<!-- BEGIN SETTINGS --> <style> .present { color: white; text-transform: italic; text-align: left; padding: 0 3rem; } .present h2 { font-size: 70%; text-transform: uppercase; color: yellow; opacity: 0.7; } .present h3 { color: white; text-align: center; padding: 0 3rem; } .present h4 { color: red; text-align: center; padding: 0 3rem } </style> <!-- END SETTINGS --> --- ### And Neither Have I Wings to Fly ### by ### Ann Noble --- ## LEO It was a lovely party. --- ## EVELINE Goodbeye, Mrs. Healy! Thanks again! I will! Thank you! Good-bye! --- Just what we need: another bottle in this house. Oh, Mrs. Healy. I can't believe she didn't drink it herself. --- ## KATHLEEN No, she drank the other one. --- ## EVELINE Ah no, she didn't. --- ## KATHLEEN She left her flash on the mantel. --- ## LEO She'll be wanting it back. --- ## EVELINE I'll bring it over tomorrow. Here, Leo. --- ## KATHLEEN Evvy, give it here. Leo. We'll give Mrs. Healy a little present. --- ## EVELINE Oh, Katie. --- ## KATHLEEN She'll think she was sover. "I could've sworn I was pissed at the Donnelly's. I'd better catch up! I'm behind then!" --- ## EVELINE Katie. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, Evvy, please. --- ## EVELINE Not today. --- ## LEO Taking after Mrs. Healy? --- ## KATHLEEN No, my father. Want a bit? --- ## LEO No. How's the book? --- ## KATHLEEN Fair. It's one of Evvy's. --- I can't make it out. Well, I really don't feel like making it out, it's just a lot of words. It's boring it's so many words. --- ## LEO What's it about? --- ## KATHLEEN This man's got too many daughter, I don't know. I can't finish it. --- I've been staring at page twenty for fifteen minutes now, and nothing's happening, they're all just sitting around talking. Too many words. --- ## LEO You look lovely reading. --- ## KATHLEEN I'm not reading. I'm staring. Staring at page twenty. --- ## LEO Well, then don't read it. --- ## KATHLEEN I want to. --- ## LEO Well-- --- ## KATHLEEN It was Mum's favorite book and I never read it. So, I'm staring at page twenty. --- ## LEO You'll finish it. --- ## KATHLEEN I wish it didn't take so bloody long. --- ## LEO It's a long book. --- ## EVELINE Leo, is this yours? --- ## LEO No, I don't think so. --- ## KATHLEEN Leo doesn't wear hats. --- ## EVELINE Well, I suppose someone'll come for it tomorrow. --- ## LEO I wear hats. --- ## KATHLEEN Maybe it's Da's. --- ## LEO I just don't wear them very often. --- ## EVELINE Katie, his hat is brown. How do you mistake black for brown? --- ## KATHLEEN I don't know. --- ## LEO But I do, sometimes. --- ## EVELINE He's had the same hat for over thirty years. --- ## KATHLEEN Well, I don't remember him buying it. I wasn't even born! --- ## LEO Katie. --- ## KATHLEEN It's just a hat, Evvy. --- ## EVELINE I'll leave it here if someone comes for it. --- ## KATHLEEN Don't look at me like that, she was my mother too. --- ## LEO Katie. --- ## KATHLEEN I know, I know. --- Was it like this when your father died? --- ## LEO Charlie and I couldn't talk for weeks. That's part of the reason he left. Had to be someone's fault, so, it was mine, I guess. --- ## KATHLEEN Five years, then, ay? --- ## LEO Seven. --- ## KATHLEEN Leo, God. --- ## LEO It's bad timing, I know, him coming in tomorrow. --- ## KATHLEEN Not at all. We could use a distraction. --- ## LEO Only a week more. --- ## KATHLEEN I don't think Evvy would mind. --- ## LEO It's not proper. --- ## KATHLEEN Right. Keep forgetting that part. Quick, nobody's looking. --- ## LEO My darling Kathleen. --- ## KATHLEEN Hello. --- ## EVELINE Katie? Pardon. --- Do you want these potatoes for tomorrow? --- ## KATHLEEN No, I don't think so. Leo? --- ## LEO No, thank you. --- ## EVELINE Well, Da'll probably want them. --- ## KATHLEEN He didn't eat anything today. It's not likley he'll be eating tomorrow. --- ## EVELINE He's going to make himself sick, isn't he? --- ## KATHLEEN I think it's a little too late for-- --- ## PETER What's everyone looking at? --- ## EVELINE Nothing, Da/ ## KATHLEEN Nothing. --- ## LEO Nothing, sir. --- ## PETER Well, that's good to know. --- ## EVELINE How was your walk? --- ## PETER Ah, you know. There's the hill. --- ## EVELINE Ay. --- ## PETER Tired getting up it. --- ## EVELINE Maybe you should lie down. --- ## PETER Thought I'd smoke for a bit. --- ## LEO Here, sir. Sit here. --- ## PETER Thank you, Leo. --- ## EVELINE Do you want these potatoes, Da? --- ## PETER No. --- What's the book? --- ## KATHLEEN What? Oh, nothing. Found it about. Just something to do. --- ## PETER What is it? --- ## KATHLEEN I don't know, I just started. --- ## PETER Well, give it here. Let me look. --- ## KATHLEEN No. --- ## PETER Kathleen. --- ## KATHLEEN Bet you never read it either. --- ## PETER You better watch your manners, young lady. --- ## KATHLEEN I'm not a baby anymore! --- ## PETER Then stop acting like one. --- ## EVELINE Katie. --- ## KATHLEEN Did you hear what he said to me? --- ## EVELINE Not today. Please. --- ## KATHLEEN Fine. --- ## PETER Oh, Jays. --- ## EVELINE What is it? --- ## KATHLEEN It's Mum's. --- ## EVELINE Katie! --- ## KATHLEEN I told him it was nothing. --- ## PETER Moria. --- ## EVELINE He's going to miss her so much. I make the potatoes wrong. --- ## KATHLEEN You've been making them these three years. It's potatoes. --- ## EVELINE What's he going to do? --- ## KATHLEEN What am I going to do? I miss her too. --- He's not the only one here who's missing her, did you ever think of that? Did you ever stop to think of that? --- ## EVELINE I never said otherwise. I'll put these away, you can lhave them for tomorrow. --- ## KATHLEEN Potatoes. --- ## PETER Your mother used to read this every night when she was pregnant with you, Kathleen. --- She said you'd be able to tell what she was reading while you were on the inside, so she had to be careful. --- Only great literature. She read Years to Eveline. --- I never understood this book. Tried to read it six times. It's all a great mystery to me. Not her. She read everything. Before. --- ## KATHLEEN I'm reading now, Da. I'm going to finish it. --- ## PETER That’s a good thing to do. --- ## KATHLEEN Thanks. --- ## EVELINE Have you come about that hat? --- ## FREDDY The hat? --- ## EVELINE Thought you were here before. --- ## FREDDY No, this is my first time. --- ## EVELINE Someone left a hat. --- ## FREDDY I don’t wear hats. --- ## EVELINE Oh. Then what can I do for you? --- ## FREDDY I’m looking for Kathleen Donnelly. If memory serves, she could be your sister. --- # KATHLEEN I’m Kathleen. Hello? --- ## FREDDY Katie. I don’t know if you remember or not, but we met-- --- ## KATHLEEN Freddy! --- ## FREDDY At the play. Right. --- ## KATHLEEN Last summer. Shakespeare. --- ## FREDDY Moliere. --- ## KATHLEEN That’s what I meant. We talked forever. --- ## FREDDY I walked you home after the play. --- ## PETER Kathleen. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, Freddy. This is my family. My father. Peter Donnelly. --- ## FREDDY Good evening, sir. --- ## KATHLEEN Freddy Malone. --- ## PETER Evening. Wish I could stay and chat. I’ll be in my room. --- ## EVELINE I’ll bring your tea. --- ## PETER I’m fine. --- ## FREDDY Did I say something? --- ## KATHLEEN No, too many people, you know. --- ## FREDDY Oh, right. --- ## LEO Katie. --- ## KATHLEEN What? Oh! This is Leo. Leo, this is Freddy. Freddy Malone. --- ## FREDDY A pleasure --- ## LEO Same here. --- ## FREDDY I don’t remember a brother. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, no, Freddy. --- ## LEO We’re engaged. --- ## FREDDY Engaged? You and Katie? My God, I wish I would've known, I'd have brough you something. Little Katie married. Imagine that. --- ## EVELINE Would you like to sit down, Mr. Malone? --- ## FREDDY Thank you... I don’t believe we’ve had the pleasure. --- ## KATHLEEN Eveline. --- ## EVELINE The sister. --- ## FREDDY Lovely to meet you, Miss Eveline. --- ## KATHLEEN Would you like a drink, Freddy? --- ## FREDDY You remembered. --- ## EVELINE Katie! --- ## KATHLEEN Evvy. --- ## FREDDY It’s always better than I remember. --- ## KATHLEEN I don’t know, it was pretty good the last time. --- ## FREDDY Wasn’t that much. --- ## KATHLEEN Enough to be feeling it the next day --- ## FREDDY You’re supposed to feel it the next day --- ## EVELINE How long are you in town for, Mr. Malone? --- ## FREDDY Freddy. --- ## KATHLEEN It’s Freddy. You can’t possibly imagine he goes by "Mr. Malone". He’s an actor. --- ## EVELINE How long, Freddy? --- ## FREDDY I’m here for theseason. We’ll do three plays-- --- ## EVELINE How long is a season? --- ## FREDDY Oh, I don’t know . Whenever the people stop coming I suppose. --- ## EVELINE Would you care for a glass there, Mr. Malone? --- ## FREDDY Ay. Pardon. Thank you. --- ## EVELINE Katie? --- ## KATHLEEN No. --- ## LEO So, you’re an actor, Mr....Freddy. --- ## KATHLEEN He’s wonderful, Leo. What was the one last summer? You had those shoes, and Leo, he had this enormous-- --- ## FREDDY It was a wig. Tartuffe. --- ## KATHLEEN Tartuffe! You were brilliant. And funny! I’ve never laughed so hard in my whole life. Leo, why weren’t you there? --- ## LEO I was ill. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, right. It was warm that night. Midsummer. --- ## FREDDY You should have seen her, Leo. Wearing this yellow dress. Flowers in her hair. She looked like a goddess. --- ## LEO I can imagine. --- ## FREDDY Engaged. That I can’t imagine. What do you say I ask Miss Eveline here? Then we could all be related. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, Freddy. You’re ridiculous. --- ## FREDDY It’s a grand idea. --- Do you feel like a goddess today, Miss Eveline? --- ## EVELINE Do I what? --- ## KATHLEEN He’s just having a bit of fun, Evvy. --- ## EVELINE So I’ve noticed. --- ## FREDDY You'll have to forgive me. It’s my trade. --- ## EVELINE It must be nice. Getting paid for having fun. --- ## FREDDY It is nice. --- So, the reason I’ve invited you all here...oh, I’ve got that backwards, haven’t I? --- So, I’ve come on behalf...that’s better...of the travelling company of Dublin: The Playmasters. --- To invite you all to the opening performance of Hamlet by William Shakespeare. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, I love it. We’d love to come. Leo, you’ll come, won’t you? --- ## LEO I wouldn’t miss it. --- ## KATHLEEN Hamlet. Ooh, it sounds wonderful. Is it about something wonderful, Freddy? --- ## EVELINE You read it in school, Katie. --- ## KATHLEEN I did not. --- ## EVELINE Yes, you did, I helped you study for the-- --- ## KATHLEEN Well, I don’t remember. Go on, Freddy, what’s it about? --- ## FREDDY It’s very heroic. And tragic. --- ## KATHLEEN A tragedy! --- ## FREDDY Ay. There’s young prince Hamlet, and his father, Old Hamlet-- --- ## KATHLEEN There’s two? Why isn’t it “Hamlets”? --- ## FREDDY Because it’s about Prince Hamlet. --- ## KATHLEEN What’s he Prince of? --- ## FREDDY Denmark. --- ## KATHLEEN Ooh, how exotic! --- ## LEO Denmark? It’s a black bog. --- ## FREDDY Not the whole country. --- ## LEO It’s cold there. --- ## KATHLEEN It’s probably not cold all the time. --- ## FREDDY No, it isn’t. But anyway, Hamlet-- --- ## KATHLEEN The young one? --- ## FREDDY Ay. He’s off at university. And his father dies-- --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, Freddy. --- ## FREDDY So, he’s called to come home. You alright? --- ## EVELINE Katie? --- ## KATHLEEN I’m fine. Go on. --- ## FREDDY He comes home only to find that his mother’s married his uncle. --- ## KATHLEEN She married her uncle? --- ## EVELINE His uncle. Hamlet’s uncle. --- ## FREDDY His father’s brother. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, well. That’s better. --- ## FREDDY Hamlet is upset by this. It’s only been a month, you know . --- So, he’s angry with his mother. He can’t forgive her. Then, late at night, he’s visited by a ghost. --- ## KATHLEEN It’s a ghost story! --- ## FREDDY The ghost has only a small part. --- ## KATHLEEN Evvy, do you remember that ghost story Mrs. Healy told us? Oh, it was scary. --- ## EVELINE That was a pooka. --- ## KATHLEEN It caused all that trouble. --- ## EVELINE A pooka’s different. --- ## KATHLEEN Does this ghost cause a lot of trouble, Freddy? --- ## FREDDY Ay. --- ## KATHLEEN See, it’s the same. --- ## EVELINE The ghost is Hamlet’s father. It’s different. --- ## KATHLEEN Go way! Is it, Freddy? --- ## FREDDY Ay. And he tells Hamlet he’s been murdered. --- ## KATHLEEN Who did it? --- ## FREDDY His uncle. --- ## KATHLEEN The one that married his mum? --- ## FREDDY The same. --- ## KATHLEEN Imagine that! So, what does he do? --- ## FREDDY The ghost tells him he must avenge his death. --- ## KATHLEEN What, kill him? The uncle? --- ## FREDDY Exactly. --- ## KATHLEEN Ooh, exciting. Then what happens? --- ## FREDDY He plots how he’s going to do it. But then he questions whether he should or not. --- ## KATHLEEN And when does he kill him? --- ## FREDDY Well, that doesn’t happen till the end of the play. --- ## KATHLEEN He should just get it over with. --- ## FREDDY But is that really the right thing to do? --- ## LEO I always thought he should go back to university. I mean, it could have been lying. --- ## KATHLEEN You can never trust a pooka. --- ## FREDDY It’s a ghost, and other people saw it. --- ## LEO He should still go. Something he shouldn’t bother with. --- ## EVELINE He can’t go, he’s responsible for his father. He’s the Prince. --- ## FREDDY You know it well. Ay. --- ## KATHLEEN So, what happens in the middle? --- ## FREDDY All kinds of things. His girl goes mad. At one point he thinks he might even kill himself. --- ## KATHLEEN My, it’s full of surprises. What part are you playing? --- ## FREDDY Hamlet. --- ## KATHLEEN Brilliant. What’s his girl’s name? --- ## FREDDY Ophelia --- ## KATHLEEN Ophelia. Oh, lovely. I was right, it sounds wonderful, Freddy. --- ## FREDDY You’ll have to come then. --- ## KATHLEEN Of course. --- ## FREDDY Leo? --- ## LEO I’ll be there. With Katie. --- ## FREDDY Miss Eveline, I hope you’ll grace us with your presence. --- ## EVELINE Are you really from Dublin? --- ## FREDDY Ay. --- ## KATHLEEN Is it tonight? --- ## FREDDY No, I’m afraid tomorrow . Eight o’clock. --- ## KATHLEEN Evvy, we have to go. It’ll be so lovely. --- ## EVELINE I’ll see how Da is. --- ## FREDDY Bring him along! It’s for the whole family. It’s a family tragedy. --- You’re mum too. She was ill the last time I was here. Is she better? --- ## EVELINE I’m afraid she w on’t be able to...uh-- --- ## FREDDY Did your aunt put poison in her ear? --- ## KATHLEEN What? --- ## EVELINE It’s Hamlet. Freddy, she passed away two days ago. --- ## FREDDY Well, I guess she won’t be coming then. --- ## EVELINE Oh, God. --- ## KATHLEEN Freddy. --- ## EVELINE Thank you very much for your call, Mr. Malone. We’ll be unable to accept your invitation due to the-- --- ## FREDDY Look, I didn’t know. I was just-- --- ## KATHLEEN Having a bit of fun. We know. --- ## FREDDY Katie, I didn’t mean-- --- ## KATHLEEN Look round you, man. --- ## FREDDY Katie-- --- ## KATHLEEN Go! I'm not telling you again. --- ## FREDDY I'm sorry. --- I'll see you tomorrow. I'm sorry. Truly. --- ## KATHLEEN Not bloody likely. Bastard! Eejit, eejit, eejit! Why’d you have to let him in? Look at me all bothered. --- ## EVELINE Just sit and don’t worry about it. --- ## KATHLEEN Fine for you to say now it’s all over. --- ## LEO I don’t think it’s Evvy’s fault-- --- ## KATHLEEN Well, I didn’t open the bloody door! --- ## EVELINE Do you want some tea? --- ## KATHLEEN No, I’ll just sit here. I’m fine. See? Reading my book. --- ## LEO You think he would’ve noticed we’re all in