S4-4

Thisweek, Wokingham!

MARTIN:Fuel balanced.

DOUGLAS:Beautifully done.

MARTIN:Thank you.

(Flightdeck door opens.)

CAROLYN:What’s wrong with the flight deck service bell?

MARTIN:Er, nothing, is there?

CAROLYN:Well, it keeps ringing.

DOUGLAS:Yes. We rang it.

CAROLYN:Then cease from ringing it.

MARTIN:But we always ring it when we want Arthur to bring ...

CAROLYN:Yes, but Arthur is not here; and when Arthur is not here, the flight deckservice bell becomes an object of purely decorative interest.

MARTIN:But what if we really need ...

CAROLYN(interrupting): No, no, no, no, no. Let me spell this out for you in words ofone syllable.

DOUGLAS:Oh, good! Off you go.

CAROLYN(slowly, pedantically): You do not so much as touch the service bell unless ...

DOUGLASand MARTIN (almost simultaneously): Ohhh!

MARTIN:“Ser-vice.”

DOUGLAS:Shame. Still, good effort.

CAROLYN:I was not playing!

MARTIN(haltingly): I bet I can ... go on for ... a more long time.

DOUGLAS:All right, you’re on. What’s the bet?

MARTIN:I don’t know. Maybe ...

DOUGLAS:Whatever it was, you just lost it. Okay, my turn.

MARTIN:Your turn at what?

DOUGLAS(pedantically): Nice try, my friend.

(Martingroans in frustration.)

DOUGLAS:... but you will not catch me out, so ...

MARTIN:So ...?

DOUGLAS:... so there.

(AgainMartin grunts. The sat comm beeps.)

DOUGLAS:Good day. MJN Air. How can we help you?

ARTHUR(over sat comm): Hi, Douglas, it’s me. Is Mum there?

CAROLYN:Yes, I’m here. What have you done now?

ARTHUR:Nothing! Nothing. It’s-it’s just, um ... I’ve got a sort of hypocriticalquestion.

CAROLYN:Ooh! Have you indeed?

ARTHUR:Yeah. Suppose something had happened ...

CAROLYN:What have you done?

ARTHUR:No, I haven’t done anything! It’s not my fault. And also ... maybe nothing’shappened. Um, but if-if something had happened and if there was nothing thatone of you it’s about can do until they get back, should I tell you now, orshould I wait until you land?

CAROLYN:Is the person me?

ARTHUR:I’m not saying anything has happened. I’m just saying, if it did ...

CAROLYN:Yes, dear. You’ve been tremendously cunning. Now, just tell us.

ARTHUR:Okay, good. Um, Skip, your mum just called.

MARTIN:Yes?

ARTHUR:Right. And-and basically, the main thing she wants to say is that she has nothad a heart attack.

MARTIN:She’s had a heart attack?!

ARTHUR:No! No! I mean ... oh, you really couldn’t have got that more wrong, Skip! A-aheart attack i-is what she has not had.

MARTIN:What do you mean?! What has she had?

ARTHUR:Not a heart attack! She was very clear about that!

MARTIN:Where is she?

ARTHUR:Okay ... when I tell you where she is, Skip, you’ve gotta not worry too much,because in fact ...

MARTIN(interrupting): She’s in a hospital?

ARTHUR(high-pitched in surprise): How did you know?!

MARTIN:Tell her I’ll be there in three hours.

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(Footsteps,and Martin’s anxious breathing.)

MARTIN:Mum. Are you okay?

WENDY:Oh, Martin, sweetheart. You didn’t need to come.

(Theykiss each other.)

WENDY:I’m completely fine. It’s all a fuss about nothing. Oh, no, look – you’re inyour uniform. You didn’t come straight from work?

MARTIN:Well, of course I did.

WENDY:Oh, you shouldn’t have. You didn’t leave it in the middle, did you?

MARTIN:... Well, no. I ... I-I landed the plane.

WENDY:Oh good.

MARTIN:But, Mum, what happened?

WENDY:Oh, nothing really.

MARTIN:What, you just fancied a go in an ambulance?

WENDY:No. I-I told them I didn’t need an ambulance. It was all a silly fuss. I wasjust stacking the chairs up after the RNLI thing ... We did ever so well, youknow, Martin. We got forty pounds ...

MARTIN:Tha-tha-that’s lovely, Mum, but-but just for now stick to the part about youending up in hospital.

WENDY:Well, when I finished, I was just a bit out of breath, that’s all; and all itwas was I had a bit of that funny throbbing thing I get, you know ...

