I See a Dark Stranger Page #3

I'm afraid not.

Well, maybe I can skip some of it.

How much?

Three and sixpence.

Thank you.

Are you taking that book, Sir?

What?...Oh yes.

'Guides to Wynbridge Bay'...

2 shillings, Sir, please.

But you'll want some change, Sir.

300 years he's stood there,

with nobody taking any interest in him.

Except the seagulls.

That ain't seagulls.

There wasn't any paint on him

when the pubs turned out last night.

It's after they turn out

that things happen.

Well I reckon, whoever did it

must've been plastered.

Nobody left here, plastered, last night.

One or two were giving

a passable imitation.

Hello, Bridie... had

your picture taken yet?

Get away with you!...

I'm not competing with Betty Grable!

Reggie's got a pinup of Betty,

behind his bed.

Hasn't looked at it

since Bridie came here.

You'd be surprised the difference

she's made to Grandfather.

He hasn't been on his feet for years...

The other day, he went

right round his room, 4 times.

Did he catch her?

But they're a nice bunch of boys,

Granddad...

You're too young to have

anything to do with soldiers.

Well, I only talk to them.

You went out with that Sgt Harris

on your last half-day.

Well, where's the harm in that...

he's very shy.

They're the worst.

Are you there, Bridie?

I'll be with you right away,

Mrs Edwards.

I can let you have the room in the front

until Saturday...

But I may have to change you then.

That's alright.

Now... the registration form please.

Dry spell of weather we're having.

Very.

River's low, they tell me.

Is it?

Bad for the salmon, I understand.

Yes, I suppose so.

I thought perhaps you were here

for the fishing.

Very few people come

for anything else.

Really? It seems to be

quite a pleasant little town.

Close to the sea... lovely country.

In fact everything that goes

to make a holiday.

Bridie... show this gentleman

up to No. 16... would you?

Yes, Mrs Edwards.

This way, Sir.

Thank you.

Nice young man!

I'll have another, Mrs Edwards.

Will you watch your head now.

I forgot to tell you about the step.

This will be your room.

Irish... mm?

I've got an Irish grandmother

on my father's side.

At least, half-Irish.

Indeed!?

Quaint old place, this.

How far's the sea?

About a mile and a half.

Will there be anything else

you require, please...?

It's me half-day.

No, I don't think so, thank you.

Thank you.

I suppose you wouldn't know anyone...

...who could show me round the town

this afternoon by any chance?

I would not.

No... I only wondered.

You're awful quick, aren't you?

Sorry... I've been working very closely

with the American army.

The cheek of him!

Sgt Harris is here, Bridie.

Oh... I'll be with him in a minute.

She's just coming.

You're early... she's not off

'til 1 o'clock, you know.

You're not going to interfere

with love's young dream, are you?

Nightmare, you mean...

that half of it.

You'd like to be in my shoes.

As long as I don't have to

get behind that moustache.

I'm ready, Harry.

She's ready, Harry...

Have a good time, Sarge!

And don't forget that girl

you left behind in Luton.

Good luck, Sarge!

Hello!

May I have another, Mrs Edwards?

Of course.

I suppose you wouldn't have such a thing

as a small Scotch.

Certainly.

Well, this IS an historic town, alright!

I see someone's been

touching up old Cromwell.

- Have they found the culprit?

- I don't think so.

Well, whoever it was, they never came

from this place.

Most of my customers last night

were military, from the prison.

Winmore Prison?

That's right.

Out on the old Roman road, isn't it?

I couldn't say...

Like you, I'm only a visitor.

I thought nobody visited Wynbridge,

except for fishing.

Mr Miller's a cattle-breeder

over from The Argentine to buy bulls.

Seems a long way to travel

for a thing like that.

Long way for bulls, too.

What time's dinner?

- Supper's at 7.30.

- Thank you.

...over from the RAF... So naturally

it wasn't in very good condition.

We were about 10 miles past Burnham

when it broke down.

It was the transport officer's

responsibility really...

But he was away sick...

So I said to Corporal Groves...

That's the ginger-haired fellow

I was telling you about...

...to take a look at the carburettor...

It's getting very late, Harry.

You don't have to

go in yet, do you?

I'm supposed to be in by 10.30.

Oh, but you can wait a little.

I haven't said half the things

I wanted to say.

And I've been talking "Army shop"

to you for the last 3 hours.

I shall kick myself for that

when I get back.

It's been very interesting Harry,

it has indeed...

But I simply must go in.

Mrs Edwards will be mad at me.

Goodbye now.

I'm extremely sorry I'm so late,

Mrs Edwards...

I'd have given you the key,

if I'd known.

I should have told you.

I apologise.

Can't think where you can find to go

at this time of night.

A place like Wynbridge.

I had an appointment with a farmer out

at Matchcombe... I missed the last bus.

Goodnight... and thank you.

Goodnight.

- I'm here.

- Quiet!

Well...?

They're taking Pryce to London

on the 9.15 on Tuesday evening.

Tuesday?

They allow half an hour

from the prison to the station...

...arriving 20 minutes before the train.

He wasn't suspicious?

No.

Asked me what evening I could get off...

Said he couldn't manage Tuesday...

...and then told me the rest.

A bit here... and a bit there.

You did better than I expected.

I don't feel as if

I'd done anything at all.

It was all so simple.

You showed that young man in No.16

up to his room...

I did.

What do you make of him?

He's far too sure of himself,

all together.

You mean he's the over-confident type?

So much the better.

Why? Who is he?

An intelligence officer.

I expected one to materialise, before

they transferred a prisoner like Pryce.

The usual precaution.

What makes you think he's that.

He booked here 'til Tuesday...

knew where the prisoner was...

...and then went to the police station.

He's an army officer...

and he's not interested in fishing.

Other than conversationally.

I'd never have thought of all that.

Do you think he'll find out anything?

He'd be safer out of the way.

You're not going to bump him off?!

My dear girl!

No... I shall fall back

on a very simple formula.

The beautiful decoy.

The oldest of the arts of war.

Almost the only feature

that hasn't been mechanised.

Arrange your next half day for Tuesday... and

persuade him to take you into the country.

Me!?

Keep him away from the town for a few

hours... that will be quite enough.

How can I possibly keep him away,

if he knows he has to get back?

He's young and impressionable.

But I don't like him.

It matters little my dear,

what you like or don't like.

You really mean you want me

to throw myself at him...

...like a...

I might have known this'd happen!

I've half a mind to refuse...

I'd never bargained

for anything like this.

Let's sit here.

Bessy... come here!

How far are we from Wynbridge?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes