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6.
Aotearoa’. He wears a KILT, Otago colours.
A dread-locked white Busker plays a FLUTE, his imitation
Chinese Communist HAT sitting out in front, RED STAR
clearly shown to potential tippers.
INT. OLD WOODEN CHURCH - DINING HALL
About fifty children aged from six to fourteen sit at
several large wooden TABLES on old PEWS.
The Matriarch addresses the children.
MATRIARCH
Before we eat. Robbie has told
Catherine that his hand towel
is missing. You all know the rules.
Several children look sullen but remain deathly quiet,
backs straight. They look keenly upon their meagre meals,
on METAL PLATES, KNIVES and FORKS, before them.
Beth moves her eyes without moving her head. She spots
Robbie at another table. He smiles at her.
MATRIARCH
Let us pray and give thanks.
The children simultaneously draw their palms together.
EXT. OLD WOODEN CHURCH (SUNRISE)
Several outside LIGHTS automatically go out.
A ROOSTER is silhouetted on a strainer post, CROWS to
welcome in the new day.
A BLACKBIRD sits on a SIGN which shows an arrow, and
‘Aftershock Shelter’.
INT. OLD WOODEN CHURCH - GIRL’S DORMITORY
CATHERINE (30s), an Orphanage worker, steps inside.
A dozen girls, six each side of the building, stand in
front of their BEDS. Bedside dresser DRAWERS are open.
Beth stands in the f.g. on the left, perfectly still, as
if her life depended on it.