The Stolen

1

Last night I dreamt

I could shoot like you.

That's why we're here.

It's a good skill

to have.

It's just so heavy.

Sorry.

They're making them

lighter now.

I'll get one for you.

Now...

Squeeze the trigger.

Just squeeze it,

Charlotte.

I am.

You're going to have to

squeeze it harder.

But I'm squeezing it.

Ooh! Whoo!

I pulled the trigger

at least.

You're aiming for the tins.

You really need to be prepared

for life out here, darling.

I am prepared.

I pulled the trigger.

Oh, Betty.

I hate guns.

A nice sweet tea,

ma'am?

Yes, thank you.

Thank you. Betty!

When a lady perspires,

she uses her handkerchief.

Thank you, ma'am.

So, he says, "Why wasn't Jesus

born in New Zealand?"

And the other chap says,

"Because they couldn't find

three wise men and a virgin."

Oh!

So, Charlotte,

how are you settling in?

She's doing superbly.

I know it'll take time.

It's a beautiful island,

but it's just...

Different.

- Oxfordshire, yes?

- But born in London.

Oh, dear, that place

would spoil anyone.

My wife knows how much

this farm means to me.

It's been a long time coming.

And a dream

come true.

Well, my husband

can talk me into anything.

You'll get used to it

soon enough.

Aye, move on, we did.

When I saw my first weta bug,

I thought it was a cat.

- What's a weta bug?

- -Not to mention the natives.

Who are not

as frightening

as they look.

No, but if they look like

the type that could eat you,

then more than likely, they are.

Oh, George, please.

Well,

Charlotte needn't worry.

I mean, look at her.

Not nearly enough meat

on her bones.

- And how far along are you?

- Uh...

Hyah!

Will the grounds be finished

before the baby's born?

That's the plan.

So, it will just be

the three of us.

No more farmhands.

Hello, you beautiful baby.

Could you please

just stay in there

for a wee while longer?

All nice and warm.

Until we get the roof on?

And then the house is all yours.

How about that?

Oh. Oh!

Ohh!

Whoo! David!

Oh! Oh, David!

Honey?

Coming!

-Charlotte!

-Oh! Oh.

Drop your gun!

Back over there!

David, don't!

Darling,

just stay calm.

Arthur...

Please, move over there.

P-Please, don't hurt my son.

Back over there.

Arthur, darling.

Now, the safe.

We don't have a safe.

- All right,

just please...

please.

Why are you doing this?

David.

After I helped you.

Everything in it.

I gave you work

when you needed it.

Everything!

That is everything.

A roof over your head.

Food from our stove!

Shut your mouth now.

Back to bed!

Back!

If either of you

leave this room,

your boy is for the worms.

Am I understood?

Oh!

Ch-Charlotte.

Go.

And you say he worked for you?

Why do you keep asking

the same questions?

This is madness.

My husband would

take in strays.

He always said he was

willing to help anyone

who would work

an honest day,

so yes.

He knew him.

They all knew him.

Will you find my son?

Well, it's a, uh...

It's a lot of land to cover,

Mrs. Lockton.

We'll do our best.

If my husband knew him, then

you must have known him too.

I've seen how you've befriended

each and every one of them

that came through.

Ma'am, I didn't.

I swear.

They were your friends.

I was only being welcoming like

Mr. Lockton would have wanted.

-Tell me who it was.

-Ma'am...

Look at me!

Tell me who it was!

I don't know who it was.

-I didn't seem 'im up close.

-No.

Then pack your bags! Now!

Ma'am, please!

Ma'am, it's been three months.

And we're sorry,

Mrs. Lockton.

We've looked

high and low.

We've combed

the entire district.

My advice...

is it's...

It's time to move on.

-Mrs. Lockton?

-Yes.

From the post office.

Ohh!

Rider, wait!

Wait!

Ma'am?

"Your son is alive and well.

Your son is alive."

"If you want to see him again,

place 500 pounds

in the Bank of New Zealand

by Friday next

to the account set up

in your husband's name.

Attempt to trace the money

or go to the police

and you will never see

your son again."

W-When was this

delivered to you?

Three days ago.

From where?

Pass me the envelope,

ma'am.

This was launched in Corktown.

South of here.

About half a days away.

How would I get there?

There's a train

from Little Hills.

But Corktown, Mrs. Lockton.

Will you be traveling alone?

Yes.

As soon as I can.

Excuse me.

Where's the post office?

It's just there.

Can I help you, miss?

This was posted from here,

I believe.

I believe

it would have been, yes.

Did it originate here?

Not so sure about that, miss.

So it might have been shipped

from somewhere else?

May well have done

exactly that, yes.

Where?

No idea.

This town is

the end of the line.

The other side of those hills,

people are scattered

every which way

for days on end.

Sorry I couldn't be

of more help.

Where might I find

the Bank of New Zealand?

Well, you're looking at it.

I'm the closest thing you'll

find this far from Nelson.

You hold an account

in the name of Lockton.

Lockton.

Lockton.

Looks like I can

finally help you today.

Goldtown Hotel?

All those accounts

are held there?

Goldtown Hotel.

Aye.

Diggers' money.

It's held at hotel

before it gets sent to bank.

Can I get there from here?

If you're willing to travel

for a week.

Maybe more.

Only way through is

that mountain, see?

Plenty of lunatics

heading over that way,

chasing their fortune.

Plenty heading back too.

They're starving to death,

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