(Author’s note: This is a script for an audiobook, thus the format.)
Strategic Assets
- MICHAEL:
Thank you for visiting, Claire.
- CLAIRE:
Thank you for having me. This is delicious champagne. And the view is simply beautiful, Michael.
- MICHAEL:
Isn’t it? Tallest building on Piccadilly. You can see everyone from the terrace, and no one can see you.
- CLAIRE:
All of St James’s Park, spread out before you.
- MICHAEL:
If it weren’t for the traffic, you’d think we were in the country.
- CLAIRE:
How does a cultural attaché with the American embassy afford this place? Do you come from family?
- MICHAEL:
After a fashion. My Uncle Sam pays the rent.
- CLAIRE:
Ah, it’s a grace and favor flat.
- MICHAEL:
Well, yes, although we don’t call it that.
- CLAIRE:
You do throw swell parties here.
- MICHAEL:
That’s my job, after all.
- CLAIRE:
Sydney can’t stop talking about your parties.
- MICHAEL:
She’s a lovely girl.
- CLAIRE:
In fact, she can’t stop talking about you.
- MICHAEL:
Really?
- CLAIRE:
Yes.
- MICHAEL:
Ah, now we come to reason for this visit.
- CLAIRE:
Yes.
- MICHAEL:
Well, out with it. What’s the matter?
- CLAIRE:
You. Well, you and your rather public affair with Sydney.
- MICHAEL:
Public? Really. It’s no such thing.
- CLAIRE:
It is every such thing. She is following you around like a puppy.
- MICHAEL:
I am quite fond of her.
- CLAIRE:
I’m fond of my car, but I do not drive it everywhere.
- MICHAEL:
And here I thought she and I were being discreet.
- CLAIRE:
I doubt that. Everyone is talking about it.
- MICHAEL:
Everyone?
- CLAIRE:
Everyone who matters. It will be in the papers in days if you keep this up.
- MICHAEL:
Well, then it’s in the papers.
- CLAIRE:
That can’t be allowed to happen.
- MICHAEL:
Why not?
- CLAIRE:
Because she’s a duke’s daughter, you idiot.
- MICHAEL:
And I’m...
- CLAIRE:
Irish.
- MICHAEL:
I’m American!
- CLAIRE:
Which means you’re Irish.
- MICHAEL:
I could be Scots.
- CLAIRE:
That’s hardly better. Anyone below baron is Irish to her family. A scandal will ruin her chances of making a good marriage.
- MICHAEL:
What’s a good marriage?
- CLAIRE:
One with a scion of a good family, ideally one with a great deal of money left.
- MICHAEL:
Not many of those still around.
- CLAIRE:
All the more reason that you don’t ruin it
- MICHAEL:
Your father is an earl, and I don’t see you on the prowl for a rich husband.
- CLAIRE:
Sydney’s an only child. I have two older brothers. I have different responsibilities.
- MICHAEL:
Really? What are yours?
- CLAIRE:
Spending my money fast enough to be fashionable yet slow enough not to have to beg for more.
- MICHAEL:
Sounds challenging.
- CLAIRE:
You have no idea.
- MICHAEL:
Anyway, shouldn’t His Grace her father be here having this conversation with me?
- CLAIRE:
He doesn’t care, yet. He’s in Rotterdam with his Dutch mistress.
- MICHAEL:
Rotterdam?
- CLAIRE:
He couldn’t very well bring her here.
- MICHAEL:
Ah, because...
- CLAIRE:
... there would be a scandal. I’m glad you catch on so quickly.
- MICHAEL:
Then I suppose that she should stop visiting the Gateways Club with you?
- CLAIRE:
Oh. You know about that.
- MICHAEL:
And your trips to a certain establishment in the very shadow of Christchurch Spitalfields?
- CLAIRE:
Oh. I’m very surprised you know about that too.
- MICHAEL:
It’s rather my business to know these things.
- CLAIRE:
Oh, how stupid of me. You’re a spy.
- MICHAEL:
Only among friends.
- CLAIRE:
I’m flattered. So, why do you bring up this fascinating blackmail material?
- MICHAEL:
More curiosity that anything else. Shall we speak frankly?
