The Ghost of Jerry Bundler | Page 5

there, and I don't believe you would, either, sir.
MALCOLM. Nonsense, I'll go and fetch him in. (Crosses to L.)
GEORGE (clutching him by the sleeve). You don't know what it's like, sir. It ain't fit to look at by yourself, it ain't indeed. It's got the awfullest deathlike face, and short cropped red hair--it's--
(Smothered cry is heard.)
What's that? (Backs to C and leans on chair.)
(ALL start, and a quick pattering of footsteps is heard rapidly approaching the room. The door flies open and HIRST flings himself gasping and shivering into MALCOLM'S arms. The door remains open. He has only his trousers and shirt on, his face very white with fear and his own hair all standing on end. LEEK lights the gas, then goes to R. of HIRST.)
OMNES. What's the matter?
MALCOLM. Why, it's Hirst.
(Shakes him roughly by the shoulder.)
What's up?
HIRST. I've seen--oh, Lord! I'll never play the fool again. (Goes C.)
OTHERS. Seen what?
HIRST. Him--it--the ghost--anything.
MALCOLM (uneasily). Rot!
HIRST. I was coming down the stairs to get something I'd forgotten, when I felt a tap--(He breaks off suddenly gazing through open door.) I thought I saw it again--Look--at the foot of the stairs, can't you see anything? (Shaking LEEK.)
LEEK (crosses to door peering down passage). No, there's nothing there. (Stays up L.)
(HIRST gives a sigh of relief.)
MALCOLM (L. C.). Go on--you felt a tap----
HIRST (C.). I turned and saw it--a little wicked head with short red hair--and a white dead face--horrible.
(Clock chimes three-quarters.)
(They assist him into chair L. of table R.)
GEORGE (up C.). That's what I saw in the bar--'orrid--it was devilish. (Coming C.)
(MALCOLM crosses to L. HIRST shudders.)
MALCOLM. Well, it's a most unaccountable thing. It's the last time I come to this house. (Goes to R. of LEEK.)
GEORGE. I leave to-morrow. I wouldn't go down to that bar alone--no, not for fifty pounds. (Goes up R. to arm-chair.)
SOMERS (crosses to door R. then returns to R. C.). It's talking about the thing that's caused it, I expect. We've had it in our minds, and we've been practically forming a spiritualistic circle without knowing it. (Goes to back of table R.)
BELDON (crosses to R. C.). Hang the old gentleman. Upon my soul I'm half afraid to go to bed.
MALCOLM. Doctor, it's odd they should both think they saw something.
(They both drop down L. C.)
GEORGE (up C.). I saw it as plainly as I see you, sir. P'raps if you keep your eyes turned up the passage you'll see it for yourself. (Points.)
(They all look. BELDON goes to SOMERS.)
BELDON. There--what was that?
MALCOLM. Who'll go with me to the bar!
LEEK. I will. (Goes to door.)
BELDON (gulps). So--will I. (Crosses to door L. They go to the door. To MALCOLM.) After you. (They slowly pass into the passage. GEORGE watching them. All exit except HIRST and SOMERS.)
SOMERS. How do you feel now, old man?
HIRST (changing his frightened manner to one of assurance). Splendid!
SOMERS. But--(a step back.)
HIRST. I tell you I feel splendid.
SOMERS. But the ghost--(Steps back to C.)
HIRST. Well, upon my word, Somers--you're not as sharp as I thought you.
SOMERS. What do you mean?
HIRST. Why, that I was the ghost George saw. (Crosses to L. C.) By Jove, he was in a funk! I followed him to the door and overheard his description of what he'd seen, then I burst in myself and pretended I'd seen it too. I'm going to win that, bet--(VOICES heard. Crosses to R.) Look out, they're coming back. (Sits.)
SOMERS. Yes, but----
HIRST. Don't give me away--hush!
(Re-enter MALCOLM, LEEK, BELDON and GEORGE L.)
(BELDON and GEORGE go up to back C.)
HIRST. Did you see it? (In his frightened manner.)
MALCOLM (C.) I don't know--I thought I saw something, but it might have been fancy. I'm in the mood to see anything just now. (To HIRST.) How are you feeling now, sir?
HIRST. Oh, I feel a bit better now. I daresay you think I'm easily scared--but you didn't see it.
MALCOLM. Well, I'm not quite sure. (Goes to fire.)
LEEK. You've had a bit of a shock. Best thing you can do is to go to bed.
HIRST (finishing his drink). Very well. Will you, (rises) share my room with me, Somers?
(GEORGE lights two candles.)
SOMERS (crosses to L. C.). I will with pleasure. (Gets up to table C. and gets a candle). Provided you don't mind sleeping with the gas full on all night. (Goes to door L.)
LEEK (to HIRST). You'll be all right in the morning.
HIRST. Good night, all. (As he crosses to door.)
OMNES. Good night.
(ALL talking at fire, not looking to L. as HIRST and SOMERS exeunt. HIRST chuckles and gives SOMERS a sly dig.)
SOMERS. Good night.
MALCOLM (at fireplace). Well, I suppose the bet's off, though as far as I can see I won it. I never saw a man so scared in all my life. Sort of poetic justice about it. (LEEK with revolver in his