PASSAGES - EPISODE 4, ACT 4

[kashiwrites]

Previous: Episode 4, Act 3


IV. A) CLEARING IN THE WOODS. Moira lifts her right hand, holding it out at waist level, palm down. She begins at the east side of the circle and walks clockwise around it, softly greeting each person as she comes up to him or her. As she walks by Ryan, she slows and touches his hair with her left hand.


MOIRA – Be at peace, dear one.

RYAN – I’m trying…

(SHE MOVES ON AND CONTINUES UNTIL SHE COMPLETES THE CIRCLE. SHE CLOSES HER HAND INTO A FIST AND DROPS HER ARM TO HER SIDE.)

MOIRA – We now stand in a place between the worlds, and outside of time. Feel the peace. Feel the energy and power. Allow yourselves to be enfolded in it. (TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND PAUSES) Rajiv. Perhaps you would invoke the four quarters for us?

RAJIV – (CLEARLY STARTLED) Me? Are you sure?

MOIRA – You’ve been with us long enough. I think you’re quite ready.

(RAJIV STEPS INTO THE CENTRE OF THE CIRCLE AND FACES NORTH. HE RAISES HIS HANDS AND TAKES A DEEP BREATH TO CALM HIMSELF.)

RAJIV – Lord of the North – Kubera, lord of wealth and prosperity – I call you to attend this circle. Prosper us in all our doings. (HE FACES EAST) Lord of the East – Indra, lord of storms and bringer of rain, great king over all – I call upon you to attend this circle. Guard us from intrusion and ill will. (HE FACES SOUTH) Lord of the South – Yama, lord of the underworld – I call you to attend this circle. Open the door to your great secret chambers. (HE FACES WEST) Lord of the West – Varuna, lord of justice and righter of wrongs – I call you to attend this circle. Guide us into just paths. (FACES NORTH AGAIN) Lords of the Four Quarters, honour us with your presence and your favour. We welcome you to our gathering.

(HE PUTS HIS PALMS TOGETHER, PUTS HIS HANDS TO HIS FOREHEAD, AND BOWS LOW. THEN HE RETURNS TO HIS PLACE IN THE CIRCLE.)

MOIRA – (SMILES WARMLY AT HIM) You see? I knew you were ready. We’re honoured to welcome the gods of your people, Rajiv. Thank you. (LIFTS HER HANDS) Now we ask the blessing of the Lord and Lady. The great Mother of us all, giver of life. The Crone, who turns the wheel and brings release from life into life. The Maiden who wears the moon and stars and treads the path newly set upon. And the consort of the Lady: the King of the heavens, master of beasts and birds, lord of the woods and the harvest, and embodiment of the cycles of life. We invoke the Lord and the Lady to guide and empower us tonight. (SHE LOWERS HER HANDS AND LOOKS AROUND THE CIRCLE) All of you know that Ryan’s mother, Patricia Vickery, passed from this cycle of existence four days ago. Ryan wished to bid her farewell according to our beliefs, and I’m glad you could all come tonight.

RYAN – I really appreciate it.

MOIRA – Why don’t we all sit down? (THEY COMPLY) Ryan, Karen and Rajiv asked if they could prepare some music for you tonight. They thought it would help relax everyone and set the atmosphere. Children…? (SHE SITS TO THE SIDE AS RAJIV AND KAREN RISE)

KAREN – I heard this music a few months ago, Ryan, and I thought it was really beautiful. And when I heard about your mother, well, it made me think of this music. Because I always imagine how beautiful it must be, when we move on from this level and go through the Shining Lands. And now your mother has seen it all, and I know how happy she must be. So…well, here’s the music… (SHE PICKS UP A GUITAR AND RAJIV LIFTS A CARVED WOODEN FLUTE TO HIS MOUTH)


CUT TO:


IV. B) VICKERY LIVING ROOM. Arthur is pacing while Nelson watches.


ARTHUR – You’re being ridiculous, Nelson. Why should publicity have anything to do with anything?

NELSON – That’s what I’ve always wondered. You’ve always been far more interested in image than I have.

ARTHUR – Sometimes it’s important, Nelson. You ought to understand. It seems to me that you’d like to avoid a malpractice suit, wouldn’t you, even if it was something you would win?

