PIGGSNORTO
John, we've killed one man today. You think my family won't find a way of getting even if you snitch?
CACAPHODEL
(to JOHN) Let's be wise. Nothing can be gained by turning ourselves in. If you insist on being noble, then Mr. Piggsnorto will dispose of you, and I'll be forced to tell the authorities that you were lost as well.
DE VERE
As will I.
Beat.
JOHN
Fine. Let's go back. What do we tell the Robins?
PIGGSNORTO
He got lost in the woods. Didn't you hear us?
JOHN
About the Great Carbuncle.
CACAPHODEL
Since we don't have it on us, we obviously didn't find it. We must have been mistaken.
JOHN
Matthew's going to be mad.
PIGGSNORTO
To hell with him! He gives us more trouble than he's worth, then he'll get lost too. Him and Hannah. I'm through with this. We're outta here.
PIGGSNORTO, CACAPHODEL, and JOHN begin to leave. DE VERE walks to the edge and motions a cross over HIS chest and head.
DE VERE
God speed, Seeker. At least you found that which you always sought.
DE VERE nods to the rest, and all exit.
END ACT II, SCENE II
ACT II, SCENE III
It's evening in the same weather as before. If sunset is near, you'd never be able to tell, because it looks like nightfall already. The river is nearby, but it's frozen over.
MATTHEW and HANNAH enter, carrying backpacks. MATTHEW is holding up HANNAH in HIS arms as they walk. HANNAH is falling victim to the freezing climate.
MATTHEW
It's times like these that make you a praying man. Last time I remember praying, Charlie's bullets were flying by my head, giving me a new haircut.
HANNAH
Do...do you see them? Is there...any...red light?
MATTHEW
I don't see anything, sweetie.
HANNAH
Do you...see it? Is it here?
MATTHEW
You need another rest.
HANNAH
No, I--
MATTHEW
Sit.
MATTHEW slowly sits HANNAH down on the ground, and HE sits down beside HER.
HANNAH
We have-ve-ve....have to find it.
MATTHEW
We're not finding it.
HANNAH
Matthew...
MATTHEW
What?
HANNAH
We... need it.
MATTHEW
No. No we don't. I don't care how much that rock is worth, we don't need it this bad.
HANNAH
But what ab...bout our home?
MATTHEW
It'll still be ours after a hundred years' worth of payments.
HANNAH stares into MATTHEW's eyes, pleading to HIM.
MATTHEW
Hannah, you're frozen stiff. We need to get you to a fire.
HANNAH
I'm...I'm...okay.
MATTHEW
You are? Then say, "Big Bobby Bear" without stuttering.
HANNAH
Big...B-b-b--
MATTHEW
That's it. We're leaving.
HANNAH
No!
MATTHEW
Hannah, I love you, and I let you make most of the decisions for us. I'm not good at the little things like cooking, bills, and what-not, but when it comes to the big stuff, I know what's right. If those bastards found the Great Carbuncle, then lots of luck to them. I'm not going to lose you. Now, get up and start walking with me. We're going home.
MATTHEW stands, waiting for HANNAH to stand up.
The Great Carbuncle Page 9