Foxfinder Page 5

  SARAH. Oh.

  JUDITH. I could hear you talking inside, but when I knocked you went quiet.

  SARAH. It was a bad time.

  JUDITH. It’s all right. I understand. I’m dangerous. I’ve got the plague and you don’t want to catch it. If I was you I wouldn’t open the door to me either!

  SARAH. What plague?

  JUDITH. William says our farm’s contaminated. I thought you’d heard. I thought that was why you...

  SARAH. No. Something’s happened.

  JUDITH. What? What is it?

  SARAH. We’re leaving –

  JUDITH. No.

  SARAH. – and we want you to come with us.

  Pause.

  The foxfinder came to our house. He knew I gave you that leaflet.

  JUDITH. I didn’t tell him it was you.

  SARAH. Didn’t matter. He got in and searched the place, found some more there that I’d hidden. He was going to send me and Abe to the factories and put Nate and Becky in an orphanage! So I made a deal with him. I gave up the one who made the leaflets. James Cross. He’s gone. The bakery’s all closed up.

  JUDITH. When was this?

  SARAH. Wednesday.

  JUDITH. It worked then. He didn’t have you arrested. You don’t need to leave. You’re safe.

  SARAH. No. That’s the worst of it. Every night I lie awake thinking; tomorrow he’ll change his mind. Tomorrow that bastard will decide it’s his duty to turn us in.

  JUDITH. You don’t know that.

  SARAH. Yes I do! Our lives are in his hands! We’re not going to sit waiting for the blade to fall on our necks! We’re getting out. Now. All of us.

  Pause. JUDITH is upset.

  JUDITH. Where?

  SARAH. Some old friends have got a big place in Scotland. It’s a dump, but it’ll do. We’ll go there, ask if we can work. In return they’ll hide us.

  JUDITH. For the rest of your lives?

  SARAH. Or until things change. It can’t be too long. They can’t hide the truth for ever...

  JUDITH. You want to travel... without being caught... all the way to Scotland?

  SARAH. We’ll go by night. Sleep in the day.

  JUDITH. What if you get there and your friends say no, they can’t take the risk?

  SARAH. Ha! Would you turn away free labour?

  JUDITH. Don’t make jokes!

  SARAH. I’m not, they need the help! And they’re good people.

  JUDITH. They’d need to be bloody saints! If they say no –

  SARAH. They won’t!

  JUDITH. You’ll have no shelter, no food. You’ll starve to death.

  SARAH. I know other folk we can try if Scotland doesn’t work. It’s a good plan! Now go pack bags for you and Sam. We’re leaving at seven.

  JUDITH. Today?

  SARAH. Yes! We’re travelling light, mind; your warmest clothes, money, valuables, food and –

  JUDITH. It’s impossible.

  SARAH. It’s an adventure. That’s what Abe’s told the children.

  JUDITH. Sam would never leave the farm.

  SARAH. Talk to him. Make him!

  JUDITH. William says that the foxes killed Dan. That it wasn’t just an accident.

  SARAH. Oh God.

  JUDITH. Sam says he has to know if it’s true. He’s helping William! They’ve been out there every night this week, looking.

  SARAH. He believes it?

  JUDITH. He wanted to. Now he does. He’s started hearing things, Sarah... and the way he talks... it’s scaring me to death.

  Pause.

  SARAH. You’ll have to leave him behind.

  JUDITH. I can’t do that!

  SARAH. He’s no husband to you.

  JUDITH. He’s the only one I wanted.

  SARAH. See sense, Jude!

  JUDITH. I won’t run while there’s still a chance.

  SARAH. Of what? Dying in the factories? No. No, you’re coming with us. Get your things and meet us by the bridge at seven. We won’t be able to wait long... Don’t be late and don’t let either of them know what you’re doing. You’ll come, won’t you?

  JUDITH nods.

  JUDITH. You’re a good friend to me.

  They hug briefly.

  SARAH. Seven o’clock.

  SARAH leaves.

  JUDITH watches her go.

  17

  The fields.

  Early morning. SAMUEL is standing with the shotgun hanging in one hand. WILLIAM has sunk into a miserable crouch and is almost asleep. They have been here for most of the night. WILLIAM rouses himself.

  WILLIAM. It’s time to go in.

  SAMUEL doesn’t move. WILLIAM sighs.

  The fox is abroad in the evening and during the night. It’s getting light. We won’t see anything now.

  SAMUEL. Sssh.

