My Fair Lady
TRANSCRIBED BY Graham (hepburn@unforgettable.com)
(Covent Garden in the evening. People are leaving the opera and
heading for their taxis and cars which are pulling up outside,
directed by a footman. It starts to rain torrents and all of a
sudden there is a bustle as everyone rushes for shelter in the
market or under the portico of St. Paul's Church whilst the
street vendors in the market rush to cover their goods.)
(Two of the opera-goers are Mrs. Eynsford-Hill and her son, young
Freddie Eynsford-Hill. They are hurrying out of the rain to the
church.)
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
(impatiently)
Freddie, go and find a cab.
(A young flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, is rushing for shelter
also and almost walks into a barrow, pushed by its owner.)
BARROW BOY
(without stopping)
Sorry, lovey.
ELIZA
Get on with it, love.
(She hurries on her way.)
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
(standing next to her son between two of the columns of the
church)
Don't just stand there, Freddie, go and find a cab.
FREDDIE
Alright. I'm going, I'm going.
(He opens his umbrella and heads off across the street whistling
for a cab, but he collides with Eliza who is rushing in the
opposite direction. She falls to the ground spilling her
flowers.)
ELIZA
(seeing the mess)
Ah-aw-oo. Look where you're goin, dear, look where you're goin!
FREDDIE
(bending down to help pick up her flowers)
I'm so sorry.
ELIZA
(picking up her scattered flowers and replacing them in the
basket)
Two bunches o' violets trod in the mud. A full day's wages!
(Shakes her head disapprovingly at him and heads across the
street towards the church.)
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
(from across the street)
Freddie! Freddie! Go find a cab.
FREDDIE
Yes mother.
(He rushes off.)
ELIZA
(walks up to Freddie's mother)
Oh, e's your son, is e? Well if you'd done your duty by him as a
mother should, you wouldn't let him spoil a poor girl's flowers and
then run away without payin'.
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
(looking out into the rain after Freddie)
Oh, go about your business, my girl.
(She walks away.)
ELIZA
And you wouldn't go on without payin' either.
(Muttering to herself as she sits down on the plinth of the
column)
Two bunches o' violets trod in the mud.
(An elderly gentleman, Pickering, rushes in out of the rain,
folding his umbrella.)
PICKERING
Geor-- good heavens!
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
(turning to Pickering)
Oh, sir, is there any sign of it stopping?
PICKERING
I'm afraid not. It's worse than before.
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
Oh dear.
ELIZA
(to Pickering; who puts his foot on the plinth of the column and
stoops down to attend to his wet trouser ends)
If it's worse it's a sign it's nearly over. Cheer up cap'n; buy a
flower off a poor girl.
PICKERING
I'm sorry I haven't any change.
ELIZA
Oh, I can change half a crown.
(She eagerly holds up some flowers to him)
'Ere, take this for tuppence.
PICKERING
I told you, I'm awfully sorry I haven't--oh wait a minute
(tries his pockets.)
Oh, yes, here's three haypennies, if that's any use to you.
(He walks away.)
ELIZA
(disappointed; drying the money on her coat)
Thank you, sir.
BYSTANDER 1
(approaches from behind the column)
'Ere, you be careful: better give him a flower for it. There's a bloke
'ere, behind that pillar, takin' down ev'ry blessed word you're
sayin'.
(He walks off.)
ELIZA
(leans around pillar curiously, then springs up terrified)
I ain't done nothin' wrong by speaking to the gentleman. I've a right
to sell flowers if I keep off the kerb.
(Hysterically)
I'm a respectable girl: so help me, I never spoke to him 'cept so far
as to buy a flower off me.
(Various bystanders, roused by her outburst, are curious as to
what the fuss is about and begin to gather round.)
BYSTANDER 2
What's all the bit of a noise?
BYSTANDER 3
'S a tec takin 'er down.
ELIZA
(some bytanders act sympathetic to Eliza who is defending
herself)
Well I'm makin an honest livin'!
(There are further words of:)
What's all that shouting? Where's it coming from?, etc.
ELIZA
(sees Pickering and turns to him for support, crying wildly)
Oh, sir, don't let him charge me. He dunno what it means to me.
They'll take away me character and drive me on the streets for
speakin' t' gentleman!
HIGGINS
(Professor Higgins appears from around the pillar)
There, there, there, there! who's hurting you, you silly girl? What do
you take me for?
ELIZA
On my Bible oath I never spoke a word--
HIGGINS
Oh, shut up, shut up. Do I look like a policeman?
ELIZA
(suspicious at this stranger)
Then what d'ya take down me words for? How do I know y' took me down
right? You just show me what you wrote about me.
(Higgins opens up his book and holds it steadily under her nose.)
ELIZA
Oh-ow-oo.
(We see it contains strange shorthand symbols)
What's that? That ain't proper writin'. I can't read it.
HIGGINS
I can.
(He reads from the book, tracing the words with his pen for her,
and reproducing her pronunciation precisely)
"I say, cap'n; n' baw ya flahr orf a pore gel."
ELIZA
Oh, it's cause I called 'im cap'n.
(To Pickering and much distressed)
I meant no harm. Oh, sir, don't let him lay a charge against me for a
word like that!
PICKERING
(calming her)
Charge? I'll make no charge.
(To Higgins, who has started taking down notes again)
Really, sir, if you are a detective you needn't begin protecting me
against molestation from young women until I ask for it. Anyone can
tell the girl meant no harm.
BYSTANDER 2
'E ain't no tec, he's a gentleman: look at 'is boots.
HIGGINS
(without looking up at the bystander)
How are all your people down at Selsey?
BYSTANDER 2
Who told you my people come from Selsey?
HIGGINS
(smugly, continuing to take notes)
Never mind; they do.
(To the girl)
How did you come to be so far east?
(Inspecting his notes)
You were born in Lisson Grove.
ELIZA
(appalled)
Oooh, what 'arm is my in leavin' Lisson Grove? It weren't fit for pigs
to live in; and I had to pay four-and-six.
(She bursts into tears.)
HIGGINS
(walking away, appalled)
Oh, live where you like but stop that noise.
PICKERING
Come, come! he can't touch you: you've a right to live where you
please.
ELIZA
I'm a good girl, I am!
PICKERING
Yes, yes.
BYSTANDER 2
(to Higgins)
Where do
(I)
come from?
HIGGINS
Hoxton.
BYSTANDER 2
Well, who said I didn't? Blimey, you know ev'ryfink, you do!
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
(she approaches this bystander)
You, sir, do you think you could find me a taxi?
HIGGINS
(looking at the sky)
I don't know whether you've noticed it madam but it's stopped raining.
You can get a motorbus to Hampton Court.
(Turning to her directly)
Well that's where you live, isn't it?
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
(to Higgins, who has already started walking away)
What impertinence!
BYSTANDER 1
(to Higgins)
'Ere, tell him where 'e comes from 'f ya wanna go fortune-tellin'.
HIGGINS
(thoughtfully)
Cheltenham, Harrow, Cambridge, and er--
(glances at his notes)
--India?
PICKERING
Quite right!
BYSTANDER 1
Blimey. 'E ain't a tec, he's a bloomin' busy-body. That's what 'e is.
PICKERING
If I may ask, sir, do you do this sort of thing for a living, in a
music hall?
HIGGINS
Well I have thought of it. Perhaps I will one day.
ELIZA
He's no gentleman; he ain't interfere with a poor girl.
PICKERING
How do you do it, may I ask?
HIGGINS
Simple phonetics. The science of speech. That's my profession: also my
hobby. Anyone can spot an Irishman or a Yorkshireman by his brogue,
but I can place a man within six miles. I can place him within two
miles in London. Sometimes within two streets.
ELIZA
(speaking up from her resumed position sitting on the plinth)
Ought to be ashamed of himself, unmanly coward!
PICKERING
Is there a living in that?
HIGGINS
Oh yes. Quite a fat one.
ELIZA
Let him mind his own business and leave a poor girl--
HIGGINS
(explosively)
Woman: cease this detestable boohooing instantly; or else seek the
shelter of some other place of worship.
ELIZA
(with feeble defiance)
I've a right to be here if I like, same as you.
HIGGINS
A woman who utters such disgusting and depressing noise has no right
to be anywhere--no right to live. Remember that you are a human being
with a soul and the divine gift of articulate speech: that your native
language is the language of Shakespeare and Milton and The Bible;
don't sit there crooning like a bilious pigeon.
ELIZA
(indignant)
Ah-ah-aw-aw-oo-oo!
HIGGINS
Look at her: a prisoner of the gutter,
Condemned by every syllable she utters,
By right she should be taken out and hung,
For the cold-blooded murder of the English tongue.
ELIZA
(very indignant)
Ah-ah-aw-aw-oo-oo!
HIGGINS
(whipping out his book)
"Ah-ah-aw-aw-oo-oo" Heavens! what a sound!
HIGGINS
This is what the British population,
Calls an elementary education.
PICKERING
Come, sir; I think you picked a poor example.
HIGGINS
Did I...?
HIGGINS
Hear them down in Soho Square,
Dropping "h"s everywhere,
Speaking English anyway they like.
You sir: did you go to school?
(sitting down beside a bystander)
A BYSTANDER
What d'ya tike me faw, a fool?
HIGGINS
Well, no one taught him "take" instead if "tike".
Hear a Yorkshireman, or worse,
Hear a Cornishman converse;
They'd rather hear a choir singing flat.
Chickens, cackling in a barn;
Just like this one.
(He points to Eliza.)
ELIZA
(laughingly)
Garn!
HIGGINS
(noting in his book)
"Garn"--I ask you, sir: what sort of word is that?
HIGGINS
It's "ow" and "garn" that keep her in her place,
Not her wretched clothes and dirty face.
Why can't the English teach their children how to speak?
This verbal class distinction, by now, should be antique.
If you spoke as she does, sir, instead of the way you do,
Why you might be selling flowers too.
PICKERING
(not sure what to make of this)
I beg your pardon.
(Higgins walks over to the coffee stand.)
HIGGINS
An Englishman's way of speaking absolutely classifies him.
The moment he talks, he makes some other Englishman despise him.
One common language I'm afraid we'll never get.
Oh why can't the English learn to--
(paying for his coffee)
Set a good example to people, who's English, is painful to your ears.
The Scotch and the Irish leave you close to tears!
There are even places where English completely disappears,
(receives his change)
Why, in America they haven't used it for years.
(The bystanders laugh.)
Why can't the English teach their children how to speak?
Norwegians learn Norwegian; the Greeks are taught their Greek.
In France every Frenchman knows his language from "A" to "Zed"--
The French don't care what they do, actually, as long as they
pronounce it properly.
(Chuckles from the bystanders.)
(Higgins sits next to Eliza on the plinth with his coffee.)
HIGGINS
Arabians learn Arabian with the speed of summer lightning.
The Hebrews learn it backwards which is absolutely frightening.
Use proper English, you're regarded as a freak.
Oh why can't the English--
Why can't the English learn to speak?
HIGGINS
(to a bystander; handing his cup to him)
Thank you.
(Turning to Pickering)
You see this creature with her kerbstone English: the English that
will keep her in the gutter till the end of her days. Well, sir, in
six months I could pass her off as a duchess at an embassy ball. I
could even get her a job as a lady's maid or a shop assistant, which
requires better English.
ELIZA
(curiously)
'Ere, what's that you say?
HIGGINS
Yes, you squashed cabbage leaf. You disgrace to the noble architecture
of these columns! You incarnate insult to the English language! I
could pass you off as, er, the Queen of Sheba.
ELIZA
(laughing)
Ah-how-ow!
(To Pickering)
You don't believe that, cap'n?
PICKERING
Anything's possible. I myself am a student of Indian dialects.
HIGGINS
(eagerly)
Are you? Do you know Colonel Pickering, the author of Spoken Sanscrit?
PICKERING
I am Colonel Pickering. Who are you?
HIGGINS
I'm Henry Higgins, author of Higgins's Universal Alphabet.
PICKERING
(with enthusiasm)
I came from India to meet you.
HIGGINS
I was going to India to meet you!
PICKERING
(shaking Higgins's hand)
Higgins!
HIGGINS
Pickering!
(They both laugh.)
Pickering, where are you staying?
PICKERING
At the Carlton.
HIGGINS
No you're not: you're staying at 27A Wimpole Street! You come along
with me; we'll have a little jaw over supper.
PICKERING
Right you are.
(They turn and walk away.)
HIGGINS
Indian dialects have always fascinated me.
ELIZA
(Eliza stands and approaches them, presenting a flower eagerly to
Higgins)
Buy a flower, kind sir. I'm short for me lodging.
HIGGINS
(stopping to answer her)
Liar. You said you could change half-a-crown.
ELIZA
(shouting to Higgins as they walk away)
You ought to be stuffed with nails, you ought! Here, take the 'ole
bloomin' basket for sixpence!
(She kicks the basket at Higgins.)
(The church clock strikes. The street is now largely empty,
except for some vendors finishing up in the market.)
HIGGINS
(Hearing the church bell he turns and raises his hat solemnly)
A reminder.
(He then drops a handful of money into the basket and continues
on with Pickering.)
HIGGINS
How many are there actually?
PICKERING
How many what?
HIGGINS
Er, Indian dialects.
PICKERING
No fewer than a hundred and fourty seven distinct languages are
recorded as vernacular.
(They disappear down the street.)
ELIZA
(picking up the coins)
Aaah-ow-ooh!
(Counting them in her hand)
Aaaaaah-ow-oh!!
(Eliza turns to watch Higgins as he walks away, confused by his
apparent change in personality.)
COCKNEY 1
Shouldn't we stand up, gentleman: we've got a bloomin' heiress in our
midst.
COCKNEY 2
Would you be lookin' for a good butler Eliza?
ELIZA
Well you won't do.
(The vendors laugh.)
COCKNEY 3
It's rather dull in town,
I think I'll take me to Paree.
COCKNEY 1
The missus wants to open up the castle in Capri.
COCKNEY 2
Me doctor recommends a quiet summer by the sea.
CHORUS
Mmmm-mmm.
Mmmm-mmm.
Wouldn't it be loverly?
COCKNEY 1
Where're y' bound for this year, Eliza: Biarritz?
ELIZA
All I want is a room somewhere;
Far away from the cold night air.
With one enormous chair;
Oh wouldn't it be loverly?
Lots of choc'late for me to eat;
Lots of coal makin' lots of heat;
Warm face, warm 'ands, warm feet,
Oh wouldn't it be loverly?
Oh, so loverly sittin' abso-bloomin'-lutely still!
I would never budge 'til Spring crep over me winder sill.
Someone's head restin' on my knee;
Warm and tender as he can be,
Who takes good care of me;
Oh wouldn't it be loverly?
Loverly, loverly, loverly, loverly.
CHORUS
All I want is a room somewhere;
Far away from the cold night air.
With one enormous chair;
ELIZA
Oh wouldn't it be loverly?
Lots of choc'late for me to eat;
Lots of coal makin' lots of heat;
Warm face, warm 'ands, warm feet,
Oh wouldn't it be loverly?
Oh, so loverly sittin' abso-bloomin'-lutely still!
I would never budge 'till Spring crep over me winder sill.
CHORUS
Someone's head restin' on my knee;
Warm and tender as he can be,
ELIZA
Who takes good care of me;
Oh wouldn't it be loverly?
CHORUS
Loverly,
ELIZA
Loverly,
CHORUS
Loverly.
ELIZA
Oh wouldn't it be loverly?
CHORUS
Loverly,
ELIZA
Loverly,
CHORUS
Loverly.
Wouldn't it be loverly?
(The vendors wave goodbye to Eliza as she is carried away on a
horse-drawn cart.)
-------------------------------------------------
(Covent Garden the next day just before 5.00 a.m. It is deserted
except for three scruffy-looking gentlemen milling around by the
columns of the church. These are Eliza's father, Alfred P.
Doolittle, and his two friends: Jamie and Harry.)
JAMIE
Come on Alfie, let's go home now; this place is givin' me the willies.
DOOLITTLE
Home! What d'ya wanna go home for? It nearly five o'clock: my daughter
Eliza'll be along soon. She oughtta be good for half-a-crown for her
father what loves 'er!
HARRY
Loves 'er? That's a laugh! You ain't bin near 'er for months.
DOOLITTLE
What's that got to do with it? What's half-a-crown after all I've give
her?
JAMIE
When did you ever give her anythink?
DOOLITTLE
Anythin'? I give 'er everythin'; I give 'er the greatest gift a human
being can give to another: life! I introduced 'er to this 'ere planet
I did, with all its wonders and marvels. The sun that shines; the moon
that glows; Hyde Park to walk through on a fine spring night. The
whole ruddy city o' London to roam around in, sellin' 'er blimmin
flowers. I give 'er all that; then I disappears and leaves 'er on 'er
own to enjoy it. Now, if that ain't worth half-a-crown now and then,
I'll take my belt orf and give 'er what for!
JAMIE
You've got a good 'art Alfie, but you want half-a-crown out of Eliza
you better have a good story to go with it.
DOOLITTLE
(eyeing someone propped up on a cart, asleep)
Leave that to me my boy.
(Cheerily; to the person on the cart)
Good mornin', George.
GEORGE
(without opening his eyes)
Not a brass farthing.
DOOLITTLE
(unphased, he winks to his friends who follow him over to the
nearby pub where the barman is cleaning the windows on the
inside)
Good mornin', Algernon.
BARTENDER
(harshly; slamming the pub door)
No brass farthing!
(The men turn to watch people--pedestrians, and various people
carrying or carting goods--filling the Square. Soon all is a
bustle of activity in the market as the working day begins.)
DOOLITTLE
(eyeing the crowd, he spots someone)
There she is.
(He walks to her and taps her on the shoulder)
Why, Eliza: what a surprise!
COCKNEY WOMAN
(she turns around; laughing)
Hop along, Charlie; you're too old for me!
HARRY
Don't know your own daughter, Alfie?
JAMIE
How you gonna find 'er if you don't know what she looks like?
DOOLITTLE
I know 'er, I know 'er! Come on, I'll find 'er.
(They make their way over to the flower sellers. He sees Eliza,
who is hunched over her basket, sorting through some flowers.)
DOOLITTLE
(in his most genial voice)
Eliza, what a surprise!
ELIZA
(without looking up from her work)
Not a brass farthing.
DOOLITTLE
(harshly; pulling her up by the arm)
Hey! 'Ere-- you come 'ere, Eliza!
ELIZA
Oi!
(Shakes herself free)
Y'ain't gonna take me 'ard-earned wages and pass 'em on to a bloody
pub-keeper!
