Devil's Playground (2014): Season 1, Episode 4 - The Forgiveness of Sins - full transcript

Were you looking for
something in my briefcase?

Get your fucking clothes on.
He's a crim, he's a drug user.

He's obviously using
you to get at me.

At Colleton?
You know what happened at Colleton.

No, I don't know.
You all know.

Eminence, I was just threatened by a
street prostitute in the cathedral.

But he said he'd made an
appointment to see you, John.

That's Colleton. I wasn't
too sure how many you wanted,

so I asked for the last five years.

I wanted to scream,

but I couldn't.



Who did this to you?
You know who.

Peter was such a special boy.

Never forgot about you, though.

Lord, in your victory over sin, you
have taught us about forgiveness.

When we sin, we reject
God, but God never rejects a sinner.

God listens to the sinner
who is heartily sorry

and who promises to
avoid future temptation.

Good.

Fire reminds us of the Holy Spirit,
whose presence remains

to restore our peace with God.

And this guy who approached you,
that's what you said, "A guy."

Some guy? Is he trustworthy?

Well, he's a street kid,
but I think he's credible

enough for me to come to you.
Do you even know who he is?



His name?

Perhaps you'd prefer not to say?

This is delicate for me, John.

The accusation's about
one of my patients.

This kid alleges sexual misconduct.

Well, I don't know what it
is you want from me, Tom.

Is there anything else you need
to tell me about Father Andrassi?

This is not about that
Colleton nonsense, is it?

John, I need to know that there is
nothing to suggest that this could

be remotely possible with
Father Andrassi.

It'd kill Marco to know
this is being said about him.

Well, far be it for me to tarnish a
man's reputation without evidence.

Well that's the risk, isn't it?

We take these matters
extremely seriously, Tom,

but not without facts.

And you don't have facts.
You know from your work that people

can misconstrue. Can invent
things that didn't really happen.

You're right.
You're absolutely right. I do owe

it to Father Andrassi. So I'm going
to look into this myself, John.

Looking to pray, are ya?

Yeah, that'd be good actually.

Well sorry, it's all locked up.

Bored bloody kids pinch things.

Do you know if the priest is around?

That would be me.
Father Mick Drake.

G'day.
Oh. G'day, Father.

My name's Tom Allen.

Actually, um,
I'm here about a former parishioner.

Oh, yes, yeah.

Brendan Mahony.

What, you're a journo, are ya?

No, no, not a journo.

I'm a shrink, actually.

Well, this place was torn apart by
that bloody little hoon's bullshit.

A good priest's life was
turned upside down for nothin'!

I'm just asking.

I've got my own doubts about
Brendan, but I treat traumatised

kids and-and they don't
usually make this stuff up.

I don't know where your dream
therapy and your bloody hypnosis

has taken you, son,
but even the boy's mother

wouldn't vouch for him. She's a
good woman, a bloody good woman.

Always helping out at the hospital,
down at the charity shop.

Not even she believed him.

Been a pleasure. Tata.

Thanks very much.

Good afternoon.

I'm, uh, looking for a Mrs. Mahony.

..she's not here today.

Oh, is there any way
I could contact her?

We don't give out
volunteers' numbers. Who are you?

I need with speak to her
about her son, actually.

I'll let her know.
Thanks very much.

You're a doctor.
Yes.

Is my boy sick?

No, no, Brendan's not sick, but
I'm quite concerned about him.

He told me what happened down here.

About the abuse.

He's fooled you.

This is what my son does.

I didn't get the impression
that Brendan was lying.

Of course he was lying.

Even his best mate copped it.

He said they were both...

touched by...

..by Father. It's all lies.

Poor Mrs. Durak
still can't look at me after

the things he said about Blake.

Is...

Is Blake still around?

That is none of your business.

This is a small town and I
have been through enough.

Fair enough.
People can say what they like

about-about the church, but
Father Andrassi was...

He meant the world to my boy,
to all his altar boys.

He had every right to press
charges against Brendan.

Father Andrassi pressed charges?

Brendan would be far worse off.

He'd be in prison if it weren't
for the church stepping in.

Monsignor McNally
sat at my table, night after night.

John McNally?

Yes, he sorted it
all out for Brendan.

We may have a spot of worry.

Something's gone askew.

I thought this was
about playing darts.

Get a wriggle on.

I have a committee meeting.

I've recommended a
priest see a psychiatrist.

Don't. Put a stop to it.
It's already under way.

The doctor's a Catholic.

He checks things by me,
that's why I chose him.

But it seems he may be
overreaching himself.

Stupid.

Absolutely stupid. A psychiatrist?

You're being watched, John.

