The Mousetrap

DRAGOMAN. What you like to do this afternoon? Another expedition or you like rest? Most of my ladies and gentlemen like rest on day when have done big expedition to place of sacrifice.

MISSPRYCE. It certainly was rather tiring. Such a very steep climb. But perhaps . . . (She looks doubtfully at LADY WESTHOLME.)

LADYWESTHOLME. I never feel fatigue. But I don’t think another expedition. Perhaps a stroll later.

DRAGOMAN. You take nice walk-after-tea? I show you maiden hairyfern.

LADYWESTHOLME. Later. We’ll let you know.

DRAGOMAN. Very good. (He moves up Right.) When you want Abraham, you just call Abraham. I come.

(The DRAGOMAN exits up Right.)

MISSPRYCE. He’s really very obliging.

LADYWESTHOLME. He talks too much.

MISSPRYCE. I think, you know, that perhaps I shall lie down for a little. The sun is very hot.

LADYWESTHOLME. I shall go to my tent, but I shall not lie down. I shall write letters. (She moves Right.)

MISSPRYCE (Crossing to Right) You have such wonderful energy, dear Lady Westholme.

LADYWESTHOLME. It’s just a question of training.

(LADY WESTHOLME and MISS PRYCE exit Right. GERARD strolls to RAYMOND)

GERARD. You reflect very earnestly upon something.

RAYMOND. I was thinking about our journey down here, it was like coming down into an illustration of Hell. Winding through those narrow gorges, I kept saying to myself, “Down into the valley of death”—(He pauses) “the valley of death . . .”

GERARD. So that is how you felt? But it was not death you found at the end of your journey.

RAYMOND. (Natural again) No—it was a very pleasant camp, tents or caves to suit one’s fancy, a really excellent dinner.

GERARD. And friendly faces to greet you.

RAYMOND. Yes, I—I remembered seeing you at the King Solomon and Cope had mentioned you to us.

GERARD. I really meant Miss King. She you already knew, did you not?

RAYMOND. (Upset) Yes—yes, I suppose so. I wish she had come on the expedition this morning. She—she backed out very suddenly.

GERARD. (Moving Centre) Young ladies change their minds. But she missed much of interest and scenery.

(SARAH enters from the marquee. She carries a small metal case containing a hypodermic. RAYMOND rises and moves Right Centre.)

SARAH. Doctor Gerard—one of the Bedouin . . . (She pauses as RAYMOND moves towards them.)

GERARD. Yes?

SARAH. (Without looking atRAYMOND; brusquely) One of the guides is ill, acute malaria. Have you got any quinine with you? Stupidly, I seem to have left mine in Jerusalem. I’ve got my hypodermic here—(She indicates the case) if you want to give it intravenously.

GERARD. I have a small medicine case of drugs with me. I will get it.

(GERARD exits hurriedly Right. SARAH moves above the table and puts her case on it. RAYMOND is in a pitiable state of nervousness.)

RAYMOND. Sarah. (He pauses)

(SARAH ignores RAYMOND.)

(He crosses to Right of the table) You despise me, don’t you? I don’t wonder. I despise myself.

SARAH. I really don’t know what you are talking about.

RAYMOND. It was like a dream to arrive here—and find you. I thought at first you were a ghost—because I’d been thinking about you so much. (He moves to Right of her.) I love you. I want you to know that. It isn’t me—the real man—who—who behaved so badly that day at the King Solomon. I can’t answer for myself even now. (He nervously clasps and unclasps his hands.) It’s my nerves. I can’t depend on them. If she tells me to do things, I have to do them—I can’t help it. I know that I can never make you understand. It’s courage I need—courage. And I haven’t got it.

(GERARD enters Right, carrying his drug case. He pauses a moment and observes SARAH and RAYMOND. RAYMOND moves quickly away from SARAH, crosses and exits Right.)

GERARD. (Crossing to the table) I fear I interrupted something. (He puts his case on the table and opens it.)

SARAH. (Trying to be matter of fact) Nothing of any importance.