The Man Who Had All the Luck (8 page)
Read The Man Who Had All the Luck Online
Authors: Arthur Miller
DAVID: Yeh, that Ford outside. Ohâmy back.
GUS: Spread out, take it easy.
DAVID [
relaxes on the floor
]: Gosh, you sure swing that wrench. Lots of time I do something and I wonder how they'd do it in the factoryâyou know, officially.
relaxes on the floor
]: Gosh, you sure swing that wrench. Lots of time I do something and I wonder how they'd do it in the factoryâyou know, officially.
GUS: In the factory also they wonder sometimes how it's done officially.
DAVID [
laughs
]: Yeh, I bet. [
Pause.
GUS
works.
] Gosh, I suddenly feel awful tired. I been at it all night, y'know?
laughs
]: Yeh, I bet. [
Pause.
GUS
works.
] Gosh, I suddenly feel awful tired. I been at it all night, y'know?
GUS: Sleep, go ahead. I'll wake you when it gets interesting. DAVID: . . . Don't think you're doing this for nothing; I'll split the bill with you.
GUS: Nonsense. [
Laughs.
] We'll even it up sometime. One hand washes the other.
Laughs.
] We'll even it up sometime. One hand washes the other.
DAVID
's head comes down on his arm, his face toward the Austrian. For several moments
GUS
works in silence.
DAVID
's breathing comes in longer draughts.
GUS,
noticing his eyes closed . . .
's head comes down on his arm, his face toward the Austrian. For several moments
GUS
works in silence.
DAVID
's breathing comes in longer draughts.
GUS,
noticing his eyes closed . . .
Mr. Beeves?
DAVID
sleeps.
sleeps.
GUS
comes out from under the car, gets his own coat and lays it over
DAVID
and looks down at him. A smile comes to his face, he shakes his head wondrously, and looks from
DAVID
all around the shop. Then, happily, and with a certain anticipation, he whispers . . .
comes out from under the car, gets his own coat and lays it over
DAVID
and looks down at him. A smile comes to his face, he shakes his head wondrously, and looks from
DAVID
all around the shop. Then, happily, and with a certain anticipation, he whispers . . .
America!
He bends, slides under the car as the lights go down.
The lights come up on the same scene. From the large barn doors a wide shaft of sunlight is pouring in.
DAVID
is asleep where he was before, the coat still on him. But now the car is off the jack, and the hood is in place over the engine. The tools are in a neat pile nearby.
DAVID
is asleep where he was before, the coat still on him. But now the car is off the jack, and the hood is in place over the engine. The tools are in a neat pile nearby.
Enter
J.B., DAN DIBBLE, HESTER, PAT
and
AMOS.
J.B., DAN DIBBLE, HESTER, PAT
and
AMOS.
J.B. [
as they enter. To
DAN]: We're a little early, so if he needs more time you'll wait, Dan. . . . [
Looks at
DAVID.
Quietly.
] What'd he do, sleep here all night?
as they enter. To
DAN]: We're a little early, so if he needs more time you'll wait, Dan. . . . [
Looks at
DAVID.
Quietly.
] What'd he do, sleep here all night?
AMOS: Must've. He never come home.
J.B. [
to
DAN]: That's the type of character you're dealing with. I hope you don't forget to thank him.
to
DAN]: That's the type of character you're dealing with. I hope you don't forget to thank him.
DIBBLE [
fearfully touching the fender
]: It looks just the same as when I brought it. You think it's fixed?
fearfully touching the fender
]: It looks just the same as when I brought it. You think it's fixed?
HESTER
goes to
DAVID.
goes to
DAVID.
J.B. [
looks at
DAVID]: Don't worry, it's fixed.
looks at
DAVID]: Don't worry, it's fixed.
HESTER: Should I wake him?
J.B.: Go ahead. I want to tell him right away.
HESTER [
bends over and shakes him lightly
]: Davey? Davey? DAVID: Huh?
bends over and shakes him lightly
]: Davey? Davey? DAVID: Huh?
