Pool of London Page #2

It's Hobson's choice.

But it's me that's doing the jump.

Don't you worry,

you've nothing to be frightened of.

- To think I've sunk as low as this...

- Listen, George.

You were going to be a big shot-

your own boss with everything

you've ever wanted.

And what are you now?

An ex-clerk!

With a pension you can'! buy fags on!

Same with me.

Look where I've got.

Out there, night after night.

They just don't happen to like it, they...

Well, maybe it is a lousy act,

but this time it's going to pay off.

This is the chance for both of us

to get our own back.

It won't knock twice.

All right... all right.

- Are they still in the safe?

- Yes.

Now, listen to me.

Tomorrow, you'll be in Rotterdam.

Right out of it.

Wait there for this sailor.

- I beg your pardon. Hello.

- Hello.

Hurry up, now.

It's wetter out than in.

On top now.

One more only.

Please.

- No, no.

- No, please.

- But you were first.

- No, no, no, please.

Make up your minds!

Better get under something.

- Just look at my shopping!

- Yes, please?

Would you like something?

I'd love a coffee.

Hello, Pam, my darling,

look what's blown in.

- I can see for myself, thank you.

- Maisie ready?

- I'll say! Has been for hours.

- Tell her I'm ready to go.

- He's here.

- Have you been using my scent again?

Not me! I don't need it.

Well, wait till you do. I'll soon take

the grin off that silly face of yours,

Why don't you put your shoes away?

I nearly fell.

Wouldn't be the first time.

You wait till I gel back, my girl.

If you kids don't slop yelling,

I'll give you something to yell about!

Shut up! If you hadn't spent

half the night dolling yourself up,

- you could've seen to them.

- You shut up, too!

I won't! I'll tell Dad!

Fat lot he'll care by closing time.

Hello, Dan.

Hiya, Maisie, hows my darling?

That's on account.

I'll settle for the rest later.

- You're stinking late.

- I had business to do.

- You never think of me, do you?

- What do you mean?

How about all those fancy clothes?

I brought you some nylons, too.

Smoke net. Fully fashioned.

Extra length.

- Let's see them.

- I'll bring them tomorrow.

Well, don't bring yourself...

- Who is this Charlie?

- An acrobat.

He'd want to be to do a bust in that way

and bounce and all.

Ifs his neck if he cracks it.

If not, we're on to something.

I don't know...

He's all right, He's just got the idea

the world owes him a living.

Well, if it does,

he can share it with us.

Any objections?

Look, I know what I'm doing.

He may be a bit nuts,

but I tell you he's on to something.

Allay-oop!

These ruddy amateurs!

- Cup of tea'!

- No, thanks.

Sit down.

- Alf, Jock.

- Well, are they on?

- How'd you know they're still in that safe?

- I do know.

- What's our out?

- Forty per cent.

- Forty?

- Well, that's what we settled.

Well, since then I've got you that sailor.

You won't crack the safe without Alf.

Without me, there won't be

any safe to crack. This is my job.

I got on to it. I go the... contacts

and all the information.

I've been waiting for something big like this

for years, I'm not giving it all away now.

Forty-five or it's off.

All right.

OK, then it's on.

This is my corner.

Thank you for bringing me.

- Afraid I've made you late.

- Not a bit.

I shan't need to get supper now.

Straight to bed.

What about you? Do you live on your ship

while you're in port?

Most of us, except those

who have homes to go to.

Funny!

First time ashore - you look forward

to that when you're at sea,

even if you're only out

a couple of days.

Then, when it comes,

often enough you don't know

what to do with yourself.

You're quite glad to get back to work.

But tonight...

Tonight's been different.

- I wish you'd let me pay for my share.

- It wasn't much of a banquet.

- But thanks for having it.

- I enjoyed it.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

- Who's that?

- Me. Johnny.

Tell the owner

your registration's illegible.

- What?

- Your registration number.

- What?

- You can't read it.

Well, why didn't you say so?

Declaring one ship's papers.

Smart boy-.

"God save thee, Ancient Mariner,

"from all the fiends

that plague thee thus."

Shut that blasted door!

There's a seaman here

with the Dunbar's papers.

Hello, Sal.

How's my darling?

- With my compliments, and the Captain's

- Thank you.

- Harry got landed with painting the hull.

- How is he'? Is he all right'?

- Didn't you see him last night?

- No.

Er, come to think of it, I'm not sure

he wasn't on watchman's turn.

Poor old Harry!

Everything happens to him.

He might have sent a message.

I waited for him.

- You can tell him that when you see him.

- I'll tell him more than that.

No, please don't.

It doesn't matter.

- If you ask me, Harry's a big...

- You won't need a receipt.

OK. So long.

Flag for the Merchant Seamen!

What those poor boys go through!

Shocking!

Thank you.

What are you doing here?

As soon as you knock off,

go and see Vernon.

Same place as last night.

He'll be waiting.

Next time you want to see me,

I'll do the visiting.

OK, Sailor.

Hey, Harry, Just seen your girl.

Boy, are you in Dutch!

She waited up half the night for you.

- Try talking yourself out of that one!

- What did you tell her?

I told her you were doing watchman.

- Thanks, pal.

- What were you doing?

Something cropped up.

You should've seen her.

- Well, that's the lot. Want a cuppa?

- No, thanks,

I'll take her to the Palais tonight.

That'll square her.

Thought you two were gonna get hitched.

You've been going steady long enough.

Yeah, that's the trouble.

Hello, George.

Got the time on you?

Know what the perisher's done'?

Confiscated me own ruddy watch.

- Found out what made you tick all right.

- Poor old George!

You shouldn't have wound them up!

- These are the job. Undetectable!

- Nylons? What do they fetch?

Maisie. Wonderful what a woman'll do

for a pair of these.

Hello, Johnny. Want one?

- ...thanks!

- What's her name?

- I don't know.

- Where does she live?

- I don't know,

- Blimey! Why don't you get introduced?

There you are. Lovely.

No wonder

all the nice girls love a sailor.

See, George, you can get a grandfather

clock through if you know how.

- See you, Johnny.

- My girls don'! like grandfathers.

- What are you gonna do with those?

- I don't know.

After you, sir.

- Going ashore'!

- Yes, sir.

Not taking anything

you haven't declared?

Who, me'? I wouldn't try

to get anything past you, sir.

- Never mind all that. Let's see.

- You cleared me last night, sir.

While you're in port, you're liable

to be questioned or searched

at any time in the ship or off.

You know that well enough.

Have a heart, sir.

Haven't you got a girl?

Yes. I'm married.

Come on.

What have you got for yours?

Only a pair of nylons, sir.

- You're not gonna stick me for these.

- No.

We'll have the lot while you're about it.

Come on.

If you play square with us,

we go easy with you.

As it is, I could book you for a matter

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes