The Visitor from the Gloria Scott – Episode 2 – Return to Donnithorpe

Below we present the complete text of ‘Return to Donnithorpe’; episode 2 of The Visitor from the Gloria Scott.

THE VISITOR FROM THE GLORIA SCOTT

EPISODE #2 – RETURN TO DONNITHORPE

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.

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Episode 2: Return to Donnithorpe

The case that sets Sherlock Holmes on the path that will forever dominate and define his life occurs while holidaying with a friend during his final year at university. When his holiday-companion’s dog is killed under mysterious circumstances, Holmes begins an investigation that will pit him against the very forces of darkness. With the help of Martha Hudson, Holmes sets out to uncover the true nature of the evil which has settled in “Donnithorpe”. On the way he encounters spectral possession, evil enchantment, and a hidden sorcerer of immense power. Will Holmes’ deductive abilities and expertise in folklore carry the day? Tune in to “The visitor from the Gloria Scott” and uncover the terrifying truth for yourself.

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.

THE VISITOR FROM THE GLORIA SCOTT

CAST LIST

NARRATOR: The Narrator

ELDER SHERLOCK HOLMES: Reminiscing Narrator

MR TREVOR (SNR): Owner of the Donnithorpe Estate

YOUNG HOLMES: Detective of the Supernatural

VICTOR TREVOR: Holmes’ Friend

MARTHA HUDSON: Runs her dead Father’s farm

IRENE HUDSON: Martha’s Sister

BEDDOES: Mutineer in life, possessed Specter in death

MR ADLER (SNR): Local Farmer

CAPTAIN GREGORY: Captain of the Gloria Scott

SHIP’S MATE: Ship’s Mate aboard the Gloria Scott

JOE ADLER: Eldest son of Mr Adler

MICHAEL ADLER: Middle son of Mr Adler

PETER ADLER: Youngest son, married to Irene

SFX: SFX operator (1 required)

ACT 2

INTRODUCTION (ELDER HOLMES, MARTHA)

129. MUSIC: OPENING THEME – LET IT FINISH.
130. NARRATOR: In our last episode the young Sherlock Holmes had encountered some strange goings on at his friend’s estate of Donnithorpe while on holiday.  His friend’s father had taken offense at Holmes’ attempt to investigate the matter.  As a result, Sherlock returned, more or less content, to London… until a letter arrived.
131. ELDER HOLMES: [CUE] The letter was addressed by a woman’s hand but was neither scented nor on expensive paper. The postmark indicated it was from the general vicinity of Donnithorpe.
     It read…
132. MARTHA: “Dear Mr ’olmes,
133. Please come at once. The dogs are all dead and the cabbages ’ave been blighted. Mr Trevor Senior is supposed to ’ave engaged a new man-servant, but no one, not even ’is son, seems to have laid eyes on ’im for some weeks. I’m sure you understand what this means.
     Your ’umble servant,
     Martha ’udson.
134. ELDER HOLMES: It’s true. I did know what her missive meant. Our nocturnal visitor of so many weeks before had made a home for itself at Donnithorpe and was growing stronger. The situation had, in fact, grown quite alarming in the intervening period and it was essential that I return as soon as possible. I telegrammed my intentions immediately and headed directly for the train station.

SCENE 6: EXT. CHISWELL COTTAGE ON THE NEIGHBORING HUDSON PROPERTY — MIDDAY (YOUNG HOLMES, MARTHA)

