Liz Late teens; lively, intelligent, imaginative, constrained by provincial life and a delicate constitution.

Meg Her sister, a year or two older; conventional and domesticated.

Fraser School teacher, probably forties; approachable and down-to-earth.

Frank The girls' widowed father, mid-fifties; studious, a shade puritanical and strict but very fond of both daughters, especially Liz.

Don Meg's boy friend, late teens; an amiable, conscientious, sensible plodder.

Bill Don's fellow-student; cultured, bright but subject to wildly foolish impulses.

Carol Early twenties; a pleasant-mannered hospital nurse.

Extras Students, theatre-goers and funeral mourners ad libitum.

A quiet, respectable provincial town and the countryside nearby.

The present.

Approximately one hour.

Liz Hi!

Meg (emerging from the kitchen) Liz! I didn't hear you come in.

Liz No wonder with that racket on the radio. And in this wind.

Meg Bad, is it? I haven't been out this afternoon.

Liz I'll say. I could hardly get along the road at times.

Meg And you're soaked. For goodness' sake get your wet things off. You should have called a cab.

Liz For that distance? Dad would have had a fit.

Meg He needn't know. He's had to go off to some meeting or other. And he wouldn't mind anyway. You know you have to take care.

Liz (irritably) Now don't start fussing. I'm not that frail.

Meg You shouldn't take chances. We'd never forgive ourselves if ... Especially after Mum ...

Liz Yes, I know. Sorry I snapped at you. I'll just go and get changed.

Liz What are you doing?

Meg French onion soup and a curry with side salad.

Liz I know the curry - I could smell that outside. Why four places?

Meg Don's coming, and he asked if he could bring that friend of his - Bill, wasn't it?

Liz Are you sure?

Meg No, it might be Joe or something like that.

Liz No, I meant ... well, does he really have to come?

Meg Well, when Don had especially asked ... Why, didn't you like him? He seemed amiable enough to me.

Liz Yes, amiable enough, but a bit of a fool.

Meg Hardly that, I'd have said.

Liz Childish, then. Some of his tales were a shade off-colour. And those stupid practical jokes ...

Meg Oh, I see what you mean. Don's not sure whether he's trying too hard to be one of the lads or simply can't help it. I'll try and slip a word to him - a discreet warning might be in order. Now will you keep an eye on things while I go and change?

Liz Of course. Must look your best for the boy-friend! When are they coming?

Meg About seven. Oh Lord, look at the time! Must dash.

Fraser Don! Can you spare a few minutes?

Don Er - yes, Mr. Fraser. What is it?

Fraser Come in, will you? (They enter the office) Sit down, Don. Now ...

Don Yes?

Fraser This is a peculiar business - actually rather awkward.

Don Oh?

Fraser (hastily) It's nothing you've done - or haven't done. But it's rather delicate. Better not say anything about it to anyone else. OK?

Don (mystified) Of course.

Fraser It's about a new chap who's joining us next week.

Don In the middle of term?

Fraser Exactly. And there's no obvious reason for him to move just now. It's very odd. So odd that I've made some discreet enquiries at the school he's coming from.

Don And ...?

Fraser It seems he's a decent, rather bright lad, cheerful and friendly, but ... there have been some problems.

Don What sort of problems?

Fraser That's the oddest thing about it. No one will say.

Don Why not?

Fraser That's what's bothering me. No one will say that, either. I've a nasty feeling there's some rather shady politics involved.

Don Oh. Sounds well over my head. Where do I come in, then?

Fraser Nothing to do with the politics, don't worry! I'd like you to take him under your wing. Show him the ropes around the school, and if you can, a bit more than that.

Don In what way?

Fraser See if you can involve him in some of your social activities. Keep an eye on him. Look out for anything that might lead to difficulties.

Don Ah ...

Fraser I don't mean spying. Keep it to yourself unless it's something you really think I should know about - or anyone else should. But generally be a mentor. Edge him away from anything that might be troublesome. Could you do that?

Don Well, I suppose I could try. But why me?

Fraser Because I think you're the most sensible person I could give such a responsibility. It may turn out to be quite a burden - I just don't know. But will you do it?

Don Er - can I think about it?

Fraser There isn't time, I'm afraid.

Don Oh. (Ponders a moment) All right.

Fraser That's a relief!

Don What's his name?

Fraser William Gates. No - no connection, as far as I've been able to find out. But he's bound to get a lot of chaffing about it. Maybe that's part of the trouble. So don't mention it unless you have to.

Don Is he, in fact ...er ...?

Fraser Rolling in it?

Don Yes.

Fraser I don't think so. I gather the family's on the modest side of comfortably off. You won't be too far out of your league that way!

Don (humorously) Pity. I might have done quite well out of it.

Fraser No chance! But thanks a lot. And now have a good weekend.

Frank (trying to conceal anxiety) Liz! What's the verdict?

Liz (handing him a sealed envelope) Dr. Morrison sent you this.

Frank What did he say?

Liz Next to nothing. Just to take care and all that.

Meg Perhaps you should read it?

Frank Oh ... Yes. (He opens the letter very carefully, goes through it a couple of times to decipher the handwriting and penetrate the jargon while Meg is clearly on tenterhooks, then relaxes somewhat. To Liz - ) What it boils down to, I think, is that your dizzy spells were nothing to worry about too much in the circumstances. The condition isn't as bad as your mother's, but you ought to avoid extreme exercise or over-exciting yourself. Otherwise you should be able to lead a more or less normal life.

