Brandon. I’m going into the other room. Come in when you can. (Moving to door and pausing there.) Don’t get drunk on that.
Granillo. No.
[Brandon goes out, closing door. Pause. Granillo looks in front of him. He swills off remainder of whisky at one gulp again. Pause, as he looks in front of him. Then goes to sideboard and helps himself to another large glass. Takes another sip, comes slowly down to fireplace, giving a little stagger of drunkenness just before reaching it. Leans against mantelpiece, looking into fire. Slowly turns round and looks at chest. Quickly takes another long gulp at whisky. Pulls a long face and commences to cough. Continues coughing horribly. Cannot leave off. Stops to gasp, and then starts again. Brandon re-enters hurriedly.
Brandon (standing and looking at him). What’s the matter, man?
Granillo (straining). Cough. (Starts again.)
Brandon. Pull yourself together. Come on. Come on. You can stop if you want to. (Thuds him on back.) Come on. (The coughing slowly dies out.)
Granillo. All right. It went down the wrong way. (He now seems quite calm again in every way.) What are you back here for? (Sits down.)
Brandon. They want those Beethoven records. You know, those old ones. I couldn’t find them in there. You had them last, didn’t you? Are they in here, or upstairs?
Granillo. Oh yes. They’re upstairs in my room.
Brandon. I’ll go and get them. Where are they?
Granillo. They’ll be a hell of a nuisance to get at. They’re at the bottom of my trunk.
Brandon. What? The green one?
Granillo. Yes. But they’re right at the bottom, and it’s locked. Must they have their Beethoven records?
[ 49 ]
