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VOICES

The Ripper! The Ripper! The Ripper!

POLICE WHISTLES, SHOUTS, RUNNING FEET.

FADE UP the GURGLE OF WATER down the drain, DROWNING OUT the rest.

A new woman’s voice surfaces, OVER:

MRS. BENTHAM

Was that true?

JACK

I can’t remember.

MRS. BENTHAM

Whether it happened that way, exactly?

Or whether it happened at all?

JACK

. . . Either.

MRS. BENTHAM

(After a moment)

Then . . . I suppose you’d better tell me

what . . . might have happened . . . next.

FADE INTO the rush of a river in flood.

TABLEAU FOUR: TWO LADS AT PLAY

FADE IN the sound of two BOYS LAUGHING by the river’s side. COUNTRY NOISES, BIRDS. They are dragging the river for things to sell.

FIRST BOY

I found a shoe!

SECOND BOY

(Appraising it)

Too big for me.

FIRST BOY

Nice leather, though—

SECOND BOY

(Dismissive)