ACT TWO
SCENE ONE
The exact same image that started Act One.
The only sound is the cricking of summer cicadas.
From the louvred window of a sleep-out comes the glow of a kerosene lamp. Inside the room is CHARLIE Bucktin. Only this time, he isnât reading a book.
Heâs waiting.
Then âŠ
A dark creeping figure makes its way deftly, silently toward the sleep-out.
CHARLIE does not see the figure.
A beat.
The figure looks around nervously, then raps lightly on the window.
CHARLIE turns, startled. Then looks to us.
CHARLIE: Jasper Jones has come to my window.
He hurriedly removes the slats and keeps talking as he climbs out.
Where have you been, Jasper? Itâs been a whole week! I thought you were gone for good! Iâve been hiding inside for days pretending Iâve got the runs. Actually, I have got the runs. Mightâve been Mumâs turkey. My gutâs all twisted and jumpy. And every time one of those spotter planes flies over or a copper drives down the street I just need to poo. I canât help it, but Iâ
He sees JASPERâs face in the moonlight. It is beaten badly.
What happened to your face?!
JASPER: Tell you later. Come on. We gotta go.
He starts to walk away hurriedly. CHARLIE follows.
CHARLIE: Where have you been?
JASPER: Around.
CHARLIE: Did you have a merry Christmas?
JASPER: Was it Christmas? Didnât notice.
CHARLIE: Theyâve been having patrols through Corrigan, Jasper. Every night. I donât reckon itâs safe for us to be out like this.
JASPER: Most of the town is at the Sovereign, getting pissed. No patrols tonight, Charlie.
They walk on.
CHARLIE turns to us.
CHARLIE: Everything and nothing happened in the past week. Kids were heading back onto the street, trying out their new Christmas toys, but only till dusk. Parents were locking doors and looking at each other with suspicion. The Ashes were a drawânot even Dougie Walters could save it. Mum was still angry. Dad was still invisible. The city search crews had come and gone. Only locals could stand being in this town for longer than a few days. The latest round of draft letters were delivered and a few of the local teens were packing their bags to head off to Vietnam.
JASPER: Keep up, Charlie.
CHARLIE: [to us] At a meeting at the Minersâ Hall last night, Mrs Findlay, the publicanâs wife, screamed at Jeffreyâs mum. Told her to go back to where she came from. Then she pulled out a big chunk of Mrs Luâs hair. Apparently one of Mrs Findlayâs sons got drafted. Everyone rushed to her after it happened ⊠but no-one helped Mrs Lu.
They arrive at Mad Jackâs place.
The peaches hang from the tree.
JASPER glares at the house.
JASPER: Iâll get you, you bastard.
They walk on.
CHARLIE: Are you still sure it was him, Jasper?
JASPER: Think about it, Charlie. For years heâs bin cominâ out that door and callinâ my name, whenever Iâve walked past. âJasper! Jasper!â And heâs seen Laura too. Seen me with her. But starting from that night one week ago, I haven...