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The Secret Scripture (2016)
My name is Rose McNulty.
I did not kill my child. My name is Rose McNulty. I did not kill my child. Stephen, don't forget, you'll need the deeds. - Do you have the keys? - When I get back tonight. I'll be sure to pop around on the weekend. People say this is where she killed the child. Now, we just need this woman to be reassessed so we can move her to the new facility. Once you meet her, I believe you'll have her signed out by lunchtime. I'm not sure why they needed to send someone as eminent as you, Dr. Grene. Come in. Good morning, Florence. I've brought a young man to see you here. Roseanne Florence Clear? No. Roseanne McNulty. I'm the wife of Michael McNulty. We have a son. Can you tell me, Roseanne, what age are you? That's no question to ask a lady. What age are you? Hello, Mrs. Magpie. How's your husband? One for sorrow, two for joy. Which are you? Number two. Dr. Grene. Dr. Grene. You can't stay here forever, can you, Roseanne? I will, thank you. You're real. We might have to move you to a new facility. No. I'm staying here. - Until when, Roseanne? - Until I want to leave. We're turning this place into a hotel and a spa. Then I will stay in the hotel. I'm finished speaking now. Caitlin, how many are ready for the bus tomorrow? Eight, doctor. I thought there was nine. One passed, doctor. Her friend Joe Grady from ward five. - Oh, that's sad. - Tell me, doctor is... Shh. She has ears that can hear through walls. Eyes in the back of her head. She's seeing stuff all over the place... visions, apparitions. She just can't function in the real world. Ah, the real world. Tell me what direction that is again, Dr. Hart. Ward three. Ward three. I must remember that. Okay, thank you, Audrey. So, these are the plans here. As you can see, quite an extensive thing. And they're going to build a walk all the way around. Oh, watch this. Wait until you see this. Watch this. And she'll stop... ...and proceed. She's living in her own little purgatory. I'm not saying the new facility is heaven, but it's time to tick the box, doctor. Here we are. It's sad, I know. That's it, you're sad. Yeah, that's it. Sure, I know, yeah. But we're grand. We're grand. Ah, there's Margaret. I know. Throw that out. Unbelievable! Oh, my Lord, what are you doing? What are you doing? They're my things. Oh, my Lord. Oh, my God. What have you done with my Bible? Those are my books. Give them back to me. - What are you doing? - I'm only doing my job. Nurse Caitlin? Nurse Caitlin? Nurse Caitlin! What? What on earth? What on earth. - Nurse Caitlin! - Calm down! Stop! Stop! Please, please. My things are in there. - Please don't drive... - Rose, what's going on? - My diaries. - She took the keys. - Everything in my scripture. - Hey, get back in the truck. - My scriptures. - Rose, what's wrong? That's me in there. Me. My life. What's going on, Florence? - What's going on? - Keep away from me. Don't let him come near me. - Don't let him come near... - Go back to your work, nurse. - Calm down. - Go back to your work. - I'm sorry? - I said go back to your work. - She's looking for her diaries. - I know. I know. - She's fine, she's fine. - Leave her alone. - Let her go. - This is a medical matter. Isn't that right, Florence? - This woman's hysterical. - Why did you throw - her stuff out? - Because she has to leave, that's why. She has to leave. Isn't that right, Florence? There you go. All right, this'll calm you down, okay? There you go. There you go. - Here. - Thank you. Can you lower the skip, please? All right. Keep your feet up now. That was a medical matter. Nothing to do with you, do you understand? Nothing to do with you. Nurse, looking in skips has got nothing to do with you. I'll make it part of my evaluation then. What? Are you saying you're going to take responsibility for this patient? Yes. All right, well, in that case, nurse! Nurse! Don't leave the patient, do you understand? Make up your mind, doctor. You have until Friday, Dr. Grene. - Get all this stuff out. - Right, yeah. Hey, hey, hey. That's her Bible. Give it here. Get all this stuff... All this stuff up to her ward. Grand. How do you feel? Like someone took my soul. You see, they took my cross. Your cross? Yes. I'm