Israel by Danny Israel
This Play is the copyright of the Author and may not be performed, copied or sold without the Author's prior consent
Israel
A Play in 1 Act.
Danny Israel
Characters:
Ramsay Everett
Rebecca Armstrong
Matthew, The Headmaster
Inspector Robin Virtue (by telephone)
Mrs. Wilkinson (by telephone)
Mr. Wilkinson (by telephone)
Mrs. Isaac (by telephone)
David Cohen (silent part)
Introduction.
From moderate beginnings the play quickly accelerates to a blazing
row, interrupted by telephone calls, which lead in new and unforeseen
directions.
The curtain opens to reveal the Headmaster's book lined study at The
Archangel Gabriel Academy for Boys. It's 1965. A gravel drive is
visible through gothic windows, and, beyond, a sunken lawn, with
distant views across playing fields, beneath a leaden sky.
On the floor of the study is an oriental carpet in reds, blues and
blacks. Huge ancient leather bound volumes are stacked from floor to
ceiling, on groaning shelves. Centre stage is a coffee table with an
anglepoise lamp. The light is on. Nearby is a leather top desk with
another anglepoise lamp, also on, next to two telephones, an intercom,
a blotter, a jug of water with two glasses, and two trays full of
correspondence. There is a chair on each side of the desk, one for the
Headmaster, the other empty. There is a stone fireplace, with an over
mantle, and upon it, a carriage clock beside silver framed black and
white photographs and a silver crucifix. There is a leather sofa and
two armchairs. An inner and an outer door, separated by a short
corridor, open away from each other, and lead to the outer office.
Behind the outer door, in a corner of the outer office, in school
uniform, sits David. His uniform consists of grey shorts, a grey
shirt, a striped tie, a pink blazer, and a pink and grey quartered
cap. Rebecca, the school secretary, is at her desk, typing. She has a
managerial air. There is a full length mirror on the back of another
door through which Ramsay enters. Next to the door is a coat rack.
Ramsay is the Senior Housemaster, and Honorary Deputy Assistant
Headmaster. Trim and composed, he is a former soldier. He wears a hat
and a coat over a navy blazer, a cravat, a check shirt, grey trousers
with sharp creases, and polished black shoes.
The Headmaster, in modern metal frame spectacles, a clerical collar,
and a double breasted grey suit, sits at his desk. He is new,
meritocratic and young. He is reading a file by the light of the
anglepoise. He reaches for the intercom, and hesitates briefly, his
finger poised, knowing this simple action will release chaos, then
takes courage, and presses the button.
The intercom buzzes on Rebecca's desk in the outer office. We hear
the voice of the Headmaster twice, both live and through the intercom,
the one an echo of the other. The outer office and the headmaster's
study are both in view of the auditorium.
It's the last day of the school year. Twilight turns to night as
the play unfolds ...
Israel
HEADMASTER: Rebecca, did you get Ramsay for me? He's usually in the
chapel.
REBECCA: Yes, of course, Headmaster. I sent a note. He's on his
way.
The door from the exterior opens and Ramsay strides in
He doesn't notice David.
REBECCA: He's just arrived, Headmaster.
HEADMASTER: Ask him to come in please.
REBECCA: Of course, Headmaster.
RAMSAY: You wouldn't believe it's the last day of the summer term,
Sweetie. Just chucking it down out there.
Ramsay's overfamiliarity is
intense.
REBECCA: May I take your coat, Ramsay?
RAMSAY: Thank you, Sweetie. There's a dear.
Rebecca stands. Ramsay offers her his
hat, which she places on the coat stand. Then she helps him off with
his dripping coat, which she puts on a hangar, and hangs beneath the
hat, creating the illusion of a silent witness, an invisible man, in
the shadows, in the corner. Ramsay steps in front of the mirror,
organizes his cuffs, adjusts his blazer and cravat, critically
examines his teeth and his hair, then steps back to view his entire
reflection, before further adjusting his cravat. While retying his
cravat, he speaks.
RAMSAY: What's it all about, eh, Sweetie? You know you can tell your
Uncle Ramsay. Forewarned is forearmed as they say. What is it this
time?
He combs his hair with his fingers. Rebecca
approaches the door to the Headmaster's study.
REBECCA: I couldn't honestly say, Ramsay. You'll have to ask the
Headmaster yourself. Would you like to come in now?
Ramsay is momentarily disconcerted as
Rebecca ignores his endearments. It's serious, he realises. He turns
towards her, steps into the light, and reveals his face for the first
time to the audience. He is lined and careworn, older than his years.
