Gentleman case the play for reading

                CHARACTERS

Blackstone,  the company president
Haster, Shell, Robinson, Rozenbou, the Vice Presidents
Skelton, the staff detective
Jane Green, Blackstone’s business secretary (the offstage voice)


Action  1

The president’s office is the  main place of the action.  There is a huge window in the center of  the stage, the clock is above the window. It is 16.40. The president’s table and the cabinet safe are in the left of the window. There are  the  conference table and chairs around the table.  To the right of the window – a coffee table and two chairs. In the right corner – the front door.
                Blackstone bursts, keeping his running to the vigorous steps. He keeps a briefcase in    his hand.


Blackstone. You know, Jane, I wouldn’t like to disappoint you, but it seems to me that the time to retire is coming.
Jane (from the opened door) Why? As in my opinion…..
Blackstone (leaving his briefcase on the table and falling into a chair). The evident signs of sclerosis! That detective story, do you remember that you have prepared to me for the plane ?
Jane What is a nightmare: for two hours without light reading matter !
Blackstone (gets up, opens the safe). Sclerosis is inventive. (A number of identical folders is visible in the safe ). The detective story I just forgot. (Opens the special section – It is empty there).  And here are the documents. (Arranges papers on the table, then sits in the chair )


Pause


Jane. Boss, do you not forget about the plane?
Blackstone. Jane, anybody has been here?
Jane. During your absence ?!
Blackstone. Well, you never know ... with the cleaning ...
Jane. Cleans after six, sir.
Blackstone. Devilry! Jane, here on my desk ... did you touch something?
Jane. I did not enter.
Blackstone. And didn’t leave?
Jane. Well, fifteen minutes ...
Blackstone. Find out who from the vice presidents is still here and ask or someone took the folder from the table.
Jane (over the intercom). Everyboby is here ...
Blackstone (looks at his watch). It's strange
Jane. But nobody took something
Blackstone (picks up the phone). Get me to the security ... Blackstone. How many people  did visit our floor after I left ? No one? Someone went out and came back? Clear! ... Jane, connect me with this ... detective. And  ask everyone to stay. Not for long

Action 2

In the office of Blackstone and Skelton. Blackstone is in his chair, Skelton sits in a chair sideways to the hall.

