A Dozen Black Roses - 3. Act III

ACT THREE SCENE ONE

The day of the Civil Partnership Ceremony.

Door to the left of the stage.The Registrar's table is down centre stage with five rows of chairs at upper centre stage.A pianist sits at his instrument stage right.

The registrary office is full of people,chatting excitedly centre stage.There is an air of expectation.

Maggie and Grant's sister Clare enter,having just acted as witnesses.They walk over to Andrew and introductions are made.They then go to stand by the table.Clare has the two rings in her handbag.

The Registrar enters the room and takes his position behind his table with his back to the audience.

The pianist starts playing 'The Look of Love' as Grant and Duncan enter, both wearing white suits.Duncan spots his ex-lover 'Gavin' among the guests.He pales,realising his true identity.

They go and stand in front of the Registrar facing the audience.

REGISTRAR We welcome you here today on this very special occasion of deep significance for Grant and Duncan.Today they will affirm their love and publicly declare their commitment to each other.Please feel free to take any photographs before the ceremony begins but then I ask you to refrain from using your cameras and video recorders until after the proceedings have finished.Also please wait until the happy couple have left the room before throwing any confetti.Your co-operation in these matters is greatly appreciated.

Duncan in a state of shock twists around to take a second glance at Andrew,not quite believing that he has in fact slept with his best friend's husband.

GRANT (whispering) What's the matter?

DUNCAN(addressing the Registrar) Excuse me,can we have afew minutes please?There is something I need to mention to Grant!

REGISTRAR(indignant) Well,this is most out of order!I have another wedding booked at twelve.You have two minutes.Use my office out the back!

Grant and Duncan exit.

MAGGIE(walks over to Andrew) Blimey,I wonder what all that was about!

ANDREW(looking uncomfortable) Maybe Duncan has had second thoughts.Gay men can be very flighty!

MAGGIE That is a terribly homophobic thing to say!I have never known such a committed couple as those two.

They divert their attentions back to Grant and Duncan as they re-enter the room and Maggie hurries back to Clare's side.

DUNCAN(whispering to Grant) Thanks for being so understanding.I never realised it was him!

GRANT(whispering back) It's OK.At least I know who 'Gavin' really is now!Let's just get on with the ceremony before I change my mind.It is a damn good job that I love you so much!

They go and stand back in front of the Registrar who has resumed his original place.

REGISTRAR Are you two gentlemen quite ready now?

DUNCAN Yes,we are.Sorry about that.Please continue!

REGISTRAR Ladies and gentlemen,I thank you for your patience.

This place in which you are now met has been duly sanctioned according to law for the for the registration of civil partnerships. You are here to witness the formation of a civil partnership by Grant and Duncan.If any person present knows of any impediment to this civil partnership, he should declare it now.

Maggie glances across at Andrew but neither say anything.

Grant and Duncan have chosen to pledge themselves to each other by committing to a legally binding contract. Their Partnership will enable the love and respect that they have for each other to develop into a deep and lasting relationship. We who are witnessing your civil partnership, hope that despite the stresses inevitable in any life, your Love, trust and understanding of each other will increase your contentment and heighten your joy in living.

Grant and Duncan,may I now ask you in turn to make your chosen vows to each other?

Grant and Duncan turn to face each other.They both pick up a copy of the Order of Service from the table in front of them.

GRANT(reading) I,Grant David pledge to share my life openly with you, Duncan Colin. I promise to cherish and tenderly care for you, to honour and encourage you. l will respect you as an individual and be true to you through good times and bad. To these things I give my word.

DUNCAN(reading) I,Duncan Colin choose you,Grant David above all others, to share my life. I promise to honour this pledge as long as I live.

The Registrar turns to Clare.

REGISTRAR Do you have the rings please?

She gives them to him.

REGISTRAR The giving of a band signifies the promise of a love that is everlasting and is a public affirmation that the contract between Grant and Duncan will be honoured.

Grant and Duncan exchange rings,gazing into each others eyes.Maggie and Clare smile at each other.

