Lights come up. A second lectern is to the side of the one Russell has been using. The park bench has been removed. Russell is at one lectern, and Lord Gladwyn is at the second one.

RUSSELL Thank you for coming, Lord Gladwyn.

GLADWYN My pleasure, Lord Russell. It was indeed kind of you to send me the literature concerning the Bertrand Russell Peace Foundation and to ask for my views.

RUSSELL Thank you. I should like to hear them.

GLADWYN As a general observation, I should at once say that I question your whole major premise.

RUSSELL In what sense, may I ask?

GLADWYN I really do not think that general nuclear war is getting more and more likely. I believe, on the contrary, that it is probably getting less and less likely.

RUSSELL On what do you base your optimism?

GLADWYN I do not