135. SOUND: [57] (WALLA) COUNTRY NOISES (BIRDS, A FARM ANIMAL OR TWO) — ESTABLISH AND UNDER
136. SOUND: [17] IMPATIENT LOUD KNOCKING ON THE DOOR — LET IT FINISH
137. MARTHA: (FROM BEHIND THE DOOR) ’oo’s that knocking on my parlor door like that. It’s fit to knock the door clean off its ’inges.
138. SOUND: [18] DOOR OPENS — LET IT FINISH
139. MARTHA: Oh, it’s you Mr ’olmes. That was quick. You must’ve come up from London in a tearin’ ’urry.
140. YOUNG HOLMES: Tell me about the dogs!
141. MARTHA: And a fine how’d-ya-do to you too Mr ’olmes. Don’t they teach manners up in London no more?
142. YOUNG HOLMES: Miss Hudson, we have very little time to lose. Please. Tell me about the dogs.
143. MARTHA: Actually, we’ve a little time yet. The blight only reached our cabbages on Monday last, and ’ere it’s only Wednesday. The thing itself ’asn’t grown so strong as to take on shape just yet. (BEAT) Where’re you staying if I might be so bold?
144. YOUNG HOLMES: (A LITTLE WRONG FOOTED) I suppose I shall try Donnithorpe, though I haven’t had time to communicate with Victor just yet.
145. MARTHA: I doubt you’ll be finding any welcome there Mr ’olmes. Donnithorpe isn’t a terribly welcoming or ’ospitable locale at present.(BUSINESS LIKE) I think it’d be best if you stayed ’ere. We’ve a spare room at the back of the cottage and Irene’ll kip in with me.
146. YOUNG HOLMES: Aren’t you concerned about creating a scandal?
147. MARTHA: Mr ’olmes, I can take care o’ meself. I’ve been looking after Irene since my old da’ passed on and workin’ this cottage without much fear of the neighbors’ gossip.
148. YOUNG HOLMES: Irene is your sister, of course. Not here at the moment though?
149. MARTHA: (COLDLY) No. She’s out.
150. YOUNG HOLMES: In fact, she’s not around very much at all, is she? I’d wager you do most of the work to keep the place running. Where is she right now?
151. MARTHA: She’s over at the Adler farm. She’s found ’erself a nice young man there with “good prospects” as they say. ’e’s the youngest, but’ll ’ave a decent income nonetheless.
152. YOUNG HOLMES: Yes, I’m sure. Spoiled her a bit after your father died, did you? And she let you, by the look.
153. SOUND: [19] FACE BEING SLAPPED — HARD —LET IT FINISH
154. MARTHA: (ANGRY) Mr ’olmes, life ’asn’t been easy ’ere at the cottage, and I’ve made my share of mistakes as far as Irene’s concerned… but I’ll ’ave you to understand that she is my concern… and none of yours… (THREATENING) Do we ’ave an understandin’?
155. YOUNG HOLMES: Absolutely. (BEAT) And I accept by the way.
156. MARTHA: You what?
157. YOUNG HOLMES: Your hospitality, Miss Hudson. I accept it.
158. MARTHA: (BEWILDERED) After what you just… You think I’m just going to let you…
159. YOUNG HOLMES: Miss Hudson, if my capacity to so thoroughly insult both you and your sister hasn’t gone some way towards demonstrating that I am as safe and scandal-free a house guest as you’re ever likely to get, I don’t know what will. And you might give some consideration to the notion that the demonstration of that fact also cost me a slapped face.
160. MARTHA: (AMUSED) I see. (BUSINESS LIKE AGAIN) Well, you’d best come in and I’ll be telling you about them dogs.
161. MUSIC: [48] (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH

SCENE 7: EXT. DONNITHORPE — NIGHT (MARTHA, YOUNG HOLMES, MR ADLER, IRENE, JOE, MICHAEL, PETER)