black. --- ## KATHLEEN I don’t want to think about it. Reading my book. --- ## LEO Do you want me to go? --- ## KATHLEEN No. No, stay with me. I need you here. --- ## LEO Then here’s where I’ll be. --- ## PETER You still here, Leo? I thought I heard somebody go. --- ## LEO It was Freddy--Mr. Malone. --- ## PETER Oh, right. Loud fellah. Just dropping something off? --- ## LEO He wanted to invite us to his play. --- ## PETER Amusing. Katie, where’s your sister? --- ## KATHLEEN In the kitchen. --- ## LEO I’ll get her, sir. --- ## PETER No, Leo, you stay there. I want to talk to you. --- ## LEO Ay, sir. --- ## EVELINE What are you doing out of bed? --- ## PETER I want you to go down to Brady’s and get me a bottle of- --- ## EVELINE Oh, Da-- --- ## PETER What? You don’t want to go? --- ## EVELINE No, I’ll go, I’ll go. --- ## KATHLEEN Da, Mrs. Healy brought you a present. --- ## PETER A present? What for? --- ## KATHLEEN Here. --- ## PETER There’s a bit missing, isn’t there? --- ## LEO Well..uhhh --- ## KATHLEEN You know Mrs. Healy. --- ## PETER Ay, I do. Well, it's better than nothing. --- ## LEO What was it you wanted, sir? I'm not in trouble am I? --- ## PETER I don't think so. You're taking this little monster off my hands, aren't you? --- ## KATHLEEN Da! --- ## PETER Only a week more. It's like an eternity. --- ## KATHLEEN Da! --- ## LEO It's the same for me. But the opposite. It'll be a pleasure, sir. --- ## PETER Good lad. Evvy, get us some glasses. --- Katie, go help your sister. --- ## KATHLEEN I think she can handle a couple og glasses. --- ## PETER Kathleen. --- Sit down Leo. --- Now, Leo...No, no, relax boy, it's nothing serious. --- ## PETER You know Kathleen's not fit for working. She never will be. --- ## LEO I've the job at the bookshop, sir, and Mr. Kelly promised me in a coupleyears I could be his assistant. --- ## PETER I know, but I don't want you to have to worry like Moira and I did. And beofre you know it, you've got a baby in the house. --- ## LEO Mr. Kelly promised. --- ## PETER It won't be enough. --- ## LEO I want to marry her. I'll do anything. --- ## PETER I know you will boy. I want you to come work with me. --- ## LEO At the docks? --- ## PETER You'll start as my assistant, and then in a couple years you'll be the manager. --- ## LEO Manager? Of the-- --- ## PETER And eventually you'll be in charge of the whole factory. --- ## LEO Sir, I don't know what to say. --- ## PETER You don't have to say anything. --- ## LEO Thank you sir. --- ## PETER Evvy!? YOu're a good boy, Leo. You;ll make a fine husband. --- ## EVELINE Here, Da. --- ## EVELINE You alright, Leo? You look a little pale. --- ## PETER He’s fine. We’ll be done in a minute. --- ## KATHLEEN What’s he doing to him? --- ## EVELINE I don’t know. --- ## KATHLEEN Poor Leo. --- ## PETER You don’t drink much, do you Leo? --- ## LEO No, sir...uh...no. It makes me ill. I just toast. --- ## PETER Well, that’s alright. But remember when times are bad, it’ll cure what ails you. --- I’m going to sit out and watch the sun set. Care to join me? --- ## LEO I should be getting home. --- ## PETER Well, you say hello to your mother for me. --- ## LEO I will, sir...I will. --- ## PETER Katie! --- ## KATHLEEN Yes, Da? --- ## PETER That was quick. --- ## KATHLEEN I was helping Evvy-- --- ## PETER Leo’s going home. --- ## KATHLEEN Now? --- ## LEO I’ve got to see Mum. It’s getting late. --- ## KATHLEEN I’ll walk you. --- ## LEO Thank you, Mr. Donnelly. For everything. --- ## PETER Get going before your mother comes up here looking for you. --- ## LEO Good day, sir. Good day, Evvy! You’ll tell her good-bye for me? -- ## PETER I will, son. --- ## KATHLEEN I’ll be back soon. --- What’d he say? --- ## EVELINE Have they gone? --- ## PETER Katie walked him down. --- ## EVELINE Everything alright? --- ## PETER Fine. --- It's just going to be the two of us, ay? --- ## EVELINE You and me. --- ## PETER You look more like your mother every day. --- ## EVELINE Da. --- ## PETER I’m going outside. You’ll finish in here? --- ## EVELINE Ay. Don’t worry. It’ll be quiet here without Katie about. --- ## PETER It’s already quiet. --- ## WOMAN (offstage) Eveline? --- ## EVELINE I'll be there in a minute Mum. --- Mum? Oh God, I'm going mad. I knew it was only a matter of time. Lord, help me before I lose everything altogether. --- ## EVELINE I have enough food left for an army. Katie said Leo was bringing his brother right from the train. --- That should’ve been two hours ago. Did Katie say where she was going, Da? Da? --- ## PETER Hm? --- ## EVELINE Did Katie say where she was going? --- ## PETER No. --- ## EVELINE Leo'll expect her to be here. --- ## PETER Stop your fretting Evvy. She'll be home. --- ## EVELINE When you make dinner for five, you expect five. --- ## PETER You can put it away for later. --- ## EVELINE I just thought it’d be nice for Leo’s brother. Katie went and arranged the whole thing and she’s not even here. --- I thought she was just going for a walk. It’s a long walk. Four hours. --- ## PETER For all you know she’s w ith him right now. --- ## EVELINE But maybe she's not with him, maybe-- --- ## PETER She’ll be home! She always comes home. Late. --- ## EVELINE Ay. --- ## PETER Mind you, doesn’t mean she’s not going to get a piece of my mind when she comes home. --- But there’s no sense in worrying about all that right now . We’ve had enough of that. --- ## EVELINE Want something to eat? --- ## PETER No. --- ## EVELINE Thinking about Mum? --- ## PETER Ay. She was always late herself. Always in trouble with her father for me bringing her home late. --- Katie’s following right in stride. You were a pleasant surprise. Expected another one just like you. Well, truly expected a boy, but there you go. Can’t go fooling Mother Nature. --- ## EVELINE Odd, she’s the one getting married. --- ## PETER Your mother was nineteen. So young. But that’s what children do. Run off and get married, leave their parents behind to worry. --- ## EVELINE I worry about Katie. --- ## PETER Leo's a good man. He'll take care of her. That's the best we can hope for. --- ## EVELINE Ay. You going to bed? --- ## PETER No, outside. You’re going to be clanking about in here. --- ## EVELINE I can wait. --- ## PETER No sense in that. I’ll be by the tree. --- ## EVELINE It’s cooling off. Do you want a blanket? --- ## PETER No. --- ## EVELINE I am going mad. --- ## LEO Katie? --- ## EVELINE Oh, Leo, you startled me. --- ## LEO Sorry. --- ## EVELINE Is this your brother? Obviously. --- ## LEO Ay. Charlie, this is-- --- ## CHARLIE It's truly a pleasure, Kathleen. Leo’s told me all about you. --- ## LEO This is Eveline, Charlie. --- ## EVELINE I’m the sister. --- ## CHARLIE Apologies, Miss Donnelly. --- ## EVELINE None required, Mr. Doyle. --- ## LEO I’m sorry we missed dinner. The train was late. --- ## CHARLIE You mean you actually planned for it to be on time? Sad mistake, little brother. --- ## EVELINE There’s some food left, if you want. --- ## LEO Oh, no we’re, you know , fine. --- ## CHARLIE I’m starving. --- ## EVELINE It’s no trouble. --- ## LEO Well, if it’s no trouble... --- ## EVELINE Have a seat, I’ll be back in a minute. --- ## LEO Starving? --- ## CHARLIE I am. --- ## LEO You don’t have to advertise it. --- ## CHARLIE She said it’s no trouble. --- ## LEO She always says that. --- ## CHARLIE You didn’t tell me there was a sister. --- ## LEO With good reason. --- ## CHARLIE What? --- ## EVELINE Would you like anything to drink, Mr. Doyle? Leo, anything? --- ## CHARLIE Have any whiskey? --- ## LEO Tea’s fine. --- ## CHARLIE That’s fine --- I’m thirsty. --- ## LEO You just got here. --- ## CHARLIE We’re practically family. --- ## LEO Not yet. --- ## CHARLIE She’s not bad looking. --- ## LEO I wonder where Katie’s at? --- ## CHARLIE Eveline. --- ## LEO Maybe she went to bed. --- ## CHARLIE Have you told