The October Man Page #2

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Good evening, Mr Wilcox.

- See you next week, dear.

- Yes. Bye-bye, darling.

Bye-bye, old thing.

Who was that?

Mr Ackland, he arrived today. Number eight.

Oh. I say, I'm awfully sorry I didn't

let you know I wouldn't be in for dinner,

but Mr Wilcox was in

town and wanted to see me,

and I couldn't get to a telephone.

- It doesn't matter.

- Yes, it does.

But he's trying to get me a job with

Kitskas, the big wholesale people.

It's lingerie, and you know I don't

model underwear in the ordinary way,

but, well, the money's good. Oh, any mail?

Your bill, Miss Newman.

Do try and pay some of it. You

know I'm only the manageress.

If people get behind with

their bills, I get into trouble.

I know, dear, and I'll pay it this

week without fail, don't you worry.

You've been very sweet about

it and I love you very much,

- but then you're June.

- June?

- Your horoscope.

- Oh.

Good-natured, easy-going and

generous to a fault, that's June.

I'm June too. I'll lend you my book.

Will you really, Miss

Newman? Thank you very much.

Of course I will, dear. Remind me.

Da-da-da-dee,

da-dum-da...

- Oh, hello.

- Good evening, Miss Newman.

- Could you spare me a moment?

- What is it?

I couldn't help overhearing what

Miss Selby was saying about your bill.

Oh, couldn't you?

I only wanted to say if

you need any more money...

No, thanks, not any more.

But you let me before. You used to

be nice to me. Oh, I'm sorry if I...

I said no, thanks and I'll pay you

back every penny you've lent me.

I don't want you to do that.

I don't suppose you do.

Just the same, I'm going to.

And you can leave me alone.

Molly, that's not kind.

Miss Selby, could we have

some more coal on the fire?

Yes, Miss Heap.

(Miss Newman) La-da-da-dee,

da-dum-da-da- da-dum

( Big-band jazz on gramophone)

(Train whistle)

You don't know Harry Carden, do you?

- No.

- He's a nice chap, capable too.

I think you'll like working with him,

and he told me he'd be glad to have

you but don't let him work you to death.

No, I... I won't.

Good morning, Harry.

- Morning.

- This is Ackland.

- Hello.

- How do you do?

Look, Mr Stebbins, when are you

going to get us that new centrifuge?

I'll see what we can do, Harry.

Well, I'll leave you to

it now. See you at lunch.

Righto, thanks.

I always ask him for something new when he comes in

- keeps him away.

Well, it is nice to have you with us.

I'm not just being polite.

You got a crack on the head

in some road smash, I hear.

Yes.

- Where are you living?

- Brockhurst Common Hotel.

I live across the common,

you must come and see us.

Thanks, I'd like to.

- Did Stebbins tell you what we're doing?

- Yes, synthetic starch, isn't it?

Yes, that's one thing. What we're

really after is a whole series...

There it is, Jim, 80% sugars. 15%

more than the economic minimum.

Now we'll have to wait and

see what the board has to say.

- You think they'll let us go on?

- If they've got any sense.

- What's the time?

- Eight thirty.

We're working too late.

What do you do with yourself

instead of coming to see us?

I've asked you often enough.

Well, I generally go to bed early and read.

- At weekends too?

- Oh, go for walks.

It certainly seems to agree with you.

You look better than three months ago.

It was the hotel, I think. The first

day or two there really got me down.

Yes, it's a terrible dump.

Oh, they tried to be kind

but I wanted to be left alone.

You know, people scared me.

I just wanted to run away and hide.

- That's all over now?

- Yes. Yes, I... think so.

Well, then, why don't you get out

and see a few people now and then?

My young sister's staying with us.

Why don't you come to the Spring

Dance with us next Saturday?

Well...

They rather like all the

staff to come, you know.

I suppose I really ought to.

Course you should. Come on,

I'll drop you at the hotel.

- Thanks for the ride.

- Righto. Sorry I made you miss dinner.

It's a pleasure to miss

a meal here. Good night.

Good night.

( Big-band jazz playing)

- Good evening, Miss Selby.

- Good evening, Mr Ackland.

- No dinner again.

- I had a sandwich at the works.

There's some mutton left.

I could warm it up for you.

Erm, no, thanks, it was quite a big sandwich.

It wouldn't take a minute.

No, thank you, good night.

( Jazz continues, louder)

- (Miss Newman) Oh! Ohh...

- (Gramophone slows to a stop)

- (Thud)

- Oh, my goodness!

Oh, who's that?

Oh, it's you. I was ironing,

the wire started to smoke,

there was a flash and the lights went out.

Oh, I think the fuse box is here somewhere.

- My last match. You got a light?

- I've got a lighter here.

My lights have gone out.

Where's Miss Selby?

It's all right, Miss Heap,

it's only a fuse gone.

Hold the light up a bit, will you?

Here we are.

I say, I'm terribly sorry. Can you mend it?

Yes, I think so.

Seems to be enough wire left.

It'll... have to be fixed

properly tomorrow though.

There we are.

- That's better.

- (Music starts up again)

You did switch the iron off, I suppose?

- No.

- Well, it may fuse the lights again.

Well, I was frightened

to touch it. Do you mind?

No, all right.

Oh, dear, I'm afraid

everything's in a terrible muddle.

What happened? Did you

catch your foot in the flex?

No, I didn't do anything,

it just started smoking.

Let's have a look at it.

Well, that's that. Burned right through.

You'll have to get a new connector.

- That means I can't finish my ironing.

- Afraid not.

What you want is a drink.

Well, it's, er... it's very nice

of you, but I think really...

Don't be stuffy. I don't know what I

should've done if you hadn't been there.

Gin and lemon? I'm afraid it's all I've got.

Well, er... thanks.

I expect I'd have had Mr

Peachy up here breathing around,

trying to make passes at me.

Mr Peachy?

Mm, the one with the face like a sheep.

Yes, I know him, but...

Oh, you'd be surprised.

- I should. Thanks.

- Sit down.

Well, this is really very nice of you.

- Well, I was lonely. Besides, I'm grateful.

- I had to have the light on too.

I didn't mean that. I mean for

not complaining about the radio.

The man who had your room before complained.

- Oh, I rather enjoy it.

- Oh? What month's your birthday?

October, why?

That accounts for it. You're an October man.

I'm June.

Good-natured, easy-going,

generous to a fault.

Do you know your horoscope?

- Er... no.

- Look, I'll show you.

Ah, here we are.

Let's see, October.

Yes, October sign, Libra,

that means the scales.

Mm-hm.

October people are affable, suave,

dapper, and have a sense of beauty.

The October people love gaiety at

friends' and all the good things.

Above all, they love life. There!

Affable, suave and dapper, eh?

Well, you love life, don't you?

Well, doesn't everybody?

No, not everybody.

Have another drink?

No, thanks.

Oh, well, I will.

Is this your job?

- Yes, I model.

- Oh, who for?

Oh, hat people, dress people, advertising.

You don't like it?

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