$SCENE: $A ROOM IN A TENEMENT HOUSE IN $HILLJOY $SQUARE, $DUBLIN.
$SOME HOURS ELAPSE BETWEEN THE TWO ACTS.
$THE PERIOD OF THE PLAY IS $MAY, 1920.
(($A $RETURN $ROOM IN A TENEMENT HOUSE IN $HILLJOY $SQUARE. $AT THE BACK
TWO LARGE WINDOWS LOOKING OUT INTO THE YARD; THEY OCCUPY
PRACTICALLY THE WHOLE OF THE BACK WALL SPACE. $BETWEEN THE WINDOWS
IS A CUPBOARD, ON THE TOP OF WHICH IS A PILE OF BOOKS. $THE DOORS
ARE OPEN, AND ON THESE ARE HANGING A NUMBER OF COLLARS AND TIES.
$RUNNING PARALLEL WITH THE WINDOWS IS A STRETCHER BED;
ANOTHER RUNS AT RIGHT ANGLES ALONG THE WALL AT RIGHT.
$AT THE HEAD OF THIS BED IS A DOOR LEADING TO THE REST
OF THE HOUSE. $THE WALL ON THE LEFT RUNS DIAGONALLY,
SO THAT THE FIREPLACE- WHICH IS IN THE CENTRE-
IS PLAINLY VISIBLE. $ON THE MANTELSHELF TO THE RIGHT
IS A STATUE OF THE $VIRGIN, TO THE LEFT A STATUE OF
THE $SACRED $HEART, AND IN THE CENTRE
A CRUCIFIX. $AROUND THE FIREPLACE
ARE A FEW COMMON COOKING UTENSILS. $IN THE CENTRE OF THE ROOM IS A
TABLE, ON WHICH ARE A TYPEWRITER, A CANDLE AND CANDLESTICK, A BUNCH
OF WILD FLOWERS IN A VASE, WRITING MATERIALS AND A NUMBER OF BOOKS.
$THERE ARE TWO CHAIRS, ONE NEAR THE FIREPLACE AND ONE AT THE TABLE.
$THE ASPECT OF THE PLACE IS ONE OF
ABSOLUTE UNTIDINESS, ENGENDERED ON
THE ONE HAND BY THE CONGENITAL SLOVENLINESS OF $SEUMAS $SHIELDS, AND
ON THE OTHER BY THE TEMPERAMENT OF $DONAL $DAVOREN, MAKING IT APPEAR
IMPOSSIBLE TO EFFECT AN IMPROVEMENT IN SUCH A PLACE.
$DAVOREN IS SITTING AT THE TABLE TYPING.
$HE IS ABOUT THIRTY. $THERE IS
IN HIS FACE AN EXPRESSION THAT SEEMS TO INDICATE AN ETERNAL WAR
BETWEEN WEAKNESS AND STRENGTH;
THERE IS IN THE LINES OF THE BROW AND
CHIN AN INDICATION OF A DESIRE FOR
ACTIVITY, WHILE IN HIS EYES THERE
IS VISIBLE AN UNQUENCHABLE TENDENCY TOWARDS REST. $HIS STRUGGLE
THROUGH LIFE HAS BEEN A HARD ONE, AND HIS EFFORTS HAVE BEEN
HANDICAPPED BY AN INHERITED AND SELF-DEVELOPED DEVOTION TO
"THE MIGHT OF DESIGN, THE MYSTERY OF COLOUR,
AND THE BELIEF IN THE REDEMPTION OF ALL THINGS BY
BEAUTY EVERLASTING". $HIS LIFE
WOULD DRIVE HIM MAD WERE IT NOT FOR
THE FACT THAT HE NEVER KNEW ANY OTHER. $HE BEARS UPON HIS BODY THE
MARKS OF THE STRUGGLE FOR EXISTENCE AND THE
EFFORTS TOWARDS SELF-EXPRESSION.
$SEUMAS $SHIELDS WHO IS IN THE BED
NEXT TO THE WALL TO THE RIGHT, IS A
HEAVILY BUILT MAN OF THIRTY-FIVE; HE IS DARK-HAIRED AND
SALLOW-COMPLEXIONED. $IN HIM IS FREQUENTLY MANIFESTED THE
SUPERSTITION, THE FEAR AND THE MALIGNITY OF PRIMITIVE MAN.))
<SDON> ((LILTING AN AIR AS HE COMPOSES)):
"$OR WHEN SWEET $SUMMER'S ARDENT ARMS OUTSPREAD,
 $ENTWINED WITH FLOWERS,
 $ENFOLD US, LIKE TWO LOVERS NEWLY WED,
 $THRO' RAVISH'D HOURS-
 $THEN SORROW, WOE AND PAIN LOSE ALL THEIR POWERS,
$FOR EACH IS DEAD, AND LIFE IS ONLY OURS."
(($A WOMAN'S FIGURE APPEARS AT THE WINDOW
AND TAPS LOUDLY ON ONE OF THE
PANES; AT THE SAME MOMENT THERE IS A LOUD KNOCKING AT THE DOOR.))
<SWWV> $ARE YOU AWAKE, $MR $SHIELDS- $MR $SHIELDS,
ARE YOU AWAKE? $ARE YOU GOIN' TO GET UP TO-DAY AT ALL, AT ALL?
<SDOV> $MR $SHIELDS, IS THERE ANY USE OF CALLIN' YOU AT ALL?
$THIS IS A NICE NINE O'CLOCK: DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS, $MR $SHIELDS?
<SSHL> ((LOUDLY)) $YUS!
<SDOV> $WHY DON'T YOU GET UP, THEN, AN' NOT HAVE THE HOUSE
TURNED INTO A BEDLAM TRYIN' TO WAKEN YOU?
<SSHL> ((SHOUTING)) $ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT! $THE WAY THESE OUL'
ONES BAWL AT A BODY! $UPON MY SOUL! $I'M BEGINNIN' TO BELIEVE THAT THE
$IRISH $PEOPLE ARE STILL
IN THE STONE AGE. $IF THEY COULD THEY'D THROW A BOMB AT YOU.
<SDON> $A LAND MINE EXPLODING UNDER THE BED IS THE ONLY THING
THAT WOULD LIFT YOU OUT OF IT.
<SSHL> ((STRETCHING HIMSELF)) $OH-H-H.
$I WAS FAST IN THE ARMS OF $MORPHEUS-
HE WAS ONE OF THE INFERNAL DEITIES, SON OF $SOMNUS, WASN'T HE?
<SDON> $I THINK SO.
<SSHL> $THE POPPY WAS HIS EMBLEM, WASN'T IT?
<SDON> $AH, $I DON'T KNOW.
<SSHL> $IT'S A BIT COLD THIS MORNING, $I THINK, ISN'T IT?
<SDON> $IT'S QUITE PLAIN $I'M NOT GOING TO GET
MUCH QUIETNESS IN THIS HOUSE.
<SSHL> ((AFTER A PAUSE)) $I WONDER WHAT TIME IS IT?
<SDON> $THE $ANGELUS WENT SOME TIME AGO.
<SSHL> ((SITTING UP IN BED SUDDENLY)) $THE $ANGELUS! $IT COULDN'T BE THAT
LATE, COULD IT? $I ASKED THEM TO CALL ME AT NINE SO THAT $I COULD GET
$MASS BEFORE $I WENT ON MY ROUNDS. $WHY DIDN'T YOU GIVE US A RAP?
<SDON> $GIVE YOU A RAP! $WHY, MAN, THEY'VE BEEN THUNDERING AT THE DOOR
AND HAMMERING AT THE WINDOW FOR THE PAST TWO HOURS, TILL THE HOUSE
SHOOK TO ITS VERY FOUNDATIONS, BUT YOU TOOK LESS NOTICE OF THE
INFERNAL DIN THAN $I WOULD TAKE OF THE STRUMMING OF A GRASSHOPPER.
<SSHL> $THERE'S NO FEAR OF YOU THINKING OF ANY ONE ELSE WHEN
YOU'RE AT YOUR POETRY. $THE LAND OF $SAINTS AND $SCHOLARS 'ILL
SHORTLY BE A LAND OF BLOODY POETS. ((ANXIOUSLY)) $I SUPPOSE
$MAGUIRE HAS COME AND GONE?
<SDON> $MAGUIRE? $NO, HE HASN'T BEEN HERE- WHY, DID YOU EXPECT HIM?
<SSHL> ((IN A BURST OF INDIGNATION)) $HE SAID HE'D BE HERE BY NINE.
"$BEFORE THE LAST CHIME HAS STRUCK," SAYS HE, "$I'LL BE COMING IN
ON THE DOOR," AND IT MUST BE- WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?
<SDON> $OH, IT MUST BE HALF-PAST TWELVE.
<SSHL> $DID ANYBODY EVER SEE THE LIKE OF THE $IRISH $PEOPLE? $IS THERE
ANY USE OF TRYIN' TO DO ANYTHING IN THIS COUNTRY? $HAVE EVERYTHING
PACKED AND READY, HAVE EVERYTHING PACKED AND READY, HAVE \
<SDON> $AND HAVE YOU EVERYTHING PACKED AND READY?
<SSHL> $WHAT'S THE USE OF HAVING EVERYTHING PACKED AND READY WHEN
HE DIDN'T COME? (($HE RISES AND DRESSES HIMSELF.)) $NO WONDER THIS
UNFORTUNATE COUNTRY IS AS IT IS, FOR YOU CAN'T DEPEND UPON THE
WORD OF A SINGLE INDIVIDUAL IN IT. $I SUPPOSE HE WAS TOO DAMN LAZY
TO GET UP; HE WANTED THE STREETS TO BE WELL AIRED FIRST.- $OH,
$KATHLEEN NI $HOULIHAN, YOUR WAY'S A THORNY WAY.
<SDON> $AH ME! ALAS, PAIN, PAIN EVER, FOR EVER!
