<< * 161 DAVID PINNER : DICKON . HARMONDSWORTH , PENGUIN , 1 967 . 221 P. . FIRST PERF. : 150266 . CHAR. : 01 DICKON GREE N SNR , 02 EILEEN GREEN , 03 JENNIE GREEN , 04 JOHN GREEN , 05 DICKON GREEN JNR , 06 MICHAELA UBER , 07 DR GRILL , 08 SI STER PETERS >> $ #99 $ < ACT ONE > $ < SCENE ONE > $ < THE GREENS' BACK GARDEN IN MID-SUMMER . $ A LARGE GREENHOUSE TAKES UP MOST OF THE STAGE LEFT AREA , ON E SIDE BEING OPEN AND FACING THE AUDIENCE . $ DOWN STAGE THERE IS A PATH LEADING FROM THE GARDEN GATE , OF F LEFT , TO THE HOUSE , OFF RIGHT . $ THERE IS A LOG BENCH ON THE LAWN , RIGHT CENTRE . $ A SEVEN-FOOT GARDEN WALL COVERED WITH CREEPERS RUNS ALONG TH E BACK OF THE STAGE . $ THE DOWN-STAGE SIDE OF THE GARDEN IS BORDERED BY A STREAM , WHICH , OF COURSE , IS LEFT TO THE IMAGINATION OF THE AUDIEN CE AND THE ACTORS . $ DAD , DICKON GREEN SENIOR , IS PAINTING HIS NEWLY CONSTRUCTE D GREENHOUSE WITH WHITE PAINT . $ HE IS 50 YEARS OLD , SMALL , CHUNKILY BUILT AND FULL OF LAUG HTER . $ OCCASIONALLY HE CLIMBS DOWN FROM HIS STEP-LADDER TO COLLECT A SCREWDRIVER OR DRILL FROM HIS TOOLBOX . $ HE WHISTLES AS HE WORKS . $ WHEN HIS WORK CAUSES HIM PROBLEMS , HIS WHISTLING BECOMES OU T OF TUNE AND SHRILL - MOST UNPLEASANT . $ DICKON GREEN JUNIOR , HIS 17-YEAR-OLD SON , IS FISHING AND W ORKING ON SOME RESEARCH FROM NOTEBOOKS AND GRAPH PAPER . $ HE IS A BRILLIANT , PRECOCIOUS YOUTH . $ JENNIE , HIS 21-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER , AN INTROVERTED CREATURE , IS HELPING MUM , EILEEN GREEN , HIS 48-YEAR-OLD WIFE , A P LACID , LOVING WOMAN , WITH TAKING IN THE WASHING . $ A CLOTHESLINE IS ATTACHED FROM THE HOUSE TO THE CORNER OF TH E GREENHOUSE . $ OTHER THAN DAD'S WHISTLING AND THE WHISK OF DICKON'S ROD , T HERE IS SILENCE . $ IT IS SUNDAY LUNCHTIME AND VERY HOT . $ THEN ACCIDENTALLY DAD DOUSES HIMSELF IN PAINT . $ 01 ARMPITS ! $ 02 LANGUAGE , DICKON ! $ REMEMBER THE KIDS ! $ 01 < ( TURNING ROUND WITH PAINT OVER HIS MOUSTACHE AND SHIRT ) > $ LOOK AT THIS - LOOK AT THIS , JUST LOOK AT THIS ! $ I 'M COCO THE BLOODY CLOWN ! $ 05 SUITS YOU , DAD . $ GIVES YOU CLASS . $ THAT 'S WHAT WE LACK TODAY - CLASS ! $ 01 WELL , ISN'T ANYONE GOING TO GET ME A RAG WITH SOME TURPS , OR MUST I STAND HERE LIKE A PRIVATE RUSSIAN WINTER ! $ $ 05 YOU STAND THERE , DAD , IT 'S GOOD FOR THE SELF-CONTROL ! #100 $ 02 I 'LL GET YOU A RAG , DICKON . $ 05 I DON'T NEED ONE , THANKS , MUM . $ 02 I WAS TALKING TO YOUR DAD ! $ < ( WE HEAR THE WHISTLE OF AN ELECTRIC KETTLE OFF . ) > $ THAT 'S THE KETTLE . $ < ( EXIT . ) > $ 05 OH , REALLY . $ < ( PAUSE . ) > $ WHY EVER DID YOU CALL ME YOU , DAD ? $ 01 < ( TRYING TO WIPE HIMSELF CLEAN ) > $ HOW LONG HAVE YOU GOT BEFORE YOU START AT CAMBRIDGE , SMARTY ? $ 05 EIGHT WEEKS , DICKON . $ 01 AND HERE I WAS THINKING IT WAS THIS AFTERNOON . $ 03 HE DOESN'T MEAN THAT - DO YOU , DAD ? $ 05 I KNOW - IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A JOKE , WOOFLES , SUPPOSE D TO BE . $ 01 < ( DROPPING A SCREWDRIVER FROM HIS LEFT HAND ) > $ SHIMMERING ARMPITS ! $ 05 CHARMING ! $ 01 SSSHCREWDRIVER ! $ 03 HERE YOU ARE , DAD . $ < ( PAUSE . ) > $ DAD ? $ 01 YES . $ 03 THAT 'S THE SECOND TIME IN FIVE MINUTES YOU 'VE DROPPED S OMETHING ... $ 01 I 'M PUTTING ON THE ACT , JENNY , YOU SEE - I 'M TRYING T O BE A PIGEON . $ < ( HE FLAPS HIS ARMS . ) > $ 03 YOU WORK TOO HARD . $ 01 IT 'S OVER NOW - THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW - GOD , WHAT A SWE AT IT WAS . $ < ( HE LIGHTS A CIGARETTE . ) > $ SO MANY FARMERS AND SO MANY PIGS - AND SO MANY FARMERS . $ 03 DAD ... $ 01 I JUST NEED A HOLIDAY - A STING OF SEA AIR - MUSHY WET SA ND OOZING BETWEEN MY BARE TOES - AND SUNSHINE - LIKE THIS - COURSE IT 'S BOUND TO BLOODY RAIN - WHEREVER WE GO IT 'S ALW AYS LIKE WALES - IT ALWAYS BLOODY RAINS . $ < ( DURING THIS SPEECH HE PUTS HIS CIGARETTE IN HIS LEFT HAN D , WITHOUT NOTICING . $ THE CIGARETTE LANDS ON DICKON'S GRAPH PAPER . ) > $ 05 HEY , DAD , ARE YOU INTERESTED IN WORLD CONFLAGRATION ? $ 01 LESS OF IT ! $ 05 WELL , WATCH IT ! $ IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT LIGHT TO MY GRAPH PAPER . $ 01 DON'T STAND THERE THEN - SPIT ON IT ! $ #101 $ 05 < ( STAMPING IT OUT ) > $ THE WHOLE PLACE COULD HAVE GONE UP , INCLUDING YOUR SEXY GRE ENHOUSE ! $ 01 EVEN LESS OF IT ! $ 03 WHAT 'S REALLY THE MATTER , DAD ? $ THAT 'S THE THIRD TIME ... $ 01 < ( COVERING ) > $ YOU STANDING THERE SO PRETTY - IT UNNERVES ME . $ 03 I THINK YOU OUGHT TO GO AND SEE DOCTOR GRILL , DAD . $ 01 FAT LOT OF GOOD HE IS ! $ WHEN I HAD A CYST AS BIG AS YOUR FIST IN MY STOMACH , HE SAI D I WAS SUFFERING WITH WIND . $ IT WAS ONLY WHEN I LOOKED PREGNANT , AND HE 'D FINALLY ASCER TAINED IN HIS TINY MIND THAT I WASN'T A WOMAN , HE DECIDED T O SEND ME FOR AN X-RAY . $ I HAD SIX YEARS OF BABY FOOD BEFORE HE SENT ME FOR THAT RUDD Y X-RAY - SIX YEARS OF DRIVING YOUR MUM NEARLY BONKERS ... $ 05 SO THEY TOOK OUT TWO-THIRDS OF YOUR STOMACH AND THE THIRD THEY KINDLY LEFT BEHIND , AS IS USUAL WITH THE LAWS OF NATU RE , HAS EXPANDED AMPLY BY ANOTHER THIRD - SO YOU NOW HAVE T WO-THIRDS - AND A GUT , FORGIVE ME FOR SAYING SO , THAT LOOK S LIKE FOUR THIRDS ! $ 01 YOU CAN YALK , TUBBY ! $ 05 THAT WILL GO , FATHER , YOU SEE I HAVEN'T GOT THE TIME FO R IT . $ 01 PUMPKIN ! $ NOT ONLY THE PRODIGAL SON BUT THE FATTED CALF INTO THE BARGA IN . $ 05 I DON'T THINK YOU FULLY UNDERSTAND ME , FATHER . $ WHEN I WAS ELEVEN I SAW IN MY MIND , MATHEMATICALLY , OF COU RSE , THE FOURTH DIMENSION . $ 01 AH , I SEE . $ YOU 'VE GOT TO FIND THE FOURTH DIMENSION BECAUSE YOU 'VE STU FFED YOURSELF OUT OF THE THIRD . $ 05 MY WHOLE EXISTENCE WILL BE TO EXPRESS THE FOURTH DIMENSIO N SO THAT HUMANITY CAN PARTICIPATE IN IT KNOWINGLY . $ 01 DON'T BOTHER , LAD . $ THE RATE YOU 'RE GOING , THERE WON'T BE ROOM FOR ANYONE ELSE . $ 05 THEN , OF COURSE , THERE ARE THE OTHER DIMENSIONS ... $ 01 STROLL ON ! $ 05 ... WHICH WE SCIENTISTS HAVE ONLY INTERPRETED WITH COSMOL OGY OF FIGURES AND MATHEMATICAL ABSTRACTIONS . $ 01 AND WHEN I WAS EIGHTEEN , SON , I WAS GOING TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY - BE ANOTHER WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS . $ AS A MATTER OF FACT I DID CHANGE THE COURSE OF HISTORY ... $ 03 HOW DAD ? $ #102 $ 01 I HELPED YOUR MUM TO CONCEIVE YOU LOT - HISTORY WILL NEVE R BE THE SAME AGAIN ! - IN ANY DIMENSION ! $ 05 YOU SEE THE LIGHT LEAPING ON THE WATER , DAD . $ ONE DAY I 'LL HARNESS THAT FOR THE COMING OF THE SUPERMAN . $ I HAVE THE POTENTIAL IN ME OF EINSTEIN - THE POWER OF LINES AND CIRCLES - HE WAS A POET - AND A GREATER POET THAN WILLIA M BEANROW YEATS - HE WAS A WORLD-SHAKER ! $ 01 I DON'T WISH TO KNOW THAT ! $ KINDLY LEAVE THE WORLD ! $ BET YOU CAN'T LOOK AT ME WITHOUT LAUGHING ! $ < ( DAD COMMENCES TO WAGGLE HIS EARS AND CROSS HIS EYES . ) > $ 03 < ( GIGGLING ) > $ STOP WAGGLING YOUR EARS , DAD ! $ 05 IT 'S VERY FUNNY , DAD , BUT I REFUSE TO LAUGH ! $ < ( HE BEGINS TO LAUGH . ) > $ YOU REALLY ARE SOMETHING THAT SCIENCE HAS NO EXPLANATION FOR ! $ 01 < ( CONTINUING TO GRIMACE ) > $ NOW DON'T LAUGH - CONTROL REMEMBER - HOW CAN YOU CONTROL A C OMPUTER IF YOU CAN'T CONTROL YOUR DIAL AND HOOTER ? $ THAT 'S WHAT I SAY ! $ < ( A PAUSE . ) > $ YOU 'RE A STRANGE BOY , SO SERIOUS . $ YOU 'VE GOT TO LAUGH , SONNY . $ LAUGHTER 'S THE CONCOPHANI OF THE GODS ... $ 05 STOP THINKING OF ME AS STRANGE OR FUNNY ! $ I AM THE FUTURE ! $ YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT ! $ I DON'T LIKE IT VERY MUCH ! $ BUT I 'M WHAT IT 'S ABOUT - I 'M OUT THERE WAITING AND IT 'S VERY LONELY ! $ 01 < ( GETTING OFF THE LADDER ) > $ WE 'RE ALL LONELY , SON , ALL OF US - YOU OF COURSE MAY BE A BIT LONELIER , 'COS YOU SEE THINGS WE DON'T - I MEAN YOU GO T SIX A LEVELS DIDN'T YOU ? $ BUT CAN YOU LAUGH ? $ CAN YOU THROW OUT THE AGONY OF YOU IN SHEETS OF LAUGHTER ? $ THAT 'S WHAT MATTERS IN THE END ! $ < ( HE TRIPS SLIGHTLY ON THE BOTTOM STEP , SUPPORTING HIMSEL F WITH HIS LEFT HAND . ) > $ BUGGER THIS ARM ! $ I DON'T SEEM ABLE TO GRIP ANYTHING . $ LIKE A ONE-ARMED BANDIT ! $ UNFORTUNATELY ONLY LAUGHTER COMES OUT OF MY MOUTH ! $ GIVE US YOUR HAND , DICKON . $ 05 SURE , DAD . $ < ( HE HELPS DAD TO HIS FEET . ) > $ THERE YOU ARE . $ 03 I THINK YOU OUGHT TO SEE A DOCTOR , DAD . $ I DO . $ < ( MOVING TOWARDS THE HOUSE . ) > $ 01 WHERE ARE YOU GOING , MISS NIGHTINGALE ? $ 03 I MEAN IT , DAD . $ < ( SHE EXITS . ) > $ < ( DICKON LEADS DAD TO THE GARDEN SEAT . ) > $ #103 $ 01 HELL . $ I FEEL TIRED . $ AND I 'VE HARDLY DONE ANYTHING . $ 05 OH , I DON'T KNOW ; YOU GOT MARRIED , HAD THREE BRILLIANT CHILDREN , AND HAVE JUST FINISHED BUILDING THE COLOSSUS OF RHODES ! $ 01 EH ? $ 05 THAT PALACE OF CRYSTAL , YOUR SEXY GREENHOUSE ! $ 01 YES , I 'M KUBLA KHAN AND THAT 'S MY FIVE-STAR XANADU ! $ IT 'S A BEAUTY , ISN'T IT ? $ A BEAUTY ? $ EVERYTHING WILL GROW IN THERE , SON . $ I 'VE JUST PUT AN ORDER IN FOR SOME CACTI - I 'M GOING TO HA VE A BASH AT GROWING CHRYSANTHEMUMS FOR CHRISTMAS - YOU MAKE ABOUT FIFTEEN SHILLINGS A BUNCH CHRISTMAS TIME . $ IT 'LL HELP YOUR MUM OUT WITH THE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS . $ WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT , OTHER THAN LAUGHING , GROWING 'S T HE ONLY THING . $ NOT JUST ROSES AND ORCHIDS , BUT YOUR FAT BRUSSELS SPROUTS A ND YOUR FROST-PAINTED CURLY KALE - AND TOMATOES , BIG FIRM R IPE ONES , EACH ONE LIKE A MINIATURE MARS ! $ YOU KNOW , SOMETIMES I JUST SIT IN THERE $ < ( INDICATING HIS GREENHOUSE ) > $ AND LAUGH - HEAR IT RICOCHET ON THE MUSTY GLASS BEFORE GURGL ING UNDER THE CUCUMBERS . $ MARVELLOUS ! $ MARVELLOUS , GROWING AND LAUGHING . $ 05 GIVE ME YOUR LEFT HAND , DAD . $ 01 WHY , DO YOU WANT TO KISS IT ? $ 05 COME OFF IT , YOU CLOWN . $ YOU KNOW THAT GAME WE USED TO PLAY ... $ 01 WHAT , THE TRIAL OF STRENGTH , WHERE I USED TO BEAT YOU H OLLOW ? $ 05 YES , WELL , LET 'S HAVE A GO NOW . $ 01 SURE . $ < ( DAD OFFERS DICKON HIS RIGHT HAND . ) > $ 05 NO , LEFT-HANDED , DAD . $ 01 < ( COVERING UP ) > $ YOU 'RE SCARED STIFF I 'LL WHACK YOU , AREN'T YOU ? $ 05 NO , DAD , I 'M SCARED STIFF I 'LL WHACK YOU . $ 01 < ( AGGRESSIVELY ) > $ I COULD BEAT YOU WITH BOTH HANDS TIED BEHIND MY BACK ! $ 05 O.K. DAD . $ LET 'S SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THE EXTRA ADVANTAGE OF YOUR LEFT HAND . $ WELL , GRIP IT , DAD . $ 01 WHAT DO YOU THINK I 'M DOING ? $ STROKING IT ? $ 05 OH , COME ON , DAD . $ LET 'S HAVE A SCIENTIFIC GRAPPLER'S GRIP . $ 01 I 'M GRIPPING YOU PROPERLY , DAMN IT . $ TUG , BLAST YOU ! $ 05 I AM , DAD . $ I CAN BARELY FEEL YOU . $ 01 COME ON - FOR GOD'S SAKE , TUG ! $ #104 $ < ( DICKON WITH A SIMPLE JERK PULLS HIS FATHER'S ARM OVER . $ DAD TRIES DESPERATELY WITH HIS RIGHT HAND TO PULL IT BACK . ) > $ 05 YOU 'RE CHEATING , DAD . $ IT 'S NOT ETHICAL - CHEATING ! $ 01 < ( PULLING HIS LEFT HAND AWAY ALTOGETHER ) > $ WHAT ARE WE TRYING TO PROVE ? $ 05 A VERY SIMPLE EQUATION , FATHER . $ A MINUS B EQUALS A PLUS C . $ YOU BEING A AND B BEING HEALTH . $ SO THAT IT FOLLOWS ; YOU MINUS HEALTH MUST EQUAL A PLUS C . $ WHICH FOR YOUR BENEFIT IS YOU PLUS ILLNESS ! $ 01 VERY FUNNY ! $ YOU 'RE SUCH A CLEVER BOY . $ DO YOU THINK I WON'T BE ABLE TO BELT YOU ANY MORE ? $ WELL , AS LONG AS YOU 'RE IN THIS HOUSE, DON'T YOU TRY ANYTH ING ! $ I 'M STILL THE KING , SO DON'T TRY PULLING THE MAGNA CARTA ! $ KING JOHN STILL RUNS THE JOINT ! $ IF YOU DO I 'LL KICK THE BACKSIDE OFF YOU - UNDERSTAND ? $ < ( ENTER MUM WITH A RAG AND A BOTTLE OF TURPENTINE . $ AS SHE TALKS SHE RUBS FATHER'S MOUSTACHE AND SHIRT WITH THE TURPS . ) > $ 02 THE DINNER 'S ALL BURNT ! $ THE NEW OVEN 'S SUPPOSED TO SWITCH ITSELF OFF AT 1.30 AND IT 'S NOW 2.00 - AND IT DIDN'T ! $ DICKON ... $ 01 YES , MUM ... $ 05 YES , MUM ... $ 02 I 'M TALKING TO YOUR DAD ! $ WHY EVER DID WE CALL YOU BOTH DICKON ? $ HEY , WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THAT CIGARETTE , DAD ? $ LOOK IT 'S BURNING A HOLE IN THE BENCH ! $ GOOD THING IT 'S NOT ONE OF OUR ARM-CHAIRS ... $ 01 LOOK , ALL OF YOU , JUST LEAVE ME BE ! $ I 'M ALL RIGHT . $ I 'M JUST TIRED - I 'VE HAD A LOUSY WEEK GETTING ALL THOSE C ORN GRINDERS AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN FOR NEARLY HALF THE FARMERS OF EAST ANGLIA - AND ALL I 'VE GOT TO SHOW FOR I T IS A HEADACHE LIKE A GAGGLE OF GEESE SCREAMING BLIND INTO LIVE TELEGRAPH WIRES ! $ I NEED A HOLIDAY - SOME LUNCH - AND A QUIET SMOKE AND I 'LL BE ALL RIGHT . $ 02 YOU OUGHT TO SEE A DOCTOR , DEAR , HE WOULD GIVE YOU A TO NIC . $ 05 IT HAS BEEN PROVED CONCLUSIVELY THAT THERE IS NO SUCH THI NG AS A TONIC IN MEDICAL SCIENCE . $ < ( FATHER BEGINS TO SWEAT SLIGHTLY AS A HACKING COUGH POSSE SSES HIM . ) > $ 02 YOU NEED SOMETHING FOR THAT BLOODY COUGH ! $ 01 DO YOU REALIZE YOU HAVE JUST PERPETRATED A PIECE OF VULGA RITY , MOTHER ? $ YOU WILL NEVER GET YOUR WINGS IF YOU GO ON LIKE THAT . $ 02 < ( AS DAD COUGHS AGAIN ) > $ NEVER MIND THAT . $ I 'M PRACTICALLY WORN OUT WITH HAVING YOU BLOW ME OUT OF BED EVERY NIGHT ... $ #105 $ 01 OH , THAT 'S WHY I WAKE UP IN THE MORNING SHIVERING , I S UPPOSE , AND YOU 'VE GOT ALL THE BEDCLOTHES ! $ DON'T GO ON , MUM , I PROMISE I 'LL GO AND SEE A DOCTOR . $ < ( DAD COUGHS AGAIN . ) > $ CAN I BORROW YOUR HANDKERCHIEF , LOVE ? $ MINE 'S ALL GOT PAINT ON IT - LOOK ! $ 02 < ( HANDING HIM THE HANDKERCHIEF ) > $ THERE YOU ARE , LOVE . $ < ( JENNIE ENTERS FROM THE HOUSE CARRYING A CARVING KNIFE AN D FORK . ) > $ 03 JOHN SHOULD BE HOME SOON WITH MICHAELA , SHOUDLN'T HE ? $ 02 WE MUST MAKE HER FEEL WELCOME AND RELAXED . $ SO PLEASE TRY TO CONTROL YOURSELVES ... $ 03 WHAT ABOUT LUNCH , MUM ? $ SHALL I CUT THE BURNT BITS OFF THE ROAST AND MAKE SANDWICHES ? $ THERE 'S SOME PICKLES IN THE PANTRY - WE COULD EAT OUT HERE - IT 'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL DAY . $ 01 < ( HANDING THE HANDKERCHIEF BACK TO MUM ) > $ THANKS , MUM . $ YOU 'D BETTER WASH IT . $ THERE 'S PHLEGM ON IT AND STUFF ... $ 02 BLOOD ! $ 01 BLOOD ? $ NO . $ TITIAN-COLOURED PHLEGM . $ THAT 'S ALL ... $ < ( SUDDENLY WE HEAR AN EXPLOSION FROM BEHIND THE GARDEN WAL L . ) > $ WHAT THE HELL 'S THAT ? $ < ( DICKON COLLECTS THE STEP-LADDER AND LOOKS OVER THE WALL . ) > $ 05 AN AMERICAN WAR HEAD THAT 'S BACK-FIRED ! $ AREN 'T WE A TALENTED HUMANITY TO BE ABLE TO DESTROY MATTER - IT 'S A PITY WE CAN'T CREATE IT ! $ 03 WHAT IS IT , DICKON ? $ 01 WELL , COME ON ? $ 05 THEY 'RE KNOCKING THE MILLER'S HOUSE DOWN - THEY 'RE GOIN G TO BUILD THAT POWER STATION YOU 'VE BEEN TELLING US ABOUT FOR SO LONG - FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ETERNAL LIGHT . $ RESULT , ONE POWER FACTORY ! $ 03 < ( LISTENING WILD-EYED TO THIS OUTBURST ) > $ YOU 'RE RIGHT - I KNOW YOU ARE - YOU ARE - $ 05 < ( CLIMBING DOWN THE STEP-LADDER ) > $ SISTER MINE , LITTLE WOOFLES , THEY 'RE GOING TO GOBBLE YOU WHOLE - PURRING AWAY IN YOUR FELINE CRINOLINES - DREAMING OF HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGES AND LACE-RUFFLED GENTLEMEN AND IVORY SNUFF BOXES . $ I FEEL CENTURIES OLDER THAN YOU , MY LITTLE DAD . $ BUT LET US PREPARE THE SANDWICHES , WOOFLES , DEAR . $ 03 < ( BLUSHINGLY , TAKING HIS ARM ) > $ OH , YOU ARE AN IDIOT ! $ 05 < ( GIVING HER A PECK ON THE NOSE AS HE LEADS HER TOWARDS THE HOUSE ) > $ AND YOU LIKE IT . $ #106 $ 02 < ( WATCHING THEM GO OFF ) > $ DICK , YOU GO TO THE DOCTOR AND TELL HIM YOU CAN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT FOR COUGHING . $ AND I WANT YOU TO TELL HIM THAT YOU 'RE SPITTING BLOOD , AND WHAT 'S WORSE , YOU 'RE - WELL - YOU KEEP DROPPING THINGS OU T OF THAT HAND ... $ 01 ALL RIGHT , I WILL - ANYTHING FOR A BIT OF PEACE ... $ 02 I DON'T WANT TO NAG YOU , DEAR ... $ 01 YOU 'RE THE BEST THERE IS - AND I DON'T MEAN NAGGERS - IT 'S JUST THAT I WANT TO FINISH THIS GREENHOUSE BEFORE OUR JO HN ARRIVES . $ WHAT A BOY HE IS , EH ? $ ALWAYS SHOUTING ! $ 02 YOU USED TO BE THE SAME , LOVE - ONLY LOUDER ! $ 01 HOPE THEY 'VE STOPPED ROWING . $ HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN MARRIED , MUM ? $ 02 TWO YEARS YESTERDAY , JULY 13TH IT WAS . $ PITY ABOUT THE REGISTRY OFFICE ... $ 01 I KNOW , LOVE , YOU 'VE NEVER FORGIVEN ME FOR TWO THINGS ; ONE , NOT BEING MARRIED IN A CHURCH , AND TWO , NOT BEING CONFIRMED . $ WELL , WE CAN GET THEM BOTH DONE TODAY . $ IT 'S SUNDAY , ISN'T IT ? $ ABOUT TIME THE KIDS WERE LEGITIMATE . $ 02 I MUST PICK SOME FLOWERS FOR THE CHURCHYARD . $ 01 YES , LOVE . $ WE 'LL ALL GO DOWN TO SEE SANDRA - LATER ON . $ 02 MY LITTLE GIRL . $ 01 COME ON , EILEEN , DON'T THINK ABOUT IT . $ 02 DON'T YOU EVER THINK ABOUT IT ? $ NOT EVEN AT NIGHT - WHEN YOU ARE COUGHING - AND YOU CAN'T SL EEP ? $ 01 NO , LASS , I DON'T - I DAREN'T . $ < ( HE COLLECTS THE LADDER WITH A GREAT DEAL OF EFFORT FROM THE WALL , AND CARRIES IT BACK TO THE GREENHOUSE . $ HE BEGINS TO CLIMB IT . ) > $ I FEEL A BIT WOOZY - BUT I 'LL BE ALL RIGHT . $ COULD YOU PASS ME THE PAINT , LOVE ? $ < ( SHE DOES SO . ) > $ TA . $ < ( HE BEGINS TO PAINT AS ANOTHER EXPLOSION IS HEARD FROM BE HIND THE WALL . $ HE REELS A LITTLE . $ MUM RUSHES TO HELP HIM . ) > $ 'S ALL RIGHT , LOVE , JUST LOST MY BALANCE FOR A MOMENT - I 'M ALL RIGHT - I 'M ... $ < ( AND WITHOUT WARNING HE FALLS OFF THE LADDER ON TO HIS FA CE . $ MUM INVOLUNTARILY GIVES A LITTLE SCREAM . ) > $ 02 NOW YOU 'VE GONE AND DONE IT ! $ YOU 'VE REALLY DONE IT , YOU SILLY MAN ! $ DICKON , COME HERE ! $ DICKON ! $ < ( DICKON RUSHES OUT OF THE HOUSE INTO THE GARDEN . ) > $ #107 $ 05 WHAT IS IT , MUM ? $ < ( HE SEES DAD . ) > $ JESUS ! $ I 'LL FETCH THE DOCTOR ! $ < ( HE RUNS INTO THE HOUSE . $ AT THIS POINT WE HEAR THE GARDEN GATE BANG AND JOHN'S VOICE . ) > $$ 04 < ( OFF ) > $ MUM ! $ DAD ! $ DICKON ! $ JENNIE ! $ WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU ? $ WE 'RE BACK - BOTH OF US - TOGETHER - MARVELLOUS , AIN'T IT ? $ < ( JOHN APPEARS FROM OFF LEFT HOLDING HIS WIFE , MICHAELA B Y THE HAND . $ JOHN IS A HEAVY , 28-YEAR-OLD SCHOOLTEACHER , AGGRESSIVE , B UT REALLY SOFTER BY NATURE THAN HIS YOUNGER BROTHER . $ MICHAELA , HIS WIFE , IS A BEAUTIFUL 22-YEAR-OLD GERMAN GIRL . $ JOHN SEES HIS FATHER LYING ON THE GRASS . $ DAD TRIES TO GET UP UNSUCCESSFULLY . ) > $ 01 HELLO , JOHN , GOOD TO SEE YOU , MATE ... $ 04 IT 'S GOOD TO SEE YOU , LITTLE RICHARD . $ BUT WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING LYING ON THE GRASS ? $ 01 WELL , IT WAS SUCH A LOVELY DAY , I THOUGHT I 'D SUNBATHE ... $ 04 YOU 'RE LYING , DAD . $ 01 YES , I AM - ON THE GRASS , SON . $ 04 < ( HELPING HIS FATHER TO HIS FEET , AND GIVING HIM AN AF FECTIONATE BEAR HUG ) > $ YOU 'RE A LITTLE JOKER AIN'T YOU , DAD ? $ 01 < ( DUCKING OUT OF THE BEAR HUG ) > $ AND WHAT ARE WE DOING FORGETTING YOUR BETTER HALF ? $ HELLO , MICHAELA , LOVE . $ 06 < ( QUIETLY ) > $ HELLO , MR GREEN . $ HELLO , MRS GREEN . $ < ( MICHAELA'S GERMAN ACCENT IS SLIGHT BUT DEFINITE . ) > $ 02 I WAS SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DAD , MICHAELA - IT WAS TERRIBLE - $ 06 THANK YOU . $ I 'M TRYING TO FORGET , SO IS POOR MUTTI ... $ 01 < ( CHANGING THE SUBJECT ) > $ I BET YOU MUST BE FAMISHED . $ < ( HE REELS . ) > $ I FEEL A BIT DIZZY , MOTHER - I 'D BETTER SIT DOWN . $ < ( HE DOES SO . ) > $ SUNSTROKE - THAT 'S WHAT IT IS ... $ < ( DICKON ENTERS FROM THE HOUSE . ) > $ 05 HELLO , IF IT ISN'T MY SUPERSONIC HIGHLY INDIGESTIBLE BRO THER ! $ < ( THE BROTHERS COMMENCE A PLAYFUL BOXING MATCH WITH EACH O THER . $ JOHN GIVES DICKON A GENTLE PAT ON THE STOMACH . ) > $ 04 YOU 'RE PUTTING ON THE MICHELIN TYRES , YOUNG 'UN , AIN'T YOU ? $ BESIDES EATING , OF COURSE , HAVE YOU ANOTHER OCCUPATION ? $ 01 DON'T START HIM ON THAT . $ HE 'S BEEN SOUNDING OFF SCIENTIFICALLY ALL DAY ! $ 05 < ( GOING OVER TO HIS FATHER ) > $ FEELING BETTER , DAD ? $ #108 $ 01 YES , THANKS . $ 05 THE DOCTOR 'S ON HIS WAY . $ 01 WHAT ? $ 02 GO AND HELP JENNIE WITH THE SANDWICHES , DICKON , AND BRI NG SOME SERVIETTES IF YOU CAN FIND THEM . $ < ( DICKON EXITS . ) > $ 04 WHAT 'S THE DOCTOR FOR , DAD ? $ YOU NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT BEING ILL IN YOUR LAST LETTER ... $ 01 NOW DON'T YOU START ! $ 02 IT MIGHT BE A - SLIGHT STROKE - WELL - NOTHING SO BIG - J UST - WELL - HE 'S LOST A BIT OF THE USE OF HIS LEFT HAND - HAVEN'T YOU , DAD ? $ 04 YOU WHAT ? $ LOOK , WHY DON'T YOU GO AND SEE A DOCTOR ? $ I MEAN A REAL DOCTOR ! $ A SPECIALIST ! $ I 'LL PAY ... $ 01 WHEN I NEED THE MONEY , JOHN , I 'LL ASK YOU FOR IT ... $ 04 DAD , AS A NIPPER I 'D PESTER THE DAYLIGHTS OUT OF YOU , REMEMBER , WHEN YOU 'D GOT THAT CYST IN YOUR STOMACH TO GO A ND SEE A PROPER DOCTOR . $ WOULD YOU ? $ WOULD YOU HELL ! $ WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GROW UP ? $ YOU 'RE THE BEST DAD IN THE WORLD ... $ 01 < ( QUICKLY ) > $ COME OFF IT ! $ 06 IT IS ALL RIGHT . $ 02 YOU POOR LOVE ... $ 06 IT IS ALL RIGHT , MRS GREEN . $ I LIKE TO THINK OF HIM AS HE WAS . $ MUTTI THANKS YOU FOR THE FLOWERS VERY MUCH - BEAUTIFUL - $ 02 DO YOU WANT TO BORROW MY HANDKERCHIEF , LOVE ? $ < ( SHE TAKES HER HANDKERCHIEF OUT OF HER POCKET TO GIVE TO MICHAELA , BUT SEES THAT IT IS COVERED IN FATHER'S BLOOD . ) > $ NO , PERHAPS YOU 'D BETTER NOT . $ 06 < ( USING HER OWN HANDKERCHIEF TO WIPE HER EYES ) > $ THANK YOU - BUT HE WAS VERY YOUNG ... $ 04 < CHANGING THE SUBJECT ) > $ SWISH GREENHOUSE , DAD . $ < ( IN A WHISPER ) > $ COME HERE , DAD . $ 01 < ( GOING TO HIM ) > $ WHAT IS IT , JOHN ? $ 04 CAN I HAVE A WORD WITH YOU ? $ 01 < ( LOUDLY ) > $ I 'M JUST GOING TO SHOW THIS NO-GOOD SON OF MINE MY PRIZE TO MATOES , WE WON'T BE A MINUTE . $ 02 WE 'LL LEAVE THEM TO NATTER , EH , MICHAELA ? $ 06 < ( SHE MOVES TO GO WITH MUM , BUT TURNS FOR A SECOND ) > $ DO NOT UPSET YOUR FATHER , HANS - AND DO NOT TALK TOO MUCH . $ #109 $ 04 < ( SHOUTING ) > $ NOW LOOK HERE , MICHAELA ... $ 01 < ( GRIPPING JOHN'S ARM ) > $ REMEMBER HER FATHER . $ 06 YOU WANTED SOMETHING , HANS ? $ 04 NO , NOTHING , DARLING , NOTHING . $ 06 IT IS GOOD . $ < ( SHE EXITS . ) > $ < ( JOHN AND DAD GO INTO THE GREENHOUSE . ) > $ 04 NOW , WHAT 'S REALLY THE MATTER WITH YOU , DAD ? $ 01 WELL , MY REAL PROBLEM , WHICH IS WORRYING ME TO DEATH , IS THAT I HAVEN'T WON THE FOOTBALL POOLS YET ! $ 04 < ( EXAMINING THE TOMATOES ) > $ WOPPERS , AREN'T THEY ? $ LIKE BLOODY GREAT ORANGES ! $ GREEN FINGERS - THAT 'S WHAT YOU 'VE GOT ... $ 01 EMERALD FINGERS ... $ < ( THEY ARE FACING ONE ANOTHER AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE GREE NHOUSE . $ SUDDENLY JOHN , WITH A HUGE TOMATO IN HIS HAND , BOWLS IT AT HIS FATHER AS HE SPEAKS . ) > $ 04 TRUEMAN FROM THE VAUXHALL END BOWLS A SLOW GOOGLY FROM BE HIND HIS HAIR . $ < ( HE LOBS THE TOMATO AT HIS FATHER , WHO GOES TO CATCH IT LEFT-HANDED - GETS A HAND TO IT , BUT DROPS IT . ) > $ A YEAR AGO YOU WOULD NEVER HAVE MISSED THAT SITTER , DAD ... $ 01 < ( ANGRILY ) > $ AND A YEAR AGO YOU WOULDN'T HAVE PLAYED THIS BLOODY RIDICULO US GAME ! $ I 'M TIRED OF BEING PLAYED WITH . $ ALL RIGHT , I 'M ILL . $ DO YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW IT ? $ AND SOMETHING ELSE YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR HISTORY LESSONS - FOR THAT 'S THE SUBJECT YOU INFLICT ON THOSE KIDS YOU TEACH , I SN'T IT ? $ MY SIGHT 'S NOT SO CLEAR AS IT WAS - I CAN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT FOR HACKING UP MY TONSILS - AND I 'M SCARED - YES , INSIDE I 'M VERY SCARED . $ I 'M FIFTY YEARS OLD , FIGHTING SIMPLY TO PULL MYSELF TO WOR K IN THE MORNINGS . $ ONE HISS OF WIND TUGGING MY COAT AND A LATHER OF PHLEGM ITCH ES MY THROAT , MY EYES POUND AND I WISH I WERE PENSIONED OFF IN AN EARLY GRAVE ... $ 04 I 'M SORRY , DAD , I ONLY WANTED TO HELP . $ 01 I KNOW , SON , THAT 'S THE TROUBLE - EVERYONE WANTS TO HE LP ME ! $ THAT MAKES ME FEEL OLDER THAN JEHOVAH WITHOUT HIS POTENTIAL . $ YOU SEE , MY BODY WANTS HELPING - CODDLING - GETTING UP IN T HE MORNING . $ < ( HE STARTS COUGHING BADLY . ) > $ FORCING OUT INTO THE RAZOR BLADES OF THE EAST WIND - BECAUSE MY BODY WANTS TO GIVE UP - TO CURL UP , IN A BIG COCOON FOR A PASSIONLESS WINTER . $ BUT THERE 'S THE BIG ME INSIDE THIS LITTLE SPARROW BODY OF M INE THAT WANTS TO FLEX MY TIRED MUSCLES - WANTS TO GNAW THE FAT OFF MY ACHING BONES - WANTS TO BE OF USE - WANTS TO HELP ! $ $ #110 $ AND THE ONLY THINGS I CAN HELP IS YOUR MUM - OCCASIONALLY TH E KIDS - BUT MOST OF ALL EVERYTHING IN HERE . $ < ( HE INDICATES THE CONTENTS OF THE GREENHOUSE . ) > $ EMERALD FINGERS - AND THAT 'S ABOUT IT . $ BUT I 'M SCARED , I 'M FRIGHTENED STIFF , THAT MAYBE MY HELP ING 'S OVER AND THERE 'S ONLY BEING HELPED LEFT ! $ < ( HE CARELESSLY KNOCKS OVER A PLANT POT WITH CACTI IN IT . ) > $ I 'M SO BLOODY CLUMSY ! $ WHY DO YOU THINK I PAINT THIS GREENHOUSE INSTEAD OF PLANT TH INGS - BECAUSE AT THE WORST I CAN ONLY BATHE MYSELF IN WHITE PAINT - BUT IN HERE - I COULD SNAP THE DELICATE TENDRILS OF FLOWERS - PULP THE TOMATOES - I COULD BE A DESTROYER ! $ 04 YOU 'RE ONLY BEING MELODRAMATIC , DAD ! $ 01 FOR A TWENTY-EIGHT-YEAR-OLD , A SCHOOLTEACHER , A HUSBAND AND ABOVE ALL MY SON , SOMETIMES YOU 'RE AS INSENSITIVE AS A CHEST OF DRAWERS ! $ CAN'T YOU SEE I 'VE GOT TO SHOUT BECAUSE INSIDE I FEEL I 'M IN MY OWN TWILIGHT ! $ I 'M ONLY MEMORIES AND IMAGES WHICH MEAN NOTHING TO ANYONE B UT YOUR MOTHER AND ME ! $ SO I SHOUT - AND I RAVE - LOOKING FOR THE PROMETHEAN FIRE WH ICH YOU AND DICKON HAVE GOT ! $ IT 'S MY LAST ATTEMPT AT YOUTH , LAD ! $ < ( DOCTOR GRILL BANGS THROUGH THE GARDEN GATE . $ HE IS A BIG SWEATING MAN IN HIS LATE FIFTIES . ) > $ HELLO , DOCTOR . $ 07 HELLO , MR GREEN . $ AND HOW 'S THINGS WITH YOU , JOHN ? $ 04 NOT SO BAD , DOCTOR GRILL , THANKS . $ 07 FINE GARDEN YOU GOT HERE , MR GREEN . $ BEST TOMATOES I 'VE SEEN FOR AGES . $ I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU COULD DROP A COUPLE OF POUNDS ROUND TO T HE MISSUS - SHE 'D SQUARE IT UP WITH YOU ... $ 01 COURSE , IT 'S A PLEASURE . $ YOU LOOK ALL DONE IN . $ ONE LONG RUSH , YOUR VOCATION . $ I 'M SURPRISED YOU GOT HERE SO SOON - AND THAT 'S NOT A COMP LAINT . $ 07 GETTING THROUGH TOWN 'S HELL . $ A RUDDY GREAT TRAFFIC JAM RIGHT OVER THE BRIDGE BANG UP TO T HE CATHEDRAL GATES . $ THERE WAS A POLICEMAN ON POINT DUTY , FAT BLOKE - HE SHOULD LAY OFF THE BEER - BUT YOU CAN'T TELL THEM YOU KNOW - WELL , THIS COPPER WAS DOING HIS STINT OF POINT DUTY OR WHATEVER I T 'S CALLED - FIRST OF ALL HE WAVED EVERYONE ON - RESULT : A BLOODY GREAT JAG GOT ITS BUMPERS TWISTED ROUND A MINI - TOO K TEN MINUTES TO CLEAR THAT LOT UP - THEN HE HAD ANOTHER BRA IN WAVE - HE DECIDED TO WAVE NO ONE ON , SO THERE WAS A PILE UP OVER THE BRIDGE - AND THE JAM GOT LONGER ... $ #111 $ 04 DOCTOR , PLEASE ... $ 07 AND IT TOOK ANOTHER COUPLE OF COPPERS TO COME AND ARGUE T HE TOSS WITH THIS FAT COPPER BEFORE THE TRAFFIC STARTED AGAI N - AND TO PUT THE TIN LID ON IT WHO SHOULD COME ALONG BUT J ACKSON'S YOUNGEST - AND A RIGHT COPPER HE 'S TURNED INTO - H E BOOKED ME FOR BEING DOUBLE-PARKED AT A BUS STOP AND LOITER ING WITH INTENT - IT 'S UNBELIEVABLE - LOOK ! $ < ( HE SHOWS DAD HIS PARKING TICKET . ) > $ AND WHEN I GOT BACK FOR MY DINNER , WHICH BY THEN I REALLY N EEDED , THERE WAS A MESSAGE TO COME AND SEE YOU WAITING FOR ME ON THE MANTELPIECE ... $ 01 < ( WITH A GRIN ) > $ I CAN TAKE A HINT - GIVE HIM TWO POUNDS OF TOMATOES , JOHN . $ 07 < ( LAUGHING ) > $ WELL , WHAT 'S THE MATTER WITH YOU , THEN ? $ 01 < ( LEADING THE DOCTOR INTO THE HOUSE ) > $ AND WATER THE REMAINING TOMATOES , JOHN , THAT 'S IF THERE A RE ANY . $ < ( THE DOCTOR AND DAD EXIT . ) > $ 04 < ( SHOUTING AFTER DAD ) > $ SURE , DAD ! $ < ( TO HIMSELF ) > $ THE POOR DARLING , SCARED STIFF . $ < ( HE TAKES A WATERING-CAN AND BEGINS TO WATER THE TOMATOES . $ MICHAELA ENTERS . $ SHE IS CRYING . $ SHE SITS DOWN ON THE GARDEN SEAT FACING THE AUDIENCE . $ JOHN SEES HER BUT GOES ON WITH HIS WATERING . $ SUDDENLY , CAN IN HAND , HE COMES OUT OF THE GREENHOUSE AND SITS ON THE GARDEN SEAT WITH HER . $ SHE IGNORES HIM . $ HE OFFERS HER HIS HANDKERCHIEF . $ SHE BRUSHES IT AWAY ON TO THE GRASS . $ HE PICKS IT UP AND STUFFS IT INTO HIS POCKET . $ HE TOUCHES HER SHOULDER . $ SHE MOVES AWAY . $ HE TRIES AGAIN , SHE GETS UP FROM THE SEAT . $ DESPERATELY HE MOVES UP TO HER , TURNS HER ROUND TO FACE HIM . $ SHE REGARDS HIM COLDLY . $ HE SHAKES HER BY THE ARMS PASSIONATELY . ) > $ WHAT 'S THE MATTER WITH YOU , MICHAELA ? $ < ( SHE COLDLY MOVES HIS HANDS FROM HER SHOULDERS . ) > $ I 'M SORRY ! $ EVERY TIME I TOUCH YOU , YOU WINCE . $ WHEN I LOOK AT YOU , YOU LOOK RIGHT THROUGH ME AS IF I WASN' T THERE . $ I 'M SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR HUSBAND - I LOVE YOU - IF ONLY YOU 'LL TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT . $ WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO TAKE YOU FOR A HOLIDAY ? $ I KNOW YOU 'VE JUST COME BACK FROM GERMANY BUT I COULD TAKE YOU WHERE THERE 'S SUNSHINE ... $ 06 THERE IS SUNSHINE IN GERMANY EVERY DAY . $ 04 LOOK , DARLING , YOU GO ON AS IF I DELIBERATELY WANTED TO HURT YOU . $ #112 $ 06 YOUR FATHER IS ILL BUT HE WILL NOT DIE . $ LOOK AFTER HIM . $ HE IS ONLY ONE ... $ 04 I DO - WE ALL DO - MY MUM 'S THE BEST MUM IN THE WORLD - SHE ... $ 06 ALL ARE BEST WHEN THEY LIVE . $ THEY WILL SEEM EVEN BETTER WHEN THEY ARE DEAD . $ 04 IF WE GO ON LIKE THIS , WE MIGHT AS WELL THROW THE WHOLE THING IN ! $ 06 AS IT PLEASES YOU . $ 04 < ( HE STROKES HER HAIR ) > $ MICHAELA , DARLING ... $ 06 < ( MOVING AWAY FROM HIM ) > $ HAVE YOU SEEN DEATH ? $ IT IS VILE . $ PAPA IN THE HOSPITAL - ALONE - PLEADING WITH HIS EYES - AND I COULD DO NOTHING - AND THE STENCH OF IT - IN THE END HE DI D NOT RECOGNIZE ME - OR MUTTI . $ I FIND IT SO DIFFICULT TO FIND THE RIGHT WORDS - CAN'T YOU U NDERSTAND ? $ 04 I 'M TRYING TO , LOVE , I AM TRYING ... $ < ( FROM THE HOUSE WE HEAR FATHER AND THE DOCTOR TALKING . ) > $ 01 < ( OFF ) > $ WELL , THANK YOU , DOCTOR ... $ < ( DAD COMES INTO VIEW WITH THE DOCTOR . $ DICKON AND MOTHER ARE IN TOW . ) > $ AND YOU DON'T THINK I NEED TO SEE A SPECIALIST OR ANYTHING ? ? $ 07 NOT ON YOUR LIFE ! $ YOU GET THAT PRESCRIPTION MADE UP . $ PUT SOME OF THE OINTMENT ON YOUR BAD ARM EVERY NIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO BED AND AS SOON AS YOU GET UP IN THE MORNING , KEE P THE ARM RESTED AS MUCH AS YOU CAN , GET PLENTY OF SLEEP - AND YOU 'LL HAVE TO LAY OFF PAINTING OR MESSING ABOUT IN THE GREENHOUSE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS , THEN YOU 'LL BE RIGHT AS RAIN ! $ YOU 'RE JUST OVERTIRED . $ TAKE IT EASY ON YOUR HOLIDAY ... $ 05 < ( URGENTLY ) > $ DOCTOR GRILL , FORGIVE ME FOR SAYING THIS , SIR , BUT I THIN K YOU 'RE A LITTLE OUT OF TOUCH . $ 01 DICKON , I 'VE TOLD YOU THAT WHILE YOU 'RE IN THIS HOUSE , LAD ... $ 05 JUST A MINUTE , DAD , I THINK THE DOCTOR 'S WRONG ! $ 07 OH , HAVE YOU GOT SOME MORE ELABORATE DIAGNOSIS THAT I MI GHT HAVE OVERLOOKED ? $ IF SO I 'M ALWAYS WILLING TO LEARN , DICKON ... $ 05 I THINK HE OUGHT TO SEE A SPECIALIST ! $ 07 BUT , DICKON ... $ 04 SO DO I ! $ AND BY GOD , HE 'S GOING TO SEE ONE IF I HAVE