Rope Page #7

message that David would meet us here.

(Rupert) - Do you know who?

(Kentley) - No.

(Rupert) Obviously, David ran into

someone at the club and changed plans.

You weren't there this afternoon,

were you, Kenneth?

(Kenneth) No. l wish l had been.

(Rupert) l don't suppose

you or Brandon were, Phillip?

(Phillip) No.

(Brandon) Hardly, we had our hands

full getting ready for the party.

(Rupert) Oh, there was a lot

to be done this afternoon?

(Brandon) - You know.

(Rupert) - Yes, l see.

You didn't speak to David at all today?

(Brandon) No. Why do you ask?

(Rupert) l thought he might have have

called to say he'd be late or something.

(Brandon) He didn't.

Neither Phillip nor l have talked to

David since we invited him to the party.

(Kentley) - That's odd.

(Rupert) - What do you mean?

(Kentley) l thought l heard David on the

phone to Phillip yesterday morning.

(Phillip) Yes, you did. l'd forgotten.

(Brandon) Oh? What were you talking

about? Did he call about the party?

(Phillip) Yes, he wanted to make sure

about the time. That was all.

Here, I'll help you with that.

Oh, thank you, Mr Cadell.

That's alright, Mrs Wilson.

You can put the books back

when you come to clean in the morning.

I didn't have any idea

of coming in in the morning.

I'm afraid you'll have to.

Just let the books go for now.

Well, alright.

Henry, Alice hasn't had a word

from David. She's frantic.

- I better talk to her.

- She hung up.

She began to cry so badly.

Oh, Henry, I'm worried.

What did she say?

She's called every place he might be,

not once, but several times.

And now, Henry, she thinks

he may have had an accident.

- She wants you to call the police.

(Janet) - The police?

(Kentley) Oh, no, Anita,

l don't think that's necessary.

David's no longer a child.

I'm quite sure he's alright. I -

Brandon, I think I'd better go home.

My wife needs me.

- This isn't like David. He -

- No, of course, I understand.

- May I go with you, Mr Kentley?

- Thank you, Janet.

- I'll get your things.

- Thank you.

- Oh, Mr Kentley, your books.

- Oh! Oh, yes.

I can't tell you how sorry I am.

Would you call me as soon

as you hear from David?

(Atwater) l'm sure the dear

boy will turn up somehow.

- Janet?

- Yes?

This is hardly the time,

but I'm very glad we had that talk.

So am I, and David will be too.

Good.

- Well -

- Kenneth, why don't you come with us?

- Oh, I don't -

- Please.

- Thanks.

- This yours, Janet?

Yes, I'll just carry it. Oh, thanks.

- I'll get my hat.

- Oh, going with Janet?

- Yes, we're all going together.

- What did I predict?

(Brandon) Good night, Mr Kentley.

l hope Mrs Kentley feels better soon.

(Kentley) Thank you.

(Brandon) You will call me

the moment you hear from David?

(Kentley)

l will. Say good night to Phillip for us.

(Brandon) Mrs Atwater,

thank you so much for coming.

(Atwater)

Thank you for letting me come.

l'm so sorry we have to leave. Bye.

(Brandon) Good night.

(Laughs) - Oh, that's not yours.

- Oh. Oh.

(Kentley)

l'm very sorry we had to spoil it.

(Brandon) You couldn't possibly

spoil it, Mr Kentley.

(Kentley) l meant by leaving so early.

Good night.

Be careful of those stairs, Anita.

- Thank you, Mrs Wilson.

- Good night, Mr Cadell.

- Oh, you going too?

- Yes, I must. Good night.

Good night.

(Rupert) May l help you

with those books, Mr Kentley?

Thank you for a lovely evening.

Good night. It's been charming.

(Laughing)

Oh, Phillip, this party really

deserves to go down in history.

Well, come on, it's over, and it

couldn't have gone more beautifully.

Yes, it could, without Rupert.

But he was brilliant. He helped me

say all I wanted to say to those idiots.

He gave the party

the very touch I predicted.

The touch of what?

Prying, snooping, or just plain pumping?

Do you know how busy

he was questioning me?

- About what?

- Oh, what difference.

You were busy in there arranging

that other little touch of yours.

- What touch?

- Tying up the books that way.

Oh, I thought that was wonderful.

Didn't you like it?

No, Brandon, I didn't like it one bit.

You'll ruin everything

with your neat little touches.

Be quiet. Mrs Wilson's still here.

- Determined to get drunk, aren't you?

- I am drunk.

And just as childish as you were before

when you called me a liar.

- You had no business telling that story.

- Why did you lie, anyway?

I had to.

Have you ever bothered for one minute

to understand how

someone else might feel?

I'm not sentimental,

if that's what you mean.

That's not what I mean,

but it doesn't matter.

Nothing matters,

except that Mr Brandon liked the party.

Mr Brandon gave the party.

Mr Brandon had a delightful evening.

Well, I had a rotten evening.

Keep drinking

and you'll have a worse morning.

At least if I have a hangover,

it will be all mine.

Y-You know, Phillip, I've been thinking.

We deserve a real holiday

after it's all over.

Where would you like to go?

Of course, we should come back here

for a few days, first.

Otherwise, it might look -

I've been praying I'd wake up

and find we hadn't done it yet.

But why?

I'm scared to death, Brandon.

I think we're going to get caught.

Oh, there's not a chance.

Well, there was, but not any more.

Why, we're pra - (Door Opening)

Uh. Is that you, Mrs Wilson?

Yes. I'll need a key to get in

and clean up in the morning.

That is if you're still

driving up to the farm tonight.

- Oh, we're driving up, alright.

- Oh, that's good.

You don't look too well,

either one of you. Oh, thanks.

Of course, I could do with a rest myself,

but I want both of you

to come back in tip-top shape.

- We will.

- Well, I'm off. Enjoy yourselves.

Don't forget to write.

And mind your P's and Q's.

Who are you calling?

Only the garage.

Hello? This is Mr Brandon Shaw.

Would you send my car around, please?

Yes, right away. Thank you.

We'd... better draw the curtains.

(Phone Ringing) Who's that?

- Brandon, who's that?

- Probably the garage man. Answer it.

There hasn't been time

for him to get here.

Then maybe Mrs Wilson

forgot something. Answer it.

Brandon... Brandon,

couldn't we pretend we're not home?

With all these lights on?

Answer it, Phillip.

(Phone Ringing)

(Ringing Continues)

Who is it?

- Brandon. Brandon, it's Rupert.

- What?

He wants to come up.

He says he left his cigarette case here.

- Well, let him come.

- You know he's lying! He's caught on.

- Shut up and get back to that phone.

- I won't.

- Get back to that phone.

- Brandon, I can't.

- You've got to.

- No! He knows -

Shut up!

Rupert? Come on up.

No, uh, course not.

He's just a little tight.

No, but we'll find it in no time.

Right.

Phillip... Phillip, listen to me.

Rupert's on his way up now,

and you've got to pull yourself together.

Phillip, did you hear me?

Come on, have another drink if you must,

but get hold of yourself

and keep your mouth shut.

It'll be over in five minutes.

I don't know how much,

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