Small Things Like These (2024)
Genre:Â Drama, Historical, Mystery
Director:Â Tim Mielants
Writers:Â Enda Walsh, Claire Keegan
Stars:Â Cillian Murphy, Eileen Walsh, Emily Watson
Plot: Bill Furlong is a coal merchant in 1985 New Ross, Ireland. When he was born, his mother was an unmarried teenager, ostracised by her family but permitted to continue working respectably as a maid by her kind-hearted employer. Now a financially independent adult, Bill prepares for the approaching Christmas with his wife and five daughters.
While delivering coal to the local convent, he begins to suspect that their supposed training school for girls is, in fact, a cruelly abusive Magdalene laundry. First, he finds a group of deprived-looking young women polishing the floors, one of whom asks for his help getting out to a river to drown herself. On his next delivery, he finds a girl named Sarah locked in an outbuilding, who has been out in the cold all night. When he lets her out, she asks him to find out about her baby, but the Mother Superior interrupts them. She tells Bill that Sarah has a mental illness and has ended up outside by mistake, and distracts Bill with tea and his Christmas tip.
Bill attempts to ignore the convent, as his wife suggests. On a social call to a farmhand, Ned, whom he’d known as a child, he realises that Ned is his unknown father. On another visit, the local pub owner warns him not to publicly criticise the convent since the church is involved in all parts of town life.
He returns to the convent, where he finds Sarah again locked in the cold. He gives her his coat and walks with her back to his own house, attracting attention from the locals they pass. He reaches his front door, afraid but optimistic that doing the right thing will work out.
* * *
[bird squeaking]
[bells tolling]
[dog barking in distance]
[window thudding]
[dog barking in distance]
[bells tolling]
[crows cawing]
[bird squeaking]
[cawing]
[wind whooshing]
[birds chirping]
[cawing, chirping]
[muffled chatter]
[indistinct chatter on radio]
[radio host] …plus expert views on two of the most exciting events to come out live, in Irish sporting history.
From the power of the punch to the power of the pack, it’s a championship…
[phone ringing]
[continues indistinctly]
[muffled chatter]
[phone ringing]
[Bill] Here. Hang on.
[phone ringing]
[Pat] That’ll do it.
[man 1] Seen Barry McGuigan fighting last night?
[man 2] I did, yeah.
Some fighter. Hands like a shovel.
[thudding]
[man 1] Jesus Christ.
[indistinct chatter continues]
[man 2] I suppose I’d be in his weight class, wouldn’t I?
[man 3] Yeah, you probably would.
[indistinct chatter continues]
[man 1] All right. Come on, come on.
[engine stops]
[dogs barking in distance]
[thudding]
[breathing heavily]
[breathing heavily]
[dog barking]
[man] How you doing?
[Bill] Good.
[chickens clucking]
[dog barking]
[Mrs. Kehoe] PJ?
I’ll just actually…
The same.
I’m sure you’ll need more than that. Aren’t you hungry?
I am.
He hasn’t been paying you enough. Is that what it is, huh?
Uh, no.
[Mrs. Kehoe] I’ll give you the beef and mash.
[man] He’s saving for Christmas, Mrs. Kehoe. Present for some new woman.
This is who I’m buying it for.
[Mrs. Kehoe] Oh, well, now listen. If there is a girl involved, I’m sure you’ll be needing the energy, PJ, doesn’t you now?
He’s a boy right now.
…hairs on your chest. Enjoy that now.
I’ll have the same, Mrs. Kehoe.
Same again.
Okay, get the stuff.
Very good.
Now, give us a shout if you need anything.
[all] Thank you.
[Mrs. Kehoe] All right, now.
[students chattering]
[grunts]
[bells tolling]
[geese honking]
[panting]
[sack thuds]
[breathing heavily]
[car approaching]
[car engine stops]
[grunts, pants]
[car door opens]
[grunts]
[car door closes]
[pants]
[knock on door]
[woman] Start accepting it.
[sack thuds]
Are you going to help?
[girl] Just listen to me!
Get out! Get out there!
Just listen to me!
[girl] Mommy, you’re not listening to me!
[woman] Just once, you brat. Come on.
Don’t make me go in there! Don’t make me go in there.
Stop it!
Please, wait. I’m so…
Mommy, please!
Stop it!
Daddy! Please! No! Wait!
Listen to me!
I’m not going in there!
Please, Mommy, please!