- CLAIRE:
I assure you there is nothing I enjoy more than speaking frankly with men.
- MICHAEL:
I don’t doubt it. Are you sexually inverted?
- CLAIRE:
Only with women.
- MICHAEL:
Very good. I will update your file accordingly.
- CLAIRE:
You have a file on me?
- MICHAEL:
The daughters of the aristocracy are strategic assets, whether or not they wish to be.
- CLAIRE:
I rather fancy being a strategic asset.
- MICHAEL:
And a beautiful one, may I add.
- CLAIRE:
Stop at once. His Majesty’s Government have restricted strategic assets to one per consular official, and you have yours.
- MICHAEL:
Damn these privations. Anyway, Sydney was being seen with that Austrian, von Lothringen, and he was no baron.
- CLAIRE:
He was an archduke!
- MICHAEL:
If he’s an archduke, I’m King of Connacht. There was a brief bit of unpleasantness around 1918 that settled that particular royal house.
- CLAIRE:
Very funny. I’ll admit that we were not crushed when she sent Herr Not-a-Hapsburg flouncing back to Vienna, but he was of the right class.
- MICHAEL:
Pity about his politics.
- CLAIRE:
Quite. Pity.
- MICHAEL:
Very well. What is it that you want me to do?
- CLAIRE:
Cut it off with Sydney. Haven’t I said that already?
- MICHAEL:
Isn’t that Sydney’s choice?
- CLAIRE:
One thing you learn as a strategic asset is that nothing is ever entirely your choice.
- MICHAEL:
I suppose we could be more discreet.
- CLAIRE:
You could scarcely be less.
- MICHAEL:
Very well, Claire. I’ll have a word with her.
- CLAIRE:
Thank you.
- MICHAEL:
Really, it’s nothing.
- CLAIRE:
And the less said about...
- MICHAEL:
The Gateways Club?
- CLAIRE:
... the better. Yes.
- MICHAEL:
And about your dear friend Pansy?
- CLAIRE:
Ah. You know about her, too.
- MICHAEL:
You aren’t bad at disguise, Claire, but... this is what I do, after all.
- CLAIRE:
Well, it wouldn’t do for Lady Claire to be slumming on the East End, would it?
- MICHAEL:
Not at all. And it certainly wouldn’t do for Lady Claire to be...
- CLAIRE:
Yes, yes, I understand completely. I’m glad I can trust to your discretion.
- MICHAEL:
It is absolute, of course.
- CLAIRE:
- In her “Pansy” voice
I’m very much obliged, sir.
- MICHAEL:
You do that quite well.
- CLAIRE:
A great deal of practice.
- MICHAEL:
Under some trying circumstances, if my reports are accurate.
- CLAIRE:
We are speaking frankly.
- MICHAEL:
I’m just curious where you came up with the idea of impersonating an East End prostitute.
- CLAIRE:
Garden parties become so deadly.
- MICHAEL:
I could give you some pointers.
- CLAIRE:
At being a Spitalfields tart? I’m fascinated.
- MICHAEL:
At impersonation, of course.
- CLAIRE:
Well... alright! This is rather a fun game, I must confess. I had no idea that my best friend was bedding a spy.
- MICHAEL:
Neither does she, and I trust you will keep it that way. Now, shall we begin?
- CLAIRE:
Please!
- MICHAEL:
Make yourself comfortable.
- CLAIRE:
I excel at that.
- MICHAEL:
Doubtless. Now, please look directly at this.
- CLAIRE:
That pendant.
- MICHAEL:
Yes.
- CLAIRE:
Very well. And now what?
- MICHAEL:
Continue staring at it.
- CLAIRE:
You’re going to hypnotize me, aren’t you? Sydney said you did that to her, too.
- MICHAEL:
Do you trust me?
- CLAIRE:
Of course not.
- MICHAEL:
That’s wise. Will you permit it, nonetheless?
- CLAIRE:
Yes, on the condition that I am asked do nothing that I would not otherwise do.
- MICHAEL:
And what, precisely, would you not otherwise do?
- CLAIRE:
Anything publicly embarrassing that I cannot blame on drink.
- MICHAEL:
Nothing else?
