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CHARACTERS
Simon Foster, aged 34, Financial Director of a large London Company, called Forbes and Co., wearing a business suit and carrying a briefcase.
Michael Fenton, aged 56, professional actor. Elegantly dressed in a long black coat and wearing a trilby hat.
Last character, final scene. Paula, aged 30, Simon's wife, freelance writer.
SCENE ONE The scene is on the embankment alongside the River Thames in London. The time is 9.50 on a warm July evening, and it is close to sunset.
Enter Simon and Michael
| S. |
Excuse me I'm sure I know you from somewhere. Your face looks very familiar. |
| M. |
It's more than likely, I have been in quite a few films, and I have just recently finished a stage production of Shakespeare's 'King Lear' at the Old Vic. |
| S. |
That's it! I recognise you now, you're the actor Michael Fenton. |
| M. |
Yes! That's correct. |
| S. |
I'm Simon, Simon Foster. |
| M. |
Very pleased to meet you Simon! (Michael raises his trilby, and they shake hands) |
| S. |
Gosh! You're hands are very cold. |
| M. |
Well you know what they say: 'Cold hands, warm heart'. |
| S. |
It's a rather delightful sky this evening, isn't it? |
| M. |
Yes, it certainly is: quite a sunset. I don't think I've seen London look as beautiful as it does tonight. Quite a send-off! |
| S. |
What do you mean? |
| M. |
Oh, nothing really; just being a little sentimental. |
| S. |
Are you out for an evening stroll? |
| M. |
Well, you could say that, I've just been visiting a few old friends of mine who are also actors. They live not far from here, so I popped in to say, 'Hello', before making my way back to my more permanent home in Suffolk. I thought I'd take one more, final, look at the Thames. This happens to be one of my favourite spots, here, on the embankment. It's so beautiful this time of night, with the lights reflecting on the water. I was just thinking that it would make an excellent setting for a play. Don't you think? |
| S. |
Yes, it would! It really is quite stunning, but unfortunately, I don't seem to have much time these days to admire London. I'm always in a rush: my life's become so hectic. |
| M. |
You must try and slow down a bit. Make more time for yourself, Simon. We are only here for such a short moment in time, and then it's gone. Sorry, perhaps I'm being a little over dramatic. |
| S. |
No, No! You're absolutely right. |
| M. |
I see you have your briefcase. Have you just been to a meeting? |
| S. |
Yes, I'm now just on my way to catch the 10.25 home, from Victoria. |
| M. |
Where do you live? |
| S. |
Just outside of Purley. |
| M. |
Oh! So it's not far to commute. |
| S. |
I had a meeting this evening with one of our business associates, who has flown in from America, to arrange a business deal for our company. It wasn't as stressful as I thought it was going to be. In fact it was quite enjoyable. I was treated to a meal at the Savoy, a very new experience. |
| M. |
Oh! Very nice! There's nothing quite like doing business over an extravagant meal of lobster, glazed peaches, and vintage French wine. Ah.....Bring's back so many good memories. |
| S. |
Yes. I suppose I'm very lucky really. But it does mean I work long hours. Paula, my wife, gets quite irritated with me, sometimes now that I am spending so much time away from home. It's not that she feels that she can't trust me. However, since my promotion in the company this year, it has meant more time in meetings, like tonight, and less time with her. |
| M. |
There are, I'm afraid, some definite sacrifices to be made with promotion. Can I give you a little advice, from my own experience? |
| S. |
Yeah! Sure. Go ahead. (They both sit on a bench along the embankment) |
| M. |
There was a time many years ago, that I lived and breathed for the theatre, and worked all the hours God gave me. However, there was a heavy price to be paid for my success. It was the breakdown of my marriage, that finally ended in divorce from someone I still love. My not spending enough time with my wife, became increasingly intolerable and difficult for her. She had to let me go; which was my loss. What I'm trying to say is: 'Put your relationship first, and spend more time with her'. |
| S. |
Okay. Thank you for your advice, I'll do that. |
| M. |
Don't mention it! |
| S. |
Forgive me for asking you, Michael, but are you alright? You look rather pale, and I couldn't help but notice how cold your hands were. |
| M. |
Thanks. That's very kind and considerate of you, but I really am O.K. - just a little tired, that's all. I had some rather distressing news today. |
(Big Ben strikes. It is now 10 o'clock)
| S. |
Would you like to talk about it? |
| M. |
Yes! I don't see why not. I found out only today, that the theatre, I've been so dedicated to for many years, is to close at the end of the month, due to lack of funding. My last ever performance in that theatre was last Saturday, doing King Lear. It has left me feeling totally empty, and saddened that I have now lost everything. |
| S. |
I'm very sorry to hear it. Can anything be done? |
| M. |
No. But life still goes on, Simon, believe me! |
| S. |
Michael, I know there's not really much I can do to help, but there's something I would like to say. No matter what comes to an end in your life, nothing can change or alter the fact that you have achieved a great deal. Giving so much to others through your brilliant acting career is something to be always proud of. It can never be taken from you. Because of your tremendous dedication to your work for so many years, it can never be lost or forgotten and has won the admiration of countless numbers of people, including myself; not just here, but throughout the world. |
| M. |
So - err - all is not lost then! |
| S. |
That's right. |
| M. |
I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you have just said, and what it means to me. |
| S. |
That's OK. Gosh is that the time! Michael, sorry to be so rude, but I'm going to have to make a dash for my train. I mustn't be too late getting home. It's been very good talking with you, and I do hope that what I've said has helped. |
| M. |
Yes, it has! Very much. |
| S. |
Anyway, bye now! |
| M. |
Goodbye, Simon, and thank you. |
Exit Simon
Michael watches Simon go out of view, looks once more at the Thames, and disappears.
SCENE TWO
Simon arrives home
| P. |
Hi! Simon, how's your day been. |
| S. |
Oh, it's been very interesting. The meeting with Tim Armstrong, went very well, and I bumped into the actor Michael Fenton. A very pleasant guy, but he did seem quite sad and his face was very pallid looking. |
| P. |
That's impossible Simon!
(Simon looks at Paula questioningly)
It has been on the 10 o'clock news that Michael Fenton was found dead in the River Thames today. Apparently his body was found early this evening, but he died sometime in the afternoon. The police don't suspect any foul play, but think it was possibly suicide. |
| S. |
But I did actually speak to him, late this evening. Honestly, Paula. He mentioned that the Old Vic was going to close. (Simon goes very quiet) |
| P. |
Simon, are you O.K. It looks like you've seen a ghost! |
Exit all.
Black back drop comes down, with words ONE WEEK LATER
Enter boy with newspaper stand calling out headline
OLD VIC TO BE SAVED IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL FENTON
'OLD VIC TO BE SAVED IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL FENTON'.
CURTAIN.
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