And as I always say: Enjoy!
Red
Scene: Café table in the window of an
old fashioned café, plate glass with ornate mahogany frame, looking out to
modern street.
Malcolm:
Jen. Jen. Jen, where on earth have you been? You’ve been ages. You said it was
urgent. You know I’ve got the samples coming in from Madagascar today.
Professor Blackwell did not look pleased when I said I had to pop out. This had
better be important. This had better not be one of your pranks. I ordered you a
tea by the way. Jen, Jen you’re shaking. What’s the matter?
Jen:
Oh my god Malcolm, Malcolm oh my god.
Malcolm:
Whatever is it?
Jen:
The most wonderful thing has happened.
Malcolm:
What?
Jen:
I’m going to Mars.
Malcolm:
What?
Jen:
I’m going to Mars.
Malcolm:
What did I just say to you? I said this had better not be a prank.
Jen: It’s
no prank Malcolm. I’ve been chosen to serve as Exobiologist on the Gamma Red
mission. Isn’t it incredible?
Malcolm:
You applied to Gamma Red?
Jen: No,
that’s the thing, I didn’t, they approached me. Came to my office. Called me a
leading authority on Martian bacteria. And I fit the age range, so, so, so I’m
going to mother fucking Mars Malcolm!
Malcolm:
My God Jen, what’s come over you? I’ve never known you to curse.
Jen:
I’m going to Mars Malcolm, I think I’m permitted a swear or two.
Malcolm:
Jen really, can you hear yourself? You’re going to Mars! You’re not going to
Mars, don’t be ridiculous.
Jen:
And why am I being ridiculous?
Malcolm:
Do I need remind you what happened to the first two missions?
Jen:
It’ll be different this time.
Malcolm:
Really? I hear Gamma Red’s first assignment after landing is to bury the
remains of the Red Beta mission.
Jen:
Yeah well no one could have predicted that happening.
Malcolm:
Warner went mad and slaughtered the entire crew.
Jen:
I know.
Malcolm:
There’s rumours he’s still alive.
Jen:
I’ve heard those stories. They’re stories, just stories. Conspiracies. You
can’t have a disaster without the conspiracy.
Malcolm:
Yeah, but you don’t think anyone foresaw that? You don’t think it could happen
again? And then there was Red Alpha.
Jen:
Red Alpha was always a one way mission. Those men knew what they were doing. They
were pioneers Malcolm. They gave their lives just so they could be first.
Malcolm:
Well parroted comrade. What I’m saying is, if they could be so callous as to
conduct a space mission without the contingency to bring their astronauts home,
can you imagine them acting any differently towards subsequent missions.
Jen:
Them? Oh, I see, so that’s what this is really all about? Your feelings towards
the Chinese.
Malcolm:
There was never any talk of one way missions when the Americans were in charge.
And then the Chinks steamroller in…
Jen:
Malcolm, enough with the casual racism. You know as well as I do, there was no Mars
mission before the Chinese rescued the project. Come on, America couldn’t fund a trip to
Montreal at the moment. The country’s bankrupt.
Malcolm:
I just don’t trust them.
Jen:
Really? You’ve kept that under wraps. Is that all you’ve got to say? I tell you
I’ve been personally selected to go to Mars and all you can say is the Chinese
aren’t to be trusted. What else?
Malcolm:
Well, no.
Jen:
No?
Malcolm:
No
Jen:
Sorry, did you just forbid me to go on this mission?
Malcolm:
I did.
Jen:
And what do you think gives you that right?
Malcolm:
Seven years of being together, that’s what gives me the right. And the mission
is how long?
Jen:
Five years.
Malcolm:
And assuming by some miracle you actually return, you don't seriously expect me
to wait five years for you?
Jen:
Six.
Malcolm:
What?
Jen: Following
the Warner Anomaly.
Malcolm:
Sorry, the what?
Jen:
The Warner Anomaly. It’s how the Chinese refer to the Red Beta Massacre.
Malcolm:
God help us.
Jen:
Well following that incident it was decided a closer eye needs to be kept on
the mental health of all future missions. So the entire team is being placed in
isolation for the duration of training in order to catch any early signs of
mental disorder. Our training is scheduled to last a year. So I’ll be away six years. And no, I don’t expect you to wait.
