Burke And Hare Page #4

What's the difference?

I am gonna finance her play.

Well, with the economy

in its current condition,

I think I'd have to advise

against such a high-risk investment.

Not everything is about money,

William.

William Hare?

This is no time to be resting

on your laurels.

Or to be getting yourself

inebriated.

You got a business to run.

We was just talking about that.

Why don't you join us, love?

-- She knows?

-- Yes, she does.

Don't worry, Willy.

I can keep me mouth shut.

I'm sorry to take so long.

But I was just having a word

with that old lady over there.

Tragic story.

Just lost her whole family to the pox,

and it's left her homeless.

I'll be back.

Lucky got her drunk.

Now you just hold her still.

I'm trying!

You know, this is how they put wounded

soldiers out oftheir misery

on the battlefield.

-- Oh, aye, what's that called?

-- Doesn't really have a name.

-- Perhaps we should invent one.

-- Just get it over with, William.

I've got it, I've got it--

in honour of my best friend,

from now on this shall be called...

"'Burking."

Help! Help! Help!

Help! Help!

Is she dead?

I think so.

-- Yeah, she snuffed it.

-- I certainly hope so.

And thou opposed,

being of no woman born,

Yet will I try the last.

Lay on, Macduff!

And damned be him who first cry,

"Hold, enough!"

Thank you, Lucy.

That was...

Please let go.

That was interesting.

Well done.

We'll, um, we'll be in touch.

-- Just don't hold your breath.

-- Shh, silence, gentlemen.

Sorry.

I thought we'd agreed

you'd keep your mouth shut?

This is costing me enough

without incurring any further delays.

I was just being honest.

This is the theatre, William.

It's not a place for honesty.

Next!

Miss Clarissa Windsor reading

for the part of Macbeth.

Thank you!

We're going to need

another day of auditions.

Maybe even two, Willy.

That's not gonna be a problem,

is it?

Eh... no, no.

You take as much time as you like,

love.

Could you unbutton me, darling?

Aye, uh...

I trust

all is well with your business?

Aye, I...

can't complain.

I just don't know if we're ever

going to find a convincing Macbeth.

Well, er, I think

you should play the role.

What makes you think I could star

and direct?

Your talent and your vision.

I have been blessed

with a lot of talent.

And I have a vision.

-- D'you think?

-- I know.

Climb in, Willy.

We're going for a wee chat

with Mr. McTavish.

Let me tell you how things work

in this little city of mine.

Anyone who attempts to start

a new business here

has to agree to pay me

a small percentage ofthe gross.

And in return,

I make sure you stay out of jail.

You're not harassed by the authorities,

the competition,

or any other antagonist

that might just come along.

So we pay you for...

protection?

Why, yes, I like that.

Protection.

How much of a percentage

are we talking about?

-- 50 %.

-- Half?!

Don't be unhappy, boys.

Mr. McTavish hasnae yet told you

the good part.

And, uh...

what would be the good part?

You get to remain alive.

We should leave town immediately.

Go to London or America.

I think I might even have

a cousin there.

And quit the most lucrative enterprise

we're ever likely to find?

I don't think so.

Willy, we have identified a demand

and found a supply.

It's perfect.

Yeah, but McTavish is not

the full shilling, is he?

The last thing I want to do

is get into bed with that man.

Ah, but you do wanna get into bed

with Ginny, right?

And to do that, you're gonna have

to stay right here

and continue to finance her play.

Will all great Neptune's ocean

wash this blood clean from my hand?

Ah! No! Aah!

This is my hand will rather

the multitudinous seas incarnadine,

making the green ones red.

My hands are of your colour,

but I am shamed

to wear a heart so white.

-- Wait, stop right there.

-- Oh, what now?!

No, some thing's still not quite right.

I need a minute to think.

Ginny, please!

Just say the words!

I can't work out what makes

this character commit murder.

Why, Ginny...

he does it for love.

And power.

Macbeth isn't wholly evil.

There are traces of--of goodness

and regret within him.

That's what makes him such

a great tragic hero.

The whole play is about his--his inner

struggle between good and evil.

Right and wrong.

You have hidden depths, William.

Women like that in a man.

-- May I see you tonight?

-- Uh, um...

I-I don't think that's a good idea.

I-I've got costume fittings tomorrow.

This is ground-breaking work, sir.

Now the King will be in residence

at Holyrood in just three weeks.

Will this work be completed in time?

Aye, I shall have to step up the pace,

but I don't foresee any major problems.

SirAstley-Cooper acquired

his knighthood

by having successfully lanced

a boil on the King's head.

I can only begin to imagine the level

of patronage

His Majesty will confer on you

having seen these, uh...

Oh, I'm, um--I'm calling them

"photographs," sir.

Photographs.

Excellent.

My Lord.

Gentlemen.

Any difficulties acquiring subjects,

Doctor?

I'll admit the anatomical by law

was a temporary inconvenience.

But not even you, Monro,

can stand in the way of progress.

Good day, gentlemen.

You know, you got a good business

going there, Willy.

I know.

But the problem is...

product acquisition.

What?

You know, killing people.

That's how you acquire your product.

It's not efficient.

It's bloody hard work,

that's what it is.

People are starting to notice,

you know.

There's all kinds of crazy rumours

flying around the West Port.

Keep going, Willy.

Helps me think.

The thing is that nobody likes

dealing with dead bodies.

So, for a fee, you could

take them off their hands.

Sell them a coffin for their loved ones,

arrange a burial.

Yeah, and when people are grieving they

don't think about how much things cost.

We could call it a "funeral store."

Funeral store, no.

Sounds too down-market.

I'd prefer something like

"funeral parlour."

Oh God, yes!

Yeah, that's a fantastic idea!

Oh, don't stop! Don't stop, Willy!

I'm almost there.

Ah, Mr. Hare.

Doctor Knox would like the pleasure

of your company.

As from now,

I shall require two bodies a week.

Fresh ones, mind you,

in good condition.

That won't be easy, Doctor.

Mr. Hare I've never asked you

how you came by these subjects.

Oh, my partner

and I have arrangements

with the low lodging houses

in the West Port.

-- Whenever someone dies--

-- Mr. Hare, I'm a doctor.

I know the difference between death

by natural and unnatural causes.

Edinburgh's a very dangerous place,

Doctor Knox.

And something tells me that recently,

it's become a lot more dangerous.

I don't presume to judge, Mr. Hare.

But I know that as a result

of my work and the doctors I train,

thousands, perhaps millions of lives

will be saved.

Two a week, Mr. Hare.

Can you manage that?

At your service, sir.

What more could a man ask for?

Mighty fine place you have here,

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