Fandom 50 (8): Welcome to the Midnight Bell - Ernest Ralph Gorse

Ernest Ralph Gorse was the final character created by Patrick Hamilton, in the first half of the 1950s.  His story is found in the Gorse Trilogy:  The West Pier, Mr Stimpson and Mr Gorse, and Unknown Assailant.  He is an unpleasant charmer, preying on vulnerable single women, for what he can get out of them.  In Sir Matthew Bourne's dance production he is paired with Miss Roach, who allows herself to use him as a companion, but is very aware of the kind of character he is and is not sucked into his projects.

Ernest Ralph Gorse sauntered into the Midnight Bell.  He preferred something slightly more upmarket, but he had his reasons for being there.  He eyed up the barmaid, but the publican glared at him.  He shrugged, she probably wasn’t worth it, and ordered a double whisky.  Then he smiled at Miss Roach, who came to pay.  He sat down at her table and prepared to relax but was caught off his guard when she said she wasn’t stopping long as she needed to catch her bus.  He wondered whether he could, after all, charm the barmaid into giving him a drink.