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The Ritual – Episode 2 – A Girl, a Ghost, and a Guide

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Below we present the complete text of ‘A Girl, A Ghost, and a Guide’; episode 2 of The Ritual.

Gaslamp Mystery - GM002 - The Ritual
Gaslamp Mystery – GM002 – The Ritual
Parental Guidance Recommended: May contain content some parents may feel is inappropriate for younger children
Parental Guidance Recommended: May contain content some parents may feel is inappropriate for younger children

THE RITUAL

EPISODE #2 – A Girl, a Ghost, and a Guide

by Philip Craig Robotham

Cover Illustration by Miyukiko

Edited by Margaret Wilkins

Copyright 2013 Philip Craig Robotham

Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) Edition.

CC by-nc-nd 4.0
CC by-nc-nd 4.0

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Episode 2: A Girl, a Ghost, and a Guide

In this episode:

“The game’s afoot:

Follow your spirit, and upon this charge

Cry ‘God for Harry, England, and Saint George!’”

— William Shakespeare

Sherlock Holmes has just left university and is seeking to make a name for himself as an investigator of the unusual when Reginald Musgrave, an acquaintance from the university, arrives requesting Holmes look into the disappearance of two of his domestic staff. Holmes immediately asks Martha Hudson to go undercover at Musgrave’s stately home while he himself is visiting to ascertain what has taken place. The investigation enters them in a race to find a hidden local treasure but ultimately pits them against the treasure’s ghostly guardian and Musgrave’s rivals. Can Holmes’ uncanny deductive abilities and understanding of folklore help him to win the treasure before others with more sinister motives do the same?

Episodes in the Host Your Own “Old Time Radio Drama” series are designed to provide a fun dinner party experience for 6–8 participants. Read along, taking on the role of one or more of the characters in the story, and listen as the exciting drama unfolds. This is the theater of the mind, where the special effects are only limited by your imagination, and your participation will build a memory that you’ll treasure for years to come.

CAST LIST

NARRATOR: General narrator.

ELDER SHERLOCK HOLMES: The Narrator

YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES: The famous Detective

MARTHA HUDSON: Holmes’ Companion on his investigation

REGINALD MUSGRAVE: Owner of Musgrave Hall and client to Sherlock Holmes

GHOST: The ghost of a solider in the army of Charles I.

BRUNTON: Formerly manservant to Reginald Musgrave.

RACHEL HOWELL: Formerly serving-girl to Reginald Musgrave.

MRS CASEY: Cook and Housekeeper to Reginald Musgrave.

INSPECTOR DIAMOND: Local Police Inspector.

SFX : SFX operator (1 required)

Below we present the complete text of ‘A Girl, a Ghost, and a Guide’, episode 2 of The Ritual.

SCENE 4: INT. — MUSGRAVE HALL LIBRARY — MIDNIGHT (BRUNTON, RACHEL, YOUNG HOLMES, REGINALD, MARTHA)