GRANT(reading) This ring is a token of my abiding love and a sign of the promise I make to you today.

DUNCAN(reading) This ring is a token of my abiding love and a sign of the promise I make to you today.

REGISTRAR Everyday you live, learn how to receive love with as much understanding as you give it. Find things within yourself, then you can share them with each other. Do not fear this love. Have an open heart and a sincere mind. Be concerned with each other's happiness. Be constant and consistent in your love. From this will come security and strength.

We now come to the signing of the schedule, which will bind Grant and Duncan together in law.

GRANT(reading) I declare that I know of no legal reason why we may not register as each other’s civil partner. I understand that on signing this document we will be forming a civil partnership with each other.

DUNCAN(reading) I declare that I know of no legal reason why we may not register as each other’s civil partner. I understand that on signing this document we will be forming a civil partnership with each other.

REGISTRAR Grant and Duncan,would you please step forward to sign the Civil Partnership Schedule and Register along with Maggie and Clare,your witnesses.

They all sign the schedule and register on the table.The pianist plays 'Someone To Watch Over Me'.

Grant and Duncan,you are now Partners in law and it is with pleasure that I present you with your Civil Partnership Certificate. Now that the ceremony is over and the experience of living day by day as legal partners is about to begin, go and meet it gladly.

You may now kiss.

Grant kisses Duncan warmly.Maggie and Clare have tears in their eyes.

Please join with Grant and Duncan as they celebrate their partnership.

The pianist plays 'Love Changes Everything' as Grant and Duncan turn to leave the room.Duncan takes a backward glance at Andrew(unnoticed by Grant) who blushes.The rest of the guests slowly follow.

ACT THREE SCENE TWO

Later that day.

A lavishly decorated hotel reception room with a bar to the right of the stage.

A saxophonist is playing '(Everything I Do)I Do It For You'at the back of the stage.

There is a small dance floor next to the bar.

Door to stage left.

Grant and Duncan ,newly married are dancing on their own and are then joined by two other couples.As the melody finishes they leave the floor and move into the centre of the room.

The saxophonist starts to play another tune.Romantic melodies are played throughout the scene.

Maggie and Andrew come to join them from the bar,both carrying drinks.

MAGGIE I reckon you two have been practising!Congratulations,by the way!That was a lovely service,although I did wonder if it was actually going to get off the ground at first!

DUNCAN Sorry about that!I hope you two enjoy this evening.The hotel has promised us a night to remember!

MAGGIE I am sure we will but in all this excitement I am forgetting my manners.Duncan,let me introduce you to my much -talked about but as yet- unseen husband Andrew!I have been so looking forward to the two of you meeting at last.

Duncan grabs Andrew's extended hand and shakes it nervously.

DUNCAN(ill at ease but doing his best to cover it up) Hello,Andrew!Maggie is always talking about you.How is life treating you?

ANDREW Good to meet you at last,Duncan.I only got back from a trip 'down south' last night so,do excuse me if I squeeze out the occasional yawn!

MAGGIE It's good to see you again,Grant.Is everything OK with the new house?

GRANT It feels like that we have been staying there for years rather than afew months.We really appreciated you sorting all the paperwork out-and of course,finding us the property in the first place.You have been a true friend to Duncan.He is lucky to have you!

MAGGIE Well,I don't know what I would have done all those long evenings Andrew was away on business(glancing at her husband)without Duncan to entertain me!

GRANT Away alot,was he?I am surprised he didn't get lonely too!

Andrew spots Steve at the far side of the room.

ANDREW(nervously) Will you folks excuse me a minute?I must just pop to the gents!

He strides across the room,ignoring the other people in his path and grabs Steve as he passes him.They both exit.

MAGGIE Blimey,he's in a hurry.Must be all that beer he's been drinking!

DUNCAN Come to mention it,I could do with paying a visit too.I won't be a minute.It will give you two a chance to catch up.

He walks away from them but as he passes Grant mouths,

Please don't tell her!

