Silence. The Officer and Sergeant slowly circle her. The Sergeant puts his hand on her bottom.

SERGEANT What language do you speak? What language do you speak with your arse?

OFFICER These women, Sergeant, have as yet committed no crime. Remember that.

SERGEANT Sir! But you’re not saying they’re without sin?

OFFICER Oh, no. Oh, no, I’m not saying that.

SERGEANT This one’s full of it. She bounces with it.

OFFICER She doesn’t speak the mountain language.

The Woman moves away from the Sergeant’s hand and turns to face the two men.

YOUNG WOMAN My name is Sara Johnson. I have come to see my husband. It is my right. Where is he?

OFFICER Show me your papers.

She gives him a piece of paper. He examines it, turns to Sergeant.

OFFICER (cont.) He doesn’t come from the mountains. He’s in the wrong batch.

SERGEANT So is she. She looks like a fucking intellectual to me.

OFFICER But you said her arse wobbled.

SERGEANT Intellectual arses wobble the best.

Blackout.

2

VISITORS ROOM

A PRISONER sitting. The Elderly Woman sitting, with basket.

A GUARD standing behind her.

The Prisoner and the Woman speak in a strong rural accent.

Silence.

ELDERLY WOMAN I have bread—

The Guard jabs her with a stick.

GUARD Forbidden. Language forbidden.

She looks at him. He jabs her.

GUARD (cont.) It’s forbidden, (to Prisoner) Tell her to speak the language of the capital.

PRISONER She can’t speak it.

Silence.

PRISONER(cont.) She doesn’t speak it.

Silence.

ELDERLY WOMAN I have apples—

The Guard jabs her and shouts.

GUARD Forbidden! Forbidden forbidden forbidden! Jesus Christ! (to Prisoner) Does she understand what I’m saying?

PRISONER No.

GUARD Doesn’t she?

He bends over her.

GUARD (cont.) Don’t you?

She stares up at him.

PRISONER She’s old. She doesn’t understand.

GUARD Whose fault is that?

He laughs.

GUARD (cont.) Not mine, I can tell you. And I’ll tell you another thing. I’ve got a wife and three kids. And you’re all a pile of shit.

Silence.

PRISONER I’ve got a wife and three kids.

GUARD You’ve what?

Silence.

GUARD (cont.) You’ve got what?

Silence.

GUARD (cont.) What did you say to me? You’ve got what?

Silence.

GUARD (cont.) You’ve got what?

He picks up the telephone and dials one digit.

GUARD (cont.) Sergeant? I’m in the Blue Room . . . yes . . . I thought I should report, Sergeant . . . I think I’ve got a joker in here.

Lights to half. The figures are still.

Voices over:

ELDERLY WOMAN’S VOICE The baby is waiting for you.

PRISONER’S VOICE Your hand has been bitten.

ELDERLY WOMAN’S VOICE They are all waiting for you.

PRISONER’S VOICE They have bitten my mother’s hand.