The Mousetrap

MRS. ROGERS. (Picks up basket; going out Left 2) Too many newfangled gadgets for my fancy!

(Voices of VERA and LOMBARD heard outside. ROGERS stands at Centre doors ready to receive them. He is now the well-trained, deferential manservant. VERA and LOMBARD enter from Left on balcony. She is a good-looking girl of twenty-five. He is an attractive, lean man of thirty-four, well-tanned, with a touch of the adventurer about him. He is already a good deal taken with VERA.)

LOMBARD. (Gazing round room; very interested) So this is it!

VERA. How perfectly lovely!

ROGERS. Miss Claythorne!

VERA. You’re—Rogers?

ROGERS. Yes. Good evening, Miss.

VERA. Good evening, Rogers. Will you bring up my luggage and Captain Lombard’s?

ROGERS. Very good, Miss. (He exits through Centre windows to Left.)

VERA. (ToLOMBARD; coming Right Centre into room) You’ve been here before?

LOMBARD. No—but I’ve heard a lot about the place.

VERA. From Mr. and Mrs. Owen?

LOMBARD. (Crossing down Left) No, old Johnny Brewer, a pal of mine, built this house—it’s a sad and poignant story.

VERA. A love story?

LOMBARD. Yes, ma’am—the saddest of all. He was a wealthy old boy and fell in love with the famous Lily Logan—married her—bought the island and built this place for her.

VERA. Sounds most romantic.

LOMBARD. Poor Johnny! He thought by cutting her off from the rest of the world—without even a telephone as means of communication—he could hold her.

VERA. But of course the fair Lily tired of her ivory tower—and escaped?

LOMBARD. U’huh. Johnny went back to Wall Street, made a few more millions, and the place was sold.

VERA. And here we are. (Moving as if to go out of door Left I) Well, I ought to find Mrs. Owen. The others will be up in a minute.

LOMBARD. (Stopping her) It would be very rude to leave me here all by myself.

VERA. Would it? Oh, well, I wonder where she is?

LOMBARD. She’ll come along when she’s ready. While we’re waiting (Nodding towards cabinet down Right) do you think I could have a drink? I’m very dry. (Goes below sofa to down Right and starts preparing drinks.)

VERA. Of course you could.

LOMBARD. It’s certainly warm after that steep climb. What’s yours?

VERA. No, thanks, not for me—Not on duty. (To behind chair, Right Centre.)

LOMBARD. A good secretary is never off duty.

VERA. Really. (Looking round room) This is exciting! (Goes below sofa to up Centre.)

LOMBARD. What?

VERA. All this. The smell of the sea—the gulls—the beach and this lovely house. I am going to enjoy myself.

LOMBARD. (Smiling. Coming to her) I think you are. I think we both are. (Holding up drink) Here’s to you—you’re very lovely.

(ROGERS enters Centre from Left with two suitcases and comes down Left Centre.)

VERA. (ToROGERS) Where is Mrs. Owen?

ROGERS. Mr. and Mrs. Owen won’t be down from London until tomorrow, Miss. I thought you knew.

VERA. Tomorrow—but—

ROGERS. I’ve got a list here of the guests expected, Miss, if you would like to have it. The second boat load’s just arriving. (Holds out list.)

VERA. Thank you. (Takes list.ROGERSgoes into hall Left 1.) How awful—I say, you will be sweet and help me, won’t you?

LOMBARD. I won’t move from your side.

VERA. Thank you. (She reads list. TheyBOTHmove down Right.) It seems silly to have brought only us in the first boat and all the rest in the second.

LOMBARD. That, I’m afraid, was design, not accident.

VERA. Design? What do you mean?

LOMBARD. I suggested to the boatman that there was no need to wait for any more passengers. That and five shillings soon started up the engine.

VERA. (Laughing) Oh, you shouldn’t have done that!

LOMBARD. Well, they’re not a very exciting lot, are they?

VERA. I thought the young man was rather nice looking.

LOMBARD. Callow. Definitely callow. And very, very young.

VERA. I suppose you think a man in his thirties is more attractive.