(SOMBRE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC)
(SCOTTISH ACCENT) The voice you hear
is not my speaking voice
but my mind's voice.
I have not spoken since I was six years old.
No-one knows why.
(PONY SNORTS) Not even me.
Come on! (PONY NEIGHS)
My father says it is a dark talent,
and the day I take it into my head to stop breathing
will be my last.
(ROLLER SKATES CLATTER)
Today he married me to a man I've not yet met.
Soon my daughter and I shall join him in his own country.
My husband said my muteness does not bother him.
He writes - and hark this -
God loves dumb creatures, so why not he?
Were good he had God's patience...
for silence affects everyone in the end.
The strange thing is I don't think myself silent.
That is because of my piano.
I shall miss it on the journey.
(PLAYS DEXTROUSLY)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
(GASPS, STOPS PLAYING)
MAN: Give me your hand. Come on!
(WAVES CRASH)
You're with me!
I've got the lady.
(SEAMEN CHORTLE)
MAN: Easy! It's Sunday.
(SEAMAN BELLOWS ORDERS)
(WIND HOWLS)
(GULLS CRY)
There you go. Watch it!
There you are, madam. Paddington Station.
Over here, me lovely.
(RETCHES)
Alright, lads. Unbutton.
I could piss like a toff. Get that boat unloaded.
Come On! First! (CHORTLES)
(WHEEZES)
The six whole months I spent in Dublin...
(SEAMEN SHOUT AND LAUGH)
MAN: Jesus Christ! Whose bloody coffin is this?!
Hold it! Christ, it's heavy!
Yes, yes. Big coffin, this is!
(SEAMEN MUTTER AND GRUMBLE)
(WIND HOWLS)
Fuck them. We'll just leave 'em behind.
It's what they fuckin' want.
A Pox on you!
Oh, I like that! Very good.
Leave 'em and be lynched for the pleasure. That is sweet.
It's a bit rough out there.
Could be they can't get through to you in this weather.
Do you have things for shelter?
She says thank you.
(SEAMEN SING SEA SHANTY AND LAUGH)
Does your mother prefer to come on with us to Nelson?
She says no.
She says she would rather be boiled alive by natives
than get back on your stinkin' tub.
You be damn fortuned
I don't smack your young Missy! PUPPY 90b,
Damn lucky!
(SEAMEN CHORTLE)
We're all ready now, sir.
(PLAYS POIGNANT, SAD MUSIC)
(SQUEALS)
(CHICKENS CLUCK) Mother, watch out!
Oh, hell! Are they alright?
(HENS CLUCK) Here.
(BIRDS CAW, CRICKETS CHIRP)
Look. I'm a very big moth.
Will it catch fire?
GIRL: Mmm.
I'm not gonna call him 'Papa'.
I'm not gonna call him anything.
I'm not even gonna look at him.
(MEN SPEAK MAORI)
(BIRDS FLUTTER PAST)
(WATER SLOSHES)
(SCOTTISH ACCENT) Are we stopping?
Shall we stop?
(BRITISH ACCENT) We must get on.
Hmm?
(MAORIS CHAT)
MAN: Miss McGrath? Alisdair Stewart.
You'll have to wake yourself.
I've got men here to carry your things.
(WOMEN SPEAK MAORI)
Well, I see you've got a good many boxes.
I'd like to know what's in each...
(LOUDLY) Can you hear me?!
Oh, well, that's good.
Yes, that's good.
What's in this one?
You're small. I never thought you'd be small.
And... and this one?
Very large.
What's in it, then? A bedstead?
(PIANO STRINGS VIBRATE)
It's my mother's piano.
Baines, tell them to carry in pairs.
Take all the boxes...
the table, and, uh...
the suitcases.
What do you think?
;F$?%h'u<= H Y6? ikﬂu' p,
She's stunted. That's one thing.
MAN: The big crate? No, no.
Just the trunks and the boxes, as I explained.
No, no. It can't come now. It must.
She wants it to come.
Yes, and so do I,
but there are too few of us here to carry it now.
(LOUDLY) Too heavy.
Do you mean you don't want your clothing
or your kitchenware to come?
Is that what you mean?
We can't leave the piano!
Look, let's not discuss this any further.
I'm very pleased that you arrived safely...
Mother wants to know
if they could come back directly for it.
Could I apologise for the delay, which I regret was...
After they've taken the other things.
(MEN LAUGH)
Might I suggest that you prepare yourself
for a difficult journey?
