Inspector Grant & THE LIST
CHARACTERS
D.I. GRANT: Detective Inspector.
D.C. MOORE: Detective Constable.
MRSJUNE WOODS: Mother of the missing child.
MR. BILL WOODS: Father of the missing child.
SCENE Lounge room, very early in the morning.
PROPS A settee, 2 chairs, and a mobile 'phone.
CURTAIN
BILL WOODS greets GRANT & MOORE at the door.
BILL:
Come in Inspector... take a seat.
(GRANT & MOORE SIT ON CHAIRS & BILL & JUNE SIT ON SETTEE)
GRANT:
I do hope you're feeling a little better, Mrs. Woods.
JUNE:
(DISTRAUGHT AND STEMMING A TEAR)
Any news, Inspector? Anything...
BILL:
Perhaps... a cup of tea?
JUNE:
(TEARFULLY)
Damn the tea! I want to know... Where’s our Kevin?
Have you found him?
GRANT:
Well, I’m sorry I haven't got the good news you've been waiting for.
Not as yet.
MOORE:
But no bad news either!
BILL:
Well... at least that's... something.
GRANT:
I know it's nearly forty-eight hours since you reported little Kevin missing… but I would like to reassure you we are doing everything, everything possible to find him. And we will! Rest assured we will.
JUNE:
What does ‘everything’ mean, Inspector? I mean… why aren't you out there - both of you - doing something...!
GRANT:
I assure you, we have literally hundreds of police officers out there, doing their utmost to find young Kevin. They've already door-knocked every house in this street and all adjoining streets too. In fact at this very moment they are going around every one of those places again, double-checking, just in case somebody should remember something useful.
MOORE:
In our experience, Mrs. Woods, its not unusual for a 'Good Samaritan' to take in a lost child overnight.
JUNE:
I don't like the sound of that. I mean why... why wouldn't such people simply 'phone the police?
MOORE:
Unfortunately, not everyone has a 'phone, you know.
BILL:
Oh… Oh, yes. That's true, of course.
JUNE:
But surely... they could do something to make contact?
GRANT:
It’s conceivably possible; the boy may have been taken in by an old or infirm person - Perhaps one not able to get out-and-about.
MOORE:
Maybe just waiting for a relative or a friend... or Meals on Wheels. Anyone, to call for them.
BILL:
Right! That's it. I'm sure it is. We've got to be patient, love... Just a little longer.
GRANT:
It's much too early for you to go thinking the worst...
JUNE:
The worst! Oh... no...
(SOBS)
(JUNE TURNS TO BILL WHO COMFORTS HER)
BILL:
Now, now. You're taking this all wrong. The inspector is right. We have to give them time.
MOORE:
Seven-year-old boys can be very tricky when they playing hide-and-seek. We know that from past experience.
GRANT:
Never a truer word. The first hint of any news, anything at all from anybody, police or public, (HOLDS UP MOBILE 'PHONE) I'll know, and I'll tell you! So calm yourselves... please.
BILL:
They are doing everything possible, love. Kevin will be home soon. Look... it's getting light out there. People will be out and about soon! That'll help no end. Won't it Inspector?
GRANT:
It certainly will. Somebody, somewhere, will see something. They always do. You can count on it!
JUNE:
Tell me something, Inspector. Tell me something practical you've done - other than knocking on doors...
BILL:
Leave it, love...
JUNE:
No - I won't 'leave it'. I want to know what's been done!
GRANT:
Well... you remember how I asked you to make up a list - A list of every person who may have shown the slightest possible interest in young Kevin?
JUNE:
Oh, yes.
(SIGH)
Quite a big list too, wasn't it?
BILL:
I've been thinking about that – that bloody list. It worries me. I mean, I don’t think it’s right. In fact it's totally unfair of us... to even think of making a list of… of suspects - let alone writing it out and giving it to the police. It could play havoc with the reputations of our friends and neighbours – people we’ve know for years.
GRANT:
The list was necessary, I assure you.
(TO MOORE)
Constable?
MOORE:
All investigated thoroughly, sir. Old Mr. Watson, who sits outside the school all day...
BILL:
Oh, no!
(GRIMACING IN EMBARRASSMENT)
You didn’t have to. Not him...
JUNE:
All day, every day, he's there. He is! He spoke to Kevin, once. It's not right. (SHUDDERS)
It’s not 'normal'... for any man to sit outside a school all day. He’s got to be a nutter!
MOORE:
He appears to be a perfectly respectful, harmless old man, well liked by his neighbours. He simply loves kids and most - if not all - love him! And that’s not a crime.
JUNE:
You said 'appears' to be respectful - not ‘he is’ respectable'?
GRANT:
Well… He was questioned down at the station for something like eight or nine hours. And I can tell you: He knows absolutely nothing!
BILL:
Eight or nine hours?
(SHOCKED)
The poor old man... My God! What have we done!
JUNE:
Well, what about...
(POINTS TO HOUSE NEXT-DOOR)
MOORE:
They admit having the boy in their place… on the odd occasion...
