SEFTON BRIGGS
Jean, I've made up my mind to do something for Edwin. It's his thirtieth at the works, you know.

JEAN ASHTON
I know.

SEFTON
I'm not unmindful of his contribution. I'm having the document drawn up to give him a pension.

JEAN
(with little emotion)
That's very nice...

SEFTON
Well...that's enthusiasm!

JEAN
I took it for granted. He would with most firms.

SEFTON
Oh, yes. Well, I've not formalised it in the past...being in the family...but he'll have it in writing now.

(Sefton stands up and walks from the sofa over to the table, where he removes an envelope from his briefcase.)

SEFTON
It'll be more generous than he'd get elsewhere...and it's for both your lifetimes. Here.

(He hands the envelope to his sister.)

SEFTON
It's all on paper.

(Sefton sits back down on the sofa.)

JEAN
(smiling)
He'll be glad, I know. Thank you... really.

SEFTON
Uh, don't give it to him just yet. Give it to him on the day, as if it was your present.

JEAN
Why don't you?

SEFTON
(frowning)
Mmm. I'm not good at that sort of thing.

JEAN
You ought to try.

(A thought comes to Sefton.)

SEFTON
You know, we ought to have a get-together.

JEAN
Get-together?

SEFTON
Well, we are a family.

JEAN
Yes.

SEFTON
Yes, well, I'd ask you around, only...well, it's dead at my place with only a housekeeper. At least you’ve got a home.

JEAN
You're welcome anytime, Sefton. You know that. It's just that...I'm so depressed lately. All the boys away...

SEFTON
Oh, that? They'll be back. It'll all fizzle out.

JEAN
With this fighting in Norway?

SEFTON
That? It's a sideshow. You'll see. They'll be having a peace conference before long.

JEAN
(sighing)
I hope so.

(She stands up from her chair and takes their tea cups over to the table.)

JEAN
Look, David comes home on leave in a few weeks' time. I'll... I'll make a supper for us all, huh? They can come, and Margaret, and you and Tony. How about that?

SEFTON
(smiling)
Why not? That's right! I'll send you around enough pork for a regiment.

JEAN
It'll be nice to have one of the boys home.

 

(from "The Breach in the Dyke" by Alexnder Baron)