{
(print: "<script>$('html').removeClass(\)</script>")
(if: (passage:)'s tags's length > 0)[
(print: "<script>$('html').addClass('" + (passage:)'s tags.join(' ') + "'\)</script>")
]
}
(live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")["God help England](stop:)]
(live: 3s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[if She had no Scots](stop:)]
(live: 5s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[to [[Think for Her]]."](stop:)]
(live: 6s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[—//George Bernard Shaw, Nobel Laureate//](stop:)]
|fade-out>[God help England]
|fade-out>[if She had no Scots]
|fade-out>[to] **Think for Her**.
|fade-out>[—//George Bernard Shaw, Nobel Laureate//]
(live: 3s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[Written By Mary Kenney](stop:)]
(live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[ [[Begin]] ](stop:)]
(live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[EXT. STREET CORNER - DAY](stop:)]
(live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[SUPER:](stop:)]
(live: 3s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[**Skara Stennes, Scotland**](stop:)]
(live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[**March 1953**](stop:)]
//MARGARET STEWART and JOAN MACKENZIE study a Royal Mail post box. The royal cypher on the box, //EIIR//, has been vandalized: someone has painted over the second I.//
//The two women wear the navy, skirt-and-jacket uniforms of the Scottish Police Force.//
JOAN: Third one this week, then? You’d think folk’d have something better to do than slog out all night painting boxes. //(Margaret kneels beside the box as Joan quips)// I've a fence for 'em to tackle, if they don't.
MARGARET: I want to get another look before we go.
JOAN: How’s looking at it gonnae help? Any bassa with a brush and a can could’ve managed this work. Cummoan, we should head back.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[You're right]].
I might have [[missed something]].
//[[Ignore her]].//
(set: $clues to true)
MARGARET: I might have missed something. I need to look around a bit more.
JOAN: Lovely. I'll just freeze my arse off while I wait then, shall I?
//The player has control of Margaret. Margaret may find: a shoeprint in wet paint, a half-burned receipt from Colin's Hardware Store, and powder sprinkled around the mail box. Dialogue continues over the exploration.//
//Joan glares at the cold, gray sky, takes a deep drag, and flicks out her cigarette.//
JOAN: I dinnae what ye expect to find. No bomber worth their gravy's gonna leave clues about.
MARGARET: Let's hope this one's not worth their gravy, then.
JOAN: Ha! Well, most criminal types aren't. Ye got me there.
//When the player finishes looking around the scene or finds all of the clues, they may press a button to exit exploration mode.//
JOAN: Ye ready, then?
MARGARET: Aye, let's [[leave]].
(set: $clues to false)
MARGARET: Ye're right. We should get back to the station.
JOAN: Ye ready, then?
MARGARET: Aye, let's [[leave]].
INT. POLICE OFFICE - DAY
//Margaret and Joan sit at a table strewn with papers. The room is filled with the cacophony of a police station: ringing phones, muttering officers, the tread of booted feet.//
//Inspector NEIL MACLEAN enters. His voice cuts through the din.//
NEIL: Constables Stewart, Mackenzie.
//Margaret and Joan scramble to their feet.//
MARGARET: Inspector.
NEIL: Who told ye to look into the pillar box vandalisms?
JOAN: No one, sir.
NEIL: Aye, no one. Because that is not your job.
DIALOGUE BOX:
It is. We [[investigate]] crime.
It [[won't happen]] again, sir.
[[...]]
MARGARET: I thought our job was to investigate crime. Sir.
//Neil crosses the room to jab a finger in Margaret's face.//
NEIL: Yer //this// close to being out of the force, MacKenzie. It wouldna be the first time I was glad to watch the door shut behind ye.
//He steps back and addresses the room//.
NEIL: You are both part of the Skara Stennes //Women's// Police Force. That means ye handle //women's// crimes. Domestic, spouses, children. And that is //all// ye handle. Are we clear?
JOAN: Aye, sir.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Aye]], sir.
Aye, [[as glass]], sir.
//[[Remain silent]]//.
MARGARET: It will not happen again, sir.
NEIL: No, it will not. Not if ye want to keep yer place here.
//He steps back and addresses the room//.
NEIL: You are both part of the Skara Stennes //Women's// Police Force. That means ye handle //women's// crimes. Domestic, spouses, children. And that is //all// ye handle. Are we clear?
JOAN: Aye, sir.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Aye]], sir.
Aye, [[as glass]], sir.
//[[Remain silent]]//.
//Neil steps back and addresses the room//.
NEIL: You are both part of the Skara Stennes //Women's// Police Force. That means ye handle //women's// crimes. Domestic, spouses, children. And that is //all// ye handle. Are we clear?
