“EVELYN” SCRIPT

DERMOT
Evelyn, did Jesus have a big sister?

EVELYN
No, Dermot, he wasn’t as lucky as you. He had two daddies, though, God the Father and Joseph the carpenter.

DERMOT
Did Joseph ever do a bit of painting and decorating like you, Dad?

DESMOND
Evelyn, you take the boys home. I’ll go find your mother.

EVELYN
All right, Dad.

DESMOND
Good girl.

---------------------------------
DERMOT
I want the big one.

EVELYN
No, because why, I’m biggest. Come on.

CHARLOTTE
I told you I was just going to the pub for a Christmas drink. Why kick up such a fuss?

DESMOND
Who was he? You were all over him like a bloody rash.

CHARLOTTE
Don’t be stupid.

DERMOT
Sounds like your mommy and daddy are back.

DESMOND
Right in front of your friends, too. 
Jesus! You frozen little mites. Come here now. We were arguing if the chimney was wide enough for Santa.

EVELYN
It’s great. We’re on the top floor so Santa can park his reindeers there.

DESMOND
It is. He has the whole roof to land on.
Say good night to mommy.

DERMOT
When will Santa be here?
DESMOND
Santa’s gonna be here very soon. 
Off to bed with the lot of you. Santa will come when you’re asleep. 

DERMOT
I won’t be able to sleep.

DESMOND
You will, luv. Take your jumper and boots off. Not up on the bed.
You all right?

EVELYN
Yes, Daddy.

DESMOND
Okay, alright. Night-night.

---------------------------------
DERMOT
Daddy, where’s the carriages?

DESMOND
Son, Santa was a bit strapped for cash this year. It costs a lot of money to feed those elves, you know.

DERMOT
How much do they cost?

DESMOND
It costs lots and lots.

HENRY
Happy Christmas!

EVELYN
Granda!

HENRY
Me little Christmas angel. I hope you were a good girl, were you?

DESMOND
There’s granddad.

HENRY
Happy Christmas, everybody!

DESMOND
All right, look what you’ve got there.

DERMOT
Thanks, Granddad.

DESMOND
No money, no job. Happy Christmas.

HENRY
I’ll ask you to look on the bright side, son. From the New Year, you’ll have a new job. You and the kids will be settled. The world will be your oyster. 
We never died in a winter yet.

---------------------------------
EVELYN
Heidi, we’re going to see Angela. She’s my best friend. She has a dolly, too. I’m sure she’s like to meet you.
Mommy’s going shopping, Heidi. Do you like her nice new shoes and coat? But this is St. Stephen’s Day.
Mommy, come back. It’s St. Stephen’s Day. The shops are shuts.
Daddy!

DESMOND
Be quiet.

EVELYN
Daddy!

DESMOND
What?

EVELYN
Mommy’s gone. She was all dressed up when she went away with a man in a car.

DESMOND
Jesus, don’t let me down now. Come on.

---------------------------------
DESMOND
She’s your daughter. You say you don’t know where she’s gone?

DAISY
She’s your wife, and you don’t know, do you? I always said this would end in tears. Should never have got stuck with a corner boy like you.

DESMOND
Who’s her fancy man? Is it the bastard I saw her with in the pub?

DAISY
Your language is appalling.

DESMOND
Your bloody....your bloody daughter is appalling.

DAISY
I hope you don’t use language like that in front of your daughter.

DESMOND
Don’t tell me how to bring up my own daughter. You obviously know sweet F.A about it. Where did she meet him? In the pub?

DAISY
No. you’re the one who spends all his time there. No wonder she got sick of you.

DESMOND
I treated her well.

DAISY
Yeah?

DESMOND
I never raised a hand in anger to her once, though she gave me just cause of it. Maybe that’s where I went wrong.

---------------------------------
DESMOND
Here you are, luv. Hot milk. Christmas pudding. You want some of these? It’s very nice.

EVELYN
No.

DESMOND
Why not? You must be starving.

EVELYN
She made it.

---------------------------------
DESMOND
Maurice, give him the ball back.

HENRY
I hear her fancy man is English.

DESMOND
Bastard!
I might have guessed.

LOGAN
Good day, gentlemen. I’m Inspector Logan of the SPCC. Mrs. Daisy, your mother-in-law, I believe, told us of your plight.

DESMOND
The SPCC? The Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children?

LOGAN
Aye, that’s correct.

DESMOND
Is that bitch putting in a record that I’m cruel to my kids?

LOGAN
No, not at all, Mr. Doyle. We only have the children’s welfare at heart. To lose their mother at this age can have a traumatizing effect.
DESMOND
How’s that any business of yours?

LOGAN
Mr. Doyle, I’m here to help you. As I understand you’ve no income to support your family. Is that correct?

DESMOND
Yeah.

LOGAN
And do you have any female relatives to call upon?

HENRY
Maureen, Des’ mother, died a long time ago.

LOGAN
Then, Mr. Doyle, you have no choice but to approach the authorities for assistance. I will rearrange for the Sister to call.

DESMOND
We don’t need your charity.

LOGAN
Mr. Doyle, you have no job and no mother for your children.

HENRY
He’s right, son.

DESMOND
All right, send in the nuns.

---------------------------------
NUN
Sit still.

DERMOT
But I don’t like cabbage.

NUN
It’s very good for you. I don’t want to hear about it. Eat it.

---------------------------------
JUDGE
So, Mr. Doyle, you are a painter and a decorator by trade, but attempts to secure employment since your wife’s departure have been unsuccessful.

DESMOND
Yes, sir, your honour.
But it’s only been a couple of weeks. And there’s a big job coming up at the Robert West House, but there’s not until the end of March.

JUDGE
And you have no other source of revenue?

DESMOND
Sir, my father, Henry, who’s sitting here, and myself we’re setting up a tour of the Dublin pubs.

JUDGE
Surely that will represent expenditure rather than income.

DESMOND
No, your honour. We’ll playing music for money. My father was a professional musician. He played for Radio Eireann until retirement age.

HENRY
Dessie has a fine voice, your honour.

JUDGE
I’m sure he has. But you won’t be able to support your family on that alone, will you?

DESMOND
Maybe not, your honour.

JUDGE
Under Section 10 of the Children’s Act 1941, I hereby rule that until there is a significant improvement in the domestic financial circumstances of Desmond Doyle, his two sons, Dermot and Maurice, will be place in care of the Christian Brothers in Kilkenny and his daughter, Evelyn Doyle, will be committed to St. Joseph’s School in Dublin. And I hope you don’t have to leave them in care for too long.

THE KIDS
Daddy!

DESMOND
Come on. Come sit down.

THE KIDS
I wanna go home.

DESMOND
I know you wanna go home. We’re gonna go home soon. Listen, I love you very much. You must understand that.

---------------------------------
EVELYN
Granddad, there’s St. Joseph, Jesus’ daddy.
I’ll pray to him to get us home. He’ll understand.

HENRY
That’s alright, luv. He’ll understand.

---------------------------------
BROTHER EUSTACE
Mr. Doyle, I’m Brother Eustace.

---------------------------------
HENRY
Look at the rays. Do you know what these are?

EVELYN
No, granddad.

HENRY
Angel rays.

EVELYN
Angel rays?

HENRY
Yes. These mean that your guardian angel is reminding you that he’s waiting to help you. All you have to do is believe in him.

EVELYN
Angel rays.

HENRY
Look, pet, your favourites. He’s helping you already.

EVELYN
Granddad, please don’t leave me here. I don’t want to stay here with the Sisters. I hate them!

HENRY
They’re the bride of Christ!

