This is a new original story for the BBC Play series, with small elements from the story in Happy Mag 163a
Adapted for radio by Richmal Crompton in collaboration with Alick Hayes.
Script published by David Schutte in William the Terrible. ISBN: 978 0 9546802 4 4
After looking for a wardrobe for Robert in the previous play, Mr and Mrs Brown are now anxiously awaiting his return on leave from the army.
Interestingly, when he returns, he refers to Mrs Brown as 'mummy', and Mr Brown as 'Dad'. Compared to the books, this feels like quite an early change from 'Mother' and 'Father'.
Even William is pleased at the return of his brother and attempts a '21 gun salute', but using Mr Brown's golf bag, blowing out the bottom in the process. Surprisingly, Mr Brown doesn't blow his top, but quickly recovers composure, accepting that it would have been worse.
Robert gives presents all round (Ethel, we assume has returned to her post at the Auxiliary Territorial Service), with William receiving a decommissioned, but authentic, German pistol. When we discover that Robert is engaged (again), and in need of work as he is due to be demobbed from the army in the very near future; William decides to find him a job.
As William leaves, full from lunch, he mutters along to himself. He imagines an earlier time, when he could have gone up to Hounslow Heath and 'got some wicked old man's money off him' by shouting 'stand and deliver', backed up with the pistol that Robert has given him. Hounslow Heath, is an area that used to be crossed by the main routes to London and the south west of England and was notorious for highway robbers. If only he could do this, then Robert wouldn't have need of a job at all.
Ginger appears and immediately shows appreciation of William's new possession. Of course, William neglects to tell Ginger it no longer works!
After considering where they could get a free newspaper to look at the jobs listed, they eventually head to the library. Both Violet Elizabeth and Hubert enter into the story: Violet Elizabeth happens upon William and Ginger. Hubert is already at the library, improving his reading, which he enjoys.
They find a job listing that sounds good to William, but they have no money for a telephone call. Violet Elizabeth is sent to sing in the hope that people will give her the money to make a call, while the ads check telephone kiosks. Eventually one telephone that gives then the change it was holding. However, after a hectic call with the operator, Hubert knabs the money and makes a run for it. Although not before delivering the line of the play in response to being told that Robert is engaged: "If you ask me he's a sorta matrimonial addict". Indeed, Hubert, indeed.
Sir Austin Smith enters the scene and offers them the money for the call. Upon seeing the telephone number, he realises that they are looking to respond to his job advertisement. William speaks so well on his brothers behalf that Smith follows him to the Brown residence.
Smith realises that Robert is of a higher calibre than the advertised job and upon a good reference from Robert's commanding officer, will employ Robert as his private secretary.
The ending to his lovely story is that Violet Elizabeth receives a shilling from passers-by. Her response? "Ooh! Thank you - but I really only wanted tuppenthe"
So lovely to read a story with no trouble for our often troubled hero.
| Cast |
|---|
| William |
| Mr John Brown |
| Mrs Brown |
| Robert |
| Ginger |
| Hubert Lane |
| Violet Elizabeth |
| Sir Austin Smith |
| Telephone Operator |
