From Hell
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?
