Episode 8

Narrative

ANNIE [Reading note]
“Dear Tenants, my cousin, your landlady, is on holiday this week, so I am in charge. The same rules apply: no pets, no parties, no visitors, especially boys. Yours, Eunice Mountain.”
Eunice Mountain? She sounds terrible! Worse than the tarantula.

BRIDGET
If that’s possible.

ANNIE
Do you think she’ll say no shelves?

BRIDGET
She can’t. They’ll look fantastic. “The timber shelves in clear lacquered beech veneer with six castors and a TV bench.”

ANNIE
Ooh! Now, where shall we begin?

BRIDGET
Annie, it’s easy. Rule number one: always read the instructions first.

ANNIE
Well, that will only take a week.

BRIDGET
OK, let’s have a drink before we begin. Milk, Annie?

ANNIE
Yes, please.

BRIDGET
“I owe you, Nick.”
There! Well, no milk. Would you like some sparkling water?

ANNIE
Right.

BRIDGET
“I owe you, Nick.” “I owe you, Nick.” “I owe you, Nick!” How dare he? Aha!
Would you like some cola?

NICK
Thanks, Bridget, I was looking for that.

BRIDGET
Nick!

NICK
Huh? Sorry.

BRIDGET
Add it to the list.
Or ask your flat mate to buy your food.

NICK
Huh? Wow!

BRIDGET
You didn’t know Hector was rich?

NICK
No.

BRIDGET
I’ll speak to you later!

HECTOR
Wow, what are all these boxes?

ANNIE
Our new shelves, Hector.

HECTOR
I can help you build them. Where are the instructions?

NICK
Hector, my friend, rule number one: never read the instructions.

ANNIE
Ohhh, I see you have a note from our new landlady then.

BRIDGET
Eunice Mountain!

NICK
Eunice Mountain. I bet she’s the same size. [Sound of intercom buzzing] Hello? It’s Eunice Mountain. Who am I? I’m Nick, from Flat B. Oh, you want Flat A? This is… [Sound of intercom buzzing] Hello? Yes, this is Flat A. Yes, I am Nick from Flat B. Yes, I know this isn’t my flat.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
I want to see you downstairs – now!

NICK
Sorry. OK. Right away.

BRIDGET
Well?

NICK
Eunice Mountain wants to see me downstairs now.

HECTOR
Oh, bad luck, man.

ANNIE
Oh dear.

BRIDGET
Ask her if she has any milk, bread and biscuits.

NICK
Ha-ha..

ANNIE
OK, so: “First open box A and take out shelf number 1.”

BRIDGET
But which is box A?

HECTOR
This is box C.

ANNIE
And I’ve got box D.

HECTOR
Ah, I’ve got it. This is shelf number 1.

ANNIE
No, Hector. This is shelf number 1.

BRIDGET
No, this is shelf number 1.

ANNIE
Oh, this is a nightmare.

HECTOR
OK, Annie, read out the instructions.

ANNIE [Reading instructions]
“Put shelf 1 against the wall.”
Hector, I think the books will fall off.

Sound of door to flat opening and closing

BRIDGET
So what’s Eunice Mountain like?

NICK
You know, not bad.

HECTOR
Are you in trouble?

NICK
Probably.

HECTOR
I’ve got it – put pole B on the left and pole A on the right and the shelf on top. Bridget.

BRIDGET
Like this, Hector? Have you put up shelves before, Hector?

HECTOR
Many times.

BRIDGET
Or do your servants do it for you?

NICK
I’ll do it!

HECTOR
No, no, no, I’ll do it.

NICK
Drop! Drop! Ha! I laugh at instructions.

BRIDGET
Oh, that was clever.

HECTOR
It’s OK. I can straighten it.

NICK
Aha! Stand back and watch the master at work!

Sound of wood being sawed

NICK
Da-daaa!

ANNIE
Oh, well done, Nick.

BRIDGET
Hmm.

HECTOR
Wow!

BRIDGET
So where does this piece go?

Sound of knocking on door

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Hi, I’m Eunice Mountain, your new landlady.

