Ned Hickey - A Hero of Two Revolutions Read online

SIR RICHARD BUTLER

  Proctor, a sorry business. I suppose you have heard of the murder at Boggon Hill. Mr Cornwall has asked me to accompany some of his men in a search for the criminal. Imagine someone on horseback and armed with a pistol taking the life of an honest yeoman and on my estate.

  ROBERT PROCTOR

  Sir Richard, you know we are peaceful people here and I will vouch for all who live with us. There are no murderers here.

  YEOMAN

  We will search your place, farmer, just in case.

  ROBERT PROCTOR

  Sir Richard, if you wish them to ransack your property, I have no objection. But, as you know, the only pistols here are safe in their case which I will show you at any time. The only riding horse we have is the old mare you see below in the paddock and she is not fit. I haven't been on her for months. In fact, she hasn't even been shod.

  The yeoman rides down the yard to look at the mare. She scarcely raises her head. He examines her hoof-prints.

  Robert goes into the house and returns with the pistol-case which he opens for Sir Richard.

  SIR RICHARD BUTLER

  Thank you, Proctor. We are wasting our time here. Let us move on before nightfall. None of my people involved, I'll warrant.

  The riders move on. Robert watches from the yard.

  FADE OUT

  INT. - PROCTOR'S TACKROOM - DAY

  Betsy enters. Ned is kneeling by his bed. He is in shock, trembling and crying. Betsy kneels beside him, puts her arms around him.

  BETSY MAHER

  I just overheard Mr and Mrs Proctor talking about the yeoman. Sure, 'twas him or you, Ned. Don't take it so hard. You didn't set out to kill anyone, only to go the roads in peace.

  They cling together, Betsy stroking his hair, wiping away his tears. He grows calmer. They stand up and separate but move close again, this time with kisses which graduate from tenderness to passion. They both know that childhood and mere friendship have gone forever.

  Rebecca enters, ignores what she sees.

  REBECCA PROCTOR

  Ned, we just heard that the yeomen have gone up the hill. They've got Bully Dysart leading them, so there will be mischief this day. We thought that maybe there are people you should warn.

  Ned runs out. Rebecca comforts Betsy.

  CUT TO:

  EXT. - HICKEY'S COTTAGE - DAY

  Ned approaches, slows, stops when he hears the keening of the neighboring women. Andy is sagged against the wall by the door. Their father lies in the yard, bleeding from a head-wound. He is dead.

  NED HICKEY

  What is it, Andy? Are you alright?

  ANDY HICKEY

  It's the father, Ned. Bully Dysart just shot him and for nothing. Sure he never gave offence to anyone in all his life. Dysart first evicted him and now has killed him for not telling where I was to be found.

  NED HICKEY

  God, damn the man to hell.

  Ned and Andy cling to each other while the neighbors surround and support them, praising the memory of their father and cursing the killer.

  NED HICKEY

  He can count the days until he meets his Maker. I will kill Bully Dysart.