AIDAN. No, I mean. I think it’s a shame for you, cos it’s an opportunity, isn’t it, but if you don’t want it then. Can I get some coffee please?

SAM hesitates, AIDAN looks up at him.

Sam?

SAM. Yeah.

SAM, uncertain, grabs his jacket, leaves the room.

AIDAN. Where are the gaming reviews?

CHARLOTTE looks at RUPERT.

RUPERT. I’m just polishing.

AIDAN. Well, go and polish then.

RUPERT starts to leave.

Actually, one minute.

RUPERT turns back.

RUPERT. Yes, boss?

AIDAN. Do you own such a thing as a pair of snow shoes?

RUPERT gradually realises what he is implying.

RUPERT. No. No. You can fuck off. You can fuck right off. I’m not going.

AIDAN. Pack a few books. Kendal Mint Cake. You may be some time.

RUPERT. This is discrimination!

AIDAN. Against what?

RUPERT. Against privilege! You only make me do this stuff because of my dad!

AIDAN. No, I do it because it’s funny.

RUPERT. I’m not doing it. I’m just not. There is absolutely no way I’m freezing my bollocks off in the Arctic for your sadistic pleasure, no, I’m just not, you can fire me, I don’t care, that’s what a trust fund means, not having to take this sort of shit from people like you. There is no way, Aidan, I’m serious. Absolutely no way.

AIDAN. I’ll let you do the Louise Mensch interview.

RUPERT (panicked). You have to let me do that anyway, that’s my contact, Aidan, mate, don’t fuck about, / I set that up – !

AIDAN. Charlotte, would you like to interview Louise Mensch?

CHARLOTTE. Wow, / thank you, I’d love to.

RUPERT. That’s my contact – alright! All-fucking-right I’ll go to the Arctic! Fuck’s sake.

RUPERT goes. CHARLOTTE smiles at AIDAN, gets up to follow RUPERT.

AIDAN. Charlotte, wait a moment.

He crosses to her, shuts the door, they are standing very close, he looks at her.

You alright?

CHARLOTTE. Yeah.

She smiles.

You alright?

AIDAN nods. Smiles.

AIDAN. Bit tired.

CHARLOTTE. Yeah?

AIDAN. Didn’t get much sleep last night.

CHARLOTTE. No?

AIDAN. What about you?

CHARLOTTE. What?

AIDAN. Did you get much?

CHARLOTTE. Sleep?

AIDAN. Yeah.

CHARLOTTE. No. But I’m that much younger than you though, aren’t I? You don’t need it the same way. Not when you’re my age.

CHARLOTTE smiles. AIDAN, amused. They look at each other… but this is not the time or place. AIDAN smiles. Gestures to a chair.

AIDAN. Have a seat.

She sits. He sits in his desk chair.

I hope you don’t think I’m interfering.

,

CHARLOTTE. Okay?

AIDAN. I’ve got you an interview.

CHARLOTTE. Who’s it with this time? The naked yoga teacher?

AIDAN. No, for you. At the Indie.

,

CHARLOTTE. Are you – am I being fired?