The Mousetrap

GERDA. John didn’t mind my being stupid—not at first. He used to tell me not to worry—to leave everything to him. Only when he was very busy he got impatient. And sometimes I used to think I couldn’t do anything right. Then I’d remember how clever he was—and how good. Only—after all, he wasn’t—so I had to kill him.

HENRIETTA. Go on.

GERDA. I knew I must be careful because the police are very clever. I read in a detective story that they could tell which revolver a bullet had been fired from. So I took a second revolver from Henry’s study and I shot John with that, and dropped the other by him. Then I ran round the house, in at the front door and through that door and over to John and picked the revolver up. I thought, you see, that first they’d think I had done it, and then they’d find that it wasn’t the right revolver and so I’d be cleared. And then I meant to put the revolver that had shot him into that film woman’s house and they’d think that she’d done it. Only she left her bag—so it was easier still. I slipped it into that later in the day. I can’t think why they haven’t arrested her. (Her voice rises.) They should have. (Hysterically) It was because of her I had to kill John.

HENRIETTA. (Moving below the Left end of the sofa) You wiped your fingerprints off the second revolver you shot him with?

GERDA. Of course. I’m cleverer than people think. I got rid of the revolver. (She frowns.) But I did forget about the holster.

HENRIETTA. Don’t worry about that. I’ve got it now. I think you’re quite safe, Gerda. (She sits Left of GERDA on the sofa.) You must go away and live in the country quietly somewhere—and forget.

GERDA. (Unhappily) Yes, yes, I suppose I must. I don’t know what to do. I don’t really know where to go. I can’t make up my mind—John always decided everything. My head aches.

HENRIETTA. (Rising) I’ll go and get the tea.

(She crosses and exits Left. GERDA looks cunningly towards the door Left, rises, moves to the drinks table, takes a small poison bottle out of her handbag and stretches out her hand towards HENRIETTA’s glass. She pauses, takes a handkerchief from her handbag and lifts the glass with it. HENRIETTA reenters quietly Left. She carries a tray of tea. GERDA, with her back to HENRIETTA, is unaware of the entry. As HENRIETTA watches, GERDA tips the contents of the poison bottle into HENRIETTA’s glass, then replaces the bottle and handkerchief in her handbag.

HENRIETTAquietly exits.GERDAturns, moves below the sofa and sits.

HENRIETTAreenters, crosses to the coffee table and puts the tray on it.) Here’s your tea, Gerda.

GERDA. Thank you so much, Henrietta.

HENRIETTA. (Moving to the drinks table) Now, where’s my drink? (She picks up her glass.)

GERDA. (Pouring milk into the cup) This is just what I wanted. You are very good to me, Henrietta.

HENRIETTA. (Moving slowly down Right.) Shall I have this? Or shall I have a cup of tea with you?

GERDA. (Pouring the tea; cunningly) You don’t really like tea, do you, Henrietta?

HENRIETTA. (Sharply) I think, today, I prefer it. (She puts her glass on the coffee table and crosses to the door Left.) I’ll go and get another cup.

(She exits Left. GERDA frowns with annoyance, and rises. She looks around, sees the revolver on the mantelpiece, glances at the door Left, then runs to the mantelpiece and picks up the revolver. She examines it, notes that it is loaded, nods with satisfaction and utters a little sob. The INSPECTOR enters down Right.)

INSPECTOR. What are you doing with that gun, Mrs. Cristow?