Skelton. Keys?
Blackstone. Only mine. And only me who knows the code.
Skelton. Keys, code ... When exactly did you see her in the last time?
Blackstone. Before his departure ... I had a meeting.
Skelton. Excuse me, sir, if you wouldn’t mind could you tell with more details
Blackstone Are you interested in which details ?
Skelton Everything. Where were you going, the exact time, who was attending the meeting, how it was connected with you departure and so on. The conversation subject, the technical details are not interesting for me. But the way, who left after you ?
Blackstone. Nobody. I left last. … Well, then,  we were discussing some details of the project…
Skelton. Who are we?
Blackstone. me and the vice-presidents.
Skelton. All four?
Blackstone. Yes, all four.
Skelton. So, in the office you were five.
Blackstone. Six: the secretary.
Skelton. Miss Green?
Blackstone. She left five minutes before the end.
Skelton. Clear.
Blackstone. The folder was on the table. Here. Yes. There was little dispute ... technical details. Then I began to prepare to go out quickly.
Skelton. Just like that?
Blackstone. Yeah, right ... And, Jane, Miss Greene, reminded me about the plane! There was a book in my table and I was always afraid to forget it. Here.
Skelton. If it `s not a secret...
Blackstone. What secret! The reading matter, Detective. For aircraft. Two hours of flight nevertheless
Skelton. Well, okay.
Blackstone. Continuing to argue I took the book and put it in the briefcase. I closed the bag. Then they all got up. I closed the safe.
Skelton. And why it was opened?
Blackstone. During the meeting I took some documents and this damn folder ! I had to take it.
Skelton. When you closed the safe this section had been closed ? Try to remember exactly!
Blackstone. Otherwise the safe can’t be closed!
Skelton. I got it. And where was the folder?
Blackstone. Then, Mr. Skelton, I was sure that it was already in the bag.
Skelton. And at the airport you decided that it was in the safe.
Blackstone. Yes.
Skelton. That you could get it back  there automatically.
Blackstone. Exactly.
Skelton. And in fact?
Blackstone. As you can see, I left it on the table.
Skelton. And that someone could notice…
Blackstone. It is reasonable.
Skelton. For a long time do you have this folder?
Blackstone. There are a ot of folders. The documentation is immense.
Skelton. But, as I understand it, only the missing folder was in the  "double-safe." The over secret details ?
Blackstone. Vice versa. The General provisions. But the deal isn’t  in  the secrecy!
Skelton. I don’t understand than.
Blackstone. I'll try to explain ...
Skelton. By the way, how much do you trust your secretary?
Blackstone. Jane? Absolutely. She's with me during last six years. I think she is not under suspicion
Skelton. Here I agree with you.
Blackstone. How so?
Skelton. Why I believe in her innocence?
Well, firstly, it is just a staff
Blackstone. It doesn’t matter!
Skelton. Secondly, she has the modest lifestyle. We check our secretaries in the first place.
Blackstone. The private  life, too?
Skelton. We are paid for this. The suspicion could fall on her firstly and how ! in fact she is just a staff. And she is only one person who leaves the office. You have had to find the folder absence already in the place. – You have put «the reading matter» in you  back quickly, haven’t you ?
Blackstone. Right.
Skelton. So the thief could stay easily to the end of the day.
Blackstone. Nobody left
Skelton. This is normal?
Blackstone. Not really.
Skelton. Who has a habit to leave earlier ?
Blackstone. No one...
Skelton. So, the rest are four vice-presidents ...
Blackstone. And me?
Skelton. And you.
Blackstone. And you will enjoy it.
Skelton. Where did you get this, sir?
Blackstone. I see.
Skelton. You never know ...  It is impossible to be unnoticed on your floor, so the version of «hobo» is eliminated immediately. And who else could know that the folder was left on the table.  But the way does it looks different from the rest folders ?
Blackstone. Yes, it has a red title. All other folders have a green one.
Skelton. Yes, it is impossible to confuse. But you too could take the documents and then come back and play all this whole comedy.
Blackstone. This variant is the most simple, but i didn’t take
Skelton  Well, let’ suppose. What is your opinion (a nod) about them ?
Blackstone Till this day Mr Skelton I was completely sure of their decency. I hadn’t any doubts that all of them are the true gentlemen
Skelton. Gentlemen! Well, of course! The guarantee of the crystal honesty ! As in cricket.
Blackstone. It is not a subject for debate. Anyway, now.
Skelton. And not with me.
Blackstone. Do you have more questions?
Skelton. There are some questions. Who are from these gentlemen had the opportunity to look through the contents of the folder?
Blackstone. Everybody
Skelton. During your presence?
Blackstone. No. In their offices. Everyone can take any documents including the missing folder and work with it as much as possible.
Skelton. Now I do not understand anything.
Blackstone. Yes?
 Skelton. Why it was necessary to still if it is possible just to take pictures ?
Blackstone I told you it is not because of the contents
Skelton. And what’s the hell than?
Blackstone. The fact of loss, damn you!
Skelton. Oh well..
Blackstone. Please understand, there are nothing important in these documents what could arouse interest of any reconnaissance.
Skelton. And industrial espionage?
Blackstone. No. In the fact it is just an order and not a technical development. It is very far until it. The worst thing what can happen is if tomorrow at the Ministry somebody gives me the order of the military services with sympathy if it was found in London outhouse in front of reporters.  (Jumps up, goes to the open window, leans his forehead on the glass tilted.) Crash! We will never receive any military order. Yes, and any other too ... It is clear now?
          Skelton. It is. Even for me. In this scenario, the Secretary is not to guilty, but one of your very respectable vice presidents may suddenly appear as the director of one of the competing firm, isn’t it ?
         Blackstone. And with the share holding
 Skelton. Indeed - "gentlemen's case." Well, let's start! Ask Sir, that I want nobody leaves the office.
Blackstone. Already.
Skelton. Excellent. Well, then, we will invite them one by one for the conversation.  I will go out and examine their rooms. But firstly we will check all common areas.
Blackstone. But in any way pay your attention that three from four are honest undoubtedly. I would not like.
Skelton. One devil and angels entirely. Well, I'll be extremely polite.
Blackstone. And yet, their safes. Only they know the codes.
Skelton. If the interrogation gives nothing
Blackstone. I think the conversation will give nothing, we will have to open safes.  Then We will have to make the personal searches.
Blackstone. Starting with me.
Skelton. Are you about what ? We will finish on you.
Blackstone. Joke?
Skelton. Yeah.
Blackstone. In any way it is not nice.
Skelton (turning in the doorway).  Yes, and more than that this case is not for real gentlemen


Action  3

19:20. On stage, Blackstone and Skelton.


