CLARA: Anything I can bring while I'm out?

TONY: Nothing I can think of.

CLARA: Right, I'm off.

TONY: Thanks, Clara. It's extraordinarily good of you ...

CLARA: Not at all. After all, I got you into all this in the first place.

TONY: It was hardly your fault.

CLARA: I did twist your arm pretty hard. I'm glad to make some amends.

TONY: Even so, just at this time ... You must have plenty more on your plate.

CLARA: Nothing as important as this. But for goodness' sake have the place more or less ship-shape before I get back.

TONY: I'll try. But I don't know how long Eric's business will take.

CLARA: When do you expect him?

TONY: It depends on when he can collect this mysterious visitor he's bringing along.

CLARA: Do your best, anyway. See you soon.

TONY: 'Bye.

ANNOUNCER (voice over) ... in the classic recording by Jacqueline du Pré with the LSO under Barbirolli. And now, in place of the advertised programme, we are broadcasting a recording of last Thursday's concert from Prague, given by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra under Vaclav Neumann. It is an all-Czech programme, with ...

PLACEK: Er - excuse me, Professor Anderson

TONY: Yes?

PLACEK: I must apologise if I disturb you.

TONY: Not at all ...

PLACEK: Then allow me please to congratulate you on your paper.

TONY: Oh - thank you, Dr. ... ?

PLACEK: Placek, Professor - Alexander Placek. May I present my card?

TONY: Thanks. Er - I'm afraid I seem to be out of them.

PLACEK: No matter. The details are in the office. Yes, your paper - how refreshing it is to hear a respectable piece of work, capably presented. Too many of our purported authors, I fear, have made the least possible effort to get on - what do you say? - the bandwagon.

TONY: Yes, I suppose so.

PLACEK: Whatever happened, I ask myself, to the first intention of bringing together the real experts simply to discuss their latest work?

TONY: Smothered by the political side-issues, I imagine.

PLACEK: It does appear so. (Beat) I gather that you too are not unduly eager to hear Kasparian.

TONY: Well, no - actually I was hoping to make a telephone call.

A clock strikes, with a resonant chime.

PLACEK: "The temple bell stops ringing ..."

TONY: (absently) "But the sound still comes from the flowers."

PLACEK: Ah - near enough.

TONY: Sorry?

PLACEK: The fault is mine, Professor; I was speaking only to myself. But your telephone call - I regret that the system does not work well. You were perhaps planning to meet friends?

TONY: No, I have to phone home.

PLACEK: Indeed? A difficult time, I fear.

TONY: There are reasons.

PLACEK: Of course, I have no doubt of it.

TONY: Actually my wife's had some rather crucial medical tests, and I wondered if she'd got the results yet - they were due today.

PLACEK: I'm sorry if I seemed to pry into private matters. It was not at all my intention.

TONY: Of course not - understood.

PLACEK: But I must not detain you from so important an enquiry. You would do best to ask at the conference office to place your call - if you will please to return my card for a moment - thank you -

PLACEK: That should overcome any difficulty with our sometimes rather over-officious staff there.

TONY: Thank you. It's very good of you.

PLACEK: Not at all. We try to accommodate our distinguished guests as well as we can.

TONY: Much appreciated.

PLACEK: And I do hope that all will be well with your wife. Until later, Professor.

ELENA: Well? Is he?

PLACEK: Ah, Elena. Evidently. He wants to telephone - not the local call we expected, but there's plenty of time yet for that. Now, ...

CLARA: Come along, dear. Let's get it over.

ANNA: Do I look all right?

CLARA: Utterly charming. Now don't worry - whatever happens, he won't eat you.

ANNA: But it is such a thing to ask!

CLARA: Unconventional, yes. But he isn't one to worry about that. So you needn't. Come on, in you get.

CLARA: Tony! I didn't realise you were going out. Lucky I caught you.

TONY: Oh, hello, Clara. Yes - what's all this about?

CLARA: Not out here, if you don't mind ...

TONY: Now - coffee, tea, something stronger?

CLARA: No, thanks. I don't want to be unsociable, but with this on my mind ...

TONY: Understood. Now, you sounded very mysterious on the phone ...

CLARA: Er - I hardly know where to start. I'm afraid this is a very delicate matter.

TONY: Oh? Have I done something dreadful?

CLARA: No, nothing at all like that. Oh dear, I'm sorry to be so awkward about it.

TONY: What on earth is the matter? I've never known you so flustered.

CLARA: I've never had such an errand! But I was looking through the parish records ... I'm sorry if this is still painful for you, Tony, but your wife died about a couple of years ago, didn't she?

TONY: Yes, that's right.

CLARA: Well, are you ... this must seem a dreadful impertinence ... but - er - are you by any chance thinking of marrying again?

TONY: Whatever gave you that idea?

CLARA: Nothing. I mean ...Oh lord, I knew I'd make a mess of this ...

TONY: Hold on. Sit down and have a sherry, then make a fresh start.

CLARA: I'm so sorry ...

TONY: OK? Now, about re-marriage. No, I'm not. No one could ever take Margaret's place.

CLARA: I see. But have you any objection in principle?

TONY: Why on earth ...?

CLARA: Oh lord, it's no good beating about the bush. It's simply that if you've no intention of re-marrying for your own sake, there's nothing to stop you doing it for someone else's, is there?

TONY: (leaping up)WHAT!!!!!!!!?

CLARA: Please, Tony! Let me explain. You know Mrs. Armitage at the Manor ...

TONY: What's she got to do with it

CLARA: Oh, for goodness' sake do sit down again. It's hard enough without your prowling around like a caged tiger.

CLARA: Thanks. Now, where was I? Oh yes. Mrs. Armitage has a young girl helping in the house. From Eastern Europe. She came over to marry a lad she'd met on a student exchange or something of the sort, and he let her down. Now she's threatened with deportation - and she's dead scared of what'll happen to her if she goes back. Says she'd kill herself first.

TONY: Over-dramatisation, surely.

CLARA: Mrs. Armitage thinks not. Anyway, it seems that the only other thing that could save this girl from being sent back to meet her fate is to find an English husband.

TONY: So you're nominating me as the gallant suitor?

CLARA: If that's how you want to put it. Though the boot's really on the other foot.

TONY: You say a young girl. How young?

CLARA: Early twenties, perhaps.

TONY: So I'm at least twice her age. Surely you could find someone a bit less unsuitable.

CLARA: Not likely to be willing. Actually, Anna has apparently been asking questions about you - it suggests some interest. She's not looking for an Adonis, you know -

TONY: Thank you very much!

CLARA: Just a British husband. For whatever length of time it takes to establish a right of residence - a couple of years, perhaps.

TONY: Clara! From someone supposed to uphold the sanctity of marriage, that is frankly shocking.

CLARA: Well, if you've genuine qualms on that score, there's no need to consummate the marriage. Then it would be just a legal fiction.

TONY: Illegal, more like.

CLARA: Is that really a consideration, with the girl's life at stake? (Changing tone) Look, Tony, this isn't for me. It's for a poor girl who's at her wits' end about God knows what trouble she'll be in if you don't bail her out. She's clean, attractive, sensible, good-natured by all accounts ...

TONY: You sound as though you were trying to find a home for a family pet.

CLARA: Then look at it like that if it helps. Won't you at least see her? She's waiting outside in the car.

TONY: Well, of all the ... You're putting me in an impossible position ...

CLARA: I'm sorry, but I have to. It's an emergency.

TONY: I suppose we can't leave her stranded out there ... Mind you, I'm not making any promises.

CLARA: That's understood. Thank you. I'll fetch her in. And Tony ...

TONY: Yes?

CLARA: Be kind to her - please.

CLARA: Professor Anderson, this is Anna.

TONY: (replacing the photograph) Hello, Anna.

ANNA: How do you do, Professor? You are very kind to receive me like this.

TONY: I'm sorry you had such a long wait outside. Please sit down. Will you have a sherry?

ANNA: Thank you, I should like that. But please make it small.

TONY: Your English is very good.

ANNA: You are kind. My parents insisted that I should learn it well, and we used to listen often to English radio programmes.

TONY: And how are your parents?

CLARA: (warning) Tony ..!

ANNA: It is all right, Mrs. Benson. I must learn to face it. (To Tony) They both disappeared several years ago. I think that they must be dead.

TONY: Oh. I'm sorry. Hm - how hopelessly inadequate that seems!

ANNA: Perhaps they are better so. They had been distressed for a long time about the state of our country. It is not a happy land.

TONY: So you don't want to go back?

ANNA: That is correct. Anything rather than that.

TONY: Even marriage?

ANNA: I do not mean an insult. But for a girl to have to plead for marriage, it is not a pleasant thing - not a becoming thing, even. Yet that is what I must do.

TONY: And you'd be prepared to settle for a husband old enough to be your father?

ANNA: If he is as kind and gentle as my father - and from what Mrs. Benson has told me, I think that you must be.

TONY: Mrs. Benson hasn't had to live with me. (Sotto voce) Thank goodness!

ANNA: No, but these things can be seen.

TONY: And I'm not the romantic type, you know.

ANNA: I came here at the first to join someone who seemed to be romantic. But romantic types are ... not reliable. And reliability is what I need above all things. Professor Anderson, I do not wish to make a great scene of this - it would be embarrassing for you and demeaning for myself - but if you will take me, I promise to do everything that I can to make you not regret it. I ask only for the formality of marriage, not for all that I might expect if you chose me freely. I can live cheaply; I can make my own clothes; I can cook well - ask Mrs. Armitage; I do not ...

