The Mousetrap

SARAH. Why ever not? You’re not leaving Jerusalem at once, are you?

RAYMOND. No, but—my mother doesn’t like us talking to people outside the family.

SARAH. But how absurd.

RAYMOND. Yes, that’s what it must seem like—just absurd.

SARAH. I’m sorry if I was rude. I know it’s awfully difficult sometimes for parents to realize that their children are grown up—and, of course, if your mother isn’t very strong . . . (She hesitates) But still, you know, it’s a pity to give in. One must stand up for one’s rights.

RAYMOND. You don’t understand.

SARAH. Even if it seems unkind one must be free to live one’s own life.

RAYMOND. Free? None of us will ever be free.

SARAH. What do you mean?

RAYMOND. We’re not free.

SARAH. Why don’t you leave home?

RAYMOND. Because I wouldn’t know where to go or what to do. Oh, you don’t understand. None of us has ever left home. We’ve never been to school, we’ve never had any friends. We’ve no money.

(The lift descends and the door opens.)

SARAH. I suppose you could make some money.

RAYMOND. How?

(NADINE enters from the lift. The door closes and the lift ascends. SARAH and RAYMOND watch NADINE as she moves Left of RAYMOND.)

NADINE. Mother is asking for you, Ray.

RAYMOND. (Starting nervously) I’ll go.

NADINE. Won’t you introduce me?

RAYMOND. (ToSARAH) This is my sister-in-law—Nadine.

NADINE. (ToSARAH) You were on the train last night, I think.

SARAH. Yes. (ToRAYMOND) I was just going out for a stroll. Why don’t you come?

RAYMOND. I—come with you?

NADINE. I think that’s a very good idea, Ray.

RAYMOND. Oh. Yes, I’ll come.

(SARAH and RAYMOND exit up Right. COPE enters up Right and passes them as they go.)

COPE. (Crossing and standing down Right of the table Centre) Why, Nadine, all alone?

NADINE. (Moving below the table Centre) I came down to fetch Mrs. Boynton’s spectacles. (She picks up the spectacles from the table Centre.) Here they are. (She turns to go.)

COPE. Are you going up with them right away?

NADINE. (Turning to him) Yes—Mrs. Boynton is waiting.

COPE. (Moving to Right of her) I feel, you know, that you ought to think more of yourself. I don’t think Mrs. Boynton always realizes . . . (He breaks off.)

NADINE. (With a queer smile) What doesn’t Mrs. Boynton always realize?

COPE. Well, that you have—lives of your own.

NADINE. (Bitterly) Lives of our own!

COPE. (Anxiously) You—you know what I mean?

NADINE. (With sudden warmth) You are such a nice person.

(The lift descends and the door opens.)

COPE. You know there’s nothing—at any time—that I wouldn’t do for you. (He takes her hand.)

(LENNOX enters from the lift and stands watching.)

(He looks at LENNOX, releases NADINE’s hand and steps away from her. Hurriedly) Excuse me. I’ll be going up to my room now.

(COPE crosses and exits to the lift. The door closes and the lift ascends.)

LENNOX. (Moving to left ofNADINE) Nadine, why have you been so long? Where’s Raymond? Mother’s getting impatient.

NADINE. (Crossing below him to Left centre) Is she?

LENNOX. Yes. (Nervously) Please, Nadine—come up to her.

NADINE. I’m coming.

LENNOX. But where’s Ray?

NADINE. Ray has gone out for a walk.

LENNOX. (Astonished) For a walk! By himself?

NADINE. No, with a girl.

LENNOX. With a girl?

NADINE. (Bitterly) Does that surprise you so much? (She moves to Left of him) Don’t you remember how once you sneaked out of the house and went to Fountain Springs—to a roadhouse? Do you remember, Lennox?

LENNOX. Of course I do—but we must go up to Mother.

NADINE. (With sudden vehemence) Lennox—let’s go away.

LENNOX. What do you mean?

NADINE. I want to live my own life—our own lives—together.

LENNOX. I don’t understand what you mean. (He looks nervously towards the lift.) Mother will be getting so upset.

NADINE. Stop looking at that lift. Stop thinking about your mother. I want you to come away with me. It’s not too late.