[SHOW THEME – INTRO]
MARY
Rusty Quill Presents: Trice Forgotten.
Episode Eight: A Rigged Game.
[THEME FADES OUT]
[EXT. KALITIVU – PORT MARKET]
[THE CREW (BAR BAKER) IS TOGETHER, WAITING IN A QUEUE – SOMETHING IS SIZZLING ON THE OTHER END]
SIVA
(voice fading in) Oh, oh, oh! And then on the East side of the island –
INEZ
No offence, Siva, but –
SIVA
– there’s this huge rock that artists go to sit on! Have done for decades –
INEZ
(annoyed) Siva.
ALESTES
There’s no use trying to cut him off. Once he gets like this, he just keeps going.
SIVA
– they sit on the coast and paint, then sell their –
INEZ
Siva!
SIVA
Oh, er – yes?
INEZ
You’ve been talking about Kalitivu non-stop since we got here.
ALESTES
You’ll learn to start drowning it out eventually.
INEZ
Shouldn’t a mapmaker know to leave us something to discover on our own?!
NOOR
I don’t believe that you’re making the point that you’re trying to make.
INEZ
What?
NOOR
A cartographer is the last person who would want to leave anything to be discovered by someone else.
SIVA
Of course! Cartographers are discoverers.
INEZ
What’s the last thing that you discovered, Siva?
SIVA
Well! There’s – (struggling) the – I was just saying about the rock? With the artists? And then there’s this route, up by the –
INEZ
Urgh!
NOOR
Inez, if you don’t have anything nice to say…
INEZ
This William is clearly a no-show. Let’s grab what we need to re-provision and get going.
SIVA
But I haven’t even shown you the –
INEZ
Didn’t you say you were nearly shot by British soldiers the last time you were here?
SIVA
Yes?
INEZ
How do we know William isn’t one of them? Luring you here?
SIVA
(chuckles) That was all a big misunderstanding. And anyway, they’re not all like that, Inez. All of my friends – excepting you of course – are British.
ALESTES
Some friends.
[A BAMBOO FLUTE ON THE WIND. NOBODY TAKES NOTE OF IT.]
[ADVIKA MOVES PAST THE CREW, BRUSHING AGAINST ALESTES.]
ADVIKA
(seductive) You feel like… rowing a boat, Captain?
ALESTES
Depends on the boat.
ADVIKA
Moving gently down the stream…
ALESTES
I prefer to really put my back into it.
SIVA
A-are those code words? (gasps) Pirate code-words!
INEZ
We’ll tell you when you’re older.
ADVIKA
Hm. See you at the Jolly Jan, Captain.
[ADVIKA MOVES AWAY FROM THEM]
SIVA
Was that a friend? A pirate friend?!
[A CLAP ON THE SHOULDER]
ALESTES
Inez, you’re in charge.
INEZ
Excuse me?
ALESTES
I’ve got some… “business,” to attend to. Keep the blathering fool safe.
INEZ
Security?! That is not my job – (breathes out) This is no time to be gallivanting at the Jolly damned Jan!
ALESTES
This is the perfect time to gallivant!
[ALESTES LEAVES]
SIVA
Do you think we should order enough for her? In case she comes back with her friend?
INEZ
I… doubt we’ll be seeing much of her the rest of the day.
SIVA
Oh! Right. So – (to the seller, in Tamil) Naalu parimaanum, tayavu ceytu mama. [Translation: Four servings please, uncle.]
[FOUR SERVINGS ARE BAGGED AND HANDED OUT]
SIVA
One for you, and you, aaaaand a portion to take back for Baker!
INEZ
Hm. (chews) Surprisingly good.
SIVA
Oh! You know what goes well with this? That stall across the way sells the best – here, stay here! –
[SIVA SKIPS AWAY]
INEZ
…So?
NOOR
So?
INEZ
Do you like him, or what?
NOOR
Of course I like him.
INEZ
(snorts) Oh, come on. Don’t be obtuse.
