Free Twist of Gold by Michael Morpurgo Page B

head for Grass Valley. It’s where all the most hopeful emigrants go in California.
    ANNIE : Why?
    SEAMUS FINN : Because there was not supposed to be grass in the desert – and yet in California, anything is possible.
         Grass Valley. People.
        Beggin’ your pardon, sir, but we’re lookin’ for one Patrick O’Brien, lately arrived from Ireland.
    MAN : I don’t know no O’Brien. But the Irish are further down Grass Valley, towards the sea.
    SEAMUS FINN : Much obliged.
         They walk on some more.
        Beggin’ your pardon, sir, but we’re lookin’ for a Patrick O’Brien, who lives in these here parts.
    ANOTHER MAN : O’Brien… O’Brien… Nope. Plenty of Paddys, but can’t recall an O’Brien. Ask at the stores, they
     might’ve heard of him.
         So they go on to the stores.
    SEAMUS FINN : Beggin’ your pardon, Ma’am, but we’re lookin’ for one Patrick O’Brien, lately come from County Cork in
     Ireland. D’you know the man I’m speaking of by any chance?
    WOMAN : Sure I do, sir.
    SEAMUS FINN : You do?
         ANNIE and SEAN are overjoyed.
    WOMAN : His place is a short while down along Grass Valley. It’s the only house you’ll find. Built himself a fine place he has, tallest
     chimney I ever did see. But I ain’t seen him for a couple of months now, not since he came back. Are you kin of his maybe?
    ANNIE : We are!
    SEAN : Son and daughter.
    ANNIE : He’s the son and I’m the daughter.
    WOMAN : I can tell that right enough! Keep along the river this side of the bank, and you can’t miss it.
    SEAMUS FINN : Ma’am. I’ll be needin’ a horse an’ saddle. I see you’ve some fine animals in the paddock. I’ll pay you
     well – in gold, proper gold.
    WOMAN : You mean real, live gold?
    SEAMUS FINN : Yes Ma’am. I’ll be needin’ a mount to take me so far as San Francisco.
    ANNIE : Will you be leaving us, Seamus?
    SEAMUS FINN : I’ll not be delayin’ you much longer, we’ve come to the parting of our ways. Your way lies ahead and my way to the south,
     to San Francisco.
    ANNIE : Please stay with us, at least till we find Father again.
    SEAMUS FINN : I’ve made up me mind. You’ll not be needin’ me any more now, will you? So I’ll be goin’ on my way – but
     I’d like you to have somethin’ before I go.
         He hands them the gold.
    SEAN : But that’s all your gold, Seamus!
    SEAMUS FINN : Not quite all, but almost, for sure. Why would I need it when I get back to Ireland?
    SEAN : To buy half of Kerry, like you said.
    SEAMUS FINN : I’m not so certain Kerry is for sale, and I’m gettin’ on. Old men grow no younger. You’re both still very young.
     You could do with the gold more than me.
    ANNIE : But we have our golden torc.
    SEAMUS FINN : You surely have. And you must treasure it.
    SEAN : ’Tis your gold, Seamus. Didn’t you come to America to make your fortune? And didn’t we come to find our father? And
     haven’t we all found our pot of gold?
    SEAMUS FINN : Sure, ’tis nothing. Give it to your father. As more people come, the cost of land and beasts will soon be a match for that gold.
    ANNIE : Thank you, Seamus.
    SEAMUS FINN : Consider it a parting gift to the prettiest girl in the world.
         He wipes away a tear.
        Now I’ll be on my way before you unman me.
    SEAN : Goodbye, Seamus Finn.
    ANNIE : Goodbye.
    SEAMUS FINN : (Leaving.) Never look back, children, never look back.
         And he’s gone. Silence. The sound of the sea.
    ANNIE : Let’s go home, Sean.
    SEAN : Yes, let’s go home.
         And they run towards a house with a tall chimney –
    ANNIE : Look: a tall chimney. It must be Father’s!
    SEAN : Do you think Father’ll recognise us?
    ANNIE : (Running.) He’ll tell me I’ve grown, and he’ll pick me up and throw me into the air, catch me under the arms and swing
     me high again –
         – but they are suddenly stopped in their tracks. A newly dug grave: a crude wooden cross, crooked in the