The Rocking Horse Winner Page #5

- Who's that you're talking to?

- I've got some money!

- Quiet, Paul. I'm tired.

I have some money in my purse.

Honest, Mommy. I have!

Paul, be quiet! I don't have time

to play games.

Here we are, Madam.

Thank you, Nannie.

You're an angel.

She didn't mean it, Paul. She was busy.

I told you she was too busy to play.

But I wasn't playing. I wasn't playing.

Thank you. Good day, lady.

No offense meant.

Good luck.

I'm a poor, misguided ass.

Lively Spark has as much chance of

winning the Ledger as a carthorse.

Not as much chance.

This is probably one of the most costly

whimsical wagers ever known.

Lively Spark!

- No one's heard of it.

- But I'm sure it will win.

I don't care how sure you are.

Do you realize at this moment a lot

of money is going West?

I must be out of my mind!

1,000 pounds, Paul!

1,000 pounds!

You don't even know the meaning of...

Fortunately, we can't see the disaster.

Don't worry, Lively Spark will win.

I'm sure of it.

Listen!

"Here's one coming on the outside.

It's Lively Spark!"

"100 yards to go."

"Lively Spark's catching them!"

"50 yards and they're neck and neck."

"That was a most exciting race."

"The numbers have gone up and

Lively Spark has definitely won."

We've done it!

Lively Spark it was at 10:1!

You see, I was absolutely sure of him.

Paul, I don't think you realize,

you've won 10,000 pounds.

Is that a lot?

It's enough.

I wish I knew how you did it.

It's a secret.

What are you going to do with all

that money?

I started it for Mother.

She said she had no luck because

Father was unlucky.

I thought if I were lucky, it would

stop whispering.

What would stop whispering?

Our house. I hate our house

for whispering.

What does it whisper?

It is always short of money.

Then it whispers like people laughing

behind your back.

That's awful.

- I thought if I were lucky...

- You might stop it.

Well, what are you going to do about it?

I shouldn't let Mother know

I was lucky.

- Why not?

- She would stop me.

I don't think so.

- I don't want her to know.

- Alright, Paul.

You can help her without her knowing.

It should be easy.

I tell you what -

I'll get 5,000 pounds from Basset and

give it to Earl Webb.

- Who's he?

- Your mother's lawyer.

I'll get him to write and tell her that

a distant relative has left her

5,000 pounds.

To be paid annually on her birthday.

1,000 at a time.

That's a good idea.

She probably won't believe it.

But she won't ask too many questions

as long as she gets the money.

On November 12.

Quite a birthday present.

I hope it doesn't make it harder for

her later.

I hope it makes her happy.

Lately, the house has been whispering

worse than ever.

"There must be more money."

"Money, money, money."

"Money, money, money."

"Never enough money."

Where is he?

He'll be here. Any moment.

Hope he pulls it off this time.

The Derby's only a week away.

You may not have noticed, but

we need a winner!

A winner? We need a flock of them.

It's very serious, Bassett.

We've been losing steadily since last

November. It can't go on.

I wonder what makes him sure.

I must know for the Derby.

I must know the winner.

I must be sure.

I wish I was sure.

How about it, Paul?

Listen to me, you better give it

a rest.

Even though we've been losing, there's

still some money left.

I suggest we stop for a month or two

until Paul is sure again.

Don't let it worry you. There's

nothing to worry about.

Is there, Bassett?

No, nothing at all.

You don't understand. I've got to know!

I've got to be sure!

Something terrible will happen

if I'm not.

What do you mean, something terrible?

It's the house. It's not getting any

better.

Like we thought it would. It's getting

worse.

Whispering again?

Yes, I must stop it whispering.

I want to make Mother happy, and I

can't if it keeps whispering.

Don't worry. Everything will be alright.

I'm bound to know in time for the Derby.

I am really. It will be alright.

I know it will. You'll see!

Let him go, Bassett.

- Is it that bad?

- It's not for me to say.

Don't be a fool! Is it?

Lately, I've been very worried about

the whole affair.

The boy's not himself.

It's like something was driving him

to find a winner.

He don't enjoy it no more.

Don't get no fun out of it like

when we started.

No.

No, the little fellow's not happy.

I don't like the sound of it.

I don't like the sound of it at all.

No sir.

Nor I.

I think that's an unhappy kind of

house for him to be in.

There you are, madam. I've been phoning

all over London for you.

What's the matter?

- It's Paul.

- What's he done now?

He's ill. He's in bed.

What's the matter with him?

Nothing really to worry about.

I've had the doctor here.

What does he say?

He doesn't know.

He said he needed rest and quiet.

He doesn't have a fever or

anything yet...

I'll phone him.

Don't disturb him. He's asleep now.

The doctor gave him medicine

just before he left.

Perhaps you're right.

- What exactly did the doctor say?

- He couldn't say for sure.

He mentioned his nerves,

but said there was nothing to worry

about. Just don't overexcite him.

He insisted on that.

Don't get him upset, he said.

Hello? Dr. Nichol?

This is Mrs. Grahame.

It's about Paul.

You don't think there's anything

immediate to worry about.

Yes, I see.

His brain?

But I don't understand!

I see.

Of course, we won't upset him!

I understand.

He seemed much better these last 2 days.

He's much calmer. He's still pale.

- You ready?

- Yes.

I say, you look magnificent is the word.

And a nice word too.

I'm going to say good night to Paul.

Only be a minute.

Don't be long! We don't want to be

late tonight.

Naughty boy. You should be asleep.

But you promised, Mother.

What?

You promised you'd show yourself

all dressed up.

Did I?

Well, what do you think?

You look wonderful!

That's more than could be said for you.

Feeling alright?

Yes, Mommy.

Dr. Nichol says I'm getting better

every day.

Yes, I know.

How would you like to go away for

a holiday?

But I can't!

Wouldn't you like to go to the

seaside?

I can't possibly go before the Derby!

Why not?

We can go down tomorrow morning,

and still go to the Derby tomorrow

afternoon from the seaside.

Besides, all this horse racing isn't

good for you.

You get too excited!

You're all nerves.

Better to go to the seaside, and

forget all about it.

Good night.

Please, I'll do anything, as long as you

don't send me away until after the Derby!

Send you away?

- From this house, do you mean?

- Yes!

You are curious.

Why do you care about this house?

Please don't make me go away until

after the Derby! Please!

Darling, alright.

Don't get so excited. We don't have to

go until after the Derby.

Promise me that you won't get so

upset.

And don't think so much about horse

racing.

- No I won't. You needn't worry.

- Good night, darling.

Now, out the light.

Mommy, I wouldn't worry if I were you.

If you were me and I were you,

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes