THE DANCE OF DEATH

by
August Strindberg

English Version by Pam Gems

Copyright © Pam Gems
Pam Gems is hereby identified as author of this work in accordance with section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The author has asserted her moral rights. 

All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved and application for performance etc. should be made before rehearsal to Rose Cobbe, United Agents, 12-26 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LE, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0800.
http://unitedagents.co.uk/agents/rose-cobbe/. Assistant: Dan Usztan. Email: dusztan@unitedagents.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0873. No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.

THE DANCE OF DEATH

CAST

		EDGAR
		A Captain in the Artillery

		ALICE
		His wife, formerly an actress

		KURT
		Alice's cousin

		JENNY
		The maid

		OLD WOMAN

		THE SENTRY

THE DANCE OF DEATH

ACT ONE

The interior of a circular grey fortress tower.

Upstage, glass doors with shoreline emplacements and the sea in sight.  A piano, sewing table, easy chairs.  A writing table with a telegraph apparatus, a whatnot with photographs, a chaise longue and a sideboard.  On the wall a large theatrical portrait of a woman flanked by beribboned laurel wreaths.  By the door a stand for swords and coats.  A desk, a barometer, and, in the corner, a tall porcelain stove.

An autumn evening.  Outside, the SENTRY can be seen, his sabre glittering in the evening sun.  The sea dark and still.

The CAPTAIN sits by the sewing table, fingering his cigar, which is not alight.  He wears shabby undress uniform, is booted and spurred.  He looks bored and tired.  ALICE sits in an armchair.  She, too, looks tired, but her manner is more expectant.

			CAPTAIN
		(Gestures the piano)  You're not going to play?

			ALICE
		(Indifferent)  What do you want?  (He shrugs)  You don't like my repertoire.

			CAPTAIN
		You don't like mine.

			ALICE
		(After a pause)  Do you want the doors open?  (He doesn't respond)  Leave them then.  (Pause)  Why aren't you smoking?

			CAPTAIN
		I've gone off it.

			ALICE
		(Almost friendly)  I thought it was your only enjoyment.

			CAPTAIN
		Enjoyment - what's that?

			ALICE
		Don't ask me?  (Pause)  Isn't it time for your whisky?

			CAPTAIN
		I'll have it later.  What's for supper?

			ALICE
		How should I know - ask Kristin.

			CAPTAIN
		The mackerel will be running.  (No response.)  It is autumn.
			ALICE
		(Sarcastic)  Yes.  It's autumn.

			CAPTAIN
		Indoors and out.  (Slight pause)  Never mind the chill, there are worse things than a grilled mackerel with a slice of lemon and a glass of Burgundy - white Burgundy.  Any left in the cellar?

			ALICE
		We haven't had a cellar for the last five years, as far as I know.

			CAPTAIN
		It's your department.  (Slight pause)  You'll need to lay some in.

			ALICE
		What for?  Why?

			CAPTAIN
		The celebrations.

			ALICE
		What celebrations?

			CAPTAIN
		For the silver wedding.

			ALICE
		(Mystified)  Silver wedding?  Whose?

			CAPTAIN
		Ours!

			ALICE
		Ours?  Our silver wedding?  You want to celebrate our silver wedding?

			CAPTAIN
		Why not?

			ALICE
		Celebrate twenty-five long years of misery?  Are you serious?

			CAPTAIN
		Why not?

			ALICE
		We'd do better to keep our heads down.

			CAPTAIN
		(Slight pause)  We might as well try and enjoy what's left.

			ALICE
		The sooner it's over the better as far as I'm concerned.  What's left!

			CAPTAIN
		What's left, in the end, is a barrow-load of muck for the garden.

			ALICE
		So the only point of all this misery is to end up as manure!

			CAPTAIN
		Don't blame me.

			ALICE
		(After a pause)  Is the post in?

			CAPTAIN
		Yes.

			ALICE
		The butcher's bill?

			CAPTAIN
		I think so.

He fishes in his pocket, takes out a piece of paper, searches for his glasses while she waits irritably, puts them on, taking his time, looks at the paper with heavy concentration.  And takes off his glasses.

			ALICE
		Well?

			CAPTAIN
		(Thrusts the paper at her)  You read it.

			ALICE
		What's the matter, can't you see?

			CAPTAIN
		You'd need a magnifying glass to read that.

			ALICE
		Your eyes are going!

			CAPTAIN
		Nothing wrong with my eyes.

			ALICE
		It's old age!

			CAPTAIN
		Old age - me?  Rubbish.

			ALICE
		At least I haven't reached that stage yet.

			CAPTAIN
		Hmph.
			ALICE
		(Snatching the bill and opening her mouth at the size of the debt)  Can we pay this?

			CAPTAIN
		It'll keep.

			ALICE
		Until next year I suppose.  When they've kicked you out on a miserable pension, and you're ill again.

			CAPTAIN
		I'm never ill.  Off colour, yes - not ill.  I'll live another twenty years.

			ALICE
		The Doctor doesn't think so.

			CAPTAIN
		Doctor!

			ALICE
		He should know.

			CAPTAIN
		There's nothing wrong with me, there never was, there never will be.  I'll die like a soldier, with my spurs on.

A pause.

			ALICE
		He's giving a party tonight.

Silence.

			CAPTAIN
		We're not invited because we don't choose to mix!  And we don't choose to mix because they are scum, the lot of them.

			ALICE
		(Drily)  Every man and woman on this Island.

			CAPTAIN
		Yes.

			ALICE
		Except you.

			CAPTAIN
		Precisely.

			ALICE
		What sets you apart?  Why should you be exempt?

			CAPTAIN
		Because, whatever they throw at me I behave with honour.  Like a gentleman.  Not scum.

A pause.

			ALICE
		Cards?

			CAPTAIN
		If you say so.

			ALICE
		(Takes out cards from the sewing table and begins to shuffle)  You know he's got the Regimental Band.  The Regimental Band, playing for a private party, how has he managed that?

			CAPTAIN
		By licking the Colonel's ass!  By creeping off to town with him, I wonder what for.  If that's what you choose to do -

			ALICE
		(Dealing)  I was friends with Gerda.  Till I caught her cheating.

			CAPTAIN
		They're all cheats.  What's trumps?

			ALICE
		Put your glasses on - spades!

			CAPTAIN
		(Not pleased)  Oh.

			ALICE
		(Plays a card)  Now all the new wives have turned against us.

			CAPTAIN
		What does that matter, we're not inviting them here, so what's the difference?  I'll manage on my own, thank you...always have, always will.

			ALICE
		I worry that it's bad for the children.  Growing up without friends.

			CAPTAIN
		Friends?  What do they want friends for, if they want friends they can find them in town - my trick!  Have you got any trumps left?

			ALICE
		Yes - that was mine!
			CAPTAIN
		Six and eight - that's fifteen -

			ALICE
		Fourteen - fourteen!

			CAPTAIN
		Six and eight, that's fourteen points - plus two, sixteen.  (Yawns)  Your deal.

			ALICE
		Are you tired?

			CAPTAIN
		No.

ALICE lifts her head, listens.

			ALICE
		Listen!  (He tilts his head to listen.)  Can you hear the music?  (He ignores this.  They play)  I wonder if they invited Kurt.

			CAPTAIN
		Kurt?

			ALICE
		He'll have had time to settle in.

			CAPTAIN
		Time enough to unpack a dress shirt, I daresay.  Not enough to see us.

They play.

			ALICE
		Such a surprise.  What is he here for?

			CAPTAIN
		Quarantine.

			ALICE
		(Alarmed)  Quarantine?

He takes the trick.

			CAPTAIN
		New post.  Quarantine Master.

			ALICE
		Quarantine...?

			CAPTAIN
		General orders.  Precaution against disease.

			ALICE
		It'll be wonderful to have him here.  (No response.)  He is my cousin - we shared the same name once.

			CAPTAIN
		Where's the honour in that?

			ALICE
		You leave my family alone, I'll do the same for yours.  (Takes the trick.)

			CAPTAIN
		All right - don't start on that one.

			ALICE
		(As they pore over their cards)  I don't understand.  Shouldn't a Quarantine Master be a doctor?

			CAPTAIN
		No, just a pen-pusher.  Suit Kurt down to the ground, well, he's never amounted to anything.

			ALICE
		Poor Kurt.  He's had such a hard life.

			CAPTAIN
		Cost me money, you mean.  A man who abandons his wife and children deserves a hard life.

			ALICE
		Edgar, there's no need for that.

			CAPTAIN
		Off he goes to America, what's he been doing there - well, he hasn't been missed here.

			ALICE
		Do be quiet.

			CAPTAIN
		Nice enough lad.  At least there was someone to talk to.  I enjoyed our discussions.

			ALICE
		Only because he always agreed with you.

			CAPTAIN
		At least you could talk to him.  Nobody here understands a word I say - imbeciles, the lot of them.  (Throws down his cards.)

			ALICE
		(Packing up the cards)  Odd though - well, a coincidence.

			CAPTAIN
		Coincidence?

			ALICE
		Kurt arriving here in time for our silver wedding -

			CAPTAIN
		Why?

			ALICE
		- whether we celebrate it or not.

			CAPTAIN
		Oh, you mean because he brought us together - got you married off.

			ALICE
		Thank you.

			CAPTAIN
		For better or for worse.  He fixed that up all right.

			ALICE
		Of course he didn't.

			CAPTAIN
		Yes he did.

			ALICE
		Kurt was in a silly mood, that's all.

			CAPTAIN
		Which we've had to pay for.

			ALICE
		Yes.

			CAPTAIN
		For twenty-five years.

			ALICE
		I've often wondered.  If I'd stayed in the theatre - I don't know of one friend of mine who isn't famous now.

			CAPTAIN
		(Rising)  Here we go again.  Whisky!

He crosses to the sideboard and pours himself a large whisky and soda.  He stands, drinking.

			CAPTAIN
		If there was a rail here to put your foot on we could be in the American Bar.

			ALICE
		Ah...Copenhagen!

			CAPTAIN
		We'll have one built, to remind us.
			ALICE
		We enjoyed Copenhagen.

			CAPTAIN
		(Drinking)  Remember the navarin au pommes at Nimb's Restaurant?  Mmm!

			ALICE
		What I remember most are the concerts in the Tivoli Gardens.

			CAPTAIN
		Refined as ever.

			ALICE
		You should be glad of it.

			CAPTAIN
		I am.

			ALICE
		Only when you need to show me off.

The CAPTAIN freshens his drink, becomes mellower with the whisky.

			CAPTAIN
		Hullo, I can hear music!

			ALICE
		They must be dancing -

			CAPTAIN
		Oompapah - oompapah!

			ALICE
		(Listening)  A waltz, they're playing a waltz - oh it's so long since I went to a dance.

			CAPTAIN
		Still capable are you?

			ALICE
		Me?

			CAPTAIN
		Come on, face it - your dancing days are over.

			ALICE
		I'm ten years younger than you!

			CAPTAIN
		I never met a woman who wasn't.

			ALICE
		Don't be so stupid.  You may be an old man, I'm still in my prime.