sorry, Rose. Rose, will you read it? Why? So, that Dr. Grene can reevaluate you. Oh, does that mean I can stay? It means you won't have to leave tomorrow. Oh, tomorrow? I've been here for 40 years. My child was born out there. Who will remember my baby? I want to hear your story, Rose. Do you have ears to listen? The undertaker doesn't need his ears. He should rent them out. Who is the undertaker? - The other doctor. - Oh, right. "January 4th, 1942. I write these words in secret, in fear, and in terror. I need to find a relative to claim me, otherwise I am here forever, condemned to a living death. My childhood was happy. I was happy in County Sligo. " I got my music from my dad. I loved my dad. When my dad died, my mother's heart died with him. She stayed in her mourning clothes mourning night and day until they took her away. Stayed in her mourning clothes night and day until they took her from me. When I met Michael McNulty... I knew I would wait for him forever. I never would have met my fighter pilot if it wasn't for the terrible man with the mustache. When the war came to Belfast, I lost my job. I evacuated to the Republic, which was not at war. I went to work for my mother's sister Aunt Eleanor in her temperance hotel. Going back to my childhood home of Ballytivnan was like stepping into a fairytale, a peaceful world cut off from all of reality. May I take your cases? Thank you. - Hello, Roseanne. - Hello. - How was your trip? - Just fine. Come on, you two hussies. Sister. Let's go. All were welcome in my aunt's cafe, Catholic and Protestant alike, depending on their appearance. My aunt had a strict seating policy. Those who were allowed inside, and those who were kept outside. - No. - And those who weren't allowed at all. - There you see... - Hi, Joe. ...poor Joe Brady, who will die in the mental asylum at the top of the town. Can I have a... - ring, sugar... - A donut? Yes. Happy as I was, the fighter planes beyond Ben Bulben were always a reminder that the war was never far away. - Hello. - Hello. Rose of Prunty's Temperance Hotel? - I am. - I'm Michael McNulty. Of McNulty Tobacco and Spirit Merchants. That's the one, yeah. We're opposites, so... Don't they say opposites attract? Oh, do they, now? I'm going away for awhile, Rose. I hope you're here when I get back. Well, it was nice to meet you, Michael. Nice to meet you, too, Rose. Rose? Rose Clear? - I am. - Haven't seen you since you were a girl. At your mother's funeral. Maybe you've forgotten what Ballytivnan is like. You need to be careful who you fraternize with. - What do you mean? - Are you sympathetic? Where do your sympathies lie? With us or with the Brits? The McNultys are a family of shopkeepers, no trade. Bread buttered on both sides, understand? No. Careful whose side you take. I'll be keeping an eye out for you. Conas at tu? Go maith, Toms. Go maith. Stop that, Michael McNulty. Oh, no. Stop it! Watch out for me, will you? You swam all the way across? You have to be careful out there when the tide is turning. It looks calm on the top, but underneath it's churning like buttermilk. I'm a good swimmer. You know, this is not a spot for ladies. Well, I didn't see a sign. Doesn't need a sign. It's been that way forever. Everyone knows that. - I didn't. - Hmm. You're not from around here are you? You swim over there on the other side of the causeway. All right. I'll forgive you today. Are you a policeman? I'm not. A lifeguard? I am a lifeguard of sorts, yes. You can't be a lifeguard of sorts. You're either a lifeguard or you're not. Are you a butcher? A baker? A candlestick maker? You have no fear do you? - Fear of what? - Fear of what? The only time 'round here a woman looks directly into a man's eyes is when she is his wife. Well, I better go, so... Would you like a lift? - Maybe not. - Fine, so. I kept the window down to let the air in. Then I looked in the mirror and something told me not to leave you behind. A little birdie? No. A great big birdie, like a phoenix. Well, if I get into this car, will I ever get out? Depends on where you're going. Ballytivnan. I'll take you to Ballytivnan, so. You promise? I promise. All right. So, what are you doing in Ballytivnan? I'm working for my Aunt Eleanor. - Mrs. Prunty? - Aye. What do you do? I hear people's problems for a