| LAINE |
You made yourselves unpopular.
Mass unpopularity, biological redundancy. . . hardly a recipe for evolutionary success.
So while your fellow suspendeds were being flung on a
bonf..
|
| MARSHIE |
(Whispers) Don’t tell him that!
|
| LAINE |
Were being . . .
recycled. You were lucky. You were rescued, By me. At some considerable personal risk.
Silence.
I don’t need your thanks. And here you are in your new home, where we hope you’ll be very happy. And I’m sure you will
be - if you comply with a few simple house rules, like not throwing plates. And never leave the flat. If you do…
|
| MARSHIE |
Don’t tell him that..
|
| LAINE |
Surely he needs to know?
|
| MARSHIE |
He’s nervous enough.
They both look at him, slumped over.
|
| LAINE |
(Quietly) How do you think that went?
|
| MARSHIE |
Well…(Tactful) I liked the bit about evolution.
|
| LAINE |
He’s a bit
upset
|
| MARSHIE |
It’s a lot to take in.
|
| LAINE |
Talk to him, Marshie. You’re more on his level.
She starts to clear up the plates, going into the kitchen. Marshie looks uncertain and smiles nervously. Derek lifts his head and looks at her.
|
| DEREK |
Prisoner.
|
| MARSHIE |
No, you’re not, don’t worry.
|
| DEREK |
Right to a phone call, religious food and drink, freedom from exercise, right to, right to, right to …
He starts to pant and roll his eyes, twitching as if having a
fit..
|
| MARSHIE |
(Over the above)
Laine! Laine!
|
| LAINE |
(Running in) What’s wrong?
|
| MARSHIE |
He’s gone mad! Says he’s a prisoner.
|
| LAINE |
What?
|
| MARSHIE |
And some horrible stuff about rights.
|
| LAINE |
Uncle George, stop twitching. Listen!
|
|
He ignores her.
(Roars) I said, listen!
He stops and looks, terrified.
Calmer You’re not a prisoner. Understand? Not a prisoner.
He nods obediently.
|
| MARSHIE |
Isn’t he?
|
| LAINE |
Of course he’s not.
|
| MARSHIE |
But he can’t leave can he?
|
| LAINE |
That doesn’t make him a prisoner. You’re our guest, Uncle George, our guest.
Pause. His head slumps in his arms again.
Pause. His head slumps in his arms again.
What else did he say?
|
| MARSHIE |
Wants a phone call.
|
| LAINE |
Don’t be stupid, who’s he going to ring?
|
| MARSHIE |
I can’t remember it all. He went on and on about his rights. I got the impression the toast was at the bottom of it all.
|
| LAINE |
It’s ridiculous. He’s a guest, not a prisoner. He hasn’t got any rights.
|
|
|
|
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