"And the world keeps turning"

“And the world keeps turning”

Scene 1

(The year was 1837. The streets are flooded with people. People stood on rooftops and chimneys to get a birds-eye view. Children released themselves from their parents grasp to get a closer view. There was a sea of bright colours dancing throughout the whole street. The bright sun shined on the vibrant colours, adding a scintillating glow. The streets were alive with singing and dancing. A rapturous applause rang out as Queen Victoria glided through the people. She waved gracefully and smiled radiantly. The crowd returned the gesture with even greater enthusiasm. Her presence emanated joy which seemed to seep through each person. Billy sat on top of his father’s shoulders. His legs dangled beneath his father’s neck. His eyes were half covered by his father’s huge top hat. Every ten seconds he pushed it back up. He was anxious not to miss the action ahead of him.)

Billy: Father! Why is everyone so happy about the lady?

Charles: She is our Queen Billy! Queen of England. You see those men over there in the bright red coats? She sewed their uniform and put it together. Look at those tall buildings over there, she built them all with her own hands.

(Billy stared ahead. At that moment the carriage passed inches away from Billy. Just for a single moment Billy caught eye contact with Queen Victoria. He waved enthusiastically in her direction. His stomach does back flips.)

Billy: She looked at me father! We must go home and tell Giles to put on dinner for her!

Charles: I’m sure Giles has more than enough to do! Maybe one day.

(A child wearing dark grey rags walked timidly towards Charles. His face was dirty. His eyes wide open and his lips dry. He puts his hands out towards Charles.)

Boy: Please Sir, could you spare me some change?

Charles: Let me see what I have young man. Are you enjoying the coronation? It’s a lovely day isn’t it?

Boy: Yes Sir! It’s a lovely day. (He wipes dirt off his face and wipes it on his rags. Charles flicks a large silver coin to him and offers him his handkerchief.)

Charles: Enjoy your day young man.

(The boy smiles and bows his head.)

Boy: You are most kind sir. Have a good day

(Billy watches the boy as he scurries into the distance.)

End Scene

Scene 2

(10 years later. The year was 1847. The living room was huge. The curtains were dark purple, it was parted open allowing the moonlight to spill into the room, highlighting the expressions of happiness on the guest’s faces. Many family portraits hung along the wall aligned with spectacular frames. The purple tapestry seemed to glow majestically in the moonlight. The Grandfather clock stood tall at the back of the room, overlooking everybody in the room. The intimidating size of the clock seemed to contest with the serenity of the atmosphere. Billy stood in the middle of his mother and father. He was smiling from ear to ear as everybody sung happy birthday to him. The living room was relatively full. Two children were beneath the table attempting to open a present. One of the older children immediately alerted one of the adults. A short round bellied man waddled towards them and yanked the package away from them and gave it back to Billy.)

Guests: Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu! Hip hip hooray!

(Billy’s face turned scarlet red from embarrassment.)

Charles: My boy is slowly turning into a man. Fourteen years old! I remember when he came into this world, his cheeks were even brighter than they are now!

Billy: Father!

Elizabeth: Charles!

Charles: Haha. Well it is the truth, I have worked hard for many years to look after my family. I’m not bragging, I’m making a point. I’m proud to have raised a son like Billy and have a wife like Elizabeth. I look at him and see a reflection of myself. But between me and you I hope that he takes from me rather than my Elizabeth! Haha

(The guests roar with laughter.)

Charles: My Queen Elizabeth (He kisses her on the cheek.) Let’s have a toast to long life and prosperity!

Guests: Cheers!

End Scene

Scene 3

(Billy laid peacefully in his bed. The world seemed to be in slumber as he laid there. The window was cracked open, the cool night breeze blew the curtains to the side. The full moon could be seen over looking his bedroom. In the corner of the room his toys were spilling out of the box. Each of the dolls faces were eerily expressionless. The puppets had comical smiles on their faces, half of their bodies hanging out of the box as if trying to make an attempt to escape. A large portrait hung above the wall. An image of Billy and his mother and father. He looked about 5 years old, grinning from ear to ear. Suddenly a bang could be heard from downstairs. A glass shatters. Another loud bang could be heard. The loud footsteps drowned out the muffled voices. Billy shoots up. Another loud bang! He runs to the bedroom door and slowly pulls it back.)

