Strike A Light - Part 2

Strike A Light - Part 2

(Pitch continues to groom Mr French in conversation)

Pitch-"Are those still your own teeth ?"
(Winding him up like an old grandfather clock)

Mr French-"I'm proud to say that they are ."
(Oblivious to the grooming communication.)

Pitch-"As a matter of fact I think you look younger every time I see you ."

Mr French-"Do you really think so ."

Pitch '"I'm sure of it ."

Mr French has a good close look at himself in the mirror .

Mr French-"I think you're right Pitch . I'm the one who hasn't really taken any notice . I'm not so over the hill then ?

Pitch "Far from it Mick and as a matter of fact I'd even have to say that you're sitting pretty right at the very top of the hill ."

Admiring himself walking back and forward like a peacock . He stops every now and then , checking his stance in front of the mirror .He pulls a face and smiles , checks his profiles , sucks in his stomach and straightens his attire .

Mr French-" Clean living Pitch . That's what really pays dividends ."

Pitch-"Is that right ?

Mr French 'Oh yes . You see I have looked after myself you know ."

Pitch-"Oh I'd say you must have ."

Mr French-"Take it from me Pitch . It shows in your later years ."

Pitch-"It has done with you all right ."

Mr French-"I want you to be completely honest with me now Pitch . So do I still have it ?

Pitch-"Have what ?

Mr French-"Women's appeal , you know. a firm trim body . Be honest ."

Enter Alice with three plates on a tray

Alice- Dinner is served . Beef , spuds and greens ."

Pitch-"Mum might be able to answer that question for you Mick ."

Mr French '" (Coughing ) It ok . Don't worry . Great dinner . Mmm"

They all sit down to eat

Alice:-"What is that question ?

Mr French:- "I was just saying Alice the way to a mans heart is through his stomach . Isn't that what they say ?

Alice:- Have you a good appetite Mr French ? .

Mr French:-I enjoy eating . Please call me Mick, Alice"

Alice- Tell me Mick . What's the reason for your visit ?

Mr French:-"Well apart from sampling your cooking Alice ."

Pitch coughs as he tries to hold back his laughter and has to excuse himself from the room .

Pitch;- "Sorry there's something stuck in my throat ."

Alice;-It must be the seasoning son ."

Mr French:-Alice , I've always loved¦.

He never got to finish what he was saying as Pitch returns into the room

Pitch:- " I'm sorry to run and leave Mum , but I just remembered there's a miners meeting tonight in the local and I've got to be there ."

Alice:- "Not another meeting son . That's three already this week ?

Pitch:- Things are not looking good for the miners at the moment .

Alice :-"Are these meetings open to the general public ?

Pitch:-" Its only for the miners I'm sorry to say Mum ."

Alice :-"Comb your hair ."

Pitch:-"I did .

Alice :- "Wash your face .

Pitch :- Its clean . Don't be waiting up Mum . Bye Mr French ."

Mr French:- Goodnight Pitch . "

Exit Pitch

Alice:-"Now Mick . You were just going to tell me the purpose of your visit ."

Mr French:-" So I was .( He pauses for a deep breath and clears his throat )
It has to do with Pitch and yourself ."

Alice :- Is there some problem Mick ?

Mr French:-"No problem Alice . Just give me a few moments if you would ."
(Romantic music begins to play)
He stands up and walks around a little .
Alice :-"I'll put the kettle on for some tea ."

Mr French:-"I have something to say and I don't want to waste words over a cup of tea Alice ."

Alice:- Please carry on Mick ."

Mr French:-" As you know Alice I am a bachelor with a good background . My finances are secure and this moment in my life I would like to know if you would like to be buried with my family ?"

"Alice :" I'm not sure what you mean Mr French ."

Mr French " Its my way of saying would you ever consider my proposal of marriage to you Alice ."

Alice :-" Did you say marriage ?

Mr French:-"I am a very patient man Alice so take your time . There is no rush to answer me right away . Just take your time as I know you must be be in grief but consider the options Alice ."

Alice :-Well Mick . I don't know what to say to you ."

