Fanny by Gaslight Page #6

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We know that every young man

has to sew his wild oats...

...but this morning he announced

his intention of marrying you.

Marrying me?

I need hardly tell you it'd

mean the ruin of his career,

which depends so much on

his social connections.

Not on his ability?

My brother is in politics,

Miss Hooper, not in business.

I've taken the trouble to have

enquiries made about your past.

I know who you are and what you are.

Your sordid upbringing, your affair

with the husband of your employer.

- That's not true.

- Isn't it?

What about that visit to Orton?

Your flimsy pretence that you

were the housekeeper's niece.

And you dare to talk

of marrying my brother.

I didn't talk of marrying

him. You did that.

I've no intention of

marrying him, and never had.

I know what your sort

of world would do to him.

And I love him.

I really believe you do.

Thank you.

If you love him, you must go out of his

life for ever and never see him again.

- But why? I told you I won't marry him.

- That's just it.

He ought to marry, to

have a home and children.

Someone who can share the

whole of life with him,

not just a corner of it.

You can't give him those things,

you've just said so yourself.

It's in your power to make it

possible for him to have them.

How?

I've told you.

He thinks now that you're "made

for each other" as he puts it.

This infatuation may not last for ever.

If it doesn't, what's left him?

No home, no children, a ruined career.

And his career means

a great deal to him.

He wouldn't blame you.

He's not that sort.

Miss Hooper, you must see that

to hold onto him now isn't love,

it's selfishness.

I'll leave it to you.

- Look! There's Harry.

- Good old Harry!

Home, Dom.

I didn't think Kate would come so early.

Well? What's she been saying to you?

Very well. I'll tell you what she said.

You're a scarlet woman. Low and cunning.

You won't be satisfied until you've

dragged me down to your own abysmal level.

Cut me off from all my

friends and ruined my career.

Oh, yes, I can just

hear her. Ruin my career.

Even if it did, my darling,

do you think I'd care a rap?

If my career depends on giving you

up, then to hell with my career.

Now, in case I haven't

made myself quite clear,

I want to ask you a question.

Fanny, will you marry me?

- I can't.

- Now, listen, Fanny.

Kate has probably told you

that I'm a very obstinate man.

I have no intention of leaving

this room until you say yes.

So? Fanny, will you marry me?

Fanny?

Will you marry me?

- Yes.

- What did you say?

- Nothing. I...

- You said yes.

- I didn't...

- I don't care what you meant, you said yes.

You said yes.

I'll call for you this evening.

At the present moment I have

to go and attend to my career.

Goodbye, my darling.

- Harry?

- Mm?

I do love you. You must believe that.

I love you.

Of course I believe you.

Goodbye.

Mrs Dorian Gore has considered Miss

Hooper's application for a post as governess.

Since Miss Hooper is not able to

supply satisfactory references,

she regrets that she cannot

see her way to engage her.

So you can't blame us, and, of

course, we never return fees.

Good day.

Good day.

Yes, you'll do nice. Very nice indeed.

No need to bother about

references. I'm broad-minded.

Yes, you and I will get on fine.

Ten bob a week, everything found, and...

...you sleep in, of course.

I'll think it over.

Well, I'm...

Serves me right for being broad-minded.

But there must be some

friend she could have gone to.

Don't you know...

There's young Lucy Becket.

She might have gone to her.

She went on the stage,

the Gaiety Theatre.

- That's right.

- The Gaiety.

- Good evening, my dear.

- Oh, thank you. How lovely.

Now, you suggest where we go.

Now, let me see...

Lucy?

Fanny!

Lucy, can I speak to you?

We can't talk here. My dressing room.

Hurry up, girls. Can't

stay here all night.

Don't sit chattering there.

I beg your pardon.

Right at the end, Fanny, dear.

What happened, Lucy? Did your

military masher give you the go-by?

Well, come on. Tell me all about it.

I wouldn't have come here at all,

looking like this, but I can't get a job.

You see, I've no references.

And I wondered perhaps if you could...

It's a man, isn't it?

Yes.

This him?

Where did you get that?

He thought, being your friend,

I might know where you were.

He's been searching town for you.

Don't tell him you've seen me. I

don't want him to know where I am.

All right.

But I think you're a fool. He's the

kind of man who'd take care of a girl.

- Lucy, you must promise.

- It's none of my business.

You look half starved.

I am hungry.

I know, we'll go to Evan's.

- Oh, Lucy, I can't.

- Don't worry, I'll rig you out.

Here. This ought to fit you perfectly.

It's lovely. Is it yours?

Good lord, no. It belongs to

one of the girls. She won't mind.

- But, Lucy, what about my hair?

- This is no time for buts.

Use one of those bangs. I'll

get you something to wear on top.

There. That's his name.

Go to the Devonshire Club.

If he's not there, the porter will

find him and tip you a sovereign.

Ooh.

- What if he don't?

- He promised. Now hurry.

- Good night, Nancy.

- Good night, darling.

Two, please. Come on, Fanny.

Excuse me.

Here you are.

Five shillings just to come in?

- What do they charge for supper?

- Don't worry, we shan't have to pay.

Why are there only women here?

Ladies aren't allowed in the supper

room unless accompanied by a gentleman.

- Oh.

- Don't worry, we'll be out there soon.

Trust Lucy.

- Let's go somewhere else.

- What for?

You won't come to any harm, silly.

I know how to get rid of them

as soon as they've paid the bill.

Something for nothing, that's my motto.

Charlie! Charlie!

Do try and look as though you're

enjoying yourself. Come on. Smile.

- Still the same old Lucy.

- And why not?

Look what being a good

girl's done for you.

- Oh.

- What's the matter?

I've just seen someone.

That man with the smart woman?

Not the usual type for

here. I wonder who she is.

He looks very interesting.

He's a beast. A devil.

I rather like devilish men.

- Let's get out of here.

- Sit down again, silly.

They've got no eyes for

anyone but each other.

Look, he's smiling at her.

If I were to select one quality in you, my

love, which makes you particularly fascinating,

it's your unique talent for

making yourself disagreeable.

I suppose you expect me to be overwhelmed with

gratitude that you brought me to this place.

You always reproach me

for not taking you out.

This seems the ideal place

for you to display your charms.

- You know how you love doing that.

- I don't sell my charms.

Isn't that perhaps because

you're uncertain of the market?

The only difference between

you and these delightful ladies

is that they make it

their business to please.

Why don't you invite one of

them to come over and join us?

That's very nice of you.

Which one would you like?

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