Episode 54 – “Thank You So Much”
Previously on the Memoirs of Mayfield: Miss Scarlet, Colonel Mustard, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock, Professor Plum, Mrs. Meadow-Brook, and Mr. Naylor all have epiphanies that Miles Meadow-Brook’s death was justifiable and that their personal problems are behind them and that they can move on from the burden of blackmail, coercion, and jilted feelings. Mrs. Meadow-Brook explains to Miss Ecru that Miles was murdered. Mrs. White is bludgeoned while leaving Rusty Naylor’s cabin.…
-Monday, May 16, 1949 –
-Morning-
Mrs. White awakens rather groggy and confused. She looks around to see herself in the Stables at Tudor Close. She is sitting in a wooden chair, not bound, but she is free to leave as she pleases. In front of her the long wooden tool bench has been moved away from the wall and cleared of its normal tools. Upon it Mrs. White sees six queer objects. A cracked Lawn Gnome, a rust-covered Hammer, an old muddy Horseshoe, a dented Water Bucket, a pair of well-worn Garden Shears, and a Tennis Racquet. She stands up and examines them further. She notices a small burlap sack on the ground beneath the table.
“I’m glad you are finally awake.” A voice says, “I was worried I hit you a little too hard.”
Mrs. White turns to see Miss Suzanne Ecru.
“Miss Ecru?” Mrs. White says, “Did you do this to me?”
“Yes,” Miss Ecru says, “I’m sorry I had to treat you in such a way. But I needed to ask you a few questions.”
“Why couldn’t you just ask me?” Mrs. White says rubbing the bruise on her head, “You could have caused serious damage.”
“I had to quarantine you.” Miss Ecru says, “Especially since I know how dangerous you can be if you are threatened.”
“What kind of questions did you have in mind?” Mrs. White says still rubbing the bruise, “What is this about?”
“Did you kill Miles Meadow-Brook?” asks Miss Ecru with a stern look on her face
In the Kitchen of Tudor Close, Madame Rose enters with Mr. Boddy from the Dining Room.
“Mrs. White isn’t here.” Mr. Boddy says, “You don’t suppose she was kidnapped by Prince Azure too?”
“Why would Azure kidnap Sylvia, Scott, and Mr. Ash then wait a day to kidnap Mrs. White?” asks Madame Rose
“I’m not sure.” Mr. Boddy turns on the radio, “Nothing really makes much sense anymore.”
“Late last night there was an explosion at Port Wells Penitentiary.” The news reporter on the radio announces, “With all the chaos of transporting the prisoners to a secure cell block there is yet to be a full head count. We will let you know as soon as possible if there are any escapees.”
Madame Rose turns up the volume on the radio, “Oh dear.”
“You don’t think Bradford escaped do you?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I’m sure he was kept under close watch.” Madame Rose says running her fingers through the beaded necklace she is wearing
“I wouldn’t count on it.” Bradford Black says from the back door.
At the Oakwood Residence, Dr. Rex Prussian stands at Lady Elizabeth Oakwood’s bedside. He is taking her pulse.
“Exactly what happened this morning?” Dr. Prussian asks
“I got up to get dressed and begin my day and I felt extremely faint.” Lady Oakwood says, “I was in the bathroom putting on my face cream and I lost my balance. I blame it all on the face cream. If my hands hadn’t been slippery I could have regained my balance on the counter.”
“Have you been taking the pills I prescribed to you?” asks Dr. Prussian
“Each morning when I wake up and each night before I go to bed.” Lady Oakwood says, “I take them with a full glass of water.”
“Let’s cut back to once a day.” Dr. Prussian says, “Let’s just try at night so that you will already be in bed if you become dizzy.”
“Dr. Prussian,” Lady Oakwood motions for him to come closer
“Yes?” asks Dr. Prussian
“I have a theory as to why I am so faint,” she whispers, “I’m being poisoned.”
At the local pub, Professor Gregory Plum sits at a table in the shadowy corner. He is staring down at his glass of whiskey. He notices a woman enter the building and walk up to the bar. She orders a shot from the bartender and downs it quickly. Professor Plum stares at her blonde curls and her beautiful familiarity. Her eyes meet his.
“Professor?” she asks coming into the corner to get a better look.
“Nurse Primrose,” Professor Plum finally recognizes her
“Call me Florence.” She sits down in the chair across the table from him.
“What brings you to this place?” asks Professor Plum
“Helping people and trying to make people healthy is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Nurse Primrose snatches Professor Plum’s drink and finishes it herself, “Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of being a nurse. I always bottle fed sick cats, helped baby birds that fell from nests, and boys that scraped their knees.”
“Is helping people not all you dreamed of?” Professor Plum leans back in his chair
“They all die.” Nurse Primrose says, “Everyone dies.”
“Not everyone,” Professor Plum says, “Some people decide to live and hang on a little longer.”
“But the ones who do live are the ones who take you down with their cruel animalistic nature.” Nurse Primrose says bitterly
“It was a man wasn’t it?” asks Professor Plum
“He keeps touching me.” Nurse Primrose says shaking off the disgusted feeling, “He won’t leave me alone. I’ve told him time and time again I won’t lie down in bed with a married man!”
“He’s married?” Professor Plum asks
Nurse Primrose lowers her voice and leans closer to him, “Dr. Prussian.”
At Dr. Olive’s flat, Miss Peach sits on the floor of the living room with dozens of newspaper’s scattered around. She is reading one quickly as she drinks coffee from a white mug. Dr. Olive enters the Living Room from the Kitchenette.
“Have you even been to sleep?” asks Dr. Olive
“No,” Miss Peach says, “I need to find out everything I can about this town. Anything could be a trace to what happened with my mother.”
“You need rest.” Dr. Olive says, “If there is anything important in those papers you need to be alert and aware.”
“Glen, I am fine,” Miss Peach takes another drink of coffee.
“Is there really anything in there that you found useful?” Dr. Olive asks
“The only good source of anything is the letter my mother sent to Madame Rose.” Miss Peach bites her lip
“About the meeting in the Boat House?” Dr. Olive says, “Do you think that meeting has already taken place or is yet to come.”
