The Stars Look Down Page #3

There's one thing I've got my heart set on.

I suppose you'd call it coal.

- Coal?

- Coal mines.

I'm trying to arrange a university debate

on the private ownership of coal mines.

Of course. A very good thing.

No, Miss Sunley.

I'm going to speak against it.

Naturally, David.

I think it would be a very good thing.

It's been ever so nice meeting you.

You'll be having letters after your name.

- That's jumping ahead.

- You're the cleverest person I've ever met.

- The cleverest you'll ever meet, too.

- Is this a mutual admiration society?

- But I admire you.

- You two are getting on all right.

- Put your nose out of joint.

- I can't compete to universities.

Yes. It's not often I meet anybody

as important as you.

If the scholarship people thought that,

they might raise my allowance!

- It's time we were getting along.

- Fine.

- Do you go near Westgate Road?

- I pass it.

- We all go the same way home.

- We'll meet in the vestibule, then.

She's a nice lass, Davey.

Aye. I didn't know you had

such good taste, Joe.

Taste? Me? No.

You've got the wrong end of the stick.

There's nothing between Jenny and me.

Keep the change. I just stay at their place.

Between you and me, Davey,

you rather swept her off her feet.

- Don't be daft.

- It's a case of just going in and winning.

Joe does it in style - taxi and all.

- Joe? Is Jenny all right?

- Of course I am, Mother.

I thought you must

have had an accident... Oh.

- This is Mr Fenwick from the university.

- Pleased to meet you.

Goodness me. And me in this state.

It's too bad of you.

It's all right.

He's as good as one of the family.

- Look us up, Davey.

- Of course.

Goodbye, Davey. Goodnight, Jenny.

Goodnight, Mrs Sunley.

Goodnight, Joe.

- Maybe we could meet again?

- Of course.

- How about tea sometime?

- That'd be fine, Jenny.

If you'll excuse me. I've got a headache.

I'll mix myself a powder. Goodnight.

Goodnight.

What about tomorrow? After five?

- Let me see...

- I can call for you just after five.

- All right, then. Goodnight.

- Goodnight, Jenny.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

Jenny! Here a minute.

You're not treating Joe right.

He went to bed upset.

If you didn't notice it, you're blind.

- Was he jealous?

- He was.

It's no good to treat a man like that.

There were tears in his eyes.

I know what I'm doing.

It's time I taught him a lesson.

I tried to teach someone a lesson

and it ended with me marrying your father.

I could marry Joe Gowlan tomorrow

just by raising my little finger.

But I'm not going to raise it. Not just yet.

(LAUGHTER)

(DAVEY) The case for private

ownership varies according to what it is.

(MAN) The case for public ownership

varies according to who puts it.

(DAVEY) I'll put it this way.

If private ownership of coal mines,

why not lighthouses?

Because there's no profit in a lighthouse.

Please, it's taken...

I don't believe that everything

under the sun should be publicly owned,

but coal mining is not something

under the sun.

- Hear hear!

- That's not my point, Mr Nugent.

There's a fundamental difference

between coal mining and most industries.

It is that coal, like iron

and other natural resources,

was not invented, manufactured

or even cultivated by man,

it is put there by nature for man to take.

These natural resources, ladies

and gentlemen - national resources -

are not the basis of a few industries,

incidental to our nation's structure.

They are the basis of all our industry.

The life blood of every industry.

They are the very foundation

upon which our nation is built.

The material with which our nation is built,

without which our nation could not flourish.

I resent that this great buried treasure,

this source of all our nation's wealth,

this vital national heritage,

should be dispensed to this man or that,

good man or bad,

to exploit this mine or that,

willy nilly, as and when he chooses.

To use it as a pawn in price manipulations,

cost evasions, middleman transactions

and as a pabulum of his self-aggrandisement.

I resent it as I would resent

a foreign flag on the cliffs of Dover.

(APPLAUSE)

- Favourite won the 2.30, Joe.

- Business is as good as yours now.

- You got that job, then?

- You bet I did.

You know where to find me,

but don't tell Jenny.

I want to get away before she comes home.

So long. Hope you make your fortune.

So long, Joe.

- Jenny!

- Davey. I thought you were ever so nice.

- Did you...?

- Where's Joe? He said he'd be here.

He said he'd be at Jesmond Dene

and at the picnic.

- Maybe he thinks we like being alone.

- That's it.

- Well done, Fenwick.

- Thanks.

Do you have any ambition for politics?

The subjects I'm studying most

are political science and economy,

and I read your speeches.

- He's talking shop.

- Sorry. Miss Sunley, Mr Nugent.

Come and see me.

I might be able to push you on.

- Would you?

- Get your degree first.

- I will.

- A Member of Parliament!

One of the best.

Did you hear what he said?

He was ever so taken with you.

I must be off. Goodbye.

- If you wait, I'll see you home.

- I can't. I'm ever so late.

Bye.

- I didn't know you were in, Joe.

- Hello, Mrs Sunley.

What's this, Joe? I knew it.

I told her you'd never stand it.

- She was treating you shocking.

- Worse than shocking. I...

I just got an anonymous letter about it.

Broke my heart.

It's a disgrace!

It's better you shouldn't see it.

She's out again with him today.

- Have a talk with her.

- No. I've suffered enough.

He's my best friend.

It's more than flesh and blood can stand.

I'd never have thought it of Davey Fenwick.

I only hope his intentions are honourable.

- I'll tell her a thing or two!

- I'd sooner you didn't say anything to her.

I bear her no ill-will.

I just want her to be happy.

She's a bad heartless girl.

For two years she's been your intended,

and now you're not grand enough!

I just want to be by myself, Mrs Sunley.

I know how you feel, Joe.

I'll make a nice cup of tea for you.

That's kind of you.

- Is Joe in, Mother?

- Aye, but only just.

- What do you mean?

- I'll tell you what I mean.

- Joe Gowlan is packing!

- Packing?

I told you no man would put up

with the way you were going.

You've lost him.

You weren't so clever after all.

See where it's got you? You've lost

the best man that ever drew breath.

Joe!

Joe...

He's gone, has he?

- I told you so.

- Don't, Mother.

You'll never get another like him

if you get one at all!

- Oh, Mother!

- You don't grow younger, you know.

There aren't thousands

of young men waiting for you.

Raising your little finger?

You left it a bit late this time.

That's what you'll do for the rest

of your life - be too late.

You don't find fellows like Joe Gowlan

every day. Mark my words!

You'll finish up like your Aunt Lily,

an old maid!

Jenny.

- What's wrong?

- Don't let's talk about it.

- Don't talk about it.

- Sit down. Let me take that.

- What is it, Jenny?

- Mother.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes