Hobson's Choice: A Lancashire Comedy in Four ActsBrighouse, Harold
General
Hobson's Choice: A Lancashire Comedy in Four Acts
Brighouse, Harold
English drama -- 20th century; Fathers and daughters -- Drama; Sisters -- Drama
TUBBY. He'll play old Harry if he comes in and finds us doing nowt in
the workroom.
VICKEY. Then do something. We're not stopping you. (_Rises and moves
over to_ R.)
TUBBY (_turning on her_). You're not telling me neither. And I'm
supposed to take my orders from the shop.
ALICE. I don't know what to tell you. Nobody seems to want any boots
made.
TUBBY. The high-class trade has dropped like a stone this last month. Of
course we can go on making clogs for stock if you like.
ALICE. Then you'd better.
TUBBY. You know what's got by selling clogs won't pay the rent, let
alone wages, but if clogs are your orders, Miss Alice--(_He moves
towards trap_.)
ALICE. You suggested it.
TUBBY. I made the remark. (_Starts going down_.) But I'm not a rash man,
and I'm not going to be responsible to the master with his temper so
nowty and all since Miss Maggie went.
ALICE. Oh, dear! What would Miss Maggie have told you to do?
TUBBY. I couldn't tell you that, Miss, I'm sure. I don't recollect
things being as slack as this in her time.
VICKEY. You don't help us much for an intelligent foreman.
TUBBY. When you've told me what to do, I'll use my intelligence and see
it's done properly.
ALICE. Then go and make clogs.
TUBBY. Them's your orders?
ALICE. Yes.
TUBBY. Thank you, Miss Alice.
(TUBBY _goes down trap and closes it_.)
ALICE (_rises and moves up_ L.). I wonder if I've done right?
VICKEY. That's your look-out.
ALICE. I don't care. It's father's place to be here to tell them what to
do.
VICKEY. Maggie used to manage without him.
ALICE. Oh, yes. Go on. Blame me that the place is all at sixes and
sevens. (_Coming down to desk_.)
VICKEY. I don't blame you. I know as well as you do that it's father's
fault. He ought to look after his business himself instead of wasting
more time than ever in the "Moonraker's," but you needn't be snappy with
me about it.
ALICE. I'm not snappy in myself. (_Sitting at desk_.) It's these
figures. I can't get them right. What's 17 and 25?
VICKEY (_promptly_). Fifty-two, of course.
ALICE. Well, it doesn't balance right. Oh, I wish I was married and out
of it. (_Closes book_.)
VICKEY. Same here.
ALICE. You! (_Rises_.)
VICKEY. You needn't think you're the only one.
ALICE. Well, you're sly, Vickey Hobson. You've kept it to yourself.
VICKEY. It's just as well now that I did. Maggie's spoilt our chances
for ever. Nobody's fretting to get Willie Mossop for a brother-in-law.
(MAGGIE _enters, followed by_ FREDDY BEENSTOCK _and then_ WILL. MAGGIE
_and_ WILL _are actually about to be married, but their dress does not
specially indicate it. They are not in their older clothes, and that is
all_. FREDDY _is smarter than either, though only in his everyday dress.
He is not at all a blood, but the respectable son of a respectable
tradesman, and his appearance is such as to justify his attractiveness
in_ VICKEY'S _eyes_. WILL, _very shy, remains up_ L. C. _near the
counter_.)
ALICE. Maggie, you here!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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