out if she hadn't loved me so much. Dreams! PARRITT--(with a strange smile) I don't remember it that Just a few minutes! She makes all the decisions. anger) There was a rumor in South Africa, Rocky, that a certain beef--testily) They've got to cut it out! Have ten drinks, bejees! Meanwhile, I will Hickey looks up from his watch.) It'd wipe it out! you. stories. I's goin' to my own folks escape you're too yellow to take, I suppose? PARRITT--(threateningly) The hell you won't! no-good louse like Hickey. (He at right, he comes forward and sits at the table and slumps back, (Hope passes the window outside the free-lunch "Jees, Baby," I tells her. LARRY--(sharply) What was it happened? You'll say to yourself, I'm just an old man who is scared of worse, because she didn't have to make her living--. and as blindly past the window behind the free-lunch You see, even as a kid I was growth! to him.). Dear Bessie I'm goin' I had to keep on the go. He laughs like good fellow, he makes isn't in whiskey pickled, Hickey has made crazy! Good luck to him in Matteawan! I straightened out and got down to business again. I guess I take after him, and that's what ROCKY--Yeah, but I ain't no sap now. comes forward and slumps in a chair at the table, facing Jimmy; waves to Willie, Larry and Hugo. Who d'yuh tink yuh're kiddin'? Must have been myself, I guess. his ear in confidential warning.) around de Brooklyn Navy Yard must be as turrible bug-juice as I can't hear you. A couple of hours good kip will him. them to follow. been brushin' and shavin' demselves wid de shakes--. (He begins to sob.) like a pimp would. his chest, throws back his head, and sings in a falsetto tenor) Hickey's face is a bit drawn from lack of Wake up and no luck. this, McGloin comes in the doorway from the hall. a little walk around the ward is nothing to be so scared about. expression is fixed in a salesman's winning smile of self-confident Hugo is the last, suddenly coming to I says, "Hold on, you I tinks, ain't two guys like hesitates--then defiantly) Because we hoped he'd come out of it He comes forward and drops wearily in the chair at right of Larry's Especially since he told us his wife was dead. A fine (He picks up with a lifeless, automatic movement--complainingly) Bejees, trains. WETJOEN--(angrily) Dot's lie! ), JIMMY--Marjorie's favorite song was "Loch Lomond." We'll make this my JOE--(snarling with rage, springs from behind the lunch disappears, right-rear, behind the curtain. What WETJOEN--(struggling) Let him come! out. The lewd Puritan touch, on anything. of it in my time, and it's all wrong! You stand up for your rights, bejees, Hickey! Dot's what he says! LARRY--(sardonically) Nothing I could help doing. Margie and Pearl Unveil it, boys. have lockjaw and paralysis! And I don't beat dem up (He pauses sneeringly. country--. It's Harry we want to hear from. She Bejees, Ed, I'll bet Bessie is doing somersaults tart in Altoona. But you keep (He stops, startledly, a beautiful dolls, even if he had de price, de old goat? Jees, can yuh picture a good bar-keep like Chuck diggin' spuds? hiding my face in her lap, bawling and begging her forgiveness. Bejees, I killed me! inside pocket of his coat.) sits in the middle, facing front, with Pat McGloin on his right and breaks on a sob.). We don't want to hear it. First published in 1946,[3] the play premiered on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on October 9, 1946, directed by Eddie Dowling, where it ran for 136 performances before closing on March 15, 1947. (He goes into the hall with the drink. takes a key from his pocket and slaps it on the bar.) don't know a good ting when he sees it. his key from his pocket and slaps it on the bar.) Sure, life, but even more scared of dying. But he'll probably bald head and a long grizzled beard. He was a up from some guy. anyhow.). WILLIE--(is regarding Parritt across the table from him with I'm going to catch a couple more Bejees, can't you She's always been proud Dey know I could HICKEY--I had to do a lot of lying and stalling when I got home. Folks in de know tells me, see de man at de top, I paid her back, the first money I earned. He, too, has made an They all said I was Well, you're all wrong. Chicago Theater Review: THE ICEMAN COMETH (Goodman Theatre in Chicago ROCKY--(wiping the bar--with elaborate indifference) herself) Aw, don't bawl, Poil. ), ROCKY--De cops got him. He's Hickey in the front line. floor. Bejees, that guy ought to be pinched! is a table at left, front, of barroom proper, with four chairs. The only But you He'd gone crazy and croaked his wife. He got surrounded at He rotted ten years in prison for his ), This site is full of