A Passing Place (2023)

[bunniefuu]

Cloudy and overcast

for the weekend

with some patches of rain

in the far west.

For this evening though

dry for the time being

with winds dying down, a

calm night ahead I'm sure.

But looking ahead to tomorrow.

A slight change coming our way.

Those winds picking

up once again as

we move through the week.

With a chance of some

stormy weather later.

Ah there you are now.

Hi, Lucy.

How are you?

It's funny not seeing you on

that video call thing.

How was your flight

and all that?

And the drive,

how was the drive?

I'm sorry it's long but.

We're in the middle of nowhere

here as you can see so.

At least yourself and Sam

had a bit of time to catch up.

Right.

Well.

Sam will show you

to your room anyway.

I'm going to work away

here for a little longer.

We work quite hard out here.

Isn't that right lad?

Right.

Well.

You're a lot taller than

I thought you'd be.

Thank you.

Right.

Right.

Hot press

bathroom

my room

and this is you.

Okay.

Safe drive.

Thanks.

I'm sorry about mum.

And this.

Okay.

Thanks for picking her up lad.

Yeah.

See ya Pat.

See ya Steve.

Prick.

Thank you

very much for tuning in.

You've been listening to

107 to 108.4.

I've been your host, DJ Jim,

we're going to take

a little break

but next, listen to this

has anyone heard about the whale

that washed up on the beach

off the coast of Mayo?

Apparently it's upwards

of 60ft long.

I'm serious.

After the break,

we're going to be chatting

to a local fisherman

from the area

who was one of the first on the

beach that morning last week.

We're going to get his reaction

and his thoughts

on that, so stay tuned.

Lucy.

Lucy!

Lucy!

Boots, please Lucy

how many times?

Did you do your cleaning?

No time.

Hey!

Do it before he gets home.

Stop taking these.

You never clean.

I have a job.

I don't want a job here.

Then go to college.

You go to...

Lucy do the

bloody cleaning!

Martin.

Martin.

To me first.

You bring these to me first.

They're all reusable

you understand me?

Look you should keep some of

them for yourself.

You never know what you

might need them for.

I've told you this.

Martin, don't

keep staring at me.

I know bloody

well you can hear me.

Just give me a nod or something.

I don't speak your

fecking finger language Martin.

Give it to me.

Give me the bag.

I know you think

you're acting dum lad

but I don't like to be

messed around all right?

Sam? - Dinner's on.

The wood chopped?

Not yet.

What?

I'll do it soon.

Why soon?

I had to go fetch

someone up a mountain.

She up that

mountain again?

Were you up

that mountain again?

Sam, do the logs.

20 swings, 40 pieces.

Nice and clean.

Did you go an talk to Mr Maguire

down the town today?

If you spent less time up

that hill and more time

looking for work we'd

all be better off.

Than you can start contributing

to the roof you live under

like your brother.

Because at the moment

you're about as useless

as a broken horseshoe.

Hey.

I've to go into town.

No thanks.

We can go to Redmond's.

Ok.

Sorry, sorry.

I don't think the music is

coming out of your

sorry the music's

playing out of your phone.

I'm so sorry.

No. It's okay.

I think if you put

your bluetooth.

Yeah. Sorry, sorry.

That's alright.

That's okay.

You're not local?

No no I'm not from here no.

So holidays on the island?

Sort of, yeah.

You like?

Just sort of passing through.

Yeah.

Do you think I'm doing

the right thing?

Did you say something to me?

No? No sorry.

The Strand are looking

for servers?

Can we turn this off?

No, I like it.

Can we just turn it

off please?

Fine.

They're weird at

the Strand.

I don't think they are.

What did mum think?

She didn't encourage you to

get out there? Socialise?

She'd encourage me

to get out of here.

Yes I get that.

But you can't.

You can.

No I can't.

Yeah, you can.

You're just scared.

Mum would want you to.

She'd also like you to stop

staring down at the radio

all the time.

All right, so can we drop it?

Jesus, Lucy!

Afternoon, Lucy.

Hi Mr Redmond.

Looking for

anything in particular today?

No just browsing.

Thought as much.

You know

where to find me.

Thanks Mr Redmond.

Is today the day?

No. Not today.

Your dad not give you any money?

It's not really

his thing unfortunately.

You don't need any help

around here do you?

Do you mean like help

or like a job?

More like a job.

I wish I did,

and if it had been packed in

here when you came in

I probably would

have asked you already, but,

it's tough when

everything over there

is already kind of

in your pocket.

Funny.

Not everything is Mr Redmond.

Can you call

me Tom for god sake.

Wait, wait a second.

