Raymond    I don’t know anything about a Mr Singer. (Standing up and wandering over to look at Bert.) What is it you expect to find out here?

Charles    Find? What do you mean find?

Raymond    I mean find in the sense of . . . the everyday common sensical definition.

Charles    Right.

Raymond    You see, everyone – and by that I mean absolutely everyone – everyone who comes out here hopes to find something. That ‘something’ usually being the pot of gold.

Charles    Aaaahhhh, I understand.

Raymond    So?

Charles    Am I out here for the –

Raymond    I don’t know. Are you? People usually are, that’s what they’re usually out here looking for.

Charles    Well, I would like to see some of the exotic plants and flowers that grow in warmer climates. Flora and fauna have always fascinated me so if I think about it, I suppose I am, I am out here looking for something.

Raymond    Never mind flowers and something, what’re you doing out here, what’s the real motivation?

Charles frowns and pauses.

Charles    Well, ah, as I was saying, this friend of a friend told me that they were looking for people like me out here and I –

Raymond    Don’t let me interrupt you.

Charles    Oh, ah, right, so anyway, anyway this –

Raymond    Don’t take it personally. I don’t even know you. For all I know you may very well be an intelligent young man.

Charles    No, no, of course not. So as I was –

Raymond    I’m not judgemental.

Charles    No, no, I don’t think for one moment –

Raymond    Can’t afford to be, Charles. Not in my profession: kiss of death. I’m an empty vessel, you see. We need to be tuned into all walks of life, keep in step as I say . . . No, no, no, no, no I’m not judgemental. Don’t take it personally. Don’t be offended.

Charles    No, I really . . . I really understand what you’re saying, Raymond.

Raymond    Actors are empty vessels waiting to be – oh listen to me going on . . .

A long pause. Raymond goes into his suitcase and takes out a sleeveless top. He unbuttons his shirt, carefully taking off two outsized gold cufflinks, which he carefully puts on the top of his locker. Then he strips to the waist and puts on his sleeveless top. His muscles bulge. He goes into the leather bag and pulls out two outsized barbells.

Charles    Anyway . . .

Raymond starts doing arm curls with the barbells.

Raymond    Kowalski. You say he’s called Kowalski?

Charles    Yes . . . um, Bert.

Raymond    Oh, please don’t mind me. I like to keep in tip-top physical condition. Do you exercise?

Charles    No, but I did do gardening work in London. Outdoors . . . very healthy work.