If I Were You

1.0About The Author

Douglas James was a British colonial administrator. He has written frequently for television, most notably as the creator of The Riordans, RTE's long-running serial in the 1970s. He has also written a number of plays including The Savages, The Ice Goddess and North Traffic Straight Ahead, an ironic drama of wasted urban lives.

2.0Central Idea

The theme of the play emphasizes the need of retaining one's presence of mind and a cool head in situations of crisis. Panic complicates matters but cool temperament can help one escape from any tight corner with ease. Criminals, who mastermind most well thought out crimes, can also be outwitted because they are fearful of the law and of getting caught. Hence, tactful planning and handling of a situation can trap even 'experienced' criminals.

3.0Significance Of Presence Of Mind

'If I Were You' is a play written by Douglas James and portrays the story of Gerrard, a playwright. It starts with the sketch of the central character Gerrard. We notice that he is on the phone and soon to be on his way to a rehearsal. As he is finishing his conversation and starting to pack his travel bag, we are introduced to the second character of the story, the Intruder, who is seen entering from the right side. The Intruder notices Gerrard bears a striking resemblance to him. With a revolver in his hands, the Intruder orders Gerrard to throw his arms in the air and points his gun at him. The latter, however, is surprisingly calm even in this dire situation and begins to chat with the Intruder. Gerrard is finally made to sit on his chair by the Intruder.

After hearing their conversation, we learn that Gerrard is a man who lives alone and owns a car. It is clear that he is kind of mysterious in some ways because he is constantly in and out. We see that Gerrard stays at his home and for some days isn't there.

Cool Temperament Helps One Escape The intruder on the other hand is portrayed as a jewellery robber, who has recently killed a police officer and is now on the run. The intruder, taking advantage of his resemblance to Gerrard, reveals that he plans to kill the latter and assume his identity. This will enable the intruder to get rid of the police. By virtue of their conversation, Gerrard is soon able to learn that the intruder is not so smart which he tries to make up for with his overconfident nature. Gerrard sees this as an incredible opportunity and begins to hatch a plot and lies to the intruder. He manages to convince the intruder, that he much like the latter is also a criminal and a murderer fleeing the police. He also adds that in any case, if he is killed, the police would end up killing the intruder believing that the intruder is Gerrard.

4.0Mastermind Can Also Be Outwitted

So, the Intruder believes his story. Assuring that they both can escape, Gerrard asks the Intruder to go to the garage, where using the former's car, they both will be able to flee. As the Intruder opens the garage door shown by Gerrard and goes in, we learn that it was a door for sure, but not to the garage but rather a cupboard. Taking advantage of the situation, Gerrard pushes the Intruder inside the cupboard. Due to this action, the revolver fell as the Intruder stepped into the cupboard. Gerrard quickly bolts the door of the cupboard from outside and picks up the revolver. Then he informs the police of the Intruder's whereabouts. Amid all this, Gerrard is able to realise that this day's occurrence would make up for an entertaining play which he plans to make use for his upcoming feature. Thus, we see that how a little alertness and cleverness saved Gerrard's life.

5.0Recall

• The Intruder entered the house of a playwright. He only knew him as Gerrard.
• He had heard about him a few things.
• The Intruder was a criminal.
• He decided to kill Gerrard and live himself as Gerrard. So, he broke into the cottage of Gerrard
• The Intruder threatened Gerrard with his revolver.
• He asked him to answer his questions. Then he told him that he intended to kill him and then live in his house as Gerrard.
• Gerrard told the Intruder that he was also a criminal and a murderer. In case, he killed Gerrard he was sure to be hanged.
• They would hang him if not as himself then as Gerrard.
• Gerrard asked him to hurry and run with him in his car to a safer place.
• The Intruder agreed and when the Intruder opened the garage door shown by Gerrard and goes in, we learn that it was a door for sure, but not to the garage but rather a cupboard.
• Gerrard pushed the Intruder inside the cupboard, quickly bolted the door of the cupboard from outside and picked up the revolver.
• Then he informed the police of the Intruder's whereabouts.