Kate has returned to the town of Kilruane where she was first raised. She doesn’t remember much, but what she does is nothing good. She speaks to the listener directly. Kilruane: kill-ROO-uhn.

KATE
The sun is low. The sky is fading from ruddy orange to dark blue. People are coming out of the store. A woman is on her porch, lighting a pink candle. Oh my god, the candles. The smell of thyme oil everywhere. I had almost forgotten. The men out in front of the general store are staring at me. They look familiar, though no names come to me. Maybe what I remember is their expression. Mistrust. Malice. A blank, hard stare devoid of any curiosity or good will. (pause) Yeah. I remember Kilruane. I was little and powerless, then. But not anymore.

Kate confronts the Sister who cared for her when she was little child—who often beat her. Do not record Sister Geneverie’s lines, they are provided for context. VO lines are delivered directly to the listener as if just experiencing these thoughts and feelings.

KATE

You're so fucking full of bullshit, this whole stupid--

[She is cut off by a hard slap. KATE gasps.]

SISTER GENEVERIE

Child, you will mind your tongue on holy ground!

KATE

(VO)

Something hot runs through me. My ears are ringing from the slap, but also from the rushing of my own blood. Ants on my skin. Fire in my breath.

KATE

(furious)

Don't you EVER touch me again!

KATE

(VO)

Something's happened. Her cloudy eyes are wide, her mouth hanging open, her hands raised protectively. Suddenly she's so small and fragile. So easily broken.

[SISTER GENEVERIE gasping. KATE panting.]

SISTER GENEVERIE

N... no. I won't.

KATE

Sit down and you listen.

KATE

(VO)

And she does. Just like that. Looking up at me, weak and pale and shriveled. (a little surprised at the reaction) Huh.

KATE

You abusive old witch. You can't intimidate me anymore. I'm not a child.

SISTER GENEVERIE

No, you are not.

KATE

(VO)

I can think of a dozen different ways to hurt her. And I want to. Pay her back for what she did to me. I'm itching to do it. But... she's the closest thing I have to an ally, here. And look at her now. Shriveled and old and... (pause)

[KATE lets out a frustrated sigh.]

There are several scenes where we flashback to Kate as a girl. Please record the following in a more youthful voice. It’s more important to suggest her age than hit it exactly. Even as a child, Kate still deals with anger and a lack of empathy.

Ellen has been injured by her mother’s boyfriend. Kate tries to comfort her, in her own way, by showing off her own scars.

YOUNG KATE
You shouldn’t worry about such things. It doesn't matter. (she shows off the scars on her back) See? We're still here. (pause) Come on, Ellen. Tyler is going to push us on the swings.