A Nation One Again by Jeremy Cooke
This Play is the copyright of the Author and must NOT be Performed without the Author's PRIOR consent
SCENE ONE
The play is set in a a large hay-shed or barn near Cork
City in August 1922. There are large double doors between
the action and the audience which remain open until the end
of the play when they are closed shutting of the udience's
view of the stage. There is a table and a few chairs and a
high window set centre upstage. There are exits left and
right and an area arranged to shackle prisoners up left. A
hayloft is stage left with a hoist at the edge suspended
over the main stage at down left.
BARN - EVENING
CORRY, 32 YO, DRESSED TOO OLD FOR
HIS AGE AND CARRYING A HEAVY CATTLE
DEALERS STICK, ENTERS ACCOMPANIED BY
SEVERAL GUNMEN ,ALL 20 YO OR LESS.
THE GUNMEN ARE HOLDING A STRUGGLING
MAN, DINNY, WITH THEM. CORRY WALKS
TO THE TABLE AND STANDS. PATRICK
SCURRIES AWAY TO A DARK CORNER.
CORRY
Right men, let's be having that fella
over here.
CORRY SITS AT THE TABLE.
CORRY
Come on, come on. Get him over here now.
THE GUNMEN DRAG DINNY TO THE TABLE
AND PLACE HIM IN A CHAIR FACING ORRY
CORRY
Well now young fellow and what's your
name?
DINNY
Dinny
CORRY
(jocular)
Dinny what you little bollocks?
DINNY
Dinny Lehane. I'm
CORRY SITS BACK IN HIS CHAIR AND
LOOKS AT THE GUNMEN
CORRY
That's better now. Boys meet Mister Dinny
Lehane. Well so tell me young Mister
Dinny Lehane what are you doing in Cork?
DINNY
Nothing - just looking. Can I have
CORRY
Ah well now Mister Dinny Lehane its a bad
time to be "just looking". Not in Cork,
not now - not with Collins and his boys
looking to sell us back to the bloody
Empire. Again Mister Dinny Lehane - what
are you doing in Cork?
DINNY
I'm here to...I was looking for my
sister.
CORRY
And she is?
DINNY
I didn't find her.
CORRY
Didn't find her...hear that boys?
CORRY LOOKS AT GUNMEN
CORRY
So young Dinny here has lost his sister.
Well maybe we can help Dinny - what's her
name then?
DINNY
It doesn't matter - she's gone.
CORRY
And how do you know that young Dinny
seeing as how you didn't find her?
DINNY
I asked at her dig but the landlady said
she'd gone. So I asked around...around
Cork.
CORRY
So this sister - we still haven't heard
her name yet Dinny?
DINNY
It doesn't matter I...
CORRY
Dinny it does matter, it does - it
matters because I say it matters.
DINNY
You've no right to do this I...
CORRY
Dinny I'm an Officer in the IRA and you
young Dinny are under arrest. I don't
think you should be thinking about rights
right now. Do you understand me? Do you
understand that you're in trouble unless
I decide otherwise?
DINNY
Look I just wanted to see my sister to
say goodbye, and..
CORRY
And what young Dinny? So why did you go
to the English Army barracks? Did you
think you'd find your sister there?
DINNY
No...I thought; well who else would you
ask; they could...
CORRY
Why could the English soldiers know where
your sister was? Anyway they'd need a
name wouldn't they? Anybody would need a
name, we'd need a name - maybe we can
help you find this lost sister so?
DINNY
No...she's gone. The...
CORRY
The name Dinny - now! Stop fecking
around...
DINNY
Connie...Constance.
CORRY
Constance there then - that's a nice
name. Do we know any Connies boys? Well
Dinny - did the boys in the barracks know
Constance?
DINNY
No...it was closed. Deserted. I met some
people who used to work there and they
said she'd gone...they think to England.
CORRY
To England? Ach Dinny that's bad. And
these boys why would they know young
Connie? Dinny, Dinny - I'm talking to you
Dinny. Why would they know young
Constance?
DINNY
She...I thought...I thought they might
know. It's their job to...
CORRY
Sure the soldier boys might know a bad
girl - if she got into trouble. Is Connie
a bad girl Dinny?
DINNY
No! She's...
CORRY
She's what Dinny?
DINNY
She's...she's...was a typist.
