Johnny Depp, Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack Sparrow, Vanessa Paradis, Tim Burton, Public Enemies, Sweeney Todd, Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands,  John Dillinger, Gregory David Roberts, Infinitum Nihil, Shantaram, Ed Wood, Corpse Bride, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka, Rum Diary, Dark Shadows, Alice in Wonderland, Nightmare on Elm Street, Platoon, Private Resort, 21 Jump Street, Cry Baby, Edward Scissorhands, Ed Wood, Arizona Dream, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Lasse Hallstrom, From Hell, The Man Who Cried, Secret Window, David Koepp, Freddy's Dead, Final Nightmare, Benny and Joon, Don Juan de Marco, Marlon Brando, Dead Man, Nick of Time, Donnie Brasco, The Brave, Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas,LA Without A Map, Ninth Gate, Astronaut's Wife, Before Night Falls, Chocolat, Blow, From Hell, Curse of the Black Pearl, Dead Man's Chest, At World's End, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Happily Ever After, Finding Neverland, The Libertine, Benjamin Barker, John Wilmot, Mort Rainey, Sheldon Jeffrey Sands, Abberline, Roux, Ichabod Crane,William Blake, Raoul Duke, Raphael, Joe Pistone, sam, joon, axel blackmar, oprah noodlemantra, Tom Hanson, Tim Burton, GoreVerbinski, Mira Nair, Emir Kosturica, Jim Jarmusch, Terry Gilliam, michael mann, Rango, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Helena Bonham Carter

 

 

FROM HELL

SCRIPT - DIALOGUE TRANSCRIPT

Transcript written by Angela Sugden

Directors: Albert and Allen Hughes

Writers:
Alan Moore & Eddie Campbell (graphic novel)
Terry Hayes & Rafael Yglesias (screenplay)

With : Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Richardson, Jason Flemyng, Katrin Cartlidge, Terence Harvey

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Man

Get out of here!

 

Woman

You're taking all our money again.

 

Man

That's better.

 

Woman

You'll feel better when you get home.

 

Kate

There's one over there.

 

Mary

Night, Polly.

 

Polly

Gonna be a long night, Mary.

 

Mary

Too bloody long.

 

Annie

It's quiet isn't it? You had any luck?

 

Mary

Not much, love.

 

Man

Give you a penny for a suck.

 

Mary

Piss off.

 

Liz

Hi. Where's Kate?

 

Mary

Across the street.

 

Geordie

Miss?

 

Mary

Yeah?

 

Geordie

It's Mary isn't it?

 

Mary

What you want?

 

Geordie

Shut your hole bitch.

 

Mary

I know you. You're Geordie from Nichol Street.

 

McQueen

Do you remember me, Mary Kelly?

 

Mary

I'd never for get you, McQueen. Will you stop that now? Buttons are hard to come by.

 

McQueen

What does a whore need buttons for? I warned you and your friends. Payment was due Monday.

 

Mary

I'm working, ain't I? We all are.

 

McQueen

And I am making sure that no-one troubles you. I'm providing a service, Mary Kelly. And I expect to be paid. . . or else you will be very troubled. Now, you tell your five friends they bring me my money by tomorrow, or this friend of mine here will be your next customer.

 

Kate

You're bloody filthy this morning.

 

Martha

I bleeding stink.

 

Kate

What'd you get up to last night?

 

Martha

You don't even want to know about it.

 

Polly

Give us a look.

 

Ann

Mary. Thank God I found you. He's coming. Albert's coming today. Well, I need you to look after the baby.

 

Kate

Let's have a hold.

 

Ann

I'm so proud of her. I love her to bits.

 

Mary

She's the most gorgeous little girl.

 

Martha

Isn't she beautiful?

 

Ann

She's lovely, in't she?

 

Liz

I'll be seeing you in a bit.

 

Annie

Get us a jar of gin will you? You look fine Ann. Must be nice having a rich man looking after you.

 

Martha

She has your eyes and her father's brow. Don't you think?

 

Kate

Oh yeah.

 

Mary

She is a perfect love, but, but Ann, we're all in, in a terrible way for money. The Nichols gang. . .

 

Annie

They want our blood. Know what they said they're gonna do to us?

 

Kate

Don't start that now.

 

Ann

Oh what, what's she saying?

 

Mary

They want a pound a week from each of us.

 

Kate

You count yourself lucky my dear. Good an lucky that you got a wealthy man to take care of you.

 

Mary

We need four pound to pay 'em, so we can't spare the time.

 

Ann

I'll get the four pounds from Albert.

 

Mary

He might say no, Ann. I can't take a chance.

 

Ann

Oh he won't. I know he won't. He's been in France on business. He wrote, he sold a lot of his paintings. He's sure to have full pockets and feel generous.

 

Mary

To you perhaps, but. . .

 

Ann

I'll ask for meself. I'll get you the four pounds. I promise, Mary.

 

Officer Belt

I'm not going to hurt you, Netley. Remember me? Remember who I am? Your charge will be coming down sooner than expected. Much sooner than expected. Be a good man, Netley. Get him home quickly. Quickly and quietly. Understood? Well said, Netley. Very well said. Take them out.

 

Albert

What is the meaning of this? Kidney, what in God's name are you doing?

 

Ann

Albert! Albert!

 

Kidney

I want this room in pieces.

 

Albert

I demand an explanation.

 

Martha

It's Albert.

 

Belt

Go. Go.

 

Ann

Albert! Get off me. Please, no.

 

Belt

Go.

 

Kidney

Who knows?

 

Ann

I didn't know. I swear, I didn't. How can I tell anyone else?

 

Kidney

Who knows? Who knows?

 

Martha

I don't know, I don't know they could be. Albert must have mixed in with something terrible.

 

Mary

She's hungry and cold, poor thing. I've got to take her to 'em. I've got to take her to Ann's parents.

 

Martha

You go. Leave baby Alice with them. I'll get to work, and I'll meet you later at the Ten Bells.

 

Coroner

Notice something, Inspector?

 

Chinese Man

I pay. I already pay.

 

Godley

I'm not after you, Emperor. Where is he? Move it. Go on. Get up. Get up!

 

Abberline

Hello, darling. Sergeant. It's night.

 

Godley

Well spotted, Inspector Abberline. Indeed it is night. Our genius has returned to us. Thank you gentlemen. And remember, if you ever wish to escape the dreary confines of your present duties. . . this never happened. Cut along now.

 

Abberline

Have I lost a day?

 

Godley

No, Inspector. Indeed, it's only four hours since you left here. Oh, deepest apologies for the rude awakening.

 

Abberline

I suspect you enjoyed that.

 

Godley

'I must be cruel only to be kind,' as the poet said. Although, I would happily wallop you every time you chase the dragon.

 

Abberline

Well, I had a neaking suspicion you might interrupt.

 

Godley

You've seen something. What did you see?

 

Abberline

A petticoat saturated with blood.

 

Godley

You know, they used to burn men like you alive. Sometime this evening a bangtail was murdered in George Yard.

 

Abberline

That doesn't sound much out of the ordinary.