TONY: Stop, stop, stop! You don't need to worry about all that. And as for demeaning, it would demean me to be stingy with a wife.

ANNA: Mrs. Benson has said also that you are generous.

TONY: Mrs. Benson has said a damn sight too much!

CLARA: So Derek often tells me. Do I gather that you ..?

TONY: That I've agreed? No, don't rush me. I need time to think it over.

CLARA: How long? We've only got a week.

TONY: You can hardly expect me to decide on five minutes' acquaintance.

CLARA: Of course not. It's all arranged with Mrs. Armitage. Anna can have whatever time off she needs.

TONY: For what?

CLARA: Take her for a walk. Or a run in the car. Talk about her interests. Really, Tony, if you need the Vicar's wife to tell you how to spend a day with a pretty girl, you're not the man I took you for!

TONY: You're taking a hell of a lot for granted!

CLARA: I have to. This is an emergency.

TONY: So it seems. (To Anna) When shall I call for you?

ANNA: It is you who are doing the favour for me. Please say when it will be convenient to yourself.

TONY: Right. Tomorrow, ten o'clock?

ANNA: Yes, that is good. Thank you.

CLARA: And then you'll make your mind up?

TONY: Clara, you're rushing me again.

CLARA: I've told you, we haven't much time.

TONY: Yes, all right. I'll tell you on Sunday. But don't jump to any conclusions!

TONY: Phew, where did that lot come from? It's lucky we'd only a few yards to dash.

ANNA: But you are out of breath even so. You should take more exercise.

TONY: Now don't you start. I've had quite enough of that from Dr. Ferguson.

ANNA: Well, he is right. You ought to follow his advice.

TONY: Maybe. Are you wet?

ANNA: How could I not be?

TONY: I mean, right through.

ANNA: Just my dress, I think - I shall change it. What about you?

TONY: Nothing to worry about.

ANNA: Your jacket is very damp. Take it off; I shall bring a towel.

TONY: Hey, easy does it! No need to scalp me.

ANNA: Sorry. I think your hair is better - be still a moment - like that.

TONY: Why change it?

ANNA: To cover the part that is becoming a little thin.

TONY: Is it? I never noticed.

ANNA: You cannot see it. But I do. Still, if you do not like it this way ...

TONY: Oh, I don't mind.

ANNA: Thank you. Tony, your trousers look to be wet.

TONY: They'll dry soon enough. But what a way to end the evening!

ANNA: There is no real harm done. And it was a very pleasant evening.

TONY: You liked Harry and Gina?

ANNA: They seemed very welcoming.

TONY: Is that all you can say?

ANNA: Does it seem - what do you say? - condemning with faint praise?.

TONY: "Damning with faint praise" is the idiom.

ANNA: Thank you. You must always correct me when I get the words wrong.

TONY: Actually, you do very well. Remarkably well, in fact. Anyway, how did you like them?

ANNA: Very much. You have known them long?

TONY: Harry about five years - he was one of my students. Gina I hardly know at all; this was the first I've seen of her since their wedding.

ANNA: What do you think of her?

TONY: Well, she seems rather quiet.

ANNA: I have never before heard a man complain of that in a woman!

TONY: No, I meant subdued - diffident.

ANNA: Probably she was in awe of her husband's professor.

TONY: Perhaps. But I hope she livens up a bit. Otherwise it could be a very dull marriage.

ANNA: You like a woman to have spirit?

TONY: Certainly. Not too much, of course; she shouldn't be overwhelming.

ANNA: I shall remember. But they seem affectionate. (She snuggles up and her wrap slips a little). Your shirt is wet, too.

TONY: A bit.

ANNA: You should change it.

TONY: I don't feel like moving, for the moment.

ANNA: Yes. It is pleasant, here on the hearth rug.

TONY: Isn't it supposed to be a leopard skin for the best effect?

ANNA: You intend to get a leopard skin?

TONY: I think the leopard might object.

ANNA: In my home, we always wanted a bear skin.

TONY: Oh, indeed? "Bare skin" is what you're showing rather too much, young woman.

ANNA: It offends you to see me like this?

TONY: Not at all. That's the trouble. I'm only human, you know.

ANNA: Well, what is wrong with that? After all, we are man and wife. The minister said so.

TONY: You know perfectly well that that was just a formality.

ANNA: I have known of many people doing very much more with very much less formality.

TONY: I know of people beating up their grandmothers, but I don't have to do the same.

ANNA: (in mock astonishment) You still have a grandmother?

TONY: You know what I mean. I have rather old-fashioned ideas about some things, that's all.

ANNA: I do not understand. It seems that you do not like me.

TONY: I don't mean that at all.

ANNA: Then you do like me?

TONY: Yes, Anna, I like you very much. Very much indeed.

ANNA: That is good. But you do not like the way I look?

TONY: It's bad manners to fish for compliments. But don't worry, you look absolutely fine.

ANNA: I have not the shape of Gina, I am afraid.

TONY: There's nothing at all wrong with the shape you've got.

ANNA: Ah, I am glad. Because I like to please you.

TONY: You do. And I like to please you.

ANNA: Thank you. You really ought to change that shirt, you know. I do not want you to catch a cold.

TONY: A few minutes won't do any harm.

ANNA: Well, if you are sure ... (Beat) Tony?

TONY: Yes?

ANNA: You remember the marriage service?

TONY: Of course.

ANNA: There was a phrase ... something like "With my body I thee worship."

TONY: Yes. "And with all my worldly goods I thee endow."

ANNA: Yes, you have been most generous. And I am grateful - for everything. But Tony ...

TONY: Yes?

ANNA: I think that I should also like you to worship me a little.

ANNA: Good evening.

PLACEK: Good evening, Madam. Could you please tell me if I have found the residence of Professor Anderson?

ANNA: Yes, this is it.

PLACEK: May I then speak to the Professor, please?

ANNA: I regret that he is not at home at present. Perhaps I could take a message for him. What is it about which you wish to speak?

PLACEK: It is a little difficult to explain on the doorstep ...

ANNA: I am sorry. Will you come in for a moment?

PLACEK: Well done; not a flicker of recognition.

ANNA: You've brought the next round of instructions?

PLACEK: That's right. But first, I suppose you've got a position as some sort of maid to the Professor?

ANNA: Better than that - I'm his wife!

PLACEK: (astonished) What? Was that really necessary?

ANNA: You wanted me to be an intimate member of the household. And this turned out to be the only position actually available.

PLACEK: Fair enough. And it does open up some very interesting possibilities - yes, the more I think of it, the better I like it. Again, well done.

ANNA: Thank you, sir. Now, where do we go from here?

PLACEK: Well, at first I had to keep you in the dark about the nature of your mission. But you must have realised by now that our good Professor is very much involved with dissidents in the Socialist countries.

ANNA: No - it's news to me.

PLACEK: Well, he's been getting forbidden literature published here and smuggled back; placing emigrés in positions of advantage in the West - very much to our disadvantage; supplying funds and materials to dissident groups back home ...

ANNA: Are you sure? I've seen no sign of it. You couldn't be thinking about another Professor Anderson, could you? It's a common enough name.

PLACEK: No chance. On one of his visits, I posed as his contact; the real one was, ah, "indisposed" at the time. When we met, it was he who brought up the question of political action - in veiled terms, of course. He responded correctly to the password. In our later talks, he was ultra-cautious, as if reluctant to trust even those identified as his contacts. It all fitted.

ANNA: Well, if you say so. But I've seen no sign of it.

PLACEK: And you are a capable observer. Then he's even more cunning and dangerous than I'd thought. So now we come to the next phase of the operation.

ANNA: (apprehensively) Yes?

PLACEK: These emigrés - and what they say about conditions back home - have become too troublesome to tolerate. We must not only plug the escape holes, but also discredit those that have got through already, and their source of assistance as well. That's where you come in.

ANNA: I don't like the sound of this.

PLACEK: As his maid, I expected you to find damaging evidence. But it seems that I was mistaken. As his wife, however, you can do even better.

ANNA: How?

PLACEK: You will sue for divorce, citing the Professor's string of affairs with women ostensibly brought here on their route to "freedom."

ANNA: But nothing of the sort has ever happened!

PLACEK: How do you know? You certainly wouldn't be the first deceived wife, and I don't suppose the last. In any case, true or not, we can easily manufacture the evidence.

ANNA: I won't do it!

PLACEK: Did I hear you correctly?

ANNA: You did.

PLACEK: Lieutenant Jirak!

ANNA: (snapping to attention) Sir! (Relaxing) You have the name wrong, sir. It's Anderson now.

PLACEK: Never mind your temporary place in this decadent society. I am talking of your duty to your country's service. You will sue for divorce on the grounds I have stated. The case will be a sensation - we shall make sure of that - and afterwards, no one will take the emigrés seriously, or put any trust in your precious professor. I shall go now to arrange for the necessary corroboration.

ANNA: I've already told you I'm not doing it. And I mean it. I'm quitting.

PLACEK: (sighing) Must I remind you that you don't desert as easily as you seem to think?

ANNA: I know. All right, I'll do anything you like to undermine the emigrés - anything short of harming Tony.

