Touch

Vicky Jones

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9781848426955
• eBook ISBN:
  9781780019123
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

A shamelessly funny and brutally honest play about sex, connection and control, from one of the brains behind hit play and TV show Fleabag.

Dee's sexual escapades are messy and temporary – just like her shoebox London flat.

New to the city and in a stopgap job, Dee has the chance to reinvent herself. But how can you change your life when you don't know what you want? Welcome to the secret life of a thirty-three-year-old woman.

Vicky Jones' play Touch was first produced by Soho Theatre and DryWriteat Soho Theatre, London, in July 2017.

1. Eddie 1

DEE’s flat is tiny and resembles a ramshackle bedsit, though it has a small bathroom attached with a shower, sink and toilet. The room is full of her clutter and every surface and corner is filled with something. There is a cooking area with no sink, but with a fridge and a hob, with pans stacked on top. There is an old wheelie office chair. There is a bookshelf containing self-help books and feminist literature as well as fiction. There is a wardrobe with her clothes pouring out of the front. There is a pile of unopened mail. There are empty wine bottles, dirty cups and glasses. There is a pan in the shower. There is a stepper exercise machine. There is a full rubbish bag in the corner.

DEE is trying to tidy up. EDDIE’s back is turned. Suddenly he turns around to look at her.

DEE No!

EDDIE What the hell is this place?

DEE You were supposed to wait outside while I tidied.

EDDIE You live here?

DEE There’s not really room for all my stuff.

EDDIE You might find there’s room at the back of your cupboards, if you –

DEE You don’t know what you’re talking about.

EDDIE I’m impressed you’ve managed to get it into this state in what – three weeks?

DEE Amazing what you can do if you put your mind to it.

She poses in some mess.

EDDIE You remind me of, what are they called? A Manic Pixie Dream girl.

DEE Ugh I hated that film.

EDDIE I thought you’d love that kind of thing.

DEE Ugh, I can’t stand those self-satisfied, ironic, ‘indie’ movies, about flighty male-fantasy women who just say the kookiest, most adorable things and are constantly falling over and fucking skipping and…

EDDIE Easy.

DEE They offend me.

EDDIE Right.

DEE I feel contempt for them.

EDDIE I can tell.
Chill out.

DEE laughs suddenly, embarrassed.

She grabs a takeaway that EDDIE is holding and puts it in the fridge.

DEE Thank you for dinner by the way.

EDDIE No problem.

DEE You sure you don’t want any of this?

EDDIE You keep it.

DEE I’ve got next time.

EDDIE So there’s gonna be a next time?

DEE Of course!

DEE moves towards him. They kiss. But she stops him, pushes him back on the bed. He resists.

EDDIE What you doing?

DEE Not what you think…

She selects some music.

You ever been to a strip club, Eddie?
Don’t say yes by the way.

EDDIE Well that’s easy because I never have.

DEE Would you like to?

EDDIE I would if you were the only dancer.
You’re beautiful.

DEE Shit business model though, Eddie. Only one dancer.

EDDIE Okay.

DEE is doing a sort of good lap dance.

DEE I’m good at this.

EDDIE I can see.

She dances towards him and then tries to get his cock out.

Steady – alright.
So that’s gotta be out then, does it?

He gets his cock out himself, though it’s masked by his hand and trousers.

DEE Relax. Enjoy yourself.

DEE continues the ...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title page
• Contents
• Original Production
• Acknowledgements
• Dedication
• Characters
• Note on Text
• Touch
• About the Author
• Copyright and Performing Rights Information