“It was sent April 16th.” Miss Peach says, “It is probably long over by now.”
“But if you provide the knowledge that you are aware of this to Madame Rose…” Dr. Olive hints
“I’m going over there.” Miss Peach says, “I’ve been sitting on this for too long.”
“It’s very early,” Dr. Olive checks the clock, “Shouldn’t you at least wait until the family has changed out of their pajamas.”
“I’m family.” Miss Peach says, “By Christmas I hope to be a part of their daily lives.”
“But in the meantime shouldn’t you approach them with grace and respect the fact that they probably do not want to see you?” Dr. Olive says
Miss Peach stares at him with some obvious insult in her eyes, “On that note, I am going to leave. I will be back sometime before dinnertime.”
Back in the Stables of Tudor Close, Mrs. White stares at Miss Ecru with confusion.
“Did I kill Miles Meadow-Brook?” Mrs. White repeats, “Poor girl, you are ill.”
“Just answer the question please.” Miss Ecru says
“Are you just going to kidnap each and every suspect until one confesses?” Mrs. White asks, “My dear girl that is not how the world works.”
Miss Ecru picks up the burlap sack and sets it down on the table. It makes a clunking sound. She reaches inside and removes a large red tomato.
“I took a few from Rusty’s garden.” Miss Ecru says, “I’m not sure he will mind.”
“You didn’t hurt him as well did you?” Mrs. White asks
“No, I didn’t.” Miss Ecru says placing the tomato on the corner of the table, “I want you to pick up the weapon you killed Miles with and show me with that tomato.”
“You are barking mad!” Mrs. White backs away, “I don’t want any part in this.”
“Please,” Miss Ecru says, “I’m begging you.”
“What is your obsession with Miles Meadow-Brook’s death?” Mrs. White asks
“The bastard raped me!” Miss Ecru shouts, “I wanted to watch him die. I wanted to watch the life drain from his eyes but I wasn’t there.”
Mrs. White stands speechless, “My poor child…”
“I don’t need you sympathy. I need you to share with me everything you did to him.” Miss Ecru says, “I need to know. Pick up the weapon you used on him and crush that tomato.”
“Listen to yourself Suzanne.” Mrs. White walks closer to her with sympathy in her face, “You are having a mental breakdown.”
“Show me what happened.” Miss Ecru holds back her tears
“Sweetheart,” Mrs. White puts her hand on her shoulders, “I didn’t kill Miles Meadow-Brook.”
In the Kitchen of Tudor Close, Mr. Boddy and Madame Rose stand speechless. Mr. Boddy eyes the Carving Knife near the sink.
“Daddy?” Madame Rose says, “What are you doing here?”
“Oh cut the ‘daddy’ crap.” Bradford Black says grabbing the Knife that Mr. Boddy was staring at
“What do you want from us?” asks Mr. Boddy
“How about your undying love and respect?” Bradford asks, “Too much? Then how about just a place to sleep and straighten things out.”
“You are supposed to be in jail.” Madame Rose says
“For a psychic you are having a really hard time tuning in to things that are already facts.” Bradford Black says, “Maybe you are missing a card from your deck.”
“Were you responsible for the explosion at the prison?” asks Mr. Boddy
“Surprisingly I was fortunate and lucky.” Bradford Black says, “A couple of thugs working for a man named O’Range were taken into Port Wells Penitentiary and just happened to be in the same cell block as they were when the walls became nothing but a dilapidated mess.”
“Oh please don’t tell me you are about to get yourself involved with more mafia and drug rings.” Mr. Boddy says
“So you’ve heard the name O’Range before?” asks Bradford Black
“Mr. Green may have made an offer to me which I turned down.” Mr. Boddy says
“Everyone thinks England is just a peaceful quiet countryside.” Bradford Black says, “Where there are people there are crooks and where there are crooks there are crooked cops. Money in the palm of the right one buys your freedom. Just look at Mrs. Peacock. She pinned everything on me. She told Brown that I manipulated her into committing the murders. She pleads insanity and that she was forced to kill. She sat down with Dr. Olive for a few therapy sessions and she is free to roam the town.”
“What are you getting at?” Madame Rose asks
“I wonder what it would take to get me off the news.” Bradford Black says, “Redeem my title of Sir Bradford Black and take the mansion back.”
“That is not going to happen.” Mr. Boddy says
“Well this mansion needs an heir.” Bradford Black says, “It seems that Hugh is dead, I don’t have any other sons, Jet isn’t a blood relative to this family, Sylvia is unable to fulfill her duties as the heir to the mansion, and Scott is off missing again.”
“How did you know that?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I have my ways.” Bradford Black stabs the Knife into a cutting board, “So as luck would have it, I am the only remaining heir.”
“Had this always been your plan?” Madame Rose asks
“I deserve it and your mother was foolish to take it from me and give it to her children.” Bradford Black says, “Estelle, the first born, is dead, Margaret is dead, Hugh is dead, Scott is missing, Jet isn’t part of the family, Sylvia is missing, Claire, you turned down this family’s fortune and wrote yourself out of the will, so as luck would have it, I am the only one left to inherit.”
“I’m Margaret’s son!” Mr. Boddy says
“The nephew doesn’t inherit.” Bradford says, “I am still the husband to the mistress of the house, therefore I inherit.”
Madame Rose smirks, “Don’t get too comfortable. There is still the matter of making you innocent in the public’s eye.”
“Shall I repeat my ‘where there are people there are crooks’ speech again?” Bradford Black asks
“That won’t be necessary.” Miss Peach says entering the Kitchen through the back door.
Back at the Oakwood Residence, Dr. Prussian is trying to make sense of Lady Oakwood’s outrageous accusation.
“Who would want to poison you?” asks Dr. Prussian
“I have been told by many people that I act rather stubborn and that I only care about myself.” Lady Oakwood says, “I would assume it is my son or daughter.”