MARTIN:Wha-wha-what, in your chest? Chest pains?

WENDY:Well, not chest pains, you know – not “Ooh, chest pains!” Honestly, Martin, allI needed was a quick sit-down and it would have gone away, but nothing wouldplease that fusspot Sandra but to send for the ambulance. Honestly, anambulance! For me! Can you imagine?

MARTIN:Yes, yes, I can.

WENDY:But what if someone had really needed it?

(Approachingfootsteps.)

CAITLIN:Mum! Are you okay?

WENDY:Oh, Caitlin, not you as well. You shouldn’t have come.

(Theykiss each other.)

CAITLIN:Of course I should! (In a less affectionate voice) Hi, Martin.

MARTIN:Hi, Cat.

WENDY:Oh, look, you’re in your uniform. Have you come from work too?

CAITLIN:Of course I have!

WENDY:But you finished your shift, didn’t you?

CAITLIN:No! I told them my mum was in hospital and I ...

WENDY:Oh no! At least Martin finished his shift.

MARTIN:Mum, I didn’t really have a choice.

WENDY:Go on, Caitlin: go back and finish your shift. I’ll be fine.

CAITLIN:They can get along without me, Mum.

WENDY:They can’t.

MARTIN:Mum, they really can.

CAITLIN:What does that mean, Martin?

MARTIN:What? Nothing! I was agreeing with you!

CAITLIN:Agreeing with me that my job doesn’t matter?

MARTIN:No! I just meant Wokingham can probably struggle by for a bit with one lesstraffic warden.

CAITLIN:It’s “fewer”. And I suppose you’re indispensable, are you?

MARTIN:No, I’m not saying that.

DR.WHITE (male, coming over to the group): Everything all right over here, Wendy?

WENDY:Oh, yes, thank you, Doctor White. I’m sorry – the children were squabbling.

CAITLIN:We weren’t squabbling!

MARTIN:We’re not children!

DR.WHITE: ... Yes. Pleased to meet you. Er, sorry to take you away from yourparty.

CAITLIN:What party?

MARTIN:Oh, no. Er, the-these actually are our jobs.

DR.WHITE: Oh, I see! Oh. Now, Wendy. Er, the good news is your ECG and your bloodtests look pretty cheerful, and we don’t think you’ve had a heart attack.

WENDY:You see! I told you so.

DR.WHITE: It’s looking more like a spot of angina, but to be sure, I think we’llkeep you in for a few days ...

WENDY:Oh no!

DR.WHITE: ... no more than a week, and do a few investigations.

WENDY:Oh, but really, no, I’m fine, honestly. Can’t I just go home?

DR.WHITE: Well ... you could come in as an outpatient. Is there someone at homethat’d look after you?

WENDY:Oh, I can look after myself.

CAITLIN:Don’t be silly! We can do it between us, can’t we, Martin?

MARTIN:Er, yes, pr-probably. And of course there’s Simon too.

WENDY:Oh, now, you’re not to bother Simon.

MARTIN:It’s not bothering him. We all ...

WENDY:No, no, I really won’t have you disturbing Simon. His job’s so important.

CAITLIN:My job’s important.

MARTIN:Yes, and my job’s actually important.

CAITLIN:What d’you mean “actually”?

MARTIN:I mean both of our jobs are important, like Simon’s.

WENDY:But Simon works for the government!

MARTIN(indignantly): He works for the council!

WENDY:Well, exactly.

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(Flightdeck door opens.)

CAROLYN:Hello, drivers ... oh, driver. How long now?

DOUGLAS:About three hours.

CAROLYN:Right.

(Pause.)

CAROLYN:Oh gosh. It’s boring up here when it’s just you, isn’t it?

DOUGLAS:Took the words right out of my mouth.

CAROLYN:Well, don’t you have some sort of game going?

DOUGLAS:I don’t think so. Only the Words of One Syllable one.

CAROLYN:Oh yes! You were terrible at that.

DOUGLAS(indignantly): I was not!

CAROLYN:You were. You said “accident”.

DOUGLAS:Oh, come on. That wasn’t part of the game!

CAROLYN:Nevertheless.

DOUGLAS:Well, you couldn’t even manage a full sentence!

CAROLYN:I wasn’t playing!

(Slightpause.)

DOUGLAS(carefully): Well then. Do you think you could do ... more well now?

CAROLYN(carefully): I think I could do far far more well.