  1. MUSIC: [1] OPENING THEME — LET IT FINISH.
  2. NARRATOR: Holmes and Martha have arrived at Musgrave Hall intent on determining who has been threatening the life of Holmes’ university acquaintance, Reginald, now Lord, Musgrave.  Believing an attempt will be made to steal the family Bible, Holmes waits quietly in the dark for the intruders’ return.
  3. SOUND: [10] (WALLA) TICKING CLOCK FOLLOWED BY MIDNIGHT STRIKE OF THE BELL — ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
  4. SOUND: [26] FURTIVE JEMMYING OF WINDOW LOCK FOLLOWED BY SLIDE OF WINDOW GOING UP — LET IT FINISH.
  5. BRUNTON: Just get in there. It’s on the other side of the library.
  6. RACHEL: (TEARFUL) I don’t know ’ow I let you talk me into this.
  7. BRUNTON: (LAUGHING) Too late for that now, Rachel. You’d have done better asserting yourself before you became pregnant. If there’s to be any future for your whelp then you’ll need money and this is how it’s to be gotten.
  8. RACHEL: (MORE TEARFUL YET) You’re just using me. First for your own pleasure and now… to rob Lord Musgrave. I was an innocent girl before I came ’ere and began listening to you.
  9. BRUNTON: Yes, and now you’re a much wiser girl. (CRUELLY) Never undervalue the benefits of education. (BEAT) Now get on before you wake someone up. I’ll wait here with the musket.
  10. SOUND: [27] A WOMAN’S FOOTSTEPS CROSSING THE ROOM — LET IT FINISH.
  11. RACHEL: What? No. It’s gone. But…
  12. YOUNG HOLMES: I take it you’re looking for the family Bible. We’ve removed it, I’m afraid.
  13. RACHEL: (SCREAMS IN FRIGHT) Aaah!
  14. SOUND: [28] BODY DROPPING TO THE FLOOR — LET IT FINISH.
  15. YOUNG HOLMES: Good grief. The girl’s fainted.
  16. SOUND: [29] GUNSHOT FROM OUTSIDE THE WINDOW — LET IT FINISH.
  17. SOUND: [30] MALE FOOTSTEPS. DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES — LET IT FINISH.
  18. REGINALD: (APPROACHING FROM A DISTANCE) Holmes? Holmes? I say, man, are you alright?
  19. YOUNG HOLMES: (CALLING BACK) I’m fine. The intruder has run off. Fortunately, I was bending over the lady when he fired.
  20. SOUND: [31] HURRYING FEMALE FOOTSTEPS. DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES — LET IT FINISH.
  21. MARTHA: An’ what lady would that be? Oh!
  22. YOUNG HOLMES: Quite! I take it this is your cook, Reginald?
  23. REGINALD: Why yes! It’s Rachel Howell. She’s filthy! She looks as if she’s been living in the open for days.
  24. YOUNG HOLMES: Well, she’s quite passed out and is in no fit state to answer questions at the moment. You can turn up the lamps. Her confederate has departed. And, Reginald?
  25. REGINALD: Yes, Holmes.
  26. YOUNG HOLMES: You’d best send for the police at first light. Your assailant may not be much of a shot, and easily frightened, but he’s not afraid to fire that gun of his and eventually he’s likely to hit his mark.
  27. REGINALD: But Holmes?
  28. YOUNG HOLMES: Yes, I know you wish to avoid scandal… and we shall do everything in our power to assist you… but I believe some common-sense precautions are necessary.
  29. REGINALD: (ABASHED) Yes, Holmes.
  30. YOUNG HOLMES: Now, to the girl. Martha, what do you think?
  31. MARTHA: Young enough. Early twenties or late teens by the look. There’s a great deal of mud on ’er dress. Do you have swamp land on the property, Lord Musgrave?
  32. REGINALD: Eh? Yes, we do. Not a swamp proper, mind you, just a mere on the lower edge of the property.
  33. MARTHA: Then my guess is she’s been camping by the mere. Mr ’olmes?
  34. YOUNG HOLMES: I concur. Also, the girl is obviously pregnant.
  35. REGINALD: Now see here!
  36. YOUNG HOLMES: Oh, have no fear, Reginald. You are not the father. Though by your reaction I can see that you could be. No, the father is your butler. What was his name?
  37. REGINALD: Brunton? But…
  38. YOUNG HOLMES: What happened, Reginald? Did she approach you with the news and threaten to blackmail you? Is that why you only threatened her with dismissal?
  39. REGINALD: Oh the shame! Yes, Holmes, that was it. I was going to put her away quietly.
  40. YOUNG HOLMES: But you weren’t going to pay for the child?
  41. REGINALD: What? Of course not. I mean, if it were traced back to me…
  42. YOUNG HOLMES: Musgrave, you are an ass.
  43. REGINALD: (SOUNDING RELIEVED) But it is not my child. You said so yourself.
  44. MARTHA: You make me ill, Lord Musgrave.
  45. REGINALD: But…, steady on. It’s not my child!
  46. MARTHA: But you didn’t know that until a moment ago. Before that you thought it might be. Which can only mean that you either allowed yourself to be seduced by this girl, or that you took advantage of ’er while she was in your employ. Either way, you do not come out smelling of roses.
  47. REGINALD: And what of my reputation? Are you going to…
  48. YOUNG HOLMES: (IMPATIENTLY) Oh, for goodness sake! Reginald, help me get the girl to one of the upper rooms. Martha, would you be good enough to stand watch at the girl’s door until morning?
  49. MARTHA: Yes, Mr ’olmes.
  50. YOUNG HOLMES: Alright then. (GRUNTS AS HE LIFTS RACHEL) Let’s get her to bed.
  51. REGINALD: But…
  52. MUSIC: [3] (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 5: INT. HOLMES’ BEDROOM — TWO A.M. (GHOST, YOUNG HOLMES)

