Open Day Hetty Feather

We've come for our child.

I have heard reports of ill-treatment.

She's selling foundlings into bad apprenticeships.

-Mother!

-SHE GASPS

The money was for hospital funds?

-Yes.

-She's lying!

I assume the girl will be punished for her lies?

Oh, yes.

I have a plan in mind to deal with you, Hetty Feather.

The hospital open day, it was Matron's idea, to boost

hospital funds and show us foundlings off to the public.

Friends of the Foundling Hospital, welcome to our open day.

Your chance to delight at the hard work

and handicrafts of our industrious foundlings.

To these children, abandoned at birth,

we have given purpose and discipline.

Please donate generously to this worthy cause!

Our patron, Lord Frederick Upton.

Matron had invited all sorts of rich toffs to our open day.

So, we had to be on our very best behaviour.

I declare the first-ever open day

officially, er...open!

Lord Upton, Charlotte, thank you.

The foundlings are delighted by your visit.

How could I refuse?

I wanted to see my cousin Cranborne before we set sail to India.

Mm-hmph. The start of your new life, Frederick.

Yes. Well, I always was the adventurous one.

Ooh!

It was strange seeing Matron look so happy.

But then, she always put on a show when money was around.

FAIRGROUND MUSIC

BELL RINGS

And we'd never had anything like an open day before.

Boys and girls together. We felt, sort of...free.

Our finest wood-turned spindles, sir.

Two candlesticks, please.

Certainly, sir.

Made by a foundling's bare hands that was.

-Thank you, sir.

-You have a nice day, sir.

-And you.

Hurry along now, girls. Every penny's going to our hospital!

All the guests were enjoying themselves...

but that just made me feel lonely.

Everybody seemed to belong to someone.

-CHILDREN CHATTER

-Hetty!

Mary!

You can call me Emily now!

Oh, Emily! You look so happy!

I couldn't miss out seeing you lot.

What's it like -

having a mother and a father?

It's amazing, Hetty.

Father makes me laugh. And Mother kisses me goodnight.

We have the same funny wrinkled-up nose when we smile, too.

I used to hate mine, but I don't any more.

Look! Harriet and Polly!

So, that's what belonging felt like.

And finding the love of a real mother and father.

Perhaps, one day, I'd feel like that, too.

WIND BLOWS

And then, I remembered...

that day at the circus.

Madame Adeline reached out to me.

She called me "my little star".

Could she be my mother?

LAUGHTER

I had to talk to her.

CROWD CHATTERS

Why she was here?

Was she really looking for me?

CHILDREN CHATTER

Isn't it great?

Today, we can see each other all day! And no-one can stop us.

She's here. The circus lady from when we was little with Jem.

I...don't remember.

I think she's looking for me.

Mary found her parents.

It can happen. All our parents are out there somewhere.

You really think she could be your mother?

Well, there's only one way to find out.

I have to find her and ask her.

Where is she?

BAND MUSIC PLAYS

CROWD CHATTERS

Journeying to the cornerstone of the British Empire.

How exciting, Miss Upton.

No, it isn't. I don't even want to go!

Silly, horrid India.

Ooh. Dear, dear.

Charlotte's maid has returned home to nurse her sick father.

She's not coming with us. Charlotte's missing Mabel already.

Oh, hopefully, the open day will cheer her.

That's what I was wondering.

Would it be possible for a foundling girl

to be Charlotte's maid for the day?

The child needs company.

Of course, Lord Upton. In fact...

perhaps a foundling is your answer for India?

Really, Matron? At such short notice?

I have just the candidate. Just...

'Scuse me, please.

Well! The girl I was looking for!

-Me, Matron?

-Yes!

Best behaviour, Feather!

Hetty Feather, meet Charlotte Upton.

You're to be her maid for the day.

A maid? No, I have to sell sweets. I have to go!

Er, this is a very special task.

-But, Matron...

-On your best behaviour

or you know the punishment, Feather!

Do exactly as Charlotte asks.

Lord Upton's a very important man.

MATRON LAUGHS NERVOUSLY

That was it.

Madame Adeline was gone.

How could I ever get to ask her if she was my mother?

I'm sure you two will get along.

But Gideon had spotted a way to help me.

Two tickets to the circus!

We've got to bid! We have to win them!

The circus? What for?

-GIDEON SIGHS

-Trust me, it's for Hetty.

