Dramatisation of Jimmy Valentine
SCENE 1
Stage Direction :- The action is laid in a prison shoe-shop . A prison guard enters hurriedly.
Guard - ( taking the arm of a convict , a tall and attractive figure ) - " Warden wants you, Jimmy , in front office . Looks like you've got your pardon from the governor .''
Jimmy - About time .
( The warden comes in .)
Warden - You'll go out in the morning , Valentine , and this time I have you to make an honest man yourself. You're not a bad fellow at heart. Just stop cracking safes , and go straight , my boy.
Jimmy - ( In a tone of surprise) - Me ? Why ......I never cracked a safe in my life.
( A loud laughter from the Warden.)
Warden - Oh no ! Of course not . Then how come you got sent up on that Springfield job ? Was it just a mean old jury that had it in for you ?
Jimmy -( Looking Stunned) - Me ? .... Why Warden , I never was in Springfield in all my life !
Warden - Take him back , guard , and fix him up with a new suit and shoes . Have him in my office at seven in the morning . And Valentine , better think over my advice.
SCENE 2
Stage Direction :- At quarter past seven next morning , Jimmy Stands in the warden's office . He has put on a cheep , shiny , badly fitted suit . On his feet were stiff , squeaky shoes . The warden is present with his staff.
Warden - Take my boy , your rail road ticket , a five dollar bill , and a cigar . ( Gives those and shakes hand with him warmly ) Don't forget to remain steady and sound . Good luck to you .
Jimmy - Thanks , Thanks Sir , many times .
( Jimmy leaves the office in a merry mood. )
SCENE 3
Stage Direction :- A bar at the time of evening . The owner of the bar Mike Dolon , a stout fellow attending his customers . Jimmy hurriedly enters .
Jimmy - Hello Mike !
( Mike advances and shakes his hand warmly .)
Mike - Sorry we could't make it sooner , Jimmy , but the governor was a tough one . How are you ?
Jimmy - Fine . get my key ?
( Mike gives the key . Jimmy moves towards a to leave the stage . After a few minutes Jimmy returns . He is now dressed in a handsome , well-fitting suit. He is carrying a cleaned , dusted heavy suitcase.)
Mike - What's up this time , Jimmy ? Got anything in mind ?
Jimmy - Me ? ( Looking surprisingly ) .......... just off to do an honest day's work , Mike . I am the new sales manager for the finest cookie and biscuit company in the Midwest.
Mike - Is it so ? ( Mike laughed hardly.)
SCENE 4
Stage Direction :- An office room where Ben Price is sitting on a chair. He is a detective Inspector. Other police officers stand around him.
Officer 1 - Sir , only a week after the release of Jimmy , three safe burglaries were reported to the police. Not a clue was left to any of them , except that they were all done in the same manner.
Ben Price - ( After a little thought ) That's Jimmy Valentine , I know Jimmy's habits . The jobs are always clean , neat , easy . No trace of the burglar is ever left behind .
( with determination ) He'll know his full sentence this time , I promise . No more pardon for Jimmy Valentine . ( Ben Price gets up and walks out. )
SCENE 5
Stage Direction :- An office of a bank . The stage should be prepared like that . Jimmy , decently dressed in a new suit , with a heavy suitcase in his hand . A teenage boy loafing inside . A lovely young lady comes in . Jimmy is now looking at her . After a few minutes of official work , she leaves the place . After that Jimmy called the teen age boy.
Jimmy - Hay dear , what's your name ? ( Gives him a chocolate from his pocket . )
The Little Boy - I am Philip ...
Jimmy - Beg pardon , but isn't that ........ ( pretending to thinking ) ...... um...... Miss Polly Simpson just went out from the bank ?
The Little Boy - Nope , But I know who she is .
Jimmy - Really ! I think she is Polly Simpson .
The Little Boy - No she is Miss Annabel Adams , the daughter of the owner of the bank .
Jimmy - Oh..... Thanks .
SCENE 6
Stage Direction :- Reception of a hotel . Jimmy Valentine enters in the stage and then talks with the hotel clerk. Jimmy is now Ralph D. Spencer.
Hotel Clerk - Good evening Mr Spencer , is there everything all right in Elmore.
Jimmy - Ya .....it's fine here..... but I am thinking a new idea .....
Hotel Clerk - Nice.....what is plan sir?
Jimmy - I'm planning to settle in Elmore , and thinking about opening a shoe store . Are there any others in town ?