(She walks away.)
DOOLITTLE
(flabbergasted)
Cor.
(He regathers himself and winks to his friends to follow him. He
approaches Eliza again and sits down beside her as she busies
herself with her flowers.)
Eliza: you wouldn't 'ave the 'art to send me home to your stepmother
without a drop o' liquid protection, now, would ya?
ELIZA
(without looking up)
Stepmother indeed.
DOOLITTLE
Well, I'm willin' to marry 'er. It's me that suffers by it. I'm a
slave to that woman Eliza; just because I ain't 'er "lawful husband".
(He puts his arm around her)
Ah, come on; slip your old dad just half-a-crown to go home on.
ELIZA
Well, I had a bit o' luck meself last night, so 'ere.
(She gives him a coin.)
But don't keep coming around counting half crowns from me!
DOOLITTLE
(to her back as she leaves)
Thank you, Eliza; you're a noble daughter.
(He tries to stand on his feet but it takes his friends' help to
pull him up)
Beer, beer, g l o r i o u s beer. Fill yourself right up!
(Eliza walks over by a group of workers sitting around in a
circle, shelling peas. She playfully steals some out of someone's
basket. As she eats, Eliza hears the church bells--"a reminder":)
"You see this creature with her kerbstone English: the English that'll
keep her in the gutter till the end of her days ... in six months I
could pass her off as a duchess at an Embassy ball ... I could even
get her a job as a lady's maid, or a shop assistant, which requires
better English ..."
(She walks over to the pillars of the church.)
"You disgrace to the noble architecture of these columns!"
(She sits down on the plinth of the column.)
"I could even get her a job as a lady's maid, or a shop assistant,
which requires better English."
(Eliza stands up by the pillar, thoughtfully.)
-------------------------------------------------
(Later that morning at Higgins's study in Wimpole Street. The
study is on the ground floor of the house and has a stairwell
leading up to a top encircling level containing the library.)
(Higgins and Pickering are studying sounds. Pickering is seated
next to a desk covered in phonetics apparatus and, on his other
side, a chart, containing strange symbols. On a small table
opposite him is a phonograph and a rack full of many tuning forks
of different sizes.
Higgins takes a tuning fork from the rack and makes it resound by
striking it on the desk. He runs through different sounds to the
pitch of the tuning fork while Pickering takes notes.)
HIGGINS
Aaaa-eeee-eeuu-aaaa. Now how many vowel sounds do you think you've
heard altogether?
PICKERING
(looking at his notes)
I believe I counted twenty-four.
HIGGINS
Wrong by a hundred.
PICKERING
What?
HIGGINS
To be exact you heard a hundred and thirty. Now listen to them one at
a time.
(He rolls up the chart hanging from the mechanism revealing
another behind it.)
PICKERING
Must I? I'm really quite done up for one morning.
(Higgins turns on the phonograph. It emits similar sounds as what
Higgins just pronounced only more slowly. They both listen
intently: Higgins pointing to the chart while Pickering compares
his notes.)
(Whilst they continue, outside in the hall the butler answers the
door. It is Eliza.)
BUTLER
Your name, please?
(Eliza, unfamiliar with this procedure simply looks at him)
Your name, miss?
ELIZA
My name is of no concern to you whatsoever.
(She walks through past the butler, oblivious to protocol.)
BUTLER
(quickly overtaking her in the hall before she goes any further)
One moment please.
(He leaves.)
(A maid is cleaning nearby and stops, staring at Eliza.)
ELIZA
(seeing that it is her dirty face the maid is staring at she
walks over to a nearby mirror, wiping her face)
Oh, London is gettin' so dirty these days.
(In the reflection she notices Mrs. Pearce behind her.)
MRS PEARCE
I'm Mrs Pearce, the housekeeper. Can I help you?
ELIZA
Oh good morning, missus. I'd like to see the professor, please.
MRS PEARCE
Could you tell me what it's about?
ELIZA
It's business of a personal nature.
MRS PEARCE
Oh. One moment please.
(Mrs. Pearce enters the study nearby. Eliza can hear the strange
sounds from the phonograph and listens curiously outside.)
MRS PEARCE
Mr Higgins.
HIGGINS
(looking up from the chart he and Pickering are studying)
What is it Mrs Pearce?
MRS PEARCE
(speaking over the noise of the phonograph)
There's a young woman who wants to see you, sir.
HIGGINS
A young woman!
(He reaches over and turns off the phonograph)
What does she want?
MRS PEARCE
Well, she's quite a common girl, sir. Very common indeed. I should
have sent her away only I thought perhaps you wanted her to talk into
your machines.
HIGGINS
Has she an interesting accent?
MRS PEARCE
Simply ghastly, Mr Higgins.
HIGGINS
Good. Let's have her in. Show her in, Mrs. Pearce.
MRS PEARCE
(only half resigned to it)
Very well, sir. It's for you to say.
HIGGINS
You know, this is rather a bit of luck. I'll show you how I make
records. We'll set her talking; and then I'll take her down
(points to the chart)
first in Bell's Visible Speech, then in broad Romic;
(walking over to his main desk at the other side of the room)
and then we'll get her on the phonograph so that you can turn her on
whenever you want with the written transcript before you.
(He switches on the other phonograph on his desk to record.)
MRS PEARCE
(entering with Eliza behind her)
This is the young woman, sir.
ELIZA
Good mornin' my good man. Might I have the pleasure of a word with
your--
HIGGINS
(brusquely, recognizing her with unconcealed disappointment)
Oh no, no, no. This is the girl I jotted down last night. She's no
use: I've got all the records I want of the Lisson Grove lingo; I'm
not going to waste another cylinder on that.
(To Eliza, without looking at her; walking over to the other side
of the room)
Now be off with you, I don't want you.
(He starts putting away the phonograph.)
ELIZA
Don't you be so saucy. You ain't heard what I come for yet.
(To Mrs. Pearce)
Did you tell him I come in a taxi?
MRS PEARCE
Nonsense, girl! What do you think a gentleman like Mr. Higgins cares
what you came in?
ELIZA
Oh, we are proud! Well he ain't above givin' lessons, not him: I heard
him say so. Well, I ain't come here to ask for any compliment; and if
my money's not good enough I can go elsewhere.
HIGGINS
Good enough for what?
ELIZA
Good enough for ye-oo. Now you know, don't you? I'm come to have
lessons, I am. And to pay for 'em too: make no mistake.
HIGGINS
W e l l ! And what do you expect me to say?
ELIZA
Well, if you was a gentleman, you might ask me to sit down, I think.
Don't I tell you I'm bringing you business?
HIGGINS
Pickering: shall we ask this baggage to sit down or shall we just
throw her out of the window?
ELIZA
Ah-ah-ah-ow-ow-ow-oo!
(Wounded and whimpering)
I won't be called a baggage; not when I've offered to pay like any
lady.
PICKERING
(gently)
What do you want, my girl?
ELIZA
I want to be a lady in a flower shop 'stead of sellin' at the corner
o' Tottenham Court Road. But they won't take me unless I can talk more
genteel. He said he could teach me. Well, here I am ready to pay
him--not asking any favour--and he treats me as if I was dirt.
(Turning to Higgins)
I know what lessons cost as well as you do; and I'm ready to pay.
HIGGINS
How much?
ELIZA
(coming back to him, triumphant)
Now you're talking! I thought you'd come off it when you saw a chance
of getting back a bit of what you chucked at me last night.
(Confidentially)
You'd had a drop in, hadn't you, eh?
HIGGINS
(peremptorily)
Sit down.
ELIZA
Oh, well, if you're going to make a compliment of it?
HIGGINS
(thundering at her)
Sit down!
MRS PEARCE
(severely)
Sit down, girl. Do as you're told.
(She points to a chair, and stands behind it waiting for her to
sit down.)
ELIZA
Ah-ah-ah-ow-ow-oo!
(She stands, half rebellious, half bewildered.)
PICKERING
What's your name?
ELIZA
Eliza Doolittle.
PICKERING
(very courteous)
Won't you sit down, Miss Doolittle?
ELIZA
(coyly)
Oh. I don't mind if I do.
(She sits.)
HIGGINS
Now,
(he motions to Pickering that the phonograph is recording and
sits down at his desk with his notebook ready)
how much do you propose to pay me for these lessons?
ELIZA
Oh, I know what's right. A lady friend of mine gets French lessons for
eighteenpence an hour from a real French gentleman. Well, you wouldn't
have the face to ask the same for teachin' me my own language as you
would for French; so I won't give more than a shillin'. Take it or
leave it.
HIGGINS
(he pauses; then rises thoughtfully)
You know, Pickering, if you consider a shilling, not as a simple
shilling, but as a percentage of this girl's income, it works out as
fully equivalent of erm... sixty or seventy pounds for a millionaire.
By George, it's enormous! it's the biggest offer I ever had.
ELIZA
(rising, terrified)
Sixty pounds! What are you talking about? Where would I get sixty
pounds? I never offered you sixty pounds.
HIGGINS
Hold your tongue.
ELIZA
(weeping)
But I ain't got sixty pounds. Oh-ho--
MRS PEARCE
Oh don't cry, you silly girl. Sit down. Nobody is going to touch your
money.
HIGGINS
Somebody is going to touch you, with a broomstick, if you don't stop
snivelling.
(Sharply)
Sit down.
ELIZA
(sitting down)
Anyone would think you was my father.
HIGGINS
If I decide to teach you, I'll be worse than two fathers to you. Oh,
here
(he offers her his silk handkerchief.)
ELIZA
What's this for?
HIGGINS
To wipe your eyes. To wipe any part of your face that feels moist. And
remember: that's your handkerchief; and that's your sleeve; and don't
confuse the one with the other if you wish to become a lady in a shop.
MRS PEARCE
It's no use to talk to her like that, Mr. Higgins: she doesn't
understand you
(she takes the handkerchief off Eliza.)
ELIZA
(snatching it)
Here, give that handkerchief to me! He give it to me, not to you.
PICKERING
Higgins: I'm interested. What about your boast that you could pass her
off as a duchess at the Embassy Ball, eh? I'll say you're the greatest
teacher alive if you make that good. I'll bet you all the expenses of
the experiment that you can't do it. I'll even pay for the lessons.
ELIZA
Oh you're real good. Thank you, cap'n.
HIGGINS
(tempted, looking at her)
You know: it's almost irresistible. She's so deliciously low. So
horribly dirty.
ELIZA
(protesting extremely)
I ain't dirty: I washed my face and hands before I come, I did.
HIGGINS
I'll take it! I'll make a duchess of this draggle-tailed guttersnipe.
ELIZA
(strongly deprecating this view of her)
Ah-ah-ah-ow-ow-oo!
HIGGINS
(carried away)
We'll start today: now! this moment! Take her away, Mrs. Pearce, and
clean her. Sandpaper, if it won't come off any other way. Is there a
good fire in the kitchen?
MRS PEARCE
(protesting)
Yes, but--
HIGGINS
(storming on)
Take all her clothes off and burn them and ring up and order new ones.
Just wrap her in brown paper till they come.
ELIZA
You're no gentleman, you're not, to talk of such things. I'm a good
girl, I am; and I know what the likes of you are, I do.
HIGGINS
We want none of your slum prudery here, young woman. You've got to
learn to behave like a duchess. Now take her away, Mrs. Pearce, and if
she gives you any trouble wallop her.
ELIZA
(springing up and running behind Mrs. Pearce for protection)
I'll call the police, I will!
MRS PEARCE
But I've no place to put her.
HIGGINS
Well put her in the dustbin.
ELIZA
Ah-ah-ah-ow-ow-oo!
PICKERING
Come, Higgins! be reasonable.
MRS PEARCE
(resolutely)
You must be reasonable, Mr. Higgins; really you must. You can't walk
over everybody like this.
HIGGINS
(with complete innocence)
I walk over everybody! My dear Mrs. Pearce, my dear Pickering, I'd no
intention of walking over anybody. I merely suggested that we should
be kind to this poor girl. I didn't express myself clearly because I
didn't wish to hurt her delicacy, or yours.
MRS PEARCE
But sir, you can't take a girl up like that as if you were picking up
a pebble on the beach.
HIGGINS
Why not?
MRS PEARCE
Why not! But you don't know anything about her. What about her
parents? She may be married.
ELIZA
Garn!
HIGGINS
There! As the girl very properly says, "Garn!"
ELIZA
Who'd marry me?
HIGGINS
(turning on his most impressive elocutionary style)
By George, Eliza, the streets will be strewn with the bodies of men
shooting themselves for your sake before I've done with you.
ELIZA
(rising)
'Ere, I'm goin'. He's off his chump, he is. I don't want no balmies
teaching me.
HIGGINS
Oh mad, am I? All right, Mrs. Pearce: don't ring up and order those
new clothes.
(Deftly retrieving the handkerchief from Eliza on her way to the
door)
Throw her out.
MRS PEARCE
Stop, Mr Higgins. I won't allow it. Go home to your parents, girl.
ELIZA
I ain't got no parents.
HIGGINS
(impatiently)
Well, there you are, she ain't got no parents. What's all the fuss
about? Nobody wants her--she's no use to anybody but me--so take her
upstairs.
MRS PEARCE
But what's to become of her? Is she to be paid anything? Oh do be
sensible, sir.
HIGGINS
What would she do with money? She'll have her food and her clothes.
She'll only drink if you give her money.
ELIZA
Oh you are a brute. It's a lie: nobody ever saw the sign of liquor on
me.
(To Pickering)
Oh sir, you're a gentleman: don't let him speak to me like that.
PICKERING
Does it occur to you, Higgins, the girl has some feelings?
HIGGINS
Oh no, I don't think so. No feelings that we should worry about.
(Turning to face her)
Well have you, Eliza?
ELIZA
I got me feelings same as anyone else.
MRS PEARCE
Mr. Higgins: I must know on what terms the girl is to be here. What is
to become of her when you've finished your teaching? You must look
ahead a little, sir.
HIGGINS
What's to become of her if we leave her in the gutter? Answer me that,
Mrs. Pearce.
MRS PEARCE
That's her own business, not yours, Mr. Higgins.
HIGGINS
When I've done with her, we'll throw her back in the gutter; and then
it will be her own business again; that'll be alright won't it?
ELIZA
You've no feeling heart in you: you don't care for nothing but
yourself. Here! I've had enough of this. I'm going, I am
(making for the door.)
You ought to be ashamed of yourself, you ought.
HIGGINS
(snatching a tray from the piano, holding them up to her)
Have some chocolates, Eliza.
ELIZA
(halfway through the door she turns, tempted)
How do I know what might be in them? I've heard of girls being drugged
by the like of you.
(Higgins takes a chocolate and breaks it in two.)
HIGGINS
Pledge of good faith. I'll take one half
(he pops half in his mouth:)
and you take the other.
(Eliza opens her mouth to retort but he pops the half chocolate
into it.)
There are boxes of them, barrels of them, every day. You'll live on
them, eh?
ELIZA
(finishes chewing)
I wouldn't have ate it, only I'm too ladylike to take it out of my
mouth.
HIGGINS
Think of it, Eliza. Think of chocolates,
(takes her hand and heads for the stairs in the hallway)
and taxis, and gold, and diamonds!
ELIZA
(pulling free of him)
Ah-ah-ah-ow-ow! I don't want no gold and no diamonds. I'm a good girl,
I am.
PICKERING
Higgins: I really must interfere. Mrs. Pearce is quite right. If this
girl is going to put herself in your hands for six months for an
experiment in teaching, she must understand thoroughly what she's
doing.
HIGGINS
(acknowledging, thoughtfully)
Hmmm.
(He turns to her)
Eliza: you are to stay here for the next six months learning how to
speak beautifully, like a lady in a florist shop. If you're good and
do whatever you are told, you shall sleep in a proper bedroom, have
lots to eat, and money to buy chocolates and take rides in taxis. But
if you are naughty and idle you shall sleep in the back kitchen
amongst the black beetles, and be walloped by Mrs. Pearce with a
broomstick. At the end of six months you shall be taken to Buckingham
Palace in a carriage, beautifully dressed. If the King finds out that
you are not a lady, the police will take you to the Tower of London,
where your head will be cut off as a warning to other presumptuous
flower girls
(Eliza looks up at him terrified.)
But if you are not found out, you shall have a present of
seven-and-six to start life with as a lady in a shop. If you refuse
this offer you will be a most ungrateful wicked girl; and the angels
will weep for you.
(Seeing by Eliza's reaction that she has understood every word he
turns to Pickering, his former tone instantly changed to one of
good humour)
Now are you satisfied, Pickering?
PICKERING
I don't understand a word you're talking about.
HIGGINS
(To Mrs. Pearce)
Well, could I put it more plainly or fairly, Mrs. Pearce?
MRS PEARCE
(half-resigned to it she follows his instruction)
Come with me, Eliza.
HIGGINS
That's right, Mrs. Pearce. Bundle her off to the bathroom.
ELIZA
(led by Mrs. Pearce up the stairs)
You're a great bully, you are. I won't stay here if I don't like and I
won't let nobody wallop me.
MRS PEARCE
Don't answer back, girl.
ELIZA
If I'd known what I would've let myself in for I wouldn't come here.
I've always been a good girl, I have, and I won't be put upon.
(They disappear up the stairs.)
HIGGINS
(to Pickering, on their way back to the study)
In six months--in three if she has a good ear and a quick tongue--I'll
take her anywhere and I'll pass her off as anything. I'll make a queen
of that barbarous wretch.
(A maid runs a bath in the bathroom adjoining Eliza's new
bedroom. Mrs. Pearce and Eliza are making their way up the
stairs.)
ELIZA
I've never had a bath in me life; not what you'd call a proper one.
MRS PEARCE
You know, you can't be a nice girl inside if you're dirty outside.
I'll have to put you in here. This will be your bedroom.
ELIZA
(looks about the room in awe)
Oh, couldn't sleep here missus; it's too good for the likes of me. I
shall be afraid to touch anything. I ain't a duchess yet, you know.
(She sees the room a maid is leaving and notices a tub inside,
full of water, with steam pouring from it)
Oooh! what's this? This where you wash clothes?
MRS PEARCE
(rolling up her sleeves)
This is where we wash ourselves Eliza; and where I'm going to wash
you.
ELIZA
You expect me to get into that and wet meself all over? Not me!
(Two maids enter the room followed by Mrs. Pearce who shuts the
door emphatically behind her. Eliza sees with unbelief what is
going to happen.)
I shall catch me death.
MRS PEARCE
Come along now; come along; take your clothes off.
