The Million Pound Banknote(改编剧本)

The Million Pound Banknote(改编剧本) Script of The Million Pound Banknote Narrator: Two very rich, eccentric brothers made a bet that with only a million pound banknote, a penniless man could survive for a month in London. They chose Henry Adams to be their wager. Henry was an American who had travelled to Britain and had lost all of his possessions during the journey. The brothers gave him an envelope with the one million pound banknote, but only told him it contains some money and that Henry could not open it until 2 o’clock. Extremely hungry, Henry took the envelope and went to a small restaurant. (Outside the restaurant Henry looks at the envelope without opening it and decides to go in. He sits down at a table next to the front window.) Proprietor:(seeing Henry's poor appearance)That one's reserved. This way, please. (to the waiter) Take this gentleman's order, Jack. Henry: (after sitting down and putting the letter on the table) I’ll have some ham and eggs, and a nice big juice steak with all the trimmings, and make it extra thick. Waiter: It'll cost a tidy bit. Henry: That's understood. And a large glass of beer. Waiter: OK. (The waiter leaves and soon returns with all the food) (Twenty minutes later) Henry: (having just finished every bit of food) Er ...Waiter, (waiter returns) Same thing again, please. Waiter: Again? Henry: That's right .And fill that up. (sees the look on the waiter's face) Anything wrong? Waiter: No, No, sir. (to the proprietor) He's asked for another portion. Proprietor: Do you think he can pay? Maggie: We'll have to chance it. Proprietor: Serve him, Jack. But don't spare the gristle. (Another twenty minutes) Waiter: (reading the bill after the meal) Ham, eggs, steak, potatoes, beans, carrots twice. Cheese. Coffee. Two glasses of beer. Three and ten pence. Henry: Thank you. (looking at the clock on the wall) Would you mind waiting just a few minutes? Waiter: (in a rude manner) What's there to wait for? Proprietor:All right, Jack! Henry: (to proprietor) That was a wonderful meal. You know ,it's amazing how much pleasure you get out of simple things ... If have had to get along without them for a while . Proprietor: Very interesting .And now perhaps if you'd pay the bill, I could attend to the other customers. Henry: (looking at the clock on the wall again) That clock of yours, is it correct? Proprietor: If anything, it’s fast. Henry: It's fast? How fast? Customer: Two minutes. Henry: (turning to the customer) Oh, thank you. Proprietor: Now, I don't wish to be unpleasant, but would you please settle the bill? Henry: I want to... But you see... Proprietor: The bill, please. Henry: Yes, I know the bill. Proprietor: Exactly. Henry: Well, I don't suppose a couple of minutes will make any difference. (he opens the envelope and holds a million pound bank note in his hands. Henry is surprised but the owner and waiter are shocked) Er...I'm awfully sorry, but I don't have anything smaller. Proprietor: (still shocked and nervous) Well ...Well....er.....er....just one moment. Maggie, look! (the hostess screams, the other customers look at her and she puts a hand to her mouth)Do you think it's real? Maggie: Ask Mr. Clements. Proprietor: Mr. Clements...er....Mr. Clements. Mr. Clements: (take the note) What’s it? Proprietor: Would you mind just looking at this? Do you think it is genuine? Mr. Clements: (check the note carefully) Two notes of this denomination have been issued, but in any case it's hardly likely to be a forgery. Maggie: Why not? Mr. Clements: It would draw too much attention to the owner. No forger wants that. Maggie: But look at the owner, (pointing at Henry) Mr. Clements, he is in rags! Mr. Clements: I can only assume he's an eccentric millionaire. Proprietor: (astonished) An eccentric millionaire! Maggie: (hits her husband's arm) And you put him at the back of the room. Go and attend to him at once. Proprietor: (to Henry) I’m sorry, sir, I cannot change the note. Henry: Oh, but it is all I have on me. Proprietor: All! Oh, please don't worry, sir. It's of no consequence. No consequence at all. We are most gratified you so much as step foot inside our little establishment. Indeed, sir, I trust you will come here whenever you are seeking peace and quiet. Henry: Well, that’s very good of you. Proprietor: Good, sir? It's good of you, sir. You must come whenever you want and have whatever you like. The mere honour of your presence is a reward in itself. Henry: I may not be passing this way for quite a while.(standing up and stepping outside) Proprietor: (following Henry) It would be a very poor thing, sir. If I couldn't trust a gentleman as rich as yourself, sir. As for the bill, (put the bill on the desk) sir. please forget it. It's of no consequence. No consequence at all. Henry: Thank you very much. That’s very nice of you. Proprietor: Oh, it's for us to thank you, sir. And I do, sir...from the bottom of my heart... (The owner, hostess and waiter all bow as Henry leaves)