Liz Over-exciting myself! In this town? Some hope!

Meg I think he means no pop festivals or the like. And perhaps ...

Frank Yes?

Meg Well, take care with boy friends.

Liz Again, some hope!

Meg You never know.

Liz Hm! Your Don has something about him, I suppose. But for the rest of the bunch - can you imagine a drearier set of drop-deads?

Frank You'll probably have wider horizons before long. I was worried about that, but it looks now as though there'll be no real obstacle to your going to college.

Liz (surprised) Was there ever?

Frank I was afraid there might be. And as for those drop-deads - you shouldn't be too contemptuous. They may not have your brains or be the most sparkling of company ...

Liz You can say that again!

Frank ... but some of them have good, solid worth. I'll grant you won't find a genius or a romantic hero among them, but in the long run there's a lot to be said for simple reliability. And they may well liven up with more experience.

Liz I'll look out for flying pigs.

Frank You've plenty of time yet to find more interesting company. After all, I didn't meet your mother until she was nearly thirty. And I knew one confirmed bachelor who fell passionately in love at forty-odd.

Meg How old was the woman?

Frank About the same.

Liz (scornfully) Huh, a happy ending at last!

Frank I wouldn't say that. It was a disaster. But it doesn't alter the point.

Liz Which is?

Frank All our circumstances and attitudes are liable to change with time. Talking of time - do you fancy a coffee before the show starts?

Meg I'll see to it.

Bill Cripes! I thought you said it had eased off.

Don You should have been out in it earlier.

Bill If it was any worse than this, no thanks! We should have brought the car.

Don No go. Pop had to take a neighbour to the hospital. In any case, since the last time, I don't think he'd be too keen on lending it.

Bill What happened?

Don I backed into a tree stump - couldn't see it.

Bill Much damage?

Don No, but it was the first scratch after he'd had it for three years.

Bill Better than that chap who went over a hundred-foot cliff on his first go.

Don From the fuss he made you'd have thought I had done. Still, he has a short fuse, but it soon burns out. Ma went on so much about taking more care with other people's property that he came over all reasonable in reaction. I'd still want a very good reason for asking to borrow it again, though.

Bill Think we could get it for a picnic?

Don With the weather like this?

Bill Next week, perhaps.

Don Dunno. Might be worth trying. Where were you thinking?

Bill Nowhere in particular.

Don Better ask the girls what they think.

Liz Hi! Come in and get that door shut. It's a foul night. Are you both drowned?

Don Wet enough, but we'll survive. Thank goodness for good waterproofs. Where can we put them? Mustn't leave puddles everywhere.

Liz They're hardly likely to flood us out. Just hang them up here. I've put some towels out in the bathroom - you know the way, don't you, Don?

Don I think my navigation's just about up to it.

Liz Now excuse me - must see to the dinner. (Remembering) Oh, be a bit careful - Meg's still getting ready, and I'm not sure if she's out of the bathroom yet. And the bolt on the door is a bit dodgy. (Exit)

Bill (grinning) Sounds a good excuse. Shall I see if the coast's clear?

Don Not on your life. I'm not having you barging in on her.

Bill Spoilsport! Want it all for yourself?

Don All what?

Bill (nudging him) You know - seeing her in the ...

Don Stop fooling, Bill. I've a feeling it didn't go down too well with the girls last time.

Bill What's the harm in a bit of fun?

Don Meg wouldn't think it at all funny. She's actually rather strait-laced.

Bill Ah, that sort's always the randiest underneath.

Don Oh yes? How come you know so much about it?

Bill That'd be telling!

Don Come off it.

Bill It stands to reason, doesn't it? If they're so strait-laced, it's just to keep in their mad, passionate desires.

Meg (entering unobserved) At the moment my only mad, passionate desire is for food. So if you don't want to find it all gone, you'd better dry yourselves off double-quick and come on through.

Don That smells good. First time I've known you cook the meal, Liz.

Liz I didn't. We wanted something more or less edible. I was just watching it while Meg got into her glad rags.

Bill Don't you ever cook?

Liz I'm no good at it.

Don Pop says anyone can cook if they put their mind to it.

Bill I haven't noticed much sign of you doing any - or him, for that matter.

Don Mustn't show Ma up by comparison.

Meg Pull the other one! I remember your one attempt at an omelette -

Don That's not fair. You arrived just at the crucial moment - put me off my stroke.

Bill What was it like?

Meg Well, let's say that if you ever want a guaranteed everlasting shoe repair ...

Don Come off it! It wasn't that bad.

Meg All right, only kidding. It didn't actually break the knife. And I dare say you'd do all right if you weren't distracted. Liz's mind is usually on higher things ...

Liz More interesting things, at any rate.

Meg ... and while it's wandering in the clouds, the food's liable to get hopelessly burnt. So as I've a rooted objection to waste, let alone the inconvenience of having to start again, I generally do it myself.

Bill Seems rather unfair.

Meg Liz makes up by doing most of the washing-up. It's a job I hate.

Bill No dishwasher?

Liz Dad won't have one. He says it makes life too easy - too soft.

Bill I'd be all for that.

Liz Me too. But Dad has a touch of the old Mayflower spirit - he's a bit of a Puritan. He thinks a spot of menial work is good for the soul. "Arbeit macht frei" and all that.

Bill That was the Nazis, not the Puritans.

Liz They had some common ground. Even if it was other people's work that made the Nazis free. Not that Dad's anything like them, of course.

