The Stormcock Community

Dave                Huh? You’d think they’re trying to make us feel comfortable, or something. I suppose that means we are in for a long wait. Some light entertainment wouldn’t hurt.

 

Simone             We’ll just have to provide our own entertainment, won’t we, so we don’t go nuts? I don’t think I ever saw such a stimulus free room like this one.

 

Dave                A what room?

 

Simone             A stimulus free room. You know, a room with nothing to do, nothing to see, nothing to hear. Like in a prison cell. Ever been inside a prison?

 

Dave                No, I can’t say I have. I didn’t sink that low you know.

 

Simone             I don’t know if people in prisons have necessarily sunk low, per se. Each person has his or her own story. Sometimes it’s just a lack of insight that causes them to make the wrong choices.

 

Dave                Well, as far as I’m concerned people that end up in prison are criminals who broke the law and got what they deserved. If you can’t do the time…don’t do the -

 

Simone             Now that’s what I call black and white thinking. So you see, we’re all guilty of that.

 

Dave                Do you honestly think that our prisons are filled with innocent people? “Victims” of society? Sorry - I really think that’s very naive.

 

Simone             Okay, maybe we should let that discussion rest for a bit. You said you got yourself back on your feet again?

 

Dave                Yes, I did. Found another job, no perks like the old job, but still - an income. Then I found a place to live in rented accommodation. At least now I feel sort of like a useful member of society again.

 

Simone             And a new girlfriend?

 

Dave                No. In fact, I’ll be thinking twice before entering into another commitment like marriage. You plan your life, sort of, as well as you can really, and somebody else can just take everything away from you. I’m in no rush to fall into that trap again. You don’t really trust men, do you? Well, maybe you didn’t say it quite like that but I bet you learned it the hard way. Am I right?

 

Simone             (Pause)

 

 Things learned the hard way are often best remembered.

 

Dave                That’s a nice generalisation, but very evasive, Simone. Am I the only one being interrogated here? In this … what was it again … stimulus free prison cell?

 

 

Simone             Excuse me a moment.

 

(She picks up her handbag and goes into the ladies room).

 

Dave                Slippery eel, that one.

 

 

 Bloody hell!!

 

 

Simone             No news?

 

Dave                News?

 

Simone             News on the delay.

 

Dave                No, no news. All’s quiet on the Western front.

 

 

 Did you break the chain or something?

 

Simone            Something like that. It’s better to not leave pieces of chain lying around unattended for someone to hurt themselves on.

 

(Simone puts the chain in her handbag).

 

Dave                I’m beginning to think there’s no one else here but us. Do you think we’ve been forgotten?

 

Simone             I wouldn’t put anything past them. I’m sure we haven’t been. Go and get yourself a cup of tea if you’re that bothered. Ask someone what’s going on.

 

Dave                I couldn’t drink that swill! Still, that’s not a bad idea. It won’t hurt to chase them up, find out what’s going on. Can I get you anything? A drink? Sandwich? Anything?

 

Simone             Coffee would be good. Black, no sugar, please.

 

Dave                ‘Cos you’re sweet enough already! No worries. My treat. Sure you don’t want anything to eat?

 

                        (Simone rolls her eyes)

 

Simone            No thanks. A coffee will be fine.

 

Dave                Okay. Be back in a mo.

 

(Dave puts on his coat)

 

Will you keep an eye on my stuff?

 

Simone           Of course! It’s not like it’s going anywhere though.

 

Dave                (Laughs)

 

I suppose you’re right. Still, can’t be too careful.

 

(He points at the “thieves” poster on the notice board)

 

Two coffees it is then, coming right up.

 

Simone           Okay.

 

                        (Dave exits. Simone waits for him to leave then picks up her portfolio agitatedly. She flicks through it then snaps it shut. She is annoyed. A few more moments pass and Dave returns, empty-handed)

 

Dave               That just takes the bloody piss! The café is shut. What’s more – I couldn’t find anyone around. Not even in the ticket office. That’s shut as well. There’s a sign up, that’s all.

 

(Dave removes his coat and throws it onto the bench)

 

It just says “Substitute Bus Service Operating”. Someone must be here, operating that bloody music.

 

Simone             Music?