  Pause.

  WILLIAM. Samuel, I admire your... tenacity. But even the strictest of my teachers at The Institute would tell me to make sure I get enough rest. We must go back to the farmhouse and refresh ourselves for tomorrow’s... I mean tonight’s... assault.

  SAMUEL. Huh.

  Pause.

  WILLIAM. We can cross this square off. We’ve been here long enough. Let’s go in.

  SAMUEL. You go.

  WILLIAM. I can’t leave you in the field alone. You know that.

  SAMUEL. Stay then.

  WILLIAM sinks back towards the ground. A long pause.

  WILLIAM. I’ve never actually seen a fox. Do you think that’s... strange?

  SAMUEL. No.

  WILLIAM. One of my colleagues, Mr Jacob Fairweather, discovered a cluster of contaminated farms. Five farms... and yet he didn’t see a single fox.

  SAMUEL. Foxes are sly.

  WILLIAM. Yes. Jacob could see the evidence, the signs of his influence, but the beast himself was too clever, too canny, too... sly, to be seen. If in that case he did not see the beast... then it’s no wonder that I... or even you... or any of my colleagues... it’s no wonder that we’ve never seen one. Is it?

  SAMUEL. Shhh.

  WILLIAM frowns. A long pause.

  WILLIAM. We’ve yet to find so much as a single paw print on your farm. There are no prints, no sign of a den or hiding place, no droppings... But you could say that the absence of the fox is another sign of his presence and is to be expected.

  SAMUEL. He’s here. I know it.

  WILLIAM. Yes. Of course he is.

  Pause.

  SAMUEL. You see that?

  WILLIAM. What?

  SAMUEL. On the fence. Just there.

  SAMUEL points to a nearby fence.

  WILLIAM. What? What am I looking at?

  SAMUEL. Those white things, like flags.

  WILLIAM. Uh...

  SAMUEL. Tha’s sheep’s wool. Caught on the wire.

  WILLIAM. There aren’t any sheep on your farm.

  SAMUEL. Abraham Box used this field to graze his flock a few months back, when his was too wet. Look. There’s a pattern.

  WILLIAM. Is there?

  SAMUEL. Dot, dot, dot. Dash, dash, dash. Dot, dot, dot. Tha’s Morse code. S – O – S. It’s a sign. A warning.

  WILLIAM peers at the fence.

  WILLIAM. No, Samuel. That’s just... wool.

  SAMUEL. That rabbit skull you found. That looked just like a skull. But it wasn’t. It was a sign. That’s what you said.

  WILLIAM. Uh. Yes.

  SAMUEL. I’m telling you. That right there, that’s a sign.

  Confused, WILLIAM looks again.

  WILLIAM. Ah, yes. I think I see the pattern now. You’re right.

  SAMUEL. Follow that fence, you get to the woods. The sheep are telling us, that’s where they are. And that’s where we’ll go, tonight.

  WILLIAM. No, we still have another three squares of the grid to search before we get to that area.

  SAMUEL. You won’t come, I’ll go alone.

  WILLIAM. You know I can’t allow that! What if you saw something and I wasn’t there to verify it?

  SAMU
EL. It’s your job to find the fox. If you won’t do it, I’ll do it for you.

  WILLIAM sighs, defeated.

  WILLIAM. All right. If we... if I, search the rest of the grid afterwards, we can go to the woods tonight. Now... can we please go in?

  SAMUEL. Aye. Aye.

  SAMUEL strides off, and WILLIAM follows.

  18

  JUDITH and SAMUEL’s farmhouse kitchen.

  JUDITH is sitting at the table, a cup of coffee in her hand. She’s been here since SARAH left. WILLIAM and SAMUEL enter from outside. WILLIAM is exhausted.

  SAMUEL. Jude.

  WILLIAM. Good morning, Judith.

  JUDITH. What time is it?

  SAMUEL. Nine.

  JUDITH nods. WILLIAM sits down at the table.

  WILLIAM. Is there anything to eat?

  JUDITH pushes the bread basket over to him.

  JUDITH. It’s stale.

  WILLIAM. Oh.

  JUDITH. I didn’t have time yesterday to make any fresh. I’ve had to do all of Sam’s work too... as he’s been so busy helping you.

  WILLIAM. I didn’t ask for, nor do I need, Samuel’s help.

  JUDITH. The leeks need bringing in, Sam. Soon, or they’ll rot.

  SAMUEL. Won’t be much longer. We’re making progress.

