The Mousetrap and Other Plays (41 page)

CURTAIN

Scene II

SCENE
:
The same. Later the same day.

When Curtain rises, the weather has changed; the wind is rising and the sky is overcast. The windows are closed, with the exception of the right side of the French windows up Centre.
LADY
ANGKATELL
is seated on the sofa at the Right end, knitting.
MIDGE
is seated on the chair down Right.
EDWARD
is seated in the armchair Left Centre, doing “The Times” crossword.
HENRIETTA
is standing on the terrace up Centre. After a while
HENRIETTA
moves down Centre. She pauses as the clock strikes two, then paces below the sofa to Right and gazes out of the window Right.
)

LADY
ANGKATELL
. I knew the weather was too good to last. I wish I knew what to do about meals. This Inspector person and the other one—does one send them something on a tray? Or do they have a meal with us later?

(
HENRIETTA
turns.
)

The police aren't at all as they are in books. This Inspector Colquhoun, for instance, well he's a
gentleman.
I know one mustn't say that these days—it annoys people—but he is. (
She pauses.
)

(
HENRIETTA
crosses above the sofa to Left.
)

(
Suddenly.
) St. Albans!

(
EDWARD
and
HENRIETTA
look at
LADY
ANGKATELL
in surprise.
)

HENRIETTA
. What about St. Albans? (
She moves to the alcove.
)

LADY
ANGKATELL
. No, no, Hendon. The police college. Quite unlike our local Inspector Jackson, who is very nice, but such a heavy accent, and such a heavy moustache.

(
HENRIETTA
opens the curtain of the alcove, switches on the light and stands Right of the arch, looking off Left at the statue.
)

MIDGE
. Why did they send someone down from Scotland Yard? I thought the local people always dealt with things first.

EDWARD
. This is the Metropolitan area.

MIDGE
. Oh, I see.

(
HENRIETTA
moves to the fireplace, leaving the alcove curtain open and light on.
)

LADY
ANGKATELL
. I don't think his wife looks after him properly. I imagine she's the kind of woman that's always cleaning the house, and doesn't bother to cook.

EDWARD
. Inspector Colquhoun?

LADY
ANGKATELL
. No, no, dear. Inspector Jackson. I shouldn't think Colquhoun was married. Not yet. He's quite attractive.

HENRIETTA
. They're a long time in with Henry.

LADY
ANGKATELL
. The worst of murder is it does upset the servants so.

(
HENRIETTA
crosses above the sofa to the window Right.
)

We were to have duck for lunch. Still, cold duck can be quite nice. I suppose one couldn't sit down and have a little bit, could one? (
She pauses.
) No.

MIDGE
. It was all horrible. (
She shivers.
) It's dreadful having to sit in here.

LADY
ANGKATELL
. Well, darling, we've got to sit in here. There is nowhere else to sit.

(
HENRIETTA
turns and crosses below the sofa to the fireplace.
)

First they turn us out of here and take photographs, then they herd us back in here and make the dining room their headquarters, and now this Inspector Colquhoun is in the study with Henry.

(
There is a pause.
HENRIETTA
turns and faces the fireplace.
)

What does one do about Gerda, do you think? Something on a tray? A little strong soup, perhaps?

MIDGE
. (
Rising and moving to the window Right; vehemently
) Really, Lucy, you're quite inhuman. (
She gazes out of the window.
)

LADY
ANGKATELL
. (
Surprised
) Darling, it's all very upsetting, but one has to go on with meals and things. Excitement even makes one rather hungry—rather sick, too.

MIDGE
. Yes, I know. That's just what one does feel.

LADY
ANGKATELL
. Reading about murders in newspapers gives one no idea how trying they can be. I feel as though I'd walked about fifteen miles. Just think, we'll be in the
News of the World
next week—perhaps even tomorrow.

EDWARD
. I never see the
News of the World.

LADY
ANGKATELL
. Don't you? Oh, I always do. We pretend to get it for the servants, but Gudgeon is very understanding. He doesn't take it to the servants' hall before the evening. You should read it, Edward. You'd be amazed at the number of old Colonels who make improper advances to nurse-maids.

(
GUDGEON
enters Left. He carries a tray of coffee and sandwiches.
)

Ah! (
She moves along the sofa and sits Centre of it.
)

GUDGEON
. (
Crossing to the coffee table
) Shall I take something in to the study to Sir Henry and the police officer?

LADY
ANGKATELL
. Yes, yes, thank you, Gudgeon, I'm a little worried about Mrs. Cristow.

GUDGEON
. Simmonds has already taken her up some tea, and some thin bread and butter and a boiled egg, m'lady. (
He turns and crosses to the door Left.
)

LADY
ANGKATELL
. Thank you, Gudgeon. I had forgotten about the eggs, Gudgeon. I meant to do something about them.

GUDGEON
. (
Stopping and turning
) I have already attended to that, m'lady. (
With a trace of emphasis
)
Quite
satisfactorily, I think. You need have no further anxiety.

(
He exits Left.
)

LADY
ANGKATELL
. I don't know what I should do without him. These substantial sandwiches are just what is needed—not as heartless as a sit-down meal, and yet . . .

MIDGE
. (
Starting to cry; hysterically
) Oh, Lucy—don't!