EVELYN
Then why do they wear black, horrible dresses? Brides should wear white dresse!

SISTER BRIDGET
What’s going on? Have you been bold, young lady?

HENRY
It’s all right. I just dropped a tube of fruit gums.

SISTER BRIDGET
Come along now.

EVELYN
No!
Granddad, please don’t go!

SISTER BRIDGET
Let’s go, now.

EVELYN
Let go of me!
Please granddad.
HENRY
Please be a good girl for the Sisters. I’ll come back and see you soon.

SISTER BRIDGET
Disgraceful performance. We’ll teach you some manners in here. We’ll get you cleaned up, you dirty little tinker.

SISTER THERESA
Mr. Doyle.

HENRY
Sister, please don’t cut her hair. It’s her father pride and joy.

SISTER FELICITY
Thank you, Sister Bridget. I’m sure we’ll manage fine. One large nun should be enough to scrub one small girl.

SISTER BRIDGET
Of course, Sister Felicity. I was just making sure she didn’t throw another tantrum. She’s a willful one.

SISTER FELICITY
Wasn’t our Lord a willful one, too?
I’m sure she’ll be fine, won’t you?
Thank you, Sister Bridget.
Don’t look so worried. This is standard procedure for new girls. Otherwise, the place would be jumping with lice and fleas and God knows what. Come on, take your clothes off. Don’t be shy. After all, bare-naked is how God created Adam and Eve. It’s how He sent the baby Jesus into the world.
Good. We’ll have you squeaky clean in no time at all.
Come on, sit down.
Shoes.
You can call me Felicity. What’s your name?

EVELYN
Evelyn Doyle.

SISTER FELICITY
Pleased to meet you, Evelyn Doyle.

EVELYN
Pleased to meet you, Sister Felicity.

---------------------------------
FATHER O’MALLEY
Good afternoon, ladies. Could you spare a few pence for the poor black babies of Africa?

LADY
Here you are.

FATHER O’MALLEY
It’s a very good cause. Thanks. God blesses you. You’re very generous.
DESMOND
Give us another pint, please.

BERNADETTE
You’ve had enough.

DESMOND
Listen to you. I’m sick of people telling me what to do. You just get us another pint.

BERNADETTE
Fine.

FATHER O’MALLEY
Just a few pennies from you there.

WOMAN
There you go, Father.

FATHER O’MALLEY
Those little orphans, they really need your charity.

DESMOND
Father, you lot have taken my babies! You’ve made my babies orphans.

A MAN ON THE PUB
Fair play to you. That’s a great right cross you have on there. Right, here we are.

 ---------------------------------
SISTER BRIDGET
Quiet! Too much talking.

SISTER FELICITY
Just down here, luv. Down you sit. Don’t let my teeth fool you. I don’t bite.

MARY
She’s a sweetheart, that Sister Felicity. It’s Frigid Bridget you’ve got to watch out for. She could put the fear of death into a corpse, so she could.
I’m Mary.

ANNETTE
I’m Annette.

LAUREN
I’m Lauren.

EVELYN
I’m Evelyn.
Your soup doesn’t look very good.

MARY
You’ll get used to it. You got used to most things here. Half the kids in Ireland are cooped up here.

EVELYN
How long you’ve been here for?
Six months?

MARY
Six years.

EVELYN
I won’t be here for long. May daddy’s gonna come and get me.

MARY
That’s what my dad told me.

---------------------------------
FATHER O’MALLEY
I’m sorry, Desmond. I was the seminary boxing champion.

DESMOND
Really?

FATHER O’MALLEY
Let that be a lesson to you. Never underestimate the strength of the Church militant. God bless.
DESMOND
Thanks, Father.

BERNADETTE
If you want your kids back that badly, you should get a good lawyer.

DESMOND
They cost money!

BERNADETTE
Go and see Michael Beattie. Twenty-four Upper Mount Street. Say I sent you.

DESMOND
Fair enough.
I’ll say the new barmaid at Fergal’s Pub sent me. That’s impress him.

BERNADETTE
Tell him Bernadette Beattie sent you, you cheeky oaf. Bernadette Beattie, his little sister. 
I’m working here part time to help Uncle Fergal. I’m a trainee chemist, actually.

DESMOND
So, you’re the beautiful niece Fergal’s always bragging about. I bet you have lot of fellows running after you.

BERNADETTE
Yes, but none of them have managed to catch me yet.

DESMOND
You’re not a bad looking woman, now that I look at you, of course with this bump on my head, I’m probably hallucinating.

---------------------------------
BROTHER EUSTACE
Once again, until we achieve unity and harmony. Where do we say our night prayers?

BOYS
Nor in the bed, nor under the bed, but by the bed.

BROTHER EUSTACE
Then kneel by your bed and give thanks.

---------------------------------
SISTER BRIDGET
Get to move on, Evelyn. You’re keeping us all waiting. We do not lie like that, on our stomach. It tempts the devil. We lie on our back and cross our arms like this. I will check every night that you are sleeping in this position. We must not attempt Lucifer. No more talking. Good night, girls.

GIRLS
Good night, Sister Bridget.
---------------------------------
MICHAEL
Mr. Doyle, family law in this jurisdiction is a cozy conspiracy between the Catholic Church and the Irish state. They’re in cahoots.

DESMOND
What you’re saying that you’re frightened if you take them on, you’ll never work again.

MICHAEL
Something like that. I suggest you come back to me when your circumstances are more favorable and I’ll see what can I do.

---------------------------------
On the bank of the roses, my love and I sat down
And I took out my fiddle, for to play my love a tune
In the middle of the tune she sighed and said
“Oh, Johnny, lovely Johnny, why’d you leave me?”
Oh, when I was a young man, I heard my father say
That he’d rather se me dead and buried in the clay
Sooner than be married to any runway
On the lovely sweet banks of the roses
On the banks of the roses, my love and I sat down
And I took out my fiddle, for to play my love a tune
In the middle of the tune she sighed and said
“Oh, Johnny, lovely Johnny, why’d you leave me?”

---------------------------------
SISTER BRIDGET
“Oh, Lord, I vow never more to offend thee and carefully to avoid the occasions of sin”

---------------------------------
And the meadows they are grey
And me and my true love will sit and sport and play
On the lovely sweet banks of the roses
And I took out my fiddle, for to play my love a tune
In the middle of the tune she sighed and said
“Oh, Johnny, lovely Johnny, why’d you leave me?”

BERNADETTE
Look who’s back.

NICHOLAS
Straight from Chicago. How’s my favourite Irish colleen?

BERNADETTE
I’m great.

DESMOND
Who’s the man in the sharp suit over there?

HENRY
Why should I know? He looks like a Yank. Maybe he’s a friend of hers. Maybe he’s a chemist.

DESMOND
All right, if I can gain your attention for a moment we’ll have requests. Apart From Nobody’s Child. We’re not found that now.

---------------------------------
EVELYN
Are you still not talking to grandma?

HENRY
No. I’ll never speak to that woman. She blames your father for everything. May she root in hell, that old witch.

EVELYN
Granddad, Jesus says we should forgive those who trespassed against us. It’s in the “Our Father”. 
Grandma, would you like a fruit gum?

DAISY
Thanks, luv.

EVELYN
Granddad gave them to me.

DAISY
I won’t bother then, luv. 
Listen, luv, there is something you must tell him. It’s really warm.
...stuff it, will you?
Good girl.

EVELYN
Granddad, granddad. Grandma’s got a letter from Sydney.

HENRY
Sydney, who?

EVELYN
No. Sydney, in Australia.

HENRY
Australia?