“Isn’t Julia away?” Dr. Prussian says
“It could be long term poisoning.” Lady Oakwood says
“This is a very serious offense.” Dr. Prussian says, “Are you completely certain it is poisoning?”
“What else could it be?” asks Lady Oakwood
Dr. Prussian feels around her throat and neck, “There does appear to be some swelling around the throat. Do you have a sore throat at all?”
“No, not at all!” Lady Oakwood says
“It could be goiter,” Dr. Prussian says, “Though that is a long shot.”
“Is there any way of finding this out?” Lady Oakwood says, “I don’t want this turning into something as serious as Grave’s Disease.”
“Ah,” Dr. Prussian comments, “So, you are familiar with the condition.”
“I researched as much as I could when Percival was a young boy. I just wanted to be certain he was as healthy as can be.” Lady Oakwood says
“On Wednesday I have an opening around noon. Could you come down to the clinic?” Dr. Prussian says, “I would like to begin some tests to see what could be causing this.”
“Very well,” Lady Oakwood says crossly
In the Stables at Tudor Close, Miss Ecru shakes Mrs. White’s hand off of her shoulder.
“Blanche,” Miss Ecru backs away, “I know you killed him.”
“I didn’t.” Mrs. White says
“You don’t understand,” Miss Ecru says, “It’s okay. I’m not putting on a show. I’m not preparing to tell the police.”
“Come into the Mansion with me.” Mrs. White says, “Let’s get you some coffee or tea or something.”
“No,” Miss Ecru dumps the burlap sack, scattering tomatoes and an old Pepperbox Revolver. She points the Revolver at Mrs. White, “Listen to me. Jane Meadow-Brook saw you kill her husband. She saw you take that Water Bucket and knock him over, just like I did to you. Then she watched you bang the base of the metal bucket into his skull over and over again. She knows you did it because you were jilted by the way he treated younger women. Now tell me the truth because I’ve been tearing myself apart, contemplating suicide, and feeling worthless and pathetic for the past month because no one cared what Miles did to me. Jane didn’t care. No one cared that he held me down in the kitchen. He forced me against the corner and raped me!” Miss Ecru is breathing erratically, “He told me I was just another pretty face on a worthless body. He used me like he uses all the young girls. He was a devious man and no one did anything… no one did anything to stop him except you.”
“Suzanne,” Mrs. White hasn’t taken her eyes off the barrel of the Revolver, “Where did you get that thing. It’s just like Hugh’s old American Revolver.”
-FLASHBACK APRIL 20-
Miss Ecru enters the Study of Tudor Close through an open window. She opens the desk drawer and notices the antique pepperbox Revolver and a box of bullets. She pockets the bullets and slips the Revolver into the elastic waistline of her grey maid’s uniform. She sees a figure approach the open doorway and quickly hides in the corner of the room behind a plant next to the bookcase. She lowers herself down to the floor to obscure herself behind the leather armchair in the corner. She sees the figure of Yuri Gold enter the Study. He is young and handsome and full of life. He paces the room a bit muttering to himself.
“Where the hell is my father?” he becomes anxious
“Expecting someone?” A female’s voice says from the doorway
“What are you doing here?” he asks
“Of course you’d be the last to know.” Another woman says, “This is her house.”
“I wasn’t aware of this, mother.” Yuri says, “You are always keeping things from me.”
“Don’t call me mother.” The second woman spits angrily, “And it is your father that keeps things from you.”
“My father is a good man. He will be here soon. You can talk to him about whatever it is you are here for.”
“We are here to clean up any last minute details.” The first woman says
“Yes,” the second woman says picking up a heavy bronze statue of the Eiffel Tower, “Your father is very cool headed and easy going… until he loses someone very important to him.”
The bronze statue is handed to the first woman.
“What are you getting at?” Yuri asks
The first woman slams the bronze statue at Yuri’s head knocking him to the floor instantly.
“He’s bleeding out.” The second woman says, “Now his father will begin to spiral out of control.”
“It’s funny that we should use a statue that represents France.” The first woman says, “I need to be on my way to France at once.”
“I know.” The second woman says, “With the time change you should arrive around noon.”
“I don’t care when I arrive, as long as I succeed in getting what is mine.” The first woman says
“When shall we meet at our rendezvous?” asks the second woman
“I think by the beginning of August we should be ready.” The first woman says, “That should give us both enough time to get everything accomplished that needs to be taken care of.”
-END OF FLASHBACK-
In his flat, Dr. Olive looks over his day planner when there is a knock at the door.
“I told you Georgia,” Dr. Olive calls out, “The Black’s wouldn’t be happy with you dropping in.”
He opens the door to see Chandler Weiss standing before him.
“Mr. Weiss,” Dr. Olive says, “I didn’t expect you.”
“Sorry for the unexpected drop by,” Chandler says, “I was wondering if Georgia was around.”
“I’m afraid she isn’t. Is there anything I can help you with?” Dr. Olive asks
“Well, I was doing some cleaning up and I found this pushed against the wall at the head of my bed.” He holds out a diary
“Why would this be in your room?” asks Dr. Olive failing to understand the significance
“It was her sister Emily’s diary.” Chandler says, “She stayed with me for a while after I broke up with Cynthia.”
“I see.” Dr. Olive says taking the diary, “Thank you for returning it.”
“I heard you say something about Georgia bothering the Black’s this early?” Chandler says
“She has this crazy idea that she needs to find out everything about her birth mother.” Dr. Olive says, “I think she needs to approach this slowly and reasonably to avoid causing a fuss.”
“Forgive my absence, I haven’t been very social lately,” Chandler clears his throat, “I wasn’t aware that Georgia was related to the Black’s.”
“You are bound to find out sooner or later,” Dr. Olive says, “Helena Black is not dead. She faked her death, ran away when she got pregnant, she gave birth to Georgia.”
“Has she tracked down her birth father?” asks Chandler with excitement
“Her father is a man by the name of Alphonse Brunette.” Dr. Olive says, “A con artist. He used to be a stable boy or something to that nature.”
