Architect

	Stephen is sitting behind, yes, a desk. On the desk 
	there is what appears to be an architect's model of 
	a fairly pleasing housing estate. Nicely done, trees, a 
	stream, model people walking dogs and so on. Hugh is 
	explaining it.


Hugh		And basically I think ... or what I hope I've
		managed to achieve with this design is a new
		direction. The emphasis is very much on the
		quality of people's day to day lives. I know it
		doesn't correspond exactly to the initial brief, but
		I hope you'll agree it has qualities that really set
		it apart from any other contemporary design. Hah.
		That's it really. I'm very excited about it.

Stephen		Yes.

Hugh		So what do you think?

Stephen		Ahem. Mr Braganza ...

Hugh		Please be honest.

Stephen		I will. I will. But first of all can I ask you why you
		chose to depart from the ... er ... shall we say
		traditional ... ?

Hugh		You mean the old shoe box approach.

Stephen		That's it.

Hugh		The strict, rectangular lines ...

Stephen		That's right. Shoe box.

Hugh		Well to be honest, Mr Catchpole, that style is out,
		it's dead. Brutalism, modernism, post-modernism,
		all those isms are finished with. We've got to look
		at people's lives.

Stephen		Yes, quite. The thing is, when we asked for a shoe
		box, we did actually mean a box for putting shoes
		in. We are a shoe manufacturer, you see. And we
		really do need to put our shoes in a box.

Hugh		Oh I know that. I know that. But by carrying on
		with the same old rectangular prisons, you're only
		stifling the human spirit. I'm trying to free the
		human spirit.

Stephen		Well that's ... that's fine. But you see, I'm left
		with the problem of where to put our shoes. I
		need a box to put our shoes in, you see? I need a
		shoe box.

Hugh		Need? Who are we to say what's needed, in the
		sense of some fancy design idea that's going to
		blight the lives of generations to come?

Stephen		I don't think our shoe boxes have blighted any
		generations.

Hugh		Well I wouuldn't be too sure about that.

Stephen		Nick. Let me put it this way. To me, a shoe box is
		just a machine for keeping shoes in.

Hugh		Oh yes? And to hell with human spirit, that's
		what you're saying.

Stephen		Not really.

Hugh		I know what it is. It's the cost, isn't it? You're
		frightened of how much it's going to cost.

Stephen		No, I'm frightened of where I'm going to put
		our shoes.

Hugh		Well forget money. Because there are some things
		that can't be calculated to the last penny. I'm
		talking about human lives.

Stephen		Yes, you see, I'm talking about shoes.

Hugh		Oh shoes, shoes. Is that all you think about?

Stephen		When I'm at work, yes.

Hugh		Well then I feel sorry for you. In fact, I pity you.

Stephen		Well ...

Hugh		But I'll do you a shoebox, if that's what you want.
		I don't know how I'll live with myself, but if that's
		what you want, I'll do you a nice, safe, ordinary,
		rectangular shoebox.

Stephen		Thank you.

	Hugh picks up the model.

Hugh		I'll take this away, then.

Stephen		No no. Leave it here. I think we can find a
		use for it.

Hugh		What?

Stephen		Some of our workers might want to live in it.

Hugh		(Slapping himself rather hard 
		on the face and looking mad)
		I was beaten as a child
		and it didn't do me any
		harm.