The Field (9 page)

[Mick gives Maimie the beck and she goes to left of bar, out of the way]

Bird:
Not a bad day outside, Father.

Fr Murphy:
Nice and fresh but a bit chilly.

Bull:
There's a good share of sun now, considering.

Tadhg:
There's good growth.

Bird:
There's amazing growth for the time of year.

Dandy:
I seen buds on every bush on the way in.

Bird:
Buds, imagine, so early!

Tadhg:
Make a good summer!

Bull:
The meadows will be early; early buds, early meadows. How're you for hay, Dandy?

Dandy:
I'll pull through, Bull. I've a share of turnips yet.

Fr Murphy:
Better come to the point. This morning, Sergeant Leahy and I are making house to house calls. Our job is not a pleasant one but alas, 'tis a necessary one.

Bull:
It sounds like a collection.

Sergeant:
It's a collection all right, but this time we're collecting information.

Fr Murphy:
And I hope you'll be more liberal with it than you are with your money.

[There is an awkward silence which Mick breaks by placing drinks for the newcomers on the counter. Bull pays]

Fr Murphy:
There's nothing to fear. Anything you tell us will be held in the strictest confidence. This is a job which nobody likes but someone must do it or a murderer will be allowed to go free … I hope you have no objections, Mick, at our barging in like this.

Mick:
Oh, good God, no, Father! Not at all! Anything I can do, I'll do.

Bull:
Whatever is in our power to be done, will be done, right, Bird? Right, Tadhg? Whatever is in our power by the grace of God.

Sergeant:
Then we'll begin with you, Mrs Butler. And if the rest of you wouldn't mind waiting in the back room for a moment or two, we'll begin right away.

[All look at Bull]

Bull:
It can never be said that we stood in the way of the law. Come on, Tadhg! Come on, Bird … Dandy!

Mick:
This way, gentlemen, you know where to go.

[The four exit]

Fr Murphy:
Now, Mrs Butler. This is neither official nor formal. All we want is a little chat and whatever you have to tell us, will go no further.

Maggie:
Yes, Father.

Fr Murphy:
You heard the Bishop's appeal on Sunday last?

Maggie:
Yes, Father.

Fr Murphy:
Unfortunately, it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Now the Sergeant here assures me that the slightest bit of information might easily break the case. Now, Mrs Butler, you live near where the body was found … where the murder actually took place. Did you see or hear anything on the night?

[Maggie entwines her fingers but does not reply and the priest exchanges looks with the Sergeant]

Sergeant:
Anything at all, Mrs Butler?

Fr Murphy:
Did you hear or see anything? It doesn't matter what. Even a little thing might help the Sergeant.

Maggie:
'Tis me needs the help, God help me.

Sergeant:
You met the man didn't you? On the morning of the day he was killed.

Maggie:
He was in here all right, that morning. He was a nice man … a bit strong-willed.

Fr Murphy:
Most men are!

Sergeant:
Did anything take place on that day? Was anything said?

Maggie:
If there was, I have it forgotten by now. I have no memory at all. 'Twas often a Saturday when I drew my pension, even though I'd want the money.

Sergeant:
Had the dead man an argument with the Bull McCabe?

Maggie:
If he did, I don't remember it. I hate fighting or noise.

Fr Murphy:
Mrs Butler, if you know anything, don't be afraid to tell us. Nothing will happen to you.

Maggie:
I'm a lone widow, living on the side of the road with no one to look after me.

Fr Murphy:
We understand perfectly, Mrs Butler, but place yourself in God's hands and you need have no fear. If you're afraid of anyone, the Sergeant will caution that person and you can be assured of peace and privacy.

Sergeant:
I'll go to the person and tell him that if he so much as looks at you sideways, it will be as much as his life is worth.

Maggie:
Oh, no … no … you mustn't … you mustn't … You can't.

Sergeant:
So there is a person … someone you fear.
[Gently]
Who is it, Mrs Butler? It is your duty to tell us.

Maggie:
I'm an old woman, living alone, and I do be worryin' nights. I have no one with me.

Sergeant:
We all have to worry nights, no matter who we are.

Maggie:
I don't live in the barracks with guards in all the rooms. An old woman … a woman drawing her pension that wants to be left alone … I never did harm to no one … I only ask to be left alone.

[She becomes silent, Sergeant and Priest exchange looks]

Fr Murphy:
[Kindly]
Very well, Mrs Butler. You can go now.

[Maggie rises and goes to exit]

Maggie:
God bless you, Father … and pray for me. Pray for me, Father!

Fr Murphy:
God bless you, Mrs Butler. I will pray for you.

Sergeant:
Good day to you, Mrs Butler.

[Exit Maggie]

Fr Murphy:
[To Sergeant]
Sorry, Tom! I was certain that, after the sermon and with the informal approach, you might learn something.

Sergeant:
It's not your fault, Father. You can't beat fear and ignorance. You're up against a stone wall.

Fr Murphy:
What about Mick Flanagan? Do you want to question him?

Sergeant:
Waste of time! Too crafty! He's been questioned ten times already.

Fr Murphy:
What about Dandy?

Sergeant:
Dandy and the Bull are first cousins. There's no hope there. Dandy would be all right if it weren't for Tadhg and the Bull.

Fr Murphy:
The young lad, Leamy?

Sergeant:
The mother has him sworn to silence. He'll never renege on her. His lips are stitched forever.

Fr Murphy:
He won't easily bear the burden of that legacy in the years ahead of him.
[Pause]
What about Mrs Flanagan herself then? She wasn't questioned before.