So I was going to have to

throw these out.

The wire is a little bit

frayed, but

still works.

Don't get them wet.

Don't feed them after midnight.

Thanks Mr Redmond.

You're welcome

miss Byrne.

How are ya?

Is that everything?

- Yes.

- That's two euro.

Thank you.

Cheers.

Did you steal them?

No he gave them to me.

Yeah. We gave them to me.

Yeah I can see why.

You didn't buy your

speaker thing no?

It's not a speaker.

It's a signal booster.

Does E.T not have email?

Thanks.

The sheep here

keep staring at me.

Yeah they do that.

They're only being curious

I wouldn't worry about them.

Nosey b*stards.

Hey!

Go and get the last bag

off the counter will you?

Any papers from yesterday?

Yeah. Behind the counter.

Help yourself.

Thanks.

Why does she sound

like that again?

She moved back over

here a few months ago

when our mother died.

Jesus.

That's terrible.

Where in the UK does she live?

London.

Big difference from

here I'd say.

Less sheep anyway.

She's bit of an alien so.

You've no idea.

I thought you were

leaving soon anyway?

University or something?

Not anymore.

The aul' fella?

It's just with the accident

and everything I just...

Pity he's

such a w*nk*r.

What was it anyway? The course?

Horticulture.

Plants?

You'd have been good at that.

Thanks.

Good luck.

Pat?

Come on.

Oh what?

Oh useless!

Lucy?

Dad?

Lucy shoes!

He might already be here.

He'd want us to get ahead of it.

Call him.

Lucy. Stop!

How many times have I told you

that you cannot take

off like that?

And you cannot take these?

I got something.

What? LUCY: A signal!

Are you serious?

Yeah.

No are you seriously that naive?

I wonder what kind of

damage it would do to earth

if it collided?

I'm taking the lot.

And what's with the beeps?

Can you shut up.

Sam, I swear let me

listen to it for a minute.

Lucy.

Sam, it is really clear up here.

Lucy look.

Sam.

Sam, should we

go to the Strand?

What?

Vincent might be there.

He's not in there.

What's that?

Sandwiches.

They're still serving?

Yeah.

Well, it's empty, but

there's one weirdo in the corner

caressing a pint.

Thanks.

It's okay.

As of now,

there was no confirmation

or evidence of any nation

taking responsibility

for the object.

Experts are speculating

on the initial source

and final destination,

while others are worried

about the potential threat

that it may represent

to those of us down here.

On the surface.

The story and reaction

on the ground,

certainly here in

Ireland is very mixed.

Some amount of looting

and protests

over the government's reaction

or lack of reaction

to the events

of the last eight hours,

while others seem very unfazed

by everything that's going on.

Dad?

I spoke to a young mother

this morning

who describes

still having to work as normal

because, as she puts it,

there's kids to feed.

She was under the

impression that the

people should not use this

as an excuse

to act any differently.

Sweet Jesus.

Than they

were a week ago.

We need coal and firewood,

a generator and reserve

drinking water.

Dad we don't have to go and...

Let's go, town first.

We saw it from the mountain,

I don't think it's dangerous

Sam go get the car.

Now we need to stop off at

Murphy's farm on the way back.

See if he's got any

gas bottles left.

You, stay here.

Don't leave the house.

In case I get abducted?

Just stay in the house.

Sam!

Just stay.

More supplies.

Well it wasn't exactly my

idea this time.

Hasn't gotten that serious yet.

Why is that?

People are still paying.

As long as people are

handing over money, we're fine.

The man who delivers the bread

is still paying for bread

and to pay for bread he

has to deliver bread

in order to buy more bread.

Ok.

Plus.

It's feels like people around

here don't really care

much about them either way.

Them?

Yeah.

You don't think it's a them?

I guess I haven't really

thought about it.

How have you not managed

to think about it?

Too busy buying bread.

You're not from

here either than?

No.

Why? Who else isn't?

Okay I'm from a little

closer to here.

You staying long?

I don't know,

I just hang around until I

feel like moving on.

So I might see you around.

Maybe.

The first hello is the hardest.

Don't tell them that.

Hey, what's your name?

Sam.

Cara.

Are you Martin?

I'm Lucy.

I live next to you

on the estate yeah.

What do you think of them?

Likewise.

They're calling it the object.

Since they can't confirm whether

it's a spaceship or not

because if they say it's

a spaceship

then it means it has to have

been built by something but...

They've already said that no one

on Earth could have built that.

Object's not bad.

What's the sign for object?

And what would you call that?

Yeah,

Yeah that's good.

For listening to them.

There's a signal.

It's not great.

