The Field (7 page)

Bull:
That's great now. 'Tis a weight off my mind to know that my friends are behind me. Now none of you will leave here after me and Tadhg go and when we come back, 'twill be the same as if we never left. Right, Dandy?

Dandy:
Sure thing, Bull.

Bull:
Good health. Good health, Maimie.

Bird:
Good luck, Bull.

Dandy:
Good luck, Bull.

[Mick rises and goes to the back of the bar]

Bull:
What I would like now is a song and who better than Dandy.

Bird:
Sure Bull.

Bull:
Give us ‘The Poor Blind Boy', Dandy.

[Dandy commences to sing ‘The Poor Blind Boy']

Dandy:
[Sings]
She's left the old field where he played as a baby.
The little white cottage that lies by the sea.
The cradle that rocked him is lonesome and shady
As she thinks of those days that never will be.

[Bull motions to Tadhg and they exit quietly. The singing goes on]

They're far from each other, she cries for her
loved one
By night and by morning since ever he died,
She walked through the field while the cold moon shines down
As she thinks of the fate of the poor blind boy.

[End of Act One]

[Action takes place at a gateway on the bóithrín near the main Carraigthomond road. The time is midnight. Two figures are huddled together. They are the Bull McCabe and his son, Tadhg. The Bull unwraps a small paper parcel and hands Tadhg a sandwich]

Bull:
Eat that!

[Tadhg accepts sandwich and takes a large bite from it. Bull carefully ties the parcel again and puts it in his pocket]

Tadhg:
'Tis bloody cold!
[Slapping between his armpits]

Bull:
'Tis April, boy! 'Tis April. Listen and you can hear the first growth of the grass. The first music that was ever heard. That was a good bit o' sun today. A few more days like it and you won't know the face of the field.

Tadhg:
D'you think he'll come?

Bull:
Hard to say. Hard to say. You're sure you saw no sign of him all day.

Tadhg:
Positive.

Bull:
He wouldn't have come by the river unknown to you?

Tadhg:
No chance! I hid in the shelter since we left the pub this morning and Johnny Sweeney was here till we came from the pub now. All I seen was crows … nothin' but crows. What do they be doin' … perched in the field all day? They weren't eatin' grass and they weren't diggin' snails. Just perched there, takin' no notice of anythin'. Do they be thinkin' like us?

Bull:
I enjoy a crow as much as the next man. The first up in the morning is the crow and the soonest under his quilt.

Tadhg:
I seen a few water-rats today.

Bull:
Crafty sons o' whores!

Tadhg:
They say that if the seed of man fails the rats will take over the world.

Bull:
They're crafty, sure enough. But I could watch crows if there was time given for it. I often laughs at crows.

Tadhg:
Can they talk to one another? I'd swear they have a lingo all of their own.

Bull:
Who's to say? Who's to say? Anyway I have something else in my head besides the antics of crows.

Tadhg:
He'll never come now. 'Tis all hours of the night.

Bull:
We'll give it another half-hour and if he doesn't show up, we'll go to our beds. God knows I could sleep now, boy.

Tadhg:
And my Ma will be wondering.

Bull:
Let her wonder. You'll hear no complaint out of her.

Tadhg:
Da?

Bull:
What?

Tadhg:
Why don't yourself and Ma talk?

Bull:
Ah, hould your tongue!

Tadhg:
Ah, Da, come on! I always told you about my women.

Bull:
Your mother is a peculiar woman, son. I won't account for her. She's led me a queer life all these years.

Tadhg:
How long has it been?

Bull:
How long has what been?

Tadhg:
Since you spoke to her?

Bull:
Eat your sandwich, can't you. You have me addled.

Tadhg:
Ah tell us Da.

[He sits near him]

Bull:
[Rises, pauses and returns to Tadhg]
Eighteen years since I slept with her or spoke to her.

Tadhg:
What was the cause?

Bull:
What was the cause but a tinker's pony … a hang-gallows piebald pony, a runty get of a gluttonous knacker with one eye. I was at the fair at Carraigthomond that day and she gave permission to a tinker's widow to let the pony loose in one of the fields. The land was carryin' fourteen cows an' grass scarce. Fourteen cows, imagine! An' to go throwin' a pony in on top of them! Cripes, Tadhg, a tinker's pony would eat the hair off a child's head!