Malcolm:
You don’t?
Jen:
No. I arranged to meet you to tell you it’s over. In the car, I started
thinking that maybe we could make this work, that the break might be good for
us. But thank you Malcolm. Listening to you express your usual level of sneering
cynicism has made this all much easier.
Malcolm:
No.
Jen: And
god knows I'd have to fly to Mars to escape your manipulating clutches.
Malcolm:
Jen, I won’t let you leave me. I’d never let that happen.
Jen:
Malcolm, don’t go all Godfather on me. I’ve been reading, dreaming and eating
Mars since I was a girl. It’s pull on me is far greater than any you could ever
exert, even at this distance. I’m going and there’s nothing you can do about
it. I leave for Shanghai this evening. I’m being picked up. You want to try and
stop me, be my guest. Would be ironic if you got shot by a couple of Chinese
MPs. They’re outside as a matter of fact, if you want to step out and get it
over with.
Malcolm:
You brought minders?
Jen:
Well like I said, we both know you’re manipulative. Now come on.
Malcolm:
Jen, don’t leave me.
Jen:
Malcolm, don’t.
Malcolm:
I won’t survive without you.
Jen:
Don’t be silly Malcolm. You’ll be fine.
Malcolm: How can you
say that? You’re the love of my life, I can’t just let you go on five minute’s
notice.
Jen: You don’t need me
Malcolm, you just need someone to validate your existence. Any pretty girl will
do. You’re a handsome man Malcolm, you've got a career and tenure, it'll be no
trouble at all, even for my dusty academic.
Malcolm: Jen.
Jen: You could go on
that website. You know, the one where attractive women bid for rich men.
Malcolm: Please don’t.
Jen: Sorry. Just an
idea.
Malcolm: Why must you
go this evening?
Jen: The mission’s
ahead of schedule, they’ve accelerated the program. Say what you like about the
Chinese, they know how to get things done ahead of time. Not like the Americans.
Too busy with all the razzmatazz to do the job properly.
Malcolm: I don’t
disagree with you about the Americans. It’s what finished them off in the end. Went
bankrupt trying to look big before the world.
Jen: They should have
remembered Amphiaraus.
Malcolm: Yes.
[They
laugh]
Jen: Malcolm, I’m
going to get to see the Attenborough Caves. We’re going to be the first people
to explore them.
Malcolm: You might
find life.
Jen: Exactly. Actual,
living bacteria. Not the fossilised stuff like we’ve seen on the surface. Life
Malcolm.
Malcolm: You’d be
famous.
Jen: That’s not why
I’m going.
Malcolm: I know.
Jen: But you
understand why I have to go.
Malcolm: Yes. It’s a shock
though. I can't remember what I did before there was you. I think I'm a little
numb.
Jen: You’ll find
someone.
Malcolm: Not like you.
Not someone who understands me like you do.
Jen: I’m not sure I
understand you at all.
Malcolm: You can’t do
this to me.
Jen: You’re getting
angry again. I think it’s best I go.
Malcolm: No don’t. Not
yet. Not like this.
Jen[standing]: There’s nothing more to say
Malcolm. This is a shock for me too you know. I have to get my head in the game
and quick. And all you do is make me doubt myself.
Malcolm: No.
Jen. Is that it? Can’t
you say anything else?
Malcolm: Yes.
Jen: Go on.
Malcolm: Goodbye.
Jen: And?
Malcolm: Good luck.
Jen: And?
Malcolm: The red
planet really matches your hair.
Jen: Cute.
Malcolm: But I won’t
be able to look at a clear blue sky without seeing the sapphires in your eyes.
Jen[laughs]: That's the one. That's my
Malcolm. Will you write me? VM me?
Malcolm: I’ll try.
Give me some time. Are you sure you won’t stay for a drink. A real drink. We
should celebrate.
Jen: No, no, I have to
pack yet. I’ll always love you Malcolm, I hope you understand that. Let’s not
prolong this any longer. Goodbye Malcolm. [Exit]
Malcolm: Jen. [sighs] Oh Jen.
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