DOUGLAS:Right. Well then. (Carefully) Let us both play at the same time, and the firstone to use a word of more than one ... (long pause) ... sound will lose.

CAROLYN:You are on. And you will lose.

DOUGLAS(at normal speed): As I say: you took the words right out of my mouth.

CAROLYN:Ah!

DOUGLAS:Yes?

CAROLYN(frustrated): Ohh!

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(Soundof a kettle boiling.)

MARTIN:Mum! D’you want tea?

WENDY(from a distance): Oh, I’ll make it.

MARTIN:No-no-no, don’t get up. I can ...

(Squeakof the kitchen door opening.)

WENDY:Oh, I can do that.

(Martingroans.)

WENDY(a little breathlessly): Go and sit down.

MARTIN:No, really, Mum, that’s ... that’s not how the “looking after” thing works.

WENDY:But I’m fine, really. I ...

MARTIN:I know. You could run a marathon. Would you like some tea?

WENDY:Oh, well, only if you’re making some.

MARTIN:I am making some. We’ve definitely established that.

WENDY:All right, then.

MARTIN:Good. Milk, one sugar still?

WENDY:Oh, just however it comes.

MARTIN:It comes however y... Fine.

(Pouringof water.)

WENDY:Oh, give me the chipped mug.

MARTIN:Well, I-I-I could do that, or we could both have mugs without chips!

WENDY:But I don’t mind the chipped mug.

MARTIN:I-I know you don’t mind it, but ... Fine. There you are. Already-being-madetea, however it comes, in a chipped mug. Just the way you like it.

WENDY:Dear, you-you’re very good to... Oh, Martin. You’re having coffee!

MARTIN:I know.

WENDY:I’d have had coffee.

MARTIN:Mum, two things: you don’t like coffee; and you’re not allowed to have coffee!

WENDY:It would have been fine.

MARTIN(loudly): Yes, absolutely fine, except you wouldn’t have enjoyed it and itmight have given you a heart attack!

WENDY:I’m sorry.

MARTIN(apologetically): No, no, Mum. I-I-I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.I’m sorry.

WENDY:No, it was my fault. I’m sorry. I-I just don’t want to be any trouble, that’sall.

MARTIN(plaintively): I know. That’s the beautiful irony.

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MARTIN(yawning): Morning, Carolyn.

CAROLYN:Good morning, bright eyes. Are you all right?

MARTIN:Mmm? Fine.

CAROLYN:Where’s Douglas?

MARTIN:He’s just ... (he yawns) ... He’s just ... (he yawns again) ... He’s just ...

(Theportacabin door opens.)

DOUGLAS:Good morning, Martin.

MARTIN:Well, he’s here now.

DOUGLAS(carefully): Oh. And good day to you.

CAROLYN(carefully): Good day to you too.

MARTIN:What’s going on?

DOUGLAS(carefully): That damned game, where speech must be kept down to words of onesound.

MARTIN:You’re not still playing that?

CAROLYN:Two days now. It turns out we’re both quite good. (Carefully) Well, I can’tbrief like this.

DOUGLAS(carefully): Fine. Brief him. I’ll go and do the ... man-looks-at-plane bit.

(Hegoes out and closes the door.)

CAROLYN(relieved): Oh, thank heavens. So, Martin, here’s ... Martin! (Sing-song)Mar-tin!

MARTIN(jerking awake): Ah, yes, hello! I’m awake.

CAROLYN:Martin. Are you fit to fly?

MARTIN:Mmm, yes! Just, um ... (he yawns as he speaks) ... six hours of Mum not beingany trouble, then another six being a Man with a Van, and now I’m gonna fly aplane, somewhere.

CAROLYN:No you’re not. You’re going home to bed.

(Martinsighs.)

CAROLYN:Douglas and I can do this one. Look, you need to talk to your family.

MARTIN:Oh, I can’t. They think whenever I’m not on a trip I’m available to look afterMum. They don’t know about Icarus Removals.

CAROLYN:Well, tell them.

MARTIN:I can’t tell them! They’re little enough impressed by me being a pilot; how canI tell them that I actually make a living out of Dad’s old van?

CAROLYN:I don’t know, but you need to find a way. However, for now, there is anothersolution.

MARTIN:Yes?

CAROLYN:Your mother, from the sounds of it, represents the immovable force of someonewho needs helping but does not want to be helped.

MARTIN:Yes!

CAROLYN:Well, we have at our disposal – do we not – the irresistible force of someonewho loves helping and doesn’t really notice whether people want him or not.

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(Doorbell.A front door is opened.)

