A bag on his head, under a bare light bulb, MAC is tied to a chair in a warehouse.
MAC
If I was an introspective man, I’d be taking time now to reflect upon my life, all my accomplishments, my many loves, the charming idiosyncrasies of my dearest friends … trying to give it all some meaning, trying to soothe myself and prepare to meet my possible death with courage and good grace … But since I’m not an introspective man … I’ll just spend the time thinking up a way to escape and get my revenge.
Footsteps on the hard floor. Two people approach. PEACHUM and STRINGER walk into the light and head towards MAC.
MAC
Ah, at last. Some company.
PEACHUM
(to STRINGER) What did I tell you? The man does not scare easily.
MAC
Peachum, you conniving old bastard. You couldn’t find another way to tell me you’ve missed me? Who’s this?
PEACHUM
His name is Stringer.
MAC
He looks like a fed.
PEACHUM
He is.
MAC
And he’s a friend of yours?
PEACHUM
Not exactly.
MAC
Not exactly … meaning?
STRINGER
Not at all.
PEACHUM
(undoing rope) Don’t blame Jenny for this, by the way. She had no choice.
MAC
Well, she could’ve given up her life for me. There was a time she would have done that.
PEACHUM
No, there wasn’t.
MAC
Yeah, you’re probably right. So what is it you want from me?
STRINGER
We have a proposition for you.
MAC
A proposition involving him? (to PEACHUM) Doesn’t he know how much we dislike each other?
PEACHUM
He doesn’t care.
MAC
Interesting. By the way, aren’t you going to ask how your daughter is?
PEACHUM
Well, since you know what will happen if you don’t, I assume you’re taking very good care of her.
STRINGER
Can we get to it now?
PEACHUM
Go ahead …
STRINGER
Well, first things first. When I start to talk, I don’t want to be interrupted.
MAC
Well, that’s gonna be hard if you keep saying things like that. (to PEACHUM) A lot of these bureau guys think they’re God or something. Have you noticed that?
PEACHUM
It’s only recently that I started spending time with them.
MAC
They’ve got something on you, eh?
PEACHUM
Yeah, I’m afraid they do.
MAC
And there’s no way out?
PEACHUM
None that I could come up with.
MAC
(to STRINGER) Okay, then I’m in.
STRINGER
Just like that. Without hearing what it is?
MAC
Hey, we’re family. If he needs my help … You seem kinda disappointed.
STRINGER
I was hoping I’d get to beat you a little before you agreed.
MAC
(to PEACHUM) You hear that? He wanted to torture me.
STRINGER
No. Torture isn’t sanctioned. Who said anything about torture?
PEACHUM
You did.
STRINGER
I said I would have liked to beat him. There’s a difference.
MAC
What is it?
STRINGER
I’d have to show you. And I can’t …
MAC
Because it’s not sanctioned?
STRINGER
Not at the moment, no.
PEACHUM and MAC just share a look.
Blackout.