Charles: Please take what you want and leave us. I beg of you! We have a lot you can take. We promise not to report you.

Gavin: Ever heard any of these upper class folk beg so much!? Haha Maybe you should go outside and beg for a new leg.

(Billy looks down and notices the bloodstains on the carpet. Charles leg was bleeding profusely. Whilst Giles’ body lay next to him lifeless. Dead. Tears began to stream down Billy’s face. His whole body was trembling.)

Robert: Look who I found hiding in the kitchen. The Queen would be so happy. It’s like everyone knows their role in this house. (He drags Elizabeth by her hair and throws her beside Charles. Charles begins to wail and whimper. The obvious signs of distress Charles displayed sent chills down Billy’s spine. He had never seen his father in such a vulnerable position. He doubles backwards and tries to regain his balance. He manages to compose himself and continues to look through the door.)

Robert: You must be so proud. Beautiful wife, butler, lovely home. I respect a man that works to feed his family.

Gavin: But! There are two very different sides to this world we live in. You probably see it every day when you take a dump upstairs. You have a magnificent view of the slums from your bathroom window don’t you Charlie boy? You can see the human rats scrapping for what is left on the floor.

Robert: Oi Gav! Have you tasted these raisins? Oh they are the finest, most expensive, pulled straight from the Garden of…

Gavin: Eden!

(Both men laugh maniacally. They waltz and strut around the room mimicking typically upper class mannerisms. The clock begins to chime as it hits 3am.)

Gavin: I’ve packed most of the stuff, let’s get out quickly.

Robert: Wait, look at that picture. They have a little boy. You kept that quiet didn’t you. (He shoots at menacing glare at Charles and Elizabeth.) Where is he?

Elizabeth: (Whimpers) Please.

Gavin: Robert, go and get that runt. He needs to say bye to mother and father.

(Billy instinctively leaps back. He scurries under his bed. Robert bursts into the room. He pulls the bed covers, he grunts in frustration as he sees there is nobody underneath the sheets. He tips out all the toys and empties out the wardrobe. He kicks down the chest spilling out fine china models, crashing to the floor. He moves towards the bed. Billy grimaces at the sight of his worn out shoes. They were covered in grime and smelt rotten. He gagged at the smell and closed his eyes.)

Robert: (Whispers) This kid has everything!

(Robert kicks the remains of the broken china pieces. He walks to the window and draws the curtains apart. He shuffles backwards. He runs out of the room with an air of panic. Billy remains motionless under the bed.)

Robert: We need to get the hell out of here!

Gavin: Get it together man! (He pulls in Robert and they speak in hushed voices. Robert appears to be panicking and sweating, whilst Gavin remains calm and composed. Elizabeth is sniffling, she is holding onto Charles’ hand for dear life. Charles sits in silence staring at the family portrait that hung above the wall.)

Gavin: Your butler has made quite a mess. (Smirks)

Robert: Gav!

Gavin: Alright, alright, you packed the goods?

(Robert nods his head quickly.)

Gavin: Ok, we will be off. And remember, whatever happens, the world keeps turning. (He politelyto bows his head to Charles and Elizabeth, he tips his hat. He reaches in his jacket pocket and pulls out a revolver and squeezes the trigger. Two shots in Charles’ head and chest. Elizabeth screams. Gavin points the gun to her head and pulls the trigger twice. Dying instantly. Robert and Gavin scurry out of the house like rats, slamming the door behind them. Billy waits a few moments carefully anticipating their return. He slowly emerges from under his bed. He opens his door and stares at the bloody scene in front of him from upstairs. He runs down the stairs, and stands over his mother and father’s body, he begins to sob freely as he runs over to Giles’ body)

Billy: Wake up! Wake Up! Stop playing tricks, wake up! (He runs back to his parents’ bodies, he pushes Charles’ chest.)

Billy: Mother! Father! Giles! (Charles and Elizabeth continue to stare to the ceiling. Both their eyes were wide open. Billy notices that they are still holding hands. He covers his face continuing to sob freely.)

