Act 1 Flashcards
Annie:
Now - what’s the joke?
I don’t know - really. Suddenly I felt I just had to laugh.
Annie:
You’re squiffy.
I’m not.
Milton:
So do I, but it makes speech-making more difficult-
Well. Don’t do any. We’ll drink to their health and have done with it.
Annie:
Oh - it’s wonderful! Look - mummy - isn’t it a beauty? Oh - darling -
Steady the buffs!
Ros:
I believe you’re right, sir.
What about war?
Milton:
There’s too much at stake these days. Everything to lose and nothing to gain by war.
Yes, I know - but still -
Milton:
Well, when she comes back, you might drop a hint to her. And you can promise her that we’ll try to keep out of trouble during the next few months.
What’s the joke? Started telling stories?
Milton:
No. Want another glass of port?
Yes, please. Mother says we mustn’t stay too long. But I don’t think it matters. I left’em talking about clothes again. You’d think a girl had never any clothes before she gets married. Women are potty about ‘em.
Milton:
Well, have another glass of port, Gerald – and then we’ll join the ladies. That’ll stop me giving you good advice.
Yes, you’ve piled it on a bit tonight, father.
Maya:
She’d been taken there this afternoon because she’d swallowed a lot of strong disinfectant. Burnt her inside out, of course.
My god!
Maya:
There might be.
And the same applies to me, I suppose?
Ros:
I can’t imagine what it could be.
Neither can I.
Milton:
Yes, I do. She was one of my employees and then I discharged her.
Is that why she committed suicide? When was this, father?
Milton:
We were paying the usual rates and if they didn’t like those rates, they could go and work somewhere else. It’s a free country, I told them.
It isn’t if you can’t go and work somewhere else.
Ros:
You couldn’t have done anything else.
He could. He could have kept her on instead of throwing her out. I call it tough luck
Milton:
I didn’t suppose you did.
Well, I think it’s a dam’ shame.
Maya:
No, I’ve never wanted to play.
No, I mean about this girl - Eva Smith. Why shouldn’t they try for higher wages? We try for the highest possible prices.
Milton:
It’s about time you learnt to face a few responsibilities. That’s something this public-school and varsity-life you’ve had doesn’t seem to teach you.
Well, we don’t need to tell the Inspector about that, do we?
Ros:
Well, there’s nothing to settle as far as I’m concerned. I’ve never known an Eva Smith.
Neither have I.
Maya:
If you’ll come over here, I’ll show you.
She recognised her from the photograph, didn’t she?
Ros:
Well, I don’t suppose I have -
I’m sorry – but you see – we were having a little party – and I’ve had a few drinks, and I’ve got a headache – and as I’m only in the way here – I think I’d better turn in.
Maya:
And I think you’d better stay here.
Why should I?
Maya:
But you’re partly to blame. Just as your father is.
But what did Sheila do?
Maya:
And so you used the power you had, as a daughter of a good customer and also of a man well known in the town, to punish the girl just because she made you feel like that?
My god, it’s a bit thick, when you come to think of it-
