Turn the Key Softly Page #2

I begged him to go straight.

One night he persuaded me to go

on a job with him.

We were discovered. He ran away and left me.

I was caught.

What a fool I was.

You warned me often enough.

Well, nobody listens to anything when they're in love.

Kettle's on. Everything is ready.

I must go.

See you tonight.

Don't worry if I'm a bit late.

I may be a little bit late myself.

You're not going to look for...

That's all right.

I'm having dinner with an old lady.

Why not join us?

Sorry. Too much work to do.

Well, have a good time.

Oh, cigarettes on the table.

All for you.

Bob, look at it, look at it!

What's so special about Trafalgar Square?

Good old Nelson.

What are you going to do?

Give him a wash and a brush up?

Of course it isn't Piccadilly.

No. Come on.

Sure you don't want anything else?

No, thanks.

Bob, when do we get married?

Next Wednesday suit you?

Oh, any time you like.

You see, next Wednesday I can get the day off.

The question is where you're going

to stay until then.

Oh, but I thought...

Look, I want you to get a room on your own.

But not up here, mind.

You think I'm weak, don't you?

No, Stella, I wouldn't say weak.

Just a little wobbly at times.

Not anymore. Not since I met you.

I never met a chap like you before.

It makes a difference, you know?

I'm going to be a real good wife to you, Bob.

If anyone's lucky it's me.

Tell you where you can get a nice room.

Cheap and respectable, too.

Canonbury.

Canonbury?

Don't tell me you've never heard of Canonbury.

I suppose I must have.

Where is it?

Well, it's not in the jungle.

One of the most respectable parts of London.

Get an underground on Essex Road

or take the 38 bus.

Oh, I know the 38 bus.

It goes down Shaftsbury Avenue and along Piccadilly.

Yes.

Look. Here's the address.

31, Alcyon Road.

Of course, you have to put the money down.

How much have you got?

Oh, I'll be all right.

How much have you got?

About a quid.

Bob! Three!

Three quid!

Well, you have to feed yourself until next week

as well as pay the rent.

After that you're my official responsibility.

Oh, Bob, you are good.

No, I'm not.

Yes, you are.

Shall I come round

to your digs this evening?

Oh, you'd better not.

My landlady's pretty strict.

Tell you what.

See you when I come off duty.

Okay, what time?

Half past seven?

Outside Swan and Ekers?

Here's the first of your wedding presents.

Hello, Toots. I've missed you.

Did you have a nice time in the Riviera?

Lovely! Couldn't bear to tear meself away

from all them dukes and millionaires.

I bet you looked smashing in your bikini.

Yes, all covered in goose pimples.

Come on in.

Oh, I don't know.

Oh, come on.

When did you get out?

This morning. I'm on me way home now.

How about a little bit of something

to be going home with?

What's the price of the rabbit?

Two bob a pound. I'd be ashamed to sell it to you.

Never you mind rabbit.

What you need is feeding up.

Have you seen Johnny lately?

He's been about most days.

Looks fine to me.

I do hope he hasn't forgotten me.

Not him.

Now, how about a nice bit of stewing steak?

Here you are. Eight ounces.

Ten pence eight to you, madam.

And don't give it all to Johnny.

No.

Oh, it's you.

I did write.

Please, can I have me old room back?

Well, some people'd say I was a fool

to have you back.

I never took anything from here.

Oh, no, I'll say that for you.

But some people'd say I was letting

the neighborhood down.

Well, you better come on in.

The humiliation! Seeing this address,

my address in the papers.

Besides, as though it was the first time.

Fifteen previous convictions and all for shoplifting.

And don't try to attempt and deny it.

I read it meself in the papers with me own eyes.

So silly too. It's not as though you'd ever taken

anything of value, like furs and jewelry.

Oh, no. That would be stealing.

Well, I'm taking you back on one condition, see?

That you keep out of trouble.

Never again. Do you understand?

This is a respectable house.

I do want to thank you for looking after Johnny.

I'll save up and pay you back.

We're all very fond of Johnny.

I suppose he isn't about anywhere?

Well, he's out, but he'll be back.

You know how he is.

Aw, here's your key.

Your stove's ready to light.

Mrs. Quilliam, he's here!

Johnny! Johnny! Come!

Oh, lovely boy.

Yes, Johnny, it's me, it's really me.

And I'm never gonna leave you again.

Never, never, never.

Oh, Johnny. Oh...

Good boy.

Oh, thinking of food already?

Oh, Johnny.

See you tonight at half past seven, okay?

Don't forget. All the way down to Essex Road.

Better get on your way.

Okay.

Ta-ta.

Office work?

That's not easy in a case like yours.

It would be much simpler to fix you up in domestic work.

Or in hospitals or institutions...

I'd sooner have office work.

Shorthand and typing?

Yes. Both still pretty good, I think.

There are one or two vacancies.

Of course you've no stamps

on your insurance card.

That'll give you away, you know.

Do you think I should tell them the truth?

That's up to you.

But sooner or later they're sure to find out.

I'll have to chance it.

They'll ask questions, you know.

Awkward questions.

And you have no references?

No.

Why not?

It's some time since I was employed.

Indeed?

May I see your insurance card?

Thank you.

No stamps.

No, it's been franked at the employment exchange.

So I see. Why? Have you been in hospital,

Ms. Marsden?

No, in prison.

In prison?

May I ask the reason?

I was convicted for burglary.

You mean you stole.

Yes.

You've been very frank with me, Ms. Marsden.

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed

our little chat.

I don't think anyone could accuse me

of not being a tolerant man.

But unfortunately I happen to be in business.

However...

if there is any other way in which

I can help you...

please give me a ring.

Good morning.

One for me and one for you.

One for me and one for you.

One for me and one for...

two for you.

'Cause you need it, don't you, Johnny?

One for me and one for you.

And one over.

Oh, Johnny, I'm ashamed of you.

We can't abet shocking behavior tonight.

Come on.

There.

Oh, Johnny!

Manners.

Johnny, I'm gonna take you out.

First we're gonna see Lily, my daughter Lily.

And then tonight I'm gonna take you

up to the West End.

And there's going to be a party.

Monica invited you special.

You'll like Monica, Johnny.

She's a nice kind-hearted girl.

Yes, I said by the end of the week.

Mr. Gregory will see you now.

I don't care what they say.

I must have them on time.

Come in.

Seventeen on Monday

and the rest by the end of the week, understand?

Sit down, please.

I'll stand, thank you.

Yes, I've been in prison.

I know...

I uh...

Well, it's very difficult.

Yes?

Yes, of course, what did you think I meant?

I said by the end of the week.

Yes, very well.

Yes, I know all about you, Ms. Marsden.

The Welfare Office phoned me.

I'm ready to take a chance.

Can you start on Monday?

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