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AGNEW CARTHRIDGE (British General m)
OSMOND (HELENA's fianc�e m)
DOWNS (SVENWICK's messenger m)
PLASINGER (Irish secret service)(Russian militiam/f)
(Irish Republican m/f)
HELENA CARTHRIDGE (AGNEW's daughter f)

Act 1, scene 1.

Scene.
Lights rise to reveal an English coffee house (sort of a pub) somewheres outside of Cambridge in Cambridgeshire. The interior (Fig.1.1)comprises an entrance upstage left with a coat hanger awkwardly placed (denoting the awkward characters), four stools front center with a counter, tables with about four chairs each. The espresso bar and service counter are to the left, and an up right piano lies down stage center just over from the back door where the lavatory is located.

AGNEW is seated on the second stool to the right of the door. AGNEW, 46, classy, sophistocated, intelligent, short mustace and beard, heedful dresser, egocentric, tough/ assertive, with a short temper. AGNEW a newspaper from Britain entitled Scotsman and has an empty tea cup.

OSMOND enters caustiously but respectably through the front door. OSMOND, late 20's cashual yet eloquant dresser, clean shaven, curious nature however mindful, gentle yet assertive when need be. OSMOND sits next AGNEW to the left. A man at a table center stage, eye's him cautiously. There are other coffee patrons within, sipping coffee and talking quietly, with a low classical tune (Mozart, Bach, etc.). The setting is tense. PLASINGER is sitting at a near by table looks up from his book.