JOAN: Aye, sir.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Aye]], sir.
Aye, [[as glass]], sir.
//[[Remain silent]]//.
MARGARET: Aye, sir.
NEIL: Good. Now prove to me ye can follow orders, not just give me lip service, MacKenzie.
//Neil exits. After a moment of stunned silence, the chatter in the office picks up again. Joan and Margaret return to their desk.//
JOAN: I was expecting ye to lose your heid.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Ye have the temper]], not me.
[[I nearly did]].
//Remain [[silent]]//.
//Joan gives a mock sigh and drops the bottle back into her bag as Margaret stands up.//
JOAN: Another day, then.
//The two walk out of the building together. FADE TO: A [[child's bedroom]].//
MARGARET: Might as well have a glass before I head home.
//Joan pours whisky into Margaret's empty coffee mug, then her own. Margaret sips at hers.//
JOAN: Hard on yer little one, isn't it? These long hours of yers.
DIALOGUE BOX:
It's [[not so bad]].
Aye, [[it's hard]].
MARGARET: Neil's a dobber, and everyone here knows it.
JOAN: Aye, but he's the dobber in charge, so watch yerself. Ye could be out of work as fast as he can open the door.
MARGARET: They canna run me out like I'm some civilian.
JOAN: Ye //are// some civilian, t'them. Yer record of service, in the Air Force and then here, dinna stop them from running ye out the first time.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[That was different]].
I know, and [[I hate it]].
MARGARET: Neil's just doing his job.
JOAN: (//Snorts//) Aye, and what a //fine// job it is. Doesna matter to him that you and I served in the Air Force, same as him. We'll never be real police to him and his kind.
MARGARET: We're as much a part of the force as anyone.
JOAN: Dinna stop them from running ye out when ye got married.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[That was different]].
I know, and [[I hate it]].
MARGARET: (//Ruefully//) I'm glad I could make it more exciting here for ye all.
//Joan raises her glass in a mock toast.//
JOAN: To Constable Stewart! May she always absorb our inspector's foul tempers.
//The women toast and throw back their whisky.//
JOAN: Ye know, it doesna matter to him that we served in the Air Force, same as him. We'll never be real police to him and his kind.
MARGARET: We're as much a part of the force as anyone.
JOAN: Dinna stop them from running ye out when you got married.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[That was different]].
I know, and [[I hate it]].
MARGARET: He was. I miss him every day.
JOAN: I know. Yer a tough one, Marge, and dinna let anybody--not Neil or that mother-in-law o' yers--tell ye any different.
//Joan sets down her empty glass and stands.//
JOAN: Well, I'm for home. I'll see ye tomorrow. (//Smirking//). Try not to get into trouble. Again.
//Margaret watches her leave. She glances at the clock, frowns, and looks back at her pile of work.//
//CUT TO Margaret entering her dimly lit house. She makes her way to a [[child's bedroom]].//
MARGARET: I dinna like to think of it, really.
JOAN: Aye, I can understand that, at least. I willna bring it up again.
//Joan sets her empty glass aside and stands.//
JOAN: Well, I'm for home. I'll see ye tomorrow. (//Smirking//) Try not to get into trouble. Again.
//Margaret watches her leave. She glances at the clock, frowns, and looks back at her pile of work.//
//CUT TO Margaret entering her dimly lit house. She makes her way to a [[child's bedroom]].//
INT. BANK - DAY
//Margaret stands in front of a shattered plate-glass window, scribbling in her notepad.//
MARGARET: Ye left near 7, last night?
//CUT TO the man standing in front of her, a bank owner.//
BANK OWNER: Aye, maybe a few minutes after. (//He hesitates//) 'Scuse me, mum, but are you a secretary with the police?
MARGARET: (//Still writing//) I'm a constable.
BANK OWNER: Oh. Dinna know they let women be constables.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[They don't]] //let// them.
Well, [[they do]].
Let's focus on the [[issue]].
[[....]]
INT. CHILD'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
//Margaret opens a door and closes it behind her. A child, SANDRA, is tucked into bed. She wakes up as the door clicks shut.//
SANDRA: Hello, mum.
DIALOGUE BOX:
Go [[back to sleep]].
Hello, [[pet]].
MARGARET: Someone's been painting over the mail boxes, crossing out the queen's cypher. One bloke blew up a box in Embra.
SANDRA: Why?
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Try to explain]].
[[Never mind]].
MARGARET: There's a murderer out there. We're trying to catch him.
SANDRA: Like the Ripper?
MARGARET: Not quite so bad as all that, no. But he's a bad man all the same. We'll catch him, though, don't ye worry.
//Sandra still looks nervous. She snuggles down into the bed.//
SANDRA: Mum?
MARGARET: Mm?