 

Godley

'Twas the way she was done, Inspector. 'Twas the way the bangtail was done that cries out for a man of your talents.

 

Police Surgeon

Her name was Martha Tabram. I don't know what sort of name Tabram is. It sounds foreign to me.

 

Abberline

This is not what I saw.

 

Godley

Not the woman of your dreams? Are you sure? Show him.

 

Police Surgeon

You show him. Why do I have to be exposed to this degradation over and over again? I've looked at the mess twice.

 

Godley

Before he cut her throat, he removed her livelihood as a keepsake.

 

Sir William

Gentlemen, we are indeed fortunate today, to be able to observe an entirely new approach to the treatment of insanity. Oh, Dr. Ferral, I was just saying to my colleagues, we're here in the hope that you'll permit us to observe this new treatment of yours.

 

Dr. Ferral

I wasn't expecting such distinguished visitors, Sir William. But you're all welcome, of course. I'm ready to begin right now in fact.

 

Sir William

Who is your patient?

 

Dr. Ferral

Ann Crook. An unfortunate, Sir William, who's hysterical and violent. And has severe delusions of persecution.

 

Sir William

Poor girl, er, do please proceed Dr. Ferral. Gentlemen. We have one tap above, and one into the left lobe. And, one on the right, and this unlucky patient's dementia will no longer take a violent form. Thanks to this simple procedure, we can now permanently alleviate the poor girl's suffering.

 

Mary

God forgive me. What could I do? I had to leave the baby with Ann's parents.

 

Annie

Rich man. Thought he was gonna take care of Ann. Knew that was too bloody good to be true.

 

Kate

They're gonna kill us. They're gonna kill every one of us.

 

Liz

Who is this Albert then anyway? Who is he?

 

Polly

Oh for God's sake! Who cares about Albert and Ann's troubles? What are we gonna do? We can't stay clear of the Nichols boys for ever.

 

Liz

You know they say they held poor Martha down, and watched her bleed until she passed out. Then they cut her throat.

 

Mary

McQueen is mad. He enjoys hurting women, that's what I think.

 

Polly

That's insane that they want four pound. How're we gonna get four pound?

 

Kate

Not with my old cunny. I'd be lucky to get four-pence.

 

Barkeeper

Oy, oy, oy. Behave yourselves, or bugger off.

 

Liz

Yeah, and you can bugger off 'anorl.

 

Kate

We work girls. We work the streets harder than ever, right? Right?

 

Polly

All right. We can do it here, but hurry up. The bobbies are tracking us tonight.

 

Man

All right. Gotta get the old man hard first, haven't I?

 

Polly

Give it here. I'll put it in meself.

 

Man

Oh, oh, that's nice. Is that in?

 

Polly

Of course it is. Come on.

 

Man

No it's not. You got it stuck between your bleedin' legs.

 

Polly

No I haven't. Come on. Get a move on.

 

Man

I knows it when I feels it.

 

McQueen

That's mine, Polly. That's my money. I could pop your eye out. The customers wouldn't mind. They don't mind if a whore can see.

 

Police Officer

Ere, what's that you got there?

 

McQueen

What've I got 'ere? What have I got here, Constable? Only a little thing. Only a little thing to you, but a great thing to me.

 

Police Officer

Move! Or I'll bash that smart mouth.

 

McQueen

You're a dead woman.

 

Liz

Ah, lovey. He won't bother you again tonight.

 

Annie

Yeah, that's right, look. One for the Nichols, yeah? And one for me.

 

Liz

Aah, come here. Come here. Ssshh. Hey, we'll work the streets together. I'll keep my eye on you love, eh?

 

Polly

Oh, you pig! You disgusting pig!

 

Liz

Yeah, I'm a pig. I'm what's wrong with the world. Be on your own then.

 

Polly

Oh! No!

 

Liz

You don't want the company of a pig! What the fuck are you looking at?

 

Ripper

Thirsty?

 

Polly

That was the thing that was in my dream. What's it called again?

 

Ripper

Cleopatra's needle.

 

Polly

Cleopatra. She was a beauty wasn't she?

 

Ripper

It was carved fifteen hundred years before the son of God was born. Six men died to bring it here, from Egypt.

 

Police Officer

May the good Lord have mercy.

 

Old Man

She was like that when I found her. All murdered.

 

Woman

What kind of monster did this?

 

Godley

The boys have made their rounds of the taverns and the delightful domiciles that make up this charming little street. Will it surprise you to learn that nobody heard a sound?

 

Abberline

Her throat was cut, but there's no arterial spray on the wall. She was killed somewhere else. It rained last night, didn't it?

 

Godley

Hu-hu.

 

Abberline

She's dry. She was brought here in a carriage or something. Her throat must have been cut in the carriage. I imagine they stopped it just over there.

 

Godley

They? There's more than one then?

 

Abberline

Most definitely.

 

Godley

This was all in your vision? Jesus! So, definitely more than one person. It has to be a message from the Nichols boys. Am I right? What the hell? That's grapes, isn't it? What the hell would a bangtail be doing with grapes? I'd like to give them an answer.

 

Abberline

What are you talking about?

 

Godley

The Nichols boys. I would welcome the opportunity to give them an answer to their bloody message.

 

Abberline

There is most definitely a message here. You're right about that.

 

Godley

What am I wrong about?

 

Abberline

Martha Tabram was raped, tortured and killed. That's cruel. But I've seen that sort of cruelty in the East End before. This is methodical. The butchery is irrational, yet, meticulous and deliberate. Altogether a different breed of killer. As soon as possible, I'd like to know what he took.

 

Police Surgeon

What? What do you mean 'what he took'?

 

Abberline

Didn't you notice?

 

Police Surgeon

What?

 

Abberline

He's taken at least one of her organs.

 

Police Surgeon

Oh, no.

 

Abberline

I want every vetinarian, butcher, furrier in the district interviewed.

 

Withers

Furrier, what did he do, sir? Skin her?

 

Godley

Pipe down, Withers. When the Inspector is talking, you are listening, do you understand?

 

Withers

Yes, sergeant.

 

Abberline

He disembowled her. After he cut her throat, stabbed her in the chest. . . cut open her stomach, and er, took out her intestines. At least one of her organs was removed. I'm waiting for the police surgeon's report for more details.

 

Sir Charles

I see. Well, one thing's for certain, an Englishman didn't do it. Maybe one of these, Red Indians, wandered into Whitechapel and indulged his natural inclinations.

 

Abberline

With all due respect, sir, I believe this was done by someone with at least a working knowledge of dissection. Either an educated man, such as a doctor. . .

 

Sir Charles

An educated man? That's preposterous. No well-bred man would do this. Probably a tradesman, or a butcher.

 

Abberline

A tradesman is a possibility, sir. But, there's a strong indication against it. There was a sprig of grapes found under her body.

 

Sir Charles

What are you driving at?

 

Abberline

No one, in Whitechapel, no matter what their trade, could afford grapes. Obviously, they were given to her by the killer. And it follows that he must be someone with money.

