Striding through the room comes an official: he is in a dress suit – white tie and tails. He holds back the curtain as the music ends, and the room fills with the sound of applause. A conductor and soloists come down steps into the room, flushed with effort and achievement. They ignore the sick and congratulate each other. As the applause continues the conductor goes back, then the soloists.

The performers return carrying large bouquets, out of which they distribute flowers to the dying.

INT. DINING ROOM AND STUDIO. NIGHT.

An Assistant Director comes into the set through the dining-room door, passing Dickie, still sitting at the dining table. He calls the group round the tea trolley.

ASSISTANT   (speaking with a Swedish accent) Everybody ready, please, for Scene 68. (to Dickie) When you’re ready, sir. Refreshments off the set, now. (He adds a few words of Swedish.) Everybody stand by now, please. Hurry up, please. Collect your chairs.
The actors put down their cups, tidy themselves. Stella grabs her script for a last look, putting on glasses to read it. Pauline struggles back into her dress.

INT. HALL. NIGHT.

Carrying their chairs, the guests cross the hall and enter the music room – George beckoning them in. We hear the sound of ‘Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring’, which Mrs Brookstone is playing on the piano.

INT. MUSIC ROOM. NIGHT.

As the guests file in and position their chairs, Mr Gregory, smoking, is having his face powdered by a make-up girl. Peter has brought two chairs. He offers one to Betty, who sits. Harold and Glyn are issuing hymn books.

STELLA   (looking round) Where’s Dickie? Dickie!

GEORGE   (looking out of the door) Dickie! Dickie! We’re starting.

MR GREGORY   Is that everyone? Right: off we go.
He plainly wants to get rid of his cigarette. Harold comes forward and takes it from him, stubbing it out in an ashtray on the piano.

MR GREGORY   Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation to join together this Man and this Woman in Holy Matrimony … It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as not having the gift of continency might marry and keep themselves undefiled … But first, I think, a hymn. One of my favourites and I hope one of yours … Number 267 … ‘The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended.’
Mrs Brookstone reaches up to a tape recorder on the piano and switches it on. The sound of an organ fills the room, and the singing of a large congregation. The guests rise and start to sing.
As the second verse starts Stella turns, puts her book down on her seat and leaves. Her departure is noted by Mr Gregory and Harold. Betty looks round.
Stella leaves, closing the door. A few moments later Glyn, who has been standing by the door, follows her.

INT. HALL/STAIRS. NIGHT.