Homepage
Login
Profile
BookClubs
dmBox
Read Ebook: Hobson's Choice: A Lancashire Comedy in Four Acts by Brighouse Harold
Font size:
Background color:
Text color:
Add to tbrJar First Page Next Page
Ebook has 1391 lines and 22804 words, and 28 pages
HOBSON'S CHOICE
A Lancashire Comedy in Four Acts
The play produced by MR. NORMAN McKINNEL.
PUBLISHER'S NOTE.
Acknowledgements are made to Mr. William Armstrong, Director of the Liverpool Repertory Company, for allowing his prompt copy to be used in preparing this acting edition.
Red Walls, Brown oaken dado. T. gas bracket over counter. Turkey red curtains half up window. No carpet. Small rug at door R. Shoes on counter and showcases. Hanging laces. Advertisements. Boot polishes. Brushes. Brown paper on counter. Clogs in rows under shelves R. C. Black cane furniture and rush-bottomed. Heavy leather armchair. Piece of rough leather on shelves.
The trap is eminently desirable. However, should the stage used have no trap, the work-room may be supposed to be off-stage, with a door up Right.
HOBSON'S CHOICE
ACT 1
ALICE. Oh, it's you. I hoped it was father going out.
MAGGIE. It isn't.
MAGGIE. He got up late.
VICKEY. . Has he had breakfast yet, Maggie?
MAGGIE. Breakfast! With a Masons' meeting last night!
VICKEY. He'll need reviving.
ALICE. Then I wish he'd go and do it.
VICKEY. Are you expecting anyone, Alice?
ALICE. Yes, I am, and you know I am, and I'll thank you both to go when he comes.
VICKEY. Well, I'll oblige you, Alice, if father's gone out first, only you know I can't leave the counter till he goes.
ALBERT. Good morning, Miss Alice.
ALICE. Good morning, Mr. Prosser. Father's not gone out yet. He's late.
ALBERT. Oh!
MAGGIE . What can we do for you, Mr. Prosser?
ALBERT . Well, I can't say that I came in to buy anything, Miss Hobson.
MAGGIE. This is a shop, you know. We're not here to let people go out without buying.
ALBERT. Well, I'll just have a pair of bootlaces, please.
MAGGIE. What size do you take in boots?
ALBERT. Eights. I've got small feet. Does that matter to the laces?
MAGGIE It matters to the boots. Sit down, Mr. Prosser.
ALBERT Yes, but--
MAGGIE. It's time you had a new pair. These uppers are disgraceful for a professional man to wear. Number eights from the third rack, Vickey, please.
ALICE . Mr. Prosser didn't come in to buy boots, Maggie.
MAGGIE. I wonder what does bring him in here so often!
ALBERT. I'm terrible hard on bootlaces, Miss Hobson.
MAGGIE. Do you get through a pair a day? You must be strong.
ALBERT. I keep a little stock of them. It's as well to be prepared for accidents.
MAGGIE. And now you'll have boots to go with the laces, Mr. Prosser. How does that feel?
ALBERT. Very comfortable.
MAGGIE. Try it standing up.
ALBERT . Yes, that fits all right.
MAGGIE. I'll put the other on.
ALBERT. Oh no, I really don't want to buy them.
MAGGIE . Sit down, Mr. Prosser. You can't go through the streets in odd boots.
ALBERT. What's the price of these?
MAGGIE. A pound.
ALBERT. A pound! I say--
MAGGIE. They're good boots, and you don't need to buy a pair of laces to-day, because we give them in as discount. Braid laces, that is. Of course, if you want leather ones, you being so strong in the arm and breaking so many pairs, you can have them, only it's tuppence more.
ALBERT. These--these will do.
MAGGIE. Very well, you'd better have the old pair mended and I'll send them home to you with the bill.
ALBERT. Well, if anyone had told me I was coming in here to spend a pound I'd have called him crazy.
MAGGIE. It's not wasted. Those boots will last. Good morning, Mr. Prosser.
Add to tbrJar First Page Next Page