The den has the feel of a juvenile clubhouse. Scratches of graffiti on the wall, some broken chairs, torn speakers, smashed-up drum kit. RDEĈA stands at the entrance looking out into a small circle of dawn. She wears jeans, trainers, a rust red T-shirt, anorak. She is a young fox. Her left canine tooth hangs over her lip. THOREAU and GUSTINA, also young foxes, are listless. GUSTINA looks out over RDEČA’s shoulder, while scratching intently at her back. THOREAU chews on a chair leg.
GUSTINA: (To RDEČA.) Do you feel ready?
RDEČA: Did you?
GUSTINA: It sort of just happened. I didn’t really think about it beforehand. But my body knew what to /do.
THOREAU: Yeah. Mine did. But I’d thought about it. Like moves I was gonna make and certain positions…
RDEČA: It was quite scary watching you.
THOREAU: I really got into it.
GUSTINA: Yeah. Wow.
RDEČA: When I think about doing it I just imagine lots of blood.
THOREAU: Great.
RDEČA: Wow
GUSTINA: It might not be today Rdeča.
RDEČA: Those birds are going mad up there –
THOREAU: I wish one of them would fly in here.
GUSTINA: No!
THOREAU: Are you not hungry?
GUSTINA: I think it would make things a bit hectic.
THOREAU: Bit /hectic?
RDEČA: I’ve never heard them so loud.
(Calling out.)
YOU GUYS ARE CRAZY!
THOREAU: Rdeča –
RDEČA: What?
THOREAU: (Nodding at the entrance.) I’d step back if I were you. Look at the colour of the sky.
GUSTINA: /Wow
RDEČA: It’s /beautiful –
THOREAU: (Ominously.) Dawn. That’s a dawn sky Rdeča.
GUSTINA: Where’s Mum?
RDEČA glances at THOREAU.
RDEČA: She’s just late is all.
GUSTINA: wowowowowowowow
THOREAU: Shut it Gus!
GUSTINA: I’ve been bit by /something.
Wow wow –
RDEČA: We’ve got fleas Gus.
THOREAU: (To GUSTINA.) You’re the one gave/them to us –
GUSTINA: I didn’t! Rdeča… I /didn’t –
RDEČA: You know it was the guinea pig Thoreau.
GUSTINA: Yeah your bloody guinea pig.
GUSTINA scratches herself aggressively.
THOREAU: Dad was the one chose the guinea pig.
RDEČA: Try not to /scratch Gusti.
THOREAU: I never aksed for a guinea pig.
RDEČA: But you were pretty happy with it.
THOREAU: I would’ve preferred something with a neck.
GUSTINA: I think I’m allergic. It’s so wow wow/WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW
THOREAU hurls his chair leg. It hits GUSTINA. She gasps.
THOREAU: SHUT IT WITH THE /GEKKERING GUS
GUSTINA: I’M TELLING MUM –
WHERE IS SHE?
RDEČA: Running home right now I/bet –
In the distance – a car skids round a bend. The three foxes sit up alert, wide-eyed.
GUSTINA: That was –
THOREAU: – out front the chicken shop –
GUSTINA: WOW/WOW WOW WOW MUM MUM MUM MUM! MUM! MUM MUM!!!
THOREAU: MUM! MUM!/MUM!
RDEČA: No! No it wasn’t Gus. It was over there somewhere –
THOREAU: It don’t matter where it was Rdeča –
GUSTINA: Are we orphans now?
RDEČA: /No!
THOREAU: Rdeča what are you going to live on now Mum’s / dead?
GUSTINA: /Wow wow
RDEČA: She’s not dead.
THOREAU: (To GUSTINA.) She’s never even killed a grasshopper.
RDEČA: What about that moth?/ Thoreau? –
THOREAU: What-?
RDEČA: – That I caught when Mum took us out to explain bin lids
THOREAU: The one under the streetlight?
RDEČA: /Mhmm
THOREAU: You made its wing move with your lip –
RDEČA: I /did not Thoreau!
GUSTINA sits bolt upright.
THOREAU: – It was dead al/(ready) –
GUSTINA: MUM!
They all sit alert. A distant fox cry.
COCHINEAL: WOW! WOW/ WOW!
RDEČA: WOW! Mum!/ Mum! MUM! MUM! MUM! MUM!
GUSTINA/ THOREAU: MUM! MUM! MUM! MUM! MUM!
A silence falls suddenly over the kit as they look out in horror. A hideous figure with a plastic bag over its head stumbles in through the entrance. The kit scatter to the furthest corners of the den. The figure stands bracing himself. He pants, chest and shoulders heaving –
GUSTINA: What is it?
COCHINEAL strides in. A striking red fox, the fur around her eyes thin, but beautiful.
COCHINEAL: Take that bag off its head. Got itself caught poor dumb creature. Go on Gussie –
GUSTINA pulls the bag off the animal’s head and jumps back.
RDEČA: What is it?
COCHINEAL: It’s a mole. A male.
GREGOR MOLE is the mole equivalent of an harassed lower management businessman with very big hands. His thick glasses are smashed and his fur is torn and wet with sweat. He searches the room, disoriented and desperate. Locks eyes with RDEČA. A bolt of recognition runs through both of them. GREGOR tears panicked towards the opening.
Rdeča BLOCK HIM. DON’T LET HIM GET AWAY –
THOREAU, breathless, steps in front of him. Seizes him roughly by the lapels and pushes him back inside.
THOREAU: Look at your ugly fucking snout! We’d be doing you a favour /smashing it in –
COCHINEAL: (Sternly.) Don’t torment him Thoreau!
GREGOR MOLE: Pleas – Please –
THOREAU: Listen to it
(Impersonating.)
Myeuuuuuu/ myeeeeeew
RDEČA: He’s begging
GREGOR MOLE nods desperately at RDEČA.
Why are his paws like that?
COCHINEAL: They’re called opposable thumbs.
GUSTINA: Whoaaaaa/disgusting
THOREAU: He stinks
GREGOR sidles to a corner. Starts clawing desperately at the wall.
COCHINEAL: Moles do stink. Because they’ve got no ambition. He doesn’t even know there’s a moon.
THOREAU tries to push him back towards the centre of the room.
Leave him Thoreau. Let him try to hide. GUSSIE! /STOP SCRATCHING!
GUSTINA: (Quietly.) It’s so itchy
RDEČA: Why is he here mum?
COCHINEAL: He’s practise. Your father used to swear by moles. You’re going to kill him sweetheart.
RDEČA: I don’t want to kill him. What if he does something with his opposing (thumbs) –
COCHINEAL: They’re harmless
RDEČA: And his eyes are so sad –
THOREAU: You can’t even see his eyes.
COCHINEAL: Sweetheart come here. I was the same – thinking oh that poor rabbit… how cruel to kill him. His cute twitchy nose.
THOREAU: (Laughing.) Mum!
COCHINEAL: I was sentimental. I was. Like your sister. Especially with the babies
GUSTINA: (Also laughing.) Mice as /well?
COCHINEAL: Mice too. Baby mice – so cute!
GUSTINA: Ha ha they’re so delicious!
COCHINEAL: Rdeča they don’t actually feel anything. Not like us. We can endow them with fox complexity but where do we stop? Do we say moths love their pupae /and raspberries mourn?
THOREAU: And and raspberries ha and guinea/ pigs get (scared) –
The kit are all giggling. Suddenly GREGOR bolts for the entrance.
COCHINEAL: STOP HIM. Rdeča –
RDEČA misjudges her pounce. GUSTINA, crouching low –
GUSTINA, surprisingly swift, pounces, gets him in a lock and punches him in the stomach.
COCHINEAL: Well done! Did you see what she did? She waited ’til he was in her sweet spot – she tuned to the earth’s magnetic field, he lined up with it, she calculated his exact distance and in her pounce became Fox. Earth. Mole. That’s all that existed for her./ Is that right?
GUSTINA: Yeah! Yeah!
She punches him in the stomach again. THOREAU leaps at GREGOR.
COCHINEAL: Thoreau!
THOREAU strikes at him. GREGOR screams. Stumbles tearfully away. You had the guinea pig Thoreau. Sit down. Rdeča NOW!
She pushes RDEČA. Her stumble turns into a pounce and she decks him.
GREGOR MOLE: Sorry/excuse me
RDEČA backs away.
RDEČA: Sorry!/ I’m sorry
COCHINEAL: BACK IN! BACK IN GIRL! TAKE THE THROAT! TAKE THE THROAT FIRST!
GREGOR MOLE is slowly climbing to his knees. RDEČA gets down low.
RDEČA: I’m gonna kill you
GREGOR MOLE: Why? Why?
She runs at him with a war cry.
RDEČA: BECAUSE I’M A FOOOOOXXXXX!!!
Strangles him in a very human way. GREGOR struggles, kicking and kicking, jerking as if an electric current ran through him. THOREAU and GUSTINA kick back at his feet, jeering.
COCHINEAL: AND NOW – END HIM! – That’s enough Thoreau. FINISH HIM OFF Rdeča!!!!
RDEČA buries her teeth in GREGOR’s throat. GREGOR screams.
RDEČA gags.
RDEČA: What’s/ happening? He tastes like poison – Mum –
COCHINEAL: HOLD FAST – ON THE PULSE POINT-HOLD FAST GOOD /GIRL GOOD GIRL
GREGOR MOLE: I’M NOT ASHAMED! I’M NOT ASHAMED –
RDEČA clamps back down into his throat. Blood spurts out while
GREGOR’s body buckles. When his kicks weaken and his eyes half close…
RDEČA breaks away with a sob.
COCHINEAL: Good girl. Back in. /One more bite –
RDEČA: I can’t –
RDEČA lets go of his body. GREGOR crumples. As he falls he takes her face in his hands.
What’s your name?
GREGOR MOLE: Gregor mole
RDEČA: I love you
GREGOR falls to the ground.
GUSTINA: Why did you just say that?
THOREAU: She just said I love you to a mole.
COCHINEAL: She’s in shock.
RDEČA: His blood…
(She spits hard.)
Is it a trick?
GUSTINA tastes GREGOR’s blood.
GUSTINA: (Spitting.) Eughhhh – so nasty
COCHINEAL: We won’t eat him. Moles are just for practise.
RDEČA: Look how he’s lying. He looks so foxy.
THOREAU: He does not!
COCHINEAL: It’s a mole. You’re a fox. Don’t complicate it o you’ll mess yourself up. Trust the destiny in the kill.
RDEČA: Whose?
COCHINEAL: Everyone’s. Now go and bury it.
THOREAU: But it’s light out.
COCHINEAL: We bury our dead. Always. It’s fox law.
COCHINEAL: Just outside… by the cabbages or something – I’ve had a long night sweetie.
RDEČA: Which ones are they?
COCHINEAL is exhausted. RDEČA looks to her hoping for an answer. GUSTINA shrugs at her. RDEČA starts dragging GREGOR’s body. He is a dead weight.
COCHINEAL: Thoreau sweetheart come and do that thing with your paws on Mummy’s back.
THOREAU, full of resentment, drags himself over to his mum and paws her back. She half-closes her eyes.
THOREAU: What are we going to eat?
COCHINEAL: I’ve got… look… this is what your father called cheeese. Look –
She takes a piece of cheese from her pocket and lays it down. They sniff it.
THOREAU: /Cheeese
GUSTINA: Is it an animal?
COCHINEAL: It’s a thing humans leave sometimes in their yards.
RDEČA stifles a small sob as she tries to lift GREGOR MOLE’s body through the entrance. COCHINEAL looks closely at GREGOR MOLE.
You might have to give him another small nip.
RDEČA looks at GREGOR MOLE doubtfully.
You want to silence the murmur round his heart.
RDEČA: I can’t hear a murmur.
COCHINEAL: You’ll learn to. Never leave it unfinished.
Rdeča it was well done. The first is hard. But did you enjoy it a little bit? Just a /tiny, tiny bit?
RDEČA: (Tearfully, quietly.) Maybe… maybe when his body collapsed into mine.
COCHINEAL: You’re going to be a magnificent hunter. Probably better than anyone here./You’ve got so much heart
GUSTINA: Um…
COCHINEAL: Stop scratching Gustina. You’ll be good too.
THOREAU picks up his chair leg and hits randomly at the wall.
You’ve all taken your first now. Tomorrow you’ll go hunting alone.
RDEČA: /Really!?!
GUSTINA: What? By /ourselves?
THOREAU: (Punching the air.) YEAH!
COCHINEAL: You’re ready.
RDEČA leaps with excitement.
Tomorrow you hunt the night!
THE BURIAL OF GREGOR MOLE. THEY UNDERSTOOD EACH OTHER.
The sky is streaked with pink. There is a light mist hanging over the garden. Grass and blackberries are silver with dew. GREGOR MOLE’s body is slumped gracelessly on the ground. RDEČA digs, panting with exertion. GREGOR MOLE, trying to be stealthy, edges away.
RDEČA: Gregor?
He pretends he hasn’t heard.
You know you’re leaving a trail of blood?
GREGOR MOLE: Oh dear.
He drags himself back to the edge of the hole and watches her dig.
(Tutting under his breath.) T t t ttt t t t t tt
RDEČA looks at him, irritated.
