Harry + Ruth

“I don’t know how you do it, Harry.” “Do what?” “Manage to look so… good! Despite the fact that you’re-” “Don’t say it.” “… Alright.” “I would have thought the answer was obvious, Ruth.” “Is it?” “I’m happy. And I’m happy because of you.”

“You’re a good man, Harry. What you do, you do for all the right reasons. That’s what’s most important in the end, regardless of the final outcome.” “Thank you, Ruth.”

“It was just a drink, Ruth.” “…” “For work.” “…” “You know I have to do a certain amount of… hobnobbing.” “…” “To cultivate assets and such.” “…” “Ruth, you know I’d never do anything to jeopardize what we have.” “Wouldn’t you?” “No.” “Even if you thought you could get away with it?” “Even then.” “…” “I wouldn’t want to. You’re a dream come true. I love you.” “… Fine. I’ll let you off the hook, this time. But you’d better not be lying to me, Harry Pearce.” “I wouldn’t dare. You’re far too clever. It would be suicide.” “…” “What?” “You’re trying to flatter me. It’s very suspicious, Harry.” “… How about I buy you dinner?” “…” “Or not…” “… I’ll think about it.” “Good. Please do. And, Ruth?” “Yes.” “I do love you.” “I know.” “And I’d very much like it if you could find it in your heart to forgive me for not sleeping with anyone else and thinking of you the entire time I was with the asset.” “I’ll think about it.” “And if there’s anything I can do to help… change your mind…” “I like a good foot massage.” “Seven o’clock?” “Half past. I’m meeting an asset at six. We might not be done by seven.”

“You remarried, Harry.” “That’s right. Darling, this is Ilya Gavrik. Ilya, my wife.” “How do you do? You knew Harry in Berlin, I believe.” “You are well informed, I see, Ruth.” “As are you, Mr Gavrik. And it’s Lady Pearce, if you please.” “I must congratulate you on your nuptials then and on your title, Harry.” “Thank you, Ilya. We are very happy. I hope you and Elena are likewise.” “Indeed. Very happy. Thank you.” “Excellent. Now, if you will excuse me, I promised Ruth a dance.”

“Sorry?” “I said, fancy a stroll by the Thames?” “That’d be lovely, Ruth.” “I thought we might grab a bite to eat… after.” “…” “And then I thought we might… have a nightcap at mine… later.” “Of all the wonderful things about you, Ruth, your brilliant mind is my favourite part. That is an excellent plan.” “Well, you only say that, Harry, because you haven’t sampled all the other delights on offer yet…” “Are they on offer, Ruth?” “They might be. You’ll just have to wait and see, won’t you?” “I am. I will. I’d wait a lifetime if I had to, Ruth.” “Well, you keep saying things like that, Harry, and you won’t have to wait very long after all…”

“Done anything about Ruth yet, Harry?” “How do you mean?” “… Well, it’s obvious she’s in love with you…” “Is it?” “Yes… Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed!” “… And your point is?” “Well, I thought… Never mind.” “Adam, I suggest you keep your nose out of my private business.” “Yes, Harry.” “And out of Ruth’s.” “I see…” “No, you don’t. Ruth is a private person. I don’t want to lose an excellent analyst because you can’t keep your delusional speculations to yourself. Clear?” “Delusional?” “Is that clear, Adam?” “Yes, Harry.” “Good.”

“Mrs Flint, my neighbour, stopped me this morning. Apparently she was worried some burglars were in my house last night. Said she heard weird noises and an almighty crash. She said she almost called the police.” “… I told you the sideboard was a bad idea, Harry.” “Best action it’s seen in its lifetime.” “You make it sound like it went to war.” “Make love, not war, Ruth. That’s my new motto.” “Yes, well, maybe next time warn your neighbour? Last thing we need is the plods turning up, ruining the party.”