 

Sir Charles

What about the Jews? A Jew butcher? Or a Jew tailor might have money. There are plenty of them in Whitechapel.

 

Abberline

Well, sir, for the state of public safety in general, I'd like to be careful about spreading the rumours that it might be a Jew.

 

Sir Charles

Inspector, I know your reputation for making brilliant guesses that turn out to be right. Someone told me you claim to dream the answers. Frankly, it doesn't matter to me what your methods are. But be certain you don't proceed without proof. Is that clear?

 

Abberline

Of course, sir.

 

Sir Charles

Personally I don't care. The fewer pinch-pricks on the streets, the better. But the sooner you find this butcher or tailor. . . the sooner we can all celebrate your promotion. Keep me informed.

 

Man 1

Every cellar, every stable. We'll find him out.

 

Man 2

It's the bleeding Jews. Let's kill them.

 

Victoria

I have wonderful news.

 

Abberline

Tell me.

 

Victoria

Surely you of all people, can guess.

 

Abberline

I don't want to guess with you.

 

Victoria

Dr. Marbury says. . .

 

Abberline

Dr.Marbury says?

 

Victoria

Dr. Marbury, says I'm going to have your child.

 

Godley

Aye, to die, and go we know not where. To lie in cold obstruction and rot.

 

Abberline

A simple 'rest in peace' would suffice.

 

Godley

Yes, sir.

 

Vicar

In the midst of life we are in death, of whom may we seek for succour but of Thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased? Yet O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty.

 

Abberline

Good afternoon, ladies. I'm Inspector Abberline. This is Sergeant Godley. We're investigating the murders of Polly Nichols and Martha Tabram.

 

Gosley

Yes, we understand that they were both friends of you, ladies. Close friends. We were rather hoping you'd be able to help us out.

 

Liz

Don't know nothing.

 

Annie

Me neither.

 

Kate

Why are you bothering us? You ought to be bothering McQueen.

 

Abberline

Is eh the boss of Nichol Street?

 

Mary

He's only the heart and soul of the gang. Isn't it your job to be knowing that small detail?

 

Abberline

And what makes you think McQueen did this to your friends then?

 

Kate

Can't prove nothing by me.

 

Abberline

You're Mary Kelly. Is that right?

 

Mary

That's right.

 

Abberline

Well, Mary Kelly, unless one of you is willing to testify against McQueen, I can't do nothing.

 

Mary

Surely, Inspector, a strong handsome man like you, you could do anything you put your brilliant mind to. I'm a coward and a weakling. I can't help meself. What's your excuse? Why are you so bloody useless?

 

Kate

Come on Mary. That won't help us.

 

Annie

Is that you?

 

Mary

Before my mother died, back in Ireland.

 

Annie

Is that when you came here?

 

Mary

Yeah, when I was eight.

 

Annie

When things was good.

 

Mary

We were starving, but we were starving in fresh air.

 

Annie

I was thinking, we ain't never gonna earn enough to satisfy the Nichols boys, and feed our own mouths. You said, right, you said those men, yeah, the one's who took her rich artist man and took her as well. Well you said they was clean-shaven, and their clothes was neat.

 

Mary

Yeah, right.

 

Annie

Well they weren't no criminals then. I mean they weren't the likes of the Nichols boys. They was unusual. Perhaps even official.

 

Kate

What are you getting at, Annie?

 

Annie

Maybe we could go to the papers, get paid for the story, you know? 'Where's Ann Crook?' That sort of thing. I mean, the papers are always desperate for things bad about the government. And it's a mystery to boot.

 

Kate

That's not a bad plan. What do you think, Mary?

 

Mary

I'm thinking we should talk to that Inspector, the one at Polly's funeral.

 

Annie

Fuck me, no!

 

Mary

If we go to the papers they might hurt Ann even worse. They might do something to her baby.

 

Kate

What? Worse than what'll happen to her in Whitechapel when she sprouts teats?

 

Mary

I don't know for sure. But, I think we're better off talking to that Inspector.

 

Kate

Lord, you are young after all.

 

Landlord

Four bitches. That's what I thought. You only paid for one bloody person.

 

Mary

They're my guests.

 

Landlord

Guests. Well, let me welcome your guests. Go on! Get out! Go on! Get out! Come on, get out of here you bloody whores. Go on! When you have four pence you can come back with your ladies in waiting, Your Grace.

 

Liz

Oh shut up!

 

Annie

Ow! Back to work then.

 

Kate

Yeah, well, let's try and stay together, yeah?

 

Annie

No, we can't stay together. You know that.

 

Mary

Then stay good and clear of Nichols Street.

 

Kate

Come on.

 

Liz

All right, Annie?

 

Annie

Bloody bastard.

 

Liz

How's your head?

 

Annie

Very funny.

 

Netley

Boo! I didn't frighten you did I? I've been looking for you. I've been looking all over for you.

 

Annie

You've been looking for me?

 

Netley

Not for me. On behalf of my gentleman. A very fine gentleman. He sent me to find you.

 

Annie

Your gentleman sent you to find me? Oh, get off! I might be unfortunate, but I'm not a blithering idiot.

 

Netley

It's the truth! It's the God's truth. He's seen you. He likes you. And he said tonight, only you'll do. So he said to find you, take you to Hanover Street where he's waiting for you. You're very pretty. Go on then. Get in, I'll take you there. Oh, I almost forgot. My gentleman's got you a present. You like grapes?

 

Annie

Yeah. Your gentleman, he must be very refined. Very refined indeed.

 

Netley

Get in I'll take you there.

 

Annie

All right.

 

Netley

Here we are.

 

Annie

I'm a lucky lady.

 

Netley

You are, lady.

 

Annie

Your gaffer, does he want anything special?

 

Netley

Just the usual, I expect. Now, this alley takes you to the yard. My gentleman, it's quiet there. He doesn't like disturbances.

 

Annie

What I wanna know, right, is a toff like him, how much is he offering?

 

Netley

Here, two for now.

 

Annie

That'll do me.

 

Netley

Let me see you. Right, through there.

 

Annie

Down there?

 

Netley

Yeah, straight there. Straight to the door at the end.

 

Annie

Ssshh.

 

Netley

Ssshh.

 

Annie

Straight down there, right?

 

Police Officer

You watch your mouth!

 

Best

Any more information? My readers want to know this stuff.

 

Godley

Oh, do they?

 

Best

Is it true, you found a piece of leather apron in her mouth?

 

Godley

NO, Mr Best. But if it's your fancy, I'd be delighted to stuff your mouth with a piece of leather.

 

Best

Come on, sergeant, give us a tidbit. Put your picture on the front page.

 

Woman

Do something about this. This is ridiculous.

 

Man

There's a bloody murderer on the loose. What about my wife?

 

Abberline

This is Annie.

 

Godley

Yes. Another of the circle of friends. Annie Chapman. Dark Annie, they called her. You still say this isn't the Nichols boys? Did the constable show you the bit of leather they found down by the water spout? Could be part of a butcher's apron. Leather apron. Dear God, we could be looking for a butcher after all.

