1

sound KESScene 1 - The Woods

FarmerNow then whats tha doing ?

BillyNowt

FarmerWell bugger off then - don't tha know it's private property?

BillyCan I get up to that kestrel's nest?

FarmerWhat kestrel's nest?

BillyUp wall.

Scene 1a The Paper Round

(Billy runs to the paper shop to begin his newspaper round...)

Paper Shop ManagerI thought you werent comin

BillyWhy Im not late, am I?

Paper Shop ManagerVery near.

BillyI nearly was, though...

Paper Shop ManagerWhat do yer mean...?

BillyOur Jud hes taken tbike...

Paper Shop ManagerWell, what you goina do, then?

BillyWalk it.

Paper Shop ManagerWalk it!? How long dyer think thats goin t take...?

BillyItll not take me long...

Paper Shop ManagerEh! theres a waitin list a mile long for that job o yours...!

Good lads, too, most o em...from up Firs Hill, round there...

BillyI havent let you down, have I?

(Customer comes into the shop...)

Paper Shop ManagerMornin

CustomerMornin. sir!

Paper Shop ManagerNot very promisin again...!

CustomerA bit on the nippy side as well, I think...

Paper Shop ManagerAye.

Paper Shop ManagerTwenty Players Tipped, please...

CustomerOh, right..Ive not got 20. Will two tens do...?

Yes that will be quite all right, thank you...!

(Manager serves him...Billy sets out...steals eggs and milk

from milk float before addressing the milk float man

cheerfully. They are clearly old friends...)

Milk Float ManEh-up young man how tha goin on?

BillyNot so bad.

Milk Float Man[You} want to get one of these, though

this is better than walking

BillyOoh ah only just I could go faster on a kids scooter...

Milk Float ManWell tha knows what I always say?

BillyWhat?

Milk Float ManThird-class ridins better an first-class walkin any day...

BillyYou call that first-class riding in that ramshak...?

Milk Float ManWhat dyou mean, a ramshak...!? This is one of best models

tdairys got...! Cheeky young un! Sithee tomorrow...!

BillyIt can only go twenty mile an hour as it is...

Milk Float ManYeah theres not too much rattle, then...!

(Billy steals another bottle of milk as a parting gesture)

**

(Back in the newspaper shop...)

Paper Shop ManagerEvening...!

BillyI told you it wouldnt take me long...

Paper Shop ManagerHow many times dyou want telling where to put that bag?

Billy[What] time is it...?

Paper Shop ManagerTime you were at school...

BillyIs it that late...?

Paper Shop ManagerI wouldnt be your teacher for all the coal in Barnsley...!

(Mr Porter, the newspaper shop owner is on so steps so Billy

plays a small trick on him by shaking the steps to frighten him..)

BillyOh, Mr Porter! Watch it, Mr Porter!

Paper Shop ManagerYer clumsy young bugger! What yer tryin to do...? Kill me...!?

BillyI lost me balance...!

(Mr Porter comes carefully down the steps, rather shaken up...)

Paper Shop ManagerI wouldnt put it past yer either...! I fair felt me heart go then...!

BillyJust sit down ere and relax a couple o minutes...

BillyAre yer all right now...?

Paper Shop Manager(He feels his heart...) Im bloody champion...!

BillyIll be off, then!

Paper Shop ManagerAnd dont be late tonight!

Scene 1 B: The Classroom

Class TeacherAllott?

Boyssir

Class TeacherBarter?

Boyssir

Class TeacherBridges?

BoysAbsent, sir!

Class Teacher(to himself) Absent...Bridges.

Class TeacherCasper?

Billysir

Class TeacherClegg?

Boyssir

Class TeacherFisher?

BillyGerman Bight...

Class TeacherDid you say something?

BillyYes, sir...I didnt mean to, sir...

Class TeacherStand up! I didnt get it... What did you say...?

BillyGerman Bight, sir...

Boys...German Bight?? ...Hes daft, sir...

Class TeacherIs this your ridiculous idea of a joke..?

BillyNo, sir.

Class TeacherWell what is the idea, then...?

BillyWell, when you said Fisher, sir.

Class TeacherAnd what about it...?

BillyIt just came out: Fisher, German Bight: its the Shipping

Forecast, sir: I like to hear it every night, sir

I like tnames...

Class TeacherHuh! And so you thought youd enlighten me , and the rest

of the class, with your idiotic information!?

BillyNo, sir.

Class TeacherBlurting out and making a mess of my register...!!

BillyIt just came out, sir!

Class TeacherAnd so did you, Casper! Just came out from under a stone...!

(laughter)

Class Teacher(to one of the girls...) Pamela! Youre talking! Cut it out!

*

MacDowell Eh up, Billy....what dyou mean: Germans bite...?

BillyOh, shut it, lad...! Im fair sick o hearing about Germans bite...

BoyAre yer comin nestin tomorrow?

BillyAye Ill come...

BoyWhat time...?

BillyAbout six...

MacDowellDont be late!

BillyComing, Guth...?

GuthrieWhere?

