A Punch n’ Judy theatre, with a play in progress. Punch is just delivering a typically rattling blow to Judy’s head, and the audience is howling with delight. The action pauses for a moment during which time Judy speaks quietly to Punch:
JUDY: You don’t hit me the way you used to.
PUNCH: Sure I do (raising his stick to level another blow at her)
JUDY: No, it’s been changing lately.
PUNCH: I don’t know what you mean.
JUDY: Your heart just doesn’t seem to be in it anymore.
PUNCH: Nonsense! I hit you the way I’ve always hit you.
JUDY: No, I don’t think so. Listen, I want to ask you a question and I want you to tell me the truth.
Punch: Yes?
JUDY: Have you been hitting anyone else?
(curtain)