[NOOR DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING]
Ugh. Fine. Keep it to yourself. But stringing him on like this isn’t kind.
NOOR
You are on his side now?
INEZ
“Sides.”
It’s painful to watch him give you those damned puppy-dog eyes. Either kiss him, or turn him down.
NOOR
Inez…
INEZ
What? Now’s the perfect chance. Might as well deal the final blow at the same time as he realises a kid like him will never actually make it at a museum like –
[SIVA BOUNDS UP, ALONG WITH MARY]
SIVA
Inez, Noor, this is – oh. I forgot to ask for your name!
MARY
You may call me Mary.
SIVA
Mr Blair sent Ms Mary to collect me! We were waiting on the wrong side of the road, like silly geese!
INEZ
(drawled) Uh-huh.
It didn’t say in the letter what the job posting was.
MARY
Did it not?
INEZ
It didn’t. Perhaps you could expand on that?
MARY
Of course. When Mr Blair mentioned a person of Siva’s… experience, I was rather surprised. But the Museum is in dire straits, and desperately needs a cartographer of his calibre to restore maps that would otherwise be lost.
INEZ
I didn’t know your lot had a map department.
MARY
We are all about preservation.
SIVA
Preservation? I’d be good at that!
INEZ
Half your clothes are stained with food, Siva.
NOOR
He is truly skilled. It is almost miraculous, his way with maps.
INEZ
What’s miraculous is how long he’s stayed alive.
MARY
Mr Blair can explain more about the post in person.
NOOR
Can we accompany him?
MARY
You? All of you? Whatever for?
NOOR
We’ve had a fair few run-ins with unsavoury people, and letting him wander off alone…
MARY
This is, unfortunately, a delicate and private matter.
SIVA
That’s what Lieutenant-Colonel Shaw used to say! (affecting a deep voice) “Cartography is a delicate, intricate matter, and above all, must be treated with ultimate confidentiality.”
MARY
Yes, Shaw is… known, for his wisdom in such things.
SIVA
You know the Lieutenant-Colonel?
MARY
We are very much acquainted.
INEZ
This Shaw… he’s someone you trust?
SIVA
He’s the one who promoted me!
NOOR
And Siva would just be going to talk with Mr Blair?
MARY
Iron out a few details, do a few test maps, that kind of thing.
INEZ
And if he decides that the job isn’t for him?
MARY
We’ll return him right back to your ship.
Not to put too fine a point on this, but I cannot be certain how long this opportunity will last. Siva is very skilled, of course, but hardly the only cartographer the Queen’s Museum has access to.
INEZ
I see. Well, Siva? Up to you.
SIVA
Noor, could I have a moment of your time?
NOOR
Of course.
SIVA
In… private?
NOOR
Oh. Er. Sure.
[INEZ WOLF-WHISTLES TO HIMSELF]
[NOOR AND SIVA WALK A FEW PACES AWAY]
SIVA
Noor… what do you think?
NOOR
I think that it is up to you.
But, if you do get the position, I have no doubt you will do wonderfully.
SIVA
…Is that – (exhales) I’ve been…
Baker told me that people don’t really say what they actually mean, which makes me confused, sometimes.
NOOR
You… have a question for me.
SIVA
Would you feel nothing but joy if I were to leave you, Noor?
NOOR
I think… (choosing their words carefully) that this job is something that you have wanted for a long time, akhi. It is not worth giving up for someone you met a month ago.
SIVA
…You didn’t answer my question.
NOOR
Should you get the job, Siva, I would feel nothing but pride for my friend in his new venture.
[A BEAT]
SIVA
I – see. …Thank you for your honesty.
[THEY REJOIN INEZ AND MARY]
Right. Yes. Yes! Just a talk! Yes, I think I shall go with you, Ms Mary.
MARY
Very good.
SIVA
Noor, Inez? I want to make sure Nani knows I was here. Could you go to her, and pay your respects for me?
INEZ
It wasn’t top of my list –
[NOOR ELBOWS INEZ]
Ow, Noor! Yes, fine. Of course we will.
