Our Mutual Friend (1998) s01e01 Episode Script
Episode 1
I'll row, Lizzie.
No.
No, father, I cannot sit so near it.
What hurt can he do yer? None None.
I can't bear it.
It's my belief that you hate the very sight of this river as if it wasn't your living.
As if it wasn't meat and drink to yer.
Lizzie? The driftwood fire that warmed you as a baby was pulled out of the river, alongside the coal barges.
I made your cradle rocker out of that same wood.
In luck again, Gaffer? I know'd you was in luck again! Don't fret yourself, partner.
I didn't touch him.
I must have passed him as I went upriver.
I sometimes think you're like a vulture, partner.
You can smell them bodies clean out the water.
Ain't been eating nothing as disagreed with you, 'ave you, partner? Yes, I have! Swallowing too much of that word "partner"! I ain't no partner of yours, Riderhood! Since when? Since you was accused of robbing a man, a live man! - Well, what if he'd been a dead man? - You can't rob the dead! What world does a dead man belong to? T'other world.
What world does money belong to? This world! You did time for putting your hand in the pocket of a sailor, a live sailor! You count yourself lucky! But we work together no more! In this world or t'other! Cast off! You'll not get rid of me! Did I tell you, Mortimer? My respected father has found a wife for his not-generally-respected son.
Really, Eugene? - With some money, of course.
- With some money, of course, or he would never have found her.
- So, who exactly is our host today? - Veneering.
Over there.
Mr.
Empire.
This is his good deed for the year.
Lord! I'm surprised our Tippins has graced this gorgeous spectacle with her royal presence.
Oh, old money doesn't mind sniffing around new money for an hour or two.
Champagne tastes the same whoever's buying.
Mortimer Lightwood! You wretch! Why have you not come to see me? My dear Lady Tippins, I cannot bear to force my way through the crowds of your other admirers.
A man must have hope.
Well, the Veneerings have certainly done their young friends proud.
Dear best friends of the groom and obviously of the bride.
Anyone know anything about the bride? I've never seen him before.
Or her! Does anyone know anything about them? She's a lady of property.
- He has shares.
- Profits and shares.
How many shares? - What is her character? - She has property.
- A fortune between then.
- How many acres exactly? Quite a few acres, I'm sure.
Mortimer Lightwood, I insist upon you telling me all about the Harmon fortune.
Harmon? Harmon? Old Harmon's been dead for weeks and we don't know what is to become of his fortune.
Society becomes restless when it smells a great fortune left unclaimed.
I find it immensely embarrassing having the eyes of society on me to this extent.
Well Old Harmon, as you know, was a tremendous old rascal who made his money in dust.
Scandal! A fortune to be made in rubbish! And this old rascal Harmon actually lived among the dust heaps? Yes, like a veritable mountain range about him.
The fellow, however, had the miserable inclination to make enemies of his family, all turned out of the house.
Even the son.
Now, keep your eyes fixed upon the son, because this is where I come in.
He grew up abroad.
- In the Cape? - In the Cape, where I discovered he was living the other day having been abroad for fourteen years.
The whole range of dust mountains is left to young Harmon.
And he has set sail home to claim it.
He is due to land in England even as we speak.
So old Harmon wasn't such an unnatural monster after all.
Fortune will go to the son, as it should.
Ah, but he did leave a sting in the tail of his will.
The son's inheritance is conditional on his marrying a girl he has never met.
- One Bella Wilfer.
- Bella Wilfer? Never heard of her.
Has anyone any knowledge of any Bella Wilfer? Is she out? What if he does not care for the bride his perverse father has chosen? - Not care for her?! - Rescind the will and fortune?! Cast off the dust mountains?! Not care for a marriageable woman called Bella? And throw away a fortune? Really, Eugene! (BUTLER) A note has arrived for you, sir.
This note arrives in a most opportune manner.
I fear it is the conclusion of John Harmon's story.
- There! The fellow's married already! - Refuses to marry Bella Wilfer! Surely not? No No, you're all wrong.
The story is completer and rather more exciting than I supposed.
John Harmon is drowned.
Did you write this? I did.
Did you find the body? My father, Jesse Hexam, found the body.
What's his position? He gets his living along shore.
Why did your father, Jesse Hexam, not write the note himself? Is the body far? It's a goodish stretch.
I came up in a cab and the cab's waiting to be paid.
(BOY) We could go back in it before you pay, if you like.
John Harmon was discovered - dead? - Dead as the Pharaoh's multitude drowned under the Red Sea.
If Lazarus was half as far gone, that was the greatest of miracles.
Lord! You seem to be at home in the Red Sea, young man.
Read of it with a teacher at school.
But don't you tell my father.
It's my sister's contriving.
You have a good sister.
She ain't bad.
But if she even knows half her letters it's because I learned her.
I'll go with you if I may.
- Do you mean to tell me? - Do YOU mean to tell me?! Do you? Are you a man of fortune? No! Then you have married me under false pretences.
So be it! Now you.
Are you a woman of property? No.
Then you married me under false pretences.
I asked Veneering.
He told me you were rich.
Veneering? What does he know about me? Well, congratulations! You obviously made a good job of deceiving him! And, Mrs.
Lammle, what made you suppose me to be a man of fortune? I askedVeneering.
And he knows of me as much as he knows of you! I will never forgive Veneering for being so Gullible? Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Let me see, Eugene.
I've been on the Honourable Roll of Solicitors of the High Court for five years now.
Except for taking instructions on average once a fortnight for the will of Lady Tippins, who, by the way, has nothing to leave, I have no scrap of business except for this Harmon romance.
I have been called to the bar for ages and have hadno business at all, which my father uses as an excuse to keep me poor.
Yes, he keeps me bound to him with the merest trickle of an income to relieve his disappointment.
What's more, he continually berates me for my lack of energy.
But give me something to be energetic about, by God, I'll show him energy! He's an amusing fellow, my father.
I should like to please him if I could.
We must be drawing near to the river.
We shall fall over the edge of the world if we don't stop soon.
Hello, there! Surely we're nearly there? You must walk the rest.
It's not many yards.
Please, sir! Please, sir! The gentlemen, Father.
You are Mortimer Lightwood, squire? Are you, sir? Mortimer Lightwood is my name, sir.
What you found last night, - it is not here? - It's close by.
I do everything regular.
I've given notice of the circumstances to the police and the police have taken possession of it.
The police have put into print already and here's what the print says Only papers found on the unfortunate man, I see.
Only papers.
No money? But threepence.
Only threepence? In one of the shirt pockets.
Three penny pieces.
The trouser pockets empty and turned inside out? That's common.
Whether it's the wash of the tide or no, I can't say.
This one, here His pockets was found empty and turned inside out.
I can't read.
Nor do I want to.
I know 'em all by their places on the wall.
This one, this was a sailor with two anchors, a flag and the letters GFT tattooed on his arm.
See if he wasn't.
This was the woman in grey boots with her linen marked with a cross.
And these, two young children what had tied themselves together with a handkerchief.
Poor souls Every one.
This, an old gent with a cut over his left eye, a pink nightcap and drunk as a lord! You did not find all of these yourself? And what your name be, now? This is my friend, Mr.
Eugene Wrayburn.
Do you suppose there's been much violence and robbery, beforehand, in these cases? I ain't one of the supposing sorts.
If you had your living to haul out of the river every day of your life, you mightn't be much given to supposing.
Are you looking for a body? Or have you found one? Which is it? I'm lost.
And I'm a stranger.
And Imust I have to get to the place where I can seethe body.
- It is possible I may know - Are you seeking a Mr.
Harmon? No.
(MORTIMER) I think I can assure you that you will not find what you fear.
I must see the body.
Please, sir! Please, sir! No clues as to how the body came to be in the river.
Very often there is no clue, as there often isn't for ascertaining whether the injuries occurred before or after death.
The steward of the ship identified John Harmon, along with the clothes and papers, also sworn as those of John Harmon.
And as to what exactly happened? Totally disappeared on leaving ship till found in river.
He'd probably been on some little game, and thought it a harmless game, no doubt, and it turned out to be a fatal game.
Inquest tomorrow.
An open verdict, no doubt.
It appears to have knocked your friend off his legs! This gentleman is no friend of mine, sir.
It's a horrible sight.
You expected to identify? Yes.
And? No.
No, I did not.
I must go now.
You're after identifying someone or you wouldn't have come here.
Can we not ask who? You must excuse me for not telling you.
You must know that sometimes there are disagreements in families, personal tragedies, that they would rather not have generally discussed.
At least you will not object to leaving me your card? I would not if I had one, but I do not.
At least you will not object write down your name and address.
Mr.
Julius Handford.
Exchequer Coffee House.
Palace Yard.
Westminster.
Consequently from out of town? Yes Out of town.
You could say that.
Keep him in sight without giving offence.
Make sure he's staying where he says he is and find everything you can about him.
Inspector I have to ask you Do you think there is anything untoward in John Harmon's death? If it was murder, anyone might have done it.
Burglary or pick-pocketing, that needs an apprenticeship.
Not so murder.
We're all of us up to that.
Pity it's not true, that old superstition, about corpses bleeding, when touched by the hand of those responsible for their undoing.
You get row enough out of her, but you get nothing out of bodies.
The entire fortune to go to a dustman?! It's unbelievable.
It is true.
As Harmon's only son is dead, the entire dustyard and fortune goes to a Mr.
Boffin.
It's unnatural.
He was a good and faithful servant.
But how will he know what to do with such wealth? That's for Mr.
Boffin and his wife to decide when I have explained the full extent of their fortune.
So, the entire Harmon fortune, that is the complete range of dust-heaps, including the little one, is entailed to Mr.
Nicodemus Boffin.
Though I hate to disagree with you on your very first instruction, Mr.
Boffin, as your lawyer I must tell you that 10,000 pound is too much.
The old lady thinks it's the right figure.
So do I.
10,000 pound reward to find the villain who murdered our John.
We can only imagine John Harmon's feelings, as he travelled homewards after so many years abroad, towards his future and the bride that his father had chosen for him.
And we can only imagine how the poor girl feels, her hopes so cruelly dashed.
We have heard the circumstances of Mr.
Harmon's return to this country.
And we have heard compelling evidence that the deceased carried with him a large sum of money from the forced sale of his foreign property.
No doubt to facilitate the early marriage to the woman who waited for him, patiently and silently.
How long must I wear this insufferable dress? This case is made further interesting by the remarkable experience of Jesse, known as "Gaffer", Hexam, having rescued from the Thames so many dead bodies.
The jury has found that Mr.
Harmon was discovered floating in the Thames, in some state of decay and much injured.
And that the said John Harmon came by his death under highly suspicious circumstances.
Though by whose act and in what precise manner, there is no evidence before this jury to show.
I will therefore this day make a recommendation that there should be a police investigation into this mysterious death.
And I have noticed that interested parties have come forward with a substantial reward.
Mr.
Boffin has provided an excessively generous amount of ten thousand pounds.
Tenthousandpounds?! I told you the man would be a fool with money! What a glimpse of wealth I had! Now it's melted away.
And I'm here in mourning, a kind of widow who has never married.
(BELLA) I shouldn't care so much if it wasn't so ridiculous.
To think, what an embarrassed first meeting it should have been.
We never could have pretended to harbour any true affection.
I was hardly likely to even like this John Harmon.
How could I? I'm sure I'm the poorer.
For I have to wait until Bella finds herself another husband.
If the truth were known, this embarrassment might have been smoothed away by the money.
For I love money.
I want money.
I want it dreadfully.
I hate to be poor, and we are degradingly poor.
Oh, offensively poor! Left to him in a will! Like a dozen spoons! And all this for a man I never saw Enter! and should have hated if I had! Ah, RW, this is the gentleman who has taken our first floor.
He was so good as to make an appointment for this morning when you'd be at home.
This is my husband, RW, the undisputed master of the house.
Seeing that I am quite satisfied, Mr.
Wilfer - with the rooms, that is, and their price - - Legenda não traduzida - I hope that a memorandum between us, some two or three lines perhaps, might bind the bargain.
The gentleman proposes to take your apartments by the quarter.
If I might mention a referee? No! I think that a referee is not necessary.
Neither is it convenient.
I'm a stranger in London.
You see, I require no reference from you.
I shall pay whatever you please in advance.
And I will leave my furniture here.
Whereas if you, sir, were inembarrassed circumstances This is a supposition, of course, but as you see We see perfectly.
Well, money and goods are, of course, certainly the best references.
- Do you really think so, Pa? - Among the best.
I should have thought myself it would be so easy to provide the usual kind.
My dear, will you be the witness? Where am I to go, Pa? Here in the corner? (HANDFORTH) I am much obliged, Miss Wilfer.
Obliged? And why should Mr.
John Rokesmith be obliged to me? I've given you so much trouble.
By signing my name? I am your landlord's daughter, after all.
I'll send my furniture tomorrow.
I'll follow shortly behind.
Pa? We have ourselves a murderer for a tenant! A robber, at least, living upstairs.
On the first floor.
I've never seen such an exhibition.
Unable to look a person in the eye.
Mark my words, between Mr.
Rokesmith and myself there is antipathy and deep distrust.
I don't know what will come of it.
Well, my dear, between Mr.
Rokesmith and myself there is the matter of eight gold sovereigns, and supper shall certainly come of it! Be gone, dull care You and I shall never agree Long time haste thou been tarrying here And faint thou wouldst me kill Morning, sir! Good morning to you, sir! - Have you ever heard of the name of Boffin? - No, I never did.
Do you like it? Can't say I do.
I'll tell you something that'll make you sorry for that.
My name's Boffin! I can't help that.
Do you like the name Nicodemus? Nick orNoddy? It's not a name I could wish for someone I had respect for.
Noddy Boffin, that's my name.
What's yours? Silas Wegg.
I don't know why Silas and I don't know why Wegg! Now, Wegg, I want to make an offer to you.
I've been listening to your singing with great admiration.
- Well - I'll wager you know them songs by words and tune.
So! Here we have a literary man with a wooden leg, and all print is open to him.
And yet here I am, a man without a wooden leg, and yet all print is shut to me.
- Indeed, sir.
Education neglected? - Neglected.
Though I could recognise "B" if you showed me.
"B" for Boffin.
That's something.
That's something.
Not as much as could be wished of by an enquiring mind.
But something, to be sure.
Now, I've retired from business and come into some little money.
It's too late for me to be shovelling at alphabets and grammar books.
I'm getting to be an old bird.
But I find I want some reading.
Now, how can I get that reading, Wegg? By paying a man, truly qualified to do it, so much an hour to do it for me.
Flattered, I'm sure.
So what is your proposition? Let's sayertwopence halfpenny an hour? That'serfive, six nights.
Half a crown, sir! Half a crown? Ain't much, sir, half a crown.
Particularly if, in the course of an evening's reading, you was wanting to perhaps drop into poetry? Mr.
Boffin, I never bargain.
You have the needful implement? A book! Oh Well, no.
Consequently, done.
For double the money! Just in time for the landlord, my dear.
I hate all this money going to the landlord when we all want everything.
Pa? Why do you suppose old Mr.
Harmon took it in his head to make such a fool out of me? I've told you often, my dear, I hardly spoke a hundred words to the gentleman.
You were sitting on my lap on a bench in the park, rather as we are now, when you suddenly took it into your head to To make a scene, Pa? Never let it be said that I ever condoned infant misbehaviour, RW! And then I screamed and hit you about the head, didn't I, Pa? And the old gentleman said, "That's a nice girl.
"That's a promising girl.
" Never let it be said I condoned talking to strangers in the park! And then he asked for our name and address.
And he kept saying, "That's a promising girl.
"A most promising girl!" And so I was.
So you were, my dear.
So you were.
How do you do? Wegg, you know? To be sure.
Hospital amputation, wasn't it? I remember you now.
Just so.
Come and sit by the fire and warm your Warm your other one.
My tea is drawing, Mr.
Wegg.
Will you partake? So, how have I been going on this long time, Mr.
Venus? I don't know.
Do what I will with your old leg, it won't fit in anywhere.
Hang it, Venus! It can't be peculiar to me.
It must often happen with your miscellaneous ones.
With ribs, I grant you, always.
Every man has his own ribs and no others will go with them but Legs I can't find another one to match.
Now, look here! I want to buy my leg back.
How much do you want for it? Well, you were one of a various lot.
Come! On your account I'm not worth much.
Not for miscellaneous working, Mr.
Wegg.
It may yet turn out to be valuable as a monstrosity if you'll excuse me? I've a prospect of getting on in life.