Skelton. So, the result is almost zero.
Blackstone. Nearly?
Skelton. Something is ... but what all of them are honest! Deeply! I was mown as cow cowpatty. Gentlemen! Each about other - only the l positive review, there are no details. You, by the way, too.
Blackstone. What about me?
Skelton. Nothing. I mean to pull to pieces in the close circle. With a crunch! Hints, half-hints, and for me the most correct!
Blackstone. May be enough? In this way you will talk about the class struggle.
Skelton. If only it, the bank account can’t solve everything.
Blackstone. Maybe let’s back to the missing documents?
Skelton. Unpleasant?
Blackstone. Not interesting. You know, Skelton, why do people prefer an American servant to  English?
Skelton. Well?
Blackstone. He doesn’t dream to become a boss.
Skelton. Don’t you like?
Blackstone. I like.
Skelton. Do you want to know my opinion?
Blackstone. It is not interesting. I need only one from you: to find...
Skelton. Thief.
Blackstone. The documents!
Skelton. From whom We will begin to check the safes
Blackstone. From me.
Skelton. If you want ... By the way, why this fat man, Robison is worried Sorry,  not so slim gentleman, when I began to ask him about Mr. Hastere ? He was only one person who didn’t deceive and pout.
Blackstone. I think nobody deceived. It is only your imagination. And Robison is an honest and direct person. Probably a bit rude. 
Skelton. And inattentive. He didn’t notice the folder on the table. But how he could snap at me in this rude way.
Blackstone. He and Hasterom are old friends, they were serving together
Skelton. Yeah. The Navy, the Air Force?
Blackstone. I do not know.
Skelton. Do they have rewards?
Blackstone. More than enough.
Skelton. And Have they remembered about exploits ?
Blackstone. I don’t remember
Blackstone. I have never heard
Skelton. It is so strange. The veterans are usually like  to boast
Blackstone I don’t remember
Skelton. And tell me please, is Haster dissipated ?
Blackstone Quite the contrary he is very punctual.  He is very responsible, only he dresses in a strange way.
Skelton He didn’t notice the folder on your desk too ?
Blackstone. Their families are friends. But here I am not sure completely. Haster is an an old bachelor, but Robison has a lot of children. He pays a lot of attention . They live close from each other as I know. And even they go to work on the same car.
Skelton. The car of Haster?
Blackstone. Robinson.
Skelton. Does he save money?
Blackstone. Maybe begin ? (Nods to the safe.)
Skelton. Oh, folders! How many?
Blackstone. With the missing twenty-three.
Skelton (takes one by one and puts on the table). One two. three ... But Shell and Rozenbou are more careful ... Seven, eight ...
Blackstone. THIS ONE!! (Pulls out a folder from Skelton's hands.) It is! Hell! It is. Thank God.
Skelton. This one?
Blackstone (He looks through attentively). I can’t understand
Skelton. I can’t understand how I couldn’t pay attention to the different colors.
Blackstone But how is it here  (Only now remembers Skelton.)  A load has been taken off my mind ! Sorry to disturb you.
Skelton. I'm at work, sir, but what happened?
Blackstone. Sclerosis. (The selector.) Jane, invite please everyone to me and you are free. Yes, yes alright. (he hides the folder in the bag). Good night. And you are free, Mr. Skelton, thank you.  (Skelton comes to the coffee table, sits down in a chair. Blackstone, cloosing the safe, looking at him with surprise. Knocking.) Please, come in. (The Vice-Presidents come to the table, trying to ignore Skelton) All right gentlemen, I beg forgiveness for the bad moments. The folder was found. (Paul nods to  Skelton.) We have found it with another in the safe. (Mockingly scornful gazes.) How could I put it there ?
