The Mousetrap

ANYA. It’s all very well to say “poor Anya.” Nobody really cares about me or thinks about me.

KARL. (gently) I think about you. I remember when I saw you first. In your little jacket all gaily embroidered in wool. We went for a picnic up the mountain. Narcissus were out. You took off your shoes and walked through the long grass. Do you remember? Such pretty little shoes and such pretty little feet.

ANYA. (with a sudden pleased smile) I always had small feet.

KARL. The prettiest feet in the world. The prettiest girl. (He gently strokes her hair)

ANYA. Now I’m faded and old and sick. No use to anybody.

KARL. To me you are the same Anya. Always the same.

The front door bell rings.

(He rises) That’s Dr. Stoner, I expect. (He goes behind the wheelchair and straightens the cushions.)

MRS. ROPERenters downR.

MRS. ROPER. Shall I see who it is?

MRS. ROPERexits upCtoR. KARLgoes to the desk, picks up a couple of pencils and puts them in his pocket. There is a sound of the front door opening and closing and voices off.MRS. ROPERenters upCfromR. HELENfollows her on. She is carrying the two books which she borrowed.

It’s a young lady to see you, sir. (She moves slowly down R)

KARLmoves upLC.

HELEN. (moving toRofKARL) I’ve brought some of your books back. I thought you might be wanting them. (She stops on seeing ANYA and her face drops)

KARL. (taking the books fromHELENand moving toLofANYA) Dearest, you remember Miss Rollander?

HELEN. (moving upRofANYA) How are you, Mrs. Hendryk? I do hope you are feeling better.

ANYA. I never feel better.

HELEN. (devoid of feeling) I am sorry. (She goes above the tableRC)

The front door bell rings.KARLgoes to the desk, puts the books down, then moves upC.

KARL. That’ll be Dr. Stoner now.

KARLexits upCtoR. MRS. ROPERenters downR, carrying a wastepaper basket. She goes to the shelf below the bookcaseRand empties an ashtray into the basket.HELENglances idly through a book on the tableRC.

MRS. ROPER. I’ll finish the bedroom later. I’d better slip out for the tea before he shuts.

KARL. (off) Hello, Doctor. Come in.

DOCTOR. (off) Well, Karl, it’s a lovely day.

KARLenters upCfromRand standsLof the doorway. TheDOCTORfollows him on.

KARL. I’d like a word with you alone, Doctor.

MRS. ROPERexits upCtoL, leaving the door open.

DOCTOR. Yes, of course. (He moves toLofANYA) Well, Anya, it’s a lovely spring day.

ANYA. Is it?

KARL. (moving downC) Will you excuse us a moment? (He crosses below the sofa to the door downR)

HELEN. (moving toRof the tableRC) Yes, of course.

DOCTOR. Good afternoon, Miss Rollander.

HELEN. Good afternoon, Doctor.

TheDOCTORcrosses belowKARLand exits downR. KARLfollows him off, closing the door behind him.MRS. ROPERcomes into the hall fromL. She carries her coat and shopping bag. She leaves the bag in the hall, comes into the room and puts on her coat.

MRS. ROPER. It’s too hot for the time of the year—

HELENmoves aroundRof the sofa and sits on it at the right end, takes a cigarette case from her handbag and lights a cigarette.

—gets me in the joints it does when it’s like that. So stiff I was this morning I could hardly get out of bed. I’ll be right back with the tea, Mrs. Hendryk. Oh, and about the tea, I’ll get half a pound shall I?

ANYA. If you like, if you like.

MRS. ROPER. Ta-ta, so long.

MRS. ROPERgoes into the hall, collects her shopping bag and exits toR.