David Hare Plays 2

by David Hare

  Irwin What?

  He is looking at Isobel, who is standing thinking, taking no notice of Rhonda.

  Oh, yes.

  Rhonda Well, anyway, I’m going to the flicks. Excuse me.

  Isobel We’ll come with you.

  Rhonda I’m sorry?

  Isobel I’d like to come.

  Irwin looks across in amazement.

  Rhonda It’s very violent. I saw the trailer. It’s one of those Los Angeles crime things. Rooms full of blood. Then the cop says, ‘Right, I want everyone here to help look for his ear …’

  Isobel That’s fine. My car’s outside. (She turns and looks at Irwin.) Let’s have a big bag of popcorn. Then we can have a good time.

  Before they can leave, we hear the sound of Marion’s voice as she approaches from the back. The scenery changes as the others leave, and we are in Tom’s office – an anonymously decorated room of glass and wood panel, dominated by a big, bare leather-topped desk. The glass runs unnaturally high, giving a feeling of airy emptiness. Tom is already at his desk to greet his wife, who approaches, putting down her coat as she comes.

  SCENE SIX

  Tom’s office.

  Marion I can’t see the problem. There really is no problem. People so love to talk problems up. Family things actually belong at the weekend. A drink on Sunday is lovely. Or lunch. Or walking after lunch. That’s the right time for the family. It’s crazy when it starts infecting your weekend.

  Tom gets up from behind the desk. He is nervous. Marion sits down, impatient.

  Tom I’m sorry. I can’t help it. I’m worried.

  Marion Why be worried?

  Tom They may be angry.

  Marion There’s no point in being angry. They know you already own the firm. It’s simply an administrative decision. Which makes total economic sense.

  Tom To you. To me also. I’m just hoping they will see it that way.

  At once Irwin appears at the door. He is subtly changed. He is glossier, better dressed, more outwardly confident in a grey and white herringbone coat and cashmere scarf. He stands a moment, saying nothing.

  Oh, Irwin, it’s you.

  Irwin Yes.

  Marion Where’s Isobel?

  Irwin I don’t know. Isn’t she here?

  Tom Why, no.

  Marion We thought she was with you.

  Irwin No. I haven’t seen her.

  There is an uneasy silence, no one moving.

  You wanted a board meeting?

  Tom Yes.

  Irwin smiles and spreads his hands.

  Irwin Here I am.

  Tom Do you think we should start?

  Marion I can’t wait. Unless you’ve got time to help rehearse my replies. Here. (She gestures with some postcards she is riffling through in her hand.) Electricity costs in major industrialized countries. Test me.

  Tom and Irwin smile, not sure if she’s serious.

  Tom Technically, you know, the meeting isn’t necessary. The parent company has executive control. That said, it’s obviously important you should all be happy.

  Irwin Yes. (He looks at Tom a moment, a little nervous.) Look, actually, I think we might as well begin.

  Tom Oh, really?

  Irwin Yes. Isobel isn’t around much.

  Marion I see.

  Irwin No.

  Tom Who’s been running the business?

  Irwin I have.

  Marion What, on your own?

  Irwin More or less, yes.

  There’s a silence.

  Marion We heard a rumour. We heard that you’d parted.

  Irwin just looks at her.

  What a stupid girl.

  Tom I’m sorry …

  Irwin No, it’s fine.

  Marion We did hear that.

  Tom But surely it shouldn’t affect the running of the firm?

  Irwin looks embarrassed, but Marion interrupts.

  Marion What happened?

  Irwin Well …

  Marion Rhonda did tell us something.

  Irwin takes a quick look to Marion, taking this in.

  Irwin Of course. She was there. We all went to the cinema. During the film, I looked round and Isobel had gone. I assumed to the ladies’ room. Or to buy popcorn. What can I say? It was terribly embarrassing. I mean, explaining to Rhonda.

  They stand a moment, frowning.

  Isobel went and she never came back.

  Marion With no explanation?

  Tom When was this?

  Irwin Three weeks ago. In fact it turned out she’d gone straight to Heathrow. Got the first plane at dawn and left the country.

  Tom is puzzled.

  Tom Goodness me.

  Marion But she’s back now?

  Irwin Oh, yes. She came back quite quickly.

  Tom She’s looking after Katherine.

  Irwin Yes. She’s living there. She also bought back your dad’s house.

  Marion (shakes her head) It’s just deplorable.

  Irwin It was the first thing she did. She stopped the sale. Katherine was going to use the money to buy a flat. Well, Isobel’s going to buy a flat for her. The one thing, however, she hasn’t done … (He stops, suddenly overcome, as if about to cry.)

  Tom Are you all right?

  Irwin (nods) Well, anyway, we don’t see her at work. (He stares ahead a moment.) So.

  Tom I’m sorry, Irwin.

  Marion It’s so typical, isn’t it? She’s feckless. She was born irresponsible. Someone said, ‘Do you know what politics is? Finally? Politics is being there every day.’ And you know it’s true. You have to be there. I’m there every day. Aren’t I, darling?

  Tom You are.

  Marion And I’m there the next day. And the next day. And the next day. For ever. Isn’t that right?

  Tom Well, yes … (He stops, embarrassed.)

  Marion What?

  Tom No, I mean, at least, I was going to say … at least till you die.

  Marion Of course. Why say that? That goes without saying.

  Tom Yes. No, you’re right. I was just … pointing it out.

  But Marion has already moved on.

  Marion But, Isobel, oh no, if there’s trouble, straightaway, ‘I can’t face it,’ she says …

  Tom Well …

  Marion ‘I’ve had a little tiff with my boyfriend.’ Soon as that happens it’s upsticks and a wave and, ‘Oh, off I go.’ She’s totally unfocused. (She leans forward in her chair.) Did you hear what happened before the funeral?

  Irwin No.

  Tom I’m not sure …

  Marion After Dad died? Actually in the room Dad was lying in? She asked Tom to spy on me.

  Tom Darling …

  Marion It’s true. You told me. She actually took Tom aside and said, ‘Does Marion hate me?’ It’s true. ‘If she does will you promise to tell me?’ She asked Tom! Really!

  Is this the act of a normal, well-adjusted person? Please. Spare me. All my life I’ve had people say, ‘Oh, she’s the nice one.’ (Marion sits back.) Nice? I think I call that paranoid, don’t you?

  Irwin looks down, embarrassed.

  Irwin It’s very difficult. You see, since she got back, Isobel won’t speak to me.

  Marion is immediately triumphant.

  Marion Well, pardon me, I think that says it all. Let’s face it, we’ve all been through it, we’ve all known people we’ve been fond of … (She casts a reassuring glance.) Before I was married, of course … I mean, however badly it ends, you don’t just not speak to them. Do you? Is that normal? Please! We’ve all had our hearts broken. But really! (She shakes her head.) I’m sorry to say this. I wouldn’t say it unless I were seriously concerned. But I think we should be considering professional help.

  Tom Marion …

  Marion I do. I’ve said it. I’m sorry. Get someone in who’s experienced. These days there’s no stigma attached. As far as I’m concerned, it’s like fixing a car. If it breaks, just mend it. It’s all avoidable. Nowadays they have brilliant people.

>   Irwin is looking down.

  Irwin I’m not sure things are quite at that stage. It’s more … (He stops.)

  Tom What?

  Irwin It’s just wretched, I think, with Katherine. She sees no end to it.

  Marion Yes. They make a fine pair.

  Irwin The problem is, Isobel has made herself indispensable. And she sees no way to get out.

  Tom is puzzled, worried.

  Tom But what about work? Today, I mean, we have a crucial decision. We’ve had an excellent approach. We’re being offered twice what we paid for the premises. It’s a very good offer. We need to respond to it.

  Irwin I’m afraid she seems to have no interest in the firm.

  Tom It’s extraordinary.

  Irwin No, not really. It’s all of a piece. While I work there, I don’t think she’s going to come near it. (He smiles sourly.) My guess is she’s made some sort of vow.

  The phone rings. Tom answers it on his desk. Marion is extremely provoked by what Irwin has said.

  Tom Yes?

  Marion I don’t believe this. This is most peculiar. What is this? A vow? It’s outrageous. People making vows. What are vows? Nobody made vows since the nineteenth century.