  1. SOUND: [11] (WALLA) DISTANT OWL, CLOCK TICKING, CLOCK STRIKES TWO — ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
  2. GHOST: (MOANING) For Charles… Recover… Treasure… Free at last…
  3. YOUNG HOLMES: (STIRRING AWAKE) Hmmm? (STILL GROGGY) Is someone there?
  4. GHOST: (MOANING) For Charles… Recover… Treasure… Free at last… Use… The Ritual.
  5. YOUNG HOLMES: Ah. I was expecting to encounter you… or at least, something like you.
  6. GHOST: (MOANING) For Charles… Recover… Treasure… Free at last… Use… The Ritual.
  7. YOUNG HOLMES: Yes, yes! I got it the first time. Ghosts are invariably so dull… now let me look at you. A soldier, from the English Civil War. A royalist by the look. That would make the Charles you are referring to Charles the First.
  8. GHOST: (MOANING) For Charles… Recover… Treasure… Free at…
  9. YOUNG HOLMES: Enough! You have delivered your message. Be gone!
  10. SOUND: [32] A WIND WHOOSHING AWAY — LET IT FINISH.
  11. YOUNG HOLMES: At least I now know how Brunton became aware of the significance of The Ritual. He believes it to be a treasure map.
  12. SOUND: [33] DISTANT SMASHING GLASS — LET IT FINISH.
  13. YOUNG HOLMES: (IRRITATED) What now?
  14. MUSIC: [4] (BRIDGE) ACTION SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 6: INT. — UPSTAIRS BEDROOM — LATER (REGINALD, MARTHA, YOUNG HOLMES)

  1. SOUND: [34] FOOTSTEPS COMING UP THE STAIRS — LET IT FINISH.
  2. REGINALD: (ANGRY) Damn it, woman. We had her and now she’s gone.
  3. MARTHA: (COLDLY) I’ll remind you to keep a civil tongue in your mouth, Lord Musgrave… especially if you’d like to keep your nose the shape it is.
  4. REGINALD: Now see here. How dare you threaten me! You were on watch! This is your incompetence! Don’t you go getting high handed with me!
  5. MARTHA: Oh, and you’d’ve been able to stop ’er leaping through a locked window from the second floor? Saw this comin’ did you? If you know so much, ’ow come you didn’t stop ’er?
  6. YOUNG HOLMES: Enough! We all should have thought to restrain her… and I count myself in this, so no more recriminations.
  7. MARTHA: Well, what now? It looks like we’ve lost our only clue.
  8. YOUNG HOLMES: Oh, I don’t think so. You rightly determined where the two of them have been holding camp.
  9. REGINALD: The mere you mean?
  10. YOUNG HOLMES: Yes, that’s right. And I believe I now understand what they’re after and why.
  11. MARTHA: (WRYLY) Would you care to share your discovery, Mr ’olmes?
  12. YOUNG HOLMES: Assuredly. Reginald, old chap, please bring out the family Bible.
  13. REGINALD: It’s right here, Holmes. I moved it to my bedside table, despite it’s size, as I haven’t felt confident to let it pass very far from my sight since this whole strange affair began.
  14. YOUNG HOLMES: Excellent.
  15. SOUND: [35] PAGES FLIPPING — LET IT FINISH.
  16. YOUNG HOLMES: Now, here we are. The Ritual. Dating back to the time of Charles the First I’d wager?
  17. REGINALD: As a matter of fact, yes.
  18. YOUNG HOLMES: Your family members were Royalists?
  19. REGINALD: Of course.
  20. YOUNG HOLMES: Mmmm. Here we are…
    (READING)
    ‘Whose was it?’
    ‘His who is gone.’
    ‘Who shall have it?’
    ‘He who will come.’
    ‘What was the month?’
    ‘The sixth from the first.’
    ‘Where was the sun?’
    ‘Over the oak.’
    ‘Where was the shadow?’
    ‘Under the elm.’
    ‘How was it stepped?’
    ‘North by ten and by ten,
    east by five and by five,
    south by two and by two,
    west by one and by one, and so under.’
    ‘What shall we give for it?’
    ‘All that is ours.’
    ‘Why should we give it?’
    ‘For the sake of the trust.’
  21. MARTHA: That doesn’t sound like any kind o’ ritual I’ve ’eard about.
  22. YOUNG HOLMES: Strictly speaking it’s not.
  23. REGINALD: Like I said, Holmes, doggerel. It was passed down father to son through this family since the Civil War. As a child the eldest son of each generation is taught to recite it by heart.
  24. MARTHA: Well, if it’s not a spell or conjuration…?
  25. REGINALD: A spell or… What sort of wild talk is this?
  26. YOUNG HOLMES: Pay it no mind, Reginald. I believe your ‘ritual’ to be a map.
  27. REGINALD: (ATONISHED AND SKEPTICAL) A map?
  28. YOUNG HOLMES: Absolutely. Brunton and Miss Howell believe there is treasure on your property and that The Ritual is the key to its location.
  29. REGINALD: (LAUGHING) But surely, Holmes, this is nonsense?
  30. YOUNG HOLMES: (IGNORING THE QUESTION) But what interests me is why you never mentioned the ghost?
  31. REGINALD: (STRICKEN) What? Y.. You mean you’ve seen it?
  32. YOUNG HOLMES: Mmmhmm.
  33. REGINALD: I thought I was going mad.
  34. MARTHA: Let me get you a chair. (BEAT) There you are.
  35. YOUNG HOLMES: You’re not mad, Reginald. The ghost visited me mere moments ago in my room. I take it you have been visited more than once.
  36. REGINALD: Constantly, since I was a child. People were always telling me it didn’t exist… so I assumed…
  37. MARTHA: (GENTLY) You assumed you were crackin’ up.
  38. REGINALD: (LAUGHING WRYLY) More or less.
  39. YOUNG HOLMES: Well, Reginald, rest assured you are not “crackin’ up.”
  40. MARTHA: ’ere!
  41. YOUNG HOLMES: Tomorrow, when the light returns, I believe we’ll be able to satisfactorily conclude this venture.
  42. REGINALD: Then you don’t intend to pursue the girl this night?
  43. YOUNG HOLMES: (MUSING) No… I think not. Your servants know the grounds very well and at least one of them is still armed. (TO MARTHA) Did she cut herself on the way out?
  44. MARTHA: No, she used a chair to break the glass. There was no blood n’ she seemed to manage the drop right enough. I saw her running into the shadows yonder before the two o’ you were quite roused.
  45. YOUNG HOLMES: Then it’s settled. We’ll pursue this mystery in the morning. In the meantime we may as well all get some sleep. I doubt they will try anything again tonight.
  46. MUSIC: [5] (BRIDGE) OMINOUS SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 7: EXT. — MUSGRAVE HALL GROUNDS — MID MORNING (REGINALD, MRS CASEY, INSPECTOR, YOUNG HOLMES, MARTHA)

  1. SOUND: [12] (WALLA) BIRD NOISES, TREES SWAYING IN LIGHT BREEZE ETC. — ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
  2. REGINALD: Ah, Mrs Casey, you’ve returned with the Inspector.
  3. MRS CASEY: Yes, sir. ’e came right away. Though why you couldn’t ’ve let me clean up a bit before sending me back out to fetch ’im, I don’t know. I’d only just arrived for the day after all…
  4. INSPECTOR: Now, now, Mrs C. We have to get a look at the evidence before it’s all been cleared away. Very important, that is.
  5. REGINALD: Well, it’s good to see you, Inspector, and to note that you take your duties seriously. Mr Holmes, Miss Hudson. May I present Inspector Diamond of the local constabulary?
  6. INSPECTOR: Glad to meet you, sir. Miss.
  7. YOUNG HOLMES: We’re glad you could come so quickly. A shot was fired through the library window last night and into the parlor, two nights previously. We believe the miscreants responsible may be camping down by the mere.
  8. INSPECTOR: I see. And do you ’ave any idea ’oo might wish to take a shot at you, your Lordship, sir?
  9. REGINALD: I suspect it may be a former employee of mine named Brunton. I’m afraid I was forced to dismiss him some little time ago.
  10. INSPECTOR: A grudge, eh? Well, I think that’ll be enough to be gettin’ along with. I’ll leave you to your guests now, but I’ll need a more full account later, especially as to why you waited for a second attempt before contacting us.
  11. REGINALD: Of course. I am available at your convenience.
  12. INSPECTOR: Mrs C. If you wouldn’t object, I’m of a mind to sample some of that marvelous tea of yours that I’ve been ’earing so much about.
  13. MRS CASEY: (GIGGLES) You are a caution then. Come along.
  14. SOUND: [36]INSPECTOR AND HOUSEKEEPER TRUDGE OFF — LET IT FINISH.
  15. REGINALD: Well, Holmes, they’ve gone, and this is your show. Tell me you understand what the old family Ritual is talking about?
  16. YOUNG HOLMES: I believe I can accommodate you there. Did you bring a lantern with you? I think we might need it. Martha, have you salt? Good! I have salt and some matches.
  17. MARTHA: ’e isn’t ’alf pleased with ’imself, is ’e?
  18. YOUNG HOLMES: (AHEM) Read out the first portion of The Ritual if you’d be so kind, Reginald.
  19. REGINALD: ‘Whose was it?’
    ‘His who is gone.’
    ‘Who shall have it?’
    ‘He who will come.’
  20. MARTHA: Meanin’?
  21. YOUNG HOLMES: The treasure belonged to Charles the First and was intended for his heir. Read on, Reginald.
  22. REGINALD: ‘What was the month?’
    ‘The sixth from the first.’
    ‘Where was the sun?’
    ‘Over the oak.’
    ‘Where was the shadow?’
    ‘Under the elm.’
    Well, that makes no sense.
  23. YOUNG HOLMES: Actually it’s quite elementary. The instructions fix a point in time that will reveal the location from which the search begins.
  24. REGINALD: Oh? (SKEPTICALLY) How?
  25. YOUNG HOLMES: (IMPATIENT) The sixth from the first month is July and the sun is above the oak at approximately ten a.m.
  26. REGINALD: Now hang on. It’s after ten now and the oak is still hiding the sun…
  27. YOUNG HOLMES: Yes, but you are looking with modern eyes. Two hundred and thirty years ago, give or take, the oak would have been much smaller.
  28. REGINALD: Alright, I can see that but what I don’t see is…
  29. YOUNG HOLMES: (SIGH) During the month of July at ten a.m. the furthest extent of the elm tree’s shadow marks the starting point for the map’s instructions.
  30. REGINALD: (CATCHING ON) Oh! So that would put the starting point… somewhere around… here.
  31. YOUNG HOLMES: No.
  32. REGINALD: What?
  33. YOUNG HOLMES: Miss Hudson?
  34. MARTHA: (TO HOLMES) Stop bein’ such a bally show-off. (TO REGINALD) The elm ’as been ’ere for two ’undred’n thirty odd years since the Civil War as well. It’ll ’ave grown some in that time, changin’ the location o’ the shadow.
  35. YOUNG HOLMES: Well done. (BEAT) Given the yearly rate of growth in the elm the starting point for our expedition would actually be about… here.
  36. MARTHA: You know that self-satisfied smirk o’ yours is one of your least attractive features, Mr ’olmes.
  37. YOUNG HOLMES: I dare say. (TO REGINALD) Can we have some more of the verse, Reginald?
  38. REGINALD: (SULKILY) ‘How was it stepped?’
    ‘North by ten and by ten, east by five and by five, south by two and by two, west by one and by one, and so under.’
  39. YOUNG HOLMES: If we take the numbers to mean steps or paces then we can trace something of a spiral to the treasure’s location.
  40. REGINALD: What? Twenty by ten by four by two?
  41. YOUNG HOLMES: Not quite. That would place the treasure roughly in the center of your carriageway. A little too obvious and a most unlikely spot for a treasure to have remained hidden for over two hundred years. No, I believe the numbers should be multiplied. One hundred paces North by twenty five East by four paces South by one pace West. Come on, let’s test my hypothesis.
  42. SOUND: [37] TRUDGING FEET — FADE OUT.
  43. MUSIC: [3] (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH.