living. A psychiatrist? No. I shouldn't drive you all the way into the village. You'll break your promise. Well, it's a small town. Wouldn't want people talking now. Thank you. Sorry, Father. Father Gaunt? Are you going to stay here all night, doctor? Listen to this. "July 21st, 1969. Man on the moon on TV. Irish. One of them called Michael. Could that be my son? So far away, so free... Inspiring. Felt like a bird all day. " She doesn't believe her son's dead. What is that? "Moonlight Sonata," I think. It's fascinating. Is everything all right, Father? It's grand, Mrs. Prunty. Rose, would you serve Father Gaunt, please? - Hello, Rose. - Hello. Let's have a look, shall we? You're a protestant girl, Rose? Sure we can't all be perfect, Father. I'll have an Earl Grey begob. Don't have that at home. It was named after the Second Lord Grey. - The second, not the first? - The second. He was the Prime Minister of England a hundred years ago. They named a tea after him. They did. They're a funny people, the English. Would you consider yourself English, Rose? I'm not an English Rose, Father. I'm Irish true and true. Will that be all? Hmm. She was in the car with the priest, you know? - The Protestant girl? - The Protestant girl. You're sure about that? Oh, yeah, I am about that, yeah. Virgin Annie is what we used to call your mother. She was so pure. Wouldn't look at a man before marriage. Then she met your father. Nine months later you were born, with a marriage in between to satisfy Granny Kaddon. I was born from love, so. You can't be Kathy Kaddon's daughter without boundaries. I'm having no relationship with him. Mrs. Prunty. If you step out with Father Gaunt again, I'll fire you. Ann! Hello, Rose. Did you see the way she looked at me? Are you sure she was looking at you? Then out of the sky he came, as promised. And I knew it was him. I knew it was Michael doing his little dance for me alone in the sky. Then he flew back to the war. I watched... until he became a dot on the horizon. Most of the other men in Ballytivnan were a rough lot. There was the tailors gang. - Desi. - Eamon. Barry. The tailor O'Donnell and gentle Jack Conroy. Rose? It is Rose, isn't it? Clear. Rose Clear. Would you come out with me, Rose Clear? Out where? Anywhere. The pictures. The snug in the mixed bar. Well, I might if you had some manners. I'll find them. I will find the manners, Miss Clear. And respect. You'll have to find that first. Well, Jack, how'd you get on? Yo! Oh, my gosh. I'm telling you, Rose, it's not your imagination. Would you like to dance, Rose? All right. You're a strong woman, Rose. I'm not. I'm fragile. Give her space there, Joe Brady. Make room for the Holy Spirit. Let the lady breathe, Jack. Why don't you dance with her, so? What's wrong, Rose? Rose, are you all right? - Everybody's looking at us. - No, they're not. You're just being paranoid. Like my mother? - Rose. Rose. - I just don't want to be the center of everybody's attention, Jack. I love you, Rose. - Jack. - I do, Rose. - Please. - Let me go. No. No, look into my eyes the way you did the other day, please. - Let me go, Jack, no. - Please, Rose. Go home, Jack. Why are you leading men on, Rose? What did I tell you? Do not look men in the eye. It's you who look me in the eye. I'm a priest, Rose. You're a priest who also wants to be a man, Stephen. Make up your mind, but leave me out of it. - Aunt Eleanor, I... - I have a business to run, Rose. - I'm sorry. - Do you not understand the power you have over men? Get your things together. Will you be all right staying here on your own? Germany calling. Germany calling. Germany calling. The great offensive against France has ended. It has been brought to a victorious conclusion. And throughout the world people wonder, when will the offensive against British soil come? Michael. Michael! Rose? Over here! Here! Michael, we have to go. Come on! Come on! Michael. Oh, no. We have to go. - Michael. - Go on! Keep your voice down. Men, to the river. Search the bank. Come on! Come on! Over there. Over here. Come on. You better hide. Open up. This is where you are. Open up. Come on. Tell me where he is. Tell me where he is or I'll have you on this floor. Leave her alone! She's hiding him, the Brit-loving traitor! She's a whore! I can see it in her