Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi - Phil Willmott

FROM THE CROWD: When are you two going to name the day then?
THOMPSON: We’re saving up. I want to do things properly. Like in a fairy
tale.
JO AS YOUNG ALICE: Shouldn’t be too long now -
ALL:
Things are adding up for Thompson
Didn’t amount to much before but, see
Now, on balance he’s in profit
THOMPSON:
Hey world ‘better take account of me.
ALL:
Time you both forgot your Long Division
From now on he’ll multiply by two
There’s no point subtracting
It’s Thompson you’re attracting
Here’s hoping, here’s hoping, here’s hoping - he can come to count on you.
ALL: Thompson’s an accountant and accountable to you.
Scene 9
THOMPSON AND HIS MUM, MO. AMONGST THE WASHING OUTSIDE HER
HOUSE.
THOMPSON: All right mam?
MO: There you are, love. I’ll be in a minute, your tea’s on the table. Don’t
get jam on that fancy jacket.
THOMPSON: Strawberry jam?
MO: Of course, what else. Strawberry’s from the allotment. Sugar from…
well you don’t need to know where. I’ve kept that jar just in case.
THOMPSON: Just in case what?
MO: You ever turn up at the door with that look on your face. You know that
same look you had when you came home from school and the big boys had
been picking on you. I’d sit you down, spread a big dollop of jam over some
bread for you and we’d sit and set the world to right.
THOMPSON: Mam, I’m not ten years old anymore.
MO: The jams probably seen better days and all.
40