PAULINE is stunned. She glares at LAURIE.

PAULINE

Perhaps he got his dates mixed up; I’m sure he’s done that in
the past. Or perhaps he told whoever to tell you he was in Manchester so you’d stop
following him about.

LAURIE

I have the number of the hotel.

PAULINE

You’ll never ring, and you know it. You’re pathetic.

LAURIE

To get something you’ve never had, you’ve got to do something
you’ve never done. Anyway, I might not have to; he’s got the company’s
number, so all he has to do is call.

LAURIE is on the pay phone to ANGELA. She is proudly talking about the
way she dealt with PAULINE earlier:

LAURIE

It was brilliant, Angela! I stood up for myself, and I enjoyed it!

ANGELA

Where’d that whole ‘to get something you’ve never
wanted’ thing come from?

LAURIE

It was ‘had,’ and I read it on that quote of the day calendar
you got me for Christmas.

ANGELA

(Laughing) I’m glad it came in handy for something! Seriously,
though, I’m really proud of you.

LAURIE

Thanks.

ANGELA

Where’s the witch now?

LAURIE

Oh, she’s got some personnel meeting or something. I’m just
waiting around until she’s finished so we can get back to work.

ANGELA

Speaking of which…

LAURIE

(Laughing) How rude! Right, I’ll let you go. See you later.

ANGELA

Bye.

PAULINE is sitting opposite SAMANTHA, the personnel officer.

SAMANTHA

What can I do for you, Pauline?

PAULINE

I can only be quick, I’ve got another job to go to in a few
minutes, but I wanted to have a word about Laurie Taylor.

SAMANTHA

Oh? You work together, don’t you? What’s the problem?

PAULINE

She seems to be living in a fantasy world. She’s got a, well, I
suppose you’d call it a crush, on a man called Jeff. I’m worried she might even
go as far as to stalk him.

SAMANTHA

I understand, but what does this have to do with work?

PAULINE

He works in a building that we clean. I was hoping that I could request
we don’t go there again?

SAMANTHA

That can be done; I’ll just assign another pair to work there.

PAULINE

I also don’t think that she should speak with him. It might give
her false hope, you know? So if he calls, could you possibly not pass the message on? I
don’t know how she’d react, but I know it wouldn’t be good, and working
where we do, it would be a prime spot to do something stupid.

SAMANTHA

Well, it’s normally company policy to pass any message on, but if
you think there’s a risk-

PAULINE

I do.

SAMANTHA

Okay, I’ll see to it. I’ll send a memo to other departments as
well, just in case.

PAULINE

(Smiling) Thank you, that’s great. (Pause) Actually, I’ve just
had a thought; perhaps you could pass the message on to me? I realise I’ve only known
Laurie for a very short while, but I’m sure I would be able to see which messages
would be good for her, and which might send her over the edge. No pun intended!

SAMANTHA

Certainly.

They stand, and shake hands. PAULINE leaves the room, and SAMANTHA
begins to write some memos out regarding LAURIE.

JEFF is lying on his hotel bed in his shirtsleeves. His tie is undone.
He has just dialled the phone, and is waiting for it to be picked up.

JEFF

Come on!

The phone on SAMANTHA’S desk is ringing. She is on the other side
of the room, kneeling by a filing cabinet, putting LAURIE’S file away.

SAMANTHA

All right, I’m coming; give me a second!

SAMANTHA makes a grab for the phone.

SAMANTHA

Clearway personnel, how may I help you?

JEFF sits up when the phone is answered.

JEFF

Hello, yes, I was wondering whether I could have a phone number.

SAMANTHA

A phone number? What name?

JEFF

Laurie someone. She works with a woman named Pauline, if that’s any
help.

SAMANTHA realises who it is that she is speaking to.

SAMANTHA

You aren’t Jeff, by any chance?

JEFF is surprised that the woman on the other end of the phone knows
his name.

JEFF

Yes, Jeff Crossley. Why? Has she mentioned me?

SAMANTHA

No, not exactly. I’m afraid I’m unable to give you Miss
Taylor’s phone number at this time.

  
  
42. INT. JEFF’S HOTEL ROOM, MANCHESTER. DAY.

  

 


  

JEFF


  

(Disappointed) Well, can you give her a message? And my number here?


