O'wango

SCENE: Whitehall, London

It’s a sunny afternoon in Whitehall, London.  There is a feeling of spring in the air.  Lots of tourists are milling around Parliament Square, there are spring flowers blooming everywhere.  Big Ben is close to striking 3 o’clock.

SCENE: Office, Palace of Westminster

In a parliamentary office, Conservative MP Philip Lowne, a tall man aged around 40 with light brown hair, blue eyes and a kind face, is looking through a pile of papers.  His desk is very messy with files piled all over it.  There is a half-drunk mug of tea on one side.  The mug has the ‘Vote Conservative’ logo on it.  His office door is open and through it comes a young, good looking researcher Davis Highland, in his mid 20s and dresses in trendy, sharp suits.

Davis: [knocking on the open door] “Knock, knock.  Nearly three o’clock.  Hadn’t you better be going?”
 
Philip: [looking at his watch] “Oh God, yes.  I’d almost forgotten.”

Philip finishes the mug of tea on his desk while he starts to pack his work stuff into his briefcase.

Davis: “Forgotten a promotion meeting?  Who are you trying to kid?”
 
Philip: “Davis, we don’t know it’s a promotion meeting.”
 
Davis: “It’s bound to be.  Transport minister forced to retire; your recent appearance on Top Gear…  You’re in.”
 
Philip: “I admire your confidence, Davis, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

A few minutes later, Philip walks up Whitehall towards Downing Street with a hopeful smile on his face.

SCENE: Cabinet Office, Downing Street

Nervously adjusting his tie, Philip is shown into the room where the Prime Minister, a dark, heavy set man with a gentle Scottish accent, is finishing a meeting with other cabinet members, who are leaving the room.

Prime Minister: “Ah, Mr Lowne, come in, come in.  Please take a seat.”
 
Philip: “Thank you.”
 
Prime Minister: “I won’t offer you tea because I won’t keep you long.  It’s very simple: we have a position as transport minister available, and you’re going to take it.”
 
Philip: [slightly surprised] “I am?”
 
Prime Minister: “Good!  That’s what I like to hear.  Positive attitude.”

He stands up and extends a hand.

Prime Minister: “Welcome aboard.”

Philip stands up and shakes the Prime Minister’s hand.

Philip: “Thank you.  Thank you very much.”
 
Prime Minister: “Don’t thank me; just don’t let me down.”
 
Philip: “I won’t, Prime Minister.”

Prime Minister exits the room with a satisfied smile on his face.  Philip sits back down, also smiling; slightly shocked, but mostly very pleased with himself.