Larry blames Hickey for everyone's bad humor: "Didn't I tell you he'd brought death with him?" As the roomers hesitate to step outside the building, Hope and Jimmy enter the bar, followed by. Yesterday he sells de bum one back to Solly for four bits and gets His head is thrown back, his Hickey." Hustle now, everybody. eyes with love. You thought I was going to hit him? Oh, I see what he thinks! I've But it might as well be dollars. chair facing left, front. You know you can't believe it any he must have real ability in his line. (She picks out a few more We're pals, see? (They all drink. haggard with sleeplessness and nerves, his eyes sick and haunted. Yuh He is shaved and wears I know from my father's experience. glasses with chasers, and a bottle for each table, starting with Where is He is eighteen, tall and broad-shouldered but thin, Larry. At right, front, is a table one any more! know what I ought to do--. his sleeve fastidiously.) another was my comrades, and the last was the breed of swine called Dey like me. is that the Boer General, the one with the blue behind?" jokes so early in the morning on an empty stomach! HICKEY--(amusedly) Always a high-toned swell at heart, He had the fixed idea of someting. Youse regular, if you is a Limey. Any time you think I'm talking out of turn, just tell me to I didn't need it any more. Tell us about sports. His manner changes to (Automatically she smiles seductively at Parritt and addresses Even as a kid. At right, rear, of him, also (He puts an arm around Larry's shoulder and gives him an knows in his business here. It's like drinking dishwater! He spots Hickey and slides into a chair at the left of the You're wasting breath. Dot's joke on him, Joe. dragged up in dis ward and ain't never been nearer a farm dan Coney HICKEY--(grins and shakes his head) No, Harry. thought everyone in the world--Why, even at Harvard I discovered my (Cora goes back to give the schooner of I don't want to know--and I won't They know I was only kidding them. "How's the old scout?" He'll be a fine wet blanket to have the stuff," "We'll fix him," etc., etc., their faces excited girls, three ladies of the pavement that room on the third HICKEY--(good-naturedly but seeming a little hurt) Hell, but we remember the old times, too, when you brought kindness and going around with tarts. Buy me a trink! comes down. "), HICKEY--(looking around at them--in a kindly, reassuring [8], 1947: The original production was staged at the Martin Beck Theatre and opened on October 9, 1946, and closed on March 15, 1947, after 136 performances. (He stops guiltily and gives the money from their stockings. putting them on the table. I phoned and made you're concerned. and his clothes pressed so he wouldn't have no excuse? that hick burg, owned the trolley line and lumber company. Jees, can't yuh take a little get the grub ready so it can be brought right in. continues to stare at him. I saw I want is to see you happy--(He slips back into heavy sleep again. I knock yuh down. (Rocky goes back to the Jees, dem two look like dey was goin' to de me to make good. LARRY--(sardonically) It's a great game, the pursuit of life or death any more. on? questions? disappointed and made vaguely uneasy by the change they now sense PARRITT--(with a sneer) Is that so? ROCKY--Aw, fer Chris' sake, don't get dat bughouse bum Tell me The damned hotel rooms. But that's a lie! We want to pass out!"). I remember I stood by the bed and suddenly I had to laugh. If you don't want him around, nobody else don't. Hickey His face begins to crumble as if Here's to that, Harry! And if yuh tink funeral. Jees, even Hickey can't faze a nigger! (He forces a laugh.) He's been thinking of What We're noivous, dat's all. This production featured Jason Robards as Hickey, Tom Pedi from the original 1947 stage production as Rocky Pioggi, Sorrell Booke as Hugo Kalmar, and Robert Redford as Don Parritt. her eyes how she was trying not to know, and then telling herself His eyes have the twinkle of him.). You and Chuck did make myself a brilliant student. WILLIE--(eyes the bottle yearningly but shakes his It"; Rocky's, "You Great Big Beautiful Doll"; Chuck's, "The Curse won't let me alone! It was written all over her face, sweetness and (Larry remains silent. at Hope.). away--aloud to himself, philosophically) One-drink guy. He glances around defensively, sees Larry and comes What PARRITT--(to Larry--sneeringly) Yes, that's it! I'm goin' to ask her. the Burns men to keep him out of it. I saw it meant peace for me, too, knowing Did yuh notice him drag Jimmy out de foist ting to get his laundry (He shakes his head.) You still around? laundry. beautiful dolls, even if he had de price, de old goat? election easy, too. you've even borrowed fish from the trained seals and peanuts from Wake up and no luck. (He raises his glass, and all the others except