(SHIP HORN BLARES)
Ahoy there! What ship are you?
The Dunbar. Out of Rotterdam, bound for the Pool.
Thank you, Captain. You may proceed to your berth.
(SHIP BELL RINGS)
The Dunbar's just coming in. Let me have their papers.
Very good, Mr Collins.
It'll be tomorrow morning now, I expect.
(SHIP HORN BLARES)
Never seen a ship before, Sally?
Battlebridge Wharf. To the Dunbar.
We'll clear her tonight and do the rummage tomorrow.
Right, sir.
Keep heaving.
Avast!
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
- All right, make her fast at that. - Aye, aye, sir.
- All right, Johnny, make her fast at that. - Aye, aye, sir.
- Finished with engines. - Aye, aye, sir.
(SHIP BELL RINGS)
Finished with the engines.
The old fool's got us in at last - fifteen minutes late.
That's the last we'll see of him for the next few days.
- Ladder ready? - Ladder ready, sir.
Customs aboard, sir.
I hope they get a move on. Wife's expecting me to take her to the Palladium.
Should be in time for the second house, sir.
Depends which one of 'em it is.
It's Mr Andrews, sir.
- Oh, dear, all night. Tell the Chief. - Aye, aye, sir.
- Good evening, Captain. - Good evening, Andrews.
General cargo, no passengers, no infection.
- Crew's declaration ready in the Saloon. - Thanks. Had a good trip?
Oh, same old bus route.
How's that boy of yours? Still wanting to go to sea?
No fool like a young one.
- Customs aboard, Chief. - Thanks.
- Customs! Pronto in the Saloon! - Aye, aye, sir.
- Ready, Johnny? - Half a second.
Just what the doctor ordered.
- What are you gonna tell teacher? - The truth. It always pays.
- That's what you think. - Come on, Johnny, let's get weaving.
JOHNNY: I'm with you.
I've got nothing to declare, sir.
- How are you off for fags? - I'm out.
- Take these two for me, will you? - Sure.
I'm over my quota.
You're declaring three bottles of brandy. For personal consumption?
Aye, on the premises.
Sailing out again Sunday. Now, let's see - tonight, Saturday...
- Three bottles? - One of them's already opened.
How much?
All right, go on. Can't leave you high and dry.
Thanks very much.
By the way, how's yon boy of yours getting on?
- He's still studying. - You should make him an engineer.
- No, the bridge for him. - He'll come to no good up there.
- Name, please? - Lambert.
You're declaring nothing.
There's something I didn't put down. Two packets of cigarettes.
- Is that all? - Yes, sir.
- All right, - Thank you.
Dan MacDonald.
MacDonald. 40 cigarettes. What else have you got?
A cuckoo clock, a couple of cameras, and a heart of gold.
Don't try that stuff with me. Have you anything else?
- Silk stockings, perfume? - Sorry, sir, I don't use it.
- Go on. - No offence meant, sir.
None taken. Now get going.
I've nothing to declare, sir.
- Honest, sir, nothing! - I never said you had.
- Picking up Sally at the office? - Yeah, I suppose so.
- Don't fall over yourself, will you? - What's she done now?
It's not what she's done - it's what she won't.
- Goodnight, ladies. - BOTH: Goodnight.
- Coming, Sally? - Not for a moment or two.
You're wasting an awful lot of your life on that boy.
- Tower Bridge? - That's right. Upstairs only.
- Excuse me. - Oh, certainly.
No, please don't. I'll hold the baby.
- Sure you don't mind? - Not a bit.
- Any more fares? - New Cross, please.
New Cross? Thank you, Miss.
- Tower Bridge? - No, New Cross.
- Hiya, Tiny. - Hello, guv'nor.
Hello, Ethel. How's my darling?
- Well, look what the sea's thrown up. - Couple of lights.
- And a packet of fags. - What's wrong with these?
- What, these? - Yeah.
- Import only. - One of these days, you're gonna...
Only fags! Just like it says on the packet.
But not quite the same brand, that's all.
Two lights.
You really stick your chin out peddling that stuff.
Bah! Money for old rope.
I could put you on to a thing or two.
No, thanks.
Tell you what. You gave me a hand... OK.
Here's a quid.
Ethel... Gentleman wants to pay for the drinks.
And the cigarettes.
You want a fight?
- Cigarettes. 15 and a penny change. - It's his, not mine.
OK, have it your own way.
Well, I've got to deliver the goods. Why don't you come along?
Then you can buy me one, seeing as you're so independent.
- Sure. Can you lend me a pound? - Bah...!
(CAR HORN BEEPS)
Hey, come on, Johnny boy.
- Won't be a minute. - OK.
One, please.
Don't you want a ticket?
No, thanks. I'm just waiting.
(# DRUM ROLL)
(CLAPPING)
(# DRUM ROLL)
(# ORCHESTRA STRIKES UP)
(CLAPPING)
Over here, sailor.
- Good trip? - All right.
- You don't half get around. - Hmm, stay ashore and see the world.
Have you got 'em?
Four twenties. That's eighty.
Back again two weeks tonight. Want to increase the order?
No. Same as usual.
What's the idea of meeting this place?
Someone wants to meet a nice, obliging sailor.
That's me. Where is she?
- Evening, Else. - Good evening, Mr Vernon.
- Dan MacDonald. Vince Vernon. - Pleased to meet you.
Real star turn is this boy.
- Did you catch the act? - Er... just the end.
Ah, shocking house tonight. Have a drink.
- Yeah, I'll have a Scotch. - Scotch. Make it two.
He's got a proposal. I told him you might be interested.
You're sailing Sunday, is that right?
- Yeah, that's right. - No ifs about it?
- Evening tide. - Certain?
Tides don't change their mind.
Want to make some money?
It all depends.
- I'm a little particular. - Particular about a hundred quid?
If you go down the end there, you can see the stage.
- Help to pass the time. - Thanks.
- What do you want? - I'm just waiting.
- Got your ticket? - I'm not seeing the show, I'm just waiting.
Well, wait outside. We get enough of your lot paying for their seats.
Go on - 'op it!
- How could you speak to anyone like that? - Coming in here,
- trying to get something for nothing... - I told him he could wait there.
There was a friend of mine waiting here. Where'd he go?
- He was told to get out. - By you?
Some of our customers who pay for their seats are a bit particular.
You didn't like his face, is that it? Well, I don't like your face!
- Well, I was doing my job, that's all. - Well, do it now, go on. Tell me to get out.
Oh, leave him. You'll get us all into trouble.
All right. But the next time you speak to a friend of mine, watch your manners.
Lucky for him I kept control of myself.
Pity you didn't with his friend.
Turn it in, Pat. Come on, I'll buy you a drink before you go home.
Thanks. I'll just go home.
Hello, George.
- Alf, you met my brother? - Yes, we said how do.
He's the respectable one of the family.
- Well, so long, Vince. - Cheerio, Alf.
See you tomorrow. Same time, same place. So long.
Bye!
Well? Everything all right?
They gave me a gold watch - plated!
Never mind, you'll be able to buy yourself a real one soon.
I've got the sailor.
I don't know. I don't know, I'm sure.
You're not getting cold feet now, after all the time we've waited?
It was all right talking.
Now it's come to doing it...
You want the money as much as I do, you know that.
It's Hobson's choice. But it's me that's doing the jump.
Don't you worry, you've nothing to be frightened of.
- To think I've sunk as low as this... - Listen, George.
You were going to be a big shot -
your own boss with everything you've ever wanted.
And what are you now? An ex-clerk!
With a pension you can't buy fags on!
Same with me. Look where I've got.
Out there, night after night.
They just don't happen to like it, they...
Well, maybe it is a lousy act, but this time it's going to pay off.
This is the chance for both of us to get our own back.
It won't knock twice.
All right... all right.
- Are they still in the safe? - Yes.
Now, listen to me.
Tomorrow, you'll be in Rotterdam. Right out of it.
Wait there for this sailor.
- I beg your pardon. Oh, hello. - Hello.
Hurry up, now. It's wetter out than in.
On top now. One more only.
Please.
- Oh, no, no. - No, please.
- But you were first. - No, no, no, please.
Make up your minds!
Better get under something.
- (CHUCKLES) Just look at my shopping! - Yes, please?
Would you like something?
I'd love a coffee.
(SHIP HORN BLARES)
Hello, Pam, my darling, look what's blown in.
- I can see for myself, thank you. - Maisie ready?
- I'll say! Has been for hours. - Tell her I'm ready to go.
(CHILDREN SHOUTING)
- He's here. - Have you been using my scent again?
Huh! Not me! I don't need it.
Well, wait till you do. I'll soon take the grin off that silly face of yours.
Why don't you put your shoes away? I nearly fell.
Wouldn't be the first time.
You wait till I get back, my girl.
If you kids don't stop yelling, I'll give you something to yell about!
Shut up! If you hadn't spent half the night dolling yourself up,
- you could've seen to them. - You shut up, too!
I won't! I'll tell Dad!
Fat lot he'll care by closing time.
Hello, Dan.
Hiya, Maisie, how's my darling?
That's on account. I'll settle for the rest later.
- You're stinking late. - I had business to do.
- You never think of me, do you? - What do you mean?
How about all those fancy clothes? I brought you some nylons, too.
Smoke net. Fully fashioned. Extra length.
- Let's see them. - I'll bring them tomorrow.
Well, don't bring yourself...
- Who is this Charlie? - An acrobat.
He'd want to be to do a bust in that way and bounce and all.
It's his neck if he cracks it. If not, we're on to something.
I don't know...
He's all right. He's just got the idea the world owes him a living.
Well, if it does, he can share it with us.
- Any objections? - Ugh...
Look, I know what I'm doing.
He may be a bit nuts, but I tell you he's on to something.
Allay-oop!
These ruddy amateurs!
- Cup of tea? - No, thanks.
Sit down.
- Alf, Jock. - Well, are they on?
- How'd you know they're still in that safe? - I do know.
- What's our cut? - Forty per cent.
- Forty? - Well, that's what we settled.
Well, since then I've got you that sailor. You won't crack the safe without Alf.
Without me, there won't be any safe to crack. This is my job.
I got on to it. I go the... contacts and all the information.
I've been waiting for something big like this for years, I'm not giving it all away now.
Forty-five or it's off.
All right.
OK, then it's on.
This is my corner. Thank you for bringing me.
- Afraid I've made you late. - Not a bit.
I shan't need to get supper now. Straight to bed.
What about you? Do you live on your ship while you're in port?
Most of us, except those who have homes to go to.
Funny!
First time ashore - you look forward to that when you're at sea,
even if you're only out a couple of days.