(Seeing no reaction from Eliza)
Come on girl, do as you're told: take your clothes off.
(Realising that Eliza clearly isn't interested)
Here, come on, girls...
ELIZA
(shrieking as they proceed to clutch at her clothing)
Ah-ah-ah-ow-ow! Get your hands off me! No! I won't! Let go of me! I'm
a good girl I am! It ain't right! It ain't decent! I'm a good girl I
am!
(Higgins is looking at a book in the library overlooking the
floor of the study from where he can hear the commotion in the
bathroom. Curiously, he opens the door which connects to the
second floor hallway and sees the two maids carrying off Eliza's
things. He then returns to his work in the study.)
PICKERING
(looking up to Higgins above)
Higgins, forgive the bluntness, but if I'm to be in this business I
shall feel responsible for the girl. I hope it's clearly understood
that no advantage is to be taken of her position.
HIGGINS
What! That thing? Sacred, I assure you.
PICKERING
Come now, Higgins, you know what I mean. This is no trifling matter.
Are you a man of good character where women are concerned?
HIGGINS
(moodily)
Have you ever met a man of good character where women are concerned?
PICKERING
Yes, very frequently.
HIGGINS
Well, I haven't. I find that the moment I let any woman make friends
with me, she becomes jealous, exacting, suspicious, and a damned
nuisance. And I find that the moment that I make friends with a woman,
I become selfish and tyrannical. So here I am, a confirmed old
bachelor, and likely to remain so.
HIGGINS
Well after all, Pickering,
I'm an ordinary man,
who desires nothing more than just an ordinary chance,
to live exactly as he likes, and do precisely what he wants...
An average man am I, of no eccentric whim,
Who likes to live his life, free of strife,
doing whatever he thinks is best for him,
Well... just an ordinary man...
BUT, let a woman in your life
and your serenity is through,
she'll redecorate your home,
from the cellar to the dome,
and then go to the enthralling fun of overhauling you...
Let a woman in your life,
and you're up against a wall,
make a plan and you will find,
she has something else in mind,
and so rather than do either you do something else that neither likes
at all.
You want to talk of Keats or Milton, she only wants to talk of love,
You go to see a play or ballet, and spend it searching for her glove,
Let a woman in your life and you invite eternal strife,
Let them buy their wedding bands for those anxious little hands...
I'd be equally as willing for a dentist to be drilling than to ever
let
a woman in my life.
I'm a very gentle man,
even-tempered and good-natured whom you never hear complain,
Who has the milk of human kindness by the quart in every vein,
A patient man am I, down to my fingertips,
The sort who never could, ever would, let an insulting remark escape
his lips.
A very gentle man.
BUT, let a woman in your life, and patience hasn't got a chance.
She will beg you for advice,
your reply will be concise, and she'll listen very nicely,
and go out and do precisely what she wants!
You are a man of grace and polish who never spoke above a hush,
now all at once you're using language that would a sailor blush,
Let a woman in your life, and you're plunging in a knife,
Let the others of my sex, tie the knot around their necks,
I'd prefer a new edition of the Spanish Inquisition than to ever let a
woman in my life.
I'm a quiet living man,
who prefers to spend the evenings in the silence of his room,
who likes an atmosphere as restful as an undiscovered tomb,
A pensive man am I, of philosophic joys,
who likes to meditate, comtemplate, free from humanity's mad inhuman
noise,
A quiet living man.
BUT, let a woman in your life, and your sabbatical is through,
in a line that never ends come an army of her friends,
come to jabber, and to chatter, and to tell her what the matter is
with YOU!
She'll have a booming boisterous family,
who will descend on you en mass,
She'll have a large wagnerian mother, with a voice that shatters
glass.
Let a woman in your life, let a woman in your life,
I shall never let a woman in my life.
-------------------------------------------------
(Covent Garden a little later and Doolittle and his friends are
being thrown out of the pub. The other patrons, amused by this,
look on from the inside.)
BARTENDER
(as he throws the two out the pub)
Get out of here!
(The two land on their backsides in front of the door. To
Doolittle, who he shows out)
Come on Doolittle, and remember: better to be paid for or not drunk.
(Snatches the pint that Alfred is holding in his hand.)
DOOLITTLE
Ha-ha! Thanks for your hospitality George. Send the bill to Buckingham
Palace
(the patrons laugh. To his friends)
Come on.
JAMIE
Eh Alfie, there's nothin' else to do. I guess it's back to work.
DOOLITTLE
What! Don't you dare mention that word in my presence again. Look at
all these poor blighters down here
(he points to some workers digging a drain.)
I used to do that sort of thing once, just for exercise. Not worth it:
takes up your whole day. Ah don't worry boys, we'll get out of this
somehow.
HARRY
How do you think you're going to do that, Alfie?
DOOLITTLE
Same as always: faith, hope, and a little bit o' luck.
DOOLITTLE
The Lord above gave man an arm of iron,
So he could do his job and never shirk.
The Lord above gave man an arm of iron but
With a little bit o' luck,
With a little bit o' luck,
Someone else'll do the blinkin' work!
THE THREE
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit o' luck you'll never work.
DOOLITTLE
The Lord above made liquor for temptation,
To see if man could turn away from sin.
The Lord above made liquor for temptation but
With a little bit o' luck
With a little bit o' luck,
When temptation comes you'll give right in!
THE THREE
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit o' luck you'll give right in.
DOOLITTLE
Oh you can walk the straight and narrow
But with a little bit o' luck you'll run amuck.
The gentle sex was made for man to marry,
To share his nest and see his food is cooked.
The gentle sex was made for man to marry but
With a little bit o' luck,
With a little bit o' luck,
You can it have it all and not get hooked!
THE THREE
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit o' luck you won't get hooked.
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit o' bloomin' luck.
DOOLITTLE
They're always throwin goodness at you,
But with a little bit o' luck a man can duck.
The Lord above made man to help his neighbour,
No matter where: on land or sea or foam.
The Lord above made man to help his neighbour but
With a little bit o' luck,
With a little bit o' luck,
When he comes around you won't be home!
JAMIE & HARRY
(as Alfred marches with a line of suffragettes passing by)
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit o' luck you won't get home.
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit o' bloomin' luck.
(As Alfred finishes, there are cheers and shouts from the crowd:)
You'll make a good suffragette, etc.
(An old cockney woman calls to Doolittle as he walks past.)
OLD COCKNEY WOMAN
(calling out from her basement-level window)
Ah! Why here's the lucky man now: the honourable Alfie Doolittle.
DOOLITTLE
(he stoops down to talk to her)
What are you doin' in Eliza's house?
OLD COCKNEY WOMAN
Her former residence--ha! You can buy your own things now, Alfie
Doolittle: fallen into a tub of money, you have.
DOOLITTLE
What are you talkin' about?
OLD COCKNEY WOMAN
Your daughter, Eliza. Oh you're lucky man, Alfie Doolittle.
DOOLITTLE
Well, what about Eliza?
OLD COCKNEY WOMAN
(to various bystanders listening with interest)
Ah! He don't know. Her own father and he don't know
(the bystanders laugh)
Moved in with a swell, Eliza has. Left here in a taxi all by herself
smart as paint and ain't been home for three days.
DOOLITTLE
Go on.
OLD COCKNEY WOMAN
Then this morning I gets a message from her: she wants her things sent
over to 27A Wimpole Street, care of Professor Higgins
(laughs.)
And what things does she want? Her birdcage, and a Chinese fan. But,
she says
(mysteriously:)
"never mind about sending any clothes".
(She and the bystanders, laugh.)
DOOLITTLE
(laughing)
I knew she had a career in front of her. Harry-boy: we're in for a
booze-up. The sun is shining on Alfred P. Doolittle!
DOOLITTLE
A man was made to help support his children,
Which is the right and proper thing to do.
A man was made to help support his children but
With a little bit o' luck,
With a little bit o' luck,
They'll go out and start supporting you!
THE THREE
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit o' luck they'll work for you.
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit o' bloomin' luck.
DOOLITTLE
Oh it's a crime for man to go philanderin',
And fill his wife's poor heart with grief and doubt.
Oh it's a crime for man to go philanderin' but
With a little bit o' luck,
With a little bit o' luck,
You can see the bloodhound don't find out!
THE THREE
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit o' luck she won't find out.
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit o' bloomin' luck,
With a little bit o' bloomin' luck.
-------------------------------------------------
(Later on that day at Higgins's house. Higgins is in the hallway
carrying some books to the study and is intercepted by Mrs.
Pearce.)
MRS PEARCE
The mail, sir.
HIGGINS
(absently)
Oh, pay the bills and say no to the invitations.
(Higgins walks to the door of his study but stops and looks in on
Eliza instead, whom Higgins has put to work on some pronunciation
exercises in the adjacent laboratory. She is connected to a
machine via a cable which runs from her diaphragm to an apparatus
that is drawing a graph on a sheet of paper wrapped around a
rotating drum.)
ELIZA
(slowly and weakly, she pronounces her "a"s--apparently she has
been doing this for some time)
Aaaaaaaa... Aaaaaaaa... Aaaaaaaa...
(She stops as Higgins walks in.)
(As Higgins inspects the output of the machine on the paper,
Eliza sneezes into a handkerchief. Higgins replaces the paper on
the apparatus and motions to her to continue.)
ELIZA
(feebly continuing)
Aaaaaaaa...
(Higgins leaves and after shutting the door behind himself she
adds, with angry defiance)
A a a a a a a a ! ! !
(Higgins enters the study. Mrs. Pearce is waiting for him, while
Pickering is sat down reading a newspaper.)
MRS PEARCE
(to Higgins, as he proudly presents the read-out from the machine
to Pickering)
You simply cannot go on working the girl this way: making her say her
alphabet over and over, from sun up to sundown, even during meals.
You'll exhaust yourself. When will it stop?
HIGGINS
When she does it properly, of course. Is that all, Mrs Pearce?
MRS PEARCE
There's another letter from that American millionnaire, Ezra D.
Wallingford. He still wants you to lecture for his Moral Reform
League.
HIGGINS
Yes, well throw it away.
MRS PEARCE
(as he walks up the stairwell to the library)
Oh it's the third letter he's written you, sir; you should at least
answer it.
HIGGINS
Oh alright; leave it in the desk, Mrs Pearce. I'll try and get to it.
(Mrs. Pearce leaves the study and the butler enters.)
BUTLER
(to Higgins, who is busy with some books upstairs)
If you please, sir, there's a dustman downstairs, Alfred P. Doolittle,
who wants to see you. He says you have his daughter here.
PICKERING
(rising)
Phew! I say!
HIGGINS
(promptly)
Well, send the blackguard up.
PICKERING
He may not be a blackguard, Higgins.
HIGGINS
Oh nonsense: of course he's a blackguard, Pickering.
PICKERING
Whether he is or not, I'm afraid we'll have some trouble with him.
HIGGINS
(confidently)
No: I think not. Any trouble to be had he'll have it with me, not I
with him.
BUTLER
(at the door)
Doolittle, sir.
(He admits Doolittle and leaves.)
(Alfred Doolittle enters, still dressed in his scruffy dustman's
clothes.)
DOOLITTLE
(approaches Pickering)
Professor Higgins.
HIGGINS
(calling out from above)
Here!
DOOLITTLE
Where?
(Looks up)
Oh. Good mornin', Guvnor. I come about a very serious matter, Guvnor.
HIGGINS
Brought up in Houndslow; mother Welsh, I should think. What do you
want, Doolittle?
DOOLITTLE
I want my daughter: that's what I want. See?
HIGGINS
Well of course you do. You're her father, aren't you? I'm glad to see
you have some spark of family feeling left. She's in there; yes, take
her away at once.
DOOLITTLE
(taken aback)
What!
HIGGINS
Take her away. You think I'm going to keep your daughter for you?
DOOLITTLE
Now, now, is this reasonable, Guvnor? Is it fairity to take advantage
of a man like this? The girl belongs to me. You got her: where do I
come in?
HIGGINS
How dare you come here and attempt to blackmail me? You sent her here
on purpose.
DOOLITTLE
No, no, don't take a man up like that, Guvnor.
HIGGINS
(making his way down the stairs)
The police shall take you up. This is a plant, a plot to extort money
by threats. I shall telephone the police
(he goes resolutely to the telephone and opens the directory.)
DOOLITTLE
Have I asked you for a brass farthing? I leave it to this gentleman
here:
(to Pickering)
have I said a word about money?
HIGGINS
Well what else did you come for?
DOOLITTLE
Well, what would a bloke come for? Be human, Guvnor
(he laughs hoarsely into Higgins's face.)
HIGGINS
(wipes his face with his handkerchief)
Alfred: you sent her here on purpose!
DOOLITTLE
So help me, Guvnor, I never did.
HIGGINS
Then how did you know she was here?
DOOLITTLE
I'll tell you, Guvnor, if you'll only let me get a word in. I'm
willing to tell you. I'm wanting to tell you. I'm waiting to tell you.
HIGGINS
You know Pickering: this chap has a certain natural gift of rhetoric.
Observe the rhythm of his native woodnotes wild. "I'm willing to tell
you: I'm wanting to tell you: I'm waiting to tell you." That's the
Welsh strain in him.
(To Doolittle)
How did you know Eliza was here if you didn't send her?
DOOLITTLE
Well, she sent back for her luggage and I got to hear about it. She
said she didn't want no clothes. What was I to think from that,
Guvnor? I ask you, as a parent: what was I to think?
HIGGINS
So you came here to rescue her from worse than death, eh?
DOOLITTLE
Just so, Guvnor. That's right.
HIGGINS
Yes. Mrs Pearce!
(To Mrs. Pearce, who enters at once)
Ah, Mrs Pearce: Eliza's father has come to take her away. Give her to
him will you.
DOOLITTLE
Now, wait a minute Guvnor. Wait a minute. You and me is men of the
world, ain't we?
HIGGINS
Oh! Men of the world, are we? Yes, well you'd better go Mrs Pearce.
MRS PEARCE
I think so indeed, sir.
DOOLITTLE
'Ere Guvnor: I've took a sort of a fancy to you and--
(he laughs hoarsely into Higgins face, who quickly moves away)
if you want the girl, well I ain't so set on havin' her back home
again but what I might be open to is er,
(confidentially)
an arrangement. All I ask is my rights as a father. You're the last
man alive to expect me to let her go for nothin'. I can see you're one
of the straight sort, Guvnor. So, er, what's a five pound note to you?
And what's Eliza to me?
PICKERING
I think you ought to know, Doolittle, that Mr. Higgins's intentions
are entirely honourable.
DOOLITTLE
Well course they are, Guvnor. If I thought they wasn't, I'd ask fifty.
HIGGINS
(revolted)
Do you mean to say you'd sell your daughter for £50?
PICKERING
Have you no morals, man?
DOOLITTLE
(unabashed)
No, no. Can't afford 'em, Guvnor. Neither could you if you was as poor
as me. Not that I mean any harm, mind you. But if Liza is goin' to
have a bit out of this, why not me too? Eh, why not? Well, look--
(he dusts of the seat of a chair with his dirty hat then sits
down. Higgins, offended, tests the shoulder for dust)
look at it my way. What am I? I ask you, what am I? I'm one of the
undeservin' poor: that's what I am. Now think what that means to a
man. It means he's up against middle class morality for all o' time.
If there's anythin' goin', and I puts in for a bit of it, it's always
the same story: "You're undeservin'; so you can't have it." But my
needs is as great as the most deservin' widows that ever got money out
of six different charities in one week for the death of the same
husband. I don't need less than a deservin' man: I need more. I don't
eat less hearty than he does; and I drink--oh, a lot more. I'm playin'
straight with you. I ain't pretendin' to be deservin'. No I'm
undeservin'; and I mean to go on bein' undeservin'. I like it; and
that's the truth. But will you take advantage of a man's nature to do
him out of the price of his own daughter what he's brought up and fed
and clothed by the sweat of his brow until shes growed big enough to
be interestin' to you two gentlemen? Well is five pounds unreasonable?
I put it to you; and I leave it to you.
HIGGINS
Pickering: if we were to take this man in hand for three months, he
could choose between a seat in the Cabinet and a popular pulpit in
Wales. We'd better give him a fiver.
PICKERING
He'll make a bad use of it, I'm afraid.
DOOLITTLE
Ah not me, Guvnor, so help me I won't. Just one good spree for myself
and the missus, givin' pleasure to ourselves and enjoyment to others,
and satisfaction to you to know it ain't been thrown away. You
couldn't spend it better.
HIGGINS
(taking out his pocket book)
This is irresistible. Let's give him ten.
DOOLITTLE
No. The missus wouldn't have the heart to spend ten. Ten pounds is a
lot of money: it makes a man feel prudent like; and then goodbye to
happiness. You just give me what I ask you, Guvnor: not a penny less,
and not a penny more.
PICKERING
I rather draw the line at encouraging this sort of immorality,
Doolittle. Why don't you marry that missus of yours, eh? After all,
marriage isn't so frightening: you married Eliza's mother.
DOOLITTLE
Who told you that Guvnor?
PICKERING
Well, nobody told me: I concluded, naturally.
(Alfred shakes his head and winks at him.)
HIGGINS
If we listen to this man another minute, we shall have no convictions
left.
(Giving Doolittle a note)
Five pounds I think you said.
DOOLITTLE
Thank you, Guvnor. Thank you.
HIGGINS
Are you sure you won't have ten?
DOOLITTLE
(hurrying to the door, anxious to get away with his booty)
Ah no; perhaps another time.
ELIZA
(approaching from the laboratory in a temper)
I won't! I won't! I won't!!!
(Entering the study she collides with Doolittle)
DOOLITTLE
(not recognising his daughter)
I beg your pardon, miss.
ELIZA
(her attention fixed on Higgins)
I won't say those ruddy vowels one more time.
DOOLITTLE
Blimey, it's Eliza. Well I never thought she'd clean up so good
lookin'. She does me credit, don't she, Guvnor?
ELIZA
(she turns to him suspiciously)
'Ere: what you doin' here?
DOOLITTLE
Now, now, now: you hold your tongue and don't you give these gentlemen
none of your lip.
(To Higgins)
If you have any trouble with her, Guvnor, give her a few licks of the
strap. That's the way to improve her mind. Well good mornin',
gentlemen. Cheerio, Eliza
(smacks her behind.)
ELIZA
(sticking out her tongue as he leaves)
Maaaah!
HIGGINS
(to Pickering)
There's a man for you. A philosophical genius of the first water. Mrs.
