mission, Washington.
GAMMA: And the figure 1?
ED: The head man or woman of the British team.
GAMMA: Would you know the name of that person?
ED: No.
GAMMA: You are totally brilliant, Ed. Maria was not exaggerating. I thank you for your patience. We are careful people. Are you the proud owner of a smartphone by any chance?
ED: I gave Maria the number, didn’t I?
GAMMA: Maybe for safety give it to me again.
(Ed wearily intones a number. Gamma makes a show of writing it in her diary.)
GAMMA: Are you permitted to take your smartphone into your work area?
ED: No way. Check it in at the door. All metal objects. Keys, pens, small change. A couple of days ago they made me take my bloody shoes off.
GAMMA: Because they suspected you?
ED: Because it was clerks’ week. The week before it was line managers.
GAMMA: Maybe we can provide you with an inconspicuous device that takes pictures but is not metallic and doesn’t look like a smartphone. Would you like that?
ED: No.
GAMMA: No?
ED: That’s spy stuff. I’m not into that. I’m helping the cause when I feel like it. That’s all I’m doing.
GAMMA: You also gave Maria other incoming materials from your embassies in Europe that were not codeword-protected.
ED: Yeah, well, that was just so that she knew I wasn’t some sort of conman.
GAMMA: But classified ‘secret’ nonetheless.
ED: Yeah, well, it had to be, didn’t it? Otherwise I could have been anybody.
GAMMA: And have you brought us material of the same sort today? Is that what you are carrying in your disgraceful briefcase?
ED: Willi said bring whatever you can get, so I did.
(Long silence before Ed with apparent reluctance unfastens the buckles of his briefcase, extracts a plain buff folder, opens it on his lap then passes it to her.)
ED: [While Gamma reads] If it’s not useful, I’m not going for it. You can tell them that too.
GAMMA: Obviously the priority for all of us is codeword Jericho material. For these additional possibilities, I shall have to consult my colleagues.
ED: Well, just don’t tell them where you got it from, that’s all.
GAMMA: And material of this classification – plain secret, no codeword – you can bring us copies without too much problem?
ED: Yeah. Well. Over lunch hour’s best.
(She extracts a mobile phone from her bag, photographs twelve pages.)
GAMMA: Did Willi tell you who I am?
ED: He said you were high up in the pecking order. Some sort of top cat.
GAMMA: Willi is right. I am a top cat. However, to you I am Anette, I am a Danish teacher of English language to secondary level, resident in Copenhagen. We met when you were studying in Tübingen. We were both on the same summer foundation course for German culture. I am your older woman, I am married, you are my secret lover. From time to time I visit England and this is where we make love. It is a flat that I borrow from my journalist friend, Markus. You are listening?
ED: ’Course I am. Jesus.
GAMMA: You do not need to know Markus personally. He is a tenant here. That is all. However, when we cannot meet this will be where we hope you will post your documents or letters to me as you pass by on your bicycle, and Markus as a good friend will make sure our correspondence remains completely private. This is what we call a legend. You are happy with this legend or do you wish to discuss a different one?
ED: Sounds all right. Yeah. Go for it.
GAMMA: We would like to reward you, Ed. We would like to express our appreciation. Financially or in any other way you wish. Maybe we make a nest egg for you in another country and one day you claim it. Yes?
ED: I’m all right, thanks. Yeah. They pay me pretty decently. Plus I’ve got a bit put by. [Awkward grin] Curtains cost a bit. New bath. Good of you all the same, but no thanks. All right? So that’s settled. Don’t ask again, actually.
GAMMA: Do you have a nice girlfriend?
ED: What’s that got to do with anything?
GAMMA: Does she share your sympathies?
ED: Most of them. Sometimes.
GAMMA: Does she know you are in touch with us?
ED: Shouldn’t think so.
GAMMA: Perhaps she could help you. Act as your intermediary. Where does she think you are now?
ED: On my way home, I suppose. She’s got her own life, same as me.
GAMMA: Is she engaged in similar work to yours?
ED: No. Not. Definitely not. Wouldn’t think of it, ever.
GAMMA: What kind of