The Ordeal

Clare sits on the sofa eating her crisps. She is waiting for Michael to respond to her offence. He joins her on the sofa, and we observe a complete lack of communication between them. Because of his refusal to retaliate, she gets up from the sofa and turns the television off. It is her television after all, so he doesnt think much of it. She takes out the vacuum cleaner from the cupboard and starts hoovering. This is the third test that she subjects him to by attacking his shoes with the suction head. She has gone too far. As she puts the hoover away, Michael pulls himself together and prepares to strike a counterblow. He calls her to attention, stands up to confront her and we look over his shoulder as he delivers his verbal attack by telling her he is moving into his new flat in Balham. A close-up shot of her face shows that she is being toppled from her position of lead-tenant.