End Scene

Scene 4

(The following evening is much colder than the night before. The open window invited a cold breeze into the house, causing the chandelier to swing gracefully. The diamond encrusted chandelier casted reflections on the portrait of Queen Victoria, heightening her glowing beauty. The image seemed to soften the harsh and tense atmosphere. The once joyful home had become an empty house. The family portraits were like ghosts. Life had been vacuumed from the portraits. The smiles in the portraits had now become empty. Billy sat on a wooden chair. His head sunk low staring at the floor. Four men were sat on the table. They spoke fervently, every so often they looked towards Billy. Their faces were expressionless, no sign of emotion. They carried on with their discussion. One of the men stood up. He had a long beard and a hooked nose. He wore large round spectacles. He looked at Billy, analysing him, as if staring into his soul. His shadow dominating Billy’s figure. Billy remains unmoved, oblivious to his surroundings.)

Edward: My name is Edward. I am one of Charles’ most loyal benefactors, myself and his partners. (Billy looks up to the other men. Some of them he had seen pass in and out of his house on business. But he had never spoken to them.) We helped Charles manage his business. As I’m sure you’re aware your father ran a chain of businesses. Let me be the first to offer my condolences. You have suffered a massive loss. We are all shocked and deeply aggrieved at what has happened. But we must act fast. Charles’ works must not die. This is the main reason we have come here today. We must look at the future of his business and protect it.

(Billy slowly nods his head.)

Edward: I have worked with him for many years

(One of the men slowly rose from his seat, the other two men remain seated and stare at Billy. Billy shuffled as he caught eye contact with one of them.)

Arthur: Spare us your history lessons Edward! Haha (All the men chuckled)

Arthur: No matter, the year or situation business is business. What do you suggest we do Billy?

(Billy was taken aback by the bluntness of the question)

Arthur: Are you deaf boy?

(Billy sat up straight)

Billy: But I thought you wanted to help me? This is my home.

Arthur: Yours? Yours suggests ownership. How did you manage to acquire all this wealth? All this splendour? What did you do to earn it? What do you know about having any kind of responsibility? Since you were born you’ve had your hair combed and your ass wiped!

Edward: Show our guest to the door. I think he has over stayed his welcome

(The two unnamed gentleman get up swiftly and advance towards Billy. Billy gets up and rushes to the front door. He trips over a wire and yelps in pain as he bangs his knee on the floor. One of the men reach for his leg, Billy instinctively kicks his face. He turns and runs to the door and swings it open. He runs down the road, freely allowing the dark night to swallow him into the unknown.)

Scene 5

(Billy continued to run through the darkness. It felt like he had been running for hours and hours. It was winter and the darkness came early. The cold was unforgiving. Chatter and laughter lingered on the cold night air. It was late but the slums were alive. A short man sneaked out of the tavern. He looked around to see if he had been spotted. He slowly walked out, he gestured behind him. Two scantily clad women followed close behind him. They crept into the dark back streets. Their drunken laughter seemed to echo in the night air. Billy ran behind a large cart. He had never been this far away from home, the night was unfamiliar to him as he was always in bed by 8 o clock the latest. He was used to the light. He looked closely at his surroundings. Everything was dark and depressing. Even the laughter in the air did not sound typically happy, it seemed cruel. Laughter at cruel and sordid acts and inappropriate humour. The air reeked of alchohol mixed with all kinds of unfathomable immoralities. A woman bursts out of the tavern. She is in tears. Shortly after a man comes out shouting after her.)

Man: Victoria! I need you! Come back, I’m sorry. Don’t leave me Victoria! Victoria! Victoria!

(The crying lady continues to peel away from him. After a while the darkness engulfs her. Billy notices a wagon in the distance filled with hay. He slowly crawls out. Bang! The tavern door swings open and crashes against the wall. A large group of men come out. Anger etched on each of their faces. Terror grips Billy. He stays frozen on the spot. All the men are shouting and swearing. All that could be heard were the words ‘money’ and ‘mine’)

Irishman: If you don’t give me my money I’m going to tear your face off.

