The Mousetrap and Other Plays (87 page)

AUDREY
. She chooses the person she wants and summons them by a kind of Royal Command.

TREVES
. Very aptly put, Audrey. I am always sensible of the royal touch in Lady Tressilian's manner. (
Treves exits
L
.)

AUDREY
. (
Listlessly.
) It's terribly hot, isn't it? (
She sits on the chaise.
)

LATIMER
. (
With a step towards the butler's tray.
) Would you—like a drink?

AUDREY
. (
Shaking her head.
) No, thank you. I think I shall go to bed very soon. (
There is a short silence. Nevile enters
L
.
He is wearing a dinner suit and is carrying a magazine.
)

KAY
. What
have
you been doing all this time, Nevile?

NEVILE
. I had a couple of letters to write—thought I might as well get 'em off my chest.

KAY
. (
Rising.
) You might have chosen some other time. (
She moves to the butler's tray and puts her glass on it.
)

NEVILE
. (
Crossing and standing above the coffee table.
) Better the hour, better the deed. By the way, here's the
Illustrated News.
Somebody wanted it.

KAY
. (
Holding out her hand.
) Thank you, Nevile.

AUDREY
. (
At almost the same moment.
) Oh! Thank you, Nevile. (
She holds out her hand. Nevile hesitates between them, smiling.
)

KAY
. (
With a slight note of hysteria.
) I want it. Give it to me.

AUDREY
. (
Withdrawing her hand, slightly confused.
) Oh, sorry. I thought you were speaking to me, Nevile. (
Nevile hesitates for a moment, then holds out the magazine to Audrey.
)

NEVILE
. (
Quietly.
) Here you are, Audrey.

AUDREY
. Oh, but I . . .

KAY
. (
In suppressed fury, and almost crying.
) It is stifling in here. (
She moves quickly to the coffee table, picks up her evening bag and rushes below the chaise to the French windows.
) Let's go out in the air, Ted. I can't stand being cooped up in this lousy hole any longer. (
Kay almost stumbles as she exits by the French windows. Latimer, with an angry look at Nevile, follows Kay off. Nevile tosses the magazine on to the coffee table.
)

AUDREY
. (
Rising, reproachfully.
) You shouldn't have done that, Nevile.

NEVILE
. Why not?

AUDREY
. (
Crossing below the coffee table and standing down
L
.) It was stupid. You'd better go after Kay and apologize.

NEVILE
. I don't see why I should apologize.

AUDREY
. I think you'd better. You were very rude to your wife. (
Mary enters by the French windows and stands above the chaise.
)

NEVILE
. (
In a low voice.
) You're my wife, Audrey. You always will be. (
He sees Mary.
) Ah—Miss Aldin—are you going up to Lady Tressilian? (
Audrey moves on to the
L
.
end of the rostrum.
)

MARY
. (
Crossing to
L
.
C
.) Yes—when Mr. Treves comes down. (
Royde enters by the French windows and stands
R
.
of the chaise. Nevile stares for a moment at Royde, then exits by the French windows. Wearily.
) Oh, dear! I don't think I've ever felt so tired in my life. If Lady Tressilian's bell rings tonight, I'm quite certain I shall never hear it. (
She sits in the armchair
L
.
C
.)

AUDREY
. (
Turning and moving to the downstage edge of the rostrum.
) What bell?

MARY
. It rings in my room—in case Lady Tressilian should want anything in the night. It's one of those old-fashioned bells—on a spring and worked with a wire. It makes a ghastly jangle, but Lady Tressilian insists that it's more reliable than electricity. (
She yawns.
) Excuse me—it's this dreadful sultry weather, I think.

AUDREY
. You ought to go to bed, Mary. You look worn out.

MARY
. I shall—as soon as Mr. Treves has finished talking to Lady Tressilian. Then I shall tuck her up for the night and go to bed myself. Oh, dear. It's been a very trying day. (
Latimer enters by the French windows and moves down
R
.)

ROYDE
. It certainly has.

AUDREY
. (
After a look at Latimer.
) Thomas! Let's go on to the terrace. (
She crosses to the French windows.
)

ROYDE
. (
Moving to Audrey.
) Yes—I want to tell you about a detective story I've been reading . . . (
Audrey and Royde exit by the French windows. There is a pause, as Latimer looks after Royde and Audrey for a moment.
)

LATIMER
. You and I, Miss Aldin, seem to be the odd men out. We must console each other. (
He moves to the butler's tray.
) Can I get you a drink?

MARY
. No, thank you.

LATIMER
. (
Pouring a drink for himself.
) One conjugal reconciliation in the rose garden, one faithful swain nerving himself to pop the question. Where do we come in? Nowhere. We're the outsiders. (
He moves to the downstage edge of the rostrum and raises his glass.
) Here's to the outsiders—and to hell with all those inside the ringed fence. (
He drinks.
)

MARY
. How bitter you are.

LATIMER
. So are you.

MARY
. (
After a pause.
) Not really.

LATIMER
. (
Moving below the coffee table to
R
.
of it.
) What's it like, fetching and carrying, running up and down stairs, endlessly waiting on an old woman?

MARY
. There are worse things.

LATIMER
. I wonder. (
He turns and looks towards the terrace.
)

MARY
. (
After a pause.
) You're very unhappy.

LATIMER
. Who isn't?