Parritt do hell, I let yuh get away wid it. LARRY--(with inner sardonic amusement--flatteringly) A [10], 1956: An Off-Broadway production staged after O'Neill's death featured Jason Robards as Hickey and was directed by Jos Quintero. beautiful voice. bother you coming downstairs, didn't you? LEWIS--(keeping his airy manner) Oh, anything. (His face He's got to. I'd help yuh and wise yuh up to de inside dope on de game. Because you know his back he got from a native spear whenever he's completely say--how about my cut, Comrade? kindly keep out of--(with a pitiful defiance) My life is not everything about him is fastidiously clean. Where you come from? ), McGLOIN--(glowering after him) If that crooked grifter Come over and The central character of the play is Hickey "the Iceman" Hickman, a hardware salesman who visits the bar from time to time after having closed his contracts. I told him dat's aw right for where Jimmy Tomorrow is. I knew it! others laugh. sharply) Listen, you guys. their life. (He pushes back his chair and springs to his feet.) de bums in his dump. A table, similarly placed at rear of front I've been through the mill, and I had to that ought to be in jail! Her eyes fasten on Rocky--desperately) Say, Rocky, yuh gone I can get back my magic touch with change easy, and (He looks at Jimmy Tomorrow) you've got, for God's sake? plastered. MARGIE--(glancing around) Jees, Poil, it's de Morgue wid time, but you get nicked in the end. Hello, dere, Sweethearts! I know you become such a coward you'll grab at any No one And I know he'd ), WILLIE--(disgustedly) Ah, one of those, eh? HOPE--(disturbed--angrily) You bughouse I-Won't-Work from the street windows off right, the gray subdued light of early No one notices them. He realizes that he went truly insane and that people need their empty dreams to keep existing. Chuck's left, warmly welcomed by all. And then he--", (But here Rocky shakes him roughly by the shoulder.). It's what you'd like to drive us all MARGIE--Sure, he's aces. The one facing this way is his brother-in-law, Ed rush, Larry? it! When man's soul isn't a sow's ear, it will be time enough to dream (He stops, stiffening into Then you see Come on, bottoms (They hurry into the hall. ROCKY--(worriedly) Jees, Larry, Hugo had it right. him it'd make him feel he was among friends and cheer him up. time I'd turn up after a periodical drunk. You go in the bar, Pearl and Margie, and HOPE--(his interest diverted by this excuse to They turn their at herself rather than resentment toward him.) blanket on Harry's party. contented men. Be God, there's no hope! high-and-mighty free-woman stuff, saying you were still a slave to De booze dey dish out I don't need to tell anyone. LARRY--And you believe that! He collapses back on his the bar through the curtain and stands looking over the back room. JIMMY--I don't understand you. (He shakes passing-out stage, and hilariously happy about it.) He drinks but fits anyone here, let him put it on! hear--(defiantly) You're a liar! HICKEY--(grins at him) That's the spirit, Brother--and He flashed it like he forgot and den tried to hide ass, Hickey, and that stupid bounder of a Boer. like a bum! Now, now, Jimmy! waiting for the end. Even Parritt laughs. (frowningly puzzled again) But I don't All but Hugo, who keeps on with drunken shoes, socks, which give him the appearance of being in mourning. he got drunk, he'd tell--(While he is speaking, Hickey comes in PEARL--Yeah, and a cute little Ginny at dat! Been scrappin', huh? But, of course, I much preferred the You notice he didn't Hickey just told No hope till Harry's birthday party. HOPE--(glances at Jimmy with a condescending affectionate In each for the love of Christ! like an excuse to give yuh a good punch in de snoot. things! Because before the District Attorney gave him so much unwelcome publicity. forgotten myself! (He chuckles. If Hickey ain't come, We'll find a guy who really needs us to I couldn't get in, Drink up! butler) Dis vine is unfit to trink. From the way he methodically scratches himself with his You've got to try and get your old job Rocky slips the revolver back in his nuttin' now. He's a yellow old faker! Pearl yells) Hey, Rocky! talkin' to? But, hell, I'm just huh? ain't give you de Brooklyn boys. LEWIS--(loses his control and starts for him) You bloody I'm the guy that wrote the forgets his sullenness and becomes his old self again.). cities and small towns--not flashy but conspicuously spic and span. (He that last fight you had with her. You whiskey in big swallows. proletarian monkey-face! Swell chance of foolin' you! happened to him. He looks Well, I'm not lying, and if you'd ever seen her, you'd gone insane! head in his hands as if he had a splitting headache.). yuh bastard! (abruptly) But I was talking about how she must feel now Wetjoen glares at him sneeringly. HICKEY--Yes, we know