Tadhg: Where’s that we were again, Da?
Bull: We were at home playing cards.
Sergeant: Until what time?
Bull: Till morning.
Sergeant: And did you leave the house during that time?
Bull: We were in the backyard a few times, or is that ag’in the law, too?
Sergeant: Can you prove that you didn’t visit Mrs Butler’s field over the river on that night?
Bull: On my solemn oath and conscience, if we left the house for more than two minutes.
Sergeant: You have that field taken for grazing, haven’t you?
Bull: Everyone knows that.
Sergeant: Well, can you prove you weren’t there?
Bull: The Bird there was playing cards with us till two o’clock in the mornin’.
Sergeant: Is that the truth, Bird?
Bird: Gospel!
Sergeant: Well, the donkey was killed around midnight. His cries were heard by a couple walking along the river. They reported to the SPCA who in turn reported it to the Barrack Orderly. What I want to know is where were ye when the donkey was poisoned?
Tadhg: He wasn’t poisoned!
Sergeant: How do you know he wasn’t poisoned?
Tadhg: Well …
Bull: Because there’s no poison on our lands. That’s how he knows an’ don’t be doin’ the smart man with your tricky questions. What is he but an innocent boy that never told a lie in his whole life. You don’t care, do you, so long as you can get a conviction. Tell me, where do you disappear to when there’s tinkers fightin’, an’ law-abidin’ men gettin’ stabbed to death in the street?
Sergeant: Bird, you say you were at this man’s house that night and I say – you’re a liar!
Bird: Ye all heard it! Ye all heard what he said! You called me a liar, Sergeant, and no man does that to the Bird O’Donnell. No man – uniform or no uniform.
Sergeant: All right! All right! I take it back. I apologise for calling you a liar.
Bird: You better not do it again! [Somewhat mollified]
Sergeant: I’m wasting my time! There’s nothing in your heads but pigs and cows and pitiful patches of land. You laugh when you hear that an old jackass was beaten to death, but a man might be beaten to death here for all you’d give a damn.
[Exit Sergeant Leahy]
Bull: And a Sergeant might get his face split open one night and all the guards in Ireland wouldn’t find out who did it … not if they searched till Kingdom Come!
SCENE 2
[Action takes place as before.
The time is the morning of April the fifth. MAIMIE FLANAGAN is behind the bar. Three of the children are playing in and around the bar area. The BIRD is seated at table with a glass of whiskey in front of him. The BIRD rises and approaches the counter. He brings his whiskey along with him and swallows it at the counter. He places glass on counter and takes coin from his pocket which he places on the counter]
Maimie: Good girl, Nellie, will you go upstairs and look after the baby?
Bird: Throw a drop of whiskey into that, will you? [He carefully arranges money on the counter] Just enough!
[Enter boys from the street]
Bird: Close the bloody door, I’m perished.
[Maimie pours whiskey, takes money and places it in cash register]
Maimie: [To boys] Upstairs!
Bird: I see you got your hair done.
Maimie: About time, wasn’t it?
Bird: It suits you. [Surveys it from an angle] Definitely suits you. Kind of a girly look.
Maimie: [Touches her hair up] D’you think so? ’Tis the latest … well, the latest around here anyway …
[Enter Leamy with a box of stout]
Leamy: My father said you were short of stout.
Maimie: Thanks, Leamy. What’s he doin’ up there?
Leamy: Listenin’ to the wireless. The baby’s crying, Muddy. What’ll I do with him?
Maimie: Give him a suck out of the bottle and if he doesn’t settle down, call me, Leamy.
Leamy: All right, Muddy.
Maimie: Aoife, take Mary upstairs. Leamy, take this fellow upstairs, there’s an auction going on here this morning.
Leamy: [To BIRD who is now throwing rings] Bird, you’d hook a farmer quicker than you’d hook a thirteen.
[Exit Leamy, mock-chased by BIRD]
Maimie: Well, did he like it?
Bird: What?
Maimie: Me hair.
Bird: Who?
Maimie: The fellow you told me about. Young Nesbitt, the solicitor’s son.
Bird: Oh, he was on about you again the other night.
Maimie: What did he say?
Bird: How did a good-looking woman like Maimie Flanagan get stuck in a dump like this? That’s what he said … how did she get stuck in a dump like this?
Maimie: Stuck is right! He seems like a nice young fellow. Why don’t you bring him in for a drink sometime? Or does he drink?
Bird: Does he what? He doesn’t drink around here, though … too much talk. You can’t blame him. You know what they’re like around here?
Maimie: You’re right there! You couldn’t turn in your bed but they’d know it.
Bird: There’s a lot of jealousy. It must be a holy terror to be a good-lookin’ woman an’ all them oul’ frowsies gabbin’ about you. An ’tis worse if you’re not appreciated by them who should appreciate you.
Maimie: Sure, even if I talk to any good-looking fella in the bar, himself does be mad jealous. You’d think I was goin’ to run away with one of ’em.
Bird: No one but yourself would stick it. You’ve got the patience of Job.
Maimie: Oh, he can be terrible. D’you remember the time last year I went to the dance in town … that I thought he’d be spending the night in Dublin?