MARY
. Have—(
She pauses.
) you always been in love with Kay?

LATIMER
. More or less.

MARY
. And she?

LATIMER
. (
Moving up
R
.
C
.) I thought so—until Nevile came along. Nevile with his money and his sporting record. (
He moves to
L
.
of the chaise.
) I could go climbing in the Himalayas if I'd ever had the cash.

MARY
. You wouldn't want to.

LATIMER
. Perhaps not. (
Sharply.
) What do you want out of life?

MARY
. (
Rising, after a pause.
) It's almost too late.

LATIMER
. But not quite.

MARY
. No—not quite. (
She moves on to the rostrum.
) All I want is a little money—not very much—just enough.

LATIMER
. Enough for what?

MARY
. Enough to have some sort of life of my own before it's too late. I've never had anything.

LATIMER
. (
Moving to
R
.
of Mary.
) Do you hate them, too, those inside the fence?

MARY
. (
Violently.
) Hate them—I . . . (
She yawns.
) No—no—I'm too tired to hate anybody. (
Treves enters
L
.)

TREVES
. Ah, Miss Aldin, Lady Tressilian would like you to go to her now if you will be so kind. I think she's feeling sleepy.

MARY
. That's a blessing. Thank you, Mr. Treves. I'll go up at once. (
She crosses to the door
L
.) I shan't come down again so I'll say good night now. Good night, Mr. Latimer. Good night, Mr. Treves.

LATIMER
. Good night. (
Mary exits
L
.
Treves moves on to the
L
.
end of the rostrum.
) I must be running along myself. With luck I shall get across the ferry and back to the hotel before the storm breaks. (
He moves above the chaise. Royde enters by the French windows.
)

ROYDE
. Are you going, Latimer? Would you like a raincoat?

LATIMER
. No, thanks, I'll chance it.

ROYDE
. (
Moving on to the rostrum.
) Hell of a storm coming.

TREVES
. Is Audrey on the terrace?

ROYDE
. I haven't the faintest idea. (
He crosses to the door
L
.) I'm for bed. Good night. (
Royde exits
L
.
There is a flash of lightning and a low rumble of thunder is heard off.
)

LATIMER
. (
With malice.
) It would seem that the course of true love has not run smoothly. Was that thunder? Some way away still—(
He moves to the French windows.
) but I think I'll make it.

TREVES
. I'll come with you and bolt the garden gate. (
He crosses to the French windows. Latimer and Treves exit by the French windows.
)

AUDREY
. (
Off, to Latimer.
) Good night. (
Audrey enters rather quickly by the French windows. There is a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder. Audrey stands for a moment looking around the room, then moves slowly on to the rostrum, sits on the window-seat and looks out at the night. Nevile enters by the French windows and moves above the chaise.
)

NEVILE
. Audrey.

AUDREY
. (
Rising quickly and moving to the
L
.
end of the rostrum.
) I'm going to bed, Nevile. Good night.

NEVILE
. (
Moving on to the rostrum.
) Don't go yet. I want to talk to you.

AUDREY
. (
Nervously.
) I think you'd better not.

NEVILE
. (
Moving to
R
.
of her.
) I must. I've got to. Please listen to me, Audrey.

AUDREY
. (
Backing to the
L
.
wall of the window bay.
) I'd rather you didn't.

NEVILE
. That means you know what I'm going to say. (
Audrey does not reply.
) Audrey, can't we go back to where we were? Forget everything that has happened?

AUDREY
. (
Turning a little.
) Including—Kay?

NEVILE
. Kay will be sensible.

AUDREY
. What do you mean by—sensible?

NEVILE
. (
Eagerly.
) I shall tell her the truth—that you are the only woman I've ever loved. That
is
the truth, Audrey. You've got to believe that.

AUDREY
. (
Desperately.
) You loved Kay when you married her.

NEVILE
. My marriage to Kay was the biggest mistake I ever made. I realize now what a damned fool I've been. I . . . (
Kay enters by the French windows.
)

KAY
. (
Moving to
R
.
C
.) Sorry to interrupt this touching scene, but I think it's about time I did.

NEVILE
. (
Moving to
C
.
of the rostrum.
) Kay, listen . . .

KAY
. (
Furiously.
) Listen! I've heard all I want to hear—too much.

AUDREY
. (
With relief.
) I'm going to bed. (
She moves to the door
L
.) Good night.

KAY
. (
Crossing to
R
.
of Audrey.
) That's right. Go to bed! You've done all the mischief you wanted to do, haven't you? But you're not going to get out of it as easily as all that. I'll deal with you after I've had it out with Nevile.

AUDREY
. (
Coldly.
) It's no concern of mine. Good night. (
Audrey exits
L
.
There is a flash of lightning and a peal of thunder off.
)

KAY
. (
Looking after Audrey.
) Of all the damned, cool . . .

NEVILE
. (
Moving to
R
.
of the coffee table.
) Look here, Kay, Audrey had absolutely nothing to do with this. It's not her fault. Blame me if you like . . .

KAY
. (
Working herself up.
) And I do like. What sort of man do you think you are? (
She turns to Nevile. Her voice rises.
) You leave your wife, come bald-headed after me, get your wife to divorce you. Crazy about me one minute, tired of me the next. Now I suppose you want to go back to that—(
She looks towards the door
L
.) whey-faced, mewling, double-crossing little cat . . .