On the shores of the Mediterranean. To the left, in the foreground, a white wall, and above it branches of an orange tree with ripe fruit on them. In the background, villas and a Casino placed on a terrace. To the right, a huge pile of coal and two wheel-barrows. In the background, to the right, a corner of blue sea.
Two coalheavers, naked to the waist, their faces, hands, and bodies blackened by coal dust, are seated on the wheel-barrows. Their expressions show intense despair.
THE DAUGHTER and THE LAWYER in the background.
THE DAUGHTER. This is paradise!
FIRST COALHEAVER. This is hell!
SECOND COALHEAVER. One hundred and twenty degrees in the shadow.
FIRST HEAVER. Let's have a bath.
SECOND HEAVER. The police won't let us. No bathing here.
FIRST HEAVER. Couldn't we pick some fruit off that tree?
SECOND HEAVER. Then the police would get after us.
FIRST HEAVER. But I cannot do a thing in this heat—I'll just chuck the job——
SECOND HEAVER. Then the police will get you for sure!— [Pause] And you wouldn't have anything to eat anyhow.