<SSHL> $THAT'S FROM $SHELLEY'S =$PROMETHEUS $UNBOUND=. $I COULD NEVER
AGREE WITH $SHELLEY, NOT THAT THERE'S ANYTHING TO BE SAID AGAINST
HIM AS A POET- AS A POET- BUT \
<SDON> $HE FLUNG A FEW STONES THROUGH STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS.
<SSHL> $HE WASN'T THE FIRST NOR HE WON'T BE THE LAST TO DO THAT,
BUT THE STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS- MORE THAN
EVER OF THEM- ARE HERE STILL,
AND $SHELLEY IS DOING A JAZZ DANCE DOWN BELOW.
(($HE GIVES A SNARLING LAUGH OF PLEASURE.))
<SDON> ((SHOCKED)) $AND YOU ACTUALLY REJOICE AND ARE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD
THAT, AS YOU BELIEVE, $SHELLEY, THE SENSITIVE, HIGH-MINDED,
NOBLE-HEARTED $SHELLEY, IS SUFFERING THE TORTURES OF THE DAMNED.
<SSHL> $I REJOICE IN THE VINDICATION OF THE $CHURCH AND $TRUTH.
<SDON> $BAH. $YOU KNOW AS LITTLE ABOUT TRUTH AS ANYBODY ELSE, AND
CARE AS LITTLE ABOUT THE $CHURCH AS THE LEAST OF THOSE THAT PROFESS
HER FAITH; YOUR RELIGION IS SIMPLY THE STATE OF BEING AFRAID THAT
$GOD WILL TORTURE YOUR SOUL IN THE NEXT WORLD AS YOU ARE AFRAID
THE $BLACK AND $TANS WILL TORTURE YOUR BODY IN THIS.
<SSHL> $GO ON, ME BOY; $I'LL HAVE A RIGHT LAUGH AT YOU
WHEN BOTH OF US ARE DEAD.
<SDON> $YOU'RE WELCOME TO LAUGH AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE AT ME
WHEN BOTH OF US ARE DEAD.
<SSHL> ((AS HE IS ABOUT TO PUT ON HIS COLLAR AND TIE)) $I DON'T THINK
$I NEED WASH MESELF THIS MORNING; DO $I LOOK ALL RIGHT?
<SDON> $OH, YOU'RE ALL RIGHT; IT'S TOO LATE NOW TO START WASHING
YOURSELF. $DIDN'T YOU WASH YOURSELF YESTERDAY MORNING?
<SSHL> $I GAVE MESELF A GREAT RUB YESTERDAY.
(($HE PROCEEDS TO PACK VARIOUS ARTICLES INTO A ATTACHE CASE-
SPOONS, FORKS, LACES, THREAD, ETC.))
<SSHL> $I THINK $I'LL BRING OUT A FEW OF THE BRACES TOO; DAMN IT,
THEY'RE WELL WORTH SIXPENCE EACH; THERE'S GREAT
STUFF IN THEM- DID YOU SEE THEM?
<SDON> $YES, YOU SHOWED THEM TO ME BEFORE.
<SSHL> $THEY'RE GREAT VALUE; $I ONLY HOPE $I'LL BE ABLE TO GET ENOUGH
OF THEM. $I'M WEARING A PAIR OF THEM MESELF- THEY'D DO $CUCHULLIAN,
THEY'RE SO STRONG. ((COUNTING THE SPOONS)) $THERE'S A DOZEN IN EACH
OF THESE PARCELS- THREE, SIX, NINE- DAMN IT, THERE'S ONLY
ELEVEN IN THIS ONE. $I BETTER TRY ANOTHER. $THREE, SIX, NINE- MY
$GOD, THERE'S ONLY ELEVEN IN THIS ONE TOO, AND ONE OF THEM BENT!
$NOW $I SUPPOSE $I'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE BLOODY LOT OF
THEM, FOR $I'D NEVER BE EASY IN ME MIND THINKIN' THERE'D BE MORE
THAN A DOZEN IN SOME O' THEM. $AND STILL WE'RE LOOKING FOR
FREEDOM- YE GODS, IT'S A GLORIOUS COUNTRY!
(($HE LETS ONE FALL, WHICH HE STOOPS TO PICK UP.))
<SSHL> $OH, MY $GOD, THERE'S THE BRACES AFTER BREAKIN'.
<SDON> $THAT DOESN'T LOOK AS IF THEY WERE STRONG ENOUGH FOR $CUCHULLIAN.
<SSHL> $I PUT A HEAVY STRAIN ON THEM TOO SUDDEN. $THERE'S THAT
FELLOW $MAGUIRE NEVER TURNED UP, EITHER; HE'S ALMOST TOO LAZY TO
WASH HIMSELF. (($AS HE IS STRUGGLING WITH THE BRACES THE DOOR IS
HASTILY SHOVED IN AND $MAGUIRE RUSHES IN WITH A HANDBAG.))
<SSHL> $THIS IS A NICE NINE O'CLOCK. $WHAT'S THE USE OF YOU COMING
AT THIS HOUR O' THE DAY? $DO YOU THINK WE'RE GOING TO WORK BE
MOONLIGHT? $IF YOU WEREN'T GOIN' TO COME AT
NINE COULDN'T YOU SAY YOU WEREN'T. \
<SMAG> $KEEP YOUR HAIR ON; $I JUST BLEW IN TO TELL YOU THAT $I COULDN'T
GO TO-DAY AT ALL. $I HAVE TO GO TO $KNOCKSEDAN.
<SSHL> $KNOCKSEDAN! $AN' WHAT, IN THE NAME O' $GOD,
IS BRINGIN' YOU TO $KNOCKSEDAN?
<SMAG> $BUSINESS, BUSINESS. $I'M GOING OUT TO CATCH BUTTERFLIES.
<SSHL> $IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A COD OF ANYBODY, MAKE A COD OF
SOMEBODY ELSE, AN' DON'T BE TRYIN' TO MAKE A COD O' ME. $HERE
$I'VE HAD EVERYTHING PACKED AN' READY FOR HOURS; YOU WERE TO BE
HERE AT NINE, AN' YOU WAIT TILL JUST ONE O'CLOCK TO COME RUSHIN'
IN LIKE A MAD BULL TO SAY YOU'VE GOT TO GO TO $KNOCKSEDAN!
$CAN'T YOU LEAVE $KNOCKSEDAN TILL TO-MORROW?
<SMAG> $CAN'T BE DID, CAN'T BE DID, $SEUMAS; IF $I WAITED TILL
TO-MORROW ALL THE BUTTERFLIES MIGHT BE DEAD.
$I'LL LEAVE THIS BAG HERE TILL THIS EVENING.
(($HE PUTS THE BAG IN A CORNER OF THE ROOM.))
$GOOD-BYE \ EE. (($HE IS GONE BEFORE $SEUMAS IS AWARE OF IT.))
<SSHL> ((WITH A GESTURE OF DESPAIR)) $OH, THIS IS A HOPELESS
COUNTRY! $THERE'S A FELLOW THAT THINKS THAT THE FOUR CARDINAL
VIRTUES ARE NOT TO BE FOUND OUTSIDE AN $IRISH $REPUBLIC. $I DON'T
WANT TO BOAST ABOUT MYSELF- $I DON'T WANT TO BOAST ABOUT MYSELF,
AND $I SUPPOSE $I COULD CALL MESELF AS GOOD A $GAEL AS SOME OF THOSE
THAT ARE KNOCKING ABOUT NOW- KNOCKING ABOUT NOW- AS GOOD A $GAEL
AS SOME THAT ARE KNOCKING ABOUT NOW- BUT $I REMEMBER THE TIME
WHEN $I TAUGHT $IRISH SIX NIGHTS A WEEK, WHEN IN THE $IRISH
$REPUBLICAN $BROTHERHOOD $I PAID ME RIFLE LEVY LIKE A MAN, AN'
WHEN THE $CHURCH REFUSED TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH $JAMES $STEPHENS,
$I TARRED A PRAYER FOR THE REPOSE OF HIS SOUL ON THE STEPS OF THE
$PRO-$CATHEDRAL. $NOW, AFTER ALL ME WORK FOR $DARK $ROSALEEN, THE ONLY
ANSWER YOU CAN GET FROM A ROARIN' $REPUBLICAN TO A SIMPLE QUESTION
IS "GOOD-BYE \ EE". $WHAT IN THE NAME OF $GOD,
CAN BE BRINGIN' HIM TO $KNOCKSEDAN?
<SDON> $HADN'T YOU BETTER RUN OUT AND ASK HIM?
<SSHL> $THAT'S RIGHT, THAT'S RIGHT- MAKE A JOKE ABOUT IT!
$THAT'S THE $IRISH $PEOPLE ALL OVER- THEY TREAT A JOKE AS A SERIOUS
THING AND A SERIOUS THING AS A JOKE. $UPON ME SOUL, $I'M BEGINNING
TO BELIEVE THAT THE $IRISH $PEOPLE AREN'T, NEVER WERE, AN' NEVER
WILL BE FIT FOR SELF-GOVERNMENT. $THEY'VE MADE $BALOR OF THE $EVIL
$EYE $KING OF $IRELAND, AN' SO SIGNS ON IT THERE'S NEITHER CONSCIENCE
NOR HONESTY FROM ONE END OF THE COUNTRY TO THE OTHER. $WELL, $I HOPE
HE'LL HAVE A HAPPY DAY IN $KNOCKSEDAN. (($A KNOCK AT THE DOOR))
$WHO'S THAT? ((ANOTHER KNOCK))
<SSHL> ((IRRITABLY)) $WHO'S THAT; WHO'S THERE?
<SDON> ((MORE IRRITABLY)) $HALT AND GIVE THE COUNTERSIGN-
DAMN IT, MAN, CAN'T YOU GO AND SEE?