EVELYN
It’s from mommy, she’s in Australia. She didn’t give her address, but it said Sydney on the postmark thing.

HENRY
I might have guessed. She’s always had the wanderlust, your mother.

EVELYN
Grandma said it’s hot in Australia.

HENRY
It is, Evelyn. You can tell her it’s not as hot as the place where her daughter will end up.

EVELYN
Okay.
---------------------------------
DESMOND
That’s it.

DERMOT
Still no carriages, Dad.

DESMOND
No, son. Still no carriages.

---------------------------------
“Dear Daddy, it’s great news that you have such a good job, doing up that old house. I miss you and the boys and granddad very much and I hope we can back together soon. What did granddad mean when he told me to tell grandma Daisy that he hopes mommy meets a great white in Australia? I think it’s a kangaroo, but Mary thinks it’s a koala bear. I like most of the nuns here. Sister Felicity is nice and kind and so is Sister Theresa. But Sister Bridget is very scary.”

---------------------------------
SISTER BRIDGET
Is God good, just and merciful?

ANNETTE
Yes, Sister.

SISTER BRIDGET
“Yes” isn’t the catechism answer, is it? What does the catechism says?

ANNETTE
It says...

SISTER BRIDGET
I’ve had enough for you, Annette Farrell. Now, God is infinitely good, infinitely just and infinitely...

EVELYN
No!

SISTER BRIDGET
What are you saying to me, child?

EVELYN
I don’t think you should do that, Sister. If God infinitely merciful, He wouldn’t want you to do that.

SISTER BRIDGET
You dare to question me about God? Insolent brat!
Right, outside! Outside!
Never, never, never talk to me like that again!

---------------------------------
DESMOND
Where’s my daughter, Evelyn Doyle?
SISTER BRIDGET
Do you have an appointment?

DESMOND
I don’t need an appointment to see my own daughter. Who are you?

SISTER BRIDGET
I’m Sister Bridget.

DESMOND
Are you?
If you ever lay a finger on my daughter again I will tear you from limb to limb.
Now, where is she?

SISTER BRIDGET
In the refectory, on the first floor. Right.

SISTER THERESA
Mr. Doyle, you shouldn’t be on the premises.

DESMOND
I’ve come to see my daughter.
SISTER THERESA
You must leave.

DESMOND
I’m not leaving without her.

SISTER THERESA
You know that’s impossible.

DESMOND
I’m having my daughter and you can’t stop me. Now, where is she?

SISTER THERESA
Mr. Doyle, you cannot barge in here...

DESMOND
There’s no bloody laws in Ireland that will keep her away from me.

SISTER THERESA
How dare you use language like that in front of me, Mr. Doyle. Don’t speak to me like that. I will not have it.

EVELYN
Daddy. Don’t fight, Daddy. Don’t fight with Sister Theresa.

DESMOND
It’s all right, luv. Don’t worry.
Can I see her?

SISTER THERESA
Not if you’re going to run off with her. That’ll just get you arrested.

DESMOND
Okay, I promise. I just wanna hold her for a second. I give you my word, all right?

SISTER THERESA
Evelyn, your daddy’s here to see you.

DESMOND
It’s good to see you.

EVELYN
Daddy, have you come to take me home?

DESMOND
Yes, I’ll be taking you home soon, pet. Very, very soon.

---------------------------------
MICHAEL
I hear you’re doing well at your new job.

DESMOND
Yeah. My circumstances have been improved, as you would say. So, you’ll take the case, then?
MICHAEL
You’ve been drinking, haven’t you? I can smell it off your breath.

DESMOND
Since we’re not planning on kissing, I don’t see a problem.

MICHAEL
It’s not going to help our case if the court thinks you’re drinking your pay packet.

DESMOND
Our case? That means you’re going to take it then?

---------------------------------
DESMOND
Who is this Gob Shade?

MICHAEL
This is the Minister for Education. He’s claiming we require the consent of your wife for the release of your kids.

DESMOND
How can we get her consent when she’s disappeared? Even her pudding-faced old mother’s got no address.

MICHAEL
It’s the law. Yours is a unique case. Normally, the wife would be deceased.

DESMOND
She ran out her kids, didn’t she? What kind of mother would do that?

MICHAEL
We could argue that she’s emotionally incapable of bringing up the children but I’m afraid all of that is, strictly speaking, irrelevant. The law is still requires her consent no matter how irresponsibly she may have behaved.

DESMOND
Went to hell with the law.

MICHAEL
That attitude will get us nowhere, Desmond.

DESMOND
Look, I’ve done everything I was asked to do. That District Judge or Justice didn’t tell me I’d need my wife’s consent.

MICHAEL
Yes, he definitely misdirected you, which gives us a useful basis for a start. But it ma not be material enough for a challenge in law, as there are no precedents for your case.

DESMOND
We’ll make the bloody precedents! I want justice!
MICHAEL
The law and justice are two entirely different things.
DESMOND
Jesus! You can say that again.

MICHAEL
And of course, I’m only a solicitor. I’m not entitled to speak in a court case like this. We need a barrister, and they’re very expensive.

DESMOND
I don’t care how much does it costs. I’ll work round the clock, if I have to.

MICHAEL
To fight Church and state is to fight Goliath.

DESMOND
Yeah, David beat Goliath in the book I read.

---------------------------------
NICHOLAS
It’s a first edition.

BERNADETTE
Is it?

NICHOLAS
Yeats.

DESMOND
It’ll be grand, I tell you. I’ve got it all worked out, Dad.

HENRY
Don’t worry about it.

DESMOND
Get us another pint.

HENRY
You’ll have another one? I will.
Make mine a large one, Bernadette. A pint for Desmond.

BERNADETTE
You two are knocking them back tonight.

HENRY
Poor Dessie’s going through a rough time lately. Aren’t we all fond of drink? 

FERGAL
That’s right, Henry. You can’t hold that against a man, can you? The lad of yours is going through hell. 
I think he’s drinking to forget.

HENRY
You’re right, Fergal. I wonder if our American friend knows the one thing worse than drinking to forget. Do you what that is, son?
NICHOLAS
Worse than drinking to forget? No. forgetting to drink. I’ll drink to that.

HENRY
That wife of his didn’t know the meaning of the word “love”.

FERGAL
Love. It’s strange. The Greeks have all these different words for love. “philia”, “agape”, “eros”. We have just the one. We use the same word for our nearest and dearest as we do for a packet of cigarettes. It’s interesting, isn’t it?

NICHOLAS
I think it’s very interesting.

HENRY
Did you know that Eskimos have over 40 different words for snow?

NICHOLAS
Is that a fact?

HENRY
It’s true. The wife told me that. She should know. She’s frigid.

---------------------------------
HENRY
You’re an awful man. I keep telling you not to drink and drive.

DESMOND
I’m not drinking and driving. I drank before I drove.

HENRY
I don’t think this is a good idea.

DESMOND
It’s the only way, Dad.
I can see the dormitory there.

HENRY
Maybe we should come back some other time.

DESMOND
No, no, no. I’ve got to rescue the poor little mite. 
Right, we’ve come this far.
Jesus. They’ve greased the top of the wall.

HENRY
Mind yourself, son.

---------------------------------

DESMOND
Bernadette!
You’re drenched.

BERNADETTE
That’ll be the rain. You’re one to talk. I just...

DESMOND
Come in. sit yourself down.

BERNADETTE
It’s okay. I’m not staying.

DESMOND
All right. Suit yourself. I’ll get you a towel. A clean one.

BERNADETTE
This place need a good cleaning. It’s get more empties than Fergal’s.

