BROADCASTS.com

Published: April 14, 2022, 3 p.m.

Written by Julie Hoverson, loosely based on a story by O Henry (The Duplicity of Hargraves)

An actor takes a chance to help out a friend.
\xa0

Cast List
Hargraves - Charles Austin Miller
Governor - Dave Marshall
Lydia - Dawn Harvey

Music by\xa0\xa0Enox
Editing and Sound:\xa0\xa0 Julie Hoverson
Cover Design:\xa0 Charles Austin Miller
\xa0

What kind of a place is it?
Why it's an unfashionable residence hotel on
a space station, can't you tell?"

************************************************

Duplicity

[Loosely inspired by the Duplicity of Hargraves by O. Henry]

Cast:

[Opening credits - Olivia]

Governor Pendleton, elderly man, slightly senile

Lydia, his daughter

Anthony Hargraves, the actor/Mac Bac

\xa0

OLIVIA \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0Did you have any trouble finding it? \xa0What do you mean, what kind of a place is it?\xa0 Why, it's a quaint old boarding hotel on a teensy out of the way unfashionable space platform, of the classic sci fi kind, can't you tell?\xa0

MUSIC

SCENE 1.\xa0\xa0\xa0

AMB\xa0\xa0\xa0 GOVERNOR'S HOME

SOUND \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0SCI FI DOORS SHUSHS OPEN

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Anthony! So pleased to see you.\xa0 Come right in.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Thank you so much for having me, sir.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SHUSHES SHUT

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Have a seat.\xa0 [commanding] Gamma mu?\xa0 [beat, waiting]\xa0 Gamma mu?\xa0 [petulant] Where is that robot?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [coming in] Oh, father.\xa0 I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you.\xa0 Gamma Mu is in the shop.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 That's preposterous!\xa0 Back in my day, they built robots to last!\xa0

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Gamma Mu is getting on in years, just as you are father.\xa0 [choking up a bit] It should be back in working order in a couple of days.\xa0 I - I think I smell something burning--

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SHE DASHES OUT

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [courtly again] If you will excuse me, Anthony, I shall have to go and fetch the drinks tray myself.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh, please, don't bother yourself, Governor!\xa0 I'm happy to do that.\xa0

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 You are a guest in my house, young man.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 And I am quite used to having to look after myself.\xa0 [a chuckle] Besides, I'm sure Lydia has everything ready - it won't take any effort on my part at all.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 She's a good girl.\xa0 Too bad she never married.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [agreeing, but not encouraging] Yes.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SHUSHES OPEN, SHUT

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [crying quietly in the background]

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Lydia?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [gasp, then trying to get over the crying jag, sniffling, wiping her face, etc.\xa0 A couple of breaths, then an attempt to be cheery]\xa0 Over here.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 HE TAKES A COUPLE OF STEPS.\xa0

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SHE PUTS GLASSES ON A TRY

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 What's wrong?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [brittle, pretending cheer] Oh, Mr. Hargraves.\xa0 What makes you think something's wrong?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Lydia.\xa0 If there's one thing any actor worth his salt learns before anything else, it's how to tell when someone is lying.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sniffle, almost loses it]\xa0 It's - it's not your problem.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Will you let me help?\xa0 Is it something about Gamma Mu?\xa0 I mean, I know you've had that robot for years--

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sudden rush of admission] I pawned it.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 What?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 It's not broken.\xa0 And it's not coming back.\xa0 [heavy sigh] \xa0We needed the money.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 But your father's estates--

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Venus is in a recession.\xa0 And the incomes simply can't keep up with the cost of living.\xa0 Space station habitats are so expensive.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 You could-- go back to a surface home?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hah.\xa0 No place will have father, even now.\xa0 We're just lucky that HERE, in a place so [distasteful] mercenary, no one cares about what he did any more.\xa0 Hmph.\xa0 If they ever did.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 He was never prosecuted.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 He didn't do anything worse than any other territorial governor.\xa0 He was ... made an example of.\xa0 And, being father, he refused to unbend and let some PR firm mend his reputation.\xa0 He truly believes he was, and always has been, in the right.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [gentle] The Venusians see it differently.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [bitter] Oh, yes, take their side.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 I'm not!\xa0 I just... once you've played both the good and the bad enough times, you start to see things from everyone's side.\xa0 You simply can't help yourself.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 RATTLE OF GLASSES ON TRAY

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [controlled again] Here.\xa0 Father will be wondering where you got to.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [cajoling] Lydia--

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [dismissing him] Mr. Hargraves.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SHUSHES OPEN, SHUT

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [heavy sigh]

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR OPENS AGAIN IMMEDIATELY

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [rushing back in, hushed] How much?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 What?

