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Scene One Thursday night and Claire Benjamin returns to Number 4 Quincey Row to find a house full of people and music blaring out of the hi-fi.
SARAH: Claire! I didn’t think you would be back so early.
CLAIRE: You probably didn’t, but it looks like it’s a good thing I did.
SARAH: The music is loud, but I will get Richie to turn it down.
CLAIRE: No need. I can do it.
PARTY GUEST (FRANK): Lighten up, love.
CLAIRE: Don’t lighten up love me, mate. This is my house and I want that music turned down. RICHIE: Hi, Claire. I know what you’re thinking. But I met up with a couple of friends.
CLAIRE: That doesn’t explain why this place is full of people.
RICHIE: We got talking to some people. And they're students as well. And you know how it gets.
CLAIRE: Perhaps you could tell me, Richie.
 | | Just harmless fun? Claire doesn't think so |
RICHIE: Well we need to get to know some more people. Don’t we?
SARAH: We will turn the music down, Claire. RICHIE: Of course we will.
CLAIRE: All right. Turn the music down and we should be all right. And I want the place tidied up.
RICHIE: How does that sound to you mate? FRANK: Fine by me.
Richie walks off into the crowd.
SARAH: How was work?
CLAIRE: Fine. I did a lot of bar work before. So I’m used to the varying hours.
SARAH: I need to find myself a job. I don’t suppose there are jobs where you work?
CLAIRE: You might be lucky. A guy has just left. We were just going to take extra shifts, but as he worked nearly full-time we probably need a more bar staff. I’ll ask.
SARAH: Thank you, Claire. I need to get a job really. I’m sure my parents wouldn’t be happy if they knew I was working in a pub, but what they don’t know…
CLAIRE: Have they got a problem with you working?
SARAH: I think my dad is a little old fashioned. I got a good education, but I think he probably wants me to either get married or rely on him. CLAIRE: Can you do that?
SARAH: My parents are both well off. I think that means my dad doesn’t expect me to have to work.
CLAIRE: And you don’t want to do that?
SARAH: Like him I guess I have an independent drive.
FRANK: I couldn’t help but notice you. Sarah, isn’t it? I don’t suppose I could get you a drink? SARAH: No. I’m all right thanks.
FRANK: Come on. I’m one of your mates’ friends. SARAH: I still have a drink here. Thanks.
FRANK: I’m trying to be a gentleman here. CLAIRE: I think you heard her say she was all right.
FRANK: I’m talking to her. Not you.
CLAIRE: Don’t think I won’t chuck you out. RICHIE: Come on Frank. Let me get you another drink. OK?
Richie takes Frank and leads him off into the kitchen.
CLAIRE: Are you all right, Sarah?
SARAH: Yes, but I could have handled it. Scene Two
Claire and Sarah find Michael sitting in the back garden.
CLAIRE: I didn’t mean to interfere like that. SARAH: I’m glad you did really. Richie as well. MICHAEL: It's a good thing you did. I don't have a problem with the party. It's just some people. Shall we say they have too much of a good time.
CLAIRE: Well it will be different next time. SARAH: Next time? So this isn’t the last party? CLAIRE: Well we haven’t really had any problems. MICHAEL: A change of heart then?
CLAIRE: I like to enjoy myself as much as anyone.
MICHAEL: I’m sure you do.
SARAH: Doesn’t the music seem louder?
CLAIRE: Maybe. Maybe not. I’m past caring. SARAH: So what have you got planned tomorrow then, Michael?
MICHAEL: I haven’t thought about it. Any reason?
SARAH: I just wondered what you were doing to keep yourself busy.
CLAIRE: I’ll be back in a moment.
Claire walks back into the house.
MICHAEL: There is something at the Phoenix Arts Centre I wanted to go to.
SARAH: What exactly?
MICHAEL: Just a film. The Phoenix plays a lot of films you wouldn't generally get to see. I think I have the booklet in my pocket.
Michael pulls out the booklet, and hands it to Sarah.
SARAH: I haven’t heard of any of these films. MICHAEL: It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t see them. Perhaps you would like to come with me tomorrow.
