LOOK BACK IN ANGER BY JOHN OSBORNE Play in Three Acts

CAST In Order o A!!earance JI""Y PORTER CLI## LE$IS ALISON PORTER HELENA CHARLES COLONEL RE%#ERN CONTENTS The action thro&'ho&t ta(es !lace in the Porters) one*roo+, lat in the "idlands TI"E- The !resent. ACT I Early E/enin'. A!ril

ACT II Scene l. Scene 1. ACT III Scene 2. Scene 1. ACT I The Porters) one*roo+ lat in a lar'e "idland to0n. Early e/enin'. A!ril. The scene is a airly lar'e attic roo+, at the to! o a lar'e 3ictorian ho&se. The ceilin' slo!es do0n 4&ite shar!ly ro+ L. to R. %o0n R. are t0o s+all lo0 0indo0s. In ront o these is a dar( oa( dressin' ta5le. "ost o the &rnit&re is si+!le, and rather old. 6! R. is a do&5le 5ed, r&nnin' the len'th o +ost o the 5ac( 0all, the rest o 0hich is ta(en &! 0ith a shel o 5oo(s. %o0n R. 5elo0 the 5ed is a hea/y chest o dra0ers, co/ered 0ith 5oo(s, nec(ties and odds and ends, incl&din' a lar'e, tattered toy teddy 5ear and so t, 0oolly s4&irrel. 6! L. is a door. Belo0 this a s+all 0ardro5e. "ost o the 0all L. is ta(en &! 0ith a hi'h, o5lon' 0indo0. This loo(s o&t on to the landin', 5&t li'ht co+es thro&'h it ro+ a s(yli'ht 5eyond. Belo0 the 0ardro5e is a 'as sto/e, and, 5eside this, a 0ooden ood c&!5oard, on 0hich is a s+all, !orta5le radio. %o0n C. is a st&rdy dinin' ta5le and three chairs, and, 5elo0 this, L. and R., t0o dee!, sha55y leather ar+chairs. AT RISE O# C6RTAIN, JI""Y and CLI## are seated in the t0o ar+chairs R. and L., res!ecti/ely. All that 0e can see o either o the+ is t0o !airs o le's, s!ra0led 0ay o&t 5eyond the ne0s!a!ers 0hich hide the rest o the+ Se/eral +onths later. A e0 +in&tes later. T0o 0ee(s later. The ollo0in' e/enin'.

ro+ si'ht. They are 5oth readin'. Beside the+, and 5et0een the+, is a 7&n'le o ne0s!a!ers and 0ee(lies. $hen 0e do e/ent&ally see the+, 0e ind that
JI""Y

is a tall, thin yo&n' +an a5o&t t0enty* i/e, 0earin' a /ery

0orn t0eed 7ac(et and lannels. Clo&ds o s+o(e ill the roo+ ro+ the !i!e he is s+o(in'. He is a disconcertin' +i8t&re o sincerity and cheer &l +alice, o tenderness and ree5ootin' cr&elty9 restless, i+!ort&nate, &ll o - !ride, a co+5ination 0hich alienates the sensiti/e and insensiti/e ali(e. Blisterin' honesty, or a!!arent honesty, li(e his, +a(es e0 riends. To +any he +ay see+ sensiti/e to the !oint o /&l'arity. To others, he is si+!ly a lo&d+o&th. To 5e as /ehe+ent as he is is to 5e al+ost non*co++ittal. C LI## is the sa+e a'e, short, dar(, 5i' 5oned, 0earin' a !&llo/er and 'rey, ne0, 5&t /ery creased tro&sers. He is easy and rela8ed, al+ost to lethar'y, 0ith the rather sad, nat&ral intelli'ence o the sel *ta&'ht, I J I""Y alienates lo/e, to
JI""Y . CLI##

see+s to e8act it:de+onstrations o it, at least, e/en ro+ the ca&tio&s. He is a soothin', nat&ral co&nter!oint Standin' L., 5elo0 the ood c&!5oard, is
ALISON .

She is leanin' o/er an ironin' 5oard. Beside her is a

!ile o clothes. Hers is the +ost el&si/e !ersonality to catch in the &neasy !oly!hony o these three !eo!le. She is t&rned in a di erent (ey, a (ey o 0ell*5red +alaise that is o ten dro0ned in the ro5&st orchestration o the other t0o. Han'in' o/er the 'r&55y, 5&t e8!ensi/e, s(irt she is 0earin' is a cherry red shirt o
JI""Y )S ,

5&t she

+ana'es so+eho0 to loo( 4&ite ele'ant in it. She is ro&'hly the sa+e a'e as the +en. So+eho0, their co+5ined !hysical oddity +a(es her 5ea&ty +ore stri(in' than it really is. She is tall, sli+, dar(. The 5ones o her ace are lon' and delicate. There is a s&r!risin' reser/ation a5o&t her eyes, 0hich are so lar'e and dee! they sho&ld +a(e e4&i/ocation i+!ossi5le. The roo+ is still, s+o(e illed. The only so&nd is the occasional th&d o
ALISON ) S

iron on the 5oard. It is one o those chilly S!rin' e/enin's, all clo&d and shado0s. Presently,

JI""Y

thro0s his !a!er do0n. JI""Y- $hy do I do this e/ery S&nday; E/en the 5oo( re/ie0s see+ to 5e the sa+e as last 0ee()s. %i erent 5oo(s:sa+e re/ie0s. Ha/e yo& inished that one yet; CLI##- Not yet. JI""Y- I)/e 7&st read three 0hole col&+ns on the En'lish No/el. Hal o it)s in #rench. %o the S&nday !a!ers +a(e you eel i'norant; CLI##- Not )ar . JI""Y- $ell, yo& are i'norant. Yo&)re 7&st a !easant. (To Alison.) $hat a5o&t yo&; Yo&)re not a !easant are yo&; ALISON- (absently). $hat)s that; JI""Y- I said do the !a!ers +a(e yo& eel yo&)re not so 5rilliant a ter all; ALISON- Oh:I ha/en)t read the+ yet. JI""Y- I didn)t as( yo& that. I said: CLI##- Lea/e the !oor 'irlie alone. She)s 5&sy. JI""Y- $ell, she can tal(, can)t she; Yo& can tal(, can)t yo&; Yo& can e8!ress an o!inion. Or does the $hite $o+an)s B&rden +a(e it i+!ossi5le to thin(;
ALISONJI""Y-

I)+ sorry. I 0asn)t listenin' !ro!erly.

Yo& 5et yo& 0eren)t listenin'. Old Porter tal(s, and e/eryone t&rns o/er and 'oes to slee!. And "rs. Porter 'ets

)e+ all 'oin' 0ith the irst ya0n.

CLI##-

Lea/e her alone, I said. (shouting). All ri'ht, dear. Go 5ac( to slee!. It 0as only +e tal(in'. Yo& (no0; Tal(in'; Re+e+5er; I)+ sorry. $hy do yo& 5other; Yo& can)t &nderstand a 0ord o it. Yo&)re too i'norant. Sto! yellin'. I)+ tryin' to read. 6h h&h.

JI""YCLI##-

JI""YCLI##JI""Y-

CLI##JI""YCLI##JI""Y-

Yes, and &ned&cated. No0 sh&t &!, 0ill yo&; $hy don)t yo& 'et +y 0i e to e8!lain it to yo&; She)s ed&cated. (To her.) That)s ri'ht, isn)t it; (kicking out at him from behind his paper) . Lea/e her alone, I said. %O that a'ain, yo& $elsh r& ian, and I)ll !&ll yo&r ears o . (leaning forward). Listen:I)+ tryin' to 5etter +ysel . Let +e 'et on 0ith it, yo& 5i', horri5le +an. Gi/e it +e. (Puts Oh, 'i/e it to hi+, Ji++y, or hea/en)s sa(e< I can)t thin(<

He bangs Cliff's paper out of his hands.

CLI##-

his hand out for paper.)