Hotel Clerk - Not a single one , we can really use a good shoe store . I am sure you'll be a success , Mr Spencer . Have a shoe store , please .
SCENE 7
Stage Direction :- A single room . Jimmy sitting at a desk holding a pen and a paper.
Jimmy: A year has passed like a moment. How lucky I feel to have Annabel .This,
and only this is the life I will always lead. I wonder what Billy will think on getting this letter! But he will surely be happy to get my tools. My tools, ah yes, why would I need them anymore! My shoe shop is a success, I have so many friends and above all, I have Annabel, the angel. Never will I touch a penny of another man. Jimmy is dead, I am Ralph, and will remain so forever.
[ Jimmy starts writing on the paper . While writing , he reads loudly whatever he is writing. ]
Dear Billy , I have a gift for you. I want to make you a present of my kit of tools. I have no need for them now. I'm going to marry the finest girl in the world in two weeks. She believes in me , Billy , and I wouldn't do another crooked thing for the world . Your old pal , Jimmy.
SCENE : 8
Stage Direction : The stage should be decorated like a bank office. On one side two clerks are busy calculating, some clients queue at the counter. On the other side there is a Vault with complex knobs. A transparent partition separates the two sections.
[ Jimmy carrying his suitcase, Annabel, Mr. Adams, Annabel’s sister, Annabel’s two nieces May and Agatha entered.]
Annabel - Oh Ralph, please tell me one thing , why do you have to leave town now?
Jimmy - Anna, you know I am going to get my wedding suit. We have only a fortnight for our marriage .
Annabel - But I will miss you so much Ralph!
Jimmy puts his suitcase down and holds Annabel’s hand. Annabel puts on his hat and picks up his suitcase.
Annabel: Oh ! Ralph, it’s so heavy! Have you filled it with gold bricks?
Jimmy: Only nickel plated shoe-horns.
[ Suddenly Ben Price entered. Ben stands at the counter hides behind the customers’ queue and observes the scene quietly. ]
[ Mr Adams escorts everyone towards the vault. ]
Adams: Now this is our new possession Spencer. A fine Vault and Safe. (handling the knobs)
Jimmy: (not looking very knowledgeable) : I guess that is very secure Sir.
Adams: Come on Ralph, see, the door is patented too!
Annabel: (pulling both of them upstage) Leave him alone Papa, he hasn’t understood a single thing! Let the poor dear be.
Annabel’s sister: See Papa , our little Anna is already taking his sides!
[ All laugh heartily. ]
[ Suddenly May screams from behind. Agatha is locked inside the vault. The clerks rush into the partition containing the vault. ]
Annabel’s sister: Oh my God! (rushing towards the vault) somebody open the door! Agatha Agatha! Oh Papa do something. Can’t you men do something!
Adams: (tugging at the vault handle): the combination was not set. The clock was not wound. There is not a man nearer than Little rock who can open this door. Oh God! Ralph, what shall we do?
Clerk 1: But that will take much time!
Clerk 2: Can’t we use dynamite!
Adams: All quiet! Agatha, can you hear me baby?
(A faint scream from inside is heard . Annabel’s sister cried out . She started beating the door with her hands)
Adams: Ralph, we must do something right now. That child- she can’t stand it in there for long! There is little air left. Besides, she could go into convulsions from fright!
Annabel: Ralph, please do something, wont you? At least try! Please!
Jimmy (smiling strangely): Give me the rose you are wearing sweetheart.
[ Annabel looks startled. She unpins the rose from her dress and gives it to Jimmy. Jimmy takes off his coat, opens his suitcase and takes out his tools. Whistling softly to himself he starts boring holes into the door of the vault. Moments later he opens the door and recovers Agatha. ]
[ Jimmy puts on his coat crosses the partition and goes towards the exit. Annabel calls out but he pays no heed. He looks at Ben blocking his way. ]
Jimmy: (still smiling): Got around at last, have you detective! Well, let’s go. Not that it makes much difference now.
Ben: I am Sorry Mr. Spencer, don’t think I understand you. You must have made a mistake you see. Your horse carriage is waiting outside I guess Mr. Spencer.
[ Ben turns and exits. Annabel crosses the partition and comes towards Jimmy. ]
Annabel: What happened Ralph! Why are you leaving? Papa is so surprised that you have learnt so many tricks in your shoemaking business too! You are an angel Ralph, what would we have done without you!
Jimmy: No Anna, you are my angel, what would I have done without you!
They embrace lovingly. Without another look, Ben turns away and strolls down the street.
Curtain slowly down .
