STANLEY

(Radio 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.

September 1999

STANLEY

Fade in Bach, very loud.  As the sound diminishes, the sound of a man humming, close.

			STANLEY
		(Singing)  `Improve thy talent with due care - dum dum da-da-da-da thyself prepare - '

The sound of a door, distant.

			HILDA
		(At a distance)  Coffee?

			STANLEY
		(Close)  Buzz off, I'm trying to finish your legs.

			HILDA
		(Closer)  I've brought you some baked beans - from the tin! -

			STANLEY
		(Sounds as he puts down brush and palette)  You - are Messalina.

			HILDA
		I thought I'd spoil you -

			STANLEY
		What do you think - a touch of cobalt behind that knee - a lick of Prussian?

			HILDA
		(Fading)  It looks wonderful - mm - (as they nuzzle.)

		(Fade up.  Wheedling)  Stan -

			STANLEY
		(Fast)  The trouble with most painters is they don't know how to fill a canvas - ow!

			HILDA
		That's for changing the subject.  Come on - say yes!  Look, there's not even a snowdrop out in the garden.  Once we're across the Channel and south of Lyons everything comes alive!  Please - do let's -

			STANLEY
		What about work?

			HILDA
		Take it with us - a carful of canvases!

A pause.

			STANLEY
		(Bleak)  I hate abroad.

			HILDA
		(Slight pause)  Stan that was the war.  (No response)  Think Sienna - we could see the Giottos!

			STANLEY
		(Mutters)  Anybody can see.  If all painting's about is Seeing -

			HILDA
		Of course it's about seeing, what else is there?

			STANLEY
		(In a rage)  What else is there - (going)  What else is -  (Door slams.)

			HILDA
		(Wails)  Stan!  (Goes to the door, opens it and calls)  Come here -

			STANLEY
		(Approaching)  "What else is there?"!

			HILDA
		Oh my dear - of course I know there has to be more than - come here - (they embrace and kiss).  Come and sit down.  (They kiss.)

			STANLEY
		It's not just about pigment you know.

			HILDA
		I know.

			STANLEY
		If it were just about pigment...(sighs, then)  Look at me.  Now.  What is it that shapes everything, rips away the meaninglessness of life - ?

			HILDA
		No idea.  Ah - um - our minds?

			STANLEY
		(Irritable)  No.

			HILDA
		Morality?

			STANLEY
		Nope.

			HILDA
		Conscience.

			STANLEY
		No!  Love!  We paint in order to - to describe the nature of God's world.  God is Love.  We paint in order to reveal that.  That's our job.

			HILDA
		(Tenderly)  Oh Stan!

			STANLEY
		Wait till you see my new Christ.  I've done him in a big pit of pink madder soil with supplicants all flopping round in ecstasy, then I'm going to do Him again on the ground in rapture, looking at the grass.  Remember when you were small and blades of grass seemed big - He's big and small at the - at the same time - why did you want to talk about Abroad - abroad - (he cannot get the word out and starts to make shuddering, groaning sounds).

			HILDA
		(Close)  Oh my dear - hold on - oh my love, it's all right - it's all right, I'm here...(fade).

Bird song.  Sound of pencil scratching.  Fade in.

			HILDA
		(Speaks gently)  What was it like, Stan?  The war.  (No response)  If you could only - never mind.  (Silence.)

			STANLEY
		Huh!  (Harsh bark of laughter.)

			HILDA
		What?

			STANLEY
		Nothing.  Just...when the new recruits were mustering for France it was always the same - jokes, people laughing - "Come on lads - we'll show 'em!"  The wounded, those on the way back - they never said a word.

			HILDA
		My dear -

			STANLEY
		No - don't move.  Turn your head, I want the back of your neck.  (The sound of his pencil as he draws.)  Urgh, that hospital was cold. Kench, the Sergeant-Major - God he was terrifying.  And his dog! - even Matron was afraid of that dog and she made Queen Mary look like a frightened little wisp.  (Sound of pencil.)  The Holy Trinity - seven-foot sergeant, red-eyed dog, and Deborah -

			HILDA
		The Matron?

			STANLEY
		No - one of the male loonies from the closed section -

			HILDA
		Called Deborah?

			STANLEY
		Somebody's idea of a joke.

			HILDA
		Was he hideous?

			STANLEY
		No, ordinary.  Of course you didn't leave knives about.  Sit up a bit - no, I envied Deborah.  (Blows on paper.)

			HILDA
		Why?!

			STANLEY
		Because he had no idea that there was a war on.  Cut off from his soul, d'you see?

			HILDA
		(Slight pause)  I'm not surprised you never want to talk about it.

			STANLEY
		I couldn't seem to adapt to it, however hard I tried.  One lorry after another - bodies - pieces of bodies.  Somebody has to bury them.

			HILDA
		You worked in a hospital?  Stanley, I thought you were infantry.

			STANLEY
		I volunteered for active duty in Macedonia.
			HILDA
		Oh I see, you wanted to get killed!

			STANLEY
		You do things sometimes.  I expect it's being short, you have to prove yourself.  Men aren't brave you know.  They try to be.

			HILDA
		Let's not talk about it -

			STANLEY
		The man next to you turning into convolvulus - entrails on the wire.  Another mate sitting there looking ordinary - only dead.  Cleaning out their belongings - one lad had a snap of his pet pig.

			HILDA
		What did you do with it?

			STANLEY
		Sent it home to his mother.

HILDA stifles a laugh.

			STANLEY
		(Admonishes)  Hey - (but then he starts to laugh and becomes hysterical.)

			HILDA
		It's all right...all right...better out than in.

			STANLEY
		That could have a dirty meaning, you know. (Kisses her)  You make me think of night. I remember once, marching in the snow behind the lines - they were moving us up - it was bitter weather - the animals were dropping, men too - the ruts were so deep you couldn't shift the carts - "Oh I can't bear any more of this" I thought, "I'll die - it'll be easy - just let go."

			HILDA
		Stan -

			STANLEY
		You won't believe it, Hilda.  I still don't.

			HILDA
		What?

			STANLEY
		I can't - there I was - finished - and then it was as if - all of a sudden - in the middle of that misery - it was as if the stars turned warm.  The snow had little flames licking up all around me and I felt my heart leap up like a deer - and it was all right.  I was all right - everything was fine - !

			HILDA
		In all that - ?

			STANLEY
		I know!  I - I was surrounded by the most horrible sights and yet - (he stops drawing)

			HILDA
		And yet?

			STANLEY
		I seemed to be in the middle of a great church - a church of the whole world - with lights streaming down from clerestory windows - on me.

			HILDA
		What did you - how did you feel?  Were you frightened?

			STANLEY
		No!  I felt strong - unselfish.  I had tried to be like the saints but it's very hard to believe in a life of sacrifice when the pus is shooting up in your eyes.  I thought if I could just hang on to that clear moment - carry that blinding feeling of worship - do you think that's it?  The way to pure imagination?

			HILDA
		I don't know, Stanley.

			STANLEY
		I mean, you try your best.  Perhaps when I meet my Maker I'll ask Him - in a humble way of course, to take into consideration all the men I've cleaned and all the floors I've scrubbed.

			HILDA
		And your pictures!

			STANLEY
		Oh yes!  I'd like to think He'd have a few of those around, after all they're His creation, via me.  Your lovely face.  I couldn't have married anyone else.  The first time I saw you in that grey jacket I thought - ah, there she is.

			HILDA
		You came to dinner!  In Hampstead.

			STANLEY
		And you served pea soup and looked at everyone except me - I wanted to burst out laughing.

			HILDA
		That made you know?  That I liked you?

			STANLEY
		Plus the fact you left your bedroom door open so I saw the top of your leg when you were putting on your stocking...oooh! I couldn't believe my luck.  It was getting to the stage where - I mean, all my lovely Stanley feelings were floating around with nowhere to go.  Come indoors - I want to show you.  (Sounds as they go into the studio to look at big painting.)

			HILDA
		Stanley, it's awesome!

			STANLEY
		The Resurrection!  I'm having you up there - sitting - then I'll do you again over here sniffing a flower - here, people are rising out of their tombs - all lazy and cheerful and happy to be alive - 

			HILDA
		It's going to be wonderful.

			STANLEY
		I tell you something.  They won't call me simple when I put this up.

			HILDA
		They don't call you simple - Stan!  You're brilliant!... everyone knows that.  Darling - a great artist's eye is never naive.  Let me go closer, I want to look.  (Voice further away.  Slight pause.)

			STANLEY
		I miss it though.

			HILDA
		(At a distance)  What?

			STANLEY
		The way things were.  Before sex.  Just that clear child's eye.  I miss that.

			HILDA
		(Approaches)  My dear.  We wouldn't have this, would we?  (They kiss.)

			STANLEY
		No.  (They kiss.)  It's perfect, isn't it?

Fade.  Fade up the sound of a car being driven.

			HILDA
		Stanley don't sulk.

			STANLEY
		I hate dressing up.

			HILDA
		You haven't - that's the suit you always wear!

			STANLEY
		Gadding about - complete waste of time - who's going to be there?

			HILDA
		No idea - Henry Lamb, Gwen Raverat, Dudley I daresay -

			STANLEY
		(Gloomy)  He'll be after me -

			HILDA
		You owe him three commissions -

		Now don't gloom, Stanley, I've got to concentrate on double declutching (beginning to fade)  Augustus is coming, he'll cheer you up -

			STANLEY
		I shall sit in a corner with a book and not open my mouth.

Cross fade sounds of a gathering.

			STANLEY
		(Yells)  Of course it is!  Black is a colour - a colour! -

			HENRY
		No - no - no -

			STANLEY
		It is, I tell you - ask Matisse - he learned it from Manet -

A door bangs.

			AUGUSTUS
		(Arriving)  Learned what - learned what?

			GWEN
		Augustus!  We'd given you up.

			STANLEY
		Tell them, Gus - black is a colour - not absence of colour -

			AUGUSTUS
		Of course it's a colour, real tin-opener when you want it.  Well Gwen, what's it to be - grub or you?  Oh - I've brought - oh where are they -Miss Hepworth and Miss Preece -

			GWEN
		Hullo.

			DOROTHY
		Hullo.

			GWEN
		Come and have a drink - (they move apart from the hubbub)  I'm afraid it's punch.

			PATRICIA
		That's all right - Hepworth has the plumbing of a camel.

			GWEN
		Augustus seems in good spirits.

			DOROTHY
		(Laughs)  As always.

			PATRICIA
		He's already exposed himself to half Chelsea.  Is that Dudley Tooth, the art dealer?  (going)

			GWEN
		Yes, would you like me to - (raise up slightly)

			DOROTHY
		I think Patricia will make herself known.

			GWEN
		Sardine sandwich?  I'm Gwen.

Cross fade.

			HENRY
		It's over - finito! - the bloody Pre-Raphaelites were the last dying gasp of fraudulent fiction on canvas -

			AUGUSTUS
		What's he on about?

			HENRY
		From now on - from now on - mes amis - Anything Goes!

Cheers.

			STANLEY
		No it doesn't.

			PATRICIA
		(Sotto voce)  Who's that?

			DOROTHY
		Sorry?

			PATRICIA
		The little man - in the awful suit -

			HENRY
		Cookham - shut your mouth and stick to your peasants and fat angels.

			AUGUSTUS
		Here's to figure painting!

			HENRY
		Realism?  Taxidermy!  You two are undertakers.  Look at 'em - the embalmers!

		Here's to the Radical!  The Avant-Garde!

			STANLEY
		The Radical?  And What - if you don't mind - is more radical than the real?  Eh?

			PATRICIA
		Are you talking to me?

			STANLEY
		Aren't people real?

			DUDLEY
		Bravo, Stanley.

			HENRY
		Sentimental horse manure.

			STANLEY
		If I'm sentimental, so's Caravaggio.

			DOROTHY
		Caravaggio painted ordinary people.

			DUDLEY
		Absolutely.

			HENRY
		But not ladies in hats with round bottoms.

			AUGUSTUS
		Don't put him off those, do you the world of good, Cookham.

			HILDA
		Augustus, would you shut up.  Stanley has a perfectly good bottom provided in his household by me.

			STANLEY
		Avant-garde.  Just use the phrase and you're bogus.

			GWEN
		Why?

			STANLEY
		Because it's showing off!  Being outside, looking in!  When you're in, who cares about labels?  All so frightened of being caught out, ooh, I mustn't be old hat, what's this kipper stuck on the wall, marvellous - well, it might be, but not when it's `avant-garde'...just one more way to frighten people off their own ecstasy.  You know the trouble with the human race?

			HENRY
		They talk too much.

			STANLEY
		A fatal and suicidal adaptability...most of all for being less than human.

			DUDLEY
		Human?  Oh I think that got washed out at Ypres... on the Somme.  Nowadays...nowadays ...well, there's shopping.