162. SOUND: [1] WALLA — CRICKETS, WIND IN TREES, OCCASIONAL OWL HOOT — ESTABLISH AND UNDER
163. MARTHA: This is trespassin’ you know. Donnithorpe is private property.
164. YOUNG HOLMES: Really? I had no idea. We’d best be careful then, lest someone calls “the peelers.”
165. MARTHA: Are you makin’ fun o’ the way I talk?
166. YOUNG HOLMES: It never crossed my mind.
167. SOUND: [20] TWANG-CRACK OF BRANCH — LET IT FINISH
168. YOUNG HOLMES: (GRUNTS AS STRUCK BY BRANCH)
169. MARTHA: Mind your ’ead, Mr ’olmes. Movin’ through the countryside at night takes a bit o’ care if’n yer not used to it.
170. YOUNG HOLMES: You did that on purpose.
171. MARTHA: (CHEERFULLY) Never crossed my mind.
     Anyways, that’s the ’ouse up ahead. We’d best be especially careful from this point.
172. YOUNG HOLMES: How many dogs did you say have died recently?
173. MARTHA: Near as I can tell, every dog in a ten-mile radius o’ this place.
174. YOUNG HOLMES: Yes, and I can see that the house is the source of the vegetation blight. Every blade of grass is withered around the place in an ever-growing circle.
175. MARTHA: Can you feel it Mr ’olmes? It’s like someone’s got their ’and around my ’eart. Everthing feels cold an’ ’orrible.
176. YOUNG HOLMES: Yes. Even the lights in the house appear muted and dull. This specter is unusually strong. I believe it will become physical soon. At which point the killing will begin in earnest.
177. MARTHA: So ’oo do you think it’s feeding on. Young Mr Trevor or the old man?
178. YOUNG HOLMES: Undoubtedly Mr Trevor senior. At least initially. I’d be very surprised if Victor hasn’t sickened as well in this unwholesome atmosphere.
     What of the neighbors? Are any besides yourselves suspicious of what’s been going on here?
179. MARTHA: Ours is the closest property, so I don’t think anyone else’s been affected. The Adler’s are on t’other side, but the blight hasn’t spread so far yet.
180. YOUNG HOLMES: And Irene? Can she keep a secret?
181. MARTHA: Irene may be smarter than the two of us combined, Mr ’olmes. You don’t know ’er, but I do. She won’t be blabbin’ about this.
182. YOUNG HOLMES: I may know her better than you think, Miss Hudson. From my examination of your living arrangements I am willing to own that she’s as clever as you say. However, she is also cunning and gives all the signs of being the kind of person who would sell their own mother if there was a profit to be made from it.
183. MARTHA: (SHOCKED) Mr ’olmes!
184. YOUNG HOLMES: I’m willing to own that you’re uncommonly clever yourself, Miss Hudson, but you do seem to have something of a blind spot when it comes to your younger sibling. What is it between the two of you that makes you so unwilling to look with clear eyes upon your domestic arrangements?
185. MARTHA: (COLDLY) What’s between me an’ my sister’s between us, Mr ’olmes an’ I’ll thank ye to remember it.
186. YOUNG HOLMES: As you say, Miss Hudson. Do you have the salt with you?
187. MARTHA: O’ course. You don’t think I’d come out on a job like this without something I could use as a barrier against the specter. (BEAT) I’m ’oping you’ve not forgotten yours neither.
188. YOUNG HOLMES: No, it’s here. I suggest you get ready to use it at short notice. I doubt we’ll get much more than a fleeting opportunity to try and trap the thing. (BEAT) Look, there’s something moving across the grounds.
189. ELDER HOLMES: It was at this point that I saw the creature for the first time. There was something of an ethereal glow surrounding it but it was looking decidedly solid and well defined. The specter was very close to adopting a physical form and we were none the wiser as to the place where its bones lay. It appeared in the dress of a sailor, shabby, and damp. If we were not miles from the ocean I would have said that it gave the impression of one who had been drowned or at least choked. My curiosity was most definitely piqued.
190. MARTHA: What’s it doing, Mr ’olmes? It appears to be carryin’ a box of sorts.
191. YOUNG HOLMES: If my guess is correct, I’d say it is setting a trap.
192. SOUND: [21] SHOVEL DIGGING IN DIRT — ESTABLISH AND UNDER — CONTINUE UNTIL 192
193. MARTHA: It’s diggin’ an ’ole in the lawn. Is it buryin’ some’t?
194. YOUNG HOLMES: Keep watching, Miss Hudson. All will be revealed.
195. SOUND: [22] SHOVEL PATTING DOWN SOIL — LET IT FINISH
196. MARTHA: It buried the box. I don’t understand.
197. YOUNG HOLMES: It’s not over yet.
198. BEDDOES: (CHANTS SOMETHING INDISTINCT)
199. SOUND: [23] ROLLING THUNDERCLAP THEN SILENCE FOR TWO BEATS — FADE IN THE NIGHT WALLA ONCE MORE
