Previously in “More Than a Surprise Birthday…” we learn that Caitlin co-founded a computer company in London after university with a close friend from school, Gabriel McCarthy. He throws her a surprise birthday party and proposes to her. Shocked, she is angry with Aidan when Gabriel seeks his guidance after her refusal. Although she does not love him, she begins to consider his offer when she realizes that this might be her only chance at “settling down.” Eventually, Aidan makes her realize that she should listen to her heart and not her mind.
 

CAITLIN:
Hi Brian.

BRIAN:
Oh, hello Caitlin.

CAITLIN:
How’s the team doing?

BRIAN:
We’ll be all right.  I’m not sure if their practice is challenging enough for them, though.

Caitlin thinks.

CAITLIN:
Maybe I can help.

Brian laughs.

BRIAN:
How can you help?

CAITLIN:
I played football as a girl and in university.

BRIAN:
Well, get in there then.

Caitlin runs to the rest of the guys and as the ball came rolling towards her, she kicks the ball directly into the goal, to the surprise of everyone. Caitlin looks back at Brian and waves.

THEME ROLLS

EXT:  Back on the field.  Caitlin runs off, after practicing with the team for a while.

BRIAN:
Where did you learn to play like that?

CAITLIN:
I used to play with the boys.

BRIAN:
Clearly…  If it wasn’t for the fact that the team is supposed to be all male, I’d ask you to play.

CAITLIN:
Thanks, Brian, but I’m a bit rusty.

BRIAN:
Well a bit rusty is good enough for me nowadays.

Caitlin laughs and then drives away.

INT:  Fitzgerald’s.  That evening. Brian is standing behind the bar, serving drinks as Niamh has a night off. Brendan and Siobhan sit at their usual spots, chatting with  Caitlin. She has an orange juice.

BRENDAN:
So Caitlin, I heard from Brian that you’re one heck of a football player.

CAITLIN:
I’m sure he was exaggerating…  I don’t really play football all that much.

SIOBHAN:
I’d bet you’re better than the boys on our team.

CAITLIN:
I don’t know about that…

BRENDAN:
You know, Caitlin, Cilldargan is forming a girls’ football team.  They want to compete in the girls’ Wicklow County Championships.

CAITLIN:
Really…

SIOBHAN:
You should start a team.

CAITLIN:
How far away is the tournament?

BRENDAN:
I’m not sure.  I think about a week or so.

CAITLIN:
That doesn’t give me much time, then.

SIOBHAN:
Well, it’s worth a shot.

CAITLIN:
That’s actually a great idea.  But there’s one problem.

BRENDAN:
What’s that?

CAITLIN:
Where do I find some girls who are willing to play?

BRENDAN:
You can stop by tomorrow during class. You know, make some announcements and post flyers or something.

CAITLIN:
That would be all right?

BRENDAN:
I don’t see why not.

CAITLIN:
Okay, then, I think I will do it.

SIOBHAN:
If you’re as good as Brian says you are, Ballyk will finally win something…

Caitlin is all smiles as she, Brendan, and Siobhan toast their glasses.
 

BRENDAN:
Everyone, I would like you to be quiet as we have a special visitor to class today.

Caitlin steps inside and stands at the front of the room.

CAITLIN:
Hello, ladies and gentlemen.

CLASS:
Hello.

CAITLIN:
As some of you may know, Cilldargan has formed a girls football team which will compete in the Wicklow County championships. Since Ballykissangel does not have a team right now, I’m attempting to form one. Are there any ladies interested?

A few hands are raised.

CAITLIN:
Great!

She passes around a piece of paper.

CAITLIN:
I’d appreciate it if you could put down your name and address. I’ll probably have to get in touch with you sometime soon because we don’t have much time.

A hand goes up.

BRENDAN:
What is it Kyle?

KYLE:
Sir, how come we don’t have a boys football team?

BRENDAN:
That is a good question.  Perhaps you would like to organize one.

KYLE:
Nah, there’s no one good in Ballyk except myself.

Suddenly the class begins to talk and make noise.