SIVA
Are you sure you’ll be alright by yourselves? I could –
NOOR
Don’t worry about us. Go! Do well. We’ll see you later.
MARY
Ready?
SIVA
…Yes. Yes, I’m ready.
[INT. JOLLY JAN TAVERN]
[BUSTLING NOISES OF PATRONS, ARGUMENTS, CLINKING GLASSES]
[ALESTES BEGINS ASCENDING THE FLIGHT OF STAIRS TO THE SECOND FLOOR]
ADVIKA
I sure hope you’re not the type that’s all bark and no bite.
ALESTES
That’s your first impression of me?
ADVIKA
Mm, plenty of people thought they could handle this before… and let’s just say I was underwhelmed.
ALESTES
Sounds like fighting talk to me –
[A DOOR CREAKS OPEN]
ANH
Hello Alestes.
[ANH PASSES COINS TO ADVIKA]
Thank you, sweetheart.
ADVIKA
A pleasure, as always.
[ADVIKA CLOSES THE DOOR ON HER WAY OUT]
[A BEAT OF SILENCE]
ALESTES
Really? You couldn’t have written an address in your letter?
ANH
Where’s the fun in that? And it got you away from your old man and those brats, didn’t it? Thought you might want to spare them the nitty-gritty, just like in the good old days.
ALESTES
We’ve had our differences, Anh, but we could decide to put that behind us and talk like adults.
ANH
There are far more than differences between us. You’re a traitor, I’m not. It’s that simple.
ALESTES
“A traitor.” Still such a loyal pet.
ANH
“Pet”! Oh, Alestes. You do test me sometimes. (laughs) I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you. And I want you dead, so I can miss you even more. Funny how that works.
ALESTES
Should have known better than to lead with politeness. Go on then, the quicker you get it out, the quicker we can be done.
ANH
The longer I draw this out, the more frustrated that face of yours gets. Fine. Here. Look.
[ANH SPREADS A MAP ACROSS THE TABLE]
I’ve searched these parts of Kalitivu thoroughly, and still the mice elude me. Chewing holes in our gunpowder storage. Looting cargo.
ALESTES
Mice?
ANH
Wannabe rebels. Call themselves the “Fly Fishers.”
ALESTES
You can’t handle a local gang yourself anymore?
ANH
They’ve been watching us too long – their leader, Johana, she knows our movements. So I’m switching in a new cat. You can start with the spots I haven’t crossed out.
ALESTES
Where’d you get this map?
ANH
Why, do you know something about it?
ALESTES
Markings looked familiar, is all. …But I look at plenty of maps, no surprise there.
ANH
We think this map was created by someone close to Johana. The tactical information on it matches strikes against us.
ALESTES
The mapmaker might have been a Fly Fisher rebel?
ANH
It’s likely. That or someone with a bone to pick against Gammon.
ALESTES
What would a local rebel group have against a pirate?
ANH
They must have thought we were operating out of the Governor’s estate, got the British to do a raid, but they only killed a few maidservants.
ALESTES
Where are you operating out from?
ANH
Oh, you’ll have to do better than that, my dear.
That should be everything you need. Find Johana, and find her quickly. Drag her before Gammon, dead or alive, and then: we’re even.
ALESTES
Understood.
[ALESTES ROLLS UP THE MAP]
ANH
(incredulous) “Understood”?
ALESTES
Understood.
ANH
That’s… it? I give you a command, and you just – do it?
ALESTES
That’s usually how these things work.
ANH
No, not – not between us, not…
Where’s your fight?
ALESTES
I’ll see you around, Anh.
[HIGH STRINGS]
[INT. NANI’S HOME – AFTERNOON]
[NOOR AND INEZ ENTER]
NOOR
You’re sure this is the right house?
INEZ
I wouldn’t hear the end of it if I couldn’t follow his damned instructions.
[CLINKING, CRUMBLING NOISES, AS THOUGH STEPPING OVER RUBBLE]
NOOR
He didn’t say that his home had been…
Inez, please, show a little respect for the dead.
