Fred:
You're a poetry addict. See if you can help me over this. It's Keats. 'When
I behold, upon the night's starr'd face, Huge cloudy symbols of a high -------.'
Something that's seven letters.
Laura
: Romance, I think. I'm almost sure it is. 'Huge cloudy symbols of a high
romance.' It will be in the Oxford Book of English Verse.
Fred:
No, it's right I'm sure. It fits in with delirium and Baluchistan.
Laura (getting up to put music on the radio): Would some music throw you off
your stride?
Laura :It all started on an ordinary day in the most ordinary place in the world - the refreshment room at Milford Junction. I was having a cup of tea and reading a book that I got that morning from Boots. My train wasn't due for ten minutes. I looked up and saw a man come in from the platform. He had on an ordinary Mack, his hat was turned down and I didn't even see his face. He got his tea at the counter and turned. Then I did see his face. It was rather a nice face...He passed my table on the way to his...Oh please, could you give me a glass of water? I've got something in my eye and I want to bathe it.
Laura :That evening, I had to run nearly all the way to the station. I'd been to the Palladium as usual, but it was a terribly long film and I was afraid I'd be late. As I came up onto the platform, the Cherriot train was just puffing out. I looked up as the windows of the carriages went by, wondering if he was there. Another idea was crossing my mind but it was quite unimportant. I was really thinking of other things...
Laura
: Do you come here every Thursday?
Alec:
Yes, to spend a day at the hospital...Do you?
Laura
: Do I what?
Alec:
Come here every Thursday?
Laura
: Oh yes. I do the week's shopping, ... change my
library book, have lunch, and generally go to the pictures. Not a very exciting
routine but it makes change.
Alec:
Are you going to the pictures this afternoon?
Laura
: Yes.
Alec:
Hmmm, how extraordinary! So am I..
Laura
: I thought you had to spend all day at the hospital.
Alec:
Well, between ourselves, I killed two patients by accident this morning...I
simply daren't go back.
Laura
: Can you be so silly?
Alec:
Seriously...Would you mind very much if I came to the pictures with you?
Laura
: Well...
Alec:
I could sit downstairs. You could sit upstairs.
Laura
: Upstairs is too expensive...
Alec:
Are you all right, darling?
Laura
: Yes, I'm all right.
Alec:
I wish I could think of something to say.
Laura
: It doesn't matter, not saying anything, I mean.
Alec:
I'll miss my train and wait and see you into yours.
Laura
: No, please don't. I'll come over with you to your platform. I'd
rather...Do you think we shall ever see each other again?
Alec:
I don't know. Not for years, anyway.
Laura
: The children will all be grown up. I wonder if they never meet and know
each other.
Alec:
Couldn't I write you, just once in a while?
Laura
: No, Alec please. You know we promised.
Alec:
Oh, my dear. I do love you so very much. I love you with all my heart and
soul.
Laura
: I want to die. If only I could die.
Alec:
If you die, you'd forget me. I want to be remembered.
Laura
: Yes, I know, I do too.
Alec:
We've still got a few minutes.
