Storymania - Don't Look Twice. by Terry Collett

Don't Look Twice. (2)
Terry Collett

Monty: Just a short break. Thought I’d see how you were and see how the old country was.

Joe: You could have been dead for all we knew. You mother’s been worried sick about you. You could have at least written to say you were safe and sound. But nothing. Not a word.

Ben: Well he’s here now, Dad, so let’s not get too down on him.

Joe: Oh, so Monty’s back so that’s all fine and dandy is it?

Monty: I didn’t come back to fight and argue, Dad.

Joe: What did you come back for? You never ever did anything if there wasn’t something in it for you. (Pause. Ada enters from the kitchen and walks downstage to the table.)The Prodigal Son’s arrived.

Ada: We’ve met. (Ada looks at Monty. Monty smiles weakly.)Any more tea?

Joe: No, you clear away if you want to Ada.

Monty: I wouldn’t mind some more tea.

Ada :( Looks at Joe and then Monty.)What’s it like to have your son home for a while, Dad?

Joe: I don’t know yet. He used to be like a dose of piles. Come and go and only bringing pain and discomfort when he did come home.

Monty: I can see you haven’t changed.

Joe: Why should I? You’re the one who needs to change.

Monty: I have, if you’d look and see.

Ada: More tea, then. (Ada picks up the teapot, goes upstage, and disappears.)

Winnie: I’ve never been to Spain.

Monty: Perhaps I’ll take you one day.

Joe: Promises are easy to make and easy to break.

Monty: When were you canonised a saint?

Ben: Come on you two. Let’s make an effort to make amends.

Joe: Make amends? I’ve no need to make amends; I’ve done nothing to make amends for. I’ve always been here. I never ran away and hid in some foreign country.

Monty: What is it you want from me?

Joe: Nothing from you. Just a little respect and consideration.

Monty: What have I done that’s got you so uptight?

Joe: You need to ask?

Ben: This isn’t getting us very far, Dad. Maybe we should let the past be the past and get on with the now.

Winnie: I’ve always wondered what Spain was like. I’d like to see your house in Spain, Monty.

Ben: Time should heal wounds. Let’s not pick at the scabs of our past lives.

Joe: And who made you the philosopher of the family?

Winnie: And have you got yourself a lady friend?

Monty: No, Mum, I don’t have lady friend, yet. I’m looking though. I want to find the right one. Want to find Mrs Right.

Joe: I pity any woman you come up with.

Ben: Dad, please. (Pause. Joe looks at Ben. He sighs. Ben looks at Monty.)We must try to get along.

Joe: Well don’t think I’m going to be taken in by any promises. I’ll judge by what I know and see.

Monty: I don’t ask for anything else. Just for us to be a family again. For you and me to be able to sit down and not have to argue.

Winnie: Your father and I want some grandchildren. Something to pick up and see the likeness in them.

Ben: Not too late yet, Mum, not too late yet.

Joe: Better get a move on, then, Benny Boy, before I start to push up daisies.

Ben: I haven’t been married long, give us a chance.

Winnie: A boy and girl’d be nice. I loved to be able to hold them.

Monty: I’ll see what I can do once I’m back in Spain. Might find a nice little Spanish girl, sweep her off her feet, and marry her.

Joe: It don’t do to mix with foreigners. Only brings trouble for the kids.

Monty: They’re nice people. I get on all right with them.

Winnie: What would you like, Monty, a girl or a boy?

Ben: Give him a chance, Mum; he’s not got anyone yet.

Winnie: Well he wants to get a move on. I’m not going to live forever.

Monty: None of us is, Mum, none of us is. (Pause. Ada enters and brings the teapot downstage to the table. She puts it down.) Thank you.

Ada: What you doing today, then, Ben?

Ben: I thought as it’s Saturday I’d got up West with Monty.

Joe: And leave us here?

Ben: Well you can too if you want. Only going to see the old sights.

Winnie: That’d be nice. I’ve not been up West since that show you took me to Joe.

Ada: You weren’t going to go without me were you, Ben?

Ben: Course not. They can come can’t they, Monty?

Monty: Yeah, course they can. Make a family day of it. See the old sights. Have a meal and a few drinks. Maybe see a show or something.

Joe: Remember we’re not as young as we were. Not too much gallivanting about.

Ben: Course not. We’re not kids anymore, Dad. We’re adults now. We know how to behave.

