Refugee Mother: And what's this?

His dinner?

Refugee Father: His family is very poor,

his children are starving.

Mrs. O'Neill: Meat! Chicken!

-We haven't seen this in months.
-All we get is macaroni.
Priest: For God's sake, have mercy on them!

Refugee Father: Out whoring and drinking, more like.

All rotten priests are the same.

Priest: -On your way, priest.

-And don't break curfew again.

Scene 3: Inside the Church

---------------------------
Father Ralph: (Handing out food) It's not much, but it
will help. Bring them out.
-Dear God. How many more?

Priest: -The Allies have landed in Sicily.

Mussolini can't last
now. It won't be long.

Father Ralph: It will be long enough.

You are all welcome here.
And you can take this off.
You don't need it anymore.

Priest: -It is the law.

-It's a Fascist law.

Father Ralph: -This is the house of God.

-lf there is a God at all.
He has forsaken us.
Perhaps it is we who
have forgotten him.
This man seems to
doubt the power of God.
So put your faith in me.
You're under my protection now,
and no harm will come to you.
And you don't need this.
Follow me.

Scene 4: Refugee Shelter

-------------------------
Father Ralph: No. There are too many already.
lf the Fascists find
out, what happens to me?

Priest: This is my church. I am responsible.

We are all responsible, Father.
I absolve you of any blame.
lf the authorities find out...
Ill say it was all my
doing. Go back to your dinner.
It's best you don't know.

Father Ralph: Come along.

Come along.

Scene 5: Refugee Shelter (Continued)

---------------------------------------
Father Ralph: Follow me this way. Come along.
It isn't much, I know, but you'll be
safe here for as long as you need to be.
Thank you from the bottom
of my heart. You are a saint.

Father Ralph: No. Far from it. Please.

Ill try to find a
doctor for you tomorrow.
Meanwhile, make yourselves
as comfortable as possible.

Refugee Father: Father, my grandson, Samuel...

protect him.
And find a safe haven for him...
if such a place still exists.

Father Ralph: You can both live in that place.

Refugee Father: I don't want to live.

I saw what the Nazis did...
to his parents.
To my wife.

Father Ralph: When I know that the boy is safe...

I want to be with her.
Ill do what I can for him.

Refugee Father: You swear on your sacred,

solemn love of God?

Father Ralph: I swear on my sacred oath.

Now rest.

Scene 6: Church Meeting

-------------------------
Priest: There are too many. We have
no food for them tomorrow.
Ill find some.
-And we need some medicine.
-Ill find some.
And you must rest, My Lord.
You put us all to shame.
No. We must do what we can.
Ill do the rest.

Priest: I know these are

difficult times, Ralph...
but when the Holy Father says mass...
his servant should not be late.

Scene 7: Living Room at Drogheda

---------------------------------
Meggie: (Speaking to Justine) All across Europe, thousands
of displaced people...
are seeking some sanctuary
from this ravaging war...
and Holy Mother Church
is doing nothing.

Justine: What has that to do with being late?

Meggie: We know that punctuality and

obedience are not your virtues...
but at least you could
show some respect.

Justine: And, you know, we do whatever we can.

Meggie: No, Your Eminence, we do

as little as possible...

Priest: because we don't want to offend

one Great Power or the other...
until we know which side will win.
Meanwhile, the homeless
have nowhere to go...
no future to look forward to,
and no one to take care of them.

Priest: -So I do what I can.

-Are you going to be a politician now?

Meggie: Listen to me, Ralph. Many

people admire your work.
It has even been discussed
with the Holy Father himself...
and I think your future as
a cardinal seems assured.
It's all I have hoped for
you, ever since Ive met you.

Priest: But...
you cannot have one
breath of scandal...
not one hint of it...
-to taint your dazzling future.
-What scandal?

Meggie: You know perfectly well

what Im talking about.

Priest: Your management of the great

fortune of Mary Carson...
which you brought into the Church,
and which you are in charge of.

Father Ralph: -Ive used this much for the refugees.

-You cannot use any of it.

Priest: The money belongs to the Church...

and you cannot use the
tiniest fraction of it...
for purposes the Church
does not deem appropriate.

Father Ralph: -Saving human lives is not appropriate?

-Of course it is appropriate...
and you know that.
But it is not up to you to decide.

Priest: -It is not your decision.

-What am I to do?

Meggie: My priests and I

scrounge, beg, and steal...
to feed the refugees for one night...
never knowing whether
they will starve the next.
Then we have to
persuade the Church...
-to loosen her purse strings.
-And when the war is over?

Priest: -Then they can go home.

-Most of them have no homes now.
-There are other countries-- -Who
don't want them, won't take them.

Meggie: Then we have to use our political

[The scene is set at Drogheda, with Luke, Meggie, and Archbishop de Bricassart
having a conversation in the living room. The tension is palpable as they discuss
their past and future.]

Meggie: [With a mixture of anger and hurt] You don't play fair, Luke. You come
swanning in here like Father Christmas, making them think you're the most
wonderful man in the world.

Luke: [Trying to defend himself] Well, I am.

Meggie: [Not convinced] Walk me home?

[They leave the room, and Luke continues to try to persuade Meggie.]

Luke: [Determined] This isn't going to work. At least let me try. You owe me that
much. And you owe it to the children.

Meggie: [Still resistant] I'm going back to Luke.

