Three months later, the buffet has become an island amidst the wreckage of rebuilding all around it. The manageress, who has been there for over thirty years, is Mrs. Myrtle Bagot, a widow. She is telling her friends about her early married life when she was on the stage. Laura and the doctor, Alec Harvey, come in. Since the day he 'operated' on her eye, they keep meeting accidentally as they both happen to come to town on the same day. But after being together for the afternoon, Alec asks Laura to meet him again next Thursday: just as his train comes in, on the spur of the moment, she agrees. Three more months go by and it is Thursday November 5th. In a quiet moment when the buffet is empty, Albert Godby, the ticket collector on platform four, comes in. He has been courting Myrtle for years, but only for the last few months has she been regarding him a little more seriously and with an eye to the future. Alec and Laura, who have been meeting every Thursday, come and have tea at the buffet before spending another day together. That evening after work, Albert and the demolition men, mainly Irishmen, come into Myrtle's buffet for a drink. She consents to another date with Albert that night and puts her assistant, Beryl, in charge of the premises for the evening. Alec comes to the station with Laura to see her off on her train home. They finally have to admit they are now in love with each other. Alec, staying at a friend's flat for the night in town, asks Laura to go back with him. Later that night, Stanley, Beryl's boyfriend, is trying to get her to close the buffet early as they are going to a new discotheque. Suddenly Laura comes in, soon followed by Alec. It is closing time, but he bribes Beryl to leave them alone in the buffet for five minutes. The unexpected return to the flat of Alec's friend has made Laura realise she cannot make love to him and then just go back to her own husband and family — in fact be two people. They realise they must part, for being together will disrupt too many lives. He then tells her he will take up the offer of a job in a hospital in New Zealand and go in the New Year, but they agree to meet again to say goodbye. Another three months go by, and the buffet is due for demolition the next day. Albert and Myrtle have just been marrièd and are using the place for their wedding reception. As they leave to catch their train to a new life in the country together, Alec and Laura enter for their final goodbyes. Myrtle gives them the last cup of tea 'on the House', fully aware of what has been going on, and she and Albert go. Just as Alec and Laura kiss goodbye, Paula Weston, a neighbour of Laura's pushes her way in, hoping to get some tea. She notices them, and not having seen Laura for a long time, sits down with her and Alec and starts to chat. Unable to say proper farewells, Alec has to run for his train. Eventually it is time for Laura and Paula to catch their train and left alone for a minute, Laura wanders around the buffet, remembering, hearing Alec's voice. She leaves alone. The buffet is empty, the lives involved in it gone for ever. MUSICAL NUMBERS 1. Opening - The Company 2. Millions Of People - The Faceless Society 3. Happy Family - Doris with Mrs Rocket and Elsie 4. I Feel I Want To Dance - Elsie 5. And So We Got Married and No More Money - Henry 6. Big Wide World - Henry and People 7. If The Right Man Should Ask Me - Myrtle and 'Dusties' 8. Father Of Two, Mother Of Three - Alec and Laura 9. Give Us A Kiss - Albert 10. Come Thursday - Alec and Laura 11. I Want To Wet My Whistle - Workmen 12. Before Today - Alec and Laura 13. The Electric Circus - Stanley 14. I'll Be Always Loving You - Alec and Laura 15. Mr. & Mrs. - Albert, Myrtle and Chorus 16. Finale - Full Company
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