The Crying Game
FADE IN:
EXT. CARNIVAL - DAY
A loudspeaker playing Percy Sledge's "When a Man Loves a
Woman," as we see a carnival in the distance - with a Ferris
Wheel turning round and round.
A black man is by a stall. On his arm is an Irish girl with
blond hair. The black man is drunk, and is tossing rings
around a bowling pin.
JODY
And that's cricket, hon.
An attendant hands him the teddy bear. It looks ridiculous in
his huge hands. He gives it to the girl.
JODY
You want it?
GIRL
Sure.
JODY
Doesn't matter if you don't.
He puts his arm around her and drags her on.
JODY
Jody won't be offended. Jody's never
offended. What'd you say your name was?
GIRL
Jude.
JODY
Jude. Suits you, Jude.
JUDE
The teddy bear?
JODY
No, fuck the bear. The name. Jude. And
it's June. Jude in June.
He comes to a small canvas tent with a sign on it - TOILET.
2.
JODY
Gotta piss, Jude.
He holds her hand.
JODY
Don't run off, Jude.
JUDE
You don't know me, do you?
Jody walks inside the canvas flap and vanishes from sight. We
can still see his hand, holding Jude's. She leans against the
canvas, looking bored.
JODY
(inside)
What if I did?
JUDE
You'd know I wouldn't run off.
She stands there, listening to the sound of him urinate. Her
eyes flick around the carnival. They settle on a tall dark-
haired man in a dark jacket. He nods.
JODY
Never pissed holding a girl's hand, Jude.
JUDE
You didn't?
JODY
And you know what?
JUDE
Tell me, Jody
He staggers out, buttoning up.
JODY
It's nice.
He goes to kiss her. She turns her head away.
JUDE
Not here.
JODY
Who gives a fuck.
JUDE
You never know.
3.
She pulls him over toward the water.
JODY
I never know nothing.
JUDE
People. They could be looking.
Jody follows her, as she walks backward, drawing him on. He
moves his hips to a song as Jude leads him over the beach,
under a train trestle.
JUDE
Come and get me, soldier --
JODY
Whatever you say, Jude...
He sinks down on his knees toward her. She wraps her arms
around his neck and kisses him. Jody writhes on top of her,
fumbling with his belt. Jude cocks one eye upward. A shadow
falls across them.
CLOSE ON JODY, kissing her. A gun is put to his head. He
turns around, drunkenly.
JODY
What the fuck --
The gun whacks him across the cheek and he falls sideways.
Jude scrambles to her feet and darts like an animal through a
field.
Jody feels his cheek. He can see her blond head vanishing
among the fields. He looks up and sees a group of men around
him. The tallest of them, Fergus, cocks the gun.
INT. CAR - DAY
A mini, driving down a country road. Two men in the front,
three in the back.
On the floor of the car Jody lies, with three pairs of feet
on top of him, a black bag over his head and the barrel of a
gun dangling close to his face. Fergus holds the gun. He is
smoking a cigarette. His movements are slow and somewhat
innocent.
FERGUS
So what's your name, soldier?
4.
JODY
Fuck you.
FERGUS
Yeah.
EXT. SMALL FARMHOUSE - EVENING.
INT. FARMHOUSE - NIGHT.
Jody pulled through and tied to a chair. Maguire, a small
lean man, talks to him through the hood.
MAGUIRE
The situation is simple. You're being
held hostage by the Irish Republican
Army. They've got one of our senior
members under interrogation in
Castleraigh. We've informed them that if
they don't release him within three days,
you'll be shot. You'll be treated as our
guest until further developments. Have
you anything to say?
Jody is motionless under the black hood.
FERGUS
Give him a cup of tea.
MAGUIRE
Do you want a cup of tea?
He still says nothing.
DISSOLVE.
All the men are drinking tea. The blond woman comes in with a
plate and some food on it.
FERGUS
See does he want some.
JUDE
Do you want some food?
Jody sits as still as a grave, saying nothing.
DISSOLVE.
Late at night -- it is dark. The men are sleeping. Fergus is
sitting by a chair, gun in his hand, watching the prisoner.
Jude comes in, with a flashlight.
5.
FERGUS
Hey -- what's he like?
JUDE
Horny bastard.
FERGUS
Did you give him it?
JUDE
There are certain things I wouldn't do
for my country.
FERGUS
Have a look at him.
JUDE
Can't.
FERGUS
Poke him or something. See if he's still
alive.
JUDE
He's all right.
FERGUS
Hasn't moved for twelve hours. Go on.
Have a heart.
She moves over to him. She prods him in the legs with her
foot. He doesn't move. Then she lifts the hood ever so
slightly, to peer inside. Suddenly the man moves like
lightning, jerking his head down so the hood comes off,
throwing his body, tied to the chair, over Jude.
JODY
You fucking bitch -- you fucking whore --
He pins her to the ground, his body bent with the chair. He
writhes on top of her in a grotesque parody of love. She is
screaming and the room is alive, each man awake, grabbing
guns, screaming.
MAGUIRE
Turn the fucking thing off --
EXT. FARMHOUSE - NIGHT.
Fergus follows Jude out a back door, holding her by the arm.
FERGUS
You all right?
6.
JUDE
Fucking animal.
She takes in huge gobs of air.
FERGUS
You don't know that.
JUDE
Fucking do. I had him all over me.
He touches her face.
FERGUS
Tough work, that.
JUDE
Someone's got to do it.
She rubs her hand on his chest.
JUDE
Nah, it was a breeze. Just thought of
you.
She sidles closer, coming on to him.
JUDE
And you know what, Fergus? One of you
made me want it...
She puts her lips to his neck.
FERGUS
Which one?
She doesn't answer. They embrace.
EXT. FARMHOUSE - MORNING.
A hot summer's day. There are tall hedges all around the
house. Fergus leads Jody, still bound and hooded, over toward
a greenhouse.
INT. GREENHOUSE - DAY
Dusty tomato plants and vines everywhere. Broken glass. The
sun pouring through. Fergus leads Jody over to a wrought iron
chair and sits him in it. He sits opposite, gun on his lap.
Fergus takes some sandwiches out of a brown paper bag. He
holds one out toward him.
7.
FERGUS
Eat something, would you?
JODY
Can't.
FERGUS
What do you mean you can't?
JODY
Can't eat through a canvas bag.
Fergus walks over to him, lifts the hood up so his mouth is
revealed, and pushes the sandwich toward his lips. Jody eats,
slowly.
JODY
This is a farce, man.
FERGUS
How is it a farce?
JODY
I seen your fucking face.
FERGUS
So, what do I look like?
JODY
You're the one about five ten with the
killer smile and the baby face.
FERGUS
Am I?
JODY
Yeah. And the brown eyes.
Fergus pushes the last crumbs of the sandwich toward Jody's
mouth.
JODY
You're the handsome one.
Jody eats the last bits.
JODY
Thank you, handsome.
FERGUS
My pleasure.
8.
EXT. FARMHOUSE - DAY
Jude makes her way from the door toward the greenhouse. She
is carrying a pot of tea and two cups.
INT. GREENHOUSE - DAY
It is sweltering now in the greenhouse. CLOSE ON JODY'S
COWLED HEAD. The hood is drenched with sweat.
JODY
I can't fucking breathe, man. Be a
Christian, will you?
Jude comes into view.
JODY
Tell him to take the hood off, honey...
Jude says nothing. Lays the tea on the ground.
FERGUS
How did you know it was her?
JODY
I can smell her perfume.
Jude pours out the tea.
JUDE
See, if we took the hood off, we'd have
to shoot you. As it is, you've got a
fifty-fifty chance.
JODY
Thought you liked me, bitch.
JUDE
It was fun while it lasted.
JODY
Nice lady.
His breathing becomes labored.
JODY
Please, man, I'm suffocating in here.
FERGUS
Can't we take it off?
JUDE
Have to check with himself.
9.
Fergus gives her the gun.
FERGUS
You look after him.
Jody's head follows Fergus while he leaves.
JODY
Don't leave me with her, man. She's
dangerous...
Jude smiles, holding the gun on her lap.
INT. FARMHOUSE - DAY
Fergus enters. Maguire and the others. Maguire has a
newspaper, which has a headline regarding the kidnapping.
MAGUIRE
Made the front page. They'll move now,
the fuckers.
FERGUS
Request permission to take the hood off,
Tommy.
MAGUIRE
Why would you do that?
FERGUS
The poor whore's suffocating in the heat.
MAGUIRE
So?
FERGUS
And anyway, he's seen our faces.
MAGUIRE
You sure?
FERGUS
He described me down to a T. Knows what
Jude looks like.
Maguire reads the paper.
FERGUS
Tommy --
10.
MAGUIRE
You're his keeper. If you don't mind him
seeing you, I don't mind. But you're the
only one he looks at.
FERGUS
Thanks.
MAGUIRE
It's your decision.
INT. GREENHOUSE - DAY
Jude, drinking tea, looking at Jody sweating. Fergus enters.
He puts his arm casually around her.
FERGUS
Leave us, Judie.
JUDE
My pleasure.
She goes. Fergus walks to Jody and slowly takes the hood off.
Jody looks up at him, his face bathed in sweat. He breathes
in mighty gulps of air. He smiles.
JODY
Thank you, soldier.
Fergus smiles.
JODY
Never thought fresh air would taste this
good.
Fergus pours out a cup of tea and brings it to his lips.
JODY
Now, if you took the ropes off, I'd be
able to feed myself.
FERGUS
No fucking way.
JODY
Only joking.
Fergus drinks.
JODY
You know, I was wrong about one thing.
11.
FERGUS
What's that?
JODY
Five ten. Brown eyes. But you're no
pinup.
FERGUS
No?
JODY
Nope. Not handsome at all.
FERGUS
You trying to hurt my feelings?
JODY
No. It's the truth.
FERGUS
Well, I could say the same about you.
JODY
Could you?
FERGUS
But I won't. We're more polite around
these parts.
JODY
So I've noticed.
Fergus looks at him. Jody isn't smiling anymore. Fergus goes
back to his seat and drinks his tea. He fingers the gun on
his lap.
JODY
Hey --
FERGUS
What is it now?
JODY
You're going to have to do it, aren't
you?
FERGUS
Do what?
JODY
Kill me.
12.
FERGUS
What makes you think that?
JODY
They're going to let that guy die. And
you're going to kill me.
FERGUS
They won't let him die.
JODY
You want to bet?
FERGUS
I'm not a gambling man.
JODY
And even if he doesn't die -- you can't
just let me loose.
FERGUS
Why can't we?
JODY
Not in your nature.
FERGUS
What do you know about my nature?
JODY
I'm talking about your people, not you.
FERGUS
What the fuck do you know about my
people?
JODY
Only that you're all tough undeluded
motherfuckers. And that it's not in your
nature to let me go.
FERGUS
Shut the fuck up, would you?
JODY
And you know the funny thing?
FERGUS
No, what's the funny thing?
JODY
I didn't even fancy her.
13.
FERGUS
Didn't look like that to me...
JODY
She's not my type.
He looks at Fergus.
JODY
C'mere.
FERGUS
No.
JODY
Ah, c'mere. I want to show you something.
FERGUS
What?
JODY
My inside pocket.
Fergus holds the gun to his face. He fishes inside Jody's
inside pocket.
JODY
Take out the wallet.
Fergus's hand emerges with a wallet.
JODY
Open it.
CLOSE ON THE WALLET. Credit cards, army identification
photograph.
JODY
Inside. There's a picture.
