February 9th, 2016

"Where are you?"

"In the car. Why, where are you?"

"Urgh, I don't even think I could begin to tell you."

"Ok... you don't sound happy. Happy Birthday, by the way."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Never mind my birthday. Charlotte took me to Gillespie House."

"I know. She told me last night where we were going. She's had to change the venue several times because you've been prying."

"Why didn't anyone have the sense to tell her not to bring me here? I mean, hello!"

"Hello?"

"I hate this place. With a passion."

"Any particular reason you dislike Gillespie House?"

"Yes."

"Which would be?"

"If I told you, I'd have to kill you."

"Sophie, it's your birthday and Charlotte has put a lot of effort into it, so don't be-"

"Ungrateful? Daniel, Charlotte knows how much- and why- I hate this place. Still, she organised for my birthday drinks to be here. I'm not being ungrateful, I just think she's torturing me and I'm trying to escape. Look, I even have an accomplice."

"Hugo, per chance?"

"Yep."

"Sophie, it's just one night. Suck it up."

"No!"

"Sophie-"

"I want to got to Lola's Bar."

"Do I dare ask what Lola's Bar is?"

"It's a drag place in Soho. Like the song."

"What song?"

"Lola, by The Kinks. It's where my Drag Queen ex works. I told you he performs every year on my birthday, right? Well, why didn't Charlotte take me there, huh?"

"Maybe because taking you to Gillespie House was classier."

"Do you even know me? Who the fuck said I do classy? I want to got to a drag bar. I want to go to Lola's Bar. Champagne at Gillespie House is not my idea of birthday fun."

"Sophie-"

"Are you almost here? I figured, seeing as you're already in a car, when you arrive here, Hugo and I can jump in and the three of us go to Lola's Bar."

"And what about Charlotte?"

"Fine, I'll text her on the way there and let her know that we've gone."

"Or you could tell her before you skip out on her and your friends."

"She'll only create a scene. Or she'll guilt trip me into staying. Both are equally horrific."

"How about a compromise? If you tell me why you want to leave Gillespie House, I'll take you to the drag bar. If you don't tell me why you hate it there, I'll get my driver to stop a few streets away so you can't hitch a ride to Soho. Deal?"

"You're a sadistic piece of work, Daniel Whitaker."

"Is it a deal, Sophie Clément?"

"... I suppose it'll have to be."

"Ok, I'm all ears."

"A few years ago, it was mine and my boyfriend's anniversary. It wasn't a big one, but it was something for us to celebrate. We came to Gillespie House and it was that weekend that I found out that he was married. His wedding ring fell out of the pocket of his jeans as we were... anyway, I don't like being here because it reminds me of everything that happened with him since then. Happy now?"

"Not really. My car is outside waiting. Please, tell your sister that we're all going to Lola's Bar. It's your birthday, and we're going to party like it's your birthday."

"Haha, I think you inadvertently sang a 50 Cent song."

"No, I purposely sang a 50 Cent song. I knew it would make you laugh. Now, hurry up. I'm intrigued to go and see this Drag Queen performance. I've never been before."

"What? You've never been? Oh, you will love it, babe, I guarantee."

"Only time will tell."

"- Ok, bitches, Hugo, Daniel and I are going to Lola's Bar. Who's in? -"

"Way to be subtle, Sophie."

"I'm never subtle."

"You don't say!"

>

"- Charlotte, I'm very grateful for it all, but I'm just not comfortable being here. I can't say the word 'fuck' every three words in a place like this. Please, can we leave? Daniel is outside-"

>

"- Yes. -"

>

"- Actually, I was going to hitch with Daniel. His driver is out front.-"

>

"..."

>

"..."

"- Hugo, let's go. We're getting a cab. My sister is going with Daniel.- Daniel? Did you catch all that?"

"Yes. Charlotte's coming with me, everyone else is getting cabs there."

"Yep."

"Oh, wait, I can see you all coming out. Holy shit! Sophie, what are you wearing?"

"A dress?"

"You'll catch your death. Wait where you are, I'm getting out of the car."

"What? Why? Daniel, don't trouble yourself. Get back in the car! Why are you taking your jacket off?"

"To give it to you, you idiot."

"I don't want your jacket."

"But I'm giving it to you anyway."

"Don't you find it weird that we're still on the phone, even though you're stood right in front of me?"

"Oddly, no I don't find it weird."

"You've been talking to me for too long."

"Not long enough."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Wait here a second."

"Where are you going?"

"- Ladies, let me get the door for you. Robert, safely get these two ladies to Lola's Bar in Soho, please. I'll be following along in a cab with the others.-"

"Daniel, what are you doing?"

"I'm walking back to your group."

"Yeah, I can see that, but your car is driving away and you're not in it."

"No, I'm not. I'm staying with you. If I'm being initiated into the Drag Queen scene, I need an expert at my side."

"Uh huh."

"I'm going to hang up now. I'm beginning to find it weird that we're on the phone and we're stood next to each other."

"Sure thing. You look good, by the way."

"So do you. My jacket suits you."

"Haha, yeah, it does."

"Your birthday present is in the breast pocket, by the way."

[End Call.]