The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Running has always been

a big thing in our family,

especially running away from the police.

It's hard to understand.

All I know is that you've got to run,

run without knowing why,

through fields and woods.

And the winning post's no end,

even though barmy crowds

might be cheering themselves daft.

That's what the loneliness

of the long distance runner feels like.

Cheer up, wack, it'll soon be Christmas.

Miserable sort of bloke, isn't he?

Back home again.

Nice little bunch we got this time.

What? This lot?

They'll all be over the hill within a week.

- Cheerful, aren't you?

- You know, I sometimes wonder

if I believe in all this setup.

When you've been in it as long as I have,

you stop asking yourself that question.

- Get back!

- What the hell are those fools trying to do?

- I'll get out and give you a lift, mate.

- I might have guessed.

It's that imbecile, Houghton, again.

It's a waste of time,

but I hope the officer books him.

What a garbage dump.

It looks like the bloody place

they shut Monte Cristo up in.

I'll tell you what, it looks like our house.

Cor, look at that, a right stackers Borstal.

- Do what?

- Long term place, mate.

Come on, sit down,

let's get these bracelets off you.

Bloody wrist is dropping off here.

- Look at that...

- Let's hope it's better than

- that detention center.

- I hope me Ma's got the dinner on.

- Hang on.

- Come on, then, we haven't got all day.

- All right.

- Say, "sir," when speaking to an officer.

- Wants teaching a bloody lesson, that one.

- In here, lads.

Line up in front of the officer.

Hello, Harry. Still busy?

Still working for that pension,

such as it is.

Aren't we all?

Get your hands out of your pockets, lad.

Come on, line up!

Here you are. Six new receptions,

and a right lot they are, too.

Yeah. Looks as if

we're gonna have to fumigate.

Keep it quiet.

What do you think this is, a holiday camp?

Now, lads, listen to your numbers.

988, 989, 990, 991, 992, and 993.

- All right, all yours, Mr. Craig.

- All correct, Mr. Fenton.

Right, get your clothes off, all of you.

Put them on the floor. Come on, move!

- Underwear as well, sir?

- lf it's not too much trouble, lad.

Get them off! Come on.

We're gonna put you in the latest fashions.

Pint-sized loudmouth.

Soon take care of him.

Yeah.

Come on, step on it.

The Governor's waiting to see you.

Good.

- Chief, this is a great day for us.

- How is that, sir?

Well, something I've been hoping

for a long time.

Gives one a real sense of achievement.

Come in.

Fall in here! Look sharp!

Line up in front of the Governor.

Chins in, chests out.

Arms by your side, shoulders back.

- Where's your tie?

- I...

Don't answer back!

- What's your name, lad?

- Elliot, sir.

- And yours?

- Smith.

Say, "sir," when you answer the Governor.

Sir Smith.

That won't get you far here, lad.

Well, all I have to say to you is this.

I don't have to know what you've done.

You are here for us

to try and make something of you,

to turn you into

industrious and honest citizens.

Well, as we see it,

that shouldn't be too difficult.

We like things to run smoothly here,

of course.

Both for you and for us.

The sooner we have your cooperation,

the sooner you'll be out of here.

If you'll play ball with us,

we'll play ball with you.

We want you to work hard and play hard.

Good athletics, sports,

inter-house competition.

We believe in all that.

Come in.

Ah, there you are, Stacey. Just a moment.

Well, as I was saying,

we're divided into houses.

Now, none of you is proud of being here,

but there's no reason why

you shouldn't be proud of your house.

Stacey here, is proud of being

the leader of Drake house,

- aren't you, Stacey?

- I am, sir.

Well, Stacey,

I'm gonna put these lads in your charge.

- I want you to show them the ropes.

- Right, sir.

- Right, off you go, then.

- Go on, move!

Splendid news.

Ranley School is going to compete

with us on our Sports Day.

That's the first time in our history

that a public school

has joined forces with us. How's that, eh?

- That's good news, sir. Congratulations.

- Thanks.

Oh, but, it's the lads I'm thinking of.

This will really give them a great kick.

- Really put them on their mettle.

- Is Ranley competing in all events, sir?

Yes, but they've been good enough

to offer a special challenge cup

- for the cross-country run.

- I'd say that's our best chance, sir.

Well, I bet this Stacey ought to win

that challenge cup for us.

I doubt if Ranley School

has anyone to beat him.

If they had,

he'd have to be a champion, sir.

Well, Mr. Brown,

I hope your first impression of us

won't be too critical.

I know that some of you young chaps

from training school think of us older men

as back-numbers.

- Oh, not at all.

- Oh, yes, you do.

It's not surprising,

after all those new-fangled theories

that you've been stuffed with.

But theories don't always work out

in practice, remember.

I'm greatly looking forward to doing

what I can to help these boys.

Though, of course,

I realize that a Borstal housemaster's job

- is not an easy one.

- Well, I suggest that you trail around

after me for a bit, just to get

the hang of things,

then we'll let you loose to do your worst.

I came, and broke and entered

and got detention-centered

- What lark got you here?

- Go on, tap off.

Who do you think you're talking to?

- A cockney berk by the sound of it!

- You Liverpool ponce.

All right, when we get inside,

I'll write it out on your face with this!

- Okay!

- Now, look, wrap it up,

or I'll knock the pair of you to bits!

You find something funny?

- No, no.

- Well, is there anything on your mind?

I was just wondering whether

you were the Governor's assistant?

You'll find it pays

to play the Governor's game here.

All of us is graded,

and you don't get out

till you make top grade.

I'm not taking any risks,

or losing any privileges

'cause one of you bleeders kicks up a stink

and gives the house a bad name.

And always remember,

they've got the whip hand.

Do you know what I'd do

if I had the whip hand?

I'd get all the coppers, governors,

posh whores, army officers,

and members of Parliament,

and stick them up against this wall

and let them have it,

because that's what they'd like to do

to blokes like us.

- Well, you'll learn.

- We'll see.

Burn, china?

- Snide.

- Use your loaf.

- He's the daddy. Stacey.

- What's "the daddy"?

Well, he sort of runs things around here.

- What? Again?

- Yep.

I pass. I pass.

Right, boys, by your beds.

Come on, line up.

- Come on, it's lights out. Come on.

- Come on.

Go on, line up there!

Come on, look sharp. Come on, Stacey.

- Cold, lad?

- I'm fine, sir.

For the benefit of the receptions,

no PT shorts under your pajamas.

- Take his name, Mr. Fenton.

- Right.

Right, come on, hit the sack.

Come on, socks off. Vests off. In our beds.

Quickly now, lads.

- Carry on.

- Goodnight, lads. Who's for morning tea?

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