Harrower - Blackbird

Ray, mid-fifties. Trousers, shirt, tie; a mobile phone clipped to his belt.In a room in which theres a low table, several chairs, several lockers. The door is closed.A swing-top bin, full of litter.On the floor, around the chairs, more abandoned litter food packaging mostly, with bits of food still visible.An oblong frosted window through which passing figures can occasionally be seen.Una Shock. Ray Of course. Yes. Una And Ray Wait. Pause.He goes to the closed door, opens it a small way.Una You were busy. Ray Yes. Una They Ray I still am busy. Una They Ray I still am busy.

I was with one of the our managers. Were in the middle of something. They So I might I will be sent for. I will get called away. Im still needed. Ray I dont Una To go to. Ray I dont Una To go to.

Homes to go to. Theyre still working. Its late. Ray Were finishing soon. Theyll be going soon. An order came in delayed and of course but we have to process it no matter how late.

And late is The times not a consideration. We have to process the order and then dispatch it. Its a very quick turnaround. Una Do they go home when you tell them? Ray No. But I, I make sure all is when the works done. Una But so what do you actually make here? Ray Its Dentistry. Una Because Ray Sometimes pharmaceutical. Una The name on the front. Una The name on the front.

You cant tell. Like one of those low buildings you pass I passed on the motorway, on the way here. Low buildings, always one-storey, and you you Cars parked outside no clue whats happening inside. Only a digital clock thing on the outside telling what the temperature is. This is like that. Rays begun to pick up some of the rubbish. This is where you eat? Ray No. Rays begun to pick up some of the rubbish. This is where you eat? Ray No.

Not in here. Not me. The staff do. Una They shouldnt leave it like this. The floor. He crams it into the bin. Where do you eat? Ray Are you on your own? Una Yes. He crams it into the bin. Where do you eat? Ray Are you on your own? Una Yes.

You mean alone? Ray Yes. By yourself. Una Yes. Ray Can you tell me why youre here? Whatve you come here for? Una Do they get breaks? Fag breaks? Will any of them Ray No. Too late now. Ray What is there to interrupt? What are you wanting? I havent much time. Una I saw Ray And to be honest I Una What? Ray I I dont have to be in here with you. Una I saw Ray And to be honest I Una What? Ray I I dont have to be in here with you.

You know that, dont you? Youre aware of that? I dont have to stay here. Do I? Una No. Youre right. Ray I dont have to listen. I dont have to say anything. He steps on some discarded food in a wrapper, not noticing it.Una Watch. He steps on some discarded food in a wrapper, not noticing it.Una Watch.

They havent finished that. Someones just left it there. You should say something about that. He picks it up.Ray Theyve been told. Theyre constantly being told. Outside. Una No. Ray The car park or the Una Im fine here. Ray Its Una You pushed me in here. Ray I didnt push Una Out of sight. Ray I didnt push you. Ray I didnt push you.

I brought you in here. Una Theyll wonder who I am, will they? Ray They all saw you. So yes. Im sure they will. They Una You kept me waiting, Peter. Una Can you close the door? Ray The door stays open. Una Why? I Ray I dont want it closed. Una Theres a draught. Ray Were going outside in a minute. Una Im here now. Una Im here now.

You brought me Ray I think this is better outside. We can Una Close the door. He doesnt move. Theres a cold draught coming in. I dont like it. Its Ill close it then. She looks at some litter near the door. The people who just they expect other people to clean up after them. She looks at some litter near the door. The people who just they expect other people to clean up after them.

I asked a man he dropped an empty can beer can and a crisp packet on the pavement. Dropped them. Didnt think about it, just let them fall. I told him to pick them up. He laughed. He thought I was joking.

He was Ray Will you He blinks, rubs at his eyes.Una with a woman. Bitch, she called me. Defended him. He laughed all Ray How did you find me? Una In a It was a photo. In a magazine. Ray Where? What Una Some Ray Magazine? Una Trade magazine.

Promotional. A glossy magazine thing, a in a waiting room. A doctors waiting room. You know the thing Im talking about? Ray Yes. Una There was a photo on the back of it. A team. A team.

They called you a team. You won an award. Some Excellence or performance. Ray So What? You saw a photograph? You saw this photo Una You have friends? Ray And it You Una Friends? Ray Yes. Of course I have friends, what Una New friends or the same old friends? Pause. Your eyes are red.

They look like theyre stinging. He laughs briefly to himself, rubbing his eyes again. Ray