WENDY:Hello?

ARTHUR:Hello! Are you Mrs Skip?

WENDY:No, I’m ... I’m sorry, you’ve got the wrong ...

ARTHUR:Oh, sorry, I mean Mrs Crieff? Hello! I’m Arthur. Skip said you’d be expectingme?

WENDY:No, no. I told him I don’t want to bother a stranger. I’m really perfectlyfine, honestly.

ARTHUR:Great! Can I come in?

(Thedoor closes as Arthur comes in.)

WENDY:Oh, well, of course if I can get you a cup of tea or anything, but you mustn’t...

ARTHUR:Oh, brilliant! Can I make it?

WENDY:No, no, no! You sit down. I’ll make it.

ARTHUR:Yeah, but can I, though? It’s just – I’m really good at teas and coffees. It’sprobably my best thing. That, or crazy golf.

WENDY:Well, I-I-I suppose ...

ARTHUR:Great!

(Footstepsas Arthur heads for the kitchen.)

ARTHUR:It’s, er, straight ... it’s through here, is it? Ooh – and I’ve brought Boggle,Guess Who?, Connect Four and Kerplunk.

WENDY:Are they ... rappers?

ARTHUR:No, no, they’re games.

WENDY:Oh, you really mustn’t feel you have to waste your time entertaining me.

ARTHUR:No, no! I love playing games! But I can never get anyone to play with me!

WENDY:Oh. Well, I-I-I don’t think I’d be very good.

ARTHUR:Well, it’d be brilliant if you weren’t, because I am awful. And also, I’vebrought, er, two jigsaws, a book of Word Searches, and some cables from mydrawer.

WENDY:Some cables? Why did you bring those?

ARTHUR:Well, they sort of came out along with everything else, and I thought we couldhave fun trying to untangle them.

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(Inflight.)

CAROLYN(carefully): Well. Since my son is not on the plane, I may as well make the hotdrinks. Would you like one?

DOUGLAS:That’d be most kind, thanks.

[Transcriber’snote: does “That’d” count as two syllables?!]

CAROLYN:Tea?

DOUGLAS:No, could I have ...

(Longpause.)

DOUGLAS(carefully): ... the one that is not tea?

CAROLYN:“The one that is not tea.” Which one is that?

DOUGLAS:You know what it is.

CAROLYN:Beer! Oh, dear Doug, no! You can’t have beer!

DOUGLAS:No, not beer.

CAROLYN:Wine! (Carefully) No, no wine for you, my friend.

DOUGLAS(carefully): I do not want wine. I want the hot drink made from a bean, whichcomes in types such as Gold Blend.

CAROLYN(carefully): I think I know which one you mean, but I will need you to ask forit by name, just to be sure.

DOUGLAS:Fine. I will have tea.

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ARTHUR:Is that a bit of your beard, Wendy?

WENDY:I don’t think so. I think it’s your tail.

ARTHUR:Oh yeah, yeah.

(Thefront door opens.)

MARTIN:Hello? Mum?

WENDY:Oh, Martin! Hello! We’re in here!

(Internaldoor opens.)

MARTIN:Ooh, gosh! You’ve been busy!

ARTHUR:Hi, Skip! It turns out Wendy and I are amazing at jigsaws! Aren’t we, Wendy?

WENDY:Well, you’re very good.

ARTHUR:You’re very good. We’ve already done the two I brought, so, er, now we’ve mixedup the pieces and we’re doing them both together.

MARTIN:What, to make one big ...?

ARTHUR:Well, that’s what I’d hoped, too, but no – it looks like they’re coming out thesame. Er, d’you wanna help?

WENDY:Oh, no, you don’t have to.

MARTIN:No, I’d like to.

ARTHUR:Great! Any edges, give them to me. I am basically the edges guy.

(Soundof the three of them sorting through jigsaw pieces.)

WENDY:Where have you parked your car?

MARTIN:Just round the corner.

WENDY:Oh, don’t do that! Bring it onto the drive. It’ll be safer.

MARTIN(chuckling): Safer than the mean streets of Wokingham?

WENDY:Yes.

MARTIN:It’ll be fine.

WENDY:Well, you know best.

MARTIN(a little hesitantly): Actually, Mum, I didn’t bring my car.

WENDY:Didn’t you, love?

MARTIN:No. I, er, I ... came in the van – Dad’s old van.

WENDY:Oh, really? You’ve still got that running, have you?

ARTHUR:Yeah, it’s brilliant. Once, we nearly went to Devon.

MARTIN:Yes. Actually, Mum, as it happens, I, um, use it for work a bit, between trips– you know, deliveries or removals, Man with a Van stuff. I’m a Man with a Van.

WENDY:Oh, Martin, that’s wonderful!

MARTIN:... Is it?

WENDY:Of course! What, li-li-like your own business?

MARTIN:Well ... I suppose so.

WENDY:Oh, your dad would be ever so pleased.

MARTIN:Would he?

WENDY:Oh, yes! He always said you should have the van. Between you and me, Simonalways wanted it, but your dad said, “No, he’ll lose interest in a month, andhe won’t change the oil or get it MOTd. Martin should have it.” And now you’rerunning your own business with it. He’d be ever so proud!

MARTIN(softly): Yes. (In a normal tone) And of course, also I’m an airline pilot.

WENDY:Oh yes. Yes, he’d like that too.

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(Flightdeck door opens.)

CAROLYN:Well, then. Are you all set to go home?

DOUGLAS:Yes I am. And you? (Carefully) Are all the ... folk in their seats?

CAROLYN(carefully): Yes. They are all ... (At normal speed) Oh, I’m sick of this game.

DOUGLAS:Me too.

CAROLYN:We’re both just too good at it. Shall we call it a draw?

DOUGLAS:I think we should, yes.

(Pause.)

CAROLYN(carefully): And yet I note you have still not said a word with more than onesound in it.

DOUGLAS(carefully): And nor have you.

CAROLYN(slowly): No.

DOUGLAS(carefully): So. It seems it is ... a sort of mate which has gone stale.

CAROLYN:Yes. Or does it?

(Bing-bong.)

DOUGLAS:Hey!

CAROLYN(into intercom as naturally as she can): Good day, folks! We’ll all be on ourway in just a tick. But first, a few words from ... the guy at the front in thehat!

DOUGLAS(angrily): Oh! Thanks.(Into intercom, carefully) Well. Hi ... guys. I am mostglad to have you all with me on the plane for this short trip from ... here tothe U.K. My name is ... Doug ... (long pause) ... Smith, and I am the one whowill fly you this day. We will take one hour for our trip and we fly at aheight of ... quite high up. But now let me pass you back to ... the one whospoke just now, who will take you through all the ways we keep you safe onboard.

CAROLYN:Thank you! (Rapidly) Tell you what: just read the card on the back of the seatin front.

DOUGLAS(quietly): Oh!

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(Soundof jigsaw pieces being moved around in the box.)

MARTIN:Another edge bit, Arthur.

ARTHUR:Thank you, Skip.

SIMON(coming in the front door): Hello, hello, hello! Anyone home?

WENDY:Oh, it’s Simon! Simon, we’re in here!

SIMON(opening the door and coming in): Mummo!

WENDY:Oh, Simon, you shouldn’t have come.

SIMON:Shouldn’t have come to see my poor old ma when she’s been wounded in the field?Try keeping me away, that’s all!

MARTIN:We haven’t really needed to try for five days, have we?

SIMON:Martin! Come here, chap!

MARTIN:Oh, no, don’t ...

SIMON:Big hug!

MARTIN:Mmm, it’s-it’s very nice to see you too, Simes.

SIMON:No, no, no, none of that. Big hug.

(Martinwhimpers and groans, his voice muffled.)

WENDY(fondly): Ahh, lovely!

MARTIN(muffled): It’s not lovely!

SIMON:Ooh, it’s good to see you, eh?

MARTIN(muffled): Don’t lift me up!

SIMON:And up he goes!

MARTIN:No!

SIMON:Whee!

MARTIN:Put me down!

SIMON:He’s flying! Whee!

MARTIN:Put me down! Put me down!

WENDY(fondly): Ohh! It’s lovely to see you two having fun.

(Martinprotests incoherently.)

SIMON:Now then, Mummo. Why didn’t you tell me you were poorly?

MARTIN:Well, I told you.

WENDY:Oh, I know how busy you are.

SIMON:Not too busy for you. Can’t have you languishing here with no-one to look afteryou, can we?

MARTIN:Not no-one.

WENDY:No, Martin’s been very good.

SIMON:Is that so? Well, good on you, chap, huh?

MARTIN:Thank you, Simon... No, no, no, wait, I ...

SIMON:Now then, Mummo. First thing tomorrow I’m getting my doctor to take a look atyou.

WENDY:Oh, there’s no need.

MARTIN:Your doctor? What doctor do you have?