her about me? --- ## LEO It is late, you know . --- What did you say? --- ## CHARLIE The sister. What does she know about me? --- ## LEO Only that you came in on a train today. I don’t talk about you much, Charlie. --- ## CHARLIE So, as far as she knows, I could be just like you. --- ## LEO Don’t get any funny ideas. --- ## CHARLIE Oh, stop. What are you talking? Funny ideas. I’m just asking. --- ## LEO Don’t want any trouble. --- ## CHARLIE Trouble? Listen to you. Sound like Mum. Wash your hands, comb your hair. Lovely manners. Well, you can take your manners and shove them-- --- ## EVELINE Here we go. --- ## LEO Where’s Katie? --- ## EVELINE Oh...uh...well... She’s out. --- ## LEO Out? --- ## EVELINE Gone for a walk, I think. Dinner’s almost ready. --- ## LEO I wonder where she’s gone? --- ## CHARLIE Off with another man. --- ## LEO Thanks a lot, Charlie. --- ## CHARLIE I’ve not been here five minutes and you’re getting at me. --- ## LEO Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. --- ## CHARLIE Great. You write me a long letter telling me you’re getting married. I spend forever on some bloody expensive train. And now you’re not so sure it was a good idea. --- ## LEO I’m not trying to get at you. It’s been a long time. I wrote you because...because I wanted you here. I didn’t think it’d be easy, but I thought you should be here. --- ## CHARLIE Well, I’m here. --- ## LEO I know. That’s good. --- ## CHARLIE I wrote you letters. Told you where I was. All the time. --- ## LEO It’s different, seeing you, that’s all. Your face is changed. --- ## CHARLIE I’m getting old. --- ## LEO It’s all that travelling. --- ## CHARLIE What's your excuse? --- ## LEO I’ve never been married before. --- ## CHARLIE Frightening. --- ## LEO And I’m a wreck. --- ## CHARLIE It’s just a wedding. They happen all the time. --- ## LEO Well, mine doesn’t happen all the time. --- ## CHARLIE Well, if she’s as good-looking as you say she is-- --- ## LEO Charlie. --- ## CHARLIE Well, is she or isn’t she? --- ## EVELINE Here we go. --- ## LEO Thank you, Evvy. --- ## EVELINE Oh, it’s no trouble. I planned on your being here anyway. --- ## LEO I’m sorry we were late. --- ## EVELINE Stop apologizing, Leo. --- ## CHARLIE He’s got a gift for it, doesn’t he? --- ## EVELINE He’s always so polite. Oh, look at us. Talking about you like you’re not even here. --- ## LEO It’s alright. --- ## EVELINE I think you’re a gentleman, Leo. And if I were Katie, I’d be proud to marry you. --- ## LEO Thank you. --- ## CHARLIE Well, it’s getting cold. --- ## EVELINE Right. --- I'm going to check on my father. Did you see him when you were coming up? --- ## LEO He's sitting by the tree. --- ## EVELINE That’s his favorite place. I think it calms him, you know. Something about the air and the bark on his back... Well, I’ll only be a minute. --- ## CHARLIE Quite a girl, that sister. She’s a regular lady. --- ## LEO Ay. What you thinking? --- ## CHARLIE I’m thinking, look at that. --- ## CHARLIE I’m not the only one. --- ## LEO I didn’t eat all day either. Mmmm. --- ## CHARLIE This is fine. --- ## LEO Better than Mum’s. --- ## CHARLIE You got that right. --- What? --- ## LEO Your letters were grand. They were funny, but it’s good to see you. I’ve missed you. --- ## CHARLIE Your letters weren’t funny at all. --- ## LEO I hate writing them. Nothing funny happened. --- ## CHARLIE You could have puffed them up a bit. --- ## LEO There’s nothing to puff up. Except the wedding. First exciting thing here. --- ## CHARLIE Where I was wasn’t that exciting either. Made good stories though. --- ## LEO Good stories. It's not the same-- --- ## CHARLIE Nothing’s the same. --- ## LEO How was the ride up? --- ## CHARLIE Got myself a little ride. --- ## LEO On the train? --- ## CHARLIE Oh, she was fine. Sitting across from me. No one else in the car. Put her legs up on the seat, so I could see the top of her stockings. --- ## LEO The top? --- ## CHARLIE She sat on my lap. --- ## LEO This was on the train? --- ## CHARLIE Ay. --- ## LEO God Almighty. --- ## CHARLIE Oh, Leo, you should have seen her. --- ## LEO I guess so. --- ## CHARLIE So, how’s Mum? --- ## LEO Oh...you know. She’s getting on. --- ## CHARLIE When’s she expecting us? --- ## LEO Uh...she’s not. --- ## CHARLIE You didn’t tell her, did you. --- ## LEO I didn’t know if you were coming. --- ## CHARLIE Jaysus. --- ## LEO Your last letter you were in jail. --- ## CHARLIE For one night. --- ## LEO Well, I didn’t know . Smuggling’s a pretty serious-- --- ## CHARLIE No, it was a fight. --- ## LEO I didn't want Mum getting her hopes up and then--- --- ## CHARLIE Then what? --- ## LEO Well, you know ...like last time. --- ## CHARLIE Ah, Christ, this again. --- ## LEO All I know is last time Mum’s out bragging to everyone about her son coming home. --- The Prodigal Son coming home after all that time, and then you didn’t even show up. She sat at that train station all night for you. --- ## CHARLIE I never promised. I said I would try. --- ## LEO She waited all night. I couldn’t get her to go home. --- ## CHARLIE Well, is it my fault she’s as stubborn as... --- ## LEO Go ahead, say it. --- ## CHARLIE No. I don’t want to talk about him. --- ## LEO Of course not. You never wanted to talk about anything. --- ## CHARLIE What’s that supposed to be? --- ## LEO You know she lost her husband, she didn’t need to lose one of her sons. --- ## CHARLIE She didn’t want me there and you know it. --- ## LEO Because you look like him for Christ’s sake. She couldn’t bear it. --- ## CHARLIE Well, there were a lot of other things she should have beared. --- ## LEO Jaysus, Charlie, sometimes people are not as perfect as you’d-- --- ## CHARLIE Look, it's not my fault she sat at the bloody train all night, alright! --- ## LEO No, it’s not your fault. It’s nobody’s fault. But that’s why. That’s why I didn’t tell her. He was worse, Charlie. He was like a mule. --- ## CHARLIE Ay. --- ## LEO She’ll be happy to see you. --- ## CHARLIE Oh, sure, keep talking. --- ## LEO I told you, you’re the Prodigal Son. --- ## CHARLIE Who are you then? The Good Samaritan? Hey, that’s a pretty good one. I’ll even kill a fatted calf for you. --- ## LEO You’ve got it backwards again. --- ## CHARLIE Oh, bugger. --- ## LEO Charlie. Would you... Do you-- --- Katie? --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, Leo! You’re here! Where were you, darling? --- I’ve had the most brilliant time! Freddy and I...you remember Freddy? Leo? --- ## LEO Ay. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, you should have seen him. --- ## CHARLIE She’s pissed. --- ## LEO Charlie. --- ## KATHLEEN He was so wonderful! Freddy Malone starring in the role of Hamlet, Prince of Norway! --- ## FREDDY Denmark. --- ## KATHLEEN What? Oh, right. You know what I mean. --- ## LEO Katie, this is-- --- ## KATHLEEN “O, what a rogue and pheasant blade am I!” --- ## FREDDY Peasant slave. Peasant slave. --- ## KATHLEEN Isn’t that what I said? --- ## FREDDY No. --- ## LEO Katie, I want you to meet-- --- ## KATHLEEN I should’ve been Ophelia. Isn’t that right, Freddy? Leo, you should have seen her, she was dreadful. --- I would’ve been magnificent! Isn’t that what you said, Freddy? --- ## FREDDY You would’ve stolen the show from me. --- ## KATHLEEN Go on. You’re so modest! Look at him being modest, Leo. He was brilliant! --- ## LEO Katie! --- ## KATHLEEN What?! --- ## LEO This is my brother. Charlie. --- ## KATHLEEN The one who ran away? --- ## LEO Katie... --- ## CHARLIE Don’t talk much about me, huh? --- ## KATHLEEN Freddy, it’s the craziest story. --- Two brothers, the closest of brothers, kissing cousins. Father dies, and these two lovely brothers-- --- ## PETER Kathleen. --- ## KATHLEEN Who’s calling? --- ## FREDDY Katie, why don’t you sit down? --- ## KATHLEEN I’m fine. Oh! Everyone’s here, aren’t