Charles Dickens' Bleak House
Extract
by
Gene Franklin Smith
Copyright 2000 Gene Franklin Smith
Contact:[email protected](310) 663-8188
CHARACTERS
At Chancery
LORD CHANCELLOR: 50's, imperious, high British justice of the Court
MR. TANGLE: 40's, a self-important lawyer
MR. KENGE: 40's, JOHN JARNDYCE's lawyer, efficient and professional
MISS FLITE: 60's, kind-hearted, bird-like, a bit mad
WILLIAM GUPPY: 20's, shallow and ambitious career climber
TONY JOBLING: 20's, GUPPY's dopey, down-on-his-luck friend
"NEMO": 45, sickly, opium-addicted law writer (non-speaking role)
KROOK: 50's, slimy, grimy proprietor of a pawn shop
MR. VHOLES: a parasitic and creepy lawyer
At Chesney Wold
SIR LEICESTER DEDLOCK, 60's, pompous but good-hearted aristocrat
LADY HONORIA DEDLOCK, 40's, his elegant, bored wife hiding a destructive secret
MR. TULKINGHORN, 50's, SIR LEICESTER's unscrupulous and conniving barrister
HORTENSE: 30's, LADY DEDLOCK's vengeful French maid
MRS. ROUNCEWELL: 50's, loyal and devoted housekeeper
ROSA: 19, pretty orphaned girl "adopted" by LADY DEDLOCK
INSPECTOR BUCKET: 40's, intelligent, relentless detective
At Bleak House
ESTHER SUMMERSON: 20, intelligent, forthright, affectionate -- the story's heroine
ADA CLARE: 19, very pretty and sweet-natured ward of Chancery
RICHARD CARSTONE, 20, handsome, reckless and self-destructive ward of Chancery
JOHN JARNDYCE: 40's, moody but generous benefactor to ESTHER, ADA and RICHARD
HAROLD SKIMPOLE: 40's, self-proclaimed "child of the world" but greedy and insidious
COAVINS: 30's, gruff, Cockney debt collector
DR. ALLAN WOODCOURT, 20's courageous and handsome physician
London
MRS. JELLYBY: 40's, an out-of-touch and blowhard philanthropist
SERGEANT GEORGE: 30's, upright and moral but also soft-hearted
JO: 16, destitute, Cockney street-sweeper
BRICKMAKER: 30's, nasty, Cockney wife-beater
JENNY: late 20's, Cockney, his frightened by good-natured wife
LIZ: 40's, Cockney, her abused mother
MISS BARBARY: late 40's, ESTHER's stern and unforgiving godmother
MRS. RACHEL: late 30's, MISS BARBARY's pretentious servant
MRS. BUCKET: 40's, INSPECTOR BUCKET's wily wife
MRS. GUPPY: 40's, GUPPY's social-climbing mother
Charles Dickens' Bleak House is intended for actors to be portraying two or three characters --
excluding ESTHER SUMMERSON -- distinguished through costume changes and makeup.
A single unit set with moving panels might be used to delineate rooms and doors. Spare furniture
pieces and effective lighting (and, of course, a fog machine) will further aid smooth scene
transitions.
ACT ONE
FOG fills the stage. The gray light of another
bleak day struggles through. The sounds of
commerce and crowds begin, voices overlapping
so they are indistinguishable from one another.
People scurry to and fro, on their way to earn
their meager daily bread. The people of London
are called NARRATORS. A BOY WITH A
STICK BROOM sweeps the filth and mud so
paying customers can pass.
ALL
London.
NARRATORS
Michaelmas Term lately over.
Implacable November weather.
Fog everywhere.
Fog up the river.
Fog down the river.
Fog in the eyes and the throat.
Fog in the stem and bowl of an afternoon pipe.
Fog cruelly pinching toes and fingers.
The raw afternoon is rawest.
The dense fog is densest.
Near Lincoln's Inn Hall.
And at the very heart of the fog sits the Lord Chancellor.
The Court of Chancery is formed from the
streets of London. The pompous, bewigged
LORD CHANCELLOR sits on a high stool
before a raised desk.
ALL
In the High Court of Chancery.
The LORD CHANCELLOR bangs his gavel.
TANGLE, a stuffy lawyer, presents his case.
The Court is bored.
TANGLE
As m'ludship is aware, I know more about Jarndyce and Jarndyce than anyone, m'lud, as
I have read nothing else since school.
LORD CHANCELLOR
Your tenacity, Mr. Tangle, is admired. Except perhaps by the two unfortunate Mr.
Jarndyces, from whose misfortune you make your fortune.
TANGLE
Beg m'ludship's pardon, but Mr. Thomas Jarndyce is a recent victim of a --
(clears his throat) )
-- rash action.
(points his fingers like a gun to his head)
Brains. In a coffee-house in Chancery Lane.
Reaction from the Court. A little old woman,
MISS FLITE, cackles. She cradles an over-
stuffed velvet bag. The LORD CHANCELLOR
bangs his gavel. A dignified lawyer, KENGE,
steps forward.
KENGE
My Lord, Kenge of Kenge and Carboy, Lincoln's Inn. I represent the surviving Jarndyce,
Mr. John Jarndyce.
LORD CHANCELLOR
Why does Mr. Jarndyce not attend these proceedings?
KENGE
My client has lost all hope of a resolution to the suit, my Lord.
LORD CHANCELLOR
He is either very impertinent, or very wise. With reference to these young persons…
LORD CHANCELLOR acknowledges a pretty,
blond, blue-eyed young woman and a tall,
handsome young man.
KENGE
Mr. Richard Carstone and Miss Ada Clare, my Lord.
2.