BRENDAN:
Okay, settle down. Are you finished Caitlin?

CAITLIN:
Yes, thank you. If anyone else is interested, please let Mr. Kearny know and he shall contact me.

She smiles at Brendan and then leaves.

INT:  St. Joseph’s. Caitlin enters the church and sees Aidan.

CAITLIN:
Hey.

AIDAN:
Oh, hello.

CAITLIN:
Do you mind if I hang some of these flyers outside?

Aidan takes one and looks it over.

AIDAN:
Sure. You’re starting a girls football team?

CAITLIN:
Brendan informed me that Cilldargan has a team and they’re going to the Wicklow County tournament. I thought maybe the girls of Ballyk would like to participate as well.

AIDAN:
You were always great at football.

CAITLIN:
I haven’t played since university. You were good too.

AIDAN:
I hated football, remember?

CAITLIN:
Well… it wasn’t your favorite, but you certainly enjoyed playing.

AIDAN:
Not that I recalled…

CAITLIN:
You know, I need an assistant…

AIDAN:
Me?

CAITLIN:
Sure, why not? Most of the girls go to church. I’m sure they want some spiritual coaching.

AIDAN:
I’ll think about it.

CAITLIN:
Well, I’m off then. Consider it.

EXT:  The football field. There are ten girls on the field, kicking the ball to each other. Caitlin is standing towards the side with her whistle. Aidan is trying to play goalie, but the girls continually score on him. Brian drives by and get outs of the car, walking towards her.

BRIAN:
Caitlin, these girls need uniforms!

CAITLIN:
I know, I know. We’re in the middle of planning a raffle.

BRIAN:
A raffle? Why don’t you just purchase them out of the Caitlin Mulcahy Fund?

CAITLIN:
That would be defeating the purpose of teaching them the virtues of hard work.

BRIAN:
I don’t understand…  There’s the easy way and the hard way. Why the hard way?

CAITLIN:
That’s just the way I am, I suppose.

BRIAN:
Well, if you need anything, let me know.

CAITLIN:
Thanks, Brian.

INT:  Fitzgerald’s. That night. Orla is at the counter, talking to Caitlin.

ORLA:
So how much money do you need to raise?

CAITLIN:
I’m not sure right now. It depends on where we get the uniforms, how many we need, what kind, you know.

ORLA:
How are you going to raise it?

CAITLIN:
A raffle.

ORLA:
Oh come on, you can do better than that.

CAITLIN:
What’s wrong with a raffle?

ORLA:
Nothing, it’s just…something a church would do.

CAITLIN:
Well the church is good at raising money, isn’t it?

FRANK:
I wouldn’t say that if I were you…

Caitlin turns and sees Father MacNally sitting next to her. He respects Caitlin and is joking around.

CAITLIN:
I’m sorry Father.

FRANK:
It’s all right. I hear you need to raise money for your team.

CAITLIN:
Yes. I’m just trying to figure out what kind of fundraiser we want to do.

FRANK:
A raffle sounds like a good idea to me. It’s simple.

CAITLIN:
It’s very traditional.

FRANK:
There’s nothing wrong with tradition.

CAITLIN:
Of course not, but I’m not sure tradition works when you need to raise a lot of money in a week.

FRANK:
You could just go on donations.

CAITLIN:
Seems a bit risky to me.

FRANK:
Then raffle it is.

CAITLIN:
Right.  Raffle.

She raises her eyebrows as she takes a sip of her sparkling water.
 

CAITLIN:
That was a great practice, ladies. Before we finish, I just want to tell you a few things. I really admire your courage. It takes a lot to join a new team and I think that it’s great. Also, you guys have so much confidence in yourselves that even if we lose in the first round, you will make everyone in Ballyk proud. Most of all, though, do this for yourselves.

Suddenly, Mairead Byrne stands up.

MAIREAD:
Caitlin, may I say something?

CAITLIN:
Go ahead Mairead.

MAIREAD:
Thank you for letting us play.