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SHUTS

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [normal volume] How much did you get for Gamma Mu?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [rueful laugh]\xa0 Turns out the old Mu line are classics.\xa0 Collectible.\xa0 They gave me 200 credits.\xa0 Would have been more, but I refused to sell it outright.\xa0 [little sigh] Yet.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 You have hope of getting some money before the time is up?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hope is what we live on.\xa0 ...and memories.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hmm.\xa0 [making a decision] Right.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SHUSHES OPEN AGAIN

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Where's Lydia?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 She - uh- wanted to freshen up.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [chuckles indulgently] "Put herself back together" as she says.\xa0 As often as she needs to do that, you'd think the girl was as badly in need of replacement parts as our poor servo robot.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [laughs]

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 More likely she just wants to leave you on your own to put up with my storytelling.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Sir, I -

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 No, no.\xa0 Until we made your acquaintance, young man, there was no one to tell my stories to but my poor dear Lydia, and saint that she is, she put up with it.\xa0

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [oh, come on]\xa0 Sir!

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 That girl should have married, and left the nest, 20 years ago. [sadly, drifting into memory]\xa0 But after all that happened--

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Why don't you make us your famous Venusian aperitifs, sir?

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [brought back with a tiny gasp] Ah?\xa0 [befuddled] Oh, yes.\xa0 I was about to do that, wasn't I?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 No one makes them like you do, sir.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Of course not! I invented the drink.\xa0 Everyone nowadays makes these with an extract of Venusian basil - or god forbid synthetic - But I must have the real thing or nothing.\xa0 [musing again] Lydia somehow always manages to have a pinch or two ready for me, no matter the cost.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 She is very concerned about your comfort.\xa0 Shows a great deal of character.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SHUSHES OPEN

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 What is it you actors say?\xa0 "As if on cue?" [chuckles indulgently]

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [chuckles]

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 My dear, will you join us?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 I already have a drink of my own, but I might stay and keep you gentlemen company -- for a little while.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Certainly!

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Capital.\xa0 I shall make us just the two, then.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 As many times as you've treated me to these, I should definitely reciprocate.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Nonsense.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Or at least bring you some of the basil?

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 No, no.\xa0 Hospitality is what you give freely, with no thought of reciprocation.\xa0 Otherwise it becomes merely [disgusted] commerce.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 I see.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [changing the subject]\xa0 You said you had a new show going up soon, Anthony?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh, yes.\xa0

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [teasing a little] And what are you playing this week?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Guess.\xa0 [cuts them off with a sharp intake of breath] But I will warn you it has more than four limbs.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [laughs] You and your alien roles.\xa0 Is it just the one extra, like the Venusians, or the full complement of a Martian?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Actually, this time I'm from Pluto.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Plutonians?\xa0 But they never come this close to the sun!

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Artistic license.\xa0 The story is a murder mystery set at a diplomatic event near the asteroid belt.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [amused] What will they come up with next?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 I can understand why you have to double for a plutonian, but why not get real Martians to play Martians and real Venusians to play Venusians?\xa0

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Martians don't like being too close to humans, say we smell too unpleasant.\xa0 For moving pictures, you can still shoot scenes in pieces and clip them together, but in stage work it doesn't go at all.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 And all the extra body mass?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Elementary rotoscoping replacement on film, Padding and exoskeleton on stage.\xa0 Simple servo mechanical movements. \xa0And of course the voice changer.\xa0

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [half asleep] Wonder of wonders.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 And most people have only seen them - either Venusians or martians - on screen.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 But isn't that expensive?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Well, if all else fails, if there's just the one extra arm, you stick it in a sling and pretend it is broken.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [laughs for real]

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [splutters a bit, waking, then]\xa0 That is just what I like to hear, my dear.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 The problem with using real Venusians in any kind of show - well, their artistic culture is one of unfettered improvisation and sudden impulse - they haven't really adjusted to the concept of scripted material.\xa0 [realizing he's getting into potentially bad territory] They've ... only dealt with a written language... for a very short time.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sigh, then regretful]\xa0 That was one of the reasons for such a debate about accepting them as a truly sentient and evolved species.\xa0

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [eager] Yes?