The bush will tear clothing and the mud is very deep in places.
MAN: Hey, Stewart! (SPEAKS MAORI)
What do they think they're doing?
We don't have time for this!
(MAORIS WHOOP AND LAUGH)
Baines!
(WOMEN SPEAK MAORI)
(MAN REPLIES) (WOMEN LAUGH)
What's the matter? Why are they stopping?
That's the way to the burial ground. It's tap...
But we came down this way. I'm sure we did.
They want more money. That's all it is.
They're trying to make two days out of it.
LELRJ LL25, J I.
No, they know another track - to the side of this.
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
Septimus! Now, take that off! Take that off!
(GIGGLES) Watch your feet!
Oh, watch your feet! (LAUGHS)
Stop, Septimus! Please stop it!
Stop it! Stop it!
(CACKLES)
Oh, Septimus, stop it, please.
Oh, you'll tear it! (SEPTIMUS GUFFAWS)
Oh, the tag's broken.
Septimus, now stop it. (SERVANTS LAUGH HYSTERICALLY)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
Oh, you'll tear it! Be careful!
WOMAN: Arm down.
If you cannot have a ceremony together,
you have at least a photograph.
Careful. The lace is most fragile.
My real father was a famous German composer.
They met when my mother was an opera singer in Luxembourg.
Why?
I want to be in the photograph.
(RAIN POURS)
MAN: Will we leave the cloth here for the photograph?
STEWART: No, no. It is just to keep the chair dry.
Ah, here they are. How beautiful.
I almost slipped on the planks, Uncle.
They've gotten very greasy.
Aye, you use the left chair. STEWART: Pull the tarpaulin.
I am sorry for the rain. Pity I'm not lighted up inside.
(MUTTERS) Shower for a spring... for a spring bride.
Shall I hold the umbrella on this side, or father?
On t' other, on t' other. Move oveﬂ.!
Can you take this, please?
And... sitting!
(THUNDER CRASHES)
Uh... very still.
And where did they get married?
In an enormous forest, with real fairies as bridesmaids,
each holding a little elf's hand.
No. I tell a lie.
It was in a small country church in the mountains.
Which mountains are those, dear?
The Pyrenees. Oh.
I've never been there.
Mother used to sing the songs in German,
and her voice would echo across the valleys.
That was before the accident.
And what happened?
One day, when my mother and father
were singing together in the forest,
a great storm blew up out of nowhere.
But so passionate was their singing
that they did not notice,
nor did they stop as the rain began to fall.
And when their voices rose for the final bars of the duet,
a great bolt of lightning...
(THUNDER CRASHES)
came out of the sky and struck my father
so that he lit up like a torch.
And at the same moment my father was struck dead,
my mother was struck dumb!
She never spoke another word.
(GASPS) Oh, dear.
(SIGHS) on...
Not another word?
Oh, from the shock, yes.
It would be. (DOOR BANGS)
Terrible. Terrible.
Oh, dear!
Oh! (TUTS) Terrible.
Terrible.
There, there, d... (STITCHES RIP)
Dear!
(THUNDER ROLLS)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAK)
(INHALES SHARPLY)
I'm sorry.
Um...
I have to go away for some days.
There's some Maori land I'm interested in
which I... may buy very reasonably.
Well, I hope you'll spend the time to get settled in
and perhaps... in some ways...
we could start again.
Alright?
(DOOR CREAKS AND CLOSES)
(EERIE BIRDCALLS)
(SLOW FOOTSTEPS APPROACH)
I'm not able to read.
Please take us back to the beach where we landed.
I am sorry. I can't do that.
I don't have the time.
Goodbye.
(STREAM TRICKLES)
(HORSE SNORTS)
(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAK)
(DOOR SHUTS)
I can't take you there.
I can't do it.
(HORSE WHICKERS)
(POIGNANT PIANO MUSIC SWELLS)
GIRL: Mumma! Mumma! Watch me! Watch!
Mumma! Mumma!
(GIRL SINGS LILTING SCOTTISH AIR)
(SINGS IN GAELIC)
(STOPS SINGING)
(RESUMES SINGING)
Hello there.
Hello.
Well, you've stopped combing your hair,
which is a good thing. It was looking overdone.
You see, these are the slits that the heads will go through.
Show him, Nessie. Slits.
They'll be dead. The reverend's going to use animal blood.
No doubt it'll be very dramatic.
Be very dramatic. Tea!
Morag... (CLEARS THROAT)
what would you think
if someone... were to play a kitchen table...
(NESSIE POURS TEA)
like it were a piano?
Like it were a piano?
Yes. It's strange, isn't it?
I mean, it's not a piano. It's...
It doesn't make any sound.
H U
MORAG: No. No sound. STEWART: I mean...
(BOTH SING GOD SAVE THE QUEEN)
I knew she was mute, but...
now I'm thinking perhaps it's more than that.
I'm wondering if she's not...
(GIRLS SING LOUDER) brain-affected.
1i? U 'u H U i! U 'u
(GIRLS STOP ABRUPTLY)
No sound at all?
Well, no. It was a table.
Well, she was very violent with the gown.
She tore off a chunk of lace.
If I hadn't been there to see it,
I'd have sworn she'd have used her teeth and...
BOTH: Wiped her feet on it.
Well, it hasn't come to anything yet. It's...
simply a concern, that's all.
Yes.
Yes, of course, a concern.
There's something to be said for silence.
, ;11'l, i> 'r »; M~ ;
Cotton!
And, with time, I'm sure she'll become...
affectionate.
Certainly there's nothing so easy to like as a pet,
and they're quite silent.
GIRL: (SINGS) ♪ And when they were up, they were up
♪ And when were down, they were down
♪ And when they were only halfway up
♪ They were neither up nor down
♪ The grand old Duke of York
♪ He had 10,000 men
♪ He marched them up to the top of the hill
♪ And he marched them down again... ♪
Those 8O acres across the stream.
What do you think of them?
I don't have any money.
What are you on about?
I'd like to make a swap.
What for?
The piano.
What, the piano on the beach?
It's not marshy, is it?
No.
Well, Baines the music lover. I never would have thought.
Hidden talents, George?
(GEORGE LAUGHS)
I'd have to get lessons.
It wouldn't be much use without them.
Oh, yes, I suppose you would.
Well, Ada can play.
I have in a letter that she plays very well.
She's been playing since she was five or six.
What on?
STEWART: Well, on your piano. That's the swap.
What'd she say'?
She says it's her piano and she won't have him touch it!
He's an oaf. He can't read. He's ignorant.
(CROCKERY RATTLES)
Well, he wants to improve himself.
(CUP SMASHES) And you'll be able to play it.
Teach him how to look after it!
You can't go on like this.
We're a family now. We all make sacrifices and so will you!
You will teach him.
And I will see to it!
(DOOR SLAMS)
(MEN STRAIN, CHATTER IN MAORI)
(PIANO STRINGS REVERBERATE)
MAN: Ah! A Broadwood.
Oh, a fine instrument.
I've not seen one here.
Nor in New South Wales, where I've tuned some 200.
Yes, they like their pianos there.
(SNIFFS)
Scent. (SNIFFS)
And salt, of course.
(TUNING FORK HUMS)
(PLAYS TWO-NOTE INTERVALS)
(MELANCHOLY CLARINET MELODY)
Mother says she can't stand to teach piano
with it all out of tune,
so I'm to do scales.
I hope you scrubbed your hands.
(PLAYS ASCENDING SCALE)
Ooh. It's in tune.
(PLAYS TWO-OCTAVE ASCENDING SCALE)
(PLAYS ASCENDING SCALE)
It's in tune!
(PLAYS CHORDS)
I was teaching!
Mother would like to see what you can play.
I'd rather... not play.
I want to listen and learn that way.
Everyone has to practice.
I just want to listen.
(YELPS)
(PLAYS ASCENDING SCALE SWIFTLY)
Lovely.
(PLAYS ASCENDING AND DESCENDING SCALE)
(PLAYS MAJOR AND MINOR CHORDS WITH SCALES)
(WHINES) Oh, but tell me again!
Was he a teacher?
How did you speak to him?
(ensues)
What happened? Why didn't you get married?
(GASPS)
(DOOR SQUEAKS OPEN)
Shall I kiss you goodnight?
Get out! You need a bath!
Go on! Out! Bad dog!
Boo! Go on, you're dirty! Bad, smelly dog!
Move it, Flynn!
(ADA PLAYS LIVELY MELODY)
(GASPS)
Ada, wait. Wait.
Do you know how... to bargain?
There's a way you can have your piano back.
Do you want it back?
You see...
I'd like us to make a deal.
There's... things I'd...
like to do while you play.
If you let me, you can earn it back.