 

Dave                On the tannoy. That racket that keeps coming out. They can’t even get that to work right.

 

Simone             Dave, what are you going on about? Just sit down, will you?

 

Dave                Oh, never mind. Sorry about the coffee. Now I can’t have it I’m really thirsty.

 

Simone             It doesn’t matter about the coffee. Now will you sit down?

 

                        (Dave sits)

 

                         I kept an eye on your stuff.

 

Dave                Thanks.

 

Simone           I don’t think you understood. I’ll say it again. I watched over your things, Dave. While you were gone. It was a question of trust. I don’t even know you, yet I watched your kit and do you know what, Dave?

 

Dave                What?

 

Simone            In all the time you were out, I never once thought about looking through your belongings. That’s what trust means, Dave. But then you’re an honest guy, aren’t you? You told me that you are. And we can leave the good guys in charge of our things, can’t we? We know they’ll be safe, because that’s what the good guys do, isn’t it Dave? They look after our stuff. They don’t go rifling through it, like a petty criminal. Am I making any sense, Dave?

 

Dave                No, actually –

 

Simone           Shut up! Come on – you know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Don’t tell me if your mum found you with your hand in the cookie jar you’d still deny taking any? Do you like peeking at other people’s things? Does it give you a kick? Got any sisters, Dave? Would you sneak around their rooms? Go through their drawers? Is that what you do, Dave?

 

Dave                No! You’ve got it all wrong. I just –

 

Simone           Just what? Couldn’t help your self? Is there something you’d like to say to me, Dave? Anything you need to get off your chest?

 

Dave                Look – I – I just took a look at some of your pictures. I was genuinely interested, that’s all. I didn’t mean to upset you – I wasn’t rifling through your things, honest.

 

Simone           That word, again. I told you they weren’t for looking at, but that wasn’t enough for you was it? It wasn’t enough that you could just take me at my word. You had to step over the line. Take a bite from the apple. You’ve broken my trust. What are we to do now?

 

Dave                Can’t we just put it behind us? Won’t you just accept my apology? Forget it happened? I only saw a couple of pictures. I won’t mention it again if you –

 

Simone           It’s not as simple as that, is it? You’ve seen enough. We can’t just wipe the slate clean, can we? What possessed you? This is a situation now, Dave. I don’t think you realise how serious this is. For Christ’s sake, I didn’t go rooting through your suitcase when you went out. It’s a violation. Have you ever been burgled? Had a stranger go through your house? Ransacking everything? Do you know how that feels?

 

Dave                No – that’s never happened to me, but I can imagine you’d feel pretty sick.

 

Simone           That’s right. It’s a feeling you don’t shake. But it’s more than that. Once it’s happened, it changes things in a way that you can’t just forget about. You know it’s happened and it doesn’t just go away.

 

Dave               Aren’t you overreacting just a bit? It’s hardly the same thing, is it? I looked at your pictures –

 

Simone             You stole a peek –

 

Dave                Glanced, barely a glimpse –

 

Simone            You shouldn’t have –

 

Dave               But I did – and let’s be frank – why am I the one on trial here? How are you turning this all on me? I saw enough – and something doesn’t stack up here – what the hell are they all about? Who are you? Sitting there all high and mighty – the only reason you’re so wound up is you’re worried that I’ll tell someone about them and from where I’m looking that’s your problem more than it is mine. How about you do some explaining now? Try convincing me why I should keep quiet? Do you know what would happen if the press got hold of them? There’d be a scandal – I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes. You’d be lynched.

 

Simone           You don’t understand. You’re taking them out of context, for a start. You’ve made a judgement based on nothing. It’s your own subjectivity speaking here. You don’t have the facts. If I paw through your things will I know you, Dave? Come on – if we open up your suitcase will we know the man? Eh? Failed marriage, couldn’t keep hold of his kids – born loser? Got it all wrapped up in there, have you?

 

Dave                Shut up! Don’t call me that again or I’ll –

 

Simone             You’ll what? Go on – tell me –

 

Dave                Let it go. Just leave it. This is ridiculous. You left that portfolio out for the whole world to see and now you start getting priggish about it – you want to start looking closer to home, lady, before throwing wild accusations around. I didn’t mean any harm by it.