Then, when it comes,
often enough you don't know what to do with yourself.
You're quite glad to get back to work.
But tonight...
Tonight's been different.
- I wish you'd let me pay for my share. - It wasn't much of a banquet.
- But thanks for having it. - I enjoyed it.
- Goodnight. - Goodnight.
(# ACCORDION PLAYS)
- Who's that? - Me. Johnny.
Tell the owner your registration's illegible.
- What? - Your registration number.
- What? - You can't read it.
Well, why didn't you say so?
Declaring one ship's papers.
Smart boy.
OFFICER: "God save thee, Ancient Mariner,
"from all the fiends that plague thee thus."
Shut that blasted door!
There's a seaman here with the Dunbar's papers.
Hello, Sal. How's my darling?
- With my compliments, and the Captain's - Thank you.
- Harry got landed with painting the hull. - How is he? Is he all right?
- Didn't you see him last night? - No.
Oh.
Er, come to think of it, I'm not sure he wasn't on watchman's turn.
Poor old Harry! Everything happens to him.
He might have sent a message. I waited for him.
- You can tell him that when you see him. - I'll tell him more than that.
No, please don't. It doesn't matter.
- If you ask me, Harry's a big... - You won't need a receipt.
OK. So long.
Flag for the Merchant Seamen!
What those poor boys go through!
Shocking!
Thank you.
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
What are you doing here?
As soon as you knock off, go and see Vernon.
Same place as last night. He'll be waiting.
Next time you want to see me, I'll do the visiting.
OK, Sailor.
Hey, Harry. Just seen your girl.
Boy, are you in Dutch! She waited up half the night for you.
- Try talking yourself out of that one! - What did you tell her?
I told her you were doing watchman.
- Thanks, pal. - What were you doing?
Something cropped up. You should've seen her.
- Well, that's the lot. Want a cuppa? - No, thanks.
I'll take her to the Palais tonight. That'll square her.
Thought you two were gonna get hitched. You've been going steady long enough.
Yeah, that's the trouble.
Hello, George. Got the time on you?
Know what the perisher's done? Confiscated me own ruddy watch.
- Found out what made you tick all right. - Poor old George!
You shouldn't have wound them up!
- These are the job. Undetectable! - Nylons? What do they fetch?
Maisie. Wonderful what a woman'll do for a pair of these.
Hello, Johnny. Want one?
- Oh... thanks! - What's her name?
- I don't know. - Where does she live?
- I don't know. - Blimey! Why don't you get introduced?
There you are. Lovely.
No wonder all the nice girls love a sailor.
See, George, you can get a grandfather clock through if you know how.
- See you, Johnny. - My girls don't like grandfathers.
- What are you gonna do with those? - I don't know.
Oh, after you, sir.
- Going ashore? - Yes, sir.
Not taking anything you haven't declared?
Who, me? I wouldn't try to get anything past you, sir.
- Never mind all that. Let's see. - You cleared me last night, sir.
While you're in port, you're liable to be questioned or searched
at any time in the ship or off.
- You know that well enough. - Oh!
Have a heart, sir. Haven't you got a girl?
Yes. I'm married.
Come on. What have you got for yours?
Only a pair of nylons, sir.
- You're not gonna stick me for these. - No.
We'll have the lot while you're about it. Come on.
If you play square with us, we go easy with you.
As it is, I could book you for a matter of ten pounds for this little lot.
- Ten? - Or if you elect, you can go to court.
Now, which is it to be?
I don't know.
Go on, get going before I change my mind.
Thanks.
MacDonald!
Yes, sir?
Take the watchman's turn till five.
And next time a member of my crew is pulled up, he's fired.
He won't sail again on this ship or any other ship of this line. Understand?
- Yes, sir. - Well, cut along then.
- You let him off lightly. - Don't worry. His girl won't.
Talk yourself out of that one.
I've got a business date and I'm stuck on watch.
Anything I can do? Keep Maisie company?
- Anything you say. - Go and take a run at yourself.
Hello, Sal.
Hello.
Just on my way to the office to pick you up.
You'd have found it closed.
Oh, of course, Saturday. My memory...
It isn't very good, is it?
Got kept on watch last night.
- On the level, I did. - Harry, you don't have to make excuses.
I just want to know where we are, that's all.
- If it's all off, just say so. - All off? Why should it be?
Well? Is it?
Huh! Now, if it was, why do you think I'd take you out dancing tonight?
- Wouldn't make sense, would it? - You mean it?
(CHUCKLES) What do you think?
- I thought you'd gone ashore. - I copped it.
- The nylons? - Yeah, the whole shoot.
You can get a grandfather clock through if you know how.
You'd better have these back.
No, you keep them.
Tell you what, though.
You could do me a favour.
(EXHALES SHARPLY)
- Who's that? - Mr Vernon?
What is it? What do you want? I don't know you, do I?
- I'm from Dan MacDonald. - MacDonald?
From the Dunbar. He was to come at one o'clock.
Well, what's the use of sending you?
He got kept on watch. Had trouble with the customs.
- Trouble with what? - Customs.
- But he could come this evening. - Tell him he needn't bother.
Hello, Pat. Coming cycling tomorrow?
- I might. Where are you all meeting? - Elsie and Jim's. Going to Epping.
- I'll be there if I'm up in time. - You'd better be.
Oh, hello! What are you doing here?
I had a message for Mr Vernon.
- Who? - One of the turns.