You can't make mistakes.

Rome wants a manager here.

Whether you're remarkable
or inspiring means nought.

I pray I've done my part.

Now I'm paving the way for you.

So, you're worried about Elliot?

Mothers have a way of knowing

when their child is
holding something back.

Yeah, I'm sure they do.
My dear old mum certainly did.

Father Andrassi, I'm sure you
never told a fib in your life.

Oh, yeah, some real whoppers.

I think Elliot's
bottling his emotions about Peter.

Such a tragedy.

Elliot's doing it tough.

We all are.

But you know he opens up to me.

We had a really good chat when
I took him to football training.

Hi, darl.
G'day, Father. How're you going?

Good. Knocked off early, have we?

Nah, early start, mate.
Up at the crack of dawn.

Who's Dawn?
Oh, Father!

Can I get you a beer?

Ah, no, I'm fine thanks.

Father and I were
discussing Elliot.

Oh, yeah?
I had a thought.

Perhaps a little bit of
responsibility is what the boy

needs. Has he ever thought of
altar service?

I've seen some really good results
with boys who've become withdrawn.

I mean, let it be his choice, but...

..he could come to the sacristy
one morning before school.

I'll show the route.

There's a retrit.
I didn't think of it before this weekend.

Yeah, I know, it's short notice,
but there will other altar boys.

He might make some new friends, mm?

I'd be happy to drive him there.
Only if he's keen.

I think that's a tremendous idea.
Thank you, Father.

Hey.
Hi.

Dad?

So, I'm still a couple of hours away,
sweetie. You alright?

Yep.
David with you?

Um, yep.

Well remind him it's bin night.
Alright.

And don't eat the peanut butter from
the jar.

OK.

Just one more thing to
do and I'll be home, yeah?

Yeah.

Love you.
Love you, Dad. Bye.

Bye.

.

What you got?

G'day.

How old?

Twelve months.

Is he walking yet?

Yeah, he's getting there.

I was wondering if we might
be able to have a little chat.

Doesn't have to be now.
Could be on the phone.

Yeah, what's it about?

About Father Marco Andrassi.

Oh, yeah. Good bloke.

You were one of his
altar boys, weren't you?

No, Father was my football coach.

OK, well, this is me.

Get in touch.

And it's good to hear that
he was a good bloke.

What's he up to these days?
Well he's a chaplain now,

in a school.

It's ah, my son's school, actually.

Well if you see him,
say g'day to him for me.

I've also been in touch
with Brendan Mahony.

That psycho.

When you say Father Andrassi
was a good bloke...

Yeah, he was.

Took us out shootin' and stuff,

bought us ciggies
and all that, you know.

Told jokes.

Blake, if anything that Brendan
has told me is true,

you know it's never too late to do
something.

There are people who will help you.

Blake!
I'll help you.

Blake, bring him inside.

Well, thanks for that, mate.

I'll keep it in mind.

Come on.

It's just some bloke
flogging something.

What are you doing here?

Is your dad home?

Would you like some peanut butter?

Come here.

Wanna show you something.

Wh-what?

Sit down.

I thought the Bishop had already been
on his walk.

Just bring it up. Perfect.

And you are home free.

Looks like a tree.
A tree you can smoke.

Hey, what are you doing?

You used me.

Listen to me.
David!

No, David, don't!

Fuck!

Look, you... You don't get it.
Don't.

I had no choice.

Fuck you. Inside.

Fuck!

I'd have tidied if I knew I'd be
having a visitor.

Ah, better mind your step.

There could be a vacuum cleaner
underneath that lot.

You tell me now, Marco.

This boy from Colleton.

Colleton?
Jack, that's ancient history.

I won't let you mislead me.

Tell me straight.

Was there more to it?
I mean, what's changed?

You know all this.
Then why won't he go away?

Were you doing something to him?

Were you touching him?

Did you lie in the court hearing?

Did you lie in the court hearing?

To the police?

You manipulated my holy trust.

Is that what you've done to me?

Night after night, you...

You sat opposite me and you
never even asked.

Well, I'm asking now.

No!

You can't pollute
the sacrament like this.

You're trying to bury your crimes.

It's behind me.
I've overcome it, I promise you.

Marco, you tell me.

You tell me what you've done.

It was just a bit of sucking off.

What?
It was just a bit of sucking off.

Evening, Officer.
Is there a problem?

Up against the car, dickhead.

I beg your pardon.
I said up against the car.

What do you think you're doing?
I'm sorry, what's this about?

Have-have I done something wrong?

I've had some complaints.

A woman was harassed
in town earlier,

at the charity shop of all places.

Are you serious?

I probably won't be seeing you much
around Colleton after this, will I?

