1
ENTER Alice
Alice
And why should my father give you a job?
Alice
Hello. My goodness, how handsome.
Tommy
Yes? Why should her father give you a job?
Dick
Why, thank you
Dick
Oh, Tommy. Do be quiet.
Tommy
She’s a bit forward
Alice
That’s no way to speak to your cat. Poor pussy
Alice
What an adorable cat (strokes Tommy)
SONG – Alice : Poor Pussy, Soft Pussy
Tommy
Actually. She quite nice really. Purrr. Purrr
Tommy
Ha ha ha ha. She likes me.
Alice
What’s your name, you fine fellow?
Dick
Dick
Dick Whittington
Please Alice. Can you ask your father if he wants a hard worker? I
have just arrived with Tommy to make my fortune in London, and we
have no money left, and no food, and I will work very long hours, for
very little pay.
Alice
Not you silly. The cat
Dick
Oh, sorry. That’s Tommy
Tommy
I can talk for myself you know
My name’s Tommy. I’m very pleased to meet you.
Alice
How lovely. And what a lovely purr.
Tommy
What?
Dick
I don’t think she can understand you Tommy. She can only hear your
purr.
Tommy
Oh really. This is just too much. I walk all this way, and the locals can’t
even speak cat. What a load of…..
Dick
Hello. Again. What’s your name?
Alice
Alice Fitzwarren. My father is Alderman Fitzwarren and he owns this
store.
(During the above, Tommy has seen a rat and chased it off the stage and returns with it in
his mouth)
Dick
Well done Tommy. You clever cat. You have your breakfast.
Alice
Oh, how clever. Does Tommy catch rats and mice all the time?
Tommy
You can ask me, you know. I’m not stupid
Dick
Yes. It is his favourite hobby. He loves nothing better than chasing
and catching rats. There were very few rats left in Gloucester when
we left.
Alice
You could be just what we are looking for. London is overrun by rats.
They get everywhere. They spoil everything. Father, Father. Come
quickly. I think I have found an answer to your problems.
ALDERMAN enters from S/L in his pyjamas
Dick
Is there any chance your father may have a job for me? I am totally
trustworthy.
Alderman
What is it, my dear?
Alice
This young man has just arrived in London and is looking for work.
2
Alderman
Well, I can’t just take anyone on, you know. We don’t know anything
about him. How can we be sure he is an honest chap?
Dick
Oh, what’s the use?
Dick
I am sir. I would work my fingers to the bone for you, if you allow me
and Tommy to stay and work for you.
Alice
Look father (they watch Tommy in action) This is Tommy.
Alderman
What. Now there are 2 of them. What work have you done before?
Alderman
Oh. It’s a cat
Dick
I’m a country boy, but I can tend a field of cows
Tommy
It’s!!!! He’s asking for it, he really is.
Alderman
Oh. You look after a bunch of cows?
Dick
Quieten down Tommy.
Dick
Not a bunch, Sir. Herd, Sir
Alice
This could be the answer to all our problems. Tommy is a rat catcher.
Alderman
Heard what?
Tommy
Not just a rat catcher. The best in the business.
Dick
Herd of cows.
Dick
(to Tommy) Yes. You’re right. This could be the answer we are
looking for.
Alderman
Of course I’ve heard of cows
Dick
No, Sir. A cow herd
Alderman
What do I care what a cow heard? I have no secrets to keep from a
cow.
(JACK enters and listens secretly, hidden behind the door)
Tommy
This is going to be more difficult than we thought.
Dick
Tommy is the best rat catcher in the business. And you have rat
trouble haven’t you?
Dick
And I can milk a cow.
Alderman
No.. I always walk like this.
Alderman
How many O’ levels does he need for that?
Dick
Dick
Do you know anything about Jerseys?
Why not take us on. I can work in your store, I won’t take up much
room, and Tommy can fight all the rats, can’t you Tommy?
Alderman
Yes, I have one on under my pyjamas. It can get very cold at night.
Alice
Tommy
Oh, brother
Oh, go on father. Please let them stay. They would be a great help to
Jack. You know how lazy he is. It would give you more time to
concentrate on your trip abroad.
Alice
Can we give him a job, father?
Alderman
What a good idea. All right. I’ll take you both on. What’s your name?
Alderman
I can’t afford the extra staff at the moment, Alice. I have to pay for
the ship to go to Morocco.
Dick
Dick Whittington
TOMMY sees another rat and catches it
Alice and Alderman look for who Dick is talking to.
Alderman
(aside) Are you sure he’s all right, my dear?