Shibari

Gary Duggan

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2015
• Print ISBN: 9781849432009
• eBook ISBN: 9781849435734
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

I've started to recognise complete strangers… An ad sales team leader on a joyride to self-destruction. A Romanian bookshop employee who wants to try something new. An entertainment journalist who wants out. A restaurant manager who mourns a suicide. An English movie star who seeks credibility by slumming it in theatre. A Japanese florist who feels it's time to take another chance. Relationships are strained, snapped and formed in this modern-day look at life in a multi-cultural Dublin.

KNOT 1. – BOOKSHOP

IOANA has been unpacking a box of books. She is distracted by one in particular – a photography book of Japanese Kinbaku bondage.

NICK walks by, checking her out for a moment, before she notices him.

NICK: Are you allowed to do that?

IOANA: What?

NICK: Look through books of naked women, when you’re supposed to be working.

IOANA: Not really… Good to have a knowledge of the stock though.

NICK: In case someone comes in looking for some porn?

IOANA: This is not porn. This is photography.

NICK: Naked birds tied up…looks like a bit of S&M to me.

IOANA: This is art. We don’t sell pornography in here.

NICK: Can I have a look?

They flick through the book together.

You into this sort of thing?

IOANA: What sort of thing?

NICK: Art photography.

IOANA: You don’t like this? These are beautiful, aren’t they?

NICK: The models?

IOANA: The patterns of the rope. The contrast. The photography.

NICK: Bit kinky though, you have to admit?

IOANA: I think it is very beautiful.

NICK: Are you a student?

IOANA: No.

NICK: Where are you from?

IOANA: Here. Dublin.

NICK: Before that. You weren’t born here, were you?

IOANA: Romania.

NICK: Bucharest?

IOANA: A village called Sibiel. Middle of Transylvania.

NICK: Yeah? Let me see your teeth.

IOANA: Excuse me?

NICK: In case / you’re a…

IOANA: Oh, a vampire joke. Very original.

NICK: Lots of Romanians in Ireland now.

IOANA: And not all of them are gypsies and thieves.

NICK: I know, yeah. That’s not / what —

IOANA: Or vampires.

NICK: Right. Some of them work in bookshops.

She takes the Kinbaku book back.

IOANA: Can I help you with something?

NICK: Looking for a book…

IOANA: That’s a good start.

NICK: You have a history section?

IOANA: We have the biggest history department in Dublin, they tell me.

NICK: That include African history?

IOANA: Yes. Continue on through here and to the right.

NICK: I’m looking for something about The Battle of Kombi.

IOANA: If we have it, it’ll be there.

NICK: I’m researching a part. I’m an actor. Nick Tamerlane.

IOANA: Very good.

NICK: Have you seen Ghettoboyz?

IOANA: I don’t like gangster movies.

NICK: Well, there’s romance in there too… I’m doing a play at the minute. Last few previews now. Opens Tuesday. Just down the road. You know the theatre?

IOANA: Yeah.

NICK: Play’s kinda like Spartacus, you know, but set in the American south, before the Civil War. I play this slave who leads a revolt with an Irish priest. Fighting for the freedom of my people, breaking free from the bonds of slavery. I’m like, a black Kirk Douglas.

He smiles at this, but doesn’t get much response from IOANA.

The writer’s a bit of a fossil but it’s transferring to the States after. Agent reckons it could be a bit of an awards magnet.

IOANA: Right… They can order you in anything that we don’t have, at the desk at the front.

NICK: That’s great. Thanks for your help, (Reading her name badge.) I-own-a.

IOANA: (Correcting his pronunciation.) Yo-anna. No problem.

He doesn’t move, she continues with her work.

NICK: What time do you finish here, Ioana?

IOANA: Why?

NICK: Maybe you’d like to have a drink with me?

IOANA: I have a boyfriend.

NICK: Valentine’s Day tomorrow. If you were mine, I’d get you out of this city for the weekend, sweep you right off your feet.

IOANA: But I’m not yours. And I’m sure you’ve got plenty others.

NICK: Me? I’m single. Single on Valentine’s weekend, nothing worse.

IOANA: I’m sure you’ll get through it.

Lights.

KNOT 2. – FLOWER SHOP

HIDEO stands behind a counter.

LIAM is looking at several unusual and striking flower arrangements on display.

LIAM: Now, it’s not mad expensive, is it?

HIDEO: No, I don’t think so. This work is all original. All arrangements are created by me personally.

LIAM: Sounds like it’s probably a bit expensive…

HIDEO: I think you’ll find the prices very reasonable. There is no other ...

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• Characters
• KNOT 1. – BOOKSHOP
• KNOT 2. – FLOWER SHOP
• KNOT 3. – GYM SAUNA
• KNOT 4. – KARAOKE ROOM
• KNOT 5. – THEATRE DRESSING ROOM
• KNOT 6. – LIAM & IOANA’S APARTMENT
• KNOT 7. – DANCE STUDIO
• KNOT 8. – HOTEL SUITE
• KNOT 9. – EVA’S OFFICE
• KNOT 10. – MARIE’S APARTMENT
• KNOT 11. – BAR
• KNOT 12. – RESTAURANT
• KNOT 13. EVA’S APARTMENT
• KNOT 14. – BAR
• KNOT 15. – HIDEO’S APARTMENT
• Back