Omnibus – To wave or not to wave?

Whether we like it or not, in the not too distant future we are going to have to have a national conversation about euthanasia, be it so-called 'mercy killing' or assisted suicide. Most people have definite views on it and the question is whether or not we will 'allow' those who do not want to suffer the ignominy of a painful and prolonged demise, to end their own lives in the way they see fit. Which is why The Outgoing Tide by Bruce Graham, performed in the Town Hall Theatre as part of the Galway Arts Festival was rivetting. The performances by the three actors were flawless. Rondi Reed played Peg, wife to Gunner and mother to Jack (Thomas J Cox). John Mahoney, known to millions as Marty in the TVâ€Ë†series Frasier, but also a fine stage actor who has appeared many times in Galway, played the central character of Gunner. Mahoney and Reed are Tony award winners. The set was a realistic deck at the back of a sea-side house where father and son frequently stood picking up stones which they skimmed into the sea in one of those enduring father-son competitions. It was also the arena where mother and son constantly picked holes in each other as Peg moved between the off-stage kitchen and the deck. This was obviously one of those parent-child relationships which is always on the verge of an argument. The play moved seamlessly between flash-backs and the contemporary story which is about Gunner's gradual slippage into dementia. There are a few strands to the story: Peg got married before she got to college because she was pregnant (now Jack is horrified to discover that his über-Catholic mother had had sex before marriage). At this stage of her life where she perceives herself as useless, Peg feels cheated. Son Jack is on the cusp of a divorce; Peg is in the early stages of organising a nursing home for Gunner; and Gunner is agonising about whether or not he will take control of his own life by ending it. One thing for sure, he is not going into a nursing home. For me this was a seminal play. The focus of concern was of course Gunner who kept forgetting the odd word (God, I hope that is not a definite sign of dementia or I'm in trouble). He had wandered from the house one evening and frightened Peg so much that she now locks them both into the house each night. She tells Jack not to tell his father about this and Gunner tells Jack that Peg locks them into the house each night but not to tell her that he knows ... get the drift? Gunner's internal debate leads to the conclusion that he is going to go out in his boat with a bottle of 24-year-old Midleton whiskey and get drunk enough to fall into the sea. In this way Gunner's agony will be at an end and Peg and Jack will stand to gain $2.4 million. Jack will be able to settle his divorce without rancour and Peg will have a consolation prize. Gunner's conscience will be salved somewhat 'I said some things to that kid ... maybe it'll (the $2.4 million) make up for some stuff'. This is all relatively straightforward. What is complex is Peg's reaction and why she doggedly says no to the idea of suicide even when reminded that soon Gunner will have somebody putting nappies on him. The questions are: is her reaction based on her religious belief, on ethical concerns, or is she afraid of being left on her own? 'There's nothing else I'm good at' she tells Jack in the discussion about life after Gunner ... 'it is so my business ... this time tomorrow I'm all alone'. Slowly we begin to doubt that her refusal is purely ethical and this pushed me into a soulful debate. Would I be willing to let a loved one go at the time of their choosing or would I force them to suffer indignity? Gunner does not want to do the deed without Peg's permission. She will not give it. Eventually, Gunner appears with the bottle of Midleton and begs Peg for her permission â€â€ 'Please Peg, say it is ok'. She continues to refuse. He tells her he is going out on the boat and says 'when you change your mind, just wave'. I won't spoil the ending. What would you do? â€â€ Mary Ryan