  

 


  

 


  

 


  

 


  
  
43. INT. CLEARWAY PERSONNEL OFFICE. DAY.

SAMANTHA

Certainly, Sir.

SAMANTHA writes the number that JEFF gives her on a scrap of paper in
front of her.

JEFF

Could you ask her to meet me at Ray’s Coffee-House tomorrow, at
five? (Pause) Yes, thank you. Goodbye.

JEFF puts the phone down. There is a knock at his door. When he opens
it, MARK enters the room. He looks very smart. He looks JEFF up and down, inspecting his
clothes.

MARK

Are you ready to knock ‘em dead, Jeffrey?

JEFF does his tie up, and picks his jacket up from the end of the bed.
As he puts it on, he speaks:

JEFF

I just called Clearway.

MARK

Oh yes?

JEFF

They wouldn’t give me her number. I had to leave a message. How did
you manage to get a number when you called?

JEFF and MARK begin to exit through the door. Just before it is closed,
MARK says:

MARK

Because I’m a flirt on the phone, that’s how!

  
45. CASTLE ARMS HOTEL LOBBY, MANCHESTER. EVENING

  

The phone rings. The CONCIERGE, a small man with a moustache,
  answers it:


  

CONCIERGE


  

Good evening, Castle Arms hotel, how may I help you?… I’ll
  just put you through.


  

 


  

The CONCIERGE puts the caller on hold, and presses the relevant buttons
  on the phone. After a brief pause, he picks the phone back up again.


  

 


  

CONCIERGE


  

I’m afraid Mr. Crossley doesn’t appear to be in his room at
  the moment. Can I take a message?… Yes… Yes… And that’s your home
  number, Miss Taylor?… Okay, I’ll pass that onto him. Thank you… bye.


  

 


  

 


  

 


  

 


  
  
46. INT. LAURIE AND ANGELA’S FLAT. EVENING.

  

LAURIE puts the phone down. She smiles. She is sitting on the
  wooden stool by the phone, in front of the mirror. ANGELA is in the kitchen. LAURIE calls
  to her:


  

 


  

LAURIE


  

I phoned the hotel!


  

 


  

ANGELA (not seen)


  

And? What did he say?


  

 


  

LAURIE


  

He’s got my number.


  

 


  

ANGELA (not seen)


  

But what did he say?


  

 


  

LAURIE


  

He was at the meeting. I left the message, though, so he’ll call
  tonight. Hopefully.


  

 


  

 


  

 


  

 


  

 


  

 


  

 


  

 


  

EXT. OUTSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO CLEARWAY. NIGHT.


  

PAULINE is standing by the entrance of Clearway, smoking. As
  SAMANTHA comes through the door, putting on her coat and carrying a large bag, PAULINE
  drops the cigarette and crushes it with her heel.


  

 


  

 


  

SAMANTHA


  

Oh, Pauline, I wasn’t expecting to see you. What are you doing
  here so late?


  

 


  

PAULINE


  

I was worried about Laurie. Have there been any messages?


  

 


  

SAMANTHA


  

Yes, one, from Jeff. He wanted her to meet him tomorrow, somewhere.
  I’ve written it down for you.


  

 


  

She fumbles in her bag for the piece of paper.


  

 


  

PAULINE


  

Do you have a number he can be contacted at?


  

 


  

SAMANTHA hands the paper to PAULINE.


  

 


  

SAMANTHA


  

It’s on there. I think it’s the hotel’s number.


  

 


  

PAULINE


  

The hotel number? That’s great. I’d better head off home,
  then.


  

 


  

SAMANTHA


  

See you. Oh, is there anything you’d like me to say to Laurie for
  you?


  

 


  

PAULINE


  

How do you mean?


  

SAMANTHA


  

I’ve arranged a meeting with her tomorrow.


  

 


  

PAULINE


  

Do you think that’s really necessary?


  

 


  

SAMANTHA


  

Yes, I thought so. Why?


  

 


  

PAULINE


  

Oh, no reason. I just thought she might not appreciate the fact that
  you know all this. She might get all defensive; deny it even.


  

 


  

SAMANTHA


  

I know you’re concerned about her, but I have been doing this job
  for some time – I can handle her.


  

 


  

PAULINE


  

All right, if you’re sure. I just thought I’d warn you.


  

 


  

SAMANTHA


  

Don’t worry, everything’ll be fine.