JUNE:
(TO BILL)
You see! You see! I told you…
MOORE:
Just after a ball... or that kind of thing - but not by invitation. No. There's nothing untoward there!
BILL:
(TO JUNE)
Calm down! I told you they were all right. They’re decent people. They really are.
JUNE:
And what about that old hag, then.
(POINTS TO THE OTHER NEIGHBOURS HOUSE)
The old witch. Out at night. Casting spells in the full moon. She’s not right in the head.
GRANT:
We had that poor old dear in too. She admits to occasionally walking in the garden at night, when she can't sleep - and yes, when there may have been a full moon too. She keeps birds at the bottom of her garden, which are, apparently, threatened by somebody else's big black cat. She's a lovely old dear, really. Wouldn't hurt a fly!
BILL:
The poor old dear. She shouldn’t have to be questioned like that. Oh, that damn list! I wish we'd never made it. I really do.
JUNE:
And Carol Smith? What about her?
MOORE:
Your babysitter? She and her boyfriend have rock-hard alibis for yesterday and last night. They think the world of the boy, you know, and are just as concerned as anybody.
JUNE:
He's been missing for more than forty-eight hours now. Somebody's telling lies... or holding back on the truth... or both!
(SNIFF)
It's not right. It’s just not right...
BILL: Now, now. Steady, love.
(PUTTING HIS ARM AROUND HER)
JUNE:
(PUSHING HIM AWAY)
You shouldn't have let him to play with those bigger boys over the road. They're up to no good. Anybody can see that.
(TO GRANT)
You know that, Inspector. I'm sure you do?
GRANT:
Well… yes, they are 'known to us', as we say. But, I assure you, not in connection with your son's disappearance. No.
JUNE:
'Known'? - For what? Drugs? I bet. Oh... We'll have to move after this, Bill. I can't... we can't… live next to druggies. We shouldn’t have to!
BILL:
Now then, love. The inspector didn't say that.
JUNE:
The whole neighbourhood is going downhill – and that’s the truth.
(TO GRANT)
And what about that window cleaner? What's his story?
MOORE:
He has an alibi - A good one. He was in bed...
JUNE:
Oh? And did his wife confirm that - did she?
MOORE:
Well… no, not his wife...
GRANT:
(IN REBUKE)
That's enough, constable.
MOORE:
Sorry, sir.
GRANT:
All right.
BILL:
All right? All right - is it? A man's private life... exposed? All because of that damn list?
JUNE:
Bugger the list! Oh... sorry Inspector...
BILL:
Calm down, June. Just cool it.
June:
No I won’t!
(TO GRANT)
What about that shopkeeper?
GRANT:
The shopkeeper you listed - the one who gives out lollies to the kiddies? He's been in bed with flu. And his wife does confirm that. Anyway, he gives all the kids lollies because he just loves kids - and he thinks it's good for his business. After talking to his customers, we tend to agree.
JUNE:
And the electrician, who came recently - what about him?
GRANT:
Ah…well… a bit embarrassing for us. You see, he objected rather strongly to being questioned, and got a bit violent with our people. Unfortunately one of our constables struck him with a baton! He's in hospital at the moment, and may face charges of obstructing the police etc. - but he is cleared as far as your boy Kevin is concerned. I’m sure of that.
BILL:
My God! What are we doing to our neighbours... our friends... with that damn list? Ohhh... you are right, luv - we may well have to move after this!
JUNE:
Friends? Neighbours? What about a bit more concern for our son! And a bit less concern for people on that list! If you hadn't gone back on your word about taking us on that holiday, Kevin wouldn't have been here to go missing - would he! Because we'd all be in Sydney - right!
GRANT:
Holiday? You never mentioned anything to me earlier about going on holiday, Mrs. Woods. When this all come up?
JUNE:
Ah, well… All year me husbands been promising to take us to visit my sister in Sydney. And then he goes and cancels again this week, because his boss reckons 'He can't be spared'. Huh!
MOORE:
And, was Kevin aware of these plans?
JUNE:
Yes. Oh, yes. So excited, he was. I suppose any little boy would be. I mean, they all love trains, don't they?
GRANT:
Love trains, you say? Yes, yes of course they do. So, did you discuss this... in front of Kevin... in the last day or two perhaps?
BILL:
Discuss? You can't 'discuss' anything with my wife! She turns any attempt at a rational discussion into a full blown, family row! She goes right off her brain... Well… at… certain… times…
JUNE:
Oh, yes? Oh, yes? And what about you, then - yelling and screaming your big fat head off! Enough to make any kid howl... and he does – doesn’t he? Poor little mite.
GRANT:
Please! Both of you. This is very important. When did you last have one of those… er... 'discussions'.
JUNE:
Couple o' nights ago. Nearly woke the whole street!
MOORE:
And the boy - Kevin?
BILL:
Kevin was…er… watching telly, yes… well... at first – I remember that. Then he must have slunk off upstairs... to bed... or to play with his trains. He loves trains, as I said.
GRANT:
Did he say anything about the trip... the next day?
JUNE:
Yes. Had his usual whinge... about not going. Poor kid!