“I hope she finds what she is looking for.” Chandler says
“Yes as do I,” Dr. Olive says, “Thank you so much for returning this diary. I’ll be sure to let Georgia know.”
“You may want to take a peek at a few entries.” Chandler says, “I couldn’t help myself reading a few pages of the crazy dead girl’s diary.”
“She was a patient of mine.” Dr. Olive says, “I have every intention of memorizing every word and every way she wrote each letter.”
Back in the Kitchen of Tudor Close, Miss Peach walks towards Bradford Black, cutting the tension in the room and replacing it with a sense of confusion.
“Who are you?” asks Bradford Black
“Georgia,” Mr. Boddy says, “You need to leave.”
“No,” Miss Peach says, “I listened long enough to know that I can help this crisis.”
“Or just get yourself hurt in the process,” Mr. Boddy ushers her towards the back door
“Let the girl talk,” Bradford Black says, “I’d love to hear what she has to say.”
“Well there is no easy way to say this,” Miss Peach clears her throat, “You might want to sit down.”
“I’ll stand.” Bradford Black says
“Helena Black is alive.” Miss Peach takes a deep breath, “Helena Black is also my mother.”
“How?” asks Bradford Black
“She got pregnant with the stable boy and ran away, faking her death.” Miss Peach says
Bradford Black shoves Miss Peach out of the way and enters the Hall.
“Did I help at all?” asks Miss Peach
“You said you were standing there long enough to hear everything?” asks Mr. Boddy
“Yes,” Miss Peach says
“You do realize he has made every other living heir disappear.” Madame Rose sits down at the Kitchen table and pulls the Knife out of the cutting board. She sets it down next to it.
“He won’t kill me.” Miss Peach says, “He is in too much shock realizing that his wife is still alive.”
“You had better be right.” Mr. Boddy says gravely
In his flat, Dr. Olive sits down on the sofa and begins to read from the diary of the late Emily Peach.
“I know why our parents did what they did.” He reads from the diary, “They wanted to give hope to two little orphan girls from two different worlds. They didn’t want us waking up each night dreaming that a family would come to take them. They didn’t want us dreaming day after day that we had a future. They gave us that future… but they gave me mine too late… They adopted Georgia when she was only 4 months old. They didn’t adopt me until I was 5… Georgia always thought she was really their daughter. I always knew she wasn’t. Sure she had the same eye color and hair color of our adoptive mom but that was a coincidence. Maybe there were a couple times during my childhood when I believed Georgia was their real daughter… They always treated her like it, after all she was their baby. I was just the toddler they took in out of pity. I sometimes wish I was the only one. Then I would have gotten all the attention and love… not her…”
Dr. Olive begins making notes on a blank notebook, “She excessively uses ellipsis to emphasis and indicate her depression kicking in.”
“Every time I try to do something right it goes unnoticed!!!” he reads, “All they do is tell me to be more like Georgia. To hell with Georgia!!! I’m not a child and deserve to be treated like a human being!!! I just want the decency that anyone else deserves! Is that too hard to ask for?? Maybe I need to find my real parents. Maybe I need to find out what really happened in my past to start fresh!!! I need my life to begin!!! I need to find love and raise a family of my own!!! If I can’t have love in the family I was born with I will just have to make my own family!!!”
Dr. Olive makes another notation, “In the second entry she uses exclamation points to show her anger and hatred towards her sister.”
“I couldn’t be happier.” Dr. Olive reads on, “I honestly feel the happiest I’ve ever felt. Miles is amazing. He is sweet and caring and loving. I feel like every emotion of anger or hatred has left my body completely. I am noticing things – birds, children laughing, the smells of flowers – everything is as it should be. He warms my heart with his passion and dedication. It is like he worships my body and loves everything about me. He is in the process of ending his marriage and moving forward. I am patient. I can wait. I will wait. I will stay by his side until he is ready. I know he is the one for me.”
Dr. Olive makes another notation, “In the third entry she is beginning to show signs of rapid mood change and elation.”
“Now that bitch is back and it’s ovre. Now that worhtless girl is back. Here to ruin everythign I hold close! I’ll kill her! I’LL KILL HER!!!”
Dr. Olive closes the diary and makes another notation, “In the third and final entry her spelling became sloppy and her rage became even worse than before. She threatened to kill her sister and ended up shooting her and killing herself.”
In the Stables of Tudor Close, Miss Ecru comes back from her remembrance of how she acquired the Revolver.
“How did you get Hugh Black’s Revolver?” Mrs. White repeats
“I knew Hugh had one.” Miss Ecru says, “I needed protection in case Miles tried anything again. Now please tell me your side of the story.”
“Of how I killed Miles?” asks Mrs. White
“See,” Miss Ecru says still trying to hold back her tears, “It’s so easy. Just admit what happened and the truth will set us both free.”
“I saw him trying to molest Miss Scarlet by the Swimming Pool,” Mrs. Whit’s voice turns darker, “I knew she was just another one of his targets. I had to stop him and find the perfect time. I saw Mrs. Peacock attack him with that Water Bucket. Jane ran over and helped Miles. I figured if any skin or blood would be drawn on that Bucket everyone would assume Mrs. Peacock did it. I managed to take the Bucket. I told him Miss Scarlet wanted to speak with him in the Stables. He found a way to leave the Garden with the others. When he got to the Stables he must have been followed by Jane. She was probably confused as to what he was up to. I waited for him to enter and I hit him.”
“Repeatedly?” asks Miss Ecru
“I hit him until I knew he wouldn’t get up again.” Mrs. White says, “I managed to find a good hammer to dip into Miles blood. I left it at the Boat House where Miss Scarlet apparently found it and washed it off. I have no idea if she knew what she was doing or that she could have implicated herself.”
“I really needed to hear that.” Miss Ecru smiles
“Now can we put the gun away and promise to keep this little accident between ourselves?” Mrs. White asks
“You don’t have to worry about me telling anyone.” Miss Ecru says looking down at the Revolver
“Good,” Mrs. White says walking towards the doors to the Stables, “Now how about some coffee or tea.”
