The Armchair Detective and the Mystery of Mandrake: Series Three Read online

  SERIES THREE

  Play Four

  www.thearmchairdetective.moonfruit.com

  The Armchair Detective and the Mystery of Mandrake is Copyright Ian Shimwell © 2014

  ALSO AVAILABLE:

  The Armchair Detective Series One – The Complete ‘Boxed Set’

  The Armchair Detective Series Two

  AND IN SERIES THREE:

  The Armchair Detective At Christmas

  The Armchair Detective and the Peculiar Pocket Watch

  The Armchair Detective In London

  RECOMMENDED READING:

  The Armchair Detective and the Castle of Mandrake Parts One & Two

  The

  Armchair

  Detective

  and the

  Mystery

  of

  Mandrake

  Ian Shimwell

  Contents

  Cast List

  Act One

  Act Two

  Act Three

  Cast List (continued)

  Cast List

  TRENCH

  OLD TOM

  DEBSY

  EDITOR LAW

  MANDRAKE

  SADE THORN

  JOHN HALLS

  SECRETARY

  BARMAN

  Act One

  OPENING MYSTERY MUSIC

  OLD TOM: Come in, young man, the door is open.

  (TRENCH enters OLD TOM’s flat, walks into the living room and gladly takes the offered chair opposite OLD TOM’s armchair.)

  OLD TOM: Tea, Trench?

  TRENCH: Why not? (He picks up his tea and takes a sip.) I suppose the answer to ‘why not?’, is that the tea is cold.

  OLD TOM: Biscuit?

  TRENCH: Now, let me see. (He rummages about in the biscuit tin.) A ginger nut! (He takes a bite.) Although it’s that soft, it tastes more like a ginger carpet.

  OLD TOM: Now, we both know why you’re here.

  TRENCH: Mandrake.

  OLD TOM: Exactly.

  TRENCH: Oh, it’s nice to see you back in your old armchair, Old Tom.

  OLD TOM: (Ignoring TRENCH.) In London, you said that the Stokeham Herald is being threatened by my old ‘friend’, Mandrake.

  TRENCH: I did.

  OLD TOM: So, what is the nature of this threat?

  TRENCH: Editor Law received a personal letter from Mandrake, warning him that the Herald will close in five days’ time – at least from its current location.

  OLD TOM: And after today, that’s only three days… More tea?

  TRENCH: No, thanks.

  OLD TOM: You don’t mind if I have one? (OLD TOM pours himself another tea.) And your Editor Law received no more details other than that?

  TRENCH: No.

  OLD TOM: So, why is he taking Mandrake’s warning seriously?

  TRENCH: While we were all away in London, my esteemed editor did make some enquiries. The holding company that controls the lease on the Stokeham Herald building has very recently sold that lease to a mystery buyer. Hence, Law now takes that threat seriously.

  OLD TOM: Only that isn’t a threat, is it?

  TRENCH: Isn’t it?

  OLD TOM: You said it yourself, Trench – it is a warning. Mandrake warns Editor Law…

  TRENCH: Oh, come on, Old Tom – you’re not suggesting that the threat, I mean warning, no I mean actual threat, may not have come from Mandrake?

  OLD TOM: I’m not sure… It’s too early to say.

  TRENCH: So, I assume we are investigating this mystery then? Even though it could be some sort of trap.

  OLD TOM: Yes, it may well be another one of Mandrake’s twisted games of deception. But, for the sake of the Stokeham Herald, it is a game we are going to have to play, all the same…

  (Mysterious music changes the scene.)

  (TRENCH is typing away in the office. He stops when the door opens.)

  TRENCH: Nice of you to finally drop by, Debsy. I can’t believe you’re still being late, even though these offices will be probably closing in a little over two days…

  DEBSY: Oh, get off your high horse, Trench – or looking the way you’re sat, your low horse. Actually, I’ve been at the offices of the leasing company to see if I could gain any clues about the mystery buyer.

  TRENCH: We know who the ‘mystery’ buyer is – Mandrake.

  DEBSY: Yes, but I thought a clue might guide us to him – then, at least, we may be able to do something and help poor Editor Law. Did I just say ‘poor’ and ‘Editor Law’ in the same sentence?

  (EDITOR LAW walks into the office.)

  EDITOR LAW: Did I hear my name just mentioned?

  DEBSY: Err… yes.

  EDITOR LAW: Well very soon, you can drop the editor bit – because there’s absolutely no way the Stokeham Herald could re-locate in only a couple of days.

  DEBSY: Nah, I’m sorry – just Law doesn’t sound right.

  TRENCH: Actually Debsy was saying she might have a lead to get us out of this mess, weren’t you?

  EDITOR LAW: Were you, Deborah? Please tell me you were.

  DEBSY: I err… was, yes.

  EDITOR LAW: Excellent! I knew I could rely on you and Trench here. I won’t delay you any longer. It’s not an exaggeration to say that your success is vital to all our futures. Even if you have to manhandle that Mandrake, then do it.

  TRENCH: We’d better carry on with our work then.

  EDITOR LAW: Oh, of course – I’ll be in my office. But, if you need anything – and I do mean anything, you know where I am. I’ll even cancel golf.

  TRENCH: Editor Law, you’re delaying us.

  EDITOR LAW: Sorry, I mean right – carry on then.

  (EDITOR LAW leaves the office.)

  DEBSY: Poor man, he’s cracking up. I said ‘poor’ again.

  TRENCH: He must be – I’ve never known him to offer to cancel a game of golf before.

  DEBSY: Poor man… Please stop me from saying poor.

  TRENCH: Well Debs, you’re the one who can change all that.

  DEBSY: Am I?

  TRENCH: You told me you had a lead.

  DEBSY: Did I?

  TRENCH: You know, from the leasing company?

  DEBSY: Oh yes, I mean no. I just said that, to make Editor Law happy.

  TRENCH: You did what?

  DEBSY: It’s all right for you; you didn’t have a poor man with pleading eyes looking at you like a dog begging for food… If I say ‘poor’ again – shoot me.

  TRENCH: I think I’ll shoot you anyway. So, you discovered nothing from our anonymous buyer at all then?

  DEBSY: I’m afraid not, but I did find one thing out though – according to the leasing people, a new company has come in and taken over most of the big leases in Stokeham, but of course, not necessarily our lease.

  TRENCH: And which company is this?

  DEBSY: Castle Holdings Limited…

  (Intriguing music changes the scene.)

  (TRENCH and DEBSY are walking along the streets of Stokeham.)

  TRENCH: Castle Holdings… It does point towards Mandrake.

  DEBSY: And one of his strange games, I suppose?

  TRENCH: It certainly looks like that, Debsy.

  DEBSY: Then why don’t we stop playing his game, and do things the easy way?

  (TRENCH stops walking.)

  TRENCH: What do you mean?

  DEBSY: Why don’t we simply visit his castle and have it out with him?

  (TRENCH sighs with amusement and carries on walking.)

  TRENCH: Great idea, Debs – but there’s one small problem: we don’t know where Castle Mandrake is. Remember the bl
indfolds?

  DEBSY: Just a thought – we could look though, couldn’t we?

  TRENCH: And waste a couple of days searching? Now, that would suit Mandrake’s plan right down to the ground, whilst heralding the end of the Herald.

  DEBSY: ‘Heralding the end of the Herald’ – I like that.

  TRENCH: I thought you would, somehow.

  DEBSY: But I can herald the end of our journey. Castle Holdings Limited – we’ve arrived.

  TRENCH: Well, press the buzzer then.

  DEBSY: Oh, buzz off, Trench.

  (DEBSY presses the buzzer and ominous music changes the scene.)

  (An intercom-type buzzer is heard.)

  SECRETARY: You may now go in and see Miss Thorn.

  TRENCH: Thank-you. Come on Debs.

  (They enter the office, closing the door behind them.)

  DEBSY: (Says in awe:) So huge, and luxurious, and modern.

  TRENCH: It’s an office, Debsy.

  SADE: Please – sit down.

  TRENCH: It’s Sade, isn’t it?

  DEBSY: I never would have believed it’s you – you look so…

  SADE: Different?

  DEBSY: Well, yes.

  SADE: I suppose I’ve changed quite a lot since we last met over a year ago.

  TRENCH: In Castle Mandrake.

  SADE: Quite. Now, please sit down.

