Читать книгу Chimera - Wendy Lill - Страница 12

DOYLE:

There’s another request for a New Minister interview. From the Mirror.

CLARE:

Do I have to wear a bathing suit?

DOYLE looks up.

CLARE:

Just kidding.

DOYLE:

It’s a profile. A hopes and dreams thing. The reporter’s Roy Ruggles. I worked with him years ago at the Globe. Major authority problems. Can’t keep a job. Screw loose, I think. I don’t advise it.

CLARE:

I know Roy.

DOYLE:

Pardon?

CLARE:

I know him. We’re both from Summerside. Neighbours. Roy has a mentally handi ... challenged brother. And a sister, Mary Colin. Saint Mary Colin we called her. She watched over us all as we trooped off to school. A little gaggle of Ruggles and McGuires.

DOYLE:

What a concept. Roy Ruggles as a child. Anything else I need to know?

CLARE:

No.

DOYLE:

Are you sure?

CLARE:

We both lost our fathers the same year. Mine died, his walked out.

DOYLE:

Anything else?

CLARE:

No.

DOYLE:

Sure?

CLARE:

It was over thirty years ago. Why are you even asking this?

DOYLE:

To limit the number of things that can bite us on the ass.

CLARE:

It was nothing.

DOYLE:

There is no such thing as nothing. Everything piles up and adds on. It conspires and backfires. No scar completely disappears. No story is ever completely buried.

CLARE:

You’re so dramatic. I’ll do it.

DOYLE:

I’m warning you. He can be ruthless.

CLARE:

So can I. Set it up.

DOYLE:

(shrugs) Your call. Five minutes ’til Question Period.

CLARE:

(tenses) Oh God.

DOYLE:

Who’s being dramatic now? Just relax. Take a deep breath. Soften your gaze. And smile. You’ve got a great smile.

CLARE softens her gaze, lets her shoulders relax, smiles.

DOYLE:

Remember to thank everyone. Often. Don’t let anyone goad you into snapping at them. Pierre Guy says you’ve got to watch your temper.

CLARE:

Sorry.

DOYLE:

And don’t apologize. Never apologize. Or say “I don’t know.” Instead, you will “seek an interpretation,” you’ll “consult with your department.”

CLARE:

Right.

DOYLE fixes her collar, removes strands of hair. DOYLE produces some antacids. CLARE gulps them down.

DOYLE:

Loosen your shoulders. Deep breath. And remember, this is fun. This is extreme fun. You are a Minister.

CLARE:

How did you get so smart so young?

DOYLE:

It’s a limited bandwidth. The car’s out front. Laura is waiting at Members’ Entrance to go in with you. Remember lipstick. Powder your nose in the car. And smile!

CLARE takes a deep breath, collects herself, smiles broadly, heads out the door. DOYLE sighs, sits down at his desk, satisfied. He has got his Minister off to the House.

The sound of Question Period comes up.

In his office, ROY puts down the pile of press releases, checks watch and turns on his TV.

ROY:

It’s showtime.

DOYLE begins watching Question Period on a screen as well.