LYDIA: If two people were to be born at the exact same instant and very near to one another, they would become what's known as astral twins. They would share a destiny. It's thousands of pounds, Francis. I've never seen so much money. Do you know a man named Francis Carver? Lydia Greenway. LYDIA: I have a surprise for you. In the cabin of the Godspeed tomorrow night at 10 o'clock. - Miss Anna Wetherell? - No, she's not here. I'm sorry for your loss. Poison. It's not poison, it's medicine. - It's only laudanum. - No... It's for the pain. PRITCHARD: Laudanum. He was full of it. DEVLIN: You saw a man die. I can read. LYDIA: We are hosting a party tomorrow. And the theme is the British navy on the open sea. Captions by Able. Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2019 (GENTLE MUSIC) (BREATHES HEAVILY) Good morning. Do you know, I encourage his drinking. I'm rather ashamed to say. But I get so used to the house when he's away, you see? And... he's like a little boy sometimes ` his appetites. What do you fancy? Tea? Milk? Thank you. I was hoping you might help me with my costume for the party. I shall be Aphrodite, born of heaven and the sea. (WAVES CRASH) (GULLS CALL) You're leaving already? Yes. This calls me home. Would you mind if...? Can I come with you? (DOOR CREAKS, BANGS) You really ought to get this fixed. She's not here. Yes, she is. She's standing right in front of me. It's you I want. Come through. - What's all this? - She's throwing a party. - It's Tuesday. - So? Who throws a party on a Tuesday night? I've got something for you. Open ticket to the new field ` Hokitika. Come any time you like. It's yours. No need to tell Mrs Wells. This is just between us. All right? I'm a rich man, Miss Wetherell, and I plan on getting richer. We could make a lot of money together, you and me. Mr Mannering. Yes indeed? Who's Mr Carver? You keep your eyes open, don't you? I like that. Who is he? I've got a ship to catch. Come with. I'll tell you on board. Tell me now. He was a convict ` 10 years' hard labour. Only got out a few months back. What was he in for? I'll tell you on board. WHISPERS: Mr Wells. Mr Wells. Mr Wells, wake up. Mr Wells, the key to the strongbox is gone. (MYSTERIOUS MUSIC) - Where is it? - I don't know. (SIGHS) - Where's Lydia? - She went out. - Where to? - She didn't say. - He was a convict. - Who? Mr Carver. He did 10 years of hard labour. I just found out. What for? I don't know. Shit. Something about this party isn't right. All right, come here. Come here! Up. Up. Out. CROSBIE: Right, it's clear. ANNA: Do you really think this-? (THUD!) (CROSBIE YELLS) (GRUNTS) (YELLS) (CROWBAR CLANGS) LYDIA: What on earth? Crosbie! Are you completely mad? - Where's the key? - You could have killed someone! Where is it? Give it to me. You're causing a scene. Watch it! - Give me the key! - Stop it. Stop it! Oh! Of course I took the key. You were blind drunk. You're not going to open it here! We'll be robbed. We'll be murdered in our beds. Don't be a fool. (PANTS) Happy? Give it to me. Give me the gold, Crosbie. Now. Shame on you. (DOOR SLAMS) I carried that sack for two weeks. I know how much it weighs. That wasn't gold. It wasn't heavy enough. She switched it out. - Crosbie. - (BREATHES RAGGEDLY) Crosbie. I think she slipped us some laudanum last night in our drinks. Kind of you to get him into bed. It's not the first time he's done this. We've been here before, he and I. You understand? Now, we have a party to prepare for. (INSECTS CHITTER) READS: On this 11th day of October 1865 a sum of �2000... is to be given to Miss Anna Wetherell by Mr Emery Staines, witnessed by Mr Crosbie Wells. (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) (TENSE MUSIC) (KORIMAKO CALLS DISTANTLY) (GENTLE MUSIC) (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) (OMINOUS MUSIC) (WATER LAPS) (BIRDSONG) (LAUGHS) Ah. Here. (FLY