ACT 2.

INT. Castle, dining room – NIGHT

INARA, MINISTER SOONG, and ADRIAN are having dinner. Joining them is another woman, LADY VERONICA. She’s a socialite, more of a social climber than anything else, having taken on the affectation of a status one senses is beyond what she’s due.

The table is a long, thin one. Seated at one end, the “head”, is MINISTER SOONG. LADY VERONICA is seated at the other “head” of the table, the place usually reserved for the MINISTER’S wife (also known as ADRIAN’S mother). ADRIAN and INARA are seated across from each other near the middle of the table.

The room is opulent and stately. There’s a fine chandelier hanging from the center of the ceiling. The table is dressed in all its finery – china, crystal, silver candlesticks, and the like.

Dinner is over and there are a few servants clearing away the rest of the plates. Both the MINSTER and LADY VERONICA don’t even notice the servants, acting as if they’re not even there. ADRIAN, on the other hand, acknowledges their presence, thanking each of them as they clear the plates, refill the drinks, set out the coffee, etc. We can see INARA taking all of this in.

MINISTER SOONG

(to INARA)

Tell me, Miss, how do you find out quiet little corner of the universe?

INARA

(with a great big inviting smile – she’s in Companion mode)

Its really very quite charming. You have a beautiful estate.

LADY VERONICA

(a little snooty)

Well thank you, I’m so glad you like it.

MINISTER SOONG

I was told that you only recently came to make Persephone your home.

INARA

Yes.

MINISTER SOONG

May I ask where you were before that?

INARA

I had entered into an … arrangement … with a trading ship.

LADY VERONICA

(not quite under her breath)

Arrangement indeed.

At these words ADRIAN looks up and across the table at INARA, trying to gauge her reaction. INARA breezes right by the comment without even acknowledging it – she’s been here before.

INARA

They were … are … an …

(pauses