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| Polly is flung through the doorway of the dorm by the Russian guard. Polly lands on her hands and starts crying softly. Viv and June, who are settling themselves into bed are startled by the loud noise, and quickly run over. | |
| Viv Martella: | Polly, where were you? What happened? |
| Viv looks worriedly over at June. Polly tries to answer, spitting out blood as she speaks. | |
| Polly Page: | Wild... Wild Cat. |
| Viv and June help to drag Polly over to her bunk. | |
| Viv Martella: | He what? You look a right mess! He took you? |
| Polly manages to shake her head, in obvious agony from her stomach and thighs. | |
| Polly Page: | He got his men to... to kick me! |
| Polly leans back on her bunk with a groan. | |
| Polly Page: | It hurts! |
| Viv looks up at June. | |
| Viv Martella: | Are you having contractions? |
| Polly is halfway through shaking her head when her body is rocked by another large contraction. Viv steps backwards looking thoroughly out of her depth, hissing at June: | |
| Viv Martella: | What now? |
| June shrugs. | |
| June Ackland: | How the hell should I know? I think we need towels and warm water. |
| Viv scoffs. | |
| Viv Martella: | Oh, I'll just pop out to the shops shall I! In case you'd forgotten June, we're locked in! |
| June Ackland: | Will you grow up, Vivian? Start acting you age and try to find some towels, you're not helping! |
| June glares angrily at Viv. | |
| Viv Martella: | I'd be one worrying about my age if I were you June, and just where the hell are we meant to come up with these little luxuries in this place! |
| June waves her hands around absent-mindedly. | |
| June Ackland: | I really have no idea, Viv. Maybe if you go out and do a couple more 'favours' for the guards they'll give you some? |
| Viv slaps June across the face angrily, staring coldly into her eyes. June is about to snap back when Polly screams at the top of her voice. | |
| Polly Page: | Can you two argue about this later, please! |
| June and Viv stop squabbling and return to Polly's side. | |
| June Ackland: | Where does it hurt Polly? |
| Polly Page: | My, my stomach. |
| Polly screams out in agony. Viv quickly gets back to her task, pulling sheets and pillows from their beds, and propping the pillows behind Polly's back. | |
| Polly Page: | Get it out of me! Get this bloody baby out of me! |
| June pats Polly's stomach ineffectually. | |
| June Ackland: | Just try to stay calm, Polly. Don't stress yourself out. |
| Suzi suddenly bursts through the door, looking around at the frantic women. Viv looks up with relief. | |
| Viv Martella: | I don't remember dialling 999! |
| Suzi shrugs. | |
| Suzi Croft: | The Lieutenant dragged me over. What the hell's going on! |
| Polly screams at Suzi. Suzi drops her knapsack on June's bed rushing over to Polly. | |
| Polly Page: | Help Suzi, please help! |
| Suzi looks confused, noticing Polly's bloodied state and terrified voice. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Stay calm. Just tell me what happened. |
| Polly tries to reply but is in too much pain to form a coherent sentence. | |
| June Ackland: | She was kicked by the guards. I think they paid particular attention to her stomach. |
| June turns away as Polly lets out another bloodcurdling yell. Suzi grabs quickly for her bag, emptying out the contents quickly onto June's bunk. | |
| Suzi Croft: | How long has she been like this for? |
| June shrugs. | |
| June Ackland: | Ever since they threw her back in here a few minutes ago. |
| Suzi grabs a few items, quickly returning to Polly's side, taking her temperature and checking her pulse. | |
| Suzi Croft: | How many weeks left of the pregnancy did you have? |
| Polly's body shudders from the force of another contraction. | |
| Polly Page: | A few... weeks. |
| Suzi nods, pressing the stethoscope against Polly's firm stomach. | |
| Suzi Croft: | This is impossible! |
| June walks over to Suzi's side. | |
| June Ackland: | What's the matter? |
| Suzi grumbles at the primitive equipment, rubbing her hands quickly before feeling for foetal position. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Yup, baby's well descended, afraid there's no going back now, Poll. |
| Polly clenches her face up and lets out another long, drawn-out scream. | |
| Polly Page: | I just want it to be over! |
| Suzi looks up concerned, checking Polly's pulse again. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Polly, I need to know, exactly how long have you been in pain. I mean, did it just happen recently, or was there discomfort earlier today? Last night? |
| Polly calms down slightly as the pain subsides temporarily. | |
| Polly Page: | It was just a few minutes ago. That bastard made me tell him who Dave was. Then he ordered the guards to keep on kicking me regardless. |
| Polly screams again suddenly as the pain returns. Suzi quickly arranges the collection of sheets under Polly, getting June to sit her up against the pillows. Polly screws up her face and tries to make herself comfortable. | |
| Polly Page: | How long is this going to take? |
| Suzi looks up at her. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Polly, I need you to stay as still as you can for a few moments, try to just pant and concentrate on your breathing. |
| Polly concentrates and breathes slowly. Suzi does a quick internal examination, her brow furrowing and she shakes her head. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Okay Polly, try some gentle pushes, I just wanna check something. |
| Polly lets out another couple of short sharp screams and grabs June's hand as she does as Suzi asks. June holds Polly's hand gently and smiles to give her encouragement. | |
| Suzi Croft: | That's good, keep going. |
| Polly yells in mortal agony and nearly breaks June's hand as she continues to push with every ounce of strength in her body. | |
| Polly Page: | What the hell are you doing down there? |
| Suzi sighs, cursing under her breath. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Polly, stop! |
| Suzi speaks in a harsh tone. Polly thrashes around on the bunk. | |
| Polly Page: | Just get this baby out of me before it kills me! |
| Suzi steps backward, shaking her head, her jaw set. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Right, I'll need you all to work together here, we're out of time. The baby's breached and in distress. |
| Suzi looks up at June sternly. June looks concerned. | |
| June Ackland: | You mean the baby's trying to come out sideways? |
| Suzi nods quickly. | |
| Suzi Croft: | June, I'll work on re-positioning, I need you to kneel up here and apply constant pressure to the abdomen, We've only a few minutes. Viv, get up that end and stay with Poll, this ain't gonna be easy. |
| Suzi Croft: | Viv, find her something to bite down on, and hurry! |
| Polly looks worried but is in too much pain to care. Viv, who is staring out from the window turns quickly back, absorbing the information. | |
| Viv Martella: | Right. |
| Viv heads over to her handbag, dumping out the contents. Suzi drags the blankets down onto the floor quickly. | |
| Suzi Croft: | June, help me get her down here. Viv, how you coming there! |
| June and Suzi carefully lift Polly off the bunk and lay her out on the floor. Viv frantically searches through the contents, finding a wooden handled hair brush and rushes over to the group. | |
| Viv Martella: | Done! |
| Polly moans with agonising pain, clenching her fists tightly. June takes a few cushions from the bed and uses them to make Polly more comfortable on the bare wooden floorboards. Viv instructs her to bite down on the handle, looking worriedly up at June. Polly chews down on the handle, grateful to have something to take her mind off the pain. Suzi positions her self awkwardly on her knees, looking up at June. She returns the worried looks of the other women and nods her head gravely. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Now just push down firmly and steady on her lower abdomen, until I say. |
| June Ackland: | Will do. |
| Suzi takes a deep breath, trying to manoeuvre the infant. June continues to push down on Polly's stomach with a gentle rhythm. Polly lets out a silent scream. Viv takes her hand, squeezing it tightly. Polly clenches her fists, electric currents of sheer agony burning their way through her body. | |
| Suzi Croft: | June, stop! |
| June quickly removes her hands. Suzi quickly checks the positioning, nodding at June to recommence. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Okay, this is the tricky bit. |
| Polly bites down on the handle, almost biting through it with the force of her clenched jaw. Suzi gently directs the babies head, as June's pushes lightly, Suzi trying to pull the baby down quickly. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Come on June, I told you we didn't have time! |
| June looks worriedly at Suzi. | |
| June Ackland: | Are you sure? She's in enough pain as it is without me adding to it. |
| Suzi glares up at June. | |
| Suzi Croft: | You want this kid alive or what! |
| June raises her eyebrows and returns to her task, pushing violently against Polly's abdomen. Suzi gets back to her task. Polly squeals and tries to kick upwards. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Come on, that's it, right, that's better June. |
| Suzi looks up. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Viv, settle her will ya! |
| Viv looks up helplessly, grabbing both of Polly's hands tightly, looking directly into her eyes. | |
| Viv Martella: | Come on Polly, it's almost over. Just a little more. You can do it! |
| Polly stares back sadly, the torment of the event evident in her eyes. Suzi continues guiding the baby down. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Head's out! okay, June, a few sharp pushes here. |
| Polly tenses up as June pushes down hard on her stomach. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Come on June! |
| June closes her eyes and pushes down on Polly's stomach with all her might. Suzi pulls the emerging infant out, quickly clamping off the cord, and slapping her back. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Come on! |
| Suzi looks up at June with a sigh. Polly lets her eyes drop closed, tears welling from beneath her eyelids. Suzi continues striking the new-born, the sweat dripping from her forehead. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Please little one, we all need this! |