PLACEK: Fool! Don't you see that that's the whole point of the operation? (More gently) Look, Anna, I don't want to come over like a pantomime villain, but you must see that unless you follow the plan, I shall have to make other arrangements to salvage it, and truly as I regret the consequences for you, they are likely to be very unpleasant.

ANNA: Then I take the consequences.

PLACEK: And that's your final word?

ANNA: It is.

PLACEK: So be it, then. I don't expect you to believe this, but I hope that you won't suffer too much from what has to be done.

ANNA: There! I am out - and on a treble, too.

TONY: Hm. I should have thought of that.

ANNA: You're slipping! What is the score?

TONY: You have - er - a hundred and seventy six. Mine's two hundred and fifty five. You're getting closer.

ANNA: Would you like a coffee?

TONY: Yes, please. I'll pack up the set.

TONY: I'll see to it.

PLACEK: Good evening, Professor Anderson.

TONY: Good evening ...?

PLACEK: Alexander Placek - you may remember we met at the Prague conference?

TONY: Oh, yes, of course. I couldn't quite place you for the moment. Do come in. We're just going to have coffee; will you join us?

PLACEK: You are most kind. Thank you, yes.

TONY: (calling from the hall) Make it three coffees, Anna. We've a visitor.

ANNA: (out of view) Right

PLACEK: I hope that I am not intruding?

TONY: Not at all. We weren't doing anything in particular.

PLACEK: That is good. I had intended to write to you, but the time went by until I had to visit the university here and thought that I might give myself the pleasure of renewing your acquaintance in person.

TONY: I'm delighted you did. Is it just a social call, or have you some other reason?

PLACEK Ah, you have guessed my guilty secret.

TONY: Is that as bad as it sounds?

PLACEK: I hope not. You will remember that after Prague, the next conference of the series was agreed to be in Kiev during the May of next year?

TONY: Yes, as it happens I got the preliminary announcement and call for papers only last week. And the budget will just about run to my coming.

PLACEK: Ah, that is interesting. You see - but first, I should explain to you that the organising committee has done me the honour of appointing me Conference Secretary.

TONY: Congratulations! Or should it be commiseration?

PLACEK: I am not at all sure myself. Anyway, my reason for approaching you is to ask if you would be willing to act as chairman for one of the sessions.

TONY: Why yes, of course, I'd be delighted - and honoured.

PLACEK: Excellent. I presume that you will be accompanied?

TONY: Er -

PLACEK: But there, I was forgetting - how foolish of me. When we last met you were worrying about your wife's health; is she now well?

TONY: Actually she died quite soon afterwards.

PLACEK: My friend! I am desolate! Please accept my deepest condolences.

TONY: In the event it was a mercy. Margaret was in terrible pain.

PLACEK: I see. It is good that you can take so heavy a blow philosophically. Though there must still be some pain for yourself, I fear.

TONY: An occasional sadness. But there have been consolations.

PLACEK: I am truly glad to hear it.

TONY: But for the conference - take it that I'll be coming alone.

PLACEK: Very well. That is understood.

ANNA: (briefly looking in) Milk and sugar? Oh!

PLACEK: Sugar, no milk, thank you. (A well-faked double take) My God!

TONY: What's the matter?

PLACEK: That girl - your domestic, I suppose?

TONY: No, I should have explained. I married Anna six months ago.

PLACEK: (in an urgent whisper) My friend, I must speak to you most urgently, in complete privacy.

TONY: What?

PLACEK: Where can we meet and be sure that no one can overhear us?

TONY: What on earth for?

PLACEK: Never mind for the moment. But I do assure you that it is important.

TONY: Well ... I suppose the University Park would do. There's a duck pond by the south gate, with a swan's nest on one side. I could be there two o'clock tomorrow. But what on earth ...?

PLACEK: Not now.

PLACEK: Ah, the coffee. And may I compliment you on having so charming a hostess to grace your home ...?

PLACEK: Ah, Professor Anderson!

TONY: Good afternoon. Now what the devil is ..?

PLACEK: (sotto voce) One moment. (At a normal level) What a fine day it has become. Do you enjoy watching the ducks?

TONY: Eh? Oh, yes. Whenever I feel worried or depressed, I come to look at them. They've never yet failed to cheer me up.

PLACEK: That is good. There is something indeed comical about them. But the swan - he does not seem to find them so amusing.

TONY: No, they've got eggs in the nest, so they always drive the ducks away. Though what harm they suppose they might do, goodness only knows.

PLACEK: And look - at the nest, a rat is creeping up, and - yes - it has stolen one of the eggs.

TONY: While the swan carries on regardless chasing the ducks.

PLACEK: Just so. And there, my friend, is a parable for ourselves. So often we fill our heads with worry about mere irritations, while the real enemy approaches stealthily to destroy us from behind.

TONY: My word, we are getting philosophical, aren't we?

PLACEK: Do not jest, my friend. Who but we will consider such matters? Come, let us walk together.

TONY: You're being very mysterious. What's up?

PLACEK: (after checking surroundings) It concerns your work for the eastern dissident organisations.

TONY: My WHAT?

PLACEK: Shhh! Please, be calm. You need not pretend to know nothing about it.

TONY: But ...

PLACEK: When we met in Prague, everything that you said about politics was circumspect in the extreme, but your meaning was clear to anyone who held the key.

TONY: (flabbergasted) I never ...

PLACEK: And, of course, you had responded correctly to the password.

TONY: What the devil are you talking about? I can't make head or tail of it. Any more than I could in Prague.

PLACEK: Oh?

TONY: You baffled me completely then, but I thought I was simply too worried about Margaret to follow you properly, and made the best non-committal answers I could. If they fitted in with what you expected of a particular contact, I'm sorry, but that was pure bad luck. Honestly, you've got the wrong man.

PLACEK: Ah, you are quite right to be cautious. After all, you cannot be sure that I am not a spy of my government, sent to penetrate your organisation.

TONY: (laughing) Oh, I hardly think so.

PLACEK: It is not a matter for laughter. Such things do happen. And it is of those that I wish to warn you.

TONY: Warn me?

PLACEK: Yes. Your new wife - Anna, I think you called her - what do you know of her past life?

TONY: Why bring her into it?

PLACEK: That is what I wish to explain to you. Please excuse my repeating the question, but I asked what you knew about Anna's past life.

TONY: Well, not a great deal, as it happens. She doesn't like to talk about it. I gather that she dislikes the government of her own country and is afraid to go back.

PLACEK: With good reason, I dare say. But I doubt very much whether it is the government that she fears.

TONY: What?

PLACEK: I have no proof of this, you must understand. Few would have access to the evidence. What I say is only rumour, but in my country it is wise to pay heed to it. That is why "rumour-mongering" is considered so serious an offence.

TONY: Now you're really getting me worried.

PLACEK: So; you are learning. It is well. Now, what has Anna said of her family?

TONY: Only that her parents disappeared a while ago, presumed dead.

PLACEK: That at least is true. She would not tell you, I suppose, that it was after she herself denounced them for dissident activities.

TONY: Good God!

PLACEK: Or that among every circle of friends that she has made since then, anyone showing signs of sympathy with the dissidents, or impatience with government policy, has suffered for it?

TONY: This is terrible!

PLACEK: I fear so. We have made in many ways a terrible world.

TONY: But accepting all this for the moment, how can I be sure that the girl you're talking about is my Anna? It's easy to make a mistake. And you can't have known her well, otherwise by your own account you'd have been in the soup yourself.

PLACEK: (briefly wrong-footed) Hm. I must remember that phrase, Professor - "in the soup." So much more decorous than the usual vulgarism. Yes, you are right; my acquaintance with her was not close, and such an error is always possible - indeed, greatly to be hoped. So by all means let us try to establish the negative hypothesis; that is the scientific method, is it not? Now, the girl of whom I speak, she herself vanished from her home - it would be about a year and a half ago. If your Anna was here before that, then she is not the same.

TONY: Well, as I told you, we were married six months ago. And she'd spent about nine months working in the village. I think she came over six or seven weeks earlier.

PLACEK: So it fits. I think you had better ask her some very serious questions - and check the answers carefully with those contacts that you do not have in the East. Farewell.

ANNA: Hello, have you had a good day?

TONY: Not really.

ANNA: You do look worried.

TONY: I am. Desperately. Anna, we'll have to have a serious talk.

ANNA: Yes? What is it about?

TONY: I've been talking to Dr. Placek. What he told me was horrifying. I can't think of anything else since.

ANNA: Oh.

TONY: How well do you know him?

ANNA: Well, I have met him two times, when he came yesterday, and before that when he called to see you but you were out.

TONY: Is that all? You didn't meet him before you left home?

ANNA: It may be possible. I do not remember. Why do you ask?

TONY: He seems - or rather, he claims - to know a lot about you.

ANNA: What sort of thing?

TONY: Well - please understand, Anna, this is what he said, not what I want to believe - he said that before you came over here you would inform on anyone with dissident sympathies; and that you'd even shopped your own parents.

ANNA: Shopped? I do not understand ...

TONY: Denounced them to the police.

ANNA: But that is not true!

TONY: No, it's the last thing I'd expect.

ANNA: I am very glad that you say so.

TONY: But how can I be sure?

ANNA: How can you be sure of anything? Tony, we have lived together for six months. How well do you know Dr. Placek? Who do you believe?

TONY: God knows I want to believe you. But because I know that, I can't tell if I'm really convinced or simply want to be.

ANNA: Why do you always have to be so damnably philosophical?

