5 Minute Theatre : Book Lovers by Ian Watt
3:44
Left on the shelf: a librarian uses her position to take a chance on love.
Tags: STV News at Six National Theatre of Scotland Five Minute Theatre Book Lovers Ian Watt
Added: 1 year ago
From: STVDramas
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[scene opens with a young female librarian sitting at her desk, when a young male patron approaches her]
LIBRARIAN: Good day, can I help you?
DANNY: I, uh ... This came for me, asking me to come in.
[he hands her a piece of paper]
LIBRARIAN: Hmm, let's see.
[she reads it]
LIBRARIAN: Ah yes ... Yes, so you're Mister Defoe?
DANNY: That's right, that's me. Daniel Defoe. Danny.
LIBRARIAN: That's, uh ... an appropriate name. Being here, I mean.
DANNY: Yeah, I get it ... Look, what is this about? Have I fines to pay or something?
[she looks through a folder on her desk]
DANNY: Look, I haven't borrowed any books in awhile.
LIBRARIAN: No, you're in the clear. No fines.
[she continues reading from the folder]
LIBRARIAN: You borrowed the Conan Doyle collection. The complete Sherlock Holmes, is that right?
DANNY: Look, I've been through this before. It was nicked with my laptop at work ... I explained this to the woman that was here. I paid for a replacement. Look through your file, you'll see that.
LIBRARIAN: No, it's not that. It's just ... Mister, uh, Danny. I was looking through your file, and I was checking all the titles of the books you've withdrawn from us.
DANNY: Is there a problem I don't see?
LIBRARIAN: No, no problem. It's just, you've borrowed a lot of books. Lots. The classics are well covered, great historical novels, poetry. The Brontes, arts and music. Scottish authors, crime writers, sci fi, politics, theology! It's a very impressive list, you're extremely well read ... if you had read them.
DANNY: Yes, I've read them ... Well, most of them. Alright, one or two. Look, what is this about? You've called me into a library because I've been reading books?
[she laughs nervously]
LIBRARIAN: Sorry, it's just ...
[she stands up]
LIBRARIAN: I found it such an impressive list, and uh ... This is as embarrassing as I thought it would be! I thought, "Here's somebody who likes the same things as me." Somebody I would like to get to know. To talk to.
[she folds her hands]
LIBRARIAN: And I've always loved Robinson Crusoe.
[he laughs]
DANNY: I don't believe this ... You've called me in here because you fancy me 'cause of the books I've read?
LIBRARIAN: And because of your name.
DANNY: Oh sure, my name. Well, that makes a difference. I mean, now that you mention it, it's not mad at all!
LIBRARIAN: I know ... I knew it would sound weird, and I don't mean to freak you out, but it's just that I don't get to meet that many interesting people in this job.
DANNY: That's not really a reason for--
LIBRARIAN: It's mainly the Catherine Cookson brigade, Harry Potters, or the crime fiction fans. They are borderline autistic ... You seemed like somebody I could get on with, that's all.
[he suddenly smiles]
DANNY: Yeah, and you seem pretty decent yourself ... I mean, totally mad! But nice, I guess.
[she laughs]
DANNY: Well, maybe we could go for a drink sometime?
LIBRARIAN: You'd do that, even after ... this?
[she nervously flicks at her hair]
LIBRARIAN: W-Well, I'm free most nights ... Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday--
DANNY: I get it, enough ... Friday would be fine, I finish early on a Friday.
LIBRARIAN: How about the Castaway? It's the pub on the corner, you can see it from here ... See you Friday?
DANNY: Five thirty, the Castaway ...
LIBRARIAN: Five thirty's great! See you then!
[he turns to leave]
LIBRARIAN: Uh, what is it you do?
DANNY: You know enough about me already ...
[he leaves]
---
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