An Inspector Calls Page #3

- Oh, You mean they'll strike?

I'm sure of it, sir. - Just back from

their holidays, aren't they? - Yes, sir.

Yes, well it'll soon be over,

they'll all be broke.

As soon as they feel the pinch

they'll be trying to come back.

You'll take 'em back, sir?

- Yes, at the old rates.

I won't accept the ringleaders,

that girl for instance.

She had far too much to say for herself.

Get rid of her.

So Eva Smith, together with

4 or 5 others, was discharged.

Is that why she killed herself?

- Don't be ridiculous, Eric.

All this happened before you'd

even started in the works.

Nearly two years ago.

It obviously had nothing to do with

the wretched girl's suicide, inspector.

I didn't say it was suicide.

What're you suggesting?

I'm not suggesting anything,

Mister Birling.

I'm merely trying to trace the facts

that led to the death of this girl.

But good heavens man,

I can't accept any responsibility!

If we were all responsible

for everything that

happened to people that

we'd had anything to do with...

Well it would... It would

be very awkward, wouldn't it?

Oh yes, very awkward.

In any case I can't see that

in the circumstances

you could've done anything else, sir.

Yes he could. He could've kept her

on instead of throwing her out.

I call it tough luck.

- Rubbish!

If you don't come down sharply on them

they'll soon be asking for the earth!

Well why shouldn't they

ask for higher wages?

We try for the highest possible prices!

I don't see why she

should've been sacked

just because she had a bit

more spur than the others!

You said yourself she was a

good worker. I'd have let her stay.

Unless you brighten

some of your ideas...

you'll never be in a position to let

anybody stay or to tell anybody to go!

Well Inspector, there's

nothing more I can tell you.

I told the girl to clear it out and she

went. That's the last I heard of her.

Well have you got any ideas

what happened to her after that?

Get into trouble?

Go on the streets?

- No, no Mister Berling,

she didn't exactly

go on the streets.

Oh, sorry I didn't know

you had someone with you.

Alright, we'll be along in a

minute, we're finished here.

There nothing else, you

know. I told you that.

What's this all about? - Nothing to do

with you Sheila, run along.

Wait, please, Miss Birling.

- Now look here, inspector...

There isn't the slightest reason

why my daughter should be

dragged into this unpleasant business.

What business?

I'm a police inspector, Miss Berling.

This afternoon a young woman drank

some poison and died in the infirmary.

After great suffering, I'm afraid.

How horrible! Was it an accident?

- That's what we want to find out.

Yes, well don't tell me the girl

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