DUSA, FISH, STAS AND VI
FOREWORD TO THE REVISED EDITION

	Since the first productions of DUSA, FISH, STAS and VI at Edinburgh, Hampstead and the West End in the 1970s, the play has been performed in many languages.  Sometime recently I was asked to revise the text.  It was interesting to compare differences in attitudes between the 1970s and the 1990s.  We all know that there has been a backlash against feminism.  Times move on, a new generation takes for granted freedoms wrested for them by their parents.  Some social changes have pervaded society over time by agreement.  So that it is a shock to see condescending and dismissive attitudes to women in old films that would be unthinkable now.

	The 1970s were noisy; and combative.  Men felt betrayed by the new, often aggressive independence of women.  Traditionally, a man's role was to work, and support his family.  He was the boss, the protector, commanding respect for responsibilities and loss of personal freedom.

	All that, however, began to change 100 years ago when women's nimble fingers invaded mass production and office work.  Two world wars showed that women could do most of men's jobs, sometimes even better.  From the 70s onwards, rivalry for jobs between men and women became pronounced.  The term "house-husband" came into being.

	Men have lost the place they have held from the emergence of homo sapiens -a cosmic upheaval.  Perhaps it is time to reflect.  Do we need the stress, competition, the long hours of demanding work?  How many people are in the jobs of their choice, live the way they would wish?  And what is it all for?  Do we Need so many gadgets - do we need to turn money round eight times a year to survive as the finance people dictate?

	And who wins by the demolition of the traditional family?  The family can be inadequate, stifling, despotic (though never as abusive to children as substitute support).  But it provides stability, the first laboratory for life.  Like democracy, it is far from ideal.  And we still haven't found anything better.  Children in care, from single parent homes do less well.  Perhaps we need to judge society by how the vulnerable - the aged and the children fare.  Feminism has brought, in many ways, a better deal for Mum.  But at the expense of Dad?  The replacement of one imbalance by another needs attention.

DUSA, FISH, STAS AND VI

(Revised Version)

by Pam Gems

Copyright © Pam Gems
Pam Gems is hereby identified as author of this work in accordance with section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The author has asserted her moral rights. 

All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved and application for performance etc. should be made before rehearsal to Rose Cobbe, United Agents, 12-26 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LE, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0800.
http://unitedagents.co.uk/agents/rose-cobbe/. Assistant: Dan Usztan. Email: dusztan@unitedagents.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0873. No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.
DUSA, FISH, STAS AND VI

	DUSA, FISH, STAS and VI was first performed at the Edinburgh Festival in 1976 under the title DEAD FISH.  A new production, with the new title, and under the direction of Nancy Meckler, opened at The Hampstead Theatre Club in December of the same year.  This production, by arrangement with The Hampstead Theatre, was presented by Michael Codron at the Mayfair Theatre in January 1977.
	The original production of DEAD FISH took place at Kundry's Theatre, EDINBURGH, August 1976, with the cast as follows:

CAST

	VIOLET		Lindsay Ingram
	STAS			Lesley Joseph
	FISH			Jennie Stoller
	DUSA			Sally Watts

	SINGER		Barbara Jung
	MUSIC & LYRICS	Paul Sand
	MUSICIANS		Bruce Douglas on Bass
				Richard Sanders on Piano
				Simon Saunders on Drums
	SOUND		Pavel Kubes

	The play was directed by CAROLINE EVES.

	DUSA, FISH, STAS and VI was presented by MICHAEL CODRON, by arrangement with The Hampstead Theatre Club, at the Mayfair Theatre in London, on February 10th, 1977.  The cast was as follows:

CAST

	VIOLET		Mary Maddox
	STAS			Diane Fletcher
	FISH			Alison Fiske
	DUSA		Brigit Forsyth

	DIRECTOR		NANCY MECKLER
	DESIGNER		Tanya McCallin
	COSTUMES		Lindy Hemming
	LIGHTING		Gerry Jenkinson

	DUSA, FISH, STAS and VI was initially presented by The Hampstead Theatre Club, in London, on December 8th, 1976.

	Previous plays by Pam Gems include:  BETTY'S WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS; MY WARREN; AFTER BIRTHDAY (SANDRA); THE AMAZING COURTSHIP OF MIZ VENUS AND WILD BILL; GO WEST YOUNG WOMAN; UP IN SWEDEN; LADYBIRD, LADYBIRD; QUEEN CHRISTINA; PASIONARIA; PIAF; FRANZ INTO APRIL; AUNT MARY, SCENES FROM PROVINCIAL LIFE; CAMILLE; STANLEY; NATALYA; GARIBALDI, SI; MRS PAT; THE SNOW PALACE.

	Adaptations include:  UNCLE VANYA; A DOLL'S HOUSE; THE CHERRY ORCHARD; THE DANTON AFFAIR; THE SEAGULL; LADY FROM THE SEA.

	Pam Gems has written two novels:  MRS FRAMPTON and BON VOYAGE, MRS FRAMPTON.
NOTES ON CHARACTERS

DUSA
DUSA is a tall girl with an eye for line, dimension and colour...ex-Royal College.  She has the slight incoherence of someone whose talent is for the spatial.  Her clothes, though not new, are dernier cri...she has two small children and is not working...and she wears them with angular elegance.  She is not overtly `motherly', because she has two children, ie, she is not soppy, or pea-brained or henlike.  She is split, displaying the angst and the particular vulnerability of the breeding bitch...also the restless boredom.

FISH
Has all the natural authority and self-confidence of the upper-middle classes.  She is from a background of intellectuals...there may be Huxleys, Rowntrees in her pedigree.  She is passionate and caring, searching with courage for the now...the way ...confrontation without spite, without predication.  Having considered the inadvertency of her privilege, thus the need to give rather than take, she has attached herself to a political group on the left, and is seeking to find a supportable, adventurous and equitable way of life with her long-standing lover.

STAS
Her father is a tenant farmer.  She has been bred in the country...pulled out calves' forelegs because her arms were small enough.  She works as a physio-therapist in a London hospital, and has a passion for science...for how...the why of life seems to her to be a meaningless question.  She is a hostess at night, sleeping with men for high fees...she is discreet, efficient, reliable and gives good value.  Her objective is to save enough money to go to Hawaii to study marine biology.  Stas, during the day, is a large, strong woman, with a steady stare, unsmiling.  Her metamorphosis from physio-therapist to hostess is startling.  Before our eyes she transforms herself from an unremarkable female employee to a glittering, mesmeric-eyed Klimt painting.  Her clothes, for her evening work, are expensive, well-cut and discreetly attractive.  They are not in the least whorish.

VIOLET
Younger than the others.  A waif probably given house room by Fish.  Violet is anorexic.  At the beginning of the play she is physically weak, and not well.  After a brief stay in hospital she is on uppers and perked up.  Violet is one of the vast numbers of working class adolescents who are bright, restless or maladjusted enough to leave home and hit London, or any capital city,

DUSA is pronounced Dooza.
STAS is pronounced Stass with a short `a'.

DUSA, FISH, STAS AND VI

A space...not naturalistic...neutral in atmosphere.  One or two pieces of `good' furniture.  There is a divan...and a large, very fine, double-doored French armoire.

A small black and white television is switched on, but without sound.

DUSA enters.  She is in her late twenties...tall, leggy, with battered but very fashionable clothes, stylishly worn...we could take her for a Vogue fashion model off-duty.  She has a weekend-sized shoulder bag.  She looks round, sees no-one, crosses, switches off the television.

			VIOLET
		You're in the way, what are you doing!

DUSA jumps.  We now see VIOLET, who sits up.  She has been lying on the floor in her overcoat, with the rug pulled over her, watching the television.

			DUSA
		Oh, were you watching?  What's the matter, is the heating off?

			VI
		I'm cold.

			DUSA
		It's boiling in here!  Where's Fish?

VIOLET shrugs without answering.  DUSA looks at her and exits.  VIOLET gets up, switches on the television.

			DUSA
		(Off)  Fish......Fish?

She returns, stands over VIOLET.

			VI
		They're in Bridport.

			DUSA
		Who?

She crosses, switches off the television and looms over VIOLET.

			DUSA
		Who?  (We realise that she is angry.)

			VI
		(Without interest, hunched under the rug.)  They got married.

			DUSA
		Married?  (Realisation dawns.)  They got married?  You're joking - Fish and Alan?

			VI
		Nah...Ewan McGregor.  (Hunches further under the rug.)

			DUSA
		Why didn't she tell me?  We were supposed to meet!  (She moves away, angry.)

			VI
		(Flicker of interest.)  Did you get it?

			DUSA
		What?  Oh - yes.  Look, when did they decide -
			VI
		Friday.

			DUSA
		Why didn't she tell me, I could have got somebody else...stuck there for three hours with this pissing lawyer.  (Turns on the radio, takes a purple kimono from her bag.)

			VI
		(Lurches over, touches the kimono.)  This yours?  (DUSA hands it to her, nods for her to have it.)

VIOLET drops the rug, puts the kimono on over her coat and switches on the television again.

STAS enters...a tallish, competent-looking girl in a white overall under her dowdy coat.  She hangs up her coat, opens the armoire, which opened, is like Aladdin's cave.  It is lined with silver and brimming with clothes, shimmering, sparkling, with shelves dripping jewellery and scarves.  Above all there are at least four fine fur coats.  She strips, finds a shower cap, throws a towelling wrap, grabs a handful of underwear and goes...all with speed and precision.

			DUSA
		(Without interest)  Who's that?

			VI
		Stas.

			DUSA
		What?

			VI
		Stas...Stas!  Turn it down!

			DUSA
		What?

			VI
		...the noise!...I can't stand the noise!

She glares, then returns to her corner, which is stacked with her belongings.  DUSA, startled by VIOLET'S shriek, takes all this in.  She turns off the radio.