Joe: Glad to hear it.

Ada: I’ll get changed, then. (Looks at Monty.)Won’t be long.

Monty: There’s no rush. Do what you normally do. We can go when you’re ready. Don’t want to put you out in anyway.

Ada: You won’t. I’ll just get changed. (Goes upstage and goes out the door into the passageway.)

Monty: She knows her mind.

Ben: Yeah, she knows her mind all right. Nothing gets her down.

Joe: She dependable. She thinks of other people.

Winnie: She’s a good girl is our Ada.

Monty: Of course she is, can’t see our Ben here marrying anyone who wasn’t.

Ben: Hard to find decent girls theses days.

Joe: You’ve got to look in the right places. You meet a girl in a pub then you’ll end up with a tart who drinks too much. If you meet a girl at work then she’s a worker and won’t let you down. Meet a girl in church and she’ll save your soul but bugger up your sex life.

Winnie: Joe! What a thing to say. There are decent girls in churches. And out there in the world if you look carefully. And not so much about sex and things, Joe. This is a respectable house.

Ben: Ada’s one in a million. I’m a lucky bloke. She could have had who she liked, but she chose me.

Monty: Got bad eyesight has she?

Ben: Shut up you. You leave her alone. She’s all right. Don’t want you sniffing round like some dog on heat.

Monty: Come on, Benny Boy as if I’d do that. I’ve changed.

Joe: You better had.

Winnie: Where we going up West?

Monty: See the sights. See whatever you want. Take you to a nice restaurant, have a slap-up meal and few drinks, and well see what comes along.

Ben: You paying, then are you?

Monty: Course I am. Don’t think I’d take you out if I weren’t do you?

Joe: You must have changed, then.

Ben: Course he has. He’s seen the light. He’s a reformed character.

Monty: I’ve grown up, that’s all. No big deal. No big religious thing. Just grew up and realized what a prat I’d been.

Winnie: I used to like it up Piccadilly. Do you remember when you and I used to go out up West, Joe?

Joe: Yeah. You were a right tearaway, you were. Had to keep me eyes on you.

Winnie: Get away with you. You were the tearaway. My dad was never a one for parties, but you and he were a right pair once you got together. My mum’d never sleep at nights if you two were out.

Joe: That was years ago. We’re older now. We know how to behave.

Winnie: I remember that time you had that fight with that bloke in that club up West…What was that all about, now?

Joe: He tried it on with you. I didn’t like that sort of thing.

Monty: Right little tough boy weren’t you, Dad.

Joe: No one sat on me.

Monty: Too true.

Ben: I’ve best get changed into something more neat, then.

Monty: Yeah, me too. (Pause.)Look. I’ve got my clothes and that at a hotel nearby. I’ll pick you up say in about an hour.

Joe: Pick us up in what?

Monty: My car of course.

Winnie: You got a car?

Monty: Yeah a real good one. Look, must go. See you all back here in an hour. (Gets up, goes upstage to the door into the passageway, and disappears.)

Joe: Do you think he’ll be back?

Ben: Of course, he will.

Joe: No of course about it. He was never one much for keeping promises.

Ben: He’s changed like he said.

Winnie: He wouldn’t lie about picking us up in his car, Joe. The boy’s grown up now. Let bygones be bygones.

Joe: I’m not easily deceived. He’s up to something. I know he is.

Ben: What he’s up to, then?

Joe: I don’t know. Something isn’t right about him. There never was.

Winnie: Oh, Joe, you have to let Monty prove himself. He’s not a bad boy.

Joe: He’s been to prison. He’s lied to us. He’s not even been in touch with us before today for years. So what’s he after?

Ben: Nothing. Just wants to make amends for his past wrongs.

Joe: By taking us up West? That going to make everything all right is it?

Ben: Just wait and see, Dad. He’s a changed man. He’s not the same person he was. We must give him a chance.

Joe: I’ll wait. I can wait, but something’s going on I know.

Ben: Nothings going on. Nothing at all.

Winnie: Our Monty’s a man now, Joe. We have to give him a chance to show us how he’s changed.

Ben: Yeah, Dad, we have to give him a chance. Can’t hold grudges from the past. It doesn’t do to hold grudges. Spoils things. Makes it hard to put things behind you. Give him a chance, dad, give him a chance. (Joe shakes his head, but says nothing. Winnie looks at Ben and smiles. Then they all get up, walk upstage to the door, and go out.)