Sarah!
I’m not…
Stop it! Stop!
Mommy, I am not going!
Go inside.
Come.
Go on. Go on.
Daddy! Please!
[door closes]
[engine rattles, stops]
[Bill] Son? Hold on. … You all right?
Yeah.
[Bill] You’re Mick Sinnott’s boy, aren’t you?
Yes, sir.
[Bill] You’re a couple of miles from home.
I came out for sticks for the dog but he ran off on me again.
[Bill] Did he? Well, he’ll come back in a minute, I suppose.
Probably, yeah. You never know. He’s a right dope. Three years old and he still doesn’t know his name.
[Bill] [chuckles] You all right?
Yeah.
[Bill] Well, I’ll drop you back.
Nah, I’ll be fine, Mr. Furlong.
[Bill] Are you sure now?
Yes.
[Bill] Grand.
[coins clinking]
[Bill] All right, say “Happy Christmas” to your family for me.
Yes, sir. You too.
[Bill] Okay.
[chains clink]
[clicks]
[clanks]
[somber music playing]
[siren wailing in distance]
[indistinct chatter, laughter]
[laughter, indistinct chatter]
[dog barking]
[rain pattering]
[keys jingling]
[kids singing]
[clapping, singing]
[kid] Yes!
[indistinct chatter]
[inhales deeply]
[clapping, singing continues]
[indistinct chatter]
[switch clicks]
[breathes heavily]
[kids singing]
[indistinct chatter]
[clapping]
When’s the test?
It’s on Monday.
Go on, Kathleen. You be the teacher. Here, it’s hot.
[Kathleen] Okay.
Six years, not a word.
[Eileen] Mm-hmm.
Hi, Dad.
What exactly am I supposed to do here?
[Bill] Hi, girls.
[Eileen] Kathleen.
What? There’s nothing on them.
Have you forgotten the names of the rivers already?
No.
You dirty liar.
Right, I have it. Hang on.
Okay, Grace. What’s that wiggly one there?
The River Shannon.
That’s easy.
[Bill] Hush, Sheila.
Right.
[Bill grunts]
And this one here?
[giggling]
The Boyne. The River Boyne.
The River Boyne, correct.
And this one here?
River Lee.
Wow.
And this one?
The River Liffey.
You’re a genius.
[Loretta] Give me the cards.
Top of the class.
Let me hold it then.
Don’t crease it!
[Eileen] Enough, hey!
Why don’t you show your Daddy how you learnt them?
[Bill] Show me, love.
[chair thuds]
She’s just a smarty-pants.
[Joan] Here you go.
That’s your card.
Got two pieces of tracing paper and traced the outline of Ireland and rivers on one piece. I laid another piece of tracing paper on top and wrote the names.
[Bill] Good girl.
[Loretta] She’s just a smarty-pants.
You should send for my piece.
Don’t, guys, no!
Stop.
What’s that?
[Eileen] Here you go.
[Loretta] Oh, show me, Little Miss Perfect.
[Grace] Look at you, Loretta.
Hi, Miss Perfect.
[Bill] Oh, I saw a school friend of yours.
Yeah, who?
[indistinct chatter]
[Bill] Um… Mick Sinnott’s boy.
Diarmuid’s his name.
[Bill] Diarmuid, yeah.
[Grace] Whereabouts?
[Bill] Uh, he was out by Tullogher picking up sticks, so he was.
Did you not stop and give him a bag of timber off the truck?
What? Don’t be daft.
[Bill] Thanks, love.
[Sheila] You’re daft.
[Grace] You’re daft.
Did you stop and talk to him, Daddy?
[Bill] I did, yeah.
What’d you talk about?
You’re daft.
[Grace] You’re daft.
[Bill] Uh, I-I said hello and I said “Happy Christmas” to his family.
That all?
[Joan] A new one.
[plates clink]
[Bill] I-I gave him a bit of loose change.
What did you do that for? Surely his dad will only drink it. He’s never not drunk, that man. He just needs to pull himself out of it.
[Bill] We don’t know that, love. He might be trying.
Uh, girls, have you more homework to do?
[audience applauding]
Jimmy, we have to say goodbye to you. But believe me, in the few moments you’ve been here, you really have made the show…
[grunts softly, sighs]
[flame whooshing]
[kettle whistling]
[soft music plays]
[breathing heavily]
[rain pattering]
[breathing heavily]
[muffled, indistinct chatter]
[woman] Get off! Get off me! Get off!
