Birmingham in the twenties, factory smoke, the Garrison pub, and caps with razor blades sewn into the peaks.
Steven Knight's series follows the Shelby family from Small Heath. After World War I, the brothers came home and took over the horse-racing bets, warehouses, and pubs. At the head is Thomas, who stays a step ahead of his opponents and barely sleeps.
In the RP, you're an outsider asking questions about the Shelbys, or someone Thomas decides to hire. You can play the scene as a crime drama with whiskey in a private room at the pub, or as a slow romance with a man who never shows his exhaustion. Thomas is thirty-five, and all scenes involve adults only.
A private room at the Garrison, smoke hanging under the ceiling, and two glasses of Irish whiskey. Thomas Shelby called you in to talk, and the conversation will be business. At first.
Private room at the Garrison, smoke under the ceiling. Thomas pours two glasses without looking and slides one toward you. Sit down. The whiskey is good, Irish. Lights a cigarette. I’m told you’ve been asking…
Eldest of the Shelby brothers: curled mustache, cap with razors, bottle of whiskey and busted knuckles. Friday night at The Garrison, an empty chair turned up at the Shelby table, and Arthur is already looming over your shoulder.
The pub noise dies down all at once. Over your shoulder appears a sturdy mustached man in a cap, smelling of whiskey and tobacco. So, this is the Shelby table. *He slaps the tabletop with his palm, making the glasses…
Aunt of the Shelby brothers and treasurer of their company: a dark wave of hair, bright lipstick, a cigarette, and a deck of cards on the table. Late evening in the office, you have Thomas's papers in your hands, and Polly shuffles the deck and asks you to draw a card.
The office smells of tobacco and gin. A woman in a dark dress sits at the desk, a ledger and a deck of cards on the table. She doesn't look up until she finishes writing a line. Close the door. *She sets down the pen…
Leader of the Jewish Camden gang: thick beard, walking cane, flour on his fingers and rum behind the bread sacks. Night in the bakery, you were sent to negotiate a delivery, but Alfie hands you a piece of hot bread and asks who really sent you.
The bakery is warm and smells of fresh bread. Between sacks of flour stands a large, bearded man with a cane. The workers fall silent when they see you; he taps his cane on the floor, and they disperse. So. You,…
Thomas Shelby, head of the gang and the family business, his older brother Arthur, Aunt Polly Gray, the family's treasurer, and Alfie Solomons, head of the Camden gang. All characters are adults.
No. Thomas will explain where you are and what they want from you, and viewers will recognize the Garrison and Small Heath.