Meg He'd be pleasantly surprised to hear you admit it! (To Bill) Liz tends to get a bit rebellious at times.

Bill Better than being a puppet.

Liz Thank you. It's nice to get a bit of support.

Meg Now do I ever fail to back you up when Dad's being really unreasonable?

Liz (mock-reluctantly) Hmm - maybe not.

Meg It isn't all that often, anyway. There's usually some pretty good sense behind it.

Liz A fairly long way behind, sometimes. And we two don't always see eye to eye on what makes good sense.

Meg I suppose I'm rather the traditional type. You're more the liberated modern woman - or would like to be!

Liz I certainly don't relish a lifetime of cooking and ironing.

Bill Who would?

Liz But I can't leave everything to Meg. And I don't mind washing up - within reason!

Meg At least it isn't so easy to ruin as cooking.

Bill Unless, I suppose, she forgets she's holding something breakable and drops it.

Meg I've done that myself before now. But that was when I was waiting for a particularly important phone call and it rang. More soup, Bill?

Bill No, thanks. Good as it was. I want plenty of room for the curry.

Meg (collecting soup bowls) Don said you liked it. I hoped it wasn't just wishful thinking.

Don His latest idea may be.

Liz What's that

Don He suggested a picnic when the weather improves. What do you say?

Liz Why not? Where were you thinking, Bill?

Bill Nowhere in particular. Don probably knows better than I.

Don There's a good place down by the river - with a bit of sandy beach, too. How about that?

Meg Sounds fine to me. Right, help yourselves to rice ...

Don Will this do?

Meg How about a bit further over here? Then a couple of us could rest our backs against the tree-trunks.

Bill The trouble with leaning against tree-trunks is that you're liable to get knobbly roots sticking into awkward places.

Liz You're not thinking of Old Man Willow in The Lord of the Rings, are you?

Bill No, I don't go for that sort of thing.

Don Dickens and Henry James are more his line.

Bill You'll be getting me a bad reputation. But a bit of M. R. James once in a while, maybe.

Don Never heard of him.

Bill He wrote some really spooky stories. Classics in their way. If ever you want to give yourself a fright ... (Meg spreads a cloth on the grass) Hey, you haven't actually brought a tablecloth, have you?

Meg It helps to keep the food clean.

Don I don't really see much chance of its getting dirty - not with Bill around, anyway!

Bill Speak for yourself. I'd have said you were the prize gannet here, given the chance.

Meg I shouldn't have said either of you was backward in that line. Right - tuna sandwiches in that box - cheese in that - Where are the pies and sausage rolls, Liz? - Thanks. Right, tuck in!

Don (swallowing his last mouthful and washing it down with whatever beverage is provided) Well, girls, you've done us proud. Thank you.

Meg You're welcome. Now - make sure we gather everything up.

Bill What about the rubbish?

Meg We'll take it home.

Don You won't catch Meg leaving a mess anywhere!

Meg Well, why should we? There are enough people doing that without our adding to it. And it's thoroughly unpleasant.

Don Quite right. (The remains are collected and packed away. Don yawns.) Aaah!

Meg Sleepy? You did have a late night.

Don (admitting) I could do with a snooze.

Liz Well, no one's stopping you.

Don Do you mind?

Liz Would it make any difference if I did?

Don Probably not.

Bill Well, I need to stretch my legs. Coming, Liz?

Liz What about you, Meg?

Meg No, I don't feel like it. Don't let me stop you, though.

Don (after a pause) Penny for them.

Meg I thought you wanted to sleep.

Don So did I. But I'm still awake. Always the same when I fancy a nap during the day. Can't seem to get really comfortable.

Meg You've probably eaten too much.

Don Could be. You shouldn't feed me so well!

Meg I haven't noticed you complaining.

Don Not the complaining sort. (Turning to her) You look anxious.

Meg Do I? Sorry.

Don Something on your mind?

Meg Thinking about Liz.

Don And Bill?

Meg Not particularly. But she does chafe at life around here. And now you mention it, Bill does seem to be taking rather a lot of interest in her.

Don No harm in that - as far as it goes.

Meg If it looked like getting serious, though ...

Don Though what?

Meg Oh, nothing. It's just that he's - well - a bit different from the usual run.

Don In what way?

Meg I can't quite put my finger on it. He's pleasant enough company - a bit brash and risqué at times, but nothing really out of the ordinary and there doesn't seem to be any actual harm in it. Some of his antics are rather silly - very silly, at times - but when he's serious you can see he's a good deal more intelligent and cultured than most of the other lads around here -

Don Including me?

Meg Yes, if you must know! - just as she's brighter than most of us - and knows it.

Don Miaow!

Meg No, it isn't cattiness. Any more than vanity on her part - just an honest recognition of the facts.

Don So it should be all to the good for her to have a bit of stimulating company.

Meg In theory, yes. But something makes me uneasy. And since Mum died I feel responsible for her.

Don She's lucky to have a kindly sister. But you can't keep her on your apron strings for ever, as they say.

Meg It's the old story. (With a sudden thought) Do you think I could actually be jealous of her friendship with him?

Don Shouldn't have thought so. But I suppose it's possible.

Bill Don and your sister seem very good friends.

Liz Yes, they've known each other for yonks.

Bill Very well matched, too.