TONY: It's the way I'm made. I can't take anything at face value.

ANNA: Except Dr. Placek, it seems.

TONY: Now be fair, Anna -

ANNA: (exploding) How can you expect me to be fair over an accusation like that?

TONY: It isn't an accusation.

ANNA: If it is not - and one of the worst you could make - I should like very much to know what is.

TONY: I'm merely telling you what he said. Oh, what's the use? We're just going round in circles.

ANNA: Then can we please drop the subject?

TONY: If only we could! But now it's been raised ... Once the slightest seed of doubt has been sown, it's liable to grow out of all proportion. So I'd like to crush it once and for all right at the start.

ANNA: (slightly mollified) I see. But how can you do that?

TONY: That's the trouble. You can't prove a negative. But there's just one chance.

ANNA: What is that?

TONY: Placek wasn't absolutely sure that you were the girl he thought. He said she disappeared from home eighteen months ago. Now we can account for you for most of that time: if you can think of any way to establish that you were in this country - or at least, not in your own - for say three months before then, you'll be in the clear.

ANNA: It will be difficult.

TONY: But can you try?

ANNA: Let me see. I did leave my town two years ago, though I stayed a while in the country. Maybe someone could vouch for me during that time. But why should you believe such a person more than me - or Dr. Placek? Even if you could find one.

TONY: I don't know! Is there perhaps some document that would show where you were - something that couldn't have been obtained afterwards?

ANNA: I will try to think of something. But I cannot think while you are staring at me like that!

TONY: No, that's fair enough. Look, I'm more desperately sorry than I can say that this has come up. But now that it has - and with your background - I'm sure you realise that I can't just let it pass by.

ANNA: (dully) I understand.

TONY: Thank you, darling. (Beat) I think I'd better go for a walk.

ANNA: Very well. But please take care. You know how you notice no danger while you are preoccupied.

TONY: I'll be careful.

ANNA: And Tony -

TONY: Yes?

ANNA: I love you.

ANNA: "My dearest Tony; there is so much that I have to say to you, and it is so difficult to put into words. The first, last and most important thing is that I love you."

ANNA: (voice over) You have given me during the past six months the greatest happiness that I have ever known, and if it has now turned to the greatest misery, that is my misfortune, not your fault.

I must now be completely honest. There is no possible way to prove that I am not the girl of whom Dr. Placek has spoken, because I am. Even the accusation that I betrayed my own parents - the parents whom I loved so deeply that grief at their loss still haunts me - even that has some foundation. The cruellest lies are the closest to the truth. What really happened was that my boy-friend taunted me with having such conforming parents, and like a fool I let slip something of what I had seen, not realising that he was working for the Secret Police. After that no one decent who knew the story would have anything to do with me, and in time I drifted into the Service almost by accident.

Dr. Placek was my chief, and it was he who sent me here. My task was to find a way into your household - why, I did not know until he came here while you were out yesterday - but it was part of a plan to destroy your reputation and that of the dissident organisations for which he was convinced you were working. When I realised, I refused to do it, and this is his revenge.

ANNA: "After this I can never hope to regain your trust, and without it life would be unbearable. Please forgive me for what I must do. That it will hurt you so much causes me even more pain than my own loss. Forgive me, I beg of you again, and remember me as kindly as you can.

Your own Anna." There, it is done.

ANNA: (reading the label) "It is dangerous to exceed the stated dose." Good.

TONY: Anna!

ERIC: Damn good dinner, thank you.

TONY: My pleasure. I don't often get the chance to offer you one.

ERIC: Trouble with being away so much. Lose contact with the family. Hilda often complains.

TONY: It's a pity she couldn't come after all. I haven't seen her for ages.

ERIC: Can't be helped. Doesn't often have these turns, but they're nasty while they last. Tell you what - come round to us some time next month.

TONY: Right.

ERIC: Bad business about your wife, by the way; deuced sorry to hear it.

TONY: Thanks. Actually, that's really what I wanted to see you about.

ERIC: I wondered why you were so keen I should come, with or without Hilda. How do I fit in?

TONY: Well, you know about Anna's background, don't you?

ERIC: That she was a waif you befriended only to find she was a foreign agent of some kind? Oh yes.

TONY: But not, perhaps, that it's her controller who's running the Kiev conference. You remember the one in Prague that I went to?

ERIC: In eighty-one? You wanted all the do's and don'ts. I was off to Singapore and couldn't manage it - put you on to Watkins instead.

TONY: That's right. Actually, he wasn't all that much help, but no matter.

ERIC: No, only found out about him later. Just hope he's as useless to his new masters as he was to us. Embarrassing, still.

TONY: It must have been. Anyway, at the conference Dr. Placek introduced himself, and something I said - goodness knows what - evidently convinced him I was there to make contact with a dissident group. I didn't realise, until he came to see me about the Kiev meeting, but by then nothing would shift him. Of course I knew nothing then about his double role.

ERIC: Ah. Worried that it's a trap?

TONY: Not exactly. But I'm not sure how to deal with Placek.

ERIC: As little as possible, I'd say.

TONY: That's not quite what I meant. What's the set-up likely to be?

ERIC: Hm. Intriguing, in both senses.

TONY: What do you mean?

ERIC: Chasing dissidents, he'll be Internal Security. No business with agents abroad - Diplomatic Service's pigeon. Not on speaking terms for the past five years - bosses bitterly jealous rivals, at each other's throats - but with a rigid "no poaching" rule. Orders from higher up, I gather. Seems he was right out on a limb.

TONY: So although their embassy might be keeping tabs on anyone they suspect of meddling in their affairs, Placek wouldn't have access to their reports?

ERIC: Exactly.

TONY: Then how did he get on to me? Or rather, the one he mistook me for.

ERIC: A leak, perhaps. Watkins, getting it wrong as usual?

TONY: That sounds as likely as anything.

ERIC: Why so interested?

TONY: Well, for one thing, if I tipped the wink to their embassy that Placek was stepping out of line, I could really drop him in the mire.

ERIC: Very likely. But don't do it.

TONY: Why ever not? You know what he did to Anna -

ERIC: I don't, actually.

TONY: When she wouldn't follow his plan to disgrace me, he hinted at her part in it as though he were actually in the dissident group that ... Well, you get the idea.

ERIC: So that's it. "Revenge is sweet," they say. In fact it's a damned sour satisfaction. That's one thing. For another, it's liable to backfire, especially on an amateur. And most important from my angle, one of their senior men breaking their own rules could be too useful to waste on private vengeance.

TONY: He must be, for you to make a speech like that about it! What do you have in mind?

ERIC: Nothing, yet. Note for future reference. Just now I'm more worried about what's in your mind.

TONY: Again, nothing - yet.

ERIC: Then why bother about embassy reports?

TONY: Well, I can't just let it rest after he made Anna suffer so much. I must do something. But I'll still have to work with him at the next conference.

ERIC: And you don't want him to see that you can be as two-faced as he is.

TONY: That's a bit steep, isn't it?

ERIC: No more than it sounds.

TONY: All right. Granted I want to do the dirty on him, and haven't the guts to do it openly, how do I go about it?

ERIC: You really want my advice?

TONY: Yes.

ERIC: Then forget the whole idea.

TONY: Not blue blinking likely!

ERIC: Even though he'll suspect Anna told you about him, and be on his guard?

TONY: That could have been just another of her lies. At least, that's the line I can take if the question arises.

ERIC: And if it doesn't?

TONY: You're just making difficulties.

ERIC: No, you're making difficulties. I'm just pointing them out.

TONY: If you insist. But I can't simply let him get away with it.

ERIC: Then stick to an indirect approach.

TONY: Why?

ERIC: Put a professional heavyweight in the ring with a man who's never used his fists - blinded by hatred to boot - who would you back?

TONY: I see your point. But what can I do, then?

ERIC: Hm. How about this? Placek already thinks you're in with the dissident support groups. Why not join one?

TONY: Sounds altogether too indirect.

ERIC: You wanted advice ...

TONY: I'm sorry, yes. Go on.

ERIC: Well, then. It'll help his opponents. Do some positive good - more than mere retaliation. Less personal satisfaction, but that's an advantage - you'll keep a cool head. Believe me, you'll need it to deal with this blighter. Doing nothing he doesn't already think he knows, so you can face him with a clear conscience - if that helps.

TONY: It's a point.

ERIC: Now, on your visit, take extra care. No unofficial currency transactions. Nothing to link you with any clandestine group, here or there. No religious literature. No photographic magazines ...

TONY: Oh?

ERIC: Bound to be something they could label "pornographic" if they had a mind to. And never wander off on your own, particularly with a camera - above all if an inviting opportunity suddenly appears unexpectedly. Need hardly warn you against the usual sexual traps.

TONY: Good lord, this is getting serious.

ERIC: Glad you realise it.

TONY: Hm. Placek said something of the sort.

ERIC: Even the Devil can tell the truth when it suits him. Remember, you're a marked man now. Assume you're always under observation, and anything they can nail on you, they will. Whether or not you're actually up to anything.

TONY: Then I may as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb. So where do I find these dissident support organisations?

ERIC: Officially, nothing known. But don't be surprised if something turns up in a week or so.

TONY: Right. Thank you. And after all that, how about a whisky?

ERIC: Don't mind if I do. Thirsty work.

ERIC: To crime!

TONY: Hello?

VOICE: Professor Anderson?