DESMOND
Looking for a towel here somewhere. God.
Here we go. There it is. 
You can have it, if you want, as a reward for putting me in touch with your brother.

BERNADETTE
I had no idea you could do this.

DESMOND
There’s a lot of things I can do that you don’t know about.

BERNADETTE
I’m sure there are.

DESMOND
We’re saving up for a housekeeper. You know anyone who’s suitable?

BERNADETTE
It’s not a housekeeper you need. It’s a barkeeper. You know what your problem is, Desmond Doyle? You think all you have to do is smile with that cheeky twinkle in your eyes and everything will be grand. It’s time you grow up.

DESMOND
You like my cheeky twinkle, then?

BERNADETTE
You drink too much.

DESMOND
Ridiculous. I’ve got a lot on my mind.

BERNADETTE
Like a trip to Scotland with your kids?

DESMOND
What? How do you know about that?

BERNADETTE
Because the ticket fall out of your coats. An adult and three kids? Who could that be, I wonder? I knew you were up to something. You big idiot.

DESMOND
Don’t call me a big idiot. I’ll bet you want someone smooth, like the Yank, whose jokes you laugh at all the time like he’s Oscar bloody Wilde.

BERNADETTE
Nick’s funny, and he’s more of a ladies’ man than Oscar ever was.

DESMOND
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get the message. You fancy him.

BERNADETTE
Don’t tell me who I fancy. That’s for me to decide. What I don’t want is a drunkard who has some mad notion about something off with his kids to Scotland.

DESMOND
Why should you care? What business is it of yours?

BERNADETTE
Because I don’t want to have to visit you in prison.

DESMOND
Has anybody told you you’re a fine woman?

BERNADETTE
Lots of men. Some of them weren’t even married.
Not until you give me the tickets.

DESMOND
What?

BERNADETTE
Give me the ferry tickets. I’ll take them back and get you a refund.

DESMOND
Jesus. Woman.

BERNADETTE
You drive a hard bargain. Where are they?

DESMOND
Here you go.

BERNADETTE
Thanks.
DESMOND
I always get sick on the ferry, anyway. I just think, you know, you and I...
BERNADETTE
Do you really think I’d kiss you now? It’d be like kissing a soggy beer-mat.

DESMOND
But you just said...

BERNADETTE
No. I said you have to give up the drink.

DESMOND
For God’s sake. That’s the hardest thing to do.

BERNADETTE
The second hardest. Getting your family back is the hardest.

---------------------------------
Oh, of all the money that ever I had
I spent it in good company
And all the harm that ever I’ve done
Alas it was to none but me
And if I had money enough to spend
And leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town
Who sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosy cheeks and ruby lips
I own she has my heart in thrall
So, fill to me the parting glass

DESMOND
Good night and joy be with you all.

A MAN
Good man, Des.
Lovely. Good man.

HENRY
Thanks you very much, everyone. You’ve been wonderful. God bless you all. We hope to see you again next week.
Okay. God bless. Good night.

DESMOND
Come on. You all right?

BERNADETTE
Dessie, I...

DESMOND
Look at me. Are you okay? Dad, come on. Jesus! Dad!
Someone, a doctor.
Here, Johnny! Go and run for a doctor, quick!
I’m here.

HENRY
Dessie.

DESMOND
I’m here, Dad.

HENRY
The kids.

DESMOND
We’ll get them back. You and I together. Dad!

A MAN
Henry, it’s Father O’Malley.

FATHER O’MALLEY
If you can hear me, say the Act of Contrition.

---------------------------------
EVELYN
Look, angel rays.

DESMOND
What’s angel rays, luv?

EVELYN
It’s granddad letting us know he’s watching over us.

DESMOND
Good old dad. I know he wouldn’t leave us.

---------------------------------
DESMOND
Good morning, Miss Gilhooly.

MISS GILHOOLY
Mr. Doyle, didn’t you get the letter?

DESMOND
What letter?

MISS GILHOOLY
The one canceling this appointment.

DESMOND
I didn’t get any letter. I’ve taken this morning especially off work to see him. This is my family we’re talking about. Where is he? Jesus!

MISS GILHOOLY
Jesus, Mary and Joseph

---------------------------------
JACLYN
Lilo! Higgi! Come on!
Sorry, sir. It’s a trespasser.

MICHAEL
It’s all right. This is a client of mine.

JACLYN
A client, sir?

DESMOND
Yes?
We have an appointment!

JACLYN
Please, let us know in the future, sir, if you’re expecting a visitor.

DESMOND
What the hell are you smirking at? Do you think this is funny? Do you think you can just cancel appointment and treat people like dirt?

NICHOLAS
Mr. Doyle...

DESMOND
I’m not talking to you, Yank. All you’re good for’s wearing sharp suits, doing fancy deals and trying to get hands on our women. And our fish!

MICHAEL
Desmond, be reasonable. I’m sorry I missed our appointment but there’s really nothing more I can do for you anymore.

DESMOND
Oh, really? Your being sorry isn’t gonna get my kids back, now, is it? I’m sure the Yank here is having great fun seeing what a lot of bloody spineless jellyfish we’ve got over here. But ask yourself this, Mr. Big Shot. What if it was your family? Wouldn’t you fight tooth and nail to get them back? Or are you just another heartless, gutless bastard?

---------------------------------
NICHOLAS
Congratulations. You just found yourself a lawyer.

DESMOND
Is that a fact, now? Who?

NICHOLAS
Me.

---------------------------------
DESMOND
So, you’re not a chemist, then? How come you can work over here if you’re a Yank?

NICHOLAS
Actually, I’m Irish. I was born reared in Kilkenny till I was 9, then we emigrated to the States and I subsequently came back here to study law at UCD.

MICHAEL
So, he’s qualified to plead Irish courts.

NICHOLAS
Does my being Yank bother you, Desmond?

DESMOND
Not at all. I like Yanks. Most of them were Irish to begin with, anyway. But I can’t afford to pay you fancy money.

NICHOLAS
I’m not doing this for money. You’ll just have to raise enough to cover our costs.

DESMOND
Right. I really appreciate your help, so I do.

NICHOLAS
We’ll do our best for you.

DESMOND
Right. Cheerio.

NICHOLAS & MICHAEL
Cheerio.

MICHAEL
We’ll do our best?

NICHOLAS
We’re in this together, my friend. Do you think I’ll take this on with any other solicitor?

MICHAEL
We have no chance, you know this as well as I do. I don’t know why you’re taking it on.

NICHOLAS
Because I know what he’s going through, through no one’s fault but my own. I lost my own kids in that divorce.

MICHAEL
I don’t think you realize what we’re up against.

NICHOLAS
No, I do realize what we’re up against.

---------------------------------
GOB SHADE
What possible chance do you think you have? You and Mr...

DESMOND
Mr. Doyle.

GOB SHADE
Mr. Doyle, here. A painter and what? Decorator?

DESMOND
Master tradesman, to you.

GOB SHADE
Apart from anything else, it will be prohibitively expensive.

MICHAEL
Only if we lose.

GOB SHADE
You’ll lose, Mr...

MICHAEL
Beattie.

GOB SHADE
You’ll lose, because if you were to win this case the whole basis of family law would be undermined. And believe me, gentlemen, that will not be allowed to happen.

NICHOLAS
We thank you for your advise, Mr...
Shall we?

DESMOND
By the way, Minister, your paintwork’s shade.

NICHOLAS
What we really need is an expert in family law to keep us right. You know?

DESMOND
I thought you were an expert.

NICHOLAS
I haven’t done family law in 20 years. I’ve only a working knowledge.

