Page 5 - Book III Unit 5

Reading for Writing
Write a dramatic scene
1 Read the scene and answer the questions.
THE MILLION POUND BANK NOTE
ACT 2, SCENE 1
Narrator: Henry is walking along the street holding Henry:
the bank note in his hand. His coat is
worn in several places. He sees a sign
for a tailor’s shop.
Henry: (entering the shop) I’d like to have a suit
coat. Owner:
1st Clerk: (in a rude manner) See him there. Henry:
(pointing to another clerk)
Owner:
2nd Clerk: Ready-made suits? Downstairs.
Henry: (after going down some stairs) Can you
show me a suit, please?
3rd Clerk: Yes, I can, sir. This way, please. Ah, here
we are, the very thing you need.
1st Clerk: (pulling the 3rd clerk aside and
whispering) Mr Reid says you’d better (in another part of the shop, where there is a wide range of
serve him quick and get him out quick! options for Henry to choose from)
3rd Clerk: I know what I’m doing. I’ve got eyes, Henry:
haven’t I?
Owner:
Henry: It’s a little too bright, isn’t it?
3rd Clerk: (looking at him with a frown) It’s all we
have in your size.
Henry:
Henry: Well, I suppose it ought to do for now. I’ll
take it.
3rd Clerk: Good. Shall I put it in a box?
Owner:
Henry: No. I’ll wear it. Oh, I’d rather not pay you
now. I’d like to pay in a month. You see,
I don’t have any small change. 3rd Clerk: Yes, we can wait forever!
3rd Clerk: (trying not to show he’s angry) I suppose Henry:
a gentleman like you only carries very
large bills.
Owner:
Henry: Now, you shouldn’t judge people by their
clothes. I just don’t want to cause you Henry:
trouble with a large note.
Owner:
3rd Clerk: It’s no trouble at all.
56 UNIT 5 THE VALUE OF MONEY
In that case, there’s no problem. (He gives
the clerk the bank note. The clerk drops
Henry’s coat. Then he folds the bill and
slowly unfolds it again, as if looking at
something he can’t believe is there.)
Well, what seems to be the trouble?
I’m just waiting for my change.
Give him his change, Todd. Get going …
(after getting the bank note from Todd)
Would it … could it be the one I saw in the
papers last week? I remember thinking that
never would I hold such a note as this ... (to
Henry) Oh, take off this coat, sir. (to Todd) Go
get the others, Todd! (to Henry again) Allow
me, sir! This way, sir.
This is nice, but I really don’t need it.
Never mind. (with a broad smile) Oh, it’s
perfect! It was made for some king but he’ll
just have to wait. You’ll need many suits for
many occasions. Yes, indeed you will.
Wait a minute. I only came here to get a suit
coat to wear today. I dare not buy all these
things. You would have to wait a long time to
get paid.
A long time, sir? Why, you donʼt have to
worry about that!
Well, all right. I’ll take the suit coat for now
and get the others later.
Fine, fine. Your address, sir?
I don’t have one. Er … I’m moving.
Of course you are! That’s very normal! A
busy man, I’m sure.