Strike A Light - Part 4

Strike  A  Light - a play by Paul McCann

Part 4 .

Alice and Mr French still locked in converation . 

Mr French -"Alice I loved you even before you married Bob . That's the reason I never married . You were the only girl for me ."

Alice-Mick , in all the years I've known you I never once ever realised that you had any such feelings for me . "

Mr French '" It was only after Bob passed away that I decided I would let my emotions known to you .

Alice-" Bob was and is still my husband .

Mr French '" Bob is dead Alice . Don't let life or love pass you by . God would bless our union . It is ok to remarry when your partner dies . There is no such thing as adultery after the death of your partner . This love I have for you cannot be denied Alice ."

Alice '" Somehow in some peculiar way what you are saying makes sense to me and believe it or not I do have feelings for you too Mick ."

Mr French '"Life is long and we are young allow me to propose to you ."

Alice '" This heart of mine is attentive to your words .

He produces a small box from his pocket and opens it up to reveal this gold ring crowned with coloured jewels . He holds the ring before Alice and gets down on one knee .

Mr French-" Alice time after time I find myself climbing up these stairs reaching for you . I'm jumping over fences and running to the line.
Each time your love pulls me through. No one can steal the feelings that I have for you Alice , God knows it's true . So say you will come with me and together we will climb up these stairs, Two by two . Accept this ring of diamonds they are dusted with love .They shine like the stars above.
On the journey of a lifetime from diamonds to dust . You and I can share this love . Say you will be my wife and if you do I promise that I will take care of you until the stars no longer shine because you are forever mine .
My love is true .

Alice -"I am swept away like a feather on the wind and as I fall I land in your arms . Hold me near my dear heart . I want to climb those stairs with you . Yes Mick I will be your wife ."

She takes the ring from the box and slips it on her finger . Then he reaches out to her . She falls into his arms . They embrace .

Mr French-"Alice today you have made me the happiest man in all the world ."

Alice '"I never thought I could allow myself to love another person again . You have changed all that .
Enter Pitch and Mr Spicer on stage

Pitch-"Mum . Mick . "

Alice -Hello son .

Mr French '"Hello Pitch . Your Mother and I are going to be married ."

Pitch-"This is indeed a fine night and God is in heaven."

Mr Spicer -"All is well ."

Alice '"You're ok about everything Pitch ."

Pitch-"I am happy when you are happy ."

Alice '"Thank God Pitch . "

Pitch-"The thing is Mum I will have no worries about you spending you life alone and now I can go out and meet a girl myself ."

Alice '" Mick . I have the best son in all the world ."

Mr French '" Then I have no worries Pitch about us as a family ."

Mr Spicer '" And I have no worries about a scab truck driver either ."

Alice '"I don't get you . What are you trying to say Mr Spicer. "

Pitch-"Don't worry . It's a personal joke Mother ."

There is a knock upon the door. Pitches opens it and enter Uncle Gareth

Alice-"Well Gareth . What is it "

Gareth '"Ah (Hic) Hello people (hic ) .How are you all . Mr Spice (Hic) Mr French and my ah , my dear, sister in law (hic) .

Mr Spicer- "Fine . What about yourself Gareth ?

Gareth ' "(Burp) Are you serious ?

Mr Spicer-"Deadly.

Pitch-"Uncle Gareth . What's happening ?

Gareth-"Its party time . (hic) I'm flying . (Burp)

Alice '" Look at the state of you Gareth ?
Gareth-" I know , isn't it fan..(hic) fantastic .":

Pitch-"What is going on Uncle Gareth?

Gareth '"I'm trying to teel you . I (hic) need the bus fare .

Alice '"There are no buses at this time ."

Gareth '"Listen to me (Hic) I'm trying to tell you . I need (Hic) the bus .. (burp) fare to,, ah .err

Mr French-"What you need is to go home and sleep it off.

Gareth-"Ah..hang on a sec..(hic) second, , what gives you.. (Hic) who..asked you ahh to join ."

Alice _I did and you may as well know that Mick and I are soon going to be married . So you better get used to seeing him around ."

Gareth-"Well that's it then.. I'm off ."

Mr French-"Didn't you hear what Alice said . We are going to be married . Are we not going to receive your warm wishes ?

Gareth-"Well I hope .. at least there'll be a drink for me at the reception . That's all I can say. Yippee yiehee for yoo too. "

Alice gets her purse and opens it to take a few coins from it .She hands them over to Gareth .

Alice-"Here , make sure you get the bus home . Gareth , I wish you would do yourself a favour and find a good wife and settle down .

Gareth "(Hic) The party is just beginning , Oh yeah look out , there's going to be a storm in the town tonight ."

He pulls a can of beer form his pocket and pulls the ring . He puts the can to his lips and takes a huge swallow . (hic)

Alice '"The party is over Gareth . Haven't you heard there's a strike on ."

Gareth-"I know but I can still hold my drink . (hic)

Alice '"Not in my house Gareth . If you want to continue your party of one,
Take yourself down to an empty bench in the market place . I'm sure you'll find some suitable company there ."

