The Irony of the Code of Dressing
Mrs. Maxine Faulk is the owner of the hotel where the tourists are about to visit for their stay. As the owner of the hotel and employer, she is supposed to be a role model to her employees on official attire. However, it is ironic that she dresses like a promiscuous woman by exposing her boobs. The reader does not expect her to be scantily dressed. Similarly, from her title, she is a married woman who should carry herself with dignity around her employees. The author writes:
“Mrs. Maxine Faulk, the proprietor of the hotel, comes around the turn of the verandah. She is a stout, swarthy woman in her middle forties – affable and rapaciously lusty. She is wearing a pair of Levies and a blouse that is half unbuttoned. Pedro, a Mexican of about twenty – slim and attractive, follows her. He is an employee in the hotel and also her casual lover”
The Irony of Fred’s Death
In reporting on the death of someone, it is important to factor in the reaction of others. Maxine seems to be a carefree woman who does not mind the reaction of others. For instance, when Shannon is back from the tour, he asks Maxine about the whereabouts of Fred. Unregretful, Maxine says that Fred is dead and Shannon realizes that she does not feel consolable about his death. It is Ironic for Maxine to be not moved by the death of her employee. When asked where Fred is by Shannon, Maxine replies,
"Dead, that is what I said. Fred is dead. He cut his hand on a fishhook, it got infected, the infection got in his bloodstream, and he was dead inside of forty-eight hours.”
Ironically, she does not even bother to explain any effort she took to help Fred get medication to prevent the infection that killed.
The Irony of the Beer
Shannon is not feeling well. He is panting and becoming restless. His voice is giving out as he stumbles down the veranda. He cannot go on because he has lost energy. When a person is ill, the reader expects to see the action that is taken so that he can get medical attention. However, it is ironic from the play that what Shannon is given to make him recover is a cold beer. Maxine hands him a cold beer and promises him that he is going to be cured and feel better.
The Irony of the "Stingy – Daughters of – Bitches"
In the hospitality business such as Hotels, tourists are the main clients and they deserve to be treated with respect for them to come again. In business, the customer is the King and if you mess with the customer, the reputation of the business is damaged. Ironically, the proprietor of the Verde Hotel, Maxine and his honey, Shannon are not interested in the tourists on the tour bus. There is nobody to usher them into the hotel. They are blowing the bus horn but nobody goes to welcome them. Maxine thinks that they are sex pets of Shannon. On the other hand, Shannon calls them the sting daughters of bitches. Shannon says:
“Are they getting out of the bus or are they staying in it, the stingy – daughters of – bitches ……. Schoolteachers at a Baptist Female College in Blowing Rock, Texas. Eleven, eleven of them.” Ironically, it again goes beyond the expectation of the reader on how Maxine describes the tourists. She refers to them as a football squad of old maids.
The Iron of Wet Hens
Shannon is stubborn and does not want to take the tourists back to town. He says that the ignition key will remain in his pocket for the next three days. Hank is trying to reason with him arguing that it impossible to do so. The tourists have been inside the bus for a while and a baby is crying from the back seat. Ironically, Shannon does not care about the welfare of the tourists who are the reason why he is employed. He complains that last time he almost lost his job because of a poor party and he is now keen on keeping his job. However, treating the tourists like this will anger his employer and get him sacked. It is also ironic that Shannon refers to old wet hens. The author writes:
“Hank, I want your cooperation. Can I have it? Because when you are out with a difficult party like this, the tour conductor – me – and the guide – you – have got to stick together to control the situations as they come against us. It’s a test of strength between two men, in this case, and a busload of old wet hens! You know that, don’t you?”
