DIRECTOR returns, putting his phone away.
DIRECTOR: We’ll continue the rehearsal. (to WOMAN) Do you know your part by now?
WOMAN: (uncertainly) I’ve studied it.
DIRECTOR: Very well. So as not to go around in circles, we’ll move on to the second paragraph.
WOMAN: (holding the paper with her lines) Dear Alexander!.. (to DIRECTOR) Alexander – who’s that?
DIRECTOR: The person you’re burying, obviously.
WOMAN: Was his name Alexander?
DIRECTOR: Probably. You ought to know.
CONSULTANT: (with barely concealed irritation) Yes, his name’s Alexander. Do you really not remember?
WOMAN: How’m I supposed to know? I’d never heard of any Alexander before he blew the whistle on our real estate and oil deals.
CONSULTANT: (gruffly) My dear, when you speak, your words should be better than silence. The director doesn’t need to know the details of your private life.
WOMAN: What did I say that was so wrong? We’re among friends here.
CONSULTANT: (decisively) Come with me. You need a splash of cold water. And a change of clothes, into something more decent.
WOMAN: But what about the rehearsal?
CONSULTANT: The director will work with our esteemed premier in the meantime.
DIRECTOR: Who put you in charge, to be bossing people around and interfering with my work?
CONSULTANT: I’m not interfering, I’m helping. (to WOMAN, in a commanding tone) Let’s go.
WOMAN makes for the door, but CONSULTANT stops her.
Hold on. Give me your purse for a minute. (takes WOMAN’s purse, removes a bottle of brandy, and puts it on the shelf) Now we can go.
CONSULTANT and WOMAN exit.
DIRECTOR: (to MAN) So. I’ll have to work just with you for now. The principal task of tomorrow’s show is high ratings, is that clear? That’s the spirit in which the show must be framed.
MAN: I completely agree with that as far as my personal approval numbers are concerned. But not that woman’s numbers. She shouldn’t have been allowed to take part in the performance at all.
DIRECTOR: I don’t quite understand who you’re talking about. The consultant?
MAN: No, that… lady minister. I don’t want to say anything bad about her, but you can see for yourself that she’s a complete airhead.
DIRECTOR: An actress needs talent, not brains. You’re not good with her as an actress?
MAN: I’m not good with her as a politician.
DIRECTOR: What’s wrong with her?