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  The GUIDE is unimpressed with this.

  But I was right!

  Guide

  I’d try again if I were you.

  Ketu

  But . . .

  Guide (with a sense of menace)

  22, 23, 24 . . . anyone else?

  KETU backs off.

  Nia

  Alex . . . Are you going to choose a memory of me?

  Alex

  Of course.

  Nia

  No hesitation?

  ALEX looks slightly confused.

  Haven’t you thought about what you’re losing? If I don’t choose say . . . the time I finally beat my big sister at Chess . . . then I lose her forever. And my family, friends . . . everything I did.

  Sophie

  What about all the things I did alone? If I’m not there to remember them, they might as well never have happened.

  Guide

  I really must urge you to decide. Eternity won’t wait forever you know.

  The GUIDE allows himself a wry smile.

  Sophie

  You think this is easy?

  Guide

  I never said it was easy.

  They stare at each other.

  Nia (to ALEX)

  I know! If we could think of a moment . . . something fantastic that we both shared.

  ALEX is unable to concentrate.

  Guide

  35, 36, 37 . . .

  ALEX shoots the GUIDE an angry look.

  Nia (intervening)

  I have an idea. The day we met.

  Alex

  (Recalls.) Yes . . . of course!

  Nia (excited)

  Let’s try. Yes?

  ALEX nods.

  The park. By the swings. I was babysitting my best friend’s kid.

  Alex

  And I was there with my nephew.

  The lights slowly change.

  Alex and Nia’s memory

  The park. NIA pushes a child on a swing, while ALEX plays ball with a boy.

  Alex

  I thought . . . she looks . . . interesting. But she’s got a kid.

  The children’s movement freezes. NIA approaches ALEX.

  Nia (to ALEX)

  And I knew you were thinking that.

  Alex (to NIA) How?

  Nia (to ALEX)

  ’Cos of the way you looked at me . . . and . . . ’cos I was thinking the same thing.

  The children ‘come to life’ again. NIA returns to the swing.

  Alex

  I started to run all these scenarios . . . she’s a frustrated mother . . . her husband died for his country . . . or he’s so boring she’s looking for someone else.

  Nia

  And I thought . . . what’s he doing . . . looking at me like that? What’s his wife going to think?

  Alex

  Some guy walks up . . . I think . . . OK here we go . . . this’ll be good ole hubby.

  The children’s movement freezes again. One of the performers crosses the stage.

  Nia (to ALEX)

  I didn’t even see him.

  Alex (to NIA)

  He walked on past.

  The children ‘come to life’ again.

  Nia

  I’m thinking . . . if I’m out with my friend’s child maybe he’s babysitting too.

  Alex

  And I’m trying to devise a way to show he’s not mine. I try deliberately forgetting his name. (Calls.) Hey Tony . . . er . . . Timothy . . .

  Nia

  OK so it’s not his child . . . but that doesn’t make him single.

  The children go into a sandbox.

  And the kids start playing together.

  Alex

  Perfect!

  Nia

  Jenny, don’t get dirty . . . your mother’ll be here any minute now!

  She gives ALEX a quick sideways glance.

  Alex

  Ah hah.

  (Calls to the child.) Thomas play nice with the little girl. You’re a gentleman remember?

  He smiles at NIA, who smiles back.

  She’s definitely smiling at me . . . might as well show her I’m not wearing a ring.

  ALEX puts his hand up near his face.

  Nia

  What’s wrong with his face? Is he picking his nose?

  She looks away.

  Alex

  That did the trick. She’s gone all bashful on me.

  Nia

  OK . . . let’s play this nice and cool. Let him come and talk to me.

  Alex

  Maybe I should let her introduce herself. This is the twenty-first century after all.

  They both wait. Nothing happens.

  Meanwhile the children have a great time playing together.

  Nia

  Now what?

  Alex

  Don’t tell me I was wrong.

  Nia

  He’s not waiting for me is he?

  Suddenly the GIRL throws sand on the BOY’s head. The BOY cries.

  ALEX and NIA go into the sandbox.

  Nia

  Jenny, be nice to the little boy!

  Alex

  Thomas, it’s all right. Come on, let’s build a castle.

  Nia

  Yes, a castle! Look Jenny.

  ALEX and NIA sit on the floor with the kids and start to build a sandcastle.

  The kids leave unnoticed.

  ALEX and NIA look up and find each other’s eyes.

  And at that moment.

  Alex

  I knew.

  Nia

  I knew.

  Alex

  I’d met ‘the one’.

  Nia

  I was in for a wicked shag!

  Lighting change.

  Void

  Alex

  What?

  Nia

  What?

  Alex

  You were only thinking about sex.

  Nia

  Well, yes . . .

  Alex

  But . . .

  Nia

  Oh come on Alex . . . you were too . . . admit it. You couldn’t possibly have known I was ‘the one’.

  Alex

  Why not?

  Nia

  Because . . . People don’t just know.

  Alex (irritated)

  Well there’s no way I’m picking this memory, if you just saw me as a good shag.

  Nia

  Alex . . .

  ALEX turns away. KETU approaches him.

