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)