We have to do this.

How do you bid on an auction without any money?

It's what you call an impossibility!

Not if we put our minds to it. Come on!

It's our open day. Why shouldn't we win something for once?

# Where did you get that hat? Where did you get that tile?

# Isn't it a nobby one Or just the proper style?

# I should like to have one Just the same as that... #

Thank you very much, sir.

# Wherever I go I shout, "Hello!

# "Where did you get that hat?" #

Most generous, sir.

Gideon was determined to win those circus tickets for me.

Thank you very much.

Unfortunately, he wasn't the only one.

-GIDEON SINGS

-What's his singing in aid of this time?

Winning the auction. He wants those tickets.

No way. Those tickets are mine!

And mine. I've always wanted to be a clown.

-APPLAUSE

-No change there then.

I'd love to see a flying trapeze. Imagine it!

Imagine all you want. Matron's never going to let us go to the circus.

Rubbish. If we win in front of all those guests,

she has to let us go!

Well, if you lot are bidding, so are we.

You boys won't beat me. I'll see to that.

Come on, Judd.

Meanwhile, I was trailing about after Miss Snooty.

Harriet, Polly...this is Charlotte.

Strawberry bon-bons, s'il vous plait.

Could say "please".

I did. It's French.

These are my friends. You could at least be nice.

Hurry up, Hetty!

We might be foundlings,

but it doesn't mean you can't speak to us in a decent manner!

Urggh!

They're horrid!

CHARLOTTE GRUNTS

I was stuck with her.

And everywhere I looked, there was a reminder of what I was missing.

Meanwhile, the rest of the foundlings were scheming

-to bid on the circus tickets.

-Keep your filthy mitts off the produce.

-Ah! Arthur.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Arthur!

-Let's outbid the boys by a country mile!

How?

Sheila was going to double her prices.

-Tuppence a cake, Madame.

-Cheap at half the price!

One of those, please...

Sheila!

Thank you.

It's called making a profit - fair and square.

Across the yard, Vince had his own scam going on.

Roll up for the high striker. All proceeds to the Foundling Hospital.

Hit the bell for a win!

Vince and Judd had it all worked out.

Sorry. No bell, no win.

Better luck next time.

Here you go, mate.

-What?

-You lot need to flex your muscles!

But the bell didn't ring!

Everything all right, boys? Shall I have a go?

All yours, sir.

-Show 'em how it's done, Mr Cranborne.

-Indeed.

HE CLEARS HIS THROAT

BELL RINGS

Gosh! I don't know my own strength.

Well done, sir!

Well, everything seems in order.

-Have another go, boys.

-Right! Who's next?

Unlucky.

Roll up for the high striker! All proceeds to the Foundling Hospital.

You sir, you look strong. Come and roll up.

They do seem to be getting along.

Mm, no surprise. Hetty Feather will make a wonderful domestic maid.

Ah, this arrangement could be perfect.

I agree.

Though, in accordance with hospital policy, erm...

Hetty is a little young to be going into service.

Oh, dear. Are there no circumstances where the rules can be changed?

India is the chance of a lifetime.

Unless the child becomes Charlotte's companion.

That way, the governors wouldn't mind at all.

Especially if you were to make a generous donation.

Then, a generous donation, it is.

How kind, Lord Upton.

Until the governors are informed,

and all is under way, I do believe we should keep

-this arrangement to ourselves.

-Mm.

I'll collect the child by the end of the day.

-Charlotte's packing needs to be done.

-Perfect.

I look forward to signing the paperwork.

That'll be tuppence, please, Miss Upton.

Tuppence? These are penny cakes we're selling, Sheila Ormsby.

-We baked them yesterday.

-What does it matter?

She's Lord Upton's daughter. She's got money to burn.

It doesn't matter whose daughter she is!

You shouldn't swindle anyone.

One penny. Take it or leave it, Sheila.

Before Matron finds out what you're up to.

Thank you, Hetty.

It's all right. I'm a foundling. I can survive.

Survive? This hospital sounds like a dreadful place.

It is. The same boring food every day,

the same lessons, the same chores...

And with hateful girls like them... that's no life at all.

I suppose it's all right, because I've got Gideon.

He's my foundling brother.

How do you cope?

We have our own little ways of escaping.

I could show you if you like.

APPLAUSE

What was that?

# Where did you get that hat? Where did you get that tile? #

Is Gideon still singing that stupid song?