Pearce: write to Mr. Ezra Wallingford and tell him that if he wants a
lecturer to get in touch with Mr. Alfred P. Doolittle, a common
dustman, one of the most original moralists in England.
MRS PEARCE
Yes, sir.
(She leaves.)
ELIZA
'Ere, what'd he come for?
HIGGINS
Say your vowels.
ELIZA
I know my vowels. I knew 'em before I come.
HIGGINS
If you know them, say them.
ELIZA
A, e, i, o, u.
HIGGINS
Stop!
(articulating them clearly)
"A", "e", "i", "o", "u".
ELIZA
That's what I said: a, e, i, o, u. That's what I've been saying for
three days and I won't say 'em no more.
PICKERING
(kindly, he lays his hand on her shoulder)
I know it's difficult, Miss Doolittle, but try to understand.
HIGGINS
It's no use explaining, Pickering. As a military man you ought to know
that. Drilling is what she needs. Now you leave her alone or she'll be
turning to you for sympathy.
PICKERING
Very well, if you insist.
(As Pickering leaves)
But have a little patience with her, Higgins.
HIGGINS
Of course.
(To Eliza, sternly)
Now say, "a".
ELIZA
(defiantly)
You ain't got no heart, you ain't!
HIGGINS
"A".
ELIZA
(loudly)
"A".
HIGGINS
"A".
ELIZA
(with growing defiance; as Higgins starts to leave up the stairs)
"A".
HIGGINS
"A".
ELIZA
(almost shouting)
"A".
HIGGINS
(pausing on the stairs)
Eliza: I promise you you'll say your vowels correctly before this day
is out or there'll be no lunch, no dinner, and no chocolates.
(He disappears up the stairs.)
(Tempted to take make another angry exchange, Eliza runs to the
top of the stair but sees him disappear into a room on the next
floor.)
ELIZA
Just you wait 'enry 'iggins, just you wait!
You'll be sorry, but your tears'll be too late!
You'll be broke and I'll have money;
Will I help you? Don't be funny!
Just you wait, 'enry 'iggins, just you wait!
Just you wait 'enry 'iggins, till you're sick,
And you screams to fetch a doctor double quick!
I'll be off a second later,
And go straight to the the-atre!
Ah-ha-ha, 'enry 'iggins,
Just you wait!
Oooooh, 'enry 'iggins!
Just you wait until we're swimmin' in the sea!
Oooooh, 'enry 'iggins!
And you gets a cramp a little ways from me!
When you yell you're gonna drown,
I'll get dressed and go to town!
Oh-ho-ho, 'enry 'iggins,
Oh-ho-ho, 'enry 'iggins,
Just you wait!
One day I'll be famous!
I'll be proper and prim!
Go to Saint James so often I will call it Saint Jim.
One evening the King will say,
"Oh Liza, old thing,
I want all of England your praises to sing."
KING
"Next week, on the twentieth of May,
I proclaim Liza Doolittle Day!
All the people will celebrate the glory of you,
And whatever you wish and want
I gladly will do."
ELIZA
"Thanks a lot, King," says I, in a manner wellbred;
"But all I want is 'enry 'iggins 'ead!"
KING
"Done,"
ELIZA
says the King, with a stroke.
KING
"Guards, run and bring in the bloke!"
ELIZA
Then they'll march you, 'enry 'iggins, to the wall;
And the king will tell me:
KING
"Liza, sound the call."
ELIZA
As they raise their rifles higher,
I'll shout: "Ready!Aim!Fire!"
Oh-ho-ho, 'enry 'iggins,
Down you'll go! 'enry 'iggins!
Just you wait!
(Higgins appears at the top of the stairs, waking Eliza from her
fantasy. She looks down at the empty spot where he was dead a
moment ago, then again up at him standing there in person.)
HIGGINS
"A".
ELIZA
(obeying, she retreats slowly to the laboratory)
"A" ... "a" ... "a" ...
(Higgins, satisfied, leaves up the stairs.)
-------------------------------------------------
(Some days later, perhaps. Higgins is in the laboratory with
Eliza. He is instructing her with a chart of mouth positions
while she reads from a book.)
HIGGINS
Alright, Eliza, say it again.
ELIZA
The rine in Spine stays minely in the pline.
HIGGINS
(impatiently)
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
ELIZA
Didn't I say that?
HIGGINS
No, Eliza, you didn't "sie" that; you didn't even
(say)
that. Now every morning where you used to say your prayers, I want you
to say
(points to the text in the book)
"the rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain" fifty times. You'll get
much further with the Lord if you learn not to offend his ears. Now
for your "h"s.
(Taking a rubber tube from a shelf, he motions her to follow him.
They walk into the study where Pickering is reading.)
Pickering: this is going to be ghastly.
PICKERING
(looking up from his book)
Told yourself, Higgins: give the girl a chance.
HIGGINS
Well, I suppose you can't expect her to get it right the first time.
Come here, Eliza, and watch closely.
(Walking to the desk with the phonetics apparatus, he lights a
burner, plugs the tube into the bottom of it, and sets a rotating
drum with mirrored sides running.)
Now, you see that flame. Every time you pronounce the letter "h"
correctly the flame will waver, and every time you drop your "h" the
flame will remain stationary. That's how you'll know if you've done it
correctly. In time your ear will hear the difference.
(Sitting down at the apparatus, he holds up the open end of the
tube to his mouth)
Now listen carefully.
(Emphasising the "h"s)
In Hartford, Hereford and Hampshire, hurricanes hardly ever happen.
Now you repeat that after me.
(He stands up, handing Eliza a sheet to read from as she sits
down.)
ELIZA
In 'artford, 'ereford and 'ampshire, 'urricanes 'ardly hever 'appen.
HIGGINS
Oh, no, no, no. Have you no ear at all?
ELIZA
(eagerly)
Shall I do it over?
HIGGINS
No, please. Start from the very beginning. Just do this: go, "har,
har, har, har".
ELIZA
Har, har, har, har
(the flame wavers correctly and she looks up at him proudly.)
HIGGINS
Go on, go on, go on.
ELIZA
Har, har, har, har,...
(He walks over to Pickering, leaving Eliza to continue on her
own.)
HIGGINS
Does the same thing hold true in India, Pickering? Is there the
peculiar habit of, not only dropping a letter like the letter "h", but
using it where it doesn't belong: like "hever" instead of "ever". Or
like the Slavs when they learn English have a tendency to do it with
their "g"s: they say "linner" instead of "linger", then they turn
right round and say "sin-ger" instead of "singer". Whereas the Slavs
using it where it isn't needed, they learn English they have to do it
with their "g"s.
(While Higgins is busy talking to Pickering, Eliza becomes
hypnotised by the reflection of the flame in the rotating mirrors
and absently she lets the sheet of paper drop until it touches
the flame and catches fire. She stares at the burning sheet
blankly. Pickering however, noticing the burning smell, looks
round and rises, alarmed.)
PICKERING
The girl, Higgins!
HIGGINS
(without looking round; thinking that she has merely stopped her
exercise)
Go on, go on, go on, go on.
(Eliza obeys nonetheless, the paper still burning.)
SERVANTS' CHORUS
Poor Professor Higgins,
Poor Professor Higgins.
Night and day he slaves away.
Oh, poor Professor Higgins.
All day long on his feet.
Up and down until he's numb.
Doesn't rest, doesn't eat,
Doesn't touch a crumb.
(Another day and Higgins is in the study, still at work with
Eliza. He and Pickering, who is sat at the coffee table, are
enjoying themselves with some cake and tea. Higgins is stood at a
xylophone while Eliza sits nearby, awaiting his instruction.)
HIGGINS
Again, Eliza:
(playing the pitch of each word on the xylophone as he speaks it)
"how kind of you to let me come."
ELIZA
How kind of you to let me come.
HIGGINS
No, no. "Kind of you", "kind of you", "kind--", "how kind of you to
let me come".
ELIZA
How kind of you to let me come.
HIGGINS
No, no, no, no. "Kind of you", "kind of you". Say, "cup of tea"; "kind
of you". Say, "cup of tea".
ELIZA
(looking with longing at the cup of tea he is holding)
Cup o' tea.
HIGGINS
No, no: "a cup of tea".
(To Pickering)
Awfully good cake this. I wonder where Mrs Pearce gets it?
PICKERING
Mmmm. First rate; and those strawberry tarts are delicious. Did you
try the
(in a cockney accent)
pline cike?
(He looks at Higgins, bewildered at what he just said. Higgins
doesn't answer but refills his cup.)
HIGGINS
Try it again.
PICKERING
Did you try the--
HIGGINS
Pickering!
(To Eliza)
Again, Eliza.
ELIZA
(still longing after the cup of tea)
Cup o' tea.
HIGGINS
(he continues, oblivious to her thirst)
Oh no. Can't you hear the difference? Put your tongue forward until it
squeezes on the top of your lower teeth and then say: "cup".
ELIZA
Cup.
HIGGINS
Then say: "of".
ELIZA
Of.
HIGGINS
Then say: "cup, cup, cup, cup, of, of, of, of".
HIGGINS & ELIZA
Cup, cup, cup, cup, of, of, of, of.
ELIZA
Cup, cup, cup, of, of, of--
(she tapers off, staring at Higgins's cake which he inserts
delicately into his mouth.)
PICKERING
By jove, Higgins, that was a glorious tea. Why don't you finish that
last strawberry tart? I couldn't eat another thing.
HIGGINS
No, I couldn't touch it.
PICKERING
Shame to waste it.
HIGGINS
Oh it won't be wasted: I know of someone who's immensely fond of
strawberry tarts.
(Eliza looks up hopefully as Higgins picks up the tart. However,
he walks to the birdcage and bends down to feed the tart to the
bird.)
Cheep! cheep! Cheep! cheep! cheep!
ELIZA
(appalled)
Aw-ah-ah-ow-ow-oo!!!
SERVANTS' CHORUS
Poor Professor Higgins,
Poor Professor Higgins.
On he plods against all odds.
Oh, poor Professor Higgins.
Nine p.m., ten p.m.,
On through midnight every night.
One a.m., two a.m., three--
(At night in the library above the study. Higgins and Eliza are
sat at a table. Higgins is inserting marbles, one after the
other, into Eliza's mouth as she sits helplessly.)
HIGGINS
(counting as he inserts the marbles)
--four, five, six marbles. Now I want you to read this, and I want you
to enunciate every word just as if the marbles were not in your mouth.
(Reading from a sheet of paper)
"With blackest moss the flower pots were thickly crusted one and all."
(Handing the sheet to Eliza)
Each word clear as a bell.
ELIZA
(reading from the sheet)
Wiv bra'ess moss the flo'er poss--
(in despair)
I can't.
(Pleading with him)
I can't!
PICKERING
(speaking up from the opposite side of the library)
I say, Higgins, are those pebbles really necessary?
HIGGINS
If they were necessary for Demosthenes, they are necessary for Eliza
Doolittle. Go on, Eliza.
ELIZA
Wiv bra'evs moss the flo'er poss were thi'y crus'ed one an'--
HIGGINS
(screwing up his face in disgust)
I can't understand a word! not a word!
ELIZA
(her tone becoming desperate)
Wiv bra'evs moss the flo'er poss were thi'y crus'ed one an' aw.
PICKERING
(speaking over Eliza who continues with the exercise)
Higgins: perhaps that poem's a little too difficult for the girl. Why
don't you try something simpler, like the owl and the pussycat? Oh
yes! that's charming one.
HIGGINS
(annoyed)
Pickering: I can't hear a word the girl is saying.
(Eliza emits a large "gulp", her eyes wide in horror.)
HIGGINS
(seeing Eliza's expression)
What's the matter?
ELIZA
(anxiously; emptying the marbles from her mouth into her hand)
I swallowed one.
HIGGINS
(calmly)
Oh, it doesn't matter; I've got plenty more. Open your mouth. One,
two--
(he continues filling her mouth.)
SERVANTS' CHORUS
Quit, Professor Higgins,
Quit, Professor Higgins.
Hear our plea or payday we will
Quit, Professor Higgins.
"A", not "I", "O" not "Ow",
Pounding, pounding in our brain,
"A", not "I", "O" not "Ow",
Don't say "Rine" say "Rain".
(Higgins's study very late at night. Higgins is laid back in a
chair, with his feet up on his desk and a hotwater bottle over
his forehead. Pickering is sitting down half-asleep in the
armchair, with a newspaper over his face. Eliza is sitting on the
sofa exhausted, holding a book.)
HIGGINS
(wearily)
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
ELIZA
(in despair)
I can't. I'm so tired. I'm so tired...
PICKERING
For God's sake, Higgins, it must three o'clock in the morning. Do be
reasonable.
HIGGINS
(rising)
(I)
am always reasonable. Eliza: if I can go on with a blistering
headache, you can.
ELIZA
I got an 'eadache too.
HIGGINS
Oh. Here
(passes her his hotwater bottle.)
I know your head aches; I know you're tired; I know your nerves are as
raw as meat in a butcher's window. But think what you're trying to
accomplish.
(Sits down beside her.)
Think what you're dealing with. The majesty and grandeur of the
English language: it's the greatest possession we have. The noblest
thoughts that ever flowed through the hearts of men are contained in
its extraordinary, imaginative, and musical mixtures of sounds. And
that's what you've set yourself out to conquer Eliza: and conquer it
you will.
(Eliza simply looks at him. Higgins lets out a sigh having done
all he can and makes his way back to his desk.)
HIGGINS
(leans his head against his hand with a sigh)
Now try it again.
ELIZA
(very tentatively, yet enunciating correctly)
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
HIGGINS
(he looks up, disbelieving)
What was that?
ELIZA
(slowly but more surely)
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
(Eliza's expression changes to one of astonishment at herself.)
HIGGINS
(sitting up)
Again.
ELIZA
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
HIGGINS
I think she's got it, I think she's got it.
ELIZA
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
HIGGINS
By George she's got it!
By George she's got it!
Now once again: where does it rain?
ELIZA
On the plain! On the plain!
HIGGINS
And where's that soggy plain?
ELIZA
In Spain! In Spain!
THE THREE
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
(Higgins pats Eliza on the back with a)
Bravo!.
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
(shaking Pickering's hand.)
(Higgins walks over to the xylophone.)
HIGGINS
In Hartford, Hereford, and Hampshire...?
ELIZA
Hurricanes hardly happen.
(Higgins plays the notes to the phrase "How kind of you to let me
come" on the xylophone.)
ELIZA
How kind of you to let me come.
HIGGINS
Now once again: where does it rain?
ELIZA
On the plain! On the plain!
HIGGINS
And where's that blasted plain?
ELIZA
In Spain! In Spain!
THE THREE
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
(They laugh.)
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain!
HIGGINS
Pickering! Pickering:
(lifts up his red handkerchief to Pickering, miming a matador)
ole! ole!
(Pickering obliges, running through the handkerchief)
Ole!
(Higgins takes up Eliza and they dance around the room together.
She stands on a chair, clapping, as Higgins and Pickering dance
round back to back. They then have one last playful dance and
fall back onto the chairs and sofa, exhausted and laughing.)
HIGGINS
(putting away his handkerchief)
Ah! We're making fine progress, Pickering. I think the time has come
to try her out.
MRS PEARCE
(she enters the study wearing a dressing-gown)
Are you feeling alright, Mr. Higgins?
HIGGINS
Yes I'm feeling fine, Mrs Pearce; how are you?
MRS PEARCE
Very well, sir, thank you.
HIGGINS
Oh good.
(To Pickering)
Let's test her in public and see how she fairs.
MRS PEARCE
Mr. Higgins: I was awakened by a dreadful pounding; do you know what
it might have been?
HIGGINS
(feigning innocence)
Pounding? I didn't hear any pounding; did you Pickering?
PICKERING
No.
HIGGINS
No, if this goes on Mrs Pearce you'd better see a doctor.
(Continuing, eagerly, to Pickering)
I know: we'll take her to the races.
PICKERING
The races?
HIGGINS
My mother's box at Ascot.
PICKERING
You've consulted mother first, of course?
HIGGINS
Oh yes, of course.
(He sees Eliza, who has fallen into in a reverie, staring at him)
Er, no, I think perhaps we'd better surprise her.
(Standing up)
Now let us go to bed. First thing in the morning we'll go out and
we'll buy her a dress.
(Turning back on his way out)
Now get on with your work, Eliza.
MRS PEARCE
But, Mr Higgins, it's early in the morning.
HIGGINS
What better time to work than early in the morning?
(He leaves the study with Pickering)
Where does one buy a lady's gown?
PICKERING
Whiteley's, of course.
HIGGINS
(stopping, puzzled)
How do you know that?
PICKERING
Common knowledge.
HIGGINS
(starting up the stairs)
Let's not buy her anything too flowery: I despise those gowns with,
sort of,
(gesticulating in the air)
weeds here, and weeds there. I want to buy something so it's simple,
modest, and elegant's what's called for.
(Describing on Pickering's person what is in his mind's eye)
Perhaps with a-- with a bow.
(Analysing his imagined creation)
Yes, I think that's just right.
(Pickering chuckles as they leave up the stairs.)
(Mrs. Pearce shakes her head as she watches them leave.)
MRS PEARCE
You've all been working much too hard; I think the strain is beginning
to show. Eliza, I don't care what Mr Higgins says, you must put down
your books and go to bed.
(In her reverie, Eliza doesn't look up as Mrs. Pearce takes her
books off her. She sings as Mrs. Pearce leads her upstairs to
bed.)
ELIZA
Bed, bed, I couldn't go to bed.
My head's too light to try to set it down.
Sleep, sleep, I couldn't sleep tonight,
Not for all the jewels in the crown.
I could have danced all night,
I could have danced all night,
And still have begged for more.
I could have spread my wings
And done a thousand things
I've never done before.
I'll never know what made it so exciting
Why all at once my heart took flight.
I only know when he began to dance with me
I could have danced, danced, danced all night!
(Two servants overlook Mrs. Pearce from the stair above as she
shows Eliza to her room.)
SERVANT 1
It's after three now.
SERVANT 2
Don't you agree now,
SERVANT 1 & 2
She ought to be in bed.
(Eliza and the maids sing as they prepare Eliza for bed.)
ELIZA / MAIDS
I could have danced all night,
You're tired out, you must be dead.
I could have danced all night,
Your face is drawn, your eyes are red.
And still have begged for more.
Now say goodnight; please turn out the light; please, it's really time
for you to be in bed.
I could have spread my wings,
Do come along, do as you're told
And done a thousand things
Or Mrs. Pearce is apt to scold.
I've never done before.
You're up too late; please, in your state, Miss, you'll catch a cold.