TO SMASH MY WA Y THROUGH THE ENTIRE MACHINERY OF THE NATIONAL HEALTH ! $ #113 $ 02 THAT 'S RIGHT , WE 'VE HAD ENOUGH , DOCTOR . $ DICKON MAY WANT TO SUFFER IN SILENCE BUT IT 'S GETTING US DO WN . $ < ( SHE PUTS HER ARMS PROTECTIVELY ROUND HER HUSBAND . ) > $ NEITHER OF US SLEEP - HE 'S COUGHING BLOOD ... $ 01 < ( ANGRILY ) > $ ALL RIGHT ! $ ALL RIGHT ] $ LOOK , CAN I DISCUSS THIS WITH THE DOCTOR ON MY TOD ? $ I MEAN IT IS ME WHO 'S GOING TO GET THE TREATMENT . $ 02 I 'M ONLY DOING IT FOR THE BEST , LOVE . $ 01 I KNOW , DEAR . $ YOU TAKE THEM ALL IN AND SING THEM A COMIC SONG OR SOMETHING . $ GIVE HER A GLASS OF PORT AND SHE 'LL KEEP YOU LAUGHING FOR H OURS . $ ON ONE GLASS SHE 'LL CRY FOR HOURS - IT 'S VERY FUNNY ! $ 02 GO ON WITH YOU ! $ JOHN , YOU AND MICHAELA CAN COME HELP DICKON TO WASH UP . $ 05 BUT MUM ... $ 01 DICKON ! $ < ( DICKON SHEEPISHLY FOLLOWS MOTHER AND MICHAELA INTO THE H OUSE . ) > $ 04 DON'T LET HIM BROWBEAT YOU , DAD ! $ < ( HE EXITS . ) > $ 01 IT 'S VERY NICE OF YOU TO CONSULT ME , DOCTOR , I MEAN I 'M ONLY THE PATIENT , AREN'T I ? $ THOUGH WHY BOTHER , DOCTOR ? $ I 'M ONLY THE ONE THEY 'LL PUMP STUFF INTO THROUGH HYPODERMI C NEEDLES . $ AND THAT 'S A PANTOMIME ON ITS OWN ! $ 07 I 'VE TOLD YOU THERE 'S ABSOLUTELY NOTHING THE MATTER WIT H YOU THAT REST AND THAT OINTMENT WON'T CURE ... $ 01 OH , I 'LL BE IN THAT HOSPITAL TILL MY HAIR ROTS OFF ON T HE GREAT DAY - AND DON'T I REMEMBER THE LAST TIME WELL ... $ 07 MR GREEN ... $ 01 FIRST THE PILLS , THEN THE NEEDLE , THEN OUT COLD WHILST THE ARTIST BEGINS WORK WITH HIS SCALPEL AND SPATULA - THE LO NG STERILIZED INCISION - THE WINCING SHUDDER AS THE KNIFE MA KES A PERFECT LINO CUT RIGHT DOWN MY GUT THEN THE ARTIST TUR NS GARDENER AND HANDLES THE VEGETABLES OF MY ABDOMEN - THE S TICKY SEA-VEGETABLES OF ME . $ THEN COMES THE PRUNING AND THE CUTTING BACK OF THE INTRUSIVE PRIVET SO THAT MY GARDEN MAY BLOSSOM AGAIN . $ BUT WHAT WORRIES ME , DOCTOR , IS THAT MAYBE MY AUTUMN HAS C OME - AND THERE IS NO HARVEST . $ THE GARDENER WILL RE-OPEN MY CREAKING GARDEN GATE - AND LAY WASTE THE KILLER BINDWEEDS AND STINGING NETTLES UNTIL THERE IS NOTHING - ONLY ANAESTHETIZED SILENCE UNDER THE GIANT ARC LAMPS . $ THEN THE GARDENER TAKES OFF HIS RUBBER GLOVES , LAYS DOWN HI S TROWEL AND DIBBER . $ THE GARDEN IS CLOSED . $ IT IS A GRAVE GARDEN . $ DON'T YOU THINK IT 'S WORTH AN X-RAY , TO MAKE SURE IT 'S ST ILL SUMMER ? $ 07 I DON'T SUPPOSE A SHORT NOTE TO THE SPECIALIST WILL DO AN Y HARM . $ < ( DURING DAD'S PREVIOUS SPEECH HE HAS BEEN COLLECTING TOMA TOES IN A BASKET FOR THE DOCTOR . $ HE HANDS THE BASKET TO THE DOCTOR . ) > $ YOU 'LL LIKE THE TOMATOES . $ < ( A WORRIED DOCTOR GRILL AND DAD MOVE TOWARDS THE HOUSE . $ THE LIGHTS DIM . ) > $ < SCENE TWO > < ( WHEN THE LIGHTS COME UP , WE SEE TWO GIGANTIC X-RAYS ( E ACH TEN FEET SQUARE ) OF A MAN'S CHEST . $ THE X-RAY ON THE LEFT , WHICH INCIDENTALLY STANDS IN FRONT O F THE GREENHOUSE , IS THAT OF A HEALTHY MAN'S CHEST . $ WHILST THE X-RAY ON THE RIGHT HAS A GROTESQUE WHITE BLOB ON THE LEFT LUNG . $ THE X-RAYS HAVE A GAP OF FOUR FEET BETWEEN THEM IN THE CENTR E OF THE STAGE . $ EVERYTHING BEHIND THEM IS IN DARKNESS . $ IN FRONT OF THE X-RAY ON THE LEFT WE SEE A HOSPITAL BED WITH THE SHEETS RUFFLED . $ BESIDE THE BED THERE IS THE USUAL HOSPITAL LOCKER WITH FLOWE RS AND FRUIT ON IT . $ THERE ARE TWO CHAIRS ON THIS AREA OF THE STAGE FOR VISITORS . $ IN FRONT OF THE X-RAY ON THE RIGHT THERE IS A SISTER'S DESK . $ ON THE DESK THERE IS THE USUAL PARAPHERNALIA OF PAPERS AND A HUGE BOTTLE OF RED INK UNCORKED . $ BEHIND THE DESK THERE IS A COMFORTABLE CHAIR AND BESIDE IT A CHAIR FOR VISITORS . $ DIAGRAMS AND CHARTS ARE PINNED DECORATIVELY TO THE X-RAY . $ THIS SIDE OF THE STAGE IS COMPLETE DARKNESS . $ STAGE LEFT IS ONLY LIT AT THE MOMENT BY EERIC SHADOWS THROWN FROM THE X-RAY . $ THERE IS NO ONE ON STAGE . $ WE HEAR MUM'S VOICE FROM OFF LEFT . $ 02 < ( OFF ) > $ CAN WE COME IN , DAD ? $ IT 'S JOHN , MICHAELA AND ME ! $ < ( NO ANSWER . ) > $ DAD ? $ DAD ? $ < ( NO ANSWER . $ JOHN , MICHAELA AND MUM ENTER . ) > $ 04 < ( LOOKING ROUND ) > $ HE 'S NOT HERE ! $ DO YOU THINK HE 'S RUN AWAY ? $ THE FOOD 'S TERRIBLE IN THESE PLACES . $ < ( PLACING A BUNCH OF GRAPES ON THE LOCKER . ) > $ #115 $ YOU CAN'T BLAME HIM . $ GOD , I LOVE HOSPITALS ! $ PONGS OF DESINFECTANT AND ETHER - AND DYING . $ 02 DON'T GO ON LIKE THAT , JOHN ! $ WE 'RE HERE TO CHEER YOUR DAD UP - NOT DEPRESS HIM . $ YOU JUST DON'T THINK . $ WONDER WHERE HE IS ? $ 04 IN THE LOO , I SHOULDN'T WONDER ! $ HAVING A QUIET SMOKE . $ < ( DAD'S VOICE IS HEARD SOMEWHERE FROM THE DARKNESS UP CENT RE . ) > $ 01 < ( OFF ) > $ NURSE ! $ SISTER ! $ MATRON ! $ ANYBODY ! $ I 'M STUCK ! $ 02 THAT 'S MY DICKON ! $ 04 IT 'S CERTAINLY NOBODY ELSE ! $ I 'LL GO AND CALL SOME MATRON OR SOMETHING . $ HOLD ON . $ < ( HE EXITS OFF LEFT . ) > $ 02 < ( DESPERATELY ) > $ WHERE ARE YOU , LOVE ? $ WHERE ARE YOU ? $ 01 < ( OFF ) > $ HELLO , MY LITTLE DARLING . $ I 'VE FALLEN OFF THE JOHN ! $ 02 YES , HE 'S GONE TO GET HELP . $ 01 < ( OFF ) > $ NO , NOT HIM - THE LOO ! $ I 'M SITTING ON THE FLOOR ... $ 02 WHAT ARE YOU DOING THAT FOR ? $ 01 < ( OFF ) > $ I 'M FINISHING THE FOOTBALL POOLS ! $ BUT I 'M GETTING DAMP - IT 'S SO SILLY - I 'M ALWAYS DOING I T THESE DAYS - I 'M THROUGH THE DOOR ... $ 06 WE ARE COMING TO THE RESCUE , MR GREEN . $ 01 < ( OFF ) > $ THROUGH THIS DOOR ! $ I 'M GETTING COLD - SO BLOODY RIDICULOUS ... $ < ( MICHAELA AND MUM RUSH THROUGH THE FOUR-FEET SPACE IN BET WEEN THE X-RAYS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STAGE . $ FROM THE DARKNESS WE HEAR THEIR VOICES . ) > $ 02 < ( OFF ) > $ WE 'VE GOT YOU , DAD ... $$ 06 < ( OFF ) > $ PUT YOUR LEFT ARM ROUND MY SHOULDER , MR GREEN ... $ 01 < ( OFF ) > $ I CAN'T LOVE , MY LEFT ARM 'S VERY NAUGHTY - IT JUST WON'T D O WHAT IT 'S TOLD ... $ < ( DAD COMES INTO VIEW SUPPORTED BY MICHAELA ON HIS LEFT AN D MUM ON HIS RIGHT . $ HE FINDS IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO WALK . $ THEY ARE PRACTICALLY DRAGGING HIM . ) > $ I 'VE GOT ANOTHER OF THOSE BLITZKRIEGING HEADACHES - LIKE HA VING YOUR BRAINS RATTLED IN A CONCRETE MIXER ... $ 02 TAKE IT STEADY , DAD - STEADY , DAD - STEADY ... JOHN 'S GONE TO GET THE SISTER OR SOMETHING ... $ 01 < ( SUDDENLY DROPPING FROM THEIR GRIP AND FALLING CLUMSIL Y AGAINST THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE OF THE BED ) > $ I 'M TOO HEAVY FOR YOU - MY HEAD - MAKES IT SO DIFFICULT SEE ING - VISION GOES QUIFFY - IT 'S ALL RIGHT - NOW I 'VE GOT T HE EDGE OF THE BED I CAN WORK MY WAY ROUND ... $ < ( HE BEGINS TO LEVER HIS WAY ROUND THE BED CLINGING TO THE MATTRESS . $ MUM RUSHES TO HELP HIM . ) > $ 02 LET ME HELP . $ IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE AS DIFFICULT AS THAT , LOVE . $ 01 I 'VE GOT TO DO IT ON MY TOD , MUM ! $ 02 BUT , DAD ... $ 06 YOU MUST LET HIM , MRS GREEN ... $ 02 I CAN'T BEAR TO WATCH HIM CRAWL LIKE THAT ... $ < ( MUM TRIES TO HELP HIM BUT DAD SHAKES HER OFF . $ BY THIS TIME HE HAS GOT HIMSELF ROUND TO THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE BED . ) > $ 01 YOU MUST LET ME DO IT ALONE , MUM ! $ I 'VE GOT TO MAKE THIS BLASTED ARM WORK ! $ < ( WITH A SUPREME EFFORT HE LUGS HIMSELF ON TO THE BED , BU T HIS FEET ARE STILL DANGLING ON THE FLOOR . ) > $ THERE YOU ARE ! $ YOU SEE , MIRACLES ARE WORKED WITH COURAGE AND SHEER BLOODY- MINDEDNESS ! $ < ( SISTER PETERS , A SMALL , BUSY BUT SYMPATHETIC WOMAN APP EARS FROM OFF LEFT WITH JOHN . $ SHE 'S ABOUT 45 . ) > $ 08 EXACTLY WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU 'RE DOING , MR GREEN ? $ 01 TRYING TO DO A HOSPITAL CORNER , SISTER PETERS . $ IS IT ANY GOOD ? $ 08 YOU JUST GET INTO BED ... $ 01 I AM ! $ < ( WITH A THUD HE FALLS COMPLETELY ON TO THE FLOOR . $ SWIFTLY JOHN RUSHES UP TO HIS FATHER AND PICKS HIM UP . ) > $ 04 THERE WE ARE , DAD ! $ PRESENTING TARZAN OF THE APES . $ 01 < ( STILL IN JOHN'S ARMS , REGRETFULLY ) > $ AND I USED TO LIFT YOU WITH ONE HAND - WHEN YOUR MOTHER WASN 'T LOOKING . $ < ( JOHN CAREFULLY LAYS HIS FATHER ON THE BED AND HE , MOTHE R AND THE SISTER COVER HIM WITH THE BLANKETS . ) > $ AND NOW I CAN HARDLY LIFT MYSELF . $ MAN IS GOD OF ALL HE SURVEYS SO LONG AS HE DOESN'T TRY TO AC TUALLY DO ANYTHING WITH ANYTHING HE SURVEYS ! $ OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT ! $ I FIND MY BALANCE VERY DODGY , SISTER . $ WHY IS THAT ? $ 08 < ( DOING A HOSPITAL CORNER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BED AND TIDYING THE PILLOWS ) > $ YOU 'RE OVERTIRED , MR GREEN . $ YOU 'VE HAD A LONG DAY OF CONTINUOUS TESTS . $ ONE DOESN'T GO TO CAMBRIDGE IN A BUMPY OLD AMBULANCE AND THE N HAVE NUMEROUS MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS THRUST INTO VARIOUS PART S OF ONE'S ANATOMY WITHOUT CERTAIN DETRIMENTAL RESULTS , I.E . TIREDNESS ! $ #117 $ 01 HAVE I HAD A STROKE , SISTER ? $ I ASKED THE DOCTOR AT CAMBRIDGE BUT HE TOOK NO NOTICE AND JU ST WENT ON STUFFING THAT BLOODY TUBE DOWN MY THROAT - BRONCH OSCOPE , ISN'T IT ? $ I 'VE ALWAYS WONDERED WHY IT 'S NECESSARY TO INFLICT PAIN ON TOP OF PAIN TO MAKE APPARENT CURES . $ FOR NOTHING 'S EVER REALLY CURED , IS IT ? $ I 'M SORRY , I 'M GETTING MORBID ... $ 08 AND TALKING FAR TOO MUCH AS USUAL ! $ HE 'S THE BIG FAVOURITE WITH THE NURSES - AN ENDEARING UNINT ENTIONAL FLIRT ! $ 01 NOTHING UNINTENTIONAL ABOUT ME ! $ EXCEPT MY BODY OF COURSE , AT THE MOMENT ! $ 08 I 'LL SEE YOU LATER , MR GREEN . $ VERY NICE TO MEET YOU , MRS GREEN . $ 04 < ( HOLDING MICHAELA BY THE HANDS ) > $ WE ARE ALSO MR AND MRS GREEN . $ 08 REALLY , HOW NICE FOR YOU . $ 01 STROLL ON ! $ 02 < ( SOTTO VOCE ) > $ CAN I HAVE A WORD WITH YOU , SISTER ? $ 08 SURELY . $ I 'LL BE IN MY OFFICE . $ TURN TO THE LEFT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSAGE , PAST THE MED ICAL WARD ON YOUR RIGHT , TURN LEFT AGAIN AND IT 'S THE THIR D DOOR ON THE RIGHT ... $ < ( SISTER EXITS OFF LEFT . ) > $ 02 < ( FUSSING ROUND DAD AS SHE SITS BESIDE HIM ON THE BED ) > $ WELL , HOW ARE YOU , LOVE ? $ 01 ALL RIGHT THANKS , MUM . $ I 'M FINE REALLY BUT I GET TIRED VERY QUICKLY . $ WOULD YOU PASS ME ONE OF THOSE TABLETS IN THAT WHITE BOX ? $ YOU 'LL FIND IT ON THE BOTTOM SHELF OF MY LOCKER . $ MY HEAD 'S EXPLODING ... $$ 02 < ( TAKING A WHITE BOX OUT OF THE LOCKER ) > $ CODEINE ! $ HAS THE DOCTOR GIVEN YOU THIS , DICKON ? $ 01 < ( SLIGHTLY GUILTY ) > $ WHAT DO YOU MEAN ? $ OF COURSE ... $ 02 I 'M SURE HE DOESN'T KNOW - THEY WOULD NEVER LEAVE PILLS BESIDE YOUR BED LIKE THIS , DICKON , OTHERWISE YOU COULD GOB BLE AS MANY AS YOU LIKED . $ IT 'S VERY NAUGHTY OF YOU ! $ 01 PLEASE GIVE ME ONE OF THOSE PILLS ! $ 02 HAS THE DOCTOR SAID WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU , LOVE , O R WHAT CAUSES IT ? $ 01 MUM , THE TABLETS ... ! $ 02 I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE WITHOUT THE DOCTOR'S PE RMISSION ! $ #118 $ < ( COUNTING THE PILLS . ) > $ HOW MANY HAVE YOU HAD TODAY ? $ 01 I DON'T KNOW , LOVE - SIX - SEVEN - WHAT DOES IT MATTER . .. ? $ 02 I 'M SURE YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE AS MANY AS THAT ... $ 01 < ( DESPERATELY ) > $ MUM , YOU 'RE NOT GOING THROUGH THE SPANISH INQUISITION ! $ THEY DON'T WANT YOU TO CONFESS TO ANYTHING ! $ THEY 'RE GIVING ME THE SUBTLE TORTURES OF PLATINUM NEEDLES A ND POISON MEDICINES . $ AND THERE 'S THE ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT CRACKLES EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY INSIDE MY HEAD ! $ YOU THINK I 'M JUST TALKING - WELL , SUPPOSE I AM - WHAT ELS E IS THERE LEFT OTHER THAN TALKING TO YOURSELF AFTER TWO MON THS IN THIS HOUSE OF THE HALF-WAY DYING ? $ SO FOR CHRIST'S IMMACULATE SAKE , GIVE ME ONE OF THOSE PILLS ! $ 04 GIVE HIM A COUPLE OF CODEINE , MUM . $ FOR GOD'S SAKE , GIVE HIM ONE ! $ 02 I THINK HE 'S HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH AND I 'M SURE THE DOCT OR WOULD AGREE WITH ME IF HE WAS HERE ... $ 04 YOU 'VE GOT TO FORGET THE RULES AND REGULATIONS , MUM ! $ 02 THE DOCTORS KNOW WHAT THEY 'RE DOING , DEAR . $ BY GIVING HIM ONE MORE , IT COULD UPSET HIS WHOLE BALANCE - ESPECIALLY WHEN HE SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD THEM IN THE FIRST PLAC E ... $ 01 < ( EXASPERATED ) > $ OH ! $ 04 MUM ... $ 02 I KNOW I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THESE THINGS , DEAR , BUT I 'VE NOT HAD THREE CHILDREN AND NURSED YOU AND YOUR DAD TIM E OUT OF MIND WITHOUT REALIZING THAT THE DOCTORS DO KNOW BES T ! $ 04 BLOODY HELL , MUM .... $ 02 THERE 'S NO NEED FOR BAD LANGUAGE . $ BUT TO SATISFY YOU AND DAD , I 'LL GO AND SEE THE SISTER AND ASK HER . $ < ( SHE PUTS THE PILLS BACK IN THE LOCKER . ) > $ NOW DON'T TOUCH THEM UNTIL I COME BACK ! $ 04 ALL RIGHT , MUM . $ YOU TALK TO HER STRAIGHT . $ SAY HE 'S GOING NUTS WITH THE MIGRAINE OR WHATEVER IT IS ! $ 02 DON'T WORRY , JOHN , I WILL ! $ I WON'T BE LONG , DICKON , LOVE ... $ < ( SHE EXITS OFF LEFT . ) > $ 01 NUTS - YES , MAYBE I AM GOING MAD - HARMLESSLY , OF COURS E . $ I 'VE ALWAYS WONDERED WHAT IT IS TO BE MAD - TO PASS THE RES TRICTIONS OF SANITY . $ EVERYTHING MUST BE FREE THERE . $ VISIONS - WILLIAM BLAKE - TALKING WITH ISAIAH AT THE BOTTOM OF HIS GARDEN - I BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW THAT - TALKING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GARDEN - PERHAPS THAT 'S WHERE YOU GO - TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GARDEN . $ #119 $ PAST THE FAIRIES AND THE MOSQUITOES , OF COURSE . $ THROUGH THE PLAITED AND FERMENTING LEAF MOULD , AND THE CABB AGE STALKS - THE COMPOST HEAP - THROUGH ALL THE FUNGOID AND THE ROTTENNESS DOWN TO THE SWEET RICHNESS OF THE EARTH . $ I MISS THE EARTH . $ I USED TO SPEND MINUTES ON END SIFTING IT THROUGH MY FINGERS - EARTHWORMS AND BINDWEED - ODD VICTORIAN PENNIES - AND BIN DWEED - DRY ROSE PETALS SHRIVELLED UP LIKE YOUR GRANDMA'S NE CK . $ I HAVEN'T EVEN GOT ANY DIRT IN MY NAILS - THEY BRUSHED THEM CLEAN ! $ I 'M HYGIENIC - THAT 'S WHAT I AM - HYGIENIC - FOR MERCY'S S AKE , GIVE ME ONE OF THOSE PILLS ! $ 04 < ( IMMEDIATELY GETTING THE PILLS OUT OF THE LOCKER ) > $ OF COURSE , DAD ! $ 06 IT IS UNWISE , JOHN ! $ 04 SO ARE WE ALL - SO WHAT ? $ UPSA DAISY , DAD ! $ < ( HE LIFTS HIS FATHER INTO A SITTING POSITION . ) > $ 01 I 'M NOT A BLOODY INVALID , YOU KNOW ! $ JUST GIVE ME THE PILL AND LESS OF THE FUSS ! $ < ( JOHN GIVES DAD THE PILLS . $ DAD WITH MUCH FUMBLING STICKS THEM ON HIS TONGUE . ) > $ TASTES LIKE POLISHED GLASS . $ WATER ! $ < ( JOHN HANDS DAD A GLASS OF WATER . $ DAD SWALLOWS THE PILLS . ) > $ 06 I WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO ... $ 01 < ( IN A WHISPER TO HIMSELF ) > $ PLEASE GO AWAY , HEADACHE - WHERE 'S YOUR MUM ? $ - YES , I KNOW , GONE TO SEE SISTER - TO SEE WHETHER I 'M RE ALLY FALLING APART OR WHETHER ITS JUST MY EXCITABLE IMAGINAT ION ... $ 04 JUST YOU REST , DAD , TAKE IT EASY - SHUT YOUR EYES ... $ 01 BUT YOU 'VE COME ALL THIS WAY JUST TO SEE ME - WORK , PIL L , WORK , BLAST YOU ! $ - PLEASE DON'T TALK , JOHN ! $ EVERY WORD CUTS INTO ME ... $ 06 HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE IS SAYING , JOHN . $ 04 I KNOW ... $ 01 DON'T SPEAK - THE AIR IS TONGUED WITH FIRE - AND THERE IS NO HEALTH IN US - SHUSH ! $ ... $ 04 < ( IN A WHISPER ) > $ HE 'S ASLEEP , ISN'T HE ? $ < ( DAD MOANS . ) > $ 06 NO , BUT HE IS VERY ILL ... $ < ( SHE PUTS HER FINGER TO HER LIPS . ) > $ < ( THE LIGHT GOES DOWN ON THIS SIDE OF THE STAGE . ) > $ #120 $ < SCENE THREE > $ < THE LIGHT IMMEDIATELY GOES UP ON THE SISTER'S OFFICE , STA AGE RIGHT . $ THE SISTER IS DISCOVERED WORKING SILENTLY AT HER DESK . $ THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR . $ THE STAGE LEFT , WHERE JOHN AND MICHAELA ARE SITTING , IS IN TOTAL DARKNESS . > $ 08 < ( WITHOUT LOOKING UP ) > $ COME IN . $ < ( MUM ENTERS NERVOUSLY . ) > $ 02 THANK YOU , SISTER . $ 08 < ( INDICATING THE CHAIR BESIDE HER DESK ) > $ SIT HERE . $ 02 < ( SITTING ) > $ I GOT LOST , YOU SEE , SISTER . $ I WAS SO WORRIED I MUST HAVE TAKEN ALL THE RIGHT TURNINGS IN STEAD OF THE LEFT TURNINGS , OR MAYBE I TOOK THE LEFT TURNIN GS INSTEAD OF THE RIGHT TURNINGS , I DON'T KNOW . $ ANYWAY I WALKED STRAIGHT INTO THE GENTLEMEN'S CONVENIENCE - SO THEN I KNEW I WAS WRONG ... $ 08 YES , IT 'S VERY DIFFICULT , MRS GREEN - WELL , WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU ? $ 02 PLEASE , HAVE THE RESULTS OF THE TESTS COME IN ? $ HAVE THEY , SISTER ? $ 08 TWO OF THE THREE RESULTS HAVE COME IN , MRS GREEN . $ WE NATURALLY GAVE HIM TESTS FOR TUBERCULOSIS - BUT THEY WERE NEGATIVE - THEN ... $ 02 WILL HE EVER GET THE USE OF HIS ARM BACK ? $ I 'M SORRY TO BUTT IN , SISTER , BUT I AM DESPERATE . $ WILL HE BE ABLE TO DRIVE HIS CAR AGAIN ? $ THE LAST TIME HE DROVE US TO TOWN , WE NEARLY KNOCKED DOWN A N OLD LADY . $ HE SEEMED TO HAVE LOST HIS SENSE OF JUDGEMENT ON HIS LEFT SI DE . $ IF HE LOSES THE USE FOREVER THEY 'LL MAKE HIM WORK INDOORS A ND HE 'LL HATE THAT . $ WAS IT - A STROKE ? $ 08 STEADY , MRS GREEN - AND I 'LL TRY TO EXPLAIN . $ MR OLIVER , THE CHEST SPECIALIST , HAS DISCOVERED AFTER NUME ROUS X-RAYS THAT THERE IS INDEED AN UNKNOWN MASS SITUATED BE HIND THE LEFT LUNG - THERE ! $ < ( WITH A RULER SISTER POINTS TO A WHITE SMUDGE ON THE GIAN T X-RAY BEHIND THEM . ) > $ 02 THAT LOOKS TERRIBLE - IS IT ? $ 08 WELL , WE INSERTED A BRONCHOSCOPE , AND SO FAR THE RESULT S OF TWO OF THE THREE TESTS HAVE BEEN NEGATIVE ... $ #121 $ 02 OH , THANK GOD ! $ 08 BUT THE RESULT OF THE THIRD TEST HASN'T COME THROUGH YET . $ IT IS ONLY FAIR TO WARN YOU THAT THE THIRD TEST IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ... $ < ( MUM SUDDENLY BECOMES SLIGHTLY HYSTERICAL AND FLAPS HER H ANDS DESPERATELY OVER THE SISTER'S DESK . ) > $ 02 BUT WHY DON'T YOU OPERATE OR SOMETHING ? $ THIS IS THE SECOND HOSPITAL HE 'S BEEN TO ! $ < ( SHE ACCIDENTALLY KNOCKS OVER THE LARGE BOTTLE OF RED INK WHICH IS ON THE SISTER'S DESK . $ THE INK FLOODS THE DESK AND BEGINS TO DRIP ONTO THE FLOOR . ) > $ I 'M SO SORRY , SO VERY SORRY ! $ < ( HALF CRYING SHE PULLS A HANDKERCHIEF FROM HER POCKET AND INSTINCTIVELY BEGINS TO MOP UP THE INK WITH IT . ) > $ 08 THAT 'S ALL RIGHT , MRS GREEN . $ I 'M ALWAYS DOING THINGS LIKE THAT MYSELF . $ < ( TRYING TO REASSURE MUM . ) > $ NO , DON'T USE YOUR OWN HANDKERCHIEF - IT 'LL LOOK AS THOUGH YOU 'VE HAD A NOSE-BLEED . $ < ( MUM , HAVING SOAKED HER HANDKERCHIEF IN INK , NOW TRIES TO WRING IT OUT AND IN THE PROCESS A FEW DROPS OF INK SPLATT ER ON HER COAT . ) > $ 02 OH DEAR , ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER - JUST LIKE HOME - $ < ( THE SISTER BEGINS TO SPONGE MUM'S COAT WITH HER OWN HAND KERCHIEF AND WATER FROM A GLASS JUG ON HER DESK . ) > $ PLEASE DON'T RUIN YOUR HANDKERCHIEF , SISTER - IT 'S ALL MY FAULT - I REALLY AM SO SORRY ... $ 08 < ( TRYING TO CALM MUM AS SHE MOPS THE INK OFF HER DESK W ITH SOME COTTON-WOOL ) > $ DON'T WORRY , MRS GREEN , IT IS ALL RIGHT . $ 02 I AM SO SORRY . $ < ( SHE MOVES APOLOGETICALLY TOWARDS THE EXIT . ) > $ YOU 'LL FORGIVE ME IF I GO AND SEE HIM NOW - CHEER HIM UP - I HOPE HE 'LL BE ALL RIGHT - I PRAY ALL DAY LONG - JUST LITT LE PRAYERS - THAT HE 'LL GET BETTER SOON - WILL IT TAKE LONG FOR THE RESULT OF THE OTHER TEST TO COME THROUGH ? $ - THEN YOU 'LL GIVE HIM PROPER TREATMENT , WON'T YOU ? $ < ( VERY NEARLY IN TEARS NOW . ) > $ WON'T YOU ? $ 08 < ( LEADING MUM TO THE EXIT ) > $ EVERYTHING THAT IS MEDICALLY POSSIBLE WILL BE DONE - REST AS SURED ON THAT . $ 02 < ( SUDDENLY TURNING TO THE SISTER ) > $ THERE WAS SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT I WANTED TO ASK YOU - BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS ... $ 08 WELL , DON'T HESITATE TO COME BACK IF YOU DO . $ CAN YOU FIND YOUR WAY BY YOURSELF ? $ 02 YES , THANK YOU - IT 'S RIGHT ALL THE WAY , ISN'T IT ? $ < ( SHE EXITS . ) > $ 08 < ( GOING BACK TO HER DESK ) > $ YES ! $ I MEAN , NO ! $ #122 $ < ( SHE GOES TOWARDS THE EXIT TO SPEAK TO MUM BUT MUM HAS GO NE . $ SHE SHAKES HER HEAD SADLY AND GOES BACK TO WORK . $ AS SHE DOES SO THE LIGHTS ON STAGE RIGHT BLACKOUT . ) > $ < SCENE FOUR > $ < IMMEDIATELY THE LIGHTS COME UP STAGE LEFT , WHERE JOHN IS WHISPERING FIERCELY TO MICHAELA . $ DAD IS ASLEEP BUT BREATHING HARSHLY . > $ 04 WHERE THE HELL 'S MUM ? $ I'M GOING TO SEE THAT RUDDY SISTER MYSELF . $ I BET MUM HASN'T FOUND OUT THE LOT ! $ 06 NO ONE EVER WANTS TO KNOW THE WORST ... * 04 WORST ? $ BUT IT 'S NOT BAD - HE 'S GOING TO GET BETTER - HE 'S MY DAD ! $ HE 'S GOT TO GET BETTER ! $ HE 'S GOT TO ! $ HE WILL ! $ I WILL HIM TO ... $ < ( AGGRESSIVELY GETTING TO HIS FEET . ) > $ I'VE GOT TO GET THE TRUTH OUT OF THAT BLOODY SISTER - I 'VE GOT TO ! $ < ( HE EXITS OFF LEFT . ) > $ < ( MICHAELA BEGINS TO CRY SILENTLY . ) > $ 01 < WAKING UP , FRIGHTENED ) > $ MUM ? $ WHERE IS MUM ? $ 06 SHE IS NOT BACK YET , MR GREEN . $ THERE IS ONLY YOU AND I - TOGETHER ! $ 01 < ( WITH A GRIN ) > $ MARVELLOUS ! $ I 'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THAT NUTTY SON OF MINE TO LEAVE US ON OUR TOD FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS . $ 06 YOU 'RE OBVIOUSLY FEELING MUCH BETTER , MR GREEN , OBVIOU SLY ... $ 01 MY HEAD 'S LESS LIKE A TOM-TOM DRUM AND MORE LIKE A HEAD , IF THAT 'S WHAT YOU MEAN ! $ BUT THERE ARE STILL ONE OR TWO IMPATIENT GONGS DOING THEIR L ITTLE TINY NUTS BEHIND MY TEMPLES ! $ 06 < ( KISSING HIM PROVOCATIVELY ON THE FOREHEAD ) > $ JUST BEHIND THERE , YOU MEAN ! $ THAT 'LL HELP TO MAKE YOU BETTER ! $ 01 I FEEL TWENTY-ONE , BLOND HAIR , RED LIPS AFTER THAT - DO IT AGAIN ! $ 06 ALL RIGHT , IF YOU 'RE A GOOD BOY ! $ < ( THIS TIME SHE KISSES HIM ON THE LIPS GENTLY AS MUM COMES IN . $ MUM SMILES . ) > $ 01 < ( MOCK GUILTILY ) > $ IT WASN'T ME ! $ 02 YOU ARE FEELING BETTER , AREN'T YOU , DEAR ? $ 01 NEVER SEEN HER BEFORE IN MY LIFE ! $ 02 HE 'S ALWAYS HAD A SOFT SPOT FOR YOU , MICHAELA . $ #123 $ 06 HAS HE ? $ I WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN . $ 02 WOULDN'T YOU ? $ 01 I WAS IN AFRICA AT THE TIME ... $ 02 IT 'S VERY GOOD NEWS , DAD . $ THE RESULTS OF THE TWO TESTS HAVE COME IN - AND THEY 'RE NEG ATIVE ! $ 01 OH , WONDERFUL ! $ THAT 'S THE BEST NEWS I 'VE HEARD FOR YEARS ! $ WONDERFUL ! $ < ( HE BEGINS TO LAUGH WITH RELIEF . ) > $ < ( QUICK BLACKOUT . ) > $ < SCENE FIVE > $ < IMMEDIATELY THE LIGHTS COME UP STAGE RIGHT . $ SISTER IS WRITING AT HER DESK . $ JOHN BURSTS INTO THE ROOM . > $ 04 IS IT CANCER , SISTER ? $ 08 THERE IS A DOOR - YOU COULD 'VE KNOCKED , MR GREEN . $ 04 I 'M SORRY BUT I WANT TO KNOW . $ 08 WOULD YOU CARE TO SIT DOWN ? $ 04 NO , THANKS . $ AND PLEASE DON'T MINCE WORDS ! $ ARE TWENTY CIGARETTES A DAY EPITAPH-TIME AS THE DOCTORS INTI MATE ? $ 08 AS I TOLD YOUR MOTHER , MR GREEN , WE HAVE TESTED HIM FOR TUBERCULOSIS - AND THAT HAS PROVED NEGATIVE . $ WE EVEN THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE A SECONDARY FROM HIS PREVIOUS OP ERATION - BUT THE TESTS FOR THAT HAVE ALSO PROVED NEGATIVE . .. $ 04 COME ON , SISTER , DON'T KEEP TELLING ME WHAT HE HASN'T G OT - I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HE HAS GOT . $ HAS MY FATHER GOT CANCER OF THE LUNG ? $ 08 WE HAVE NO PROOF , AS YET , MR GREEN , BUT WE ARE FAIRLY CERTAIN THAT THERE IS A GROWTH THERE - $ < ( INDICATING THE SMUDGE ON THE GIANT X-RAY ) > $ BEHIND THE LEFT LUNG . $ 04 < ( PACING ) > $ BUT IS THE BASTARD CANCER ? $ 08 POSSIBLY ... $ 04 < ( AFTER A PAUSE ) > $ THEN THERE 'S NO HOPE , THEN ? $ 08 WE DO NOT KNOW YET THE EXTENT OF THE GROWTH BUT WE SUSPEC T THE SEMI-PARALYSIS OF HIS LEFT ARM AND HIS ACUTE HEADACHES ARE SECONDARIES OF THE SAME . $ IF THEY ARE WE WILL EITHER REMOVE THE LUNG , OR GIVE HIM A C OURSE OF INTERNAL DEEP HEAT THAT MAY NULLIFY THE GROWTH . $ #124 $ 04 HOW LONG 'S HE GOT - TO ROT AWAY - HOW LONG ? $ 08 I 'M NOT A PROPHET , MR GREEN , BUT IF THE GROWTH IS AS E XTENSIVE AS WE SUSPECT ANYTHING BETWEEN A WEEK AND THREE YEA RS . $ 04 OH MY UNMERCIFUL CHRIST ! < ( HE BEGINS TO CRY . ) > $ WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ? $ < ( AS HE SAYS THIS THE LIGHTS DIM ON THIS SIDE OF THE STAGE . $ BLACKOUT . ) > $ < SCENE SIX > $ < THE LIGHTS COME UP IMMEDIATELY ON STAGE LEFT . $ THEY ARE ALL LAUGHING AT A JOKE THAT DAD HAS JUST MADE . > $ 01 AND AFTER THAT MISERABLE ATTEMPT AT A FUNNY , HOW 'S DICK ON AND OUR LASS GETTING ON , EH ? $ 02 THEY SEND YOU LOTS OF LOVE AND KISSES , LOVE . $ 01 YES , WE ALWAYS WERE A SLOPPY FAMILY ! $ EITHER ALL LAUGHING OR ALL CRYING . $ HEY , DO YOU REMEMBER THAT DAY WHEN I BELTED YOUNG DICKON RO UND THE EAR FOR COMING A BIT OF THE LIP - HE CRIED - JENNIE CRIED BECAUSE HE CRIED - MUM CRIED BECAUSE JENNIE CRIED - JO HN CRIED BECAUSE MUM CRIED - AND I CRIED BECAUSE I MADE EVER YBODY ELSE CRY . $ THEN DICKON STARTED TO LAUGH AT US CRYING - THEN JENNIE LAUG HED AT DICKON BECAUSE HE WAS LAUGHING AT US CRYING - THEN MU M LAUGHED AT JENNIE AND JOHN LAUGHED AT MUM - AND EVERYONE W AS LAUGHING 'COS I WAS CRYING AT SOMETHING THEY WERE LAUGHIN G AT - AND YOU REMEMBER WHAT I SAID ? $ I SAID , ' NOW IF I LAUGH EVERYONE 'S GOT TO PROMISE NOT TO START CRYING AGAIN ! ' $ < ( MICHAELA AND MUM COLLAPSE WITH LAUGHTER . $ DAD JOINS IN . $ JOHN COMES INTO THE ROOM , PULLS HIMSELF TOGETHER AND BEGINS TO LAUGH SLIGHTLY OFF-KEY WITH THEM . $ THEIR LAUGHING DIES AWAY AND ONLY JOHN CONTINUES . $ HIS LAUGHTER HAS TURNED INTO HYSTERIA . ) > $ < ( QUIETLY . ) > $ REALLY ? $ #125 $ < ACT TWO > $ < IT IS TWO WEEKS LATER . $ MID-DAY . . IT IS VERY HOT . $ THE GREENS' BACK GARDEN AS IN ACT 1 , SCENE 1 . $ DICKON JUNIOR IS LYING ON HIS STOMACH BESIDE THE GARDEN BENC H IN A POSE OF CONCENTRATION . $ PAPERS ETC. ARE SCATTERED AROUND HIM . $ THERE IS A HOME-MADE TELESCOPE IN FRONT OF HIM WHICH HE PEER S INTO PERIODICALLY . $ HE IS MUTTERING TO HIMSELF WITH VAGUE GESTICULATIONS . $ 05 TIME CANNOT EXIST . $ ONLY SPACE . $ AND THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE MEASURED IN TERMS OF ENERGY AND NO ENERGY . $ TO STAND OUTSIDE THE UNIVERSE - TO SURVEY THE ROWLING MILTON IC CHASMS OF MAN AND ALL THE FERTILITY CULTS OF POSTHUMOUS R ELIGIONS - TO SURVEY THEM WITH THE PASSIONLESS TELESCOPE OF MY MIND - THIS MUST BE DONE AND VERY SOON ! $ I AM A BRITTLE MOLECULE IN THE TRIANGULAR CIRCLE OF SPACE - AND THAT IS OF COURSE PRECOCIOUS - BUT UNFORTUNATELY IT 'S T RUE ! $ BUT ALWAYS THESE BLOODY WORDS FORM UNNECESSARY EQUATIONS BET WEEN ME AND WHAT I AM ATTEMPTING TO UTTER ! $ BUT I WILL FORMULATE THEM ALL IN MY GEOGRAPHY OF SPACE - TOM ORROW PERHAPS ! $ < ( AFTER THIS GENTLE HARANGUE , HE SQUINTS INTO HIS TELESCO PE , AT THE SAME TIME DRAWS ON HIS GRAPH PAPER WITH BOTH HAN DS . $ JENNIE ENTERS . $ SHE WALKS ROUND HIM CAUTIOUSLY , TREATING HIM WITH GREAT REV ERENCE , AND THEN SITS BESIDE HIM . ) > $ 03 WHY DO YOU ALWAYS TALK POETRY TO YOURSELF ? $ 05 THE POETRY IS IMPLIED , MY LITTLE WOOFLES . $ THE WORDS ARE NOT POETRY . $ WORDS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH POETRY . $ THAT POWER STATION THEY 'RE THUMPING INTO THE GROUND NEXT DO OR WILL HAVE MORE POETRY IN ONE WHIRR OF ITS DYNAMOS THAN SH AKESPEARE HAD IN ALL HIS SONNETS ! $ AND ONE DAY WHEN WE HARNESS THE POTENTIAL OF ATOMIC ENERGY B Y COAXING THE SCIENTIFIC BIT INTO THE FIRE-FOAMING MOUTHS OF THE HORSES OF THE SUN , WE WILL ACHIEVE A GREATER POETRY TH AN ALL MANKIND'S ARTISTRY TOGETHER . $ FOR WE WILL HAVE CAUGHT FANTASTIC GOD BY THE HEEL AND CHAINE D HIM FOREVER IN HUMAN LAUGHTER UNDER THE SEAS OF OUR AWAKEN ING - WE WILL BE GODS - EACH ONE OF US WILL BE GOD ! $ 03 IF YOU WEREN'T A POTENTIAL GENIUS , WHICH I KNOW YOU MUST BE , YOU 'D BE NUTS ! $ #126 $ 05 I 'VE FINISHED TALKING NOW . $ IS EVERYTHING READY FOR FATHER ? $ HE 'LL BE HOME SOON . $ 03 < ( GETTING UP HESITANTLY ) > $ YES . $ I WISH I COULD HELP YOU - I MEAN REALLY HELP YOU ... $ 05 GO AWAY NOW . $ I MUST TRY TO LOOK AT THE SUN AGAIN . $ RIGHT INTO IT . $ INTO THE ICE IN ITS CENTRE . $ 03 < ( DESPERATELY ) > $ BUT DICKON , YOU 'LL BLIND YOURSELF ! $ ANYONE ELSE BUT YOU THAT SPENT HALF THE HOURS THAT YOU DO LO OKING AT THE SUN WOULD GO BLIND - OR AT LEAST HAVE TO WEAR G LASSES - I CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU DON'T - WEAR GLASSES , I MEAN . $ 05 BECAUSE THEY WOULD GET IN MY WAY - AS YOU ARE DOING . $ < ( SHE MOVES SULKILY TOWARDS THE HOUSE . $ AS SHE DOES SO MICHAELA COMES OUT OF THE HOUSE WEARING A HUG E WHITE BATH ROBE AND A PAIR OF SUNGLASSES . $ IN HER CONFUSION , JENNIE BUMPS INTO MICHAELA . ) > $ 03 I 'M SORRY , MICHAELA . $ I DIDN'T SEE YOU ... $ 06 THAT 'S ALL RIGHT . $ HOW ARE YOU THIS MORNING ? $ < ( SYMPATHETICALLY ) > $ THINGS ARE BECOMING VERY DIFFICULT FOR ALL OF US , AREN'T TH EY ? $ 05 WHY DON'T YOU PUT SOMETHING ON MORE SUITABLE THAN THAT - THING - YOU 'RE WEARING ? $ 06 < ( SITTING BESIDE HIM ) > $ I 'M SORRY - I CERTAINLY DIDN'T MEAN TO OFFEND YOU . $ < ( SHE DRAWS HER BATH ROBE CLOSER ROUND HER SHOULDERS AND A CCIDENTALLY IN THE PROCESS REVEALS HER WHITE THIGH FOR A SEC OND . $ DICKON IS FASCINATED . $ SHE COVERS IT UP WITH A PLEASANT SMILE . ) > $ 03 < ( COMING TOWARDS THEM , AGGRESSIVELY ) > $ MICHAELA , YOU 'RE SUPPOSED TO BE MARRIED TO MY BROTHER ! $ I MEAN , MY OTHER BROTHER ! $ 06 IT WAS AN ACCIDENT , JENNIE , REALLY . $ 03 I 'VE BEEN WATCHING YOU . $ I DON'T LIKE TO SAY THIS BUT I HAVE - I 'VE BEEN WATCHING YO U ... $ 06 YES ? $ 03 I SAW YOU WITH MY DAD - YOU KISSED HIM ... $ 06 < ( WITH A SMILE ) > $ WELL , HE 'S A VERY HANDSOME MAN . $ 03 WAS . $ HE WAS . $ THEY STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT 'S THE MATTER WITH HIM , DO THEY , DICKON ? $ 05 WILL YOU BOTH KINDLY SHUT UP ! $ ALL I KNOW IS THEY THINK REST IS THE CURE , SO MUM AND JOHN ARE BRINGING HIM HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL - THAT 'S ALL I KNOW ! $ 03 I 'LL GO AND MAKE HIS BED , THEN . $ < ( MOVES TOWARDS THE HOUSE , BUT TURNS BACK TO THEM . ) > $ #127 $ MICHAELA , PLEASE DON'T DISTURB DICKON . $ HIS WORK IS VERY IMPORTANT , YOU KNOW . $ < ( SHE EXITS . ) > $ < ( SILENCE . ) > $ 05 I MUST ADMIT IT 'S A VERY ATTRACTIVE DRESSING GOWN - VERY HANDY - THAT TOWEL MATERIAL . $ < ( HE TOUCHES THE CORNER OF HER SLEEVE . $ HE TAKES HIS HAND AWAY ALMOST IMMEDIATELY . ) > $ I SUPPOSE YOU DON'T NEED TO WEAR ANYTHING UNDERNEATH - IN TH E SUMMER , THAT IS ... $ 06 I DON'T NEED TO - NO . $ < ( PAUSE . ) > $ I BOUGHT IT IN BERLIN JUST BEFORE MY F ... THIS SPRING - JOH N DOESN'T LIKE IT - HE SAYS IT MAKES ME LOOK - WELL , CHEAP . $ 05 HE 'S A FOOL ! $ YOU KNOW THAT ? $ A BLOODY FOOL ! $ 06 DOES HE EVER TALK ? $ TO YOU ? $ 05 AREN'T YOU FRIGHTENED OF GROWING OLD ? $ OF YOUR WHITE BREASTS SAGGING FLABBY ? $ OF THE SURPLUS FAT THAT WILL CREEP ON TO YOUR POSTERIOR WHEN YOU 'RE NOT LOOKING ? $ 06 THE SUNSHINE MAKES A DIFFERENCE THOUGH . $ IT HELPS . $ HE NEVER - ANY MORE - HE DOESN'T ... $ < ( HER EYES ARE MOIST . $ SHE TAKES OFF HER SUNGLASSES TO WIPE THEM . $ DICKON IN SLIGHT EMBARRASSMENT HANDS HER HIS HANDKERCHIEF . ) > $ 