Act two Flashcards
Mrs J in the new house
After moving it seems like Mrs J is care free, this is shown in her relationship with the milkman - instead of arguing he takes her out “dancing” and compares her to Marilyn Monroe.
Sammy
Sammy’s voilent behaviour is increasing, he can be seen burning his school down and then attempting to rob a bus conductor at knife point in front of Mickey and Linda.
Mrs Lyons and Edward
Mrs Lyons and Edward seem to still be having an awkward relationship, while they’re dancing Edward is said to be “very awkward”. Afterwards he complains about never seeing any girls where they live now, Mrs Lyons becomes anxious asking if he’s happy and if they’re “safe” (from Mrs J and her family).
School life
Edward argues with his teacher about his locket - a gift from Mrs Johnstone, after being informed about talk of “Oxbridge” and being threatened with a flogging. Edward is suspended for not giving up the locket.
Mickey argues with his teacher after he refuses to answer a question in class, claiming its insignificant. Himself and Linda are asked to leave after she sticks up for him - claiming that she “loves” him.
The twins meet again
The boys see each other in the distance and sing a song about how they wish to look like the other, “Each part of his face/is in the right place. The conversation is similar to their first with Mickey replacing “sweet” with “ciggie”. Mickey already knows what Edwards going to say when they discuss where they live, they pick up where their friendship left off.
Mrs Lyons notices Mrs Johnstone
Mrs Lyons sees the twins together and goes to confront Mrs J, she is enraged and attempts to bribe Mrs J to leave and threatens her with a knife when she refuses - suggesting that her mental state is deteriorating and she is still extremely paranoid.
“ I took him. But I never made him mine.”
Mickey, Edward and Linda growing up
The three become inseparable and it’s suggested that, unbeknownst to Linda, she’ll create a rift in their relationship. Edward leaves for university after convincing Mickey to ask Linda out, signifying the end of their childhood
Linda falls pregnant
This mirrors Mrs J, they have a child unplanned and are rushed into marriage as a result. At the wedding Linda is “dressed in white” but there is no mention of a dress and Mickey is in his work clothes. During the wedding Mickey is made redundant and has to leave, with the other wedding guests, in a line towards the job centre.
Mr Lyons sings a very condescending song about letting people go.
Edward returns from university
Edward comes and tries to surprise Mickey with a party, he’s not in the mood after being made redundant ant tells Edward he wont be coming. Edward offers him money and asks why finding a job is “so important”.
Mickey says eh doesn’t understand because he had no “need to” grow up and was “still a kid” as he can rely on his parents money and not have to worry about his own finances.
Mickey and Sammy’s robbery
Sammy tells Mickey about a great plan to rob a bank and persuades him by talking about his family life, Mickey realises that he’s going to have to support Linda and their unborn child.
While this discussion is happening Edward asks Linda to marry him, unaware that she’d just married his twin brother.
During the robbery Sammy shoots someone and leaves them in a “pool” of blood, Mickey is distraught. Sammy runs but Mickey is frozen and ends up getting arrested.
Mickey’s imprisonment
While in prison Mickey becomes extremely depressed, the narrator references Marilyn Monroe by claiming his “minds gone dancing”. He becomes addicted to antidepressants.
Edward and Linda
When Mickey gets out he refuses to stop taking the antidepressants despite how much they’re affecting his relationship with Linda. He wonders how they managed to get a house and a job, Linda says it was some “feller” both the audience and Mickey know that she’s talking about Edward. At the end Linda goes out, so does Mickey he sees Mrs L and she points out Linda and Edward kissing.
Mickey is killed after killing Edward
Mickey tells Mrs J what he’s seen as he runs towards the house, planning to interrupt Edward’s speech whilst armed with a gun. She runs after him.
He arrives and interrupts and when his mother reveals the boys relation he exclaims “I could’ve been him” the gun explodes accidentally killing Edward and the police shoot Mickey dead in response.
