Trade premiered on 29 September 2011, at the Dublin Theatre Festival, with previews on 27 and 28 September.
OLDER MAN
Phillip Judge
YOUNG MAN
Ciarán McCabe
Directed by Tom Creed
Designed by Ciarán O’Melia
Produced by Philip McMahon
It had previously received a public reading at Project Arts Centre, Dublin, on 10 December 2010. On this occasion it was presented as part of Queer Notions, a festival of theatre and other performances by thisispopbaby. This reading was also directed by Tom Creed. Older Man was played by Liam Carney, Young Man by Robbie O’Connor.
A cheap B&B in Dublin’s North Inner City. The room is small and shabby. A queen-size bed with polyester quilt covers. A window onto a yard. The last of the light has almost gone from the sky and it colours the room blue into black. It is late autumn. There is no lamp on and the room is illuminated only by sodium light bleeding in from the yard or from the door to a small ensuite which is slightly ajar. There is an eighteen-year-old boy here. He stands alone for a moment, small in the shadows. He is wearing sports clothes and a baseball cap. There is a forlorn look on his face or an absence. Occasionally he comes back fully into the space and moves about. There is the sound of running water from the bathroom. Someone is cleaning themselves.
YOUNG MAN: You finished nearly?
OLDER MAN: (Off stage.) What?
YOUNG MAN: You done?
OLDER MAN: (Off stage.) Hold on.
YOUNG MAN: It’s just cause it’s nearly fucking half past like.
OLDER MAN: (Off stage.) I know…
YOUNG MAN: Yeah, well.
OLDER MAN: (Off stage.) Wait.
Beat.
YOUNG MAN: (To himself.) Sake.
Beat. The YOUNG MAN sits on the side of the bed. He sits silent. Eventually an OLDER MAN enters from the bathroom. The YOUNG MAN doesn’t look up or acknowledge the OLDER MAN. The OLDER MAN is in his late 40s. His collar is loose as he has been washing himself. We can see that he has been in an altercation. His face carries an injury to the nose. It is not serious. There are some spots of blood on his shirtfront. He is also holding a toothbrush in his hand. He stands not far from the bathroom door awkwardly. He beholds the YOUNG MAN.
OLDER MAN: Clean now anyways. Done. Better.
YOUNG MAN: Yeah?
OLDER MAN: (Explaining why he washed.) A bit of blood just. Gone.
Beat.
OLDER MAN: She thought I was mad at the door I’d say. Do you think?
YOUNG MAN: I don’t know.
OLDER MAN: She won’t call anyone will she?
YOUNG MAN: She’s grand.
OLDER MAN: Used to it maybe.
YOUNG MAN: Yeah.
OLDER MAN: People.
Beat.
YOUNG MAN: Is it sore your nose?
OLDER MAN: What not no. He caught it with his swing just. It’s grand. I been hit harder in my day you know.
YOUNG MAN: Who done it?
OLDER MAN: No one.
The OLDER MAN realises he still has a toothbrush in his hands.
OLDER MAN: This.
YOUNG MAN: What?
OLDER MAN: Yeah. I suppose I look like a right fucking knob standing here with this in my hand and my face in bits.
YOUNG MAN: No.
OLDER MAN: Odd even.
YOUNG MAN: Maybe.
OLDER MAN: Yeah.
Beat. The OLDER MAN feels awkward, exposed or ridiculous. He looks at the brush in his hand again.
OLDER MAN: I’m kind of funny about teeth me this.
YOUNG MAN: Yeah?
OLDER MAN: I can’t feel clean if I can’t wash them just. Carry that with me everywhere then.
He remains standing.
OLDER MAN: Always been funny about my teeth. Washing them about ten times a day I do. Always at the dentist. The hygienist then as well.
YOUNG MAN: Right.
OLDER MAN: Yeah. Wouldn’t like to lose them just.
Beat.
OLDER MAN: Should stop getting my gob punched in that case I suppose you could say.
Small beat. They both smile. The room is still. The OLDER MAN looks at the toothbrush again.
OLDER MAN: She’s an awful cunt anyways.
YOUNG MAN: Who?
OLDER MAN: The hygienist but you’re as well.
YOUNG MAN: Right.
OLDER MAN: I’d hate to like to think there was smells or that there. From my mouth. I’m mad like that. I imagine. I’m stupid.
Pause. He puts the toothbrush away in his jacket.
OLDER MAN: (Meaning the hygienist.) Exactly. Awful fucking job.
Beat. The OLDER MAN is perhaps upset.