Fergus takes out a picture. It is of Jody, in cricket whites,
smiling, holding a bat. Fergus smiles.
JODY
No, not that one. There's another.
Fergus takes out another picture of Jody and of a beautiful
black woman, smiling.
JODY
Now she's my type.
14.
FERGUS
She'd be anyone's type.
JODY
Don't you think of it, fucker.
FERGUS
Why not?
JODY
She's mine. Anyway, she wouldn't suit
you.
FERGUS
No?
JODY
Absolutely not.
FERGUS
She your wife?
JODY
Suppose you could say that.
Jody chuckles.
FERGUS
You make a nice couple.
JODY
Don't I know it.
FERGUS
So what were you fucking around for,
then?
JODY
You fuckers set me up. That bitch --
FERGUS
She's a friend of mine
JODY
Okay. That nice lady. Meets me in a bar.
I'm saying what the fuck am I doing here
anyway. She buys me a drink. She holds my
hand. I'm looking at her saying I don't
like you, bitch. But what the fuck. Maybe
I'll get to understand.
FERGUS
What?
15.
JODY
What the fuck am I doing here.
FERGUS
What the fuck were you doing here?
JODY
I got sent.
FERGUS
You could have said no.
JODY
Can't. Once I signed up.
FERGUS
Why did you sign up?
JODY
It was a job. So I get sent to the only
place in the world they call you nigger
to your face.
FERGUS
Shouldn't take it personally.
JODY
(He imitates a Belfast accent)
"Go back to your banana tree, nigger." No
use telling them I came from Tottenham.
FERGUS
And you play cricket?.
JODY
Best game in the world.
FERGUS
Ever see hurling?
JODY
That game where a bunch of paddies whack
sticks at each other?
FERGUS
Best game in the world.
JODY
Never.
FERGUS
The fastest.
16.
JODY
Well, in Antigua cricket's the black
man's game. The kids play it from the age
of two. My daddy had me throwing googlies
from the age of five. Then we moved to
Tottenham and it was something different.
FERGUS
How different?
JODY
Toffs' game there. But not at home. .
Fergus looks at him.
JODY
So when you come to shoot me, Paddy,
remember, you're getting rid of a shit-
hot bowler.
FERGUS
I'll bear that in mind.
He keeps looking at him.
FERGUS
And by the way, it's not Paddy. It's
Fergus.
Jody smiles.
JODY
Nice to meet you, Fergus.
FERGUS
My pleasure, Jody
EXT. GREENHOUSE - NIGHT.
Fergus leads Jody outside, holding the gun against him.
FERGUS
Take it easy, now. Just go slow. Down by
that tree.
JODY
Tree.
He walks toward it, breathing heavily.
JODY
You've got to loosen my hands.
17.
FERGUS
Can't.
JODY
Well then, you're going to have to take
my dick out for me, aren t you?
Fergus, in the dark, stands motionless, looking at him.
JODY
Come on, man, I'm going to wet my pants!
Fergus turns him around and unzips his fly.
JODY
Take the fucker out, man, I'm dying --
Fergus takes Jody's penis out.
Jody takes two steps toward the wall.
JODY
I gotta lean forward or I'll dribble all
over myself. Will you hold my hands for
me.
Fergus holds his hands from behind, so Jody can lean forward.
Jody now pisses with immense relief
JODY
Now, that was worth waiting for.
FERGUS
Hurry up, would you?
JODY
These things take time, Fergus.
He shakes his body.
JODY
It's amazing how these small details take
on such importance...
He steps back.
JODY
Now put it back in.
FERGUS
Give us a break.
18.
JODY
I can't do it! It's only a piece of meat.
For fuck's sake, it's got no major
diseases.
Fergus puts Jody's penis back in his pants and zips him up.
JODY
Thank you. I had a case of the clap two
years ago. Crabs in Ulster. But all in
all it's served me well.
FERGUS
Shut up, would you?
JODY
I'm sorry. Didn't mean to offend you,
Fergus.
Fergus leads him hack toward the greenhouse.
INT. GREENHOUSE - NIGHT.
Fergus leads Jody back to his chair.
JODY
Fergus?
FERGUS
Yeah?
JODY
Thanks. I know that wasn't easy for you.
He begins to laugh.
FERGUS
The pleasure was all mine.
Fergus begins to laugh, without knowing why.
EXT. FARMHOUSE - NIGHT.
Maguire, walking out of the house, woken by the sound of
laughter.
INT. GREENHOUSE - NIGHT.
Jody, still laughing. Suddenly the hood is slammed back over
his head.
Maguire, standing there in the dark, looking at Fergus.
19.
MAGUIRE
What the fuck is this?
FERGUS
It's nothing. He's just got a sense of
humor, that's all.
MAGUIRE
You're on duty. Keep your fucking mouth
shut. Go in and get some sleep.
Fergus gets up slowly, walks toward the door.
JODY
Yeah. Get some sleep.
EXT. FARMHOUSE - NIGHT.
Fergus, walking toward the house. He looks back and sees the
figures of Maguire and Jody in the dark, in absolute silence.
INT. FARMHOUSE - NIGHT.
Fergus sleeping.
INT. GREENHOUSE - NIGHT.
Jody sleeping. Maguire sitting with an Armalite in his hands,
watching him.
EXT. FARMHOUSE AND FIELDS - DAY
The sun coming up over the low hills around the farmhouse.
INT. GREENHOUSE - DAY
Fergus enters, with a tray and some breakfast. Maguire is
sitting where he sat before, stock-still.
FERGUS
Did he talk?
Maguire shakes his head.
FERGUS
Didn't make you laugh?
Maguire shakes his head.
FERGUS
Here. Have some breakfast.
He hands Maguire a plate. Jody stirs.
20.
JODY
Good morning, Fergus?
Maguire looks hard at him.
MAGUIRE
So he knows your name?
FERGUS
I told him.
MAGUIRE
Are you all there?
He rises, and drags Fergus out the door.
FERGUS
Back in a minute, Jody
EXT. GREENHOUSE - DAY
MAGUIRE
You'll have minimal contact with the
prisoner, do you hear me?
FERGUS
Yes.
MAGUIRE
And do you know why?
FERGUS
Why?
MAGUIRE
Because tomorrow we might have to shoot
him, that's why.
Maguire goes back to the house.
INT. GREENHOUSE - DAY
Jody sitting with the hood on again. Fergus enters.
JODY
They giving you trouble, Fergus?
Fergus says nothing. He takes a plate and brings it toward
Jody
21.
JODY
It happens. Y'see, there's two kinds of
people. Those who give and those who
take.
Fergus lifts up Jody's hood to expose his mouth and begins to
feed him.
JODY
Ah, take the thing off, man.
Fergus says nothing and keeps feeding him.
JODY
It's okay. I understand. Don't mind if I
prattle on, do you?
Fergus shakes his head and says nothing.
JODY
I will take it by your silence that you
don't.
He eats. Fergus feeds himself, then feeds more to Jody.
JODY
Two types, Fergus. The scorpion and the
frog. Ever heard of them?
Fergus says nothing.
JODY
Scorpion wants to cross a river, but he
can't swim. Goes to the frog, who can,
and asks for a ride. Frog says, "If I
give you a ride on my back, you'll go and
sting me." Scorpion replies, "It would
not be in my interest to sting you since
as I'll be on your back we both would
drown." Frog thinks about this logic for
a while and accepts the deal. Takes the
scorpion on his back. Braves the waters.
Halfway over feels a burning spear in his
side and realizes the scorpion has stung
him after all. And as they both sink
beneath the waves the frog cries out,
"Why did you sting me, Mr. Scorpion, for
now we both will drown?" Scorpion
replies, "I can't help it, it's in my
nature."
Jody chuckles under his hood.
22.
FERGUS
So what's that supposed to mean?
JODY
Means what it says. The scorpion does
what is in his nature. Take off the hood,
man.
FERGUS
Why?
JODY
'Cause you're kind. It's in your nature.
Fergus walks toward him and pulls off the hood. Jody smiles
up at him.
JODY
See? I was right about you.
FERGUS
Don't be so sure.
JODY
Jody's always right.
INT. GREENHOUSE - LATE AFTERNOON.
Both men dozing in the heat.
JODY
Where would you most like to be now, man?
FERGUS
Doesn't matter where.
JODY
Come on, man. If this shit was all over.
FERGUS
Having a pint in the Rock.
JODY
You lack imagination, Fergus. Think of
something more alluring.
FERGUS
Like what?
JODY
Like having a pint in the Metro --
Fergus laughs.
23.
FERGUS
Having two pints in the Rock.
JODY
Having a pint in the Metro, and Dil's
having a margarita.
FERGUS
Who's Dil?
JODY
My special friend.
FERGUS
Oh, yeah.
JODY
We got simple tastes, you and me.
FERGUS
The best.
JODY
But you fellas never get a break, do you?
FERGUS
Do you?
JODY
Oh, yes. We do a tour of duty and we're
finished. But you guys are never
finished, are you?
FERGUS
We don't look on it like that.
JODY
I've often wondered how you do it.
FERGUS
Depends on what you believe in.
JODY
What do you believe in?
FERGUS
That you guys shouldn't be here.
JODY
It's as simple as that?
FERGUS
Yes.
24.
Jude enters.
JUDE
Put that thing back on him, Fergus.
FERGUS
He's hot.
JUDE
Doesn't matter if he's hot. Just cover
the fucker up.
JODY
Have you no feelings, woman?
JUDE
You shut your face --
She pulls the hood down over him.
JUDE
You're heading for trouble, Fergus --
JODY
He's a good soldier, Jude.
She whacks him with a pistol.
JUDE
I said shut the fuck up --
JODY
He believes in the future --
INT. GREENHOUSE - NIGHT.
Jody, sitting in the hood. Fergus lifts it a bit; Jody's
mouth, with blood now in his lips.
FERGUS
Is it bad?
JODY
No. Not bad. Women are trouble, you know
that, Fergus?
FERGUS
I didn't.
JODY
Some kinds of women are...
25.
FERGUS
She can't help it.
JODY
Dil wasn't trouble. No trouble at all.
FERGUS
You liked her?
JODY
Present tense, please. Love her. Whatever
she is. I'm thinking of her now, Fergus.
Will you think of her too?
FERGUS
Don't know her.
JODY
Want you to do something, Fergus.
FERGUS
What?
JODY
If they kill me --
FERGUS
Don't think that way.
JODY
But they will. As sure as night follows
day. They have to. I want you to find her
out. Tell her I was thinking of her.
Fergus is moved. He can't reply.
JODY
See if she's all right.
FERGUS
I don't know her.
JODY
Take her picture. C'mere.
Fergus walks toward him.
JODY
Take it. In the inside pocket.
Their faces, close to each other as Fergus searches out her
picture.
26.
JODY
Take the whole lot. I won't need it.
FERGUS
I told you not to talk that way --
JODY
Go to Millie's Hair Salon in
Spitalfields. Take her to the Metro for a
margarita. Don't have to tell her who you
are. Just tell her Jody was thinking --
FERGUS
Stop it --
The door opens. Maguire is there, with another.
MAGUIRE
Volunteer?
Fergus turns toward him.
MAGUIRE
We need you inside.
Fergus walks toward Maguire and the other man walks forward,
takes his seat. Fergus, unseen by Maguire, puts the wallet in
his pocket.
INT. FARMHOUSE - NIGHT.
Maguire, Jude, Fergus, and the others.