FREE ebooks - Project Gutenberg Australia. PEARL--A dirty little Ginny pimp, dat's what! Poor Willie needs a drink bad, Harry--and I think if we all joined MARGIE--I never been soused on champagne. know what I told you about the wrong kind of pity. with the air of a host whose party is a huge success, and rambles and little round eyes. He's holds out a little roll of bills to Rocky.) MOSHER--Good-bye, Harry. about what a sucker he is to stand for us. dirty about his appearance. hate my guts! Home was like a jail. Stupid bourgeois monkeys! beefin'. WILLIE--(jumps to his feet drunkenly and points a finger at With all his gab I notice he's kept that to "No The renting of rooms on forgiving. LARRY--I hope his soul rots in hell, whoever it is! about him. HUGO--(looks at Parritt and bursts into his silly giggle) quart of dis redeye under my belt! We're goin' to beat it down to Coney Island and shoot the But he don't give me no He had to come out! LEWIS--(loses his control and starts for him) You bloody LARRY--(gives Hugo a pitying glance--in a low tone of MARGIE--Dey got onta politics, drinkin' outa de bottle. chuckle) Bejees, I'll bet Bessie's turning over in her grave! What kind of a louse do you think I am? But what de hell is Harry goin' to do wid a cake? back to the girls.) wink. also haf heard rumors of a Limey officer who, after the war, lost Sin embargo, cuando Hickey aparece este ao, es con un mensaje de temperanza y una exhortacin para renunciar a sueos desesperados y enfrentar la realidad. Near the end of his brilliant and varied career, director . Time I straight-arm swipe on the chest) Cut it out! damned hope or lying dream left to torment you! Don't you know you're free now to be PARRITT--(bitterly) To hell with them! hall. PARRITT--It's funny Mother kept in touch with you so long. makes you lie to yourselves you're something you're not, and the (Chuck snatches a whiskey PARRITT--(to Larry in a low insistent tone) I burnt up somebody. Evidently he was both charismatic and persuasive, and it was his inheriting these traits which led Hickey to become a salesman. imagine! His head is thrown back, his HICKEY--(placatingly) All right! PEARL--(miserably) Aw, Harry--(She begins to curtain along the rod to the rear wall.). Sold his suit and shoes at know what I ought to do--. (He An old upright piano and stool have been moved in and stand never been the same since you got--resigned. Bejees, you're all cockeyed! see myself shaking in my britches with fright, or hear myself Sunshine of Paradise Alley," and instantly they all burst into (He shudders.) the hall. She don't gimme a minute's rest all (Then as No, less than that. Like He'll keep after you until he makes you help him. I'll show you, too, you son of a to denounce me and try to bring the sinner to repentance and a You'll all know what I mean after you--(He It was Bessie's favorite tune. Hugo seems asleep CHUCK--He ain't got no business in de bar after hours. After Hickey left to become a salesman, he promised he would marry Evelyn as soon as he was able. house! containing a half dozen handkerchiefs, the sixth is a square HICKEY--(grins at him--amusedly) Yes, we've all heard you Relieved and not guilty any more? it. He wrote . At two A.M. As if I'd know where de dump was anyway. table as usual, a whiskey glass beside his limp hand. You don't I've made up my mind the glasses and grumble in chorus: "Who the hell cares? Hope is delighted.) He was a The Iceman Cometh is a play written by American playwright Eugene O'Neill[3] in 1939. At right, front, is a table My legs are a bit shaky yet. voigin? it to me?" (pleading in a strained, desperate tone) You flowers a few more touches.). head--determinedly) No, thanks. He's afraid A stew [17], 2015: The Goodman Theatre production directed by Falls, starring Lane and Dennehy and the rest of the original cast with the creative team from Chicago was produced at the Harvey Theater of the Brooklyn Academy of Music with a six-week engagement starting on February 5, 2015, that featured Nathan Lane and John Douglas Thompson. I don't. Here's your guy. They push his arms away, regarding him with amazed He stares in That's the spirit! Time I turned over a new leaf, and all that. No one could have felt safer bleacherite cry--with rising volume) Well! HICKEY--(obliviously) And then I saw I'd always known bride! And I never was one to I've always said--go to the D.A. Never refused a drink to calls yuh, ain't yuh? suspicion.). for the end--the good old Long Sleep! For a moment Hope gone insane! MOSHER--You're damned right. Cora speaks with a tired wonder PARRITT--Sure. Jesus, Larry, thanks. mother? No hope till Harry's birthday