CAITLIN:
You’re welcome. Remember, you might be discriminated against because you’re a woman, but don’t ever let another man or woman stand in the way of your dreams. They’re the most important thing you own. Do you understand?

ALL THE GIRLS:
Yes!

CAITLIN:
What’s our chant?

ALLTHE GIRLS:
Ballyk…Ballyk…Ballyk…

They run off the field and to their parents, except one girl, Katie Bennett. She starts to walk home, but it is far to Ballyk.

CAITLIN:
Katie!

Katie stops and turns around.

CAITLIN:
Would you like a ride home?

KATIE:
Oh, no, it’s all right.

CAITLIN:
It’s a far walk.

KATIE:
I’ll be okay.

CAITLIN:
Are you sure?  It’s no big deal, really.

Katie thinks for a moment.

KATIE:
If it’s not a big deal…

CAITLIN:
Of course not!

Caitlin gets into her car as Katie hops into the passenger seat. They drive off.

EXT:  The Bennett house. Caitlin has just pulled up in front of the house. There is screaming coming from inside. She hears a metallic object thrown against the walls. Katie scrambles out of the car.

KATIE:
Thanks.

CAITLIN:
I’ll see you tomorrow at practice!

EXT:  The football field. The next afternoon. The girls have been practicing for a while. They take a short break around the water cooler. Aidan is standing there as well, in a tee-shirt and shorts. Some of the girls giggle as they walk over. He looks awkward standing there, but is excited that he is a part of the team. He remains silent, feeling intimidated by the presence of so many females. Caitlin stands there, looking over her clipboard.

CAITLIN:
All right, girls, we have to raise some money for your uniforms.

MAIREAD:
How are we going to do that?

CAITLIN:
Well, I was thinking of a raffle. I think it would be easy enough. Everyone will sell tickets, and then we’ll pick the winning ticket and he or she gets half of the earnings. What do you guys think?

ALL THE GIRLS:
Sounds good… Yea! …  All right…

CAITLIN:
Great! I’ve got a roll of tickets here. At the end of practice, just pick up a bunch. All right, let’s finish up a couple of more drills.

They all head towards the field again.  One of the girls, Deirdre Brennan, approaches Caitlin.

DEIRDRE:
Caitlin, can I ask you something?

CAITLIN:
Of course.

DEIRDRE:
It is true that women shouldn’t be athletes?

CAITLIN:
What are you talking about?

DEIRDRE:
I told my mum that I wanted to be a professional football player. She told me that women should just learn to be good mothers and wives.

CAITLIN:
Is that what she said?

DEIRDRE:
Yes.

CAITLIN:
Well, Deirdre, women can be a lot more than mothers and wives. Although those two jobs are extremely important, you have to work at something for yourself. If you want to be a football player, then by all means, pursue that dream. Don’t let anything stand in your way.

The other girls see Caitlin and Deirdre talking. They walk over.

MAIREAD:
Brian Murphy said to me in the middle of class yesterday that we will never win the tournament.

CAITLIN:
Why did he say that?

MAIREAD:
Because we’re girls, he said.

Another girl, Kelly Cooke, spoke up.

KELLY:
My brother told me that girls can never play real football like boys.

CAITLIN:
All right, girls, listen to me. When boys say that girls can’t be equal to them, it’s a sign of insecurity. In other words, men are afraid of women who assert themselves. Don’t listen to them. They’re just jealous that they don’t have a chance to play for Ballyk.

KELLY:
So we’re better than boys?

CAITLIN:
No, not quite. We’re equal. Well, maybe in certain areas…

MAIREAD:
What do you mean?

CAITLIN:
Well, for instance, men will always be stronger than women. That is how they are built biologically. However, women have a lot more style and we certainly are a lot more sensitive with our feelings.

KELLY:
My brother yelled at me yesterday and he never even apologized.

CAITLIN:
Well… that’s typical of boys, I suppose. You should ask for an apology.

Caitlin smiles.

CAITLIN:
All right, let’s finish up these drills and we’ll be done for the day.

EXT:  The football field. End of practice. The girls are being picked up by their parents.
Katie starts to walk home.

