Complete Works, Volume III Read Online Free PDF Page A

like some air.
    TEDDY . But I'm going to bed.
    RUTH. That's all right.
    TEDDY . But what am I going to do?
    Pause.
    The last thing I want is a breath of air. Why do you want a breath of air?
    RUTH . I just do.
    TEDDY. But it's late.
    RUTH . I won't go far. I'll come back.
    Pause.
    TEDDY . I'll wait up for you.
    RUTH . Why?
    TEDDY . I'm not going to bed without you.
    RUTH . Can I have the key?
    He gives it to her.
    Why don't you go to bed?
    He puts his arms on her shoulders and kisses her.
    They look at each other, briefly. She smiles.
    I won't be long.
    She goes out of the front door.
    TEDDY goes to the window, peers out after her, half turns from the window, stands, suddenly chews his knuckles.
    LENNY walks into the room from U.L. He stands. He wears pyjamas and dressing-gown. He watches TEDDY .
    TEDDY turns and sees him.
    Silence.
    TEDDY . Hullo, Lenny.
    LENNY. Hullo, Teddy.
    Pause.
    TEDDY . I didn't hear you come down the stairs.
    LENNY. I didn't.
    Pause.
    I sleep down here now. Next door. I've got a kind of study, workroom cum bedroom next door now, you see.
    TEDDY . Oh. Did I . . . wake you up?
    LENNY. No. I just had an early night tonight. You know how it is. Can't sleep. Keep waking up.
    Pause .
    TEDDY . How are you?
    LENNY . Well, just sleeping a bit restlessly, that's all. Tonight, anyway.
    TEDDY . Bad dreams?
    LENNY . No, I wouldn't say I was dreaming. It's not exactly a dream. It's just that something keeps waking me up. Some kind of tick.
    TEDDY . A tick?
    LENNY. Yes.
    TEDDY . Well, what is it?
    LENNY . I don't know.
    Pause.
    TEDDY . Have you got a clock in your room?
    LENNY . Yes.
    TEDDY . Well, maybe it's the clock.
    LENNY . Yes, could be, I suppose.
    Pause.
    Well, if it's the clock I'd better do something about it. Stifle it in some way, or something.
    Pause.
    TEDDY . I've . . . just come back for a few days
    LENNY . Oh yes? Have you?
    Pause.
    TEDDY . How's the old man?
    LENNY . He's in the pink.
    Pause.
    TEDDY . I've been keeping well.
    LENNY . Oh, have you?
    Pause.
    Staying the night then, are you?
    TEDDY . Yes.
    LENNY . Well, you can sleep in your old room.
    TEDDY . Yes, I've been up.
    LENNY. Yes, you can sleep there.
    LENNY yawns.
    Oh well.
    TEDDY . I'm going to bed.
    LENNY . Are you?
    TEDDY . Yes, I'll get some sleep.
    LENNY . Yes I'm going to bed, too.
    TEDDY picks up the cases.
    I'll give you a hand.
    TEDDY . No, they're not heavy.
    TEDDY goes into the hall with the cases.
    LENNY turns out the light in the room.
    The light in the hall remains on.
    LENNY follows into the hall.
    LENNY . Nothing you want?
    TEDDY. Mmmm?
    LENNY . Nothing you might want, for the night? Glass of water, anything like that?
    TEDDY . Any sheets anywhere?
    LENNY . In the sideboard in your room.
    TEDDY. Oh, good.
    LENNY . Friends of mine occasionally stay there, you know, in your room, when they're passing through this part of the world.
    LENNY turns out the hall light and turns on the first landing light.
    TEDDY begins to walk up the stairs.
    TEDDY . Well, I'll see you at breakfast, then.
    LENNY . Yes, that's it. Ta-ta.
    TEDDY goes upstairs.
    LENNY goes off L.
    Silence.
    The landing light goes out.
    Slight night light in the hall and room.
    LENNY comes back into the room, goes to the window and looks out.
    He leaves the window and turns on a lamp.
    He is holding a small clock.
    He sits, places the clock in front of him, lights a cigarette and sits.
    RUTH comes in the front door.
    She stands still . LENNY turns his head, smiles. She walks slowly into the room.
    LENNY . Good evening.
    RUTH . Morning, I think.
    LENNY . You're right there.
    Pause.
    My name's Lenny. What's yours?
    RUTH. Ruth.
    She sits, puts her coat collar around her.
    LENNY. Cold?
    RUTH. No.
    LENNY . It's been a wonderful summer, hasn't it? Remarkable.
    Pause.
    Would you like something? Refreshment of some kind? An aperitif, anything like that?
    RUTH . No, thanks.
    LENNY . I'm glad you said that. We haven't got a drink in the house. Mind you, I'd soon get some in, if