Rebecca knocks on the door to the Headmaster's study and opens it
outwards, towards her, thus further concealing David, sitting in the
shadows on a chair behind it. David remains concealed until the final
moments of the play. Rebecca precedes Ramsay into the Headmaster's
study. As Ramsay enters she turns to the auditorium and announces.
Headmaster, it's Ramsay for you.
Ramsay follows Rebecca into the
Headmaster's study. The clock on the mantle piece signals the hour,
with a single chime, like a bell at a boxing match. The first round is
about to begin. The Headmaster is at his desk, reading from a file.
Ramsay waits. The Headmaster looks up, removes his spectacles, folds
them, and places them neatly on the desk. He stands up and indicates
the other chair at the desk to Ramsay. The sparring begins.
HEADMASTER: Ramsay, thank you so much for coming over at such short
notice. Much appreciated, I can tell you. But I do need to talk to you
most urgently. Please sit down.
Ramsay sits.
Thank you, Rebecca. Would you mind turning the light on as you go.
It's always so dark in here.
REBECCA: Of course, Headmaster.
The Headmaster sits at his desk. Rebecca exits,
switching on the light and closing the door behind her.
RAMSAY: Reverend Headmaster. How can I help?
HEADMASTER: Just Headmaster will do, thank you, Ramsay.
RAMSAY: Yes, Headmaster.
HEADMASTER: Ramsay. I've just had one of your boys in here, Cohen,
in tears, terribly distressed. It's taken Rebecca an age to calm him
down. He's completely distraught.
RAMSAY: Yes, Headmaster.
Cautiously.
What has he said to you, Headmaster?
HEADMASTER: Well, I was hoping to hear it from you, Ramsay. What's
going on?
Silence
What's going on, Ramsay?
Silence.
He says you expelled him this afternoon, Ramsay.
Silence.
Is that correct?
Insistently.
Is that right, Ramsay?
RAMSAY: Yes, Headmaster.
HEADMASTER: Why?
Ramsay jumps to his feet, as though electrocuted.
RAMSAY: I really must protest, Headmaster! I absolutely do not
think that it is Cohen's place to approach you without my consent.
Once he's expelled, he's expelled, for goodness sake. I am his
housemaster! There can be no leave to appeal.
HEADMASTER: I see.
RAMSAY: And the fact that he has gone behind my back, to you, is
further evidence, if I may say so, that I was absolutely right, as his
housemaster, and as the Deputy Assistant Headmaster of the Archangel
Gabriel Academy, to expel him in the first place, Headmaster. I must
protest, absolutely!
HEADMASTER: You mean Honorary Deputy Assistant Headmaster, surely,
Ramsay.
RAMSAY: If you say so, Headmaster, but I am still his housemaster.
HEADMASTER: Was his housemaster, Ramsay. But I am still his
headmaster, and yours.
RAMSAY: As you wish, Headmaster.
Pause.
HEADMASTER: Ramsay, please sit down.
Ramsay sits.
You say evidence. Evidence further to what, Ramsay?
Pause.
RAMSAY: To his complete disregard for the rules, Headmaster.
Untrustworthy, duplicitous, and devious, he has condemned himself
utterly. There can be no appeal.
HEADMASTER: He's very distressed. He's in tears. Why, Ramsay?
RAMSAY: Just playing for sympathy, Sir.
HEADMASTER: He's in tears, Ramsay, because you expelled him.
Ramsay, why have you expelled him?!
RAMSAY: Does it really matter, Headmaster?
HEADMASTER: It most certainly does, Ramsay! Why did you expel Cohen?
RAMSAY: Well, out of bounds, actually, Headmaster.
HEADMASTER: What do you mean, 'out of bounds'?
RAMSAY: Out of bounds is out of bounds, Sir. I should have thought it
was perfectly obvious.
HEADMASTER: Where did he go, Ramsay?
RAMSAY: He went into the town, Sir.
HEADMASTER: Why, Ramsay?
RAMSAY: Well, he says he went to get a part for his bicycle, Sir.
HEADMASTER: Let me get this straight, Ramsay. Correct me if I'm
wrong. He went into town without your permission, to get a part for
his bicycle, and when he got back, you expelled him. Is that right?
RAMSAY: Yes, Headmaster.
HEADMASTER: On the spot.
RAMSAY: Yes, Headmaster.
HEADMASTER: You didn't think to consult me?
RAMSAY: I am his housemaster, Sir.
HEADMASTER: But he's going home for good tomorrow, Ramsay. Why now?
RAMSAY: Yes, Headmaster. But any later would have been too late. It
was the last opportunity. I am his housemaster, Sir. It's my
decision.
HEADMASTER: What do you mean, 'the last opportunity', Ramsay?
[end of extract]
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