  Tom holds his hand over the phone.

  Tom It’s Isobel.

  Marion Well?

  Tom She’s downstairs. She says she won’t come up until

  Irwin leaves.

  There’s a moment’s pause only. Then Irwin gets up from his chair and picks up his scarf to put round his neck.

  Marion No, Irwin, please. I forbid you to go. This is ridiculous.

  Tom What do I tell her?

  Irwin Tell her I’m leaving.

  Tom speaks into the phone.

  Tom He says he’s going. It’s all right. There are two exits. (Tom smiles as he puts the phone down.)

  Marion This is absurd. I will not have this.

  Irwin Will you put your proposal in writing?

  Tom Of course.

  Irwin nods at Marion.

  Irwin Marion. Excuse me. I don’t want a scene.

  Tom Any messages?

  Irwin No. No, thank you, Tom.

  He walks across and shakes his hand. Tom puts his hand on his arm.

  Tom You’re shaking.

  Irwin No. I’m just cold.

  He turns and goes out. There is a moment’s silence as Marion sits, genuinely angry. Tom looks away. Suddenly she speaks, the anger high in her now.

  Marion We live in this world. We try to make a living. Most of us just try to get on with our lives. Why can’t we?

  Tom I don’t know.

  Marion Why does there have to be this endless complication?

  Isobel has appeared in the other doorway. She is also changed. She wears a long dark blue overcoat and thin glasses. Her hair is swept back on her head. She appears tense, thin, but also strangely cheerful.

  Isobel.

  At once Isobel comes warmly across the room, smiling and embracing Marion when she reaches her.

  Isobel Marion. Hello. How are you? I’ve missed you terribly.

  Tom Hello.

  Isobel Tom. How are you? (She goes over to kiss him.) It’s such a lovely day out there. It’s incredible. I’d forgotten how high the sun is at this time of year. It’s beautiful. I’ve spent half an hour in the park. Have you seen?

  Tom No.

  Marion No, actually. We’ve been too busy.

  Isobel I’m sure.

  Marion I’d love to spend my day just staring at the sun.

  Isobel catches her tone, but tries to ignore it, keeping cheerful.

  Isobel I’ve never been here. What a nice office!

  Marion Isobel. Please.

  Isobel Yes?

  Marion Could you just tell us what’s going on?

  Isobel smiles at Marion, who is looking at her unforgivingly.

  Isobel Of course. I’m sorry we can’t have a proper board meeting. At the moment it’s difficult between Irwin and me. It’ll get better.

  Marion Now listen …

  Isobel Forgive me, I don’t want to talk about it. Shall we talk about business? (She smiles cheerfully at Tom trying to make interruption impossible.)

  Tom Of course.

  Isobel is suddenly decisive.

  Isobel You want to sell the firm because it’s not profitable and sack all the staff, is that right?

  Marion (rising at once) Now that isn’t fair.

  Isobel Please. I’m not judging. Marion, I’m just asking for the facts. (Isobel sits opposite Tom at the desk.) We redecorated the premises you bought us. They’re now commercially very attractive. You can make a profit by selling them. You can double your money. But then of course there’s nowhere for us to go.

  Tom That isn’t quite it. (He smiles.) There is also the point you are losing money. Sadly, the expansion hasn’t really worked.

  Isobel Well, no. I did warn you.

  Tom I mean, any responsible businessman would tell you at this point he has a duty to his own survival. We have no real choice. We have to get out.

  Isobel smiles.

  Isobel With a little profit?

  Tom Well, certainly.

  Isobel Is it true we didn’t cost anything in the first place?

  Marion Isobel …

  But Isobel, who is quite calm and gentle, puts up her hand to stop Marion’s indignant interruptions.

  Isobel Look, I’m just asking. Someone said you wrote us off against tax. Is that right? (She has to put her hand up again to quell the next interruption.) Marion, please. I’m not criticizing. Is it true, because of tax, we cost you nothing?

  Tom In a sense.

  Marion Why apologize?

  Isobel No, I don’t expect it.

  Tom It is legitimate business practice.

  Isobel Of course. (She smiles a moment at Marion, calming her down.) And now I imagine your tax position has changed.

  Tom Exactly.

