Ned Hickey - A Hero of Two Revolutions Read online

BULLY DYSART

  He has already accepted, Sir Edward. Would you over-ride his wishes?

  Sir Edward shakes his head. The gathered onlookers are silent, already convinced that Sir Philip cannot survive. The music stops.

  Dysart leaves with Catherine through a silent gathering on the ballroom floor.

  Sir Philip is now comatose.

  SIR EDWARD CROSBY

  (to FitzHenry) He will not live through this. It is murder - ritual murder. He couldn't face Dysart at the best of times but like this ....

  FitzHenry has been uninvolved, aloof, calculating. He has a plan and instructs Sir Edward, who has none.

  FITZHENRY

  When Dysart's second arrives, Sir Edward, tell him we meet at the gate of Doyne's estate in Tullow Green and at dawn exactly. If Dysart is not there at the appointed time, we will go home and claim default. I am going back with Sir Philip right away to Ballintemple. I'll put him to bed for a few hours and meet you at dawn in Tullow.

  Without any further discussion, FitzHenry has Sir Philip carried out.

  CUT TO

  INT. - PROCTOR'S TACKROOM - NIGHT

  Ned is sleeping. FitzHenry bursts in. Shakes Ned awake.

  NED HICKEY

  For God's sake, what is it? 'Tis the middle of the night.

  FITZHENRY

  It's Sir Philip, Ned. He has been set up for murder. Made utterly drunk and then challenged to meet in a duel in Tullow at dawn. He is in no condition.

  NED HICKEY

  Is that all? Just tell him not to go. 'Tis silly games anyway.

  FITZHENRY

  Games or not, Ned, he will go or be called a coward all his life. He will not be able to show his face in Parliament and the Tories will have won again. We have no time to discuss the rights and wrongs. There is only one way to save him.

  NED HICKEY

  How, then?

  FITZHENRY

  You remember last month, you came down to Ballintemple on a message for Proctor. I met you at dusk in the courtyard and said "Tis you, Sir Philip". For a long moment I mistook you, for there is a likeness in build and the way you walk. What I can mistake at dusk, others will at dawn. You can step in for Sir Philip and save his life.

  NED HICKEY

  No, no, Captain. I work for him betimes but I'll not play by his rules. Even if I'm not discovered and survive, I will have the blood of an innocent man on my hands for the rest of my life.

  FITZHENRY

  The man you call innocent, Ned, is Bully Dysart. He arranged to get Sir Philip drunk, forced a duel on him and will kill him this morning for his own pleasure and the political needs of the Burton Tories. And I know what Dysart has done to you and your family. This is your only chance for revenge, within the law.

  NARRATOR (VO)

  This was the moment when my fate was decided. I look back and would like to blame others for the road I took but, ultimately, the choice was mine - to accept all that life and circumstance threw at me, as my gentle father had done, or to strike out when revenge offered her sweet self.

  Ned takes the cross from the wall and slowly puts it round his neck.

  NED HICKEY

  I cannot forget. Can you get me in and out of Tullow?

  DISSOLVE TO:

  EXT. - TULLOW GREEN - DAY

  As dawn breaks, FitzHenry descends from a carriage.

  The Dysart party is waiting and have picked the ground.

  Sir Edward Crosby approaches. FitzHenry takes him aside urgently and explains the plan. Sir Edward takes some convincing but finally nods agreement.

  Sir Edward approaches the carriage, opens the door and escorts Ned in Sir Philip's clothing toward the dueling ground.

  SIR EDWARD CROSBY

  This is chancy, Ned. Damned chancy. If things go wrong, I will be unable to help you. Do you shoot as well as I'm told you can and maybe we will see it through.

  They reach their station. Sir Edward goes over to the Dysart party. Captain Beevor detaches from the group and goes through the ritual. They check the pistols and the marks and call forward the principals in the drama. A Captain Roche, appointed to manage the encounter, takes charge.

  CAPTAIN ROCHE

  You have selected your weapons. Now, on your marks, gentlemen, and turn your backs.

  (Pauses) I will count "one, two, three and fire". On the word "fire" and not before, you will turn and deliver your shots, each in his own time. In the event that one holds his fire and survives the shot of the other, he may advance on the other and demand satisfaction. If this is not forthcoming, he may then shoot the other at pointblank range. All clear? Get ready.

  (loudly) One-two-three-FIRE

  Ned pivots smoothly, points and fires. Dysart pulls the trigger wildly in a spasm of injury and falls to the ground. Beevor rushes to him with the attending doctor. Beevor shakes his head in astonishment and anger. The onlookers crowd around Dysart. Ned and FitzHenry are left standing alone.

  DOCTOR

  Mr. Dysart is dead.

  FADE OUT

  EXT. - ROADWAY - DAY

  A carriage waits by the side of the road. FitzHenry watches Ned who is ill with shock, retching into the ditch. FitzHenry waits impatiently.

  FITZHENRY

  Come, Ned, pull yourself together, man. You did only what was necessary.

  Ned composes himself slowly, climbs back in the carriage.

  FITZHENRY

  Now to get you away - out of the country.

  NED HICKEY

  What did you say? There was no mention of this. Why should I leave? Sure, only you, Sir Philip and Sir Edward know the truth and they are not likely to let it escape.

  FITZHENRY

  And you, Ned, unfortunately. We need to be sure of your silence now and in the immediate future. There are two ways of ensuring it and I have chosen the more acceptable option. We are on our way to Kilkenny barracks where I have already enlisted you with the 4th Foot Regiment which sails to the American war under General Burgoyne in a few weeks. You will make a fine soldier, Ned, and come back with great stories of your adventures. Those ungrateful colonists will be whipped in no time. Six months or so and you'll be home and well-rewarded for your service.

  (Pauses) Before you turn down the offer, Ned, consider the alternative.

  FitzHenry indicates the platoon of cavalry riding close behind with weapons at the ready.

  FITZHENRY

  (contd) Don't even consider making a dash for it. Should you by any chance escape, there is always the matter of the yeoman you killed on Boggon Hill. Don't bother to deny it, Ned lad. It does not need a high level of proof to hang a man in these times - or his brother, if needs be.

  Ned slumps, bewildered and helpless. The coachman touches up the horses and they trot away down the road.

  NARRATOR (VO)

  So, that was the way I left Ireland. Perhaps I should have listened to Father Quinn, the good man, who implored me to leave vengeance to God when my father was murdered. I asked him how long I would have to wait. He had no answer. So, I was separated from all that I loved and could only exact a promise from FitzHenry that he would inform the Proctors and concoct a suitable tale to cover my sudden conversion to defender of the empire.

  (angrily) It was only later that I realized how FitzHenry had used me, not only to save Sir Philip, but to place him entirely in his power. FitzHenry's knowledge of Sir Philip's default was to establish him firmly in the Butler estate for as long as it suited him. I have few memories of the next few months, drills, marching, weapons-training, fitting-out, embarkation and sailing for Canada. I was a clockwork man. They wound me up and I did as I was told, automatically. My only resolve was to desert to the Americans at the earliest opportunity and I bided my time.

  FADE OUT

  INT. - SITTINGROOM, PHILADELPHIA, 1826 - DAY

  Ned Hickey returns to the Philadelphia Courier second headline - Champlain Canal Opens Way to Canada. He stands up from the desk and moves to look at maps on the wall and describ
es what he sees as Narrator (VO). Camera looks over his shoulder at a map of the Adirondacks. Ned traces the waterway used by Burgoyne from Quebec south through Lake Champlain. His finger wanders, indicating the optional route not taken through Lake George.