The Mousetrap and Other Plays (63 page)

It is my sadistic tendencies he fears—not my dishonourable ones. (
He leers.
) Alas, what an inconvenience the husband always is. (
He kisses her fingers.
)
Arrivederlà
. . .

MOLLIE
. I'm sure Giles doesn't think . . .

PARAVICINI
. He is very wise. Take no chances. (
He moves down to Right of the armchair centre.
) Can I prove to you or to him or to our dogged Sergeant that I am
not
a homicidal maniac? So difficult to prove a negative. And suppose that instead I am really . . . (
He hums the tune of “Three Blind Mice.”
)

MOLLIE
. Oh, don't. (
She moves to the back of the armchair Centre.
)

PARAVICINI
. But such a gay little tune? Don't you think? She cut off their tails with a carving knife—snick, snick, snick—delicious. Just what a child would adore. Cruel little things, children. (
Leaning forward
) Some of them never grow up.

(
MOLLIE
gives a frightened cry.
)

GILES
. (
Moving to Right of the refectory table
) Stop frightening my wife at once.

MOLLIE
. It's silly of me. But you see—I found her. Her face was all purple. I can't forget it . . .

PARAVICINI
. I know. It's difficult to forget things, isn't it? You aren't really the forgetting kind.

MOLLIE
. (
Incoherently
) I must go—the food—dinner—prepare the spinach—and the potatoes all going to pieces—please, Giles.

(
GILES
and
MOLLIE
exit through the archway up Right.
PARAVICINI
leans on the Left side of the arch and looks after them, grinning.
MISS
CASEWELL
stands by the fireplace, lost in thought.
)

TROTTER
. (
Rising and crossing to Left of
PARAVICINI
) What did you say to the lady to upset her, sir?

PARAVICINI
. Me, Sergeant? Oh, just a little innocent fun. I've always been fond of a little joke.

TROTTER
. There's nice fun—and there's fun that's not so nice.

PARAVICINI
. (
Moving down Centre
) Now I do wonder what you mean by that, Sergeant?

TROTTER
. I've been doing a little wondering about you, sir.

PARAVICINI
. Indeed?

TROTTER
. I've been wondering about that car of yours, and how it happened to overturn in a snowdrift (
He pauses and draws the Right curtain.
) so conveniently.

PARAVICINI
. Inconveniently, you mean, don't you, Sergeant?

TROTTER
. (
Moving down to Right of
PARAVICINI
) That rather depends on the way you're looking at it. Just where were you bound for, by the way, when you had this—accident?

PARAVICINI
. Oh—I was on my way to see a friend.

TROTTER
. In this neighbourhood?

PARAVICINI
. Not so very far from here.

TROTTER
. And what was the name and address of this friend?

PARAVICINI
. Now really, Sergeant Trotter, does that matter now? I mean, it has nothing to do with this predicament, has it? (
He sits at the Left end of the sofa.
)

TROTTER
. We always like the fullest information. What did you say this friend's name was?

PARAVICINI
. I didn't say. (
He takes a cigar from a case in his pocket.
)

TROTTER
. No, you didn't say. And it seems you're not going to say. (
He sits on the Right arm of the sofa.
) Now that's very interesting.

PARAVICINI
. But there might be—so many reasons. An
amour
—discretion. These jealous husbands. (
He pierces the cigar.
)

TROTTER
. Rather old to be running around with the ladies at your time of life, aren't you?

PARAVICINI
. My dear Sergeant, I am not, perhaps, quite so old as I look.

TROTTER
. That's just what I've been thinking, sir.

PARAVICINI
. What? (
He lights the cigar.
)

TROTTER
. That you may not be as old as you—try to look. There's a lot of people trying to look younger than they are. If somebody goes about trying to look older—well, it does make one ask oneself why.

PARAVICINI
. Having asked questions of so many people—you ask questions of yourself as well? Isn't that overdoing things?

TROTTER
. I might get an answer from myself—I don't get many from you.

PARAVICINI
. Well, well—try again—that is, if you have any more questions to ask.

TROTTER
. One or two. Where were you coming from last night?

PARAVICINI
. That is simple—from London.

TROTTER
. What address in London?

PARAVICINI
. I always stay at the Ritz Hotel.

TROTTER
. Very nice, too, I'm sure. What is your permanent address?

PARAVICINI
. I dislike permanency.

TROTTER
. What's your business or profession?

PARAVICINI
. I play the markets.

TROTTER
. Stockbroker?

PARAVICINI
. No, no, you misunderstand me.

TROTTER
. Enjoying this little game, aren't you? Sure of yourself, too. But I shouldn't be too sure. You're mixed up in a murder case, and don't you forget it. Murder isn't just fun and games.

PARAVICINI
. Not even this murder? (
He gives a little giggle, and looks sideways at
TROTTER
.) Dear me, you're very serious, Sergeant Trotter. I always have thought policemen have no sense of humour. (
He rises and moves to Left of the sofa.
) Is the inquisition over—for the moment?

TROTTER
. For the moment—yes.

PARAVICINI
. Thank you so much. I shall go and look for your skis in the drawing room. Just in case someone has hidden them in the grand piano.