OSMOND
Could I buy you a drink? (AGNEW silently reads his newspaper) The middle east peace talks are failing... (PAUSE.) You know what I mean? (PAUSE. Folding his hands on the table) You cannot resolve an issue that has no meaning, else it is just a blind cause. (AGNEW continues to read) The weather.., it is quite chilly. 'Bout time to go skating on the Thames. I take my niece, my sisters daughter down in Chelsea- sisters- my brothers gone- damn to reckon where he is.., probably none of my business, anyway. (PAUSE.) Nice coat ya' hov on. Shopping down at Burberrys a fortnight ago, saw one just like it (Picking up AGNEWS' empty coffee cup smelling, perhaps, for comatose layer) bloody dear thou. (AGNEW grabs his collar- pulling him close)
AGNEW
Don't... Talk to me like you know me, sir!
OSMOND
Had I your daughters hand in marriage... would you know me then? (Letting his collar go) AGNEW, sitting back, looking out the window)
AGNEW (Barking)
Scrundral! (PAUSE. Aside:)
I thought you were the opposition.
OSMOND
"The who- whom?" (PLASINGER views the two of them again, observing AGNEW)
AGNEW
Marry with my daughter. (PAUSE. OSMOND sinking silently in his stool) Then wait a slice.
OSMOND
A waht? (AGNEW walks to the espresso bar. He is seen ordering too drinks)
OSMOND (Standing. Looks over at AGNEW. To himself)
Most of the time they inquire if I shagged her. (PAUSE.) They are quite taken when I confess my inference to celibacy till marrige. (Walking to AGNEW) Then, this is a fiancee. (Arrives at his side)
AGNEW
Irish cream?
OSMOND
Oh, thank you, no, sir. I don't drink.
AGNEW
Don't drink? By heavens, you must drink, else you would cease to be! You become dehydrated, son. (PAUSE.) I ask you to take this drink-
OSMOND
Alcohal! Sir, Alcohal. I do not contend to the practice of consuming these.. vile liquers-
AGNEW
Irish, sir?
OSMOND
I beg your pardon.
AGNEW
Your origin; where you were born. Are you IRISH?
OSMOND
Well, yes.
AGNEW
Surely, you must consume alcohal?
OSMOND
No, sir. I do not. It is a common prejudice, sir. At least I have found.
AGNEW (Point out the window)
That your AUDI, Irish?
OSMOND (Pause. Sort of aside:)
I promissed your daughter- Helen, (Smiling) that I have her an answer by the times she's back from Austria. (Thinking a moment)
AGNEW (Not hearing a word OSMOND said)
Do you think you can buy my daughter with these toys?
OSMOND
No, sir. (Cashier hands them their drinks) Ta. (To AGNEW) Irish cream?
AGNEW (PAUSE.)
A cappuccino. (They start for their seats)
OSMOND
Why, of course. (PAUSE. Back on the subject) I need a car that can deliver performance.
AGNEW
I am not arguing that. (PAUSE.) Nor do I resent your taste in Sverige auto mechanics. I have skied in Alvsborg. But my daughter is a real woman. Independant. If she has taken to you, trust she has thought it over. (Pause. Sitting) I'm not an unresonable chap... (viewing him)
OSMOND
Osmond.
AGNEW
I am not an unreasonable man, Osmond. (PAUSE.) Irish, Frenchy, Dutch, English or Spanish- I care not. It is what is up here (Tapping OSMOND'S forehead) Here.. (Waking OSMOND chest) and, some other place I dare not touch- remising Oscar Wilde- counts not not a damn bit. (PAUSE.) Just one thing. (Leaning in close) If you are part of the IRA... (PAUSE.) I KILL YOU. (Pause.) Looking out the window) Surely my daughter told you who I am. I can do just about anything in the British army (Aside:), making my family a natural target. (To OSMOND:) I started as a London police officer.
OSMOND (Checking his watch)
Time comes' as quickly as it gos', or is it the other way around? Ana' way, I repeat to site for am having a blast, but I must take my leave, (Conveying a half-cocked salute) General- (Going to stand)
AGNEW
You will stay here-
OSMOND (Standing)
I really do have to-
AGNEW
If my daughter means anything to you-
OSMOND
You are using your daughter to- (Index finger extended just below his chin, silencing OSMOND Listening)
AGNEW
It has begun. (Lady cross' to the piano, begin to play a tune)
OSMOND
Waht? (PAUSE.) Waht are you waiting for?
AGNEW
Not waht. Whom.
OSMOND
Dangerous?
AGNEW
He is walking to the entrance. (DOWNS enters from the alley. AGNEW sips his cappuccino. PLASINGER at table glances from his book. Everything is tense again- even the sound of the piano. DOWNS walks to the bar- orders a drink) Osmond, word to the insensate. Sit back, act natural, don't say a word. (PAUSE.) Don't act nervous. (AGNEW begins reading his newspaper. DOWNS recieves his drink and walking for the counter. DOWNS sits next AGNEW)
DOWNS
The Middle East peace process has become much too complicated. (PLASINGER glances over, again)
AGNEW (Coldly)
We all need somebody to hate. The Middle East is not our only complication in this socially obsolcent society. Time of yore, we were killing for gods, and still are to an extent. But now it is mostly over money. We will kill our brother for a pair of shoes. (AGNEW slips DOWNS piece of paper of paper. DOWNS reads it. Pulls a lighter- burning it)
DOWNS
I don't want to spoil the fun. (Letting out a concieted sigh) This kind of imfirmation (Pause.) will have to go to the Netherlands, or Russia, but watch Russia. The're blood thirsty bastards. The NKGB- unpropitious. (Pause.) I warn you. Transactions in these barbaric countries may result in-
AGNEW (Stern)

