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1. 241t012018
damn unfair, but apart from that Oliver was A1. He'd got through it all tremendously well
really, for such a youngster. I mean it.
ALBERT (quietly): I didn't see Oliver after the explosion. He must have gone down with the
ship.
Mrs Stanley is quiet for a moment as she thinlcs this through and digests what it could mean.
MRS S: He might have gone out like a light then, as soon as the ship was hit, all of
sudden his life was over. Is that the ending to Oliver's story?
ALBERT: I truly believe that. I was in the water for a whole day, I'm a strong swimmer,
so I was all right, but some of the chaps couldn't wait so long to be rescued. They started to
slip away and then everything started to get so quiet. Oliver was spared that, at least.
Mrs Stanley prepares to leave.
MRS S: He was so close to making it back. I'll tell you a secret; I still keep the
cottage door open for him, just a crack. Now Mr Bullivant, you did make it back, so promise
me one thing- don't waste your life, not a single second of it. If there's something you want,
you take it with both hands.
Albert nods
ALBERT: I will, (determined) thank you, Mrs Stanley, I'll do just that.
Mrs Stanley exits down centre aisle
ETHEL: I try not to think about it, but I sometimes wonder what sort of end my John
might have had.
ALBERT: Oh Ethel...
At this sign of sympathy, Ethel quickly tries to recuperate.
ETHEL (briskly): She's a brave woman, facing it all. Better than a stiff upper lip, I
suppose. I always felt the need to just push it away, for the sake of the children. That's just
the way I am and I don't suppose I'll change soon. I've never been very good at sharing my
feelings.
Albert steels himself to say what he really wants to.
ALBERT: Well I'm going to share mine. I have to move on; I can't let life pass me
by. What Mrs Stanley said...
ETHEL: You do what you have to do, Albert.. .. Gwen. I'll leave you too it. (Exits SL)
For once Ethel smiles at Albert as soes down on one knee in front of Gwendoline
MRS S: And...was it quick? The end?