SIMON:Good old Doc Smiley, of course.

MARTIN:What, Nathan Smiley, from school?

SIMON:That’s right! Remember him, do you?

MARTIN:Of course I remember him. He threw my briefcase on the Science Block. And he’sa podiatrist!

SIMON:And a bloody good one.

MARTIN:He won’t know anything about angina.

WENDY:Martin, perhaps we should let Simon do what he thinks best.

SIMON:Well, probably the best plan, chap, you know – but well done for sticking toyour guns. Shows a good spirit, huh? Keep it up.

MARTIN:Thank you, Simon... No!

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DOUGLAS:Can’t you just stand up to him?

MARTIN:I try, but he just sort of steamrollers over me with his voice and hismoustache.

DOUGLAS:With his moustache?

MARTIN:Really hard to argue with someone with a moustache that bushy.

DOUGLAS:I reckon I could have a crack at it.

MARTIN:I’m sure you could – you or Carolyn, but I’m afraid I’m not you or Carolyn. I’mme.

DOUGLAS:True – but you know me and Carolyn.

MARTIN:So?

DOUGLAS:Well, we’re driving to Stansted on Sunday, aren’t we? Perhaps we ought to callin on the way and wish your mother well – the whole crew. In our uniforms.

MARTIN(delightedly): Oh, yes! Fantastic!

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(Doorbell.The front door is opened.)

ARTHUR:Hi, Wendy! It’s me!

WENDY:Hello, Arthur.

ARTHUR:And, er, this is Mum.

CAROLYNand WENDY: Hello.

ARTHUR:Mum, this is Martin’s mum. Martin’s mum, this is my mum. That’s quite fun tosay! And, er, this is Martin, who you already know.

(Frontdoor closes as everyone comes in.)

WENDY:Oh, Martin, look at you in your uniform. Aren’t you smart? Look at your hat!

CAROLYN:Quite a sight, isn’t it? Er, Carolyn.

CAITLIN:Caitlin. Let me take your coats.

CAROLYN:Oh, thank you.

CAITLIN:And your hat, Martin?

MARTIN:Er, no. It’s all right.

CAITLIN:Why? Aren’t you stopping?

MARTIN:Yes, but I ... i-i-isn’t Simon here yet?

CAITLIN:Yes, he’s just through there. Why won’t you take your hat off?

MARTIN(calling out): Simon!

SIMON(from a nearby room): Hello, chap. Aren’t you coming through?

MARTIN:Er, yes – unless you want to come out here and, er ...

SIMON:No, well, no-no point if you’re coming through, is there, now?

MARTIN:No, fine. (Quieter, irritated, to Caitlin) Go on, then. Take the hat.

(Thumpas he throws his hat to her.)

CAITLIN:Oh! Thank you!

SIMON(his voice getting louder as he comes towards the hall): All right, all right,all right, what’s the big hold-up out here, huh?

MARTIN:Oh, Simon! (Frantically, to Caitlin) Give it back! Give it back!

CAITLIN:Give what back?

MARTIN(his voice rising): My hat! Give me back my hat!

SIMON:Martin!

MARTIN:Simon! Hello. Sorry to be dressed like this. We’re, er, on our way to work. That’smy hat Caitlin’s got.

SIMON:Good lord! Is it? Anyway – hug?

MARTIN:No, no, no. I’ll crease my uniform – my captain’s uniform.

SIMON:Ooh, I don’t think so. Looks pretty polyester-tastic to me. Come ’ere!

MARTIN(muffled, protesting): Don’t lift me. Please, don’t lift me.

SIMON:And up we go!

(Thedoorbell rings and the door is opened. Martin continues to protest in a muffledvoice.)

DOUGLAS:Have I got the right house?

MARTIN(muffled): Put me down! Put me down!

SIMON:Who’s flying?!

(Hechuckles.)

DOUGLAS:Yes, I think I have.

(Martingasps for breath.)

WENDY:Come on in. The boys are just playing.

DOUGLAS:So I see.

SIMON:Ahh, there you go.

(Martinpants as Simon puts him down.)

MARTIN(breathlessly): Right, right. So, this is Wendy, Caitlin and Simon, and this isDouglas, my first officer.

WENDY:Lovely to meet you.

CAITLIN:First officer? Is that like the captain’s captain?

DOUGLAS:Not quite, in fact.

MARTIN:I’m the captain. You know I’m the captain.

CAITLIN:Well, yes, but you’re not his captain, surely.

MARTIN:Yes, I am! Aren’t I, Douglas? Tell them.

