The Mousetrap

AMYAS. Get yourself a cold drink. Get one of the women to get it for you.

(MEREDITH goes into the room, and hesitates, uncertain what to do)

(He looks at Elsa) You’ve wonderful eyes, Elsa. (He pauses) I’ll leave the hands—concentrate on the eyes. I haven’t quite got them.

(MEREDITH moves to the french windows and looks out to the terrace)

Move your hands as much as you like—I’m getting it. Now for God’s sake don’t move or talk.

(MEREDITH turns and crosses in the room to RC)

ELSA. I don’t want to talk.

AMYAS. That’s a change.

(ANGELA enters up C, carrying a tray with a jug of iced lemonade and two glasses, which she places on the table R)

ANGELA. Refreshments!

MEREDITH. Oh, thank you, Angela. (He moves to the tray and pours a glass of lemonade)

ANGELA. (crossing to the french windows) We aim to please. (She goes on to the terrace. To Amyas) Did you get your beer all right?

AMYAS. Sure I did. You’re a great gal.

ANGELA. (laughing) Very kind, aren’t I? Ha, ha. You wait and see.

(ANGELA runs into the room and exits up C, closing the door behind her. MEREDITH sips his lemonade)

AMYAS. (suspicious) That kid’s up to something. (He rubs his right shoulder) That’s funny.

ELSA. What’s the matter?

AMYAS. I’m very stiff this morning. Rheumatism, I suppose.

ELSA. (mocking) Poor creaking old man.

(PHILIP enters down L)

AMYAS. (chuckling) Creaking with age. Hullo, Phil. Merry’s inside waiting for you.

PHILIP. Good (He crosses and goes into the room)

(MEREDITH puts his glass on the tray and meets PHILIP at C. AMYAS resumes painting)

MEREDITH. Thank goodness you’ve come. I didn’t know what to do.

PHILIP. What is all this? Caroline and the governess were in the room when you rang up.

MEREDITH. (in a low voice) There’s a bottle missing from my lab.

PHILIP. So you told me. But what’s in it?

MEREDITH. Conine.

PHILIP. Hemlock?

MEREDITH. Yes, conine’s the pure alkaloid.

PHILIP. Dangerous?

MEREDITH. Very.

PHILIP. And you’ve no idea whatsoever who could have taken it?

MEREDITH. No. I always keep the door locked.

PHILIP. You locked it yesterday?

MEREDITH. You know I did. You saw me.

PHILIP. You’re sure about this—you haven’t just mislaid the bottle—shoved it away somewhere? (He crosses to R)

MEREDITH. I showed it them all yesterday. And then I put it back in its place on the shelf.

PHILIP. (turning; sharply) Who came out of the room last?

MEREDITH. (unwillingly) Caroline—I waited for her.

PHILIP. But you weren’t watching her?

MEREDITH. No.

PHILIP. (with decision) Well, then Caroline took it.

MEREDITH. You really think so?

PHILIP. (crossing above Meredith toL) So do you, or you wouldn’t be in such a state.

MEREDITH. That’s what she had in mind yesterday—when she said everything was finished for her. She meant to do away with herself. (He sinks on to the stool, and faces upstage)

PHILIP. Well, cheer up, she hasn’t done any with herself yet.

MEREDITH. You’ve seen her this morning. Is she all right?

PHILIP. Seems just the same as usual to me.

MEREDITH. What are we going to do?

PHILIP. You’d better tackle her.

MEREDITH. I don’t know—how shall I go about it?

PHILIP. I should just stay straight out—“You pinched my conine yesterday. Hand it back, please.”

MEREDITH. (doubtfully) Like that?

PHILIP. (crossing above Meredith toR) Well, what do you want to say?

MEREDITH. I don’t know. (He brightens) We’ve got plenty of time, I imagine. She wouldn’t take the stuff until she goes to bed, would she?

PHILIP. (dryly) Probably not. If she means to take it at all.

MEREDITH. You think she doesn’t?

PHILIP. (crossing below Meredith toL) She may want it to make a theatrical scene with Amyas. Give up that girl or I’ll swallow this and kill myself.

MEREDITH. That wouldn’t be like Caroline.

PHILIP. Well—you know her best. (He moves up LC)