© Alan Richardson 2026

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Steve has been involved in a road accident that left a child dead and himself blinded. Shortly after the accident, Steve's sight returned, but his manager, Mike, decided to continue a deception that has boosted the singer's flagging career. In this scene, Lesley is confronted by Mike.

MIKE The problem is, sweetheart, you've stumbled upon a closely guarded secret. Rule number one in this business is trust nobody. (He rubs his fingers together) Especially with so much temptation on offer from the tabloids.  Even his band don't know. In fact, only two people knew before this morning. But now it's three. (He turns the lock in the bedroom door) And what you know can't be allowed to leave this room.

LESLEY That sounds like a threat.

MIKE Would I?

STEVE You would. But I won't let you.

 

MIKE You won't?

STEVE That’s right..

MIKE I can't believe I'm hearing this. You're saying no, to me? (He pushes Steve on to the bed) Just sit there, shut up, and let me fix your mess.

He moves towards Lesley. She backs away.

MIKE It's all right, sweetheart, I'm not going to touch you. You don’t believe the rubbish they print in the tabloids? So, I had a few minor indiscretions in the past. Who hasn't? But to suggest links with organised crime. That was pure speculation and never proved. So there's no reason to be afraid of me, is there?

LESLEY I'm not scared of you. I only want to know why?

MIKE Why?

LESLEY Why the pretence?  Why are all his fans, the ordinary people who love his music, who love him, being conned and cheated? Why?

MIKE Ten million reasons why, sweetheart. That's what his next contract is worth to the record company. You want to know the truth about wonder boy here? (He picks up a bottle) You think this is new? No, no. We've had the booze, and the drugs, from day one. The truth is, he can't handle the pressure. Overnight success. Sudden celebrity status. Too much, too soon. (To Steve) You can't handle it, can you? (To Lesley) It takes more than winning a TV contest to launch a career. It takes someone like me. Without me, he'd be nothing. Oh, yes... first single, first album, fantastic. License to print money. Then his little problems got worse. Result? Cancelled engagements. Non-appearances. A second album way behind schedule, and way over budget. Nothing moves faster in this business than nasty rumours and once the press pack catch the scent...

LESLEY All those things they said in the papers, I didn't believe a word of it.

MIKE No smoke without fire, sweetheart. That's when the pressure gets too much. Wonder boy loses his shine. Record sales drop. Concerts ain't sell-out any more. Worse still, my percentage slides. Then, hey, just when his career is in terminal decline...

LESLEY The car crash.

MIKE Talk about heaven sent. Suddenly, the press are giving him big attention, this time for all the right reasons. Then he spoils it all by getting his sight back.

LESLEY But you decided to carry on as if he hadn't.

MIKE Why not? The next album, the one we're about to launch downstairs, has already got massive advance sales. Then I'm planning a nation-wide concert tour. Guaranteed sell-out. Oh, yes, wonder boy's career is back on the fast elevator up and everybody's happy again.