05 DON'T WET THE GRASS - IT 'S THE RAIN'S JOB . $ 06 I NEED HIM . $ TO TOUCH ME AT LEAST . $ 05 SEX IS A FREUDIAN DELUSION OF GRANDEUR , MY DEAR . $ 06 HE DOESN'T NOTICE THE PERFUME I WEAR . $ 05 EVEN IF YOU SOAKED THE MILLIONS OF SWEATY PORES THAT COMP OSE THE BREATHING MECHANISM OF YOUR BODY FOR THE NEXT SIXTY SPACES OF YOUR LIFE , BILLIONS OF TRILLIONS OF QUILLIONS OF MICROSCOPIC MICROBES WILL CONTINUE TO SNUFFLE IN YOUR ORGANI C PORES ! $ 06 PLEASE ! $ YOU 'RE MORE THAN OLD ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND ! $ DO TRY TO UNDERSTAND ! $ 05 WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU PURSUING ? $ 06 I HAVE TO TALK TO SOMEONE ! $ FOR EXAMPLE WHY DOESN'T HE KISS ME IN THE MORNING - WELL , T O ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I 'M THERE ! $ 05 KISSING IS UNSAVOURY . $ TWO HUMAN PIKE , WITH SALIVATING JAWS , ENGAGE HEAD-ON AT UN COMFORTABLE ANGLES IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE TWISTING OF THEIR UNSAVOURY SNOUTS - OR , IN WORDS YOU MIGHT UNDERSTAND , THE IR PROTRUDING PROBOSCII ... $ 06 GOTT ! $ 05 THEN THE AGGRESSIVE MALE PIKE THRUSTS A WET WRIGGLE OF FL ESH , WHICH IS COMMONLY CALLED A TONGUE , HALFWAY DOWN THE C HOKING FEMALE PIKE'S SMELLY THROAT IN A VAIN ATTEMPT TO SUCK OUT HER TONSILS ! $ 06 FORTUNATELY I DON'T THINK I UNDERSTAND YOU ! $ 05 THIS EXCITES THE SEXUAL GLANDS OF BOTH PIKES - AND BEFORE LOGIC HAS A CHANCE , TWO PIKES LOSE THEIR COLD INCIPIENT FI SHINESS , WHIP OFF THEIR FIG LEAVES AND BEGIN TO METHODICALL Y HUMP ONE ANOTHER IN THE GARDEN POND ! $ THE GREENHOUSE WATCHES EXCITEDLY AND ITS VIRGIN WHITE PAINT PANTS WITH EMULSION INTO SWEATY GOOSE PIMPLES AS THE HUMPING PROGRESSES - FRANKLY , IT DISGUSTS ME ! $ < ( A PAUSE . ) > $ 06 YOU ARE ONLY A CHILD , AREN'T YOU ? $ PAIN AND YOU HAVEN'T EVEN BUMPED IN THE NIGHT . $ < ( SHE SLOWLY ROLLS UP HER SLEEVE AND SHOWS HIM HER ARM . ) > $ AN ARM , EVEN A GERMAN ARM , IS WHITE UNDER THE MOONLIGHT . $ PAIN EXISTS WHEN AN ARM ONLY CLUTCHES MOONLIGHT AND A SHEET - WITH THE COLD HARSH BREATHING BESIDE YOU - BUT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND , DO YOU ? $ 05 JA , ICH VERSTEHE ! $ ABER ES IST NICHTS ! $ < ( HE POINTEDLY LOOKS INTO HIS TELESCOPE . ) > $ BUT THE SUN IS CLEAN - TRY TO REMEMBER THAT - FIRE IS ! $ < ( MUM'S VOICE IS HEARD FROM OFF LEFT . ) > $ 02 < ( OFF ) > $ WE 'RE BACK ] $ AND WE 'VE GOT DAD ] $ 06 < ( GETTING TO HER FEET ) > $ I WILL HELP YOU , MRS GREEN ! $ I CAN DO THAT ! $ < ( SHE EXITS , OFF LEFT . ) > $ 02 < ( OFF ) > $ I SHOULDN'T HAVE SHOUTED , DEAR . $ I NEARLY WOKE HIM UP . $ POOR DAD . $ POOR OLD LITTLE DAD ... $ < ( MUM ENTERS , WRAPPING BLANKETS ROUND DAD'S FEET . $ DAD , IN AN UNSOUND SLEEP , IS SITTING IN A WHEEL CHAIR . $ JOHN IS WHEELING HIM . $ MICHAELA LINKS HER ARM IN JOHN'S . $ SHE IGNORES DICKON . $ DICKON CONTINUES TO GAZE INTO THE TELESCOPE . ) > $ 05 < ( WITHOUT LOOKING UP ) > $ HOW IS HE ? $ 02 OH , HE 'S MUCH BETTER THAN HE WAS , DEAR . $ WE 'D BETTER TAKE HIM IN BEFORE HE SEES HIS GREENHOUSE , IT COULD UPSET HIM . $ 01 < ( WAKING UP ) > $ MUM ? $ MUM ? $ I 'VE BEEN ASLEEP - HAVEN'T I BEEN ASLEEP ? $ HOME ! $ ISN'T IT WONDERFUL ? $ SUNSHINE AND HOME ! $ 02 YES , LOVE . $ 01 < ( TRYING TO MOVE HIS LEFT ARM ) > $ I FEEL A BIT ... $ 02 HEADACHE , LOVE ? $ #129 $ 01 JUST A BIT . $ GOOD TO SEE THE GARDEN AGAIN . $ EXCEPT THAT I CAN'T REALLY SEE IT . $ 02 SHUT YOUR EYES , LOVE . $ 05 < ( HANDING THE PAIR OF SUNGLASSES MICHAELA LEFT ON THE G RASS ) > $ HERE 'S SOME SUNGLASSES , DAD . $ MICHAELA'S . $ THEY SHOULD HELP . $ 01 PUT THEM ON QUICKLY , MUM . $ < ( MUM PUTS THE GLASSES ON DAD'S NOSE . ) > $ THROUGH A GLASS - DARKLY - WHAT ? $ THAT 'S A LITTLE BETTER . $ THAT 'S MUCH BETTER . $ GOD , IT 'S GOOD TO BE HOME . $ REALLY GOOD . $ I FEEL A WELL MAN ALREADY . $ A NICE REST , SOME BOOKS , AND I 'LL BE AS RIGHT AS THE SUN . $ AND WE 'LL ALL HAVE A GOOD GIGGLE . $ HEY , YOU REMEMBER THE STORY OF THAT FAT MAN ... $ 02 WE 'D BETTER GO IN , DAD . $ YOU 'RE NOT USED TO THE SUN . $ 01 YES . $ CAN I COME OUT INTO THE GREENHOUSE - WHEN I 'VE HAD A LITTLE SLEEP - JUST A LITTLE SLEEP ? $ ... $ 02 < ( SOTTO VOCE ) > $ HE 'S GOING TO FALL , JOHN ! $ WATCH HIM ! $ < ( JOHN QUICKLY SUPPORTS DAD . ) > $ 01 < ( GROANING WITH A SPASM OF PAIN , BUT KEEPING HIS EYES CLOSED ) > $ THAT 'S NOT MUM , THAT ISN'T ! $ TOO CLUMSY FOR MUM ! $ YOU MUST BE CAREFUL WITH ME , JOHN BOY , IF I 'M GOING TO GE T BETTER . $ IT IS VERY GREAT TO BE ALIVE - ETERNITY LASTS FOR SUCH A VER Y LONG TIME - $ 05 < ( WITHOUT LOOKING UP ) > $ ETERNITY DOES NOT EXIST , FATHER . $ TIME IS A MAN MADE INSTRUMENT TO MEASURE ANIMAL DECAY - AND ETERNITY IS HYPOTHETICAL EVERLASTING TIME - ONLY SPACE EXIST S ! $ 01 OF COURSE ETERNITY EXISTS - YOU 'RE ONLY MAKING A FUNNY , AREN'T YOU ? $ ETERNITY IS MY HOPE OF CONTINUATION - WHEN I DIE - WHICH WON 'T BE FOR A VERY LONG TIME . $ ETERNITY IS PART OF GOD - WHATEVER HE MAY BE - IT MUST EXIST . $ DON'T ARGUE WITH ME ! $ 04 < ( WITH A SNARL ) > $ WHAT HAS LOGIC TO DO WITH THIS ? $ < ( HE INDICATES HIS FATHER . ) > $ 01 < ( SLIGHTLY GASPING FOR BREATH ) > $ TAKE ME IN ! $ I CANNOT STAND ARGUING . $ I HAVEN'T THE STRENGTH ... $ 02 < ( EMPHATICALLY ) > $ SAY YOU 'RE SORRY , DICKON ! $ YOU MUST SAY YOU 'RE SORRY ! $ < ( AN AWKWARD PAUSE . ) > $ 05 I 'M SORRY IF I OFFENDED YOU , FATHER , BUT UNFORTUNATELY I 'M RIGHT - THERE IS ONLY SPACE . $ 01 < ( DESPERATELY ) > $ AND NO GOD ? $ NO JESUS CHRIST ? $ NO HEAVEN ? $ NO HELL ? $ #130 $ IN THE FINAL PHYSICAL FLAME OF THE CREMATORIUM , WHEN THE BR AIN IS ALREADY DEAD AND THE GREAT AND GREEDY DECAY IS NIBBLI NG THE REMAINS OF MY LIVING-DEAD CELLS , IS THERE ONLY SPACE ? $ ONLY SCORCHED LEAVES OF MY BODY FLUTTERING IN BOUNDLESS SPAC E ? $ IT IS NOT A VERY AMUSING PROSPECT TO SOMEONE WHO ALWAYS THOU GHT HE HAD A SENSE OF HUMOUR . $ < ( HE COUGHS BADLY . ) > $ AND EVERY TIME I COUGH , I FEEL AS IF I WILL BRING UP MY ENT IRE HAGGARD LUNG FOR YOUR INSPECTION - YOUR INSPECTION , DIC KON ! $ HOW DOES MY LUNG APPEAL TO YOU - SUSPENDED IN SPACE ? $ I DON'T WANT TO DIE - I AM TOO YOUNG - FOR THE FINAL CORRUPT ION ... $ 02 < ( OVER-EXUBERANTLY ) > $ DIE ? $ I SHOULD THINK YOU DON'T ! $ YOU COULD OUT-TALK DEATH ANY DAY OF THE WEEK ! $ 01 < ( SWEATING ) > $ I 'M STIFLING HOT - PLEASE WIPE THE SWEAT OFF ME - OFF MY NO SE . $ < ( MUM TAKES OUT THE HANDKERCHIEF AND BEGINS TO WIPE HIS NO SE . ) > $ NO , HIGHER ! $ THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE ! $ THANK YOU . $ I WANT TO SLEEP - YES , THAT 'S WHAT I WANT TO DO - SLEEP - BUT I DON'T WANT TO DREAM - DREAMS ALWAYS SLIP INTO MY SLEEP - WHEN I 'M NOT LOOKING - BIG SCREAMING HORRIBLE DREAMS - A LOPSIDED CHURCH TOWER WITHOUT A BELL - THE TOWER ITSELF RIN GS ITSELF - AND I 'M STANDING ON THE TOP - RIGHT ON THE TOP - AND YOU KNOW HOW HEIGHTS FRIGHTEN ME - EVEN FIVE FEET UP O N A STEP-LADDER MAKES THE BLOOD DRUNK IN MY HEAD - BUT ON TH E TOP OF THIS LOPSIDED TOWER - ITSELF RINGING ITSELF - I AM CHAINED LIKE PROMETHEUS - IN THE LEGEND - AND THE BIRDS IN T HE AIR AND THE BEASTS OF THE FIELD FEED THEMSELVES TO SATIET Y - ENDLESS SATIETY - ON THE DELICACIES OF MY BRAIN - MY BRA IN - AND ABOVE ALL MY LUNG ! $ TAKE ME IN ! $ STOP ME THINKING ! $ STOP ME TALKING MY THINKING ! $ TAKE ME IN ! $ 02 < ( STROKING DAD'S FACE ) > $ IT 'S ALL RIGHT , LITTLE LOVE , IT 'S ALL RIGHT . $ COME ON , JOHN , WE 'LL PUT HIM TO BED . $ < ( AS THEY BEGIN TO WHEEL DAD TOWARDS THE HOUSE , JENNIE CO MES OUT FLUSTERED . ) > $ 03 < ( CUDDLING DAD ) > $ HELLO , LITTLE DAD , I 'VE JUST MADE YOUR BED UP IN THE FRON T ROOM . $ YOU 'RE BETTER , AREN'T YOU ? $ 01 YOU 'VE MADE MY BED UP , THAT 'S A CLEVER LITTLE GIRL , T HAT 'S VERY CLEVER . $ YOU MUSTN'T ARGUE , DICKON - WHEN I 'M BETTER YOU CAN - AND THAT WON'T BE LONG - MARVELLOUS , THAT 'LL BE - WE 'LL HAVE A BLOODY BIG SET-TO THEN , WON'T WE , MATE ? $ < ( VERY SLEEPILY ) > $ MADE THE BED ALL ON YOUR OWN , DID YOU ? $ #131 $ JENNIE 'S A VERY CLEVER LITTLE GIRL ... $ < ( HE FALLS ASLEEP . ) > $ < ( MUM PUTS HER FINGER TO HER LIPS AND MOTIONS JOHN TO WHEE L DAD INTO THE HOUSE . ) > $ 04 < ( AS HE DOES SO ) > $ DICKON , YOU BLOODY LITTLE FOOL ! $ < ( MUM , JOHN AND JENNIE EXIT WITH DAD INTO THE HOUSE . ) > $ 05 < ( TO HIMSELF ) > $ DOES THE SUN EXPAND IN TERMS OF ITS OWN CAPACITY IN SPACE OR DOES IT DECREASE ? $ AND HOW DOES ONE MEASURE IT ? $ TO MEASURE FIRE ... $ 06 WHAT ARE YOU , DICKON ? $ 05 < ( WITHOUT LOOKING UP ) > $ A LITTLE MORE THAN YOU - BUT STILL NOT MUCH ! $ 06 < ( ANGRILY ) > $ YOU MUST BE TAUGHT RESPECT ! $ YOU MUST ! $ < ( SHE EXITS INTO THE HOUSE . ) > $ 05 < ( ALONE NOW ) > $ I FEEL I CAN SEE INTO THE CENTRE OF THE SUN . $ I PASS THROUGH THE COLOURS OF THE PRISMS THAT AS YET ARE UNN AMED BECAUSE UNNOTICED . $ IT IS EASY TO SEE WHY THE ANCIENTS SAW GOD IN THE SUN AND TH E SUN IN GOD . $ EVEN CHRIST WAS CALLED THE SON OF GOD . $ DIFFERENT SPELLING , OF COURSE , BUT THE SAME CONCEPT OF BEA UTIFUL TERROR . $ WHY DO I PRETEND ? $ ABOUT MY FATHER . $ MY FATHER . $ IT 'S SO BLOODY RIDICULOUS ! $ 03 < ( COMING INTO THE GARDEN EXCITEDLY AND HOLDING A PLATE PILED HIGH WITH BEEF SANDWICHES ) > $ ISN'T IT MARVELLOUS ? $ DAD BEING HOME ? $ EVERYTHING 'S GOING TO BE FINE NOW . $ JOHN SAID THAT DAD WILL BE WELL AGAIN SOON . $ OF COURSE HE 'LL NEED THREE OR FOUR MONTHS CONVALESCING . $ HIS ARM DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GETTING ANY BETTER THOUGH , DOES IT ? $ < ( OFFERING DICKON A SANDWICH . ) > $ I BROUGHT THESE OUT BECAUSE I KNOW GENIUSES NEVER EAT PROPER LY . $ AND SOMEONE 'S GOT TO LOOK AFTER YOU . $ 05 YOU 'RE TALKING TOO MUCH , SISTER MINE ! $ WHY MUST YOU TALK SUCH NONSENSE ? $ SUCH BORING NONSENSE ? $ 03 < ( HURT ) > $ WELL , IT 'S THE ONLY WAY I KNOW HOW TO TALK . $ DON 'T YOU WANT A SANDWICH ? $ I MADE THEM SPECIALLY - SILVERSIDE BEEF WITH CHOPPED ONIONS - AND BROWN BREAD - AND BUTTER AND NOT MARGARINE - AND THE O NIONS WERE SPECIALLY FOR YOU - YOU LIKE ONIONS , DON'T YOU ? $ THOUGH I DO WISH YOU 'D CLEAN YOUR TEETH AFTERWARDS ... $ 05 PLEASE BE QUIET ! $ I AM NOT INTERESTED IN YOUR TITTLE TATTLE . $ IT IS IRRELEVANT TO THE UNIVERSE . $ 03 AND I SUPPOSE YOU ARE - RELEVANT ! $ YOU 'RE SPECIAL - BUT EVEN I KNOW THAT . $ #132 $ THOUGH DOES BEING SPECIAL STOP YOU EATING SILVERSIDE AND CHO PPED ONIONS ? $ DOES IT STOP YOU BEING CIVIL ? $ 05 < ( GENTLY ) > $ PERHAPS JOHN ISN'T TELLING YOU THE TRUTH . $ 03 JOHN NEVER TELLS REAL LIES - EXCEPT TO YOU , OF COURSE ! $ 05 WHAT HAPPENS IF FATHER ISN'T GETTING BETTER ? $ 03 WHAT DO YOU MEAN ? $ JOHN SAID ... $ 05 PERHAPS HE WAS TRYING TO SMOOTH THE FUTURE FOR YOU . $ 03 < ( DESPERATELY ) > $ DADDY 'S GOING TO GET WELL ! $ HE IS ! $ HE 'S GOT TO ! $ 05 FOR YOU , MY LITTLE WOOFLES ! $ 03 WHY DO YOU HAVE TO SAY MEAN THINGS LIKE THAT ? $ MAYBE THAT 'S HOW YOU THINK . $ THAT 'S MAN THINKING . $ BUT ME , I 'M WORRIED ABOUT YOU ALL . $ < ( SHE BEGINS TO EAT A SANDWICH NERVOUSLY . ) > $ I 'M WORRIED ABOUT MUM . $ SHE 'S HAD A HELL OF A LIFE . $ YOU BOYS WEREN'T EASY . $ ALWAYS FIGHTING . $ IT 'S NOT EASY , YOU KNOW . $ 05 MAYBE FATHER IS PRETENDING . $ < ( JOHN ENTERS QUIETLY WITHOUT THEM NOTICING . ) > $ AND MAYBE JOHN KNOWS MORE , MUCH MORE ... $ 04 YOU BLOODY LITTLE TROUBLE-MAKER , YOU MAKE ME SICK ! $ YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ANYONE BUT YOURSELF . $ I 'VE A GOOD MIND TO GIVE YOU THE BIGGEST HIDING OF YOUR LIF E ! $ 05 < ( IGNORING HIM ) > $ DON'T SHOUT , BROTHER , IT DOESN'T BECOME YOU . $ ANYWAY I DON'T LIKE TO BE BATTERED WITH PRIMITIVE SOUND WAVE S . $ I UNDERSTAND THE APE MAN TERMINATED AN ERA OF PRIMEVAL SWAMP S AND VEGETATING DINOSAURS . $ HOW DID YOU SLIP OUT ? $ 04 < ( ROUGHLY PUSHING DICKON'S HEAD AWAY FROM THE TELESCOPE ) > $ LITTLE SWINE ! $ 03 DON'T FIGHT , BOYS ! $ PLEASE DON'T FIGHT ! $ SHE 'S NOT WORTH FIGHTING OVER ! $ 04 WHO 'S NOT WORTH FIGHTING OVER ? $ 05 < ( WITH QUIET MENACE TO JENNIE ) > $ LEAVE WHAT YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND , WOOFLES . $ I KNOW WHY YOU DO IT - AND I 'M VERY SORRY . $ GO IN NOW . $ 04 < ( GRABBING JENNIE BY HER ARM ) > $ WHAT ARE YOU TWO TALKING ABOUT ? $ 03 < ( TRYING TO PULL AWAY FROM JOHN ) > $ NOBODY AT ALL . $ YOU 'RE CRUEL TO ME , DICKON , AND I CARE . $ I UNDERSTAND YOU - NOT THE WORDS - BUT YOU I UNDERSTAND ... $ 04 LOOK , WHAT 'S GOING ON HERE ? $ I WANT TO KNOW ! $ I 'VE A RIGHT TO KNOW ! $ IS IT ANYTHING TO DO WITH MY WIFE ? $ #133 $ 05 JENNIE , TELL MUM I 'LL COME AND WASH DAD ... $ 03 WHY DO YOU PRETEND THERE 'S NOTHING WITH US ? $ DOES IT MAKE YOU FEEL BRAVE - BEING LONELY ? $ YOU ONLY DO IT TO SPITE ME . $ 05 < ( VICIOUSLY ) > $ DON'T MAKE A SCENE ! $ IT USES ENERGY WHICH MUST BE CHANNELLED FOR THE COMING GENER ATIONS ... $ 03 FOR GOD'S SAKE , STOP PLAYING AT GOD ! $ CAN'T YOU SAY YOU 'RE WRONG ? $ JUST ONCE ? $ WITH DAD ILL , VERY ILL , AND MUM WORRIED , SICK WITH WORRY - AND YOU GO ON ABOUT THE SUN - AND SPACE - AND THINGS THAT AREN'T HUMAN - THAT WON'T HELP ME TO COOK - OR LOOK AFTER YO U - OR GO TO THE OFFICE EVERY DAY ? $ WHAT DO YOU OFFER ME ? $ AND THE LITTLE ME'S THAT ARE LIKE ME ? $ WE WANT REAL HELP ! $ NOT A LOT OF WORDS AND BIG GESTURES - AND COLD TALKING ABOUT THE STARS ! $ YOU CAN'T HELP SPACE ! $ STRAIN YOUR EYES , AND BATTER YOUR BRAIN UNTIL THE DAY YOU D IE , YOU WON'T HAVE HELPED THE SUN ANY ! $ YOU WON'T HAVE MADE THE SLIGHTEST DIFFERENCE TO THE MOON OR THE STARS ! $ THEY 'LL GET ON VERY WELL WITHOUT YOU ! $ AND NOW YOU 'VE GOT ME TALKING LIKE YOU ! $ TALKING A LOT OF OLD RUBBISH ! $ < ( SHE BRUSHES A TEAR FROM HER EYE . ) > $ OH , WHAT 'S THE USE ! $ YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HUMAN VOICES ! $ < ( STILL HOLDING THE PLATE OF SANDWICHES SHE RUSHES TOWARDS THE HOUSE . $ DICKON CALLS AFTER HER . ) > $ 05 JENNIE , LITTLE WOOFLES , I 'M OF THE FUTURE - POMPOUS TH OUGH IT SOUNDS . $ AND I AM ONLY OF USE TO THE FUTURE . $ LOOK AT ME ! $ I 'M A SLIGHTLY TUBBY SEVENTEEN-AND-A-HALF-YEAR-OLD BOY - WH O LIVES INSIDE HIS HEAD . $ I 'M ONLY OF USE TO THE GENERATIONS WHO WILL LIVE INSIDE THE IR HEADS . $ THE GENERATIONS WHO WILL TRAVEL THE SPACES OF THE UNIVERSE - UNTIL THEY REACH THE POINT WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING AT ALL . $ ONLY ENERGY AND VOID . $ ENERGY TRYING TO CREATE MORE ENERGY , WHICH HAS TURNED OUT T O BE PLANETS AND MAN AND LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT . $ AND VOID WHICH ONLY WANTS TO BE VOID . $ SPACES OF NOTHING . $ AND IT IS MY LIFE TO TRY AND PREVENT VOID POSSESSING THE FUT URE GENERATIONS . $ I AM , IF YOU LIKE , A SUN-SPOT TRYING TO GROW ROSES IN SPAC E FOR THE FUTURE AND FOR MAN AND HIS BIGGER LITTLE THINGS ! < ( HE PICKS UP A SHEET OF GRAPH PAPER WHICH HE THRUSTS UNDE R JENNIE'S NOSE . ) > $ LOOK , I 'LL SHOW YOU THE PROOF OF MY EFFORTS ! $ HERE ON THIS GRAPH PAPER ! $ 03 < ( TAKING THE GRAPH PAPER WITH LOATHING FROM HIM ) > $ I 'VE SPENT HOURS LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE THIS - WHEN YOU 'VE NOT BEEN AROUND . $ AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND . $ I 'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND ! $ IT 'S NOT HUMAN ! $ I HATE IT ! $ #134 $ < ( SAVAGELY SHE TEARS THE GRAPH PAPER , AND IN THE PROCESS DROPS HER PLATE OF SANDWICHES . ) > $ I HATE IT ! $ IT HURTS YOU ! $ IT MAKES YOU GO AWAY FROM ME ! $ < ( DICKON , AS IF POSSESSED , GOES FOR JENNIE'S THROAT - TO STRANGLE HER . $ SWIFTLY JOHN