Linda has made contact with Edward and they agree to meet up for what Mrs Johnstone describes as ‘ a light romance.’ It is clear that they know what they are doing is wrong and Linda maybe feels as if her life could have been different had she married Edward instead of Mickey. They kiss on stage as Mrs Johnstone sings, ‘they’re just two fools who know the rules but break them all.’ As the chorus continues, we see Mickey at work wanting to take his pills but trying his best to resist the temptation and it is clear that he is determined to stop taking the pills for Linda.
While Mrs Johnstone continues the chorus, Mrs Lyons is seen on stage taking Mickey by the hand as she points towards Edward and Linda kissing. A stunned Mickey walks slowly backwards off the stage and as he does so, the music and the mood of the scene changes dramatically. The narrator is on stage singing, telling us that ‘there’s a man gone mad in the town tonight, he’s going to shoot somebody down,’ as Mickey goes to get Sammy’s gun and runs off stage. Mrs Johnstone, in a panic, runs to get Linda and tells her that Mickey has a gun and Linda immediately knows that he’s going to the town hall.
The scene moves to the town hall, where a confident Edward is giving a speech in front of the council chamber. His position as a politician highlights how his life has been successful and in stark contrast to his twin brother, who has been in jail and is now addicted to drugs. His speech is interrupted by a commotion off stage and it is clear from the reaction of those on stage that they are scared and Mickey appears on stage holding a gun. He tells Edward that he stopped taking the pills because he realised he had only one thing left in his life and that was Linda. He then tells him that it was his mother who pointed out their affair to him.
Edward insists that they are just friends, but Mickey begins roaring and tells him that they were Blood brothers and asks, ‘how come you got everything… an’ I got nothin’?’ He then asks if his daughter is really his before telling Edward that he can’t even shoot him.
Mrs Johnstone comes in pleading with Mickey not to shoot Edward as she tries to explain to him that they are brothers. She says, ‘I couldn’t afford to keep both of you,’ Mickey is filled with anger as he shouts, ‘why didn’t you give me away…I could have been him.’ As he says the word ‘him’ he shoots and kills Edward and as he turns around the police shoot and kill Mickey. Mrs Lyons’ prediction about dying instantly when they find out they are twins comes true.
The narrator appears on stage and asks an important question; ‘Do we blame superstition for what came to pass? Or could it be what we, the English, have come to know as class.’ he is asking what was to blame for what happened to the twins. The play ends with Mrs Johnstone singing a song where she wishes that what happened was just a story and not real life. Unfortunately it is real life and not just a story.
- Why do you think Mickey takes Sammy’s gun?
- Why does Mrs Johnstone tell Linda that Sammy has a gun?
- Where is Edward and what is he doing when Mickey finds him?
- What has Mickey found out about Linda and Edward? How do you think this makes him feel?
- What does Mrs Johnstone tell Mickey in order to stop him shooting Edward? How do you think Mickey feels about this?
- Describe what happens at the end of the play? Were you happy with the ending? Explain your reasons.