  

 


  

 


  

The women walk off in opposite directions. Once she is around the
  corner from the Clearway building, PAULINE unfolds the piece of paper, and reads it. She
  smiles to herself.


  

 


  

 


  

 


  
  
47. INT. CASTLE ARMS HOTEL LOBBY. NIGHT.

  

The phone on the front desk is ringing. The CONCIERGE hurries to
  the phone, and picks up the receiver:


  

 


  

CONCIERGE


  

Good evening, Castle Arms hotel, how may I help you?


  

 


  

 


  

PAULINE’S VOICE


  

Hello, this is Laurie Taylor.


  

 


  

CONCIERGE


  

Ah, yes, Miss Taylor. I’m afraid Mr. Crossley still isn’t
  back from his meeting. Do you want me to take another message?


  

 


  

PAULINE’S VOICE


  

(Pause). Yes, please. Could you disregard the message I left earlier
  and just say that I won’t be able to meet him tomorrow? Or ever, in fact. I
  don’t want to have anything to do with him.


  

 


  

CONCIERGE


  

(Shocked) Oh, yes, of course, Miss Taylor, I’ll pass the message
  on-


  

 


  

Before the CONCIERGE can finish, PAULINE hangs up the phone. At that
  moment, JEFF and MARK enter the hotel. They approach the front desk.


  

 


  

JEFF


  

Were there any messages for me?


  

 


  

CONCIERGE


  

Can I have your name, Sir?


  

 


  

JEFF


  

Jeffrey Crossley.


  

 


  

The CONCIERGE looks worried for a moment. He clears his throat and
  speaks:


  

 


  

 


  

 


  

CONCIERGE


  

There are two messages, Mr. Crossley. The first is from a Mr. Grant;
  there were one or two things he forgot to mention at the meeting, and he was wondering
  whether it was possible for you to stay another day so he could go through them with you.
  I didn’t pencil in another night at the hotel, I didn’t think you’d be
  needing it.


  

 


  

 


  

JEFF


  

Thank you, I won’t be staying another night. I should be back in
  time to see Laurie tomorrow. And the other message?


  

 


  

CONCIERGE


  

The second message was from Miss Taylor.


  

 


  

JEFF brightens visibly at this. He turns to MARK, who is standing just
  behind him. MARK gives JEFF the thumbs up sign.


  

 


  

CONCIERGE


  

I’m afraid that she claims not to want to see you tomorrow.


  

 


  

JEFF


  

Oh, well, when does she want to see me?


  

 


  

CONCIERGE


  

No, Sir, I don’t think you understand. It wasn’t that she couldn’t
  meet you tomorrow, it was more like she wouldn’t meet you tomorrow. Or
  ever again. I’m sorry, Sir.


  

 


  

JEFF’S look of happiness fades. He swallows.


  

 


  

JEFF


  

Did she give a reason? Anything at all?


  

 


  

CONCIERGE


  

I’m sorry, Sir, no.


  

 


  

MARK puts his hand on JEFF’S shoulder.


  

 


  

MARK


  

Come on, Jeff. It’s late; you need to rest before the meeting
  tomorrow.


  

 


  

JEFF


  

I want you to go back to London in the morning. There’s a lot to
  do at the office, and you might bump into Laurie. I’d like to know why she won’t
  see me.


  

 


  

MARK


  

I’ll see what I can do. I’m not promising anything, but they
  don’t call me ‘Cupid’ for nothing.


  

 


  

JEFF


  

Mark, they don’t call you Cupid for anything.


  

 


  

MARK


  

Perhaps not, but after this they, and by they I mean you, will.


  

 


  

 


  

 


  

 


  
  
48. INT. CLEARWAY PERSONNEL OFFICE. DAY.

It is the next day. ANGELA and LAURIE are sitting in the waiting area
outside SAMANTHA’S office. SAMANTHA opens the door to her office, and gestures to
LAURIE. As she speaks she has a sickly smile on her face.

SAMANTHA

Laurie? You can come in now, love.

LAURIE and ANGELA both stand and begin to walk towards the open door.

SAMANTHA

Miss, I just need to see Laurie. You can wait out here.

ANGELA

I know I can, but I’d rather go in the office. I’m a quiet
soul; I swear you won’t know I’m even there. Laurie wanted moral support, and I
wanted to help. Do you have a problem with that?

