Summary

At the start of the play, the setting of James “Sharky” Harkin’s and Richard Harkin’s basement is developed. The basement is a very grim living area of a house in Baldoyle, North Dublin. The place is very dirty and overlooked. It clearly “lacks a woman’s touch.” As the play begins on Christmas Eve morning, Sharky comes down the stairs and taps on a light under a painting of the Sacred Heart. It flickers back on with his touch. Sharky opens the curtains revealing Richard in a pile of rags. He clearly smells and is in filthy clothing. It is evident that he has been drinking the night before. He has recently gone blind. Richard, saying he will bathe on Christmas, refuses Sharky’s request to do so.

As Sharky prepares breakfast and Richard goes to the bathroom, Ivan...