HESTER: Wake up. J.B.'s here. It's morning. [
Laughs.
] Look at him!
Laughs.
] Look at him!
DAVID: Oh. [
Sits up and sees
J.B. and DIBBLE.]: Oh ya, ya.
He gets up quickly, catching the coat as it falls from him. He looks at the coat for an instant.
Sits up and sees
J.B. and DIBBLE.]: Oh ya, ya.
He gets up quickly, catching the coat as it falls from him. He looks at the coat for an instant.
HESTER [
fixing his shirt straight
]: Is it all done?
fixing his shirt straight
]: Is it all done?
DAVID: What? I'm asleep yet, wait a minute. [
He rubs his head and walks a few steps.
]
He rubs his head and walks a few steps.
]
J.B. [
To
DIBBLE
with a strongly possessive pride
]: That's when you're young. Sleep anywhere. Nothin' bothers you.
To
DIBBLE
with a strongly possessive pride
]: That's when you're young. Sleep anywhere. Nothin' bothers you.
DAVID: What time is it?
J.B.: About half past ten.
DAVID [
astonished and frightened
]: Half past ten! Gosh, I didn't mean to sleep that long . . . ! [
Looks around, suddenly anxious.
]
astonished and frightened
]: Half past ten! Gosh, I didn't mean to sleep that long . . . ! [
Looks around, suddenly anxious.
]
HESTER [
laughs
]: You look so
funny!
laughs
]: You look so
funny!
J.B.: Well, how'd you do, Dave, all finished?
DAVID: Finished? Well, uh . . . [
He looks at the car.
]
He looks at the car.
]
J.B.: If you're not, Dan can wait.
DAVID: Ya . . . just a second, I . . . [
He looks around the shop.
]
He looks around the shop.
]
HESTER: Looking for your tools? They're right on the floor here.
DAVID [
he keeps looking all around for an instant. Looks at the tools
]: Oh, okay. [
He looks at the car as though it were explosive. He lifts the hood and looks at the engine as . . .
]
he keeps looking all around for an instant. Looks at the tools
]: Oh, okay. [
He looks at the car as though it were explosive. He lifts the hood and looks at the engine as . . .
]
J.B.: How was it, tough job?
DAVID: Heh? Ya, pretty tough.
J.B.: Anything wrong . . . ?
DAVID: No, I . . . [
He gets on his knees and looks under the engine.
]
He gets on his knees and looks under the engine.
]
DIBBLE: Can I start her up now?
DAVID [
gets to his feet, looks at everyone as though in a dream
]: Okay, try her. Wait a minute, let me.
gets to his feet, looks at everyone as though in a dream
]: Okay, try her. Wait a minute, let me.
DIBBLE [
following him to the car door
]: Now don't dirty the upholstery . . .
following him to the car door
]: Now don't dirty the upholstery . . .
J.B.: Don't worry about the upholstery, Dan, come over here.
DIBBLE [
coming to the front of car where
J.B.
and
HESTER
are
]: They always get in with their dirty clothes . . .
coming to the front of car where
J.B.
and
HESTER
are
]: They always get in with their dirty clothes . . .
The engine starts. It hums smoothly, quietly.
J.B.
turns proudly smiling to
DAN
, who creeps closer to it and listens.
HESTER
watches
J.B.
, teetering on the edge of expectation, then watches
DAN
. After a moment the engine is shut off.
DAVID
comes out of the car, comes slowly into view, his eyes wide.
J.B.
turns proudly smiling to
DAN
, who creeps closer to it and listens.
HESTER
watches
J.B.
, teetering on the edge of expectation, then watches
DAN
. After a moment the engine is shut off.
DAVID
comes out of the car, comes slowly into view, his eyes wide.
PAT [
to
DAN
, of
DAVE]: Highly skilled, highly skilled.
to
DAN
, of
DAVE]: Highly skilled, highly skilled.
