Act Three:

[The next morning. Lights up on the same scene. Laura and Nick lie in bed together, the curtains are still closed but sunlight pours in from around the edges.]

[Lights up half way through a conversation. The following dialogue is merely meant to show some intimacy between the couple, how they are relaxed in each others company, the content is not as important and as such may be changed.]

Laura: (laughing) Are you being serious?
Nick: Yes! Look I don’t know why you’re finding this so amusing, it sounds perfectly reasonable to me.
Laura: Ok ok I’m sorry. Talk me through it one more time.
Nick: Oh for Godsake. Ok, but listen this time.

[They both sit up in bed]

Laura: Ok, Nick’s reason why there’s life on Earth.
Nick: Well it’s more ‘Nick’s reason why there isn’t life on other planets’ really.
Laura: Right, well lead on sir.
Nick: Ok. Well it’s quite simple really. For life to be sustained there are certain conditions that need to occur at the same time. The temperature has to be constant, the atmosphere has to be correct, with the right gases in the right moderation etc.
Laura: Yes, with you so far.
Nick: Good. Well I didn’t make that up, everyone knows that. It’s the reason why there is life on Earth but not on any of the other planets in our solar system. Now my theory goes that there was once life on the other planets that were nearer to the sun and there will be on the ones that are further away from it.

[Pause]

Laura: Why?
Nick: Well I think it is just Earth’s time at the moment.
Laura: Earth’s time? For what?
Nick: For life.
Laura: I see. So how is the order decided, or have you not got that far yet?
Nick: You know how the sun is expanding?
Laura: I do now.
Nick: The sun started off as a tiny planet, much like ours, well more like a moon…or something, I don’t really know, but what I do know is that like all stars it is growing and will one day grow to such a size that it destroys itself and implodes in on itself, presumably destroying everything in the solar system. Anyway, it is the sun that gives the Earth all of the heat that it needs, it is just the right distance away that the temperature on this planet is just right to sustain life. I think that thousands of years ago, when the sun was smaller than it is today it gave just enough heat to Mercury to sustain life. Mercury had its turn for a few thousand years and then as the sun expanded it got too hot to sustain life and everything died. Then eventually everything started to fall into place for Venus, the temperature hit its peak and life started to grow, it evolved and changed and eventually, just like Mercury before it died out.
Laura: So Earth has only got a certain amount of time left before it’s too hot here as well.
Nick: Exactly and then it’s Mars’ turn. You’ve heard of global warming yeah. Well that is happening because the sun is expanding. Humans have just sped the process up by pumping out gases and what not into the atmosphere. We have almost reached the pinnacle of our existence. Civilisation is nearing the peak of its evolution and then…bang, just like that life will start to fade out and Earth will become a cavernous rock full of molten laver and volcanoes. Then life will start to form on Mars.
Laura: You really think so?
Nick: They’ve already found traces of water on Mars. They’ve found ice deep under the surface. It’s beginning already. Life is starting to form there, which means it’s starting to fade out here. We shouldn’t blame ourselves for the downfall of our planet, it’s inevitable, no need to worry. That’s life eh!

[Pause]

Laura: Well there you go.
Nick: Indeed.

Laura: Well it’s an interesting theory Nick.
Nick: Indeed.
Laura: Want to know what I think?
Nick: Of-course.
Laura: Well, I think that you have smoked far too much weed and spent far too much time with just yourself for company. (She laughs)
Nick: Oh ha ha. You might be right you know.

[Laura grabs a discarded t-shirt and gets out of bed, kissing Nick long and hard before she does. She opens the curtains and stares out into the day.]

Nick: So what do you fancy doing today then?
Laura: Well I’ve got a lecture in about an hour. So have you for that matter.
Nick: We don’t have to go you know. They won’t call your parents if you miss one lecture.
Laura: I know, but you’ve been to this lecture once so far this semester.
Nick: You’ve been counting have you?
Laura: Well I only knew you were there before because of your snores. Couldn’t concentrate without them after that. (Mocking) Come back please!
Nick: You sure you don’t wanna give it a miss?

[There is a knock at the door.]

Laura: Who’s that?
Nick: Oh wait, I’ll just use my powers of telepathy to find out.
Laura: Nick.

[Nick doesn’t move. There is another knock.]

Laura: Are you not going to get it?
Nick: No.
Laura: What if it’s something important?
Nick: You get it if you’re so worried.

[There is another knock, more insistent.]

Laura: Nick!
Nick: Laura!
Laura: Please get the door.

