Scene 4
The café terrace
The next morning Six is again seated at his table. The waitress approaches holding a cup.
WAITRESS
Black coffee.
She places the cup in front of him.
NUMBER SIX
One work unit?
He hands her the card.
WAITRESS
Thank you.
93 approaches
WAITRESS {To 93}
Good morning, Ninety Three, would you like your usual table?
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Actually I thought I might join number Six here.
WAITRESS
I don't think that …
SIX {Interrupts}
It's quite all right, I could do with the company
NUMBER NINETY THREE {Sits Down}
Thank you.
NUMBER SIX
How are you this morning?
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Cold. I don't suppose I should be out.
A helicopter can be heard, flying into land from behind the Village.
NUMBER SIX {raising his voice}
But you came anyway?
NUMBER NINETY THREE{trying to raise his voice}
Yes, well fresh air is supposed to be good for you.
The effort of speaking loudly ends in 93 having a coughing fit. They both sit and watch the helicopter, waiting it out. It lands by the Stone Boat. A man carrying a briefcase gets out, he is met by number Two who leads him away, whilst Rover looks on in the background, undisturbed by the wash from the rotor blades. We don't hear anything they say to each other. As soon as they are clear the helicopter powers up and takes off to fly back the way it came. Once the noise has died down 93 and Six can resume their conversation.
NUMBER NINETY THREE
It's very ostentatious isn't it? All this coming and going, right in front of our eyes.
NUMBER SIX
You mean in front of those they prevent from leaving?
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Precisely, and quite deliberate too, we are stuck here at their pleasure whilst they can leave at any time. A visitor for Number Two landed by the Stone Boat in the middle of the morning. Quite unnecessary, as well, it's not as if they land supplies here in the centre of the village.
NUMBER SIX
Why should they?
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Well boats never dock here, all the food, clothing, pens, pencils it must all be flown in, but that isn't landed in plain view.
NUMBER SIX
Maybe there is a tunnel under the mountains, maybe the village is run by the Swiss, they sell cuckoo clock's in the shop.
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Perhaps, or maybe the other helicopters land elsewhere.
NUMBER SIX
Do you know where they go, the helicopters?
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Over the mountains?
NUMBER SIX
'And then a short hop to the landing stage'
NUMBER NINETY THREE
You seem to know more than me.
NUMBER SIX
Just something I once over-heard.
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Have you ever thought about stealing one?
NUMBER SIX
Such thoughts would be .. 'unmutual', anyway there's an electo-pass system to prevent any 'unauthorised use'.
NUMBER NINETY THREE
On the VIP flights landing in the middle of the Village maybe, not on the others. I'm getting cold, colder, we will have finish this another time.
NUMBER SIX
Don't let me keep you, but it's been an interesting little chat, we must continue it.
Six gets up and helps 93 to his feet, then sits down to finish his coffee as 93 slowly walks away
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Be seeing you.
Scene 5
Number Two's residence – The Green Dome.
314 and Number 2 are in the green dome, Two is seated in his spherical chair, 314 is standing.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
He is a very difficult man.
NUMBER TWO
That's your challenge, old fellow.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
He has been so antagonised, I feel he may have become unreachable.
NUMBER TWO
Number Six was born antagonised, and probably unreachable also. If you are to prove your methods, it's up to you to find a way to get through to him.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
My 'methods', do work. I just need a hook, something to get him to co-operate.
NUMBER TWO
Well Number Six is a very independent man, he's not interested in much we can offer him. Now if we could use a little gentle coercion, threaten someone or something he cares for.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
That is precisely the wrong approach.
NUMBER TWO
Have a word with control maybe they have some ideas, after all they're sitting watching him all day long.
Scene 6
The café terrace
Morning again, once more Six is seated at the café table. The waitress approaches
WAITRESS
Good morning.
She puts another coffee down in front of him.
NUMBER SIX
Thank you.
WAITRESS
One Unit.
NUMBER SIX
There.
We hear 6 adding his two lumps of sugar as the Waitress clips his card.
WAITRESS
It's a shame you won't be seeing your friend today.
NUMBER SIX
My friend?
WAITRESS
Number Ninety Three, he took a turn for the worse yesterday and has gone back into hospital, poor dear, hadn't you heard?
NUMBER SIX
No I hadn't, pity. Thanks for letting me know.
WAITRESS
All part of the service. Be seeing you.
Scene 7
The reception desk just inside the hospital.
A middle aged female receptionist, number 373 sits behind the desk. Six walks in.
NUMBER SIX
I would like to visit one of your patients.
RECEPTIONIST
Which patient?
NUMBER SIX
Number Ninety Three
RECEPTIONIST
Visiting hours are between One and Three.
Six looks at his watch.
NUMBER SIX
Well that's in about five minutes, I'll wait.
RECEPTIONIST
Visits are restricted to close relatives only.
NUMBER SIX
Has he any close relatives in this place?
RECEPTIONIST
It's on medical advise.
Six looks at the door, next the the desk, the receptionist follows his gaze.
RECEPTIONIST
That door is locked authorised persons only, do you have authorisation?
NUMBER SIX
Funnily enough, no.
314 walks in from outside, he greets Number Six as if they were on friendly terms
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Ah, Six how pleasant to see you, what brings you to these parts?
NUMBER SIX
I was just leaving.
314 notices the receptionists frosty expression, and turns to talk to her.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Is there some sort of problem my dear?
RECEPTIONIST
This gentleman was attempting to visit one of our patients without proper authorisation.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Really, which one?
RECEPTIONIST
Number Ninety Three.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
I see and couldn't an exception be made, this once, purely on ah, humanitarian grounds?
RECEPTIONIST
All visits must be authorised.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Of course, of course, well what if I were to authorise it myself.
RECEPTIONIST
That would be within procedure.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Good, good.
314 turns to Six
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
There you are, it seems we can resolve this little matter with out to much difficulty. I must ask though as I my find myself in a position to do you a little favour, a little something in return, just a small chat tomorrow morning. Nothing too onerous, no thumb screws or flashing lights just a small portion of your time?
NUMBER SIX
Very well.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Half past Ten all right for you?
NUMBER SIX
I don't have any plans.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR {Rubs his hands together}
Excellent.
RECEPTIONIST
Sign your number here.
314 signs a form she hands him.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
There we are.
RECEPTIONIST
And here.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
oh
314 signs again.
RECEPTIONIST
And here.
314 signs a third time
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
mmm
RECEPTIONIST
Good, everything is now in order.
The receptionist presses a button on her desk and the door swings open.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Through there, Turn left at the end then its the third door on your right.
NUMBER SIX
Thank you.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Glad to be able to help, until tomorrow then.
Six walks through the door into the hospital.
