Seven

Fadi: Morning Olivia!

Olivia: Hello there!

Fadi: Do you live here?

Olivia: How do you mean?

Fadi: It’s just that every time I come in here, you’re here...it’s like you live here or something...

Olivia: Just taking a break that’s all...

Fadi: You’re always taking a break.

Olivia: Well my shop’s next door, so it’s so easy just to pop in here when things are quiet...

Fadi: Where’s the little thief today?

Olivia: Who? Oh! You mean my little nephew Joe...

Fadi: Exactly...the sweet little pest!

Olivia: He’s with his mum, my sister, today, you’ll be relieved to know.

Fadi: Has Harry been in today?

Olivia: He dropped by the shop before. Said he might pop in here later for a coffee.

Fadi: I think he’s angry with me, perhaps I should avoid him for a bit.

Olivia: Why’s he angry with you?

Fadi: Oh, you know, we argued about money – he was going to do that job for me...

Olivia: Oh yeah, but don’t worry. I’m sure he’s not really angry. And even if he is, he’ll soon forget it. You know what he’s like!

Fadi: Yeah, I guess so. I’ll just let it drop.

(enter Magda and Sarah)

Fadi and Olivia: Hi there!

Sarah and Magda: (glumly) Hello

Fadi: Cheer up! What’s up with you two?

Sarah: Just the usual...

Olivia: How’s the flat-hunting going Sarah?

Sarah: (Sighs) Still nothing. I really need somewhere to live. I’m getting desperate. I’ll end up homeless if things don’t get better!

Olivia: Oh come on, it’s not that bad...

Sarah: No, of course it’s not, but...it’s so difficult to find a place...

Fadi: I’m glad you showed up – I wanted to talk to you about that...

Sarah: Oh yeah?

Fadi: Yeah - I’ve heard of something that might interest you...

Sarah: Great! What is it?

Fadi: A cousin of mine has a spare room in his house.

Olivia: A cousin of yours...how many people are there in your family...?

Fadi: A lot!

Sarah: That sounds good...can I look at the flat?

Fadi: I’ll call him now (sound of mobile).

Olivia: (whispering) Are you sure about moving in there?

Sarah: (whispering) Look, I really need a place, urgently, and it’ll be ok, I’m sure...

Olivia: Lots of opportunities to see Fadi....

Sarah: You are such a terrible gossip!

(enter Johnny)

Johnny: There’s Fadi, always stuck to that phone, always working...or perhaps it’s girls!

Olivia: Actually, he’s helping Sarah to find a flat.

Johnny: Oh. Ok. Good. Well hello! What’s up? Why does everyone look so glum here?

Sarah: I’m still trying to find a flat...

Magda: And I finish my degree soon, which means I have to get a job, or go back to Poland.

Johnny: And you want to stay here in London?

Magda: Yeah, but it’s so difficult to get a job.

Olivia: That’s not true, there are lots of jobs around...

Magda: Yes, but I don’t want to just work in a bar or a café or a shop...

Olivia: Oh thanks!

Magda: Sorry! I know you work in a shop, but...that’s different..it’s your own shop, and you sell such special things, those lovely handmade shoes! But usually, you know, shopwork isn’t great..

Olivia: Tell me about it...

Sarah: But you’ll be a trained architect, won’t you?

Magda: Yes, exactly...but it’s not easy to get work as an architect. There’s a lot of competition here in London

Johnny: You should go to China...lots of opportunities there right now, lots of building.

Olivia: You could always get work as a plumber! (laughter)

Magda: Eh?

Olivia: Sorry, it’s a joke...in Britain we think people from Poland are all plumbers..

Magda: Plumbers?

Olivia: People who fix taps and baths and toilets and washing machines

Magda: I see…...why?

Olivia: I don’t know...we think they’re good plumbers though...but expensive ones.

Magda: I’m not sure about that...I’d rather be an architect, thanks!

(re-enter Fadi)

Fadi: Listen, Sarah, I spoke to my cousin and we can go round to have a look at the flat this afternoon if you like...

Sarah: “We”?

Fadi: Well, I’ll go with you, show you where it is...

Sarah: Erm, ok...Thanks!

Olivia: (whispers to Sarah) Told you so!

Magda: Well you might have solved your problem then...but I might not be here much longer!