MAGUIRE
We've had word. They've used every trick
in the book on him. He's starting to
talk. You're going to have to do it in
the morning.
Maguire lights a cigarette. Fergus looks at him and nods.
MAGUIRE
You OK about that?
FERGUS
I'm a volunteer, am n't I?
MAGUIRE
Good. I was beginning to have my doubts
about you for the last few days.
JUDE
Not the only one --
27.
MAGUIRE
Shut up, Jude. You best get some sleep
tonight, Fergus.
FERGUS
Peter.
MAGUIRE
What?
FERGUS
Request permission to guard the prisoner
tonight --
JUDE
You're crazy. Don't let him, Peter.
MAGUIRE
Shut the fuck up, Jude.
He turns back to Fergus. He puts his arm on Fergus's
shoulder.
MAGUIRE
Why do you want to do that for?
FERGUS
Would make me feel better about it.
MAGUIRE
You sure about that?
FERGUS
I'm sure.
MAGUIRE
Okay. You're a good man, Fergus.
Fergus leaves.
INT. GREENHOUSE - NIGHT.
Fergus takes his place in the chair beside Jody.
Jody begins to laugh under the hood. It turns into the sound
of crying.
FERGUS
Don't.
JODY
I'm sorry.
28.
The crying stops.
JODY
Help me.
FERGUS
How can I?
JODY
I don't know. Just help me. Give me a
cigarette.
Fergus takes out a cigarette, lights it, and lifts up Jody's
hood so he can smoke.
JODY
Don't even smoke, you know that? It just
seemed the right thing to do.
Fergus watches him puff the cigarette, the hood just above
his lips. Jody coughs, but keeps the cigarette in his lips.
Fergus gently takes the cigarette from his mouth.
FERGUS
Go to sleep now.
JODY
I don't want to sleep. Tell me something.
FERGUS
What?
JODY
A story.
FERGUS
Like the one about the frog?
JODY
And the scorpion. No. Tell me anything.
FERGUS
When I was a child...
JODY
Yeah?
FERGUS
I thought as a child. But when I became a
man I put away childish things...
JODY
What does that mean?
29.
FERGUS
Nothing.
JODY
Tell me something, anything.
Fergus is silent; his eyes wet.
JODY
Not a lot of use, are you, Fergus?
FERGUS
Me? No, I'm not good for much...
EXT. FIELDS - MORNING.
The farmhouse covered in mist. The sun coming through it.
EXT. GREENHOUSE - MORNING.
Maguire opens the door to the greenhouse and clicks the
chamber of his gun. Fergus has a gun in his hand. He checks
the chamber.
Fergus takes Jody, whose hands are still tied behind his
back, by the elbow.
FERGUS
Stand up, now --
Jody rises. Fergus leads him through the door, past Maguire.
MAGUIRE
I wish to say on behalf of the Irish
Republican Army --
Fergus turns with sudden fierceness.
FERGUS
Leave him be --
He pulls Jody through the fields.
EXT. TREES - MORNING.
Fergus pushing Jody through a copse of trees, the gun at his
back.
JODY
Take the hood off, Fergus --
FERGUS
No.
30.
JODY
I want to see a bit. Please, please.
Don't make me die like an animal.
Fergus pulls the hood off. Jody looks around him. He has a
cut lip where Jude struck him.
Fergus prods him on with the gun. Jody stumbles forward.
Fergus is all cold and businesslike.
JODY
I'm glad you're doing it, do you know
that, Fergus?
FERGUS
Why?
JODY
Cause you're my friend. And I want you to
go to the Metro --
FERGUS
Stop that talk now --
JODY
Hurling's a fast game, isn't it, Fergus?
FERGUS
The fastest.
JODY
Faster than cricket?
FERGUS
Cricket's in the halfpenny place.
JODY
So if I ran now, there's no way I'd beat
you, is there?
FERGUS
You won't run.
JODY
But if I did... you wouldn't shoot a
brother in the back --
Jody suddenly sprints, and, loosening the ties on his hands,
then freeing them, he is off like a hare. Fergus screams in
fury after him.
FERGUS
JODY!!!
31.
Fergus aims, then changes his mind and runs.
FERGUS
You stupid bastard --
JODY
What you say, faster?
FERGUS
I said you bastard -- stop --
JODY
Got to catch me first --
Fergus gains on him -- stretches his arm out -- but Jody
sprints ahead again -- as if he has been playing with him. He
laughs in exhilaration. Fergus pants behind him, wheezing,
almost laughing.
JODY
Used to run the mile, you know -- four
times round the cricket pitch -- what was
that game called?
FERGUS
Hurling --
JODY
What?
FERGUS
Hurling --
Jody runs, whipping through the trees -- always ahead of him.
JODY
Come on, Fergie -- you can do it -- a bit
more wind --
Fergus grabs his shoulder and Jody shrugs it off, gaining on
him again.
JODY
Bit of fun, Fergus, eh?
And suddenly the trees give way. Jody turns, laughing, to
Fergus.
JODY
Told you I was fast --
Fergus is panting, pointing the gun at Jody
32.
JODY
Don't do it.
And suddenly a Saracen tank whips around the corner, hits
Jody with the full of its fender. His body flies in the air
and bounces forward as another tank tries to grind to a halt
and the huge wheels grind over him.
Fergus, screaming, "No-!" He almost moves forward, then sees
soldiers spilling from the tank around the body. Fergus turns
and runs.
EXT. TREES - DAY
Fergus whipping through the trees, his body crouched low as
he runs.
INT. GREENHOUSE - DAY
Tinker sitting in the greenhouse. A helicopter screams into
view through the panes and automatic fire comes from it,
shattering every pane in seconds and tearing Tinker to bits.
INT. FARMHOUSE - DAY
Bullets whipping through every window, taking chunks from the
masonry, tearing the walls apart. Maguire, Jude, and the
others on the floor, scrambling for weapons.
EXT. TREES - DAY
Fergus, hearing the gunfire, runs through overhanging
branches till eventually he is hidden from sight.
EXT. CARNIVAL ON THE MONAGHAN BORDER - DAWN.
A forlorn-looking building over nondescript fields.
An old man wheels a bicycle slowly toward it; a rusty car
appears; and Fergus gets out of it.
TOMMY
Fergus!
FERGUS
You're back in the pink, Tommy? How're
you keeping?
INT. CARAVAN - DAY
The old man pouring whiskey into a teacup.
33.
TOMMY
You'll notice I've asked you nothing.
FERGUS
That's wise, Tommy.
TOMMY
All right, then. I like to be wise.
He pours Fergus more whiskey.
TOMMY
So what do you need, Fergus?
FERGUS
Need to go across the water.
TOMMY
Do you now.
FERGUS
Need to lose myself awhile.
TOMMY
Aha.
He looks at Fergus and lights a cigarette.
He puffs.
TOMMY
There's a man I know ships cattle to
London.
EXT. DUBLIN BAY - EVENING.
The ferry, churning into the sunset.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. BUILDING SITE - DAY
FADE UP into an elegant, empty Georgian room, covered in
clouds of dust. A figure among the clouds of dust, hacking at
a wall with a sledgehammer. It is Fergus, dressed in
laborer's overalls, covered in dust. He is knocking the
bricks from an outer wall. He works furiously and
relentlessly, like a machine.
We see the wall, with the hammer striking it. One brick falls
away, then another. Daylight pours through the clouds of dust
and the growing hole.
34.
Fergus's face, as he works.
The hole. More bricks falling away. Through the clouds of
dust and the streams of daylight we now see a patch of green.
Fergus's face, working. His rhythm slows.
The hole. More bricks fall away. Then the hammer stops. The
dust begins to clear.
His face.
The jagged hole. The dust drifts across it, revealing a
cricket pitch, with tiny sticklike figures running on the
green.
EXT. HOSTEL - DAY
Fergus, returning from work, crosses the street, and enters
through a white door.
INT. HOSTEL - DAY
Fergus dressing. He puts on a cheap suit, like any country
boy in a big city. He takes Jody's wallet from the trousers
of his overalls. He flips it open, sees the picture of the
soldier and Dil. He puts it in the pocket of his suit.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Fergus walking down a street looking for an address. Some
distance down the street is a sign -- MILLIE'S UNISEX HAIR
SALON.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Fergus, standing as the crowds go by him, looking in the
window. He has the picture in his hand. We see Dil from his
point of view, then Fergus walks inside.
INT. HAIR SALON - DAY
Fergus enters. The door gives a loud ping.
A GIRL
We're closing. I'll see you tomorrow, Dil
She leaves the salon.
DIL
You want something in particular?
35.
FERGUS
Just a bit of a trim...
Dil checks her watch and stubs out a cigarette.
DIL
Come on...
She gestures toward a chair. Fergus sits down. She comes
toward him and fiddles with his hair.
She pushes his head back into a basin behind him. She begins
to knead his hair in hot water and shampoo.
DIL
Someone recommend you?
FERGUS
In a way.
DIL
Who?
FERGUS
Guy I work with.
DIL
What's his name?
Fergus can't think of an answer. The hands with the purple
nails run over his scalp.
FERGUS
Doesn't the water get to your nails?
DIL
What's it to you?
FERGUS
Nothing.
Fergus, sitting up. She begins to cut.
DIL
You American?
FERGUS
No.
DIL
Not English.
36.
FERGUS
No.
DIL
Scottish?
FERGUS
How'd you guess?
DIL
The accent, I suppose.
FERGUS
And what's it like?
DIL
Like treacle.
She imitates his accent saying it. Fergus laughs.
DIL
Nice laugh.
Dil raises Fergus's head up, with his new-cut hair and holds
a mirror up behind his head so he can see the back. He looks
like a young London stockbroker. The hair salon around them
is empty.
DIL
That should make her happy.
FERGUS
Who's she?
DIL
Don't know. Who is she?
EXT. HAIR SALON - EVENING.
Fergus emerges from the shop. He takes one last look through
the window where Dil is taking off her smock, touching up her
hair, etc. It is as if she has forgotten all about him. He
walks off through the crowds and then ducks into a doorway.
The doorway of the shop. Dil comes out, dressed in a pair of
high heels, a very short skirt, different, more raunchy
clothes on her than we saw inside. She locks the glass door
and walks down the street, across the road, and into a pub
called the Metro. Fergus follows.
37.
INT. METRO - EVENING.
Half full, with an after-work crowd. Dil makes her way
through it.
BARMAN
Hi, Dil
DIL
Hiya, hon.
She sits down at the bar. Fergus comes toward the bar and
takes a seat.
BARMAN
What'll it be?
FERGUS
A bottle of Guinness.
Dil, looking at Fergus.
DIL
See that, Col?
COL
See what, Dil?
DIL
He gave me a look.
COL
Did he?
Fergus blushes. He buries himself in his drink.
DIL
Just cut his hair, you know.
COL
Yeah?
DIL
What you think?
COL
Nice.
Fergus throws his eyes toward her again. She has her face
turned away, but sees him in the mirror.
DIL
There, he did it again.
38.
COL
Saw that one.
DIL
What would you call it?
COL
Now, that was a look.
She eyes Fergus in the mirror.
DIL
Ask him to ask me what I'm drinking.
The barman, with infinite weariness, approaches Fergus.
COL
She wants to know do you want to know
what she's drinking.
Fergus is about to talk when she pipes up.
DIL
A margarita.
The barman mixes it. She stares at the mirror, staring at
Fergus, who is trying to avoid her eyes. The barman hands her
the drink.
DIL
Now he can look.... Ask him does he like
his hair, Col.
