Raymond stands up, shakes his head and goes to the chair to climb back up to the phone.

Bert    . . . She, the Bearded Lady, she said you weren’t no fucken dwarf when it came down to your dick, Ray.

Raymond    I’m calling the desk, you’re sick, Kowalski. Maybe I was wrong. Perhaps you’re past the point of help, with your, your delusional nonsense. But I’m damned if I’m going to let poor Charles go the same way.

Raymond starts to climb up.

Bert    No desk, Ray, no desk. Think about it. I know things, Ray, don’t be calling no desk.

Raymond    Shut up – will you just shut your mouth one minute.

Bert    No desk. Don’t you dare you, you – hold it right there.

Raymond    What? What are you going to do if I don’t hold it right here?

Bert goes over to the chair. Raymond climbs down and they face each other.

Bert    You fucked Muzzy Starr in his ass, you fucked him in his ass with that schlong you got and I don’t hear you denying it. Muzzy’s a big guy now, Ray. Last count he was three feet six. You know what else Muzzy Starr is, Ray?

Raymond    A liar?

Raymond suddenly grabs Bert around the throat. He starts throttling him. Bert can barely breathe.

Raymond    Now, now, now you listen . . . you listen to me now, Kowalski. Just you listen to me for one goddam minute . . .

Bert’s eyes bulge as he tries to gasp in acquiescence.

Bert    . . . OK . . . you’re choking . . . OK . . .

Raymond     Choke you? I should kill you, you sick – now listen to me, listen.

Bert    . . . OK . . . listening . . . let go . . .

Raymond releases his grip. Bert is rubbing his neck and gasping for air.

Raymond    This nonsense, this delusional nonsense has gotten out of hand.

Bert    OK. Just don’t –

Raymond    The things, those sick things you’re saying, listen to me, you fool, are you listening to me?

Bert    I’m listening.

Raymond    You better listen, Kowalski, you better listen to me . . . Now: Muzzy Starrs and Bearded Ladies, Wichita ’twenty-nine and constipation cures. I don’t know anything about all that, all right?

Bert looks away. Raymond pokes him in the chest. Bert flinches.

Raymond    Do you hear me, Kowalski? Do you hear what I’m saying about non-existent Bearded Ladies and constipation?

Bert    I hear you, I hear you –

Raymond    Raymond. Say it, I want to hear you say Raymond.

Bert    . . . Ray . . . Raymond.

Raymond    Look at you, Kowalski, you sick drug fool.

Bert    You’re a fucken bully, you know that.

Raymond shoots to Bert and pulls his hand back. Bert crouches against the wall in a pathetic defensive heap.

Raymond    Why you –

Bert    OK, OK, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, OK?

Raymond (pacing about)     . . . Not a word of this, Kowalski. Not a word, you hear? Not one word and I keep my mouth shut about your dope.