BillyNestin

GuthrieWhat time?

BoyAbout six...

GuthrieCant

BoyWhy?

GuthrieTaking tgirlfriend to Sheffield...

Scene 1c The Field

BillyThere it is!

FarmerAye.

BillyThat big ole.

FarmerIts nested there for donkeys years now.

BillyJust think and I never knew!

FarmerNo theres not many that does.

BillyBeen watching from up twood here. Goes onto tpost,

then 'overs, then swoops down onto tprey;

carries it off tyoung uns. It looks great!

FarmerIve been going to knock that wall down for ages

BillyWhat for?

FarmerIts dangerous. I wont even let her play near

(indicating his little girl)

BillyIf I lived round here Id train a young un

FarmerWould yer?

BillyYou can train em

FarmerDyou know how?

BillyDo you know?

FarmerNo. Theres not many that does: theyre hard to train

if theyre not kept properly its criminal.

BillyDo yer know anybody whos kept em?

FarmerOne or two. But better let em go...because theyre hard to train

BillyWhere can I find out about em, then?

FarmerWell...probably tpublic library.Theyll have some books on em

BillyWheres that?

FarmerDown in tcity

BillyWheres that?

FarmerDown in tcity

Scene 2 The LibraryScene 2 The Library

LibrarianHey, are you a member?

BillyWhat do yer mean?

LibrarianAre you a member of the Library?

BillyI dont know about that: I only want a book on Falconry -

thats all.

LibrarianWell you have to be a member, to take a book out.

BillyWell I only want one...

LibrarianWell have you filled one of these forms in..?

BillyNo.

LibrarianWell, youre not a member, then.

BillyYou have to take one of these home, first, for your father

to sign...

LibrarianMe Dads away...

LibrarianWell, you can wait till he comes back home, cant you?

BillyI dont mean that I mean hes left home...

LibrarianOh I see. Well in that case your motherll have to sign it for you

BillyAh, but shes at work and shell not be home till tea time

and its Sunday tomorrow...

LibrarianTheres no rush, is there?

BillyMe mum knows one of the people who works here.

Thatll help, wont it?

LibrarianNo that doesnt count at all: you still have to have the back

signed. To be a member, you have to have somebody over 21,

who is on the Borough Electoral Roll, to sign it for you...

BillyIm over 21.

LibrarianYoure not over 21

Ah! but I vote...

BillyAh! but I vote...

LibrarianYou dont vote: youre not old enough to vote...!

BillyI do, I vote for me mam...She dont like voting so I do it...

LibrarianJust have to wait for it, wont you?

BillyWhere would I find a book then? In a shop, like...?

LibrarianWell, youd have to go down the street. Theres a second-hand

bookshop there. Youll find some down there..

Scene 3 Second-hand Bookshop

Second Hand Bookshop LadyCan I help you?

CustomerYes, Im rather interested in Noel Cowards autobiography,

Present Indicative...Its a complete book...

(Billy steals the Falconry book)

Scene 4 At Home

JudWhats tha got this for? And tha cant read.

BillyGive it ere. Come here!

JudGet off! Falconry! What dyou want to know about Falconry?

BillyGive it here?

JudFalcons...one bob...whereve you got this from?

BillyIve lent it..!

JudStole it, more like..! Whereve you got it from?

BillyA shop in town..

JudYou must be crackers. I could understand if it were money,

but chuff me, not a book! Have it! (throws book roughly)

BillyLook what youve done! Im looking after this book!

JudAnd what better off will yer be when youve got it?

BillyA lot - because Im going to get a kestrel and train it...

JudTrain it? Yer couldnt train a flea! Anyway where would

you get a kestrel from?

BillyI know a nest...

JudYer dont...

BillyAll right then I dont

JudWhere?

BillyIm not telling.

JudI said, where?

BillyAh! Youre hurting me arm!

JudWhere then?

BillyMonastery Farm.

You right git! You could have broke me arm then!

JudIll have to see about going round there with me gun...!

BillyIf you do Ill tell the farmer on you!

JudWhy? Whats he got to do with it?

BillyHe protects em.

JudProtects em? Hawks are a menace to farmers.

BillyTheyre only small...they eat mice...insects....some

little birds sometimes...

Scene 4 Billy and Mother (who is going out)

MotherThese could have done with a bit of a polishaw, still

never mind, its going to be dark soon...

Mother (to BillyWhat you going to with yerself tonight, love?

BillyRead me book!

MotherOoh! Look at ttime. Five to seven. Im going to be late again...

Mother (to BillyListen Billy, theres two bob ere, chuck... Want tget yerself

some pop... some crisps? Dyou hear?

BillyYes.

Mother (to BillyAnd dont still be up when I come in, will yer...?

BillyNo.

Mother (to BillyGnight then...

Scene 4a In The Pub

Pop GroupI came home unexpectedly, and found her crying grievously,

in the middle of the day"

And it was in the early spring, when flowers are in bloom

and robins sing - and she went away

And, Honey - I miss you! (And Im being good)

And I'd love to be with youIf only I could

JudI just like to come home, get me meal, bath,

change and out me not a care in the world...

