Act 1, Scene 1 Flashcards
GRETCHEN: Oh, no. This is our busy season. Wilcox’s Western Bed and Breakfast is almost fully booked for the next several months.
Pg. 4
CHRISTINE: This place looks beautiful. I haven’t been here in years. And little Freddie can’t wait for his pancakes.
GRETCHEN: Uh… how sweet.
Pg. 4
CHRISTINE: I’m just glad we could make it out here for our honeymoon. It’s so generous of you to let us stay here.
GRETCHEN: Yes, I deserve the credit for that. (CONNIE ENTERS UP RIGHT and begins to dust the bookshelf with a feather duster.)
Pg. 4
CHRISTINE: (Mysterious.) Is the secret still here?
GRETCHEN: Of course.
FREDDIE: Secret?
Pg. 4
CHRISTINE: This old place has a secret, but we’re not telling yet, are we, Aunt Gretchen? Not unless you’re a good boy, Freddie!
FREDDIE: (To LOLA.) Say, you’re a knitting champion? (To CHRISTINE.) Honey, she’s practically a celebrity. (Pulls out a pen and notepad from his pocket. To LOLA.) Can I get your autograph? (LOLA takes the pen and pad and signs.)
Pg. 8
CHRISTINE: Yes, well it was nice meeting you. Freddie and I need to return to our room now, Don’t we, baby cakes?
STEFAN: Christine, you look wonderful!
Pg. 12
CHRISTINE: Thank you. I’d like you to meet my husband, Freddie Franklin.
SUZANNE: It’s wonderful to make your acquaintance, darling.
Pg. 12
CHRISTINE: I’ve been showing Freddie around the bed and breakfast.
FREDDIE: Not really, but I’m not the most perceptive person.
Pg. 12
CHRISTINE: I know, sugar face, but you try. Don’t forget, you were perceptive enough to notice you wanted to marry me. (They kiss.)
RACHEL: (ENTERS UP RIGHT with ROBERT. Both are dressed in tribal attire as if they have just living in a remote village. RACHEL has a “pigskin” apron around her waist.) Is that little cousin Christine attached to that mans lips?
Pg. 12
CHRISTINE: Rachel, look at you! It’s been years. (They hug.)
RACHEL: (To CHRISTINE.) I don’t believe you’ve ever had the chance to meet my husband, Dr. Robert Shanklin.
Pg. 12
CHRISTINE: Nice to meet you. And this is my husband, Freddie.
STEFAN: And my mother was Agnes. Also one of Gretchen’s four sisters.
FREDDIE: Four?
Pg. 13
CHRISTINE: Yes, we don’t know what happened to the fourth sister. But Aunt Gretchen, Aunt Ida, Aunt Agnes, and my mother were all inseparable when they were alive. (Indicates RACHEL and STEFAN.) The three of us practically grew up together.
LOLA: Silly, it’s not a tiny sewing needle. It’s a big needle for knitting. I put it somewhere, and I can’t seem to find it. (Notices FREDDIE.) Well, hello again, cutie.
FREDDIE: Hi.
Pg. 13
CHRISTINE: (Cold. To LOLA.) Why don’t you try looking for the needle in your room? I’m sure you’ll find it there.
SUZANNE: We’ll see you at supper, darlings. (EXITS UP LEFT with STEFAN. RACHEL and ROBERT EXIT UP RIGHT.)
Pg. 14
CHRISTINE: (Angry.) Well?
FREDDIE: About what?
Pg. 14
CHRISTINE: Your eyes look like they’re about to burst out of your head whenever Miss Knitting Needles is around.
RHONDA MAE: (Holds up note.) This note was on the floor by Mrs. Wilcox’s body.
Pg. 15
CHRISTINE: Let me see. (RHONDA MAE hands the note to CHRISTINE, who reads it aloud.) It’s written in this weird orange ink. “There was an old women named Gretchen. The thought of her kept me up wretchin’. I took a sharp knife and ended her life. But me, you will never be catchin’.”
