Playground bullies are all the same. They’re all aggression and no, no science...
Being the protective brother that he is (at least at that point), Robert goes to Ned for boxing tips.
Scene 1: Robert finds Ned on his own (Jack & Sarah are both out). He wants Ned to give him more boxing tips and if Jack’s busy, no one would be the wiser. When he mentions it has to do with bullying that HE’s been getting, well that does it and Ned proceeds to start showing Robert some moves.
Robert: Please? I’ve been getting a lot of hassle from this kid in school. I only want to defend myself.
Ned: I suppose it can’t do any harm. I mean, whatever he says, the only way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them.
Robert: It’s not easy when they flatten ya.
Scene 2: Robert is using the homemade boxing bag to practice (‘we’ll make a fighter of you yet’). Ned commentsabout bullying and keeping a cool head. When Jack & Sarah return (off screen), Ned tells Robert to get going and not a word of what they’ve been doing.
Robert: It’s easy with a punchbag. It’s different when someone’s rushing ya.
Ned: But that’s better for YOU not THEM. Playground bullies are all the same. They’re all aggression and no, no science. You keep a cool head and you’ll always come up on top, son (not sure about that last bit).
22-Oct-1998