He steadies his nerve.
OLDER MAN: Apparently they’re always killing themselves.
YOUNG MAN: Who?
OLDER MAN: Dental hygienists. I heard, women ones.
YOUNG MAN: Oh.
OLDER MAN: Yeah women ones the worst they say. Don’t know why that is. Maybe cause they hate themselves apparently or everyone else hates them or something.
OLDER MAN: I don’t know how true that is now I just read that.
Beat.
OLDER MAN: Wish my one would kill herself.
Small beat. The OLDER MAN tries to smile or laugh but may be close to tears.
OLDER MAN: Yeah. No.
YOUNG MAN: Are you alright?
OLDER MAN: I’m alright. I think.
YOUNG MAN: What happened?
OLDER MAN: Nothing no. You’re good to see me.
YOUNG MAN: Yeah.
The OLDER MAN looks at the YOUNG MAN.
OLDER MAN: (Softly.) Take off your hat.
YOUNG MAN: What?
OLDER MAN: Just.
YOUNG MAN: Covering me hair sort of.
OLDER MAN: Just please.
Pause. The YOUNG MAN takes off his baseball cap. He does perfunctory fixing of his hair. It has been very badly bleached and is heavily waxed forward. It may make him look younger and more vulnerable.
YOUNG MAN: (Softly.) There.
OLDER MAN: Thanks.
Beat. The OLDER MAN could almost be close to tears. He stands very still and awkward. He pulls himself together almost.
OLDER MAN: (Meaning the YOUNG MAN’s hair.) Who done that on you?
YOUNG MAN: Me mate.
OLDER MAN: (Light.) Not much of a mate.
YOUNG MAN: Practising she was.
OLDER MAN: Right.
YOUNG MAN: She’s in a salon.
OLDER MAN: (Almost laughing.) Really?
YOUNG MAN: Started just.
OLDER MAN: God fucken help us.
YOUNG MAN: Though all she ever does in there is sweep up or sit on her hole.
OLDER MAN: And you let her at you?
YOUNG MAN: I know.
OLDER MAN: Yeah.
YOUNG MAN: (He trails off.) She’s a fat fucken…
Beat.
OLDER MAN: Can’t really see it that well anyways with the lamp there not on.
YOUNG MAN: Will I turn it on?
OLDER MAN: Do you want it on?
YOUNG MAN: I don’t know.
OLDER MAN: I don’t give a fuck either way now if I’m being honest. You can just leave it off or you can just…
Beat. The moment hangs. The YOUNG MAN eventually leans over and turns on the lamp by the bed. He may feel slightly exposed by this action. The OLDER MAN is still standing stranded.
OLDER MAN: There.
YOUNG MAN: What?
OLDER MAN: Yeah.
Small beat.
OLDER MAN: Your hair is sort of, it’s kind of fucked.
YOUNG MAN: I know.
OLDER MAN: It looks sore.
The YOUNG MAN smiles and fixes his hair again.
YOUNG MAN: I could kill her I could.
OLDER MAN: It’s not that bad though but. You just look a bit, you know.
YOUNG MAN: I know.
OLDER MAN: Like a knacker
.
Beat. The phrase has landed harder than the OLDER MAN had intended.
OLDER MAN: Sorry. I didn’t mean…
YOUNG MAN: No.
OLDER MAN: I was just being funny. I’m a fucken edjit really is what. I should shut up.
YOUNG MAN: You’re alright.
OLDER MAN: My mouth.
Beat. The OLDER MAN may move closer to the YOUNG MAN.
OLDER MAN: You hot?
YOUNG MAN: What?
OLDER MAN: You alright?
YOUNG MAN: The radiators?
OLDER MAN: Yeah.
YOUNG MAN: It’s nice it’s grand.
OLDER MAN: It is.
Beat.
YOUNG MAN: It was cold before earlier.
OLDER MAN: Was it?
YOUNG MAN: Yeah in town.
OLDER MAN: You were around?
YOUNG MAN: I was around and it was cold.
OLDER MAN: I was inside all day. Most of the day. Before I called you before… I stayed in bed late and then.
Beat. The OLDER MAN looks at the YOUNG MAN questioningly.
OLDER MAN: (Low.) Were you working or…
YOUNG MAN: What?
OLDER MAN: Just…
Beat. The room is very still again.
OLDER MAN: Take off your top, your jacket, if you want, if you’re hot. Do you want a drink?
Beat. The YOUNG MAN takes off his tracksuit top. The OLDER MAN watches him closely.