RDEČA: Alright?
GREGOR MOLE: You’re just flicking dirt with your nails.
RDEČA: (Shut up.)
GREGOR MOLE: You have to get your paws under the roots… get them really in and under. This motion. No –
GREGOR climbs into the hole.
Like this. Take all the hysteria out. Breathe with it.
RDEČA: Gregor you know this is your grave?
GREGOR MOLE: Better it’s dug properly then. Heh heh I’m dizzy. My brain’s probably shutting down.
RDEČA: Not fast enough
GREGOR MOLE: Heh heh.
(Continuing to dig.)
My thumbs’ve gone all prickly. What a feeling! You know little fox… I’ve loved in this life.
RDEČA: Mmm
GREGOR MOLE: Not just my mother.
RDEČA: That’s enough talk now Gregor.
GREGOR MOLE: I’ve loved in ways that would make your hair stand on end.
RDEČA: Am I – I’m just pretending this conversation aren’t I
GREGOR MOLE: It’s very real to me. Nice to have a bit of company while parts of your body lose – what’s that word…?
RDEČA: I /don’t know….
GREGOR MOLE: Come /ON –
RDEČA: Sensation?
GREGOR MOLE: Yes! Where do they go the buggers?
RDEČA: What?
GREGOR MOLE: It’s as if birds just disappear. They’re there – they seize your worm and then they just…
He pushes his smashed spectacles further up his nose.
Everything disappears. Heh heh what’s/ happening…?
RDEČA: You’re losing it Gregor Mole.
GREGOR MOLE: Won’t be long now
RDEČA: Can you lie down in there when you’re ready to close your eyes?
GREGOR MOLE: Will you tuck me in Mummy?
RDEČA: Shit
He seizes her paw.
GREGOR MOLE: You’ll come back and tuck me in?
RDEČA: Course I will little Gregor
GREGOR MOLE: ’Cause you love me. Heh heh. You said you did. I don’t want them birds to get to me when I’m dead. Bloody bloody birds.
BREAKFAST: FIRST DAY BACK PHOTO FOR MUM
The Cunningham’s kitchen has gingham curtains. The cups and bowls are willow pattern. The television is on very loud. SIMON stands at the kitchen bench – tracksuit pants. No shirt. His body has been fit but not for a few years now. He eats cereal fast and watches the television without joining in any of the canned laughter. BASTI, 14, enters, walking painfully. He wears a state school uniform – the shirt still creased from the packet. BASTI locks his eyes on the television as well. His tie is open around his neck. SIMON glances over at him quickly.
SIMON: Last night was pretty funny. Hey?
BASTI: Yeah
He sits at the table and pours himself a bowl of cereal. He eats fast like his dad.
SIMON: Got a bruise on my bum this morning.
BASTI: /Yeah?
SIMON: That clothes horse packed a bit of a punch. I think what happened actually was I tripped on that bit of carpet that sticks up in the hallway. You know the bit of carpet that’s come /loose –
BASTI: Nah
SIMON: Just needs a nail. S’alright. I’ll get to it this afternoon. When d’ you get up?
BASTI shrugs.
I heard you moving round at three.
BASTI: I heard something in the trap. /Went down to check.
SIMON: Yeah? Anything?
BASTI: Something’d taken the bait again.
SIMON: They’re smart little bastards.
BASTI: I made a change to the angle of the lever.
SIMON: Oh yeah?
BASTI: There wasn’t enough resistance.
They eat.
SIMON: Did you go back to bed after?
BASTI shrugs. SIMON looks at him for a moment then turns back to the television.
Her upstairs came home ’bout three thirty. Ran a bath.
BASTI: Yeah.
They eat in silence for a bit.
SIMON: Hey. Basti –
BASTI looks at him.
You look like a right cunt in your uniform.
BASTI laughs, brushes his hair forward self-consciously.
Did you see the new bag I got for you?
BASTI: Yeah
SIMON: S’alright is /it?
BASTI: S’good.
Can you take a photo of me to send to Mum. Where’s your phone?
SIMON nods in its direction. BASTI stands to get it.
I’ve grown out of my shoes Dad.
SIMON: They look alright
BASTI: I can hardly walk
SIMON: Wear your trainers then
BASTI: They have to be the regulation shoes. You get detention otherwise.
SIMON: Just say you’ve got fallen arches
BASTI tries to do up his tie.
BASTI: You need a medical certificate if you got /fallen arches
SIMON: I’ll write one
BASTI: A medical certificate?
BASTI: You need the letterhead –
SIMON: Yeah –
BASTI: The official medical letterhead you /fucking idiot
SIMON: Just wear your trainers for today and we’ll get new ones tomorrow.
BASTI’s hands become shaky and fast as he tries different folding options with the tie.
BASTI: Great – detention first day back./ Thanks.
SIMON: Well you might make a friend in there.
BASTI: In detention?
SIMON: Maybe…
BASTI: (Under his breath.) /dickhead
SIMON: What are you – (doing)?
BASTI: Mum does it usually.
SIMON: Come here. Bloody hell Bast.
SIMON tries to fold the tie –
Shit… is that right?
He turns BASTI around and does it for him from the right angle.
BASTI: There’d be something on YouTube
SIMON: Just (shut up) – I’ve got to concentrate.
A deep focus falls between them and the tie.
How’s that?
BASTI looks at his reflection in the kettle. Straightens the knot. SIMON gets his phone ready to take the photo.
Go and stand over there by the window.
BASTI goes to the window. BASTI smiles awkwardly. SIMON raises his phone again
BASTI: Wait a sec Dad
He tucks his shirt in.
SIMON: Pick up that apple and put it on your head. Go on – she’ll love that.
SIMON: It’s funny. Nah just keep it on your head. And… hold up that piece of cheese – hold it up. That’s so funny. Sell it. Sell it to me. That’s right. That’s great.
BASTI: Can I see?
BASTI comes round. He looks at the phone and smiles.
SIMON: You think you look pretty good /don’t you?
BASTI: Nah
SIMON: Look at you there.
They laugh together.
I’d buy that bit of cheddar.
SIMON turns his attention back to the television. BASTI makes his lunch.
BASTI: Can you send it to her?
SIMON: I’ll send it to you.
BASTI nods.
You’re gonna be late.
BASTI runs to the back door with the cheese.
BASTI: (Calling back.) I’ll just do this –
SIMON: BAST –
BASTI stops, straining to go out. He looks out the door.
I thought I’d covered everything –
BASTI: Yeah?
SIMON: I’m sorry bout the shoes. I /forgot –
BASTI: S’alright
SIMON: It’s gonna be better this year.
BASTI: I got to put this out.
SIMON: Alright
BASTI runs outside. SIMON looks back at his phone. The sound of a message sending. SIMON smiles as he looks at the photos, then puts the phone down and turns back to the TV. He doesn’t join in the screen laughter.
THE FIRST MEETING – THE GARDEN JUST BEFORE LIGHT
It is three in the morning. The moon is waxing full and distant with smog. RDEČA noses through a hole in the fence. She moves cautiously like something in stop motion on the edge of the garden. GUSTINA pulls herself through awkwardly, enjoying the fence scratching her back. They are both high on adrenalin, talking fast and over each other –
GUSTINA: I love tonight!! How ’bout when that cat jumped off the roof and we were /like AGH!
RDEČA: I KNOW! /Ssssshhh!
GUSTINA: Ssssh!
RDEČA: (Giggling, trying to be quiet.) And that mouse!
GUSTINA: That mouse was weird /right –?
RDEČA: Totally!
GUSTINA: How it /ran –
RDEČA: Look at your shadow! – Yeah that /mouse was just wrong
GUSTINA: Look at yours though!
RDEČA: You look fierce!
GUSTINA: Do I? –
RDEČA: /Yeah!
GUSTINA: – Yeah the fur on the back of my /neck’s up –
RDEČA: Gusti –
RDEČA crouches and her breath stills with intent –
Look
GUSTINA: Oooh
GUSTI crouches beside her. There is a piece of cheese luminous in the moonlight.
RDEČA: Yours or mine?
GUSTINA: Well I guess I caught that sluggish mouse –
RDEČA: MINE
She pounces. The mechanics of a crude trap. A stick flicks forward, wire and rope slide over each other, the sapling they’re tied to bends forward and a rope snaps tight around her ankle. RDEČA screams. Immediately stifles it. GUSTINA yelps with shock –
(Under her breath.)
Get off get off me – let go
She struggles to free herself, thrashing her body about, chewing furiously at the rope.
GUSTINA: WOW WOW /WOW WOW
RDEČA: SSSSHHHHH
GUSTINA: What is it? What’s happening? /WHAT’S HAPPENING??????!!!!
RDEČA: SSshhhh. Help me. There’s something got my paw –
Inside the house bare feet running down the stairs. A light goes on in the back downstairs window – the back door flings open. RDEČA freezes. GUSTINA bolts out back through the hole. BASTI stands in the square of yellow light. He wears pyjama pants. Pulls on his dad’s parka. Hyperventilating with excitement –
BASTI: Oh my god! I got a fox! Oh my god! There’s two!
GUSTINA: What should I /do?
RDEČA: Go
GUSTINA: No /I won’t –
RDEČA: I’ll be OK –
GUSTINA: I don’t /think so –
RDEČA: Go Gusti. I’m fine.
GUSTINA scrambles away. RDEČA crouches low. She watches BASTI intensely, her ears back, eyes wide with terror.
BASTI: It’s OK…’s’OK
(Touching the ropes.)
I can’t believe that worked. You’re not going anywhere are you Mister Fox?
He comes closer. RDEČA panics, thrashes her body.
Sssssh ssssssssssh sshhhhh
You’re making it worse. Ssssh…
He reaches a hand towards her. RDEČA snarls her lip.
BASTI exhales sharp, unsure whether to proceed.
BASTI: Wake up Basti.
(Trying to modulate his voice.)
You’re just a young one aren’t you?
He takes another breathless step towards her –
RDEČA: Are you gonna kill me?
BASTI: FUCKFUCKINGLIPSJUSTMOVEDFUCK
BASTI, completely freaking out, starting to cry stumbles backwards. He falls, scrambles back to his feet and into the house. RDEČA watches him for a moment, dumbfounded. Then starts gnawing again at the rope.
BASTI steps out with a flashlight, a butter knife tucked up his sleeve. (Too loud with bravado.)
Did you say something?
He shines the light into RDEČA’s eyes. She blinks painfully.
Did you speak English? I know your lips moved. You better tell me how you did that. I’m gonna kill you otherwise. I’ve got a knife –
He holds out the knife. RDEČA leans forward to sniff it. BASTI withdraws the knife a little.
I’m not joking.
He turns the knife. It catches the light. RDEČA blinks.
Are you gonna wriggle/ out (of that.)-?
BASTI pulls on the end of the rope.
RDEČA: STOP IT
BASTI: HOW ARE YOU /DOING THAT?
RDEČA: GET IT OFF!!
Shakes his head.
Did you –
(Looking the ropes up and down.)
… you did this?
BASTI: Yeah!
BASTI: To catch a fox
RDEČA: Why?
BASTI: Well –
RDEČA: Are you hungry ’cause there’s a piece of cheeese here you could /have if (you wanted) –
BASTI: I put it there
RDEČA: Well don’t forget it.
You’re a human?
BASTI: Yeah
RDEČA: I’ve seen one before coming out of its den. Quite big.
BASTI: I’ll get bigger.
RDEČA: You’re pretty small for a human.
BASTI: I’m sort of a boy.
RDEČA: You’re not full grown yet?
BASTI: Nah. I thought I’d get a growth spurt over summer but it was just my feet.
RDEČA looks at his feet. He shifts his weight from side to side. She laughs nervously.
RDEČA: They’re horrible. What are you gonna do with me?
BASTI: I was gonna make a sort of – sounds stupid now we’re talking –
He slips the knife into his pocket.
– I’m gonna make a stole for my mum.
RDEČA: What?
BASTI: I was gonna um… it’s this thing – it’s fox fur and you put it round your neck. My mum loves ’em. You chilly?
RDEČA shakes her head.
You’re /shaking –
RDEČA: Why would your mother want a fox’s skin round her neck?
BASTI: They’re really soft. And swaggy sort of. She’s never had anything really nice and she likes a bit of glamour. I found the instructions on the internet. Three incisions for the whole thing – maybe a few more round /the face –
RDEČA: (Softly, desperately.) Wow. Wow wow /wow
BASTI: Sorry. I didn’t need to tell you that. You’d be dead already /obviously so… Don’t cry. Don’t –
RDEČA: Wow wow wow wow wow wow/ wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow wow
BASTI: Look at that little tooth sticking out like that. Sssssshh – Don’t wake up my dad –
RDEČA: He’s hardly gonna make it worse.
BASTI: He will. He’ll still be drunk /and – sssshhh –
RDEČA: It’s your mum I’m scared of/ anyway.
BASTI: Well she’s not here.
RDEČA: Where is she?
BASTI: (Lying.) She’s just at her sister’s… visiting. You’d like my mum.