TONY: Yes, speaking.

VOICE: It's about the meeting next week.

TONY: The AGM? Yes, I hadn't forgotten.

VOICE: You know there's a motion of no confidence in the committee? And it's likely to be passed.

TONY: Good lord! No, I hadn't heard that. The whole committee?

VOICE: Yes.

TONY: Well, it hasn't done very well. But where do you get another?

VOICE: I wondered if you might consider ...?

TONY: Me? But I've scarcely been in the group five minutes.

VOICE: Long enough to make a good impression. If I proposed you as chairman -

TONY: CHAIRMAN!!! Now that's taking absurdity too far.

VOICE: Not at all. Williams would be very happy to second you, and there'd be plenty of other support.

TONY: Oh, so you've been canvassing this already, have you?

VOICE: Naturally. I don't nominate anyone without being sure he's acceptable.

TONY: Well, I'm very flattered ...

VOICE: Flattered be damned. There's a job to be done - an important job -

TONY: Yes, I know it's important. That's why I'm bothered. We don't want another pig's ear made of it. Why don't you stand?

VOICE: Too busy. But I've accepted nomination as vice.

TONY: Well, that should help. Tell you what, I'll think about it.

VOICE: We've only got a week, you know.

TONY: Don't push me! The last time I got railroaded into something, the result was a disaster.

VOICE: This won't be. You don't really need more than a day, do you?

TONY: All right, I'll sleep on it, and ring you tomorrow. Will that do?

VOICE: Well enough. But no later!

TONY: Right. Cheerio.

TONY: Blimey!

ELENA: Oh, I am sorry, sir, I did not notice you coming in.

TONY: Quite all right. Anderson, University of ...

ELENA: (ticking the list) Ah yes, Professor Anderson, A. You are not quite the last. I hope that you have had a good journey.

TONY: Not bad, thank you. Sorry I'm late; there was a bit of a hold-up at the airport.

ELENA: Yes, many delegates have been delayed - it does not matter.

ELENA: Your documents, Professor. And Dr. Placek particularly asked me to draw your attention immediately to this note - I believe that it is rather urgent.

TONY: Thank you.

PLACEK: (voice over) Dear Professor Anderson - Please excuse my not being here to welcome you personally; I have been called away on urgent business. However, it may perhaps save some embarrassment. In view of the distressing nature of our last meeting - I have of course no means of knowing what eventually came of it, but whatever the outcome the memory is bound to be painful - in view of that, I should fully understand if you wished to delay any further direct encounter, or indeed avoid it altogether. You might then prefer not to attend the briefing meeting for session chairmen at 8:30 this evening; if so, my assistant Elena, who is acting as registration clerk, will provide you with all the necessary information. Needless to say I should much prefer it if you did feel able to take part and resume our friendly contacts; I leave the choice to your discretion, asking only that you let me know through Elena what you have decided.

TONY: Hm, very tactful.

ELENA: Oh yes, he always is. Do you need time to consider the suggestion?

TONY: No, there's no need - no problem.

ELENA: Ah, he will be pleased. I know that he particularly wanted to meet you.

TONY: What about?

ELENA: About your session, I suppose. There is a copy of the agenda attached to that note - you will see, by the way, that it is on Thursday afternoon. It seems there may be some controversy about two of the papers, and he wanted to discuss how best to handle it.

TONY: The titles all look innocuous enough.

ELENA: The problem is with the authors. The last time they appeared together, Professor Boehm accused Dr. Vasiliev of abusing the privilege of presenting a paper by merely seeking contributions to his next book. Dr. Vasiliev counter-charged the Professor with professional jealousy because the reviewers had torn his last book to pieces, Boehm replied that if that were so, then any one of the fragments would be worth more than the whole of Vasiliev's work put together, Vasiliev said that that simply showed what an inflated idea of his own importance Boehm had developed - and so on. It was not an edifying spectacle, I fear.

TONY: Sounds like the beginning of a lifetime's feud.

ELENA: Not the beginning. They had been at odds for some years, it seems.

TONY: Then why put them together in the same session?

ELENA: On that occasion, they could not be separated. This time, their papers were to be in different sessions. But someone sent the wrong draft of the lists to the printers, and by the time we realised, it was too late to do anything about it.

TONY: Typical cock-up, in fact.

ELENA: Typical what, Professor?

TONY: Sorry, a rather vulgar expression for an administrative blunder.

ELENA: Oh, I see. But Dr. Placek hopes that as a disinterested third party, you will be able to prevent Boehm and Vasiliev from quarrelling, at least in public.

TONY: Rather a tall order. What are their papers like?

ELENA: I regret that I am not qualified to judge. But the abstracts are among the documents you have there.

TONY: Pity they weren't sent out earlier.

ELENA: I am sorry, Professor, but some came in very late.

TONY: As usual ...

TONY: Hm. Neither of them looks very brilliant. There's bound to be some sniping. But that's my problem, not yours. Perhaps I could think up some possible side-tracks - let's see ...

PLACEK: That didn't take as long as I feared. Is everyone here now?

ELENA: Not quite. But Professor Anderson's arrived. He's just over there.

PLACEK: Damn. Why didn't I keep my eyes open?

ELENA: Don't worry, he said it's all right.

PLACEK: Good. Professor Anderson! How good to see you again! I trust that you had a reasonable journey? And that your hotel room is satisfactory?

TONY: Not bad, thank you, on both counts.

PLACEK: Elena has been looking after you?

TONY: She has indeed. And explained the problem of Boehm and Vasiliev.

PLACEK: Ah, yes, a delicate situation. I am sorry indeed to have inflicted it on you - it was not intentional.

TONY: I'm sure it wasn't.

PLACEK: Together we must think of some way to avoid trouble. But there is that other, more serious, situation - your Anna - I hesitate to ask ...

TONY: It seems you were right.

PLACEK: Ah. On such a matter, I could have preferred to be wrong. You have, I suppose, now separated?

TONY: Not exactly.

PLACEK: Oh?

TONY: Anna found some of my first wife's medicines - I should have thrown them out - and took an overdose.

PLACEK: (genuinely distressed) But that is terrible! I had no idea that it would come to such a pass. To be free from the threat of a traitor is one thing - but in such a manner - it must have hurt you very deeply. I am indeed sorry.

TONY: Thank you.

PLACEK: Did she leave any explanation?

TONY: Yes. And, as you've probably guessed, she blamed you.

PLACEK: That is understandable, I suppose. Was she specific?

TONY: Very. She said she was acting on your instructions.

PLACEK: I see. Then however false that may be, you must inevitably regard me with some suspicion.

TONY: Well, I suppose I can't completely rule out the possibility of her telling the truth for once.

PLACEK: Just so. Nothing that I might say could alter that, so nothing is what I shall say. (Beat) Beyond, of course, welcome to Kiev. An ancient city; you may wish to see the sights.

TONY: Yes, I've always wanted to have a look at the great gate - you know, as in Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition."

PLACEK: Ah, that. It was never built - mercifully, according to those who have seen Hartmann's design. But there are other things. You will of course need an escort. Intourist would arrange one, but their guides, though efficient, have their limitations - a little dull, shall we say? I wonder, Elena, if you would mind ...

ELENA: I should be honoured, if the Professor would accept my services.

TONY: That's remarkably kind - thank you.

PLACEK: I should explain that because of the unexpected travel problems, some of the final arrangements are still incomplete, so the organising committee has decided to delay the opening session until tomorrow afternoon. And there has not yet been time to reorganise the social programme, so the morning will be free instead of Wednesday afternoon when we should have had the official tour. Would that suit you?

TONY: Why, certainly. But do you really not mind giving up your one free half-day, Miss ...?

ELENA: Please call me Elena, Professor. And touring the sights will be very much more agreeable than the other jobs I should probably get.

TONY: Thanks anyway. Will you be at the briefing session?

ELENA: Dr. Placek?

PLACEK: No, have a rest. You've earned it.

ELENA: Thank you.

TONY: Then until tomorrow morning, Elena. Oh, what time?

ELENA: Would nine o'clock be convenient?

TONY: Fine, thanks.

ELENA: You are most welcome.

TONY: Now I must sort out a few things. Will you excuse me?

PLACEK: Of course, Professor. We shall meet later.

PLACEK: Well, Elena, that seems neatly set up.

ELENA: Any particular instructions?

PLACEK: Just use your common sense. Show him the obvious places - any approach is most likely to be in one of those. Of course, if he shows any signs of special interest, or above all of special nervousness, take due note.

ELENA: And if there's anywhere else he wants to see?

PLACEK: Encourage him. Assuming of course that it isn't actually out of bounds.

ELENA: Right.

PLACEK: I've had words with our colleagues here - there'll be one of their better men discreetly tailing you, among other things to head off any interference. He'll keep a note of your movements and any contacts, but naturally we'll have to rely on you for the conversation.

ELENA: I hope my memory's up to it. Should I use a recorder?

PLACEK: No, something's wrong with mine, and he'd be almost sure to spot an ordinary model. We'd never get through the red tape in time to borrow one locally. You'll manage. Now, you'd better run along and get a bite while there's anything left.

ELENA: But there are still three delegates to come.

PLACEK: Any of the session chairmen?

ELENA: No, they're all here.

PLACEK: That's all right, then. But I'll hang on for a while in case of any more arrivals.

ELENA: Look, you've eaten nothing since mid-day ...