			CAPTAIN
		Oh you can lay on the charm.  To other people.  When it suits you.

			ALICE
		Could we have the lamp lit?

			CAPTAIN
		We could.

			ALICE
		Then ring!

The CAPTAIN takes his time, walks to the desk and rings the bell.  JENNY enters.

			CAPTAIN
		Ah, Jenny - good evening.  Would you be very nice and light the lamps for me please.  Can you manage?

			ALICE
		(Sharply, to JENNY)  Light the lamp.

			JENNY
		(Impudent)  Yes my lady, at once my lady.

She lights the ceiling lamp, watched by the CAPTAIN.

			ALICE
		Did you wipe the glass?

			JENNY
		It'll do.

			ALICE
		What sort of answer is that?

			CAPTAIN
		Alice -

			ALICE
		(To JENNY)  Get out, I'll do it myself.

			JENNY
		(Going)  Go on, then.

			ALICE
		Get out!

			JENNY
		You'll be sorry if I do go.  (She goes.)

			ALICE
		(Uneasy)  Do you think she will?

			CAPTAIN
		What?

			ALICE
		Go.

			CAPTAIN
		Wouldn't surprise me.

			ALICE
		Oh!

			CAPTAIN
		We'll be stuck if she does.

			ALICE
		Wretched girls.

			CAPTAIN
		They're polite enough to me.

			ALICE
		Because you creep round them, subordinates anyway.  Different matter with the officers, isn't it?  You're like all bullies, sweet enough when you've got the upper hand.  (He doesn't reply.  ALICE fidgets.)  You don't think she'll leave, do you?

			CAPTAIN
		You'd better go down and talk to her.

			ALICE
		Me - why me?

			CAPTAIN
		If I go I'll be accused of flirting.

			ALICE
		But what if she does leave?  I'll be left to do it myself, ruin my hands like last time.

			CAPTAIN
		I'll tell you something else.  If Jenny goes, Kristin will go too.

			ALICE
		Oh, stop it.

			CAPTAIN
		We won't get another girl to come out here.

			ALICE
		Why not?

			CAPTAIN
		The ferry pilot warns them off.  If he doesn't, my sentries do.
			ALICE
		What?  You mean they - as well as eating us out of the house because you're too frightened to keep them away from the kitchen!

			CAPTAIN
		If I did that they'd all put in for transfers - we'd be left without a garrison.

			ALICE
		(Mutters)  Then we would be ruined.

			CAPTAIN
		Look, the mess committee are applying to His Majesty for a subsistence grant.

			ALICE
		For us?

			CAPTAIN
		For the sentries.

ALICE burst out laughing.

			CAPTAIN
		What?

			ALICE
		For the sentries!

			CAPTAIN
		At least you find it funny...you even laughed.

			ALICE
		I've almost forgotten how to.

			CAPTAIN
		(Lighting his cigar)  I shouldn't do that, life's boring enough as it is.

			ALICE
		(Pause.  She picks up the cards.)  Do you want to play again?

			CAPTAIN
		No.  I'm tired.

A pause.

			ALICE
		My own cousin.  Goes off to a party with strangers before he comes to see us.  How could he do that?

			CAPTAIN
		Forget it.

			ALICE
		Did you see the piece in the paper? - about the new arrivals?  After his name they put `independant' - that means of independant means!  Kurt!

			CAPTAIN
		He must have come into some money.

			ALICE
		Money - Kurt?

			CAPTAIN
		If he has it's the first time in your family.

			ALICE
		In yours, you mean.  There's plenty of money in my family.

			CAPTAIN
		So he'll be throwing his weight about.  Two can play at that game.

The telegraph apparatus begins to click.

			ALICE
		Who could that be?

			CAPTAIN
		Sssh.

			ALICE
		What's it saying?

			CAPTAIN
		Be quiet, I can't hear...(He listens.)  It's from the children.

He crosses to the apparatus and taps out a reply.  The apparatus responds.  The CAPTAIN answers.

			ALICE
		Well?

			CAPTAIN
		Wait a minute!  (He clicks a final signal.)  It's the children, they're down at headquarters.  Judith's not well, she's off school.

			ALICE
		Again?  She's working too hard! - what an earth is the hurry - she can wait another year, take her exams then.

			CAPTAIN
		You tell her.

			ALICE
		Why not you?

			CAPTAIN
		I have told her, over and over again.  They don't listen, you know that.

			ALICE
		Not in your house, they don't.  (The CAPTAIN yawns loudly.)  Must you do that?

			CAPTAIN
		What am I supposed to do?  Every day the same "not in your house" and then I say "it's not only my house" - I've said it five hundred times why not a yawn instead?  Meaning `I can't be bothered' or `suit yourself' or `let's leave it, my angel'.

			ALICE
		You're being very charming tonight.

			CAPTAIN
		Surely it's time to eat.

			ALICE
		I hear they ordered supper from the mainland - the Grand Hotel, no less.

			CAPTAIN
		The Grand?  That means grouse.  Finest eating bird in the world so long as they don't cook it in lard - criminal that.

			ALICE
		Must you talk about food?

			CAPTAIN
		I wonder what they're drinking.  Some rubbish I daresay.

			ALICE
		Do you want me to play for you?

			CAPTAIN
		(Sits at his desk)  The last resort!  (He hums the Funeral March)  Dum dum da dum.  `Oh I'm so miserable, oh, it's unbearable, why doesn't he die?'  (Sings cheerfully)  Diddlepom, diddlepom, diddle pom pom pom - speaking of which, let's have our own party - isn't there a bottle of champagne in the cellar? 

			ALICE
		That's mine.  It was a present.

			CAPTAIN
		Trust her to be mean.

			ALICE
		Not as mean as some, at least to their wives.
			CAPTAIN
		Right.  No champagne.  (He hums, searching for ideas.  Holds out his arms.)  Dance?

			ALICE
		You?

			CAPTAIN
		Perhaps we should import some company.

			ALICE
		We tried that.

			CAPTAIN
		It changed the atmosphere.

			ALICE
		And then what happened?

Silence.  A knock at the door.

			ALICE
		Who's that at this hour?  Well - go and open the door!  (As he goes)  And don't bawl `Come in!' as though you're in barracks -

			CAPTAIN
		(Turns at the door)  Oh, of course, anything to do with my job -

			ALICE
		Open the door!

The CAPTAIN goes out, sticks his head in the door.

			CAPTAIN
		It's Kristin.  (He goes out)  Where's Jenny?  (Inaudible reply.  He turns to ALICE in the doorway.)  Jenny's left.

			ALICE
		Oh no!  What's that?  (The CAPTAIN has a visiting card in his hand.)  Jenny wouldn't leave a card, who's it from?

He squints, trying to read the small print.  She snatches the card from him, reads.

			ALICE
		Kurt!  It's Kurt!  Let him in!  Kurt!

			CAPTAIN
		(Exits)  Kurt?

ALICE tidies herself swiftly, comes alive.  The CAPTAIN enters with KURT.

			CAPTAIN
		Here he is!  The renegade returns - welcome, my dear boy, it's very good to see you.

			ALICE
		Kurt!  (She embraces him fondly, then stands back to inspect him.)  Welcome home!

			KURT
		Thank you.  It's been a long time.

			CAPTAIN
		What is it - fifteen years?  We're all older...

			ALICE
		Kurt hasn't changed a bit - he looks splendid.

			CAPTAIN
		Sit down, sit down!  Wait - are you engaged for tonight?  What are your plans for dinner?

			KURT
		I've been invited to the Doctor's, but I haven't confirmed.

			ALICE
		Surely you'd rather eat here, with your relations.

			KURT
		I'd much prefer to, naturally, but it might be awkward.

			CAPTAIN
		Awkward?  Why?

			KURT
		He is my new superior.

			CAPTAIN
		Rubbish!  Never be frightened of those in authority, I never have.

ALICE pulls a face.

			KURT
		I've only just arrived.  I don't want to cause offence the day I set foot here.

			CAPTAIN
		Listen to me, my boy.  On this island there is one man in charge - me.  You stick with me, they won't lay a finger on you.

			ALICE
		Edgar, that's enough!  (She takes KURT'S hand.)  Never mind who's in charge.  People will think it only natural if you dine with us.

			KURT
		Thank you.  For the invitation, and for the welcome.

			CAPTAIN
		Why shouldn't we welcome you?  (KURT looks at him warily.)  All right, we all remember the time when you...ah...when you behaved thoughtlessly.  All behind us, I don't hold grudges.  I never have and I never will.  Not my way.

ALICE turns away at this.  They all sit by the sewing table.

			ALICE
		So - you've been out in the great, wide world!

			KURT
		After a fashion.  Anyway - here I am, happy to be back with the two of you.

			CAPTAIN
		Yes, the two of us.  The two you married off, twenty-five years ago.

			KURT
		Is it so long?  Surely not.  Never mind, it's splendid to see you both, still together after twenty-five years.

			CAPTAIN
		Oh, ups and downs, ups and downs, but - as you say - still together.  She has no cause for complaint, wants for nothing, money pouring in - I'm a well-known writer now, did you know that?  Military textbooks.

			KURT
		I remember!  When we last me you'd just published an instruction manual - is it still in use, it was doing well at the time, I believe.

			CAPTAIN
		Still in print and still the best!

			ALICE
		They replaced it.

			KURT
		Ah.

			CAPTAIN
		Some inferior rubbish.  Quite worthless.

A painful silence.
			KURT
		Have you been abroad at all?

			ALICE
		Oh yes!  We've been to Copenhagen!

			CAPTAIN
		Five times.  You see, when I captured Alice from the theatre -

			ALICE
		Captured?

			CAPTAIN
		Yes, captured - as a woman should be! -

			ALICE
		Very heroic.

			CAPTAIN
		- since she's shoved it down my throat ever since - `you ruined my career!' I've had to concede trips to Copenhagen.  Five times!  Five visits, promised and fulfilled like a soldier (counting them out on the fingers of his left hand.)  Ever been to Copenhagen?

			KURT
		Ah - no.

			ALICE
		But you've travelled?

			KURT
		Oh yes.  (As she looks up at him expectantly.)  Mostly in America.

			CAPTAIN
		America?  Rough sort of place I hear.  Full of savages...ne'er do wells...

			KURT
		It's certainly not Copenhagen.  (Pause.)

			ALICE
		Have you heard anything?  Have you been in touch with your children?

			KURT
		No.

			ALICE
		Forgive me, Kurt dear.  I shouldn't have brought it up.

			KURT
		Not at all.

			ALICE
		It's just - well it's still painful to remember your leaving them -

			KURT
		I didn't leave them.  The court awarded custody to their mother.

			CAPTAIN
		Never mind about all that mess, you were well out of it.

			KURT
		(After a pause)  How are your children?

			ALICE
		Very well, thank you.  They're at school on the mainland - growing up now.

			CAPTAIN
		Yes.  Both clever.  The boy has a brilliant mind, he's bound for the General Staff.

			ALICE
		If they take him.

			CAPTAIN
		If!  He'll be Minister of Defence!

			KURT
		Changing the subject - we're setting up the Quarantine Station here to check incoming ships for infection.  I'll be working directly under the Doctor - what sort of man is he?