Liz (with just a touch of bitterness) Yes. He's steady, reliable, considerate, unambitious. She's kind, sensible, motherly - had to be since Mum died - and I'm afraid painfully dull. She'll be quite happy raising half a dozen kids and ending up a pillar of the local church, full of good works, and on every boring committee you can imagine - probably chairing half of them. (She pauses, a little out of breath) Do you mind if we stop a moment? I'm a bit puffed.

Bill I'm sorry. You should have said if I was going too fast.

Liz No, it's not that, just that I haven't much stamina.

Bill There's a flat rock over there we could sit on.

Liz Thanks. (They move to it.)

Bill You have other ideas for yourself, I take it.

Liz You know what it's like here. Pleasant enough in its way, of course - plenty of people would give their eye teeth to be anywhere half as good. I know I ought to be grateful - for instance, not to have been born in one of those grim third-world shanty towns - in fact I am. But I can't bear the idea of being stuck here all my life, in this self-obsessed little community with its petty concerns. (With mounting passion) I want to see something of the world. Paris - Vienna - the Taj Mahal - the Himalayas ... I'd like to hear Mozart, Chopin, Rachmaninov ... talk to people like Wittgenstein, Schweitzer, Gandhi ...

Bill You'd have a job in this life.

Liz Do you think there's another?

Bill Plenty of people say so.

Liz And just as many disagree.

Bill At least we have this one.

Liz But it's so circumscribed!

Bill It needn't be. You're going to college, aren't you?

Liz I hope so.

Bill So you get a degree - maybe a doctorate - go on to research - who knows where it may lead?

Liz Who knows, indeed. (With a wry smile) Hm. The trouble is we're romantics in a prosaic world. To which I'm afraid we had better be getting back now.

Don Huh? Oh, sorry, Meg.

Meg What for?

Don Leaving you on your own.

Meg It's all right. You needed the sleep.

Don How long have I been off?

Meg I didn't really notice. Ten minutes, perhaps.

Don What have you been doing?

Meg Just thinking.

Don About ...?

Meg Dad, mostly.

Don Why? Is anything the matter?

Meg Not physically. But there's something ... he's lonely, I think, since Mum died.

Don Bound to be. Though he has you two.

Meg Yes, but we have our own concerns, Liz particularly.

Don Hasn't he any friends of his own age?

Meg He doesn't mix easily. He doesn't go drinking. He's never had any interest in sport. He doesn't play cards. He reads a lot. And he thinks a lot - not exactly convivial activities, or very popular around here.

Don You sound almost like Liz.

Meg And he worries about her, of course. You know he married rather late?

Don I'd gathered.

Meg And they had only twelve years together. Liz has the same condition. It's a hereditary thing.

Don I hadn't realised.

Meg She tries to keep it to herself - doesn't want sympathy or special consideration. Can't bear being fussed over, as she calls it.

Don Hereditary, eh. It doesn't seem to affect you.

Meg It's rather hit or miss. Missed me, hit Liz.

Don How serious is it?

Meg Not desperate, luckily. She's all right if she doesn't get ever-excited or strain herself.

Don I did notice she tired easily. And that you sometimes looked a bit worried when things got lively.

Meg Yes. But even if there's no trouble there, Dad's likely to lose her anyway. She'll go to college, probably do rather well - then she won't find much call round here for fancy qualifications - and if she marries ...

Don Would she be fit enough?

Meg The doctor said a normal life, more or less - with care.

Don I wonder if Bill realises ...

Meg Do you think it might come to that?

Don It's possible. And can you imagine him being careful?

Meg It does seem out of character, doesn't it? Still, don't cross your bridges until you come to them, as Dad says.

Don Sound advice.

Meg Though he doesn't always follow it himself!

Liz Hello, sleepyheads!

Meg Hi! Had a good walk?

Liz Yes, thanks. Though we didn't go all that far.

Don (mischievously) What kept you, then?

Bill Wouldn't you like to know!

Don Probably better not, knowing you.

Bill Phew, it's turned warm. Anyone fancy a swim?

Meg We haven't brought cozzies.

Bill I don't mind.

Liz You wouldn't!

Don Actually, the water's too shallow for anything more than paddling.

Bill Enough to cool my feet, anyway.

Don Don't poison the fish!

Bill Cheek!

Meg What's it like?

Bill A bit nippy. But quite welcome. Come on in.

Meg I think I might.

Bill Careful - the bed's a bit stony in places.

Meg Ouch! You're right.

Bill There are some flattish ones over here. Easier on the feet. Let me give you a hand.

Meg (not really cross) You devil! That was deliberate!

Bill No it wasn't! Honest! Do you think I'd do that? To you?

Meg I don't think, I know!

Bill (with mock sorrow) You mortify me!

Don Cut out the horseplay, Bill.

Meg No harm done.

Bill I crown you Miss Wet T-Shirt of ...!

Don That's enough. There've been accidents here ...

Don (angrily) I told you ...!

Meg (recovered) All right, Don, keep your hair on. That was entirely my own fault.

Bill (solicitous) You're bleeding!

Meg I cracked my head. Don't worry, it's nothing much.

Don Bill, get the first aid kit from the car.

Bill Where is it?

Don Under the front passenger seat.

Bill Right-oh.

Meg There's no need for all this fuss. I'm quite all right, really.

Liz (relieved) Sounds like my line!

Don You're shivering, though.

Meg Just a touch of shock. It'll pass.

Don Not if you get chilled. Best get you home as quick as possible.

Meg Ouch!

Liz Sorry - is it bruised?

Meg Bound to be.

Don Better have it checked for anything worse when we get back.

Meg Might be wise - though I'm pretty sure there's nothing cracked.

