The Old Curiosity Shop Page #2

doubled or even trebled.

Should you fail to do so'

I Will have the authority to...

call into being certain legal powers

Which you cannot presume to question.

Everything I own becomes yours?

To do With as you see fit?

- Stock and property.

- The Old Curiosity Shop?

Why do you ask me

to sign such a document noW? I've-I've...

Haven't I always paid you back?

Your debts are mounting' sir'

and I need some kind of surety.

Well' I Will not do it' Quilp.

Everything I own is for Nell's future.

Very Well. There's nothing more to say.

Wait.

I must have some ready cash

to bridge my investments.

Oh. Then sign.

Is there no other Way?

(Sighs) Very Well.

You leave me no option.

Well' I Will not ask in What good investments

all my supplies are sunk.

You are a deep man' sir.

Keep your secrets close.

Yes' you're right there.

I keep my secrets close.

Very close.

- Where shall We eat?

- Well' dinner last night closes Long Acre to us.

- Beg pardon?

- I enter' in this book'

the names of streets We can't

Walk down While the shops are open.

- Due to our strained credit?

- Correct.

Damned nuisance' sir.

But I've a plan to make our fortune

With very little trouble' SWiveller.

You've showed me too many already' Freddie.

And What have I got

to shoW for it? Nothing.

Ah' but this plan is different.

NoW' do you think my sister has a pretty face?

Yes' she has a pretty face.

Very pretty face.

- Fine girl for her age.

- Exactly. She's still only 14.

- Oh.

- And that's all the better.

If I take Nell in hand

and bend her to my Will'

What' With a little coaxing'

to prevent your marrying her?

She's 14' Freddie.

- I don't mean noW.

- No.

Say' in two years' time.

Marry my sister and you Will be

the sole inheritor of my grandfather's Will.

HoW very inviting.

- I suppose there's no doubt his being rich?

- None.

What do you say' Dick?

Well' I could give it a Whirl' I suppose.

No harm in a bit of Wooing' is there?

- I'm a damned handsome felloW.

- Quite.

Ah' I'm afraid I have to dash' SWiveller.

I might be gone some time.

Possibly a very long time'

if you understand my meaning.

Oh' What a touching little scene.

- Where is he?

- Who' sir?

- Your grandfather' Nell' the old Wastrel.

- He's upstairs' sir.

- But he's sleeping' sir.

- Well' this document Will Wake him.

- Can't go up there' it's private.

- Mr. Quilp does What he likes in his own shop.

- But this isn't his shop.

- Oh it is' Nell' it is. Or Will be.

May I introduce my lawyer' Mr. Brass.

What do you have here?

There must be something hidden

in this junk to pay your debts.

Gambled away' everything of Worth. A fortune.

Oh. Then you and the child are truly lost.

- Where Will We go' Quilp?

- That is no concern of mine.

- Unless...

- Yes? What? Tell me.

I'm at your mercy. Anything you Want.

Just ask and I'll...agree to it.

I need a serving maid.

A young girl to do for me.

What are you suggesting?

A mere child!

Nell is not for sale.

Might I ask What you're searching for'

Mr. Quilp?

Anything of value' and I've no intention

of leaving the old man till I find it.

(Door opens)

Hello' my duck of diamonds.

(Brass) Such a treasure' Mr. Quilp.

Who asked you for your opinion' Mr. Brass?

Be quiet.

Of course' sir. HoW presumptuous of me.

- I need to give grandfather his supper' sir.

- Oh. May I?

Oh.

(Slurps noisily)

What a remarkably pleasant Way he has

With children. It's most affecting.

It's quite a treat to Watch him.

(Quilp snorts and gulps)

- Thank you.

- Good night.

Hmm. Hmph!

(Horse neighs)

(Nell) Let us leave here tonight.

But Where Will We go' Nell?

The countryside' grandfather.

Let us run away.

I love the shop as much as you do...

but We can make a home anywhere

if We need to.

Like beggars?

Yes' like beggars.

It is possible' grandfather.

If We Want it badly enough.

- (Door opens)

- (Men laugh)

Let us be free of Quilp tonight.

(Snores)

(Snorts)

(Mutters)

(Brass snorts)

(Door closes)

(Gulls)

What's the matter' child?

It's Nell and her grandfather.

Run away.

(Footsteps)

Nell?

Little Nell?

Where are they?

Brass.

Wake up' you drunken fool.

- You seen 'em?

- Seen Who' Mr. Quilp?

Good morning' sir.

Is the little lady of the house at home?

She's flown.

- Flown?

- Gone' both of 'em.

Vanished in the night.

But Where have they gone' sir?

You tell me' sir.

Where's that brother of hers?

Freddie? Ah' noW there's a problem.

I'm afraid he's done very much the same.

Ran off to France. Got himself into a spot

of bother With a girl dancing in the halls.

Not dancing any more' I'm afraid.

Far from it.

Little Nelly Won't be Wanting these' then.

Perhaps the sly old fox has made his fortune

and gone off to live in a tranquil spot

With a distant vieW of the changing sea.

(Quilp) Careful!

You nincompoop!

What's this here' sir?

Looks like a secret hiding place.

- Let me see.

- Worthless papers' sir.

Nothing but outstanding debts and bills.

- A jewelry box!

- Give that here.

Empty.

Might have known.

Everything of value gambled away.

Well' I Won't be made a fool of

by a young girl and a thief.

If the old swindler gets away With this'

others Will do the same.

I must have justice.

Revenge.

Maybe We should rest' Nell.

You look tired.

I'll never feel tired again

noW We're rid of Mr. Quilp.

(Grandfather chuckles)

Here...

Take charge of that.

That's the last of our money.

A feW gold coins.

Oh' should I ask or even beg...

for their return'

you must refuse me.

Do you promise me?

I promise.

Oh' there's something else

I Want to give you.

Here.

- My mother's locket.

- Yes.

She always meant you to have it

When you became of an age.

Hm? For the sake of her love.

Thank you.

It'll remind you of home...and of everything

that is good in the World.

Yes' all is Well noW.

(Grandfather) Freedom.

Is it very much further' Mr. Quilp?

The air is exceedingly dry' and I suddenly

feel in need of a light refreshment.

Oh' Well' We are very near' Mr. SWiveller.

It's a moment's Walk away.

Pity. I hope this Work you're offering me

Won't be too taxing.

I'm not usually an early riser.

Oh! I had the sun very strong

in my eyes last night.

Think of the rewards

our joint venture Will bring' sir.

You keep an eye on my business dealings

With Mr. Brass

and I promise to find Miss Nelly Trent

and bring her back here to you' sir.

You'll be married When

the girl becomes of age. I promise.

That's the Worst of it' Mr. Quilp.

Miss Trent's fortune' in perspective'

looks such a long Way off

and I have no immediate readies.

Caution is the Word' sir.

And caution is the act' sir.

Why do you think

Mr. Brass cannot be trusted?

(Boy) Please' sir!

Any man Who chooses

to be my legal representative' sir...

- Need I say more?

- Mm. Quite' Mr. Quilp.

Ah' there she is.

The strong arm of the laW'

Miss Sally Brass.

The only Woman in the World With all the charm

of her sex and none of their Weakness.

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