The Mousetrap

KARL. Yes, she must have seen it. It was true. It’s the first time I have ever kissed Lisa.

DOCTOR. And a thoroughly bad time to choose. It’s really a thousand pities that snooping woman never saw or heard anything that passed between you and Helen. “A very nice young lady”—that’s all she had to say.

KARL. It is so odd to tell the truth and not be believed.

DOCTOR. All you’ve done is to bring down a lot of odium on yourself, for cooking up a scurrilous story about a girl who is dead.

KARL. (rising and moving upC) If I’d only gone to the police right away, the moment she’d told me . . .

DOCTOR. If only you had. It’s particularly unfortunate that you only came out with the story after you’d bought a paper containing the news that she’s dead. And your reasons for not going to the police didn’t sound credible in the least.

KARLmoves downL.

Though they are to me, of course, because I know the incredible fool you are. The whole set of circumstances is thoroughly damnable. The Roper woman coming in to find Lisa standing by the body and holding the bottle in gloved fingers. The whole thing has built itself up in the most incredible fashion.

KARLcrosses and stands downR. The telephone rings.

KARL. Is that . . . ? Can it . . . ?

There is a moment’s agonizing pause, then theDOCTORmotions toLESTERwho rises, goes to the telephone and lifts the receiver.

LESTER. (into the telephone) Yes? . . . Hello? . . . Go to hell!

DOCTOR. Ghouls, that’s what they are, ghouls.

KARL. (moving upR) If they find her guilty, if they . . .

DOCTOR. Well, we can appeal, you know.

KARL. (moving downCand then below the sofa) Why should she have to go through all this? Why should she be the one to suffer? I wish I were in her place.

DOCTOR. Yes, it’s always easier when it’s oneself.

KARL. After all, I’m partly responsible for what happened . . .

DOCTOR. (interrupting) I’ve told you that’s nonsense.

KARL. But Lisa has done nothing. Nothing. (He moves downC, then goes upR)

DOCTOR. (after a long pause; toLESTER) Go and make us some coffee, boy, if you know how.

LESTER. (indignantly) Of course I know how. (He moves upC)

The telephone rings.LESTERmakes a move to answer it.

KARL. (stoppingLESTER) Don’t answer it.

The telephone goes on ringing.LESTERhesitates then exits upCtoL. The telephone goes on ringing solidly.KARLeventually rushes to it and picks up the receiver.

(Into the telephone) Leave me alone, can’t you. Leave me alone. (He slams down the receiver and sinks into the desk chair) I can’t bear it. I can’t bear it.

DOCTOR. (rising and moving toKARL) Patience, Karl. Courage.

KARL. What good is it saying that to me?

DOCTOR. Not much, but there’s nothing else to say, is there? There’s nothing that can help you now except courage.

KARL. I keep thinking of Lisa. Of what she must be suffering.

DOCTOR. I know. I know.

KARL. She’s so brave. So wonderfully brave.

DOCTOR. (movingC) Lisa is a very wonderful person. I have always known that.

KARL. I love her. Did you know I loved her?

DOCTOR. Yes, of course I knew. You’ve loved her for a long time.

KARL. Yes. Neither of us ever acknowledged it, but we knew. It didn’t mean that I didn’t love Anya. I did love Anya. I shall always love her. I didn’t want her to die.

DOCTOR. I know, I know. I’ve never doubted that.

KARL. It’s strange, perhaps, but one can love two women at the same time.

DOCTOR. Not at all strange. It often happens. (He moves behindKARL) And you know what Anya used to say to me? “When I’m gone, Karl must marry Lisa.” That’s what she used to say. “You must make him do it, Doctor,” she used to say. “Lisa will look after him and be good to him. If he doesn’t think of it you must put it into his head.” That’s what she used to say to me. I promised her that I would.

KARL. (rising) Tell me, really, Doctor. Do you think they’ll acquit her? Do you?

DOCTOR. (gently) I think—you ought to prepare yourself . . .

KARL. (moving below the armchair) Even her counsel didn’t believe me, did he? He pretended to, of course, but he didn’t believe me. (He sits in the armchair)