David Hare Plays 2

by David Hare

  Trinh Yes.

  Barbara You’re securing the loan with the rest of your cargo fleet?

  Quoc Mr Trinh has fifty ships between here and Punan.

  Quoc has confirmed this by discreetly referring to a paper which Barbara has in the file in front of her. She smiles warmly at Trinh and begins to write on the file.

  Barbara In that case I can’t see there’ll be any problem.

  Quoc (discreetly again, on Trinh’s behalf) Mr Trinh is only worried about time. How long we may give him for repayment.

  Barbara (quietly, not looking up) I’m not giving anyone more than a year.

  6. INT. BANK. EVENING

  The bank now deserted, Barbara tidying her desk. Beyond her the door to Haliwell’s office is open and Henderson is packing away the contents of the safe for the night. He is a young Scot about 25, with a beard, very lean. He is talking front the other room.

  Henderson That’s the bastard of supporting St Mirren, they don’t always have the result in The Times.

  Barbara gets up to go.

  It’s Scotland who go on producing the players, but when you look for coverage, it’s Leeds, Leeds, Leeds. I mean, it’s ridiculous, they’re all Scottish players …

  Barbara Yes, it’s tricky I see.

  Henderson That and economic misfortune. It’s barely worth reading the thing any more.

  She has gone to the main door and is about to open it to leave. Henderson has appeared at the door of Haliwell’s office. He speaks from right across the bank.

  Barbara …

  Barbara Yes?

  Henderson Are you free for this evening? I was hoping we’d be able to go out. It’s been some time.

  There’s a pause. He looks down, a little embarrassed. Then with some personal feeling:

  It was wonderful last time.

  She looks at him, straight across the bank, her manners perfect.

  Barbara Oh Donald, I’m sorry. I’m busy tonight.

  7. INT. CERCLE SPORTIF. NIGHT

  The main lounge of the Cercle Sportif. A French colonial club. A large central room, bamboo armchairs, white-coated servants with trays. Barbara stands at the main entrance, dressed smartly but lightly for the evening. Frank Judd, a bespectacled 32-year-old American in seersuckers and short-sleeved shirt, moves across at once to greet her.

  Judd Barbara. Hi.

  Barbara Frank. How are you?

  Judd Come and meet the rest.

  They have arrived next to two men who are sitting drinking. They now stand up. Colonel Fiedler is a powerfully built American army officer of 55, in uniform. Van Trang is a small fat Vietnamese of the same age, in a shiny black suit.

  Barbara Dean. You know the Foreign Minister, Monsieur Van Trang?

  They smile and shake hands.

  Barbara. Colonel Fiedler.

  Barbara How do you do?

  They also shake hands.

  Judd The Colonel’s just back this evening from Binh Dinh.

  Barbara Oh really? How are things going up there?

  Judd I think you’ll find him a very good partner.

  Barbara Well, I hope so.

  Fiedler smiles.

  Fiedler Are they ready for us yet?

  8. INT. CERCLE SPORTIF. NIGHT

  An annexe of the main lounge. Darker. Green baize tables have been set out for cards. Barbara, Fiedler, Judd and Van Trang sitting as three servants lay out their drinks and unwrap fresh packs of cards for them.

  Judd The Foreign Minister plays an orthodox Acol.

  Barbara smiles at Fiedler.

  Barbara I play a forcing two clubs.

  Fiedler No doubt we’ll get the hang of each other.

  Judd Good. Let’s cut for the deal.

  A polite cut is silently made. Fiedler starts to deal, as Van Trang makes formal conversation.

  Van Trang I have not been in England for too long a time.

  Barbara No, well, I haven’t been back.

  Van Trang Both my daughters are at Cheltenham Ladies’ College.

  Barbara Ah, well, I’m told it’s a very good school.

  She smiles and looks away to the main lounge. There a couple of bar girls have appeared, conspicuous in the otherwise discreet surroundings. They wear short slit skirts and heavy make-up. Everyone else ignores them.

  Van Trang I wish I got more chance to visit them. I am told Sports Day is the highlight of the year.