BUZZES) I honestly can't tell the difference. (CHUCKLES) Now look. This one, it's cloudy. That is pounamu. That is just a stone. (CHUCKLES) (HAMMER BANGS) Ah. You'll be after my laundry. Come up. (INDISTINCT CONVERSATION) (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) Miss Anna Wetherell. (CHUCKLES) You needn't introduce yourself to tradesmen. You have so much to learn. Thank you. That'll do. I could be absolutely destitute, Miss Wetherell, and I would still find a way to pay somebody else to launder my clothes. We should go check on Mr Wells. You know, in case he stops breathing. I'll go. You carry on. (LOCK CLICKS) Shh. Fast asleep. Now, your costume for this evening. I was thinking perhaps a siren. Do you know what that is? Evening, gentlemen. (BAND PLAYS LIVELY FOLK MUSIC) LYDIA: Captain Raxworthy! Milady. Oh, and you wore your Victoria Cross. Do you know, I've never seen one in the flesh. Miss Wetherell, bring the dear captain a drink. Now, Miss Wetherell is dressed as a siren, Captain. So you mustn't listen to a word she says. - The British navy. - The navy. Evening. Who are you? Where's Miss Greenway? Oh. She hasn't been Miss Greenway in a long time, Mr Lauderback. She didn't tell you? She got married. Who are you? How about you call me Mr Wells ` Crosbie Wells. What? I think you know my wife, Mrs Lydia Wells. What's this? - And why's my name on it? - Open it. It isn't mine. I've never seen it before. Open it. Five dresses, all hiding something. If I called in the harbour master right now and told him to take a closer look, what do you think he'd find? Have a feel. Pay special attention to the seams. There's a lot of gold in there, Mr Lauderback, and it sure doesn't belong to you. I don't understand. CARVER: It's very clever, really. Women's clothes are far less likely to get searched. If that gold leaves the country undeclared, that's evasion of duty, brother ` tax fraud, grand larceny, smuggling. - But whose gold is it? - Mine. You see, I made a strike on the goldfield. Proudest moment of my life. And you stole it from me. No, I didn't. It's right there in your trunk. Booked under your account. Stolen with the help of your mistress. (TENSE MUSIC) You're setting me up. May I? (BAND PLAYS LIVELY FOLK MUSIC) One sheet to the wind! (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) May I have your attention? Our guest of honour has joined us. Captain Raxworthy is a decorated hero. But there is one decoration you will notice he does not wear. (LAUGHTER) I think he needs to be shown the ropes, don't you? (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) You get three guesses, Captain Raxworthy. Get it right, you drink for free. Get it wrong and they do. (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) Yes, sir. No, sir. - ALL: Soon, sir. Never, sir. - (BAND PLAYS FOLK TUNE) Yes, sir. No, sir. Soon, sir. Never, sir. So, Captain, where' is the ring? Soon, sir. Never, sir. Yes, sir. No, sir. - There! - (MUSIC STOPS) No! Two more guesses, Captain! - (MUSIC RESUMES) - Soon, sir. Never, sir. Yes, sir. No, sir. Soon, sir. Never, sir. This is blackmail. You're blackmailing me. I am. What do you want? Money? No. I want this ship. Sign it over and all your problems go away. The trunk disappears, I disappear, and you, Mr Lauderback, get to keep your good name. There! No! Last guess, Captain Raxworthy. Let's make it count. Soon, sir. Never, sir. Yes, sir. No, sir. Soon, sir. Never, sir. Yes, sir. No, sir. Soon, sir. Never, sir. Yes, sir. No, sir. Soon, sir. Never, sir. Yes, sir. No, sir... (TENSE MUSIC) No, sir. Soon, sir. Never, sir. Yes, sir. No, sir. Soon, sir... Now, where is my apprentice? There! (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) Let's have some more music. Oh, no, no, no. Now it's your turn. - (MEN CHEER) - No. Somebody else. No. (GROANS) Yes, madam. No, madam. Soon, madam... (KEYS