(($SEUMAS GOES OVER AND OPENS THE DOOR. $A MAN OF ABOUT SIXTY IS
REVEALED, DRESSED IN A FADED BLUE SERGE SUIT; A HALF TALL HAT
IS ON HIS HEAD. $IT IS EVIDENT THAT HE HAS NO LOVE FOR $SEUMAS,
WHO DENIES HIM THE DEFERENCE HE BELIEVES IS DUE FROM A TENANT
TO A LANDLORD. $HE CARRIES SOME PAPERS IN HIS HAND.))
<SMUL> ((IRONICALLY)) $GOOD-DAY, $MR $SHIELDS; IT'S MESELF THAT HOPES
YOU'RE FEELIN' WELL- YOU'RE LOOKIN' WELL, ANYHOW- THOUGH
YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GO BE LOOKS NOWADAYS.
<SSHL> $IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER $I'M LOOKIN' WELL OR
FEELIN' WELL; $I'M ALL RIGHT, THANKS BE TO $GOD.
<SMUL> $I'M VERY GLAD TO HEAR IT.
<SSHL> $IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU'RE GLAD
TO HEAR IT OR NOT, $MR $MULLIGAN.
<SMUL> $YOU'RE NOT INCLINED TO BE VERY CIVIL, $MR $SHIELDS.
<SSHL> $LOOK HERE, $MR $MULLIGAN, IF YOU COME HERE TO RAISE AN
ARGUMENT, $I'VE SOMETHING TO DO- LET ME TELL YOU THAT.
<SMUL> $I DON'T COME HERE TO RAISE NO ARGUMENT; A PERSON UD HAVE
SMALL GAINS ARGUFYIN' WITH YOU- LET ME TELL YOU THAT.
<SSHL> $I'VE NO TIME TO BE STANDIN' HERE GOSTHERIN' WITH YOU-
LET ME SHUT THE DOOR, $MR $MULLIGAN.
<SMUL> $YOU'LL NOT SHUT NO DOOR TILL YOU'VE HEARD WHAT $I'VE GOT TO SAY.
<SSHL> $WELL, SAY IT THEN, AN' GO ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.
<SMUL> $YOU'RE VERY HIGH AN' MIGHTY, BUT TAKE CARE YOU'RE NOT GOIN'
TO GET A DHROP. $WHAT A BABY YOU ARE NOT TO KNOW WHAT BRINGS ME
HERE! $MAYBE YOU THOUGHT $I WAS GOIN' TO ASK YOU TO COME TO TEA.
<SDON> $AH ME! ALAS, PAIN, PAIN EVER, FOR EVER!
<SSHL> $ARE YOU GOIN' TO LET ME SHUT THE DOOR, $MR $MULLIGAN?
<SMUL> $I'M HERE FOR ME RENT; YOU DON'T LIKE THE IDEA OF BEIN'
ASKED TO PAY YOUR JUST AN' LAWFUL DEBTS.
<SSHL> $YOU'LL GET YOUR RENT WHEN YOU LEARN TO KEEP
YOUR RENT-BOOK IN A PROPER WAY.
<SMUL> $I'M NOT GOIN' TO TAKE ANY LESSONS FROM YOU, ANYHOW.
<SSHL> $I WANT TO HAVE NO MORE TALK WITH YOU, $MR $MULLIGAN.
<SMUL> $TALK OR NO TALK, YOU OWE ME ELEVEN WEEK'S RENT, AN' IT'S
MARKED DOWN AGAIN' YOU IN BLACK AN' WHITE.
<SSHL> $I DON'T CARE A DAMN IF IT WAS MARKED
DOWN IN GREEN, WHITE, AN' YELLOW.
<SMUL> $YOU'RE A TERRIBLY INDEPENDENT FELLOW, AN' IT UD BE FITTER
FOR YOU TO BE LESS FUNNY AN' STOP TRYIN' TO BE
BILLICKIN' HONEST AN' RESPECTABLE PEOPLE.
<SSHL> $JUST YOU BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU'RE SAYIN, $MR $MULLIGAN.
$THERE'S LAW IN THE LAND STILL.
<SMUL> $BE ME SOWL THERE IS, AN' YOU'RE GOIN' TO GET A LITTLE OF IT
NOW. (($HE OFFERS THE PAPERS TO $SEUMAS.)) $THEM'S FOR YOU.
<SSHL> ((HESITATING TO TAKE THEM)) $I WANT TO HAVE NOTHING
TO DO WITH YOU, $MR $MULLIGAN.
<SMUL> ((THROWING THE PAPERS IN THE CENTRE OF THE ROOM)) $WHAT AM $I
BETTER? $IT WAS THE SORRY DAY $I EVER LET YOU COME INTO THIS HOUSE.
$MAYBE THEM NOTICES TO QUIT WILL STOP YOUR WRITIN' LETTERS
TO THE PAPERS ABOUT ME AN' ME HOUSE.
<SDON> $FOR GOODNESS' SAKE, BRING THE MAN IN, AND DON'T BE
DISCUSSING THE SITUATION LIKE A PAIR OF PRIMITIVE TROGLODYTES.
<SSHL> ((TAKING NO NOTICE)) $WRITING LETTERS TO THE PAPERS IS MY
BUSINESS, AN' $I'LL WRITE AS OFTEN AS $I LIKE,
WHEN $I LIKE, AN' HOW $I LIKE.
<SMUL> $YOU'LL NOT WRITE ABOUT THIS HOUSE AT ALL EVENTS. $YOU CAN
BLOW ABOUT THE STATE OF THE YARD, BUT YOU TOOK CARE TO SAY
NOTHIN' ABOUT PAYIN' RENT:
OH NO, THAT'S NOT IN YOUR LINE.
$BUT SINCE YOU'RE NOT SATISFIED WITH THE HOUSE,
YOU CAN PACK UP AN' GO TO ANOTHER.
<SSHL> $I'LL GO, $MR $MULLIGAN, WHEN $I THINK FIT, AN' NO SOONER.
<SMUL> $NOT CONTENT WITH KEEPING THE RENT, YOU'RE STARTIN' TO BRING
IN LODGERS- ((TO $DAVOREN)) NOT THAT $I'M SAYIN' ANYTHIN' AGAIN' YOU,
SIR. $BRINGIN' IN LODGERS WITHOUT AS MUCH AS BE YOUR LEAVE-
WHAT'S THE WORLD COMIN' TO AT ALL THAT A MAN'S HOUSE ISN'T HIS
OWN? $BUT $I'LL SOON PUT A STOP TO YOUR GALLOP, FOR ON THE
TWENTY-EIGHT OF THE NEXT MONTH OUT YOU GO, AN' THERE'LL
BE FEW SORRY TO SEE YOUR BACK.
<SSHL> $I'LL GO WHEN $I LIKE.
<SMUL> $I'LL LET YOU SEE WHETHER YOU OWN THE HOUSE OR NO.
<SSHL> $I'LL GO WHEN $I LIKE!
<SMUL> $WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.
<SSHL> $WE'LL SEE.
<SMUL> $AY, WE'LL SEE.
(($THE LANDLORD GOES OUT AND $SEUMAS SHUTS THE DOOR.))
<SMUL> ((OUTSIDE)) $MIND YOU, $I'M IN EARNEST; YOU'LL NOT STOP
IN THIS HOUSE A MINUTE LONGER THAN THE TWENTY-EIGHT.
<SSHL> ((WITH A ROAR)) $AW, GO TO HELL!
<SDON> ((PACING THE ROOM AS FAR AS THE SPACE WILL PERMIT)) $WHAT IN
THE NAME OF $GOD PERSUADED ME TO COME TO SUCH A HOUSE AS THIS?
<SSHL> $IT'S NOTHING WHEN YOU'RE USED TO IT; YOU'RE TOO
THIN-SKINNED ALTOGETHER. $THE OUL' SOD'S GOT THE
WIND UP ABOUT YOU, THAT'S ALL.
<SDON> $GOT THE WIND UP ABOUT ME!
<SSHL> $HE THINKS YOU'RE ON THE RUN. $HE'S AFRAID OF A RAID,
AND THAT HIS LOVELY PROPERTY'LL BE DESTROYED.
<SDON> $BUT WHY, IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT'S SENSIBLE,
SHOULD HE THINK THAT $I'M ON THE RUN?
<SSHL> $SURE THEY ALL THINK YOU'RE ON THE RUN. $MRS $HENDERSON
THINKS IT, $TOMMY $OWENS THINKS IT, $MRS AN' $MR $GRIGSON THINK IT,
AN' $MINNIE $POWELL THINKS IT TOO. ((PICKING UP HIS ATTACHE CASE))
$I'D BETTER BE OFF IF $I'M GOIN' TO DO ANYTHING TO-DAY.
<SDON> $WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THESE NOTICES TO QUIT?
<SSHL> $OH, SHOVE THEM UP ON THE MANTELPIECE BEHIND ONE OF THE STATUES.
<SDON> $OH, $I MEAN WHAT ACTION SHALL WE TAKE?
<SSHL> $I HAVEN'T TIME TO STOP NOW. $WE'LL TALK ABOUT THEM WHEN $I
COME BACK. \ $I'LL GET ME OWN BACK ON THAT OUL' $MULLIGAN YET.
$I WISH TO $GOD THEY WOULD COME AN' SMASH HIS ROOKERY TO PIECES,
FOR IT'S ALL HE THINKS OF, AND, MIND YOU, OUL' $MULLIGAN WOULD
CALL HIMSELF A DESCENDANT OF THE TRUE $GAELS OF $BANBA-
((AS GE GOES OUT)):
 =$OH, PROUD WERE THE CHIEFTAINS OF FAMED $INISFAIL
 $IS TRUAGH GAN OIDHER 'NA $VFARRADH.
 $THE STARS OF OUR SKY AN' THE SALT OF OUR SOIL=-
$OH, $KATHLEEN NI $HOULIHAN, YOUR WAY'S A THORNY WAY! (($HE GOES OUT.))
