ACT ONE

Question 0

Ben: ….no further note-taking will be necessary at the moment, Alma.

Answer 0

Whatever you say, sir.

Question 1

Clive: …Could be quite misconstrued if not sufficiently explained.

Answer 1

Shall I take his statement, Inspector Braddock?

Question 2

Ben: Lady Wickenham.

Answer 2

How do you do.

Question 3

Ben: A small glass of tonic water would be most appreciated, Lady Wickenham.

Answer 3

Especially on a scorcher of a day like today.

Question 4

Lady Wickenham: …. So fascinatingly analytical and sure of yourself.

Answer 4

Oh, Mum, please don’t get him started!

Question 5

Ben: Now really, Alma-

Answer 5

Mind you now, he’s a perfectly darling inspector. But when he thinks there’s a high-faulting “mystery” to be solved, I swear, he’s itching to put on a deerstalker cap and start smoking a calabash pipe!

Question 6

Ben: I see nothing wrong with employing deductive reasoning when the occasion warrants.

Answer 6

Or even if it doesn’t, more’s the pity.

Question 7

Nancy: … I have been licking stamps for the past fifteen minutes and can’t seem to get the glue off my tongue!

Answer 7

See, now! What did I tell you?

Question 8

Nancy: … I was hastening to get the invitations readied for the morning post.

Answer 8

Oh, I just adore weddings! Who are the lucky couple?

Question 9

Ben: … that’s none of our business.

Answer 9

Can you be absolutely certain?

Question 10

Monica: … to Miss Bibi Cavendish.

Answer 10

Not the famous fashion designer?! Oh, how I’d adore to be able to afford one of her designer frocks! Elegant, that’s what they are! Your son is a lucky man.

Question 11

Nancy: … I really must get back to my stamps!

Answer 11

I say, don’t you have a sponge-pad or some such? Tongue-licking is so unpleasant.

Question 12

Clive: Except when it rains.

Answer 12

So all the buildings have whitewashed roofs with special rain gutters.

Question 13

Jasmine: Did you folks all rehearse this, or what?

Answer 13

Bermuda gets a lot of tourists.

Question 14

Clive: … that surely points to Jamaican origin!

Answer 14

Unless that’s what someone wanted us to assume…?

Question 15

Clive: Don’t you have it?

Answer 15

You still had it in your hand when you went to fetch the maid, sir.

Question 16

Ben: Excuse me, but- do you think that is quite- wise, milord?

Answer 16

After all, if that is her handiwork, what a splendid opportunity to get rid of it!

Question 17

Clive: I’d have seen her take it!

Answer 17

Going to be a big disappointment for the handwriting expert.

Question 18

Monica: … send Miss Cavendish a carbon copy of the police report?

Answer 18

If you like, Lady Wickenham.

Question 19

Ben: … she’d hardly give us such a definite clue!

Answer 19

I wonder now- could someone be trying to point the guilty finger at her? And if so- why? Does Mimosa have any enemies anyone knows of?

Question 20

Pierre: I admire a man who is careful with his money.

Answer 20

Excuse me, but did you say “doctor”-?

Question 21

Clive: What’s a storm got to do with it?

Answer 21

He might have removed the lightning rods…!

Question 22

Monica: I mean, coral islands seem it weather hurricanes nicely…

Answer 22

But the buildings and people almost never survive!

Question 23

Ben: I wish you wouldn’t have said that!

Answer 23

But it’s true!

Question 24

Ben: She has a job interview, of all things!

Answer 24

Well, I certainly hope she glamour up a bit for it! A librarian- and looks it, more’s the pity!- Hair up in a bun, thick eyeglasses, shapeless sweaters, sensible shoes-

Question 25

Ben: Dead.

Answer 25

Dead of what?