Scene 3
(Enter SUSAN.)
SOUND EFFECT: Footsteps pacing on floorboards
SOUND EFFECT: Door rattling
SUSAN:
(Gasps)
SOUND EFFECT: Door opens
(Enter MRS. HUDSON and ABIGAIL.)
ABIGAIL:
Susan? Susan, are you all right?
SUSAN:
Abby? Is that you?
ABIGAIL:
Brought you a change of kit and a bite of hot supper from Mrs. Dunlop.
SUSAN:
But how did you—?
MRS. HUDSON:
Told the wardens that even prisoners have a right to a meal and clean linens when they've been locked away for a day. So chin up, my girl, we're here to help you.
SUSAN:
Oh, God. Thank you! But— who are you— why are you—?
MRS. HUDSON:
Mrs. Hudson, dear. Landlady to Mr. Sherlock Holmes.
SUSAN:
Did you say "landlady"—?
MRS. HUDSON:
Yes, yes, dear, it's all very irregular. But from what I hear, you're in no position to look any gift horse in the mouth. Now don't stand on ceremony— get some fair scran in you, and tell us why your mistress thinks you've chored her nan's jewelry.
SOUND EFFECT: Cutlery on dinner plate
ABIGAIL:
Go on, now, Susan. You can trust her.
SUSAN:
It was a grand affair, ma'am. Like nothing the family's done in ages— they opened the big ballroom for the first time since I've been here, and they hired in some great French pastry chef to do the desserts. A Monsieur Achille Gerard. Miss Hope wore her best gray velvet with the ruby, and she'd begged her ladyship the Duchess for weeks to let her have it. It's quite famous, is what I hear.
MRS. HUDSON:
When did the thing go missing? When she was dressing for the ball?
SUSAN:
No, it was in the parlor after the night. When the guests had gone, the family went in to take their tea and brandy.
ABIGAIL:
Before she'd even gone back upstairs? Then why in the world did they think it was you?
SUSAN:
They rang me in to bring more hot water. But there was still warm tea in the pot, though, so I just poured cups instead. Judge Evanston— he's master of the house —turned and said, "Bring it here," so I went to carry one over to him. But he must have been calling for Hope instead of me, because she moved when I did to show him the necklace. We knocked into one another.
MRS. HUDSON:
You didn't spill the tea, did you?
SUSAN:
All over the Persian rug.
MRS. HUDSON:
Oh, faith. There's a night's work.
SUSAN:
I said my apologies and went out for the rags and bucket. But when I came back, there was a commotion up. They looked at the necklace proper-like and saw the gem was gone from its setting, when we'd all seen it plain as day on her neck just a moment ago.
ABIGAIL:
And they blamed you for that?
SUSAN:
They roared at each other for a while, and didn't settle until they all fell on me for knocking into her. They had policemen in so quick it sent my head spinning, and before I knew it, I was locked up here.
MRS. HUDSON:
Why had Miss Hope taken off her necklace in the parlor?
SUSAN:
I don't know, ma'am. She might have been bringing it to the judge to put back into the safe.
MRS. HUDSON:
And the police searched the place high and low for the stone, surely?
SUSAN:
They tore it through, but nothing turned up.
ABIGAIL:
Not even anywhere on you, of course. Not that it changed their minds.
SUSAN:
They think I must have hidden it somewhere when I left the room, or else handed it off to some accomplice. And I've no means to prove any different! Mrs. Hudson, do you really think there's any way to show them I'm innocent?
MRS. HUDSON:
Good gracious, dear. The most detectiving I've done to today was finding whatever wretched neighbor boy stole the steak and kidney pie from off my windowsill. But I haven't borne near ten years of Sherlock Holmes bending my floorboards and setting fire to my drapes to learn myself nothing. And… too many folks are keen to forget a girl except to send out the wash or have the trays cleared.
ABIGAIL:
That's the truth, ma'am.
MRS. HUDSON:
We working women must remember each other, if no one else will.
SUSAN:
Thank you, ma'am. And Abby, for remembering me.
MRS. HUDSON:
Now dry your eyes, love. And let's see you tuck into that tidy supper.
(Exeunt.)
TRANSITION MUSIC.