Nighttime in Ballykissangel. The streets are quiet, most all windows are dark. One window above the pub shows a very dim light, a bedside light is on. Scene shifts to inside the bedroom, Maggie holds a phone to her ear, and speaks.

"I wanted to call you, Sis, to give you a major 'heads up', call me back when you get this message, any time, *please* wake me up, it's really important! hope to hear from you soon!" She hangs up the phone.

Maggie opens a sliding glass door onto a balcony, and steadies Finn as he moves out onto the balcony and sniffs the night air. Maggie leans against the door frame, and looks upwards towards the diffuse moonlight, shining down from a cloudy sky. She sighs, and as Finn, finished with his business, moves back into the bedroom, she also turns inside again, and slides the door closed. She moves to the bed, crawls under the covers, and, as Finn settles himself on his own soft pillow, Maggie turns out the lamp on the bedside table. All is quiet in the pub, and the moonlight, moving in and out of clouds, also shifts across the sky.

The peace is shaken by the soft ringing of a telephone, one ring, then a second, and Maggie's hand reaches out and picks up the receiver, and she sits up.

"Yes, yes, dear, I'm so sorry to bother you, but I knew you'd have to know. I wanted to tell you what I've heard, so you won't be suprised. You need to start seriously avoiding Cilldargan. Peter Clifford turned up for MacAnally's funeral, and he's been appointed the new parish priest for this parish. Yes, I know alot of people will be happy to see him back, although Kathleen Hendley won't be one of them!" She chuckles, and continues, while smiling. "I'm calling so late tonight because I just heard this today, although he's been here at the pub for a couple of days now. Finn was really happy to see him! Oh, and Padraig and Kevin came to the wake, Finn was happy to see Kevin, too, they went for a little walk. Yes, he's definitely slowing down, the heart is working harder these days, and Siobhan doesn't think we can up his meds much more now. No, he's not suffering, he loves all the coddling and petting and attention he gets here, it's his home in every way, and I'm just here to attend to his comfort. I'd better ask now, just in case. Siobhan says he could suddenly start to go downhill, really fast. If that happens, do you want to be with him when we send him to the Bridge? As long as it isn't an emergency thing, of course. I think Siobhan and I can drive him up to Dublin to your place, if you want to be with him. Okay, I'll talk to Siobhan, I'm sure she'll agree, I hope we don't have to think about it for a long time, but seeing Finn and Kevin today made me realize I had better bring it up. You're still his Mom, he loves you and always will, and he'd want you to know." She is silent for a few minutes, nodding gently now and again. "Yes, back to Father Clifford, no, he's completely clueless, doesn't suspect a thing. Nobody who knows said a word. No, I don't think you were asking too much, he knew how much it meant to you, how you felt, and he still caved. And look, you are fine, you're doing great, you're happy, you're fulfilled, and the real Mr. Right might walk in any day. Well, okay, maybe he was Mr. Right, but he had some kinda fatal flaws, you know. If you want, I can quiz the heck out of him, you know, really torment him!" A mischevious grin spreads over her face. "No? Okay, I can live with it, but you know how much I love arguing with priests. I can usually get them tied into knots in no time, and before they know it they've argued themselves into a corner they can't get out of. MacAnally stormed out of here so many times I thought of putting plastic window panes in the door!" Maggie laughs out loud, and listens to the person on the other end of the line for several more minutes. "Okay, dear, no, everything's fine with the pub, no problems. How's the wine bar doing? Great! You were wasted here, after all, weren't you? No, just give me a ring, and I'll make sure the coast is clear, and you can drop in. Say, Padraig and Kevin are in Dublin, and so are Niamh and Sean, do you want to try and get together tomorrow for lunch? I can call Siobhan and Brendan first thing, and I'll bet we can set it up, I know they have phone numbers or hotel names, one or the other. Yeah? Great, Orla can watch the pub, I can even bring Finn and we can have a picnic in the park, the kids will have a ball. Aisling and Kieran are getting reacquainted again, they're so cute! And you won't believe how grown-up Kevin is! Yeah, time has gone on, they've been in London for a couple of years now. I know they'll be happy to see you, Finn and I will, too. Yeah, I'll call you first thing, after I talk to Siobhan and Brendan. Yeah, 'night sis, sorry to hit you with such a suprise, but I knew you'd want to know. 'Night!" Maggie hangs up the phone, and sees, standing in her doorway, the outline of a man in pajamas and a robe. She stands up suddenly, putting her hands on her hips.

"And just how long have YOU been standing there eavesdropping on me, Mister?" Maggie demands.

"Long enough to know I'm clueless!" Peter Clifford steps into the room.

