Read An Education for Free Online Page B

want to see Sheila Kirkland scratching away. I’ll take her.
     
    JACK
    And how do you suppose to get there? RAF helicopter?
    The doorbell rings.
     
    JENNY
    That’s him.
    JACK
    Oh, bloody hell.
     
    MARJORIE
    Jack!
    JENNY starts towards the door, and then turns.
     
    JENNY
    Oh, and by the way . . . David’s a Jew.
    A wandering Jew. So watch yourself.
    She goes to the door.
    JACK
    ( panic-stricken and shouting )
    What does she mean by that? I’ve never said anything like that! It’s just an expression. I’ve got nothing against the Jews . . .
    JENNY comes back in with DAVID, who seems intimidatingly exotic. He has obviously heard JACK’S last line.
    DAVID
    ( pleasantly )
    I’m glad to hear it. Hello. David.
    He offers his hand.
     
    JACK
    I didn’t mean I’ve got nothing against you . . . Actually, I did mean that, but . . .
    DAVID’S hand is still extended - in his confusion and embarrassment, JACK hasn’t yet taken it. He does so now and shakes it for way too long.
    I’m sorry. What I’m saying is that you’re not the sort of, of person I’d be against, if I were the sort of person who was against . . . people . . . Oh, dear. I’m Jack, and this is Marjorie.
     
    DAVID
    ( deadpan )
    You didn’t tell me you had a sister, Jenny.
    General confusion, until David chuckles naughtily. MARJORIE giggles, and then offers her hand.
    You’re a lucky man, Jack.
     
    JACK
    I suppose I am, yes.
    They all sit down.
     
    DAVID
    ( looking around approvingly )
    This is lovely.
    MARJORIE smiles.
     
    MARJORIE
    Thank you.
     
    JACK
    I’m sorry, David. Would you like a drink?
     
    DAVID
    I’d love one, Jack, but we’re running a little late. If Jenny’s ready, perhaps we’ll shoot off.
    JENNY looks at her father and takes a calculated gamble.
     
    JENNY
    Actually, David, Dad has something he has to tell you.
     
    JACK
    No, no, nothing . . . It was more of a question, really. A point of reference. What’s the best way to get to St John’s, Smith Square from here?
     
    DAVID
    Oh, it’s a pretty straight run, really. Up to Hammersmith, take the A4 through Kensington and you’re there.
     
    JACK
    Simple as that.
     
    DAVID
    Simple as that.
    JACK smiles broadly.
     
    MARJORIE
    ( playfully )
    Shall I book us some tickets?
     
    JACK
    ( still smiling )
    No.

    Beat.
    Have her back by ten, David.
     
    DAVID
    Well, I was hoping she might come with me afterwards for a spot of supper with my aunt Helen.
    JENNY studies him carefully. Suddenly his friends DANNY and HELEN have become ‘Aunt Helen’.
     
    JACK
    Oh, well, er . . . No, she’s usually in bed by then.
    JENNY winces.
     
    DAVID
    What if I promise to have her back by eleven thirty?
     
    JACK
    Well, it’s Friday night. And you are going all the way to the West End . . .
     
    DAVID
    Thanks, Jack. I appreciate it.
    They exchange warm handshakes. He turns to MARJORIE, who extends her hand. DAVID takes it, but kisses it suavely, leaving her a little flustered.
    JENNY
    Bye.
    JENNY and DAVID leave.

17 EXTERIOR: ST JOHN’S, SMITH SQUARE - EVENING
    JENNY and DAVID run in the rain toward the beautiful hall. JENNY suddenly looks young in the dress that looks too old for her - other adults are milling around outside, and the women don’t look like girls dressed up. DAVID makes for an incredibly glamorous and attractive couple in their late twenties who are waiting outside - DANNY and HELEN. HELEN is as far from anyone’s idea of an aunt as one can get.
    She’s no more beautiful than JENNY , but she’s dressed both appropriately and spectacularly, in early-’ 60 s, pre-hippy Bohemian gear. She turns heads in a way that JENNY is not yet able to. DANNY, too, is attractive, but soberly so. DAVID and JENNY are, in a way, paler, less striking versions of these two.
    DAVID
    Hello, hello. Are we late?
     
    HELEN
    No, I thought we were going to miss the beginning, and then it wouldn’t be worth going in, and we could all go off dancing or something.
    DANNY
    Helen is one of the more