6.  EXT.  OUTSIDE ROBERT’S HOUSE.  DAY.
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A LARGE DETACHED HOUSE, THE HOME OF A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN.
THE ZODIAC DRAWS UP IN THE DRIVE OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR. ERIC GETS OUT, GOES ROUND TO THE PASSENGER SIDE, OPENS THE REAR DOOR. AS ROBERT GETS OUT OF THE CAR HIS WIFE DAWN, EXPENSIVELY DRESSED AND COIFFED AS USUAL, OPENS THE FRONT DOOR, BEAMS AT THE SIGHT OF THE CAR, CLASPING HER HANDS together.
ROBERT:
Well, what do you think darling?
DAWN:
(DELIGHTED) It’s lovely, Robert. Lovely.
SHE TROTS TO JOIN ROBERT AT THE CAR.
DAWN:
(CLAPS HER HANDS TOGETHER) Isn’t it swish!
SHE PLANTS A KISS ON ROBERT THEN LOOKS INSIDE THE CAR AT THE UPHOLSTERY. HER FACE LIGHTS UP EVEN MORE.
DAWN:
Just look at that leopard-skin upholstery!
ROBERT:
You better hadn’t wear your leopard-skin coat, I’ll never find you.
DAWN:
(AT FIRST SHE THINKS HE IS SERIOUS, THEN REALISES HE IS JOKING. SHE PUSHES HIM PLAYFULLY) You!
ROBERT:
Shall we go for a spin in it? (TO ERIC) You’re not in a hurry to get away are you Eric?
ERIC:
Not at all Mr Street.
ROBERT:
(TO DAWN) Come on, get in, we’ll drive up to Buxton, see how she tackles Long Hill.
DAWN:
No. No it’s all right, Robert. I’ll save it until tomorrow afternoon when I go shopping.
ROBERT:
Whatever you say darling.
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7.  INT.  ROBERT’S DINING ROOM.  DAY.
ROBERT AND DAWN ARE AT THE TABLE. THEIR MEAL OVER, THEY ARE ENJOYING A GLASS OF WINE.
ROBERT:
(MUSES) It beats me why you don’t have everything delivered.
DAWN:
What? What delivered?
ROBERT:
The shopping. (HAS TO EXPLAIN) You mentioned you’d be going out shopping in the car tomorrow. I mean you could have everything delivered, like they do next door. It would be less trouble for you.
DAWN:
You can’t just have new dresses and shoes delivered Robert; you have to try them on, see what you look like in the mirror. Silly.
ROBERT:
I was thinking more the food shopping.
DAWN:
I do the food shopping at the same time I’m doing my clothes and accessories shopping. Anyway I thought we agreed I could have the chauffer to take me shopping Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
ROBERT:
We did. It’s just that occasionally I could do with him taking me somewhere on Wednesday and Friday afternoons….. and if you had the shopping delivered you wouldn’t have any need of him.
DAWN:
I hope you’re not trying to stop me using the car to do my shopping in, Robert Street?
ROBERT:
No! Would I? I was just thinking it might be easier for you.
DAWN:
I enjoy my trips out to the shops on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.
ROBERT:
That’s fine then darling.
SILENCE FOR A MOMENT OR TWO. THEN A THOUGHT STRIKES ROBERT.
ROBERT:
The chauffeur, Dawn?
DAWN:
What about him?
ROBERT:
Well…..I mean he hasn’t ever tried it on with you, has he?
DAWN:
Tried it on?
ROBERT:
You know….
DAWN:
(REALISES WHAT HE MEANS. IS OUTRAGED) He hadn’t better! The idea! What on earth makes you say that?
ROBERT:
It was just something Emily said.
DAWN:
(PULLS A FACE) Oh. Miss Efficiency. What did she say exactly?
ROBERT:
Just that she’s heard he was a bit of a lad where the ladies are concerned.
DAWN:
Well he’s certainly never tried anything on with me. Probably office tittle tattle if you ask me.
ROBERT:
Probably.
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8.  INT.  ROBERT’S OFFICE.  DAY.
ROBERT IS SEATED AT HIS DESK. EMILY COMES IN, PAD AND PENCIL IN HAND, SITS DOWN OPPOSITE HIM.
ROBERT:
So what’s on the agenda today Emily?
EMILY:
(WITHOUT REFERRING TO HER PAD) You’re seeing Mr Martin from Stoddard’s at ten – he’ll be wanting a discount for early settlement, don’t give him one, the last time you did that they paid up later than ever. At eleven you’re due at Marks to see their Mr Jameson – I’ve done the estimate, it’s on your desk. You’re taking Mr Fielding to lunch at 12.30, the Royal Hotel, he’s a vegetarian, it won’t do you any harm at all if you order a vegetarian meal too; the nut cutlet is best. And at three Mr Sears from Kossof Carpets is coming to see you about their new range – Kossof Carpets were Clearway Carpets before they went bankrupt last year so be very careful.
ROBERT:
9LOOKS AT HER ADMIRINGLY) How long have you been with me now Emily?
EMILY:
(THINKS FOR A MOMENT) Well I moved here in nineteen sixty three, so….it must be nearly two years now.
ROBERT:
How ever did I manage without you?
EMILY:
Well you managed well enough to build up a successful business, apparently.
ROBERT:
I’d have done it quicker if I’d found you sooner, my word would I. Well I want you to know that you’re very much appreciated.
EMILY:
I know I am Mr Street. And thank you very much. (REMEMBERS) Oh, don’t forget that Myra Fielding is leaving today to get married. You’re presenting her with her leaving present. The bridegroom’s name is Billy. Four thirty in the canteen.
ROBERT:
Little Myra Fielding, eh. It doesn’t seem five minutes since she joined us straight from school. (A THOUGHT) I’ve given her a cheque have I?
EMILY:
A hundred pounds. Far too much.
ROBERT:
Not for a pretty bride. (A THOUGHT) You remembered to mention to her she could have my caravan for the honeymoon? Because I don’t remember hearing anything.
EMILY:
They’re going to Blackpool. She said to tell you thanks all the same.
ROBERT:
Only she’d be very welcome. That goes for any of the staff getting married.
EMILY:
You’re invited you to the wedding I believe?
ROBERT:
(LITTLE FLUSTERED)…Er, yes. You’ll be going of course?
EMILY:
No.
ROBERT:
(SURPRISED) Oh?
EMILY:
No, I was invited but it’s the first Saturday of the month and I always go to Oldham to see my mother. It’s something I can’t get out of it; she looks forward to it so, so… (SHRUGS HELPLESSLY)
ROBERT:
It must take a bit of getting to by public transport? Oldham?
EMILY:
Four buses. It’s not so bad as long as you don’t miss a connection. Then….. (MAKES A HOPELESS GESTURE)
ROBERT:
I can imagine.
EMILY:
(BRIGHTENS) Still the office will be well represented, what with Molly being Myra’s Matron of Honour, and you and Mrs Street going.
ROBERT:
(UNCOMFORTABLE) Well actually……
EMILY:
What?
ROBERT:
(EMBARRASSED) Well we won’t be able to make it, sadly. To tell you the truth Dawn doesn’t like weddings.
EMILY:
And it’s a church do of course; and she doesn’t care for churches either does she.
ROBERT:
(SHAKES HIS HEAD) I’d feel a bit awkward on my own you see. (BRIGHTENS) Dawn will be by my side when I make the presentation to Myra though.
EMILY:
That will be nice anyway.
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