			CAPTAIN
		He's not a man, he's an ignorant rogue.

			KURT
		(To ALICE)  My bad luck, it seems.

			ALICE
		Not a man you'd warm to, though not as bad as Edgar says.

			CAPTAIN
		He's a rogue - they all are - the Customs' Officer, the Postmaster, the pilot, the - what does he call himself - alderman - scoundrels the lot!

			KURT
		All of them?

			CAPTAIN
		Every man jack.  Which is why I keep to myself.  There's not a bullying little bureaucrat in Sweden who doesn't end up here.

			ALICE
		(Ironic)  True.

			CAPTAIN
		(Jovial)  Not a reference to me I hope!  If there's one thing I've never been it's a bully, and certainly not in my own house.  My old lady here has nothing to complain about.  Best wife in the world!

			ALICE
		Kurt, would you like a drink?

			KURT
		Ah...no thank you.

			ALICE
		You haven't become a -

			KURT
		No, no, no - I've just cut down.

			CAPTAIN
		American temperance, eh?

			KURT
		Very like.

			CAPTAIN
		I've no time for it.  A man must be able to hold his drink.

			KURT
		I was wondering - about the people here - I'm going to have to work with them, become involved whether I like it or not.

The wind begins to rise, softly at first.

			ALICE
		Of course, but there's no need to mix.  You'll have us.

			KURT
		Isn't it lonely?  Seeing no-one?  Surrounded by people you dislike?

			ALICE
		It lacks delight, I can tell you.

			CAPTAIN
		Not at all!  I've had enemies all my life, believe me, they're a help, not a hindrance.  I've had to fight for everything I've earned.  When they sound that bugle over me I shall owe nothing - not to a single soul.

			ALICE
		As you may gather, Edgar's life has not been strewn with roses.

			CAPTAIN
		More like stones and flints - same for you?

			KURT
		(Simply)  No.  I learned the inadequacy of retreat a long time ago.

			CAPTAIN
		Retreat?

			KURT
		Withdrawal then.  From society.  I take life as it is.

			CAPTAIN
		Then you're a poor sort of man.

			ALICE
		Edgar!

			CAPTAIN
		I mean it.  If that's his outlook he doesn't trust his own strength to see him through.  We may all end up as a barrowload of shit, but as long as you're alive it's kick - hit out - survive.  That's my philosophy.

			KURT
		(Laughs)  It's one way to look at things.

			CAPTAIN
		But you don't agree.

			KURT
		No.

			CAPTAIN
		It's true, all the same!

The wind slams the upstage door.  The CAPTAIN rises, taps the barometer.

			CAPTAIN
		I knew it!  There's going to be a storm.

			ALICE
		(To KURT)  You will stay for supper.

			KURT
		Thank you, I'd like to.

			CAPTAIN
		I felt it coming, the barometer's right down.

			ALICE
		(Whispers to KURT)  It's his nerves.
			CAPTAIN
		Time to eat!

			ALICE
		I'll see to it.  You two stay here and philosophise.  (Aside to KURT)  Don't contradict him, he'll lose his temper.  (Dodges back again)  And don't ask him why he never became a major.

She goes.  KURT crosses and sits.  The CAPTAIN sits beside him.

			CAPTAIN
		(Calls)  And cook us something decent, woman!

			ALICE
		(Offstage)  Give me the money and I will!

			CAPTAIN
		Money, money - that woman treats me like a walking wallet - d'you know the feeling?

			KURT
		Walking cheque book in my case.

			CAPTAIN
		(Laughs)  That's for sure!  Women!  (He laughs again.)  You certainly drew the short straw.

			KURT
		(Patiently)  Oh, that's all in the past.

			CAPTAIN
		A real jewel you picked.  No...mine's a good woman, for all her faults.

			KURT
		(Laughs)  "For all her faults"?

			CAPTAIN
		What are you laughing at?

			KURT
		For all her faults.

			CAPTAIN
		Absolutely.  Stand by it.  Faithful wife, fine mother.  (He glances off)  She's got a devil of a temper, mind.  I've cursed you more than once for saddling me with her.

			KURT
		(Mildly)  But I didn't.

			CAPTAIN
		Come on, old chap, don't talk rubbish - you've forgotten what you'd rather not remember.  Don't take it amiss, I get used to shouting at people, giving orders - you're not offended?

			KURT
		Not in the least.  But I must correct you.  I didn't bring you two together, quite the opposite.

			CAPTAIN
		(Not listening to him)  No, a strange thing, life, don't you think?

			KURT
		That's certainly true.

			CAPTAIN
		Take growing old.  You wouldn't call that pleasant.  Interesting, perhaps.  I'm no age, of course, but...you begin to...you start to... people you know, you read of their deaths, all of a sudden you're alone.

			KURT
		But you're a lucky man.  You have a wife to share your old age.

			CAPTAIN
		Lucky?!  Yes, I suppose I am.  Your children grow up, leave home, go away to school - you abandoned yours, of course -

			KURT
		No!  I didn't.  They were taken from me.

			CAPTAIN
		I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have brought it up, didn't mean to upset you.

			KURT
		It wasn't like that.

			CAPTAIN
		Well, whatever happened, best forgotten, all in the past.  Left you on your own though, hasn't it?

			KURT
		I'm used to it.

			CAPTAIN
		Can you?  Get used to it?  Being alone?

			KURT
		As you see, I've survived.

			CAPTAIN
		Ye-es.  I was going to ask.  What have you been doing with yourself these last fifteen years?

			KURT
		My dear Edgar! - where to begin?

			CAPTAIN
		I hear you've come into money.
			KURT
		Oh, I wouldn't say that.

			CAPTAIN
		Don't worry, I'm not after a loan.

			KURT
		You'd be very welcome.

			CAPTAIN
		Thank you but I am not without funds.  Which is just as well.  If I were, she'd be out of that door.

			KURT
		No, no...

			CAPTAIN
		Never lets it pass when funds are low.  Likes to rub it in, I'm not providing for her in the style demanded.

			KURT
		But surely - you have a good income, didn't you say?

			CAPTAIN
		Certainly I do.

			KURT
		(Smiles)  Not big enough?

			CAPTAIN
		You could say so.  Funny thing, life.

			KURT
		Yes.

			CAPTAIN
		And people.

The telegraph begins to click.

			KURT
		Ah - a telegraph machine!  Don't you have a telephone?

			CAPTAIN
		It's in the kitchen.  We don't use it - the telephonists listen in all the time.

			KURT
		I see.  (Slight pause.)  It must be a very grim life for you, marooned out here.

			CAPTAIN
		Bloody.  Absolutely bloody.  Tell me, do you believe in an after-life?  Some sort of relief from all this?

			KURT
		Who knows?  Maybe storms and battles there too.

			CAPTAIN
		If there is a `there'.  My view is - better annihilation.  (Snaps his fingers)  That's the way I intend to go...over in a flash.

			KURT
		You seem very sure.

			CAPTAIN
		I am.  In a flash.  And the day I drop dead I shall be a happy man.

			KURT
		Is there something wrong?

			CAPTAIN
		What?

			KURT
		You seem distressed.  Is there something going on?

			CAPTAIN
		What?

			KURT
		It's the atmosphere.  You feel it as you come through the door.  Bad - really (he shudders) - so much - I don't know.  If I hadn't told Alice I'd stay for supper I'd be off.

The CAPTAIN suddenly slumps in his chair.  His gaze becomes vacant.  KURT, on his feet, turns, notices him.

			KURT
		Edgar!  What's the matter?  (He shakes the CAPTAIN'S shoulders)  Edgar?

			CAPTAIN
		(Coming to)  Did you say something?  (Looks round)  Oh it's you, I thought it was Alice.  (He slumps into vacancy again.)

			KURT
		My God!  (He goes to the door and calls)  Alice - Alice!

			ALICE
		(Enters, wearing an apron)  What is it?

			KURT
		I don't know - look at him!

			ALICE
		(Unmoved)  Oh, he goes like that sometimes.  I'll play some music, that'll wake him up.

			KURT
		No, don't do that - Don't!  Let me look at him.  Can he hear?  Can he see?

			ALICE
		Not when he's like this.

			KURT
		Alice!  Doesn't it worry you?  What's going on in this house?

			ALICE
		Ask that thing there.

			KURT
		That thing?!  He's your husband!

			ALICE
		He's a stranger to me, as much as he was twenty-five years ago.  I know nothing about this man, except -

			KURT
		Sssh, he'll hear you!

			ALICE
		I've told you, he can't hear a thing.

A bugle sounds outside.  The CAPTAIN jumps to his feet, picks up his sabre and cap.

			CAPTAIN
		I must inspect the sentry posts.  (He goes.)

			KURT
		Is he ill?  Is he out of his mind?

			ALICE
		How should I know?

			KURT
		Is he drinking?

			ALICE
		Not as much as he brags about.

			KURT
		Sit down.  Alice, I want to know.
			ALICE
		(Sits)  What do you want me to say?  That I've been a prisoner in this tower for a lifetime?  Confined by a man I've always hated?  Whom I now detest with such violence that the day he dies I shall weep with joy?

			KURT
		But - why are you together?  Why didn't you separate?

			ALICE
		Good question!  Twice we broke off the engagement, since then not a day has gone by that we haven't tried to part but we're welded together, we can't break free!  Once we lived completely separate lives in this house - for five years.  Now, what is there to do?  Wait for death to set us free.

			KURT
		But why are you both so alone here - why do you cut yourselves off from people?

			ALICE
		It's him!  First he ejected all my relations from the house - that's the word he used - `ejected'.  then my women friends, neighbours...

			KURT
		What about his relations?

			ALICE
		I turned them out, they were killing me - first my reputation as an actress, then my good name - do you know how I stay in touch with the world now?  With that!  (She points to the telegraph machine.)  I've had to learn how to use that, don't tell him, he'd kill me if he knew.

			KURT
		But this is horrible.  And why does he blame me for your marriage?  You remember how it was.  Edgar and I were friends, he fell in love the first time he saw you and I warned him off - forgive me, but I knew how vile you can be in a temper - forgive me.  It was only because he pestered me so much that I suggested he use your brother as a go-between.  I was totally against it.

			ALICE
		I believe you, but he's been fooling himself for so long, you'll never get him to change his mind now.

			KURT
		Oh let him blame me if it makes him feel any better.

			ALICE
		Hardly fair to you.
			KURT
		I'm used to that.  What hurts is when he says I abandoned my children.

			ALICE
		You will come and see us?  He seems to like you, please don't desert me, we're the most miserable people on God's earth.  (She weeps.)

			KURT
		I've seen one marriage at close quarters.  That was frightening enough but this is worse.

			ALICE
		And whose fault is that!

			KURT
		Perhaps you should accept things as they are.

			ALICE
		I can't.  (She gets up.)   It's hopeless.

			KURT
		I'm so sorry.

			ALICE
		Do you know what he hates most of all?  The thought that he'll die before me and I'll be free to marry again.

			KURT
		So he does love you?

			ALICE
		Possibly.  Probably.  It doesn't stop him from hating me.