CAROLYN(eagerly): Oh yes, do.

DOUGLAS:Oh yes. He is ... (carefully) ... he is my ... That is who he is.

CAITLIN(surprised): Oh! And is he good?

DOUGLAS:Oh, yes! He is most ... most ... good.

MARTIN(flatly): Great. Thanks, Douglas. Terrific.

WENDY:Well, shall we go on through? After you, Mrs Knapp-Shappey.

CAROLYN:Oh, please, call me ...

(Shestops.)

DOUGLAS:Yes?

CAROLYN:... Ca.

MARTIN:“Ca”?

CAROLYN:Yes! Ca. Short for ...

(Shewhines slightly.)

DOUGLAS:Yes?

CAROLYN:... fun. Short for fun.

MARTIN:Oh no. You’re not still ...

CAROLYN:What? (Stilted) All is well.

MARTIN:Okay, can I see you both in the kitchen please?

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MARTIN(irritated): You’re still playing the game!

CAROLYN:What? No! Of course not!

MARTIN:You are!

DOUGLAS:What game?

MARTIN:Say “sausages” – either of you.

(Pause.)

DOUGLAS:I think not.

(Martingroans in frustration.)

MARTIN:You said you’d help me! That was the whole point! For once I was gonna lookgood in front of my brother, and now you’re too busy playing your stupid game!

CAROLYN:Well, we can do both.

MARTIN:No you can’t! You sound like a couple of broken Speak and Spells.

DOUGLAS:That is a touch harsh.

MARTIN:Stop it! Okay, look: I’m declaring an amnesty. While you’re in this house, thegame’s on hold, okay?

CAROLYN:Suits me.

DOUGLAS:And me.

MARTIN:Good! Thank you.

DOUGLAS:Right, then, shall we go back in?

CAROLYN:Yes, let’s.

MARTIN:Wait a minute. Say “sausages”.

CAROLYN:You first.

DOUGLAS:No, you.

MARTIN:Oh, for heaven’s sakes! All together, after three. One, two, three ...

(Hedraws in an expectant breath, then quietly screams in frustration when nobodyspeaks.)

MARTIN:Seriously! One ... two ... three ...

DOUGLASand CAROLYN (simultaneously): Sausages!

MARTIN:Thank you!

CAROLYN:Oh! That’s a relief!

(Martinlets out a relieved sigh.)

CAROLYN:Antidisestablishmentarianism.

DOUGLAS:Excellent! Shall we re-combine with the familial gathering in the vestibule?

CAROLYN:Assuredly!

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WENDY:Is everything okay? You mustn’t stay if you need to go.

MARTIN:No-no-no. It’s all fine.

CAITLIN:What were you arguing about?

MARTIN:Nothing. Just discussing a procedural ... aviation matter.

SIMON:Right. Because it sounded like you were all shouting “sausages”.

CAROLYN:Yes; a small contretemps concerning the catering arrangements, but Martinsorted it all out.

DOUGLAS:As usual.

SIMON:What was the problem?

MARTIN:The problem was ... the-the problem was what we should serve on our next flight– and the solution was sausages.

SIMON:Ah, yeah, not sure, Martin. Take another pass at that if I were you. You’reforgetting the, er, kosher chaps.

MARTIN:No I’m not. I meant beef sausages.

SIMON:Ah, now, you see, well if you get any Hindus, then they won’t like that. No,no. I think your best bet is ...

MARTIN(interrupting): No! There aren’t any Hindus! It’s all fine!

WENDY:I’m sure it is, love, but why don’t you listen to Simon’s idea?

MARTIN(high-pitched and frantic under his breath): Douglas!

DOUGLAS:So, Simon. I didn’t introduce myself properly before. I’m Douglas. I’m Martin’sfirst officer – his junior – his second in command.

SIMON:Well, pleased to meet you. I must say, you look more my idea of a pilot thanold Martin here.

DOUGLAS:Really? You look exactly my idea of a council administrator.

SIMON:Well, senior administrator.

DOUGLAS:Oh, really? Senior. Gosh.

CAROLYN:The sights you must have seen.

SIMON:Yes, well, I ... I could tell you a few stories.

DOUGLAS:Please, do.

(Awkwardpause.)

SIMON:Well, you know – mustn’t talk shop, you know.

CAROLYN:Oh, but it would be such a treat for us! We’ve been dying to hear more, eversince Martin told us all about you the other day as we flew over Monte Carlo.

DOUGLAS:Was it Monte Carlo, Carolyn? I think it might have been Uganda.

CAROLYN:Oh, yes, of course, when we took those nice cameramen to film mountaingorillas.

DOUGLAS:Sorry. The-the trips rather blur into one after a bit.

CAROLYN:Well, except for the ones like St Petersburg, where we had a bird strike ontake-off and Martin landed us on one engine.

DOUGLAS:Hmm!

WENDY:Martin! Did you?!

ARTHUR:Oh, he was brilliant.

MARTIN:Well, you know, just part of the job.

DOUGLAS:Huh! Well, it’s my job too, but I went to pieces.

CAROLYN:Started crying.

DOUGLAS:I’m not ashamed to admit it.

CAROLYN:Like a schoolgirl.

DOUGLAS:That’ll do. But Martin here slapped me across the face, told me not to be adamned fool, and landed the plane single-handed, fighting the crosswind all theway down to the icy runway and saving all our lives.

WENDY:Martin!

CAITLIN:That’s amazing!

DOUGLAS:But I’m sorry – we’re getting sidetracked. You were going to tell us yourstory, Simon.

SIMON:... Yeah. Yes. Well, er, I would, but, um, but, you know, b-best not. OfficialSecrets Act, you know.

CAROLYN:Oh, of course.

DOUGLAS:Say no more.

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CAROLYN:Very nice to meet you, Wendy. Sorry we can’t stay longer.

WENDY:Oh, no. Thank you for stopping.

(Frontdoor opens.)

WENDY:It was lovely to see you all.

ARTHUR:Bye, Wendy!

WENDY:Bye, Arthur.

(Footstepsas Carolyn, Arthur and Douglas walk away.)

WENDY:Goodbye, Martin, love.

MARTIN:Bye, Mum. See you Wednesday.

WENDY:Yes. And I’m ever so glad you told me about Icarus.

MARTIN:Thanks, Mum. I’m glad y... Icarus?

WENDY:I-Isn’t that what it’s called? Icarus Removals?

MARTIN:Yes, but I didn’t tell you that.

WENDY:Didn’t you? I-I-I think you did.

MARTIN:No.

WENDY:Oh. Well.

MARTIN:You knew already?

WENDY:Well, honestly, Martin, I might not be a techno, but I know enough to type myown son’s name into Google every so often.

MARTIN:What about the others? Do they know?

WENDY:I don’t know. I ... they might do. I think they probably do, actually. (Shesniffs.) Yes, they do.

MARTIN:They never said anything.

WENDY:Of course not. You clearly didn’t want to talk about it, so they didn’t.They’re ever so fond of you, Martin – especially Simon. So, er, don’t doanything like that to him again, will you? Once is enough.

MARTIN:Do what? What do you mean?

WENDY:So nice to meet your friends. Bye, love. Love you.

MARTIN(quietly, thoughtfully): ... Love you too.

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(Onthe street.)

DOUGLAS:All okay?

MARTIN:Er, yes. I-I think so. You don’t think we were too mean to Simon, do you?

DOUGLAS:Good lord, no!

CAROLYN:I don’t think so. Why – do you feel bad?

MARTIN:Er, maybe a bit bad, but also, sort of mainly AMAZING! (He laughs withdelight.) I’m sorry, I know it’s petty, but it was AMAZING! (He laughs again.)Thank you so much.

CAROLYN:Oh, not at all. I know what it’s like. Well, you’ve met Ruth. She still makesme feel like a five-year-old.

MARTIN(sighing): You know, I think I could handle him if it weren’t for thatmoustache.

DOUGLAS:I do think you set too much store by moustaches.

CAROLYN:Ah-ha! “Moustaches”!

MARTIN:What?

CAROLYN:Three syllables. I win!

DOUGLAS:But we’re not playing! We’re on a truce!

CAROLYN:No! No we’re not! “While we’re in this house” – that was the truce.

DOUGLAS:But you’ve used lots of long words since we left!

CAROLYN:Have I? (Deliberately staccato) What – when I told you how Ruth can make mefeel five years old? (She laughs with delight, talking more normally) No! That wasa trap, straight into which you blundered, First Officer Heffalump.

MARTIN:Okay, my turn now. I didn’t get a proper go on the plane.

ARTHUR:Well, hang on: I haven’t had a go at all.

DOUGLAS:... You want a go, Arthur?

ARTHUR:Course I do.

DOUGLAS:All right, then. Your time starts ... now.

ARTHUR:Brilliant!

DOUGLAS:Short, but sweet.