Tadhg:
He would, Da, he would. But what happened between Ma and yourself?

Bull:
God blast you! … that's what happened. Amn't I after tellin' you?

Tadhg:
But after the pony, what happened?

Bull:
I was in bed when she told me. I had a share of booze taken. I walloped her more than I meant, maybe. I went out and looked at the pony. He had one eye, a sightful right eye. I shot him through the two eyes, the blind and the good … a barrel at a time. It often played on my conscience. If 'twas an ass now, 'twouldn't matter, but a pony is a pony.

Tadhg:
And she never spoke to you since?

Bull:
Never a word. I tried to talk to her, to come round her. I put in electric light and bought the television. I built that goddamned bathroom …
for her
… all over a tinker's nag, a dirty one-eyed pony. You'd swear he was human.

Tadhg:
You had to do it, Da. Carrying fourteen cows. You had to do it.

Bull:
Of course, I had to do it but she wouldn't see it that way. You understand all right, Tadhg. You're a sensible fellow who knows the ropes.

Tadhg:
A tinker's pony would eat your fingernails. Didn't you explain to her?

Bull:
But you can't explain these things to women. It don't trouble them if the hay is scarce and the fields bald. I seen lonesome nights, Tadhg, lonesome nights.
[Comes suddenly upright]
Whisht! What was that?

[Sounds of a jet]

Tadhg:
That's only a jet … one of them new ones with the high boomin' sound.

Bull:
An aeroplane, is it?

Tadhg:
That's all it is. I often hear them down here at night. I could tell you the different kinds.

Bull:
[Good-natured]
An' what do you be doin' down here at night? Eh? Not sayin' your prayers, I'll bet!

Tadhg:
Oh, rambling around, watching out for donkeys.

[He slaps his armpits and moves around]

Bull:
Women, I suppose! Anyone I know?

Tadhg:
Ah, now, Da!

Bull:
Ah, come on. Tell your oul' Da.

Tadhg:
There's a daughter of Patsy Finnerty's.

Bull:
I seen her. I seen her. A bit red in the legs but a good wedge of a woman. Can she milk?

Tadhg:
As good as ourselves.

Bull:
Can she handle pigs and feed cattle?

Tadhg:
She knows more about them than myself.

Bull:
If she does, she knows a lot.

Tadhg:
She's a man by day but she's a woman at night.

Bull:
And an only daughter into the bargain.

Tadhg:
There's nine acres o' land.

Bull:
I know there's nine. A good nine. Good man yourself. I reared you well. Did you question her?

Tadhg:
I'd say she'd be willing enough. I wouldn't try to rush her, though. She's pampered and headstrong.

Bull:
That will be knocked out of her.

Tadhg:
Sometimes, I drops a hint and she doesn't seem unwilling to listen.

Bull:
Nine acres o' land! Think of it! Keep your napper screwed on and we'll be important people yet, important people, boy!

Tadhg:
Why do you think I'm chasing her?

Bull:
What's that?

[He pulls Tadhg back into the shadows at left. Two girl cyclists pass, yahooing and giggling]

Girl 1:
Come quickly, Bridie, I'll race you.

Girl 2:
Ah, what's your hurry.

Tadhg:
[Crosses back into the light]
That's only a couple o' young ones on bicycles comin' home from the picture in Carraigthomond. Calm yourself, Da. You're very jittery.

Bull:
'Tis cold. I'm used to the bed at this hour.

Tadhg:
If he's to come, he'll come.

Bull:
If he doesn't come in ten minutes I'm givin' it over. All we'll get here is pneumonia … Whist! … that's surely somebody now …

[They both listen]

Tadhg:
You're right and, whoever it is, he's in a hurry … Stay cool now! Stay cool!

[They both withdraw into darkness as steps grow louder. Tadhg takes a cap from his pocket and quickly draws it fully over his head. As the approaching party draws nearer, whistling can be heard. Enter the Bird, out of breath and whistling. He looks around and walks from one end of the stage to the other, calling]

Bird:
Bull? … Tadhg? … Any of you there? Bull, 'tis me, the Bird … Tadhg.