ALISONCLI##-

Yes, co+e on, 'i/e +e the !a!er. She can)t thin(. Can)t thin(< (Throws the paper back at him.) She hasn)t had a tho&'ht or years< Ha/e yo&; No. (Picks up a weekly.) I)+ 'ettin' h&n'ry. Oh no, not already< He)s a 5loody !i'. I)+ not a !i'. I 7&st li(e ood:that)s all. ews of the !orld" 5oyo, yo& 0ait. Li(e it< Yo&)re li(e a se8&al +aniac:only 0ith yo& it)s ood. Yo&)ll end &! in the

JI""YALISONJI""Y-

ALISONCLI##JI""YCLI##-

Ja+es Porter, a'ed t0enty* i/e, 0as 5o&nd o/er last 0ee( a ter !leadin' '&ilty to inter erin' 0ith a s+all ca55a'e and t0o tins o 5eans on his 0ay ho+e ro+ the B&ilder)s Ar+s. The acc&sed said he hadn)t 5een eelin' 0ell or so+e ti+e, and had 5een ha/in' 5lac(*o&ts. He as(ed or his 'ood record as an air*raid 0arden, second class, to 5e ta(en into acco&nt.
JI""YCLI##-

(#rins.) Oh, yes, yes, yes. I li(e to eat I)d li(e to li/e too. %o yo& +ind; Peo!le li(e +e don)t 'et at. I)/e tried to tell yo& 5e ore. $e 7&st 5&rn e/erythin' &!. No0 sh&t &! 0hile I read.

%on)t see any &se in yo&r eatin' at all. Yo& ne/er 'et any atter.

JI""Y-

Yo& can +a(e +e so+e +ore tea.

CLI##JI""YCLI##-

Good God, yo&)/e 7&st had a 'reat !ot &l< I only had one c&!. Li(e hell< "a(e so+e +ore. (to Alison). Isn)t that ri'ht; %idn)t I only ha/e one c&!; (without looking up). That)s ri'ht. (reading his weekly). P&t the (ettle on. P&t it on yo&rsel . Yo&)/e creased &! +y !a!er. I)+ the only one 0ho (no0s ho0 to treat a !a!er, or anythin' else, in this ho&se. (Picks up another paper.) Girl J&st let +e 'et at her, that)s all. JI""Y- $ho 5&ys this da+ned thin'; (Throws it down.) Ha/en)t yo& read the other $hich; JI""Y- $ell, there are only t0o !osh !a!ers on a S&nday:the one yo&)re readin', and this one. Co+e Oh, all ri'ht. They e$change. I 0as only readin' the Bisho! o Bro+ley. %Puts out his hand to Alison.) Ho0 are yo&, All ri'ht than( yo&, dear. (grasping her hand). $hy don)t yo& lea/e all that, and sit do0n or a 5it; Yo& loo( tired. (smiling). I ha/en)t +&ch +ore to do. (kisses her hand" and puts her fingers in his mouth). She)s a 5ea&ti &l 'irl, isn)t she; That)s 0hat they all tell +e. His eyes met hers. It)s a lo/ely, delicio&s !a0 yo&)/e 'ot 6+++++. I)+ 'oin' to 5ite it o . There yo& are. And she only had one c&! too. I sa0 her. Yo& '&==led the lot.

ALISONCLI##JI""YCLI##-

JI""Y-

here 0ants to (no0 0hether her 5oy riend 0ill lose all res!ect or her i she 'i/es hi+ 0hat he as(s or. St&!id 5itch.
CLI##-

!osh !a!er yet;

CLI##-

on, let +e ha/e that one, and yo& ta(e this.

CLI##-

d&llin);
ALISONCLI##ALISONCLI##JI""YCLI##-

ALISONJI""YCLI##-

%on)t< I)ll 5&rn his shirt. (letting go of Alison). Oh, it says here that he +a(es a /ery +o/in' a!!eal to all Christians to do all they can to

Gi/e her her in'er 5ac(, and don)t 5e so sic(enin'. $hat)s the Bisho! o Bro+ley say;

assist in the +an& act&re o the H*Bo+5.

JI""Y-

Yes, 0ell, that)s 4&ite +o/in', I s&!!ose. (To Alison.) Are yo& +o/ed, +y darlin'; $ell, nat&rally. There yo& are- e/en +y 0i e is +o/ed. I o&'ht to send the Bisho! a s&5scri!tion. Let)s see. $hat else does he

ALISONJI""Y-

say. %&+did&+did&+*did&+. Ah yes. He)s &!set 5eca&se so+eone has s&''ested that he s&!!orts the rich a'ainst the !oor. He says he denies the di erence o class distinctions. >This idea has 5een !ersistently and 0ic(edly ostered 5y:the 0or(in' classes<> $ell< He looks up at both of them for reaction" but Cliff is reading" and Alison is intent on her ironing.
JI""YCLI##-

(to Cliff). %id yo& read that 5it;

6+; (to Alison). Yo& don)t s&!!ose yo&r ather co&ld ha/e 0ritten it, do yo&; $ritten 0hat; $hy sho&ld +y ather ha/e 0ritten it; %oes it; the Bisho! o Bro+ley his no+ de !l&+e, do yo& thin(; $hat I 7&st read o&t, o co&rse. So&nds rather li(e %addy, don)t yo& thin(;

He has lost them" and he knows it" but he won't lea&e it.
JI""YALISONJI""Y-

ALISONJI""YALISON-

JI""Y- IS CLI##-

%on)t ta(e any notice o hi+. He)s 5ein' o ensi/e. And it)s so easy or hi+. ('uickly). %id yo& read a5o&t the 0o+an 0ho 0ent to the +ass +eetin' o a certain A+erican e/an'elist at Earls

JI""Y-

Co&rt; She 0ent or0ard, to declare hersel or lo/e or 0hate/er it is, and, in the r&sh o con/erts to 'et to the ront, she 5ro(e o&r ri5s and 'ot (ic(ed in the head. She 0as yellin' her head o in a'ony, 5&t 0ith ?@,@@@ !eo!le !&ttin' all they)d 'ot into >On0ard Christian Soldiers>, no5ody e/en (ne0 she 0as there. He looks up sharply for a response" but there isn't any. So+eti+es, I 0onder i there isn)t so+ethin' 0ron' 0ith +e. $hat a5o&t that tea;
CLI##JI""Y-

(still behind paper). $hat tea; P&t the (ettle on.

Alison looks up at him. ALISON- %o yo& 0ant so+e +ore tea;

JI""YALISONJI""Y-

I don)t (no0. No, I don)t thin( so. %o yo& 0ant so+e, Cli ; NO, he doesn)t. Ho0 +&ch lon'er 0ill yo& 5e doin' that; $on)t 5e lon'. God, ho0 I hate S&ndays< It)s al0ays so de!ressin', al0ays the sa+e. $e ne/er see+ to 'et any &rther, do 0e;

ALISONJI""Y-

Al0ays the sa+e rit&al. Readin' the !a!ers, drin(in' tea, ironin', A e0 +ore ho&rs, and another 0ee( 'one. O&r yo&th is sli!!in' a0ay. %o yo& (no0 that;
CLI##JI""YCLI##-

(throws down paper). $hat)s that; (casually). Oh, nothin', nothin'. %a+n yo&, da+n 5oth o yo&, da+n the+ all. Let)s 'o to the !ict&res. (To Alison.) $hat do yo& say, lo/ely; I don)t thin( I)ll 5e a5le to. Perha!s Ji++y 0o&ld li(e to 'o. (To (immy.) $o&ld yo& li(e to;

ALISON-

JI""Y-

And ha/e +y en7oy+ent r&ined 5y the S&nday ni'ht yo5s in the ront ro0; No, than( yo&. (Pause.) %id yo& read

Priestley)s !iece this 0ee(; $hy on earth I as(, I don)t (no0. I (no0 da+ned 0ell yo& ha/en)t. $hy do I s!end nine!ence on that da+ned !a!er e/ery 0ee(; No5ody reads it e8ce!t +e. No5ody can 5e 5othered. No one can raise the+sel/es o&t o their delicio&s sloth. Yo& t0o 0ill dri/e +e ro&nd the 5end soon:I (no0 it, as s&re as I)+ sittin' here. I (no0 yo&)re 'oin' to dri/e +e +ad. Oh hea/ens, ho0 I lon' or a little ordinary h&+an enth&sias+. J&st enth&sias+ :that)s all. I 0ant to hear a 0ar+, thrillin' /oice cry o&t Hallel&7ah< (He bangs his breast theatrically.) Hallel&7ah< I)+ ali/e< I)/e an idea. $hy don)t 0e ha/e a little 'a+e; Let)s !retend that 0e)re h&+an 5ein's, and that 0e)re act&ally ali/e. J&st or a 0hile. $hat do yo& say; Let)s !retend 0e)re h&+an. (He looks from one to the other.) Oh, 5rother, it)s s&ch a lon' ti+e since I 0as 0ith anyone 0ho 'ot enth&siastic a5o&t anythin'.
CLI##JI""YCLI##JI""Y-

