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IN THE HEART OF PARIS A play by Timothy Burke Jr. Based On A True Story CAST: IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE Women 1, 3 Charlene (Woman 2)* Mrs. Marcoine (Woman 4) (mar-coin)* Julius* Old Woman Dr. Jargine (Jar-gin-ay)* Driver Mrs. Jargine Detective Frander Aunt Mimi Airport Attendant 1 Airport Attendant 2 Flower Delivery Boy *Lead Role In the Heart of Paris By Timothy J. Burke Jr. Loosely Based on a True Story Act One- Paris, 2002 Scene One-The Plan Scene: Four women are seated around a table in an otherwise empty room. WOMAN ONE We do it tomorrow? WOMAN FOUR That is the only way. WOMAN ONE But he will be there! WOMAN THREE But he will leave eventually. WOMAN ONE And then we get the old one? WOMAN FOUR That is the time. WOMAN ONE But he is bound to see us! WOMAN THREE Not if we act quickly and quietly. WOMAN FOUR This must be done. It is the only way. There is not much time left. WOMAN ONE So you spoke with the doctor then? WOMAN THREE And the hotel staff? WOMAN FOUR Yes. He is the only one who doesn’t know. WOMAN ONE What then do we do with the old one. WOMAN THREE Keep her until nightfall. WOMAN ONE And then? WOMAN FOUR Into the river. WOMAN TWO Fine. But let us be quick. This whole thing scares me to death. All exit. End scene. Scene Two-The Hotel Room Scene: A hotel room. Old woman lying on bed. Julius enters. JULIUS Mother? OLD WOMAN Julius? Is that you? JULIUS It is none other. How are you today. OLD WOMAN No better, no worst. Very tired, though. I am hoping to get some more rest tonight than I did last night. JULIUS And I hope the same for you, mother. So did the doctor come yet? OLD WOMAN Yes, and he said that I am slowly getting better. JULIUS That is wonderful! OLD WOMAN I though so. I am just so sick JULIUS For awhile there, it seemed like you would never recover. OLD WOMAN Well, I am. Slowly, but I am. JULIUS When is the doctor returning? OLD WOMAN He said that he would be back soon. Why? JULIUS I am just concerned. I want my mother to have the best medical attention in all Paris. OLD WOMAN Thank you, son. But this doctor is very, very good. JULIUS As long as you like him. OLD WOMAN I do, very much. He seems very, very nice. And he is knowledgeable. JULIUS I suppose that that is the most important thing. OLD WOMAN Not as important as one of his other qualities: I feel as though I could trust him with anything. JULIUS Yes, I guess trustworthiness is also incredibly important. Do you feel as though you can trust him? OLD WOMAN With anything. JULIUS Well, as long as you feel so. OLD WOMAN Son? JULIUS Yes, Mother? OLD WOMAN Can you get me a glass of water before the doctor gets here? JULIUS Certainly. Exits. End scene. Scene Three-The Meeting Scene: Dr. Jargine and Woman Four (Mrs. Marcoine) meet in a hotel lobby. JARGINE Mrs. Marcoine! Is everything prepared? MARCOINE All the preparations have been made, Dr. Jargine. JARGINE You will do it today then? MARCOINE Yes. As soon as you give her the poison. JARGINE Yes. It will act quickly, so be ready to get her as soon as I give her the poison. MARCOINE What are you using? JARGINE Strychnine. I thought it the best. MARCOINE But won’t that have a scent? JARGINE No. Not in the form of a capsule. MARCOINE Good. We will get her out as soon as she dies. JARGINE And all of your ladies have the correct garments? MARCOINE Yes. We are to carry her out in a sheet, correct? JARGINE Yes, dressed as maids. Just one question...doesn’t doing this bother you? MARCOINE Doesn’t killing her bother you? JARGINE I don’t have a choice. If word spread that a woman died of plague in the heart of Paris! It would be mass hysteria. MARCOINE Well...I suppose I am looking at it the same way. JARGINE Looks at watch. Well, it is time...let’s- MARCOINE Wait! How are you getting rid of Julius? JARGINE I have that all figured out. Good day, Mrs. Marcoine. MARCOINE Good day, Dr. Jargine. Both walk in opposite directions. End scene. Scene Four-The Plan II Scene: Hotel hallway. Dr. Jargine is exiting Julius’s room just as he approaches. JULIUS Dr. Jargine! How is my mother? JARGINE Not well, I am afraid. Julius, I need you to go across town and get some medicine from my wife. JULIUS To help my mother? JARGINE Yes. Let me write down the directions so that you can give them to the cab driver. JULIUS Why don’t you just tell them to me? JARGINE Well, you don’t speak French and the driver most likely does not speak English. JULIUS Of course. JARGINE Writes directions on a small note. Tell my wife you need one jar of number seven. It will take some time to prepare. JULIUS Can you not call her and tell her to have it ready? JARGINE We do not have a telephone. JULIUS Oh. And how much should the taxi be? JARGINE Oh, 19 francs or so. JULIUS Where do you live; what street am I going to? JARGINE 187 Versailles Avenue. JULIUS Thank you. I will be as quick as I can. Runs off. JARGINE It is time, Mrs. Marcoine. MARCOINE Emerges with the other women. She is ready? JARGINE She has died. Now you are prepared. MARCOINE Yes. We will remove the body. JARGINE And then replace all of the sheets, furniture, and everything else with the room next door. MARCOINE Yes. Are you sure that he will not catch on? JARGINE How could he? He will be on the other side of Paris! Laughs. Marcoine and women enter room. Jargine walks away, laughing. End scene. Scene Five-Across Paris Scene: Julius on street, in front of hotel. Call taxi over. Enters, and hands driver note. DRIVER Merci. JULIUS I hope this won’t take too long. I have to get this medicine