SANDRA: Who chased down the bad men before you?
MARGARET: (//She thinks for a moment//) Other constables, of course. There are a lot of us, keeping Scotland safe.
SANDRA: So if you waren't a constable...they'd all still be there, right?
DIALOGUE BOX:
Yes. But I [[can't stop]].
[[I suppose]] so.
MARGARET: Nothing very interesting. Donna worry your heid about it.
//Sandra frowns, somewhat disappointed.//
SANDRA: Mum?
MARGARET: Mm?
SANDRA: Who chased down the bad men before you?
MARGARET: (//After thinking for a moment, carefully choosing her reply//) Other constables, of course. There are a lot of us, keeping Scotland safe.
SANDRA: So if you waren't a constable...they'd still all be there, right?
DIALOGUE BOX:
Yes, but I [[can't stop]].
[[I suppose]] so.
MARGARET: Yes, but I cannae stop being a constable, pet. It takes all of us to keep Scotland safe. That's why I was in the war, too. So little girls like ye can sleep easy at night.
SANDRA: But ye weren't //always// in the police, mum.
MARGARET: Aye, but that's because of an old rule, one so bad it doesna even exist anymore.
SANDRA: What was it?
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Explain the rule]].
[[Never mind]].
MARGARET: I suppose so. Maybe there'll come a day when I won't need to be a constable anymore. But for now, it's my job. Ye know that, don't ye?
SANDRA: Aye, mum. But...ye waren't //always// a constable. Right?
MARGARET: Aye, but that's because of an old rule, one so bad it doesna even exist anymore.
SANDRA: What was it?
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Explain the rule]].
[[Never mind]].
MARGARET: I'm working late tonight.
//Joan gives a mock sigh and drops the bottle back into her bag.//
JOAN: Right. Don't work too hard. Ye'll risk becoming a dull old hen by the time yer 35.
MARGARET: I'm 35 now.
JOAN: Exactly. The threat is imminent. Or worse...what's after imminent?
MARGARET: Incipient?
JOAN: Exactly. (//She pauses, then says more gently//) Ye best be off soon, home to your bairn. I'm sure she misses you.
MARGARET: Good night, Joan.
JOAN: Aye, good night.
//Margaret watches her leave. She glances at the clock, frowns, and looks back at her pile of work. CUT TO Margaret entering her home, then making her way to a [[child's bedroom]].//
MARGARET: They don't //let// women do anything. Every woman on the force earns her place there.
BANK OWNER: Oh, I see. (//He obviously does not see.//)
MARGARET: I'm trying to recreate what happened last night. So far, this is what I have: (//The camera shifts to show a black-and-white version of the events, as Margaret describes them//).
MARGARET V.O.: between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., at least one person came by and painted over the postal box outside your bank. This person then threw a rock through the front window.
BANK OWNER: What if they threw the rock first, then painted?
MARGARET: Someone who breaks a window will run. Shattering glass makes too much noise for him to stick around and paint. I saw something similar yesterday. (if: $clues is true)[We're close. I know where to look, now.](if: $clues is false)[We've been searching all over for these vandals, but we're no closer today than we were yesterday.] (//She snaps the notebook closed//.) Thank you for your time, Mr. O'Malley. The police will look into it.
//Margaret steps into [[the street]] and breathes in deeply.//
MARGARET: Well, they do.
BANK OWNER: Oh, well. Isn't that something. (//He sounds skeptical//).
MARGARET: I'm trying to recreate what happened last night. So far, this is what I have: (//The camera shifts to show a black-and-white version of the events, as Margaret describes them//).
MARGARET V.O.: between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., at least one person came by and painted over the postal box outside your bank. This person then threw a rock through the front window.
BANK OWNER: What if they threw the rock first, then painted?
MARGARET: Someone who breaks a window will run. Shattering glass makes too much noise for him to stick around and paint. I saw something similar yesterday. (if: $clues is true)[We're close. I know where to look, now.](if: $clues is false)[We've been searching all over for these vandals, but we're no closer today than we were yesterday.] (//She snaps the notebook closed//.) Thank you for your time, Mr. O'Malley. The police will look into it.
//Margaret steps into [[the street]] and breathes in deeply.//
//Margaret continues writing in her notepad as the bank owner fidgets.//
MARGARET: I'm trying to recreate what happened last night. So far, this is what I have: (//The camera shifts to show a black-and-white version of the events, as Margaret describes them//).
MARGARET V.O.: between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., at least one person came by and painted over the postal box outside your bank. This person then threw a rock through the front window.
BANK OWNER: What if they threw the rock first, then painted?
