Hancock's Half Hour - No. 50

"THE EMIGRANT"

[ Available on B.B.C. video: "The Poison Pen Letters"; Catalogue No. BBCV4050 ]

UPWARDLY-MOBILE HANCOCK

HANCOCK:

All my life I've been looking forward to becoming middle class - just when my goal is in sight they put another tanner on the rates and I'm back where I started! There's no incentive to get on in this country.

HANCOCK'S PROSPECTS

HANCOCK:

It's no good, Sid, there's no future for anybody in this country ..... unless they go out to work.

HANCOCK'S APPLICATION TO EMIGRATE

AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY CLERK:

What is your trade?

HANCOCK:

Trade?! I, sir, am a thespian!

AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY CLERK:

Oh dear! Yes, yes, I thought so: actors, vagrants and undesirables are all listed together. I think to be on the safe side you'd better give me your secondary trade.

HANCOCK:

Travelling knife grinder .....