Foxfinder Read online

  Dawn King

  FOXFINDER

  NICK HERN BOOKS

  London

  www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

  Contents

  Title Page

  Acknowledgements

  Original Production

  Characters

  Foxfinder

  About the Author

  Copyright and Performing Rights Information

  Acknowledgements

  With grateful thanks to everyone who helped, including:

  The Peggy Ramsay Foundation for their financial support.

  Paul Jenkins, who first helped me to see foxes.

  Will Davis, Tom Mansfield, Terry Saunders, Julia Mills and Matt Connell for their advice and support.

  Papatango Theatre Company and the Finborough Theatre.

  Mum, Dad and my husband Mr Richard George, for everything.

  Dawn King

  Foxfinder was first performed at the Finborough Theatre, London, on 29 November 2011, with the following cast:

  SAMUEL

  Gyuri Sarossy

  JUDITH

  Kirsty Besterman

  WILLIAM

  Tom Byam Shaw

  SARAH

  Becci Gemmell

  Director

  Blanche McIntyre

  Designer

  James Perkins

  Lighting Designer

  Gary Bowman

  Sound Designer

  George Dennis

  The play won the 2011 Papatango New Writing Competition, and was produced by the company.

  Foxfinder received its West End premiere at the Ambassadors Theatre, produced by Bill Kenwright, on 13 September 2018 (previews from 6 September 2018), with the following cast:

  WILLIAM BLOOR

  Iwan Rheon

  JUDITH COVEY

  Heida Reid

  SAMUEL COVEY

  Paul Nicholls

  SARAH BOX

  Bryony Hannah

  Understudies

  Vicki Davids

  Patrick Fleming

  Director

  Rachel O’Riordan

  Set & Costume Designer

  Gary McCann

  Lighting Designer

  Paul Anderson

  Composer & Sound Designer

  Simon Slater

  Characters

  WILLIAM BLOOR, a foxfinder, nineteen

  SAMUEL COVEY, a farmer, late thirties

  JUDITH COVEY, his wife, attractive, early thirties

  SARAH BOX, a neighbour, early thirties

  1

  A farmhouse kitchen. Minimal decoration, scrupulously clean. SAMUEL and JUDITH are sitting at the table. Both are in their Sunday best – neat, plain clothes of timeless appearance. It is raining heavily outside.

  SAMUEL. Went up the top this morning. I reckon half that wheat has had it.

  JUDITH. It might recover.

  SAMUEL. Not if this weather keeps on.

  Pause.

  And east-gate field... waste of seed that was. It’s like a bog.

  JUDITH. We might get something from it. Better than nothing.

  SAMUEL. I planted it too early. You can say that.

  JUDITH. We don’t know yet, do we? The rain could stop tomorrow.

  Pause.

  There’s a good crop of leeks coming.

  SAMUEL. Huh. I wouldn’t call it good.

  Pause. The rain batters against the windows.

  Listen to it. It’s stupid travelling on a day like this.

  JUDITH. He’ll be soaked. And frozen.

  SAMUEL. Aye.

  Pause.

  Show me the letter again.

  JUDITH holds out a letter. SAMUEL takes it. Looks at it.

  Fancy hand he’s got. Very nice.

  JUDITH. It’s an honour having one of them stay. Everyone says that.

  SAMUEL. Huh. ‘Investigating the area.’ What does that mean?

  JUDITH. I don’t know.

  Pause.

  SAMUEL. I don’t see why it has to be us.

  JUDITH. It doesn’t say.

  SAMUEL. There are plenty others as has more room. In ‘the area’.

  JUDITH. Yes, but he –

  SAMUEL. He should be staying at the big house.

  JUDITH. He asked to stay here.

  SAMUEL. Aye. He did.

  Pause.

  If there was something going on, on our land, I’d know. Don’t I know my own land? I’m out there all times of day and night and I’ve seen nothing. You’ve seen nothing. The men have seen nothing. There is nothing.

  JUDITH. They’re clever. They hide, that’s what people say.

  SAMUEL. I’d know.

  JUDITH nods. Pause.

  He’s heard something. Must have.

  JUDITH. What?

  SAMUEL. Someone’s been telling tall tales, I bet.

  JUDITH. Don’t say that. Who’d do that?