PLACEK: Don't fuss, Elena. I'm a big boy now. In any case, I'm not hungry.

ELENA: Good heavens, are you ill?

PLACEK: Actually, I am rather disturbed.

ELENA: Is it the water?

PLACEK: No, not in that way. Something that Professor Anderson told me.

ELENA: What was that?

PLACEK: About Anna Jirak - did you hear it?

ELENA: Not enough to make sense.

PLACEK: Well, a while ago I sent her to find a way of discrediting the Professor's activities, but eventually I had to blow her cover when she disobeyed orders.

ELENA: I remember.

PLACEK: It seems that after that - because of that - she committed suicide.

ELENA: And you're taking that to heart? Haven't you told me often enough that in this business we can't afford a conscience?

PLACEK: So I have. But sometimes I wonder ...

ELENA: Look, I'm not leaving you alone in this mood. Stay here and I'll order sandwiches - with something to wash them down. I'll be back in a minute or two.

ELENA: I tell you I've got to make a phone call.

TOUGH: Save your breath - and keep moving.

PLACEK: Elena! You're back early. And where is the Professor?

ELENA: I thought you said you'd arranged for there to be no interference.

PLACEK: Yes, so we agreed. Has something gone wrong?

ELENA: (beside herself with rage) Gone wrong? It's a disaster!

PLACEK: Calm down, Elena ...

ELENA: Calm down? It's easy enough to say that - you didn't have to go through it.

PLACEK: No, but we can't do anything about it until you tell me what happened. I'll order some coffee.

ELENA: That muck? As if I hadn't had enough to put up with this morning!

ELENA: Sorry, you're right.

PLACEK: That's better. Take your time. I'll have to go and ask for the coffee - they're not answering the phone.

PLACEK: It's chaos out there; the coffee may take a little while. Now, let's have the story.

ELENA: Well, I picked up the Professor at nine o'clock as arranged. I'd worked out a schedule that took us through all the places where a contact was at all likely. It was going like clockwork. Then, just when we were half way through, a bunch of the local baboons suddenly jumped us and carted us off to headquarters.

PLACEK: Damn!

ELENA: Is that all you can say?

PLACEK: Anything else might be more colourful, but to the same effect. What happened then?

ELENA: I protested, of course, but it was useless. They didn't know anything about the conference, and I couldn't produce my identification - obviously - until they'd separated us for questioning.

PLACEK: Of course.

ELENA: After that they were almost apologetic, but when I tried to explain that this was a special operation and I had to stick with Professor Anderson, they just wouldn't listen. Simply brought me back here and dumped me on the doorstep. The humiliation of it! I'll never live that down.

PLACEK: Very regrettable, but a minor consideration.

ELENA: Maybe to you ..!

PLACEK: Yes, yes, I know. But no one else who matters is likely to hear about it. At the moment I'm more concerned about the Professor. And what happened to our arrangement. (Dialling the telephone) I'll see what they've got to say about that.

ELENA: Hmph!

PLACEK (on the telephone) Ah, put me through to Colonel Grigorevitch, please ... Yes, I dare say he is, but this is important - Special Operations business ... Dr. Alexander Placek. I had an appointment with him last week, you may remember. (To Elena) In another meeting.

ELENA: One way of evading questions.

PLACEK: Probably genuine. At least they're trying to get him. Ah, success. (On the telephone) Sorry to disturb you, Colonel, but this is urgent. Look, it's about the suspect Anderson. Didn't we agree that you'd prevent any interference with our operation to trace his contacts here? ... Yes, it damn well did. The Professor and my agent were both detained this morning, right in the middle of it ... Naturally, she did protest, but to no avail. And then after she'd identified herself and pointed out the importance of the operation, she alone was released - it just isn't good enough ... Yes, of course it's wrecked our chances ... I see. I suppose it's the best we can hope for ... Yes, I'll do that. Thanks. You have the number? . . That's right. I'll be here for the next half hour, anyway.

PLACEK: He'll make inquiries and call back. Meanwhile he offers his personal and profuse apologies for the indignity you've suffered.

ELENA: Fat lot of good that'll do.

PLACEK: But it shows willing. Now, what can we salvage? You say you'd got half-way through your schedule.

ELENA: Near enough.

PLACEK: Any interesting reaction?

ELENA: Not a jot. He just looked at all the usual things, clicked his camera where any tourist would, asked me to take his picture in one or two places, then took mine ...

PLACEK: Eh? Oh, no matter. Go on.

ELENA: Well, to cut it short, he never stepped out of line and no-one else made the slightest attempt to approach him.

PLACEK: In fact, a dead loss.

ELENA: Exactly.

PLACEK: I suppose the change of day may have thrown things. Though you'd expect him to make some alternative arrangement.

ELENA: Any phone calls last night?

PLACEK: No, but he'd not be fool enough to risk that. There'd be a message through a chambermaid or something of the sort.

ELENA: Haven't they been vetted?

PLACEK: Supposedly, but it's too big a job to check them all as thoroughly as we'd like. No, I'm afraid that if there was to have been a contact made today, our friends have scuppered it. (The telephone rings; he answers.) Placek.

PLACEK: Thank you, Colonel. I shall of course do so ... No, nothing. I'm afraid we must consider the operation aborted ... Quite so. Win some, lose some. That's life.

ELENA: Well?

PLACEK: Hm? Oh, it seems that the man detailed to follow you reported sick this morning, and the stand-in, who had been to a rather lively party last night, was very much less than lively today. He will be disciplined.

ELENA: And how does that help us?

PLACEK: It doesn't, for this occasion. But it may remind him to be more careful another time - besides perhaps giving you some personal satisfaction.

ELENA: It's no good to me if the poor so-and-so gets it in the neck.

PLACEK: That's a pleasing aspect of your character. (Elena glows a little) Anyway, he'd dropped behind, and was just catching up when a routine patrol realised that you and Anderson weren't with one of the regular Intourist guides, and picked you up quite properly according to standing orders -

ELENA: But didn't they know ..?

PLACEK: We'd warned them about Wednesday, but the message about the day being changed evidently hadn't got through to that level.

ELENA: Typical.

PLACEK: Indeed. Luckily the Duty Officer had his wits about him enough to check, and has sent the Professor back with abject apologies and VIP treatment. He should be here soon.

ELENA: So what do we do now?

PLACEK: Pacify him as best we may - and go on preparing for the conference.

PLACEK: Professor! Elena has told me about your most unfortunate experience.

TONY: Oh, yes?

PLACEK: I am mortified that our attempt to make your visit memorable should become so disagreeable...

TONY: Not your fault, I'm sure ...

PLACEK: Even so - but you seem unwell - what is the matter with you?

TONY: Nothing much - not that a few hours' rest won't cure.

PLACEK: Are you certain?

TONY: Oh, yes. The police fellow who saw me off - very decent chap - rather over-generous with the vodka bottle - not really used to it - think I'd better go to my room.

PLACEK: Is that all? You have greatly relieved my mind. Allow me to give you some assistance.

TONY: Thanks. Sorry to be a nuisance.

PLACEK: Please do not give it a thought. Elena explained what happened ... (Tony stumbles) Careful, there! Anyway, I trust that you have suffered no worse from your adventure than a slight excess of vodka.

TONY: Film from my camera confiscated - nearly at the end, too - bit annoyed about that -

PLACEK: So I should think. But -

TONY: They've hung on to my passport too - have to get it back before the end of the week ...

PLACEK: Of course.

TONY: What do I do about it now?

PLACEK: Your friend of the vodka bottle - or rather, his chief - telephoned to explain the position. He has retrieved the film, no harm has come to it, and he will return it to you without delay.

TONY: That's something, at least.

PLACEK: Likewise the passport, once the necessary paperwork is completed. (As Tony sags) Elena, I think that you had better take the other arm - do you mind?

PLACEK: Hello? ... Speaking ... Oh, hello, Colonel. What can I do for you? ... Yes, of course he's still here ... WHAT? Are you sure ... Good grief, right under our noses! What a turn-up for the book!

PLACEK: No, I realise it's no laughing matter - but I can only laugh in order not to weep - and you have to admire the nerve of it ... Sorry, Colonel, of course you're right. Yes, I'll certainly see to that; there may be some difficulty in persuading him, but I'm sure he'll see reason eventually ... On the way immediately? Right, my assistant will meet your man at the reception desk ... Yes, the same one. Good bye.

ELENA: Well, don't keep it to yourself if it's so good.

PLACEK: Sorry, Elena. As Grigorevitch said, it isn't really funny at all.

ELENA: What isn't?

PLACEK: Well, you remember how I said that your arrest the other day had scuppered Anderson's contact here?

ELENA: Yes, of course. Obviously it had.

PLACEK: Wrong, wrong, wrong! Guess what.

ELENA: Oh for goodness' sake - we haven't got all day.

PLACEK: Patience, Elena, patience - you should learn to savour the finer ironies of life.

ELENA: What ironies?

PLACEK: (very deliberately) It seems that the contact did take place, and was in fact ... (pause for effect) with the patrol that picked you both up.

ELENA: But surely that's impossible!

PLACEK: I'd have said so, too. Shows how mistaken you can be.

ELENA: And how do they know, anyway?

PLACEK: One of them was spotted in a hard-currency shop where he had no business to be, and with a little encouragement eventually came out with his story. How he was corrupted, Grigorevitch didn't say - maybe doesn't know himself yet. But you have to admit, if you've got contraband to hand over, what neater way than in the course of a police search?

