Secret Ceremony

Mummy...

I anoint you with this saving oil

in Christ Jesus Our Lord,

that you may have eternal life.

Amen.

Joseph, do you believe in God, the Father Almighty,

creator of heaven and earth?

I do believe.

Do you believe in Jesus Christ,

His only son, our Lord,

who was born and suffered for us?

I do believe.

Do you believe in the Holy Ghost,

the Holy Catholic Church,

the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body and life everlasting?

I do believe.

Joseph, are you willing to be baptised?

I am.

Joseph, I baptise you in the name of the Father,

and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

May Almighty God,

the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

who has given you new life

through water and the Holy Ghost,

and forgiven you all your sins,

Himself anoint you with saving prisms,

in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord,

that you may have eternal life.

Amen.

- Peace be with you. - And with you.

Take this white garment,

and see that you carry it without stain

before the judgment seat of Our Lord Jesus Christ,

that you may have eternal life.

Take this burning light and keep true to your baptism

throughout a blameless life.

Keep the commandments of God,

that when the Lord shall come

like a bridegroom to His marriage feast...

...you, in company with all the saints,

may meet Him in the heavenly courts

and there live forever.

Amen.

Go in peace, Joseph, and the Lord be with you.

Amen.

You... you... wait here.

Wait.

Mummy!

I'm not who you think I am, kid.

Now, there's a good girl. Let go.

Will you let me go?!

What the hell do you want from me?

Can't you say something?

The cat got your tongue?

Would you like some breakfast?

Yes.

Ooh...

Hmm!

Oh, that was delicious!

Mmm!

Thank you. I've never had a more...

scrumptious breakfast.

Mmm!

You didn't prepare that all by yourself, did you?

Nobody helped you?

Don't you remember?

Don't I remember what?

You let Nanny and the cook go.

- Oh, I did? - Fired them ruthlessly.

Are you here all alone?

There's nobody else downstairs?

Nobody.

Well, is anybody coming later on?

No.

Where's Daddy?

You know damn well where he is!

Well, I wouldn't have asked if I'd known, would I?

The last postcard was from Philadelphia.

- It was? - You tore it up yourself.

Then I haven't the faintest recollection.

You said never to mention his name again in this house.

Well, I can change my mind, can't I? It's my house.

After his scandalous behaviour in the kitchen?

You mind your manners.

- Wasn't me who threw the inkwell at him. - Don't you be fresh with me.

- Wasn't me who ordered him out of the house. - Cut that out!

"I don't want to hear that man's name again."

We all have our days.

I may have lost my temper.

"Albert, Albert, Albert..."

I don't want to hear that name again!

Are you still jealous?

Young lady, you go to your room at once.

He touched me.

Oh, excuse me.

Won't you?

Oh...

Oh.

Oh, you poor little doll.

I don't know what came over me.

It was like having my ears blown out.

Oh...

Would you like me to move in with you for a while?

To take care of you?

What do you mean? You've always taken care of me.

Oh, you've got fever.

Every time you went out, shopping or to the doctor's,

you said, "I'll be back. I'll be back,"

and you always came back,

except the last time when the pain was bad

and the wind knocked down the cherry tree.

I'm back now.

I don't usually take a nap during the day, but...

I might now.

Oh, I just might.

You're sweet.

Where did you get these awful stockings?

Would you like me to wash your back?

No, thank you. I can reach it myself.

What are you doing, a big girl like you?

On Sundays, Mummy, you always let me wash your back.

- Is it Sunday? - Oh, you're a silly Mummy.

Oh, I'd better get out before I fall asleep.

And drown?

What do you know about drowning?

Ducks don't drown. Look.

No! No, let it be!

No!

Don't... no, let it be!

I'm so glad you're back.

Can I crawl into bed with you?

Please, Mummy, can I?

It's so nice, isn't it?

You used to say,

"Remember, all one needs is a great big bed

"with all the people one loves in it."

When you're older, you'll appreciate

the advantages of sleeping alone.

I'm scared when I sleep alone.

There's nothing to be scared of.

- What about the moon dog? - The what?

The moon dog.

He sits up there, watching me.

Oh, that's just a nice old man who forgot to shave.

Nobody's just a nice old man.

Sometimes he shows his teeth and goes "Grrr!"

Well, you just say, "Down, boy. Down."

Down, boy! Down!

- He's gone. - See?

He'll be back.

Not if you say your prayers.

Prayers? In the afternoon?

That's when the good Lord has time to listen.

Why? What does he do at night time?

He worries.

I don't know any prayers.

"Dear God, by whose mercy..."

"Dear God, by whose mercy..."

"I am shielded for a few hours."

"I am shielded for a few hours."

"Let no-one snatch me from this heaven."

"Let no-one snatch me from this heaven."

Since you're so clever,

why can't you understand that my virginity

is the only thing I possess?

Ha ha. I know it's funny.

Sssh...

Mother is asleep.

But, I warn you,

I will do absolutely nothing to hurt her feelings.

You stay in that chair, you hear?

And eat this.

Mother is Mother.

Now, that's something to be.

You're a teacher. You can put that in your passport.

What have I got?

Cenci...

Engelhard.

Virgin.

That's me.

That's all I am.

I often think of our day on the Downs,

and the leaves on which we lay.

I didn't mind getting wet.

I saw the clouds beyond you.

You said, "Am I too heavy?"

I didn't mind that,

or your breathing, or anything like that,

as long as we were dressed.

But I will not undress for you.

I won't let you get that close.

Do you want to touch my hair?

All right, you may touch my hair.

Oh...

Let go of me!

I'll give you the sound if you let go.

Hmm.

What's so great about that sound anyway?