immediately. DRIVER Je ne parle pas anglais. JULIUS Oh, of course. How silly of me. They drive for awhile. It becomes evident that they are passing the same places over and over again. JULIUS Driver? Where are you going? DRIVER Huh? JULIUS 187 Versailles Avenue? DRIVER Versailles Avenue? Shows Julius note. JULIUS Cercle? That must mean circle in English. That would explain it. What is going on? DRIVER Versailles Avenue, Monsiuer. Dix-sept francs. JULIUS Here. Keep the change. Hands him what is obviously more than the amount asked for (17). Exits cab and runs up to house. End scene. Scene Six-The Plan III Scene: Old woman has just died. The women are rushing into the room to remove her body. Woman Two (Charlene) is not doing anything but standing in disbelief. The rest are removing the body, furniture, etc. MARCOINE We have to hurry ladies. We don’t have much time. THREE Of course, Mrs. Marcoine. Get to work Charlene. Why are you standing around? CHARLENE I wish I wasn’t here. MARCOINE Well, you are. So get moving. CHARLENE It’s just...I am so nervous. ONE What is your problem? CHARLENE We are accomplices to murder! ONE You know what the doctor said. The heart of Paris? Mass panic? CHARLENE I know, but I just...It seems so wrong. MARCOINE You are helping to general population, not hindering it. Now get to work. ONE Hey Marcoine! What do I do with this glass? MARCOINE Out the window. CHARLENE That could hurt somebody! THREE She’s going soft. ONE They all do eventually. CHARLENE This just seems so wrong. ONE Don’t worry about morals, dear...Just GET TO WORK! MARCOINE No need to be nasty...But you had better get to it! CHARLENE I...can’t. MARCOINE You’d better! CHARLENE No! I won’t MARCOINE Starts to approach her. You most certainly will! CHARLENE No! Runs out door. MARCOINE Get her! All start to chase. Charlene reaches street gets into cab and rides off. THREE Quick! Call another taxi! MARCOINE No, don’t worry about it. We have work to finish. We’ll take care of her later. They re-enter the hotel. End scene. Scene Seven-The Doctor’s House Scene: Julius arrives at 187 Versailles Avenue and knocks on the door. MRS. JARGINE Comes to door. Can I help you? JULIUS Gasping four air. I have been sent by your husband. I need one bottle of number seven. M. JARGINE Right away. Please, come in and sit. You look tired. They enter, and Julius sits. M. Jargine enters another room. JULIUS Will this take too long? M. JARGINE Not really. Suddenly, a telephone rings. M. JARGINE Let it ring. You obviously need this medicine very badly. JULIUS Yes... FAINT, HEARD AS MEMORY: JARGINE No, we do not have a telephone. REGULAR M. JARGINE Enters room with bottle and hands it to him. Here you are. JULIUS Thank you. Now, if you don’t mind, I must hurry. M. JARGINE Yes, I understand. JULIUS Thank you. Calls cab and says as he enters: Hotel Royale. End scene. Scene Eight-The Police Captain Scene: In front of the Eiffel Tower. Charlene gets out of a taxi and runs up to police chief Frander. CHARLENE Captain Frander! Captain Frander! FRANDER What is it, Madame? CHARLENE I have to tell you something. There is a woman staying at the Hotel Royale. She came down with the Bubonic Plague somehow. Anyway, the doctor who was caring for her has poisoned her to kill her and then dispose of all evidence so that nobody knows that she died and I know some women who are helping to remove the body and cover up! FRANDER In other words, you know of a murderer and his accomplices. CHARLENE Yes. But it is almost to late to catch them! FRANDER What is your name, Madame? CHARLENE Charlene Mondinge. FRANDER And is there anybody else involved? CHARLENE Yes. The woman’s son. FRANDER Where is he? CHARLENE He went to get some phony medicine. The doctor sent him just to get him away. FRANDER Oh my god! So he has no idea that his mother has been murdered? CHARLENE Nobody does save the doctor, the women who are removing the body, and myself. And you, of course. FRANDER And how do you know all this? CHARLENE Truthfully, I was going to help the women. But I stopped myself before I did. FRANDER My goodness! This is one of the craziest things I’ve ever heard! Let’s go back to the station and try and- CHARLENE There is no time! They will have left the city by ten tonight. And god help you find them before that! We must get to the hotel! Hails taxi. FRANDER But, Madame,- CHARLENE No time! They get into the cab and it drives off. End scene. Scene Nine-The Hotel Room II Scene: Julius rushes down the hallway to his mothers room. When he realizes he forgot his key, he knocks. JULIUS Mother? Mother, are you there? MARCOINE Comes to door Can I help you? JULIUS Oh...Uh....Excuse me. I must have the wrong room. MARCOINE Oh, don’t worry of it. Julius waits until Marcoine has closed the door and checks the number. It is where he was staying before. JULIUS What is going on here? End scene. Scene Ten-The Plan, Concluded Scene: Julius has run to get the Hotel Manager. JULIUS Sir, sir! MANAGER What is it, young man? JULIUS Young man? It’s me, Julius Peters. MANAGER Who? JULIUS Never mind. But I need to speak with you. My mother and I are staying in room 1278. But I went up there now and- MANAGER You say you’re staying in what room? JULIUS 1278. MANAGER Checking files. I’m sorry, sir, but you must be mistaken. Three women have checked into that room. JULIUS But they can’t have. My mother and I are staying there! MANAGER Sir, that is impossible. You cannot- This is useless. I am going to get the doctor. JULIUS Please do! He knows who I am. My mother was very sick, and- MANAGER Walks away, not