Abberline enters the Ten Bells and nods at Mary. The two of them go outside, into an alley.

Abberline: You don't have to worry about Nichols Street for at least a week. I can keep them that long.
Mary: Well that's something, anyway. Thank you.
Abberline: Yeah.
Mary: What about Baby Alice? Are you sure she's all right?
Abberline: Yeah. She's all right. We'll get her out after this is over.
Mary: We'll get her?
Abberline: Listen, I want you and your friends off the streets until I can sort this thing out.
Mary: Off the streets, for how long?
Abberline: A few days at least.
Mary: Well, you better throw us in jail then, 'cause we have no money for food and no money for a doss.
Abberline: All right. You take this, buy some food, you get a room, stay there. Don't tell anyone where you're going. I don't want to know. In three days, come to the Ten Bells. I'll leave a message with the barkeep. (Mary is touched.) What? It's not enough?
Mary: I wish I could show you the little village where I was born. It's so lovely there. It's by the sea, the way you said you saw me. I used to think it too small to spend a life in, but now I'm not so sure. (She starts to kiss him.)
Abberline: (pulling away) Don't. Don't.
Mary: What? Do you think I'm paying you back? I didn't mean it as business. (She throws his money down.) I'm still a woman. They haven't taken that away from me, not yet anyways.
Mary turns to go, and Abberline pushes her up against the wall and kisses her long.
Policeman: (Pounds the wall near them. They break apart.) Enough of that. Now, lad, at least take . . . (Abberline comes out of shadow and the policeman recognizes him.) Sorry sir. (leaves)
Abberline: Don't be angry with me, Mary, please.
He picks up the money and puts it in her hand, again. Mary looks uncertain.

Abberline's Office

The wall is covered with photographs of the bodies, items recovered from the crime scenes and maps of London. Abberline is passed out in his chair, opium paraphernalia on the desk. He has a vision of the killer taking a red-haired woman from behind and slashing her throat. Blood gushes everywhere.

Godley's voice: Get up.

Abberline opens his eyes to see Godley looming over the desk, hand poised to slap him.

Abberline: (weakly) Don't. I'm awake.
Godley: I can't believe you're smoking it here. Commissioner will can you for sure.
Abberline: (reaching for a cloth in a washbasin) The door was locked.
Godley: I had a key made. I don't understand you. The Ripper is out there, murdering at will, and you can't stay sober for a few days?
Abberline: (after wiping his face with the wet cloth.) Sgt. Godley, take some constables and arrest every red-haired whore you can find in Whitechapel. Do it today. Get them off the streets before dark.
Godley: Red-haired? Why?
Abberline: His next victim will have red hair, and she'll die tonight.
Godley: How can you know that? Wait . . . red hair like Mary Kelly? Frederick, old chum, no one is more delighted than I am that you have decided to renew your interest in the fairer sex, but a woman like that . . . (Abberline gives him a look.) "A rose by any other name," is that it?Abberline: It'll be dark in a few hours. You don't have much time, Sergeant. Every red-haired whore.
Godley: (clearly saddened at Abberline's loss of sanity) Yes, Inspector.

-------

Bishopsgate Orphanage

Mary Kelly comes up the street. Abberline steps out in front of her. He's been waiting.
Mary: What?
Abberline: I'm looking for you. I thought you'd come for Baby Alice.
Mary: Well, aren't you bloody brilliant. And what if I did?
Abberline: I told you to use the money to get yourself and your friends to safety.
Mary: That's what I'm doing.
Abberline: Mary, listen to me. Your friends are not in danger tonight, but you are. Leave Alice to later. I promise she'll be all right. But you . . . Mary, I want you to come to my house tonight. You'll be safe there.
Mary: (laughs) You know, Inspector, if you want my services, all you have to do is pay for them. You don't have to make up stories.
Abberline: (earnestly) I just want you off the street, Mary, where you'll be safe. The killer wants you tonight.
Mary: (pushing past him) You can't know that.
Abberline: They won't let you in. I told them not to admit you.
Mary: (angry) Easy to bar the door to an "unfortunate," isn't it.
Abberline: 17 Hudson Street, Mary. If you don't come, they'll take you to jail.
Mary: Well, thanks for the warning, Copper. I'll stay clear.

