An Education (6 page)
Authors: Nick Hornby
TINA
(
shrieking
)
shrieking
)
A spot of supper?
JENNY
You’ve heard of supper?
HAT TIE
We’ve
heard
of it. But we’ve never eaten it.
heard
of it. But we’ve never eaten it.
They walk off, giggling.
You’re going to have to tell us everything. Otherwise it’s not fair . . .
16INTERIOR: JENNY’S HOUSE - EVENING
JENNY
is dressed up for her evening out. She looks good, but also stiff, uncomfortable - she’s not herself in her dress, which looks too old for her. Her father is sitting at the dining table, shouting.
is dressed up for her evening out. She looks good, but also stiff, uncomfortable - she’s not herself in her dress, which looks too old for her. Her father is sitting at the dining table, shouting.
JACK
I won’t allow it!
JENNY
(
coolly
)
coolly
)
Fine. He’s more than happy for you to take me.
JACK
(
uncertainly
)
uncertainly
)
Fine. I will.
JENNY
Good.
MARJORIE
comes into the room.
comes into the room.
JACK
Where is it?
JENNY
St John’s, Smith Square.
JACK
Where’s that?
JENNY
I don’t know. I’m sure we could find out.
MARJORIE
It’s in Westminster. Just around the corner from the Abbey.
JACK
looks at her as if she’d just given directions to the nearest opium den.
looks at her as if she’d just given directions to the nearest opium den.
JACK
How d’you know that?
MARJORIE
I had a life before we were married, you know.
JENNY
He soon put a stop to that.
JACK
Well, there we are.
JENNY
Where are we?
JACK
Near Westminster Abbey. I’m not going all the way over there.
JENNY
The trouble is, that’s where St John’s, Smith Square is.
JACK
There must be something on locally. Where’s the paper?
MARJORIE
Jack, she wants to see someone who can play. She doesn’t want to see Sheila Kirkland scratching away. I’ll take her.
JACK
And how do you suppose to get there? RAF helicopter?
The doorbell rings.
JENNY
That’s him.
JACK
Oh, bloody hell.
MARJORIE
Jack!
JENNY
starts towards the door, and then turns.
starts towards the door, and then turns.
JENNY
Oh, and by the way . . . David’s a Jew.
A wandering Jew. So watch yourself.
She goes to the door.
JACK
(
panic-stricken and shouting
)
panic-stricken and shouting
)
What does she mean by that? I’ve never said anything like that! It’s just an expression. I’ve got nothing against the Jews . . .
JENNY
comes back in with
DAVID,
who seems intimidatingly exotic. He has obviously heard
JACK’S
last line.
comes back in with
DAVID,
who seems intimidatingly exotic. He has obviously heard
JACK’S
last line.
DAVID
(
pleasantly
)
pleasantly
)
I’m glad to hear it. Hello. David.
He offers his hand.
JACK
I didn’t mean I’ve got nothing against
you
. . . Actually, I did mean that, but . . .
you
. . . Actually, I did mean that, but . . .
DAVID’S
hand is still extended - in his confusion and embarrassment,
JACK
hasn’t yet taken it. He does so now and shakes it for way too long.
hand is still extended - in his confusion and embarrassment,
JACK
hasn’t yet taken it. He does so now and shakes it for way too long.
I’m sorry. What I’m saying is that you’re not the sort of, of person I’d be against, if I were the sort of person who was against . . . people . . . Oh, dear. I’m Jack, and this is Marjorie.
DAVID
(
deadpan
)
deadpan
)
You didn’t tell me you had a sister, Jenny.
General confusion, until David chuckles naughtily.
MARJORIE
giggles, and then offers her hand.
MARJORIE
giggles, and then offers her hand.
You’re a lucky man, Jack.
JACK
I suppose I am, yes.
They all sit down.
DAVID
(
looking around approvingly
)
looking around approvingly
)
This is lovely.
MARJORIE
smiles.
smiles.
MARJORIE
Thank you.
JACK
I’m sorry, David. Would you like a drink?
DAVID
I’d love one, Jack, but we’re running a little late. If Jenny’s ready, perhaps we’ll shoot off.
JENNY
looks at her father and takes a calculated gamble.
looks at her father and takes a calculated gamble.
JENNY
Actually, David, Dad has something he has to tell you.
JACK
No, no, nothing . . . It was more of a question, really. A point of reference. What’s the best way to get to St John’s, Smith Square from here?
