Richard Sinclair: Owner and manager of the petrol station. Richard is a
flamboyant person in his late 40’s. Richard is tall with dark hair. He dresses
smartly in suits. He works hard to make the petrol station a success and is well
liked by people. If Richard doesn’t like someone he makes it clear to him or her
since he has a realistic nature and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Richard gets
flustered when people are around him who he perceives don’t share his
dedication to the petrol station.

Vivienne Sinclair: Married to Richard, Vivienne gets dazzled by the status of
owning a business and spends most of her time spending money or socializing
with people who she looks up to and wants to be like. Despite this she sees
herself as above most people she speaks to. Vivienne shares Richards’s
flamboyancy but is more dramatic. Vivienne speaks very precisely and a bit
louder than everyone else, as she believes she is very important. Vivienne
dresses to what she assumes is glamour but looks a bit odd as she dresses
younger than her age and over accessories with jewellery to show her wealth.
Vivienne’s hair is very volumised as though it is containing her ego.

Marisha: Marisha works full time behind the counter at the petrol station. She is
in her late 20’s and hates her job. Marisha doesn’t like anything much but is in
awe of Vivienne and creeps to both her and Richard to gain status in her job.
Marisha is skilled in controlling the customers and passes the day by being nice
or nasty to them at will. This completely passes by Richard and Vivienne who
never notice her nasty ways and see her as a devoted member of staff. Marisha
is jealous of Steven who was employed as a supervisor when she felt she should
have been offered the role. Marisha wears a uniform, a red jumper and black
trousers. Marisha doesn’t spend a lot of time on her appearance.

Steven: Steven is in his early 20’s and sees himself as a ladies man. Steven
never puts much effort into his job and doesn’t see why he has to since his role is
team supervisor, he thinks all he has to do is watch over the work. Steven hates
work. He doesn’t like Richard because he thinks Richard fancies him. He doesn’t
like Marisha because she doesn’t like him. Richard and Marisha think Steven is
useless and lazy and Vivienne never notices his existence. Steven wears a
uniform the same as Marisha’s but his is always crumpled looking. Steven
imagines one day he will be very successful and imagines the rest of the world
see this in him also.

Annabel: Annabel is a tall beautiful woman in her early twenties. She dresses
fashionably and in black and white. Annabel likes everyone she meets. Annabel
believes Steven’s interest in her is purely professional. Annabel sees her job as a
way to earn money and doesn’t care what she does as long as it pays her bills.


Opening credits are viewed as though the audience are travelling inside a vehicle, and walking to the door of the petrol station. The A Road is rural and deserted. The petrol station appears shabby and old from the outside. Inside the petrol station are two lines of shelves. At one Steven stands. A counter, behind which is Marisha. There are many dated looking maps for sale on the far wall. There is a queue in front of the aging counter of three customers.

Marisha: Bye then. (Marisha pauses.)

Marisha: Pump number?

Customer One: (Customer one is a short cheerful looking woman about 45 years old) Hi … erm… well, it is erm… over there? The pump with the… erm… (Looks down.)…car next to it. Erm. I didn’t look which…

Marisha: (Speaks bluntly.) Number five. (Sighs.) That’ll be ten pounds and a penny.

Customer One: And a penny? Er. Are you sure? I didn’t go over by a penny did I? I’m always so careful there must be some…

Marisha: (Louder.) That’ll be ten pounds and a penny please.

Customer One: Well. Erm… (Searches pockets.) I don’t have any change, I don’t think. So it will have to be a twenty?

Marisha: (Smiles wryly.) That’s fine.

(Marisha types into the till and takes the twenty-pound note off the Customer. As the till opens her eyes light up.)

Marisha: I’m sorry. We don’t have any five pounds notes; in fact we’re very short of change today. I’ll have to give it you in fifty P’s is that ok?

(Marisha lumps the coins in the customers hand. She smiles through her teeth again.)

Marisha: Thank you. Bye.

(Marisha watches the customer walk half way down the shop floor towards the door then shouts.)

Marisha: Steven could you get me some change from the safe please?

(The customer’s shoulders sink and she walks out the door.)

(Steven looks around.)
 
Steven: Well. I’m very busy doing the pre- season stock take Marisha.

(Marisha sighs then she spots Richard coming out of the office.)

Marisha: Richard? I’m really sorry to be bothering you but could you get me some change? Steven says he’s too busy tidying up the Pringles or something and I have a queue of customers here. Richard turns and scowls at Steven.

