FIONA:
Tim enters
we all jump out
he’s so surprised he screams
then he hugs us
congratulates us
he’s actually surprised
and he didn’t know in advance.
ALICE:
There’s Penny, Richard, John, James, Euan, Ian, Katie, Maria, Dave, Peter, Sophie, Nina, Pauline, Betty, Jerry, Antoine and Leonie.
FIONA:
And Tim stands in the centre
tears in the corner of his eyes
looking at all his friends
and all the years gone by.
ALICE:
Little name cards
so that everyone knows where to sit.
FIONA:
And we recount stories
we tell him how much we miss him
already
we drink ‘til early in the morning
and we dance
happily
forgetting that the next day has already begun
and it’s already time to leave
but we haven’t gone to bed yet.
ALICE:
We dance
‘til we can dance no more
and we will eat.
FIONA:
Yes, we will eat
‘til we can eat no more.
ALICE:
Perfect.
—
FIONA:
What do you think?
ALICE:
It sounds fine. Great.
FIONA:
I’ll help you set up the room?
ALICE:
I’ve drawn it out.
If we take the three big tables for the food and drink
and use the rest for the guests
that should be enough space for everyone.
FIONA:
How many people?
ALICE:
About twenty. Probably less.
FIONA:
I hope he likes it.
ALICE:
Let’s move these tables.
I’m making the place names.
FIONA:
You actually drew it out.
ALICE:
Yes.
FIONA:
What are all these different colours?
ALICE:
Could you grab the other end of this?
This needs to be near the back wall.
FIONA:
Oh, ok.
ENDS
PHILIPPA MANNION 