TRIPPETT. I quite appreciate what you say, Mr. Ayers, but it’s one of our rules that you should have lodged your complaint at the time the accident occurred.
JOHN. I suppose if a man was killed stone dead, he ought to leave his name and address.
TRIPPETT. If he knew where he was going. But in this case the situation is rather difficult. The Mr. Turner you mentioned just now informed us that he was the only passenger injured in the accident and the other occupants of the ’bus rather bear out his statement.
JOHN. How does he know? He couldn’t see my back!
TRIPPETT. You see, you have no witnesses. (Shrugs.)
JOHN. No witnesses indeed! Oh yes, I have. Don’t you run away with any idea like that. My friend Tully here was sitting next to me in the ’bus the whole of the time!
(TULLY almost collapses.)
TRIPPETT. Oh, indeed—indeed!
TULLY (quickly and very agitated—down to L. of TRIPPETT). But I make no claim! Indeed I don’t. No. I make no claim! I make no claim at all!