			PATRICIA
		I'm rather fond of shopping, aren't I Hepworth?

			DOROTHY
		(Laughs)  Yes you are.

			STANLEY
		But you can't just settle for things - oh yes `he's off again'...it's either things or ready-made, hand-me-down formulae -

			AUGUSTUS
		(Getting sleepy)  Go on, tell 'em, Stan!

			STANLEY
		All this fashion for Idea...Vorticism... Surrealism - you think that's what it takes to fill a canvas?  Fill space?  For the glory of God?  To paint from the heart is the hardest thing...anybody can do it from the mind...but from the heart...

		Do you know it took me a year to sort out The Apple Gatherers.  I kept funking it.

			PATRICIA
		Did you say The Apple Gatherers?  The picture in The Tate?

			STANLEY
		Yes.

			PATRICIA
		Are you Stanley Spencer?

			STANLEY
		Yes.

			PATRICIA
		Why didn't you say?  I thought your name was Cookham.

			STANLEY
		It's where I live.  I go on about it, they think it's funny.  (Laughter)  I'm sorry for the lot of you!  Brought up by servants, bunged off to school at seven, what do you know about home? ...the feel of everything...wet ivy, cold lino, the iron latch on the privy in winter.  Our old dog coming in with a wet coat...barley soup...burnt feathers when Ma singed off a fowl for Sunday dinner...(His voice fades.  Sounds of car doors slamming.)

			GWEN
		(Approaches)  Dudley's taking Augustus back to Mallord Street (going).  Henry, Hilda says she has room for two more...

			PATRICIA
		So You're Stanley Spencer!

			STANLEY
		I am.

			PATRICIA
		I've seen you before.  In Cookham.  Dorothy and I are thinking of renting Moor Thatch, the cottage by the meadow, d'you know it?

			DOROTHY
		(Calls)  Patricia, Mrs Spencer says she'll give us a lift.

			PATRICIA
		We're coming.  In a manner of speaking.

This makes STANLEY giggle.

			STANLEY
		Nice woman, Miss Hepworth.

			PATRICIA
		She has heart, if you like that sort of thing.

			HILDA
		(Calls)  Stanley!  I can't keep the motor running.

Up the sound of the motor, ticking over.  It becomes ELSIE singing `We Plough the Fields and Scatter'.  Sounds as she remakes the Spencer bed.

			ELSIE
		Phew, these sheets need changing!  That you, Mr Spencer?  I shan't be long.

			STANLEY
		(Approaches)  No hurry.  I'll give you a hand.  (Thwack as they hurl the sheet over the bed.)  Mmm - is that carbolic I can smell?

			ELSIE
		I hope so, I've just had a good wash.

			STANLEY
		Tell you what, I'll do you in your pinny, under the pear tree.

			ELSIE
		Not tonight you won't.  I got a date with Clark Gable.

			STANLEY
		(Sounds of the sheets)  You don't like him better than me, do you?

			ELSIE
		Be that little 'tache I shouldn't wonder.  There -that'll do.  Give us the dirty ones.

			STANLEY
		Thanks, Elsie.  (Door as she goes out.)  Ooh, I do love a head of hair under the armpits.

Cross fade.  Musical link.

			STANLEY
		(Praying, mutters)  Now I lay me Down to Sleep, I pray the Lord, My Soul to Keep.  If I should die, Before I wake, I pray the Lord, My Soul to take.  Amen.  Move over.  (Loud creaks as he gets into bed.  He sighs deeply.)  Ahhh.

		(Silence)  It won't make any difference, will it?

			HILDA
		(Tender)  Of course it won't.

			STANLEY
		What will I have to do?

			HILDA
		Nothing.  Just love us both.

			STANLEY
		Think I can manage that.

The bed creaks as she embraces him.

			HILDA
		Sssh.  Nothing - nothing will ever come between us - how could it?  We're one.  Married.  One flesh - you and me.  It's sacred and we're sacred and you're adorable and I love every part of you and it's wonderful...wonderful never to be shy...to know and be known and be able to be completely open and not have to worry...it means to be well. Stanley?  Gone to sleep?  (And squeaks as he jumps her)  Stan, no!  Be careful!

			STANLEY
		Why?

			HILDA
		It might hurt things.

			STANLEY
		No it won't.  (Bed creaks as he turns away.)

			HILDA
		All right then.  If you're careful.  (Silence)  Be careful, that's all I meant.  (Silence.  She wails)  Stanley!  (Makes kissing noises.  Creaks as he moves away.)

			STANLEY
		(Slight pause)  I ask myself "Is Hilda Carline deserving of your complete love and devotion?"  And the answer is "No".

			HILDA
		Don't!

			STANLEY
		If I felt the best I had to offer fitted you like a glove - if I felt I could make you completely and utterly blissful, nothing would give me more joy.  But as it is - (he sighs tragically).

			HILDA
		Stanley, what have you been up to?

			STANLEY
		Nothing.  I went to see those two women.  They haven't tuppence to rub together - I took some logs round to get their fire going.

			HILDA
		I wondered why you smelled of smoke.  (Kissing noises)  Come on...come on - I want you.  Now.  In.  (Creaks as he turns away.  She sighs loudly.)

Silence.

			STANLEY
		They were so baroque.  In the firelight.
			HILDA
		Oh?

			STANLEY
		I found it a mite disconcerting.  She was wearing a sort of pink wrap...

			HILDA
		Patricia?

			STANLEY
		With tassels.  One sleeve kept falling off her shoulder.  It made me feel all glowing - will you stop touching me!

			HILDA
		I want you!

			STANLEY
		I don't know why you're always after me when I particularly don't want you.  If you can be so obtuse when you're supposed to be closer than anybody in the world...in any case, it's obvious you think I only do big pictures to show off -

			HILDA
		No I don't -

Sounds as he leaps out of bed, knocks over a chair.)

			STANLEY
		(Further off)  Big picture, big head - that's what you meant.  And saying I'm always talking about myself...it's my natural feeling of wanting to share everything.  How can you say you like the hyacinths best - well, we know what you think of the imaginary stuff now...I only did the shitty hyacinths because I was bored!

			HILDA
		Oh Stanley!  Is that what it's all about!  Not Patricia Preece in her shimmy...not the baby...oh, bliss!

			STANLEY
		It's comical!  How I can hate your ideas so much and...well...love you -

			HILDA
		Sorry?  Could you say that again?  I didn't see your lips move.

			STANLEY
		If there's one thing I despise in human beings it's sarcasm.  If you were as honest as I am - which you are not - you would admit you hate my ideas as much as - no, no, all you come out with is, "Ooh, now I like that!" - when it's something utterly weak and small and safe and trivial.

			HILDA
		That's not fair.

			STANLEY
		I have to be able to say the truth.  I thought it was all natural and alive between us, I've never thought oh I mustn't say this, or I'd better not say that she won't understand, although you often don't understand, most of the time in fact, and the way you stood there and looked up at my big picture with that nasty kind look on your face blighted my desire to talk to you about painting at all!

Fade at the end of this speech.  Music.
Bring up PATRICIA'S low laugh.

			STANLEY
		Lift up a bit.  Let your leg dangle over the edge - that's right.  You were saying?

			PATRICIA
		Oh, it's nothing.  I feel a fool, talking about my work to you.

			STANLEY
		Doesn't Miss Hepworth sell?

			PATRICIA
		Not really.  So we're penniless, QED.

			STANLEY
		(Sound of pencil)  QED?

			PATRICIA
		It means -

			STANLEY
		I know what it means -

			PATRICIA
What does it mean?

			STANLEY
		(Approaches, close)  It doesn't mean that because I put my hand here, I don't respect you.

			PATRICIA
		(Laughs, purrs)  Stop it. (Slight pause)  Sometimes you're almost there.  For an Englishman.  Well, like the chimp at the typewriter trying for Shakespeare.

			STANLEY
		(Ratty)  That's it.  (Further away)  You'll be sorry you said that.
			PATRICIA
		Why - what are you going to do to me?

			STANLEY
		(From the door)  You know what you are - !

			PATRICIA
		I'm a lot of things.  (Door bangs.  She calls)  What are you?  (Another door click)  Hullo?  Dorothy?  What are you doing - having a snoop?

			DOROTHY
		No.

			PATRICIA
		Don't tell me you were being discreet.

			DOROTHY
		If you must know I was choosing a saucepan to hit you over the head with.

			PATRICIA
		Why?

			DOROTHY
		Please, not innocent Alice - I'm tired.

			PATRICIA
		Oh well of course you work all the time.

			DOROTHY
		One of us has to.

			PATRICIA
		That is a vile thing to say.

			DOROTHY
		I'm not the one who's being vile.  If you have to misbehave I wish you wouldn't do it under this roof.

			PATRICIA
		If my `misbehaviour' is so offensive to you why put up with it?

			DOROTHY
		Who else would?

			PATRICIA
		Oh I see!  Thank you very much.  (Savage)  It may have escaped your notice that I have never had the least trouble in attracting whomsoever my heart desires.

			DOROTHY
		We weren't talking about attracting people.

			PATRICIA
		Weren't we?
			DOROTHY
		We were talking about keeping people.

			PATRICIA
		(Slight pause)  As far as that goes, some of us prefer to move on, remember.

			DOROTHY
		I'm sure you will.  Move on.  When you find a better billet.

			PATRICIA
		Why put up with me then?

			DOROTHY
		Who knows?  I can't paint ALL the time.  Most of the day yes, especially now I'm doing stuff for you to sell under your name - no, no, have what you need...still...there are moments when one doesn't feel like work.

			PATRICIA
		So I'm there to fall back on?

			DOROTHY
		In a way.  And you do make me laugh, of course.

			PATRICIA
		I WHAT?  (Noise as she hurls things.)

			DOROTHY
		Ow!  Stop - it - Patricia!  (Sounds of china breaking)  I'm doing you the courtesy of being truthful!...

			PATRICIA
		Why?!  Honest people don't tell the truth - only Pigs!  (She bursts into tears.)

			DOROTHY
		Come on - oh Pixie - (PATRICIA snivels) - come on, I'm here.  Take my hankie.  (PATRICIA sniffs)  Better?

			PATRICIA
		(Sniffs)  You're mean! -

			DOROTHY
		I know.

			PATRICIA
		Mean about presents, mean about money -

			DOROTHY
		I'm a mean miser.

			PATRICIA
		Yes, you are.

			DOROTHY
		A foul fiend.  There.  I won't do it again.

			PATRICIA
		Promise?  Where's Mr Bear?

			DOROTHY
		Here.

			PATRICIA
		(Kisses him)  After all it was your idea, selling the paintings under my name.

			DOROTHY
		Absolutely, it's fine.

			PATRICIA
		If I didn't have to do the selling I could get down to more painting myself instead of having to rush about all the time.

			DOROTHY
		I'm grateful.

			PATRICIA
		It's all very well, Hepworth.  You just skulk around doing what you want!

			DOROTHY
		It's your good nature, dearest.  You naturally want to help people.

			PATRICIA
		I know.

			DOROTHY
		Better?

			PATRICIA
		Mmm.  (Slight pause)  When I'm with you the maggots leave my head.

			DOROTHY
		Good.

Silence.

			DOROTHY
		Darling...

			PATRICIA
		Mmm?

			DOROTHY
		Don't flirt with Stanley Spencer.

			PATRICIA
		Only trying to please.  He does have his uses.

			DOROTHY
		Such as?

			PATRICIA
		Dudley Tooth is his agent for one.

			DOROTHY
		Not fair to lead him on, though.  Noblesse oblige, Pixie.

			PATRICIA
		Dreadful little oik.  Gives me the horrors.

			DOROTHY
		So you won't sit for him again?

			PATRICIA
		Are you mad?  You saw his sketches!  He's drawn me all crooked!

Fade.  Fade in baby crying and down.  STANLEY whistling, at work.  A door opens.

			HILDA
		(Approaching)  Look Stan - (makes soft noises to the baby.)

			STANLEY
		What are you going to call it?

			HILDA
		Shut up.

			STANLEY
		Oh, nice name.  Is it supposed to looked all squashed?

			HILDA
		Go away.  And where are my violets, the ones I picked this morning, I left them on the draining board.  Stan, you didn't!

			STANLEY
		Well-bred women like flowers.  She wanted them for her room.

			HILDA
		Which one?  The nice one who does all the work or Bedroom-eyes?

			STANLEY
		I know what I'll paint over here - a scold with glinting eyes making sure no-one enjoys themselves - especially the Men!

			HILDA
		(Fading)  Good, then the women can have some fun!

Music.

Music modified to background.  A door sound.

			DOROTHY
		(Approaching)  Patricia?  You're not Reading?!

			PATRICIA
		Shut up, I'm trying to concentrate - this happens to be extremely deep.

