Stage Fright Page #5

Oh, I'm so sorry, darling,

but I will have to see my doctor.

I'm feeling wretched.

I've been trying to get him all morning.

You see, I'm going on tonight.

The producer has insisted so much.

And I don't want to see him

ruined because of me.

That's all right. I think

we've covered most of the points.

If there's any more I can help you with,

you will let me know?

Thank you. We'll try not

to trouble you again.

Thank you.

You're so understanding.

And so are you.

Doris, show the gentlemen out.

It's all right, thank you. We can

find our own way downstairs.

Freddie.

Mavis, go to the kitchen

and get yourself some tea.

- I'll ring when I need you.

- Yes. Thank you, madam.

- Darling, where is Jonathan?

- Friends may be hiding him.

He had no friends, only me.

I hope he hasn't made any and hasn't

taken them into his confidence.

For your sake, his sake and their sake.

- What do you mean?

- Lf the truth comes out, it would break you.

- I can't have that.

- What could you do?

You know me.

You know how it is with me.

- You make me afraid.

- Not I. You don't know what fear is.

Oh, that would be most lovely.

Of course,

you must be fond of swimming.

But I am, yes I am,

very fond of it.

I go out to the country

to find somewhere to swim.

You don't live in the country? Oh, dear.

Of course, we miss the rain so much, don't

we? All the flowers. It's so disappointing.

I really must apologize for Eve, Mr...?

- Was the name Smith?

- Smith, yes.

Smith.

The name seems familiar, somehow.

I can't understand

why that girl is so late.

I mean, she's usually so punctual.

She takes that from me.

Her father isn't punctual.

He catches trains and things,

but always at the last moment.

I'm there at least an hour before.

Yes. I'm sure you are.

I have heard a lot about you, Mrs. Gill.

Oh, have you? Is Eve very fond of me?

Have you known her long, Mr. Smith?

I've got the name right now, haven't I?

I've known her

for about a day and a half.

That's not very long.

Where did you meet?

As a matter of fact,

we met in the saloon bar of a pub.

Well.

How interesting.

Thank you.

- Am I intruding?

- This is Mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith, this is Eve's father.

We see him now and again.

- How do you do, sir?

- Very well, indeed. Thank you.

- Do sit down.

- Thank you.

- Where's Eve?

- She should be here by this time.

She asked Mr. Smith to tea.

Oh, good, good.

Anyone else coming?

I mean, going to be a party?

I am fond of parties.

No. There's no one else coming,

and you weren't invited.

Wasn't I? Oh, an oversight.

But I forgive you.

Forgiveness, Mr. Smith.

The secret of a happy married life.

That and good long stretches of the

absence that makes the heart grow fonder.

There you are, my dear.

The last but four of the Mahicans.

- Will you forgive me, Mr. Ordinary Smith?

- Yes. I've just been set an example.

Yes, but he says his name

is just plain Smith.

He did? I'm terribly sorry to be late...

...but the rehearsal went on and

the awful part is, I have to go back.

- It was decent of you to have come.

- What are you doing here?

- I've been trying to reach you all day.

- I took the boat out.

We had quite a little cruise.

Jonnie and me.

Poor old Jonnie.

I hope his rheumatism is better.

Do play something, Mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith is a pianist, Mother.

Well, I think that's a delightful career.

- I often wish I'd kept up my practicing.

- It's not exactly my career, Mrs. Gill.

But you must play for us.

Make him, Mother.

But I haven't even started my tea yet.

But of course he hasn't.

Eve, you are ridiculous.

But I've got to leave in a minute.

Please play.

You know, Jonnie's not

much of a sailor, Eve.

He was abominably seasick.

In fact, as soon as we got ashore,

Jonnie ran away.

- Who's Jonnie?

- I wish I knew.

He's about 57 different varieties.

Roughly speaking, he was a dog of some

sort that strayed in a couple of nights ago.

- Do the police know about him?

- No, no. I'm not worried about him.

I daresay he'll find his way

back to his old master.

Or mistress.

I thought we might have to ask

for your help, Mr. Smith.

Mr. Smith is a detective, Mother.

Mrs. Mason.

A detective. How very unusual.

I suppose you have

many fascinating cases.

- Must be very exciting.

- Not very, I'm afraid.

- Embezzlement, fraud, petty thefts.

- Smuggling?

Yes. Occasionally. Brandy mostly.

Murder, too, sometimes, Father.

Mr. Smith is working on the Inwood case.

Oh, you don't say so.

Yes, I read about that somewhere.

How did you know?

I saw your photograph in the paper.

What is the fellow's name, Clippen.

Cooper, Cooper.

Did he do it, do you think?

He has run away and remained in hiding.

We're inclined to accept the obvious

as being obvious.

Oh, it's just like Sherlock Holmes

and his fiddle.

A stream of beautiful sound,

and then suddenly out pops the solution.

- Oh, I must run.

- So must I.

- I don't know what you'll think of me.

- I like people bound up in their work.

- You'll make a very good actress indeed.

- Au revoir, my pet.

Meet me at the stage door...

- Can't I drive you back to the Academy?

- No. I want you to get to know Father.

Not professionally,

but he's a wonderful character.

- They'd be hurt if you didn't stay.

- When will I see you again?

- Well, I really don't...

- Ring me tomorrow first thing. Regent 1113.

I know you think I'm an idiot,

but I'm not. I'm doing darn well.

Yes. You're giving a very good show.

A very good show.

- Pity you've no audience.

- But you're my audience.

I wish you'd give me a little

applause now and then.

- I wonder when Jonathan will turn up.

- Turn up where?

Wherever Miss Charlotte Inwood

happens to be.

Good heavens, she'll only turn him over.

Yes, and to your nice new friend,

Mr. Smith.

Who was that man?

Oh, that was my dad, madam.

I told him about my temporary job,

and he doesn't like it.

What with the murder and all.

You know, madam.

What's it got to do with him?

Or with you?

My dad says that man on the run

might turn up here.

Might even get into the dressing room.

Might even murder me, madam.

It's the scene of the crime the murderer

returns to, not the theater.

He might be right, my dad.

I'm surprised you're not

a bit afraid yourself.

Slippers.

This theater's the last place

he'd want to be seen in.

Now, stop acting like a silly schoolgirl.

The only murderer here

is the orchestra leader.

Father, you've got to keep on the lookout

and head Jonathan off.

Right. Certainly, my dear.

This is desperate.

Go on, go on, go on.

Madam, madam.

- What?

- Madam, there's a man.

- He's gone up to your dressing room.

- What are you talking about? What man?

I saw him. Don't go up there.

It's dangerous.

You're an imbecile.

You needn't come up.

I'll manage to change myself.

I know, Jonnie, darling,

but what a terrible risk you've taken.

- I couldn't keep away.

- You haven't told me where you've been.

Some friends looked after me.

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