The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner Page #6

and sees somebody's

pinched his hat and coat.

Well, that's me last.

That's five bob up the spout.

Get out the way. Hold your hands out.

Hey, great!

- See you.

- Goodbye, lads.

- Hey.

- Huh?

- Come on.

- What?

Share and share alike,

all for one and one for all,

united we stand, divided we fall.

You're a bloody poet, aren't you?

Here you are.

Anybody at home?

- I'm not taking any pills.

- Suit yourself.

Dad.

Faster.

This is where Stacey

always leaves them, sir.

You keep back, Smith.

Well, slow the bastard down, then.

Well, well run, Smith. Well run.

I thought you were a sprinter

when you scored that goal,

but you're a stayer, too.

That was a good spurt just now,

- you put it on just at the right moment.

- It just happened, sir.

- What do you mean, it happened? Instinct?

- Sir?

What, you mean you didn't plan it?

You didn't think it out?

- Just found I could do it, sir.

- Well, it was a good effort, anyway.

You don't get anywhere without effort,

do you, lad?

- No, sir.

- Eh, Stacey?

No, sir.

I used to be a runner myself.

Quite a useful one, too,

but a bit of a plodder.

You know, we might think of training you

for that long-distance cross-country run,

with Stacey's help here, of course.

And, who knows,

with a bit more style, and more strategy,

and, of course, effort,

you might win that cup for us, eh?

- Sir.

- Well, be off with you.

And, you, too, Stacey.

Anyway, the competition

will put Stacey on his toes.

We've got to win that race.

- What the...

- Reeking bastard.

- What's up with you?

- I told you to hold back, didn't I?

Come on.

Get him, Stacey. Go on.

Break it up. Break it up.

Come on, break it up! Stop fighting.

- What's happening here?

- Put their names on report, Mr. Roach.

I'll see them tomorrow at 3:00

in my office.

All right, get inside there! Get moving!

Come on. Inside.

Don't force it, use the pliers.

Keep this out of there.

Looks like you're gonna be

our champion runner now, Smithy.

Yeah, don't talk so daft.

- Well, you beat Stacey.

- So what?

We'll both be in the block

on bread and water

by the time

the Governor's finished with us.

Nah, look, if he thinks

he can make you win that cup,

- he'll make you his favorite.

- Look, I'm nobody's favorite.

If I could run as fast as you,

I'd be out of this place.

What's the point of scarpering?

The best thing to do is to be cunning,

and stay where you are.

You see, I'm gonna let them think

they've got me house trained,

but they never will, the bastards.

To get me beat, they'll have to stick

a rope round me neck.

- That's a job they don't mind doing.

- Oi, nit, nit, the old man's coming.

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