WRENCHES DICKON OFF THE FALLEN JENNIE . $ DICKON THEN THROWS JOHN TO THE GROUND AND STANDS OVER HIM IN A KARATI STANCE . $ JOHN IS ABOUT TO GET UP TO GO FOR DICKON . ) > $ 04 YOU 'VE ASKED FOR THIS ! $ FOR A VERY LONG TIME YOU 'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS ! $ < ( JOHN GETS UP AND BEGINS TO CIRCLE DICKON LOOKING FOR AN OPENING . ) > $ 03 < ( RUSHING BETWEEN THEM ) > $ IT 'S WRONG ! $ IT 'S SO WRONG ! $ YOU 'RE OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER ! $ I 'M SORRY - IT 'S ALL MY FAULT ! $ I 'LL STICK YOUR GRAPH PAPER TOGETHER , DICKON ! $ THERE 'S SOME SELLOTAPE IN THE HOUSE . $ IT 'LL LOOK LIKE NEW ! $ IT 'S THE LAST THING I WANTED TO DO ! $ THE LAST THING ! $ PLEASE DON'T ! $ PLEASE ! $ IT WON'T MAKE ANYTHING BETTER ... $ 05 < ( LOWERS HIS KARATI GUARD ) > $ I WOULD HAVE STRANGLED YOU , JENNIE . $ AFTER THE ANGER , I FELT QUITE COLD - LIKE EXTERMINATING A B EETLE IN A CELLAR . $ YOU WERE AGAINST PROGRESS . $ SO I WOULD HAVE SQUASHED YOU . $ < ( HE IS PRACTICALLY CRYING WITH FRUSTRATION AND ANGER . ) > $ 04 < ( PROTECTIVELY PUTTING AN ARM ROUND JENNIE'S SHOULDERS ) > $ IN YOU GO , JENNIE . $ < ( SHE BENDS TO PICK UP THE SANDWICHES . ) > $ I 'LL HELP YOU , LOVE . $ < ( HE DOES SO . ) > $ WE WON'T FIGHT - NOW - NOT NOW , AT LEAST ! $ BUT SOON I 'LL HAVE TO SLOW HIM DOWN - PUT HIM UNDER THE STA RTER'S ORDERS AGAIN ... SOON ... $ < ( JENNIE , HOLDING THE PLATE OF SANDWICHES , SMILES AT DIC KON , WHO ONLY GLOWERS . ) > $ 03 THANK YOU , JOHN . $ < ( SHE EXITS . ) > $ < ( THE BROTHERS STAND FACING ONE ANOTHER NOT KNOWING WHAT T O SAY . $ THE SHARP EXPLOSION OF A PILE BEING DRIVEN INTO THE GROUND I S HEARD FROM BEHIND THE WALL . $ JENNIE'S VOICE IS HEARD SHOUTING OVER IT . ) > $ 03 < ( OFF ) > $ DICKON ! $ JOHN ! $ COME IN ] $ DAD WANTS YOU TO WALK HIM TO THE GREENHOUSE ! $ 04 < ( SHOUTING ) > $ WE 'RE COMING ! $ < ( TO DICKON ) > $ I WANT TO TALK TO YOU . $ 05 EVERYONE DOES . $ 04 LET 'S GO AND HELP DAD ! $ OR IS THAT BELOW YOUR DIGNITY ? $ THAT 'S HELPING MAN , REMEMBER ! $ 05 < ( QUIETLY ) > $ PERHAPS IT 'S ONLY HELPING DEATH . $ 04 WHAT DO YOU MEAN ? $ I NEVER ... $ #135 $ 05 DIRECTLY YOU TOLD ME NOTHING - THAT IS TRUE . $ BUT THERE WAS NO NEED TO TELL JENNIE AN OUTRIGHT LIE . $ 04 YOU KNOW THEN ? $ 05 I DIDN'T A MOMENT AGO . $ I DO NOW . $ 04 < ( WATCHING DICKON TIDYING HIS RIPPED GRAPH PAPER ) > $ COME ON . $ STOP FIDDLING WITH THOSE BLOODY PAPERS ! $ 05 < ( DISPASSIONATELY ) > $ YOU 'RE FRIGHTENED , AREN'T YOU ? $ BIG BROTHER IS A LITTLE NERVOUS . $ THE ARTISTIC MIND , YOURS FOR INSTANCE , SEES NOTHING IN DEC AY , ONLY THE SICKLY PERFUME OF FULL-BLOWN PEARS - AND THE S HAKESPEAREAN WORM - BUT NONE OF THAT MATTERS , BIG BROTHER , NONE OF IT ! $ 04 < ( WILDLY POINTING IN THE DIRECTION OF THE HOUSE ) > $ TO HIM IT MATTERS ! $ EVERY POCKET OF AIR HIS NOSTRILS LATCH ON MATTERS TO HIM ! $ THE FEEL OF WARM HANDS ON HIS COOLING ARMS MATTERS TO HIM ! THE SUN , WHICH BURNS HIS EYES LIKE CHESTNUTS , MATTERS TO H IM - AND IN TIME , SONNY BOY , THEY 'LL MATTER TO YOU ! $ ESPECIALLY THE FEAR - TO YOU ! $ THE FEAR THAT ALL YOUR YEARS OF TELESCOPES AND GRAPH PAPER M AY BE YET ONLY ANOTHER ILLUSION ! $ SPACE WASTED TO QUOTE YOU ! $ AND DON'T YOU DARE DROP DAD WHILST YOU PRETEND TO THINK UP T HE ANSWERS TO THE QUANTUM THEORY ! $ < ( MUM AND MICHAELA APPEAR SUPPORTING FATHER . ) > $ 04 < ( GOING TO THEM AND RELIEVING MICHAELA ) > $ NOW LOOK WHAT YOU 'VE BLOODY DONE , DICKON , WITH YOUR TALKI NG ! $ < ( TO MICHAELA ) > $ I WANT TO TALK TO YOU . $ 01 < ( LAUGHING HIMSELF ) > $ YOUR OLD DAD 'S DEVELOPED INTO A RIGHT OLD GOLLIWOG ! $ OOOPS ! $ < ( DAD IS IN HIS DRESSING GOWN WITH HIS PYJAMAS UNDERNEATH . $ SUDDENLY HIS PYJAMA TROUSERS DROP ROUND HIS ANKLES . ) > $ ANYTHING FOR A LAUGH - THAT 'S ME ! $ < ( EVERYONE LAUGHS SELF-CONSCIOUSLY . ) > $ WELL , HELP ME , MUM ! $ < ( MUM HAS BEEN TUGGING THEM UP FROM THE MOMENT THEY FELL D OWN , AT THE SAME TIME AS TRYING TO SUPPORT DAD . ) > $ DON'T BE SO USELESS , DICKON , HELP YOUR MUM ! $ < ( DICKON TAKES OVER SUPPORTING DAD . $ DICKON AND JOHN GLOWER AT ONE ANOTHER . ) > $ STEADY ON , DICKON , LAD ! $ 05 SORRY , DAD , I DIDN'T MEAN IT ... $ #136 $ 01 A SACK OF POTATOES - THAT 'S ME - LOOKING FOR A CHIP MACH INE ! $ 02 < ( MANAGING TO SECURE THE PYJAMA TROUSERS ROUND DAD'S WA IST ) > $ TAKE IT STEADY , DAD ! $ HELP ME SIT HIM ON THE BENCH , BOYS ! $ < ( THEY LUG DAD OVER AND PROP HIM ON THE BENCH . ) > $ THAT 'S BETTER . $ 01 < ( STARING AT THE RIVER ) > $ THE RIVER DOESN'T NEED EMERALD FINGERS - IT NEEDS NO ONE'S F INGERS . $ THE RIVER NEEDS NOTHING OR NO ONE BUT THE SEA . $ DOESN'T AGE EITHER - ONLY CHANGES ... $ 02 YOU MUSTN'T TALK SO MUCH , LOVE , YOU 'LL GET EXCITED . $ IT 'S BAD FOR YOU . $ 04 < ( GRABBING MICHAELA BY THE ARM ) > $ WHAT ARE YOU UP TO , EH , MICHAELA ? $ 06 < ( IN A WHISPER ) > $ NOT IN FRONT OF YOUR FATHER ... $ 04 < ( RAISING HIS VOICE ) > $ I DON'T CARE IF IT 'S IN FRONT OF JESUS CHRIST ! $ I WANT TO KNOW ! $ FLIRTING WITH DICKON , WERE YOU ? $ 06 GOTT ! $ 04 DON'T MESS ME ABOUT , MICHAELA ! $ 02 PLEASE DON'T ROW ... $ 04 < ( EXASPERATED ) > $ OH , MUM , YOU JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND ! $ 01 WHAT 'S TODAY ? $ MONDAY ? $ SUNDAY ? $ GOOD FRIDAY ? $ CHRISTMAS DAY ? $ IT WOULD BE SNOWING OF COURSE - IN GERMANY . $ NEVER SNOWS IN ENGLAND - RAINS OF COURSE . $ LIKE IN WALES . $ ALWAYS RAINS IN WALES - EXCEPT OF COURSE WHEN IT SNOWS . $ RAINS ALL THE TIME IN WALES . $ TAKE ME INTO THE GREENHOUSE . $ I WANT TO SEE THE TOMATOES - MINIATURE MARS ... $ 02 I DON'T THINK YOU OUGHT , LOVE . $ YOU 'RE TOO TIRED . $ TOMORROW PERHAPS ... $ 01 I 'VE NOT REACHED THE COMPLETE STATE OF BEING HELPED ! $ TAKE ME INTO THE GREENHOUSE . $ OR I 'LL CRAWL IN LIKE AN ANT ! $ WITH ONLY MY OWN WEIGHT ON MY BACK . $ THE WEIGHT ! $ THE BATTLESHIP WEIGHT OF ME ... $ < ( HE SLITHERS TO HIS KNEES . ) > $ 04 < ( HYSTERICALLY , TRYING TO HELP DAD ) > $ I JUST CAN'T BEAR IT , DAD - I CAN'T ! ! $ 01 < ( CLINGING TO THE BENCH ) > $ FOR MY SAKE , SON , PRETEND TO ! $ DON'T TALK ABOUT IT ! $ THAT 'S MY PRIVILEGE ! $ OLD KING COLE WAS A MERRY OLD SOUL ! $ AND A MERRY OLD FOOL WAS HE ! $ WHO 'S GOING TO GIVE THIS OLD FOOL A HAND , EH ? $ THE RIVER WON'T - NOR THE BREAM NOR THE PERCH - AND THE SUN' S AS DISPASSIONATE AS EVER - THERE 'S ONLY US GROVELLERS CA N HELP US GROVELLERS GROVEL ! $ #137 $ FOR THE ANTS WOULD TEAR US APART IF THEY COULD ! $ JUICE BY BONE BY FIBRE . $ TEAR US WITH THEIR PLIER MANDIBLES AND DUNGY FANGS . $ THEY 'RE DOWN HERE - IN THE GRASS . $ LOOK ! $ THERE 'S MORE THAN ONE . $ THERE ALWAYS IS . $ HERE 'S ONE . $ < ( PUTTING HIS PALM FIRMLY IN THE GRASS , HE ALLOWS AN ANT TO CRAWL ALONG THE BACK OF HIS HAND . ) > $ LOOK AT LITTLE INSECT-FACE ! $ WADING THROUGH THE WHITE JUNGLE OF HAIRS ON THE BACK OF MY H AND . $ SQUIRMING THROUGH HUMAN UNDERGROWTH . $ SHALL I KILL HIM ? $ HE 'S NO GOOD FOR THE GARDEN . $ HE 'S NO GOOD FOR ANYTHING . $ ONLY FOR THE ANTS . $ ANTS FOR THE ANTS . $ IN OLD KING COLE'S PANTS . $ AS THE OLD MAN RANTS . $ IN HIS ONE STEP DANCE ! $ < ( JOHN SUDDENLY SWIPES THE ANT OFF DAD'S HAND AND PROCEEDS TO GRIND IT INTO THE GRASS WITH HIS HEEL . ) > $ WHY DID YOU DO THAT ? $ DEATH IS THE EASY WAY OUT ... $ 04 < ( PASSIONATELY ) > $ BLOODY LITTLE CREEPING THING ! $ WHAT RIGHT HAS IT GOT TO LIVE AND ... $ 01 SHUT UP WILL YOU ! $ WE ALL KNOW , SO SHUT UP ! $ 05 < ( INTO JOHN'S EAR BUT DAD HEARS IT ) > $ I 'LL BREAK YOUR NECK IF YOU DON'T CONTROL YOURSELF , BIG BR OTHER ! $ 01 THAT 'S IT , BOYS , WRANGLE ! $ I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT ! $ MAKE ME LOOK A BLOODY FOOL ! $ TAKE ME INTO THE GREENHOUSE ! $ 05 OKAY . $ WE 'LL STAND YOU UP , DAD , AND TAKE YOU INTO THE GREENHOUSE ! $ < ( JOHN AND DICKON LIFT DAD TO HIS FEET . $ DAD TRIPS OVER HIS PYJAMAS , WHICH HAVE FALLEN DOWN AGAIN . $ HE NEARLY PITCHES ON TO HIS FACE , BUT THE BOYS CATCH HIM . ) > $ 01 TIE THEM UP PROPERLY THIS TIME , LOVE , OR I 'LL BREAK MY NECK ! $ < ( MUM STARTS TYING THEM UP . ) > $ OOH , NOT SO TIGHT ! $ THERE 'S NO NEED TO MAKE ME FEEL AS IF I 'M WEARING A GIRDLE ! $ LIKE YOUR MUM DOES . $ DON'T YOU DEAR ? $ YOU WEAR AN UNCOMFORTABLE LITTLE GIRDLE , DON'T YOU LOVE ? $ TO KEEP THOSE LOVELY BABY ROLLS OF BLUBBER UNDER CONTROL ... $ 02 I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU 'RE TALKING ABOUT . $ KEEP STILL , WHILE I GET THIS TIED PROPERLY . $ 01 I BET SHE 'S BLUSHING ! $ 02 NO , I 'M NOT ! $ 01 PINK CARNATION ! $ THAT 'S THE COLOUR SHE USED TO BLUSH , AND WITH A BIT OF LUC K IT WOULD BLOSSOM INTO PURE STEAMED BEETROOT ! $ LOVELY ! $ COME HERE , EILEEN LOVE , LET 'S HAVE A PROPER LOOK AT YOU . .. $ #138 $ 02 NOT IN FRONT OF THE KIDS ... $ 04 WE 'RE TRYING TO WALK YOU TO THE GREENHOUSE , DAD ... $ 01 < ( STROKING MUM WITH HIS LEFT HAND . $ JOHN AND DICKON SUPPORT HIM ) > $ I CAN'T SEE YOU PROPERLY , EILEEN . $ I CAN'T SEE YOU , LITTLE EILEEN ... $ 02 < ( AS DAD STROKES HER FACE ) > $ YOU 'RE JUST TIRED , DICKON . $ TIRED ... $ 01 < ( STROKING THE BACK OF MUM'S NECK ) > $ YOU NEVER WOULD SNIP OFF THOSE SILKY HAIRS AT THE NAPE OF YO OR NECK , WOULD YOU , LOVE ? $ I CAN FEEL THEM CURL SOFT ROUND MY LITTLE FINGER . $ I CAN'T SEE THEM THOUGH - CAN'T SEE THEM ... $ 02 < ( GENTLY REMOVING HER FACE , BEGINS TO HOLD HIS FACE BE TWEEN HER TWO HANDS ) > $ POOR LITTLE FACE , POOR LITTLE ... $ 01 WE MUST LOOK A SIGHT ! $ ME , WITH MY PYJAMAS SUSPENDED , WITH A BIT OF LUCK , ROUND MY KNEES ... AND WOBBLING LIKE A BABY IN THE WIND - AND YOU WITH TEARS DRIPPING DOWN YOUR NOSE - DON'T DENY IT , EILEEN - I CAN FEEL THEM - DRIP - DRIP , SLIP - SLOP . $ < ( MUM , SELF-CONSCIOUSLY WIPES HER EYES . ) > $ NOW THEY 'RE ALL OVER YOUR RED WASHING-UP HANDS , EILEEN . $ RIGHT CHARLIES , WE MUST LOOK ! $ < ( HE LURCHES FORWARD , GRIPPING HIS ABDOMEN . ) > $ OH , NO , NO ! $ I THINK I 'M GOING TO BE SICK ... I KNOW PRODUCTS FROM THE R EAR END ARE SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR THE GARDEN BUT I 'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT THE GLORIES FROM THE ORAL ORIFICE ! $ I 'M GOING ... $ < ( HE IS NOT SICK , BUT FALLS INTO A DEAD FAINT ; THE BOYS SUPPORT HIM . ) > $ 02 OH MY GOD ! $ LET 'S GET HIM BACK INTO THE HOUSE ! $ 04 IT 'S ALL RIGHT YOU SHOUTING , MUM , BUT HE 'S BLOODY HEA VY - A DEAD WEIGHT ! $ 06 CAN I HELP ? $ < ( TRYING TO DO SO . $ JOHN PUSHES HER OUT OF THE WAY . ) > $ 02 < ( RUSHING AT JOHN ) > $ DON'T YOU DARE SAY THINGS LIKE THAT IN MY HOUSE ! $ < ( SHE GRABS JOHN BY THE HAIR AND INEFFECTIVELY BEGINS TO S HAKE HIM ... $ DICKON IS LEFT TRYING TO SUPPORT DAD . $ MICHAELA LOOKS ON BEWILDERED . ) > $ HAVE YOU NOTHING LIKE FEELINGS IN YOU ? $ YOU MUSTN'T - PLEASE HELP ME SOMEONE - PLEASE ... $ 04 < ( BREAKING AWAY FROM MUM , HE TRIES TO PLACATE HER ) > $ I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT , MUM ! $ I WAS ONLY TRYING TO BLOODY HELP ! $ EVERYTHING I DO SEEMS TO BE WRONG ! $ I 'M SICK TO DEATH OF IT - THERE I BLOODY GO AGAIN ... $ #139 $ 02 PLEASE GO AWAY , JOHN , I JUST CAN'T TAKE ANY MORE . $ 04 < ( FURIOUSLY ) > $ I 'M GOING BACK TO LONDON , NOW ! $ WHAT ELSE CAN I DO ? $ MICHAELA , WE 'RE GOING TO PACK ! $ 06 ARE YOU ? $ 04 CHRIST JESUS ! $ < ( HE STORMS INTO THE HOUSE . ) > $ < ( DICKON PUTS HIS ARMS ROUND MUM , WHO IS STANDING WATCHIN G DAD WITH TEARS POURING DOWN HER FACE . ) > $ 05 YOU ALL RIGHT , MOTHER ? $ 02 ALWAYS THE WORST HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE YOU SOFTEN . $ LOOK AT YOUR FATHER . $ IT 'S NOT RIGHT . $ WHATEVER YOU SAY IT ISN'T RIGHT ... $ 05 HE LOOKS PEACEFUL ENOUGH - LIKE ASLEEP . $ WE DON'T NEED THE DOCTOR , DO WE ? $ HE WILL ONLY PRESCRIBE THE MEDICINE OF WAITING . $ 01 < ( RECOVERING FROM HIS FAINT ) > $ MUM ? $ MUM ? $ < ( MUM SITS BESIDE HIM ON THE BENCH AND THEN CRADLES HIS HE AD IN HER LAP . ) > $ 02 COME ON , I 'LL TAKE YOU BACK TO BED , DICKON . $ 01 < ( AGGRESSIVELY ) > $ I 'M NEVER GOING BACK IN THERE UNTIL I 'M BETTER ! $ I WANT TO STAY OUT HERE ! $ 02 BE REASONABLE , DAD , IT 'S GETTING LATE . $ $ YOU 'LL NEED A CUP OF TEA OR SOMETHING . $ 01 < ( SHOUTING ) > $ BOYS ! $ WHERE 'S JOHN ? $ I CAN'T FEEL HIM AROUND ME . $ I CAN'T SMELL HIS ANGER . $ WHERE IS HE ? $ MY HEADACHE 'S BACK - REALLY BACK ... $ 06 HE 'S GONE TO MAKE SOME TEA , MR GREEN . $ LET ME HELP YOU INTO THE HOUSE . $ DO YOU LIKE MY PERFUME ? $ I 'VE PUT IT ON ESPECIALLY FOR YOU ... $ 01 I WANT YOU ALL TO CLEAR ALL THE STUFF OUT OF THE GREENHOU SE - ALL OF IT - AND MAKE MY BED UP IN THERE ! $ 05 WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT , DAD ? $ YOU CAN'T SLEEP IN THERE ! $ THE AIR IS POISONOUS WITH PLANT FUMES - $ 01 IT 'LL BE A GOOD JOKE TO SEE WHICH GETS ME FIRST ; THE PL ANT FUMES - OR THE CANKER IN THE ROSE . $ SO DO AS I BLOODY TELL YOU ! $ 02 YOU CAN'T SLEEP IN THERE , DICKON , EVEN IF WE CLEAR OUT THE PLACE - BECAUSE THE DOCTOR WOULD NEVER AGREE . $ 01 THE DOCTOR CAN ROAST IN THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT OF HADES ! $ HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT 'S THE MATTER WITH ME ! $ AT LEAST HE WON'T ADMIT THAT HE KNOWS ! $ ANYWAY NOBODY TELLS ME ANYTHING - ONLY WORDS - NOT ANYTHING THAT IS ANYTHING ! $ SO GET THAT HOSE-PIPE OUT AND SWILL THE GREENHOUSE OUT - MAK E MY BED ! $ IT WILL BE LOVELY WITH SUN IN THERE IN THE MORNING - SUN ON THE MOUSE COLOURED RIVER . $ #140 $ YOU CAN PUT THE BLINDS UP WHEN IT 'S MID-DAY . $ BUT DO IT NOW ! $ < ( HE CLAWS HIS WAY TO HIS FEET . ) > $ I SAY , DO IT NOW ! $ < ( DICKON GRABS AT DAD TO RESTRAIN HIM . $ DAD EVADES HIM AND STAGGERS TOWARDS THE GREENHOUSE . ) > $ 02 STOP HIM ! $ HE 'LL KILL HIMSELF ! $ < ( DICKON MANAGES TO LAY A HAND ON HIS FATHER . $ DAD PUSHES HIM AWAY AND STUMBLES INTO THE GREENHOUSE . $ WAVING HIS ARMS WILDLY , HE SMASHES SOME PLANT POTS . ) > $ 01 DO IT , BLAST YOU ! $ IS IT MUCH I ASK ? $ I GREW THEM - I WANT TO BE IN THEM ! $ < ( HE CLUTCHES AT A TOMATO PLANT , PULLING IT OVER AND FALL ING ON TOP OF IT . $ MUMS SCREAMS SILENTLY . $ DAD TRIES UNAVAILINGLY TO PULL HIMSELF TO HIS KNEES . $ DICKON AND MICHAELA LOOK ON HELPLESSLY . ) > $ SQUASHED TOMATOES - BLEEDING ALL OVER THE PLACE - HOSE-PIPE IT CLEAN ! $ I WANT IT CLEAN ! $ I WANT TO BE CLEAN ! $ #141 $ < ACT THREE > $ < IT IS EVENING A DAY LATER . $ SUNSET . $ DAD LIES PROPPED UP IN A BED IN THE GREENHOUSE , BREATHING H ARSHLY IN A DEEP COMA . $ OTHER THAN HIS BREATHING , THERE IS ONLY THE SOUND OF THE CH IRRUP OF CRICKETS . $ MUM ENTERS WITH A TRAY ON WHICH THERE IS A BOTTLE OF MEDICIN E , A SPOON AND A GLASS OF WATER . $ OVER HER RIGHT ARM , SHE CARRIES TWO SHEETS WITH A PILLOW WE DGED UNDER HER CHIN . $ SHE QUIETLY STEPS INTO THE GREENHOUSE AND PUTS THE TRAY DOWN ON A SMALL TABLE TO THE LEFT OF HIM . $ THEN SHE BEGINS TO ASSEMBLE A CAMP-BED IN THE RIGHT HAND BAC K CORNER OF THE GREENHOUSE , USING THE BLANKETS . $ DAD CHAUNTERS UNCONSCIOUSLY . > $ 01 DYLAN THOMAS - HE BLOODY KNEW ... HE BLOODY DID - ALL THA T RAGING AGAINST THE LIGHT ... $ 02 < ( WHISPERING ) > $ ARE YOU ALL RIGHT , LOVE ? $ I 'M HERE ... $ 01 EVEN THOUGH HE WAS A BLOODY WELSHMAN - ALL THAT RAIN - WH Y CAN'T I TALK PROPERLY - SHE WAS VERY PRETTY - GRATED-CARRO T HAIR - SHE HAD ... $ < ( HE CONTINUES TRYING TO SPEAK , BUT ONLY HARSH NOISES ARE HEARD . ) > $ WHY CAN'T I ... ? $ 02 OH DEAR - DICKON - LITTLE BABY - $ < ( MUM BEGINS TO MOP THE SWEAT OFF HIS FOREHEAD . $ DAD UNCONSCIOUSLY STRIKES OUT AT