DESMOND
You mean you don’t know what you’re talking about? Can’t you read some books?

NICHOLAS
Desmond, it’s not quite as simple as that. It’s a very tricky area.

MICHAEL
We’ve still got the problem that everyone’s terrified of taking on the Establishment.

NICHOLAS
What was the name of that guy that lectured us about family law? Remember?

MICHAEL
Connolly. Tom Connolly.

DESMOND
There was a Connolly who played rugby for Ireland until his cartilage went.
I think he did a bit of law in his spare time. Would that be him?

---------------------------------
TOM
Gentlemen, I’m flattered by your attentions, but I retired two years ago. In short I can no longer face speaking in court.

MICHAEL
But, sir, you wouldn’t have to speak in court. Mr. Baron here will do all the speaking. But frankly, sir, he needs your help.

NICHOLAS
My family law is so rusty. Even if you could just come on board as a consultant.

TOM
I’m sorry to say this to you, Mr. Doyle. But they’ll put forward the best people to put the case for the State. The best that money can buy. That’s why they hated me. I wouldn’t be bought.

DESMOND
I believe that if there’s a God, He’ll step in to help us.

TOM
I’m touched by your faith. This is the only Holy Spirit I’ve found to be of any practical assistance. Slainte.

DESMOND
You were a big hero to me as a boy, Mr. Connolly. To my dad, too. He took me to all your games. You see that photo there? I was at that game. The one where you got injured.

TOM
That was the beginning of the end. When that big brute of a fullback did my cartilage in. He was English, of course, the bastard. Still, before I left the field I managed to boot him where his balls would have been, if he’d any.

DESMOND
Fair play to you.

TOM
Anyway lads, your case is interesting. Hopeless, but interesting.

DESMOND
You really think it’s hopeless?
TOM
This case is what I used to call “a real St. Jude”.

NICHOLAS
Why St. Jude?

TOM
Because St. Jude is the patron saint of hopeless cases.

MICHAEL
As I recall, sir, you’ve won quite a few St. Jude in your time.

TOM
I suppose I have.

NICHOLAS
Retirement must be excruciatingly boring for a man like yourself.

TOM
Gentlemen, I propose a toast. Justice and St. Jude.

---------------------------------
DESMOND
I am Desmond Doyle, father of Evelyn Doyle, who’s been held without my consent. I request the return of my daughter, forthwith.

SISTER THERESA
Mr. Doyle, you cannot have your daughter.

DESMOND
In that case, my solicitor, Mr. Michael Beattie, will present you with a writ of habeas corpus drafted by my counselor Mr. Nicholas Baron.

MICHAEL
Duly presented.

NICHOLAS
Duly witnessed. Thank you, Sister. That’s all we need.

TOM
So, it went well, then?

MICHAEL
It went like a dream. Desmond remembered all his lines, and spoke them beautifully. Laurence Oliver had better watch out.

BERNADETTE
You didn’t attack a nun, then?

DESMOND
I did not. I’m learning the rule of the game.

NICHOLAS
What do we do now?
MICHAEL
We wait.

TOM
No, that’s just what they want us to do. They’ll do nothing for months and hope that we’ll go away. I’ll give my old friend Hugh Canning a ring.

MICHAEL
Hugh Canning? But he’s a sport commentator.

TOM
Mostly, yes. But he does a bit of everything.

---------------------------------
SISTER FELICITY
May God grant you justice. Now, take this and run along, girl.

EVELYN
Thank you, Sister.

MARY
What is it?

ANNETTE
Eileen, come here.

EILEEN
What’s going on?

“Desmond Doyle, a painter and a decorator from Fatima Mansions, Dublin, is a loving father who just wants to spend the time with his children but the powers that be won’t let him. Desmond’s rosy-cheeked little daughter, Evelyn...”

---------------------------------
NICHOLAS
At least they’ve set a date for the hearing. That’s the first step.

TOM
A little bit of gentle pressure did the trick. We had to give the Minister a kick up his fat ass.

DESMOND
What do we do now?

NICHOLAS
You should smarten yourself up. The press might want photos of you.

MICHAEL
Try to combing your hair, occasionally. Shave. Try to look as you haven’t just fallen out of bed. Use me as a role model if you want to.

TOM
And buy a new pair of shoes before we get to court.

DESMOND
New shoes?

TOM
Yes. I’ve known judges who judge a man’s character by the state of his shoes.
---------------------------------
JOURNALIST
Here they come. Let’s get a shot, especially of the little girl.
Come on. Get the three of them together, now.

MAURICE
Daddy, I scored a goal in Gaelic.

THE KIDS
Daddy!

DESMOND
My loves! You look wonderful.

EVELYN
Daddy, I like your new shoes.

DESMOND
Thanks, Evelyn.

TOM
Ferris hasn’t change much since I knew him. The torn-faced old poultice. He’s always look like Turin Shroud. We used to call him “Ferris the Ferret”, which is an insult to the rodent.

FERRIS
Mr. Barron, you’re representing the petitioner, Desmond Doyle.

NICHOLAS
Yes, my lord.
We contend the judge at the District Court hearing on January 10 of this year misdirected the petitioner, Mr. Desmond Doyle. I refer you to the notes of that case wherein the judge expressed his hope that Mr. Doyle would not have to leave his children in care for too long. Sadly, that has not been the case here.

WOLFE
The Children’s Act of 1941 clearly states that unless spouse is deceased, which is not the case here then the consent of both parents is required.
This is the basis of our case, your lordship.

HALL
Provision of the Children’s Act must be understood in its literal, grammatical meaning. “both parents” means exactly that. I therefore find against the petitioner, Desmond Doyle.

FERRIS
Thank you, Judge Hall.
Judge McLaughlin?

MCLAUGHLIN
With some reluctance, I conclude that I, too, must find against the petitioner’s application and uphold the Minister’s decision.

DESMOND
We’ve lost.

TOM
That’s absolutely ridiculous!
Order in court!

A WOMAN
You rotten louse. Let his babies go home!

FERRIS
Silence, or I shall have the court cleared. Silence in court1

TOM
He’s loving this, the rodent.

FERRIS
It is incontrovertible that Section 10 Subsection 1 of the Children’s Act 1941, requires the consent of both parents. In the absent of such consent, Evelyn Doyle and her brothers will remain in custody until they are 16 years of age.

EVELYN
Daddy!

FERRIS
Furthermore, this court has decided that since the Children’s Act is capable of no other interpretation any appeal would be a waste of the court’s time. Right of appeal is therefore denied.

TOM
No, you flea-faced rat!

FERRIS
Who said that? Was that you, Connolly.

HUGH CANNING
This is Hugh Canning, the man who broke the Doyle story covering this sensational new development.

DESMOND
 Leave them alone! Get your hands of my kids!

MAURICE
Leave me alone!

EVELYN
Daddy!
HUGH CANNING
Unbelievable scenes here at the High Court. I’ve never seen anything like it. Desmond Doyle struggles with the gardai for possession of his children. A pitiful scene to watch. And who wouldn’t sympathize with a father in this situation?

THE KIDS
Daddy!

DESMOND
Children!

EVELYN
Daddy, please!

---------------------------------
JOE O’LEARY
Is Desmond Doyle here?

FERGAL
He’s sitting over there, in the booth.

JOE O’LEARY
Sorry to interrupt you. I’m Honest Joe O’Leary, racecourse bookie. I owned the book on the outcome of your court case. The punters backed you heavy.

DESMOND
Great.

JOE
I didn’t feel right in keeping this so I want you to have it.

DESMOND
Jesus!

MICHAEL, NICHOLAS, BERNADETTE
My God!