I think I'm only

hearing a bit of it.

I probably need a signal booster

but I can't afford one so.

What go...

I can't go up there.

Take it with me?

You mean I need to go up there?

I need to get higher

for a better signal.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Now what?

We wait for updates.

Announcements.

Stay informed.

And if nothing happens?

We wait.

Stop the car.

What?

Stop lad!

Have you got this one

or will I dig her up?

No I picked up

one of those yesterday.

First of the season.

Look at her.

She's a beauty.

Yeah she is.

That's bog rosemary.

No, it's Island Perigrinus.

You sure?

Yeah.

It would have been semester one.

Country flowers.

I'm sorry you didn't get to go

away and study that stuff lad.

You didn't have to stick

around just for me

for this sh*t.

Yeah.

I could still work

if they'd bloody let me.

No you couldn't.

I can still go right?

You said once the benefits

start coming in,

you get some help

around the house?

Dad.

What?

Yeah yeah I said yeah didn't I?

But you have to keep Lucy

out of trouble.

She's more distracted

than usual now

with everything that's going on.

I can't keep Lucy

out of trouble.

Well you will.

Just do it, okay?

And then you can bloody leave.

Leave me on my own.

You won't be on your own.

I might as bloody well be.

Stay in the house.

I'll be back.

Pretty.

No. Not really.

Do you come here a lot?

No

I used to.

But not much anymore.

The locals got this up

pretty quickly.

A hundred thousand welcomes.

You must really like it here.

Why do you say that?

Because you've been here

your whole life.

Yeah, it's

not really a choice anymore.

My dad got injured I...

kind of just

keep things going now.

So you'll be here for

the foreseeable then?

You not missing home?

Me? No.

I've been traveling

for a while now.

Don't really have a plan.

But that's the way I like it.

Home is just wherever I am today

tomorrow,

whatever.

Sounds fun.

It's nice to make a friend

when you can.

Do you think

they're watching us?

Do you think they're

looking down

thinking how we're doing

so much so wrong.

I don't know.

What do you think they'd say?

I don't know.

Come on, what would they say?

Right.

One of them comes down

on a tractor beam or something.

Big ugly a*s forehead

staring right at you.

What are the first words

out of his mouth?

Something not in english.

Oh come on, what does he say?

Does it matter?

Yeah.

You're representing earth here.

Wow.

You hate them.

I don't hate them. I just...

don't see how it's important.

It's really important.

They're right there.

Yeah and I get that it's

important to a lot of people

but I can't do anything

about it so why bother?

I like them.

You should meet Lucy.

Who?

Lucy. Younger sister.

She's obsessed with them.

She's listening to some

signal they're putting out

over the radio or something.

I don't know, beeps

or something.

That sounds cool.

Yeah until she pisses off

some farmer trespassing

trying to talk to your mates.

Well that sounds even cooler.

It sounds like this stuff

is important to her.

She knows you're on her side

doesn't she?

Plus

how much trouble could

she actually get in?

Lucy boots.

Wow.

Don't.

No seriously wow.

I mean all you had to

do was stay here

and you come back

looking like this.

You're going to get yourself

in some real trouble.

Shut up Sam.

What happened?

What's that?

A generator.

Might be useful.

Where'd you get it?

Mick O'Connell had a

spare one, wasn't using it.

I thought I told

you to stay put.

I've spoken to her already.

Oh well. Thank you.

Now I don't have to worry about

people saying that Lucy Byrne

is wandering around the island

trying to talk

to the freaks in the sky.

I thought we had a deal.

You know what?

Give it to me.

Give it.

Let go no please let go!

Hey!

You'll be going nowhere unless

you get her under control.

Oh my god.

Morning Lucy.

Looking for anything in

particular today?

Nope. Just looking.

Have you got any of those

AC adapters Mr Redmond?

Might do actually yeah.

One minute, one minute.

So, Lucy.

Lucy.

Lucy.

Stop! Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

Thanks Tom.

Seriously?

I mean, to be honest I actually

thought you'd fall in a bog

but I didn't think you'd

be this stupid.

Go on, get out of here.

Go on.

Where's she going?

She's just going home.

Well she can't.

But I thought you weren't

holding it to her legally.

Well I'm not going to

but I still want to have

a talk with her.

It's fine I'll have a

talk with her.

That won't be good enough.

Tom.

I'll have a talk with her.

What a little slap on

the wrist is it?

You know your father

wasn't good for much

but at least he knew

how to discipline people.

It's about the only thing

he ever did right.

Are you Vincent Byrne's son?

Do you get angry

like that a lot?

Okay,

look,

you're probably not going to be

in any real trouble here today,

but I've seen young men

with too much built up anger.

