Act One, Scene II: "All the Grief"

SCENE II: An office. Tony and Harry are sitting either side of a desk Harry: Why the hell did I let you talk me into this? Tony: Oh come on Harry, you'll have a great time, bossing everyone around, making sure it all runs smoothly, it'll be just like old times Harry: That's what worries me. I'm only doing this because Rich insisted Tony: You always would do anything for him, wouldn't you? Harry: He's promised it's just for a few weeks then that's it, never again. [Looks up warily] Why're you so keen to have me on board, anyway? Tony: Y'said it yourself: keeps Rich happy, thinks he's being loyal. Actually, I'm between management deals myself right now so who knows, mate, play your cards right... Harry: [Shudders] Not in a million years, "mate". Still, if your solo career's going so swimmingly I'm sure you've got managers queuing up. Be that as it may, I'll ask again: why're you doing this? Tony: Unfinished business., like we've been saying. We've still got more to say and the world's finally ready to listen. Me and Rich, there was never anything to beat us, you know Harry: Look, I may've been out of your own weird little loop for a while but I'm not an idiot, Tony, and I still hear things. I had a long chat with Cora the other day Tony: Ah Harry: She said it's no longer worth all the grief. Streaming's eating into your royalties, nobody's paying for recorded music any more. You're not even a big nostalgia draw on your own. Times are tough. Then, as if by magic, there's a reissue campaign by public demand, gigs and all the rest of it and hey presto, dates and stars somehow align, Pete's there waiting with open arms, Steve just happens to be available to fill in for Al... [Sarcastically] It's a miracle! Couldn't've worked out better if you'd had it all lined up before you rang Rich, could it? [Shrugs] Tony: [Pauses] You never liked me, did you? Harry: That's not true. I loved you all equally. You needed me and I knew I could help you. Beneficence is a powerful philtre Tony: God, you even talk like Rich Harry: [Oblivious] Standing in the wings watching you every night was magical... I mean... I always knew I wasn't one of you, but also that you'd get nowhere on your own. And you all knew it too. You needed me - you still do, if only to turn out the lights after you