GRANT:
So, trains and holidays were uppermost in his mind?
JUNE:
Well... I guess so (SNIFF).
MOORE:
You didn't associate any of this with his disappearance?
JUNE:
No. No... Should we? (SNIFF)
BILL:
Nooo... Of course not! He wouldn't go near any trains on his own.
GRANT:
Excuse me for a moment.
(GRANT MAKES A CALL ON HIS MOBILE ‘PHONE)
GRANT:
Sergeant Becker, please. Bill? Inspector Grant. You know this case I'm on? Good. Good. I want you to check with the Sydney Police. Yes, Sydney - for any 'lost' little bys that may have been found on the railway - Brisbane to Sydney run. Right? Yes, I'll hold.
JUNE:
I'm sorry, Inspector if we've mislead you in any way...
BILL:
This is daft! This is crazy! He's a seven-year old boy! He'd never go near a train on his own, I tell you - let alone make it all the way to Sydney...
GRANT: Shssss….
(ON THE MOBILE PHONE)
Yes. Yes. Brisbane train. Right. Yes. Small boy? Good. Right. What? Not talking? Well… read the description to me... Hmm... Yes. Could be. How is he? Good. Get someone to take some pictures and fax them to me, soonest – right? Yes. Yes… Good man. Thanks, Bill. 'Bye.
JUNE:
Is... is it him?
GRANT:
Difficult to say for sure… but possible. Likely, even. But we will know for sure when they fax us the pictures - and that won’t take too long. They have a photographer on the way now.
JUNE:
But is he all right?
GRANT:
Oh… the boy they are holding is fine – just fine.
BILL:
(HUGGING JUNE)
Oh... Thank God for that.
GRANT:
It seems the little fellow was found asleep by one of the passengers. They put a call out, and when there was no response from people on the train, they alerted the railway police. And the Sydney police were waiting for him at the station, and picked him up on arrival, straight away. But don't worry. Sergeant Becker has passed your 'phone number on to Sydney Police and – as soon as we’ve established for sure that it’s him - they will ring you, let you talk to him. And then talk to you about arrangements to get him back home...
JUNE:
No! No. We don't want him sent home - do we Bill?
BILL:
Don't we?
JUNE:
No… I'll ring his Auntie Faye in Sydney and she can pick him up. Can you clear that for me, Inspector?
GRANT:
If that's what you want. She'll need some kind of identification, of course – then we can get her to ring you when she picks him up - so you can formally confirm her identity, you understand. There shouldn’t be any problem.
JUNE:
You see, I think Bill's right. We've unwittingly upset our friends and neighbours with that list. It may take time for them to cool down. And I’m thinking it would probably be best for everyone if we got away for a while.
BILL:
Right! You're dead right there, love. And if our son can make it to Sydney - so can we! So damn it! I'm taking time off - whether my boss can ‘spare me’ or not!
GRANT:
Good for you! Now we really must go. Got to call the lads in and wind up the search, etc. Nothing will please them more than to know that Kevin's been found.
JUNE:
I, er... must say you've been good to us. We were stupid not to mention his love for trains. If only we had...
GRANT:
I very much doubt if it would've made any difference until the train reached Sydney. We would still have had to make enquiries here. Anyway, I’m pretty sure it’s him that’s been found. That's the thing. That's all that matters.
JUNE:
I still can't fathom how he got on the train.
MOORE:
He probably wandered in to the station, and boarded a train with a family group. It's happened before, and it will doubtless happen again. That's kids. That's life!
(GRANT & MOORE MAKE TO LEAVE)
GRANT:
We'll rush those pictures over as soon as we can so you can confirm the identification. I reckon he's probably had a big breakfast by now, and is talking his little head off!
JUNE:
Yes. Yes - knowing our Kevin. I bet he loved riding on a train and riding in a police car – on the same day…
BILL:
Goodbye, Inspector.
JUNE: And thanks again... for everything...
(GRANT & MOORE EXIT)
(JUNE & BILL SLUMP ON THE SETTEE)
JUNE:
Oh... tell me it's over... and it's all been nothing but a bad dream.
BILL:
Well... it will likely be a while before it's really over. After the damage done by the list, our friends and neighbours may well shun us for quite some time.
JUNE:
I don't care... I just don't care. As long as we've got him back, I don't care who we've upset. Stuff 'em! Perhaps they weren't really our friends in the first place? Think about it. There's nothing we can do...
BILL:
Yes there is!
JUNE:
What?
BILL:
Start packing! We are going - aren't we?
JUNE:
(WITH A QUICK KISS)
You just try and stop me...
BILL:
(RISING)
I best ring the boss and ask... no! I’ll tell him I'm taking time off. And… as much time off as we need.
JUNE:
Good for you. Then I'd better ring Faye, explain what's happening, and ask her to look after Kevin 'til we get there. Then I'd better make out a list...
BILL:
Oh, no. No more lists! I don't want to see another list of any kind... or even hear of one... for a long, long time…
JUNE: All right. All right. That's cool.
(RISING).
But you'd better get a wriggle on, lover - We've got a train to catch....
(CURTAIN)
END