- Oh, I never see those. - I didn't expect to see you... again.
- Oh... - Well, what is it?
I just thought of something. Something I was given this morning.
Could I see you later? Today sometime?
- Well, I don't get off till nine, I'm afraid. - Then would do.
- It would only be for a minute. - All right.
- See you tonight. - Sure.
You've put me right in it.
I got everything to work, and you had to go and ditch yourself with the customs.
You know, you're a worrier.
If I thought there was a chance of getting caught, I wouldn't do it.
Not for you or anybody else.
If you want something to go aboard my ship, it will.
- How? - Never mind "how". It will.
And no ifs about it.
I've got ways of getting by those boys.
- I don't know I'm sure. - Yeah, but I do.
I got it all sewn up.
Look, make up your mind. I don't care much either way.
All right.
Tomorrow, you'll be handed a parcel and fifty quid.
- A hundred. - Fifty.
And fifty in Rotterdam when it's handed back.
That is, provided the s... seals aren't broken.
- Seals? - Will you listen to me?
And there'll be someone waiting for you when you dock in Holland.
Park Empire, Chiswick Royal, The Old Met, New Cross,
I've played them all. Stopped the show in a few of them.
Yeah, like I stop the traffic in Piccadilly.
OK, see you tomorrow morning.
And don't forget - a hundred quid for the act.
Who's he? Val Parnell?
Hey, Johnny. I thought you were off somewhere with those nylons.
Hello, Dan.
Don't tell me she's worn them to walk out on you.
Well, I... haven't given them yet.
As a... well, as a matter of fact, it's not like that at all. I, er...
It's just someone I...
Oh, I get it. Free passes to all the shows, huh?
- Yeah. - Well, here I am.
- Well, er... - Dan MacDonald. I'm Johnny's big brother.
- What are you gonna do tonight? - Nothing.
But it's Saturday night!
Tell you what.
I'm meeting my girlfriend over at the Palais. Why don't you two come along?
- You like dancing, don't you, kid? - Well, yes, I...
All right then. Come on, the tickets are on me.
You'll love Maisie. She's a honey.
How do I know you got kept on the ship?
- How do I know you ever got my nylons? - Because I say so.
- Oh, don't you shout at me. - That's it! Start on my manners now.
I didn't mean Dan to push you into all this.
That's all right. I had nothing fixed for this evening.
- Hello, Pat. - I thought Wednesday was your night.
Twice this week.
You, er... you come here often?
Pretty regularly. A whole bunch of us do.
That's all you ever think about's number one.
- Hiya, Dan. Enjoying yourself? - Oh, sure.
I tell you, I did have them. Six pairs.
Ask Johnny. I let him have a pair for his girl.
You what? My nylons?
You gave them to that dirty... And I didn't get any?
But Maisie!
You know I was telling you this morning about something I had?
- Well, they're no use to me, so I thought... - Hmm!
You must be hard-up to go with him to get them.
What's she talking about?
- Coming tomorrow with us, Pat? - Yes, I told Ned this morning.
- I'll call for you. - Perhaps you'd better join up with them.
I've got to get back to my ship.
- Johnny, have you seen Maisie? - Yeah, I've seen her.
She left.
Sally.
- How's my darling? - Oh, it's you.
Waiting for Harry?
- You haven't seen him? - No.
My girl's ditched me, too.
What do you say you and me make a night of it?
I shouldn't be much company.
What you need is a drink. A real one.
Johnny, what is it? Won't you tell me?
It's nothing.
Don't feel so bad about it.
Something like that happened the first time I met Dan.
He got in a fight because of me.
- You think the world of Dan, don't you? - Yeah.
- Gonna miss him. - Miss him?
Going home after the next trip.
- Where's home? - Falmouth.
- In Cornwall? - Cornwall, Jamaica.
We've got a Surrey there, too, and a Middlesex.
They like those English names out there.
Do you want to go back?
Some ways.
I like the sea, but not for all my life.
Spent a lot of hours on it, thinking about things.
Getting ambitions, all sorts of high and mighty ideas.
Now I've saved a bit of money, I want to go back to school,
see if I can turn them into something.
I may not have any brains, but at least I'd like to find out.
Well, you know how it is.
You come ashore, get on the drink and into trouble.
Most time just 'cause you're bored.
I'm not sure our old Chief hasn't got the right idea.
- Hasn't set foot in port in ten years. - (CHUCKLES)
Except to change ship.
Somehow, at sea it's all different.
Things kind of sort themselves out. Take on the right shape again.
Funny how some people are quite different from what they seem
- when you get to know them. - Who, me?
- Ah, it's the pink in the gin. - Well, it's something.
You mean that?
Yes.
- Hey, Charlie. - Sir?
- Two more large pink gins. - Yes, sir.
Come on, Sal. Give yourself a break.
Take time off from Harry for a while.
If you want to know, I wasn't thinking of Harry.
I haven't been thinking of Harry at all.
Now, that is something new.
Yes. Yes, I suppose it is.
About time.
I suppose he was just a habit.
Yeah, I know. I got one, too.
Some habits are hard to break. Especially bad ones.
(CHUCKLES) It all seems so silly now.
Why did it take all this time to get wise to yourself?
Well, you know...
It was nice waiting for his ship and to go out with him,
all the girls in the office knowing.
If you're on your own...
Yeah, I know. I'm on my own, too.