MARGARET: Someone who breaks a window will run. Shattering glass makes too much noise for him to stick around and paint. I saw something similar yesterday. (if: $clues is true)[We're close. I know where to look, now.](if: $clues is false)[We've been searching all over for these vandals, but we're no closer today than we were yesterday.] (//She snaps the notebook closed//.) Thank you for your time, Mr. O'Malley. The police will look into it.
//Margaret steps into [[the street]] and breathes in deeply.//
EXT. STREET - DAY
//The player controls Margaret. She walks down the street, turns the corner, and heads toward Colin's Hardware Shop.//
MARGARET V/O.: The vandalisms are happening all across Scotland. Tagging one person won't stop it. (//She pauses//)
MARGARET V/O.: We've never known where we belong, the Scots under English rule. We've never known who to bow to, which laws to follow, who we serve. It was the same in the War. It's the same today.
MARGARET V/O: Hunting vandals isn't the right answer, then. Perhaps it's something larger.
//Margaret rounds another corner. She pauses, stunned. A man kneels in front of a postal box, painting over it with tar.//
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Stop]] immediately!
//Try to [[tackle]] him.//
MARGARET: Let's focus on the issue at hand, shall we, Mr. O'Malley?
BANK OWNER: (//Eagerly//) Aye, that sounds right.
MARGARET: I'm trying to recreate what happened last night. So far, this is what I have: (//The camera shifts to show a black-and-white version of the events, as Margaret describes them//).
MARGARET V.O.: between 7 p.m. and 5:30 a.m., at least one person came by and painted over the postal box outside your bank. This person then threw a rock through the front window.
BANK OWNER: What if they threw the rock first, then painted?
MARGARET: Someone who breaks a window will run. Shattering glass makes too much noise for him to stick around and paint. I saw something similar yesterday. (if: $clues is true)[We're close. I know where to look, now.](if: $clues is false)[We've been searching all over for these vandals, but we're no closer today than we were yesterday.] (//She snaps the notebook closed//.) Thank you for your time, Mr. O'Malley. The police will look into it.
//Margaret steps into [[the street]] and breathes in deeply.//
//The vandal is waiting for Margaret as she enters the alley. He kicks at her.//
//The player completes a series of combinations to defend herself. She launches a punch that makes him stagger back. He sinks down against the dirty wall, holding his jaw.//
[[Arrest him]].
Send him off [[with a warning]].
(set: $arrest to true)
//Margaret hauls him to his feet. She marches him out of the alleyway. A small crowd is gathering.//
//CUT TO: A police car sits on the street. Margaret hands the vandal over to a couple of constables.//
CONSTABLE: Inspector won't like it. Women making arrests.
MARGARET: They do it in the capital.
CONSTABLE: This ent the capital.
//The vandal begins chuckling.//
VANDAL: Ye stupid boot. Ye think a couple of punches is gonnae stop a Scot? This is about more than ye, more than that bint the queen. And I left more than paint on that box.
(if: $clues is true)[MARGARET: Bloody hell, the damn powder. [[Gunpowder.]] //She signals a couple of officers, and they take off down the street.//](if: $clues is false)[//Margaret's eyes widen, and she takes off down the street, toward what the criminal has left://[[Gunpowder.]]]
(set: $arrest to false)
MARGARET: Vandalism is a crime. Ye know that, aye?
VANDAL: Piss off.
//He starts to rise, but Margaret moves to block his view of the alley exit.//
MARGARET: I can't prove ye're behind all of them, so I'm letting you off. Next time I catch ye, it's to jail with ye.
//The vandal begins chuckling.//
VANDAL: Ye stupid boot. Ye think a couple of punches is gonnae stop a Scot? This is about more than ye, more than that bint the queen. And I left more than paint on that box.
(if: $clues is true)[MARGARET: Bloody hell, the damn powder. [[Gunpowder.]] //She signals a couple of officers, and they take off down the street.//](if: $clues is false)[//Margaret's eyes widen, and she takes off down the street, toward what the criminal has left://[[Gunpowder.]]]
INT. POLICE OFFICE - DAY
//Margaret's face and eye are bandaged, but she's back at her desk, reading her notes. Joan approaches cautiously.//
(if: $clues is true)[JOAN: Sanders is gonnae be okay. McDonnell had hardly a nick.
MARGARET: Good, good.]
JOAN: Ye should go home, Marge. Ye've done enough today.
MARGARET: I lost half a day on that mess. And these stitches. I need to catch up.
JOAN: Inspector gave ye quite the lashing, eh? Look, there's no fixing it today. Go home now, and get back to work tomorrow.
MARGARET: You know the inspector.
DIALOGUE BOX:
What is [[the point of all this?]]
//[[Stay silent]]//.
JOAN: They've decided what to do about the vandals.
