(London, 1880, a sophisticated evening gathering. Our first glimpse of human Spike, then William, in spectacles and period gentleman's attire, off in a corner by himself.)

WILLIAM: (to himself) Luminous... oh, no, no, no. Irradiant's better.

(A WAITER approaches and holds out a tray.)

WAITER: Care for an hors d'oeuvre, sir?

WILLIAM: Oh, quickly! I'm the very spirit of vexation. What's another word for "gleaming"? It's a perfectly perfect word as many words go but the bother is nothing rhymes, you see.

(The waiter smiles patronizingly and moves off into the crowd. Spike's eyes are drawn to CECILY, young woman just entering the party.)

SPIKE: Cecily...

(He turns back to his poem with renewed purpose and jots down several more lines, then gets up and moves through the crowd toward her.)

• historical flash backs

written by: Douglas Petrie; Transcribed by Joan the English Chick (pisces@englishchick.com).. Full transcript at:
http://www.studiesinwords.de/85foolforlove.html