What do you think?
One visit for every key.
(CLEARS THROAT)
Your dress?
Skirt?
For every black one?
That's a lot less. Half.
Alright. Alright.
Then the black keys.
(PLAYS SINGLE NOTE)
Poor baby.
What horrid little person put you in the rain
and shoved you with a stick?
Hmm, baby? Hmm?
Hmm?
You're alright with moi.
MORAG: Scissors.
Thank you.
Nessie, put that down and come and put your hand out.
Oh, no. Please, Mr Stewart...
STEWART: No, no, no. Nessie, please.
Go on, Nessie. MORAG: She's timid.
Alright, Mary, come along. Down here.
Well, come on, girl! Get a move on!
Oh! Alright, then.
Down here. Put out your hand.
Now...
No, no. Put out your hand here.
Now...
(ensues)
No, no. Look, look. You're being attacked.
(SQUEALS) (ALL LAUGH)
No. Come on, come on. There you go.
(SQUEALS)
(ALL LAUGH)
And with the blood, it will be a very good effect.
Here, Flynn. Here, Flynn.
Here, Flynn. Flynn! Flynn!
Flynn! Here, Flynn.
Bad boy. Here, wee boy. (WHINES)
Bad, bad boy.
Flynn!
Flynn, don't be trouble.
Flynn! Flynn.
(LILTING PIANO MELODY)
(KNOCKS TIMIDLY)
(DOOR OPENS)
I want to speak to my mother.
(MUSIC STOPS ABRUPTLY)
I don't want to be outside. I want to watch.
I'll be very quiet.
I won't look at him.
(MUSIC RESUMES)
MORAG: Be very careful. NESSIE: Careful.
I hardly need to give one to you, but here you are anyway.
Don't be late.
You will see that there are two times,
and since you are accompanying a performer,
you will need to make the earlier time.
STEWART: Wait!
How are the lessons going?
He's getting on alright, then, is he?
She seems quietened down.
Is she more affectionate?
Oh, Well.
Slowly. Slowly.
(PLAYS SINGLE NOTE) Lift your skirt.
(PLAYS MELANCHOLY MELODY)
Lift it higher.
(STOPS)
(RESUMES PLAYING)
Higher.
(KNOCKS ON PIANO) Higher! (STOPS PLAYING)
Lift it higher.
(FALTERS)
(ALL SPEAK MAORI)
MAN: You no worry, Baine.
I save you.
I have a wife.
(SPEAKS MAORI) I save her too.
(ALL SPEAK MAORI)
(LAUGHS)
Where's your wife?
My Wife?
Oh, she has a life of her own.
In Hull, England.
Must be ugly
for you to run away.
You need another wife.
BAINES: Undo your dress.
I want to see your arms.
Play.
(CLEARS THROAT)
(PLAYS HAUNTING COMMON-TIME WALTZ)
Two keys.
(RESUMES PLAYING)
(BREAKS INTO FORMAL WALTZ)
"I shall listen hard at rehearsal"
"because I live too far to come often."
Which sign is the word 'rehearsal'?
(SIGHS) I can't imagine a fate worse than being dumb.
To be deaf.
Oh, aye. Deaf too.
Terrible. Awful.
Actually, to tell you the whole truth,
Mother says most people speak rubbish
and it's not worth the listen.
Well, that is a strong opinion.
Aye. It's unholy.
What do they say? Are they selling?
Offer the blankets for half the land.
12.
The guns, Baines. Offer the guns.
(BAINES SPEAKS MAORI)
What do they want the land for? They don't do anything with it.
They don't cultivate it, they don't burn it back, nothing.
I mean, how do they even know that it's theirs?
Um...
I thought I might as well mark it out, you know? As we agreed.
Yes. Why not?
Well, Ada says you're doing well with the piano.
I'll have to come and hear you play.
What do you play?
Nothing just yet.
No?
(PLAYS POIGNANT PIANO MELODY)
Ah!
(STRAINS)
Ada, four keys.
Why five?
I just want to lie.
Alright. Alright. Five.
(GASPS)
(SINGS) ♪ Early in the month of May
♪ The angels were sweetly singing
♪ A young man on his deathbed lay
♪ For love of Barbara Allen. ♪
(BELL CLANGS)
(THUNDER CRASHES)
MAN: Take it easy.
Here, mind that hole now. Steady.
Hang on. Alright. There you go.
How are you, then? So, will you marry me next week?