			DUSA
		Are you living here now?

			VI
		Yeah, why...you coming back?

			DUSA
		With two children?

			VI
		(Alarmed)  Where are they?

			DUSA
		On the doorstep - wanna babysit...they're with my mother!  Tea?

VIOLET shakes her head.  DUSA exits, bumping into STAS who enters, drying herself.  Her underwear is now glamorous, pale camiknickers with expensive lace.  She zips herself into a discreet black dress and makes up swiftly, putting up her hair, transforming herself before our eyes into a creature of sumptuous and startling beauty.  She drops a lipstick.  DUSA, returning with a mug of tea, picks it up and gives it to her.  She takes it without turning her head.

			STAS
		Thanks.

			VI
		How's Jagger?

			STAS
		Coming on.  I got some good eye movements today, he was definitely following.  (She pauses, selects a fur coat, puts it over her shoulders.)  See you. (She goes.)

			DUSA
		What did you say her name was?

			VI
		Stas.  Short for Anastasia...she's got a daft mother.  She's working with this kid...(she sticks out her lower lip, making a hideous face, and speaks in a mutilated way)...brain damaged.  Ugh!  (As DUSA offers her a bag of cakes.)

			DUSA
		I take it you're still not eating.  (She stands, wolfing a cake and drinking needily.  Chewing)  Are they all hers...the coats?   (She crosses, fondles them.)  Fantastic...she got a rich father or something?

			VI
		(Moody)  I wouldn't be seen dead in them.

			DUSA
		(Scoffs)  Hah!

			VI
		Listen...every fur coat is a stolen coat.

			DUSA
		(Agreeing)  Oh I know.

But VIOLET cuts across, suddenly slapping herself and rocking with private laughter, hinnying like a donkey.

			DUSA
		(Suffers it for a bit, then)  Have you seen a doctor lately?

			VI
		Not since me last abortion.  I was seven months, it was ever so strong...you could hear it crying all the way to the incinerator.

			DUSA
		(Murderous)  Shuddup!

She takes out a small picture of her children, sets it by the divan.

			VI
		(Alarmed)  How long you stopping?

			DUSA
		Look, don't you ever go out?

			VI
		Nope.

			DUSA
		Why not!

			VI
		What for?

DUSA stands, sits, stands again, picks up the cup...it is empty, puts it down.  She has come to the end of herself, doesn't know whether to stand, sit or scream, sits as the panic begins to rise.

			DUSA
		Oh God.

FISH appears in the doorway, glowing and vital.

			FISH
		(Warm surprise)  Hu-llo!  Christ.  I forgot.

DUSA rises at the sight of FISH, breaks down.  She lowers her head, trying to contain herself.

			FISH
		Oh my love, I'm so sorry!  (She embraces DUSA)  How could I?  I forgot!
			DUSA
		(Muffled)  It doesn't matter.

			FISH
		What could I have been think-

			DUSA
		No, I'm sorry -

			FISH
		No, no...listen, did you get it?

DUSA nods.

			FISH
		What about a drink, have a drink.  (She gestures urgently to VIOLET, who does nothing, so FISH rushes about, slopping drink into glasses.)

			DUSA
		Look, honestly, it doesn't matter, it was all right, really.  (She drinks, coughing and sniffing, trying to smile.)  Honestly.

			FISH
		Bastard.  Here.  (Tops up DUSA'S glass.)  You'll be all right.

			DUSA
		Sure.  I did everything for that bugger, you know.  Worked all through the pregnancies...  washed his bloody under-pants.

			VI
		(Sepulchral)  Christ.

			DUSA
		When I met that guy he wore Y-fronts.

			FISH
		(Consoling)  I know.

			DUSA
		And he had spots.  All over his face, and all over his bum.

			FISH
		I know.

			VI
		How?

			FISH
		What?

			VI
		How...how d'you know?

			FISH
		Shuddup.

			DUSA
		You should have seen his stuff...

They shake their heads.

			DUSA
		Once, when he thought I was out, he was listening to Slim Whitman...(VI mimes and sings)  I mean - where could you take him?

			FISH
		Oh I don't know.  Last time we met he looked quite cool, didn't he Vi?  Touch of Armani.

			DUSA
		I made him that jacket.  I even limed the floors, laid the tiles, stripped the walls and built the Victorian mahogany bog so's he could sit in there reading his GQ.  It's so unfair.  Nobody could have worshipped his cock more than I did.  (Catches VIOLET'S eye.)

			VI
		(Aggressive)  What?

			DUSA
		Oh fuck off.  And what about the kids?

			FISH
		You'll manage.

			DUSA
		(Bleak)  How?

			FISH
		(Shrugs)  Just got to be tough, that's all.

			DUSA
		No!  (They look at her in surprise.)  You can't.  Not with children.  You have to be gentle, you're bigger than they are...remember when you were small, how big and ugly grown-ups were?  Horrible loud voices.  You have to go with it...why not?  I like all that...Christmas trees...

		(Silence.)

		I've finished with tough.

FISH shrugs, dismissive.

			DUSA
		Look, you don't know what it's like, you haven't been there.  It changes you.  There has to be something you do for love.

			FISH
		Has he assigned the lease?

			DUSA
		He can't afford two places - the house is in his name, he'll sell it.  I still can't take it in.  I mean...one day it was forever - kids, dog, goldfish......all of a sudden - off!  One day he's their father, something just walks across his path ...bingo!  What have I chosen for them?  It never occurred to me, I trusted the bugger!  (Violently, to VIOLET, who is looming)  Oh, stop it!!  (VIOLET is wearing FISH'S legal wig.)

			VI
		What's the matter with you?

			FISH
		(To VIOLET)  Do Not touch my Things!  (Pushes VIOLET aside.)  You're going to have to start fighting.

			DUSA
		Lost the knack.  Look, somebody has to take time off and have the kids - she chucks hers in the fire.

			FISH
		Hah!

			DUSA
		I knew what I was doing.  I lifted up my tits and went into a beautiful dream...why not?

			VI
		(Mutters)  Get real.

			DUSA
		It's what I wanted.

			FISH
		Just don't be naive.

			DUSA
		Marriage is for grown-ups.  I was ready.

			FISH
		OK.  Great.  So long as you know you can end up skint, abandoned, out of job experience and on Prozac.

			DUSA
		Is Prozac habit-forming?
			FISH
		Depression is, love.

FISH turns away.

			DUSA
		I know.  I know.  It's just that...well, obviously today I'm a bit...you know, being in court and seeing him and everything.

			FISH
		He was There?

			DUSA
		(With difficulty)  Yup.

			FISH
		And I fucking forgot about it.

			VI
		You should have done her case for her.

			DUSA
		Fish doesn't do divorce.  You got Married!

			FISH
		Oh, Vi told you.

			DUSA
		I couldn't believe it!  Whose idea was it, yours or Alan's?

			FISH
		(Cutting across)  Alan?  It wasn't Alan, did she say it was Alan...oh, for Christ's sakes, Vi - she'll say anything.

			DUSA
		(Totally baffled)  Who is it then?

			FISH
		Oh, some gweek.

			DUSA
		What's his name?

			FISH
		Dunno...anyway, I've left him.

			VI
		What?

			DUSA
		What?  (Together.)

			VI
		What for?

			FISH
		I don't know.  There didn't seem to be much point.  Perhaps it was the weather.

Slight pause.)

			DUSA
		What were you doing in Bridport?

			FISH
		His brother lives there.

			DUSA
		Oh.

			FISH
		It's not important.  We stayed on this farm.

			DUSA
		What went wrong?

			FISH
		Hard to say.  We kept bumping into each other and apologising.  And then, this morning - I boiled a piece of ham last night, his brother's wife's in hospital.  Anyway, they were sitting round expectantly so I said I'd get some breakfast.  I don't know...I picked up the carving knife...he was sitting at the table on one of those mod stools...you know, tipping backwards and forwards.  I went to cross behind

			FISH  (Cont'd)
		him and I had this terrible feeling I wanted to stick it in his back...that it was the correct thing to do.  (She makes a violent gesture, as with a knife.)  Gave me quite a turn.

			DUSA
		What did you do?

			FISH
		Went upstairs, sat on the bed for a bit, then chucked my stuff out the window.  Nearly ruined meself on a dahlia stake.

			DUSA
		So he doesn't know?

			FISH
		Oh I should think he does by now.  Took me ages to get a train.

			VI
		Well, well, well.  Surprise, surprise.

			FISH
		Oh, you're right, I should never have done it.  It was only to spite Alan.

			DUSA
		Yes...what about Alan?

			FISH
		Oh, didn't I tell you?  He's got another lady.

She switches on the radio, or puts on a cassette.  Music up for seven beats.  DUSA switches it off.

			DUSA
		So you haven't seen him?

			FISH
		Nope.

			DUSA
		What's she like, have you seen her?

			FISH
		They were in the pub together.  (The telephone rings.  FISH answers it, speaks quietly, puts the phone down.)

			FISH
		They want me to speak at the conference.  Women Barristers.

			DUSA
		I must ring home.  What's she like?

			FISH
		Spindly.  Poor bitch.

			DUSA
		What do you mean!

			FISH
		I don't know.  He saw me as I came in the bar, so he gave her a kiss on the nose.  Panic, of course.  He's not the spiteful sort.

			DUSA
		Why didn't you tell me?

			FISH
		You had enough on your plate.

			DUSA
		I must ring home.  But why, after all this time?

			FISH
		I don't think he can take it.  Oh, OK while we were students, devilling, eating dinners in chambers.  But I'm a better lawyer than he is - (VI whoops.)  He's a good organiser, clear mind, but I'm better on my feet.  Remember last year, the small arms case?

			VI
		He lost and you won and he got shingles.