I tell you, I should not like to be dispersed, part of me here, part of me there, but should wish to collect myself together, like a genteel person.
You seem very low, Mr.
Venus.
Is business bad? Never was so good, Mr.
Wegg.
I'm not only first in the trade.
I am the trade.
You may buy a skeleton in the West End, if you like.
Pay West End sort of prices for it, but it'd be my work and putting together.
Mr.
Wegg, if you was brought here loose, in a bag, to be articulated, I could name your smallest bones blindfolded, and sort 'em all in a manner that would surprise and charm you.
Now, that ain't a state to be brought low about.
It's the heart that's brought me low.
I'm a bachelor I'm 38 But I love her, Mr.
Wegg.
But the lady objects to the business? Does she know the profits of it? She knows the profits of it.
She doesn't appreciate the art of it.
So A man climbs to the top of the tree, Mr.
Wegg, only to see there's no look-out when he's got there.
I sit here of a night, surrounded by the finest trophies of my art.
And what have they done for me? Ruined me! It's time I was at Harmon's.
Harmon's up the Battle Bridge way? You ought to be in for a good thing.
A lot of money going there.
Old Harmon wanted to know the worth of everything.
Many's the bone and feather he brought to me.
Really, now? The old gentleman was well known.
There were stories about him hiding all sorts of property in them dust mounds.
I suppose there's something in 'em.
Probably you know that, Mr.
Wegg.
And now, to what am I indebted to this honour? A Sunday visit from Mr.
and Mrs.
Boffin, who must be so busy in a social activities, I can hardly imagine why they should honour us at our humble abode.
Perhaps, Mrs.
Wilfer, you're acquainted with the Boffin name, as having come into a certain prosperity.
I've heard a little, madam, of your good fortune.
I dare say you will not be inclined to think kindly of us.
Mrs.
Boffin and me are plain people.
We don't pretend to anything.
We don't go round and round at anything.
Consequently We made this call to say how glad we shall be to have the honour and pleasure of your daughter's acquaintance.
We shall be rejoiced if your daughter can come to consider our house, our new house, that is her house! We are considering, in the light of our changed circumstances To go in for fashion! And society! We are to give up the dusty bower, though we do love it, for a nice new house in a nice new neighbourhood.
I'm thinking of a pale yellow chariot with a fine pair of horses and silver boxes to the wheels! For we've been thinking of your poor girl.
Cruelly disappointed she was of her husband and his riches.
In short, we want to cheer your daughter and give her an opportunity to share such pleasures that we shall partake.
Yes! We want to brisk her up and about! IIam much obliged to you both, I'm sure.
But I doubt if I have the inclination to go out at all.
Bella! Bella, my child, you must try to conquer these delicate feelings.
Well, have a little think about it.
You take my advice Do what yer ma says and conquer it, my dear.
We're going to go everywhere, see everything! Of course, if your sister would like to come, to make you confortble, we'd welcome her gladly! I'm sure I know my duty and will stay at home with Ma and Pa.
You mustn't feel a dislike for us, my dear, for we couldn't help the inheritance and did nothing to further it.
Come! Come, old lady! We'll outstay our welcome.
Well, Bella's got what she wants from her Boffins.
She'll be rich enough at her Boffins'.
She'll have as many lobsters as she likes at her Boffins'! Well, you won't take me to your Boffins'! We seem to have a mutual friend.
You are acquainted with our new lodger, Mr.
Boffin? Bit of a mystery man, my dear.
You'd think, wouldn't you, Miss Abby, with the general interest the Harmon case has aroused, not least theer substantial reward offered, that some clue to the murderer might have arisen? There's been a notice in the Times every day in search of the stranger, Handford, our mysterious friend from the mortuary.
Though maybe none of your regulars, those that can read, peruse that journal.
I can read.
I think that most know the meaning of the figures 10,000 pounds, whether they can sign their names or not.
This house is a respecter of the river and an especial respecter of its dead.
I think that you also know that this house is a respecter of the law.
The Harmon poster is peeling on my walls.
Not one of my trusted regulars has remarked on it.
Get away, Riderhood.
I've told you, you're not welcome in this house! But I haven't done nothing.
You can't refuse to serve me.
I can do what I like in my own house! Now get away with yer! You will not drink in here again! And what of Jesse Hexam, Riderhood's partner? Is he allowed to drink alongside you at the counter, Miss Abby? No, but I can name you twenty others also denied the pleasure.
D'you think they all had a hand in the Harmon crime? "It is our desire to describe the prosperous condition of the Empire, "and afterwards, "from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances "of its decline and fall.
"A revolution which will ever be remembered "and is still felt by all the nations of the earth" We're on our way, old lady! On our way! With old Marcus Antonionus alongside of us, eh? Bring us over a drink, Lizzie, and come and sit with me.
Now, Lizzie, dear.
I'm very put out.
I'm very sorry to hear it, Miss Abby.
Then, why do you do it? I do what, Miss? I'm sorry.
But, Lizzie, why won't you take up my offer to get clear of your father? I'm very grateful for it.
Truly I am.
The obstinate, more like! D'you know the worst of your father, child? The suspicions that are laid against him.
This is not easy to say but I must do it.
Some think that your father helps to their death some of those that he finds dead.
You do not know my father.
Indeed, you don't.
Leave your father.
Lizzie, let me help you.
You must leave him.
Thank you Miss Abby, but I can't.
The more my father is accused, the more he needs me to lean on.
Come! The florist begs leave to remind, Mr.
Lammle, of the bill of payments, sir.
I would have thought it imprudent, even for you, to continue to buy goods you cannot afford.
More fool you, not to notice my financial deficit before we became jointly responsible for it! I was deceived! I cannot get rid of you and you cannot get rid of me.
I suggest we reach a mutual understanding which might carry us through.
An understanding? With a little encouragement from our friends, we deceived each other into wedlock.
I suggest we keep these mortifying facts to ourselves.
Agreed? That is not an expense.
It is an investment.
I have been looking to the future and you can be sure I'm not alone.
When a great fortune appears from nowhere, it is the duty of all beggars, especially the deserving gentry, to beat a path to its door.
We must be amongst them, but we will be in disguise.
"Mr.
and Mrs.
Alfred Lammle to Mr and Mrs.
Nicodemus Boffin, Squire.
"Offering their most hearty felicitations on their good fortune, "hoping they may accept this small gift, "begging leave to call on" All right, old lady? Where we going to put them all? Papers buzzing about me ears! Apple pie order! So, if you would try me as your secretary for a trial period only.
Naturally I would keep exact accounts of all the expenditure that you've sanctioned, and write letters under your strict direction, of course.
And I would transact business with the people under your employment.
Well, listen, I already have in my employment a literary man with a wooden leg.
And this rounding-up of papers? It would be continuous, of course.
Now, let's try a letter next.
To whom should it be addressed? Well, anyone! Try yourself.
"Mr.
Boffin presents his compliments to Mr.
John Rokesmith, "and begs to say that he is decided on giving Mr.
John Rokesmith "a trial in the capacity that he desires to fill.
It is quite understood "that Mr.
Boffin is in no way committed to a salary, "which will be postponed for some indefinite period.
"And Mr.
Boffin relies on Mr.
John Rokesmith's assurance "that he will be both faithful and serviceable, "and enter upon his duties immediately.
" That's the fairest set-down letter I've ever heard.
Let's shake on it.
Now, I may not have mentioned to you that it is Mrs.
Boffin's inclination to go in the way of fashion.
I rather inferred that from the scale in which your new establishment is to be maintained.
Yes, it's gonna be a spanker! Old Harmon was not much loved.
He was a harsh man.
He preferred me to his child.
When the son was a little boy, he came up and down these stairs to see his father.
He often cried on these stairs, poor little thing.
Starved of love, that's what he was.
My old lady here did her best to give it to him.
Here This is where the boy wrote his name several times.
And he measured himself here on this sunny patch.
Let's take care of these names, old lady.
They must never be rubbed out in our lifetime.
Nor ever if we can help it.
- Will you sell the house, Mr.
Boffin? - Certainly not! In memory of our master and the dear child, I mean to keep it.
I've got a plan.
I'll tell you about it soon enough.
Oh, they're a different matter.
That was my first mound.
It would have been enough for us, if it had pleased God, to spare the little one.