Mary runs away. Abberline sags against the wall.

-----

Abberline's Home

After dark. Abberline comes in, clearly disheartened. He is collecting absinthe, laudanum, and opium when there's a knock at the door. He opens it and Mary Kelly stands there.

Mary: Sorry about the neighbors. I waited 'til dark, anyway.
Abberline: Come in!
He can only step aside so much, so she has to pass very close to him. They both avoid contact. Abberline shuts the door as Mary looks around, seeing the drugs.

Mary: You are an opium smoker. Stella said you were.
Abberline: Which one was Stella?
Mary: She said opium destroys a man's appetites, so she says you can't be seduced.
Abberline: Take your coat?
Mary: Sure.

Mary unbuttons her coat and turns her shoulders toward him. Abberline takes her coat gingerly.

Abberline: I'm glad you came, Mary.
Mary: So, is it true about your appetite? Or can I get some dinner?
Abberline: (looking around his place, startled) Dinner?

------------------

Nearby Pub

Abberline looks ill, but Mary eats with gusto.

Mary: These people are your neighbors. I can't believe you want to bring me here.
Abberline: I don't want to stay out very long.
Mary: You're not eating, again.
Abberline: Not hungry.
Mary: (pushing her plate away) Well, I'm not eating until you do. If you're going to be my protector, you have to keep up your strength. You don't look so well.
Abberline: I'm all right.
Mary: Prove it. Eat something. I mean it.

Abberline makes an attempt to eat, but it's an effort. He appears to be getting sicker. Mary watches him for a moment, then starts back in on her own food.

Mary: What makes you say Jack wants me tonight?
Abberline: Maybe you. Someone with red hair.
Mary: How do you know?
Abberline: If I tell you, you mustn't tell anyone else.
Mary: All right.
Abberline: I see the murders in visions.
Mary: (stops eating) Are you serious? Visions? You mean before they happen?

Abberline nods, looking uneasy. Mary looks at his hand holding the fork. It is shaking. Self-conscious, Abberline puts his hand down.

-----

Outside the Pub.

Mary and Abberline emerge.

Mary: Thank you very much for the dinner, but I'm going to my lodgings, now.
Abberline: Mary, no!
Mary: It's all right. I got a room, like you said. My friends are there.
Abberline: You don't believe me, about the visions.
Mary: I'm sure you're very dedicated to your job and all, but I don't think you're well.
Abberline: I'll be fine after . . . I've gone home. Mary you can't go. He'll find you somehow. I've seen it.
Mary: (leaving) Sorry.
Abberline: How much for the night?
Mary: (She stops) What?
Abberline: I'll pay you to stay. All night. How much?

Torn, Mary considers. She doesn't entirely trust Abberline, but she needs the money.

Mary: One bob.

Abberline produces the money promptly and holds it out. Slowly, Mary approaches, studying him. Shaking and sweating, Abberline waits. Finally she takes it.

----------------------------

On the street where a woman lies dead

Abberline approaches through the crowd, and Godley stiffens as Abberline nears. Abberline kneels beside the corpse. She has red hair. Abberline reaches out to feel her hair and a wig comes off in his hand.

Godley: A wig!
Abberline: (to himself, angry) I didn't see that.
Godley: (suspiciously) What didn't you see, Inspector?
Abberline: Nothing.

-----

Abberline's Office

Abberline pins another photograph to his collection of items on the wall. Godley enters, closes the door, and turns the key.

Abberline: Sergeant?
Godley: Inspector. We've been friends a long time, yeah?
Abberline: What's this about, Peter?
Godley: I have to ask you this. I want you to trust me and tell me the truth.
Abberline: What?
Godley: Where were you last night?
Abberline: I was at home.
Godley: Did anyone see you? Did you eat at the pub?
Abberline: Yes, Officer, I ate at the pub. I imagine everyone will remember since I ate with a whore.
Godley: (surprised) You did?
Abberline: I did. And she is my alibi for the whole night, so you don't need to ask.
Godley: Thank Christ. Mary Kelly?
Abberline: Is that all, Officer? May I go now?
Godley: No. (Godley holds up the key.) Neither of us is leaving this room until you tell me how you knew.
Abberline: (sighing) Let's have your flask.

Godley hands him his flask and they both sit down.