The Ploughman's Lunch Page #3

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JEREMY:

In that case, you should meet my

very dear friend, James Penfield.

Brilliant analyst of recent history

and a world authority on the Berlin

Airlift.

James and Susan say "Hi" and shake hands.

SUSAN:

Was that your chapter, then? It

was very good.

JAMES:

Thank you. We met last week, at

the Wajda film. You won't remember.

We didn't actually speak.

SUSAN:

(not remembering)

Yes, that's right. I'm being

terribly rude. Bob? Oh, Bob.

This is Bob Tuckett. Bon was at

Oxford too.

Bob, Jeremy, James all say "Hi". Momentarily enthusiasm

flags, no one speaks. Then the drinks tray is suddenly in

their midst and they all reach out thankfully, with mock

groans of relief and surprise.

An hour later, Guests are leaving. James has got Susan

alone. They descend the stairs. CLOSE ON Susan, a

disparate kind of seriousness.

SUSAN:

I mean, in many ways I'm right

behind the women's movement. But

sometimes I wish they'd get on

with it instead of moaning on.

The office was split right down

the middle. I mean, as a woman I

understood what they were saying,

that current affairs was all about

what men did, but as a human being

and a television researcher, as a

professional , I could just sense

they'd got it all wrong. I could

see there were two paths I could

go down, power or not-power. Down

the not-power path was lot of

sisterly feeling, masochism and

frustration. Down the other path,

I could keep on working. So of

course I voted with the men and

the other women all resigned. I

think they're mad, don't you?

They arrive by the front door. There is the briefest pause.

James makes his bid.

JAMES:

Can I give you a lift?

SUSAN:

No, it's all right. I can get a

cab. Night night.

James stands in the doorway and watches her go.

EXT. OXFORD CIRCUS - DAY

An abrupt transition. Morning rush hour, Brixton

Underground station to Oxford Circus. James fights his

way through the crowd up the underground steps leading to

the street. He is late.

EXT. LANGHAM PLACE - DAY

James runs away from CAMERA towards Broadcasting House.

INT. NEWS CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

Same time, Moulded plastic chairs are ranged along the

walls of the room. Some journalists stand, some are half

asleep. The feel of a morning assembly.

Seated at the only desk, by the door, sits the EDITOR-IN-

CHIEF, While waiting he pretends to look at papers.

The tone of these meetings is restrained, weary.

The Editor speaks with short pauses between each point.

Quietly, as though talking to himself.

EDITOR:

Use of this word "finally". We've

had this one before. Difficult

when it gets...

James come in. The Editor ignores him pointedly. There

are no more seats. James stands somewhere inconspicuous.

EDITOR:

...when it gets too close to

'finally' the main points of the

news... Now today. Not very sexy

list. We can't live off all these

court cases...Royals...What's

Charles giving Diana for her

birthday?

1ST. JOURNALIST

He's not telling.

EDITOR:

Better follow him around, I

suppose.

2ND. JOURNALIST

Newcastle is following Charles to

see if anyone throws a bottle at

his car like last time.

EDITOR:

Good... Now, I'm going to drop

this panda business unless something

happens soon.

2ND. JOURNALIST

We've got two people down the zoo

looking into the cage.

EDITOR:

Give it one more day. These scrap

iron merchants on, where is it,

Gritviken Anything in that?

JAMES:

Could be.

EDITOR:

Let's keep an eye on it then.

Okay, I'm just thinking aloud.

Let's take the list in order.

Cabinet reshuffle. Chris?

1ST JOURNALIST

Bob is ringing round the ministries

finding out where everyone is going

to be. That'll come to fruition

later this morning. John'll be at

Caxton Hall. We'll try and lay on

a radio car.

Through this last speech we CLOSE IN on James. Behind his

news prospects sheet he is reading a letter. We glimpse

the letter heading: 'GOLDBOOKS'

EDITOR:

Prime Minister is on the Jimmy

Young Show at ten-thirty. We should

get something out of that. Now,

matter Irish...

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