Project on dramatization of Jimmy Valentine | Jimmy Valentine Dramatization

Project on dramatization of Jimmy Valentine | Jimmy Valentine Dramatization | Project on dramatization of a story.

Dramatis Personae

Jimmy Valentine - A bungler who has been sentenced. He later turns into a good man. He takes a new name Ralph D Spencer to start a new life in Elmore.

Annabel Adams - Mr Adams' daughter and Jimmy’s fiancé.

Mr Adams - Annabel’s father and the owner of The Elmore Bank.

Annabel’s sister - She lives in her father's house with her two daughters.

May - Annabel’s niece, aged nine years.

Agatha - Annabel’s niece, aged five years.

Ben Price - The detective who was investigating Jimmy's case.

Mike Dolan - Jimmy’s friend and café owner.

Warden - The prison Warden.

Cronin - The prison guard.

Hotel clerk - The Planters’ hotel clerk.

Bank’s Teller - One who tells about the bank.

Bank Clerk 1 - Clerk of The Elmore Bank.

Bank Clerk 2 - Clerk of The Elmore Bank.

Boy - The boy who was standing on the street.

Customers of Elmore Bank.

Scene I

The action is laid in a prison shoe shop. A prison guard enters hurriedly.

Guard : (Taking the arm of a convict , a tall and attractive figure) - " Warden wants you, Jimmy."

Jimmy : Where ?

Guard : The Warden is calling you in the front office . Looks like you've got your pardon from the governor''.

Jimmy : Ok . (Going towards the warden's office).

Scene II

At the Warden's office Warden is doing his work. Enters Jimmy.

Jimmy : Have you called me?

Warden : (Handing him a letter) Valentine, this is your pardon. It's signed by the governor . 

Jimmy : (Uninterested) Ok. Thanks!

Warden : Now , Valentine you'll go out in the morning . Brace up and make a man of yourself . You're not a bad fellow at heart. Stop cracking safes and live straight .

Jimmy : (Surprisingly) Me ? Why , I never cracked a safe in my life.

Warden : (Laughing) Oh , no . Of course not, let's see now . How was it happened to get sent up on that Springfield Job? Was it because you wouldn't prove an alibi for fear of compromising somebody in extremely high toned society ? Or was it simply a case of a mean jury that had in for you? It's always one or the other with you innocent victims .

Jimmy : (Surprisingly) Me ? Why , warden , I never was in Springfield in my life.

Warden : (To the guard) Take him back , Cronin ! And fix him up with outgoing clothes. Unlock him at seven in the morning and let him come to the bull pen. Better think over my advice, Valentine.

Scene III

Next morning , Jimmy is standing in the Warden's office wearing readymade clothes and a pair of shoes. He is ready to go out of the prison.

Clerk : (Shaking his hand with Jimmy) This is a railroad ticket and a five dollar bill . Take it and start a new life afresh.

Warden : (To Jimmy) Take this cigar too, Valentine . Bye , live like a good citizen and prosper in life.

Jimmy : Thank you both.

(Jimmy walks out into sunshine).

Scene IV

Café of Mike Dolan. Mike Dolan is sitting alone behind the bar. Enters Jimmy.

Jimmy : Hello Mike. How are you?

Mike Dolan : Sorry, we couldn't make it sooner, Jimmy, my boy . But we had that protest from Springfield to buck against , and the governor nearly balked. Feeling all right, Jimmy ?

Jimmy : Fine,  give me my key ?

Mike Dolan : Here it is . (Giving Jimmy the key.)

Jimmy : Thanks Mike . (Jimmy goes upstairs to his room and collects his suitcase which had the latest drills , punches , braces and bits , jimmies , clamps , and augers , with two or three novelties , invented by him. Jimmy comes downstairs in a well fitting dress with the suitcase in his hand.)

Mike Dolan : (Genially) Are you going? 

Jimmy : (Surprisingly) Me ? I don't understand. I am representing the New York Amalgamated Cracker and Frazzled Wheat Company.

Scene V

A week after Jimmy's release incidents of safe cracking are heard all around the city, with no clue of the culprit Detective Ben Price is now in action.

Ben Price : (Investing the safes that have been cracked with his team) That's Dandy valentine's autograph. He's resumed his business. Look at the combination of that knob jerked out pulling up a radish in wet weather. He's got the only champs that can do it. And look to dean de tumblers were punched out ! Jimmy never has to drill but one hole. Yes , I guess I want Valentine . He'll do his bit next time without any short time.

Scene VI

Jimmy reaches Elmore for safe cracking . He is well dressed and looking very smart. A young lady passes him at the corner and enters a door which has a sign "The Elmore Bank ". Jimmy looked into her eyes and fell in love with her at first sight. After looking into her eyes Jimmy forgot himself and became another man.

Jimmy : (To a boy loafing at the steps of the bank ) Hello chap.

Boy : Hello.

Jimmy : Would you tell me something about this town (Jimmy gives some dimes).

Boy : Oh , surely. So what do you wanna know?

Jimmy : Well , What's the most beautiful thing in this town ? (The beautiful girl passes Jimmy).

Boy : Well the most beautiful thing at Elmore is (The beautiful girl passes jimmy again).

Jimmy : Is not that young lady Poly Simpson?

Boy : Naw , she's Annabel Adams . Her pa owns the bank ? Why'd you come to Elmore for? (Pointing towards Jimmy's golden chain). Is that a gold watch - chain? I'm going to get a bull dog. (Got more dimes)

Jimmy : (Avoiding the boy) Ok , see you.