J.B. [
beaming, to
DIBBLE]: Well, you damn fool?
beaming, to
DIBBLE]: Well, you damn fool?
DIBBLE [
excitedly
]: Why she does, she does sound fine. [
He snoops around the car.
]
excitedly
]: Why she does, she does sound fine. [
He snoops around the car.
]
DAVID: Look, J.B., I . . .
J.B. [
raises his fist and bangs on the fender
]: Goddamn, Dave, I always said it! You know what you did?
raises his fist and bangs on the fender
]: Goddamn, Dave, I always said it! You know what you did?
HESTER: Davey, J.B.'s going to . . .
J.B. [
to
HESTER]: I'm paying for it, at least let me tell it. Dan, come over here first and tell Dave what they did to you in Burley. Listen to this one, Dave. Pat, I want you to hear this. PAT
and
AMOS
come into the group.
to
HESTER]: I'm paying for it, at least let me tell it. Dan, come over here first and tell Dave what they did to you in Burley. Listen to this one, Dave. Pat, I want you to hear this. PAT
and
AMOS
come into the group.
DIBBLE [
feeling the edge of the fender
]: I think he bumped it here.
feeling the edge of the fender
]: I think he bumped it here.
J.B.: Oh, the hell with that, come over here and tell him. [DIBBLE
comes
.] What about that guy in Burley?
comes
.] What about that guy in Burley?
DIBBLE: Well, there's a garage in Burley does tractor work. But he's not reasonable . . .
J.B.: Tell him what he does.
DIBBLE: I brought this one to him and he says I'll have to take her plumb apart, every screw and bolt of her. He had his mind set on charging me a hundred and thirty-one dollars for the job. So, I figured it was just about time I stopped subsidizin' the Burley Garage Incorporated.
PAT: That's intelligent, Mr. Dibble.
DAVID: Did he tell you what was wrong with the car? The Burley man?
DIBBLE: Well, yes, he did, he always tells you something, but I can't. . . . Now wait a minute. . . . These things have a dingus they call a . . . a crankshaft? He said it was crooked, or busted, or dented . . .
J.B. [
laughsâto
DAVID
, then back to
DAN]: On a brand new
laughsâto
DAVID
, then back to
DAN]: On a brand new
Marmon! What the hell did he want with the crankshaft? PAT: Scandalous.
DAVID: Look, J.B., lemme tell you . . .
J.B. [
drawing
DAVID
and
DAN
together
]: Go ahead, David.
drawing
DAVID
and
DAN
together
]: Go ahead, David.
And listen to this, Dan. This is the first honest word you ever heard out of a mechanic. [
To
DAVID.] Go on, tell this poor sucker what the matter was.
To
DAVID.] Go on, tell this poor sucker what the matter was.
DAVID
stands dumbly, looking into
J.B.
's ecstatic face. He turns to
HESTER.
stands dumbly, looking into
J.B.
's ecstatic face. He turns to
HESTER.
HESTER [
hardly able to stand still. Pridefully
]: Tell him, Davey! DAVID [
turns back to
J.B.
He sighs
]: Just a lot of small things, that's all.
hardly able to stand still. Pridefully
]: Tell him, Davey! DAVID [
turns back to
J.B.
He sighs
]: Just a lot of small things, that's all.
DAVID
walks a few steps away to a fender and absently touches it. It could be taken for modesty.
AMOS
is now to the side, resting a foot on the car bumperâwatching in wonder.
walks a few steps away to a fender and absently touches it. It could be taken for modesty.
AMOS
is now to the side, resting a foot on the car bumperâwatching in wonder.
J.B.: Well? What do you say, Danny? Now you're looking at a
mechanic
!
mechanic
!
PAT [
to
DAN
, of
DAVE]: At the age of six he fixed the plug on an iron.
to
DAN
, of
DAVE]: At the age of six he fixed the plug on an iron.