I got a girl whenever I got a pair of nylons, but it don't mean much.
But I don't kid myself. I'm not the kind a real girl would go for.
Two pink gins, sir.
Thanks, Charlie.
- Here, drink the change. - Thank you, sir.
Come on, Sal, what do you say we go back and dance?
- I'd love to. - Might stop me from talking.
- Twelve o'clock. - Sunday.
We're not often in over a weekend.
- What will you do with yourself? - I don't know.
Stay on board, I guess. Not much to do on a Sunday.
Oh, but there's lots of things.
Even here in the City it's quite different on a Sunday.
I'll show you if you like.
But how about your friends? I thought you were going out.
I can go with them any Sunday.
You...
- You mean it? - Why not?
(LAUGHS)
(CHUCKLES)
Here we are.
Sally's palais.
Hey! Come back out of there.
Shh!
(CHUCKLES) I've been locked out.
Open the door, Richard!
You'll get me turned out!
There!
It's all got to tick to a split second. Now, let's get your end.
You got to get the car in time to pick up me and Alf and all the gear by 10:50.
At 10:58, we drive up Eastcheap in the car, OK?
OK.
At eleven precise, you're standing on that roof.
You've got six minutes to fix the watchman and have the door opening
as we drive up outside. 11:06.
And from the moment the safe blows and the alarm goes off,
we can only reckon on three minutes. Is all that clear?
Where are you meeting the sailor?
In church.
(CHURCH BELLS PEALING)
(# WHISTLING)
Hey, steward.
You there! Come here.
Yes, sir?
- Fetch me some more water, steward. - Yes, sir.
You wonder, perhaps, why I never set foot in this accursed city?
- No, sir. - Well, I'll tell ye.
Behold from afar, it gleams like a jewel.
But walk within the shadows of its walls, and what do you find?
Filth!
Squalor!
Misery!
- Who said that? - I don't know, sir.
Oh, never mind, never mind.
Go ashore? Be lucky if I can afford to by next Christmas.
How did the old man sting you for?
Enough to keep me in quarantine for the next couple of years.
- Après vous. - Merci, monsieur.
What happened to you and Pat last night?
Nothing.
Maisie say something?
No.
Er... here, I brought yours in.
Good boy.
- Oh, Johnny? - Yeah?
- Wouldn't like to do me a favour? - What is it?
Oh, just a little matter of walking on board with something,
giving it right back to me the moment we're clear of customs.
Don't you take enough chances coming in with stuff?
That's just the beauty of it. They never stop anybody going onboard.
Not in a month of Sundays. Not unless they got it in for them.
That's why I can't do it.
So, you want me to stick my chin out.
But, Johnny... if I thought there was a chance in a million of you getting caught,
I wouldn't be asking you to do it.
You know that.
I know you wouldn't.
OK.
Good boy. And this time I'm gonna make you take your cut.
- I don't want any. - We'll talk about that later.
And don't pay any attention to Maisie. She's just got a bad temper.
I guess so.
Some people just can't mind their own business. Ignore them.
Sure. About this job of yours - we'd better meet somewhere.
- How about the pub just before sailing? - OK. Want a cuppa?
No. And, er... another thing.
Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.
Thanks.
(SNORING)
Going to church today?
As a matter of fact, I am.
What? (SNORING)
What happened to you last night?
Oh...! Never again!
- Sally was waiting for you at the Palais. - Oh, blast!
What did you tell her?
The one about the sailor.
(CHOIR SINGING) # There's a better world, they say
# Oh, so bright, oh, so bright
# Where sin and woe are done away... #
Here you are, my darling. The wages of sin.
Been working overtime?
# And music fills the balmy air
# And angels with bright wings are there #
(CHURCH BELLS PEALING)
JOHNNY: Look, you can see the whole of the Pool from up here.
Takes your breath away, doesn't it?
What you've got left after climbing those stairs.
Look, isn't that a man climbing on that roof?
There.
I can't see anyone.
- Hello, pussy. - (CAT MIAOWS)
(CHUCKLES) Want your milk, eh? Come on, then.
(GROANS)
(CAT MIAOWS)
All set?
(PHONE RINGS)
Station Officer.
What's wrong?
Bottle of milk? What about it?
He's usually taken it in by this time.
(CHUCKLES) All right. I'll go back.
(TICKING)
(ALARM BELL RINGS)
- OK? - Come on, let's go.
(GROANS)
(TYRES SCREECHING)
- Get an ambulance quickly, Constable. - Very good, sir.
Stay with him. Come on, Evans.
There they are!
The police!
(TYRES SCREECHING)
POLICEMAN: Keep back. Keep back. Keep back, please.
(CAT MIAOWS)
(# SINGING HYMN)
(ALARM BELL RINGS)
(# HYMN CONTINUES)
(TYRES SCREECHING)
- All correct, sir. - Inspector Moss still here?
He's inside, sir.
Move along, please.
Detective Inspector Williamson from Scotland Yard, sir.
- Hello, Jim. How's it going? - They seem to have made a good job of it.
They've messed up my Sunday dinner all right.
Always ready on the job, eh?
I hope you've all the wheels at the Yard working for us?
We're checking on all the likely ones.
- We'll pull you through. - Hmm!
- Petrol? - No, you.
- Me? What have I done? - Just a few questions.
And only last night, one of our greatest captains of industry -
I can't reveal his name to you - said to me, and I agreed with him,
"Edward," he said, "there is only one policy which has never failed to pay,
"and that's honesty."