 

Abberline

I saw her.

 

Godley

This one?

 

Abberline

Yeah, last night. I saw her face.

 

Police Officer

Don't trample over this area.

 

Woman

Let us see the body! Come on, let us see!

 

Godley

Oh, God. There's your typical Londoner, imbued with the Christian spirit of sympathy for his fellow man. Or fellow whore, in this case. He's really outdone himself this time, hasn't he?

 

Abberline

He not only severed the intestines, he's carefully arranged them around the neck and shoulders. I think he's taken more organs this time.

 

Godley

Grapes again. Why grapes?

 

Abberline

Only Polly and Dark Annie were given grapes. Only they were disembowelled in such a meticulous fashion. This ain't killing for profit. This is ritual.

 

Godley

Yeah, but why grapes?

 

Abberline

So they'll trust whatever he offers.

 

Godley

I've never fully understood that tradition.

 

Abberline

They're for the ferryman. The ferryman who takes the body across the river into the land of the dead. If she doesn't have the money to pay him, she'd have to wander, forever lost between the two worlds. I need to consult a doctor.

 

Sir Charles

Are you ill, Inspector?

 

Abberline

A surgeon, to be specific. The killer removed the victim's uterus and it's attachments.

 

Sir Charles

My God. He's out of his mind.

 

Abberline

That's very astute of you, sir.

 

Sir Charles

I don't appreciate sarcasm, Inspector.

 

Abberline

I'm sorry, sir. I meant nothing by it.

 

Sir Charles

You already have a surgeon at your disposal.

 

Abberline

I need a man with a strong stomach and a sober mind. The police surgeon has neither.

 

Sir Charles

No. Request denied.

 

Abberline

Why?

 

Sir Charles

Are you questioning my decision?

 

Abberline

No, sir. I simply want to know why.

 

Sir Charles

There's already too much nonsense and gossip in the press. You start consulting doctors, and all sorts of wild notions will be printed. No-one else is to see the bodies.

 

Doctor 1

It is my honour, to present this unique medical phenomenon. Until last week, Mr Joseph Merrick. . .

 

Doctor 2

John Merrick.

 

Doctor 1

I beg your pardon. Mr John Merrick, was an attraction at a sideshow. Now he's being cared for at England's leading hospital. And with your generosity we will be able to continue to do so. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr John Merrick. Turn around.

 

Woman

It should have been killed at birth.

 

Doctor

Good health.

 

Attendant

That will be the last one, Your Royal Highness.

 

Dr. Ferral

. . . a gift from God, a psychotic patient.

 

Abberline

Pardon me, sir. Are you Dr. Ferral?

 

Dr. Ferral

I am, yes.

 

Abberline

I'm Inspector Abberline, assigned to Whitechapel.

 

Doctor

Oh, my lord. You're the Ripper case. Am I right?

 

Abberline

Yeah.

 

Doctor

Jolly good. You've come to the perfect place. We've got butchers aplenty here.

 

Abberline

I see. Well, I could certainly use the expertise of someone like yourself to help solve this case. They tell me you're the best young surgeon in London.

 

Dr. Ferral

Really? I don't see how a reputable surgeon could know anything about it. This country's overrun with foreigners, Orientals. Socialists, trying to stir things up against our monarchy. That's, who you should be pursuing, don't you think?

 

Sir William

Excuse me. You don't belong here, do you? I'm afraid Dr. Ferral suffers from the surgeons malady.

 

Abberline

And what's that, sir?

 

Sir William

Want of feeling. He knows everything about anatomy and nothing about the soul. How may I assist you, Inspector?

 

Abberline

Well, forgive my ignorance, sir, but, erm, are you a surgeon?

 

Sir William

I was. Unfortunately I suffered a brain seizure six months ago.

 

Abberline

Sorry to hear that, sir.

 

Sir William

Yes, these days I limit myself to teaching. So you see, I'm accustomed to answering questions, Inspector.

 

Abberline

Well, sir. Could you tell me what sort of a knife this would be?

 

Sir William

I think you mean to draw a Liston knife. It's named for Liston who was a surgeon in the Crimean War. Because there was no anaesthetic on the battlefield he had to carry out his amputations very quickly. Er, do you, by any chance, have the police surgeon's report available?

 

Abberline

Yes, I do, sir.

 

Sir William

May I?

 

Abberline

You must keep this confidential.

 

Sir William

Of course.

 

Abberline

There you go, sir.

 

Sir William

Thank you. Hmm. Yes. Wouldn't someone have heard their screams?

 

Abberline

Not if he cut their throats first.

 

Sir William

Yes. Then how can you be sure they wouldn't react to seeing the Liston knife?

 

Abberline

Grapes. He offers them grapes first.

 

Sir William

Ah.

 

Abberline

Grapes are very tempting.

 

Sir William

Yes, of course. They'd gobble them up, wouldn't they?

 

Abberline

And he might offer them a drink to ease them down. A drink laced with laudanum.

 

Sir William

How do you know that?

 

Abberline

I found a sprig of grapes on both victims bodies. And I smelled the laudanum on their lips.

 

Sir William

Laudanum is a derivative of opium. Apart from doctors and addicts not many would recognise it. How long have you chased the dragon, Inspector? Well, these should help with the headaches. And, erm, opium leeches minerals out of the body, so I've also given you a tonic. That'll help to restore your appetite.

 

Abberline

Thank you very much, sir. I'm a fool.

 

Sir William

Oh, I don't think you're a fool. Far from it.

 

Abberline

I ought to have known, sir, that you're physician ordinary to the Royal Family.

 

Sir William

Well, yes, it's certainly an honour, but then it's an honour bestowed on many doctors. Now, about our friend here. I can tell you this much, he cut their throats from left to right. Therefore, he's right-handed. Excuse me. He had to slice through four layers of tissue, and up to an inch of subcutaneous fat. After that, he entered the abdominal cavity, so he would've had to use more than just merely the Liston knife. Perhaps he was carrying a portable amputation kit similar to this. What do you think?

 

Abberline

Is it possible, sir, that the killer is an educated man? Perhaps someone who studied medicine, but who is not, in fact, a surgeon himself?

 

Sir William

The intestines are simple enough, but, er, the uterus? The liver especially, very hard to locate, unless you know what you're doing. And he was working quickly in the dark. I had held out hope that this, this, monster was a veterinarian, or a furrier, ar an especially well-educated butcher. No, I must admit, if I were you, I'd look for someone with a thorough knowledge of human anatomy. Damn him.

 

Woman

Want me to suck it? I can suck the Thames dry. Don't be frightened, dearie.

 

Queen Victoria

How far advanced is our grandson's malady?

 

Sir William

Er, no lesions have appeared, ma'am. There is some neural damage, a slight trembling of the right hand, but I'm hopeful, more than hopeful, that treatment will arrest the disease.

 

Queen Victoria

He seems, to us, to be suffering greatly in his mind. Is the disease affecting his emotions?

 

Sir William

Yes, well of course, his mood is depressed because of, the news of the diagnosis. But that should improve as he regains his strength.

 

Queen Victoria

You are a true physician, Sir William. In all ways, you attend to the health of our empire. We are grateful.

 

Sir William

Thank you, ma'am.

 

Abberline

If this is the beginning of a five-pointed star.

 

Withers

Like the bloody Jewish star.

 

Godley

Withers! The Inspector is talking, which means you are what?

 

Withers

I'm listening, sir.

 

Godley

Yes.

 

Abberline

This area, would form a likely point. I want double shifts, within these streets until further notice. And don't only worry about Jews and butchers. You stop anyone suspicious, including well-dressed gentlemen. And by the way, Withers, the Star of David has six points.

 

Godley

Right, once more into the breach dear friends. Dismissed.

 

Ripper

Why have you called me here?

 

Netley

It's just. It's just, you say three more have to be killed. I can't take it, sir. It's everywhere. It's in all the papers. I'm just a simple chap, sir. I'm not a great man like you. I just don't know where I am at, anymore.

 

Ripper

There, there, Netley. I shall tell you where we are. We are in the most extreme and utter region of the human mind. A radiant abyss, where men meet themselves.

 

Netley

I don't understand that. I don't understand, sir.

 

Ripper

Hell, Netley. We're in Hell.

 

Mary

Let me go! Get your hands off me!

 

Godley

Sorry about that, Inspector. She's madly in love with me, although she hides it well.

 

Abberline

You said McQueen killed your two friends. So what you doing here?

 

Mary

Oh, I see. Women are butchered right and left in your district and you can't do piss about it, and I'm the fool?

 

Abberline

We're watching them. Can't arrest them without evidence, so we watch them. What else can we do?

 

Mary

I'll testiry. If you keep meself and me friends alive. I'll testify.

 

Abberline

To what, precisely?

 

Mary

That McQueen said he'd cut me unless I pay him a pound a week.

 

Abberline

No.

 

Mary

What do you mean, no? You asked me to testify. Are you worried I'll let you down? I won't. I promise I won't.

 

Abberline

You testify against McQueen, maybe he goes in for a year or two. But his boys, they'll take their revenge on you and your friends. I can't let you do it.

 

Woman

It's your round this time!

 

Mary

I confess, I have an appetite. One day, I'll be a great big, round woman with a skinny little man for a husband.

 

Abberline

And a dozen plump children, I imagine.

 

Mary

Do you think that's funny? An unfortunate like me being a decent mother?

 

Abberline

No. No, I didn't mean that. I didn't mean that at all. You'll be a wonderful mother someday, Mary. Honest, I can see it. I see you in a little cottage, by the sea, surrounded by children. I can see it, Mary, clear as day. I really do have visions, you know.

 

Mary

Are you serious?

 

Abberline

Sergeant Godley calls 'em my intuitions. As a matter of fact, I have one about you in this case.

 

Mary

You have visions about me? What might those be?

 

Abberline

I want you to think carefully. Besides McQueen, besides these awful murders, has anything else happened to you, or perhaps one of your friends that's a bit out of the ordinary?

 

Godley

Ben Kidney? That's Special Branch she's describing, you know. What would Ben Kidney and Special Branch be doing in Whitechapel? Wait a minute. She's Irish-born isn't she? There's your answer. A secret Irish rebel. That's why they would be after her, right?

 

Abberline

They were after Ann Crook. Who was having an affair with a wealthy gentleman. A man she bore a child. . . a child that's now missing, along with it's grandparents.

 

Godley

Great. Drive on please, driver. You do not fuck with Special Branch. They fuck with you. I don't know what you're thinking, and I don't care to know.

 

Abberline

Inspector Adderley, Mr Kidney wants to see me.

 

Desk Officer

Mr Kidney's gone, sir. Didn't say where. Could be for the night.

 

Abberline

No, he said he'd be back before eleven and I should wait. Thanks.

 

Desk Officer

Where are you going, sir?

 

Abberline

He said I should wait in his office.

 

Desk Officer

And what floor is Mr Kidney's office on?

 

Abberline

I don't know what floor, you bloody idiot, because I haven't been to his fucking office yet, have I? He told me to have the desk man let me up, but I'm more than happy to stand here like a knob, because you disobeyed Ben Kidney's order.

 

Desk Officer

It's the second floor on the right.

 

Abberline

Thanks.

 

Godley

Free Ireland! Free Ireland!

 

Officer 1

Get inside, sir.

 

Belt

Just some gunpowder, sir, that's all. Little more than a firework.

 

Kidney

Anyone go in or out?

 

Desk Officer

Yes, sir. I'm sorry, sir. There's an Inspector Adderley in your office.

 

Officer 2

No, there's nothing missing here.

 

Officer 3

The Webster dossier seems to be complete.

 

Belt

The bastards have been in here, sir, I can smell 'em.

 

Abberline

No.

 

Mary

Yes.

 

Abberline

No. Not together. Too suspicious. You wait for me, and if she's in there, you can go and visit her on your own.

 

Mary

I'm going with you right now, or I'm going to the newspapers. I mean it.

 

Doctor

There's a number of mental disorders for which it is necessary to remove the front part of the brain. Her records indicate that she was violent, threatening to do harm to herself and others.

 

Abberline

Does she have any relations?

 

Doctor

No, she's a ward of the state.

 

Mary

That's a lie.

 

Abberline

Listen to me. You're under arrest, you're here to assist my investigation. Kep your mouth shut! Is that clear?

 

Mary

Sorry, sir.

 

Abberline

Good. What else do you know about her?

 

Doctor

All we know is, that she was an unfortunate, who lived in the Whitechapel district.

 

Abberline

I'd like to ask her a few questions.

 

Doctor

You won't get any sense out of her.

 

Abberline

I'm used to that. Hello, Ann. I brought Mary Kelly. Do you remember Mary Kelly?

 

Mary

Ann, you know me, I'm your best friend in all the world.

 

Ann

Go away. Go away. Go away.

 

Mary

Ann, I'm gonna find baby Alice. I'm gonna take care of her.

 

Ann

Alice is laughing to me. Laughing to me. Laughing to me all day long.

 

Mary

All right, it's all right, darling.

 

Abberline

What about her father? Have you seen Alice's father, Ann?

 

Ann

He's a prince. A prince. A prince. A prince. And I'm a queen. I'm a queen. I'm a queen.

 

Abberline

How do you know he was a painter?

 

Mary

He hired us to pose as artist's models.

 

Abberline

And what exactly does that entail, artist's models?

 

Mary

We stood very still, so he could paint us. What's the matter? You think I was born a whore? Oh, I'm sorry, I'm an unfortunate, not a whore. England doesn't have whores, just a great mass of very unlucky women.

 

Abberline

So, Ann Crook, and the painter became lovers. Is that it?

 

Mary

He married her, in a lovely Catholic church. Saint Saviour's. I was a witness, as a matter of fact.

 

Abberline

He married her in a Catholic church?

 

Mary

What do you think they've done to baby Alice? Special Branch dumped her in Bishopsgate?

 

Abberline

Yeah, as an unknown.

