“Quite a Way to Start the Party”
~~~The Drake -Miss Peach’s Suite -5:09 pm~~~
Miss Peach wipes her tears as she and Professor Plum enter her suite. Professor Plum quietly closes the door.
“I just don’t understand how this happened.” Miss Peach sniffles, “It’s almost as if someone murdered her.”
“There were abrasion marks on her arms as if a struggle.” Professor Plum says, “The coroner will tell us how she died.”
“I’m more angry than sad.” Miss Peach says, “She always ran away from her problems, I knew it would get her killed.”
“I’m so sorry, Emily.” Professor Plum puts his hand on her shoulder
“Don’t be.” Miss Peach forces a smile, “I’m sure after dinner my mind will be off it…”
“Or how about we order room service.” Professor Plum says slyly
Miss Peach giggles as Professor Plum’s lips meet hers. They both sit on the edge of Miss Peach’s bed.
~~~Peacock Residence -Hall -5:15 pm~~~
Colonel Mustard stands next to Alice as they greet guests. Mr. Forest Green and Mrs. Maraschino enter.
“Oh, Forest.” Mrs. Peacock forces a big smile, “And this is…”
“Chelsea Maraschino.” He says
“Charmed.” Mrs. Peacock shakes her hand. The two walk off
“I think we’re getting more than we bargained for.” Mrs. Peacock whispers to Colonel Mustard
“Do you still have your gun?” asks Colonel Mustard
“Yes.” Mrs. Peacock says
“Then there’s nothing to worry about.” Colonel Mustard says as another couple enters the mansion’s open doors.
“Hello.” Mrs. Peacock shakes hands with them, “Appetizers are in every room. Later we’ll have a bridge tournament in the Drawing Room.”
They couple nods and heads to the Dining Room.
~~~Peacock Residence -Billiard Room -5:17 pm~~~
Mr. Green and Mrs. Maraschino enter to see Senator Peacock and another man playing snooker. Chelsea picks up a bottle of beer from the bar and flicks off the cap.
Senator Peacock finishes the snooker game and walks over to the corner where several guests are playing poker.
“Kind of crowded.” Mr. Green whispers to Chelsea
“How am I going to do… you know with all these people around?” asks Chelsea
“We’ll think of something.” Forest pats her on the shoulder and walks towards the doors leading outside.
~~~Peacock Residence -Library -5:21 pm~~~
Mr. Boddy paces back and forth. Evelyne Peacock enters.
“Hello, Evelyne.” Mr. Boddy says
“Nervous?” asks Evelyne
“I don’t know how you convinced me to be the one to announce Alice’s secret.” Mr. Boddy says
“Alice didn’t sign over the mansion to me, so you have to announce it.” Evelyne says
“I don’t know if I can….”
“Listen, Boddy,” Evelyne says, “Either you announce it or everyone finds out that you are in a conspiracy to embezzle from your uncle.”
“Alright, I’ll do it!” Mr. Boddy says reluctantly
Mrs. Peacock smirks
~~~Peacock Residence -Drawing Room -5:29 pm~~~
Alice Peacock and Michael Mustard enter to see guests milling about, discussing the latest. Mrs. Alabaster sits on the sofa chatting with a woman on her left. Evelyne enters, her gown fluttering behind her.
“Oh dear Lord.” Alice rolls her eyes as Evelyne’s elaborate entrance.
~~~Peacock Residence -Hall -5:33 pm~~~
Mrs. White admires the guests eating. Mrs. Copper pokes her head from the kitchen.
“Mrs. White!” she calls in a whisper
Beryl comes to the kitchen where Detective Pine stands at the counter.
“Detective?” Mrs. White looks shocked and confused
“Ma’am, I have some bad news, it’s about your husband.” He says
Mrs. White’s face goes pale and she sweats nervously, “What’s wrong.”
“A neighbor saw the French doors opened a crack and entered to make sure everything was okay. He found your husband on the floor. We rushed him to the hospital, but he died there.”
Mrs. White is now crying bitterly.
Mrs. Copper puts a hand on her back.