[breathing heavily]
[crows cawing]
[breathes shakily]
[sniffles]
[crows cawing]
[exhales]
[water splashing]
[sniffles]
[water splashing]
[Sarah sobbing]
[sniffles]
[young Bill] “I will honor Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the past, the present, and the future. The spirit of all three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.”
Billy. What happened to your coat? Your mother said there was spit on it. What was it they said to you?
[young Bill] Nothing.
Don’t be listening to them. They’re only brats. Hmm? What was it you wrote to Santa for?
[young Bill] A jigsaw.
A jigsaw?
[young Bill] A difficult one, I hope.
And what would the picture be?
[young Bill] Anything at all. A farm with animals.
Sure, I can help you if you get stuck on it. Yeah? Are you ready for another Dickens in the new year, do you think?
[young Bill] Yes, Mrs. Wilson.
Good boy. You put the record on for me?
[turntable clacks]
[soft music playing]
[sighs]
[footsteps thudding]
Ned?
[Ned] You all right?
[indistinct chatter]
[soft music continues]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[birds squawking]
[muffled chatter]
[Sarah sobbing]
[“Silent Night” in Gaelic]
[cheering and applause]
Thank you. Beautifully sung. All right, now. Shall we?
[cheering and applause]
I’m gonna go ahead and see Bernie. I told her I’d do flowers for midnight mass. Okay?
[Bill] Okay.
Follow me down.
[Bill] Okay.
Hey, don’t look now but they’re following us.
[boy] Ah, hey, girls. How are you?
Oh, here they are.
Aha. Where you goin’?
Here they are.
Hey, here we are.
Nothin’ better to do now?
Free country. Come on.
Yeah, of course. You’re hilarious.
Yeah. They your Ma’s shoes?
Go on home to your mommies.
You smell lovely.
Don’t touch us.
Hey, come here.
[chuckling]
Have you nothing better to do…?
[Eileen] Come on. I wanna show you something. Come on.
[door creaks, closes]
[bell rings]
Say, don’t I have a handbag the same color as those fellas.
[Bill] The navy ones?
Yeah.
[Bill] I don’t know.
Oh, God. Yes, you do.
You want to put the right amount. Well done. Make sure there’s no stalks.
[Bill] Wow, what’d I miss?
Hi, Dad.
[Bill] Hi.
Check my perfect circle.
Look at that.
Oh, hello.
Hello.
[Bill] How are we getting on?
Well, good.
Everybody wants to help.
Yes.
So we’ve got…
[Bill] Two hands.
…different stations.
[Bill] Show me.
[chuckles]
[Loretta] This is gonna be the best Christmas cake ever.
I can’t wait.
You say that every single year.
And every year it gets better and better.
Last year there was stalk in the cake.
You were doing the stalks.
The living room is freezing though, so you can warm that. Okay.
Do you wanna do the egg first?
[Loretta] Yes.
Come on then.
No shells this year.
[Grace] Where’re the cherries?
[Loretta] Oh, my God.
I did not enjoy that.
[Eileen] It’s such an important part of the cake.
Go on, give it a wallop.
Ah, be a good girl.
Oh, no shells. No shells!
Come on.
No shells!
No shells this year!
[laughter]
[Grace] “Santa Claus, North Pole.” That can’t be all.
Sure. Everyone up there knows where Santa lives.
Yeah, but how will we know if Santa gets the letters on time?
Um…
Daddy will post it first thing tomorrow.
[Bill] Pass me your plates there, girls.
Everything for Santa goes by express.
Thank you.
[plates clink]
[Bill] Grace.
[Sheila] Daddy, did Santa ever come to you when you were a little kid? Daddy?
[Bill] What, love?
Did Santa ever bring you anything when you were a little kid?
[Bill] He did, of course. Yeah, he… He… One year, he… He brought me a jigsaw puzzle.
A what?
Only a jigsaw?
[Bill] Yeah. I didn’t want much.
[Joan] Not like you, Sheila.
I changed up my list.
Oh, really? Let’s see.
What do you think it’ll be now?
[Bill] Come on, now, finish up your toast before it gets cold.
How long can we stay up?
[Bill] All right, you can have a half hour.
Yes!
[Bill] That’s your lot. Deal?
Deal.
Deal.
