Jonathan There’s no need for that. You look terrible. Would you like to take a shower? We’ve got a splendid shower just through here.

Nick I’m alright.

Jonathan Maybe later. And then how about some clean clothes?

Nick I don’t think so.

Jonathan I can send the girl out. It’s not a problem. She enjoys shopping for me. The offer’s there.

Nick It was much easier. Before. When I hated you. I knew where I stood.

Jonathan I know. You know the territory and then suddenly…

Nick Lost.

Jonathan Horrible, isn’t it?

Nick Wish I had the strength left to hate you.

Jonathan I think we both miss the struggle. It’s all been rather easy for me these last few years. And I start to feel guilty if things come too easily. But really money, capitalism if you like, is the closest we’ve come to the way that people actually live. And, sure, we can work out all sorts of other schemes, try and plan to make everything better. But ultimately the market is the only thing sensitive enough, flexible enough to actually respond to the way we tick.

Nick There’s nothing better?

Jonathan Maybe in a thousand years but for now…

Nick It’s the best we’ve got.

Jonathan Exactly. So. You can spend your time like Helen. Rush around, regulate a bit. Soften the blow for a few of the losers. All very necessary. Important work. Absolutely. But rather dull. I think it’s made Helen rather…

Nick Dull. Yeah.

Jonathan Or you can say hey-ho – this is the way things are. So let’s get in there and make the most of it. How about that shower?

Nick Alright. Thanks.

Exit Jonathan, Nick starts to undress. Sound of shower starting. Enter Jonathan with towel.

Jonathan Warming up nicely. New clothes and you’ll feel much better.

Nick finishes undressing, wraps himself in the towel.

Jonathan Maybe you’d like to join me this afternoon. I’m making a trip. Eastern Europe. I’ve got a foundation. We’re doing some fantastic things. I had rather a run on currencies a few years ago. Governments were behaving in a spectacularly stupid fashion. Western governments. And I made the most ridiculous amounts of money. So, I’m doing what I can in Eastern Europe. Schools and hospitals and rehab centres. We’re really doing things. Oh – little flash of hatred in your eyes.

Nick No.

Jonathan Yes. Just for a moment – a flash of the old hatred.

Nick I don’t think so.

Jonathan Please. There’s no need to lie. You felt…

Nick Yeah. You cunt.

Jonathan Schools and hospitals and … but still …

Nick You cunt.

Jonathan Why do you think that is?

Nick I don’t know.

Jonathan Don’t worry. You’re not alone. That’s what it’s like out there. I fly in to some orphanage, or college, or festival of new plays and they treat me like god – a demi-god – thank you, thank you, thank you – but still: that little flash of hatred in all of them. And I don’t quite now why that is. But I rather like it. Time for your shower. Then, if you feel like it, you can come with me and look at all the good work.