 

Mary

Why?

 

Abberline

When I find out, I'll tell you.

 

Mary

Take me to her. You have to.

 

Abberline

No, not yet. I need to know more first. Look, I promise that I'll help you with baby Alice, but not yet. You've gotta trust me, Mary, at least a little bit.

 

Mary

I do. I do trust you.

 

Abberline

Good.

 

Mary

Do you have little ones, Insepctor?

 

Abberline

No. No. A year ago. . . no, two years. I'm sorry, more than two years, my wife, erm, passed away, giving birth to what I'm told was a son.

 

Mary

I'm sorry.

 

Abberline

Thanks. I want to show you some paintings on the way out, yeah?

 

Mary

You're gonn take me into the gallery?

 

Abberline

Why not? Come on.

 

Mary

Did you see the look on her face?

 

Abberline

I think she stopped breathing.

 

Mary

She's a fright. Look at those cold eyes. I feel like someone's walking over my grave.

 

Abberline

There's one more painting I want you to see. You know him, don't you?

 

Priest

Those whom God has joined together, let no man put asunder. I pronounce that they be man and wife. (Speaks in Latin). Amen.

 

Abberline

Sir William Gull, please.

 

Maid

Sir William isn't receiving visitors.

 

Abberline

Sir William? It's Inspector Abberline. I need to speak with you, sir.

 

Dr. Ferral

Sir William is ill. He can't receive any visitors. I said! You can't go in.

 

Sir William

It's all right, Dr. Ferral, I don't mind company. Have Anna bring us some tea, would you please? Ah well, I wish I could tell you, Inspector, that your story was fantastical. Unhappily, I cannot. I know for a fact that the Prince has a taste in unfortunate women. And I suppose it's more than possible that, he concocted this elaborate deception, to have some privacy while he indulged in his secret life. But I know one reason I have for stating, that, Prince Edward being Jack the Ripper is just incomprehensible.

 

Abberline

What's that, sir?

 

Sir William

If you repeat what I am about to tell you, both our lives are in jeopardy. Indeed, I hope for your sake that what I am about to say will steer you clear of the very real danger you're in.

 

Abberline

I think I'm well past the point of safe return, sir.

 

Sir William

Prince Edward has syphilis. Not a pleasant state secret, but a, a vital one.

 

Abberline

Well, that proves it. I couldn't understand why the Price was killing Ann Crook's friends, especially so savagely, but, he's not merely killing them, he's punishing them. He wants revenge. Don't you see, sir?

 

Sir William

Er, no, Inspector, I don't see. I'm afraid your wild speculations about the Prince's mental state, clever though they may be, cannot overcome the physical impossibility of his committing these crimes. The disease is far enough along that, the Prince's hands tremble uncontrollably. He's very weak, and the killings of Jack the Ripper require sure hands, and considerable vigour. And have you forgotten the most telling fact? Whatever else the Prince may be, he knows little or nothing of human anatomy.

 

Mason

. . .to the centre of the lodge and force him to kneel for the benefit of prayer. Vouchsafe Thy name, almighty Father of the universe to this, our present convention. Who is this?

 

Dr. Ferral

A poor candidate in a state of darkness. He comes of his own free will, perfectly prepared, humbly soliciting to be admitted into the mysteries and privileges.

 

Mason

IN all cases of danger and distress, in whom do you put your trust?

 

Dr. Ferral

In God.

 

Mason 2

How did he find out about the unfortunate and her child?

 

Sir Charles

Well, he has that kind of cleverness you'll sometimes find in the middle classes. A cheap sort of intelligence, but effective nevertheless.

 

Mason 2

Thank God that's not something you're burdened by.

 

Sir Charles

Yes thank God.

 

Mason

Recite the solemn oath.

 

Dr. Ferral

Never to reveal our secrets, under no less a penalty than, my throat be cut across, my tongue be torn out by it's root, and that I be buried in sand a cable's length from shore.

 

Mason 2

You don't think Gull has confided in him, do you? The old fellow isn't as far gone as all that, is he?

 

Kidney

No. He's not that foolish.

 

Mason

Let the brother receive the light.

 

Man 1

I keep on hearing. . .

 

Woman

No time to scream. . .

 

Man 2

Another beautiful murder.

 

Man 3

Fear me. Jack the Ripper.

 

Abberline

They're rubbish. You know that?

 

Godley

Yes, I agree. They're rubbish. But why you persist in believing that red-head jezebel, I'll never know. Has it never occurred to you that she's the sort of woman who likes to make up stories. Particularly about men. She is, after all, a whore. She's a woman who pre. . . A rose by any other name? Is that it? Frederick, my dear chum, no one is more delighted than I am that you've decided to resume your interest in the fairer sex, but please remember, a woman like that can make a man feel whatever the hell she wants him to feel.

 

Abberline

Sergeant Godley.

 

Godley

Yes, sir?

 

Abberline

Arrest the Nichol Street gang.

 

Godley

Right away, Inspector.

 

Police Officer

I tried to stop them, Inspector.

 

Man

This arrived in this afternoon's post. 'I send you half the kidney I took from one woman preserved for you, the other piece I fried and ate. It was very nice.' We demand that something be done, and done tonight.

 

Godley

From Hell. Well, at least they got the address right.

 

Kate

It can't be. Are you sure he was the same?

 

Mary

I know him, Kate. I posed for him twice meself. I stood there naked as a babe, watching him paint me for hours.

 

Kate

And he was with Ann for what, over a year?

 

Mary

Nearly two.

 

Liz

Oh, here you are. Hello girls.

 

Mary

Where you been? I told you to wait for me.

 

Liz

I can't stay in a pub and not have a drink. It's cruel. But look who I bumped into. Remember Ada? She's from France.

 

Ada

Bruxelles.

 

Liz

Bruxelles.

 

Ada

Yes.

 

Liz

Oh, she is pretty, isn't she?

 

Kate

Not in public, love, not in public.

 

Mary

Would you be a dear, Ada, and give us a minute alone? We need to speak with Liz.

 

Liz

No, Ada, you stay where you are. Come on, Mary, get the drinks in.

 

Kate

Mary.

 

Abberline

You don't have to worry about Nichols Street for at least a week. I can keep 'em that long.

 

Mary

Well, that's something anyway. Thank you. What about baby Alice? Are you sure she's all right?

 

Abberline

Yeah. She's all right. We'll get her out after this is all over.

 

Mary

We'll get her?

 

Abberline

Listen, I want you and your friends off the streets until I can sort this thing out.

 

Mary

Off the streets for how long?

 

Abberline

A few days at least.

 

Mary

Well. You'd better throw us in jail then 'cos we have no money for food and no money for a doss.

 

Abberline

All right then, you take this. Buy some food, get a room, stay there. Don't tell anyone where you're going. I don't want to know. In three days, come to the Ten Bells, I'll leave a message with the Barkeep. What? It's not enough?

 

Mary

I wish I could show you the little village where I was born. It's so lovely there. It's by the sea, where you said you saw me. I used to think it too small to spend a life in but, now I'm not so sure.

