Page 25 of Drawn Up From Deep Places

VOICES

The Ripper! The Ripper! The Ripper!

POLICE WHISTLES, SHOUTS, RUNNING FEET.

FADE UP the GURGLE OF WATER down the drain, DROWNING OUT the rest.

A new woman’s voice surfaces, OVER:

MRS. BENTHAM

Was that true?

JACK

I can’t remember.

MRS. BENTHAM

Whether it happened that way, exactly?

Or whether it happened at all?

JACK

. . . Either.

MRS. BENTHAM

(After a moment)

Then . . . I suppose you’d better tell me

what . . . might have happened . . . next.

FADE INTO the rush of a river in flood.

TABLEAU FOUR: TWO LADS AT PLAY

FADE IN the sound of two BOYS LAUGHING by the river’s side. COUNTRY NOISES, BIRDS. They are dragging the river for things to sell.

FIRST BOY

I found a shoe!

SECOND BOY

(Appraising it)

Too big for me.

FIRST BOY

Nice leather, though—

SECOND BOY

(Dismissive)