Night Must Fall : a Play in Three ActsWilliams, Emlyn
General
Night Must Fall : a Play in Three Acts
Williams, Emlyn
English drama -- 20th century; Murder -- Drama
DAN (_loudly, decisively, silencing her_): It's all right.
(_Crossing to_ BELSIZE _and swaggering desperately, in front of
the women_) I'm the feller. Anything I'm concerned in, I run all by
myself. If there's going to be any putting me on a public platform to
answer any questions, I'm going to do it by myself ... (_looking
at_ OLIVIA) ... or not at all. I'll manage myself all right--
BELSIZE: I get you. Like a bit of limelight, eh?
DAN (_smiling_): Well ...
BELSIZE (_as if humouring him_): Let's have a look at your hands,
old boy, will you?
_With an amused look at_ OLIVIA, DAN _holds out his hands.
Without warning,_ BELSIZE _claps a pair of handcuffs over his
wrists,_ DAN _stares at them a moment, then sits on the sofa and
starts to pull at them furiously over his knee. He beats at them
wildly, moaning and crying like an animal. He subsides gradually, looks
at the others and rises._
DAN (_muttering, holding his knee_): Hurt meself....
BELSIZE: That's better.... Better come along quietly....
_He goes up towards the hall._ DAN _follows him, and takes his
hat from the occasional table. As puts it on he catches sight of his
face in the mirror.
(To the others, crisply, during this_) I've a couple of men outside.
I'll send 'em in. See that nothing's disturbed.... Coming, old chap?
DORA: What's 'e doin'?
MRS. TERENCE: He's lookin' at himself in the glass....
_A pause._
DAN (_speaking to the mirror_): This is the real thing, my boy.
Actin'.... That's what she said, wasn't it? She was right, you know ...
I've been playin' up to you, haven't I? I showed you a trick or two,
didn't I?... But this is the real thing. (_Swaying_) Got a
cigarette?... (_Seeing_ OLIVIA) You're not goin' to believe what
she said? About helpin' me?
BELSIZE (_humouring him_): No. (_Putting a cigarette between_
DAN'S _lips and lighting it_) Plenty of women get a bit hysterical
about a lad in your position. You'll find 'em queuing up all right when
the time comes. Proposals of marriage by the score.
DAN (_pleased_): Will they?
BELSIZE: Come along----
DAN _turns to follow him._ DORA _is in the way._
DAN: Oh, yes ... I forgot about you.... (_smiling with a curious
detached sadness_) Poor little fellow. Poor little chap....
(_Looking round_) You know, I'd like somethin' now I never wanted
before. A long walk, all by meself. And just when I can't have it.
(_Laughing_) That's contrary, isn't it?
BELSIZE (_sternly_): Coming?
DAN (_looking at_ OLIVIA): Just commin' (_He goes to_ OLIVIA,
_takes out his cigarette, puts his manacled arms round her, and
kisses her suddenly and violently on the mouth. He releases her with an
air of bravado, puts back his cigarette, and looks at her_) Well,
I'm goin' to be hanged in the end.... But they'll get their money's
worth at the trial. You wait!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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