eyes. Out of the way. Get out of the way! Outside. You chose the wrong side. Come on, Conway. - Shh. - He's gonna die. Tom! Tom. Who's Tom? He was a friend of mine. Where'd you get the burns? Our plane burst into flames. Tom was burning alive. I tried to get him out, but no luck. I escaped, he died, that's it. Things happen in war, Rose. How's you hand? The water's nice. Haven't heard that sound in a long time. ...over this island for the last few weeks has recently attained a high intensity. The gratitude of every home in our island goes out to the British airmen who undaunted by odds are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion. I better be getting back soon. I think I'll have it going soon. ...great victory for the Royal Navy. Meanwhile, on the home front, and despite mounting civilian casualties, the gallant men of the RAF continue to take to the skies in their Spitfires... ...to protect their small island. Go hide. I'll get rid of them. You can't live out here all on your own, Rose. I'm fine. I need a housekeeper. Can I come in? I don't think that'd be right, Father. I don't think you should come in. Why not? I'll consider your offer. Just give me time. I just need time. Yeah. Time. Yeah. Okay. Grand. I thought he'd left without saying good-bye. I felt the loneliness again. But different this time, like losing a part of myself. Then I saw the flowers he'd left for me. Would you like a cigar? - You have cigars as well? - I do. Well, I won't say no. You can get them at St. Malachy's. The asylum? They grow tobacco at the farm. The patients go mad without their smokes. God help them. Is it terrible? Right now it tastes like the best cigar in the world. Do you play music as well as you can cook? I played piano. My dad taught me. I'd love to hear you some time. It reminds her of Michael. True love. May I? All right. What are you thinking about? My mother. Hmm. She was crazy in love with my dad. After he died, she went mad and they sent her away. Sometimes I think love scared her. I'm scared that you'll die. Will you wait for me, Rose? Try and be safe now. It's safe. What's that for? It's for you. For bravery in the face of the enemy. Michael. I don't want you to leave. Stay there for a minute. Michael. Who is it? It's nothing. I'll take care of it. Good. Will you marry me, Rose? You want to marry me? I do. I want you all to myself. You have no ring. Maeve, thank you. Sorry for the rush. You're welcome. Your name? - Rose Clear. - Rose. Lovely. - Michael McNulty. - Michael. And have you the ring? And by the giving and receiving a ring, I now pronounce you man and wife. Albeit it was a ring from a cigar, but I'm sure it'll stand up in the court of Heaven. What are you waiting for, Michael? You may kiss. Oh, my goodness. - Congratulations. - Thank you, Father. No, pastor. Pastor. Congratulations! I'm sure you'll be very happy. Woo! All right. We're off. Smile. Come on, Mrs. McNulty. Let's get your bags and get out of here. Michael, stop. Stop. Michael, you have to go. There's someone inside. You have to turn around and go. - Go, go! - You can come back for me. - Go, Michael. - I will. I'll be back for you! Go, Michael! Go! Father Gaunt? You having a good look there, Ann? Oh, I thought it was parish business. Sorry, I didn't see you. I'm just so shortsighted. You're the only family member still alive. It's very sad. What do you find most interesting about that report? Hold it up to the light. Well, you can see right through it. Father Gaunt was hitting the keys very hard. He obviously believed every word he was writing. Here, spell "nymphomania. " N - Y - M - P - H - O - M "Nympho... " A-N-I-A - Well, he got that right. - Yes, and look at this. Sergeant said he saw her kill her child with a rock. I mean... I did not kill my child. They killed my baby, but I baptized my son, baptized him in the name of his father with salt water through salt tears. You are my jury, one man, one woman. One man and two women. One man, one woman... Two people. I want a fair hearing from the two people I trust before I die. Did you find my husband? Is he dead? I have a warrant here to bring you to Saint Malachy's Mental Hospital. Why? Why? - Come on out now. - No. No, I can't go! No, I can't! He might come back! Michael! Michael! No! Michael! You're