  (They both take the offered seats and are sat opposite SADE across the sweeping desk.)

  DEBSY: I love your desk, so… big.

  SADE: Made from finest English oak. Tea?

  TRENCH: Oh, yes please.

  (SADE presses the intercom.)

  SADE: Tea for three.

  TRENCH: Well Sade, you have done remarkably well for yourself in a relatively short space of time.

  DEBSY: Yeah, only last year you were only a hairdresser. Not that I’m trying to insult the hairdressers of this world. In fact without them we girls would be in a right pickle. They provide a very…

  TRENCH: All right Debsy, I think we get the picture. So Sade, I assume you’re now in charge of Castle Holdings Limited?

  SADE: That is correct – I am the MD.

  DEBSY: MD?

  TRENCH: That’s Managing Director.

  DEBSY: I knew that, silly.

  TRENCH: So, how’ve you made this amazing transformation? (The he whispers loudly:) Debsy wants to know.

  DEBSY: Very funny.

  SADE: I suppose it all goes back to my disturbing experiences with Mandrake and subsequently at his castle. To put it bluntly, the man used me as a pawn and exploited my then fear of dogs to nearly break me. When I recovered, I knew I needed to change.

  (There is a knock on the door.)

  SADE: Enter.

  (The SECRETARY enters, pours and passes the teas.)

  TRENCH: Lovely tea, ouch.

  DEBSY: Please don’t go on about it being hot again.

  TRENCH: I wasn’t going to, until it burnt me! Sorry, you were saying, Sade.

  SADE: I had allowed myself to be manipulated, and become a victim. So, I did something about it. I took an assertiveness course and crash courses in business. Surprising even myself, I passed with honours and reached diploma level. I joined this company as an assistant buyer only six months ago – and the rest, they say, is history. Shall we say my talent and potential was very quickly spotted.

  DEBSY: (Says quietly:) And modesty? (Then normally:) You definitely deserve a very big well done.

  TRENCH: So, Mandrake actually did you a favour, in an odd sort of way?

  SADE: You could say that. I expect you two are still running around for the Stokeham Herald?

  TRENCH: Yes, but only just.

  SADE: Well, as much as I’ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane, I am actually very busy. What do you want – if you don’t mind me asking?

  TRENCH: It concerns the Herald, and your old friend, Mandrake.

  SADE: Go on.

  TRENCH: Mandrake has kindly informed us that the lease on the Stokeham Herald will expire in now only two days.

  SADE: And what has that got to do with me?

  DEBSY: Has your company, Castle Holdings, Sade recently taken over the Stokeham Herald lease?

  SADE: No.

  TRENCH: You know that for certain?

  SADE: Of course I do. I wouldn’t be a very good MD if I didn’t.

  TRENCH: Do you have any idea then, in your position, of who might?

  SADE: I should think that’s obvious. You really don’t need to be an expert in the leasing business to work that one out.

  TRENCH: So, who then?

  SADE: Mandrake.

  (Doom laden music closes the scene.)

  TRENCH: So, Old Tom, is all this one of Mandrake’s murky masterpieces?

  OLD TOM: It’s certainly more than a possibility…

  TRENCH: Sade thinks so, anyway.

  OLD TOM: Hmm, yes – Sade Thorn seems to have changed so much.

  TRENCH: Her meteorite career rise is, at the very least, dramatic.

  OLD TOM: And I wonder why she chose to join a company called Castle Holdings?

  TRENCH: To confront her fears?

  OLD TOM: Perhaps…

  TRENCH: For once, old timer, there’s no tea on the table. Shall I make it? So you don’t have to rise from your armchair.

  OLD TOM: There’s really no need, Trench – but thanks anyway. The matter is in hand.

  TRENCH: (Says puzzled:) What?

  OLD TOM: (Who raises his voice.) Make that three teas.

  (Crockery noises can be heard from the kitchen.)

  TRENCH: Old Tom, there’s someone in your kitchen.

  OLD TOM: How astute of you, Trench.

  (The kitchen door opens…)

  TRENCH: (Says shocked:) Mandrake.

  MANDRAKE: Three teas, as ordered. May I?

  OLD TOM: Yes, please put them on the table.

  (MANDRAKE places the teas on the table.)