200. MARTHA: It’s going back up to the house. (BEAT) Mr ’olmes, what’s ’appening? That’s no ordinary specter.
201. YOUNG HOLMES: No, it’s not. See, above the turned earth. That’s a corpse-light starting to glow.
202. MARTHA: A magical marker? A specter can’t create one of those.
203. YOUNG HOLMES: No, it can’t.
204. MARTHA: So, what? It’s not a specter?
205. YOUNG HOLMES: Oh, it’s definitely a specter. The real question is how this is being done… and, more importantly, who’s doing it?
206. MARTHA: ’oo?
207. YOUNG HOLMES: Yes, who! That corpse light is the work of a sorcerer. And that specter? There’s little enough about it to suggest it could have spontaneously grown this strong in so short a time. A spectral haunting usually takes decades to develop. This thing is being helped. Donnithorpe and its surrounds have been targeted by a monster, true, but behind the monster stands one who is all too human, I’m afraid.
208. SOUND: [24] STICK CRACKING AND MARCHING FEET — ESTABLISH AND UNDER — CONTINUE UNTIL 209
209. MARTHA: What’s that?
210. IRENE HUDSON: (AT A DISTANCE) Look to your courage, gentlemen. See the way the heath has been blasted. There is something unnatural in that house. And there, glowing upon the lawn, a marker of evil.
211. MR ADLER (SNR): I see it, Miss Irene. Well enough to say I’m sorry I doubted ye. Joe, Michael. Dig it out. We’ll salt its bones and burn it away yet.
212. JOE AND MICHAEL ADLER: Yes, Da’.
213. SOUND: [25] GRUNTS AND DIGGING — ESTABLISH AND UNDER —CONTINUE UNTIL 230
214. MR ADLER (SNR): (TO IRENE) As for you, my Peter’ll see you safely back to yer cottage.
215. IRENE: But Mr Adler, I…
216. MR ADLER (SNR): Now, Irene. You’ve done your part. This is a matter for the menfolk and I’ll not be crossed in this by you.
217. IRENE: (DEMURELY) Yes, sir.
218. YOUNG HOLMES: Now why is it you haven’t learned to speak with such an educated accent, Miss Hudson?
219. MARTHA: (SHOCKED) Irene? ’ow? But? I don’t understand…
220. YOUNG HOLMES: Quiet. They’ll be passing right by us.
221. MARTHA: But…
222. YOUNG HOLMES: (WARNINGLY) They can’t be allowed to know we are here. Your sister will realize it as soon as she gets home anyway.
223. IRENE: (COMING NEAR THEN MOVING AWAY) Peter, you are a dear! Thank you for speaking up to your father this evening. I doubt he would have paid me any mind otherwise.
224. PETER ADLER: ’is bark is worse than ’is bite. Still ’is bark is pretty frightening ’n all.
225. IRENE: (LAUGHING) True enough, darling. (SOBERING) I do hope they’ll be all right.
226. PETER: It’ll take more than a specter to stop my old Da’.
227. IRENE: Also true… I hope.
228. SOUND: [26] FOOTSTEPS FADE INTO DISTANCE
229. MARTHA: They’re gone. Now what?
230. YOUNG HOLMES: Look back at the lawn. The others — Mr Adler Senior and his older sons I presume — are digging it up.
231. MARTHA: They’ll not be finding bones to salt though.
232. YOUNG HOLMES: Indeed.
233. SOUND: [27] CRUNCH OF SHOVEL AGAINST A METAL BOX — LET IT FINISH
234. MR ADLER (SNR): ’ere, that’s not the sound of bone bein’ struck.
235. JOE: Aye, it’s not. ’tis a box. Pull it up.
236. MR ADLER (SNR): Give it ’ere. What’s inside?
237. SOUND: [28] HINGE CREAKING — LET IT FINISH
238. MR ADLER (SNR): It looks like a journal, it does. Bring over that torch and let me get a better look.
239. SOUND: [55] PAGES FLIPPING IN A JOURNAL — LET IT FINISH
240. MR ADLER (SNR): (SLOWLY AS IF UNUSED TO READING) “I thought it was all past me…”
241. MR TREVOR: (OVERLAPPING AS WE TRANSITION INTO THE PAST) I thought it was all past me. I changed my name to Trevor, made my fortune, and put my back to all the unpleasantness that had come before. A fresh start. That was all I wanted, but the true start of my journey was hardly fresh. (BEAT) There was a time, some twenty-five or so years past by my reckoning, that I sat in irons aboard the Gloria Scott. I had been fool enough to embezzle a small amount of money from my employer and, more foolishly, when my conscience would not let me rest, I confessed to the crime. The result was transport into penal servitude chained alongside as bloodthirsty a group of miscreants as were ever gathered in one spot. Not all mind you. Some were poor young fools who, whether due to privation or stupidity, had been caught taking bread or engaged in some form of petty pilfering. But there were others, hard men and violent, for whom crime was their mother and hate the very atmosphere they breathed. And these had devised a plan.
242. MUSIC: [49] (BRIDGE) HARP TRANSITION TO SHIP — LET IT FINISH

