Galloping Foxley
Encyclopedia
"Galloping Foxley" is a short story
by Roald Dahl
that first appeared in the November 1953 issue of Town & Country
. It was included in the 1953 collection Someone Like You
, and was later adapted in an episode of Tales of The Unexpected
.
One of the more unusual Tales of The Unexpected, Roald Dahl claimed that Galloping Foxley was based on a true story. The story is about a man named Perkins described as a "contented commuter" but who is in fact obsessed by routine. Every day he arrives at the station and catches the 8:12 train taking the same seat in the carriage. One day his routine is shattered by the arrival of a newcomer who takes first his place at the station, and then his seat in the carriage. The outraged Perkins slowly realises that he recognises the newcomer as a former school-mate. The newcomer clearly does not recognise Perkins, allowing the author to fill the void. The newcomer is Foxley. While at school, Foxley was a prefect who used Perkins as his personal slave: viciously abusing him mentally and physically. Indeed the name "Galloping Foxley" is in recognition of the method in which Foxley takes a run up when delivering a beating.
The ending used in Tales of The Unexpected
differs from the original written version. In the book, Perkins decides to seek revenge by publicly humiliating Foxley. He introduces himself; without a shred of emotion, Foxley introduces himself but he gives a different name and school. In the television version Perkins creates a scene and recounts to the other passengers the misery he suffered at the hands of the newcomer. Again the newcomer shows no emotion but denies being Foxley and gives a different name and school. However, he gives a knowing look and rests his cane on his shoulder exactly as the viewer saw Foxley do earlier on. This version is less ambiguous, and it is clear that the newcomer is indeed Foxley returning once again to humiliate Perkins.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, fighter pilot and screenwriter.Born in Wales to Norwegian parents, he served in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, in which he became a flying ace and intelligence agent, rising to the rank of Wing Commander...
that first appeared in the November 1953 issue of Town & Country
Town & Country (magazine)
Town & Country, formerly the Home Journal and The National Press, is a monthly American lifestyle magazine. It is the oldest continually published general interest magazine in the United States.-Early history:...
. It was included in the 1953 collection Someone Like You
Someone Like You (collection)
Someone Like You is a collection of short stories by Roald Dahl. It was published in 1953 by Alfred Knopf.-Contents:* "Dip in the Pool"* "Galloping Foxley"* "Lamb to the Slaughter"* "Man from the South"* "Mr. Feasey"* "Mr...
, and was later adapted in an episode of Tales of The Unexpected
Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)
Tales of the Unexpected is a British television series originally aired between 1979 and 1988, made by Anglia Television for ITV. Filming began in 1978.The series was an anthology of different tales...
.
One of the more unusual Tales of The Unexpected, Roald Dahl claimed that Galloping Foxley was based on a true story. The story is about a man named Perkins described as a "contented commuter" but who is in fact obsessed by routine. Every day he arrives at the station and catches the 8:12 train taking the same seat in the carriage. One day his routine is shattered by the arrival of a newcomer who takes first his place at the station, and then his seat in the carriage. The outraged Perkins slowly realises that he recognises the newcomer as a former school-mate. The newcomer clearly does not recognise Perkins, allowing the author to fill the void. The newcomer is Foxley. While at school, Foxley was a prefect who used Perkins as his personal slave: viciously abusing him mentally and physically. Indeed the name "Galloping Foxley" is in recognition of the method in which Foxley takes a run up when delivering a beating.
The ending used in Tales of The Unexpected
Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)
Tales of the Unexpected is a British television series originally aired between 1979 and 1988, made by Anglia Television for ITV. Filming began in 1978.The series was an anthology of different tales...
differs from the original written version. In the book, Perkins decides to seek revenge by publicly humiliating Foxley. He introduces himself; without a shred of emotion, Foxley introduces himself but he gives a different name and school. In the television version Perkins creates a scene and recounts to the other passengers the misery he suffered at the hands of the newcomer. Again the newcomer shows no emotion but denies being Foxley and gives a different name and school. However, he gives a knowing look and rests his cane on his shoulder exactly as the viewer saw Foxley do earlier on. This version is less ambiguous, and it is clear that the newcomer is indeed Foxley returning once again to humiliate Perkins.