COL
She wants to know, sir, do you like your
hair.
FERGUS
Tell her I'm very happy with it.
DIL
He's Scottish, Col.
COL
Scottish?
FERGUS
Yeah.
DIL
What'd he say, Col?
39.
COL
He agreed that he was.
DIL
What do you think his name is?
COL
I've no thoughts on the subject.
FERGUS
Jimmy.
DIL
Jimmy?
COL
That's what he said. Jimmy.
DIL
Hi, Jimmy.
FERGUS
Hiya, Dil
A burly man sits down beside her. He puts his hand on her
knee.
MAN
Sing the song, Dil --
She slaps the hand away.
DIL
Fuck off, Dave.
DAVE
C'mon, babe! You know what I like...
Easy!
She turns back to Fergus and finds his seat empty.
EXT. METRO - NIGHT.
Fergus, standing across the road from the pub. He is
sweating. Dil comes out of the pub. She looks this way and
that, as if searching for Fergus. Fergus stands back into a
shadow.
Dave, the burly man, comes out. He grabs her by the elbow.
She shrugs him off. She walks off. Dave follows, grabs her by
the elbow again. The sense of an old argument. Dave suddenly
strikes her across the face with his open palm.
40.
She leans her head against a wall. Dave then puts his arms
around her, consoles her.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT.
Dave walking, holding Dil by the arm. The street is
dilapidated, full of squats. They stop outside a door. Dil
opens the door with a key from her purse and they both walk
inside.
Fergus stands there, observing.
A light comes on in an upstairs room. Dil enters; we see her
shadow in silhouette behind the curtain and the shadow of
Dave coming in behind her. He begins to remove her blouse.
She stands absolutely still as he does so.
Fergus backs away, then walks off.
INT. HOSTEL - NIGHT.
Fergus, in bed. Fade to black as we see Jody as a bowler,
running in slow motion, toward the camera. He releases the
ball; we see Fergus in bed, breathing heavily.
INT. SITE - NEXT DAY
Fergus takes a break and watches the batsman hit a ball. He
imitates the batsman's motion with his sledgehammer. Then a
voice interrupts him.
DEVEROUX
So Pat's a cricket fan, eh?
Fergus turns. We see Tristram Deveroux, a young Sloane type
in a three-piece suit, whose house it is. Beside him is
Franknum, the cockney foreman.
FERGUS
It's not Pat. It's Jim.
DEVEROUX
Jim, Pat, Mick, what the fuck. Long as
you remember you're not at Lords.
Fergus resumes work.
INT. METRO - NIGHT.
It is now crowded with people, black, white, punky and street
chic, a lot of leather All the women are heavily made-up.
Someone is singing from the tiny stage and rows of cheap
colored bulbs are flashing around it.
41.
From the way Fergus walks through, it is obvious he has never
been here at night. He seems most out of place in his cheap
suit, making his way through the crowd to the bar.
AT THE BAR.
Fergus looks through the odd crowd, but can't find Dil. Col,
the barman, sees him and smiles.
COL
So can we consider you a regular, sir?
FERGUS
Is that good or bad?
COL
Well, you get to say, The usual, Col.
Things like that.
Col pushes a colored cocktail with one of those Japanese
umbrellas toward him.
COL
So let's call this the usual.
FERGUS
Thanks.
Fergus reaches for his wallet to pay, but Col interrupts.
COL
No, no. It's on me.
Fergus tries to pretend he's familiar with the drink, and by
implication, whatever are the norms of the place. He lifts
the glass to his mouth, but the umbrella keeps getting in the
way.
COL
Take it out, if you want.
Fergus takes out the umbrella. He holds it in one hand and
drinks with the other.
COL
You came to see her, didn't you?
Fergus shrugs. He takes out a cigarette. A guy in leather to
his left smiles at him.
COL
Something I should tell you. She's --
42.
FERGUS
She's what?
The barman looks up toward the stage.
COL
She's on.
THE JUKEBOX.
A hand presses a button. The needle selects a disk. A song by
Dave Berry, "The Crying Game."
AT THE BAR.
Fergus looks up. Close-up of Dil's hand, as music begins,
making movements to the music. We see Dil, standing on a
stage, swaying slightly. She seems a little drunk. She mimes
to the song. She mouths the words so perfectly and the voice
on the song is so feminine that there is no way of knowing
who is doing the singing. She does all sorts of strange
movements, as if she is drawing moonbeams with her hands.
The crowd seems to know this act. They cheer, whether out of
approval or derision we can't be sure.
Fergus watching.
Dil singing, noticing him. She comes to the end of the song.
The crowd cheers.
Fergus, watching her make her way through the crowded bar,
toward him.
DIL
He's still looking, Col.
COL
Persistent.
DIL
Good thing in a man.
COL
An excellent quality.
DIL
Maybe he wants something.
COL
I would expect he does.
43.
DIL
Ask him.
COL
Ask him yourself.
She looks at Fergus directly, sits down next to him.
DIL
So tell me.
Fergus says nothing. He shrugs.
DIL
Everybody wants something.
FERGUS
Not me.
DIL
Not you. How quaint. How old-fashioned
and quaint. Isn't it, Col?
Col shrugs.
DIL
You old-fashioned?
FERGUS
Must be.
The burly man comes up to her.
MAN
Got the money, Dil?
DIL
Fuck off, Dave.
DAVE
You fucking promised.
DIL
Did I?
DAVE
You fucking did.
He suddenly jerks her roughly off the stool, spilling her
drink.
DAVE
Didn't you? Well, come on!
44.
He drags her through the crowd. In the mirror, Fergus watches
them go. The barman eyes him.
COL
It takes all types.
FERGUS
So who's he?
COL
He's what she should run a mile from.
FERGUS
Then why doesn't she?
COL
Who knows the secrets of the human heart.
Fergus suddenly stands and makes his way to the door.
EXT. PUB - NIGHT.
Fergus comes out. A black bouncer is there, but there is no
sign of Dil. He walks a few yards and hears voices down an
alley. He looks up it.
P0V - ALLEY.
We see Dil pushing Dave away. He grabs her, turns her
roughly.
DAVE
Don't be like that --
DIL
You heard me --
She beats his arms away. Money falls on the ground. She
staggers away from him. He picks up the money, then runs
after her.
DAVE
Got very fucking grand, haven't we --
He tries to pull her back.
DAVE
Talk to me, you stupid bitch --
They both bump into Fergus, who just stands there and doesn't
move an inch. She smiles.
45.
DIL
Hi.
FERGUS
Hi. You forgot your bag.
He holds it up to show her.
DIL
Thank you.
DAVE
Who the fuck is he?
DIL
Jimmy.
DAVE
It's him, isn't it?
DIL
Maybe.
Dave eyes Fergus. Fergus grabs his wrists and upends him on
the ground.
DIL
See, they get the wrong idea.
DAVE
(from the ground)
Cunt.
Fergus puts his foot on Dave's neck.
FERGUS
What was that?
DIL
They all get the wrong idea.
DAVE
Cunt. Scrag-eyed dyke cunt.
DIL
Charming.
Dave grabs for her ankle. She kicks his hand away. Fergus
presses down his foot. He looks to Dil.
FERGUS
What'll I do?
46.
DIL
Break his neck.
Fergus presses his foot.
DIL
No, don't.
She bends low to Dave.
DIL
He's going to take his foot off slowly,
David. Then you're to go home, like a
good boy. You hear me?
DAVE
Cunt.
But his voice is softer. Fergus removes his foot. Dil grabs
his arm.
DIL
Come on, honey.
She draws him away.
EXT. METRO - NIGHT.
They walk out of the alley.
FERGUS
You all right?
DIL
Yes, thank you.
FERGUS
What was that all about?
DIL
He wants me to perform for him.
FERGUS
Perform?
DIL
You know.
FERGUS
You on the game?
DIL
God no. I'm a hairdresser.
47.
Fergus looks back. Dave is rising.
FERGUS
He's getting up.
DIL
You can't leave me then, can you?
EXT. STAIRCASE OUTSIDE DIL'S FLAT
Fergus and Dil climb slowly upstairs.
DIL
You want me to ask you in, right?
FERGUS
No, I didn't --
DIL
But I'm not cheap, you know that? Loud,
but never cheap.
There is a movement lower down the staircase. We see Dave,
holding his neck.
DAVE
Fucking dumb dyke carrot cunt.
Dil leans close to Fergus.
DIL
If you kissed me, it would really get his
goat.
She tilts up her face. Fergus kisses her, tenderly.
DIL
Now, if you asked me to meet you
tomorrow, it would really drive him
insane.
FERGUS
Where?
DIL
Half-five. At Millie's.
She goes in and closes the door. Fergus stands and looks down
at Dave, who turns to leave.
EXT. HAIR SALON - DAY
Dil walks out of the salon, smiling, and walks toward Fergus.
48.
DIL
Give me that look again.
FERGUS
What look?
DIL
The one you gave me in the Metro.
Fergus takes a bunch of flowers from behind his back. She
holds them, with theatrical feeling.
DIL
Darling, you shouldn't have.
She laughs and leans toward him and kisses him in a
classically old-fashioned way. The girls inside the salon
pull back a curtain, and they all clap.
FERGUS
What's that about?
DIL
They're jealous.
FERGUS
Why?
DIL
I wonder.
She takes his arm and walks off with him.
INT. INDIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT.
Fergus and Dil looking at their menus. A waiter places drinks
on their table, then leaves.
DIL
Now's the time you're meant to do
something, isn't it?
FERGUS
Like what?
DIL
Make a pass or something. Isn't that the
way it goes?
FERGUS
Must be.
49.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT.
They are walking in an alleyway toward her house.
DIL
You got a special friend, Jimmy?
FERGUS
How special?
DIL
You want one?
And suddenly a car drives very fast toward them, headlights
on. Fergus pulls her into a doorway to avoid it.
FERGUS
Jesus Christ!
DIL
Jesus.
The car continues down the road, stops, and then screeches
off.
FERGUS
That Dave?
DIL
The things a girl has to put up with.
She looks down toward where the car has pulled away.
DIL
I'm frightened, Jimmy. That's not like
him.
EXT. DIL'S FLAT.
A car pulls up behind Dil and Fergus.
DIL
Piss off, Dave!
FERGUS
Tough guy, huh? Are you going to be all
right on your own?
DIL
I'm not on my own, am I?
She touches his cheek.
50.
DIL
Come on up, would you?
INT. DIL'S FLAT - NIGHT.
Dil comes in in the darkness. Fergus stands like a shadow in
the doorway. The light comes on; she takes off her raincoat.
DIL
Won't hurt you to come in.
Fergus enters slowly. He looks around the room; there is an
exaggerated femininity about everything in it.
DIL
Would you like a drink?
FERGUS
Yes, please.
DIL
What'll it be?
FERGUS
Whiskey.
She goes into a small kitchen. Fergus looks at the
mantelpiece and sees a picture of Jody. The camera tracks
into the soldier's smiling face. Then into Fergus's face. His
reverie is broken by the sound of a voice outside -- Dave's.
She comes through with two drinks.
FERGUS
Someone out there.
DIL
Jesus fucking Christ.
She opens the window door, and we see Dave on the street, in
a neck brace.
DIL
Hey, Stirling fucking Moss --
DAVE
It's Dave.
She goes back into the room and begins taking things up.
DAVE
Talk to me, Dil --
51.
DIL
Sure, Dave --
DAVE
Please, Dil --
She flings things down: men's clothes, leather trousers, a
suitcase, a teddy bear.