RATTLE) There. No! Two more guesses. Yes, madam. No, madam. Soon, madam. Never, madam. Yes, madam. No, madam. Soon, madam. Never, madam. Yes, madam. No, madam. Soon, madam. Never, madam. (OMINOUS MUSIC) No, no, no, no. You haven't guessed yet. (LOCK CLICKS) - WHISPERS: Mr Wells. Crosbie! - (GRUNTS) She cut the whiskey. She's been drugging you. Something's going on. Mr Wells. Mr Wells, please wake up. Never, madam. Yes, madam. No, madam. Soon, madam. Never, madam. Yes, madam. No, madam. (OMINOUS MUSIC BUILDS) There! (GRUNTS) (BLOWS THUD) (GROANS) Argh! (GROANS) Argh! Is your name Carver? It used to be. Now it's Wells. (GROANS) Where's my gold?! You think this is just about the gold? - What? - It's leverage. That's all you are. (GROANS) (GRUNTS, MOANS) Leverage against what? - Against what?! - Don't kill him. Leverage? What's he talking about, leverage? - I don't know. - (PANTS) He was here this afternoon when you were asleep. Why did he say his name was Wells? We need to leave. My passport. My miner's right. They're in there with the gold. Please, Crosbie. We have to leave. I should have seen it before. Who'd have use for another man's papers, signed with another man's name? A convict, that's who ` someone who wants to leave his past behind him. That's what's going on here. They weren't just after my money. They were after my name. Don't. Don't kill him. Don't kill him. Don't. (TENSE MUSIC) What did we do? What did we do? You know who you are now? You're the man with the scar. Try leaving that behind. - LYDIA: Francis? - (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) Oh God, no. No! (GROANS) - Where's my gold? - You killed him! I swear to God, I'll cut his fucking throat. Where's my colour? Where's my colour?! - It's on the ship. - What ship? The Godspeed, down on the quay. She leaves tomorrow morning. - Please, please- - And my passport? My passport? My papers? Crosbie, please. I beg you. Please, Crosbie. I love him. - (GASPS) - (CARVER GROANS) - Where's my gun? - Francis. Francis. You did this together ` you and her. - No. - You're in it together! Stay the hell away from me, both of you! (MOANS) No. No. Francis? Francis? No. No. No. No. (LYDIA SOBS) Help! Help, Anna. Help me, please! (LYDIA PANTS) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (SIGHS) (BIRDSONG) (SOFT, EERIE MUSIC) (FLY BUZZES) (BELL TOLLS DISTANTLY) Where's Mr Wells? You tell me. I don't... I must have drunk too much. I can't remember anything. Hair of the dog that bit you. No, I... I really don't` Do you know what you've done? Let me tell you something about Crosbie. He saved himself and left you here because he forgot you the moment you opened your legs. You're nothing to him. You're a whore. You're nothing. CARVER: Lydia? Look at him. Look! You did this. Get the fuck out of my house! The ship? - It's gone. - No. No! Francis, there's nothing we can do. Stop. I'm sorry. CARVER: Where is he? Where is he? I don't know. We'll find him. We'll find him. We will find him. Come. Come back to bed. (GULLS SCREECH, WAVES LAP) (SIGHS) (GENTLE MUSIC) (WIND WHISTLES) I can explain. Oh, aye? Well, go ahead, then. My name is Crosbie Wells. I made a strike in the Dunstan Valley. You can look it up. I was robbed by a convict. He took... He took my papers and my gold, and he smuggled the gold somewhere on this ship. That's why I'm here ` to get it back. I... All right, all right. I never meant to stow away. I don't mean any harm. I... I just want to get my money back. - Shackle him. - No. No, it's... it's here. Ow! It's here somewhere. Just let me look for it. I've heard enough. Make sure he's secure. I'll share it with you. We'll split it down the middle! Please! RAXWORTHY: Load the cargo. Prepare the first boat. (WAVES CRASH) (OARS CREAK) (SAILORS YELL) (CRASH!) Don't turn it over before it's in the water. Let's get