  JUDITH. You found something?

  WILLIAM. No.

  SAMUEL. Yes. We found a sign. Telling us where to look.

  JUDITH. A sign.

  SAMUEL. We’ll go to the woods tonight.

  WILLIAM. Excuse me. I’m going to get some rest. Samuel, I suggest that you do the same.

  WILLIAM gets up and stumbles out.

  JUDITH pours coffee for SAMUEL. She lowers her voice.

  JUDITH. Sarah and Abraham are gone.

  SAMUEL. Gone?

  JUDITH. Run away, with the children.

  SAMUEL. Huh.

  JUDITH. Is that all you can say? Our oldest friends!

  SAMUEL. Must have had something to hide, if they’ve run.

  JUDITH. They were afraid, Sam. I’m afraid.

  SAMUEL. Nothing for you to be scared of.

  JUDITH. Sarah asked me to go too. She said I should leave you behind.

  Pause.

  But I said no, because I love you.

  SAMUEL. Aye.

  SAMUEL kisses JUDITH on the forehead. He gulps his coffee down and starts stuffing bread into his pockets.

  JUDITH. What are you doing?

  SAMUEL. I’ve to go back out. Need some things.

  JUDITH. Things? What things?

  SAMUEL. For tonight. I’m going to find them, and I’m going to kill them. The ones who killed our son.

  JUDITH. It was an accident!

  SAMUEL. I’d like to use dogs. More painful. But a bullet will do it. I’ll bring back the heads, so you can spit on them.

  JUDITH. Don’t go back out there.

  SAMUEL. It’s you I’m doing this for.

  JUDITH. No it’s not!

  Furious, JUDITH slams her hands down on the table.

  I want you to forget about foxes and stay with me tonight! Please, Sam. I need you to be strong now.

  SAMUEL. When the foxes are gone, things’ll get better. Us. The farm. The future. Like you said. Wish me good hunting.

  JUDITH turns away.

  SAMUEL leaves. JUDITH starts to cry.

  19

  WILLIAM’s bedroom, later.

  WILLIAM is lying on the bed in his shirt and trousers, asleep.

  There’s a gentle knock at the door. Then another, but WILLIAM doesn’t wake up.

  Slowly, JUDITH pushes the door open.

  JUDITH. William?

  WILLIAM. Hhh?

  JUDITH. William.

  WILLIAM. Judith... what?

  JUDITH. I know you’re tired, but...

  WILLIAM. Uh. Come in.

  JUDITH sits down on the bed. WILLIAM is immediately on edge.

  What... uh... what is it?

  JUDITH. I need to ask you something.

  WILLIAM. Of course.

  JUDITH. Whatever you find out there tonight, you have to leave tomorrow. Please.

  WILLIAM. I’m sorry?

  JUDITH. I’m asking you to leave tomorrow.

  WILLIAM. But my investigation isn’t complete.

  JUDITH. You say we’ve got foxes, we agree. Surely that’s all you need?

  WILLIAM. I’m afraid not. I have to finish my searches before I make my report.

  JUDITH. Say you finished. I’ll swear that you did if they come asking.

  WILLIAM. A foxfinder doesn’t lie.

  JUDITH. What difference does it make? If you’re going to report that we’re contaminated, can’t you just do it and leave?

  WILLIAM. I have to complete my investigation.

  JUDITH takes WILLIAM’s hands in her own.

  JUDITH. Please. You have to go, I’m begging you. Please.

  WILLIAM. I’m sorry, Judith –

  JUDITH. You say you want to help us, but all you’ve done since you got here is make things worse!

  WILLIAM. I’ve done all I can! I’ve ignored things you’ve said and done, ignored certain pieces of information... I know... for example... that Samuel was unfit to work the farm for several months after your son died.

  JUDITH is shocked, but she tries to remain composed.

  JUDITH. He was ill. I told you that.

  WILLIAM. You lied. He didn’t have the flu. Sarah Box told me the truth.

  Pause. JUDITH digests this information.

  JUDITH. Sam was better before you came, and he’ll be fine again once you’re gone. All this is upsetting him. That’s why I want you to go.

  WILLIAM. I’ve bent the rules for you already, more than I should have.

  JUDITH. I didn’t realise.

  WILLIAM. Another foxfinder would have condemned you. Perhaps I should do so... But I... I think you deserve a second chance.

  JUDITH. You do?

  WILLIAM. I intend to state in my report that you are innocent of collaboration and should keep your farm.

