Coursework - An inspector calls - missing scene (in Milwards)
Zaber Mohammed 11R
Coursework - An inspector calls - missing scene (in Milwards)
This is set in a fairly large shop, clearly at the turn of the century (early 20th century); this is shown by the décor. At one end of the shop (downstage) is a wooden shop-counter with a stall next to it. Sat on the stall is a grey haired man, in about his early 50's dressed in appropriate clothing for the period in time. He is reading a newspaper and has a monocle. There are lots of shelves with folded clothing and racks of dresses. It is clearly the woman's section of the shop. It has stairs, which go downwards, to indicate that it is larger than what the audience can see. There are a few assistants all aged in their twenties and thirties, all women and a few customers. Most of the customers are women except those with their husbands. There are also some screens for changing behind and mirrors. Two women enter the shop chatting. On of them (Mrs. Birling) is aged in her 50's and is wearing a hat, which she places on the hat-stand by the door as she enters. She also had a long coat that she places on the hat-stand and a long grey dress with a cream collar. The other woman (Sheila Birling) is in her early twenties. She also removes her hat. She has a woollen shawl on and a cream blouse with a navy skirt. Sheila looks particularly grumpy and is holding two shopping bags. Mrs Birling automatically notices a dress and rushes to it. It is on a rack with a big sign saying 'Sale' above it. She picks-up the dress. It is long and pale pink all over. It has short sleeves and white buttons down the front.
Mrs Birling: Oh Sheila dear, look at this dress. A shop assistant (Miss Francis) approaches them. She is tall and thin. She looks the oldest of the shop assistants, in her mid-thirties. She is dressed in a white blouse with a gold Milwards sign embroidered on it.
Miss Francis: Hello Mrs Birling, Miss Birling how nice to see you.
Mrs Birling: You too. Sheila forces a smile.
Miss Francis: Could I be of any assistance?
Mrs Birling: Certainly, do you have this dress in Sheila's size?
Miss Francis: ...
This is a preview of the whole essay
Mrs Birling: Oh Sheila dear, look at this dress. A shop assistant (Miss Francis) approaches them. She is tall and thin. She looks the oldest of the shop assistants, in her mid-thirties. She is dressed in a white blouse with a gold Milwards sign embroidered on it.
Miss Francis: Hello Mrs Birling, Miss Birling how nice to see you.
Mrs Birling: You too. Sheila forces a smile.
Miss Francis: Could I be of any assistance?
Mrs Birling: Certainly, do you have this dress in Sheila's size?
Miss Francis: I'm afraid it's a sale item, but it would probably fit Miss Birling. Why don't you try?
Sheila: I haven't had any say in this. I don't like that dress, mother you've been choosing for me all day! Another assistant (Eva Smith), who has been watching them in the mirror approaches when she notices the disturbance. She is dressed in the same Milwards shirt with a patterned skirt that came just below her knee. She had her hair down, and had very striking brown eyes and a general feeling of spontaneity.
Eva: May I fetch you anything? Miss Francis turns to Eva and shakes her head. But Eva doesn't leave.
Sheila: I want something with a little more character, this dress is too boring.
Mrs Birling: More character?
Miss Francis: Like what?
Sheila turns around to the rack behind them and picks up a sleeveless floral dress, it's long and has straps, which are around two inches wide.
Sheila: Like this. It's lovely don't you think mother?
Mrs Birling: Well Sheila, it's a bit, well-
Eva: Revealing?
Mrs Birling: Yes a tad.
Sheila: I'd wear a shawl of course. Fetch me this in my size would you. She hands the dress to Eva.
Eva: Large?
Sheila: No, medium! Eva walks towards the counter where the stock room is. Can you believe the cheek of that girl?
Miss Francis: I really don't suppose she was being rude Miss Birling, just helpful.
Sheila: Well I don't like the tone she was using.
Mrs Birling: Calm down Sheila, don't cause a scene.
Sheila: I am not!
Miss Francis: I'll go and see where Eva has got to. Miss Francis heads towards the stock room.
Mrs Birling: Sheila dear, are you sure about this? I mean, I really don't think it's you kind of thing.
Sheila: Who's kind of thing is it? That girl over there, that shop assistant, would she wear it?
Mrs Birling: It's not that I just, well didn't think it was really your style.
Sheila: You have been choosing for me all day, what if I want to change my style a little?
Mrs Birling: Fine then dear you try it on but I really think that the pink dress would be the best thing for you, your father would agree I'm sure.
Sheila: Mother I- Eva and Miss Francis arrive before Sheila can say anything. She grabs the dress and marches behind a screen. Mrs Birling, Miss Francis and Eva all exchange sympathetic looks.
Mrs Birling: Is it okay darling, does it fit?
Sheila: Yes, yes it does, I'll take it.
Mrs Birling: May I see it on?
Sheila: There is really no need just now, I've already begun to change.
Mrs Birling: Sheila, come out dear can't I just take a look, a mother's advice is always best you know. Sheila sheepishly steps out in front of the mirror. The dress is loose around the chest and tight and unflattering around her stomach and waste. Eva and Miss Francis exchange looks of sympathy and Eva smirks a little. Sheila sees her in the mirror and Eva soon realises that Sheila has seen. She hurries away with a very straight face and approaches another customer. A tear rolls down Sheila's face and she quickly wipes it away stepping behind the screen again. Mrs Birling clears her throat.
Mrs Birling: Will, we be taking that love? Sheila doesn't say anything. She simply walks out from behind the screen in her own clothes and hands the dress to Miss Francis.
Sheila: I have a wardrobe full of dresses similar. I'm a tad hungry mother shall we go home, Edna should have dinner prepared soon.
Mrs Birling: Yes she will.
Sheila: I just have to go and talk to someone. Sheila hurries to the man sitting reading his newspaper by the counter (manager). Mrs Birling is putting her hat and coat on.
Sheila: Excuse me are you the manager?
Manager: Yes I am.
Sheila: I am Sheila Birling, my father is Mr Birling of Birling's Ltd.
Manager: Yes Miss Birling.
Sheila: I would like to make a complaint about one of the assistants working here.
Manager: Oh?
Sheila: Yes, she was very rude. She treated me badly and smirked because she didn't think that a dress suited me.
Manager: Do you know her name?
Sheila: No but she was a tall girl, brown hair, brown eyes, a very smug creature if I may say so.
Manager: That was Eva Smith. She's a very good worker; I have never heard of any bad behaviour on her part before. How terribly out of character. Are you sure Miss Birling, that you have not been mistaken?
Sheila: Very! And if you do not have her dismissed from this shop I shall have my father close his account here!
Manager: Certainly Miss Birling, I never like to upset my customers.
Sheila: Good! Mrs Birling approaches them and takes Sheila's arm.
Mrs Birling: Come along dear, I think you are rather tired. Sheila puts her hat and shawl on and picks-up her shopping bags. They leave the shop.