  Ketu

  Your truth is not her truth. It was the same between me and my people!

  When I told them of my great discovery . . . They could not see my intentions . . . that, at last, we could achieve great things. Instead they turned on me.

  Sophie

  I achieved great things . . . of course . . . why didn’t I think of this before?

  Guide

  Go on.

  Sophie

  Oh, where to begin . . . let me see . . . yes.

  The lights slowly change.

  Sophie’s memory

  Sophie

  I was twenty-one . . . It was my first day in a new job and I felt myself at the start of a great adventure.

  SOPHIE enters the office. She is greeted by her boss MR GRAY.

  Mr Gray

  Sophie, bright and early I see, excellent. Go and see Jerry.

  The office appears. Three desks: one downstage left (JERRY’s ), one further up stage and to the right (PHIL’s) and one upstage centre (MR GRAY’s). SOPHIE joins JERRY.

  Sophie

  It was a little daunting at first.

  Jerry (at lightning speed)

  If you’re sent a B.Y.30, you input the data into one of these cells, unless it’s marked ‘current imperative’ in which case it goes in here, but you must remember to create a separate hard copy, send a purchase order to accounts payable and cc it to me. Clear?

  During this JERRY has put his hand on SOPHIE’s shoulder in a suggestive way. She moves away from him.
<
br />   Sophie

  Crystal.

  Then MR GRAY presses his intercom button.

  Mr Gray

  Phil. I could do with those Tokyo figures as soon as you have them.

  Phil

  Sure.

  Mr Gray

  And if you’d grab me a coffee I’d appreciate it.

  Phil

  Hey Jerry . . . two coffees please.

  Jerry (to SOPHIE)

  Three coffees please, love. Thanks.

  The office dissolves.

  Sophie (narrates)

  Those first days were tough, but I was determined. I followed my mother’s advice. Meet the right people, shake the right hands, laugh in the right places and always be ready to make your move.

  My chance came at the staff Christmas party.

  The party appears. Champagne is popped. A bar area appears downstage left and PHIL has made it his home. He cheerfully sings a line from ‘Jingle Bells’.

  JERRY and another colleague, LUCY, are upstage right. The atmosphere is a little stilted at this point.

  Lucy

  Well . . . what a year.

  Jerry

  Yes indeed . . . it’s certainly been a year.

  SOPHIE joins them. She smiles.

  We were just saying how it’s been a . . . year.

  Sophie

  Yes . . . absolutely.

  They all smile awkwardly. The action moves over to the bar area.

  Just then the MR GRAY shows up.

  Phil

  Ah, Mr Gray, can I get you a Christmas drink.

  Mr Gray

  Er, large single malt scotch please.

  Phil (to the barman)

  Two large single malts please.

  Mr Gray

  Thank you.

  Phil

  My pleasure. Actually I’ve been looking for an opportunity to float a couple of ideas in front of you. The thing is I think I’ve figured a way to . . .

  SOPHIE approaches.

  Sophie

  Sorry . . . I didn’t mean to interrupt.

  Mr Gray

  Sophie! No, not at all, join us please.

  Sophie

  I just wanted to say . . . I heard your speech at the WGB conference. It was . . . truly inspiring.

  Mr Gray (pleased)

  Really?

  The action at the bar freezes. The focus switches to LUCY and JERRY. They are now a bit drunk and flirt with each other.

  Jerry (telling a joke)

  And he says . . . as long as it’s not with citrus fruit!

  Lucy

  Citrus fruit!

  They laugh.

  Action returns to the bar area.

  Sophie

  . . . Truly inspiring.

  Mr Gray (grins)

  Thank you. Can I get you a drink?

  Sophie

  Yes, orange juice, please.

  Mr Gray

  Orange juice? (He orders.) Orange juice.

  SOPHIE smiles. PHIL, who has been trying to catch MR GRAY’s attention, gets the message.

  Phil

  Perhaps we can . . . continue our chat later.

  Mr Gray (not interested)

  Mmm.

  Sophie (to PHIL as he goes)

  Merry Christmas.

  Phil (darkly)

  Happy New Year!

  SOPHIE joins MR GRAY at the bar.

  Sophie

  And your point about foregrounding ethical responsibility as a marketing tool really struck me. In fact I’ve been putting in some extra hours devising ways to maximise implementation on that front.

  Mr Gray (laughs)

  Excellent!

  The party dissolves.

  Sophie (narrates)

  From there it all went very quickly. Three months later I was being welcomed to the ranks of middle management.

  The office appears once again. SOPHIE now occupies PHIL’s old desk. PHIL is sat at the downstage desk with Jerry.

  Phil (to Jerry)

  I’ve got this whole plan . . . major strategy rethink . . . here’s what I figured . . .

  MR GRAY presses the button of the intercom.

  Mr Gray

  Sophie would you come into my office. I’ve got a couple of ideas I’d like to run by you?

  SOPHIE gets up, then stops to think.

  Sophie

  Phil, two coffees please . . . in Mr Gray’s office.

  Phil (bitter)

  Sure.

  The office dissolves.