[indistinct chatter on TV]
[Eileen] Oh, did you hear? The Wilson family have sold all the livestock, and the house and land are to be auctioned in the New Year. You’re not talking with Ned?
[Bill] I haven’t seen him since the summer. I must call out to him some evening.
You should invite him over for Christmas Day if you want.
[Bill] You wouldn’t mind?
The house is full. What’s one more? Have you thought about what you’re getting me?
[Bill] Took me hint this evening.
Oh, God. Isn’t it great you still notice? What is it you’d like yourself?
[Bill] [inhales] Uh… Well, there’s nothing I need, really.
Well… would you not like a shirt or something?
[Bill] [inhales deeply] [sighs] Oh, may… maybe a book.
Yeah?
[Bill] Yeah, I might sit in, read it over the Christmas.
What sort of a book?
[Bill] Oh, I don’t know. Actually, um… David Copperfield. Yeah. Never, uh… Never got around to reading that one.
[Eileen exhales]
[TV chatter continues]
You all right, love? You haven’t been yourself in a while.
[Bill] How so?
Well… [exhales] You’re awful quiet.
[Bill] [exhales deeply]
[fire crackling]
[Bill] Do you ever get worried?
Yeah, well, coming up to Christmas and the expense of it all. Yeah, sure, that’s a worry.
[Bill] [sighs] Yeah. Yeah. And like… [clicks tongue] Like, do you think you’re doing all right?
Well, I mean, I’m putting away a couple of bob every week in the credit union. We’ll have the windows and the front done by this time next year.
[Bill] Yeah.
Is it that you’re just tired, love? Is that it?
[Bill] Must be, yeah.
Yeah, see, you’d want to stop getting up in the middle of the night, huh? It’s not good for anyone.
[oven door clanks]
[thuds]
[TV chatter continues]
[soft music playing]
[bird squawking]
[paper rustling]
[Mrs. Wilson] Beautifully wrapped.
[both giggle]
[chuckles lightly]
[gasps] Oh! That’s gorgeous.
I thought he might be a good companion for the other one you have.
And the same color too.
[both chuckle]
Oh, thank you, Sarah. Oh, he’s lovely. What a character.
[both chuckle]
His little ears. [chuckles] Thank you, pet.
You’re welcome.
Ah. Now, William. Oh! Is this a present from Santa Claus now?
Yes, Madam. This is it.
[Mrs. Wilson] Oh, freshly delivered. Goodness! The excitement.
[wrapper rustling]
[gasps] Isn’t Santa so good, Bill?
[young Bill] [breathes out] Yes, Mommy.
You’ll be nice and cozy with that.
Is 2:30 all right to eat, Mrs. Wilson?
That’s fine.
[young Bill] [breathes heavily]
[footsteps receding]
[young Bill grunts, breathes heavily]
There you are.
[water splashes]
Your mom asked me to come get you in. Didn’t you get the present you wanted?
[young Bill] No.
Well… Next time, you tell me and I’ll let Santa know. Great friends, me and him. Will you be all right, Bill?
[young Bill] Yes, Ned.
Right. Come on.
[switch clicks]
[Bill] [grunts softly]
[keys jingle]
[jackhammer drilling]
[pen whooshes]
[Bill] You warm enough, Kathleen?
Yes, Dad.
[clanks, thuds]
Thanks, Daddy. [exhales deeply] Mrs. O’Shea wants an extra bag with her lot and Doolans in Clonroche messed up her order.
[Bill] By how much?
Um, 20 bales.
[Bill] Huh. Tell them it’ll be two days.
[metal clanks, thuds]
[man indistinct]
[Bill] Are you all right?
Yeah.
[muffled chatter, laughter]
[man] What are you talking?
[indistinct]
[Bill] Any of these fellows out here giving you, um, any guff, are they?
No.
[Bill] Tell me if they were.
There’s been nothing, honest.
[Bill] You swear to God?
I swear to God.
[phone rings]
[Bill] Heading out?
[exhales]
[phone ringing]
Yeah. I-I wanted to go out later to Waterford to buy some presents, but the bus is at four.
[Bill] [exhales]
I’ll ask one of the lads to look after the phone.
[phone ringing]
[Bill] Grand. I’ll say it to Pat.
Are you sure?
[Bill] Yeah.
[phone ringing]
[Bill] I’ll see you later.
Thanks, Daddy.