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Having some form of recordation of history and science - we don't include fiction as being necessary for sentience, you understand?\xa0\xa0

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [joking] A lot of people don't.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [slight indulgent chuckle]\xa0 You see, as they had no recording system that we could fathom, it was hard to be entirely certain that they weren't simply bright, imitative animals.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Which was why you were put in charge of the planet.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 I ran a tight ship, and made that planet [sigh, reminiscing fondly] one of the most profitable in the entire solar system.

MUSIC

SCENE 2.\xa0\xa0\xa0

AMB\xa0\xa0\xa0 GOVERNOR'S HOME

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [querulous] Where's young Anthony got to?\xa0 Haven't seen him in weeks.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [amused] He's been filming again, papa.\xa0 And he's not precisely "young".\xa0 He's my age.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes, I have been meaning to talk to you about that.\xa0 You could do worse than that young fellow.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Papa!

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Actor or not, he's a fine young man.\xa0 Knows how to treat his elders properly.\xa0 Shows respect.\xa0 [i] Like him.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Father, I am hardly young either, I--

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Should have married and left the nest a donkey's years back.\xa0 Precisely.\xa0

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 I can't leave you alone, papa.\xa0 [trying to be funny, but starting to sound teary] At least not until they fix the robot.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [gently] You mean at least not until I have gone on to a better place, don't you?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [almost crying] Papa!

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 I am old, my child, and I realize that there will come an end.\xa0 Not today, or tomorrow, but I don't want to see you spending your time in regrets because you clung to this sinking spar when you could have been taken off in a lifeboat.

[Silence]

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [trying to change the subject]\xa0 I'm sure... Anthony will come back and visit again soon.\xa0 \xa0\xa0

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [befuddled now] What was it you said he was doing?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [relieved] Filming, papa. He said he'd be gone for a month while they made a movie.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Will we be able to see it?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 If it broadcasts on one of the stations we can receive.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [grumbling] Used to be more channels.\xa0 I swear I recall-

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes papa!\xa0 There were, but most of them have become so ... violent and unpleasant.\xa0 I canceled them.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 You are such a sensitive young lady.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [deep sigh, melancholy] Yes.

MUSIC

SCENE 3.\xa0\xa0\xa0

AMB\xa0\xa0\xa0 GOVERNOR'S HOME

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 CLEANING, WASH BUCKET

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 SPACE AGE DOORBELL

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Huh?\xa0

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 FEET, INTERCOM

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Who is it?

ANTHONY \xa0\xa0\xa0\xa0[on intercom]\xa0 Me!\xa0 I mean Mr. Hargraves.\xa0 I just got back and have a copy of my new film.\xa0 I thought I might bring it over and show it to you - you both.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 You can't come in now!\xa0 Neither of us is ... prepared to see company.\xa0 You know how papa insists on being in full governor regalia to entertain!

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Gosh, I'm sorry!\xa0 I only wanted to surprise you.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Surprise us again in an hour, if you please.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [laughing] Anything to oblige a lady!

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 INTERCOM OFF.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh, goodness.\xa0 How will I ever get the cleaning finished?\xa0

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 HURRIES AWAY

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [off slightly] Papa?\xa0 You might wish to prepare yourself for company!

MUSIC

SCENE 4.\xa0\xa0\xa0

AMB\xa0\xa0\xa0 GOVERNOR'S HOME

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 TV TURNS ON, TUBE WARMS UP

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [querulous] What was this movie about?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [eager] You'll just have to see.\xa0 I think you'll like it.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 MUSIC CHANGES

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh, my.\xa0 The old place.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 They found some cracking stock footage.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Can you make it a bit bigger?\xa0 My eyes aren't what they once were.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [really proud] Absolutely sir.\xa0 I want you to be able to see this!