DAVID
Oh, it’s a pretty straight run, really. Up to Hammersmith, take the A4 through Kensington and you’re there.
JACK
Simple as that.
DAVID
Simple as that.
JACK
smiles broadly.
smiles broadly.
MARJORIE
(
playfully
)
playfully
)
Shall I book us some tickets?
JACK
(
still smiling
)
still smiling
)
No.
Beat.
Have her back by ten, David.
DAVID
Well, I was hoping she might come with me afterwards for a spot of supper with my aunt Helen.
JENNY
studies him carefully. Suddenly his friends
DANNY
and
HELEN
have become ‘Aunt Helen’.
studies him carefully. Suddenly his friends
DANNY
and
HELEN
have become ‘Aunt Helen’.
JACK
Oh, well, er . . . No, she’s usually in bed by then.
JENNY
winces.
winces.
DAVID
What if I promise to have her back by eleven thirty?
JACK
Well, it’s Friday night. And you
are
going all the way to the West End . . .
are
going all the way to the West End . . .
DAVID
Thanks, Jack. I appreciate it.
They exchange warm handshakes. He turns to
MARJORIE,
who extends her hand.
DAVID
takes it, but kisses it suavely, leaving her a little flustered.
MARJORIE,
who extends her hand.
DAVID
takes it, but kisses it suavely, leaving her a little flustered.
JENNY
Bye.
JENNY
and
DAVID
leave.
17and
DAVID
leave.
EXTERIOR: ST JOHN’S, SMITH SQUARE - EVENING
JENNY
and
DAVID
run in the rain toward the beautiful hall.
JENNY
suddenly looks young in the dress that looks too old for her - other adults are milling around outside, and the women don’t look like girls dressed up.
DAVID
makes for an incredibly glamorous and attractive couple in their late twenties who are waiting outside -
DANNY
and
HELEN. HELEN
is as far from anyone’s idea of an aunt as one can get.
and
DAVID
run in the rain toward the beautiful hall.
JENNY
suddenly looks young in the dress that looks too old for her - other adults are milling around outside, and the women don’t look like girls dressed up.
DAVID
makes for an incredibly glamorous and attractive couple in their late twenties who are waiting outside -
DANNY
and
HELEN. HELEN
is as far from anyone’s idea of an aunt as one can get.
She’s no more beautiful than
JENNY
, but she’s dressed both appropriately and spectacularly, in early-’
60
s, pre-hippy Bohemian gear. She turns heads in a way that
JENNY
is not yet able to.
DANNY,
too, is attractive, but soberly so.
DAVID
and
JENNY
are, in a way, paler, less striking versions of these two.
JENNY
, but she’s dressed both appropriately and spectacularly, in early-’
60
s, pre-hippy Bohemian gear. She turns heads in a way that
JENNY
is not yet able to.
DANNY,
too, is attractive, but soberly so.
DAVID
and
JENNY
are, in a way, paler, less striking versions of these two.
DAVID
Hello, hello. Are we late?
HELEN
No, I thought we were going to miss the beginning, and then it wouldn’t be worth going in, and we could all go off dancing or something.
DANNY
Helen is one of the more reluctant members of tonight’s audience.
JENNY
and
DAVID
laugh politely.
and
DAVID
laugh politely.
DAVID
Jenny, these are my friends Helen and Danny.
JENNY
shakes hands with the two of them.They both give her fascinated and clearly appraising looks.They have heard about her.
shakes hands with the two of them.They both give her fascinated and clearly appraising looks.They have heard about her.
Shall we?
They walk into the hall.
18INTERIOR: ST JOHN’S, SMITH SQUARE - NIGHT
It’s a beautiful hall -
JENNY
is dazzled by the surroundings and the company. She’s particularly bowled over by
HELEN
.
JENNY
is dazzled by the surroundings and the company. She’s particularly bowled over by
HELEN
.
The girls walk over to the cloakroom where they join the queue. Almost involuntarily,
JENNY
touches the sleeve of
HELEN’S
fur jacket. She stops herself.
HELEN
notices.
JENNY
touches the sleeve of
HELEN’S
fur jacket. She stops herself.
HELEN
notices.
JENNY
Sorry.
HELEN
(
amused
)
amused
)
That’s all right. It’s nice, isn’t it?
JENNY
It’s beautiful. Where did you get it from?
HELEN
Oh, I don’t know, Chelsea somewhere.