- CLAIRE:
You must think me a horrible slut.
- MICHAEL:
I wouldn’t say horrible.
- CLAIRE:
If you were not Sydney’s lover, I would push you off this terrace. Proceed.
- MICHAEL:
With pleasure. Now, relax back and stare at the pendant.
- CLAIRE:
Like this?
- MICHAEL:
Perfect. Keep staring at it, very closely. Don’t even blink if you can help it.
- CLAIRE:
Is this how you seduced Sydney?
- MICHAEL:
Why do you ask?
- CLAIRE:
Just curious. Continue.
- MICHAEL:
Relax. Let yourself drift.
- CLAIRE:
This was a lot of trouble just to get her into bed. Two Singapore Slings are usually sufficient.
- MICHAEL:
Claire.
- CLAIRE:
What?
- MICHAEL:
Focus.
- CLAIRE:
I’m terribly sorry. I am a bit nervous.
- MICHAEL:
Why?
- CLAIRE:
Oh... no reason. Please, continue. My apologies.
- MICHAEL:
None required. Now, stare directly at the pendant. I’m going to start moving it. Just stare, and let it cross in front of you. Don’t try to follow it.
- CLAIRE:
Like this?
- MICHAEL:
Precisely.
- CLAIRE:
It is soothing.
- MICHAEL:
Back and forth... back and forth... relax, Claire. Let yourself go.
- CLAIRE:
Very soothing.
- MICHAEL:
Back and forth...
- CLAIRE:
Back and forth...
- MICHAEL:
Relax...
- CLAIRE:
Relax...
- MICHAEL:
Let yourself go. Drift. Your eyes are getting very heavy.
- CLAIRE:
Very heavy... oooooh...
- MICHAEL:
That’s wonderful. You can’t keep your eyes open. Drift away, let yourself sleep... sleep...
- CLAIRE:
Sleep...
- MICHAEL:
Go to sleep for me, Claire.
- CLAIRE:
Sleep for you...
- MICHAEL:
That’s very good. Close your eyes. You are in a deep, hypnotic trance.
- CLAIRE:
Yes... a deep, hypnotic trance.
- MICHAEL:
It feels wonderful to drift.
- CLAIRE:
Drift.
- MICHAEL:
Relax. Don’t think.
- CLAIRE:
Don’t think...
- MICHAEL:
Very open and receptive.
- CLAIRE:
Receptive.
- MICHAEL:
You have no will.
- CLAIRE:
No will.
- MICHAEL:
You cannot resist me.
- CLAIRE:
I cannot resist.
- MICHAEL:
Completely open.
- CLAIRE:
Open.
- MICHAEL:
Give yourself to me completely.
- CLAIRE:
Yes... give myself to you...
- MICHAEL:
Now, Claire, tell me about Pansy.
- CLAIRE:
About Pansy?
- MICHAEL:
Yes, tell me about Pansy?
- CLAIRE:
She’s just someone I pretend to be, sometimes. When I want a bit of fun away from the West End.
- MICHAEL:
Do you know anything about her? Her parents? Where she lives?
- CLAIRE:
No... she’s not a real person.
- MICHAEL:
Yes, she is.
- CLAIRE:
She is?
- MICHAEL:
She can be. Let’s talk about her.
- CLAIRE:
Yes.
- MICHAEL:
Tell me about her parents.
- CLAIRE:
Her father was a publican. No. A shopkeeper. Yes, that’s it. He made... hats. Lovely hats. But when he died, creditors took it all...
(later)
- PANSY:
Yes, sir. I understand, sir.
- MICHAEL:
Thank you, Pansy. Let’s go over some particulars, again.
- PANSY:
Certainly, sir. I will tell you anything you wish to know.
- MICHAEL:
Age?
- PANSY:
22.
- MICHAEL:
Place of birth?
- PANSY:
My family’s house in Brick Lane. Above our shop.
- MICHAEL:
Place of residence?
- PANSY:
Spitalfields, mostly. I move around a bit.
- MICHAEL:
Are your parents still alive?
- PANSY:
I’m afraid not, sir.
- MICHAEL:
I’m sorry.
- PANSY:
Thank you, sir.
