Turn the Key Softly

Follow me.

Three.

Three.

Discharge. Over there.

Jarvis.

Yes, miss.

Quilliam.

Yes, miss.

Marsden.

Yes.

Three pawn tickets for 1.67...

I remember this from when I arrived here.

This is the way they took

all my own things away.

This is where we get them back again,

we hope.

You have plenty of time yet. You'll be

discharged at 8:
00, not one moment before.

Not one second after.

Yes, miss.

One dress, and under this...

I do wish you'd eaten something, Monica.

It's so cold. Not even a cup of tea?

I'd rather we get out and

have a real breakfast.

I feel like a dog, really I do.

You don't look too bad.

You're fond of dogs, dear.

It's me we're talking about, not dogs.

It's important how I look today.

I'm gonna get married.

Married, you?

Yes, me. Why not?

He wrote and said he'd wait if it

was six years instead of six months.

And he has.

Now you've got to check these lists.

You'll get back everything you had

when you came in.

You first, Quilliam.

One hat, one coat, one dress,

one under vest torn...

one pair of shoes, one pair of stockings...

Are you really getting married?

Yes.

I hope you'll be very happy.

I'll tell you something else too.

He's meeting me outside.

I bet he's waiting for me outside right now.

You got a boy waiting for you?

No.

Sign here, please.

And that must be the last time, Granny.

We like you here, but not

as a permanent boarder.

I'll try. I always do try.

Next, Jarvis.

One skirt, one blouse, one jacket,

one pair of shoes...

one pair of stockings, one handbag...

Here's your jewelry.

One watch, one initial broche "S"...

two bracelets, one necklace...

two rings.

Sign.

If you do, if you don't,

if you will or if you won't...

Enough, Jarvis!

Your turn, Marsden.

Marsden.

I'll sign that receipt right away.

You'll check the list first.

It's laid down in the regulations.

I'm saying goodbye to regulations.

My, but it's nice to feel smart again.

It isn't until you see people

in their own clothes

you realize what you've been mixing with

in this place.

Can I help, Monica?

Just a moment.

We all came in here at different times,

why do we have to go out at the same time?

Because all your sentences

happen to end today.

I'd hardly have known you.

Nice bit of stuff. Are those real pearls?

Yes.

A bit small, aren't they?

Well, you can't blow up

pearls up like balloons.

That's what I mean.

They must have cost a packet of money but

nobody would hardly know you was wearing any.

I'm sorry you don't approve.

Well, I've got a thing about jewelry.

Especially earrings.

What about our money from

the Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society?

One thing at a time.

Coming to you, Marsden.

No thanks.

Independent, eh?

Do you object?

Take anything that's going, that's my motto.

Brice, lead on.

Wait there.

The day's discharges.

I know, I know.

No need to be so regimental about it.

Have you got the list?

Three. Jarvis, Quilliam, Marsden.

I hand them over to you officially.

Anyone would think we

was registered letters.

I am looking forward to tonight,

aren't you, Stella?

What are you talking about?

Well, you know as well as I do.

Going to the Monte Christo.

Some people don't get asked.

Sorry, Stella. Would you like to come?

Oh, I don't know. I can't promise.

I've got to see what arrangements

my fianc has made.

Quiet, you women.

Easy, easy. They're only a bit excited.

After all, I'm the first man they've seen

since they went inside.

This way.

There you are, ladies. London.

The biggest city in the world,

and it's all yours.

There he is! There's Bob!

Bob!

She is being met.

You're as bad as I am.

You didn't really believe it.

Think he's gonna marry her?

You know what she is.

I know what she was.

Bob, why have you got your uniform on?

I've got to go on duty.

Now?

When you've had something to eat.

All right, then. Come on.

She's not going to introduce us.

I know her sort. Ashamed of him

because he's in the Salvation Army.

No. He's a bus conductor.

Ah!

I wish you had a nice young man to meet you.

I don't know any nice young men.

Come on.

Look!

A copper. He's sure to know

where we've come from.

Nonsense. Anyway, we're free now.

Oh, dear, I made you miss it. Never mind.

There will be another one along any minute.

I should be all right when

I get to Shepherd's Bush.

And when I do get there,

there will be somebody waiting for me.

Someone very special?

Johnny?

Why don't you bring him along tonight?

Do you mean it?

Oh, it would be a treat for him.

I've always wanted to see inside

one of them posh places, Johnny and me.

Look!

What?

Plainclothesman.

He's watching us.

Nonsense.

I tell you he's watching us.

He isn't even aware of us.

Then why is he following us?

I have experience.

He'll run us in before we know where

we are... Let's move down a bit.

I'm sorry, I didn't... Won't you take my seat?

Thank you.

Very kind of you, sir.

It's a pleasure.

You'll be all right now?

What did I tell you?

Don't forget to bring Johnny tonight.

I'll be there six o'clock on the dot.

Be good.

Be careful, dear.

Oh, this rush hour. Perfectly maddening.

Do you always travel on this line

at this hour of the morning?

Terrible people one meets

in the underground.

Yes, terrible.

Oh, I say, this isn't a

habit of mine, you know.

After all, we did speak in the train,

a sort of introduction.

You're a very attractive girl.

I'd like to take you out to dinner some evening.

This evening. Dinner and a show, hm?

Get on, Archie!

You know the Belvedere on Whiteman Street.

Come right into the bar, you'll find me there.

You may be there. I shan't.

Oh, yes you will.

It's a date then. Six o'clock at the Belvedere.

Oh, I almost forgot.

The name's Jenkins. You can call me George.

Thank you.

What's your name?

Stella.

Stella?

Oh, I ought to have guessed it.

Suits you right down to the ground.

Good!

I was afraid I'd have to push off to the office

before you got here.

Well, let's have a look at you.

Not as bad as I expected.

Was it awful?

Don't let's talk about it.

It's over and finished. Done with.

Can't believe it yet, but I'm free.

I'm hungry, too.

I saved you an egg and some bacon.

Don't be too good to me. I'm not used to it.

I'm afraid you'll have to get your own breakfast.

I've got to fly.

Anything you want me to get you?

Shall we meet for lunch?

No, thanks. I'm going out job-hunting.

Okay.

Borrow anything of mine you need.

By the way, are you all right for money?

Stop mothering me. You'll make me cry in a minute.

I can manage if you'll let me stay

for a week or two.

Of course. As long as you like.

Any messages for me?

No.

Forget him, Monica.

I don't want to interfere, you know that.

But remember you're still young.

There are plenty of decent men in the world.

You never knew what really happened,

did you?

When I first met David I thought

he was perfectly honest.

By the time I discovered he wasn't

I was too much in love with him.

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