			FISH
		All of a sudden he wants a house and garden.  We should have had a child!  (Walks, restless.)  I should have done it last autumn, we both wanted it then.  (Turns to DUSA)  It's funny... the idea of birth is suddenly very exciting.  What's it like?

			DUSA
		I wish I were a cat or a horse...I'd have one a year.  Your body wants to go on.  Once it's got the hang of it.

			FISH
		I see.  What do you do about it?

			DUSA
		Dunno.  Haven't worked it out yet.  Of course you have to pretend it's all a drag - well, hardly the fashion is it, kids?  Your titties fall, your ass drops.  Bye-bye catwalk!

			FISH
		I should have done it.  The only reason I didn't is because he wanted it to shut me up.

			DUSA
		Oh, it does that all right.

They break apart.  Fade to black.  Low light...Music interlude.

STAS enters.  She is wearing different clothes, indicating time gap.  Jumps slightly as she almost falls over DUSA who is hunched against the divan on the floor, hands round her knees.

			STAS
		Hey...why aren't you in bed?

			DUSA
		(Vague)  Yes...in a way.  (STAS nods, digesting this, scans DUSA shrewdly, takes off her furs, shakes them regally, hangs them up.)

			DUSA
		I knew something was wrong when he told me about tantric sex and how gardenias were hard to grow.

			STAS
		Yeah?

			DUSA
		And one night after we'd been screwing he gave me a tissue - what the fuck was that for?  You smell nice.  (STAS leans over regally for DUSA to take a sniff.)

			STAS
		Manuel de Canovas.  Fleur de coton.  Room-scent...you get a better deal.  Stronger.  (She is slightly drunk.)

			DUSA
		He was always so...I don't know - Kind!  Look at Eric!  (STAS, puzzled, nods supportively.)  Of course I knew something was wrong when he walked in backwards.

			STAS
		Backwards.

			DUSA
		Oh Stas, it was terrible!

			STAS
		What?

			DUSA
		You didn't see it.  Sitting on his ruff.

			STAS
		(Nearly cross-eyed, trying to work this out)  What?

			DUSA
		His eye!  Eric's!  The cat!  (STAS sighs, nods.)  He was wonderful - got the vet out of bed, of course he was never the same, just followed me round all the time - they lose their independence.  It still flares up.

			STAS
		Go to bed.  (She strides off carefully.)

Light change.  Music.

VIOLET, on the floor, lying on her stomach, reading.

			VI
		(Reads aloud)  "Not all rape is neurotic.  Military rape occurs when men, emerging from battle, having killed and risked death in a sexually over-excited condition, have a profound instinct to make contact with life, in however brutal a way.  The dangerous period for women is about six hours after combat.  The men then subside and if the women have wisely taken to the hills they will not be assaulted on return but asked to cook, and wash socks.  (Murmurs further, to herself, then)  The Romans understood, and surrounded their arenas with

			VI  (Reading, cont'd)
		brothels, to calm the frenzies of emerging spectators.  Our football grounds do not have these facilities...(mutters further, then)...Men have a tendency not to disapprove of rape - that is, unless their own mother, wife, daughter or sister is involved.  When this is the case they are liable to become...(she turns a page)... hysterical."

She claps the book shut, and staggers to her feet.  She is wobbly.  DUSA enters from within, dressed for going out.

			DUSA
		If you don't eat something soon you'll be dead.  I'm going out, d'you want anything?

			VI
		No.  Yeah.  Get me some tincture of myrrh.

			DUSA
		What?

			VI
		Myrrh...myrrh...tincture of myrrh...you gone deaf?

			DUSA
		Myrrh?  You having me on, it's in the Bible!

			VI
		So's milk and honey.

			DUSA
		Where do I get it?

			VI
		Chemists'!

			DUSA
		Here, it's not anything funny?  What's it for?

			VI
		Turning fellers into frogs.

			DUSA
		Can you lend me two pounds?

			VI
		No.

			DUSA
		But you've got your social security, look, I'm late for the lawyer's, I can go to the bank after.

			VI
		Not in my interest, cock.

			DUSA
		I haven't got any money, you bloody bitch!
			VI
		What you gonna do then?

			DUSA
		Bloody walk!  

She goes.  The telephone rings immediately.  VI answers.

			VI
		Yeah?  Who?  (Mock regret.)  Ahh, she's just gone out.  What?  (She listens, her face changing)  Hang on, I'll get her.  (She staggers off, yells)  Dusa!!

She seems alarmed.  Crosses to phone.)

			VI
		She's coming...she's just coming.  (She moves away...gestures the phone abruptly with her head as DUSA enters.)

			DUSA
		(Picks up telephone)  Hullo...yes...yes, this is Mrs Gilpin...yes, there's somebody here, why?  What?  What?  Oh no...no...oh no...

		(She looks at VIOLET.)

		When did it...I see.  Yes I see...no, of course I won't...yes, yes, that's right.  No...well, naturally...yes...yes, I see...well if you - could you - no...yes, all right...very well...yes I will.  (She puts down the telephone.)

			VI
		What's up?

			DUSA
		He's taken the children. 

			VI
		Where?

			DUSA
		They don't know!  He - he took them for a drive...saw my mother - didn't come back.  Apparently - (she cannot speak.)

			VI
		What you gonna do?

			DUSA
		What the fuck can I do?  I haven't got any Money!  How can I find the bugger when I haven't got any money!  They won't even look at you...believe me, I know lawyers...you don't think they're in it for Justice, do you?  (Her voice breaks.)

			VI
		How much?  How much d'you want?

			DUSA
		Thousands......lawyers, detectives......where  am I going to find it?

VIOLET goes to STAS'S wardrobe and brings down a shoebox.  She takes out a huge wad of notes, hands it to DUSA.

			DUSA
		What's that?

			VI
		What do you think...dosh!

			DUSA
		Is it yours?

			VI
		It's her escort money.  She's saving up to do marine biology at Florida State.

			DUSA
		Escort?

			VI
		Hostess.  (She forages, produces another box and another sheaf of notes in a rubber band.)  Then she's going to Hawaii University.  Best facilities there.

			DUSA
		(Gazing at the money.)  Where does it come from?

			VI
		Where do you think?  Two hundred nicker a screw...couple of thou for a weekend in Dubai, and that's only base rate.  Where d'you think she gets all that underwear - ninety quid for a pair of knickers, you a twot or something?  (She shoves the notes into DUSA'S hands.)

			DUSA
		I can't take this!

			VI
		She won't mind.  All the same if she does.  Go on - steal it.

			DUSA
		I feel sick.

		(But she clutches the money with resolve.  Fervently.)  Thanks!

			VI
		Don't thank me.
She steers DUSA to the exit, ramming the money into a plastic bag for her.  DUSA pauses, shivers with shock.

			DUSA
		Could you come with me, please?  (Small voice.)

VIOLET, the agoraphobe, wavers.  She loses the battle with herself, despite the emergency.

			VI
		(Snarls)  Are you joking?  For Christ's sakes get the filth on 'im!

DUSA goes.  VIOLET folds Kleenex tissues, puts them in the boxes, puts them away.  She stands, immobile, for an appreciable pause.  Then she lurches across to the television, switches on, pulls the rug over herself and watches the picture, without sound.

FISH enters in wig and gown.  She addresses the JURY in her summing up speech.

			FISH
		Ladies and gentlemen of the jury.

		You have heard my learned friend speak of the death of Raymond Salway - of the discovery of his body in the kitchen of his home, and of the multiple stab wounds that killed him.  There is no disagreement as to who put that knife into him.  Rosemary Salway, who sits in the dock, struck her husband with the kitchen knife more than fifteen times.  How is it possible, therefore, that she is not guilty of wilful, premeditated or unpremeditated murder?  You have, in this court, listened to her defence.  May I refresh your memories?

		Rosemary Salway met her husband at university where they were both students.  They married and Mrs Salway took a secretarial job and worked full-time to support her husband through his MA and PhD.  During that time she became pregnant and at her husband's urgent request, aborted the baby.  Then, in London, while her husband was working successfully and gainfully as a research adviser, there were two more pregnancies.  My client was persuaded again, much against her will, and despite pleading, to abort on both occasions - her husband threatening to leave her if she did not.  You may ask why she continued to agree.  The answer is simple.  She loved her husband deeply and admired his talents.  He promised that the time would come in the future for a family.  Unhappily, three years ago, in her late thirties, Mrs Salway became pregnant again.  She lost this baby, and, in a mood of desperation, stopped taking the Pill and became pregnant for the fifth time.  She did not reveal this pregnancy until the fourth month.  And was yet again bullied and threatened into abortion as the business in which both partners were involved was in the middle of a merging with a sister company.  On this occasion Mrs Salway was promised "you can keep the next one".

		The merger was successful and Mrs Salway immediately tried to become pregnant without success.  After a number of consultations and treatments she was given the bleak truth that she

			FISH  (Cont'd)
		was, through post-operative infections, barren.  On her birthday last year, as was their custom, Mr and Mrs Salway went out for a celebratory dinner.  After accusing his wife of "a drab appearance" and "no bloody energy at all" Raymond Salway drank a great deal of alcohol.  On returning home he demanded a nightcap.  While Rosemary Salway was in the kitchen preparing a tray, Raymond Salway came into the kitchen and told her that he was leaving her for his Personal Assistant who was, I quote: "Up for it and someone to be proud to be seen around with."  He also reminded my client that his PA was a divorced woman with two children who "needed a father". 

		That is when my client momentarily and tragically lost her mind.

		Who can blame her?

At its conclusion she looks round mesmerically, willing her audience to her.  And exits.

VIOLET reading.  STAS enters, eating a lettuce sandwich.

			VI
		(Irritated by the sound of STAS eating)  Every time you bite into that lettuce it screams.

			STAS
		Keep it up, Skin.

		(She bites heartily, looks down sternly at the sandwich)  Shuddup!  Where's Fish?

			VI
		Seeing her feller.

			STAS
		Alan Duncan?

			VI
		Why, what's wrong?

			STAS
		It's washed up.  Why doesn't she get the message?

Pause.

			VI
		He's got big ear-lobes.  Sign of a murderer, that.

			STAS
		Getting her to take on cases for free.  She should give him the push.

			VI
		She takes it very serious.

			STAS
		Yeah, upper class twit.  They're always the worst.  She should kick you out for a start.

			VI
		What have I done?

			STAS
		Fallen for it - the charm.

			VI
		Don't see why she can't do as she wants.

			STAS
		Bloody do-gooder, save the whale, then back to the manor for the weekend.  Makes you sick.

			VI
		I'm not jealous of her.

			STAS
		Well I am.

			VI
		What for?

			STAS
		I wanna be rich.

			VI
		Yeah?  What about the under-class?

			STAS
		I am the under-class.  (She has been flicking through a copy of Nature.  Something catches her eye.  She whistles.)

			VI
		What?

			STAS
		(Reading)  Nothing.

			VI
		What?

			STAS
		Read your comic.

			VI
		What?!

			STAS
		(Sighs, then reads, very quickly)  `Helium-three becomes a superfluid because of the weak attractive force between its atoms.  A similar phenomenon occurs in the electrons of some other metals.  However, helium atoms are much larger and the dynamic tension between attraction and repulsion keeps the paired atoms at a distance.  That is the unique property of the helium system.'

			VI
		You don't wanna believe everything you read in the papers.

			STAS
		(Pause)  Nah, she should give him the push.

VIOLET clears her throat dramatically as FISH enters, smiling.

			STAS
		Putting it all together?

			FISH
		(Happily)  Shuddup.

			VI
		Did you see him?

			FISH
		Yup.  Any tea?

VIOLET groans but exits.

			STAS
		Screw?

			FISH
		No.  We met in a caff.

			STAS
		What did he say?

			FISH
		Nothing.  We just sat and drank coffee.

			STAS
		(Non-committal)  Mmmm.

			FISH
		It's funny.  I mean, I wasn't feeling madly in love or anything.  Still...(stretches her arms, luxuriously)...couldn't have been anywhere else.

			STAS
		So it's on?

			FISH
		I don't know - yes!  I was just going to give him a kiss when a cat jumped on the dustbins and frightened us and then the bloody bus came.  He'll ring - anyway, I shall see him in chambers.

Music.  DUSA enters from without.  She is very shocked.

			FISH
		(Waves aside VIOLET who enters with a mug of tea.)  Where are they, love?

			DUSA
		(Shrugs)  Morocco.

			VI
		(Proffering the tea to DUSA)  There's no extradition from Morocco.

			STAS
		Shut up.

			FISH
		What advice did they give you?

DUSA shakes her head, unable to speak.

			STAS
		(Gets up)  Come on, I'll run you a bath.

They exit.

			VI
		(Bursts out)  Well it's her own fault!  What did she let him treat her like dirt for?  It's ridiculous...bloody pushchairs, he got fed up with it.  Why don't she stand up for herself, it's ridiculous.

			FISH
		Don't upset yourself.

			VI
		I'm not.

			FISH
		Vi, it'll work out.  Is your headache better?

			VI
		No!

She stomps out, ignoring the phone, which rings.  FISH crosses, picks up the telephone eagerly.

			FISH
		Yes?  Oh, Eileen, it's you...no, no, fine... when?  Good...no, no, I can make it.  Ciao.  (She puts down the telephone, makes a note in a notebook, exits.)

Music link.

VIOLET enters, visibly weaker.  The telephone rings, but beyond looking across at it vaguely, she makes no move to answer it.  The telephone stops ringing.  DUSA enters, heavily tranquillised.  The telephone rings again.  Since it is close to VIOLET she looks at VIOLET.  VIOLET does not move so DUSA gets up to her feet, crosses to the telephone.  Which stops just as she picks it up.  She looks down at it, frowning in puzzlement.  She puts id down...makes to pick it up again, gets muddled, and goes and sits down again.

The GIRLS sit apart.  A pause.

STAS enters, bright and energetic.  She takes a bowl of nuts from under her coat and bangs it down before VIOLET.

			STAS
		Nuts...!

She swoops about, opening a bottle of wine, serving the TWO GIRLS, taking a wine glass from each pocket.  VIOLET does not want to eat but STAS stands over her so she takes a nut obediently.  And chokes on it.

			STAS
		Violet...you are not chewing properly!  

She claps VIOLET on the back, then refills her glass after VI has taken a drink.  DUSA, meanwhile has knocked hers straight back.

			STAS
		Hey, steady on.

			VI
		(Chewing ritualistically on a non-existent nut)  You'll fucking kill her.

			STAS
		Why, what's she on?

She looks on the table, then into DUSA'S bag for her tablets, reads the labels.

			STAS
		Should be OK.  (Helps herself freely to nuts and wine.)

Pause.

			STAS
		I went to the John Ford Festival.  (No response.)  Mind you...compared to Robert Ryan, John Wayne's crowshit.

No response.

			STAS
		My mother saw him once.

			VI
		Who?

			STAS
		Harrods cheese department.  Said he was huge.

			VI
		Who?

			STAS
		John Wayne.

			DUSA
		He's dead.  

Pause.  STAS gestures to VI.

			VI
		(Helpfully)  Pacino's not very big.

			STAS
		Neither's Dustin Hoffman.  Or Tom Cruise.  Funny really.  You wouldn't call Schwarzenegger a tall man.  Or Stallone.  (No response from DUSA.)  What about Bruce Willis?  Is Bruce Willis small?  (No response.  She turns to VIOLET.)  Well, anyway, what have you been doing?

			VI
		(Defensive)  Talking to her, like you said.  (She leans across to DUSA.)  What was the name of that chap?  (DUSA looks at her, un- comprehendingly.)

		That chap! - oh Christ, she's really lost it.  The fat one.  No corsets!

			DUSA
		Oh.  Poiret.

			VI
		Right...fashion designer.

			DUSA
		He's dead.

			VI
		Look, you told me -

			STAS
		Oh, have a fucking nut.

			VI
		Haven't you got nothing else?

			STAS
		(Diving into her coat)  Kippers!

			VI
		I wish you'd nick something decent.

			STAS
		Protein.

			VI
		(Begins to eat one)  She can have one, I'm not eating two.

			STAS
		(Finishing her wine and eating the rest of the nuts.)  Right.  What was his name?

			VI
		Who?

			STAS
		This feller...the fashion guy.  Is he famous?

			DUSA
		Yes.  Paul Poiret...Poiret...P-o-i-r-e-t...

			STAS
		I had got it.  Any books on him?

			DUSA
		There's a lovely one but it's expensive.

			STAS
		How big is it?

			DUSA
		No...it's expensive.

STAS goes.

			VI
		Twot, she's not going to buy it.  Where do you think she gets all those coats?  She nicked one the other day, didn't like it, went back and got a credit.

		God, I feel ever so funny.

FISH enters, her head in a newspaper.

			FISH
		We've made page three.

			VI
		Eh?

			FISH
		Listen to this.  `Counsel conceded that the female labour force had been evicted illegally, and that there had been faults in communication with management.'

			DUSA
		What?

			FISH
		Reinstatement.  We won, love.  Good.  Good.

			VI
		You did all right, then?

			FISH
		(Sitting)  Yeah.  Good.  Hah!  And they hired silk!  `Good show, Miss Faraday, care for a drink?'  I can't Stand men who wear aftershave.  Still, we won.  God, I'm tired.  The press were there, and cameras.

			VI
		Are you going to be on telly?

			FISH
		Possibly.  I'm amazed.  They conceded shift systems to fit school hours, and an on-site creche.

			VI
		What?

			FISH
		For employees with infants.  Babies.

			DUSA
		(Frowns, apart, disapproving)  Creche?

			FISH
		(Not hearing)  Yes, great isn't it?

			DUSA
		(Apart)  Just another parking system.

			FISH
		Well, it's a start.  Stas is getting something to celebrate.

			VI
		She's drunk already.

			FISH
		You all right, love?

DUSA nods.

			FISH
		Alan was great...couldn't have been more supportive.  It's awful...I mean, I feel so Bad about it!  He's giving her up.

			VI
		(Belching)  What?

			FISH
		He's giving up his lady.  (To DUSA)  Did you get the message about the Daily Express...(To VIOLET)...didn't you tell her?  The Daily Express are coming round to take a picture of you.

			DUSA
		What?  (She plucks vaguely at her clothes, dimly aware of not looking good.)

			FISH
		It'll help, love...publicity...get them back all the quicker.  Don't worry, I won't let them bother you.

		(Helps herself to last of the bottle.)

		It was so funny, I met her - she came over.

			VI
		Who?

			FISH
		Alan's lady.

			VI
		What she say?

			FISH
		Nothing really...we just stood there, the three of us, talking about the case.  The sun was shining ...I mean, I liked her - I couldn't help liking her for liking him.  It was stupid...I was so full of love I couldn't even look at him...I looked at his coat.  God, I'm so full of it...(she hugs herself joyously, with a sighing moan.)

			VI
		(To DUSA)  What's up?

			FISH
		You OK, love?

			DUSA
		I don't read the Daily Express.

FISH and VIOLET laugh.

STAS enters.  She spews shimmering gauze from her bag, followed by another exotic switch of cloth, thrown high in the air.  She plonks champagne on the table, hands DUSA a book.

			STAS
		Poiret...right?

			FISH
		(Dispensing the drink and lifting her glass in a toast.)  To Love......Freedom......Justice......

			DUSA
		(Drunk)  Whhee...

			FISH
		To the moon, in June.

			VI
		What?

			STAS
		I'll drink to that.

			VI
		Don't be daft.

