knew where I was. Now theyâre getting into government. And Iâm most of the time in my room â
He stops and looks over the footlights
.
What do you think this is, a Sunday School?
He puts his hands on his heart
.
Come along then. Coop! Coop!
After a time he holds his hands out in front of him as if they contained a bird. Then he opens his hands and shakes them. He looks to the back of the auditorium as if the bird has flown away there
.
HARRY
Are there aeroplanes flying?
BARMAN
Yes, there was one in nineteen hundred and two I think.
HARRY
What happened?
BARMAN
It went into a tree.
He turns from the audience and goes behind the bar and puts glasses and bottles from the shelves on to the counter
.
Harry comes to the bar and sits on a stool. After a time he says as if it were the name of a game â
HARRY
â Can I have a drink? â
The Barman seems to follow his lead â
BARMAN
â No I havenât got any change â
The Barman places the bottles around on the counter as if he were arranging pieces for a game
.
Harry watches him. Then he murmurs â
HARRY
On this strange landscape â
BARMAN
Do I know you?
Harry and the Barman look at the pieces on the counter. It is as if they are uncertain of the nature of the game
.
Harry seems to quote â
HARRY
â Open your mouth â
BARMAN
â And in she pops them â
After a time Harry bangs on the counter and yells â
HARRY
Can we have some discipline in this establishment!
BARMAN
Coming, sir! Sorry!
The Barman takes a glass and fills it
.
Harry looks round the room. He says tentatively â
HARRY
What is it, a hairdresserâs?
The Barman pushes the full glass towards him. Harry says more confidently â
Broken needles everywhere! Shit â
BARMAN
We had a party last night, sir. A lot of young gentlemen â
Harry seems to quote â
HARRY
â On a dark night â
BARMAN
â Just down from the trees â
Harry pores over the counter
.
After a time the Barman goes to the machine at the end of the bar, right, and pulls a lever
.
The machine emits a puff of steam
.
The Barman carries two mugs from the machine and sets them down in front of Harry. Harry watches them. Then he murmurs â
HARRY
Where did it go â
BARMAN
You remember?
He looks to the back of the auditorium
.
Harry does not look up
.
The Barman moves off round the stage again
.
You know what this place once was? A bloody great house with lawns and gardens. A polo ground. A moat â
He wipes his hands on his body as if disgusted
.
HARRY
No, I think those stories were greatly exaggerated â
Harry turns away, as if he were bored with the rules of the game
.
BARMAN
Coming and going all night.
HARRY
With a little black bag â
BARMAN
An aerial â
HARRY
Like the Defence Ministry?
They wait. It is as if the Barman is not quite sure if the game is over
.
BARMAN
Would you like a drink? â
HARRY
Oh this oneâs on me.
The Barman seems to quote â
BARMAN
â Have you got water and oil â
HARRY
â Donât look now, Daddy â
Harry picks up a mug and drinks
.
After a time the Barman comes to the front of the stage. He acts â
BARMAN
Weâre off to Rome! The hula girls beneath the palm trees! A few minutes to go! Just time for a cup of tea! Hold on to me, daddy, or weâll never cross the road. What did you say this place was? Weâre outside our own hotel, daddy â
He stares out above the audience
.
Harry speaks with his back to the Barman and the audience
.
HARRY
You live here?
BARMAN
In a room downstairs â
HARRY
It wasnât a big house. A lawn and garden â
The Barman interrupts â
BARMAN
She wonât speak to me â
HARRY
Who?
BARMAN
My wife.
Harry seems to try to go on with his story â
HARRY
â Aeroplanes flew over. There were connections between the control-tower and the ground â
The Barman interrupts