Luke: [Desperate] You did very good. But you, mate, you gotta keep your head
down. You gotta keep your head down near the horse's head. You gotta talk to him
like a friend. Gotta let him know you're his boss.

Dane: [Innocently] Mom doesn't do that.

Luke: [Trying to connect with his son] Yeah, well, your mom's always been a bit
formal in the saddle.

[They continue discussing their family dynamics.]

Justine: [Curious] Have you ever met the Pope?

Dane: [Intrigued] What's he like?

Ralph: [With a smile] Dane, he's just a man. In a white dress.

Justine: [Unfiltered] It's all right, Meggie. He's used to it.

Ralph: [Maintaining composure] And it's true. The Pope is a very special man. The
representative of God on Earth, but still, he's only a man. We're all only men, trying
to serve God the best way we can.

[The conversation takes a more serious turn.]

Meggie: [Questioning] Why did you come back? Why do you always come back just
when I think I don't need you?

Ralph: [Explaining] I had no choice, Meggie. The Church sent me. I certainly had no
idea you'd be at the station. I had planned to keep some distance. But now, seeing
you... I can't let things be the way they were.

Meggie: [Confrontational] Why have you come back? Why did you leave me in the
first place?

Ralph: [Regretful] Meggie, you never lost me. You think I haven't wanted you? Every
moment, waking, sleeping, praying... you've been in my heart and in my mind. I need
the warmth of someone real beside me, not the cold love of God.

[The discussion shifts to family matters.]

Dane: [Openly] He wants to be a priest. Stop him, I beg you. I couldn't bear it.

Meggie: [Worried] Because of me?

Ralph: [Assuring] Meggie, you never lost me.

[And finally, the conversation takes a surprising turn.]

Meggie: [Revealing a secret] I'm pregnant. I'm going to have Luke's baby.

Luke: [Shocked and emotional] What?

[As the tension mounts, Luke and Ralph continue to confront each other.]

Luke: [Defensive] She's my wife, you're the intruder.

Ralph: [Calmly] But she lives here.

Luke: [Determined] Not for much longer. You think I want this new kid growing up in
this Catholic hothouse? Look what happened to the other two, to Dane.

Ralph: [Trying to reason] The Church has never interfered with your life.

Luke: [Accusing] Maybe not the Church directly. But you have, haven't you?

[The conversation ends with Luke's decision to buy a place of his own and remove
Meggie from Drogheda.]

Luke: [Resolute] So, I'm buying a place of my own. Not much by your standards, but
I think we'll be happy. And she won't be here for you to come running back to every
time you need a dose of reality.

Here is a detailed and dialogued script based on the provided text:

---

[Setting: A conversation between Ralph and Meggie in a room at Drogheda.]

Ralph: (Offering Meggie a proposition) But you can stay on here. I'll hire you to
manage the place.

Meggie: (Resisting the idea) I'm not slaving the rest of my days working for some
mick in Rome. Meggie's brothers can break their backs running this place for you...
when they get back from the war... but I'll have no part of it.
Ralph: (Acknowledging her concerns) You conned old Mary Carson into giving you
this place... and I'd love to know the truth of that one one day... but it's all yours
now... lock, stock, and barrel. And I wish you the joy of it. But I keep Meggie.

Meggie: (Addressing Ralph formally) My Lord.

Ralph: (Encouraging informality) Why don't you call me Ralph?

Meggie: (Respecting his position) Because you're an archbishop.

Ralph: (Trying to bridge the gap) Pretend I'm not. Not here.

[They change the subject and move outside to a waterhole.]

Meggie: (Appreciating the scenery) It's one of the last waterholes left... because of
the drought. The wild animals come here at sunset to drink. I love it here. Do you like
being a priest?

Ralph: (Reflecting) Sometimes I find it very difficult, Dane. I seem to spend my life
searching for God.

Dane: (Curious) Father Hammond, my teacher, says God is here.

Ralph: (Agreeing) They say God is everywhere.

Dane: (Seeking clarification) Yes, but especially here. You're very lucky, Dane.

Ralph: (Sharing his experiences) Not everyone has this.

Dane: (Expressing his ambitions) You said he was everywhere.

Ralph: (Teasing gently) You sound like a Jesuit. I'm going to a Jesuit school in
Sydney in a couple of years. At least, I was. Now Dad's come back, and he isn't too
keen on it.

Dane: (Questioning) What's all this about you wanting to be a priest? Everyone says
I should wait until I'm older to decide... but I don't know why.

Ralph: (Offering guidance) You're very young, and you'll change. In a couple of
years, things will happen to your body... and you'll start getting interested in girls...
and that's a very big problem for a priest.

Dane: (Curious) I know about girls. I've seen the animals. I know what goes on.
Ralph: (Understanding) You may know certain facts, but you can't know the feeling.
That doesn't happen till later. I fell in love once, and my whole life has been a battle...
to decide if I love her more than God.

Dane: (Intrigued) But you wouldn't leave the Church.

Ralph: (Resolute) No. No, she deserves the best that life can give her... and I don't
think that's me. So it's all right?

Dane: (Seeking reassurance) I wish it were that easy.

Ralph: (Offering comfort) Look, where's the ward? Thank you.

[Scene shifts to a different location where Luke and Meggie are together.]

Luke: (Changing the subject) So silly, all this rain here in Sydney... and 1,000 miles
away, we're desperate for one drop.

Meggie: (Concerned) Now, what did the specialist say, Jack?

Jack: (Defeated) Same as all the others. You ain't going to get any grandsons out of
me, Mom. Half a man, that's what I am now.

Meggie: (Trying to console) Don't talk like that, you can still have a fine life. It was
never very important before, getting married, having kids. Plenty of time for that, I
thought. Any bloke can do that. That's the easy part.

Jack: (Regretful) I was wrong.

Meggie: (Reassuring) Im sorry, Mom. I know how much you wanted grandchildren to
carry on the family line.

Fiona (Fee): (Supportive) I have grandchildren: Justine and Dane.

Meggie: (Feeling guilty) Yeah, but they're Luke's kids. They're not Clearys to carry on
at Drogheda, are they? ''Sons,'' you always used to say. ''Sons are what a mother
cares about.'' All your sons have been a disappointment to you. Stu's dead, Frank
locked up for the rest of his life... and now me.

Fiona (Fee): (Comforting) My sons have been my greatest joy.

Jack: (Realizing the importance of family) Momma...

Fiona (Fee): (Resigned) It is God's will, dear. We must trust in him.

[The scene shifts again to Ralph and Meggie talking.]

Meggie: (Conflicted) What is it?

Ralph: (Hesitating) It's Luke. He thinks you're encouraging Dane to become a priest.

Meggie: (Worried) He won't let me be a priest.

Ralph: (Trying to mediate) That's enough. You don't discuss family business with
strangers.

Dane: (Speaking up) Ralph is not a stranger.

Meggie: (Defensive) He is to me.

Ralph: (Trying to ease tension) I'd like to hear what the boy has to say.

Meggie: (Opposed) No.

Ralph: (Respecting Meggie's wishes) Dane's my son, and Ill bring him up my way. I
don't want you interfering with his education. I want you off this place. This is Church
property, Luke. And the Church demands that I be here. Ill stay as long as they need
me. Then we'll get out of your way. My family and I will be out of this place by the
end of the week.

Luke: (Angry) What? And if I ever catch you sniffing around my boy... or my wife, or
anything else of mine... Ill break your bloody neck.

Fiona (Fee): (Trying to defuse the situation) Luke, please.

Luke: (Losing control) Luke, we cannot go to the farm, not yet. There's too much to
do. We're getting out of here. There's a curse on this place. There's no running
water, the house is falling down.

Meggie: (Confronting Luke) So we'll have to rough it for a while. But I'm not going to
be lorded over by some snotty-nosed priest. He's just trying to help.

Luke: (Accusing Ralph) I don't want his help, I want him out of my life. I want him out
of Dane's life, and I want him out of your life.

Fiona (Fee): (Determined) Im not going, Luke, not until the farm is ready.

Luke: (Demanding) You're my wife and you'll go where I say.

But for now, you need to learn responsibility and help out when needed. Riding is
part of your education here. Now, go get ready.

[Justine reluctantly goes to get changed.]

[Cut to the stables, where Justine is riding a horse with Luke watching her.]

Luke: That's it, Justine, you're doing well. Keep your heels down and your posture
straight.

Justine: I don't see why I have to learn this.

Luke: It's important to know how to ride, especially on a cattle station like this. You
might need to help with the muster someday.

Justine: I don't want to be a farmer. I want to go to the city and have a different life.

Luke: Well, you can dream of the city, but for now, this is your life. And you need to
learn the skills that will help you here.

[Cut to Meggie, who is watching them from a distance.]

[Later, after the riding lesson, Justine and Luke are back at the house.]

Justine: I still don't see why I have to do all this farm stuff. It's not what I want.

Luke: Justine, I know it's not easy for you. But this is our family, and Drogheda is our
home. You have responsibilities here, just like your mother and I do.

Justine: But Mom doesn't do anything. She just stays in her room most of the time.

Luke: Your mother is going through a difficult time right now. She's been through a
lot. We all have. It's important to be patient and understanding.

Justine: I miss her, you know. I wish she would come out and spend time with us.

Luke: We all miss her. But she needs some space right now. We have to respect her
wishes. And I promise you, things will get better.

[Cut to Meggie, still watching them, with a conflicted expression on her face.]

[Later that evening, Meggie is in her room, alone.]

Meggie (whispering to herself): I never imagined it would come to this. My family torn
apart, my children unhappy. What have I done?

[The storm outside intensifies, with thunder and heavy rain. Meggie looks out the
window, her face reflecting her inner turmoil.]

[Cut to Dane, who is lying in his bed, unable to sleep due to the storm.]

Dane (whispering to himself): I wish Mom were here with me. I wish things could go
back to the way they were.

[The storm continues to rage outside as the family faces the challenges and changes
in their lives.]

[End of scene.]

Scene: A courtroom, with Megan, Luke, their lawyers, and the judge present.

---

[The courtroom is tense as Megan and Luke sit on opposite sides, their lawyers
beside them. Father Ralph watches from a distance.]

Judge: [Addressing Megan] All right, Mrs. O'Neill. Look, boy, I know you're upset, but
it's done. So try and forget the past.

Megan: [Tearfully] I'll never forget Mom.

Judge: No one's expecting you to. You'll see her again. But in the meantime, Dane...
make the most of it, because I'm all you got.

[Megan's lawyer, Mr. Gough, begins questioning Megan.]

Mr. Gough: [To Megan] Look at you. Quite the young man about town. Two, four, six,
eight. Bog in, don't wait. Can I say grace?

Megan: [Nervously] Well, you know, that stuff gives me the willies. If you must.

[Mr. Gough continues his questioning.]

Mr. Gough: Is there no chance between you and Mr. O'Neill?

Megan: [Sighs] How can you ask me that? You were going back to him.
Mr. Gough: Because the children needed a father... and because I was lonely. So I
went back to Luke, but it wasn't for love. When he hit me, when I lost the child, I
realized he hated me. He didn't come back here for me; he came back here for
Dane. If he had taken Justine as well, maybe I could forgive him... but he broke her
heart, and she blames me for that. I've made such a mess of things. What am I going
to do?

Mr. Gough: [Sympathetic] First of all, we must get Dane back to you.

Megan: [Tearfully] Yes.

Mr. Gough: I don't want to be too optimistic, but I think you've got a good case. It
would be easier if you and Mr. O'Neill were divorced or legally separated... but in
most cases of this kind, the court will usually award custody of any children to the
mother.

Megan: [Relieved] Thank God.

Mr. Gough: Of course, you had agreed to go back to Mr. O'Neill.

Megan: [Nods] He attacked her physically.

Mr. Gough: She is his wife.

Megan: She lost a child because of him. And that will get a lot of sympathy, of
course... but this is not a divorce case. Dane's welfare will be the judge's primary
concern.

[Megan confides in Father Ralph.]

Megan: [To Father Ralph] Is there anything you haven't told me? Anything... I'm sorry
to be personal... anything that might reflect on you as a mother? Any special
friendships outside the marriage, for example?

Father Ralph: [Calmly] Luke does not approve of my friendship with Archbishop de
Bricassart.

Megan: [Nervous] I imagine he'll try and make something out of that.

Father Ralph: [Reassuring] I don't think that will get him very far... unless there's
more to it than meets the eye.
Megan: [Conflicted] There's considerably more to it than meets the eye, Mr. Gough.
The eye cannot see what is in the heart. And what is in my heart is pure and
wonderful.

---

[The courtroom proceedings continue as Father Ralph watches intently.]

Judge: [To Luke] I am religious counselor to Mrs. O'Neill. I have been for a very long
time.

Judge: [To Megan] As you were to Mary Carson?

Father Ralph: [Respectfully] As I was to Mary Carson.

Judge: [To Megan] I'm sorry to have to probe, but the court may do the same. So,
let's see if we can't get Dane back to you, Mrs. O'Neill.

Megan: [Grateful] Thank you.

Judge: [To Luke] I lied to him. After all the promises I made to myself and to you...
that I wouldn't tell any more lies... and I couldn't tell him the truth.

Megan: [Understanding] We both lied, to get Dane back.

[Megan and Father Ralph share a meaningful look as the courtroom drama
continues.]

---

[The courtroom scene shifts to the trial.]

Mr. Gough: [To Dane] Father Ralph. Is Mommy with you?

Dane: [Excited] Not this time, Dane. I've come to talk to your father.

Dane: [To Megan] Want to see me on my new pony?

Megan: [Smiling] Sure.

[Father Ralph and Dane exit to talk privately.]

---
[Mr. Gough continues to question Luke.]

Mr. Gough: [To Luke] Megan wants legal custody of Dane. Look, Father Ralph, he
can jump, too.

Luke: [Defensive] The natural place for that boy is with his father... and I'll take it to
every court in the land if I have to.

Mr. Gough: [Pressing] You can't win, Luke. The courts always favor the mother.

Luke: [Determined] We'll see about that. Now, if that's all... you'd best be on your
way. Cheers.

[Megan and Justine share a private moment.]

Megan: [To Justine] Justine, I need to talk to you. You can't stay in your room forever.
I have some news about your father and Dane.

Justine: [Curious] What's the news?

Megan: [Serious] You may not like it very much.

Justine: [Concerned] Tell me.

Megan: [Preparing her] Im taking your father to court to get Dane back.

Justine: [Upset] Why are you so horrible to Daddy?

Megan: [Regretful] That's not fair, Justine. Don't hate me. You know, when I was your
age... I used to think your grandma didn't love me. Well, I was wrong. It breaks my
heart to think you feel the same way. I just want to be happy. We were happy, sort of,
when Daddy came back. Till that priest showed up.

Justine: [Frustrated] This has nothing to do with Father Ralph. And when we get
Dane back, we will be happy again.

Justine: [Defiant] I won't be, not here. I want to be with Dad.

Megan: [Worried] After what he did to you?

Justine: [Defiant] He didn't mean it. He loves me.

Megan: [Desperate] Justine, Luke doesn't love either of us.

Justine: [Tears in her eyes] He does, I know he does.

Megan: [Reaching out] Listen to me. They may ask you some questions in court... so
I want you to think about this very seriously. Remember all

Judge: You heard what Mr. Gough said. You heard Luke.

Meggie: I don't think it's that simple. I don't know what the judge will say. He's going
to give Dane to me. He must.

Justine: Why take the risk? Why not end it now? Tell the truth. Tell someone Luke
isn't Dane's father.

Meggie: Because there's no need. All this time, I wanted someone to understand...
what my life with Luke was like. You never believed me. Now everyone will know.

Judge: The judge wants to put you on the stand.

Luke: Why?

Meggie: It's this Catholic thing. Shook him rigid when he heard about Dane wanting
to be a priest. Why, it shook me, too. His Honor's real old-time Protestant. He can't
stand micks. Begging your pardon, Archbishop.

Archbishop: Come on, Justine, we're going home.

Judge: Where's Justine?

Meggie: She's not well. She's not coming today.

Judge: But the judge might want to ask her some questions.

Meggie: She's sick. In any case, I think it might be better if the judge doesn't talk to
her.

Judge: What is your relationship with Mrs. O'Neill, Archbishop?

Archbishop: I've known Mrs. O'Neill since she was very young, since she first came
here many years ago. I advise her on religious matters.

Judge: And what is your relationship with Drogheda?

Archbishop: The Church owns Drogheda. The Clearys manage it for the Church.
Judge: The Catholic Church owns all of Drogheda?

Archbishop: Yes.

Judge: How so?

Archbishop: The property was left to the Church by Mary Carson, who owned it.

Meggie: Left to you.

Luke: What does Mr. O'Neill mean by that?

Archbishop: The Archbishop was Mary Carson's religious advisor as well. She left
the property to the Church... so long as the worth and ability of Ralph de Bricassart is
appreciated.

Judge: So, you would have a considerable personal interest... in what happens at
Drogheda?

Archbishop: Not in the day-to-day running of the place. The Clearys do that very
well. But we do have an interest, of course.

Luke: It's more than an interest. You're always poking your nose in.

Archbishop: Mr. O'Neill, please.

Judge: Having control of such an enormous property... must be helpful to your

career.

Archbishop: Being a priest is not a career, Your Honor.

Judge: Nevertheless, the Church continues to appreciate... your worth and ability.

Archbishop: I hope I've been of service.

Judge: What is your Church's position regarding... Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill's marriage?

Archbishop: It is the position of the Church that their marriage is sacrosanct.

Judge: So you would advise Mrs. O'Neill that her place is with her husband?

Archbishop: Yes.

Judge: And she chooses to ignore you?

Archbishop: I only advise.

Judge: And do you also advise Dane on religious matters?

Archbishop: I hardly know Dane. I've spent very little time with him. But you have
spoken about religion with him?

Meggie: Briefly, yes.

Justine: Do you see what I mean?

Archbishop: It's not true, Justine. You're lying! Why are you lying?

Justine: That's gone far enough!

Judge: All his life he has never had a father. I brought him up on his own. I never
heard from Luke, from my husband. But Dane has been given love and affection...
and my two brothers have been like a father to him. For nine years... For nine years
he ignored Dane... just as he completely ignored Justine.

Luke: You walked out on me, remember?

Judge: Mr. O'Neill. I appreciate that you're representing yourself. So you are aware
of Dane's desire to become a priest?

Luke: Yes.

Judge: And have you tried to discourage him?

Luke: I have tried to point out the disadvantages... the sacrifices he must make.

Judge: So you have, in effect, advised him on religious matters?

Luke: I have briefly discussed God with him.

Justine: See what I mean?

Meggie: It's not true, Justine. You're lying!

Luke: Don't make it worse for me.

Meggie: He is not going to give Dane to Luke. He can't. If he does?

Luke: I don't know. I don't know anything anymore. I watch Dane with Luke, and I
see that he's happy. They say he needs a father more than anything in the world...
and I wonder if Luke isn't right. Maybe he does need a stronger guiding hand than
mine... because if I'm not very careful... I'm going to lose Dane, no matter what the
judge decides... to Luke or to God.

[The scene opens in a courtroom. Meggie stands before the Archbishop, who
presides over a custody hearing.]

Meggie: (Nervously) This has not been an easy decision for me.

Archbishop: Please continue, Meggie.

Meggie: (Takes a deep breath) As a general rule, I believe that the best home life for
any child of separated parents is with the mother. However, this may not be true in
Dane's case. It is unfortunate that the boy has been brought up in such a hotbed of
Popery.

Archbishop: Your Honor, I mean no personal disrespect, Archbishop, but I'm sure
you'll agree that Dane has an obsession with his religion.

Luke: (Defending Dane) I think Dane is a very sincere young man, Your Honor.

Meggie: (Agreeing with Luke) Yes. So do I. But what Mrs. O'Neill cannot provide, and
what Dane so clearly needs, is the strong, guiding hand of a father. Dane's
obsession, in my mind, is unhealthy in one so young. I think we need to undo some
of the damage that has been done. But I don't know that Mr. O'Neill can provide
properly for the boy.

Archbishop: (Reflecting) I believe that Dane's best interests are probably served by
sending him to a foster home for a period of time, by making him a ward of the court.

Dane: (Crying) No! Mommy!

Meggie: (Desperate) No, please. Please, no.

Archbishop: Mrs. O'Neill, I'm attempting to be fair. Is there anything you wish to say
that might change my mind?

Meggie: No, I...

Luke: (Urgently) Tell him.

Meggie: (Sobbing) Only that I'm his mother. I gave birth to him, I've loved him all his
life. I know him better than anyone else in the world. You say that he has had too
much religious influence. Well, perhaps, but it's not been unkind. Dane's been free to
decide what he believes for himself. None of us wants him to become a priest. Why
would I want that? I want him to grow up strong and healthy, to find a wife and have
children of his own, if only, selfishly, that I might have some grandchildren. But if his
vocation is to become a priest, then none of us have the right to take that away from
him. Not Luke, not you, not I. Not anyone.