$hat did he say; (resentful of being dragged away from his pursuit of Alison). $hat did 0ho say; "r. Priestley. $hat he al0ays says, I s&!!ose. He)s li(e %addy:still castin' 0ell* ed 'lances 5ac( to the Ed0ardian t0ili'ht ro+

his co+ orta5le, disen ranchised 0ilderness. $hat the de/il ha/e yo& done to those tro&sers;
CLI##JI""Y-

%one; Are they the ones yo& 5o&'ht last 0ee(*end; Loo( at the+. %o yo& see 0hat he)s done to those ne0 tro&sers; Yo& are na&'hty, Cli . They loo( dread &l. s!end 'ood +oney on a ne0 !air o tro&sers, and then s!ra0l a5o&t in the+ li(e a sa/a'e. $hat do yo&

ALISON-

JI""Y- YO6

thin( yo&)re 'oin' to do 0hen I)+ not aro&nd to loo( a ter yo&; $ell, 0hat are yo& 'oin' to do; Tell +e;
CLI##ALISONJI""YALISONCLI##JI""YCLI##-

(grinning). I don)t (no0. (To Alison.) $hat a+ I 'oin' to do, lo/ely; Yo&)d 5etter ta(e the+ o . Yes, 'o on. Ta(e )e+ o . And I)ll (ic( yo&r 5ehind or yo&. I)ll 'i/e the+ a !ress 0hile I)/e 'ot the iron on. Gi/e +e those +atches, 0ill yo&; Oh, yo&)re not 'oin' to start &! that old !i!e a'ain, are yo&; It stin(s the !lace o&t. (To Alison.) %oesn)t it s+ell I don)t +ind it. I)/e 'ot &sed to it. She)s a 'reat one or 'ettin' &sed to thin's. I she 0ere to die, and 0a(e &! in !aradise*a ter the irst i/e (hands her the trousers). Than( yo&, lo/ely. Gi/e +e a ci'arette, 0ill yo&; %on)t 'i/e hi+ one. I can)t stand the stin( o that old !i!e any lon'er. I +&st ha/e a ci'arette. I tho&'ht the doctor said no ci'arettes; Oh, 0hy doesn)t he sh&t &!; All ri'ht. They)re yo&r &lcers. Go ahead, and ha/e a 5ellyache, i that)s 0hat yo& 0ant. I 'i/e &!. I 'i/e &!. I)+ sic( O.K. ()tarts taking them off.) I)ll 7&st e+!ty the !oc(ets. (Takes out keys" matches" handkerchief.)

a0 &l; (immy grabs the*matches" and lights up.

ALISONJI""Y-

+in&tes, she)d ha/e 'ot &sed to it.

CLI##JI""YCLI##JI""YCLI##JI""Y-

o doin' thin's or !eo!le. And all or 0hat; Alison gi&es Cliff a cigarette. They both light up" and she goes on with her ironing. No5ody thin(s, no5ody cares. No 5elie s, no con/ictions and no enth&sias+. J&st another S&nday e/enin'. Cliff sits down again" in his pullo&er and shorts. Perha!s there)s a concert on. (Picks up Radio Ti+esA Ah. ( udges Cliff with his foot.) "a(e so+e +ore tea. Cliff grunts. He is reading again. Oh, yes. There)s a 3a&'han $illia+s. $ell, that)s so+ethin', any0ay. So+ethin' stron', so+ethin' si+!le, so+ethin' En'lish. I s&!!ose !eo!le li(e +e aren)t s&!!osed to 5e /ery !atriotic. So+e5ody said:0hat 0as it: 0e 'et o&r coo(in' ro+ Paris Bthat)s a la&'hA, o&r !olitics ro+ "osco0, and o&r +orals ro+ Port Said.

So+ethin' li(e that, any0ay. $ho 0as it; (Pause.) $ell, yo& 0o&ldn)t (no0 any0ay. I hate to ad+it it, 5&t I thin( I can &nderstand ho0 her %addy +&st ha/e elt 0hen he ca+e 5ac( ro+ India, a ter all those years a0ay. The old Ed0ardian 5ri'ade do +a(e their 5rie little 0orld loo( !retty te+!tin'. All ho+e+ade ca(es and cro4&et, 5ri'ht ideas, 5ri'ht &ni or+s. Al0ays the sa+e !ict&re- hi'h s&++er, the lon' days in the s&n, sli+ /ol&+es o /erse, cris! linen, the s+ell o starch. $hat a ro+antic !ict&re. Phoney too, o co&rse. It +&st ha/e rained so+eti+es. Still, e/en I re'ret it so+eho0, !honey or not. I yo&)/e no 0orld o yo&r o0n, it)s rather !leasant to re'ret the !assin' o so+eone else)s. I +&st 5e 'ettin' senti+ental. B&t I +&st say it)s !retty dreary li/in' in the A+erican A'e:&nless yo&)re an A+erican o co&rse. Perha!s all o&r children 0ill 5e A+ericans. That)s a tho&'ht isn)t it; He gi&es Cliff a kick" and shouts at him. I said that)s a tho&'ht< CLI##- Yo& did;
JI""Y-

Yo& sit there li(e a l&+! o do&'h. I tho&'ht yo& 0ere 'oin' to +a(e +e so+e tea. Cliff groans. (immy turns to

Alison. Is yo&r riend $e5ster co+in' toni'ht;

ALISONJI""YALISONJI""Y-

He +i'ht dro! in. Yo& (no0 0hat he is. I tho&'ht yo& said he 0as the only !erson 0ho s!o(e yo&r lan'&a'e. Enth&sias+.

$ell, I ho!e he doesn)t. I don)t thin( I co&ld ta(e $e5ster toni'ht. SO he is. %i erent dialect 5&t sa+e lan'&a'e I li(e hi+. He)s 'ot 5ite, ed'e, dri/e Yo&)/e 'ot it. $hen he co+es here, I 5e'in to eel e8hilarated. He doesn)t li(e +e, 5&t he 'i/es +e Yes, 0e (no0. Not since yo& 0ere li/in' 0ith "adeline. (behind paper again). $ho)s "adeline; Oh, 0a(e &!, dear. Yo&)/e heard a5o&t "adeline eno&'h ti+es. She 0as his +istress.

ALISONJI""Y-

so+ethin', 0hich is +ore than I 'et ro+ +ost !eo!le. Not since
ALISON-

)he folds some of the clothes she has already ironed" crosses to the bed with them.
CLI##ALISON-

Re+e+5er; $hen he 0as o&rteen. Or 0as it thirteen;

JI""Y-

Ei'hteen. He o0es 7&st a5o&t e/erythin' to "adeline. I 'et +i8ed &! 0ith all yo&r 0o+en. $as she the one all those years older than yo&; Ten years. $hat ti+e)s that concert on; (Checks paper) (yawns). Oh, I eel so slee!y. %on)t eel li(e standin' 5ehind that 5lin(in' s0eet*stall a'ain to+orro0. I)/e 'ot to 5e at the actory irst thin', to 'et so+e +ore stoc(, so yo&)ll ha/e to !&t it &! on yo&r o0n.

ALISONCLI##JI""YCLI##-

Pro!er little "arch5an(s, yo& are<

JI""YCLI##-

$hy don)t yo& do it on yo&r o0n, and let +e slee! in;

JI""Y-

Another i/e +in&tes. Alison has returned to her ironing board. )he stands with her arms folded" smoking" staring thoughtfully. She had +ore ani+ation in her little in'er than yo& t0o !&t to'ether. CLI##- $ho did; ALISON- "adeline. JI""Y- Her c&riosity a5o&t thin's, and a5o&t !eo!le 0as sta''erin'. It 0asn)t 7&st a nai/e nosiness. $ith her, it 0as si+!ly the deli'ht o 5ein' a0a(e, and 0atchin'. Alison starts to press Cliff's trousers. CLI##+ (behind paper). Perha!s I 0ill +a(e so+e tea, a ter all. JI""Y- ('uietly). J&st to 5e 0ith her 0as an ad/ent&re. E/en to sit on the to! o a 5&s 0ith her 0as li(e settin' o&t 0ith 6lysses.

