Play: Stone

Play: Stone Edward Bond Stone was first staged by Gay Sweatshop at the I.C.A. Theatre, London on 8 June 1976. Characters: MAN MASON/JUDGE TRAMP/POLICEMAN/BOY GIRL/WASHERWOMAN Stone Men are not asked who they are but ordered to be Cut to the shape of a square world And the head bound as surely as Old China Bound women's feet Why this unreason? The tool-user makes tooks for his purpose They work- no questions! They break-new ones! Just make enough noise to drown vour voice Turn on enough light to blind you Block out the windows with light Run long enough to learn how to sleep on the run This is the first obligation on all tools: Don't know your own function So what weight presses you to the ground? Why does the young hand shake with the palsy of age? What is the definition of a tool? A space that exactly fills its prison 105 One: Road. Empty stage. A young MAN comes on. He is eager and relaxed. A middle-aged man comes on. He is quiet and efficient and wears a business suit. He is a MASON. MASON: Where are you off to? MAN: (Half smiles.) Why? MASON: You're not lost? MAN: No, I'm going to find a job and make my place in the world. MASON: Good luck. MAN: Thanks. (Smiles.) I left home this morning. My father and mother can't keep me now. MASON: What work d'you want? MAN: I could learn almost anything: MASON: What did your parents give you to take out in the world? MAN: (Touches his pocket. Half smiles.) Sbmething. MASON: Generous! MAN: They didn't have much but they wouldn't let me go empty handed . MASON: How much? MAN: (Cunning.) Ha-ha. MASON: Do I look like a thief. MAN: You might be a clever thief. MASON: I'm weaker than you. You could knock me down. MAN: That's true. MASON: But you wouldn't. MAN: Why not? MASON: I'm very rich. But I don't carry money on me. So I agree: it's not worth knocking me down. Congratulations on changing your mind. MAN: I didn't change my mind! I never meant to knock you down, MASON: No? You'll find-out in the world- it's better to expect the worst. (Takes out a pistol.) Like this. MAN: (Shortly.) 0. MASON: How much? MAN: Not much. MASON: How much? MAN: Seven gold talents. MASON: (Blandly.) Seven. (jerks the pistol.) Show me. (The MAN takes out seven gold coins.) MASON: Pockets out. (The MAN pulls out his pockets. They are empty.) MASON: Hand it over. (He names each coin as it is put into his hands.) Prudence, soberness, courage, justice, honesty, love-(The MAN drops a coin.) Pick it up. (The MAN picks it up and gives it to the MASON .) Hope. Now what will you do? MAN: I won't go home. MASON: They can't afford to take you back. MAN: I'd be ashamed to ask them. I wasted their money. They worked so hard for it. MASON: They should have warned you about thieves. MAN: They did. But the sun was shining and I thought no one would spoil a day like this by stealing. I shall go to the police. MASON: Then I shall have to shoot you. You're spoiling my day too! MAN: (Annoyed with himself.) Blast. MASON: You'll really have to control your tongue. (Sighs. Shakes his head.) Shooting people works out expensive . Fortunately I don't have to shoot you. The police are far too busy to worry about your seven talents ! (MASON gives the money back to the MAN.) MAN: 0. (Puts the money in his pocket grumpily.) Thanks. MASON: Let me give you a job. MAN: Don't pull my leg. MASON: What? MAN: You won't give me a job. MASON: Why not? MAN: You wouldn't trust me. You made me look a fool. I didn't show much sense did I? MASON: (Nodding.) Yes, you'll suit me very well. MAN: It must be such hard work you...