The power behind the throne, Mr. Hyde.
Minister.
(Kindly.) Ah, how do you do, Mr. Hyde.
(Shakes hands after carefully turning and laying down his coffee cup on the corner of the piano behind him, placing the cup so that it is on the audience side of the piano. Varlie, who is still standing with his back to the group, looking at the picture above the piano, notes this quickly and keenly. He is seen by the audience to be listening intently.)
Minister.
How do you do. You come from Australia I believe?
Gordon.
New Zealand, Sir.
Minister.
New Zealand, yes, yes. A thousand miles by sea from the nearest port in Australia.