Miss Ecru looks up at Mrs. White in the doorway, “Blanche,” she puts the Revolver up to her head and smiles, “You stopped the worst man in the whole universe from hurting another helpless girl. Thank you so much.”
-Monday, May 16, 1949 –
-Morning-
Mrs. White awakens rather groggy and confused. She looks around to see herself in the Stables at Tudor Close. She is sitting in a wooden chair, not bound, but she is free to leave as she pleases. In front of her the long wooden tool bench has been moved away from the wall and cleared of its normal tools. Upon it Mrs. White sees six queer objects. A cracked Lawn Gnome, a rust-covered Hammer, an old muddy Horseshoe, a dented Water Bucket, a pair of well-worn Garden Shears, and a Tennis Racquet. She stands up and examines them further. She notices a small burlap sack on the ground beneath the table.
“I’m glad you are finally awake.” A voice says, “I was worried I hit you a little too hard.”
Mrs. White turns to see Miss Suzanne Ecru.
“Miss Ecru?” Mrs. White says, “Did you do this to me?”
“Yes,” Miss Ecru says, “I’m sorry I had to treat you in such a way. But I needed to ask you a few questions.”
“Why couldn’t you just ask me?” Mrs. White says rubbing the bruise on her head, “You could have caused serious damage.”
“I had to quarantine you.” Miss Ecru says, “Especially since I know how dangerous you can be if you are threatened.”
“What kind of questions did you have in mind?” Mrs. White says still rubbing the bruise, “What is this about?”
“Did you kill Miles Meadow-Brook?” asks Miss Ecru with a stern look on her face
In the Kitchen of Tudor Close, Madame Rose enters with Mr. Boddy from the Dining Room.
“Mrs. White isn’t here.” Mr. Boddy says, “You don’t suppose she was kidnapped by Prince Azure too?”
“Why would Azure kidnap Sylvia, Scott, and Mr. Ash then wait a day to kidnap Mrs. White?” asks Madame Rose
“I’m not sure.” Mr. Boddy turns on the radio, “Nothing really makes much sense anymore.”
“Late last night there was an explosion at Port Wells Penitentiary.” The news reporter on the radio announces, “With all the chaos of transporting the prisoners to a secure cell block there is yet to be a full head count. We will let you know as soon as possible if there are any escapees.”
Madame Rose turns up the volume on the radio, “Oh dear.”
“You don’t think Bradford escaped do you?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I’m sure he was kept under close watch.” Madame Rose says running her fingers through the beaded necklace she is wearing
“I wouldn’t count on it.” Bradford Black says from the back door.
At the Oakwood Residence, Dr. Rex Prussian stands at Lady Elizabeth Oakwood’s bedside. He is taking her pulse.
“Exactly what happened this morning?” Dr. Prussian asks
“I got up to get dressed and begin my day and I felt extremely faint.” Lady Oakwood says, “I was in the bathroom putting on my face cream and I lost my balance. I blame it all on the face cream. If my hands hadn’t been slippery I could have regained my balance on the counter.”
“Have you been taking the pills I prescribed to you?” asks Dr. Prussian
“Each morning when I wake up and each night before I go to bed.” Lady Oakwood says, “I take them with a full glass of water.”
“Let’s cut back to once a day.” Dr. Prussian says, “Let’s just try at night so that you will already be in bed if you become dizzy.”
“Dr. Prussian,” Lady Oakwood motions for him to come closer
“Yes?” asks Dr. Prussian
“I have a theory as to why I am so faint,” she whispers, “I’m being poisoned.”
At the local pub, Professor Gregory Plum sits at a table in the shadowy corner. He is staring down at his glass of whiskey. He notices a woman enter the building and walk up to the bar. She orders a shot from the bartender and downs it quickly. Professor Plum stares at her blonde curls and her beautiful familiarity. Her eyes meet his.
“Professor?” she asks coming into the corner to get a better look.
“Nurse Primrose,” Professor Plum finally recognizes her
“Call me Florence.” She sits down in the chair across the table from him.
“What brings you to this place?” asks Professor Plum
“Helping people and trying to make people healthy is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Nurse Primrose snatches Professor Plum’s drink and finishes it herself, “Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of being a nurse. I always bottle fed sick cats, helped baby birds that fell from nests, and boys that scraped their knees.”
“Is helping people not all you dreamed of?” Professor Plum leans back in his chair
“They all die.” Nurse Primrose says, “Everyone dies.”
“Not everyone,” Professor Plum says, “Some people decide to live and hang on a little longer.”
“But the ones who do live are the ones who take you down with their cruel animalistic nature.” Nurse Primrose says bitterly
“It was a man wasn’t it?” asks Professor Plum
“He keeps touching me.” Nurse Primrose says shaking off the disgusted feeling, “He won’t leave me alone. I’ve told him time and time again I won’t lie down in bed with a married man!”
“He’s married?” Professor Plum asks
Nurse Primrose lowers her voice and leans closer to him, “Dr. Prussian.”
At Dr. Olive’s flat, Miss Peach sits on the floor of the living room with dozens of newspaper’s scattered around. She is reading one quickly as she drinks coffee from a white mug. Dr. Olive enters the Living Room from the Kitchenette.
“Have you even been to sleep?” asks Dr. Olive
“No,” Miss Peach says, “I need to find out everything I can about this town. Anything could be a trace to what happened with my mother.”
“You need rest.” Dr. Olive says, “If there is anything important in those papers you need to be alert and aware.”
“Glen, I am fine,” Miss Peach takes another drink of coffee.
“Is there really anything in there that you found useful?” Dr. Olive asks
“The only good source of anything is the letter my mother sent to Madame Rose.” Miss Peach bites her lip
“About the meeting in the Boat House?” Dr. Olive says, “Do you think that meeting has already taken place or is yet to come.”
“It was sent April 16th.” Miss Peach says, “It is probably long over by now.”
