Free Harold Pinter Plays 2 by Harold Pinter Page B

think of this I’m saying?
    Pause.
    ASTON. No, I like sleeping in this bed.
    DAVIES. But you don’t understand my meaning!
    ASTON. Anyway, that one’s my brother’s bed.
    DAVIES. Your brother?
    ASTON. Any time he stays here. This is my bed. It’s the only bed I can sleep in.
    DAVIES. But your brother’s gone! He’s gone!
    Pause.
    ASTON. No. I couldn’t change beds.
    DAVIES. But you don’t understand my meaning!
    DAVIES. Anyway, I’m going to be busy. I’ve got that shed to get up. If I don’t get it up now it’ll never go up. Until it’s up
    I can’t get started.
    DAVIES. I’ll give you a hand to put up your shed, that’s what I’ll do!
    Pause.
    I’ll give you a hand! We’ll both put up that shed together! See? Get it done in next to no time! Do you see what I’m saying?’
    Pause.
    ASTON. No. I can get it up myself.
    DAVIES. But listen. I’m with you, I’ll be here, I’ll do it for you!
    Pause.
    We’ll do it together!
    Pause.
    Christ, we’ll change beds!
    ASTON moves to the window and stands with his back to DAVIES .
    You mean you’re throwing me out? You can’t do that. Listen man, listen man, I don’t mind, you see, I don’t mind, I’ll stay, I don’t mind, I’ll tell you what, if you don’t want to change beds, we’ll keep it as it is, I’ll stay in the same bed, maybe if I can get a stronger piece of sacking, like, to go over the window, keep out the draught, that’ll do it, what do you say, we’ll keep it as it is?
    Pause.
    ASTON. No.
    DAVIES. Why … not?
    ASTON turns to look at him.
    ASTON. You make too much noise.
    DAVIES. But … but … look … listen … listen here … I mean.…
    ASTON turns back to the window.
    What am I going to do?
    Pause.
    What shall I do?
    Pause.
    Where am I going to go?
    Pause.
    If you want me to go … I’ll go. You just say the word.
    Pause.
    I’ll tell you what though … them shoes … them shoes you give me … they’re working out all right … they’re all right. Maybe I could … get down.…
    ASTON remains still, his back to him, at the window.
    Listen … if I … got down … if I was to … get my papers … would you … would you let … would you … if I got down … and got my.…
    Long silence.
    Curtain.

First Presentation
    The Dwarfs
was first performed on the B.B.C. Third Programme on 2 December, 1960 with the following cast:-
    LEN
Richard Pasco
PETE
Jon Rollason
MARK
Alex Scott
    Produced by Barbara Bray

    The play was first presented in a new version for the stage by Michael Codron and David Hall at the New Arts Theatre, London, on 18 September, 1963 with the following cast:-
     
LEN
John Hurt
PETER
Philip Bond
MARK
Michael Forrest
    Directed by Harold Pinter
assisted by Guy Vaesen
     

THE DWARFS
    The two main areas are:
    1. a room in LEN’S house. Solid middle-European furniture. Piles of books. A small carved table with a chenille cloth, a bowl of fruity books. Two marquetry chairs. A hanging lamp with dark shade.
    2. the living room in MARK’S flat. Quite modern. Comfor table. Two armchairs and a coffee table.
    There is also a central downstage area of isolation and, for a short scene later in the play, a bed in a hospital, upstage on a higher level.
    LEN, PETE and MARK are all in their late twenties.
    MARK’S room , midnight. Lamps are alight. Two cups and saucers, a sugar-bowl and a teapot are on a tray on the coffee table.
    PETE is sitting, reading.
    LEN is playing a recorder. The sound is fragmentary.
    LEN: Pete.
    PETE: What?
    LEN: Come here.
    PETE: What?
    LEN: What’s the matter with this recorder? [He pulls recorder in half, looks downy blows, taps. ]There’s something wrong with this recorder.
    PETE: Let’s have some tea.
    LEN: I can’t do a thing with it.
    [ Re-assembles recorder. Another attempt to play. ]
    Where’s the milk?
    [ He puts recorder on tray .]
    PETE: You were going to bring it.
    LEN: That’s right.
    PETE: Well, where is it?
    LEN: I forgot it. Why didn’t you remind me?
    PETE: Give me the