The Mousetrap

LESTER. I just thought perhaps there was something I could do. (He turns up stage in embarrassment and falls over the chairLof the table, then moves toRofKARL) I’d do anything—(He looks devoutly at KARL) if only I could do something to help.

KARL. Your sympathy helps. Anya was very fond of you, Lester.

MRS. ROPERenters upC. She wears a rusty black costume and hat. She carries a tray of coffee for four and a plate of sandwiches.LESTERgoes to the desk.

MRS. ROPER. (in a suitably muted voice) I’ve made some coffee and some little sandwiches. (She puts the tray on the table RC. To KARL) I thought, sir, as you’d need something to keep your strength up.

LISAcrosses to the tray and pours the coffee.

KARL. Thank you, Mrs. Roper.

MRS. ROPER. (with conscious virtue) I hurried back from the inquest as fast as I could, sir—(She moves C) so as to have things ready when you come.

KARL. (realizingMRS. ROPER’s rather unusual costume of rusty black with a hat) Did you go to the inquest, then?

MRS. ROPER. ’Course I did. I felt I had an interest, like. Poor, dear lady. (She leans across the sofa to the DOCTOR) Low in her spirits, wasn’t she? I thought I’d go as a sign of respect, if nothing more. I can’t say as it’s been very nice, though, having the police here asking questions.

During this scene withMRS. ROPER, the others all avoid looking at her directly in the hope that she will stop talking and leave, but she persists in trying to start a conversation first with one and then the other.

DOCTOR. (rising) These routine enquiries have to be made, Mrs. Roper. (He takes a cup of coffee toKARL, then goes aboveMRS. ROPERto the tray.)

MRS. ROPER. Of course, sir.

DOCTOR. Whenever a certificate cannot be given, there has to be a coroner’s enquiry.

MRS. ROPER. Oh, yes, sir, I’m sure it’s very right and proper, but it’s not very nice. That’s what I say.

TheDOCTORtakes a cup of coffee for himself, then sits on the sofa.

MRS. ROPER. It’s not what I’ve been accustomed to. My husband, he wouldn’t like it at all if I were to be mixed up in anything of that sort.

LISA. I don’t see that you are mixed up in it in any way, Mrs. Roper.

MRS. ROPER. (moving eagerly towardsLISA) Well, they asked me questions, didn’t they, as to whether she was low in her spirits and whether she’d ever talked about anything of the kind. (She moves to R of KARL. Rather significantly) Oh, quite a lot of questions they asked me.

KARL. Well, that is all over now, Mrs. Roper. I don’t think you need worry any further.

MRS. ROPER. (rather squashed) No, sir, thank you, sir.

MRS. ROPERexits upC, closing the doors behind her.

DOCTOR. All ghouls, you know, these women. Nothing they like better than illnesses, deaths, and funerals. An inquest, I expect, is an added joy.

LISA. Lester—coffee?

LESTER. Thanks so much. (He crosses to the chairRof the tableRC, sits, helps himself to coffee, then becomes engrossed in a book)

LISAcrosses to the desk.

KARL. It must have been some kind of accident, it must.

DOCTOR. I don’t know. (He sips his coffee) Not quite the same as your coffee, Lisa, my dear.

LISA. (crossing below the armchair and sofa and standing downR) I expect it’s been boiling hard for half an hour.

KARL. It was kindly meant.

LISA. (turning to the door downR; over her shoulder) I wonder.

LISAexits downR, leaving the door open. TheDOCTORrises, takes the plate of sandwiches from the tray and crosses toKARL.

DOCTOR. Have a sandwich?

KARL. No, thank you.