Great Expectations Page #5

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but there's a garden

and one or two curiosities.

- PIP:
What?

- Watch this.

I know what you're thinking.

It's like living in the country.

All my own doing.

- (CHICKENS CLUCKING)

- Please, now

Let me introduce you

to the aged parent.

- Well, Aged P, how are you?

- All right, John, my boy. All right.

This is mr Pip, Aged P.

Not that he can heara word I'm saying.

Just nod away at him, if you don't mind.

Nod and wink.

- AGED P:
Now, John

- Nod.

- Now...

- And wink. Keep nodding. One more.

Nearly time, Aged P.

You keep nodding, I'll heat the poker.

Down the stairs, that's right.

(CHILDREN CHATTING INDISTINCTLY)

NoW, John Now

Mr Pip. Mr Pip, if you'd care

to do the honours.

Ooh!

- (CHILDREN SHOUTING)

- (ALL THREE LAUGHING)

I heard it! I heard it!

- PIP:
Does MrJaggers admire it?

- Neverseen it. Never heard ofit.

Neverseen theAged.

Never heard ofhim.

When I come into The Castle,

I leave MrJaggers behind.

And if it's not in any way

disagreeable to you,

you'll oblige me by doing the same.

Of course. I understand.

I will give you one piece of advice,

though.

When you dine with Mr Jaggers tomorrow,

you take a look at his housekeeper, Molly.

PIP:
Hls housekeeper? Why?

WEMMICK:
Just take a look

at his housekeeper and see,

a wild beast tamed.

Now, gentlemen! Gentlemen!

Our generous host, Mr Bentley Drummle

(ALL SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)

Oh...

May the present promotion

of good feeling

ever reign predominant

overthe Nobe Finches of the Grove.

MAN:
See, Bentley, I told you,

you could do it

(GLASS SMASHES)

Tell me, Pip Who is the Spider?

That blotchy, sprawly, sulky fellow?

That's Bentley Drummle.

The richest young man in England.

- Is it now?

- He owns most of Derbyshire, apparently.

JAGGERS:
Bentley Drummle, you say?

Most promising.

Molly.

Make sure that fellow does not have

an empty glass all evening.

- MAN:
Come on!

- (ALL CHEERING)

MAN 2:
My money's on Bentley!

I raise you five!

ALL:
Oh!

A fluke. Pure chance.

Come, come, Bentley, conceede defeat

Pip beat you fairand square.

I was underthe impression that

the Finches was a club for gentlemen.

I can't be expected to compete

against country boys.

What do you mean, Mr Drummle?

No slight, I assure you.

In fact, I salute you, Kentish Pirrip!

You have the arms of a blacksmith!

Molly, more wine here.

You talk of strength.

I'll show you strength.

Show them yourwrists, Molly

Come on.

- Master, don't!

- Show them both.

Show them. Showthem.

MAN:
What is that?

JAGGERS:
Mm.

There's power.

Very few men have the power

this woman has.

Gentlemen, I propose a toast

I drink to you, Mr Drummle.

- To your good health, Bentley!

- (SPEAK INDISTINCTLY)

PIP:
I apologise if anything disagreeable...

Oh, no, no That's all right

- I do like that Spiderfellow, though

- Do you? I don't.

No. No, you're right, of course.

Stay as clear of him as you can

He does have great promise, though.

Indeed, if I were a fortune teller

But I'm not a fortune teller.

You know what I am, don't you?

Go to bed, Pip Good night

- (KNOCKING ON DOOR)

- BOY:
Sir.

Come on! Come on, sir!

- Get up!

- (PIP MOANS)

Someone to see you, sir

Pepper, I've told you

I'm not to be woken unless the...

How are you, Pip?

I brought you a toasting fork

as a present,

you know, forcrumpets and the like.

But I see you have no need.

That's... It's perfect, Joe. Thank you.

- Tea or coffee, sir?

- Oh! Tea, sir, please, if you don't mind.

I find the coffee a little powerful.

- Us two now being alone, sir...

- Sir?

Joe, how can you call me sir?

Us two being now alone, Pip,

I might tell you the reason for me being

in the abode of a gentleman,

which is that I've had a communication

with a certain Miss A.

Miss A? Joe?

Miss 'Avisham She wishes to see you

on a matterof great import

(DOOR OPENS)

Joe, this is my good friend

Herbert Pocket.

- Mr Gargery, I've heard a great

deal about you - Nice to meet you.

Oh? What is there to say?

A very great deal.

Now, suppose we have a celebration?

(CROWD CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)

PIP:
It takes some getting used to, eh, Joe?

Now, this place may look a little rough

but don't be deceived

In my opinion,

this is the finest place in London.

Oh, and the pressed duck is superb

Let him take it, Joe

Joe.

HERBERT:
How do you find

London, mr Gargery?

London! What a place! What a place!

Course, I wouldn't

keep a pig in it myself.

Biddy sends her regards.

She's a teacher now, a good one.

She taught me

Fork. F-O-R-K.

- Knife. N-I-F-E. I know it's not!

- (CHUCKLES)

- More wine, mr Gargery?

- Yes, please.

Joe, please.

There's really no need to be so

conscientious in emptying your glass.

The rim should nevertouch your nose, Joe.

Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me

Well, business concluded,

I'll be off.

- You're going now?

- Yes, I am

- Please, put your money away, Joe.

- No No, I insist

- You will not stay the night?

- No, I won't

Sir! (WHISTLES) Sir!

For God's sake, Joe, put your money away!

(CROWD CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)

Joe!

- At least, let me walk you to the coach.

- I'll find my way.

But we have barely spoken, Joe.

I wished to show you some sights.

You and me are not two figures

to be together in London.

I'm wrong outside the forge,

and the kitchen and the marshes.

You come sometime and you,

put your head in at the window at the forge

and you'll see Joe the blacksmith,

and what larks we'll have!

But here, Pip, here I am most awful dull.

So God bless you, dearold Pip, old chap

God bless you!

You know the way.

(GASPS) Pip

How do you do?

You kiss my hand as if I was a queen.

- You wished to see me?

- Mm

Pip.

ESTELLA:
I am to be sent to London.

I am to go on show,

myself and the jewels.

Do you wish to go on show?

Why ask?

We have no choice, you and I,

but to obey instructions.

(ESTELLA GIGGLES)

I watched you, you know, that day.

Fighting for my honour.

I must have been a strange little creature

to hide and watch, but I did

I enjoyed it very much.

You rewarded me very much.

Did I?

You kissed me.

Poor Pip.

You imagine yourself a young knight

from a child's story,

tearing away the cobwebs and thorns,

letting in the sunshine.

Marrying the princess.

But you must know, Pip, I have no heart.

I don't believe it.

How can there be beauty without a heart?

Oh, I have a heart

to be stabbed in or shot in,

and if it ceased to beat,

I should cease to be.

But there's no softness there.

No sympathy.

Sentiment.

Nonsense. I've been made that way.

- Oh, I

- I am serious, Pip.

If we're to bethrown together,

you must believe me.

For both oursakes.

I'm sorry, I cannot.

I will not.

Very well. It is said at any rate.

Come, Miss Havisham will be

expecting you at yourold post.

HAVISHAM:
Is she beautlful?

Is she graceful?

Is she well-grown?

Do you admire her?

- Of course

- Then love her. Love her, Pip.

If she wounds you, love her.

If she fails you, love her.

If she tears your heart to pieces,

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