Abstract
(The FOREMAN'S office. A door, left, and next to it a framed diploma hanging on the wall. Right, a wardrobe and filing cabinet, on top of which are several empty beer bottles. On the rear wall a large, amateurish painting of Ŝvejk and the publican Palivec, with the inscription ‘Lot of good beer, lot of good cheer’. In the centre of the stage, an office desk and three chairs, the desk covered with papers and more beer bottles; also a few glasses. A crate of beer stands next to the desk. Along the walls, and especially in the corners of the room, a motley of discarded bits of machinery, an ancient radio, a broken hat-stand, a pile of old newspapers, rubber boots, etc. The curtain goes up to reveal the FOREMAN sitting with his head resting on his folded arms on top of the desk, snoring loudly. After a while there is a knock at the door. The FOREMAN immediately awakes.)