The play opens in a ship's forecastle, the quarters for the crew located in the forward part of the boat. The firemen of the large ocean-going ship are all happily drinking, although there is discernible tension, indicating that the men are capable of violence at a moment's notice. One of the firemen, Yank, declares that beer is sissy and that he only drinks the "hard stuff." Paddy sings a song about whiskey. Yank yells at them, insisting that they are "dead." He says he wants quiet because he's trying to think. Someone sings a sentimental song about home and Yank launches into a verbal attack of home, of emotional connections, and of women.
Long claims they are all really living in hell and blames their miserable conditions on the people in first-class, "the.....
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