I ain't a scholar in much, Mr.
Rokesmith.
I'm a pretty fair scholar in dust.
I can price these mountains to a fraction.
You don't find the air a little overpowering, Mr.
Rokesmith? Excuse me? It's just that strangers can often find the smell of the dustyard faintly pungent on first encounter.
No, I do not find it in the least offensive.
- It is the smell of good honest work, I'm sure.
- Indeed.
My Noddy has everything accounted for, down to the last farthing, proper and right.
A man such as I was had no use of lettering.
But numbers you'll find I'm a master of those! Where d'you come from, Mr.
Rokesmith? I've been in many places.
What d'you do for a living? I've had some aspirations but I've been disappointed.
I have to begin my life once more.
Hello, Lizzie.
Supper ready? - That's early.
- Sit and eat, Charley.
You must be gone before father gets home.
Gone? What's all this, Liz? I've made up my mind up that it's time for you to go away from us.
You'll do much better and be much happier.
- How do you know that? - I do know.
I do.
You leave the river and father to me.
But you must go.
No, I think you decided that there's three of us! There's not enough for all of us, so you want to get rid of me! Yes Yes, that's right.
I'm a selfish sister.
There's not enough room for three of us and I want to get rid of you.
Don't cry, Liz! Don't cry.
I will go if you say.
I know you think only of my own good.
Oh, Charley! Heaven knows I do! Now Listen.
You get straight to school at once.
Father will never bother you.
He won't ever have you back, either.
You're a credit to your school.
They'll help you find a living.
Now, you show them your money.
Tell them I'll send you more.
I don't know where from, but I'll send it.
Now, you must hurry.
Remember, Charley Always speak well of Father.
Even if you hear the worst that could be heard about Father, it'll not be true.
You be good.
Get learning.
And only remember your life here as if you dreamt of it in your sleep.
So, sir I don't suppose we'll be doing much more "declining and falling".
Wegg I've got an offer to make you.
You'll not want my services now you've got your brand-new house and brand-new secretary.
Steady, Wegg.
It's my idea that you should stay here in the barn and keep it for us.
This is a pleasant spot.
A man with coal, candles, a pound a week.
I might be in clover here.
You still want reading? Yes! And at no extra for what you was thinking of offering for the overlooking of this fearsome place? Of course, you will be extra compensated for your trouble.
Mr.
Boffin, consider it done.
What is it, dear? Why, are you frightened? You? Frightened? - Oh, Noddy, it is so strange! - What is, my dear? (Mrs.
BOFFIN) The faces of the old man and the little one.
They're all over the house tonight.
I know it must sound foolish, butit is so! - Where did you see them? - Everywhere! I was tidying the linen, singing to myself, not thinking anything particular, when suddenly the old man's face.
- And then it was gone? - Yes.
I-I came in here t-to get rid of it, tell myself what a silly foolish old woman I was.
But then The old man's face again! And the little boy.
In the shadows looking at me through the window.
Oh, my Noddy.
Why have they come to haunt us? What have we done? There's nothing in the world to you but goodness, little lady.
Don't trouble yourself on that account.
Now I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll get rid of Wegg, and we'll go for a walk together round the park.
We'll shine a light in every dark corner, see if we can't shake these cobwebs away.
No, Noddy.
I'm not nervous of this house.
It's just When I shut my eyes Here they come! The old man's face, it gets younger.
And the little boy's, it getsolder.
They merge.
Are they angry? No.
They're just there.
And here's my husband's face to cheer me.
And that is the best face in all the world.
You must be frozen, Father dear.
I ain't aglow, that's certain.
Where's that boy? If the river were to freeze, there'd be a deal of distress.
There's always enough of that.
Distress is forever going about, like soot in the air.
Where is that boy, hm? Sit and eat, Father, and we'll talk.
Now, Lizzie Where's that boy at? Well It would seem, Father, that Charley has a gift for learning.
Unnatural boy! And so, not wanting to be a burden to you, he made up his mind to seek his fortune from learning.
He went away, Father.
He cried very much, and he hopes very much that you can forgive him.
My forgiveness I'll never set eyes on that boy again.
He's disowned his own father.
Unnatural boy! Now I know why those men turned away from me just now.
'Cause here's a man what ain't good enough for his own son! Please, Father.
Put the knife down.
What's the matter, Liz? You'd never think I'd hurt you, Liz? Lizzie, come on.
Lizzie, my girl.
Lizzie.
My love.
Were you watching me, Mr.
Rokesmith? No.
Indeed, Miss Wilfer, I am charged with a message for you.
I find that most unlikely.
From Mrs.
Boffin.
She will have the pleasure of receiving you soon at the new house.
I find that I am to become Mr.
Boffin's secretary.
And will you always be there, Mr.
Rokesmith? At the new house? Always, no.
Very much there, yes.
Have no fear, you need pay me little attention.
I will transact the business and you the pleasure.
You will have nothing to do but enjoyand attract.
Attract? The loss of your fiance John Harmon, may one day be repaired.
Of course, I speak merely of wealth.
The loss of a perfect stranger, whose worth you could not estimate beyond the inconvenience of their death, is another matter.
It's growing dark around us.
You must have been absorbed by your book.
Is it alove story? Certainly not! It's more about money than anything.
Does it say that money is better than anything? I really cannot tell you.
Find out for yourself, for all I care! How the wind sounds up here! As if we were keeping a lighthouse.
I wish we were.
Don't you think it would bore us? No more than any other place.
And we would be blessedly free, both of society in general and in particular of my father.
Speaking of which, shall we touch upon the eligible lady your respected father has found for you? I assure you my intentions are opposed to touching the lady! How could I possibly undertake matrimony? I, so easily bored.
So constantly.
So totally.
Who the devil are you? Where the devil have you come from? I beg yer pardons, guv'nors, but might either of you be Lawyer Lightwood? I am Lightwood.
Who are you, fellow? I'm a man what gets me living by the sweat of me brow, guv'nors.
Not wanting to risk losing the sweat of me brow, I should wish, before going further, to be sworn in.
You're out of luck, for I am not a swearer-in of people.
Alfred David.
Alfred David? Is that your name? No.
I wanna set down an "Alfred David".
I think you mean "Affidavit".
I'm afraid you're out of luck, as my friend doesn't do affidavits either.
I must be took down.
What is your business? It's about money.
It's about a Â10,000 reward, that's what it's about.
It's about murder.
Now What is your full name? RogerRiderhood.
Some call me "Rogue", but as a friendly name, by those that don't know me.
Dwelling place? Limehouse Hole.
Calling? Or occupation? Waterside character.
Anything against you? Ever in trouble? Once.
Picking a seaman's pocket, though I was innocent.
Naturally! I give information that the man that done the Harmon murder is one Jesse, known as "Gaffer", Hexam.
The very same that found the body.
His hand and his alone did the bloody deed.
On what grounds do you base these suspicions? He cannot be convicted on suspicion alone.
He told me with his own lips he done it.
When did he tell you? The very night he picked up the body.
We had words on the river that night.
His daughter will not deny that.
Did you ask him how he did it? Where he did it? When he did it? He tells me, Gaffer does, he tells me, "I done it for his money.
"Don't betray me.
" And long have I been troubled in my mind ever since.
You've been troubled in your mind for a long time.
Mr.
Riderhood might have thought another witness would come forward.
Maybe he wasn't keen on anyone asking what he was doing there that night.
I tell you, I'm giving Jesse Hexam up to you tonight and I want him took! I want him took this night! Gaffer's out.
His boat's out.
His daughter's home.
Supper's ready, so he was expected last high water.
He must have missed it for some reason.
Then, we must watch and wait.
Shelter and wait over there.
If we take the father, she will be left alone.
Father! Father, is that you? Don't you feel like a dark combination of a traitor and a pickpocket when you think about that girl, Mortimer? He's gonna cheat me.
He's looking to cheat an honest man.
Where are you hiding? He could not have slipped past us.
It'll be morning soon and we'll be seen.
Suppose I put out in my boat? Take a look in his favourite haunts? Found it! Gaffer's boat! He's in luck, I knew it! He's in luck! He's found Hexam's boat.
But where's Hexam? I told yer! He got lucky He's been fishing.
Oh, God! Let it go.
Let it go.
Drowned by his own tow-rope.
He went out in search for the dead.
Death found him first.
He's escaped me.
He'sdead before I can profit.
He's done me again.
No.
No, father, I cannot sit so near it.
What hurt can he do yer? None None.
I can't bear it.
It's my belief that you hate the very sight of this river as if it wasn't your living.
As if it wasn't meat and drink to yer.
Lizzie? The driftwood fire that warmed you as a baby was pulled out of the river, alongside the coal barges.
I made your cradle rocker out of that same wood.
In luck again, Gaffer? I know'd you was in luck again! Don't fret yourself, partner.
I didn't touch him.
I must have passed him as I went upriver.
I sometimes think you're like a vulture, partner.
You can smell them bodies clean out the water.
Ain't been eating nothing as disagreed with you, 'ave you, partner? Yes, I have! Swallowing too much of that word "partner"! I ain't no partner of yours, Riderhood! Since when? Since you was accused of robbing a man, a live man! - Well, what if he'd been a dead man? - You can't rob the dead! What world does a dead man belong to? T'other world.
What world does money belong to? This world! You did time for putting your hand in the pocket of a sailor, a live sailor! You count yourself lucky! But we work together no more! In this world or t'other! Cast off! You'll not get rid of me! Did I tell you, Mortimer? My respected father has found a wife for his not-generally-respected son.
Really, Eugene? - With some money, of course.
- With some money, of course, or he would never have found her.
- So, who exactly is our host today? - Veneering.
Over there.
Mr.
Empire.
This is his good deed for the year.
Lord! I'm surprised our Tippins has graced this gorgeous spectacle with her royal presence.
Oh, old money doesn't mind sniffing around new money for an hour or two.
Champagne tastes the same whoever's buying.
Mortimer Lightwood! You wretch! Why have you not come to see me? My dear Lady Tippins, I cannot bear to force my way through the crowds of your other admirers.
A man must have hope.
Well, the Veneerings have certainly done their young friends proud.
Dear best friends of the groom and obviously of the bride.
Anyone know anything about the bride? I've never seen him before.
Or her! Does anyone know anything about them? She's a lady of property.
- He has shares.
- Profits and shares.
How many shares? - What is her character? - She has property.
- A fortune between then.
- How many acres exactly? Quite a few acres, I'm sure.
Mortimer Lightwood, I insist upon you telling me all about the Harmon fortune.
Harmon? Harmon? Old Harmon's been dead for weeks and we don't know what is to become of his fortune.
Society becomes restless when it smells a great fortune left unclaimed.
I find it immensely embarrassing having the eyes of society on me to this extent.
Well Old Harmon, as you know, was a tremendous old rascal who made his money in dust.
Scandal! A fortune to be made in rubbish! And this old rascal Harmon actually lived among the dust heaps? Yes, like a veritable mountain range about him.
The fellow, however, had the miserable inclination to make enemies of his family, all turned out of the house.
Even the son.
Now, keep your eyes fixed upon the son, because this is where I come in.
He grew up abroad.
- In the Cape? - In the Cape, where I discovered he was living the other day having been abroad for fourteen years.
The whole range of dust mountains is left to young Harmon.
And he has set sail home to claim it.
He is due to land in England even as we speak.
So old Harmon wasn't such an unnatural monster after all.
Fortune will go to the son, as it should.
Ah, but he did leave a sting in the tail of his will.
The son's inheritance is conditional on his marrying a girl he has never met.
- One Bella Wilfer.
- Bella Wilfer? Never heard of her.
Has anyone any knowledge of any Bella Wilfer? Is she out? What if he does not care for the bride his perverse father has chosen? - Not care for her?! - Rescind the will and fortune?! Cast off the dust mountains?! Not care for a marriageable woman called Bella? And throw away a fortune? Really, Eugene! (BUTLER) A note has arrived for you, sir.
This note arrives in a most opportune manner.
I fear it is the conclusion of John Harmon's story.
- There! The fellow's married already! - Refuses to marry Bella Wilfer! Surely not? No No, you're all wrong.
The story is completer and rather more exciting than I supposed.
John Harmon is drowned.
Did you write this? I did.
Did you find the body? My father, Jesse Hexam, found the body.
What's his position? He gets his living along shore.
Why did your father, Jesse Hexam, not write the note himself? Is the body far? It's a goodish stretch.
I came up in a cab and the cab's waiting to be paid.
(BOY) We could go back in it before you pay, if you like.
John Harmon was discovered - dead? - Dead as the Pharaoh's multitude drowned under the Red Sea.
If Lazarus was half as far gone, that was the greatest of miracles.
Lord! You seem to be at home in the Red Sea, young man.
Read of it with a teacher at school.
But don't you tell my father.
It's my sister's contriving.
You have a good sister.
She ain't bad.
But if she even knows half her letters it's because I learned her.
I'll go with you if I may.
- Do you mean to tell me? - Do YOU mean to tell me?! Do you? Are you a man of fortune? No! Then you have married me under false pretences.
So be it! Now you.
Are you a woman of property? No.
Then you married me under false pretences.
I asked Veneering.
He told me you were rich.
Veneering? What does he know about me? Well, congratulations! You obviously made a good job of deceiving him! And, Mrs.
Lammle, what made you suppose me to be a man of fortune? I askedVeneering.
And he knows of me as much as he knows of you! I will never forgive Veneering for being so Gullible? Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Let me see, Eugene.
I've been on the Honourable Roll of Solicitors of the High Court for five years now.
Except for taking instructions on average once a fortnight for the will of Lady Tippins, who, by the way, has nothing to leave, I have no scrap of business except for this Harmon romance.
I have been called to the bar for ages and have hadno business at all, which my father uses as an excuse to keep me poor.
Yes, he keeps me bound to him with the merest trickle of an income to relieve his disappointment.
What's more, he continually berates me for my lack of energy.
But give me something to be energetic about, by God, I'll show him energy! He's an amusing fellow, my father.
I should like to please him if I could.
We must be drawing near to the river.
We shall fall over the edge of the world if we don't stop soon.
Hello, there! Surely we're nearly there? You must walk the rest.
It's not many yards.
Please, sir! Please, sir! The gentlemen, Father.
You are Mortimer Lightwood, squire? Are you, sir? Mortimer Lightwood is my name, sir.
What you found last night, - it is not here? - It's close by.
I do everything regular.
I've given notice of the circumstances to the police and the police have taken possession of it.
The police have put into print already and here's what the print says Only papers found on the unfortunate man, I see.
Only papers.
No money? But threepence.
Only threepence? In one of the shirt pockets.
Three penny pieces.
The trouser pockets empty and turned inside out? That's common.
Whether it's the wash of the tide or no, I can't say.
This one, here His pockets was found empty and turned inside out.
I can't read.
Nor do I want to.
I know 'em all by their places on the wall.
This one, this was a sailor with two anchors, a flag and the letters GFT tattooed on his arm.
See if he wasn't.
This was the woman in grey boots with her linen marked with a cross.
And these, two young children what had tied themselves together with a handkerchief.
Poor souls Every one.
This, an old gent with a cut over his left eye, a pink nightcap and drunk as a lord! You did not find all of these yourself? And what your name be, now? This is my friend, Mr.
Eugene Wrayburn.
Do you suppose there's been much violence and robbery, beforehand, in these cases? I ain't one of the supposing sorts.
If you had your living to haul out of the river every day of your life, you mightn't be much given to supposing.
Are you looking for a body? Or have you found one? Which is it? I'm lost.
And I'm a stranger.
And Imust I have to get to the place where I can seethe body.
- It is possible I may know - Are you seeking a Mr.
Harmon? No.
(MORTIMER) I think I can assure you that you will not find what you fear.
I must see the body.
Please, sir! Please, sir! No clues as to how the body came to be in the river.
Very often there is no clue, as there often isn't for ascertaining whether the injuries occurred before or after death.
The steward of the ship identified John Harmon, along with the clothes and papers, also sworn as those of John Harmon.
And as to what exactly happened? Totally disappeared on leaving ship till found in river.
He'd probably been on some little game, and thought it a harmless game, no doubt, and it turned out to be a fatal game.
Inquest tomorrow.
An open verdict, no doubt.
It appears to have knocked your friend off his legs! This gentleman is no friend of mine, sir.
It's a horrible sight.
You expected to identify? Yes.
And? No.
No, I did not.
I must go now.
You're after identifying someone or you wouldn't have come here.
Can we not ask who? You must excuse me for not telling you.