  SAMUEL. Could be anyone.

  JUDITH looks worried.

  JUDITH. No. That can’t be it.

  SAMUEL. I’ll ask him when he gets here.

  JUDITH. Don’t you dare! If someone’s said something, you’ll just make it worse!

  Pause.

  SAMUEL. Fine. Let him waste his time chasing rumours. I’ll say nothing.

  Pause.

  JUDITH. What time is it?

  SAMUEL. Twenty past. He’s late.

  JUDITH. He’ll be here soon.

  SAMUEL. You said that an hour ago.

  JUDITH. Maybe the roads are flooded.

  SAMUEL. Aye, I reckon. And the bridge will be out before long.

  JUDITH. It’s no good, Sam, you’ll have to go out looking for him.

  SAMUEL. I’ll not. I’ve got animals need feeding. They won’t wait.

  JUDITH. What if he’s lost?

  SAMUEL. Then he won’t come. So I can get on.

  He gets up.

  JUDITH. No, you’re not leaving me to meet him alone!

  SAMUEL. All right.

  SAMUEL sits back down.

  JUDITH. When he comes, you can’t be rude to him. Be polite. Promise me.

  SAMUEL. He’ll have to take us as he finds us, won’t he?

  JUDITH. Sam!

  A knock at the door. JUDITH jumps up.

  It’s him.

  She hesitates.

  SAMUEL. Open it then.

  JUDITH. I can’t.

  SAMUEL opens the door. WILLIAM stands there. He wears a black greatcoat and wide-brimmed hat. He carries several heavy bags.

  SAMUEL. William Bloor, is it?

  WILLIAM. Yes.

  SAMUEL. I’m Sam Covey. Come in.

  WILLIAM smiles apologetically.

  WILLIAM. Not yet.

  SAMUEL. Oh.

  WILLIAM. Is the lady of the house present?

  SAMUEL. Judith!

  JUDITH goes to the door.

  WILLIAM. Are you Judith Covey, Mrs?

  JUDITH. Yes, that’s right.

  She puts out her hand.

  Come in. You must be freezing!

  WILLIAM. And you’re Samuel Covey, Mr.

  SAMUEL. I am. I said that.

  WILLIAM. Do you have any identification?

  SAMUEL. Excuse me?

  WILLIAM. I need to see some identification. For both of you. Please.

  JUDITH’s hand droops.

  JUDITH. Uhm.

  JUDITH goes over to a chest of drawers and starts rummaging. WILLIAM stands in the rain, holding his bags.

  SAMUEL. A funny way of greeting people.

  WILLIAM. I’m sorry, but you could be anyone.

  SAMUEL. You think we’ve chucked the real Coveys down the well or something?

  WILLIAM. I don’t know. Have you?

  JUDITH shows him some papers. He nods. Finally he comes inside and p
uts the bags down.

  You’ll have to excuse me for seeming rude. Judith.

  He offers his hand. She shakes it. He smiles.

  Samuel.

  SAMUEL shakes his offered hand.

  Thank you for letting me stay. We appreciate your help in this matter.

  Pause.

  JUDITH. It’s no trouble. We’re glad to have you. We don’t get many visitors. I’ll put the kettle on.

  WILLIAM. If you don’t mind, I’ll put my bags away first.

  JUDITH. Oh. Yes. The room’s quite small, I’m afraid.

  WILLIAM. I’m sure it will be more than adequate.

  SAMUEL bends to pick up his bags.

  No, I’ll take those, if you don’t mind.

  SAMUEL steps back.

  JUDITH. It’s this way.

  JUDITH goes out. WILLIAM picks up the bags, nods to SAMUEL, and follows her.

  2

  WILLIAM, now dressed in a plain shirt, black waistcoat and trousers, sits with JUDITH and SAMUEL at the table. The remains of a meal of soup and bread are in front of him.

  WILLIAM. Thank you. That was delicious.

  JUDITH. Will you have a cider to finish off? Or we’ve got beer?

  WILLIAM. No –

  JUDITH. Or tea? Coffee?

  WILLIAM. – thank you. No.

  JUDITH. I’ll get these.