Scene VII

Jimmy enters The Planter's Hotel.

Clerk : May I help you sir? 

Clerk : (Aside) Now that’s what a well dressed fashionable man looks like! And look at me! I thought I was the best dressed man in town! (To Jimmy) Good Morning Sir!

Jimmy : I need a room here.

Clerk : Name please.

Jimmy : Ralph. Ralph D Spencer.

Clerk : Right sir, and occupation?

Jimmy : Ah, now let me ask you that, my man, I was rather planning to set up a business here at Elmore.

Clerk : Sure Sir! That will be such an honour to our town! You will find the people very friendly too.

Jimmy : Do you think there is a good opening for shoe business?

Clerk : Definitely. In Elmore, we don’t have any exclusive shoe store. Usually we buy shoes from departmental or dry goods stores. You will be really successful. Market in all lines are fairly good!

Jimmy : Get me a room then.

Clerk : I will call someone to carry your luggage then.

Jimmy : Not really needed. I will carry the suitcase myself. You see, I prefer not to bother others with my load!

(Jimmy exits with the key and his luggage.)

Scene VIII

A year later. A Room in Planter’s Hotel. Jimmy sitting at a desk putting a letter in an envelope.

Jimmy : A year has passed like a moment. How lucky I feel to have Annabel as my fiancé! This, and only this is the life. I will always lead. I wonder what Billy will think on getting this letter! But he will surely be happy to get my tools. My tools, ah yes, why would I need them anymore! My shoe shop is a success, I have so many friends and above all, I have Annabel, the angel. Never will I touch a penny of another man. Jimmy is dead, I am Ralph, and will remain so forever. I must get this letter mailed. I have a breakfast invitation tomorrow morning at Annabel’s place. Oh Annabel, how lonely every moment feels that I spend without you!

Annabel : Oh Ralph, why do you have to leave town now?

Jimmy : Anna, my angel, you know I am going to get my wedding suit. We have only a fortnight left. And I want to get something really really nice for you.

Annabel : But I will miss you Ralph!

(Jimmy puts his suitcase down and holds Annabel’s hand. Annabel puts on his hat and picks up his suitcase.)

Annabel : My! Ralph, it’s so heavy! Have you filled it with gold bricks?

Jimmy : Only nickel plated shoe-horns. Thought I would return them myself. Saving express charges dear.

Annabel : Aw! You are getting awfully economical!

(Enters Ben Price. Ben stands at the teller’s counter hides behind the customers’ queue and observes the scene quietly.)

Teller : You need something Sir?

Ben Price : Not really, I am waiting for a man I know.

Scene IX

Enter Mr. Adams, Annabel’s sister, Annabel’s two niece May and Agatha. Mr Adams escorts everyone towards the vault.

Adams : Now this is our new possession Spencer. A fine Vault and Safe. (Handling the knobs.) Now see how we need to throw down all three steel bolts simultaneously and turn the combination and wound the time lock to close the doors.

Jimmy : (Not looking very knowledgeable) I guess that is very secure Sir.

Adams : Come on Ralph, see, the door is patented too!

Annabel : Leave him alone Papa, he hasn’t understood a single thing! Let the poor dear be.

Annabel’s sister : See Papa , our little Anna is already taking sides!

(All laugh heartily. Suddenly May screams from behind. Agatha is locked inside the vault. The clerks rush into the partition containing the vault.)

Annabel’s sister : Oh my God! (Rushing towards the vault) somebody open the door! Agatha! Agatha! Oh Papa do something. Can’t you men do something!

Adams : (Tugging at the vault handle) The combination was not set. The clock was not wound. There is not a man nearer than Little rock who can open this door. Oh God! Ralph, what shall we do?

Clerk 1 : But that will take much time!

Clerk 2 : Can’t we use dynamite!

Adams : All quiet! Agatha, can you hear me baby?

(A faint scream from inside is heard . Annabel’s sister cried out hysterically. She started beating the door with her hands.)

Adams : Ralph, we must do something right now. That child, she can’t stand it in there for long! There is little air left. Besides, she could go into convulsions from fright!

Annabel : Ralph, please do something, wont you? At least try! Please!

Jimmy : (Smilling strangely) Give me the rose you are wearing sweetheart.

(Annabel looks startled. She unpins the rose from her dress and gives it to Jimmy. Jimmy takes off his coat, opens his suitcase and takes out his tools. Whistling softly to himself he starts boring holes into the door of the vault. Moments later he opens the door and recovers Agatha.)

Annabel’s sister : Oh my precious one! (Embraces her child and sobs in relief.)

(Jimmy puts on his coat crosses the partition and goes towards the exit. Annabel calls out but he pays no heed. He looks at Ben Price blocking his way.)

Jimmy : (Still smiling) Got around at last, have you detective! Well, let’s go. Not that it makes much difference now.

Ben Price : I am Sorry Mr. Spencer, don’t think I understand you. You must have made a mistake you see. Your horse carriage is waiting outside, I guess Mr. Spencer.

(Ben Price turns and exits. Annabel crosses the partition and comes towards Jimmy.)

Annabel : What happened Ralph! Why are you leaving? Papa is so surprised that you have learnt so many tricks in your shoemaking business too! You are an angel Ralph, what would we have done without you!

Jimmy : No Anna, you are my angel, what would I have done without you!

(They embrace lovingly. Everyone applauds.)

Curtain falls.