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SCENE ONE

Lights up on a prison cell in 1963. Table centre, at which sits James Hennessy, head on the table, terrified, two prison Guards sitting on either side of him, looking at each other. A clock starts chiming eight, and Hennessy raises his head, just as the cell door behind him swiftly opens and Harry Wade, in a suit and dicky-bow, and Syd Armfield, his assistant, enter, prompting Hennessy to jump to his feet, knocking his chair over. The Guards stand also. The Governor and Doctor stay outside, looking in.

Hennessy (London accent) Oh, you punctual bastards!

Harry It’ll all go easier for ya, lad, if you just accept it and don’t make a fuss.

Hennessy backs up over the table.

Hennessy Of course I’m going to make a fuss! I’m an innocent man! ‘A fuss’!

Harry Get the strap on, Syd. Guards …

Hennessy What’s the strap for? Who are them at the door?

Governor It’s the governor and the doctor, James.

Hennessy Gawking at doors! This is my cell, get out!

He grabs on to his metal bedstead for dear life, curled up on the floor. The men try to prise him off throughout.

Harry Just go easy, lad!

Hennessy No I won’t go easy! You go easy! You’re hanging an innocent man! I never even met the girl! I’ve never even been to Norfolk!

Harry That’s all just the whys and wherefores.

Hennessy Of course it’s to do with you, you northern bastard!

Harry We’ll have none of that ‘northern’ palaver neither!

Hennessy What’s he saying? He can’t even talk normal and he’s hanging an innocent man! They could’ve at least sent Pierrepoint!

This strikes a raw nerve, stopping Harry in his tracks.

Harry I’m just as good as bloody Pierrepoint!

Hennessy Hung by a rubbish hangman, oh that’s so me!

Syd He is just as good as Pierrepoint, Mr Hennessy.

Hennessy Well, he’s shit so far!

Harry That’s your bloody fault! Get his bloody arms!

They peel some fingers off the bedstead but don’t get much further.

Hennessy It’s only because I’m scared, isn’t it? I’m not normally like this.

Harry And I’ve told ya, if you’d just relax, it’d be all the easier for ya.

Hennessy It won’t be easier for me. I’ll be dead.

Harry Everybody says you’re a good lad.

Hennessy I am a good lad.