CLI##- $o&ldn)t ha/e said $e5ster 0as +&ch li(e 6lysses. He)s an &'ly little de/il. JI""Y- I)+ not tal(in' a5o&t $e5ster, st&!id. He)s all ri'ht tho&'h, in his 0ay. A sort o e+ale E+ily Bronte. He)s the only one o yo&r riends (to Alison) 0ho)s 0orth t&!!ence, any0ay. I)+ s&r!rised yo& 'et on 0ith hi+. ALISON- So is he, I thin(. JI""Y+ (rising to window ,." and looking out). He)s not only 'ot '&ts, 5&t sensiti/ity as 0ell. That)s a5o&t the rarest co+5ination I can thin( o . None o yo&r other riends ha/e 'ot either. ALISON- (&ery 'uietly and earnestly). Ji++y, !lease: don)t 'o on. He turns and looks at her. The tired appeal in her &oice has pulled him up suddenly. -ut he soon gathers himself for a new assault. He walks C" behind Cliff" and stands" looking down at his head. JI""Y- Yo&r riends:there)s a sho0er or yo&. CLI##- (mumbling). %ry &!. Let her 'et on 0ith +y tro&sers. JI""Y- (musingly). %on)t thin( I co&ld !ro/o(e her. Nothin' I co&ld do 0o&ld !ro/o(e her. Not e/en i I 0ere to dro! dead. CLI##- Then dro! dead. JI""Y- They)re either +ilitant li(e her "&++y and %addy. "ilitant, arro'ant and &ll o +alice. Or /a'&e. She)s so+e0here 5et0een the t0o. CLI##- $hy don)t yo& listen to that concert o yo&rs; And don)t stand 5ehind +e. That 5loo+in' dronin' on 5ehind +e 'i/es +e a &nny eelin' do0n the s!ine. (immy gi&es his ears a twist and Cliff roars with pain. (immy grins back at him. That h&rt, yo& rotten sadist< (To Alison.) I 0ish yo&)d (ic( his head in or hi+. JI""Y- (mo&ing in between them). Ha/e yo& e/er seen her 5rother; Brother Ni'el; The strai'ht*5ac(ed, chinless 0onder ro+ Sandh&rst; I only +et hi+ once +ysel . He as(ed +e to ste! o&tside 0hen I told his +other she 0as e/il +inded.
CLI##- And did yo&; JI""Y-

Certainly not. He)s a 5i' cha!. $ell, yo&)/e ne/er heard so +any 0ell*5red co++on!laces co+e ro+ 5eneath the

sa+e 5o0ler hat. The Platit&de ro+ O&ter S!ace:that)s 5rother Ni'el. He)ll end &! in the Ca5inet one day, +a(e no +ista(e. B&t so+e0here at the 5ac( o that +ind is the /a'&e (no0led'e that he and his !als ha/e 5een !l&nderin' and oolin' e/ery5ody or 'enerations. (#oing upstage" and turning.) No0 Ni'el is 7&st a5o&t as /a'&e as yo& can 'et 0itho&t 5ein' act&ally in/isi5le. And in/isi5le !oliticians aren)t +&ch &se to anyone:not e/en to his s&!!orters< And nothin' is +ore /a'&e a5o&t Ni'el than his (no0led'e. His (no0led'e o li e and ordinary h&+an 5ein's is so ha=y, he really deser/es so+e sort o decoration or it: a +edal inscri5ed >#or 3a'&ery in the #ield>. B&t it 0o&ldn)t do or hi+ to 5e tro&5led 5y any sta5s o conscience, ho0e/er /a'&e. (.o&ing down again.) Besides, he)s a !atriot and an En'lish+an, and he doesn)t li(e the idea that he +ay ha/e 5een sellin' o&t his co&ntry+an all these years, so 0hat does he do; The only thin' he can do:see( sanct&ary in his o0n st&!idity. The only 0ay to (ee! thin's as +&ch li(e they al0ays ha/e 5een as !ossi5le, is to +a(e any alternati/e too +&ch or yo&r !oor, tiny 5rain to 'ras!. It ta(es so+e doin' no0adays. It really does. B&t they (ne0 all a5o&t character 5&ildin' at Ni'el)s school, and he)ll +a(e it all ri'ht. %on)t yo& 0orry, he)ll +a(e it. And, 0hat)s +ore, he)ll do it 5etter than any5ody else< There is no sound" only the plod of Alison's iron. Her eyes are fi$ed on what she is doing. Cliff stares at the floor. His cheerfulness has deserted him for the moment. (immy is rather shakily triumphant. He cannot allow himself to look at either of them to catch their response to his rhetoric" so he mo&es across to the window" to reco&er himself" and look out. It)s started to rain. That)s all it needs. This roo+ and the rain. He's been cheated out of his response" but he's got to draw blood somehow" (con&ersationally). Yes, that)s the little 0o+an)s a+ily. Yo& (no0 "&++y and %addy, o co&rse. And don)t let the "ar4&ess o C&eens5erry +anner ool yo&. They)ll (ic( yo& in the 'roin 0hile yo&)re handin' yo&r hat to the +aid. As or Ni'el and Alison : (/n a re&erent" )tuart Hibberd &oice.) Ni'el and Alison. They)re 0hat they so&nd li(e- syco!hantic, !hle'+atic and !&sillani+o&s.

CLI##-

I)ll 5et that concert)s started 5y no0. Shall I !&t it on; I loo(ed &! that 0ord the other day. It)s one o those 0ords I)/e ne/er 5een 4&ite s&re o , 5&t al0ays $hat 0as that; I told yo&:!&sillani+o&s. %o yo& (no0 0hat it +eans;

JI""Y -

tho&'ht I (ne0.
CLI## JI""Y -

Cliff shakes his head. Neither did I really. All this ti+e, I ha/e 5een +arried to this 0o+an, this +on&+ent to non*attach+ent, and s&ddenly I disco/er that there is act&ally a 0ord that s&+s her &!. Not 7&st an ad7ecti/e in the En'lish lan'&a'e to descri5e her 0ith:it)s her na+e< P&sillani+o&s< It so&nds li(e so+e leshy Ro+an +atron, doesn)t it; The Lady P&sillani+o&s seen here 0ith her h&s5and Se8t&s, on their 0ay to the Ga+es. Cliff looks troubled" and glances uneasily at Alison. Poor old Se8t&s< I he 0ere !&t into a Holly0ood il+, he)s so &ni+!ressi/e, they)d +a(e so+e !oor British actor !lay the !art. He doesn)t (no0 it, 5&t those 5ee ca(e Christians 0ill +a(e o 0ith his 0i e in the 0onder o stereo!honic so&nd 5e ore the !ict&re)s o/er. Alison leans against the board" and closes her eyes. The Lady P&sillani+o&s has 5een !ro+ised a 5ri'hter easier 0orld than old Se8t&s can e/er o er her. Hi, P&sey< $hat say 0e 'et the hell do0n to the Arena, and +ay5e eed o&rsel/es to a co&!le o lions, h&h;
ALISON JI""Y -

God hel! +e, i he doesn)t sto!, I)ll 'o o&t o +y +ind in a +in&te.

$hy don)t yo&; That 0o&ld 5e so+ethin', any0ay. (Crosses to chest of drawers ,.) B&t I ha/en)t told

yo& 0hat it +eans yet, ha/e I; (Picks up dictionary.) I don)t ha/e to tell her :she (no0s. In act, i +y !ron&nciation is at a&lt, she)ll !ro5a5ly 0ait or a s&ita5ly !&5lic +o+ent to correct it. Here it is. I 4&oteP&sillani+o&s. Ad7ecti/e. $antin' o ir+ness o +ind, o s+all co&ra'e, ha/in' a little +ind, +ean s!irited, co0ardly, ti+id o +ind. #ro+ the Latin !&sill&s, /ery little, and ani+&s, the +ind. ()lams the book shut.) That)s +y 0i e< That)s her isn)t it; Behold the Lady P&sillani+o&s. ()houting hoarsely.) Hi, P&sey< $hen)s yo&r ne8t !ict&re; (immy watches her" waiting for her to break. 0or no more than a flash" Alison's face seems to contort" and it looks as though she might throw her head back" and scream. -ut it passes in a moment. )he is used to these carefully rehearsed attacks" and it doesn't look as though he will get his triumph tonight. )he carries on with her ironing. (immy crosses" and switches on the radio. The 1aughan !illiams concert has started. He goes back to his chair" leans back in it" and closes his eyes.
ALISON -

(handing Cliff his trousers). There yo& are, dear. They)re not /ery 'ood, 5&t they)ll do or no0.

Cliff gets up and puts them on.