at least one boat to shore. All right? Will you bloody concentrate! You damage my boat, I'll have you flogged! Aargh! Hey! (SPLASH!) (WIND WHISTLES) (WINCES, GROANS) (GRUNTS) How is it? I'll kill him. We'll have to find him first. I signed his name, Lydia. So long as he's alive` The ship belongs to him. Yes, Francis, I understand, thank you. (FIRE CRACKLES) (RURU HOOTS) (CRICKETS CHIRP) I wish I didn't have to leave. You don't. No, I have to go and stake a claim. I signed a contract. I thought you came here for love. I might have loved her. I wanted to. You cannot keep it for yourself. Te Pounamu. What you find you must give away. (RURU HOOTS) (BIRDSONG) (MAN SHOUTS DISTANTLY) (SHOUTING CONTINUES) Aargh! Hey! This is Maori land! Hell of a place to call home. My mountain is Tuhua. My river is Arahura. My canoe is Takitimu. My hapu is Ngati Waewae. My iwi is Ngai Tahu. And my name is Te Rau Tauwhare. Pleased to meet you all. Why don't you give me your name? I don't mean any disrespect. I'm just trying not to use it. Here. Sorry to have trespassed. It's all I've got. (METAL CLANGS) Did that hurt? Yes. I cut a man's face. I marked him. Like this. He bled like anything. (METAL CLANGS) Yours bleed? Yes. Is it sometimes a shock to see yourself? - If you haven't been near a looking glass in a while, do you forget? - No. I never forget. Crosbie Wells. Emery Staines. So, this is paradise. (SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC) Miss Anna Wetherell, Mr Edgar Clinch. No luggage? We'll sort it out, don't you worry. Room and board and a hot bath every week, whatever she wants to eat and drink, and you send the bill to me. Uh, right, uh,... Pleasure, Miss Wetherell. Uh, just this way, please. If you'll follow me. Thank you, sir. Just up here. Watch your step there. And, uh, number six is you. (KEYS JINGLE) What do you fancy to eat? I can do potatoes, potatoes or... potatoes. Do you have anything to drink? (WAVES LAP) Rise and shine. Got you something. I got some salvage. Washed up on the beach in a trunk. Try them. The pink one... is for when you're working. You know, bright colour. Lets them know. The others? Well, you can... wear them whenever you like. Nice hat, pair of gloves. Try them. You know, it costs a lot of money to keep you like this. That's not enough. Better get to work, then. (BROODING MUSIC) (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) And will you look at that? She's seen the light. Perfect. Now, just do something with this nest. - Lady! - That Johnny's got money. - Lady! MANNERING: No, we never stop in Chinatown. Lady! (BROODING MUSIC) See anything you like, sir? Whoa! (HORSE WHINNIES) MAN: How much for her? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. Up the front, where they can see. Do you want to know the secret to my success, Mr Nilssen? - Not particularly. - One girl in each hotel. You can't risk them making friends, you see. Divide and you shall conquer. CLINCH: I've drawn your bath, Miss Wetherell. The water's steaming. Miss Wetherell? You don't want it going cold. (BIRDSONG) Mr Sook? Do you remember me? (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) You give me this, first time. Opium. I gave you laudanum. You were in pain. Same thing. (CHUCKLES) Your fault. Poison. Your fault. What are you doing here? I came back to find you, and you were gone. Under arrest. Public intoxication. They bring me here. Your fault. (GULLS SCREECH) She was due back here two months ago. Oh, aye? Who the bloody hell are you, then? That ship was sold the night you left. New management. You're out. Crosbie Wells? I don't expect you've heard of him. Actually, I have. On our first leg to Hokitika we found a man down below ` a stowaway. He said his name were Crosbie Wells. Well, he must have been lying. - But why? - He was a stowaway. Of course he's going to give a false name. What