SCENE 8: EXT. — MUSGRAVE HALL GROUNDS — LATER (YOUNG HOLMES, REGINALD, MARTHA)

  1. SOUND: [12] (WALLA) BIRD NOISES, TREES SWAYING IN LIGHT BREEZE ETC. — ESTABLISH AND UNDER.
  2. YOUNG HOLMES: (FADE IN) …Four, three, two, one. Face west and pace one!
  3. REGINALD: Hmpf. (MOCKINGLY) You’ve discovered a hillock, Holmes. Perhaps you’d like to rethink those instructions of yours.
  4. YOUNG HOLMES: Perhaps you’re right, Reginald. Would you mind just leaning up against the wall of this overhang for a moment while I think.
  5. REGINALD: Alright…
  6. SOUND: [38] CRACKING AND GIVING WAY OF OLD WOOD AND THUMP OF REGINALD FALLING THROUGH — LET IT FINISH.
  7. REGINALD: (GROAN THEN COUGHING) Good grief, man! There was a door hidden beneath that overhang! Quick, come in here, and help me up!
  8. MARTHA: (COYLY TO HOLMES) If I didn’t know better, I’d say you did that on purpose.
  9. YOUNG HOLMES: (WITH FALSE SHOCK) Why, Martha, it would never have occurred to me to do such a thing!
  10. MARTHA: Hmmm!
  11. YOUNG HOLMES: Shall we?
  12. MUSIC: [6] (BRIDGE) IRONIC SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH.
  13. MUSIC; CLOSING THEME AND CREDITS – LET IT FINISH.