SCENE 8: INT. ABOARD THE GLORIA SCOTT — 25 YEARS EARLIER (BEDDOES, MR TREVOR)

243. SOUND: [54] (WALLA) SHIP CREAKING, WAVES LAPPING ETC. — ESTABLISH AND UNDER
244. BEDDOES: Alright lads, we’ve a plan and the Mate’s been bribed to hide weapons in the barrels on deck. The cook’s been bribed to put the keys to the irons in our hands at breakfast. After that, it’s hold to your courage and take the ship.
245. MR TREVOR: We’ll not be party to murder whatever else, Tom Beddoes.
246. BEDDOES: (DISGUSTED) Oh aye. You want your freedom well enough but you and the other fancy gents who’ve been locked up with us cut-throats don’t want to sully yer soft ’ands with any o’ the real work. Well, from the looks o’ yer, ye’d faint at the first sight o’ blood anyway. But blood there’ll be. Mark my words.
247. MR TREVOR: I guess it can’t be avoided. But the price of our silence is that it won’t be more than is necessary.
248. BEDDOES: Aye, ye have my word. Not one more drop’n is necessary.
249. MR TREVOR: (SUSPICIOUS) Hmmm.
250. MUSIC: [48] (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH

SCENE 9: EXT. ABOVE DECK ON THE GLORIA SCOTT — LATER (BEDDOES, MR TREVOR, CAPTAIN GREGORY, THE MATE, THE COOK)