HER . ) > $ 01 < ( SHOUTING ) > $ I 'M NOT TO BE TOUCHED ! $ TOUCHING 'S FOR ANIMALS ! $ MUM ! $ MUM ! $ I WANT MUM ! $ I DON'T WANT YOU ! $ I WANT MUM ! $ 02 IT IS ME , LOVE . $ IT IS MUM ... $ 01 YOU 'RE THERE THEN ? $ < ( SHE TAKES HIS LEFT HAND AND STROKES IT AGAINST HER CHEEK . ) > $ MUM ? $ WHERE ARE MY FEET ? $ I CAN'T FEEL THEM . $ DO YOU THINK THEY 'VE WALKED AWAY ? $ - ON THE HILLS ? $ - WHERE ARE MY FEET ? $ SHOW ME MY FEET ! $ 02 YES , DEAR . $ < ( SHE UNDOES THE BOTTOM OF HIS BED . ) > $ THIS IS YOUR LEFT , DEAR . $ AND THIS ... $ 01 I CAN'T FEEL ANYTHING ! $ THEY 'RE NOT THERE ! $ DON'T TELL LIES ! $ THEY 'VE CUT THEM OFF - LIKE PIG'S TROTTERS - PINK PIG'S TRO TTERS - SOMEONE 'S EATEN THEM - GOBBLE - GOBBLE ... $ < ( HE LAUGHS SOUNDLESSLY . ) > $ #142 $ 02 < ( HOLDING BACK HER TEARS ) > $ THEY ARE HERE . $ I 'M WAGGLING YOUR TOES - CAN'T YOU FEEL THAT ? $ COURSE YOU CAN ... $ 01 I WANT TO GO TO THE RIVER - I WANT TO GO SWIMMING - JOHN CAN'T SWIM - LOOK - I CAN LIFT THIS ARM - LOOK ! $ ... $ < ( NEITHER ARM MOVES . ) > $ 02 WHICH ONE , LOVE ? $ 01 CAN'T YOU BLOODY SEE ! $ THIS ONE ! $ < ( HE STILL DOES NOT MOVE . ) > $ I 'M GOING TO GET UP - OPEN MY EYES ! $ WELL , OPEN THEM ! $ 02 < ( HUGGING HIS FEET AGAINST HER FACE ) > $ THEY ARE OPEN , DEAR . $ THEY ARE OPEN . $ 01 WHERE 'S JOHN ? $ JOHN CAN OPEN THEM - HE CAN DO THAT - CAN'T HE ? $ JUST PULL THE EYELIDS - SO EASY - JUST PULL THE EYELIDS BACK - JOHN ! $ < ( HE THINKS HE IS SHOUTING BUT HE IS NOT . ) > $ 02 < ( CALLING TIREDLY ) > $ JOHN , YOUR DAD WANTS YOU ! $ 01 DON'T SHOUT ! $ IT SLICES RIGHT THROUGH ME - LIKE A BACON-CARVER ! $ < ( SHOUTING ) > $ JOHN ! $ < ( A PAUSE . $ JOHN ENTERS . $ HE CARRIES A WASHING-UP CLOTH AND A PLATE IN HIS HANDS . ) > $ 04 YES , DAD ? $ 01 OPEN MY EYES - GENTLY - JUST PULL THE EYELASHES BACK - ON E AFTER THE OTHER ... $ 04 THEY ARE OPEN , DAD . $ 01 ARE THEY ? $ OH - WHY CAN'T I SEE THEN ? $ ONLY FIREWORK DOTS - WHERE 'S MY FEET ... $ 04 < ( WHISPERING TO MUM ) > $ ISN'T IT TIME HE HAD SOME MEDICINE OR SOMETHING ? $ I CAN'T BEAR IT ! $ 01 I HEARD YOU ! $ I CAN SMELL YOU - YOU 'VE BEEN EATING GARLIC - CLEAN YOUR TE ETH ... $ 04 BUT I 'M ABOUT THREE YARDS AWAY FROM YOU , DAD . $ IT 'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SMELL ME FROM THERE ! $ 01 I CAN SMELL EVERYTHING - ROTTEN TOMATOES - THE MIDGES ON THE RIVER - THEY 'VE GOT A DUNGY SMELL - AND CATS - I HATE C ATS THEY SMELL VICIOUS - AND GREEN - AND FUR - WHERE 'S MY F EET ? $ I CAN SMELL THEM ALL RIGHT BUT I CAN'T FEEL THEM ! $ THEY SMELL LIKE DRYING MANURE - GOOD SMELL - AUTUMN SMELL - PERFUME - MICHAELA'S PERFUME IS NOT REAL - INSIDIOUS - CHEMI CAL - I 'VE GOT A HEADACHE , MUM - A BIG ONE - A GIANT - GIV E ME SOMETHING FOR IT ... $ 02 BUT I GAVE YOU SOMETHING FOR IT TEN MINUTES AGO ... $ 01 < ( TRYING TO LIFT HIS HEAD WITH LITTLE SUCCESS ) > $ WELL ,IT HASN'T WORKED , HAS IT ? $ #143 $ HOLD MY HAND , MUM - I 'M HOT AND ICE - MUST HAVE SOMETHING - MUST HAVE ... $ 02 NOW , DON'T GET EXCITED , DEAR . $ I 'LL GO AND MAKE YOU SOMETHING COOL . $ 01 WITH OYSTERS - I LIKE LOBSTERS - PINK ONES WITH WHIPPING TAILS - GO ON , MOTHER - YOU BRING THEM - PUT THEM IN THE HI SSING WATER - AND THEY 'LL SCREAM - BABY SCREAMS - BROILED A LIVE - THEY CRACK AND SQUEAL AS THEIR ARMOUR EXPLODES - FETC H IT , MOTHER - PLEASE , MOTHER ... $ 02 < ( TAKING A WET FLANNEL AND SQUEEZING IT OVER HIS FACE ) > $ THAT BETTER ? $ 01 LOVELY , MUM , LIKE ICE-CREAM - I 'D LIKE SOME ICE-CREAM - THE SOFT ITALIAN KIND - WITH WRINKLY WAFERS - AND THE SEA - FISH AND CHIPS ... $ 04 HE 'S RAMBLING , THE POOR DARLING - GOING OFF HIS CHUMP ! $ WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ? $ 02 YOU KEEP HIM COOL ! $ AND TRY NOT TO WET THE COLLAR OF HIS PYJAMAS ! $ I WON'T BE A MINUTE ... $ 04 < ( PROTECTIVELY PUTTING HIS ARM ROUND HER SHOULDERS ) > $ YOU NEED SOME SLEEP , MUM . $ LET ME STAY UP TONIGHT . $ 02 WE 'LL SEE . $ NOW DON'T GIVE HIM ANY OF THOSE PILLS ON THAT TABLE . $ DOCTOR GRILL SAYS THEY 'RE ONLY TO BE USED WHEN THE PAIN BEC OMES ABSOLUTELY UNBEARABLE ! $ 04 LIKE NOW ? $ 02 JOHN , PLEASE ... $ 04 ALL RIGHT , MUM , I WON'T . $ WOULD YOU SEE WHAT MICHAELA 'S DOING WHEN YOU GO IN ? $ 02 WASN'T SHE HELPING YOU WITH THE WASHING-UP ? $ I 'D BETTER TAKE THAT PLATE IN YOU WERE DRYING . $ < ( SHE PICKS THE PLATE UP FROM THE TABLE . ) > $ AND WHERE 'S THE DISH-CLOTH ? $ < ( JOHN PRODUCES A RUMPLED CLOTH OUT OF HIS POCKET AND GIVE S IT TO MUM . ) > $ HEY , YOU 'VE NOT BLOWN YOUR NOSE ON THIS , HAVE YOU ? $ 04 < ( HALF LAUGHING ) > $ I STOPPED DOING THAT TWELVE YEARS AGO - AT LEAST ... $ 02 YES , I SUPPOSE YOU MUST HAVE . $ KEEP HIM COOL . $ KEEP HIM VERY COOL . $ THE GREENHOUSE GETS SO HOT AT NIGHT . $ IT 'S A GOOD THING THE VENTS WORK . $ < ( SHE GOES INTO THE HOUSE . ) > $ 04 < ( WIPING THE SWEAT OFF HIS DAD'S FOREHEAD ) > $ WHAT 'S THE POINT , LITTLE FATHER ? $ #144 $ WHAT 'S THE POINT ? $ AT LEAST YOU HAD A GOOD MARRIAGE - HA - HA ... $ 01 I KNOW , I KNOW , JOHN - PART OF ME DOES - THE PART THAT STILL WORKS - THE NON-VEGETABLE PART - YOU AND MICHAELA ARE DESTROYING EACH OTHER - YOU ARE - LIKE CARNIVOROUS FLOWERS - OR SOMETHING - I CAN'T FEEL MY FEET ... $ 04 < ( MECHANICALLY PICKS UP ONE FOOT AND THEN THE OTHER ) > $ LEFT FOOT ! $ RIGHT FOOT ! $ < ( AND GIVING HIM A PLAYFUL TICKLE IN THE STOMACH ) > $ AND YOUR SEXY MIDDLE FOOT IN THE MIDDLE ! $ 01 WELL , THAT 'S NO GOOD FOR CERTAIN ! $ I 'M GOING TO GET BETTER - I FEEL I AM - HOLD MY ARMS ABOVE MY HEAD ! $ < ( JOHN DOES SO . ) > $ NOW LET THEM GO ! $ SEE IF THEY 'LL STAY UP THERE ON THEIR OWN ! $ < ( JOHN RELEASES DAD'S ARMS AND THEY FALL LIFELESSLY BACK O N THE BED . ) > $ WELL , MAYBE TOMORROW ... $ 04 WHY NOW , DAD ? $ I NEED YOU . $ IT 'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME TO SAY THIS - BUT I DO NEED ... $ 01 YOU COULD NEVER MANAGE IT ON YOUR OWN , SON ? $ YOU HAD TO BE TOLD YOU WERE RIGHT . $ < ( INDICATING HIMSELF WITH A WRENCH OF HIS FACE ) > $ WELL , THE ONLY THING THAT IS RIGHT IS TURNING INTO A THING , AND THE ONLY THING THAT IS LEFT NOW IS FIGHTING TURNING IN TO A THING ! $ 04 WE LIE THERE AT NIGHT - MICHAELA AND ME - I CAN TELL YOU NOW - I DON'T KNOW WHY - I SUPPOSE IT 'S BECAUSE - IT 'S BEC AUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW ANY MORE - IT 'S TOO MUCH FOR YO U - SO I CAN JABBER ON - WE LIE THERE AND SAY NOTHING - OCCA SIONALLY ONE OF US MAKES A LOW HISSING NOISE WHEN THE OTHER' S HAND HAS FOUND THE CENTRE OF THE OTHER - SLIMY MOVEMENTS U NDER THE DAWN LIGHT ... $ 01 HOLD MY HAND , BOY , WITH BOTH HANDS ! $ GIVE ME A BIT OF THE WARMTH OF YOU . $ DOESN'T MATTER THOUGH - $ 04 < ( WITHOUT THINKING , JOHN GRIPS HIS FATHER'S HAND WITH BOTH HANDS ) > $ WE DON'T HOLD HANDS LIKE THIS , THOUGH , DAD , NEVER LIKE TH IS ! $ THEN SHE 'LL QUOTE SOMETHING IN GERMAN - GOETHE OR SCHILLER - THE DEAD ROMANTICS - WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND SO THEY 'RE QUITE SAFE TO QUOTE - THEN SHE WHIMPERS A BIT - MOUSE NOISES - THE HOUSE VARIETY - AND SHE SNUGGLES UP TO ME A BIT ... $ 01 HAVEN'T I GOT ENOUGH ON MY PLATE , SON , WITHOUT YOUR SEX LIFE ? $ 04 IT 'S NOTHING TO DO WITH SEX - THAT 'S THE PROBLEM - MORE LIKE THE GERMAN ANGST - FEAR . $ SHE SNUGGLES UP TO ME - MOUSE WHIMPERING - I USED TO BE GENT LE - SO GENTLE AND STROKE HER WHITE MOLE-DAPPLED BACK . $ #145 $ I TRY NOT TO BE VICIOUS . $ DID YOU KNOW SHE WAS A VIRGIN WHEN I MARRIED HER ? $ A GERMAN VIRGIN ! $ THAT 'S A LAUGH FOR A START ! $ FUNNY HOW WE GOT MARRIED . $ THERE WAS REALLY NO REASON FOR IT . $ I THINK IT 'S BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO MARRY ME AND I HADN'T GO T ANYTHING BETTER TO SUGGEST ... $ 01 LIAR ! $ ANYWAY I 'M GOING FOR A SWIM TOMORROW - IN THE AFTERNOON RIV ER - SHAKE BABY GUDGEON BY THEIR SPINY TAILS TOMORROW ... $ 04 YOU 'RE OFF AGAIN , AREN'T YOU , YOU POOR OLD THING ? $ 01 I 'M NOT QUITE A THING YET - I 'M HALFWAY HOUSE - GREENHO USE - BETWEEN VEGETABLE AND MINERAL - DON'T TALK ANY MORE - YOU 'RE ONLY JUSTIFYING YOUR MISERY AND I HAVEN'T GOT THE TI ME - I 'D GIVE YOU IT IF I HAD - BUT I HAVEN'T GOT THE TIME ] $ 04 I STAYED A VIRGIN UNTIL THE NIGHT I WAS MARRIED BECAUSE Y OU THOUGHT IT BEST , DAD . $ YOU WERE NEARLY ALWAYS RIGHT . $ NEARLY . $ WHAT I DO TO IMPRESS YOU ! $ I EVEN WENT TO THAT TRAINING COLLEGE TO IMPRESS YOU . $ 01 < ( HIS FACE TWITCHING AS IF HE HEARS SOMETHING THAT FRIG HTENS HIM ) > $ WHAT 'S THAT ! $ WHAT 'S THAT ! $ WINGS AGAINST THE WINDOW-PANE ! $ 04 FUNNY ! $ YOU WERE A BLOODY GOOD DAD ! $ A WIFE 'S NOT THE SAME . $ SHE SHARES EVERYTHING WITH YOU INCLUDING THE SNUFFLING OF YO UR SLEEP ! $ WELL , SHE USED TO - TILL SHE STARTED THIS DYING GAME ... $ 01 AGAIN ! $ LISTEN ! $ AGAIN ! $ FLAP ! $ FLAP ! $ FLAP AGAIN ! $ THE WINDOW-PANE ! $ GO AND SEE WHAT IT IS ! $ I DON'T WANT IT HERE ! $ I 'VE GOT ENOUGH IN HERE , IN MY HEAD , TO TERRIFY ME WITHOU T THAT ! $ I CAN STILL HEAR IT ! $ THERE ! $ THERE IT IS AGAIN ! $ 04 < ( PRESSING HIS FACE AGAINST THE WINDOW-PANE ) > $ ALL RIGHT , DAD , RELAX ! $ 01 RELAX , HE SAYS ! $ 04 < ( SUDDENLY LEAPING AWAY FROM THE WINDOW ) > $ UGH ! $ WHAT THE ! $ ... $ 01 WHAT IS IT ? $ A HORROR CRAWLY ? $ A STINKING CAT ? $ MICHAELA ? $ THE WIND ? $ ... $ 04 < ( RECOVERING ) > $ IT 'S GONE NOW ! $ NO ! $ NO ! $ THERE IT IS ! $ STRIPED IN RIBBONS OF MOONLIGHT ! $ IT 'S COMING BACK ! $ JESUS ! $ IT 'S ONLY A BAT ! $ JUST A COMMON-OR-GARDEN BAT ! $ A SILKY-MOUSE WITH WINGS ! $ 01 OH , I THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE ! $ BUT WE BOTH HEARD IT - SO I KNEW IT WASN'T . $ OH , MY CHRIST ! $ < ( HE SUFFERS A WILD SPASM OF PAIN . ) > $ 04 < ( RUSHING TO SUPPORT DAD ) > $ WHAT IS IT , DAD , WHAT IS IT ? $ 01 I DON'T THINK I CAN TAKE ANY MORE OF THIS - NOT ANY MORE - TOM - TOM - TOM - THUD - THUD - THUD - $ #146 $ < ( A HIGH-PITCHED CHOKING NOISE GURGLES OUT OF HIS MOUTH . $ HIS SWEATING HEAD THRASHES FROM SIDE TO SIDE ON THE PILLOW . ) > $ EATING AWAY AT ME - FLESHY TENTACLES PRESSING THE CENTRE OF MY BRAIN - THERE ! $ < ( WITH HIS RAISED EYEBROW HE TRIES TO INDICATE THE POINT O F PAIN . ) > $ AND THERE AGAIN ! $ LOOK , DO SOMETHING ! $ ON YOUR OWN , SON ! $ FOR ME - YOUR OLD DAD - DO IT FOR ME ! $ 04 WHAT , DAD ? $ 01 DON'T BE SO SODDING DENSE ! $ WHAT IS THERE LEFT FOR ME TO WANT ! $ MORPHINE TABLETS , SON ! $ ALL THAT LITTLE BOTTLE ! $ MIX THEM TO A PASTE WITH ONE OF YOUR MOTHER'S SPOONS WITH A CUP OF WATER - AND FEED ME - SLIP THEM DROP BY STICKY DROP D OWN MY THROAT - INTO ME - RIGHT INTO ME ! $ 04 NOT VERY FUNNY , DAD ! $ TRY ANOTHER ! $ 01 MAKE SURE YOU GRIND THEM DOWN TO A VERY FINE POWDER AND W ASH THE CUP AFTERWARDS OR YOUR MOTHER WILL KNOW ! $ 04 < LAUGHING ) > $ DAD , WHAT ARE YOU SAYING ? $ YOU 'RE ASKING ME TO MURDER YOU ! $ I 'M MANY THINGS , BUT PATRICIDE IS SOMETHING I WOULD PREFER TO LEAVE TO OEDIPUS ! $ I SUPPOSE WHILE I 'M AT IT YOU 'D LIKE ME TO LAY MUM INTO TH E BARGAIN ! $ 01 < ( WITH IMMENSE CONCENTRATION HE IS ABLE TO LIFT HIS RIG HT HAND SIX INCHES ABOVE THE COVERLET ) > $ I 'LL KNOCK YOUR FACE OFF - TALKING ABOUT YOUR MOTHER LIKE T HAT ! $ < ( HIS HAND SLUMPS ONTO THE COVERLET AGAIN . ) > $ 04 < ( WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES ) > $ I WISH YOU COULD ! $ YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH I WISH YOU COULD ! $ I CAN'T TAKE MUCH MORE ... $ 01 CONTROL YOURSELF ! $ I 'M THE ONE THAT 'S SUPPOSED TO BE DYING ! $ YOU 'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO STEAL MY THUNDER , AREN'T YOU , SON ? $ PUT ME OUT OF MY MISERY ! $ LET 'S GET THIS SIDE OVER AND DONE WITH ! $ 04 < ( PLEADING ) > $ I 'VE EVEN PRAYED , DAD - DOWN ON MY KNEES - NOT ALL CURLED UP IN BED LIKE I USED TO - BEFORE I STOPPED PRAYING , THAT I S ... $ 01 < ( TERRIFIED ) > $ WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE 'S NOTHING BUT DICKON'S SPACE ? $ I DON'T GO IN FOR THAT VERY MUCH ! $ < ( A PAIN SPASM. ) > $ GIVE ME THE STUFF - GO ON - GRIND THE PILLS UP ! $ 04 YOU KNOW I BLOODY CAN'T ! $ IT 'S MURDER ! $ < ( HE UNCONSCIOUSLY PICKS THE PILLS UP OFF THE TABLE AND EM PTIES SOME INTO HIS HAND . ) > $ I WISH I COULD . $ ANYWAY , I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY 'D WORK . $ PROBABLY JUST MAKE YOU PUKE . $ 01 THAT 'S IT , BOY , GRIND THEM UP ! $ I COULD GET THEM DOWN WITH SOME MILK - WATER WOULD DO IF YOU HAVEN'T GOT MILK . $ #147 $ THEY 'D STAY DOWN , WOULDN'T THEY ? $ SHOULDN'T TAKE LONG . $ ANYTHING BUT THIS PAIN ... $ < ( JOHN POURS ALL THE PILLS BACK INTO THE BOTTLE SAVE ONE . $ THIS HE CRUSHES BETWEEN FINGER AND THUMB AND SPREADS THE POW DER OVER THE PALM OF HIS HAND . ) > $ YOU ARE DOING IT , AREN'T YOU JOHN ? $ 04 I CAN'T - HAVEN'T THE GUTS - I THINK I 'M GOING TO BE SIC K ] $ < ( HE THRUSTS THE PILLS INTO HIS POCKET AND RUSHES DOWN TO THE RIVERSIDE , WHICH IS WHERE THE FOOTLIGHTS ARE , AND HUNC HES HIMSELF TOWARDS THE AUDIENCE . $ A PAUSE . $ WITH RELIEF HE COMES UP FOR AIR . $ HE HAS NOT BEEN SICK . ) > $ 01 < ( TOTALLY UNAWARE THAT JOHN HAS GONE ) > $ I KNEW YOU 'D DO IT ! $ I KNEW I COULD RELY ON YOU ! $ 04 < ( HURLING AN IMAGINARY STONE INTO THE AUDIENCE ) > $ THE BLOODY RIPPLES CAN'T GET BACK QUICK ENOUGH ! $ WATER 'S SO STINKING STUPID ! $ STUPID ! $ < ( HE SITS DOWN WITH THE WATER REFLECTED ON HIS FACE . $ WE HEAR MICHAELA'S VOICE WHISPERING FROM THE HOUSE . $ ' JOHN ! $ JOHN ! ' $ HE DOESN'T ANSWER . $ SHE APPEARS , OBVIOUSLY LOOKING FOR HIM . $ HE REMAINS PERFECTLY STILL . $ SHE DOES NOT SEE HIM . $ SHE GOES INTO THE GREENHOUSE . $ DAD IS MUTTERING TO HIMSELF . ) > $ 06 ARE YOU ALL RIGHT , MR GREEN ? $ 01 WATER - WINGS OF WATER - WHITE AND FLAPPING IN THE DARK I HEAR THEM - HEAR THEM ... $ GENTLE JESUS , MEEK AND MILD , LOOK UPON THIS LITTLE CHILD . $ PITY MY SIMPLICITY - BONG - BONG - BONG - GO THE GONGS ... $ 06 DID YOU WANT SOMETHING ... ? $ 01 I DON'T WANT TO DIE - NOTHING FOR EVER - NOBODY LISTENS T O ME - I 'M TALKING - $ < ( HE BECOMES MORE AND MORE INCOMPREHENSIBLE . ) > $ I CAN FEEL MY LIPS RUBBING TOGETHER - SO I 'M TALKING - THAT 'S HOW YOU TALK - MOVING THE FLESHES TOGETHER ... $ < ( DURING FATHER'S LAST SPEECH , MICHAELA MOVES DOWN INTO T HE SHADOWS AT THE WATER'S EDGE , VAGUELY LOOKING FOR JOHN . $ JOHN IS OBLIVIOUS TO HER . ) > $ 06 ARE YOU THERE , JOHN ? $ ARE YOU ? $ 01 NO BLOODY SHOUTING ! $ NOT IN MY HOUSE ! $ < ( JOHN REMAINS SILENT . $ MICHAELA GROPES IN FRONT OF HER , FRIGHTENED OF TRIPPING OVE R SOMETHING IN THE DARK . $ SHE WALKS WITH HER ARMS STRETCHED OUT IN FRONT OF HER . $ SHE STAGGERS INTO JOHN . ) > $ #148 $ 06 YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME YOU WERE THERE ! $ I CALLED OUT ! $ YOU MUST HAVE HEARD ME CALLING ! $ 04 ACTUALLY I WAS JUST THINKING OF THAT DAY . $ TWILIGHT BY THE SERPENTINE . $ LIKE THIS , ONLY HOTTER . $ < ( MICHAELA WAVES A HANDKERCHIEF AT THE RIVER MIDGES . ) > $ THERE WERE MIDGES THEN , TOO . $ YOU WERE ALL HUNCHED UP THEN - AGAINST THE WATER - THE FIRST THING I SAW WAS YOUR REFLECTION ... $ 01 DYLAN THOMAS DRANK HIMSELF WILFULLY INTO THE GREAT AND GR EEDY DECAY - NOT ME - I AM PULLED INTO THE DARKNESS . $ - WHAT 'S THAT ? $ FLAP ! $ FLAP ! $ AGAINST THE GLASS ... $ 04 IT WAS THE FIRST TIME DICKON CAME TO LONDON AND I WAS TAK ING HIM ROUND TO SEE ALL THE HISTORICAL MONUMENTS - AND THER E YOU WERE , LOOKING RATHER A MESS - DELICIOUS BUT RATHER A MESS ... $ 06 OW ! $ IT 'S BIT ME ! $ WELL , HELP ME ! $ 04 < ( WITHOUT APPEARING TO LOOK , HE PULLS THE MIDGE