"Just a minute, Buster, at least let me get a robe on!" Maggie turns and reaches towards the foot of her bed, and grabs a robe, then turns on the bedside lamp. Finn gets up, and she goes to the door of the balcony, and opens it for him to totter outside. She turns back to face Peter. "People who listen to private conversations shouldn't be suprised to hear themselves spoken of in a less than complimentary fashion. I am sorry if you feel insulted, I didn't mean that you were stupid or anything." She crosses her arms across her chest, clearly defensive.

"Who were you talking to so late, anyway? I'm used to waking up for phones, and so I woke up when it rang, and then I went to the bathroom, and I heard you say my name, and I know I shouldn't have, but I listened." Peter shuffles from one foot to the other, and looks downwards.

"Well, I'm sorry, but I am not going to tell you who I was talking to, it's none of your business, Father. Don't ask me again, either. Now goodnight." Maggie steps towards the door of the room, and Peter Clifford finds himself backing up and out of the room. Maggie says no more, and quietly but suddenly, Peter Clifford finds himself staring at a closed door. He stares a moment, then turns and goes back to his room, closing his door in turn.

Morning light streams across the River Angel, and Maggie is up early, letting Finn amble along at the end of his leash. She is speaking into a mobile phone. "Yeah, he heard part of what I said, I don't know how much. Well, what's done is done, I'll make sure he hears no more. He's going to Cilldargan today, anyway, checking out. We still on for a picnic lunch? Great, I'll call Orla in a while and she can watch the pub during the day, she won't mind. And if she can't, I'll close. After the food everybody ate yesterday, nobody's gonna come in for lunch, anyway! Okay, 'bye!"

She continues walking Finn along the road and out of town, across the bridge. The scene shifts to the village, Kathleen Hendley comes out of her shop door, picking up her morning paper. She looks across the bridge at Maggie's retreating form, and purses her lips in clear dislike and disapproval. She goes back inside, closing the door.

The kitchen of the pub is seen next. Peter Clifford walks in, still in his robe and pajamas, and sees a note on the table. It says, "Coffee's in the pot, hot, tea and teapot on the counter if you prefer. I'll cook breakfast when Finn and I get back, or there's cold cereals in the cupboard and milk in the fridge if you're starving now. MMcA". Peter looks at his watch, and sits at the table. He looks around, and puts his face in his hands.

Some time later, the kitchen door of the pub opens, and Finn and Maggie enter. Peter Clifford raises his head and looks at them. His face shows that he did not get a peaceful night's sleep, but Maggie appears bright and happy, her face is glowing. She removes Finn's leash, and he moves towards his water bowl, and drinks. Maggie takes a mug out of the sink, rinses it, and goes to the coffee pot, filling the mug. She sits down at the table, opposite Peter, and adds sugar and creamer to the coffee.

"Why so glum, Father, it's a beautiful morning!" she asks. "And aren't you taking up your new post in Cilldargan today? That should be exciting!"

"Yeah, well, I'd be happier if I'd gotten more sleep last night. I never slept again after you got your phone call." he rests his head back in his hands.

"Nothing a hot cup of coffee won't fix, Father!" Maggie gets up and fixes him a cup, setting it in front of him. "So, eggs, toast, hash browns, pancakes, French Toast, any and or all of the above?" She opens the door of the refrigerator. Peter sighs, he is not sure what half of what she mentions is, but has no appetite, anyway.

"Just toast, please, and tea, I'll be fine."

"What, worried about your cholesterol?" Maggie asks. "Okay, but I'm going to fix myself breakfast, and I'll make enough for two, just in case. I'll put the water on to boil for your tea, relax." She seems bright, friendly, cheerful, as if her very cold anger of the previous night had never occurred. Peter is confused, but does not want to bring it up, not wanting to anger her again. He desperately wants to know who she was speaking to, why he was part of the subject matter of a two a.m. phone call, but he knows that she will not answer him should he ask. She busies herself with breakfast preparations. Soon she is putting a steaming plate of eggs and sausages on the center of the table, and puts a plate and fork in front of him. The toast comes next, several slices on another plate, with a knife and butter next to it. Finally, the cold mug of coffee is lifted away, and a hot mug of strong tea replaces it. Maggie sits down, and serves herself from the larger plate. She starts eating, and Peter admits to himself that it smells good. He serves himself, and then asks God's blessing on his food before he, too, begins to eat. Maggie looks up, and smiles.

"Is it okay?" she asks him, and takes a sip of coffee.

"Yes, very good, thank you!" he answers. "I am going to Cilldargan today, is the bus schedule the same?"

"I couldn't say for sure, but I have schedules at the desk in front, I'll get one for you." She stands and goes through the door into the front of the pub, returning quickly with a small piece of paper which she places on the table at his place, and then she sits back down at her own. She begins eating again. He looks the schedule over, the times have not changed.