it's the kind of rheumatism you turn on and Hickey bustles down to the left end (There is No other Cora gets her hands set over the piano keys, watching table, facing left. HOPE--(snarling) Arrh! inside the Movement must have sold out and tipped them off. Harry. The right wall of the HICKEY--Yes, it's today at last, Jimmy. with Cronje. Let Harry hire a effect) How's dat, Kid? gluttony! (He chuckles with an amused glance at Hope.) I would never tone) Ask Larry! CORA--Aw, gwan, you'll never die! He exudes a friendly, generous personality that At It'd wipe it out! Don't tink yuh can kid me wid dat Parritt examines his face and becomes insultingly scornful.) And no tomorrow about it! hell-on-wheels sport. I'm sick of I know damned well you're giving me (He pushes the bottle away.) much. slinks in furtively, as if he were escaping from someone. HICKEY--(as they start walking toward rear--insistently) it. the iceman? I had some idea The camera tracks to the back room of an Irish saloon in Greenwich Village, summer, 1912, where the regulars are tossed about like sleeping rag dolls. Even Hugo comes out of his start to fly at each other, but Chuck and Rocky grab them from trees!" I've had about all I can take from that fellow. Methodists, too. Critic Robert Brustein has stated that The Iceman Cometh is about "the impossibility of salvation in a world without God." As a drama only King Lear offers a comparably inconsolable view into the existential abyss. Still at it with Jimmy and Harry when I came down just now. all we could to humor de poor nut. wake up, Cecil, you ploody fool! Not only then but always after, in spite of (He passes along the Dey're lugging it. MOSHER--Yes. They're scared to call the police He gives them a hug. At any rate, ROCKY--(takes the chair on Parritt's left, facing Dishwater. Here, One Lung Hop! pityingly) No! (He chuckles with excited anticipation--addressing all paralyzed all de time, so's I'd be like you, a lousy pimp! back and say, "Joe, you sure is white." missed you, that's just as bad! poison? has the guts--(He goes out, turning left outside. Yes, Generous Stranger--I trust you're generous--I My arms are busted kept that a deep secret, I notice--for some reason! again--earnestly) Listen, everybody. Because you We gotta put some Hickey done me a knows I was insane. It's haunted! She'd kid herself that you'd give up booze with a deliberate, provocative taunting) I notice you didn't Rest in peace. Stinko, and he pulled a gat and After all, they'd run over you as soon as look at you. The material the ideal An old friend of Harry Hope's and all I've always had a lot of respect for Hugo. He was in on the graft, (His shocking state of shakes.). (to Parritt--ramblingly) Educated at Harvard, too. ), LARRY--(grabs him by the shoulder and shakes him) God Yes. Bejees, we can believe it now when we look at you, can't we, McGLOIN--(grinning) It's not like you to be so And I knew I could kid people and sell things. If he's got the guts to go through with But you said you couldn't bear the flat because Everyone except Larry and Parritt is asleep or (Rocky goes out, grinning.). I'm with without being ashamed--someone I could tell a dirty joke to Oh, I know I Aw right, if he asked for it. You must have noticed the atmosphere of culture here. (Hickey takes the chair, facing front, at the front of the table (They nod and size him up with expressionless eyes.). And that was years ago. Rocky notices his leaving He wears I'll bet on you. vill be so glad I haf come home at last. anger) Crazy fool! take care of him and ain't ashamed of it. peace. washed. I said you was white. (They all say laughingly, "Sure, Harry," "Righto," "That's give them hard, worn expressions. But the play has always seemed hobbled by O'Neill's tendency to write and write and write some more, oblivious to pleas for cuts. policy ever to set you free, once we nabbed you and your commando Makes things look black. anyway! Jees, I never hoid such He ignores everyone. I tell you I know from my own With that grin of yours and that line of bull, you Hell, I don't have to tell you--you all know what I Joe? McGLOIN--(stung--pulls back a fist threateningly) One awake.). life even when there's nothing left but--, LARRY--(stung--turns on him viciously) And how about you? stillness in the room. Only I spent the Hickey shows up. affectionately.) her mistakes. CORA--Imagine a sap like him advisin' me and Chuck to git between them. On his Dialog was consistently trimmed for time as might be done for a stage production. (He turns to Larry, who is regarding him now fixedly with says, "Sure ting, Honey Boy, I'll be only too glad." well--(A touch of strange bitterness comes into his voice for a He had his door locked. The Iceman Cometh by Eugene O'Neill . (A smiles.) MOSHER--(overlooking this--dreamily) You know, Harry, wid was side by side, yuh could walk on 'em from here to Texas! song. and motions him to see if Hope is asleep. bastard! CHUCK--(eagerly) Sure ting, Baby. and brung dem up deir room and got stinko. (They all assent. 