Bert    I do, that’s what I’m saying. I wanna know where you got it. Chess my ass. I reckon you fucken stole it – stole it from Charlie.

Raymond    No! I never took his money!

Philomena    I wouldn’t be surprised.

Bert    That’s it, ain’t it! You not only fucked him in the ass, you stole the kid’s money.

Raymond    All right, if you want to – look, it’s an advance. Mervyn – Mr LeRoy gave me an advance on my wages.

A pause. Bert is thinking. So is Philomena. Raymond staggers to his case under the bed, rummages around and takes out the dollar bills. Philomena pulls them out of his hands and starts counting them.

Philomena    . . . That’s fifty dollars! Is it Charlie’s money?

Raymond    No, it’s my money.

Bert    Bullshit.

Philomena    If it is Charlie’s money . . .

Raymond    I swear that it isn’t. Check with Mr LeRoy if you like.

Philomena    If it is his money . . . sure, he’d want me to have it before you . . .

Raymond    I’m positive he would, assuming it was his, but it’s not, it’s –

Philomena    I’m not a fool, Raymond. Don’t take me for one.

Raymond    No. Of course not.

Bert    You’re a fucken devious little witch, is what you are. No, honey, we’re the fucken fools. (Turns to Raymond.) Specially you, Ray. Your ass is far too close to the ground for all that cocksuckin Ivy League bullshit you come out with. (Turns to Philomena.) But you; you got me, you got me fucken speechless and that don’t happen often.

He shakes his head regarding Philomena in a loathing admiration and starts preparing his pipe.

Philomena    You call me all the names you like, Kowalski, but it’s youse two who are the baddies! I did nothing wrong to Charlie. I tried to help him.

Bert    It’s as well it’s you that she cleaned out, Ray. My conscience is like my fucken wallet, as clean as a whistle. (Turns to Philomena.) If anyone killed Charlie, it’s Mr Assfuck Arizona here!

Raymond strikes Bert about the head as he about to light the pipe. Opium flakes spill from it on to the bed.

Bert    Whoa, whoa – quit it!

Raymond    I’ve had it with you, Kowalski; had it with you and your bitter, poisonous mouth –

Bert    Leave me the fuck alone!

Bert picks up the yellow brick and batters Raymond in the face with it. Raymond flails about and screams. Bert picks up an empty whisky bottle and brings it down hard on Raymond’s head. Raymond staggers across the room in blind panic. He knocks over Philomena’s make-up box before falling to the floor. Bert stands over him, the broken bottle in his hand.

Raymond (hysterical)      . . . What’re you –

Bert    Fuck you, fuck you, you midget fucking piece o’ shit cocksucker, OK!