JOE
It’s only £ 600 so I thought it might go towards your court costs.

DESMOND
I don’t know what to say, Mr. O’Leary.

JOE
You don’t have to say anything, Mr. Doyle. You see, I grew up in an orphanage. I wish my dad have your guts. Good luck to you. Good night, all. Good night.
We’re organizing a race next month. The Desmond Doyle Benefit Sweepstake.

DESMOND
Great.

JOE
Put your money on Slippery Sam.

DESMOND
Slippery Sam.

JOE
Grand man. Good night, now. God bless.

FERGAL
This calls for a celebration. Another round for the table.

DESMOND
Make mine a lemonade.

FERGAL
What? A lemonade? Are you all right, son?

DESMOND
No, I’m feeling terrible. But maybe it’s time I tried to feel better.
 
---------------------------------
TOM
Jerry, keep your eye on the ball, son. Dig it out.

NICHOLAS
Thomas!

TOM
Good reflexes, you’ll need them.

DESMOND
Back in the Irish strip, surely I say.

TOM
It helps me to see things more clearly. Did you play rugby yourself, Nick?

 NICHOLAS
No. I understand it’s kind of Neanderthal version of American football.

TOM
Is that what you think?

MICHAEL
Hut, hut.

NICHOLAS
Hopeless.

TOM
So anyway, why have I invited you to this sacred turf?
NICHOLAS
I was kind of wondering that.

DESMOND
So was I.

MICHAEL
Me too. It’s not exactly how I planned to spend my morning.

TOM
You know, when my cartilage went and they were taking me off on the stretcher I looked up and saw this father holding his little child up on his shoulder. They thought I was a hero. All Desmond want is to hold his kids up on his shoulders. We can help you to do that.

NICHOLAS
But, how, Tom? There is no right to appeal.

MICHAEL
Ferris made sure of that.

TOM
We don’t need an appeal. Not if we bring an entirely new case based on entirely different principle of law.

NICHOLAS
But we’re automatically barred from bringing the same facts before the same court that’s already heard them.

MICHAEL
We’ve been to the District Courts or High Court, we’ve nowhere else to go.

TOM
No, there’s somewhere else to go. The Supreme Court.

NICHOLAS
The Supreme Court? We can’t go there with this.
They won’t hear a case like this. They only deal with big stuff.

TOM
Yes. Like laws that contravene the Irish Constitution which I’ve been reading.

NICHOLAS
Wait a second. Hold on. Has anyone ever successfully challenged the law on these ground?

TOM
No.

DESMOND
No?

TOM
No.

MICHAEL
What chance do you think we’ve got?

TOM
Who knows? But I’ve seen games who won by teams without any hope at all. Bloody hopeless.

---------------------------------
HUGH CANNING
Good evening, and welcome to the very first edition of Conversation With Canning, on this marvelous new medium of the television. For those of you who listen to my show on the wireless I hope I’m even better looking than you thought. Now many of you will remember these sad headlines of last month: “Desmond’s Despair”, Desmond certainly isn’t despairing at the moment. In fact, he’s sitting here, right beside me in our ultra modern television studio. And he’s got new reasons for being hopeful, haven’t you, Desmond?

DESMOND
Yes!

HUGH CANNING
It’s okay. You don’t have to shout, we can hear you fine.

DESMOND
Oh, I know.

BERNADETTE
God. Doesn’t he look handsome when he smartens himself up?

MICHAEL
 He’s learning. I’ve always told him he should model himself on me.

HUGH CANNING
...that your daughter Evelyn and your two boys are being held illegally.

DESMOND
Yes.

HUGH CANNING
And you’ll be taking on some pretty top people?

DESMOND
Yeah. We’re gonna call the Minister for Education as a witness.

HUGH CANNING
And I’ve often ask myself, “What drives Desmond Doyle?”
Desmond?

DESMOND
I love my children. I’m sick of saying goodbye to them all the time. I just don’t want them to spend their whole childhood crying, you know.

HUGH CANNING
Has a date been set for the trial?

DESMOND
Not yet. But I want my kids home for Christmas.

HUGH CANNING
Home for Christmas. That’s an inspiring note on which to end this little conversation with Canning.

FERGAL
Holy Jesus. This thing will never catch on.
HUGH CANNING
...and we’ll be following your case closely.
And now, the beautiful strains of Irish harp.

---------------------------------
MICHAEL
Some good news, some bad news. First, the good news. They’ve set a date, second week in December.

DESMOND
Great.

TOM
It’s a good time to have a trial. Even judges are sentimental at Christmas.

NICHOLAS
Not all of them, I’m afraid.

MICHAEL
Guess who we’ve got again.

TOM
Ferris the Ferret?

MICHAEL
Yes. He’s been elevated to the Supreme Courts, apparently.

NICHOLAS
Lousy luck.

TOM
Luck’s got nothing to do with it. If you ask me, the state’s planted him there in attempt to scupper us.

---------------------------------
JOE O’LEARY
Come on ,eat up, there’s plenty more. Here, have a nice big fat sausage. We’re gonna make you lovely and lazy, might slow you up a bit. Sorry, Sam, nothing for you. You’re gonna get you’re feast after the race.

A MAN ON THE RACE
They’re off, and it’s a close-packed at the field start now.

DESMOND
Come on! Stay up there, my boy. Stay up. Yes!

COMMENTATOR
They’re battling it out, neck and neck. Slippery Sam’s edged in front. And as they come around the bend Slippery Sam putting on a tremendous effort.

DESMOND
O’Leary, how did you know?

JOE O’LEARY
Let’s say I knew he was hungry for a win.

DESMOND
Good man.

JOURNALIST
Desmond, the readers of the Irish Time have voted you the Man of the Year. How do you feel about that?

DESMOND
I’m honoured. Who was the second?

JOURNALIST
The Pope.

DESMOND
Fair play to him.

MICHAEL
Come on, Bernadette. Let’s go and collect our winnings.

BERNADETTE
Right you are.

NICHOLAS
Desmond, I’ve got a few bob, myself.

DESMOND
How’s it going with Bernadette, then?

NICHOLAS
Great. In fact, I asked her to come back to America with me, when the case is over.

DESMOND
Really? What did she say?

NICHOLAS
She said she’s think about it.

DESMOND
I asked her to move in with me.

NICHOLAS
Really?

DESMOND
Yeah.

NICHOLAS
What did she say?

DESMOND
She said she’d think about it.

NICHOLAS
Who knows what she’ll do.

DESMOND
Fatima Mansions versus the USA. Tough choice.

---------------------------------
EVELYN
Sister, why didn’t you cut my hair? You’ve cut everybody else’s.

SISTER FELICITY
Because they are not likely to have their photos all over the newspaper.

EVELYN
What should that make a difference? I don’t think that I should be treated special just because my daddy’s getting famous.

SISTER FELICITY
But didn’t your daddy tell us not to cut your hair?

EVELYN
Yes, and didn’t he tell you to let me go home? You didn’t take a blind bit of notice.

SISTER FELICITY
Look, if I were to cut your hair, Sister Theresa will not be amused.

EVELYN
I’ll explain to my daddy if he gets cross.

SISTER FELICITY
And who will explain it to Sister Theresa if she get cross?

EVELYN
You, Sister.

---------------------------------
HUGH CANNING
Hugh Canning reporting to you, live, from outside the Supreme Court on the first day on this historic case. A grand, official car has just arrived. It’s the Minister of Education. Looks as if he’d rather be somewhere else, this day. This must be what soldiers feel like just before battle.

MICHAEL
Nervous?