they? --- ## PETER Sit down, Kathleen. Our dinner guests have arrived. --- ## EVELINE Da, this is Leo’s brother. Charlie. --- ## PETER Pleased to meet you, Charlie. You've got a good brother here. --- ## CHARLIE Thank you, sir. --- ## PETER And who is this? Katie? --- ## KATHLEEN It’s Freddy, Da. --- ## LEO The actor. --- ## PETER Of course. How could I forget? --- ## FREDDY I stopped by yesterday. --- ## PETER I remember. Left rather quickly if I remember correctly. Freddy Malone? It’s a good thing you’re an actor, Freddy. I don’t know what else a name like that is good for. --- ## FREDDY It’s good enough for Shakespeare, Mr. Donnelly. --- ## KATHLEEN He’s famous, Da. --- ## PETER I don’t care if he’s Michael Davitt. Where have you been with my daughter?! --- ## KATHLEEN I was at the play! Don’t take it out on Freddy. --- ## PETER Where’d you get the bottle?! --- ## KATHLEEN I brought it from home! --- ## EVELINE Katie, would you and Freddy like something to eat? --- ## KATHLEEN Yes, I would. --- ## EVELINE It’s all out and ready. Why don’t you take Freddy into the kitchen and-- --- ## LEO Katie, I’ll show you. --- ## KATHLEEN I know where the kitchen is, Leo. --- ## FREDDY Katie? --- Care to join me in the kitchen? --- ## PETER Jaysus Christ. --- ## LEO I’ll look after her. --- ## PETER Eveline, tell your sister I’ll speak with her outside. --- ## EVELINE You can’t talk to her like this. Wait till morning. --- ## PETER And you bring that young man back out here. I’ll kick him out myself. --- ## EVELINE Don’t get upset. Please, don’t worry. --- ## PETER Freddy Malone. Who the devil does he think he is? --- ## EVELINE I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry yourself. Please go to bed. --- ## PETER Go and tell your sister-- --- ## EVELINE Da, please, you'll just end up screaming! --- I’m tired of the screaming. Just go to bed, and we’ll take care of it tomorrow. --- Da? I can’t anymore. Please. --- ## PETER Tell your sister... I'll speak with her in the morning. --- ## EVELINE Thank you. --- ## PETER I’m going to bed. --- I forget...sometimes... You’re an angel, Eveline. Good night. Oh, good night...Charlie, was it? --- ## CHARLIE Ay, sir. --- ## PETER I’m sorry about all the...whatever that was. --- ## CHARLIE It’s alright, sir. Good night, sir. --- ## PETER And when he gets out of that kitchen he goes straight out the front door, you clear on that? --- ## EVELINE Good night. --- You’ll have to excuse me, Mr. Doyle. --- ## CHARLIE For what? --- ## EVELINE Katie. She’s not usually so...over excited. --- ## CHARLIE I don’t mind. I’m having a good time. --- ## EVELINE Oh? Well. --- ## CHARLIE I’m sorry about your mother. --- ## EVELINE Thank you. --- ## CHARLIE She ill for a long time? --- ## EVELINE Three years. In bed, three years. --- ## CHARLIE It’s a long time. --- ## EVELINE Ay. Are you finished? --- ## CHARLIE Am I...? --- ## EVELINE Your dinner? --- ## CHARLIE Oh. Ay, I’m done. --- Oh. The potatoes were wonderful. --- ## EVELINE Did Leo tell you to say that? --- ## CHARLIE No. --- ## EVELINE Oh. Well, thank you. --- Could I ask you something, do you mind? About your father? --- ## CHARLIE Not much to tell, but ay. --- ## EVELINE Did you ever...um..after your father died did you... --- ## CHARLIE Did I what? --- ## EVELINE Did you ever think you could remember him so clearly that he seemed to be there? Like, you could hear his voice? --- ## CHARLIE Can’t say that I did. --- ## EVELINE No, I thought not. --- ## CHARLIE Wish I had, though. --- ## EVELINE Why? --- ## CHARLIE I wish he could come back and tell me...something, I don’t know. --- ## EVELINE Anything now. It’s your wish. --- ## CHARLIE I wish... I wish he would have told me how to start over. --- You know, pick up the pieces and keep moving. But forward not back. That’s the one thing I’d like to know. --- ## EVELINE That’d be nice, wouldn’t it? --- ## CHARLIE Ay. What’s your wish? --- ## EVELINE Oh, I don’t know , I-- --- ## CHARLIE Come on, what? --- ## EVELINE I think I’d...ask her to sing me something. --- ## CHARLIE Singing? --- ## EVELINE She used to sing to me, before she was ill-- --- So, that’s what I’d wish for. Stupid, isn’t it. --- ## CHARLIE No. Not at all. --- ## KATHLEEN You must come see it, Leo. It’s brilliant. --- ## LEO You told me. --- ## KATHLEEN Evvy, you’ll come see it. --- ## EVELINE What? --- ## KATHLEEN The play. You’ll come see Freddy’s play. --- ## EVELINE Of course. Would you like something to drink, Mr. Malone? --- ## FREDDY Ay. --- ## EVELINE Some tea perhaps? --- ## FREDDY Thank you. --- ## LEO Aren’t you going to eat anything, Katie? --- ## KATHLEEN No, I’m not hungry. I’m just watching. --- ## CHARLIE So, Freddy...may I call you Freddy? --- ## FREDDY Of course... --- ## CHARLIE Charlie. --- ## FREDDY Right. Charlie. --- ## CHARLIE So. You're an actor. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, he's brilliant! Tell him Leo. --- ## LEO I've never seen him. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, that's right. You were ill. --- ## CHARLIE Well, I guess we'll have to take your word for it then. --- ## FREDDY Ay, you will, Mr. Doyle. --- ## EVELINE Katie, here’s some tea. --- ## KATHLEEN What's this for? --- ## EVELINE You. Let’s go into the kitchen and have some tea while Freddy finishes his dinner. Katie. --- ## KATHLEEN Everyone's always telling me where to go. Where to sit. --- ## CHARLIE So how long are you in town for? --- ## FREDDY Just for the summer. We do the plays, you know. --- ## CHARLIE Oh, that's right. So, now why aren’t you acting in Dublin? --- ## FREDDY I work there during the rest of the year. --- ## CHARLIE I was in Dublin six months ago. I don’t remember seeing your name in any of the dailies. --- ## FREDDY I was on holiday. --- ## CHARLIE A holiday. Imagine that! Where'd you go? --- ## FREDDY My aunt lives in Belfast. --- ## CHARLIE Not much of a holiday. --- ## FREDDY No. It wasn’t. --- ## CHARLIE Pick up some nice girls there. --- ## FREDDY I wouldn’t know. --- ## CHARLIE No? --- ## FREDDY No, not me. --- ## CHARLIE Well, alright then. I just sort of figured you the type, that’s all. --- ## FREDDY What type is that? --- ## CHARLIE You know . The type that likes a little on the side, with the girls. An actor and all. --- ## FREDDY You seem to know more about it than I do. --- ## CHARLIE Ay. Leo and I used to knock about a bit, huh, Leo? --- ## LEO No, not me. --- ## CHARLIE Well, alright then. I just sort of figured you the type, that’s all. --- ## LEO Charlie. --- ## FREDDY Really? Does Katie know? --- ## CHARLIE Oh,no. She’s a delicate creature, you know. --- ## FREDDY Not so delicate. --- ## CHARLIE Oh? --- ## FREDDY Well, she seems the type that-- --- ## CHARLIE What type? --- ## FREDDY The type that wouldn't-- --- ## CHARLIE What? Wouldn’t mind if Leo here had a few girls on the side? --- ## FREDDY No. --- ## CHARLIE Then what? What type is she? Not so delicate remember. --- ## LEO Charlie. --- ## FREDDY You’re a bit of a bastard, aren't you, Charlie. --- ## CHARLIE Don’t get me started. Freddy. --- ## FREDDY Mr. Doyle, if you wouldn't mind stepping outside. --- ## CHARLIE I would love to step outside, but remember, once you step outside you’re not coming back in. Family orders. And seeing as I’m almost part of the family, I'd love to do the honors. --- ## LEO Charlie, stop. Freddy, I apologize for my brother’s behavior. --- ## CHARLIE Don’t you dare apologize for me, Leo. I’m trying to help you out here and you sit there like nothing on a bench! --- ## LEO Charlie. --- ## FREDDY Mr. Doyle, don’t be too sure I’m not welcome in this house. I was invited by your brother’s soon to be wife. --- ## CHARLIE Now you’re becoming insulting, Mr. Malone. No one insults my family. --- ## FREDDY What makes you so sure you’ll be a part of this family? --- ## CHARLIE Alright! --- ## LEO Charlie,stop! That’s enough! --- Freddy--Mr. Malone! --- Can we please keep some peace in this house in respect of this family’s tragedy? --- Charlie? --- ## CHARLIE One of these days, Leo, you're going to have to fight for yourself. --- ## LEO I don’t want to fight, Charlie. --- ## CHARLIE And that’s why you’ve lost everything you’ve ever cared for! --- ## KATHLEEN What was that all about? --- ## LEO It’s fine. He just needed some air. --- ## EVELINE Should I go after him? --- ## LEO Best to leave him alone. --- ## FREDDY Bastard. --- ## EVELINE Mr. Malone? --- ## FREDDY Nothing. Just clearing my throat. --- ## KATHLEEN Freddy, you have a fag? --- ## FREDDY Ay. Here. --- ## EVELINE I take it you’re finished, Mr. Malone? --- ## FREDDY Ay. Thank you. --- ## LEO When did you start smoking? --- ## KATHLEEN I’ve always smoked. --- ## LEO No, you haven’t. --- ## FREDDY She smoked last summer. --- ## KATHLEEN See. --- ## FREDDY Katie, sing us something. --- ## KATHLEEN Just lit my fag. --- ## FREDDY Then I guess I’ll have to be the entertainment then. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, do something from the play! So, Leo can see. --- ## LEO Well, I’ve heard just about all of it already. --- ## KATHLEEN Well, Evvy hasn’t heard any of it. Eveline! --- ## EVELINE What? --- ## KATHLEEN Freddy’s going to do something from the play. --- ## EVELINE Oh? Great. --- ## KATHLEEN Come sit with us. --- ## EVELINE I’m fine here. --- ## KATHLEEN Which part are you going to do? --- ## FREDDY Oh, I don’t know . “To be or not to be” is too popular. Maybe “sullied flesh”? No, I know . How about your favorite? --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, the pheasant one! --- ## FREDDY Right. --- Now I am alone. O what a rogue and peasant slave am I! --- Is it not monstrous that this player here But in a fiction, in a dream of passion, --- Could force his soul so to his own conceit That from her working all his visage wann’d, --- Tears in his eyes, distraction in his aspect, A broken voice, and his whole function suiting --- With forms to his own conceit? And all for nothing! --- For Hecuba! What’s Hecuba to him or he to Hecuba. --- That he should weep for her? What would he do Had he the motive and the cue for passion --- That I have? He would drown the stage with tears And cleave the general ear with horrid speech. --- Make mad the guilty and appal the free. Confound the ignorant and amaze indeed The very faculties of eyes and ears. --- Yet I, a dull and muddy-mettled rascal peak Like John-a-dreams unpregnant of my cause And can say nothing. --- No, not for a king. Upon whose property and most dear life A damn’d defeat was made. Am I a coward? --- Who calls me villian, breaks my pate across, Plucks off my beard, and blows it in my --- face, Tweaks me by the nose, gives me the lie i’th’ throat --- As deep as to the lungs--who does me this? Ha! ‘Swounds I should take it. For it cannot be --- But I am pigeon-liver’d and lack gall To make oppression bitter or ere this --- I should ha’ fatted all the region kites With this slave’s offal. --- Bloody,bawdy villain! Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain! O Vengeance! Why, what an ass am I?” --- ## KATHLEEN You see! You see! I told you he was brilliant! Oh, Freddy. --- ## FREDDY Well, that was just a wee bit of it. There’s quite a bit more. What’d you think, Leo? --- ## LEO That was the most amazing thing I think I’ve ever seen. --- ## FREDDY Thank you, Leo. --- ## KATHLEEN That company’s lucky to have you. Such a talent. Wasting your time out here when you could be in Dublin. --- ## FREDDY Oh, I assure you, Katie, my time is not wasted. I dedicate this past performance to Katie. The lady of my summer. --- ## KATHLEEN Thanks, Freddy. --- ## LEO I better check on Charlie. --- ## EVELINE Leo, I’ll do it. You stay. --- ## LEO I could use some fresh air. --- ## KATHLEEN Leo! What’s the matter with him? --- ## EVELINE Katie, go after him. --- ## KATHLEEN You go after him. --- ## EVELINE It’s not my place. --- ## KATHLEEN I have a guest here. --- ## EVELINE In case you have forgotten, Leo is also your guest. --- ## KATHLEEN You’ll have to excuse me, Freddy. I’ll be back in a moment. Evvy, I hope you know I’m not doing this for you. --- ## EVELINE I would hope you were doing it for Leo. --- ## KATHLEEN You really enjoy embarrassing me, don’t you? --- ## EVELINE I’m not trying to embarrass-- --- ## KATHLEEN You can’t let anyone have any fun, can you? You’re just like Da. Nothing’s any fun anymore. Nothing! --- ## EVELINE Katie! --- You’ll have to excuse me, Mr. Malone. I’m afraid the evening has come to an abrupt ending. I’m sorry. --- ## FREDDY It is I who am sorry. For inconveniencing your family so. I am truly sorry. --- ## CHARLIE I’m afraid I’ve behaved very badly tonight. --- ## EVELINE We’ve all behaved a little badly. --- ## CHARLIE Considering the circumstances-- --- ## EVELINE Considering the circumstances it would have been more appropriate for you to throw Freddy out. --- ## CHARLIE Don’t think that thought hadn’t crossed my mind once or twice. --- ## EVELINE Oh, mine too. --- ## CHARLIE Grabbing him by the shirt collar and giving him a nice good throw. --- ## EVELINE That would have been lovely to see! Oh. Look at these thoughts I’m thinking. --- ## CHARLIE We were all thinking the same. --- ## EVELINE You’ll have to excuse me, Mr. Doyle. --- ## CHARLIE Would you call me Charlie? If you don’t mind. --- ## EVELINE I don’t mind at all. Charlie. And you can call me-- --- ## CHARLIE Eveline. --- ## EVELINE Evvy, if you want. Everyone does. I guess it's appropriate since we're going to be related. --- ## CHARLIE Practically cousins. --- ## EVELINE Cousin Charlie. --- ## CHARLIE Cousin Eveline. --- ## CHARLIE Well, I should be going. --- ## EVELINE It is late. --- ## CHARLIE Well, it was a pleasure. --- ## EVELINE Oh, sure. --- ## CHARLIE I can’t remember the last time I had such a...an interesting evening. --- ## EVELINE That’s a good word for it. --- ## CHARLIE Well, good night. --- ## EVELINE Good night. --- Charlie? --- ## CHARLIE Ay? --- ## EVELINE If you like, I could show you the house...the flowers and garden and all. Tomorrow,if you like. --- It’s quite beautiful in the sunlight, of course it’ll probably rain now I’ve gone and said that. Well, anyway, if you have plans-- --- ## CHARLIE I would love to. --- ## EVELINE Oh. Alright. Good. --- ## CHARLIE Good night. --- ## EVELINE Night. --- ## EVELINE Mum? --- ## MOIRA Eveline. --- ## EVELINE Oh, Jays, I’m going mad. --- ## MOIRA Eveline. --- ## EVELINE God in heaven, protect me from-- --- ## MOIRA Oh, stop praying, Evvy. It’s not going to make me go away. --- ## EVELINE Who are you? --- ## MOIRA You know who I am. --- ## EVELINE How do I know? You could be a pooka or-- --- ## MOIRA It’s me. --- ## EVELINE What was the song you and Da used to sing? --- ## MOIRA What? --- ## EVELINE What was it? If you’re real you’ll know. --- ## MOIRA Evvy-- --- ## EVELINE Sing it! --- ## MOIRA “The water is wide. I can’t cross o’er. And neither--” --- ## EVELINE Mum? --- ## MOIRA Ay. --- ## EVELINE I heard you. Before. Yesterday. This evening. Is it you? --- ## MOIRA Ay. I’ve been here for awhile. --- ## EVELINE Right here in the house? --- ## MOIRA A day, I guess. --- ## EVELINE What are you doing here? --- ## MOIRA I died here. --- ## EVELINE Oh. Well, why do you think-- --- ## MOIRA I don’t know . Just watching over I suppose. --- ## EVELINE What, like a guardian angel? --- ## MOIRA No. Maybe. --- ## EVELINE Oh, sure. --- ## MOIRA I’ve missed you. --- ## EVELINE It’s only been three days. --- ## MOIRA No, talking with you. Before. --- ## EVELINE You never talked to me. It was always Katie. --- ## MOIRA I used to read to you. --- ## EVELINE That was a long time ago. --- ## MOIRA Remember me