Dismounting, Gilbert wheels his bike along the Parade. As he passes the cinema entrance on the Parade, we hear Grieg’s Piano Concerto from the film The Seventh Veil, playing inside. Gilbert pauses by Hewson’s wireless shop, where a couple are regarding one of the new televisions, which is displayed in the window. A notice on the cabinet, which dwarfs the screen, tells people that they can ‘See the Royal Wedding Here’. The man throws a cigarette packet down in the doorway of the small empty shop next door. Gilbert looks askance. Moving into this doorway he picks up the man’s rubbish as he looks at a ‘Let’ sign on the door.
A look of satisfaction grows on his face.

EXT. ALLARDYCES’ HOUSE. DAY.

There are two cars parked in the drive. A handyman in an old khaki shirt is playing a hose over the first car. A lace curtain drawn back suggests someone is watching the handyman or Gilbert, who, having admired the cars, parks his bike.

INT. ALLARDYCE’S STUDY. DAY.

Three middle-aged men are in the room. Allardyce is an accountant, Lockwood a solicitor and Swaby a medical practitioner. Allardyce is a plump, genuine soul, and Lockwood is sour and small-minded, not genuine at all. Dr Swaby is a thoroughgoing shit. They all have sheets of paper on which are lists of names.

LOCKWOOD   (reading from his list) Coddington. Jezzard. Ibbotson.
The doorbell rings. Allardyce looks up and from his point of vision we see a plump woman’s arm reach in and close the study door. (continuing) Starkey. Mrs R. Jack Palmer.
Allardyce is still looking at the door that has closed.

INT. ALLARDYCES’ SITTING ROOM. DAY.

Prosperously furnished. The most prominent object in the room is an early television set, screen about nine inches wide, in a large walnut console. On top of it is a bowl of bananas. Mrs Allardyce, a fleshy and masterful middle-aged woman, is in the act of lifting her skirt to undo her suspender, turning away from Gilbert slightly in order to do so.

MRS ALLARDYCE   You’re younger than I’d been led to expect. However.
Gilbert doesn’t say anything.
Mrs Lockwood says she’s a new woman.

GILBERT   Have you a newspaper, Mrs Allardyce? This is a good carpet.

MRS ALLARDYCE   Wholesale from Halifax, of course it is.

INT. ALLARDYCE’S STUDY. DAY.

Lockwood is still reading out his list, with Dr Swaby repeating the names in confirmation as he ticks them off.

LOCKWOOD   Gibson. Proctor. Chalmers-Smith. Major Hopkinson.

ALLARDYCE   (smiling happily and ticking off a name) Great minds think alike.

LOCKWOOD   Sutcliff?
Pause.

DR SWABY   He might not want to come.

LOCKWOOD   She Will.
Mrs Allardyce comes in, one stocking on, one off.

MRS ALLARDYCE   Paper, Henry?
Allardyce is sitting on it.

ALLARDYCE   It’s today’s.
She takes it.

MRS ALLARDYCE   And? (Meaning ‘What of it?’)
She goes. Dr Swaby and Lockwood exchange pitying looks.

LOCKWOOD   (continuing) Dickinson.

DR SWABY   Dickinson.