Scene 1
The Control Room
Number Two and the Supervisor are conferring in the control room. Number Two is youngish, open faced, in the Anton Rodgers mould. Observers sit at the desks.
NUMBER TWO
And Twenty Nine, has the new pattern of behaviour become established?
THE SUPERVISOR
She has acted within predicted parameters.
NUMBER TWO
Excellent, we've put a lot of work into her, I will be glad to see it bearing some fruit.
THE SUPERVISOR
Our methods seldom fail, in the long run.
NUMBER TWO
Seldom fail, yes, …
He is interrupted by a new arrival. A man in late middle age joins them. Two welcomes him.
NUMBER TWO
Are you're here, so glad you could make it, how was the trip Number Three One Four.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
A little choppy. Three One Four, that is to be my number?
NUMBER TWO
Whilst you are here. We all have our numbers to bear.
314 gestures at the monitor screen.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Is it possible to see him now?
NUMBER TWO
Ah, keen to get to it aye, very commendable, yes I should think so.
Two nods to the Supervisor
NUMBER TWO
Do you know where he is?
THE SUPERVISOR
'He' being number Six?
NUMBER TWO
Of course.
The supervisor turns to one of the monitoring technicians
THE SUPERVISOR
Dial it up.
OBSERVER
Sir.
THE SUPERVISOR
He is just walking down from his cottage to the café, where he will have a single black coffee with two sugars. He should get there in a couple of minutes.
NUMBER TWO
Will he have a game of chess?
THE SUPERVISOR
Odds are less than fifty percent today.
Scene 2
The café terrace
Number six approaches the café terrace. As he passes the Ex-Admiral, the old sailor looks up and gestures at the chess board laid out ready in front of him.
EX-ADMIRAL
Fancy a game?
Six hesitates.
NUMBER SIX
Erm, not this morning thanks.
Six moves on to an empty table. After a moment a waitress comes up unprompted with a cup.
WAITRESS
Black coffee.
She places the cup in front of him.
NUMBER SIX
Thank you very much.
WAITRESS
That will be one work unit.
NUMBER SIX
Oh, yes of course.
Six gets a card from his jacket and hands it to the waitress. She clips it once and then passes it back to him. He puts the card away then adds two lumps of sugar to his drink and stirs it.
After a few moments Number 93 approaches. 93 is an old man he has black sunken eyes pale skin and a deathly pallor, he appears fairly frail. He sits down without asking.
NUMBER SIX
I was planning to enjoy a little morning solitude, if you don't mind.
NUMBER NINETY THREE
I won't keep you long, Number six, I have a little proposition to put to you.
NUMBER SIX
Funny thing is I don't know who you are, and yet you seem to know exactly who I am. Even were we not in this place, that would make you and your proposition, hard to trust.
NUMBER NINETY THREE
I don't get out very much, that maybe that's why you haven't seen me before, but everybody here knows who you are Number Six, even if you don't wear your number. No badge, you are either Number Six or Two's butler, and you are not wearing a bow tie.
NUMBER SIX
Well, you have me there.
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Six, that's a very low number isn't it?
NUMBER SIX
What of it?
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Low numbers are important, Six, it's practically, a Two or a One. A number Six would clearly be an important person to the Village.
NUMBER SIX
You flatter me.
NUMBER NINETY THREE
So either a high ranking member of the establishment, or a high value prisoner, and I fancy the latter.
NUMBER SIX
But if it were the former you would be taking quite a risk talking sedition with me, if that were the nature of your proposal, you could find yourself experiencing a little re-education. A risk most people here would be unwilling to take, unless their proposition had been hatched and approved in the Green dome.
NUMBER NINETY THREE
Indeed, conditions in our little paradise can have a somewhat chilling effect on some lines of discourse. However in my case the chill may be losing it's effect. For a long time I dreamt of getting away from this place, now it seems I may be leaving it quite soon, but not in the way I had planned. I am not a well man. The doctors here never tell you the truth, I don't think they like the idea of having somebody around with nothing to lose, but I saw the way my father went, and looking in the mirror I see history repeating itself.
NUMBER SIX
I am sorry to hear that.
NUMBER NINETY THREE
It will be a relief not to wake up to yet another, "Lovely morning!". But I would love to see someone get away from here before I go, though, just one genuine escape.
NUMBER SIX
All right, if I were to believe you what did you have in mind?
NUMBER NINETY THREE
I have some ideas, but we have talked long enough for now. I think their monitors have trouble hearing us out here on the terrace if there is a bit of a breeze, but it doesn't pay to give them too long to try. We'll talk again later.
93 gets up leaving Six to finish his coffee on his own.
Scene 3
Six's Cottage
Six is sat at the writing desk idly folding a piece of paper, there is a knock at the door. Six does not react. After a pause the knock comes again. Six gets up and walks towards the door which opens as he approaches it. 314 is standing outside.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Good morning.
NUMBER SIX
Morning.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
May I come in?
NUMBER SIX
People don't normally ask.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
That seems rather rude, may I?
NUMBER SIX
All right.
They walk into the cottage and the door hums shut behind 314.
NUMBER SIX
What do you want?
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
I came to see you.
NUMBER SIX
And now you've seen me.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Well, yes. I have a little confession to make, I'm one of them.
NUMBER SIX
Them?
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
I work for the village, "Why did you resign", reporting straight to Number Two, all that sort of stuff.
NUMBER SIX
You never report to Number One?
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Him? Oh no, never to him.
NUMBER SIX
Why are you telling me this?
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Well some of us, a few, not a very powerful few, don't favour the techniques this place uses.
NUMBER SIX
Then, why don't you resign?
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Quite, yes. We prefer to talk people round without using any of the unpleasant methods of persuasion so beloved of the high-ups round here. Unfortunately as I said we are not a very influential group and so are generally kept out of the frame, so to speak. The good news is in your case they're stuck.
NUMBER SIX
Stuck?
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Yes, they've tried everything, as I am sure you are well aware, and so in desperation are even prepared to let us have a go.
NUMBER SIX
Just gently talk me round?
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Yes.
NUMBER SIX
Not interested.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
We might be able to arrange special privileges in return for your co-operation.
NUMBER SIX
In return for just talking to you?
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Yes, in several short sessions.
NUMBER SIX
Definitely, not interested. If that's all, I'm sure the door will close itself after you as you leave.
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
If you change your mind Number Six, I'm here for several weeks.
NUMBER SIX
I won't, get out!
NUMBER THREE ONE FOUR
Goodbye Number Six.
314 gets up and leaves, the door opening and closing automatically for him.