Read Harold Pinter Plays 2 for Free Online Page B

tell them, can I, because then they’d find out I was going about under an assumed name. You see, the name I call myself now, that’s not my real name. My real name’s not the one I’m using, you see. It’s different. You see, the name I go under now ain’t my real one. It’s assumed.
    Silence.
THE LIGHTS FADE TO BLACKOUT.
THEN UP TO DIM LIGHT THROUGH THE WINDOW.
A door bangs.
Sound of a key in the door of the room.
DAVIES enters, closes the door, and tries the light switch, on, off, on, off.
    DAVIES (muttering). What’s this? (He switches on and off.) What’s the matter with this damn light? (He switches on and off.) Aaah. Don’t tell me the damn light’s gone now.
    Pause.
    What’ll I do? Damn light’s gone now. Can’t see a thing.
    Pause.
    What’ll I do now? (He moves, stumbles.) Ah God, what’s that? Give me a light. Wait a minute.
    He feels for matches in his pocket, takes out a box and lights one. The match goes out. The box falls.
    Aah! Where is it? (Stooping.) Where’s the bloody box?
    The box is kicked.
    What’s that? What? Who’s that? What’s that?
    Pause. He moves.
    Where’s my box? It was down here. Who’s this? Who’s moving it?
    Silence.
    Come on. Who’s this? Who’s this got my box?
    Pause.
    Who’s in here!
    Pause.
    I got a knife here. I’m ready. Come on then, who are you?
    He moves, stumbles, falls and cries out.
    Silence.
    A faint whimper from DAVIES . He gets up.
    All right!
    He stands. Heavy breathing.
    Suddenly the electrolux starts to hum. A figure moves with it, guiding it. The nozzle moves along the floor after DAVIES , who skips, dives away from it and falls, breathlessly.
    Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah! Get away-y-y-y-y!
    The electrolux stops. The figure jumps on ASTON ’ S bed.
    I’m ready for you! I’m … I’m … I’m here!
    The figure takes out the electrolux plug from the light socket and fits the bulb. The light goes on. DAVIES flattens himself against right wall, knife in hand. MICK stands on the bed, holding the plug.
    MICK. I was just doing some spring cleaning. (He gets down.) There used to be a wall plug for this electrolux. But it doesn’t work. I had to fit it in the light socket. (He puts the electrolux under ASTON’S bed.) How do you think the place is looking? I gave it a good going over.
    Pause.
    We take it in turns, once a fortnight, my brother and me, to give the place a thorough going over. I was working late tonight, I only just got here. But I thought I better get on with it, as it’s my turn.
    Pause.
    It’s not that I actually live here. I don’t. As a matter of fact I live somewhere else. But after all, I’m responsible for the upkeep of the premises, en’ I? Can’t help being houseproud.
    He moves towards DAVIES and indicates the knife.
    What are you waving that about for?
    DAVIES. You come near me.…
    MICK. I’m sorry if I gave you a start. But I had you in mind too, you know. I mean, my brother’s guest. We got to think of your comfort, en’t we? Don’t want the dust to get up your nose. How long you thinking of staying here, by the way? As a matter of fact, I was going to suggest that we’d lower your rent, make it just a nominal sum, I mean until you get fixed up. Just nominal, that’s all.
    Pause.
    Still, if you’re going to be spiky, I’ll have to reconsider the whole proposition.
    Pause.
    Eh, you’re not thinking of doing any violence on me, are you? You’re not the violent sort, are you?
    DAVIES (vehemently). I keep myself to myself, mate. But if anyone starts with me though, they know what they got coming.
    MICK. I can believe that.
    DAVIES. You do. I been all over, see? You understand my meaning? I don’t mind a bit of a joke now and then, but anyone’ll tell you … that no one starts anything with me.
    MICK. I get what you mean, yes.
    DAVIES. I can be pushed so far … but.…
    MICK. No further.
    DAVIES. That’s it.
    MICK sits an junk dawn right.
    What you doing?
    MICK. No, I just want to say that … I’m very