Strike A Light - Part 1

Author - Paul McCann

Plot - The Miners Strike 1984

Opening Setting '
Inside the parlour of a small house that is furnished with a quite quaint scattering of life's bare necessities. 
A small sofa, an armchairs, a rug lays over the floor in front of the fireplace . Ornamented figurines are laid out like little soldiers across the mantle piece of the fire place and above that on the wall hangs an antique mirror on a chain suspended by a nail in the wall..
There is an old radiogram in the corner beside the armchair but no sign of a television set.

Cast of Characters include nine people

Alice Davis ' The Mother
Bob Davis - The Husband
Pitch Davis - The Son
Huw Spicer 'The Union Delegate
Gareth Davis - The Uncle
The Doctor
Mr French- The School Teacher

The scene begins with Mr and Mrs Davis sitting together in their front parlour.
Radio on in the back ground . Nostalgic music from the forties softly drifts in the air . 
Bob is trying to hide behind a newspaper while Alice sits in the armchair knitting .
The conversation is minimal. Tension in there . 
Alice looks over trying to confront Bob by knitting furiously and tutting every now and then.

(Suspenseful music playing)

Alice-"Bob will you for Gods sake say something."
(The silence is broken by a mouse scurrying across the floor) )

Bob-"About what? OK don't worry , I'll set a trap to catch the mouse ok. "

Alice-"You know, its nothing to do with a mouse its about about our son Pitch."

Bob-"What about him?"

Alice-"You know what is about Bob . We've been through this time and time again."

Bob-"I don't know what you're talking about."
(Hiding behind the newspaper )

Alice-"Bob for once in your life put down the paper and listen to me."

Bob lowers the newspaper and puts in on his knee.

Bob-"Right then now that you have my full attention what is the problem?

Alice '"Why does everything have yo be a problem for you?

Bob puts on this look of dread and throws back his head.

Bob-" Get on it with. I am not going to take any more of your tongue strap.

Alice-"In a short time our boy Pitch will be leaving school and entering the work force.

Bob-" So what?

Alice '" Well I think it would be a good idea for you to have a talk to him about what kind of career he is thinking about. "

Bob-" I've already got his career planned for him. You know that."

Alice-"Good. It's all settled then."

Bob-"That's right. Pitch will be following in the footsteps of his Dad and his forefathers before him. He will be going down the deep mine with a pick and shovel in his hands. "

Alice '" Bob he has a mind of his own.

Bob- He will be digging for coal, just like all the other men in Durham.

Alice '"Over my dead body he will?

Bob-"I suppose you think he is too good for that sort of work?

Alice-"He has brains to burn.

Bob-"So then what you're saying is his skills with facts and figures might not transfer over into shoveling coal and dirt?

Alice-"He deserves a better chance ".

Bob-"There is nothing wrong with getting a little bit of dirt on your hands.

Alice-" That's all the men in this place ever think and you know what, its a miserable existence and you all know it, but are too frightened to admit it.

Bob-"There will be no more discussion about it. The matter is closed! ."

The conversation is getting much more heated.

Alice '(Screaming) "You can't close the door to his future!

Bob- (Screaming back) "I'm his Father! I know what is best!"
Alice- "Don't you raise your voice at me!"

Bob-"How dare you take that tone with me. Hold your tongue.

Alice '"No I won't. I've held my tongue too many times before."
(Screaming gets louder)
Bob-"You can't talk to me in my house with that attitude."

Alice-"It is not your house. This house belongs to all the family and I will talk to you in any shape or form that I think is suitable."

Bob Bitch of a woman you are.

Alice-"I beg your pardon Bob Davis. What did you call me.?

Bob-" I said you're a bitch. A bitch of a woman you are."

Alice '"May God forgive you for talking to me in that foul miners language.

Bob-"Oh yes. I see. So we're all just a bunch of dirty good for nothing miners and that's really the reason you don't want Pitch to go down the deep mine. In case he should become like the rest of us here in Durham.

(Tense music building slowly )

Alice '"What do you mean?