Grant nods and turns back to Maggie.

Duncan lingers by the door and grabs hold of Andrew's shoulder as he re-enters the room on his own.

DUNCAN(urgently in a low whisper) We need to talk!

Andrew pulls him into a corner and glances across the room at his wife who is laughing at one of Grant's jokes.They are oblivious to anyone but themselves.

ANDREW If I didn't know better I would say that your husband seems to be chatting up my wife!

He takes a swig of beer from his glass which he took to the lavatory with him.

DUNCAN This is not some sort of joke!Do you not realise what we've done?

ANDREW(sarcastically) It is good to see you again,Duncan as well!

DUNCAN(grabbing hold of Andrew's arm) You said your name was Gavin.If only I'd known..

ANDREW Known what?You were so horny it would not have made any difference even if you had known who I really was! And let go off my arm!People are staring at us!

DUNCAN As if you'd care!If I had known that you were Maggie's husband I would have never argreed to sleep with you.

ANDREW But you had no objections to playing around behind your fiance's back?

DUNCAN It was a moment of madness and...Hang on,I don't have to explain myself to you.You told me that you were single.There was Maggie sat at home,missing you like hell-although now I know who her 'beloved' hubby actually is I can't think why-whilst you were trying out buggery behind her back!

ANDREW You lot can be so crude but yes,that was about it!

DUNCAN And Maggie has no idea?

ANDREW Not as far as I know,although to be honest I really don't give a damn.I am rather fed up with the stupid little cow,well all women,really!

Maggie unseen by either Duncan or Andrew leaves Grant's side and walks calmly out of the room.

DUNCAN God,you really are a nasty piece of work!You just used me when I was at my lowest to experiment with your sexuality and now you are insulting my oldest and dearest friend!Obviously,women don't do it for me sexually but as a friend Maggie has been an absolute rock.

ANDREW She won't think so highly of you once she discovers you have been introducing her husband to the delights of gay sex!Does your beloved Grant know that he has been sharing your sexy little body with me?

He grabs a glass of champagne from a passing waiter.

DUNCAN I told him last weekend that I had an affair with a man called Gavin,on the advice of your wife,actually!So,it looks like that you are the only one with the big secret.I am sure that Maggie will be rather more shocked when she finds out about her husband's persistent infidelity and the fact that he is not the true blue heterosexual that she thought he was than by me coming clean over my ex-lover's identity,considering that I had no idea who you were,let alone that you were married!

ANDREW(slurring his words) You think you've got all your bases covered then,do you?Well,let's go and confess all to dear old Maggie!Come on!

He grabs hold of Duncan and drags him across the room despite the protestations of the other guests but only Grant is standing there,chatting to one of his work colleagues.

(Addressing Grant in a raised voice) Where's my dear wife then?

GRANT(excusing himself and turning to face Duncan and Andrew) Oh,hello you two!We thought perhaps you had eloped together!Maggie?She went home five or ten minutes ago.

ANDREW(almost lost for words) Why?What was the matter with her?Did you tell her?

Grant winks at Duncan unseen by Andrew.Duncan smiles at him.

GRANT She was in a terrible state,almost in tears.I offered her a lift home but she said nothing and stormed out.Didn't you see her go?

ANDREW Oh,God so you told her about Duncan and me?

DUNCAN(playing along) I don't see why you are so upset!You have just dragged me half way across the room with you to spill the beans.Grant has just done the job for you!

ANDREW What did you tell her then?Does she know everything?

GRANT Pretty much.Duncan told me about your sordid little affair afew days ago.I thought Maggie,seeing as she's your wife had a right to know.She is after all my husband's best friend!

ANDREW Oh,God how did she take it?She must have been devastated!

GRANT She was terribly upset.She thought I was joking at first but once she realised that her beloved husband had not just been unfaithful to her but that his lovers were all men,including her best friend..well,how do you think you took it?

ANDREW I must go after her and explain everything.