listening, and returns with the doctor. MANAGER Do you know this young man? JARGINE I have never seen him before in my life. JULIUS For heaven’s sake! My mother is the sick woman in room 1278! JARGINE There’s a sick woman in 1278? Well, I had better get up there. Those three women are personal friends, and- JULIUS I am telling you, I am staying in room 1278. MANAGER Doctor, perhaps I may have a word with you. The two go off to the side to speak, purposely loud enough to be overheard by Julius. MANAGER What should we do? JARGINE I really don’t know...cases like this are not that rare, though. MANAGER We have to talk him out of that crazy notion that he is staying in room 1278. JARGINE I hope that we can- Wait! I just had a brilliant idea! What if we show him the room. When he doesn’t recognize the furniture, the pictures on the walls, or anything else, maybe he will realize that he is in the wrong hotel! The two return to Julius. JARGINE Sir, we have come to the conclusion that you have come to the wrong hotel. JULIUS Are you calling me mad? MANAGER Well, of course not- we are just saying that you cannot be in the right hotel. JULIUS I am not a senile little old lady. I don’t know what you are doing. This may work when you pull it on those senile, little old ladies, but it won’t work- MANAGER Well, just to prove to you that you must be mistaken, the doctor will show you that room. JARGINE Please, come with me. JULIUS But aren’t there people staying there? JARGINE They are personal friends and won’t mind. Hurry, hurry. All exit. End scene. Scene Eleven-The Hotel Room III Scene: Julius and Jargine are in the room. The three woman are seated at a table having dinner. JARGINE Now are you satisfied? JULIUS But how can it be? Just three hours ago my mother and I were right here, in this room. She was sick, and in the bed. But now the bad is suddenly gone. And all of the furniture is different, also! JARGINE But, sir, can’t you see that there are people here? MARCOINE Yes, we have been here since Saturday. JULIUS This is unbelievable. People don’t just disappear! JARGINE She cannot have disappeared if she never existed! JULIUS But she did exist! She was right here! MARCOINE Excuse me, Doctor? Can you please take him out of here now. we are trying to enjoy a peaceful dinner. JARGINE Yes, Julius, maybe it’s better that we- JULIUS How did you know that my name was Julius? JARGINE Well, you told me. JULIUS I did nothing of the kind! JARGINE You did...downstairs, in the lobby. JULIUS My god! Am I going mad? The phone suddenly rings, and Marcoine gets up to get it. MARCOINE Julius? JULIUS Yes. MARCOINE It’s for you... Julius looks for a second and then walks over to get it. JULIUS Yes? The voice on the other end is heard by audience, but not by the people on stage, except Julius. CHARLENE Listen to me. You are not going mad. There are things you do not know that you need to know. Meet me in front of the Eiffel Tower at sundown. I will be wearing a red jacket. I will remove it, and drop it once. That is how you will know it is me. JULIUS Wait, miss- Charlene suddenly hangs up. JULIUS What time is it? MARCOINE Six-thirty. JULIUS How long until sundown? MARCOINE About twenty minutes...what are you talking about? JULIUS If you’ll excuse me, that phone call made all the difference. I do have to go and find a room, though. Julius gives a coy smile, then exits. End scene. Scene Twelve-More Murders Scene: Woman Four has called Dr. Jargine to her and her companion’s room. JARGINE What is it? MARCOINE Guess who just called? JARGINE Yes? MARCOINE Police Inspector Frander. Guess who he talked to? JARGINE Oh my God- Charlene! MARCOINE That’s right. JARGINE You have to kill her! MARCOINE We will. But that will not end this. JARGINE What do you mean? MARCOINE She told that inspector. JARGINE And? MARCOINE And he must be killed too. JARGINE Why are you telling me this? MARCOINE Because we refuse to kill both. JARGINE You certainly don’t mean that I- MARCOINE Either you kill him, or we kill you. JARGINE You wouldn’t. MARCOINE Are you willing to put your life on that? JARGINE I can’t kill anybody! MARCOINE You killed the old woman. JARGINE But that was different! That was to prevent mass panic in Paris! MARCOINE Lets put it this way- when this hits the papers, mass panic in Paris will ensue. JARGINE I obviously can’t win. When? MARCOINE Tomorrow. JARGINE Sundown? MARCOINE Sundown. End scene. Scene Thirteen-In Front Of The Eiffel Tower Scene: Sundown. Charlene and Julius are meeting in front of the Eiffel Tower. JULIUS Excuse me, Ma’am? CHARLENE Wonderful-you found me. JULIUS Now please explain to me what you were talking about. CHARLENE All in good time. But we cannot stay here; they know me and you. We must move to a less obvious location. JULIUS Yes, of course. Who are “they,” though? CHARLENE I will explain as we walk. JULIUS Walk to where? CHARLENE Along the Seine; if necessary, we can jump in. JULIUS Jump in the Seine? Is this that bad? CHARLENE You have no idea. The two begin to walk along the Seine River. JULIUS Now, please, explain to me what is going on? CHARLENE For the past two months, you and your mother have been on a tour of Europe, correct? JULIUS That is right. CHARLENE And where were you before you came to Paris? JULIUS Why, Italy, but I don’t see how- CHARLENE Do you happen to remember what disease killed most of Europe in the dark ages and come out of Italy? JULIUS Why, The Bubonic Plague, I believe, but I still do not see- CHARLENE And when that broke out, there was mass panic, correct? JULIUS Why, yes, but I am still