Miner: I’d like to see you try. I’ll break this bottle over your head

Crowd: Fight! Fight!

(The miner swings a punch but misses. The Irishman quickly capitalizes on this mistake and kicks his shin with full force. He punches his nose. Blood pours from his face. The sight of blood injects venomous rage into the crowd. A melee breaks of. People pop their heads from their windows to see the brawl.)

Crows: Where is the money!?

(Billy stares in horror as a man bites into another man’s arm. Tearing the flesh off the bone. A bottle crashes by Billy’s foot. He sees an opening in the crowd and runs through. He crosses the street, jumps over the fence and dives into the hay stack. He watches the drunken brawl from a distance. To his horror and relief the brawl dies down. The men are walking back casually from the bloody scene. Some of them are laughing and slapping their backs as a sign of friendship. Billy lies back and stares into the stars above. His head is throbbing. He pulls the hay over to warm his body. He closes his eyes and drifts into a deep sleep.)

End Scene

Scene 6

A cockerel sounds loudly from the rooftops. Birds are chirping, dogs are barking. Billy slowly opens his eyes, he yawns and stretches. His eye sight is blurred, he slowly rubs his eyes. The sun rays sting his eyes, he closes them. When he re-opens his eyes his eyes meet a set of green eyes. A young girl that looked around his age smiled down on him. Her smile momentarily extinguished all the fire that had set fire to his soul.)

Billy: Sorry. Is this your wagon? What is your name?

Charlotte: My name is Charlotte. You don’t look too comfortable

Billy: I’m ok

Charlotte: Well you don’t look ok. I’ve never seen you before. What is your name?

Billy: My name is Billy.

Charlotte: (Giggles) That is a funny name. I used to have a rabbit called Billy. But I think the rabbit was a girl, so maybe I should have chosen a different name.

(Billy screws up his face in confusion. He is still entranced by her delicate features. She had freckles on her nose, her dimples become clear every time she moved her mouth to speak. Billy also noticed her perfect set of teeth.)

Charlotte: Where are you from?

Billy: Kensington my lady

(Charlotte’s eyes widen in shock. She steps back and stares at him. She suddenly bursts into hysterical laughter. Billy continues to stare at her dumbfounded.)

Charlotte: You are funny. You should go to the tavern, they would love you there. Especially around here, we don’t get much to laugh about.

Billy: Well maybe if you people weren’t so busy fighting and being unpleasant then maybe you would have more to smile about!

(He gets up and dusts himself down. He surveys his surroundings.)

Charlotte: You really aren’t from around here are you?

Billy: (Angrily) Show me the nearest…

Charlotte: Do you want a horse and carriage back to Kensington? Or should I get your butler to crawl on all fours whilst you sit on his back with your whip? All hail King Billy! (She laughs)

Billy: I’ll give you money. Just show me where I can wash and get food.

(He pulls out a small pouch filled with gold and silver coins. He takes out one and presents it to her. She scowls.)

Charlotte: No Thanks, I’m ok. And trust me, your money doesn’t mean anything over here.

Billy: Don’t be silly!

Charlotte: Yes, I am the silly Billy. I just discovered you in this wagon. I should have left the vultures and rats to come for you. They would have had you for breakfast. Or maybe I should have wheeled you to the beggars down the street. I hear they have a craving for human flesh. I doubt they would have tasted some of the royal or upper class variety. (Chuckles)

Billy: (Shudders) So where are we going?

(Charlotte pulls close to him)

Charlotte: Oh so it’s we now? Us? Together? Are you usually this romantic?

Billy: (Billy blushes bright red) So are we going or not? You seem to be accustomed to these settings. (He grimaces at the sight of a crow perched on top of a hut at the end of the street. It squawks loudly.)

Charlotte: Sorry we don’t have Robins in our surroundings. (Mimicking his voice) You’re hoping we are not entering that hut? Well you can stay here and starve but I’m hungry.

(They both walk to the hut. Though it was cramped and small it was relatively neat. Pig tails and chicken legs were nailed to the wall. Charlotte expertly pulls them off and begins to soak them in water.)

Billy: Thank You my Lady.

Charlotte: I’m not your lady.