- MICHAEL:
Profession?
- PANSY:
Well, before my father died, I helped keep his shop. On Brick Lane. He made hats, women’s hats, very fancy ones.
- MICHAEL:
And now?
- PANSY:
Well, times are very hard, sir, as you know.
- MICHAEL:
Indeed they are.
- PANSY:
He owed money when he died, and they took the shop.
- MICHAEL:
That must have been very hard on you.
- PANSY:
Not as hard as it was on my mother. It killed her.
- MICHAEL:
I am sorry to hear that. No brothers or sisters?
- PANSY:
No, sir. I am alone in the world.
- MICHAEL:
So how do you survive?
- PANSY:
So, I... well, certain fine gentlemen assist me.
- MICHAEL:
Ah, yes, I understand.
- PANSY:
But I am not a bad girl, not like the sluts on the street.
- MICHAEL:
I did not think that for a moment.
- PANSY:
Thank you, sir. I could see at once you were very sympathetic.
- MICHAEL:
And I dare say that parts of your work you find appealing.
- PANSY:
It would be lying to deny it.
- MICHAEL:
And I am sure you are accomplished at it.
- PANSY:
I get no complaints, sir, and that’s not a boast. I’ve only been doing it for a year, but I dare say I’ve learned quite a bit.
- MICHAEL:
You are as modest as you are beautiful.
- PANSY:
Thank you, sir.
- MICHAEL:
And where are you right now?
- PANSY:
I am at your flat on Piccadilly.
- MICHAEL:
And why are you here?
- PANSY:
You brought me here. Brought me up the back stairs, bundled up so no one could see.
- MICHAEL:
And why did I do that?
- PANSY:
You are one of my fine gentlemen, sir. It wouldn’t do to have a girl such as me come up the front stairs.
- MICHAEL:
You have passed with flying colors, Pansy.
- PANSY:
You are too kind, sir.
- MICHAEL:
I’ve never been called that before. Now, I am going to count down from three, and when I reach one, you will awaken. Do you understand?
- PANSY:
Oh, yes, sir. I understand.
- MICHAEL:
Three... two... one.
- PANSY:
Oh, look at this beautiful view! You could see all the way to Dover from here!
- MICHAEL:
Dover Street perhaps. It’s just down the block.
- PANSY:
The block?
- MICHAEL:
Oh, that’s right, London doesn’t have blocks. Would you like some champagne?
- PANSY:
I don’t drink champagne very often, sir. It goes straight to my head.
- MICHAEL:
Then, by all means, you should have some.
- PANSY:
You are too kind, sir.
- MICHAEL:
Twice in one day.
- PANSY:
Sir?
- MICHAEL:
Nothing. Here’s... to beautiful East End girls!
- PANSY:
You are making me blush!
- MICHAEL:
I’m glad that’s still possible.
- PANSY:
Sir!
- MICHAEL:
Ignore my teasing.
- PANSY:
Oh, you are having fun with me.
- MICHAEL:
Not at present, but soon.
- PANSY:
And... these clothes! They’re so lovely! I could never afford such things.
- MICHAEL:
They’re yours.
- PANSY:
Sir! I can’t accept!
- MICHAEL:
Why not?
- PANSY:
They’re far too fancy for me.
- MICHAEL:
Nonsense. They fit you perfectly. It’s as if they were made for you.
- PANSY:
You are very generous.
- MICHAEL:
But...
- PANSY:
Sir?
- MICHAEL:
It would be terrible if they were damaged or soiled. You’d best take them off.
- PANSY:
But... we’re out of doors!
- MICHAEL:
No one can see us. Not even the penthouse of the Ritz is this high.
- PANSY:
Are you certain?
- MICHAEL:
Not unless a pilot landing at Northolt has extremely good vision.
- PANSY:
Oh, dear!
- MICHAEL:
I’m joking. We are as private as if we were in the middle of the Highlands.
- PANSY:
Very well...
- MICHAEL:
As long as you keep your voice down.
- PANSY:
Oh, am I speaking too loudly?
- MICHAEL:
That wasn’t quite what I meant. Please, allow me to assist you with your dress.
- PANSY:
I have never done anything like this before.
