The little boy, Tom, is talking to the amiable bard Ashley Windsong, the discussion which is about entertainment since Ashley has been asking if Tom would like to learn to play the pipes (to which Tom replies he much prefers the drums and trumpet). Tom begins to explain the reason for his liking of the drums, to Ashleys dismay... (have deleted toms usual nervous stammer from the text, Ashleys is very much on purpose
). Its a comic little anecdote, but it also underlines the trajedy that Layonara can hold (at least in this case, that of little Tom's background).
Tom - Oh, I like the Hangins
Ashley - Oh? Why... exactly... is that?
Tom - Well, is fun... they lead 'em up an they tie the rope... 13 turns yer know
Ashley -...
Tom - an push him onter the stage, an stand him on the bench... an pput the rope on him...
then they read out his crimes...
Tom - an the crowd go "Oooh!" an "Aaaah!"
Tom - When they say what he did... an they say he is condemned to death
Tom - an... then the drum roll Trtrtrtrtrtrrrr Thump!
*Tom hangs his head and lets his tongue roll out*
Tom - ... an everyone cheers!
Ashley - *stands silently* ... you know... there are... better ways to... be entertained...
Tom - is lotsa fun
Ashley - there are lots of things out there... that don't... involve... people dieing...
Tom - oh... well every bad man they hang... there's one less ter hurt me
Ashley - *thinks about that* I... suppose so...
Tom - I knew some who got hanged too... good days them was
Tom - I watched 'em to make sure
Ashley - err... Tom... do you mind if we... don't talk about this anymore?