			FISH
		To the bitch goddess, success!  I really think I'm ready to have a child, I've got it together in my head...ny this time, next year, I intend to be, a mother!  The kids'll be back...Stas'll be in Hawaii...and you...you, my girl...will be on a good vegetarian, compost-grown, chemical-free diet and weigh a heady seven stone!

Music.  STAS has begun to drape DUSA with cloth.  They all follow suit, and raid the armoire for hats, scarves and feathers.  They begin to move languidly, like Poiret models.  One of them opens a Japanese sunshade.  Eventually VI climbs onto a low table and the others drape themselves about her in exaggerated poses.  They freeze in an authentic tableau.

Then DUSA, at the front of the tableau, sags.  Slowly and not without elegance she slides to the floor, flat out.

Blackout.

Lights up on empty stage.  FISH enters, telephones quietly for an ambulance.  STAS enters, takes something from a drawer and goes quickly.  She returns almost at once.

			FISH
		I've rung for an ambulance.  How is she?

STAS shrugs, non-committal.

DUSA enters quietly.  She is wearing the purple kimono.

			FISH
		You OK?

			DUSA
		(Nods)  The silly thing is she was Eating this morning, she had some of my chocolate and half an avocado.  (STAS winces at the thought.)  She's not dying, is she?

			STAS
		No, of course not.

			DUSA
		Well, you'd know...she's a very funny colour.  (STAS goes quickly, DUSA makes to follow.)

			FISH
		Leave it to Stas.

			DUSA
		She ate nearly a whole kipper.  It wasn't even cooked.  I think she was trying to cheer me up.  (She shivers.)

			FISH
		You feeling all right?

			DUSA
		Yes, I must have thrown up the Temazepan, my head's clearer.

They settle down.

			DUSA
		Will you go and live with him again?

			FISH
		Yup.

			DUSA
		She'll move out - his other woman?

			FISH
		Now don't start making me feel guilty.

			DUSA
		I'm not.

			FISH
		Yes you are.  She lived in Virginia Water with a golfing banker before gritty Alan came along with his lowland purr and swept her off her feet.

			DUSA
		Home Counties?  Doesn't sound Alan's type.

			FISH
		Probably thought he could kiss her awake - oh, he was always an evangelist!  (She hugs her knees at the thought of him.)

			DUSA
		(Slight pause.)  If I were a feller I'd be a hell of a redneck.  All this stuff we give them about the new man being better off.  It's a load of bollocks.  (FISH looks at her.)  They're worse off.  Figure it.  In the old days, first their mothers, then their wives, cradle to grave support systems.

			FISH
		Who wants to be a fucking caretaker?  Got to be more to it than that.

			DUSA
		They were always in bed by the time he got home.

			FISH
		Time to change the game rules.

The doorbell rings.  FISH jumps up.

			FISH
		That'll be the ambulance men.

She goes out.

DUSA gets up, walks about carefully, her head clearing.  The telephone rings.  She jumps towards it.

			DUSA
		Hullo...no, it's Dusa.  Hullo, how are you...no, not yet...the Embassy are going to ring me if anything - I don't know, Alan, they could have moved on, that's the worry.  D'you want to speak to Fish, hang on.  Violet's ill again, the ambulance is here, hang on, I'll see if I can - what?  Why?  (She listens for a longish time.)  What?  Oh!  Oh Alan.  Oh...don't you think you ought to speak to her yourself...no, I don't.  Listen, hang on, will you...just hang on, I'll get her...hang on...

She runs out, returns, followed by FISH.

			FISH
		Who is it?

			DUSA
		Alan.

			FISH
		Alan?  (She picks up the phone eagerly.)  Alan ...Alan?  Hullo...(turns to DUSA)...he must have been cut off...was he ringing from a phone box?  What's the matter?

			DUSA
		They've just got married.  I asked him to hang on but he said he was in a hurry.

FISH stands still for a long time.  Then, slowly, she wipes her hand into her crotch and holds it out to DUSA as if to indicate that she is still wet from him.  She turns abruptly and goes out.

DUSA, FISH, STAS AND VI

ACT TWO
ACT TWO

The same set.  The telephone rings.  Eventually DUSA enters and answers it.

			DUSA
		Yes?  No, she's not here.

FISH enters.  She looks unwashed and messy.  She is smoking a cigarette.

			DUSA
		It was for Stas.

			FISH
		Sure.  Is she going out tonight?

			DUSA
		I don't know.  Anyway, I'm here.

			FISH
		Sure.  Do you know what he said?  `I feel like a change.'  I mean.  And then he said `don't ring me at home'.  Home!  I made such a fool of myself.  Crying.  I mean I don't care...he's used to seeing me in pain, when was it ever anything else?

			DUSA
		Don't.

			FISH
		I'm Prepared to change myself!  Anything he wants!  I'll swing from the chandeliers...I have done!

		(Pause.  She walks about, smoking.)  You know she threatened to kill herself.

			DUSA
		I know.

STAS enters from work.

			FISH
		(To STAS)  You know she threatened to kill herself?

			STAS
		You told me.

			FISH
		Blackmail.  Bloody blackmail.

			STAS
		We've got a woman on the wards who tried it, stepped off the fourth floor...broken pelvis and her face wired up.  For a feller?  Forget it.

			FISH
		Oh, you're right, you're absolutely right.  He's still fallen for it, though.

			STAS
		Did you speak to him?

			FISH
		Yes.

			STAS
		And?

			FISH
		She's `dependant'.  She `needs' him.  So...on with the casseroled chicken - he's walking about with a pot plant under his arm! - oh Christ, I can't fucking stop.  We went on and on on the phone...I couldn't believe it was me saying all this crap!  I wouldn't let him ring off...I couldn't bear it, I wanted to go on hearing his voice.  I only let him go by making him promise to ring me again...poor bugger didn't know whether he was coming or going.  I think I'll go to bed.

			DUSA
		Want anything?

FISH shakes her head and goes.

			DUSA
		I wish I could be more support.

			STAS
		Stay out of it.

			DUSA
		All right for you, you're the only one who's not in a mess.  (STAS gives her a dry look, unseen.)

		People think Fish is OK because she hides behind this sort of...you know, manner.

			STAS
		Mrs Pankhurst.

			DUSA
		Well, she could be in Acapulco, sunning her feet.  She doesn't have to get involved.

			STAS
		Right.

			DUSA
		But she still does it.  I admire that.  I admire people who are on the move.

			STAS
		Oh for God's sake, it's a breed.  You name it, they're up to their necks in it.  I had one once, against war or something...she even had me signing.  Next time we met it was anti-fluoride, same spit all over me face.  If it isn't GM, it's astrology, tarot, or everything's down to the cabbage diet.  All the same bunch.

			DUSA
		Oh that's shitty.

			STAS
		True.

			DUSA
		At least Fish puts her muscle where her mouth is.

			STAS
		Fucking about.

			DUSA
		They're Changing things!  Somebody's got to.

			STAS
		Why?

			DUSA
		Come on...we're not perfect yet.

			STAS
		I'll tell you what's changing things...the last fifty years of physics and the next fifty years of biology.  What you're talking about is fashion.

			DUSA
		Am I?  The Russian revolution wasn't fashion, that changed a few things.

			STAS
		Ever check the body count?

			DUSA
		Science has casualty lists too, you know.

			STAS
		Science is us, doing the best we can.

			DUSA
		So's Fish!

			STAS
		All right.  Just so long as her campaigns quote the second law of thermo-dynamics.

			DUSA
		Eh?

			STAS
		That there is a tendency in the world for things to collapse.  Ask my old Dad, back on the farm, he'll tell you.

			DUSA
		(Slight pause.)  Nonetheless...nonetheless, I do believe there Are times in history...I mean, I can't talk about it like Fish...

			STAS
		Theory of great beauty, that.  The second law.

			DUSA
		Oh, theories I'm talking about human beings.

			STAS
		(Slight pause.)  We can replicate people now. Did you know that?
			DUSA
		What?

			STAS
		We can cross-breed.  A deer with a monkey, an elephant with a cow.  Think about it.  If you want an animal with rapid maturation...ready to eat in six weeks, with white flesh...and caviare ...you've got it.  Makes you think, eh?  Fifty years from now we shan't need Concorde, we'll all have fins and feathers.

			DUSA
		Oh come on.

			STAS
		True.

			DUSA
		Oh...well...I don't know anything about it.

			STAS
		No, that's the trouble with you lot.  Consult the crystals for this year's hemline - do you ever think?

			DUSA
		All the time.

			STAS
		About what?  I mean, scientifically.

			DUSA
		Come on - I'm not into the things you...of course I care about the ozone...ecology.  And I'm worried to death about natural gas in case the sea falls in.

			STAS
		Geez.

			DUSA
		There is such a thing as future shock, you know.

			STAS
		Due any minute now.  (DUSA reacts.)  They're letting her out.

			DUSA
		What?  Oh - Vi.  When?

			STAS
		Today.  She threatened to discharge herself so they're sending her to a convalescent clinic.

			VI
		(Enters)  They're not, you know.  (Puts down her tatty carrier bag.)  You didn't see that great big butch night sister.

She gives STAS a noisy kiss.

			STAS
		Get off.

			VI
		I've got an affectionate nature!

			DUSA
		What?

			VI
		Who's been messing up my things...look, it's all in a mess...and who's been wearing my nose-ring!  (Outraged.)

			DUSA
		Do you mind?

			STAS
		Two days on hospital cuisine and she's Hitler's best buddy.

			VI
		Very good tap dancer.  Few people know that.

FISH enters from within.  She is wearing a dress, jacket, and make-up.  They look at her, startled, and she stares back, challenging.

			DUSA
		Where are you going?

			FISH
		Out.

			STAS
		Your eye make-up's crooked.

FISH opens the wardrobe, looks into the mirror on the back of the door, licks a finger and rubs.

			FISH
		That better?