CLI## -

Oh, that)s lo/ely. N O$ try and loo( a ter the+. I)ll 'i/e the+ a real !ress later on. Than( yo&, yo& 5ea&ti &l, darlin' 'irl.

ALISON CLI## -

He puts his arms round her waist" and kisses her. )he smiles" and gi&es his nose a tug. (immy watches from his chair.
ALISONCLI## -

(to Cliff). Let)s ha/e a ci'arette, shall 0e; On the sto/e. %o yo& 0ant one Ji++y;

That)s a 'ood idea. $here are they; N O than( yo&, I)+ tryin' to listen. %o yo& +ind; Sorry, yo&r lordshi!.

ALISON JI""YCLI## -

He puts a cigarette in Alison's mouth" and one in his own" and lights up. Cliff sits down" and picks up his paper. Alison goes back to her board. Cliff throws down paper" picks up another" and thumbs through that.
JI""Y-

%o yo& ha/e to +a(e all that rac(et;

CLI##JI""Y-

Oh, sorry. It)s 4&ite a si+!le thin', yo& (no0:t&rnin' o/er a !a'e. Any0ay, that)s +y !a!er. Oh, don)t 5e so +ean< Price nine!ence, o5taina5le ro+ any ne0sa'ent)s. No0 let +e hear the +&sic, or

()natches it away.)
CLI## JI""Y -

God)s sa(e. Pause. (to Alison) . Are yo& 'oin' to 5e +&ch lon'er doin' that;
ALISON9 JI""Y -

$hy; Perha!s yo& ha/en)t noticed It, 5&t it)s inter erin' 0ith the radio.
ALISON -

I)+ sorry. I shan)t 5e +&ch

lon'er. A pause. The iron mingles with the music. Cliff shifts restlessly in his chair" (immy watches Alison" his foot beginning to twitchdangerously. Presently" he gets up 'uickly" crossing below Alison to the radio" and turns it off. $hat did yo& do that or; JI""Y- I 0anted to listen to the concert, that)s all. ALISON- $ell, 0hat)s sto!!in' yo&; JI""Y- E/eryone)s +a(in' s&ch a din:that)s 0hat)s sto!!in' +e. ALISON- $ell, I)+ /ery sorry, 5&t I can)t 7&st sto! e/erythin' 5eca&se yo& 0ant to listen to +&sic. JI""Y- $hy not; ALISON- Really, Ji++y, yo&)re li(e a child. JI""Y- %on)t try and !atronise +e. (Turning to Cliff.) She)s so cl&+sy. I 0atch or her to do the sa+e thin's e/ery ni'ht. The 0ay she 7&+!s on the 5ed, as i she 0ere sta+!in' on so+eone)s ace, and dra0s the c&rtains 5ac( 0ith a 'reat clatter, in that cas&ally destr&cti/e 0ay o hers. It)s li(e so+eone la&nchin' a 5attleshi!. Ha/e yo& e/er noticed ho0 noisy 0o+en are; (Crosses below chairs to 2.C.) Ha/e yo&; The 0ay they (ic( the loor a5o&t, si+!ly 0al(in' o/er it; Or ha/e yo& 0atched the+ sittin' at their dressin' ta5les, dro!!in' their 0ea!ons and 5an'in' do0n their 5its o 5o8es and 5r&shes and li!stic(s; He faces her dressing table. I)/e 0atched her doin' it ni'ht a ter ni'ht $hen yo& see a 0o+an in ront o her 5edroo+ +irror, yo& realise 0hat a re ined sort o a 5&tcher she is. (Turns in.) %id yo& e/er see so+e dirty old Ara5, stic(in' his in'ers into so+e +ess o la+5 at and 'ristle; $ell, she)s 7&st li(e that. Than( God they don)t ha/e +any 0o+en s&r'eons< Those !ri+iti/e hands 0o&ld ha/e yo&r '&ts o&t in no ti+e. #li!< O&t it co+es, li(e the !o0der o&t o its 5o8. #lo!< Bac( it 'oes, li(e the !o0der !& on the ta5le.
CLI##JI""Y-

(grimacing cheerfully). 6'h< Sto! it< (mo&ing upstage). She)d dro! yo&r '&ts li(e hair cli!s and l& all o/er the loor. Yo&)/e 'ot to 5e

&nda+entally insensiti/e to 5e as noisy and as cl&+sy as that. He mo&es C" and leans against the table" I had a lat &nderneath a co&!le o 'irls once. Yo& heard e/ery da+ned thin' those 5astards did, all day and ni'ht. The +ost si+!le, e/eryday actions 0ere a sort o assa&lt co&rse on yo&r sensi5ilities. I &sed to !lead 0ith the+. I e/en 'ot to screa+in' the +ost in'enio&s o5scenities I co&ld thin( o , &! the stairs at the+. B&t nothin', nothin', 0o&ld +o/e the+. $ith those t0o, e/en a si+!le /isit to the la/atory so&nded li(e a +edie/al sie'e. Oh, they 5eat +e in the end:I had to 'o. I e8!ect they)re still at it. Or they)re !ro5a5ly +arried 5y no0, and dri/in' so+e other !oor de/ils o&t o their +inds. Sla++in' their doors, sta+!in' their hi'h heels, 5an'in' their irons and sa&ce!ans:the eternal la+in' rac(et o the e+ale. Church bells start ringing outside.
JI""Y-

Oh, hell< No0 the 5loody 5ells ha/e started< He rushes to the window. $ra! it &!, 0ill yo&; Sto! rin'in' Sto! sho&tin'< (,eco&ering immediately.) Yo&)ll ha/e "iss %r&ry &! here.

those 5ells< There)s so+e5ody 'oin' cra=y in here< I don)t 0ant to hear the+<
ALISON-

JI""Y-

I don)t 'i/e a da+n a5o&t "iss %r&ry:that +ild old 'entle0o+an doesn)t ool +e, e/en i she ta(es in yo&

t0o. She)s an old ro55er. She 'ets +ore than eno&'h o&t o &s or this !lace e/ery 0ee(. Any0ay, she)s !ro5a5ly in ch&rch, (points to the window) s0in'in' on those 5loody 5ells< Cliff goes to the window" and closes it.
CLI## JI""Y CLI## -

Co+e on no0, 5e a 'ood 5oy. I)ll ta(e &s all o&t, and 0e)ll ha/e a drin(. They)re not o!en yet. It)s S&nday. Re+e+5er; Any0ay, it)s rainin'. $ell, shall 0e dance; He pushes (immy round the floor" who is past the mood for this kind of fooling. %o Only in the +atin' season. All ri'ht, all ri'ht, /ery &nny. He tries to escape" but Cliff holds him like a Not &ntil yo&)/e a!olo'ised or 5ein' so nasty to e/eryone. %o yo& thin( 5oso+s 0ill 5e in or o&t, this Yo&r teeth 0ill 5e o&t in a +in&te, i yo& don)t let 'o<

yo& co+e here o ten;

JI""Y -

&ice. Let +e 'o.

CLI##-

year;
JI""Y -

He makes a great effort to wrench himself free" but Cliff hangs on. They collapse to the floor C" below the table" struggling. Alison carries on with her ironing. This is routine" but she is getting close to breaking point" all the same. Cliff manages to break away" and finds himself in front of the ironing board. (immy springs up. They grapple.
ALISON -

Loo( o&t, or hea/en)s sa(e< Oh, it)s +ore li(e a =oo e/ery day<

(immy makes a frantic" deliberate effort" and manages to push Cliff on to the ironing board" and into Alison. The board collapses. Cliff falls against her" and they end up in a heap on the floor. Alison cries out in pain. (immy looks down at them" da3ed and breathless.
CLI##ALISONCLI##JI""Y-

(picking himself up). She)s h&rt. Are yo& all ri'ht; $ell, does it loo( li(e it< She)s 5&rnt her ar+ on the iron. %arlin', I)+ sorry. Get o&t< I)+ sorry, 5elie/e +e. Yo& thin( I did it on !&r: (her head shaking helplessly.) Clear o&t o +y si'ht4

ALISONJI""YALISON-

He stares at her uncertainly. Cliff nods to him" and he turns and goes out of the door.
CLI##-

Co+e and sit do0n. He leads her to the armchair. ,. Yo& loo( a 5it 0hite. Are yo& all ri'ht; Yes. I)+ all ri'ht no0. Let)s ha/e a loo( at yo&r ar+. (5$amines it) Yes, it)s 4&ite red. That)s 'oin' to 5e !ain &l. Oh, it)s nothin' +&ch. A 5it o soa! on it 0ill do. I ne/er can re+e+5er 0hat yo& do 0ith 5&rns. CLI##- I)ll 7&st !o!