			DOROTHY
		What is it?

			PATRICIA
		A book!

			DOROTHY
		Sorry - thought it was a duck-billed platypus.

			PATRICIA
		(Snickers with laughter)  There - you see?  I do have a sense of humour.

			DOROTHY
		Who says not?

			PATRICIA
		That fish-eyed Hilda Spencer.  Augustus said she called me a narcissist.

			DOROTHY
		Hilda?

			PATRICIA
		He says it's a sexual condition.

			DOROTHY
		Well he would.

			PATRICIA
		So I asked Frankie Bacon and he told me to see that chap in Hampstead.

			DOROTHY
		Who?

			PATRICIA
		Glasses - beard - weird name -

			DOROTHY
		Oh - Dr Freud.

			PATRICIA
		That's the chappie.  I rang Maynard and Lydia for the address and took a cab.
			DOROTHY
		Not all the way?

			PATRICIA
		I could have been seriously ill!

			DOROTHY
		So what did he do, the Herr Doktor - analyze you?

			PATRICIA
		I'm not a lunatic, thank you very much.  Gave me this book, I said I'd send on a cheque - look, d'you mind shutting up?

			DOROTHY
		Sorry.  (Pause - PATRICIA turns a page.  DOROTHY clears her throat.)  What does it say?

			PATRICIA
		Hold on.  Here we are.  (Reads)  "Narcissism.  Point One.  Venomous Rages." - well, that's hardly surprising, Hilda Spencer would try the patience of Job.

			DOROTHY
		Why, what's she done?

			PATRICIA
		Nothing.  She just sits about being natural, it's unnerving.  No wonder he's sick of her.

			DOROTHY
		Is he - sick of her?

			PATRICIA
		I didn't say that.

			DOROTHY
		(Groans, then)  Go on about narcissism.

			PATRICIA
		(Reads)  "Point Two.  Manipulating Others."

			DOROTHY
		That's two you've won.

			PATRICIA
		(Drops the book)  The rest is just mumbo-jumbo - however, give Spencer her due, she's absolutely on the nail.  I AM a narcissist.

			DOROTHY
		You are?

			PATRICIA
		No question about it.

			DOROTHY
		How exactly do you mean?

			PATRICIA
		Oh God, Dodsy, you are a great block of wood with no nails sometimes - honestly!  (Sighs heavily)  Narcissus liked to gaze in pools to see his own reflection because he was so Beautiful!  (DOROTHY laughs)  Right.  Build up the fire - I have to get my kit off.

			DOROTHY
		Why?

			PATRICIA
		Stanley's coming.

			DOROTHY
		When?

			PATRICIA
		Now.

			DOROTHY
		What for?

			PATRICIA
		To paint me.

			DOROTHY
		Here?

			PATRICIA
		Yes.  Could you push off, he wants me in the buff.

Music.  Cross fade, baby whimpering.

			STANLEY
		Look - can you - ?

			HILDA
		(At a distance)  Sorry, shan't be long.

More whimpering.  Sounds as STANLEY throws down his palette.

			STANLEY
		How am I supposed to work?

			HILDA
		Stanley, I'm trying to feed her!  (Murmurs to whimpering baby)  There, darling - (murmurs).

			STANLEY
		(Approaches)  Look - for God's sake Hilda, I need you!  (HILDA murmurs to the baby)  I need you full of life, vibrant - sort of challenging me so I never quite know where I am.  What I don't want is you tired all the time.  If I'm to work I have to feel right, people have to see that I'm not riled or fed up - know what I mean, ducky?  Hilda! -

			HILDA
		(Going)  She needs changing.

Music link.  Sounds of STANLEY'S pencil drawing rapidly.

			STANLEY
		(Abstracted)  Don't move.

			PATRICIA
		Oh, you are a bore.  I don't really care for being looked at, you know.

			STANLEY
		(Stops drawing - approaches)  I shall do you when you aren't looking.

			PATRICIA
		Fool.  Kiss my foot.

			STANLEY
		(Kisses her foot noisily)  I'll buy you some shoes.  Red.  With five inch heels.

			PATRICIA
		I'd prefer jewellery.

			STANLEY
		Oh.  All right.

			PATRICIA
		Come here.

Music.  Cross fade to STANLEY and HILDA, having a row.

			HILDA
		We can't, the new house isn't ready!

			STANLEY
		It's got a roof - floors - !

			HILDA
		Stan!

			STANLEY
		What's the matter with you?  Everything's too much - you don't paint any more - it's not that I mind babies, but look at you - you're all dropped!  You used to wear yellow and put combs in your hair, now it's as though I don't exist, I'm in the way, instead of in the middle of your attention - Where I Ought to Be!  How am I supposed to find you the most amazing odalisque and heart partner when -I can't always feel like having sex with you, Hilda, if you don't make yourself more attractive to me.

			HILDA
		All right!  If you want a house-warming, we'll Have a house-warming!

ERIK SATIE music - down to "Let's face the music and dance" in background.
A doorbell rings.

			ELSIE
		Oh blow it - we're not ready...coming!  Ooh!  (She squeaks in alarm.)

			DOROTHY
		Good evening Elsie.

			ELSIE
		Good Lord is it you Miss?  Sorry - evening, Miss Hepworth, Miss - ah -

			DOROTHY
		Miss Preece has come as Narcissus and I am Oscar Wilde.

			ELSIE
		They're nearly ready -

			DOROTHY
		Oh dear - are we early?

			ELSIE
		No - no - it's just - you know what they're like...

			PATRICIA
		Could you take my wand?

			ELSIE
		What?  I must go and -

			DOROTHY
		Don't worry - we'll look at the pictures.

			ELSIE
		There's sausage rolls on the trestle! (Going).

			PATRICIA
		And trifle, I see.

			DOROTHY
		Stop it, Pixie.  (From a distance)  Come and look at Stanley's latest.  (Reads)  Scene with Swan.  Glorious.

			PATRICIA
		I can't see it, myself.  I mean, who is he, where's he been?  Sunday painter.

			DOROTHY
		No, no.

			PATRICIA
		And what's that smell?

			DOROTHY
		Perhaps they're baking the swan for dinner.

			PATRICIA
		Hope not.

			DOROTHY
		(Thoughtfully)  No-o.  All that neck.

STANLEY clears his throat loudly.

			PATRICIA
		My God!

			DOROTHY
		Stanley?

			STANLEY
		Yes - it's me!  What do you think?

			PATRICIA
		Who are you supposed to be?

			STANLEY
		(Ratty)  Who do you think?  Hilda!  I'm wearing her dress!

			DOROTHY
		You look splendid Stanley.

			STANLEY
		I like women's clothes.  Hilda, where are you, where's she - ?

			HILDA
		(Shy)  Hullo.

			PATRICIA
		Oh, I see.  You're Stanley.

			HILDA
		I'm afraid the trousers are a little tight.

			PATRICIA
		Yes.

			DOROTHY
		I love the hat.

			HILDA
		You don't think I look idiotic?
			PATRICIA
		We-ell - if I were you...

Sound of voices.

			ELSIE
		Mr John, Mr Tooth.  Mr Lamb and Miss Gwen - I mean Mrs Raverat.

They enter, chatting.  And burst out laughing.

			STANLEY
		You're not in fancy dress!  Hilda, didn't you say?

			HILDA
		Oh.  Sorry - I forgot.

Laughter.

			AUGUSTUS
		And who's this delicious piece of country crackling?

			STANLEY
		Get off - get away!

Laughter, sounds of a scuffle, a chair goes over - more laughter as AUGUSTUS, whooping, chases STANLEY.

			AUGUSTUS
		(At a distance)  Come to Uncle - hullo - you've been working, Cookham.

			STANLEY
		I have. (Breathless)  What do you think?

			AUGUSTUS
		Bloody marvellous.

			HENRY
		Not bad, Cook.

			PATRICIA
		That's me.  In the yellow skirt on the right.

			HENRY
		Who are you supposed to be?

			PATRICIA
		How should I know?

			HILDA
		Stanley will explain.

			STANLEY
		The thin woman is hanging out washing and Patricia is offering some old clothes to the Vicar as a group of Apostles watch boys playing hopscotch.

			PATRICIA
		Apostles?  Which ones are they?

			STANLEY
		The ones in holy raiment, of course - well, some of them are wearing clothes from the basket, taking no thought as to wherewithal they shall be clothed - look at that foot, I'm good at feet and the limbs are really limby, don't you think?

			AUGUSTUS
		Nice stuff, nice stuff, man.

			GWEN
		It's heavenly, Stanley!

			HENRY
		Leaps off the canvas.

			DOROTHY
		Absolutely.

			DUDLEY
		Miss Preece?

			PATRICIA
		We-ll......

			STANLEY
		Yes?  (No reply.)

			DUDLEY
		(Quickly)  It's marvellous, Stanley, marvellous.

			PATRICIA
		This painting - is a work of genius.

			HILDA
		(Sotto voce)  Thank Heaven for that.

			GWEN
		Stanley's away!  

STANLEY holds forth in the background)

			STANLEY
		I'm not trying to be Michelangelo, well perhaps I am - why not, since I know I'm ready to take on the decoration of a whole church now.  I could do it in twenty years if I keep at it.  Every wall, every space a cathedral of me!

			HILDA
		He never stops.
			GWEN
		Still.

			HILDA
		I know.  I glory in him.  When he let's me.

			STANLEY
		So Patricia - what does it make you feel?

			PATRICIA
		How do you mean?

			STANLEY
		What does the picture make you FEEL?  Here... inside!

			PATRICIA
		Feel?  Oh well, rapture, of course.  (Moves away, calls)  Henry, for God's sakes, some dance music...

			HENRY
		(Calls)  Coming up!

			PATRICIA
		(Approaching)  Mr Tooth, might we have a word?

Dance music.

			PATRICIA
		Have you any news?

			DOROTHY
		Patricia...!

			DUDLEY
		I'm sorry?

			PATRICIA
		You were looking into the possibility of a show for us.

			DUDLEY
		I am still making enquiries.

			PATRICIA
		That was six months ago.

			DUDLEY
		It's not easy, as you know.

			PATRICIA
		You manage it for other people.

			DUDLEY
		There was interest in your portraits, Miss Hepworth.  It may be possible to -
			PATRICIA
		Oh no, none of that.  We show together or not at all.

			DUDLEY
		I'll see what I can do.

			PATRICIA
		Yes I think you should.

			DOROTHY
		Patricia, please -

			PATRICIA
		I think he should.  (Music stops, so her raised voice is very loud.)  Otherwise I shall have to marry that dirty little Stanley Spencer.  (A new record on the gramophone.)  Stanley!  I want to dance.

Music, laughter, the noise of the party.  And down to the sounds of farewell - car doors banging and cars driving away.  The front door closes.  Silence.  Steps as STANLEY and HILDA walk into the kitchen.

			STANLEY
		Well?

			HILDA
		What?

			STANLEY
		What shall I do?

			HILDA
		Sssh!

			ELSIE
		All finished!

			HILDA
		Thanks Elsie.

			ELSIE
		Goodnight.

			BOTH
		Goodnight.

			HILDA
		(Door)  What did she say?

			STANLEY
		She told me to go round.

			HILDA
		When?

			STANLEY
		Now.
			HILDA
		(Slight pause)  What did you tell her?

			STANLEY
		I said I couldn't.  I said we had to clear up.

			HILDA
		Do you want to go?

			STANLEY
		I don't know.  Do you want me to?

The baby whimpers in the next room.

			HILDA
		Stanley I want whatever makes you happy.  Sorry - I must see to - (scrape of chair).

			STANLEY
		Right then!

A door bangs.  Music.  Sound of door opening.

			HILDA
		Stanley?

			STANLEY
		(Breathless from running)  It's me.

			HILDA
		What happened?

			STANLEY
		Nothing.

			HILDA
		You didn't sleep with her?

			STANLEY
		No.

			HILDA
		I've made you some cocoa.

			STANLEY
		'Kyou.

			HILDA
		Biscuit?

			STANLEY
		Thanks.  (Rustle of paper.)

			HILDA
		(Pause for sipping and eating)  Was she annoyed?

			STANLEY
		What?

			HILDA
		Because you didn't - stay.

			STANLEY
		I don't know.  I didn't ask.

			HILDA
		I should think she might be.  We might have offended her.  She may feel a fool.  Perhaps you should have -

			STANLEY
		What?

			HILDA
		I don't know.

			STANLEY
		She was on the sofa - with just the oil lamp - her shoulders stood out like comice pears, it broke my heart just to look at her.

			HILDA
		Oh Stan.

			STANLEY
		She's after me all right.

			HILDA
		Perhaps she's sex-starved.  That's probably it.

			STANLEY
		And I'm after her.

Music.  Straight into DOROTHY and PATRICIA arguing.

