Newsreader (voice only)
Doris
Albert (her husband)
NEWSREADER:
Earlier today the Palestinian Liberation Organisation claimed responsibility
for- the kidnap of a diplomat from outside the Swedish embassy yesterday
morning. Fears for the safety of Olaf Lauder have been expressed
by Israeli government officials. It was reported at the weekend that
Mr. Lauder had made overtures towards the warring factions in Palestine
in an effort to secure a temporary peace during the Christmas period for
the United Nations peace-keeping forces.
In the face of mounting anger at Tuesday’s Oxford Street bomb atrocity,
the I.R.A. have acknowledged that the explosive device was placed by one
of their members, but have disclaimed full responsibility for the killing
of nine people (including three children). A spokesman claimed that
they had given strict instructions that their New Year bombing campaign
was not to commence until the January sales had begun.
Police marksmen who shot the Beverley market-place murderer are facing mounting criticism that their response was hasty and insensitive. Having first set fire to the local Post Office, Shane Buckler roamed the streets of the quiet country town for almost an hour in an orgy of wanton killing. Armed with a rifle and two shotguns, Buckler was responsible for the deaths of seventeen people (including two policemen) before his reign of terror was brought to an end.
Prisoners at Sparksworth Prison, who have been holding hostage three of the prison officers since last Thursday, today renewed their threats that they were prepared to kill their hostages unless their demands were met. Three of the prisoners involved in last week’s riots, who were being treated for injuries sustained in the violence, are holding a young nurse as a hostage at Saint Hilda’s Hospital where they were being treated.
According to reliable sources in Kaluchistan, Soviet troops, who had been gathering on the borders for several days, have now taken control of all government and communication systems in the major cities. There are reports that the recently elected People’s Council has been deposed and that Kirajan Matela, the popularly acclaimed People’s Chairman has been killed.
In South Africa, a spokesman for the extremist New Nationalist Party has defended the policy statement issued last week which sought to provoke rioting and civil unrest. The spokesman claimed that such measures were the only means remaining whereby true nationalists could express their frustration at the Government’s half-hearted attempts to re-impose a complete and comprehensive system of apartheid. He further claimed that the rioting of the past few days was perfectly justified and that the killings, though regrettable, were a necessary means to an end.
In an official statement from the White House, the President today denied any United States involvement in the recent coup in Central America. The coup was achieved after, three days of fighting in the streets of the capital city, which left over six hundred dead. The Marxist head of state is believed to have escaped to Cuba.
* * * ADD FURTHER NEWS ITEMS IF NECESSARY
ALBERT: (enters during the third news item. He is middle aged
and ordinary.) What’s this?
DORIS: (slightly disinterested.) I dunno. The news or something.
I’m just waiting for the film to come on.
ALBERT: (listens to the next item, tutting, then becomes more and more
annoyed by what he hears.) Shooting’s too good for 'im! They should
string 'em up! Animals!
ALBERT: (turns to DORIS) Are you listening to this? Bombings,
murders, attacks. It’s supposed to be the season of Peace and Good
Will, ain’t it? People don’t Want to hear about all that kind of
thing. Turn it off.
DORIS: (sees no reason to get upset.) I wasn’t really listening.
I was just waiting for the film.
ALBERT: (gets more irate.) Don’t argue, woman. Turn it, off!
DORIS: (is getting annoyed.) Give over. I only want to watch the film.
It’s got that Roger Whatsisname in it.
ALBERT: (goes over to turn off the set himself.) There! I’m having
none of that sort of stuff in my house over Christmas. Why they put
it on in the first place beats me. People don’t want to hear bout
the troubles of the world. Not at Christmas.
DORIS: (turns the TV back on.) No. They just want to watch the
film.
ALBERT: Except that the film’s not on. It’s all riots and bombs
and killings. Whatever happened to Peace and Good Will?
ALBERT: (switches the set off.)
DORIS: (is getting very annoyed.) Well, mine’s rapidly running
out. If you don’t stop messing about with that television set I’m going
to lose my temper.
DORIS: (switches the TV on.)
ALBERT: (excited and angry) See! See! That’s what I mean. You watch
the stuff - you get to be like it. Don’t you go threatening me, woman!
(almost shouting) It’s the season of Peace and Good Will!
ALBERT: (switches the set off. The argument is becoming more and more
heated. DORIS is now losing her temper with ALBERT’s stubborn attitude.
She pushes past ALBERT to turn the TV on again.)
ALBERT: (is now well and truly over the top.) So! Push me around,
would you? Can’t get your own way, eh? So you get violent!
We’ll see about that.
(ALBERT is now pushing DORIS with increasing violence. DORIS
is responding in kind. The volume of their exchanges is increasing.)
ALBERT: I’ll not have violence in my own home!
DORIS: Nobody’s telling me what I can watch on the telly!
ALBERT: (loudly) There’s enough violence. We need more Peace
and Good Will!
DORIS: (equally loudly) We need the film!
ALBERT: (shouting) Peace and Good Will!
DORIS: (also shouting) The film!
(In a violent outburst, ALBERT knocks DORIS to the floor. A loud
thud is heard as she hits her head. DORIS lies still. ALBERT is a little
hesitant as he crouches over DORIS’s still body. ALBERT realises
what he has done. DORIS? DORIS? Oh my!?
NEWSREADER: (delivers his final news-item) Earlier this evening,
police in Hull arrested ALBERT Stansmore for the murder of his wife,
DORIS. It’s believed the couple, who had been married for nineteen
years, had been involved in a trivial domestic argument. As police
led him away, Mr. Stansmore was heard to mutter, 'It was peace and good
will.'
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