//Margaret looks up, surprised.//
MARGARET: So soon? We haven't caught more than two.
JOAN: Not here. In the capital. Keep yer heid, Marge.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Of course.]]
[[Just tell me.]]
MARGARET: I see.
//Margaret turns back to her notepad, deceptively calm. Her fingers shake a little.//
JOAN: For what it's worth, thank ye for being out there today, Marge.
//Margaret smiles sadly. Neil enters the room, sees Margaret working, and scowls at her. She doesn't bother to look at him. She's ready to [[get back to work]].//
MARGARET: That's absurd! Criminals deface her name, so the answer is to erase //her//?
JOAN: That ent the issue, Margaret.
//Neil enters the common room.//
MARGARET: Of course it is! She’s bloody queen, but if it makes a few law-breaking bassas uncomfortable to put her name on a box, they decide it's better to remove //her//!
NEIL: Stewart! //Margaret turns.// So. Is this what police work's been reduced to? You were a disgrace to the uniform.
MARGARET: Sir--
NEIL: I did //not// ask ye to speak. I'm wondering why we let ye back on this force at all, Stewart. Ye canna seem to follow a simple order.
MARGARET: But sir--
NEIL: I don't want to hear another damned word, Stewart!
DIALOGUE BOX:
Aye, sir, [[not another damned word]].
I //will// [[do my job]], sir.
//Epilogue//
(live: 1s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//Think for Her//](stop:)]
(live: 2s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[In 1955, Sgt. Ethel Bush and Kathleen Parrott became the first women police officers to receive George Medals for courage.](stop:)]
(live: 4s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[They were given the honor 40 years after the first woman police officer, Edith Smith, joined the force.](stop:)]
(live: 6s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[Women continue to be a crucial part of the police force, in Scotland and throughout the UK, to this day.](stop:)]
(live: 8s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//[[Play]] again?//](stop:)]
(live: 9s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[written by Mary Kenney](stop:)]
(live: 10s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//[email protected]//](stop:)]
(live: 11s)[(t8n:"dissolve")[//(727) 277-4990//](stop:)]
//Camera pans to show the clock advance several hours. CUT TO Joan and Margaret, still working. The room has emptied.//
JOAN: I'm for home. You? Or are ye interested in a spot to top off the day?
//Joan smiles wickedly and reaches into the bag under her chair. She pulls up a bottle of Glenfiddich single malt whisky.//
DIALOGUE BOX:
Nay, I'm for [[home]].
[[Pour]] me a glass.
I'm [[working]] late.
MARGARET: (//Smiling//.) Ye're right. Maybe ye should run the police force.
//Sandra smiles and starts to reply, but she's overtaken by a huge yawn.//
MARGARET: Right then, off to sleep with you.
SANDRA: Good night, mum.
//Margaret kisses her forehead.//
MARGARET: Good night.
//She rises and leaves, looking at her daughter one last time before closing the door behind her.//
//FADE OUT. [[Next day]]//
MARGARET: Aye, pet, but that's how it was.
SANDRA: (//Firmly//) Thas stupid.
//Sandra is overtaken by a huge yawn.//
MARGARET: Right then, off to sleep with ye, pet.
SANDRA: Good night, mum.
//Margaret kisses her forehead.//
MARGARET: Good night.
//She crosses to the door. She looks at her daughter before closing it.//
//FADE OUT. [[Next day]]//
MARGARET: Stop what you're doing immediately!
//The man fumbles with his can of paint, drops it, and runs. Margaret gives chase.//
//The player guides Margaret through obstacles in the street and cannot lose sight of the vandal. He leads her into an [[alleyway]].//
//Margaret jumps at the man. He twists, struggling out of his coat. He fumbles with his can of paint, drops it, and runs. Margaret gives chase.//
//The player guides Margaret through obstacles in the street and cannot lose sight of the vandal. He leads her into an [[alleyway]].//
(set: $clues to true)
JOAN: //(Frowning)// Dinna they teach ye t'answer a question when y when ye're asked a question? I'll just freeze off my arse while I wait, then, shall I?
//The player has control of Margaret. Margaret may find: a shoeprint in wet paint, a half-burned receipt from Colin's Hardware Store, and powder sprinkled around the mail box. Dialogue continues over the exploration. Joan glares at the cold, gray sky, takes a deep drag, and flicks out her cigarette.//
JOAN: I dinnae what ye expect to find. No bomber worth their gravy's gonna leave clues about.
MARGARET: Let's hope this one's not worth their gravy, then.
JOAN: Ha! Well, most criminal types aren't. Ye got me there.
//When the player finishes looking around the scene or finds all of the clues, they may press a button to exit exploration mode.//
JOAN: Ye ready, then?