Just put your arm around me.
That's right, love. That's the way.
NESSIE: Oh, come on! We're running late.
If you haven't got your lip colour on,
can you line up behind Rose, please?
Have you all been to the lavatory?
GIRLS: Yes.
MAN: I want no running on the stage.
WOMAN: They're bringing in extra chairs!
MAN: Do not touch the blood. And look who's here, hmm?
The musical Mr Baines.
Whoa! What are you going to play for us tonight?
'Twinkle Twinkle', eh, George?
MAN: How about a little tinkle, tinkle, George? (LAUGHS)
Perhaps you would like to turn the pages for Nessie.
She's playing for the children.
I'm in costume.
MORAG: I'm very pleased you've taken up the piano.
Now, where's this song?
MAN: George? Excuse me.
How about 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'?
"BaaaaaP."
Or a polka? Come on, George, what's it to be, hmm?
Fools.
Come on, George. Move along.
ANNOUNCER: Ladies and gentlemen,
could you take your seats, please?
We're about to begin.
(PIANO PLAYS INTRODUCTION TO BARBARA ALLEN)
(APPLAUSE)
ALL: ♪ Early in the month of May
♪ The angels were sweetly singing
♪ A young man on his deathbed lay
♪ For love of Barbara Allen
♪ Out of his ground, a red rose bush
♪ And out of hers, a briar
♪ Then they grew up to the high church wall
♪ Till they could go no higher
♪ And back they came in a true love's knot
♪ Red roses and sweet briar. ♪
(APPLAUSE)
And so the young maid
came upon each and all of Bluebeard's missing wives,
their severed heads still bleeding,
their eyes still crying.
(WHISPERS) Slow down, Nessie! Slow down!
But hush!
(DOOR CREAKS OPEN) Who comes?
BLUEBEARD: I'm home early, my sweet wife!
Where art thou?
Oh, husband! What a surprise!
Yes, wife. A surprise indeed.
So, now you know my secret!
(WHINES) No! No!
You, the youngest...
and sweetest... No!
Of all my wives...
(SQUEALS) No!
Must be prepared to die!
(SCREAMS)
No! No! Wait!
“
(SCREAMS) No, please!
Bare your neck!
(ALL SCREAM)
(SPEAKS MAORI)
Help! They're mad!
MORAG: This is the animal blood. This is the axe, Chief.
Now, I'd like to introduce you. This is Mrs Williams.
This is Mrs Parsons.
This... (GASPS)
This is Mrs Reid, this is Miss Palmer
and this is Miss Kerr.
(SPEAKS MAORI)
That's very, very nice.
(GRUNTS)
Do what you like.
Play what you like.
(PLAYS HAUNTING MELODY)
(BAINES GETS UP)
(FLOORBOARDS SQUEAK)
(GASPS)
I want to lie together without clothes on.
How many would that be?
Yes.
1 O keys.
(HUMS BARBARA ALLEN)
(WATER TRICKLES)
(BIRD WHIPS)
(Hums)
(BAINES MOANS SOFTLY)
What o'clock say, Mr Stewart?
Time for your puff-puff.
(WOMEN CONTINUE TALKING AND LAUGHING)
(SIGHS)
CHILDREN: As. A6.
Never behave like that. Never, nowhere.
You're greatly shamed.
You've shamed these trunks.
(WOMEN TALK QUIETLY)
(PIG GRUNTS)
I know why Mr Baines can't play the piano.
You missed some here.
She never gives him a turn.
She just plays what she pleases.
And sometimes she doesn't play at all.
When's the next lesson?
Tomorrow.
(WIND WHISTLES)
(BIRD SHRIEKS)
(MAORIS CHATTER)
(THUMPS KEYS)
(MEN SING HAKA ROWDILY)
I have given the piano back to you.
I've had enough.
The arrangement...
is making you a whore and me wretched.
I want you to care for me.
But you can't.
It's yours. Leave.
Go on. Go.
(SPEAKS MAORI)
(DOOR SQUEAKS SHUT)
(MEN CHATTER)
STEWART: Stop right there!
This isn't yours.
What are you doing with the piano? Hmm?
He's given it to us.
Put that down. Put it down!
You're very cunning, Ada. I've seen through you.
I'm not going to lose the land this way.
Stay there!
(SPEAKS MAORI)
George don't want to see nobody. He's sick.
You got the tupeka for Hira?
No.
Much tupeka?
Baines?
Look, Baines.
