Room At The Top

Joe and Alice decide to disappear to a seaside cottage for four days of illicit and perfect love. Alice is fearful about what the future holds for them both. Promises are made. Alice suppresses her fears – but a sense of tragedy hangs over them.

Upon their return, Joe discovers that his colleague, Charles, has been promoted above him. Charles warns Joe against pursuing a relationship with Alice, advising him that a messy court case and complicated divorce would end his career and social aspirations.

The next morning Joe composes a letter apologising to Susan and asking for her forgiveness. They meet, make love, and Susan says “You won’t need her now, will you Joe?” Joe is in an agony of indecision.

Joe gets a call from Susan Brown’s father. Meet me at the Conservative Club. Councillor Brown tries to pay Joe off as a test – leave my daughter alone and I’ll set you up in your own business. Joe’s class anger leads him to refuse. Brown reveals that his daughter is pregnant. By Joe. He offers Joe his daughter’s hand and a place in his business – but only if Joe ends his relationship with Alice. Joe accepts the bargain.

Joe meets Alice and finishes it. She is devastated.

The next morning in the Treasurer’s office, Joe goes into work and starts to write his resignation letter, when Charles tells Joe he has terrible news…

Joe Lampton is played by Matthew McNulty, Alice Aisgill by Maxine Peake, Susan Brown by Jenna-Louise Coleman, Councillor Brown by Kevin McNally, Charles by Tom Brooke and Joan by Lauren Crace.