Mr Takahashi and Other Falling Secrets by Thibodeaux Sandra;

Author:Thibodeaux, Sandra;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Currency Press

* A derogatory term for someone from the bush who’s not familiar with town ways.

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

Scene One

Darwin, December 25, 1941.

The GIRLS sing a delicate rendition of ‘Away in a Manger’. (The children take breaths randomly as marked by the dashes.)

GIRLS: [singing] Away in–a manger–no crib–for–a bed–

The li–ttle Lord Je–sus lay down–his sweet–head …

The GIRLS continue singing under the following dialogue:

CONCEPTUA: Delightful, aren’t they?

Beat.

DOLORES: They’re not breathing properly.

CONCEPTUA: Mother?

DOLORES: It’s the consumption. They weren’t tested.

She whacks a GIRL. The singing stops.

You have the consumption, girl?

GIRL: [under her breath] I might have now …

CONCEPTUA: We’re all under strain, Mother.

DOLORES: Hong Kong’s burning. They’ll surrender.

CONCEPTUA: But it’s Christmas!

DOLORES: Oh, Christmas?! The Japs are at mass, of course.

Planes murmur in the distance. Lights on ROSE and LILY who are spooning a mixture into jam tins.

CONCEPTUA: Rose is making puddings.

DOLORES: Puddings? What’s that recipe, Rose?

ROSE: Half citric acid—from the lemons; half fertiliser—

LILY: From the chickens!

CONCEPTUA: You can’t eat that?!

ROSE: We don’t intend to. It’s our latest grenade—I call it the Chin Chicken Chucker, Number 5, Mark 1.

She chucks the grenade to the street. It fizzles disappointingly and gives a sad pop.

Alright—let’s work on Mark 2.

CHORUS: [newsreel-style] Any man, woman or boy who can throw a brick can hurl a grenade. Get a friend to cycle past towing a pram … Learn to dig a hole for yourself, lying on your stomach …

DOLORES: Look! An army of ants—

CONCEPTUA: Scurrying before the storm—

DOLORES: Digging holes—

CONCEPTUA: Looking for shelter—a manger for baby Jesus!

DOLORES: Blowing bon-bons—bang!

CONCEPTUA: Wishing on angels—

DOLORES: Kissing beneath the mistletoe as it falls …

Music: GRACE plays a melancholy version of ‘Away in a Manger’. She wears Ruby’s shoes.

AGNES: [approaching the doorway] Good Girl …

She hovers in the doorway.

What are you doing inside? There’s plenty of food.

GRACE shrugs; keeps playing.

GRACE: Ruby didn’t come.

AGNES: Oh, well. And look how she’s missing out!

She enters, with a glass of port and a present.

Did you see your family?

GRACE shakes her head.

GRACE: They’re long way away. [Still playing] They don’t know I’m here, I think.

AGNES: Oh. When did you last see them?

GRACE: Four.

AGNES: Four years ago?

GRACE: Four. Where your kids, missus?

Beat.

AGNES: I don’t have any.

GRACE: [nodding] Might be later, eh?

AGNES gives a little smile.

AGNES: Would you like your present?

GRACE: What is it?

AGNES: Close your eyes …

She passes the present. GRACE opens it—it’s a book. She reads the title.

GRACE: ‘Glasses to the Left …’

AGNES: ‘Goblets to the Right.’ It’s the latest handbook from the Savoy!

She paws at the book, excited. Finds something …

[Reading] ‘A seafood or cocktail fork is always placed to the right of the soup spoon.’ [To GRACE] Hmm … You learn something new every day. Well, talking of etiquette—I must get back to the guests! Joyeux Noël, as they say!

She walks away from the unimpressed GRACE. As she passes the window, she hesitates.

There’s a light on at Takahashis’ …?

GRACE: They’re in jail, eh?

AGNES: Internment—they’re Japanese. He did a marvellous job on my portrait, though.

AGNES leaves. GRACE grows curious and goes to the window. She watches the flashing light, a smile growing on her face.

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