It is 2022. Charlie is sitting on the  ground in Angel Alley with a carrier bag containing all his possessions by his side. It’s a cold day and his coat is threadbare. He sees a man enter Freedom Bookshop opposite him and thinks how warm it must be inside. He gets up and enters the shop.

Sally (from behind the counter): Hello. Can I help you?
Charlie: No thanks. I just want to look around.
Sally: OK. Just ask if you want anything. There are some free donations over there we have just had in.
Charlie: Thanks.

He walks over to the free donations and sees a book about the history of Whitechapel. He sits down in the corner and finding a chapter about Angel Alley  begins to read. He is soon transported into the world of the characters.

It’s 1613 and he’s in a pub called the Angel. It’s bustling with rowdy men and women and he orders a mug of ale.

Barmaid (shouting): Here we are. Drown your sorrows in that. You ain’t from round here are you? I’d have recognised a cute face like yours before.

Time moves forward to 1795. Mary comes into the pub from a brothel opposite and sits down next to Charlie.

Mary: You look like you need some company.
Charlie: No thanks. Am happy reading my book.
Mary: Well lucky for you I get plenty of trade from the sellers at Spitalfields market.

It’s 1860 and Liam sits down opposite Charlie.

Liam: Shame they don’t sell Guinness here. You can get a grand pint in Limerick, so you can.
Charlie: I’m a bit partial to a pint myself.
Liam: Glad to hear it. I get thirsty running around the city campaigning for the nationalist’s struggle. It’s a crazy time for sure.
Charlie: Sure is. Tell me more about what you do.
Liam: Well I have to do what I can. I’ve just got some pamphlets done at the Express Printers opposite about the Fenian Brotherhood’s next meeting if you’d like to come. A free Ireland is what we want.

It’s 1875. Charlie overhears a conversation at the open pub door between Henrietta Barnett, a wealthy lady, a prostitute called Esther and Moshe, a Jewish immigrant.

Henrietta: You don’t have to sell your body. It’s dangerous.
Esther: It’s alright for you, your ladyship. You’ve got money and a roof over yer ‘ead. You don’t have to worry where your next penny is coming from. Anyway it’s my body. I can choose to do what I like with it.
Moshe: I had nothing when I came here. Yet I’m selling fruit on a market stall now.
Henrietta: Why don’t you come and work for me. I need a new scullery maid. You’ll get free board and lodging plus two shillings a week.
Esther: No thanks. I don’t want charity from the likes of you, thank you all the same.
Henrietta: Well my husband Sidney and I are only trying to help but I understand.  You are probably  more independent than I am.

1888. Charity and Mercy, two Salvation Army members, are talking outside the printers. Charlie comes out to listen.

Charity: Did you hear about that dreadful murder in the next alleyway. Another prostitute. They say he’s a serial killer.
Mercy: It’s awful. We must do something. I think we should set up a women’s refuge.
Charity: That sounds like a great idea. Let’s ask the army to go out collecting for funds.
Mercy: Yes then we won’t have to witness women being beaten up here on a regular basis .
Charity: Let’s hope. Although the sound of Reverend Samuel’s band in Toynbee Hall makes me feel like my head’s been battered most Sundays.
Mercy: Yes the Sabbath should be  sacred. Although he and his wife do give generously to the poor.

1920s. John, an anarchist and George Orwell are chatting outside Express Printers. They see Charlie sitting on the ground.

John: I see poverty all around us. That’s why the political system doesn’t work.
George: I agree. It doesn’t give this poor man a home. I hear it’s the same abroad. Am off to Paris to write a book about it.
John: Good. Someone has to do so.
Charlie: I am not sure it’ll make much difference.
George: Well I have to try.

1945. The printers has been bombed and is deserted. George Orwell returns to the alley with Bertrand Russell and Aneurin Bevan.

George (to Charlie): Are you still here. Am sorry to see that. My friends Bertrand Russell and Aneurin Bevan are going to donate some money to move Freedom Press here from Holborn so we can have a place to meet and sell important books.
Aneurin: Thanks to Mr Silverman we have found an intellectual and peaceful home.
Bertrand: I agree. A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life for it is only in an atmosphere of quiet that true joy dare live.
George: Let’s hope the new socialist government can bring care and peace for all.
Aneurin: Well I’m working towards that.

It’s 1957. Edith Summerskill is speaking at the Freedom Press. Charlie is in the audience.

Edith: As a doctor and Labour MP I understand how important Equal Rights for Women are as it affects every aspect of my life and yours. The doors of too many institutions have been closed to us for too long. We are making waves in the areas of the arts and sciences but it’s too slow. Let’s hope that in 70 years’ time women will be top scientists and their art will be  regularly on display at the Whitechapel Gallery opposite. The Barbara Hepworth solo exhibition should be just the first of many.

2023. Charlie is in the Whitechapel Gallery painting a stylised self-portrait at a free workshop there. He finishes the piece and takes it over to the Freedom Bookshop.

Charlie: Please can I put this up for sale here. I want £80 to buy myself some warm clothes and a sleeping bag.
Sally: Of course. Let me put it up for you. It’s fantastic.  Maybe you’ll get some commissions.

Charlie is sitting on a sleeping bag doing a portrait of George Orwell.

The End