CAITLIN:
Katie, I can drive you home again.

KATIE:
I don’t mean to bother you.

CAITLIN:
Really, it’s no problem.

She gets in the car as Katie hops into the front seat.

EXT:  Outside of the Bennett house. Again, screams and flying objects can be heard and seen.

CAITLIN:
Katie, is everything all right?

She puts her hand on Katie’s shoulder.

KATIE:
My parents a bit loud.

CAITLIN:
Well if you ever need anything, I’ll be here for you.

Katie looks like she’s going to cry.

KATIE:
Thank you.

INT:  Fitzgerald’s. Niamh and Caitlin are chatting at the counter while Orla is running around, serving others.

NIAMH:
I think you’re doing a great job with the girls.

CAITLIN:
I’m nervous for the tournament.

NIAMH:
You’ll be all right.  My dad says you’re a great player.

CAITLIN:
The only problem is, I’m not the one playing!

NIAMH:
I heard you’re starting a raffle to raise money.

CAITLIN:
Oh, yes, speaking of raffle, would you like to buy a ticket?

NIAMH:
Sure.

She hands Caitlin five pounds and receives five tickets.

CAITLIN:
You never know, you could be the lucky winner.

NIAMH:
I sure hope so.

Just then, Aidan walks in.

NIAMH:
Good afternoon, Father.

Caitlin turns around.

AIDAN:
Caitlin, may I have a word with you?

CAITLIN:
Sure.

They walk outside.

AIDAN:
I just spoke to Mrs. Brennan, Deirdre’s mother.  She’s quite upset.

CAITLIN:
I’m sorry.

Caitlin is confused.  She doesn’t know how this relates to her.

AIDAN:
You told Deirdre that a woman’s place is outside the kitchen and home.

CAITLIN:
No, I said that women could have lives outside the kitchen and home.  I did mention that being a mother and a wife are important jobs as well.

AIDAN:
I don’t think Mrs. Brennan liked that.

CAITLIN:
Does she work?

AIDAN:
No…

CAITLIN:
Then what does she know of the value of a life outside the home?

AIDAN:
Well…

CAITLIN:
Look, I’m not trying to impose any beliefs on the girls, but they told me that a lot of people are telling them to give up.  I didn’t form this team for me, I formed it for them.

AIDAN:
You’re doing a great thing, but a lot of parents don’t like the idea.  They say that the girls haven’t been doing their chores and are starting to defy them.

CAITLIN:
I’m not responsible for that.

AIDAN:
Well, they’re holding you responsible.  There’s a meeting tonight at the community center at seven.  They’re dissolving the team.  You should be there.

CAITLIN:
Whose jurisdiction is it?

AIDAN:
Apparently, it’s under the auspices of everyone in this community.

CAITLIN:
You mean I have to defend myself?

AIDAN:
I’m afraid so.

CAITLIN:
Well what about you?  You’re helping with the team too.

AIDAN:
I’m their spiritual leader…  I’m not their coach.
 

FRANK:
Mrs. Brennan, would you please explain why you do not want the team to continue playing.

MRS. BRENNAN:
I asked Deirdre to do the dishes the other night, and she flat out refused.  It was not “her place in the kitchen,” she said.  I asked her where she learned this from and she said she heard it from Ms. Mulcahy.

FRANK:
What do you have to say, Caitlin?

CAITLIN:
I’m very sorry if I meant that women do not belong in the kitchen at all.  What I meant was that it is important for a young woman to pursue her dreams, and not be locked up in the home.

AIDAN:
I see that as somewhat reasonable.

MRS. BRENNAN:
Deirdre is completely disobeying me.  She refuses to do anything but play football.

CAITLIN:
The benefits of playing on a team are immeasurable.  Ask Mr. Kearny how Deirdre is doing in school, Mrs. Brennan.

Brendan steps up to the table.

BRENDAN:
Her marks are improving greatly.  She’s more confident in herself.

Mrs. Brennan is quiet.

CAITLIN:
So you see, this team is very important to these girls.  It gives them confidence and the strength to overcome adversity.

