The Mousetrap

CARLA. (after puffing at her cigarette) My father was found dead—after lunch, wasn’t he?

MEREDITH. Yes. We left him on the terrace, painting. He often wouldn’t go into lunch. The glass of beer that Caroline had brought him was there by his side—empty. I suppose the stuff was already beginning to work. There’s no pain—just a slow—paralysis. Yes. When we came out after lunch—he was dead. The whole thing was a nightmare.

CARLA. (rising; upset) A nightmare . . .

MEREDITH. (rising) I’m sorry, my dear. I didn’t want to talk about it to you. (He looks at Justin)

CARLA. If I could go down there—to where it happened. Could I?

MEREDITH. Of course, my dear. You’re only to say the word.

CARLA. (movingCand turning to face Justin) If we could go over it there—all of us . . .

MEREDITH. What do you mean by all of us?

CARLA. (turning to face Meredith) Your brother Philip and you, and the governess, and Angela Warren, and—yes—even Elsa.

MEREDITH. I hardly think Elsa would come. She’s married, you know.

CARLA. (wryly) Several times, I hear.

MEREDITH. She’s changed very much. Philip saw her at a theatre one night.

CARLA. Nothing lasts. You loved my mother once—but that didn’t last, did it? (She stubs out her cigarette in the ashtray on the stool)

MEREDITH. What?

CARLA. (crossing downL) Everything’s different from what I thought it would be. I can’t seem to find my way.

(JUSTIN rises)

If I could go down to Alderbury . . .

MEREDITH. You’re welcome at any time, my dear. Now, I’m afraid I must . . .

(CARLA gazes out front)

JUSTIN. (moving to the hall) I’ll get your coat, sir. (He sees Carla is in a brown study) Carla’s most grateful to you, sir. (He takes Meredith’s coat, hat and muffler from the hooks)

CARLA. (recollecting herself) Oh, yes. Yes, thank you for coming.

(MEREDITH goes to the hall where Justin helps him on with his coat)

MEREDITH. Carla, the more I think of it all . . .

CARLA. Yes?

MEREDITH. (movingC) I believe, you know, that it’s quite possible Amyas did commit suicide. He may have felt more remorseful than we know. (He looks hopefully at Carla)

CARLA. (unconvinced) It’s a nice thought.

MEREDITH. Yes, yes—well, good-bye, my dear.

CARLA. Good-bye.

MEREDITH. (taking his hat from Justin) Good-bye, Mr. Fogg.

JUSTIN. (opening the door) Good-bye, sir.

MEREDITH. (mumbling) Good-bye. Good-bye.

(MEREDITH exits. JUSTIN closes the door and moves C)

CARLA. Well!

JUSTIN. Well!

CARLA. What a fool!

JUSTIN. Quite a nice kindly fool.

(The telephone rings)

CARLA. (crossing to the telephone) He doesn’t believe anything of the sort. (She lifts the receiver) Why does he say so? (Into the telephone) Yes? . . . Yes. I see. (She replaces the receiver. Disappointed) She’s not coming.

JUSTIN. Lady Melksham?

CARLA. Yes. Unavoidably prevented.

(JUSTIN goes into the hall and collects his coat)

JUSTIN. Don’t worry, we’ll think of something.

CARLA. (looking out of the window) I’ve got to see her, she’s the hub of it all.

JUSTIN. (movingCand putting on his coat) You’re going to take tea with Miss Williams, aren’t you?

CARLA. (flatly) Yes.

JUSTIN. (rather eagerly) Want me to come with you?

CARLA. (without interest) No, there’s no need.

JUSTIN. Maybe there’ll be a letter from Angela Warren in tomorrow’s post. I’ll phone you if I may?

CARLA. (still looking through the window) Please.

JUSTIN. (after a pause) What a fool your father was.

(CARLA turns)

Not to recognize quality when he had it.

CARLA. What do you mean?

JUSTIN. Elsa Greer was pretty brash, you know, crude allure, crude sex, crude hero worship.

CARLA. Hero worship?