RDEČA: I don’t think I would
BASTI: She’s not dangerous or/ nothing – RDEČA: She sounds pretty dangerous
BASTI: Well she’s not. She’s just been sad for a bit that’s all. It’s just she keeps cutting her fingers – not on purpose – when she’s cutting carrots or chicken /or (whatever) –
RDEČA: I love chicken
BASTI: Yeah but she doesn’t notice. And quiet noises. The sound of thighs rubbing together started to get her. That as well…
BASTI rubs his finger and forefinger together for some time.
That makes her mental when Dad does that.
RDEČA: My dad had a bone in his leg used to click when he’d shake his paw. He’d make us be really quiet and listen for it. My mum hated that.
BASTI: I bet. My mum’d /hate that.
RDEČA: Mum said she did but you knew she’d be trying not to laugh –
RDEČA blushes, embarrassed to have spoken so openly.
She’s gonna be so angry when she finds out I’ve become a stole. This is my first night out by myself. I was with Gus but/ she got –
BASTI: Gus?
RDEČA: – my sister. She got freaked out with all this.
(Flexing the rope.)
It was going quite well before that though. We saw three cats… You wouldn’t consider a cat stole would you?
BASTI: Mum’d be a bit thrown by that.
RDEČA: Are you gonna kill me with your opopopposing – your posing thumbs?
BASTI: No!
RDEČA: (Nodding to the pocket with the knife.) With that?
BASTI: I don’t think I could. Not with this one.
RDEČA: That were just a threat…?
BASTI: Yeah –
RDEČA: But you’re still gonna kill me.
BASTI shrugs. RDEČA looks around, taking in the garden.
(Very quietly.) Goodbye sky. Goodbye bird… two birds. Cold grass. Goodbye human.
BASTI: I liked talking to you –
RDEČA: /Yeah.
BASTI: – Nothing weird –
RDEČA: /No –
BASTI: – it’s just really easy. Is your paw alright?
RDEČA: It’s bleeding
BASTI: Can I see?
RDEČA shakes her head.
I won’t hurt you. I promise.
She raises her paw tentatively.
Ow. It’s all chafed. What are these – little black… eugh!
You’ve got fleas!
RDEČA nods casually. He tries to brush them off his arms. RDEČA smothers a smile, trying not to laugh.
You’re crawling with them. Aren’t they itchy?
RDEČA: Mhm
BASTI: I can fix that! I can get rid of fleas!
RDEČA: With the knife?
BASTI: No – Are you laughing at me?
RDEČA: No! Just – your face with the fleas. It was (funny) – Will you untie me?
BASTI: Then I’ll never see you again will I?
(With difficulty.)
D – do you like talking to me?
RDEČA nods. BASTI glows.
RDEČA: Some of it was a bit – the three incisions thing was a bit scary.
BASTI: Did I fuck it up?
Avoiding her eyes, he bends down and starts undoing the noose around her paw.
We could hang out. Just talk, you know? I’ll bring you food. Eggs and sausages and cheese. You said you like chicken…? I’m on these fucking pills make my mouth dry and I can’t stay awake in the day and then I can’t sleep at night. So we keep the same hours.
RDEČA: I do quite like chicken.
RDEČA gingerly puts her paw down. She limps a small distance away.
BASTI: I’d put something on that so it doesn’t get infected…
RDEČA: I’ll just lick it.
BASTI: I wish you’d say you’ll come back.
RDEČA: I don’t think I will.
BASTI is trying not to cry.
The sky’s like blood! Look! That’s called a dawn sky.
BASTI: Yeah
RDEČA: Did you know that already?
BASTI: Yeah
RDEČA: Wow! I’ve never been under a dawn sky before.
BASTI: Me neither.
RDEČA: It smells so good!
BASTI takes a deep breath. It smells good to him too.
And the birds are so loud. Are they always like that?
BASTI: Yeah –
BASTI does a bird call. The birds fall silent for a moment. RDEČA bursts out laughing.
RDEČA: What’s that?! That doesn’t sound like anything!
BASTI: It’s a blackbird.
RDEČA cannot stop laughing.
You do it.
RDEČA: What you just did?
She does her version of it.
The birds must be up there going what the fuck!?
They laugh. RDEČA takes a step towards the hole in the fence.
BASTI: Do you have a name?
RDEČA: Rdeča.
BASTI: Rdeča.
(Mouths it)
/Rdeča. Rdeča
RDEČA: Do you?
BASTI: Basti. Short for Sebastian. /Cunningham.
RDEČA: Basti-short-for-Sebastian. Cunning /Ham
BASTI: Cunningham yeah. Or just Basti
RDEČA tilts her head.
Just call me Basti
RDEČA: Alright
RDEČA moves swiftly to the hole in the fence and through it.
BASTI: Bye Rdeča! Red fox. Rdeča.
BREAKFAST: IS RDEČA A GIRL’S NAME
SIMON leans against the bench eating cereal, watching the television. Same show. Same canned laughter. He wears a suit not unlike GREGOR MOLE’s. His tie is open. BASTI sits at the table, not really eating his cereal. He is distracted.
SIMON: I know your mum said walk away.
BASTI: What?
SIMON: Walk away if anyone gives you trouble.
BASTI looks into his cereal.
If that Berger kid says something and you walk away he’s not gonna get /bored. He’s –
BASTI: Dad –
(Indicating.)
– you spilled your /(Frosties) –
SIMON has dropped cereal down his shirt.
SIMON: Bloody hell.
He tries to sponge it off.
He’s gonna step it up –
BASTI: You got a job interview today?
SIMON: Bloody
BASTI: What’s /it for?
SIMON: Car park in Lewisham.
BASTI: What/time?
SIMON: Ten
BASTI: Good /luck.
SIMON: Yeah the bloke called me sounded about twelve. What was your reason for leaving your last job? Have you heard of downsizing you fucking idiot?
BASTI: Can we have roast chicken tonight Dad?
SIMON takes off his shirt and splashes it with water.
SIMON: I don’t think they’d bother talking with Kingdom. I mean I was there fifteen years without incident pretty much until/…you know… that little scouser
BASTI: I’ll get a whole chicken and do the whole thing? I done it a few times with Mum so I know how…
SIMON: Has that stained?
BASTI: It just looks wet. Be nice to have a roast don’t you think Dad?
SIMON picks up his cereal.
The leftovers’ll do for lunches as well.
He looks at his dad. SIMON turns his attention fully to the television. BASTI struggles to do up his tie again.
Dad?
SIMON looks up. Sighs, puts his cereal down and comes around behind BASTI.
SIMON: You know you can slide the knot?
You don’t have to untie it when you take it off.
BASTI: Yeah yeah
SIMON: What are you so happy about you bugger?
BASTI: I’m not
SIMON: Yes you are. Big shit-eating/ grin on your face.
BASTI: Fuck off. I do not!
SIMON: Did you hear her upstairs last night? She must have brought someone home from the bar she works at. Did you hear? She sounded like a dog howling. I can’t imagine what she was letting him do to her.
BASTI checks out his tie. He sits back down and tries to force his feet into his shoes, glancing up at SIMON.
She’s filled out a bit. Have you noticed that? Suits her actually. And she’s started doing something different with her eyes. Have you seen that?
BASTI: No.
SIMON: Quite dramatic. Wear your trainers again. If I get this job first thing we’ll do is new shoes Bast.
BASTI: Dad there’s a damp patch up there – can you see?/Looks like a map of Italy.
SIMON: Bollocks. That’s the last thing we need. Ceiling fucking falling in on us…
BASTI: Dad is Rdeča a girl’s or a boy’s name?
SIMON: Rdeča? Never heard of it. Rebecca. Rebecca I’ve heard of. Are you sure it’s not Rebecca?
BASTI: Nah
SIMON: I think it must be Rebecca. It’s a girl’s name.
THE DEN: RDEČA TRIED TO RETURN TO THE SAME WORLD
GUSTINA is still trembling. She has been given the remains of a rat to chew to calm her down. THOREAU scratches behind her ears. He looks anxiously towards the entrance.
GUSTINA: I’ll never forgive myself –
I never will… when I think of her/ telling me to leave –
THOREAU: You should’ve created a distraction
GUSTINA: What?
THOREAU: Or bitten it on the face /and fought it off while Rdeča got away –
GUSTINA: It was too big. It was a specially big/ one –
THOREAU: – or gone for its nethers –
GUSTINA: Thoreau! I /couldn’t reach –
THOREAU: You’re a fox for fuck’s sake – not a /bloody rabbit –
GUSTINA: Wowwowowow
THOREAU: -I thought you paired up to look out for /each (other) –
Just outside the den –
RDEČA: Wow!
GUSTINA/THOREAU: WOW!
RDEČA: MUM!
GUSTINA/THOREAU: Rdeča! /WOW! WOW WOW Rdeča!
RDEČA: GUSTI! THOREAU! MUM! MUM!
RDEČA bowls in ecstatically! GUSTINA and THOREAU run to her. Rubbing heads, talking over each other –
Where’s Mum? /Where is she?
GUSTINA: /What happened?
THOREAU: We thought you were /dead!
RDEČA: Where’s Mum?
THOREAU: She went to /get you back –
GUSTINA: She was really /upset –
THOREAU: I’ve not seen her /like that –
GUSTINA: Not even with Dad.
Now she’s out and the sky’s blue –
RDEČA: But it’s fine actually! The sun feels so good on your snout. Mine’s still warm look –
GUSTINA rests her nose on RDEČA’s for a moment.
GUSTINA: It’s warm. /It is warm.
RDEČA: (To THOREAU.) Feel it.
THOREAU: /No
Outside the den COCHINEAL’s voice breaks with grief –
COCHINEAL: WOW! Rdeča!
RDEČA: MUM! I’M /HERE! MUM!
GUSTINA: SHE’S /HERE! SHE’S GOT A WARM SNOUT!
THOREAU: COME BACK! MUM!
COCHINEAL runs in and she and RDEČA run to each other hard. COCHINEAL licks her head, laughing and crying with relief.
RDEČA: It’s OK mum!
COCHINEAL: I thought /I’d lost you –
RDEČA: I’m fine!
RDEČA giggles. THOREAU and GUSTINA can’t stop smiling.
COCHINEAL: I can smell it on you.
What did it do to you?
RDEČA: Nothing. He said he was going to /but then –
RDEČA: Then we started talking –
COCHINEAL: (Very quietly) No
RDEČA: – he was actually really sweet. Mum? Are you OK?
COCHINEAL’s lips have drained of blood.
THOREAU: What’s she talking about? Did it speak fox?
RDEČA: Yeah! /I guess – I guess he did yeah
COCHINEAL: Of course it didn’t speak fox. She’s in shock.
RDEČA: No I’m not
COCHINEAL: You are. You’ve been through a terrible ordeal.
RDEČA shakes her head, confused.
No one is ever to go near a human again
RDEČA: I didn’t do it on purpose.
COCHINEAL: And you’re never to do it again. On purpose or otherwise.
RDEČA: I think he’s OK
COCHINEAL: HE’S NOT
RDEČA: I think he is.
COCHINEAL: DON’T ARGUE WITH ME RDEČA! HUMANS ARE CAPABLE OF MORE CRUELTY THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND
RDEČA: You’re wrong –
COCHINEAL bites her hard on the face. RDEČA yelps in shock.
Mum!
THOREAU and GUSTINA are wide-eyed. COCHINEAL too is breathless from what she has just done.
COCHINEAL: Trust me – Don’t go near humans. If they offer you food run away.
RDEČA: Dad would never have bitten my face.
The cubs watch her anxiously as COCHINEAL steadies herself.
COCHINEAL: No one is ever to go beyond the bins where Smulan that black-white cat hides out. Or the yard where Rovis lives. Ever again
RDEČA: (Under her breath.) This is bullshit
COCHINEAL: Are you limping?
RDEČA: No
THOREAU: Yes she is
COCHINEAL watches her, her heart breaking.
COCHINEAL: Rdeča?
RDEČA: What?
COCHINEAL: Come and lie beside me. Everyone to bed. Look where the shadow of the shrub is. It’s so late.
THOREAU: Night/ Mum
COCHINEAL: (To THOREAU.) Good night /sweetheart.
GUSTINA: Night night.
COCHINEAL: Night Gusti
GUSTINA: (Softly to RDEČA.) I’m glad you’re home.
COCHINEAL: (To RDEČA.) Let me hold you my little one
RDEČA lets COCHINEAL hold her. She buries her face into the white fur on her mum’s chest.
RDEČA: Your heart’s beating really fast Mum.
COCHINEAL: Because I love you.
RDEČA: (Softly.) The sky didn’t hurt me. When it turned blue. It was lovely.
(Falling asleep.) I saw three cats.
THE CUNNINGHAM’S KITCHEN: THE CHICKEN DINNER AND THE MAP OF ITALY
BASTI opens the oven, wincing from the heat. Glances over at his dad, proud. SIMON, still wearing his interview suit, drinks white wine with ice cubes. He is a bit sloppy. The television is on but he is looking despondently at a large sheet of paper covered in magazine clippings.
SIMON: We shouldn’t have to see that.
He drops it on the table.
Authorities should’ve intervened.
BASTI pulls a large roast chicken out of the oven.
BASTI: What d’ you think/ dad?
SIMON: Very impressive
BASTI puts the roast down in the middle of the table. SIMON flinches his arm.
Shit! Careful! It just spat at me.