                                        End of Scene Two.

                                 Act One. Scene Three.

Late evening. Room in darkness. Sofa and two armchairs downstage. Sound of voices. The light is switched on and Monty enters with Ben following. They linger for few moments then wander downstage to the sofa where Ben flops down. Monty walks on to the edge of the stage and peers out over the auditorium. He draws the curtains (seen only by those on stage) and turns round at looks at Ben.
Monty: Well? How was it?

Ben: How was what?

Monty: The trip out of course. Do you think it went down all right?

Ben: I think so. Mind you, it’ll take more than a trip up West to satisfy Dad. He’s not going to be bought over by a trip like that.

Monty: What’s he want, blood?

Ben: Give him time. He’s nobody’s fool.

Monty: Nor am I. (Pause.)Mum enjoyed herself.

Ben: Mum’s mum isn’t she. She’d enjoy a night with bloody Devil if she were in the mood.

Monty: Ada was quiet.

Ben: She usually is. She isn’t much for going out.

Monty: She’s quite fond of them, isn’t she?

Ben: What, Mum and Dad? Yes, she is. They like her too.

Monty: Unusual for Dad to take to anyone that quick.

Ben: Well, she the type to get to him isn’t she.

Monty: More than I am, then. Dad seldom said a word to me all evening and when he did, it was to moan.

Ben: You’ve got to give him time.

Monty: How much time? I’m not here forever you know. I’ve got my business affairs to sort out while I’m here.
Ben: Just take it easy with him. It doesn’t pay to rush it with him. (Pause.)I think given a few days he’ll come round a bit. He’s never been an easy bloke to get on with. He’s had his moments with the neighbours because they crossed him or so he thought. (Pause.)What business affairs you got over here? I thought most of your business was in Spain?

Monty: So it is in the main, but I’ve got some over here as well.

Ben: Legit, I hope.

Monty: Of course they are. What you think I’m stupid enough to start any racket over here do you?

Ben: No, just saying that’s all. Don't want Mum and Dad to get involved in any dodgy deals that’s all I’m saying.

Monty: Dodgy deals? What you take me for an idiot? I thought you at least would give me a bit of credit for common sense.

Ben: I do, but I don’t know you as well as I used to. You weren’t always that smart.

Monty :( Walks to the sofa and sits down.)Well I’ve changed. I’m smarter now. I know how it all goes round and I’ve got myself on the right side of the game.

Ben: Good. That’s good. (Pause.)That car of yours is good. I didn’t think you’d have one that good.

Monty: Got to have the best. (Pause.) Where’s Ada?

Ben: Probably putting Mum to bed. She looks after her as if it was her own mother. She’ll make sure Dad’s in bed as well. She doesn’t take nonsense from him. When she says something, he does it.

Monty: Quite a girl isn’t she?

Ben: I think so and so do they. I was lucky. She could have had her pick.

Monty: Not too struck on me though is she?

Ben: She doesn’t know you. Give her time and she’ll see you as one of us.

Monty: I like that. One of us. I am one of you. She’s the outsider.

Ben: She’s no outsider, Monty. She’s the centre of the family now.

Monty: What about me, then? What am I a complete stranger?

Ben: You’ve been away for nearly ten years. What do you expect a hero’s welcome with banners and a ruddy great street party?

Monty: No. Just a bit of consideration. Just a thought of how I’ve got on and changed.

Ben: You deserted us back then. Not word for years. They thought you’d been bumped off at one time.

Monty: Well I wasn’t. I was making something of myself.

Ben: Why didn’t you keep in touch?

Monty: I didn’t know what to say. It was at the back of my mind to ring or write, but I couldn’t bring myself to write and then time went by and then it seemed too late. Until recently. Then I wrote to you.

Ben: Yeah. That was a bloody shock that was. Mum read your letter over and over. Dad wouldn’t even look at it. I never showed Ada. I didn’t want to stir up old memories that I had to explain.

Monty: Stirred up now though aren’t they. Time’s caught up with us now.

Ben: She’s not sure about you. Ada won't be easily won over. It’ll take time for her to accept you as her brother-in-law. (Pause.)I should have mentioned you to her, but I didn’t. She’s had ago at me about it earlier. Said I should have mentioned you. What was the big secret? she said. (Pause.)If she and Dad ganged up on you’ll never get back in here.