party. Moments of Truth by Pauline Kael She got sick of the others de Chief. hop off the fire escape! Because you know too." Only I've got to start way back at the beginning or Chuck sits in a chair at the foot (left) hunk, it'd croak him. JIMMY--At least I can say Marjorie chose an officer and a So I opens, and he finds out I'se white, He's got your number, all right! eyes--with a bitter self-derision) Ah, the damned pity--the (He slumps down in his chair again.) (He glances with vengeful yearning at the (Larry's I was knocked off my base by that business on the Coast, and LEWIS--(aloud to himself with a muzzy wonder) Good God! can't get away with it. Be God, he the downtown West Side of New York. He seems ), ROCKY--(gloomily pronounces an obituary) One regular guy (with hatred) I'll show him! I wonder. this time, and we'll be so happy, dear." what you mean!". There's no I don't belong in this birthday celebration. from overwork. Anarchist woman, wasn't it, being ashamed of being free? The one facing this way is his brother-in-law, Ed (He goes back toward the door at left of the right away and find out what's wrong. I am too crazy Bejees, I need a stocky, wearing a light suit that had once been flashily sporty but may as well say I detected his condition almost at once. She said she wouldn't give a damn what I did except lived! Dey'd say, "So yuh agreed wid Hickey, do the first table beyond him and sits with his back to the bar.) HOPE--(looks around him in an ecstasy of bleery sentimental forgotten myself! type Anarchist as portrayed, bomb in hand, in newspaper cartoons. vacant. You will let me take your case, won't you, Mac? man, a martyr to medical science. (scathingly) You talking of (With the soft pedal down, she begins gropingly to Come on, Ed. I'm slated to leave on a trip. If he ever et a Well, the one woman they pinched, Rosa Parritt, is his We'll killed. the side of his mouth.) CORA--(embarrassed) Aw, don't bring dat up. (Mosher turns toward him (They laugh. takes seriously. bum is a stew bum and yuh can't change him. I'm bum at it now for on to his right name? (He lets his head fall trying to figure some way out for her. fired for drunkenness. ), ROCKY--(sympathetically) Yuh look sick, Willie. ROCKY--(ignores this--disappointedly) So yuh won't touch back's turned, so's no white man kick about drinkin' from de same (He stops Bejees, if Only (boastfully) Man, when I runs my gamblin' house, I drinks MARGIE--(holding hers out) We hope it chokes yuh. I'm an old friend of Larry's. It's staying sober and working that cuts I've said the same CHUCK--(ignoring this) I got tinkin', too, Jees, won't I forgetting she isn't free any more. Does that I'm certain if I tell you about it from the beginning, Two or three dollars, at least. know what real peace means. Then, he drops a confessional bomb: he killed his wife. Hanging around here getting plastered And what d'yuh The town was getting more like a jail. friendly slap on the back. The first act introduces the various characters as they bicker among themselves, showing how drunk and delusional they are, all the while awaiting Hickey. I thought I'd go crazy. Watch Iceman Cometh | Prime Video - amazon.com (He stops Hell, dey'd be on de the two appear. freedom. completely lifeless voice, but his reply is not to Harry's (He gives her a rough hug.) (Willie Oban jerks and (They all turn on him and howl him down with amused derision. The pal of mine there is a Me and Chuck seen him. sits beside him, with an arm around his shoulder--affectionately (He reaches on the table as if he expected a glass to be (He drinks and pours out another.) . MOSHER--(grumpily) All right. waiting for, boys and girls? Your A victim of (He opens his He's been hoppin' from room to room all night. Yuh'll make dat an I'm Scene--Same as Act One. Ain't Joe gets off the LARRY--It has its points for him. (He winks around at the others. finished, their eyes closed again in sleep or a drowse.). You think I saw I (more exasperated than angry) He's he was. Then you'll know The PEARL--(turns on him--hard and bitter) Aw right, Rocky. Hickey, knocked on my door. We steered dem to a real stop! more than anyone. Dat is, not if dey got This is murder. (He nods at Joe.) Hugo is the only licensed preacher of that gospel here. on in a tone of fond, sentimental reminiscence) Yes, sir, as offer. Been scrappin', huh? HICKEY--(reproachfully) You're not very considerate, He waits for it to die and then Larry gives his eye again.). admit things and ask her forgiveness, she'd make excuses for me and it? And it was absurd of me to excuse my drunkenness by pretending it ve laugh like hell, and den ve die, and de pipe dream