DIBBLE [
goes to
DAVID]: Look, David. I have a proposition for you. Whenever there's a job to do on my tractors charge me for parts and that's all. If you'd do that for me, I could guarantee you more . . .
goes to
DAVID]: Look, David. I have a proposition for you. Whenever there's a job to do on my tractors charge me for parts and that's all. If you'd do that for me, I could guarantee you more . . .
DAVID: I'm much obliged to you, Mr. Dibble, but I'm not tooled up for tractor work . . .
J.B.: Now wait a minute . . .
DAVID [
almost shouting with tension
]: Let me say something will you? To work on heavy engines like that, and tractors in general a man has got to be a . . . well, I'm not tooled up for it, that's all, I haven't got the machinery.
almost shouting with tension
]: Let me say something will you? To work on heavy engines like that, and tractors in general a man has got to be a . . . well, I'm not tooled up for it, that's all, I haven't got the machinery.
J.B. [
businesslike
]: But you've got the machinery.
businesslike
]: But you've got the machinery.
HESTER: Listen to this, Davey!
DAVID
looks at him.
looks at him.
J.B.: You go out and buy everything you want. Fix up this building. Lay out a concrete driveway in the front. I'll pay the bills. Give me one percent on my money. [
Roundly.
] Let me be some good in my life!
Roundly.
] Let me be some good in my life!
DAVID [
as though a fever were rising in him, his voice begins to soar
]: I don't know if I'm ready for that, J.B. . . . I'd have to study about tractors . . . I . . .
as though a fever were rising in him, his voice begins to soar
]: I don't know if I'm ready for that, J.B. . . . I'd have to study about tractors . . . I . . .
J.B.: Then study! Now's the
time,
Dave. You're young, strong . . . !
time,
Dave. You're young, strong . . . !
PAT [
to
DAN]: He's very strong.
to
DAN]: He's very strong.
DIBBLE [
taking out a roll
]: How much do I owe you, boy?
taking out a roll
]: How much do I owe you, boy?
DAVID
looks at
DAN
.
looks at
DAN
.
DAVID: Owe me?
J.B.: Make it sixty dollars flat, Dave. Since it wasn't as hard as we thought. [DAVID
looks at
J.B.
who won't wait for him to object.
] Sixty flat, Dan.
looks at
J.B.
who won't wait for him to object.
] Sixty flat, Dan.
DIBBLE [
counts laboriously, peeling off each bill into
DAVID
's unwilling hand
]: One, two, three . . . [
Continues.
]
counts laboriously, peeling off each bill into
DAVID
's unwilling hand
]: One, two, three . . . [
Continues.
]
HESTER [
joyously amused at
DAN]: What're those, all ones?!
joyously amused at
DAN]: What're those, all ones?!
DIBBLE: All I carry is ones. Never can tell when you'll leave a five by mistake. [
Continues counting.
] Government ought to print different sizes.
Continues counting.
] Government ought to print different sizes.
J.B.: How's it feel to have two stars, heh, Pat? [
With a sweep of his hand.
] I can see a big red sign out there way up in the air. Dave Beeves, Incorporated, Tractor Station . . .
With a sweep of his hand.
] I can see a big red sign out there way up in the air. Dave Beeves, Incorporated, Tractor Station . . .
HESTER
has noticed the coat beside the car.
has noticed the coat beside the car.
HESTER [
holding the coat up
]: Did you get a new coat?
holding the coat up
]: Did you get a new coat?
DIBBLE
continues counting into
DAVID
's hand.
continues counting into
DAVID
's hand.
DAVID: Huh?
Quickly turns to
HESTER
and the coat.
DAN DIBBLE
continues counting.
DAVID
stares at the coat, suddenly in the full blast of all the facts. Now all but
DIBBLE
are looking at the coat.
HESTER
and the coat.
DAN DIBBLE
continues counting.
DAVID
stares at the coat, suddenly in the full blast of all the facts. Now all but
DIBBLE
are looking at the coat.
AMOS [
feels the coat
]: Where'd you get this?
feels the coat
]: Where'd you get this?
