Scene: The living-room of a house in Stratford-upon-Avon, the town where Shakespeare was born Characters: Sidney and Ethel (tourists), a man Sidney and Ethel come into the room. Sidney: Well, Ethel, here we are in Shakespeare's front room. This must be where he wrote all his famous tragedies. Ethel: I'm not surprised, with furniture like this. Sidney: What do you mean? Ethel: Well, look at that armchair. He can't have been comfortable, sitting there. Sidney: Don't be silly! He probably sat at this table when he was writing tragedies. Ethel: Oh. yes...Look! (She shows Sidney a typewriter.) Ethel: This must be Shakespeare's typewriter. Sidney: Shakespeare's typewriter? Ethel: Yes. He must have written all his plays on this. Sidney: Ethel! That can't be Shakespeare's typewriter. Ethel: Why not? Sidney: Because Shakespeare didn't use a typewriter. Ethel: Didn't he? Sidney: No, of course he didn't. He was a very busy man. He didn't have time to sit in front of a typewriter all day. He probably used a tape-recorder. Ethel: A tape-recorder? Sidney: Yes. I can see him now. He must have sat on this chair, holding his microphone in his hand saying: 'To be, or not to be.' Ethel: What does that mean? Sidney: Ah well, that is the question. Ethel: Sidney, look! Sidney: What? Ethel: Over here. This must be Shakespeare's television. Sidney: Shakespeare's television? Ethel: Yes. It must be. It looks quite old. Sidney: Shakespeare didn't have a television. Ethel: Why not? Sidney: Why not? Because he went to the theatre every night. He didn't have time to sit at home, watching television. Ethel: Oh. (They hear someone snoring.) Ethel: Sidney, what's that? I can hear something. Oh, look! Sidney: Where? Ethel: Over there. There's a man over there, behind the newspaper, I think he's asleep. Sidney: Oh, yes. He must be one of Shakespeare's family. He's probably Shakespeare's grandson. Ethel: Ooh! Sidney: I'll just go and say 'Hello'. (He goes over to the man and shouts.) Sidney: Hello! Man: What? Eh? What's going on? Sidney: Good morning. Man: Good mor- Who are you? Ethel: We're tourists. Man: Tourists? Sidney: Yes. Ethel: It must be very interesting, living here. Man: Interesting? Living here? What are you talking about? Sidney: Well, it must be interesting, living in a famous house like this. Man: Famous house? Ethel: Yes, there must be hundreds of people who want to visit Shakespeare's house. Man: Shakespeare's house? Look, there must be some mistake. Sidney: This is Shakespeare's house, isn't it? Man: This is Number 34, Railway Avenue...and I live here! Ethel: Yes. You must be Shakespeare's grandson. Man: Shakespeare's grandson? Ethel: Yes. Sidney: Ethel! Look at this! Ethel: What is it? Sidney: Look at it! (He is holding an ashtray.) Ethel: Ooh, Shakespeare's ashtray! Sidney: Yes, William Shakespeare's ashtray! Mr. Shakespeare, I would like to buy this ashtray as a souvenir of our visit to your grandfather's house. Man: For the last time, my name is not - Sidney: I'll give you ten pounds for it. Man: Now listen...Ten pounds? Sidney: All right then - twenty pounds. Man: Twenty pounds for that ashtray? Ethel: Well, it was William Shakespeare's ashtray, wasn't it? Man: William Shakespeare's...Oh, yes, of course. William Shakespeare's ashtray. (Sidney gives the man twenty pounds.) Sidney: Here you are. You're sure twenty pounds is enough... Man: Well... Sidney: All right then. Twenty-five pounds. (He gives the man another five pounds.) Man: Thank you. And here's the ashtray. (The man gives Sidney the ashtray.) Sidney: Thank you very much. Ethel: I hope we haven't disturbed you too much. Man: Oh, not at all. I always enjoy meeting people who know such a lot about Shakespeare. Goodbye. Ethel: Goodbye. (Ethel and Sidney leave.)