An Education by Nick Hornby Read Free Book Online Page B

things.
     
    HATTIE/TINA
    Things! Plural! Oh my Gawd!
    More laughter. MISS STUBBS enters and picks up on the excitement of JENNY’S coterie.
    MISS STUBBS
    I knew that in the end Jane Eyre would work its magic upon you. I’m assuming that’s what you’re all so animated about.
    The students start to sit down at desks in a more conventional arrangement.
    JENNY
    Of course.
     
    TINA
    Jane Eyre and Jenny’s new boyfriend.
     
    JENNY
    He’s not my new boyfriend. God.
     
    TINA
    That’s true. He’s more of a man-friend, actually.
     
    HAT TIE
    He’s got a sports car, Miss Stubbs. It’s maroon.
     
    MISS STUBBS
    Ah. So we could call him a Mr Rochester figure.
     
    TINA
    I think he must be as blind as Mr Rochester.
    Laughter. JENNY pulls a face at her.
    MISS STUBBS
    You may or may not have noticed, I’m trying to steer the subject away from Jenny’s lurid love-life and towards the matter in hand.
    She starts to hand out essays.
    And it’s quite clear on this evidence that most of you know far too much about the former, and next to nothing about the latter. Reluctantly I have to admit that Jenny is clearly an expert on both. Excellent as always, Jenny.
    MISS STUBBS slaps an essay down on JENNY’S desk.We can see that it’s marked ‘A+’.

24 EXTERIOR: DAVID’S CAR - DAY
    DAVID leaning against his Bristol, waiting.

25 EXTERIOR: SCHOOL - DAY
    We see JENNY rush out of the school entrance, stuffing her school uniform into her bag and trying to avoid being noticed. She walks up to DAVID, parked on the opposite side of the street.
    DAVID
    Hello.
     
    JENNY
    ( laughing )
    Hello.

26 INTERIOR: CHRISTIE’S - DAY
    DAVID and JENNY hurry into the hall where the auction is taking place.
    At the back, DANNY is intent on a catalogue and HELEN is gazing dreamily into space, as DAVID and JENNY make their way through the auction room.The AUCTIONEER burbles on in the background.
    DANNY
    You’re late.
    JENNY is in awe of the surroundings.The AUCTIONEER clears his throat.
    AUCTIONEER
    We now turn to Lot 41, The Tree of Forgiveness , by Sir Edward Burne-Jones. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a key work of the Pre-Raphaelite movement. Who will start me off at one hundred guineas?
    JENNY glances at DANNY. He makes no move at this price. Neither does anyone else. He’s poised and listening hard.
    Fifty guineas? . . . Twenty guineas?
    A middle-aged lady, the epitome of the middle-aged contemporary Sloane - twin-set, pearls and a lot of face powder - raises her hand.
    Thank you, madam. Forty?
    A man raises his hand.
    Thank you, sir. Do I hear sixty?
    The middle-aged Sloane nods.
    Eighty guineas? Thank you. Any more, sir?
    One hundred guineas . . .
    DANNY continues to sit there. JENNY is confused.The middle-aged lady bids a hundred. DAVID, standing next to DANNY , whispers something to him. DANNY nods.
    DAVID
    ( whispers to JENNY)
    Your turn.
    JENNY looks at him.
    JENNY
    ( whispers )
    What?
     
    AUCTIONEER
    Any further bids?
     
    DAVID
    ( whispers )
    Your turn.
     
    AUCTIONEER
    Any more?
     
    DAVID
    Quick!
    JENNY raises her hand high, just as she’d do at school.
    AUCTIONEER
    One hundred and twenty guineas from the very eager new bidder.
    People look round and smile when they see who has come in. JENNY blushes, but stares fixedly ahead.
    One hundred and forty, madam? Thank you.
    JENNY looks at DAVID, who nods.
    One hundred and sixty guineas.
    JENNY gestures more economically.
    One eighty? Thank you, madam. Two hundred . . .
    JENNY is almost insouciant this time.
    Two hundred and twenty? Another one, madam?
    The middle-aged lady shakes her head and purses her lips.The AUCTIONEER looks round the room for any last-minute bidders, then:
    Sold for two hundred guineas. Thank you.
    He brings down the gavel, and a murmur goes round the room. JENNY is excited and giggly. DAVID pats her on the back.
    Your name, please?
    JENNY looks at DANNY, then back to the auctioneer.
    JENNY
    ( too loudly )
    Mellor.
    Murmurs from the room.The auctioneer