here on the word of your only living relative Mrs. Prunty and the confirmation of the parish priest - Father Gaunt. - Why? Sexual behavior of an unwarranted nature. Have you found my husband? Mrs. Prunty says you're not married. It's all in your head, Rose, like your mother. I think you need time to settle down here, Rose, and I think we'll keep you here for awhile. But I haven't done anything. Nurse. That's all. This is your new home, Rose. Come with me, dear. Come. You're safe here. We'll take care of you. Out. If you don't want to end up on that side of the room get under your covers and be quiet. Now. Sit down! Rose. Take a little bit of porridge, Rose. Let them see you're eating it. I'll deal with this. Enough! Get her out of the bed. Get her out. - Right. - Strap her in. No! No! No! No! No! Shut her up. Here's your porridge. - No! - Hold her. - Open your mouth. - No! - Open her mouth. - Fuck you! Open your dirty mouth. Open it. Open your mouth or I'll break your teeth. Now, we're going to have to clean you up. Let me go! Please, no! Let me go! - Pipe down! - Let me go! I want my husband! Let me go! Let me go! - Get me my husband! - Try not to hurt yourself. That's a good girl. They say it was here that it happened, on the rocks over there by the causeway. You're right. It is beautiful. Can I ask you, doctor, why did you take this case on? I had to fix up a few loose ends at my parent's house. I remember coming down here for summer holidays. I remember my dad yelling at me for swimming at high tide. I can't imagine what it would be like to be locked up for 50 years. She's in here, Father. Hello, Rose. We need to be in the room, Father. I know you haven't wanted to see me, Rose. Mrs. Prunty won't sign you out, but if you were married, Rose... Do you understand me? I'm pregnant, Father. You, out. They're saying it's the priest's baby. Father Gaunt? I'd like to hear his confession. Imagine her. We need to get this tobacco to St. Malachy's. What are you going to do with your baby? What do you mean? I'm giving him up. You don't want it? I have no choice. He'll be sent to America, I hope. You hope? If he's well, he'll to be sent to America. If not, he'll have to stay here for the rest of his life. Silence! You! Get back to work. Great news! Great news, Sister Sarah! The twins have finally been adopted. They're off to Boston. Isn't that great news, Rose? You'll not be taking my baby away. No. It'll be staying here. How long have you been with us, Teresa? Since I've been born. Since she was born. That's if it's lucky. Some of the poor mites don't make it. Rose? Lock the back door for me. Do it quick. Rose! Rose! Rose! Rose, it's Stephen! Come on! Is she away in the head or what? Come on, she may drown. Come on. Row! She's lost, Father. - She's lost. - Keep going, keep going. She'll never survive in this. Keep going! Father, is it your child? We're going on to them rocks. Keep going, keep going! Rose! Rose! Rose! Rose! Jesus Christ. She's killing the baby! Rose! Oh, my God. My memories. They took my memories. Took my memories with the electricity. This is you? Ah, yes, that's me. What happened after the baby was born? He came out and he cried. And I cut the umbilical cord and he cried. And what happened next? Where's my cross? The... you know, for bravery in the face of the enemy. The... the cross. Where did you get it? From Michael. Surname? Michael McNulty. Are you sure? As sure, as sure, as sure. What did the baby look like? A boy. A beautiful boy. Do you think I killed my baby boy like everyone else? No, I don't, Lady Rose. You know, there's a sickness... There's a sickness in people that stops them seeing the truth. Oh, dear. Anything you see with love is the truth. The rest is smoke. Excuse me, girl. You're a good listener. Thanks. Do you do intimate... conversation? Only if I have two more of those. So, what's your story, doctor? My mother loved me to the point of insanity. Talked so much she'd take all the air out of the room. And my father was a man of few words. That meant "Make the tea. " That meant "Sweep the floor. " That meant, "Help me, I'm dying. " He's lying on the floor and he's trying to tell me something. He's like, "Your mother... " I said, "Loved me?" And he's like... And he's pointing to himself, so I