- MICHAEL:
I am certain that you will acquit yourself admirably. Now, bend over.
- PANSY:
Oh, sir, yes, that’s a favorite...
- MICHAEL:
But not there.
- PANSY:
Sir?
- MICHAEL:
Here. Against the edge. Look over.
- PANSY:
But... but I can see the street!
- MICHAEL:
But they can only see your face.
- PANSY:
But...
- MICHAEL:
No buts. Then, with me kneeling behind you, I can apply my mouth... no, spread a bit wider, that’s a dear... like this...
- PANSY:
Oh! Oh, sir! Oh... oh, that’s... that’s...
- MICHAEL:
Now, keep your voice down.
- PANSY:
I... will do my best... oh, that’s wonderful... please, don’t stop... oh... sir, that’s exquisite...
(later)
- PANSY:
Oh...
- MICHAEL:
Are you alright, my dear?
- PANSY:
Oh, yes. Just a bit breathless.
- MICHAEL:
Deep breaths.
- PANSY:
Yes, deep breaths...
- MICHAEL:
My, that flatters your bosom.
- PANSY:
You are teasing me again!
- MICHAEL:
Not a bit of it.
- PANSY:
And I haven’t done anything for you, yet.
- MICHAEL:
I wouldn’t say that. I find pleasuring a woman that way most enjoyable.
- PANSY:
But you’ve been so generous to me. May I...?
- MICHAEL:
Please, help yourself.
- PANSY:
I’ve been told I’m very skilled with my mouth.
- MICHAEL:
You kiss exquisitely.
- PANSY:
I meant other things.
- MICHAEL:
I’m certain that you did. But, let’s start with kissing again.
- PANSY:
Oh, yes. And then down your chest...
- MICHAEL:
Oh, that is delicious...
- PANSY:
And then down... down...
- MICHAEL:
Oh, my. You are skilled.
- PANSY:
Thank you, sir.
- MICHAEL:
Oh, yes... yes... that is wonderful...
- PANSY:
Now, shouldn’t you be careful not to make too much noise?
- MICHAEL:
Vixen. Oh! Oh... don’t stop... just like that...
- PANSY:
Did you enjoy that?
- MICHAEL:
That was astonishing. Thank you, Pansy.
- PANSY:
Of course, sir.
- MICHAEL:
Now, if I could ask you to lie down here...
- PANSY:
Sir?
- MICHAEL:
And spread your legs...
- PANSY:
Oh, sir! Most men are... spent after that.
- MICHAEL:
You certainly do not look spent, my dear. Do you enjoy being touched there?
- PANSY:
Oh, yes.
- MICHAEL:
And there?
- PANSY:
Oh, yes!
- MICHAEL:
And if I slide in one finger, then two... and then begin to finger, slowly...
- PANSY:
Oh, yes! Yes, sir! Please... if you would... I am so ready for you.
- MICHAEL:
As I am for you.
- PANSY:
I will guide you in.
- MICHAEL:
Like... that?
- PANSY:
Oh, like that... now... please... harder... please...
- MICHAEL:
You are remarkably... flexible... Pansy... Oh, yes...
(later)
- PANSY:
Oh, sir. I may be a tart...
- MICHAEL:
Pansy, do not denigrate yourself...
- PANSY:
But I have never been bedded like that.
- MICHAEL:
I’m flattered.
- PANSY:
I trust you might... seek me out again?
- MICHAEL:
Of course, my dear. I could not resist your charms.
- PANSY:
Thank you, sir. I suppose I should... dress now.
- MICHAEL:
In a moment. Sleep for me.
- PANSY:
Oh... oh... what is... yes, sleep.
- MICHAEL:
That’s very good, Claire. Sleep very deeply.
- CLAIRE:
Yes, very deeply.
- MICHAEL:
Just listen to my voice. You can’t think about anything else.
- CLAIRE:
Yes, your voice.
- MICHAEL:
So deep. So open and trusting.
- CLAIRE:
Yes... trusting...
- MICHAEL:
Anything I say...
- CLAIRE:
Yes, anything.
- MICHAEL:
Now, Claire, let’s talk about something else.
- CLAIRE:
Anything, MICHAEL: MICHAEL: You will be completely honest with me.