			STAS
		Not really.

FISH rubs at her face again.

			FISH
		Right.  See you.  (Pauses a second.)

		Right.

She hovers uncertainly, then goes.

			DUSA
		Do something!  (To STAS)  Go after her!

			STAS
		What?

			DUSA
		Go after her...follow her!

			STAS
		Who do you think I am, bloody Philip Marlowe ...you follow her.

			DUSA
		I can't, I have to stay by the phone. Anyway, the TV people are ringing...they're coming to do an interview.

			VI
		With you?  Are they?

DUSA groans.

			VI
		Wow!

			STAS
		Do you think she's gone off to do him in?

			DUSA
		Oh stop it.  Aren't you going out tonight?

			STAS
		No...got a discharge.

			VI
		Clap clinic?

			STAS
		Yup.  Anyone for bean soup?

			VI
		Ooh, I've got some frozen curry and doughnuts.  (Leaping to her feet and dashing for the exit.)  Watcha wanna drink...tea, coffee, camomile or coke?

			DUSA
		Apple Juice.

			STAS
		(Together)  Gin.

			VI
		Right.  (Disappears.)

			STAS
		What the hell have they given her?

The telephone rings.  STAS picks it up, answers, gives it to DUSA.

			DUSA
		Thanks. Yes?  Yes.  Oh.  No......no, I hadn't heard.  Where?  Oh.  Oh.  Oh I see.

She puts the telephone down carefully.  Immediately it rings again.

			DUSA
		(Quickly)  No, Mrs Gilpin isn't here.  (She slams down the receiver.)

			STAS
		Press again?

			DUSA
		It was the...the guy from the Telegraph.  They're in Argentina.

There is a sudden flurry of movement from the TWO GIRLS, a seeming scuffle.  It becomes apparent that DUSA is hysterical and out of control.  STAS drags her away from the window.  DUSA thrashes about making weird sounds, not like a human being.  STAS hangs onto her, shouts for VIOLET, who comes in and stands, paralysed.

			STAS
		Get her bag, dammit.

VIOLET does so, STAS grabs it, takes out some pills, VIOLET runs for a beaker of water and STAS forces DUSA to take tablets.  DUSA does so, then stands, shivering.  She sits down abruptly, still trembling violently.  VIOLET gets in the way, is shoved aside by STAS, who lifts DUSA'S legs onto the sofa and covers her up with the old eiderdown.  DUSA shakes under the cover.

			STAS
		You'll be OK.

She sits, across from DUSA, who continues to shake.

			STAS
		(To VIOLET)  Where's my grub?

			VI
		(Hand to mouth)  Oh!  Forgot.

STAS looks at DUSA, who is beginning to subside, stands over her for a second, then lowers the lights and follows VIOLET off.

Music.

The next morning.  DUSA asleep.  Bright morning sunshine.

VIOLET enters.  She has dressed herself up for cleaning.  She switches on Radio 2 and begins spraying everything with aerosol polish, books as well.  She makes a lot of noise, moving to the music, and singing.

			DUSA
		(Jerks awake.)  What?  Oh.  Christ.  Shuddup!

			VI
		Oh, you're awake!  Want some coffee?  I know ...glass of lemon juice...turns to alkali in the stomach.

			DUSA
		What?

			VI
		Good for guts.

			DUSA
		Violet, what's the matter with you?

			VI
		I'm on these tablets.  

She rubs away, humming, galvanised.  DUSA groans and sits up.

			VI
		Shan't be a tick, I'll fix you a tray, kettle's on... oooh!  (She dashes off.)

DUSA gets up, blunders about dopily, sits in alarm as VIOLET surges back with a tray which she dumps on DUSA'S lap.

			VI
		Lemon juice, papaya, yeast tablets, coffee and uppers...OK?

DUSA nods submissively.  VIOLET sits cosily beside her.

			VI
		Right, what sort of scenario do you want?

DUSA looks at her uncomprehendingly.

			VI
		For the TV...the TV!  Aren't they coming?

			DUSA
		What?

			VI
		To interview you...today!

			DUSA
		Oh.  Oh God.  Is it today...is today today?

			VI
		Look, are they going to interview all of us...or just you.  I mean, do they need background material...human interest...

DUSA laughs despite herself.

			DUSA
		Oh, Violet.

			VI
		And listen, you gotta make a good impression.  What about a suit...(She bounds across to the armoire, pulls out a silk suit of STAS'S.)  You can hitch it up with a belt...hey!  Wow!  What about This!  (She turns in triumph, displaying a fox fur, dyed ink-blue.)

		Look...fantastic!  (She drapes it about her neck.)

			DUSA
		Violet, what do I want with a fox's bonce round my neck?  (She sips the orange juice.)

			VI
		(Trying things on herself.)  What you ought to have done was go home.

			DUSA
		Why?

			VI
		Then they could pan round the empty bedroom.  Little shoe, just where it was dropped...teddy bear, lying on its side.  I know!  (Making DUSA jump.)  A swing!

			DUSA
		What?

			VI
		A swing...a swing - have you got a swing?  Get somebody to lend it you, then you could rig it up in the garden, do a shot of it swinging backwards and forwards...empty!

She waits for a response, standing over DUSA in excitement.

			DUSA
		(Looks up)  If I went back there I'd kill myself.

			VI
		Oh.  Right.  Tch, still...you could get a lot of good ideas, you know.

She throws off her silly apron.

			DUSA
		(Low)  Did Stas tell you they were in Argentina?

			VI
		Yeah.  Really sunny there.  (Her creative attempts at help baulked, she subsides, picking moodily at the food.)

			DUSA
		What time did Fish get in?

			VI
		Dunno, went to bed early.

		(To FISH, who enters, wet, tired and bedraggled.)  Chr-ist, where have You been?

			FISH
		(Mild)  You the fucking housemother or something?

			VI
		Only asked.

			FISH
		Bloody Puritan, that's what you are, old mate.  (She lights up.)

			DUSA
		God, you're wet through!  

She helps FISH off with her clothes and gives her the purple kimono.

			DUSA
		Where've you been, have you been out all night?

			FISH
		I watched them make love.  From the fire escape.

(Pause.)

			DUSA
		What for?

			FISH
		We always left the curtains open...so I watched them.

			DUSA
		Fish!

			FISH
		Yeah, what a thing to do.

She shivers.

			VI
		What did they get up to?

			FISH
		Nothing much.  She sauced about, waggling her head at him...I thought about hopping in and giving her a show.  (She groans.)  Oh...his lovely back!

STAS enters, sleepy.

			VI
		She spent all night on the fire escape watching them fuck.

FISH and STAS exchange a brief glance.

			DUSA
		Coffee?

			FISH
		Thanks.  (Takes the mug, drinks.)  She was wearing a flowered nightie and a little pearl necklace.  The necklace stayed on - oh, I'm being bitchy!  (In genuine anguish.)

			DUSA
		It sounds bloody awful.

			FISH
		Yes.  I mean, I'm trying to...but...God, it was so banal!  They were giggling, both of them, like kids pinching from Woolworths!  I mean, I could stand his being undamaged...well, I couldn't...but after all, if he's Happy...but not this!  He wants This?  After all the pain?

			VI
		Forget it.  You wanna watch out for yourself, mate.

			STAS
		Right.

			FISH
		(To STAS)  OK.

			STAS
		I mean it.  Because if you don't, somebody has to do it for you.

			FISH
		I'm not asking for help, I never have.  I wouldn't dream of it.

			STAS
		No.  Not your role, is it?

			FISH
		What's that supposed to mean?

			VI
		(Quick)  So they didn't get up to much?

			FISH
		In and out like a yoyo, I couldn't believe it.  MichelAngelo, painting by numbers.

			STAS
		I don't know why you bother.

			FISH
		You think I should abandon him?

			STAS
		Look...the colony has seceded...

			DUSA
		Shut up.

			STAS
		...haul down the flag - tootle off.

			DUSA
		Stas!

			STAS
		What are you trying to do, restore law and order?

			FISH
		Oh yes.  I know.  My apologies for not having a pair of clogs over my bed.  May I remind you that it was the despised middle classes who were called back to run Russia after the revolution.

			STAS
		Great job.

			FISH
		I didn't know you cared.  I thought you were into the criminal culture.  I shall get nicked for those coats, the flat's in my name!

			STAS
		Well, what do you think you're doing?  It's sick.

			VI
		Leave her alone.

			STAS
		Get the message - find another screw.  What are you after, romantic love or something?

			DUSA
		Stas, leave it.

			STAS
		Walking the bloody boundaries.  Why don't you stick a notice on him - trespassers will be shot!

			DUSA
		What did you do after they'd finished?

			FISH
		He came over to draw the curtains and saw me.

			VI
		What did he say?

			FISH
		He just looked furious, went over and turned out the light.

			VI
		Did he tell her?

			FISH
		No.  They went to sleep - at least, one of them was sleeping, I could hear snoring, the lady no doubt, Alan doesn't snore.

			VI
		You should have climbed in with them.

			FISH
		I thought about it.  You can't open the window from the outside.  I just sat in the rain looking out over London and wondering how many people were having their first fuck.

			STAS
		Or their last.

			VI
		Urgh, ah!  (Mimes sudden death via orgasm.)

			FISH
		I thought, if there was a flash of blue light...I wondered how many there'd be.  Green if they were in love, red for rape.  I'm going to bed.  (Goes.)

A pause.

			STAS
		Blue flashes!

			DUSA
		Oh leave it.

			VI
		I reckon she's making it up.

			STAS
		Do you?  (Unconvinced.)

			DUSA
		No.  Fish never tells lies.

The telephone rings.  DUSA picks it up absently.

			DUSA
		Yes?  Yes, speaking.  Yes...yes - what?  Oh no ...no!  Oh, it's - yes!...no, no...no...yes...oh thank you!  yes I see.  Yes.  Thank you. Yes... right then...yes, I'll be here - oh, and thank you!  Thank you...oh!  (Puts down the telephone.)