[door opens]
[clacks]
[geese honking]
[grunts softly]
[bells tolling]
[panting]
[sack thuds]
[baby wailing in distance]
[wailing continues]
[geese honking]
[door clacks, creaks]
[baby crying in distance]
[thudding in distance]
[muffled chatter in distance]
[baby wailing]
[sister] Can I help?
[Bill] Oh, uh… Looking for, uh, Sister Carmel or Sister… Sister, uh, Mary.
For what?
[Bill] Oh, I have a… an invoice that needs, um, checking.
Sister Carmel is in the hall straight ahead.
[girl sobbing softly]
[girl breathing shakily]
[voice breaking] Mister… Mister, won’t you help us? Please. Please take me to the river or get me to the other side of the gate. Please!
[Bill] It’s not up to me, love.
[sobs] Please.
[Bill] I’m sorry, love.
Please. Please don’t leave me here. Take me home. I’ll work for you.
[sister] What are you doing in here?
[footsteps thudding]
[sister] Oh, don’t you usually ring the bell?
[Bill] Uh… I have, um, I have an invoice for you.
[geese honking]
You can take two of the coal away with you and give us five bales of briquettes.
[Bill] Oh, I’ll have to come back to you.
This afternoon, let’s hope.
[Bill] I-I’ve a delivery of turf in a couple of days. It’ll be then.
Oh, we can call Forward’s in Wexford. They come straight away, no bother.
[Bill] [exhales] Uh…
Haul two back and empty out the rest of it. We can’t have people walking in and out whenever they want. Do you understand me, Bill?
[Bill] Y-yes, Sister.
Bring me the turf when you get it, and we’ll pay you for the lot then.
[Bill] [sniffs]
[car horn honks in distance]
[keys jingle]
[sniffles]
[sniffles]
[breathes deeply]
[exhales]
[birds chirping]
[young Bill] Mommy.
[young Bill] [breathing heavily]
[young Bill] [panting]
[Mrs. Wilson] Don’t look. No, look away, darling. Stay. Ned! Here, stay where you are, Bill.
[young Bill] [breathes shakily]
[Bill] She came up to me. [exhales deeply] And she asked me to get her out. To take her as far as the river.
Then what did you say?
[Bill] [sighs] That it wasn’t up to me.
That’s true. It’s none of our business.
[Bill] She was so scared of her, Eileen, and…
Aren’t they fed and kept warm?
[Bill] Aye.
And given a trade? Sure if it wasn’t for the nuns, those girls would have no…
[Bill] Don’t I know that?
So what do we have to answer for?
[Bill] Don’t you ever question it?
Do you want to get on in this life? There are things you have to ignore. You’ve always been soft-hearted, Bill. Giving away your change in your pockets, you know, without knowing the lives of people. I mean, be honest, though. It’s far from hardship you were reared.
[Bill] What… What do you mean by that?
There are girls out there who do get into trouble, and that much you do know. Sorry. Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. [sniffles] You have to remember what we have. Let’s stay on the right side of people. Our girls will never go through what those girls are going through.
[Bill] What if it was one of ours?
Oh, God, isn’t that what I’m saying? They’re not our girls.
[Bill] Aren’t I lucky that Mrs. Wilson didn’t share your ideas? Where would my mother be if she hadn’t taken her in? And where would I be without what she did for me?
Her sitting up there in her big house. With her pension and her farm and people to work under her. She was one of the few women who could do as she pleased.
[girl] Mommy?
Oh, you’re here. What is it? Aye? Are you all right, pet? All right, come on. I’ll take you down.
[birds cawing, squawking]
You’ll be sleeping in this house now, Bill. I’ve had a room made up for you. You can have another week off school, and then you best get back. All right?
[young Bill] Do you think my father knows what’s happened?
I don’t know.
[thudding]
[grunting]
[young Bill] Where’s my father?
[Bill] I don’t know.
[geese honking]
[door creaks]
[girl breathes out]
[Bill gasps, pants]
[girl gasps, breathes heavily]
[Bill] God help us. It’s all right. It’s all right. It’s all right, child.
Is it the day or night, Mister?
[Bill] It’s… it’s dawn. It’s dawn. It’ll be light soon.
I’ll have my baby here.
[Bill] [exhales]
Not for five months, they said. [sobs, whimpers]
[sniffles]
[sobs]
Sister Mary says it’ll go to a good home.
