The Passionate Friends Page #6

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- Yes, she did. Did you have a good trip?

- I wouldn't call it good.

I spent most of the time

with members of their governments.

- Interesting, of course.

- Must have been.

I think a taste for intrigue is

an acquired thing, don't you?

Do sit down.

- What will you have? Whisky and soda?

- Thank you very much.

Have a good evening?

Yes, fine.

Shall we have some music?

- Help yourself to a cigarette, Stratton.

- Oh, thank you.

(Mellow music on record player)

Where did you dine?

Oh, that French place with the mad waiter.

I do wish they wouldn't

keep sending us irises.

I've told them about it before.

They're so spiky and unfriendly.

- How was the show?

- Fair.

Good seats?

Very.

Sit down, darling. I'll get you a drink.

A small one.

As I was about to say when Mary came in,

the most striking thing about the German

people is their pathetic faith in themselves.

Why do you call it pathetic?

The belief of the muscular in their own

strength is always pathetic, don't you think?

Ice?

Don't get up.

Here.

Personally, Stratton, I think there's

a fault in the Teutonic mind

which shows up

whenever they have access to great power.

A sort of romantic hysteria.

Well, perhaps not romantic,

but a hysteria anyway,

which seems to convert them

from a collection of sober,

intelligent, rather

sentimental individuals...

into a dangerous mob.

A mob which can believe that a big

enough lie is not a lie at all...

...but truth.

- Steven, it's late.

- Let him finish his drink.

- Steven, please go.

- Aren't you losing your head?

- What is it?

- Howard knows we weren't at the theatre.

I see.

I'm sorry you had to find out in this way,

but I think you'd better know the truth.

Thank you.

Mary and I have always loved each other.

And we still do.

A mistake was made years ago.

And now you want to put it right?

(Music off)

You know, Stratton, it's quite a shock to find

that your wife's in love with another man.

And when you've long believed that

your marriage was happy and worthwhile,

the shock is even greater.

Steven, will you go now?

All sorts of strange ideas

come into your head.

- You even think of killing.

- Steven, please will you go now?

I... I want to talk to Howard alone.

I think Mary's right. You had better go.

- And leave you here?

- You'd better go, Steven.

I shall be all right.

Very well.

When shall I see you?

- I don't know.

- Get out!

I can't... think for the moment.

Good night, Steven.

Good night.

Well?

Taxi!

- Good morning, sir.

- Good morning.

- I'd like to see Mrs Justin.

- Will you come in, sir?

Would you mind waiting a moment, sir?

I must apologise for the state of the room.

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