|
*** MATTHEWS RESIDENCE - 10:10 PM *** |
| |
|
| |
Polly sits at the kitchen table, her head resting lightly on her hands as Greg paces furiously around the kitchen. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
Why? That's all I want to know! Why did you do it? |
| |
Polly looks up, slightly less upset then she was twenty minutes okay. |
|
Polly Page: |
Because it's gross, that's why! All those kids like that! And everyone watching, it's sick! |
|
Greg Matthews: |
But you've done it with men four times your age! That old guy Patrick must be over sixty! What's so bad about doing it with kids? I thought you'd enjoy the change! |
| |
Polly lowers her voice. |
|
Polly Page: |
It's different the other times. But I'm not doing that sorta stuff with all those people around, no way! I'm never, ever going back there! Ever! |
| |
Greg grits his teeth. He is furious. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
What if I order you to? Do you have any idea how much business we could do with their help? And you've just gone and ruined it! |
| |
Polly looks up at him slyly. |
|
Polly Page: |
I don't care! I don't give a shit, I'm sick of doing all this crap! |
| |
Greg bangs his fist down on the table. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
Why? You have a good life, I get you anything you want! What's so bad about the way you live? |
| |
Polly shrugs. |
|
Polly Page: |
I hate it! It's not worth it. I get teased about it and people think they can do anyfink they want! Plus I'm sick of getting hurt and of always having to see that horrible disgusting doctor! |
|
Greg Matthews: |
You're an ungrateful little bitch! After all I've done for you... What about your regulars? They've been hassling me for a while. If you won't work for the Circle of Friends then you'll have to work double for me to make up for it! |
| |
Polly folds her arms in her lap. |
|
Polly Page: |
Well then maybe I just won't work at all! I know the score, you can't force me! |
| |
Greg stops pacing and stares at Polly with a look of undiluted fury. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
Oh yes I can. Believe me sweetheart, I can. |
| |
Polly gets to her feet, looking him square in the face. |
|
Polly Page: |
No you can't! You don't know about half the stuff that goes on, about Vicky's brother or that bastard Beech! You'll never know! |
| |
Greg looks puzzled. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
What the hell are you talking about? |
| |
Greg roars at Polly. She smirks cheekily at him. |
|
Polly Page: |
See? Told you you'd never know! |
| |
Greg clenches his fist and catches Polly a glancing blow on her chin. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
Tell me, you little slut! What's this about Vicky's brother? |
| |
Polly takes a step backwards, letting out a sharp cry. |
|
Polly Page: |
What do you care? |
|
Greg Matthews: |
I wanna know! Have you been sleeping around, you little tart? |
|
Polly Page: |
That's what I mean, people know what I do, so they expect it. It's not like I have a choice! |
| |
Greg is furious. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
What exactly happened? Tell me every little detail! |
|
Polly Page: |
Why should I! It's not like you can change anything! You fink you know it all, that you're controlling everything, but you're not! You haven't a clue! |
| |
Greg slaps Polly across the cheek as he strides towards her. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
Well I bloody well should be controlling everything! How much did he give you, you little slut? |
| |
Polly grins knowingly. |
|
Polly Page: |
Why should I tell you anything? I'm sick of you! Always dictating who I'm going to go with, taking the money all for yourself! |
|
Greg Matthews: |
What did you do with the money, eh? What did you spend it on? I want my cut. |
| |
Polly scoffs. |
|
Polly Page: |
You gotta be kidding! I don't owe you anything! |
|
Greg Matthews: |
You owe me a lot, you little slut! |
| |
Greg is visibly shaking with rage. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
Where would you be without me? |
| |
Polly sighs. |
|
Polly Page: |
Probably having a bit of fun, like Vicky. |
| |
Greg snarls at Polly. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
So this is what you've decided, is it? You're not going to work for me anymore? |
|
Polly Page: |
That's it. |
| |
Polly sits back down, feeling quite proud of herself. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
If you don't change your mind, I'll tell your mother what you've been doing. You think she'd like to know that she has a slut for a daughter? |
|
Polly Page: |
You wouldn't tell her nuffink! She'd believe me over you any day of the week. I could just tell her all about my private tuition, now couldn't I. |
| |
Greg pauses. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
What exactly do you mean? Come on, spit it out. |
|
Polly Page: |
Nuffink. Just that if you were to tell her everything, then I think she'd wanna hear my side too. After all, I've had some pretty memorable birthday presents, wouldn't you say? |
| |
Polly looks back down at the table, regretting her last sentence. Greg is utterly outraged. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
You wouldn't do that to me. After all I've done for you... |