			KURT
		I know that hell.  (Pause)  Tell me, where are the children?

			ALICE
		You know we lost two?

			KURT
		No, I didn't know.  So you've been through that?

			ALICE
		Children don't survive here.

			KURT
		What about the other two?

			ALICE
		I sent them away!
			KURT
		For their health?

			ALICE
		He was turning them against me, they had to go!  What should have been a blessing became a nightmare, how could they stay in this horrible house.  (She shudders)  Ohh!

		Sometimes I think there's a curse on all of us.  (She lowers her head onto clasped hands.)  Oh -hah!  (She laughs)  I can't even feed you.

			KURT
		I'm sorry?

			ALICE
		There's nothing to eat out there!  He'll be here in a minute then you'll see, you'll see how he is!

			KURT
		(Rises)  I'll go and find some food for us.

			ALICE
		(Waves him down)  There's nothing to be had, not here on the Island - at this time of night.

			KURT
		We must think of something - make a joke of it.  I'll suggest a drink and you can play for him, put him in a good humour.

			ALICE
		Look at my hands, I have to lay the fire, clean the pots, polish the brass! -

			KURT
		But you've got two servants.

			ALICE
		They all leave, they won't stay here - oh, if the whole place would only burn down - !

			KURT
		Alice!

			ALICE
		I wish the sea would rise and swallow us up.

			KURT
		Stop it.

			ALICE
		What will he say?  Don't go, Kurt, don't leave me!

			KURT
		I won't.

			ALICE
		But when you've gone -

			KURT
		Does he beat you?

			ALICE
		Beat me?  No, I'd leave him if he ever did that, I do have some pride.

Outside, shouts of `Who goes there?' and `Friend'.

			KURT
		(Rises)  Is that him?

			ALICE
		(Frightened)  Yes.

Pause.

			KURT
		What on earth are we to do?

			ALICE
		I don't know!

			CAPTAIN
		(Enters cheerfully)  There, now I'm free.  Been pouring her heart out, has she, about the terrible life she has here?  Out with the violins!

			KURT
What's the weather like?

			CAPTAIN
		Stormy!  (Opens the door slightly, joking)  Bluebeard's Castle and the Maiden in the Tower!  Ah, the sentry!  Her brothers try to rescue her in vain - there he goes, clip clop, clip clop - let's have a sword dance, Kurt should see that!

			KURT
		I'd rather have a good military march.

			CAPTAIN
		Alice!  Alice in your apron - play!  Come on, come on!

ALICE reluctantly sits at the piano.  The CAPTAIN bends over her, pinches her arm.

			CAPTAIN
		Been telling lies about me, have you?

			ALICE
		No.

He turns away.  ALICE plays "The Entry of the Boyars".  The CAPTAIN dances, performing a Hungarian dance, his spurs jangling.  He reels and falls behind the desk, unnoticed by the others.

			ALICE
		(Calls to him)  Do you want it again?

Silence.  She turns, and sees the CAPTAIN, hidden from the audience, lying on the floor behind the desk.

			ALICE
		Sweet Jesus.

She stands, arms crossed on her chest and sighs deeply, as with relief.  KURT turns.

			KURT
		What is it?  What's happened?

He sees the CAPTAIN, hurries over to him.

			ALICE
		Is he dead?

			KURT
		I don't know.  Help me!

			ALICE
		(Motionless)  I can't touch him.  Is he dead?

			KURT
		No.  He's alive.

ALICE sighs deeply.  The CAPTAIN staggers to his feet.  KURT helps him to a chair.

			CAPTAIN
		What happened?  (Silence)  What happened?

			KURT
		You fell.  On the floor.  Is there something wrong?

			CAPTAIN
		With me?  Nothing.  Not that I'm aware of.  What are you looking at me like that for?

			KURT
		Edgar, you're ill.

			CAPTAIN
		Rubbish - play on, Alice - ahh!  (He clutches his head.)

			ALICE
		You see?  You are ill!

			CAPTAIN
		Don't start - I'm dizzy, that's all.

			KURT
		We must get a doctor.  I'll go and telephone.

			CAPTAIN
		I don't want any doctor!

			KURT
		You must - for our sakes if not your own, they'll hold us responsible.

			CAPTAIN
		If he comes in here I'll put a bullet through him - ahhh!  (He clutches his head.)

			KURT
		I'll telephone.  (He goes.)

			CAPTAIN
		Get me a glass of water.

ALICE shrugs, takes off her apron, folds it, crosses, taking her time, pours a drink and brings it to him.

			CAPTAIN
		(Taking it)  Very loving.

			ALICE
		(Standing over him)  Are you ill?

			CAPTAIN
		I do beg your pardon.

			ALICE
		Well if you are, I hope you can look after yourself.

			CAPTAIN
		Meaning that you won't?

			ALICE
		What do you think!

			CAPTAIN
		The moment you've been waiting for!

			ALICE
		Which you said would never happen.

			CAPTAIN
		Why are you in a temper then - smile!

			KURT
		(Enters)  It's monstrous.

			ALICE
		What did he say?

			KURT
		He hung up, just like that!

			ALICE
		(To CAPTAIN)  That's what you get for your arrogance.

			CAPTAIN
		It's getting worse.  Get a doctor from the mainland.

			ALICE
		(Crosses to telegraph)  I'll need to telegraph.

			CAPTAIN
		(Half rises, astonished)  You know how to work that thing?

			ALICE
		(Sending a message)  Of course.

			CAPTAIN
		You deceitful, lying bitch!  Go on - do it - quick!  (He holds out his hand for KURT to sit with him.)  Hold my hand, I feel as if I'm falling - so strange - ahh...

			KURT
		Have you had these attacks before?

			CAPTAIN
		Never.

			KURT
		While we're waiting for a reply I'll go across to the Doctor.  Has he treated you before?

			CAPTAIN
		No.

			ALICE
		Yes.

			KURT
		Then he'll know your history.  (Going.)

			ALICE
		(By the telegraph)  Thank you, Kurt.  We'll get a reply soon.  You'll come back, won't you?

			KURT
		I'll be as quick as I can.  (Goes.)

			CAPTAIN
		He's a good fellow.

			ALICE
		He always was.  Too good to be involved in all this.

			CAPTAIN
		Funny the way he doesn't want to talk about himself.

			ALICE
		We haven't asked him.

			CAPTAIN
		He's seen enough trouble.

			ALICE
		And kept it to himself.  Unlike us.  Have we ever known anybody happy?  A happy marriage - family?

They think.

			CAPTAIN
		(At last)  The Kraffts?

			ALICE
		The cousin turned out to be an embezzler and they couldn't show their faces.

			CAPTAIN
		That other family -

			ALICE
		Cancer.

Silence.

			CAPTAIN
		I can't think what's wrong.

			ALICE
		With you?

			CAPTAIN
		It's as if I want to fly out of myself and dissolve in a cloud of smoke.  (He moves, restless.)

			ALICE
		What do you want?

			CAPTAIN
		Something to eat.  What have you got?

			ALICE
		(Rises, nervous)  I'll ask Jenny.

			CAPTAIN
		She's not here, she left, remember?  Ring for Kristin, I need some more water.

			ALICE
		(Rings.  And again...)  That's odd - no answer.

			CAPTAIN
		Go and see.  So long as she hasn't left!

ALICE crosses, opens the door and looks out.

			ALICE
		What on earth's that?  (Goes and returns)  It's Kristin's trunk, in the hall.

			CAPTAIN
		Then she's gone too.

ALICE collapses, weeping.

			ALICE
		This is hell!

			CAPTAIN
		And of course, Kurt has to come just now, to see our humiliation!

			ALICE
		Do you know what I think?  He's gone too.  He won't be back.

			CAPTAIN
		The same as he always was.

			ALICE
		There's a curse on this house.  We're damned.  They all ignore us, it's as if we don't exist.

			CAPTAIN
		Who gives a damn?  (The telegraph starts to click.)  There's your answer to that - quiet, let me listen.  (He listens.  The telegraph stops.)

			ALICE
		Well?

			CAPTAIN
		No-one available.  Scum!

			ALICE
		That's what you get for abusing your doctors.  And not paying them.

			CAPTAIN
		Untrue.

			ALICE
		Even when you could you didn't because you said they were rubbish, as my work was rubbish, and everybody else's.  Now they won't come.  And they're cutting off the telephone tomorrow - the only things left working are your rifles and cannons.

			CAPTAIN
		Don't talk rubbish.
			ALICE
		You'll see.  We owe Kristin six months wages, did you know that?

			CAPTAIN
		Not as much as she's stolen from us.

			ALICE
		And I've had to borrow from her.

			CAPTAIN
		That's no surprise where you're concerned.

			ALICE
		It was for the children!  You know that.

			CAPTAIN
		Kurt timed it well.  A rogue like the rest of them, and a coward.  He'll be eating his head off at the Doctor's...saw he wasn't going to get anything here, so off - he hasn't changed.

			KURT
		(Hurries in)  Look...my dear Edgar, this is how it is.  (He gets his breath back.)  The Doctor knows all about your heart -

			CAPTAIN
		Heart?

			KURT
		He says you've had a bad heart for some time ...a hardening...

			CAPTAIN
		A hardening of the heart?

			KURT
		He says -

			CAPTAIN
		Is it dangerous?

			KURT
		Yes, that's to say -

			CAPTAIN
		Serious.

			KURT
		Yes.

			CAPTAIN
		Death?

			KURT
		You must take great care.  First - no more cigars.

The CAPTAIN throws away his cigar.

			KURT
		No more whisky.  And straight into bed.

			CAPTAIN
		(Frightened)  No.  That's the end, you never get up again.  I'll sleep here, on the sofa.  What else did he say?

			KURT
		He was very friendly, he says he'll come at once, you've only to ask.

			CAPTAIN
		Friendly?  The bloody hypocrite.  What else - can I eat?

			KURT
		Not tonight, and for the next few days nothing but milk.

			CAPTAIN
		Milk?  I can't drink milk.  I can't stand the stuff!

			KURT
		You'll have to learn.

			CAPTAIN
		I'm too old for that.  (He clutches his head.)  Ohh!  (He suddenly becomes rigid in his chair, staring vacantly into space.)

			ALICE
		What did the Doctor say?

			KURT
		He could die.

			ALICE
		Thank God!

			KURT
		Alice, for God's sake!  Go and get a pillow and a blanket and we'll put him to bed on the sofa.  I'll sit up with him.

			ALICE
		What about me? 

			KURT
		You seem to make him worse.  I should go to bed.

			ALICE
		Very well.  I know you want what's best.

			KURT
		For both of you.  I'm not taking sides in this.

ALICE goes.  KURT picks up the carafe and goes out.  The wind rises and the upstage door blows open.  An OLD WOMAN, unpleasant and shabby looking, peers in.  The CAPTAIN wakes up, rises and looks round.

			CAPTAIN
		Left me on my own, the devils!  (He sees the OLD WOMAN and jumps, frightened.)  Who's there - what do you want?

			OLD WOMAN
		I'm just shutting the door, sir.

			CAPTAIN
		Why?  What for?