DIL
Take your clothes.
DAVE
Don't throw my clothes out the window!
DIL
Fuck off back to Essex!
DAVE
Fucking mad!
Fergus looks to the man down in the street, a parody of
rejection with his things in his arms.
DAVE
Don't chuck my clothes out!
DIL
Take your fucking goldfish, too!
Dil grabs a large goldfish bowl and flings it down. The bowl
breaks to bits on the pavement. Goldfish thrash around in the
street.
DAVE
You fucking bitch!
He tries to pick up the flapping fish in his hands.
DAVE
Murderer!
Upstairs, Dil closes the window shut.
DIL
Sorry. How'd he drive with his neck in a
brace?
FERGUS
Must be in love to manage that.
DIL
Doesn't know the meaning of the word.
52.
Fergus stands as Dil hands him a glass.
FERGUS
He lived here with you?
DIL
Tried to. Sit down, will you?
Fergus walks past the photograph and sits down. He looks from
her to the picture.
FERGUS
What about him?
He nods toward the picture. She looks down into her drink.
DIL
He was different.
FERGUS
How different?
DIL
As different as it's possible to be.
FERGUS
Tell me about him.
DIL
No.
FERGUS
Shouldn't I go?
DIL
Yes.
And they fall into one another's arms. She stretches up with
her whole body over him. They grow suddenly and violently
passionate.
They fall into the cushions of the couch onto the floor. The
photograph above them seems to smile. He draws up her dress
with his hands. She suddenly pulls away.
DIL
No --
FERGUS
Did you do that to him?
She comes up toward him once more. She puts her mouth close
to his ear.
53.
DIL
You want to know how I kissed him?
FERGUS
Yes...
DIL
Are you jealous of him?
FERGUS
Maybe.
DIL
That's good...
She opens the buttons on his shirt and her mouth travels down
his chest. Fergus tries to draw her up toward him, but her
hand reaches up to his mouth and presses his head back while
her other hand undoes his pants. She kisses his stomach; her
mouth moves down his body. Fergus stares at the picture of
Jody. Jody's eyes seem to burn through him. Dil raises her
head and kisses his mouth. There are tears in his eyes.
FERGUS
What would he think?
DIL
Can't think. He's dead. In Ireland. He
was a soldier. Went there like a fool.
She sits in front of the mirror.
FERGUS
Do you miss him?
DIL
What do you think?
FERGUS
I think you do.
DIL
(dreamily)
You say that like a gentleman.
FERGUS
Do I?
DIL
Like you're concerned.
Fergus gets up and stands behind her, gently pushes the hair
from her face.
54.
DIL
But you can t stay, you know that?
FERGUS
Didn't think I could.
DIL
A real gentleman...
She embraces him.
FERGUS
Shouldn't you be in mourning?
DIL
I am.
She sits back down in front of the mirror. Fergus leaves. She
reapplies her lipstick.
INT. METRO - NIGHT.
Singer in a blue dress. Dil and Fergus by the bar. Both
drinking drinks with umbrellas. Dave comes up behind them
with his neck brace.
DAVE
Look, I'm sorry.
DIL
Fuck off, Dave.
DAVE
No, I won't fucking fuck off. Said I'm
sorry, didn't I?
DIL
Yeah. I heard. You hear, Jimmy?
Fergus nods. He stands. Dave steps two feet back.
FERGUS
I was only going to ask her for a dance.
Fergus takes Dil's arm.
FERGUS
Shall we?
The woman is singing.
As they circle, people begin to look at them admiringly. Dil
holds her cheek close to his.
55.
FERGUS
Did he come here too?
DIL
Is this an obsession of yours?
FERGUS
Maybe.
DIL
He did sometimes.
FERGUS
Did he dance with you?
Dil doesn't answer. Looks at him out of the corner of her
eye.
DIL
So what do you want with me, Jimmy?
FERGUS
Want to look after you.
DIL
What does that mean?
FERGUS
Something I heard someone say once.
She draws back and looks at him.
DIL
You mean that?
FERGUS
Yeah.
She dances closer.
DIL
Why?
FERGUS
If I told you, you wouldn't believe me.
In the bar, people singing along with the music. Col sings.
Dave sitting at the bar, sulking.
DIL
You're not having me on, are you? 'Cause
Dil can't stand that.
56.
FERGUS
No.
She puts her cheek against his. Dave, at the bar, slams his
drink down.
DIL
And she does get very upset...
Dave stands up to leave. On the stage the act finishes. Dil
draws Fergus back to the bar.
AT THE BAR.
Col, the barman, pours her drink.
DIL
One for him, too.
Col pours and smiles.
DIL
Drink.
FERGUS
What is this?
DIL
I'm superstitious. Drink.
He drinks. He grimaces. She throws it back in one.
DIL
Can't leave me now.
FERGUS
Aha.
DIL
The thing is, can you go the distance?
FERGUS
Depends what it is.
DIL
No, depends on nothing.
She takes the bottle herself and fills their glasses. She
slams it back. He sips.
DIL
In one.
57.
She tilts his glass back. He swallows it in one.
INT. DIL'S FLAT - NIGHT.
She enters; Fergus walks in slowly. He looks from the cricket
whites that are hanging up behind a curtain to the
photographs.
DIL
What you thinking of, hon?
FERGUS
I'm thinking of your man.
DIL
Why?
FERGUS
I'm wondering why you keep his things.
DIL
Told you, I'm superstitious.
She turns toward him and undoes her hair. It falls around her
shoulders.
FERGUS
Did he ever tell you you were beautiful?
DIL
All the time.
Fergus runs his hand down her throat.
DIL
Even now.
FERGUS
No...
DIL
He looks after me. He's a gentleman too.
She draws him behind a curtain toward the bed, pulls him
down. They kiss passionately.
DIL
Give me one minute.
She walks into the bathroom. Fergus lies there, looking at
the picture, listening to the sound of running water. She
comes out then, dressed in a silk kimono. She looks
extraordinarily beautiful.
58.
He reaches out his hand and grasps hers. He draws her toward
him. He begins to kiss her face and neck.
FERGUS
Would he have minded?
She murmurs no. His hands slip the wrap down from her
shoulders.
CLOSE ON HIS HANDS, traveling down her neck, in the darkness.
Then the hands stop. The kimono falls to the floor gently,
with a whisper. The camera travels with it, and we see, in a
close-up, that she is a man.
Fergus sits there, frozen, staring at her.
DIL
You did know, didn't you?
Fergus says nothing.
DIL
Oh my God.
She gives a strange little laugh, then reaches out to touch
him. Fergus smacks the hand away.
FERGUS
Jesus. I feel sick --
He gets up and runs to the bathroom. She grabs his feet.
DIL
Don't go, Jimmy --
He kicks her away. He runs into the bathroom and vomits into
the tub.
She crouches on the floor.
DIL
I'm sorry. I thought you knew.
He retches again.
DIL
What were you doing in the bar if you
didn't know -- I'm bleeding...
She lights a cigarette.
Fergus runs the taps. He washes his face, rinses his mouth.
59.
DIL
It's all right, Jimmy. I can take it.
Just not on the face.
Fergus slams the door shut. She is sitting on the couch, the
kimono round her once more, looking very much like a woman. A
trace of blood on her mouth.
DIL
Y'see, I'm not a young thing any
longer.... Funny the way things go. Don't
you find that, Jimmy? Never the way you
expected.
Fergus comes out of the bathroom.
FERGUS
I'm sorry.
She looks up. Some hope in her face.
DIL
You mean that?
And he makes to go. She grabs him to stop him.
DIL
Don't go like that. Say something...
He pulls away from her. She falls to the floor.
DIL
Jesus.
He drags himself away and runs down the stairs.
INT. FERGUS'S FLAT
Fergus in bed. Flash to shot of blackness, Jody grinning in
cricket whites, throwing the ball up and down in his hand.
INT. METRO - NIGHT.
The place is hopping. Fergus enters. He now sees it as he
should have seen it the first night -- as a transvestite bar.
He makes his way through the crowds. All the women too-
heavily made-up. Some beautifully sleek young things he looks
at he realizes are young men. He makes his way to the bar
where Dil is sitting, nursing a drink with an umbrella in it.
Her face is bruised. She is wearing dark glasses.
As he walks toward her she sees him in the mirror. She talks
to Col the barman.
60.
DIL
He's back, Col
COL
Hi.
DIL
Don't want any of those looks, Col. They
don't mean much.
COL
Stop it, Dil --
DIL
No. Tell him to go fuck himself.
Fergus sits. Col turns to him.
COL
She wants me to tell you go fuck
yourself.
FERGUS
I'm sorry.
There is a tear running down her cheek, under the dark
glasses.
DIL
Tell him to stop messing Dil around --
FERGUS
Dil --
DIL
Tell him it hurt --
FERGUS
I have to talk to her, Col --
COL
Says he's got to talk to you --
Fergus touches her arm.
FERGUS
Come on, Dil --
DIL
Where?
She whips her arm away.
61.
DIL
Tell him again, Col. Go fuck himself --
She walks into the crowd, toward the door.
Fergus leaves.
EXT. STREET - NIGHT.
Fergus, walking outside Dil's place. The blinds in her room
are down and the light is on inside. We see her outline,
pacing up and down behind the blinds, smoking a cigarette. We
hear the song "The Crying Game."
Fergus stands beneath her doorway, scribbles a note, and
sticks it in the letter box.
EXT. CRICKET PITCH - DAY
A man removes a large number six from a huge scoreboard with
a pole and replaces it with a number nine.
Below the scoreboard we can see Dil walking across a lawn
toward the building where Fergus is working.
INT. SITE - DAY
Fergus, fitting a new window into the finished wall. On the
pitch we see the cricketers, distorted through the moving
glass of the window. Across the pitch Dil walks, with a lunch
basket in her hand, dressed in a very short skirt with high
heels. As she approaches the site a chorus of whistles breaks
out.
Fergus, hearing the whistling, stares out. He sees Dil moving
toward the site. He drops the window and the glass shatters.
As the whistles continue, we see Dil in the site's lift,
which rises up. We see Deveroux and Franknum climbing up a
ladder toward Fergus .
DEVEROUX
How much did that frame cost, Mr.
Franknum?
FRANKNUM
Two hundred quid, Mr. Deveroux.
DEVEROUX
Your Pat just cost me two hundred quid.
FERGUS
Sorry.
62.
DEVEROUX
Sorry won't bring the bloody thing back,
will it, Mr. Franknum?
FRANKNUM
Not in my experience.
DEVEROUX
Off his wages.
FERGUS
Do you mean that?
DEVEROUX
He wants to know do I mean that.
FRANKNUM
I'm sure you do, Mr. Deveroux.
DEVEROUX
Bloody right I do...
Through this conversation Fergus can hear the chorus of wolf
whistles increasing. He looks out the gap where the window
should be and sees Dil in the lift. The laborers whistle at
her, looking up her skirt, etc.
She passes by a gap in the wall and blows a kiss at him.
DEVEROUX
Is that his tart? Does Pat have a tart?
FERGUS
She's not a tart.
DEVEROUX
No, of course not, she's a lady.
FERGUS
She's not that either.
Fergus walks out of the room.
Fergus walks round the scaffolding. Dil sees him and waves,
sits on some bricks and opens the hamper.
DIL
Darling --
She is acting bright and businesslike, like any wife. She is
wearing dark glasses to cover the bruise on her face. She
pecks him on the cheek.
63.
DIL
Never let the sun go down on an argument,
Jody used to say.