FRANK:
Perhaps, Mrs. Brennan, we can come to some sort of an arrangement.

MRS. BRENNAN:
Like what?

FRANK:
Well, what do you think, Father Aidan?

AIDAN:
Um…  Perhaps…

CAITLIN:
If we win the Championship, the team stays.  If we lose, we dissolve.

There is a gasp from the girls.

MRS. BRENNAN:
That sounds fair to me.

FRANK:
I never knew you were a gambler, Caitlin.

CAITLIN:
I’m not a gambler.  I’m a fortuneteller.

INT:  St. Joseph’s.  The next day.  Caitlin has gone inside to ask Aidan a question.

CAITLIN:
Aidan, do you think you could help us sell raffle tickets?  I know you’re very popular with the ladies.

AIDAN:
Me?  I don’t know if I would help…

CAITLIN:
It’s for the girls.

AIDAN:
All right, all right.

She hands him the tickets and a shoebox.

CAITLIN:
Thanks a bunch!

INT:  Fitzgerald’s.  That evening.  Caitlin is counting the money they’ve raised.  Orla is wiping down the counter.

ORLA:
So how much have you raised?

CAITLIN:
Around two hundred pounds.

ORLA:
Is that enough?

CAITLIN:
Well, I’m still missing the money from Katie Bennett.

ORLA:
How much did my brother raise?

CAITLIN:
Actually, he managed to get ninety pounds.  I imagine the ladies at Mass were sympathetic today.

ORLA:
That’s why he’s good at fundraising.

CAITLIN:
Well, I’d better drop by the Bennett house.  Later.

EXT:  Outside the Bennett house.  Caitlin just pulled up in front.  Suddenly, Katie runs out of the house, crying.  Her hand is bleeding.  Caitlin jumps out of the car.

CAITLIN:
Katie!  Are you okay?

Katie shakes her head as Caitlin pulls her away from the house.  Katie gets inside the car as Caitlin drives away.

INT:  Caitlin’s house.  Katie is sitting in the kitchen, with a cup of tea in front of her on the table.  Her hand has stopped bleeding and Caitlin is wrapping it.  Finished, she sits down.

CAITLIN:
Katie, if you don’t mind me asking, what happened?

KATIE:
I…  I… cut my hand with a knife by accident.

CAITLIN:
I don’t think so.

Katie looks at her for a long time.

CAITLIN:
Was it your mum or dad?

KATIE:
It was my dad.  He threw a dish at me.  It cracked on my hand.

CAITLIN:
I’m so very sorry.

KATIE:
My mum threw our knife at him, but she missed.

CAITLIN:
Where is she now?

KATIE:
She ran off to my aunt’s house in Cilldargan.

CAITLIN:
She just left you there?

KATIE:
No.  I didn’t want to go with her.

CAITLIN:
Why not?

KATIE:
I hate my mum.  She always goes back my dad.  Always.

There is silence.

CAITLIN:
Well, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you want.

Katie starts to cry.

KATIE:
I can’t even begin to thank you…

CAITLIN:
Don’t.  It’s going to be all right.  You’d better get some sleep.  I have an extra bedroom upstairs.

Katie gets up and heads up the stairs.  Caitlin gets up and calls Aidan.

AIDAN:
Hello?

CAITLIN:
It’s me.

AIDAN:
Are you all right?

CAITLIN:
I think you need to come over now.

INT:  Caitlin’s living room. Aidan has just arrived.

AIDAN:
What seems to be the problem?

CAITLIN:
Katie Bennett’s father has been abusing her family for a long time now.  She was just running away as I dropped by her house.  Her mother has run off to her aunt’s house in Cilldargan.  She’s upstairs, sleeping.  What do I do?

AIDAN:
I think this is something for Ambrose to take care of, not me.

CAITLIN:
Right.

AIDAN:
You’d better call him in the morning.

Caitlin nods her head.  She suddenly realizes the magnitude of the situation she is in.  She sits down on the sofa, holding her head in her hands.

CAITLIN:
I just…  I can’t believe people sometimes.

