Imaginary Latvian Jockey
in “National Velvet” (1944), starring Elizabeth Taylor and Mickey Rooney
Mi Taylor: Keep your mouth shut and your eyes down.
Mi: Sit down.
Velvet Brown: Mi, they’re staring. They’re whispering!
Mi: Let ’em whisper.
Beasley: I’ve seen you somewhere! Newmarket last year?
Mi: I’ve been about.
Beasley: I thought I knew ya! A bit young, ain’t he?
Mi: Latvian. They teach them pretty young over there. You know, like for the Russian ballet.
Beasly: Wow. Going to waltz over the course, matey?
Mi: Better save your breath, he doesn’t speak English.
Beasley: What’s his horse?
Mi: The Pie.
Beasley: Never heard of him. Where’s he been running? The merry-go-round?
Assistant: Aw, come on, Beasley.
Weighing officer: Ten-ten. Weight?
Jockey: Ten-seven.
Mi: They’re going to ask you your weight, and then they’re going to put you in the chair.
Beasley: I thought he didn’t understand English?
Mi: Well, he’s got to learn sometime, hasn’t he? All right, off you go. Chair…
Weighing officer: Sit down. Go on… Weight?
Mi: Ten even! He doesn’t speak English. Latvian lad. You think he’d never seen a scale before.
Weighing officer: Nine, thirteen, and eleven. Penny piece, and a half. All right, go on.
Mi: Dull of comprehension.