| Hope is not breathing. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Breathe damn you! Don't let the bastards win! |
| Hope sucks the air into her little lungs and lets out a feisty wail. Suzi bursts into tears of laughter. June is beaming. | |
| June Ackland: | It's a girl! |
| Polly remains slumped on the floor, forgotten in the ecstasy of the moment. Viv looks from the screaming infant down to Polly, her face immediately falling. | |
| Viv Martella: | Polly? Poll? |
| Polly looks up wearily. | |
| Polly Page: | Is it out? |
| Viv Martella: | Sure is! It's a girl! |
| Viv grins back at Suzi. Polly lies back against the cushions, her lack of emotion very evident. Suzi quickly wraps the infant in a large bed sheet, passing her over to June. June tenderly wipes the smears of blood from Hope's head. | |
| June Ackland: | Who's a pretty little girl then? |
| June passes the new-born to her mother. | |
| June Ackland: | Here she is Polly. You�ve done a great job. |
| Polly turns away, letting her eyes fall closed once again. | |
| June Ackland: | Don't you want to hold her? |
| Polly shakes her head definitely. | |
| Polly Page: | Get it away from me. |
| June looks shocked. | |
| June Ackland: | Polly? It's your little daughter Hope. What's the matter? |
| Suzi and Viv pause from cleaning up the mess and turn to look in Polly's direction. Polly doesn't reply, merely blinking several times. Viv softens her voice, turning to June. | |
| Viv Martella: | Leave it, eh? |
| June stands up, looking confused, and hands the baby back to Suzi. | |
| June Ackland: | You can't reject your own flesh and blood, Polly. You'll have to accept her one day. |
| Suzi takes the baby, fussing over her as June and Viv help to clean up. | |
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| Bure paces infront of the Captain's desk, gathering his thoughts, his voice remaining warm and fatherly. | |
| Commander Bure: | I believe we have a differing of opinion with regards to discipline matters. I am most interested in your explanation, now that you have calmed down. |
| Krylyova looks puzzled. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | What is wrong sir? I was not firm enough? I will try to do better next time. |
| Commander Bure: | No, quite the opposite. |
| Krylyova becomes slightly apprehensive. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | If I have displeased you in any way... |
| The Captain trails off as the Commander shakes his head gravely, dropping cigar ash over the neatly piled reports on the Captain's desk. Bure clears his throat. | |
| Commander Bure: | You seem to have difficulty with the prisoners. You seem to over-react easily. Tell me, are they causing you trouble? |
| Krylyova pauses for thought then gently shakes his head. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | I have them under control. The women eat, run and sleep and I make sure that they do nothing else. That yellow-haired one is one of the most difficult of the prisoners but she no longer gives me trouble. |
| Bure nods slowly. | |
| Commander Bure: | I see. You were right to reprimand her for disobeying the regulations. |
| Krylyova smiles grimly. Bure stands, pacing around the room slowly, unsure of how to phrase his next sentence. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | She has paid the price for her crimes. You are pleased? |
| Krylyova almost looks proud of his earlier deeds. | |
| Commander Bure: | Ivan, I am afraid I must be blunt. I have received disturbing reports. About you, and your conduct. |
| Krylyova yawns and leans back casually on his chair. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | What have the guards been gossiping about, sir? You should not listen to rumour-mongers. |
| Bure taps his cigar ashes lightly into the ashtray. | |
| Commander Bure: | I do not believe it to be rumours. It has come to my attention that you have been, to put it bluntly, abusing your power. |
| Krylyova sighs. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | That was a rumour sir. I am not homosexual. |
| Bure tries to hide a bemused smile. | |
| Commander Bure: | No, no, Lendil has not repeated his allegation. I meant with regards to the prisoners. |
| Krylyova furrows his brow and a look of concern passes over his dark rugged features. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | Which prisoner do you mean sir? The yellow-haired fat one? |
| Bure nods succinctly. | |
| Commander Bure: | I am to believe that you are responsible for her present condition. |
| Krylyova looks down at the papers on his desk sullenly and does not reply. Bure raises his voice gruffly. | |
| Commander Bure: | Well? |
| Krylyova remains sullen and despondent but forces out an answer. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | She is a liar sir. I would not believe anything that you hear concerning her. |
| Commander Bure: | Why so defensive Ivan? Besides, I did not hear the allegation from her. It was from one of your fellow officers. He says also, that this is not the first time you have taken such liberties. |
