Stuart: “‘What's happened to me?’ he thought. It wasn't a dream. His room, a proper human room although a little too small, lay peacefully between its four familiar walls.”MELANIE returns, and cleans up the mess around STUART, as he continues to read.
Stuart: “A collection of textile samples lay spread out on the table - Samsa was a travelling salesman - and above it there hung a picture that he had recently cut out of an illustrated magazine and housed in a nice, gilded frame.”
MELANIE leaves with the rubbish.
Stuart: “It showed a lady fitted out with a fur hat and fur boa who sat upright, raising a heavy fur muff that covered the whole of her lower arm towards the viewer.”
MELANIE enters again, carrying another tray of food. She speaks to him as if nothing has happened.
Melanie: (Smiling) Mm! Yummy, yummy!
Stuart: (Shocked) Very good.
Melanie: (Patronising) As if I don’t know you.
Stuart: I’m almost impressed.
Melanie: I’m not even hungry, tonight.
Stuart: I’ll only do it again.
Melanie: Oh, you. No, you won’t. Do you know why?
Stuart: Why?
Melanie: Because you’re not that dull. I’ll only expect you to do it, and what would that achieve?
Stuart: Fair enough.
Melanie: That’s the problem with little triumphs. They never last. You have to be patient for proper prizes. I’m a very patient person. You, unfortunately, are not.
Beat.
Melanie: Eat up! (STUART begins eating. MELANIE stands behind his chair and leans in to his ear) That’s right. All in the mouth. Mm, mm, mm. Do you like it? Do you? Munching away? Munch, munch, munch. Yum! Is it yummy? Is it? Is it yummy, yummy, yum-yum? Does it even taste of anything?
Stuart: Your filthy hands.
Melanie: Ah, ah! Politely, please.
Stuart: (Swallowing) It tastes lovely.
At least no-one can say I'm not working on it...