Monty: What did you tell her about me?

Ben: What I knew about you then.

Monty: Everything?

Ben: If I didn’t Dad would have done.

Monty: That’s me buggered then isn’t it? She’ll see me as a threat and keep me at arms length.

Ben: What did you expect from her? Cuddles and kisses?

Monty: No. Just a chance to give my side of things.

Ben: You’ve still got your chance of that. She’s no push over, but she does try to see both sides of things. She’s no dragon. She’s human like you and me.

Monty :( Sighs and gets up and walks down to the edge of the stage. He peers thought the curtains.)There’s a big world out there Benny Boy. It’s there for the grabs if you want a part of it. I’ve got my part and I want more. Up until now, I’ve been careful who I associate with, but I’ve recently made some contacts in London, which I want to follow through. If it falls into line then I may need someone this end who I can trust to watch over things for me.

Ben: Who’s that going to be then?

Monty: You.

Ben: Me? Oh, no. I’m not getting involved with you again. I want no part of any of your dealings.

Monty: So you still don’t trust me? I thought you were going to trust me if no one else was.

Ben: I can’t get involved. Ada’d kill me if she thought I was involved with you and your deals.

Monty: Never thought I’d see the day when a woman dictated to you what you could do and what you couldn’t. You’ve gone soft. You’ve gone mellow. Where’s your bloody pipe and slippers?

Ben: Keep your voice down. (Pause.)I’ve got responsibilities now. I can’t just throw up everything and follow you into the unknown and lose all that I’ve got on one of your whims.

Monty: Forget it. (Sighs.)I thought I’d do you a favour. Get you some money behind you. Get you up and running gain.
Ben: I’ve had enough running. I don’t want any of that again.

Monty :( Turns and stares at Ben.)I’ll find someone else. No need to apologise for your weakness.

Ben: No need to be like that.

Monty: There was a time when you had a bit of bottle.

Ben: I’ve got bottle, but I’ve got sense as well. I’m not getting involved in anything that could lose me what I value most. Ada. Mum and Dad. My job.

Monty: Forget it. I’ll sort out someone else for the job. Must be someone over here I can trust. I’ll ask around.

Ben: You’ve got to see things from my angle. I’m not a kid anymore. I’ve got responsibilities.

Monty: So have I, Benny Boy, so have I.

Ben :( Stands up and walks downstage to where Monty stands.)Yes, but you only have yourself to please. I’ve got others to think about.

Monty: That Ada’s got you where she wants you. Under her bloody thumb.

Ben: Leave her out of it.

Monty: How can I when she stuck right up my ruddy nose.

Ben: I won’t have word said against her. She’s done a lot for us. I love her. She loves me.

Monty: How lovely for you all.

Ben: I mean it. She’s family now not just a woman off the streets.

Monty: She’s got you where she wants you that’s for sure

Ben: She’s all I’ve ever wanted.

Monty: Don’t want much then, do you.

Ben :( Grabs hold of Monty’s shirt and there is a tussle for a few moments. They square up to each other. Just then, Ada enters the room upstage. They look at her. She stares at Ben and then at Monty.)Mum and Dad all right?

Ada: Yes, they’re all right. What’s the matter with you two?

Ben: Nothing. Just talking.

Ada: Sounded more like a row to me.

Monty: Just a little disagreement.

Ada: So soon.

Monty: Things happen in families.

Ada: Do they?

Monty: In real families they do.

Ada: And what do you remember of families then, Monty?

Monty: I know my family. Better than you.

Ben: Look there’s no need for this. Lets sit down and have a drink.

Ada: We’ve drunk enough I think. (Walks downstage to the sofa and stands behind it.)

Monty: So you’re matron now, are you?

Ada: Since when have you cared about this family?

Monty: Since when did you become head of the family?

Ben: Come on, you two. Let’s sit and talk quietly.

Ada: I didn’t come in here to discuss anything. I only came in here because of the noise you were making.

Ben: Nothing to worry about, Ada. Just a misunderstanding.

Ada: It sounded all like a row to me.

Monty: Look, Ada we’ve got off to a bad start why don’t we just start all over again.

Ada: What’s the point, you’re not staying long.

Monty: For Mum and Dad’s sake.

Ben: And mine. I hate this uneasiness.

Monty: I am family, Ada. I’m the eldest son.

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