Mr French:-"Yes would do ."

Alice :-"I must say , I am flattered ."

Mr French:-"You're flattered and I'm shaking ."

Alice :-"Well I'm really not sure ."

Mr French:- "But I am Alice ."

Alice :-"I'm thinking maybe ."

Mr French:-"I'm telling you not to think anymore Alice . Just do ."

Alice :-"Do me a favour Mick ."

Mr French:-" Sure I'll do anything foe you .What do you want me to do Alice ."

Alice :-"Answer me this . If I said no , how would you feel towards me ?

Mr French:-"I am a forgiving man Alice ."

Alice :- "Then please forgive me Mick . I must say no "

Mr French :-"Can I ask why ?"

Alice :-"You said it before . I'm still in grief . Bob's only been gone a short while and I need time ."

Mr French :- "its been years since Bob died Alice and life goes on ."

Alice :-"I know ."

Mr French :-"You have to think about yourself Alice ."

Alice :-"I grant you that all right but I need time just to find my feet and see who I am . I can't pretend to love another person . It has to be right ."

Mr French:-'Let me make it right for you Alice .

Alice :-"I need to be alone for a while ."

Mr French:- I've been alone all my life Alice and for a long time I have not let my feelings for you show ."

Alice :-" Can you understand Mick . I have not let Bob go ."

Mr French :- "Alice . This Saturday night is my farewell dinner . I'm retiring at the end of this term with the department . I'd be honoured of you would accompany me Alice . Surely you can do that for me ."

Alice :-"To the dinner . I'd love to Mick . The only thing is I've nothing to wear . I haven't been out for years and I have no idea what women are wearing these days ."

He puts his hand in his pocket and pulls put his wallet . He proceeds to hand Alice some money

Mr French:-"Use this to buy yourself something ."

Alice takes the money in her hand and he passes over some more notes hand

Alice :- "That's very generous Mick ."

Mr French:- "Buy Pitch some new shoes ."
He hands over a bunch of notes.

Alice :-"Actually Mick he's got plenty of work boots and that's all he needs ."

Mr French:-"He needs social footwear Alice . Trust me ."

Alice :-Since when did you become his minder Mr French ?"

Mr French :-"Aw come on Alice, don't get asll serious on me . I'm only trying to help . I have always been very fond of Pitch ."

Alice :-"Well ok . I am sorry ."

Mr French:-"I only meant well ."

Alice :-"Sure . I'll see you Saturday evening then ."

Mr French:-" No kidding Alice . Great ."

Alice :-"Fine . About what time ."

Mr French:-"Say about seven ."

Alice :-"I'll see you then . Alice shows him to the door . As he puts his coat back on .

Mr French :-" Bye ."

He kisses her cheek and makes his way to the door and turns and looks into her face before he exits . Alice closes the door and feels her cheek then sits down near the radio . She finds her knitting and fidgets for a while .She seems flustered . She gets up and almost floats around the room . She looks in the mirror and adjusts her hair here and there . She is brought back to earth by a loud knock and the voice of Mr Spicer the union delegate shouting at the door .

Mr Spicer :-" Hello . Pitch are you there . Is anyone home ?."

She opens the door .Enter Mr Spicer .

Alice :-"Mr Spicer . Is there something wrong ?"

Mr Spicer:-"Hello Mrs Davis . How are you . Is Pitch in there ?"

Alice :-"How could he be . He is at the local for the miners meeting. Shouldn't you be there as well Mr Spicer ?"

Mr Spicer :-"He's where ?"

Alice :-" Its where you said . At the local pub . "

Mr Spicer :-"(Clearing his throat) Oh yeah that's right . I think I did say something like that ."

Alice :-" It seems to me there have been a lot of meetings there lately ."

Mr Spicer sits himself down and proceeds to lit up a pipe .

Alice :-"I would say make yourself at home Mr Spicer but I see you already have . Did you forget about the miners meeting tonight then ?"

Mr Spicer :- "Well the thing is Mr Davis , I have had a lot on my mind ."

Alice :-" Like what kind of things ?