said, "You love me?" And he's like... There was always something missing, you know? The Archbishop loves to take a walk down here. The other side, of course. Why'd they ask for me? I don't know. I was just asked to pick you up and bring you back. She's awake! She drowned the baby. It is really the priest's baby? Men. You poor thing. The poor thing. Can I see him? Your baby's in a better place. What do you mean? Your baby's dead. No. - Yes. - No, no. Shh. Shh, shh, shh. You're home now. I want my baby. Shh, shh, shh. Shh. We'll take care of you. We'll take care of you now. My name is Rose McNulty. I did not kill my child. My name is Rose McNulty. - Orderlies, hold her. - I did not kill my... - My name is Rose McNulty. - Mouth guard. - I did not kill my child. - Come on, get it in there. Hold her. Hold her still. Hello, my love. Have you come to take me home? I have. Michael's dead, Rose. They killed him. What are you talking about, Michael? Michael's dead. Have you come to take me home? No, Rose. No, Rose. Listen to me. - Michael's dead. - Michael. Rose, he's dead. Tell Rose I love her, and that I was thinking of her. No. - No. - They killed him. - I'm sorry. - No. No, no. Father, it's time to go. No. I'm sorry. Father, I have my orders. Stephen. Stephen. Don't... Don't leave me. It's okay. It's okay. It's all right. It's okay, Rose. I'm sorry. - I'm sorry, Rose. - Michael. - No, no, no, no. - Michael. No, no, no. No, Rose. Take me home, Michael. - It's okay. - Michael. - Orderlies. - Rose, Rose, Rose. Orderlies! It's okay. It's all right. It's all right. It's all right, Rose. What are you doing? - Look at me. Look at me. - Where's Michael? - Where's Michael? - What? You killed him! - You killed him! - Orderlies. - You killed him! - Rose, Rose, Rose! - Okay, Father. - No, get back. You killed him! What did you do with him? Where's Michael? - You killed him! - Rose, stop that! Stop that! You killed... You... Okay, it's all right. Look at me. It's okay. It's all right. Okay, Rose? Just... Let's sit down, okay? Okay. It's all right. It's okay. Michael. - No, you killed him! - Restrain her. Orderlies! Nurse! Go back to your beds. We have her now. Rose. Rose! I committed my memories to the Book of Rose. They became me, and I became them. My secret scripture... and me. There's no difference. I accept now that Michael is dead. I don't accept my son is dead. This has left a hole in my heart that can only be filled if my son comes to claim me. Dr. Grene. Listen, you don't have to sit here all night, you know. Take yourself off for a sleep somewhere else. - Go on. - Tell me, is there a committal report? Yeah, of course. - I'll leave it out for you. - Okay. Thanks. You're thinking too much here. I mean, the transport's going to be here at midday tomorrow, so she has to go. She has no family. Nobody's going to come and claim her. Just talk to her. Explain it to her. Make it easy for her. You've read the sergeant's version - of events? - Yeah. Two stories. Which do you believe? I believe her. Surprise, surprise. Are you okay, Rose? Oh. I dreamed I found my son. Caitlin, can you read that passage again? "There were no calendars or clocks in our babies' home, so we would not know our babies' birth date. My baby was born after the late daffodils, when the apple blossoms were in bloom. " What's your birthday? Depends on who you ask. My mother said the first of May. My father said the second. Take a look at this. What the hell's going on here? The transport will be here shortly. If you don't move, we'll have to sedate you. Why, Dermot? Tell me why? It's the church, Stephen. It's just the church. "Dear Stephen, I've been your dad for 40 years, and I've loved you all your life. You were given to me and Margaret as a baby. A godsend, and you have enriched our lives. We were told your mother was dead by Father Gaunt. " Father Gaunt, where are you? "When he came to us later in his life and told us the truth... " Father? Father? "... he was a deeply troubled man. I'm sorry that I could never tell you myself. Your dad, Martin Thomas Grene. P.S. This medal belonged to your real father, a brave man. " Michael sent you, didn't he? He did. Let's go. Where to? Home. Home. Have you come to take me home? I have. |
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