The Mousetrap and Other Plays by Agatha Christie Page A

pause ) Exactly like a book the way I found out. When I was out in France. She wrote to both of us, and she put the letters in the wrong envelope. ( He nods his head ) So I knew—
    VERA . ( In pity ) Oh, no.
    MACKENZIE . ( Sits Right sofa ) It’s all right, my dear. It’s a long time ago. But you see I loved her very much—and believed in her. I didn’t say anything to him—I let it gather inside—here—( Strikes chest ) a slow, murderous rage—Damned young hypocrite—I’d liked the boy—trusted him.
    VERA . ( Trying to break spell ) I wonder what the others are doing?
    MACKENZIE . I sent him to his death—
    VERA . Oh—
    MACKENZIE . It was quite easy. Mistakes were being made all the time. All anyone could say was that I’d lost my nerve a bit, made a blunder, sacrificed one of my best men. Yes, it was quite easy—( Pause ) Lesley never knew. I never told her I’d found out. We went on as usual—but somehow nothing was quite real any more. She died of pneumonia. ( Pause ) She had a heartshaped face—and grey eyes—and brown hair that curled.
    VERA . Oh, don’t.
    MACKENZIE . ( Rises ) Yes, I suppose in a way—it was murder. Curious, murder—and I’ve always been such a law-abiding man. It didn’t feel like that at the time. “Serves him damn well right!” that’s what I thought. But after—( Pause ) Well, you know, don’t you?
    VERA . ( At a loss ) What do you mean?
    MACKENZIE . ( Stares at her as though something puzzles him ) You don’t seem to understand—I thought you would. I thought you’d be glad, too, that the end was coming—
    VERA . ( Draws back, alarmed. Rises; backs down Left. ) I—( She eyes him warily. )
    MACKENZIE . ( Follows her—confidentially ) We’re all going to die, you know.
    VERA . ( Looking round for help ) I—I don’t know.
    MACKENZIE . ( Vaguely to VERA ) You’re very young—you haven’t got to that yet. The relief! The blessed relief when you know that you’ve done with it all, that you haven’t got to carry the burden any longer. ( Moves up Right. )
    VERA . ( Follows him—moved ) General—
    MACKENZIE . Don’t talk to me that way. You don’t understand. I want to sit here and wait—wait for Lesley to come for me. ( Goes out on balcony and draws up chair and sits. The back of his head down to shoulders is visible through window. His position does not change throughout scene. )
    VERA . ( Stares after him. Her composure breaks down. Sits Left sofa. ) I’m frightened—Oh! I’m frightened—
    ( LOMBARD comes in up Right. )
    LOMBARD . ( Crosses Left ) All correct. No secret passage—one corpse.
    VERA . ( Tensely ) Don’t!
    LOMBARD . I say, you do look low. How about a drink to steady your nerves?
    VERA . ( Rises, flaring up ) A drink! Two corpses in the house at nine o’clock in the morning and all you say is “Have a drink!” An old man going quite crackers—“Have a drink!” Ten people accused of murder—that’s all right—just have a drink. Everything’s fine so long as you have a drink.
    LOMBARD . All right. All right.—Stay thirsty. ( Goes to Left 2 door. )
    VERA . Oh, you—you’re nothing but a waster—an adventurer—you make me tired. ( Moves to fireplace. )
    LOMBARD . ( Crossing to her ) I say, you are het up. What’s the matter, my sweet?
    VERA . I’m not your sweet.
    LOMBARD . I’m sorry. I rather thought you were.
    VERA . Well, you can think again.
    LOMBARD . Come now—you know you don’t really feel like that. We’ve got something in common, you and I. Rogues and murderers can’t fall out. ( He takes her hand—she draws away. )
    VERA . Rogues and murderers—!
    LOMBARD . Okay. You don’t like the company of rogues and murderers—and you won’t have a drink. I’ll go and