Missing Scene in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

Missing Scene in An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestley

This is set in a fairly large shop, clearly at the turn of the century

(early 20th century); this is shown by the décor. At one end of the

shop (downstage) is a wooden shop-counter with a stall next to it. Sat

on the stall is a grey haired man, in about his early 50's dressed in

appropriate clothing for the period in time. He is reading a newspaper

and has a monocle. There are lots of shelves with folded clothing and

racks of dresses. It is clearly the woman's section of the shop. It

has stairs, which go downwards, to indicate that it is larger than

what the audience can see. There are a few assistants all aged in

their twenties and thirties, all women and a few customers. Most of

the customers are women except those with their husbands. There are

also some screens for changing behind and mirrors. Two women enter the

shop chatting. On of them (Mrs. Birling) is aged in her 50's and is

wearing a hat, which she places on the hat-stand by the door as she

enters. She also had a long coat that she places on the hat-stand and

a long grey dress with a cream collar. The other woman (Sheila

Birling) is in her early twenties. She also removes her hat. She has a

woollen shawl on and a cream blouse with a navy skirt. Sheila looks

particularly grumpy and is holding two shopping bags. Mrs Birling

automatically notices a dress and rushes to it. It is on a rack with a

big sign saying 'Sale' above it. She picks-up the dress. It is long

and pale pink all over. It has short sleeves and white buttons down

the front.

Mrs Birling: Oh Sheila dear, look at this dress. A shop assistant

(Miss Francis) approaches them. She is tall and thin. She looks the

oldest of the shop assistants, in her mid-thirties. She is dressed in

a white blouse with a gold Milwards sign embroidered on it.