251. SOUND: [2] (WALLA) FADE IN SOUNDS OF FIGHTING AND DYING COMING TO A CLOSE — LET IT FINISH
252. BEDDOES: We’ve done it lads. The ship is ours.
253. CREW: Hurrah!
254. BEDDOES: And now, Cap’n Gregory. Would you like to know who among yer crew betrayed ye? There’s no accountin’ for greed is there? It only took a few groats to get yer Cook to change sides. As fer our other conspirator, ye shouldn’ been so quick to ’ave yer Mate flogged now should ye?
255. CAPTAIN GREGORY: Damn your eyes, Tom Beddoes, I’ll see you hang for this! As for you two betrayers, I’d cut your throats myself if I could reach you.
256. BEDDOES: Cut their throats would you? Well, that seems as good a means o’ dealing with them as any.
257. SOUND: [29] SLICING NOISE OF THROAT BEING CUT, BUBBLING GURGLING SOUND AND BODY DROP — LET IT FINISH
258. SHIP’S MATE: You’ve killed the Cook! But ’e ’elped you! Why? UGH!
259. SOUND: [30] SOUND OF KNIFE BEING WITHDRAWN FOLLOWED BY BODY DROP — LET IT FINISH
260. BEDDOES: And now I’ve killed you too. See, a ship’s mate ’oo turns on his fellows fer money can’t be trusted I’m afraid. (CHUCKLES TO HIMSELF)
261. MR TREVOR: (OUTRAGED!) Mr Beddoes! I protest. You gave me your word.
262. BEDDOES: Aye, no more blood’n is necessary. And I says there’s more as is necessary yet, what with the gallows waitin’ if’n any witnesses survive. So, I says spillin’ every last drop is necessary… Ah, but don’t look so afeared Mr Trevor. You and yours ain’t for the knife. It’s bad luck to kill a fellow mutineer and you’re for the gallows with the rest of us if anything goes wrong.
263. MR TREVOR: I won’t stand for it, Beddoes. You can’t be allowed to kill these men in cold blood.
264. BEDDOES: Cold blood ye say? And do ye think transportation to penal servitude is any less an act o’ murder for all it takes longer? No, these men are dead already and I’ll brook no opposition on it. As for ye and t’other “gentlemen,” ye’ve a choice. Join us as part o’ the crew, killin’ an’ all, or we’ll put ye adrift in a long boat with some water. It’s as fair an offer as ye’re likely to get. What say ye?
265. MR TREVOR: I’ll have none of it, Beddoes. Put us adrift.
266. BEDDOES: As ye wish. But first we’ll be dealing with these “survivors.”
267. SOUND: [31] SCREAMS AS CAPTAIN GREGORY AND THE REMAINING SAILORS ARE PUT TO DEATH — FADE OUT
268. MR TREVOR: After the killing was over, we were set adrift and floated on the sea for a week before being collected by a merchantman. We claimed we had been shipwrecked on a whaler and the captain landed us in New Zealand. I didn’t learn of the storm, or the terrible goings-on aboard the Gloria Scott after we were set adrift, until many years later: tales of cannibalism and the sinking of the ship in a storm, told by survivors at their trials, picked up in lifeboats. Beddoes was not among them so it was assumed he had drowned. As for myself, I made a fresh start. I made myself a small fortune in the goldfields of New Zealand under an assumed name and then returned to England where I bought Donnithorpe and settled down and had a family. The years passed and I thought it was all behind me… (BEAT) and then, five years ago, Beddoes appeared at my door.
269. MUSIC: [49] (BRIDGE) HARP TRANSITION — LET IT FINISH

SCENE 10: INT. DONNITHORPE — DAY — FIVE YEARS AGO (MR TREVOR, BEDDOES, MR ADLER (SNR))