  Judd smiles, having picked up on the direction of Barbara’s look.

  Judd We seem to have visitors from Mimi’s Flamboyant …

  Fiedler Well I guess they have nowhere to go. You think there’d be somewhere …

  Van Trang looks up for the Waiter who appears at once beside him.

  Van Trang (in Vietnamese) The women.

  Waiter (in Vietnamese) I’ll see to it, sir.

  Van Trang turns back. Looks at his cards.

  Van Trang It’s a shortage of Americans. With so few GIs left the living is hard. What can they do? You created the industry. Now they’re fed up because you’re no longer here.

  Fiedler tries to make light of it.

  Fiedler Well I don’t know. There are one or two of us …

  Judd Some of us have friends who keep them in work.

  Judd smiles. Van Trang ignores this. The women are led amicably away by waiters. Barbara still watching.

  Van Trang One diamond.

  Fiedler A spade.

  Judd Two hearts.

  A pause. Barbara is still staring at the women.

  Barbara?

  She turns back and, without referring to her cards, shakes her head at Fiedler.

  Barbara I’m sorry, partner. I’m no help at all.

  9. INT. CERCLE SPORTIF. NIGHT

  Later. The game is over. The four of them stroll steadily through the now deserted lounge. Behind them you can see their table being cleared. Fiedler and Van Trang are in front, talking quietly together.

  Van Trang Will you be giving us a military briefing?

  Fiedler Certainly. There’ll be a situation report. Of course, within the terms of the Paris agreement we can no longer give you military advice.

  They stroll on. Van Trang makes no reaction.

  Van Trang But you have an idea?

  Fiedler I see formations. We think the North will make an offensive in the New Year. It’s come to be regular … like the baseball season.

  There is a pause. Then casually:

  We’d certainly like to get to see your President Thieu.

  He steals a quick glance at Van Trang who does not react.

  As for the scale of the offensive and where it might come from, it’s a little early to say. There are certainly signs of a build-up. Maybe you should look to Tay Ninh.

  There is a slight pause. Van Trang looks at him. Then turns to the others.

  Van Trang Thank you, Miss Dean. An excellent evening Colonel.

  Fiedler Minister.

  Judd Good night.

  Van Trang Good night.

  He goes. They are by the main entrance. Judd turns casually to Barbara.

  Judd Barbara, I’ll see you home in my car.

  Barbara I arranged for a cab.

  10. EXT. CERCLE SPORTIF. NIGHT

  Judd and Barbara stand for a moment outside the main entrance to the club. At once there is a giggling noise from the bushes, brief, sharp in the darkness.

  Barbara They’re still out there.

  Judd Who?

  She reaches into her bag for a handful of notes.

  Barbara Will you just take some money across?

  Before he can answer she anticipates his objections.

  Would you do it please? As a favour?

  Judd You know it’s not …

  Barbara No. As a favour, Frank?

  Judd takes the money reluctantly and goes down the steps. Barbara watches as he crosses the darkened drive and disappears into the bushes. She stands alone in the lit doorway of the Cercle. Judd has now disappeared. Distant voices.

>   Woman Thank you, Number One. You wanna fuck me?

  Judd No. It’s all right. It’s a gift.

  Behind Barbara, Bob Chesneau has silently appeared. He is about 28, very intelligent, in beige cotton trousers and a short-sleeved shirt. His speech is always gentle and gracious, like a polite boy. He stands behind Barbara, looking out also.

  Chesneau Hi.

  She turns.

  Barbara Hello.

  Chesneau You waiting for a taxi?

  Barbara smiles in reply.

  I guess the wheels have finally fallen off.

  They both smile.

  If you like I could easily help you. I have a car waiting over there.

  Judd has returned, his arm outstretched to Chesneau. He is bustling with confidence from a mission accomplished.

  Judd Hey, Bob.

  Chesneau Frank, how are you?

  Judd Do you know Barbara?

  Chesneau No. No, I don’t.

  Barbara turns and smiles warmly at Judd.