Bob-"To you we're a filthy lot of men with no brains and no manners,"

Alice '" I didn't say that.

Bob -You implied it though.'

Alice-"I did not. I said I think Pitch could make something of his life outside of the mine. He has over achieved with his exams and his teacher said he could make a good school teacher one day if he got the chance.

Bob-" Pitch is big and ugly enough to handle a shovel like his old man and I'll make sure that he does.

Alice-" In other words Bob you would deprive our son of his chance to become a school teacher. "

Bob- (Even louder) "That's the way it is Alice. It's the only choice for him .

Alice- "You have no right Bob . How dare you mess with his future !

Bob-"His future is in the deep mine with me ."

Alice '(Sobbing and still very upset) "So that's you final word then ?
(Music slowly crescendos )
Bob-"Yes ."

(Suddenly Bob stands up . He looks troubled . His chest lowers and he thumps and clutches his chest . He struggles to breath . Coughing and spluttering he falls to the floor . Alice screams and rushes to try and help)

Alice-" (Screaming Aloud ) Ahh ! Help !

Pitch enters the room carrying a shovel that he drops to the floor .

Pitch '"What's going on Mum ?"

Alice '"I don't know son . Your Father's just collapsed ."

( Pitch leans over and listens for a breath or heart beat . He begins to administer CPR and continues until eventually he gives up . Alice sobs constantly . Pitch reaches out and holds his Mothers hand and gives her a loving hug . Compassionately and gently he takes her to the armchair )

Pitch :" I'm really sorry Mum but I think Dad has gone .

Alice-" Bob . Oh please no . I'm sorry ."

(Alice faints and lands beside Bob )
Pitch stands there in shock not knowing what to do . He looks out the window .

Pitch :""Thank God for that ."

The front door opens and Uncle Gareth walks into the room .
"Good morning Pitch . Then there I was .. 
Pitch interrupted ..

Pitch-"Uncle Gareth . God I don't know what's happened .I've just come in and found Dad lying on the floor . He's wasn't breathing and had no pulse. Mums just collapsed and I'm afraid to check her breathing ."

Gareth '"Ok son . Listen I'm on your side . Have a moment and take a deep breath . Go sit down on the sofa . I'll see to things here . "

Pitch-"What's going on ?"

Gareth '" Come on son . Just sit yourself over there ."

Pitch sits of the sofa . Gareth checks the vital statistics of both people o the floor . After a moment Alice wakes up and Gareth he helps her slowly to her feet .

Alice '" Gareth . It all happened so fast . We were just talking when all of a sudden Bob he seemed to have some pains in his chest and then he fell to the floor .

Gareth '" Pitch go and get your Mum a glass of water ."

While Pitch gets off the sofa and goes for the water Gareth helps Alice over to the sofas and they both sit down . Pitch returns with thr glass of water and Alice takes a drink .

Alice '"Gareth he's gone and left me . What am I going to do ?"

Gareth-" It's going to be all right Alice ."

Alice '"How will I ever manage to pay the rent and buy groceries ?

Gareth ' "You have a big son there . Pitch will help out ."

Pitch'"Thanks Uncle Gareth ."

Alice-"What on Earth are you talking about Gareth ?

Gareth-"There's a job for young Pitch in the deep mine . Bob had all that taken care off . Didn't you know Alice ?

Her tone of voice changes and Alice gets frustrated and angry .

Alice '" That bloody man . He always gets his own way . Even in his death ."

Gareth-"For heaven sake calm down Alice ."

Pitch-"Mum it will be ok . I'm here ."

AliceOh no . Not you Pitch ."

Gareth '"Have faith Alice

Alice-" You have a nerve to talk about Faith . Where did you put yours . As far as I remember it all disappeared when you found the bottle ."

Pitch-"Mum . Please don't be like that ."

Gareth stands up and walks over to where Bob is lying . He kneels down and blesses himself then he joins his hands .