Baines, look.
I don't think you should have given up the piano.
I'll make sure that you're properly taught,
with, you know, music written on sheets and so on.
I don't want to learn.
You don't want to learn?
No.
Well, what does this do to our bargain? I mean...
I can't afford the piano, if you mean me to pay.
No. No payment.
I have given it back.
Well... I'm not sure that I want it myself.
It was more to your wife that I gave it.
Oh.
Oh, I... l see.
Well, I expect she will appreciate it.
(ALL SHOUT)
I'm afraid this is all I have.
Hey... bring that back!
(SPEAKS MAORI)
(PLAYS OCTAVES TO CHECK TUNING)
Is it alright?
Why don't you play something?
What will I play?
Play a jig.
Do I know any jigs?
Play a song, then.
♪ At bughts in the morning
♪ Nae blythe lads are scorning
♪ Lassies are lonely
♪ And dowie and wae
♪ Nae daffin', nae gabbin'
♪ But sighing and sabbing
♪ llk ane lifts her leglin
♪ And hies her away. ♪
(STOPS PLAYING)
Why won't she play it? We get the thing back and...
she just wanders off.
Well, keep playing-
♪ At bughts in the morning
♪ Na blythe lads are scorning
♪ Lassies are lonely
♪ And dowie and wae... ♪
(MELANCHOLY CLARINET MUSIC)
(PLAYS LILTING PIECE)
(STOPS PLAYING)
Wait. Wait!
Why? Why can't I?
(MAN TALKS QUIETLY)
I shan't practise and I don't care!
Blast and damn and bugger her!
Bloody, bloody bugger her!
Let her fall face down in boiling bloody mud!
Let a spitting mad dog bite her till she bleeds!
(STICK BREAKS) STEWART: Where's your mother?
Where's she gone?
To hell!
(DOOR OPENS)
So, what brings you here?
Did you leave something?
Well, I've not found anything.
Does he know something?
The piano was not harmed? It arrived safely?
Would you like to sit?
I am going to sit.
(SOFTLY) Ada.
Ada.
I am unhappy-
Because I... want you.
Because my mind has seized on you
and can think of nothing else.
This is why I suffer.
L...am sick with longing.
I don't eat. I don't sleep.
(SIGHS) So if you've come with no feeling for me,
then go.
Go.
Get out.
Leave!
(FLYNN WHINES)
(SOFT MOANING)
(FLYNN WHINES)
(BAINES BREATHES HEAVILY)
(BUTTON FALLS TO FLOOR) (CHUCKLES)
(PANTS)
(BAINES MOANS)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(BAINES KISSES AND MOANS)
(FLYNN LICKS NOISILY)
(POIGNANT PIANO MELODY)
(MOANS)
What?
Whisper it.
(MOANS GENTLY)
Now you are going, I am miserable.
Why is that?
Ada, I need to know, what will you do?
Will you come again?
(STEWART GASPS)
BAINES: Wait.
L...don't know what you're thinking.
Does this mean something to you? Eh?
I already miss you.
Ada.
Do you love me?
Come tomorrow. If you are serious, come tomorrow.
(GIRL GIGGLES WILDLY)
Mumma, stay still!
(ensues)
Stay still!
(ensues)
(PANTS HEAVILY)
(BOTH LAUGH)
(SCREAMS PLAYFULLY, GIGGLES)
Mmm. Mmm.
(ensues)
(BIRD SHRIEKS)
(GRUNTS)
(SHOUTS) Mumma! Mumma!
They're playing your piano!
Mumma! (THUMPED PIANO NOTES)
(POUNDS KEYS)
(HAMMERING)
(HAMMERING CONTINUES) Here, Papa.
(HAMMERING CONTINUES)
You shouldn't have gone up there, should you?
I don't like it and nor does Papa.
We can play cards if you like.
(PLAYS HAUNTING MELODY)
(PLAYS CHORD LOUDLY)
(PLAYS DRAMATIC MUSIC)
She's asleep. Look.
One night she was found in her nightgown
on the road to London.
Grandpa said her feet were cut so badly,
she couldn't walk for a week.
(MUSIC CONTINUES IN DISTANCE)
(MOANS SOFTLY)
Ada.
(STEWART BREATHES UNSTEADILY)
Ada.
Alisdair, is it because of our play?
Have the natives aggressed you?
Well, I have to say, you have done the wrong thing here.
You have put the latch on the outside, you see?
