ROBERT PROCTOR
I haven't cleaned these for a while, Ned, and a dirty gun is more of a danger to the one who fires it than to the target. I'll show you how it's done.
He proceeds to open the guns, squinting down the barrels, oiling the cleaning pads and pull-throughs, gets Ned working on the cleaning. Flints are examined for wear and replaced and mechanisms tested. Robert pays special attention to the fowling-piece which is the only one he uses.
ROBERT PROCTOR
This gun was given to me last year by the old lord, Richard Butler himself. We had been here in this tenancy for fifty years, since I was a child. Now isn't that a long time to be in a place?
NED HICKEY
(mutters under his breath) And we've been here over two thousand years!
ROBERT PROCTOR
What's that, Ned?
NED HICKEY
Nothing, Mr Proctor. Sure it is a long time indeed.
Robert then opens the case on the bench, takes out one pistol of the pair and examines it. Ned is excited.
NED HICKEY
Are these the real things? The pistols that the gentlemen use in the duels?
ROBERT PROCTOR
Real enough, boy. My father had to defend himself with them once but I have never used them in anger, thank the Lord. I'm supposed to keep them in working order, just in case.
NED HICKEY
(keenly) I've never handled a gun.
ROBERT PROCTOR
I know that, Ned, with you being Catholic but, under my supervision, I don't think anyone will take you away for it.
They examine and clean the pistols. Ned picks one up, raises it and sights through the window. He sees Robert looking and puts it down quickly and in embarrassment.
ROBERT PROCTOR
Would you like to have a shot then, Ned? Come, we'll set up a target and I'll show you how it's done.
He sets up an open barrel on a bench at the end of the room, lays a paper across the mouth of it, comes back and loads the two pistols, showing Ned the procedure as he goes.
ROBERT PROCTOR
I'd better tell Rebecca or she'll think the French have landed.
He goes out. Ned is fascinated by the pistols as they lie on the bench, reaches out but resists the temptation to touch them. Robert returns.
ROBERT PROCTOR
Now, lad, this is how to use the pistol.
He hefts one of them, examines it carefully, seems almost afraid of it.
ROBERT PROCTOR
'Tis good insurance even if you never need it or are never allowed to use them.
He stands side-on to the target, raises his arm, sights slowly and carefully along the trembling barrel and pulls the trigger. A rock chip flies from the wall close by the barrel. Ned is startled by the noise and smoke but keen as ever.
ROBERT PROCTOR
That wasn't very good, was it, Ned? I'm out of practice. But, still, 'twould scare them off if nothing else. Now let's see if you can do better.
Robert hands the other pistol to Ned, who hefts it nervously, takes a deep breath, raises his arm swiftly and lets fly.
ROBERT PROCTOR
That'll never do, boy. You must take your time and aim.
This without looking at the target.
Ned points. Robert looks and sees a hole very close to the centre. Taken aback.
ROBERT PROCTOR
A lucky shot, Ned. You really must do it properly to master the pistol. Here, we'll reload and try again.
They reload. Robert sets Ned in position, raises his arm slowly, lets go and encourages Ned to aim. Ned does just that and places a shot just inside the rim of the target. He is plainly uncomfortable with the stance and procedure.
(Much later)
ROBERT PROCTOR
Don't be discouraged, boy. It takes years of practice and more powder and ball than we can afford.
NED HICKEY
Mr Proctor, can I try it just once more, my way? It just seems natural to me.
ROBERT PROCTOR
(jokingly) Well, alright, Ned, but you pay for the charge if you don't hit the spot.
Ned takes up the pistol, turns and fires in one smooth motion. Another hole appears dead-centre. Robert Proctor's face reflects astonishment, pride in his protegee and a vague apprehension.
NARRATOR (VO)
Little did I think then how Mr Proctor's well-meaning lesson in pistol shooting was to determine the direction of my life and change it forever.
FADE OUT
EXT. - PUBLICHOUSE YARD - NIGHT
Circle of onlookers, surrounded by others standing on barrels, sitting on walls etc. In the circle, Chicken Jackson, stripped to his tights, pacing, flexing, challenging. He is past his prime but formidable. His assistant, Bruiser McCoy, revs up the crowd, announces a prize of five pounds to any man who can take a fall out of Chicken.