MARGARET: Aye, let's [[leave]].
MARGARET: He doesna care because he isna taking it seriously. It's been six months since she became queen. If the vandals were gonnae stop on their own, they would have by now.
JOAN: So they're goin' around, painting out the second "I". Elizabeth the Second. Elizabeth the First in Scotland, I suppose, since the first one wasna queen here at all.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Don't ye start]], now.
Aye, they have a [[reason]].
Doesn't matter [[why]]. They're criminals.
MARGARET: I know. We should get back.
JOAN: If ye know, then why did ye drag our arses out here in the first place? (//She gestures at the cloudy sky//) Couldna been for the charming Scotland spring.
(//After a few steps, Joan muses//).
JOAN: So they're goin' around, painting out the second "I". Elizabeth the Second. Elizabeth the First in Scotland, I suppose, since the first one wasna queen here at all.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Don't ye start]], now.
Aye, they have a [[reason]].
Doesn't matter [[why]]. They're criminals.
(set: $annoyed to true)
JOAN: (//Annoyed//) Ye're in a mood today, aye? I dinna understand why ye brought me with ye if ye wanted silence.
(//After a beat//)
JOAN: So they're goin' around, painting out the second "I". Elizabeth the Second. Elizabeth the First in Scotland, I suppose, since the first one wasna queen here at all.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Don't ye start]], now.
Aye, they have a [[reason]].
Doesn't matter [[why]]. They're criminals.
MARGARET: He should. The people who own the businesses near the boxes care.
JOAN: (//Scoffs//). Ye try telling the inspector that. See if he doesna rip that uniform right off of ye. (//Margaret gives her a sidelong look//) Thas not what I meant, and ye know it, ye old hen.
MARGARET: If we ignore it, it could get worse. Someone exploded a box in Edinburgh.
JOAN: At least we know there'll always be policework for folk like us. Come on, then. We should get back before we're missed.
//As the women walk away, camera pans to the vandalized mail box before FADE OUT.//
//FADE IN: A dingy [[police department]].//
(set: $glass to true)
MARGARET: We have to care, even if he doesna. It's our job.
JOAN: (//Scoffs//). You try telling that to the inspector, see what he says. Or, let me guess: (//She begins mimicking a gruff man's voice//) 'Yer job is what I say it is, officer, and nothing more. Are we clear?' (//Mimicking Margaret's higher pitch, to an absurd degree//) 'Aye, as glass, sir!'
MARGARET: If we ignore it, it could get worse. Someone exploded a box in Edinburgh.
JOAN: At least we know there'll always be policework for folk like us. Come on, then. We should get back 'fore we're missed.
//As the women walk away, camera pans to the vandalized mail box before FADE OUT.//
//FADE IN: A dingy [[police department]].//
MARGARET: (//Sarcastically//) Aye, as glass, sir.
(if: $glass is true)[//A crack of laughter escapes Joan, and Neil's eyes snap to her. She hangs her head, trying to bite back her laughter.]
//Neil's gaze rakes Joan, then Margaret.//
NEIL: Do not test me, MacKenzie. This force operated fine without ye for years. I'm happy to take ye off the roster again.
//Neil exits. After a moment of stunned silence, the chatter in the office picks up again. Joan and Margaret settle back at their table.//
JOAN: I was expecting ye to lose your heid.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Ye have the temper]], not me.
[[I nearly did]].
//Remain [[silent]]//.
//Neil watches Margaret for a moment. When she doesn't reply, he gives her an oily smile.//
NEIL: About time ye learned to shut yer mouth, MacKenzie. Keep on like that, an' ye won't risk being kicked off the force again.
//Neil exits. After a moment of stunned silence, the chatter in the office picks up again. Joan and Margaret return to their desk.//
JOAN: I was expecting ye to lose your heid.
DIALOGUE BOX:
[[Ye have the temper]], not me.
[[I nearly did]].
//Remain [[silent]]//.
MARGARET: Ye have the temper, not me.
//The women go back to work.//
//The player has control of Margaret and can make connections [[between any clues]] from the crime scene. (if: $clues is true)[Margaret calls Colin's Hardware Store. She identifies the powder she found near the box as gunpowder.](if: $clues is false)[She draws the defaced cypher. It isn't much to go on.]//
MARGARET: I nearly did, that bassa.
JOAN: (//Her eyes flick around, and she speaks in a sharp whisper//) Shut it, will ye? Some of us want a career longer than a few months, aye? He'll out us both if ye carry on like that.
