The Mousetrap and Other Plays (2 page)

LOMBARD
. (
Gazing round room; very interested
) So this is it!

VERA
. How perfectly lovely!

ROGERS
. Miss Claythorne!

VERA
. You're—Rogers?

ROGERS
. Yes. Good evening, Miss.

VERA
. Good evening, Rogers. Will you bring up my luggage and Captain Lombard's?

ROGERS
. Very good, Miss. (
He exits through Centre windows to Left.
)

VERA
. (
To
LOMBARD
;
coming Right Centre into room
) You've been here before?

LOMBARD
. No—but I've heard a lot about the place.

VERA
. From Mr. and Mrs. Owen?

LOMBARD
. (
Crossing down Left
) No, old Johnny Brewer, a pal of mine, built this house—it's a sad and poignant story.

VERA
. A love story?

LOMBARD
. Yes, ma'am—the saddest of all. He was a wealthy old boy and fell in love with the famous Lily Logan—married her—bought the island and built this place for her.

VERA
. Sounds most romantic.

LOMBARD
. Poor Johnny! He thought by cutting her off from the rest of the world—without even a telephone as means of communication—he could hold her.

VERA
. But of course the fair Lily tired of her ivory tower—and escaped?

LOMBARD
. U'huh. Johnny went back to Wall Street, made a few more millions, and the place was sold.

VERA
. And here we are. (
Moving as if to go out of door Left I
) Well, I ought to find Mrs. Owen. The others will be up in a minute.

LOMBARD
. (
Stopping her
) It would be very rude to leave me here all by myself.

VERA
. Would it? Oh, well, I wonder where she is?

LOMBARD
. She'll come along when she's ready. While we're waiting (
Nodding towards cabinet down Right
) do you think I could have a drink? I'm very dry. (
Goes below sofa to down Right and starts preparing drinks.
)

VERA
. Of course you could.

LOMBARD
. It's certainly warm after that steep climb. What's yours?

VERA
. No, thanks, not for me—Not on duty. (
To behind chair, Right Centre.
)

LOMBARD
. A good secretary is never off duty.

VERA
. Really. (
Looking round room
) This is exciting! (
Goes below sofa to up Centre.
)

LOMBARD
. What?

VERA
. All this. The smell of the sea—the gulls—the beach and this lovely house. I am going to enjoy myself.

LOMBARD
. (
Smiling. Coming to her
) I think you are. I think we both are. (
Holding up drink
) Here's to you—you're very lovely.

(
ROGERS
enters Centre from Left with two suitcases and comes down Left Centre.
)

VERA
. (
To
ROGERS
) Where is Mrs. Owen?

ROGERS
. Mr. and Mrs. Owen won't be down from London until tomorrow, Miss. I thought you knew.

VERA
. Tomorrow—but—

ROGERS
. I've got a list here of the guests expected, Miss, if you would like to have it. The second boat load's just arriving. (
Holds out list.
)

VERA
. Thank you. (
Takes list.
ROGERS
goes into hall Left 1.
) How awful—I say, you will be sweet and help me, won't you?

LOMBARD
. I won't move from your side.

VERA
. Thank you. (
She reads list. They
BOTH
move down Right.
) It seems silly to have brought only us in the first boat and all the rest in the second.

LOMBARD
. That, I'm afraid, was design, not accident.

VERA
. Design? What do you mean?

LOMBARD
. I suggested to the boatman that there was no need to wait for any more passengers. That and five shillings soon started up the engine.

VERA
. (
Laughing
) Oh, you shouldn't have done that!

LOMBARD
. Well, they're not a very exciting lot, are they?

VERA
. I thought the young man was rather nice looking.

LOMBARD
. Callow. Definitely callow. And very, very young.

VERA
. I suppose you think a man in his thirties is more attractive.

LOMBARD
. I don't think, my darling—I know.

(
MARSTON
enters Centre from Left. Good-looking young man of twenty-three or so. Rich, spoiled—not very intelligent.
)

MARSTON
. (
Coming down Right to them
) Wizard place you've got here.

(
Prepares to greet
VERA
as his hostess.
LOMBARD
stands beside her like a host.
)

VERA
. (
Shakes hands
) I'm Mrs. Owen's secretary. Mrs. Owen has been detained in London, I'm afraid, and won't be down until tomorrow.

MARSTON
. (
Vaguely
) Oh, too bad.

VERA
. May I introduce Captain Lombard, Mr.—er—

MARSTON
. Marston, Anthony Marston.

LOMBARD
. Have a drink?

MARSTON
. Oh, thank you.

(
BLORE
comes up on balcony from Left. Middle-aged, thickset man. Is wearing rather loud clothes and is giving his impression of a South African gold magnate. His eyes dart about; making notes of everything.
)

LOMBARD
. What will you have? Gin, whisky, sherry—?

MARSTON
. Whisky, I think.

(
They go down Right to cabinet.
)

BLORE
. (
Comes down to
VERA
at Right Centre. Seizing
VERA
's hand and wringing it heartily
) Wonderful place you have here.

VERA
. I'm Mrs. Owen's secretary. Mrs. Owen has been detained in London, I'm afraid, and won't be down until tomorrow.

LOMBARD
. Say when!

MARSTON
. Oh, wizard!

BLORE
. How are you? (
Makes for cocktail cabinet.
)

LOMBARD
. My name's Lombard. Have a drink, Mr.—

BLORE
. Davis. Davis is the name.

LOMBARD
. Mr. Davis—Mr. Marston!