			DOROTHY
		But darling, why?  It's ludicrous!

			PATRICIA
		(Furious)  Because I've had enough!  I refuse to be poor!  You all expect me to -

			DOROTHY
		What?

			PATRICIA
		I don't know - to - BE!  How am I supposed to go about?  I had to sneak into Woolworths for a Pond's lipstick - if anyone had seen me, well they wouldn't, they're all in Bond Street choosing lovely new ensembles for the Spring.

			DOROTHY
		Poor darling.

			PATRICIA
		Having to darn blouses, stand over a filthy ironing board -
			DOROTHY
		You don't do the ironing.  I do.

			PATRICIA
		Don't you find it sickening?

			DOROTHY
		Honestly, no.

			PATRICIA
		No, well, it doesn't really matter for you.

			DOROTHY
		Whoops!

			PATRICIA
		Sorry - didn't mean to be rude.

			DOROTHY
		My dear, I adore you when you're vile, you know that.

			PATRICIA
		More fool you.  (Sighs loudly)  I don't know.  Perhaps if I took Mr Bear I could go through with it.

			DOROTHY
		You're not serious.  Pixie you can't!  I mean - wouldn't it be better to concentrate on your work?

			PATRICIA
		And what's the point of that if I can't sell the work because nobody knows who I am?  How are people to know me if I can't go about because I haven't a decent frock to my back?

			DOROTHY
		You really think it works like that?

			PATRICIA
		Don't be a fool.  Of course it works like that.  You have to present yourself.

			DOROTHY
		Stanley doesn't.

			PATRICIA
		(Ratty)  What?!  That silly haircut, the pullovers!  He knows what he's doing.

			DOROTHY
		No, honestly I think -

			PATRICIA
		Well he can do something for me!

			DOROTHY
		But dearest girl - why Stanley?

			PATRICIA
		Because he's there!  He knows so many people!  I'm thinking of you as well as me.

			DOROTHY
		No, please, don't do that.  In fact, please stop, now.

			PATRICIA
		You fool, there's no need to worry.  It won't make any difference to us.

			DOROTHY
		Won't it!

			PATRICIA
		Not in the least...not in the slightest, you'll see.  Trust me.

			DOROTHY
		Oh you are the Most awful tease.  Marry Stanley Spencer?  You wouldn't be seen dead, in any case he's married, and a papa - why do I let her do this to me - (laughs happily).

Music link.  Then the sound of a shop doorbell against the music.

			MODDOM
		Good morning, sir, good morning, Madam.  May I help you?

			PATRICIA
		We'd like to see some lingerie.

Fade and straight up voice.  Music continues.

			MODDOM
		The apricot - with the lace trim?  Or the chartrooz?

			PATRICIA
		What are these?

			MODDOM
		(Reverently)  These are the de luxe, Moddom!  (Sounds of box, tissue rustling)  Which does moddom prefer - peach - the eau de nil?

			STANLEY
		(Clears)  The - ah - black would be nice.

			PATRICIA
		I'll have them all.
			MODDOM
		(Drops into Cockney in surprise)  But these are pure silk!

			PATRICIA
		I never wear anything else.

			MODDOM
		(Awed voice)  Very good.  That will be -

			PATRICIA
		The gentleman will see to it.

			MODDOM
		(Reverently)  Of course, moddom.

Music up.

			STANLEY
		(Squeaks)  How much?!

Musical link from sublime BACH to Satie, ending with ELSIE, clattering pans in the kitchen and singing `Fight the Good Fight'.

			HILDA
		Any clean nappies, Elsie?

			ELSIE
		There's one drying on the fender - no, not that, that's the floorcloth.

			STANLEY
		(At a distance, yells)  Hilda - Hilda -

			HILDA
		(Calls)  What?

			STANLEY
		(Calls)  I need you to sit for me.

			ELSIE
		Give her to me, I'll take her.

Sounds of baby.
Fade and up the sound of STANLEY, drawing, blowing as he rubs out.

			STANLEY
		This is better.  I'd much rather do flesh.  Landscapes - I don't know, so lonely.

			HILDA
		Still-life eh?  (Laughs.)

			STANLEY
		What?  Oh.  Yes.  Sometimes you lock into something - that's what keeps you going, the thought of a miraculous spiritual flash that can change all the boredom of drawing into something exciting and profound.
			HILDA
		When God steps in and fires you up, you mean?

			STANLEY
		That's it - oh, I love talking to you, it's as wonderful as if Saint Peter started speaking in Masaccio's picture of St Pete casting his shadow.  (He blows on his drawing, scribbles fast.)

		She let me kiss her you-know-what.

		(Silence.)  We're going up to London again.  She wants me to buy her some jewels.

		(Silence.)  Don't begrudge, Hilda.  She's down on her luck.

			HILDA
		(Low)  You're making a fool of yourself.

			STANLEY
		No I'm not.

			HILDA
		Well, be careful.  They...Patricia may not be what she seems.  She and Dorothy have lived in Paris.  They're - well - they're sophisticated.

			STANLEY
		Exactly! - that's what I find so thrilling.  The way she talks...tantalises...I have a passion for female elegance...silk stockings, high heels.  You never see her going about like an old dish rag, like a shucked bean, a couple of bamboo sticks tied together...could you squat down, I want to get the inside of your thighs - (chair noise as HILDA squats with a gasp of discomfort) - that's better...damn, now I'm getting an erection.

			HILDA
		Ooh!...do you want us to - ?

			STANLEY
		No thanks, I must finish this.  The thing is...(rubs out and blows on the paper)  the thing is I believe it's perfectly possible for me to have a strong spiritual closeness to more than one woman.  I realise you need to get away from me.  You've got the girls and - I know you find me a strain.

			HILDA
		What are you saying, Stanley?  Are you saying you want me to go away, is that what you're saying?

			STANLEY
		I'm saying I know my true direction, and I know to a fraction of an inch when I am deflected.
			HILDA
		Then you must do what you want.  But you must choose it, you can't ask my permission.

			STANLEY
		Why not, if that's what I need?  (Silence.  STANLEY clears his throat.)  Aren't you ever attracted to somebody else?

			HILDA
		No!  You're my husband, my one and only, and I'm your wife!  No-one else can be your real wife, you have no right to push me out of the way.

			STANLEY
		Out of the way?!  The evidence is I have a deterrent effect on you.  It is very humiliating to me when all my interesting remarks only make you thinner and thinner, I should have thought every word would add an inch of fat and a tube of rose madder to your cheeks.  (Sounds of his pencil)  I love being in a room emanating delicious `Stanley' qualities, throwing out nice bits of me for people to pick up.  I throw something to you and you're looking the other way, when you're not asleep, that is.  Perhaps you don't want to compete - well - I'm sorry, that is mean.  I wouldn't be keen at all, physically, if it wasn't for my spiritual feeling for you.  If that begins to whittle down, well...

			HILDA
		Stanley.  Go to London.

			STANLEY
		You once said that it was a waste that no-one but you could share the wonderful feelings I gave to you -

			HILDA
		It's all right.  If you want to go to London, go.

Music link.  The sound of a skylark.  PATRICIA murmurs, stretching lazily.

			PATRICIA
		Gorgeous sun.  (STANLEY grunts.)  What are you doing?

			STANLEY
		I'm trying...to...find a difficult problem.

			PATRICIA
		Why?

			STANLEY
		Because a problem that's easy is not very interesting.

			PATRICIA
		Come and show.  (Rustle of paper.)  Dandelions?!

			STANLEY
		What's wrong?

			PATRICIA
		Nothing.  I thought you were doing a proper landscape, that's all.

			STANLEY
		I'll do the landscape of your legs - high up.

			PATRICIA
		Oh stop.

			STANLEY
		Why?

			PATRICIA
		It's too early in the day to be dirty.  Darling - I know you don't like painting landscapes, but they sell.   Mmm...(kissing him).

			STANLEY
		I wanted to bring you here, among the marguerites - `a lake of flowers and thou' -

			PATRICIA
		Yes, lovely.  Stanley, why not let me take over your affairs, then you can concentrate on what you do best.

			STANLEY
		Sorry?

			PATRICIA
		It would make sense.  Neither you nor Hilda is good at money.  I am.  For a start with Hilda away so much, you don't need that big house, you might as well sell it.  Better still, put it in my name.  After all, it'll belong to both of us in the end.  After the divorce.

			STANLEY
		What?

			PATRICIA
		My dear, you can't possibly spend the rest of your life paying out hard-earned money to keep Hilda - who gives you nothing - and the two girls.  Hilda has a very well situated family of her own.  Let them look after her.  You - are an artist.  Your loyalty must be to the work.  And to me of course.  Do you like my red nails?

Music.

			HILDA
		Can't you come to Hampstead?  If I'm not to come to you - come to me - please!

PATRICIA laughs.

			PATRICIA
		Stop it, you silly boy...

			STANLEY
		I'd like to be an ant crawling all over you...

			HILDA
		It's as though you've dropped a chopper on us.

			STANLEY
		Is that nice - or that - tell me which is nicest?

			PATRICIA
		(Murmurs)  Fool...

			HILDA
		Stan please!

			STANLEY
		My feelings have all come alive!...

			HILDA
		You're my husband.  We promised - we took a vow - didn't you mean it?

STANLEY covers PATRICIA'S face with noisy kisses.

			PATRICIA
		No - no - not yet - not yet -

			HILDA
		Please!

			PATRICIA
		Soon - very soon -

			HILDA
		Please don't say you don't love me!  You send me away.  I do as you want because I love you and then you say I've deserted you.

			PATRICIA
		It's not as though she's even here.  Poor boy.

			HILDA
		I miss you!  You say I've got the children but a hundred children couldn't replace one Stanley.  Why?  If you could just explain it to me.

			STANLEY
		I've earned her.  She's a lady - my one social achievement.  I'm famous, she respects all that, only yesterday she admired my cuttings book.  She's full of compliments, she studies me!  To see you trying to look enthusiastic is so bloody insulting, ducky, that I have to stop whatever I'm doing to let a terrible choking fit of rage die down.  I can't bear to look at you.

			HILDA
		(Low)  Stan please...

			STANLEY
		You're not moved by me.  You've no appetite for life.  Where's your joy?

			HILDA
		You are my joy.

			PATRICIA
		How do I look?

			STANLEY
		Like a gorgeous green dragonfly.

			PATRICIA
		Gloves, I need gloves - and shoes.

			STANLEY
		Hilda, could you manage on two pounds a week?  I've had a bad chest, I've been losing commissions - no, it's not that, I want the money to spend on Patricia, I hate paying out for moral obligation - it's like paying Income Tax!

			HILDA
		Stanley please - we can't -

			STANLEY
		Will you Listen!  Sort yourself out!  You're stopping me from doing what I want.

			HILDA
		I'm sorry.  I've been ill.  Oh, Stanley!  It's as though I don't belong in this world at all.  I seem to be living in a moon world, full of cold stars, not on this warm loving earth at all.

			PATRICIA
		Stanley, it's beautiful!  Dorothy, look!  The stones catch the light beautifully, I so adore diamonds.

			STANLEY
		Hilda.  Please discontinue writing, any further letters will be returned unopened.  In future, address all correspondence to my solicitor.  I wish no further connection with you.

Music.

			PATRICIA
		There.  How do I look?

			DOROTHY
		What do  you expect me to say?

			PATRICIA
		The bride looked radiant?

			DOROTHY
		Oh for God's sake.

			PATRICIA
		You might try to enter into the spirit of the thing - at least wear a hat.

STANLEY sings a hymn, `Morning Has Broken', joyfully as he dresses for his wedding.

			HILDA
		(Low)  Stanley - please - what you are doing is murder.  I left with no fuss - surely I'm worth something for that.  Please - I'm asking for your sake, not mine - I only want your happiness - mine's gone.  Stanley - oh, please - be careful.

Music.

			HENRY
		Bravo!

			DUDLEY
		Congratulations, Stanley!

			STANLEY
		Thank you.

			HENRY
		Come on Cookham - kiss the bride!

			PATRICIA
		Oh for heaven's sakes, Henry.  Dorothy, did you lay on a car?

Fade.  Fade in doors closing, cars driving away.
Door clicks as STANLEY enters.

			STANLEY
		Thank God, they've gone.  Now I've got you to myself.   (Begins to groan and grope.  PATRICIA squeaks.)

			PATRICIA
		Darling please - no - not now - ah!  No!

			STANLEY
		What do you mean - oh you smell so wonderful -

			PATRICIA
		No - Stanley - no - no, no, please - listen - look - listen - no sit down please.

			STANLEY
		Why?  What's the matter?  We're married now!  Ohh!  (Becoming ardent.)

			PATRICIA
		No - look - this isn't right, it isn't what you need - not a great artist like you - for you everything must be perfect.  It's not just me you want - what you need is an unlimited supply of sex...and you can have it!

