Oliver twist (Charles Dickens) English, No. 1/2013, p. 42-43

The cast

Oliver Dodger Charlie

Noah Fagin Bill Sikes

Toby Nancy Bet

Mr. Brownlow Mrs. Bedwin Mr. Bumble

A Bookseller A Constable

Oliver Twist and Mr. Bumble – singing Boy for sale – offering the audience to pay for the boy. Some boys appearing on the stage, Oliver is hiding behind them

Oliver: I will be good sir! I am a very little boy and it is so – so lonely! Please don’t be angry with me sir.

Mr. Bumble: Boy for sale! Oh, where is my boy for sale?

Dodger: What boy, sir?

Mr. Bumble: My boy for sale!

Charlie: We haven’t seen your boy, sir.

Mr. Bumble: Oh my god, I could have sold him for 5 pounds! (Leaves the stage)

Dodger: Hey, boy! (To Oliver)

Oliver: I am here… Thank you…

Charlie: You don’t look really well… What’s happened?

Oliver: I ran away from workhouse. They beat me and were cruel to me.

Dodger: Where are you from? You aren’t from London.

Oliver: I’ve been walking for 7 days.

Dodger: 7 days… Cool. Who you running from? Your old man?

Oliver: No, I am an orphan. I’ve come to London to make my fortune.

Charlie: You have. Have you? You should be hungry.

Oliver: I am.

Charlie: Have you got any lodgings, money?

Oliver: Not a penny. Do you live in London?

Dodger: You are lucky you met us before meeting a beak.

Oliver: Who is a beak?

Dodger: You do not know who a beak is?

Oliver: It’s a bird’s mouth, isn’t it?

Noah: He is green…For your information a beak is a constable.

Dodger: I suppose you want somewhere to sleep tonight?

Oliver: Yes, I haven’t slept under the roof since I became boy for sale. Do you know anywhere?

Dodger: Don’t worry about it. I know a respectable old gentleman who will give you a bed for nothing.

Oliver: Really?

Charlie: And never ask for the change if a gentleman he knows introduces you.

Oliver: He must be a very kind old gentleman.

Dodger: Oh, yes, he is and I am a particular favourite of his.

Charlie: Now, if you are coming along we’d better know who you are.

Oliver: My name is Oliver Twist.

Dodger: And mine is Jack Dawkins. Better known as the Artful Dodger.

Oliver: Why are you an Artful Dodger?

Dodger: A great thief I am.

Oliver: Pleased to meet you Mr. Dodger.

Noah: And I am Noah.

Charlie: And my name is Charlie. We’d better go now.

Oliver: Sure the old gentleman would not mind?

Dodger: Mind?

Charlie: Consider yourself at home. Consider yourself one of the family.

Dodger: I’ve taken to you so strong. It’s clear we are going to get along.

Enters Fagin.

Dodger: Hey, Fagin! I brought a new friend to see you, Oliver Twist.

Oliver: Sir (bows).

Fagin: Oh, Oliver Twist… I hope I should have the honour of your intimate acquaintance! We are very glad to see you Oliver, very…Aren’t we, my dears?

Boys: Yes, Fagin

Oliver: Me too, sir…

Fagin: Dodger tells me you’ve come to London to seek your fortune?

Oliver: Yes, sir.

Fagin: We must see what we can do to help you. Mustn’t we?

Oliver: Thank you.

Noah: You are staring at the pocket handkerchiefs my dear? We just hung them up ready for the wash, that’s all.

Boys: Ha, ha, ha.

Oliver: Is this a laundry then, sir?

Charlie: Yeah, a laundry.

Fagin: Not exactly, my boy. A Laundry would be a very nice thing indeed but our line of business pays a little better. Don’t it boys?

Boys: Yeah!

Fagin: You see, Oliver “In this life one thing counts. In the bank large amounts…”