Bill (showing the towel) Lucky I thought to bring this.

Liz Very. But I'll do the towelling, if you don't mind!

Don Well, if that's typical Shakespeare, you can keep him.

Liz You didn't care for it?

Bill That does seem to be the general tenor of his comment.

Don Well, I ask you! A bloke's supposed to be madly in love with his wife, then wrings her neck because she puts in a good word for his assistant. How improbable can you get?

Liz It does happen with these hot-blooded Mediterranean types.

Don Then thank goodness for good old Anglo-Saxon stolidity, say I.

Meg Thank goodness indeed.

Liz But there was more to it than that. He had been deliberately manipulated into a state of insane jealousy, after all.

Don How?

Liz Didn't you follow the plot?

Meg Actually, he was very quietly snoring for most of the performance.

Liz Really, Don! At times you're the limit.

Don Well, you'll simply have to face it. I'm not a culture vulture, just an ordinary down-to-earth type.

Liz Six feet under, I sometimes think.

Meg Liz!

Liz Sorry, I exaggerate.

Bill What do you mean - he's really only three feet down?

Liz No, nothing of the sort. He's really very kind and very sweet, and I think the world of him - not only for your sake, Meg. Don't take any notice of my ragging, Don.

Don I'll never understand you, Liz.

Liz That's all right. Luckily you don't have to. Just admire me and we'll all be happy!

Don I didn't understand the set-up in the play, either. How come Cyprus was being ruled from Venice - and by a Moor, at that?

Bill Well, in a nutshell, Richard Lionheart conquered the island during a crusade, and sold it to one of his pals. Later on the Venetians cheated the pal's last successor and took over until the Ottomans drove them out.

Don And the Moor?

Bill Apparently one of the Venetian governors was a Cristoforo Moro, and there was some mystery about his lack of a wife when his term was over. Though the name doesn't necessarily mean he was Moorish, any more than the Morrises. But it was enough for Shakespeare to hang his story on.

Don I still think bumping off a wife is going a bit far.

Meg So do I. And the law doesn't look very kindly on it, either.

Don Where did you get all that stuff from, anyway? About the Venetian governor?

Bill I had to do an essay on Shakespeare's history at the last school, so I looked it up.

Meg That reminds me - I never understood how you came to change schools in the middle of term.

Bill It was rather a wangle. I had a bit of a feud with one of the other lads and one day I tripped him up while he was carrying a package. It split open and turned out to be full of dope.

Don I'd have thought he'd be the one to be moved - right out of circulation.

Bill Yes, only his father was high up in a firm that's done a lot for the school, so the whole thing was hushed up. In any case some of my tricks hadn't made me any too popular ...

Liz That I can well imagine!

Bill ... and you've probably noticed that I'm not the most discreet of individuals, so it was arranged that I'd be moved in case I blurted anything out in the wrong place.

Meg How did your family take it?

Bill They never heard most of the story. They were just told it would be wise to move me, with a useful dollop of compensation for inconvenience, and a broad hint that it would be worth their while not to ask any awkward questions. All this had better go no further, of course.

Don And as this happens to be a good place for a coffee, I second that motion.

Bill Chuck the salt over, Don.

Meg It's already seasoned.

Bill You could have fooled me.

Don Haven't you noticed? He always needs at least twice as much as anyone else. Like sugar in his coffee. I don't know how he can stand it so sweet.

Bill Not as bad as Ken Jones, though.

Don Oh, that was ridiculous - so much it wouldn't all dissolve. But now he's given it up completely.

Liz Why so drastic?

Don He was ordered to get his weight down, but reckoned that if he just cut the sugar down to two or three it would taste like none at all, so he might as well go the whole hog. Anyway, Bill, have the salt.

Meg You really shouldn't have too much, you know. It's very bad for you.

Bill So they say. (Taking a good sprinkling nevertheless)

Liz I think Meg actually goes easy on it especially for my sake. Go on, Bill, take no notice. Have whatever suits you.

Bill Don't worry, I shall. Don't you like it?

Liz Not too much.

Meg (sotto voce to Don) Actually it's doctor's orders.

Don Is she ill?

Meg Not really. But there's that problem I told you about.

Bill What are you two muttering about? Up to some mischief?

Don It's all right, Bill, we're not plotting anything against you.

Bill Talking of plots, have you mentioned the film?

Liz What film?

Don Bill's got hold of a video of (name of film) that he thought you might like to see. Or have you seen it already?

Liz No.

Bill It's very good.

Meg Yes, I read the reviews.

Bill That's all right then.

Meg (urgently, sotto voce) Don, this is not a good idea.

Don Why ever not?

Meg It's a horror movie, isn't it?

Don Yes.

Bill What's the problem?

Meg Liz gets nightmares after things like that.

Bill Oh, come on, it's only a movie. What harm can it do? Surely the odd nightmare's nothing to worry about.

Meg You haven't seen how upset she gets. It was bad enough after Othello.

Don I think Meg has a point.

Bill Don't you start. You were keen enough yourself earlier on.

Meg Can't you two see it by yourselves some time?

Bill It has to go back tomorrow.

Liz Look, if you really want to see it, I don't mind.

Meg Liz, you know ...

Liz Meg, I know you mean well, but at times you really do fuss too much.

Don Well, if you're sure ...

Bill Looks as though you're outvoted, Meg.

Meg I still think it's a bad idea. But if you insist ...

Liz I can always go and read a book.