(LOGS CRASH)
Now when you close the door,
it will be the Maoris that lock you in, you see?
With the latch on that side, you are quite trapped.
Quite trapped.
We have just come from George Baines's
and they have taken him over.
It is no wonder he is leaving.
He's got in too deep with the natives.
They sit on his floor as proud as kings but without...
BOTH: A shred of manners.
He's quite altered,
as if they have been trying some native witchcraft on him.
Well, tomorrow or the day after, he will be gone.
STEWART: So Baines is packing up?
Well, he has nothing to pack, but he is leaving.
And it is just as well.
Nessie has foolishly grown an affection for him.
(WEEPS) We have had some tears.
Stop it. Stop!
Stop! (GASPS)
I'm quite frightened of the way back.
We must leave in good light.
Will we be safe?
(ADA BEGINS PLAYING)
Oh, yes. If you leave now, I'm sure of it.
(PLAYS MELANCHOLY, DISCORDANT PIECE)
MORAG: Nessie, hold this.
You know, I am thinking of the piano.
She does not play the piano as we do, Nessie.
Up. up!
(URINATES)
No, she is a strange creature.
And her playing is strange,
like a mood that passes into you.
Up!
(URINATES)
Now, your playing is plain and true, and that is what I like.
To have a sound creep inside you is not at all pleasant.
(BIRD WINGS FLUTTER) What's that?
(SCREAMS)
It's a pigeon, Auntie.
I should have waited!
(STEWART GASPS)
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
(INHALES SHARPLY)
(SIGHS)
(GASPS)
(GASPS SHARPLY)
(PANTS)
I want to touch you.
Why can't I touch you?
Don't you like me?
(CLATTERING)
(ROOSTER CROWS)
(PLANKS TEAR AND CLATTER)
(CHICKENS CLUCK)
(SHEEP BLEAT)
Ooh! Ooh! Come on, Lucky. Who is gonna be my friend?
I'm coming to catch you for my big oven!
(CHICKENS CLUCK)
Whoo!
(FLOORBOARDS CREAK)
We must... get on.
I've decided to... trust you to stay here.
You won't see Baines?
Good.
And perhaps with time...
you might come... to like me.
(FOOTFALLS FADE)
(PENSIVE MUSIC)
GIRL: Stop complaining, I said!
And be quiet.
You'll just have to be naked
until I've finished washing and drying your clothes.
I don't mind if you're cold. Be quiet.
No, we're not supposed to visit him.
What?
You're bad!
♪ The grand old Duke of York
♪ He had 10,000 men
♪ He marched them up to the top of the hill
♪ And he marched them down again
♪ And when they were up, they were up
♪ And when they were down, they were down
♪ And when they were only halfway up
♪ They were neither up nor down
♪ The grand old Duke of York... ♪
(MAN CALLS OUT IN MAORI)
♪ He marched them up... ♪
Crooked, Mr Stewart.
♪ And he marched them down again. ♪
Crooked.
(PANTS)
Mother wanted me to give this to Mr Baines.
I thought maybe it was not the proper thing to do.
Shall I open it?
No. Give it to me.
(MEN CONVERSE IN MAORI)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
(PANTS AND SNIFFS)
(SPEAKS MAORI)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
(MEN CALL OUT IN MAORI)
(RAIN POURS)
(PANTS FRANTICALLY)
(PANTS)
(THUNDER ROARS)
(DOOR OPENS)
(GASPS)
Why?
I trusted you!
(STRINGS REVERBERATE) (ADA MOANS)
I trusted you! I trusted you!
Do you hear?!
Why do you make me do it? Why do you make me hurt you?
We could be happy!
(ROARS) You have made me angry! Speak!
(FABRIC TEARS) You lied to me!
You will answer for this!
Speak or not, you will answer for this!
(ADA GRUNTS)
(GRUNTS)
(PANTS DESPERATELY)
(CHOKES)
(STEWART ROARS)
Do you love him?!
Do you?!
Is it him you love? She says noooo!
(ROARS) (SCREAMS)
Mother!
Mumma!
(WHIMPERS)
You give this to Baines.
Tell him, if he ever tries to see her again,
I'll take off another
and another and another.
(SOB5)
Mother! STEWART: Run!
(SNIFFLES) (WOMAN SPEAKS MAORI)
(CRIES)
(WAILS)
What has happened?
(WHIMPERS) Hush, hush.
(CRIES)
What is it?