Archbishop: (Contemplative) Please, you can't send him to strangers who don't know
him, who don't love him. Please.

Archbishop: (Final decision) Believe me, Mrs. O'Neill, I think you've done a sterling
job under very difficult circumstances. But before the boy is much older, I believe he
needs a sense of balance in his life. Very well. If you won't let me have him, then
give him to Luke. At least they know each other.

Meggie: (Accepting the decision) Very well. I award custody of the boy, Dane O'Neill,
to his father.

Dane: (Terrified) No, you can't do that.

Scene 2: After the Courtroom

[The scene transitions to outside the courtroom.]

Dane: (Clings to Meggie) Mommy!

Meggie: (Tears streaming down her face) Because... Because Dane is my only
grandson, perhaps the only grandson I'll ever have. Please don't take away my hope
for the future.

Archbishop: (Compassionate) I am trying to give you hope for the future, Mrs. Cleary.
Mr. O'Neill, do not treat this lightly. Do not abuse the boy. Children are not property, a
way of getting free labor for your farm. I will want to see Dane's school report, and I
will want to be certain that you are caring for him properly before I let this
arrangement continue.

Dane: (Desperate) But me, what about me?

Archbishop: Your case is not in my purview, young lady. But it's not fair. I want to be
with my daddy.
Meggie: (Comforting Dane) This court is adjourned. I will come and see you
whenever I can.

Dane: (Crying) But why does it have to be like this? Why can't we all be together?

Luke: (Trying to console Dane) Dane, you know why. You were so brave in court.
Why won't you come and live with Dad? You're married to him.

Meggie: (Heartbroken) I can't. I just can't.

Dane: (Begging) Why? Don't you love me?

Meggie: (With love in her eyes) With all my heart.

Dane: (Confused) Then why?

Meggie: (Tears welling up) Please don't cry, please. We have to go. It's a long way.
You have to go with Daddy now. But be brave, and I will come and see you as soon
as I can.

[They reluctantly separate, and Luke takes Dane away.]

Scene 3: Meggie's Return

[The scene shifts to Meggie's home, where Jack has just returned.]

Jack: (Entering the house) Hello, everybody.

Mary: (Excited) Jack!

Luke: (Surprised) Welcome home.

Meggie: (Tears in her eyes) Put a smile on your face, girl. They only shot off my
privates. It's not the end of the world.

Jack: (Smiling) Good to see you, everybody.

Luke: (Concerned) Meggie, Luke's determined to keep the boy, then?

Meggie: (Resigned) And he has the court on his side.

Jack: (Sympathetic) You've done well with the place, Meggie. Can't have been easy.

Meggie: (Reflecting) It wasn't. It is wonderful to have you back to take charge again.
Jack: (Grateful) I would have come back sooner if I'd known how bad things are.
How long since you've had rain?

Luke: (Frustrated) Why didn't you come back sooner?

Jack: (Explaining) I phoned the hospital. You were discharged last week. I was
expecting you then. Where did you go?

Meggie: (With mixed emotions) I went to Melbourne. Went to see Frank. Look, Mom,
we all know he's in for murder. But he's my brother, and I wanted to see him.

Mary: (Worried) How is he?

Jack: (Concerned) He's very sick. It's pneumonia. It's bad news, Mom. The thing is,
he might not live.

Meggie: (Torn) Looks like rain in those clouds.

Luke: (Desperate) We haven't had rain here for two years. We need rain.

Mary: (Worried) Somebody should've told me. I am his mother. I have a right to
know.

Meggie: (Defeated) Almost everyone I

love is buried here. Dane isn't dead, Meggie. A terrible thing has happened, but it's
not the end of the world. You'll still see Dane. You're still his mother. And in a few
years, the court order will expire, and then you can have him with you again. But you
can't stop living until then. You have to go on and make the best of it. You can't know
what it means to a mother to lose a son.

Luke: (Sympathetic) Look at Mom. She went on living. She didn't give up just
because her son Frank went to jail, and she won't now. Even if Dane were dead,
even if some terrible accident had happened, you'd grieve, but you don't stop living.

Meggie: (Angry and heartbroken) Is that what you told the mothers in Rome who lost
their sons fighting? Did you tell them to be happy because their sons are with God?

Jack: (Regretful) At some point in the war, I lost my faith. In all that suffering, I
couldn't see God's purpose. I couldn't understand how he could let such evil happen.
I began to doubt. My superiors sent me here to work for the refugees. But in the end,
I had to see you.
Meggie: (Tears in her eyes) I thought perhaps you might still love me. Perhaps? I
thought perhaps you might still want me. You might want to make a life with me.

Jack: (Confessing) You never told me this.

Meggie: (With sorrow) You were going back to Luke. You were going to have his
child. Do you think that mattered to me? Do you think I wasn't longing to hear you
say those words? Perhaps, if you'd told me, none of this would've happened.
Perhaps, if you'd been honest, I would still have my son. Perhaps, if you hadn't lied
to me, I would still have my son.

Jack: (Full of remorse) I didn't lie to you.

Meggie: (Accusing) You didn't tell me the truth, Jack.

Jack: (Regretful) Meggie, my list of sins is long enough. Besides, I had nothing to
offer you. You don't think love is enough?

Jack: (Heartfelt) Ten years, Meggie. How could I be sure you still loved me? How
could you not be?

Meggie: (Tears streaming down her face) All my life, I've loved you.