			OLD WOMAN
		It blew open, I was just going by.

			CAPTAIN
		You were going to steal, you old witch!

			OLD WOMAN
		Oh no sir.  Kristin says there's nothing left worth taking.

			CAPTAIN
		(Grinding his teeth)  Kristin!

			OLD WOMAN
		Good night sir.  Sleep well.

She goes, closing the door with emphasis.  ALICE enters with pillows and a blanket.

			CAPTAIN
		Who was that at the door?  Was somebody there?

			ALICE
		Old Maria, from the poorhouse.  She was just passing.  You weren't frightened, were you?

			CAPTAIN
		Me - frightened?  Of course not.

			ALICE
		Since you won't go to bed, you might as well come and lie down.

The CAPTAIN crosses and lies on the sofa.

			CAPTAIN
		This will do.

He tries to take ALICE'S hand but she draws it away.  KURT enters with the carafe.

			CAPTAIN
		Kurt, don't leave me!

			KURT
		I'm staying all night.  Alice is going to bed.

			CAPTAIN
		(Looks up at ALICE)  Goodnight then.

			ALICE
		(To KURT)  Goodnight, Kurt.

			KURT
		Goodnight.

She goes.  KURT takes a chair and sits by the CAPTAIN.

			KURT
		Don't you want to take off your boots?

			CAPTAIN
		No!  A soldier must always be ready for action.

			KURT
		You're expecting a battle, then?

			CAPTAIN
		Perhaps.  (He sits up)  Kurt, you're the only person I've ever confided in.  Listen, if I die tonight look after my children.

			KURT
		I will.

			CAPTAIN
		Thank you.  I trust you.

			KURT
		Why is that?

			CAPTAIN
		We've never been friends.  I don't believe in friendship.  Our families have always been at loggerheads...

			KURT
		And yet you trust me?

			CAPTAIN
		I don't know why that should be.

Silence.

			CAPTAIN
		Am I going to die?

			KURT
		We all are.

			CAPTAIN
		Doesn't that make you bitter?

			KURT
		Yes.  What about you?  Are you afraid of being spread over the garden from a wheelbarrow?

			CAPTAIN
		Suppose it isn't the end?

			KURT
		Many think it isn't.

			CAPTAIN
		What then?

			KURT
		Some surprises, perhaps.

			CAPTAIN
		No-one knows for sure.

			KURT
		We should be ready for anything.

			CAPTAIN
		You're not such a fool as to believe in hell?

			KURT
		I might, if I were in the middle of it, like you.

			CAPTAIN
		I was speaking metaphorically.

			KURT
		I hardly think so.  What you were saying about your life was hardly metaphorical, poetic or anything but real and now.

Silence.

			CAPTAIN
		If you knew the agonies I've suffered.  For what?  (A slight pause, then he raises himself on the sofa.)  I don't want to die!

			KURT
		Just now you were longing for annihilation.

			CAPTAIN
		Well, why not?  So long as it's painless.

			KURT
		Who can guarantee that - a good death.

			CAPTAIN
		Am I dying?

			KURT
		Possibly.

			CAPTAIN
		(Turns away from him)  Goodnight.

			KURT
		Goodnight.

ACT TWO

The same setting.  An overcast morning and a rolling sea outside.  The SENTRY as before.  The CAPTAIN lies asleep.  KURT sits beside him, hollow-eyed from lack of sleep.  ALICE enters.

			ALICE
		Is he asleep?

			KURT
		Yes, since day break.

			ALICE
		What sort of night did you have?

			KURT
		He dozed off now and then.  Most of the time he was talking.

			ALICE
		What about?

			KURT
		Religion mostly.  Like a schoolboy after the secrets of the universe.  Towards dawn he discovered the immortality of the soul.

			ALICE
		Edgar decides he has a soul?

			KURT
		He really is the most arrogant man I've ever met.  I am, therefore God exists.

			ALICE
		Now you know.  He'd have trampled the earth flat in those boots given the chance, the way he's trampled over his men and everyone else including me.  Now it's his turn to feel the knife.

			KURT
		He'd be comic if he weren't tragic.  There's a kind of grandeur about all the pettiness.  Can you find nothing to say in his favour?

			ALICE
		(Sits)  Oh yes.  But not in his hearing.  One word of encouragement, his arrogance becomes overwhelming.

			KURT
		He can't hear anything, I've given him morphine.

			ALICE
		Perhaps it's his poor background.  His useless father - having to support all those brothers and sisters - I remember the first time I saw him - I was a little girl - it was winter and they were all in warm coats.  Except him.  It was admirable.  But he was ugly.  He frightened me.

			KURT
		I know what you mean, he can look hideous, especially in a bad mood.  It used to make me shudder - after picking a quarrel his image would stay with you.  (He shudders.)

			ALICE
		Imagine what it's been for me!  I know it was a struggle for him at first but he's had help.  Not that he ever admits it, he takes anything he gets as his right.

			KURT
		I suppose we shouldn't speak ill of him.

			ALICE
		After he's dead I'll say no more.  He can be kind.  No, he's a monster.

			KURT
		Why did he never make Major?

			ALICE
		Are you surprised?  Give him seniority when he'd proved to be a tyrant as a subordinate?  Don't say a word about this, he maintains that he never wanted promotion.  Did he mention the children?

			KURT
		Yes, he said he wanted to see Judith.

			ALICE
		Of course - his alter ego!  My own daughter, trained in his image to spite and despise me.  Do you know that girl has raised her arm against me!

			KURT
		Judith?

			ALICE
		Ssh! - he's moving! - what if he heard us?

			KURT
		No, he's just stirring.

			ALICE
		He's very cunning.  He looks like Satan himself.

The CAPTAIN stirs, rises, looks around.

				CAPTAIN
		It's morning - at last!

			KURT
		How are you feeling?

			CAPTAIN
		Bad.

			KURT
		Do you want a doctor?

			CAPTAIN
		No, I want to see Judith.  I want to see my daughter.

			KURT
		Edgar, wouldn't it be wise to put your affairs in order before...in case anything happens...

			CAPTAIN
		In case what happens?  I'm not going to die.  Apologies, Alice, you'll have to save the celebrations for a few years.

			KURT
		You should at least make a will, see that your wife has a roof over her head.

			CAPTAIN
		Hand it over while I'm still alive, is that what she's after?

			KURT
		No, but if anything should happen you wouldn't want her to be out on the street without a stick of furniture.  She's cleaned and polished all this for twenty-five years, surely she has some rights?  Would you like me to send for a lawyer?

			CAPTAIN
		No!

			KURT
		Then you're a crueller man than I thought.

The CAPTAIN groans suddenly, falls back unconscious.

			ALICE
		(Looks away)  I think I hear someone in the kitchen -

			KURT
		Yes, go and see to it, there's nothing you can do here.

The CAPTAIN regains consciousness, sits up abruptly and glares balefully at KURT.

			CAPTAIN
		Thought out your tactics, have you?

			KURT
		(Startled)  Sorry?

			CAPTAIN
		A quarantine station on this island?  How are you going to manage that?

			KURT
		I don't know yet.  I'll manage.

			CAPTAIN
		Will you?  I'm in command here, don't forget.  You'll have to deal through me.

			KURT
		I hope we can work together - have you seen a quarantine in action?

			CAPTAIN
		Are you stupid, man, of course I have - before you were born.  I'll give you one piece of advice for nothing.  Don't put your disinfecting ovens onshore, close to the sea.

			KURT
		But I was told they needed to be near water -

			CAPTAIN
		Haha!  Shows how much you know about your job.  Water is just the element for germs, they thrive in it.

			KURT
		Surely salt water cleanses impurities -

			CAPTAIN
		Don't be an idiot.  (A pause.)  First thing is to find you a place to live.  Get you settled in you can bring your children over.

			KURT
		If they'll come.

			CAPTAIN
		Of course they'll come if you say so, if you're any sort of a man.  It'll make a good impression.

			KURT
		I'm sorry?

			CAPTAIN
		If people here see you fulfilling your responsibilities -

			KURT
		I have always fulfilled -

			CAPTAIN
		in the field, where you are most lacking.

			KURT
		Did I not tell you -

			CAPTAIN
		(Loud)  A man who abandons his own children -

			KURT
		Oh, leave it!

			CAPTAIN
		As your kinsman and senior member of the family it is my duty to tell you the truth, however unpalatable, so there is no need to take offence.

Silence.

			KURT
		Are you hungry?

			CAPTAIN
		Yes I am.

			KURT
		I'll get you something light.

			CAPTAIN
		No!  I missed dinner, I want a decent five-course meal.

			KURT
		I am reliably informed that such a thing could finish you.

			CAPTAIN
		Bad enough being ill without being starved as well!

			KURT
		I'm sorry but it's what the -

			CAPTAIN
		No drinking, no smoking - what is there left to live for?

			KURT
		Edgar.  Look.  Death does not play games.  It's either do as you're told or - kkk!  (He draws a finger across his throat.)

ALICE enters with flowers and messages.

			ALICE
		These are for you.  (As he lifts his arms for them, his face alive with joy.)  They're only from the sergeant's mess...(throwing the lot in his lap.)

			CAPTAIN
		(Smelling the flowers)  Oh - jealous!  Flowers - for me...

			ALICE
		Hardly accolades - are they fresh?

			CAPTAIN
		And a telegram from the Colonel - read it for me, Kurt, would you - very decent of him even if he is a fool.  This is from - it's from Judith!  Telegraph her right away to come by the next boat.  This one - (reads) well!  I'm not without friends after all!  It's gratifying to be remembered.  People respect an honest soldier, a man deserving beyond his rank.

			ALICE
		I don't understand.  Are they congratulating you on being ill?

			CAPTAIN
		She can't bear it, can she?

			KURT
		What?

			CAPTAIN
		The limelight on me!

			ALICE
		We had a doctor once who was so hated that the whole Island gave a banquet when he left.

			CAPTAIN
		(To KURT)  Put the flowers in water for me.  I'm not easily fooled.  People, in the main, are fools, rogues and scum.  But to be given simple homage like this, straight from the heart, genuine affection -

			ALICE
		You idiot!

			KURT
		(Reading)  This telegram's from Judith.

			CAPTAIN
		(Eager)  And?

			KURT
		The steamer's been delayed by the storm.

			CAPTAIN
		And?  Is that all?  What else does she say?

			KURT
		(Awkwardly)  She - ah - she says not to drink so much.

			CAPTAIN
		Bloody impertinence.  Sharper than a viper's tongue - that's children for you.  Can you believe it?  Judith, my pride and joy.

			ALICE
		Your spitting image, you mean.

			CAPTAIN
		Oh, to hell with it.

		Have you asked Kurt to breakfast?

			ALICE
		No.

			CAPTAIN
		Then fry us two really good steaks.  On the double.

			ALICE
		Two?  What about me?

			CAPTAIN
		All right, three.

			ALICE
		There's nothing out there!  You ask him to supper when there isn't a crust in the house, he's had to sit up all night with you on an empty stomach, not even a cup of coffee -

			CAPTAIN
		Then get some!

			ALICE
		How can I when our credit's run out!  They won't deliver!

