Silence.
He slowly looks about the room looking at each object in turn. He looks up at the ceiling, and stares at the bucket. Ceasing, he sits quite still, expressionless, looking out front.
Silence for thirty seconds.
A door bangs. Muffled voices are heard.
MICK turns his head. He stands, moves silently to the door, goes out, and closes the door quietly.
Silence.
Voices are heard again. They draw nearer, and stop. The door opens. ASTON and DAVIES enter, ASTON first, DAVIES following, shambling, breathing heavily.
ASTON wears an old tweed overcoat, and under it a thin shabby dark-blue pinstripe suit, single-breasted, with a pullover and faded shirt and tie. DAVIES wears a worn brown overcoat, shapeless trousers, a waistcoat, vest, no shirt, and sandals. ASTON puts the key in his pocket and closes the door. DAVIES looks about the room.
ASTON
Sit down.
DAVIES
Thanks. (Looking about) Uuh …
ASTON
Just a minute.
ASTON looks around for a chair, sees one lying on its side by the rolled carpet at the fireplace, and starts to get it out.
DAVIES
Sit down? Huh … I haven't had a good sit down … I haven't had a proper sit down … well, I couldn't tell you …
ASTON
(placing the chair) Here you are.
DAVIES
Ten minutes off for tea-break in the middle of the night in that place and I couldn't find a seat, not one. All them Greeks had it, Poles, Greeks, Blacks, the lot of them, all them aliens had it. And they had me working there … they had me working …
ASTON sits on the bed, takes out a tobacco tin and papers, and begins to roll himself a cigarette. DAVIES watches him.
All them Blacks had it, Blacks, Greeks, Poles, the lot of them, that's what, doing me out of a seat, treating me like dirt. When he come at me tonight I told him.
Pause.
ASTON
Take a seat.
DAVIES
Yes, but what I got to do first, you see, what I got to do, I got to loosen myself up, you see what I mean? I could have got done in down there.
DAVIES exclaims loudly, punches downward with closed fist, turns his back to ASTON and stares at the wall.
Pause. ASTON lights a cigarette.
ASTON
You want to roll yourself one of these?
DAVIES
(turning) What? No, no, I never smoke a cigarette.
Pause. He comes forward.
I'll tell you what, though. I'll have a bit of that tobacco there for my pipe, if you like.
ASTON
(handing him the tin) Yes. Go on. Take some out of that.
DAVIES
That's kind of you, mister. Just enough to fill my pipe, that's all.
He takes a pipe from his pocket and fills it.
I had a tin, only … only a while ago. But it was knocked off. It was knocked off on the Great West Road.
He holds out the tin.
Where shall I put it?
ASTON
I'll take it.
DAVIES
(handing the tin) When he come at me tonight I told him. Didn't I? You heard me tell him, didn't you?
ASTON
I saw him have a go at you.
DAVIES
Go at me? You wouldn't grumble. The filthy skate, an old man like me, I've had dinner with the best.
Pause.
ASTON
Yes, I saw him have a go at you.
DAVIES
All them toe-rags, mate, got the manners of pigs. I might have been on the road a few years but you can take it from me I'm clean. I keep myself up. That's why I left my wife. Fortnight after I married her, no, not so much as that, no more than a week, I took the lid off a saucepan, you know what was in it? A pile of her underclothing, unwashed. The pan for vegetables, it was. The vegetable pan. That's when I left her and I haven't seen her since.
DAVIES turns, shambles across the room, comes face to face with a statue of Buddha standing on the gas stove, looks at it and turns.
I've eaten my dinner off the best of plates. But I'm not young any more. I remember the days I was as handy as any of them. They didn't take any liberties with me. But I haven't been so well lately. I've had a few attacks.
Pause.
(coming closer) Did you see what happened with that one?
ASTON
I only got the end of it.
DAVIES
Comes up to me, parks a bucket of rubbish at me, tells me to take it out the back. It's not my job to take out the bucket! They got a boy there for taking out the bucket. I wasn't engaged to take out buckets. My job's cleaning the floor, clearing up the tables, doing a bit of washing-up, nothing to do with taking out buckets!
ASTON
Uh.
He crosses down right, to get the electric toaster.
DAVIES
(following) Yes, well say I had! Even if I had! Even if I was supposed to take out the bucket, who was this git to come up and give me orders? We got the same standing. He's not my boss. He's nothing superior to me.