ALISONCLI##-

$hat sho&ld I do 0ith it;

ALISON-

do0n to the 5athroo+ and 'et so+e. Are yo& s&re yo&)re all ri'ht;
ALISON- Yes. CLI##-

(crossing to door). $on)t 5e a +in&te.

56/T. )he leans back in the chair" and looks up at the ceiling. )he breathes in deeply" and brings her hands up to her face. )he winces as she feels the pain in her arm" and she lets it fall. )he runs her hand through her hair.
ALISON -

(in a clenched whisper). Oh, God<

Cliff re*enters with a bar of soap.

10

CLI##-

It)s this scented +&c(. %o yo& thin( it)ll 5e all ri'ht; That)ll do. Here 0e are then. Let)s ha/e yo&r ar+. He kneels down beside her" and she holds out her arm.

ALISONCLI##-

I)/e !&t it &nder the ta!. It)s 4&ite so t. I)ll do it e/er so 'ently. 1ery carefully" he rubs the soap o&er the burn. All ri'ht; ()he nods.) Yo&)re a 5ra/e 'irl.
ALISON-

I don)t eel /ery 5ra/e. (Tears harshening her &oice) I really don)t, Cli . I don)t thin( I can ta(e +&ch +ore. (Turns o/er no0. (Puts the soap down.) $o&ld yo& li(e +e to 'et yo& so+ethin'; )he shakes her head. He sits on

her head away.) I thin( I eel rather sic(.

CLI##- All

the arm of the chair" and puts his arm round her. )he leans her head back on to him. %on)t &!set yo&rsel , lo/ely. He massages the back of her neck" and she lets her head fall forward.
ALISONCLI##-

$here is he; $hat)s he doin';

In +y roo+. Lyin' on the 5ed. Readin', I thin(. ()troking her neck.) That 5etter; )he leans back" and closes her eyes

ALISONCLI##-

again. ALISON- Bless yo&. He kisses the top of her head. CLI##- I don)t thin( I)d ha/e the co&ra'e to li/e on +y o0n a'ain:in s!ite o e/erythin'. I)+ !retty ro&'h, and !retty ordinary really, and I)d see+ 0orse on +y o0n. And yo& 'et ond o !eo!le too, 0orse l&c(.
ALISONCLI##-

I don)t thin( I 0ant anythin' +ore to do 0ith. lo/e. Any +ore. I can)t ta(e it on.

Yo&)re too yo&n' to start 'i/in' &!. Too yo&n', and too lo/ely. Perha!s I)d 5etter !&t a 5anda'e on that:do yo& There)s so+e on +y dressin' ta5le. Cliff crosses to the dressing table ,. I (ee! loo(in' 5ac(, as ar as I re+e+5er,

thin( so;
ALISON-

and I can)t thin( 0hat it 0as to eel yo&n', really yo&n'. Ji++y said the sa+e thin' to +e the other day. I !retended not to 5e listenin':5eca&se I (ne0 that 0o&ld h&rt hi+, I s&!!ose. And:o co&rse:he 'ot sa/a'e, li(e toni'ht. B&t I (ne0 7&st 0hat he +eant. I s&!!ose it 0o&ld ha/e 5een so easy to say >Yes, darlin', I (no0 7&st 0hat yo& +ean. I (no0 0hat yo&)re eelin'.> ()hrugs.) It)s those easy thin's that see+ to 5e so i+!ossi5le 0ith &s. Cliff stands down ,." holding the bandage" his back to her.
CLI##-

I)+ 0onderin' ho0 +&ch lon'er I can 'o on 0atchin' yo& t0o tearin' the insides o&t o each other. It loo(s !retty 0o&ldn)t serio&sly thin( o lea/in' &s, 0o&ld yo&;

&'ly so+eti+es.
ALISON- YO6 CLI##-

I s&!!ose not. (Crosses to her.) I thin( I)+ ri'htened. I only I (ne0 0hat 0as 'oin' to ha!!en. (kneeling on the arm of her chair). Gi/e it here. ()he holds out her arm.) Yell o&t i I h&rt yo&. (He bandages it for

ALISONCLI##-

her.) ALISON- (staring at her outstretched arm) . Cli : CLI##- 6+; ()light pause.) $hat is it, lo/ely; ALISON- Nothin'. CLI##- I said- 0hat is it; ALISON- Yo& see: (Hesitates.) I)+ !re'nant.
CLI##ALISONCLI##-

(after a few moments). I)ll need so+e scissors. They)re o/er there. (crossing to the dressing table). That is so+ethin', isn)t it; $hen did yo& ind this o&t; ALISON- #e0 days a'o. It 0as Yes9 I dare say.

a 5it o a shoc(.
CLI##-

11

ALISONCLI##-

A ter three years o +arried li e, I ha/e to 'et ca&'ht o&t no0. It)s al0ays 5een o&t o the 4&estion. $hat 0ith:this !lace, and no +oney, and oh: e/erythin'. He)s resented it, I ha/en)t told hi+ yet.

None o &s in alli5le, I s&!!ose. (Crosses to her.) "&st say I)+ s&r!rised tho&'h.

ALISON-

(no0. $hat can yo& do;

CLI##- YO6 ALISONCLI##-

Not yet. I)/e no idea. (ha&ing cut her bandage" he starts tying it). That too ti'ht; #ine, than( yo&. Is it... Is it... ; Too late to a/ert the sit&ation; (Places the iron on the rack of the sto&e.) I)+ not certain yet. "ay5e not. I not,

$hat are yo& 'oin' to do;

ALISONCLI##ALISON-

)he rises" goes to the ironing board" folds it up" and leans it against the food cupboard ,.
CLI## ALISON-

there 0on)t 5e any !ro5le+, 0ill there;

CLI##-

And i it is too late; Her face is turned away from him. )he simply shakes her head. $hy don)t yo& tell hi+ no0;

)he kneels down to pick up the clothes on the floor" and folds them up. A ter all, he does lo/e yo&. Yo& don)t need +e to tell yo& that.
ALISON-

Can)t yo& see; He)ll s&s!ect +y +oti/es at once. He ne/er sto!s tellin' hi+sel that I (no0 ho0 /&lnera5le he is.

Toni'ht it +i'ht 5e all ri'ht:0e)d +a(e lo/e. B&t later, 0e)d 5oth lie a0a(e, 0atchin' or the li'ht to co+e thro&'h that little 0indo0, and dreadin' it. In the +ornin', he)d eel hoa8ed, as i I 0ere tryin' to (ill hi+ in the 0orst 0ay o all. He)d 0atch +e 'ro0in' 5i''er e/ery day, and I 0o&ldn)t dare to loo( at hi+.
CLI##- YO6 ALISON-

+ay ha/e to ace it, lo/ely.

Ji++y)s 'ot his o0n !ri/ate +orality, as yo& (no0. $hat +y +other calls >loose>. It is !retty ree, o co&rse, 5&t it)s $e (ne0 each other s&ch a short ti+e, e/erythin' +o/ed at s&ch a !ace, 0e didn)t ha/e +&ch o!!ort&nity. And,

/ery harsh too. Yo& (no0, it)s &nny, 5&t 0e ne/er sle!t to'ether 5e ore 0e 0ere +arried. CLI##- It certainly is:(no0in' hi+<
ALISON-

a ter0ards, he act&ally ta&nted +e 0ith +y /ir'inity. He 0as 4&ite an'ry a5o&t it, as i I had decei/ed hi+ in so+e stran'e 0ay. He see+ed to thin( an &nto&ched 0o+an 0o&ld de ile hi+.
CLI##-

I)/e ne/er heard yo& tal(in' li(e this a5o&t hi+. He)d 5e 4&ite !leased. Yes, he 0o&ld.

ALISON-

)he gets up" the clothes folded o&er her arm. %o yo& thin( he)s ri'ht;
CLI##-

$hat a5o&t; Oh:e/erythin'. $ell, I s&!!ose he and I thin( the sa+e a5o&t a lot o thin's, 5eca&se 0e)re ali(e in so+e 0ays. $e 5oth co+e ro+

ALISONCLI##-

0or(in' !eo!le, i yo& li(e. Oh I (no0 so+e o his +other)s relati/es are !retty !osh, 5&t he hates the+ as +&ch as he hates yo&rs. %on)t 4&ite (no0 0hy. Any0ay, he 'ets on 0ith +e 5eca&se I)+ co++on. (#rins.) Co++on as dirt, that)s +e. )he puts her hand on his head" and strokes it thoughtfully.
ALISON- YO6 CLI##-

thin( I sho&ld tell hi+ a5o&t the 5a5y; He gets up" and puts his arm round her.