LORD CHANCELLOR
What is Mr. Jarndyce's relation to --
(already forgotten their names)
-- the young persons?
MISS FLITE can't contain herself, and she
shouts out gleefully.
MISS FLITE
The Wards of Jarndyce and Jarndyce!
LORD CHANCELLOR bangs his gavel. MISS
FLITE ignores him, babbling at two
BYSTANDERS.
MISS FLITE (CONT’D)
Youth and hope! Oh, it is a happy omen! I have everything in order, all my
documents…
She pats her velvet bag. A BYSTANDER
chuckles meanly with a young, good-looking and
ambitious law clerk, WILLIAM GUPPY.
BYSTANDER
Dried lavender.
GUPPY
And paper matches.
MISS FLITE
Mark my words! For fifty-eight years my suit is put before Chancery! I will soon have
my judgment!
LORD CHANCELLOR bangs his gavel again.
MISS FLITE nervously covers her mouth and
mutters madly.
LORD CHANCELLOR
Mr. Kenge, continue.
3.
KENGEMr. Jarndyce is a cousin to Mr. Carstone and Miss Clare, several times removed.
I am not at the moment prepared to inform the Court in what exact remove he is a cousin.
But he is a cousin.
LORD CHANCELLOR
I shall examine the need for expediency in the matter and inform you of my decision.
Today's session is closed. It is so very -- foggy.
He bangs his gavel. The Court exits, followed
by RICHARD and ADA. The last to go is
MISS FLITE.
MISS FLITE
The Wards of Jarndyce and Jarndyce! Our judgment day is near at last!
A single shaft of sunlight shines on ESTHER
SUMMERSON, center stage, who has entered
as the Court disperses. ESTHER is pretty but
not a beauty, straight-forward and honest.
ESTHER
I am reluctant to relate my part in this history, for I know I am not clever. But I am
urged to do so by my beloved, who insists that had there been no Esther Summerson,
there would now be no Bleak House.
ESTHER moves to another lit area, where her
godmother, MISS BARBARY, does
needlework. She is elegant but exceedingly
stern.
I was orphaned as an infant and brought up by my godmother, Miss Barbary.
MISS BARBARY
It would have been far better, Esther, that you had never been born.
ESTHER
Miss Barbary was handsome, and if she ever had cause to smile, she would have
resembled an angel.
4.
ESTHER sits on the floor near MISS
BARBARY. She strokes a rag doll.
MISS BARBARYI have forgiven your mother for the great wrong she did me. Pray that her sins do not fall
upon your head.
ESTHERBut what did Mother do?
MISS BARBARYAsk me no more, child.
ESTHERWas it my fault she died? Please, tell me, Godmother!
MISS BARBARYYour mother is your disgrace! And you were hers. The time will come when you will
understand this.
MISS BARBARY feels a sudden pain in her
side and lies down.
ESTHER
(to audience) )
It was my fourteenth birthday, when Miss Barbary lay on her deathbed. I'd hoped she
might bestow me the one thing I desired most of all: her forgiveness. But to the end, her
frown remained unsoftened.
MISS BARBARY dies.
After she died, her servant, Mrs. Rachel, took care of me as best as she was able.
Self-important MRS. RACHEL bustles in.
MRS. RACHEL
A gentleman to see you, Esther.
She is followed by MR. KENGE.
KENGE
Kenge of Kenge and Carboy, Lincoln's Inn, your servant, Miss Summerson.
5.
MRS. RACHEL nudges ESTHER to stand
straighter.
KENGE (CONT'D)
Now that Miss Barbary is deceased, her means die with her. Naturally, Mrs. Rachel is
not expected to charge herself with your support.
MRS. RACHEL
I should say not, sir!
KENGE
And as your aunt has left no estate --
ESTHER
My aunt?
KENGE
It serves no purpose to carry on with the deception.
MRS. RACHEL
But Miss Barbary, sir, who is now among the Seraphim --
KENGE
I hope so, I am sure.
MRS. RACHEL
-- did not share confidences. I was never made privy to her true relations to the girl.
ESTHER
(with tears in her eyes)
Forgive me, Mr. Kenge.
KENGE
There is no cause to be distressed, Miss Summerson. You shall be provided for.
ESTHER
I do not cry for my aunt's money, sir, but for my never earning her love.
KENGE
If you are quite through, Miss Summerson?
6.
MRS. RACHEL
Comport yourself, Esther!
ESTHER hastily wipes her tears.
KENGE
I expect you have heard of Jarndyce and Jarndyce?
ESTHER
Is that a business of some kind, Mr. Kenge?
KENGE
It only happens to be the greatest suit ever to be argued in the Court of Chancery!
Ninety-three years, Miss Summerson, and not an end in sight! It is a triumph of the
English legal system!
MRS. RACHEL
Miss Barbary taught Esther only what she believed to be serviceable.
KENGE
And now Mr. John Jarndyce of Bleak House shall assume that task. He offers to place
Miss Summerson in a first-rate school, where her education shall be completed and her
every comfort secured.
ESTHER looks with wonder from KENGE to
MRS. RACHEL, who sniffs jealously.
MRS. RACHEL
May one ask how Esther has come to be considered so generously by Mr. Jarndyce?
KENGE
I can divulge nothing more. Those are my instructions.
MRS. RACHEL
Surely Mr. Jarndyce expects something from the girl in return?
KENGE
Indeed. Miss Summerson will not at any time remove herself from said establishment,
and will acquire the accomplishments that might ultimately be necessary to Mr. Jarndyce.
Dazed, ESTHER considers all this.
7.
KENGE (CONT'D)
Now, what is your answer, miss? Take your time, take your time.