I'll never know
What made it so exciting
Why all at once my heart took flight.
I only know when he began to dance with me
Put down your book, the work will keep; Now settle down and go to
sleep.
I could have danced, danced, danced all night!
(The maids retire and Mrs. Pearce puts Eliza to bed.)
MRS PEARCE
I understand, dear.
It's all been grand, dear.
But now it's time to sleep.
(Mrs. Pearce turns off the light and closes the door behind her.)
ELIZA
I could have danced all night,
I could have danced all night,
And still have begged for more.
I could have spread my wings,
And done a thousand things
I've never done before.
I'll never know
What made it so exciting
Why all at once my heart took flight.
I only know when he
Began to dance with me
I could have danced, danced, danced
All night!
(Eliza collapses on her pillow and falls asleep.)
(Ascot Opening Day. The ladies and gentlemen, dressed elegantly
in this year's Ascot fashion, are waiting for the start of the
opening race.)
LADIES & GENTLEMEN
Ev'ry duke and earl and peer is here
Ev'ryone who should be here is here.
What a smashing, positively dashing
Spectacle: the Ascot op'ning day.
At the gate are all the horses
Waiting for the cue to fly away.
What a gripping, absolutely ripping
Moment at the Ascot op'ning day.
Pulses rushing!
Faces flushing!
Heartbeats speed up!
I have never been so keyed up!
Any second now, they'll begin to run.
Hark! A bell is ringing,
They are springing forward
Look! It has begun...!
(They raise their field glasses, looking out at the track. The
sound of the approaching horses grows into a thunder as they
storm past the spectators. The spectators lower their field
glasses again.)
LADIES & GENTLEMEN
What a frenzied moment that was!
Didn't they maintain an exhausting pace?
'Twas a thrilling, absolutely chilling
Running of the Ascot op'ning race.
(Higgins arrives, looking completely out of place in his brown
suit. He sees his mother, whom he recognises from behind by her
hat. She is busy talking to some friends.)
HIGGINS
Mother.
MRS HIGGINS
(turning around to face him)
Henry! what a disagreeable surprise.
HIGGINS
Hello mother
(he kisses her on the cheek.)
How nice you look.
MRS HIGGINS
What are you doing here? You promised never to come to Ascot. Go home
at once.
HIGGINS
I can't mother. I'm here on business.
MRS HIGGINS
Oh no, Henry, you mustn't. I'm quite serious, you'll offend all my
friends: the moment they've met you I've never see them again.
Besides, you're not even dressed for Ascot.
(She turns back to her friends.)
HIGGINS
I changed my shirt.
(Taking her up by the arm before she can continue; walking
towards her box)
Now, listen mother, I've got a job for you; a phonetics job. I picked
up a girl--
MRS HIGGINS
(pleased)
Henry.
HIGGINS
Oh no, dear, not a love affair; she's a flower girl. I'm taking her to
the annual Embassy Ball but I wanted to try her out first.
MRS HIGGINS
I beg your pardon.
HIGGINS
Well, you know the Embassy Ball?
MRS HIGGINS
Of course I know the ball, but--
HIGGINS
So I invited her to your box today, do you understand?
MRS HIGGINS
A common flower girl!
HIGGINS
Oh, it's alright, I taught her how to speak properly. She has strict
instructions as to her behaviour. She's to keep to two subjects: the
weather and everybody's health; "fine day", and "how do you do", and
not just let herself go on things in general. Help her along, darling,
you'll be quite safe.
MRS HIGGINS
Safe! to talk about one's health in the middle of a race?
HIGGINS
(looking away; expecting Eliza and Pickering to arrive any
moment)
Well, you've got to talk about something.
MRS HIGGINS
Where's the girl, now?
HIGGINS
She's being pinned; some of the clothes they bought her didn't quite
fit. I told Pickering we should have taken her with us.
(A group of four people--an older couple and Mrs. Eynsford-Hill
and her son, Freddie--come to join Mrs. Higgins in her box.)
MRS HIGGINS
Ah! Mrs Eynsford-Hill.
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
Good afternoon, Mrs Higgins.
MRS HIGGINS
(pointing to Higgins who is still looking out for Eliza)
You know my son: Henry?
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
How do you do?
HIGGINS
I've seen you somewhere before?
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
I don't know.
HIGGINS
Oh, it doesn't matter. You'd better sit down.
MRS HIGGINS
(greeting the other lady)
Lady Boxington.
HIGGINS
(anxiously)
Where the devil can they be?
MRS HIGGINS
(greeting him)
Lord Boxington.
HIGGINS
(with delight; seeing Pickering arriving with Eliza, who is
dressed spectactularly)
Ah!
(He motions for them to come over.)
(Eliza and Pickering walk towards them, but Eliza appears
slightly nervous. Pickering reassures her and she relaxes. They
join them in the box. Higgins scrutinises Eliza's behaviour as
they are introduced.)
MRS HIGGINS
Colonel Pickering, you're just in time for tea.
PICKERING
Thank you, Mrs Higgins. May I introduce Miss Eliza Doolittle.
MRS HIGGINS
My dear Miss Doolittle.
ELIZA
How kind of you to let me come.
(Higgins nods to himself, satisfied with her elocution.)
MRS HIGGINS
Delighted, my dear.
(Presenting her to Eliza)
Lady Boxington.
LADY BOXINGTON
How do you do?
ELIZA
How do you do?
MRS HIGGINS
Lord Boxington.
LORD BOXINGTON
How do you do?
ELIZA
How do you do?
MRS HIGGINS
Mrs Eynsford-Hill: Miss Doolittle.
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
How do you do?
ELIZA
How do you do?
(Freddie motions eagerly to Mrs. Higgins not to forget him.)
MRS HIGGINS
And Freddie Eynsford-Hill.
ELIZA
How do you do?
FREDDIE
(taking a great interest in her)
How
(do)
you do?
HIGGINS
(tipping his hat)
Miss Doolittle.
ELIZA
Good afternoon, Professor Higgins.
(Eliza forgets to sit down like the others so Higgins discreetly
mimes the action to remind her. She does so.)
FREDDIE
(sitting by her, infatuated)
The first race was very exciting Miss Doolittle; I'm so sorry that you
missed it.
MRS HIGGINS
Will it rain, do you think?
ELIZA
The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.
(Higgins tries to recover the situation by doing a sort of
Spanish dance. Embarrassed, he stops.)
But in Hartford, Hereford and Hampshire, hurricanes hardly ever
happen.
FREDDIE
Ha! ha! How awfully funny!
ELIZA
What is wrong with that, young man? I bet I got it right.
FREDDIE
Smashing!
LADY BOXINGTON
Hasn't it suddenly turned chilly?
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
I do hope we won't have any unseasonable cold spells. They bring on so
much influenza and the whole of our family is susceptible to it.
ELIZA
My aunt died of influenza--so they said--but it's my belief they done
the old woman in.
(Higgins and Pickering look at each other, worried.)
LADY BOXINGTON
(not understanding)
Done her in?
ELIZA
Yes, Lord love you. Why should she die of influenza when she come
through diptheria right enough the year before? Fairly blue with it,
she was. They all thought she was dead, but my father, he kept ladling
gin down her throat.
HIGGINS
(to himself as he turns away in depair)
Oh...
ELIZA
Then she come to so sudden she bit the bowl off the spoon.
(Freddie chuckles.)
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
Dear me!
ELIZA
Now what call would a woman with that strength in her have to die of
influenza? And what become of her new straw hat that should have come
to me? Somebody pinched it; and what I say is, them as pinched it done
her in.
LORD BOXINGTON
Done her in? Done her in, did you say?
LADY BOXINGTON
(perplexed)
Whatever does it mean?
HIGGINS
(hastily)
Ah, now that's the new small-talk: er, to do somebody in means to kill
them.
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
But you surely don't believe your aunt was killed?
ELIZA
Do I not! Them she lived with would have killed her for a hat-pin, let
alone a hat.
(Higgins winces and looks over at Pickering who has his head
buried in his hands.)
MRS EYNSFORD-HILL
But it can't have been right for your father to pour spirits down her
throat like that. It might have killed her.
ELIZA
Not her. Gin was mother's milk to her.
(Higgins takes his hat off and bows, discreetly retreating to the
back behind Pickering)
Besides, he'd poured so much down his own throat, he knew the good of
it.
LORD BOXINGTON
Did you mean that he drank?
ELIZA
Drank! My word! Something chronic.
(Higgins gasps in despair. To Freddie, who is giggling at her
again)
Here! what are you sniggering at?
FREDDIE
It's the new small talk: you do it so awfully well.
ELIZA
Well, if I was doing it proper, what was you sniggering at?
(Innocently)
Have I said something I oughtn't?
HIGGINS
Oh, no...
MRS HIGGINS
(interposing)
Not at all, my dear.
ELIZA
Well, that's a mercy, anyhow.
(As Eliza starts to continue, Higgins gently pulls Pickering up
by the arm.)
PICKERING
(startled)
What?
(To Higgins; realising what he wants)
Yes, yes, oh yes.
(To Eliza; taking up her arm)
I don't know whether there's enough time before the next race to place
a bet, but come, my dear.
MRS HIGGINS
I don't suppose so.
FREDDIE
(to Eliza; as she is leaving)
I have a bet on number seven. I should be so happy if you would take
it. You'll enjoy the race ever so much more.
ELIZA
(as she takes the card from Freddie)
That's very kind of you.
FREDDIE
His name is Dover.
PICKERING
Come along, my dear, come along.
(They make their way down to the fence where the other spectators
have gathered.)
LADIES & GENTLEMEN
There they are again, lining up to run.
Now they're holding steady,
They are ready for it
Look! It has begun!
(Everyone stands silent, waiting for the horses' approach.)
ELIZA
(looking out at the track)
Come on...come on, Dover.
(Becoming more excited as the horses near)
Come on...come on, Dover. Come on.
(Shouting; as the horses race past)
Come on, Dover! Move yer bloomin' arse!!
(Everyone gasps in shock; Higgins covers his mouth, suppressing a
laugh; a lady faints; and Pickering quietly lowers his hat.)
(At the end of the day, Higgins and his mother are leaving with
the crowd who are making for their cars.)
MRS HIGGINS
You're not serious, Henry: you don't expect to take her to the Embassy
Ball?
HIGGINS
Don't you think she's ready for it?
MRS HIGGINS
Dear Henry: she's ready for a canal barge.
HIGGINS
Well, her language may need a little refining, but er...
MRS HIGGINS
Oh! really, Henry! If you cannot see how impossible this whole project
is then you must be absolutely potty about her. I advise you to give
it up now and not put yourself and this poor girl through any more.
HIGGINS
(shocked)
Give it up? Why, it's the most fascinating venture I've ever
undertaken. Pickering and I are at it from morning to night; it fills
our whole lives: teaching Eliza, talking to Eliza, listening to Eliza,
dressing Eliza.
MRS HIGGINS
What? You're a pretty pair of babies, playing with your live doll.
(Looking around)
Ah, here's the car.
HIGGINS
Ah.
(He shows his mother to her car as it pulls up. She climbs in and
he waves her off.)
-------------------------------------------------
(Later that evening in Higgins's study. Eliza is sitting on the
sofa, dejected. Pickering pats her on the shoulder
sympathetically and sits down beside her.)
(Meanwhile, outside on the street, Freddie is waiting, carrying a
bunch of flowers. A taxi pulls up outside number 27A and Higgins
gets out and pays the driver.)
FREDDIE
I say, sir, er--
(Higgins pretends not to hear, and runs up the steps to the door
and goes inside.)
(Inside, the butler greets Mr. Higgins.)
BUTLER
Good evening, sir.
HIGGINS
(in good spirits)
Ah! Is dinner ready? I'm famished.
BUTLER
Immediately, sir.
MRS PEARCE
(on her way to the study, carrying a glass of water on a tray)
Good evening, Professor Higgins.
(Without a word Higgins takes the glass and enters the study.
Mrs. Pearce shakes her head and leaves.)
(Outside, on the street, Freddie walks up to Higgins's door and
rings the bell.)
FREDDIE
When she mentioned how her aunt bit off the spoon,
She completely done me in.
And my heart went on a journey to the moon,
When she told about her father and the gin.
And I never saw a more enchanting farce
Than the moment when she shouted: "Move your bloomin'--"
(He stops as Mrs. Pearce opens the front door.)
MRS PEARCE
Yes, sir?
FREDDIE
Ah, is, is Miss Doolittle in?
MRS PEARCE
Whom shall I say is calling?
FREDDIE
Freddie Eynsford-Hill. Oh, and if she doesn't remember who I am, tell
her I'm the chap who was sniggering at her.
MRS PEARCE
Yes, sir.
FREDDIE
And will you give her these
(he gives her the flowers.)
MRS PEARCE
Yes, sir. Wouldn't you like to come in, sir? They're having dinner but
you may wait in the hall.
FREDDIE
No, no, thank you. I want to drink in the street where she lives.
(Mrs. Pearce closes the door.)
FREDDIE
I have often walked down this street before
But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before;
All at once, am I
Several stories high.
Knowing I'm on the street where you live.
Are there lilac trees in the heart of town?
Can you hear a lark in any other part of town?
Does enchantment pour
Out of ev'ry door?
No, it's just on the street where you live.
And oh! The towering feeling
Just to know somehow you are near.
The overpowering feeling
That any second you may suddenly appear.
People stop and stare. They don't bother me
For there's nowhere else on earth that I would rather be.
Let the time go by,
I won't care if I
Can be here on the street where you live.
MRS PEARCE
(calling out to him across the street)
Oh, sir!
(Freddie rushes to the steps.)
I'm terribly sorry, sir, Miss Doolittle says she doesn't want to see
anyone ever again.
FREDDIE
But why? She was unbelievable.
MRS PEARCE
So I've been told, sir. Is there any further message?
FREDDIE
Yes: tell her that I'll wait.
MRS PEARCE
Oh but it might days, sir; even weeks!
FREDDIE
But don't you see: I'll be happier here.
(Mrs. Pearce returns indoors shaking her head.)
FREDDIE
People stop and stare. They don't bother me
For there's nowhere else on earth that I would rather be.
Let the time go by,
I won't care if I
Can be here on the street where you live.
(Inside, in the study, and Higgins and Pickering are eating
dinner. Eliza sits at the table, downcast.)
PICKERING
It really is, Higgins, it's inhuman to continue. Do you realise what
you've got to try and teach this poor girl in a few weeks? You've got
to teach her walk, talk; address a Duke, a Lord, a Bishop, an
ambassador. It's absolutely imposs--
(he stops, seeing that Higgins has been too busy eating to be
paying attention)
Higgins, I'm trying to tell you that I want to call off the bet. I
know you're a stubborn man, but so am I. This experiment is over; and
nothing, short of an order from the King, could force me to recant.
Now if you'd excuse me
(he stands up.)
Do you understand, Higgins: it's over.
-------------------------------------------------
(The evening of the Embassy Ball. Higgins and Pickering are in
the hall upstairs, dressed for the ball.)
PICKERING
Higgins. Higgins: if there's any mishap at the Embassy tonight--if
Miss Doolittle suffers any embarrassment whatever--it'll be on your
head alone.
HIGGINS
Eliza can do anything.
PICKERING
Suppose she's discovered. Remember Ascot. Suppose she makes another
ghastly mistake!
HIGGINS
They'll be no horses at the ball, Pickering.
(They head down the stairs.)
PICKERING
Think how agonizing it would be. Oh! If anything happened tonight, I
don't what I'd do.
HIGGINS
Well, you could always rejoin your regiment.
PICKERING
This is no time for flipancy, Higgins. The way you've driven the girl
in the last six weeks has exceeded all bounds of common decency. For
God's sake, Higgins, stop pacing up and down; can't you settle
somewhere?
HIGGINS
Have some port, it'll quieten your nerves.
PICKERING
I'm not nervous.
(After a pause)
Where is it?
HIGGINS
On the piano.
(As Pickering goes to the piano the butler enters.)
BUTLER
The car is here, sir.
HIGGINS
Oh good. Tell Miss Doolittle, please.
BUTLER
Yes, sir.
PICKERING
(pouring himself a glass from the decanter)
Tell Miss Doolittle, indeed; I bet you that damn gown doesn't fit. I
warned you about these French designers. We should have gone to a good
English shop where we'd have known that everyone had been on our side.
Have a glass of port?
HIGGINS
(warming himself with his back to the fire)
No, thank you.
PICKERING
Are you so sure this girl will retain everything you've hammered into
her?
HIGGINS
Well, we shall see.
PICKERING
And if she doesn't?
HIGGINS
(simply; sitting down on the seat in the corner)
I lose my bet.
PICKERING
Higgins, it's one thing I can't stand about you that's your confounded
complacency. At a moment like this with so much at stake it's utterly
indecent that you don't need a glass of port.
(He takes a sip from his.)
And what about the girl: you act as though she doesn't matter at all.
HIGGINS
Oh rubbish, Pickering. Of course she matters. What do you think I've
been doing all these months? What could possibly matter more than to
take a human being and change her into a different human being by
creating a new speech for her? It's filling up the deepest gap that
separates class from class and soul from soul. Oh, she matters
immensely.
(Higgins looks up and Pickering turns round as Eliza appears at
the stairs, dressed in her ballgown. She walks slowly down and
Pickering meets her at the bottom.)
PICKERING
Miss Doolittle, you look beautiful. Don't you think so, Higgins?
HIGGINS
(walks over to her, looking over her from top to bottom)
Hmmm, not bad. Not bad at all.
(Higgins walks through the open door to the study. He takes his
boutonniere and pins it on. Seeing that everyone is busy in the
other room getting ready, he sneaks himself a glass of port. He
returns to the hallway where the butler puts his cape on him.
Higgins turns to leave for the door but checks himself and walks
back to Eliza, where he presents her his arm. She takes it and
the two of them walk out together, followed by Pickering.)
(The Embassy Ball. The grand lobby is filled with people
magnificently dressed for the ball. A voice is announcing people
as they arrive at the top of the stairs.)
(One of the men at the ball, Zoltan Karpathy, sees that Higgins
is alone and unoccupied and walks up to him.)
ZOLTAN KARPATHY
Maestro! Maestro!
(He prompty kisses him on both cheeks)
Don't you remember me?
HIGGINS
No.
(Straightening his collar with dignity)
Who the devil are you?
ZOLTAN KARPATHY
I'm your pupil: your first, your greatest, your best pupil. I'm Zoltan
Karpathy, that marvellous boy.
HIGGINS
(remembering)
Oh.