He sniffs the singed hair.
BASTI: D’you want a leg?
BASTI carves the chicken with a fork and a butter knife. SIMON holds out his plate.
SIMON: How’s school?
BASTI: Alright
SIMON: I was thinking, you’re little right, and you’re not that fast, which is a shame ’cause that’s what most little fellas have in their favour. So you’re gonna have to play dirty. I’ve seen a lot of fights Basti – this is excellent –
BASTI: /Thanks
SIMON: No no more I’m watching my –
(He pats his tummy.)
And it’s the little one who bends down, picks up a stone and throws it at the biggest one when he’s not expecting it – that’s the bloke who walks out on two legs. If you were taller I’d say play fair but you take after your mother.
BASTI: What if there’s not a stone around?
SIMON: Stand up smartass –
BASTI: I’ve got my/ dinner here
SIMON: C’mon. I’m gonna teach you something. So… I’m coming towards you. I say something like Oy runt! What do you do?
BASTI: I finish my dinner.
SIMON: I’m coming at you. Stand up. Brush by as if you’re moving past me. You’re above all this. You step out at a diagonal and then –
SIMON does the sound and gesture of reaching back and punching someone in the face. BASTI blinks and flicks his head back
S’alright. I’m not really gonna hit you. That’s your move. So Basti – I’ll show you – you step towards me with a threat and come on –
BASTI steps towards him.
BASTI: Hey. You fucking idiot. I fucking hate you. I just want to eat my /fucking chicken –
SIMON: I assume the I’m-too-good-for-this face. I step out to the diagonal and then –
Flicking back his fist he hits BASTI in the face. They are both genuinely shocked.
SIMON: (Cont’d.) Shit – You right?
BASTI: Yeah.
SIMON: Fuck mate – I’m sorry. I thought you knew what was coming. /I thought you’d get out of the way.
BASTI: I thought you was just marking it Dad.
SIMON watches with uncomfortable concern as BASTI blinks away tears.
SIMON: Sorry
BASTI: You got me in the fucking eye.
SIMON winces.
SIMON: Is it useful me teaching you this stuff?
The sound of high heel boots coming downstairs. SIMON rushes to the sink, wets back his hair.
It wins you respect a move like that. ’Cause it’s smart –
He runs out to the shared entrance. BASTI gets up and peers out the window into the back yard. The sound of muffled very polite talk in the hallway, laughter and a moment later SIMON leads GEMMA into the kitchen. GEMMA is in her early twenties, wears tight jeans, tight jumper, heeled boots. Her eye make-up is a feature. SIMON points up to the damp patch.
GEMMA: Oh my god! Looks just like Italy!
SIMON: Haha!
SIMON: What?
BASTI: It’s bubbled along the Alps.
GEMMA: It is!
SIMON: This is my son/ Basti
GEMMA: Basti – I know. I hear from upstairs. I can hear everything goes on.
SIMON: Really? We don’t hear much at all do we?
BASTI shakes his head.
GEMMA: I’m glad. I know high heels can sound like a /herd (of elephants) –
SIMON: No
GEMMA: D’ you think I’ll fall through the ceiling? Is it that kind of damage?
SIMON: I don’t think it’s anything we have to attend to immediately. It’s very localised damp. I mean I wouldn’t let the bath overflow again –
GEMMA: /Sorry
SIMON: No. I know you women love your baths. Just make sure you put a towel around it for when you climb out so you don’t drip all over the place. Will you stay for dinner?
BASTI: There’s not/ enough
SIMON: Basti! /Sorry
GEMMA: No – I’m off to meet a girlfriend
SIMON: Boyfriend having a night off?
GEMMA: What?
SIMON: I think my wife mentioned –
GEMMA: How is she?
SIMON: She’s /doing alright –
GEMMA: We broke up… sorry – she’s alright?
SIMON and BASTI glance uncomfortably at the large sheet of paper.
Must be hard
SIMON: I’m OK. It’s more…
…I’m worried about. He misses having a female role model don’t you?
BASTI: What?
SIMON: You miss having a female role model
BASTI: What the fuck?
SIMON: (To GEMMA.) I just mean it’s very nice to have you here. Your energy is very female.
GEMMA bursts out laughing.
He was distraught weren’t you? Blamed himself.
BASTI: I blamed you
GEMMA: I used to hear you and your mum laughing together.
BASTI: Yeah?
GEMMA: You two was always having a laugh ’bout something or other. Give her my love won’t you when you see her next.
BASTI nods.
Right… I’ve got to rush but um what shall we do ’bout Italy
SIMON: We should either run away there or discuss it over dinner.
BASTI drops his head in his hands. GEMMA laughs nervously.
It won’t be anything flash. We’re just a couple of bachelors bumbling along at the moment aren’t we Bast?
GEMMA: Um…
SIMON: Tomorrow?
GEMMA: I’m working.
SIMON: The next night then.
GEMMA: OK – just – just a cup of tea.
SIMON: Great!
GEMMA: OK. Nice to meet you properly Basti and ….
SIMON: Simon
GEMMA: Sorry! Simon! I know that. Sorry. I’ll see myself out. You eat. Bye.
She rushes out. The door closes. SIMON winks at BASTI, then tears off a large piece of chicken and eats it with his hands.
THEY MET AGAIN: THE GIBBOUS MOON
BASTI waits in the garden. He wears a tracksuit, parka, trainers. He has been waiting for some hours and is restless and becoming upset. RDEČA pokes her head through the hole in the fence.
BASTI: Rdeča!
He lights up. RDEČA smiles shyly. Trying to hide her fang. She approaches very cautiously.
I’ve brought you some chicken – I cooked it and I’ve got some uncooked – just um just the neck and giblets – I don’t know what you like – and also
(Holding up a paper bag.)
I couldn’t eat my lunch. I had butterflies all day. I couldn’t (eat) – Have you eaten?
RDEČA: I had a mouse –
BASTI: /You ate a mouse! You caught it? I don’t know what you like to eat – sorry – talking on top of –
RDEČA: – I thought I was too nervous to eat but then it ran over my paw /so.
BASTI: – your /PAW!!
RDEČA: Thank you.
BASTI: – No! No.
I’m glad you’re here.
RDEČA nods.
I’m glad I can still understand you. I thought –
RDEČA: Yeah. Yeah.
There is a pause.
BASTI: (Very formal.) How was your day?
RDEČA: (Giggling. ) Fine.
BASTI: Did you get home OK? I didn’t think about that ’til later.
RDEČA: My eyes hurt –
BASTI: My /eyes hurt today!
RDEČA: – It was my first time out in daylight/ so…
BASTI: Were you scared?
RDEČA: No. Maybe. Yes.
They both giggle. Pause.
And how was your day?
BASTI: OK.
My dad had a job interview and I think it went OK ’cause he was acting like a real cock tonight. And Mum sent me a collage she made of pictures of happy families cut out from magazines. And I had PE and Kenneth Berger kicked a ball directly into my head.
RDEČA: Basti – Sh/ort (for..) –
BASTI: No it was fine. I couldn’t stop laughing.
RDEČA: Why did he kick a ball at your head?
BASTI: He said it wasn’t on purpose but it was.
BASTI gets self-conscious.
It’s OK. I thought it was funny. Doink! I couldn’t stop laughing. Are you a female?
RDEČA: Yeah.
BASTI: Thought so. Ha! I also got you…
He pulls out a bottle of flea wash.
This’ll get rid of the fleas.
RDEČA tentatively sniffs it.
RDEČA: I don’t think so.
BASTI: I know they’re itchy.
RDEČA: No. /I don’t even notice them.
BASTI: I see you scratching all the time.
RDEČA: No /I don’t –
BASTI: You’re scratching now.
RDEČA: If I come home smelling like that Mum’ll lose her mind!
BASTI: Just explain it’s /to fix the fleas –
RDEČA: I can’t. She’ll be furious.
(Backing away.)
No I – /just no. No.
BASTI: No it smells strong in the bottle but it’s OK when it dries. You won’t notice hardly. I’ll only use a tiny bit –
RDEČA: If you wash me she’ll smell you on me as well.
She’s gone all crazy ’bout humans.
BASTI: Wait – wait here
He runs inside. RDEČA wolfs down all of the sandwiches and the chicken. BASTI emerges with his hands in rubber gloves. RDEČA sniffs them suspiciously.
They won’t smell me at all through these. You won’t know yourself afterwards. I had lice last year and after I shampooed I was like a new man. Um you’ll have to put this over your ankle so that rope burn don’t sting.
He gives her a plastic bag.
OK um
He pulls off the gloves and takes off his parka and shirt. RDEČA giggles.
Don’t want to get them wet.
He puts the gloves back on. RDEČA is trying to smother her laughter.
RDEČA: Where’s the hair?
BASTI rubs his chest.
You’re like a newborn.
BASTI: I’m a late bloomer.
RDEČA: Aren’t you a bit embarrassed?
BASTI: I’ve got –
He raises his arm and shows her his armpit.
RDEČA: There’s not much.
BASTI: And…
RDEČA: Ha!
(Shyly.)
I’ve got – no…
BASTI: What?
RDEČA: No don’t worry about it –
BASTI: Come on. I’ve shown you my…
He beats his chest. She giggles.
RDEČA: (Dropping her voice.) Under here…
Wincing, she gestures her armpit.
The fur is really thin. You can see the skin underneath.
BASTI: Show me.
She shakes her head.
Come on – Show me this great shame.
RDEČA backs away, giggling.
RDEČA: NO!!!!!!!!!
BASTI: Ssshhhh. Show me.
Very very shyly RDEČA lifts her paw and shows him her armpit. There’s still quite a lot of fur there
RDEČA: It’s so thin you can see a freckle.
BASTI: It’s a flea.
RDEČA: There’s a freckle there too. Where (is it)? …See?
He touches it for a moment with his gloved finger. She takes a tiny breath. He looks up at her.
D’ you think it’s horrible?
BASTI: No
RDEČA: Mum’s got different-coloured pigment just (there)…I think it’s ugly. She lost all the fur round her eyes last moon. It happened in one day she was that sad.
BASTI: Why was she sad?
RDEČA: It was when dad didn’t come home.
He found a kebab on the road.
He was pulling it apart and this car –
BASTI: Oh my god –
RDEČA: It didn’t even stop. Half his body’s still in the gutter.
BASTI: Shit
RDEČA: There’s a plastic bag got itself caught on one of his paws.
BASTI: That’s really horrible.
RDEČA: Anyway –
BASTI: We should go take it off –
RDEČA: It’s not Dad anymore. It’s just a pair of legs. It’s just they were his once.
BASTI: With that bone – that clicking /bone –
RDEČA: That was his front paw. This is the back. OK I’m ready –
BASTI turns on the tap and lets it run over RDEČA’s shoulders.
Brrrr… It’s so fucking cold.
She laughs. They both do and can’t stop laughing – a mix of being too cold and too excited.
BASTI: You’re thin when your fur’s wet.
RDEČA: You’re thin all the time.
NOT ON MY HEAD!
RDEČA blinks a few times. She shakes herself.
BASTI: Is that alright?
RDEČA nods, not looking at him.
Look at all that blood coming off you. Fucking fleas.
He foams her up with the shampoo. RDEČA shudders. RDEČA: It smells so strong.
BASTI: They’re all trying to escape.
RDEČA: Basti – short for Sebastian. Cunningham /can I (ask you something?)
BASTI: Basti
RDEČA: What?
BASTI: Can I ask you something. Basti?
BASTI: Anything
RDEČA: Are you weak?/ For a human?
BASTI: (Laughs, hurt.) No… Why?
RDEČA: You smell like something that’s given up.
BASTI: Thanks
RDEČA: Do humans smell it on /you?
BASTI: No
He washes her quietly, a bit rough.
RDEČA: Ow… wow….
Are you upset?
BASTI: Why would I be? RDEČA: You’re just acting/ a bit –
BASTI: I’m standing here freezing my tits off so you wont be itchy. I didn’t eat today ’cause I wanted to give you something tasty. I spent all lunchtime googling /fucking foxes.
RDEČA: Googling?
BASTI: I was trying to know what you want. I’m doing everything I can and you’re calling me weak. I’m doing everything /I can –
RDEČA: I’m just asking –
BASTI: No. I’m not and I don’t need a stupid fox calling me weak so fuck off. Fuck off
RDEČA: Wash this off.
BASTI: Why should I?
RDEČA: Because I stink
BASTI: Like me
RDEČA: DO IT BASTI – SHORT FOR SEBASTIAN. /CUNNINGHAM.
BASTI: Sssssh
RDEČA: NO
She seizes the hose with her mouth and tries to wash herself.
BASTI: If anyone at school called me weak I’d take a gun and blow their heads off.
RDEČA: It’s disgusting to kill your own kind
BASTI: They’re not my kind
BASTI takes the hose and starts rinsing her.
RDEČA: Then there’s no problem.
BASTI: I might feel guilty after.
RDEČA: Don’t be pathetic. There’s destiny in the kill. Only an idiot regrets destiny.
BASTI turns off the hose.
BASTI: That’s it.
RDEČA: That’s the best you can do?
RDEČA shakes.
BASTI: You won’t smell it at all when it dries. I promise.
She moves towards the hole in the fence. She is distressed.