  Sophie (narrates)

  The following years marked a period of rapid growth. I was responsible for much of the company’s streamlining. With an aggressive package of acquisitions we are now more strongly placed in the market than ever before. And tonight I am delighted to accept your award of Manager Of The Year!

  The office has transformed into a conference centre. The other performers applaud. A PHOTOGRAPHER gets into position to take SOPHIE’s photo.

  Photographer

  Smile!

  Lighting change. The camera has failed to flash.

  Void

  Sophie

  But . . . My success . . . Everything I’d achieved.

  Guide

  Were you happy?

  Sophie

  Oh please, I thought here at least we’d be beyond such simplistic thinking.

  The GUIDE gives her a searching stare.

  I made sacrifices. I didn’t want a family . . . or a lover . . . not until I’d achieved my goal.

  Ketu

  What was your goal?

  Sophie

  Respect.

  Nia

  From whom?

  Sophie

  Everyone.

  Guide

  No one in particular?

  The GUIDE’s manner has become that of a barrister conducting a cross-examination.

  I put it to you . . . You worked day and night . . . you rejected the advances of any men who came near you. You had no hobbies, or home life. Who were you trying to impress?

  Sophie

  You want me to say my mother.

  Guide

  Yes I do . . . and you have . . . thank you.

  Sophie

  But . . .

  Alex

  Is he right?

  Sophie

  My mother helped me to see what was important in life. Work hard when you’re young . . . get somewhere and then enjoy your success.

  Ketu

  So what went wrong?

  Sophie

  Nothing.

  Guide

  Really . . . so what about . . . this?

  He sticks his finger into the top of her head, where the scar is. SOPHIE leaps away from him.

  Sophie

  How dare you!!

  Guide

  I’m sorry . . . but this really isn’t a time for self-delusion!

  Sophie

  It was my life . . . I did with it what I felt best.

  Guide

  Any regrets?

  SOPHIE is upset and angry.

  Sophie

  I was a success . . . I had money and power . . . I have nothing to be ashamed of.

  Guide

  That’s not what I asked.

  Sophie

  I achieved more than anyone I knew.

  Guide

  So what have you got? Where is it?!

  SOPHIE is fit to burst.

  Sophie

  I . . . It wasn’t my fault.

  Guide

  What wasn’t?

  Sophie

  My illness! It wasn’t my fault. Why couldn’t it have struck at some tramp . . . some non-achiever . . . why me?

  They told me how much time I had . . . It was pitifully short . . . (Beginning to crack.) I could feel my mind . . . rotting! Within a month I was a useless . . . disgusting . . . bed-bound wretch!

  They came at first . . . my so-called friends . . . when they thought I could still be useful to them . . . But when they found out there was no hope . . . the visi
ts stopped . . . just like that.

  My mother kept coming of course . . . She told me how impressed she was . . . with all that I’d achieved . . . and how bravely I was dealing with my own death.

  SOPHIE breaks down.

  What have I achieved?

  Guide (sympathetic)

  Please . . . You must understand I’m only trying to help.

  Sophie

  ‘One day’ . . . I always said to myself . . . ‘One day I’ll be able to sit back and enjoy all this’. But I couldn’t stop. Even when I knew I was ill I couldn’t stop working.

  Pause.

  Nia

  In all that time, there must be a special moment . . . something you want to remember?

  Sophie

  It must be so easy for the two of you. I bet you have a million tender memories.

  Alex

  We’re still here, aren’t we?

  Ketu

  You don’t have to impress us.

  SOPHIE thinks.

  Do you know why birds can fly? Because they let them-selves be taken by the wind.

  SOPHIE hesitates.

  Sophie

  Well . . . there was this time . . .

  Guide

  Yes.

  Sophie

  It’s probably not important.

  Ketu

  Go on.

  Sophie

  It was strange . . . strange . . .

  The lights slowly change.

  Sophie’s memory

  Sophie

  It was the beginning of a week like any other week.

  The performers create a busy tube train.

  Voice

  Mind the closing doors.

  SOPHIE jumps on the tube. The tube starts.

  Sophie

  Another week of early mornings and late nights.

  Voice

  The next station is Bank. On arrival the first set of doors will not open. Passengers in the first carriage please move to the rear. Please mind the gap between the train and the platform.

  Doors open, passengers burst out and transform into the office.

  PHIL and JERRY are at their desks. LUCY approaches JERRY, noticing he has something unusual on his monitor.

  Phil

  Jerry . . . send it over . . . send it over.

  Jerry

  OK, but you didn’t get it from me, alright?

  Phil

  Yeah, yeah.

  Lucy

  Oh that is utterly gross.

  JERRY hits the send key.

  Phil

  Oh whoa . . . (He clicks his mouse.) Enlarge . . . enlarge.

  Lucy

  You two are crazy . . . she’ll be here in a minute.

  Phil

  Uh huh. (Laughs.) I gotta cc this to everyone.

  SOPHIE arrives at her desk. She now occupies the top desk, centre stage.

  Sophie

  Good morning.

  All

  Morning.

  SOPHIE picks up on the atmosphere in the office.