singing to you? --- ## EVELINE Singing? Oh. You were watching Charlie and me? Are you here all the time? Do you see everything we do? --- ## MOIRA I told you I don’t know when-- --- ## EVELINE You can’t be watching. Go away. --- ## MOIRA What? --- ## EVELINE Go. I can’t be talking to you. I don’t even think you’re here. --- ## MOIRA I am. --- ## EVELINE It’s not natural. The dead are not supposed to rise from the grave. --- ## MOIRA Evvy-- --- ## EVELINE I prayed this morning. I asked for God to get rid of this poison in my head. --- ## MOIRA It’s not poison. --- ## EVELINE I’m trying so hard to keep everything together here! --- ## MOIRA I’ll come tomorrow. --- ## EVELINE You could be anybody. --- ## MOIRA I’m going. Good night, my dear. It’ll be easier tomorrow. --- ## EVELINE I don’t understand this. Mum, don’t be here. Don’t come here. It’s not right. --- I miss you too, Mum. --- ## KATHLEEN Jaysus. Tea. --- Tea. Tea. Tea. --- ## MOIRA Katie. --- Katie? It's me. It's Mum. Katie? --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, Jays. --- ## MOIRA Katie! --- ## CHARLIE And she pulls them out, and they were onions. --- ## EVELINE Oh, no. --- ## CHARLIE She spent all spring and summer thinking they were tomatoes. --- ## EVELINE But they don’t look anything alike. --- ## CHARLIE Even I know that. --- ## EVELINE The poor woman. --- ## CHARLIE We called her "my crazy aunt". --- ## EVELINE Oh, my. --- ## CHARLIE So, that’s my gardening story. --- ## EVELINE It’s ridiculous. --- ## CHARLIE That’s why I never tell it. --- It’s a lot quieter now than it was last night. --- ## EVELINE Anything would be quieter than last night. --- ## CHARLIE Ay. --- ## EVELINE I’m sorry we couldn’t have had a proper dinner. To welcome you properly. --- ## CHARLIE Proper dinners are overrated. --- ## EVELINE Well, it would have been nice if Mr. Malone hadn't graced us with his...amusing presence. --- ## CHARLIE Ay. --- ## EVELINE I don’t know what Katie’s doing. --- ## CHARLIE She’s fascinated, that’s all. --- ## EVELINE You think so? --- ## CHARLIE He’s an exciting fellah. You have to give him that. --- ## EVELINE Well, I just don’t think she should be bringing him over in front of Leo. I mean, Leo’s so-- --- ## CHARLIE She’s going to be spending the rest of her life with Leo. She’s probably allowed to be a little disrespectful now, before they’re married. --- ## EVELINE I don’t think you’re ever allowed to be disrespectful. Especially not in front of the person you’re going to marry. --- ## CHARLIE That’s a bit old fashioned. --- ## EVELINE I think it’s considerate. And decent. But then I don’t think there’s any excuse for treating someone like they’re...part of the furniture. --- ## CHARLIE No, no, I didn't say that-- --- # EVELINE And she mya be spending the rest of her life with him. But that's who she chose. She could have had anyone she wanted, but she chose him. --- ## CHARLIE I’m not saying she doesn’t-- --- ## EVELINE If I ever loved a man enough to want to be his wife and bear his children, then that man would be all I thought about. --- From the moment I got up in the morning till I set my head down at night he would be in the front of my mind. --- The first part of my thoughts. --- Well, that’s how I feel anyway. It’s marriage, it’s not an invitation to a party. --- ## CHARLIE Have you told Katie that? --- ## EVELINE No, she has her own mind. Always has. --- ## CHARLIE You think she loves Leo? --- ## EVELINE She told me she did. But that was a long time ago. --- ## CHARLIE He loves her a great deal. --- ## EVELINE I’m hoping it’ll be enough for both of them. --- ## CHARLIE That’s ridiculous, that’s what that is. Ridiculous. --- ## EVELINE Oh, I didn’t-- --- ## CHARLIE No, I know you didn’t, but I’m afraid you’re right. I’m never getting married. What? --- ## EVELINE Nothing. Do you think that’s odd? Not wanting to. --- ## CHARLIE No. --- ## EVELINE Really? --- ## CHARLIE Sure. Why? --- ## EVELINE I've never wanted a husband. Even when I was a little girl. Never even told my mother that. I thought I was the only one in the world. --- ## CHARLIE No. --- ## EVELINE Everyone I know is getting married and having babies. Rushing off. Thinking that’s what life’s about. I don’t know. Why don’t you want to get married? --- ## CHARLIE I don’t think you want to know. --- ## EVELINE What does that mean? --- ## CHARLIE I’m afraid I’ve not been very "respectful" in my past. --- ## EVELINE The past is the past. --- ## CHARLIE Easy for you to say. --- ## EVELINE No, it's not. Why don’t you want to get married, Charlie? --- ## CHARLIE You sure? --- ## EVELINE Ay. --- ## CHARLIE Well, I’ve been with...well, I’ve known several women. Well, girls really. And I can’t imagine being married and spending all that energy on any of them. --- I mean, I had a good time, but I guess you could say my heart wasn’t in it. I can’t believe I’m telling you this. --- ## EVELINE No, I want to hear it. It’s important to you. I want to hear. --- ## CHARLIE So, if I ever decided to marry a girl, I wouldn’t know her before I married her, and then what if she was like all the rest? A lot of a good time, but-- --- ## EVELINE No heart. --- ## CHARLIE Right. --- ## EVELINE So, here you are. --- ## CHARLIE Here I am. --- ## EVELINE Maybe you’ve just never been in love before. --- ## CHARLIE Oh, I don’t think I’ll ever... Maybe you’ve never been in love before. --- ## EVELINE I don’t know. I wouldn’t know. --- ## CHARLIE Neither would I. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, Jays. --- ## EVELINE Katie! Oh! --- ## KATHLEEN I need some more tea. --- ## EVELINE Katie, you’re in your nightgown. --- ## KATHLEEN Aren’t you the brilliant one. --- ## EVELINE Charlie’s here. --- ## KATHLEEN I can see him from here. --- ## CHARLIE Afternoon, Miss Donnelly. --- ## KATHLEEN Charlie. --- ## EVELINE I’ll get your tea. Go back to bed. --- ## KATHLEEN I can’t sleep. --- ## EVELINE At least get your dressing gow n? --- ## KATHLEEN This is my house as well. --- ## EVELINE You’ll have to excuse-- --- ## CHARLIE Don’t worry. I’ll go. --- ## EVELINE No, you don’t have to-- --- ## CHARLIE I have to meet Leo after work. I’ll see you. --- ## EVELINE Sure. --- ## CHARLIE Tomorrow? You could come see my mother’s garden. --- ## EVELINE I’ve already seen your mother’s garden. --- ## CHARLIE Well, I haven’t shown you. --- ## EVELINE No, you haven’t. Fine. Tomorrow then. --- ## CHARLIE Tomorrow. Good-bye. --- ## EVELINE Good-bye, Charlie. --- ## KATHLEEN “Good-bye, Charlie.” --- ## EVELINE Shut it. I’ll get your tea. --- Here. --- ## KATHLEEN Thanks. God, my head. --- ## EVELINE You should get dressed. Da’ll be home soon. --- ## KATHLEEN You can't let me sit for five minutes? --- ## EVELINE You want him to think you were in bed all day? --- ## KATHLEEN I was in bed all day. --- ## EVELINE He doesn’t have to know that. --- ## KATHLEEN I’m going to get it anyway. --- ## EVELINE You could make it a little easier. --- ## KATHLEEN Why? He doesn’t make things easy for me. Making me look like an eejit. --- ## EVELINE You make yourself look like an eejit. --- ## KATHLEEN Well, I guess that’s my business then, isn’t it. --- ## EVELINE Katie, wait. I need to talk to you. --- ## KATHLEEN So, stop yelling at me! --- ## EVELINE I’m not yelling! --- ## MOIRA How wonderful! --- ## EVELINE Jays! Oh, you’re really here. --- ## MOIRA I told you I was coming back today. --- ## EVELINE Are you just going to go round jumping out of corners at me? --- ## MOIRA I try to come in gently. --- ## EVELINE I thought you were a dream. I had hoped it was a dream. --- ## MOIRA When did you send away to university? --- ## EVELINE What do you mean? --- ## MOIRA University College in Dublin. When did you send away? --- ## EVELINE Almost a year ago. --- ## MOIRA And how long have you had that? --- ## EVELINE Three months