I don't want to tarnish...

..the reputation of a respectable
Sydney doctor. Now piss off.

You heard me, piss off!

God is watching, Marco.
You can't fool God.

How many times?

Three times.

I penetrated him three times.

Have there been others?

But touching. Only-only touching.

And where are they now?

I don't know. They...

They've probably forgotten.

They might not have even noticed.

I didn't recognise what it was...

..at first.

Because...

..because, don't you think that
they...

..they sealed something
off in us, John?

When we were in the seminary,
they...

they never told us what this was...

what our bodies were for.

You've no-one to blame but yourself.

I dread the loss of Heaven
and the pains of Hell.

Your acts...

..are deplorable.

You are a disgrace...

..to your church...

..and your people.

Father Marco Andrassi,

I absolve thee from thy
sins in the name of the Father,

and of the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Thank the Lord, for he is good.

And his mercy endures forever.

Bridie!
What've I said?

I only watched a little bit.

Excellent.

On a school night, David?
Ben Burnett got his licence.

Just gonna drive around.

I really don't think you'd be seen
dead looking like that

around your school mates, do you?

Look, about what happened with
Brendan.

I was a teenager too, you know.

I remember in the Juniorate,

some of the boys, they'd...

..get confused and they'd
want to experiment a bit.

How do you think anything that
happened at that place was normal?

The place screwed you up.

I'm going out.
No, you're not. Not tonight.

I have my reasons, David.
I don't care.

I worry about you, mate.

If anyone...

..ever violated you...

Violated?
I'm serious!

You freak out because you think,

what, if I'm gay then I'm
going to get raped or some shit?

OK.

So, this is the thing now with you?

You really think that...

..you're homosexual?
Oh, my God. Duh, Fred!

Yes! Goodbye.

Lovely morning.
To what do I owe the pleasure?

I was wondering if you might
like to shift your appointment

forward, Father.
I've had a couple of cancellations.

You ought to dispense more jelly
beans, doctor.

I could see you today, if you like.
Oh, I'm rather chockers,

with parishioners all morning.

Then I'm off to visit the nursing
home. You know, never stops.

There are a few things I'd like to
follow up, sooner rather than later.

You know, that's really
nice of you, but, um,

I don't think I need it anymore.

Really?

Well, our sessions have just started,
and I think we work well together.

I think we trust each other, yeah?

You know, if you ever
needed to share anything,

you could come to me.

The feeling's mutual. Haven't
seen you at confession for a while.

Anyway, best get to it.

Can't be gasbagging all day.

Right. OK.

If you won't do it for
yourself, will you do it for me?

It'd make me so very proud to see you
up on there on that altar, Elliot.

Right, jumper.

Your soutane, Elliot. That's it.

Button it up.

And your sash, the belt.

Best you-you put
that one on yourself.

And I wear the stole,

and the chasuble.

The colours correspond to
the liturgical calendar, you see?

This one up there.

That's it.

One following thing.

The surplice.

Put your arms through.

That's the way.

There.

It suits you. Yeah.

You just... Just...

Father, the Year 12
booklets came back from the...

Elliot, take yourself to the gym.

Some boys are tidying
up and need your...

..help.

You're not to
mention this to anyone.

I won't have the boy
subjected to gossip and innuendo.

Only his parents.
Absolutely not.

You saw an advance, an
inappropriate advance.

Thankfully, you intervened.

I want that the boy
has proper pastoral care.

And be confused.
But I suspect he wouldn't tell anyone.

You want me to stand guard over
every altar boy every day?

Is that what I'll have to do?

Now you're being facetious.

How are you gonna
protect your students?

The man clearly has a
sexual appetite for them.

I'm going to respect that
the man has a conscience.

He's a man of morality.
He's a priest.

He'll be mortified by what you saw.

You have to stop him.

It's not for me to
discipline a priest.

Then call his Archbishop.
Call him now.

Put it behind you, Brother.
I'll speak to Father Andrassi.

It's clear what has to be done.

Vincent?

Vincent?

Hi. Hey.

Working hard?

Yeah.

I've just been at the dry cleaning.

If they hadn't called, this stuff
would have been there forever.

That's good.

She patched up your denim jacket.

Great.

She brought out these pants.

I must have wanted them
let out cos he'd shot up.

She said, "Oh, they grow so fast."

And I hear myself saying, "Yeah,
Peter will be 14 in September."

I let him be alive for a minute.

Is that why you haven't
cleared out his locker?

I can do it.

I can clear it out.

You focus on your study.
It's for me to do.

Vincent!

Stan!

You alright? Can you get up?

The blasted thing.
It's booby-trapped.

