October

Ian Wilding

• Publisher: Currency Press
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9781760620783
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

'Don't mention it to anyone. Not that we are going to do anything. But don't mention it anyway.'Tim and Angela are on the edge of something irrevocable. A stranger's accusation of infidelity has turned their perfect urban dream into a nightmare. Now, every corner of their inner-city apartment hides a menacing secret, every step outside is a step into the unknown. The threat to their existence is killing them.Enter Dick, private eye—smarmy and menacing by turns, a Man Who Makes Things Happen. Though he charges by the hour and his approach is definitely unconventional, Dick may be exactly what the situation requires. But just how far are Tim and Angela willing to go to ensure their personal safety?

SCENE ONE

DEZ and ANGELA.

DEZ: I saw you. Yes. And you saw me. I said hello. And then you just walked past.

ANGELA: I’m sorry. I don’t understand.

DEZ: You stopped. Looked the other way. And then walked past. You saw me then looked away. When I said hello. And I said it quite loud.

ANGELA: If you were shouting in the street I probably did look away. [She laughs.] If someone from nowhere comes up and shouts at you in the street—

DEZ: You looked me in the eye and then walked past. Like I was no one. And I want to know why. Because I am someone.

ANGELA: Are you? And is that something entirely up to you?

TIM enters with a glass of water for ANGELA.

TIM: And you’re sure you won’t have anything?

DEZ: Dez.

TIM pours himself a tumbler of scotch.

ANGELA: May I ask a stupid question?

DEZ: Go ahead.

TIM: [with DEZ] Go ahead—darling.

ANGELA: Only I haven’t been introduced.

DEZ: We haven’t been introduced.

ANGELA: I don’t mean to be formal.

TIM: Is everything all right, darling?

ANGELA: I’m not entirely sure.

ANGELA laughs.

DEZ: We haven’t been introduced. That’s great.

TIM: That’s great. What’s great?

ANGELA: I don’t mean to be rude. But I’m afraid we must be at cross purposes.

DEZ: That’s fine. No I get it.

TIM: I’m confused.

ANGELA: Dez? Yes. Hello. Yes. I’m sorry. How to ask this? Am I supposed to know you?

DEZ: That’s great.

ANGELA: It’s just—where is it I’m supposed to know you from?

TIM: Yes. I’m confused.

DEZ: You would be.

ANGELA: But where is it you think you know me from?

DEZ: Do you want me to say it in front of your husband?

TIM: In front of me?

ANGELA: No. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be—

DEZ: Rude.

TIM: You told me you were a friend. Is that not the truth?

ANGELA: A friend of mine?

DEZ: I didn’t say I was a friend.

TIM: I hope we’re not going to split hairs. Because you take someone on their word—

DEZ: Jesus.

ANGELA: You seem upset. Is there something we can do to help you?

DEZ: There is, actually.

TIM: You don’t know him?

ANGELA: No.

TIM: I take people at face value. And I let you in on your word. Now if there’s been a mistake—fine. That happens.

ANGELA: I don’t want you to feel that I’m saying anything by it—but I’ve never met you.

TIM: Are you selling something?

DEZ: If I was selling something I wouldn’t come where the residents already have everything. Unless it was insurance.

TIM: Insurance?

DEZ: I’m not selling anything.

ANGELA: Are you from a religious group?

DEZ: Am I a fundamentalist?

ANGELA: We don’t discriminate.

DEZ: I take communion. Is there a problem with that?

TIM: No. I don’t understand.

DEZ: The sacrament.

ANGELA: We’re saying we don’t make judgements based on religion, Dez.

TIM: This is the wrong way to go about things.

ANGELA: It is a little unfair.

TIM: And you will achieve nothing by it.

ANGELA: Can we call someone for you? Is there someone who helps you?

TIM: You’ve made a cock-up. Yes? Don’t worry about it.

ANGELA: Happens to the best of ...