YOUNG MAN: I don’t know.
OLDER MAN: I have cans there in my bag. Only cheap auld Polish shite but…
The YOUNG MAN looks at him.
OLDER MAN: I didn’t know what to get you, what you drink, but those were going then so I got them.
Short beat.
OLDER MAN: If only, now, if you want just only.
Beat.
OLDER MAN: Do you want?
YOUNG MAN: (Softly.) Yeah so.
OLDER MAN: So go on so. They’re there for you. You can take them with you after then or…
Small beat. There is a recyclable shopping bag in the room holding the beer. The YOUNG MAN gets up and gets a can.
OLDER MAN: I got six or eight or something. YOUNG MAN: You having one?
OLDER MAN: I will. I’ll join you anyway.
The YOUNG MAN takes a couple of cans and delivers one to the OLDER MAN. They are close now. The OLDER MAN and the YOUNG MAN open their cans. They both drink.
YOUNG MAN: I’m trying not to be drinking.
OLDER MAN: Me too as well yeah. Cheers.
YOUNG MAN: Cheers.
They drink.
OLDER MAN: Chin-chin as the man said. YOUNG MAN: What?
OLDER MAN: There. Us.
They clink cans. The silence is thick around them.
OLDER MAN: Not bad.
YOUNG MAN: No. It’s nice, they are.
OLDER MAN: It’s shite. It’s nice. It’s OK. Yeah.
Beat.
OLDER MAN: We can relax before…
Beat. They drink.
OLDER MAN: I’m glad to see you anyways.
YOUNG MAN: Thanks.
OLDER MAN: I didn’t think I’d see you again after the last time.
YOUNG MAN: Oh?
OLDER MAN: I thought I didn’t want to just.
YOUNG MAN: Right.
OLDER MAN: I nearly even deleted you even.
YOUNG MAN: Yeah?
OLDER MAN: Yeah. Only I didn’t cause I couldn’t. My new phone is a Samsung and I’m fucking baffled by it. I’m more used to Nokia mostly. My daughter tries to teach me sometimes but I’m stupid with machines like. The internet and that. She just dies laughing at me then and it was her made me get the fucken thing in the first place. Calls me a dope. Only joking just. Can barely use the fucken remote control me. So I never got to delete you.
Beat. They drink.
OLDER MAN: I needed to. To see you.
Beat.
YOUNG MAN: Why?
OLDER MAN: Just mad shit just.
YOUNG MAN: Yeah?
OLDER MAN: I haven’t been myself. I don’t know. I been lonely or something.
The silence resumes. Again the OLDER MAN stands and is on the point of tears perhaps. Again he steadies himself.
OLDER MAN: So how you been keeping and anyways?
YOUNG MAN: Yeah you know.
OLDER MAN: I know.
Beat.
OLDER MAN: And you alright?
YOUNG MAN: Yeah.
OLDER MAN: Yeah good yeah.
Beat.
YOUNG MAN: Only I’m not at home any more.
OLDER MAN: Oh?
YOUNG MAN: No.
OLDER MAN: Why?
YOUNG MAN: No why. She’s just, I was sick of her, me ma. I’m done with her. She’s mad.
OLDER MAN: Right.
YOUNG MAN: Drinking and that. Throwing slaps. She’s a cunt really.
Beat.
OLDER MAN: So where you now?
YOUNG MAN: Nowhere really. I was staying with my girlfriend first in her place. But then the baby was crying all the time and I was coming in late and she didn’t want me drinking or anything even so I went.
OLDER MAN: OK.
YOUNG MAN: Fighting always.
OLDER MAN: Not good.
YOUNG MAN: No.
OLDER MAN: With a baby not good anyways.
YOUNG MAN: I know.
OLDER MAN: So.
YOUNG MAN: So I’m staying with mates now. Kipping down with mates. With one mate just. But.
OLDER MAN: Yeah?
YOUNG MAN: With him. But it’s not forever that.
OLDER MAN: Alright.
YOUNG MAN: He has a place.
OLDER MAN: Yeah.
YOUNG MAN: He has a place now. But I’m only for a while with him. And I don’t know then.
OLDER MAN: Right.
YOUNG MAN: He’s a fucking asshole mostly but he’s alright.
OLDER MAN: And you’re alright?
YOUNG MAN: I’m alright.
OLDER MAN: Good.
YOUNG MAN: Get my own place then maybe sometime.
OLDER MAN: Good man.
Very long beat.
OLDER MAN: So what’s your baby?
