AA
AA
Stephen, Hugh and others are sitting around a large room.
It is an AA session. Hugh is chairing the discussion. His
chair is at the head, the others are grouped around him.
He clears his throat.
Hugh Peter, would you like to start?
Man (Stands) My names is Peter Bales and I'm an
alcoholic. I last had a drink two years, seven weeks
and three days ago. (Sits to sympathetic murmurs and
congratulations.)
Man 2 (Stands) My name in William Gerard. I'm an alcoholic.
I haven't drunk for five months and six days. (Sits)
Woman 1 (Stands) My name is Andrea Mclean and I'm an
alcoholic. I last had a drink two days ago. I'm sorry.
(Sits to sympathy)
Hugh OK Andrea, no problem. We'll talk about it later.
Camera has arrived at Stephen who appears to be
reluctant to speak. He is shy and embarrassed.
Hugh Would our new member like to speak?
Stephen Um ...
Hugh I know it can be very hard; but everyone here at
AA will tell you that the first thing to do is to face
your problem. To give it a name.
Stephen Yes, I see that.
Hugh Until you can stand up and say it, we can't help
you.
Stephen Right.
Hugh I'm sure the others can confirm that AA is about
confidence and about sharing. OK?
Stephen Right. (Deep breath) My problem is basically that
the starter motor seems to get stuck. Especially in
cold weather.
Pause.
Hugh Mm. Have you tried putting it in first gear and
rocking it back and forwards?
Stephen Yes. Yes I have.
Hugh We'll send someone round as soon as possible.
Stephen Thank you.
Hugh (Handing Stephen a hip flask) Have a drink while
you're waiting.
VOX POP
Stephen Now when I was at school we
had real headmasters. Not clever
left-wing scholars in oh-so-smart
Trotskyite sandals and Stalinist
trousers. Proper, straight-down
the-line honest-to-goodness
schoolmasters. They didn't indoc-
trinate me with a lot of left-wing
crap-trap. They indoctrinated me
with a lot of right-wing crap-trap.
They may have stroked my
thighs slightly more than is con-
sidered fashionable these days, but
they were proper schoolmasters.