  TRENCH: I wondered why there were three chairs all of a sudden. Are we safe drinking this?

  MANDRAKE: Not yet. I am aware of your custom, Thomas, to allow the tea to cool down. So, while the brew is brewing and the heat cools, shall we all have a cosy chat?

  TRENCH: I’m all ears.

  MANDRAKE: Firstly, I hope I didn’t disturb your little adventure in London?

  TRENCH: No, not really – we had just solved the mystery.

  MANDRAKE: What a shame, I had hoped to recall you just before you had reached the ‘finale’.

  OLD TOM: So, is this the purpose of your visit, Mandrake – to gloat and goad?

  TRENCH: And tell us how clever you’ve been over the Herald’s imminent closure?

  MANDRAKE: No, not at all. For once, I come in the spirit of a beneficial alliance and, who knows, reconciliation.

  TRENCH: Yes, of course you do.

  MANDRAKE: Oh, Eleanor is doing as well as can be expected, but thanks for asking, old friend.

  TRENCH: See, I told you.

  OLD TOM: What is it exactly are you proposing, ‘old friend’?

  MANDRAKE: As I said, an alliance. I offer my services and co-operation to help you save the Stokeham Herald.

  TRENCH: (Who laughs derisibly.) What from, yourself? But why would you want to do that? – unless it’s a trap, of course.

  OLD TOM: At least let us hear my old colleague out, Trench.

  MANDRAKE: Thank-you. I have my own reasons for wanting to help – reasons that I’m not prepared to divulge at this moment in time.

  TRENCH: Very convenient.

  OLD TOM: How do we know, Mandrake that you’re not behind this whole charade?

  MANDRAKE: You don’t. It all comes down to a matter of trust, Thomas. Last time, your mistrust of me caused Eleanor’s downfall. So, will you trust me, this time?

  TRENCH: I wouldn’t, Old Tom.

  OLD TOM: We are struggling, Trench. And whatever else my friend might be, he has a brilliant analytical mind that is equal to mine.

  MANDRAKE: Only equal? />
  OLD TOM: Mandrake’s intellect is bound to benefit this case.

  MANDRAKE: You are too kind.

  TRENCH: But, what if he uses that mind against us – is using that mind against us?

  MANDRAKE: Excuse me, I am here, you know.

  TRENCH: Sorry, but the question still stands.

  OLD TOM: I understand and share your concerns, Trench – but maybe that’s the chance we are going to have to take – to save the Herald, and your job.

  TRENCH: And that could be what he’s banking on. Sorry, Mandrake – I do know you’re still here.

  OLD TOM: The tea should now be cold enough.

  MANDRAKE: Then I’ll pour.

  (MANDRAKE pours the tea.)

  OLD TOM: As you’ll be the one who would be actually working with Mandrake, I will leave the decision to you, Trench.

  TRENCH: I’m not sure…

  MANDRAKE: Will you, Trench, join forces with the person who has vowed to destroy you both? Will you..?

  (A longer piece of mystery music indicates the end of Act One.)

  Act Two

  MANDRAKE: So, this is the Stokeham Herald?

  TRENCH: Got it in one, Mandrake.

  MANDRAKE: The legend displayed outside, ‘Welcome to the Stokeham Herald’ kind of gave me a clue.

  TRENCH: I see nothing’s going to get past you. Now this is…

  MANDRAKE: …yours and Debsy’s office.

  TRENCH: Now, how could you have known that?

  MANDRAKE: Well apart from there being two chairs and two computers, this office is in a state of organised chaos that I associate with you two.

  TRENCH: Thanks.

  MANDRAKE: And besides, the first place people usually show you at a place of work is their own little empire.

  TRENCH: All right, you win on that one. And down the corridor to the right resides the one-and-only Editor Law. I’ll introduce you.

  MANDRAKE: There’s really no need, Trench. You busy yourself with some work or whatever it is you do, I will have a talk with your Editor Law alone, if you don’t mind.

  TRENCH: Oh, as you wish…

  (DEBSY enters the office.)

  DEBSY: Sorry I’m late, oh hello again Mandrake.

  MANDRAKE: Err… hi Debsy. If you’ll excuse me..?

  (MANDRAKE leaves the office to visit EDITOR LAW.)