Page 67 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
UM:Brother Jonah.
BJ:You mentioned a time before I came here. A previous life. It’s difficult for me to talk about it. My parents were unable to care for me. I was placed in foster homes, but eventually chose a new family among people who offered a refuge from what had been a disrupted life. Sadly, that choice led to tragedy and the deaths of people I loved. I’m not under any illusions about how the outside world viewed us. But as to the way we viewed ourselves, I think of it as symbolic. Of how we wanted to help people andlead purposeful lives. [Is there something eerie and other-worldly about his voice? Or is it just what he says? EC]
AB:I understand. Thank you for explaining.
OM:Do you lead a purposeful life now? Here?
BJ:I believe I do. A life of prayer and contemplation is steeped in purpose.
OM:But you have a kid. Surely your purpose was – is – to be a father.
UM:Brother Jonah is— [From here on people are speaking over each other, not sure I catch everything. EC]
UM:That’s enough—
AB:It’s a— We’re very grateful for your—
OM:This monastery is the same twisted world the angels created.
UM:Sir, we agreed—
BJ:We didn’t create a world. We tried to save it.
OM:You can leave. You can lead a normal life. You have an eighteen-year-old child, for Christ’s sake.
AB:I’m sorry— Oliver, we—
OM:Gabriel is locked up. The other angels are dead. There’s nothing to fear. You’re safe now.
BJ:Nowhere is safe now. [Strange thing to say. There’s a moment of silence, so you all pick up on something too. EC]
AB:What do you mean by that?
UM:It’s time you both left. Brother Jonah— [Do I hear a slight scream? Was that a scuffle? Is Oliver fighting monks now? EC]
BJ:There, oh.
UM:Are you alright?
File 9
[You’re both trudging across gravel. And they’re not happy footsteps. EC]
OM:Are youpissed?
AB:No! I hadonecraft beer.
OM:Oh, so youfakeda fall to stop me making this whole journey worthwhile.
AB:Islippedon highly polished flagstones while you were doing your best to kill theinterviewstone dead. Lucky Jonah caughtme. [Angry pause here. Did you fake the fall? EC] And it’s lucky I stopped you making bigger idiots of us than you already had. Isaidleave the talking to me. This is why you get nowhere. You’re a blunt instrument.
OM:So fucking angry with him.
AB:Who?
OM:Jonah.
AB:Why?
