It's evening at the Duck and Whistle. William
Shakespeare and his actor friend Thomas Swann
are rehearsing the opening scene of Shakespeare's
comedy The Taming of the Shrew.
I'll answer him by law. I won't budge an inch.
Just a minute Thomas: Christopher Sly is drunk,
but we do need to understand the words!
You're criticising my acting, Will. Again.
Thomas, Thomas. You're a great actor. A wonderful
actor. But Thomas, can the audience please
actually hear the words I wrote for your character
to say?
The audience can see what's happening! I'm
in the pub, I'm drunk, there's broken glass
everywhere and -
Thomas Swann! If you've broken one of my glasses,
I'll have your guts for garters!
No, no, no!
Bess, it's in the play.
The innkeeper - in the play, Bess - is going
to call the police unless Christopher Sly
pays for the glasses he broke. But Sly says
he doesn't care about the police, he's entitled
to be in the pub, and he's not moving.
?
Oh - well just you be careful. I won't have
people breaking glasses in my pub.
Of course, Bess. Now, Thomas. Please. Speak
more clearly.
No. I'm an artist, and I have to do it my
way.
Bess, please read the innkeepers lines. I'll
be Christopher Sly. Thomas, just listen.
Alright Mr Will, the innkeeper's lines:
I  know my remedy. I must go fetch the third-borough.
Third, or fourth, or fifth borough, I'll answer
him by law.
I'll not budge an inch, boy. Let him come,
and kindly.
Now please Thomas, do it like that.
I will not do it like that.
He's just like Christopher Sly isn't he Mr
Will? He won't budge an inch either.
We'll leave them there 
for now.
...must not budge an inch on the crucial job of deficit reduction.
That stupid dog refused to move. I kept pulling
on the lead, but he wouldn't budge an inch.
Will, it's my way or -
Now look here Thomas -
Now stop arguing you two or I'll knock your
heads together. Thomas, do what Mr Will says.
It's his play.
Grrrr. To budge, or not to budge: that is
the question.