It)ll 5e all ri'ht:yo& see. Tell hi+. He kisses her. 5nter (immy. He looks at them curiously" but without surprise. They

are both aware of him" but make no sign of it. He crosses to the armchair 2." and sits down ne$t to them. He picks up a paper" and starts looking at it. Cliff glances at him" Alison's head against his cheek. There yo& are, yo& old de/il, yo&< $here ha/e yo& 5een;
JI""Y- YO6 ALISONCLI##-

(no0 da+n 0ell 0here I)/e 5een. (!ithout looking at her.) Ho0)s yo&r ar+;

Oh, it)s all ri'ht. It 0asn)t +&ch.

She)s 5ea&ti &l, isn)t she;

12

JI""Y- YO6 CLI##-

see+ to thin( so. Cliff and Alison still ha&e their arms round one another. thin( she)d ha/e 5een 5etter o 0ith yo&;

$hy the hell she +arried yo&, I)ll ne/er (no0. I)+ not her ty!e. A+ I, d&llin); I)+ not s&re 0hat +y ty!e is. (no0, I thin( he really +eans that. $hy don)t yo& 5oth 'et into 5ed, and ha/e done 0ith it. I do. I can)t concentrate 0ith yo& t0o standin' there li(e that. He)s 7&st an old P&ritan at heart. Perha!s I a+, at that. Any0ay, yo& 5oth loo( !retty silly slo55erin' o/er each other. I thin( she)s 5ea&ti &l. And so do yo&, only yo&)re too +&ch o a !i' to say so. Yo&)re 7&st a se8y little $elsh+an, and yo& (no0 it< "&++y and %addy t&rn !ale, and ace the east e/ery ti+e they

JI""Y- YO6 CLI##-

ALISONJI""Y-

ALISON- YO6 JI""YCLI##JI""YCLI##-

JI""Y-

re+e+5er she)s +arried to +e. B&t i they sa0 all this 'oin' on, they)d colla!se. $onder 0hat they 0o&ld do, incidentally. Send or the !olice I e8!ect. (#enuinely friendly.) Ha/e yo& 'ot a ci'arette;
ALISONJI""Y-

(disengaging). I)ll ha/e a loo(. )he goes to her handbag on the table C.

(pointing at Cliff). He 'ets +ore li(e a little +o&se e/ery day, doesn)t he; He is trying to re*establish himself. He really (looking through her bag) . That)s 5eca&se he is a +o&se.

does loo( li(e one. Loo( at those ears, and that ace, and the little short le's.
ALISONCLI##JI""YCLI##-

Ee(< Ee(< I)+ a +o&se. A randy little +o&se. (dancing round the table" and s'ueaking). I)+ a +o&se, I)+ a +o&se, I)+ a randy little +o&se. That)s a +o&rris A 0hat; stin(. Yo& really do. %o yo& (no0 that;

dance.
JI""YCLI##-

A .ourris 7ance. That)s a "orris %ance strictly or +ice. Not as 5ad as yo&, yo& horri5le old 5ear. (#oes o&er to him" and grabs his foot.) Yo&)re a stin(in' old 5ear, yo& hear Let 'o o +y oot, yo& 0hi+sy little hal *0it. Yo&)re +a(in' +y sto+ach hea/e. I)+ restin'< I yo& don)t let 'o, I)ll c&t

JI""Y- YO6 CLI##-

+e;
JI""Y-

o yo&r nasty, 'reat, sli+y tail< Cliff gi&es him a tug" and (immy falls to the floor. Alison watches them" relie&ed and suddenly full of affection.
ALISON -

I)/e r&n o&t o ci'arettes.

Cliff is dragging (immy along the floor by his feet.

JI""Y -

(yelling). Go o&t and 'et +e so+e ci'arettes, O.K. Here)s hal a cro0n. (#i&ing it him.) The sho! on the corner 0ill 5e o!en.
JI""Y -

and sto! !layin' the ool<

CLI## -

He lets go of (immy's legs suddenly" who yells again as his head bangs on the floor.
ALISON CLI##-

Ri'ht yo& are. (8isses her on the forehead 'uickly.) %on)t or'et. (Crosses upstage to door.) (at door). Hey, shorty< $hat do yo& 0ant; "a(e a nice !ot o tea. (getting up). I)ll (ill yo& irst.

NO$

'et to hell o&t o here<

CLI##JI""Y CLI## JI""Y-

13

CLI##-

(grinning). That)s +y 5oy< 5 6 / T.

(immy is now beside Alison" who is still looking through her handbag. )he becomes aware of his nearness" and" after a few moments" closes it. He takes hold of her bandaged arm. Ho0)s it eelin'; #ine. It 0asn)t anythin'. All this oolin' a5o&t can 'et a 5it dan'ero&s. He sits on the edge of the table" holding her hand. I)+ sorry.
ALISON JI""Y ALISON JI""Y ALISONJI""Y -

I (no0. I +ean it. There)s no need. I did it on !&r!ose. Yes. There)s hardly a +o+ent 0hen I)+ not*0atchin' and 0antin' yo&. I)/e 'ot to hit o&t so+eho0. Nearly

o&r years o 5ein' in the sa+e roo+ 0ith yo&, ni'ht and day, and I still can)t sto! +y s0eat 5rea(in' o&t 0hen I see yo& doin':so+ethin' as ordinary as leanin' o/er an ironin' 5oard. )he strokes his head" not sure of herself yet. (sighing). Tro&5le is:Tro&5le is yo& 'et &sed to !eo!le. E/en their tri/ialities 5eco+e indis!ensa5le to yo&. Indis!ensa5le, and a little +ysterio&s. He slides his head forward" against her" trying to catch his thoughts. I thin( . . . I +&st ha/e a lot o :old stoc(... No5ody 0ants it.... He puts his face against her belly. )he goes on stroking his head" still on guard a little. Then he lifts his head" and they kiss passionately. $hat are 0e 'oin' to do toni'ht;
ALISON JI""Y -

$hat 0o&ld yo& li(e to do; %rin(;

I (no0 0hat I 0ant no0. $ell, yo&)ll ha/e to 0ait till the !ro!er ti+e. Cli 0ill 5e 5ac( in a +in&te. $hat did he +ean 5y >don)t or'et>; So+ethin' I)/e 5een +eanin' to tell yo&. (kissing her again). Yo&)re ond o hi+, aren)t yo&; Yes, I a+. He)s the only riend I see+ to ha/e le t no0. Peo!le 'o a0ay. Yo& ne/er see the+ a'ain. I can re+e+5er

)he takes his head in her hands and kisses him.

ALISON JI""Y ALISONJI""Y -

There)s no s&ch thin'.

ALISON JI""YALISONJI""Y-

lots o na+es:+en and 0o+en. $hen I 0as at school:$atson, Ro5erts, %a/ies. Jenny, "adeline, H&'h... (Pause.) And there)s H&'h)s +&+, o co&rse. I)d al+ost or'otten her. She)s 5een a 'ood riend to &s, i yo& li(e. She)s e/en lettin' +e 5&y the s0eet*stall o her in +y o0n ti+e. She only 5o&'ht it or &s, any0ay. She)s so ond o yo&. I can ne/er &nderstand 0hy yo&)re so:distant 0ith her. ALISON- (alarmed at this threat of a different mood) . Ji++y:!lease no< JI""Y- (staring at her an$ious face). Yo&)re /ery 5ea&ti &l. A 5ea&ti &l, 'reat*eyed s4&irrel. )he nods brightly" relie&ed. Hoardin', n&t*+&nchin' s4&irrel. ()he mimes this delightedly.) $ith hi'hly !olished, 'lea+in' &r, and an ostrich eather o a tail. ALISON- $heeeeeeeeee< JI""Y- Ho0 I en/y yo&. He stands" her arms around his neck. ALISON- $ell, yo&)re a 7olly s&!er 5ear, too. A really sooooooooooooooo!er, +ar/ello&s 5ear. JI""Y- Bears and s4&irrels are +ar/ello&s. ALISON- "ar/ello&s and 5ea&ti &l. )he 9umps up and down e$citedly" making little :paw gestures:. Ooooooooh< Oooooooohl

14

JI""Y- $hat the hell)s that; ALISON- That)s a dance s4&irrels do 0hen they)re ha!!y. They embrace again. JI""Y- $hat +a(es yo& thin( yo&)re ha!!y; ALISON- E/erythin' 7&st see+s all ri'ht s&ddenly. That)s all. Ji++y: JI""Y- Yes;
ALISON- YO6 JI""Y-

(no0 I told yo& I)d so+ethin' to tell yo&;

$ell; %idn)t 'et any &rther than the ront door. "iss %r&ry hadn)t 'one to ch&rch a ter all. I co&ldn)t 'et a0ay ro+ her. On the !hone; $ho on earth is it;

Cliff appears in the doorway.

