The Stormcock Community

Simone            That’s fine. Just as you are. Stand against the notice board. That’s it. Perfect.

 

                        (Simone shoots some pictures)

 

Dave                I feel awkward. Are you sure this is okay?

 

Simone           It’s great. You need to relax. You should be more trusting.

 

Dave               It’s not like I even know you. It’s not everyday you get asked to sit for some photo’s by a complete stranger. Look, this is silly. It just doesn’t feel right.

 

Simone           Just a few more. Put the cotton bag over your head. Then no one will know it’s you, will they?

 

Dave               Oh come on! Like I’m going to do that!

 

Simone           Five minutes, that’s all. It’ll make all the difference – give them a different context. You’ve seen my work. It will fit in my portfolio perfectly. Will you do it, Dave? Please?

 

                        (Dave picks up the cotton bag. He hesitates then slips it over his head. Simone pulls the drawstring a little tighter)

 

Simone           That’s so perfect, Dave. Kneel down.

 

                        (Dave kneels)

 

                        Put your hands behind your back, just for a moment.

 

                        (Dave puts his hands behind his back. Simone takes some handcuffs from her handbag. Before Dave can react she puts the cuffs on him)

 Dave                What the hell are you doing? What are those? Are you a copper or something?

 

Simone             If you want me to be – now SHUT UP!

 

                        (Dave tries to stand. Simone kicks him in the small of his back)

 

Just sit down. We haven’t finished yet.

 

                        (She shoots more pictures)

Dave                This has gone far enough. I demand you undo me.

 

Simone             When I’m done, Dave. You’ll be undone then.

 

Dave                Why are you doing this? Is it money? Do you want my money? Take my money and let me go.

 

Simone             Money? This isn’t about money. Now be quiet. Just shut up. Stay down. Don’t move.

 

Dave                I – but – look –

 

                        (Simone kicks Dave again)

 

Simone           I asked for silence. That’s good, Dave. Very good, indeed. I can see this working out just fine, if you stick to the ground rules. We can learn those together, as we go along, if you like. I have a question for you, just nod for yes. Do you understand?

 

                        (Dave nods)

 

                        Good boy! Dave – you’re not going to give me any trouble, are you?

Thank you, Dave. I appreciate that, though you’re not really in a position to give me any trouble, are you? However, it is good to know that we have an understanding. We’re mutually dependent on each other. You must not worry. If you play by the rules I can assure you that you’ll be fine. We do seem to have a bit of a situation here, though, don’t we? Dave – you can talk to me, Dave.

 

Dave                Yes – look, will you let me go now – this is nuts, just fucking crazy.       Stop it now, please?

Simone          Oh, come Dave. It’s not real, any of this. You - you’re not really worried, are you? Really? I’m surprised at you. Hold that position –

                        (Simone takes more pictures)

That’s good. Really good, Dave. You’re a natural. Have you modelled before?

Well, Dave? Have you? Dave, don’t go shy on me now. I felt I was just getting to know you – the real you – okay, don’t move a moment – nice! Can you turn this way? Towards me. Just a few more. Lean forward a bit. Dave! Play fair - come on. Ground rules, Dave.

I need you to move, this way. That’s a rule from now on. Rule number one. You do as I say.

Dave                Shove it. Get fucked.

Simone          That’s better – more like it. I’m not sure I liked your tone then, Dave. That wasn’t nice. Not nice at all. I need to be able to depend on you. I thought I could. I’ve a feeling about you. Instincts are good. I’m not usually wrong about people. I thought you were on my side. I need to know. Are you, Dave?

 

 

                        David?

 

                        (Beat)

 

                        Rule two, Dave. I need an answer. Are you with me, or against me?

 

                        (Beat)

 

                        I can’t hear you.

 

 

You’re free to make a choice, Dave.

 

Dave                (Whispers) With you.

 

Simone           Thank you. That’s a relief. For a minute things were looking ugly. That’s not what I’m about; you must believe me, Dave.

 

Dave                Water…

 

Simone             Pardon?

 

Dave                Can I have some water please?

 

Simone             Yes, Dave. Of course you may. Though I don’t have anything to put it in. Hold on…

 

                        (She looks through the wastepaper basket by the bench and finds an empty water bottle)

 

                        You’re in luck. I need to do something first. Relax or else it will hurt you…

 

                        (Simone ties the chain off around Dave’s neck and then to the bench. She goes to the ladies toilet. The Tannoy plays David Gray’s Babylon for a few seconds . Simone returns with the bottle, now filled with water.)

 

                        I’m going to remove the hood, Dave. I need you to stay calm. Keep still.

 

                        (She removes the hood. She puts the bottle to Dave’s mouth. He drinks. Simone sits down, looking tired.)

 

                        I need a cigarette. You look like you could do with one too. Would you like that?

 

                        (She lights a cigarette. She moves across to Dave and holds the cigarette to his lips. He resists.)

 

                        Come on, Dave. Take it.

 

                        (Dave relents and takes the cigarette between his lips. He puffs on it. Simone strokes his head gently before taking the cigarette.)

 

You remind me of someone, you do, sitting there, quietly.

 

Dave                My knees hurt. We can stop this. I need to stand…

 

                        (Simone goes to discard the cigarette in the wastepaper bin)

 

                        That’s not out! You’ll start a fire.

 

Simone            You’re right. How thoughtful. Very safety conscious.

 

                        (Simone pours a drop of water on the cigarette and discards it)

 

Dave                My knees – please help me up.

 

                        (Simone pulls Dave to his feet. He stares at her. She pushes him onto the bench)

 

Who were you thinking of?

 

Simone           Someone I hadn’t thought of for a long time. I used to see her, every week. Every Tuesday, I’d drive past her, in a blur, hardly noticing her at first and she certainly didn’t see me.

 

Dave                Who was she?

 

Simone             She was an old lady, sat on her wall. Smoking a cigarette. Sat, staring into space.

 

Dave                So what?

 

Simone            It was that look. Like she had run out of time, waiting for it all to end. I never ever saw anyone with her –

 

Dave                My arms are hurting –

 

Simone             All alone –

 

Dave                Did you hear me?

 

Simone            No one came and no one went –

 

Dave                Simone…

Simone            So alone, like you. I wanted to talk to her. Ask her things about her life. She had to be more than just what I saw…

 

Dave                Listen! Simone! These handcuffs are digging into me.

 

Simone             That rhymed, didn’t it?

 

Dave                The cuffs, Simone –

 

Simone             You need to calm down, first. I need to know you won’t do anything silly.

 

Dave                You bitch. You stupid, stupid bitch. Stop this madness now –

 

Simone            Dave, you need to bite that tongue of yours. Curb it. That’s not a nice thing to say.

 

Dave                What do you expect? This is so undeniably fucked up.

 

Simone            I’ll let that go, this time. Remember the ground rules, though – rule three.

 

                        (Simone leans in close to Dave, studying his face)

 

                        Show respect.