NELSON – What’s that got to do with –

ARTHUR – Even if you were exonerated, wouldn’t there be some patients who’d be suspicious of you just because you were sued in the first place? Public perception is often important, Nelson, just so we can do our jobs. I thought doctors were starting to recognize that you have to deal with people’s attitudes as well as their bodies. Maybe you’re behind the times.

NELSON – Don’t get insulting, Arthur.

ARTHUR – And I might say the same to you. You just assume that the feelings of my children are of no importance to me. I’m not quite that much of a monster. I just want to let things go so the children can grieve and then get on with their lives.

NELSON – (CONTEMPLATES BRIEFLY) You know, that would be an admirable idea, if it were possible. But there were factors which led up to what happened to Patricia. If those things are still the same, they could start affecting the rest of the family.

ARTHUR – That’s what I’m trying to avoid. I want things to return to normal. If they don’t, you know Darcy’s going to fall apart. And Ryan…

NELSON – What about him?

ARTHUR – I don’t know. There’s just something about him. (STARES FROWNING AT NOTHING) Ever since Patricia…there’s just been something about him…


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IV. C) CLEARING IN THE WOODS. Connor is handing out plastic plates around the circle, and Moira and an older woman are following, dishing food out of a couple of containers. They arrive at Ryan and Dawn, and start serving.


RYAN – Smoked salmon. Love it.

DAWN – And salad Nicoise.

RYAN – Really? Those are my mother’s favourite – (STOPS, REALIZING)

MOIRA – Some of your mother’s favourite foods. I know, dear. You told me.

RYAN – (VERY MOVED; HAVING DIFFICULTY) I don’t know – I – I can’t – (SETS HIS PLATE ON THE GROUND AND BOWS HIS HEAD)

DAWN – (TAKES HIS HAND AND HOLDS IT AGAINST HER CHEEK) Eat, beloved. Share this meal with her. You know she’s here with you, don’t you?

RYAN – (SHIVERS A LITTLE) I know she is. It’s just…hard. I wonder if she really…wants…

DAWN – Wants to share with you? Of course she does.

MOIRA – She loved you very much, Ryan.She still does.

RYAN – Does she, for sure? Do you really know that?

MOIRA – I really know it, dearest.

DAWN – (PICKS UP HIS PLATE AND PUTS IT IN HIS HANDS) Let’s eat together, my love, and honour her. Okay?

RYAN – (PAUSE) Alright. (A SHEEPISH LAUGH) Sorry. I just get a little…

MOIRA – It’s part of the grieving. It will get easier. (SHE DISHES DAWN’S PLATE, AS DOES THE OLDER WOMAN, AND THEY MOVE ON. MOIRA LOOKS BACK AT RYAN, WATCHING HIM EAT WITH A PUZZLED FROWN ON HER FACE.)


CUT TO:


IV. D) VICKERY HOUSE, FRONT HALL. Nelson stands at the door, coat on, and Arthur stands with him.


ARTHUR – I hope we have this settled, Nelson? Can we lay this to rest with Patricia? For my children’s sakes?

NELSON – I’ll try, Arthur. Though if some of your children are as precarious as you think they are, I’m not sure it won’t come back to haunt them. I hope it doesn’t.

ARTHUR – They’ll be fine now. As long as we can all put this behind us.

NELSON – And can we? Can you? You put on a stoic face, but it can’t have been easy for you either, finding her like that and knowing what had happened. Are you going to be able to deal with it?

ARTHUR – I will. I have to.

NELSON – Well…if you say so, then I guess I have to accept it. But if you ever feel you need to talk to somebody about it, I hope you’ll come to me.

ARTHUR – Thank-you, Nelson. I appreciate it. But talking about this is something I’d rather never have to do again.

NELSON – Alright. Good-bye, Arthur.

ARTHUR – Goodnight.

(ARTHUR HOLDS THE DOOR OPEN AND NELSON LEAVES. ARTHUR CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND HIM AND PAUSES, SHAKING HIS HEAD, ONCE, AS THOUGH SHAKING OFF THEIR CONVERSATION. HE WALKS THROUGH THE FRONT HALL AND OUT ANOTHER DOOR.)

(KEVIN EMERGES FROM WHERE HE HAS BEEN EAVESDROPPING)

KEVIN – (SOFTLY) So…what is it about Ryan that bothers him so much? (MORE STRONGLY, PAINFULLY) And what happened to my mother?


Next: Episode 4, Act 5