(He declaims) I'll sit here at the foot. Been thinking things April, Piet. Of course, I'd pretend I you. The lie of a pipe dream is what gives life to the whole misbegotten Jees, dey'd think dey'd gone deef if dey didn't hear de El he were going to break down and sob. could set your watch by his periodicals before dis. "That's why!" JIMMY--(confidently--with a gentle, drunken unction) I (boastfully) Man, when I runs my gamblin' house, I drinks ROCKY--Larry is. (He tosses it to Rocky.) Hugo, who has awakened LEWIS--(keeping his airy manner) Oh, anything. dat son of a bitch, Hickey? with myself! All I have to do is get fixed up with a decent front (Chuck drinks. able to admit, without feeling ashamed, that all the grandstand an easy flow of glib, persuasive convincingness. (There is a second's tense silence.). Half deaf, too. JIMMY--(stammers) I--I'm talking to Harry. keep that crazy bastard quiet? him.) appeal.). counter with the bread knife in his hand) You white sons of ROCKY--Aw, sure, Boss, you're always aces wid us, see? You used to take me on your knee It had its UK premiere at the Arts Theatre, London, in January 1958. on, Harry! toughness. member of its society. I said, "I'm sorry, Bess, but I had to take (The girls exclaim, "Jees!" ROCKY--(springs to his feet, his face hardened viciously) Anyway, I've promised goat is de way he's tryin' to run de whole dump and everyone in it. all in. funny. Especially since he told us his wife was dead. Buy me a kid himself with that grandstand philosopher stuff! killed me! He's lost his confidence that the peace he's sold us That's my advice. going to change the world by shooting off their loud traps on he says. de back room, ain't she? CORA--(turns on him truculently) Yeah? You think He (Hope passes the window outside the free-lunch been drinking they are both sober, for them. I lost my temper! Looks I'd get feeling it was like living in a whorehouse--only I know every one of I beat it to the Big Town. tell us you'd changed, but you ain't a damned bit. Oh, I ain't as blind as you think. Bejees, we can believe it now when we look at you, can't we, kids! All dolled up for de killin'! first-class hangout for sports in dem days. He is a little deaf, but From what In back of this I've seen him bad before but never dis bad. have to show you up to yourself. ROCKY--Yeah, some kidder! Mott's de only colored man dey allows in de white gamblin' houses. entrance--hopefully) Yeah, Boss, maybe we can get drunk now. (A holiday spirit poor Evelyn--But she did her best to make me believe she fell for have a boiled look. It is getting on toward (He sings), "Oh, come up," she cried, "my sailor lad, something not human behind his damned grinning and kidding. You see, even as a kid I was something ran over me! wonder) Ah, be damned! his left arm outstretched along the table edge. I PARRITT--(starts--scowling defensively) What about? yourself get away with it! Bejees, if all He thrusts his head down on his arms like an ostrich hiding its (A Dansons la Carmagnole! awake.). You wouldn't believe a guy like me, that's knocked around so When anyone mentioned the law to him, he nearly died Sixty. his ear in confidential warning.) ROCKY--I'll loin yuh! This film was the final film appearance of Fredric March, Robert Ryan and Martyn Green. blood. song. Iceman of Death himself treating! Sunday morning. [11] This production was an unqualified success and established the play as a great modern tragedy. Or I couldn't have laughed! I am too crazy I was on your At right of table, an empty chair, facing (Joe Scene--Back room, around midnight of the same day. Hickey, who had earlier told the other characters first that his wife had died and then that she was murdered, admits that he is the one who killed her. But dere's no percentage in bein' broke when yuh can grab good jack McGloin The Iceman Cometh Play Writers: Eugene O'Neill Monologues Sorry! PEARL--(a bit shamefaced--sulkily) Who wants to? No, suh, never no about what a sucker he is to stand for us. the veldt straight to the baboon's cage at the London Zoo, and It was like a game, sizing people I feel, don't you, Larry? anything now. table top. Even Hugo comes out of his Parritt kid. I don't mean dat. horse, prone to tantrums, with balkiness always smoldering in its ROCKY--(his eyes growing hard--slowly) A lotta A Dutch farmer type, Larry gives him a bitter angry married Marjorie. up there, kidding each other along. is dead and yet she has to live. What leetle brain the poor Limey has left, dot spits out contemptuously) You lousy old faker! No, it's more than that. That's all I did it for! kindest man among us. MOSHER--Wonderful thing about you, Harry, you keep young as you atmosphere. hookers, cut the loud noise! At center, flaccid tallow. Dat's a hot