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| Viv gazes around the compound, fellow prisoners engaged in various tasks during their free time. Some are knitting, others playing noughts and crosses with pebbles, many simply chatting in groups. Turning back to June, Viv shakes out her ponytail. | |
| Viv Martella: | This is ridiculous. What I'd give for some decent shampoo around here! |
| June sighs. | |
| June Ackland: | That's only the fourteenth time you've said that this morning, Viv. Use some mud, I'm sure it'd have much the same effect on your mop of hair! |
| Viv scowls. | |
| Viv Martella: | Oh, thanks a lot June. Don't expect me to back you up in future, will ya! |
| June chucks a bar of soap over at Viv. | |
| June Ackland: | There, use that! And clean your mouth out while you're at it! |
| Viv mutters under her breath, pacing across the open yard, perching herself on a bench. Polly strides out from the bathroom area, noticing the very disgruntled Martella. Polly arrives by June's side. | |
| Polly Page: | What's wrong with her? |
| June snorts. | |
| June Ackland: | Who knows, the mood she's been in lately. How are you today? |
| Polly avoids her glance. | |
| Polly Page: | I'm fine. |
| June inclines her head. | |
| June Ackland: | You don't look it! Are you feeling sick? |
| Polly deepens her tone. | |
| Polly Page: | I said I'm fine. |
| June looks suspicious. | |
| June Ackland: | Polly, if you're coming down with something you really should tell us. Tummy bugs can be fatal here, you know. |
| Polly Page: | Give it a rest, will ya? I'm not a complete idiot! |
| Bryzgarlin approaches the women. | |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | Women, go! |
| Bryzgarlin points and glares at June. | |
| June Ackland: | Charming! |
| June wanders off towards Viv and the two women look suspiciously at the guard standing beside Polly. Bryzgarlin starts speaking in a soft voice to Polly. He seems oddly nervous. | |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | You all right, woman? Me hear from friends that Captain treat you rough. |
| Polly turns her head, not trusting the young man. | |
| Polly Page: | So? |
| Bryzgarlin speaks with some difficulty, his lips unsure of the English words. | |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | Captain is not a nice man. Me is glad you alive, last woman he used ended up not alive. |
| Bryzgarlin stutters and continues. | |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | You have changed yourself, woman. |
| Polly nods slowly, confused by the young soldier's compassion. | |
| Polly Page: | Why are you telling me all this? |
| Bryzgarlin hesitates. | |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | Norika says you are nice girl. I do not want to see nice girls get hurt by Captain. |
| Polly Page: | I don't understand. Did he put you up to this or something? |
| Bryzgarlin looks confused. | |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | Put me up? I do not understand. |
| Polly looks frustrated. | |
| Polly Page: | What have you come to tell me? |
| Bryzgarlin's face brightens up. | |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | I tell woman that while you look filthy and ugly Captain and Commander will not want you. You are safe. |
| Polly nods slowly. | |
| Polly Page: | So I keep looking like this? |
| Bryzgarlin shakes his head mechanically. | |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | You can wash it all off now. The Commander has found a new plaything so he will not need you anymore. The Captain never uses the same woman twice and he has his eyes on your skinny friend over there instead. |
| Bryzgarlin points at Viv. | |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | So you are safe. Go wash and become clean again. |
| Polly's face is a mixture of relief and distrust. | |
| Polly Page: | Why should I believe you? |
| Bryzgarlin grins. | |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | I am family man, three daughters. You look like Natasha, my eldest. You good woman, meant for much nicer man than Commander. |
| Polly nods slowly, not quite sure. | |
| Polly Page: | Thank-you. |
| Lt. Bryzgarlin: | Be careful, always careful. |
| Bryzgarlin walks off, leaving a bemused Polly standing behind him. | |
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| Norika is sitting at the breakfast table slowly eating the morning meal alongside Cathy and Polly. | |
| Norika Datta: | This place is beginning to grow on me. |