Where are you going?
RDEČA: Home.
BASTI: Will you come back?
RDEČA: I don’t know.
BASTI: Please.
RDEČA: I probably won’t.
BASTI: Please. Don’t leave –
RDEČA: Don’t beg.
THE DEN: SHE GAVE HERSELF ONE MORE DAY TO LOVE HER
COCHINEAL is distracted. THOREAU coughs.
THOREAU: I’ve got a quill mum – /Mum –
COCHINEAL: Come here –
She squeezes him from behind. He coughs up some damp feathers.
It’s the only downside with pigeons.
(To GUSTINA.)
GUSTINA: I told you already/ Mum!
COCHINEAL: The snail/– sorry
GUSTINA: I found fishsticks!
COCHINEAL suddenly sits alert. She sniffs. GUSTINA and THOREAU wrinkle their noses and run behind their mum. They all crouch poised, facing the entrance. RDEČA runs in –
RDEČA: Hi! Hi! Mum! I caught a mouse!
GUSTI skips over to her –
GUSTINA: I thought it must be Rovis! You smell/ so weird.
RDEČA: Do I?
GUSTINA: /Yeah
COCHINEAL: Gusti –
What have you done?
RDEČA: Nothing –
She seizes RDEČA and pushes her to the ground. RDEČA tries to defend herself.
COCHINEAL: Roll in the/ dirt. Try to get it off you. ROLL GRIND THE EARTH INTO YOU
RDEČA: Stop it! Stop it mum! Stop! DON’T DON’T! YOU’RE HURTING ME!
COCHINEAL: If it /rains maybe –
RDEČA: GET OFF ME!
She scrambles to her paws and stands panting, slightly crouched. They sneer their lips at each other.
COCHINEAL: We’re wild things here. You don’t belong with us –
RDEČA: Yes I/ do –
COCHINEAL: /NOT ANYMORE –
RDEČA: – YOU’RE MY MUM!
COCHINEAL: YOU’VE BEEN TAMED!
RDEČA: /NO –
COCHINEAL: You’ll be the death of the whole kit with that stink! How could you do this? /How could you?
RDEČA: I haven’t done anything!
COCHINEAL: Your father used to lick your head when you whimpered in the night and you whimpered every night. Most kit come to their mum – wanting milk – but you with your dad…. I was always there but you never came to me. Now you belong to his murderers
RDEČA: You’re pathetic.
I know it wasn’t a human killed dad. You told us already it was a car.
COCHINEAL: Cars don’t have will.
RDEČA: That’s not/true –
COCHINEAL: They’re lifeless ’til a human sits /inside them.
RDEČA: I don’t/ believe you –
THOREAU: Oh./ Right.
GUSTINA: (Quietly.) That makes a lot of sense.
RDEČA: But Basti didn’t kill him.
COCHINEAL: He’s a killer still –
RDEČA: So are we.
COCHINEAL: But they’re cruel. They kill what scares them and they’re scared of everything.
RDEČA: No. You’ve got it wrong. About everything actually. About the sky and light and Gregor Mole./ And Basti.
COCHINEAL: The mole? You didn’t kill it –
RDEČA: No ’cause he never shuts up.
COCHINEAL: And the human speaks to you.
RDEČA nods.
Go to him then. He’s your destiny. He’ll kill you.
RDEČA: You’re trying to scare me.
COCHINEAL: When I understand an animal and it understands me, I know it’s mine to kill. I’ve talked with rabbits and doves and starlings. Endured the tedious bloody chatter of mice. And I’ve killed them all. We’ve all understood.
RDEČA: You never told me that.
COCHINEAL: I told you to always kill quickly.
THOREAU: (Realising.) And to take their throat first
COCHINEAL: So it doesn’t get complicated.
RDEČA: Why didn’t you tell me before? About Dad and – You just showed me how to not choke. You haven’t prepared me for the world!
COCHINEAL: I didn’t want you to be scared –
RDEČA: I WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN SCARED IF I’D KNOWN WHAT WAS HAPPENING MUM. I DON’T KNOW IF I CAN STAY AWAY FROM HIM NOW
COCHINEAL: I saw yesterday that it had begun. I gave myself one more day loving you.
RDEČA: Mum –
COCHINEAL: If you stay you’ll be our ruin.
You have to go now.
She holds out a dead rabbit.
You won’t be able to catch anything smelling like that.
RDEČA: I don’t want it
COCHINEAL: You’ll starve
RDEČA leaves. COCHINEAL drops her face in her paws. GUSTINA and THOREAU approach her with their dead prey hanging from their mouths to comfort her.
THAT NEXT NIGHT WHEN THEIR HEARTS WERE BREAKING
6am. BASTI, wearing his tracksuit and parka, sits shivering in the garden. A paper bag with yesterday’s uneaten lunch and a plate of chops. The lawn is silver with dew and he has dew in his lashes. The sky is indigo, pre-dawn. Birds are starting to call out. BASTI looks up. RDEČA puts her head through the hole in the fence and watches him. BASTI is imagining her coming to see him – the relief, saying what he wishes he’d said. He does his bad blackbird call. Silence above in the dark branches. He turns suddenly towards the hole in the fence. RDEČA disappears back into the night before he sees her. BASTI’s heart feels like a little fist in his chest. SIMON sits in the kitchen, television on, staring up at the damp patch in the ceiling.
THOREAU noses open the lid of a bin. GEMMA walks by, hands in her pockets, a phone number written on her wrist.
COCHINEAL sits at the mouth of the den, making silent deals with the moon. A cloud crosses its bright face and it feels like an answer.
RDEČA crosses the stretch of gardens to GREGOR MOLE’s hole.
AT GREGOR’S GRAVE
There is now a large pile of dirt beside a deep hole. RDEČA wipes away tears and peers down into it.
RDEČA: Hello? Gregor?
Scratching.
HELLO?!
GREGOR MOLE: (Calling up.) Little Fox!
RDEČA: Gregor! You’re alive! Come up!
Some grunting and straining below.
How’s it going down there?
GREGOR MOLE: (Calling up.) There’s been a lot of roots actually… Oak I think…
RDEČA looks around for an oak tree. GREGOR pulls himself up onto the edge of the hole. He is breathless.
So it’s going to take a bit longer than expected. There’s a thick layer of clay about three metres down –
RDEČA: You don’t have to go that deep.
GREGOR MOLE: I don’t want anyone to dig me up.
RDEČA: Gregor – I’m not gonna kill you. I thought if you were going to bleed to death /that’s great but –
GREGOR MOLE: I made myself this bandage from grass and spit. To staunch the blood. I hope that’s OK. I didn’t want to die before I finished my grave
RDEČA: You don’t need a grave now.
GREGOR MOLE: Heh heheh It’s taking a while but these last days have been lovely. Bit breathless but I’ve loved this drawn out death.
RDEČA: I’m not going to kill you.
GREGOR MOLE: It’s not up to you.
RDEČA: Of course it’s up to me. It’s Mum who says I have to kill you. And I don’t have to do what that fucking bitch tells me.
GREGOR MOLE: You’re upset
RDEČA: It’s just so complicated.
GREGOR MOLE: It’s the opposite of complicated.
Why do you think we understand each other little fox?
RDEČA: I don’t really understand you. I cant even really look at you most of the time.
GREGOR MOLE: But you heard me plead. The other foxes didn’t. I understood you when you said you loved me.
You reduce me to an animal and I reduce you to an animal. You’re my hunter and I’m your prey. It’s simple as that.
RDEČA: I don’t believe that shit. I refuse to kill you so that disproves your theory don’t it? Actually I think I’m just quite good at languages. And foxes who aren’t good at languages ’cause they don’t fucking listen have been calling the shots too long. I don’t have to be scared of Basti just because he understands me.
GREGOR MOLE: What is that? Basti? A rabbit?
RDEČA: A boy
GREGOR MOLE: What business can a fox have with a boy?
RDEČA: I don’t know Gregor Mole. I’m gonna find out…
A black and white cat, SMULAN, walks by. RDEČA looks up and runs after her.
You’re a cat! I – I’m a big fan.
The cat swipes at RDEČA. RDEČA recoils and follows at a distance.
SMULAN walks past ROVIS’ yard.
ROVIS: Hey pussy. Lookin’ good.
The cat arches her back slightly and walks on. ROVIS runs to the edge of his yard.
(Aggressive – sounding.)
If you ever want a drink or want to talk about what happened – whatever. I’m here. I’m not angry. You know where to find – YOU WANT IT YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT YOU STILL WANT ME YOU’RE GONNA DREAM ’BOUT ME TONIGHT
(To a chicken.)
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKIN’ AT?!
ROVIS, a large Alsation dog with scratch scars down his muzzle. He guards a chicken coop in which several chickens scratch at the ground and cluck. A large depressed-looking hen, COLOURPATCH, pecks dejectedly at the ground. ROVIS cracks his neck, constantly, unconsciously adjusting his balls. One of the chickens, BAILEY, scratches while she talks. (Chickens are fast talkers)
BAILEY CHICKEN: What I like most about this movement (The scratching.) is that it looks really feminine and it’s quite good for stress relief as well ’cause I get quite tense around here/ and that kind of loosens up that joint see?
QUENTIN: I get tense there too Oh dear what’s this? Bit/ of a grass seed oh look at that
BAILEY CHICKEN: Grass seed is it I found one of them. Look how flexible I am on the left
QUENTIN: Is that the left?
BAILEY CHICKEN: Sorry the right. The right. But look at my extension on the the /left
QUENTIN: Oh dear
QUENTIN faces existential angst for so many reasons. Especially because RDEČA’s presence is suddenly felt. The chickens become disoriented. ROVIS sits up, cocks his head.
Oh dear
BAILEY CHICKEN: You feel/ it too?
QUENTIN: I feel it I/ feel it hello
BAILEY CHICKEN: Oh dear hello
QUENTIN: Oh dear its little tooth
RDEČA: (Quietly.) Hi
QUENTIN: She looks familiar
BAILEY CHICKEN: She does she does look familiar
RDEČA: So do you.
BAILEY CHICKEN: And very nice an/nunciation
QUENTIN: Annunciation – it is nice. I was thinking that. I was just thinking that
ROVIS: WHO THE FUCK IS THAT? YOU FUCKING STINK!
RDEČA: Um –
ROVIS: IS THAT A FOX? WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HANGING ROUND HERE? IT’S FUCKING MIDDLE OF THE FUCKING DAY –
RDEČA: I just thought seeing as we’re both sort of dogs and you’ve got all these chickens
ROVIS: I’ll kill you before I let you taste my girls. RDEČA: Will you eat all of them?
ROVIS: This is my fucking job. I’m not about to fuck it up for a fucking chicken dinner am I?
RDEČA: What if you did?
ROVIS: It’s not about if’s. If it were about if’s there’d be no point me doing this job would there? It’s about commitment. I trust them. They trust me.
RDEČA: You’re tame
ROVIS: Yeah
RDEČA: How’s that going for you?
ROVIS: It’s fucking excellent
RDEČA: You don’t feel like less of a dog?
ROVIS: I feel like more of a dog. Why do you stink like that?
RDEČA: Why do you stink like that?
BAILEY CHICKEN: (To RDEČA.) He stinks he does what’s that?
RDEČA: Looks like a grass seed
QUENTIN: The fox is right!
ROVIS: WHAT? ARE YOU TALKING WITH THE CHICKENS?
RDEČA: Yeah
ROVIS: GET AWAY FROM MY COOP BEFORE I TEAR YOUR FUCKING WINDPIPE THROUGH YOUR TIGHT LITTLE FOX FUCKING ASSHOLE –
RDEČA: God you’re so crass.
ROVIS: YOU GONNA TEACH ME ETIQUETTE YOU FUCK/ GET OUT OF HERE!!
RDEČA: There’s just no need to be so gross.
(To QUENTIN.)
He’s so unimaginitive with /his choice of words –
He gets tense /he’s a very tense dog –
BAILEY CHICKEN: Doesn’t he and so much rage I/ blame the parents bye
RDEČA: Bye. See you very soon.
ROVIS: NO YOU WON’T –
QUENTIN: Bye it’s the breed it’s an aggressive breed that was close what’s that
BAILEY CHICKEN: Grass/ seed
QUENTIN: Grass seed
THE SKY IS ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL WHEN YOU’RE ROLLING ON YOUR BACK
RDEČA pads through the grass, rolls down a slope, looks around expecting someone to tell her not to. No one does. She looks into the sun and closes her eyes…
RDEČA: (Quietly to herself.) Red eyelids…
Face in sun. Breezes full of smells she’s never encountered before, quivers in grass roots and on branches. Infinite possibility… She rolls in the grass ecstatically.
DINNER AT THE CUNNINGHAM’S
SIMON has made an effort. He wears jeans and a polo neck T-shirt, a leather belt, he’s wet his hair back. GEMMA wears her jeans with a different jumper. SIMON and GEMMA hold up champagne glasses.
GEMMA: To the future of security in/ Lewisham! SIMON: Future of /security.
GEMMA: (To BASTI.) Grab a glass
BASTI: I’m not/allowed
SIMON: (Irritable.) Just for the cheers. Just/ grab anything.
GEMMA: How old are you?