SARAH: I would like that. I think.
Lucy and Nick walk into the garden.
LUCY: How are you getting on, Sarah?
SARAH: I’m all right.
NICK: How about you, Michael? It looks very cosy out here.
MICHAEL: And yourself?
NICK: You know how it is. When people click. MICHAEL: You only met Lucy the other day. NICK: No-one has control over their emotions. LUCY: If I didn't know any better I would think you might propose next.
NICK: Who says I won’t? Anyway we should leave these two alone.
Lucy and Nick return to the house.
SARAH: They seem to be getting on well. MICHAEL: From what I've heard about Lucy it would seem she gets on well with a lot of people. SARAH: What's that supposed to mean? MICHAEL: One of the people Richard brought back says he knows her. From school. Apparently she slept around a lot during her A-levels. SARAH: That might just be a rumour.
MICHAEL: Probably yes.
SARAH: I think I want to go in.
MICHAEL: All right then. I’ll just stay here.
Sarah gets up and walks into the house. Damn...
Scene ThreeThe party is still going strong when there is a loud knock at the front door.
RICHIE: Are we expecting any more people…? Hello, officer. How may I help you?
PC MILLER: I’m PC Miller. We’ve had a complaint about the noise coming from this house.
RICHIE: Well I know it’s quite loud, but…
PC MILLER: Can we come in?
RICHIE: Of course. As the police come into the house, the party is suddenly much quieter. Could someone turn the music down? Someone turns the music off.
PC MILLER: Now we don’t want the music to be turned off, just to be kept at an acceptable level. Frank and another guest run into the living room. He spots the WPC with PC Miller.
FRANK: Who booked a stripper gram? Frank tries to drunkenly grab the WPC. She stops him and restrains him as he tries to struggle.
FRANK: Get off! The other guest tries to grab the WPC, but is stopped by PC Miller. They struggle and a table is broken as PC Miller restrains the guest. Both men are taken out of the house.
RICHIE: I’m honestly sorry. Everyone just carry on.
CLAIRE: I think maybe we should call it a night, OK? Scene Four Lucy’s bedroom. Lucy and Nick are on the bed kissing – when Lucy suddenly pulls away and dashes to the window.
NICK: What’s wrong, Lucy?
LUCY: I want to know what's happening. The music has stopped and… Oh my God!
NICK: What is it? LUCY: There are police outside and they are arresting some people.
NICK: Well the music was loud. Somebody must have complained. It isn’t really the first thing on my mind.
LUCY: I think I can guess what is.
NICK: It's not like that. I’m just having such a good time and…
LUCY: I know. Nick kisses Lucy. She turns around and they embrace, before moving back to the bed.
Scene FiveDownstairs, the last few party guests are leaving. When the last of them has gone, Richie returns to the living room and his housemates.
RICHIE: I know what you’re going to say. But it’s not my fault.
CLAIRE: I could quite easily tell you what you did wrong. But will that make any difference? RICHIE: Shut up, Claire. I don’t need to listen to this. Neither does anyone else.
CLAIRE: What's that supposed to mean?
RICHIE: It means all of us have had enough of you telling us what to do.
CLAIRE: It’s only you I have to keep telling. RICHIE: Is it? You keep asking Michael where he’s going. You are trying to draw up rules. This is our house as much as yours.
CLAIRE: Is this how you all feel?
SARAH: It isn’t like that exactly. We just want a bit of freedom to be ourselves, not have to think about things so much.
CLAIRE: What? Not to think about anyone else? I honestly thought we could get along without any problems. That won’t happen now, will it? Why bother? If Richie won’t, why should I?
MICHAEL: Claire, I think you're overreacting. CLAIRE: Do you really?
RICHIE: I’m not listening to this. Richie stomps upstairs.
SARAH: I think I might go to bed actually. ’Night. Sarah walks upstairs.
MICHAEL: Claire, I understand how you feel, but if we are going to get along in this house, everyone will have to give and take. That means you and me as much as Richie.
Michael goes upstairs. Left on her own, Claire starts to cry. |