			STANLEY
		But, all I want -

			PATRICIA
		You're an artist!  Women...women..women, Stanley - I'll get them for you!

			STANLEY
		But surely we can - we're married...!

			PATRICIA
		Of course we are but let's sort it all out first.  Dorothy and I will make our way to St Ives and you can hang on here -

			STANLEY
		What?  What for?

			PATRICIA
		To see Hilda, silly!

			STANLEY
		Hilda, why?

			PATRICIA
		Ask her down to Cookham, she'll come if you ask her -

			STANLEY
		No she won't.

			PATRICIA
		Yes she will, she loves you.  Make some excuse, say you're ill!  Meanwhile, Dorothy and I can open up the house in St Ives and you and Hilda can join us at your leisure.  (Calls)  Dorothy - ?

			DOROTHY
		(From distance)  Yes?

			STANLEY
		What's She doing here?!

			PATRICIA
		We'd better push off, it's a long drive.  Stanley let me know when you're coming and we'll meet the Cornish express.  Dorothy, could you bring the cases?  (Going.)

			STANLEY
		But - I - you - Dorothy, what are you doing?

			DOROTHY
		Sorry, Stanley.

Music link.

			HILDA
		(Distant)  Cooee!  (Closer)  Cooee!  (On mike)  Hullo!  Anyone in?  Elsie?

Clattering sounds as STANLEY wheels his pushchair full of painting things into the studio.  The noise makes HILDA yelp in fright.

			HILDA
		What on earth are you doing here?

			STANLEY
		Hilda?

			HILDA
		And what are you doing with the children's pushchair?

			STANLEY
		I'm using it as a trolley for my painting stuff.  It was out in the shed.

			HILDA
		You look ridiculous.  I'll go, I didn't know you were here, I thought you'd gone away.  Elsie wrote to say she'd packed my things for me.

			STANLEY
		Hilda...

			HILDA
		Why aren't you on your...?  Where's Patricia?

			STANLEY
		St Ives.

			HILDA
		I see - no I don't see.  Why is she in St Ives and you back here?

			STANLEY
		It's all right, she's with Dorothy.  Never mind that, I've been waiting for you.  I've been working - look.

Clatter as he props up a canvas.  Steps as HILDA crosses to look.

			STANLEY
		What do you think?

He clears his throat as she examines the pictures.

			HILDA
		Well!

			STANLEY
		What do you think?  Dudley says they won't sell.  He says people will think them dirty.

Silence.

			HILDA
		I think they're very tender.

			STANLEY
		Oh, I've missed you So much!

			HILDA
		You know I've missed you.

			STANLEY
		I didn't mean any of it.  Patricia said I  had to say all those things for the divorce.

			HILDA
		Stanley that's no excuse!  Oh your dear, dear face!  (They kiss.)

			STANLEY
		Mmm - you smell just the same -

			HILDA
		Stanley can we - ?

			STANLEY
		Oh please -

Music.  The sound of gulls.

			PATRICIA
		This - is absolute bliss.
			DOROTHY
		Mmm.  (Rinses her brush in water.)

			PATRICIA
		Oh - put the brush down.  Stop, breathe...enjoy life.

			DOROTHY
		Consider the lilies?

			PATRICIA
		(Groans)  Don't - you sound like Stanley Spencer.

			DOROTHY
		Your husband.

			PATRICIA
		At least we've got a decent property now.

			DOROTHY
		(Alarmed)  We're staying on at the cottage, aren't we?  That's what you said!

			PATRICIA
		Of course.

			DOROTHY
		Then why do we need Stanley's house?

			PATRICIA
		Income, silly!  Someone has to think of the future.

			DOROTHY
		(Puzzled)  Income?

			PATRICIA
		That house will let at a very decent rent.

			DOROTHY
		Are you saying that the only reason you married - I thought it was...you've always loved a name...I don't know what to think!  I can't sleep!

			PATRICIA
		Don't I know!  You've been sweating like a back rasher, muttering in the night, what about me, I need sleep too you know.  This is supposed to be a holiday!

			DOROTHY
		What it is supposed to be, is your honeymoon.

Sounds of the sea.

			PATRICIA
		Why don't we go away together?

			DOROTHY
		Who?
			PATRICIA
		Us - you and me!  We could live for nothing, Stanley's rents would be more than enough -

			DOROTHY
		Just you and me.  Not Stanley.

			PATRICIA
		Of course.

			DOROTHY
		(Pause)  It's out of the question.  (Sounds of the sea.)  I may go away.  Alone.  (The sea.)

			PATRICIA
		I'd rather you didn't.

			DOROTHY
		Then please don't ask me to live off Stanley Spencer.

			PATRICIA
		Suit yourself.  It's my money, I'll spend it as I please.  I'm the one who married  him, what have you done towards it?

			DOROTHY
		How can you think of taking that man's house!  I have to stand by and watch you cavort in order to get him to sign over his own home to you -

			PATRICIA
		I do not cavort.  (Sea on rocks.)

			DOROTHY
		Then why has he done it?  Don't tell me he's had nothing from you -

			PATRICIA
		Are you accusing me of selling myself?  I am not a whore.

			DOROTHY
		Then you've defrauded him.

			PATRICIA
		I am doing this for you!  That little madman is perfectly capable of making up his own mind.  If he chooses to help two artists, two painters of repute, then that is his privilege.

			DOROTHY
		You'd do the same yourself.

			PATRICIA
		What?

			DOROTHY
		If you were in his position.
			PATRICIA
		I daresay.  Possibly.

			DOROTHY
		I don't know what to believe.  Except that you'll use him to beat me over the head with.  (Sea regular, modulated.)

			PATRICIA
		Dodo, he hasn't even touched me, I promise.  The very thought makes me shudder.

			DOROTHY
		Then what in the name of God, Pixie?

			PATRICIA
		Don't worry!  Everything's arranged.

			DOROTHY
		Arranged?  By whom?

			PATRICIA
		I'm prepared to sit for him, that is all.

			DOROTHY
		And he's agreed?  Not to touch you?

			PATRICIA
		Leave it to me.  Dodo you're shivering - in the sun!  Here, have my jacket and stop worrying.  You just get on with the work and leave all the rest to me!

Fade.  And up to birdsong.  The clink of cup on saucer.

			HILDA
		The garden's looking gorgeous.

			STANLEY
		Cream bun?

			HILDA
		Why not - I've got my appetite back!  (Eats)  Mmm!

Clink of cups.  Pause.  STANLEY hums and sings a hymn.  "Awake My Soul".

			HILDA
		Stan?

			STANLEY
		Mmm?

			HILDA
		You don't think what we've just done's adultery, do you?

			STANLEY
		I don't see how it can be.

			HILDA
		We're not married.

			STANLEY
		In the eyes of God we are.

			HILDA
		No dearest.  We're divorced.  The Church of England allows divorce and we're divorced.  We're not Catholics.

			STANLEY
		All right, we'll change.

			HILDA
		Stan!

Birdsong.

			HILDA
		Shall I tell you something?  I don't care if it is adultery.

			STANLEY
		Good - wonderful!

			HILDA
		Yes!  Oh dear.

			STANLEY
		What?

			HILDA
		Patricia.  How are we going to tell her?  We can't build on happiness on somebody else's misery, Stan.

			STANLEY
		No, that's all sorted out, everything's arranged.  Patricia's all right.

			HILDA
		What do you mean?  Has she left you? - you've only just got -

			STANLEY
		No, no, no, no, no.  She's agreed!

			HILDA
		Agreed to what?

			STANLEY
		She's even invited us to St Ives together!

			HILDA
		What?  I don't know what to say.  When did she - ?

			STANLEY
		She telephoned yesterday -

			HILDA
		Why did? - When did you...?  And there's no bad feeling?

			STANLEY
		None at all.  She says I'm an artist.  I must have what I need, what's necessary.  You're necessary!  So -

			HILDA
		Stan!  Does this mean we're a family again?  I can come back?

			STANLEY
		I should think so.  Patricia doesn't want to move in here, she wants to stay at the cottage with Dorothy.  I shouldn't think she'd mind you being here, no, I'm sure she wouldn't.

			HILDA
		Stanley, I don't think I've got this clear.  Could you explain it to me?

			STANLEY
		There's nothing to explain, it's all arranged!

			HILDA
		Are you sleeping with her?

			STANLEY
		Who?

			HILDA
		Patricia, who did you think I meant?

			STANLEY
		Not as such.

			HILDA
		Either you are or you aren't.

			STANLEY
		She wants to wait.  Until you and I are sorted out.  To tell the truth we've had some... difficulties.

			HILDA
		What sort of difficulties?

			STANLEY
		She can't manage it.  There's something wrong with her.

			HILDA
		You mean you haven't been to bed with her?  Not at all?
			STANLEY
		Not as such.

			HILDA
		Don't keep saying that.

			STANLEY
		The arrangement is -

			HILDA
		Arrangement, what arrangement?

			STANLEY
		Patricia thinks...she's being very generous about this, she knows I love you.

			HILDA
		What arrangement?  What arrangement, Stanley?

			STANLEY
		That I can be married to both of you.  She says, when you and I are...together again, she'll...she and I can...I can have her as well.  It's what I need.  She understands that.  She's not conventional.  She's an upper class woman.

			HILDA
		So you're saying...what you're saying is...after you throwing me off, and saying you never wanted to see me again, that I was boring and ugly and made you feel low and unloved and unsupported, now you say you didn't mean any of that, you say you love me and want me here, in my own home again...at least you think you want me, if Patricia allows it, you want me here...back as I was before...as your mistress.  (Silence.)  Is that what you mean, Stanley?

			STANLEY
		Put like that, yes.

Crashing china.  STANLEY yelps.

			STANLEY
		Hey!

			HILDA
		I don't know which one of you I want to kill first.

			STANLEY
		Hilda, please, I need to have -

			HILDA
		No, Stanley!  That's Enough!

Clink of china on stone flags as she walks away.

			HILDA
		Tell Elsie I'll write.  I'll send a carrier for my things.

Door bangs.

			STANLEY
		Hilda!

Music link.
Footsteps on stairs.  A knock.  Close, AUGUSTUS JOHN hawks and spits.
Another knock.

			AUGUSTUS
		Come in, dammit.  (Door)

			STANLEY
		Gus?

			AUGUSTUS
		What are you doing here?

			STANLEY
		I was passing.

			AUGUSTUS
		What do you want?

			STANLEY
		Nothing.

			AUGUSTUS
		Bugger off then.

Noises as he works.  A chair is moved.  STANLEY clears his throat.

			AUGUSTUS
		What?!

			STANLEY
		Oh - just - Gus, you know about women.

			AUGUSTUS
		Trouble eh?  (Hawks and spits.)

			STANLEY
		I've tried talking to her.

			AUGUSTUS
		(Laughs)  Which one?

			STANLEY
		Hilda!  I don't know if being divorced is colouring my outlook...perhaps I'm becoming a libertine...

AUGUSTUS chuckles.

			STANLEY
		...I mean, WHY must a man have only one woman - apart from the expense.  I'm divorced from Hilda now but I'm as much hers as ever.  I see Patricia, but the one doesn't cut across the other - I mean, why all this possessive business?

			AUGUSTUS
		Oh I don't stand for that.

			STANLEY
		Intimacy is important, don't you agree?

			AUGUSTUS
		Absolutely.  

			STANLEY
		Why should I be deprived of my closest partner because a piece of paper says we're divorced?

			AUGUSTUS
		Bugger the law.

			STANLEY
		I need a dozen homes - that's what I'd like, with me as father in each - That's why men get irritable, they want a change of wife, maybe for just a short time.  (Groans)  When I think of all the women I might have known!

			AUGUSTUS
		Spunky little turps-rag like you should be ranging the hills like a white-assed collie - (sounds as he stands back) - what do you think, will it do?  Needs more work of course.

			STANLEY
		Yes it does.

			AUGUSTUS
		Ugly bitch - I'll shorten the chin.

			STANLEY
		Why d'you do all this society stuff...portraits?

			AUGUSTUS
		Five hundred guineas, man!  Knock this off in a week!

			STANLEY
		No wonder it's no good.

			AUGUSTUS
		And you can piss off out of it.

			STANLEY
		You used to paint, Gus.

			AUGUSTUS
		Spill guts on the canvas?  Oh I can't go in for all that any more.

			STANLEY
		I couldn't not.  Gus - what am I going to do?  Hilda won't -

			AUGUSTUS
		Get round her, man!  (Laughs)  No problem with a plain woman - tell her she's beautiful!  Loveliest physog in Christendom, bum like a Boucher...Hilda de Milo, the Rokeby Hilda, Hilda of Troy!

			STANLEY
		(Fading)  I don't think she'll believe me.