(pauses)
I pause for your reply.
ESTHER turns to the audience, thrilled by this
change in events.
ESTHER
I left that day week. Mrs. Rachel obliged me one cold parting kiss.
MRS. RACHEL kisses ESTHER's forehead
with disdain.
I know it is my fault that you can say goodbye so easily.
MRS. RACHEL
No, girl, it is your misfortune.
She exits haughtily. ESTHER turns to the
audience.
ESTHER
I spent six happy years at Greenleaf School. Then on my twentieth birthday…
ESTHER is delivered a letter, as KENGE
narrates the letter.
KENGE
"By order of Chancery, Mr. Jarndyce is about to receive into his house a ward of the
court, for whom he wishes to secure a companion. He will be glad of your services in the
aforesaid capacity. Your obedient servant, Kenge and Carboy, Lincoln's Inn."
ESTHER
A carriage was provided me.
She picks up a valise.
And five days later, I was in --
8.
ESTHER is suddenly swarmed by the crowd of
London. Fog swoops down on them, nearly
obscuring everyone.
ALLLondon!
The BOY WITH THE STICK BROOM
sweeps for patrons; sometimes he is paid, most
times he is not. WILLIAM GUPPY pushes his
way through to ESTHER.
GUPPYMiss Summerson?
ESTHERI am. Are you from Kenge and Carboy?
GUPPYLincoln's Inn. Aye, miss. William Guppy, at your service.
GUPPY bows, tipping his hat gallantly.
Despite his manners, his accent is rough East
End with an affected upper-class attempt.
ESTHERIs there a fire, Mr. Guppy?
GUPPYOh, you mean, the…
(waves his hand through the fog) )No, miss, it's a London particular. The fog. It suits you, I might add.
ESTHER isn't sure if that's a compliment.
ESTHERThank you, Mr. Guppy. Am I to see Mr. Kenge directly?
GUPPYActually, you are to see the Lord Chancellor.
9.
ESTHERAt this moment?
GUPPYDon't worry, miss, there is a looking-glass in Mr. Kenge's chambers, should you wish to
attend to yourself. Not that it's needed.
GUPPY grabs ESTHER's valise and pays a
penny to the broom sweeper, JO, who then
sweeps in front of them. As they walk,
ESTHER addresses the audience.
ESTHER
We passed under an old gateway. There was an entrance up a steep flight of stairs.
Outside, under some cloisters, there was a churchyard. And I saw the gravestones in the
burying ground. For some reason, I wondered if my mother might lay there.
JO stares at ESTHER a moment, then bows his
head respectfully and shuffles out. KENGE
hurries in, warmly taking ESTHER's hands.
KENGE
Ah, Miss Summerson!
ESTHER
It is good to see you again, Mr. Kenge.
Embarrassed by his own friendliness, KENGE
withdraws.
KENGE
Now to business. As you are going to be the companion to a ward of Jarndyce and
Jarndyce, we thought it well that you should be in attendance too.
ESTHER
Yes, of course, whatever is required of me.
KENGE
To Chancery then.
10.
KENGE allows ESTHER to pass. GUPPY
follows. The Court of Chancery fills the stage.
As KENGE leads ESTHER past them,
RICHARD and ADA glance cautiously at
ESTHER. KENGE and TANGLE take their
former positions.
LORD CHANCELLORI have decided in favor of --
(forgetting their names)-- the young persons residing with Mr. John Jarndyce at -- Bleak House. What a very
dreary name.
KENGEBut not a dreary place, my Lord.
LORD CHANCELLORIs Mr. Jarndyce married?
KENGERegrettably not.
LORD CHANCELLOR(displeased) )
Does he mean to provide a companion for Miss Clare?
KENGEShe is here, my Lord. Miss Esther Summerson.
ESTHER steps forward. RICHARD and ADA
look at her with friendly curiosity.
LORD CHANCELLORYou are not in any way related to any party in the suit, Miss Summerson?
ESTHERI have no relations in all the world, my Lord.
The LORD CHANCELLOR beckons to
KENGE and TANGLE. The Court gossips.
ESTHER smiles haltingly at RICHARD and
ADA.
11.
LORD CHANCELLOR
Very well. I rule in favor.
The Court assents with "Here, Here." The
LORD CHANCELLOR bangs his gavel.
MISS FLITE
My Lord Chancellor?
KENGE
Not today, Miss Flite.
BYSTANDER
Or tomorrow.
GUPPY
Or the day after!
MISS FLITE nods, disappointed. The LORD
CHANCELLOR exits. The Court follows. As
GUPPY exits, he gives ESTHER a longing look.
RICHARD
Well, I for one am glad that's over! Where do we go next?
ESTHER
Don't you know?
RICHARD
Not in the least.
ADA
(to ESTHER)
Don't you?
ESTHER
No.
KENGE approaches them.
12.
KENGEMr. Jarndyce shall provide you a carriage to Bleak House. Kindly find yourselves at the
Chancery Lane coach stop in one hour's time.
KENGE nods officiously and leaves.
RICHARDEsther…if I may be so familiar?
ESTHERIf I might be in return…Richard.
RICHARDI have a tremendous secret to share! We all three are orphans!
(laughs)Don't you find it quite mysterious that we were summoned together for the first time
today?
ADAYou mustn't mind him, Esther. He sees conspiracies and plots in everything.
RICHARDOne need only look closely, cousin.
ESTHERAm I to understand that you two have not met before now?
ADARichard and I were both raised in the country, but legions apart.
ESTHERIt seems odd that Mr. Jarndyce would keep you separated for so long. What is he like?
ADAI've never met him.
RICHARDNeither have I.
13.