INEZ
You think I’m going to be haunted, just because I’m looking around?
NOOR
Inez.
INEZ
(sighs) Alright, alright. Looks like people rougher than us have had a good rummage anyway.
NOOR
The soldiers looking for Siva, maybe?
[A PAUSE]
It makes me uncomfortable, sometimes. He makes me uncomfortable.
INEZ
Siva?
NOOR
He is… bright. Like – when he is looking at me, he is seeing the ghost of – this home. His smile… it feels… heavy. Too heavy for me.
INEZ
Mm.
NOOR
(a sigh) …Let us pay our respects.
INEZ
I don’t even know what the woman looked like.
NOOR
We are in her house, and we know the person she raised. That’s enough.
INEZ
…Fine.
NOOR
Oh Allah, forgive Nani, and elevate her station among those who are guided. Send her along the path of those who came before, and forgive us and her, oh Lord of the worlds…
Enlarge for her her grave, and shed light upon her in it.
[INT. SMALL TEA SHOP – EVENING]
[THE DOORCHIME SOUNDS; ALESTES ENTERS]
ALESTES
You.
TEA SHOP OWNER
Er, what can I do for you, …miss?
ALESTES
I need information.
TEA SHOP OWNER
All we sell here is tea! (laughs) So…
ALESTES
Tea.
TEA SHOP OWNER
It is a tea shop. Here. I have the perfect blend for you.
[THE RATTLE OF CUTLERY AND CUPS]
ALESTES
I don’t have time for –
TEA SHOP OWNER
Try it. Won’t disappoint.
[ALESTES SIGHS]
[POURING NOISES]
TEA SHOP OWNER
Green cardamom, cinnamon stripped right around the corner, jaggery, and buffalo milk.
[ALESTES TAKES A SIP]
ALESTES
It’s good. But it won’t distract me from what I need to know.
TEA SHOP OWNER
As I said, I don’t know much.
ALESTES
The thing is, I don’t believe you.
TEA SHOP OWNER
No, I really – don’t actually –
ALESTES
Running a shop like this, people passing through, a plantation worth of workers gathering tea on their breaks, and you don’t have any information sitting between those ears of yours?
TEA SHOP OWNER
I-I just run my shop! (laughs, increasingly nervously) Try to keep my customers happy, and tend to my family.
ALESTES
So you know nothing about a woman named Johana? Nothing about Lord Graham’s raided estate? The Fly Fishers?
[THE TEA SHOP QUIETS]
TEA SHOP OWNER
I don’t know anything that can help you.
ALESTES
Judging by the colour draining from your face, and the tremble in your hand, I’d say you were lying.
But who am I to say. I’m just a stranger.
TEA SHOP OWNER
Yes, yes – a stranger, who doesn’t know about this island, doesn’t know the people here, and I –
ALESTES
But who does know how to make people start telling the truth.
TEA SHOP OWNER
No no no. You don’t understand –
ALESTES
Five.
TEA SHOP OWNER
Wait, just wait.
ALESTES
Truly delicious stuff. Four –
TEA SHOP OWNER
There’s nothing that I can do to help you!
ALESTES
Three.
TEA SHOP OWNER
Are you listening to me? I said that I can’t –
ALESTES
Two.
[ALESTES PUTS HER PISTOL ON THE TABLE]
TEA SHOP OWNER
(whimpers; voice rising:) There are things at stake here beyond –
ALESTES
– your life?!
TEA SHOP OWNER
Beyond my life.
ALESTES
A shame.
[THE HAMMER COCKS. THE TEA SHOP OWNER WHIMPERS AGAIN]
Tell me where to find Johana.
TEA SHOP OWNER
F-find her? But – you’ve already killed her!
ALESTES
Killed her?
[ALESTES TAPS THE GUN AGAINST THE TABLE]
Johana?
TEA SHOP OWNER
Yes. She was killed in the raid!