MotherYou see, when youve been married once and yer marry

wrong un, it makes you a bit apprehensive towards getting...

Mother

(to a girlfriend sitting nearby)Well you know, dont yer? Cos he were never good...

But it makes you a bit more wary about getting married again..

JudIf she wants to go with a different bloke, I mean,

its not up to me to tell her what to do

I mean shes old enough to...

Mother...together...[perhaps if he had had been] brought up in

different environment and had a better education, he probably

would have made more than what he as done...

At the moment hes just hopeless -hes hopeless case, isnt he?

Pop Group I wanna be yer man.I wanna be yer man

Scene Six: The Woods (Billy climbs to the Nest and get the Kestrel chick)

Scene Seven: Billys Interior Monologue about Kes

Three good meals a day Ill give him for about a fortnight: if a piece of meat, held between the finger and thumb of the gloved hand is offered to the hawk, it will probably bend down and pull at the meat with its beak

BillyAs soon as the hawk will come on a leash length

indoors, she may be tried off a fence or gatepost

out of doors...It is quite likely that although she must

come into the first fist promptly indoors, she will now

refuse to come at all...she will stand looking fearfully

around her, and ignoring the meat and the fist

thrust in front of her...

Scene 8 Flying Kes

Scene 8a The Football Match

Football TeacherRight...! Well play with the wind downhill,] ...this way. Paget,

you're inside right. Come on.

BoyWho are you today, sir? Liverpool?

Football TeacherDont be a slacker...Know your club colours?

Manchester United strip this...

BoyAre you playing Denis Law, again, striker?

Football TeacherSpeed striker! No, Charlton today, lad. All over the field!

Too cold for a...striker...

BoyOf course, er, Charltons not as good on the turn as Law, is he?

Football TeacherAre you trying to tell me about football?

BoyNo...Im just telling you...

Football TeacherAre you trying to tell me...?

BoyNo, sir

Football TeacherAnyway, Denis Laws in the wash this week...

BoysNobodys in goal, sir ... Havent got a goalie...No goal, sir!

Football TeacherWhos in the goal?

BoysCasper!

Football TeacherCasper! What position are you supposed to be playing?

BillyDont know, sir. Inside left?

Football TeacherHow can you be inside left back there, idiot? In the goal!

BillyI cant go, sir...Im cold!

Football TeacherNows your chance to learn: in the goal! Quick about it!

Football TeacherRight were Manchester United who are you?

BoyWell be Spurs, sir, then theres no clash of colours...!

Football TeacherRight then its Manchester United versus Spurs in this

important fifth-round cup tie here at Old Trafford... And

its the fair-haired, slightly balding Charlton to kick off!

Come on, Speed! What are you playing at, lad? You

should be on the move, lad it was at your feet!

Cross it, Ryder, quickly! Wheres the rest of me team?

Casper! [Score is: Manchester United O, Spurs 1)

Come on quickly, Casper! Ive never seen such slack

work in my life! Ive never seen such slack work in my life!

BillyWhats that for?

Football TeacherSlack work, lad! Slack work! Kick that ball up the field, Parker.

Football TeacherCross the ball..! And Charlton goes through...!

BoysAhh! Never, never!

Football TeacherPenalty!

BoysNever!

Football TeacherWho dyou think you are Bremner?

Penalty! Outside that semicircle!

BoysNo it werent sir!

Football TeacherOutside that semicircle!

BoyShall I take it, sir?

Football TeacherI take the penalties, on this team... No-one moves

till this balls kicked!

Football TeacherJust watch this, Guthrie! Right, Clegg?

You moved. He moved! Put it back!

BoysNot fair! He hadnt moved!

Football TeacherPenalty. Behind the eighteen-yard line! He moved.

TibbutYoud better save it, Cleggie! or Ill drop tha- !

Football TeacherBehind the eighteen-yard line! He moved.

BoyHe didnt move, sir!

Football TeacherThe referees decision is final!

[Manchester United 1, Spurs 1]

Scene 10 Jud Going to Work in the Mine

(Judd meets a work colleague leaving his shift as

he arrives to start his own...)

Work colleagueEh! up Jud how are yer doing?

JudRough, man...rough!

Work colleagueWhy? You should be on top of the world on

a day like today!

JudAnother ten minutes and Ill be at tbottom of it!

Scene 11 Billy Speaks Up in Class

Mr Sugden(something ...you know, has actually happened. This is a fact.

StudentsAll right have you got that clear?

Mr SugdenYes, sir

All right.

Tibbut, sit up straight! And I want the rest of you

to look at him, if you can bear it! and tell me

some facts about Tibbut... Wolstenholme?

WolstenholmeHes always tryin to go wi tlasses at night...

Mr SugdenIs he? Guthrie?

GuthrieHe smokes.

TibbutDo I heck!

GuthrieTha does.

TibbutGet knotted, Guthrie!

Mr SugdenAll right! All right! Im not interested in what

he does out of school hours, as long as he doesnt

come into the class smoking a fag. All right?