Humiliated, she throws herself down weeping.

			CAPTAIN
		(To KURT)  Oh dear, now she's upset.  (Bawls at her)  Sorry I didn't manage to die last night, what a pity.

			ALICE
		A pity you didn't die twenty-five years ago.  I wish you'd died before I was born!

			CAPTAIN
		(To KURT)  You hear that?  So much for your match-making, my friend - this is one you certainly didn't make in heaven.

KURT looks at ALICE, who shrugs helplessly.  To their surprise the CAPTAIN gets up, goes to the door.

			CAPTAIN
		However, time for duty!

He puts on his crested helmet, his sabre and military cape.

			ALICE
		Where do you think you're going?  What are you doing?

			CAPTAIN
		If anyone wants me I'm down at the battery.  (As they try to prevent him from leaving)  Out of my way!

He goes.

			ALICE
		Yes, go!  Retreat, walk away!  Whenever there's trouble he's off - he disappears.  I'm here without a penny - (she calls off)  that's right - run off, you drunken, lying bastard!

KURT is shocked.

			KURT
		Alice!  My God, is there no end to all this?

			ALICE
		You haven't seen the half of it.

			KURT
		There's worse?

			ALICE
		Kurt, I couldn't bear to tell you.

			KURT
		Where is he going?  Where does he find the strength?

			ALICE
		You may well ask.  He'll go down to the men to thank them for their flowers, then he'll drink with them and slander their officers.  He's been threatened with dismissal again and again for it - the only reason they let him stay is the girls and me.  When the officers' wives do put in a good word for us, he slanders them.  He hates them.

Pause.

			KURT
		And to think I came here to find peace and quiet by the sea.

			ALICE
		Poor Kurt.  You must be ravenous.  How will you get something to eat?

			KURT
		The Doctor will feed me.  What about you?  Would you like me to bring you something?

			ALICE
		Please, could you?  So long as he doesn't find out...he'd kill me.

KURT turns, then crosses and looks outside.

			KURT
		Good God, he's out there on the rampart.  In this weather!

			ALICE
		(Joins him, gazes out)  You could almost feel sorry for him.

			KURT
		I feel for you both.  Can't anything be done?

			ALICE
		There are bills he hasn't even seen.  Or chooses not to.  Look!  He wants to die!

			KURT
		I don't think so.

			ALICE
		But he's opened his cape to the storm - he's trying to kill himself.

			KURT
		I think it's defiance.  Last night, when he was feeling weak, he began to fasten on to my life, as though he wanted to take it, to be me.

			ALICE
		Yes, because he's a vampire!  His own life is so empty that he sucks the life out of anyone who has the misfortune to cross his path - he battens on, orders, attempts to re-arrange - never let him near your family, most of all your children.  He'll take them over, make them his own - oh, he's hellishly good at disaffection, it's relentless, every waking hour.  Whatever your wishes, your needs, your desires, they must all be thwarted, impeded, destroyed.

A long silence.

			KURT
		He did it, didn't he?

			ALICE
		(After a pause)  Yes.

			KURT
		He took them from me.  I always suspected it, but I wasn't sure.

			ALICE
		When you sent Edgar to your wife as a peacemaker he started a flirtation with her.  And then he told her how to get custody of the children, how it could be done.

			KURT
		My God.  God in Heaven.

			ALICE
		Now you know.

			KURT
		(After a pause)  Shall I tell you something?  Last night, when he thought he was dying, he asked me to look after his children.

			ALICE
		Well now you can pay him back, refuse to do it.

			KURT
		You don't honestly think I'd do that, abandon your children do you?  You know what the best revenge is - behave impeccably despite his intentions.

			ALICE
		That would really be cruel.  If there is one thing he fears and despises more than anything else in the world it's generosity.

			KURT
		Hah, so I'll get my revenge by not taking revenge.

			ALICE
		Isn't it glorious, when vengeance and justice are one...not that I wouldn't be a hypocrite if I said I could forgive my enemy.

			KURT
		Sometimes it's better to let go.

			ALICE
		That's not easy after years with a man you've never loved.

			KURT
		Why did you marry him?

			ALICE
		He seduced me!  I don't know.  I wanted to go up in the world.

			KURT
		Leave the theatre?

			ALICE
		People look down on actresses.  He cheated me.  I was promised a good life, a beautiful home - all I got was debts!  The only gold I ever saw was on his uniform and that wasn't real.

			KURT
		Oh, hang on.  When a young man falls in love he's full of dreams, I was myself.  The hopes aren't always realised but it's too harsh to call us cheats - what are you looking at?

			ALICE
		I'm looking to see if he's fallen off the rampart.

			KURT
		And?

			ALICE
		No such luck.  He's still there, still cheating me.

			KURT
		I must go and see the Doctor.

			ALICE
		(Sits by the window)  Yes, you go, dear.  I'll sit here and wait, I'm used to waiting.

Fade to black.

Lights up on the same setting.  Daylight.

The SENTRY on duty outside the window as before.  ALICE sits in the armchair.  Her hair is now grey.  KURT knocks and enters.

			KURT
		Good morning, Alice.

			ALICE
		Kurt!  Good morning.  Sit down.

			KURT
		(Sitting)  The steamer's in.

			ALICE
		And I know what to expect, if he's on it.

			KURT
		He is, I saw the glint of his helmet.  What was he doing in town?
			ALICE
		I can guess.  He took his dress uniform and his suede gloves, so he was seeing the Colonel and gadding about.

			KURT
		Did you notice?  He was very quiet yesterday.  Since he stopped drinking he's been a different man.

			ALICE
		Just as well he did drink all those years.

			KURT
		Why?

			ALICE
		Can you imagine him sober?  He'd have been a real menace instead of a ludicrous idiot.

			KURT
		The genie in the bottle kept him tamed?  He's certainly altered.  There's a sort of dignity, almost nobility about him - he's thinking of immortality perhaps.

			ALICE
		Don't deceive yourself.  He's up to something.  Whatever you do, don't believe a word he says, he's a genius at lying and scheming - what is it?

			KURT
		Alice!  Your hair!  You've gone grey overnight!

			ALICE
		No.  I've been grey for a long time.  Now that he's about to leave us I've stopped using the hair dye, there'll be no-one to shame with the sight of my wasted youth and beauty.  Twenty-five years in this fortress! - you know it was a prison once?

			KURT
		You can feel it in the walls.

			ALICE
		Even the children grew pale.

			KURT
		It's hard to imagine children playing in a place like this.

			ALICE
		They didn't.  Two died - lack of light!

			KURT
		Oh, my dear.

Silence.

			KURT
		What do you think he's planning?

			ALICE
		An attack - against both of us!  I saw the hate in his eyes when you read Judith's telegram.

			KURT
		Against me?

			ALICE
		Of course you.  He can't hate his beloved döppelganger Judith - anyway, she's out of reach.  You're not.

			KURT
		I'm in the line of fire?

			ALICE
		Exactly.

			KURT
		But what can he do to me?

			ALICE
		I don't know, but he has a genius for ferreting out secrets.  Did you notice?  All day yesterday?  Your job - your children - questions, questions, devouring you alive - it's as though he's already dead.

			KURT
		Yes!  Did you notice?  His face has a kind of phosphorescence, as if he's rotting already.

			ALICE
		And his eyes!

			KURT
		God yes, his eyes, flaming like marsh gas over swampland...ssh, here he comes.  I wonder...do you think he could possibly be jealous?

			ALICE
		Of you?  Never, he's much too conceited for that.  (She imitates his voice)  "Show me the man I need to envy!"

			KURT
		(Laughs)  At least his faults have some advantages.  Shall I go and greet him?

			ALICE
		No, he'll think you're up to something.  Whatever he says pretend to believe him, I know how to get at the truth.  And Kurt, whatever you do, don't lose control - in all the years my one advantage has been staying sober and keeping my wits about me.  Something terrible's going to happen, I feel it.  We'll see.

The CAPTAIN enters in dress uniform, helmet, cloak and gloves.  He looks dignified, but pale.  He stumbles and sits, at a distance from them, sabre between his knees.

			CAPTAIN
		Good morning.  Forgive my sitting down - the journey.

			ALICE & KURT
		Good morning.

			ALICE
		How are you?

			CAPTAIN
		Fine.  A little travel-worn.

			ALICE
		Any news from town?

			CAPTAIN
		This and that.  Oh, I saw a doctor.  Nothing wrong, gives me another twenty years if I look after myself.

			ALICE
		(To KURT)  He's lying.  (To the CAPTAIN)  Well, that was good news, my dear.

			CAPTAIN
		Wasn't it!

A silence.  He looks at them, waiting for them to speak.

			ALICE
		(To KURT)  Don't say a word.  Let him show his hand.

			CAPTAIN
		Did you say something?

			ALICE
		No.

			CAPTAIN
		(Slowly)  Kurt, old man -

			ALICE
		(To KURT)  Here it comes.

			CAPTAIN
		I - ah - I was in town, as you are aware.  (KURT nods)  I - er - I met a few people, amongst them - ah - a young cadet.  (A pause.  KURT stirs, uneasy.)  Since...ah...since we're short of staff on the island, I arranged with the Colonel for him to be transferred here.  I'm sure you'll be delighted when I tell you that - it's your son!

			ALICE
		(To KURT)  You see?  A vampire!

			KURT
		(A pause)  Normally that would be good news.  As you must know, however, I am bound to find the prospect painful.

			CAPTAIN
		I fail to understand.  Why?  (Silence.)

			KURT
		Surely it's enough that I'd rather he didn't come here.

			CAPTAIN
		Is that so?  Then you must know that the young man has been posted to the Island, under my command.

			KURT
		He'll have to apply for another regiment.

			CAPTAIN
		Who says so?

			KURT
		I do.

			CAPTAIN
		You have no jurisdiction over him.

			KURT
		He's my son.

			CAPTAIN
		Any rights over your son were awarded to his mother.

			KURT
		Then I'll write to his mother.

			CAPTAIN
		No need.  I have already done so.

KURT starts to rise, but sits heavily.

			KURT
		(To ALICE)  He is a cannibal.

			ALICE
		He - must - die.

			CAPTAIN
		So much for that.  Did either of you say something?

			ALICE
		No - are you going deaf?

			CAPTAIN
		A little, perhaps - I'm a gunnery man.  Come here, I've something to tell you.  In confidence.

			ALICE
		Oh?  (She remains where she is.)  Perhaps we should have a witness.

			CAPTAIN
		Quite right - always good to have a witness.  But first, is my will ready?

ALICE rises, crosses, picks up a document and hands it to him.

			ALICE
		Drawn up by the judge himself.

			CAPTAIN
		In your favour - good!

He reads through the document carefully, turning the pages and taking his time.  He then tears it slowly into small pieces, which he throws on the floor.

			CAPTAIN
		So much for that!  Yes?

			ALICE
		(To KURT)  Have you ever met a man like that?

			KURT
		No.  He's not human.

			CAPTAIN
		Oh, and Alice - I've something else to tell you.

			ALICE
		Yes?