FERGUS
What you doing here?
DIL
Got your note. So let's kiss and make up,
hon.
FERGUS
Don't call me that.
DIL
Sorry, darling.
FERGUS
Give it over, Dil --
DIL
Apologies, my sweet.
Fergus smiles in spite of himself.
DIL
That's more like it, dear. Have a cuppa.
She takes out a thermos and pours him some tea.
FERGUS
You're something else, Dil, you know
that?
DIL
Never said a truer word.
She hands him a neatly cut sandwich.
DIL
See, I was always best looking after
someone. Must be something in the genes.
FERGUS
Must be.
DIL
And the fact that you didn't know is
basically the fault of yours truly. And
even when you were throwing up, I could
tell you cared.
64.
FERGUS
You could?
DIL
Do you care, Jimmy?
FERGUS
Sure I do.
DIL
You mean that?
FERGUS
Yeah. I care, Dil.
She lowers her head.
FERGUS
You crying, Dil?
He removes her glasses and looks at her moist eyes.
DIL
I'm tired and emotional.
Then he hears a voice behind him.
DEVEROUX
Do it on your own time, Paddy.
FERGUS
What?
DEVEROUX
Whatever it is she does for you.
Fergus looks from Dil to Deveroux.
FERGUS
If I was her I'd consider that an insult.
DEVEROUX
Consider it how you like. Just get that
bloody tart out of here.
Fergus stands up suddenly. He speaks quietly.
FERGUS
Did you ever pick your teeth up with
broken fingers?
Deveroux stares, suddenly chilled.
65.
DEVEROUX
What's that supposed to mean?
FERGUS
It's a simple question.
Deveroux says nothing. Fergus looks down to Dil.
FERGUS
Come on, dear.
He holds out his arm. Dil gathers up her things and takes it.
Her face is wreathed in a smile.
DIL
He didn't answer, honey --
Fergus walks her down the scaffolding ramp.
FRANKNUM
Sorry about that, Mr. Deveroux.
Dil and Fergus descend from the site in the lift.
DIL
My, oh my, Jimmy, how gallant.
FERGUS
Shut up.
DIL
Made me feel all funny inside.
FERGUS
I said stop it.
DIL
Ask me to meet you again, Jimmy.
FERGUS
You think that's wise?
DIL
Nothing's wise.
The lift stops with a thud.
FERGUS
I didn't mean to hit you.
DIL
I know that.
66.
FERGUS
Kind of liked you as a girl.
DIL
That's a start.
FERGUS
So I'm sorry.
DIL
Make it up to me, then.
FERGUS
How?
DIL
Ask to meet me again.
FERGUS
Will you meet me again?
DIL
When?
FERGUS
Whenever. Tonight.
She leans forward and kisses him. Fergus hears a wail of
catcalls behind him. He watches Dil go as the lift takes him
back up to the site.
EXT. HAIR SALON - EVENING.
Fergus, outside the hair salon. Dil, inside, is throwing off
her smock and walking toward him. All the girls are smiling.
Fergus looks from Dil to the girls as they approach.
FERGUS
Do they know?
DIL
Know what, honey?
FERGUS
Know what I didn't know. And don't call
me that.
DIL
Can't help it, Jimmy. A girl has her
feelings.
FERGUS
Thing is, Dil, you're not a girl.
67.
DIL
Details, baby, details.
FERGUS
So they do know.
DIL
All right, they do.
She takes his arm as they walk off.
FERGUS
Don't.
DIL
Sorry.
FERGUS
I should have known, shouldn't I?
DIL
Probably.
FERGUS
Kind of wish I didn't.
DIL
You can always pretend.
FERGUS
That's true.... Your soldier knew, didn't
he?
DIL
Absolutely.
FERGUS
Won't be quite the same though, will it?
DIL
Are you pretending yet?
FERGUS
I'm working on it.
Fergus hears a car following them, and turns around to look.
FERGUS
There's Dave. He knew too.
DIL
Stop it, Jimmy.
68.
FERGUS
Am I becoming repetitious?
DIL
A little.
FERGUS
Sorry.
They reach her door. The car stops.
FERGUS
Don't ask me in.
DIL
Please, Jimmy.
FERGUS
No. Can't pretend that much.
DIL
I miss you, Jimmy.
FERGUS
Should have stayed a girl.
DIL
Don't be cruel.
FERGUS
Okay. Be a good girl and go inside.
DIL
Only if you kiss me.
Fergus kisses her. He looks at her open lips as if in
disbelief at himself.
FERGUS
Happy now?
DIL
Delirious.
She goes inside.
INT. HOSTEL - NIGHT.
Fergus walks into the room and turns on a small desk-light.
Then he hears a voice.
JUDE
Hello, stranger.
69.
He sees Jude sitting in the corner. Her hair is now dark
brown.
JUDE
You vanished.
He stares at her, says nothing.
JUDE
What was it, Fergus? Did you blow the
gaff on us or did you just fuck up?
FERGUS
Leave me alone, Jude.
JUDE
No. That's the last thing I'll do. You
never asked what happened.
FERGUS
I heard.
JUDE
Eddie and Tinker died.
FERGUS
I know.
JUDE
Maguire and me got out by the skin of our
teeth. No thanks to you.... What you
think of the hair?
FERGUS
Suits you.
She walks round the room.
JUDE
Aye, I was sick of being blond. Needed a
tougher look, if you know what I mean.
She lies down on the bed beside him, takes off a black
leather glove, and puts her hand on his crotch.
JUDE
Fuck me, Fergus.
He takes her hand away.
JUDE
Am I to take it that's a no?
70.
He says nothing.
JUDE
We had a court-martial in your absence.
They wanted to put a bullet in your head.
I pleaded for clemency. Said we should
find out what happened first. So what did
happen?
FERGUS
He ran. I couldn't shoot him in the back.
I tried to catch him. He made it to the
road and got hit by a Saracen.
JUDE
So you did fuck up.
FERGUS
Yes.
JUDE
But you know what the thing is, Fergus?
FERGUS
No, what is the thing?
JUDE
You vanished quite effectively. Became
Mister Nobody. And you've no idea how
useful that could be.
FERGUS
What do you mean?
JUDE
We've got some plans here. And we'll need
a Mister Nobody to execute them.
FERGUS
No way, Jude. I'm out.
JUDE
You're never out, Fergus.
She looks at him hard. He looks away.
JUDE
Maybe you don't care whether you die or
not. But consider the girl, Fergus. The
wee black chick.
He leaps up from the bed.
71.
FERGUS
Leave her out of this.
JUDE
Jesus, Fergus, you're a walking cliche.
You know we won't leave her out of this.
But I'm glad to see you care.
She brings her lips close to his so they touch.
JUDE
And I must admit I'm curious.
He grabs her hair and pulls her head back.
FERGUS
What the fuck do you know, Jude?
She pulls a gun and sticks it between his teeth.
JUDE
You fucking tell me, boy --
Fergus stares at her. Then says quietly:
FERGUS
She's nobody. She likes me.
JUDE
So I suppose a fuck is out of the
question. Keep your head down, Fergus. No
sudden moves. And not a whisper to her.
You'll be hearing from us.
She kisses him briefly, with the gun at his temple.
JUDE
Keep the faith.
She goes. Fergus stands in the darkness.
EXT. HAIR SALON - EVENING.
Fergus, walking toward the hair salon, flowers in his hand.
He stands outside watching, the flowers behind his back. Then
the chair turns and we see it is Jude.
Fergus freezes. He sees Jude looking at him, smiling
brightly, then talking back to Dil
72.
INT. HAIR SALON - EVENING.
JUDE
He your boyfriend?
Jude, turning in the chair.
JUDE
Lucky you.
INT. INDIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT.
DIL
Carnations.
FERGUS
What?
DIL
He'd bring me carnations.
FERGUS
So I got it wrong, then.
DIL
Not at all, honey.
FERGUS
Don't.
DIL
Okay.
She smiles brightly at something behind Fergus. He turns and
sees Jude is there. Fergus stands, suddenly.
He throws some money on the table, grabs her arm, and frog-
marches her out.
FERGUS
Come on.
DIL
Why, honey --
FERGUS
Come on.
DIL
You gonna tell me why?
FERGUS
No.
73.
As they pass Jude, she smiles.
EXT. INDIAN RESTAURANT - NIGHT.
Outside the restaurant. Fergus marches Dil away.
DIL
What's wrong, Jimmy? Tell me what's wrong
--
FERGUS
Not here.
They pass out of shot. In the background we see Jude rising.
INT. METRO - NIGHT.
Dil and Fergus making their way to their seats at the bar.
DIL
You gonna tell me what it is?
A figure sitting down at the bar. It is Jude.
JUDE
What was it?
DIL
You know her, Jimmy?
JUDE
Jimmy, is it? Do you know me, Jimmy?
FERGUS
Dil, this is Jude.
DIL
You following me?
JUDE
Yeah. Just checking. He being nice to
you, Dil?
DIL
Ever so nice. Aren't you, Jimmy?
JUDE
That's good. I'm glad. Young love, as
they say.
DIL
Absolutely. The younger the better.
Doesn't come your way much, I suppose.
74.
JUDE
Don't go looking for it, Dil.
DIL
Well, maybe you'll get lucky. Someday.
JUDE
A bit heavy on the powder, isn't she,
Jimmy?
DIL
A girl has to have a bit of glamour.
JUDE
Absolutely. Long as she can keep it.
Isn't that right, James...
She leaves. Dil watches her go.
DIL
It's her, isn't it?
FERGUS
What's her?
DIL
She's the thing you had to tell me.
FERGUS
Kind of.
DIL
I'm sorry, you know that? I'm really
sorry.
She looks at Col
DIL
You see that, Col?
COL
Saw it, Dil.
DIL
Fuck it, is what I say.
COL
Yeah. Fuck it, Dil.
DIL
Fucking men, Col --
75.
COL
Fuck 'em.
There are tears in her eyes. She stands.
DIL
And fuck you, Jimmy --
She staggers out of the pub. Fergus sits there. There is an
expression in Col's eyes that makes Fergus feel very, very
small.
COL
You could always make it up to her.
FERGUS
How?
COL
When a girl runs out like that, she
generally wants to be followed.
FERGUS
She's not a girl, Col --
COL
Whatever you say.
But Fergus rises and walks out.
EXT. METRO - NIGHT.
A figure standing down the alleyway, smoking. Fergus looks
toward it, but Jude is standing there, waiting.
JUDE
She went that way --
Jude grabs his arm.
JUDE
But you come with me.
She draws him down an alley where the same car is waiting.
They get inside.
ANOTHER CAR - BY THE PUB.
Dil, sitting inside a taxi watching Fergus and Jude getting
in the car.
76.
INT. CAR - NIGHT.
In the moving car. Jude is driving, Maguire next to her.
Fergus sits in the back.
FERGUS
So it was you all the time.
MAGUIRE
Who'd you think it was?
FERGUS
I thought it was Dave.
MAGUIRE
And who's Dave when he's at home?
FERGUS
He's at home.
MAGUIRE
Should blow you away, you know that?
FERGUS
I know that.
Maguire stubs his cigarette out on Fergus's hand, then whacks
him on the teeth with his closed fist.
MAGUIRE
I'm getting emotional. And I don't want
to get fucking emotional -- you
understand, Hennessy?
FERGUS
I understand.
MAGUIRE
Fuck you, too --
Jude drives. Fergus looks through the back window at the
street outside.
JUDE
Leave him alone, Peter. He's in love.
MAGUIRE
That true, Fergus? You in love?
FERGUS
Absolutely.
77.
MAGUIRE
And what's she like between the sheets?
FERGUS
Definitely unusual.
MAGUIRE
And who is she?
FERGUS
Just a girl.
MAGUIRE
And you know what'll happen if you fuck
up again, don't you?
FERGUS
Aye, I do, Peter.
MAGUIRE
Good.
EXT. REGENCY SQUARE - NIGHT.
The car draws to a halt in a sedate square. Several doors
down is the entrance to what looks like a sedate conservative
club.
In the car, Maguire turns off the engine. He nods toward the
building.
MAGUIRE
So what do you think that is, Hennessy?
FERGUS
A hotel?
MAGUIRE
It's a knocking-shop. Tres discreet, huh?
He visits his ladies on Tuesday and
Thursday nights and Saturday mornings.
His security's in the car beyond.
He nods toward a car, a Daimler, parked some distance away.
Fergus looks from the window to the car.
FERGUS
Who is he?
MAGUIRE
Doesn't matter who he is. He is what we
would call a legitimate target.
78.
FERGUS
Thank God for that.
MAGUIRE
You being cynical, Hennessy?
FERGUS
Hope not.
MAGUIRE
Good. So what do you think?
FERGUS
Whoever hits him'll be hit, if those men
are any good. And I presume you can't get
in.
MAGUIRE
Right.
FERGUS
So it's on the street.
MAGUIRE
Right.
FERGUS
Kind of suicide, isn't it?
Jude turns around to look at him.
FERGUS
But, then, I don't have a choice.
JUDE
Och, you do, Fergie.
FERGUS
Of course. I forgot.
JUDE
Come on, Fergie. A rehearsal.
Jude and Fergus get out of the car. They walk down the
street, down from the brothel-cum-club, where there is a cafe-
bar with some tables outside.
EXT. REGENCY SQUARE - NIGHT.
Fergus and Jude, crossing the street.
JUDE
You keep your mind on the job, boy --
79.
FERGUS
And then you'll leave her out of it?
JUDE
Aye. Then we'll leave her be.
They take their seats by the tables. We can see the brothel
down the way.
JUDE
He's arthritic. Takes him two minutes to
get to the door.
She checks her watch. Fergus is sweating.
FERGUS
And what if I say no?
JUDE
You know what. Go.
Down by the brothel, the door swings open.
Fergus walks like any pedestrian down toward the brothel.
There is an old, portly gent in a City suit emerging from it.
The car by the pavement kicks into action and the door opens.
Fergus quickens his pace.
Jude, by the cafe, watches. Fergus, walking.
The gent makes his way, with gout-ridden slowness, across the
pavement, through the passersby, toward the car.
A burly security man emerging from the car, walking toward
the old gent.
Fergus reaches the car just before he does, and passes
between him and the open door. The old gent's stomach brushes
Fergus's elbow.
GENT
Pardon me, young man --
Fergus walks on.
Jude, from the cafe, watches -- Fergus walking on, the old
man being eased with painstaking care inside the Daimler.
Then the door closing and the Daimler pulling off.
When the Daimler has passed Fergus, he turns around and walks
back.
80.
Jude smiles and leaps up as he approaches.
JUDE
You were made for this.
FERGUS
Was I?
JUDE
Perfect.
FERGUS
And what happens then?
JUDE
We'll be on the other side. We'll move
when you do.
FERGUS
And what if you don't?
JUDE
Fergus, I think you don't trust me.
FERGUS
You may be right.
JUDE
Stay late at your work tomorrow night and
I'll bring you the gear.
Jude begins to walk away.
FERGUS
Jude?
JUDE
Yes?
FERGUS
Who's the old geezer?
JUDE
Some judge...
She walks off, crosses the road to Maguire, in the car.
Fergus turns around to see Dil in front of the cafe. She goes
inside; he follows.
FERGUS
Why'd you follow me, Dil?
81.
DIL
Was jealous, Jimmy.
She downs a drink and motions for another. She seems high.
FERGUS
Shouldn't be, Dil
DIL
Why shouldn't I be jealous?
There are tears streaming down her face. He takes his hand
and begins to wipe her face.
DIL
Don't. My makeup.
She sits down; he joins her.
DIL
She own you, Jimmy?
FERGUS
Yes.
DIL
She from Scotland too?
FERGUS
You could say that.
DIL
And you're not going to tell me more?
FERGUS
I can't.
He wipes the tears from her face with a tissue then dabs the
tissue in her drink and wipes some more.
DIL
What you doing, Jimmy?
FERGUS
I'm not sure.
DIL
Do you like me even a little bit?
FERGUS
More than that.
Dil's face, staring at him.
82.
FERGUS
Come on, let's go for a walk.
She allows herself to be led out.
EXT. HAIR SALON - NIGHT.
Dil and Fergus walking. Fergus stops her by the window.
FERGUS
You do something for me, Dil?
DIL
Anything.
FERGUS
You'd do anything for me?
DIL
Afraid so.
FERGUS
You got the keys to the shop?
They walk inside.
INT. HAIR SALON - NIGHT.
Dil and Fergus standing in the darkness.
DIL
You want another haircut, baby?
FERGUS
No. Sit down.
He sits her down in one of the chairs.
FERGUS
You'd do anything for me?
Dil nods.
DIL
Anything.
Fergus takes up a scissors to snip at her hair. Her head
leaps back.
DIL
No way --
83.
FERGUS
You said anything, Dil
DIL
A girl has to draw the line somewhere --
FERGUS
Want to change you to a man, Dil...
She stares at him.
DIL
Why?
FERGUS
It's a secret.
DIL
You'd like me better that way, Jimmy?
FERGUS
Yes.
DIL
And you wouldn't leave me?
FERGUS
No.
DIL
You promise?
FERGUS
I promise.
She takes a breath.
DIL
Go on, then.
Fergus begins to cut.
CLOSE-UP ON DlL'S FACE as her hair is shorn. Tears stream
down her cheeks.
DIL
You're no good at this, Jimmy.
FERGUS
I'm sorry.
But he keeps cutting. He gives Dil a short, cropped military
cut like Jody's.
84.
DIL
You want to make me look like him...
FERGUS
No. Want to make you into something new.
That nobody recognizes...
She looks in the mirror at it in the dark.
DIL
Don't recognize myself, Jimmy.
INT. DIL'S FLAT - NIGHT.
Dil enters, with her new haircut. She goes to turn on the
light. He stops her hand.
FERGUS
No.
She looks at her hand on his.
FERGUS
Better in the dark.
Her fingers close around his.
DIL
So it's true, then?
FERGUS
What?
DIL
You like me better like this.
FERGUS
Yes.
She brings her lips to his neck. He lets them stay there. His
hands travel up to her blouse. He begins to undo the buttons.
DIL
Oh, Jimmy --
Slowly the blouse slips down, exposing her male torso. She
falls down to her knees and tugs at his belt.
FERGUS
No. No. Dil... get up...
He raises her to her feet and leads her toward the bed. She
stretches languorously down on it.
85.
He unzips her skirt slowly, and draws it off. She turns on
the bed sexily, her face to the mattress. She is wearing
suspender-belts underneath her skirt.
DIL
Baby...
But Fergus stands and walks quietly over to the wardrobe
where the soldier's things are. Dil on the bed, slowly turns.
DIL
What are you doing, honey...
We see Fergus from her point of view, coming toward her with
Jody's white cricket shirt, glowing eerily in the dark.
FERGUS
Don't call me that --
DIL
Sorry. What you doing?
Fergus draws her slowly up to a standing position.
FERGUS
Try this on, Dil
He wraps the shirt around her.
DIL
Why?
FERGUS
For me.
DIL
For you...
She kisses him.
EXT. SMALL HOTEL - NIGHT.
Fergus leading Dil, dressed in Jody's cricket clothes, down
the street and inside.
DIL
Why are we going here, Jimmy?
FERGUS
Look on it like a honeymoon.
86.
INT. SMALL HOTEL ROOM - NIGHT.
From above, we see the figures of Fergus and Dil, sleeping on
a double bed, both fully clothed. Fergus smokes, then puts
out the cigarette.
Time lapse. The light gradually fills the room. Fergus wakes.
Looks at the bedside clock, and very gingerly rises, puts on
his coat, and walks out.
EXT. SITE - EVENING.
A car pulls up at the site. Jude gets out. She has a satchel
in her hand.
INT. SITE - EVENING.
Fergus looking down a ladder-staircase at Jude.
JUDE
You a handyman, Fergie?
FERGUS
I take pride in my work.
JUDE
I sincerely hope so.
Fergus climbs down a ladder to Jude; she hands him something
from the bag.
JUDE
Tools of the trade.
She kisses him. Fergus looks at her expressionlessly.
JUDE
And forget about the girl.
Fergus opens what Jude has given him -- looking inside. There
is a gun wrapped in an oilcloth.
INT. SMALL HOTEL - NIGHT.
Fergus enters. The room is empty. He calls.
FERGUS
Dil?
No reply. He runs outside.
87.
EXT. DIL'S FLAT - NIGHT.
Fergus looks up at her building, but the lights are off in
her flat. The sound of feet behind him. He turns and sees Dil
walking toward him, a bottle in her hand. He runs toward her.
FERGUS
Dil! Dil! What the fuck are you doing
here?
DIL
I'm going home!
FERGUS
Told you to stay in the hotel!
DIL
Thought you was fooling me. Thought you
was leaving me.
They are tussling in the darkness of the park. She is very
drunk.
FERGUS
I had to go to work!
DIL
Stayed all day in that room thinking
every noise was you. There's something
you're not telling me, Jimmy.
He takes her arm.
FERGUS
Come on...
DIL
No! I'm going home...
Fergus and Dil, on the stairs up to Dil's flat.
DIL
So tell me.
FERGUS
I was trying to get out of something.
DIL
No! Tell me everything, Jimmy.
Fergus looks at her.
88.
FERGUS
You got to forget you ever saw me, Dil.
DIL
You mean that?
FERGUS
Yes.
And she suddenly faints into his arms. As if on cue.
FERGUS
Stop it, would you?
There is no response. He shakes her.
FERGUS
Give it over, Dil, for fuck's sake --
Still no response. He grows alarmed. He slaps her cheek. She
opens her eyes slowly.
DIL
Sorry. I get nervous. I got this blood
condition. Just help me inside, Jimmy,
then I'll be all right.
INT. DIL'S FLAT - NIGHT.
He walks in holding her. Leans her against the wall, then
goes to the window to check the street outside.
She takes a large slug from a bottle of whiskey.
FERGUS
You heard what I said, Dil?
DIL
My pills...
She points weakly to a cabinet through the open door of the
bathroom.
FERGUS
What pills?
DIL
Prescription. For my condition.
FERGUS
What condition?
89.
DIL
My condition. Ennui.
He goes and gets the pills.
She takes a handful of pills. She drinks from the whiskey
bottle.
FERGUS
Are you supposed to take that many?
DIL
Only in times of extreme stress.
She walks around the room, drinking, then sits down.
DIL
See, they all say good-bye sometime.
'Cept for him.
She looks at the picture of Jody. Then she looks at Fergus.
FERGUS
Are you all right, Dil?
DIL
I will be.
She stares straight ahead, the bottle clutched in her hands
between her knees.
DIL
Go on, then.
Fergus walks slowly toward the door.
FERGUS
Good-bye, Dil
DIL
Jimmy?
FERGUS
What?