Come on, you people who arent thinking! Right, Julie...

I want you to think of an incident that happened to you

some time in the past, that is true, and that you think

will interest the rest of the class all right?

JulieWell, er...I went to this all-night party yesterday...and

...er...about three oclock, we were all dancin in tgarden

me and er and all the rest, cant mention names and

er...this woman came across from troad, and, er, she tells

us to...to make less noise...or shed fetch the police; so l...

so we said, let her fetch em, if she wanted. So she

fetched them.

Mr SugdenThings that have actually happened. How about another one?

What about you, Casper?...Casper!

BillyWhat, sir?

Mr SugdenWhat, sir? youd know if youd been listening...! What have

we just been talking about?

BillyStories. sir?

Mr SugdenWhat kind of stories? You havent been listening

to a word Ive said, have you?

BillyYes sir, some of it.

Mr SugdenSome of it!? Stand up! Right, now youre going to

tell us a story about yourself.

BillyI dont know any, sir.

Mr SugdenYou dont know any? Well youll stand there till you do!

Always somebody isnt there? eh! somebody who wants

to be awkward. Just wont be interested, doesnt matter what

you do... Just like you, Casper! Come on! Ill give you two

minutes. two minutes to think of something or the whole

class comes back at four oclock!

BoysCome on, dont stand there like a nail! He is a nail!

Come on! I say...tell im...Tell im about the awk, Casper!

Mr SugdenIf anybody else calls out, thatll be the last call

they make! ...Speed?

SpeedHes got this hawk, sir, and he goes mad over it.

He never mucks about with anybody else, he just goes wialk

all ttime, ees crackers over it!

Better than thee, any road!

Mr SugdenAll right, Casper... Sit down. Now come on: tell us about

this hawk. Where did you get it from?

BillyI found it, sir.

Mr SugdenWhere?

BillyIn twoods...

Mr SugdenAnd where dyou keep it?

BillyIn a shed.

Mr SugdenWhat dyou feed it on?

BillyBeef, mice, birds...

Mr SugdenBut isnt it cruel to keep it in a shed? I mean...wouldnt

it be happier flying free?

BillyI dont keep it in tshed all the time, sir. I fly it every day.

Mr SugdenDoesnt it fly away, I thought they were wild birds...

BillyCourse it dont fly away, sir. Ive trained it.

Mr SugdenAre you going to tell us about it? How do you train a hawk?

BillyYou have to be right careful wi em, sir, right patient...

Youve got to feed em when theyre hungry, sir you can

only do owt like...at feeding time, sir...

Mr SugdenYeah?

Billy(Theyve) got these jesses on, sir, all ttime...

Mr SugdenThese what...?

BillyJesses, sir.

Mr SugdenHow dyou spell that?

BillyJ-E...

Mr SugdenAll right...come out here...youd better show us on the board

... Jesses thats a new word to me... Hands up those whove

heard of jesses before. Nobody. Go on write it up there!

(Billy writes) Right, now tell us what it is...

BillyWell, theyre like leather straps, sir. And they attach to

tbirds feet. And...say Ive got tbird on me hand. Straps

come out here. Then theres tswivel.

Mr SugdenSwivel write that on the board.

BillyThen youve got your leash...

Mr SugdenLeash... On the board.

BillyI fed it on me and first... Then, when it got to know me,

I fed it on me glove. And after a while, I put it two inches away

from its claws. And, er... like that, right? It started to jump for

tmeat. When it started to jump, I could move me hand away...

Mr SugdenHold your hand up, so that we can see...

I could move me hand away, like...to four inches and six inches

and when it were doin that, I started it doing it wi tleash.

JulieDo...Do they need water, like? You know when youve

got a budgie, you put water in the budgies cage do you

need water...do they need water like that?

BillyWell, it like has a bath. It has a bath right early

on in tmorning, like.

GuthrieWhen do yer feed it? How many times a day?

BillyTo start off with three or four times, you know, to get it plump.

Mr SugdenYou make it all sound very exciting, Billy...

BillyIt is sir. But the most exciting thing [was]

when I flew her free for the first time. sir...

Mr SugdenDo you want to hear about that?

BoysYes sir!

Mr SugdenRight. Come on...

BillyWell...it were...Id been using tcreance for about a week...

an it had been going 30 or 40 yards...And it says when birds

are going thirty to forty yards it says in book its time

that it can start to fly free... Well...Id been...you know...

Id been wanting to fly it free, but I darent, you know...I were

frit itd fly off or sommat like that...n this had been goin on

for four or five days n [I] keep on to missen, saying that Fly

it free next day...Anyway, I got right mad wi missen...I says,

Right, Ill fly it free tomorrow.. you know, that night that

Friday night it were I didnt feed her up, so that shed be

sharp set next morning...And I went to bed that night, Friday

night then...and I didnt get an hours sleep at all, [I were]

friting, you know, friting about tbird, that shed fly off or

sommat like that... Anyway, when tmorning came, I kept

on saying to missen Well if she flies off, she flies off, and it

cant be helped! So I took tswivel off, and let her hop on to

tpost...And there were nowt stoppin her now, she could fly

off. All [that] were on er were er jesses. I thought: She must

fly off, shes forced to fly off! But she didnt. She just stood

there. I were terrified...Well anyway, she was stood there, and

I walked off into tfield, and she were lookin round all over the

place, and when I got about 70 yards from her, in middle of

tfield, I called er: Kes...Kes... Come on, Kes! Come on, then!

