[Stanley hesitates, licking his lips. Then suddenly he turns stealthily about and withdraws through front door. The women are still unaware of his presence. When the train has passed he calls through the closed front door.]
STANLEY: Hey! Hey, Stella!
– Tennessee Williams
A Streetcar Named Desire, Scene 4. Stanley may be depicted as rough and animal-like, with stage directions describing him as licking his lips and moving stealthily. But he is cunning and smarter than he appears to be. On overhearing his sister-in-law’s hysterical tirade against him, he doesn’t erupt with anger and storm in with all guns blazing. He stays quiet to listen while Blanche trash talks him to his wife. Then he goes back out the front door and casually calls to Stella, only then making is presence known. He later uses what Blanche said in her rant against her.