Skelton.  I can’t understand another thing. (The vice-presidents are surprised, if the chair could know to speak). So you Mr Schell and you Mr Rozenbou showed everything on the table only after  the safe was closed. The missing folder was on the desk, right ?
Blackstone (fun). Does it matter now ?
Shell. I showed that the folder was really on the desk, but…
Skelton. But you didn’t pay attention what the folder was on the desk, did you ?  (Shell nods.) But Mr. Rozenbou noticed.
Rosenbaum. Yes, but ...
Blackstone. Stop. All this is meaningless.
Skelton (gets up, goes to Rosenbaum). But the title wasn’t visible and you can’t tell now  what the folder was.
Rosenbaum. Shut him up!
Rosenbaum.  But it was! Well! You're a gentleman!
Rosenbaum.  (also shouting). It Was!
Skelton. Perfectly.
Blackstone (with an inexplicable fear). Stop.
Rosenbaum.. He just wants to prolong the illusion of his power! I can see...
Skelton. In the microscope, sir?
Rosenbaum. Why?
Skelton. Are you able to see the person like me with the naked eye ? I will never believe
Blackstone. The is all! The incident is exhausted. (Flaps his beg". Once again, flaps, calming down.) Everyone is free.
Skelton. Excuse me, but what is about the stolen folder?
Blackstone. The stole folder! You're out of your mind?
Skelton. I am  not
Haster. He's crazy! Maniac!
Skelton. Probably I am a maniac but I will call the name of the gentleman who has stolen the documents the soonest.
Rosenbaum Please save us from this ...
Blackstone. Gentlemen, please stay us alone for some minutes please.
Rosenbaum. Otherwise, I can not vouch for myself!
Blackstone. Okay, okay, I will arrange everything (Vice Presidents avoiding a Skeleton’s face go out). For what all these stages Keep your complexes. Why would…..
Skelton (quietly, even fun). Sir, a normal psychological trap.
Blackstone. For whom ? what the hell ?! Wake up! Folder was found!
Skelton. Are you sure, sir? (Blackstone, turning his eyes to the sky) Open the safe please  (Blackstone, takes a short breath, opens  the safe.) Count the folders.
Blackstone. What for?
Skelton. Count, sir, please.
Blackstone. One two three. Nonsense!
Skelton (goes to the coffee table, sits down). Count, count.
Blackstone Eight, nine ... Full idiocy! Fifteen, sixteen, seventeen ... eighteen ... (looks at Skelton.)
Skelton. You can recount.
Blackstone (counts). Twenty-one ... Wait ...
Skelton. Yes, sir, you left the wrong folder by mistake. The title down, you have forgotten this one. And it was stolen. In a hurry.
Blackstone. So ... all from the beginning?
Skelton. No, sir, you would not make a mistake.
Blackstone. Thank you for your confidence ... Four?
Skelton. Two: Robinson and Haster. Only they do not "notice" the you left the folder.
Blackstone. It is logical, but in the detective ...
Skelton. I forgot about your weakness!
Blackstone. I won’t conceal from you. (Sits more comfortable). So, It is always like this. The criminal can be a person less suspected.
Skelton Like in the novels. I don’t read them. As usually in the real life it is vise versa.  Let’s begin our “discussions” from Haster.
Blackstone (slowly).  Tell me for this demarche ? The scene, let me say, was quite ugly.
Skelton Two gentlemen are suspected. And I need only one criminal!
Blackstone (to himself). And I need the folder. It is here.
Skelton (to himself). He will be mistaken. He will be confused. Tell your …. Oh ! I you allowed the secretary to leave the office.!
Blackstone. Yes
Skelton. Are you waiting that the folder will be under the door ? You do not need a thief!
Only the documents. Yes, and If I catch him the justice will never take him. Silence ! In the closer circle, the court of honor! Oh no!  (Rushes to the door.)