CORRY
Ah Dinny. That's a grand job for a
lassie. A typist - do you hear that boys?
Young Connie was a typist.
CORRY
(Looks at Dinny)
And where did young Connie do her typing
Dinny?
DINNY
In Cork, in...
CORRY
Where in Cork now young Dinny?
DINNY
I'm...I'm not sure. Somewhere in Cork.
CORRY
Ah Dinny. That's not good enough young
Dinny. How would you expect to find young
Connie if you didn't know where to look?
Do you and your sister not write Dinny?
That's bad Dinny. And her a typist and
all.
DINNY
We write but...
CORRY
So you had an address but she's gone, so
that's a start young Dinny. Family is
important, remember that. And what
happened when you went to the address?
DINNY
As I said they said she'd gone. To maybe
ask at the barracks.
CORRY
And why the barracks Dinny? Why would
they know where young Connie was, how
come the English soldiers were able to
say she'd gone to England? Well now
Dinny, answer me that?
DINNY
They we're sure... they...
CORRY
There's something you're not telling me
about your sister young Dinny. Tell me
now 'cos we'll find out soon enough what
you said to the English.
DINNY
She's...she...
CORRY
She was what young Dinny?
DINNY
She was a typist for the Army...in Cork.
CORRY
Ah. So Connie typed for the English
soldiers. And where in Cork did young
Connie type for them?
DINNY
In Victoria barracks, she...
CORRY
Do you hear that boys? Young Dinny's
sister typed for the English Army in
Victoria barracks. And what sort of
things did young Connie type in the
English barracks?
DINNY
Just stuff...letters and things. She
worked for the transport people. She
CORRY
The Transport people - well that's a fine
job for a young Irish girl to be at..
isn't it boys? Typing letters in Victoria
barracks for the Transport people. Well
I've good news for you young Dinny - we
may be able to help find your sister.
We've still got friends who worked in the
barracks, worked for us young Dinny, good
friends, good Irishmen and women, friends
to the Republic not Collins and his Free
bloody State. The English may be going
but we'll watch them out. Maybe our
friends might know more about young
Connie who typed for the Transport
people?
DINNY
No...I don't think so...I
CORRY
Ah boys, young Dinny's worried about his
sister. Never mind Dinny - we'll help you
DINNY
No! I
CORRY LEANS ACROSS AND BACKHANDS
DINNY
CORRY
Don't "No" me boy, not me, not ever! Now
what about Dinny, does young Dinny work
for the "Transport people" boys, or maybe
he's thrown in with Collins lot?
DINNY
No. I
CORRY
Are you in the Transport people young
Dinny? Are you in the Transport people
that was in Victoria Barracks where
Connie typed young Dinny or do you work
for Collins now?
DINNY
I...no...I work in...in Dublin...in a
shop
CORRY
Ah a shop young Dinny. And what sort of a
shop would that be young Dinny?
DINNY
A...a tailor's shop...in Ballsbridge.
CORRY
But I thought you were here to say
goodbye young Dinny. So you knew your
sister was leaving?
DINNY
Yes...I
CORRY
But you weren't in touch young Dinny -
otherwise you'd know she'd gone to
England already...to England with the
Transport people. Wasn't that what you
said...so why would you come all that way
here...unless...unless it was you that
was going?
DINNY
That's right. I was...am going. I'm
leaving for Canada and I came to say
Goodbye. I
CORRY
So it wouldn't be correct to say you work
in a grocer's shop now would it young
Dinny?
DINNY
A tailor's. No...I mean I did...but not
now...
CORRY
So young Dinny and young Connie are both
leaving us? One to England and one to
Canada - that's sad young Dinny. And so
soon after the war's over...we've chased
the English out and once we've got rid of
Collins traitors well...that'll be a new
Ireland. One where we're the boys in
charge, not some English bastard looking
down his nose at us.
DINNY
I...
CORRY STANDS
CORRY
Boys keep an eye on this one. I'm
DINNY
This is fucking wrong. I
CORRY
Don't you fuck me lad! Don't you fucking
dare! I'll have you taken out of here and
shot before
DINNY
No! Your war's over don't you understand?
You've no right to
CORRY
There's no rights here so, no law, no
bloody English government! And no bloody
Irish traitors either. I'm the law. If
you don't understand that then - well
then I'll kill you myself!