SAMANTHA

(Coldly) No, of course not.

The women enter the office.

SAMANTHA

Pauline came to see me the other day. Do you have any ideas as to why
she might do that?

LAURIE

No. If anyone was going to come and see you, it should have been me.

SAMANTHA

Why is that?

LAURIE

I can’t work with Pauline anymore. She’s a bi- (Pause) I mean,
she’s hard to get on with.

SAMANTHA

Really?

LAURIE

She hates me and the feeling’s mutual.

SAMANTHA

I don’t see how that can be right; she was very concerned about
your well being when I saw her.

ANGELA

(Angrily) Are you calling Laurie a liar?

LAURIE looks at ANGELA, silently pleading with her to stop talking.

SAMANTHA

No, I’m not calling anyone a liar. I simply mean that perhaps
there’s been a misunderstanding, a lack of communication.

ANGELA

The only misunderstanding here is that you partnered my friend with that
evil bitch!

SAMANTHA

Miss, perhaps you should let Laurie speak for herself. I’m sure
we’d get further that way.

ANGELA sits back in her seat, fuming.

SAMANTHA

Well, Laurie?

LAURIE

I don’t want to work with her anymore. I’d like to formally
request a new partner. I don’t know what’s she’s done to make you think
she’s the greatest woman on this earth, but it’s all an act.

SAMANTHA

What she’s done is to look out for you. She’s very worried
about this Jeff situation.

LAURIE

Jeff situation? There is no situation. The only situation is that she
fancies him!

SAMANTHA

What?

LAURIE

She didn’t tell you that, did she?

SAMANTHA

No, she didn’t. That slightly changes things. I’m not sure if
I should be telling you this, but she requested that I passed any message onto her, rather
than you.

LAURIE suddenly becomes angry.

LAURIE

Do you actually possess a brain in that skull?

ANGELA sits up at this, surprised that LAURIE is shouting.

SAMANTHA

Excuse me?

LAURIE

You’ve actually been passing messages, messages meant for me, on to
someone else?

SAMANTHA

But she was so convincing!

LAURIE

I don’t care; you don’t let someone else know my business!

SAMANTHA

I can tell you what the message was! It was from Jeff!

LAURIE

(Quietly) What did he say?

SAMANTHA searches desperately through the papers on her desk.

SAMANTHA

To meet him, er, somewhere. There was a phone number… Hang on…
Ray’s! Meet him at Ray’s, tonight, at, er, oh, God, I can’t remember what
time - I’m sorry.

LAURIE

Thank you.

LAURIE stands, and exits the room. ANGELA follows her, grinning.
SAMANTHA stays seated in her chair, stunned at what has just happened.

MARK enters the coffee-house. He looks around for an empty table, but
there isn’t one. The only spare seat is at the table which MR. HARDING, reading a
newspaper, occupies alone. MARK ventures over to it.

MARK

Excuse me?

MR. HARDING

Yes, son?

MARK

Would you mind if I sat here?

MR. HARDING

Go ahead, mate, it’ll be nice to have someone to talk to at
lunchtime for a change.

MARK sits down, and as soon as he does so, DANIELLE appears at the
table.

MARK

Afternoon, Danielle.

DANIELLE

Hello, Mr. Hammond. You all right?

MARK

Never better, my love.

DANIELLE

That’s good to hear. Your usual, then?

MARK

Yes, thanks.

DANIELLE

Coming right up.

DANIELLE turns to MR. HARDING:

DANIELLE

Would you like anything else, Sir?

MR. HARDING

Oh, go on then, love. I’ll have the same again.

DANIELLE smiles at the men and leaves the table. MR. HARDING puts down
his paper to talk to MARK:

MR. HARDING

They know you here.

MARK

Yeah, I come in most lunchtimes. I only work a couple of minutes away,
and it’s a nice place.

MR. HARDING

This is the first time I’ve come in; I always thought it looked a
bit posh. I hate going into places I don’t know; I might feel out of place. It’s
cosy here, though.

DANIELLE brings the fresh coffee to the table.

MARK

You won’t believe the past couple of days I’ve had…

We cut to:

LAURIE and ANGELA walk up to the door of Ray’s. ANGELA is still
grinning, but LAURIE is not happy.

ANGELA

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Copyright © 2000 Lisamarie Jones
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