270. SOUND: [58] (WALLA) TICKING WALL CLOCK — ESTABLISH AND UNDER
271. SOUND: [18] DOOR OPENS. — LET IT FINISH
272. BEDDOES: You’ve done well fer yerself “Mr Trevor.” Still puttin’ on gentlemanly airs I see.
273. MR TREVOR: Good Lord! You! I thought you dead with the rest.
274. BEDDOES: Oh no. I’m ’ard to kill I am. As ’ard to kill as you by the look. But not so fortunate.
275. MR TREVOR: What do you want?
276. BEDDOES: Ah, now don’t be like that. You’ve done well fer yerself “Mr Trevor” an’ I’m sure ye can spare a little o’ that good fortune fer a fellow mutineer.
277. MR TREVOR: Then it’s money, is it?
278. BEDDOES: It’s money and a roof over me ’ead. Life’s been ’ard these last twenty years, an’ you? You’ve been livin’ soft. Much softer’n you deserve. I reckon it’s about time I ’ad a share.
279. MR TREVOR: I see. Well, there’s nothing to be done for it. Can I offer you a drink?
280. BEDDOES: Oh, we are genteel, aren’t we? Don’t mind if I do.
281. MR TREVOR: Here you are.
282. BEDDOES: (BEAT) Mmm! A right drop, this. (BEAT) Not having one yerself?
283. MR TREVOR: A little early in the day for me, I’m afraid.
284. BEDDOES: (RESENTFUL) Or ye’re just too toffy to drink with the likes of me. (BEAT) (CHOKES A LITTLE) What the…?
285. SOUND: [32] BEDDOES CHOKING TO DEATH — UNDER
286. MR TREVOR: No, Mr Beddoes, it’s nothing like that. You see, it turns out I’m more like you than I thought. I’ve killed you, Mr Beddoes. The drink was poisoned. I’ve finally become what I’ve spent all these years denying about myself. I’m a murderer.
287. BEDDOES: (GIVES A LAST CHOKING GASP AND DIES)
288. MUSIC: [48] (BRIDGE) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH

SCENE 11: EXT. DONNITHORPE — STILL NIGHT (MR TREVOR, MR ADLER, JOE, MICHAEL, YOUNG HOLMES, MARTHA)

289. SOUND: [1] WALLA — CRICKETS, WIND IN TREES, OCCASIONAL OWL HOOT — ESTABLISH AND UNDER
290. MR TREVOR: I don’t regret it. Beddoes would have destroyed the life I’ve made for myself here. He would have ruined me and any prospects my son may have had. I threw his body down a dried-up well near the edge of the property, boarded up the opening, and tried to forget the blood on my hands.
291. MR ADLER (SNR): (OVERLAPPING AS WE TRANSITION BACK TO THE PRESENT — ONCE MORE SPEAKING SLOWLY LIKE SOMEONE UNACCUSTOMED TO READING) “I threw his body down a dried-up well near the edge of the property, boarded up the opening, and tried to forget the blood on my hands.”
     Well, lads. That’s all the confession we needs.
292. SOUND: [33] HIGH PITCHED RINGING TONE (UNDER) — INDICATIVE OF SOMETHING STRANGE HAPPENING — LET IT FINISH
293. MR ADLER (SNR): (WORKING HIMSELF UP INTO A RAGE) It was Mr Trevor ’oo’s brought this upon us. It’s ’im ’as been blighting the land and turning the water bad. ’e’s brought the monster into our midst and ’e’s the one who ’as to pay.
294. JOE AND MICHAEL: (ANGRY MUTTERINGS)
295. YOUNG HOLMES: Something’s wrong here.
296. MR ADLER (SNR): (SHOUTING, EXCITED) Grab your torches lads. Let’s put to the ’ouse. We’ll soon be rid o’ this demon.
297. JOE AND MICHAEL: (CHEERING)
298. MARTHA: They’re going to burn down the mansion.
299. YOUNG HOLMES: This is wrong. The way they’re behaving. Something else is at work here.
300. SOUND: [34] WINDOW SMASHING AND FLAMES TAKING HOLD — A CHEER GOES UP FROM THE MOB — LET IT FINISH
301. MARTHA: Victor’s asleep inside as well. We have to do something or Mr Trevor and his son will both die.
302. YOUNG HOLMES: Follow me. We’ll get around the back and see if we can’t get them out before it’s too late.
303. SOUND: [48] (MUSIC) NEUTRAL SCENE ENDER — LET IT FINISH
304. MUSIC: CLOSING THEME AND CREDITS – LET IT FINISH.
     