He gets up from the seat and makes his way to the front door .

Mr Spicer :-"I won't keep you then Mrs Davis ."

Alice :-"Is there a problem at the pit head ?"

Mr Spicer :-"I'd be obliged not to say anything at this stage Mrs Davis ."

Alice :-"So I'd say there must be something going to happen . Am I right ?"

Mr Spicer :-" This is confidential . I'm only telling you because your Bob played a big part fighting for miners rights .I had a phone call this morning from some big shot in the coal board . There is not a strong market for coal out there world ."

Alice :-" .Are we going to suffer ?"

Mr Spicer :-" I'm going to have to tell the men at the coal face what's going on . The news is not good . The thing is the demand for coal is reducing more and more each week . By the end of the month there could be job cuts ."

Alice :-" They can't do that . Can they ?"

Mr Spicer :-" Lets say . At this stage we are in conflict . It could get serious ."

Alice :-"I see . You better get to the meeting then. "

Mr Spicer :-"Ok . I'll go and join them there .

Alice :-"I'm sure they will be wondering where you are .

Mr Spicer :-"Goodnight Mrs Davis ."

Exit Mr Spicer . Alice closes the door and goes over to the radio and turns it on then she sits down and puts her feet up on a footrest. Just as she gets comfortable another knock comes to the door .Its Gareth who shouts out.

Gareth :-"Hello . Alice . It's me Gareth . "

Alice:-"Come in the doors open ."
( Some light breezy music skips in)

Gareth come in the room , swaying from one side to the other . He burps and wheezes.

Gareth:-" Now I want to tell you Alice.. Its not what you think"

Alice :-"Gareth its you and you're drunk ."

Gareth:-"(Burps) Now don't talk to me like that Alice ."

Alice :-"What on earth are you doing ? Have you any idea what time it is ?

Gareth :-"Night times and your neighbours are already talking Alice .
(Ha Ha)

Alice :-"Have you no respect . Look at the state your in ."

Gareth:-"(Hic Ups) Can't a man even have a little drink without being hauled over the coals .
(He laughs)

Alice :-You're not staying here tonight ."

Gareth:-"You are my sister in law after all ."

Alice :-"People will be saying I'm a loose woman ."

Gareth:-"So . Let them talk . You and I know its only gossip .

Alice :-"You're not stopping here . Come back tomorrow when you've sobered up and we'll have another talk ."

Gareth:-"That's all I get around here .Nag Nag and slabber .

Alice "Go on off you go . "
She opens the door

Gareth :-"(Burps) You know what Alice . I have nothing to say to you ."

Alice "That's good . So get on your way .'

Gareth :-"That's your problem see Alice ."

Alice :-"What problem ?

Gareth:-"Just be ..Just be.. Just because I've called into say hello for once doesn't mean I (Burp) want to stay the night ."

Alice "All right them come in and sit down and I'll fix you a cup of tea ."

Gareth :-"(Hiccup and a cough ) A cup of what ?

Alice :-"Tea .Its what us sober people do at night ."

Gareth:-"I don't want tea . As a matter of.. (Burp) I'm telling you , as a matter .. what am I trying to tell you . ?

Alice :-"For goodness sake sit down before you fall to the floor ."

He nearly makes it to the armchair but falls getting there . He can't get to his feet and Alice stands looking down at him .

Gareth:-"That's typical like .(Hiccup) The only time I need your help and you stand there (burp) even more typical (Hiccup) is like I can't think what I was going to tell you . Its depravity and I'm not joking ."

Alice :-Stop talking and just sit up straight .

Gareth:-"Can't do that ."

Alice :-"Come on . Try and sit up ."

After a few attempts he manages to make it to the armchair .

Gareth :-"I'm not drink tea if that's what you want me to do .

Alice :- I don't want this visit to extend into a weeks holiday ."

Gareth:-"I've better things to be doing than sitting here . (Hiccup) Drinking tea and eating homemade biscuits ".

Alice :-"I've better things to be doing than entertaining the likes of you ."