Gareth '" Forgive me Lord for the times I've let you down . I'll not take another drink I promise . Please take Bob into your heavenly home where he will be at peace . Bob was a good man who cared for his family .

Alice gets to her feet and joins in the prayer .

Alice-" Lord forgive me for being so hard on Bob and help me to carry on without him . Give me the strength to do what must be done and to know what's best for Pitch ."

All-"Amen"

Pitch-"That was a beautiful prayer Uncle Gareth ."

Alice '"Pitch will you go down to the undertakers and let them know what has happened . Tell them I'm going to do the laying out here in the home . "

Pitch walks off and Alice hugs Gareth .

Alice Gareth I'm sorry . Please forgive me .I don't know what to say."

Gareth '" There's nothing to be sorry . I'll let them know at the mine what has happened and come back later to help organize the wake ."

Alice '"Thank you Gareth ."

Gareth -Thank you Alice ."

Alice -"For what ?"

Gareth-"For giving me back the faith I had lost ."

Alice-"It was always there Gareth ."

Gareth slowly walks out the door meeting the doctor on his way in .

Doctor '"Hello Mrs Davis "

Alice "Well hello Doctor ."

Doctor '"I just bumped into Pitch and he told me what has just happened ,its all right Mrs Davis .I'm going to give you a little shot to help you relax ok ?

The Doctor rolls up her sleeves and as he gives her the injection the house lights go down . In the darkness the set stage props are rearranged .A change of clothes as well are waiting in the wings for some of the cast . The lights come back on again . An off stage microphone is used by a narrator who smoothly tells the audience what has occurred '"

Narrator-" The story now continues five years later after Bobs passing . Normality has returned to the Davis household . Things are going along well and Pitch has a job in the deep mine .

Alice walks on stage and takes a seat beside the radio and turns it on but there is no sound . Alice fiddles with the knobs with no joy . In the end she gives it up and returns to her knitting .

Alice-"I'll have to get Pitch to fix the talk box again .

Pitch returns with a swagger of a walk and seems like he's had a few .

Pitch -"I'm home Mum ."

Alice '" Oh Pitch Can you fix that talk box thing for me again ?

Pitch ."Sure thing . What's for dinner ?"

Alice -"Go and wash you face and hands . Look at the state of you ."

Pitch '"I had a shower at the gym after work ."

Alice "You're still filthy . Look at your hands . What do they use for soap at the gym , lumps of coal ? "

Pitch-" No Mum. I washed them well ?

Alice '"Have you a comb in your pocket ? Look at you the state of your hair . Anyone would think you came home on a motor bike without a helmet ?

Pitch 'What motor bike ?

Alice '"Oh it doesn't matter . Bring me the small basin and a bar of soap and my hair brush "

Pitch walks away but before as he leaves the set he stops and looks at himself in the mirror over the fireplace .

Pitch-"What's wrong with my hair ? It's looks ok Mum ?

Alice '" Don't argue with me . I'm your Mother and Pitch do me a favour and fix the talk box for me will you ?

Pitch goes over and plugs in the radio and turns it on and immediately the is a transmission coming through . Pitch tunes into a station he thinks his Mum might enjoy .

Pitch-: 'All fixed Mum ."

Alice-"Isn't it wonderful love how all those people can talk to us here in our own house.

Pitch '"Its radio waves Mum ".

Alice- Oh. Are they dangerous son ?"

Pitch-" No Mum. Its called technology ."

Alice- "Do you know what . Once I used to think that these little people lived inside the talk box ."

Pitch-"It's called radio Mum . "

Alice-"Radio . That's a strange word .

Pitch-" It receives radio waves that are transmitted through the air ."

Alice-"Well why can't I see them ."

Pitch-" You're not supposed to . Its like electricity . They're just out there hanging in the air . What's for dinner .I could eat a horse and it wouldn't touch the sides going down ."

Alice- 'You'll get nothing until I've washed your dirty face and hands . Now go and get that soap and water ."

Pitch walks off stage . There is a knock at the door . Thew voice of Pitch is heard off stage .