<SDON> ((RETURNING TO THE TABLE AND SITTING DOWN AT THE TYPEWRITER))
$OH, $DONAL $OG $O'$DAVOREN, YOUR WAY'S A THORNY WAY. $YOUR LAST STATE
IS WORSE THAN THE FIRST. $AH ME, ALAS! $PAIN, PAIN EVER, FOR EVER.
$LIKE THEE, $PROMETHEUS, NO CHANGE, NO PAUSE, NO HOPE. $AH, LIFE,
LIFE, LIFE! (($THERE IS A GENTLE KNOCK AT THE DOOR.))
<SDON> $ANOTHER $FURY COME TO PLAGUE ME NOW!
((ANOTHER KNOCK, A LITTLE LOUDER))
<SDON> $YOU CAN KNOCK TILL YOU'RE TIRED.
(($THE DOOR OPENS AND $MINNIE $POWELL ENTERS WITH AN EASY CONFIDENCE
ONE WOULD NOT EXPECT HER TO POSSESS FROM HER GENTLE WAY OF
KNOCKING. $SHE IS A GIRL OF TWENTY-THREE, BUT THE FACT OF BEING
FORCED TO EARN HER LIVING, AND TO TAKE CARE OF HERSELF, ON ACCOUNT
OF HER PARENTS' EARLY DEATH, HAS GIVEN HER A FORCE AND AN ASSURANCE
BEYOND HER YEARS. $SHE HAS LOST THE SENSE OF FEAR (SHE DOES NOT KNOW
THIS), AND, CONSEQUENTLY, SHE IS AT EASE IN ALL PLACES AND BEFORE
ALL PERSONS, EVEN THOSE OF SUPERIOR EDUCATION, SO LONG AS SHE MEETS
THEM IN AN ATMOSPHERE THAT SURROUNDS THE MEMBERS OF HER OWN CLASS.
$HER HAIR IS BROWN, NEITHER LIGHT NOR DARK, BUT PARTAKING OF BOTH
TINTS ACCORDING TO THE LIGHT OR SHADE SHE MAY HAPPEN TO BE IN.
$HER WELL-SHAPED FIGURE- A RARE THING
IN A CITY GIRL- IS CHARMINGLY
DRESSED IN A BROWN TAILOR-MADE COSTUME,
HER STOCKINGS AND SHOES ARE
A DARKER BROWN TINT THAN THE COSTUME, AND ALL ARE CROWNED BY A
SILK TAM-O'-SHANTER OF A RICH BLUE TINT.))
<SPOW> $ARE YOU IN, $MR $SHIELDS?
<SDON> ((RAPIDLY)) $NO, HE'S NOT, $MINNIE; HE'S JUST GONE OUT- IF YOU
RUN OUT QUICKLY YOU'RE SURE TO CATCH HIM.
<SPOW> $OH, IT'S ALL RIGHT, $MR $DAVOREN, YOU'LL DO JUST
AS WELL; $I JUST COME IN FOR A
DROP O' MILK FOR A CUP O' TEA; $I SHOULDN'T
BE TROUBLIN' YOU THIS WAY, BUT $I'M SURE YOU DON'T MIND.
<SDON> ((DUBIOUSLY)) $NO TROUBLE IN THE WORLD; DELIGHTED, $I'M SURE.
((GIVING HER THE MILK)) $THERE, WILL YOU HAVE ENOUGH?
<SPOW> $PLENTY, LASHINS, THANKS. $DO YOU BE ALL ALONE
ALL THE DAY, $MR $DAVOREN?
<SDON> $NO, INDEED; $I WISH TO $GOD $I WAS.
<SPOW> $IT'S NOT GOOD FOR YOU THEN. $I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU LIKE
TO BE BY YOURSELF- $I COULDN'T STICK IT LONG.
<SDON> ((WEARILY)) $NO?
<SPOW> $NO, INDEED; ((WITH RAPTURE)) THERE'S NOTHIN' $I'M MORE FOND OF
THAN A $HOOLEY. $I WAS AT ONE LAST $SUNDAY- $I DANCED RINGS ROUND ME!
$TOMMY $OWENS WAS THERE- YOU KNOW $TOMMY $OWENS, DON'T YOU?
<SDON> $I CAN'T SAY $I DO.
<SPOW> $D'YE NOT? $THE LITTLE FELLOW THAT LIVES WITH HIS MOTHER IN
THE TWO-PAIR BACK- ((ECSTATICALLY)) HE'S
A GORGEOUS MELODEON PLAYER!
<SDON> $A GIFTED SON OF $ORPHEUS, EH?
<SPOW> ((WHO NEVER HEARD OF $ORPHEUS)) $YOU'VE SAID IT, $MR $DAVOREN:
THE SON OF POOR OUL' $BATTIE $OWENS, A WEESHY, DAWNY, BIT OF A MAN
THAT WAS NEVER SOBER AN' ALWAYS TALKIN' POLITICS.
$POOR MAN, IT KILLED HIM IN THE LONG RUN.
<SDON> $A MAN SHOULD ALWAYS BE DRUNK, $MINNIE, WHEN HE TALKS POLITICS-
IT'S THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH TO MAKE THEM IMPORTANT.
<SPOW> $TOMMY TAKES AFTER THE OUL' FELLOW, TOO; HE'D TALK FROM
MORNING TILL NIGHT WHEN HE HAS A FEW JARS IN HIM.
(($SUDDENLY; FOR LIKE ALL OF HER CLASS, $MINNIE IS NOT ABLE TO
CONVERSE VERY LONG ON THE ONE SUBJECT, AND HER THOUGHTS SPRING
FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHER))
<SPOW> $POETRY IS A GRAND THING, $MR $DAVOREN, $I'D LOVE TO BE ABLE
TO WRITE A POEM- A LOVELY POEM ON
$IRELAND AN' THE MEN OF NINETY-EIGHT.
<SDON> $OH, WE'VE HAD ENOUGH OF POEMS, $MINNIE,
ABOUT NINETY-EIGHT, AND OF $IRELAND, TOO.
<SPOW> $OH, THERE'S A THING FOR A $REPUBLICAN TO SAY! $BUT $I KNOW
WHAT YOU MEAN; IT'S TIME WE GAVE UP THE WRITING AN' TAKE TO THE
GUN. (($HER ROVING EYE CATCHES SIGHT OF THE FLOWERS IN THE VASE.))
$WHAT'S $MR $SHIELDS DOIN' WITH THE OUL' WEEDS?
<SDON> $THOSE AREN'T $SHIELDS', THEY'RE MINE. $WILD FLOWERS IS A
KINDLIER NAME FOR THEM, $MINNIE, THAN WEEDS. $THESE ARE WILD
VIOLETS, THIS AN $ARUM MACULATUM, OR $WAKE $ROBIN, AND THESE ARE
$CELANDINES, A VERY BEAUTIFUL FLOWER RELATED TO THE BUTTERCUPS.
(($HE QUOTES)):
 =$ONE DAY, WHEN $MORN'S HALF-OPEN'D EYES
 $WERE BRIGHT WITH $SPRING SUNSHINE-
 $MY HAND WAS CLASP'D IN YOURS, DEAR LOVE,
 $AND YOURS WAS CLASP'D IN MINE-
 $WE BOW'D AS WORSHIPPERS BEFORE
 $THE $GOLDEN $CELANDINE.=
<SPOW> $OH, AREN'T THEY LOVELY, AN' ISN'T THE POEM LOVELY TOO!
$I WONDER, NOW, WHO SHE WAS.
<SDON> ((PUZZLED)) $SHE, WHO?
<SPOW> $WHY, THE \ ((ROGUISHLY)) $OH, BE THE WAY YOU DON'T KNOW.
<SDON> $KNOW? $I'M SURE $I DON'T KNOW.
<SPOW> $IT DOESN'T MATTER, ANYHOW- THAT'S YOUR OWN
BUSINESS; $I SUPPOSE $I DON'T KNOW HER.
<SDON> $KNOW HER- KNOW WHOM?
<SPOW> ((SHYLY)) $HER WHOSE HAND WAS CLASPED IN YOURS,
AN' YOURS WAS CLASPED IN HERS.
<SDON> $OH, THAT- THAT WAS SIMPLY A POEM $I QUOTED ABOUT THE
$CELANDINE, THAT MIGHT APPLY TO ANY GIRL- TO YOU, FOR INSTANCE.
<SPOW> ((GREATLY RELIEVED, COMING OVER AND SITTING BESIDE $DAVOREN))
$BUT YOU HAVE A SWEETHEART, ALL THE SAME, $MR $DAVOREN, HAVEN'T YOU?
<SDON> $NO, NOT ONE, $MINNIE.
<SPOW> $OH, NOW, YOU CAN TELL THAT TO SOME ONE ELSE; AREN'T
YOU A POET AN' AREN'T ALL THE GIRLS FOND O' POETS?
<SDON> $THAT MAY BE, BUT ALL THE POETS AREN'T FOND OF GIRLS.
<SPOW> $THEY ARE IN THE STORY-BOOKS, AY, AND FOND OF MORE THAN
ONE, TOO. ((WITH A QUESTIONING LOOK)) $ARE YOU
FOND OF THEM, $MR $DAVOREN?
<SDON> $OF COURSE $I LIKE GIRLS, $MINNIE, ESPECIALLY GIRLS WHO CAN
ADD TO THEIR CHARMS BY THE WAY IN WHICH
THEY DRESS, LIKE YOU, FOR INSTANCE.
<SPOW> $OH, NOW, YOU'RE ON FOR CODDIN' ME, $MR $DAVOREN.
<SDON> $NO, REALLY, $MINNIE, $I'M NOT; YOU ARE
A VERY CHARMING LITTLE GIRL INDEED.
<SPOW> $THEN IF $I'M A CHARMIN' LITTLE GIRL, YOU OUGHT
TO BE ABLE TO WRITE A POEM ABOUT ME.