DOWNS
If you ask politly, you may be able to.. (Looking around cautiously) purchase your desire., here. (They stare coldly at each other. Man at the table is watching intently from the corner of his eye. Eye's are everywhere, all is tense. Girl at the piano hits a low note as AGNEW speak )
AGNEW (Pause.)
How far is here?
DOWNS
Just once past London as we are (Pause.) in Southdowns. (Low note)
AGNEW (Pause. Staring at him)
Where in Southdowns? (DOWNS looks around)
DOWNS (Watching two men enter. They pass to the bar)
Worthing.
AGNEW
West Sussex. (Pause.)
DOWNS
Precisely. (Pause. Looking back at the men, they sit at a quiet table. Looks to OSMOND) But I have already said too much... (Glaring)
AGNEW
When I get to Worthing.., where do I go? (OSMOND is petrified. He tries to hide it)
DOWNS
Wait. (Pause. Hits high note, then low; piano's low hum trembles away) Who's your friend? He slips his hand in his right pocket. OSMOND notices)
AGNEW
No one you should concern yourself with. (Minding the gun) Just a man, just an associate.
OSMOND
I'm going to be sick� the lavatory- (Getting up for the Loo) (With his hand in right pocket. OSMOND passes behind. DOWNS half turning
DOWNS
Hold it now-
(Attempting to pull a gun. AGNEW takes him by the throut, Slamming him backwards on the counter) (Staring into his eyes, coldly. Forearm thrust into his throut, speaking bluntly)
AGNEW
You need to analyze the situation at present. There is a question in need of your answering it. (Pause.) When I let you go, which way does the ball slide?
DOWNS
I don't understand-
AGNEW
What direction will the ball slide?
DOWNS
I am sorry, sir. I do not understand what it is you are asking me-
AGNEW
The ball will not slide, it is going to roll- where to, is it going to roll?
DOWNS
It is going to roll in the direction which is easiest- (AGNEW squezzes) DOWN! ROLL DOWN!
AGNEW
Why? (DOWNS is confused at such an obvious question)
Why? (Pause.)

DOWNS
LEAST RESISTANCE...
AGNEW
Discribing yourself? (Pause.)
DOWNS
You don't have to worry about me. (AGNEW slowly lets go. DOWNS rises. Everyone is going about their buisness. Pause. Looking around. Settles down, sips his drink) When you get to Worthing (OSMOND heads for the Loo) go to Pavilion Pier, here is the address. (Slipping a note) Good day. (Getting up)
AGNEW (AGNEW speaks. DOWNS haults)
I make it a habit not to.., shoot.., the messenger. (DOWNS pause's a moment.

EXITS.

AGNEW (OSMOND returns, looking quite unsettled. Sitting down)
We leave soon. (Pause. Cashier drops a bills with them. AGNEW pull 5.50pee from his pocket, putting it on the bill tray. Tips 1 guinea. Turns to OSMOND) Rule #1: Never show fear. A Jackel can smell it off you. (They stand.

LIGHTS FADE.

ACT 1, SCENE 2.

LIGHTS RISE.

