NIOS Class 12 English: Chapter 12 Summary of One Act Play- ‘if I WERE YOU’

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12.1 Summary of One Act Play Section - ‘Gerrard and Intruder’

(The scene is start inside a small cottage interior. Where there is an entrance back right which may be curtained. In the left side there is a door which might be a practical door. The furniture of cottage is simple with small table in the left, a chair or two, and a divan rather up-stage on the right. On the table is a telephone.)

When the curtain rises Gerrard was standing next to the table and was busy in phone. He had medium height, and wears horn-rimmed glasses.
He is dressed in a lounge suit and a great coat. His voice was sounding cultured.
After ending up with phone he goes to right site towards divan picked up travelling bag and started packing.
While he was busy in packing his bag, a man who is look-alike to Gerrard enters the cottage silently from right side with revolver in his hand.
He was in overcoat and soft hat, but accidently he bump with table and after hearing this sound Gerrard turns quickly.
Gerrard asked pleasantly reason for this surprise visit.
Intruder replies that he is glad that Gerrard is pleased to see him, but he added Gerrard will not be pleased for long time. And asked to put his paws up.
Gerrard reply to Intruder that all this is looking very melodramatic and he stopped there.
After hearing Gerrard, Intruder was trying to be clam his self.
Gerrard further added that Intruder was nonchalant was his nature.
Intruder with little irritation replies that don՚t be over smart and he will assure to make him crawl but he wants to know few things from him.
Gerrard positively agrees to answer Intruder՚s all question but he asked for sit before starting any conversation as he was not so comfortable in that position.
Intruder allowed him to sit and warned him to answer him seriously and don՚t act funny, he added that they will discuss about Gerrard.
Gerrard agree to Intruder and said that he get sympathetic audience and he is exited to tell his life story and he started with that he was stolen by gypsies, and at the age of 32 he was lonely Essex cottage.
And Intruder stopped him in between and asked him to only answer his questions further he asked that is Gerrard living alone in his cottage?
Gerrard reply that he thought Intruder was telling him not asking him a question of inflection as his tone was not sounding like questioning.
But Intruder was continued to ask with emphasis that is Gerrard was living alone in this cottage?
Gerrard asked that what if he don՚t want to answer his question?
Intruder warned him that, he has sense not to get hurt.
Gerrard replies that think good sense is shown more in the ability to avoid pain than in mere desire to do so and asked to intruder that, what he thinks about it (and pronounce random name) ?
Intruder replies that he likes Gerrard՚s name and ask for his Christian name.
Gerrard replies that his Christian name is Vincent Charles.

One Act Play Section 12.2 Summary of - ‘What Bring Intruder to Gerrard՚s Cottage?’

The conversations continued and let us find out what brings the Intruder to Gerrard՚s house.
Intruder asked Gerrard that, does he run a car?
In answer Gerrard denied.
Intruder was little angry and warn Gerrard, that he is not dealing with fool and he is smarter than him so don՚t act wise. The gun he has is not toy and he can hurt without killing you.
Gerrard request him that if he put off his gun he would love to answer his question, and added that he runs car which is parked in the garage round the corner.
Intruder appreciates Gerrard and asked do people often come out his home?
Gerrard replies that very rarely peoples visit him and they are baker, greengrocer and also milkman.
Intruder told Gerrard that, he comes to know that Gerrard don՚t prefer meet trades people.
Gerrard was surprise and relies that, you already know many things about me so why don՚t you introducing yourself? And add that he is looking so modest.
Intruder answer him that he can tell him many things, if Gerrard consider himself smart so don՚t keep it in mind that he is smarter than him and he use his brain that՚s why he got where he is now.
Gerrard ask intruder that, where exactly he is now? And added he doesn՚t need great brain to break into his little cottage.
Intruder then replies that, Gerrard will surprise to know why he is hear in his little cottage. It won՚t be pleasant surprise for him.
Gerrard replies that he already got some idea as Intruder has made his figure large but he asked that what particular line of crime he follow or he is not specialist?
Intruder has speciality in jewels robbery as he told, and Gerrard car will treat for him because it՚s a dandy car.
Gerrard replies in concern that jewels are few and far between in this part of England.
Intruder added that there are some cops so he can stay safely in Gerrard՚s cottage for some time.
Gerrard was surprised to hear that and replies that, you are not even invited to live with me.
Intruder told him that I will not trouble you more as you (Gerrard) is not going to stay longer hear because he is going to kill him.
Gerrard relies that Intruder is going little harsh and Intruder told him that he is sorry for what he is going to do with him, but he had to.
Gerrard was little scared and advised Intruder that, why he want to add murder in his crime list?
Intruder replies that it՚s not funny for his and he is already in the wanted list for murder so don՚t worry as the cop cannot hang him twice.

One Act Play Section 12.3 Summary of - ‘is Gerrard Afraid?’

Intruder threatens to kill Gerrard, is he afraid of his murder? or he is nervous? And will Intruder carry out his threat? Let us find out.
Gerrard with concern tell the Intruder that, what do you will get after killing me?
Intruder replies that, he will get freedom, after killing you I can go out as Vincent Chartes Gerrard without fear and do not have to hide from the cop as poor hunted rat.
Gerrard says that, in most of the melodrama cases Villains are so foolish to delay killing long enough and become frustrated but in your case you are lucky enough.
Intruder replies that, anything he do have reason behind. He is going to be Vincent Chartes Gerrard because he knows how he talks and his accent comes easy for example: This is Mr. V. C. Gerrard speaking (Intruder was mimicking Gerrard) , he also studs up as Gerrard and asked Gerrard to look at him.
Gerrard replies to Intruder that, he is not so attractive.
Intruder also told Gerrard that same thing goes for you, you are also not so attractive and that՚s why to look alike him just he have to wear a specs.
Gerrard argued that, what will you do about your cloths, it will clearly down you and in reply Intruder told him that, your cloths will fit me so i have no worry about it.
Gerrard replies that, all these things are looking very interesting but you forgot about my remarks and that՚s why I told you that you were luckier than most melodramatic villains not as compliment. And you have not enough reason to kill me.
Intruder gets little bit irritated and in attitude he replies that, do you think so? In reply Gerrard says that he has belief that, intruder will let him go because he didn՚t have shoot him yet.
Intruder interrupts him in between and told him that, be quick what՚s in his mind because this conversion is getting boring for him.
Gerrard replies him that, your idea of escaping from police by killing me and taking my identity is surely going to help you?
Intruder says that, he had planned everything. He was working in town before and where something goes wrong which lead him to kill a cop and after that he is doing nothing then dodging.
At that time Gerrard says that, okay so dodging has brought you hear.
In reply Intruder says that, Dodging has brought him to Aylesbury from where I show you in a car and other two people who were standing there had also seen you and started talking about you that you are little mysteries man.
Gerrard replies him that, he want to explain the mystery behind him.