CLI##-

(To Alison.) So+eone on the !hone or yo&.

ALISONCLI##-

Helena so+ethin'. (to Cliff). Helena Charles; That)s it. Than( yo&, Cli . (.o&es upstage.) I 0on)t 5e a +in&te. 0ill. Old "iss %r&ry 0ill (ee! yo& do0n there ore/er. She doesn)t thin( 0e (ee! this !lace clean eno&'h.

(immy and Alison look at each other 'uickly.

JI""YCLI##-

ALISON-

CLI##- YO6

(Comes and sits in the armchair down ,.) Tho&'ht yo& 0ere 'oin' to +a(e +e so+e tea, yo& rotter. (immy makes no reply. $hat)s the +atter, 5oyo;
JI""YCLI##JI""YCLI##JI""Y-

(slowly). That 5itch. (to himself). Helena Charles.

$ho; $ho is this Helena; One o her old riends. And one o +y nat&ral ene+ies. Yo&)re sittin' on +y chair. I don)t (no0. $hat does she 0ant; $hat 0o&ld +a(e her rin' &!; It can)t 5e or anythin' !leasant. Oh 0ell, 0e shall soon (no0.

CLI##- $here are 0e 'oin' or a drin(;

JI""YCLI##JI""Y-

$ell, yo& 0ere all or it earlier on.

(He settles on the table.) #e0 +in&tes a'o thin's didn)t see+ so 5ad either. I)/e 7&st a5o&t had eno&'h o this >e8!ense o s!irit> lar(, as ar as 0o+en are concerned. Honestly, it)s eno&'h to +a(e yo& 5eco+e a sco&t+aster or so+ethin' isn)t it; So+eti+es I al+ost en/y old Gide and the Gree( Chor&s 5oys. Oh, I)+ not sayin' that it +&stn)t 5e hell or the+ a lot o the ti+e. B&t, at least, they do see+ to ha/e a ca&se:not a !artic&larly 'ood one, it)s tr&e. B&t !lenty o the+ do see+ to ha/e a re/ol&tionary ire a5o&t the+, 0hich is +ore than yo& can say or the rest o &s. Li(e $e5ster, or instance. He doesn)t li(e +e*they hardly e/er do. He is talking for the sake of it" only half listening to what he is saying. I dare say he s&s!ects +e 5eca&se I re &se to treat hi+ either as a clo0n or as a tra'ic hero. He)s li(e a +an 0ith a stra05erry +ar(:he (ee!s thr&stin' it in yo&r ace 5eca&se he can)t 5elie/e it doesn)t interest or horri y yo& !artic&larly. (Picks up Alison's handbag thoughtfully" and starts looking through it.) As i I 'i/e a da+n 0hich 0ay he li(es his +eat ser/ed &!. I)/e 'ot +y o0n stra05erry +ar(:only it)s in a di erent !lace. No, as ar as the "ichaelan'elo Bri'ade)s concerned, I +&st 5e a sort o ri'ht*0in' de/iationist. I the Re/ol&tion e/er co+es, I)ll 5e the irst to 5e !&t &! a'ainst the 0all, 0ith all the other !oor old li5erals.
CLI##JI""Y-

(indicating Alison's handbag). $o&ldn)t yo& say that that 0as her !ri/ate !ro!erty; Yo&)re 4&ite ri'ht. B&t do yo& (no0 so+ethin'; Li/in' ni'ht and day 0ith another h&+an 5ein' has +ade +e

!redatory and s&s!icio&s. I (no0 that the only 0ay o indin' o&t e8actly 0hat)s 'oin' on is to catch the+ 0hen they don)t

15

(no0 yo&)re loo(in'. $hen she 'oes o&t, I 'o thro&'h e/erythin': tr&n(s, cases, dra0ers, 5oo(case, e/erythin'. $hy; To see i there is so+ethin' o +e so+e0here, a re erence to +e. I 0ant to (no0 i I)+ 5ein' 5etrayed.
CLI##- Yo& JI""Y-

loo( or tro&5le, don)t yo&;

Only 5eca&se I)+ !retty certain o indin' it. (-rings out a letter from the handbag.) Loo( at that< Oh, I)+ s&ch a ool.

This is ha!!enin' e/ery i/e +in&tes o the day. She 'ets letters. BHe holds it up.) Letters ro+ her +other, letters in 0hich I)+ not +entioned at all 5eca&se +y na+e is a dirty 0ord. And 0hat does she do; 5nter Alison. He turns to look at her. She 0rites lon' letters 5ac( to "&++y, and ne/er +entions +e at all, 5eca&se I)+ 7&st a dirty 0ord to her too. He throws the letter down at her feet. $ell, 0hat did yo&r riend 0ant;
ALISON-

She)s at the station. She)s:co+in' o/er.

JI""Y- I see. She said >Can I co+e o/er;> And yo& said >"y h&s5and, Ji++y:i yo&)ll or'i/e +e &sin' s&ch a dirty 0ord, 0ill 5e deli'hted to see yo&. He)ll (ic( yo&r ace in<> He stands up" unable to sustain his anger" poised on the table. ALISON- ('uietly). She)s !layin' 0ith the co+!any at the Hi!!odro+e this 0ee(, and she)s 'ot no di's. She can)t ind any0here to stay: JI""Y- That I don)t 5elie/e< ALISON- So I said she co&ld co+e here &ntil she i8es so+ethin' else. "iss %r&ry)s 'ot a s!are roo+ do0nstairs.
JI""Y-

$hy not ha/e her in here; %id yo& tell her to 5rin' her ar+o&r; Beca&se she)s 'oin' to need it< (&ehemently.) Oh 0hy don)t yo& sh&t &!, !lease< Oh, +y dear 0i e, yo&)/e 'ot so +&ch to learn. I only ho!e yo& learn it one day. I only so+ethin':so+ethin' 0o&ld

ALISONJI""Y-

ha!!en to yo&, and 0a(e yo& o&t o yo&r 5ea&ty slee!< (Coming in close to her.) I yo& co&ld ha/e a child, and it 0o&ld die. Let it 'ro0, let a reco'nisa5le h&+an ace e+er'e ro+ that little +ass o indiar& a5er and 0rin(les. ()he retreats away from him.) Please:i only I co&ld 0atch yo& ace that. I 0onder i yo& +i'ht e/en 5eco+e a reco'nisa5le h&+an 5ein' yo&rsel . B&t I do&5t it. )he mo&es away" stunned" and leans on the gas sto&e down 2. He stands rather helplessly on his own. %o yo& (no0 I ha/e ne/er (no0n the 'reat !leas&re o lo/e+a(in' 0hen I didn)t desire it +ysel . Oh, it)s not that she hasn)t her o0n (ind o !assion. She has the !assion o a !ython. She 7&st de/o&rs +e 0hole e/ery ti+e, as i I 0ere so+e o/er* lar'e ra55it. That)s +e. That 5&l'e aro&nd her na/el:i yo&)re 0onderin' 0hat it is:it)s +e. "e, 5&ried ali/e do0n there, and 'oin' +ad, s+othered in that !eace &l loo(in' coil. Not a so&nd, not a lic(er ro+ her:she doesn)t e/en r&+5le a little. Yo&)d thin( that this indi'esti5le +ess 0o&ld stir &! so+e (ind o tre+or in those distended, o/er ed tri!es:5&t not her< Crosses up to the door. She)ll 'o on slee!in' and de/o&rin' &ntil there)s nothin' le t o +e. 56/T Alison's head goes back as if she were about to make some sound. -ut her mouth remains open and trembling" as Cliff looks on. C;,TA/ 5 7 <0 ACT /

16