“A Time of Romance: Both Rich and Poor”
~~~White’s Cottage-Den- 11:00 pm~~~
Mr. Robert White sits behind his desk. He is a white haired 52 year old man. A very studious look covers his face. He is typing on his laptop. There is a knock on the French doors. This startles Robert. He pulls back the curtain and sees a young, dark haired woman in a red overcoat.
“Vera, what are you doing here?” he asks opening the door and letting her in from the cool autumn air…
Miss Vera Scarlet brushes her hair back and sits on the sofa.
“If Beryl comes in it’ll ruin everything.” Mr. White says
Miss Scarlet takes off her red coat, revealing a slim black dress. Mr. White closes his laptop.
“Maybe just a quick visit.” Mr. White says sitting next tot her
“I thought so.” Miss Scarlet says puckering up her lips.
~~~White’s Cottage-Dining Room/ Living Room- 11:02 pm~~~
Mrs. Beryl White enters the room sleepily.
“What could Robert possibly be doing at this hour?” she wipes her eye. She is just about to open the Den door, but she sees a light on beyond the Kitchen…
“What could that be?” Mrs. White looks puzzled
~~~Across Chicago- Peacock Residence- Dining Room- 11:05 pm~~~
Mrs. Alice Peacock and Colonel Michael Mustard sit on opposite ends of the long table. A tall butler brings a tray of several steaks on it. Colonel Mustard points to one and the butler serves it onto his plate. Colonel Mustard is an older gentleman, holding the age of 52. He has gray hair and is wearing a golden brown suit. Mrs. Peacock is a lovely dark haired woman. She is wearing a dark blue dress and has a blue shawl around her arms. The butler brings the tray to her and she selects her steak. The butler leaves the room.
Mrs. Peacock begins to eat. There is an awkward silence.
“How was your flight to here from England?” asks Mrs. Peacock after swallowing her food
“I was lovely.” Colonel Mustard says, drinking his wine, “We caught a bit of bad weather over the mid Atlantic. Where’s your lovely daughter?”
“Vera has been going out at night… I think she’s seeing a man.” Mrs. Peacock takes a forkful of rice from her plate
“A man?” Colonel Mustard raises him eyebrows, “She’s awfully young isn’t she?”
“Twenty-three and kicking.” Mrs. Peacock takes another sip of wine.
“She’s grown.” Colonel Mustard smiles, “So how have you been getting along since Sir Peacock died?”
“Matthew’s death was such a shock, I am hardly able to accept the fact he is gone!” Mrs. Peacock sighs and begins to grow upset, “He always went out late and I didn’t see him until the next morning, then he’d leave for work! I’m wise! I know he was with that Meadow-Brooke woman! That little trollop is with any rich man she can find!”
“I’m sorry.” Colonel Mustard apologizes
“No, no, it’s not your fault.” Mrs. Peacock laughs nervously, “If anyone, it’s me!”
“But the court found you innocent.” Colonel Mustard says, the butler listens by the kitchen door.
“When you bribe the jury, anything can happen.” Mrs. Peacock finishes her steak
“Elizabeth, jet lag has caught up with me, I really ought to get some sleep.” Colonel Mustard puts his napkin on his empty plate.
“Oh.” Mrs. Peacock says disappointed, “Alright.” She drinks the rest of her wine as the butler comes in again.
“Will you be requesting anything else for the night?” he asks in a British accent
“That will be all Daniel.” Mrs. Peacock says as her butler, Daniel Tenné leaves the room Mrs. Peacock walks Colonel Mustard out of her Dining Room and into a great marble Foyer with a staircase leading to the second floor.
~~~White’s Cottage-Garage- 11:05 pm~~~
Mrs. White enters to see the light on, the main door open, and a man rummaging through the white Impala. Mrs. White can hardly squeak. The person notices Mrs. White and hurries out the open door into the darkness. Mrs. White then hits the button on the wall and enters the house, closing the door. She puts her hand on her heart.
~~~White’s Cottage-Den- 11:06 pm~~~
Mr. White and Miss Scarlet passionately kiss on the sofa. Suddenly Mrs. White bursts in.
“Robert, I……” She stops mid sentence as she sees Miss Scarlet in her skimpy black dress, “You!” Mrs. White hisses
“Beryl, it’s not as it seems.” Mr. White stands up
“Shut up Robert!” Mrs. White shouts, “Is this who you’ve been with?” She gives an evil look at Miss Scarlet, “All these nights you told me you’d be working late! Well, I see who you’ve been working on!”
“Beryl please!” Robert White begs
“Don’t you ‘Beryl please’ me!” Mrs. White puts her hands on her head, “I thought you loved me! I should have listened to our daughter!” Mrs. White and exits the room
“What’s her problem?” asks Miss Scarlet
Robert rolls his eyes and follows Blanche out.
~~~White’s Cottage-Master Bedroom- 11:07 pm~~~
Mrs. White is throwing her clothes in a suitcase.
