Collected Plays and Teleplays (Irish Literature) Read Online Free PDF Page B

beginning to talk in a very eerie colourless voice. )
    THE STRANGER: I congratulate you. There was no doubt that I would get the job but nevertheless I congratulate you. Before many moons are past you will be a T.D. and every other wish you have will be gratified.
    KELLY: ( A bit agitated. ) Yes, quite. Quite. Good.
    THE STRANGER: I will supply money and votes and everything that is required. Your love for Mrs. Crockett will prosper. And now that I am a rate collector, there will be no undue comment about my staying in the town. I now have locus standi in the neighbourhood.
    KELLY: Quite. And as rate collector you’ll have charge of the register of electors. The rate collector idea was a smart one, if I may say so.
    THE STRANGER: Everything will prosper for you from this day forward. Have no fear.
    KELLY: Yes. Good, good. ( Pause. Kelly rises and backs towards door. THE STRANGER moving after him menacingly. ) If you stay there a moment, I’ll get the Town Clerk back to fix you up formally and give you the lists. He’s having a drink next door.
    THE STRANGER: Yes, that would be wise.
    KELLY: ( Backing out. ) I won’t be a moment.
    CURTAIN

ACT II
    Six weeks have passed.
    Scene is the living-room of MRS. MARGARET CROCKETT’S house. The room is comfortable and furnished with taste but is being used as the headquarters of an election campaign and is on that account disarranged. Pinned to the back wall are two posters. One reads VOTE FOR KELLY AND A NEW BROOM. The other NOT FOR PARTY NOR PRIVILEGE BUT FOR COUNTRY AND PEOPLE—KELLY. There is a door, left back, and another (to other parts of house), left front. There is a window, back right corner. On a side table are boxes of envelopes and stationery, a few brass musical instruments and a megaphone. In a corner stands an enormous furled tricolour. There is a fire at side, right. At back is a large two-doored cupboard which, when opened, reveals shelves of delf, tea-things, etc. The latter must be constructed so that the entire inside of it is hinged in a manner that will permit the action detailed towards the end of the play.
    A bell rings. HANNAH bustles in left, makes a frenzied attempt to clear up the litter, and then exits right. She is heard talking to someone off stage and in a moment re-enters leading THE STRANGER , who is dressed as before but seems in a somewhat genial mood. It is evident that HANNAH and he are on good terms from previous meetings. THE STRANGER looks over at the election paraphernalia appreciatively.
    THE STRANGER: Well, it won’t be long now, Hannah. It won’t be long till we are rewarded for all our work. But we’re going to win. Remember that. ( He gives her a playful slap. ) We’re going to win! ( Puts brief-case on table. )
    HANNAH: Do you know, you’re getting worse.
    THE STRANGER: Perhaps I am, but it’s the excitement of this election. Rate collecting is a bit dull. We’ll have a great party the night the results come in.
    HANNAH: ( Still trying to tidy up. ) Well, you won’t have it here because you know what herself thinks about drink. It was the drink killed her husband. You can bring a Mills bum and put it on the mantelpiece there, but God help you if you try bringing in a bottle of stout. Are you sure they’re going to make a T.D. out of poor Mr. Kelly?
    THE STRANGER: Of course we are. Everybody’s going to vote for Kelly. Wait till you see. They had a great meeting the other night.
    HANNAH: What about that necklace you promised me?
    THE STRANGER: ( Surprised. ) What? The necklace? ( Recovering quickly. ) O, you needn’t think I forgot about it. It’s waiting for you under that cushion. ( Points to divan. )
    HANNAH: ( Not believing him but going to lift the cushion to make sure. ) Where—here? O, glory be to God! Glory be to God! ( Flabbergasted, she holds up a glistening necklace. )
    THE STRANGER: What did I tell you?
    HANNAH: O, thank you sir. When did you put it there?
    THE STRANGER: ( Brushing the thing aside. ) Now, now,