juliet, dressed and fatigued, sits at the table sipping a coffee. alex is also seated at the table, but wearing an old dressing- gown and munching at cornflakes while he reads a newspaper and talks at the same time. an array of other papers is spread over the table.
alex considers her reply.
alex returns to the kitchen, pausing only to knock at hugo's door, which elicits no response. in the kitchen juliet sits dressed for work, having just returned. he casually opens an envelope and glances at both sides of the letter before handing it to her.
we hear the main door closing as david leaves. alex jolts with energy with every sound. the telephone begins to ring. juliet looks at alex expectantly, but he does not move. eventually she gets up and answers it.
david sits while juliet talks. she is now seated behind him.