NICHOLAS
Nervous? I’m only trying to make a legal history by doing something that’s never been done before, and if I fail, I’m unemployable.

TOM
But if you win, son, you’re immortal. You’re in the history books, and you’ll help take this country out of the Dark Ages.

MICHAEL
Rosary beads? I thought you weren’t religious.
TOM
I’m not. When the verdict comes in, these are for counting the score.
Remember, Nick, speak from your heart. I’ll sit up in the gallery, out of the Ferret’s eyeline.

NICHOLAS
Thanks, Tom.

TOM
Good luck, son.

NICHOLAS
Thanks for everything.
Right. Let the battle commence.
Is this alright?

MICHAEL
It’s fine.

NICHOLAS
Minister, three times you have refused to reconsider the case of Desmond Doyle. Is that correct?

GOB SHADE
It is. A decision subsequently upheld by the High Court.

NICHOLAS
Yes, but the grounds for our action now are fundamentally different, is that not so?

GOB SHADE
Well, yes. I suppose it is.

NICHOLAS
Could you tell us, Minister, to whom or to what you owe your eminent position?

GOB SHADE
Pardon?

NICHOLAS
Your job, sir. Who appointed you?

WOLFE
Objection, your lordship. This is irrelevant, not to say insolent.

FERRIS
My lord, counsel for the plaintiff has indeed failed to establish relevance.

NICHOLAS
I am about to do so, your lordship.

LYNCH
I hope so, Mr. Barron. Proceed.

NICHOLAS
As Minister for Education, you are a government appointee, are you not?

GOB SHADE
Of course I am.

NICHOLAS
What is the documents on which the Irish government’s authority and therefore your authority, rests?

GOB SHADE
The Irish Constitution.

NICHOLAS
Have you read it recently?

WOLFE
Objection, your lordship. This is insufferable!

FERRIS
Counsel of the plaintiff is not displaying due deference to the witness, my lord.

LYNCH
Objection sustained. Be careful, Mr. Barron. The witness must be treated with respect.

NICHOLAS
Yes, my lord.
I would be grateful if you could read out to the Court those short extracts from the Irish Constitution which, we have established, is the basis for your authority.
MINISTER
Article 1: The Irish Constitution shall be consistent with the law of God.
Article 41: Parents and child have fundamental and God-given right to the enjoyment of each other’s mutual society.
Article 42: a blameless parent shall not be deprived of his or her right to direct the child’s education.

NICHOLAS
Would it be fair to say by consistently rejecting Desmond Doyle’s application for the return of his children you have denied him that fundamental and God-given right? Would it be fair to say that, Minister? We are waiting for your response.

GOB SHADE
That is a possibility. Yes.

NICHOLAS
And is it also a possibility that you have contravened Article 42 of the Constitution by denying Desmond Doyle the right to direct his children’s education?

GOB SHADE
Yes, that is also a possibility. That is what we are here to determine.

NICHOLAS
Exactly. And we will so determine.

TOM
Good boy.

NICHOLAS
No further questions.

TOM
Well done.

WOLFE
Article 42 of the Constitution refers to a blameless parent, and we contend that this concept is tacit also in Article 41, that is the blameless parent who has fundamental, God-given right to his children’s society. This does not apply to Desmond Doyle.

SISTER BRIDGET
He came barging in, unannounced, to the main building. He was in a terrible rage and he looked like a man possessed by a devil.

NICHOLAS
Objection, your lordship, the witness is demonizing my client.

FERRIS
Not so, my lord. The Sister is merely expressing herself vividly using a figure of speech appropriate to her occupation.

LYNCH
Objection overruled. Proceed, Sister.

SISTER BRIDGET
He was like a man possessed. He shouted at me, “where is my daughter?”. He yelled at the top of his voice.

NICHOLAS
And what did you say to him, Sister?

SISTER BRIDGET
I asked him if he had an appointment.

NICHOLAS
And what did he say?

SISTER BRIDGET
He grabbed me by the throat and almost chocked the life out of me. Throttling at me, he was. He said if I didn’t tell him where his daughter was, he would tear me limb from limb. Those were his exact words. I thought he was going to murder me.

NICHOLAS
And what did he do then?

SISTER BRIDGET
I told him where the girl was and he ran upstairs repeating his threats as he did so. My neck was black and blue from where his thumbs had been.

WOLFE
Did you report this deplorable incident to anyone?

SISTER BRIDGET
Yes, I phoned the police. They will confirm every word. Sister Theresa decided, out of the charity of heart, not to press charge.

WOLFE
No further question, my lord.

---------------------------------
DESMOND
Have I messed it up then?

NICHOLAS
You may have. Well, we’re just gonna have to show that this was an isolated incident not part of a pattern of behavior. I hope that was only such incident?

DESMOND
Of course it was.

BERNADETTE
Apart from the time you tried to punch Father O’Malley at Fergal’s.

DESMOND
That.

MICHAEL
And when you tried to kidnap your kids.

DESMOND
Yes, but I was drank on both occasions.

TOM
For God’s sake, don’t try to use drunkenness as a defence. It doesn’t impress them.
Haven’t you heard the phrase “As sober as a judge”?

---------------------------------
DESMOND
So, you see, your lordship, I only shook Sister Bridget when I found out she’d beaten up my little girl.

WOLFE
I object, your lordship.

DESMOND
Not as much as I object. I object to anyone laying a finger on my kids.

LYNCH
Objection upheld. That’s Mr. Wolfe’s objection, not yours, Mr. Doyle. Continue with your testimony.

DESMOND
Wouldn’t any father have done what I did? Evelyn’s face was all battered and bruised.

LYNCH
Silence in court.

WOLFE
Even as a very dubious kind of Catholic who finds himself throttling a nun you must know that the fundamental building block of our society is the family whose very model is the Holy Family Jesus, Mary and Joseph. How can you, as a single father and as a Catholic possibly claim to bring up your children without a mother? There is absolutely no precedent of it in the religion in which you allegedly believe.
Cat get your tongue, Mr. Doyle?

DESMOND
There is...there is a precedent, as you’d like to call it.

WOLFE
What are you saying?

DESMOND
The fundamental building block of our faith is not the Holy Family, it’s the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
When my mother died, my father brought us up on his own with the only Holy Spirit to guide him. He used to say the Holy Spirit was love. Doesn’t the Holy Bible say, “...faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love”? I’ve given up the drink. I’ve worked all the hours God sends. I tried to become a better person and trying to fill myself with the Holy Spirit so I can bring kids up surrounded by love. No man can do more.

LYNCH
Silence in court. Silence!

WOLFE
No further question. Your lordship, we would request that the court is recalled when we have subpoenaed our next witness, Evelyn Doyle.

TOM
The bastards. They’ll intimidate the little soul.

---------------------------------
EVELYN
Lord Jesus, I have to go to the big court now, to answer some questions. Please let my daddy win. I know you’re testing him, but I think he’s getting very tired. Lord, please let him win. Amen.
Daddy!

DESMOND
Hello, love. Your hair.

EVELYN
I told them to cut it. Don’t you like it?

DESMOND
It’s lovely pet. It suits you.

EVELYN
You’ve got your new shoes on again.

DESMOND
Yes, yes. You’ve got to go now.

EVELYN
Bye, Daddy.

LYNCH
Silence in court. The court will draw itself to order.

WOLFE
Now, Evelyn Doyle, do you remember the time in St. Joseph’s, when you tripped in the corridor and bashed your face, when you fell down the stairs?

EVELYN
No,sir.

WOLFE
Think to last March. Apparently, Sister Felicity had to give you some aspirin. Isn’t that correct?

