Abberline
He disembowled her. After he cut her throat, stabbed her in the chest. . . cut open her stomach, and er, took out her intestines. At least one of her organs was removed. I’m waiting for the police surgeon’s report for more details.
Sir Charles
I see. Well, one thing’s for certain, an Englishman didn’t do it. Maybe one of these, Red Indians, wandered into Whitechapel and indulged his natural inclinations.
Abberline
With all due respect, sir, I believe this was done by someone with at least a working knowledge of dissection. Either an educated man, such as a doctor. . .
Sir Charles
An educated man? That’s preposterous. No well-bred man would do this. Probably a tradesman, or a butcher.
Abberline
A tradesman is a possibility, sir. But, there’s a strong indication against it. There was a sprig of grapes found under her body.
Sir Charles
What are you driving at?
Abberline
No one, in Whitechapel, no matter what their trade, could afford grapes. Obviously, they were given to her by the killer. And it follows that he must be someone with money.
Sir Charles
What about the Jews? A Jew butcher? Or a Jew tailor might have money. There are plenty of them in Whitechapel.
Abberline
Well, sir, for the state of public safety in general, I’d like to be careful about spreading the rumours that it might be a Jew.
Sir Charles
Inspector, I know your reputation for making brilliant guesses that turn out to be right. Someone told me you claim to dream the answers. Frankly, it doesn’t matter to me what your methods are. But be certain you don’t proceed without proof. Is that clear?
Abberline
Of course, sir.
Sir Charles
Personally I don’t care. The fewer pinch-pricks on the streets, the better. But the sooner you find this butcher or tailor. . . the sooner we can all celebrate your promotion. Keep me informed.
Man 1
Every cellar, every stable. We’ll find him out.
Man 2
It’s the bleeding Jews. Let’s kill them.
Victoria
I have wonderful news.
Abberline
Tell me.
Victoria
Surely you of all people, can guess.
Abberline
I don’t want to guess with you.
Victoria
Dr. Marbury says. . .
Abberline
Dr.Marbury says?
Victoria
Dr. Marbury, says I’m going to have your child.
Godley
Aye, to die, and go we know not where. To lie in cold obstruction and rot.
Abberline
A simple ‘rest in peace’ would suffice.
Godley
Yes, sir.
Vicar
In the midst of life we are in death, of whom may we seek for succour but of Thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased? Yet O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty.
Abberline
Good afternoon, ladies. I’m Inspector Abberline. This is Sergeant Godley. We’re investigating the murders of Polly Nichols and Martha Tabram.
Gosley
Yes, we understand that they were both friends of you, ladies. Close friends. We were rather hoping you’d be able to help us out.
Liz
Don’t know nothing.
Annie
Me neither.
Kate
Why are you bothering us? You ought to be bothering McQueen.
Abberline
Is eh the boss of Nichol Street?
Mary
He’s only the heart and soul of the gang. Isn’t it your job to be knowing that small detail?
Abberline
And what makes you think McQueen did this to your friends then?
Kate
Can’t prove nothing by me.
Abberline
You’re Mary Kelly. Is that right?
Mary
That’s right.
Abberline
Well, Mary Kelly, unless one of you is willing to testify against McQueen, I can’t do nothing.
Mary
Surely, Inspector, a strong handsome man like you, you could do anything you put your brilliant mind to. I’m a coward and a weakling. I can’t help meself. What’s your excuse? Why are you so bloody useless?
Kate
Come on Mary. That won’t help us.
Annie
Is that you?
Mary
Before my mother died, back in Ireland.
Annie
Is that when you came here?
Mary
Yeah, when I was eight.
Annie
When things was good.
Mary
We were starving, but we were starving in fresh air.
Annie
I was thinking, we ain’t never gonna earn enough to satisfy the Nichols boys, and feed our own mouths. You said, right, you said those men, yeah, the one’s who took her rich artist man and took her as well. Well you said they was clean-shaven, and their clothes was neat.
Mary
Yeah, right.
Annie
Well they weren’t no criminals then. I mean they weren’t the likes of the Nichols boys. They was unusual. Perhaps even official.
Kate
What are you getting at, Annie?
Annie
Maybe we could go to the papers, get paid for the story, you know? ‘Where’s Ann Crook?’ That sort of thing. I mean, the papers are always desperate for things bad about the government. And it’s a mystery to boot.
Kate
That’s not a bad plan. What do you think, Mary?
Mary
I’m thinking we should talk to that Inspector, the one at Polly’s funeral.
Annie
Fuck me, no!
Mary
If we go to the papers they might hurt Ann even worse. They might do something to her baby.
Kate
What? Worse than what’ll happen to her in Whitechapel when she sprouts teats?
Mary
I don’t know for sure. But, I think we’re better off talking to that Inspector.
Kate
Lord, you are young after all.
Landlord
Four bitches. That’s what I thought. You only paid for one bloody person.
Mary
They’re my guests.
Landlord
Guests. Well, let me welcome your guests. Go on! Get out! Go on! Get out! Come on, get out of here you bloody whores. Go on! When you have four pence you can come back with your ladies in waiting, Your Grace.
Liz
Oh shut up!
Annie
Ow! Back to work then.
Kate
Yeah, well, let’s try and stay together, yeah?
Annie
No, we can’t stay together. You know that.
Mary
Then stay good and clear of Nichols Street.
Kate
Come on.
Liz
All right, Annie?
Annie
Bloody bastard.
Liz
How’s your head?
Annie
Very funny.
Netley
Boo! I didn’t frighten you did I? I’ve been looking for you. I’ve been looking all over for you.
Annie
You’ve been looking for me?
Netley
Not for me. On behalf of my gentleman. A very fine gentleman. He sent me to find you.