BRIDGET [Composing email]
‘Anyway, guess what I have discovered?
Hector’s family – the Romero Family – is one of the richest in Argentina!
Can you believe it?!’

NICK
Wow!

ANNIE [Composing email]
‘The good news is: our landlady has gone on holiday!
The bad news is: her cousin – Eunice Mountain – is our temporary landlady.
She sounds awful.’

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Hi.

BRIDGET
Hello. I, I, I, I am Bridget, and this is Annie.

ANNIE
Hello.

BRIDGET
And this is Hector from Argentina.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Well, hello, Hector.

BRIDGET
Hector lives next door with Nick.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
I’ve met Nick already, haven’t I, Nick.

NICK
Oh yes, that’s right.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Hmm, we need to talk about your rent – in private.

NICK
Gre-at – uhhh!!

HECTOR [Reading instructions]
“Measure the distance between the shelves.” Oh. Aha. Annie, hold this, please. Aha, that’s it, uh-huh. And this should be it!

ANNIE
Hector, do you think that’s correct? These shelves are for mice.

BRIDGET
Can I speak to you please, Hector?

HECTOR
Hmm?

BRIDGET
So, Hector, one of the richest families in Argentina, the Romero family.
There you are, Hector! So why the secret?

HECTOR
Because I wanted you to like me, not my money.

BRIDGET
Oh Hector, of course I do. Who else knows?

HECTOR
Nick.

BRIDGET
I thought so.

HECTOR
But not Annie. Don’t tell Annie – yet.

BRIDGET
Why, Hector?

HECTOR
Because Bridget, I …, because…

BRIDGET
Yes?

HECTOR
Because I – I am in love with Annie.

NICK
Nick has entered the building!

BRIDGET
So where are you going looking like John Travolta?

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
He has a date with me, haven’t you, darling.

HECTOR
Another date?

BRIDGET
But that’s three times this week!

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Four.
We’ve been to dinner, to the theatre, to the cinema and last night – salsa dancing!

BRIDGET
Can you salsa?

NICK & EUNICE
Whooo!!!

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
I am the salsa queen!

BRIDGET
Yeah, with two left feet.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Pardon?

BRIDGET
Nothing.

HECTOR
It sounds great.

BRIDGET
What is it tonight?
Ping pong?

NICK
Tonight’s it’s karaoke.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
And I am the karaoke queen! Let’s go.
Bye! “I love yo-u-u!”

BRIDGET [Mimicking Eunice]
“I am the karaoke queen!”
I bet she sings like a toad.

ANNIE
So, Hector, where were we?

HECTOR
OK, I think I’ve got it, Annie.

Assorted b/g noises/music

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
I did knock, but the music was so loud, you didn’t hear me. I thought we’d have a little chat. Rule number two: no underwear on the radiator.

ANNIE
Oh, well, it’s dry now. Give it to me. Give it to…., thank you.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Let me repeat the rules.
No parties and no visitors, especially boys.
Especially boys from next door.
Especially Nick. He’s mine!
Get the message?

ANNIE
Erm, yeah, we get the message.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
See you later. Oh, by the way, that shelf is not straight. Bye!

BRIDGET
Well, I have never!
What does she…, who does she think she is?

ANNIE
The landlady’s cousin?
BRIDGET
Oooh, I know that, but no Hector and no Nick? How dare she?

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Coo-eee!

Coo-eee!

NICK [groaning]

NICK [groaning]

HECTOR
How is Eunice?

NICK [groaning]

HECTOR
Problems?

NICK
She is very nice.

HECTOR
But?

NICK
But – she’s just not my type.

HECTOR
What do you mean?

NICK
Look, presents.
More presents. Flowers. More presents. Chocolate.
And her energy! I’m exhausted!

Sound of knocking on door

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Nick! Ooh, Nick!
Coo-eee! Let’s go dancing!

NICK
Hector, get rid of her!

HECTOR
Get rid of her? How?

NICK
Say something!

HECTOR
What shall I say?

NICK
Anything! Tell her I’m not well.
I’ve eaten a hedgehog. I’ve gone to the moon.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN [Knocking on door]
Oh, Nick, are you in there?