ADAI believe he was once distantly acquainted with my mother. When she died, I received a
letter from Mr. Jarndyce proposing this arrangement. He hopes that it might heal the
wounds of Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
RICHARD
I received the exact same letter five months ago at Winchester school.
ESTHER
So Mr. Jarndyce is a stranger to us, but we are not to him.
ADA
Well, we three no longer are. We have so very much of our lives to catch up on.
RICHARD
I propose we get started straight off!
MISS FLITE scuttles in, taking them by
surprise.
MISS FLITE
The wards of Jarndyce and Jarndyce! Pray, accept my blessing!
ESTHER
We do, madam, and with thanks.
RICHARD
(whispers to ESTHER and ADA)
The old girl's mad.
MISS FLITE
Mad, oh, yes, Mr. Carstone! I was a ward of Chancery myself once. I wasn't mad then,
I assure you. I had -- well, it matters little now. I have the honor to attend court
regularly with all my documents.
(patting her velvet bag)
I have an understanding with the Lord Chancellor. He often winks at me from his high
bench. It is his way of telling me he shall soon rule in my favor. My judgment day is
near.
ESTHER
Yes, I am sure of it, Miss Flite.
14.
MISS FLITE
Pray, visit me in my lodging. Youth and hope are seldom there.
ESTHER, RICHARD and ADA are clearly
uncomfortable.
RICHARD
I'm afraid we haven't the time…
MISS FLITE
But I live only a step or two from Chancery.
MISS FLITE turns, expecting them to follow.
Pray, walk up.
ESTHER and ADA look to RICHARD, who
nods, begrudgingly. They cross to MISS FLITE.
The lighting is markedly gloomier.
ADA
Is this your lodging, Miss Flite?
RICHARD peers at a sign, reading it.
RICHARD
"Krook's Rag and Bottle Warehouse."
ESTHER reads the signs with RICHARD and
ADA.
ESTHER
"Bones Bought. Kitchen-Stuff Bought."
ADA
"Old Iron Bought. Waste Paper Bought."
ESTHER
Is nothing sold here?
RICHARD
What very peculiar signs.
15.
MISS FLITE
I shouldn't expect you to recognize a law-writer's craft yet, Mr. Carstone. When you
have your own legal documents, as I have, you shall know nothing else. Though I must
admit Mr. Nemo's handwriting is rather more individual than I've seen before.
ESTHER
Mr. Nemo?
MISS FLITE
He is the other lodger here. This way, if you please.
MISS FLITE leads the way in. A rusty-
sounding bell tinkles as they enter. The lights
darken even more.
My humble garret is on the third floor.
A cat yowls, frightening ESTHER, RICHARD
and ADA.
Oh, it's that horrible Lady Jane! Shoo, cat.
A grimy old man, KROOK, with greasy hair
and greasy clothes, appears out of the shadows.
He holds a lantern up to their startled faces.
KROOK
Hey now, ye got anythin' to sell, have ye?
RICHARD
(under his breath)
Lord, what a horror.
KROOK approaches ADA. She cringes from
his smell.
KROOK
What have we here? Lovely hair. I've got three sacks filled with ladies hair down below.
But none's so beautiful and fine as this.
He tugs a lock of ADA's hair. She gasps.
16.
KROOK (CONT'D)
What color! What texture!
RICHARD pushes him back.
RICHARD
You may admire as the rest of us do, sir, without taking such liberties!
ADA
I'm all right, Richard. You are the proprietor of this establishment, sir?
MISS FLITE
Indeed, Krook is. And my landlord. People call his shop the "Court of Chancery."
KROOK
(laughing greasily)
Because it's all cobwebs and old parchmentses. Me neighbors think it's all wastin' away
and goin' to rack and ruin. But I have my likin' for rust and must and dust. Once I lay
ahold of anything, I can't abear to part with it. That's why they call me the high Lord
Chancellor.
The cat screeches again.
Ay, me Lady Jane, shew 'em how you scratches, dearie. Tear whats you got to shreads.
She'd do as much to anyone I was to set her on.
MISS FLITE
Behave, Krook! The wards of Jarndyce are in your presence.
KROOK
(all wonder)
The great suit itself!
(jabs RICHARD)
You, sir, you might be --?
RICHARD
Richard Carstone.
KROOK
Carstone, yes! There's also the names "Barbary" and "Clare."
17.
ADA
But I am Miss Clare!
ESTHER
And Barbary was my aunt's name!
KROOK
Werily now! There's also the name of "Dedlock."
(points with suspicion at ESTHER)
You.
ESTHER
Oh, I think not.
RICHARD
Mr. Krook, you seem to know as much about Jarndyce and Jarndyce as the Lord
Chancellor himself.
KROOK
Aye, Tom Jarndyce was often here. Chancery, he said, was like being stung to death by
single bees. On the day he "done" it, he come to me door. "Krook," he says, "I am much
depressed. I am near my Judgment."
(laughs)
The gunshot rattled me windows.
ADA chokes back a sob. RICHARD comforts
her.
ESTHER
Miss Flite, kindly show us to your chambers now.
KROOK
My, isn't me Lady grand?
MISS FLITE
You're very tiresome, Krook.
Insulted, KROOK withdraws. MISS FLITE
beckons RICHARD and ADA.
Youth and hope, pray, up these stairs.
18.
ESTHER, RICHARD and ADA follow MISS
FLITE. Gaunt, sallow-faced NEMO appears.
MISS FLITE (CONT'D)
Mr. Nemo.
NEMO doesn't acknowledge her and passes by.
But then, he stops and stares at ESTHER, as if
he's seen a ghost. ESTHER, surprised,
unflinchingly holds NEMO's gaze. Then,
NEMO turns and hurries out.