Bird: You looked good that night. Mind you, I wasn’t the only one who remarked it.
Maimie: Four years since I was at a dance, and imagine … on that one night he should get a lift home unexpectedly!
Bird: [Gets off stool and comes to her] What did he do?
Maimie: Waited up till I came home. I asked a few of the boys in for a drink and he hiding all the time around in the stairway. [The Bird whistles] Heard every word we said. Luck o’ God, ’twas all innocent. He got a great suck-in. It’s a pity I didn’t know he was listening I’d have stuck in something deliberately.
Bird: A pity!
Maimie: ’Twould have been great gas if we all knelt down and said the Rosary.
Bird: But what happened? What happened?
Maimie: Oh, he waited till the boys were gone and there he was, sitting on the steps of the stairs as I was going up. Christ, I thought I’d drop dead … he struck me and I fell down the stairs. I pretended to be unconscious. That frightened him. You should have heard him! Oh, the lamenting would bring a laugh from a corpse.
Bird: Good! … Good! … Go on!
Maimie: ‘Wake up, Maim. Wake up, my little darling!’ he never called me darling before, not even when we were courting. He got a bit annoyed then. ‘Wake up, Maimie! Will you wake up, in the name o’ God, and don’t disgrace me by being dead …’
Bird: This is marvellous! … marvellous! …
Maimie: Wait till you hear! ‘Wake up,’ said he and he started sobbing. ‘Wake up, you bloody bitch. You want to have me hanged!’ [Both laugh] He said the Act of Contrition into my ear after that and rushed over for the doctor and the priest. I had a brandy while I was waiting.
Bird: Ah, this is priceless! …
Maimie: Bird, were you ever anointed? [Bird looks askance at her] Oh, it’s a great sensation when you aren’t sick … more soothing than getting your hair done … something like 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 nice woman.
Bird: You needn’t say this to anyone … but she’s a regular flier, that one. Thirty, thirty.
William: [Somewhat coldly] She struck me as being a nice friendly woman.
Bird: Ah, I was only having a bit of a joke. You’re right about her, though. She’s lovely.
[Mick appears at stairway]
Mick: Good morning, gentlemen! [To William] The wife tells me you were wanting to see me.
William: I’m sorry if I disturbed you. There’s no particular hurry.
Mick: That’s all right. I was only listening to the late news … What can I do for you?
William: Well, first of all, let me introduce myself. My name is William Dee.
Mick: I’m Mick Flanagan. [He shakes hands with William] How do you do?
William: I have a letter here from Mr Nesbitt, the solicitor, about the sale of a field. [Looks at watch] The auction was supposed to take place at eleven o’clock today. Maybe, there’s been a mistake …
Mick: No, there’s no mistake. This is the day of the auction, all right. But who told you? How did you get in touch with oul’ Nesbitt?
William: It’s the wife, you see. Since our last baby her nerves haven’t been too good and she wants to come back to Ireland. Mr Nesbitt was one of the many solicitors I wrote to, to be on the lookout for just such a field. Last week I had a letter from him so I took a chance and came over. Sláinte!
[Mick picks up William’s empty glass and goes and fills half-pint]
Mick: You may have come on a fool’s errand.
[Mick gives the beck to the Bird who finishes his drink and exits quickly]
William: I don’t understand.
Mick: There’s only four acres … you couldn’t possibly make a living there.
William: I’m not worried about that. My site in England is much less.
Mick: Don’t get me wrong now, my friend. I’m only advising you for your own good.
William: I’ve a business of my own in England and I do fairly well. I supply concrete blocks to builders. This field is the right size for me. It’s on a river with first-class gravel.
Mick: Who told you? About the gravel, I mean?
William: I had an engineer from the town look it over.
Mick: An engineer! That must have been the fellow with the wooden box. Said he was catching eel fry … You’d want a fortune to start a business like that!
William: It’s not as difficult as it sounds. I cover an acre or so with concrete, move in my machinery and I’m in business.
Mick: [Putting free drink before William] It’s only fair to tell you there’s a boycott on outside bidders.
William: Nesbitt said nothing about a boycott.
Mick: Well, that’s the way it is. There’s a boycott all right and there could be trouble … serious trouble.
William: What sort of boycott?
Mick: I wouldn’t want to lead you astray but for the past five years now a farmer whose land is right next to the field has rented the grazing. He believes he has first claim …
William: It’s a public auction, isn’t it?
Mick: Yes … yes … but I thought I’d warn you. The village would hold it against you.
William: I wouldn’t be selling blocks to the village.
Mick: You wouldn’t get men to work for you.
William: A few of my men in England would give their right hands to get back to Ireland.
Mick: You don’t know about land. You’re a stranger … you wouldn’t understand. There will be trouble.
William: All I know is that my wife isn’t well. If I don’t get her back here quick, she’ll crack up. Now, if that isn’t trouble, tell me, what is?
Mick: Look! I’ll tell you what … you go back to your wife and I’ll find a suitable field for you. I won’t let you down. I’ll search high and low. You won’t have long to wait.
William: You’re an auctioneer?
M
ick: Yes.
William: And this is a public auction?
Mick: Yes.
William: Well, 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]
The Field Page 3