B.R. Carriage compartment. Night. Two chairs, mini bar, table, dresser. AGNEW and OSMOND are sitting in apposing chairs. AGNEW is with his newspaper)
AGNEW (To OSMOND, looking up from the paper)
Do you love her? (OSMOND, who is tired, looks up in a daze)
OSMOND
Hmm? (Pause. Staring blankly) I beg your pardon?
AGNEW
The girl, my daughter, whom you want to marry. (OSMOND, kind of ignoring him)
OSMOND
Did not a man just try to shoot me?
AGNEW
No. He was mearly attempting to.., dislodge the piece from the abysmal within his coat. (Pause. Back to the subject) I know that my daughter would be serious about a commitment like this. (Pause. Pointing a finger) You... I do not know you. (Pause.) I hope what you have a hand in.., is marriage.
OSMOND (Outraged)
That man would have murdered me! Does that mean anything!?
AGNEW (Looking at his paper)
They say `each man kill's.., the thing he loves.' (Pause.) Where is there art in that? (Pause.) Then did he love it?
OSMOND (Impatient)
What is in Downs?
AGNEW
Worthing (Short pause.) more precisely.
OSMOND
What is in Worthing? (AGNEW looks up from paper)
AGNEW
In the late 1700's it wasa small fishing village: a Hamlet. Now (Pause.) I know we will have to stop at the library on Richmond to pick up a map. (Resuming his paper) We can stay at Ardington Hotel.
OSMOND
WHAT IS IN WORTHING?
AGNEW (Pause.)
Broadwater and Tarring.
OSMOND
Pardon?
AGNEW (Sternly)
Broadwater, and Tarring.
OSMOND (Pause.)
Assosiates., or marks?
AGNEW
Broadwater.., the villages, of Broadwater and Tarring.
OSMOND (Angry)
GAMES!
AGNEW (Puts down the paper)
I don't play games, (Pause.) Broadwater and Tarring: Broadwater to the east, and Tarring.., to the west.
OSMOND
Where is the station? (Pause.) I will take leave back for London when we arrive- (Agnew stands)
AGNEW (Speaking as he cross' to the bar. Prepares two drinks)
You will do no such thing. You shall acompany me to a ren dez vous at a site near Pavilion Pier. (Pause.) From hense forth, after the meet, you shall take leave back for London, at which time you will be paid a handsome sum. (Crossing toward OSMOND)
OSMOND
I did not surcome to your... Madness. (Pause.) We part at the station. (Arriving at OSMOND)
AGNEW
My.., associate, has been.., misplaced. (Pause. Firmly) You, will accompany me to the ren dez vous situated near Pavilion Pier. (Hands OSMOND a drink. Tomato juice with a celery stock- No ALCOHAL)
OSMOND (Walks down stage)
If I were to detest?
(Pause. AGNEW turns, facing him)
AGNEW
You won't. (Pause. OSMOND sits) It is not like we will be on the Pier.
OSMOND
What is the significance of Worthing- Why are we travelling to this town?
AGNEW
Pavilion Pier- I thought that I have told you. We are going to ren-
OSMOND
Yes, yes. You said all this before. (Pause. Studying him) You are not going to (Pause. Taking breath) ... Kill anyone., prey?
AGNEW
Dear God. I hope not. (Pause.)
OSMOND (Stands)
I am starving. I am going to the diner. Care to join me?
AGNEW (Pause. Preoccupied. Looking up)
Oh- No., thank you. I need a moment alone.
OSMOND (Walking for the door)
Sure?
(AGNEW knods `YES'. OSMOND pause's in the door way) I do love Helena. Very much.
(A knock is placed.)
AGNEW (A bit startled)
Go away. There is no one here. (Contemplating)
PLASINGER
If that were true., to whom am I speaking?