The children in the lane say Nemo has sold himself to the devil. If it's true, I can't imagine
what he's done with the money.
She leads them to a lit area, where there is the
sound of many birds chirping.
ADA
Why, this is very pleasant indeed, Miss Flite.
MISS FLITE
We are extremely honored to be visited by the wards of Jarndyce and Jarndyce!
ESTHER
You have so many birds as companions.
MISS FLITE
I began to keep the little creatures with the intention of restoring their liberty once my
judgment is given. The entire collection has died several times over. I wonder if one day
you might find me lying senseless here, just like one of my birds.
ESTHER smiles sadly and squeezes MISS
FLITE's hand.
But not today. We'll let in the full sunlight!
MISS FLITE pushes aside curtains. Light
floods in. The birds chirp.
19.
On the other side of the stage, JO enters,
sweeping the path for beautiful and poised
LADY DEDLOCK, who holds the arm of her
posturing and pompous husband, SIR
LEICESTER. They are followed by their
efficient and loyal housekeeper, MRS.
ROUNCEWELL, and LADY DEDLOCK's
attractive and snooty French maid,
HORTENSE. Both address the audience.
HORTENSESir Leicester Dedlock is only a baronet.
MRS. ROUNCEWELLBut there is no mightier baronet than he.
SIR LEICESTERThe Dedlocks are as old as the hills.
MRS. ROUNCEWELLAnd infinitely more respectable. Sir Leicester is honorable.
HORTENSEIntensely apprejudiced.
MRS. ROUNCEWELLAnd he married for love.
SIR LEICESTER steers LADY DEDLOCK
center stage.
SIR LEICESTER, MRS. ROUNCEWELL AND
HORTENSEMy Lady!
They all bow/curtsy to LADY DEDLOCK.
SIR LEICESTERIs the center of everything.
HORTENSEWhat she lacked in solvency and family.
20.
MRS. ROUNCEWELL
She compensated in beauty and pride.
HORTENSE
And so from London, my Lady returns to Chesney Wold.
SIR LEICESTER
The ancient manse of the Dedlocks.
MRS. ROUNCEWELL
With all her perfections on her head.
LADY DEDLOCK lies on a chaise, terminally
bored, fanning herself. MRS. ROUNCEWELL
and HORTENSE curtsy and exit.
LADY DEDLOCK
The weather is so dreary, Leicester.
SIR LEICESTER
We shall soon be in Paris, where the fashionable eagerly await your intelligence.
LADY DEDLOCK
(sighing)
Oh, Paris. Already, je suis fatigue.
HORTENSE re-enters with TULKINGHORN,
a barrister dressed almost like a coroner. His
tight and pinched demeanor attempts to conceal
a body continually wracked with internal pain.
HORTENSE
Monsieur Tulkinghorn.
LADY DEDLOCK stiffens, holding the fan in
front of her face.
SIR LEICESTER
My Lady's suit has been put before the Lord Chancellor again?
21.
TULKINGHORNIt has, Sir Leicester.
LADY DEDLOCKIt would be useless to ask whether anything has been done about it?
TULKINGHORNNothing that you would call anything --
(almost as an after-thought)-- my Lady.
LADY DEDLOCK fans herself, barely
concealing her dislike for him.Is my Lady not well?
SIR LEICESTERMy Lady tires waiting for a resolution to Jarndyce and Jarndyce.
LADY DEDLOCKIt is easy for you to be patient, Leicester. You don't hold a vital interest in the suit. The
only property I bring to the Dedlock name is tied up in Chancery since the day we wed.
SIR LEICESTERBut it is no matter, my Lady, of any importance to me.
TULKINGHORNI fear I must file a new affidavit.
(reading a paper)
"In the matter between John Jarndyce --"
LADY DEDLOCK
Do skip past the legal horrors, Mr. Tulkinghorn.
TULKINGHORN
Perhaps my Lady might review the document at her leisure.
He disdainfully hands the document to LADY
DEDLOCK. She glances at it.
SIR LEICESTER
This Chancery business really is an interminable bore. But we must live with it. After
all, it is British.
22.
LADY DEDLOCK suddenly stares at the
document.
LADY DEDLOCK
Who copied this?
Her sharp tone surprises TULKINGHORN and
SIR LEICESTER.
SIR LEICESTER
My Lady, what animates you?
LADY DEDLOCK
Is this what you people call "law-hand"?
TULKINGHORN
Indeed. Though the writing bears an unnecessary individuality.
LADY DEDLOCK is absorbed in the
document.
LADY DEDLOCK
Chancery…
TULKINGHORN
(suspiciously)
Why does my Lady ask?
LADY DEDLOCK thrusts the paper at him.
LADY DEDLOCK
Merely to vary this detestable monotony.
She rises abruptly, then faints. SIR
LEICESTER rushes to her and calls out.
SIR LEICESTER
Hortense!
(to LADY DEDLOCK)
I've never known you to swoon before.
23.
(MORE)
(calls out)Hortense!
HORTENSE enters, but doesn't go to LADY
DEDLOCK.
HORTENSEIs my Lady ill?
LADY DEDLOCKDon't just stare at me, Hortense. Take me to my room.
HORTENSEToute suite, my Lady.
SIR LEICESTER helps LADY DEDLOCK
stand,, but LADY DEDLOCK brushes him off
and takes HORTENSE's arm. They exit,
watched by TULKINGHORN.
SIR LEICESTERShe really has been bored to death.
SIR LEICESTER exits. TULKINGHORN
examines the document that so affected LADY
DEDLOCK. A loud bell clangs, followed by
the barking of several dogs. Hearty, middle-aged
JOHN JARNDYCE bounds across stage to
greet ESTHER, ADA and RICHARD.
