(In a loud whisper) What are you walking like that for?

(Not looking at him) I don't want to be heard.

You should have thought about that when you were banging about in the store cupboard. It took you ages to remember that the door opened inwards.

You were there too. You could have helped.

There wasn't room to move.

If you don't want to be here, fine. I thought you were the adventurous type. It's OK, I've got the cleaner's key, I'll let you out.

Forget it! You've dragged me into it now!

Keep your voice down! What's the matter with you? I give you the biggest news story of modern times and you say I've dragged you into it? Some people have no sense of gratitude.

Oh, pardon me! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to be grounded for the next twenty-five years or to get bitten by a sly, stinking, slimy, squirming, venomous snake!

They're not slimy.

It's all because you read that book 'Snake Hunter'.

That was research. We're here because Mrs Holland has gone missing.

She's just sick.

So you keep saying. But Mr Holland keeps changing his story, and that means one thing ... she's missing. Stop complaining and look inside the tanks.

What exactly are we looking for? All these dummies dressed in jungle gear, they give me the creeps. (With sudden revulsion) Would you look at that. That is one heavyweight spider. Why do they put spiders in with the snakes?

As a source of food, probably.

Half a kilo of hairy arachnid. It's disgusting!

It's disgusting to you because you're not a snake. (Joining him) What's your favourite snack?

Choc-chip cookies.

Look into the tank. You can see a hairy spider but the Snake sees a big crunchy choc-chip cookie. You see?

(Not convinced) Delicious. (Pause) I don't feel safe. They might escape.

They're reptiles. They don't carry glass-cutters and blow-torches. Get real. (He sees tank, down stage) Ah! That's it.

What is? What is it?

(Moving down stage, he beckons for MAX to follow him) The green Anaconda! What a beauty.

(Peering at the tank) It's a young female. The largest Snake in the World. Native to South America and Trinidad, it can grow to nine metres in length. It's a constrictor, it crushes its prey to death then unhinges its jaw and swallows it whole.

(Impressed) How come you know all that?

It's printed, there, on the card.

Right. Right. Well this one's just eaten. That bulge looks a lot like Mrs Holland.

(Squinting into the tank) Mrs Holland? How can you tell?

Look. You can see the outline of a head, a shoulder and a plump little body. He must have locked her in there and left the Anaconda to eat her.

You've got a morbid imagination.

Why thank you, Max! But what if I'm right?

Sshh! Be quiet! Someone's coming.

It's Mr Holland. I recognise his squeaky shoes.

Do you think he's heard us?

Where can we hide? (They look at each other)

He might kill again! (They grab each other and hide behind the glass case holding the Anaconda)