The Castle Monologue

The Castle

Madison Blenheim

(Tony approaches Dale Kerrigan about his mothers’ passing out in front of Tony’s house).

Tony - Yeah mate, last Thursday me mum passed away. I drove up to the hospital in ‘old betsie’ for me usual afternoon visit after a cracker of a day at work, only to find out the angels had taken her. Those nurse ladies told me it was just her time, but I don’t understand aye, she was such a trooper through the whole thing from diagnosis, right throughout chemo, the lot.

Cancer is the devil I swear, taking someone’s life without even asking, it’s just not fair. I knew it was coming, but still, it darn nearly rips your heart out loosing someone so special, especially me mum.

We were doing great keeping up with the payments on the house too, mum’s jam drop business down at the Sunday markets really did make a difference. She was making up to fifty bucks a week, well on a good week anyways, now it’s just me working and I don’t know if the boss will give me a pay rise.

Losing the house is just not an option, she loved that old pile of bricks. She was always working on those flower gardens out the front, I said it would have been a good idea to sell those beauties at the Sunday markets too. All her friends told her they smelt real nice, one of them even said they were good enough for the mayor’s desk, but why anyone would waste good flowers on that drongo is beyond me. Anyway, mum was as proud as punch the day she heard that.

She was a good doer. She was always helping out other folks, she even helped trouble maker Jimmy from over the back. His washing machine packed it in so mum did his laundry for a whole week. Half the time he wouldn’t even hang it out himself, expected her to do the lot. That’s just how mum was though you know, never complained or questioned anyone, just a real lovely lady.

You reckon I should start lookin’ for a new job, one that’ll keep me afloat? Maybe I’ll try seein’ if they got a spot for me in the council. Yeah that’s what I’ll do, get paid the big bucks for standin’ around all day. It’ll be great! I’ll learn how to lean on a shovel and turn one of them stop-go signs. I’ll catch up with old Jack from down the road at the funeral. He’s sure to put in a good word for me.

Speaking of the funeral, i’d better hit the frog and toad, Alice is expecting me down at the pub to talk about the catering for the wake. I’m thinkin some sangers and one of her famous fruit platters will do the trick wadda you reckon aye mate. Anyways I’ll see ya round.