Free Bang Bang Bang by Stella Feehily Page A

Steady.
    It’s very easy to categorise such people as evil. Mburame is an evil man who does evil things therefore he is less human. If faced with the things he’s faced, / let’s hope we would not become killers.
    MATHILDE. I can’t believe you can say this after Amala and all the women and –
    SADHBH. Just for a moment think like a grown-up.
    The cow lows.
    MATHILDE. What?
    VIN. I am so doing cow jokes all day.
    Sacré vache! Classic.
    La vache qui rit.
    He takes a photograph.
    SADHBH. Don’t.
    If I ever see a picture of me and that / cow in any publication –
    VIN. Don’t have a cow.
    SADHBH. Mathilde.
    You’re right to think it’s sinister.
    Radio trottoir will ensure everyone knows about Mburame’s gift of ‘friendship’.
    But while we are so cut off here – it’s a bad idea to spurn him.
    MATHILDE is visibly annoyed.
    MATHILDE. But of course I’m being stupid again.
    SADHBH. No need to call the righteous brigade every time something happens.
    You won’t cope here always living on your nerves.
    MATHILDE. So you say –
    but if we keep it – this looks like collaboration.
    Isn’t that a ‘bad idea’?
    SADHBH. Either way – there’s no winning.
    MATHILDE. Okay. Thank you. That’s clear.
    SADHBH makes to leave.
    Oh my God. It is pooping again.
    SADHBH. Forget about it.
    MATHILDE. Where are you going?
    SADHBH. To get a bucket.
    That cow needs to be milked.
    You want to get dressed? It’s not the Costa del Sol.
    We leave for the camp in an hour.
    SADHBH exits and calls back.
    R and R is officially over.
    MATHILDE sulks.
    The cow lows a number of times.
    VIN takes a photograph.
    Five
    The IDP camp.
    Tight spot of light.
    A small CHILD is screaming. VIN is taking a photograph of the CHILD . The CHILD tries to get away but seems pinned to the spot.
    VIN follows her face with his camera.
    CHILD. The Gun, The Gun, The Gun, The Gun, The Gun.
    VIN. Hey, little one. It’s a camera.
    Camera?
    I’m taking a photograph.
    Je prends ta photo?
    You want to have a look?
    Hey, don’t cry, kid.
    I’m sorry.
    I can show you.
    Hey. Shush. Shush.
    Kid? Can you stop crying please?
    You’ll get me in trouble.
    Kid? Please?
    He turns his camera around to view the images.
    See. I can show you.
    The CHILD runs away.
    Shit.
    He looks back at the images on his camera.
    SADHBH. What the fuck are you doing?
    VIN. Listen – sorry – I didn’t mean to –
    MATHILDE and MAMA CAROLINA enter.
    SADHBH. You are not allowed to photograph or talk to the children without Mama Carolina’s permission. The last time they had something pointed at them it was a gun. They’re traumatised. / You just can’t behave like that.
    MATHILDE. Hey, Sadhbh – he / didn’t mean to –
    MAMA CAROLINA. Why have you upset the children?
    VIN. Hey, Mama, / I didn’t mean to.
    MAMA CAROLINA. My name is not Mama. I am Mama Carolina.
    SADHBH. Ask permission if / you want pictures.
    MATHILDE. This is a misunderstanding –
    MAMA CAROLINA. Prends ton appareil et va-t-en. Va-t-en !
    MATHILDE. Sorry, Mama Carolina –
    VIN. Okay. I’ll just go then.
    SADHBH. Fuck off. / Go on. Fuck off.
    MATHILDE. Cool it, Sadhbh.
    VIN. Keep your hair on. I didn’t mean / to upset anyone.
    VIN gathers his equipment and moves away to pack up.
    MAMA CAROLINA. Pourquoi parles-tu comme ça, Sadhbh? On est devant les enfants, quand même?
    Now – please – we are waiting for you.
    She exits.
    SADHBH. Sorry, Mama Carolina. Pardonne-moi. En moment.
    SADHBH and MATHILDE are left alone together.
    He’s an idiot.
    MATHILDE. I’m sorry. It’s not my fault.
    SADHBH. It is your fault. You brought this guy. He’s sleeping in your bed. Suddenly we’re responsible for his security – Janvier is / not his chaffeur.
    MATHILDE. I’m sorry but no, Sadhbh.
    He is taking truthful pictures. / Powerful