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10INT. HOTEL LOBBY - DAY

The hotel lobby is empty. There is nobody around apart from the RECEPTIONIST. On the walls are various classic-looking paintings, all of which show couples in a characteristic pose: the man seated in an armchair with the woman standing by his side. There are also some paintings, again in a classic style, of animals, such as a horse, a duck or some other bird. The receptionist is a young woman with a friendly face and a calm voice. Biscuit Woman and the other woman, David, Limping Man and the Bald Man stand in front of the reception desk.

RECEPTIONIST

Welcome. Have any of you stayed in

the hotel before?

BISCUIT WOMAN

I have.

RECEPTIONIST

Excellent. Then you know the rules.

If you like, you can wait in the

lobby. You’ll find today’s papers,

and we can bring you tea or coffee

or a soft drink.

BISCUIT WOMAN

I’d like to hear the rules again,

if you don’t mind. I mean, it’s

been ten years since I was last

here and I’ve forgotten a number of

things. Like the bit with the days

where you hunt the people in the

woods with a bow and arrow, the

night of the slaughter and so on.

RECEPTIONIST

Some things have changed. We use

tranquilliser guns now instead of

bows and arrows and the night of

the slaughter has been done away

with. I’ll go over everything again

with you. I don’t mind at all.

BISCUIT WOMAN

Does Toby still work here?

RECEPTIONIST

Who’s Toby?

BISCUIT WOMAN

Toby. The outdoor bar waiter.

RECEPTIONIST