Michael Collins
written by Neil Jordan
Michael Collins: The fact that the candidate you’re being asked to vote for is at this moment rotting in an English jail should put you off! Sure wasn’t I in one myself ‘till a week ago? (laughter from the crowd) They can jail us. They can shoot us. They can even conscript us. They can use us as cannon fodder in the sod. But…but we have a weapon more powerful than any in the whole arsenal of the British Empire and that weapon is our refusal. Our refusal to bow to any order but our own, any institutian but our own. (pointing to the police) Our friends in the Royal Irish Constabulary would like to shut me up. Oh yes, jail me again. Shoot me, who knows? And I'd like you to send them a message. If they shut me up, who’ll take my place? (crowd: I will!) Who’s going to take my place? (crowd: I will!) I can’t hear you. Who’ll take my place?! Can they shut you up?!!
The RIC move in to disperse the crowd. A riot begins as the police and the Irish men begin to fight with fists and clubs. Michael is knocked over the head but escapes arrest.)
Kudos and much thanks go to Keanes for this monologue, it is very much appreciated.