DIBBLE: Hold still! Fifty-three, fifty-four, fifty . . .
DAVID
looks at
AMOS
, then down at his hand into which the money is still dropping. He then looks again at
AMOS
. . .
AMOS
to him.
looks at
AMOS
, then down at his hand into which the money is still dropping. He then looks again at
AMOS
. . .
AMOS
to him.
AMOS: What's the matter?
HESTER: What's come over you?
DAVID
suddenly hands the money to
HESTER
.
suddenly hands the money to
HESTER
.
DIBBLE: Say!
DAVID [
his hand recedes from the bills as though they were burning. To
HESTER]: Take it, will ya? I . . .
his hand recedes from the bills as though they were burning. To
HESTER]: Take it, will ya? I . . .
He starts to point somewhere off right as though he were being called. Then his hand drops . . . and with gathering speed he strides out.
HESTER [
astonished
]: Davey . . . [
She hurries to watch him leaving, to the right, halts.
] Why . . . he's running! [
Calling in alarm.
] Davey! [
She runs out.
]
astonished
]: Davey . . . [
She hurries to watch him leaving, to the right, halts.
] Why . . . he's running! [
Calling in alarm.
] Davey! [
She runs out.
]
J.B., PAT
and
DAN
stand, watching them open-mouthed as they disappear down the driveway.
AMOS
is center, downstage.
and
DAN
stand, watching them open-mouthed as they disappear down the driveway.
AMOS
is center, downstage.
DIBBLE: What in the world come over the boy? I didn't finish payin' him.
They stand looking right.
AMOS
looks at the coat. He starts turning it inside out, examining it carefully, perplexed . . . Slow Curtain.
AMOS
looks at the coat. He starts turning it inside out, examining it carefully, perplexed . . . Slow Curtain.
ACT TWO
Scene iJune. Three years later. The living room of the
FALK
s'ânow
DAVID'
sâhouse. A farmhouse room, but brightly done over. Solid door to outside at the right. In the back wall, right, a swinging door to the dining room. A stairway at the back, its landing at the left. A door, leading to an office in the bedroom, down left. One window at left. Two windows flanking the door to outside at right. Good blue rug, odd pieces, some new, some old. Oak. A pair of well-used rubber boots beside the door.
FALK
s'ânow
DAVID'
sâhouse. A farmhouse room, but brightly done over. Solid door to outside at the right. In the back wall, right, a swinging door to the dining room. A stairway at the back, its landing at the left. A door, leading to an office in the bedroom, down left. One window at left. Two windows flanking the door to outside at right. Good blue rug, odd pieces, some new, some old. Oak. A pair of well-used rubber boots beside the door.
Â
The stage is empty. A perfect summer day, not too hot. Noon. After a moment the doorbell rings.
Â
HESTER [
from above, shouts excitedly
]: They're here! Davey!
from above, shouts excitedly
]: They're here! Davey!
DAVID [
hurrying down the stairs, buttoning on a white shirt. He wears pressed pants, shined shoes, his hair has just been combed; shouting up
]: I'll get it, I'm going!
hurrying down the stairs, buttoning on a white shirt. He wears pressed pants, shined shoes, his hair has just been combed; shouting up
]: I'll get it, I'm going!
HESTER [
her head sticking out at the junction of banister and ceiling. She quickly surveys the room as
DAVID
comes off the stairs
]: Get your boots out of there! I just fixed up the house!
The bell rings.
her head sticking out at the junction of banister and ceiling. She quickly surveys the room as
DAVID
comes off the stairs
]: Get your boots out of there! I just fixed up the house!
The bell rings.
DAVID [
calling toward the door
]: Just a minute! [
getting the boots together. To
HESTER.] Go on, get dressed, it's almost noon! [
He opens door to dining room.
]
calling toward the door
]: Just a minute! [
getting the boots together. To
HESTER.] Go on, get dressed, it's almost noon! [
He opens door to dining room.
]
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