[Bill breathes heavily]
[sobs]
[Bill] Uh… [clears throat] Come on. No, no, no. Come on now. Come on now. Come on. Come on up out of it. Come on. Up. Come on, child. I’ll take you in. Come on. It’s all right. Come on. Up you come.
[geese honking]
[Bill exhales]
[doorbell buzzes]
[Sarah breathes shakily]
[door slams]
Bring her in.
[Sister Mary] So good of you to come early, Bill. My God, you gave us an awful fright, child. Sister Frances was about to send for the guards to look for you.
[Bill] She was locked in the shed, Mother. Whatever had her in there…
[Sister Mary] My God, you poor girl. Sisters. Take her upstairs. Get her clean and bring her back to my office.
[footsteps receding]
[Sister Mary] Thank God you came when you did, Bill. We’ll have some tea.
[Bill] I’ll not, Mother.
[Sister Mary] You’ve time to sit. I’m sure my purse is in the office. Leave your coat off. You’ll feel the benefit later.
[keys jingling]
[footsteps tapping]
[machine whirring]
[steam whooshing]
[Bill] [exhales]
[door creaks]
[door closes]
[fire crackling]
[Sister Mary] Sit down and warm yourself. … Tea will be a minute. … So all is well at home, Bill?
[Bill] All’s well, Mother.
[Sister Mary] And Kathleen has the leaving certificate this year?
[Bill] She does.
[Sister Mary] And what will she do with herself?
[Bill] Uh… She wants to study, um, business in Waterford.
[Sister Mary] Oh, she’ll do it well. She’s a good girl. And I’ve seen Joan in the choir. Sister Carmel says she’s as bright as her sister. They get an excellent education next door. And you’ve another two coming to us, don’t you?
[Bill] Another three.
[Sister Mary] Three?
[Bill] Sheila will be coming in next September, and then, um, then there’ll be Grace and Loretta.
[Sister Mary] Hmm. So many trying to get in. It’s no easy task trying to find a place for everyone. We’ll do our best for your girls. But… must be a little disappointing all the same.
[Bill] In what way?
[Sister Mary] To not have a boy to carry on your name, you know?
[Bill] Have me mother’s name. No harm ever came from that. [gulps]
[door opens, creaks]
[door closes]
[tray clinks]
[thuds, clinks]
[breathes deeply]
[door opens, creaks]
[Sister Mary] Ah, here she is, the girl who caused all the drama. Sister…
[door closes]
[Sister Mary] You get a chair and put it next to Billy. And won’t you sit on there, child?
[door opens]
[footsteps thudding]
[door closes]
[Sister Mary] Sure here we are now. Thank God for the fire. And where would we be without the coal men? You see, they’re forecasting snow for us, Bill. I think it will arrive tonight. You can smell it. Sure the whole world looks pretty under snow.
[tea pouring]
[Sister Mary] Will you have some tea, child?
[Sarah] Yes, please, Mother.
[Sister Mary] And a slice of cake? Of course you will.
[tea pouring]
[teapot thuds]
[Sister Mary] There you go. Ah, fruitcake for you, pet?
[Bill] No, just tea.
[Sister Mary] Here you go. Now, don’t be thinking you’re in any trouble. Tell us how you came to be locked in that shed.
[Sarah breathing shakily]
[Sister Mary] Who put you there?
[Sarah] They hid me, Mother.
[Sister Mary] Hid you? Really?
[Sarah] Yes, Mother.
[Sister Mary] Who hid you then?
[Sarah] The other girls did.
[Sister Mary exhales] How did they do that?
[Sarah] We were playing a game.
[Sister Mary] Are you not a bit old to be playing hide and seek? And did they not think to let you out when the game was over?
[Sarah sobbing]
[Sister Mary] Girl, what’s wrong with you? Wasn’t it just a silly game? What was it, child?
[Sarah] It’s just a big nothing, Mother.
[Sister Mary] A big nothing, that’s it. Now, what you need is your breakfast and a good long sleep. Sister Frances, won’t you fry something up for this child, take her into the kitchen and let her eat her fill.
[Sarah] [crying]
[Sister Mary] And no work for her today. She needs to get her strength back.
[Sarah continues crying]
[Sister Mary] Poor creature.
[door closes]
[fire cracking]
[footsteps tapping]
[Sister Mary] Do you have an invoice for me? …Â Didn’t Christmas come in quickly all the same? … That’s our settle now, isn’t it?
[Bill] Yes, Mother.
