The Mousetrap

ROGERS. Allow me, sir. (TakesGENERALMACKENZIE’s coat.) Can I have your keys, sir?

MACKENZIE. (Rising. Crossing down Left) No, thanks. I’ll unpack for myself.

ROGERS. Dinner is at eight o’clock, sir. Shall I show you to your room?

MACKENZIE. Please.

(MACKENZIE goes to door Left 1, which ROGERS holds open for him. WARGRAVE follows more deliberately, looking around room in an unsatisfied fashion. ROGERS follows them out. Sound of seagulls, then DOCTOR ARMSTRONG arrives upon balcony from Left, followed by NARRACOTT carrying his suitcase. ARMSTRONG is a fussy, good-looking man of forty-four. He looks rather tired.)

NARRACOTT. Here you are, sir. I’ll call Rogers. (Exits Left 1.)

(ARMSTRONG looks round; nods approval; looks out at sea. Then NARRACOTT returns. ARMSTRONG tips him. NARRACOTT exits to Centre Left. ARMSTRONG sits settee up Right. BLORE comes along balcony from Right; pauses at sight of ARMSTRONG.)

BLORE. (To above settee) How are you? Davis. Davis is the name.

ARMSTRONG. Mine’s Armstrong. (Rises.)

BLORE. Doctor Armstrong, I believe.

ARMSTRONG. Yes.

BLORE. Thought so. Never forget a face.

ARMSTRONG. Don’t tell me I’ve forgotten one of my patients!

BLORE. No, no, nothing like that, but I once saw you in Court giving expert evidence.

ARMSTRONG. Oh, really? Are you interested in the Law?

BLORE. Well, you see, I’m from South Africa. Naturally, legal processes in this country are bound to interest a Colonial.

ARMSTRONG. Oh, yes, of course.

BLORE. (Crossing down Right) Have a drink?

ARMSTRONG. No, thanks. I never touch it.

BLORE. Do you mind if I do? Mine’s empty.

ARMSTRONG. Not a bit.

BLORE. (Pours himself a drink.) I’ve been having a look round the island. It’s a wonderful place, isn’t it?

ARMSTRONG. (Crossing to Centre) Wonderful. I thought as I was coming across the mainland what a haven of peace this was.

BLORE. (Up to him, putting his face close to his) Too peaceful for some, I daresay.

ARMSTRONG. (Moves to Left) Wonderfully restful. Wonderful for the nerves. I’m a nerve specialist, you know.

BLORE. Yes, I know that. Did you come down by train? (Goes to him.)

ARMSTRONG. (Up Left to window) No, I motored down. Dropped in on a patient on the way. Great improvement—wonderful response.

BLORE. (Up to him) Best part of two hundred miles, isn’t it? How long did it take you?

ARMSTRONG. (To up Right Centre) I didn’t hurry. I never hurry. Bad for the nerves. Some mannerless young fellow nearly drove me into the ditch near Amesbury. Shot past me at about eighty miles an hour. Disgraceful bit of driving. I’d like to have had his number.

BLORE. (Comes to him) Yes, and if only more people would take the numbers of these young road hogs.

ARMSTRONG. Yes. You must excuse me. I must have a word with Mr. Owen. (He bustles out Left 1.)

BLORE. (Following down Left) Oh, but—Mr. Owen isn’t coming down—

(BLORE rings bell below Left 1 door. Finishes drink; puts glass on Left sofa. ROGERS enters almost immediately Left 1.)

ROGERS. You rang, sir?

BLORE. Yes, take my hat, will you? (Hands him his cap) What time’s supper?

ROGERS. Dinner is at eight o’clock, sir. (Pauses) In a quarter of an hour. I think tonight dressing will be optional.

BLORE. (Familiarly) Got a good place, here.

ROGERS. (Draws himself up rather stiffly) Yes, thank you, sir.

BLORE. Been here long?

ROGERS. Just under a week, sir.

BLORE. Is that all? (Pause) So I don’t suppose you know much about this crowd that’s here?

ROGERS. No, sir.

BLORE. All old friends of the family?

ROGERS. I really couldn’t say, sir.

BLORE. Oh, well—Oh, Rogers—

ROGERS. Yes, sir?

BLORE. Rogers, do you think you could put some sandwiches and a bottle of beer in my room at night? I get an ’ell of an appetite with this sea air.