HELEN
looks at
JENNY’S
outfit, her frumpy ‘smart’ dress, apparently wanting to return the compliment.
looks at
JENNY’S
outfit, her frumpy ‘smart’ dress, apparently wanting to return the compliment.
(
nodding at the dress
)
nodding at the dress
)
This is . . . Well, it’s good for this sort of concert, isn’t it?
JENNY
(
quietly
)
quietly
)
Thank you.
HELEN
is now at the front of the queue and hands her coat over imperiously.
is now at the front of the queue and hands her coat over imperiously.
HELEN
We should go shopping together one day, if you want.
She takes a ticket from the cloakroom lady.
JENNY
That would be nice. But Chelsea . . .
C’est beaucoup trop cher pour moi
.
C’est beaucoup trop cher pour moi
.
They stare at each other.
HELEN
is bewildered
, JENNY
embarrassed.
HELEN
is bewildered
, JENNY
embarrassed.
HELEN
Sorry?
JENNY
I just said . . . It’s too expensive for me.
HELEN
No you didn’t.You said something completely different.
JENNY
I just . . . Well, I said it in French.
HELEN
In French? Why?
JENNY
feels humiliated; she is yet to realise what we can see - that
HELEN
is simply very dim.
feels humiliated; she is yet to realise what we can see - that
HELEN
is simply very dim.
JENNY
I don’t know.
JENNY
looks away.
HELEN
stares at her.The performance bell rings, and they make their way back to the men.
looks away.
HELEN
stares at her.The performance bell rings, and they make their way back to the men.
To
JENNY’S
surprise and pleasure,
HELEN
links arms with her as they walk.
JENNY’S
surprise and pleasure,
HELEN
links arms with her as they walk.
HELEN
Well, Chelsea’s too expensive for me, too, really. But we don’t have to worry about that. If you want something in Chelsea, get David to take you shopping.
JENNY
Why would David want to take me shopping? HELEN
makes a knowing face.
makes a knowing face.
INTERIOR: ST JOHN’S, SMITH SQUARE - NIGHT
DAVID, JENNY, DANNY
and
HELEN
in a row in the middle of the auditorium, watching the stage and listening to the music.
JENNY
can’t concentrate - she’s too excited by the occasion and the company.
JENNY
sneaks a glance at
HELEN,
who stares straight ahead, unblinking and enigmatic.
DAVID
is smiling, as if he’s trying to communicate enjoyment;
DANNY’S
eyes flicker across the stage - he understands the music, its component parts, which musicians are contributing what.
JENNY
takes it all in.
20and
HELEN
in a row in the middle of the auditorium, watching the stage and listening to the music.
JENNY
can’t concentrate - she’s too excited by the occasion and the company.
JENNY
sneaks a glance at
HELEN,
who stares straight ahead, unblinking and enigmatic.
DAVID
is smiling, as if he’s trying to communicate enjoyment;
DANNY’S
eyes flicker across the stage - he understands the music, its component parts, which musicians are contributing what.
JENNY
takes it all in.
EXTERIOR: ST JOHN’S, SMITH SQUARE - NIGHT
JENNY, DAVID, DANNY
and
HELEN
emerge with the other concert-goers.
and
HELEN
emerge with the other concert-goers.
DAVID
I booked a table at Juliette’s. Will that kill the mood, do you think?
HELEN
Oh, I do hope so.
The others laugh.
I always think I’m going to my own funeral when I listen to classical music. (
tentatively
) That was classical, wasn’t it?
tentatively
) That was classical, wasn’t it?
DANNY
Yes. Very classical. As classical as you can get.
HELEN
looks pleased.
looks pleased.
DAVID
Juliette’s it is, then. Heaven forbid that we should end the evening reflecting on our own mortality.
JENNY
smiles in delight. She’s never met people like this.
21smiles in delight. She’s never met people like this.
INTERIOR: JULIETTE’S - NIGHT
A singer in the Julie London mould is singing while cigarette girls and glamorous waitresses patrol the tables.
JENNY
is sitting with the others at a table in the club, eating and talking. She looks about twelve, but she’s thrilled to be there.We know now that her life can never be the same again, and there will be no going back to fish-paste sandwiches with pimply
GRAHAM
.
JENNY
is sitting with the others at a table in the club, eating and talking. She looks about twelve, but she’s thrilled to be there.We know now that her life can never be the same again, and there will be no going back to fish-paste sandwiches with pimply
GRAHAM
.
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