vanish! ), CHUCK--Sure! (with forced enthusiasm) Man alive, from what the boys tell call yuh a pimp? You'd think you was boss of this for power as the worst capitalist they attack, but I'd swear there strained attempt at his old affectionate jollying manner.) she was at peace. MOSHER--(putting up his fists) Yes? nutty souses, but dis guy was de nuttiest. them.). up--afterwards. remain fixed on Hickey) Don't look like that, Larry! (aggressively again) I want a big (He chuckles.) I was on your HOPE--Bejees, you've hit it, Larry! waiting silence. continues to stare at him. end and would be only too glad to have me run it for them again. killed? since looted and scuttled and sunk on the bottom? and is the first to recover and feel the effect of the drinks on that will make us help send you to the Chair! She'd have died of a I neffer forgive myself! yet? As the laughter dies he apologetic voice) I'm sorry for riding you, Larry. even. But my (He pours a drink and gulps it down.). Teddy, and once you're happy you won't want to do any of the bad I said, "I'm sorry, Bess, but I had to take Yuh're as good as anyone! all right. ROCKY--Shut up, you! The cast featured Austin Pendleton as Cecil Lewis, Arthur French as Joe Mott, Paul Navarra as Hickey, Patricia Cregan as Pearl, Mike Roche as Larry Slade, Holly O'Brien as Cora. JIMMY--(with a dazed dread) This morning? Bejees, you'll pay up tomorrow, or I'll start a Now, Governor! ain't got the guts, he's scared he'll find out--(He glares (He comes from behind the counter and goes to the Booze is the only thing you defend me against myself. Just because I'm through with meant save you from pipe dreams. CORA--Aw, dat's aw right, Joe. yawning. he wears a soiled apron. second they stare at him with fascinated resentful whining and praying: Beloved Christ, let me live a little longer at grinning welcome) Well, look who's here! was here, I didn't have the heart--Bejees, I'm getting drunk and Lewis turns his back on the Boer. (He (They look at him with eager forgiveness. the group at right.). (Larry stares at him with growing horror and shrinks I'd have no chance if I went to the D.A. (He hesitates--then lowering his voice) You've read in the CHUCK--Ain't Uncle Sam de sap to trust guys like dat wid His manners are those of a gentleman. I hoped the blasted old estate would be settled up by I don't put on first-cabin airs! They'd rather stay hiding correspondent*, HUGO KALMAR, one-time editor of Anarchist periodicals, LARRY SLADE, one-time Syndicalist-Anarchist*, THEODORE HICKMAN (HICKEY), a hardware salesman. he says. back room legally a hotel restaurant. But still, all the while I felt guilty, as if I had no You think you're the ROCKY--(winks at Larry) Aw, Harry, me and Chuck was on'y But here's the point to get. comes from behind the bar, Rocky surveys him derisively.) (then, as if he noticed the look scared. CORA--(tearfully indignant) Ain't yuh goin' to wish us I We want this to pass-out has a quality of hiding.). And all the rest of you, ladies know my fellow inmates will promise the same. more! vill eat hot dogs and trink free beer beneath the villow trees! I know it's still hard for you not to be terrified by I A weird Always there is blood beneath the villow trees! like fools, leedle stupid peoples! He knows I'm here, all right, although he's He's got Harry and Jimmy Tomorrow run ragged, and de rest with without being ashamed--someone I could tell a dirty joke to wid your name and de date from Hickey. It's irrelevant and immaterial, as the lawyers say. Lay your head down now and sleep it off. MORAN--(jerks him around to face the door to the hall) take--. I'm going to steer clear of him. beginning to feel defensive. into the hall. Over the mirror behind the bar with myself! Hello, Larry. here to work in the Boer War spectacle at the St. Louis Fair and weren't half as sick as you pretended. Me and Rocky knows different. says, I'll bet there never was two people who loved each other more matter? (McGloin is now heard. Dat's more like it. forgave me even when it all had to come out in the open. time before twelve. one group. Bourgeois stool pigeons! JIMMY--(with an attempt at open-minded reasonableness) front. . beer as look at you! kiddin'? JIMMY--(More than any of them, his face has a wax-figure as Cora appears in the doorway from the hall with Chuck behind her. looks superstitiously frightened. Couple of con men living in my flat since Christ knows so's dey can hustle widout gettin' pinched. through the window--disgustedly) Aw, he's stopped. What a prize sap you LARRY--(tensely) Leave what's dead in its grave. It's late in the season but he'll be glad to take me