missing- CHARLENE If somebody were to die in the heart of Paris of the plague, what would happen? JULIUS There would be mass panic. CHARLENE And so, if this person had contracted the plague, what would have to happen? JULIUS Why, their death would have to be covered up. CHARLENE Even more-They would have to be killed before the plague even became obvious to anybody besides a doctor. JULIUS Why do I need to know all this? CHARLENE Julius, your mother had somehow caught the Bubonic Plague. JULIUS Oh my god. CHARLENE The doctor and hotel manager and staff didn’t want to create mass panic and so she was poisoned and it was covered up. JULIUS Where is she now? CHARLENE Right here. Stops along the Seine. JULIUS Excuse me? CHARLENE Some women were hired to remove the body and, after nightfall, they dumped here- in the Seine. JULIUS Oh my god- this is unbelievable! CHARLENE It gets even better. JULIUS Please, continue. CHARLENE I was one of those women until I saw how wrong it all was...so I ran and refused to help. They are leaving the country along with the doctor tomorrow. The only reason they are not going tonight is because they want us dead. JULIUS They are going to kill us? CHARLENE They are going to try. JULIUS We have to alert the police! CHARLENE Done. But we are still not safe. JULIUS Then what are we to do? CHARLENE Hailing taxi My aunt has a lovely little home near the Louvre- we can stay there tonight. JULIUS Wonderful- at least we will be safe. CHARLENE Maybe. They enter the taxi. End Scene Scene Fourteen-Across The River Scene: Charlene and Julius arrive at Charlene’s Aunt’s home. CHARLENE Here we are. We should be safe until tomorrow. JULIUS I hope. Are these people really dangerous? CHARLENE You cannot even imagine what could happen to you. JULIUS Well, you said they would kill me, right? CHARLENE By the time they are finished, you will be wishing for death. Charlene knocks on the door. An older woman opens it. AUNT Charlene! It’s wonderful to see you! CHARLENE It’s been awhile. AUNT Yes it has. And who is this young man? CHARLENE This is my friend Julius. Is it okay if he stays here? AUNT Perfectly fine. Come, I’ll show you to rooms you can use. They enter the house and the aunt shows them upstairs. AUNT Now, Julius, is it? Julius nods. Yes. You will be here, and, Charlene, you are just down the hall. JULIUS Thank you very much Mrs... AUNT Mrs. Purdene. JULIUS Yes. Thank you so very much. CHARLENE Yes, thank you Aunt Cocoa. I hate to barge in on you like this, but we needed a place to stay. AUNT Don’t worry about it at all. Oh, by the way, the bathroom is down the hall, and breakfast is at nine thirty. Goodnight! Proceeds up a flight of stairs to a place that is evidently her room. JULIUS Well, goodnight Charlene. CHARLENE What re you talking about? You can’t go to sleep! JULIUS What? CHARLENE They probably already know which side of the river were on. You can’t go to sleep. If they find us and you’re asleep, you have no hope. JULIUS Well, then not so good night. CHARLENE Yes. Charlene proceeds to her room. Julius pulls a book of the shelf and begins to read. End scene. Scene Fifteen-The Next Morning Scene: Julius is just about to fall asleep when an alarm clock rings. He looks at it, and is says 9:30. He reluctantly gets up and goes downstairs. AUNT Good morning! JULIUS Is it? AUNT What? JULIUS Never mind. Where is Charlene? AUNT She had to run. She left this note, though. JULIUS What does it say? AUNT I don’t know. I’m not that nosy. JULIUS Reading note I had to run off. Please meet me tonight same place, same time as before. Thank you, Charlene. AUNT What is she talking about? JULIUS Never mind. It truly is a very long story I would rather not go into. What’s for breakfast? AUNT Bacon and eggs. JULIUS Wonderful. Looks up and smiles. End Scene. Scene Sixteen- Preparations Scene: Dr. Jargine and Mrs. Marcoine(Woman Four) are meeting. A clock on the wall says 6:10. JARGINE Tonight is the night. MARCOINE Yes, it certainly is. You will take care of the cop? JARGINE Yes. And you Charlene and Julius. MARCOINE That was the agreement. JARGINE After it is done, what so we do with the bodies? MARCOINE It will be dark, so you dump him into the river. JARGINE Will I not be seen? MARCOINE It will not matter, because the body will placed in a trunk. JARGINE So I am to do away with him, then place the body in a trunk, and dump the trunk in the river? MARCOINE Yes. And then get to the airport. You can use Charlene’s plane ticket out of the country to Greece. JARGINE What are you going to do? You have to kill two out in the open. MARCOINE It will be a simple drive-by shooting. JARGINE In front of the Eiffel Tower? MARCOINE That is where they will meet. JARGINE How do you know? MARCOINE Conveniently, one of my accomplices looks just like Charlene’s aunt. So she is spying on them while the real aunt is tied up in the basement. JARGINE Brilliant. MARCOINE Yes, I thought so. JARGINE So we shall now part? MARCOINE Yes, we both have work to do. JARGINE Good day, Mrs. Marcoine. MARCOINE Good day Dr. Jargine. Scene Seventeen-One More Murder Scene: Dr. Jargine is going to see the policeman. He knocks on the door. FRANDER Come in. Jargine enters and sits. FRANDER Oh! I was expecting Mrs. Marcoine. JARGINE Well, she couldn’t make it, so I came instead. FRANDER So I assume then you know the circumstances? JARGINE Yes. FRANDER Well, as you know, a young woman came up to me on the street two days ago- JARGINE -And said she knew something about a murder. FRANDER Why, yes. How did you know? JARGINE Allow me to explain. FRANDER Please