John Drake: [John Drake walks into his flat, to see Certhia Coper - drink in hand, comfortable in his living room] Now what tidings of joy and whatnot do you bring me?
Certhia: That depends. What I like about you is you're so cryptic.
John Drake: What I like about myself is the way that I don't like you
Certhia: You could make a girl feel inadequate.
John Drake: Could?
Certhia: Oh, alright, you do.
John Drake: Alright, now we know where we stand with each other, perhaps you'd like to go.
Certhia: [Pleading] I'm lonely.
John Drake: There's a very nice bus stop at the end of the mews. You'll meet a lot of friends there.
Certhia: Suppose I don't want a lot of friends. Just the one.
John Drake: There are respectable agencies, which introduce people to other people, for a fee, of course.
Certhia: A fee? How much?
John Drake: Ah, I see... You've come to pay me off. - if I'm a 'good boy.'
Certhia: You are going to be a good boy, then?
John Drake: That depends.
Certhia: Oh, on what?
John Drake: £10,000, at the very least - in cash, of course
Certhia: Aren't you overestimating your nuisance value?
John Drake: I don't think so. You see, I haven't really started yet.
Certhia: You know, people have tried to get in Lord Amenford's way before
John Drake: Now I'm really frightened.
Certhia: [Doorbell rings, Certhia speaks now, very calm and collected] Before we're interrupted, I think £10,000 could be arranged. We want you to leave the country for a month or two of the horse .
John Drake: No, thank you, I just wanted to see how much you cared. Excuse me.