now. --- ## MOIRA What’s it for? The scholarship? --- ## EVELINE Literature. But it’s not just that. It’s poetry and drama, and I’ll read books from all over the world. --- ## MOIRA I had no idea. --- ## EVELINE I wish I could go. --- ## MOIRA Why can’t you? --- ## EVELINE Mother. --- ## MOIRA You have until next week. --- ## EVELINE Mother. --- ## MOIRA Till the first. --- ## EVELINE Don’t bother. I’ve already decided. --- ## MOIRA I’m just trying to help. --- ## EVELINE Thank you, but I don’t need your help anymore. I took care of you for three years, so I know. --- ## MOIRA You’ve grown into quite a young lady. And I missed it all. --- ## EVELINE Alright. Go, you have to go. --- ## MOIRA Don’t worry. You’re the only one-- --- ## EVELINE Mum, I have to get the door. --- ## MOIRA So, get it. --- ## EVELINE And you’re just going to be standing here all...dead and-- --- ## MOIRA You’re the only one who can see me. --- ## EVELINE I’m what? --- ## MOIRA I saw Katie before. She can’t see me or...it’s like I wasn’t even there. I’m thinking it’ll be the same with your father. --- ## EVELINE Oh, Mum. --- ## MOIRA Go on, get it. Don’t worry. I'll go. --- ## EVELINE Mum, you don’t have to... --- ## FREDDY (OFF STAGE) Katie?! Kathleen?! --- ## EVELINE Oh, hello, Mr. Malone. --- ## FREDDY How do, Miss Eveline? --- ## EVELINE Fair. And you? --- ## FREDDY Remarkable. May I come in? --- ## EVELINE No. My father will be home soon. --- ## FREDDY Is Katie here? --- ## EVELINE Ay, but she’s talking with-- --- ## FREDDY This’ll only take a minute. --- ## EVELINE I’ll be back. --- ## FREDDY You’re not going to make me wait outside, are you? --- ## EVELINE Yes. --- Katie! Freddy’s here! --- ## KATHLEEN (OFF STAGE) Freddy! --- Oh, grand. Where? --- ## EVELINE Outside. --- ## KATHLEEN Nice. --- What you doing out here, Freddy? Freeloading? People are going to think you’re selling something. --- ## FREDDY It’s nice out. Just thought I'd put my face to the sun for awhile. Shall we go for a walk? --- ## KATHLEEN Not on your life. No walking for me today. --- ## FREDDY To much last night. --- ## KATHLEEN Of course you're fine. --- ## FREDDY I'm used to it. --- ## KATHLEEN Well, you give me a month or two and I’ll bet I can out drink you, Mr. Malone. --- ## FREDDY That’s a bet. --- ## EVELINE Katie, Da’ll-- --- ## KATHLEEN I know Evvy, isn't there something you can do in the kitchen? --- ## EVELINE I’m sure there is. --- ## KATHLEEN Evvy? --- Keep an eye at the window. Let me know when he's coming. --- ## FREDDY I thought she'd never go. --- ## KATHLEEN Shh. She can hear everything. --- ## FREDDY Well, we don’t have to talk. --- ## KATHLEEN Freddy, she could come in. --- ## FREDDY Now that would be exciting, wouldn’t it? --- ## KATHLEEN I don’t think so. Freddy! I thought last night would have settled you a little. --- ## FREDDY Now I have an appetite. --- ## KATHLEEN Freddy! --- ## FREDDY Let’s go. --- ## KATHLEEN I can’t. --- ## FREDDY Come on. We’ll be back before you know it. --- ## KATHLEEN I have to wait for my Da. --- ## FREDDY Katie. --- ## KATHLEEN Don’t do that. Don’t say my name. Not fair. --- ## FREDDY Oh, darling. You are so lovely. I could just eat you up. --- ## KATHLEEN Alright. Alright, alright. Not here. Later. --- ## FREDDY Meet me? --- ## KATHLEEN After dinner. --- ## FREDDY Same place? --- ## KATHLEEN Where else? --- ## FREDDY There’s no place else. --- ## KATHLEEN Will you perform something for me? Something from a play? --- ## FREDDY Tonight? --- ## KATHLEEN Ay. Something lovely. --- ## FREDDY Whatever you wish, my Katie. --- ## KATHLEEN Alright. Go. Evvy can’t stay in there all day. --- ## FREDDY I’ll see you tonight. Eleven? --- ## KATHLEEN Eleven. --- ## FREDDY “Parting is such sweet sorrow that I shall say good night till it be morrow.” --- ## KATHLEEN Where’s that from? --- ## FREDDY Romeo and Juliet. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, Freddy. --- ## FREDDY Good-bye. --- ## KATHLEEN Good-bye. --- ## FREDDY A thousand times good-bye. --- ## EVELINE I’m sorry about making him wait outside, but I...Katie? You alright? --- ## KATHLEEN I’m fine. --- ## EVELINE What did he say? What did he do? --- ## KATHLEEN Nothing. I was just...thinking about Mum. --- ## EVELINE You were? What about? --- ## KATHLEEN Nothing. You know. Everything. Why? --- ## EVELINE I’m just asking. --- ## KATHLEEN Well, I don’t want to talk about it. --- ## EVELINE I’ve been thinking about her a lot-- --- ## KATHLEEN I said I don’t want to talk about it. --- ## EVELINE What’s got you? --- ## KATHLEEN I don’t feel well. --- ## EVELINE You drink all night, you’re bound to-- --- ## KATHLEEN Oh, shut it. --- ## EVELINE I'm just saying. --- ## KATHLEEN I know. You know I can’t drink whiskey. --- ## EVELINE Ay. --- ## KATHLEEN Remember that time? I was so sick? --- ## EVELINE After that dance. I held your hair back while you-- --- ## KATHLEEN Right in the garden. I didn’t think I’d make it till the morning. --- ## EVELINE You met Leo at that dance, do you remember?. He brought you the soup the next day. --- ## KATHLEEN That horrible soup his mother made. --- ## EVELINE Oh, it was. But it was lovely of him to come all the way up here. --- ## KATHLEEN He didn’t come up today. --- ## EVELINE He’s working at the docks this afternoon. --- ## KATHLEEN Oh. --- ## EVELINE Didn't he tell you last night? --- ## KATHLEEN No. I couldn’t find him after he left. He must have cut across the brook. --- ## EVELINE You should go down and apologize for last night. --- ## KATHLEEN Me? He’s the one stormed out of our house. Making me look for a half hour in the dark. Chasing after him all the way down the hill. --- ## EVELINE Then where did you go? --- ## KATHLEEN Well, I wasnt' going to his mothers house at that hour. I came home. --- ## EVELINE I thought I heard you come in about three. What were you doing? --- ## KATHLEEN I told you I was looking for Leo. --- ## EVELINE Till three? --- ## KATHLEEN I don’t know what time it was. --- ## EVELINE You didn’t stop and see anyone perhaps on the way home? --- ## KATHLEEN I don’t think I like what you’re saying at all. --- ## EVELINE Then tell me where you were. --- ## KATHLEEN I didn’t do anything. --- ## EVELINE I’m not saying you did. --- ## KATHLEEN Ay, but you’re standing there looking at me. Those eyes of yours, drilling holes in my head. --- ## EVELINE Where did you go last night, Katie? --- ## KATHLEEN I’m always doing everything wrong, aren’t I?! Staying out too late. Drinking too much. Why can’t you just let me alone? --- ## EVELINE Because you seem to have forgotten you’re getting married on Saturday! --- ## KATHLEEN Am I? God, it must have slipped my mind. I guess you’ll have to do it for me then. Oh, it’d be perfect, you and Leo. --- Both can sit about all day fretting, worrying about things that are never going to happen. --- So polite and...boring! You’re bloody boring! That’s why no one wants to marry you, Evvy. --- You’re so bloody boring. Leo is going to be my husband. --- And until you’re engaged to be married, I don’t think you have the right to tell me how to do anything! Alright?! Evvy?! --- ## EVELINE Do you remember when you fell in the brook on your birthday? --- In that beautiful white dress Mum had sewn you, and it was all bloody and full of mud. --- You twisted your ankle and I walked you all the way home? Do you remember? --- ## KATHLEEN Ay. --- ## EVELINE You didn’t cry, and I thought you were very brave, but you wouldn’t have made it home without me. --- I held you up, under your arm. Do you remember? --- ## KATHLEEN You were crying holding me up. --- ## EVELINE And do you remember when Mum saw the dress? --- ## KATHLEEN She wasn’t even angry. Even though she'd worked so hard on it. --- ## EVELINE I made that dress, Katie. That’s why I was the one who cried. --- ### INTERMISSION ---