do. JARGINE You see, there was a woman who had contracted the Bubonic Plague. FRANDER Oh my god! JARGINE She was staying at the Hotel Royale and I was asked to care for her when she was sick. FRANDER What are you talking about? JARGINE Listen to me. It was determined between me and some other people that if word of this got out in the city of Paris, there would be mass panic. FRANDER And so? JARGINE And so I poisoned her. FRANDER What? JARGINE Strychnine. It was quick and easy. FRANDER Oh my god! JARGINE So four women came to remove the body and dump it into the Seine. FRANDER Do you realize that this is a confession which- JARGINE But there was a problem. One of the women got afraid and upset. So she ran off before she could be charged. And came to you. FRANDER If you continue, I will place you under arrest. JARGINE Please do. I will be interested to tell this to everybody. FRANDER You can tell them from prison. JARGINE I know you won’t arrest me. FRANDER How much would you be willing to bet on that? JARGINE I would bet my life. FRANDER Is that so? JARGINE Yes. FRANDER Well, my friend, you are under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court- JARGINE Better than that, I would bet your life on it. Jargine turns around and shoots Frander. JARGINE Now I have a wife and a family to get home to. Jargine exits. End scene. Scene Eighteen-The Eiffel Tower Meeting Scene: Julius and Charlene are meeting in front of the Eiffel Tower at sundown. JULIUS Here I am. CHARLENE They are catching up with us. I reccomend we both get out of the city tonight. JULIUS But where do we go? CHARLENE For now, we can try Rome or London, or even Hamburg. JULIUS I don’t want to run, I want to- Suddenly, a car rushes by and two shots are fired from it. They just miss Julius and Charlene who run in opposite directions. CHARLENE Hamburg? JULIUS Hamburg! The two run off. End Scene. End Act. Act Two-The Chase Scene One-An Airport Somewhere In France Scene: Mrs. Marcoine and Dr. Jargine are preparing to flee from France to a new location. Marcoine spots Jargine from across the terminal. MARCOINE Is it done? JARGINE He is dead. MARCOINE And sitting in the bottom of the Seine. JARGINE What? MARCOINE You put him in a suitcase and dumped him in the river, right? JARGINE Oh my God! I completely forgot! MARCOINE You idiot! The probably found him! JARGINE I’m sorry! But there is nothing we can do now. MARCOINE No. We have to get to Hamburg. JARGINE Rome? I thought we were going to Greece. MARCOINE But there is nothing in Greece. JARGINE What is so special about Hamburg? MARCOINE That is where Julius and Charlene have fled to. JARGINE I thought they were dead? MARCOINE The bullets missed. JARGINE Oh, so the brilliant Mrs. Marcoine failed! MARCOINE It’s Mrs. Caroline Burton. And you are Mr. John Burton. JARGINE What are you talking about Marcoine? MARCOINE It’s Caroline. You certainly don’t think that we can leave with these identities do you? JARGINE What? MARCOINE Although none of the story reached the press or even the rest of the police force, our names were known, and the police are looking for us. JARGINE And so? MARCOINE And so we are now Mr. and Mrs. Burton from London, England. I have no job and you are an architect. JARGINE Fine. Let’s just get to Hamburg. MARCOINE Hurry. We’re next to get our tickets. Here is the cash. Marcoine hands him some 100 dollar francs. ATTENDANT Next? JARGINE Stepping up Yes, two for the 10:30 to Hamburg. ATTENDANT Name? JARGINE Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Burton. ATTENDANT Here you are. Hands Jargine two ticket packets. He and Marcoine walk away. MARCOINE Here we go. JARGINE To Hamburg. They exit. End scene. Scene Two- A Nightclub In Hamburg Scene: Charlene and Julius are seated in a nightclub in Hamburg. JULIUS So you really think we’re safe here? CHARLENE As safe as we can be. But we need to discuss our next move. JULIUS What do you mean? I thought you said we were safe? CHARLENE I said “As safe as we can be.” This is as safe as we can be as Julius and Charlene. JULIUS We have to change our identities? CHARLENE We have to change everything. Our names, our hair, everything. JULIUS And then we will be safe? CHARLENE Not even then. After that, we must go our separate ways and never meet again. JULIUS Oh my God. But where to? CHARLENE You must stay here in Europe, as your life is in America. But I must go to America, as my life is here in Europe. Or we could both go to some other place. JULIUS But won’t this be difficult? CHARLENE Would you rather die? JULIUS Fine. Lets get back to the hotel. They leave a tip, pay the check, and leave. End scene. Scene Three-A Hotel In Hamburg Scene: Julius and Charlene have just arrived at their hotel room. They are both seated. Julius is removing his shoes. JULIUS So what now? CHARLENE I told you at the nightclub. JULIUS But we have to do something, go somewhere now! CHARLENE For the time being, I think we are safe where we are. JULIUS For how long? CHARLENE Only a week. Or less. But we will be fine for then. JULIUS One week? What do we do then? CHARLENE I have some connections. I can get us both false identities. JULIUS But not from here. CHARLENE No. Best to keep a low profile while we are in Hamburg. JULIUS Then where do we go to? CHARLENE No matter. Just so long as we- The phone rings and Charlene answers it. CHARLENE Yes? MARCOINE(Heard by audience) So it looks as though we’ve found you, hmmmm? Don’t bother running. I am calling from a plane which will land twenty minutes away from your hotel in about fifteen minutes. You can’t get away, dear. So