Ruth: Make yourself at home, Vinnie. Sorry though, I need to practice my guitar right now. I have a tune running through my head. Need to get it down. ...Clodagh, keep Vinnie company, will ya?
Bunter: How very nice to see you again, Clodagh.
Clodagh: Hi Vinnie!
Bunter: So, we didn't really get to know each other yesterday. You were too busy intimidating me!
Clodagh (laughing): Not so! Just a little warning, that's all.
Bunter: Tell me about yourself. I remember you said you were a "fighter."
Clodagh: Oh, please! Don't tease me about yesterday! I was in a mood. I'd just had a row with Killian.
Bunter: Killian Wall? One of the firemen in town?
Clodagh: Yah, that's him. He and I are sort of a couple right now.
Bunter: Doesn't sound like you're having much fun with the guy.
Clodagh: (huffs) No, not much! Nothing's good enough for Kill. He's always looking down his nose at me and my friends. Don't know why he ever asked me out!
Clodagh: You're a proper type, Mr Bunter, but everyone says the folks at the estate aren't snobs, for all your being Londoners! That true?
Bunter: His Lordship never judges by station in life. I try to follow his example.
Clodagh: So, you wouldn't go off on a girl for wanting some amusement now and then?
Bunter (smiling): What kind of amusement, Clodagh?
Clodagh: Oh, you know. We just hang out, look for something different to do besides the same-o same-o!
Bunter: Ah. You and your friends? You go looking for trouble, Clo? Because, I'm not sure that's such a good thing, luv.
Clodagh: (laughs) Never mind, Vinnie! Forget it.
Clodagh: You know, I think I like you, Vinnie! What do you say? You like me? Huh?
Bunter: Clo now, it's true, you certainly have caught my eye! But your sister Ruth and I--well, we're together--like you and Wall are.
Clodagh: Killian? I'm not that close to Kill! Besides, all he talks about is HER!
Bunter: Her?
Clodagh: (pulls back and shifts her eyes away) Hey, maybe we better call Ruth in. It's getting late.
Bunter stepped aside as Clodagh went to talk to her sister. ...Bunter knew Clo was hiding something. Killian Wall was part of it and so was this unknown "her." What he'd like to do was talk to Bill Brennan, the Sergeant at the firehouse where Wall worked. And it just so happened that he'd been invited to a social at Brennan's place that night. The timing was good. ...But now, he'd stir the pot and see what rose to the top.
Bunter: Ruthie, Clodagh was telling me about her friend Killian. Now here's the thing. Clo made a special effort yesterday to make sure I acted the gentleman, but from what I hear, old Kill hasn't been so gentlemanly with her.
Clodagh: Vinnie, no! It's not that bad!
Bunter: Now, Clo. I just want to do the same for you as you did for Ruthie here. You know much about this bloke, Ruth?
Clodagh: Vinnie, really! I never...
Bunter: Ruth?
Ruth: Sure, Killian can be a beast sometimes. I mean, not that he'd hit Clo or anything like that. He's just bossy, controlling. Has ideas about getting ahead. Be a big shot. Whatever.
Bunter: But he's dedicated to his job at the fire station? Doesn't have any other...career interests?
Ruth (shooting a heated glance at Clodagh): No, of course not! For god's sake, Vinnie! You suddenly decide to be a daddy to my sister? Well, she doesn't need another daddy! Neither of us do!
Bunter: Whoa! Just trying to be a nice guy. Let's all take it easy. Why don't we head over to the party at Brennan's house? What do you say? You too, Clodagh. Come along now!
Clodagh: That sounds fun, huh Ruthie? Let's just go have a few laughs, ok?
Ruth (frowning): Well...
But once they got to Brennan's, Ruth and Clodagh never made it inside. Bunter saw them arguing in the drive. He decided to get the two of them away before they tore into each other. Hot-Headed Ruth was on a rampage! Bunter had stirred the pot and trouble had boiled up!
Bunter did learn a few things about Killian Wall from Brennan. Wall lived in a converted warehouse by the dock, next to an abandoned building. He had at least one roommate. Brennan wasn't sure about other roommates, kind of talked past that subject. ...Bunter loaded the twins into the car and headed for Wall's building. He didn't tell them where he was going. Then they saw.
Ruth growled.
Clodagh: Vinnie, we really don't need to see Kill! What are you going to do anyway?
What was Bunter going to do? Good question. Sergeant Brennan had also said Wall had a certain reputation with the ladies. Supposed to be a Great Kisser or something. Wall had even dated Ruth for a while too. Messing around with both sisters? Bunter already didn't like the guy.
Bunter: We're just going to have a chat, that's all. I want to get to know this friend of yours.
Ruth: No one's home! I'll text Killian. Let him know we dropped by.
Clodagh: Right! We can see him some other time. Maybe at the theater or pub.
Ruth walked away, phone in hand. Bunter was about to look through the window of the front door, when Clodagh stepped up close to him. Clo was coming on strong again. Bunter wanted to be flattered, but he knew this game. The lady had an agenda.
More flowers? What was the lady up to? Bunter was getting confused.
Bunter (to self): Focus, man! This is the same girl who warned you about upsetting her sister. She's distracting you. ...And doing a damn good job of it too!
Just then, Ruth called out.
Ruth: We have to go now. ...Come on, Clo!
But Bunter wasn't ready to go just yet. He'd just take a closer look around Killian Wall's warehouse.