AGNEW
If whom ever lingers does not wish to converse with you, consider him not there.
PLASINGER
Why, here then. (Giving in)
AGNEW
Come.
(He enters. It is the man from the coffee shop in Camridgeshire whom was seated mysteriously behind AGNEW. PLASINGER, 38, short neat hair, confident, delicate, mysterious.)
AGNEW
What a familiar personage. Have we met before. (Knowing to have seen him)
PLASINGER
I assure you. I am a stranger, this is a social call.
AGNEW (Refuting)
What is your assurance?
PLASINGER
I am just a man. (AGNEW stands)
AGNEW
Arn't we all?
(Crossing to refill his drink)
PLASINGER
I like to introduce myself to strangers, so as to make their acquantance.
AGNEW
(Holds up a glass)
Drink?
PLASINGER
Ta, but nay. I don't drink-
AGNEW
Alcohal. You don't drink alcohal. (Pause.) Nor do I. Tell me... What buisness do you have in Worthing?
PLASINGER (Eluding)
Brighton., actually.
AGNEW (Handing him a drink. Corrected)
Brighton. What buisness might one have in Brighton?
PLASINGER
Menial tasks to keep one occupied.
AGNEW
Are you a religious man, Mr. Plasinger? Do you believe in God?
PLASINGER
I believe in science.
AGNEW
No. Is it a virtue, Mr. Plasinger?
PLASINGER (Looking cautiously)
How do you know my name?
AGNEW
Is anything concreate? (Pause.) Fire is powerful, but it has transient expuderations. You contract a bind with an inimical or antithetical ascendency which tempts to admonish without succesion.
PLASINGER (Uncomfortable)
I'm sorry. Perhaps you have me confused-
AGNEW
You are the opposition. What are are here to do will short change the transaction!
PLASINGER
I fiegn to relize what conviction you are making-
AGNEW
You shall not succeed! (Pause. Circling him slowly while he speaks) I know that you are to advance because they do not trust me with this ransom. I know who you are. I remember you.
PLASINGER (Turning) Really. (Turns. Reaching into his coat) You have the-
AGNEW
Wrong man? (Pause.) I found you out. (Turns to the audience. Pulls gun. PLASINGER coincides; back to
AGNEW. They turn at once-
{`BANG!'}
AGNEW shoots PLASINGER in the chest. Spits up blood. Falls to the floor, twitching. OSMOND enters)
OSMOND (Looking in his wallet)
I seem to have-
(See's PLASINGER, looks up to see AGNEW, gun in hand. In shock. AGNEW, slowly sits down. OSMOND is staring at the body, drops to his knees, checking the corpse for a pulse. Silence)
AGNEW
A tree (Pause.) ...Dumps its leaves, but once they lived. A life was taken that was trying to preserve it. (Pause.) When hitler was commencing airstrikes on London, and the city was under ruin- nothing but rumble and debriss in the streets. The army posted a number of soldiers through the city to guard it. My father was put in Southwark. (Pause.) He shot a Jew... For taking bread. They (the soldiers) were told to shoot looters. The man and his family fled the Holocaust to England in `43. Poor, had no money (Pause.), shot a man for stealing bread. Bread to bring to his children. In his fifties, living under a viaduct. Killed what they were trying to protect. (Pause.) Death is never pretty. But I did it to preserve my life (Aside:) and someone else's. (Pause.) If I would murder to save it.., is it really worth saving?
OSMOND
What is in Worthing? (Pause.)
AGNEW (Staring blankly at the forth wall)
What is it worth?