(speaking directly to Duncan) I know what I said to you over there(indicating the far corner of the room)but that was all bluster.I was as shocked as you were when I realised you were Maggie's friend.I just didn't put two and two together.

DUNCAN Well,you said to me when we split up that you had just regarded me as a 'sex object' so I am not surprised that you paid little attention to what my name was!

ANDREW(almost in tears) I really love Maggie.How could I have hurt her like this?I must go after her!

GRANT Look,old thing you aren't in a fit state to go anywhere.Duncan and myself are staying here overnight.Why don't you ask reception if they have a room vacant so you can sober up abit?

ANDREW Perhaps that's a good idea.

He staggers off and exits.

GRANT(turning to Duncan) I never told her!She just had a headache and was feeling tired.

DUNCAN I kind of guessed that.But the fact still remains that I slept with her husband.She is not going to be best pleased with me,is she?And Andrew's big secret will come out sooner or later.

GRANT Yes,but she already knows you had an affair and give you your due you didn't know that Gavin was in fact Andrew.I suggested to Andrew that he stays here tonight to give you time to pop over to Maggie's first thing and fill her in on all the details.At least then you will have a chance to salvage your friendship before she hears Andrew's side of the story-if he does decide to tell her.It will be better for Maggie too if she hears the news from you first-but just make sure that when Andrew does eventually go home Maggie keeps quiet about your confession!

DUNCAN I think I get it!He goes home all in a fluster thinking she already knows about his affair from you but obviously she doesn't-but in fact she has found out from me!What if he decides not to tell her after all?

GRANT That's what I am banking on!Andrew knows that Maggie would never accept him being attracted to other men.She just couldn't cope with him being bisexual.You told me that yourself.I reckon once he realises that she just went home with a headache and assumes that she has no idea about his affair he will keep quiet.Arrogant as he is,he will assume that he has got away with it.

DUNCAN Blimey,you do have it all worked out!Then what?Maggie will know the truth.I am not sure that she does love Andrew enough to just carry on with her marriage as if nothing has happened.What if she confronts him with the knowledge of his affair that she has found out from me?Perhaps I should keep quiet too,then maybe they could go on as before?

GRANT No,Maggie has a right to know that her husband is bisexual.There are too many so-called straight men out there playing around behind their wives' backs.Just because it is with another man rather than a woman does not make it any less adulterous.Hell,I am sounding like an old married man already!

DUNCAN You certainly are!OK,you make sure you keep Andrew here tomorrow long enough for me to go over to Maggie's.Although Andrew will assume he has got away with it-or perhaps he will just never really know- I think he really does care for her and once he sobers up the guilt of knowing that he has destroyed his marriage let alone the woman he loves will teach him a well deserved lesson.Thinking back to what Maggie was telling me the other day,her love for him has been seeping away for months.From what I could gather,they very rarely sleep together nowadays..

GRANT Well,I suppose if Andrew prefers his bedmates to be of the hairy variety,that would make sense!

DUNCAN -and her feelings for Caroline...

GRANT That's that ex-work colleague of hers,isn't it?The one who confessed her dying love?

DUNCAN Yes,that's right.I can quite see the scenario:they both pretend that nothing is wrong but in fact Andrew devises more trips away from home,all consumed by guilt but unable to stop himself from sleeping with other men-you know what bi guys are like-whilst Maggie and Caroline get down and dirty at home.In the end,it is Maggie who decides to leave Andrew because she now has a new love in her life.

GRANT Exactly!I think we would all argree that Andrew deserves to be taught a sharp lesson.Maybe once him and Maggie have eventually split up he will find himself a new love.Now whether that would be a man or a very understanding woman,we will just have to wait and see!

DUNCAN(looking around him) Our guests will be wondering what we have been talking about all this time.I hope they don't think we are being rude!

GRANT I am sure they appreciate that us newly weds just can't get enough of each other!We had better go and circulate,though.Just think in an hour or two,we will be consummating our marriage at last,scorching those long awaited for bedsheets!

They walk hand-in-hand amongst their guests, smiling at each other.

Lights fade.