SIDE 1

MR. BROWNLOW

Hey! Wait a moment.

(A fully dressed OLIVER and MRS. BEDWIN cross towards MR. BROWNLOW, who tries to get the attention of the DELIVERY PERSON.)

Hey! Come back! Oh really, really, really and I particularly wished some books to be returned today.

DR. GRIMWIG

(cannily)

Why not send Oliver with them?

OLIVER

Yes! Do let me take them for you please, sir.

MR. BROWNLOW

Oh! Em, oh very well my boy, very well. If you wish, you shall. Now I'll tell you what I want you to do. You will give Mr. Jessop these books, it's just down the road, and say you've come to pay the four pounds ten that I owe him. Here's five pounds. No need to rush, but I shall expect you back in ten minutes.

(OLIVER notices a portrait on the wall.)

OLIVER

She's a very pretty lady, isn't she, sir?

MR. BROWNLOW

Yes, it's a portrait of my daughter, Agnes.

OLIVER

I'll take the books then sir.

MR. BROWNLOW

(staring at the portrait)

Yes... you take the books.

(OLIVER exits.)

DR. GRIMWIG

Ha! You don't really expect him to come back, do you? With a new suit of clothes on his back and a five pound note in his pocket? My dear Mr. Brownlow, if he does I'll eat my head.

MR. BROWNLOW

Dr. Grimwig. Look at that portrait. Don't you see an extraordinary resemblance between Oliver and my daughter Agnes?

DR. GRIMWIG

Can't say I do.

MR. BROWNLOW

Well, in ten minutes Dr. Grimwig, when the boy returns, I think you will see.

DR. GRIMWIG

Yes Mr. Brownlow, ten minutes.

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