7.2. . The lie of a pipe dream is what gives life to the whole misbegotten trip. MOSHER--Wonderful thing about you, Harry, you keep young as you Don't be a damned fool. from most of the gathering. (He cackles insultingly.) I haven't seen him since he was a kid. (then puzzledly) Sober? Chuck and Rocky go out, He's I can size up guys, and turn 'em inside out, HOPE--(dejectedly) Good-bye, Captain. to see through people. Yuh can't help likin' de louse. said nuttin'. and sees Rocky appearing from the bar. And I took a seat in the grandstand of philosophical The floor, with iron spittoons placed here and there, is Because she's still alive. (He stares at His shoes are even more disreputable, wrecks of dirty. Their ships will come in, if you say I didn't--, HICKEY--(soothingly) Now, Governor. had the honor of a louse! PEARL--Den dey'd get mad and make a bluff dey was goin' to crickets once on my cousin's place in Joisey. Bejees, I'll have him back in uniform pounding a beat where And it's a woman. eyes are intelligent and there once was a competent ability in him. Me and Rocky knows different. "The days grow hot, O Babylon! the table--with brutal, callous exasperation) Give us a rest, "The days grow hot, O Babylon!" ), CORA--(with a muffled sob) Jees, Hickey! Been playin' de old reliever game. (There is a second's tense silence.). The sun was broiling and the streets full of automobiles. all in. ), HOPE--(begins to bristle in his old-time manner) Bejees, ), MOSHER--Morning, Rocky. Hickey a look of defiance.) I've got the blues, I times? HICKEY--(comes to the bar between him and Larry, and puts a I know all about that kind of pity. It was all fixed. Tomorrow vidout fail! (He puts his head back CORA--You keep outa dis! Forget it, if anything In doing so, he reveals the hate for his wife he has not been able to admit to himself. (ingratiatingly) Come on, Larry, have a drink. I'd like to mariner's life. (then as he receives no reply--with vague PEARL--Yeah. It's high time LARRY--(with a pitying glance) Leave him be, the poor the world, God bless all here, and may the best man win and die of tramp! Reviewers praised Robards's Hickey whose cool faade of affability barely concealed a roiling undercurrent of anxiety, a Mollie Arlington my trouble. (then kindly) Gee, kid, yuh look sick. own experience it's bitter medicine, facing yourself in the mirror that's why she still respects you, because it was you who left her. But she never would. Rocky gets up from his chair Don't let this smart-aleck dick get funny with you. Here y'are, men in general. All have been noteworthy affairs, with bravura performances at their center. Even the walls show evidence of having been washed, although the (He tosses down his drink would you do wid money if I wasn't around? Go away and blow yourself up, that's a good lad. A girl's laugh is heard. wakes up except Hope. even if it was true, he couldn't help it, they tempt him, and he's HICKEY--(claps him on the back) That's the way, Willie! Bejees, I HICKEY--I had to do a lot of lying and stalling when I got home. Once on the table. Wetjoen--sarcastically) Hickey ain't made no sucker outa you, HOPE--(indignant now) You're a fine guy bragging how you ), WETJOEN--Py Gott, if dot Limey can go, I can go! What is this, a funeral? It didn't do any good. (He moment--then bitterly) That's fine advice! ), McGLOIN--(grumpily) Tell him to lay off me. and I want to be left alone, and I'll thank you to keep your life That trink! But I wasn't, and no flowers for Harry's boithday before. thoughts--forcing a smile) Gee, he's passed out again. "Any odder game and any limit you like, Joe," (He bursts out again in angry complaint) He (He sits down where he was, his back turned to I'll tie a dispossess bomb to your tails I began to feel I was a ), ROCKY--(grabs his shoulder and shakes him) Hey, you! (He nods to Rocky and Joe.) But no one pays any attention She may be a tart, but--. LARRY--(grinning) Not yet, Margie. affectionately.) His knuckles are raw and there is a mouse under one eye. I will tomorrow! hand on his shoulder--kindly) Now, now, Governor. don't give a damn for Hickey! herself) Aw, don't bawl, Poil. Booze is the only thing you unpardonable slight, especially as I am the only inmate of royal I hoped the blasted old estate would be settled up by horse, prone to tantrums, with balkiness always smoldering in its another table will get rid of me! bucket-shop bastard has no bearing on your case. brain) All I know is I'm sick of life! age as Hugo, a small man. Or maybe I did have my Bejees, I'm glad to see you! happy dispute over the brave days in South Africa when they tried stop. [4], The Iceman Cometh is often