The Million pound Bank Note (Act 1 Scene 3)

Narrator: Two rich brothers, Roderick and Oliver, have made a bet. Oliver beleves that with a million-pound bank note a man could live a month in London. His brother Roderick doubts it. They see a poor young man walking outside their house. It's Herry Adams.

Roderick: Young man, would you step inside a moment please?

Henry:   Who? Me, sir?

Roderick: Yes, you.

Servant: (opening a door) Good morning, sir. Would you please come in?

(Henry enters the house)

Roderick: How do youdo. Mr… er…?

Henry:  Adams. Henny Adams

Oliver:  Come and sit down. M Adams

Henry:  Thank you.

Roderick: You're an Amencan?

Henry:   That's right, from San Francisao.

Roderick: May we ask what you're doing in this country and what your plans are?

Henry:   Well, I can't say that I have any plans.As a matter of fact, I landed in Britain by accident.

Oliver:   How is that possible?

Henry:   Well, I had my own boat. About a month ago, I was sailing, and towards night I found myself carried out to sea by a strong wind. The next morning I was spotted by a shp.

Oliver:   And it was the ship that brought you to England.

Henry:   Yes. I went to the American consulate to seek help, but… Anyway, I didn't dare to try agan.( The bothers smile at each other)

Roderick: Well, you mustn't worny about that. lt's an advantage.

Henry:   l'm afraid I don't quite follow you, sir.

Roderick: Tell us, what sort of work did you do in America?

Henry:   I worked for a mining company. Could you offer me work here?

Roderick: Patience. If you don't mind, may ask you how much money you have?

Henry:   Well. to be honest, l have none.

Oliver:   (happily) What luck! Brother, what luck!

Henry:  Well, it may seem lucky to you but not to me! If this is your idea of some kind of joke, I don't think its very funny. Now if you'll excuse me I ought to be on my way.

Roderick: Please don't go. You mustn' think we don't care about you. Oliver give him the letter,

Oliver:   Yes, I was about to go get the letter. Wait! (getting it from a desk and giving it to Henry) The letter.

Henry:   (taking it carefully) For me?

Roderick: For you. (Henry starts to open it) Oh, no, you'd better not open it. You can't open it until two o'clock.

Henry:   Oh, this is silly,

Roderick: Not silly. There's money in it.

Henry:   Oh, no. I don't want your charity. l just want a job that earns an honest income,

Roderick: We know you're hard-working. That's why we've given you the letter. (to the senvant)Show Mr Adams out.

Henry:  Well, why don't you explain what this is all about?

Roderick: You'll soon know. In exactly an hour and a half,

Servant:  This way. sir.

Roderick: Not until 2 o'clock. Promise?