Can you stand up?

I'm gonna have to
shower you again, old mate.

You're being selfish, Vincent,
and cruel to him.

Tell Father Joyce
he's going into care.

It's alright, Stan.

I'll clean you up, mate.
You'll be fine.

Hello?

Who is this?

Blake.

OK.

He's at a school?

How can he be at a fuckin' school?

You see? You fuck around with
this stuff and you don't know

what you open up.

They spread rumours about me.

They did that, the church, and their
mates in the cops, not Brendan.

They tapped my phone.
Look, if that is true...

It is true!

OK. You're not alone.

I'll get you a lawyer,
we'll get some evidence.

Yeah, Brendan tried that.

Worked real well.

The Archbishop or whatever came in

with the most expensive
lawyers in Australia.

All to take on a kid.

You can't fucking win.
Blake, if you do nothing,

this will happen to other boys.

You think I'm weak?

Think I'm a victim?

Just because something happens
to you when you're a kid,

doesn't have to ruin you forever.

I'm strong.

I got over it. Others are
just gonna have to do the same.

Leave it alone.

Don't. Don't, Elliot!

I'm gonna catch
ya and I'm gonna eat ya!

Gently on my cushions, please.

Ought to pack your
bags soon, honey.

Father Andrassi's coming to take you
on the retreat.

Father, could I have a word?

Uh, a little pressed for
time, actually Brother.

Everything alright?

It's a rather serious matter.
Could we go inside?

I'm afraid I've made a decision.

A difficult one.
Stupid. Stupid old urn.

How does it bloody work?
The school will appoint

a new chaplain.
Oh!

Now I can't even find
the blinking kettle.

Some idiot's gone
and bloody hidden it.

Father, forget the cuppa.

No, I want one.
Take a seat. You're upset.

Please. Honestly.

You were confused
and under pressure.

I promise it'll be done
quietly and with dignity.

You ought to focus on
other work in the parish.

Everyone talks about your work
with the Cancer Support Group.

I'm not telling you how to conduct
your parish affairs, Father,

but I strongly suggest...

..that the altar boy training be
delegated to one of your acolytes.

You're a good priest, I know that.

Sorry.

I couldn't even
manage a cup of tea.

Hopeless.

Do you remember there's a
passage from Corinthians,

Paul to the Christians?

"Not that God will play you false,

He will not allow you to be
tempted beyond your powers.

But when you are tempted, he will
also provide you with a way out,

so that you can stand up under it."

Don't you see? God gives us
the grace to overcome temptation.

But to surrender to that temptation,

there's the sin.

Now trust me, I know.

Those boys are beautiful.

But you're better than that.

I'm sorry, Stan. I...

I've let you down.

I- I don't want nuns bathing me.

It's not decent.
No, of course not.

You won't be forced into anything.

There'll be a place run by priests.
Oh, too right there is.

That place where he sends
all his embarrassments.

What are you talking about?
I mean Kyrie House.

Cast me in the streets rather
than send me to a place like that.

Oh, come on.

Why would they send you to a
place where drunk priests dry out?

It's not just for drunks.

Got the mad ones out
there, the frail ones,

or rabble rousers like me.

Sends the obscene priests out there,
too. They've always gone to Kyrie.

You think McNally could
ascend to the Archbishopric

without those walls?

Be warned, Vincent.

Where God has his church,
the devil will have his chapel.

Were we to reinvestigate the claims

made at the Colleton parish,
would we have your support?

I thought the proper thing
was for you to take over from here.

But you suggest it warrants
further attention?

It needs to be made
clear that I would never betray

the sacrament of confession.

Of course, My Lord.

If a priest has made a
transgression against a child,

that transgression is against
the Church

as the very
purest example of humanity.

That priest should be laicised.

Mm... you understand that's next
to impossible without his consent?

Then a treatment facility
is that priest's only option.

Can we turn that off?

Andrassi's been
seeing a psychiatrist.

We cannot trust this man's agenda.

He failed in vocation himself.

.

He seems to hold a, how do I say,

unhealthy grudge
against the Church.

Are you sure you would
like us to look into this?

Yes.

Hi. Hi.

I won't come in. I was only...

I have to go to the school
and I-I don't think I can.

What's the matter?
Peter's locker

still hasn't been cleared.

It's so stupid.

I was on my way, but...

Do you want me to come with you?

I just can't do it alone.

Thanks, Brother.

Here, Tom. I'll nurse it.

Thanks, Brother.

You OK?

Thank you for helping
me with this today.

Elliot, Father
Andrassi will be here

in a moment.
Are you packed?

Elliot?

Did you leave the door open?

No.

I didn't.