ELENA: Good grief. You can't trust anyone these days.

PLACEK: That, surely, was one of your first lessons?

ELENA: But the police!

PLACEK: They're as human as anyone.

ELENA: From what I saw, that flatters them. Oh, well, can we follow it through?

PLACEK: I doubt it. Most likely the goods will have passed on through several more stages by now, and quite out of reach - the trail will probably be stone cold.

ELENA: So we're back where we started.

PLACEK: Afraid so. Still, at least there's no mystery about who got the message to his contacts about the altered arrangements.

ELENA: No?

PLACEK: We did it ourselves.

ELENA: Ouch! So what happens next?

PLACEK: Well, Grigorevitch wants to keep the whole thing quiet, understandably - too embarrassing to admit.

ELENA: Quite.

PLACEK: So he's simply insisting on a signed statement from the Professor, admitting to being a courier, before he gets his passport back. It's been typed out and sent over; would you pick it up at Reception? It's the same messenger you met before.

ELENA: Right. (Moving away as Tony enters) Good morning, Professor.

TONY: Morning, Elena. Morning, Placek.

MESSENGER: Oh, there you are. What kept you?

ELENA: We can't drop everything just because you've arrived.

MESSENGER: (glancing at her skirt) Ah, the time will come ... Doing anything tonight?

ELENA: Quite a lot - and it won't involve you. Come on, hand it over.

MESSENGER: OK. But I'll be waiting for the reply.

ELENA: And that's all you'll get!

PLACEK: Ah, Professor. Ready to deal with Boehm and Vasiliev?

TONY: Oh, those two.

PLACEK: You had surely not forgotten?

TONY: No, not really. Though I'd be able to concentrate better if I knew what had happened to my passport. Look, it's three days since I heard anything - what's going on?

PLACEK: As it happens, I had some news only a few minutes ago.

TONY: Good.

PLACEK: You may perhaps not think so. The police chief has just telephoned and asked me to explain - though I must admit to being puzzled myself - that some other irregularity had come to light as a result of your interview the other day. He expected you to know what he meant.

TONY: Well, I've a fair idea.

PLACEK: I had better not inquire. But he requires you to sign a statement before getting your passport.

TONY: So I've to go back to the station?

PLACEK: (ironically) Strangely, he was most insistent that you should not. I have never known an officer in his position so reluctant to extend their legendary hospitality, but again, he expected you to understand why.

PLACEK: This should be it That was very quick.

ELENA: (handing over the envelope) The messenger was already waiting.

PLACEK: (passing it on to Tony) So there you are. Have you a pen?

TONY: Let me read this first.

PLACEK: Of course. Elena, do you have the handouts that Dr. Markovitch asked to have photocopied yesterday?

ELENA: Yes, but they've come out pretty badly - pale and blotchy.

PLACEK: Are they legible?

ELENA: Just about.

PLACEK: Then let them be. If authors can't have everything ready in time ...

TONY: But this is preposterous!

PLACEK: What?

TONY: Do you know what's in this?

PLACEK: How could I, Professor?

TONY: It says that I admit being a representative of organisations hostile to the Eastern Bloc, providing aid and support to illegal groups here -

PLACEK: Ah, so I was right all along! At last it comes out!

TONY: - and that I recognise that I shall be permitted no further visits to Warsaw Pact countries.

PLACEK: That is surely understandable, in the circumstances.

TONY: I'm not going to do it! Let me talk to him - you have his number, I suppose?

PLACEK: I doubt whether that would help you. Let me explain, Professor, as Colonel Grigorevitch put it to me. You have two alternatives: accept with a good grace the prohibition of any further visits, but complete this one to all appearances as an honoured guest; or make this present visit a great deal longer, less dignified and less comfortable than you had planned, with the same prohibition to follow.

TONY: Oh. I see. And that's final?

PLACEK: I should not care to argue with the colonel myself ...

TONY: Is there anyone higher I could talk to?

PLACEK: Not readily approachable - nor any more open to persuasion.

TONY: Then if it's put as you say, I suppose the answer's obvious.

PLACEK: I am glad that you see it so. It saves much unpleasantness. A pen? (Tony signs the statement) Is the messenger waiting, Elena?

ELENA: He said so.

PLACEK: Then, if you would take this down to him -

PLACEK: Now - Boehm and Vasiliev ...

TONY: What?

PLACEK: Professor, I quite understand your distraction, but please bring your mind back to today's business.

TONY: Oh, yes, of course. Sorry.

PLACEK: In particular, how to stop an embarrassing public squabble between those two. I have arranged a little subterfuge ...

TONY: Come in, Eric, and ... Good heavens! You!

ERIC: Happy Christmas, Tony. Yes, I thought you'd be surprised.

PLACEK: (uncomfortably) I wish you a happy Christmas, Professor. I had occasion to visit London University on business from my Institute, and -

ERIC: Best let me explain, if you don't mind. (Pointedly) It'll take some time.

TONY: Oh, sorry, what am I thinking about? Come through.

TONY: I'm sorry about the state of the room - clear a space somewhere.

ERIC: Left it a bit late, haven't you?

TONY: 'Fraid so. I made the usual resolution with the usual result. Eric, I've a rather nice malt that I think you'll appreciate. (Less cordially) What about you, Dr. Placek?

PLACEK: Not for the moment, thank you.

TONY: You were going to explain, Eric. It had better be good.

ERIC: Yes - rather involved, I'm afraid. Make yours bigger than that, you'll need it - cheers!

TONY: Cheers!

ERIC: Now, must be months ago now, amazing how time flies, but you remember my saying that one of their chaps breaking his own rules could be valuable to us?

TONY: Yes, but surely - Sorry, I shouldn't interrupt.

ERIC: Right. Did nothing about it at the time but in the event, no need. Dr. Placek himself approached the F.O. with an offer that in return for certain favours, he'd be willing to oblige us in interesting ways.

TONY: (disgustedly, to Placek) A few thousand, I suppose.

ERIC: Thought you weren't going to interrupt. And no need for that tone, either. Not like that at all. Perhaps Placek had better explain this bit himself, after all.

PLACEK: Yes, but I must first make an admission. Not an easy one.

TONY: Oh?

PLACEK: You see, my occupation has not always been simply what it seemed. Briefly, what your Anna told you about me was the truth.

TONY: So I always believed.

PLACEK: But you dissembled? Well, I cannot complain of that. My academic duties were quite genuine, let that please be understood. However, I had further responsibilities. But there have been developments. With the lead that you gave us in Kiev -

TONY: What lead?

PLACEK: Your contacts who were identified in the police force. To my surprise, I must admit, our Kiev colleagues traced through them to others, and so on. Eventually -

TONY: Very interesting. But I don't believe you.

PLACEK: I beg your pardon - Why not?

TONY: The chain's still intact.

ERIC: Tony!

TONY: What's the matter?

PLACEK: Ah, Professor, there you show the difference between the amateur and the professional. You have now admitted both that a chain exists, and that you are yourself involved in its operations.

TONY: Good lord!

PLACEK: Or at least aware of them, which in practice amounts to the same thing. Luckily no harm is done, but I strongly advise that you remember for the future.

TONY: Why are you telling me this?

PLACEK: And that this time, you look to the workings of your organisation.

TONY: What the devil are you getting at?

PLACEK: You have said that the chain is still intact, and so far as it goes that is correct - but do you know what is now at the other end?

TONY: Well - No, I think I'd better keep my mouth shut and my ears open.

ERIC: Most sensible thing you've said this evening. Except about the whisky.

TONY: Help yourself, Eric. Go on, Dr. Placek. I'm listening.

PLACEK: You are evidently unaware that the cell at the eastern end of your chain has been infiltrated. Half of the real members have already been replaced by plants, and it will soon be completely subverted.

TONY: Good grief! How ..?

PLACEK: That is not a matter for our present concern. The important thing is that it will then start distributing marijuana, heroin, cocaine - whatever comes to hand - which the police, when announcing the discovery, will claim to have come from you.

TONY: But that's diabolical!

PLACEK: Which is precisely why I refuse to have anything to do with it.

TONY: Hold on. That doesn't make sense.

PLACEK: In what way?

TONY: Anna told me - and you admit - that you'd planted her to discredit me as a supporter of the dissidents. As it happens I wasn't involved then, you were completely wrong, but that's beside the point. Now you have a perfect opportunity to do exactly what you intended, and you won't take it. Why not?

PLACEK: Ironic, is it not? Let me please explain some of the background.

ERIC: Not too much, for goodness' sake.

PLACEK: Of course. All my life has been spent in the service of my country, as I saw it: but I begin to suspect that perhaps my vision was defective in some way.

TONY: What do you mean?

PLACEK: Here you were lucky during the World War Two. Yes, I know, you were attacked and suffered greatly; but others suffered very much more. I spent my childhood under the German occupation, and it was not enjoyable. Naturally I did what little I could with the Resistance, and absorbed some of their ideals - some of their necessary ruthlessness, too. When the Red Army liberated us, it seemed to place us under a debt that we could never repay. In my mind, that debt warranted many actions that otherwise would be indefensible - betrayals of friends and colleagues, betrayals of family, betrayals of our own statesmen who wished to relax our ties to the East. Everything was subject to the one greater loyalty.

TONY: So what makes you betray that now?