Pitch '" Mum it's my old school teacher. Mr French . He wants to know if you're home . Are you ?"

Alice-" Let him in Pitch ." Mr French enters with a bunch of flowers in his hand Well this is an unexpected surprise . Is there something I can do for you Mr French ?"

Mr French :- "I hope you like flowers Alice . "
He hands over the flowers to Alice . She takes them and smells them .

Alice-" Mr French how lovely . Take you coat off and sit down "

He hangs his coat up and tries to gets comfortable .

Mr French '"You look well Alice ."

She her hand through her hair .

Alice-" Really . I never noticed . You're looking well yourself ."

Mr French fidgets a little . He is lost for something tot say .

Alice-" I'm just putting dinner out shortly . Would you care to join us ?"

Mr French -"That would be lovely . You know I'm not one top refuse food on a plate . Thank you Alice ."
Enter Pitch with the basin of soap and water . Alice proceeds to wash Pitch's face and hands . She combs his hair as she talks to Mr French .

Alice-"A clean face and hands costs nothing . How can anybody ever see your beautiful face under all that grime and dirt . "

Pitch-" Stop it Mum . I'm old enough to wash myself now ."

Alice '" I'm not having that kind of talk . If you want to meet a nice lady one day my son , then you're going to have to keep up a good appearance."

Pitch '" Mum I know how to tie up my laces , remember ?"

Pitch laughs and so does Mr French . Alice looks at him and says .

Alice '"So Mr French , you think its funny .?"

Mr French-" Oh no not at all ."

Alice '"Well what 's the laughing about ?"

Mr French-" Well Alice it takes me back to when my own Mother said the very same things to me . I suppose I never appreciated it then ."

Alice-"So did you keep yourself neat and tidy then as you were told ?

Mr French-" I sure did ?"

Alice-"That's good . Excuse me while I go and get the dinner . Pitch keep Mr French company for a few moments ."

Alice puts on am apron and makes her exit with the basin in her hands .
Pitch sits down and waits for Mr French to do the same and then waits for him to say the first word .

Mr French-" Well hello son . Hows it been with you ?

Pitch-"Ok , I'm doing some boxing at the gym "

Mr French '" Do you enjoy it ?

Pitch-"I'm undefeated in twenty seven fights .The coach wants me to turn professional . They think I've got a future in the ring ?

Mr French-"That's great Pitch . I'm sure you're Mum is proud of you ."

Pitch-"She doesn't know . So not a word eh . "

Mr French-"You mean she has no idea you're boxing ?

Pitch-"She would have heart failure if she found out about my ring side lifestyle . As a matter of fact I don't know what to do about it . It's like big decision time for me ?

Mr French-"Listen . Call me Mick . I've always felt we could talk sort of man to man with one another ."

Pitch-" Sure thing Mick "

Mr French- After all we are men are we not . In the prime of our lives , eh ?"

Pitch notices Mr French sticking his chest out and lifting his shoulders back . He detects a sense of pride and vanity with this stance and decides to play it for all its worth .

Pitch- Oh sure enough Mick . I must say how well you're looking these days . Have you a regular fitness plan ?"

Mr French-"Early to bed and all that ."

Pitch-"You're hair is thick and as shiny as ever ?"

Mr French -"You think so ."

He stands up and looks at himself in the mirror on the wall .

Pitch- "I do . What about the job . Are you still running that school ?"

Mr French-"Well I am but this is my last year . I'm going to retire at the end of the final term ."

Pitch-"Well that will be there loss Mick."

Mr French-"Do you think so?"

Pitch '"Oh I do and I must say Mick you really have kept your age well. "

Mr French-"Do you think so Pitch ?"

Pitch-"I do ."

Mr French-"I suppose being a bachelor and not having the pressure's of fatherhood and running a family has contributed to that ."

Pitch-"Maybe that's what it is Mick that has you a wrinkle free face ."

Mr French-"No doubt ."

Pitch-"That smile is as warm and friendly as ever . "

Mr French-" Thank you Pitch ."

 End Part 1