The Reckoning Page #6

life. I use this to keep them alive.

If your old man is dead, God rest him. But

who the devil knows what happened to him?

Did he fall? Or was he pushed?

What came first? The punch,

or the heart attack? Who knows?

In his condition he might have dropped

dead bending down to pick up a flower.

So you're covering up. I've a good mind

to report you to the medical council.

You'll do yourself no good that way, Michael.

You're a coward Dr Carolan.

They taught you "spite" in London,

didn't they Michael.

I just say I haven't forgotten it.

They must be hiding in the Snug,

if you can call it such a thing.

I'll have a look.

A brandy please.

He's there alright.

Which one is him?

The fellah with the polo-neck sweater.

That fellah with the red hair?

That's your man.

I don't believe it.

Here's to your dad Mick,

God rest his soul.

Come on.

Mrs Davis, you wouldn't have anything

for a headache, would you?

I suffer it myself. I've got just the thing.

You wait there.

That's marvelous of you.

I suppose I'd better put the car away

while I'm here.

Don't worry about that. The car's okay where

it is. Take those and go straight to bed.

Thanks very much. I need to have a rest.,

Hey Jez, get us a couple of half's will you.

Have you got a light?

Is your name "Jones"?

What of it?

Well, I've got one or two things

to say to you, Jones.

What about?

I'll get the others.

I owe you this Jones,

for one old Irish peasant.

Please... don't hurt me mister.

Please... please... don't..

Please.

I don't care son. You're the one

who did it to him.

Let us pray.

Grant oh God, that while we lament

the departure of this, thy servant.

We may always remember that we

are most certainly to follow him.

But may be ever watchful that

when Thou shalt call we may..

Enter into Eternal Glory, of

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let's go Ma..

Oh, I forgot to tell you.

There were some policemen here wanting

to speak to you. I wondered what it was?

Policemen?

They wanted to know where you

were last night.

I told them you were in your bed,

all night.

I wonder what all that was about?

Well thank you Mrs Davis.

It has been a pleasure to stay with you.

Come on Collette, now don't be a drag.

Come on, love.

Oh Michael.

Bye bye aunt Bess.

Bye bye aunt Lucy.

Bye aunt Merrion.

I'm sorry Michael.

Right.

God bless.

Come back soon Mick. We miss you.

I'll come and see you off.

Alright Ma.

Goodbye everybody.

Goodbye Mick. Take care.

Michael.

The police were here.

I saw them go.

You're a bad lad Mick.

I always was.

Hungry?

Yes.

I like your dress. Silk isn't it?

Hmm.

Now come on Hilda. This is like a wake.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Nothing's the matter.

You're looking at me even though

you won't speak to me.

Cheers... to us?

Do you mind if I have gin instead?

Have you got any?

Oh yes... I've got some gin.

Why don't you break out, Hilda?

Hmm?

Get plastered every night!

Ransack the pubs for eager young men.

Bring them home and ravage them.

Vomit on the carpet and turn

up late for work.

Let that cool image you have

of yourself shatter.

Come down in the world. Enjoy it.

Is this how you'd really prefer me?

No, I suppose not.

But think of what you are missing.

Am I?

No... no, not here.

Why not? Hmm?

There's too much light.

In the bedroom.

Alright?

I feel..

I feel dead..

What you thinking?

About leaving Grenfells.

I wish I didn't have to.

Especially now.

Do you have to?

Well, it's either Hazlitt or me.

It's a pity the old sod hasn't made

the odd mistake.

He's made plenty.

Hmm.

Yeah. Plenty.

What kind of things?

Why do you think we lose so many managers?

I don't know.

Hazlitt never pays any attention to

market research.

He just goes ahead. "Instinct" he calls it.

Whenever something goes wrong,

he just fires the manager.

Where's Devereaux now?

Sales manager with Van Der Polder.

Fired by Hazlitt.

And Blain?

Tell me more.

Well, I'm taking a serious view

of this, Marler.

I'd like an explanation.

Well sir.

There was some horse-play at a private

party unconnected with the corporation.

Mr Hazlitt and Miles Bishton have magnified

the incident out of all proportion.

Sir Miles is even taking legal advice.

Fat lot of good that will do

the Grenfell image

Hmm.

Frankly sir, my suspension was inevitable.

Any incident or mistake would have

had the same effect.

You think so?

I'm afraid Mr Hazlitt has come to

regard me as a sort of threat.

To his own position I mean.

In what way?

Well, apart from being a younger

man and so on.

He knows that I'm sick of

covering up for him.

What exactly have you been.. covering up?

Well sir, I've..

Don't worry Marler, it won't get back

to him. You can speak quite freely.

Well..

There have been quite a few serious

errors of judgment and foresight.

He tends to act impulsively without

much regard for the figures.

And then the disaster occurs..

And someone else's head goes on the

chopping block to save his.

I did take all the trouble to put this down.

Names, dates and what happened to

them after Hazlitt fired them etc.

I'm not a fool, Marler.

I've known John Hazlitt for seventeen years.

I know his strengths and

I know his weaknesses.

One of them is, he doesn't move

with the times.

Good God! Where did you get all this?

I suppose if you were the new

sales director..

You would want to keep Hilda Greening

on as your secretary, would you?

Not really, sir.

Not very trustworthy, Hilda.

Well, I'm going to make you the new

sales director.

I think you've got the right qualities

for the job.

Really sir?

Hmm.

Drink?

Well, I wouldn't say no.

Help yourself.

A scotch for me.

I wouldn't worry too much about Hazlitt.

His pension will come to twice your wages.

One way and another.

Well, I'm sure he'll enjoy a break.

In a way, I was rather fond of him.

Is that..?

Fill it up a bit.

I've got great faith in you, Marler.

Thank you sir.

Pity about Rosemary, running off like that.

Yes sir.

I don't see her coming back though.

Oh I think you'll find she will.

Well, here's to success in the new job.

Cheers.

Light!

If I can get away with that,

I can get away with anything!

Subs for KG

by "Targa".

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