ANNOUNCER\xa0\xa0\xa0 Many people think they know about the early days of the Venus colony, but all they really know is the rumors.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [a bit annoyed] What?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh, no.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Shh-shh! \xa0This is the good part!

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [on screen, sounding exactly like the Governor]\xa0 Hospitality is what you give freely, with no thought of reciprocation.\xa0 Otherwise it becomes merely [disgusted] commerce.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [low growl] What have you done?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [completely surprised] Sir? \xa0

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [on screen] \xa0I invented this drink, you know.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Get out!

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 You don't understand!\xa0 All I wanted to do was show the reality under all the terrible stories that people bandied about - show the humanity!

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Get OUT!

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 You had better go.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 At least let me reward you for the help you gave me - even though you didn't know you were doing it.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Are you insinuating you will pay me for this impersonation?\xa0 For stealing my -my - entire ---[splutters]\xa0

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Shh!\xa0 Shh! \xa0Father.\xa0 [a little frantic] Mr.\xa0Hargraves, you are no longer welcome in this house.\xa0 Leave!

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SHUSHES OPEN

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 HE TAKES A COUPLE OF STEPS

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [off slightly] For this LAMPOON!

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [wince noise] [quiet] Lydia?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Don't!

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 I thought this would be a way to help you.\xa0 Both of you.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [quietly furious] Help?\xa0 By driving papa into a veritable fit?\xa0 Go!

MUSIC

SCENE 5.\xa0\xa0\xa0

AMB\xa0\xa0\xa0 GOVERNOR'S HOME

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sounding weaker] Lydia?\xa0

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [worried] Yes, Papa?

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Lydia?\xa0 Hasn't young Anthony visited?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 No, papa.\xa0 [lying] He - he's been away for the last week, filming.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Again?\xa0 Did we see his last film?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes, papa.\xa0 It was very nice.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Good, good.\xa0 He's a nice young man.\xa0 You could do worse.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 I know, papa.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOORBELL

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Who's there?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 I'll go and see.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Are we expecting someone?\xa0 Is that why I'm in my uniform?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [whispered aside] I just thought it might make you feel better.\xa0 [up]\xa0 We weren't expecting anyone so early.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 INTERCOM ON

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Hello?

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 [alien voice] Greetings.\xa0 Is this the living place of Previous Governor Pendleton?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [panicky] Oh! what now?\xa0

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 PUSHES BUTTON

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [Striving to keep calm] This - um - yes - this is the place you are looking for.

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 Is the Previous Governor available?\xa0 I would like to speak with him.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 He's not feeling well today--

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [more perky sounding] Lydia?\xa0 Is that a Venusian voice.\xa0 How interesting!\xa0 Let\u2019s see what the green fellow has to say for himself, eh?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sigh]\xa0 Yes papa.\xa0

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 INTERCOM ON

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Please come in.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SHUSHES OPEN

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 WEIRD NOISE OF STRANGE MOVEMENT AS IT ENTERS.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [grunt as he gets up]

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Papa!\xa0 You don't have to--!

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Nonsense.\xa0 It is only common courtesy to meet a guest on your feet.\xa0 [up]\xa0 Greetings.\xa0 May I ask what occasions this visit?\xa0 You are very far from your home world.

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 Many years have passed, previous governor.\xa0 And yet you have not changed so much.\xa0 Do you not recall Mac Bac?\xa0 This one was an aide in the mansion.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [surprised] Oh!

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 My stars!\xa0 Yes!\xa0 Oh, Mac Bac.\xa0 [delighted]\xa0 I never thought to see anyone from those days again.\xa0 Why don't you-- [falters]

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [hurriedly picks up]\xa0 Would you like a bench to accommodate your form?

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 This one would be most grateful.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Would you be a dear and bring us some refreshment, Lydia?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Certainly.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 BUSTLES OUT

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Now that we are alone, what is it that brought you here?

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 This one has come to repay a debt, previous governor.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 A debt?\xa0 I cannot think of anything--

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 When your office made your departure, you gifted Mac Bac with a number of items.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh, yes....\xa0 I seem to remember...

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 Among those was a vehicle, given as you could not transport it off planet.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes!\xa0 Now I recall.\xa0 I apologize for my forgetfulness, but it has been a very long time.