  JUDITH gets up and clears WILLIAM’s plate and bowl away. WILLIAM brushes the table free of crumbs. He gets out a notebook and unfolds a map on the table. SAMUEL watches him.

  WILLIAM. I just need to ask you a few questions.

  SAMUEL. Now? Can’t it wait till morning?

  WILLIAM. It won’t take long.

  JUDITH sits back down.

  The farm is sixty acres?

  SAMUEL. Aye.

  WILLIAM makes a note.

  WILLIAM. And what kind of animals do you have here?

  JUDITH. Do you mean... because we’ve not seen any.

  WILLIAM. I mean, simply, what kind of animals does the farm have?

  SAMUEL. A few cows, pigs, some chickens. That’s it.

  WILLIAM. This is an arable farm.

  SAMUEL. Yes.

  WILLIAM. What about pets?

  JUDITH. We had a cat but it ran off.

  WILLIAM makes a note.

  Is that important?

  WILLIAM. A missing cat as a single, isolated incident is not important.

  JUDITH....Oh.

  WILLIAM. When did this happen?

  JUDITH. March.

  WILLIAM points to the map.

  WILLIAM. This is the boundary line we have for your property. Is it correct?

  SAMUEL. Uh. Looks it.

  WILLIAM. It is correct?

  SAMUEL. Yes.

  WILLIAM. And this land belongs to David Johnson, Mr.

  SAMUEL. Yes.

  WILLIAM. And this to Abraham Box, Mr.

  SAMUEL. It says that on the map already.

  WILLIAM. I’m checking my facts. What’s this?

  JUDITH. That’s the woods.

  WILLIAM. Woods? Mature trees, young trees... bushes?

  SAMUEL. Aah... yes.

  WILLIAM. Which?

  SAMUEL. Both.

  WILLIAM. Pardon?

  SAMUEL. All. I mean.

  WILLIAM. And who does that belong to?

  SAMUEL. Well. No one.

  WILLIAM makes notes.

  WILLIAM. Have you seen pheasants on your property?

  SAMUEL. Yes. Johnson raises them to hunt. They fly over the fence.

  WILLIAM. What about deer. Have you seen deer on your property?

  SAMUEL. Ahh...

  JUDITH. No, not very often.

  WILLIAM. So your answer is yes?

  JUDITH. Yes.

  WILLIAM. Ducks. Have you seen ducks, either flying overhead, or on the land?

  JUDITH. Uhm...

  SAMUEL. No.

  WILLIAM. You’ve never seen ducks here?

  SAMUEL. We see ducks, but we don’t have ducks here.

  WILLIAM. So the answer is yes. You have seen ducks. Flying overhead, or on the land?

  SAMUEL turns away, annoyed.

  JUDITH. Both.

  WILLIAM. Have you seen more ducks flying or more ducks on the land, speaking generally?

  JUDITH. Uh. Flying.

  WILLIAM makes notes.

  WILLIAM. Badgers?

  SAMUEL. Yes. In the thirty-seven years I’ve lived here, I have seen a badger.

  WILLIAM. Samuel, these questions are simply to help me get an idea of the situation here.

  SAMUEL. There is no situation here.

  WILLIAM. I sincerely hope not. Now, could you both think very hard please before answering this next question. Would you say that the frequency with which you’ve seen these birds and animals – pheasant, deer, duck, badger – has been more or less in the past year?

  They think.

  SAMUEL. The same. Not more, not less.

  JUDITH nods agreement. WILLIAM makes a note.

  WILLIAM. That’s very useful. Thank you.

  JUDITH. Aren’t you going to ask us... about...

  WILLIAM. No.

  Long pause. WILLIAM looks at the map, and his notes.

  Samuel, my notes tell me that the farm is not on target to meet its quota for this year.

  SAMUEL frowns.

  SAMUEL. Aye.

  WILLIAM. So far, you’ve produced less than two thirds of what you did last year.

  JUDITH. It can’t be that bad.

  WILLIAM. Look at the figures.

  JUDITH. We’ll make it up with the winter harvest.

  WILLIAM. Frankly, that’s impossible.

  SAMUEL. That’s why you came here.

  WILLIAM. I’m here to help you.

  SAMUEL. Huh.

  WILLIAM. We take the security of England’s food supply very seriously. There’s little margin for error. If one farm falls behind, another has to pick up the slack. Or people go hungry.