“Detective, do you want me to drive her to her hotel?” Mrs. Copper asks
“I think she will be stopping at the police station first.” Detective Pine says
“What?” Mrs. White asks
“We found mulberry fragranced perfume in the coffee that he died from. A neighbor claims that your car was there, Mrs. White.” Detective Pine says
“This is an outrage!” Mrs. White says, “I was here all day.”
“Actually Mrs. White,” Mr. Tenné says from the cellar doorway, you left to do some unmentioned errands around 3pm she didn’t arrive home until 4:30…”
Mrs. White glares at Mr. Tenné.
“I never liked that butler.” She mumbles
“Mrs. White, care to come with me?” Detective Pine leads her out the back door.
~~~Peacock Residence -Library -5:38 pm~~~
Mr. Boddy paces back and forth. Evelyne Peacock enters.
“What do you want now?” Mr. Boddy says angrily
“I’d watch your tone…” Evelyne says, “You are an embezzler.”
“Evelyne, if you just came in here to remind me of my wrongs, than you chose the wrong night.” Mr. Boddy says glancing at a small black pistol on the sofa. Evelyne chuckles at John and leaves.
Mr. Boddy walks over and grabs the pistol from the sofa.
“There’s only one way to get what I want and be assured that it is done properly!” Mr. Boddy puts the gun in his pocket.
~~~Peacock Residence -Hall -5:41 pm~~~
Alice Peacock and Colonel Mustard greet two more guests as they enter from the front door.
“Where is Mr. Tenné?” Mrs. Peacock asks checking off two more names on the list.
Presently, Mr. Tenné comes from the kitchen.
Alice hands the guest list to him.
“Ma’am, Mrs. White has been arrested.” He says
“What?” Alice gasps
“Her husband was poisoned and they think she murdered him.” Mr. Tenné says
“That’s terrible!” Alice says, “Excuse me Colonel; I need to speak with Mrs. Copper.”
Mr. Tenné steps next to the open door and resumes to checking off names as people flood into the Hall, which is now rather crowded.
Senator Peacock weaves through the crowd until reaching Colonel Mustard, “My gun.” He says concerned, “I lost my gun.”
“Are you joking?” Colonel Mustard asks gruffly, “Just where did you loose it?”
“I don’t know!” Senator Peacock says trying to remain calm.
“Tell Alice.” Colonel Mustard says
~~~Michael Reese -Miss Scarlet’s Room -5:47 pm~~~
Vera anxiously stands next to her bed. Dr. Bisque leads her to a chair where she sits down. Vera’s cell phone rings and she answers it.
“Yes mother.” Vera answers
“I’m going to leave the mansion in five minutes to pick you up.” Alice says
“Great.” Vera says sarcastically, “But I want you to drop me off at Mrs. White’s house, I’m visiting Robert.”
“No!” Alice says
“What? Why?” asks Vera
“Beryl says that Robert isn’t feeling good and she is going to take care of him.” Alice says
“I’m sure a couple minutes with me and he’ll feel fine.” Vera says
“Vera… you are just getting out of the hospital.” Alice says, “Don’t you think you should take a ‘break’ before continuing your ‘business’ with men?”
“Duty calls!” Vera says, “See you in a while.” She hangs up
“You seem excited to get out.” Dr. Bisque says
“Trust me doctor, spending time with you was wonderful.” She puts her hand on his shoulder, “Maybe when you are off duty, I’ll be on duty. Maybe you can stop by sometime.”
Dr. Bisque bashfully looks at the floor. Vera is about to kiss him when a nurse comes in.
“Dr. Bisque, can you sign these papers?” she asks
“Yes.” He walks over to the young nurse
Vera seethes at the appearance of the young nurse.
~~~Peacock Residence Grounds -Path in between the Kitchen and Rotunda -5:50 pm~~~
Detective Pine lies on the grass, blood tickling from his head. Mrs. White stands over him with a rock in one hand. She sighs and drops the rock next to the body. She bends over and takes his pulse.
“Barely alive.” She says, “Let’s hope he didn’t see me hit him…” Mrs. White glances back at the manor and sees the Captain mist starring at her from an upstairs window.
“Let’s hope he didn’t see me hit him either…” Mrs. White says glancing at an axe leaning against a pile of wood near the tennis courts.
TO BE CONTINUED