AustLit

'Tony Brown is a likeable, somewhat unstable 29 year old. He works at an art suppliers. He paints a bit, but not very well, and in the absence of any other great talent, has taken this job where at least his knowledge is of some use. He is very shy, very introverted.

'One of his customers is Liz Chandler, a bright attractive 19 year old who buys oils and canvas etc. and gradually gets to know Tony. She senses that behind his shy reserve there are very worthwhile qualities, and she has the sort of bright confidence to draw them out.

'Tony falls heavily for her and she becomes the most important thing in his life.

'He is shattered when she announces her intention to enter a convent, become a nun. He pleads with her, but she has reached this decision after long and somewhat painful, consideration.

'She comes from a rather strict, extremely devout family who have never approved of Tony.

'After Tony hears the news about the convent he becomes extremely emotional, not helped by a drinking binge. In this state he visits Liz's parents, rails at her father who throws him out. Still disturbed, bitter and frustrated, he enters a church and vents his fury in a violent orgy of descration.

'Banner and Vickers inspect the damage and discuss the matter with the priest. They at first assume it to be the work of vandals who have recently been busy in the area.

'Tony, at work the next day, is approached by a woman who wants a couple of paintings framed. One of them is a religious painting. Tony hurls it away, raves briefly at the woman and rushes from the store. He is subsequently dismissed.

'The Mother Superior at the convent which Liz has entered, receives a phone call from Tony who wants to speak to Liz. He is refused permission. He becomes abusive, insists that Liz be released and threatens dire consequences to the convent if this does not occur.

'The Mother Superior reports the phone call to Vickers, who, in discussion with Banner, relates this event to the earlier desecration.

'They are granted permission to interview Liz, who reluctantly tells them about Tony.'

Source: Synopsis held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection (RMIT).

The script held in the Crawford Collection in the AFI Research Collection contains the following character notes (excluding regular characters):

'TONY LANE 29, sensitibe [sic], unstable. A variety of reasons have conspired to make him bitterly anti-Catholic. He is asthmatic, complex, alternates between being sullen, belligerent, hysterical. Lead part. Drives car.

'FATHER CONRAD 40-50. A man's man. About as un-Priestly [sic] as you could get. Warm, compassionate, realistic, - endless care for his fellow man with affection and a sense of humour. After 2 minutes, you feel you've known him always. Not a huge part, but he dominates the final segment and the whole episode depends on this character being convincing.

'LIZ CHANDLER 19. Tony's girl friend who decides to become a nun. A healthy, warm creature, extremely out-going.

'MRS. LANE 50ish. Tony's mother. She wears Tony like a cross. Caring about him and fussing over him in all the wrong-ways., [sic] and then complaining because she is obliged to do so. A domineering type who has never tried to understand her son. When we see her, we understand Tony' s instability much better. Medium part.

'MOTHER AGNES 45-50. A strong "professional" nun. In charge of a convent and likeable, well-repsected, but very much used to being boss. Medium small part.

'MAX 25ish. Young man who works with Tony in the Art Supplies section of a store. Likeable, with a sense of humour.

'MR. CHANDLER 45-50. Liz's father. Rather dull, unimaginative person. Dislikes Tony and has little warmth.

'FATHER STEVENS 50-60. Priest whose church is desecrated by Tony. Pleasant, undistinguished, conventional.

'KAY Dwyer's girlfriend.'