  Isobel Selling is now advantageous.

  Tom Yes, that’s right.

  Isobel And the extra workers we took on?

  Tom They would be compensated.

  Isobel How much?

  Tom Three weeks’ wages.

  There’s a pause, while Isobel thinks this over.

  Isobel Uh-huh.

  There’s a silence as Isobel nods slightly, not moving. Then she sweeps her hand across Tom’s desk.

  Marion Now, look, Isobel …

  Isobel Well, I guess that’s it.

  Marion I wouldn’t call them workers. Ex-students, more like. And ex- is being kind. They’ve had six months’ fun at high wages. Now they’re back on the market. I don’t think they’ll want to complain.

  Isobel No. (She shrugs slightly.) Then it’s done.

  Tom What d’you mean? Let’s be clear. Are you agreeing? (He is disturbed at the ease of his own victory, puzzled now.) Isobel?

  Isobel Why even ask me? I’m only one vote.

  She smiles as if that were the end of it. Marion is looking at her suspiciously.

  Marion Now listen, Isobel, what are you up to?

  Isobel Up to? Nothing.

  Marion You think you’re being clever.

  Isobel Not at all.

  Marion I get the drift of your questions.

  Isobel They have no drift. I’ve simply been establishing the facts.

  Marion Oh yes, I know what you think of us.

  Isobel What I think? Oh, really? How?

  Isobel is half smiling. Marion is angry.

  Marion I just know.

  Isobel I don’t think so. Perhaps you know what you yourself feel. But that’s different.

  Marion What do you mean? (She is panicking now.) I’ve nothing on my conscience. I don’t feel anything.

  Isobel Good. Then in that case, everything’s fine. (She looks at her a moment, then smiles.) I must be off. (She begins to get up.)

  Marion Oh, no, you don’t get away that easily …

  Isobel Tom. Goodbye.


  Marion Just tell me. What did that mean? About what I feel?

  Isobel has walked across and taken her hands. She looks her straight in the eye, with great warmth.

  Isobel It meant nothing. Marion. Please let’s be friends.

  Marion We’re always friends.

  Isobel Good.

  Marion I have no worries. I’m fine.

  She is abashed by Isobel standing so close to her, so friendly. But as soon as Isobel turns, she speaks again.

  It’s not me, I’m just concerned for Irwin.

  Isobel Irwin?

  Marion Yes.

  Isobel Why, what did he say?

  Tom looks uneasily to Marion.

  Tom Now, Marion, please …

  Marion It’s none of my business. I’m just telling you, as an impartial observer. You’re being very selfish.

  Isobel I see.

  Marion It’s a fact. If you won’t go in to work, then, let’s be sensible, there’s no future for the firm. In sheer business terms. It happens to need both of you.

  Isobel Marion, you heard Tom. The firm has no future anyway.

  Tom Good gracious, no, excuse me, I didn’t say that. Not at all. I’m hoping the two of you are going to continue.

  Isobel turns, bewildered, for the first time slightly raising her voice.

  Isobel But, Tom, you just said, we’ve got nowhere to go.

  Tom Actually, there is a place. In this very building. It’s a stroke of luck. I was getting round to saying. Did you happen to come through the car park?

  Isobel I did.

  Tom Well, probably you saw it. It’s over there.

  There’s a pause.

  Isobel Oh, yes.

  Tom It’s ideal. It’s there. It’s available. It’s a base if you want one.

  Isobel I see.

  She is just staring at him. He is waiting a moment.

  Tom We could let you have it rent-free. We’d pay your heat and lighting for a year, say. I mean for nothing. We’d throw it in. Absolutely free. As a pure favour. Gratis.

  Isobel Well, thank you. (She is looking across the desk at him. Now she speaks very quietly.) But as I’m not with Irwin, it doesn’t arise.

  Tom (smiles) No.

  Marion Now wait, look, Isobel …

  Isobel (to Tom) All right?

  Marion I’m a bit shocked by this. Tom is making a very decent offer. He’s giving you a chance. He’s saying he’ll overlook the fact that you messed up the expansion.

  Isobel But of course I never wanted the expansion.

  Marion Well, exactly. Isn’t that the whole point? I think you deliberately sabotaged it …