MELI: Now, now, Martin. You know it was the drink that did for him in the end.

MARTIN: And why was he drinking? Because Kernahan drove him to it.

MELI: You can’t say that.

MARTIN: My Da was his batman in India. Day in, day out Kernahan bullied him.

MELI: But that’s army life.

MARTIN: I reckon Amritsar was the end. He told me how ten thousand unarmed Indians gathered in a walled garden. They were protesting because they wanted their freedom. The troops were ordered to fire and hundreds were killed.

MELI: That was tragic.

MARTIN: He never forgave the British. On his death bed he told me Ireland must be free. He made me promise to fight for our freedom.

MELI: Oh! (Pause) And how was the play?

MARTIN: Ma’am. I’m not against you. A lot of the British are good people. It’s the government. They promised us our own country.

MELI: I know. Did you read Cathleen Ni Houlihan?

MARTIN: Indeed I did. (Pulling the book out his jacket pocket and giving it to Meli) It was brilliant. I’m Michael aren’t I?

MELI: And who is Cathleen?

MARTIN: The old lady.

MELI: But she’s more than that.

MARTIN: She asks Michael to help expel the strangers in the house who have stolen her four beautiful green fields. Sounds like the British and Ireland.