Twelve Years

(The canteen at Ashgrove School, five to twelve.)

Ruth: Hi. Am I too early?

Bogdan: Two minutes. Sit down.

Ruth: I'm new. I don't know the school day yet.

Bogdan: I know it. Twelve years.

(The school bell rings.)

Bogdan: Now they come. Year Seven first. They run.

Ruth: They really do run.

Bogdan: Then Year Nine. Then the teachers.

Ruth: And after lunch?

Bogdan: Break time. They go out to the playground. I clean. Then it starts again.

Ruth: Every day?

Bogdan: Every day.

(Bogdan puts a hot plate on the counter.)

Bogdan: This one's yours. In September I keep one hot. The new teacher's always late.

Ruth: I'm early.

Bogdan: Today.