[Pause]

Nick: Oh okay. Bloody hell.

[He gets out of bed, puts on some boxers and a t-shirt and exits into the kitchen.]

[We hear the sound of the door being opened.]

VO Nick: Hello?
VO Dave: Hello. Are you Nicholas Jones?
VO Nick: Certainly am, how can I help you? Hey wait a second…

[Enter Dave into the bedroom, he looks at Laura who grabs her trousers and clutches them pathetically to her chest. Dave is a middle-aged man, about 35-45, hard to tell exactly how old. Working class, all black trousers and leather jackets. The type of guy you might imagine owning a not quite legitimate east end club. You can’t quite work him out. Slightly mysterious, slightly scary.]

[Nick enters in after him.]

Nick: Hey, you can’t just barge your way into my flat. What do you want?

[Dave stops looking at Laura and slowly turns round to face Nick, he walks a couple of steps toward him, Nick flinches ever so slightly.]

Dave: I’d like a word. [Pause] If that’s alright with you of-course.
Nick: What about?
Dave: About a mutual friend of ours.
Nick: A mutual friend? Who?
Dave: A young girl named Sarah.

[Nick steals a quick look at Laura, she hasn’t moved.]

Nick: Oh yeah, what about her?
Dave: I’d like the word in private, if that’s alright?
Nick: Right. Laura would you mind, I won’t be long.

[Laura doesn’t move.]

Nick: Laura.

[She still doesn’t answer.]

Nick: Laura!
Laura: Yeah?
Nick: I won’t be long. I just need a quick word with?
Dave: Dave.
Nick:…with Dave here. You don’t mind do you?
Laura: Oh yeah, of-course. Just give me a second.
Dave: Take you time, please. I’ve got all the time in the world.

[Laura gets dressed, collects up her things. Dave wanders round the room, ending up by the dressing table. Laura, when ready, walks up to Nick who puts his hand on her waist.]

Laura: I’ll go home, get changed. See you later?
Nick: Ok. I’ll call you after.
Laura: Ok.

[Nick kisses her.]

Nick: Told you we shouldn’t have answered the door.

[She smiles. Then exits.]

[Nick stays where he is, we hear the door close. Dave is still looking at things around the room, he picks up a photo and looks at it.]

Nick: So. [Pause. Dave still looks intently at his photo] Now we’re in private…Dave…what exactly did you want to talk about.

[Long pause.]

Nick: Dave?

[Another pause.]

[Eventually Dave puts down the photo (we don’t see what the photo is of) and walks, slowly, up to Nick. He stands very close to him, looking up at him from this position.]

Dave: So. You’re the famous Nick then.
Nick: Famous?

Dave: [Nods his head, then walks back a few paces to the other side of the room] Yes. Sarah never shuts up about you.
Nick: Really?
Dave: Oh yeah, got a real thing for you she has. She certainly doesn’t talk about any of her other costumers in the way that she talks about you. But then I suppose you’re not exactly like any of her other costumers are you. Don’t get too many of your sort round our game these days.
Nick: Right. So. I take it you’re Sarah’s pimp then.
Dave: (ignoring him) I tell you mate, I ain’t seen someone of your sort in this game for a good ten years or so.
Nick: Game?
Dave: Most of the guys we get are up town city pricks. You know the type. All suits, glasses and briefcases. (Wanders back into the room.) Little wife at home pretending she don’t know what’s going on. Denial’s a powerful gift when it comes to my game. Well that and Valium I suppose.
Nick: Look, what exactly do you want with me Dave?

[Pause]