ASTON
What was he, a Greek?
DAVIES
Not him, he was a Scotch. He was a Scotchman.
ASTON goes back to his bed with the toaster and starts to unscrew the plug. DAVIES follows him.
You got an eye of him, did you?
ASTON
Yes.
DAVIES
I told him what to do with his bucket. Didn't I? You heard. Look here, I said, I'm an old man, I said, where I was brought up we had some idea how to talk to old people with the proper respect, we was brought up with the right ideas, if I had a few years off me I'd … I'd break you in half. That was after the guvnor give me the bullet. Making too much commotion, he says. Commotion, me! Look here, I said to him, I got my rights. I told him that. I might have been on the road but nobody's got more rights than I have. Let's have a bit of fair play, I said. Anyway, he give me the bullet.
He sits in the chair.
That's the sort of place.
Pause.
If you hadn't come out and stopped that Scotch git I'd be inside the hospital now. I'd have cracked my head on that pavement if he'd have landed. I'll get him. One night I'll get him. When I find myself around that direction.
ASTON crosses to the plug box to get another plug.
I wouldn't mind so much but I left all my belongings in that place, in the back room there. All of them, the lot there was, you see, in this bag. Every lousy blasted bit of all my bleeding belongings I left down there now. In the rush of it. I bet he's having a poke around in it now this very moment.
ASTON
I'll pop down sometime and pick them up for you.
ASTON goes back to his bed and starts to fix the plug on the toaster.
DAVIES
Anyway, I'm obliged to you, letting me … letting me have a bit of a rest, like … for a few minutes.
He looks about.
This your room?
ASTON
Yes.
DAVIES
You got a good bit of stuff here.
ASTON
Yes.
DAVIES
Must be worth a few bob, this … put it all together.
Pause.
There's enough of it.
ASTON
There's a good bit of it, all right.
DAVIES
You sleep here, do you?
ASTON
Yes.
DAVIES
What, in that?
ASTON
Yes.
DAVIES
Yes, well, you'd be well out of the draught there.
ASTON
You don't get much wind.
DAVIES
You'd be well out of it. It's different when you're kipping out.
ASTON
Would be.
DAVIES
Nothing but wind then.
Pause.
ASTON
Yes, when the wind gets up it …
Pause.
DAVIES
Yes …
ASTON
Mmnn …
Pause.
DAVIES
Gets very draughty.
ASTON
Ah.
DAVIES
I'm very sensitive to it.
ASTON
Are you?
DAVIES
Always have been.
Pause.
You got any more rooms then, have you?
ASTON
Where?
DAVIES
I mean, along the landing here … up the landing there.
ASTON
They're out of commission.
DAVIES
Get away.
ASTON
They need a lot of doing to.
Slight pause.
DAVIES
What about downstairs?
ASTON
That's closed up. Needs seeing to … The floors …
Pause.
DAVIES
I was lucky you come into that caff. I might have been done by that Scotch git. I been left for dead more than once.
Pause.
I noticed that there was someone was living in the house next door.
ASTON
What?
DAVIES
(gesturing) I noticed …
ASTON
Yes. There's people living all along the road.
DAVIES
Yes, I noticed the curtains pulled down there next door as we came along.
ASTON
They're neighbours.
Pause.
DAVIES
This your house then, is it?
Pause.
ASTON
I'm in charge.
DAVIES
You the landlord, are you?
He puts a pipe in his mouth and puffs without lighting it.
Yes. I noticed them heavy curtains pulled across next door as we came along. I noticed them heavy big curtains right across the window down there. I thought there must be someone living there.
ASTON
Family of Indians live there.
DAVIES
Blacks?
ASTON
I don't see much of them.
DAVIES
Blacks, eh?
DAVIES stands and moves about.
Well you've got some knick-knacks here all right, I'll say that. I don't like a bare room.
ASTON joins DAVIES upstage centre.
I'll tell you what, mate, you haven't got a spare pair of shoes?
ASTON
Shoes?
ASTON moves downstage right.
DAVIES
Them bastards at the monastery let me down again.
ASTON
(going to his bed) Where?
DAVIES
Down in Luton. Monastery down at Luton … I got a mate at Shepherd's Bush, you see …
ASTON
(looking under his bed) I might have a pair.
DAVIES
I got this mate at Shepherd's Bush. In the convenience. Well, he was in the convenience. Run about the best convenience they had.