ZOLTAN KARPATHY
Ah! I made your name famous throughout Europe. You teached me
phonetics; you cannot forget me.
HIGGINS
Why don't you have your hair cut?
ZOLTAN KARPATHY
Ah well, I don't have your imposing appearance: your figure, your
brow. If I had my hair cut nobody would notice me.
HIGGINS
(examining the decorations on his jacket)
Where did you get all these old coins?
ZOLTAN KARPATHY
These are decorations for language.
HIGGINS
Oh.
(Pickering approaches behind him.)
ZOLTAN KARPATHY
The Queen of Transylvania is here this evening. I'm indispensable to
her at these official international parties: I speak thirty-two
languages; I know everyone in Europe; no imposter can escape my
detection.
(Pickering appears worried at these words. A man approaches
Karpathy.)
THE GREEK AMBASSADOR
(bowing his head as he passes by)
Professor Karpathy.
ZOLTAN KARPATHY
(bowing in return; then, after he has gone)
The Greek ambassador. Greek my foot. He pretends not to know any
English but he cannot deceive me. He's the son of a Yorkshire
watchmaker. He speaks English so villainously that cannot utter a word
without betraying his origin. I help him pretend but I make him pay
through the nose; I make them all pay.
FOOTMAN
(approaching Zoltan Karpathy, politely)
Excuse me, sir: you're wanted upstairs. Your Excellency asks you.
ZOLTAN KARPATHY
Oh. Excuse me.
(Bows emphatically to Higgins and Pickering and leaves.)
(Eliza joins the crowd and they go to meet her. Higgins and
Pickering walk her to the stairs, watched curiously from above by
Karpathy. They reach the top of the stairs where Pickering
introduces himself and Eliza to the announcer.)
PICKERING
Eliza Doolittle; Colonel Pickering.
ANNOUNCER
Miss Eliza Doolittle; Colonel Pickering.
(Higgins follows them likewise)
Professor Higgins.
(The ambassador and his wife greet the guests as they enter. Mrs.
Higgins, talking with some other guests nearby, sees them as they
enter.)
AMBASSADOR
Good evening, Miss Doolittle.
ELIZA
Your Excellency.
LADY AMBASSADOR
Miss Doolittle.
ELIZA
How do you do?
LADY AMBASSADOR
Good evening, Colonel.
PICKERING
Good evening.
LADY AMBASSADOR
(as she watches Eliza as she is introduced by Mrs. Higgins to
some other guests)
Oh, Colonel: what an enchanting young lady you have with you this
evening.
PICKERING
(laughs good-naturedly)
Thank you.
LADY AMBASSADOR
(inquisitively)
Well, who is she?
PICKERING
Oh, a cousin of mine...and Higgins. Excuse me.
(He follows Eliza.)
LADY AMBASSADOR
(to Higgins as he shakes their hands)
Such a far away look; as if she's always lived in a garden.
HIGGINS
So she has...a sort of garden.
(When Higgins has left she motions to Karpathy to come her. This
is seen by Pickering who takes Mrs. Higgins aside.)
PICKERING
Henry must take Eliza home at once. There's a language expert here,
sort of...er, you know...sort of imposterologist.
MRS HIGGINS
I beg your pardon.
LADY AMBASSADOR
(to Zoltan Karpathy)
The young lady with Colonel Pickering: find out who she is.
ZOLTAN KARPATHY
With pleasure.
PICKERING
(explaining to Mrs. Higgins)
The whole situation's highly explosive.
(Karpathy moves in on Eliza who is occupied in a conversation
with some fellow guests. Before he has a chance to introduce
himself Higgins distracts him with some conversation.)
HIGGINS
Tell me, Zoltan, some more about the Greek ambassador.
ZOLTAN KARPATHY
Glady, Professor, but first I would love you to present me to this
glorious creature.
HIGGINS
Does he really come from Yorkshire?
(They are distracted by a fanfare. At once, the guests line up
along either side of the hall. The announcer stands at one end of
the hall in front of the doors.)
ANNOUNCER
Her majesty, the Queen of Transylvania; and his Royal Highness, Prince
Gregor.
(Footmen open the doors behind him and the royals enter the hall.
The Queen walks with the ambassador while behind them follows
Prince Gregor and the lady ambassador. They walk along the hall,
the guests bowing to them as they walk past. The Queen notices
Eliza and walks over to her. Eliza bows superbly.)
THE QUEEN
(holding Eliza's chin)
Charming. Quite charming.
AMBASSADOR
Miss Doolittle, ma'am.
(The royal party continues and when they have walked past,
Pickering winks to Higgins across the hall, who nods, smiling.)
(The royals make their way to the dais, where they sit. The
guests then mingle, many of them greeting Eliza. The ambassador
comes up to Eliza politely and asks her something. She smiles as
he takes her arm and they walk across the way to the dais. All
eyes are on Eliza as she walks up the steps and bows to the
Queen.)
THE QUEEN
Miss Doolittle: my son would like to dance with you.
(The Prince walks up to Eliza and bows. He takes her arm and they
walk down the steps to the floor. The music starts and they begin
to dance. Others couples start to dance also until the whole
floor is filled. Higgins and Pickering, watching them,
acknowledge each other, thrilled with Eliza's success.
Later in the evening. The dancing continues and Higgins politely
approaches Eliza.)
HIGGINS
Eliza.
(She takes his hand and they begin to dance, watched with
pleasure by Pickering and Mrs. Higgins. Karpathy has been
studying all of this too. As Higgins and Eliza circle the floor
they come to Karpathy, who is still watching them. He offers
Eliza to him. Eliza is a little anxious, and Pickering and Mrs.
Higgins seem concerned, but Karpathy takes her up gladly.)
(After the dance, Karpathy walks over and eagerly reports
something to the lady ambassador. He then tells someone else and
soon a whisper spreads through the guests. When Higgins hears
what it is he laughs out loud for all to hear.)
-------------------------------------------------
(The Higgins house that evening and everyone has just arrived
home from the ball. Higgins laughs out loud as he hands his hat
and gloves to the butler.)
PICKERING
(joyously)
Absolutely fantastic!
HIGGINS
What a lot of tomfoolery.
PICKERING
It was an immense achievement.
MRS PEARCE
Well, Mr Higgins?
PICKERING
A triumph, Mrs Pearce, a total triumph.
(They walk into the study and Higgins lays back in the armchair.)
Higgins, you were superb, absolutely superb. Tell us the truth, now:
weren't you a little bit nervous once or twice?
HIGGINS
No, not for a second.
PICKERING
Not during the whole evening?
HIGGINS
Well, from the moment I saw we going to win hands down I felt like a
bear in a cage, hanging about with nothing to do.
PICKERING
It was an immense achievement.
HIGGINS
If I hadn't backed myself to do it I've have given it up two months
ago.
PICKERING
(leaving his cloak on the chair which the manservant takes)
Absolutely fantastic.
HIGGINS
What a lot of tomfoolery.
PICKERING
(holding his hat and bowing extravagantly)
Higgins, I salute you.
(He passes his hat to the manservant.)
HIGGINS
Oh! silly people don't know their own silly business.
(The butler gives him a light with which to light his cigar.)
PICKERING
Tonight old man you did it
You did it, you did it.
You said that you would do it
And indeed you did.
I thought that you would rue it
I doubted you'd do it
But now I must admit it
That succeed you did.
You should get a medal
Or be even made a knight.
HIGGINS
Oh! it was nothing, really nothing.
PICKERING
All alone you hurdled every obstacle in sight.
HIGGINS
Now wait, now wait, give credit where it's due,
A lot of the glory goes to you!
PICKERING
But you're the one who did it,
Who did it, who did it.
As sturdy as Gibraltar
Not a second did you falter.
There's no doubt it
You did it.
I must have aged a year tonight
At times I thought I'd die of fright
Never was there a momentary lull.
HIGGINS
Shortly after we came in
I saw at once we'd easily win
And after that I found it deadly dull.
PICKERING
You should have heard the "ooh"s and "ahh"s
Everyone wondering who she was.
HIGGINS
You'd think they'd never seen a lady before.
PICKERING
And when the Prince of Transylvania asked to meet her
And gave his arm to lead her to the floor,
I said to him you did it
You did it, you did it.
They thought she was ecstatic
And so damned aristocratic
And they never knew that
You did it.
HIGGINS
Thank goodness for Zoltan Karpathy; if it hadn't been for him I'd have
died of boredom.
MRS PEARCE
Karpathy, that dreadful Hungarian; was he there?
HIGGINS
Yes, he was there alright and up to his old tricks.
HIGGINS
That blackguard who uses the science of speech
More to blackmail and swindle than teach.
He made it the devilish business of his
To find out who this Miss Doolittle is.
Every time we looked around
There he was that hairy hound from Budapest.
Never leaving us alone
Never have I ever known a ruder pest.
Finally I decided it was foolish not to
Let him have his chance with her
So I stepped aside and him dance with her.
Oozing charm from every pore
He oiled his way around the floor.
Every trick that he could play
He used to strip her mask away.
When at last the dance was done
He glowed as if he knew he'd won.
And with a voice too eager
And a smile too broad
He announced to the hostess that she was: a fraud!
MRS PEARCE
No!
HIGGINS
Jawohl.
HIGGINS
Her English is too good, he said,
That clearly indicates she is foreign
Whereas others are instructed in their
Native language, English people ar-en't.
And although she may have studied with an
Expert dialectition and grammarian,
I can tell that she was born: Hungarian!
(Not only Hungarian, but of royal blood.)
(Pointing to Eliza)
(She is a princess.)
Her blood, he says, is bluer than the Danube is or ever was.
Royalty is absolutely written on her face.
She thought that I was taken in, but actually I never was.
How could she deceive another member of her race?
I know each language on the map, said he
And she's Hungarian as the first Hungarian rhapsody.
(Higgins collapses in the armchair, laughing. The servants sing
as Pickering takes a vase from the mantel and hands it to Higgins
on his knees in a mock ceremony. Higgins accepts his trophy and
places it on the mantel.)
ALL
Bravo! bravo! bravo!
Congratulations, Professor Higgins
For your glorious victory.
Congratulations, Professor Higgins
You'll be mentioned in history.
MAIDS / MANSERVANT
Congratulations, Professor Higgins
This evening sir you did it, You did it, you did it.
For your glorious victory.
You said that you would do it, And indeed you did.
Congratulations, Professor Higgins
This evening sir you did it, You did it, you did it.
(unintelligible)
We know that we have said it that you did it
ALL
And the credit for it all belongs to you.
(The servants retire.)
HIGGINS
(lying back in the chair at his desk)
Well, thank God that's over. Now I can go to bed without dreading
tomorrow.
MRS PEARCE
Goodnight, Mr Higgins.
(She goes.)
HIGGINS
Goodnight, Mrs Pearce.
PICKERING
I think I'll turn in too. Goodnight, Higgins, it's been a great
occasion.
(He goes.)
HIGGINS
Goodnight, Pickering.
(After a pause)
Oh! Mrs Pearce! Oh, damn;
(he rises up and heads to the door past Eliza)
I meant to ask her to give me coffee in the morning instead of tea.
Leave a little note for her, Eliza;
(as an afterthought)
and put out the lights.
(He goes out.)
(Eliza, who's expression is almost tragic, goes to turn off the
light. She sits down on the chair, darkly, but flings herself on
the floor, leaning against the armchair, weeping.)
HIGGINS
(despairing outside)
...left it downstairs. Oh! darn it; I'll be leaving my head beind one
of these days. What the devil have I done with my slippers?
(He appears at the door.)
ELIZA
H e r e are your slippers!
(Flinging them at him)
There! and there! Take your slippers; and may you never have a day's
luck with them!
HIGGINS
(astounded)
What on earth? What's the matter? is anything wrong?
ELIZA
No, nothing wrong with you. I've won your bet for you, haven't I?
Thats enough for you.
(I)
don't matter, I suppose.
HIGGINS
Y o u won my bet! You presumtuous insect! I won it. What did you throw
those slippers at me for?
ELIZA
Because I wanted to smash your face. I could kill you, you selfish
brute. Why didn't you leave me where you picked me out of in the
gutter? You thank God it's all over, and that now you can throw me
back again there, do you?
HIGGINS
(looking at her coolly)
Oh, so the creature's nervous, after all.
ELIZA
(gives a scream of fury, and instinctively darts her nails at his
face.)
HIGGINS
(catching her wrists)
Claws in, you cat. How dare you show your temper to me? Sit down and
be quiet.
(He throws her roughly into the armchair.)
ELIZA
(in total despair)
What's to become of me? What's to become of me?
HIGGINS
How the devil do I know what's to become of you? What does it matter
what becomes of you?
ELIZA
You don't care. I know you don't care. You wouldn't care if I was
dead. I'm nothing to you, not as much as them slippers.
HIGGINS
(thundering)
T h o s e slippers.
ELIZA
Those slippers. I didn't think it made any difference now.
HIGGINS
Why have you suddenly begun going on like this? May I ask if you
complain of your treatment here?
ELIZA
No.
HIGGINS
Has anybody behaved badly? Colonel Pickering? Mrs. Pearce?
ELIZA
No.
HIGGINS
Well you don't pretend that I have treated you badly.
ELIZA
No.
HIGGINS
No, I am glad to hear that. Perhaps you're tired after the strain of
the day. Would you have a chocolate?
(He reaches for the tray.)
ELIZA
No!
(Recollecting her manners)
Thank you.
HIGGINS
(good-humored again)
Well, it's only natural that you should be anxious. But it's all over
now.
(He pats her kindly on the shoulder)
Nothing more to worry about.
ELIZA
No. Nothing more for you to worry about.
(She looks away from him, hiding her face.)
Oh God! I wish I was dead.
HIGGINS
Why? in heaven's name, why? Now listen to me, Eliza: all this
irritation is purely subjective.
ELIZA
I don't understand. I'm too ignorant.
HIGGINS
It's just imagination. Nothing's wrong. Nobody's hurting you. Now you
go to bed and sleep it off. Have a little cry and say your prayers,
and you'll feel very much more comfortable.
ELIZA
I heard your prayers. "Thank God it's all over!"
HIGGINS
Well, don't you thank God it's all over? Now you're free and can do
what you like.
ELIZA
What am I fit for? What have you left me fit for? Where am I to go?
What am I to do? What's to become of me?
HIGGINS
Oh, that's what's worrying you, is it? Oh, I wouldn't worry about that
if I were you. I'm sure you won't have any difficulty in settling
yourself somewhere or other. I hadn't quite realised you were going
away. You might marry, you know. You see, Eliza, all men are not
confirmed old bachelors like me and the Colonel. Most men are the
marrying sort (poor devils!) Anyway, you're not bad-looking; you're
really quite a pleasure to look at sometimes; well, not now, of
course, when you've been crying, you look like the very devil; but, I
mean, when you're all right and quite yourself, you're what I would
call attractive. Now you go to bed and have a good night's rest and
then get up in the morning and have a look at yourself in a glass; you
won't feel so bad.
(After a pause)
I daresay my mother might find some fellow or other who'd do very
well.
ELIZA
We were above that at Covent Garden.
HIGGINS
What do you mean?
ELIZA
I sold flowers. I didn't sell myself. Now you've made a lady of me I'm
not fit to sell anything else.
HIGGINS
Oh tosh, Eliza. Don't insult human relations by dragging all that cant
about buying and selling into it. You don't have to marry the fellow
if you don't want to.
ELIZA
What else am I to do?
HIGGINS
Oh, lots of things. What about the old idea of a florist's shop? I'm
sure Pickering would set you up in one: he's lots of money.
(Chuckles)
Pay for all those togs you're wearing tonight; and that, with the hire
of the jewellery, would make a big hole in two hundred pounds. Oh come
on now, you'll be alright.
(Yawning)
Well I must be off to bed; I'm really devilish sleepy. I was looking
for something: what was it?
ELIZA
Your slippers.
HIGGINS
Oh yes, of course. You shied them at me.
(He goes out to pick them up when she rises and speaks to him.)
ELIZA
Before you go, sir--
HIGGINS
(leaving the slippers as he is reaching down for them)
Eh?
ELIZA
Do my clothes belong to me or to Colonel Pickering?
HIGGINS
What the devil use would they be to Pickering?
(Bending down he picks up his slippers.)
Why would you bother about that in the middle of the night?
ELIZA
I want to know what I may take away with me. I don't want to be
accused of stealing.
HIGGINS
(deeply wounded)
Stealing! You shouldn't have said that, Eliza; that shows a want of
feeling.
ELIZA
I'm sorry. I'm only a common ignorant girl; and in my station I have
to be careful. There can't be any feelings between the likes of you
and the likes of me. Please will you tell me what belongs to me and
what doesn't?
HIGGINS
(very sulky)
Take the whole damned houseful if you want. Except the jewellery;
that's hired.
(He turns to leave.)
ELIZA
Stop, please.
(She goes to the mirror and takes off her jewels.)
Will you take these to your room and keep them safe? I don't want to
run the risk of them being missed.
HIGGINS
(furious)
Hand them over.
(She puts them into his hands.)
If these belonged to me and not the jeweller, I'd ram them down your
ungrateful throat.
(He puts them in his pockets, protruding the ends of the chains.)
ELIZA
(taking off her ring)
The ring isn't the jeweller's: it's the one you bought me in Brighton.
I don't want it now.
(Higgins takes the ring and throws it so violently into the
fireplace that she crouches in terror.)
Don't you hit me.
HIGGINS
Hit you! You infamous creature, how dare you suggest such a thing? It
is you who have hit me. You have wounded me to the heart.
ELIZA
I'm glad. I've got a little bit of my own back, anyhow.
HIGGINS
(with dignity)
You have caused me to lose my temper: a thing that has hardly ever
happened to me before. I don't wish to discuss it further tonight. I
am going to bed.
(He goes up the stairs.)
ELIZA
You'd better leave your own note for Mrs. Pearce about the coffee; for
it won't be done by me.
HIGGINS
(turning to her, stopping halfway up the stairs)
Damn Mrs. Pearce; and damn the coffee; and damn you; and damn my own
folly in having lavished my hard-earned knowledge and the treasure of
my regard and intimacy on a heartless guttersnipe.
(He spoils his exit by bumping into the phonograph which starts
playing:)
"re-re er-ee er-ee ow-ah".
(He rushes to turn it off and then retires.)
(Eliza goes down on her knees to the fireplace and to recover the
ring. She retrieves it and fits it on her finger.)
ELIZA
Just you wait, Henry Higgins, just you wait.
You'll be sorry but your tears'll be too late.