| Commander Bure: | What have you to say for yourself? |
| Krylyova brushes his moustache thoughtfully. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | There is no proof, sir. |
| Krylyova stares rebelliously into the Commander's eyes. | |
| Commander Bure: | I do not require proof. I require only belief. And I believe the accusations I have heard. |
| Bure shakes his head angrily. | |
| Commander Bure: | You have gone one step too far Krylyova! |
| Krylyova grits his teeth angrily. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | If you believe every piece of gossip you hear in this camp then you are a gullible old goat! It is no wonder the men are restless under the command of an old woman like yourself! |
| Krylyova is panting angrily. Bure paces back towards the officer. | |
| Commander Bure: | You will sit! |
| Krylyova reluctantly sits down. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | It is true sir. There have been whispers of discontent. |
| Commander Bure: | You do not give the orders here. Know this. I have ample authority to have you executed at any given time, without warning or reason. And to protect this camp I will do so if I have to. Now, in order to remain in my favour, you will follow my order. |
| Bure waits to the Captain to respond. Krylyova's jaw trembles slightly and he spits out his words with obvious loathing. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | I will obey you sir. What is your order? |
| Commander Bure: | You are to leave prisoner 4114 and any other prisoner with whom you may have involvement, alone. I will not hear of any ill-treatment, and there is certainly to be no such repeat of that which I witnessed earlier in this tent! Understood soldier? |
| Captain Krylyova: | Understood sir. I will look after the prisoners as if they were my own daughters. |
| Krylyova salutes the Commander crisply. Bure turns to leave, remembering one final detail. | |
| Commander Bure: | Oh yes, speaking of which, you are to stay well clear of prisoner 4114, her roommates, and especially the child. |
| Krylyova nods his head as he carefully licks his wrinkled lips. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | They will all be safe sir. |
| Bure stares at him coldly. | |
| Commander Bure: | I will not hesitate to file disciplinary proceedings, should I hear anything to the contrary. |
| Krylyova remains standing, as still as a rock. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | Yes sir. |
| Bure nods, as he leaves the tent briskly. Krylyova returns to his desk and mutters under his breath. | |
| Captain Krylyova: | Stupid old goat. His days are numbered. |
| Krylyova smiles evilly as he idly twists a lock of his curly hair between his fingers. | |
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| Suzi is sitting in a chair gently rocking the sleeping baby and cooing to her. | |
| Suzi Croft: | You're a lovely little girl. |
| Suzi strokes Hope's wet blonde hair. Hope is sleeping peacefully, sucking gently on Suzi's fingers. Suzi smiles and closes her eyes, still rocking the sleeping baby. Minutes pass and Suzi falls into a light sleep. Hope blinks and opens her eyes. Suzi is softly snoring. Hope opens her mouth and begins to scream lustily. | |
| Hope Page: | Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! |
| Hope keeps yelling and screaming at the top of her little voice. Suzi shakes herself awake and tries desperately to make the baby stop crying. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Shush, little one. You don't want to wake up the guards. |
| Suzi rocks the baby back and forth and stares towards Polly desperately. | |
| Hope Page: | Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! |
| Hope is not letting up. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Oh god, you'll get us all killed if you're not careful. |
| Suzi carefully carries the baby over to Polly's bed and shakes the sleeping woman by the shoulder. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Polly? Polly, are you awake? |
| Polly curls up tighter, trying to ignore the persistent noise. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Polly, the baby needs feeding! |
| Suzi shakes Polly's shoulder vigorously. Polly groans softly, dragging her eyes open. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Polly, we need you to feed the baby. She's yelling the house down! |
| Suzi gently holds Hope in front of Polly's tired eyes. Polly looks resentfully between Suzi and the baby, blinking in confusion several times. | |
| Polly Page: | You what? |
| Hope smiles at her mother. Suzi sighs. | |
| Suzi Croft: | We need you to feed the baby, Polly. She's hungry. |
| Polly miserably pulls herself to a sitting position, glancing tentatively at the child in Suzi's arms. | |
| Polly Page: | Take it away... please..... |
| Suzi is getting impatient with Polly. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Take responsibility, Polly! Do you want the guards to come in here and discover the baby? She could be killed and us with her if you don't co-operate! |
| Hope breaks out into another hearty wail. | |
| Hope Page: | Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! |
| Polly chews on her lower lip, slowly reaching out a hand to stroke the baby's face. Suzi raises her eyebrows and stares pointedly at Polly. Polly looks hesitant, carefully taking the baby from Suzi's arms. | |
| Polly Page: | But I don't, I mean, what do I do? |
| Suzi helps Polly to unbutton the top of her gown as Polly rocks Hope in her arms. Hope settles down as Polly snuggles the baby close to her with a slight gasp. | |
| Polly Page: | That's.. strange... |
| Polly looks slowly from Suzi back down to the suckling child. Hope sucks eagerly, slowly satisfying her hunger. Suzi smiles at the maternal scene unfolding in front of her. | |
| Suzi Croft: | She looks a lot like you, you know. |
| Polly shrugs, still not completely comfortable about the child in her arms. | |
| Polly Page: | I guess. |
| Suzi Croft: | She's very pretty. She's got your nose! |
| Polly nods slowly, brushing her fingertips over the child's light hair. | |
| Suzi Croft: | And her chin... I'm sure I've seen that chin somewhere before... |
| Suzi trails off, realising that she's just made a very tactless remark. Polly cringes, pushing the baby back into Suzi's arms. | |
| Polly Page: | I, I don't wanna see her. Just get rid of her! |
| Suzi supports Hope's head with her free arm and looks accusingly at Polly. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Don't be stupid Polly, she's your daughter! You can't hate your own daughter. |
| Polly looks loathingly over at the child, before burying her head but into her pillow. | |
| Polly Page: | I don't hate it. I don't feel anything for it. I don't care. |
| Hope begins to cry again now that her source of food has been snatched away. Suzi looks desperately from the crying baby to Polly. | |
| Polly Page: | Just shut it up! Make it stop! |
| Suzi Croft: | Take her back. Please? I know it must be tough for you but you can't let the baby suffer like this. She's an innocent! |
| Hope lets out a high-pitched scream. Polly pulls the blankets over her head, sobbing. | |
| Polly Page: | No, just leave me alone! |
| Suzi looks helplessly at the wailing baby in her arms. Viv grunts as she is ripped from sleep. | |
| Viv Martella: | What the hell is that.... oh. |
| Viv looks up quickly remembering the two additional roommates. Suzi puts Hope gently down on Polly's bed and walks over to Viv's bedside. | |
| Viv Martella: | Suzi, shut that noise up will ya! I've been up half the night already! |
| Suzi Croft: | Can you talk some sense into her? She won't feed the baby. |
| Suzi puts her hands on her hips and glares back at Polly. Viv lowers her voice, trying to figure the whole situation out. | |
| Viv Martella: | What do you expect me to do? Polly and I aren't exactly best buddies. Anyway, I don't blame her. Can't say I'd be too partial to the kid. |
| Suzi rolls her eyes. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Just tell her to feed the baby. Please? Unless you want to be awake all night? |
| Viv pulls herself up in the bunk. | |
| Viv Martella: | I'll try, but it won't do any good. |
| Suzi nods and folds her arms as Viv drags herself over to Polly�s bedside. | |
| Viv Martella: | Polly? Poll, just listen to me for a change. |
| Polly shakes her head, ignoring Viv. | |
| Polly Page: | Go away! Just get away from me! |
| Viv Martella: | Look, stop being such a little kid about all this. We all appreciate how you're feeling, but this isn't about you. |
| Polly stubbornly refuses to answer. | |
| Viv Martella: | I though you didn't want the baby to die. I thought you cared. What happened? |
| Polly looks up soullessly into Viv's eyes. | |
| Polly Page: | I realised exactly what that thing is. It's his child, not mine. I never want to see it again if I can help it. |
| Viv softens her voice. | |
| Viv Martella: | You can't say that. She looks more like you than anyone else. Besides, it's not her fault that she's here. Don't blame Hope for that. |
| Polly looks sullen. | |
| Polly Page: | I don't care about her! I honestly couldn't care less whether she lived or died. In fact, I'd prefer it if she died. That way I wouldn't have to be reminded of... of him. |
| Polly chokes off her sentence with a strangled sob. | |
| Viv Martella: | Polly, trust me, that child dying won't make what happened disappear. It'll only add to the tragedy of this whole place! I mean, death is all we see around here. Donna, Nori, everyone! It's your chance to bring something positive and good to this place. Please Polly! |
| Polly looks crestfallen. | |
| Polly Page: | I can't love it Viv. I will never love it. I will feed it but that's all. |
| Polly reluctantly sits up in bed and shakes her gown open again. She winces as Viv picks up Hope and returns her to her mother's chest. Polly and Viv watch in silence as the baby greedily drinks her fill. Once Hope is satisfied, Suzi takes her aside. Polly then buttons up her gown, turns over and goes to sleep without another word. Suzi shakes her head and looks at Viv as she pats Hope's back. | |
| Suzi Croft: | Give her time. She'll change her mind. |
| Suzi sits in her chair again and gently nurses Hope back to sleep. | |
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Continue... |