(
VERA
sits on Right sofa.
)

BLORE
. How are you, Mr. Marston? Pleased to meet you. Thanks, Mr. Lombard. I don't mind if I do. Bit of a stiff climb up here. (
He goes up Centre to balcony.
) But whew! What a view and what a height! Reminds me of South Africa, this place. (
Comes down Centre.
)

LOMBARD
. (
Staring at him
) Does it? What part?

BLORE
. Oh—er—Natal, Durban, you know.

LOMBARD
. (
Crosses Centre
) Really? (
Hands him drink
)

BLORE
. Well, here's to temperance. Do you—er—know South Africa?

LOMBARD
. Me? No.

BLORE
. (
With renewed confidence
) That's where I come from. That's my Natal state—ha ha.

LOMBARD
. Interesting country, I should think.

BLORE
. Finest country in the world, sir. Gold, silver, diamonds, oranges, everything a man could want. Talk about a land flowing with beer and skittles. (
Goes to cocktail cabinet down Right
).

(
GENERAL
MACKENZIE
arrives on balcony from Left. Upright soldierly old man, with a gentle, tired face.
)

MACKENZIE
. (
Hesitating courteously
) Er—How do you do?

(
VERA
rises; meets him above sofa seat.
)

VERA
. General MacKenzie, isn't it? I'm Mrs. Owen's secretary. Mrs. Owen has been detained in London, I'm afraid, and won't be down until tomorrow. Can I introduce Captain Lombard—Mr. Marston and Mr.—

(
MACKENZIE
crosses towards them.
)

BLORE
. (
Approaching him
) Davis, Davis is the name. (
Shakes hands.
)

LOMBARD
. Whisky and soda, sir?

MACKENZIE
. Er—thanks. (
Goes down Right; studies
LOMBARD
.) You in the service?

LOMBARD
. Formerly in the King's African Rifles. Too tame for me in peacetime. I chucked it.

MACKENZIE
. Pity. (
As
LOMBARD
pours out soda
) When.

(
MISS
EMILY
BRENT
arrives Centre from Left. She is a tall, thin spinster, with a disagreeable, suspicious face.
)

EMILY
. (
Sharply to
VERA
) Where is Mrs. Owen? (
Puts case on Left sofa.
)

VERA
. Miss Brent, isn't it? I'm Mrs. Owen's secretary. Mrs. Owen has been detained in London, I'm afraid.

(
LOMBARD
to Right of
EMILY
.)

LOMBARD
and
VERA
. And won't be down until tomorrow.

(
They tail off, rather embarrassed.
)

EMILY
. Indeed. Extraordinary. Did she miss the train?

VERA
. I expect so. Won't you have something? May I introduce Captain Lombard—General MacKenzie—Mr. Marston. I think you all met on the boat. And Mr.—

BLORE
. Davis, Davis is the name. May I take your case? (
Up to
EMILY
,
then goes behind her to Right.
)

LOMBARD
. Do let me give you a drink? A dry Martini? A glass of sherry? Whisky and soda?

EMILY
. (
Coldly
) I never touch alcohol.

LOMBARD
. You never touch alcohol!

EMILY
. (
She picks up case; goes below sofa to Left
) I suppose you know, young man, that you left us standing there on the wharf?

VERA
. I'm afraid, Miss Brent, I was to blame for that. I wanted to—

EMILY
. It seems to me most extraordinary that Mrs. Owen should not be here to receive her guests.

VERA
. (
Smiling
) Perhaps she's the kind of person who just can't help missing trains.

BLORE
. (
Laughs
) That's what I reckon she is.

EMILY
. Not at all. Mrs. Owen isn't the least like that.

LOMBARD
. (
Lightly
) Perhaps it was her husband's fault.

EMILY
. (
Sharply
) She hasn't got a husband. (
VERA
stares. Enter
ROGERS
Left 2.
) I should like to go to my room.

VERA
. Of course. I'll take you there.

ROGERS
. (
To
VERA
) You'll find Mrs. Rogers upstairs, Miss. She will show you the room.

(
Exit
VERA
and
EMILY
Left 1.
ROGERS
exits Left 1.
WARGRAVE
enters Centre from Left; comes Centre.
)

LOMBARD
. (
Comes forward
) I'm afraid our host and hostess haven't arrived, sir. My name's Lombard.

WARGRAVE
. Mine's Wargrave. How do you do?

LOMBARD
. How do you do? Have a drink, sir?

WARGRAVE
. Yes, please. A whisky.

BLORE
. (
Crosses to
WARGRAVE
) How are you? Davis, Davis is the name. (
LOMBARD
gets his drink. Affably to
WARGRAVE
) I say, wonderful place you've got here. Quite unique.

WARGRAVE
. As you say—Quite unique.

BLORE
. Your drink, sir.

(
WARGRAVE
puts coat on sofa Left, takes his drink and sits up Left. Watches proceedings from there.
)

MARSTON
. (
To
LOMBARD
) Old Badger Berkeley rolled up yet?

LOMBARD
. Who did you say?

MARSTON
. Badger Berkeley. He roped me in for this show. When's he coming?

LOMBARD
. I don't think he is coming. Nobody of the name of Berkeley.

MARSTON
. (
Faw drops
) The dirty old double-crosser! He's let me down. Well, it's a pretty wizard island. Rather a wizard girl, that secretary. She ought to liven things up a bit. I say, old man, what about dressing for dinner if there's time?

LOMBARD
. Let's go and explore.