He watches ASTON.
Run about the best one. Always slipped me a bit of soap, any time I went in there. Very good soap. They have to have the best soap. I was never without a piece of soap, whenever I happened to be knocking about the Shepherd's Bush area.
ASTON
(emerging from under the bed with shoes) Pair of brown.
DAVIES
He's gone now. Went. He was the one who put me on to this monastery. Just the other side of Luton. He'd heard they give away shoes.
ASTON
You've got to have a good pair of shoes.
DAVIES
Shoes? It's life and death to me. I had to go all the way to Luton in these.
ASTON
What happened when you got there, then?
Pause.
DAVIES
I used to know a bootmaker in Acton. He was a good mate to me.
Pause.
You know what that bastard monk said to me?
Pause.
How many more Blacks you got around here then?
ASTON
What?
DAVIES
You got any more Blacks around here?
ASTON
(holding out the shoes) See if these are any good.
DAVIES
You know what that bastard monk said to me?
He looks over to the shoes.
I think those'd be a bit small.
ASTON
Would they?
DAVIES
No, don't look the right size.
ASTON
Not bad trim.
DAVIES
Can't wear shoes that don't fit. Nothing worse. I said to this monk, here, I said, look here, mister, he opened the door, big door, he opened it, look here, mister, I said, I come all the way down here, look, I said, I showed him these, I said, you haven't got a pair of shoes, have you, a pair of shoes, I said, enough to keep me on my way. Look at these, they're nearly out, I said, they're no good to me. I heard you got a stock of shoes here. Piss off, he said to me. Now look here, I said, I'm an old man, you can't talk to me like that, I don't care who you are. If you don't piss off, he says, I'll kick you all the way to the gate. Now look here, I said, now wait a minute, all I'm asking for is a pair of shoes, you don't want to start taking liberties with me, it's taken me three days to get here, I said to him, three days without a bite, I'm worth a bite to eat, en I? Get out round the corner to the kitchen, he says, get out round the corner, and when you've had your meal, piss off out of it. I went round to this kitchen, see? Meal they give me! A bird, I tell you, a little bird, a little tiny bird, he could have ate it in under two minutes. Right, they said to me, you've had your meal, get off out of it. Meal? I said, what do you think I am, a dog? Nothing better than a dog. What do you think I am, a wild animal? What about them shoes I come all the way here to get I heard you was giving away? I've a good mind to report you to your mother superior. One of them, an Irish hooligan, come at me. I cleared out. I took a short cut to Watford and picked up a pair there. Got onto the North Circular, just past Hendon, the sole come off, right where I was walking. Lucky I had my old ones wrapped up, still carrying them, otherwise I'd have been finished, man. So I've had to stay with these, you see, they're gone, they're no good, all the good's gone out of them.
ASTON
Try these.
DAVIES takes the shoes, takes off his sandals and tries them on.
DAVIES
Not a bad pair of shoes.
He trudges round the room.
They're strong, all right. Yes. Not a bad shape of shoe. This leather's hardy, en't? Very hardy. Some bloke tried to flog me some suede the other day. I wouldn't wear them. Can't beat leather, for wear. Suede goes off, it creases, it stains for life in five minutes. You can't beat leather. Yes. Good shoe this.
ASTON
Good.
DAVIES waggles his feet.
DAVIES
Don't fit though.
ASTON
Oh?
DAVIES
No. I got a very broad foot.
ASTON
Mmnn.
DAVIES
These are too pointed, you see.
ASTON
Ah.
DAVIES
They'd cripple me in a week. I mean these ones I got on, they're no good but at least they're comfortable. Not much cop, but I mean they don't hurt.
He takes them off and gives them back.
Thanks anyway, mister.
ASTON
I'll see what I can look out for you.
DAVIES
Good luck. I can't go on like this. Can't get from one place to another. And I'll have to be moving about, you see, try to get fixed up.
ASTON
Where you going to go?
DAVIES
Oh, I got one or two things in mind. I'm waiting for the weather to break.
Pause.
ASTON
(attending to the toaster) Would … would you like to sleep here?
DAVIES
Here?
ASTON
You can sleep here if you like.
DAVIES
Here? Oh, I don't know about that.
Pause.
How long for?
ASTON
Till you … get yourself fixed up.