Like I feel you might have.

It may seem fine now but

it only takes one outburst

usually all over it in less

than thirty seconds

and then suddenly you've

done some real damage,

something you regret.

Can you get home

okay by yourself?

Hi.

What are you doing?

Nothing.

So that

that adapter thing

that would have

what given you a better

signal or something?

You recording it?

Transmitted it.

Live.

To them?

You wrote that?

Yeah.

It's pretty clever.

It's like breaking the

ice I guess?

Yeah, I guess so.

Is Tom angry?

No. Why music?

Easier to understand.

I don't understand it.

I don't mean

understand the music.

I mean, they probably

don't speak English.

We don't all speak English.

So if they hear different

kinds of music then

they might think we're

all connected as a species.

You don't have to

understand music

to know how it makes you feel.

I'm hoping it's obvious

that I'm not being aggressive.

Is that it?

No ending?

No ending, leaves it open.

Open to what?

Well, whatever it is

will...

will this help?

Did you steal that?

No I didn't steal it.

But I can see how much

this means to you.

It took me a while but

I get it.

Right.

Come on let's go

broadcast your space concert.

Come on.

A loud bang,

equal distance apart

one after another?

Yeah.

Yeah you heard a crow banger.

A what?

It's a siren type thing.

It's used to keep birds

and crows mostly off your land.

Nobody shot at you.

Bloody well felt like it.

Yeah I bet it did.

Okay so wait, so let

me make sure I have this right.

The beeps are still there.

Yeah.

But there could

be more to them?

- Yeah.

- Hence the climbing?

Exactly.

Can you hear anything?

It's what I was

listening to before.

It's the same thing but.

It's a bit different.

So the same, but different?

Yeah. - Great.

Can I listen?

Sure.

You have a big head.

Shush.

Do you want it louder?

Yeah.

It's not morse code

I checked that.

It's not a phone number either.

If it's numbers it

could be anything.

Yep.

Keep trying though

you'll figure it out.

Someone's definitely going

to figure it out before me.

You mean it's not just you?

No I'm tuning in.

There's probably teams of people

tuning in and working it out.

Teams?

It's only been here

for a few days Lucy

and not many people think to

tune in like you do

I mean it's probably

just you and them.

Oh very likely yeah.

Well keep trying

and don't give up because

there's nothing worse than

someone that doesn't reply

to your messages.

Shall we descend?

Yeah.

It's very cold.

What did you fall down

the hill or something?

Hi, no sorry.

It's a long story.

Hi.

Oh, hi.

You must be Lucy.

I'm Cara.

Were you two skiing?

No.

We were finding a better signal.

Lucy.

What we were.

Better signal what to

talk to them?

Hopefully.

That's cool.

Christ, there's two of you.

Any luck?

No not really. I think we

need to be higher up.

Higher up where?

Mountain?

Have you tried the

mountain with the big antenna?

Yeah. That didn't

really work out.

Yeah, that also resulted in

you sliding down a mountain.

Thanks for that.

I'm sure you'll figure it out.

When you do, make sure you try

all the different frequencies,

just in case

they're broadcasting

on different channels.

Yeah will do. Thanks.

I want a credit in a book you

write if they say hello.

Deal.

We're actually

the lucky ones over here

because it's staying stationary

it's not orbiting the Earth

like the space station.

So we see it clearly in the day.

In Australia they don't

see it at all.

People are taking flights,

so they can see it over here.

Really?

Maybe the Australians

are the lucky ones.

Don't listen to him.

I don't.

Don't think they're so

silly anymore?

I guess not.

Thanks for the lift.

I'm off to buy bread.

Thank God.

She's really into it.

Don't let anything

ruin it for her.

We don't get many

things like this.

Things like what?

Things that spark a

sense of purpose.

Are you free tomorrow?

Yeah.

Cool.

Buy Lucy.

Nice to meet you Cara.

Boots!

Boots.

What did I tell you?

Did he give that to you?

- Hand it over Lucy.

- No.

What did you say?

Can't you just leave it?

Look that's enough.

Don't start with me boy

she's the one

acting like a lunatic.

Just don't blame her.

Oh, I don't blame her.

You're the one that's been

letting this drag on

for the last two days.

I most certainly blame you.

We're back.

It's done, it's fine.

It's not fine!

You don't think I don't

know where you've been?

You're the talk of the town

since your trip to

Tom Redmond's earlier.

Lucy go inside.

Now I'm going to list

some things that are never going

to happen again after today.

And then maybe you will join in

and contribute a few yourself.

Lucy go to your room.

One.