			AUGUSTUS
		Go on, try!  Where is she?

			STANLEY
		With her mother.  (Fade out.)

Music.  Fade in MRS CARLINE.

			MRS CARLINE
		Chastity, Stanley, is the cement of civilisation.

			STANLEY
		I didn't know you were going to be here, Ma.  I thought it was to be just Hilda.

			MRS CARLINE
		I am here as the wakeful shepherd...

			HILDA
		Mother, please -

			MRS CARLINE
		...the protector of those that are bruised -

			STANLEY
		Bruised?

			MRS CARLINE
		Stanley, someone must protect Hilda's interests.

			STANLEY
Yes.  Me.

			MRS CARLINE
		(Slight pause)  As to that, I have no wish to pry into the intimate details -

			STANLEY
		Why not?  You ought to.  She's your daughter, put your oar in - I don't understand you lot.
			MRS CARLINE
		Very well.  Stanley, why are you here and what is the position with the second Mrs Spencer?

			STANLEY
		You mean Patricia?  I love her and I want Hilda to love her.

			MRS CARLINE
		Caritas, one presumes - not eros.

			STANLEY
		Both...both...both.  Have you met Patricia?  She shines, there's a radiance.  She glides into a room like a dace through a willow pond, the air arabesques, Bach becomes Borodin...she moves my imagination.

			MRS CARLINE
		I see.  I daresay.  (Pause)  Well it can't go on.  You must either allow divine wisdom to point out your path or...well, it's a frightful mess but you'd better say goodbye to Hilda here and now.  And the children.

			HILDA
		(Low)  Oh he doesn't want them.

			STANLEY
		I've never made a fuss, I'm very good with the girls.

			HILDA
		You resent the time I spend with them - you're jealous of your own flesh!

			STANLEY
		I've never minded - all right, you wanted children -

			HILDA
		Yes!  I wanted children!  All the genius in the world can't alter the fact that I'm a woman.  I like children, they engage me...their beauty, their exciting newness.  You talk endlessly of you and me being One - what are the children if not that?  They ARE us.  How can that not move you?

			STANLEY
		Hilda -

			HILDA
		They make us unselfish, Stanley.  Without children we die, in more ways than one.

			STANLEY
		Oh, there's so much to say!

			HILDA
		Yes, there is!

			MRS CARLINE
		Dear hearts, I shall leave you - ah, conjugal felicity!  May the Deity be with you.  Amen.

			HILDA
		Amen.

			STANLEY
		Aymen.  (Door.  Slight pause.)  Still the same old Ma.  Hilda, I've so much to tell you!

			HILDA
		What?

			STANLEY
		It's like a huge bonfire inside me!  Please, sit down.

			HILDA
		Why?

			STANLEY
		I have made an enormous, a - the most amazing discovery.  I have realised - I now understand that the whole of my life in art has been a slow realisation of the holy mystery of sex.  It's the key to everything!

			HILDA
		Your dear face.  I've missed you so much.

			STANLEY
		Yes of course.  I'm discovering a hoard of significance - new meaning - I feel like Isaac Newton!  Hilda - Hilda, do you know that the erotic - sexuality - is the essence of religion.  I intend to spend the rest of my life reaching spiritual ecstasy through the physical.  You know how you feel when you draw someone's body?  Isn't that the most wonderful sexual experience?  Wait till you see my Beatitudes, I've done you as Juno, Goddess of Motherhood and as Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, and I've done...  (Catches himself up)...others as other people.  Come home.

			HILDA
		Stanley please, how can I?

			STANLEY
		Why not?  People can think what they want.

			HILDA
		No, no, don't misunderstand.  I'm not in the least conventional, surely you know that.  It wouldn't matter to me in the slightest what people said.

			STANLEY
		Good, because I need you.

			HILDA
		No, Stanley.

			STANLEY
		Why?

			HILDA
		Why?  Because - oh! -

			STANLEY
		Because what?

			HILDA
		(Sighs)  Because if I came back, life on a daily basis - there wouldn't BE life on a daily basis.  Sometimes you...then the children and me, and you not there, but somewhere else.  With someone else.

			STANLEY
		You told me to go - if I wanted.  To have her.

			HILDA
		I know.  And I wouldn't have minded - if that was truly what you needed.  But not total invasion and destruction.  All the lovely pace and rhythm of our life jangled like a smashed-up milk cart.

			STANLEY
		It won't be like that.  Not if you come back.  We'll arrange it to suit you, fit round you.

			HILDA
		We!  (Smothers rage)  Stanley.  I've had to remake my life on the basis of being completely cut off from you...of your having no pleasure or interest in me, and more or less hating me.  I've had to build these thoughts into my life.  I've been torn from you forcibly, like a branch.  I've had to face the fact that although you would always be my husband I was not, you made clear, any longer your wife.  I've had to wean myself from you.

			STANLEY
		No, Hilda, no.

			HILDA
I'm replaceable.  We both know that.  You are irreplaceable to me - but there it is.  In any case, what about Patricia?  Do you really think if I came back into your life she wouldn't be affected?  That she really wants me living down the road from her?  As a fill-in, because she doesn't want or can't sleep with you?  What's the matter with her?  Tell her to see a doctor.

			STANLEY
		No, please, we can't stop now.  There's no sense of reality in our being apart.  Nobody else could be as we are, as we've been.  Everyone else is out there...even Patricia - I like her for it, it leaves me alone.  But not you.  How can you leave me - you Are me.

			HILDA
		I know.

			STANLEY
		What I want is for you to accept me as I am, for what I am.  I need to be with other women - if only I could get you to understand!  A new experience means a greater understanding of the old experience.  I can please you more now - I know more.  I've never not wanted you.  Never.

			HILDA
		(Softening)  Oh, Stanley...

			STANLEY
		Look - it's all right.  Patricia says it's fine, I can have as many women as I want.

			HILDA
		I see.  And is she to have the same freedom?  To have as many men as she wants?

			STANLEY
		No, she only wants me.

			HILDA
		But you wouldn't mind, if she did want other men?

			STANLEY
		It doesn't come into it!  Look...everything's arranged.

			HILDA
		I'm sorry Stanley.  (Sound of chair and of her opening door.)  I'm sorry.  I can't.  (Door clicks.)

			STANLEY
		(Calls)  But she doesn't mind - she doesn't mind in the least...she likes you!  (Loud bang of outer door.)

Music link.  Modulate to Satie.  The ring of a doorbell.

			GWEN
		(Calls)  Betty - get the door would you?

Sound of BETTY crossing, door opening.

			BETTY
		(Distant)  Go away - go on, clear off.  Get off my steps or I'll call the police!

			GWEN
		(Calls)  It's all right Betty, it'll be Mr Spencer.

			BETTY
		(Mutters, going)  What?  I thought it was an old tramp.

			STANLEY
		Sorry - am I early?

			GWEN
		Yes you are, doesn't matter - Stanley, you look awful.  How's Patricia?

			STANLEY
		No idea.

			GWEN
		Oh?

			STANLEY
		She won't let me in the house.

			GWEN
		Why not?

			STANLEY
		Because Hilda won't come back.  Could you persuade her, Gwen, she'll listen to you.

			GWEN
		Stanley I love you, you know that, but I can't go to Hilda for you!

			STANLEY
		What's wrong with all you women - oh, you'll do it on the sly - creep round the back door - but out in the open - oh no!  I can't have all this muddle, I must have things clear!

			GWEN
		The way you want them, you mean.

			STANLEY
		The way all men want things if they'd only be honest and speak up.  I'd like twenty wives.  I want to be able to go from house to house...be made welcome...I'd like to - when one of them isn't, or when...or having children...anyway, you feel more alive when...it's getting in the way, all this, and now Dudley's worried - just when I need the money he says he can't sell my work.

			GWEN
		Why not?

			STANLEY
		He says people think it's dirty.  I've been painting Patricia in the nude.

			GWEN
		Hardly avant-garde.

			STANLEY
		It's because they're too real.  Pubic hair.  She sends me out doing landscapes to pay her bills -
			GWEN
		You mean Patricia?

			STANLEY
		She won't let me into their cottage - I'm only allowed in the kitchen -

			GWEN
		Patricia's in the cottage?  Not with - ?

			STANLEY
		She's with Dorothy.

			GWEN
		So where are you - ?

			STANLEY
		At home.  Well, in the studio at the bottom of the garden, not in the house.  She's let that.

GWEN bursts out laughing.

			GWEN
		Poor old Stanley.  (Tries to stop laughing but can't.)  What...oof...what does Hilda say?

			STANLEY
		That she wants to shoot me.

			GWEN
		Good, I'll get the cartridges.

The doorbell rings.  Sound of BETTY'S steps and door opening.  Men's voices.

			GWEN
		Ah, there they are.  (Calls)  Dudley - Stanley's here.
			DUDLEY
		Stanley, how are you?

			HENRY
		Cookham?  Is that you?

			STANLEY
		Of course it's me, who do you think it is?

			HENRY
		I thought it was Dan, Dan the dirty old man -

			DUDLEY
		Henry, leave it, dear boy.

			GWEN
		Drinks!  (Sound of glasses.)

			HENRY
		Thanks.  (Sound of soda.)  For God's sake he doesn't have to go round, looking like that.  We all know.  You don't have to broadcast it, man...

			DUDLEY
		Henry...

			HENRY
		What does he think he's playing at?

			DUDLEY
		Henry please.  Stanley has a lot of worrying problems.

			HENRY
		You bet he has!

			STANLEY
		Because I want things out in the open...I'm honest - unlike you middle classes -separate bedrooms, don't come too close, never look you in the eye.  You must all be experts on foreheads it's what you look at all the time - well, I'm not like that, and I don't intend to be.

			HENRY
		No.  Straight forward good old Stan - `always the same - give you the time of day - modest old Stan -' forgive me, my dear chap, but bollocks.

			STANLEY
		You - (sounds of scuffle).

			DUDLEY
		Now Stanley -

			HENRY
		No more truthful than the rest of us!  Get off!

			STANLEY
		I'm not going to -

			GWEN
		Stanley, sit down.

			HENRY
		You court simplicity like a dog after a bitch.  The bitch is barren, my friend.  You think you need to be simple to be clear - guard the shrine, tend the talent?  Well, who am I to say?

			DUDLEY
		Perhaps Stanley's instinct is sound.  His life at Cookham has been the source of so much fine work.

			STANLEY
		But not now. Now I'm painting pornography!

			DUDLEY
		I saw the picture of you and Patricia.

			STANLEY
		And?

			HENRY
		I wish I could afford to buy it.

			STANLEY
		Thank you.

Silence.  Then STANLEY sniffs.  And then cries quietly, heartbroken.

			DUDLEY
		It's all right, Stanley.  It's all right.

Music.  Music down.  The sound of tea things.

			DOROTHY
		Do sit down, Hilda.

			HILDA
		Thank you.

			DOROTHY
		It's Indian, that all right?

			HILDA
		Thank you.

Sound of tea being poured.

			DOROTHY
		It was very good of you to come.

			HILDA
		You asked me, Dorothy, and I'm here.

			DOROTHY
		How are you?

			HILDA
		You're thinner.

			DOROTHY
		Yes.  I've lost weight.  (Sound of door.)

			PATRICIA
		Hilda -

Sound of breaking cup.

			HILDA
		I'm so sorry! - it's broken.

			DOROTHY
		No matter.  Patricia please, you said you wouldn't -

			PATRICIA
		Hilda, I do absolutely need a word with you.

			DOROTHY
		Patricia, please!

			PATRICIA
		May I have some tea, Hepworth?  And something to eat (accusingly) - I'm starving.

			HILDA
		Is Stanley here?

			DOROTHY
		No.

			PATRICIA
		(As DOROTHY pours tea)  You're quite safe.  He's al fresco, painting a woman copulating with the war memorial.

			HILDA
		Did he ask you to invite me today?

			DOROTHY
		No.

			PATRICIA
		No, no, no, no, no, absolutely not, it was my idea - delicious cake, Hepworth.  (Mouth full)  Hilda, won't you consider coming back to Cookham?  It is your home after all.

			DOROTHY
		Patricia!

			PATRICIA
		Well, she shouldn't have gone away!  (Mouth full)  I did resist, you know, you may not believe me but it's true!  He's very forceful, Stanley.

			HILDA
		I know.  He puts in everything.  Because of that he expects -

			PATRICIA
		He feels he can behave badly!

			HILDA
		He simply doesn't think.

			PATRICIA
		Well, somebody must.  We're in the same boat, you and I.  Made use of for his...purposes.  There is a dark side to Stanley.  He has urges.

			HILDA
		I know.  So do I.

			PATRICIA
		Oh.  I thought it was a working class thing.  Please - no please - fill Hilda's cup, Dorothy.  Listen - look, we're on the same side.  Can't we solve this together?

Silence.