CROWD: Hear! Hear!
You've said it, Edward.
I was at Slim's place all last night. Ask him.
We will.
Who, me?
(TYRES SCREECHING)
All correct, sir.
- Any luck? - Yes, sir. Just coming up.
Good. It should give us a lead.
Hurry along, please.
Hurry.
Right away.
What's that?
It's a figurehead.
He'd scare the crows away all right.
- All ships had them at one time. - What a face!
Careful! Might hear what you say.
- What, him? - Yeah, might take offence.
They were supposed to be able to see and hear.
Help the ship find her way - in storms and in the dark.
- Did they? - They've got radar now. Works better.
Had to know the ropes to sail a ship in those days.
- Johnny! What time does your ship sail? - On the tide about eight.
- Oh, what a pity! - Why?
I got some free tickets for the Camberwell Palace.
You could have come, too. Variety Bandbox.
I'm sorry. It's the first time I've been ashore in London
that I haven't been glad to get back to sea.
It always seemed before to be such a big, lonesome sort of place.
Not when you get to know it and make a few friends.
- It's the same as anywhere then. - You've got lots of friends.
Yes.
Well, thanks for...
well, everything.
It's been fun.
I've loved it.
Come on, let's walk up to the observatory.
- We've just got time. - Sure.
The Greenwich Meridian. But what does it mean?
It means that everything starts from here,
goes right round the world and come back here.
- Longitude 0. - (PAT CHUCKLES)
That's something I never could understand, longitudes and latitudes.
- And why should it be just here? - I don't know why.
And I don't really understand about longitudes either,
except they help to tell you where you are.
You know,
when you're at the wheel of a ship at night, far at sea and nothing else to do,
you think about a lot of things you don't understand.
You wonder why one man is born white, and another isn't.
And how about God himself?
What colour's he?
And the stars seem so close,
and the world so small in comparison with all the other worlds above you.
It doesn't seem to matter so much how you were born.
It doesn't matter.
It does, you know.
Maybe one day it won't anymore.
But it still does.
Come on, we can't put the world right.
We'll have to hurry, or you'll be late for your ship.
And you'll be late.
(DOOR OPENS)
- You've got a nerve. - I'll say I have.
I've really hit the jackpot this time.
Ah, don't give me that stuff.
It's all wind, like my nylons and all the other things.
Oh?
Well, what do you call this? Tissue paper?
- How much? - Fifty quid and more to come.
- Where did you get it? - From a Christmas cracker.
Yeah? Probably got your hand caught in a till somewhere.
And pulled out this.
- What is it? - Something I have to deliver in Rotterdam.
- What? - I don't know.
I get paid not to know.
Then you can bet your boots it's worth ten times more than you're getting for it.
You'd better open it.
- No, I... - Oh, come on, give it to me.
These must be worth thousands.
Yeah.
MAISIE: Thousands and thousands.
Rotterdam! That's the place for diamonds.
Can't you see? It all adds up.
But it all adds up to us - you and me, Dan,
'cause we've got them.
What we won't do - just think of it, Dan.
Now say I talk a lot of hot air.
- Wait a minute! - What? Aren't they big enough?
- Where did you get these? - From a fella this morning.
What time this morning?
I don't know.
Just before the sermon.
Where were you?
Anywhere near the City?
Yes, if you must know. In Southwark Cathedral.
What's eating you?
Did you hear the one o'clock news?
No. At one o'clock there are better things to do.
There was a job in the City this morning.
What they took was diamonds.
20,000 quid's worth.
20,000 quid?
20,000 quid!
And all I'm getting is fifty down and fifty for the job.
A watchman was cracked on the head. He died.
You don't think I had anything to do with it?
I didn't know where they came from. I didn't even know what they were.
No, but you've got them just the same.
I'll soon fix that. I'll get rid of them and quick.
Are you barmy?
We've just got to be careful, that's all.
We've just got to use our heads.
Like I said.
If we use our heads, we can do ourselves a bit of good.
Put ourselves on velvet.
There.
That's better.
Just a tin of brilliantine.
Look, Dan.
You've got to pull yourself together.
I didn't think they were going to kill anybody.
What if they get me? Who's going to believe my story?
They're not going to get you!
Can't you see? Once you get to Rotterdam with this, we're quids in.
What you don't know is that Johnny was gonna take them aboard.
He can't now. And neither can I after that nylon business. It's too risky.
Listen. Every time you've come ashore, you've brought something in you shouldn't.
How many times have they stopped you?
You never used to think a thing about it, did you?
Money for old rope, that's what you used to say.
What's different now?
It's not even coming ashore, it's going aboard.
And with the coloured boy, it's even better.
It's a cake walk. Think what it means.
Think what you can do for him later on.
Doesn't he want to go to school or something?
All right. But if anything goes wrong, it's my rap, not Johnny's.
Oh, Dan!
It's a radio show, really,
but they stage it at the Camberwell Palace and invite an audience.
Pity your ship has to sail. We'd have had fun.
Sorry.
That's all right.
There won't be any trams soon. They're scrapping them all.
My last tram ride then, too.
Oh, you never know. You might be back again soon.
No. No, I'm not coming back.
Gonna miss the old trams.
You will write to me, won't you, and let me know how you're getting on?
Do you mean that?
- Do you want me to? - Of course I do.
I wanted to go home, Pat.