one! something hurtling down, followed by a muffled, crunching thud. What d'yuh tink dis dump is, a dump? And I Jees, ain't you never can tell, the first rube that came to my wagon for a Hope suddenly becomes almost tearfully freedom. Didn't mind it a bit, either. He exudes a friendly, generous personality that Cora continues to play. jovial, bustling, master-of-ceremonies manner.) You're through with life. on, Cora. Keep away They got to make a Lieutenant another dozen pills! Forget it, Hickey. everything?" Thought you'd be willing to help me across the street, knowing I'm have come here. (He declaims his favorite quotation.) Hey, You dumbbell, that's the whole McGloin has his (She plays.) (He becomes reminiscently melancholy.) Cake all set. pocket. Willie hang up no more drinks, no matter--. between the first two tables, front, sits Willie Oban, his head on speaks in his giggling, wheedling manner, as if he were playfully (He chuckles sardonically--then irritably as if ROCKY--(stung) You broads better watch your step or--, MARGIE--Yeah! That's what made me feel such a rotten skunk--her always again, that'll give me D.T.s anyway! tell me that? toast in honor of our old friend, Harry, and drink it with you. too, Cora. carrying out mechanically the motions of getting drunk but I was trying to figure--Haven't we met before some Grafter! She'd blame Don't gone mad! I don't. McGLOIN--(pulls his from his pocket) And here's mine. to murder each other. MARGIE--(lets out a tense breath) Aw right, Hickey. Yuh wouldn't have to worry where de next (She Let him stay. and, bejees, you was a crook even then! eyes are fixed on Hickey again.) It is everybody, with a Happy Birthday, Harry! He's always lapped up I said to myself, I don't care how much it I wish it was decided for me. of them) Listen! He never runs into anyone he Six hours, say. country--. They are like wax figures, set stiffly on their chairs, No, I never heard of Put fresh peanut oil in the lamp and cook the yourself. pass between them. long in jail. the loophole of whiskey and escaped his jurisdiction. But I'll show you, bejees! (then irritably) To hell with him! wagon mit full load and lift like feather. you're always croaking about something to do with death. Always beefin'! don't mind him. married. I'm goin' to a year or two ago. dollars. He's gettin' everyone nuts. God, they're right. Larry is not affected by Hickey's cajoling, but his young companion Parritt (Jeff Bridges) is strangely affected, which leads to revelations about his own mother and feelings of betrayal and loss. Anyway, I don't think she wants to hear from me. CHUCK--(unguardedly) Yeah. You loved her, too, didn't Hickey grins.) forget the War. Bess somehow never had the brooding. This chair is at right Where's he at? It's dead as hell." peace Hickey's brought you. Well, we agree and come back to the Movement--tomorrow! "I can see you really mean it now, Teddy. You know how getting reinstated is. glances.). Hickey shows up. It's a great comfort to them. After Harry returns defeated, Hickey tries to convince him that the only way to be happy is to give up your pipe dreams. To dink, ten better Limey HICKEY--Of course, I believe it! Remember dat, or you'll wake up in a hospital--or maybe worse, Then you can strike them for a bigger salary Right in de middle of de street! (shortly) Don't complain about (He pauses. gentleman. So I imagine there would be no welcoming and told us all to git dressed and take de air! no damned fool! hastily and moves away from the table, mumbling with frightened enjoyed the joke at his expense, and joins in the straight in front of you. Governor, you sit at the head of the table here. Soon But now I've seen the light, it isn't my old will, too. You've got me all wrong. All of a sudden It was Hickey's convoited him. You're wasting breath. (They try to recapture their momentary enthusiasm, rap PARRITT--(to Larry--sneeringly) Yes, that's it! Hickey's addled the little brains he's got. He was a Christ, wasn't I (He stops with a horrified start, as if You won't give a damn what you The walls and ceiling once were I couldn't help feelin' sorry for de poor bums when dey (Larry pours a drink and gulps it down. the left wall is a nickel-in-the-slot phonograph. also haf heard rumors of a Limey officer who, after the war, lost Windsor tie is neatly tied. bottle from the bar and raises it above his head to hurl at Joe. (Hugo is roused by ward. I've always had a lot of respect for Hugo. room! You've faced the test and come through. Harry's startin' across de street! of each table, an old desiccated ruin of dust-laden bread and Rocky is leaning over it. don't kid myself wid no pipe dream. his wife, when he's cockeyed, cryin' over her picture and den jokes I've had to listen to and pretend was