Scene 14

Question 1

Tony: -Only, I’m going away the day after tomorrow (door buzzes)

Answer 1

Hello, Tony

Question 2

Tony: Hello, max

Answer 2

May I come in?

Question 3

Tony: Of course, you’re quite a stranger

Answer 3

I’m sorry I haven’t been around before. I wasn’t sure how you felt- after…

Question 4

Tony: Thats alright. It’s rather chilly in here. I’ll switch on… You can’t blame them I suppose, it’s cheaper than the zoo and far more topical

Answer 4

I had to come in case there was anything

Question 5

Tony: I’m afraid it’s settled, Max, our lawyer received this from the Home Secretary this morning

Answer 5

You mustn’t give up trying, it’s not over yet

Question 6

Tony: I’m afraid it is. We’ve done all we can. I went to the prison this morning, to say goodbye, but she wouldn’t see me. I was rather glad, she never did like goodbyes. I shan’t see her again.

Answer 6

Tony, I take it you’d do anything, to save her life?

Question 7

Tony: Of course

Answer 7

Even if it meant going to prison for a few years?

Question 8

Tony: I’d do absolutely anything

Answer 8

I think you can- I’m certain- if you tell police exactly the right story

Question 9

Tony: The right story?

Answer 9

Listen, I’ve been working this out for weeks, just in case it came to this. It may be her only chance.

Question 10

Tony: Let’s have it.

Answer 10

You’ll have to tell the police you hired Swann to murder her

Question 11

Tony: What are you talking about?

Answer 11

It’s alright Tony, I’ve been writing this stuff for years, I know what I’m doing. Margot was convicted because prosecution made out that she was telling one lie after another and the jury believed him. But what did this case amount to? Three things- my letter, her stocking, and the idea that because no key was found on Swann, she must have let him in herself. Now Swann is dead. You can tell any story you like about him. You can say that you did know him. That you’d met him and worked the whole thing out together. Now the blackmail. Swann was only suspected of blackmail for two things. Because my letter was found in his pocket and because you saw him the day Margot’s bag was stolen.

Question 12

Tony: Well?

Answer 12

You can now tell the police that you never saw him at Victoria. That the whole thing was an invention of yours to connect him with the letter

Question 13

Tony: But the letter was found in his

Answer 13

Because you put it there

Question 14

Tony: you mean I should pretend that I stole her handbag

Answer 14

Sure you could have

Question 15

Tony: but why?

Answer 15

Because you wanted to find out who was writing to her. When you read my letter, you were so mad, you decided to teach her a lesson.

Question 16

Tony: but I can’t say that I wrote those blackmail notes

Answer 16

Why not? No one can prove that you didn’t.

Question 17

Tony: all right, I stole her bag and blackmailed her what else?

Answer 17

You cut my letter and planted it on Swan after he’d been killed

Question 18

Tony: wait a minute when could I have done that?

Answer 18

After you got back from the party, and before the police arrived, at the same time, you took one of Margot’s stockings from the mending basket and substituted it for whatever Swann had used

Question 19

Tony: Max, I know you’re trying to help, but can you imagine anyone believe in this?

Answer 19

You’ve got to make them believe it

Question 20

Tony: but I wouldn’t know what to say you’d have to come with me

Answer 20

No, I couldn’t do that. They know the sort of stuff I’ve right. If they suspected we talked this out, they never listen. They must know I was here.

Question 21

Tony: Max it’s ridiculous. Why should I want anyone to murder Margot

Answer 21

Oh, one of the stock motives, had Margo made a will

Question 22

Tony: i, yes, I believe she had

Answer 22

Are you the main beneficiary?

Question 23

Tony: I suppose so

Answer 23

Well there you are

Question 24

Tony: but thousands of husbands and wives, leave money to each other without murdering each other, police wouldn’t believe a word of it. They take it for exactly what it is a husband desperately trying to save his wife

Answer 24

Well, it’s worth a try they can’t hang you for planning a murder that never came off. Face it. The most you’d get would be a few years in prison.

Question 25

Tony: thanks very much

Answer 25

And you’d have saved her life. That doesn’t seem too big a price.

Question 26

Tony: that’s fine coming from you, Max. Her life might not be in danger at all, if it hadn’t been for you. It was because of your association with her that she lost the sympathy of the jury. Don’t get me wrong, Max, if there was the slightest chance of this coming off of course I’d do it. But it’s got to be convincing. How how could I have persuaded Swann to do a thing like this?

Answer 26

You’d have to say you offered him money

Question 27

Tony: what money, I haven’t got any

Answer 27

You would have Margo’s money

Question 28

Tony: it would be months before I could leave my hands on that. And people don’t commit murder on credit. No, we’ll have to think of something better than that.

Answer 28

All right, we will. There is an answer and we’ve got to find it. How much time have we got

Question 29

Tony: It’s tomorrow morning. (Offstage door slams)

Answer 29

Sssssh!