ACT TWO

Scene: "Laura Alone"

(Blackwater House. Laura’s bedroom. Later the same night. Laura is still very distressed at the night’s occurrences. She is in her white nightgown, sitting alone on her bed)

[LAURA]
If I could only dream this world away
I’d awake
In your arms
If I could keep this bitter life at bay
Wide awake
In your arms

The vow that keeps me from you
I cannot undo
I’m lost
Lost in a fantasy that can’t come true

If I could only dream this world away
I’d awake
In your arms
I long to sleep forever
Dreaming of only you
I’m lost
How many nights like this can I go through
(Marian enters. Laura jumps—her nerves are on edge)

[MARIAN]
Oh Laura‚ I'm sorry‚ I didn't mean to startle you

Oh‚ you look so pale...

[LAURA]
What are they doing?

[MARIAN]
They've retired to the library

[LAURA]
Stay here with me!

[MARIAN]
We can't just wait like victims
I'll find out what they're up to

[LAURA]
I'm so frightened
Please don't leave me!

[MARIAN]
We must know what their next move is
Laura, they don't scare me!
Hugh, now‚ go to sleep
(Laura kneels beside her bed. Marian exits)


Scene: "Marian on the Ledge"

(The storm that was rumbling in the distance at the end of act one has come much closer. Blackwater House. We see the facade of the house with a ledge under the first floor windows and on the ground level french windows leading to the study. Fosco is in the garden feeding his mouse)

[FOSCO]
Feast, my friend
Enjoy your little dinner
And pay attention now
You little dickens
This is where the story will get interesting
As we Italians say, "The plot‚ she thickens"

(He enters the house at the same time as Marian appears out on the ledge. She starts to walk along the ledge. It is narrow and perilous. Marian arrives outside the library window, from here she can hear what the men are saying)

(Glyde hands Fosco a brandy. During the next section, the two play billiards)

[FOSCO]
To our little game
I propose a toast

[GLYDE]
Well, we haven't won
It's too soon to boast
There's a lot at stake
[FOSCO]
It's a large amount

[GLYDE]
Twenty thousand plus
In her bank account
She will never sign
What could twist her arm?

[FOSCO]
Here's a novel thought
You could try some charm

[GLYDE]
I was not cut out
For a diplomat

[FOSCO]
There are other ways
One can skin a cat
We just need a new plan

[GLYDE]
But I want the money now!

[FOSCO]
Let me think, my friend
There's always a solution
Just be patient -
You're a hard one to convince
And the elegance is in the execution
We can have our cake and not leave fingerprints

[GLYDE]
But I-

[FOSCO]
I think both of us could use a shot of brandy
Wait—another course of action's coming clear!
We'll persuade her to do anything we ask her-

(Outside, there is a loud crack of thunder that obscures what Fosco says)

[FOSCO]
-and the problem disappears

(Marian inadvertently reacts, frustrated at not having heard what they are plotting)

[FOSCO]
What was that?

[GLYDE]
What?

(Fosco peers out. The rain has started to fall)

[FOSCO]
It was just the rain

[GLYDE]
What the devil do we do about Anne Catherick?
Just the thought of her could drive this man to drink

[FOSCO]
I've a most obscure location we can put her-

(Once again the sound of thunder obscures what Fosco is saying)

[FOSCO]
-perfect, don't you think?

[GLYDE]
She'll be on my mind
Till she's out of sight

(Fosco finds a sheet of paper and takes out a pen he starts to write)

[FOSCO]
She'll be locked away
By the morning light

[GLYDE]
Well, the woman's mad

(Fosco signs the paper with a flourish and shows it to Glyde)

[FOSCO]
Which I'll certify
On my doctor's oath
And I never lie!

[GLYDE]
Keep those papers safe
Under lock and key

[FOSCO]
At my London home
They'll be safe with me

[GLYDE]
Don't forget my wife

[FOSCO]
She's a thorn, it's true

(Suddenly, with gusto)

Wait!

Oh, God... I'm good!

I know what we'll do
What we do is-

(Outside Marian looses her footing. The men both hear it)

[GLYDE]
That wasn't the rain!

(Fosco runs to the window, looks out. Marian desperately tries to clamber back)

[GLYDE]
Who is it?

[FOSCO]
(amused)
I couldn't see. But I have a pretty good idea

Miss Halcombe. Little minx!

[GLYDE]
My wife's sister, good God, what did she hear?! If this plan doesn't work, I'll be sunk, man—I will be bankrupt, I will lose this house-

[FOSCO]
Glyde, Glyde! Calma, calma! Leave this to me

(Fosco calmly empties brandy from a hip flask into a glass—then he takes out a small vial from his doctor’s bag and pours powder from it into the brandy and then pours the doctored brandy back into the flask)

[FOSCO]
We have simply got to build a better mousetrap
We will not emerge the victor as it stands
Though we'll do whatever dire is required
I prefer to have them eating from our hands

(Fosco exits, walks upstairs to Marian’s room)


Scene: "Marian's Bedroom"

(Marian is wet and shivering in her room. She is in shock, unsure what to do. Fosco knocks and before waiting for an answer, enters)

[FOSCO]
I thought I'd come to see how you are feeling

[MARIAN]
(evasive, mock cheerful)
I was caught out in a sudden shower

[FOSCO]
(mock hurt)
I thought, for a promenade, you'd come to me
And why go out at this ungodly hour?
My dear, you're dripping wet and shivering with fever
I can guarantee that this will help you sleep

(He takes out the hip flask and pours her a brandy)

[MARIAN]
Oh, no, really! I feel, I feel fine!

[FOSCO]
Do be a good girl
Drink this down
I'll have the servants change your gown

[MARIAN]
No, thank you...

(He hands her the brandy)

[FOSCO]
I am the doctor
I know best

(She drinks)

[FOSCO]
And I prescribe
A good night's rest