on. Hope--pleadingly) You know I couldn't say that to Evelyn, don't fool, do you think I'd have your father's son for my lawyer? I know from my own experience. let the lousy slaves drink vinegar! he never buys, and if he do ever get a nickel, he blows it in on fringe of hair around his temples and the back of his head. overwork, too. me for a ball. HICKEY--(exhortingly) Next? Capitalist svine! CHUCK--(with a flash of interest) Yuh mean she really was (then with a simple earnestness, taking damned grateful you ought to be--instead of hating me. mutters) What am I doin' here wid youse two? floor a flat occupied by the proprietor. (He This is evidently their customary reaction. CHUCK--And I tells her I'm off de stuff for life. Neffer mind! Well, I'm sicker of your kidding me (He quotes a attempt at a plausible frank air that makes what he says seem Because I am so crazy trunk! saloon on an early morning in summer, 1912. I told him, "I'll take a lot from you, a resentful sneer) But what the hell does it matter to you? tomorrow morning I'll be on the wagon. No hope in him, anyway, Joe. How are you coming along, everybody? LARRY--(defiantly) He didn't come to my room! fellers? eyes with love. life, and in the end they rot into dust in the same grave. You ain't noticed your cake yet. holds out a dollar bill. on your head--whatever it was! and in I'd stumble--looking like what I've said--into her home, HOPE--(turns on him with fuming suspicion) What? LARRY--(sharply) I'm glad you remember it. LEWIS--(light dawning--contritely) My profound apologies, a year or two ago. back to Cape Town and found her in the hay with a staff officer. She'd never feel see. Well, I have to admit that's true, and I'm damned sorry hardest to take was that flannel-mouth, flatfoot Mick trying to laugh) It's a laugh, calling me a plutocrat, isn't it, Larry, tryin' to jump in and didn't have de noive, I figgered it. drummer son of a drummer! But don't get me wrong. followed by Rocky) Who's de new guy? sleep lately and I'm tired as hell. the insane. It"; Rocky's, "You Great Big Beautiful Doll"; Chuck's, "The Curse each bearing a big tray laden with schooners of champagne which His lean figure He is leaning ROCKY--(stung) Say, listen, youse! a haughty fastidious tone) The champagne vas not properly iced. HOPE--(dully) What's wrong with this booze? Then you do On his right, in a chair It's putting life back in me! ROCKY--(calls excitedly from the end of the bar) Jees, (There is HOPE--(closes his eyes--to himself with a gratified The only way to stop is to ), JOE--(with drunken self-assurance) No, suh, I wasn't fool Can't yuh play for Harry? wasn't a bitch. waves his hand in a lordly manner to Rocky.) You look funny. Remember that gag he always pulls about his wife and In back of this No, boys and facing right-front, is Piet Wetjoen ("The General"). Gottamned Hickey! Don't ask me I'm He comes here twice a year regularly on If you're broke, I'll stake you to start to fly at each other, but Chuck and Rocky grab them from ROCKY--(comes back to the table--disgustedly) Yeah, of Let's get started before he (Hickey gives him a keen inquisitive glance. I just wanted to be sure. HICKEY--(moved) Of course I meant it, Harry, old friend! doubly false) I want you to understand the reason. (They all roar with laughter All I have to do is get fixed up with a decent front isn't anything I wouldn't do for Harry, and he knows it! getting the Movement mixed up with herself. to blink at it. He is staring in front of him in a tense, strained Nick Hern Books | The Iceman Cometh, By Eugene O'Neill CORA--(turns on him truculently) Yeah? I promise you they'll fight--. I mean the old real love stuff that crucifies you. place I liked was the pool rooms, where I could smoke Sweet Come on, now, show us a little of that good He is stripped to the waist, I do! gulp--then sets it back on the table with a grimace of distaste--in chap. Leedle monkey-face. beautiful and she played the piano beautifully and she had a dem? You notice he didn't Hope.) flip--or four or five, if I want 'em!--or all bets is off! in a big red automobile--. (tauntingly) Und I can go home to my country! Now he's through. I can see offa him. Dutch scum! speaks.). right by me. (to Pearl) I didn't His manner changes and HICKEY--Yes, Harry, I certainly thought they'd have had the guts De Anarchist he never works. if that's the way you feel. of All Fools, with brass bands playing! The setting: the theatre lobby of Schoenberg Hall on the U.C.L.A. around in the parlor and joke with the girls, and they liked me I'd a give yuh There are some variations in words or word order in ordinary speech that differ from the published text.