BASTI grabs a bottle of ketchup.
SIMON: He’s fourteen.
BASTI: How old /are you?
SIMON: Basti!/ Sorry –
GEMMA: Twenty-four
SIMON: Ah.
GEMMA: You don’t sleep much do you?
Whatever time I get home you’re always out there. What are you doing with all them ropes?
BASTI: I was trying to catch a fox
GEMMA: I love foxes.
SIMON: He was planning to skin it.
BASTI: I wanted to make a fox stole for mum./I’m not doing that now.
SIMON tops up GEMMA’s glass.
GEMMA: That’s enough. It’s going straight to my head!
SIMON: Well then you’d better stay for dinner.
GEMMA: I’m not staying.
SIMON: Basti’s made chicken again.
GEMMA: It smells amazing. Is that alright Basti… if /I stay?
BASTI: As long as there are leftovers at the end.
SIMON: For his fox trap
BASTI: I don’t need a trap now. I’ve got a fox eats from my hand.
GEMMA: Really?
SIMON: (Winking at GEMMA.) Is that right?
BASTI: She didn’t come last night but she might’ve been busy or/(whatever)…
GEMMA: My auntie in Bethnal Green used to have a fox she’d feed.
BASTI: What did she feed it?
GEMMA: This dry food for diabetic cats. Her cat was diabetic and used to just stack on the weight
SIMON: A bit of extra weight can look alright.
GEMMA: Not on a tabby. Luke Skywhiskers was very disproportionate as well. Very little head
SIMON: Oh /dear
GEMMA: But he died and she had all this cat food left so she started feeding the foxes. They used to come into the house.
BASTI: Really?
GEMMA: They’d come in and piss everywhere… get into everything. Her place stank. But I used to love it. I love foxes. They’re so mysterious how you only see them in the night. They’re like someone’s dream climbing out of their head and taking a turn round London.
BASTI: And they liked being inside?
GEMMA: Yeah. One of them used to hide in the oven. No more Simon! I’m getting all drunk and chatty! I’d like to meet your fox.
BASTI: It’s too soon.
GEMMA: Are you blushing?
BASTI: No! I just think she’s cool is all – I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.
GEMMA: You’re nice.
BASTI: You are too.
SIMON: And I’m chopped liver am I?
GEMMA: You’re nice too. When you don’t get drunk and shout at your boy.
SIMON: No we just play fight! Don’t we Basti! You think I shout at my boy? I’m teaching him self defence. He’s got some bullies in his class keep pissing in his bag.
GEMMA: What?
BASTI: /Nothing –
SIMON: Fucking animals. That fucking Berger boy. I’ve got a right mind to go round and smash his dad’s /face in –
BASTI: Shutup /Dad –
SIMON: It just keeps happening, doesn’t it Basti? It’s ’cause he’s little. Shall we show her some moves?
BASTI: No
SIMON: Come on – that one we did the other morning – /Come on Basti! Come on –
RDEČA: (In the distance.) WOW WOWO WOW –
BASTI looks up sharply and moves to the window. SIMON does the move he taught BASTI, punching him lightly on the nose.
BASTI: DON’T
BASTI goes for him. SIMON catches him in a headlock. The table is upturned as they struggle. GEMMA shrieks with delight.
GEMMA: CAREFUL! OH MY GOD!
BASTI tries to punch at his dad but SIMON holds his fist behind his back in a security move. RDEČA’s gekkering in the garden gets louder and louder.
RDEČA: (Offstage.) WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW BASTI! BASTI!! COME OUT! /COME AND LOOK AT THE MOON! IT’S FUCKING CRAZY!!!!
BASTI: Coming! Rdeča I’m coming!
He struggles out from under SIMON and runs out the back door.
Don’t go anywhere I’m –
He stands in the doorway.
THEIR THIRD MEETING: A FULL MOON
RDEČA is drunk with the full moon.
RDEČA: BASTI! WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!
She runs at him. They tumble like kit, so excited to see each other.
BASTI: (Laughing.) OW! – WOW! WOW!!/WOWOWOWOW!
RDEČA: /WOW!WOW!!
BASTI: I didn’t think I’d see you /again!
RDEČA: WOW!
She throws herself against him and looks into his face.
BASTI: I thought something bad /had happened –
RDEČA: What happened?
She goes to lick his nose. He pulls his head back.
BASTI: What are /you (doing) –
RDEČA: You’re bleeding!
BASTI: I thought your mum’d go /crazy if you (touched me) –
RDEČA: Fuck her. Who done this /to you –
BASTI: It’s nothing.
RDEČA: Who done this to you? Basti
BASTI: My dad but –
BASTI wipes his nose with his sleeve.
RDEČA: Your kind sees you as prey ’cause you don’t know how to hunt. No one’s ever taught you.
BASTI: My dad /tried –
RDEČA: I want to. I feel the hunter in you straining to get ou. We could hunt together Basti. D’you /want – ?
BASTI: OK
RDEČA: You’ll /let (me)?
RDEČA runs a small distance away.
RDEČA: So Basti Sh – BASTI! Watch me!
I don’t know you’re there yet. I’m just nosing round. This is when you smell me. If there’s anything weak in me you’ll be/ able to (take me) –
BASTI: How will I know?
RDEČA: I’ll have a sort of damp sour smell. When a body admitting defeat/ that’s (how it smells) –
BASTI: What’s it look like?/ I don’t think my sense of smell’s (all that) –
RDEČA: You can’t trust sight for something like this. I’m just calling it smell anyway – it’s more than that. Watch me first. See how I move. See how I raise my paw and tilt my neck. Breathe me in from there. And try thinking: I’m watching you. I want you. I’m gonna get you.
BASTI: I’m watching you. I want you –
RDEČA: Keep it in your head.
BASTI: I want you.
RDEČA: No just think it. Not out loud. You’re speaking to the animal in the animal – what keeps me alive and what tells me to die – and that thing don’t know words. But it sure as fuck knows destiny. If you’re a threat to my animal I’ll start to stink. The smell makes you giddy sometimes so watch that. Wait for the sweetspot – the moment we both know… everything but the pull between us dissolves. Your will my will all will is one… Then you kill – I’ll talk you through as we go. Come on –
BASTI: Where are we going?
RDEČA: To find you some prey. I had an idea…. under the fence! Roll!
They roll together.
BASTI: It’s so bright with the moon! That washing looks like people! Look at the trousers –
RDEČA: Come on! Can you get through here?
Suddenly there is a dog barking.
ROVIS: I KNOW YOU’RE THERE! I KNOW YOU’RE THERE FOXY!
RDEČA: OK so sense it first.
BASTI: Rover?
RDEČA: His name’s/ Rovis.
ROVIS: I’M GONNA /FUCK YOUR FLEA-WASHED ARSE UP BAD FOXY
RDEČA: FUCK YOU!
BASTI: You think I’m gonna kill a dog? Rovis or whatever the fuck? Mrs Moreno’s taking him to get his testicles off ’cause he tore her cat apart. I’m not gonna –
RDEČA: But you sense him.
BASTI: Yeah.
RDEČA: Can you smell his fear?
BASTI: Hell no!
ROVIS: YOU GOT A HUMAN WITH YOU? I’M GONNA FUCK HIM UP TOO!
RDEČA: I’ll just wait over here ’cause Rovis is a bit aggressive towards foxes on account of that stupid chicken coop. But he’s sold his soul to his humans so… OK… you think: I’m watching you. I want you –
BASTI: I don’t Rdeča.
ROVIS: WHAT KIND OF HUMAN RUNS WITH FOXES?/SHOW ME YOUR FACE. I’M GONNA TEAR IT OFF
RDEČA: Come on Basti – you got to become the hunter.
BASTI: Look I’m not smelling any weakness.
ROVIS: COME OOOOON! COME OOOOON! I’LL TAKE YOU DOWN!
RDEČA trots back to BASTI –
RDEČA: YOU KNOW WHAT ROVIS?
BASTI: You know what he’s saying?
RDEČA: Sort of. It’s the dog-fox thing. His language is very basic. /So crass.
ROVIS: How do you know my name?
RDEČA: When you tried to fuck that cat you said your own name over/ and over again!
ROVIS: I didn’t fuck that cat –
RDEČA: We all heard you.
BASTI: Rdeča let’s gooo –
QUENTIN: It’s that little fox again.
BAILEY CHICKEN: (Still half-asleep.) Grass… grass /seed
QUENTIN: I was just dreaming about a – I was dreaming about grass /seeds again
BAILEY CHICKEN: Grass seed?! I was! What’s it mean? We / should ask someone.
QUENTIN: What’s it /mean?
RDEČA: Hi ladies
QUENTIN: /Hi… oh
ROVIS: SHUT UP
RDEČA: (To ROVIS.) My friend here says you’re about to get the snip.
ROVIS: What?
RDEČA: You know what that means?
ROVIS: WHAT?
RDEČA: It means your balls are gonna be carried out on a fucking silver platter. AND YOU KNOW WHAT I’M GONNA DO WHEN YOU’RE LYING THERE?
BASTI: Let’s go Rdeča. You’re so loud –
RDEČA: I’M GONNA COME HERE. I’M GONNA MAKE SUCH A MESS OF YOUR YARD THEY’LL THINK THEY’VE GOT A FOX INVASION ON THEIR HANDS.
BASTI: Let’s GOOOOOO!
RDEČA: THEN THEY’LL REMEMBER THIS IS FOX LAND. THAT THIS IS HOW WE FOXES ROLLLL MOTHERFUCKA.
BASTI: I don’t want to wake /the Moreno’s.
RDEČA: THIS IS HOW FOXES FUCK YOUR SYSTEM.
BASTI: Come ON!
RDEČA: SEE YOU TOMORROW GIRLS! /CHECK YA QUENTIN! BAILEY CHICKEN! COLOUR PATCH! TAM TAM!
QUENTIN: Bye /bye…
BAILEY CHICKEN: Bye bye
BASTI: Fuck Rdeča!! Come ON! ROLL!
They roll.
RDEČA: Basti! Look!
BASTI: What?
RDEČA: (Whispering.) A rat…
BASTI: Oh no. I don’t want to do that with a rat.
RDEČA: Why not? Rats are good. They try to fuck with you ’cause they’re so smart. Do it.
BASTI: Noooo… I just really don’t like their tails.
RDEČA: Just do it.
BASTI stares at it intensely. The RAT turns and stares back at him.
BASTI: I’m sorry I just really don’t want to communicate with the rat inside the rat.
I’ll do it with anything else.
RDEČA: Wait –
She crouches low. RDEČA stills her breath, her focus grows more intense… The RAT sniffs distastefully, turns to her, squeaks emphatically three times, and leaves. RDEČA glances self-consciously at BASTI.
What about… there’s moths up there. Go like this.
(Squinting her eyes closed.)
They look like smudges of light.
BASTI and RDEČA both stare squinting at the light. BASTI looks at her. She glances over at him and for a moment they catch eyes.
They’re not good enough for you.
THE HOLE AND THE DESTINY OF GREGOR MOLE
A screech and RDEČA and BASTI run to the open grave. BASTI covers his head.
RDEČA: An owl was ambitious. GREGOR!!
BASTI: Rdeča – it attacked me. How often /does that happen?
RDEČA: It was defending itself.
BASTI: And you haven’t caught anything at all. You’ve not come close.
You talk about weakness and sweetspots but you can’t even catch a mouse –
RDEČA: It’s this shit you put on me!
BASTI: The shampoo?
RDEČA: I can’t hunt at all since you touched me. It doesn’t mean I’m tame
BASTI: I didn’t say /you were (tame) –
RDEČA: You’re tamer than me.
BASTI: Probably
RDEČA: GREGOR!
GREGOR clambers up. He is covered in dirt and eating a large piece of flesh – an earthworm.
Don’t ever keep me waiting again.
GREGOR never looks BASTI in the eye.
GREGOR MOLE: Sorry.
(To BASTI.)
Sorry… I was peckish. I’ve got this special talent where I can bite something and it’s instantly paralysed. It’s my spit. That’s how I got this guy
He holds out his meat.
BASTI: What’s he doing? It better not be any more fucking advice.
RDEČA: No he’s talking about his spit.
So Gregor stand upwind of Basti and pretend you haven’t noticed him.
GREGOR crawls awkwardly to the top of the pile of dirt.
GREGOR MOLE: I’m down five metres now Rdeča. I swear I found some mole bones down there. It’s /creepy –
RDEČA: So Gregor everything’s normal.
GREGOR MOLE: The moonlight feels so good on the palms of my paws.
BASTI: What’s he saying?
RDEČA: Nothing. He just makes noise. So smell his weakness. Can you?
BASTI: No
RDEČA: Pretend you can. And now feel the pull between you. You got that? Now POUNCE!
BASTI jumps. He seizes one of GREGOR MOLE’s arms, stumbles and one leg slips into the hole.
GREGOR MOLE: No!!
RDEČA: BACK IN BASTI!/ BACK IN –
GREGOR MOLE: Not my /hole –
BASTI: /Fuck
RDEČA: Basti –
GREGOR MOLE: Rdeča –
BASTI: I can’t. I’m going home.
GREGOR MOLE: My hole. You destroyed it. What kind of creature are you? The sky from the bottom of that hole it was like looking into my mother’s face!