NICK
Go on!

HECTOR
OK, OK! Oh, hi.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
You’re not Nick.

HECTOR
No. Nick.., Nick’s hedgehog has gone to the moon.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Pardon?

HECTOR
Nick’s hedgehog is not well. Nick is sad.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
So, he must come dancing to make him happy.

HECTOR
No, no!
He cannot dance!

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Why not?

HECTOR
He stood on the hedgehog without shoes. Very painful.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Oh, very messy!

HECTOR
So he cannot dance.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Oh, that’s a pity.
Well, never mind.

HECTOR
Yeah, sorry.
Bye.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Da-da-da-da!
You’ll just have to come instead!

HECTOR
Pardon?!

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Come on, let’s dance!

ANNIE [Composing email]
‘Yes, Hector is still building the shelves.
I don’t know why he is so keen to help!
Still, I like it!’

ANNIE
Do you think that’s correct?

ANNIE
‘And poor Nick! He looks exhausted!
He’s going out with Eunice. They’ve been to the theatre, the cinema, a restaurant, a salsa club and a karaoke club. She is the Karaoke Queen!’

NICK & EUNICE
Oooooohhhhhh!

ANNIE
I don’t think Bridget likes her.

ANNIE
“And tighten the screws.” Annie, you are a genius.
Hi, Hector.

HECTOR
Hi, Annie.

ANNIE
What’s the matter? Are you OK?

HECTOR
I am exhausted.

ANNIE
What happened?

HECTOR
Last night, Eunice and I…
ANNIE
Yes?

HECTOR
She made me…

ANNIE
Yes?

HECTOR
… Go dancing.

ANNIE
Oh!

HECTOR
Annie, she dances like a rhinoceros.
Whoa! Annie! The shelves! You finished them!

ANNIE
Oh, just a bit more measuring.

HECTOR
I will help you.

ANNIE
Oh.

HECTOR
Oh.

ANNIE
Sorry.

HECTOR
Sorry.

ANNIE
It’s OK.
It happens when people work together. So, where were we?
Ah! “For the final shelf, take…” oh! Hector! Oohhh!

NICK
Help! Hide me!
Wooo!!

HECTOR
Eunice?

NICK
Eunice.
Oh Bridget, save me!

BRIDGET
Why?

NICK
It’s Eunice.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN [Knocking on door]
Nick! Coo-eee! Oh, Nick!

NICK
Oh, there she is!
She’s too much!

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
I know you are in there, Nick.
Bridget, Annie, I said no boys.

BRIDGET
Shall I get rid of her, Nick?

NICK
Oh, yes, please! But how?

BRIDGET
I’ll think of something. Annie, let Miss Mountain in.
EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Ah, there you are, Nick. And Hector!
Bridget, I thought I said no boys.

BRIDGET
Yes, you did!

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Especially boys from next door.

BRIDGET
Yes, yes, you did!

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Especially …

BRIDGET
… Nick, he’s mine!!

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Oooh!
Well … just wait until I tell my cousin!
Oh, by the way, Hector, I’ve got a fax for you.

HECTOR
Oh? Oh, please, give it to me.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
It’s from your father. It says, “Coming to London to meet… the Prime Minister? My jet arrives at midday. Will phone. Father.”
Ooh! Actually, Hector, I think you’re more my type.

ANNIE
I, I don’t think so, Eunice.

EUNICE MOUNTAIN
Oh!
Goodbye.

ANNIE
Oh, and don’t slam the… door.
Oop!
So Hector, your father is flying to London in his private jet to meet the Prime Minister?

BRIDGET
Well, they are one of the richest families in Argentina.

NICK
So Bridget, where were we?

BRIDGET
No, Nick.

NICK
Huh?

BRIDGET
The trick worked. Eunice is gone.

HECTOR
Annie, I will buy you a million shelves.

ANNIE
Ooh, well, we better start measuring for them then.

HECTOR
Oh-ho-ho!

COMMENTARY [v.o.]
Next time in EXTRA, Nick dresses up, Bridget is working hard in television and Hector goes for an audition! EXTRA, don’t miss it!