CASTING SHEETS — MAJOR CHARACTERS

ELDER SHERLOCK HOLMES: I am an older and wiser Sherlock Holmes — one who looks back on his life with the clear sight of age. These are my reminiscences, both of the events themselves and also of their meaning.

YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES: I am the famous Sherlock Holmes, though early in my career and not yet consumed by the monomania with which I was later afflicted. I am the smartest man in any room in which I am found. I am egotistical, somewhat uncaring of the feelings of others, obsessive when it comes to unraveling a riddle, and about to prove myself the greatest of unsung ghost hunters in all of England.

MARTHA HUDSON: I was a farm girl with a no-nonsense attitude. Now I’m a landlord in London. I’ve seen the ’ard side of life and I’ve got no illusions. I’m smart and determined, and I’ve made my way well to date. I know about the old ways — the folk stories and the things that go bump in the night. I’m not afraid of ’em and I’m not afraid of you neither.

REGINALD MUSGRAVE: I am an acquaintance of Holmes’ from university. I am easily impressed by the latest intellectual fad and just as easily captured by the sight of a pretty face. Some call me flighty, but I am merely enthusiastic. That my enthusiasm tends to be intense but short-lived should come as no surprise to anyone.

CASTING SHEETS — MINOR CHARACTERS

BRUNTON: I am a con-man and a swindler. I took work with Lord Musgrave because he was stupid and easy to rob. Sadly, he is not so well off as I had first thought, but I have a plan to steal a great treasure out from under him. One he isn’t even aware is there.

RACHEL HOWELL: (TEARFUL) I wish I’d never come to this ’ouse. First the master and then ’is manservant took advantage of me. I never lived away from ’ome ’afore ’n now I’m goin’ to ’ave a baby. Mr Brunton reckons ’e can ’elp me… so long as I ’elp ’im. ’e’s a brute ’n I wish I was rid of ’im. I jus’ want to protect my baby is all.

GHOST: I served my King. I was given a charge to guard the crown until it could be handed back to my King’s heirs. This I do. I will guard this treasure for eternity if I must.

MRS CASEY: I keep ’ouse, make tea, and try to keep an eye on the maidservant. It was ’ard enough when that lazy Brunton was ’ere clutterin’ up the place but now that ’e and the girl are gone, it’s all up to me. If only the master wasn’t so tight fisted we might’ve ’ad some ’elp around the place. As it is, this place is too big to be managed solely by the likes of me.

INSPECTOR DIAMOND: We’re a fair way from the city out ’ere, but we knows our business. I’m an inspector just like what you’d get up in London, so don’t you go bringin’ me any o’ that Londoner sauce. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ll just finish ’avin’ me cup o’ tea, n’ I’ll be about me business.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Philip Craig Robotham grew up in a house full of books and has held numerous jobs as a teacher, computer programmer, graphic and web designer, an e-learning consultant and, most recently, writer. He currently lives in Victoria, Australia with his wife and two sons. When he was younger and fitter he enjoyed martial arts, but in recent years his hobbies have tended towards more sedate fare (board games, movies, books, and role-playing games).

He is extremely grateful for the encouragement he receives from his biggest fans — his wife and two boys — all of whom read and enjoy his scripts and, in general, make his life worth living.

You can contact the author regarding performance rights (or simply to say hello) through his website: http://www.weirdworldstudios.com.

THE END

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This post and all its content is copyright © 2013 Philip Craig Robotham and has been released under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license. This play cannot be reproduced, shared, or performed commercially without the written permission of the author.  The production of derivative content, merchandise, or creative works and materials is expressly forbidden under this agreement. However you may share, reproduce, and perform this play freely so long as authorship is acknowledged, no money changes hands, and the play is not modified in any way.

The Ritual

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The Ritual – Episode 2 – A Girl, a Ghost, and a Guide

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