DAVIES
(sitting) Ay well, that …
ASTON
Get yourself sorted out …
DAVIES
Oh, I'll be fixed up … pretty soon now …
Pause.
Where would I sleep?
ASTON
Here. The other rooms would … would be no good to you.
DAVIES
(rising, looking about) Here? Where?
ASTON
(rising, pointing upstage right) There's a bed behind all that.
DAVIES
Oh, I see. Well, that's handy. Well, that's … I tell you what, I might do that … just till I get myself sorted out. You got enough furniture here.
ASTON
I picked it up. Just keeping it here for the time being. Thought it might come in handy.
DAVIES
This gas stove work, do it?
ASTON
No.
DAVIES
What do you do for a cup of tea?
ASTON
Nothing.
DAVIES
That's a bit rough.
DAVIES observes the planks.
You building something?
ASTON
I might build a shed out the back.
DAVIES
Carpenter, eh?
He turns to the lawn-mower.
Got a lawn?
ASTON
Have a look.
ASTON lifts the sack at the window. They look out.
DAVIES
Looks a bit thick.
ASTON
Overgrown.
DAVIES
What's that, a pond?
ASTON
Yes.
DAVIES
What you got, fish?
ASTON
No. There isn't anything in there.
Pause.
DAVIES
Where you going to put your shed?
ASTON
(turning) I'll have to clear the garden first.
DAVIES
You'd need a tractor, man.
ASTON
I'll get it done.
DAVIES
Carpentry, eh?
ASTON
(standing still) I like … working with my hands.
DAVIES picks up the statue of Buddha.
DAVIES
What's this?
ASTON
(taking and studying it) That's a Buddha.
DAVIES
Get on.
ASTON
Yes. I quite like it. Picked it up in a … in a shop. Looked quite nice to me. Don't know why. What do you think of these Buddhas?
DAVIES
Oh, they're … they're all right, en't they?
ASTON
Yes, I was pleased when I got hold of this one. It's very well made.
DAVIES turns and peers under the sink.
DAVIES
This the bed here, is it?
ASTON
(moving to the bed) We'll get rid of all that. The ladder'll fit under the bed.
They put the ladder under the bed.
DAVIES
(indicating the sink) What about this?
ASTON
I think that'll fit in under here as well.
DAVIES
I'll give you a hand.
They lift it.
It's a ton weight, en't?
ASTON
Under here.
DAVIES
This in use at all, then?
ASTON
No. I'll be getting rid of it. Here.
They place the sink under the bed.
There's a lavatory down the landing. It's got a sink in there. We can put this stuff over there.
They begin to move the coal bucket, shopping trolley, lawn-mower and sideboard drawers to the right wall.
DAVIES
(stopping) You don't share it, do you?
ASTON
What?
DAVIES
I mean you don't share the toilet with them Blacks, do you?
ASTON
They live next door.
DAVIES
They don't come in?
ASTON puts a drawer against the wall.
Because, you know … I mean … fair's fair …
ASTON goes to the bed, blows dust and shakes a blanket.
ASTON
You see a blue case?
DAVIES
Blue case? Down here. Look. By the carpet.
ASTON goes to the case, opens it, takes out a sheet and pillow and puts them on the bed.
That's a nice sheet.
ASTON
The blanket'll be a bit dusty.
DAVIES
Don't you worry about that.
ASTON stands upright, takes out his tobacco and begins to roll a cigarette. He goes to his bed and sits.
ASTON
How are you off for money?
DAVIES
Oh well … now, mister, if you want the truth … I'm a bit short.
ASTON takes some coins from his pocket, sorts them, and holds out five shillings.
ASTON
Here's a few bob.
DAVIES
(taking the coins) Thank you, thank you, good luck. I just happen to find myself a bit short. You see, I got nothing for all that week's work I did last week. That's the position, that's what it is.
Pause.
ASTON
I went into a pub the other day. Ordered a Guinness. They gave it to me in a thick mug. I sat down but I couldn't drink it. I can't drink Guinness from a thick mug. I only like it out of a thin glass. I had a few sips but I couldn't finish it.
ASTON picks up a screwdriver and plug from the bed and begins to poke the plug.
DAVIES
(with great feeling) If only the weather would break! Then I'd be able to get down to Sidcup!
ASTON
Sidcup?
DAVIES
The weather's so blasted bloody awful, how can I get down to Sidcup in these shoes?
ASTON
Why do you want to get down to Sidcup?
