Hugh: Hello, father. Mother said you wanted to see me.
Stephen: Yes, yes, come in Timothy. I just wanted a word... I wonder if you could... oh...Damn this drawer, I just don't seem to be able to open it, would you mind?
Yes, yes. It's true. Every word is true. I tried to fight it, but I knew it was useless. It's true.
Hugh: (Puzzled) Father?
Stephen: Timothy, it's time you knew who you were.
Hugh: I know who I am, father.
Stephen: No, child, you do not.
Hugh: I'm Timothy Forrest.
Stephen: No. I wish it were so, but no. Sit. Sit down. Twenty-five years ago the doctors told your mother and me that it would be impossible for us ever to have children.
Hugh: Oh. Why not?
Stephen: I can't remember the exact reason. It was something to do with penises I think. So we decided to adopt a child.
Hugh: I see. And you chose me.
Stephen: After a great deal of shopping around, yes. From a new edge-of-town orphanage that had opened just outside Royston.
Hugh: Did they tell you who my real parents were?
Stephen: Please Timothy let me tell you this in my own way, in my own time, in my own clothes.
Hugh: I'm sorry father.
Stephen: On your seventh birthday a man called round to
this house. His name was Furlo Roth. He took out a small multi-bladed knife, and he placed it in this drawer, the drawer that you have just opened. He then closed the drawer and said that only the Chosen One would be able to open it. You, Timothy ... you are the Chosen One.
Hugh: I am?
Stephen: And this is Berwhale the Avenger, the weapon of the Chosen One. Tomorrow is your twenty-fifth birthday and you must leave us to go in search of Pewnack, the Destroyer, the Dark One, the Beast.
Hugh: Golly.
Stephen:When the fourth moon of Trollack rises above the Cylinder of Eyelass then Pewnack will strike. His kingdom shall be numberless and darkness will blight the land, all men will be slaves and the time of weeping will begin. Only the Chosen One can stop him. So it is written in the runes of Ollerman-Goth, so it must be. And only Berwhale the Avenger can pierce the armour of the beast.
Hugh: I knew it! It sounds funny, father, but in my heart I knew there was something. I realise now that I've been waiting for this moment all my life.
Stephen: Yes! Yes, it must be so.
Hugh: So where do I find this beast, this Pewnack the Destroyer?
Stephen: He lives far beyond, in Saffron Walden.
Hugh: Saffron Walden, right.
Stephen: You must go there. Surprise is the key. If he knew that you were after him he would set the minions of Threek on you. Become a part of the community. Get a job in a canning factory. Bide your time.
Hugh: Yes. How will I know this Beast?
Stephen: Only Teece, the Wise One, can tell you.
Hugh: Teece?
Stephen: Teece. After six months, when you have been accepted by the Saffron Walden community, then Furlo Roth will call on you and show you how you might find Teece and together set out on your quest to rid the world of Pewnack forever.
Hugh: Yes! Yes, it shall be done.
Stephen: Now take Berwhale the Avenger, go upstairs and wash your hands for lunch.
Hugh: Right.
Woman: Well?
Stephen: I think he swallowed it.
Woman: Thank God.
Stephen: It'll get that lazy little sod out of the house and earning his living.