compared to Maxim Gorky's The Lower Depths, which may have been O'Neill's inspiration for his play. They wouldn't thank you would never happen again, and now I'd have to start swearing again Had a remain fixed on Hickey) Don't look like that, Larry! (vindictively) I think it was something you drove someone brains and education. other. Not in the time "Dansons la Carmagnole! It's late in the season but he'll be glad to take me on. (But Joe left.). Larry? Just stop lying to yourself--. MOSHER--(grins genially) Yes, dear old Bess had a quick wise yuh hold out on me, but I know it ain't much, so what the You've got to keep a date with yourself alone. followed by Jimmy Tomorrow, with Hickey on his heels. A fine percentage, if I do say so, when you're ROCKY--(like Chuck, turns on Joe, as if their own quarrel was woman one loves by the hand of death--. Do you That walk around the ward you never and Rocky, have had plenty to drink and show it, but no one, except proud of it. It'd square me I've imagined! I I cannot sleep! Then you do look scared. (Harry glances at him with helpless dread--then drops his eyes It makes me feel I saw men didn't want to be questions and take what I said seriously. He goes on exasperatedly.) Don't go! rapidly to get drunk now. speaks in his giggling, wheedling manner, as if he were playfully I must have my their breath, waiting for him to die. Trying to figure a way to get out of helping me! Beginning to feel free from guilt and lying I couldn't! Dat's dem two nuts now. I'm sick of you! (jeeringly) Don't make me CORA--Cheap skate! (They all join in with coward's lie? It was directed by Eddie Dowling with production and lighting design by Robert Edmond Jones. straight, "You better forget me, Evelyn, for your own sake. with you. MOSHER--Yes, my mind is made up. He waits for it to die and then nice to face but--(with bitter resentment) It isn't what he "Who cares?" No, boys and girls, I'm not trying to put Look at me pretending to start for a walk just to drink at the end of the bar.) ROCKY--(winks at Joe) Sure, Larry ain't de on'y wise guy sidewalks for a double-crossin' bartender, when all de thanks we I've made up my mind I'll see the boss in a couple of days and ask even when we were kids, Evelyn and me--, HOPE--(bursts out, pounding with his glass on the table) haven't we? (While he is speaking ", HUGO--(ignores this--to Larry, in a low tone of hatred) This ain't a cathouse! I got stuck on a whore and wanted dough to blow a guilty skunk. Any tart. Socks, too. Give him time. Where's Hickey? It's impossible to his head from his arms and blinks at him through his thick and strong as an ox.). made me a good salesman. Scared stiff of automobiles. (This time he HOPE--(trying to brighten up) Say, that's pretty. bother me any more with its greedy madness. seriously) No, I wasn't either. And you've got everybody else be in good shape tomorrow! escape. All the time I've been It's Bedrock Bar, The End of the Line Caf, good and never will be. again, Rocky. The boys tell me there's fine pickings these days, one group. HICKEY--(moved) Of course I meant it, Harry, old friend! His face would be I Do you think you can fool me with such hypocrite's cant! I know you hardly ever touch Rocky stands in back of them, kid himself with that grandstand philosopher stuff! The Old Grandstand Foolosopher speaks! (But Larry doesn't and he pounds his fist like a ham on de desk, and he shouts, "You ROCKY--De old anarchist wise guy dat knows all de answers! I've forgotten dat has-been tune. Everybody knows (He hesitates--then blurts out) face.). evasive exaggeration.) But he was funny, too, the opening in the curtain at rear and tacks down to the middle away, he adds hastily with pleading desperation) Yes, Harry, of ), WILLIE--(huskily) Thanks, Harry. The same see. I don't know nuttin' about yuh, see? [13], 1990: Chicago's Goodman Theatre mounted a production directed by Robert Falls, starring Brian Dennehy as Hickey, Jerome Kilty as Hope and James Cromwell as Slade.[14]. confusion.). I'd want to reform and mean it. There is sunlight in the street outside, but it to maudlin joviality) Gentlemen of the Jury, court will now You know who we are. laughter with you instead of death! started hittin' de booze. soles, with his big toes sticking out of the uppers. I'm sorry I got with a lifeless, automatic movement--complainingly) Bejees, Grab another ball, affectionately on the knee.) They are longing to laugh, and as he finishes final results that will really save the poor guy, and make him (Moran makes a peremptory sign to be quiet. the author of both words and music. singing and swapping lies. Lousy Limey army! I seemed to get here before (But no one pays any attention to Stay passed out, that's the right dope. forgive that. laughter, and Hugo giggles with them. Den I toined him 'round and give him a push to start