OUT OF THE LOBE OF HER EAR ) > $ WELL , KEEP STILL ! $ < ( SHE WRIGGLES PROVOCATIVELY . ) > $ 06 YOU 'VE NOT TOUCHED ME FOR WEEKS - EVEN LIKE THAT ! $ 04 DON'T BLAME ME ! $ BLAME YOURSELF ! $ IT 'S QUITE DEAD . $ 06 < ( WIPING HER EAR WITH HER HANDKERCHIEF ) > $ YOU 'VE SQUASHED IT ALL OVER ME ! $ 04 AND DICKON SAID , ' DO YOU FANCY THAT GIRL THERE WITH THE LOW NECK-LINE ? $ I DO . ' $ YES , HE SAID THAT . $ THAT WAS BEFORE HE BECAME REVOLTINGLY AND REPULSIVELY SCIENT IFIC . $ I ASKED MYSELF THE SAME QUESTION AS I STOOD THERE . $ CAN I MAKE HER ? $ NO , SHE 'S TOO CLASSY ! $ BUT YOU WEREN'T , WERE YOU ? $ YOU TURNED OUT TO BE GERMAN . $ 06 MUST YOU ALWAYS MAKE THESE JOKES ? $ INSECURITY : YOUR GOD . $ THAT IS WHY YOU MAKE NOISES OF WHIMPERINGS IN THE NIGHT - IN THE BED ... $ 01 WHO WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT HIS BLOODY SEX LIFE ANYWAY ? $ DYLAN THOMAS ? $ 04 < ( ANGRILY ) > $ HAVEN'T I GOT ENOUGH ON MY PLATE WITH MY OLD MAN RAVING - MY MOTHER GOING OUT OF HER TINY MIND ... $ 06 WHY DO YOU SNUGGLE AGAINST ME LIKE YOU DO - WHIMPERING ? $ I HAVE NEVER LAID BLAME AGAINST YOU . $ I KNOW YOU DON'T ALWAYS MEAN TO BE TIRED ... $ 04 IT 'S A STAGE ALL MEN GO THROUGH ! $ YOU ASK DAD ! $ 01 WHERE 'S THE PILLS ? $ THE ENDING ? $ MY ENDING ... $ #149 $ 04 IMPOTENCE ! $ IT HAPPENS TO EVERYONE ! $ 06 FOR TWO YEARS ? $ 04 MICHAELA ! $ 06 ON AND OFF ! $ MORE OFF THAN ON ! $ WE DO NOT EVEN HAVE UNDERSTANDING OF SPEECH - THERE ARE ONLY SOUNDS BETWEEN US . $ YOU WANTED MARRIAGE . $ LOOK AT YOU ! $ A WHIPPED SPANIEL ! $ NO , DON'T HIDE YOUR FACE ! $ WHY DID YOU ASK ME TO MARRY YOU ? $ WHY ? $ BECAUSE YOU HAD FEAR OF ALONE - SELF ALONE - AWAY FROM YOUR LITTLE HOME - WITH MUTTI AND PAPPA ... $ 04 < ( HE CALLOUSLY PULLS HER FACE TOWARDS HIM AND STROKES H ER HAIR ) > $ AND WHY DID YOU MARRY ME , EH ? $ WHY ? $ WHAT 'S SO GOOD ABOUT AN ENGLISH BOY ? $ I 'LL TELL YOU ! $ I SHALL NEVER FORGET IT . $ ABOUT THE THIRD TIME I TOOK YOU OUT , I SAID AS A JOKE , ' Y OU KNOW , I 'M PRETTY WELL OFF - PRETTY WELL . ' $ YOU 'D NEVER MET MY PARENTS THEN , HAD YOU ? $ SO YOU WOULDN'T KNOW I WAS LYING . $ BUT AS SOON AS YOU THOUGHT I HAD MONEY , YOUR EYES GLOWED LI KE GREEDY SUNFLOWERS - BRIGHT , HORRIBLE , SPARKLING CHROME- YELLOW SUNFLOWERS ... $ 06 < ( PULLING AWAY FROM HIS EMBRACE , AND SWIFTLY KICKING H IM ON THE KNEE ) > $ BASTARD ! $ BASTARD ! $ 04 < ( DOUBLING UP IN EXTREME PAIN ) > $ BERLIN COW ! $ 01 CAN'T I EVEN BLOODY DIE IN PEACE ? $ FETCH DICKON ! $ DICKON ! $ I WANT A PROPER SON ! $ A REAL SON ! $ 04 DAD , PLEASE , DON'T ... $ 01 I WANT DICKON ! $ MY NAME-SAKE ! $ ME ! $ FETCH HIM ! $ < ( HE GROANS IN PAIN . ) > $ 06 WELL ,FETCH HIM ! $ 04 YOU FETCH HIM ! $ YOU WANT HIM ! $ YOU CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF HIM ! $ 01 DICKON ! $ FETCH HIM ! $ FETCH ME ! $ 06 YES , MR GREEN . $ I WILL FETCH HIM . $ < ( SHE GOES INTO THE HOUSE . ) > $ 04 FOR ALL THE RUDDY GOOD I 'M DOING , I MIGHT AS WELL GO FO R A RUDDY SWIM . $ EXCEPT OF COURSE , I CAN'T SWIM ! $ < ( HE HURLS ANOTHER IMAGINARY STONE IN THE RIVER . ) > $ DAD , I 'M SORRY - I FAILED YOU ... $ 01 DICKON ! $ 04 I TRIED , DAD . $ < ( JOHN GOES INTO THE GREENHOUSE , LOOKS AT DAD AND THEN DE LIBERATELY PULLS THE BOTTLE OF PILLS OUT OF HIS POCKET . ) > $ 01 THAT YOU , DICKON ? $ I CAN'T SEE YOU . $ WHERE ARE YOU ? $ PUT ME OUT OF IT - JESUS IS NO USE - JUST A DRY NAME ... $ #150 $ < ( JOHN POURS ALL THE TABLETS ON TO A PLATE AND WITH A SPOO N METHODICALLY BEGINS TO GRIND THEM TO POWDER . $ HE POURS THE CONTENTS OF THE BOTTLE OF MORPHINE ON TO THE PL ATE AND BEGINS TO MIX IT WITH THE POWDER . $ HE THEN POURS A DROP OF WATER FROM THE JUG ON TO THE MIXTURE . ) > $ 04 PLUS A LITTLE H2O - IF THERE WAS ANY NITRIC OR SULPHURIC ACID , I 'D MIX THAT IN AS WELL ! $ AND GENERALLY GOBBLE HIM UP ! $ 01 I 'M GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT TOMORROW - YOU SEE - I 'LL GO OUT OF THIS ROOM - RUN DOWN THE PATH - INTO MY GREENHOUSE - SPRAY MY TOMATOES - THE PETUNIAS NEED SOMETHING - CAN'T REME MBER WHAT - OR IS IT THE POLYANTHUS ? $ ... $ 04 < ( STIRRING THE MIXTURE VIGOROUSLY ) > $ SO THIS IS THE WAY YOU WANT THE FINALE , DAD ... $ 01 WE COULD GO SWIMMING - EXCEPT OF COURSE YOU CAN'T SWIM .. . $ 04 < ( LOSING HIS RESOLUTION AND LAYING THE PLATE DOWN ON TH E TABLE ) > $ I CAN'T DO IT ! $ WHY CAN'T I DO IT , DAD ? $ 01 < ( HEARING THE FLAP OF WINGS AGAINST THE WINDOW-PANE . $ IT IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE PLAY WE HEAR IT ) > $ THERE IT IS AGAIN ! $ IT ! $ FLAPPING ! $ FLAP ! $ DICKON ! $ < ( DICKON HAS COME QUIETLY OUT OF THE DARKNESS . ) > $ 05 < ( COMING INTO THE GREENHOUSE ) > $ YES , LITTLE DADDY , DICKON HAS COME OUT OF THE DARKNESS . $ GO INTO YOUR WIFE , BIG BROTHER , WHILST YOU 'VE STILL GOT O NE ! $ 04 YOU 'RE NOT GIVING ME ORDERS ! $ 05 GO IN . $ COMFORT YOUR MOTHER , YOUR SISTER AND PERHAPS YOUR WIFE . $ LEAVE THE VERY OLD WITH THE VERY OLD . $ AND WE WILL CALCULATE THE SQUARE ROOT OF NOTHING . $ 04 WHAT 'S MICHAELA - DOING ? $ 05 CRYING . $ 01 I DON'T THINK I 'LL BOTHER ABOUT TOMORROW - UNTIL TOMORRO W ... $ < ( WE HEAR JENNIE CALLING FROM THE HOUSE ) > $ 03 JOHN ! $ JOHN ] $ MICHAELA WANTS YOU ! $ PLEASE COME IN ! $ SHE 'S CRYING ! $ 04 < ( SHOUTING ) > $ WHY DOESN'T SHE CALL ME HERSELF IF ... $ 01 FLAP ! $ CAN YOU HEAR IT , DICKON ? $ THE THING ? $ 04 I 'M COMING ... $ 01 FLAP ! $ AGAIN , DICKON ! $ FLAP ! $ 04 < ( PEERING DOWN AT DAD ) > $ DAD ? $ 01 DICKON - TELL YOUR MOTHER ... TELL EILEEN ... $ 04 YES , DAD ? $ #151 $ 01 JUST TELL HER - ABOUT HIM ... $ 04 WHO , DAD ? $ 01 DYLAN THOMAS - SHE LIKED HIM ... $ 04 DAD - YOU POOR OLD THING - I LOVE YOU . $ < ( HE KISSES DAD GENTLY ON THE MOUTH . $ DAD RECOILS IN DISGUST . ) > $ 01 UGH ! $ YOU SMELL OF GARLIC ! $ 04 < ( CRYING ) > $ NOTHING I EVER DO IS RIGHT ! $ EVER ! $ BUT I MIXED THE MORPHINE , DAD . $ I DID DO THAT ! $ < ( HE HANDS DICKON THE MORPHINE AND EXITS . ) > $ 01 SO SCARED , I AM - NUMB - LIKE A CUBE OF ICE - YOU KNOW W HAT I WANT , DICKON - YOU 'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD DO IT - BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER TO YOU - VOID INTO VOID ... $ 05 HOW LITTLE YOU KNOW ! $ I LOVE YOU , YOU SILLY , BLOODY OLD FOOL ! $ BUT I CAN'T GO PINNING MYSELF ON MY LAPEL LIKE JOHN ! $ KEEP STILL A MINUTE ! $ SO I CAN WIPE THE DRIBBLE OFF YOUR MOUTH . $ < ( HE DOES SO , WITH HIS OWN HANDKERCHIEF . ) > $ LOOKS LIKE YOU 'RE TRYING TO BLOW BUBBLES . $ A KID TO THE LAST ! $ 01 WHY DO YOU ALL HAVE TO JUSTIFY YOURSELVES ALL THE TIME ! $ JUST BE YOURSELVES - LONELY - HELPLESS - BLOODY USELESS - BU T YOURSELVES ! $ 05 BUT I 'M THE ONE WHO 'S DOING ALL YOU WANTED ! $ BUT I 'M NOT DOING IT THE WAY YOU WANTED , AM I ? $ YOU 'LL NEVER FORGIVE ME FOR BEING A SCIENTIST - THAT DIRTY WORD , EH , DAD ? $ 01 EILEEN , HE 'S PLAGUING ME - HASN'T MY MIDDLE-AGED BRAIN HAD ENOUGH - I WANT OUT - YOU DO IT , DICKON - GIVE ME OUT . .. $ 05 RIGHT YOU ARE , DAD . $ I 'LL GIVE YOU OUT - FROM ONE LOT OF LONELINESS TO THE NEXT - HERE YOU ARE . $ < ( HE POURS THE CONTENTS OF THE PLATE INTO A CUP . ) > $ DRINK IT DOWN . $ < ( HE LIFTS DAD TO A SITTING POSITION AND PUTS THE CUP TO H IS LIPS . ) > $ 01 YOUR HAND 'S ON THE WOBBLE ! $ IT 'S TOUGHER THAN YOU THOUGHT TO KILL YOUR FATHER , ISN'T I T ? $ DIDN'T MEAN THAT - IT 'S THE WANDERING IN ME - OH , CHRIST - HOW ARTICULATE PAIN IS . $ < ( WITH GESTURE OF HIS HEAD , HE INDICATES TO DICKON THAT H E HAS DRUNK SUFFICIENT FOR THE MOMENT , WHICH IS VERY LITTLE . ) > $ 01 MY DEATH IS OF NO IMPORTANCE TO THE WORLD - BY THE WAY , I WANT TO BE CREMATED - FIRE , UNLIKE HUMANITY , IS CLEAN - ASHES ONLY LEAVE A WISTFUL SOURNESS IN THE AIR - THE SHARP E SSENCE OF FLESH - WAITING FOR MY LITTLE GIRL TO WEAVE MY FLE SH LIKE FLUSHED POPPIES IN HER GREEN HAIR ... $ #152 $ 05 WHAT GIRL ? $ 01 THERE WAS ONLY EVER ONE - WHO WAS NEVER ONE ... $ 05 MOTHER ? $ 01 YOUR SISTER ... $ 05 JENNIE ? $ 01 NO , NOT HER - THE OTHER - CASSANDRA - SANDRA ... $ 05 < ( PUTTING THE CUP TO HIS LIPS AGAIN ) > $ DRINK THIS ... $ 01 IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME - CASSANDRA - DON'T BE SO ROUGH ... $ 05 YOU 'RE GOING WHERE IT IS VERY COLD BUT VERY GENTLE - VER Y - DON'T SPIT IT ALL OUT ! $ 01 THAT 'S ENOUGH FOR A BIT . $ < ( DICKON REMOVES THE CUP FROM HIS FATHER'S LIPS . ) > $ WILL IT WORK ? $ IT WON'T DRIVE ME MAD , WILL IT ? $ I 'VE HAD ENOUGH OF MONSTROUS IMAGES - $ 05 HAVE A BIT MORE . $ < ( HE FEEDS DAD WITH THE CUP . ) > $ YOUR LAST NIGHT-CAP ... $ 01 DOESN'T TASTE SO GOOD , I CAN TELL YOU ... $ 05 I KNEW I WOULD HAVE TO DO IT WHEN YOU FELL OVER IN THE GA RDEN - PYJAMAS ROUND YOUR ANKLES ... $ 01 HOW CAN YOU BE SO CALM ? $ - IS IT EASY - DOING IT ... ? $ 05 YES . $ YOU SEE , DAD , YOU DIED INSIDE ME WHEN YOU FELL - SINCE THE N , IT'S BEEN LIKE WATCHING A TALKING POLAR BEAR - BALANCING RIDICULOUS SPHERES OF PAIN ON THE END OF YOUR SNOUT - AS TH E GREAT BULL WHIP OF DECAY RIPS YOUR FUR OUT . $ YOUR ROAR IS REDUCED TO A SQUEAK . $ THIS LUMBERING USELESS BEAST IS MY DAD . $ < ( TIPPING THE REMAINDER OF THE MIXTURE IN DAD'S MOUTH . ) > $ THAT 'S THE REST OF IT . $ SWALLOW IT SLOWLY BUT SURELY . $ 01 < ( HARDLY ABLE TO BREATHE , BEGINNING TO CHOKE ) > $ NOT SO FAST ! $ I 'LL BLOODY CHOKE TO DEATH ! $ < ( DICKON RELENTLESSLY FEEDS HIM THE LAST DROP . $ DAD IS SEIZED WITH THE MOST VIOLENT CONVULSION OF PAIN AND C OUGHING . ) > $ MUM ! $ MUM ! $ 05 THANK GOD ! $ IT 'S NOT GOING TO WORK ! $ I KNEW IT WOULDN'T ! $ I KNEW ! $ < ( DAD COUGHS UP THE TERRIBLE DEATH RATTLE IN HIS THROAT , SCREAMS ) > $ 01 EILEEN ] $ MUM ] $ EILEEN ] $ < ( AND DIES . ) > $ 05 DAD ? $ DAD ? $ < ( HYSTERICALLY SHOUTING ) > $ DICKON ? $ MOTHER ? $ JOHN ? $ MICHAELA ? $ JENNIE ? $ MUMMY ? $ #153 $ < ( MUM , MICHAELA AND JOHN RUSH INTO VIEW . ) > $ 05 LOOK ! $ 02 DICKON ! $ 05 HE JUST CHOKED - LIKE THAT ! $ 04 < ( RUSHING PAST MUM AND GOING STRAIGHT FOR DICKON'S THRO AT ) > $ YOU KILLED HIM ! $ YOU ACTUALLY KILLED HIM ! $ 02 < ( STUNNED , MOVES TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BED AND CRADLES DAD'S FEET ) > $ THEY 'RE NOT PIG'S TROTTERS , NICE FEET - WITH BLUE VEINS .. . $ < ( DICKON RELEASES HIMSELF FROM JOHN'S GRIP AND THEY MOVE R OUND TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BED . $ THEY WATCH EACH OTHER WITHOUT MOVING . $ MICHAELA PUTS HER ARMS ROUND MUM WHO IS OBLIVIOUS TO ANYONE . ) > $ 06 IT WAS FOR THE BEST - FOR PEACE ... $ < ( JENNIE ENTERS , UNDERSTANDS IMMEDIATELY WHAT HAS HAPPENE D . ) > $ 04 YOU DID IT ! $ 05 NO , HE CHOKED ! $ < ( CRYING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE PLAY . ) > $ I TELL YOU , HE CHOKED ! $ 04 < ( INDICATING THE EMPTY PLATE ) > $ WHERE 'S THE STUFF , THEN ? $ 05 IN THE RIVER ... $ 02 BOYS ! $ BOYS ! $ MY BABY DICKON . $ < ( SHE STROKES THE BODY . $ SECOND PART OF ME TO DIE - IN SEVEN YEARS - SANDRA - HE WANT ED TO CALL HER CASSANDRA , DIDN'T YOU , LOVE ? $ JUST SHRIVELLED UP IN THEIR HANDS WHEN THEY LUGGED HER OUT O F ME INTO THE LIGHT - WRINKLED AND OLD - JUST BORN - JUST LI KE MY BABY HERE - WITH PINK TROTTERS ... $ 04 IN THE RIVER , EH ? $ 05 YES ! $ I DID NOT DO IT ! $ I WOULDN'T BECAUSE I KNEW IT WOULDN'T WORK ! $ 04 < ( REACHING OVER THE BED AND SEIZING DICKON BY THE LAPEL S OF HIS JACKET ) > $ YOU BLOODY KILLED HIM ! $ NOT ME ! $ YOU ! $ 06 CONTROL YOURSELF , JOHN ! $ < ( JOHN HALF DRAGS DICKON ROUND THE BED AND THEN THUMPS HIM WILDLY ON THE CHEST . $ DICKON REELS UNDER THE BLOW . ) > $ 05 NEVER DO THAT AGAIN ! $ I WILL KILL YOU ! $ YOU KNOW I CAN ! $ 02 STOP IT ! $ IS HE NEVER GOING TO HAVE ANY PEACE ? $ < ( JOHN ONCE AGAIN GOES FOR DICKON , BEARING HIM TO THE GRO UND . $ DICKON SLIPS FROM UNDER HIM AND DELIVERS A SHORT BUT DECISIV E BLOW ON THE BACK OF JOHN'S NECK . $ MICHAELA TRIES TO PULL DICKON OFF JOHN AS HE IS ABOUT TO STR IKE THE KILLING BLOW . $ JOHN CRUMPLES UNDER THE FIRST BLOW ON THE NECK . $ SUDDENLY HE BUTTS DICKON VICIOUSLY IN THE STOMACH . $ #154 $ DICKON DOUBLES UP . $ JENNIE IN DESPERATION PICKS UP A BUCKET FULL OF WEEDS AND CH ARGES AT THE FIGHTING BROTHERS . $ IN SELF-DEFENCE JOHN KICKS THE BUCKET WITH ALL HIS MIGHT RIG HT OUT OF JENNIE'S HANDS . $ IT NEARLY CRIPPLES HIS FOOT . ) > $ 04 < ( IN PAIN ) > $ I 'VE KICKED THE BUCKET ! $ < ( LAUGHING IN ANGER AND DESPAIR ) > $ I 'VE KICKED THE BUCKET ! $ 05 < ( LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY ) > $ HE 'S KICKED THE BUCKET ! $ < ( THEY ARE BOTH CONVULSED WITH LAUGHTER , AND HUG ONE ANOT HER IN AGONIZED DELIGHT . ) > $ HE KICKED THE BUCKET ! $ < ( THE BOYS ARE JUST ABOUT RECOVERING FROM THEIR LAUGHTER W HEN DICKON GASPS OUT ) > $ 05 THAT 'S WHAT HE DID , HE KICKED THE BUCKET ! $ < ( THEY BOTH BECOME ABSOLUTELY HELPLESS AT THIS WITH A NEW BURST OF LAUGHTER . $ JOHN , WITH A SUPREME EFFORT , PULLS HIMSELF TOGETHER AND PO INTS AN ACCUSING FINGER AT DICKON . ) > $ 04 YOU DID THAT , DICKON ! $ YOU KILLED MY FATHER ! $ 05 < ( LAUGHING EXULTANTLY ) > $ YOU 'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT ! $ I DID IT ! $ I DID ! $ I CAN GO NOW ! $ THERE 'S NOTHING IN FEAR ANY LONGER ! $ 02 < ( ALMOST SOUNDLESSLY ) > $ PLEASE - PLEASE - BE QUIET - PLEASE ... $ 05 THE LAUGHTER IS HERE ! $ AND DEATH WITH IT ! $ LET 'S GO ON WITH IT ! $ THAT 'S WHAT THE OLD MAN MEANT ! $ GET YOUR ARMS INTO SPACE - UP TO THE ELBOWS - AND MOULD IT U NTIL IT 'S AS PRODUCTIVE AS HE MADE HIS GREENHOUSE ! $ HE KICKED THE BUCKET . $ < ( HE LAUGHS AGAIN - THIS TIME WITH PURE JOY . ) > $ 03 BUT IT 'S ALL SELF ! $ LAUGHING - DYING - GIVING BIRTH TO YOU ARE ALL SELF ! $ THAT 'S WHAT COMES OF GROWING ROSES IN SPACE , DICKON , THAT . $ < ( SHE POINTS TO THE BODY . ) > $ < ( MUM IS LYING HALF SLUMPED OVER DAD . ) > $ 04 AND WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NOW ? $ MICHAELA , WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ? $ 06 I SUPPOSE WE WILL GO ON BACKWARDS THROUGH CHILDREN TO THA T . $ < ( INDICATING DAD . ) > $ < ( JENNIE EXITS . ) > $ 05 SHUSH ! $ BE SO QUIET ! $ HUSH ! $ SO VERY QUIET ! $ THE ROSES MUST NOT HEAR YOU BREATHE - A WHISPER OF BREATH AN D THEY 'RE FULL BLOWN . $ HE IS OUT THERE - TALKING IN THE DARK - NOW . $ THERE WAS ONE GLITTER OF PAIN , WASN'T THERE , FATHER ? $ #155 $ AND YOU ARRIVED . $ GOD AND YOU ARE THE SAME CIRCLE NOW . $ < ( JENNIE RETURNS WITH A BOWL OF WATER , SOME SOAP AND A TO WEL . ) > $ 04 < ( QUIETLY ASSISTING MUM TO HER FEET ) > $ COME ON , MUM , I 'LL MAKE YOU SOME TEA - OR SOMETHING . $ I 'LL LOOK AFTER YOU . $ I WILL . $ 06 < ( ALSO CIRCLING AN ARM ROUND MUM ) > $ WE 'LL LOOK AFTER YOU , MUM . $ 02 ALL RIGHT . $ I CAN STILL WALK ON MY FEET - THANK YOU . $ DICKON , MY LITTLE DICKON , IT 'S ALL RIGHT FOR YOU NOW . $ I HOPE THEY 'LL LOOK AFTER YOU THERE . $ LONELY . $ THAT 'S WHAT IT IS . $ THAT 'S WHAT IT 'S ALL ABOUT , ISN'T IT ? $ IN THE END ? $ JESUS , BE GENTLE WITH HIM - WITH US - I NEED - SOME TEA - O R SOMETHING ... $ < ( THEY TAKE MUM IN . $ DICKON AND JENNIE ARE LEFT FACING ONE ANOTHER OVER THE BODY . ) > $ 05 THE YELLOW ROSE IS SHATTERED AND THE PERFUME IS SHARP ... . $ THERE HE IS , THERE ! $ BEYOND THE MOON AND IN MY FINGERNAILS ! $ < ( STROKING THE HEAD ) > $ HE IS IN MY SHADOW - IS MY SHADOW - FOR HE NO LONGER HAS HIS OWN . $ LOOK - IN MY EYES , JENNIE - YOU WILL SEE HIM . $ HE IS THERE . $ AND WE WILL NIBBLE THE UNIVERSE . $ < ( DICKON AND JENNIE ARE SHROUDED IN SHADOW . $ THE MOON WILL NOT COME . ) > $ < END > $