[There is no answer and the Bird is uncomfortable]

Bird:
Ah, lads, if you're there, don't be codding me. Come on out. I'm after runnin' from Carraigthomond with a bad heart …

[He turns away despondently. At this the Bull and Tadhg leap out from their hiding places, shouting and leaping, so that the Bird rushes from one to another terror-stricken and is forced to sit down. Bull and Tadhg laugh uproariously]

Bird:
Ye nearly put me off in a weakness. My heart is flutterin' like the engine of a motor-bike.

Bull:
That's a terrible pity, Tadhg, isn't it? Bird, if I thought you were a drinkin' man I'd run myself to Carraigthomond to get a glass of brandy for you.

Bird:
All right, then … be funny … and I'll keep my mouth shut … about what I know.

[Bull suddenly seizes Bird by the throat and lifts him to his feet]

Bull:
What do you know, ferret? Spit it out or 'twill be spat for you!
[Releasing him]
Come on! Out with it!

Bird:
He was in Flanagan's for a drink. I was at the counter talking to Maimie. He said he was going to his lodgings for his coat to have a look at the field.

Bull:
So he won't heed my warning.

Bird:
Oh, this is the field he fancies all right. It's like love at first sight. Like fallin' for a woman.

Bull:
[Impatiently]
Did you see him?

Bird:
He was on the road behind me. That's why I ran. Don't forget who tipped you off, Bull.

Bull:
Be sure we won't.

[The Bird disappears into the darkness]

Tadhg:
Listen.
[He listens]
It's bound to be him.

Bull:
Who else could it be! … Pull back … He's comin' near.

[Bull and Tadhg withdraw into the shadows. Enter William. He wears a light raincoat.

Hearing a sound, he stiffens and looks about him suspiciously. Bull emerges from the shadows]

Bull:
Turn around and go home!

William:
Who the hell do you think you are? I have as much right to be here as you.

Bull:
I'm telling you now for the last time … turn around and go home!

[William pauses, undecided. Bull flexes the ashplant in his hand]

William:
I'm legally entitled to look at this field.

Bull:
I want your solemn oath that you'll leave Carraigthomond first thing in the morning and never set foot here again. Your solemn oath!

William:
Don't you threaten me!

Bull:
You'll do as you're told or your wife won't know you when she sees you again … an' I'm not foolin' you, boy!

William:
For God's sake, get out of my way.

[He endeavours to advance but the Bull draws a sweeping blow with his ashplant which William narrowly avoids]

William:
Hey, that's dangerous!

Bull:
Your solemn oath! Come on, your solemn oath that you'll quit Carraigthomond and never come back.

William:
Come on, have a bit of sense.

[He tries to advance again but the Bull repels him with the stick. Then the Bull drops the stick]

Bull:
Come on! Pass us, if you're able!

[Behind him silently, Tadhg emerges from the darkness]

Bull:
[To William]
Come on, if you fancy yourself.

William:
You won't goad me into assaulting you. A good night's sleep and you might see things a little clearer.

[William attempts to pass Bull but Tadhg jumps on him from behind, hits him on back of head and knocks him to ground]

Bull:
Hold on to him!

[Tadhg holds William's arms and Bull hits him heavily, skilfully, three or four times. William breaks from them, weakly desperate, but Tadhg grabs him by the legs and brings him to the ground again. Bull grabs his stick and beats William across the back and head. William's screaming dies out. Tadhg pulls William up as the Bull stops beating him with his stick and gives William the knee. William falls helplessly. Bird rushes to Tadhg]

Bird:
In the name of God, stop! … stop! … or you'll do for him.

[Tadhg throws Bird aside and gets in a crucial kick at William's head]

Bull:
Stop it! … Stop it! That's enough. We only want to frighten him.

Tadhg:
That's what he wanted, wasn't it?

Bull:
[Pulling him away]
Now, if there's any questions about this, where were we tonight? What were we doing? … We were in the pub, the three of us. 'Tis ag'in the law but 'tis a sound excuse. Agreed? All to be on the one word. Come on now across the fields. That way we won't be seen … Move!