Billy: Thank you, little girl.

Charlotte: (Giggles) you think you’re funny?

(She lights a fire and places a pot over it. She pours stew inside the pot and adds the pig tail. The contents immediately begin to bubble fiercely.)

Charlotte: So what’s your plan?

(Billy winces)

Charlotte: I don’t care why you’re here or where you came from. People come and go, but how do you intend to live here little lamb. There are wolves outside and their hungry.

Billy: I’ll think about it.

Charlotte: Haha. What are your options? Enlighten me Mr. Darwin? What is your theory for survival?

Billy: What do you do?

(She pulls him to the small window and points outside. A large patch of dirt. Maggots writhed through rotten vegetables. Billy gags.)

Charlotte: Seeing as you declared earlier that we are a team, I guess we are going to grow things together and sell them!

End Scene

Scene 7

(Over the next few months Charlotte and Billy work tirelessly to grow crops. They manage to grow potatoes and tomatoes despite the harsh weather conditions. They manage to raise enough profits to maintain the crops. Billy’s feelings for her increase as each day passes.)

Billy: You mustn’t dig like that. You will damage the roots.

Charlotte: Hark at you!

(They both laugh)

Billy: I need to go (Smiles)

Charlotte: Hmmm. Where are you going? You’re not going to leave me are you? (Laughs)

Billy: I’m just going to town to sort out some business, I will be back before sundown.

(He kisses her softly on the forehead. He gets up and jumps on the wagon heading towards town. Within an hour he reaches his destination. He hops out and scans the area desperately. He runs across the street. He narrowly avoids stepping in a large mound of horse manure. He runs to the end of the street. He slides down a back alley and climbs a ladder up to the rooftop. He looks down at the busy street. In the far distance he spots the prestige buildings and lavish towers. He was enthralled by a sense of nostalgia. His old home, once a place of comfort and luxury now reminded him of death and betrayal. He turns away from the sight and concentrates on the slums beneath him. He gasps as he spots his target. He slides down the ladder and skips towards the Indian man seated in front of a table. The contents that sat on the table were of a peculiar nature. Various sets of Arabian fine china and some glass animal models. Billy stared at the diamond encrusted ouzel sparkling in the sun.)

Merchant: Welcome brother! My queen is your queen, how can I help you? I have everything you need and more!

Billy: I need a ring, your finest one.

Merchant: Oh! The young man has found love! Sweet and innocent love.

Billy: (Abruptly) Do you have one or not? I don’t have much time.

(The merchant smiles and reaches into a box behind his chair and pulls out a set of rings. Some gold, some ruby and some diamond. The ruby one catches Billy’s eye. He looks at Billy and twists his long beard.)

How much is that one? (He reaches for his pouch, bulging with coins. A black cat leaps onto the table, startling Billy. Causing him to drop his pouch, spilling out his money. He quickly picks them up, as he gets up he notices the merchant staring at him.)

Merchant: This one? No you need something better sir.

Billy: Listen, stop wasting my time!

Merchant: I have something better for your wife.

Billy: She isn’t my wife. I will be off now sir.

Merchant: But you love her don’t you? Show her you’re the man of the house, show her you are serious.

Billy: Fine! This is your last chance to impress me.

Merchant: Come! Come! Come! Let me show you the most striking jewels from the distant lands.

(The same black cat streaks across into a back alley. The merchant leads Billy into the alley. He is walking briskly. Billy is struggling to keep up with him. Weaving one corner and then the next. He eventually loses sight of him.)

Billy: Excuse me? Hello!? (He is panting, panic begins to settle in. He looks around, there is no sign of him)

Billy: I’ll be off! Good day to you sir…

(Out of nowhere the Merchant jumps on his back. They both fall to the floor and struggle. The merchant slithers like a snake. He reaches into his inside pocket and withdraws a crowbar and in one movement blows Billy on his head. His legs buckle and he drops to the floor. Knocked out. The Merchant picks up all the money and flees.)

End Scene

Scene 8

(Billy wakes up the next day. The air smells of manure. Thick smoke circulated the back alley. Billy sat up rubbing his head, his ears were ringing. He stood up and swayed backwards. A prostitute walks by looking at Billy.)