JARNDYCE
Ada, my love! Esther, my dear! Welcome, welcome! I rejoice to see you at last! Was
the journey terribly long? Dear Rick -- yes, I call you Rick! -- if I had a hand to spare,
I'd give it to you! Now, quickly, quickly, come inside and warm yourselves.
ESTHER, ADA and RICHARD are
overwhelmed by JARNDYCE's welcome.
JARNDYCE takes ESTHER and ADA's arms
and leads them in. RICHARD carries their
valises.
24.
SIR LEICESTER (CONT'D)
ESTHER
You are very kind, Mr. Jarndyce.
RICHARD
We really are much obliged.
JARNDYCE
Nonsense, you are now all home. This is your Bleak House.
The lights brighten with a cheery hue.
ADA
It's charming, cousin John.
RICHARD
If a little old-fashioned.
ESTHER
Richard.
JARNDYCE
You're absolutely right, of course, Rick. We make no pretensions here, but I do hope you
shall be comfortable. Now, I am sure you'll want your dinner.
JARNDYCE leads them to fresh-faced,
enthusiastic HAROLD SKIMPOLE, who is
just finishing his meal and wiping his mouth.
There's no one here but the finest creature upon earth, a perfect child, Harold Skimpole!
SKIMPOLE
It's true, if it weren't for dear Jarndyce, I'd be quite at the world's mercy. You are the
Chancery wards!
JARNDYCE
Miss Clare and Mr. Carstone and their companion, Miss Summerson.
RICHARD
A pleasure, sir.
25.
He holds out his hand to SKIMPOLE, who
stares at it, mystified.
JARNDYCEIt's a mode of greeting, Harold.
SKIMPOLE(laughs)
See, I know nothing! I am but a child!
RICHARDAn enviable vocation, I dare say.
JARNDYCEHarold was educated in medicine and even lived once in the household of a German
prince.
SKIMPOLE
But I am a child when it comes to bleeding and purging, and the prince objected. He was
perfectly right to. I must confess to two of the oddest infirmities. I have no idea of time.
And I have no idea of money. All Harold Skimpole asks is that society let him live.
ADA
That doesn't seem very much, I suppose.
RICHARD
Perfectly reasonable! What a capital chap, cousin John!
JARNDYCE
I'm pleased you find him so, Rick.
SKIMPOLE
When I am here, I have neither troubles, nor costs, nor responsibilities. Bleak House is
the ideal universe for a child such as I.
ESTHER
The universe, though, is often an indifferent parent, Mr. Skimpole.
ESTHER isn't as amused by SKIMPOLE as the
others.
26.
SKIMPOLE
Well, I know nothing of it. For me, Bleak House is a perpetual summer. Let us all forget
the world and its artful people. Come, let us play together.
He takes ESTHER's hands and whirls her in a
circle. JARNDYCE pulls ESTHER from
SKIMPOLE's grip.
JARNDYCE
There, there, Harold, you'll wear out your new playmates. Toddle off to bed with you.
It's past your bedtime.
SKIMPOLE
See, how I depend upon Jarndyce? I am a child, a perfect child!
RICHARD takes him by the shoulders.
RICHARD
I should like to hear more, Mr. Skimpole.
RICHARD and SKIMPOLE exit.
ADA
He's quite enchanting, isn't he, Esther?
But ESTHER doesn't reply, which JARNDYCE
notices.
JARNDYCE
Perhaps, I tire you as well.
ADA
Not in the least, cousin John!
JARNDYCE
Just the same, why don't I have supper brought up to your rooms?
JARNDYCE bows and exits. ESTHER turns to
the audience.
27.
ESTHERAda retired to the comfort of our new lodgings.
ADA kisses ESTHER's cheek and exits.But for me, the night was not quite over.
RICHARD hurries on and takes ESTHER's arm.
RICHARDMr. Skimpole is being arrested -- for debt.
They cross to SKIMPOLE and a sour-faced
Cockney man, COAVINS.
COAVINSTwenty-four pound, sixteen and sevenpence ha'penny.
SKIMPOLEThat sounds like such a small sum.
RICHARDMr. Skimpole fears it would be indelicate to ask Mr. Jarndyce for assistance again.
ESTHERSo this has happened before?
COAVINSLast month!
SKIMPOLEBut I forget how much it was for.
COAVINSEighteen pound five!
RICHARD(impatiently)
Yes, Mr. Coavins, thank you. Esther, what do you think would be best?
COAVINSJail!
28.
ESTHERHardly, sir.
SKIMPOLEOf course, Harold Skimpole is a perfect child in such things, but perhaps Mr. Richard,
being a party in the Chancery suit, might sign a bond?
COAVINSThe only paper wot I wants is me twenty-four pound!
SKIMPOLEI simply ask to be free. The butterflies are free. Surely you will not deny to Harold
Skimpole what you concede to the butterflies?
RICHARDI have ten pounds I received from Mr. Kenge.
ESTHER looks to RICHARD a moment, then
to COAVINS.
ESTHERMr. Carstone and I shall settle Mr. Skimpole's debt.
COAVINS tips his hat and bows gallantly.
COAVINSI f'ank the most kind lady and gentleman.
ESTHERIf you would follow me, please, I will get the money from my valise.
SKIMPOLECoavins, my friend, when you came here today were not the sun shining, the birds
singing?
COAVINSNobody said they warn't.
SKIMPOLE
Did you not once think, "Harold Skimpole loves the shining sun and singing birds, of
which I am about to deprive him?"
29.
COAVINS
I certainly did not! I've got enough to do, and little enough to get for it, without f'inkin'!