The phone calls. Blackstone picks up the phone.

Blackstone What !!
Blackstone. What!! (Jumps up.)
Skelton (in the doorway). Well?
Blackstone  (hangs up slowly and smiles). – Don’t be in hurry ... The court of honor held ... Lynching. Robinson jumped out the window.

Action 4


21:00. Blackstone is sitting in his chair, the vice-presidents are at the table: Shell and Rozenbou are face to the audience, Haster  sits back. The chair is available. Skelton is standing at the window.

Shell . Yesss
Rozenbou Розенбоу. Yess
 
Pause.

Shell. Terrible.
Rosenbaum.  Nightmare
Blackstone. Terrible, terrible death! He looks ...
Hustler. I ask you ...
Blackstone. Oh, sorry. You're friends ... were ... I'm sorry.
 
Hustler, moans hangs his head on his arms crossed on the table. Pause.

Shell. Yes
Rosenbaum. Yes.
Blackstone. And why would he ...
Shell. This is all the American trends, I tell you! Our 'transatlantic friends'  the capital and slang export their manners. Exactly! The accuracy is  above all!
Blackstone. You're right.
Shell. Just not any Jack Smith will jump out of the window… (Haster’s stone) I am sorry. Poor Robinson, he still was a true gentleman.
Blackstone. Undoubtedly! Yes, Mr. Skelton, you're free. (Skelton did not move.) These trends are "the bastion of democracy" effect on our society, as rum and syphilis on the Indians. Consuming! How to deal with it, gentlemen?
Skelton. Hmm.
Rosenbaum. I can not imagine ... Have you told to the family sir ?
Blackstone. I can not. May be you?
Rozenbou. No, really!
Haster (rears his head). I will tell to Mary and children. (Staggered slowly goes to the door.)
Blackstone. Thank you. You...
Rozenbou and Shell (simultaneously). Yes.
Skelton. Hmm.
Blackstone. What are you telling ?, Mr. Skelton? I told you that you are free!
Skelton. Bruise. The bruise is on his neck.
Blackstone. To the hell! Enough! Oh, you have to be satisfied! The Justice ! In your understanding.
Skelton (quietly). And in yours, sir?
Blackstone (shrugs). Ah! ... Poor Robison ... your "psychological course" was extremely successful!
Haster ( in the doorway). What?
Rozenbou. What other course?
Skelton. Sir!
Blackstone. Is remorse ?! I will never believe !

Skelton turns sharply and goes to the door. Hustler, after some hesitation, blocking his path

 Blackstone. Oh no wait!

Skelton stops

Blackstone. The fact that the whole scene, the whole scene was just the game! Bluff!  The master course of the great sleuth!
Rozenbou (jumps). Idiot! An elephant in a china shop!
Blackstone (soft seats Rosenbaum). Leave it. He won’t understand in any way ! Not given! Let him go.
Haster (quickly frees the doorway). Look!
Skelton (turns with a sinister smile). Great! It means I'm a murderer! By thoughtlessness. Sorry I could’t note all delicacies of the gentleman! Great! And where is the suicide note ? A ?
Self-killer, especially the gentleman, had to write something. Recognition, for example or last sorry!
Blackstone. What is more recognition! You've opened his bag and found the folder. What else do you need ?  The written testimony? For what ?  Do you think we will allow to spot his name because of theft and suicide!
Skelton. And what - an accident? He fell out of the window? The head spinning? And there was nothing?
Blackstone. Naturally.
Shell. I always say that the sills are too low.
Rozenbou. Exactly!
Blackstone. Here it is: the honor of a gentleman was better than life for him. Like for any of us, no doubt.  He saved not only his honor but our and our company too. So will we allow ? 
Rozenbou and Shell (simultaneously). Never!
Skelton. Yeah ... (turns to the center in  front of the stage.) The honor of a gentleman is more important than life ... the human life ... For any of us ...
Blackstone. Enough! You are free! And do not forget: there was nothing. Nothing. An accident. Go!
Rozenbou and Shell (simultaneously). Yes.

Skelton looks at Hustler, trying to catch his eye.

Hustler. Yes.
Skelton. No-o. You, gentlemen, have  to suffer in my company a bit. Otherwise, I'll go to the newspaper from here.
Rozenbou. Bastard!



Pause .

Blackstone. Mr. Skelton, let me ask you,
why you were  sacked of the police? You were sacked, were not you ?
Skelton. Well, not sacked, and, well, lost.
Rozenbou. And we found it!
Blackstone. So why?
Skelton (with a smile). Approximately the same thing: I was always trying to finish any work. To the end. The offender, whoever he was, regardless of the incentives of criminal acts, even the most noble, should be punished.
Blackstone. What do you mean – to be judged?
Skelton. It is the same.

Pause
Blackstone. Not at all. It is difficult to join "noble incentives" and "criminal acts."
Skelton. It is not difficult because you have just said that the honor of a gentleman is more  than the human life
Blackstone. I was talking about suicide.
Skelton. Are you sure, sir?
Blackstone. What Skelton?
Skelton. That it was the suicide.  (He turns to Hasteru. Blackstone Rozenbou and Shell, are shocked, looking at his neck. Haster buried in the room with unseeing eyes.)
Blackstone (pleading). Skelton, probably it is enough for today?
Skelton (hard). No.