# Isn't it a nobby one or just the proper style? #

I'm not letting him get all the money.

# I should like to have one just the same as that... #

-CHARLOTTE GASPS

-Hetty!

How wonderful!

Anything's wonderful away from Sheila

and Matron Stinking Bottomly.

I write down all horrid things in my journal.

That always helps.

I write a journal.

But mostly, I write when I'm sad.

What have you got to be sad about?

I've never had a friend before.

Not anybody like you.

I'm not just anybody.

Mabel my maid was nice.

But she was too old to be my real friend.

Who did you play with and run about?

What about your brothers and sisters?

I don't have any. I see my governess

and father, of course, on special occasions, like today.

Apart from that, he's far too busy.

What about your mother?

You must spend a lot of time with her.

No.

I...don't have one.

She died giving birth to me.

I've never had a mother, so I don't know what it's like.

Me, neither.

My mother brought me here when I was a baby.

But I'd love to find her...

..one day.

That would be more than I ever wanted.

Having a mother must be the best thing in the whole world.

I miss mine such a lot and I never even met her!

HETTY CHUCKLES

Me and you,

we're more alike than you'd think.

I know! You be It.

Let's play hide and seek.

CROWD CHATTERS

Roll up, roll up!

See the singing foundling. Hear his angelic voice!

He'll serenade you, madam... Yes, you!

..for hours.

19, 18, 17...

# Isn't it a nobby one or just the proper style?

# I should like to have one just the same as that.

# Wherever I go, I shout "Hello!

# "Where did you get that hat?" #

-Donations would be much obliged.

-Very good.

You distract, I'll get the money. APPLAUSE

Watch out, you dropped one.

Oi!

CROWD GASPS

PENNIES FALL

Scarper!

..2, 1.

Ready or not, here I come!

I'm terribly sorry, Miss.

Here, let me help.

Thank you. It's Gideon, isn't it?

What happened?

Miss Upton, where's Feather? She should be looking after you!

Darling Charlotte, are you all right?

Goodness me, has there been an incident?

-Charlotte?

-Feather, where have you been?

You have left Miss Upton alone and in danger.

And look at her dress!

It wasn't Hetty's fault. Or the boys'. They were being

-very kind to me.

-Really? Gideon?

Oh, Papa! I've made a friend. It's been the most fun ever!

I asked you to be on your best behaviour.

As for you, do your duty.

Bring Charlotte inside and we'll get her cleaned up.

Yes, Matron.

Of course, Matron.

Good-hearted and well-mannered, too. Your foundlings impress me.

For your sincere kindness towards my daughter.

-Thank you, sir.

-Call it a reward.

Now, I have some rather good news for my daughter.

Oh, yes? What's that, Frederick?

Nothing to concern you, Cranborne.

Keep up your, er...

fundraising.

Spend it how you like!

Nearly four shillings!

We're going to the circus!

Not if we get caught, we're not.

What's it to you, anyway?

There's only two tickets and you're not coming.

Tuppence please, ma'am.

Thank you.

QUIET KNOCK

FOOTSTEPS APPROACH SLOWLY

It's nearly ready, Matron.

I'll have it in the drying room and back to Charlotte as soon I can.

Good work, Feather.

Apart from that mishap just now, I have been most impressed.

In fact, for all your efforts, I have some exciting news.

At Lord Upton's request, you are to be Charlotte's companion.

You are going to India.

-India?

-Mmm!

India? That's the other side of the world!

No! I'm not going and you can't make me!

I'm afraid it's too late for that. You leave later today

and you sail with the Uptons, Friday morning.

Very soon, you will be a foundling no more.

Please!

This is the chance of a lifetime, Feather.

Others would be grateful for the opportunity!

No, you can't send me away!

Please! No, don't!

No!

Welcome to the Foundling Hospital auction.

The star prize -

two tickets to Tanglefield's Circus!

Bidding to begin soon!

Gideon was desperate to get those tickets for me,

so I could finally talk to Madame Adeline.

But he wasn't alone,

Sheila and Vince both still had their eyes on the prize.

Hetty!

Papa told me! You're coming to India!

Hetty is honoured, indeed. Gather your things. Quick about it.

I have our charity auction to attend!

Er, Feather? Wait here until my return.

Hetty! You're going to be my friend in India forever!

I can't go.

Whyever not?