Good night to you, sir!
COAVINS exits in a huff.
SKIMPOLE
Very odd the mental process in men of business.
RICHARD
(agreeing)
Here, here.
ESTHER looks at them doubtfully as they exit,
then addresses the audience.
ESTHER
I'd believed this business with Mr. Skimpole to be concluded, but the next day I was
proved mistaken.
She crosses to JARNDYCE, who sits in a
comfortable chair and is surrounded by papers
and books. JARNDYCE is moody.
JARNDYCE
I would welcome you to the Growlery, were this room intended for impressionable
young women. I take refuge here when the wind blows from the east, and I growl.
ESTHER
But is it not northerly this morning, sir?
JARNDYCE
(raging)
It blows from the east, I say! Blowing in corruption, disease and deception!
ESTHER
(unsettled by his anger)
I have disappointed you? I am not whom you expected me to be?
JARNDYCE
How could you give money to Skimpole?
30.
ESTHER
He was in dire need --
JARNDYCE
Where the devil is your common sense? Skimpole will be in the same scrape next week,
and the week after! I don't mind him squeezing it out of me, but you and Rick! I won't
have it! I will reimburse both of you in full. And we shall have an end to this
foolishness.
ESTHER
(with tears in her eyes)
I am sorry to have so displeased you, Mr. Jarndyce.
JARNDYCE realizes he was too hard on her.
JARNDYCE
There, there -- let's not -- dear, Esther, I am too long a bachelor in this house. I fear I've
forgotten how to behave with women. Well-intentioned women with kind hearts, that is --
(moody again)
-- who don't wield malice as if it were --
JARNDYCE stops himself. ESTHER waits for
him to reveal more.
This Chancery business, I expect you don't understand it?
ESTHER shakes her head "no."
I don't know anyone who does! It is about a Will, or it was, many years ago. But the
lawyers have bedeviled it into such a bewildered state that the suit's original merits have
long disappeared. And it goes on and on and on.
ESTHER
But how may I be of service to you?
JARNDYCE
Rick and Ada must not waste their lives waiting for a resolution to the suit, which may
never come. Since you've no part in Jarndyce and Jarndyce, they will regard you as
unbiased. Foster their friendship. I believe their kinship will grow fonder. I've seen it
happen once --
31.
There is a faraway look in his eye. Then, he
catches her staring.
JARNDYCE (CONT'D)
You wish to ask me something?
ESTHER
I know almost nothing about my mother -- and even less of my father.
JARNDYCE nods, but says nothing.
I remember when I was very young. It was my birthday. A gentleman brought me a
ragdoll. Then six years ago, I was headed for Greenleaf School. I shared a carriage with
the same gentleman. On both occasions, he was you.
Again, JARNDYCE simply nods.
If there is anything I ought to know?
JARNDYCE
You would not need to ask me to tell it to you.
ESTHER
(bowing her head)
If my whole confidence were not placed in you, Mr. Jarndyce, then I must have a hard
heart indeed.
(looking up)
No, I have nothing to ask you. Nothing in the world.
JARNDYCE
Ah, the wind has shifted to the north! Let us leave the Growlery for another day. But I
have one last request of you.
He holds out a ring of keys.
These are the keys to Bleak House. May I trust them to your care?
ESTHER
(moved)
I should be most honored, Mr. Jarndyce.
32.
JARNDYCE
I think it's best you call me "Guardian."
ESTHER
As you wish…Guardian.
A booming female voice is heard offstage.
BOOMING VOICE
Mr. Jarndyce!
JARNDYCE
Mrs. Jellyby.
ESTHER
I suspect by your tone, Guardian, the wind blows east again.
JARNDYCE
Mrs. Jellyby is a charity lady of rapacious benevolence. Her causes are very great,
because they cost so very much.
ESTHER
There are some to whom the doors of Bleak House should stay locked?
JARNDYCE
I leave it to your good judgment, Esther.
JARNDYCE hurriedly exits. MRS. JELLYBY,
bossy and intimidating, whose presence is a
force of nature, enters, dragging in ADA.
MRS. JELLYBY
"The Brotherhood of Humanity is never wanting in its higher compassion for the less
fortunate. There is no hope amongst the abandoned --"
(noticing ESTHER)
Ah, Miss Summerson, you shall accompany me and Miss Clare on my rounds.
She grabs ESTHER by the arm.
33.
ADAI might not possess the delicate knowledge of the heart so essential to your endeavors,
Mrs. Jellyby.
MRS. JELLYBYDelicate, Miss Clare? Charity is never delicate! It is hard work! And I love every
minute of it! The African project employs me my whole time.
ESTHER
The African Project, Mrs. Jellyby?
MRS. JELLYBY
(horrified)
You have not heard of Borrioboola-Gha? This time next year, I shall have two hundred
Borrioboola-Ghaians cultivating coffee on the left bank of the Niger! We must embrace
Borrioboola-Gha --
She stops at a darkened part of the stage.
Ah, here we are, then. In this wretched hovel lives a brickmaker and his downtrodden
family. Their untidy habits bespeak their moral necessity.
A squinting, evil-eyed BRICKMAKER leers at
the group invading his cramped quarters. A
clearly abused young woman, JENNY, rocks a
baby tightly against her breast.
I have returned, good friends!
ESTHER
Mrs. Jellyby, perhaps it would be best if we waited --
BRICKMAKER
Yer sure there ain't more of you to come in now?
MRS. JELLYBY shoves ill-at-ease ESTHER
and ADA inside.
MRS. JELLYBY
No, we are all accounted for.
34.
BRICKMAKER(sneers)
And here I thought there warn't enough of you.
