ACT 1, SCENE 7

LOCATIONS SIGNAGE: STAGE DOOR, NEW THEATRE, OXFORD 1906

ESME looking around. Enter BILL.

BILL: You must be Esme.

ESME: Yes?

Enter TILDA, in full theatrical garb.

TILDA: Ah-ha! Esme, this is my younger brother, Bill. Bill, this is Esme.

BILL: Hello. Esme …

ESME: Uh. Hello … Bill.

TILDA looks from one to the other.

TILDA: And isn’t she every bit as striking as I said?

BILL: Without a doubt. Esme, Miss Nicoll –

ESME: Esme.

BILL: Esme, I have been dreaming of a slight, graceful, light-haired woman to sit next to while my sister lacerates her hopeless Norwegian husband again, and again, until she finally gives up on him. (he whispers) You’re allowed to laugh!

ESME laughs.

BILL: Audiences are down, so you aren’t just welcome, you’re essential!

ESME: I laugh again?

BILL: You do!

ESME laughs.

BILL: (to TILDA) Shouldn’t you be side-stage, sister mine?

TILDA: Yes! But they’ll hold the curtain for me if necessary. I’m all they’ve got after all. Esme, please sit in the front row so I can see you and take some cheer from your sweet face.

BILL: The front row also has the advantage that from that position you can imagine the theatre is full.

ESME: Is that something you must do often?

BILL: With this show, yes!

TILDA: Esme, don’t shriek but we are skipping afternoon tea. Bill will bring you to the Eagle and Child, the pub in St Giles Street. (‘Jiles’)

BILL: I will?

TILDA: You will. I’ll need a whiskey after this effort even though I suspect Esme will order a lemonade? Yes? Accurate as ever, Tilda Taylor! I, on the other hand, shall want to celebrate the relief of this show finishing and the next one starting. And, given your interest in women’s language, I’ll try you out on another cause!

Exit TILDA.

ESME: Next show?

BILL: Much Ado About Nothing. With the Oxford University Players. Tilda’s Beatrice. She’ll be wonderful.

ESME: And you?

BILL: I just – you know – direct the traffic.

ESME: You’re her manager.

BILL: I’m her jack of all trades. Box office. Props. Costumes. Accounts. The lot. We’re a team. How about you?

ESME: Me?

BILL: (beat) Give me your hand? (she does) Does it hurt?

ESME: Not now.

BILL: What happened?

ESME: There was a slip of paper. A word. With my mother’s name on it. She died, you see. Having me. I know it’s not my fault. But sometimes …

BILL: Yes.

ESME: So, that day it felt like it was her. Going into the flames. And I had to rescue her. But. All I ended up doing was. Maiming me.

BILL: How can you talk about being maimed? With your lovely face. And your dignity.

(beat)

FX: BELLS

ESME: Oh! The bells! They’re calling us inside!