  Barbara Bob’s kindly offered … he’s going to run me home.

  11. INT. CAR. NIGHT

  The car. They are side by side in silence. The half-lit streets of Saigon going by. Chesneau driving.

  Barbara Where do you work?

  Chesneau I work at the Embassy. I’m a minor official. One of many, I’m afraid.

  Barbara Why do you drive a Ford Pinto?

  He smiles.

  Chesneau Oh I see …

  Barbara I don’t understand …

  Chesneau Neither do we …

  Barbara The allocation. If the CIA is meant to be so secret, why do you all get issued with the same make of car?

  Chesneau Beats me. Perhaps a kind of arrogance. And anyway, let’s face it, everyone knows. If all the cultural attachés in Saigon were genuine, this would be the most cultured nation on earth.

  A pause.

  I’m a spook.

  Barbara smiles. She looks out to the streets where the young girls are selling flowers. They hold them out to the cars as they go by.

  Barbara Look …

  Chesneau Yeah.

  Barbara They’re still out with the jasmine. It’s such a beautiful town.

  Chesneau Yes it is. I suppose I’d forgotten.

  Barbara Well, I know. People do. (She looks at him. Then away.)

  Chesneau Where do you come from?

  Barbara Bournemouth. You wouldn’t know it. It’s the English version of Vung Tau.

  Chesneau By the ocean?

  Barbara Exactly. It’s where you go when you’re planning to die.

  Chesneau Oh yeah? Ours is called Florida.

  Barbara Yes. Yours has the sun.

  12. EXT. APARTMENT BLOCK. NIGHT

  The low white apartment block, fronted with palm trees. Chesneau’s car stops silently in the deserted street. He gets out of the car to go round and open the car door for her. She gets out. There is a moment’s pause, then casually:

  Barbara Yes. Come up. (She goes on ahead.)

  13. INT. APARTMENT. NIGHT

  Chesneau sitting forward on a hard chair with a glass of beer in his hands. He is in the middle of the room. His face is lit by a single warm lamp. Barbara sits on the sofa, her legs tucked under her.

  Chesneau It’s the ultimate irony really. I joined the CIA to avoid Vietnam. Quite a few of us did the same thing. It was my law professor, he said if you want to avoid a war, the safest place to be is inside the bureaucracy. Tuck yourself away. Join the CIA.

  A pause.

  And that was it. They put me in Washington. Strategic analysis, balance of power. I was having a good time. In the way you do. I kept telling myself, well, I don’t really work here, I was just avoiding the draft. Till a colleague in the department, as a joke, filled in my name. Like when you order someone Reader’s Digest, he thought it would be funny if I were sent to Vietnam. (He looks across at her.)

  Barbara Would you like another beer?

  Chesneau Yes, I’ll have one more.

  He watches as she gets up and goes to the big old fridge in the kitchen.

  You know, I can get you Heineken from the PX.

  Barbara No really …

  Chesneau This stuff has probably killed people.

  She returns with a couple of bottles.

  Barbara I like ‘33’.

  Chesneau You must be tough.

  She smiles, the old hand. Then settles on the sofa, having given him one.

  Barbara What is your view … you must tell me … will the South be able to hold on?

  Chesneau That is my job. To judge that. That is precisely what I’m doing here.

  A pause. Then he gets up, putting his beer suddenly to one side.

  Thank you for the beer. I’ve enjoyed talking to you.

  She doesn’t move, staring up at him.

  The days go by. Well, I must thank you.

  They look at each other a moment. Then he looks at the floor.

  I hope I’ll see you again.

  14. INT. APARTMENT. NIGHT

  The room seen from the bedroom. Barbara sits alone at her desk in her dressing-gown.

  Barbara (voice over) Dear Mum, I’m sorry it’s so long since I’ve written. To be honest, I’ve been too busy at work. You’ll be pleased with my cheque. A little bit extra. The bank have just come through with my raise.

  In close-up her hand as she slips the cheque into the already finished letter.

  (voice over) Life here continues very much as usual.