happened to him? Something strange about all of this. Why wasn't I told? If you've got a problem, take it up with Mr Lauderback. He's the one who sold the ship. No explanation, no severance. The paperwork's been filed. It's done. - I'm just the messenger. - No. You're the bloody captain now. So, what happened to this stowaway? He jumped overboard, swam to shore. They never saw him again. And the trunk? Gone. So we go looking for it. Francis. Hokitika, Nicholson, Lyttelton, Jackson, Melbourne, Chalmers. That's the run. It could be anywhere. It's still out there. Crosbie is still out there. - We played a dangerous hand` - The hand isn't over yet. We played a dangerous hand and we lost. The gold, we lost. Wells, we lost. But the ship, we won. We can sail away. We find a dockyard, we change the figurehead, - change the rigging` - Change the name? That ship was sold to Crosbie Wells. Who named Francis Carver as his captain. What if he finds out? If we leave now, he never will. Anyway, we have his passport. What's he going to prove? Let's go back to San Francisco, pick up where we left off. - You and me, together. - On what income? I'll start up a cargo run. And how much would you make? �5 a week? Maybe �10? It's a living. Is it? I have a living, Francis. This is a living. What I want is a life. Heavenly Father, we entrust this man to your love and mercy. May he now be at peace for all eternity. Every death is a mystery. We ask, why him? Why now? Why in this way? Lord, grant us the patience to accept what we do not know. Teach us to entrust in your inscrutable divinity and help us put our doubts and fears to rest. Amen. WHISPERS: Amen. - Amen. - Amen. (DIRT PATTERS ON COFFIN) (INSECTS CHITTER) Whoa! Anna?! Anna? (GUNSHOT ECHOES, HORSE WHINNIES) Anna! Show yourself! Anna! There you are. Anna, you are coming back to town and back to work! No. Anna! I made it crystal clear. You cannot hide away down here. You keep coming here and no one's going to touch you. Men do not want a girl who associates with Chinamen! You think you know what men want? A great hunger for beauty. That's what you said to me. But that's not what they want. That's not why they come. They come because whatever ugliness they feel, they want me to feel it worse. That's what they pay for. Every man wants his whore to be unhappy. I'm exactly what they want. Fine! But you do not work here, you understand me! You do not wear the pink dress. You wear plain colours. And you keep your head down and your mouth shut! You don't touch her. Do you understand me? No touchy. She's mine! She belongs to me. Hah! She's mine! Hands off! (BROODING VIOLIN MUSIC) For the pain. (WIND WHOOSHES) No. No, no. No, no, no, it's all right, Anna. It's all right, Anna. I'm just getting you to bed, all right? I'm just getting you to bed. Up you come. Oh dear. You really have to take care of yourself, hey? Just help me a bit here. Let's get this off. It's all right. I've seen it all before. Oh dear. Lie down, then. There you go. Now, let's get this off here. - (GASPS) - Easy, my girl. Easy. Nice and easy, Anna. We can look after it. All of us. You'll just work until you can't, and then we'll all look after it. Be nice, actually, having a wee one running around. It'll be nice. Whose is it? Do you know? It's mine. (CICADAS CHITTER) I can't stop thinking about him. When you see a man dead,... it's strange, you can't tell what he really looked like when he lived. A dead man looks... created. It makes you think of the creator, the designer. You... You see him and you wonder how he was made. You were his friend. Yes. Did he ever mention me? He never mentioned you. (THOUGHTFUL MUSIC) (PICKS THUD) Gentlemen. (MEN CHATTER) Lydia. Mr Lauderback. What... What are you doing here? I came to bury my husband. But it seems I arrived too late. (FLY BUZZES) (TENSE MUSIC) www.able.co.nz Copyright Able 2019