You must know that sometimes there are disagreements in families, personal tragedies, that they would rather not have generally discussed.
At least you will not object to leaving me your card? I would not if I had one, but I do not.
At least you will not object write down your name and address.
Mr.
Julius Handford.
Exchequer Coffee House.
Palace Yard.
Westminster.
Consequently from out of town? Yes Out of town.
You could say that.
Keep him in sight without giving offence.
Make sure he's staying where he says he is and find everything you can about him.
Inspector I have to ask you Do you think there is anything untoward in John Harmon's death? If it was murder, anyone might have done it.
Burglary or pick-pocketing, that needs an apprenticeship.
Not so murder.
We're all of us up to that.
Pity it's not true, that old superstition, about corpses bleeding, when touched by the hand of those responsible for their undoing.
You get row enough out of her, but you get nothing out of bodies.
The entire fortune to go to a dustman?! It's unbelievable.
It is true.
As Harmon's only son is dead, the entire dustyard and fortune goes to a Mr.
Boffin.
It's unnatural.
He was a good and faithful servant.
But how will he know what to do with such wealth? That's for Mr.
Boffin and his wife to decide when I have explained the full extent of their fortune.
So, the entire Harmon fortune, that is the complete range of dust-heaps, including the little one, is entailed to Mr.
Nicodemus Boffin.
Though I hate to disagree with you on your very first instruction, Mr.
Boffin, as your lawyer I must tell you that 10,000 pound is too much.
The old lady thinks it's the right figure.
So do I.
10,000 pound reward to find the villain who murdered our John.
We can only imagine John Harmon's feelings, as he travelled homewards after so many years abroad, towards his future and the bride that his father had chosen for him.
And we can only imagine how the poor girl feels, her hopes so cruelly dashed.
We have heard the circumstances of Mr.
Harmon's return to this country.
And we have heard compelling evidence that the deceased carried with him a large sum of money from the forced sale of his foreign property.
No doubt to facilitate the early marriage to the woman who waited for him, patiently and silently.
How long must I wear this insufferable dress? This case is made further interesting by the remarkable experience of Jesse, known as "Gaffer", Hexam, having rescued from the Thames so many dead bodies.
The jury has found that Mr.
Harmon was discovered floating in the Thames, in some state of decay and much injured.
And that the said John Harmon came by his death under highly suspicious circumstances.
Though by whose act and in what precise manner, there is no evidence before this jury to show.
I will therefore this day make a recommendation that there should be a police investigation into this mysterious death.
And I have noticed that interested parties have come forward with a substantial reward.
Mr.
Boffin has provided an excessively generous amount of ten thousand pounds.
Tenthousandpounds?! I told you the man would be a fool with money! What a glimpse of wealth I had! Now it's melted away.
And I'm here in mourning, a kind of widow who has never married.
(BELLA) I shouldn't care so much if it wasn't so ridiculous.
To think, what an embarrassed first meeting it should have been.
We never could have pretended to harbour any true affection.
I was hardly likely to even like this John Harmon.
How could I? I'm sure I'm the poorer.
For I have to wait until Bella finds herself another husband.
If the truth were known, this embarrassment might have been smoothed away by the money.
For I love money.
I want money.
I want it dreadfully.
I hate to be poor, and we are degradingly poor.
Oh, offensively poor! Left to him in a will! Like a dozen spoons! And all this for a man I never saw Enter! and should have hated if I had! Ah, RW, this is the gentleman who has taken our first floor.
He was so good as to make an appointment for this morning when you'd be at home.
This is my husband, RW, the undisputed master of the house.
Seeing that I am quite satisfied, Mr.
Wilfer - with the rooms, that is, and their price - - Legenda não traduzida - I hope that a memorandum between us, some two or three lines perhaps, might bind the bargain.
The gentleman proposes to take your apartments by the quarter.
If I might mention a referee? No! I think that a referee is not necessary.
Neither is it convenient.
I'm a stranger in London.
You see, I require no reference from you.
I shall pay whatever you please in advance.
And I will leave my furniture here.
Whereas if you, sir, were inembarrassed circumstances This is a supposition, of course, but as you see We see perfectly.
Well, money and goods are, of course, certainly the best references.
- Do you really think so, Pa? - Among the best.
I should have thought myself it would be so easy to provide the usual kind.
My dear, will you be the witness? Where am I to go, Pa? Here in the corner? (HANDFORTH) I am much obliged, Miss Wilfer.
Obliged? And why should Mr.
John Rokesmith be obliged to me? I've given you so much trouble.
By signing my name? I am your landlord's daughter, after all.
I'll send my furniture tomorrow.
I'll follow shortly behind.
Pa? We have ourselves a murderer for a tenant! A robber, at least, living upstairs.
On the first floor.
I've never seen such an exhibition.
Unable to look a person in the eye.
Mark my words, between Mr.
Rokesmith and myself there is antipathy and deep distrust.
I don't know what will come of it.
Well, my dear, between Mr.
Rokesmith and myself there is the matter of eight gold sovereigns, and supper shall certainly come of it! Be gone, dull care You and I shall never agree Long time haste thou been tarrying here And faint thou wouldst me kill Morning, sir! Good morning to you, sir! - Have you ever heard of the name of Boffin? - No, I never did.
Do you like it? Can't say I do.
I'll tell you something that'll make you sorry for that.
My name's Boffin! I can't help that.
Do you like the name Nicodemus? Nick orNoddy? It's not a name I could wish for someone I had respect for.
Noddy Boffin, that's my name.
What's yours? Silas Wegg.
I don't know why Silas and I don't know why Wegg! Now, Wegg, I want to make an offer to you.
I've been listening to your singing with great admiration.
- Well - I'll wager you know them songs by words and tune.
So! Here we have a literary man with a wooden leg, and all print is open to him.
And yet here I am, a man without a wooden leg, and yet all print is shut to me.
- Indeed, sir.
Education neglected? - Neglected.
Though I could recognise "B" if you showed me.
"B" for Boffin.
That's something.
That's something.
Not as much as could be wished of by an enquiring mind.
But something, to be sure.
Now, I've retired from business and come into some little money.
It's too late for me to be shovelling at alphabets and grammar books.
I'm getting to be an old bird.
But I find I want some reading.
Now, how can I get that reading, Wegg? By paying a man, truly qualified to do it, so much an hour to do it for me.
Flattered, I'm sure.
So what is your proposition? Let's sayertwopence halfpenny an hour? That'serfive, six nights.
Half a crown, sir! Half a crown? Ain't much, sir, half a crown.
Particularly if, in the course of an evening's reading, you was wanting to perhaps drop into poetry? Mr.
Boffin, I never bargain.
You have the needful implement? A book! Oh Well, no.
Consequently, done.
For double the money! Just in time for the landlord, my dear.
I hate all this money going to the landlord when we all want everything.
Pa? Why do you suppose old Mr.
Harmon took it in his head to make such a fool out of me? I've told you often, my dear, I hardly spoke a hundred words to the gentleman.
You were sitting on my lap on a bench in the park, rather as we are now, when you suddenly took it into your head to To make a scene, Pa? Never let it be said that I ever condoned infant misbehaviour, RW! And then I screamed and hit you about the head, didn't I, Pa? And the old gentleman said, "That's a nice girl.
"That's a promising girl.
" Never let it be said I condoned talking to strangers in the park! And then he asked for our name and address.
And he kept saying, "That's a promising girl.
"A most promising girl!" And so I was.
So you were, my dear.
So you were.
How do you do? Wegg, you know? To be sure.
Hospital amputation, wasn't it? I remember you now.
Just so.
Come and sit by the fire and warm your Warm your other one.
My tea is drawing, Mr.
Wegg.
Will you partake? So, how have I been going on this long time, Mr.
Venus? I don't know.
Do what I will with your old leg, it won't fit in anywhere.
Hang it, Venus! It can't be peculiar to me.
It must often happen with your miscellaneous ones.
With ribs, I grant you, always.
Every man has his own ribs and no others will go with them but Legs I can't find another one to match.
Now, look here! I want to buy my leg back.
How much do you want for it? Well, you were one of a various lot.
Come! On your account I'm not worth much.
Not for miscellaneous working, Mr.
Wegg.
It may yet turn out to be valuable as a monstrosity if you'll excuse me? I've a prospect of getting on in life.
