Philomena    Sure I’ll go to the doctor’s with you myself if you’re ashamed. If you’re ashamed about the . . . I’ll go with you. It’s the least I can do, Charlie.

Long pause. Charles can be heard sniffling. He comes to the door.

Charles    Why . . . ?

Philomena (sighing)     What? Why what?

A pause. Charles walks over to where the diaper is. He picks it up and puts it in a drawer.

What? Why? Talk to me.

Charles    . . . Why won’t you lend me the money to go home?

Philomena    Because – that isn’t the issue here, Charles. The issue here is the blood in your nappy and your drinking. Money’s not the issue, the issue’s your . . . money’s not going to solve anything . . . what you need –

Charles (yelling pathetically)     JUST LEND ME THE FUCKING MONEY! THAT’S WHAT I NEED, I NEED MONEY TO GET HOME!

Philomena seethes. She is about to yell back at him but she counts down her anger and tries a calm approach.

Philomena    I’m trying to . . . Look, Charles, I’m trying to help you.

She puts an arm around him and leads him to his bed. He lies down, whimpering softly.

If you’re ashamed, it’s nothing to be – I’ll go to the doctor. I’ll go out of my way and bring him back, I’ll bring the doctor back to you to look at your back passage.

Charles     No! I don’t need a doctor. Just . . . just stay with me. Stay with me in case he comes back.

Charles cries softly, as Philomena lies alongside him, hugging him.

Philomena    Oh, that evil man Kowalski, he’s really hurt you by giving you all that drink and opium. You an innocent as well . . .

Charles    It’s not Bert . . . it’s that horrible Raymond . . . (Pause.) Do you think that they will have a special place where all Munchkins, all little people can go and live together?

Philomena    Sure they will, Charles, I’ve heard it said. I’m going to save up and buy a little house with a big lock on the door.

Charles    And I can come and stay with you?

Philomena    Sure, if you want to, Charles, but wouldn’t you like a place of your own?

Charles considers this.

Philomena    But you can stay with me if you want, Charles . . . (She strokes his face.) . . . Skin as soft as a baby. Sure, that’s what you are, you’re my little baby boy.

She starts to sing.

While goin’ the road to sweet Athy, hurroo, hurroo

While goin’ the road to sweet Athy, hurroo, hurroo

While goin’ the road to sweet Athy,

A stick in me hand and a drop in me eye,

A doleful damsel I heard cry,

Johnny I hardly knew ye.

Charles is lulled and succumbs, sucking his thumb like a child.

Philomena    Do you like it when we hold each other like this, Charles?

Charles    Yes.