Aidan sits down.

AIDAN:
Well…  God did not create man as a perfect being.

CAITLIN:
God would not create evil, would he?

Aidan can not answer this question.

AIDAN:
You did the right thing.

He puts his hand on her shoulder.  She looks up, with tears in her eyes.

CAITLIN:
I just don’t understand.

AIDAN:
There are a lot of things that can’t be explained.  Thanks you to, Katie might escape.  You may comfort in that.
 

AMBROSE:
Oh, this is a tough situation.

CAITLIN:
She should be placed with someone else.  She can’t go home.

AMBROSE:
It’s not that easy.  Parents have rights.

CAITLIN:
Not a father that abuses his daughter and wife.

AMBROSE:
Where is she now?

CAITLIN:
She’s with Orla at my house.

AMBROSE:
Well, I’m going to have to call Cilldargan.  I’ll see what I can do.  Without any direct evidence, nothing can be done.

CAITLIN:
What if she gives her account?

AMBROSE:
Then I think we might have a chance.

EXT:  The football field.  It is the day of the first tournament game.  Everyone from Ballyk is there.  The girls are lacing up on the sideline.

CAITLIN:
Are you sure you can play today, Katie?

KATIE:
I’m sure.

CAITLIN:
I don’t want you to play if you’re not ready.

KATIE:
I want to.  Really.

CAITLIN:
All right.  Go to it, then.

Katie runs onto the field with the rest of the girls, a band-aid still visible on her hand. Father Mac and Father Aidan are on the sidelines.

FRANK:
May God be with them.

CAITLIN:
God?  They don’t need Him.

AIDAN:
You never know.

CAITLIN:
They have an angel on the field with them.  They’ll be all right.

EXT:  A few hours later.  It is obvious that the girls have won their first game.  They are resting on the sidelines.

CAITLIN:
All right, girls, we have two more games to go and if we win both, we get to the final game tomorrow.  I know you can do it.

MAIREAD:
Remember, we have to win so we can keep the team.

CAITLIN:
Right.  Remember that.

INT:  The Egan house, outside the Garda office.  That afternoon.  Caitlin is standing outside the door, walking back and forth.

NIAMH:
Can I get you something?

CAITLIN:
No, I’m fine.

NIAMH:
Congratulations.  I knew the girls could get to the championship.

CAITLIN:
Thanks.

NIAMH:
Why don’t you head over to the pub?  It does you no good to be standing here.  Everyone’s celebrating the victory.

CAITLIN:
I’d rather wait here.

NIAMH:
All right.  If there’s anything you need, let me know.

Niamh walks away.  Caitlin looks at her watch.

INT:  The Egan house, outside the Garda office.  Caitlin has sat down on a chair.  Time has obviously elapsed.  Suddenly, the door opens.  Katie steps outside, with Ambrose’s hand on her shoulder.

AMBROSE:
Thank you very much, Katie.

CAITLIN:
Are you all right?

KATIE:
I’m fine.

AMBROSE:
Well, I’m going to confer with some of my superiors in Cilldargan, and I’ll let both of you know by tomorrow.

CAITLIN:
Thanks, Ambrose.

Caitlin and Katie walk out of the house and onto the street.

CAITLIN:
That was very brave of you.

KATIE:
Someone had to tell.

CAITLIN:
Yes, that’s true.  I was heading over to Fitzgerald’s.  Do you want anything?

KATIE:
I think I want to pray a little.

CAITLIN:
All right.  Prayer, I suppose, helps.

KATIE:
I think God loves football players, don’t you?

Caitlin laughs.

CAITLIN:
Yes, I’m sure He does.
 

AIDAN:
Well, I have to say, I’m very nervous.

CAITLIN:
I think the girls would like you to lead them in prayer.

AIDAN:
Me?

CAITLIN:
You’re a priest, aren’t you?

AIDAN:
Right.

He jumps up and joins their huddle.  A few moments later, they all cross themselves.  The girls run onto the field, with their sparkling new uniforms.  He jogs back over to Caitlin’s side.

