The Last of the High Kings

"Frankie: [Frankie wakes up hungover after partying to celebrate the end of classes] Seventeen years I've been waitin' for this day. Freedom. The oyster of my life about to open. Instead, it feels like a badger died in my stomach. And I've an awful feeling that nothing will ever change. [His mother enters the boys' bedroom] Cathleen: You, Frankie Griffin, are a useless article. You don't do a hand's turn from one end of the day to the other. Look at the state of ya! Eyes fallin' out of your head with the drink. And, and, and the smell of ya! You'd never think of helpin' out around the place, not in a million years. What do you think? You think your shirts and trousers get washed by magic, and march down the path, and throw themselves up on the line? Do you? And what about these socks I keep findin' under your bed? Stained with what, I'd like to know? [She indicates his younger brother in the bed opposite] Cathleen: Ray's the only one of you with any decency! I was too soft to use the wooden spoon on your arse when you were growin' up. Shoulda had you put to sleep."

"Jack Griffin: [Frankie knocks on his father's door] Come in. I know this is an important summer for ya, Frankie, and, uh, I'm sorry that I'm gonna miss it. I don't even know if I'm gonna be back for your birthday. So, so just in case, I, uh... [He presents Frankie with a goldfish swimming in a bowl] Jack Griffin: Happy birthday, my boy. Frankie: [Frankie takes the bowl] Thanks. Jack Griffin: You're welcome. Now, you're goin' to University, and you're gonna need spendin' money. So here's what I suggest. You get yourself a summer job. Frankie: Da. About University. I don't think my exams went all that well. Jack Griffin: Ah, Frankie, you'll be fine, you'll be terrific. I know it! Frankie: I been thinkin', maybe I should go away, see the world or something. Jack Griffin: Oh, no, Frankie. Let the world wait for you! Frankie: Why do *you* always get to go away? Jack Griffin: Well, this is something that's very important to me, Frankie. There's even, there's even talk about a film. Frankie: What I'm tryin' to tell ya is that I probably won't even get into college! Jack Griffin: Ah, you know, Frankie, I remember, when I was your age, I felt, I felt exactly the same as you. Frankie: So, how did you do? Jack Griffin: Oh, I did, I did, I did great. Great. Well, in English. Frankie: Da, please. I'm serious! Jack Griffin: I know ya are, son. Look, um, do you have anything special lined up for the summer? Do you have, um, a girlfriend, maybe? [He laughs a little. Frankie doesn't answer and looks away in annoyance] Jack Griffin: Look, Frankie, "these few precepts in thy memory keep. This above all: to thine own self be true, for it follows as the day the night, thou canst not be -" Frankie: [Frankie finishes the quote from Hamlet:] "not be false to any man." Jack Griffin: Yes. [He looks defeated, but looks up as Frankie turns to leave, and he says urgently:] Jack Griffin: Frankie! There's special instructions for feedin' that fish! You can't over-feed him, or, or he'll burst!"