FADE IN:
INT. DUBLIN, IRELAND - WOODEN SHANTY HOUSE - KITCHEN - SUNDAY, JUNE 6TH, 1655 - DAY
Six boys, ages two to ten, strawberry blonde curly hair, blue eyes, race around, YELLING, banging into each other.
Their mother, FIONNUALA O' MAOILRIAIN, (35),(Finoolah), pregnant, wears worn housedress, piercing blue eyes, blonde bun, tendrils framing her face, breast feeding.
FIONNUALA
Boys, stop. Get yourselves ready for church. Father O'Doul will tan your hides if you're late.
CAOIMHE O' MAOILRIAIN, (12), (KWEEvah) wiry, small for her age, dirty face, pretty, blue eyes, knotted shoulder length light blonde hair, wearing a tattered blue dress, walks past her mother. Caoimhe's new pale blue shoes look out of place.
FIONNUALA (CONT'D)
Caoimhe, take off the shoes. You'll wear them out.
Caoimhe stops and faces her mother.
CAOIMHE
But they're so pretty.
FIONNUALA
Mind me now, child.
The boys are making more noise and yelling louder now.
FIONNUALA (CONT'D)
Boys, outside. Your father came in late from the pub. He's sound and you're being too rowdy.
Fionnuala barks at Caoimhe.
FIONNUALA (CONT'D)
The shoes, take them off, now!
Caoimhe pouts, twirls and looks at her shoes.
CAOIMHE
May I show them to my friends?
Fionnuala moves the infant to the other breast.
FIONNUALA
Away with you. Be back at half past the hour. Keep them clean!
CAOIMHE
Thank you, Mama.
DANIEL O' MAOILRIAIN,(37), husky, curly red hair, big blue eyes, bounces into the room, grabs Caoimhe and twirls with her.
DANIEL O' MAOILRIAIN
Youhooo! Dance with me, my lady.
Caoimhe giggles, tucking her head into his shoulder.
CAOIMHE
Let me stand on your feet.
DANIEL O' MAOILRIAIN
Certainly, my lovely. Although, you're getting a bit old for this.
CAOIMHE
Pleeeze? Please, Papa?
DANIEL O' MAOILRIAIN
Let this be the last time.
Daniel holds both Caoimhe's hands to steady her as she puts her right foot on top of his left foot and her left foot on top of his right foot. Together they waltz on the old worn wooden floorboards.
DANIEL O' MAOILRIAIN (CONT'D)
Thank you, milady, for the pleasure of dancing with you.
Caoimhe bows and curtsies. Daniel sees Caoimhe's shoes.
CAOIMHE
You are most welcome, kind sir.
DANIEL O' MAOILRIAIN
YOU ARE READING
The World's Mad Business
Historical FictionThis is a historical drama which begins in 1655 and is based on the true story of the Irish Slave Trade. It follows a young woman's arduous fight for survival after being abducted in Dublin and sold into slavery in Barbados.
