…The portrait is now mine and mine alone! As it should have been from the beginning! (Pause) I wonder why the young fool did not sign his finished work. Is that not proof enough that he intended me to claim soul ownership? (Picks up a paint brush and wine bottle.)

Well, all that remains…

(He is about to sign the portrait when there is suddenly a loud knock on the door… Michael freezes. Another knock, but he does not move. After a pause, the sound of a key unlocking the door. He looks in terror as the door slowly opens…)

Hannah. (She enters) Oh, there you are! What’s the matter? You look like you seen a bleedin’ ghost? (She looks around the room as she puts her key in a pocket, and sees the portrait on the floor.) ‘Ere, what you been up to? (Michael is silent) Are you all right, me dear? (She crosses to join him at the easel. He is still holding the brush and wine bottle) I thought this ‘un was finished?

Michael. What? (Quietly) Oh… Yes it is.

Hannah. You gonna put your name on it, then? (Silence) Come on, and then we can go celebrate! It’s still goin’ strong at the Anchor!.. (Michael is hesitant) What, cat got your tongue? (She takes the wine bottle from his hand and drinks.) (Chuckling) You ‘ad better put yer mark on it before someone else does!

Michael. (Nervous) What do you mean? Who?

Hannah. What? Oh, I was joking, dear…

Michael. (Now resolved). I am the fool if I stop, now. It is mine! (He drinks from the bottle, and then signs the portrait.) There!

(Suddenly, all lights go to blackout immediately followed by a single piercing light that engulfs him. He drops the brush and bottle and covers his eyes as Hannah looks on, horrified. A moment later, there is a deafening high pitched noise, so unbearable that Hannah crumples onto the cot and Michael cowers to the floor, as they cover their ears.)

(Blackout)

(During the blackout, sounds of a high pitched scream of agony and then silence)

(Lights up. Hannah is still lying on the cot, as before. Michael has vanished. The easel that held the young man’s portrait is now lying on the floor, downstage R. The young man’s portrait has also vanished.)