“But if you provide the knowledge that you are aware of this to Madame Rose…” Dr. Olive hints
“I’m going over there.” Miss Peach says, “I’ve been sitting on this for too long.”
“It’s very early,” Dr. Olive checks the clock, “Shouldn’t you at least wait until the family has changed out of their pajamas.”
“I’m family.” Miss Peach says, “By Christmas I hope to be a part of their daily lives.”
“But in the meantime shouldn’t you approach them with grace and respect the fact that they probably do not want to see you?” Dr. Olive says
Miss Peach stares at him with some obvious insult in her eyes, “On that note, I am going to leave. I will be back sometime before dinnertime.”
Back in the Stables of Tudor Close, Mrs. White stares at Miss Ecru with confusion.
“Did I kill Miles Meadow-Brook?” Mrs. White repeats, “Poor girl, you are ill.”
“Just answer the question please.” Miss Ecru says
“Are you just going to kidnap each and every suspect until one confesses?” Mrs. White asks, “My dear girl that is not how the world works.”
Miss Ecru picks up the burlap sack and sets it down on the table. It makes a clunking sound. She reaches inside and removes a large red tomato.
“I took a few from Rusty’s garden.” Miss Ecru says, “I’m not sure he will mind.”
“You didn’t hurt him as well did you?” Mrs. White asks
“No, I didn’t.” Miss Ecru says placing the tomato on the corner of the table, “I want you to pick up the weapon you killed Miles with and show me with that tomato.”
“You are barking mad!” Mrs. White backs away, “I don’t want any part in this.”
“Please,” Miss Ecru says, “I’m begging you.”
“What is your obsession with Miles Meadow-Brook’s death?” Mrs. White asks
“The bastard raped me!” Miss Ecru shouts, “I wanted to watch him die. I wanted to watch the life drain from his eyes but I wasn’t there.”
Mrs. White stands speechless, “My poor child…”
“I don’t need you sympathy. I need you to share with me everything you did to him.” Miss Ecru says, “I need to know. Pick up the weapon you used on him and crush that tomato.”
“Listen to yourself Suzanne.” Mrs. White walks closer to her with sympathy in her face, “You are having a mental breakdown.”
“Show me what happened.” Miss Ecru holds back her tears
“Sweetheart,” Mrs. White puts her hand on her shoulders, “I didn’t kill Miles Meadow-Brook.”
In the Kitchen of Tudor Close, Mr. Boddy and Madame Rose stand speechless. Mr. Boddy eyes the Carving Knife near the sink.
“Daddy?” Madame Rose says, “What are you doing here?”
“Oh cut the ‘daddy’ crap.” Bradford Black says grabbing the Knife that Mr. Boddy was staring at
“What do you want from us?” asks Mr. Boddy
“How about your undying love and respect?” Bradford asks, “Too much? Then how about just a place to sleep and straighten things out.”
“You are supposed to be in jail.” Madame Rose says
“For a psychic you are having a really hard time tuning in to things that are already facts.” Bradford Black says, “Maybe you are missing a card from your deck.”
“Were you responsible for the explosion at the prison?” asks Mr. Boddy
“Surprisingly I was fortunate and lucky.” Bradford Black says, “A couple of thugs working for a man named O’Range were taken into Port Wells Penitentiary and just happened to be in the same cell block as they were when the walls became nothing but a dilapidated mess.”
“Oh please don’t tell me you are about to get yourself involved with more mafia and drug rings.” Mr. Boddy says
“So you’ve heard the name O’Range before?” asks Bradford Black
“Mr. Green may have made an offer to me which I turned down.” Mr. Boddy says
“Everyone thinks England is just a peaceful quiet countryside.” Bradford Black says, “Where there are people there are crooks and where there are crooks there are crooked cops. Money in the palm of the right one buys your freedom. Just look at Mrs. Peacock. She pinned everything on me. She told Brown that I manipulated her into committing the murders. She pleads insanity and that she was forced to kill. She sat down with Dr. Olive for a few therapy sessions and she is free to roam the town.”
“What are you getting at?” Madame Rose asks
“I wonder what it would take to get me off the news.” Bradford Black says, “Redeem my title of Sir Bradford Black and take the mansion back.”
“That is not going to happen.” Mr. Boddy says
“Well this mansion needs an heir.” Bradford Black says, “It seems that Hugh is dead, I don’t have any other sons, Jet isn’t a blood relative to this family, Sylvia is unable to fulfill her duties as the heir to the mansion, and Scott is off missing again.”
“How did you know that?” asks Mr. Boddy
“I have my ways.” Bradford Black stabs the Knife into a cutting board, “So as luck would have it, I am the only remaining heir.”
“Had this always been your plan?” Madame Rose asks
“I deserve it and your mother was foolish to take it from me and give it to her children.” Bradford Black says, “Estelle, the first born, is dead, Margaret is dead, Hugh is dead, Scott is missing, Jet isn’t part of the family, Sylvia is missing, Claire, you turned down this family’s fortune and wrote yourself out of the will, so as luck would have it, I am the only one left to inherit.”
“I’m Margaret’s son!” Mr. Boddy says
“The nephew doesn’t inherit.” Bradford says, “I am still the husband to the mistress of the house, therefore I inherit.”
Madame Rose smirks, “Don’t get too comfortable. There is still the matter of making you innocent in the public’s eye.”
“Shall I repeat my ‘where there are people there are crooks’ speech again?” Bradford Black asks
“That won’t be necessary.” Miss Peach says entering the Kitchen through the back door.
Back at the Oakwood Residence, Dr. Prussian is trying to make sense of Lady Oakwood’s outrageous accusation.
“Who would want to poison you?” asks Dr. Prussian
“I have been told by many people that I act rather stubborn and that I only care about myself.” Lady Oakwood says, “I would assume it is my son or daughter.”
“Isn’t Julia away?” Dr. Prussian says
“It could be long term poisoning.” Lady Oakwood says
“This is a very serious offense.” Dr. Prussian says, “Are you completely certain it is poisoning?”
