GILBERT   Sorry.
The pig disappears into the kitchen. Mother follows.

VERONICA   A pig!

JOYCE   Pigs here? Don’t be silly. The idea!
A rigid hand on Veronica’s shoulder forces her back to the keyboard. Da capo, Veronica. Come on, da capo.
It has been a narrow squeak.

INT. CHILVERS’ LANDING. EVENING.

Mother is standing thoughtfully, with her hand on the knob of her bedroom door. She opens it and looks in. The pig is sitting on her eiderdown looking out of the window. The front door bangs downstairs. Mother and the pig look out and watch Wormold going away down the path. Then he stops and looks back.

INT. CHILVERS’ HALL. EVENING.

GILBERT   Do you think he noticed anything?
There is a ring at the doorbell. Gilbert opens the door. Wormold stands there.

WORMOLD   Thought so.
Gilbert and Joyce don’t move. Wormold steps in, takes his attaché case from the hall stand, waves it and leaves. Joyce shuts the door.

GILBERT   There must be easier ways of getting roast pork than this.
At the top of the stairs. Mother and the pig look out from her bedroom.

JOYCE   It’s got beyond roast pork now, Gilbert. It’s self-respect.

GILBERT   Joyce.

JOYCE   Our marriage is in a corner. I want to push down the walls. Open out. Take your clothes off.

GILBERT   (startled) What?

JOYCE   There’ll be blood. Strip.
She helps him strip down to his underpants and socks, Gilbert occasionally murmuring in protest.

GILBERT   But she’s my friend.

JOYCE   Kill her. (Puts the large knife in his hand.) Kill your friend.
She pushes him upstairs. Mother and the pig disappear into her bedroom. Gilbert goes in after them. The pig runs out. Gilbert follows. They come down the stairs. Joyce heads them into the surgery. Grabbing Gilbert, she kisses him deeply.
Do it for me.
Pushing him into the surgery, she closes the door behind him.

INT. GILBERT’S SURGERY. EVENING.

Gilbert advances on the pig with the large knife in one hand and now a small knife in the other. The pig gives him a look of pure love.

INT. CHILVERS’ HALL. EVENING.

Joyce waits, listening and breathing hard. Suddenly terrific scuffling and screaming is heard from the surgery. Then quiet. The door opens slowly.

GILBERT   (shattered and bloody) Joyce.

JOYCE   Oh my darling.

GILBERT   I’ve cut my finger.
The pig, still very much alive, pushes its head round the door. Joyce thrusts Gilbert away.

JOYCE   Coward! Yellow! You’re yellow, Gilbert Chilvers.

GILBERT   Joyce.

JOYCE   A pathetic cringing nancy. Don’t touch me … nancy!
Gilbert is dressing.
Where are you going?

GILBERT   For a drink. I’m going to have a drink, then I’ll be able to do it.

JOYCE   You won’t, I should have married a man.

GILBERT   I will. I promise.