  Her face, for the first time in close-up, as she licks the envelope.

  (voice over) The Year of the Tiger will soon be the Year of the Cat.

  15. INT. BANK. DAY

  Henderson standing at one of the metal grilles opposite a shock-haired young Vietnamese, Phu, of about 25. He is very angry.

  Henderson I’m sorry. I have to refuse you. It’s simply impossible to take all that money out.

  He looks sideways at Quoc who is at a nearby till. Barbara looks up from her desk.

  There are government regulations which expressly forbid the export of large sums.

  16. INT. HALIWELL’S OFFICE. DAY

  Barbara appearing at the door of Haliwell’s office. Haliwell is writing at his desk.

  Barbara Mr Haliwell … I wonder … I think Mr Henderson may be needing some assistance out there.

  Quoc’s face appears in the doorway behind her, still, serious. But Haliwell carries on writing.

  Haliwell Right. In a moment.

  Barbara Could you come quickly?

  Haliwell Yes. (He carries on writing. He does not look up. Quietly, into his work, without moving) I’m on my way.

  17. INT. BANK. DAY

  Haliwell, Quoc and Barbara moving together like a group of floor-walkers, fast, from a great distance towards the incident. Phu takes a small revolver from his pocket. Henderson is standing opposite.

  Phu I have a gun.

  Henderson Yes.

  Phu I demand my money.

  Henderson If you’d like to talk to the manager …

  Haliwell steps forward from the group to stand beside Henderson.

  Haliwell Mr …

  Henderson Phu.

  Haliwell Mr Phu, perhaps I can help you.

  Phu I want my money.

  Haliwell Yes. Yes, of course.

  He begins to move across to the grille door between the back and front of the bank.

  If you’d like to come into my office …

  He swings the door open and stands directly opposite Phu who is holding the gun. Haliwell looks him straight in the eye.

  Perhaps I might relieve you of that gun.

  18. INT. BANK. DAY

  The bank closed. Afternoon. Henderson is laughing, sitting on the edge of Barbara’s desk. Way behind him the tellers are locking up their drawers.

  Henderson Well, I must say, you have to hand it to him. Haliwell really came through.

  Barbara He was lucky.

  Henderson It was a tactic. I think
we should all be grateful it worked.

  He laughs again. Quoc comes and sits down near them, quietly resuming his work.

  To be honest, I was seriously frightened. (His tone is suddenly intimate.) You were bloody great.

  Barbara It worked out well.

  Henderson smiles a moment, vacantly.

  Henderson All right, Quoc?

  Quoc Yes thank you, Mr Henderson.

  Behind him, a girl who looks to be no more than 14 is getting down from a high stool, picking up her bag, and walking out of frame.

  One of the tellers has decided to leave.

  19. INT. APARTMENT. NIGHT

  Barbara sitting reading a book. Her legs characteristically tucked up under her. Like a quiet animal. She turns a page, silently. Then looks up. Chesneau has appeared at the open door to the living room. He carries his jacket and his shirt is marked with sweat.

  Chesneau You should lock the door. I think you’re crazy. Do you have any idea of how dangerous it is?

  Barbara Nobody wants a white English woman. (She smiles. She doesn’t move from the sofa.) How are you?

  A pause. Then he moves into the room, casually putting a small bunch of flowers down on the table, carelessly, on its side.

  Chesneau You’ve not been at the club.

  Barbara Have you been looking?

  He nods.

  No. I’ve been reading my books. It’s wonderful here in the evenings. The silence, lately. The peace.

  He turns at the window and looks at her.

  Chesneau I am very emotionally stupid. This is … this has always been true. I never know. Even when it’s incredibly blatant.

  Barbara I think this time you probably have the idea.

  He nods slightly.

  Chesneau Yeah, I thought I did.

  Barbara Yes. You have it.

  Chesneau Ah. I came round to check.

  Barbara What a relief …

  Chesneau Yeah …

  Barbara The embarrassment. If it turned out that you’d got it wrong.

  Chesneau Yeah, well, I’d thought of that …