<SDON> ((WHO HAS BECOME SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF
$MINNIE, CATCHING HER HAND)) $AND SO $I WILL, SO $I WILL, $MINNIE;
$I HAVE WRITTEN THEM ABOUT GIRLS NOT HALF SO PRETTY AS YOURSELF.
<SPOW> $AH, $I KNEW YOU HAD ONE, $I KNEW YOU HAD ONE NOW.
<SDON> $NONSENSE. $EVERY GIRL A POET WRITES ABOUT ISN'T HIS
SWEETHEART; $ANNIE $LAURIE WASN'T THE SWEETHEART OF $ROBBIE $BURNS.
<SPOW> $YOU NEEDN'T TELL ME SHE WASN'T; =$AN' FOR BONNIE $ANNIE $LAURIE
$I'D LAY ME DOWN AN' DIE=. $NO MAN UD LAY DOWN AN' DIE FOR ANY BUT
A SWEETHEART, NOT EVEN FOR A WIFE.
<SDON> $NO MAN, $MINNIE, WILLINGLY DIES FOR ANYTHING.
<SPOW> $EXCEPT FOR HIS COUNTRY, LIKE $ROBERT $EMMET.
<SDON> $EVEN HE WOULD HAVE LIVED ON IF HE COULD; HE DIED NOT TO
DELIVER $IRELAND. $THE $BRITISH $GOVERNMENT KILLED
HIM TO SAVE THE $BRITISH NATION.
<SPOW> $YOU'RE ONLY JOKIN' NOW; YOU'D DIE FOR YOUR COUNTRY.
<SDON> $I DON'T KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT THAT.
<SPOW> $YOU WOULD, YOU WOULD, YOU WOULD- $I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE.
<SDON> $WHAT AM $I?
<SPOW> ((IN A WHISPER)) $A GUNMAN ON THE RUN!
<SDON> ((TOO PLEASED TO DENY IT)) $MAYBE $I AM, AND MAYBE $I'M NOT.
<SPOW> $OH, $I KNOW, $I KNOW, $I KNOW. $DO YOU NEVER BE AFRAID?
<SDON> $AFRAID! $AFRAID OF WHAT?
<SPOW> $WHY, THE AMBUSHES OF COURSE; $I'M ALL OF A TREMBLE WHEN $I
HEAR A SHOT GO OFF, AN' WHAT IT
MUST BE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIRIN'?
<SDON> ((DELIGHTED AT $MINNIE'S OBVIOUS ADMIRATION; LEANING BACK IN
HIS CHAIR, AND LIGHTING A CIGARETTE WITH PLACID AFFECTATION))
$I'LL ADMIT ONE DOES BE A LITTLE NERVOUS AT FIRST, BUT A FELLOW
GETS USED TO IT AFTER A BIT, TILL, AT LAST, A GUNMAN THROWS A
BOMB AS CARELESSLY AS A SCHOOLBOY THROWS A SNOWBALL.
<SPOW> ((FERVENTLY)) $I WISH IT WAS ALL OVER, ALL THE SAME.
((SUDDENLY, WITH A TREMOR IN HER VOICE)) $YOU'LL TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF,
WON'T YOU, WON'T YOU, $DONAL- $I MEAN, $MR $DAVOREN?
<SDON> ((EARNESTLY)) $CALL ME $DONAL, $MINNIE; WE'RE FRIENDS, GREAT
FRIENDS NOW- ((PUTTING HIS ARM AROUND HER)) GO ON, $MINNIE,
CALL ME $DONAL, LET ME HEAR YOU SAY $DONAL.
<SPOW> $THE PLACE BADLY NEEDS A TIDYIN' UP \ $DONAL- THERE NOW,
ARE YOU SATISFIED? ((RAPIDLY, HALF AFRAID OF $DAVOREN'S EXCITED
EMOTIONS)) $BUT IT REALLY DOES, IT'S IN AN AWFUL STATE. $TO-MORROW'S
A HALF-DAY, AN' $I'LL RUN IN AN' STRAIGHTEN IT UP A BIT.
<SDON> ((FRIGHTENED AT THE SUGGESTION)) $NO, NO, $MINNIE, YOU'RE TOO
PRETTY FOR THAT SORT OF WORK; BESIDES, THE PEOPLE OF THE HOUSE
WOULD BE SURE TO START TALKING ABOUT YOU.
<SPOW> $AN' DO YOU THINK $MINNIE $POWELL CARES WHETHER
THEY'LL TALK OR NO? $SHE'S HAD TO PUSH
HER WAY THROUGH LIFE UP TO THIS WITHOUT
HELP FROM ANY ONE, AN' SHE'S NOT GOIN' TO ASK THEIR LEAVE
NOW TO DO WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO.
<SDON> ((FORGETTING HIS TIMIDITY IN THE HONEST JOY OF APPRECIATING
THE INDEPENDENT COURAGE OF $MINNIE)) $MY SOUL WITHIN ART THOU,
$MINNIE! $A PIONEER IN ACTION AS $I AM A PIONEER IN THOUGHT. $THE TWO
POWERS THAT SHALL =GRASP THIS SORRY SCHEME OF THINGS ENTIRE, AND
MOULD LIFE NEARER TO THE HEART'S DESIRE=. $LOVELY LITTLE $MINNIE,
AND BRAVE AS WELL; BRAVE LITTLE $MINNIE, AND LOVELY AS WELL!
(($HIS DISENGAGED HAND LIFTS UP HER BENT HEAD, AND HE LOOKS
EARNESTLY AT HER; HE IS STOOPING TO KISS HER, WHEN $TOMMY $OWENS
APPEARS AT THE DOOR, WHICH $MINNIE HAS LEFT PARTIALLY OPEN.
$TOMMY IS ABOUT TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF AGE. $HE IS SMALL AND THIN;
HIS WORDS ARE UTTERED IN A NASAL DRAWL; HIS VOICE IS HUSKY, DUE
TO FREQUENT DRINKS AND PERPETUAL CIGARETTE-SMOKING. $HE TRIES TO
GET RID OF THE HUSKINESS BY AN OCCASIONAL COUGH. $TOMMY IS A
HERO-WORSHIPPER, AND, LIKE MANY OTHERS, HE IS ANXIOUS TO BE ON
FAMILIAR TERMS WITH THOSE WHO HE THINKS ARE BRAVER THAN HE IS
HIMSELF, AND WHOSE APPROBATION HE TRIES TO WIN BY AN ASSUMPTION
EQUAL TO THEIR OWN. $HE TALKS IN A STACCATO MANNER. $HE HAS A FEW
DRINKS TAKEN- IT IS TOO EARLY TO BE DRUNK- THAT MAKE HIM
TALKATIVE. $HE IS DRESSED IN A SUIT OF DUNGAREES, AND GIVES A
GENTLE COUGH TO DRAW ATTENTION TO HIS PRESENCE.))
<SOWE> $I SEEN NOTHIN'- HONEST- THOUGHT YOU WAS
LEARNIN' TO TYPEWRITE- $MR $DAVOREN TEACHIN' YOU.
$I SEEN NOTHIN' ELSE- S'HELP ME $GOD!
<SPOW> $WE'D BE HARD PUT TO IT IF WE
MINDED WHAT YOU SEEN, $TOMMY $OWENS.
<SOWE> $RIGHT, $MINNIE, $TOMMY $OWENS HAS
A HEART- $EVENIN', $MR $DAVOREN-
DON'T MIND ME COMIN' IN- $I'M $TOMMY $OWENS- LIVE UP IN THE TWO-PAIR
BACK, WORKIN' IN $ROSS AN' $WALPOLE'S- $MR $SHIELDS KNOWS ME WELL;
YOU NEEDN'T BE AFRAID O' ME, $MR $DAVOREN.
<SDON> $WHY SHOULD $I BE AFRAID OF YOU, $MR $OWENS, OR OF ANYBODY ELSE?
<SOWE> $WHY SHOULD YOU, INDEED? $WE'RE ALL FRIENDS HERE- $MR $SHIELDS
KNOWS ME WELL- ALL YOU'VE GOT TO SAY IS, "$DO YOU KNOW $TOMMY
$OWENS?" AN' HE'LL TELL YOU THE SORT OF A MAN $TOMMY $OWENS IS.
$THERE'S NO FLIES ON $TOMMY- GOT ME?
<SPOW> $FOR GOODNESS' SAKE, $TOMMY, LEAVE $MR $DAVOREN ALONE-
HE'S GOT ENOUGH BURGEONS ON HIM ALREADY.
<SOWE> $NOT A WORD, $MINNIE, NOT A WORD- $MR $DAVOREN
UNDERSTANDS ME WELL, AS MAN TO MAN. $IT'S "$UP THE $REPUBLIC"
ALL THE TIME- EH, $MR $DAVOREN?
<SDON> $I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE $REPUBLIC; $I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH
THE POLITICS OF THE DAY, AND $I DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANY CONNECTION.
<SOWE> $YOU NEEDN'T SAY NO MORE- A NOD'S AS GOOD AS A WINK TO A BLIND
HORSE- YOU'VE NO MEDDLIN' OR MAKIN' WITH IT,
GOOD, BAD, OR INDIFFERENT, PRO OR CON;
$I KNOW IT AN' $MINNIE KNOWS IT- GIVE ME YOUR HAND.
(($HE CATCHES $DAVOREN'S HAND)) $TWO FIRM HANDS CLASPED TOGETHER WILL
ALL THE POWER OUTBRAVE OF THE HEARTLESS $ENGLISH TYRANT, THE $SAXON
COWARD AN' KNAVE. $THAT'S $TOMMY $OWENS' HAND, $MR $DAVOREN, THE HAND OF
A MAN, A MAN- $MR $SHIELDS KNOWS ME WELL. (($HE BREAKS INTO SONG.))
=$HIGH UPON THE GALLOWS TREE STOOD THE NOBLE-HEARTED THREE,
$BY THE VENGEFUL TYRANT STRICKEN IN THEIR BLOOM;
$BUT THEY MET HIM FACE TO FACE WITH THE SPIRIT OF THEIR RACE,
$AND THEY WENT WITH SOULS UNDAUNTED TO THEIR DOOM!=
<SPOW> ((IN AN EFFORT TO QUELL HIS FERVOUR)) $TOMMY $OWENS,
FOR GOODNESS' SAKE \
<SOWE> ((OVERWHELMING HER WITH A SHOUT)):
=$GOD SAVE $IRELAND SES THE HAYROS, $GOD SAVE $IRELAND SES WE ALL,
$WHETHER ON THE SCAFFOLD HIGH, OR THE BATTLE-FIELD WE DIE,
$OH, WHAT MATTER WHEN $AYRYINN DEAR WE FALL!=
<SOWE> ((TEARFULLY)) $MR $DAVOREN, $I'D DIE FOR $IRELAND!
<SDON> $I KNOW YOU WOULD, $I KNOW YOU WOULD, $TOMMY.
<SOWE> $I NEVER GOT A CHANCE- THEY NEVER GAVE ME A CHANCE- BUT
ALL THE SAME $I'D BE THERE IF $I WAS CALLED ON- $MR $SHIELDS KNOWS
THAT- ASK $MR $SHIELDS, $MR $DAVOREN.
<SDON> $THERE'S NO NECESSITY, $TOMMY; $I KNOW YOU'RE THE RIGHT STUFF
IF YOU GOT THE CHANCE, BUT REMEMBER THAT =HE ALSO SERVES
WHO ONLY STANDS AND WAITS.=
<SOWE> ((FIERCELY)) $I'M BLOODY WELL TIRED O' WAITIN'- WE'RE ALL TIRED
O' WAITIN'. $WHY ISN'T EVERY MAN IN $IRELAND OUT WITH THE $I$R$A? $UP
WITH THE BARRICADES, UP WITH THE BARRICADES; IT'S NOW OR NEVER, NOW AN'
FOR EVER, AS $SARSFIELD SAID AT THE BATTLE O' $VINEGAR $HILL. $UP WITH
THE BARRICADES- THAT'S $TOMMY $OWENS- AN' A PENNY BUYS A WHISTLE.
$LET THEM AS THINKS DIFFERENT SAY DIFFERENT-
WHAT DO YOU SAY, $MR $DAVOREN?
<SDON> $I SAY, $TOMMY, YOU OUGHT TO GO UP AND GET YOUR
DINNER, FOR IF YOU WAIT MUCH LONGER IT WON'T BE WORTH EATING.
<SOWE> $OH, DAMN THE DINNER; WHO'D THINK O' DINNER AN' $IRELAND FIGHTIN'
TO BE FREE?- NOT $TOMMY $OWENS, ANYHOW. $IT'S ONLY THE
$ENGLISHMAN WHO'S ALWAYS THINKIN' OF HIS BELLY.
<SPOW> $TOMMY $OWENS!
<SOWE> $EXCUSE ME, $MISS $POWELL, IN THE ARDURE OV ME ANGER
$I DISREMEMBERED THERE WAS A LADY PRESENT.
(($VOICES ARE HEARD OUTSIDE, AND PRESENTLY $MRS $HENDERSON COMES INTO
THE ROOM, FOLLOWED BY $MR $GALLOGHER,
WHO, HOWEVER, LINGERS AT THE
DOOR, TOO TIMID TO COME ANY FARTHER. $MRS $HENDERSON IS A MASSIVE
WOMAN IN EVERY WAY; MASSIVE HEAD, ARMS, AND BODY; MASSIVE VOICE
AND A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF SELF-CONFIDENCE. $SHE IS A MOUNTAIN OF
GOOD NATURE, AND DURING THE INTERVIEW SHE BEHAVES TOWARDS $DAVOREN
WITH DEFERENTIAL SELF-ASSURANCE. $SHE DOMINATES THE ROOM, AND SEEMS
TO OCCUPY THE WHOLE OF IT. $SHE IS
DRESSED POORLY BUT TIDILY, WEARING
A WHITE APRON AND A LARGE SHAWL. $MR $GALLOGHER, ON THE OTHER HAND,
IS A SPARE LITTLE MAN WITH A SPARE LITTLE GREY BEARD AND A THIN,
NERVOUS VOICE. $HE IS DRESSED AS WELL AS A FADED SUIT OF BLUE WILL
ALLOW HIM TO BE. $HE IS OBVIOUSLY ILL AT EASE DURING HIS INTERVIEW
WITH $DAVOREN. $HE CARRIES A HARD HAT, UNDER HIS ARM,
AND A LETTER IN HIS RIGHT HAND.))
<SHEN> ((ENTERING THE ROOM)) $COME ALONG IN, $MR $GALLICKER, $MR $DAVOREN
WON'T MIND; IT'S HIM AS CAN PUT YOU IN THE WAY O' HAVIN' YOUR
WRONGS RIGHTED; COME ON IN, MAN, AN DON'T BE SO SHY- $MR $DAVOREN
IS WAN OV OURSELVES THAT STANDS FOR GOVERMINT OV THE PEOPLE
WITH THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE. $YOU'LL FIND
YOU'LL BE AS WELCOME AS THE FLOWERS IN $MAY. $GOOD EVENIN',
$MR $DAVOREN, AN' $GOD AN' $HIS HOLY ANGELS
BE BETWEEN YOU AN' ALL HARM.
<SOWE> ((EFFUSIVELY)) $COME ON, $MR $GALLICKER, AN' DON'T BE A STRANGER-
WE'RE ALL FRIENDS HERE- ANYTHING SPECIAL TO BE DONE OR PARTICULAR
ADVICE ASKED, HERE'S YOUR MAN HERE.
<SDON> ((SUBCONSCIOUSLY PLEASED, BUT A LITTLE TIMID OF THE BELIEF
HE IS CONNECTED WITH THE GUNMEN)) $I'M VERY BUSY JUST NOW,
$MRS $HENDERSON, AND REALLY \
<SHEN> ((MISTAKING THE REASON OF HIS EMBARRASSMENT)) $DON'T BE PUT
OUT, $MR $DAVOREN, WE WON'T KEEP YOU MORE NOR A FEW MINUTES. $IT'S
NOT IN ME OR IN $MR $GALLICKER TO SPOIL SPORT. $HIM AN' ME WAS YOUNG
ONCE, AN' KNOWS WHAT IT IS TO BE STROLLING AT NIGHT IN THE PALE
MOONLIGHT, WITH ARMS ROUND ONE ANOTHER. $AN' $I WOULDN'T TAKE MUCH
AN' SAY THERE'S GAME IN $MR $GALLICKER STILL, FOR $I SEEN,
SOMETIMES, A DANGEROUS COCK IN HIS EYE. $BUT WE WON'T KEEP YOU AN'
$MINNIE LONG ASUNDER; HE'S THE LETTER AN' ALL WRITTEN. $YOU MUST
KNOW, $MR $DAVOREN- EXCUSE ME FOR NOT INTRODUCIN' HIM SOONER-
THIS IS $MR $GALLICKER, THAT LIVES IN THE FRONT DRAWIN'-ROOM OV
NUMBER FIFTY-FIVE, AS DECENT AN' HONEST AN' QUIET A MAN AS YOU'D MEET
IN A DAY'S WALK. $AN' SO SIGNS ON IT, IT'S THEM AS 'ILL BE IMPOSED
UPON- READ THE LETTER, $MR $GALLICKER.
<SOWE> $READ AWAY, $MR $GALLICKER, IT WILL BE ATTENDED TO, NEVER FEAR;
WE KNOW OUR OWN, EH, $MR $DAVOREN?
<SPOW> $HURRY UP, $MR $GALLICKER, AN' DON'T BE KEEPING $MR $DAVOREN.
<SHEN> $GIVE HIM TIME, $MINNIE $POWELL. $GIVE HIM TIME. $YOU MUST KNOW
IN ALL FAIRITY, $MR $DAVOREN, THAT THE FAMILY LIVIN' IN THE NEXT
ROOM TO $MR $GALLICKER- THE BACK DRAWIN'-ROOM, TO BE PARTICULAR-
AM $I RIGHT OR AM $I WRONG, $MR $GALLICKER?
<SGAL> $YOU'RE RIGHT, $MRS $HENDERSON, PERFECTLY RIGHT, INDEED-
THAT'S THE VERY IDENTICAL ROOM.
<SHEN> $WELL, $MR $DAVOREN, THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK DRAWIN'-ROOM, OR,
TO BE MORE PARTICULAR, THE RESIDENTS- THAT'S THE WORD THAT'S
WRIT IN THE LETTER- AM $I RIGHT OR AM $I WRONG, $MR $GALLICKER?
<SGAL> $YOU'RE RIGHT, $MRS $HENDERSON, PERFECTLY ACCURATE-
THAT'S THE VERY IDENTICAL WORD.
<SHEN> $WELL, $MR $DAVOREN, THE RESIDENTS IN THE BACK DRAWIN'-ROOM,
AS $I AFORESAID, IS NOTHIN' BUT A GANG O' TRAMPS THAT OUGHTN'T
TO BE ALLOWED TO ASSOCIATE WITH HONEST, DECENT, QUIET, RESPECTABLE
PEOPLE. $MR $GALLICKER HAS TRIED TO REASON WITH THEM, AND MAKE THEM
BEHAVE THEMSELVES- WHICH IN MY OPINION THEY NEVER WILL- HOWEVER,
THAT'S ONLY AN OPINION, AN' NOT LEGAL- EVER SINCE THEY HAVE MADE
$MR $GALLICKER'S LIFE A $HELL!
$MR $GALLICKER, AM $I RIGHT OR AM $I WRONG?
