SCENE 2

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 1279.

PAUL: This isn't a joke, is it?

TARA: Come on, have you ever heard father joke about money?

PAUL: That's true. But what did the letter say?

TARA: It was something to do with the tax revenue people.

PAUL: What about the tax revenue people?

TARA: I don't know. He didn't tell me. Fathers rarely confide in their daughters.

PAUL: Well, he could have left a note or something...

TARA: Don't be angry, Paul. He didn't expect you till Monday.

PAUL: Where's he now?

TARA: Gone off for the weekend with the Colonel.

PAUL: Well, never mind. Anyway, I think I'd better see Jack Lom first.

TARA: Oh darling, you've only just got back. Can't it wait?

PAUL: I'm sorry. But I'd better find out what's going on.

TARA: I see. You're going to try and win Jack over to your new ideas before facing father, eh?

PAUL: No, of course not darling! Bye.

(Engine noise.)

PAUL: Jack! Jack! Where are you?

JACK: Over here, in the yard.

PAUL: Oh no, not again! Every time I come here there are bits of moped everywhere. You've turned this yard into an engineering shop.

JACK: Got to keep ahead of the competition, my lad. Can't afford a two-month holiday in Dabu, you know.

PAUL (laughs): Well, we couldn't survive without you.

JACK: What do you think then?

PAUL: About what?

JACK: The new bike of course.

PAUL: Oh well, it looks a lot lighter.

JACK: Yes, but that's only a part of it. Listen!

(Engine noise.)

PAUL: Well, there's some power there.

JACK: Yes, tuned to perfection she is. Should be a real winner. But that's your department... Come on, let's go inside...

JACK: Another cup of tea, Paul?

PAUL: No, thanks. Well, what's new, Jack?

JACK: Nothing dramatic, I'm glad to say, but there is something you should know about.

PAUL: What's that?

JACK: Well, our rivals are offering extended credit terms to some of the retailers in the area.

PAUL: Oh? Which rival's this? We only have two.

JACK: Barratts.

PAUL: Oh them... Well, they're hardly а threat.

JACK: I know they're smaller than us but we can't afford to ignore them.

PAUL: Yes, you're right Jack. But I don't like extended credit. It ties up cash we could put to better use elsewhere. But I'll look into it on Monday.

JACK: Yes, and there's something else.

PAUL: Don't tell me - the letter from the tax revenue office.

JACK: Right first time. How did you know?

PAUL: Тага told me. What's the problem?

JACK: Well, Tom got this letter late yesterday and then went frantic trying to find copies of last year's accounts.

PAUL: Did he find them?

JACK: No, and he was away before I could get hold of the letter.

PAUL: How about a drive down to the office now, and we'll see if everything's

all right?

PAUL: There's another reason why I wanted a chat with you before Monday.

JACK: I thought as much. Well, go on, surprise me.

PAUL: How about selling that new moped of yours in Industria?

JACK: What? You mean export? Paul, I think you've been away too long. This is Jayal Motors. We've never sold a bike abroad.

PAUL: Don't worry, Jack. I'm not crazy. I've been studying the possibility and I think we should give it a go.

JACK: It's not as easy as that though, is it? We'd have to reorganize the whole

company.

PAUL: Don't be silly. I dont't intend starting next week. We'll have to plan it

properly and there'll be a few problems.

JACK: A few problems! I can see hundreds! For one thing, transport. I have enough trouble delivering bikes to shops only 40 miles away - never mind 5,000 miles!

PAUL: That's what forwarding agents are for.

JACK: Yes, but all that costs money – а lot of money.

PAUL: Oh come on, Jack. You're beginning to sound as cautious as Tom...

It's a change being able to find room to park.

JACK: Hey... looks like we're not the only ones working at weekends.

PAUL: Why?

JACK: Isn't that Diana getting into that sports car?

PAUL: Mmm, so it is.

JACK: She doesn't normally work at weekends.

PAUL: Well, maybe Tom's given her extra work.

JACK: But did you see who she was with?

PAUL: Yes, probably her boyfriend.

JACK: No, it was young Barratt.

PAUL: Who?

JACK: The son in Barratt & Sons.

PAUL: Oh him, that's interesting. I wonder what they've been up to?