Summary

Act One opens with two men, Hirst and Spooner, both in their sixties, on stage. Hirst is pouring drinks and Spooner is standing in the center of the room. Spooner is dressed shabbily while Hirst is dressed smartly. Throughout the scene both men, but Hirst in particular, consume a large amount of alcohol and become increasingly inebriated. The two men have a conversation in which Spooner is very loquacious and Hirst is taciturn in response. It becomes apparent that they met at a local pub earlier that night but it is not explained why Spooner has returned to with Hirst to his home. After an extended period of dialogue, Spooner introduces himself by name to Hirst. He claims to be a poet and a supporter of the arts, who hosts poets and artists at his home. Spooner attempts to encourage Hirst to...