CASTING SHEETS — MAJOR CHARACTERS

NARRATOR: Hello, I am your narrator. I introduce the cold stormy nights on which our stories take place, the dark alleys, and darker personalities who inhabit the lonely city. It is my job to set the scene and establish the serious tone of suspense and intrigue that will carry the story forward. It is also my job to remind listeners of what came before in a calm, trustworthy voice and ensure that everyone is oriented to where we are and where we are going.

YOUNG HOLMES: I am the famous Sherlock Holmes, though embarking on my first case 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 unravelling a riddle, and about to prove myself the greatest of unsung ghost hunters in all of England.

MARTHA HUDSON: I’m a farm girl with a no-nonsense attitude. 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.

MR TREVOR (SNR): I appear a harmless gentleman of property. I manage my land for the benefit of my son — who has yet to show the maturity I have been hoping to see in him — and I am a good neighbor to my fellows. I also hold a dark secret. There is a scandal in my past, long hidden, that could be the ruin of my son’s prospects and I would do anything to protect him.

BEDDOES: I am a mutineer, on the run these last twenty-five years. I know “Mr Trevor” from way back, and while I’ve been livin’ the life of a fugitive, e’s been livin’ high off the hog. I know some things about ol’ “Mr Trevor,” I do, and I reckon ’e’ll be glad to share a little of ’is good fortune with the likes of ’is old dear friend Beddoes.

IRENE HUDSON: My name is Irene and I am secretly married to Peter, the youngest son of the Adler family. I, having been unfairly burdened with a mean parentage, intend to climb well above my class and secure for myself the life I have always dreamed of. Martha, bless her heart, dotes upon me and suspects nothing, but I have a plan to secure my happiness that involves crossing a few lines, and nothing will be allowed to stand in my way.

CASTING SHEETS — MINOR CHARACTERS

ELDER 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.

VICTOR TREVOR: I’m an airhead… or at least that’s how most of my friends see me… and who am I to argue? I have a wonderful dog, Emerson, whom I count as my dearest friend. He does have an unfortunate habit of taking to the ankles of people he doesn’t know — which is how I came into the acquaintance of Sherlock Holmes and invited him to my father’s estate at Donnithorpe. My interests lie in having fun and enjoying my misspent youth, but there are rumblings on the horizon that “responsibility” may have me in its sights and the glory days of youth are coming to an end.

MR ADLER (SNR): I’m a farmer, hard of head and clear of sight. Along with the ’udsons and the Trevors, I own some of the finest farming land in the district. My youngest is smitten by the youngest ’udson girl, Irene. She doesn’t fool me though. She’s a climber and she has designs on my family’s land. It’ll be a cold day in ’ell ’afore I give that marriage me blessin’.

JOE ADLER: I’m the eldest o’ the Adlers. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but ’ardworkin’ an’ I know the way of runnin’ a farm. I work the land with my Da’ and two brothers.

MICHAEL ADLER: I’m the middle son in the Adler family. I spend most of my time followin’ my elder brother around and repeatin’ what ’e says. I’ve got no opinions of my own and ’ate makin’ decisions. As a kid I was big and needed direction in everything — includin’ whether I should ’old t’ other kids arms behind ’em or whether I should do the ’ittin’.

PETER ADLER: I’m the youngest Adler ’n despite my Da’s objections I secretly married Irene Hudson from up the ’ill. She’s beautiful and smart ’n everything a man could want in a wife. I don’ understand why my Da’s so against the match. When I first said I wanted to marry Miss Hudson ’e was ’appy as a pig in mud. Then ’e found out I meant Irene ’n not Martha. There’s jes no accountin’ fer it.

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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 Visitor from the Gloria Scott

• The Visitor from the Gloria Scott – Episode 1 – Of Dogs and Death
• The Visitor from the Gloria Scott – Episode 2 – Return to Donnithorpe
• The Visitor from the Gloria Scott – Episode 3 – Salting the Bones

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