[The scene ends with Meggie and Jack in a poignant moment, both realizing the
complexity of their emotions and the difficult choices they've had to make.]

Cleary, but he's just not ready to see you. He's been through a lot, and he needs
some time to process everything.

Mrs. Cleary: (teary-eyed) I understand, but I can't help but worry about him. I want to
be there for him, to support him through this difficult time.

Mr. Cleary: We both do, but right now, he needs some space. He's a strong kid, and
he'll come around when he's ready.

Mrs. Cleary: (sighs) I know, but it's just so hard to stay away. I feel like I'm
abandoning him when he needs me the most.

Mr. Cleary: We're not abandoning him, honey. We're respecting his wishes.
Sometimes, people need time to figure things out on their own.

Mrs. Cleary: (nodding) You're right, Frank. I just miss him so much.
Mr. Cleary: We all do, but we have to trust that he'll reach out to us when he's ready.
In the meantime, we should focus on taking care of ourselves and being there for
each other.

(Scene transitions to Justine and her father, Frank, outside)

Justine: (concerned) Dad, do you think Dane will be okay up there by himself?

Frank: (gruffly) He'll be fine, Justine. He's a tough kid, just like his old man.

Justine: (softly) I just worry about him, Dad. He's been through so much.

Frank: (puts his arm around Justine) I know, sweetheart. We all do. But we have to
give him some space to heal and figure things out. That's what he needs right now.

Justine: (pauses) You're right, Dad. I just hope he knows that we love him, no matter
what.

Frank: (smiles) He knows, Justine. And when he's ready, he'll come back to us. We'll
be here for him.

(They share a quiet moment of understanding as they watch the storm approaching)

- Meggie: (Concerned) How is he?

- Ralph: (Serious) He's not very well at all, I'm afraid.

- Meggie: (Worried) If he won't see me, does he need a priest?

- Ralph: (Grim) Father Donovan's giving him last rites now, ma'am.

- Meggie: (Reflective) I'm going to miss this place, Bully Beef and all. I've been
happy here.

- Ralph: (Nostalgic) That's what you said at Matlock Island, but you had to leave.
This time, I'm not sure I want to go.

- Meggie: (Confused) Ralph, all your life you've been so sure what you wanted, what
you believed in... that I can't bear to see you in doubt.

- Ralph: (Lost) I don't know what's real anymore. I don't.

- Meggie: (Reminiscent) In Rome, before the war, I had a worthwhile life. I thought I
was doing some good for the world, for God. And then the war swept over us, and
God disappeared. And now nothing makes sense anymore.

- Ralph: (Regretful) But the refugees, I thought–

- Meggie: (Interrupting) Yes, working for them... I feel I have a purpose again. But
even that puts me at odds with God.

- Ralph: (Torn) With God or with the Church?

- Meggie: (Honest) Both. If I left the Church, I'd have nothing. You understand that.
You're a priest.

- Ralph: (Painful) You have nothing now.

- Meggie: (Affectionate) I've never loved you for what you have. I love what you are.
And I love you... so much. That I know. If you want me just as I am... foolish,
misguided, dirt-poor... I'm yours. I've waited my whole life to hear you say that.

- Ralph: (Determined) No, Meggie... I'm offering to give up the priesthood.

- Meggie: (Surprised) And do what? Shear sheep?

- Ralph: (Serious) Why not?

- Meggie: (Realization) No, Ralph. When I'm beside you... it's as close to heaven as I
can imagine. But even when you're making love... it's as if you're trying to reach
something beyond me.

- Ralph: (Reflective) Look, it's a wonderful idea... the two of us living together in the
wilderness. But it's not what you really want.

- Meggie: (Desperate) What I want is you.

- Ralph: (Resigned) We can always come back here for a few days. Depending on
how long you stay.

- Meggie: (Heartbroken) If you won't have me, either... then I really don't know what
I'm going to do.

- Ralph: (Assuring) I do.

- Meggie: (Curious) You're going to help me get these sheep back to Drogheda.
Scene: Luke's Conversation with Fee

- Luke: (Angry) Dane! Got a visitor.

- Fee: (Worried) Gran.

- Dane: (In pain) Gran.

- Fee: (Concerned) Darling, what's happened? Broke my leg. It hurts like anything,
Gran. Gran, it hurts. Take me home. Please, take me home. I want Mom.

- Luke: (Worried) There, there, darling. It'll be all right. Gran's here now. She'll make
everything all right. There. He's sleeping now. Doctor gave him a sedative. Put the
leg in plaster. Said you did a very good job... setting the break.

- Fee: (Surprised) That's a wonder. Never actually done it on a person before. Only
on me dog, Blue.

- Luke: (Serious) You've got a lot to do here.

- Fee: (Resolute) Yeah, heaps. But I want to make a go of it, for Dane's sake. He's
my son, and... I can't manage the place on my own... and the boy doesn't seem
much interested.

- Luke: (Understanding) Im not surprised. He wants to do something else with his

life, doesn't he?

- Fee: (Hopeful) We'll work it out. You'll break Meggie's heart.

- Luke: (Bitter) Like she broke mine.

- Fee: (Reflective) She didn't break your heart. She was a pretty girl and a good
catch, but mostly what you saw was her money. I offered her that money back, like I
told the judge. Only 'cause you knew she'd never take it. Id be surprised if you even
had the money. Did you spend all of it? All of her dowry?