(The queue of 5 customers have been watching the discussion about the change and behave like Mir cats all having the same dissatisfied stare. Richard sees this.)

Richard: Certainly Marisha. You know how important customers are at Sinclair services, don’t you Steven? (Steven drops four cartons of Pringles.)  I will be having a word with you once I get this change so you had better make sure those Pringles are an array of perfection. You wouldn’t want me and Marisha thinking your doing no work today now would you?
(Customers laugh, Steven scowls and Marisha smirks.)

(Richard happily goes into the office.)

Marisha: Next please.

Customer Two: (Customer Two is an elderly man with a walking stick, he is a very  jolly person) Hello, my dear. How are you?

(Marisha stares blankly.)

Customer Two: (Laughs nervously.) I er… just wanted a lucky dip for tonight.

(Marisha moves over to the lottery machine.)

Customer Two: Oh and er…(Jokes.) make it the winning numbers.

Marisha: (Blankly.) A pound please.

Customer Two: Oh, thank you. There you go.

Marisha: Cheers.

(As she shuts the till drawer the customer waits for her to say goodbye. Marisha turns to look out of the window and pretends to be authorizing petrol.
Customer Two stares blankly and turns to leave. As soon as he turns Marisha turns back and throws him an icy stare.)

Marisha: Bye then. Next.
(Customer Twos posture sinks. He stops, begins to turn then decides to walk out the door.)

(Richard comes out of the office with Marisha’s change.)

Richard: Here you go Sugarplum. (Smiles.) Now, where’s that lazy toad gone? Is he checking his hair in someone’s wing mirror?
(Marisha Laughs.)

Steven: Actually I’m here. (Steven appears from behind a shelf.) I’m just watching that car over there. He looks like a drive off, very dodgy. His cars a bomb and he’s been at that pump ages, shall I go and see what he’s up to?

(Marisha and Richard smile.)

Richard: Well you could, Stevie darling. But once you got over there you might notice that that gentleman is in fact Mr. Arnold (Richard begins to move away from the counter area and goes to move some boxes of Pringles.), our most valued account customer, who normally spends his Saturday mornings filling up all of his six (Looks at Marisha and smiles.), classic cars before going to visit his sick mother in hospital. (Richard walks over to Steven.) If you feel the need to go over and bother Mr. Arnold, (Nods to Steven to follow him to the counter.) who, by the way owns the local gym in Greysfield, then I’m sure he would find a way to deal with you, perhaps a lot more successfully than I am about to.

(Richard combs his fingers through his hair.)

Richard: Would you like to escort me to my office Stevie?
(Marisha giggles.)

Steven:(Blushing.) I erm er I er…

(Marisha nods towards the door and straightens her uniform)
(Enter Vivienne.)

(Vivienne sweeps through the door with an air of regality.)

Vivienne: Marisha, darling, you’re never going to believe your eyes. Just look what I have here.

(Steven quickly disappears behind a shelf. Marisha beams at Vivian and Vivian looks at Richard like he is not wanted in the conversation.)

Richard: Oh, morning to you to sweetness. I’m only your husband hunni. Sorry if I’m getting in the way of your conversation with our till girl…shall I go and make myself useful? Perhaps I could get my feather duster out while you’re having your important weekly gossip? There are some messy looking Pringles over there; they could do with sorting out.
(Vivienne scowls. Steven answers his phone.)
Vivienne: My dear. As much as you are the sincere light of my life there are some things that are more important than this grubby little service station. A prime example of that being me. (She smiles, Marisha smiles.) Now, if I could trouble you into disappearing for ten minutes to get on with your very urgent pump readings or something, I would be eternally grateful, as us girls…(Vivienne is clearly a lot older than Marisha) have some more refined things to occupy our time. Marisha have you seen this?

Marisha: Ohhhh Greysfield V.I.P.  I erm…read it every week, but this week I, er…haven’t had chance to look at it yet.

Vivienne: Well, when you do Marisha. You might want to pay particular attention to page 96, it is a set of pictures from Mrs. Elizabeth Snootintrudes Mediterranean Summer Open Air Terrace Gathering. To which you may remember I was a guest. (Smiles.)

Marisha: Oh my god Vivian you are never in….

Vivienne: Yes my dear. If you look here next to Mrs. Caroline L. Vin de Crepe there is a person casually reaching for a prawn and cous cous aperitif. Which were superb by the way. The best cous cous I’ve ever tasted, and there my dear you will see me.