LIGHTS FADE.

Act 1, scene 3.

LIGHTS RISE.

Small shack. Worthing. Table to the right, two chairs at the table. OSMOND enters left, followed by AGNEW. OSMOND walks to the other end of the shack, checking the place out.
OSMOND
Quaint. (AGNEW takes a seat) Just tell me one thing- no bullshit! What is the opposition?
AGNEW
All right. No bullshit. (Pause.) A systematic order of reperasentatives in the placement of commencing a plan that will enable the initiation of a contention in which the victor will lose little to no casualties.
OSMOND
Ignotum per ignotius. That was bullshit.
AGNEW
Well they think they can fuck me?
OSMOND (Surprised at this out burst)
All right. Explain.
AGNEW
It's not you. (Pause. Collecting his thoughts) Consider this; that a faction of a known organization has, Osmond, a jewel inwhich one could place no value, and it is the keystone to a weapon... What do you do? (Pause.) What do you do? (Pause.) You will agree that its destruction is to the extreme by a sentimental view point, but what if the preserving of it causes this weapon to be born., what then?
OSMOND
You are all too vague. (A sound is heard off stage. Low voices. Door breeches. SVENWICK enters left, followed by. KAHL)
KAHL (In Russian:)
That the man? (Pointing to AGNEW. SVENWICK nods `YES')
AGNEW (In Russian:)
You may speak in English, it makes no difference.
SVENWICK (Look at each other)
Verywell. My associates from Dublin explain you have been.., quite, cooperative.
AGNEW
Peachy. Go on.
SVENWICK
I hope the opposition did not frighten you.
AGNEW
The opposition do not frighten me, they are a third party, protecting their assets., you do not sway me., what concerns me is that which you have in your possesion is liable to become violed.
KAHL
I assure you, General.
AGNEW
Thank you for your assurance. (Pause.) Now facts. Who do you work for?
SVENWICK
We-
AGNEW
No. Who do you work for? (Pause. Uncertain)
SVENWICK
I work for a Russian counterpart in Ireland-
AGNEW (Struck)
Counterpart? You are not the IRA or a Russian militia- you're an international terror-
SVENWICK (Pulling an envelope from his coat pocket)
As the General of the British armed forces, you may issue this release. This is all that matters.
AGNEW (Standing. Angry)
WHO DO YOU WORK FOR?
SVENWICK
Sign this release! (Pushing the document over. AGNEW, reading it to himself)
AGNEW (Putting it down on the table)
This means Dublin's and Moscow's militia's will have a joint assembly! You will control most of all this!
SVENWICK
No! Just our countries. We are Republican's, Unionist's. (Pause. Staring down at the release) The release, General. (Long pause. Dead stare into each others eyes- keep staring) Kahl., bring in our bond. (To AGNEW) The guarantee that our second party will not back on our proposition... (KAHL exits right. OSMOND slowly stands)
OSMOND
What's this? (AGNEW/OSMOND are unsure. ENTER KAHL., with AGNEW's daughter. OSMOND; in shock)
SVENWICK
Your daughter.., Helena.
OSMOND
Helena- you.., all right? (HELENA shakes yes. Moving to her) I thought- Austria? (SVENWICK; stopping him)
SVENWICK
That.., is far enough. As you may see, she is all right. (Pause.) The document. (AGNEW stares him down) Do you not understand? (Pulling a gun) Sign the release. (Pause. Blank, cold stare at SVENWICK. Motionless. SVENWICK (Growing angry and tense)
Sign.., the release. (SVENWICK paces in short strides) This will not be a waiting game... The release is there... Pick it up, sign it. (Pause.) Who shall die (Flinging the gun) Sign it! (Pause. HELENA is scared keeps looking at AGNEW puzzled. SVENWICK points the gun at OSMOND'S head. AGNEW, cold, blank stare. OSMOND; trembling) General, Agnew Carthridge... the release! (ANGRIER) The release! (ANGRIER) The releassssse!
{`BANG!'}
OSMOND drops to the ground.
HELENA
DADDY!!
(AGNEW: Blank stare. Does not move)
SVENWICK
Who's gonna take care of her now, Bobby? (Pause. No response. Swings gun to HELENA; A sudden rush of tears; fear, terror) The release, General. (DEAD calm. Serious as hell) I'm giving you one option. Beautiful daughter.., stubborn fuck up- Sign it. (Grabs it off the table, holding it up to him) Sign it. (Looks up at AGNEW, slowly. Pause. Dead stare from both parties. Long cold, stare. AGNEW casually takes it. SVENWICK, relieved, lowers his gun. Takes out a red pen, handing it to AGNEW) You saved your daughter, Mr. Carthridge.., and you did a great thing for us. We will not forget this, sir. (AGNEW reads a moment, pen ready. Signs it-
VOID
big red letters. Holds it up to SVENWICK [cheating to audience]. Pause... TEARS IT IN HALF! SVENWICK: In shock
SVENWICK (Russian:)
For Russia! (Quickly raise's the gun to HELENA's head
{`BANG!'}
HELEN falls to the floor. AGNEW closes his eyes, kneels, facing upstage. SVENWICK puts the gun to AGNEW's head. Pulls back the hammer.)
AGNEW (Making the sign of the cross: Latin:)
Pater, Passion., Eccles...
SVENWICK (Russian:)
No. (Easing the gun back) Lessons are taught in suffering. (English:) You'll live with the death in your hands. (Slowly resting the hammer back. Pause.) In time, as you find yourself demoted, discharged, and a no body with this pain in your heart... You will remember Russia.
AGNEW (Empty)
I will remember you. (SVENWICK thinks a moment., turns to walk away) You can take (SVENWICK stops) so much away from a person before they have nothing left to lose. (Pause. SVENWICK ponders a moment) You create a weapon for your destruction. (SVENWICK considers this. Appears prepare speech. Looks to the floor; takes a step) That release... I will sign.

(Pause. Turns. EXITS with KAHL.

AGNEW kneels silently, head down. Looks over to HELENA's body. Stands, walks over, kneels at her body. Pause. He takes her up in his arms. Hangs his head and cries.

LIGHTS FADE.

FINITE

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