Dave: You think I’ve got no idea about you don’t you. You really think that I have no idea why you do what you do. (Smiles) Don’t you? I’ve been in this game since before you were sucking on your mummy’s tities. I’ve seen boys like you come and go. Seen you build yourselves up. Seen others pull you down. Been one of those others too. Seen a lot in my time I have. Your sort think they rule the country. But you’re wrong. Politicians, footballers, rock stars, actors, royalty. They all come to me to get their jublies. It’s the oldest profession in the world for a reason you know.
Nick: I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. Is there any chance you could get to the point?
Dave: Everyone needs to get their rocks off. That’s just life mate. Everybody, no matter who they are or what they like everyone needs to get laid at some point. It’s just the circle of life. The reason for our existence. Don’t you agree? Procreation. That’s the reason that we’re all here. Surely? To keep the species going. To provide an aire, to keep the species on the planet. If anything’s the meaning of life that must be. Am I right? It’s just natural, basic instinct in its purest form. And for some reason the more successful you are the hornier you seem to get. What’s that all about eh? Why is it that as soon as you get a little bit of money in your pocket you suddenly become the most perverted man in England?
I mean I can understand footballers and actors and that, they’re all flash and favour. But politicians! Why the fuck do they feel the need to bend over every little thing in a thong and shag it as senseless as a watermelon? Not that I’m complaining of-course, I make a mint from the twisted fucks. I’ll tell you why though…sex is power. And power is sex. They’re the same thing boyo. If you have any power then everyone and anyone is gonna wanna fuck you. And if you yourself have a little bit of power it seems to spread. Spread to the loins. They just can’t keep it in their pants those boys, I’m amazed at their stamina most of the time. I’ve seen some of them hall up in one of my dens of vice for three, four days at a time sometimes. All sorts going on. Girls, boys, even seen the odd animal in there every now and again. Drugs of all varieties. Well they need them, just to keep themselves awake and…well…up. How do they do it? I’ve no idea, I’d love to know. I’d love to know their secret. I’d love to have their passion and drive. But I don’t I’m a businessman. And that’s where I fit nicely into the equation. Like all good businessmen I provide a service that they require. I’m discrete about it and they pay me well for the privilege of fucking my trade. [Pause] You see that’s all they are to me…trade.
But the thing that everyone seems to forget, and this is the most important thing son. I’m the one that holds all the cards. The general public have got like a pair of queens or something. Our friends have got themselves a nice full house, but I’ve got a fucking royal flush. I’m winning this game. I’m taking home all the fucking stack, I’m taking home the fucking house. Do you know why? Well think about it boy. It’s pretty fucking obvious. The amount I know about them. I could have them put away for a fucking lifetime, let alone cause the riot in the papers that’d finish their careers in a second.

[Long pause]

I hold all the cards. And as long as you remember that I think you’ll be fine. They all are. They pay me to keep my mouth shut and everyone’s happy. You get my meaning at all sonny?
Nick: To be honest, not really. I mean I understand that you have a lot of power and that but how do I fit into your little game? If you’re gonna try and blackmail me then you’d have a job, I’ve got a four figure overdraft and another year of university to get through. It’s gonna be a while until I’ve got anything that I can give you.
Dave: Not everything in the world is about money you know son.
Nick: Well I know that. Why don’t you blackmail some of your politicians or something? Why do you need to come to me?
Dave: (laughs, long and hard, a bit too long) I don’t want your fucking money mate. Got plenty of that. In fact I’ve got more money than I know what to do with. That’s why it’s not important to me.
Nick: So what do you want with me then?
Dave: Now finally you’re asking the right question. That’s the problem with your sort, too quick to predict what everyone is thinking. Too quick to predict and then hide behind an excuse. If I wanted your money son I’d take it from you, I wouldn’t bother hiding behind all that black mail bollocks.
Nick: Okay. So what it is then?
Dave: Bloody hell. So bloody impatient. I’ll get there if you bloody well give me a minute. (Spies the rest of the whisky) Do you mind if I have a drop of your whisky?
Nick: Be my guest.

[Dave grabs the whisky and an empty glass that he finds on the floor, he pours himself a shot downs it and then pours another one. He offers the bottle to Nick.]