DIL
Don't go like that.
She looks at him, standing up. Something incredibly
attractive about her.
DIL
Can't help what I am.
90.
He walks slowly toward her. He kisses her, on the lips.
We see the photograph with the soldier's smiling face. Fergus
looks from it to her. She seems to be in a sweet narcotic
haze. She reaches out her hand and strokes his.
DIL
Knew you had a heart...
Fergus sits down on the bed. Dil is lying back on it.
FERGUS
Dil Can I tell you something? I knew your
man.
DIL
You knew which man?
FERGUS
Your soldier.
DIL
You knew my Jody?
She still strokes his hand. Her voice is dreamily slurred,
her eyes far away.
FERGUS
Lifted him from a carnival in Belfast.
Held him hostage for three days.
DIL
You knew my Jody?
FERGUS
Are you listening?
Dil smiles woozily.
DIL
Yes.
FERGUS
I got the order to shoot him. Before I
could do it he ran. Ran into a tank and
died.
DIL
Died...
FERGUS
Did you hear me?
91.
DIL
You killed my Jody?
FERGUS
In a manner of speaking.
DIL
It was you...
She is not rational. She is smiling, far away somewhere.
FERGUS
You should scream. You should beat my
head off.
She woozily tries to hit him round the face.
DIL
You killed my Jody
FERGUS
No.
DIL
You didn't.
FERGUS
I suppose I tried.
DIL
You tried.
FERGUS
Don't you want to kill me?
Dil raises an unsteady hand and points it at him.
DIL
Bang...
He strokes her cheek. She says very slowly and sleepily
DIL
Don't leave me tonight. Might kill me,
too.
FERGUS
Okay.
Her eyes close. She falls into a deep sleep. Fergus looks
down at her, almost fondly.
92.
INT. DIL'S FLAT - MORNING.
They are lying on the bed together, fully clothed. Dil wakes.
She rises very quietly and goes to his coat, thrown across a
chair. She searches through the pockets and takes out the
gun.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - MORNING.
Jude in bed. An alarm sounds; she reaches to turn it off.
INT. DIL'S FLAT.
Dil takes several silk stockings out of a drawer and ties
them very securely to each corner of the brass bed. She ties
them round both of Fergus's feet, very gently, so as not to
wake him.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - MORNING.
Jude, in front of a mirror, getting ready.
INT. DIL'S FLAT.
She draws one of Fergus's hands up, very gingerly, and ties
that securely to the upright. She ties the other and is
drawing it upward when he wakes. She jerks the silk stocking
so it is secure.
FERGUS
What the fuck --
Dil speaks unnaturally quietly.
DIL
So tell me what you're doing, Jimmy.
INT. HOTEL ROOM - MORNING.
Jude, fully dressed. She takes a gun from under the bed and
slips it in her handbag.
INT. DIL'S FLAT - MORNING.
Dil crouching beside Fergus, his gun in her hand.
DIL
Didn't really listen last night. I heard
but I didn't listen.
Fergus, staring at her. He tries to pull on the bindings.
93.
DIL
That won't do you no good. Dil knows how
to tie a body.
She stands up, still pointing the gun at Fergus.
DIL
Wondered why you came on to me like that
when you gave me the look.
FERGUS
He asked me to see were you all right.
EXT. STREET - DAY
Jude on the street. Maguire's car pulls up rapidly and she
gets inside.
INT. DIL'S FLAT.
DIL
See, I fix on anyone that's nice to me.
Just the littlest bit nice and I'm yours.
FERGUS
Stop it, Dil --
DIL
Just don't kick Dil and she'll be
touched. Be nice to her and she'll be
yours forever.
She looks at him, tears in her eyes.
DIL
See, I should blow you away, Jimmy. But I
can't do that. Yet.
FERGUS
Let me go, Dil
He drags at his bindings.
DIL
Why?
FERGUS
Got to be somewhere.
DIL
Try and go, then.
94.
EXT. STREET BY BROTHEL - DAY
The figure of the judge in the window. Outline of a woman.
Jude and Maguire are in the car, parked across the street.
They look toward a paper seller.
MAGUIRE
Where the fuck is he? Christ --
INT. DIL'S FLAT.
Fergus pulls furiously at his bindings.
FERGUS
Let me go for fuck's sake, Dil -- or
they'll be here
DIL
Let them come then.
IN THE CAR. OUTSIDE BROTHEL.
JUDE
Can't stay here, Peter -- drive around
once more --
He drives off.
INT. DIL'S FLAT.
Fergus collapsed back on the bed, exhausted.
DIL
Just want your company for a little while
longer...
EXT. STREET BY BROTHEL - DAY
Maguire's car driving round once more. No sign of Fergus.
MAGUIRE
That fucker's dead --
JUDE
No, we are.
INT. DIL'S FLAT.
Fergus strains and roars from the bed.
FERGUS
You don't know what you're doing, Dil --
95.
DIL
Never did...
MAGUIRE'S POINT OF VIEW -- the brothel door opening. The
elderly judge comes out. The car with his security men guns
up.
MAGUIRE
Give me the shooter, Jude --
JUDE
You're crazy --
MAGUIRE
Give me the fucking shooter!
He grabs it from her pocket. Throws open the door and runs
across the street. Jude dives into the driver's seat.
INT. DIL'S FLAT.
Fergus, pulling at his bindings.
EXT. OUTSIDE THE BROTHEL.
The judge walking toward the open door of the car, held open
by his goon. Maguire, running toward him, gun in hand. The
goon sees him. Maguire shoots as he runs. Once, twice, three
times, four. The judge falls. The goon, hit in the arm, pulls
an Uzi and returns fire. Maguire hit, still shooting. Other
goons tear from the car. Mayhem, screaming. Jude hits the
pedal on her car and screeches off. Maguire, dead.
INT. DIL'S FLAT - DAY
Dil dressed in the soldier's cricket clothes. She looks like
a sweet little boy. She places a cassette in the tape deck --
"The Crying Game" song. She comes to the bed, and points the
gun at Fergus's head.
DIL
You like me now, Jimmy?
FERGUS
I like you, Dil --
DIL
Give me a bit more, baby, a bit more.
FERGUS
More what?
96.
DIL
More endearments.
FERGUS
I like you, DIl
DIL
Love me.
FERGUS
Yes.
DIL
Tell me you love me.
FERGUS
Whatever you say, Dil.
DIL
Then say it.
FERGUS
Love you, Dil.
DIL
You do?
FERGUS
Yeah.
DIL
What would you do for me?
FERGUS
Anything.
She begins to cry and lays the gun gently on his chest.
DIL
Say it again.
FERGUS
I'd do anything for you, Dil.
She pulls on his bindings to release him.
EXT. STREET.
Two police cars, sirens wailing.
97.
INT. DIL'S FLAT.
Dil's face, close to Fergus's, as the stockings that bound
his hands are nearly undone.
DIL
And you'll never leave me?
FERGUS
Never.
DIL
I know you're lying, Jimmy, but it's nice
to hear it.
His arm is free. He strokes her hair.
FERGUS
I'm sorry, Dil.
She shudders with weeping. The music of the song plays in the
background.
Jude walking through the open door, arms extended, holding a
gun.
JUDE
You stupid shit -- Once was bad enough.
But twice.
Dil rises from the bed and points her gun at Jude.
DIL
You didn't knock, honey --
Dil fires, hits Jude. Jude falls and is writhing on the
floor.
FERGUS
Dil!
JUDE
Get that thing off me, Fergus --
Dil walks closer, holding the gun and pointing it at Jude.
DIL
What was that she called you, Jimmy?
FERGUS
Fergus.
98.
DIL
What's Fergus?
FERGUS
It's my name, Dil --
DIL
What happened to Jimmy?
JUDE
I said get it off me, Fergus --
Jude, on the floor, reaches for her gun. Manages to grab it.
DIL
What's she going to do, Jimmy? She going
to blow you away?
Dil shoots again, like a child, playing with a toy. She hits
Jude in her gun shoulder. Jude spins one way, the gun the
other.
DIL
Was she there too? When you got my Jody?
Fergus screams
FERGUS
Dil!!!
DIL
I asked you a question, honey -- were you
there too --
JUDE
You sick bitch --
As she raises the gun, Dil shoots her repeatedly, saying:
DIL
You was there, wasn't you? You used those
tits and that ass to get him, didn't you?
Fergus screams from the bed. He rips free his other arm. Dil
shoots Jude in the throat, and she falls dead, covered in
blood. Dil turns the gun on Fergus.
DIL
She was there, wasn't she?
99.
FERGUS
She was --
DIL
And she used her tits and that cute
little ass to get him, didn't she?
FERGUS
Yes.
DIL
Tell me what she wore.
FERGUS
Can't remember...
Dil points the gun at him, squeezing on the trigger. Then she
stops.
DIL
Can't do it, Jimmy. He won't let me.
She looks at the picture; walks over and sits down in front
of it.
DIL
You won't let me, Jody --
She raises the gun and places it in her mouth. Fergus takes
it gently from her mouth and places it on the table. He lifts
her up by the shoulders.
FERGUS
You've got to go now, Dil --
DIL
Do I?
FERGUS
Yes. Now.
DIL
Am I in trouble, Jimmy?
FERGUS
Not if you go.
DIL
Will I see you again?
FERGUS
You will, Dil
100.
DIL
Promise?
FERGUS
I promise.
DIL
Where am I to go, Jimmy?
FERGUS
The Metro.
DIL
Meet Col --
FERGUS
Yes. Say hello to Col --
He leads her out the door. Fergus goes back into the room,
past Jude's body. Looks out the window to where he can see
Dil staggering down the street, through the crowds that have
gathered. The wail of police sirens coming closer. He watches
Dil run off, with her funny walk. Then looks down and sees
the cop cars pushing through the knot of people around the
house. He picks up the gun, wipes it with a rag to remove
Dil's fingerprints. He turns to the picture of the soldier;
talks to it.
FERGUS
You should have stayed at home.
He sits in the chair by the window, waiting.
FADE TO BLACK.
INT. PRISON VISITING ROOM - DAY
FADE UP to reveal a large interior, with light streaming in
the windows. Large barred doors open and a group of women
come through, with parcels, children in tow, etc. Among them
is Dil, looking resplendent. She walks past the rows of
convicts with their families, up to a glass cage, where
Fergus sits, waiting.
DIL
Got you the multivitamins and the iron
tablets, hon --
FERGUS
Don't call me that --
101.
DIL
Sorry, love. Now, the white ones are
magnesium supplement --
FERGUS
Stop it, Dil --
DIL
I've got to keep you healthy, Jimmy. I'm
counting the days. Two thousand three
hundred and thirty-four left.
FERGUS
Thirty-five.
DIL
I'm sorry, darling. I keep forgetting the
leap year. What am I supposed to call you
then, Jimmy?
FERGUS
Fergus.
DIL
Fergus. Fergus my love, light of my life -
-
FERGUS
Please, Dil --
DIL
Can't help it. You're doing time for me.
No greater love, as the man says. Wish
you'd tell me why.
FERGUS
As the man said, it's in my nature.
DIL
What's that supposed to mean?
She shakes her head.
FERGUS
Well, there was this scorpion, you see.
And he wants to go across the river. But
he can't swim. So he goes to this frog,
who can swim, and he says to him, "Excuse
me, Mr. Froggy..."
102.
CAMERA PULLS BACK, and as Fergus tells the story of the
scorpion and the frog, the music comes up -- "Stand By Your
Man."
FADE OUT.