(Richard comes over to see what the fuss is about.)

Marisha: Where?

Richard: (Laughs.) My wife is referring to the left of the picture Marisha. Where, you will notice a supremely exfoliated, lightly tanned and highly moisturized elbow. Modeling this seasons most sought after diamonted Q.V.C. bracletette that I was nagged to buy a certain cherub of my life for her birthday in July.

(From behind a shelf a customer laughs.)

Vivienne: (Devastated.) Richard!

(Marisha tries not to laugh.)

Vivienne: Richard I do not purchase jewellery from Q.V.C.

Richard: No, hunni pie. You get me to do that for you.

Vivienne: (Shouts.) Richard! Get in that office. Now!

(Richard and Vivian head towards the office, a scream can be heard has Vivian disappears behind an aisle. Gingerly she stands up.)

Vivienne: Will someone please tidy up these Pringles? They are a health hazard.

(Door of office closes, the conversation can be heard in the shop that is filling with customers, Steven and Marisha stare in shock.)

Scene 2 . The office is small with an untidy desk and two chairs, boxes of crisps are stacked against the walls.

Vivienne: How dare you talk to me like that in the shop in front of the staff and the customers and everybody?

Richard: Darling calm down I was talking to Marisha.

Vivienne: (Stares and raises her voice.) Yes my dear, but there are some things that are suitable to say to our staff and there are some things that you say purposely to make your wife look a fool.

Richard: Our staff? Since when have you contributed anything to this place? Apart from spending all the bloody profit to ensure I’m stuck here for another 20 years. What contribution do you make that allows you to call the staff ours? Do I see you organizing rotas, paying wages sorting out that lazy rat of an idiot Steven? Do you stay up all night sorting out invoices and tax returns?
 Would you miss a precious moment of your much needed beauty sleep to ensure that head office have all the figures they need by 9 o clock the next morning? Do you spend 60 hours a week in this place doing risk assessments and price checks and dealing with the stupid general public who couldn’t find their way down a road to the flippin’ beach when it has 14, yes 14 signs quite clearly indicating the way to the closest skin sizzling haven of ice cream and donkey crap? Do you do any of that? No. You waltz in here, distracting my staff with talk of your garden parties and high society lunches, showing off because you know the name of everyone who’s supposedly anybody. I don’t see them earning a living. I don’t see you earning a living, and you come in here boasting coz your elbows in a magazine? I’m sure your parents would be very proud Vivienne. Well done. You’ve managed to fit into a world of snobs and imbeciles whose idea of working for a living is going out and buying a new Bentley. I hope they’re very impressed with you and your Q.V.C. braclette. (Spits.) You were worth every penny of it.
Vivienne: And how would you know what I’m worth? When was the last time you spent any time with me to find out what I’m worth darling? (Raises voice.) The truth is you’re a lousy husband who can’t be bothered to spend time with his wife as they approach the twilight years of their life. If I wish to spend my time socializing with interesting people who have made it in this world can anyone blame me? It’s got to be more entertainment than hanging around my no hoper classless husband whose idea of culinary delights is a takeaway pizza with meatballs on it. Well I have some news for you. I am sick and tired of trying to hold this marriage together Richard. I never see you; you never pay me compliments or offer to take me out for the evening. I’m bored of being married to a stingy, broke, common slob. (Raises voice.) I have made a decision. I had a word with Lady Greysfield who suggested I could raise my profile in society by creating gossip about myself at the golf club.
(Vivienne walks towards the door.)
Vivienne: (Raises voice louder.) It seems clear to me that Vivian Sinclair will be the name everyone is talking about when she gets a divorce from her inattentive, useless, working class, GAY husband. (Vivienne acknowledges to Richard that she knows everyone in the shop will have heard her last sentence by nodding her head.) And you know what will happen to this grubby hole then don’t you?

(Vivienne walks out of the office, slams the door and storms out of the petrol station; everyone in the shop is dumbfounded.)

Commercial break.
Scene 3. In the petrol Station

Marisha starts to serve the customers.

Marisha: Pump number four? That’ll be ten pounds please. (Mouths to Steven.) Oh. My. God. Thank you. Next please.

Steven: I bloody knew it. Would you like a bag for those madam?

Marisha: Thank you, goodbye. Oh get OVER yourself Steven. He’s not gay. Do you not remember last Christmas? Fourteen pounds fifty love. He was all over that woman in the purple dress. Christ if she knew about that she’d torch this place.
(Customer looks worried.) Thank you. Goodbye, next please.