You will be the one it's done to
And you'll have no one to run to.
Just you wait--
(She takes the ring off again and leaves it on the mantel.)
-------------------------------------------------
(Outside, in the street, Freddie is waiting for Eliza.)
FREDDIE
I have often walked down this street before
But the pavement always stayed beneath my feet before;
All at once, am I
Several stories high.
Knowing I'm on the street where you live.
Are there lilac trees in the heart of town?
Can you hear a lark in any other part of town.
Does enchantment pour out of every door?
No, it's just on the street where you live.
And oh! the towering feeling
Just to know somehow you are near.
The overpowering feeling,
That any second you may suddenly appear.
People stop and stare, they don't--
(He stops as he hears Eliza, who is carrying a small briefcase as
well as her handbag, shutting the front door of the house on her
way out. He runs across the street to meet her.)
FREDDIE
Darling!
ELIZA
Freddie, whatever are you doing here?
FREDDIE
Nothing. I spend most of my nights here; it's the only place where I'm
happy. Don't laugh at me Miss Doolittle.
ELIZA
(Still upset over Higgins, she snaps at him)
Don't you call me Miss Doolittle, do you hear? Eliza's good enough for
me.
(She starts off down the street, but remembering herself she
stops and turns to face him)
Freddie, you don't think I'm a heartless guttersnipe, do you?
FREDDIE
Darling, how could you imagine such a thing? You know how I feel. I've
written two or three times a day telling you; sheets and sheets.
FREDDIE
Speak and the world is full of singing,
And I am winging higher than the birds.
Touch and my heart begins to crumble,
The heavens tumble, darling, and I'm--
ELIZA
Words! Words! Words! I'm so sick of words!
I get words all day through;
First from him now from you!
Is that all you blighters can do?
Don't talk of stars, burning above;
If you're in love, show me!
Tell me no dreams filled with desire
If you're on fire, show me!
Here we are together in the middle of the night!
Don't talk of spring! Just hold me tight!
Anyone who's every been love will tell you that
This is no time for a chat!
Haven't your lips longed for my touch?
Don't say how much, show me! Show me!
Don't talk of love lasting through time.
Make me no undying vow.
Show me now!
Sing me no song! Read me no rhyme!
Don't waste my time, show me!
Don't talk of June, don't talk of fall!
Don't talk at all! Show me!
Never do I ever want to hear another word
There isn't one I haven't heard.
Here we are together in what ought to be a dream;
Say one word and I'll scream!
Haven't your arms hungered for mine?
Please don't "expl'ine," show me! Show me!
Don't wait until rings wrinkles and lines
Pop out all over my brow,
Show me now!
(Eliza rushes off down the street, shaking her case from his grip
as he offers to carry it.)
FREDDIE
Eliza, where are you going?
ELIZA
To the river.
FREDDIE
What for?
ELIZA
To make a hole in it.
FREDDIE
(he stops her, holding her arm, turning to her seriously)
Eliza, darling: what do you mean?
ELIZA
(she pats his arm, acknowledging his concern, then turns to look
down the street)
Taxi!
FREDDIE
(as Eliza gives him her suitcase to carry as they run down the
street to the car)
Taxi!-- but I've no money.
ELIZA
I have.
FREDDIE
Where are you going?
ELIZA
Where I belong!
(They both run to the taxi.)
-------------------------------------------------
(Covent Garden a little later. Except for a few flower sellers,
etc, cleaning up after the day, the street is empty. Freddie
climbs out the cab, holding the door open for Eliza.)
FREDDIE
Darling, shall I come with you?
(She shakes her head and then starts slowly down the street.)
COCKNEY VOICE
With one enormous chair
Oh wouldn't it be loverly?
COCKNEY VOICES
Lots of choc'late for me to eat
Lots of coal makin' and lots of 'eat
Warm face, warm 'ands, warm feet.
Oh, wouldn't it be loverly?
Oh so loverly sittin' abso-bloomin'-lutely still!
I would never budge 'til Spring crept over me window sill.
Someone's head restin' on my knee,
Warm and tender as she can be.
Who takes good care of me,
Oh, wouldn't it be loverly?
(She walks past carts filled with flowers and stops by a young
flower girl.)
FLOWER GIRL
Buy y'a flower, Miss?
ELIZA
Yes, please.
(She takes one, looking at the flower girl, expecting that she
will recognize her. Disappointed when she doesn't, she continues
on her way.)
(Eliza makes her way along the vegetable stalls. She stops by two
men leaning on some crates, talking to each other. The closest
looks up, tipping his hat politely.)
A COCKNEY
Oh good mornin', Miss. Can I help you?
ELIZA
Do mind if I warm my hands?
A COCKNEY
Go right ahead, Miss.
(She walks over and bends down by a burner. A man warming himself
looks up at her and seems to recognise her momentarily, rising to
greet her.)
OLD COCKNEY
H--
ELIZA
(hopefully)
Yes?
OLD COCKNEY
Oh, excuse me, Miss. For a second I thought you was somebody else.
ELIZA
(eagerly)
Who?
OLD COCKNEY
Excuse me, ma'am; early mornin' light playin' tricks with my eyes.
A COCKNEY
Can I get you a taxi ma'am? A lady like you shouldn't be walkin' alone
round London this hour of the mornin'.
ELIZA
(staring absently; then smiling at him)
No, thank you.
(She walks across the street towards the church.)
ELIZA'S VOICE
Someone's head resting on my knee;
Warm and tender as he can be,
Who takes good care of me,
Oh wouldn't it be loverly?
Loverly, loverly, loverly,
Loverly.
(She looks up at the pub nearby where several patrons are saying
goodbye to someone being shown out of the pub by the bartender.
His two friends follow behind him.)
BARTENDER
(sycophantically)
Do come again, Mr. Doolittle. We value your patronage always.
(Eliza looks up inquisitively at the mention of his name.)
DOOLITTLE
Thank you, my good man, thank you. 'Ere, come 'ere
(gives him some money.)
Take the missus on a trip to Brighton, with my compliments.
BARTENDER
Oh! thank you, Mr. Doolittle.
DOOLITTLE
(to his friend)
Charming spot this, Harry. We must visit it more often.
ELIZA
(suspiciously)
Father?
DOOLITTLE
(to Harry, so that Eliza can hear)
Oh no. You see Harry, he has no mercy: sent her down to spy on me in
me misery he did; me own flesh and blood.
(Walking to Eliza)
Well I'm miserable, alright; you can tell him that straight.
ELIZA
What are you talking about? What're you dressed up for?
DOOLITTLE
As if you didn't know. Go on back to that Wimpole Street devil; tell
him what he's done to me.
ELIZA
What's he done to you?
DOOLITTLE
Ruined me, that's all. Tied me up and delivered me into the hands of
middle class morality; and don't you defend him. Was it him, or was it
not him, who wrote to an old American blighter, named Wallingford who
was giving five millions to found Moral Reform Societies, to tell him
the most original moralist in England was Mr. Alfred P. Doolittle, a
common dustman?
ELIZA
Sounds like one of his jokes.
DOOLITTLE
You may call it a joke: it's put the lid on me, proper. The old bloke
died and left me four thousand pounds a year in his blimmin' will. Who
asked him to make a gentleman out of me? I was happy; I was free; I
touched pretty nigh everyone for money when I wanted it, same as I
touched him. Now I'm tied neck and heels; and everybody touches me. A
year ago I hadn't a relation in the world except two or three that
wouldn't speak to me. Now I've fifty, and not a decent week's wages
amongst the lot of 'em. Oh, I have to live for others now, not for
myself.
(Scornfully)
Middle class morality.
JAMIE
Come one, Alfie, another couple of hours and we have to be at the
church.
ELIZA
(surprised)
Church!
DOOLITTLE
Yeah, church; the deepest cut of all. Well, why do think I'm dressed
up like a ruddy pallbearer? Your stepmother wants to marry me; now I'm
respec'able she wants to be respec'able.
ELIZA
Well, if that's the way you feel about it why don't you give the money
back?
DOOLITTLE
That's the tragedy of it, Eliza. It's easy to say "chuck it", but I
haven't the nerve. We're all intimidated, that's what we are.
Intimidated; bought up. Yeah, that's what I am; that's what your
precious Professor's brought me to.
ELIZA
Not my precious Professor.
DOOLITTLE
Oh! sent you back has he? First he shoves me in the middle class, then
he chucks you out for me to support you; that's all part of his plan.
But you double-cross him: don't you come back home to me; don't you
take tuppence from me. You stand on your own two feet: you're a lady
now and you can do it! Yeah, that's right, Eliza: you're a lady now.
(Freddie comes up to them.)
FREDDIE
Eliza, it's getting awfully cold in that taxi.
DOOLITTLE
'Ere, Eliza: would you like to come see me turned off this morning,
eh? St. George's, Hanover Square, ten o'clock. I wouldn't advise it
but you're welcome.
ELIZA
No thank you, dad.
DOOLITTLE
(nodding his head, unsurprised)
No.
FREDDIE
Are you all finished here, Eliza?
ELIZA
(melancholy)
Yes, Freddie, I'm all finished here.
(Putting her hand on Doolittle's arm)
Good luck, dad.
DOOLITTLE
Thank you, Eliza.
(Freddie walks Eliza to the taxi. They climb in and drive away.)
JAMIE
Come along, Alfie.
DOOLITTLE
How much time have I got left?
JAMIE & HARRY
There's just a few more hours
That's all the time you've got.
A few more hours
Before they tie the knot.
DOOLITTLE
(walking to the pub)
There's drinks and girls all over London and I gotta track 'em down in
just a few more hours! Ha ha!
(To the barmaid)
Set 'em up me darlin'!
DOOLITTLE
I'm getting married in the morning!
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.
Pull out the stopper!
Let's have a whopper!
But get me to the church on time!
I've got to be there in the mornin'
Spruced up and looking in me prime.
Girls, come and kiss me;
show how you'll miss me.
But get me to the church on time.
If I am dancin'
Roll up the floor.
If I am whistlin'
Whewt me out the door!
I'm getting married in the mornin'
Ding dong the bells are gonna chime
Kick up a rumpus, but don't lose the compass
And get me to the church
CHORUS
Get 'im to the church
DOOLITTLE
For Gawd's sake get me to the church on time.
DOOLITTLE & CHORUS
I'm/he's getting married in the mornin'
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.
Some bloke who's able
Lift up the table,
And get me to the church on time.
If I am flying,
Then shoot me down.
If I am wooin'
Get her out of town.
For I'm/he's getting married in the morning
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.
DOOLITTLE
Feather and tar me;
Call out the army;
But get me to the church
Get me to the church
For Gawd's sake get me/him to the church on time.
CHORUS
He's getting married in the mornin'
Ding dong the bells are gonna chime
DOOLITTLE
(Come on) Pull out the stopper, let's have a whopper
But get me to the church on time.
CHORUS
He's got to be there in the mornin'
Spruced up and looking in his prime
DOOLITTLE
Girls, come and kiss me;
Show how you'll miss me
But get me to the church on time.
If I am dancin'
Roll up the floor.
If I am whistlin'
Whewt me out the door!
CHORUS
Oh, he's getting married in the mornin'
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.
DOOLITTLE
Drug me or jail me;
Stamp me and mail me;
But get me to the church
CHORUS
Get him to the church,
DOOLITTLE
For Gawd's sake get me to the church on time.
CHORUS
Girls, come and kiss him;
Show how you'll miss him
And get him to the church on time.
Kick up a rumpus, but don't lose the compass
And get him to the church on time.
MALE CHORUS
If I am flying, then shoot me down
If I am wooin' get her out of town.
CHORUS
He's getting married in the mornin'
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime.
COCKNEY
Some bloke who's able
ANOTHER COCKNEY
Lift up the table,
DOOLITTLE
And get me to the church on time.
CHORUS
But get him to the church,
Get him to the church.
(The pub-crawlers assemble outside in the street.)
JAMIE & HARRY
Starlight is reelin' home to bed now.
Mornin' is smearin' up the sky.
CHORUS
London is waking.
Daylight is breaking.
JAMIE & HARRY
Good luck, old chum,
Good health, goodbye.
DOOLITTLE
I'm getting married in the mornin'
Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime...
CHORUS
Hail and salute me
Then haul off and boot me...
And get me to the church,
Get me to the church...
For Gawd's sake get me to the church on time!
-------------------------------------------------
(Early that morning at Higgins's house.)
(Higgins emerges from a room in a panic and wearing his dressing
gown, followed by Mrs. Pearce.)
HIGGINS
(calling out)
Pickering! Pickering!
(To Mrs. Pearce, following behind him)
Didn't she even say where to send her clothes?
MRS PEARCE
I told you, sir, she took them all with her.
HIGGINS
(as he knocks on Pickering's door)
Pickering!
PICKERING
(emerging, half-dressed, and putting on his jacket)
What's the matter?
HIGGINS
Here's a confounded thing: Eliza's bolted!
PICKERING
(astounded)
Bolted?
HIGGINS
Last night, Mrs. Pearce let her go without telling me a thing about
it.
PICKERING
Well, I'm dashed.
HIGGINS
Well, what am I to do? I got tea this morning instead of coffee; I
don't know anything is; I don't know where my appointments are.
MRS PEARCE
Eliza would know.
HIGGINS
Course she'd know but, damn it, she's gone!
MRS PEARCE
Did any of you gentlemen frighten her last night?
PICKERING
Last night? We hardly said a word to her. You were there--
(suddenly turning on Higgins)
did you bully her after I went to bed?
HIGGINS
You got that the other way round: she threw her slippers at me. I
never gave her the slightest provocation; her slippers suddenly came
"bang!" at my head before I'd uttered a word. She used the most
disgraceful language; I was shocked!
PICKERING
Well, I'm dashed.
HIGGINS
I don't understand it. We've always given her every consideration; she
admitted it herself.
PICKERING
Well, I'm dashed.
HIGGINS
Oh! Pickering, for God's sake stop being dashed and do something.
PICKERING
What?
HIGGINS
Well phone the police; what are they there for in heaven's name?
MRS PEARCE
Mr. Higgins, you can't give Eliza's name to the police as if she were
a thief or a lost umbrella.
HIGGINS
Why not? I want to find the girl. She belongs to me; I paid five
pounds for her.
PICKERING
Quite right.
(On the phone)
Hello...Scotland Yard please...Get me some coffee, would you please--
MRS PEARCE
Yes, sir.
PICKERING
Mrs. erm...Scotland Yard?...Pearce, of course...I beg your pardon,
yes, Colonel Pickering speaking...Hugh Pickering, 27A Wimpole
Street...I want to report a missing person...a Miss Eliza
Doolittle...about 21...Oooh, I should say about five-foot seven...Her
eyes? Oh, let me think now: her eyes...her eyes, er--
HIGGINS
(emerging temporarily from his room, as he takes off a slipper)
Brown.
PICKERING
Brown, yes...No, no, no...no...Her hair? Oh, good Lord, let me-- well,
a sort of nondescript, neutral sort of--
HIGGINS
(emerging again from his room, taking off his other slipper)
Brown! Brown! Brown!
PICKERING
Do you hear what he said: brown, brown, brown, yes...No, no, no,
(this)
is her residence; 27A-- yes, yes...Er, about between three and four
this morning I understand...yes, no, no, no no; rela--? no, she's no
relation, no...What? Well, just let's call her a good friend, shall
we?...I beg your pardon! Listen to me, my man: I don't like the tenor
of that question. What the girl does here is our affair. Your affair
is to get her back so she can continue doing it.
(He hangs up the phone)
Well, I'm dashed.
HIGGINS
What in all of heaven could've promted her to go,
After such a triumph as the ball?
What could've depressed her;
What could've possessed her?
I cannot understand the wretch at all.
&nbs
(Higgins goes back in his room.)
PICKERING
Higgins, I have an old school chum at the home office; perhaps he can
help. I think I'll give him a ring.
(He picks up the phone)
Whitehall seven-two-double-four please.
HIGGINS
(bursting out of his room)
Women are irrational, that's all there is to that!
There heads are full of cotton, hay, and rags!
They're nothing but exasperating, irritating vacillating, calculating,
agitating,
Maddening and infuriating hags!
(Higgins goes back in his room.)
PICKERING
(on the phone)
Oh, I want to speak to Mr. Brewster Budgin, please...Brew--...yes,
I'll wait.
HIGGINS
(emerging thoughtfully)
Pickering: why can't a woman be more like a man?
PICKERING
I beg your pardon.
HIGGINS
Yes...
HIGGINS
Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so honest, so thoroughly square;
Eternally noble, historic'ly fair;
Who, when you win, will always give your back a pat.
Well, why can't a woman be like that?
Why does ev'ryone do what the others do?
Can't a woman learn to use her head?
Why do they do ev'rything their mothers do?
Why don't they grow up-- well, like their father instead?
Why can't a woman take after a man?
Men are so pleasant, so easy to please;
Whenever you are with them, you're always at ease.
Would you be slighted if I didn't speak for hours?
PICKERING
Of course not!
HIGGINS
Would you be livid if I had a drink or two?
PICKERING
Nonsense.
HIGGINS
Would you be wounded if I never sent you flowers?
PICKERING
Never.
HIGGINS
Well, why can't a woman be like you?
One man in a million may shout a bit.
Now and then there's one with slight defects;
One, perhaps, whose truthfulness you doubt a bit.
But by and large we are a marvelous sex!
Why can't a woman take after a man?
Cause men are so friendly, good natured and kind.
A better companion you never will find.
If I were hours late for dinner, would you bellow?
PICKERING
Of course not!
HIGGINS
If I forgot your silly birthday, would you fuss?
PICKERING
Nonsense.
HIGGINS
Would you complain if I took out another fellow?
PICKERING
Never.
HIGGINS
Well, why can't a woman be like us?
(Higgins retreats to his room again.)
PICKERING
(on the phone)
Oh! Hello: Mr Brewster Budgin there?...Brewsy, Brewsy, you'll never
guess who this is...You're quite right! yes it is; good heavens; by
George, what a memory...How are you, Brewsy?...Nice to hear your
voice...What?...Oh, don't say that; is it really thirty years? Good
heavens...Yes, you're quite right; ever since the Boer...Listen,
listen: Brucy, I'll tell you why I rang up. Something rather
unpleasant's happened this end; could I come and see you?...Hmmm, well
I could, yes; now; straight away...Righto; good; thank you, thank
you...Good bye, Brewsy; thank you very much.
(He puts down the phone and goes downstairs where he sees Mrs.
Pearce, who is carrying a tea tray.)
