An Inspector Calls Page #6

Was it or was it not your influence?

I didn't like her manner.

- Why did she ask for help?

You know very well why

she asked for help. - No I didn't.

I know that she needed help,

but if I wasn't there

then I don't know why she asked

it from your committee.

I don't think we need to discuss it.

You have no hope of not

discussing it, Missus Birling.

If you think you can bring any

pressure to bear upon me, inspector,

you're very much mistaken.

Unlike the other three, I have

nothing that I'm ashamed of

or that won't bear investigation.

This girl asked for assistance.

We are required to look very carefully

into the claims made upon us.

I wasn't satisfied

with this girl's tale.

It seemed to me that

she was not a good case.

so I used my influence

to have it refused.

In spite of what's happened since,

I still think that I did my duty.

So if I don't choose

to discuss it any further,

you have no power to

make me change my mind.

I'm afraid I have that power,

Missus Birling.

No you have not!

Simply because I've done

nothing wrong, and you know it!

If you've done nothing wrong, why

are you afraid to discuss it, Missus Birling?

How dare you say I'm afraid.

(Under the) circumstances

I consider I was perfectly justified!

The girl told us a pack of lies.

Made me lose all patience with her.

She claimed elaborate, fine feelings

and scruples, simply absurd in

a girl in that position.

She gave herself ridiculous airs.

She'd no ridiculous airs

when I saw her last.

In the infirmary.

Come now, Miss Birling. Let's have

some facts. Facts, please!

There was a meeting of the commitee

with yourself in the chair

to which this girl appealed

for help, isn't that so?

Yes.

-Under what name?

Not as Eva Smith?

- No.

Nor as Daisy Renton.

- As what, then?

Missus Birling.

What did you say?

- Pardon?

You called yourself

Missus Birling just now.

I'm sorry? - That's not your

husband's name, is it?

No. -But you know that it is mine?

No! - If you come here for the express

purpose of being impertinent...

No. It was the first name I thought of.

I worked at Birling's once.

What is your husband's name.

I can't say.

You can't say!

In fact, you're not

married at all, are you?

No.

So your whole story about a husband

who deserted you is quite false, isn't it?

Yes.

Tissue of lies.

Have you tried to get work?

I can't get work.

- Why not?

I can't say.

If you don't confide in us

we can't help you, can we?

Now, why can't you work?

I'm going to have a baby.

Come along, my dear.

You must sit down.

There are plenty of chairs.

Sit down now.

-Thank you m'am

There are certain circumstances

in which it is prudent to be

seated as much as possible.

May we now proceed, Missus Livson?

- Oh, do.

Now, this man. Why must

you lie about him?

I didn't want to bring him into it.

Why not?

He didn't mean any harm, he was

just silly and wild.

Sometimes he drank too much.

Why don't you make him marry you?

In my opinion you should be

compelled to marry him.

It isn't that he won't marry

me, we just couldn't.

We're not of the same class.

This's ridiculous...

A girl in your position can't

afford these fine airs and scruples.

You don't mind coming

begging for charity,

why not go to this drunken

young idler, whoever he is?

Make him support you.

He did. He gave me money.

And now he won't give you anymore?

He would, but I can't take it.

This young ne'er-do-well,

because of your high-falutin' notions,

is to escape the

consequences of his actions,

and shift hist responisbility onto a

charitable organization such as this.

I think the members of this

committee will agree with me

that it would be monstrous

were I to recommend

the expenditure of our

funds in such a way.

In my opinion he should

be publicly exposed.

If you want help, young woman,

go to him.

So I think I was perfectly justified in advising

my committee not to allow her claim.

And you still think that?

I'm sorry she should've come to

such a horrible end, but

I accept no blame for it at all.

Tell me who, who do you say

is to blame, then?

First, the girl herself.

By letting father and me have her

chucked out of her jobs?

Secondly, I blame the young man.

He ought to be dealt with very severely.

If the girl's death is due to anybody,

then it's due to him.

Ah, then he's the chief

culprit anyhow? - Certainly.

In that case, he's responsible for the

whole thing. The girl's death, everything.

He ought to be dealt with very severely.

Mother, please stop. - You're behaving

like a hysterical child, my Sheila.

And if you would take steps

to find this young man,

make him admit his responsibilities

instead of staying here and asking

quite unnecessary questions,

then you really would

be doing your duty.

Don't worry Missus Birling,

I'll do my duty.

Now perhaps you'd like to

say goodnight. - Not yet. I'm waiting.

Waiting? For what?

- To do my duty.

Oh mother, can't you see?

Are you suggesting... My boy....

If it was, Missus Birling, we know

what to do. You just told us.

Yes, but.... Look here, inspector!

Mother, I begged and begged you to stop.

I don't believe it.

I won't believe it.

Come in, Mister Birling.

- What?

I think I heard your son come in.

I didn't hear anything.

Oh, yes. There he is.

Eric.

You know, don't you?

I don't know anything.

Not anymore.

Mother's been blaming everything on

the young man who got this girl into trouble.

Saying you shouldn't escape, and

should be made an example of.

That's enough, Sheila.

You haven't made it any easier for me,

have you, mother?

You're not like that!

Mother, what's the use of pretending?

If you had any sense of loyalty you...

Father, you don't have

to talk to Sheila like that.

Hold your tongue!

I've had about enough.

- One moment please.

You'll have plenty of time to adjust

family relationships after I've gone.

Because now, Mister Birling,

I'd like to ask your son

about his association

with Eva Smith.

Sheila, take your mother

into the dining room.

Father, I want to hear-

- You heard what I said.

Go on Sibil.

Could I have a drink first?

No you don't!

- Yes.

I know I know, this is your house

and he's your son, but look at him.

This is one time he needs a drink.

- Alright, go on.

Now when did you first meet this girl?

It was one night last winter.

I'd been out with some of the

chaps, I was a bit squiffy, I...

It was late but I didn't

want to go home.

So for some reason I don't

know why I, I got on a tram.

Nevermind about trams, go on!

Fares, please.

Fares, please.

How much? - Well that depends on

how far you're going, doesn't it?

Not too far. We mustn't overdo it.

That's nice, but you're the one

that's been overdoing it.

Come on, we'll call

it toppence then.

Yes. Yes that's very reasonable.

Here you are, and I want 19 and

10 pence of change.

Well I haven't got 19 and 10 pence.

Stop trying to make a fool of me.

I've had a long day. Either pay your

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