Don No, we can't have that. It isn't fair on you.

Liz Honestly, I don't mind. I've got to read it anyway.

Bill But it's a super film, Liz. You mustn't miss it.

Don Can't have you breaking up the party.

Liz Oh - very well.

Bill Turn the light out.

Meg No, don't.

Bill We have to to get the full effect.

Meg I'm not sure that we want the full effect.

Bill What's the point otherwise? Go on, Don.

Don Well, what do you think?

Meg Well done, certainly, but very scary.

Bill How about you, Liz? Not too terrified?

Liz (subdued, evidently fibbing) I'm all right.

Meg (anxious) Are you sure?

Don How about a session of ten-pin bowling to wind down?

Bill Good idea. What say you, girls?

Liz Sorry, I'm rather tired.

Meg We'd better clear up the dinner things, anyway.

Bill Leave it till later. We'll give a hand.

Meg I'm not letting you near anything breakable! And we'd be back pretty late.

Don Put 'em in soak. They'll do in the morning, surely.

Meg Dad's due back early tomorrow - flying overnight. I'm not having him come back to a pigsty. Go on, don't let us stop you.

Don Sure you don't mind?

Meg Stop faffing about or you'll be too late! Get along with you!

Bill OK. See you Saturday?

Meg Yes, one o'clock. Now scarper!

Meg Are you all right?

Liz What? Oh, yes. Why?

Meg You seemed miles away.

Liz I was thinking about that film.

Meg I was afraid so. Does it bother you?

Liz It does, rather. It was pretty horrible.

Meg Well, I did warn you.

Liz You did. I didn't realise quite how nasty it was going to be.

Meg I'd hate to be in the director's mind.

Liz Must be utterly vile.

Meg Look, I can deal with this lot. Go and put some soothing music on - read some poetry or something ...

Liz No, I can't leave you to do everything. Washing-up's my job anyway. I'll be all right. Hey!

Meg What's up?

Liz They've left the video behind. Must have forgotten it.

Meg Typical! Get one idea in their heads, it throws out every other.

Liz At least it's a change from the usual one.

Meg Oh, that. It can get a bit tiresome, can't it? Don's fairly respectable, but things Bill says sometimes make me wonder.

Liz It's mostly just talk.

Meg Mostly?

Liz Well, his hands tend to wander a bit, but he isn't actually a groper.

Meg Thank goodness for small mercies! (Considering a half-eaten dish) Now, will this do for tomorrow or should we throw it out ...?

Don You did well there.

Bill Thanks. You were having a bit of trouble.

Don Never seemed to get my eye in. It happens sometimes. Don't forget the video.

Bill I thought you had it.

Don Not I. Where is it, then?

Bill Did you pick it up when we left the girls?

Don No. Must be still there, then.

Bill Damn!

Don We'd better pick it up tomorrow. It's too late now.

Bill I'm not sure there'll be time then. It isn't all that late - they may still be up.

Don No harm in trying, I suppose.

Bill There's still a light on.

Don Looks promising. Here goes!

Meg What the hell?

Meg (checking the time and muttering to herself) You'd think people would have more sense. (Turning off the water, moving to the door and calling) Who is it?

Don It's us.

Meg At this time? What the devil do you want? I was just running a bath.

Bill I'm sorry, Meg, but we left the video behind. Can we collect it?

Meg (reluctantly) Well, I suppose you'd better, now you're here. You can't cause any more disturbance than you have already. (Opening the door to admit them) It's on the table there.

Don What was that?

Meg Probably Liz.. She's having a bad night - (with a flash of anger) as I told you she would! I'd better check.

Bill Why make such a fuss over a simple nightmare?

Meg Because in her condition it could be dangerous - though she'd never admit it.

Meg Don! Give me a hand.

Don What's the matter? (Seeing Liz) Oh Lord ...

Meg She's unconscious.

Bill Sure she isn't just asleep? (Taking her hand) She's freezing!

Meg She's in shock. We've got to get her warmed up.

Don Hot water bottles?

Meg Too slow. We haven't time. The bath! I'd got it as hot as I could bear. Give me a hand.

Bill In her pyjamas?

Meg (sharply) Don't get any ideas!

Meg Phew! Thank goodness ...

Don Shouldn't we get an ambulance? This looks too much for us to deal with by ourselves.

Meg I'm afraid you're right. Call it, will you?

Don What's the number?

Meg I'll get it for you. Bill, keep an eye on her - don't let her slip under.

Bill Liz! Stop fooling, will you! Liz!

Meg (entering) What's happening?

Bill I must have nodded off for a moment. When I looked she'd slid down. I tried to haul her out, but it's an awkward angle ...

Meg She's not breathing. We've got to give her artificial respiration. Are you any good at it?

Bill Never tried.

Meg Well at least give me a hand to get her out of the tub.

Don They're on the way. (seeing Liz) Why have you got her out? She'll get colder than ever.

Bill She's stopped breathing and we're trying to revive her.

Don I think I might do better there. Move over. (He moves to take over the task, notices the unfastened top button of the pyjamas and guesses something of what has happened. In a furious whisper to Bill) You bloody fool!

Frank (to the boys) I'd invite you back for a bite but I'm not feeling too good. Will you excuse me?

Don Of course, Mr. Barton. Will you be all right?

Frank Should be. It's just a dizzy spell. If you feel like coming round later, you'll be welcome.

Bill Thanks. See you.

Bill Should we?

Don What?

Bill Go round there?