		They know where they are.  And they're alive.

			VI
		Why?  Did you think they were dead?

			DUSA
		(Quietly)  Yes.  (She collapses into a chair, closes her eyes briefly.)  Yes, I thought they were dead.  I've been thinking they were dead.

		(Pause.)

		(Quietly)  You don't understand.

		You love them too much.  It's unbearable.  From the moment they're born.  The way they look - they're beautiful...oh never mind if they're good looking or not.  Your bowels are never still.  They're late.  Was it a lorry...a man in a mac?  Polio...meningitis...(brief laugh) ...hostages to fortune for the rest of your bloody life.  I mean, they can let go when they're ready.  You can't.  You're just an old balloon after the party.  Of course, nowadays...big deal... you can retrain...become a computer data programmer.  See life.  No it's a tough act to follow.

		(A thought strikes her.)  God...Frank.  He'll be in a terrible state!

			STAS
		Fuck him.

			DUSA
		Don't be such a fascist, love.  It's not all cause and effect, crime and punishment, you win I lose.

			STAS
		Where did you spring from?  (She grins, goes.)

			DUSA
		(Calls after her)  I'm not a total airhead!  Three years Royal College!  She thinks designing clothes is - (calls) if you were a fully paid up, state of the art scientist you'd know that a large part of the brain is devoted to the hands and these are the best on the block!  (We hear STAS laugh, off.  VI grins companionably.  DUSA turns to her.)  Do you want to see their pictures?

			VI
		(Mimes being sick)  Give me a break, I'm on uppers!

			DUSA
		Oh Vi, you're a freak.  (She hugs VIOLET, who gives her a big open-mouthed kiss.  DUSA giggles.)

			DUSA
		(Vamping)  Who d'you like best - boys or girls?

			VI
		(Shrugs)  Depends on me mood.

			DUSA
		(Capering wildly)  They're alive!!!

Lights down.  Music link, lights up.

DUSA wanders on, is drawn to the wardrobe, tries on a couple of STAS'S things, keeps one on.  Goes.

Fade lights.  Music link.

Fade up on FISH, reading.  DUSA enters, looking good.

			DUSA
		Hi...want anything?  (FISH smiles, shakes her head.)  I was going to make some coffee and a club sandwich.

			FISH
		No I've had something.

			DUSA
		Oh, right.  When?

			FISH
		Just now.  In the kitchen.

			DUSA
		Oh but I thought - OK.

			FISH
		(Smiles)  Stop humouring me, damn you.

Slight pause.

			DUSA
		Is that why you've only been speaking to Stas?

			FISH
		I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you.

			DUSA
		That's all right.

Pause.

			FISH
		Only I get the notion that you're keeping an eye on me.  It's unnerving.

			DUSA
		Sorry.

			FISH
		That's all right.  It's just that when I think you're trying to...look after me, it gives me ugly thoughts.

			DUSA
		What do you mean?

			FISH
		It makes me feel that you're trying to climb on my face.

			DUSA
		I don't know what you mean.

			FISH
		No, well, that's because I'm being hateful.

Pause.

			FISH
		Did I tell you I met them, on the street?

			DUSA
		Who?

			FISH
		(Patient)  Alan, and his woman.  They asked me to dinner.

Pause.

			DUSA
		There's no answer to that.

FISH laughs.  DUSA giggles and they both begin to laugh helplessly.  They roll about, laughing...subside, then start again.  At last the laughing gives way to a thoughtful silence.

Pause.

			FISH
		Well, go on.

			DUSA
		What do you mean?

			FISH
		With the pronouncement.  I can hear the wheels grinding.

			DUSA
		Oh God, bad as that?

			FISH
		Let me think.  I should...take a holiday...a lover ...a running jump?

			DUSA
		You could stop being so remorselessly bright, it's wearing us all down.

			FISH
		But I feel bright!  No...really, I'm full of hilarity, I surprise myself.  And worry not, little mother.  I have met a dark stranger, as the tealeaves foretold.

			DUSA
		You devil!  From the raight backgrahnd I trust?

			FISH
		Honesht, shober...and a thoroughly straight bat.

			DUSA
		Do you mean it?

			FISH
		Of course I mean it.

			DUSA
		Good.

			FISH
		Why, what's the matter?

			DUSA
		Just thought you might be doing your noble patrician...letting us off the hook.

			FISH
		(Very irritable)  Oh for Christ's sake!  (She goes, slamming the door.)

Music link.  Lights up on DUSA and VI, playing chess.

			VI
		Check...and mate.

			DUSA
		You've picked this up fast.

FISH enters, from without.

			FISH
		Hullo loves, how's it going, I need a clean shirt, I've been working the press.  (She comes and goes, changing.)

			VI
		She spoke to the kids on the phone.

			FISH
		No...marvellous...any more news?

			DUSA
		They're going to ring.  What are you doing?

			FISH
		(With an armful of leaflets)  I'm going to drop these off, then I'm going over to Fulham to do an interview with two tin miners from Bolivia... and then I'm going to meet my young man for a dally...Chinese meal actually.  After that I'm going back to the press.

			DUSA
		Need any help there?

			FISH
		Could you love?...any time...Women's Refuge stuff...they're desperate for dough.  (Goes.)

STAS enters.  She throws down her stack of airtickets, on the table between the TWO GIRLS.

			STAS
		What do you think of that?  Hawaii.  Hardly dented the roll, I know a feller on the airline.  (Sighs with relief.)  No more appointments after this month.  Only two quickies tonight, I'll be back in time for the serial, what time's it on?

			VI
		(Rolling and lighting a smoke.)  Half past nine.

			STAS
		Right.  I'm off.  (But she slumps.)

Pause.

			VI
		You better get washed.

			STAS
		(Louche)  Oh fuck it.

			VI
		Right, I'll have a bath then.  (She leaves the smoke with STAS and goes.)

Pause.

			STAS
		Funny really.  I've always thought my mother a rather boring woman.

Pause.

			DUSA
		Do you think I could get a flat around here?

			STAS
		Are you joking?

She hands the joint to DUSA.  DUSA plays idly with the travel tickets.

			STAS
		(After a pause.)  There's a place at home I always go to...dunno why.  Near a great big turkey oak.  It's not worth anything, the wood's no good.  There's part of an old iron gate there, with some dead convolvulus...been there ever since we were kids.  A dog got its head stuck through it once.  Quite nice in the spring.  A few primroses.  I don't know why...it's not pretty or anything.  (Her voice breaks slightly.)

			DUSA
		Stas...what's the matter...are you crying?

			STAS
		Rubbish, I'm just tired that's all.

She gets up, gives the joint to DUSA, crosses to the wardrobe, throws off her sweater...she is wearing nothing underneath.  She makes to find something to wear, can't be bothered and slips a fur coat over her trousers and bare torso and goes, quietly.

Music link.  Cross-fade lights.  Up on VI and DUSA.  FISH enters.

			DUSA
		(Sleepy)  Hi.

			VI
		How was the food?

			FISH
		Not bad.  Went back to his place after.

			DUSA
		How was it?

			VI
		(Together)  Any good?

			FISH
		Super-duper, Gary Cooper.

			VI
		I told you.

			FISH
		And you were right.  An excellent young man.

She disappears into the bedroom for a moment.

			DUSA
		Do you believe it?

			VI
		Sure, why not...don't you?

			DUSA
		Sure.

FISH returns.

			DUSA
		Sorry I didn't come down to the press.

			FISH
		I'm not there either.  Yow!

			DUSA
		Tired?

			FISH
		I'm exhausted.

			VI
		She's falling in love!

			FISH
		That I might, if somebody'd let me off the bloody hook.

			DUSA
		Who?

			FISH
		Alan!  The bugger's even following me around.  I went to Ryman's to get some staples, there he was.  Same in the supermarket, same at the wholesaler's.  Took a bus to Shepherd's Bush...who should be following in the red car ......it's ridiculous!

			DUSA
		Fish, are you sure?

			FISH
		Of course I'm sure.  He was in the pub tonight ...well, no reason why he shouldn't be in the pub, he usually is.

			VI
		Funny though.

			DUSA
		Doesn't make sense.

			FISH
		God I'm tired.

DUSA rises, exits.  VIOLET leaves, separately.

FISH, alone, crosses to the music centre, puts on a cassette.  She returns, sits.  She listens, flopped, without expression...gets up and leaves before the end of the song.

Music link.  Lights up on STAS and VIOLET decorating the coffee table with garlands and large paper flowers.

STAS goes to wardrobe, takes out a cake in a box to show to VIOLET.

			STAS
		Mocha sponge with pistachio icing...great huh?  What's the matter?

			VI
		I was going to make one for her!

			STAS
		I'll believe you.  Were you?  Oh.  Sorry.  (Puts cake back in wardrobe.)

			VI
		I don't know what to get her now.

			STAS
		Give her some of your stash.  (VIOLET pulls a face.)  By the way.  She's pregnant.

			VI
		Who?

			STAS
		Alan Duncan's woman.
			VI
		Ooh.

			STAS
		Don't Say anything.

			VI
		No.  Right.

The telephone rings.  They lock stares.  VIOLET loses and answers the telephone.

			VI
		Yup?  Uhuh.  Uhuh.  Uhuh.  Okeydoke.  Yup, I'll tell her.  (Slams down phone, sucks her teeth, returns to her task.)

			STAS
		That it?

			VI
		(Mock South American accent.)  They are putting them on thee plane.

			STAS
		Thank God for that.  (She arranges the flowers to her satisfaction.)  You fancy having kids?

			VI
		Me?  Yich.

			STAS
		Yeah, me too...weird.

DUSA enters, breathless.

			DUSA
		Hullo!
			VI and STAS
		(Together, silly voices)  Hellew!

