Harriet: (still quietly) Well I was here before you.
(Harriet is a curious mixture of detached
amusement which is trying to segregate itself
from what she sees as the mundane depravity
of other people, but also of being irresistibly
drawn into them; she is elusive, well bred,
but has a touch of intellectual snobbery about
her. Hannah is overtly attractive but remains
an adolescent. Harriet, who is pale,
simultaneously serious and joking, should have
some refined quality which makes her seem
older than the other two. Like Hannah, she is
frustrated by her surroundings. However,
despite her apparent elevation, she is
incapable of not bringing herself down to her
contemporaries' level, which in turn annoys
her because she sees it as a weakness. She
speaks in a strange amalgamation of
eagerness and reticence, all overshadowed by
a strong sense of the ridiculous. She can
seem patronising and is obviously 'fond' of
Hettie)
Hannah: but we are a majority. You know, if
you can't be non-distracting why don't you go
somewhere else or join us?
Harriet: it's the only warm room in the house
Hettie: (a touch defiantly, despite lacking the
other two's guts) Han; I'm sorry but I can't
hear now; can't you go and argue somewhere
else?
Harriet & Hannah: (in strong unison) We're not
arguing
-slight pauseHannah:
It's a break anyway
Hettie: Right. -pause- I'll go make some
popcorn
Hannah: Salty
Harriet: There isn't any, we finished it last week
Hannah: (looking at Hettie but addressed to
Harriet) Butter then?
-Harriet shrugs, unconcerned, turning a page
of her book. Hettie glances at them
uncertainly before leaving-Silence-Rain
can begin to be heard outside- Aluredian
49
Setting
the Scene
by
Amanda Bell
Studio by
Frank James