don’t try. TRANSITION TO THE PLANE MARCOINE Hangs up phone. JARGINE Well? MARCOINE Well, they know that we are on our way. JARGINE Why did you tell them. Now they have a chance to run. MARCOINE Oh, Dr. Jargine! It is so much more fun this way. She sips her drink and he looks out of the window. End scene. Scene Three- A Street In Hamburg Scene: Julius and Charlene have run out onto the street outside the hotel. JULIUS Will you please tell me what is going on? CHARLENE Shut up and run! JULIUS Tell me why! CHARLENE Listen. That was Marcoine on the phone. JULIUS Who? CHARLENE Marcoine: Jargine’s accomplice. JULIUS Oh my God! CHARLENE They land here in Hamburg in fifteen minutes and will be looking for us as soon as they touch ground. JULIUS What are we going to do? CHARLENE We are going to find someplace to hide, and stay there until the coast is clear, and then get a plane to Rome. JULIUS Why Rome? CHARLENE It is a large city, and a long flight. JULIUS Fine. Rome. Check that phone book by the pay phone for the number. CHARLENE For what? JULIUS The plane tickets, of course! CHARLENE Oh, yes. She checks Ernechen 69837. Julius writes the number and puts it in his pocket. CHARLENE Take it back to the hotel. Then meet me there. She points to a manhole. JULIUS The sewer? CHARLENE Do you have a better idea? JULIUS Fine. I’ll take this back to the room and meet you there. They run off in opposite directions. End scene. Scene Four-An Airport Somewhere In Germany Scene: Marcoine and Jargine are just getting off their plane. MARCOINE Hurry, John, we have to get to the hotel! JARGINE John? What are you talking about? MARCOINE Oh, Mr. Burton, don’t be silly! JARGINE Oh, right. Hurry, dear, we want to be there in time for dinner! MARCOINE Yes, darling. They walk out of the airport. MARCOINE Are you crazy! You could blow this whole thing! JARGINE Hey...you’re the one who said we should go to Hamburg! MARCOINE Oh, alright, I suppose we should just let those witnesses tell the police. Oh, I know, why don’t we confess! JARGINE Oh, shut up. Where’s the hotel. MARCOINE By the Top Ten Club. It’s called the Hamburg Paradies. JARGINE What? MARCOINE It’s German for Hamburg Paradise. JARGINE Oh. And how far from here is the Hamburg Paradise. MARCOINE Fifteen minutes. So let’s go. They exit the airport. End scene. Scene Five-The Hamburg Paradies Scene: Jargine and Marcoine have just arrived at the hotel room. MARCOINE Oh Charlene? Julius? We’re here! JARGINE Come out, come out, wherever you are! MARCOINE Charlene? Julius? JARGINE Where are you? MARCOINE Jargine, I don’t think they’re here! JARGINE Where could they have gone to? MARCOINE I think they’ve fled. JARGINE You had to make that phone call! MARCOINE Yes, but now the fun begins. We get to hunt for them. And when we find them, oh the fun we’ll have! JARGINE Yes, Mrs. Marcoine, but we have to find them first. MARCOINE Tear the place apart. They begin to rip through things until Jargine finds a piece of paper w/ a number on it. JARGINE Mrs. Marcoine? Come and look at this. MARCOINE It’s a telephone number. So? JARGINE So it might tell us where they’ve gone! MARCOINE I suppose...Yes! It would! Call it! JARGINE Calls number and then hangs up It’s an airport! MARCOINE Aren’t they smart...they wait until we come to Hamburg and then they flee. JARGINE Where do you suppose they went? MARCOINE Back to Paris, I suppose. JARGINE Well then, let’s go back to Paris... They walk away. End scene. Scene Six-A German Sewer Scene: Julius and Charlene are hiding in a sewer when Jargine and Marcoine pass overhead. JULIUS Charlene? CHARLENE Yes? JULIUS Do you hear a familiar voice up there? CHARLENE Now that you mention it, I do. I swear I know that one woman. JULIUS Strange. I recognize the man’s. CHARLENE You don’t suppose- Jargine and Marcoine suddenly are above the sewer. JARGINE Are you certain they went back to Paris? MARCOINE Where else would they go? They know that we are here searching for them. JARGINE I suppose so. I just feel... MARCOINE What? JARGINE I feel like we are missing something. I feel like they are right beneath our noses and we’re missing it. MARCOINE Well, rest assured. They called the airport! They’re on their way to or in Paris. We just have to do the job there. JARGINE Yes, I guess so. They pass. CHARLENE Oh my God, Julius! They think we are back in Paris! JULIUS Even more the reason for us to go to Rome! CHARLENE I think we might be safe and free again! Come...we go to Rome! They exit the sewer, and start to run down the street, until Julius stops it. JULIUS Charlene...wait. CHARLENE What? JULIUS Can I ask you something? It is about what we will do in Rome. CHARLENE Go ahead. JULIUS While we are in Rome Gets down on one knee Will you marry me? CHARLENE Julius....I...Oh my.....Yes! JULIUS Wonderful! Come, now we can truly joyfully go to Rome! They kiss, and run off. End scene. Scene Seven-A German Airport Scene: Both groups are preparing to get on their respective flights. The first concentration is on Julius and Charlene. CHARLENE You have the tickets? JULIUS Yes. And I made the hotel reservations. CHARLENE Oh, this is so wonderful. We can go and live together in Rome and not worry about the horrible doctor and evil Mrs. Marcoine! TRANSITION-SWITCH TO OPPOSITE SIDE OF STAGE AND MARCOINE AND JARGINE. JARGINE Hurry up, Mrs. Marcoine...this flight will leave with or without us! MARCOINE I’m hurrying, doctor. We will get there one way or another. JARGINE Yes, but I would like to get there tonight. MARCOINE If you rush me, I will take longer. JARGINE That would hinder both of