//The women go back to work.//
//The player has control of Margaret and can make connections [[between any clues]] from the crime scene. (if: $clues is true)[Margaret calls Colin's Hardware Store. She identifies the powder she found near the box as gunpowder.](if: $clues is false)[She draws the defaced cypher. It isn't much to go on.]//
//Margaret says nothing.//
JOAN: (if: $annoyed is true)[For chrissake, Margaret, open yer damn mouth. Ye keep on silent as a mouse, and everyone'll forget ye work here, let alone have a uniform.] Right, then, we may as well work anyway.
//The women go back to work.//
//The player has control of Margaret and can make connections [[between any clues]] from the crime scene. (if: $clues is true)[Margaret calls Colin's Hardware Store. She identifies the powder she found near the box as gunpowder.](if: $clues is false)[She draws the defaced cypher. It isn't much to go on.]//
MARGARET: It's not so bad. I like gettin' out of the house, an' her gran watches her. She likes telling her friends tha' her mum's a constable.
JOAN: Aye. Must be a change, though, since ye used to be home all the time.
MARGARET: They pushed me out of the force. I dinna have a choice.
JOAN: I know. It was quiet around here without ye. Ole Neil dinna have hardly anyone to shout at.
DIALOGUE BOX:
Neil's an [[idiot]].
He's just doing his [[job]].
Glad I could make it more [[exciting]].
MARGARET: Aye, it's hard, after being home with her all day for the last few years. (//Margaret stares hard into her glass.//) I miss her.
JOAN: I'm sure. She's a sweet little lass. (//Margaret refills Joan's glass as Joan adds, breezily://) Must've been a bit dull, though, staying home with a toddler. After servin' in the war and the force, an' all that. (//Chuckles//). It was quiet around here without ye. Ole Neil dinna have hardly anyone to shout at.
DIALOGUE BOX:
Neil's an [[idiot]].
He's just doing his [[job]].
Glad I could make it more [[exciting]].
MARGARET: That was different. I knew I couldna be a constable and a wife both. The rules are clear enow.
JOAN: (//Nods soberly, then adds more softly//) Yer husband was a good man. Shame losin' him, even if ye got yer career back.
DIALOGUE BOX:
He [[was]].
I don't like to [[think of it]].
MARGARET: I know, and I hate it. I know the rule: no woman can be a constable and a wife, they say. But //husbands// dinna seem to have a problem.
JOAN: (//Gives a short laugh//) Being a husband //is// different. Ye dinna need to run the house and raise the children. (//She pauses, then adds more softly//) Yer husband was a good man. Shame losin' him, even if ye got yer career back.
DIALOGUE BOX:
He [[was]].
I don't like to [[think of it]].
//Margaret runs back, guided by the player, trying to reach the mail box.//(if: $clues is true)[//Two officers follow her.//]
//She steps onto the street just as the mail box explodes, sending metal shrapnel flying//.(if: $clues is true)[//One of the other officers jumps forward at the last moment, huddling near her to help shield her.//]
//The sound of the explosion breaks off into a tinny ringing. [[FADE OUT]]//.
MARGARET: What is the point of all this, Joan?
//She looks up from her work, her eyes pained, but her voice is tight with anger.//
MARGARET: Tell me. If I'm a constable whose commanding officer says she canna make an arrest, who canna even investigate a painted mail box, what am I? Just some hen in a suit?
//Joan doesn't reply. After a strained pause, Margaret turns [[back to her work]].//
//Margaret looks up, her eyes pained, but says nothing. After a pause, she turns [[back to her work]].//
MARGARET: Of course.
JOAN: They've decided to replace all the mail boxes. The new ones'll just have the Crown of Scotland. They won't have the queen's cypher at all.
MARGARET: (//After a pause//) They're going to erase her?
JOAN: Aye.
DIALOGUE BOX:
I [[see]].
That's [[absurd]]!
MARGARET: Just tell me.
JOAN: Fine, but at least try not to mouth off, will ye? (//She pauses while Margaret nods//). They've decided to replace all the mail boxes. The new ones'll just have the Crown of Scotland. They won't have the queen's cypher at all.
MARGARET: (//After a pause//) They're just going to erase her?
JOAN: Aye.
DIALOGUE BOX:
I [[see]].
That's [[absurd]]!
//The two women walk away. Joan flicks out her cigarette.//
JOAN: We shouldna even be out on this one. Best we get back quick, before the inspector notices we've gone.
DIALOGUE BOX:
He [[doesn't care]].
[[I know]].
//[[Ignore]] her.//
MARGARET: Don't ye start, now.
JOAN: What? Ha' ye not heard of establishin' motive? Some policewoman //you// are. (//After a beat//) Ye know, vandalism isn't //that// exciting, as far as crimes and mayhem go. Maybe the inspector just doesna care.
DIALOGUE BOX:
He [[should]].
Then [[we have to]].
MARGARET: Aye, they have reason for what they do.
