The Ghost of Jerry Bundler | Page 5

the words into my head.
(GEORGE enters backwards, pale and trembling.)
MALCOLM. Why! Look--what the devil's the matter with George?
(Crosses to GEORGE.)
GEORGE. I've seen it, gentlemen. (Down stage L. C.)

OMNES. Seen who?
(BELDON down R. edge of table R. LEEK up R. C. SOMERS up R.)
GEORGE. The ghost. Jer--Bun--
MALCOLM. Why, you're frightened, George.
GEORGE. Yes, sir. It was the suddenness of it, and besides I didn't
look for seeing it in the bar. There was only a glimmer of light there,
and it was sitting on the floor. I nearly touched it.
MALCOLM (goes to door, looks off, then returns--to others). It must
be Hirst up to his tricks. George was out of the room when he
suggested it. (To GEORGE.) Pull yourself together, man.
GEORGE. Yes, sir--but it took me unawares. I'd never have gone to the
bar by myself if I'd known it was 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