Script

SIDE 1

DODGER

Mr. Twist has come to London to seek his fortune.

FAGIN

You've come to London to seek your fortune. We must see what we can do to help you. Are you hungry?

OLIVER

Starving.

FAGIN

Would you like a sausage?

DODGER

Hey Fagin! These sausages are moldy!

(OLIVER is looking at the handkerchiefs hung throughout the room.)

FAGIN

Ah! You're a-staring at the pocket handkerchiefs! There are quite a few of 'em ain't there? We've just hung 'em out, ready for the wash. The wash, that's all, Oliver, that's all.

OLIVER

Is this a laundry then, sir?

(The GANG roars with laughter.)

FAGIN

Well, not exactly, my dear. I suppose a laundry would be a very nice thing indeed, but our line of business pays a little better. Don't it boys?

GANG

I'll say it does!

FAGIN

You see, Oliver…

END

SIDE 2

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 3

FAGIN

I'm a real miser, ya' know. But can I help it? I just like to look at it. This is my one little pleasure, a cup of coffee and a quick count-up.

(FAGIN takes a sip of coffee from the saucepan, and has a quick count-up with a pile of coins in the lid of his treasure box. The count up is fast and the coins can be heard clinking in his treasure box. Next, FAGIN removes jewels from the box.)

(FAGIN)

(to the pearl)

Pearl, my pretty, I have a special place for you with all my other special lady friends.

(revealing a tiara from the box)

And Pearl, you must meet my extra special lady friend Tiara. I mean... who's gonna look after me in me old age?

(to the bird)

Will you?

(his eyes wander to OLIVER)

Will... you?!

(OLIVER is sitting up in bed watching. FAGIN closes the box with a loud crash and jumps towards OLIVER.)

Aagh! Why are you awake? What 'ave you seen? Quick, quick, speak! I want to hear every detail you saw.

END

 

SIDE 4

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 5

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