A1 S2

Question 1

(Start of scene)

Answer 1

Come on Mo. What is it? What’s the matter?

Question 2

Maureen: Nothing. I’ve said it’s nothing.

Answer 2

Don’t keep saying nothing. Somthing is. Something must be. Come on Mo, what is it.

Question 3

(Maureen shakes her head and refuses to answer)

Answer 3

Well, I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m supposed to have said. What am I supposed to have said? Whatever it is I’m supposed to have said, I’m sorry I said it– if I said it.

Question 4

Maureen: You haven’t said anything. It’s not your fault. It’s everything.

Answer 4

What do you mean everything?

Question 5

Maureen (To Aggie): No

Answer 5

No, thank you.

Question 6

(Aggie goes. The pair have barely registered his recital)

Answer 6

What do you mean, everything?

Question 7

Maureen: It’s just your parents and–

Answer 7

My parents? What about my parents?

Question 8

Maureen: It’s all become so– important, hasn’t it

Answer 8

How do you mean? You mean to you? Important to you?

Question 9

Maureen: No. To you

Answer 9

Me? I don’t care. I don’t give a stuff

Question 10

Maureen: You do give a stuff, that’s the point. You give a huge stuff. I wish you didn’t

Answer 10

I don’t. I do what I like. I always have done. I don’t take any notice of them. I don’t care what they think

Question 11

Maureen: But you want them to like me, don’t you?

Answer 11

I don’t mind either way

Question 12

Maureen: You need them to approve–

Answer 12

I really don’t–

Question 13

Maureen: You do, Adam. You do, you know

Answer 13

I don’t know why you should think that

Question 14

Maureen: Because you keep going on about it. “Maureen, when you meet them, don’t say this, will you? Don’t say that.”

Answer 14

When did I–

Question 15

Maureen: “Don’t wear that, will you, they won’t approve of that. Be careful not to wear, will you? Don’t say condoms, pessaries and penis in front of my mother, will you?”

Answer 15

Shhhh

Question 16

Maureen: I’ve even dyed my bloody hair for her

Answer 16

Oh, come on

Question 17

Maureen: It’s true

Answer 17

You didn’t dye it for her

Question 18

Maureen: Who else? Who else did I dye it this bloody boring colour for?

Answer 18

You

Question 19

Maureen: Me? Why should I do that? I hate it like this. I loathe it. I detest it like this. I can’t bear to look at myself.

Answer 19

Adam: Well, for me then.

Question 20

Maureen: Do you like it like this?

Answer 20

Well, I… Yes

Question 21

Maureen: Better than the way it was before?

Answer 21

Er– well…

Question 22

Maureen: Exactly. It’s for her. I dyed it for your mother. So I’d look dead ordinary. I haven’t even met the woman and I’ve dyed my hair for her.

Answer 22

You didn’t need to

Question 23

Maureen: I did need to

Answer 23

Why?

Question 24

Maureen: Because

Answer 24

Yes?

Question 25

Maureen: Because. I want to be right for you. I want to look right for you... I have to be right for you

Answer 25

You are right for me

Question 26

Maureen: I hope so. I really, really hope I am. I've got all my hopes on you Adam

Answer 26

So what if they don't approve? What the hell? What's it matter? We'll have to spend next Christmas on our own, won't we? won't make a scrap of difference to me, the way I feel about you. Just be you, that's all. Be yourself. That's who I fell in love with. That's who I love. Don't you see?

Question 27

Maureen: I hope you belive that.

Answer 27

I do... Well

Question 28

Maureen: And you think that blue dress I bought will be all right? For this party?

Answer 28

It's not a party, I've said. It's just dinner, that's all. Supper. Us six for supper. Here in this restaurant. Quite informal. Nothing flash.

Question 29

Maureen: You think that dress is too much then?

Answer 29

It's perfect. Come as you like, they're not fussy. My father never dresses up these days if he can help it. He'll probably come in an old sweater, knowing him

Question 30

Maureen: What about your mother

Answer 30

Well, my mother– yes she'll probably wear something a bit–

Question 31

Maureen: And what about whatshername, your brother's wife?

Answer 31

Steph? Well... she's usually fairly casual. She'll probably wear a dress of some sort–

Question 32

Maureen: Short or long?

Answer 32

I don't know. Short.

Question 33

Maureen: How short?

Answer 33

Well, you know, long short. I don't know. Come in your jeans. What does it matter?

Question 34

Maureen: I hope it's not too boring

Answer 34

What, the party?

Question 35

Maureen: No, that dress I bought. I don't usually wear things like that. I could maybe put a bit of bright jewellery with it, just to cheer it up.

Answer 35

Not too much

Question 36

Maureen: No. Do you think those ear-rings I wore the other night would do? You know, the parakeets?

Answer 36

Oh yes. The big ones, you mean?

Question 37

Maureen: Yes. Do you think they'd go with it?

Answer 37

(uncertainly) yes

Question 38

Maureen: No?

Answer 38

Have you got any others?

Question 39

Maureen: I'll wear the studs

Answer 39

Wear the parakeets if you like

Question 40

Maureen: No, they're wrong. They're definitely wrong. I'll wear my opal studs.

Answer 40

They're nice

Question 41

Maureen: You gave them to me.... What do you think?

Answer 41

Yes. yes. (He studies it). What is it exactly?

Question 42

Maureen: It's macrame. It's for holding a plant holder. You put it in here. Then you hang it up. Like that. Do you see?

Answer 42

Oh yes, that's great

Question 43

Maureen: Is it the sort of thing she likes, do you think?

Answer 43

Oh yes, she'll love it

Question 44

Maureen: Really?

Answer 44

Oh yes

Question 45

Maureen: I made it myself

Answer 45

Yes

Question 46

Maureen: I couldn't think what to buy her that wasn't either terribly expensive and then I thought–

Answer 46

You don't have to give her anything, you know. You haven't even met her

Question 47

Maureen: Oh, I have to give her something if I'm going to her party

Answer 47

It's just supper. There's the book. The poetry book that I got her. That could be from the both of us, if you want

Question 48

Maureen: No, I'd like to give her something personal. From me. I think that's important. So long as you think it's right

Answer 48

It's great

Question 49

Maureen: Took my hours

Answer 49

Yes

Question 50

Maureen: I kept getting it wrong. I haven't made one since I was at school. Used to male masses of them at school. All we ever did at school actually

Answer 50

It'll be a great evening, you wait and see. Trust me. They'll love you. And you'll love them

Question 51

Maureen: Yes. You're right. It's going to be great, isn't it? And if they don't like me– well, fuck 'em

Answer 51

You– er– won't use language like that in front of them, will you?