DAVIES
I got my papers there!
Pause.
ASTON
Your what?
DAVIES
I got my papers there!
Pause.
ASTON
What are they doing at Sidcup?
DAVIES
A man I know has got them. I left them with him. You see? They prove who I am! I can't move without them papers. They tell you who I am. You see! I'm stuck without them.
ASTON
Why's that?
DAVIES
You see, what it is, you see, I changed my name! Years ago. I been going around under an assumed name! That's not my real name.
ASTON
What name have you been going under?
DAVIES
Jenkins. Bernard Jenkins. That's my name. That's the name I'm known, anyway. But it's no good me going on with that name. I got no rights. I got an insurance card here.
He takes a card from his pocket.
Under the name of Jenkins. See? Bernard Jenkins. Look. It's got four stamps on it. Four of them. But I can't go along with these. That's not my real name, they'd find out, they'd have me in the nick. Four stamps. I haven't paid out pennies. I've paid out pounds. I've paid out pounds, not pennies. There's been other stamps, plenty, but they haven't put them on, the nigs, I never had enough time to go into it.
ASTON
They should have stamped your card.
DAVIES
It would have done no good! I'd have got nothing anyway. That's not my real name. If I take that card along I go in the nick.
ASTON
What's your real name, then?
DAVIES
Davies. Mac Davies. That was before I changed my name.
Pause.
It looks as though you want to sort all that out.
DAVIES
If only I could get down to Sidcup! I've been waiting for the weather to break. He's got my papers, this man I left them with, it's got it all down there, I could prove everything.
ASTON
How long's he had them?
DAVIES
What?
ASTON
How long's he had them?
DAVIES
Oh, must be … it was in the war … must be … about near on fifteen year ago.
He suddenly becomes aware of the bucket and looks up.
ASTON
Any time you want to … get into bed, just get in. Don't worry about me.
DAVIES
(taking off his overcoat) Eh, well, I think I will. I'm a bit … a bit done in.
He steps out of his trousers, and holds them out.
Shall I put these on here?
ASTON
Yes.
DAVIES puts the coat and trousers on the clothes horse.
DAVIES
I see you got a bucket up here.
ASTON
Leak.
DAVIES looks up.
DAVIES
Well, I'll try your bed then. You getting in?
ASTON
I'm mending this plug.
DAVIES looks at him and then at the gas stove.
DAVIES
You … you can't move this, eh?
ASTON
Bit heavy.
DAVIES
Yes.
DAVIES gets into bed. He tests his weight and length.
Not bad. Not bad. A fair bed. I think I'll sleep in this.
ASTON
I'll have to fix a proper shade on that bulb. The light's a bit glaring.
DAVIES
Don't you worry about that, mister, don't you worry about that.
He turns and puts the cover up.
ASTON sits, poking his plug.
The lights fade out. Darkness.
Lights up. Morning.
ASTON is fastening his trousers, standing by the bed. He straightens his bed. He turns, goes to the centre of the room and looks at DAVIES. He turns, puts his jacket on, turns, goes towards DAVIES and looks down on him.
He coughs. DAVIES sits up abruptly.
DAVIES
What? What's this? What's this?
ASTON
It's all right.
DAVIES
(staring) What's this?
ASTON
It's all right.
DAVIES looks about.
DAVIES
Oh, yes.
ASTON goes to his bed, picks up the plug and shakes it.
ASTON
Sleep well?
DAVIES
Yes. Dead out. Must have been dead out.
ASTON goes downstage right, collects the toaster and examines it.
ASTON
You … er …
DAVIES
Eh?
ASTON
Were you dreaming or something?
DAVIES
Dreaming?
ASTON
Yes.
DAVIES
I don't dream. I've never dreamed.
ASTON
No, nor have I.
DAVIES
Nor me.
Pause.
Why you ask me that, then?
ASTON
You were making noises.
DAVIES
Who was?
ASTON
You were.
DAVIES gets out of bed. He wears long underpants.
DAVIES
Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute, what do you mean? What kind of noises?
ASTON
You were making groans. You were jabbering.
DAVIES
Jabbering? Me?
ASTON
Yes.
DAVIES
I don't jabber, man. Nobody ever told me that before.
Pause.
What would I be jabbering about?
ASTON
I don't know.
DAVIES
I mean, where's the sense in it?
Pause.
Nobody ever told me that before.
Pause.
You got hold of the wrong bloke, mate.
ASTON
(crossing to the bed with the toaster) No. You woke me up. I thought you might have been dreaming.
DAVIES
I wasn't dreaming. I never had a dream in my life.
Pause.
ASTON
Maybe it was the bed.
DAVIES
Nothing wrong with this bed.
ASTON
Might be a bit unfamiliar.
DAVIES
There's nothing unfamiliar about me with beds. I slept in beds. I don't make noises just because I sleep in a bed. I slept in plenty of beds.
Pause.
I tell you what, maybe it were them Blacks.
ASTON
What?
DAVIES
Them noises.
ASTON
What Blacks?
DAVIES
Them you got. Next door. Maybe it were them Blacks making noises, coming up through the walls.
ASTON
Hmmnn.
DAVIES
That's my opinion.
ASTON puts down the plug and moves to the door.
Where you going, you going out?
ASTON
Yes.
DAVIES
(seizing the sandals) Wait a minute then, just a minute.
ASTON
What you doing?
DAVIES
(putting on the sandals) I better come with you.
ASTON
Why?
DAVIES
I mean, I better come out with you, anyway.
ASTON
Why?
DAVIES
Well … don't you want me to go out?
ASTON
What for?
DAVIES
I mean … when you're out. Don't you want me to get out … when you're out?
ASTON
You don't have to go out.
DAVIES
You mean … I can stay here?
ASTON
Do what you like. You don't have to come out just because I go out.
DAVIES
You don't mind me staying here?
ASTON
I've got a couple of keys.
He goes to a box by his bed and finds them.
This door and the front door.
He hands them to DAVIES.
DAVIES
Thanks very much, the best of luck.
Pause. ASTON stands.
ASTON
I think I'll take a stroll down the road. A little … kind of a shop. Man there'd got a jig saw the other day. I quite liked the look of it.
DAVIES
A jig saw, mate?
ASTON
Yes. Could be very useful.
DAVIES
Yes.
Slight pause.
What's that then, exactly, then?
ASTON walks up to the window and looks out.
ASTON
A jig saw? Well, it comes from the same family as the fret saw. But it's an appliance, you see. You have to fix it on to a portable drill.
DAVIES
Ah, that's right. They're very handy.
ASTON
They are, yes.
Pause.
You know, I was sitting in a café the other day. I happened to be sitting at the same table as this woman. Well, we started to … we started to pick up a bit of a conversation. I don't know … about her holiday, it was, where she'd been. She'd been down to the south coast. I can't remember where though. Anyway, we were just sitting there, having this bit of a conversation … then suddenly she put her hand over to mine … and she said, how would you like me to have a look at your body?
DAVIES
Get out of it.
Pause.
ASTON
Yes. To come out with it just like that, in the middle of this conversation. Struck me as a bit odd.
DAVIES
They've said the same thing to me.
ASTON
Have they?
DAVIES
Women? There's many a time they've come up to me and asked me more or less the same question.
Pause.
ASTON
What did you say your name was?
DAVIES
Bernard Jenkins is my assumed one.
ASTON
No, your other one?
DAVIES
Davies. Mac Davies.
ASTON
Welsh, are you?
DAVIES
Eh?
ASTON
You Welsh?
Pause.
DAVIES
Well, I been around, you know … what I mean … I been about …
ASTON
Where were you born then?
DAVIES
(darkly) What do you mean?
ASTON
Where were you born?
DAVIES
I was … uh … oh, it's a bit hard, like, to set your mind back … see what I mean … going back … a good way … lose a bit of track, like … you know …
ASTON
(going to below the fireplace) See this plug? Switch it on here, if you like. This little fire.
DAVIES
Right, mister.
ASTON
Just plug in here.
DAVIES
Right, mister.
ASTON goes towards the door.
(anxiously) What do I do?
ASTON
Just switch it on, that's all. The fire'll come on.
DAVIES
I tell you what. I won't bother about it.
ASTON
No trouble.
DAVIES
No, I don't go in for them things much.
ASTON
Should work. (Turning) Right.
DAVIES
Eh, I was going to ask you, mister, what about this stove? I mean, do you think it's going to be letting out any … what do you think?
ASTON
It's not connected.
DAVIES
You see, the trouble is, it's right on top of my bed, you see? What I got to watch is nudging … one of them gas taps with my elbow when I get up, you get my meaning?