RDEČA: It’s OK Sebastian
GREGOR MOLE: It’s /not OK Sebastian
RDEČA: We’ll try something else –
GREGOR impotently attacks him. BASTI takes it. He looks helplessly at RDEČA. RDEČA drags GREGOR MOLE off BASTI and kills him savagely.
GREGOR MOLE: (Weakly.) Promise to put me in the hole for my last breath –
BASTI: What’s he saying?
GREGOR MOLE: Thank you – thank /you my (love)… RDEČA: Nothing
(Spits.)
Let’s go
They leave GREGOR’s body heaving at the top of the pile of dirt.
Out of the shadows COCHINEAL emerges. She looks to the direction RDEČA and BASTI have disappeared. Then drags GREGOR’s body to the edge of the hole and pushes him in. She pushes piles of dirt on top of it and GREGOR’s small flicker of ambition can rest.
THE NEXT MORNING
SIMON stands at the counter in his new security uniform. He fills two bowls with cereal – finishing the box – and makes two cups of instant coffee. The television is on quietly. He keeps glancing at it and laughing to himself. He is in a disturbingly good mood. COCHINEAL, a bird in her fine mouth, waits at the back door. SIMON is about to carry the tray into his bedroom but on seeing her he starts –
SIMON: Holy shit! Get out of here! Shoo!
A bolt of recognition runs through COCHINEAL. Her heart beats hard. She drops the bird on the doorstep.
Oh no. Don’t leave that –
GET OUT! OUT!
COCHINEAL retreats a few steps and watches him.
SIMON picks up the dead bird distastefully. GEMMA appears in the doorway. SIMON quickly hides the bird behind his back. GEMMA wears the same clothes as the evening before. Her hair is ruffled and her make-up smudged.
GEMMA: You OK?
SIMON: (Quickly.) Yeah…yeah. How are you /beautiful?
GEMMA: What’s /wrong?
SIMON: What?
GEMMA: I think last night’s a complete /fucking disaster so it’s –
SIMON: Why?… It’s not a disaster –
GEMMA: – not just you /feeling like that.
SIMON: I think it’s alright.
GEMMA sees the bowls of cereal on the counter.
GEMMA: Simon. Did you make me breakfast?
SIMON: It’s not that often the girl of my dreams stays the night.
GEMMA: Oh god – that’s so sweet. But you are so married.
SIMON: No we’re taking a break. We’ve agreed to see other people.
GEMMA: Who’s she gonna see?
SIMON: Therapist? I’m sure there’s some nice enough girls in there.
BASTI walks in scowling. He is still in uniform from the day and night before, blood and dirt ground into his shirt. SIMON takes the opportunity to take the dead bird to the bin.
GEMMA: Morning!
I just fell asleep /on –
SIMON: Yeah.
GEMMA: (To SIMON.) – did you just wink at him?
SIMON: No
GEMMA: What’s that?! Oh my god!
SIMON: I wanted to put it in the bin /before (you saw it) –
GEMMA: That’d be my Nick done that. This is my ex. He’s fucking crazy.
SIMON: No it was a bloody fox left it on the back step.
(Peering out the back door.)
It’s still bloody out there. Look at it!
GEMMA: /Hello!
GEMMA: It’s alright –
(To BASTI.)
It’s your mate innit?
GEMMA pulls some chicken from the carcass on the bench from the night before.
BASTI: No.
(Quietly to COCHINEAL.)
Can you understand me?
COCHINEAL looks at him uncomprehending. She smells her daughter on him. GEMMA hears BASTI and smiles at him with her mouth closed. GEMMA holds some meat out for COCHINEAL.
SIMON: Gemma – don’t encourage(it) – Bloody hell – let’s feed the fox our fucking lunch shall we?
COCHINEAL averts her head. GEMMA jerks her hand away and holds it out tentatively again.
GEMMA: I’m a bit nervous in case it bites me… Come on – she’s got no fur round her eyes. They’re not healthy the ones in the city.
SIMON bins the dead bird.
I saw a fox flick open the lid of one of them council bins the other night.
SIMON: Cheeky bugger
GEMMA: They’re smart
SIMON: Not that smart. I hit one a couple of weeks back. GEMMA: That’s horrible.
(To COCHINEAL.)
/Come on –
SIMON: Bugger was in the middle of the road eating a bloody kebab.
BASTI: You killed him Dad?
SIMON: I’d be very surprised if it made it – the front legs got caught under the front right /(wheel) –
GEMMA: Simon – that’s/ so awful –
SIMON: I didn’t /go out of my way to hit it.
BASTI: You fucking killed him.
You’re the one killed him.
SIMON: He was in the middle of the road!
GEMMA: Why didn’t you brake?
SIMON: Am I the only sane one here?
SIMON’s eyes meet COCHINEAL’s. Her voice is very low.
COCHINEAL: MURDERER
The blood drains from SIMON’s face.
SIMON: GET OUT! GET OUT! FUCK OFF! /THAT’S RIGHT! FUCK OFF! OUT! OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT!
GEMMA: Calm down. Bloody hell Simon –
GEMMA glances at BASTI. He is glowering at his dad. COCHINEAL turns and leaves. SIMON closes the door tight shut.
SIMON: They carry diseases.
GEMMA: (To BASTI.) You’re gonna be late for school.
BASTI drags GEMMA’s bowl of cereal towards him.
BASTI: You gonna eat that?
GEMMA shakes her head. He goes into his room.
GEMMA: He thinks I’m trying to replace his mum.
SIMON: Only if he catches you swinging from the rafters. It’s fine
SIMON kisses her.
GEMMA: Alright.
SIMON: Where you going?
GEMMA: I need to take a shower.
SIMON: Why not take one here?
GEMMA: /Why?
SIMON: Let the ceiling dry for a few days so I can paint it over with a sealant. It’s fine. There’ll be no one here.
GEMMA: You know this is nothing between us right?
SIMON: Yeah. Course.
IN BASTI’S BEDROOM: UNDER THE BED
RDEČA laps from the bowl spilling milk everywhere. BASTI watches her.
They are both jittery.
RDEČA: You think they mated?
BASTI: Yeah. He’s strutting around like the cat that got the cream.
RDEČA: Yuck –
BASTI: /Yeah
RDEČA: I hate cats.
BASTI: I thought she was cooler than that.
RDEČA: It’s weird to think of humans having sex. How do they do it even? Does she put her front paws down and he climbs on?
BASTI: Sometimes.
RDEČA: Or like this?
She puts her front paws up the wall.
BASTI: Um
RDEČA: With him there. Or that?!
She tries different positions that could possibly work. BASTI is blushing as he watches her. He takes his phone.
BASTI: I can get some pictures up if you…
She looks.
RDEČA: Oh.
BASTI: Or you can do that. Or like there’s one here
(He flicks through.)
See that?
RDEČA: All very different.
They both laugh and keep flicking through.
BASTI: Have you ever – ?
RDEČA: No! No. You –
BASTI: Yeah. I have.
RDEČA: Yeah right! Pull the curtains closed. My eyes –
BASTI, suddenly nervous, pulls them closed. He hurries back beside her.
BASTI: I’m not going to school today
RDEČA: No – stay with me. /Basti –
BASTI: Yeah?
RDEČA: I’d never hurt you on purpose –
If you ever have to hurt me I – I’ll understand.
BASTI: Are you gonna leave me now?
RDEČA: Where would I go?
BASTI: I’m not like my dad.
RDEČA: What?
BASTI: I’d never hurt you.
RDEČA: It might not be up to us.
BASTI: What are you talking about?
RDEČA: I think there might be things that are bigger than us.
BASTI: Nothing’s bigger than us.
I want to be with you –
RDEČA: /Yeah
BASTI: – so that’s how it’s gonna be.
Their faces are close –
You got blood on your muzzle.
He reaches out his hand and strokes her pretty bloody nose. She licks his hand. They look into each other’s eyes, chests heaving with the weight of what is still unsaid –
RDEČA: Basti… you know what I’m thinking?
BASTI: I think so –
They lean towards each other, lips slightly parted. A knock at the door. I’m busy! I’m finishing my homework!
GEMMA: (Offstage.) Sorry
BASTI scrambles up and opens the door, adjusting the waist of his trousers.
BASTI: (Hisses to RDEČA.) Get under the bed
RDEČA stands behind the door. BASTI opens the door. What?
GEMMA smells RDEČA’s potent stink.
GEMMA: I just wanted to say I’m taking a shower. And if you want anything –
Like if you need to talk or whatever.
She looks in his room.
Dark
BASTI: Yeah. I don’t need nothing.
GEMMA: Maybe don’t mention anything to your mum when you see her.
BASTI: She don’t want to see me for a bit anyway.
BASTI starts closing the door.
GEMMA: /Basti –
BASTI: OK. See ya.
I’m busy!
RDEČA: I don’t like her.
BASTI: She’s alright –
He sits back by RDEČA.
Tell me what you’re thinking –
He leans in towards her.
RDEČA: You might not like it
BASTI: I think I will.
Both breathless again. She seizes him by the hand and pulls him to his feet –
RDEČA: Let’s GO!
The door of the coop has been thrown open. The chickens scratch about. BAILEY chicken chatters distractedly, terrified.
BAILEY CHICKEN: I’ve often wondered what if I had been impregnanted. Would it have given me a maternal instinct ’cause I can just walk away from my um…oh /dear…my my (Nodding, getting into a flap.)
My eggs
QUENTIN: Oh dear. /Oh dear. I laid a very brown egg this morning.
RDEČA: (To BASTI.) So Basti, go for that one.
She nods towards COLOUR PATCH, the large, sedentary-looking hen. BASTI nods, full of adrenalin.
But watch this.
(Under her breath as she looks at BAILEY CHICKEN.)
I’m watching you.
I /want you.
BAILEY CHICKEN: Oh look a /grass seed –
RDEČA pounces and savages her throat. Blood spurts out.
QUENTIN: Oh no. It was a grass seed.
BAILEY CHICKEN tries to talk with the last of her strength.
RDEČA: SSsssssh /Sssssshhhh now
BAILEY CHICKEN: (Gurgling.) There’s a piece of corn
RDEČA: What?
BAILEY CHICKEN: By your /paw –
She shudders and dies. RDEČA drops her body.
RDEČA: (To BASTI.) Go – try not to/ engage too much. They’re so boring.
BASTI bends low and looks at COLOUR PATCH.
BASTI: (Mouths.) I’m watching you.
I want you.
I’m gonna get you.
COLOUR PATCH stands with some difficulty and starts walking towards him.
RDEČA: Line her up. Line her up.
BASTI shifts his body slightly. COLOUR PATCH clears her throat.
COLOUR PATCH: I’ve wanted to die for some time now
BASTI: (To RDEČA.) She’s talking to me –
RDEČA: It means she’s yours.
COLOUR PATCH: You’ve been a while coming.
RDEČA: Go/ Basti –
COLOUR PATCH: Am I a disappointment to you? /Sweetheart – I’m sorry.
BASTI: (Getting upset.) No no you’re not a disappointment to / me. I love you.
RDEČA: GO!
(To COLOURPATCH.)
I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’RE SAYING BUT SHUT UP!
COLOUR PATCH: I’m proud of you.
RDEČA: GO BASTI
She pushes him. BASTI stumbles towards COLOUR PATCH and bites hard into her throat. Feathers!
COLOUR PATCH: (Gurgling.) Yes! Such a light! Oh…such / ecstasy.
RDEČA: BITE DOWN!
COLOUR PATCH’s body convulses out of BASTI’s arms. Her head hanging bloody and demented from her neck, she takes several long strides and dies with a strange dignity. BASTI, breathless, blood around his mouth, watches her with awe.
You did it! Basti! You’re a hunter! You did it!
BASTI, close to tears, close to laughter, looks into her eyes.
BASTI: I love /you.
RDEČA: I love you!
They kiss hard, breathless.
BASTI: Ow
QUENTIN scratches at the ground.
QUENTIN: (Very quietly, but compulsively.) Oh…what’s (that)…a grass seed. Oh. Oh. Oh.
RDEČA runs at her –
THE DEN: THINGS HAD GOTTEN OUT OF HAND
GUSTINA is curled in a corner of the den far from the entrance. She whimpers and scratches herself in her sleep. THOREAU peers out cautiously through the entrance. He is tentative with the morning sun that shines through and onto his face. GUSTINA wakes with a start –
GUSTINA: MUM!
THOREAU: She’s still out.
GUSTINA: There’s blood on my paw!
THOREAU: You were scratching in your sleep. D’ you want me to tickle behind your ears?
GUSTINA: You do it too hard. Look how sharp that shadow is –
THOREAU: ’Cause it’s middle of the day.
Your stomach kept waking me up. It sounds like two sticks banging together.
GUSTINA: Ha ha. Yeah! BANG BANG. It feels like that.
Thoreau did we do something wrong?
THOREAU: I know Mum gets annoyed how I grind my teeth but I /can’t (help that) –
GUSTINA: What are we going to do Thoreau?
THOREAU: I’ve seen grasshoppers just out there. When it’s dusk I’ll get you one. But I think we should stay here like she told us in case /she (does come back) –
GUSTINA and THOREAU suddenly sit upright very alert.
Wow/wow ?
GUSTINA: Wow wow?
THOREAU and GUSTINA bolt against the back wall as BASTI stumbles in through the entrance, COLOUR PATCH’s legs between his teeth. The stench almost overwhelms him. THOREAU and GUSTINA drop several inches and wait perfectly still. BASTI looks at them in helpless standoff. RDEČA comes bowling in, QUENTIN hanging from her mouth. She shakes her head and feathers fly.
RDEČA: Wow! Wow! Wow!
It’s for you –
She holds QUENTIN out to GUSTINA. GUSTINA cowers away.
Gusti?
(To THOREAU.)
This is Basti.
(To BASTI.)
Give my brother the chicken.
(To THOREAU.)
That’s the first thing he’s ever killed. He was so good. Take it. Take the chicken Thoreau. Take the fucking chicken.
TAKE IT –
BASTI places it carefully at his feet. THOREAU doesn’t move. GUSTINA edges round and picks hers up.
THOREAU: Gusti –
GUSTINA lowers the chicken but keeps holding it.
RDEČA: Where’s Mum?
THOREAU: She’ll be back /any moment.
GUSTINA: She’s not come home two days.
Have you seen her? On the road/ or –
RDEČA: No
BASTI: (To RDEČA.) Are you OK?
RDEČA nods, though she feels suddenly unsteady.
RDEČA: (THOREAU and GUSTINA.) You should come with us.
THOREAU: We won’t leave this den.
RDEČA: You’ll starve to death.
GUSTINA: We might /Thoreau –
THOREAU: Better to starve to death than be tamed.
RDEČA: Better to take what you need and do what you want with who you want than sit in the dark.
There’s nothing to be scared of out there. You’d love day. So warm. And there’s some breezes smell like pigeons. And Basti’s house.
(To BASTI.)
Shall we go?
BASTI: Yeah.
(To GUSTINA and THOREAU.)
Nice, nice to meet you.
They stare at him. He backs out awkwardly.
THOREAU: Take your chicken!
GUSTINA: (Quietly.) Thoreau –
THOREAU: We don’t take food from humans
THOREAU prises QUENTIN from her and gives it to RDEČA.
RDEČA: He could fix your fleas too.
GUSTINA: /Really?
RDEČA: He’s brilliant.
THOREAU: He smells weak
RDEČA: He’s not.
You should step out with us. It’s a beautiful day.
She leaves. GUSTINA starts to follow.
THOREAU: Gusti –
She runs out after RDEČA. THOREAU sits. Then in a moment of panic tears off after them.
ON THE STREET
GUSTINA and THOREAU blink painfully against the light. Their chickens in their mouths. BASTI takes sunglasses from his pocket and puts them on. RDEČA sniffs the air triumphantly. Then suddenly stops. GUSTINA and THOREAU drop an inch.
BASTI: What is it?
RDEČA: Mum
RDEČA: She’s not eating. She’s trying to get Dad’s body off the road.
BASTI: Let’s help/ her –
RDEČA: No
(To THOREAU and GUSTINA.)
We stay together.
They keep walking.
GUSTINA: (Quietly.) Thoreau – are we tame now?
THOREAU: No. We’re fucking free.
BASTI’S DEN: HOUSE PARTY
The foxes put on music – (Something like Azealia Banks, 212 Ft. Lazy Jay) THOREAU smashes a chair. So does BASTI. GUSTINA turns the music up LOUD. Then hides QUENTIN’s body under the rug. BASTI goes to get lotion for GUSTINA. He rubs it into her back while she bites down on the arm of the sofa to keep from screaming. RDEČA looks at pictures on BASTI’s phone. THOREAU goes to the pantry, takes bags of crisps, stuff his face and empties the rest on the floor. BASTI and RDEČA make out on the couch. GUSTINA gets up and dances. THOREAU joins her, thrashing around tearing a pillow apart. As the party is reaching its climax GUSTINA stops. THOREAU, following her gaze stops too. COCHINEAL has entered the room unnoticed. Dirt on her paws. GUSTINA turns off the music. RDEČA and BASTI look up.
RDEČA: Mum –
COCHINEAL: IS THIS MY FAMILY? ARE THESE THE KIND OF FOXES /I RAISED?
GUSTINA laughs. COCHINEAL looks at her.
GUSTINA: I’m sorry. I’m so nervous. I can’t help it.
COCHINEAL: (To RDEČA.) It’s not enough to ruin your own life? You have to destroy our whole family?
RDEČA: It’s not me /destroying our family –
GUSTINA: We’re alright! We’re together now –
RDEČA: Were you gonna leave them in there to starve Mum?
THOREAU: Why did you leave us so long Mum?
COCHINEAL: I had to bury your father! We bury our dead Rdeča. We let them rest. Even if we can’t breathe we’re so angry.
RDEČA: I’m not angry at / (Dad) –
COCHINEAL: I AM. BECAUSE YOU NEED HIM AND HE’S NOT HERE BECAUSE HE COULDN’T RESIST A FUCKING KEBAB. I CAN’T DO THIS BY MYSELF –
She drops her head into her paws. THOREAU lifts his mum’s face with his nose.
THOREAU: I done everything you said Mum. We didn’t go out once.
COCHINEAL: Until –
THOREAU: I didn’t know what to do –
COCHINEAL: You did well. It’s going to be OK now.
THOREAU: /Yeah?
COCHINEAL: Run home. You too (Gusti) –
As THOREAU runs out he grabs another bag of crisps.
COCHINEAL: Leave them.
With difficulty he replaces them and runs out.
COCHINEAL: (Cont’d.) We’ll get this smell off you.
GUSTINA: I’m sorry Mum
COCHINEAL: (Quietly.) Go home now. We’re none of us safe here.
GUSTINA: Rdeča? I’ll race you back to the den?
RDEČA shakes her head.
RDEČA: I’m happy here. I’m in love.
COCHINEAL: Go Gusti.
GUSTI bolts from the house. RDEČA turns her face away as her sister leaves. She pushes into BASTI’s chest. COCHINEAL turns to RDEČA.
COCHINEAL: (Cont’d.) Ask him who murdered your dad?
RDEČA: What?
BASTI: What’s /she (saying)?
RDEČA: Do you know who killed my dad? /Basti –
BASTI: /What? SHE’S FUCKING EVERYTHING UP! We’re good. You and me are good. It don’t matter where we come from.
RDEČA: Did your father murder mine?
BASTI: I’m sorry –
RDEČA: Why /didn’t you tell me?
BASTI: I didn’t know! Please don’t – Please. Please stay with me –
BASTI closes the door. He sits nervously beside RDEČA.
RDEČA: Where’s your mum Basti?
BASTI: Away
RDEČA: Where?
BASTI: Just away so she don’t hurt herself.
RDEČA: In a cage?
BASTI: Um not…not exactly.
RDEČA: Who put her in a cage? You?
BASTI: I told a counsellor at school she was gonna kill dad. I thought it were off record but next thing she’s gone.
RDEČA: She was gonna kill your dad?
BASTI: Yeah
RDEČA: You have to kill him now.
BASTI: What?
RDEČA: He killed my dad. He’s killing you. He’s scared of everything. I smell it everywhere here – It’s disgusting. Your mum knew. You have to kill him Basti.
BASTI: He’s my dad.
RDEČA: He’s a fucking murderer.
BASTI: I can’t bite my dad’s throat.
RDEČA: Why not?
BASTI: I don’t think I can –
A beautiful calm falls over RDEČA as she makes up her mind what she must do.
RDEČA: It’s OK.
BASTI: I’m sorry –
RDEČA: It’s OK –
BASTI: I didn’t mean to get her/ shut up –
RDEČA: Ssshhhh…it’s OK now
RDEČA licks a tear from BASTI’s cheek. He kisses her mouth. Raises her paw and kisses under her armpit. She licks his ears and neck. And soon they are frantically, desperately making love.
THE DEN: THE PERILS OF BEING SLOPPY WITH THE EVIDENCE
GUSTINA runs, panting into the den. ROVIS looks up from THOREAU’s savaged body, blood on his muzzle.
GUSTINA: Thoreau!
She runs to seize her brother’s body but sees it is lifeless, completely limp. She freezes.
ROVIS wears a protective bucket around his head and a bandage about his groin. His voice is lighter, gentler, with a slight tremor.
ROVIS: Hello little fox. My name’s Rovis.
GUSTINA: Everyone knows your name.
ROVIS: It’s a lovely/ day (out) –
GUSTINA: Thoreau – What /have you done?
ROVIS: I was under the weather this morning and the whole world looked very black but now we’ve got blue skies haven’t we? Haven’t we?
GUSTINA: My brother didn’t do anything to you.
ROVIS: I was following a trail of feathers and it led me here.
I’ve a shooting pain down my left leg. Will you come here?
GUSTINA: I don’t think so.
ROVIS: Come here little fox.
GUSTINA: No
ROVIS: Don’t disobey me. My job’s important to me. I don’t like it when foxes take advantage.
GUSTINA: But we are your job aren’t we? Without us there’s no need for you is there?
ROVIS: I think you’ll find the reason is love little fox. I’m loved.
GUSTINA: It seems like a strange thing to do to someone you love – cutting their balls off.
ROVIS: COME HERE. I’d rather not touch you but YOU’RE A LITTLE CUNT –
GUSTINA gasps. She tries to run but ROVIS blocks her.
GUSTINA: MUM!!!! DON’T COME HOME!!!! DON’T COME HOME THOREAU!!!! /MUM!!! DON’T COME BACK HERE!
ROVIS approaches her swiftly and savages her throat. She tries to keep screaming a warning as her mouth fills with blood and her brave little body slumps to the ground.
COCHINEAL: (O.S.) I’M COMING! GUSTI! HOLD ON!
She runs in – Her children are dead on the floor. A howl from the deepest place in her rises up, is caught in her throat.
As he brushes past her –
ROVIS: There’s no point killing you. Look at your eyes. You’re already dead.
He leaves. COCHINEAL looks about her den and starts running fast back to RDEČA.
THEY WERE MAKING LOVE WHEN…
BASTI and RDEČA make love on the couch. Hungry, inept, passionate love-making.
They do not hear SIMON and GEMMA coming in through the front door. SIMON stops in the doorway. When he sees his son he makes an un-human sound.
GEMMA: Oh my god!
His hand goes to his heart.
GEMMA: Basti – Basti – get off the couch.
SIMON: Aaaaagghhhh
SIMON throws up violently in the hallway.
GEMMA: Get into your room /Basti. Go on
BASTI: It’s not what it looks /like –
GEMMA: OK – off /you go
SIMON: I’ll kill him. I’ll /kill him. What are you?
GEMMA: Please Basti – go to your room
BASTI: Come with me Rdeča
RDEČA is slightly crouched, looks coldly, fixedly at SIMON.
RDEČA: You killed my dad.
She runs at him, biting him hard on the throat. GEMMA screams.
SIMON: Fucking hell! FUCKING GET OFF!
He shakes her off. She is flung to the ground, gets up and attacks him again. BASTI tries to get between them.
BASTI: Stop it! Rdeča STOP!
COCHINEAL runs in –
COCHINEAL: Rdeča!
SIMON strikes RDEČA hard and she falls.
GEMMA runs out of the room, covering her mouth.
RUN! RUN TO ME!
RDEČA: (Trying to stand.) It’s OK mum. I’ve got this –
She turns back to SIMON. He kicks her. She tries to cover her head. BASTI leaps onto SIMON’s back and pulls him down. SIMON knocks him off and scrambles back to his feet.
COCHINEAL: DON’T TOUCH HER!
SIMON looks up at COCHINEAL. He looks tortured.
BASTI: STOP IT! DAD! PLEASE!
COCHINEAL climbs on top of RDEČA, head bowed over, arms holding her, to protect her body.
COCHINEAL: (Quietly to RDEČA.) It’s OK. It’s OK. I’ve got you.
SIMON picks up one of the chair legs broken in the den party and strikes COCHINEAL.
BASTI: Leave it – Dad – leave it –
SIMON raises the chair leg again. BASTI takes another broken chair and brings it down hard on SIMON.
ENOUGH DAD!
SIMON falls unexpectedly hard and awkward.
That’s enough.
BASTI looks at SIMON’s body, breathless. He holds his hand under his nose.
(Fuck)
He is shaking, looks around at the decimated room and quiet bloody bodies. He goes to COCHINEAL and gently lifts her head. Underneath RDEČA’s body stirs –
Oh my god! Rdeča! Rdeča –
RDEČA: Wow wowwow
She feels the weight of her mum’s body. She puts her arms about COCHINEAL.
I have to bury my mum.
BASTI helps her climb from beneath COCHINEAL’s body up to standing. RDEČA looks at SIMON’s body. She and BASTI are both in shock.
Are we the only ones left on earth?
BASTI nods. They both laugh. Kiss. It’s messy.
BASTI: Sorry
RDEČA: No
Outside you can hear the day. A blackbird calls. BASTI does his call and the bird responds.
BASTI: Not just us.
BASTI and RDEČA look at each other. Sun shines in through the window and their bodies become brilliant. RDEČA blinks against the light at first. She takes his hand and they look out at the beautiful world.
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