| Polly rearranges the grey slop in her bowl, taking another tentative sip of coffee. | |
| Polly Page: | Tell me about it. |
| Cathy grunts. | |
| Cathy Marshall: | It's not too bad, I mean at least we get food, clothing and daily exercise. It's like boarding school. Did you ever go to boarding school Polly? |
| Polly scoffs. | |
| Polly Page: | Can't say I ever had the pleasure. |
| Norika shakes her head and wipes a few crumbs from her lips. | |
| Norika Datta: | It's not a pleasure, believe me. You wouldn't believe the bitchiness! And the bullying was terrible. In fact, those two remind me of some girls at my school who used to push everyone else around and tease them mercilessly. We called them the bike dykes because they used to ride to school every day. |
| Norika trails off as Sally and Vicky walk past the table to collect their breakfast dishes. Sally crosses her arms dominantly in front of her chest as she paces to Norika's side. | |
| Sally Johnson: | Whatcha got there, sugar? |
| Norika looks up in surprise. | |
| Norika Datta: | I beg your pardon? |
| Sally admires the small diamond engagement ring on Norika's left hand. | |
| Sally Johnson: | Why that sparkly thing on ya finger, love. |
| Norika quickly hides her hand. | |
| Norika Datta: | None of your business. Do you mind, we're trying to eat breakfast here. |
| Sally smirks back at the women sitting at her table, turning back to Norika. | |
| Sally Johnson: | Hand it over. |
| Norika looks shocked and surprised. | |
| Norika Datta: | It's my engagement ring. Satisfied? |
| Cathy Marshall: | Yeah, she's already taken Johnson, so go and bug someone else! |
| Sally chuckles at Cathy's response. | |
| Sally Johnson: | I'm hardly gonna be interested in that wimpy little thing now am I, but that stone has black-market value. I said hand it over! |
| Norika shakes her head scornfully. | |
| Norika Datta: | No chance. It's all I've got left to remind me of Jim and it's staying on my finger! |
| Sally smiles as Vicky walks over to her. | |
| Sally Johnson: | This one's being difficult. |
| Sally rests her hands on the tabletop leaning in close to Norika. | |
| Sally Johnson: | You want a home visit from Wild Cat arranged? I said hand the ring over! |
| Norika shakes her head adamantly and clenches her fist. | |
| Norika Datta: | You might be able to bully weak little girls, Johnson, but I'm made of sterner stuff! |
| Sally shrugs, taking Nori's chin tightly in her right hand. | |
| Sally Johnson: | No doubt you are aware of my 'power' in this camp? |
| Norika sighs. | |
| Norika Datta: | Go and pick on someone you�re own size, Johnson! |
| Sally slaps her hard across the cheek. Norika gasps and puts her hand to her face. | |
| Sally Johnson: | With that power comes certain perks. You all want medicine for your clinic, but you never think about where it comes from, or who gets it in here! |
| Norika shakes her head resolutely. | |
| Norika Datta: | I'm not giving up my engagement ring for any reason, especially not to the camp bully! |
| Sally Johnson: | I resent that tone, young lady. |
| Sally pulls Norika to her feet by her hair, again leaning in close to her face. Norika cries out and her hand drops to the table. Sally grasps Norika's left hand tightly, Vicky providing assistance by restraining Norika's right hand behind her back. | |
| Sally Johnson: | If you'd only co-operated initially, it'd have made life easier for all concerned. |
| Sally slides the ring off Norika's slender finger, tossing it proudly in her hand. Cathy stands up, outraged. | |
| Cathy Marshall: | You can't treat people like this! We're all in this together. |
| Norika drops her head into her hands and begins to sob quietly as Sally carelessly tosses her ring from hand to hand. Sally shrugs. sliding proudly back to her table. | |
| Sally Johnson: | Some of us have it a little better then others, I guess. |
| Sally winks, as she sits done to finish her meal. Vicky releases Norika's right arm, stepping back around in front of her, pouring the uneaten bowl of porridge into her lap. | |
| Vicky Hagen: | Next time, don't be so difficult. |
| Norika's jaw drops open in horror. Cathy stands still with a look of loathing etched on her face as Sally and Vicky walk off triumphantly. | |
| Cathy Marshall: | Cows! |
| Norika tries to clean herself off without much success and is slowly escorted out of the room by Cathy. | |