I tell you, I should not like to be dispersed, part of me here, part of me there, but should wish to collect myself together, like a genteel person.
You seem very low, Mr.
Venus.
Is business bad? Never was so good, Mr.
Wegg.
I'm not only first in the trade.
I am the trade.
You may buy a skeleton in the West End, if you like.
Pay West End sort of prices for it, but it'd be my work and putting together.
Mr.
Wegg, if you was brought here loose, in a bag, to be articulated, I could name your smallest bones blindfolded, and sort 'em all in a manner that would surprise and charm you.
Now, that ain't a state to be brought low about.
It's the heart that's brought me low.
I'm a bachelor I'm 38 But I love her, Mr.
Wegg.
But the lady objects to the business? Does she know the profits of it? She knows the profits of it.
She doesn't appreciate the art of it.
So A man climbs to the top of the tree, Mr.
Wegg, only to see there's no look-out when he's got there.
I sit here of a night, surrounded by the finest trophies of my art.
And what have they done for me? Ruined me! It's time I was at Harmon's.
Harmon's up the Battle Bridge way? You ought to be in for a good thing.
A lot of money going there.
Old Harmon wanted to know the worth of everything.
Many's the bone and feather he brought to me.
Really, now? The old gentleman was well known.
There were stories about him hiding all sorts of property in them dust mounds.
I suppose there's something in 'em.
Probably you know that, Mr.
Wegg.
And now, to what am I indebted to this honour? A Sunday visit from Mr.
and Mrs.
Boffin, who must be so busy in a social activities, I can hardly imagine why they should honour us at our humble abode.
Perhaps, Mrs.
Wilfer, you're acquainted with the Boffin name, as having come into a certain prosperity.
I've heard a little, madam, of your good fortune.
I dare say you will not be inclined to think kindly of us.
Mrs.
Boffin and me are plain people.
We don't pretend to anything.
We don't go round and round at anything.
Consequently We made this call to say how glad we shall be to have the honour and pleasure of your daughter's acquaintance.
We shall be rejoiced if your daughter can come to consider our house, our new house, that is her house! We are considering, in the light of our changed circumstances To go in for fashion! And society! We are to give up the dusty bower, though we do love it, for a nice new house in a nice new neighbourhood.
I'm thinking of a pale yellow chariot with a fine pair of horses and silver boxes to the wheels! For we've been thinking of your poor girl.
Cruelly disappointed she was of her husband and his riches.
In short, we want to cheer your daughter and give her an opportunity to share such pleasures that we shall partake.
Yes! We want to brisk her up and about! IIam much obliged to you both, I'm sure.
But I doubt if I have the inclination to go out at all.
Bella! Bella, my child, you must try to conquer these delicate feelings.
Well, have a little think about it.
You take my advice Do what yer ma says and conquer it, my dear.
We're going to go everywhere, see everything! Of course, if your sister would like to come, to make you confortble, we'd welcome her gladly! I'm sure I know my duty and will stay at home with Ma and Pa.
You mustn't feel a dislike for us, my dear, for we couldn't help the inheritance and did nothing to further it.
Come! Come, old lady! We'll outstay our welcome.
Well, Bella's got what she wants from her Boffins.
She'll be rich enough at her Boffins'.
She'll have as many lobsters as she likes at her Boffins'! Well, you won't take me to your Boffins'! We seem to have a mutual friend.
You are acquainted with our new lodger, Mr.
Boffin? Bit of a mystery man, my dear.
You'd think, wouldn't you, Miss Abby, with the general interest the Harmon case has aroused, not least theer substantial reward offered, that some clue to the murderer might have arisen? There's been a notice in the Times every day in search of the stranger, Handford, our mysterious friend from the mortuary.
Though maybe none of your regulars, those that can read, peruse that journal.
I can read.
I think that most know the meaning of the figures 10,000 pounds, whether they can sign their names or not.
This house is a respecter of the river and an especial respecter of its dead.
I think that you also know that this house is a respecter of the law.
The Harmon poster is peeling on my walls.
Not one of my trusted regulars has remarked on it.
Get away, Riderhood.
I've told you, you're not welcome in this house! But I haven't done nothing.
You can't refuse to serve me.
I can do what I like in my own house! Now get away with yer! You will not drink in here again! And what of Jesse Hexam, Riderhood's partner? Is he allowed to drink alongside you at the counter, Miss Abby? No, but I can name you twenty others also denied the pleasure.
D'you think they all had a hand in the Harmon crime? "It is our desire to describe the prosperous condition of the Empire, "and afterwards, "from the death of Marcus Antoninus, to deduce the most important circumstances "of its decline and fall.
"A revolution which will ever be remembered "and is still felt by all the nations of the earth" We're on our way, old lady! On our way! With old Marcus Antonionus alongside of us, eh? Bring us over a drink, Lizzie, and come and sit with me.
Now, Lizzie, dear.
I'm very put out.
I'm very sorry to hear it, Miss Abby.
Then, why do you do it? I do what, Miss? I'm sorry.
But, Lizzie, why won't you take up my offer to get clear of your father? I'm very grateful for it.
Truly I am.
The obstinate, more like! D'you know the worst of your father, child? The suspicions that are laid against him.
This is not easy to say but I must do it.
Some think that your father helps to their death some of those that he finds dead.
You do not know my father.
Indeed, you don't.
Leave your father.
Lizzie, let me help you.
You must leave him.
Thank you Miss Abby, but I can't.
The more my father is accused, the more he needs me to lean on.
Come! The florist begs leave to remind, Mr.
Lammle, of the bill of payments, sir.
I would have thought it imprudent, even for you, to continue to buy goods you cannot afford.
More fool you, not to notice my financial deficit before we became jointly responsible for it! I was deceived! I cannot get rid of you and you cannot get rid of me.
I suggest we reach a mutual understanding which might carry us through.
An understanding? With a little encouragement from our friends, we deceived each other into wedlock.
I suggest we keep these mortifying facts to ourselves.
Agreed? That is not an expense.
It is an investment.
I have been looking to the future and you can be sure I'm not alone.
When a great fortune appears from nowhere, it is the duty of all beggars, especially the deserving gentry, to beat a path to its door.
We must be amongst them, but we will be in disguise.
"Mr.
and Mrs.
Alfred Lammle to Mr and Mrs.
Nicodemus Boffin, Squire.
"Offering their most hearty felicitations on their good fortune, "hoping they may accept this small gift, "begging leave to call on" All right, old lady? Where we going to put them all? Papers buzzing about me ears! Apple pie order! So, if you would try me as your secretary for a trial period only.
Naturally I would keep exact accounts of all the expenditure that you've sanctioned, and write letters under your strict direction, of course.
And I would transact business with the people under your employment.
Well, listen, I already have in my employment a literary man with a wooden leg.
And this rounding-up of papers? It would be continuous, of course.
Now, let's try a letter next.
To whom should it be addressed? Well, anyone! Try yourself.
"Mr.
Boffin presents his compliments to Mr.
John Rokesmith, "and begs to say that he is decided on giving Mr.
John Rokesmith "a trial in the capacity that he desires to fill.
It is quite understood "that Mr.
Boffin is in no way committed to a salary, "which will be postponed for some indefinite period.
"And Mr.
Boffin relies on Mr.
John Rokesmith's assurance "that he will be both faithful and serviceable, "and enter upon his duties immediately.
" That's the fairest set-down letter I've ever heard.
Let's shake on it.
Now, I may not have mentioned to you that it is Mrs.
Boffin's inclination to go in the way of fashion.
I rather inferred that from the scale in which your new establishment is to be maintained.
Yes, it's gonna be a spanker! Old Harmon was not much loved.
He was a harsh man.
He preferred me to his child.
When the son was a little boy, he came up and down these stairs to see his father.
He often cried on these stairs, poor little thing.
Starved of love, that's what he was.
My old lady here did her best to give it to him.
Here This is where the boy wrote his name several times.
And he measured himself here on this sunny patch.
Let's take care of these names, old lady.
They must never be rubbed out in our lifetime.
Nor ever if we can help it.
- Will you sell the house, Mr.
Boffin? - Certainly not! In memory of our master and the dear child, I mean to keep it.
I've got a plan.
I'll tell you about it soon enough.
Oh, they're a different matter.
That was my first mound.
It would have been enough for us, if it had pleased God, to spare the little one.
I ain't a scholar in much, Mr.
