#*ep 8

(BARTENDER #1): Last orders folks!

(LENA): Ugh.

[Cars whizz past, providing background noise to the uncomfortable silence plaguing Max and Lena’s car ride. Suddenly, Max has enough…]

(MAX): Can we go back to normal please?

(LENA): I-

(MAX): It was just a kiss. It shouldn't have happened, but it did. That doesn’t mean things should be weird between us.

(LENA): [Sighing] Fair enough.

(MAX): [Relieved] Thank you. Now, what’s our game plan for this thing?

(LENA):  We should…stick together. Even if we can’t connect with the Fengs directly, we might meet some people who can.

(LENA): That’s him.

(DIMITRY): Let’s go.

[Text]

[MAX]: [picture] ?

[LENA]: That’s fine. I’ll order it to yours.

(LENA): [Exasperated] C’mon Cam. How long have we known each other?

(CAM CASEY): That don’t matter Lena. I don’t wanna be involved in this. Everything with your lot always ends in a fucking drama. [Off Lena’s hard gaze] Fine. I dealt with Luis once. He wanted some gear shifted and I sorted him out but that’s it. 

[Text]

[MAX TO ROSE]: U up ?

(ROSE): What are you doing here Max?

(MAX): I could ask you the same thing.

(ROSE): …Victor Feng is my uncle. My mother is his sister. In the past when I’ve told people, they’ve treated me differently. I was planning to tell you when I saw you next.

(MAX): Right. Now tell me the real reason.

(ROSE): That is the real reason.

(MAX): Do you think I’m a dickhead?

(ROSE): What? Of course not!

(MAX): If I wasn’t so disgusted I’d be impressed. You’ve given a great performance but you can drop the act now. 

(ROSE): What the fuck are you talking about? What act?

(MAX): Seriously. I’m losing patience.

(ROSE): Sorry, but are you having some sort of psychotic break right now? I find you here dancing with another girl who you have previously claimed to barely know and now you’re accusing me of- of what exactly?

[Max stares at Rose, a realisation washes over them]

(MAX): You’re being serious, aren’t you?

(ROSE): Yes! What’s going on?

(MAX): I’m so sorry Rose. It’s not my place to tell you. Ask your aunt and uncle.

(ROSE): What does that even mean?

[They stand awkwardly, sipping their drinks, watching couples dance, the music slows and they begin to waltz]

(MAX): …At the risk of making ourselves more uncomfortable, but in the interest of appearing as normal as possible: Would you like to dance?

(LENA): Oh-

(MAX): Oh?

(LENA): Relax. I was just gonna ask if you actually… knew how to waltz?

(MAX): Well no. But it doesn’t seem hard and I felt like you would know, so…

(LENA): …Finish your drink first.

[They make their way to the dancefloor, Lena places her and Max’s hands in the proper hold]

(LENA): Keep your eyes on me and follow my lead.

*

(VICTOR): How do I look?

(LILY): Hold on…there, perfect. You have your note cards, yes?

(VICTOR): Oh! I think I-

(LILY): [Panicked] What?

(VICTOR): I’m pulling your leg, dear. They’re in my breast pocket.

(LILY): You’re not funny Victor.

(VICTOR): Oh I don’t know, I’ve been known to get a laugh or two. What do you think, Rose?

[Rose is distracted, noticing two figures in the distance that look impossibly familiar]

(CHRIS): [Whispering] I need you to be rational about this Simone. I’m doing this for us!

(MAX): Let’s hear it then.

(AISH): I got my days mixed up. Sorry.

(MAX): Do you know what? I’m getting so sick of your apologising Aish. I don’t think you know what the word actually means.

(AISH): Allow it man. I know you’re still pissed about the other day but as I said, it’s not fault-

(MAX): That’s your whole problem Aish, it’s never your fault!

(AISH): Why are you shouting bruv? I’m not a child!

(MAX): You’re acting like one though! What the fuck is going on with you? You’ve always been scatty but this is next level.

(AISH): I told you, my head’s been a bit fucked lately. I’m trying my best and the last thing I need is you talking to me like a dickhead for a few minor mistakes.

(MAX): So you’re just not gonna actually tell me then?

(AISH): I shouldn’t have to air my business out to get you to trust me bruv. You don’t tell me shit about your life and I’m supposed to just be cool with that, but now it’s the other way round it’s a big fucking issue.

(MAX): That’s so unfair. You know that-

(AISH): You’re not the only person whose life is hard Max. You have family, I know you’re not speaking to them, but deep down you know that you’ll always have somewhere to go. I can’t go home at all ‘cause my fam disowned me when I chopped my tits off.

(MAX): Aish…I’m sorry. I know we’ve both been through shit. I wasn’t trying to be…selfish. I’m just worried about you.

(AISH): I don’t need you to worry about me Max. You’re always fucking worrying. You need to accept that some things are what they are. [Sighing] I just…I dunno. Maybe we should get some space…You should give my hours here to someone more…reliable.

(MAX): You look nice by the way. 

(LENA): …Thanks. So do you.

[Lift dings, signalling their arrival]

(LENA): [Exhaling deeply] Let’s do this.

[LIVE, BIG BAND TYPE MUSIC PLAYS, GUESTS CHATTING, DANCING, DRINKING ETC.]

(WAITER): Champagne?

(LENA): Yes, thanks. (MAX): Thank you.

(LENA): So the key to these things is to blend in. I’d say we should mingle but this is a bit of a black sheep situation given the…everything about my family so let’s just act like we’re having a decent time, not least because we are definitely being watched.

(MAX): Lovely. And when you say everything you mean-