Loot

Act One

As the play opens, Mrs. McLeavy’s coffin stands in the center of the room and her husband, McLeavy, is mourning the death of his wife. His contemplation is interrupted by Fay, his wife’s nurse, who suggests McLeavy, find a new wife. Indeed, she believes that someone like herself, would be the perfect candidate. Hal, McLeavy’s son, enters the room and opens a wardrobe but then immediately locks it back up again. McLeavy questions what is inside, but Hal refuses to tell him anything. Fay questions Hal on his bad behavior, deflowering local virgins and committing petty theft, which has been reported to them by a priest. Hal doesn’t deny the reports but instead says that he’s decided to go abroad with his friend, Dennis, who works for the local Undertaker. When McLeavy sees a report in the newspaper on a bank robbery. Fay immediately suspects Hal but he brushes off her suggestions of guilt.

Dennis arrives with the funeral cars and, after final respects are paid to to Mrs.