Prostitute: You look rough darling, you look like you could need a good time. I can make things better.

Billy: I’m ok. (She strokes the side of his face gently, he withdraws backwards, she jolts back and walks back the way she came and disappears into the darkness.)

(He managed to regain his balance by leaning on the wall. An old man driving a wagon with chickens and pigs wheels past. He signals to the driver. )

Billy: Can I hop on sir?

Driver: Yes Lad! You had a rough night?

(Billy ignores the question and hops on. He reaches into his back pocket and realises he does not have his pouch of money. His stomach drops and bursts into tears. As the wagon drew close he jumps off. He continues to rub his head. He saw Charlotte speaking to a tall bearded gentleman. She looks up and rushes towards Billy. She embraces him. Billy remains unmoved staring at the unknown gentleman. Charlotte notices his behaviour.)

Charlotte: This is John the farmer, he will help us make more crops! We may be able to get our own market stall in town.

John: This is a realistic aim because the winter has passed.

Charlotte: Exactly!

(Billy nods his head in silence and walks inside. Charlotte follows him back into the house.)

Charlotte: Where have you been?

(Billy tells her what happened in town and in the back alley. Charlotte is shaking with rage.)

Charlotte: I told you your money doesn’t mean anything here! This is not Kensington.

Billy: I just thought…

Charlotte: That money you thought was so precious nearly got you killed. There are five year olds with no parents in the slums. They have never seen a glimmer of a coin but they are living freely, money is making you a prisoner.

Billy: But I love you…

(Charlotte walks outs mid-sentence and goes to bed. Billy sits in front of the fire. He notices a printout lying on the table. The headline reads ‘Charles’ business buried in the grave with him’. Waves of shock sweep his body. His father’s business has crashed. The people who were supposed to protect it destroyed it.)

Scene 9

(Over the next few months the business begins to pick up with the help of John, their crops flourished quickly. They grew flowers and distributed them to local stalls in the town centre. John gave them the right connections to expand their business.)

John: I’m off into town to speak to the baker.

Billy: (Smiles) more business?

John: As usual. I need to get a package.

Billy: Well I’m on my way there, I’ll save you the journey. I’m going to the butchers opposite the bakers’.

John: (Adamantly) No. It’s quite alright.

Billy: I insist, I’m dressed and ready. I won’t be gone long. I’ll just mention your name to the baker it should be fine.

(He exits the house and walks down the path. The birds are chirping. He whistles back at them as if performing a musical duet. The sun is blazing on the fields. He notices a wagon passing, he runs to meet it.)

Billy: Thanks!

Driver: You off to town? I’m heading that way.

Billy: Your most kind sir.

(As the wheels start rolling, he realises that he has forgotten his list. He leaps off and runs back towards the hut. He goes through the forestry to get there quicker. He crosses over the path. As he approaches he can see Charlotte by herself on the small bridge by the stream. Her long golden locks shined in the sun. The sun heightened her ethereal demeanour. He smiled at her angelic presence. As he speeds up John walks onto the bridge and embraces her from behind. Billy mortified, stops in his tracks. His mouth drops open. John lifts her in the air and spins her around. They both chuckle at some unknown joke. Rage slowly seeps into Billy. He stealthily approaches the small bridge and quietly walks up the steps and watches them sharing a blissful embrace.)

Billy: Charlotte.

(She releases John)

Charlotte: I thought you were in town.

Billy: I forgot the list. How long has this been going on?

John: Billy, listen.

Billy: (Shaking with rage) Say my name one more time and I’ll be burying you somewhere the maggots can feast on your flesh you bastard.

Charlotte: (Smiling) Things were different, I’ve known John since I was a little girl, and he looked after me like I was little sister.

Billy: You said you loved me. We built all this together. Doesn’t it mean anything to you? My lady please.

(Charlotte and John burst out laughing together.)

John: She told me she hated it when you called her that! Silly Billy!

Charlotte: When I found you I was happy. You brought something new into my life. But you can never replace John.

Billy: I wanted to take you back to Kensington with me. You would have loved it.