Lucy does not wander off

past the edge of this estate.

Lucy now!

Two! When I tell

you to do something

or more importantly

not to do something.

Then you do as I say boy.

Now

anything else you can think of?

About maybe that thing up there?

Oh my God stop!

Now!

I really need your input lad.

I won't talk about it.

You won't talk

about it to anyone.

Because we don't know how people

are reacting to this thing.

And to talk about it

or to it.

Is really stupid in my opinion.

And you're not stupid

boy are ya?

So don't be acting like it.

I wanted to do something.

I mean god knows he deserves

everything that's coming to him

I just...

Sometimes

there is no fight

and your only option

is to leave.

What run away?

I didn't say I run I said

leave a really bad environment.

By myself?

Sam he's dangerous.

Well not everyone's

life is perfect Cara.

Trust me

my life is far from perfect.

I'm leaving the island.

What?

When?

In a few hours.

Why?

I told you.

I only stay until I feel

like I don't belong anymore.

And you feel

like you don't belong here?

Maybe.

It's not you

or anyone it...

It just happens.

Well, where will you go?

South probably.

Kerry.

Maybe Cork?

I was thinking maybe

you could come with me?

It could be good for you.

No I can't.

Why?

Because of him?

No.

Because of me?

No.

Why then?

Because...

I won't leave her with him.

Well,

that is a reason I can accept.

You've got my number anyway.

If I ever come back.

Yeah.

And tell Lucy I hope

she finds her signal.

I'm sure she won't stop

until she does.

Yeah.

Sounds like her.

Go out and get some fresh air.

And don't wander off.

They're coming along.

The news is saying that things

are calming down in the bigger

cities and the likes.

No news from up there

is good news I suppose.

We still have to be careful

though all the same I reckon.

We?

Yes lad we.

Look I know I've been a bit

harsh on you recently

but don't act like a child.

I hate you.

Well just see how the next

few months pan out.

Months?

No no we had a deal

once the support starts...

You did a pretty shitty job

at your end of the deal.

So we'll just take it

day by day ok?

Day by day.

Is that what you told mum?

Until one day you just came

home and she was gone.

Your mom left

without really thinking

through what she was doing.

She didn't leave.

She escaped.

I'm not staying.

And neither is Lucy.

Did you not hear what

I just said lad?

You're not going anywhere

I need you here.

All the time?

For now yes.

As long as that thing is there.

You don't even know

what that thing is.

Exactly.

It could be here for years.

Then so will you.

Then so will you.

I need you

out here in a bit.

There's still work to be done.

Hi Martin.

Writing it for them.

Yeah of course.

Yeah, it's really clear with

the signal booster.

Do you want to listen?

I don't think it's Morse code.

It's not numbers either.

Well if it is numbers

I don't know what they are...

Why are you playing this?

You think they're

playing this jingle?

Is that what I've been

listening to for...

Good, yeah

great wow.

Oh well that's fantastic.

If that's what it is great

brilliant.

Job done.

Who the hell did I think

I was that I'd get it.

I'm just going to stop.

Sorry, Martin.

Lad. Let's go.

And get rid of

this thing off the table

while you're at it.

Impossible you

are aren't ya?

You know when this happened

the night you arrived

I was worried I wouldn't

be able to look after you.

Can you imagine that?

I was so excited to meet you.

When you're mother left

you were only on the way.

It was...

It was one of my biggest regrets

that you and I didn't

meet earlier.

This thing Lucy

it has people thinking strange.

But my head is clear.

Trust me.

I'll keep you and your

brother safe.

It comes from a place

of love Lucy.

Now hand it over.

Lucy hand it over.

Sam.

Hey, I've seen you

up here before.

Sam stop.

No please I have to hear this!

You are to get off my land!

It's them. It's really them.

Them?

Sam!

I always hated that thing.

Put that fecking thing down.

Sam you stop this right now

or I swear to god I'll.

What?

What will you do?

No please.

Put it down I swear.

Please!

Hey!

Put it down!

She's trying to talk to them.

Put it down now!

Sam please, lad!

- Lucy we have to go now.

- Sam seriously.

Jesus Christ Sam!

I'm sorry.

No It was me.

They're playing my song.

They're playing my song

to say hello.

Lucy.

What?

Sam!

Gone?

I don't understand?

Let's go.

Sam.

Lad.

Music.

What?

It's the sign for music.

Martin thought it to me.

Martin.

What is it?

I just have to do something.

You okay?

Yeah, fine.

It still broadcasting?

Yeah.

Yeah.

I'm proud of you.

LUCY? Where are we going?

I don't know.

South?

South sounds good.

Sounds good.