- CLAIRE:
Yes...
- MICHAEL:
And completely open to my suggestions.
- CLAIRE:
Yes, Michael. Anything.
- CLAIRE:
I’ve been in love with you for weeks.
- MICHAEL:
Have you?
- CLAIRE:
Madly. Insanely. I cannot stop thinking about you.
- MICHAEL:
And why haven’t you told me?
- CLAIRE:
Because you were Sydney’s, and I didn’t want to interfere.
- MICHAEL:
But you wanted me?
- CLAIRE:
Oh, yes. I would have done anything you asked. If you’d asked.
- MICHAEL:
Anything?
- CLAIRE:
Anything.
- MICHAEL:
You want to be my lover?
- CLAIRE:
In and out of bed.
- MICHAEL:
The thought excites you?
- CLAIRE:
Oh... oh, yes... yes... it does...
- MICHAEL:
In your mind, feel my mouth on your lips...
- CLAIRE:
Yes... deep, warm kisses...
- MICHAEL:
On your breasts...
- CLAIRE:
Yes... please... suck on them...
- MICHAEL:
And between your legs.
- CLAIRE:
Oh! Oh... that’s wonderful!
- MICHAEL:
You can feel it, can’t you, Claire?
- CLAIRE:
Yes,... oh, take me, take me...
- MICHAEL:
And now you can feel me inside of you...
- CLAIRE:
Yes! Like that! I’m yours!
- MICHAEL:
Entirely?
- CLAIRE:
Your love-slave! Anything you wish from me is yours.
- MICHAEL:
I wish you to have your climax, for me.
- CLAIRE:
Yes! Oh, yes! Michael, anything, everything, I am yours, your lover, your mistress, your whore, your slave if you wish! Yes... Oooooh! YES! Yes... yes... oh, god, yes...
- MICHAEL:
Now, sleep, Claire, and awaken refreshed and alert.
- CLAIRE:
Oh... such pleasure... yes... sleep...
- MICHAEL:
That’s very good, Claire.
(later)
- CLAIRE:
Oh, what a refreshing... fuck. Michael, what is the meaning of this?
- MICHAEL:
I would think it’s rather obvious.
- CLAIRE:
You... you had sex with... with Pansy!
- MICHAEL:
Well, she is a tart, isn’t she?
- CLAIRE:
Oh! I... I... Well, yes, she is rather, isn’t she? Did you enjoy her?
- MICHAEL:
She was wonderful, in her naïve way. Did she enjoy me?
- CLAIRE:
Rapture. Now, since we happen to find ourselves naked in the same bed together, will you please kiss me?
- MICHAEL:
Certainly.
- CLAIRE:
There. I’ve been waiting for weeks for that. But...
- MICHAEL:
But?
- CLAIRE:
Would you like to compare?
- MICHAEL:
Compare?
- CLAIRE:
Who is better in bed, Pansy or I?
- MICHAEL:
A gentleman would never make such a comparison.
- CLAIRE:
And how does that pertain to you? Anyway, you are lacking a critical piece of information to make that judgment.
- MICHAEL:
Yes?
- CLAIRE:
You haven’t had me yet.
- MICHAEL:
Oh, you’re right! We must remedy that sometime soon.
- CLAIRE:
No time like the present.
- MICHAEL:
Good god, how much stamina do you think I have?
- CLAIRE:
You’d best have quite a bit if you are going to keep company with me. Allow me to assist. I’m quite sure my skills with my mouth are superior to Pansy’s...
- MICHAEL:
Oh... oh, yes...
- CLAIRE:
Pansy and I share a favorite position, though. I do hope you have strong knees.
(later)
- MICHAEL:
I am exhausted.
- CLAIRE:
As am I, love. But you were wonderful.
- MICHAEL:
As were you.
- CLAIRE:
And who is better?
- MICHAEL:
You are both wonderful and unique in your own ways.
- CLAIRE:
Devil. Come up to the country with me this weekend?
- MICHAEL:
I’m sorry, love. I’m to Munich.
- CLAIRE:
What’s in Munich?
- MICHAEL:
Beer.
- CLAIRE:
And Nazis?