Nowt happened. So I thought Well, Id better walk back and

pick her up. So while I were walking back I saw her flying. She

came like a bomb! About a yard off floor, like lightning, head

still and you couldnt hear twings - there werent a sound from

twings. And straight onto tglove. Wham! And she grabbed me

for t'meat. Anyway, I were pleased with missen, and I didnt

know what to do. So I thought, Id better...do it again just to

prove that it werent luck. So I took her back onto tpost... and

walked to t'middle of tfield,and called her again.And she came

just as good as first time straight onto tglove, grabbin for

tmeat Well that were it, sir.Id trained her, sir. And that were

all I could do.

Mr SugdenI think youve done enough, dont you! Well done, Billy!

Big hand of applause!

Scene 12 The Fight

McDowellGot owt, Casper?

BillyNay.

McDowellTha never has, has tha. Tha just cadges, all ttime... Casper

the cadger, thats what they ought to call thee....

BillyI wouldnt give thee owt if I had, McDowell...

McDowellIll give you summat in a minute... Whats tha goin for? Dont

tha like company? Thi say thi mother does.

Thas got more uncles than any other kid.

BillyShut thi mouth!

McDowellCome on and make me!

BillyThey wouldnt say that to our Jud, hed murder thee!

McDowellYour Juds nowt...

BillyWhat? Hes cock of the estate, thats all!

McDowellI bet I know somebody who could do him!

BillyWho? Thi father?

McDowellHe int even thi brother!

BillyWhat is he then me sister?

McDowellThey dont even call him Casper, for a start!

BillyCourse hes me brother! We live in the same house, dont we?

BoysGet him! Get him!

StudentsFight!

(Mr Sugden arrives)

Mr SugdenRight, you lot! Ten seconds out of my sight! One! Two! Three! Hop it!

Right come ere, you two! Come on...! Whats goin on?

Mr SugdenIt was him, sir...He started it!

BillyHes been chuckin coal

Mr SugdenAh! Shut up! shut up! Its always the same tale, isnt it:

somebody elses fault; nobodys to blame... Look at the mess

youre in look at the state youve made! Dont look so

sorry for yourself, Casper youre not dead yet!

McDowellHe will be, when Ive had im...!

Mr SugdenOh, yes! Youre a big lad, arent yer? Hes just about your size,

Casper, isnt he? Eh? Why dont you pick on somebody your

own size? What if I rubbed your nose in the coke, eh? What

wd you say about that youd say I was a bully, wouldnt yer?

And youd be right. Cos Im bigger and stronger than you,

arent I? Eh?

McDowellIll fetch me dad.

Mr SugdenAh, yes...youll fetch your Dad... And Ill fetch mine...!

My dads eavyweight champion of the world, my Dad is!

So what will your Dad do then, eh?

Mr SugdenThats what its like to be bullied. You dont like it, do yer?

Youll like it a bit less if I ever catch you at it again. Do you

understand that McDowell do you understand it?

McDowellYes,sir

Mr SugdenGet it shoveled up! Come ere a minute! You been smoking?

McDowellNo, sir.

Mr SugdenYou have! I can smell it on your breath! See me afterwards

go on get it done!

Mr SugdenWhat's it all about?

BillyHe keeps callin me names, sir, and sayin things about

me dad and me mam and our Jud and everythingll appen...

Mr SugdenAllright, all right! Calm down! They all seem to pick on

you, dont they, Casper why is it?

BillyDont know, sir.

Is it because youre a bad un?

Maybe I am sometimes, but Im not that bad, sir.

I know stacks of other kids thats worse than me, but

but they seem to get away wi it...

Mr SugdenWhy else do you think, eh? There must be some reason...

BillyWell, take this morning, sir. I just came in, sir, and just dozed off.

I werent doin nowt wrong. You see, Id been up since six.

I had to do tpapers, then I had to rush home to look at tbird,

and then run to school: I mean to say youd be tired, wouldnt

yer, sir?

Mr SugdenId be exhausted.

Mr SugdenHows things at home these days?

BillyAll right, sir. Usual, I suppose.

Mr SugdenWhat about the police: have you been in trouble with them

recently?

BillyNo sir, not since Ive been...without...McDowells gang, sir.

You know, they used to go into tcity and go into tcoffee

bars and tcinema, but since Ive been without them Ive

been all right.

Mr SugdenIts all right now, innit?

Yes sir, but whenever theres trouble on estate, the police

Billyalways come to our ouse

Mr SugdenI shouldnt worry. In a couple of weeks youll be starting

your new job, getting new friends...looking forward to that,

are you? ...Eh? Have you got a job...? No, sir Ive got to

see the employment bloke this afternoon...