ALESTES
I thought only maidservants got killed in the raid.
[A BEAT. TWO PUZZLE PIECES CONNECT.]
Johana was a servant. How better to keep tabs than to be invisible.
TEA SHOP OWNER
You’re not… you’re not a British enforcer?
ALESTES
Do I look like I’m a British damned enforcer? The rebels, the Fly Fishers. Who’s second in command?
You said you had a family.
TEA SHOP OWNER
There’s nobody, I – she kept everything to herself – (breathing hard) we think she told her plans to her grandson, but he ran away – nobody’s seen him since!
[ANOTHER BEAT.]
ALESTES
Skinny. About this tall?
TEA SHOP OWNER
Yes. Yes, yes, the mapmaker –
ALESTES
Oh for fuck’s sake.
[EXT. DENSE FOREST – EVENING]
[SIVA AND MARY ARE MOVING THROUGH A DENSE FOREST]
SIVA
Are we almost there?
MARY
Just a little further.
SIVA
I believe you, I do. It’s just, you said it was only a little further some time ago now, and I’m growing quite parched. Are you thirsty? I’m terribly thirsty.
MARY
I’m sure Mr Blair will have plenty for you to drink when we arrive.
SIVA
And where are we going? The shops are all in town, and it makes more sense to stay closer to the port, doesn’t it? Easier to ship antiquities back and forth. Out here there’s only –
MARY
Perhaps you’ll be less thirsty if you talked less.
SIVA
Right. Yes. Of course.
[THE SILENCE ONLY LASTS TWO SECONDS]
This really is a trek, isn’t it. You can’t mean to tell me that you walk this route every single day! Talk about “off the beaten track,” this isn’t even a path that I’ve mapped, and I’ve mapped every single inch of this place! Look at how thick those trees are – so easy to get turned around without any source of light… And in this humidity. I forgot how hot it gets here, even in the pitch-dark of night! Just astoundingly sticky, the type of sticky heat my grandmother used to –
MARY
Siva. Would you just. For a moment. Be… quiet.
SIVA
Did I say something wrong –?
MARY
If you don’t shut up, I’m going to kill you, and then all my plans are ruined.
[SILENCE]
[SIVA BURSTS INTO LAUGHTER]
SIVA
Oh Ms Mary! You really are quite the jokester! Yes, the heat and the humidity does get the tension up, doesn’t it! One gets so irritable out here. Kill me, you say. Don’t you worry, you’ll have a return of spirits once we’re in the shade.
[EXT. NETAOANSOM – DECK – EVENING]
[THE SOUNDS OF THE WAVES HITTING THE SIDES OF THE SHIP. A BUSY PORT.]
[NOOR AND INEZ WALK UP THE GANGWAY.]
BAKER
Noor, help me lower this cargo into the hold. Inez, you go down and start sorting the goods.
NOOR
That is… an impressive amount of food. Is the Captain planning on an ocean voyage, no safe harbour in sight?
INEZ
Don’t tempt fate, Noor.
BAKER
Where’s the Captain?
INEZ
Brothel.
BAKER
(groans) At a time like this – Inez, you run to the… to bring back the Captain. Noor, you help me here.
NOOR
Is everything alright?
BAKER
Everything is fine. Nothing to worry about.
INEZ
Nothing to worry about, let’s just pack up six months’ worth of provisions?
BAKER
Siva – did he give an idea of when –
NOOR
Baker. We can’t help if we don’t know what we’re running from.
[BAKER SIGHS]
BAKER
There, on the horizon. See that flag?
INEZ
The one dripping red?
BAKER
The Galloping Englishman.
NOOR
The Galloping – Gammon’s ship?
INEZ
So there’s a ship on the horizon, who cares?
BAKER
I care! Listen, that’s not just a ship of Gammon’s, it’s the ship. It means just beyond him is a fleet of ships, full of men as ruthless as he is.
I’m all for standing and fighting, believe you me, but I don’t believe in fighting to lose. And right now, we’d not just lose, we’d be destroyed.