Nick: No thanks, I don’t normally drink at (beat) 1015. More of an evening guy.
Dave: Fair enough. Fuck where do you sit in here. (He looks around for a seat and settles for the end of the bed, Nick perches on the edge of the chair.) Right. Sarah.
Nick: Yes?
Dave: You like her, don’t you?
Nick: Sorry?
Dave: It’s not a fucking exam mate, it’s a simple question. You like Sarah don’t you?
Nick: How do you mean ‘like’?
Dave: Fucking hell! You like her. You like spending time with her. You like fucking her, you like being with the fucking girl. Am I right?
Nick: Well yeah, I suppose.
Dave: Right. Good. So, will you please leave her the fuck alone?
Nick: Sorry?
Dave: No need to apologise son. I know you like her and she likes you. And what I am asking you is to leave her alone from now on.
Nick: Why?
Dave: Why? Because you are putting ideas in her head and she is getting thoughts above her station and is trying to leave my employment.
Nick: So? So let her leave.
Dave: Let her leave! You’re fucking joking ain’t you mate. Do you know how much that little minx has made me in the last couple of years? She’s the best I’ve got. No matter how many fuckheads she screws she still comes back for the next one, as new and fresh faced as if it were her first day.
Nick: That’s lovely to hear.
Dave: She’s got spirit…and stamina, boy has she got stamina, can go all night and then some that one. Most of the old fuckers only come round the place because of her. ‘Where’s that Vixen with the shaved minge’ they say to me, ‘boy do I love the way she fucks,’ they say, ‘taught me a lesson or two I can tell you…’
Nick: Yes, alright I get the point. (Understandably uncomfortable.)
Dave: And she has a good effect on the other girls. She rallies them together, provides a level that they all want to try and achieve. I thought they’d all hate her, but they don’t, they love her. She has a good affect on all of us: punters, girls, even me. Fuck I feel like less of an areshole just for knowing the girl. I tell you, if she left my business’d be down the pan within three weeks.
Nick: Even if she is the best ‘little minx’ that you’ve got, as you so eloquently put it, perhaps she doesn’t like doing it anymore.
Dave: Everybody is good at something son. There’s a perfect job for all of us out there, doesn’t matter to fuck if you don’t like it, that’s just life.
Nick: Nice. 
Dave: Well I may not be a fucking English scholar mate but I’ve been round the block a few times and I speak how I find things.
Nick: Ok ok, fair enough. But I still don’t see how I fit into all of this.
Dave: You’re the fucking reason that she wants to leave. Since she’s met you she’s changed. The punters ain’t noticed it, thank fuck, but I have. She’s been getting ideas in her head. Thinks that because she can get on with someone like you then perhaps she could do better for herself, get an education, get another job, all that ‘Pretty Woman’ shite.
Nick: Maybe she’s right.
Dave: Do you know how much money she makes in a week? No? Well I do because I fucking give it her. She makes 700 quid a week, no tax, no national fucking insurance. Nice eh. You ever think you’ll make that much? Doubt it son. The girls don’t do this forever you know. No-one wants them when they get to 35, 40 if they’re lucky. If they’ve been clever with their money and saved some, and not shoved it all up their nose or in their arm then they’ll have nice little bit to do whatever they want with. I’m not one of these twisted fucks who puts these middle-aged tramps on the street. Fuck I’m a pretty good boss you know. I look after my lasses. See the best for them.

[Pause. After a moments pause Dave gets out a pack of cigarettes and lights one up.]

Dave: You don’t mind if I smoke do you?
Nick: Be my…guest.

[Another pause. Dave gets up and wanders around the room again. He can’t find an ashtray so he uses the whisky glass in his hand.]

Nick: So what do you want me to do? I mean if you want me to talk to her, make her see what she’s got…
Dave: No, it’s too late for that. I need you to put her down.
Nick: What like a dog?
Dave: Like a…no you prick not like a bloody dog. I need you to put her in her place. Make her realise that she can’t break from her place in society. Make her think that she can’t have what she thinks she wants and make her want to stay in her current place.
Nick: That seems a little unfair. Just so you can use her for the next couple of years, until she gets too old and then you can spit her out onto the pavement with all the other dolly birds that she follows.
Dave: Don’t you get fucking poetic with me sunshine. Do you know how easy it would be for me to have you killed?! Do you really think that anyone would miss a shitty little posh twat like you. I’d probably get a fucking medal for my services to ridding the country of fucking wankers. However I’m not an unreasonable man. I don’t want to have to use violence. Not when money will do instead.

[He takes out a big wad of money from his pocket, walks right up to Nick and places it in his hand, he stays really close to him.]

Dave: Now, you take this two grand here and you think about what I’ve said.
Nick: How long have I got?
Dave: You’ve got exactly no time at all. I’m not fucking asking you sunshine. I’m giving you this money and if you don’t do what I have asked then I will have to think about hurting you in all sorts of new and original ways. There is no way that I’m going to lose Sarah. And unfortunately for you it seems that you are the only way that I can make her stay with me. So…it seems like you’ve got a fair bit on your plate. Now, I’m going to go. I suggest that you give young Sarah a ring and tell her to get over here sharpish.
Nick: What exactly do you want me to say to her?
Dave: Oh you’ll think up something, clever lad like you. See you later big boy.
Nick: [stays silent]
Dave: Oh and tell that nice piece of arse that was here before that if she ever needs a job I could set her up nicely.
Nick: What!?
Dave: Oh yeah, she could do alright for me that one. They love the innocent blonde thing they do. Get her a little schoolgirl’s outfit, pigtails, lovely. Got my number have you? Tell her to give me a ring. Blimey this day gets better and better.

[Exit Dave]

[Nick stands for a second, looks at the money in his hand, throws it angrily on the bed.]

Nick: Shit!

[Lights down]