You're not to see her or he'll chop her up!
(SOBS VIOLENTLY)
What happened?
Tell me. (SHRIEKS)
Tell me!
(DOOR BANGS)
(WHIMPERS, CRIES)
(SCREAMS)
Where is she? (SCREAMS)
Shh. Quiet down!
(CONTINUES SCREAMING) Quiet down. Where is she?
He chopped it off! (MOANS)
What did she tell him?
What did she tell him? (WEEPS)
(SPEAKS SOOTHINGLY) (WAILS)
I'm going to crush his skull.
N000!
No, no!
He'll chop her up! (MOANS FURIOUSLY)
(SUBDUED MUSIC)
You pushed me too hard.
You cannot send love to him. You cannot do that.
Just... even...
even to think about it makes me very angry.
I meant to love you.
I clipped your wing, that's all.
(SINGS SHAKILY) ♪ We will be together
♪ You will see, it will be better... ♪
(MOANS FAINTLY)
Are you hot?
Oh, my sweet lovebird.
(INHALES DEEPLY)
(KISSES AND MOANS)
(BELT CLATTERS)
(CHUCKLES AWKWARDLY)
Are you feeling better?
What?
(CRICKETS CHIRP, NIGHT BIRDS CALL)
(BOARDS CREAK)
(FIRE CRACKLES)
(DOOR OPENS)
(FLOORBOARDS CREAK)
(COCKS RIFLE)
I look at you...
at your face.
I've had that face in my head, hating it,
but now I'm here seeing it...
there's nothing.
You have your marks.
You look at me through your eyes. Yes.
You're even afraid of me.
Get up.
Baines...
has Ada ever spoken to you?
You mean in signs?
No, words.
Have you ever heard words?
No, not words.
You never thought you heard words?
I heard it here.
I heard a voice... there in my head.
I watched her lips. They didn't make the words, but...
yet the harder I listened...
the clearer I heard her.
You punished her wrongly. It was me, my fault.
She said...
"I am afraid of my will...
"..of what it might do, it is so strange and strong."
She said...
"I have to go. Let me go.
"Let Baines take me away."
"Let him try and save me."
(SIGHS) I wish her gone.
I wish... you gone.
I want to wake up and...
and find that this... was all a dream.
That's what I want.
(WATER SPLASHES)
(BIRDS TWITTER, WARBLE)
(MAORI WOMEN CHATTER)
MORAG: It's a terrible shock.
NESSIE: Aye, it is.
Poor dear.
(QUIET CHATTER)
(BIRDS TWITTER)
(SURF CRASHES, GULLS CRY)
No. She needs it. She must have it.
(MEN CHANT IN MAORI)
(snues MYSTERIOUSLY)
(MEN SING CALL-AND-RESPONSE CHANT)
(MEN CHANT IN TIME WITH OARS)
What did she say?
She said, "Throw the piano overboard."
It's quite safe. They are managing it.
She doesn't want it. She says it's spoiled.
I've been given the key. I'll have it mended.
, ;L;*';J I, Li 1UMuL4=LiLI~L.
Please, Ada.
Ple... Ada!
You will regret it. It's your piano. I want you to have it.
She doesn't want it! Ada, sit down.
Sit... Sit down!
Throw it over! Sit down.
Alright, we'll throw it over.
(MAN SHOUTS COMMAND)
(OARSMEN ROAR)
(GASPS)
(LYRICAL STRING MUSIC)
(GASPS)
ADA: What a death.
What a chance.
What a surprise.
My will has chosen life.
Still, it has had me spooked, and many others besides.
I teach piano now in Nelson.
George has fashioned me a metal fingertip.
I'm quite the town freak, which satisfies.
(PLAYS GENTLE MELODY)
(METAL FINGER TAPS)
(WHISPERS) Bah, bah, bah...
I am learning to speak.
My sound is still so bad, I feel ashamed.
Deh, deh...
I practise only when I am alone and it is dark.
Hah, hah. Kah, kah, kah.
Vah, vah, vah.
(TAPS WALL) Bah, bah, bah.
Pah, pah...
Hmm.
(LAUGHS SOFTLY)
At night, I think of my piano in its ocean grave.
And sometimes of myself floating above it.
Down there, everything is so still and silent
that it lulls me to sleep.
It is a weird lullaby.
And so it is - it is mine.
There is a silence where hath been no sound.
There is a silence where no sound may be,
In the cold grave -
Under the deep, deep sea.