[Sister Mary] Just a minute.
[drawer opens]
[drawer closes]
[pen scratching]
[paper bills rustle]
[pen thuds]
[Sister Mary] Here’s a little gift for you. I’m sure Eileen will appreciate it. Take it now, Bill. Come on. … That’s us done, I’d say.
[clanking]
[sister] Put them out. Come on.
[muffled chatter]
[sister] Mr. Furlong.
[Bill] [breathing heavily]
[baby wailing in distance]
[Bill] What’s your name, love?
Sarah. Sarah Redmond.
[sister] Mr. Furlong!
[Bill] My name is Bill Furlong. I work in the coal yard down by the quays. If ever you need anything, anything at all, you-you call, come down.
[sister] That’s enough, that’s enough.
[Bill] Come down… I’ll be there every day except Sunday.
[sister] Out!
[alarm bell blaring]
[sister] Line up, girls!
[bell ringing]
[alarm bell blaring]
[geese honking]
[thuds]
[sister] On your way! Don’t be dallying! … Not a word in the chapel! You hear me? Not a sound.
[Bill] [exhales deeply]
[keys jingle]
[engine starts]
[morose music playing]
[Bill] [exhales sharply]
[bells tolling]
[geese honking]
[dog barking in distance]
[wind whooshing]
[cawing]
[Sister Mary] The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults. Response.
[all] The Lord is compassion and love.
[Sister Mary] As the heavens are high above the earth, so strong is His love for those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our sins. Response.
[all] The Lord is compassion and love.
[Sister Mary] As the Father has compassion for his children, the Lord has pity on those who fear Him, for He knows of what we are made. He remembers that we are dust. Response.
[all] The Lord is compassion and love.
[Sister Mary] The love of the Lord is everlasting upon those who fear Him. His justice reaches out to the children’s children when they keep His covenant in truth. Response.
[accordion playing]
[door opens]
[door closes]
[accordion playing]
[TV character singing]
[stove thuds, squeaks]
Oh, shut up.
[indistinct TV chatter]
Someone needs more lessons.
[laughs]
[water running]
[grunts softly]
[brush scratches]
Are you not gonna tell me?
[Bill] What?
I saw Sister Mary after mass. She said she gave you a card for me?
[Bill] Oh, yeah, uh… It’s in my-my coat… my coat pocket there.
Were you not gonna tell me?
[Bill] I forgot all about it.
Yeah, I mean… I said you had, you know. It just looks like we don’t appreciate it.
[Bill] Mmm.
It’s just bad manners.
[Bill] [clears throat]
God, that is so nice of her. That’ll pay for Christmas.
[Bill] Yeah.
I hope you thanked her for it.
[Bill] Sorry, love.
Oh, what ails you? You haven’t said a word all day.
[Bill] Uh… I’m coming down on a cold or something.
[accordion playing]
[indistinct TV chatter]
[Eileen breathes deeply]
[switch clicks]
[somber music playing]
[Bill] [breathes deeply]
[birds squawking, chirping]
Hi.
[Bill] Uh, is Ned around at all?
No, he’s not. He’s been in hospital. He’s fine. I’m-I’m not sure where he is exactly. My-my brother knows. Easily know you’re related. Is-is Ned your uncle? Look, you’re welcome to wait.
[Bill] It’s fine. Fine.
Are you Bill?
[Bill] I am, yeah.
My God, I’m sorry, I’m Emma. We visited here when we were little kids, Emma and Peter. The house is sold, Ned told you, right?
[Bill] Um, Wexford Hospital, you said?
Yes, but, uh, but he’s in a nursing home outside of it. He’s fine, he had pneumonia. Peter knows the place, I’m sure.
[wind whooshing]
Will you come in for a bit?
[Bill] I’ve to get back to town.
Well… are you well, Bill?
[Bill] Oh, I’m grand.
And your family?
[Bill] We’re all grand, thanks, yeah.
Happy Christmas, Bill.
[indistinct chatter]
[laughter, indistinct chatter]
It’s quiet in here.
[Bill] All right.
[indistinct chatter, laughter]
So, will you be putting money behind the bar for the lads for Christmas Eve?
[Bill] I think they might have enough now.
They surely do, especially PJ.
[Bill] Yes.
You gave them a bonus as well as their lunches, Pat said.
[Bill] Ah, well, they deserve it. Um…
You’re a good man, my God.
[Bill] Are we sorted so?