Charlotte: Don’t you understand Bill? I was not made for that lifestyle. I can’t fit in, I’m happy here. But haven’t you realised that both worlds are as cut throat as each other. You ran out of there like a rodent and now you want to run back? After what happened you want to go back!? There is nobody there for you little lamb.

John: There is nobody here for you either, she belongs to me.

(Billy leaps towards him and drops him to the ground. They exchange blows. However, John’s superior size advantage prevails. He drags Billy to his feet and pushes him into the water.)

John: Remember Billy! Billy! Billy! Whatever happens, the world keeps turning.

(John and Charlotte laugh together.)

End Scene

Scene 10

(The following morning Billy is sat in front of the fire, entranced by the dancing flames and flickering smoke. Wistfulness possessed his mind. He kept replaying events in his mind on a loop. He could hear the gunshots in his house vividly. He could see his parents lifeless bodies slumped on the floor. He could see his reflection in Edward’s glasses as he banished him from his home. He replays the moment the merchant stared at him as he picked up his money. The point where he had become his prey but was so ignorant to realise. The heat from the flames was nothing compared to the fiery thoughts which now took control of his head. Twisted thoughts flickered from his heart to his mind. The image of his first loved intertwined with John seared his soul. The fire begins to slowly fade. He reaches over and throws paper and sticks into the flames. He looks over the headline ‘Charles business is buried with him in his grave’. Each word panged his soul. He scrunched up the paper and drew his hand back to launch it into the fire. Then an idea suddenly struck him. He got up and put the paper in his pocket. He drew back the blinds allowing sunlight to leak into the room. He ran to the cupboard and took out a box filled with the profits from the crop business. He took the majority of the coins and left the rest. He packed a few bits of clothing and left the house.)

End Scene

Scene 11

(Billy arrives in Kensington later that day on a black horse. He slowly gets off and rubs the horse’s side as a sign of appreciation. A deep penetrating sense of reminiscence cuts into Billy as he walks through the streets. He brushes dust off his new shirt and trousers. H re-adjusts his top hat.  Everything is a blur. Smartly dressed men in bowler hats rushed past. Everyone was buzzing, aiming to strike a lucrative deal. Children played on the streets whilst their mothers and nannies chased after them. He stopped in his tracks as he passed his house. A ‘for sale’ sign was posted at the front. He clenched his teeth and his fists. He marches through the town. Shortly he arrives at the town hall. The atmosphere is thick with tension and dismay. Men are seated at a round table having a solemn discussion. Each of them had long faces.)

Edward: The business has spiralled out of control. We failed to harness our assets, we have lost everything we have worked for. Charles would be turning in his grave.

Arthur: Our knees must now be ready for the grazes and bruises. We have become authors of our own destruction.

Edward: It’s over! The peasants in the slums are making room for us. (Edward looks up and notices Billy standing in the middle of the room. His jaw drops as if he had seen a ghost.)

Billy: Good afternoon gentleman. Word has reached my ears that my father’s business has imploded.

Arthur: We haven’t seen you in two years, what could you…

Billy: I am not here for a history lesson. Business is business.

(All the men stare in shock)

Billy: (He grins.) The past is the past, I have come here to take control of the situation. I will not allow my father’s legacy to go into the ground. Being out on the other side has taught me a lot.

Arthur: But how…

(Billy pours all his money on the table. All the profits from the crops. The coins bounced on the table, the noise sent an echo through the hall. The men looked on as if they had never seen money before.)

Billy: You will work for me, as you did for my father, but not in an office, you will work in the fields. I will put money in your pockets if you work hard. Your children will not starve and you will not have to cross over to the other side as I had to. I will buy back my father’s property and land. I will use it to develop our own crop, within a year we should see a massive turnover in profits.

(The men turned to each other and nodded their heads grimly.)

Billy: Tomorrow we will get back to work.

 (He spins out of the room back onto the street. He passes a young child begging.)

Beggar: Please sir, could you spare me some change?

(Billy takes out a coin and flicks it to him, the boy catches it and peels off without a word.)

Old Lady: Cheeky fella couldn’t even say thank you.

Billy: I’m not bothered, the world keeps turning.

End Scene