NOOR
I don’t understand, why are they –
WILLIAM
Helllooooooo? Hello? Anyone up there?
[WILLIAM WALKS UP THE GANGWAY]
Oh! There you are! What scary expressions, I hope I’m not being a bother.
INEZ
You are.
BAKER
Now is not a good time, sir.
WILLIAM
(oblivious) Ha ha! So sorry, but I recognised the ship. N-E-T-A-O-A-N-S-O-M! Is Siva here?
BAKER
Who’s looking?
WILLIAM
William Henry Baker Blair – I believe I’m already acquainted with your big friend over there.
NOOR
Siva’s not with you?
WILLIAM
Why would he be with me?
NOOR
Because your… Ms Mary came to collect him. Found us in the market, said she worked with you.
WILLIAM
The only Mary I know is the Virgin, I’m afraid!
INEZ
I knew it! I knew it, and I told you –
WILLIAM
Oh, hold on – did this, er, Mary have brownish hair, an expression like she sucks eggs for a living?
INEZ
Yes.
WILLIAM
Ooh, dear.
NOOR
You know her?
WILLIAM
I’m not one to speak ill of anyone, least of all a Lady, but… Mary Peters, there’s… well. Let’s just say there’s no place for a Lady at the Queen’s Museum, least of all one like her!
[EXT. DENSE FOREST – NIGHT]
MARY
Here we are.
SIVA
Goodness, I really was turned around. This is – Governor Graham’s house!
[A DOOR ROLLS OPEN, THEN SHUT]
[FOOTSTEPS]
I wasn’t aware that Mr Blair was so close to Governor Graham. Has the Governor returned? Or is he renting the place to the Museum in his absence?
MARY
For how long would you say you’ve been making maps?
SIVA
Oh, since I could hold a quill! Nani always made sure I had plenty of things to practise with. Ink, paper, places to map – places I had seen and I knew, places I hadn’t seen on any other map. I like going into detail, they said that’s why I’m so good.
MARY
Good enough to sell?
SIVA
Not yet, and certainly not for lack of trying. You would not believe how terribly rude this one shopkeeper…
MARY
What kind of places do you like to put on your maps? Places your Nani took you to? She must have taken you all over. To those places you say aren’t on any other maps.
Were there any places she told you to never, no matter what, give away the location of?
[FOOTSTEPS STOP]
SIVA
(audible frown) No, my maps were – are – perfect. If it exists on this island, it’s reflected in my work.
Is this Mr Blair’s office? It’s very… er… closed-off. No windows either – this won’t be very good for…
Er… maps do look best in the natural light.
…Are you… not going to come in, Ms Mary?
MARY
This has been very informative, Siva. That’ll be all for now.
[THE DOOR CLOSES]
SIVA
Ms Mary?
[THE BOLTS OF A LOCK THUD SHUT]
Ms Mary? Er, excuse me, Ms Mary? You seem to have locked the door!
Oh, no.
I’ve been bloody kidnapped again, haven’t I.
[SHOW THEME – OUTRO]
ANNOUNCER
Trice Forgotten is a podcast distributed by Rusty Quill and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Sharealike 4.0 International License. The series is created by Nemo Martin and directed by Rafaella Marcus. Today’s episode was written by Rafaella Marcus and Nemo Martin and edited by Nico Vettese, Maddy Searle, Tessa Vroom, Katharine Seaton and Catherine Rinella.
Trice Forgotten features: Rebecca Brough, Vic Zander, Shahan Hamza, Gigi Zahir, Ashley Goh, Lowri Ann Davies, Fay Roberts, Alexander J Newall, Imogen Harris. Trice Forgotten is produced by Lowri Ann Davies, Ian Geers and production manager Natasha Johnston with executive producers Alexander J Newall and April Sumner.
To subscribe, view associated materials, or join our Patreon, visit rustyquill.com. Rate and review us online, tweet us @therustyquill, visit us on Facebook or email us at mail@rustyquill.com. Thanks for listening.