Like I told you, I wanted to go home.
But now I don't.
I want to be coming back again.
Back into the Pool.
Back to London.
But because I do, I can't.
Oh, Johnny, I'm sorry.
No. No, it's not your fault.
- I should have known. - CONDUCTOR: Battlebridge Lane.
That's it. That's my stop.
Goodbye, Pat.
Johnny!
You left before I'd even said goodbye.
- Goodbye. - Well...
- All the best. - Same to you.
(BELL RINGS)
Goodbye.
(DOOR OPENS)
What are you doing? That's my scent!
Yes, I know, I want some. I'm going out.
My dress! You take that off!
With all those diamonds, he can buy you another.
I've taken rather a fancy to this.
- What are you saying? - Plenty.
Get out of that!
(SHOUTING)
Come back!
Oh!
(SCREAMS)
Come back here.
Serve you right if I shopped him. Where's your diamonds then?
Well, whatever it was or wasn't you overheard,
she wasn't talking to herself. Who was it?
I don't know, I tell you.
But your sister was in the kitchen. You must have let him in.
- He let himself in. - How do you know if you didn't see him?
- Well, that's what he's always done. - Oh!
So, he's been before?
- What if he has? - How often has he been?
- I don't know. - You must have some idea.
How often? Every day? Once a week? How often?
I don't know, I don't know.
Oh, come on. How often?
Just when his ship's in.
- Oh! So, he's off a ship. - Supposing he is?
What difference? What difference does it make?
What ship is it? What's the name of it?
Dunbar.
It's a sailor from the Dunbar. Go in and get his name out of her.
I've got to get down to the ship to stop her sailing.
Ask Thames Division to meet me there.
Honest, Johnny, if I thought there was a chance in a million...
I told you I'd do it.
Here it is. Shove it in your pocket.
Now, look, all you have to do is walk up the gangway, go on board and act natural.
It's a cake walk. Money for old rope.
OK. I think I'll be going now.
Well, here, have a last drink before you go.
No, thanks. I'll be going.
All right.
- I'll see you on board. - OK.
Ethel, a double Scotch. Quick.
(SNORING)
Chief! Chief, wake up!
Half an hour to sailing.
Chief!
Who the blazes are you shouting at?
Half an hour to sailing.
Oh, mercy me!
(SHIP HORN BLARES)
- Ready to sail, Chief. - Tell the old fool upstairs.
- Aye, aye, Chief. - Hey, you!
My treatment.
Don't stand there giggling, man. Get on with it.
Of course, I can't order you to hold your ship, Captain,
but it would help considerably if you would.
It will mean missing the tide.
There'll be a full explanation to your company, of course, at top level.
All right. I'll hold sailing until the morning tide.
That'll give you twelve hours. How's that?
- Thank you, Captain. - Very well, gentlemen.
Well, that's the best I can do for you.
- Thank you, sir. - Twelve hours should give us a chance.
We'll be carrying out a thorough search of the crew in the circumstances.
- We'll let you know if we find anything. - Thank you, Mr Andrews.
- Chief, Chief, orders from the bridge. - Hang the bridge! I'm having my treatment.
Orders from the Captain. We're not sailing.
Turn it off, you blithering idiot!
What's happened? Dunbar cast off?
- No, not till the morning tide. - What's happened? Strike?
What, on Sunday? With double time?
- Oh... are you signing off? - No, we're not sailing.
- How do I get to Camberwell Palace? - Er... 42 bus from Tower Bridge.
Thanks.
RADIO: 'M2GW. Message from U.D.
'Go to Battlebridge Wharf, SS Dunbar.
'Inform Chief Inspector Williamson that the name of wanted seaman
'is Daniel MacDonald. Repeat - Daniel MacDonald.'
Crew?
- Yeah. - Report in the Saloon.
- Crew? - Yeah.
Report in the Saloon.
That's her. Over there.
- Harry, what's going on? - I don't know. We're not sailing.
- They're searching everyone. - Seen Johnny?
- Yeah. - Where is he? Is he being questioned?
- No, he went back. Didn't come aboard. - You haven't seen me. I'm going ashore.
- They won't let you. - Oh, won't they?
- Ethel, did Johnny come back? - Johnny? Johnny who?
- The coloured boy, my pal. - No, dear. Oh, here comes trouble.
Excuse me.
Do you know a seaman called Dan MacDonald?
- Yes. - Is he in here?
- He was. - How long since?
I served him about ten minutes ago.
Thank you.
Hey, that's my beer.
Sorry.
(DOOR OPENS)
Maisie, it's all gone wrong.
You know what they want you for, don't you?
- What? - Murder.
The lot.
Not murder. You've got to help me. I didn't do it. You know that.
I don't know nothing.
I wasn't with you.
Maisie... you gotta let me stay.
You've landed me in for enough already.
What do you mean?
The police found out.
Now do you understand?
- What happened? - What does it matter? They know.
If you don't get out of here, they'll have me as well.
Well, what are you waiting for?
Do you want me to fetch the police and ask them to shift you?
Don't worry.
I'm going.
It's me - Dan.
Please go away.
I've got to talk to you. I've got to see you.
I thought your ship had sailed.
You can't stay here.
Please go.
Please, Dan.
Please go.
There's nowhere I can go.
The police are looking for me.
What do they want you for?
Murder.
But I didn't do it.
I swear I didn't do it, but somehow I... I don't know how I've been landed with it.