  SAMUEL. We know that.

  WILLIAM. And a country marches on her stomach, Samuel. Without food, we’re defenceless. Open to exploitation by any foreign power.

  SAMUEL. Abe’s behind as well.

  WILLIAM. Abraham Box won’t make his quota?

  WILLIAM pages through his notes. JUDITH shoots SAMUEL a warning look.

  The Box farm is almost on target. Are you saying that their winter harvest will be low?

  SAMUEL. Half his fields are underwater. What do you expect?

  WILLIAM. England expects that every citizen will do their duty.

  JUDITH. Yes, of course.

  WILLIAM. What about your other neighbours? Do you know anything about them?

  SAMUEL. My great-grandfather built this farm. Does it say that in your notes?

  WILLIAM. Yes. An impressive heritage. Do you know anything about –

  JUDITH. Don’t take our farm.

  SAMUEL. Jude, be quiet.

  JUDITH. We’ve had a bad year. The flooding. And the leaf blight. And... our son.

  WILLIAM. Your son?

  JUDITH. He died.

  Pause. WILLIAM looks in his notes.

  WILLIAM. Your son Daniel, aged four?

  JUDITH. Yes.

  WILLIAM. You didn’t notify us.

  JUDITH. I. No. I’m sorry. We... we forgot.

  WILLIAM. I see.

  JUDITH. It was a bad time.

  WILLIAM. I’m very sorry for your loss.

  JUDITH. Thank you.

  WILLIAM. And you don’t have any other children.

  JUDITH. No.

  SAMUEL stands up.

  SAMUEL. I’ve to lock up. It’s late.

  WILLIAM. I know this is difficult but I have to ask. When did Daniel die?

  JUDITH. March.

  SAMUEL leaves the room.

  WILLIAM. And... how?

  JUDITH. An accident.

  WILLIAM writes notes.

  Mr Bloor... I...

  WILLIAM. Call me William.

  JUDITH.
William. My husband... he’s been ill. He...

  WILLIAM. He has? I’m sorry to hear that. What form of illness?

  JUDITH frowns.

  JUDITH. Sam’s fine now. We’re doing fine.

  WILLIAM. Judith, this farm has everything it could possibly need in terms of workers, land and equipment. And yet, you have failed to meet the targets set for you. The question we must ask is ‘Why?’

  JUDITH. Bad luck.

  WILLIAM. There’s no such thing.

  JUDITH doesn’t know what to say.

  You’re uncomfortable with my presence here. You obviously want me to leave.

  JUDITH. Well no, I...

  WILLIAM. Is there something you’d like to confess?

  JUDITH is shocked.

  JUDITH. No! I just meant. That. Sam needs quiet and... I’d like you to get done here as soon as possible, for his sake, is all I meant.

  WILLIAM. And for his sake, for your sake, and the sake of our country, I’ll do my job. Is that clear?

  JUDITH nods.

  Now, tell me, when did Samuel fall ill?

  JUDITH. March.

  WILLIAM makes a note.

  WILLIAM. And his symptoms?

  JUDITH. It was flu. Bad flu. Left him weak as a kitten. He couldn’t work for weeks.

  WILLIAM looks at JUDITH. She is lying and he knows it.

  WILLIAM. I see.

  He writes more notes. JUDITH stands there looking increasingly uncomfortable.

  Eventually WILLIAM looks up.

  Thank you, Judith. That’s given me a lot to think about.

  Dismissed, JUDITH leaves.

  3

  SAMUEL and JUDITH’s bedroom. SAMUEL is sitting on the bed, staring into space.

  JUDITH comes in. She sits on the bed.

  JUDITH. Sam?

  Pause.

  SAMUEL. He’s here because we’re behind.

  JUDITH. He didn’t say that.

  SAMUEL. He’s here because we’re behind. And we’re behind because of me.

  JUDITH. It wasn’t your fault.

  SAMUEL. You never should have married me.

  JUDITH. Sam, don’t.

  Pause.

  We’ll be all right. They won’t take the farm because of one bad year.

  SAMUEL. They took Billy Gunn’s place and gave it to Johnson.

  JUDITH. That’s different. He was old. And... he had no heir.