JOAN: You almost sound sorry for 'em.
MARGARET: I'm jus' saying I understand why they do it, is all.
JOAN: I suppose they do, at that. (//After a beat//) Ye know, vandalism isn't //that// exciting, as far as crimes and mayhem go. Maybe the inspector just doesna care.
DIALOGUE BOX:
He [[should]].
Then [[we have to]].
MARGARET: Doesna matter //why//. They're criminals.
JOAN: Oh aye, and understanding why a person did the crime ne'er mattered at all, did it?
MARGARET: Not when we canna change it. She's queen no matter what these vandals smear on boxes.
JOAN: Fine, fine. (//After a beat//) Ye know, vandalism isn't //that// exciting, as far as crimes and mayhem go. Maybe the inspector just doesna care.
DIALOGUE BOX:
He [[should]].
Then [[we have to]].
//The little girl nods sleepily and snuggles back down into the bedspread. Margaret leans over and kisses her forehead.//
//She crosses to the door. She looks at her daughter before closing it.//
//FADE OUT. [[Next day]]//
MARGARET: Hello, pet. Did ye have a good day?
//Margaret leans over and kisses Sandra's forehead, then sits on the bed.//
SANDRA: I guess. Gran made herring for dinner.
MARGARET: (//Smiling//) And for breakfast and lunch, I expect.
SANDRA: (//Glancing out the window//) It's dark outside.
DIALOGUE BOX:
I [[know]].
I'm [[sorry for that]].
Aye. You should get [[back to sleep]].
MARGARET: I know. It was a very busy day.
SANDRA: (//Brightly//) Catching bad men?
MARGARET: Aye, pet, I was trying. Not sure how successful I was.
//Sandra sits up, all thought of sleep forgotten.//
SANDRA: What did they do?
DIALOGUE BOX:
Tell Sandra [[about the vandals]].
Tell Sandra [[about a murder case]].
[[Nothing]] much.
MARGARET: Aye, luv, I'm sorry for that.
SANDRA: (//Shrugging//) S'okay. (//She sits up, all thought of sleep forgotten.//) Did you catch bad men?
MARGARET: Aye, I was trying. Not sure how successful I was.
SANDRA: What did they do?
DIALOGUE BOX:
Tell Sandra [[about the vandals]].
Tell Sandra [[about a murder case]].
[[Nothing]] much.
MARGARET: Well, folk don't like the new queen calling herself Elizabeth II. Scotland didn't have an Elizabeth I. They don't think it's right.
SANDRA: (//Confused//) They don't like the new queen?
MARGARET: They don't like her //name//.
SANDRA: That seems silly.
MARGARET: (//Smiles//) Aye, I suppose it does.
SANDRA: Mum?
MARGARET: Mm?
SANDRA: Who chased down the bad men before you?
MARGARET: (//After thinking for a moment, carefully choosing her reply//) Other constables, of course. There are a lot of us, keeping Scotland safe.
SANDRA: So if you waren't a constable...they'd still all be there, right?
DIALOGUE BOX:
Yes, but I [[can't stop]].
[[I suppose]] so.
MARGARET: Never you mind, love. You should get back to sleep.
//The little girl nods sleepily and snuggles back down into the bedspread. Margaret leans over and kisses her forehead.//
//She crosses to the door. She looks at her daughter before closing it.//
//FADE OUT. [[Next day]]//
MARGARET: They used to say that women who were married couldna be constables. When I married your father, I had to leave the police.
SANDRA: Do boys? Do they have to leave, too?
MARGARET: No.
SANDRA: Thas stupid. Why? That seems so stupid.
DIALOGUE:
[[Ye're right]].
That's [[how it was]].
MARGARET: Aye, sir, not another damned word.
NEIL: Thank ye.
JOAN: But sir, Margaret did what no one else could today. She found the vandals, stopped a-
NEIL: //A// vandal. And what a fine job she did after finding the bassa. It's earned her several meetings with the internal review board. //He walks up to Margaret and speaks low, so only she can hear.// And when they're through, you'll hang up that uniform and go home for good, where ye and folk like ye belong.
//He exits. She glances around the room, but no one meets her eye. No one wants to board a sinking ship. She sits down again, ready to [[get back to work]].//
MARGARET: //stiffly// I will do my job, sir.
NEIL: Then I suggest you figure out what that job is.
NEIL: In the meantime, we'll be reviewing your service record. Ye'll be under a magnifying glass, Stewart. //He walks up to Margaret and speaks low, so only she can hear.// And when they're through, you'll hang up that uniform and go home for good, where ye and folk like ye belong.
//He exits. She glances around the room, but no one meets her eye. No one wants to board a sinking ship. She sits down again, ready to [[get back to work]].//