			CAPTAIN
		(Calmly)  In view of your long expressed wish to bring the misery of your unhappy marriage to an end, and given the total lack of affection shown to your husband and children, plus the negligence which you have managed over our domestic economy, I decided during my visit to the mainland, to file a petition for divorce.

			ALICE
		Oh?  (A pause)  On what grounds?

			CAPTAIN
		(Still calm)  In addition to those already stated, there are further, personal reasons.  Now that it has been established that I may live another twenty years, I have decided to exchange my present unhappy state of matrimony to something more suited to myself and my position.  I intend to unite myself to a lady capable of bringing into my home affection, respect, youth and - dare I say - a little beauty.

ALICE takes off her ring and throws it at him.

			ALICE
		Go ahead! - there you are!

The CAPTAIN picks up the ring and puts it in his pocket.

			CAPTAIN
		She throws away her wedding ring.  Will the witness be good enough to note that?

			ALICE
		(Rises, indignant)  You intend to throw me out and bring another woman into my house?

			CAPTAIN
		Yes.

			ALICE
		I see.  In that case - cousin Kurt, you do know that this man tried to kill me.

			KURT
		Alice...

			ALICE
		He tried to drown me.  I was thrown into the sea.

			CAPTAIN
		(Chants)  No witnesses.

			ALICE
		You're lying, Judith was there!

			CAPTAIN
		What's that got to do with it?

			ALICE
		She can testify.

			CAPTAIN
		No she can't.  She says she didn't see anything.
			ALICE
		Because you taught her to lie!

			CAPTAIN
		I didn't need to, you'd done that already.

			ALICE
		(A pause)  Did you go and see her?

			CAPTAIN
		Of course.

			ALICE
		Oh God.  Oh God.

			CAPTAIN
		Right - capitulation...the fortress surrenders!  (Bark of laughter.)  The enemy is granted ten minutes to withdraw under safe conduct.  (Places his watch on the table.)  Ten minutes, by my watch!

He suddenly clutches his chest.  ALICE grasps his arm.

			ALICE
		What is it?

			CAPTAIN
		(Gasping)  I don't know.

			ALICE
		Do you want something, do you want a drink?

			CAPTAIN
		Whisky...Alice, I don't want to die...(He reels, staggers, and recovers himself.)  Don't touch me, what are you doing?  Ten minutes.  Ten minutes or you'll be cut down.  (He draws his sabre.)  Ten minutes!  (He goes out.)

			KURT
		Who is this man?

			ALICE
		He's not a man, he's a demon.

			KURT
		What does he want with my son!

			ALICE
		To control you!  He wants him as a hostage.  Then he'll cut you off from every source of support and assistance, except himself.  Do you know what they call this island?  Little Hell.

			KURT
		They're right.  Alice, I always felt - well, for years now I felt that women deserved most of what they got.  But not this.  You don't deserve this.

			ALICE
		You will stay, won't you?  If you go he'll knock me down, he's been doing it for twenty-five years, even in front of the children.

			KURT
		He really tried to drown you?

			ALICE
		Oh yes.

			KURT
		Right, that's it.  I came here without malice, I was prepared to forget that he used to humiliate me, how he blackened my name.  Because he was sick and dying I even forgave him when you told me he'd manipulated my wife and had my children removed from me.  But not this.  Not my son.  I'm not having that.

			ALICE
		What will you do?

			KURT
		Kill him.  Or he'll kill me.

			ALICE
		Good - no surrender.  We'll blow him and his fortress to hell even if we go up with it.  I'll supply the gunpowder.

			KURT
		I had no animosity when I came here.  When yours began to infect me I thought "I'll leave".  Not any longer.  He's evil and I hate him.  What can we do?

			ALICE
		Leave it to me - I've learned strategy, from him.  First, round up his enemies and look for allies.

			KURT
		To track down my wife!  Those two should have met twenty-five years ago, that would have been a pairing to make the earth tremble.

			ALICE
		They're working together now.  We must stop it.  I know his weak spot.  I know where we can catch him, I've known it for years.

			KURT
		Who is his worst enemy here?
			ALICE
		The Ordnance Officer.

			KURT
		Can we trust him?

			ALICE
		Oh yes.  And he knows what I know - he knows what the Sergeant-Major and my husband have been up to together.

			KURT
		Up to?...what do you mean?

			ALICE
		Embezzlement.

			KURT
		But that's appalling!  Look, I want nothing to do with this.

			ALICE
		(Laughs)  What sort of man are you, can't you fight?

			KURT
		I could once.  Not any more.

			ALICE
		Why not?

			KURT
		Because I've learned that in the end justice will be done.

			ALICE
		So you'll wait?  Till he suborns your son, alienates him forever as he has Judith.  Look at this.  (She lets down her hair.)  Grey.  But still thick, glossy - feel!  (He steps back, startled.)  He wants to remarry?  Good!  I'm free!  I can do the same.  In ten minutes he'll be down there under arrest.  (Stamps on the floor.)  Down in the cells and I'll be dancing on his head - (she turns, dancing and laughing, then leaps to the piano, crashes out chords) - we'll give him something to listen to!  (Laughs, points at the SENTRY outside.)  No more guarding the gates, the sentry's for him now - him, him, him!  Ta titta, ta titta, ti titta dum!  Him!

KURT watches her, mesmerised.

			KURT
		Alice! - are you a demon as well?

			ALICE
		(Jumps up and takes down the laurel wreaths)  The laurels of triumph!  I'll wear them as I walk through the gates - look, they're still green - I'm still young, Kurt!

			KURT
		(Enmeshed)  You are a demon.

			ALICE
		Of course.  This is Little Hell and I live in it.  Give me two minutes to dress, two minutes to see the Ordnance Officer and then watch the fortress go sky-high!

			KURT
		You are a demon!

			ALICE
		You called me that when we were children, remember?  We got engaged - do you remember that - (laughs) - you were so shy...

			KURT
		(Seriously)  Alice -

			ALICE
		It suited you.  There are strong women who love shy men, and shy men who love strong women.  You liked me a little then, didn't you?

			KURT
		I don't know where I am -

			ALICE
		You're with an actress, who goes her own way, never mind convention.  I'm a woman and I'm free, free, free!  Turn round while I change my dress.

She starts to unbutton her dress.  KURT rushes towards her, lifts her high in his arms, then bites her on the throat, making her scream loudly.  He throws her down on the chaise longue and runs out.

Fade to black.

Lights up on the same scene.  Evening.  The SENTRY still visible outside.  The laurel wreaths are looped over the back of a chair.  The ceiling lamp is lit.  Soft music.

The CAPTAIN, pale and hollow-eyed in his shabby undress uniform, with riding boots, is playing patience.  He wears glasses and bends over the cards but looks up now and then, and listens.

The game does not come out.  He sweeps the cards together and throws them out of the window, which remains open, rattling on its hinges.

He goes to the cupboard, turns alarmed at the noise of the window.  He takes out three dark, square-sided whisky bottles, looks at them intently, and throws them out of the window.  He takes out boxes of cigars, lifts the lid of the top box and sniffs, and throws the boxes out of the window.

He then takes off his glasses, cleans them, puts them back on to test how well he can see through them.  He throws them out of the window, then stumbles over the furniture and lights a six-branched candelabrum.

He sees the laurel wreaths on the chair, picks them up and takes them to the window, but turns, takes the piano cloth, wipes the wreaths carefully and wraps them in the cloth, pinning the corners with pins from the desk.  He places the bundle on a chair.  He goes to the piano, strikes the keys, making loud discords, closes the piano, locks it, and throws the key through the window.

He lights the candles on the piano, crosses to the whatnot, takes down his wife's photograph, looks at it then tears it into small pieces, scattering the pieces on the floor.  The window rattles on its hinges, alarming him again.  He calms himself, takes down the photographs of his son and daughter, kisses them briefly and puts them into his breast pocket.  The other photographs he sweeps off with his elbow and kicks into a heap on the floor.

Tired, he sits at the desk and feels his heart.  He lights the candle on the table and groans - staring as if at visions.  He gets up, opens the secretaire, takes out a bundle of letters tied with blue ribbon, throws them in the stove.

The telegraph clicks and is silent.  It makes him jump, and he holds his heart.  He waits, but the machine is silent.  He listens at the door.  Opens it, goes out and returns with a cat in his arms, stroking it.  Then he goes out.  The music stops.

Pause.

ALICE enters, dressed for walking, with hat and gloves, her hair now coloured black.  She looks round, surprised at the candles.  KURT enters left.  He is nervous.

			ALICE
		It looks like Christmas Eve in here.

			KURT
		Well...

			ALICE
		(Extends her hand for him to kiss it.)  Thank me.  (He kisses her hand reluctantly.)  Six witnesses, four of them reliable and unshakeable, charges filed - to be confirmed by telegraph - here, in the heart of the fortress!

			KURT
		I see.

			ALICE
		Say "thank you"! - not "I see".

			KURT
		Why has he lit so many candles?

			ALICE
		He's afraid of the dark!  Look at the telegraph, doesn't it look like a coffee mill?  I grind and the beans crunch like teeth being pulled...
			KURT
		What has he been doing in here?

			ALICE
		Obviously clearing out - planning to go.  Down to the cells, that's where you're going!

			KURT
		Alice, don't.  He was good to me when I was young.  I feel sorry for him.

			ALICE
		More than for me?  I sacrificed my career for that monster.

			KURT
		Was it so brilliant, your career?

			ALICE
		(Furious)  What the hell do you mean by that?  Don't you know who I am, who I was?

			KURT
		All right, all right.

			ALICE
		Are you starting too...already?

			KURT
		Already?

She throws her arms around his neck and kisses him.  He pins her arms and bites her neck.  She screams.

			ALICE
		You're biting me!

			KURT
		(Out of control)  Yes I want to bite, and suck your blood.  I thought I was sane - reasonable - I'm worse than either you or Edgar - I want to strangle you!  (He embraces her.)

			ALICE
		(Shows him her wrist)  Look at that - see those marks?  He did that.  Now I'm free.

			KURT
		(Holding her arms)  No you're not.

			ALICE
		Aren't I?  I think I am.

			KURT
		What?

			ALICE
		I think you're all talk and virtue, Kurt.

			KURT
		Wait until we get into town.  Then you'll see.

			ALICE
		We'll go to the theatre after - show ourselves, shame him.

			KURT
		Sending him to prison not enough for you?

			ALICE
		No!  I want him humiliated.  Publicly.

			KURT
		You commit adultery, but he's blamed.  God, it's as if these walls were soaked in the evil of every prisoner who's ever been there.  And all you can think about is going to the theatre.

			ALICE
		Why not?  What are you thinking about?

			KURT
		My son.

			ALICE
		(Hits him on the mouth with her glove)  Pompous prig - (He raises his hand to strike her.)  That's enough!

			KURT
		I'm sorry.

			ALICE
		On your knees.  (KURT kneels.)  On your face!  (He presses his face to the floor.)  Now kiss my foot.  (He kisses her foot.)  Don't do that again.  Get up.

			KURT
		(Rises)  Where am I, where have I come to?

			ALICE
		You know very well where you are.

			KURT
		In hell?

