stanley reveals to arthur fowler (bill treacher) that he and george had been best friends. when he discovers that nellie is living with arthur, stanley offers his commiserations, saying he'd rather have no legs than put up with her. stanley reveals that he had been the best man at george and nellie's wedding, and that he had warned george that nellie would make his life a misery on his stag night. he is full of praise for george's mistress and long-term partner, doreen (olga lowe). nellie overhears everything and finds his comments hard to take.