DINNY
But
CORRY
Answer the question boy
DINNY
I have. I'm here to say goodbye to
Connie. Then go
CORRY
The big question, the why question. Why
are you here...and now? That's what's
interesting me now, the why
DINNY
I've told
CORRY
And the who boy, don't forget the who.
DINNY
To say goodbye to my sister, to Connie
before
CORRY
Be careful now Dinny this is important.
DINNY
I
CORRY
Very careful. Now think about this.
DINNY
I...I've told you. My name's Dinny, Dinny
Lehane and I work worked in Ballsbridge
and I'm here to say goodbye to my sister
and
CORRY
Who types for the enemy in a Tan
barracks? Lot of Tans were stationed
there with the English.
DINNY
Typed and now she's gone and I want to go
as well so
CORRY
Ah Dinny these are difficult times, but
what about you that's what's starting to
interest me now Dinny?
DINNY
I'm...I told you. I used to work in a
tailors in
CORRY
Now Dinny that's not a good story to tell
anyone unless it's true is it boys? Dinny
how do you know one of us hasn't worked
in a tailors? Have you thought of that
Dinny? Could you cut me a suit Dinny or
maybe sew an old button on for me?
DINNY
Well...I...
CORRY
You don't look like a tailor Dinny do you
see? That doesn't look right to me now
boys does it? Anyway maybe you'll stitch
up this old coat for me now Dinny? Would
you do that for me now Dinny and then
away to Canada with you?
DINNY
I...I'd need a needle...and some thread
and
CORRY
And what sort of thread would that be
Dinny? What type is it for this coat?
DINNY
I...brown thread. I'd need brown thread.
CORRY
Ah brown thread. And what type of brown
thread Dinny? What type?
DINNY
Well...
CORRY
Cotton Dinny?
DINNY
Well...
CORRY
Or linen?
DINNY
I...
CORRY
or wool Dinny? What do you think Dinny?
What type of brown thread Dinny? For this
coat Dinny?
DINNY
Linen I
CORRY
Linen boys linen. Did you hear that,
linen on a woollen coat? Why Dinny it
would cut the cloth to pieces Dinny. I'm
surprised that a tailor wouldn't know
that...Dinny?
DINNY
It...I...
CORRY
Maybe you're not that type of tailor
Dinny? Would that be right Dinny?
DINNY
Yes I...I'm...I only helped I
CORRY
Dinny I don't think you're any type of
tailor Dinny which brings me right back
to what are you doing in Cork Dinny, not
a tailor Dinny? Tailor traitor, traitor
tailor, not-tailor what Dinny?
(beat)
CORRY
Now Dinny there's something you're not
telling me.
DINNY
No, no! It's true I tell you. I
CORRY
Let me tell you what I think, I think
you've been sent by the new government,
by Collins to spy on us. Us that defeated
the English bloody empire for them while
they sat on their fat arses in Dublin.
Them that sold us all out for what?
DINNY
I just came down to...
CORRY DRAWS A REVOLVER AND PLACES IT
ON THE TABLE
CORRY
Now lets stop fecking around Dinny. Did
Collins send you down? Down to spy on his
old friends, his old friends he's sold
out to the bloody English?
DINNY
Truthfully I'm nothing to do with
Collins - I've never met him. I really
just want to find Connie and go.
CORRY
Maybe...well then maybe you work for the
English still sitting there in Cork.
Still pulling the strings but Dinny,
listen to me Dinny! Everyone works for
somebody - you can't not pick a side in
Ireland nowadays. Now what's your side
Dinny?
DINNY
I have no side. I don't even have a
country any more. I
CORRY
Them's strong words now Dinny. Why would
you say that...that's a puzzle. Why are
you in such a hurry to leave?
DINNY
I
CORRY
Tomorrow Dinny, tomorrow. It's late. I'm
tired.
CORRY STANDS AND HOLSTERS HIS
REVOLVER.
CORRY
Right boys tuck young Dinny into bed.
DINNY
No! You have to...
AS THE GUNMEN DRAG THE PROTESTING
DINNY TO THE STALL AND CHAIN HIM UP.
CORRY
No! I can young Dinny...and I will. The
English are going and now we have to
finish the job...to sweep Ireland clean
of spies and traitors. To finish the job
once and for all.
