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- Female: 1
- Male: 1
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Context
Garry Essendine is used to people throwing themselves at him. A successful actor adored by the public, it is a common occurrence for women to “forget their latchkeys” and need shelter for the night. He never expected, though, to be subjected to the same ruse by his best friend’s wife, Joanna. Garry repeatedly rebuffs her advances, seeing right through her attempts at seduction, but Joanna came to the apartment with a mission and will not be refused.
Both characters speak with British RP
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START: Joanna: I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you’re in. I’ve done the most idiotic thing.
Garry: Why, what’s happened?
Joanna: I’ve forgotten my latchkey!
Garry: Oh, Joanna!
Joanna: It’s no good looking at me like that-- I’m not in the least inefficient as a rule, this is the first time I’ve ever done such a thing in my life.
[... … …]
END: Garry: (Bitterly) What about Morris? Is he in love with you? Has there been anything between you two?
Joanna: Of course there hasn’t.
Garry: Do you swear to that?
Joanna: There’s no need for me to swear it, you can see can’t you? I don’t want to live with you, God forbid. You’d drive me mad in a week. But you are to me the most charming, infuriating, passionately attractive man I’ve ever known. (Leans over him. Touching his arm) Who could you and I possibly harm by loving each other for a while? (Pause)
Garry: Please may I get up now? (Joanna removes her hand. Shakes her head and kisses him.)
For full extended scene, please refer to the video link or script edition cited here: Coward, Noel, Present Laughter, Samuel French, 1976, pp. 48-56.
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