"Well, I had better finish eating and get packed up, I only have about forty-five minutes or so before I need to catch that bus," he tells her.

"Thank you for staying with us, Father, I am sure Orla and I will see you in here alot now that you are just a few miles away." Maggie smiles at him. He does not immediately reply, hesitating. She seems both utterly friendly and completely impersonal.

"Thank you, Maggie, I am glad I stayed here, and got to meet you. I will certainly be in now and again, I'll look forward to seeing Brendan and Siobhan here, too." He finishes his toast and tea, and stands up, then walks over to where Finn is resting on his pillow.

"Bye, Finn, I'll see you again soon, too!" Peter leaves the kitchen, and goes up the stairs.

Maggie finishes her breakfast, pours another cup of coffee, and takes out the mobile phone again, dialing Orla. "Yeah, hi, Orla, it's Maggie. Say, I wasn't planning this, but could you watch the pub today from about eleven on, until three or four this afternoon? I don't think it'll be busy, but I need to run up to Dublin to see some folks. You can? Great, I'll leave everything locked up when I go. Nope, he's off to Cilldargan in a few minutes on the bus, so nothing to worry about. No, I'm taking Finn with me, he's gonna visit his old Mum today. Okay, I'll see you this afternoon, thanks, Orla!" Maggie lifts the small phone away from her face, and pushes the button to turn it off. She gets up, clears dishes from the meal, puts leftovers in the fridge, and begins to unload the clean dishes from the night before, then puts dirty dishes into the machine, closing it afterwards. Finn, having had his breakfast before his walk, still decides begging for leftovers is apropos, and sits up, looking pitifully at Maggie. She smiles, and begins to tear up leftover dry toast for him, giving him a tiny bite of egg on a few bites of toast, and one nearly microscopic piece of sausage as well.

"Well, old man, wanna go to Dublin?" Finn stands and begins waving his tail. "You need a good brushing before Mum sees you! We met some serious weeds today! C'mon, outside!" Maggie opens the back door of the kitchen, and, following Finn, reaches for a brush and comb, pulling them from a drawer near the door. She closes the door behind her.

Peter Clifford is seen, stuffing small items into the top of the his backpack as it sits on his bed in the room above the pub. He looks around one last time, and goes back downstairs. He does not hear Maggie in the kitchen, and goes in, looking around.

"Out here, Father, brushing Finn." Peter hears Maggie's voice and he goes out the back doorway. Maggie is brushing Finn, his red coat gleaming. "I take him visiting with me, so I want him to look nice when he goes."

"Where are you going?" Peter asks, leaning against the door.

"Dublin, to see a friend for a picnic lunch in the park." Maggie stands upright. "Well, old man, you look good! Hard to believe you are as old as you are."

"He does seem alot older, actually, and you mentioned medicine the other night?" Peter asks.

"Heart failure, and he doesn't have alot of time left, sadly. And he can't get on a transplant list, they don't do that for animals."  Maggie's face shows her concern and pain for a moment, but then she smiles. "Still, he's spoiled and pampered, and he isn't in pain, and he's had a good long run, and that's the best we can ask for. When he crosses the Bridge, he's have a happy time in the Summerlands, young and strong again, and then when it's time the Goddess will dip him into the Cauldron, and he'll come back again to this side of the Bridge. Still, I'll miss him when he goes." She looks at her wrist. "Hey, you'd better move it, or you'll miss the bus! I presume that you'll get Father Mac's car, so you won't be 'going Greyhound' much longer." She smiles at him, and reaches a hand out. "Goodbye for now, Father Clifford, see you again, soon!" Peter takes her hand and shakes it.

"Goodbye, Maggie, I don't know about the car, but if I have to take the bus to come for a visit, I will, I still want to know more about your religion!" He shoulders his backpack, and walks towards the door of the pub he once thought of as nearly a second home. "'Bye!" he says, and closes the door behind himself.

"Whew!" Maggie heaves a huge sigh, and goes back into the kitchen, grabbing a cup of coffee, and settling Finn on his bed with a dog biscuit. "Back in a minute, Finny, gotta change!" She runs up the stairs, to her room, and then, in a few minutes, back downstairs again, carrying a purse and jacket. She locks the front doors, then goes into the kitchen. Taking a plastic bottle from a cupboard, she fills it with water, and slips it into a small canvas sack, along with more dog biscuits. She picks up her purse from the table, and her jacket from the chair's back. Finally, juggling all else, she picks up Finn's leash, and he stands slowly. She attaches it to his collar, and they go out the back with Finn, and locks the door with a key, then heads towards a blue van. The final scene shows the back of the van, driving off down the street, as Maggie goes to Dublin.

Roll end credits.