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| Norika is being escorted back to her tent by Polly and Cathy, still in a very fragile condition. Cathy is supporting Norika on her right side. | |
| Norika Datta: | I'm okay, Cath, really. |
| Cathy Marshall: | You don't look it. |
| Cathy continues to hold Norika's arm. | |
| Cathy Marshall: | I'm going to talk to June about those two. This is getting out of hand. |
| Polly sighs. | |
| Polly Page: | I shouldn't bother Cathy. Won't do any good. |
| Cathy looks towards Polly, annoyed. | |
| Cathy Marshall: | Well it's better than doing nothing. And June's the closest thing we've got to a leader so maybe she can pull them into line? |
| Polly rolls her eyes. | |
| Polly Page: | June? June Ackland? Standing up against that stupid bitch! I can't see it. Besides, word is, she's got one of the guards wrapped around her little finger. |
| Cathy shakes her head sadly. | |
| Cathy Marshall: | Probably true. But we can't let her push the women around like that, it's not fair! |
| Polly shrugs, walking along in silence. Cathy looks over, concerned. | |
| Cathy Marshall: | Are you all right, Polly? |
| Polly snaps angrily back at Cathy. | |
| Polly Page: | Fine. |
| Norika looks across at Polly in surprise. | |
| Norika Datta: | What's the matter? |
| Polly Page: | Look, will the both of you just, |
| Polly is caught off-guard by nausea, and clasping a hand over her mouth rushes for the nearest bush, barely getting there in time. Norika and Cathy stop and stare as Polly continues to vomit into the bushes. | |
| Cathy Marshall: | Polly! |
| Cathy runs over towards Polly. Polly awkwardly wipes her face as Cathy approaches, hastily pulling herself to her feet. | |
| Polly Page: | It's nothing. |
| Polly trails off heading back towards Norika. Cathy stares at the vomit on the ground and trailing down Polly's chin. | |
| Cathy Marshall: | That's an awful lot of nothing if you ask me! What's wrong? |
| Cathy follows Polly and stops her, a concerned look on her face. Polly blinks, replying in a monotone voice. | |
| Polly Page: | I guess the food round here just doesn't agree with me! |
| Cathy looks at Polly's pale face. | |
| Cathy Marshall: | You sure that's all it is, Polly? |
| Polly sighs. | |
| Polly Page: | Will you leave it out! I'm sick of you all on me back! |
| Polly storms off across the compound as Cathy and Norika exchange confused glances. | |
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| Polly is curled up miserably in the middle of her bed, having just woken from another nightmare. June and Viv are sitting next to her trying to calm her down. June strokes her back softly, looking worriedly over at Viv. | |
| June Ackland: | It's okay, Polly. This'll all end soon. We'll all go home soon. |
| Polly stays exactly where she is, curled up and sobbing. Viv sighs, and pulls the blankets over Polly. | |
| Viv Martella: | You know you can talk to both of us. We've both had experience, no matter how much we forget we were once in the job. |
| Polly looks up and gives Viv a tearful glare. | |
| Polly Page: | Were you raped? Were you beaten and battered by a mindless brute? |
| Viv shakes her head slowly. | |
| Viv Martella: | But you know I've dealt with things like this before. You know we just want to help you. |
| Polly laughs scornfully. | |
| Polly Page: | Yeah, well I wish he'd rape you and leave you bleeding and helpless and, and�.. |
| Polly trails off, drawing a breath. | |
| Polly Page: | Then you might understand what I'm going through! |
| The dorm falls silent, the only noises being Polly's desperate sobs. | |
| June Ackland: | Polly, you know we can't fully understand, but surely if you talk to us, we'd be able to try? |
| Polly is about to reply when booted feet are heard outside the door and it swings open. The guard is silhouetted in the doorframe. | |
| Russian Guard: | Up! Up and come! |
| The guard is a fierce, tough, war-hardened veteran of the Russian Army. Polly cringes and the other women stare at the guard in open-mouthed horror. June grasps Polly's right hand, shifting closer next to her. | |
| Russian Guard: | Commander want woman. Up! |
| The guard points at the women. Viv looks confused. | |
| Viv Martella: | Who? |
| The guard obviously doesn't understand. | |
| Russian Guard: | Woman come or Commander get mad! |
| June and the fellow officers remain perfectly still. The guard roughly moves towards the bed. Polly squeals in terror. | |
| Russian Guard: | Come now! |