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 This visit is to repay that gift.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Repay?

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 The previous governor said at the time that if a gift was unacceptable, the vehicle could be considered a loan to be repaid at a later date.\xa0 Many years have passed, for the previous governor's location is not easily uncovered.\xa0

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [truly touched]\xa0 And you came all this way to pay me for my old hovercar?

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 The vehicle became the center of a profitable business, transporting visiting dignitaries.\xa0 After some years, more vehicles, more transporting.\xa0 Mac Bac has become very comfortable, as you say, and it came upon this one a desire to travel.\xa0 Travel without purpose is enjoyable, but achieving a goal is more so.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 [slightly condescending] You have come a long way to pay back such a slight debt.\xa0 The car couldn't have been worth more than a hundred credits.

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 Considered as a loan, or even an investment in the business of Mac Bac, this hundred\xa0 credits has grown like a precocious fern monkey over the past many years.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 How much?

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Do not be crude, dear.\xa0 Never mind the amount, it is the thought that is important.\xa0 Whatever you feel is necessary to pay, Mac Bac, will be more than enough.

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 This one has had the tabulations done, and this is the amount which is correct.

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 METAL SET DOWN

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [gasp]

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 B-but Mac Bac--

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 One Thousand credits.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 But surely you--

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 Mac Bac does not take charity.\xa0 This one must even all debts before end of life comes, or debts will follow to next world.

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh.\xa0 Yes.\xa0 We are all getting a bit old, are we not?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Father!

GOVERNOR\xa0\xa0\xa0 Lydia, why don't you go and do something for yourself and leave us old fellows to talk.\xa0 I'm quite certain that we shall bore you to tears with our stuffy old stories.\xa0 Eh, Mac Bac?

MAC BAC\xa0\xa0\xa0 Indeed.\xa0 Old times become very close when one approaches the fading of the light.

MUSIC

SCENE 6.\xa0\xa0\xa0

AMB\xa0\xa0\xa0 HUSHED CROWD

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 QUICK WOMAN'S FOOTSTEPS, SHUSH OF DOOR

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [crying]

SOUND\xa0\xa0\xa0 DOOR SHUSHES SHUT

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Oh, father what will I-- [cuts off with a gasp]

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Lydia!\xa0 I'm so sorry I'm late.\xa0 I didn't hear until Wednesday, and I couldn't get transport.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 You're here?\xa0 Even after father drove you out?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 I can't begrudge him his pride. I just hope that he might have forgiven me, at the end.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 I think-- I'm sure he forgot the entire incident.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [sad realization]\xa0 Forgot.\xa0 Yes.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 He would have forgiven you, though!\xa0 Father was never a vindictive man.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 You, at least, know I never meant the play as any kind of insult.\xa0

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 I - I guess.\xa0 I never got to see more than that opening.\xa0 He was so furious.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 But you - you will forgive me, won't you?\xa0 I would be mortified if we couldn't get past this.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 I... [small self-deprecating laugh]\xa0 I can't stay mad at you.\xa0 And I certainly don't have so many friends that I can throw one away over such a ... trifle.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Good.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 And...\xa0 and from the little I did see-- [trails off]

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 Yes?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [uncomfortable, blushing] \xa0Oh, just that you did a very good -\xa0 you did the acting very well.\xa0

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [warm]\xa0 I'm glad you didn't hate it.\xa0

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 Of course I didn't!\xa0 Don't tease so!

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 I promise.\xa0 [beat, changing subject]\xa0 Well.\xa0 At least he had some good days, there at the end.\xa0 [prompting] \xa0And you look like things are going a little better.\xa0 Was that Gamma mu I saw, standing by the casket?

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [pleased but sad] Yes.\xa0 We were very lucky.\xa0 Father came into some unexpected money.

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [way too pleased] I know.

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 What?\xa0 How did you hear?

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [eager] You really didn't know?\xa0

LYDIA\xa0\xa0\xa0 [horrified realization] You - you paid that Venusian!

ANTHONY\xa0\xa0\xa0 [barely contained excitement]\xa0 Oh, you really underestimate me, Lydia.\xa0 Didn't you believe me when I said I do very well in alien roles?

CLOSING