MRS. JELLYBY(wags her finger)
Now, now, the harder you make my work, the better I like it! If I find a person unwilling
to listen to me, I say, "Good friend, I am incapable of fatigue. I shall go on and on until I
have done with you!"
BRICKMAKERLook here, I wants an end of these liberties you take with my place. So I'll puts an end to
your poll-pryin'. 'ow've I been conductin' myself? I've been drunk three days and if I 'ad
the money, I'd be drunk four. And 'ow'd my Jenny get that black eye? Why, I giv' it her,
and if she says I didn't, she's a worthless liar!
JENNY(meekly)
Will you just let `em go their way?
BRICKMAKER
Wot was that?
JENNY
Leave `em be, is all --
The BRICKMAKER whacks JENNY across
the face. MRS. JELLYBY gasps. ESTHER and
ADA are horrified.
BRICKMAKER
Go on, then, Jenny, let's 'ear you again.
He raises his hand, JENNY cringes, but
ESTHER throws herself between them.
ESTHER
No, sir, you shall not.
35.
BRICKMAKER(sarcastic)
Oh, aye, me Lady.
But he does back off. ESTHER stoops to
JENNY.
ESTHERAre you hurt?
JENNY(frightened)
Please, miss, just go.
ADA notices something about JENNY's baby.
ADAEsther, the baby --
BRICKMAKERI ain't touched it.
ESTHERIf you have, sir, the law shall hear of it. May I?
Worried, JENNY hands the baby to ESTHER.
JENNYHe ain't been cryin' much, like he's used to.
BRICKMAKERIt's been pukin' and snivellin' since she birthed it.
ESTHER moves the swaddling and realizes the
baby has died.
ESTHEROh, no…
JENNYDear God, what is it, what's wrong wif 'im?
36.
ESTHERI'm afraid, he's -- in Heaven now.
BRICKMAKERSo much the better for it and for us besides.
ESTHERHow can you be so heartless?
BRICKMAKER(shrugs)
It warn't mine.
He exits. ESTHER removes a handkerchief
from her sleeve.
ESTHERMy aunt told me that this handkerchief once belonged to my mother.
She gently lays the handkerchief beneath the
baby's head.
It seems right that now it should cushion this poor child in his final rest.
She kisses the baby's forehead and passes the
baby to JENNY. ESTHER and ADA leave, arm
in arm.
MRS. JELLYBYMiss Summerson, if only you might redirect such empathy to Borrioboola-Gha!
ESTHER regards MRS. JELLYBY with
contempt, then decides to say nothing. MRS.
JELLYBY waves at JENNY, who exits
morosely.
You may expect me again --
But MRS. JELLYBY is alone. She exits in a
huff. ESTHER and ADA cross the stage where
GUPPY is waiting.
37.
GUPPY
(overjoyed)
Miss Summerson!
(a bit dismissive)
And Miss Clare.
ESTHER
Mr. Guppy, I have not seen you since my first day in London.
GUPPY
Might I be allowed a minute of private conversation?
GUPPY looks pointedly at ADA, who gets his
point.
ADA
Oh. Yes, I should relate to Richard what we witnessed today. If you'll excuse me.
ADA curtsies and exits. ESTHER waits for
GUPPY, who seems nervous.
ESTHER
Mr. Guppy?
GUPPY
(with a deep breath, then)
When I first had the happiness of looking upon you, my salary was one-pound fifteen a
week. A rise of five has since taken place and another rise of five is guaranteed at the
expiration of a year's term. My mother is eminently calculated for a mother-in-law.
When company is present, you may freely trust her with wine, spirits or malt liquor.
ESTHER
Mr. Guppy, what has this to do with me?
GUPPY falls to his knees.
GUPPY
I adore you, Miss Summerson!
38.
ESTHER(shocked)
Mr. Guppy!
GUPPYShall I file us a declaration of engagement?
ESTHERGet up from that ridiculous position, sir, or I will ring for assistance!
GUPPYPlease, my goddess, hear me out!
ESTHERNot until you get up and sit in that chair!
GUPPYAs I love and honor, so do I obey.
(He leaps up and sits.)
ESTHERNow, I beg you to conclude.
GUPPYSince the day we met, thy image has been fixed in my breast --
ESTHERYou really must go away immediately.
(GUPPY falls to his knees again.
ESTHER backs away.)
GUPPY
Every evening I have crawled up and down the bricks that once bore your feet on
Chancery Lane. See the wretch my love for thee has made of me.
ESTHER
I should be pained, Mr. Guppy, to do you, or anyone who was sincere --
GUPPY
Oh, cruel Miss, do not doubt me!
39.
ESTHER(overlapping)
-- the injustice of slighting any honest feeling, no matter how disagreeably expressed.
GUPPYMy feelings for thee shall never alter.
ESTHERIf you really mean to give me proof of your good opinion…
GUPPYTell me how, my muse!
ESTHERYou will go away! As if you had never been so exceedingly foolish.
Downtrodden, GUPPY rises, bowing his head
submissively.
GUPPYIf at any time you should feel differently --
He hands ESTHER a business card.
Mr. William Guppy of Eighty-Seven Penton Place, or if removed or dead, care of Mrs.
Guppy, my mother, shall respond in kind.
GUPPY bows and exits by backing away, taking
a last look at ESTHER and sighing. When he is
gone, ESTHER begins to laugh. As lights dim
on ESTHER, a creaking rusty door opens, and
KROOK lets in TULKINGHORN.
KROOKSellin' or buyin'?
TULKINGHORNI seek your lodger. My clerk employs him on occasion.
KROOK(suspicious)
You referrin' to Nemo?
40.