Annie
Your gentleman sent you to find me? Oh, get off! I might be unfortunate, but I’m not a blithering idiot.
Netley
It’s the truth! It’s the God’s truth. He’s seen you. He likes you. And he said tonight, only you’ll do. So he said to find you, take you to Hanover Street where he’s waiting for you. You’re very pretty. Go on then. Get in, I’ll take you there. Oh, I almost forgot. My gentleman’s got you a present. You like grapes?
Annie
Yeah. Your gentleman, he must be very refined. Very refined indeed.
Netley
Get in I’ll take you there.
Annie
All right.
Netley
Here we are.
Annie
I’m a lucky lady.
Netley
You are, lady.
Annie
Your gaffer, does he want anything special?
Netley
Just the usual, I expect. Now, this alley takes you to the yard. My gentleman, it’s quiet there. He doesn’t like disturbances.
Annie
What I wanna know, right, is a toff like him, how much is he offering?
Netley
Here, two for now.
Annie
That’ll do me.
Netley
Let me see you. Right, through there.
Annie
Down there?
Netley
Yeah, straight there. Straight to the door at the end.
Annie
Ssshh.
Netley
Ssshh.
Annie
Straight down there, right?
Police Officer
You watch your mouth!
Best
Any more information? My readers want to know this stuff.
Godley
Oh, do they?
Best
Is it true, you found a piece of leather apron in her mouth?
Godley
NO, Mr Best. But if it’s your fancy, I’d be delighted to stuff your mouth with a piece of leather.
Best
Come on, sergeant, give us a tidbit. Put your picture on the front page.
Woman
Do something about this. This is ridiculous.
Man
There’s a bloody murderer on the loose. What about my wife?
Abberline
This is Annie.
Godley
Yes. Another of the circle of friends. Annie Chapman. Dark Annie, they called her. You still say this isn’t the Nichols boys? Did the constable show you the bit of leather they found down by the water spout? Could be part of a butcher’s apron. Leather apron. Dear God, we could be looking for a butcher after all.
Abberline
I saw her.
Godley
This one?
Abberline
Yeah, last night. I saw her face.
Police Officer
Don’t trample over this area.
Woman
Let us see the body! Come on, let us see!
Godley
Oh, God. There’s your typical Londoner, imbued with the Christian spirit of sympathy for his fellow man. Or fellow whore, in this case. He’s really outdone himself this time, hasn’t he?
Abberline
He not only severed the intestines, he’s carefully arranged them around the neck and shoulders. I think he’s taken more organs this time.
Godley
Grapes again. Why grapes?
Abberline
Only Polly and Dark Annie were given grapes. Only they were disembowelled in such a meticulous fashion. This ain’t killing for profit. This is ritual.
Godley
Yeah, but why grapes?
Abberline
So they’ll trust whatever he offers.
Godley
I’ve never fully understood that tradition.
Abberline
They’re for the ferryman. The ferryman who takes the body across the river into the land of the dead. If she doesn’t have the money to pay him, she’d have to wander, forever lost between the two worlds. I need to consult a doctor.
Sir Charles
Are you ill, Inspector?
Abberline
A surgeon, to be specific. The killer removed the victim’s uterus and it’s attachments.
Sir Charles
My God. He’s out of his mind.
Abberline
That’s very astute of you, sir.
Sir Charles
I don’t appreciate sarcasm, Inspector.
Abberline
I’m sorry, sir. I meant nothing by it.
Sir Charles
You already have a surgeon at your disposal.
Abberline
I need a man with a strong stomach and a sober mind. The police surgeon has neither.
Sir Charles
No. Request denied.
Abberline
Why?
Sir Charles
Are you questioning my decision?
Abberline
No, sir. I simply want to know why.
Sir Charles
There’s already too much nonsense and gossip in the press. You start consulting doctors, and all sorts of wild notions will be printed. No-one else is to see the bodies.
Doctor 1
It is my honour, to present this unique medical phenomenon. Until last week, Mr Joseph Merrick. . .
Doctor 2
John Merrick.
Doctor 1
I beg your pardon. Mr John Merrick, was an attraction at a sideshow. Now he’s being cared for at England’s leading hospital. And with your generosity we will be able to continue to do so. Ladies and gentlemen, Mr John Merrick. Turn around.
Woman
It should have been killed at birth.
Doctor
Good health.
Attendant
That will be the last one, Your Royal Highness.
Dr. Ferral
. . . a gift from God, a psychotic patient.
Abberline
Pardon me, sir. Are you Dr. Ferral?
Dr. Ferral
I am, yes.
Abberline
I’m Inspector Abberline, assigned to Whitechapel.
Doctor
Oh, my lord. You’re the Ripper case. Am I right?
Abberline
Yeah.
Doctor
Jolly good. You’ve come to the perfect place. We’ve got butchers aplenty here.
Abberline
I see. Well, I could certainly use the expertise of someone like yourself to help solve this case. They tell me you’re the best young surgeon in London.
Dr. Ferral
Really? I don’t see how a reputable surgeon could know anything about it. This country’s overrun with foreigners, Orientals. Socialists, trying to stir things up against our monarchy. That’s, who you should be pursuing, don’t you think?
Sir William
Excuse me. You don’t belong here, do you? I’m afraid Dr. Ferral suffers from the surgeons malady.
Abberline
And what’s that, sir?
Sir William
Want of feeling. He knows everything about anatomy and nothing about the soul. How may I assist you, Inspector?
Abberline
Well, forgive my ignorance, sir, but, erm, are you a surgeon?
Sir William
I was. Unfortunately I suffered a brain seizure six months ago.
Abberline
Sorry to hear that, sir.