“What else could it be?” asks Lady Oakwood
Dr. Prussian feels around her throat and neck, “There does appear to be some swelling around the throat. Do you have a sore throat at all?”
“No, not at all!” Lady Oakwood says
“It could be goiter,” Dr. Prussian says, “Though that is a long shot.”
“Is there any way of finding this out?” Lady Oakwood says, “I don’t want this turning into something as serious as Grave’s Disease.”
“Ah,” Dr. Prussian comments, “So, you are familiar with the condition.”
“I researched as much as I could when Percival was a young boy. I just wanted to be certain he was as healthy as can be.” Lady Oakwood says
“On Wednesday I have an opening around noon. Could you come down to the clinic?” Dr. Prussian says, “I would like to begin some tests to see what could be causing this.”
“Very well,” Lady Oakwood says crossly
In the Stables at Tudor Close, Miss Ecru shakes Mrs. White’s hand off of her shoulder.
“Blanche,” Miss Ecru backs away, “I know you killed him.”
“I didn’t.” Mrs. White says
“You don’t understand,” Miss Ecru says, “It’s okay. I’m not putting on a show. I’m not preparing to tell the police.”
“Come into the Mansion with me.” Mrs. White says, “Let’s get you some coffee or tea or something.”
“No,” Miss Ecru dumps the burlap sack, scattering tomatoes and an old Pepperbox Revolver. She points the Revolver at Mrs. White, “Listen to me. Jane Meadow-Brook saw you kill her husband. She saw you take that Water Bucket and knock him over, just like I did to you. Then she watched you bang the base of the metal bucket into his skull over and over again. She knows you did it because you were jilted by the way he treated younger women. Now tell me the truth because I’ve been tearing myself apart, contemplating suicide, and feeling worthless and pathetic for the past month because no one cared what Miles did to me. Jane didn’t care. No one cared that he held me down in the kitchen. He forced me against the corner and raped me!” Miss Ecru is breathing erratically, “He told me I was just another pretty face on a worthless body. He used me like he uses all the young girls. He was a devious man and no one did anything… no one did anything to stop him except you.”
“Suzanne,” Mrs. White hasn’t taken her eyes off the barrel of the Revolver, “Where did you get that thing. It’s just like Hugh’s old American Revolver.”
-FLASHBACK APRIL 20-
Miss Ecru enters the Study of Tudor Close through an open window. She opens the desk drawer and notices the antique pepperbox Revolver and a box of bullets. She pockets the bullets and slips the Revolver into the elastic waistline of her grey maid’s uniform. She sees a figure approach the open doorway and quickly hides in the corner of the room behind a plant next to the bookcase. She lowers herself down to the floor to obscure herself behind the leather armchair in the corner. She sees the figure of Yuri Gold enter the Study. He is young and handsome and full of life. He paces the room a bit muttering to himself.
“Where the hell is my father?” he becomes anxious
“Expecting someone?” A female’s voice says from the doorway
“What are you doing here?” he asks
“Of course you’d be the last to know.” Another woman says, “This is her house.”
“I wasn’t aware of this, mother.” Yuri says, “You are always keeping things from me.”
“Don’t call me mother.” The second woman spits angrily, “And it is your father that keeps things from you.”
“My father is a good man. He will be here soon. You can talk to him about whatever it is you are here for.”
“We are here to clean up any last minute details.” The first woman says
“Yes,” the second woman says picking up a heavy bronze statue of the Eiffel Tower, “Your father is very cool headed and easy going… until he loses someone very important to him.”
The bronze statue is handed to the first woman.
“What are you getting at?” Yuri asks
The first woman slams the bronze statue at Yuri’s head knocking him to the floor instantly.
“He’s bleeding out.” The second woman says, “Now his father will begin to spiral out of control.”
“It’s funny that we should use a statue that represents France.” The first woman says, “I need to be on my way to France at once.”
“I know.” The second woman says, “With the time change you should arrive around noon.”
“I don’t care when I arrive, as long as I succeed in getting what is mine.” The first woman says
“When shall we meet at our rendezvous?” asks the second woman
“I think by the beginning of August we should be ready.” The first woman says, “That should give us both enough time to get everything accomplished that needs to be taken care of.”
-END OF FLASHBACK-
In his flat, Dr. Olive looks over his day planner when there is a knock at the door.
“I told you Georgia,” Dr. Olive calls out, “The Black’s wouldn’t be happy with you dropping in.”
He opens the door to see Chandler Weiss standing before him.
“Mr. Weiss,” Dr. Olive says, “I didn’t expect you.”
“Sorry for the unexpected drop by,” Chandler says, “I was wondering if Georgia was around.”
“I’m afraid she isn’t. Is there anything I can help you with?” Dr. Olive asks
“Well, I was doing some cleaning up and I found this pushed against the wall at the head of my bed.” He holds out a diary
“Why would this be in your room?” asks Dr. Olive failing to understand the significance
“It was her sister Emily’s diary.” Chandler says, “She stayed with me for a while after I broke up with Cynthia.”
“I see.” Dr. Olive says taking the diary, “Thank you for returning it.”
“I heard you say something about Georgia bothering the Black’s this early?” Chandler says
“She has this crazy idea that she needs to find out everything about her birth mother.” Dr. Olive says, “I think she needs to approach this slowly and reasonably to avoid causing a fuss.”
“Forgive my absence, I haven’t been very social lately,” Chandler clears his throat, “I wasn’t aware that Georgia was related to the Black’s.”
“You are bound to find out sooner or later,” Dr. Olive says, “Helena Black is not dead. She faked her death, ran away when she got pregnant, she gave birth to Georgia.”
“Has she tracked down her birth father?” asks Chandler with excitement
“Her father is a man by the name of Alphonse Brunette.” Dr. Olive says, “A con artist. He used to be a stable boy or something to that nature.”
“I hope she finds what she is looking for.” Chandler says
“Yes as do I,” Dr. Olive says, “Thank you so much for returning this diary. I’ll be sure to let Georgia know.”
“You may want to take a peek at a few entries.” Chandler says, “I couldn’t help myself reading a few pages of the crazy dead girl’s diary.”
