The Field Read Online Free PDF Page B

I’m a prospective buyer, so how about getting along with the auction?
    [Enter Maimie with a tea-tray. She comes between them]
    Maimie: [To William] Would you like a cup of tea?
    [Mick glowers at Maimie as she places tea on table]
    William: Thanks, I would.
    Mick: D’you know what he’s doin’?
    Maimie: No … what?
    Mick: He’s biddin’ for the field!
    Maimie: What’s so awful about that?
    Mick: [Furious] Cripes Almighty, woman!
    [Maimie exits with the tea-tray]
    William: I’m not so welcome, am I?
    Mick: Look, I’ve nothing against you personally.
    William: And I’ve nothing against you, personally or otherwise.
    [Enter Maggie Butler]
    Mick: Ah, there you are, Mrs Butler. You’re welcome!
    Maggie: Is it time for the auction yet?
    Mick: Any minute now. We’re waiting for the bidders.
    Maggie: There don’t seem to be many here.
    Mick: It won’t be so. It won’t be so, I assure you.
    [Enter Maimie]
    William: [To Maggie] Are you the owner of the field?
    Maggie: I am, sir.
    William: I’m pleased to meet you. My name is Dee … William Dee. I expect to be bidding for your property …
    Mick: [Confidentially to Maggie] It might be better if you weren’t here until the auction starts. Why don’t you go upstairs with Maimie for a cup of tea?
    Maimie: Aye, Maggie, do.
    Maggie: Very well. [She rises and Maimie solicitously takes charge of her] You’ll do your best for me, Mr Flanagan?
    Mick: We’ll do our best, our very best.
    Maggie: You’ll be sure to call me, Mr Flanagan.
    Mick: To be sure, to be sure.
    Maimie: Come on this way, Maggie, watch the toys.
    [Exit Maggie and Maimie]
    William: As a prospective buyer, I have a right to know everything about the field.
    Mick: You know too bloody much!
    William: I know how to look after myself.
    [Enter the Bird. He sidles to counter and rests his elbows on it, watching Mick and William. He is followed almost immediately by the Bull McCabe who carries an ashplant. Following the Bull, comes his son, Tadhg. They both glare at William who is somewhat surprised by their attitude]
    Bull: [Stops inside door to survey William] Give us three half pints o’ porter.
    William: Hello there.
    [Mick goes behind counter to fetch the stout. The Bull scowls at William who is somewhat amused by his antics]
    Bull: We were told about you. Are you aware there’s an objection here?
    William: So I’m told.
    Bull: What do you want the field for?
    William: That’s no business of yours.
    Mick: He’s going to make concrete blocks.
    Bull: What?
    Mick: To cover the field with concrete.
    Bull: What about the grass? What about my lovely heifers?
    Tadhg: No more meadows nor hay? [To William] You’re an oily son-of-a-bitch!
    Bull: No foreign cock with hair-oil and a tie-pin is goin’ to do me out of my rights. I’ve had that field for five years. It’s my only passage to water. You’re tacklin’ a crowd now that could do for you, man. Watch out for yourself.
    [Mick arrives with three bottles of stout]
    Bull: Give us sixpence worth of biscuits – far-to-go ones.
    William: [To Mick] Isn’t it time the auction was started?
    Bull: If you know what’s good for you, you won’t bid.
    William: Is that a threat?
    Tadhg: [Intimidating] Make what you like of it!
    William: If you care to make yourself clear, I certainly will.
    Tadhg: [Fighting pose] If you fancy yourself, you can have it here.
    William: For God’s sake, be your age!
    [William rises, goes to stairway and calls for Maggie Butler before anyone can stop him]
    William: [To others] I think you’ll all agree that Mrs Butler should be present. She is the rightful owner, I believe.
    Mick: Mrs Butler, I’m going to start the auction now.
    [Mick places bag of biscuits on table and accepts money from Bull]
    Bull: [To Mick] He’ll get his head split if he isn’t careful. Bloody imported whoresmaster, taking over