Mr SugdenWhat sort of job do you want?

Not bothered. sir. Anythingll do me.

Yeah! But youll want something youre looking

forward to, that youre interested in, dont you?

I dont have much choice, sir. Ill take what Ive got

Mr SugdenThought you didnt like school?

BillyI dont, but it dont mean to say Ill like work, does it?

Still, Ill get paid for not liking it... Thats one thing.

Mr SugdenI suppose it is.

BillyI might be able to save up and buy a goshawk, then, sir.

Ive been reading about em...

Mr SugdenHave yer? When do you fly this hawk of yours?

BillyDinner times.

Mr SugdenWhere?

BillyJust outside our house, sir.

Mr SugdenWood Lane, is that?

BillyYeah it is, sir.

Mr SugdenIll come round, then. If its OK.

BillyMmm.

Mr SugdenGo on then. Get yourself cleaned up.

Scene 13 Shooting for Kes

[Billy finds a note from Jud Five bob double Crackpot.

Tell Him Hes Dead - Jud. Billy is potting sparrows]

Scene 14 Visit of Mr Sugden

(Billy is flying Kes in the field near their house)

BillyKes! Come on then, Kes! Come on Kes!

Mr SugdenCasper!

BillyBloody Hellfire!

Mr SugdenHope Im not too late!

BillyNo, sir but youll have to stand over there!

Mr SugdenIll go by the fence, eh?

BillyIts all right. As long as you keep quiet!

Mr SugdenI wont say a word...

(Billy flies Kes, with many shouts of " Kes...Come on, Kes!")

Well done, Casper. Thats the most exciting thing Ive ever

seen in me life! Great! Thrill of a lifetime, lad!

BillyThank you, sir.

Mr SugdenLets have a look at it... Isnt it beautifully marked, eh?

Look at the feathers on it! Oh its not going to eat that, is it?

BillyYes, sir. This birds full of vitamins.

Mr SugdenOh dear!

Have any more birds before him?

BillyStacks. Animals and all, sir. Even a young foxcub, once.

Reared it and let it go...A little blinder! Ive had magpies,

jackdaws...had a young jay once...

Mr SugdenHes your favourite, though isnt he?

BillyOthers werent in tsame street. Come on, sir!

Mr SugdenO dear me!

BillyWatch that mattress, sir! Its slippy...

Mr SugdenOK

BillyLook whats left, sir...! Only tsparrows leg.

Must have been hungry.

Mr SugdenMust have been starving...

BillyYou hang on ere. Ill put him on tperch.

Mr SugdenYou know, theres something weird about it

when its flying...

BillyHawks are tbest fliers there is.

Mr SugdenNo, I didnt mean that. When its flying,

theres something about it [that] makes you feel strange...

BillyIs it cos everything goes quiet?

Mr SugdenThats it, aye.

BillyOther folks have noticed that anall, sir. I know a

farmer who says its the same wi owls. You know,

when they get his mice, in his yard, at night...When

they swoop down, he feels like pokin his ears to make em pop.

Mr SugdenMmm.

BillyCos it goes that quiet...

Mr SugdenIts as if theyre flying in a pocket of silence... Have you

noticed how quietly were speaking? As if were frightened to

raise our voices a bit like shouting in church.

BillyIts cos theyre nervous, sir.

Mr SugdenOh, no. Its more than that... Its instinctive...Its ...a sort of

respect.

BillyI know, sir. Thats what makes me mad. When I take her

for walks, somebody comes up to me and says Look, its Billy

Casper and is pet awk- I could shout at em, sir. It int a pet.

Or if someone comes up to me and says Is it tame? Is it

heck tame! hawks cant be tamed. Theyre manned. Its wild

and fierce and its not bothered about anybody. Not bothered

about me...right! Thats what makes it great...!

A lot of people wouldnt understand. They like their

pets to be fussed.

Im not bothered about that. I just want it for er looks

and to fly er. They can keep their talking budgies. Theyre

nowt compared wi er.

Mr SugdenYou right Billy, youre probably right.

BillyDyou know summat, sir? I think shes doing me a

favour, just letting me sit here and watch er.

Scene 15 The Betting Shop

TVSame price, 7-1, number 12, Doorkeeper.

ManWhats ee studyin there?

LadyCan I elp you, son?

BillyNo thanks...

Billy (to a customer)Hey mister can you tell me tprices of these...?

CustomerWhat are they?

(Billy gives the Customer Juds piece of paper..)

CustomerCrackpot. Crackpot. 100 to 6. Tell Him Hes Dead.

Ive just been lookin for this one meself... Tell Him

Hes Dead. Second Favourite, 4 to 1. 100 to 6;

4 to 1....(gives Billy back the piece of paper)

BillyWould you back em? Tell Him Hes Deads a

CustomerTell Him He's Dead's a good orse. Best orse in trace. Top

weight. Dont fancy that one, though. No form. Hasnt even got

a jockey on here. No, [ I] shouldnt bother with that one...

BillyDo you think theyll win, then?

CustomerHowve you got them? Doubled?

BillyTheyre not mine theyre our Juds.

CustomerOh, hell be all right if they do but I cannot see it meself...

BillyGreat...ta...!

Scene 16 Fish and Chip Shop

BillyCan I have a bobs worth o chips, and a fish?

Fish and Chip ManServe him, will you, Mary...

Fish and Chip LadyYes, love. What you aving?

BillyFish and chips...

Fish and Chip ManStop kickin We only put that on today..

Got any scraps, missis?

Fish and Chip LadyYes, love. Ill put you some on... Two shilling [s] , love.

BillyIm gettin rid of these chips, Floyd. Its gettin late now..

Fish and Chip LadyAye, but dont be goin mad...

Fish and Chip LadySixpence change, love

(Billy leaves without any greeting or words of thanks...)

Fish and Chip Man These kids. I dont know, Mr Glover, theyre all the same.

Scene 17 The Meat Stall

BillyCan I have a quarter o beef?

Meat Stall ManBoy, those smell good! (takes a chip)

BillyCan I have a quarter o beef?

Meat Stall ManTha still got that bird, then?

BillyYep.

Meat Stall ManHere you can ave them for nowt...

BillyFor nowt...?

Meat Stall ManAye, theyre only scraps...

BillyHave another chip?

Meat Stall ManNo, Im goin for me dinner in a minute...

BillyRight, then. Ta...! See yer...

Meat Stall ManSee yer...

Scene 18 Maths Classroom

(Billy spots Jud walking up to the school...)

Maths TeacherUsual difficulty over concentration. Hm?

Three fives are fifteen, eh? We write 15 one,

five. You write, five, one...

(Jud is gesturing aggressively towards Billy

through the glass classroom door..)

Isnt that that illustrious brother of yours, Casper?

Shouldnt have thought he was the type to have paid

a visit to his old school again... Whats the matter?

Dont you feel well?

BillyNo, sir.

Maths TeacherDo you want to go out and get a drink of water or something?

BillyNo, sir.

Maths TeacherWell, open the window, Casper! Make you feel better...!

BillyIm alright, sir.

Maths TeacherPlease yourself...

(bell)

Right, now just pass your books forward, will you, to the front?

Front person on each row bring them to my desk, please

Scene 19 Escape from Jud

Maths TeacherWhats the matter, Casper lost something?

BillyMe. sir? No, sir.

Maths TeacherOn your way. then

*

(Billy edges very cautiously out of the school, and

on his way overhears a conversation between Jud

and McDowell in the corridor...)

McDowellWhats up with thee, Jud?

JudWhats up wi me? Its that little bastard, our Billy.

Hes kept tstinkin money! Ill kill the little git

when I get hold of him! Every day! Ill murder him...!

*

Scene 20 Interview

(Billy, having escaped from Jud, returns to school

for his Youth Employment interview...)

BillyEy up, Tibbut, has tha seen our Jud?

TibbutTheyve been looking all over for thee!

BillyWho has?

TibbutGryce Pudding.

BillyWhat for? I done nowt.

TibbutYouth Employment. Tha should have gone for

tinterview at half past ten!

BillyHas tha seen out Jud?

TibbutYea. He wanted to know where tha was...

*

Mr GryceCasper! Where the devil have you been?

BillyNowhere, sir...

Mr GryceNowhere? Who are you, the Invisible Man!?

BillyI felt sick, sir so I went to the toilets...

(Billy goes off to the classroom where the Youth

Employment Officer is conducting interviews)

(He enters without knocking)

Youth Employment ManGet out! Go out knock and wait!

(Billy knocks and enters properly)

Youth Employment ManWell, come in, lad if youre coming...

Sit down, Walker!

BillyIm not Walker, sir.

Youth Employment ManWell, who are you, then? According to my list it

should be Gerard Walker next. Oliver, Stenton,

then Walker...

BillyIm Casper.

Youth Employment ManCasper. Oh, sit down, Casper. I should have seen

you earlier, shouldnt I?

Well then, Casper what kind of job had you got in mind?

(Billy says nothing)

Well?

BillyI dont know, sir. I havent really thought about it.

Youth Employment ManWell you should be thinking about it! You want to

start off on the right foot, dont you?

(Billy shrugs, and is silent...)

Right, then. Would you like to work in an office?

Or would you prefer...manual work?

Whats manual work?

Oh, it means working with your hands. Things like

farming, engineering, plumbing... Things like that

- as opposed to...pen-pushing jobs...

BillyId be all right in an office! I have a job to read

and write...

Youth Employment ManManual

Tell me, Casper, have you ever thought about entering

a trade as an apprentice? You know, as an electrician or

a bricklayer or something like that. Of course, the moneys

not too good while youre serving your apprenticeship, and

if you do stick it out, youll always have a trade at your

fingertips, wont you?

Well, then, Casper what do you think about it? And, as youve

already said, youll feel better working with your hands...