			HILDA
		(In a low voice)  I will consider coming back to Cookham.

			PATRICIA
		Good!

			HILDA
		That is - if you will agree to leave Stanley.

			PATRICIA
		Leave?

			HILDA
		Divorce him.

			PATRICIA
		Oh no, I couldn't possibly do that.

			HILDA
		Why not?

			PATRICIA
		Apart from anything else I should have to name you as co-respondent.  I couldn't do that to you, Hilda.  I have far too much respect for you.  And the children.

			HILDA
		I see.  Well, if you won't divorce him, will you agree to go away?  Give me back my house and leave Stanley alone?

			PATRICIA
		May I remind you that you are speaking to his legal wife?  There is no question of my conveying my house back to you.  We need the income from the rents to live on.

			HILDA
		But it isn't yours!

			PATRICIA
		Of course it's mine.  I don't mind your leasing back some of the effects, or any small thing of sentimental value.  I've already allowed Stanley some pieces for the studio.

			HILDA
		(Bravely)  I should like my linen and my china please.

			PATRICIA
		I'm afraid it's all in use.  Stanley comes in for tea...he brings friends, often without appointment!

			HILDA
		May I have my things please?

			PATRICIA
		You were using double damask napkins as paint rags!  Nothing's worth anything!  I can read The Times through the sheets and as for the china - did you ever have a decent dinner service?

			DOROTHY
		Patricia -

			PATRICIA
		Please, won't you reconsider?  It's putting me in a bad light, nobody in the village will speak to me, I'm having a horrible time.  It's different for Stanley with no background - anyway, he's home and dry, he sells!  But even if he didn't he has nowhere to fall, d'you see?  Can't you do it for him?  He's so miserable.  If people saw us arm in arm I'd be fine.  At least talk to him.

			HILDA
		I don't know Stanley any more.  He sent me the most dreadful letters.  Now when I write he doesn't reply.

			PATRICIA
		Because he's working, to keep afloat!

			HILDA
		Does he read my letters?

			PATRICIA
		He's too busy.  (Reassuring)  I do!

			HILDA
		You read my letters to Stanley?

			PATRICIA
		I open all his correspondence - I'm his wife.

			HILDA
		And - his letters to me?

			PATRICIA
		Naturally I dictate them, I have to protect his interests, but that's beside the point.  Please come back.  It would solve everything.  Dorothy and I could get on with our lives.

Silence.

			PATRICIA
		(As DOROTHY clears her throat)  Shut up Hepworth.

			HILDA
		You say you are his wife.  But you don't live with him.  He says there is nothing...that you and he...I've always known that you and Dorothy...that you live a more sophisticated life ...but if that's the case and you don't want him, don't want your closeness to Miss Hepworth to be invaded, then what is Stanley to you but a means of paying your debts!

			PATRICIA
		Oh for Heaven's sake.  We're Artists.  We're not conventional people!  Look, if you insist I'll throw in the bed linen and china - well, some of it.  I can't say fairer than that, it's against my own interest!  Are you going?

			DOROTHY
		Hilda...?

			HILDA
		I'm sorry, Dorothy.  (Going.  Door.)

Silence.

			PATRICIA
		The woman's a fool.

			DOROTHY
		She looks - different.

Music.  It becomes sombre.  Voices, as in a reception area.

			DUDLEY
		Ah - Mrs Spencer please?  I am expected - my name is Tooth.

			RECEPTIONIST
		Oh yes.  Follow me, Mr  Tooth.  Mrs Spencer is in the little room in the annexe.

Fade and up.

			DUDLEY
		Hilda!  (Fade and up.)

			HILDA
		(Low)  How is he?

			DUDLEY
		Not very well.

			HILDA
		Oh dear!

			DUDLEY
		(Quickly)  No, no, I don't mean he's ill.  How are You?

			HILDA
		I'm perfectly well, Dudley, but they seem to think I need treatment, heavens knows what this place is going to cost.  How's Stanley?

			DUDLEY
		He's -

			HILDA
		He wrote me a letter.  He wants to come and see me.

			DUDLEY
		Yes.  I think that would be a very good -

			HILDA
		He wanted to marry me from the first day he saw me, you know.  The thought of marriage never entered my head!

			DUDLEY
		Stanley is very keen to renew -

			HILDA
		He was jealous of the babies because they took my time.  Is he well?

			DUDLEY
		No, not - yes, he's well.
			HILDA
		We broke it off several times.  I wasn't sure I could live with him.  How is he - is he well?

			DUDLEY
		(Gently)  He'd very much like to come and see you.

			HILDA
		Here?  In the loony bin?  Oh I don't think that would be a good idea, he hates hospitals.  Anyway, he has to make up his mind, he can't keep dithering between me and Patricia, poor woman.

			DUDLEY
		Yes.  Of course.  I hear the children are well.

			HILDA
		I haven't asked him for money, Dudley.  It isn't fair with his new responsibilities.  Professor Tonks says I should paint, he has a high regard for my work.  Perhaps I could help them - if I could sell that is.  It won't be a happy marriage if they're in debt.

			DUDLEY
		Hilda, I think you must try and rest.  You need to get well, for the children.  And yourself.

			HILDA
		I'm perfectly well, I keep telling them.  Anyway, I've written to Buckingham Palace.

			DUDLEY
		I beg your pardon?

			HILDA
		To complain.  I mean, it can't go on, Dudley, can it?

			DUDLEY
		Ah - no.  Dear Hilda -

			HILDA
		You must see that.

			DUDLEY
		Of course.  Try to rest.  I've brought you some books.  I'll ...I'll come again.

			HILDA
		Just a minute.  I need to write a cheque, would you hand me my bag?  (She writes)  There that's for Stanley.  Tell him he is not to worry.

			DUDLEY
		Thank you.  Hilda - this is for ten thousand pounds.
			HILDA
		Yes, that's right.  Tell him, everything's fine, I've written to the Palace.

			DUDLEY
		(Baffled)  But - it's signed Lady Astor.

Fade his voice.  And in on STANLEY calling Hilda's name.

			STANLEY
		(From a distance)  Hilda?  Oh - here you are!  They've changed your room.

			HILDA
		This one's nicer.  How lovely to see you.  How was the journey?  (They kiss.)

			STANLEY
		Dreadful, as always.

			HILDA
		How's Glasgow?

			STANLEY
		It rains a lot.  Good people though.

			HILDA
		People seem nicer when there's a war.

			STANLEY
		Yes.  My landlady wanted me to redo her kitchen, they told her I was a painter.

			HILDA
		Did you?

			STANLEY
		No fear - I was afraid I might make a mess of it.

Door.  Clink of china.

			NURSE
		Tea, Mrs Spencer.  Visiting time is finishing now.

			STANLEY
		Just a few minutes - my train was late.

			NURSE
		A few minutes then.  (Going)

They giggle.

			STANLEY
		Sandwich?

			HILDA
		You have it Stanley.
			STANLEY
		Good, I'm starving.  (Helps himself.)

			HILDA
		You look thin.

			STANLEY
		Never mind me, what about you?

			HILDA
		Much better thank you.  So peculiar!  I thought they were going to murder me.  I tried to climb out of the window, what on earth came over me, Stanley?  Why did I think such things?

			STANLEY
		It was God, talking to you.

			HILDA
		Making me think things like that?

			STANLEY
		You were blessed, Hilda.  God spoke to you, I'm sure of it!  Listen - I've rented this little cottage for when I've finished the War Office paintings.  I think about it all the time in Glasgow.  How cosy I'll make it - for when we're together again.

			HILDA
		Will we?  Be together again?

			STANLEY
		Yes.  I promise.

Silence.

			STANLEY
		I'm going to get a divorce from Patricia.  If I get the divorce everything will be as it was - you and me, man and wife, together in the eyes of God.  You'd like that, wouldn't you?

			HILDA
		(Sighs)  Yes.

			STANLEY
		And you'll come back?

			HILDA
		Let me get better.  I must have my mind, you see, to be able to think straight.  I get tired, and when I get tired these stupid notions creep in again.  You say it's God talking to me...

			STANLEY
		It's just that he's talking a little more inconveniently than usual.  Move over.  (Bed creaks.)  Oh!  Dear darling Hilda - you're such a marvellous present to me, I want to sit and stare at you and get it all down...I haven't even begun, there's so much of you...if I don't get the complexity in the drawing, how can I hope to reveal you... you're so deep!  (He kisses her fervently.)

			HILDA
		I need to be quiet, Stanley.

			STANLEY
		I know, but I need you - (Bed creaks.)

			NURSE
		Mr Spencer!!  (Crash of china.)

			HILDA
		(From a distance)  Write to me!

Music link.

			STANLEY
		(Close)  The foxgloves are out.  You always liked them...remember my drawing? - you chided me for not putting detail in the leaves and I said I was being subtle.  

		I've put up the double bed.

		Oh, Hilda, you are the absolute essence of joy to me!

			HILDA
		(Low)  I've been robbed.  She stole you from me.  I had such joy, such ecstasy in you.  I was the only woman you had ever kissed - you gave me a jewel of such price!

			STANLEY
		Please, Hilda.  I'm lonely!  It's using up all my energy!  I keep seeing you, your hand on the table with the knuckles all knuckled, and your hair hanging down like water over smooth stone.  And when you're there and I'm with you, I'm with God and everything is All Right!  I know you say when I'm there I use up all the air...but I need you!  I've always thought of you as the most wonderful gift from Heaven, though you're not in the least like the sort of woman I thought I'd fall in love with.

			HILDA
		Oh why must everything in life happen out of shape?  You've always seen your way so clearly but surely, for happiness between two people there must be...(she sighs).

		You know every line of me, every cross-hatched surface, every crevice.  And I know you - every glorious indent of your countenance...your achingly lovely body.  No-one knows you as I do.  But I'm not there, in your mind.  Not in a way that makes it possible for us to be together.

			STANLEY
		Is there no basis that would guarantee me from wanting to bang you over the head!

			HILDA
		Stanley please -

			STANLEY
		You look Down all the time - you won't look Up!  I want our life to be a permanent birthday, I want it to be love on love!

		I need you here.  In Cookham.  With me.  Go about if you must, the garden path's far enough for me, just so long as you're here!

			HILDA
		I can't come back to Cookham.

			STANLEY
		Because she's here?  Hilda - you know why I married her!  Social vanity!  I was proud of the way she wore clothes, the way she talked to people, walked into a room like a princess.

			HILDA
		(Low)  Don't.

			STANLEY
		Eyes colder than a mortuary slab.

			HILDA
		She took our home and she didn't even live in it.

		(Low voice, an incantation)  I will have nothing to do with Patricia Preece.  I will not see her, hear her, be in the same room with her.  I will not breathe the air she breathes, touch what she has touched.  I will not inhabit any space that she has lived in, I will not walk the same streets, nor will I live in the same city, the same land.

		(Normal voice)  And I cannot BEAR the idea of your divorce from her.  God help me for my meanness, but I find it impossible.  Divorce supposes that you have had Patricia for a wife.  I cannot bear to have had you touched by her.  I want you free of her!

Music.  To sounds of street - cars - people - then to quiet and birdsong.

			DOROTHY
		Stanley, I'm sorry to have been so long.

			STANLEY
		That's all right, it's nice out here.  Good stand of hollyhocks - did you use the chicken manure?

			DOROTHY
		Yes - yes we did.  Stanley, I'm sorry.  She won't see you.

			STANLEY
		That's silly, why not?

			DOROTHY
		She says she doesn't see the point.

			STANLEY
		Well I do!  (Slight pause)  Did you put it to her?

			DOROTHY
		She has your letter.

			STANLEY
		But did you make it clear - there'd be no problem with the money, she'd be first, top of the list...Hilda insists.

			DOROTHY
		She is worried about money.  It's always a problem for Patricia, as we both know.

			STANLEY
		I should be well off by now.  As it is, nothing but worry and debt.

			DOROTHY
		Yes, I'm afraid it's that uncertainty that concerns her.

			STANLEY
		What's she got to worry about?  The courts would be on her side, they were with Hilda.

			DOROTHY
		She isn't sure that her position would be.  In the case of an annulment.

			STANLEY
		I'd pay her anyway.

			DOROTHY
		Yes, I'm sure, but - as you say - with two households to run, not to mention school fees, doctors' bills - how is Hilda?

			STANLEY
		Oh Hilda's fine, absolutely her old self again.  I'm bringing her back.

			DOROTHY
		Back?

			STANLEY
		Here.  To Cookham.  The studio.

			DOROTHY
		I see.  When?

			STANLEY
		Oh, any day now.

			DOROTHY
		It's all arranged?

			STANLEY
		Not as such.

			DOROTHY
		I see.

Silence.

			STANLEY
		Look, try again.  I'm not getting anywhere!