CORRY SEIZES PATRICK BY THE EAR AND
DRAWS HIM CLOSE. LOOKING DOWN AT
PATRICK WHILE NOW HOLDING BOTH EARS
CORRY LOOKS INTO PATRICK'S EYES.
CORRY
And you my little soldier boy with your
little medal from the King of England,
what about you?
PATRICK SQUIRMS AVOIDING CORRY'S
GAZE
CORRY
Are you mad my little soldier - or just
cunning? If you're not mad I can shoot
you as a spy - if you are mad why then
I'd go to hell for shooting you
unblessed. Make your peace and tell me
soon.
CORRY THRUSTS PATRICK ASIDE
CORRY
Now keep an eye on him, on your life
mind! And no blanket, let him keep cold
enough to reflect. Dinny good night to
you and we'll talk again tomorrow.
CORRY AND GUNMEN EXIT.
DINNY
Do you think I could have some water?
PATRICK FILLS A BOWL AND CROUCHES
BESIDE DINNY.
DINNY
You're shaking. Thank you, who are you?
He said you were a soldier?
PATRICK
I...I was but I got sick in the war. I
came back here but nobody would give me a
job. said I'm a tra... a trait...a spy.
But I'm not! But sometimes I get
confused, sometimes I can't remember who
I am...or where.
DINNY
He said you had a medal? What regiment
were you in?
PATRICK
The Dubs, I was in the Dubs.
DINNY
My brother was in them...he was killed in
'16 at Ginchy. He was with the 8th
battalion.
PATRICK
I was...I was in the 2nd Battalion.
DINNY
The 2nd - so you were Regular army?
PATRICK
Joined the battalion in Naas in '09 just
before we went to England. I was just a
boy...my father had been in the 2nd.
DINNY
And your medal?
PATRICK
It's nothing...I don't want to talk about
it.
DINNY
Please.
PATRICK
We went over in '14 - to stop the bloody
Germans they said. Soon be over they
said. Well we fought the bloody Germans
right enough. All the way back from Mons
to the bloody Marne. And by the time I
got gassed in the Shell Trap there
weren't many of us left from the old 2nd.
DINNY
And the medal?
PATRICK
For being alive, for not drowning in my
own blood...or the mud.
DINNY
I don't understand I
PATRICK
Nor care! No-one knows except them was
there. Now we're traitors to our country.
How did that happen?
DINNY
We're not traitors, we're just...just the
bits left over.
PATRICK
Aye the bits left over! Scraps on the
bloody table! Fuck it - I just want to be
left alone.
DINNY
You heard him. He seems to be picking
sides for us. Why don't we make a run for
it ? Get back down to Cork - with your
medal and my...my sister the Navy'll get
us across to England. He'll not get us
there.
PATRICK
No
DINNY
Please
PATRICK
No, no, no! You mustn't, you mustn't. I
can't stand the sound of it, the
fighting! You mustn't fight...
DINNY
(Calming Patrick)
It's alright, it's alright we'll not
fight. Not you and me. It's alright. Come
on now man, we'll slip away together.
PATRICK
No, no...I can't. This is my home for
better or worse. I'd rather they shot me
here than beg for food in England. Anyway
the Captain said
DINNY
That auld bollocks. You know he's mad
don't you, that it's all over? They've
signed a Treaty and Collins
PATRICK
Sssh! He'll hear you - there's no treaty
here. We all work for him - if you
don't...well it's a trip out back.
There's plenty gone that way I can tell
you.
DINNY
But it's over!
PATRICK
No not here! I don't think it'll ever be
over here - if he didn't have this...this
war he'd be just one more small farmer in
the hills. Now he's...well never mind.
You've seen him. Try to sleep.
DINNY
What's he going to do with me? Is he
going to kill me?
PATRICK
We'll see - try to sleep.
DINNY
I'm cold can I have a blanket?
PATRICK
No - he says no!
PATRICK STANDS AND RUBS THE SMALL OF
HIS BACK
PATRICK
No I don't think the war will be over
here for a long time. Try to sleep.
PATRICK RETURNS TO HIS CORNER, PICKS
UP THE SACKING AND RESUMES HIS
POSITION. HE IS WEEPING.
LIGHT FADES
END OF SCENE
End of Extract]