YOUNG MAN: What?
OLDER MAN: Is it a boy or a girl?
YOUNG MAN: A she.
OLDER MAN: And what she called?
YOUNG MAN: Why?
OLDER MAN: No why. You don’t have to say. I’m just asking just…
Beat. The YOUNG MAN looks at the OLDER MAN.
YOUNG MAN: (Softly.) Chloe.
OLDER MAN: Oh?
YOUNG MAN: Yeah.
OLDER MAN: Chloe.
YOUNG MAN: I picked it.
OLDER MAN: It’s nice.
Beat.
YOUNG MAN: Chloe.
Beat.
OLDER MAN: You’re young for a baby.
YOUNG MAN: It was an accident.
OLDER MAN: I know yeah
They both smile.
OLDER MAN: You love her?
YOUNG MAN: Who?
OLDER MAN: (Smiling.) Chloe.
YOUNG MAN: Of course.
OLDER MAN: Of course.
YOUNG MAN: She’s lovely. The little thing. She cries a lot.
OLDER MAN: Does she?
YOUNG MAN: Wah!
OLDER MAN: I know.
Beat.
YOUNG MAN: She’s twenty-three weeks nearly.
Small beat.
YOUNG MAN: I gave up smoking when she was born.
OLDER MAN: Good man.
YOUNG MAN: Just.
Beat. They drink.
YOUNG MAN: She’s lovely Chloe is but I hardly get to see her now. My girlfriend never wants me there.
OLDER MAN: I see.
YOUNG MAN: And then she blames me for not being around. She’s a cunt too sometimes Lorraine. She hates me nearly.
OLDER MAN: But she had a baby for you.
YOUNG MAN: That’s why maybe.
OLDER MAN: What age is she?
YOUNG MAN: Same as me, younger. Eighteen, seventeen.
OLDER MAN: Yeah?
YOUNG MAN: Yeah.
Beat.
YOUNG MAN: But I still give them money when I can sometimes. I’d do anything for her if I could.
OLDER MAN: I know.
YOUNG MAN: I do this.
OLDER MAN: Yeah.
Pause. They both drink silently.
OLDER MAN: Quiet, we’re quiet.
YOUNG MAN: Just.
OLDER MAN: I know.
Beat. The YOUNG MAN looks at the OLDER MAN.
YOUNG MAN: Who slapped you?
The OLDER MAN is pained. He looks at the YOUNG MAN.
OLDER MAN: I just done something.
YOUNG MAN: What?
OLDER MAN: Nothing. Just fucked things up for myself.
YOUNG MAN: How?
OLDER MAN: Not too mad now. I didn’t fucken murder anyone or that. So you can relax. Just…
YOUNG MAN: OK.
OLDER MAN: I’m just a fuck-up.
YOUNG MAN: Oh?
OLDER MAN: I am. That’s all.
Long beat.
OLDER MAN: (Cheerfully changing the mood.) And I lost my job there as well. Since I seen you.
YOUNG MAN: Right.
OLDER MAN: Yeah. Fucken…
Beat.
OLDER MAN: It’s hard to believe that just.
YOUNG MAN: When?
OLDER MAN: Gone.
YOUNG MAN: Oh.
Beat.
OLDER MAN: They had some scutty little fuck in a suit come in and tell me. We been taken over by some crowd from Norway or Sweden or somewhere. Scandinavia apparently which is news to me. Yeah. And now half of us is gone and the other half has to work twice as hard. Bang.
YOUNG MAN: Right.
OLDER MAN: That’s the way of things anyways. Cargo.
YOUNG MAN: Sorry.
OLDER MAN: Thanks. All falling to fuck.
YOUNG MAN: Yeah?
OLDER MAN: Yeah for certain. Broken. But we keep going.
YOUNG MAN: Yeah.
OLDER MAN: (Almost angry.) We keep fucken…
Beat.
OLDER MAN: And it could be worse now I suppose. I mean we never remortgaged or nothing. We don’t think like that, us. So the house is paid for and my kids is paid for but still but. And my wife works so…
YOUNG MAN: Yeah.
OLDER MAN: So we could be worse so.
Beat.
OLDER MAN: I just always had that job just. Even when things was bad before. I never worried.
YOUNG MAN: Oh.
OLDER MAN: I been in there since I was sixteen. Loved it sort of. Fucken dull alright but that suited me. I’m dull fucken dull you know. The docks. The port. And I loved it there I do. It’s neat ordered and all.
The Oberon Anthology of Contemporary Irish Plays Page 4
