That’s right, fella … Good boy, good boy. That was your mother, wasn’t it, zold before you? … First time away from her, I bet … Look at you … First time without your mother but you’re not alone, zee? I’m here.

Joey shies away when Albert reaches out to touch him.

’Z alright. ’Z alright.

Joey flinches but doesn’t shy when Albert reaches out again.

Joey lets Albert place a hand on him. Albert is talking all the while.

There … Zee … Thass good … Good boy … What’s your name? What d’ye reckon? What shall we caal you? Let me look at you … You look like a Joey, to me. Joey, how about Joey? You like the sound of that, Joey? You do like that, don’t you? Joey. Joey. Good boy. Joey. Joey. You like that? You like that, Joey? There you go. Joey. Joey. When I call Joey like that, you’ll always know it’s me, Albert. That’s a good start, Joey.

Note: it may be that Albert and Joey also have a call to use in certain situations, or it may be that Albert’s various tones of voice and the name Joey will be all that is required.

Joey and Albert play.

They bond.

They fall in love.

They go into the transition from young Joey to grown Joey.

Albert trains Joey to rear up.

And whey-up! And whey-up! And whey-up!

At the top of his rearing up, young Joey makes way for grown Joey, so that when Albert says:

And down.

It is grown Joey whose front hooves hit the ground.

Song: ‘Snowfalls’ (p. 95).

And time – two years – has passed.

FOUR

Same. It is July 1914.

Albert Good boy, Joey. Good boy.

They play a little more.

Joey learns how to take Albert on his back.

Now, I’m just going to do this … Good boy. And this … Good boy. And there’ll be some weight … Whoa – I’ve backed off, all right? Calm down, Joey. Calm. Right … Let’s try that again? … Good boy … There. Zee? Easy.

Exit Joey and Albert at walking pace.

Enter Arthur and Ned.

Arthur Thass Albert, in’t it?

Ned It is.

Arthur What’s that horse he’s on? Is it that bliddin’ foal, growed up?

Ned He looks like a proper hunter.

Arthur Let’s see how he goes, though. Looks aren’t everything … Bliddin’ hell.

Ned Bliddin’ hell.

Arthur Bliddin’ hell.

Ned Bliddin’ hell.

Arthur Bliddin’ hell. We’re havin’ that horse.

Exit Ned and Arthur.

Enter Albert and Joey.

Joey’s as happy as when he was with his mother at the start of the play. It’s as if the piece of elastic now joins him and Albert – their symbiotic relationship is complete.

Albert You were born for that, Joey. Born for it. We were born for each other.

Enter Rose.

Rose How’s he coming along?

Albert He’s not stopped his nipping and he leans on me. Not worth much till that’s sorted out.