Mary has to work in the bar of Jamaica Inn on Saturday night. She gets to meet a group of rough and drunk men. Later that night there are some strange goings-on in the yard outside. What's happening - and why are people talking about murder?

Transcript

Mary narrator
I've not seen my uncle much since I arrived. I am glad because he's got a violent temper and treats my aunt badly. This morning, I've been exploring the country around the inn…

There is nothing but heather and grass for miles. In the distance I can see the marsh. It was in this wild and lonely land that my uncle lived as a boy with his two brothers. Last night he told me their story.

Joss
If you had lived here, you would have taken to drink, like I did… it makes you do things. I had a family once: a father, mother, two brothers, but each one of them disappeared one way or another. My father was hanged. He killed a man. My brother Jem is clever – but they'll catch him, too and hang him. My brother Matthew – well, he drowned in the marsh. They found him one summer when the marsh dried up…

Mary narrator
When I get back to the inn my uncle is there...

Joss
Well, did you miss me?

Mary
Did you have a nice trip?

Joss
Nice, be damned. I've been riding for four days. There was a bit of money involved - that's all I care about.

Mary
Well, I'll go and help my aunt...

Joss
It's me you'll be helping tonight, in the bar...

Mary narrator
It's Saturday night – the bar is crowded. The air is full of smoke and the smell of unwashed bodies. All of them are drunk. Some men are so drunk that they lie on the benches like dead men.

Harry (man in bar)
Another pint…

Joss
Hurry up there, girl.

Mary
Uncle, I cannot bear this. I'm going upstairs.

Joss
Too good for us are you? Well it's almost midnight now. Go to your room and lock your door …

Mary
Oww! Let go of my wrist! You're hurting me!

Joss
Hear this: Keep your mouth shut, and you won't get hurt - but if you start to ask...

Mary
Oh! What's that noise? It's coming from under my room…

Mary narrator
The moonlight pours into my room creating ghostly shadows. I creep over to the window. My uncle is below and I recognise other men from earlier this evening. There are four or five wagons. The men have been taking big boxes from them into the inn.

Harry
That's the last of them.

Joss
Good. Get going now. Be quick…

Man
What will you do about him?

Joss
Don't worry. Harry and I will deal with him later…

Mary narrator
I understand now. They are smuggling! Jamaica Inn is a perfect place for it. But what's my uncle doing at the moment? I have to go and see…

As I get closer to the bar, I hear voices. I hide in the shadows.

Man
No, and no again – I will not be a part of it - that's murder you are talking about Mr Merlyn … killing innocent women and children – no!

Joss
Not so fast! By God, you will do as I say. Another man said the same and he was hanging at the end of a rope a few minutes later! Harry – you go and lock the door behind you. I'll finish here…

Mary narrator
I feel sick. My heart has been beating so loudly, I am sure they have heard it. I go back to my room quietly…

Mary
What shall I do? If I had a gun or a knife, I could perhaps hurt my uncle so that the man can escape…But I have nothing …I must do something, though ….

Mary narrator
I creep downstairs again. The door to the bar is shut. There is silence. I suddenly know I have to open the door to find out.

Mary
There's no one here! Just the tables and a few empty glasses…The door is open at the back. But wait… what's that hanging in the middle of the room? It's swinging… A rope hanging from a hook in the ceiling! But there's nothing on the end of it. What's happened to that man? I fear the worst…

Mary narrator
Next time we meet, an interesting visitor arrives at Jamaica Inn. But who is he and can he be trusted?

Vocabulary

heather
a wild plant with small purple flowers that grows on hills and in wild places

hanged
to be killed by having a rope put around the neck and then made to fall

marsh
area of soft, wet land

be damned
slang expression meaning you do not care about something at all

bear
continue to accept something you do not like

wagons
form of transport in the past with four wheels and pulled by horses

smuggle
to secretly bring things in and out of a place in a way that is not allowed by law

innocent
describes someone who has not done anything wrong

Credits

Mary: Alice K Brown

Joss: Will Harrison-Wallace

Patience: Helen Belbin

Man: Finn Aberdein        

Producer and Sound: Rob Carter

Scriptwriter: Sue Allen

ELT Consultant: Catherine Chapman

Music: Vera Harte

Illustrations: Martin Tidy