Gareth:-" That's nice . I am (Hiccup) you're only bro.. your bro ... brother in law . (Burp) I'm hurt that you should say such a thing (Burp)

Alice :-"Here have you ever once ever called in to say a decent friendly hello . Its have you a loaf or some spare change or a loan or a how are you Alice .

Gareth:-"I'm not staying here to (burp) be .ah in. insu.. insulted . I'm defenceless in my situation . I know when I'm not welcome so that's it I'm going ."

Alice :-"Sit down and shut up ."

Gareth:-"No.

Alice :-"It's no wonder my hearts broke ."

Gareth :-"Its hard on us men . We never get anything but nagging ."

Alice:-" For once you've got to admit you're not in control of this argument . So just sit there and give my head peace ."

Gareth:-It's a hard life without a wife Alice ."

Alice :-" Get one then .

Gareth:-" I've lost the urge ."

Alice :-"You never had an urge . Remember . It left when you threw it into the bottom of a bottle . "

Gareth :-" I nearly had it back once ."

Alice :-"I've heard it all before Gareth ."

Gareth:-How's Pitch ?

Alice :-" He's not been himself . He's been spending too much time doing things in town . He swings in from time to time like a lodger ."

Gareth:-'He's growing up Alice ."

Alice:-"I worry about him Gareth .

Gareth:-" (Burp) Is he still working down in the deep mine ?

Alice:-"Afraid so ."

Gareth:-"I'd like to help him but I'm not (hic) up to it at the moment . My business is quiet and my time is spent chasing debts . I've five days fully occ..occup.. occupied with (hiccup) Hassles ."

Alice:-" Tell me then where do your profits go?

Gareth:-".Over my head Alice ."

Alice :-"What ."

Gareth:-"On my overheads .

Alice :-"You've got to get a life . Change your tune . It's the same old story over and over again ."

Gareth:-" I've always listened to you Alice , you know that ."

Alice :-"I'm fed up with all your excuses ."

Enter Pitch on set . Slams the doors and Gareth jumps in fright . Pitch walks back and forth across the room for a few moments and then breaks the silence

Pitch:-" Well there's trouble brewing ."

Alice :-"What's wrong son ?

Pitch:-"There's trouble in the mine ."

Alice :-"Trouble ?"

Pitch:-"I'm afraid so .

Gareth:-"There's (hiccup) always trouble in the mine .

Alice :Shut up will you . "

Alice :What is going on Pitch ?

Pitch:-"Listen here's the bird .. what's going on is going to all over town tomorrow . It looks as if all of us miners have a strike looming . There's a long road ahead .

Alice :-"What ?

Pitch :- "Goodnight Mother .

Alice " Goodnight son."
( soft music plays . The clock ticks and tocks and ticks and tocks .Time passes .
Days into weeks until lights are turned on to a new dawn to reveal an untidy parlour room . There are some papers and books lying around . The mirror above the fireplace is missing . There are laundry baskets with clothes needed ironed .. A few candles sit on the mantle piece beside religious pictures . Boots are scatter on the floor blankets and shirts are draped over chairs . On hall table near the door is a small bird cage with a canary perched inside . The fireplace looks empty and cold .
The newspaper lies on the table with headlines .
No Break For The Sake Of Local Miners As Strike Continues .
Over the radio the news reported broadcasts the latest developments .
"As it was expected, local miners are still on strike . There have been many major issues with hungry miners now fighting daily battles with truck drivers and scab labour sent in to do the work of the strikeing workers .
Union leaders continue to try to bring an end to the conflict between the Coal mine representatives and the miners . Lets cross over now to our man on the spot . Mick what have you got for the listeners today .
Hello , well things now are at a standstill with those miners who have played a major role keeping out scab labour and no further negotiations . What I can tell you is that landlords are now demanding overdue rent to be paid by the striking miners who are struggling to make ends meet . Publicans are angry because they their customers back , but the miners pockets are empty a little like their stomachs . The sad things is the strike continues . It has been twelve months since the strike began and all over the country a huge dark cloud has been hung and there's no break in the weather for the working class people it seems . Back to you in the newsroom .

End Part  2