- Luke: (Defensive) Well, I kept a few quid. Enough for the deposit on this place,
anyway.

- Fee: (Accusatory) Just as I thought. You know, you were clever, Luke. Maybe a bit
too clever for your own good. Everything you did when you came back to
Drogheda... was part of a plan to get Dane.
- Luke: (Defiant) And I got him, too.

- Fee: (Disappointed) Is that such a triumph? My first son, Frank... was not my
husband 's child. When Frank found out, he ran away and got in with bad company...
and ended up killing a man. And I never saw him again. He died in a prison cell...
and I didn't even have a chance to say goodbye.

- Luke: (Remorseful) Don't let that happen to Dane.

- Fee: (Desperate) It can't. It's different. Dane'll never turn bad like Frank... because
Ill always be there for him, like a good father should... to teach him right from wrong.

- Luke: (Skeptical) But you're not his father.

- Fee: (Defiant) If Im not, Id like to know who is. Can't you guess?

- Luke: (Shocked) That bloody priest. Im going to kill him. Im going to break every
bone in his body, I swear.

- Fee: (Urgent) So why didn't she tell the judge? He never would've given Dane to
me if she had. To keep Dane, she would've had to destroy Ralph... and his life in the
Church.

- Luke: (Calculating) She gave away the boy she loved for the sake of the man she
loved. Still, it makes sense, doesn't it? Now we know why Dane's so keen on God.

- Fee: (Worried) Does Ralph know?

- Luke: (Secretive) No. And you must never tell him.

The room is cozy, with warm lighting. A MOTHER (MOM) and her DAUGHTER
(JUSTINE) sit on the sofa. Justine, now a teenager, listens intently as her mother
reminisces.

MOM
(looking nostalgic)
I remember I was about four or five years old...

Justine leans forward, captivated by her mother's story.

MOM
(cont'd)
...and there was a doll in a shop window.
Justine's eyes light up with curiosity.

JUSTINE
(excited)
A doll, Mom? What happened next?

MOM
(smiles)
I used to go and look at her every day. I even gave her a name: Agnes. She was
pretty, with golden hair. I wanted her so much.

Justine grins, imagining the doll.

JUSTINE
Did you get her, Mom?

MOM
(softly)
On my next birthday, Mom gave me Agnes... all wrapped in brown paper. Don't know
how she could afford it, and I didn't care then... because she had given me the most
perfect present I'd ever had.

Justine's eyes sparkle with anticipation.

JUSTINE
What was it, Mom? What was inside?

MOM
(teary-eyed)
So, you see... it didn't matter that she never told me she loved me, ever. 'Cause just
once... she'd given me the most beautiful thing in the world.

Justine reaches out to hold her mother's hand, moved by the story.

JUSTINE
That's so sweet, Mom.

MOM
(brushing away a tear)
I've never been able to find quite the right doll for Justine.

JUSTINE
(smiling)
So you're going back?
MOM
(nods)
To Sydney. The government has finally agreed to an inquiry... into refugees and
stateless people. Of course, I have to be there. And then on to Rome.

JUSTINE
Have you found what you were looking for?

MOM
(earnest)
Oh, yes. I found that loving you... is a blessing, not a burden. And in fighting for
Dane... I discovered a strength I never knew I had. And it's the duty of the strong... to
protect, to fight for those who can't fight for themselves... especially children. That's
why I have to go back to the war. That's where my work is.

Justine looks at her mother with admiration and understanding.

JUSTINE
I haven't found God. I wish I understood this God that you love so much.

MOM
(smiles)
I wish I did, too. At night, I look at the infinity of stars... and I feel... something beyond
mortality. I don't know what it is... but I have to find out, or try. I don't care what's out
there. God is love, and love is here.

Justine grabs a book from the table.

JUSTINE
What are you reading?

MOM
Hamlet. I'm learning Ophelia's mad scene. May I?

JUSTINE
You really do want to become an actress, don't you?

MOM
(smiles)
It's all I've ever wanted to do.

Justine takes a moment, then smiles warmly.

JUSTINE
Mom, I wanted to tell you I'm sorry.

MOM
(surprised)
Sorry for what, sweetheart?

JUSTINE
Come here.

Justine hugs her mother tightly.

JUSTINE
Look, I know the last few months haven't been easy for you. All that business with
your father, and... I am sorry things turned out the way they did. I'd like to try and do
something to make it up to you.

MOM
(teary-eyed)
How soon can you start acting school in Sydney?

JUSTINE
I can't till I'm 16.

MOM
But if you were in Sydney... you could go to acting classes, or maybe see some
theater.

JUSTINE
You mean...

JUSTINE
Look, the thing is... I don't want you to think that I'm trying to get rid of you, or
anything. I don't want to hurt you anymore.

MOM
(smiles)
Mom, don't be silly. I wouldn't think that. Going to school in Sydney is the best
present you could ever give me.

JUSTINE
(giggles)
Better than a pretty doll?
MOM
(whispers)
Mom?

JUSTINE
(smiling)
Never mind. Just be happy.

MOM
(teary-eyed)
Thank you.

The mother and daughter share a heartfelt moment as they prepare for the changes
ahead.

TRAIN ANNOUNCER (O.S.)

All aboard!

Justine hugs her mother once more.

JUSTINE
I love you.

MOM
I love you too, sweetheart.

They share a final hug before Justine heads toward the train, beginning a new
chapter in her life.