Cal

I've just been handed a traffic report from the RUC to say that there's been

an accident on the M1 at the Moira roundabout where

an articulated lorry is blocking two lanes in a south-bound direction.

It's hoped that everything will be cleared up within the next hour.

Broadcasting to the greater Belfast area on 1026AM and 96...

Marcella...

Marcella...

"The wages of sin is death"

Crilly! Hey, Crilly!

Hi, Cal. What about ya?

Is me Da about?

Seamie! Seamie!

Cal's here.

Any fags, Da? Any fags? 15 Thanks Da. See ya.

- Hi, Cal. - Hello, Artie.

What are you doing with yourself this weather?

- Fuck all. - I see they're looking for brain surgeons.

- Any experience needed? - Nah.

Come on, it's freezing.

Bollocks.

Do you know her?

No.

That other one was powerful, Powerful altogether.

There's nothing like a good mystery.

- How are you getting on here? - Oh, it's fine.

Well, it takes some getting used to anyway.

Aye. Well, the best of luck to you, Marcella.

- Looks like rain. - Ah, Cal. Aye, it does a bit.

- Is she new in there? - Ah, that's Marcella Morton.

Lives out Magheragall Road. You know that police fella got shot last year.

No luck with a mixed marriage. She's one of ours you know.

I'll see ya.

Are you going> - Aye, I may as well, follow the geriatrics.

Here, our friendly village idiot

Whisht

- Last Saturday in August. - Bloody bigots.

Would ya look at that Cyril Dunlop?

In every parade ever there was

No Protestant git's going to drive me out

They'll have to kill me first.

- Da! - Waste not, want not

- It makes the milk taste funny. - Your arse.

- How are you getting on here? - Oh it's fine.

- It'll take a bit of getting used to. - Oh, it will.

The best of luck to you anyway, Marcella.

McCluskey!

Thank you, Mr. McCluskey.

Isn't it McCluskey?

Yeah.

- Jesus, Cal, where were you? - Out.

You sit in that bloody room of your all summer, the day it rains you decide to go out for a walk.

Your dinner's ruined.

Why didn't you put on the spuds before you went out? You've bugger all else to do.

Crilly wants to see you.

- Can I have the van? - I suppose.

I don't like you knocking about with him. It sticks in my throat he got your job.

You and your weak stomach...

Ah, what about your dinner?

- What about ye? - Hi.

- (in Irish Gaelic) May God be with you - Hello.

And how are you, Cal?

- OK. - Good.

And your father?

- Fine. - Good, good, good.

I suppose you heard a couple of our volunteers were lifted last night.

We're losing too many good people.

That's why we wanted to see you. We need a driver.

Cal, you're very quiet. Anything wrong?

- I want out. - You're not even fucking in.

Oh that word again.

I'm far enough in to want out.

I've no stomach for it.

It makes things very awkward.

If it's only for funds, just once.

- Then get somebody else. - Attaboy, Cal.

Good man.

- Can I see your bag, please? - Over here sir, please.

- I hope you're not superstitious. - Oh, that's too bad.

Thanks very much.

Oh, let me. Where to?

It's just down here. Thank you.

- Do you play the guitar? - Sorry?

Long nails.

Well, on the one hand they're long and on the other hand, they're not.

It's just here.

Thanks very much.

You work in the library?

Yes.

It must be nice and warm, working inside.

Bye now.

We're gonna burn you out, McCluskey!

"Get out you Catholic scum or we'll burn you out. UVF"

Shamie. Hey, Shamie.

Bastards.

Good oul' Crilly

I don't like him, mind...

- Will we fill the bath? - Aye, just in case.

Don't put the blanket in. It's a bugger to dry.

If this goes on, I'm getting a bloody fire extinguisher.

Cal?

The door is locked?

Whispering in our own house...

Here, put this on you. You'll freeze.

The lining's cold.

You're very quiet these days, Cal.

What's up?

- Nothing. - You go off to that room...

- A good job would help. - You should never have left the abattoir

- It stinks, Da. - You would have got used to it.

- They employ few enough Catholics. - Crilly's a Catholic.

He's not my son.

Smoke your own.

- Do you think we ought to move? - England?

It's rotten to the core.

I went aross the water a few years ago.

Away from your mother.

Do you remember that?

Vaguely.

Cal.

Cal!

- Why didn't you waken me? - I did.

- I'll take the van to Magheragall. - You'll never make it.

Did you sleep alright, after that?

Once or twice.

At the turn of each tide,

He is there, at my side,

and his touch

is as gentle

as silence.

There've been times, when I've turned

from his presence

and I've walked other paths,

other ways.

But I called on his name

in the dark of my shame

and his mercy

was gentle as silence

- Go, the Mass has ended. - Praise be to God.

He said we could have it for next to nothing.

Says it's in the way.

We're doing him a favour.

Have ye a buyer in mind? Huh?

Ah Jesus, fuck!

Da!

- And it still stinks... - Away you go.

- How are you getting on here? - Oh fine.

Right well, best of luck to you, Marcella.

That's Marcella Morton. Lives out Magheragall Road.

You know, married to that police fella got shot last year

- Do you need any firewood? - How much?

50 quid.

- Is it dry? - It'll dry if they're stacked.

- Oh they'd never fit the Rayburn. - Could you split them?

- Oh aye, easy. - You're very kind.

- I'll take the lot. - I didn't mean I would do it.

I'll take them anyway.

Fuck off!

Fuck off!

- Who did that to you? - I don't know.

- How many of them? - Three.

Freakin' savages...

- What do you want? - I've to split those logs over there.

- What's the name? - Cal McCluskey.

McCluskey? Does your dad work in the abattoir?

You're Shamie's boy?

If they were all like Shamie, there'd be less trouble round here.

Hola.

Hello.

- Can I watch for a while? - OK.

Hello.

I'm trying to tire that one out, before she goes to bed.

- It's a nice evening. - Oh yes.

- Did you get home alright the other day? - Sorry?

With the groceries.

Oh yes, that's you.

Yes, I did, thanks very much again.

Yes. You know I was in a terrible state that week.

It was my first week back at work.

Well. Well, I think I'd better take her off to bed.

Nice to see you again.

Lucy?

Lucy, where are you?

Come in.

Come on.

Take those boots off ye.

That's dry work.

Aye. Aye, it is.

- Is this what you do? - No, no, I'm out of work.

We'll be lifting spuds, the day after next..

If you're interested in that.

- We start at 8:00. - Great.

7:30 at the Post Office corner.

Terrific.

Thanks for the drink.

Excuse me, a minute.

Jesus, they'll sell no ice-cream going at that speed.

- These sacks are never ending, are they? - "Let them eat 'Smash'"!!

Lucy?

Are ye gonna sit there all day?

- Thank you. - Thanks very much.