(
PARAVICINI
exits down Left.
TROTTER
looks after him, frowning, moves down to the door and opens it.
MISS
CASEWELL
crosses quietly towards the stairs Left.
TROTTER
shuts the door.
)

TROTTER
. (
Without turning his head
) Just a minute, please.

MISS
CASEWELL
. (
Pausing at the stairs
) Were you speaking to me?

TROTTER
. Yes. (
Crossing to the armchair Centre.
) Perhaps you'd come and sit down. (
He arranges the armchair for her.
)

(
MISS
CASEWELL
looks at him warily and crosses below the sofa.
)

MISS
CASEWELL
. Well, what do you want?

TROTTER
. You may have heard some of the questions I was asking Mr. Paravicini?

MISS
CASEWELL
. I heard them.

TROTTER
. (
Moving to the Right end of the sofa
) I'd like to have a little information from you.

MISS
CASEWELL
. (
Moving to the armchair Centre and sitting
) What do you want to know?

TROTTER
. Full name, please.

MISS
CASEWELL
. Leslie Margaret (
She pauses
) Katherine Casewell.

TROTTER
. (
With just a nuance of something different
) Katherine . . .

MISS
CASEWELL
. I spell it with a “K.”

TROTTER
. Quite so. Address?

MISS
CASEWELL
. Villa Mariposa, Pine d'or, Majorca.

TROTTER
. That's in Italy?

MISS
CASEWELL
. It's an island—a Spanish island.

TROTTER
. I see. And your address in England?

MISS
CASEWELL
. Care of Morgan's Bank, Leadenhall Street.

TROTTER
. No other English address?

MISS
CASEWELL
. No.

TROTTER
. How long have you been in England?

MISS
CASEWELL
. A week.

TROTTER
. And you have been staying since your arrival . . .?

MISS
CASEWELL
. At the Ledbury Hotel, Knightsbridge.

TROTTER
. (
Sitting at the Right end of the sofa
) What brought you to Monkswell Manor, Miss Casewell?

MISS
CASEWELL
. I wanted somewhere quiet—in the country.

TROTTER
. How long did you—or do you—propose to remain here? (
He starts twirling his hair with his right hand.
)

MISS
CASEWELL
. Until I've finished what I came here to do. (
She notices the twirling.
)

(
TROTTER
looks up, startled by a force in her words. She stares at him.
)

TROTTER
. And what was that?

(
There is a pause.
)

And what was that? (
He stops twirling his hair.
)

MISS
CASEWELL
. (
With a puzzled frown
) Eh?

TROTTER
. What was it you came here to do?

MISS
CASEWELL
. I beg your pardon. I was thinking of something else.

TROTTER
. (
Rising and moving to Left of
MISS
CASEWELL
) You haven't answered my question.

MISS
CASEWELL
. I really don't see, you know, why I should. It's a matter that concerns me alone. A strictly private affair.

TROTTER
. All the same, Miss Casewell . . .

MISS
CASEWELL
. (
Rising and moving to the fire
) No, I don't think we'll argue about it.

TROTTER
. (
Following her
) Would you mind telling me your age?

MISS
CASEWELL
. Not in the least. It's on my passport. I am twenty-four.

TROTTER
. Twenty-four?

MISS
CASEWELL
. You were thinking I look older. That is quite true.

TROTTER
. Is there anyone in this country who can—vouch for you?

MISS
CASEWELL
. My bank will reassure you as to my financial position. I can also refer you to a solicitor—a very discreet man. I am not in a position to offer you a social reference. I have lived most of my life abroad.

TROTTER
. In Majorca?

MISS
CASEWELL
. In Majorca—and other places.

TROTTER
. Were you born abroad?

MISS
CASEWELL
. No, I left England when I was thirteen.

(
There is a pause, with a feeling of tension in it.
)

TROTTER
. You know, Miss Casewell, I can't quite make you out. (
He backs away Left slightly.
)

MISS
CASEWELL
. Does it matter?

TROTTER
. I don't know. (
He sits in the armchair Centre.
) What are you doing here?

MISS
CASEWELL
. It seems to worry you.

TROTTER
. It does worry me . . . (
He stares at her.
) You went abroad when you were thirteen?

MISS
CASEWELL
. Twelve—thirteen—thereabouts.

TROTTER
. Was your name Casewell then?

MISS
CASEWELL
. It's my name now.

TROTTER
. What was your name then? Come on—tell me.

MISS
CASEWELL
. What are you trying to prove? (
She loses her calm.
)

TROTTER
. I want to know what your name was when you left England?

MISS
CASEWELL
. It's a long time ago. I've forgotten.

TROTTER
. There are things one doesn't forget.

MISS
CASEWELL
. Possibly.

TROTTER
. Unhappiness—despair . . .

MISS
CASEWELL
. I daresay . . .

TROTTER
. What's your real name?

MISS
CASEWELL
. I told you—Leslie Margaret Katherine Casewell. (
She sits in the small armchair down Right.
)

TROTTER
. (
Rising
) Katherine . . .? (
He stands over her.
) What the hell are you doing here?

MISS
CASEWELL
. I . . . Oh God . . . (
She rises, moves Centre, and drops on the sofa. She cries, rocking herself to and fro.
) I wish to God I'd never come here.