us and you know it. MARCOINE You had better start having a better attitude, doctor. JARGINE And you had better- Listen. we are both just tense. Let’s just get to Paris, kill them, and get back to our lives, alright? MARCOINE Spotting Julius and Charlene Oh my God! JARGINE What? MARCOINE Look! Jargine looks and sees the two “good guys.” He drops his bags and begins to run towards them. MARCOINE Jargine, wait! JULIUS Spots the doctor Oh my God...Charlene, get to the plane! CHARLENE What are you...Julius, we have..... JULIUS It’s Marcoine and Jargine! CHARLENE Oh, my God! They run to the gate, with Jargine and Marcoine right in tow. Julius and Charlene get on the plane just in time. MARCOINE To attendant Where is that flight to? ATTENDANT Why, Rome, Ma’am. MARCOINE Jargine- Change our reservations. We’re going to Rome. End scene. Scene Eight-An Airplane Scene: Julius and Charlene are on a plane to Rome. They both seem very tense. CHARLENE What are we to do, Julius? They know where we are going! JULIUS I don’t know. I have an idea, but I don’t know...I have two ideas, actually. CHARLENE Well? JULIUS Well, first, we could tell the police. But what are the chances they’d believe us? CHARLENE Or? JULIUS Or...we could take care of Mrs. Marcoine and the good doctor ourselves. CHARLENE Which should we try. JULIUS Neither. For now, let’s just go to Rome and lead a good life. CHARLENE And should they attack us? JULIUS Well keep to great big vases by the door. End scene. Scene Nine-Another Airplane Scene: Marcoine and Jargine are on their flight to Rome. MARCOINE These two have put me through so much...I can’t wait to find them. JARGINE I know what you mean. MARCOINE Boy, are they gonna pay... JARGINE And boy, are they in debt. What do you wanna do? MARCOINE Oh, I don’t know. Something slow and painful. Perhaps we should starve them? JARGINE Yes, or we could poison them with a slow, painful, poison. MARCOINE There are just so many options! JARGINE Well, for now, lets just concentrate on catching them. MARCOINE In Rome. JARGINE Rome. End scene. Scene Ten-A Hotel Room in Rome Scene: Julius and Charlene are at their hotel room for the first time. CHARLENE Look at this place! JULIUS It’s huge! CHARLENE How are we getting this so cheap? JULIUS My uncle owns the hotel. We are actually getting it free! CHARLENE How convenient! JULIUS And isn’t wonderful! He said it was nice, but this is... CHARLENE Gorgeous. JULIUS Not half as gorgeous as you... They look at each other, and then Charlene walks into the bathroom. CHARLENE Oh my God! Look at this bathroom! JULIUS Now lying on bed Hot tub? CHARLENE Huge one! Emerging from bathroom This is the most beautiful place I have ever been. JULIUS I imagine you’ve been a lot of places, then? CHARLENE Tons. My family was quite rich. JULIUS I wish I could say the same. CHARLENE C’mon...Lets go see the city. JULIUS Have you forgotten that there are two people out there who want us dead? CHARLENE Not anymore. JULIUS What? CHARLENE I talked to the police. They believed every word and have arrested Mrs. Marcoine and Dr. Jargine. JULIUS That’s wonderful! Do you know what that means? CHARLENE That means that we can get married, and honeymoon here, and then move back to Paris to live our life. JULIUS Precisely what I was thinking. Now, lets go see the city. Just as they open the door, a man appears on the other side with a bouquet of flowers. DELIVERY Mr. Peters? JULIUS Yes. DELIVERY These are for you. CHARLENE Who are they from? DELIVERY Don’t ask me...read the card. Hands Julius the flowers and leaves. CHARLENE What’s it say? JULIUS Reading You really thought that you were speaking to a cop, didn’t you? Well, my friends, I regret to inform you that you are not safe. We are everywhere. And you cannot get away from Mrs. Marcoine, the Senate, Rome. CHARLENE Oh my God! There is no hope for us! JULIUS Oh yes there is. I am going to find them-and kill them. CHARLENE Julius, no! JULIUS I have to. It is the only way for us to be together. Goodbye, darling. CHARLENE No! Not goodbye! I’ll see you tonight. Julius kisses her, then runs out of the door. She walks away, crying. End scene. Scene Eleven-The Steps Of The Senate Scene: Julius has taken note of the signature, and is at the Senate to face Marcoine and Jargine. JULIUS Marcoine! Jargine! I know you’re here! JARGINE Emerging So once again, a Julius finds himself on the steps of the Senate. And once again, a Julius will die on the steps of the Senate. JULIUS Ahhh, the good doctor. How are you this evening, Mr. Jargine? JARGINE Better than you. That Charlene, really is a lovely girl, isn’t she. JULIUS What are you saying? JARGINE It really would be a shame if she never had the chance to become Mrs. Peters. JULIUS Don’t you hurt Charlene! JARGINE Oh, don’t worry...nothing will happen to Charlene- while she is in Rome. Now you, on the other hand... JULIUS You don’t frighten me, Jargine. I can defend myself against you. JARGINE What about me... and a revolver. Pulls out a gun. JULIUS Also removes a gun from his coat So it comes down to this. You killed my mother, and now you want me dead because I know what happened. It’s not gonna work, Jargine. JARGINE Oh, I think it is. Marcoine comes out from behind and shoots Julius in the head. JARGINE Wonderful work, Mrs. Marcoine. Truly brilliant. MARCOINE Oh, the work isn’t finished. JARGINE I though you said you were going to kill her in Paris? MARCOINE I wasn’t talking about her. Marcoine shoots Jargine three times. He dies, beside Julius. MARCOINE Mockingly Et tu, Marcoine? She walks away, laughing, and goes into