			DOROTHY
		I honestly don't think there's any point.  Not for an annulment.  If you were talking of divorce - and - well, Patricia mentioned the possibility of your settling a sum of money on her.

			STANLEY
		How much?

			DOROTHY
		I couldn't say.

			STANLEY
		It's all the same in any case.  I haven't got any.

Door bangs.  PATRICIA arrives down the garden path.

			PATRICIA
		You see?!  And he has the nerve to turn up cap in hand.  Dorothy, will you remind this - intruder - that it is his responsibility, before all else, to maintain Me - his lawful wife.

			STANLEY
		What?!  You've already had every penny off me, my house - the house I bought for Hilda - you've rented that to strangers!  I married you because you wanted it, and the minute the ring was on your finger you wouldn't let me through the door - I've looked a complete fool to the whole world.  I don't know how I've kept my sanity, and what it did to Hilda is enough to put me in mind of murder.

			PATRICIA
		Dorothy please be a witness to that threat.

			STANLEY
		You - have the mouth of a pike, the beak of a cuttlefish, and the eyes of a conger eel.

			PATRICIA
		Really?  Well, you common little man, you'd better take your hat and go, because there are no favours for you here.

			STANLEY
		I've done you all the favours -

			PATRICIA
		You?  What have you ever done for me?  Did you help me get a show...ever?  No - it's all you, you, you!

			STANLEY
		If I didn't help - which is not true - it's because you don't Work!  All you do is spend money and crawl around after that sickly Bloomsbury lot!

			PATRICIA
		They've been a damned sight more use to me than you have!

			STANLEY
		Yes, so you suck up to them -

			PATRICIA
		I will not listen to you slanging off my friends -
			STANLEY
		Friends?  You don't know the meaning of the word.  It's all tit for tat with you - I'll give you this if you give me that...I'm wrong there's no `giving' about it - you're Trade.  I've seen better class in the markets of Macedonia.

			PATRICIA
		I will not listen to -

			STANLEY
		What is it that makes you think you're some sort of Princess, that we all owe you a living - while you have to do nothing - just grace us with your beauty, your wit...not to mention your talent.  You are not beautiful enough, you lack wit, you smell like an old fox, and you are sinning against the Holy Spirit when you dare to parade before the world calling yourself a painter.  You?  An artist?  You dampen the word with your stale effluent.

PATRICIA spits in his face.
			DOROTHY
		Patricia, that was vile!

			PATRICIA
		I suggest - you little guttersnipe - that you begin to take me seriously.  You and your hag can do and say what you want.  There will be no annulment, and there will be no divorce.  I am Mrs Stanley Spencer.  You will continue to support me and you and your sad ugly Mistress can learn to live with that and like it.  As to my funds, since I'm so ugly and smell so offensive I'll leave you two graces to sort them out.  (Door.)

			STANLEY
		Dorothy, you can't honestly be taking her side.

			DOROTHY
		(Sighs)  Oh, Stanley.  Who else will?

Fade on this and straight up.

			PATRICIA
		(Approaching)  Has he gone?

			DOROTHY
		Yes.

			PATRICIA
		God, I'm sick of myself!

			DOROTHY
		Don't give way, darling.  You mustn't give way.  I'm here...

Music...ominous.  The sound of whispering.

			NURSE
		Come in, Mr Spencer - you do know you can come in at any time.  (Knock, door opens, she speaks full-voice brightly)  Here's Mr Spencer, Mrs Spencer - with a lovely bunch of irises, aren't they beautiful?  I'll find a vase for them.  (Rustle of paper.)

			STANLEY
		(Pause)  Well?

			HILDA
		They're going to take off my breast.

			STANLEY
		Oh ducky!  Which one?

			HILDA
		The left.

			STANLEY
		Betsy.  You'll still have Beatrice.  You'll be an Amazon, dearest...one of a brave and noble race of women.

			HILDA
		I hated telling you.

			STANLEY
		It's done now.  I'll be here.

			HILDA
		Yes.  (Fade.)

Music.  Steps along corridor.  Door.

			NURSE
		(Softly)  I expect you would like to sit for a while.  We - we've made her look very nice.  Nurse braided her hair.  (Door.)

Silence.

			STANLEY
		Hilda?  Oh, Hilda, what have they done?  Hilda?

		(A discovery)  You're not here.  Where are you?  Where have you gone?  Hilda - ?

He gives a long, long sigh.
Music.  It gradually modulates to a lighter theme.  Street noises.  A boy whistles, passing.  A dog barks, the odd car goes by.  STANLEY makes humming noises as he sets up his easel on the common, away from the village noises.

			MRS BELLAMY
		(Calls from a distance)  'Morning, Mr Spencer.

			STANLEY
		Oh - 'morning, Mrs Bellamy.

			MRS BELLAMY
		(Going)  I'll bring your washing back later on.

			STANLEY
		Thanks.  (Hums.)

			WORKMAN
		Morning Mr  Spencer.  Oh, got that wrong, ain't I?  Be Lord Spencer now, eh?

			STANLEY
		No.  Sir Stanley.

			WORKMAN
		My word.

			STANLEY
		I still fart, you know.  (WORKMAN laughs, going)  So long, George.

			WORKMAN
		Cheerio.  (Going.)

Music.  STANLEY hums Bach.

			STANLEY
		I cooked myself a proper breakfast this morning, ducky.  And washed up.  I wanted to feel all virtuous and ready.  Mmm...sun's come out - I shall be able to start soon, d.v.  (Music.)

			ELSIE
		Morning, Mr Spencer.

			STANLEY
		Morning, Elsie.

			ELSIE
		Not working then?

			STANLEY
		I'm waiting for the light on that puddle so's I can begin where I left off yesterday.

			ELSIE
		We're ever so pleased, all of us.  Puts Cookham on the map, eh?  Sir Stanley!  (She giggles.  STANLEY laughs.)

			STANLEY
		I know!  Still.

			ELSIE
		Still.

They make murmuring noises, savouring the moment.

			ELSIE
		I must get on, I got to cut some greens for his dinner.  Tata.

			STANLEY
		'Bye, Elsie.  Never did get those buttocks right!  What I need is some wind to clear away that cloud, I need a clear blue Boudin sky.  Ah, the sun!  (Music.)

			VICAR
		(At a distance)  Congratulations, Stanley!

			STANLEY
		'Morning, Vicar.  (He hums, working.)

The VICAR, going, rings his bicycle bell.

			BRIAN
		(Distant)  Can we watch, Mr Spencer?

			STANLEY
		(Further off)  All right, if you don't fidget.

			VICAR
		Good morning, Miss Hepworth, Mrs Spencer.

			DOROTHY
		Good morning.

			PATRICIA
		Lady Spencer, if you would.

			VICAR
		(Going)  Oh...doesn't that have to wait for the investiture?  (Going)  'Morning!

			PATRICIA
		Common little man - the jealousy!  They're going to have to bend the knee to me now!

			SUMMERS
		(Approaches)  Lady Spencer?  Do beg your pardon - wondered if I might have a few words.

			PATRICIA
		Are you from The Times?

			SUMMERS
		News Chronicle.  Congratulations on your elevation.  Much deserved if I may say.

Music.

			BRIAN
		Why are the people all funny shapes?

			STANLEY
		Look over there...

The boys burst out laughing.

			STANLEY
		Long thin ones, short fat ones -

			TIM
		And one with a wooden leg! -

			STANLEY
		Painters paint what they see.

			BRIAN
		Yeah?  We got a picture of Jesus at our school.

			TIM
		With a lamp in his hand.

			BRIAN
		Outside the privy.

			STANLEY
		I think I might have seen that one.  (Music.)

			SUMMERS
		Was it a surprise, the knighthood, ladies?

			DOROTHY
		Well -

			PATRICIA
		(Quick)  Not at all, we were expecting it.

			SUMMERS
		Could I ask Sir Stanley's reaction?

			DOROTHY
		Ah -

			PATRICIA
		What?

			SUMMERS
		I believe he's from...ah...quite an ordinary background...I mean, before he became so well-known.

			PATRICIA
		This is Miss Hepworth - Dorothy Hepworth.  We are both painters of repute - you might make a note of that.

			SUMMERS
		I believe you and Sir Stanley are no longer living together?

			DOROTHY
		Sir Stanley needs a good deal of solitude for his work.

			SUMMERS
		I mean as a man and wife.

			DOROTHY
		I don't think we need go further with this.

			SUMMERS
		Sorry, didn't mean to intrude...if I could just have a few words about Sir Stanley's work?

			PATRICIA
		(Furious)  Most of Stanley Spencer's work, in my opinion - and I was trained at the Slade - is either vulgar or deranged.  Good-day.

			SUMMERS
		Miss Hepworth?

			DOROTHY
		I -

			SUMMERS
		Yes?  Miss Hepworth?

			DOROTHY
		Sir Stanley Spencer is rightly acclaimed as one of England's greatest painters.  He is uniquely gifted - there is - how shall I say - a unique human clumsiness about his work - it's deliberate, of course.  He paints people trapped, as it were, in their own flesh, pinned down to this earth, and yet they seek to soar and he makes that seem so very possible.  For invention he has no peer, you would have to look hard to find a better draughtsman...and everything is celebrated with a reverence and balance that speaks of the most tender spiritual equality.  He honours the smallest detail with subtlety and infinite variety of tone.  Very English.  (Music.)

			TIM
		What sort of tree's that?

			BRIAN
		It's a privet, innit Mr Spencer?

			STANLEY
		That's right.

			TIM
		We got privet in our garden.

			STANLEY
		Mmm - nice flowers.

			TIM
		Do smell though.

			BRIAN
		Yeah, cat's piss - So long, Mr Spencer.

			TIM
		'Bye.  (They laugh, going.)

STANLEY chuckles, hums as he works.

			COLONEL
		Good morning Spencer, congratulations.

			STANLEY
		(Surprised)  Oh - morning.

			WIFE
		Our very best wishes to you.

			COLONEL
		Yah, splendid news.
		Mind if I take a look?  Mmm - funny sort of angle.

			STANLEY
		Well it's - it's the short perspective.

			COLONEL
		What?

			STANLEY
		I'm seeing things a bit from above, doncha know.  The way God would see them.  Looking down.  With love.

			COLONEL
		Oh - ah - I see.

			WIFE
		(Mutters)  Hector, do come ALONG.  (To STANLEY, going)  You must come to dinner, Sir Stanley.

STANLEY laughs to himself, works, humming, breaks into a hymn.

			STANLEY
		`Improve thy knowledge with due care, 
		In all thy life thyself prepare...'

		Remember when I came down to Devon that time - after you'd been ill and they wouldn't let me stay with you and I stayed in a beach hut?  We sat on the beach and you said the sea looked like opals.  (Sounds of people passing.)

		This is for your altar piece.  I'm really trying to hang on to it - simplicity - not like something separate on a shelf but in me...real...then I can do you properly.  Oh ducky, I feel so close to you - that buttery smell of your hair - I keep the cupboard shut on your clothes so it won't go away.  I still use your comb, I've even got your flannel.  It's so wonderful talking to you.  I feel you understand everything now...that you're looking out for me. 

		It makes me feel closer to Heaven, specially after work, when I'm tired.  I see this great picture of God and all His Angels sitting on these three-dimensional clouds, and on His left hand sits Bach and on His right hand Stanley!  I'm only joking.

		You'll love this when it's finished - Christ glorying in His gorgeousness, gallivanting in a great sprawl on the grass.  Rather far from Holy Writ, I daresay, but what am I supposed to paint?  I don't know what grows by the Sea of Galilee, the flowers I know are buttercups, dog roses, daisies - no good doing palm trees - I'm English - I do the Englishness of things.  You do the things you know, the things you love.  For His glory.

			STANLEY  (Cont'd)
		You know what I think, Hilda?  I think an artist is the mediator between God and man.  He could even be next in divinity to the Saint.  Like the saint he performs miracles.  With God's help of course.  God's at his elbow, telling him what to rub out.

		(Pause)  You didn't look after yourself, you know.  You should have done, for me and the girls.  You should have thought about yourself more, made sure you were happy.  Then you wouldn't have been so ill and we wouldn't be...

		(He can't go on.  He takes a moment to recover himself.)

		I'm not lonely.  I loved being with you, but I enjoy it here on my own.  You're here in my imagination.  In some ways it's better.  I make up your answers for you and sometimes they - well, sometimes they suit me better.  I hope you don't mind.  People often ask me if I'm lonely.  I say no, I'm not lonely.  I've had a great love, d'you see?  I've been blessed.  God blessed me with a talent and a great love.  Now I'm alone to get on with the work.  Sorrow and sadness is not me.  There - that'll do.

		(Noise as he packs up his things.)  
		Ye-es.
		Beautifully done.

The sound of the wheels of his pram as he walks off.  
The sound of birds and Cookham.