INT. HOUSE - HALL

Halfway down the hall there is a desk with a landline phone. Danny is delighted to see it.

DANNY

Maura can I use your phone?

MAURA

Oh I’m sorry love. It’s not connected yet. Someone was supposed to come out today but…

Danny is disappointed. He checks his mobile. Still no service.

INT. HOUSE - KITCHEN

By the time Danny reaches the kitchen Maura is already pouring out cups of tea for people and Cow is carrying a large tray of sandwiches over to the table.

MAURA

Do you take milk in your tea Danny?

DANNY

I’m OK thanks.

MAURA

A good cup of sugary tea is just what you need.

DANNY

Thanks. I’m OK. … Can I use your bathroom?

MAURA

Sure. Go out there, turn to your left, it’s underneath the stairs.

DANNY

Thanks.

INT. HALL

Danny steps out. He can hear Maura asking the others more about the journey they’ve had. Rabbit is the one replying and he sounds very hesitant about what he’s saying - that they drove out of Dublin, the fog was much thicker there, they got lost, etc.

Danny sees the door under the stairs. It opens into a small toilet.

He stands there a moment looking at it and listening to the voices from the kitchen.

MAURA (O.S.)

And what about you dear? Where are you from?

BARBARA (O.S.)

Oh … Waterford originally … My family moved a few times … um … we moved to Kildare … and then

While Barbara is sleepily recounting the details of her life story, Danny decides to go upstairs and check out the rest of the house.

He quietly shuts the door to the downstairs toilet, goes back through the hallway and as silently as possible walks upstairs.

INT. HOUSE UPSTAIRS

Danny opens the door which is almost directly opposite the stairs. It opens into the bathroom. It’s a normal bathroom with a bath-shower, toilet and sink. There are toiletries and towels. Everything you’d expect. And it’s clean like a showroom.

He returns to the upstairs landing but leaves the door open.

He opens the door that is to the left of the bathroom. It’s a bedroom with a double bed. The bed’s made. Again the room looks a bit like a showroom. He listens for any noise of someone coming. No one’s coming. He enters the room slowly checking if anyone can see him through him but the window only looks out on the back garden. Past the garden is obscured by fog. He stops a moment trying to make sense of what he’s seeing. The luscious green garden is under a blue sky but the hedge at its back border is thinly veiled in fog and beyond it is completely obscured.

He takes a couple of deep breaths to calm himself.

He listens out again to make sure he’s alone. Then he opens and closes the wardrobe, a couple of drawers. Everything is empty.

He backs out of the room and opens the door that is to the right of the bathroom. It’s another bedroom. Again the bed is made and the drawers and wardrobe are empty.

He opens the door into a bedroom that’s at the front of the house. There is a large glass balcony door with a view of the unfinished houses where people are working. He doesn’t go in and closes the door again.

There is also a small box bedroom to the front. Danny does go into this. The window is smaller. It’s a small room with a single bed. He can’t help being drawn to the window to take a good look at the sky. The fog beyond the estate seems to have got much thicker since they entered the house.

He looks over at the people working. They seem to be doing regular building work. Paddy sees Danny and waves at him. It’s such a friendly normal reaction Danny feels a little ashamed as he sheepishly waves back.

He turns and goes out of the room.

INT. HOUSE - KITCHEN

MAURA

So it’s Rabbit, Barbara, Ted, Cow and - Twimii is it?

Twimii nods her head, all while smiling a sightly knowing smile at Maura.

MAURA

Does she talk?

RABBIT

I’ve made a bet with her she can’t stay silent for one day.

MAURA

So you do talk.

Twimii opens her mouth to respond and Rabbit immediately throws his arm around her clamping his paw over her mouth.

RABBIT

Let her win the bet Maura.

Danny walks into the kitchen.

MAURA

You found it alright?

DANNY

I used the one upstairs. Hope that’s OK.

MAURA

Of course. Of course. - Will you have that cup of tea now?

DANNY

(nods)

Thanks.

COW

Maura makes her own blend. With some flowers from her garden and everything. Its really good.

Danny looks down at Cow’s happy face. He looks a little disgusted and confused. He looks at the others and how odd they look. He’s angry at how strange everything is and how everyone seems to be fine accepting it all.

DANNY

Actually would it be OK if I just lay down somewhere for a bit?

Maura looks concerned and walks around to him.

MAURA

Of course. Come on. You must be exhausted.

She leads him out of the kitchen.

One of Rabbit’s ears is drooping down as the pills have started to take effect.

BARBARA

I’m going to go to bed too … Things will be better in the morning.

She doesn’t move. They all sit there in silence for a bit with Cow clearing stuff away while the others stare into their cups or into the distance.

TWIMII

(singing softly)

Everybody talks about a new world in the morning

RABBIT

(singing)

New world in the morning never comes

Twimii gently pulls on his drooping ear and he smiles at her a little sleepily.