him talking instead of working.
CLARA: Happy Christmas, Eric! But where's the mysterious visitor you brought?
TONY: Hiding.
CLARA: No time for party games. Look, if no-one's offering coffee to take the chill out of our bones, I'm going to make it myself.
TONY: Sorry - go ahead. You know where to find things. But don't be surprised at what else you find in there.
CLARA: Aha, a welcome-home treat. Good.
She goes to the kitchen
TONY: Anna, dear, how are you feeling?
ANNA (timidly): A little tired. But not bad.
TONY: How did you get on with the consultant this morning?
ANNA: He said that with luck, we might be able to finish the treatment quite soon. But that I must learn the confidence to make my own decisions.
ERIC: Difficult thing to learn.
ANNA: Oh, Tony, after I made such bad decisions before, how can I ever trust myself again?
TONY (comforting her): They were particularly difficult. But there's something else, much easier, that we have to decide between us now.
ANNA: What is that?
TONY: The visitor that Eric brought - seeing him's bound to be a shock for you. Do you think you can take it, dear?
ANNA: What sort of shock?
TONY: It's someone you haven't seen for a very long time.
ANNA: Who is that?
TONY (diffidently): Dr. Placek.
ANNA: Dr. Placek? I can't ... It's too ...
TONY (to Eric, indignantly): I told you ...
ANNA: But no, Tony, I must begin to face the past.
TONY: Are you sure?
ANNA (with increasing resolution): Yes. But I am puzzled. Why has he come? And with you, Eric?
ERIC: He wants Tony's help.
ANNA: Another conference? But I do not understand. That would surely not concern Eric.
TONY: No, it's personal this time. He's refusing an order on grounds of principle, or so he says, expects trouble and wants to defect.
ANNA: How does that involve you? You never ...
TONY: No, I didn't then. But afterwards ... Anyway, he insists that he's got to have his assistant smuggled out before she gets the chop too. All very implausible, I'm afraid.
ERIC: Maybe, but it fits with what we know from other sources.
TONY: Think what you like. Frankly, I'm not inclined to believe a word of it.
During the following, Clara appears in the doorway with a tray of coffee mugs. Placek holds the door for her but gets in the way, and she shoos him ahead of her. She finds space to put the tray down and is about to start distributing the mugs when she realises that something important should not be interrupted and pauses to listen before continuing unobtrusively. Placek hovers uncertainly in the background with increasing astonishment.
ANNA: I am.
TONY: What!!?
ANNA: I believe him.
TONY: This is incredible!
ANNA: Not if you know him well. He is, in his own way, a man of honour.
Tony is too stupefied to make the interruption all but bursting from him.
ANNA: In a twisted organisation, he was the nearest I found to being straight.
TONY: What on earth do you mean?
ANNA: Many people there would climb on the shoulders of others - and stamp them down in doing so - in order to gain favour or promotion. Dr. Placek would never do that: he made sure that his people got the credit for their work. And if they made mistakes, he would defend them. I was lucky to work for him.
TONY: You can say that? After what he did to you?
ANNA: That was necessary. He had to complete the task set for him. To do so after I failed him, he needed to discredit me. I understand now.
PLACEK (starting forward): Anna, I could not help overhearing. I am astonished and humbled by your generosity of spirit. But I am even more astonished ... (turning on Tony) You told me she was dead!
TONY: What? Surely not. I shouldn't ...
PLACEK (insistently): At the Kiev meeting. You said that she had taken an overdose of some medicine. With a clear implication that that was the end of her.
TONY: Well, it was a natural conclusion, I suppose. But luckily I found her in time - just. Though she's been in and out of hospital ever since. Nervous trouble.
CLARA: And no wonder. She's only here now because they wanted to clear out as many patients as possible for the holiday. Eric, you might have had more consideration: you could have put her treatment back six months.
ERIC: Sorry, Clara. Couldn't wait.
CLARA: How do you feel now, dear?
ANNA: It is strange - I feel very much better. It must be from seeing an old friend! You will help to get his assistant out, won't you, Tony?
TONY: I said I'd think about it. But -
ANNA (to Placek): Who is it?
PLACEK: Elena Hron.
ANNA: I remember. Rather hot-tempered, but with a warm heart - I thought her too emotional for the work - but who am I to say so? I remember too that she had a great admiration for you, Dr. Placek. (Teasing) In fact I think that it could have been a little more than admiration ... Tony, you must help. Make it my Christmas present if you like.
TONY: Well ... If you of all people can take that line ... All right, I'll put it to the committee. Emergency session on Boxing Day if necessary.
PLACEK: Professor! I shall be for ever in your debt. And in yours, Anna. I do not know how I could express my gratitude ...
ANNA: There is one thing.
PLACEK: What is it?
ANNA: When all this is over, you must bring your Elena to see us. Often.
PLACEK: What can I say? Your wish is my command! I think that is the phrase, is it not?
A church bell is heard.
CLARA: Heavens, look at the time! I'll be late for the carol service if I don't get my skates on.
ERIC: Years since I've been to a carol service. Mind if I come along?
CLARA: Of course not. Everyone's welcome - the more the better.
ERIC: Fit enough for it, Anna?
ANNA: Yes, I think so. But I must find a warm sweater – after the heating in the hospital I am not yet used to the cold outside.
She moves to the door but pauses there.
PLACEK: I should be grateful ... excuse my asking ... if I might be permitted to come with you.
ERIC: Can't leave you behind, anyway. We'll all go. I've got the Jag outside. Can take five easily - more comfortable than your little runabout, Clara.
CLARA: Well, if you're sure that's all right ...
ERIC: Finish your coffee - pity it isn't something stronger -
CLARA: Just as well it isn't, if you're driving.
ERIC: Oh ... Fiddlesticks! Cheers, everybody!
All bustle about to dress for outdoors
CUT TO THE STREET OUTSIDE, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING.
All pile into Eric's car which he then drives away. A distant chorus of "Adeste Fideles" is heard, gradually swelling.
THE END
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About the author
Peter Wilson is a retired industrial chemist and amateur actor living in Seascale, on the Cumbrian coast near the north-west corner of England.
A biography and more of his writing (short stories, plays and film scripts plus some non-fiction) may be found with contact details at his web site
https://www.peterwilson-seascale.me.uk
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