A Fine Gentleman sample
The curtains open on a darkened room, illuminated only by the moonlight which streams through a window. A distant clock chimes midnight. There are muffled sounds outside the window. A clattering sound is heard as the top of a ladder appears at the window.
(A voice outside whispers "shoosht". The voice is that of DAVID DRUMMOND. "Sorry, sir", another voice replies. The second voice belongs to WILLIE SYME)
DRUMMOND (off) Haud it still!
WILLIE (off) Watch my fingers sir!.... Ow!
DRUMMOND (off) Shoosht! You'll wauken the entire hoose!
(The window is carefully opened and DRUMMOND peers into the darkness of the room)
DRUMMOND Jean?.... Jean? It's me, Davy. Are you there? (there is no reply) Jean? I'm here, my truest one. Answer me, Jean my love. Jean?.... (still no reply. In a different tone) Where the damn are you?
WILLIE (off) I dinnae think she's there.
DRUMMOND Sneck up!
WILLIE (off) Whit was that?
DRUMMOND I said sneck.... never mind.
WILLIE (off) Whit?
(DRUMMOND aims a downward blow)
WILLIE (off) Ouch!
DRUMMOND Hand up the lantern.
(Taking the lantern, DRUMMOND clambers into the room)
WILLIE (Appearing at the window with another lantern) Maybe she's asleep.
DRUMMOND She must be stone deif.
(DRUMMOND tiptoes to the fireplace and leaves his lantern on the mantelpiece. WILLIE, meanwhile, has also entered)
DRUMMOND Willie?
WILLIE Aye sir?
DRUMMOND You're a fool. Whit are you?
WILLIE A fool.... Whit have I done noo?
DRUMMOND Does this look like a lassie's bedroom? Weel, does it?
WILLIE No, it doesnae. Maybe she shifted her bed?
DRUMMOND Trust you tae pick the wrong windae.
WILLIE It was daurk oot in yon street. Jist be thankfu' it wasnae her uncle's windae. Besides, I'm no accustomed tae climbin up ladders tae lassie's bedroom windaes.
DRUMMOND Willie, did you never gang courtin in your younger days?
WILLIE Of course I did. But at least I haud the genteelity tae gang chappin at the front door.... even if I was usually tossed oot the back.
DRUMMOND And that's precisely whit'll happen tae us if yon uncle o' her's finds us here.
WILLIE Aye. They dinnae cry him "Attila" for naethin.
DRUMMOND Where's your courage man?
WILLIE I think I left it at the foot o' yon ladder. I've heard talk in the toon aboot him that would gie onybody the goose-
DRUMMOND We must face ony hazard with a stout hert.
WILLIE I like the "we". You're daen the courtin, no me.
DRUMMOND Midnight I promised. Midnight it is, and I'm here.
WILLIE And she isnae.
DRUMMOND Let me think. (He goes to one of the doors) Then her bedroom micht be through this way.
WILLIE So might her uncle's, no tae mention yon toarn-
DRUMMOND There's only yin way tae find oot. Bring me a lantern.
WILLIE Can we no gang hame?
DRUMMOND Come here!
WILLIE Aye sir.
DRUMMOND Courage, Willie, courage.
(Together they cautiously approach the door. At that moment there is a noise from behind the door)
DRUMMOND Run for your life!