Sergeant:
Maimie! It might be worth a try, at that.

Fr Murphy:
You're a good-looking fellow, Tom. That might hold.

Sergeant:
[Laughs, turns and puts down drink]
With all due respects to you, Father, I'd chance anything if I thought 'twould solve the crime.

Fr Murphy:
You needn't go that far! Anyway, two wrongs don't make a right.

Sergeant:
You wouldn't say that if you had my job.

[He calls Mick from back room. Enter Mick]

Fr Murphy:
If you've no objection, we'd like to talk to your wife.

Mick:
I've no objection, if she hasn't. I'll call her.
[Goes to the stairway; calls]
Maimie, you're wanted.

Maimie:
[Offstage; calls back]
I'll be down in a minute.

Mick:
You won't get much out of Maimie, if she's in a sulk.

Sergeant:
Strange, isn't it, Mick, the way nobody knows anything about anything?

Mick:
Ah, 'tis a terrible state of affairs! Of course it's not our job. My job is auctioneering. Father Murphy says Mass and it's up the guards to catch the murderer.

Sergeant:
If the public won't co-operate, there's nothing the guards can do.

Mick:
They'll get their wages, no matter what happens.

Fr Murphy:
But the public, Mick. They've …

Mick:
Ah, come off it now, Father! The public aren't getting paid. 'Tis the other way around. We're payin' the guards and when they can't do their job they blame it on the public. No reflections on you, Sergeant. God knows, you're a sound man at your job.

[Enter Maimie]

Maimie:
All right! I confess everything! I killed him! I've said goodbye to the kids.
[Raises her hands over her head]
Take me, Sergeant.

Fr Murphy:
This isn't a laughing matter, Mrs Flanagan. A man has been murdered, a murder isn't a joke.

Maimie:
All right! So a man has been murdered! What's it to me? I've nine kids to look after. Look at the state of me from cooking and scrubbing and scraping but, thank God, I'm off on my annual holidays soon.

Sergeant:
What annual holidays?

Maimie:
I'm pregnant again, so I'll have a holiday with the new baby; the only one we'll ever have together.

Mick:
Ah, now, Maimie, not in front of Fr Murphy.

Maimie:
You're the fault of it, goddam you! Just look at him. You'd think butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.

Mick:
Ah, Maimie …

Maimie:
I'll be carrying all through the summer. All over you! … My head is gone queer from it! … what was it you wanted me for, Father?

Fr Murphy:
It's in connection with the murder.

Maimie:
He did it … take him away! I'd swear him to the gallows if I thought I could spend a year without having a baby.

Sergeant:
Seriously, Maimie.

Maimie:
I'm serious, Sergeant. I'm more serious than you.

Sergeant:
I think maybe you can help us. You may be the one who can break this case.

Maimie:
Me! How can I help you?

Sergeant:
Well, you met the dead man. He was here the day of the auction. Did you hear or see anything that might help us?

Maimie:
Hear or see anything! What in the name of God are you talking about?

Sergeant:
The Bull McCabe was here that day?

Maimie:
He was.

Sergeant:
Didn't he have an argument with the dead man!

Maimie:
You can't argue with a dead man!

Sergeant:
Don't mock this dead man. He was murdered!

Maimie:
And don't talk to me, you yahoo from God-knows-where!

Fr Murphy:
You're sure nothing was said?

Maimie:
I don't remember it. They seemed quite friendly to me.

Sergeant:
Quite friendly?

Mamie:
No, not quite friendly! I should have said fairly friendly or a kind of friendly. What kind of friendly would you like? Would reasonably friendly do, or would it convict me?

Sergeant:
[Anger]
For God's sake, Maimie … was anything said?

Maimie:
Yes … but don't ask me what was said. A woman has a head like a sieve and a woman expecting for the tenth time should have her head examined! How well they wouldn't murder me! No such luck! I'll have to stay alive and look at thicks like you climbing on other people's backs because you have authority.

Fr Murphy:
You have nothing to tell us?

Maimie:
What do you think I am? A bloody schoolgirl, is it?

Sergeant:
You were here the night of the murder?

Maimie:
I'm always here! Always! Now, for Christ's sake, get out of here and let me alone till I get the dinner.

[Exit Maimie]

Mick:
She's in the sulks today. 'Tis me will pay for it now for the next seven or eight months. A pregnant woman is worse than a bloody volcano.

Sergeant:
You told the investigators that the Bull and his son were here the night of the murder.

Mick:
And so they were!

Sergeant:
You're sure of that?

Mick:
God almighty, didn't I tell it to four different detectives with notebooks. All taken down like the Four Gospels, but all on the one word when the man is crucified, whoever he is.

Sergeant:
And the Bird, was he here too?

Mick:
You know damn well, he was! What's the point in repeating these questions?

Fr Murphy:
Now, Mick, the Sergeant has his job to do. There's nothing personal.

Mick:
Yes, but goddamit I've told him the same thing a hundred times and he still tries to make me out a liar. He'll go too far. He wouldn't be the first Sergeant to be transferred. I always voted right.

Sergeant:
I'm well aware of how you vote. Will you tell the Bird I want him.

Mick:
Very well. But hurry it up. What will the neighbours think, the Sergeant and the priest here all morning? 'Tis how they'll think I'm the murderer.

Sergeant:
Don't worry, Mick. Everybody knows that it wasn't you, because everybody knows that it was another man … maybe two men.

Mick:
'Tis your job to find out.

[Exit Mick]

Sergeant:
I won't be transferred … 'twould be too much to expect.

[Enter the Bird]