The Card

The Five Towns lie close

to the heart of dear old England.

They spread across the face of

the countryside for many miles.

Proud, unique, and indispensable.

Do you drink from a cup?

Do you eat from a plate?

You have the Five Towns to thank for that.

The Five Towns stand for progress and civilization

When our story begins,

Bursley was the largest of the five,

and it was also the proudest.

Admittedly, its atmosphere was inclined to be heavy,

but some remarkable people breathed it.

Among them was a widow Mrs. Machin,

she was a washer woman.

And there was Edward Henry Machin, her son.

Denry, as his mother called him was a healthy child,

but it soon become apparent no ordinary one.

As a boy he was of a peculiarly thoughtful turn of mind.

Instead of spending his leisure hours

playing in the streets with his friends,

he devoted extra time to the class room.

He was not really dishonest,

it was just that he liked to give providence a helping hand.

In any case he soon had to pay the penalty for his crime.

He won a scholarship to a school

for the Sons of Gentlemen.

And you know what the Sons of Gentlemen are?

Washerwoman, washerwoman, Washerwomen!

Washerwomen!

It was early born upon Denry

that the road to success is fraught with hardship,

When the time came for him to leave school

and make his way in the world of men,

Denry received early confirmation of the fact

that even tn that world honestly is undoubtedly the best

and most useful policy.

Yes,

I want to see Mr. Duncalf, please Sir'

- Business'? - I want to apply for the job

advertised in the Sentinel.

You won't do.

Sir?

You can't read, it says apply by letter

- enclosing references. - I know Sir, but you see,

I brought my references with me.

This does belong to Mr.Duncalf, doesn't it?

Mr. Duncalf, Mr. Duncalf,

Mr. Duncalf!

So Edward Henry became a solicitor's clerk.

For a long time he really felt that he had

nothing more to hope for,

then he met the Countess.

Yes?

Good Morning.

Good Morning Madame

ls Mr. Duncalf in?

No, Madame.

He's over at town hall.

Oh, how tiresome.

I particularly wanted to see him.

If you care to wait.

No, thank you, just tell him that Lady Chell called.

Is there anything I can do?

Yes,

Yes, perhaps you can.

It's about the invitations for the Municipal Ball.

"Oh yes."

This is my list.

He isn't to take any notice of the crossings out.

- You understand? - Yes.

Here's official list of all the aldermen

and Councilors should be added to this.

Added to this.

And I want all the invitations out

by Wednesday the latest.

Wednesday at the latest.

Thank you, good day.

Allow me.

Thank you.

I'll tell Mr. Duncalf the moment he gets back.

Splendid, thank You.

Thank you, my lady.

Hello Denry, how's your mother?

Fine thanks.

Hello.

What have you been up to?

That was the Countess of Chell just gone.

Had a message for Duncalf.

Didn't give you an invitation to the ball, did she?

No, she didn't.

Oh, too bad.

She's no snob though.

No side to her.

Who said there was?

Don't you hear people talk?

I reckon she's the finest woman ever came to this town.

And that's a fact.

Machin being funny again Mr. Emery?

When I want my office turned

into a musical I'll let you know!

Sir?

Well what is it?

The Countess of Chell sir, she called,

Well?

She left a message about the invitations to the ball.

She said would you add the official list

to this list of hers.

She said not take any notice of the crossings out.

And the invitations have to go out by Wednesday latest.

That's tomorrow.

Here.

Here's the official list.

You better get on with it.

Make a full list out from the two,

and get all envelopes addressed.

You can stay in tonight and do the job.

But Sir, there's the church social.

Mr. Emery, bring in that draught agreement

from Atchinson's, will you please?

Yes Mr, Duncalf, Sir.

I reckon she is the finest woman

that ever came to this town,

and that's a fact.

Denry!

Yes, mother!

You'll be late again!

I've been working late and I didn't sleep well.

Strikes me, you're sleeping too well,

I've got something on my mind.

You better have a dose of castor oil.

Good morning Mrs. Machin.

Morning Denry, letter for you.

Oh my goodness.

Thank you Martin

You are welcome.

E.H. Machin Esquire.

What's happened?

I've had an invitation to a dance.

Who from?

The Countess of Chell.

Bless us!

A dance eh?

Do you know how?

How?

How to dance?

I'll pick it up.

You'll have to make your excuses.

Evening dress is essential.

Evening dress?

Well I never.

I think it'll make a very nice coat,

The only difficulty is the cuff.

I think we'll fix that up for you

and it'll be comfortable across the back.

Just a little bit, it pulls a little bit.

I can understand.

Thank you very much Mr. Barlow.

I'll have the final fitting ready for you on Tuesday.

All right.

Oh, by the way Sir, handkerchiefs are not being

worn in the waistcoat this year.

What, not even white ones?

Not even white,

It's the new London fashion.

Very glad you told me Shillitoe.

- Well, good day. - Good day Sir and thank you.

Hello Denry, what can I do for you?

- I want a dress suit. - Oh, do you now'?

Yes,

Sorry it can't be done.

It's the ball you see,

all the bigwigs in the town want a dress suit.

I don't know how I'm going to get through

all the orders as it is.

But I'm going, you see.

Going where?

To the ball.

Duncalf's clerk going to the ball?

Yes, are you'?

Oh, I've no time for that sort of thing.

Do you mean to say that the

Countess sent an invitation to you?

That's right.

I could get one for you if you like.

Oh?

The Countess is a client of ours,

and I am in charge of the invitations,

See?

.Oh.

Are you sure?

Of course I'd need a bit of credit.

- A year? - Two.

This is one of the nicest pieces of facecloth

I've had in for a long time.

I can give you a fitting Wednesday.

A one, a two, a three.

A one, a two, a three,

A forward, two, a three.