He goes round to the other side of stove and examines it.
ASTON
There's nothing to worry about.
DAVIES
Now look here, don't you worry about it. All I'll do, I'll keep an eye on these taps every now and again, like, you see. See they're switched off. You leave it to me.
ASTON
I don't think …
DAVIES
(coming round) Eh, mister, just one thing … eh … you couldn't slip me a couple of bob, for a cup of tea, just, you know?
ASTON
I gave you a few bob last night.
DAVIES
Eh, so you did. So you did. I forgot. Went clean out of my mind. That's right. Thank you, mister. Listen. You're sure now, you're sure you don't mind me staying here? I mean, I'm not the sort of man who wants to take any liberties.
ASTON
No, that's all right.
DAVIES
I might get down to Wembley later on in the day.
ASTON
Uh-uh.
DAVIES
There's a caff down there, you see, might be able to get fixed up there. I was there, see? I know they were a bit short-handed. They might be in the need of a bit of staff.
ASTON
When was that?
DAVIES
Eh? Oh, well, that was … near on … that'll be … that'll be a little while ago now. But of course what it is, they can't find the right kind of people in these places. What they want to do, they're trying to do away with these foreigners, you see, in catering. They want an Englishman to pour their tea, that's what they want, that's what they're crying out for. It's only common sense, en't? Oh, I got all that under way … that's … uh … that's … what I'll be doing.
Pause.
If only I could get down there.
ASTON
Mmnn.
ASTON moves to the door.
Well, I'll be seeing you then.
DAVIES
Yes. Right.
ASTON goes out and closes the door.
DAVIES stands still. He waits a few seconds, then goes to the door, opens it, looks out, closes it, stands with his back to it, turns swiftly, opens it, looks out, comes back, closes the door, finds the keys in his pocket, tries one, tries the other, locks the door. He looks about the room. He then goes quickly to ASTON'S bed, bends, brings out the pair of shoes and examines them.
Not a bad pair of shoes. Bit pointed.
He puts them back under the bed. He examines the area by ASTON'S bed, picks up a vase and looks into it, then picks up a box and shakes it.
Screws!
He sees paint buckets at the top of the bed, goes to them, and examines them.
Paint. What's he going to paint?
He puts the bucket down, comes to the centre of the room, looks up at bucket, and grimaces.
I'll have to find out about that.
He crosses right, and picks up a blow-lamp.
He's got some stuff in here.
He picks up the Buddha and looks at it.
Full of stuff. Look at all this.
His eye falls on the piles of papers.
What's he got all those papers for? Damn pile of papers.
He goes to a pile and touches it. The pile wobbles. He steadies it.
Hold it, hold it!
He holds the pile and pushes the papers back into place.
The door opens.
MICK comes in, puts the key in his pocket, and closes the door silently. He stands at the door and watches DAVIES.
What's he got all these papers for?
DAVIES climbs over the rolled carpet to the blue case.
Had a sheet and pillow ready in here.
He opens the case.
Nothing.
He shuts the case.
Still, I had a sleep though. I don't make no noises.
He looks at the window.
What's this?
He picks up another case and tries to open it. MICK moves upstage, silently.
Locked.
He puts it down and moves downstage.
Must be something in it.
He picks up a sideboard drawer, rummages in the contents, then puts it down.
MICK slides across the room.
DAVIES half turns, MICK seizes his arm and forces it up his back. DAVIES screams.
Uuuuuuuhhh! Uuuuuuuhhh! What! What! What! Uuuuuuuhhh!
MICK swiftly forces him to the floor, with DAVIES struggling, grimacing, whimpering and staring.
MICK holds his arm, puts his other hand to his lips, then puts his hand to DAVIES' lips. DAVIES quietens. MICK lets him go. DAVIES writhes. MICK holds out a warning finger. He then squats down to regard DAVIES. He regards him, then stands looking down on him. DAVIES massages his arm, watching MICK. MICK turns slowly to look at the room. He goes to DAVIES' bed and uncovers it. He turns, goes to the clothes horse and picks up DAVIES' trousers. DAVIES starts to rise. MICK presses him down with his foot and stands over him. Finally he removes his foot. He examines the trousers and throws them back. DAVIES remains on the floor, crouched. MICK slowly goes to the chair, sits, and watches DAVIES, expressionless.
Silence.
MICK
What's the game?
Curtain.
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