Steven:  Well, she’s right though isn’t she? A woman like Vivian needs to feel special. If I was married to a woman like that I’d make sure I looked after her.

Richard: (Appearing behind the counter from no where.) As if anyone would marry you. Marisha (Snaps.) Pass me that magazine. I’ll get that witch back. You mark my words.

Marisha: (Wide eyed.) What are you going to do?

 Richard: (Smiles although he looks like he’s been close to tears.) Lets just say if its gossip she wants then she’s going to get it. (Almost spits.) Steven! Get that oil restocked and price checked before I take that mobile phone off you and stick you through a luxury wax run in the car wash. How many times? This is a petrol station. Turn the thing off. Now. Look after a woman like Vivian? How would you do that exactly? By blasting her to smithereens due to an urgent text from your mum asking you what flavour pot noodle you want for your tea?  Now. To sorting out the old trout. (Looks at the magazine and scowls.) Marisha my dear, will you be ok on the till? (Marisha nods. Richard turns to go then turns back.) Oh and Stevie? You might need the keys to the store cupboard if you’re going to fill up the shelves. (Smiles.) There you go.  (Exit Richard.)
(Steven trudges off muttering.)

Steven: Arsehole idiot. Did I say I wanted to get married? I’m not that stupid.

(The camera follows Steven as he returns with one lot of oil.)

Steven: (Under breath.) Oi oi

 (Annabel is in the queue of customers. She is very beautiful. Steven reaches into his pocket and puts on his team supervisor badge, he straightens out his clothes and prepares to make eye contact with Annabel but she turns towards Marisha as she reaches the front of the queue.)

Marisha: (Marisha looks Annabel up and down and rolls her eyes.) Pump number?

Annabel: Er…excuse me?

Marisha: (Louder.) Pump number?

Annabel: Oh sorry no, I’m not here to buy petrol, I was wondering if you had any job vacancies?

Marisha: (Scoffs and looks her straight in the eye.) I’m not sure you’re at the right kind of establishment. What kind of work were you looking for?

Annabel: I…erm...er…

Steven: (Cuts in.) I’ll handle this Marisha.  (Turns to Annabel.) Hi. (Steven smarms.) I’m Steve. I’m the team supervisor at Sinclair Services. The till girl doesn’t realize we are looking for new, vibrant, professional members of staff for employment. If you could just step this way and fill out this form I’m pretty sure we could find you a suitable position.

Marisha: Do you know any Steven?

Steven: (Mouths to Marisha.) Shut it.

Marisha: (Mouths to Steven.) You wait. (Scowls, shakes head.)

(Steven ushers Annabel over to the other side of the counter.)

Marisha: I’m er…just going for my break.

(Marisha darts out of the counter area and goes straight to Richard’s office. She knocks once and enters. Richard swiftly puts down the phone and looks angry to have been interrupted. )

Richard: What?

Marisha: You have to come out here Richard you are never going to believe what he’s doing now.

Richard: (Hiding the copy of the magazine under some papers.) God in heaven. My prayers have been answered. He’s doing something? As in, an actual action? A verb? Oh do tell Marisha, it’s not snoring is it?

Marisha: (Laughs.) Richard seriously. He’s hiring someone.

Richard: Marisha…(Pauses.) If the lazy trout is doing something other than attempting the prize word search in the Evening Post I’m pretty sure I’m happy about it. Now leave me alone to get on with this paperwork, I am extremely busy.

Marisha: But Richard…

Richard: (Firmly.) Marisha.

(Marisha goes back to the counter furious. Steven is waving goodbye to Annabel cheesily.)

Steven: Now that’s what I call a woman.

Marisha: (Smiles to the customer.) Awww. Isn’t young love sweet?

Customer Three: (Customer Three is a smart man in his early 50’s dressed  casually.) Oh, who’s in love?

Marisha: Steven is. He’s quite taken with that girl who just left. Have you got butterflies Steven?

(Steven goes red, embarrassed.)

Customer Three: I remember the first time I fell in love. There’s nothing like it.

Marisha: I know it’s so cute. What happened to her? Did you get married?

(Steven looks worried.)

Customer Three: (Looks down.) Well yeah.

Marisha: Didn’t last then?

(Customer Three looks upset and leaves. Marisha smiles with satisfaction. Steven stands looking thoughtful with the application form in his hand.)

Marisha: I imagine she manipulated you into giving her a job?

(Steven looks shocked.)

Steven: I said she could start on Tuesday.

