The Field Read Online Free PDF Page A

massage …
    [At this stage a newcomer enters and nods both to Maimie and the Bird. He is a young man in his late twenties, well-dressed and presentable. He is William Dee]
    Maimie: Good morning.
    William: Good morning.
    Bird: Good morning.
    Maimie: Nice morning, isn’t it?
    William: Yes, it is. Could I have a bottle of beer, please?
    Bird: ’Tis inclined to be a bit showery, but all in all, ’tisn’t bad for the time of year.
    William: April is a tricky month all right. You never know where you are with it.
    Bird: Like a woman!
    William: [Considers this observation] Yes, in some ways … Yes, it is! It’s a strange month.
    Bird: Fine one minute and wet the next. [Playing with his glass] I hate windy weather. I’m told there’s good growth though. Should please the farmers.
    William: A very difficult thing to do.
    Bird: You aren’t far wrong there. [Sarcastically] Still, they had a hard winter and they deserve a bit of comfort, the creatures!
    Maimie: [Placing drink on the counter] Now, there you are!
    [William places money on the counter]
    Bird: Good luck! [Finishing drink ostentatiously]
    William: Would you care for a drink, sir?
    Bird: Yes, indeed … a large whiskey, Maimie, please.
    [Maimie fills the Bird’s glass and takes the price of it from William’s change]
    Maimie: You’re a stranger to these parts.
    William: My wife was born around here. So I’m not a stranger … not a complete stranger, that is.
    Maimie: Where was your wife born?
    William: About six miles away … a place called Tubber.
    Maimie: What was her name?
    William: Connolly.
    Bird: [Thoughtfully] Connolly! … Connolly!
    Maimie: I can’t seem to place her.
    Bird: Neither can I.
    William: Well, that would be pretty hard for you. There’s nobody of that name in Tubber now. The whole family moved to England twenty years ago.
    Maimie: And are you from around here?
    William: No. I’m a Galway man. I live in England. Living there twelve years. Me, if I had my way, that’s where I’d like to stay.
    Maimie: Is your wife with you?
    William: No … she’s in England. She may be joining me soon. It all depends.
    Maimie: You’re on holiday?
    William: No … business. That’s why I’m here. I came to see your husband. If he’s around I’d like a few words with him.
    Maimie: He’s finishing his breakfast. I’ll slip up and get him if you like. It’s no trouble.
    William: No, there’s no hurry. Will you have a drink? I should have asked you in the first place.
    Maimie: I don’t know that I should!
    Bird: Go on, for God’s sake! You’ll only be young once. [To William] This is our local beauty queen.
    Maimie: Don’t mind him! …’Twill have to be quick.
    Bird: We won’t tell … cross our hearts!
    Maimie: I’ll have a drop of brandy, so.
    [William places money on counter]
    Bird: A gay soul, this one, as game as any.
    Maimie: Here’s cheers!
    Bird: Good luck!
    Maimie: [Tosses back her drink quickly] Now you’ll have to have one on me.
    William: Not for me, thanks. Too early!
    [Bird swallows his drink quickly and proffers his glass]
    Bird: I won’t say no, Maimie.
    Maimie: It has to be a small one this time. We don’t want him drunk, do we, Mister …?
    William: The name is Dee … William Dee.
    Maimie: Mr Dee, are you sure you won’t have one?
    William: No, if you don’t mind. Some other time, maybe. I’ll be here for a few days [Sits on a chair at table] and it’s possible I’ll be here permanently.
    [Maimie fills Bird’s drink and hands it to him. Takes William’s money, gets change and gives it to him]
    William: Your husband is Michael Flanagan, the auctioneer, isn’t he?
    Maimie: That’s right! I’ll slip up and get him. [Suggestively to Dee] Drop in again, some time, any time … Bird.
    Bird: Maimie!
    [Exit Maimie]
    William: Seems like a