 

Abberline

Don't. Don't.

 

Mary

What? Do you think I'm paying you back? I didn't mean it as business. I'm still a woman. They haven't taken that away from me, not yet anyways.

 

Police Officer

Enough of that. Now, lad, at least take. . . Sorry, sir.

 

Liz

There, me lady. One more turn. And curtsey. And we're done. Ah, don't be modest girl. They don't care what we do. I paid for your supper, remember. Stop shaking your head at me, you slag.

 

Mary

Leave her alone!

 

Liz

She is my business, she's not yours!

 

Mary

Liz, just be quiet for one bloody night.

 

Liz

No, I fucking won't keep my voice down.

 

Kate

Don't go out tonight, it's not safe.

 

Liz

I'll just get something to sustain myself. I'll be right back.

 

Kate

Liz don't be so fucking stupid.

 

Mary

Do without for a night.

 

Liz

No. I want a fucking drink.

 

Mary

Liz.

 

Official

Here we are. Service records. Grenadier Guards. Lieutenant Benjamin Kidney. There. Just as I suspected.

 

Abberline

Before eh joined Special Branch, Ben Kidney served in the Grenadier Guards. Part of his duties included assisting a field surgeon.

 

Godley

Well, let me tell you something, Inspector, of which I am absolutely certain. Assisting an expert is a different thing, a very, very different thing from doing it oneself.

 

Abberline

Think about it. Someone's got to clean up after the Prince. And who's job is it to take care of the widow's messes?

 

Godley

You've turned into Othello, do you know that? Everything is a suspicion. And like that tragic Moor, all your suspicions will end up in your own demise. Heaven's sake, man. These women aren't just being silenced. They're being murdered most brutally. Why would Ben Kidney do that?

 

Abberline

To scare people. To keep their mind off the real point.

 

Godley

Which is?

 

Abberline

Think what's at stake for Special Branch. Prince Edward married Ann Crook, a commoner and a Catholic. Married her in a Catholic church, they had a baby, a legitimate baby, who is in fact, heir to the throne of England. All these women were there. All these women were eyewitnesses to an event, that could rip the Empire to pieces.

 

Kate

Once she starts drinking, she'll go all night, you know that.

 

Mary

She knows how dangerous it is.

 

Kate

She don't believe you about the Prince. She thinks you're feeding that copper candies to keep him interested.

 

Liz

Hello, sir.

 

Ripper

Is anything wrong, my dear?

 

Liz

No, sir, for a moment I thought you were someone else.

 

Ripper

Oh. Thirst?

 

Liz

Always parched, sir.

 

Ripper

Perhaps there is somewhere nearby that we might go, while ,y coachman keeps watch.

 

Liz

Oh yeah. Yeah. This way. Follow me. 'Ere, it's this way. Follow me. I dropped my grapes. No!

 

Netley

The fuck are you looking at? Shut up! Shut up! I hear someone coming, sir. Sir!

 

Man

All right, George.

 

Godley

It's one of them, isn't it? Throat's cut the same way.

 

Abberline

Yeah. He didn't finish.

 

Godley

She's no less dead for that.

 

Abberline

He won't be satisfied by this.

 

Godley

Wilkins. Fetch the ambulance. Go on, run along.

 

Ripper

Excuse me, miss.

 

Belt

You could be dead, right now. But then there would be too many bloody questions. Ignore the old man's blathering. Find a scapegoat, or next time we won't care who asks: 'Whatever happened to Inspector Abberline.'

 

Netley

We should hurry up, sir. It's clearing up.

 

Ripper

Do you have a piece of chalk, Netley?

 

Netley

Chalk, sir?

 

Man

They found another one, in Mitre Square!

 

Belt

Nice work, Inspector. You've encouraged him to do two in a night now.

 

Abberline

Get out of the fucking way, cunt. Catherine Eddowes.

 

Godley

There's some writing on a wall, just down the road there. You should have a look at it. 'The Jews are the men that will not be blamed for nothing.' It's hardly Shakespeare but it'll do.

 

Woman

I was busy with the children. . .

 

Police Officer

Madam, slow down, slow down.

 

Abberline

Make sure you get the apron as well, yeah?

 

Police Officer

Did you not hear a scream?

 

Abberline

It was written by the killer, sir.

 

Sir Charles

And how do you know that?

 

Abberline

I was here three quarters of an hour ago.

 

Sir Charles

This building, mostly Jews live here? Is that right?

 

Abberline

Yeah, that's right.

 

Photographer

Ready now, sir.

 

Sir Charles

Put that away, and get out of here immediately. Abberline?

 

Abberline

Yeah.

 

Sir Charles

Wash that off.

 

Abberline

What?

 

Sir Charles

You heard me.

 

Abberline

It's evidence, sir.

 

Sir Charles

Listen to me. In another hour, there will be about a thousand people poking about in here. If those words are seen, not a Jew in London will be safe. We'll have mayhem on the streets, so wash it off.

 

Abberline

That's an educated hand, sir. An educated man wrote that. Look for yourself.

 

Sir Charles

I don't have to look, I've seen it.

 

Abberline

An educated man knows how to spell 'Jews', sir. I don't know what this refers to, but I'm sure it's got nothing to do with the people who live round here.

 

Sir Charles

Sergeant, I want two constables to wash that off. What are you looking to him for? Wash it off!

 

Godley

Yes, sir.

 

Abberline

Half a dozen men have seen it already. . .

 

Godley

Wilkins.

 

Abberline

. . . the sergeant has copied it down. I'll remember those words for as long as I live. So all you're doing, is destroying it's value as evidence.

 

Sir Charles

No, all I'm doing is taking charge of an investigation that you have bungled to the point of gross inefficiency, and I've had enough. You are suspended from duty, Abberline. Inspector Abberline is suspended. All his privileges are cancelled.

 

Godley

Sir.

 

Abberline

You've not seen her then? Well, if she comes round, give her this.

 

Barkeeper

Long letter, eh?

 

Abberline

This is for your trouble. The letter's private, you understand?

 

Barkeeper

I understand.

 

Abberline

Great.

 

Man (voice)

Who is this?

 

Mason (voice)

Recite the solemn oath.

 

Dr. Ferral (voice)

Never to reveal our secrets.

 

Godley (voice)

Grapes again. Why grapes?

 

Abberline (voice)

This ain't killing for profit.

 

Kidney (voice)

He's not that foolish.

 

Sir Charles (voice)

Are you questioning my decision?

 

Man (voice)

Find a scapegoat.

 

Dr Ferral (voice)

My throat to be cut across.

 

Abberline (voice)

This is ritual.

 

Abberline

Jebela, Jubelo, Jubelum. Jews.

 

Ada

It's me, Ada, me, only me. I bring everything for supper.

 

Mary

You little thief. I need this money.

 

Ada

I just take some money any buy food, for me and for you. Is that bad, Mary?

 

Mary

It's fine, dear. You're a good person, but listen, until I go away from London, it's not safe for you to go out. Understand?

 

Ada

I stay with Mary. Beautiful Mary.