Perhaps this is your best bet. Of course youll have to go to

Technical College, and sit for various examinations...Some

lads do. Some do it for years...two or three nights a week...

Right from leaving school...right up to mid-twenties... When

they take their Higher National or even degrees....I say,

lad, are you listening to me?

Yeah.

You dont look as though you are...! Ive other lads to see

before four o clock, you know... Well then if nothing

Ive mentioned so far appeals to you, if you can stand a

hard days work and you dont mind getting dirty theres

a good opportunity in mining...

BillyIm not goin down tpit....

Youth Employment ManWell dont be put off by what youve heard: conditions have

improved tremendously...

BillyI wont be seen dead down tpit...

Youth Employment ManWhat about hobbies? What hobbies have you got? Do you

like gardening, or constructing Meccano sets, or anything like that?

(pause)

Dont you have any hobbies at all?

BillyCan I go now?

Youth Employment ManWhats wrong with you, lad? Sit down. Sit down. I havent

finished yet. Well, Ive met some lads in my time, but Ive never

met one like you, Casper! Half the time youre like a cat on hot

bricks, the other half youre not listening! Here! Take this form.

It gives you all the relevant information about leaving school

and starting work. Things like pensions, superannuation,

national insurance, wages and so on. At the back, there's

a detachable form. When you want your cards, fill it in

(Billy makes to leave...)

Come back here, lad I havent finished yet... When you want

your cards, fill in that form, send it in to the office.

Have you got that?

BillyYeah.

Youth Employment ManDont forget. And listen, Casper... If you do have any trouble getting

fixed up, do come in and see me, wont you?

BillyYes, sir! (Billy makes a bolt for the door and rushes out...)

Youth Employment ManSend the next boy in...!

Scene 21 The Death of Kes

(Billy rushes home to see what has happened to Kes...)

*

(He runs round all the familiar locations where Kes might be,

but finds no trace of the kestrel...)

(He calls for Jud in the house, and then his Mother; doesnt

find them; and then ask a neighbour if she has seen Jud...)

*

BillyMissis, have you seen our Jud?

Neighbour LadyI havent, love. Sorry.

*

(Billy runs to the Betting Shop)

Billy(to Betting Shop man...) Have you seen our Jud?

Betting Shop ManCourse Ive seen your Jud. But it doesnt look as though

youve seen him, or you wouldnt be all in one piece...

BillyYouve seen him, then...?

Betting Shop ManCourse Ive seen him. Coming in here playing hell! Going

to pull tcounter down and everything..!

BillyWhat did you do then?

Betting Shop ManI had to fetch Eric Clough to prove that hadnt put tbet on.

BillyThey won then, did they?

Betting Shop ManBoth of them! 100 to 6 and 4 to 1...Hed have won a

tenner, I can tell you that!

BillyBloody hell!

*

(Billy spends half an hour or so searching for Kes,

and calling for the bird, and even goes back Monastery Farm

where the nest was, but finds nothing, no trace...He concludes

that Jud has indeed killed the bird...)

*

(in the house...)

Billy(to Jud) Wheres it whats tha done wiit?

MotherWhereve you been till this time? Your teas going cold ere...

BillyI said, where is it?

JudWhats tha starin?

BillyThee, tha little pig!

Jud(Jud lunges at Billy) Dont call me a little pig,

or Ill break your arm to stop it...!

MotherJud whats all t bloody pushing and shoving?

BillyAsk him. He knows!

Jud Yes, and tha had have known if Id got hold of thee

this afternoon...!

BillyAh get lost!

MotherKnows what? Whats goin on? Whats up wi im?

What ave you been doin to im..!?

JudIf hed have put that bet on like I told you this morning,

there would have been none of this!

MotherWell hes put it on, hasnt he?

JudHas he bloody hell!

MotherWell I told him to... (to Billy) I asked you not to forget

Judbefore I went away this morning...

He didnt forget ees spent tmoney!

MotherHow dyou know?

JudCos he has!

Well what are you getting so damned upset for?

MotherHave they won or sommat?

JudHave they won? Id have 16 quid [on] these last uns

*if hed kept his thieving hands to hisself...

Mother(Jud gets up to attack Billy...)

(to Jud) Now look what youve done...should have

done it thissen!

Jud(attacking Billy) I could have had a week off work for that...!

BillyGet lost, you big pig!

MotherHey! Well whats he upset for?

BillyBecause hes killed me hawk instead, thats why.

MotherHe never as...

BillyI know he has. Cos he couldnt catch me...

MotherJud! You ave not killed this kids awk!?

JudSo I have. What yer goin to do about it!?

MotherKilling yourself thats what you want!

*(Billy flings himself in a paroxysm of despair onto the

* sofa head first, burying his sobbing head in the cushions..)

JudIt were its own fault. I were goin to let it go, kept lashin

at me wi tclaws, I had to kill it what else could I do..!?

*

(Billy tenderly takes the dead kestrel from the dustbin

where Jud put it, and taking an axe digs a shallow

grave for the bird at the edge of a nearby field)

THE END