Gareth-"Remember what I said , God bless all here . Its party time "

Alice opens the front door and shows Gareth out .
Mr Spicer '" Get a load of that . Could you just imagine what kind of a woman would hitch herself up to him for the rest of your life ."

Pitch-"What did you say ?

Mr Spicer '" Let me rephrase that .What I'd really like to take at this moment is before you two get married may I be the first to offer a horse and a carriage for the wedding service .

Mr French '"That's a very generous offer Mr Spicer .

Mr Spicer '"It's the least I could do . Its my way of saying thanks to Mrs Davis for all her kindness over the years . ?

Pitch-" I'd like to offer to buy the drinks for the reception and book the hall in advance if it is ok with you both .

Mr French-"I'm honoured Pitch ."

Alice-" How thoughtful Pitch . I'd be delighted .

Pitch-" It's a date then .

Pitch-"If we hurry we might catch Uncle Gareth . The party has just begun .

Alice '"Go on Mick , it will do you good .

Mr Spicer '"See you Alice ."

Pitch -"Bye Mum . "

Pitch , Mr French and Mr Spicer make an Exit .Alice sits down and lifts her knitting . She begins to talk aloud

Alice- " Well Bob . Its been so long since we were married and I got to know you well . I think Mick is a good man and I am happy to share what time I have left with him . I am wondering what you think of him .

A knock comes upon the front door . Alice opens it and in walks Pitch with a shoebox .

Pitch- " I was on my way down the road and found this little dickiebird . It must have hurt itself . I though the canary might like some company ."

Pitch opens the birdcage door and puts the bird inside with the canary .

Alice '" Pitch ?

Pitch '"Yes Mother.

Alice-"What do you think of Mick?
Pitch-" I like him mother .

Alice '"Right . I like him too .

Pitch '"I'm glad you've found somebody . Are you thinking of having any more kids ?

Alice '" (Laughs) Oh shut up . Go on . Off you go ."

Pitch-" Only if I get a kiss ."

Alice-" I think you should comb your hair before you go out ."

Pitch-"Good night Mum ."

Alice-"Good night son ."

Exit Pitch
Alice draws the curtains and bolts the door . The lights on stage dim for a moment and then they are switched completely off .As the lights come back on stage a new day had dawned . Alice is sitting down eating breakfast .

Enter Pitch and Gareth '

Pitch '"Good morning Mum . Look what I found huddled up on a bench in the market place late last night .

Alice '"My goodness Gareth ! You look like you've been hit by a runaway coal train ."

Gareth-"Actually it was a bottle of runaway whiskey.. I think .

Pitch '" He would still be there this morning if I hadn't brought him home ."

Gareth-"Thanks Pitch ."

Alice '" If you ask me Gareth I think you need to sort this problem out ."

Gareth-" It's nothing I can't handle Alice .

Alice '" Come on Gareth . You're not kidding me . "

Gareth-" Do you think I can't see the wagon coming ."

Alice '" You need to get on pretty soon ."

Gareth "You're a headache Alice ."

Alice-"Pitch put your Uncle on an egg for breakfast before I change my mind and throw him out on the street hungry ."

Gareth-" Just a cup of tea would be fine Alice .

Alice- "I'm going shopping for a dress and shoes . When I get back I'll expect to find you all out of the house .

Alice puts her hat and coat on and she makes her exit . Pitch hands a cup of tea to Gareth who quickly exits .

"Gareth '"Thanks Pitch . I owe you .

As Gareth makes his exit, in walks Mr Spicer .

Mr Spicer ' "Pitch . I've got a job for you ."

Pitch-" So I get the bully bonus then ?

Mr Spicer - " Dead right you do . Listen three truck drivers need to learn some new rules of the road . Let them know just how dangerous driving can be these days .

Pitch-" Do you want them permanently off the road ?

Mr Spicer '" Yeah . I need this one Pitch . Make an example of them . They've got to get the message that we are serious . No comebacks right !

Pitch-" This job will cost you Mr Spicer ."

He produces a large envelope and hands it over to Pitch who opens it up and hands it back to Mr Spicer .

Mr Spicer-"What's the problem ?

Pitch-"That's not enough for this job ."

Mr Spicer '" Leave it out Pitch ."

Pitch-"Ok forget it . Do it your self then.

Mr Spicer '"This strike is costing me a fortune Pitch ."

Pitch-"I'm not exactly living a life of luxury either .

Mr Spicer '"How much do you want ?

Pitch-" Double what is in the envelope ."

Mr Spicer-" That's a thousand a man ."

Pitch-" Correct ."

Mr Spicer '"We had agreed on five hundred a man .

Pitch-"That's history . My fees have gone up from today ."

Mr Spicer '"Even plastic surgery doesn't coat that much ."

Pitch-"I don't work for the national health ."

Mr Spicer-"You're a little monster ."

Pitch-"Twelve months without a no pay packet has turned me into one ."

Enter Alice Back On Stage

Alice '" Its been so long since I looked at wedding dresses I've forgotten how dear they were . Everything is so expensive these days .