(
LADY
ANGKATELL
looks surprised.
EDWARD
rises, crosses to the drinks table, puts his paper and pencil on it, then moves to
MIDGE
and puts an arm around her as she sobs unrestrainedly.
)

EDWARD
. Midge . . .

LADY
ANGKATELL
. Poor dear. It's all been too much for her.

EDWARD
. Don't worry, Midge. It's all right. Come and sit down. (
He leads her to the sofa and sits her at the Right end of it.
)

MIDGE
. I'm sorry to be such a fool.

EDWARD
. We understand.

MIDGE
. I've lost my handkerchief.

(
LADY
ANGKATELL
pours out four cups of coffee.
)

EDWARD
. (
Handing
MIDGE
his handkerchief
) Here—have mine.

MIDGE
. Thank you.

EDWARD
. (
Moving to the coffee table
) And have some coffee.

MIDGE
. No, I don't want anything.

EDWARD
. Yes, you do. (
He hands
MIDGE
a cup of coffee.
) Come on now—drink this. It'll make you feel better.

LADY
ANGKATELL
. Some coffee, Henrietta?

HENRIETTA
. Yes, thank you. Shouldn't one of us go up to Gerda?

(
EDWARD
picks up a cup of coffee and crosses with it to
HENRIETTA
.)

LADY
ANGKATELL
. My dear child, one doesn't know what to think.

(
EDWARD
moves to the coffee table, picks up a cup of coffee for himself and eases up Centre.
)

One doesn't even know what her reactions
are.
How would one feel if one had just killed one's husband? One simply doesn't know.

HENRIETTA
. Aren't we assuming rather too readily that Gerda
has
killed her husband?

(
There is an awkward pause.
EDWARD
looks at
LADY
ANGKATELL
and shifts uneasily.
LADY
ANGKATELL
looks searchingly at
HENRIETTA
,
trying to make up her mind about something.
)

EDWARD
. Well, we found her standing over his body with the revolver in her hand. I imagined there was no question about it.

HENRIETTA
. We haven't heard yet what she has to say.

EDWARD
. It seems self-evident to me.

(
HENRIETTA
moves up Centre and goes on to the terrace.
)

LADY
ANGKATELL
. Mind you, she had every provocation. John behaved in a most barefaced manner. After all, there are ways of doing these things. Being unfaithful, I mean.

(
GERDA
enters
L
eft
.
She is very shaky and incoherent. She carries her leathercraft bag.
)

GERDA
. (
Looking around apologetically
) I—I really couldn't lie down any longer. I felt—so restless.

LADY
ANGKATELL
. (
Rising and moving to
GERDA
) No, of course not. (
She leads her to the sofa and sits her at the Left end of it.
) Come and sit here, my dear. (
She moves above the sofa.
) Midge, that little cushion.

(
MIDGE
rises, puts her cup on the writing table, then takes the cushion from the chair down Right and hands it to
LADY
ANGKATELL
.)

(
To
GERDA
.) Put your feet up. (
She puts the cushion behind
GERDA
's head.
) We were just about to have some sandwiches. Would you like one?

GERDA
. No, no, thank you. I—I am only just beginning to realize it. I haven't been able to feel—I still can't feel—that John is really
dead.
That I shall never see him again. Who could possibly have killed him?

(
They all look embarrassed.
SIR
HENRY
enters Left. He is followed on by
INSPECTOR
COLQUHOUN
,
who is a thoughtful, quiet man with charm and a sense of humour. His personality is sympathetic. He must not be played as a comedy part.
SIR
HENRY
has a filled pipe in his hand.
)

SIR
HENRY
. (
Moving to the fireplace
) Inspector Colquhoun would like to talk to Gerda, my dear. (
He turns.
) Could you take him up and . . . (
He sees
GERDA
and breaks off.
)

LADY
ANGKATELL
. This is Mrs. Cristow, Mr. Colquhoun.

(
The
INSPECTOR
crosses to Left of the sofa.
)

GERDA
. (
Nervously
) Yes—yes—I—you want to talk to me? About John's death?

INSPECTOR
. I don't want to distress you, Mrs. Cristow, but I would like to ask you a few questions. You're not bound to answer them unless you wish to do so, and you are entitled, if you like, to have your solicitor present before you say anything at all.

SIR
HENRY
. That is what I should advise, Gerda.

GERDA
. (
Putting her feet to the ground and sitting up
) A solicitor? But why a solicitor? A solicitor wouldn't know anything about John's death.

INSPECTOR
. Any statement you choose to make . . .

GERDA
. I want to tell you. It's all so bewildering—like a bad dream. I haven't been able to cry, even. I just don't feel anything at all.

SIR
HENRY
. It's the shock.

GERDA
. You see, it all happened so suddenly. I'd gone back to the house. I was just coming downstairs to fetch my leathercraft bag, and I heard a shot—came in here and there was John—lying all twisted up—and blood—blood . . .

(
MIDGE
moves to the chair down Right and sits.
)

INSPECTOR
. What time was this, Mrs. Cristow?

(
LADY
ANGKATELL
and
MIDGE
exchange looks.
)

GERDA
. I don't know. It might have been twelve o'clock—or half past.

INSPECTOR
. Where had you been before you came downstairs?

GERDA
. In my room.

INSPECTOR
. Had you just got up?