Sally, I'm scared. What am I gonna do?
(MAN LAUGHING)
- Double rum, please. - Double rum.
RADIO: 'Our next artist in Variety Bandbox,
'coming to you from the Camberwell Palace, London,
'is a young man with a xylophone.
'His name is Gordon Stone.'
Double rum. Three and sixpence, please.
Take the lot.
Good evening, Captain. Will you have another one?
Don't you see, they'll say to me, "Where were you?"
I'll say I was in church, and they'll laugh their ruddy heads off.
- But I was. On my life, I was. - I believe you, Dan. Why shouldn't they?
The police believe me...
- Where are the diamonds? - Johnny's got them.
You mean the coloured boy?
But if they find them on him... You can't do that!
If they wouldn't believe you, they'd never believe him. You know that.
- All right, then, I've got to stop Johnny. - And then go to the police.
- Dan, you must! - No, I could get away, I...
I know this river. I could do it, I know I could.
No, Dan. If you did, you could never come back.
But if you go to the police, whatever you've done, you can settle.
I wouldn't mind how long I...
I'll be here.
Goodbye, Sal.
You will go to the police?
No, Sal, I'm sorry.
I'll do it my way.
Time, gentlemen, please!
Come along, gentlemen, please. Come along, now. It's time.
You must have one with me.
- What happened? - Come on, Captain.
- I know a place just around the corner. - Someone put the lights out.
I know they did. Come on.
It's time.
- Where are we going? - We're going around the corner.
(CLOCK CHIMES)
That you, Johnny?
- What's gone wrong? - Why hasn't the ship sailed?
They're after me, that's why. You left me holding the lot.
- What have you done? - Give us it.
- I haven't got it. - Where is it?
Police!
(GROANS)
(WHISTLES)
- That was him all right. - Looked like him.
- Clear? - Keep going.
- We're caught with him, we've all had it. - We'll ditch him.
- He'll talk! - He won't.
Hello, all cars. Hello, all cars.
'Intercept grey Jaguar, HXM 604...'
(ENGINE STARTS)
There she is.
They're on to us!
(ALARM BELL RINGS)
Through the tunnel, we'll make for Jock's place.
- Are we all right? - Can't see 'em.
If they didn't spot us turning in, we're clear.
Turning north into Rotherhithe Tunnel.
Look out!
(TYRES SCREECHING)
- Take care of him. - Right you are.
Up the stairs.
Over there!
Take him away. Come on.
After him, you two. We'll cut him off from the inside.
It's no use, Vernon. You can't get away.
(TYRES SCREECHING)
(# JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)
This is the spot, guv. Never closes.
I haven't got much time.
Got to get back to my ship.
I know that. Now, go on with you. Let's have a drink.
Don't want to be late, I...
On your own?
Nylons!
...to my ship.
- Gotta get back to my ship. - Ah, go on, have a drink.
Go on, you might as well. You've paid for it.
Good luck, Captain!
MAN: Hope this wind holds.
- Should hold all right. - Should be out in the Channel by noon.
So long, Captain.
Fill it up. Fill it up!
You haven't paid for the last one yet.
Hey... where's my money?
Who's got my money?
- You got my money! - You get out!
- She's got my money! - Do you think I'd take money from you?
You stole my money!
Now, take it easy, old man. You're drunk. You gave it that little bloke.
You keep out of this.
- I want my money. - Enough of that!
Trying to push me around, eh?
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
I want my money!
Stop pushing me around!
I want my money! Stop pushing me around! I want my money!
They're all the same.
My money. I want my money.
They got my money.
(SALLY'S VOICE, ECHOING) 'You can't do that!
'If they wouldn't believe you, they'd never believe him.
'You know that.'
(DAN'S VOICE, ECHOING) 'I could get away.
'I know this river.'
(SALLY'S VOICE, ECHOING) 'You've got to stop him. You've got to.
'You can't let him be caught.
'Not Johnny. Not Johnny.'
- Going to London? - Hop in the back.
This coloured boy is pretty thick with MacDonald, isn't he?
- Yes, sir, but he's not the sort to... - Never mind that.
He was going to the Camberwell Palace. He told me.
That going to keep him ashore all night?
He wasn't with MacDonald. MacDonald was trying to find him.
All right, we know that. That's all.
I don't believe MacDonald ever meant to bring those diamonds aboard himself.
Not after I pulled him up over the nylons.
Ah, that's where the coloured boy comes in.
If you ask me, they're both in it together.
(SHIP HORN BLARES IN DISTANCE)
Borough Market!
OK, George. Borough Market!
Thanks.
- Like a cup of tea, mate? - No, I can't. I can't wait.
- Dunbar pulled out yet? - You'd better hurry up, mate.
Johnny!
What happened to you?
- That thing I gave you, give it to me. - What... what thing?
That thing I gave you, can't you remember?
Sorry, Dan, I'll take it aboard now.
Give it to me. Now, go on, get aboard. You never had it.
- What's wrong, Dan? - Go on.
- You all right? - I've...
I've got something to do.
Dan!
Can't you understand English?
Is that skin of yours so thick you don't know where you're not wanted?
I put up with you when you were some use.
Well, you're not anymore. Now, beat it.
(CREAKING)
(SHIP HORN BLARES)
- You want me? - MacDonald!
(SHIP HORN BLARES)
Well, they got MacDonald.
- Where did they catch him? - Gave himself up.