She sits down and sobs a little .

Mr Spicer '"Ok Pitch . I'll see to it that you get what you want ."

He hands back the envelope and Pitch puts it safely away in a drawer .
They shake hands and Mr Spicer makes an exit .

Alice-So what has you on the go so early Mr Spicer ?

Mr Spicer ' "Oh I heard about a days work and thought Pitch might be interested .

Alice '"What kind of work is it ?

Pitch-'Just planting a few trees for a large private estate in the valley ."

Alice '"I'll get you some lunch made .'

Pitch-Don't bother Mum . I'll get something when I out ."

Alice '"With what ?

Mr Spicer-I've paid something in advance .

Alice '"Well that's fine then ."

Mr Spicer '" You're a fine woman Mrs Davis . I must say ."

Alice '" Ha Ha . You're a man after something . What is it ?

Mr Spicer-" Oh . I'm just paying an honest woman her dues that's all ."

Alice-" For goodness sake . Off you go and give my head peace. "

Pitch-"Bye Mother ."

Alice-" Pitch comb your hair before you go .

Pitch '"I don't need to . I'm wearing my woollen hat ."

Mr Spicer heads for the door with Pitch close behind .

Alice sits down and puts her feet up . She can't sit at peace and seems restless . She opens a book and a newspaper .

Alice '"God . Mick is coming around this morning . Wedding plans and me .
What will he ever think of me ?"

She searches in her handbag for something . Taking out a small make up mirror and some lipstick and cream she proceeds to beautify her face . Suddenly there is a banging at the door Alice rushes to see what the problem is . She screams as she makes her way to the door .

Alice-" What kind of a person comes knocking like that upon anybody's door at this time of the morning . I am going to give them a piece if my mind Oh .. ah.. hello . Please, come in Mick . I wasn't expecting you so soon .

Enter Mr French

Mr French-"Well are you ready Alice ."

Alice - "Ready . Is there something I don't know ?

Mr French '" My love come and give me your hand . We are going into town shopping together . We have so many things to see and do before the wedding ."

Alice and Mr French both exit .

A few moments pass and Pitch comes on stage carrying a TV set .

Pitch- "Hello." (No answer )

Pitch makes a place for the TV and sets it down in the corner .

Enter Alice on stage in a fur coat and wearing jewels and high heels .

Alice '"In God's name what's that ?

Pitch-" It's a talk box with pictures Mum . The miracle of television ."

Alice '" Ok quick Pitch . Let me see it ."

Pitch-" Right . Give me a few seconds . "

Pitch plugs it in and sound with a picture utters out from it . Alice sits an arms length away in wonder at this new and wonderful thing in her home .

Alice-Oh look Pitch . I can see him talking to me ?

Pitch-"It sure is something . Colour TV ?

Alice '"Look . Can you see. ?

Pitch-"Yes I can see ."

Alice '"Can he see me Pitch .Can he ?

She is now almost sitting directly in front of the set .

Pitch-" No . But I can see you better not get any closer otherwise you'll end up in there with them ."

Enter Gareth singing

Gareth-"My love is just like apple cider she's bitter to the core and if she ever makes me sick I keep coming back for more (Hic) My love is just a bamboo stick I often get the cane , it's not the strokes that burden me for she's worth all the pain .

Pitch-" Ha Ha . My Uncle he has gone to far with no place else to go ,
He's like a season in a day but him I'm glad to know ."

Alice '" Sorry Gareth . I have no spare change this morning ."

Gareth-" Don't tell me that . Tell me something positive ."

Alice '"Go and throw yourself in the lake Gareth ."

Pitch and Gareth start to laugh . Alice joins in as well . They all sit down in front of the TV .

Gareth-"Can I get one of these ?

Alice-" I'll give you three hours a week if you want but that's it ."

Gareth-" Thanks Alice . You're very kind you know ."

Pitch-" Without a doubt ."

Alice '" Stop talking I can't hear what he is saying ."

Gareth-" I'm going to get one of these ."

Alice '"What kind of programs are on this TV Pitch ."

Pitch-"Leave that with me , I'll fix you up with some program guides later ."

Alice '" All right . I need yo talk . Turn off the TV set and listen .

All house lights fade and when they come back Alice is dressed in her wedding gown . Mick is standing beside her with a small crowd in the parlour

Mr French- 'Well Mrs French . I must admit . You are a shining star today "

Alice '" Sometimes you know I do envy other people who have to look at me

(They all laugh)

Pitch-" Something old and something new . I don't want to take anything away from your day but I want to tell you all something . There is somebody who I
have just met and I must say she could become the next big thing in my life ."

Mr Spicer '"Could I please have everybody's attention ,There is something I wanted to say and left it for this wonderful occasion . As from today the miners strike action is over . An agreement has been made and work will resume next week .

Gareth-'Well everyone seems to be trying to steal thunder so I guess you all may as well know I am officially on the wagon and I am now living in sobriety .

The End

Strike A Light
Author - Paul McCann