How would you feel if you had to go away

from everything you've ever known?

Your friends, your brother.

But you'll be with me.

You can write your journal

and Stinking Bottomly won't push you around.

You told me how miserable it is living here.

This is a whole new life!

It's not the new life I want!

If you could have one wish in the whole world, what would it be?

To have a mother, of course.

But that's never going to happen.

But what if it could?

If she was out there somewhere?

-You'd go out and you'd find her.

-Of course I would.

Madame Adeline?

You really think she could be your mother?

Unless I meet her, I'll never know.

She looks so like you.

The eyes, the hair.

But today's the last day of the circus.

I'm sorry, Charlotte.

But I can't come with you.

I need your help.

-One and six.

-One and nine.

Any advance on one and nine?

-Two shillings!

-I have two shillings.

-Two and six!

-Three shillings!

-And six!

-I'm out.

-Come on, Gids!

-Three and nine!

-Four shillings!

-And a penny!

Any more, sir?

Gids, you can do it!

And tuppence, sir!

It's all I've got.

Any advance?

Four shillings and tuppence. Going once, going twice...

They're ours! We're going to the circus!

..to the young man at the front!

Thruppence, sir!

The young lady is the winner!

APPLAUSE

Foundlings cannot win!

They're not allowed out to a circus!

Oh, dear. I thought it would be quite fun.

As for where they procured the money to enter?

I rewarded the boys myself, Matron.

Once more, it seems they were trying to give it back.

Then, give it back, they may.

The rest have got some explaining to do!

Bad luck, Sheila.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry to announce that foundlings

bidding on their own charity auction is against the rules.

The auction is cancelled and all bids are null and void.

Boys!

At the end of the day, you will dismantle every stall and table.

Tickets!

You will pick up litter!

Dear Lord Upton, shall we complete our transaction?

My daughter will be most happy with your choice, Matron.

And if things don't work out,

other British households in India are sure to need a young maid.

Whatever happens, she will get by.

Erm...

-DOOR OPENS

-No, Papa! Please don't!

I've changed my mind.

Hetty's my friend, but she's not like Mabel.

She won't be able to care for me,

or hold my hand if I'm upset,

or stroke my head if I'm feeling poorly.

Hetty isn't a proper maid!

Don't fret. I've seen the two of you together.

She will learn fast.

It's all arranged, Miss Upton.

I'll send my valet, Peters, for our carriage.

He'll return to fetch the child at the end of the day, six o'clock.

I will ensure everything is finalised.

And for you, Charlotte...

..as a farewell gift, before you leave for India...

a trip to the circus.

The circus?

Thank you!

DOOR OPENS

A donation to the hospital, Matron.

You've done Charlotte and I a huge favour.

Forever in your gratitude.

So, that was it.

Matron had sealed my fate.

Gideon? Charlotte?

-Charlotte told me everything.

-I tried, Hetty!

I really tried. The paperwork's signed.

She's sending me to India.

What am I going to do?

Go to her, Hetty.

The circus?

Ask Madame Adeline if she's your mother.

It's the most important thing in the world.

Then, this is it.

We've got to get out of here.

What? Escape?

Will you come with me?

Of course! But how do you get out of here?

I can help.

But there's only enough room for one.

And we have to leave now.

Then, you have to go, Hetty.

Without me.

-How can I?

-Please!

What's worse - going out and searching for your mother

or going to India and never seeing me again?

Find out who you are and where you belong.

I'll come back for you one day.

I know I will.

Farewell, fair cousin!

And to you, Frederick. Safe journey and much success.

Success has always been my strong point.

Keep up the good work...

Cranners.

The child will be ready upon your valet's return.

-Thank you for everything.

-No, no. Thank you.

-A good day then, Matron?

-It was.

It was very good, indeed.

Farewell, Lord Upton, Charlotte.

Hetty?

Hetty?

-MATRON SHOUTS:

-Hetty Feather?

CROWD CHATTERS

HORSE WHINNYS

I was free.

I wasn't a foundling any more.

Now, I just had to find the circus.

The child must be found and quick about it!

Thief!

The whole hospital's been looking for her.

-Hetty Feather! Stop, this instant!

-You can't send me away!

-You can't do this to me!

-I can do what I like!

Upton's carriage arrives at six to take me away.

Hetty?

Matron's selling me to be a servant in India.

We've got the evidence.

What evidence?