The Mousetrap

VOICE. (through the intercom) Mr. Foster’s here, Mr. Blake.

PHILIP. Tell him I won’t keep him a moment.

VOICE. Yes, sir.

(PHILIP releases the switch)

CARLA. (struck) Was she? Was she really? But—she didn’t fight at her trial.

PHILIP. No.

CARLA. Why didn’t she?

PHILIP. Well, since she knew she was guilty . . . (He rises)

CARLA. (angrily) She wasn’t guilty!

PHILIP. (angrily) You’re obstinate, aren’t you? After all I’ve told you!

CARLA. You still hate her. Although she’s been dead for years. Why?

PHILIP. I’ve told you . . .

CARLA. Not the real reason. There’s something else.

PHILIP. I don’t think so.

CARLA. You hate her—now why? I shall have to find out. Good-bye, Mr. Blake. Thank you.

PHILIP. Good-bye.

(CARLA moves to the door and exits, leaving the door open)

(He stares after her for a moment, slightly perplexed, then he closes the door, sits at the desk and presses the intercom switch. Into the intercom) Ask Mr. Foster to come in.

VOICE. (through the intercom) Yes, sir.

PHILIPsits back in his chair and picks up his drink as the lights dim toBLACK-OUT

Scene III

SCENE—The sitting-room of an hotel suite.

There is an arch backCleading to a small entrance hall with a doorL. There is a long windowR. A french settee standsLwith an armchair to matchR. In front of the settee there is a long stool, and a small table with a house telephone stands under the window. There are electric wall-bracketsRandLof the arch. In the hall there is a console table and a row of coathooks on the wallR.

When theLIGHTScome up,JUSTINis by the armchair, placing some files in his brief-case. His coat is on the settee.CARLAenters the hall fromL, puts her gloves and handbag on the hall table, removes her coat and hangs it on the hooks.

CARLA. Oh, I’m so glad you’re here.

JUSTIN. (surprised and pleased) Really? (He puts his brief-case on the armchair and moves downR) Meredith Blake will be here at three o’clock.

CARLA. Good! What about Lady Melksham?

JUSTIN. She didn’t answer my letter.

CARLA. Perhaps she’s away?

JUSTIN. (crossing toLof the arch) No, she’s not away. I took steps to ascertain that she’s at home.

CARLA. I suppose that means that she’s going to ignore the whole thing.

JUSTIN. Oh, I wouldn’t say that. She’ll come all right.

CARLA. (movingC) What makes you so sure?

JUSTIN. Well, women usually . . .

CARLA. (with a touch of mischief) I see—you’re an authority on women.

JUSTIN. (stiffly) Only in the legal sense.

CARLA. And—strictly in the legal sense . . . ?

JUSTIN. Women usually want to satisfy their curiosity.

(CARLA sees Justin’s coat on the settee, crosses and picks it up)

CARLA. I really do like you—you make me feel much better. (She moves towards the hooks)

(The telephone rings)

(She thrusts the coat at Justin, crosses and lifts the telephone receiver. Into the telephone) Hello? . . .

(JUSTIN hangs his coat in the hall)

Oh, ask him to come up, will you? (She replaces the receiver and turns to Justin) It’s Meredith Blake. Is he like his hateful brother?

JUSTIN. (movingC) A very different temperament, I should say. Do you need to feel better?

CARLA. What?

JUSTIN. You said just now I made you feel better. Do you need to feel better?

CARLA. Sometimes I do. (She gestures to him to sit on the settee)

(JUSTIN sits on the settee)

I didn’t realize what I was letting myself in for.

JUSTIN. I was afraid of that.