AIDAN:
I hope God is on their side.

CAITLIN:
I’m sure He is.

EXT:  The football field.  A little while later.  There is sixty seconds left in the game.  The score is tied.  Suddenly, Katie gets the ball and dribbles it down the field.  She passes it to Deirdre, who passes it back to Katie.  Katie stands back and then kicks the ball.  It flies into the goal just as time runs out.  The referees blow the whistle and all the girls run to Katie and hug her.  Meanwhile, Caitlin and Aidan jump up, excited.  Without thinking, they hug each other and jump up and down for a few seconds.  Caitlin runs onto the field.  The girls crowd around her.

INT:  Fitzgerald’s.  The girls and Caitlin are in there, including Father Aidan, Father Mac, and all the parents.

NIAMH: (shouting)
In celebration of our first Wicklow County girls football Championship, all drinks are on the house!

Orla steps out of the counter and hands out sodas to the girls.  Caitlin gets on top of a chair.

CAITLIN:  (shouting)
I think this means that the team stays, does it not, Father MacNally?

FRANK:
Indeed.

Mrs. Brennan gets up and goes over to kiss Deirdre.

MRS. BRENNAN:
Sorry I ever made a big deal out of the entire thing.  Oh, I’m so proud of you, Deirdre.

She kisses her again and Deirdre pulls away, rolling her eyes.  Caitlin laughs and jumps down.  She grabs the Championship cup, which was sitting on the counter, and fills it with beer.

CAITLIN: (shouting)
All right, girls, take a sip from the cup!

She lifts it to her mouth and takes a sip. She hands it over to Katie, who is sitting next to her beaming from mouth to mouth.  She sips a little and passes it on.

CAITLIN:
It’s time to pick the winner of the raffle!

Everyone takes out their tickets.

CAITLIN:
Katie, will you do the honor?

Katie reaches in a bowl and picks out a ticket.

KATIE:
Number 243.

People shake their heads and toss their tickets onto the tables.  Aidan jumps out of his seat at the counter.

AIDAN:
I won!

CAITLIN:
Congratulations, Father Aidan!

She hands him seventy-five pounds.

FRANK:
That money is going straight to the church funds, Father.

AIDAN:
Right.

Just then, Ambrose steps inside and signals Caitlin and Katie out of the pub.  They step outside.

EXT:  Fitzgerald’s.

AMBROSE:
Well, I spoke to your mother, Katie.  Her testimony matched yours.

KATIE:
What does that mean?

AMBROSE:
Well, that means that I’m on my way to arrest your father.  He’s going to be in jail for a long time.

CAITLIN:
What’s going to happen?

AMBROSE:
Katie, you’re going to live with your aunt in Dublin.  Your mum is going to stay with your aunt in Cilldargan.

KATIE:
I’m sorry to have caused all this trouble.

AMBROSE:
Don’t be sorry, Katie.

CAITLIN:
Thanks, Ambrose.

Ambrose tips his head and walks inside the pub.  Caitlin smiles at Katie.

CAITLIN:
I’m going to miss my best football player.

KATIE:
Thanks for everything, Caitlin.  No one’s ever been that nice to me before.

CAITLIN:
Believe it or not, there are nice people in this world.

She gives Katie a big hug.

CAITLIN:
Go on.  Don’t miss the party.

Caitlin sits down on the bench.  Katie walks back into the pub just as Aidan steps outside.  He sits next to her.

AIDAN:
Well, I would bet you’re on cloud nine.

CAITLIN:
Of course.  Katie is safe now and the girls beat the odds.

AIDAN:
I’m very proud of you.  At first, I was a bit skeptical, but then again, you never fail in your goals.

CAITLIN:
Well, the girls are excellent learners.

AIDAN:
I think it was divine intervention.

Caitlin laughs.  Just then, Orla pops her head out.

ORLA:
In you two!  You’re missing all the fun!

Her head disappears as the two get up, smiling at each other.  Aidan stands by as Caitlin walks in and then he goes inside, shutting the door behind him.

CREDITS ROLL