			DUSA
		Somebody rang!

			VI
		Yeah.

			DUSA
		Was it for me?

			STAS
		Tell 'er!

			VI
		Keep your fucking wig on I was going to!

			DUSA
		They've got them!

			VI
		Yup.

			DUSA
		Oh!!  What did they say, what did they say!

			VI
		Well, like they said...is Mrs Gilpin here...I said...

They scream at her.

			VI
		They're putting them on a plane, you gotta be at London Airport tomorrow morning, they'll ring back with the details as soon as they get them.

DUSA screams and laughs, goes into a wild capering dance.  The OTHERS join in, kicking up their legs like demented marionettes.

			VI
		(Stops suddenly)  Hey...you know Fish's feller -
			STAS
		(Warning)  Vi -

			VI
		That Alan...

			STAS
		Vi!

			VI
		His bird's expecting.

			STAS
		Violet.

			DUSA
		Oh no.

			VI
		Yup.  Having a kid.

			DUSA
		Violet, are you sure?

			STAS
		Apparently.

			DUSA
		Oh.  They could have waited.

			STAS
		Free country.

			VI
		We're not going to say anything.

			DUSA
		Right.

FISH enters.

			VI
		(Quick)  She's got the kids!

			FISH
		What?!  Ah!  (Embraces DUSA.)

			DUSA
		Tomorrow!  They're going to ring me.

			FISH
		Oh my love...marvellous.  I was beginning to think I was bad luck...we must celebrate!

STAS and VI move aside, revealing the decorated table.

			STAS
		Tara!

			VI
		For your birthday.

			FISH
		For me?

			VI
		(To DUSA)  Did you get the balloons?  (They all blow up balloons.)  I like balloons.

			FISH
		(To DUSA)  We'll buy some toys.  (Laughs)  Last year Alan and I spent the day on the river.  It pissed with rain so we got drunk, and all the buggers in the pub did was talk about ways of doing yourself in.  Apparently if you take whisky you throw up...red wine's the thing.

			STAS
		(To VI)  Hey, Skin...coming to the pictures?

			VI
		OK.

She lets go the balloon she has been inflating.  Crosses.  STAS holds out one of her fur coats, VIOLET cuddles into it, and sashays off on STAS'S arm.  The OTHER TWO watch, amazed.

			DUSA
		She's going Out.  I don't believe it!

			FISH
		(Mock-American)  It's the medication, baby.  (Ordinary voice)  Oh, she'll piddle about, changing seats...has to be the end of a row of course.

			DUSA
		Yes...I get claustrophobia.

			FISH
		So de we all love, name of the game.  (She sits, displaying exhaustion.)

			DUSA
		You OK?

			FISH
		Sure.  (Slight pause.)  He's still doing it, you know.

			DUSA
		What?

			FISH
		Following me around.

			DUSA
		Alan?  Fish are you sure?

Pause.

			FISH
		Bloody nerve.

			DUSA
		Tell him to stop.

			FISH
		Oh he knows I won't do that.  He knows this boy I'm with's just the time of day -

			DUSA
		Fish for God's sake -
			FISH
		Don't worry!  The guy's in a mess, Dusa!  The least I can do is stay cool...lay off while he works it out.  It's not Serious.

			DUSA
		They Are married.

FISH gives her a look of amused scorn.

			DUSA
		What I'm saying is, she could get pregnant.

			FISH
		No.  No, no.  Not in a million years.

			DUSA
		He might not know.

			FISH
		He's not that irresponsible!

			DUSA
		But if she - look, he might not be able to prevent it -

			FISH
		Love, you don't understand.  He knows what it would do to me.  He's not a cunt.

			DUSA
		I'm just saying, suppose she let's him think she's on the Pill and then tells him when it's too late - it could happen.

			FISH
		Not to Alan.  He'd leave her.  He wouldn't wear that.  No, give the poor cow her due, she won't piss on her own chips.

			DUSA
		Well I wouldn't trust her.

			FISH
		I trust him!  Oh I know he's said some nasty things...about being fed up with me...the pain... but that's not what it's all about.  We're breaking moulds together.  Not easy.

			DUSA
		He's always been ambitious.

			FISH
		(Surprised)  Alan?  I suppose so.  For the right things - we both are.  It's just, when you're trying to...and there's so much...you know...it's tiring.  We'll make it.  We have to.  (She takes DUSA'S hand.)  There's got to be a new deal, none of this `you too can have a career and five abortions in the name of progress'...`let's hire women they're cheaper, hey feller, fancy being a house-husband, soaps and valium thrown in'... no, there are some fashions I'll leave out, thank you.

			DUSA
		He didn't have to marry her.

			FISH
		We were tired!  She must have seemed like a rest - anyway, I ran off with Pete Loudon, we were both off our heads.

			DUSA
		(Slight pause.)  You think he'd leave her if she got pregnant?

			FISH
		Hope to God she doesn't, Alan won't fall into that moralistic trap, I know him too well.

			DUSA
		(Slight pause.)  Suppose she does herself in?

			FISH
		She won't.

			DUSA
		She might.

			FISH
		She won't!

			DUSA
		How do you know?

			FISH
		Because I know...I know!

			DUSA
		All right...all right.

			FISH
		I know.

			DUSA
		(After a pause.)  How do you know?

			FISH
		I know, that's all.

			DUSA
		(After a pause.)  I worry about you.

			FISH
		Don't.  (Slight pause.)  There's no need.  Believe me - anyway, you've got your own worries.  What will you do?

			DUSA
		I'll be OK.

			FISH
		Are you sure?

			DUSA
		Yeah, I'll design from home. Do mail order.

			FISH
		Sure.  You always did have your feet on the ground.  God I'm tired.  You know, I've even thought I might be pregnant.

			DUSA
		(Slight pause.)  Probably the weather.

			FISH
		Sure.  (Slight pause.)  I think I'll kip.

She grins companionably at DUSA, rolls over onto the divan.  DUSA crosses, flips a cover over her, turns out the light and goes.  Pause in black.

STAS and VIOLET enter on tiptoe, drunk...using a torch in order not to disturb.  They do not notice that it is FISH in bed.  Giggling, they cross to the wardrobe, taking off their coats.  STAS puts two bottles of wine on the decorated coffee table, ready for the birthday party.

			VI
		(At the wardrobe)  Hey...did I tell you?  I've got a job.

			STAS
		You're joking.

			VI
		I'm not.  Start tomorrow.  Shift work.  hey... shift work!

They begin to laugh again.  STAS falls back into the armoire among the coats.

			STAS
		Oh fuck.

			VI
		What?

			STAS
		I've sat on the cake.

She gets up, tries to take VIOLET'S coat, but VIOLET resists and keeps it on.  They cross, going.

			VI
		Who's going to the airport tomorrow...?

			STAS
		With the earth mother?  You are.  (Convulsed by her own wit)  I know...I know...why don't we all go?  Get your picture taken!  (And laughs as VIOLET'S face brightens, then sags as she realises she is being mocked.)

			VI
		`Wouldn't mind making a day of it.'

			STAS
		Oh, good...right...you're on.

They exit...STAS singing `Bali Hi'.

Half light.  DUSA enters fully dressed.

			DUSA
		Fish, are you coming...(shakes her gently)...Fish?

STAS stumbles on with a hangover.

			STAS
		(Groans)  Oh God.

			DUSA
		Come on, there isn't time.  We'll leave her presents so's she can see them when she wakes up.  Vi...Vi, are you coming?  Sssh, don't wake her.

VIOLET enters wearing a traffic warden's uniform.

			STAS
		This I do not believe.

			VI
		Don't worry, I'll see the sods off...I hate cars.

			STAS
		Are they mad?

			DUSA
		Come on!  (She puts her present by the bed.)  Happy birthday, love.

STAS leaves a small present, follows DUSA off.  VIOLET makes out a ticket, puts it under FISH'S pillow together with a small parcel.

			VI
		Happy birthday, kid.

She bounds after the OTHERS.  Blackout.
Lights up.  STAS enters, humming.  She is carrying a child's toy.

FISH is lying half out of bed.

STAS stops, then hurls herself across the room.  She kneels, turns FISH over, pushes open an eye.  She feels for a pulse, listens for a heartbeat.

			DUSA
		(Off)  Mind the stairs, Bennie...

			STAS
		Keep those kids out of here...out!

DUSA enters.  She sees FISH...backs and turns, runs out to the children.

STAS pinches the back of FISH's leg, for response.  She feels for a pulse again.

VIOLET enters.  STAS looks up...indicates the empty wine bottles.  VIOLET stands, paralysed.

DUSA returns.

STAS, after listening again for a heartbeat, drops FISH's hand, and brushes the hair back from FISH's forehead briefly.  She rises...looks about...finds two empty bottles of pills.  And a note.

			STAS
		(Reads)  `Oh my loves, I'm so sorry.  I seem to have lost the knack of it.  How could I have got it so wrong.  I thought there was understanding ...I thought we were getting somewhere.  There's no love, and I can't face the thought of fighting...forgive me.  It's hard.  I wanted so much to sit under a tree with my children and there doesn't seem to be a place for that any more, and I feel cheated.  I've been seething with it for more than two years, but now I'm tired and it's not important any more.  I don't feel fertile any more.

		Please try and explain to my mother.  I know it will be hard for her to understand because she stuck it out.  Tell her that I love her most particularly, and that I've always remembered  the lovely days in Felixstowe, whenever I've been low.  We've been apart, but not really.

		See Alan for me.  Tell him not to grieve.  He couldn't come with me and there it is.  Perhaps in the end we do have to fight.  But I don't want that.  I never have.  It's not right.  I've been seeing him everywhere.

			STAS  (Reads, cont'd)
		My loves, what are we to do?  We won't do as they want any more, and they hate it.  What are we to do?'