Script

SIDE 1

FAGIN

Oh ladies, I forgot, you must meet our new lodger, Master Oliver Twist Esquire.

(NANCY and BET curtsey. OLIVER bows solemnly.)

NANCY

Charmed!

BET

Pleased to meet you, I'm sure.

(OLIVER bows. The GANG laughs and cat calls. OLIVER looks at them, hurt and angry. NANCY, seeing this, immediately takes his part.)

NANCY

Don't you take no notice of 'em Oliver. Just 'cause you've got manners and they ain't.

(to GANG)

You wouldn't know quality if you saw it, none of you. Dodger!

DODGER

Yeah?

NANCY

Have you seen the way them quality gentlemen treats their ladies?

DODGER

Of course I have.

NANCY

Shall we show them how it's done?

DODGER

Definitely!

NANCY

So how's it go then Dodger?

END

 

SIDE 2

MRS. BEDWIN

There is a young woman enquiring for you, sir-

MR. BROWNLOW

Mrs. Bedwin, take a look at this miniature. Can you see who it is?

(He hands her the locket.)

MRS. BEDWIN

Why, it's Miss Agnes, sir.

MR. BROWNLOW

Yes. My daughter Agnes. She must have found her way to the workhouse and had the child there.

MRS. BEDWIN

If only she had told us.

(NANCY appears in the doorway.)

NANCY

Pardon me sir, but I've news of Oliver.

MR. BROWNLOW

What is it?

NANCY

Oliver's in danger. In bad company. I'm the girl who dragged him back to old Fagin on the morning he went missing from this house and I wish I'd never have been part of it.

MR. BROWNLOW

You?

NANCY

Me and... and someone else.

MR. BROWNLOW

Where is this Fagin's and who is this other person you speak of? Take me to him.

NANCY

I can't tell you. But I'll bring Oliver to you. Not here. It's far too dangerous.

MR. BROWNLOW

Where then?

NANCY

Will you promise that I won't be watched or followed?

MR. BROWNLOW

I promise you solemnly.

NANCY

Then tonight, between eleven and the time the clock strikes twelve, I will walk on London Bridge and I will bring Oliver.

MR. BROWNLOW

Very well.

(NANCY exits.)

END

 

SIDE 3

SIKES

Somebody must find out what's been done, or said. If he hasn't talked yet, there's still a chance we might get him back without suspicion. We'll nab him the very moment he dares to step out of that house. Now who's gonna go?

(They all look around at each other.)

DODGER

I suppose it'll have to be me-

FAGIN

You shut your trap, Dodger. You've caused enough trouble.

(He looks at NANCY.)

It's got to be done quiet. We don't want any fuss.

(smirking at NANCY)

The very thing! Nancy my dear, you're so good with the boy.

NANCY

It's no good trying it on with me.

(SIKES crosses to her menacingly.)

SIKES

And just what do you mean by that remark?

(NANCY looks at SIKES.)

NANCY

What I say, Bill. I'm not going. Why can't you leave the boy alone? He won't do you no harm. Why can't you leave him where he is, where he'll get the chance of a decent life?

SIKES

You'll get him back here my girl. Or else.

END

 

SIDE 4

SIKES

So he'll be down here, will he?

NANCY

Leave him alone, Bill!

SIKES

(glares at NANCY, then turns to OLIVER)

What did you tell him about us?

OLIVER

Nothing.

SIKES

That remains to be seen. But if we found out you said anything, anything out of place... Fagin, I'll wager that young scoundrel's told him everything.

(SIKES grabs OLIVER. NANCY rushes forward and grabs SIKES's arm. The GANG hides.)

FAGIN

All right, all right! We've got him back! What's the matter with you?

SIKES

The girl's gone mad, I think, Fagin.

NANCY

No she hasn't, Fagin, don't think it.

FAGIN

Then keep quiet, will you?

NANCY

I wish I'd of been struck down dead before I lent a hand in bringing him back here. After tonight, he's a liar and a thief and all that's bad. Ain't that enough for you, without scaring him to death?!

FAGIN

Come, come Nancy, we must have civil words.

NANCY

Civil words?! Yes! You deserve them from me! I was out on the streets for you when I was a child half his age, and I've been in the same trade, the same service for fifteen years since and don't you forget it.

END