The Spin of the Game Scenes 4-5

Scene Four- The following morning. Outside Paul’s house.1

Paul: (on phone). Hello Tom. You will remember to have the croissant for breakfast this morning won’t you? It’s so much more sophisticated than the big breakfast. Besides, it shows our commitment to the EU… yes, yes, that’s all well and good, but just remember… OK, bye Tom. (he rings another number) Hello Simon. Yes, today we find you a wife. I know… I know you don’t want one. It’s good for image. You don’t have to like her or anything… OK. We’ll see about that. Bye.2

Two young women are walking near house. Discussing men.3

Patricia: I know I don’t like them. But, they’d be so useful. Image wise. I could just say, (changes voice slightly) ‘I am a woman with a husband and family. I know how it would be to have your family taken away from you’. I’d win more cases that way.4

Paul: You’re looking for a husband?5

Patricia: Yes. But they all seem to be into one thing, love. I don’t want that. Image perhaps, love I’ll find elsewhere.6

Paul: I know a man who doesn’t want that. A gentleman by the name of Simon Brier.7

Patricia: Simon Brier?! The politician? 8

Paul: Yes, but it’s not just him who doesn’t want it. No woman wants him. Spiteful, bitchy, vain, conceited. Of course, he is rich, which is a major pull.9

Patricia: He sounds ok. The type I’d like for a husband. 10

Paul: But, I listed all his negativity.11

Patricia: If he is spiteful, I will praise his kindness. If he is bitchy I will say he does not gossip. If he is vain, I will call him tough. If he is conceited, well, I will show him the other world. And, if he refuses to marry, I will call him dedicated, then declare our wedding day.12

Paul: You can do all this?13

Patricia: It’s not just him that’s marrying for image. 14

Scene Five- park. 15

Patricia: Hello, Simon. 16

Simon: Who are you? 17

Patricia: I know who you are. Excellent politician. Handsome, rugged, tough.18

Simon: Strong enough. Yet not so firm for you.19

Patricia: You speak so like a hero. 20

Simon A hero, like Alexander, yes. But not a hero for you.21

Patricia But you’re such a big boy… let us just come together… 22

Simon You and I would never come together. I know that, you know that.23

Patricia Oh, how you talk! Such a man of words. But a man of strength and more besides. So kind, yet not gentle, so calm, so like a man! 24

Simon What do you want of me? You know I do not want to you. So why go on?25

Patricia Oh, he knows how a lady wants to be complemented. (holds him) Oh, take me in your arms Simon, carry me away.26

Simon You are carried away, already. Already mad. 27

Patricia Oh, your words, so firm and yet so beautiful. As firm as you, and yet as gentle as one… such an Adonis as you… would speak to a lady.28

Simon Ah, yes, Adonis. Now. Stop playing games- what do you want?29

Patricia What do you mean?30

Simon You’re not here to flirt. What do you want from me?31

Patricia A bargain. I marry you for money, you marry me for status. A family man, a woman with commitments. 32

Simon You don’t want to marry me, yet you will?33

Patricia Yes…34

Simon A woman of my own heart. And yet…35

Patricia Kiss me Simon. So take me away. Next Sunday will be the wedding day.36