Don I'm not sure. I don't think you should, anyway.

Bill Why not?

Don Let's get this clear. I noticed Liz's pyjamas were partly undone. Probably Meg did as well, and she can put two and two together as well as I can. You'd been fiddling, hadn't you?

Bill What do you mean?

Don Don't come the innocent. Messing about with a girl in that state -

Bill I didn't -

Don (with rising anger) I never dreamed even you would be crazy enough to do that.

Bill I didn't mean any harm. Just a look -

Don Just a look? Don't you realise? That's bad enough, with a decent girl. How on earth did you expect to get away with it?

Bill I didn't really think.

Don (disgusted) As usual. How can anyone as bright as you be so utterly stupid at times?

Bill (humbly) I've sometimes wondered.

Don What exactly did happen?

Bill Well ... she came to and struggled, and I panicked. I don't really remember any more.

Don Perhaps as well. But you do realise what it amounts to, don't you?

Bill Yes. Are you going to tell ...?

Don (wearily) What's the point? It won't bring her back. Only make things worse for everyone.

Meg Dad! Are you all right? (No response) Dad! (She cannot hold him, so calls out) Don! Bill!

Don What's happened.

Meg I don't know. Some sort of seizure. Help me - he's slipping down.

Don He'd be better on the ground. (Helping to lower him) Cushion his head, Bill.

Bill Right.

Don Meg, get an ambulance ...

Meg How is he, nurse?

Carol He's comfortable. And very lucky you got him in so promptly.

Don What's the matter with him?

Carol Are you family?

Meg I'm his daughter, Don and Bill are friends. Why?

Carol It's just that we have to be careful about giving out medical information. Were there any signs before the collapse?

Meg Yes, he complained of feeling a bit dizzy.

Carol That fits. It may be a CVA or TIA - what you'd call a stroke - damage to a small blood vessel in the brain. He'll be admitted to the assessment ward for tests - we'll know better when we get the results.

Bill Will he recover?

Carol Too soon to say, I'm afraid.

Meg How long's he likely to be in?

Carol There's no telling that, either, just yet.

Meg Can we see him now?

Carol Sorry, he's gone for a scan. You'd best go home and rest. You've done all you can for him just now.

Don Are you sure?

Carol Absolutely. Getting him here so quickly - that way there's the best possible chance of a good recovery. I really think you ought to go home and try to relax. I know it's difficult, but try. He's in good hands. (Handing Meg a card) Here's a number to ring for an update - though I'd give it at least a few hours. You've left your contact details at Reception? Good. Now if you'll excuse me ...

Bill Of course. Thanks for all you've done.

Carol You're welcome. Take care!

Meg I'm sorry ...

Don What on earth for?

Meg Blubbing like this.

Don Don't be silly. It's only natural - do you good. I can't imagine how you kept it in so long. I'll see you home.

Bill How about this?

Frank Er - down by the pond again, I think. I like watching the ducks.

Bill I should have brought some bread for them.

Frank Another time, perhaps - if you don't mind keeping up these outings.

Bill Glad to.

Frank It's very good of you, giving up your time like this.

Bill Least I can do.

Frank Not just for me - it gives Meg a break. It's no joke for her, looking after an invalid.

Bill I know. And I do feel responsible for the situation.

Frank For my stroke?

Bill In a way, at least. It was probably the stress of the funeral that brought it on. And if Liz hadn't died - if her nightmares hadn't affected her so badly - if I hadn't insisted on watching that film ...

Frank If Adam and Eve hadn't eaten the apple ... The autopsy report showed that she was worse than we thought. Might not have lasted much longer anyway.

Bill But she could just as easily have had years more - decades, even. There was so much she wanted from life - so much she could have given, with her talents. To think of all that promise, snuffed out like a candle. All because of my thoughtless stupidity.

Frank We all do stupid things at one time or another. Often we ourselves can't understand why afterwards. The times I've kicked myself ...

Bill Nothing like this, though.

Frank No. "There but for the grace of God ..." and all that! But don't blame yourself too much. You weren't to know what might follow. How many thousands of people had seen that film at one time or another? Scores of them must have had dodgy hearts. And how many of those died of fright?

Bill That's not the point. Meg did warn me about Liz's nightmares, but I made light of them. I didn't want to know. I just wanted my own way regardless.

Frank All right. Let's agree you were selfish and thoughtless. So are plenty of people - probably all of us, at one time or another. Maybe more often than not. Some are like that all their lives. You aren't. There was one occasion -

Bill And look what happened!

Frank Have it your own way, then. Suppose that you were responsible for Liz's death - as responsible as if you'd strangled her with your own hands - (unnoticed, Bill stiffens sharply) - what then? It's happened, it's in the past, there's no going back or bringing her back. We have to live with the situation as it is, and learn the lessons.

Bill I suppose you're right.

Frank Of course I'm right. Though I admit it took me long enough to come to terms with it myself. I did blame you. Many a time I cursed that film, and you for bringing it. Cursed you heartily. It was a black time. Don't think it was easy to forgive.

Bill I never thought it could be. How did you manage it, in the end?

Frank I don't know. I couldn't have done it without help. Something like a tiny light gradually piercing the blackness. It came to me eventually that until I forgave you, I could never expect to have any peace myself. It was still a struggle.

Bill I'll bet it was. In fact for long enough I wondered whether you could ever bear the sight of me again.

Frank I couldn't at first, as you know. Yet you persisted. What made you?

