The Armchair Detective and the Castle of Mandrake Part One by Shimwell Ian

Author:Shimwell, Ian [Shimwell, Ian]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781326208646
Publisher: Lulu.com
Published: 2015-03-07T16:00:00+00:00

Act Three

(Almost out of breath, TRENCH and DEBSY suddenly stop running.)

DEBSY:We’ve lost the long-frocked one… again.

TRENCH:Yes. (He takes a deep breath.) But, oddly enough, we are in the vicinity of the Dragon Detective Agency.

DEBSY:Now, is that significant – or completely insignificant?

TRENCH:I suggest we pay them a visit and decide for ourselves. Coming Debsy?

DEBSY:Only if I can hold your hand…

(There is a brief interlude of music which passes a few minutes of time.)

(RHET opens his office door.)

RHET:Trench and the delightful Debsy. For what do we owe this pleasure?

DEBSY:I think I preferred ‘delectable’.

TRENCH:We were just… err in the area – and thought it was an ideal opportunity to catch up with any developments in the case we, kind of, helped with.

SADE:How… amusing.

TRENCH:The sexy Sade – you don’t mind, do you?

SADE:At least, not from you, Trench.

RHET:I’m awfully sorry to disappoint you two thoroughly good chaps but… Now, where was I? Sometimes it’s damned difficult to…

TRENCH:…to Concentric..?

RHET:Concentrate is the word I was looking for. Interesting choice of word, though Trench.

DEBSY:Have I lost the plot or something?

SADE:Most likely.

RHET:Apologies. As I was saying, there are no developments in the evening missing wife case – and also the absent day husband.

DEBSY:Perhaps they’re seeing each other!

RHET:(Who laughs sardonically.) An amusing notion, I profess not to have considered yet.

TRENCH:Then consider yourself lucky.

DEBSY:Yes, Oliver.

TRENCH:The Dragon Detective Agency could help us, if you like.

RHET:Return the favour?

SADE:I’m game.

DEBSY:I bet you are.

RHET:Prey what would you like our assistance with? He says, intrigued.

TRENCH:We have reason to believe that our furtive follower may be connected to the Concentric Hotel.

RHET:That word again.

DEBSY:Fancy coming with us to have a poke around?

RHET:Crudely put, my dear – but yes, why not?

SADE:Why indeed..?

(Curious music ends this scene.)

(The car stops, the engine is switched off and all the doors are opened – and then firmly closed.)

RHET:So, this the famous Concentric Hotel?

TRENCH:Yes, Rhet – but that’s funny, last time the car park was almost overflowing and now…

RHET:…it’s empty. Beautiful oak panelled double-doors, very old – probably antique.

DEBSY:Shall we enter or what? Sade, you go first – age before beauty.

SADE:Thank-you, dreary Debsy.

(SADE pushes the oak doors open. They all enter – and gasp in surprise.)

DEBSY:What the..?

TRENCH:It’s completely gutted out, must have been a terrible fire…

RHET:Only the outer-façade remains standing of a once proud, grand hotel.

DEBSY:Trench, we saw cars here the other day – could the fire have been recent?

TRENCH:Err, I don’t think so Debsy.

RHET:(Who examines the burnt timbers.) The texture of these burnt timbers indicates that the rampant flames ruined this establishment many years ago. Perhaps even fifty years or more…

SADE:Well, I’m certainly not staying here now.

THE CONCIERGE:What is wrong madam? Are you too good for my hotel?

SADE:Who, who are you?

THE CONCIERGE:The Concierge, at your service.

TRENCH:Concierge?

THE CONCIERGE:Well, more of a caretaker really – but I like to keep up appearances.

DEBSY:I’ll say you do. You’re dressed up in your full uniform – brass buttons and all!

THE CONCIERGE:It makes me feel good, Miss; helps to relieve the boredom – and provides potential buyers with a good impression – which I assume you good people are.

TRENCH:Err, yes.

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