BRUISER MCCOY
Is there a man among you? Anyone to take one fall out of Chicken Jackson? For five pounds, what can you lose?
ONLOOKER
Only your head.
(LAUGHTER)
A challenger steps in. A big, soft man, showing off to his drinking companions. Bruiser starts to take bets on the outcome.
BRUISER MCCOY
Two to one I'm offering. Double your money if the big man wins. Come along there, what chance does little Chicken have against your man? You sent him in. Are you not going to support him? Mr Doyle here knows a fighter when he sees one. He is putting a pound on him. Who else wants to make money the easy way?
Bruiser takes the bets, calls in the fighters and rings the bell. The challenger advances in wrestling style. Chicken waits, allows him to close, wrestles a few moments and breaks. Chicken nods to Bruiser and at the next attack, quickly floors his man, pins him for the count and taunts the crowd. Bruiser calls for the next challenger. No one volunteers. It looks like the entertainment has fizzled out. Ned is called from the back and pushed forward. He reluctantly agrees, strips and steps into the ring. Bruiser pushes his way through the crowd, taking bets from Ned's admirers and rings the bell. They circle, Ned comes in low, takes Chicken and attempts to trip him but Chicken breaks away. They close again. Chicken tries a hold but by sheer agility, Ned breaks away. They circle again. Chicken decides it is now-or-never, feints to the right, moves left but Ned is too fast, quickly takes his arm, slips underneath and heaves Chicken over his shoulder for a heavy fall. Before Ned can pin him down, Bruiser rings the bell furiously while the onlookers boo and hiss. Chicken recovers, Bruiser rings, Ned advances but Chicken evades, spins him round and throws Ned down but Ned rolls in the fall and is away before Chicken can pin him. Bruiser rings bell.
(LATER)
Chicken and Bruiser in fierce whispered argument. Clearly Bruiser wants to call it off and sacrifice the money. Chicken won't have it. Bruiser rings the bell reluctantly. Chicken comes out slowly - clearly tired. Ned comes out fast. He feints left and right and attacks from the left. Chicken is caught and slowly folds to the ground. Ned falls on him, pinning his shoulders down. The crowd roars and starts to count -
one-two-three-
Ned sees Chicken looking, not at him, but at Bruiser, desperately. There is more than a loss in wrestling here, more at stake than the money. There is humiliation and an ending. The count goes on -
six-seven-eight-
Ned relaxes his hold slightly. Chicken turns him over and pins him while Bruiser counts hurriedly.
The crowd disperses leaving the combatants sitting exhausted on the barrels.
FADE OUT
EXT. - PUBLICHOUSE YARD - NIGHT
Bruiser takes the coins from the betting into the pub to be changed. Serving boy appears from the pub, bringing two jugs of beer.
SERVING BOY
Mr Doyle sends you these with his compliments on a great fight.
He looks at them with admiration and departs reluctantly. They drink great draughts, sigh and stir themselves experimentally.
CHICKEN JACKSON
<
br /> (In Cockney accent) So well 'e might, 'e'll take more dosh out of this than either of us tonight.
Bruiser returns, hands over the money, goes back inside. Chicken straightens up slowly and goes to his clothes hanging on the door, Puts the money away but takes out five pounds. He offers it to Ned.
CHICKEN JACKSON
You let me out of that hold, so the money is yours, fair and square. What puzzles me is why you did it. Can you afford to throw away five pounds?
NED HICKEY
You beat me, Mr Jackson. That's the way it turned out and I'll not have your money.
Chicken tries to force it on him. Ned protests.
NED HICKEY
Are you looking for another session then?
CHICKEN JACKSON
Indeed I'm not. I couldn't face that serving boy in the state I'm in, and I still have to fight in Myshall tomorrow night.
They finish their drinks.
NED HICKEY
I'll tell you what. Here is a proposition for you. Teach me how to box and some of your tricks of wrestling and we'll forget the five pounds and even have another jug on it.
CHICKEN JACKSON
(thoughtfully) Your name on it, lad and it's a deal.
NED HICKEY
It's Ned, Ned Hickey, Mr Jackson, and thank you.
They shake hands and open the door of the pub to a great cheer from those already inside.
FADE OUT
INT. - PROCTOR'S KITCHEN - DAY
Breakfast setting, porridge bowls and milk jug. Robert, Rebecca, Ned and Betsy seated at table.