<SGAL> $I'M SORRY TO SAY YOU'RE RIGHT $MRS $GALLICKER,
PERFECTLY RIGHT- NOT A WORD OF EXAGGERATION.
<SHEN> $WELL, NOW, $MR $GALLICKER, SEEIN' AS $I HAVE GIVEN $MR $DAVOREN
A FAIR ACCOUNT OV HOW YOU'RE SITUATED, AN' OV THESE TRAMPS'
CLEVERALITY, $I'LL ASK YOU TO READ THE LETTER, WHICH $I'LL SAY,
NOT BECAUSE YOU'RE THERE, OR THAT YOU'RE A FRIEND O' MINE, IS AS
GOOD A LETTER AS WAS DECOMPOSED BY A SCHOLAR. $NOW, $MR GALLICKER,
AN' DON'T FORGET THE TOP SAYIN'.
(($MR $GALLOGHER PREPARES TO READ; $MINNIE LEANS FORWARD TO LISTEN;
$TOMMY TAKES OUT A WELL-WORN NOTE-BOOK AND A PENCIL STUMP,
AND ASSUMES A VERY IMPORTANT ATTITUDE.))
<SOWE> $ONE SECOND. $MR $GALLICKER, IS THIS THE
TWENTY-FIRST OR THE TWENTY-SECOND?
<SGAL> $THE TWENTY-FIRST, SIR.
<SOWE> $THANKS; PROCEED, $MR $GALLICKER.
<SGAL> ((WITH A FEW PRELIMINARY TREMORS, READS THE LETTER.))
"$TO $ALL TO $WHOM $THESE $PRESENTS $COME, $GREETINGS $GENTLEMEN OF THE
$IRISH $REPUBLICAN $ARMY \ "
<SHEN> $THERE'S A BEGINNIN' FOR YOU, $MR $DAVOREN.
<SPOW> $THAT'S SOME SWANK.
<SOWE> $THERE'S A LOT IN THAT SAYIN', MIND YOU; IT'S A
HARD WALLOP AT THE $BRITISH $EMPIRE.
<SHEN> ((PROUDLY)) $GO ON, $MR $GALLICKER.
<SGAL> ((READING)) "$I WISH TO CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE PERSECUTION
ME AND MY FAMILY HAS TO PUT UP WITH IN RESPECT OF AND APPERTAINING
TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE BACK DRAWING-ROOM OF THE HOUSE KNOWN AS
FIFTY-FIVE, $SAINT $TERESA $STREET, SITUATE IN THE $PARISH OF $SAINT
$THOMAS, IN THE $BOROUGH AND $CITY OF $DUBLIN. $THIS PERSECUTION STARTED
EIGHTEEN MONTHS AGO- OR TO BE PRECISE- ON THE TENTH OF THE SIXTH
MONTH, IN THE YEAR NINETEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY."
<SHEN> $THAT'S THE WORD $I WAS TRYING TO THINK OV- PRECISE- IT
CUTS THE GROUND FROM UNDER THEIR FEET- SO TO SPEAK.
<SGAL> ((READING)) "$WE, THE COMPLAINANTS, RESIDENT ON THE GROUND
FLOOR, DEEMING IT DISRESPECTABLE \ "
<SHEN> ((WITH AN EMPHATIC NOD)) $WHICH IT WAS.
<SGAL> ((READING)) "$DEEMING IT DISRESPECTABLE TO HAVE AN OPEN HALL
DOOR, AND TO HAVE THE HALL TURNED INTO A PLAYGROUND, MADE A
SOLEMN PROTEST, AND, IN CONSEQUENCE, WE THE COMPLAINANTS AFORESAID
HAS HAD NO PEACE EVER SINCE. $OWING TO THE PERSECUTION, AS AFORESAID
SPECIFIED, WE HAD TO TAKE OUT A SUMMONS AGAIN THEM SOME TIME AGO
AS THERE WAS NO $REPUBLICAN $COURTS THEN; BUT WE DID NOT PROCEED AGAIN
THEM AS ME AND MY WIFE- TO WIT, $JAMES AND $WINIFRED $GALLOGHER-
HAS A STRONG OBJECTION TO FOREIGN $COURTS AS SUCH. $WE HAD PEACE FOR
SOME TIME AFTER THAT, BUT NOW THINGS HAVE GONE FROM BAD TO WORSE.
$THE NAME CALLING AND THE LANGUAGE IS SOMETHING ABOMINABLE \ "
<SHEN> ((HOLDING OUT HER HAND AS A CONSTABLE WOULD EXTEND HIS
TO STOP A CAR THAT ANOTHER MAY PASS)) $EXCUSE ME, $MR $GALLICKER,
BUT $I THINK THE WORD "SHOCKIN'" SHOULD BE PUT IN THERE AFTER
ABOMINABLE; FOR THE LANGUAGE USED BE THESE TRAMPS HAS TWO WAYS
O' BEIN' LOOKED AT- FOR IT'S ABOMINABLE TO THE CHILDER AN'
SHOCKIN' TO YOUR WIFE- AM $I RIGHT OR AM $I WRONG, $MR $DAVOREN?
<SOWE> ((JUDICIALLY)) $SHOCKIN' IS A RIGHT GOOD WORD,
WITH A GREAT DEAL OF MEANIN', AN' \
<SHEN> ((WITH A DEPRECATING GESTURE THAT EXTINGUISHES $TOMMY))
$TOMMY, LET $MR $DAVOREN SPEAK; WHATEVER $MR $DAVOREN SES,
$JULIA $HENDERSON'LL ABIDE BE.
<SDON> ((AFRAID TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE)) $I THINK THE WORD MIGHT
CERTAINLY BE INTRODUCED WITH ADVANTAGE.
<SHEN> $GO OVER THERE, $MR $GALLICKER, AN' PUT IN
THE WORD SHOCKIN', AS AFORESAID.
(($GALLOGHER GOES OVER TO THE TABLE, AND WITH A GREAT
DEAL OF DIFFICULTY ENTERS THE WORD.))
<SOWE> ((TO $MR $GALLOGHER AS HE WRITES)) $EY, THERE'S TWO K'S IN SHOCKIN'.
<SGAL> ((READING)) "$THE LANGUAGE IS SOMETHING ABOMINABLE AND SHOCKING
$MY WIFE HAS OFTEN TO LOCK THE DOOR OF THE ROOM TO KEEP THEM FROM
ASSAULTING HER. $IF YOU WOULD BE SO KIND AS TO SEND SOME OF YOUR
ARMY OR POLICE DOWN TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES WE WOULD GIVE THEM FULL
PARTICULARS. $I HAVE TO BE ALWAYS FROM HOME ALL DAY, AS $I WORK WITH
$MR $HENNESSY, THE HARNESS MAKER OF THE $COOMBE, WHO WILL FURNISH ALL
PARTICULARS AS TO MY UNVARNISHED RESPECTABILITY, ALSO MY NEIGHBOURS.
$THE NAME OF THE RESIDENT-TENANT WHO IS GIVING ALL THIS TROUBLE
AND WHO, PURSUANT TO THE FACTS OF THE CASE AFORESAID, MENTIONED,
WILL BE THE DEFENDANT, IS $DWYER. $THE HUSBAND OF THE AFORESAID
$MRS $DWYER, OR THE AFORESAID DEFENDANT, AS THE CASE MAY BE, IS A
SEAMAN, WHO IS COMING HOME SHORTLY, AND WE BEG $THE $IRISH
$REPUBLICAN $ARMY TO NOTE THAT THE SAID $MRS $DWYER SAYS HE WILL
SETTLE US WHEN HE COMES HOME. $WHILE LEAVING IT ENTIRELY IN THE
HANDS OF THE GENTLEMEN OF $THE $REPUBLICAN $ARMY, THE DEFENDANT,
THAT IS TO SAY, $JAMES $GALLOGHER OF FIFTY-FIVE $SAINT $TERESA $STREET,
VENTURES TO SAY THAT HE HAS MADE OUT A $PRIMMY $FASHY $CASE AGAINST
$MRS $DWYER AND ALL HER HEIRS, MALE AND FEMALE AS AFORESAID MENTIONED
IN THE ABOVE WRITTEN SCHEDULE."
"$N$B- $IF YOU SEND UP ANY OF YOUR MEN, PLEASE TELL THEM TO BRING
THEIR GUNS. $I BEG TO REMAIN THE HUMBLE SERVANT AND DEVOTED ADMIRER
OF THE $GENTLEMEN OF $THE $IRISH $REPUBLICAN $ARMY."
"$WITNESS MY HAND THIS TENTH DAY OF THE FIFTH MONTH OF THE YEAR
NINETEEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY. $J$A$M$E$S $G$A$L$L$O$G$H$E$R."
<SGAL> ((WITH A MODEST COUGH)) $AHEM.
<SHEN> $THERE'S A LETTER FOR YOU, $MR $DAVOREN!
<SOWE> $IT'S THE MOST POWERFULLEST LETTER $I EVER HEARD READ.
<SPOW> $IT WASN'T YOU, REALLY, THAT WRIT IT, $MR $GALLICKER?
<SHEN> $SINN $FEIN $AMHAIN: HIM AN' HIM ONLY, $MINNIE. $I SEEN HIM WITH
ME OWN TWO EYES WHEN ME AN' $WINNIE- $MRS $GALLICKER, $MR $DAVOREN,
AFORESAID AS APPEARS IN THE LETTER- WAS HAVIN' A CHAT BE THE FIRE.
<SPOW> $YOU'D NEVER THINK IT WAS IN HIM TO DO IT.
<SHEN> $AN' TO THINK THAT THE LIKES OV SUCH A MAN IS TO HAVE THE
SOUL-CASE WORRIED OUT OV HIM BY A GANG O' TRAMPS; BUT IT'S IN GOOD
HANDS NOW, AN' INSTEAD OV THEM SETTLIN' YOU, $MR $GALLICKER, IT'S YOUS
'ILL SETTLE THEM. $GIVE THE LETTER TO $MR $DAVOREN, AN' WE'LL BE GOIN'.
(($GALLOGHER GIVES THE LETTER TO $DAVOREN.))
<SHEN> ((MOVING TOWARDS THE DOOR)) $I HOPE YOU AN' $MR $SHIELDS IS GETTIN'
ON ALL RIGHT TOGETHER, $MR $DAVOREN.
<SDON> $FAIRLY WELL, THANKS, $MRS $HENDERSON. $WE DON'T SEE MUCH OF EACH
OTHER. $HE'S OUT DURING THE DAY,
AND $I'M USUALLY OUT DURING THE EVENING.
<SHEN> $I'M AFRAID HE'LL NEVER MAKE A FORTUNE OUT OV WHAT HE'S SELLIN'.
$HE'LL TALK ABOVE AN HOUR OVER A PENNORTH O' PINS. $EVERY TIME HE COMES
TO OUR PLACE $I BUY A PACKAGE O' HAIRPINS FROM HIM TO GIVE HIM A
LITTLE ENCOURAGEMENT. $I 'CLARE TO $GOD $I HAVE AS MANY PINS
NOW AS UD MAKE A WIRE MATTRESS FOR A DOUBLE
BED. $ALL THE YOUNG DIVILS ABOUT THE PLACE
ARE BEGINNIN' TO MAKE A JEER OV HIM, TOO; $I GAVE ONE OV THEM A
MALLAVOGIN' THE OTHER DAY FOR CALLIN' HIM OUL' HAIRPINS!
<SGAL> ((VENTURING AN OPINION)) $MR $SHIELDS IS A MAN OF EXCEPTIONAL
MENTAL CAPACITY, AND IS WORTHY OF A MORE DIGNIFIED POSITION.
<SHEN> $THEM WORDS IS TRUE, $MR $GALLICKER, AND THEY AREN'T. $FOR TO BE
WISE IS TO BE A FOOL, AN' TO BE A FOOL IS TO BE WISE.
<SGAL> ((WITH DEPRECATING TOLERANCE)) $OH, $MRS $HENDERSON,
THAT'S A PARROTOX.
<SHEN> $IT MAY BE WHAT A PARROT TALKS, OR A BLACKBIRD, OR,
FOR THE MATTER OF THAT, A LARK- BUT IT'S WHAT $JULIA $HENDERSON
THINKS, ANY \ WHISHT, IS THAT A $STOP $PRESS?
(($OUTSIDE IS HEARD THE SHRIEK OF A NEWSBOY CALLING "$STOP $PRESS".))
<SHEN> $RUN OUT, $TOMMY, AN' GET IT TILL WE SEE WHAT IT IS.
<SOWE> $I HAVEN'T GOT A MAKE.
<SHEN> $I NEVER SEEN YOU ANY OTHER WAY, AN' YOU'LL BE ALWAYS THE SAME
IF YOU KEEP FOLLYIN' YOUR $SPEARMINTS, AN' YOUR $BUMBLE $BEES AN' YOUR
$NIGHT $PATROLS. ((SHOUTING TO SOME ONE OUTSIDE))
$IS THAT A $STOP $PRESS, $MRS $GRIGSON?
<SMRV> $YIS; AN AMBUSH OUT NEAR $KNOCKSEDAN.
<SHEN> $THAT'S THE STUFF TO GIVE THEM.
((LOUDLY)) $WAS THERE ANYBODY HURTED?
<SMRV> $ONE POOR MAN KILLED- SOME CHAP NAMED $MAGUIRE, THE PAPER SAYS.
<SDON> ((AGITATED)) $WHAT NAME DID SHE SAY?
<SPOW> $MAGUIRE; DID YOU KNOW HIM, $MR $DAVOREN?
<SDON> $YES- NO, NO; $I DIDN'T KNOW HIM,
NO, $I DIDN'T KNOW HIM, $MINNIE
<SPOW> $I WONDER IS IT THE $MAGUIRE THAT DOES BE WITH $MR $SHIELDS?
<SDON> $OH NO, NOT AT ALL, IT COULDN'T BE.
<SHEN> $KNOCKSEDAN? $THAT'S IN THE $COUNTY $SLIGO, NOW, OR $I'M GREATLY
MISTAKEN- AM $I RIGHT, $MR $GALLICKER, OR AM $I WRONG?
<SGAL> ((WHO KNOWS PERFECTLY WELL THAT IT IS IN THE $COUNTY $DUBLIN,
BUT DARE NOT CORRECT $MRS $HENDERSON)) $THAT'S WHERE IT IS-
$KNOCKSEDAN, THAT'S THE VERY IDENTICAL COUNTY.
<SHEN> $WELL, $I THINK WE BETTER BE MAKIN' A MOVE, $MR $GALLICKER;
WE'VE KEP' $MR $DAVOREN LONG ENOUGH, AN' YOU'LL FIND THE LETTER'LL
BE IN GOOD HANS. (($MR GALLOGHER AND $MRS $HENDERSON MOVE TOWARDS THE
DOOR, WHICH WHEN HE REACHES IT $MR $GALLOGHER GRIPS, HESITATES,
BUTTONS HIS COAT, AND TURNS TO $DAVOREN.))
<SGAL> $MR $DAVOREN, SIR, ON BEHALF OV MESELF, $JAMES $GALLICKER, AN'
$WINIFRED, $MRS $GALLICKER, WIFE OV THE SAID $JAMES, $I BEG TO OFFER,
EXTEND AN' FURNISH OUR HUMBLE AN' HEARTY THANKS FOR YOUR BENEVOLENT
GOODNESS IN INTERFERIN' IN THE MATTER SPECIFIED, PARTICULARATED AN'
EXPANDED UPON IN THE LETTER, MANDAMUS OR SCHEDULE, AS THE CASE MAY
BE. $AN' LET ME INTERPRETATE TO YOU ON BEHALF OV MESELF AN' $WINIFRED
$GALLICKER, THAT WHENEVER
YOU VISIT US YOU WILL BE SUPERNALLY
POSITIVE OV A HUNDRED THOUSAND WELCOMES- AHEM.
<SHEN> ((BEAMING WITH PRIDE FOR THE GENIUS OF HER FRIEND)) $THERE'S A MAN
FOR YOU, $MR $DAVOREN! $YOU FORGOT TO MENTION $BIDDY AND $SHAUN,
$MR $GALLICKER- ((TO $DAVOREN))- IT'S HIMSELF HAS THEM TRAINED WELL.
$IT UD MAKE YOUR HEART THRILL LIKE AN ALARM CLOCK TO HEAR THEM SINGIN'
=$FAITH OF $OUR $FATHERS= AN' =$WRAP THE $GREEN $FLAG $ROUN' $ME=.
<SGAL> ((HALF APOLOGETICALLY AND HALF PROUDLY)) $FAITH AN' $FATHERLAND,
$MRS $HENDERSON, $FAITH AND $FATHERLAND.
<SHEN> $WELL, GOOD-DAY, $MR $DAVOREN, AN' $GOD KEEP YOU AN' STRENGHTEN
ALL THE MEN THAT ARE FIGHTIN' FOR $IRELAND'S FREEDOM.
(($SHE AND $GALLOGHER GO OUT.!
<SOWE> $I MUST BE OFF TOO; SO-LONG, $MR $DAVOREN, AN' REMEMBER THAT
$TOMMY $OWENS ONLY WAITS THE CALL. (($HE GOES OUT TO.))
<SDON> $WELL, $MINNIE, WE'RE BY OURSELVES ONCE MORE.
<SPOW> $WOULDN'T THAT $TOMMY $OWENS GIVE YOU THE SICK- ONLY WAITIN' TO
HEAR THE CALL! $AH, THEN IT'LL TAKE ALL THE BRASS BANDS IN THE COUNTRY
TO BLOW THE CALL BEFORE $TOMMY $OWENS UD HEAR IT.
(($SHE LOOKS AT HER WRISTLET WATCH.))
$SACRED $HEART, $I'VE ONLY TEN MINUTES TO GET BACK
TO WORK! $I'LL HAVE TO FLY!
$QUICK, $MR $DAVOREN, WRITE ME NAME IN TYPEWRITIN' BEFORE $I GO-
JUST "$MINNIE". (($DAVOREN TYPES THE NAME.))
<SPOW> ((SHYLY BUT DETERMINED! $NOW YOURS UNDERNEATH- JUST "$DONAL".
(($DAVOREN DOES SO.! $MINNIE, $DONAL; $DONAL, $MINNIE; GOOD-BYE NOW.
<SDON> $HERE, WHAT ABOUT THE MILK?
<SPOW> $I HAVEN'T TIME TO TAKE IT NOW. ((SLYLY)) $I'LL COME FOR IT THIS
EVENING. (($THEY BOTH GO TOWARDS THE DOOR.!
<SDON> $MINNIE, THE KISS $I DIDN'T GET.
<SPOW> $WHAT KISS?
<SDON> $WHEN WE WERE INTERRUPTED; YOU KNOW,
YOU LITTLE ROGUE, COME, JUST ONE.
<SPOW> $QUICK THEN.
(($DAVOREN KISSES HER AND SHE RUNS OUT.
$DAVOREN RETURNS THOUGHTFULLY TO THE TABLE.))
<SDON> $MINNIE, $DONAL; $DONAL, $MINNIE. $VERY PRETTY, BUT VERY IGNORANT.
$A GUNMAN ON THE RUN! $BE CAREFUL,
BE CAREFUL, $DONAL $DAVOREN. $BUT $MINNIE
IS ATTRACTED TO THE IDEA, AND $I AM ATTRACTED TO $MINNIE. $AND WHAT
DANGER CAN THERE BE IN BEING THE SHADOW OF A GUNMAN?
(($C$U$R$T$A$I$N