“Beryl, please listen to me.” Robert says putting his hand on her shoulder; she throws it off.
“How long?” Mrs. White shouts, “How long have you been taking ‘nightshifts’ with little Miss Vera?” Mrs. White asks
“I…” Mr. White is speechless
“You, know, it doesn’t matter.” Mrs. White closes her suitcase and walks to the bedroom door, “I’m leaving, have fun with Vera!”
“Beryl, please!” Robert calls, Mrs. White slams the door.
~~~Chicago, The Drake-Lobby Entrance- 11:40 pm~~~
A tall man in black pants and a purple shirt climbs the stairs.
“Professor Plum!” calls out a woman in the lobby
“Emily!” Professor Gregory Plum throws his arms around, Emily Peach
Miss Peach and Professor Plum turn right and see the nearly vacant lobby.
“When did you get in Chicago?” asks Gregory, “I got here last night.” Miss Peach smiles
“I hardly know what to say,” he laughs, “I hadn’t seen you since your mother’s birthday. How is she by the way?”
“She left again.” Miss Peach sighs, “That’s why I’m here. My uncle, her brother, was the last to talk to her before she left. Maybe he knows where she went.”
“That’s terrible, Emily.” Professor Plum says
At that moment, Mrs. White comes up the stairs of Lobby Entrance carrying her single suitcase. She passes Professor Plum and Miss Peach and goes to the desk clerk.
“I want the cheapest room you have!” she shouts
The stunned clerk looks at her, “Rather short notice… It’ll be a moment.”
Mrs. White sits at a chair quite near Miss Peach and Professor Plum.
“So, when will you be meeting your uncle?” Professor Plum asks, turning his face from Mrs. White
“Tomorrow.” Miss Peach says, “I just hope Uncle Al, remembers me!”
“Al?” Professor Plum questions
“Sir Algernon Black.” Miss Peach smiles
“Sir Black is a good friend of mine.” He smiles, “Perhaps I can call him now and he might help you.”
“Alright.” Miss Peach hesitates nervously
~~~Black Estate-Master Bedroom- 11:43 pm~~~
Sir Black answers his cell phone, “Hello.”
“Al, I’m here at The Drake with your niece.” Professor Plum says
“Niece?” Sir Black questions, “I’m afraid I’ve only a nephew, John Boddy.”
“No, Emily Peach, she said she came here to see you.” Professor Plum says, confused
“I’m afraid you’re mistaken.” Sir Black says, “Hey, maybe you can bring her by tomorrow and we can straighten this out. I’ve got to go.”
Without giving the Professor enough time to talk, Sir Black closes his cell phone. He turns over in bed to a woman, “Now where were we, Jayne?” he asks his secret lover, Jayne Meadow-Brooke.
~~~Peacock Residence-Foyer- 11:49 pm~~~
Miss Scarlet quietly closes the front door. She is carrying a glossy magazine. She turns around to see her mother, Mrs. Peacock.
“Alice, you scared me!” Vera gasps, “Why are you still up? I’m sure the Colonel is lonely in that great big room…”
“Vera!” Mrs. Peacock looks at her with disapproval, “You’ve been gone these past few months. I’m not stupid, I know you’re seeing someone! That’s alright, I don’t mind, I was the same was.”
“You’re okay with me going out at night?” Vera raises an eyebrow
“Only if he’s rich.” Mrs. Peacock smirks
“He’s the husband to John Boddy’s maid.” Miss Scarlet rolls her eyes, “He’s a bank accountant, of course he’s rich.”
“He lives in South Cicero.” Mrs. Peacock says
“He’s saving money to buy me this.” She opens the magazine to the middle page to show her mother a pearl and diamond necklace, “Every other jewel is: pearl, diamond!” she screeches excitedly
“That is lovely.” Mrs. Peacock says
“But his wife found out about our affairs.” Miss Scarlet frowns
“That’s okay, remember what happened to your father, Earnest Zaffer, and Sir Peacock?” Mrs. Peacock smirks
~~~Green and Yale (G&Y) Company-Meeting Room- 11:50 pm~~~
Mr. Forest Green stands at the end of a meeting table, to his right is a man in a blue suit. The room is full of men and women all of which are listening to Mr. Green carefully.
“And once we get the land owners to give it over South Cicero, we’ll have the most famous Spa and Resort in Chicago.” Mr. Green pulls a green cloth off a board with hand drawn pictures of the resort.
“My client, Mr. Yale, has drawn these up.” Mr. Green points to the board
The man to his right, Mr. Yale, nods.
“This could change the G&Y Company for ever.” Mr. Green smiles
“But this is the largest project you’ve taken on.” A business man says
“Are you backing out?” Shouts Mr. Green
“No, no!” the man says
“Good.” Mr. Green pulls out a gun from his suit, as does Mr. Yale. Mr Yale blocks the only door. A woman screams
“Each of you will pay the finances, or you’ll never see the light of day again!” Mr. Green cocks his gun, “Shall we start writing checks?”
TO BE CONTINUED