a flower shop. End scene. Scene Twelve- The Flowers Scene: Charlene is sitting nervous, trying to read, at the hotel. A knock comes to door, and she gets up to answer it. It is the flower delivery boy. DELIVERY Charlene? CHARLENE Yes, that is me. DELIVERY Here. Delivery boy exits, and Charlene closes the door. CHARLENE Reading note on flowers The Senate? End Scene. Scene Thirteen- The Steps Of The Senate Part II Scene: Charlene has come to the steps of the Senate after receiving the flowers. She sees her husbands, and Jargine’s, dead body. CHARLENE Oh my God, no! OFFICER Ma’am, can I help you? CHARLENE He was going to be my husband...now...this man killed him...my God! OFFICER Please, just calm down. You can come down to the station and explain everything. Charlene walks away with him, crying. End scene. Scene Fourteen-The Hotel Room Scene: Charlene has gone back to her hotel and has called her Aunt in Paris. CHARLENE Hello, Aunt Mimi? This is Charlene. AUNT Charlene! Where are you? The connection is very bad. CHARLENE I’m in Rome! AUNT Rome? What are you doing there? CHARLENE Starting to cry I was going to get married...but he was... AUNT He was what, dear? CHARLENE Murdered! AUNT Oh my God! Who was it CHARLENE It was that man who stayed with you. AUNT What? CHARLENE When I stayed with you, two weeks ago. You remember. AUNT That is why I wanted to talk to you...that week I had been kidnapped! CHARLENE So then it wasn’t you? AUNT No! Oh my God...Something really strange is going on here. Charlene hangs up the phone and runs out the door. End scene. Scene Fifteen- Aunt Mimi’s Scene: Charlene has just arrived home from Rome. She is staying at her aunt Mimi’s again. It is morning. AUNT So how was your night? CHARLENE Horrible. I just keep seeing Julius dead, sprawled out, on the steps...Begins to cry AUNT There, there. It will get better. C’mon...we’ll go out for breakfast. CHARLENE Alright. They begin to leave, but the phone rings. Charlene answers it. Marcoine is on the other end. CHARLENE Hello? MARCOINE Why, Charlene, how are you? CHARLENE Who is this? MARCOINE It’s your good friend, Mrs. Marcoine! CHARLENE Stay away from me! I don’t know what you think you are going to do, but you are not going to kill me! MARCOINE Oh, I hope I don’t have to. CHARLENE What are you talking about. Go out, and enjoy your breakfast...and then meet me at the Arc de Triomphe. CHARLENE And if I don’t? MARCOINE You will die slowly, and painfully. You will be in so much pain that you will be hoping for death when it finally does come. CHARLENE I don’t know what kind of person- Marcoine hangs up. Charlene walks out to meet her Aunt. End scene. Scene Sixteen-A Diner In Paris Scene: Charlene and her aunt are enjoying what may be her last meal on earth. AUNT You seem upset about something. Who was that who called? CHARLENE Never mind. AUNT Charlene, are you alright. CHARLENE I’m fine, really, I am. AUNT You don’t seem to be. Maybe you should she a doctor. CHARLENE No! AUNT What? CHARLENE I mean, no, I don’t need a doctor. AUNT Are you sure? Because you really don’t seem well. CHARLENE Its just...well....I am still upset about Julius AUNT Oh, alright. That makes sense. CHARLENE What time is it? AUNT Looks at watch 10:30 CHARLENE I have to go. AUNT What? CHARLENE I have to meet somebody at the Arc de Triomphe. AUNT Well, at least let me drive you. CHARLENE No, no...I’ll take the train. AUNT Are you certain that you’re ok? CHARLENE I’m fine, really, I am. Goodbye, Aunt Mimi. She rushes out. Mimi, being suspicious, sneaks out behind her after leaving money on the table to take care of the bill. End scene. Scene Seventeen-The Final Confrontation and The Arc de Triomphe Scene: Charlene has come to confront Marcoine at the Arc de Triomphe. Aunt Mimi is watching from behind the arc. CHARLENE I’m here, Marcoine! Come and get your prey! MARCOINE Emerging Oh, so you did show! CHARLENE Of course I did. I just want to try to stay alive. MARCOINE Hm. Well, it looks like it’s just you and me. Julius is dead, Jargine is dead, Frander is dead, I even killed the other two ladies....they didn’t seem quiet enough. CHARLENE You sick, horrible person. How could you! MARCOINE What? CHARLENE The only thing you care about it yourself. Exactly how many people have you killed? Can you even remember? MARCOINE 67. CHARLENE That is even sicker. MARCOINE You had better stop insulting me, dear. This is not the way to save your life. CHARLENE You can go ahead and kill me. Make it 68. But in the long run, this will all come back to you, you- MARCOINE Watch it, dear. This is not helping your case. CHARLENE Go to- MARCOINE No, no, no! You are gonna be sorry if you don’t stop. CHARLENE You don’t scare me...I would rather have Satan take my life then to beg him for it. MARCOINE Little girl. You are not helping yourself. Marcoine starts to walk towards her, and she begins to back away. She then trips, and Marcoine leans over her, her gun now out and pointed at her head. MARCOINE We’re the only ones left, you and me. CHARLENE You evil woman. At this, Aunt Mimi sneaks up behind and grabs a rock. MARCOINE We’re the only ones left. AUNT Wrong, deary! Marcoine turns in shock, and Aunt Mimi hits her in the head. She falls, and her gun discharges, killing her. Charlene gets up, and begins to hug her. AUNT It’s all over now. C’mon...Let’s go home. They walk away. A cop car rushes over and a cop gets out. He discovers the body, compares it with a picture, and yells “It’s that Marcoine woman that they say killed those guys in Rome!” They call an ambulance. End scene. End act. End play.