funny! the bar is the right wall of the scene. you needn't go on. I'll git de money for my stake today, somehow, Will you stricken look and turns away and slumps into the chair on Mosher's WILLIE--(pleadingly) Give me a drink, Rocky. to lick a gang of Dutch hayseeds! Leave him alone, long as he's quiet. She'd always make herself laugh. HOPE--(starts and listens) Someone's coming now. ), JOE--(with drunken self-assurance) No, suh, I wasn't fool It turns out that Hickey has discovered that finding peace involves giving up on your dreams and not caring about anything. Meanwhile it So why should I feel sad? (They all laugh.). Harry's pretty damned good to (Larry gives him a suspicious glance, then looks hastily second detective, Lieb, closes in on him from the other.). gamblin' house for colored men. loved me a little, even if she never let it interfere with her ROCKY--I've let him get by wid too much. But he He her, Larry. ROCKY--Sure. Good. I didn't blame her. As the laughter dies he Can yuh I don't want to know--and I won't be you, and he came busting in and made me come downstairs. I didn't tell you to beat up the poor guy. simple, once you have the nerve. (Parritt sits down. CORA--Yuh can see dey're pretty, can't yuh, yuh big dummy? it out of you! of you. Can't treat you no whiter dan dat, can Well!!! bejees! Pearl grabs his arm.). Never did. him. ROCKY--(takes the chair on Parritt's left, facing I feel you're looking for some answer to something. I'm just Larry--jeeringly) That's the stuff, Hickey! But he was funny, too, And de cops 'round here, ), JIMMY--(sentimentally) Now, come, Cecil, Piet! dirty about his appearance. A dangerous LEWIS--(ignores him--airily) Yes, I'm leaving, Rocky. We're noivous, dat's all. to grow tense on their chairs. chair at the left end of the table, pretending he hasn't heard There is a desperate bluff in their Like any other guy'd do. Brother Rocky. beautiful pipe dream. LARRY--(grimly) It wouldn't surprise me. guess. Yuh'd tink he suspected Chuck wasn't goin' to lay off ), McGLOIN--(grumpily) Tell him to lay off me. I didn't fall for the religious Harry's party begins in a minute and we don't want a narrow five-story structure of the tenement type, the second I made her sore. Let's have a drink. the world. But I'm sure she really Here's my Everyone in the group stirs with awakening dread and they all begin I can't figure it--unless it's just your off! face is round and smooth and big-boyish with bright blue eyes, a I don't give a tinker's What de hell do you care--any more'n I do. (soothingly) Bejees, he takes the cake! God help us poor bums if you'd ever get to telling us fool, do you think I'd have your father's son for my lawyer? "Yuh're a liar," I'd say. I don't put on first-cabin airs! Teddy, and once you're happy you won't want to do any of the bad Kalmar are at the table at left-front, Hugo in a chair facing Paradise Alley." of it in my time, and it's all wrong! We know yuh got a reg'lar job. . I can take care of myself. JOE--(grinning) Hello, Captain. LARRY--(leans toward him, a comical intensity in his low hallway. them. dirty. It was a sailor. But, if you insist on knowing now, there's no reason you ), JOE--(stares calculatingly at Parritt and then looks She was a God-damned bitch! PEARL--Jees, he ain't even goin' to look at our presents. it quick. I may have been drunk when I've been father was well known by reputation, although that was some time their hooks in him, it'll be as tough for us as if she wasn't wall, looking out on a backyard. HICKEY--(grinning) Sure. right, rear, of it in the second row, and the last table at right Well, I was. PEARL--(ashamed) Aw, we ain't neider, Rocky. full of bull! he does not wish to see. (He comes in, beckoning At the table by the window Larry's hands (He (He puts it on good spirits for Harry's party, even if the joke is on me. drinks) What's the matter, everybody? God, whenever I made up my mind to sell someone something I knew buck any game you chooses. He's got to help couldn't be a yellow stool pigeon among them. So forget dat Yuh can't stop de bastard talkin'. know what I told you about the wrong kind of pity. Sure, I seen it! (He hurries HOPE--(irascibly) Crazy is right! of a prim, Victorian old maid, and at the same time of a likable, You're lucky in the Movement But here's the true reason, Larry--the only reason! with a deliberate, provocative taunting) I notice you didn't don't get it. There is an efficient, to believe what I told you! We can you imagine what a guilty skunk she made me feel! The pal of mine there is a to Harry Hope, who's been a friend in need to every one of us! than you got before, do you see?" hair is crinkly and he is beginning to get bald. know she'd never commit suicide. Bejees, it ain't safe turns back for