(Customer Four laughs. Customer Four is dressed as a builder in his early thirties.)

Marisha: (Smiles to customer.) Never trust a woman. Isn’t that right sir?

Customer Four: Oh definitely.

Scene 4. At the petrol Station
Tuesday morning.

Richard: (Enters shop.) Morning Marisha, you’re looking as gorgeous as ever this morning, did the delivery arrive on time?

Marisha: Morning. Yes as did the new girl and I’ve been dealing with THAT all morning. (Marisha nods towards the other end of the shop where Steven is handing a cup of coffee to Annabel, he is nervously edging around her, and almost bowing and he spills some on the floor.)

Richard: (Smiles.) She’ll be ok you know. She looks like a worker. Anyway, do you know which Greysfield high society magazine is published today?

Marisha: Oh is that why you’re so chirpy? (Richard smiles) Are we going to see more of Vivienne than her elbow this week?

Richard: (Smiling evilly.) I could perhaps assure you of some full coverage Marisha.

Marisha: (Eyes widen.) Oh my god Richard. (Giggles.)

Richard: I’ll be in the back. Train the new girl on the till. What’s her name?

Marisha: Does it matter?

(Richard walks to the counter.)

Richard: Now, now, Marisha. You train her to be as good as you ok? If we leave it to old Casanova over there she’ll think she’s being paid to drink coffee and steal mars bars all day.

Marisha: (Coos.) Oh Annabel? Richard says you have to stop spending all your time drinking coffee and come over here and learn the till.

Annabel: Oh, ok erm…sorry I was just…

Marisha: Yes we saw. Now. Have you used a till before? (Annabel shakes her head.) Well let me show you the ropes and we can have a little chat, I haven’t had time to chat to you yet, what with Steven crawling all over you. (Steven and Marisha share a spiteful look.) Urgh. What a horrible thought you poor thing.

(Some time elapses and Richard comes out of the office looking worried.)

Richard: Any sign of her yet Marisha?

Marisha: Not yet. (Richard goes back to the office.)

Steven: (Rolls eyes.) Sorry to interrupt this expert training your doing Marisha. I think Annabel can go early today since she’s worked so hard.
(Steven stares lovingly at Annabel.)

Marisha: Oh it’s a shame to interrupt our chat. You haven’t bothered to chat to Annabel much have you Steven?

Steven: Well, er…what do you mean?

Marisha: Well if you’d of bothered to chat to Annabel Steven, you would know that there’s no point letting her finish early. The only way Annabel can get to and from a secluded petrol station on an A road with no bus route, is if her boyfriend picks her up.  (Steven freezes.) Is this him here now in his convertible B.M.W.  Annabel?

Annabel: Oh brilliant. Yes it is. See you both tomorrow. Bye!

Marisha: (Looks at the gutted Steven.) You are so bloody stupid. (She looks at Steven for a long pause to absorb the broken emotions. Then she smiles with pleasure.) God I love my job. Next please!

Customer Five: (Customer Five is a tall cheerful man.) Can I have a lucky dip for tomorrow please?

Marisha: Certainly sir.

Customer Five: Oh, and make it the winning numbers.

Marisha: (Mutters.) And I was having such a good day.

(Enter Vivienne in grand regal style as usual.)

Vivienne: Marisha darling, where is my husband? I demand to see him at once.

Marisha: He’s in the office Vivian, I’ll go and…

Vivienne: Right let me see him. (Vivian storms over to the office and meets Richard just coming out of the door.)

Vivienne: Richard! My darling. (Vivienne flings her arms around Richard.) I just want you to know that I love you more than any man I’ve ever loved. You truly are the most amazing husband a girl could wish for.

Richard: (Smiles.) Anything I can do to make you happy sugarplum.

(They look around to see the confused faces of Steven, Marisha and the customers.)

Richard: Haven’t you shown them?
(Vivienne walks towards the counter followed by Richard.)

Vivienne: (Smiles.) Marisha. Take a look at this.

Marisha: A full-page advertisement?

Vivienne: (Reads from the magazine.) To my darling wife. Our love grows stronger with every heartbeat. I want the world to know how amazing and wonderful you truly are. Lots of love, your adoring husband Richard. You see how much he loves me? He’s added a picture of me taken on our second anniversary. The women at the golf club will be seething with jealousy, Lady Greysfield so impressed. I’m so proud to married to such a caring and lovely man.

(Vivienne smiles, Marisha smiles, Richard winks at Marisha.)