| |
Greg trails off, unable to reply coherently. Polly looks back up at him. |
|
Polly Page: |
Wouldn't I? |
| |
Greg laughs, a deep throaty chuckle. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
So you'd stab me in the back would you? That seems like your style, Polly. |
|
Polly Page: |
Only if you don't make it all stop. Right now. |
| |
Greg reaches forward and grabs hold of Polly's shirt. He is seething with anger. Polly tries to pull away. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
I'm going to teach you a lesson. You don't answer back and you don't disobey me. You're going to remember this for a very long time, Polly. |
|
Polly Page: |
Let me go, bastard! |
| |
Greg clenches his fists tightly and hauls Polly to her feet. He smiles. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
I am a bastard, so say what you like. |
| |
Greg suddenly lashes out with his right fist and punches Polly hard in the stomach. Polly kicks at his shins, struggling to free herself. She shrieks at him to stop. |
|
Polly Page: |
Stop it! |
| |
Greg drops Polly to the ground and she falls into a heap. He kicks her, not caring where his foot lands. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
You cow! You slut! I'd take you here on the floor but I wouldn't want to soil myself. God knows how many diseases you've got, you dirty little whore! |
| |
Polly squeals, pulling herself into a protective ball. |
|
Polly Page: |
Okay, okay, stop! Please! |
| |
Greg leans over and bashes into Polly with his clenched fists. He is out of control. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
No! I've had enough of you talking back to me! |
| |
Polly digs her nail's hard into the flesh of his arms, still pleading. |
|
Polly Page: |
All right, I'll do whatever you want, just stop! |
| |
Bella pads softly into the room, alerted by the noise. She whines at the sight of Greg towering over Polly. He stops when he notices the dog. In one quick movement he strides across the room and grabs the puppy by the scruff of the neck. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
This'll shut you up permanently, won't it Polly. Remember, that what I give you, I can just as easily take away. |
| |
Greg picks up the whining Labrador and throws her down on the table. Polly looks up concerned. She is bleeding but she scrambles to her feet. |
|
Polly Page: |
Leave Bella alone! You're hurting her! |
| |
Bella whines as Greg runs his fingers along her stomach. He smiles with a wink in Polly's direction as he secures both his hands softly around the golden dog's neck. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
You embarrassed me tonight, Polly. We had a great opportunity and you went and blew it. |
| |
Greg tightens his hands around Bella's neck. She chokes slightly. |
|
Polly Page: |
Don't! You're really hurting her! |
| |
Polly runs up to Greg and starts futilely bashing her fists against his chest. Bella whimpers as Greg's hands slide around her neck. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
You can't cross me Polly. You can't ever break your promises. If you do, there are consequences. Rather unpleasant ones at times. |
|
Polly Page: |
Don't! Put her down! I'll do anyfink at all, anyfink! Just leave Bella alone! |
| |
Bella turns her face towards Polly and gives her one last long, lingering sorrowful look. Greg squeezes his hands around the dog's slender throat and at the same time throws her from the table, his hands still around her neck. She squeals one single high-pitched note, before Greg drops her lifeless body to the ground, staring coldly back at Polly. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
Consequences. |
| |
Polly is utterly stunned by the turn of events, crawling over to Bella's body, hugging her. |
|
Polly Page: |
Bella? Bella, wake up... He's only hurt you. Bella? Please wake up, Bella... |
| |
Polly trails off into tears as she clutches the small lifeless body to her chest. Greg kneels down, resting his hand lightly on the girl's shoulder. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
I'm sorry I had to do that, Polly. |
| |
Polly looks at Greg with horror. |
|
Polly Page: |
You've killed her! You've killed Bella! |
| |
Polly has tears streaming down her cheeks as she glares up at her stepfather. Greg steps closer to Polly, both hands now on her shoulders. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
You can't win, Polly. You have to trust me. |
| |
Polly shakes Greg's hands from her shoulders and gets to her feet. She slowly backs away from both him and Bella's body. |
|
Polly Page: |
You killed her... |
| |
Polly shakes her head in disbelief and continues to walk away from Greg. |
|
Greg Matthews: |
Polly, calm down. It's okay. I'll buy you a brand new puppy, first thing tomorrow. I just had to show you what would happen if you crossed me. |
| |
Polly looks into Greg's eyes with a mixture of fear and horror at what he has just done. She turns around and bolts towards the lounge room. Greg moves to intercept her but at the last minute she changes direction and rushes out of the unlocked front door and onto the street. Polly disappears into the night, Greg chasing after her, furiously calling her name, eventually being outrun several blocks away. |
|
Continue...
|