  JUDITH. Oh, thank you. Thank you.

  JUDITH hugs WILLIAM briefly. Overwhelmed, he closes his eyes before she lets him go, leaving him dizzy.

  You must be starving. Come down... I’ll make you some breakfast.

  JUDITH goes out.

  WILLIAM. My God, my God.

  20

  The woods. Evening.

  SAMUEL is standing under a tree. He’s tied a few long pieces of cord to its lower branches, and they are hanging down, fluttering in the breeze. He’s holding a sack in one hand, and his shotgun is propped up against the tree trunk.

  SAMUEL reaches into the bag and takes out a dead rabbit. He ties the rabbit to one of the cords so it’s hanging in the air. He does this again, with another rabbit.

  WILLIAM appears. He’s out of breath.

  WILLIAM. Samuel.

  SAMUEL. Catch.

  SAMUEL throws a dead rabbit at WILLIAM. He catches it, then recoils in horror and drops it when he realises what it is. The rabbit leaves blood on his hands.

  ’S just a rabbit. Tie it up, over there.

  SAMUEL gestures to the tree. WILLIAM wipes his hands on his trousers and shakes his head. Sighing, SAMUEL picks up the rabbit himself and ties it to the tree.

  They’re on our side, you said. Huh. Sorry, rabbit.

  WILLIAM. What is this? What are you doing?

  SAMUEL. Baiting a trap.

  SAMUEL ties another rabbit.

  A hungry beast can’t ignore the call of blood. Tha’s his nature. He’ll come, and I’ll be waiting.

  WILLIAM. This is completely against protocol.

  SAMUEL. Don’t tell anyone about it then.

  WILLIAM. We’re not supposed to approach the beast. We’re supposed to observe, and make our report. There’s an extermination team, specialised in –

  SAMUEL. Don’t need a team. I’ll do it.

  WILLIAM. The extermination team is better –

  SAMUEL. G
od’s sake! All you do is yap! Shut up!

  There are now several rabbits hanging from the tree. SAMUEL throws another couple on the ground underneath the branches.

  You should go in. It’s not a job for a boy.

  WILLIAM. I’m staying.

  SAMUEL. Then stay by me. And keep quiet.

  SAMUEL picks up his gun and the empty sack, and moves away from the tree. He takes up a position some distance away and settles down, with a good view of the tree. Unhappily, WILLIAM joins him.

  Time passes. It gets darker. The wind picks up, rustling the tree branches.

  SAMUEL comes to attention. He talks in hushed tones.

  Smell that?

  WILLIAM. What?

  SAMUEL. Rotting meat. Piss.

  WILLIAM. No.

  SAMUEL. He’s coming.

  SAMUEL sees something. He aims the shotgun towards the tree.

  There.

  WILLIAM. Where?

  SAMUEL. Going for the rabbit. But he can’t get it. See his eyes?

  WILLIAM. No. Where?

  SAMUEL. Right in front of you!

  WILLIAM. I don’t...

  SAMUEL. Mouth’s hanging open. He’s laughing. Bastard! There’s another.

  SAMUEL tracks the gun in a wide circle.

  One there. One there. Circling us.

  WILLIAM. I don’t see anything.

  SAMUEL. Bastards. Bastards.

  SAMUEL raises the gun and fires.

  There’s another. Three of them.

  WILLIAM. There’s nothing there.

  SAMUEL. Killed my son. Made me sick. I’ll kill you!

  SAMUEL fires again.

  ’S not like a normal beast. Not scared. The way it looks... like it knows you...

  WILLIAM grabs hold of SAMUEL and shakes him.

  WILLIAM. There’s nothing there. No foxes. Nothing! Put the gun down!

  SAMUEL. Get off me.

  SAMUEL easily throws WILLIAM off. He falls. SAMUEL starts reloading the gun.

  Running. Like cowards! I’ll catch you...

  SAMUEL runs out after the foxes, leaving WILLIAM standing by the tree.

  WILLIAM. There’s nothing out there.

  WILLIAM sinks down to the ground and begins to sob. From somewhere in the distance comes the sound of the shotgun. Then another shot, further away.

  A long pause, silent but for the wind in the leaves and WILLIAM’s sobbing. Then a loud crack comes from nearby as someone steps on a twig. WILLIAM gasps with fear.

  Who’s that? Who’s there?

  JUDITH appears from between the trees, carrying a paraffin lantern.

  JUDITH. Oh my God. William?