“She was a patient of mine.” Dr. Olive says, “I have every intention of memorizing every word and every way she wrote each letter.”
Back in the Kitchen of Tudor Close, Miss Peach walks towards Bradford Black, cutting the tension in the room and replacing it with a sense of confusion.
“Who are you?” asks Bradford Black
“Georgia,” Mr. Boddy says, “You need to leave.”
“No,” Miss Peach says, “I listened long enough to know that I can help this crisis.”
“Or just get yourself hurt in the process,” Mr. Boddy ushers her towards the back door
“Let the girl talk,” Bradford Black says, “I’d love to hear what she has to say.”
“Well there is no easy way to say this,” Miss Peach clears her throat, “You might want to sit down.”
“I’ll stand.” Bradford Black says
“Helena Black is alive.” Miss Peach takes a deep breath, “Helena Black is also my mother.”
“How?” asks Bradford Black
“She got pregnant with the stable boy and ran away, faking her death.” Miss Peach says
Bradford Black shoves Miss Peach out of the way and enters the Hall.
“Did I help at all?” asks Miss Peach
“You said you were standing there long enough to hear everything?” asks Mr. Boddy
“Yes,” Miss Peach says
“You do realize he has made every other living heir disappear.” Madame Rose sits down at the Kitchen table and pulls the Knife out of the cutting board. She sets it down next to it.
“He won’t kill me.” Miss Peach says, “He is in too much shock realizing that his wife is still alive.”
“You had better be right.” Mr. Boddy says gravely
In his flat, Dr. Olive sits down on the sofa and begins to read from the diary of the late Emily Peach.
“I know why our parents did what they did.” He reads from the diary, “They wanted to give hope to two little orphan girls from two different worlds. They didn’t want us waking up each night dreaming that a family would come to take them. They didn’t want us dreaming day after day that we had a future. They gave us that future… but they gave me mine too late… They adopted Georgia when she was only 4 months old. They didn’t adopt me until I was 5… Georgia always thought she was really their daughter. I always knew she wasn’t. Sure she had the same eye color and hair color of our adoptive mom but that was a coincidence. Maybe there were a couple times during my childhood when I believed Georgia was their real daughter… They always treated her like it, after all she was their baby. I was just the toddler they took in out of pity. I sometimes wish I was the only one. Then I would have gotten all the attention and love… not her…”
Dr. Olive begins making notes on a blank notebook, “She excessively uses ellipsis to emphasis and indicate her depression kicking in.”
“Every time I try to do something right it goes unnoticed!!!” he reads, “All they do is tell me to be more like Georgia. To hell with Georgia!!! I’m not a child and deserve to be treated like a human being!!! I just want the decency that anyone else deserves! Is that too hard to ask for?? Maybe I need to find my real parents. Maybe I need to find out what really happened in my past to start fresh!!! I need my life to begin!!! I need to find love and raise a family of my own!!! If I can’t have love in the family I was born with I will just have to make my own family!!!”
Dr. Olive makes another notation, “In the second entry she uses exclamation points to show her anger and hatred towards her sister.”
“I couldn’t be happier.” Dr. Olive reads on, “I honestly feel the happiest I’ve ever felt. Miles is amazing. He is sweet and caring and loving. I feel like every emotion of anger or hatred has left my body completely. I am noticing things – birds, children laughing, the smells of flowers – everything is as it should be. He warms my heart with his passion and dedication. It is like he worships my body and loves everything about me. He is in the process of ending his marriage and moving forward. I am patient. I can wait. I will wait. I will stay by his side until he is ready. I know he is the one for me.”
Dr. Olive makes another notation, “In the third entry she is beginning to show signs of rapid mood change and elation.”
“Now that bitch is back and it’s ovre. Now that worhtless girl is back. Here to ruin everythign I hold close! I’ll kill her! I’LL KILL HER!!!”
Dr. Olive closes the diary and makes another notation, “In the third and final entry her spelling became sloppy and her rage became even worse than before. She threatened to kill her sister and ended up shooting her and killing herself.”
In the Stables of Tudor Close, Miss Ecru comes back from her remembrance of how she acquired the Revolver.
“How did you get Hugh Black’s Revolver?” Mrs. White repeats
“I knew Hugh had one.” Miss Ecru says, “I needed protection in case Miles tried anything again. Now please tell me your side of the story.”
“Of how I killed Miles?” asks Mrs. White
“See,” Miss Ecru says still trying to hold back her tears, “It’s so easy. Just admit what happened and the truth will set us both free.”
“I saw him trying to molest Miss Scarlet by the Swimming Pool,” Mrs. Whit’s voice turns darker, “I knew she was just another one of his targets. I had to stop him and find the perfect time. I saw Mrs. Peacock attack him with that Water Bucket. Jane ran over and helped Miles. I figured if any skin or blood would be drawn on that Bucket everyone would assume Mrs. Peacock did it. I managed to take the Bucket. I told him Miss Scarlet wanted to speak with him in the Stables. He found a way to leave the Garden with the others. When he got to the Stables he must have been followed by Jane. She was probably confused as to what he was up to. I waited for him to enter and I hit him.”
“Repeatedly?” asks Miss Ecru
“I hit him until I knew he wouldn’t get up again.” Mrs. White says, “I managed to find a good hammer to dip into Miles blood. I left it at the Boat House where Miss Scarlet apparently found it and washed it off. I have no idea if she knew what she was doing or that she could have implicated herself.”
“I really needed to hear that.” Miss Ecru smiles
“Now can we put the gun away and promise to keep this little accident between ourselves?” Mrs. White asks
“You don’t have to worry about me telling anyone.” Miss Ecru says looking down at the Revolver
“Good,” Mrs. White says walking towards the doors to the Stables, “Now how about some coffee or tea.”
Miss Ecru looks up at Mrs. White in the doorway, “Blanche,” she puts the Revolver up to her head and smiles, “You stopped the worst man in the whole universe from hurting another helpless girl. Thank you so much.”