PLACEK: You put it harshly - but you are right. Because it has betrayed itself!

TONY: What do you mean?

PLACEK: Before this, imprisoning people with dangerous ideas, executing agitators - and yes, I will say it - murdering many whose only offence was to wish for a more human society, all these things we could justify after a fashion, or at the least we could excuse them. In any case they are like the loss of individual cells in a body; the part dies, the whole regenerates. But drug addiction is like a cancer in the nation, spreading out of control and destroying the soul as well as the body. I will do nothing to promote such an evil!

ERIC: Very pretty speech, Placek. But time's getting on. Point is, Tony, that Placek's stand promises to queer his own pitch, won't be long before he's arrested himself if he hangs around, so he wants to get out while the going's good.

TONY: You didn't come all this way just to tell me that, did you? Not to mention getting me to cancel my own arrangements - at great inconvenience, I might say.

ERIC: No, we need your help.

TONY: What for? To get him out? But he's here already. He need only neglect to go back.

ERIC: There are complications. Oh, go on, Placek, you explain it.

PLACEK: If I do not return, the authorities will consider me a traitor - with justice, as you point out. And my assistant Elena - you remember her? She at least has done you no harm - they will hold her to be guilty by association. Also, she seems to have formed an attachment to me far beyond the call of duty. I must make sure that she too escapes.

ERIC: And unlike him, she has no legitimate occasion for foreign travel.

PLACEK: That is so. I bent the rules over Anna; they have been strengthened since. Travelling openly, she would never get past the frontier - if so far.

TONY: And you think I can help?

ERIC: Don't go coy on us, Tony. I know there are ways.

TONY: What's your interest in this, Eric?

ERIC: Placek's worked in Security since God knows when. Knows all the ins and outs of it. Has working contacts in most of the other Iron Curtain countries. We want that information. His price is Elena. No mention of the "few thousand" you suggested - you owe him an apology there. Though of course we shan't let him starve.

PLACEK: I flatter myself that a University post would not be too difficult to obtain. There were some interesting hints in London.

ERIC: So, returning to the point - will you help?

TONY: As it happens, we do have a method that might serve. But it can't be used too often without arousing suspicion. And, frankly, there are more deserving cases.

ERIC: I don't like leaning on you, Tony, but you do remember how much you depend on our discretionary funds?

TONY: Good grief, Eric, that's a dirty one.

ERIC: Hope to goodness it doesn't come to that. But we need this man.

TONY: That badly?

ERIC: That badly.

TONY: Hmm. In other circumstances I might just possibly consider changing our priorities. But look at it from my place. You know what he did to Anna - the nastiest trick I've ever known to be played on anyone ...

PLACEK: You do not suppose, surely, that I enjoyed doing that?

TONY: If not, you're a damn good actor!

PLACEK: I had to be! But Anna - you do not understand. She came to me, a lost and frightened child - her parents had disappeared (not my doing, by all that I hold sacred!) - she had no other family - the friends she thought she could trust had deserted her - she needed to fit in somewhere, anywhere. I never had a daughter ... In the service we should form no personal attachments, but I could not prevent it. By destroying Anna, I destroyed a part of myself.

TONY: Hmph. "The devil was sick, the devil a monk would be."

PLACEK: Do not mock! I have not the slightest claim on your good will, no one knows that better than I, but never suppose that you are alone in your suffering.

TONY: Should we applaud that performance?

ERIC: Steady on, Tony!

PLACEK: (with an effort at control) If I did not need your help ... But I understand your bitterness. Only too well.

ERIC: Yes, Tony, your help. If only as a quid pro quo for the assistance you've received.

TONY: Well, I'll have to think about it. But it isn't just my decision, you know.

ERIC: It's yours that counts.

TONY: Hell, they're back already. Dr. Placek, if I've done you an injustice, I apologise. We can talk later. Just for the moment I can't explain, but I'll have to ask you to wait in the kitchen for a while.

PLACEK: (baffled) As you wish ...

TONY: Only a few minutes, I hope.

TONY: (ushering Placek) You'll understand soon enough. It's through there.

CLARA: Hurry up and get that door closed - it's too cold to hang about.

TONY: (to Anna) How are you?

CLARA: Cold and tired. Haven't you finished the decorations yet?

TONY: Not quite - Eric arrived in the middle of it. With another visitor, quite unexpected.

CLARA: Excuses, excuses. And you've cluttered up all the chairs - just like a man.

ERIC: (clearing two more chairs) Allow me. No, it is my fault. Kept him talking instead of working.

CLARA: Happy Christmas, Eric! But where's the mysterious visitor you brought?

TONY: Hiding.

CLARA: No time for party games. Look, if no-one's offering coffee to take the chill out of our bones, I'm going to make it myself.

TONY: Sorry - go ahead. You know where to find things. But don't be surprised at what else you find in there.

CLARA: Aha, a welcome-home treat. Good.

TONY: Anna, dear, how are you feeling?

ANNA: (timidly) A little tired. But not bad.

TONY: How did you get on with the consultant this morning?

ANNA: He said that with luck, we might be able to finish the treatment quite soon. But that I must learn the confidence to make my own decisions.

ERIC: Difficult thing to learn.

ANNA: Oh, Tony, after I made such bad decisions before, how can I ever trust myself again?

TONY: (comforting her) They were particularly difficult. But there's something else, much easier, that we have to decide between us now.

ANNA: What is that?

TONY: The visitor that Eric brought - seeing him's bound to be a shock for you. Do you think you can take it, dear?

ANNA: What sort of shock?

TONY: It's someone you haven't seen for a very long time. Dr. Placek.

ANNA: Dr. Placek? I can't ... But no, I must begin to face the past.

TONY: Are you sure?

ANNA: (with increasing resolution) Yes. But I am puzzled. Why has he come? And with you, Eric?

ERIC: He wants Tony's help.

ANNA: Another conference? But that would surely not concern Eric.

TONY: No, it's personal this time. He's refusing an order on grounds of principle, or so he says, expects trouble and wants to defect.

ANNA: How does that concern you?

TONY: He insists that he's got to have his assistant smuggled out before she gets the chop too. All very implausible, I'm afraid.

ERIC: Maybe, but it fits with what we know from other sources.

TONY: Think what you like. Frankly, I'm not inclined to believe a word of it.

ANNA: I am.

TONY: What!!?

ANNA: I believe him.

TONY: This is incredible!

ANNA: Not if you know him well. He is, in his own way, a man of honour.

ANNA: In a twisted organisation, he was the nearest I found to being straight.

TONY: What on earth do you mean?

ANNA: Many people there would climb on the shoulders of others - and stamp them down in doing so - in order to gain favour or promotion. Dr. Placek would never do that: he made sure that his people got the credit for their work. And if they made mistakes, he would defend them. I was lucky to work for him.

TONY: You can say that? After what he did to you?

ANNA: That was necessary. He had to complete the task set for him. To do so after I failed him, he needed to discredit me. I understand now.

PLACEK: (starting forward) Anna, I could not help overhearing. I am astonished and humbled by your generosity. But I am even more astonished ... (turning on Tony) You told me she was dead!

TONY: Surely not.

PLACEK: At the Kiev meeting. You said that she had taken an overdose of some medicine. With a clear implication that that was the end of her.

TONY: Oh, I see - a natural conclusion, I suppose. But luckily I found her in time - just. Though she's been in and out of hospital ever since. Nervous trouble.

CLARA: And no wonder. She's only here now because they wanted to clear out as many patients as possible for the holiday. Eric, you might have had more consideration: you could have put her back six months.

ERIC: Sorry, Clara. Couldn't wait.

CLARA: How do you feel now, dear?

ANNA: It is strange - I feel very much better. It must be from seeing an old friend! You will help to get his assistant out, won't you, Tony?

TONY: I said I'd think about it. But -

ANNA: (to Placek) Who is it?

PLACEK: Elena Hron.

ANNA: I remember. Rather hot-tempered, but with a warm heart - I thought her too emotional for the work - but who am I to say so? I remember too that she had a great admiration for you, Dr. Placek. (Teasing) In fact I think that it could have been a little more than admiration ... Tony, you must help. Make it my Christmas present if you like.

TONY: Well ... If you of all people can take that line ... All right, I'll put it to the committee. Emergency session on Boxing Day if necessary.

PLACEK: Professor! I shall be for ever in your debt. And in yours, Anna. I do not know how I could express my gratitude ...

ANNA: There is one thing.

PLACEK: What is it?

ANNA: When all this is over, you must bring your Elena to see us. Often.

PLACEK: What can I say? Your wish is my command! I think that is the phrase, is it not?

CLARA: Heavens, look at the time! I'll be late for the carol service if I don't get my skates on.

ERIC: Years since I've been to a carol service. Mind if I come?

CLARA: Of course not. Everyone's welcome - the more the better.

ERIC: Fit enough for it, Anna?

ANNA: Yes, I think so. But I must find a warm sweater - I am not yet used to the cold outside.

PLACEK: I should be grateful ... excuse my asking ... if I might be permitted to come with you.

ERIC: Can't leave you behind, anyway. We'll all go. I've got the Jag outside. Can take five easily - more comfortable than your little runabout, Clara.

CLARA: Well, if you're sure that's all right ...

ERIC: Finish your coffee - pity it isn't something stronger -

CLARA: Just as well it isn't, if you're driving.

ERIC: Oh ... Fiddlesticks! Cheers, everybody!