ROBERT PROCTOR
You were late coming in last night, Ned. Rebecca was worried about you and Betsy was up and down to the window.
NED HICKEY
I went up to Myshall and stayed late. Sorry to disturb you.
REBECCA PROCTOR
Don't let it happen again, young Ned.
Silence for a moment.
NED HICKEY
I went up there to take some lessons in wrestling and boxing from Chicken Jackson. I had to wait until his bouts were finished.
ROBERT PROCTOR
(excited) Who did you say? Chicken Jackson? Surely he is not fighting around here. He was champion of England a few years ago.
NED HICKEY
That's him, Mr Proctor. He is traveling the country, doing the towns and challenging all-comers for five pounds.
ROBERT PROCTOR
And why would Chicken Jackson take you on as a pupil? How much did you pay him?
NED HICKEY
(awkwardly) Well, nothing at all. You see they made me challenge him the other night in Ballon and he offered to show me a few tricks - for nothing.
REBECCA PROCTOR
You've been out fighting, Ned Hickey, and I'll have none of that.
ROBERT PROCTOR
Wait now, Becky. There's fighting and there's prizefighting. One is stupid and the other is as good a trade as any and better than most. It'll do Ned no harm at all to learn to defend himself.
Rebecca is silent but unhappy. Betsy's eyes are round and fearful.
ROBERT PROCTOR
We can't have you walking home in the middle of the night. I think you'd better take the mare. Maybe that way, we'll get some work done next day.
NED HICKEY
I'll take care of her, Mr Proctor, and thank you.
NARRATOR (VO)
For the next few weeks I followed Chicken Jackson and his nephew, Ken, Bruiser, McCoy all over the county, taking lessons from him and becoming more and more friendly for, despite his act, Mr Jackson was an honest tradesman and a decent man. Ken, it turned out, was his nephew, the son born to his sister who had been abandoned by the father and died soon after. Chicken had been looking after him ever since for Ken was a dependent by nature and looked to his uncle for support and direction in everything. It was coming home from one of these sessions that the course of my life was changed forever.
CUT TO: INT. - PROCTOR'S TACKROOM - DAY
Ned, agitated, cleaning some harness. Robert bursts in.
ROBERT PROCTOR
Ned, what did you do to the mare? She's looking terrible - and you're no better. What's going on here? Had you any part in the murder of Grimes, the yeoman, last night?
NED HICKEY
Oh, no! He's not dead, is he?
ROBERT PROCTOR
So that's it. Tell me what happened, boy, and nothing but the truth now.
NED HICKEY
(slowly) I was coming home from Newtownbarry over the Boggon Hill. I heard this group of men and horses in front of me. They could only be there to enforce the curfew so I turned off to pass them behind the hedge. The mare stumbled in the dark. They heard me and sent one in to flush me out ....
CUT TO:
EXT. UNDERGROWTH - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
A yeoman with pistol drawn walks confidently through the undergrowth, searching. The mare shifts nervously. He hears and moves closer, senses Ned in hiding, turns and points the pistol, Ned strikes it aside and they struggle for it. The gun goes off. The yeoman sinks to the ground. Ned grabs the mare and escapes.
CUT TO:
INT. - PROCTOR'S TACKROOM - DAY
NED HICKEY
(contd) He found me and we fought for the pistol he was carrying. It went off as I took it from him and he fell down. I ran, leading the mare, and then galloped home across the fields. I threw the pistol in a boghole as we crossed the river. God forgive me if I killed him.
Robert and Ned are silent for a moment.
ROBERT PROCTOR
I know you, Ned. I'll choose to believe you didn't mean to kill him. But now we must act quickly because they will take the country apart. Depend on it, they will be here before the day is out. (pause) You've cleaned up the harness? that's good. Now go out quickly - brush the mare - brush out all the marks of harness and saddle - brush her roughly and throw some dust over her, as if she's been out in the paddock or a month. Take her shoes off for they will be looking for tracks. (pause) Then go, yourself, down the fields. Take the hedging tools and work away down there until I come for you. (pause) Do exactly as I say now, Ned, and quickly, for your life may depend on it.
FADE OUT
EXT. - PROCTOR'S FARMYARD - DAY
Robert Proctor making himself busy. A troop of horsemen come to the gate. Robert meets them.