EVELYN
Yes, sir, she did.

WOLFE
And why was that?

EVELYN
Because my face was all swollen and black and blue.

WOLFE
Because you had fallen down the stairs?

EVELYN
No. that’s what Sister Bridget said.

WOLFE
According to Sister Felicity, you made no attempt to deny the fact that you had fallen down the stairs and bruised your face. You didn’t say otherwise, did you?

EVELYN
No. I mean, yes.
I’m all mixed up.

WOLFE
So, what really happened was exactly what Sister Bridget said had happened, and you made up a story in your letter to your father because you wanted to get out of St. Joseph’s and you thought a little lie would help.

EVELYN
I didn’t lie. I didn’t make it up.

LYNCH
I know it must be frightening experience for you, Evelyn, being a little girl in a big court like this. You must try not to be scared, even though you’re alone in front of these people.

EVELYN
I’m not afraid anymore, your lordship, and I’m not alone. My granddad is here with me. See. He’s letting us know he’s here.

WOLFE
Your lordship, the child’s grandfather died some months ago. She obviously has a very vivid imagination.
Now child, let me ask you for the last time. Do you remember falling down the corridor and hitting your face on the stairs?

EVELYN
No, I didn’t fall on the stairs. I was going to tell Sister Felicity what really happened but then I thought it would only get Sister Bridget into trouble. So, I prayed that God would forgive Sister Bridget for hitting me.

WOLFE
This is a preposterous assertion. 
Why on earth would the good Sister hit you?

EVELYN
Because I said she shouldn’t belt Annette for getting her catechism wrong.

DAISY
Poor little innocent.
Shame on you! She was better off with Desmond Doyle. Wait till I get you outside!

LYNCH
Silence in court!

WOLFE
Evelyn Doyle, do you expect this court to believe that after she did that to you, you prayed for her?

EVELYN
Yes, I did.

WOLFE
I put it to you that you are lying.

EVELYN
Lying is a sin against the Eighth Commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor”. I’m surprised you don’t know that, if you’re a lawyer.

WOLFE
Sister Bridget told this court the truth of the matter that she picked you up when you fell down the stairs.

EVELYN
Oh, no, that’s not true. Hope she goes to confession soon. Wanna hear the prayer I said last night?

WOLFE
We do not.

LYNCH
Not so, Mr. Wolfe. It is material to the court evaluation of the child’s character.
Evelyn, let us hear your prayer, please.

EVELYN
Lord God, you guide the universe with wisdom and love. Hear the prayer we make to you for our country, the beautiful country of Ireland, through the honest of our citizens, and the wisdom of those who govern us may lasting be delivered and truth and justice flourish. Amen.

A MAN
She’s a credit to you.

DESMOND
Thank you.

LYNCH
Thank you, Evelyn. You may step down.

HUGH CANNING
The great day has finally arrived. The day Desmond Doyle and his kids, and indeed the whole of Ireland has been waiting for. The day when Desmond finds out, once and for all whether he will gets his kids back.

---------------------------------
EVELYN
Sister, why couldn’t me and the boys go to the court today?

SISTER FELICITY
Because they don’t want a repeat of the scenes they had last time.

---------------------------------
HUGH CANNING
The lord Mayor of Dublin has just appeared in his official limousine and a beautiful ca it is, too. I would remind you, however, that never before has a law been found repugnant to the Irish Constitution and that was to happen today, if Desmond Doyle is to win.

THE LORDSHIP
I now call on Justice Ferris to deliver his judgement.

FERRIS
I am persuaded by Mr. Wolfe’s argument on behalf of the Minister for Education that the term “parent” in Articles 41 and 42 of the Constitution must be held to imply both parents. there is no contradiction between those articles and Section 10 of the Children’s Act and said Act is not repugnant to the Constitution. I, therefore, find the favor of the defendant, the Minister of Education.

HUGH CANNING
I’ll strangle that ferret one day. It’s 1-0 to the Minister with 2 votes to go. 
The next Judge, Justice Daley, must vote for Desmond or it’s all over for the Doyles.

SISTER FELICITY
Don’t despair, my child. Have faith.

DALEY
I agree with Mr. Wolfe that the Minister for Education has, at all times acted in a reasonable and conscientious manner within the provisions of the Children’s Act. I also agree with my learned and honourable friend, Justice Ferris, that there is no precedent for declaring an Irish Statute repugnant to the Constitution.

TOM
Please, God, grant us “however”.

DALEY
...and therefore invalid. However, despite the absence of precedent I find Mr. Barron’s argument persuasive. In any event, with respect to my learned friend, Mr. Ferris it is the duty of the Supreme Court not only to follow precedent but to see it. On the grounds submitted that the Children’s Act 1941 Section 10 contravenes a parent’s fundamental, God-given right to the society of his children and is therefore repugnant to the Constitution I find it in favor on the plaintiff, Desmond Doyle.

SISTER FELICITY
Marvelous! Children, don’t you stop praying now.

HUGH CANNING
... the Supreme Court. now, it all rests on the shoulders of Justice Lynch, a Kerry man. I can’t think of anything like it, since Tom Connolly’s last-second penalty goal that won Ireland the Triple Crown, 30 years ago. and amazingly Connolly is now part of Desmond Doyle’s team.

LYNCH
I have been impressed by Desmond Doyle’s diligence and determination in rebuilding his financial and domestic circumstances in the wake of his wife’s unfortunate desertion. I have noted, too, the obvious bonds of love and affection between Doyle and his daughter, Evelyn who made a deep impression on me, and I’m sure, on all of us in the witness stand.

TOM
please, no. Don’t give us “however”.

LYNCH
However, we are officers of the law and must not be guided by sentiment. Though Mr. Barron made a moving and powerful plea on behalf of his client a startling appeal to the heart we, as law officers, must determine cases with the head, not the heart.

BERNADETTE
Tom, have we lost?

LYNCH
I agree with my learned friend, Justice Ferris...

TOM
Yes, unless he says another “however”.

LYNCH
... that no precedent has been cited in support of Mr. Doyle’s case. However, though no precedent can be found in Irish law we can argue form an analogue English case. In the Crown versus Clark, the principle of a parent’s inalienable right to his or her children was enshrined in common law. However, the parent’s right could, as common law, be overridden by statute. However, ...

TOM
Yes, dear God.

LYNCH
Unlike the English, we Irish have a written Constitution so that, in the words of Evelyn Doyle’s prayer “truth and justice may flourish”. I find it unarguably true, that Mr. Barron contends a parent has an inalienable and God-given right to the society of his children. I therefore find in favor of the plaintiff, Mr. Doyle.

BERNADETTE
We did it!

HUGH CANNING
Desmond Doyle has won! Glory be to God!

---------------------------------
EVELYN
Sister, we’ve won.

SISTER FELICITY
Darling, child, don’t you forget me.

EVELYN
I won’t, Sister. I love you.

---------------------------------
BERNADETTE
You’ll be needing a housekeeper now, won’t you?

TOM
Love and glory, boys! Legal history has been made.

MARY
Evelyn’s won! We can all go home soon!

---------------------------------
EVELYN
Daddy!

DESMOND
Oh, my love. Good to see you.

---------------------------------
EVELYN
Let me see you. You look gorgeous. Don’t worry, Heidi, I didn’t forget you. Let’s connect these two together now. Some tea, too?
DESMOND
Children, come and sit down. Turkey’s ready. 
Evelyn, Maurice, Dermot, come and sit down, everybody.

MAURICE
I am starving.

DESMOND
Okay, crackers. Get a cracker, lads.

---THE END---