Rokesmith.
I'm a pretty fair scholar in dust.
I can price these mountains to a fraction.
You don't find the air a little overpowering, Mr.
Rokesmith? Excuse me? It's just that strangers can often find the smell of the dustyard faintly pungent on first encounter.
No, I do not find it in the least offensive.
- It is the smell of good honest work, I'm sure.
- Indeed.
My Noddy has everything accounted for, down to the last farthing, proper and right.
A man such as I was had no use of lettering.
But numbers you'll find I'm a master of those! Where d'you come from, Mr.
Rokesmith? I've been in many places.
What d'you do for a living? I've had some aspirations but I've been disappointed.
I have to begin my life once more.
Hello, Lizzie.
Supper ready? - That's early.
- Sit and eat, Charley.
You must be gone before father gets home.
Gone? What's all this, Liz? I've made up my mind up that it's time for you to go away from us.
You'll do much better and be much happier.
- How do you know that? - I do know.
I do.
You leave the river and father to me.
But you must go.
No, I think you decided that there's three of us! There's not enough for all of us, so you want to get rid of me! Yes Yes, that's right.
I'm a selfish sister.
There's not enough room for three of us and I want to get rid of you.
Don't cry, Liz! Don't cry.
I will go if you say.
I know you think only of my own good.
Oh, Charley! Heaven knows I do! Now Listen.
You get straight to school at once.
Father will never bother you.
He won't ever have you back, either.
You're a credit to your school.
They'll help you find a living.
Now, you show them your money.
Tell them I'll send you more.
I don't know where from, but I'll send it.
Now, you must hurry.
Remember, Charley Always speak well of Father.
Even if you hear the worst that could be heard about Father, it'll not be true.
You be good.
Get learning.
And only remember your life here as if you dreamt of it in your sleep.
So, sir I don't suppose we'll be doing much more "declining and falling".
Wegg I've got an offer to make you.
You'll not want my services now you've got your brand-new house and brand-new secretary.
Steady, Wegg.
It's my idea that you should stay here in the barn and keep it for us.
This is a pleasant spot.
A man with coal, candles, a pound a week.
I might be in clover here.
You still want reading? Yes! And at no extra for what you was thinking of offering for the overlooking of this fearsome place? Of course, you will be extra compensated for your trouble.
Mr.
Boffin, consider it done.
What is it, dear? Why, are you frightened? You? Frightened? - Oh, Noddy, it is so strange! - What is, my dear? (Mrs.
BOFFIN) The faces of the old man and the little one.
They're all over the house tonight.
I know it must sound foolish, butit is so! - Where did you see them? - Everywhere! I was tidying the linen, singing to myself, not thinking anything particular, when suddenly the old man's face.
- And then it was gone? - Yes.
I-I came in here t-to get rid of it, tell myself what a silly foolish old woman I was.
But then The old man's face again! And the little boy.
In the shadows looking at me through the window.
Oh, my Noddy.
Why have they come to haunt us? What have we done? There's nothing in the world to you but goodness, little lady.
Don't trouble yourself on that account.
Now I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll get rid of Wegg, and we'll go for a walk together round the park.
We'll shine a light in every dark corner, see if we can't shake these cobwebs away.
No, Noddy.
I'm not nervous of this house.
It's just When I shut my eyes Here they come! The old man's face, it gets younger.
And the little boy's, it getsolder.
They merge.
Are they angry? No.
They're just there.
And here's my husband's face to cheer me.
And that is the best face in all the world.
You must be frozen, Father dear.
I ain't aglow, that's certain.
Where's that boy? If the river were to freeze, there'd be a deal of distress.
There's always enough of that.
Distress is forever going about, like soot in the air.
Where is that boy, hm? Sit and eat, Father, and we'll talk.
Now, Lizzie Where's that boy at? Well It would seem, Father, that Charley has a gift for learning.
Unnatural boy! And so, not wanting to be a burden to you, he made up his mind to seek his fortune from learning.
He went away, Father.
He cried very much, and he hopes very much that you can forgive him.
My forgiveness I'll never set eyes on that boy again.
He's disowned his own father.
Unnatural boy! Now I know why those men turned away from me just now.
'Cause here's a man what ain't good enough for his own son! Please, Father.
Put the knife down.
What's the matter, Liz? You'd never think I'd hurt you, Liz? Lizzie, come on.
Lizzie, my girl.
Lizzie.
My love.
Were you watching me, Mr.
Rokesmith? No.
Indeed, Miss Wilfer, I am charged with a message for you.
I find that most unlikely.
From Mrs.
Boffin.
She will have the pleasure of receiving you soon at the new house.
I find that I am to become Mr.
Boffin's secretary.
And will you always be there, Mr.
Rokesmith? At the new house? Always, no.
Very much there, yes.
Have no fear, you need pay me little attention.
I will transact the business and you the pleasure.
You will have nothing to do but enjoyand attract.
Attract? The loss of your fiance John Harmon, may one day be repaired.
Of course, I speak merely of wealth.
The loss of a perfect stranger, whose worth you could not estimate beyond the inconvenience of their death, is another matter.
It's growing dark around us.
You must have been absorbed by your book.
Is it alove story? Certainly not! It's more about money than anything.
Does it say that money is better than anything? I really cannot tell you.
Find out for yourself, for all I care! How the wind sounds up here! As if we were keeping a lighthouse.
I wish we were.
Don't you think it would bore us? No more than any other place.
And we would be blessedly free, both of society in general and in particular of my father.
Speaking of which, shall we touch upon the eligible lady your respected father has found for you? I assure you my intentions are opposed to touching the lady! How could I possibly undertake matrimony? I, so easily bored.
So constantly.
So totally.
Who the devil are you? Where the devil have you come from? I beg yer pardons, guv'nors, but might either of you be Lawyer Lightwood? I am Lightwood.
Who are you, fellow? I'm a man what gets me living by the sweat of me brow, guv'nors.
Not wanting to risk losing the sweat of me brow, I should wish, before going further, to be sworn in.
You're out of luck, for I am not a swearer-in of people.
Alfred David.
Alfred David? Is that your name? No.
I wanna set down an "Alfred David".
I think you mean "Affidavit".
I'm afraid you're out of luck, as my friend doesn't do affidavits either.
I must be took down.
What is your business? It's about money.
It's about a Â10,000 reward, that's what it's about.
It's about murder.
Now What is your full name? RogerRiderhood.
Some call me "Rogue", but as a friendly name, by those that don't know me.
Dwelling place? Limehouse Hole.
Calling? Or occupation? Waterside character.
Anything against you? Ever in trouble? Once.
Picking a seaman's pocket, though I was innocent.
Naturally! I give information that the man that done the Harmon murder is one Jesse, known as "Gaffer", Hexam.
The very same that found the body.
His hand and his alone did the bloody deed.
On what grounds do you base these suspicions? He cannot be convicted on suspicion alone.
He told me with his own lips he done it.
When did he tell you? The very night he picked up the body.
We had words on the river that night.
His daughter will not deny that.
Did you ask him how he did it? Where he did it? When he did it? He tells me, Gaffer does, he tells me, "I done it for his money.
"Don't betray me.
" And long have I been troubled in my mind ever since.
You've been troubled in your mind for a long time.
Mr.
Riderhood might have thought another witness would come forward.
Maybe he wasn't keen on anyone asking what he was doing there that night.
I tell you, I'm giving Jesse Hexam up to you tonight and I want him took! I want him took this night! Gaffer's out.
His boat's out.
His daughter's home.
Supper's ready, so he was expected last high water.
He must have missed it for some reason.
Then, we must watch and wait.
Shelter and wait over there.
If we take the father, she will be left alone.
Father! Father, is that you? Don't you feel like a dark combination of a traitor and a pickpocket when you think about that girl, Mortimer? He's gonna cheat me.
He's looking to cheat an honest man.
Where are you hiding? He could not have slipped past us.
It'll be morning soon and we'll be seen.
Suppose I put out in my boat? Take a look in his favourite haunts? Found it! Gaffer's boat! He's in luck, I knew it! He's in luck! He's found Hexam's boat.
But where's Hexam? I told yer! He got lucky He's been fishing.
Oh, God! Let it go.
Let it go.
Drowned by his own tow-rope.
He went out in search for the dead.
Death found him first.
He's escaped me.
He'sdead before I can profit.
He's done me again.