Bill It was a compulsion. I had to make some recompense - not that it could be for a fraction of what you'd lost. But a token. Otherwise I'd never be able to face myself again.

Frank Hm. Self-esteem isn't usually considered a virtue, but fear of losing it can be a mighty good reason for doing right. What if I hadn't given way?

Bill I don't know. I did think of suicide.

Frank Understandable. What stopped you?

Bill I realised it might not do any good. Like Hamlet - "To sleep, perchance to dream." And it would have hurt other people. Funny - not so long ago that wouldn't have registered at all with me.

Frank Oh?

Bill I've always been pretty selfish.

Frank Normal at your age.

Bill Maybe. But I get stupid impulses. Usually I've given way to them without thinking. I knew they annoyed the girls, but that didn't stop me. It's a bit late, but that's going to change.

Frank So at any rate some good has come from all this. A fine resolution - but don't be discouraged if you sometimes fail. We all do.

Bill I wish I'd tried earlier.

Frank So do I, more than anything in the world. But wishes get neither of us anywhere. As it is you have a choice - make the best of the situation, or go on moping and probably make the worst. You had some good times with Liz, didn't you?

Bill Yes. Damn good.

Frank And they were good for her, too. I'd never seen her so happy. Think of that if you must look back.

Bill Pity they didn't go on longer.

Frank Stop it! No good times go on indefinitely. They all have to come to an end, one way or another. Maybe better to end suddenly than turn gradually sour. You were fond of her, weren't you?

Bill Yes.

Frank And she was of you, I know. It might easily have become more than fondness. But I've known the most affectionate of couples tire of each other - love turn to indifference, even to hatred in the end. Think of the divorce figures. It doesn't always happen, of course - very seldom to that extreme, perhaps, with people who really loved each other in the first place and didn't just imagine they did - and I'm not saying that it would have happened to you and Liz, but it might. Remember her in those happy times, and be thankful. Don't mope for what might never have been.

Bill There - mustn't take any chances of your rolling into the water.

Frank No, I don't fancy a cold bath. Though it's only shallow.

Bill They say you can drown in only two inches.

Frank And I've no wish to test that. Think about what I've said, won't you?

Bill I shall. Even though it smacks a bit of "All for the best in the best of all possible worlds."

Frank Voltaire was being sarcastic, of course. The story's full of just about everything possible happening for the worst, and a lot of it did actually happen in real life. This is very obviously not the best of all possible worlds - far from it. At least I should hope it isn't. So much desperate poverty, misery and hatred - so much of it avoidable. And yet ...

Bill What?

Frank Can you seriously imagine a world where there were no natural disasters, no serious illness, everyone had enough to eat, everyone honoured his father and mother, no one committed murder, or coveted his neighbour's ox or his neighbour's wife ...?

Bill Hardly. Much as I'd like to.

Frank Just try for a moment.

Bill OK. (A few seconds' pause for thought) What then?

Frank It would seem idyllic, wouldn't it? - for a week or two, perhaps, with luck. But for any longer - how boring! It would be a world of automata; human nature couldn't stand it. No heroes to look up to, because there would be no villains to fight. No philanthropy, because there'd be no occasion for it. No high art, because it all depends on some kind of conflict. All our greatest literature would be meaningless - it couldn't have been written. No Shakespeare, no Goethe, no Tolstoy. Even children's fairy stories would be out. No serious opera - where would Wagner or Verdi be without adultery and mayhem?

Bill Falstaff? The Mastersingers?

Frank They're comedies. Even there the plots depend on a hefty dose of ill nature.

Bill I suppose so.

Frank Liz used to complain about the dullness of this town. She didn't really mean that on the whole it's a decent, law-abiding place. But that, I'm afraid, was at the bottom of it, for at least a good part. It seems you need the worst of human nature to bring out the best - or even the moderately good. Maybe Pangloss wasn't entirely wrong.

Carol Excuse me ...

Frank Yes?

Carol It's Mr. Barton, isn't it?

Frank Yes. I'm sorry, I don't ...

Carol No, you wouldn't know me. You were unconscious when we met before. I was the nurse on duty when you were brought into the hospital after the stroke.

Frank Well, I'm very glad of the chance to thank you for looking after me.

Carol I wasn't looking for thanks - I just wondered how you were getting on.

Frank That's very kind of you. Well, as you see, I'm still alive, and apart from a leg that won't quite do what it's told, pretty well considering.

Carol That's good. It's lucky your people got you in for treatment so quickly.

Frank Very.

Carol I've noticed you here several times, with ...your son?

Frank No, a friend of my daughter ...

Carol Oh.

Frank ... until she died.

Carol How awful! I'm dreadfully sorry.

Frank These things happen. This is Bill ... Do you know, it's only just struck me, but I don't think I've ever known your surname. Or have I simply forgotten it?

Bill It never came up. (To Carol) Hi. And you are ...?

Carol Carol. (To Frank) As I said, I've seen you here before and wondered how you were doing, but didn't have the nerve to intrude.

Frank Very glad you did, this time. Some intrusions are thoroughly welcome. (A distant clock strikes, and Frank checks his watch.) And I'd very much like to stay for a chat, but it seems I've been pontificating longer than I realised. I'm afraid we'd better be getting back, or my other daughter will be worried.

Bill She's the worrying sort.

Frank True enough. And between us we've already given her more than enough cause for it, one way and another. But perhaps we'll see you again another time?

Carol It's quite likely. I come here fairly often when I'm off duty. Look after yourselves, now! 'Bye!