Oh, Mrs. Pearce: I'm going along to the home office.
MRS PEARCE
Oh, I do hope you find her, Colonel Pickering; Mr. Higgins will miss
her.
PICKERING
Mr. Higgins will miss her, eh? Blast Mr. Higgins!
(Taking his hat off the stand and putting it on)
I'll miss her.
(He goes out the front door.)
(Higgins, now dressed, is calling out upstairs.)
HIGGINS
Pickering. Pickering!
(He sees Mrs. Pearce downstairs and leans over the bannister)
Oh, Mrs Pearce!
MRS PEARCE
(looking up at him)
Yes, sir?
HIGGINS
Where's the Colonel?
MRS PEARCE
He's gone to the home office, sir.
HIGGINS
Oh, there you are: I'm disturbed and he runs for help; now, there's a
good fellow.
(Becoming thoughtful)
Mrs. Pearce, you're a woman...
HIGGINS
Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Men are so decent, such regular chaps.
Ready to help you through any mishaps.
Ready to buck you up whenever you are glum.
Why can't a woman be a chum?
Why is thinking something women never do?
I mean, why is logic never even tried?
Straight'ning up their hair is all they ever do.
Why don't they straighten up the mess that's inside?
Why can't a woman behave like a man?
If I was a woman who'd been to a ball,
Been hailed as a princess by one and by all;
Would I start weeping like a bathtub overflowing?
And carry on as if my home were in a tree?
Would I run off and never tell me where I'm going?
Why can't a woman be like me?
(Higgins goes out through the front door.)
(That afternoon in the drawing-room of Mrs. Higgins's house.
Eliza and Mrs. Higgins are talking together; Eliza is sitting in
a chair at a table in the middle of the room and Mrs. Higgins is
watering a plant with a small gold-coloured watering can.)
MRS HIGGINS
(turning from the plant she is watering and walking over to
Eliza)
Do you mean to say that after you'd done this wonderful thing for them
without making a single mistake, they just sat there and never said a
word to you; never petted you; or admired you; or told you how
splendid you'd been?
ELIZA
(standing up)
Not a word. They just said they're congratulating each other on how
marvellous they'd been; and the next moment on how glad their work was
all over and what a bore it had all been.
MRS HIGGINS
This is simply appalling. I should not have thrown my slippers at him:
I should have thrown the fire irons.
(Outside there is the sound of the front door opening, and a male
voice and that of the maid.)
ELIZA
What's that?
MRS HIGGINS
Henry. I knew it wouldn't be too long. Remember: you not only danced
with a Prince last night, you behaved like a Princess.
(She leaves the room via the swinging doors to the patio.)
HIGGINS
(entering the drawing-room rather abruptly via the main door)
Mother, the most confounded thing: do you--
(he sees Eliza)
Y o u!
ELIZA
(as if nothing is the matter)
Good afternoon, Professor Higgins. Are you quite well?
HIGGINS
Am I...?
ELIZA
(continuing in mock innocence)
Of course, you are: you are never ill.
(Sitting down at the table)
Would you care for some tea?
HIGGINS
Don't you dare try that game on me; I taught it to you! Now you get up
and go home and stop being a fool; you've caused me enough trouble for
one morning.
MRS HIGGINS
(returning to the drawing-room from outside)
Very nicely put indeed, Henry. No woman could resist such an
invitation.
HIGGINS
Well how did the baggage get here in the first place?
MRS HIGGINS
(sitting down beside Eliza)
Eliza came to see me this morning and I was delighted to have her; and
if you don't promise to behave yourself then I must ask you to leave.
HIGGINS
What, do you mean to say that I'm to put on my Sunday manners for this
(thing)
that I created out of the squashed cabbage leaves of Covent Garden?
MRS HIGGINS
That's precisely what I mean.
HIGGINS
Then I'll see her damned first.
(Higgins retreats to the back of the room)
MRS HIGGINS
However did you learn good manners with my son around?
ELIZA
It was very difficult. I should never have known how ladies and
gentlemen behave if it hadn't been for Colonel Pickering.
(Higgins looks up at her sharply.)
He always showed that he felt and thought about me as if I was
something better than a common flower girl. You see, Mrs. Higgins,
apart from the things one can pick up, the difference between a lady
and a flower girl is not how she behaves, but how she is treated. I
shall always be a flower girl to Professor Higgins because he always
treats me as a flower girl, and always will. But I know I shall always
be lady to Colonel Pickering because he always treats me as a lady,
and always will.
(Higgins sits down at the back, sulking.)
MRS HIGGINS
Henry, don't grind your teeth.
THE PARLOUR-MAID
(coming in from the door to the hall)
The Bishop is here, madam. Shall I show him into the garden?
MRS HIGGINS
The Bishop and the Professor! good heavens, no. I shall be
excommunicated. I'll see him in the library.
(The maid leaves.)
Eliza: if my son starts breaking up things, I give you full permission
to have him evicted.
(Turning back to Higgins before leaves the room)
Henry, dear, I suggest you stick to two subjects: the weather and your
health.
(After she has left, Higgins rises and walks over to the table,
emphatically placing several sugar cubes in a cup.)
HIGGINS
Well, you've had a bit of your own back, as you call it. Now, have you
had enough and are you going to be reasonable or do you want any more?
(He pours his tea.)
ELIZA
You want me back only to pick up your slippers and put up with your
tempers and fetch and carry for you.
HIGGINS
Now I didn't say I wanted you back at all.
ELIZA
Oh, indeed! then what are we talking about?
HIGGINS
Well, about you, not about me. If you come back you'll be treated as
you've always been treated. I can't change my nature I don't intend to
change my manners
(pouring his milk)
My manners are e
(actly)
the same as Colonel Pickering!
ELIZA
That's not true: he treats a flower girl as if she were a duchess.
HIGGINS
Well, I treat a duchess as if she were a flower girl.
ELIZA
Oh, I see; the same to everybody.
HIGGINS
Just so. You see the great secret, Eliza, is not a question of good
manners, or bad manners, or any particular sort of manner, but having
the same manner for all human souls. The question is not whether I
treat you rudely or whether you've ever heard me treat anyone else
better.
ELIZA
I don't care how you treat me; I don't mind your swearing at me;
(rising)
I shouldn't mind a black eye, I've had one before this: but I won't be
passed over!
HIGGINS
Then get out of my way or I won't stop for you. You talk about me as
though I were a motorbus.
(He sits down with his tea.)
ELIZA
So you are a motorbus: all bounce and go and no consideration for
anybody. But I can get along without you; don't you think I can't.
HIGGINS
I know you can. I told you you could.
(He pauses, thoughtfully)
You've never wondered, I suppose, whether I could get along without
you.
ELIZA
Don't you try to get around me; you'll have to.
HIGGINS
(sharply)
So I can, without you or any soul on earth.
(Sitting up thoughtfully)
I shall miss you, Eliza. I've learnt something from your idiotic
notions; I confess that, humbly and gratefully.
ELIZA
(cautious at his change of tone)
Well, you have my voice on your grammophone: when you feel lonely
without me, you can turn it on; it has no feelings to hurt.
HIGGINS
Well, I--I can't turn your soul on.
ELIZA
Oooh! you are a devil! You can twist the heart in a girl just as
easily as someone can twist her arms to hurt her. What am I to come
back for?
HIGGINS
(standing up with gusto)
For the fun of it; that's why I took you on.
ELIZA
And you may throw me out tomorrow if I don't do everything you want me
to?
HIGGINS
Yes! and you may walk out tomorrow if I don't do everything you want
me to.
ELIZA
And live with my father?
HIGGINS
Yes, or sell flowers. Or would you rather marry Pickering?
ELIZA
I would marry you if you asked me, and you're nearer my age than what
he is.
HIGGINS
(correcting her)
Than he is.
ELIZA
(in angry defiance)
I talk as I like; you're not my teacher now. That's not what I want
and don't you think it is. I've always has chaps enough wanting me
that way. Freddie Hill writes me twice and three times a day; sheets
and sheets.
HIGGINS
Oh! in short you want me to be as infatuated about you as he is, is
that it?
ELIZA
No, I don't; that's not the sort of feeling I want from you. I want a
little kindness. I know I'm a common ignorant girl, and you're a
book-learned gentleman, but I'm not dirt under your feet.
(Speaking gently)
What I done-- what I
(did)
, was not for the taxis and the dresses, but because we were pleasant
together; and I come to-- came to care for you--not to want you want
to make love to me, and not forgetting the difference between us--but
more friendly-like.
HIGGINS
(smiling)
Well of course; that's how I feel--
(he remembers himself; adding hurriedly)
--and how Pickering feels. Eliza you're a fool.
ELIZA
That's not the proper answer to give me!
HIGGINS
It's the only answer you'll get until you stop being a plain idiot. If
you're going to be a lady, you'll have give up feeling neglected if
the men you know don't spend half their time snivelling over you and
the other half giving you black eyes. You find me cold, unfeeling,
selfish, don't you? Well be off with you to the sort of people you
like. Marry some sentimental hog with lots of money and a thick pair
of lips to kiss you with and a thick pair of boots to kick you with.
If you can't appreciate what you've got, you'd better get what you can
appreciate.
ELIZA
(despairing; turning to go to the patio)
Oh, I can't talk to you; you always turn everything against me; I'm
always in the wrong; but don't be too sure that you have me under your
feet to be trampled on and talked down. I'll marry Freddie, I will, as
soon as I'm able to support him.
HIGGINS
Freddie! that poor devil who couldn't get a job as an errand boy even
if he had the guts to try for it? Woman, don't you understand: I've
made you a consort for a King!
ELIZA
Freddie loves me: that makes him king enough for me. I don't want him
to work. He wasn't brought up to it as I was. I'll go and be a
teacher.
(She goes through the swinging doors to the patio.)
HIGGINS
What would you teach, in heaven's name?
ELIZA
(she turns to him over the top of the doors)
What you taught me: I'll teach phonetics.
HIGGINS
H a! h a! h a!
ELIZA
(with relish)
I'll offer myself as an assistant to that brilliant Hungarian.
HIGGINS
(storming after her, intensely annoyed)
What! that imposter; that humbug; that toadying ignoramous; teach him
my methods, my discoveries? You take one step in that direction and
(holding his hands up near her neck, miming a strangling action)
I'll ring your neck, you hear?
ELIZA
Ring away! what do I care? I knew you'd strike me one day.
(With a sigh of despair Higgins sinks back into the nearby cane
chair)
ELIZA
(reproducing her Covent Garden dialect exactly)
Ah! That's done you 'enry 'iggins, it has! Now I don't care
(gesturing with her hand)
(that)
f' yer bullyin' an' yer big talk.
(She sits down opposite him.)
ELIZA
What a fool I was!
What a dominated fool!
To think you were the earth and sky.
What a fool I was!
What an addlepated fool!
What a mutton headed dolt was I!
Now my reverberating friend,
You are not the beginning and the end!
HIGGINS
You impudent hussy! There's not an idea in your head or a word in your
mouth that I haven't put there.
ELIZA
There'll be spring ev'ry year without you.
England still will be here without you.
There'll be fruit on the tree;
And a shore by the sea;
There'll be crumpets and tea without you.
Art and music will thrive without you.
Somehow Keats will survive without you.
And there still will be rain on that plain down in Spain,
Even that will remain without you.
I can do without you.
You, dear friend, who talk so well,
You can go to Hartford, Heresford and Hampshire.
They can still rule the land without you.
Windsor Castle will stand without you.
And without much ado
We can all muddle through without you.
HIGGINS
You brazen hussy.
ELIZA
Without your pulling it, the tide comes in;
Without your twirling it, the earth can spin.
Without your pushing them, the clouds roll by.
If they can do without you, ducky, so can I!
I shall not feel alone without you.
I can stand on my own without you.
So go back in your shell,
I can do bloody well without you!
(Higgins rises suddenly, facing her.)
HIGGINS
By George! I really did it, I did it, I did it,
I said I'd make a woman and indeed I did!
I knew that I could do it, I knew it, I knew it,
I said I'd make a woman and succeed I did!
HIGGINS
Eliza, you're magnificent. Five minutes ago you were a millstone round
my neck, and now you're a tower of strength: a consort battleship! I
like you this way.
ELIZA
Goodbye, Professor Higgins. You shall not be seeing me again.
(Eliza turns deliberately and leaves. Higgins pauses for a
moment, alone in the room.)
HIGGINS
(suddenly calling out)
Mother! Mother!
MRS HIGGINS
(coming towards him)
What is it, Henry? What's happened.
HIGGINS
(sounding lost)
She's gone.
MRS HIGGINS
Well, of course, dear. What did you expect?
HIGGINS
Well what am I to do?
MRS HIGGINS
Do without, I suppose.
HIGGINS
(finding his resolve again)
And so I shall.
(He starts to leave, then turns to Mrs. Higgins, his resolve
gaining momentum)
If the Higgins oxygen burns up her little lungs better seek some
stuffiness that suits her. She's an owl, sickened by a few days of my
sunshine. Very well, let her go. I can do without her, I can do
without anyone. I have my own soul, my own spark of divine fire!
(Higgins leaves, watched with a smile by Mrs. Higgins.)
MRS HIGGINS
(to herself)
Bravo, Eliza!
-------------------------------------------------
(In the street and Higgins is hurrying home in a huff.)
HIGGINS
Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn!
(He stops, suddenly thoughtful.)
HIGGINS
I've grown accustomed to her face.
She almost makes the day begin.
I've grown accustomed to the tune that
She whistles night and noon.
Her smiles, her frowns,
Her ups, her downs
Are second nature to me now;
Like breathing out and breathing in.
I was serenely independent and content before we met;
Surely I could always be that way again--
And yet
I've grown accustomed to her looks;
Accustomed to her voice;
Accustomed to her face.
(Later and Higgins reaches Wimpole Steet.)
HIGGINS
"Marry Freddie." What an infantile idea. What a heartless, wicked,
brainless thing to do. But she'll regret, she'll regret it. It's
doomed before they even take the vow!
HIGGINS
I can see her now, Mrs. Freddie Eynsford-Hill
In a wretched little flat above a store.
I can see her now, not a penny in the till,
And a bill collector beating at the door.
She'll try to teach the things I taught her,
And end up selling flowers instead.
Begging for her bread and water,
While her husband has his breakfast in bed.
In a year, or so, when she's prematurely grey,
And the blossom in her cheek has turned to chalk.
She'll come home, and lo, he'll have upped and run away
With a social-climbing heiress from New York.
Poor Eliza. How simply frightful! How humiliating! How delightful!
How poignant it'll be on that inevitable night
When she hammers on my door in tears and rags.
Miserable and lonely, repentant and contrite.
Will I take her in or hurl her to the walls?
Give her kindness or the treatment she deserves?
Will I take her back or throw the baggage out?
(He stops outside the front door of 27A)
HIGGINS
But I'm a most forgiving man;
The sort who never could, ever would,
Take a position and staunchly never budge.
A most forgiving man.
BUT, I shall never take her back,
If she were even crawling on her knees.
Let her promise to atone;
Let her shiver, let her moan;
I'll slam the door and let the hell-cat freeze!
HIGGINS
"Marry Freddie"--h a!
(Higgins starts to unlock the front door, but stops, thoughtful
again.)
HIGGINS
But I'm so used to hear her say "Good morning" ev'ry day.
Her joys, her woes,
Her highs, her lows,
Are second nature to me now;
Like breathing out and breathing in.
I'm very grateful she's a woman
And so easy to forget;
Rather like a habit
One can always break--
And yet
I've grown accustomed to the trace
Of something in the air;
Accustomed to her face.
(He opens the front door and enters the house. Alone, he walks
through the hall and to the laboratory where he looks at the
apparatus Eliza was once connected to measuring her "a"s. Slowly
he enters the study where he turns to the phonograph. He turns it
on and sits down in his chair.)
ELIZA
"Oh, we are proud! Well he ain't above givin' lessons, not him: I
heard him say so. Well, I ain't come here to ask for any compliment;
and if my money's not good enough I can go elsewhere."
HIGGINS
"Good enough for what?"
ELIZA
"Good enough for ye-oo. Now you know, don't you? I'm come to have
lessons, I am. And to pay for 'em too: make no mistake."
PICKERING
"What do you want, my girl?"
ELIZA
"I want to be a lady in a flower shop 'stead of sellin' at the corner
o' Tottenham Court Road. But they won't take me unless I can talk more
genteel. He said he could teach me. Well, here I am ready to pay
him--not asking any favour--and he treats me as if I was dirt."
(Eliza has entered the house and, hearing the phonograph playing,
has walked to the door of the study, Higgins's back to her.)
ELIZA
"I know what lessons cost as well as you do; and I'm ready to pay. I
won't give more than a shillin'. Take it or leave it."
HIGGINS
"It's almost irresistible. She's so deliciously low. So horribly
dirty. I'll take it! I'll make a duchess of this draggle-tailed
guttersnipe."
(Eliza reaches to the phonograph and turns it off.)
ELIZA
I washed my face and hands before I come, I did.
(Higgins, waking from his melancholy, turns his eyes up slowly.
Realising that it is she who is behind him his face softens.)
HIGGINS
(smiling)
Eliza.
(Resuming his accustomed character)
Where the devil are my slippers?
(Higgins lies back in his chair, covering his face with his hat,
watched fondly by Eliza.)
-- THE END --
THE CAST
AUDREY HEPBURNEliza Doolittle
REX HARRISONProfessor Henry
Higgins
STANLEY HOLLOWAY
Alfred Doolittle
WILFRED HYDE-WHITE
Colonel Pickering
GLADYS COOPER
Mrs. Higgins
JEREMY BRETT
Freddie Eynsford-Hill
THEODORE BIKEL
Zoltan Karpathy
MONA WASHBOURNE
Mrs. Pearce
ISOBEL ELSOM
Mrs. Eynsford-Hill
(Audrey Hepburn's Vocals: Marni Nixon)
(Jeremy Brett's Vocals: Bill Shirley)
"My Fair Lady" Starring Audrey Hepburn Rex Harrison
Co-Starring Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White,
Gladys Cooper, Jeremy Brett and Theodore Bikel
Based on the play "My Fair Lady" Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner
Music by Frederick Loewe Produced by Herman Levin
From the play by Bernard Shaw Production and Costumes by Cecil Beaton
Music supervised by Andre Previn Music by Frederick Loewe
Screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner Produced by Jack L. Warner
Directed by George Cukor Restored by Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz
Technicolor® SuperPanavision 70®
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My Fair Lady, Transcribed by Graham (hepburn@unforgettable.com)