We are, thank you, Bill. That’s lovely.
[Bill] Yes, yes, well, um…
Before you… I just… wanted to ask you. Did I hear about what happened in the convent? That… Did you have a run-in with herself? … Look. It’s no affair of mine. It’s not, but… You’d want to watch what you’d say about… About what’s there. Keep the bad dog with you and the good dog won’t bite. You know this?
[Bill] Ah, yeah. Yeah.
It’s just… Those nuns have a finger in every pie, Bill. And you can be sure about that.
[Bill] Mmm.
Look, you’ve worked as hard as myself to get where you are. We’ve worked damn hard.
[Bill] Mm-hmm.
And there’s only a wall separating that place from the school. You go making a nuisance of yourself now, you might be denying your younger ones an education. Never mind how you look to the rest of the town.
[Bill] And… and what’s that then? Tell me.
People can make things difficult for you.
[Bill] Well, then I know what people are like.
Yeah. Then you know to do the sensible thing, Bill. Just… just look after your family and… and your business will be my advice to you. You get me?
[Bill] I-I do, yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
Okay.
[Bill] Right.
I best get back out to this bar.
[Bill] Yeah.
Happy Christmas to the family for tomorrow.
[Bill] Happy Christmas to you too. Yeah.
Will I see you over the holidays?
[Bill] Aye, you’ll see me around here. Happy Christmas.
Happy Christmas to you.
[indistinct shouting]
[Niamh] Great quality.
[woman] Thanks, Niamh.
Happy Christmas to you.
And to you and the family. We’ll see you at Christmas mass tomorrow, so…
You will. Bye, Kate.
Bye, love.
[door closes]
[Bill] Um… Picking up a pair of shoes. Um, the name’s Furlong. [clears throat]
[wind whooshing]
[somber music playing]
[Bill] [breathes deeply]
[bell chimes]
[“Aloha Oe” playing on radio]
[scissors snipping]
[door opens]
[bell chimes]
[man] Hiya, Bill.
[door closes]
[bell chimes]
[Bill] Hi.
Hi.
[Bill] [snuffles]
[scissors snipping]
[muffled, indistinct]
[somber music playing]
[Bill] [exhales, snuffles]
[water pouring]
[somber music continues]
[Bill] I’m sorry.
[footsteps thudding]
[Bill] [snuffles]
[geese honking]
[Bill] [snuffles]
[honking]
[clanks, thuds]
[Bill] [breathes heavily]
[sobbing]
[Bill] Sarah. Come on. Come on, love.
[breathing shakily]
[thuds]
[groans faintly, sobs]
[Bill] Um… It’s Bill Furlong.
[sobbing]
[Bill] The coal man. I mean you no harm.
[breathing heavily]
[whimpers faintly]
[Bill grunts softly]
[groans faintly]
Whoa.
[seagulls squawking distantly]
[Sarah panting]
[Bill grunts softly]
[Sarah sobbing]
[Bill] Come on, love. It’s… it’s okay.
[sobbing continues]
[Bill] Don’t worry. Don’t worry.
[soft music playing]
[Bill] We’re nearly there. Almost home. Here we are.
[keys jingling]
[door thuds]
[switch clicks]
[indistinct TV chatter]
[Bill’s daughters chattering]
[thuds]
[water running]
[scrubbing]
[chattering continues]
[utensils clink]
[laughter, chattering continues]
[chattering stops, silence]
Dedicated to the more than 56,000 young women
who were sent to Magdalene institutions
for ‘penance and rehabilitation’
between the years 1922 and 1998.
And the children who were taken from them.
[bells tolling]
[windows thudding]
[dog barking]
[bells tolling]
[crows cawing]
[birds chirping]
[crow caws]
[water flowing]
[soft music playing]
[dog barking]
[whooshing]
[bird chirping]
[bird squawking]
[dog barking]
[bells tolling]
[geese honking]
[vehicle approaching]
[engine stops]
[geese honking]
[girls singing]
[wind whooshing]
[baby wailing]
[whirring]
[bottle breaks]
[indistinct chatter]
[laughter, indistinct chatter]
[vehicle passing by]
[laughter]
[engine revving]
[dog barking]
[rain pattering]
[fire crackling]
[turntable clacks]
[record starts]
[soft music playing]
[birds chirping]
[music fades]
[bells tolling]
[windows thudding]
[dog barking]
[bells tolling]