 

Mary

It's all right, darling. You don't have to pay for your food.

 

Ada

Pardon?

 

Mary

Here's to our feast.

 

Sir William

I'm so sorry to greet you like this, Inspector, but I'm rather late for an appointment. Will you excuse me if I finish dressing while we talk?

 

Abberline

No, no. Please go on.

 

Sir William

Thank you.

 

Abberline

I'd like to speak to you about the freemasons, if I might, sir?

 

Sir William

Oh yes.

 

Abberline

The arrangement of the coins at Dark Annie's feet, and also the locations of the bodies, form a pentacle star. A pentacle star is the symbol of the freemasons, is it not, sir?

 

Sir William

Yes

 

Abberline

Ans the way that all these women were killed, throats cut left to right, organs removed. They're re-enactments, aren't they, sir?

 

Sir William

Re-enactments of what?

 

Abberline

The Jews. The traitors who killed Hiram Abiff, founder of the Masons. That's how they were executed.

 

Sir William

Ah, yes. So the great book tells us.

 

Abberline

So Jack the Ripper isn't just merely killing whores. He's executing traitors. He's a Mason fulfilling a duty.

 

Sir William

Yes, I'm afraid, Inspector, that you won't be permitted to arrest him.

 

Abberline

I don't want to arrest him. The Ripper has one more traitor yet to kill, and I will stop him. Did they come to you, sir, as a loyal Mason? Did they ask you to help them cover up the Prince's secret marriage?

 

Sir William

That's how it started, yes.

 

Abberline

And then you discovered the Prince had syphilis.

 

Sir William

He's going to die of it, Inspector. Would you like a tour of the syphilis wards?

 

Abberline

You're physician in ordinary to the Queen, entrusted with the well-being of the heir to the throne. Only you had reason to believe that these unfortunates, these whores, thses traitors, destroyed your life's work.

 

Sir William

Below the skin of history, are London's veins. These symbols, the mitre, the pentacle star, even someone as ignorant and degenerate as you, can sense that they course with energy and meaning. I am that meaning. I am that energy. One day, men will look back, and say I gave birth to the 20th Century.

 

Abberline

You're not going to see the 20th Century.

 

Dr Ferral

Roll up his sleeve. Don't struggle. You'll only make this more painful.

 

Man 1

Are you all right, mate?

 

Man 2

There's someone under there.

 

Man (voice)

Dr Gull? Dr. Gull.

 

Ripper

Yes.

 

Man (voice)

You were describing the human heart.

 

Ripper

Yes. Yes.

 

Sir William

The human heart, is a dense and powerful muscle, much like the organic equivalent of mahogany, and notoriously difficult to burn. It's about the size of a fist. It provides the motor power. . .

 

Sir William (voice)

. . . for the circulatory system. The heart contains two aorta, two ventricles and four valves. It is, in effect a single pump, powering a double circuit. In the adult, the heart rate averages seventy to eighty beats a minute. Such is the force of the heart beat, that if the body's largest artery, the aorta, is severed, a six-foot jet of blood, is released.

 

Mason (voice)

May the brother receive the light. . . fear no God. Arise. Your faith is well-founded.

 

Man

Another murder.

 

Godley

Don't. Don't go in there. There's no need.

 

Sir Charles

How bad is it?

 

Police Officer

She, she's in pieces, sir.

 

Sir Charles

Sergeant, he can go in.

 

Abberline

Give him to me.

 

Sir Charles

He'll be taken care of. I swear to it.

 

Abberline

I want him.

 

Sir Charles

It's over. He's done. I give you my word.

 

Abberline

Fuck your word! I'll bring every last one of you fucking cunts down. You and your fucking brothers.

 

Sir Charles

Now, listen to me, Abberline. Your situation, your difficult situation has been thoroughly discussed. You are re-instated. Indeed, you are promoted.

 

Godley

No! No! Come on, this is not helping anything, come on.

 

Sir Charles

Don'r be a fool, Inspector. You will be very closely watched.

 

Man

You're all there now, ain't you. Where were you when this was happening?

 

Woman

It's all right for you, standing round chatting. What about us?

 

Sir Charles

Inspector Abberline is in charge. Give him all the assistance he requires.

 

Godley

No! Remember, you're being watched. Right, come on you men, clear this passage. Come on. Move them away.

 

Police Officer

Move back. Make way. Back, all of you.

 

Coroner

Shall we proceed, Inspector? Body lies in middle of bed. Shoulders flat, but axis of body inclined toward right. The left arm is close to the body. The forearm flexed at a right angle, resting across the abdomen. The right arm is slightly abducted from the body. It rests on the mattress, with the elbow bent and the forearm supine. The fingers are clenched, indicating a struggle as she died. Notice something, Inspector?

 

Abberline

No. No, go on.

 

Barkeeper

Came in not long before dawn, bit of a rush. Left this for you.

 

Mary (voice)

I know you asked me to wait. But if I'm to be murdered, I'd like at least to die in my village. I'm going to the orphanage to collect baby Alice. Here's an address where you can find us. We'll wait for you eagerly. I know, I know in my heart, we can be happy living by the sea. Just as you saw. I hope to be with you soon, dearest. All my love, Mary.

 

Queen Victoria

We are deeply distressed, Lord Hallsham. We asked Sir William to remove a threat to our family, and to our throne. Not to engage in these ghastly rituals.

 

Lord Hallsham

Oh, no, of course not, Your Majesty. That was unexpected. On the other hand, he has fulfilled his duties. The threat is past, Your Majesty.

 

Queen Victoria

In his way, Sir William has been loyal. And we are grateful for that. The rest is in your hands, Lord Hallsham. We wish to hear nothing further of this.

 

Mason

Knight of the East. We are gathered here beneath the God of love, and before the sight of the great architect, to judge this case. You stand accused of mayhems that have placed our brotherhood in jeopardy. You stand before your peers, Masons and doctors both.

 

Sir William

I have no peers present here.

 

Mason

What?

 

Sir William

No man amongst you is fit to judge, the mighty art that I have wrought. Your rituals are empty oaths you neither understand nor live by. The Great Architect speaks to me. He is the balance, where my deeds are weighed and judged. Not you.

 

Mason

Knight of the East, hear our judgement.

 

Godley

Well, they're not watching you any more. I'm telling you, it's safe to go to her.

 

Abberline

They think she's dead. If I disappear, or change my routine suddenly, they might wonder why.

 

Godley

You know who you're gonna turn into, don't you? That boring old bugger in the pub that nobody wants to sit beside, 'cos as soon as he's had a few drinks he goes on and on about the girl that got away. Is that what you want? Do you want to live the rest of your life like a ghost? Is that it?

 

Abberline

No. What I want, is to go to her. But at the slightest hint that she's alive, they will spare no expense, no expense and no trouble. So I'll stay. And watch them.

 

Mary

Alice! Alice! Come in, darling.

 

Alice

Coming, mother.

 

Godley

Get up. Get up! Come on. Good night, sweet prince.

 

THE END

 

TO INDEX SCRIPTS