           Pause

Rosenbaum. And why do you think it was the murder?
What proofs do you have?
Skelton. The version of suicide requires the proofs.
Rozenbou. There was nobody on the floor only we
Skelton. I do not know - the Secretary was released.
Rozenbou. We would heard the noise of the struggle.
Shell And we would find traces
Skelton. If there was a fight. Mr. Schell, sir, please, come to the window.
Shell (looking back at Blackstone, together with Skelton reluctantly goes to the window). What for?
Skelton. Can you see the Parking ?
Shell. I see.
Skelton. Which one is your car?
Shell. One green.
Skelton. Indeed, green. Don’t you think that there is someone in it?
Shell (He bends sharply to the window). Where?
Skelton. In this moment, it hits like this (shows.) And twitches like this (shows.) And the unconscious body goes down without a sound. (Shell pulls away from the window.) With a bruise on his neck. Understand? You have really “lucky” windows - in strong and capable hands of a body will fly, not blowing the dust off the windowsill! Mr. Haster, you can now ... (Haster in the same glassy state.) Mr. Haster!
Hustler. No
Skelton Why not"?
Hustler. I do not want to participate in your experiences!
Skelton. I beg ... (Now Skelton looks at Humster.) Very
Blackstone. God be with him, come, it is necessary to finish this.
Haster. Ending ... (Come to the window.) If you are interested what car is mine, so there is not mine
Skelton. Where is it?
Hustler. I don’t  use.
Skelton. Do you save?
Hustler It is not your business!

Skelton. Not mine, right. My job is to find ...
Blackstone. Documentations!
Skelton. Thief! And I found it!
Blackstone. Not in the most humane way, but the folder was in the Robinson’s bag
Skelton. No, it was not there.
Blackstone. How?! As it was not! You opened the bag in fron of us !
Skelton. A half an hour before, when I left the room during the conversation, I looked in the bag and sorry , not a gentlemen, the folder wans’t there. But he couldn’t to put it in the bag before to jump out of the window!  Do you remember where we found the portfolio keys?
Blackstone. Yes, close to the body.
Skelton. How "close"?
Blackstone. Well, one meter
Skelton. And you immediately decided that it fell?
Blackstone. Maybe you want to make the experiment with Mr. Haster to check where will be the key ? And what's the difference: a meter or two!
Skelton. Hm, it means that the key was thrown later! First it was the body. Then someone put the folder and then the keys (to Hamster). Isn’t it ?
Shell. The hypothesis is original, but very controversial.
Rozenbou. Sucked from the finger!
Skelton. The honor of a gentleman is more than life!
Rozenbou. Nonsense! Wild nonsense!
Shell. You need to be treated!
Skeleton. I've already heard. ( he takes some different colors pens from his pocket) Tell please,  what the color of this pen ? And this ? or may be this one ? Why you are keeping silence ? You don’t want to talk to me or don’t know ? But Robinson knew! The only one who knew all that you Haster can’t make the difference between the red title and the green title on the folder – any  tone! Where did you serve in what army? How much blood is on your hands, gentlemen? The honor of a gentleman is more than life! The reason of the strange clothes. And the lack of a car. And a master stroke. And the body is flying! The body of the best friend! Down. Down! And Mary with children are waiting for father in vain! Father, right? The honor of a gentleman is more than life!

With an insane shriek Hustler throw out the window.
Skelton, closing his eyes, sits on the window sill.


Pause.
Skelton opens his eyes, looks around.
Blackstone falls into a chair, his hands clutching his head
 
     Skelton (smiling wearily). All, gentlemen.


 (The phone ring)

Blackstone (screaming). - I know!


Blackstone hang up, goes to the window. He looks down. Rosenbaum and Shell slowly go to the window too,
Standing in the group.

Skelton (stands up). - The investigation is completed. Completely.

Pause.

Skelton. Now I can go,

Pause.

Blackstone. Damn!
Skelton  Thank you, sir, for the evaluation of my work.
Rozenbou. Bloody builders!

Skelton stops in the doorway.

Shell. I said, windowsills are too low.
Skelton. Oh no! (He turns around.) This will not pass! Of course, I have already dismissed, of course, but even if I die in the trash, it will not pass!


Rozenbou. He was so close to him
Shell. Yes. And to his family.
Blackstone. Yes! He couldn’t survive the death of  his friend. Two great veterans left us.  The real colleges and true gentleman.  Bereavement And all this because of one ... dumb ...  scum
Skelton slowly turns around. The indignation on his face replaced by surprise, the surprise - the horror.

Blackout.