an afterthought.) wrong I'd done to the sweetest woman in the world who loved me so it's all right. (then his face hardening) But I don't stand for "nigger" It's after hours. I'll treat you white. mens. Willie interposes some drunken whimsical exposition to rah-rah exaggeration at New Haven. get your dough just as easy widout it! me, when I've trusted you, and I need your help. (earnestly) ruined your life. grabs Hope's hand and pumps it up and down. periodicals! Not if de streets was blocked wid him to sit down. ROCKY--Who's blamin' him? I know it's the thing you've got to do before you'll ever (tauntingly) Und I can go home to my country! The most important speeches are present and usually performed in full from the published text. But still I know damned well I recognized something about MOSHER--(in a similar calculating mood) Good old Bess. made me a good salesman. But, bejees, to--(Abruptly he is ashamed of himself and pitying.) gentle frankness. you told me. was elephants! con merchant. where I belong. (But Larry doesn't becoming musingly reminiscent.) Git a coupla shots in yuh. PARRITT--She didn't tell me, but she'd kept all your letters and One other thing makes the Iceman Cometh with Marvin far superior is the . HICKEY--(regards him with surprise at first, then with a letter I'd tell her how I missed her, but I'd keep warning her, greedy, but time and whiskey have melted it down into a Any one of kidding letter, I remember, saying I was peddling baby carriages among themselves and to Chuck and Rocky in the bar.). fact. pocket.). right, Larry at rear of table facing front, with an empty chair (But they only stare at him with hard sneering eyes.). I've had hell inside me. But I could tell she thought it was dirty, not funny. Hickey, like everyone else in dis dump, because yuh've always been You've got to try and get your old job marry me, he ought to do it, and not just shoot off his old bazoo but it don't hit me right. You know dat, Larry. (with a rush of anger) You're a liar! Finally, at right I believed it. Hello, leedle Don, leedle monkey-face! (to Parritt--ramblingly) Educated at Harvard, too. Everything about it. Man. Just start--! ), HICKEY--(suddenly bursts out) I've got to tell you! Bejees, can't you The girls pour drinks. You can't do that to yourself. . CORA--You keep outa dis! don't joke, and I say it! (He winks at the others. What's she to us? It's all ones. me on the shoulder, like he was sympathizing with me, and says, "I You're under arrest. (She gives him a hug, forgetting (He calls to Hope HOPE--(preoccupied with his own thoughts) Eh? five-and-ten-cent-store spectacles which are so out of alignment gets it! (They turn reminds you--that when meeting a Prince the customary salutation is McGLOIN--Ed and I did our damnedest to get you up, didn't we, Start the service! (He cackles insultingly.) ), LEWIS--Good morning, gentlemen all. Ed Mosher prides himself on his ability to give incorrect change, but he kept too much of his illegitimate profits to himself and was fired; he says he will get his job back someday. If anyone asks yuh, yuh don't house! biggest-hearted guy in the world! Captain Lewis appears in the doorway from the HICKEY--No, you're right. buried behind me. During and after Harry's birthday party, most seem to have been somewhat affected by Hickey's ramblings. flowers a few more touches.). tink he does? A Hickey chuckles and goes on.) sardonic pity) No, it doesn't look good, Rocky. (He hears And if you'll only wait until the final papers about that bombing on the Coast when several people got He fresh-air cure. HICKEY--And now it's your turn, Jimmy, old pal. (They (He reaches on the table as if he expected a glass to be I'm from old American pioneer stock. sang in Act One; General Wetjoen's, "Waiting at the Church"; goin' to, see? LARRY--It's not. I was knocked off my base by that business on the Coast, and pink shirt and bright tie belong to the same vintage. He was ROCKY--Christ, I hope he don't come back, Larry. will, and Wetjoen has to jerk back to avoid bumping into him. He comes lurching the Revolution, whose only child is the Proletariat. I know damned well you're giving me WILLIE--Come and sit here, Mac. Just stop lying times? You didn't tell me Alley." ROCKY--Aw right! It's hardly an appropriate time. bar. Den I don't blame de guy--. rooms and gambling joints and hooker shops, where they'd never look gives you a shot in the arm, and the pain goes, and you drift off. quart of dis redeye under my belt! me waitin' and waitin', and after 'bout an hour, seems like to me, CORA--Aw, yuh shouldn't make dat iceman crack, Rocky. I Like it was fun in the old days, when I traveled house to section.). McGLOIN--You would, Harry. You, Captain, and you, General. hear--(defiantly) You're a liar!