| The guard grabs Viv's arm and forcibly drags her from the bed. Viv fights the automatic urge to pull away, and simply looks back at June and Polly with a gasp. Polly stares back helplessly. | |
| Russian Guard: | Move! |
| The guard grabs the back of Viv's gown and starts hauling her towards the door. Viv resists. | |
| Viv Martella: | Look, I'll come quietly, you don't have to drag me for heaven's sake! |
| The guard continues to pull Viv along, heedless of her words. June springs to her feet. | |
| June Ackland: | Viv! |
| The guard silences June with a glare. Viv looks back blankly. | |
| Viv Martella: | Leave it June. It'll be okay. |
| Viv continues following the guard out of the dorm. The guard slams the door and June and Polly are left alone. Polly gasps and grabs hold of June�s arm. | |
| Polly Page: | Can't we stop them? |
| June shrugs miserably. | |
| June Ackland: | I doubt it. It'd only makes matters worse. |
| Polly stares at the floor. | |
| Polly Page: | I hope he takes her straight to the Commander and doesn't go via Wild Cat. |
| June mumbles in agreement, pacing back to her bunk and slipping under the covers. Polly sighs and does likewise. | |
| Polly Page: | I just hope Viv's okay. |
| June Ackland: | She will be. |
| June rolls over in her bunk. | |
| June Ackland: | I, I just can't sleep. |
| Polly Page: | How can you take this so calmly? |
| June sighs. | |
| June Ackland: | Well, there's not exactly anything we can do about it, is there! |
| Polly sits up in bed and speaks in an angry voice. | |
| Polly Page: | Viv has just been taken outside to be raped by those brutes and you don't even seem to care! |
| June Ackland: | Of course I care Polly, I just know there's nothing we can do about it, so what's the point of getting all worked up about it? |
| Polly grits her teeth. | |
| Polly Page: | I wonder if you'd be so calm if they'd just chosen you? Not that that's likely to happen to a shrivelled up old hag like you any time soon! |
| Polly is losing her temper. June ignores Polly's comment. | |
| June Ackland: | Oh, will you quit being such a pathetic cry baby! Viv's tough, she'll get over it! Won't go crying to her pillow every night like someone I could mention! |
| Polly�s voice is racked with emotion. | |
| Polly Page: | Well I hope they do choose you! Then you might finally realise what it's like... what it's like to be... to be... |
| June decides that getting Polly's back up will be one way of getting her talking. Polly curls up into a ball and sobs quietly to herself. June chooses her tactic carefully. | |
| June Ackland: | Oh here we go, sobbing in the pillow again. |
| Polly looks up tearfully and snaps at June. | |
| Polly Page: | Well I've got a bloody lot to cry about haven't I? |
| June Ackland: | Stop feeling so sorry for yourself! You're in no worse a situation than hundreds of the others here. |
| Polly groans. | |
| Polly Page: | How can you be so insensitive? |
| June rests her head in her hands. | |
| June Ackland: | You think you're so badly off. You've been taken once. You haven't even bothered to talk to any of the others. Suzi's told me of worse cases then yours. What about the woman who died! |
| Polly turns over in her bed. | |
| Polly Page: | Yeah, well sometimes I wish that he'd killed me too. Then I wouldn't have to feel the pain anymore. I just want to be free from everything. |
| June Ackland: | It'll take time, Polly. It takes women years to get over assaults. And this place doesn't make it any easier. |
| Polly Page: | Yeah well if you wake up and find me dead in the morning, I hope you'll feel better. There won't be anyone over here to bother you! |
| Polly snuggles deeper into her bedclothes. June sighs, dragging herself across to Polly's bunk, sitting next to her. | |
| Polly Page: | Get off me bed! |
| June ignores Polly's demand and instead wraps an arm around her shoulder. | |
| June Ackland: | Look, Poll, you can't give up. This won't last forever. It'll all end soon, and this nightmare'll end. We'll go home and get on with our lives. |
| Polly pushes June away. | |
| Polly Page: | Yeah well I wish you'd go away and let me get on with what's left of mine! Leave me alone! |
| June stands up slowly, drawing a breath. | |
| June Ackland: | Look, I don't know what else to say. If there's anything you ever wanna talk about, you know I'm always here. Goodnight Polly. |
| Polly Page: | Get lost June. |
| June slips back into her bunk, face up, wide awake. Polly pulls the sheets over her head and slips into a deep sleep. | |
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