- MICHAEL:
Every city has its flaws.
- CLAIRE:
Oh! Take me?
- MICHAEL:
I just did.
- CLAIRE:
I am going to suffocate you, my darling. Take me to Munich.
- MICHAEL:
No can do, love. Lady Claire would set off alarms to Berlin and back.
- CLAIRE:
Damn. I would so like some adventure.
- MICHAEL:
On the other hand...
- CLAIRE:
The one that is fingering me?
- MICHAEL:
Yes, that one. I could take Pansy.
- CLAIRE:
You just did that, too. Lower...
- MICHAEL:
Now, who’s the devil?
- CLAIRE:
You! You had me on the very same couch on which you screwed your little East End tart, and didn’t even change the coverlet.
- MICHAEL:
Thank you for reminding me.
- CLAIRE:
What do you mean, darling? Oh, yes, like that...
- MICHAEL:
Sydney’s coming over this evening.
- CLAIRE:
Oh, my god! Sydney! What am I going to tell her?
- MICHAEL:
I wouldn’t worry, darling. I’ve already brought Lady Sydney up to date on the latest news.
- CLAIRE:
What latest news?
- MICHAEL:
About us.
- CLAIRE:
You are being insufferable, love. There was no “us” until this afternoon. You couldn’t have told her.
- MICHAEL:
Perhaps I anticipated.
- CLAIRE:
You mean to tell me that you planned to seduce me this afternoon, and told my best friend that you were going to do so?
- MICHAEL:
I thought it would save time later. She knew that you were carrying a torch for me.
- CLAIRE:
And I thought I was being so discreet. Damn. Are you going to throw her over?
- MICHAEL:
Hadn’t planned on it.
- CLAIRE:
You’d best have a great deal of stamina... then... oh, that’s lovely... yes, please don’t stop that.
- MICHAEL:
I shall engage in calisthenics every morning.
- CLAIRE:
I’m sure Sydney will be happy to assist. Push-ups, you know. Oh! You are being outrageous, expecting to have both of us. Arrogant! Cocksure! Presumptuous! I never... I am so angry with you... Oooooooh! I am going to kill you, once I’ve had this climax.
- MICHAEL:
I’d best draw it out, then.
- CLAIRE:
If you... do... I’ll kill you for that... Oooooooooooooh! Oh, my god, yes, darling...
- MICHAEL:
I think it’s a superb idea.
- CLAIRE:
Ooooh... tell me after I’ve... finished... coming... oh, yes, love...
- MICHAEL:
Pansy can come with me to Munich. No one will be looking for her.
- pansy/CLAIRE:
She’d... be ever so grateful, sir. Oh, my, god, what are you doing to me with those fingers...
- MICHAEL:
It’s a brilliant plan. Pansy could be of great assistance to me. And she does need a protector.
- CLAIRE:
A protector? Oh! Are you proposing to be Pansy’s pimp?
- MICHAEL:
I prefer “spymaster.”
- CLAIRE:
Oh! I do like the sound of that. Mmmmm, yes, that’s perfect. But she... yes, like that, keep stroking, don’t stop, my love... Pansy doesn’t have... a passport...
- MICHAEL:
That sort of thing can be arranged.
- CLAIRE:
Oh! Yes, yes, like that, yes, yes!
- MICHAEL:
Remember, keep your voice down, love.
- CLAIRE:
You’d best be... careful, dearest... or I shall report you to the authorities... ooooh...
- MICHAEL:
For what?
- CLAIRE:
Hoarding strategic assets.
- MICHAEL:
I’ll claim diplomatic immunity.
- CLAIRE:
Devil. You’d be expelled, persona non grata.
- MICHAEL:
I doubt it. And if the matter were to arise, darling... isn’t your brother in the Home Office?
- CLAIRE:
Presumptuous devil! Oh, my god, yes, please don’t stop, my love, don’t stop...
- MICHAEL:
I wouldn’t dream of it. But we should make plans. Now, Pansy, will you be a good girl on this trip?
- PANSY:
Oh, yes, sir. Certainly sir. Whatever you wish, sir... oh, yes... sir... whatever you want, sir... please, don’t stop... don’t stop... whatever you want...