The CAPTAIN enters, looking grey, and leaning on a stick.

			CAPTAIN
		I would like to speak to Kurt.  Alone.

			ALICE
		About our safe-conduct, is it?

			CAPTAIN
		(Sits)  Kurt, would you sit with me?  Alice, if you could give us a moment's peace -
			ALICE
		What's all this?  A change of tune! - all right - (to KURT) sit down, listen to the voice of age and wisdom.  Call me if the telegram arrives.  (She goes out.)

A long pause.

			CAPTAIN
		Tell me something.  Can you see any point at all in a life like mine?

			KURT
		No more than in my own.

			CAPTAIN
		Then tell me what in God in Heaven's name does any of it mean?

			KURT
		Is there anyone on earth who can answer that?

			CAPTAIN
		What is it all for?

			KURT
		Who knows?  We submit nonetheless - what choice is there?

			CAPTAIN
		With no fixed point...no meaning?

			KURT
		Ah - meaning.  Meaning, I suppose, is there to be sought.

			CAPTAIN
		How?

			KURT
		You're the mathematician.

			CAPTAIN
		You seem resigned.  Where did you learn submission?

			KURT
		Don't overestimate me.

			CAPTAIN
		As you may have noticed, my way of survival is to blot out the past.  Cross out and carry on!  Early on in life I shoved all the defeats, all the humiliations in a sack and kicked them in the sea.  I don't believe any man on earth has been humiliated as often and as severely as I have but - blot them out, where are they?  They don't exist.

			KURT
		I've noticed that you invent a life for yourself and for those around you.

			CAPTAIN
		How else do I survive?  (He clutches at his heart.)

			KURT
		Are you all right?

			CAPTAIN
		No.  Bad.  (Pause)  When you can't invent any more the view becomes - unpleasant.  (His voice breaks, he sounds old and tearful.)  You see, my dear friend - (controls himself and speaks normally)  I'm sorry.  When I was in town I saw a doctor - (tearfully again.)  He says I'm done for.  (Normal voice.)  Very little time left.

			KURT
		He said that?

			CAPTAIN
		(Broken)  Yes.

			KURT
		Then it wasn't true, the rest of what you said?  (The CAPTAIN shakes his head.)  Is my son coming here, as a cadet?

			CAPTAIN
		First I've heard of it.

			KURT
		And you haven't petitioned for a divorce against your wife?

			CAPTAIN
		(Puzzled)  Divorce?

			KURT
		So it was all lies, now conveniently forgotten.

			CAPTAIN
		That's perhaps a touch harsh.  We all need a little leeway.

			KURT
		You've found that out?

			CAPTAIN
		(Firm, clear voice)  I have.  Forgive me, Kurt.  Will you forgive me, for everything?

			KURT
		There's nothing to forgive.  I'm not the man you seem to think I am, least of all now.  The last man you should confess to.

			CAPTAIN
		(Clear voice)  Life is so cruel.  It's never been anything else for me.  It makes you cruel yourself - (as KURT crosses and looks uneasily at the telegraph) - what are you looking at?

			KURT
		Can this be shut off?

			CAPTAIN
		No, not easily.

			KURT
		(Rising unease)  Who is Sergeant-Major Östberg?

			CAPTAIN
		Not a bad sort.  Bit of a dealer on the side, of course.

			KURT
		What about the Ordnance Officer?

			CAPTAIN
		No friend of mine.  Not a bad sort.

KURT looks out of the window, where a lantern can be seen moving.

			KURT
		What are they doing with that lantern, down by the guns?

			CAPTAIN
		Lantern?

			KURT
		Yes.  There are people moving about.

			CAPTAIN
		Probably a special detail.

			KURT
		What's that?

			CAPTAIN
		A platoon with a corporal.  Some poor devil is about to be arrested.

			KURT
		Oh.

A pause.

			CAPTAIN
		Well, now that you know Alice better, what do you think of her?

			KURT
		I can't say - the fact is I don't understand her any more than I understand you - or myself.  I'm getting to the age when you admit you understand nothing.  Why did you push her into the sea?

			CAPTAIN
		I don't know.  She was standing there on the jetty and it seemed the proper thing to do.

			KURT
		You've never regretted it?

			CAPTAIN
		No.

			KURT
		Strange.

			CAPTAIN
		Yes.  So strange I can't believe I did something so - trivial.

			KURT
		It never occurred to you that she'd get her revenge?

			CAPTAIN
		Oh she's done that all right.

			KURT
		You sound resigned.

			CAPTAIN
		I'm facing death.  If you had to choose, who would you say was in the right, Alice or me?

			KURT
		Neither!  I'm acutely sorry, for both of you.  Perhaps you the more.

			CAPTAIN
		Give me your hand.  (KURT extends his hand.)  Kurt...

			KURT
		(His other hand on the CAPTAIN'S shoulder)  My dear friend.

ALICE enters, carrying a parasol.

			ALICE
		Did I hear the word `friend'?  How affecting.  Has the telegram arrived?

			KURT
		(Cold)  No.

			ALICE
		I'm getting impatient.  When I get impatient I hurry things up.  Here we go, Kurt...the coup de grace.  Load - see, I know the drill from the famous manual that didn't sell five, let alone five thousand copies - take aim, fire!  (She aims the parasol at the CAPTAIN.)  How is your new wife?  The young, beautiful - unknown - girl.  You see?  He doesn't know.  But I know how my love is.  (She puts her arms around KURT'S neck and kisses him.  He pushes her away.)  He's wonderful! - still a little shy.  (To the CAPTAIN)  You pitiful thing, do you think I could ever love you?  He's so conceited he's never dreamt he could be led by the nose.

The CAPTAIN draws his sabre and slashes at her, but only hits the furniture.

			ALICE
		Help - help me!

KURT stands, motionless.

			CAPTAIN
		(Falling, sabre in hand)  Judith - Judith -

			ALICE
		Hurray - he's dead.

KURT moves to the door.

			CAPTAIN
		(Rises)  Not yet!  (He sheathes his sabre, sits.)  Judith -

			ALICE
		(Crosses to KURT)  Time for you to take me away.

			KURT
		(Pushes her so hard that she falls on her knees)  No!  Get back to the hell you came from.  (Going.)

			CAPTAIN
		Don't leave me, Kurt, she'll kill me!

			ALICE
		Kurt, don't leave me - please - don't leave us.

			KURT
		Goodbye.  (Goes.)

			ALICE
		What a wretch!  There's a friend for you.

			CAPTAIN
		(Gently)  Forgive me, Alice. Come here -

			ALICE
		The most contemptible hypocrite I've met in my life.  At least you're a man.

			CAPTAIN
		Alice.  Listen to me.  I'm on the way out.

			ALICE
		What?

			CAPTAIN
		I'm dying.  I saw a doctor in town.

			ALICE
		What?!  Then you were lying!

			CAPTAIN
		Yes.

			ALICE
		All that - that - oh my God, what have I done?

			CAPTAIN
		It can be put right.

			ALICE
		Not this.

			CAPTAIN
		Nothing's irreparable, if we put it behind us.

			ALICE
		But the telegram - the telegram - !

			CAPTAIN
		What telegram?

			ALICE
		(On her knees beside him.)  It'll destroy us - I've destroyed us both.  Why did you have to lie?  Why did he have to come here, under my nose?  We're finished.  You could have forgiven me...

			CAPTAIN
		When haven't I?

			ALICE
		I know.  Not this time.

			CAPTAIN
		What have you done?

			ALICE
		What will become of the children - their name dishonoured -

			CAPTAIN
		You've dishonoured our name?

			ALICE
		They'll have to leave school, and when they go out in the world they'll be as horrible and lonely as we are.  You didn't see her? - Judith?  In town?

			CAPTAIN
		 No.

The telegraph taps.  ALICE jumps up.

			ALICE
		(Shrieks)  We're done for.  Don't listen to it!

			CAPTAIN
		(Calm)  Very well. (Covers his ears.)

ALICE cranes to look out of the window.

			ALICE
		Don't listen!

			CAPTAIN
		(Holding his ears)  Lissy...!

			ALICE
		Oh God help us, they're coming - they're coming to arrest you, it's the detail...(weeps.)   God in Heaven!

She moves her lips in silent prayer.  The telegraph clicks, at last is silent.  She rises, tears off the strip, reads it.  Raises her eyes to heaven, crosses and kisses the CAPTAIN on the forehead.

			ALICE
		(Breathless)  It's all right.  It was nothing.

She sits across from him and sobs into her handkerchief.

			CAPTAIN
		What secret have you got there?

			ALICE
		Nothing!  It's over now.

			CAPTAIN
		As you wish, my dear.

			ALICE
		You wouldn't have spoken like that three days ago.  Why now?

			CAPTAIN
		When I collapsed, I - I crossed over.  Something - I can't tell you, I don't remember.  Just an impression.

			ALICE
		Of what?

			CAPTAIN
		Something - better.  I've never felt the least attachment to our life, it's been more like a death.  As though we were doomed to -

			ALICE
		Torment each other?

			CAPTAIN
		(After a silence.)  Time for a refit?

			ALICE
		Is that possible?

			CAPTAIN
		Redeployment?  Not in a day.  (Pause.)  So, you didn't escape, and you didn't get me put away.  (She looks at him, astonished.)  You tried to send me to prison.  Well, you've done worse.  (Pause)  I didn't embezzle.

			ALICE
		I suppose I'm to be your nurse now.

			CAPTAIN
		Think it'll suit you?

			ALICE
		What choice do I have, what else can I do?

			CAPTAIN
		I've no idea.

ALICE sits, in despair.

			ALICE
		So it's to be Little Hell forever.

			CAPTAIN
		I wonder if, in death, life begins again.

			ALICE
		I wish I could believe that.

A pause.

			CAPTAIN
		So Kurt, after all, is just another evil rogue?

			ALICE
		You know he is.

			CAPTAIN
		Happens to them all in this orbit, unless they escape.  He's too weak for evil.  God, the pettiness of it all!  In the old days you could fight!  Now you pull faces, shake a fist.  (Pause.)  Hah!  (He laughs.)  You know what we'll be doing in three months time?  Celebrating our silver wedding.  With Kurt as Master of Ceremonies, toasts and speeches from the Doctor, the Ordnance Officer - even the Colonel will invite himself.  (ALICE laughs briefly.)  You may well laugh.  Remember Östermann's silver wedding?  The bride had to wear the ring on her right finger - the gallant cavalryman had cut off the left one with a bill-hook in a moment of tenderness.  (ALICE puts her handkerchief in her mouth, stifling a laugh.)  What's the matter, are you crying?  You're laughing!  Did I tell you about the man who married and divorced seven times and ended up with the one he'd first thought of?

		Is it all serious or a hoax?  Comedy or tragedy?  Treat it as a joke you get nightmares - take it seriously you end up under the waves, like Kurt.

		Do you want to celebrate it?  The silver wedding?  They'll laugh at us either way.

		Silver wedding.

		Hah!

She looks across at him.

			CAPTAIN
		Well...bivouac over.  Pick up the weaponry - forced march, here we go.

She crosses and stands over him.

Fade.