Free Complete Works, Volume I by Harold Pinter Page B

NAT! I called you Nat. I was asking you, Nat. Honest to God. Just a question, that's all, just a question, do you see, do you follow me?
    GOLDBERG ( jerking him away ). What question?
    MCCANN . Will I go up?
    GOLDBERG ( violently ). Up? I thought you weren't going to go up there again?
    MCCANN . What do you mean? Why not?
    GOLDBERG . You said so!
    MCCANN . I never said that!
    GOLDBERG . No?
    MCCANN ( from the floor, to the room at large ). Who said that? I never said that! I'll go up now!
    He jumps up and rushes to the door, left.
    GOLDBERG . Wait!
    He stretches his arms to the arms of the chair.
    Come here.
    MCCANN approaches him very slowly.
    I want your opinion. Have a look in my mouth.
    He opens his mouth wide.
    Take a good look.
    MCCANN looks.
    You know what I mean?
    MCCANN peers.
    You know what? I've never lost a tooth. Not since the day I was born. Nothing's changed. ( He gets up. ) That's why I've reached my position, McCann. Because I've always been as fit as a fiddle. All my life I've said the same. Play up, play up, and play the game. Honour thy father and thy mother. All along the line. Follow the line, the line, McCann, and you can't go wrong. What do you think, I'm a self-made man? No! I sat where I was told to sit. I kept my eye on the ball. School? Don't talk to me about school. Top in all subjects. And for why? Because I'm telling you, I'm telling you, follow my line? Follow my mental? Learn by heart. Never write down a thing. And don't go too near the water.And you'll find—that what I say is true.
    Because I believe that the world . . . ( Vacant. ). . . .
    Because I believe that the world . . . ( Desperate ) . . . .
    BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THE WORLD . . . ( Lost. ). . . .
    He sits in chair.
    Sit down, McCann, sit here where I can look at you.
    MCCANN kneels in front of the table.
    ( Intensely, with growing certainty. ) My father said to me, Benny, Benny, he said, come here. He was dying. I knelt down. By him day and night. Who else was there? Forgive, Benny, he said, and let live. Yes, Dad. Go home to your wife. I will, Dad. Keep an eye open for low-lives, for schnorrers and for layabouts. He didn't mention names. I lost my life in the service of others, he said, I'm not ashamed. Do your duty and keep your observations. Always bid good morning to the neighbours. Never, never forget your family, for they are the rock, the constitution and the core! If you're ever in any difficulties Uncle Barney will see you in the clear. I knelt down. ( He kneels, facing MCCANN .) I swore on the good book. And I knew the word I had to remember—Respect! Because McCann— ( Gently. ) Seamus—who came before your father? His father. And who came before him? Before him? . . . ( Vacant—triumphant. ) Who came before your father's father but your father's father's mother! Your great-gran-granny.
    Silence. He slowly rises.
    And that's why I've reached my position, McCann. Because I've always been as fit as a fiddle. My motto. Work hard and play hard. Not a day's illness.
    GOLDBERG sits.
    GOLDBERG . All the same, give me a blow. ( Pause. ) Blow in my mouth.
    MCCANN stands, puts his hands on his knees, bends, and blows in GOLDBERG’S mouth.
    One for the road.
    MCCANN blows again in his mouth. GOLDBERG breathes deeply, smiles.
    GOLDBERG . Right!
    Enter LULU. MCCANN looks at them, and goes to the door.
    MCCANN ( at the door ). I'll give you five minutes. ( He exits. )
    GOLDBERG . Come over here.
    LULU . What's going to happen?
    GOLDBERG . Come over here.
    LULU . No, thank you.
    GOLDBERG . What's the matter? You got the needle to Uncle Natey?
    LULU . I'm going.
    GOLDBERG . Have a game of pontoon first, for old time's sake.
    LULU . I've had enough games.
    GOLDBERG . A girl like you, at your age, at your time of health, and you don't take to games?
    LULU . You're very smart
    GOLDBERG . Anyway, who says you don't take to them?
    LULU . Do you think I'm like all the other girls?
    GOLDBERG . Are all the other girls like that, too?
    LULU