Ep 5: An English Game (Interlude)

Frances and Margaret catch up over a game of tennis, but Margaret has some worrying news.

The Greatest Matter was Written & Directed by Conor Reid

It was Recorded at The Podcast Studios, Dublin and Produced by Hilary Barry

With Editing, Sound Design, and Original Music by Conor Reid

The show is a HeadStuff Podcast. For more on the network, all the great shows, and details on how you can support the podcast, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com

CAST

Frances

Margaret

Amy O’Dwyer

Margaret Mc Auliffe

Dramaturgy & Script Support from Peter Dunne

Artwork & Design by Matt Mahon

Marketing & Promotional Support from Claudia Grandez & Hilary Barry

Transcript: An English Game

FRANCES:                            Are you ready, Margaret? Come on, Rose and Caroline are already on the court.

MARGARET:                       I’m coming, I’m coming. You know this will be a disaster, yes?

FRANCES:                            It’ll be fine, you’re not that bad! And the ladies aren’t regular tennis players either.

MARGARET:                       You and your English games.

FRANCES:                            (mock horror)Whatever would your friends say? The Irish are so sensitive about this sort of thing…

MARGARET:                       Hey, don’t start with your “the Irish”. You’re half Irish.

FRANCES:                            Sorry, sorry. But don’t pretend you don’tdo that too.

MARGARET:                       Do what?

FRANCES:                            (Impersonating Margaret’ Irish accent)You see the problem with the English…

MARGARET:                       I never…oh, I did say that the other day, didn’t I?

FRANCES:                            Yes, at that party, which I agreed to go along to, where I was the only person with an English accent, and so everyone assumed I was some sort of anti-Home Rule, Empire-loving Conservative.

MARGARET:                       Fine, that’s fair. Thank you for coming to the party, and for being so charming and beautiful that everyone loved you by the end of the evening.

FRANCES:                            You’re just lucky I’m so utterly charming and beautiful!

MARGARET:                       (laughing)Right, well in return I am willing to go and play my best at this ridiculous sport.

FRANCES:                            Excellent. We have to win, by the way, or the pair of them will be gloating all month.

                                                [FX: Walking to court]

(to Caroline and Rose)Sorry about the delay, ladies. We’re ready to start. Margaret will serve.

MARGARET:                       Will I?

FRANCES:                            Yes, you’ll be wonderful. (to Caroline and Rose) Good luck, ladies!

[FX: Tennis noises here and throughout, incl some grunts,  exertion, etc from players]

FRANCES:                            15 – love!

MARGARET:                       Oh, that quite a good shot actually. Did I tell you the police called to my house the other day (serves)

FRANCES:                            What?

MARGARET:                       Pay attention to the game!

FRANCES:                            (hits the ball). What did they want?

MARGARET:                       Mostly to ransack the place and intimidate me.

FRANCES:                            (tries to hit and misses, distracted) What!?

MARGARET:                       Oh, hard luck. (shouts) 15 all!

Yes, they searched my house when they found out we’d talked to Áine. They found nothing, though (serves)

FRANCES:                            I see

MARGARET:                       Damn! (misses shot, shouts). 15-30!

FRANCES:                            Margaret, that’s terrifying!

MARGARET:                       Oh, not really, and it means we’re on to something. We must be, if they’re going to all that trouble! (serves)

FRANCES:                            Well, I guess you’re right. (more tennis sounds, shouts) 30 all!

MARGARET:                       How was your doctor’s appointment?

FRANCES:                            Interesting. I’ll tell you about it later. Now we need to (hitting the ball) concentrate.

MARGARET:                       Good shot! 40-30

FRANCES:                            Your serve for the game.

MARGARET:                       (serves)

FRANCES:                            An ace! Very impressive!(to Caroline and Rose) First game to us, ladies! Let’s swap sides.

MARGARET:                       So, maybe I could come to yours this evening?

FRANCES:                            Yes, I’d like that. (quietly) And stay the night?

MARGARET:                       Oh, I would very much like that (pause, walking)

FRANCES:                            (to Caroline and Rose) Ok, first game to us. Caroline, your serve!