Mrs. Hawking – stage play

Mrs. Hawking

by Phoebe Roberts
~~~

Dramatis Personae
VICTORIA HAWKING, a wealthy society lady
MARY STONE, a working-class young woman
NATHANIEL HAWKING, Mrs. Hawking’s gentleman nephew
CELESTE FAIRMONT, another society lady
CEDRIC BROCKTON, a minor London noble
JOHN COLCHESTER, Brockton’s man
WALTER GRAINGER, a country gentleman
GRACE MONROE, a working-class woman
Ladies, gentlemen, maids, ruffians, non-speaking ensemble

​Mrs. Fairmont and Miss Monroe can be double-cast. Mr. Colchester and Sir Walter can double as ensemble.

Setting: London, England, 1880

~~~

ACT I

Scene 1

(NATHANIEL HAWKING waits onstage. A bell rings, and he leaps up to answer. MARY STONE enters, pretty, working-class, bundled against the rain.)

NATHANIEL

Ah, Miss Mary Stone, I presume?

MARY

Indeed, sir. And you are Mr. Hawking, then?

NATHANIEL

Nathaniel Hawking, very pleased to meet you. I trust you have recovered from your voyage?

MARY

Well enough, though the London weather was quite the shock. I shall certainly miss the Indian climate.

NATHANIEL

I am sure. Oh, allow me.

(He places her suitcase aside, then takes her coat and hangs it for her.)

NATHANIEL

I am certainly glad to find you here. Your turning up in London may be the solution to our problem. Please.

(He gestures for her to sit.)

MARY

I understand you advertised on behalf of a relative?

NATHANIEL

My aunt Victoria. She was the wife of my dear uncle, the late Colonel Reginald Hawking of the Indian Rebellion. Remarkable woman, I’m terribly fond of her, but… she has queer ideas at times. After my uncle’s passing she dismissed all the staff, but it isn’t right for a lady to go on alone in the world. Almost more than the help, I think she could do with the company.

(Enter MRS. VICTORIA HAWKING. She regards them, then silently approaches until she is just behind NATHANIEL.)

NATHANIEL

But I must warn you, miss, she is not warm to the idea just yet. You mustn’t take offense if she seems… a touch standoffish to you, she only just hasn’t quite come round to the notion of needing help.

MARY

I quite understand. I know how difficult it can be to begin your life all over again.

MRS. HAWKING

Is that the girl?

NATHANIEL

Aunt Victoria!

 

(NATHANIEL spins around and, in an effort to keep from running into her, stumbles backwards onto the ground.)

MRS. HAWKING

How you suffer for me, Nathaniel.

MARY

Oh, let me help, sir.

(MARY helps him to his feet with practiced ease.)

NATHANIEL

Thank you, miss. Auntie, I am glad to be of service. Miss Mary Stone, may I introduce you to my dear lady aunt, Mrs. Victoria Hawking?

MRS. HAWKING

I’m a fair ways off from my dotage yet, Nathaniel. Do you think me so frail that I require a nursemaid?

NATHANIEL

What are you talking about, Aunt Victoria?

MRS. HAWKING

I consented to hiring a housemaid, and you’ve brought me a nurse.

NATHANIEL

Aunt, I’ve done nothing of the kind. You always think you know my meaning before I say it, but truly sometimes you decide in haste!

MARY

I am a nurse, I suppose. In a manner of speaking. I nursed my parents through the last months of their illness.

NATHANIEL

Indeed? Ah, well, she is even more capable than I thought.

MARY

May I ask, madam, how did you know?

MRS. HAWKING

The practiced way you just now lifted my nephew. You’ve done a great deal of helping bodies in and out of bed.

MARY

Oh, my. That’s it precisely.

NATHANIEL

My dear aunt has quite the keen sense of people, you see. Please, let us get to know one another, shall we?

MRS. HAWKING

At least this one can string two words together. An improvement on the last girl. Wherever did you find her, a ward in Colney Hatch?

NATHANIEL

Aunt Victoria, please!

MRS. HAWKING

But now you’ve brought me this girl. Your given plain meek unmarried young woman, new and friendless in London. I would not have left India for this dreary place, but I suppose there are circumstances that can’t be helped.

MARY

That’s the truth of it, ma’am. I see you’ve been told something of my history.

MRS. HAWKING

Only by your dress. A lady who wears Indian linen beneath her greatcoat is one who has not long had need for warm clothes.

NATHANIEL

Ah, there is something you have in common, now. Auntie too was raised in the colonies, you see.

MRS. HAWKING

In Asia, a lifetime ago. Very well then, I would hope a woman who’s lived abroad a time would not be a useless fainting flower. Tell me your accomplishments.

(MARY hands over her references, somewhat sheepish.)

MARY

Accomplishments may perhaps be too strong a word, madam. But I have many years’ time keeping house for my family, hold to a budget, cook well and sew capably–

MRS. HAWKING

Enough of that. You’re not uneducated, and I see you have a strong back. Can you keep your own counsel and mind your own business?

MARY

I can, Mrs. Hawking.

MRS. HAWKING

And have you the good sense God gave you?

MARY

I very much hope so!

MRS. HAWKING

As do I. Well, that should give you a leg up on the other dull-witted chits he’s dragged in front of me. In light of that, I suppose that you shall do for me.

NATHANIEL

So you’ll have her on?

MRS. HAWKING

I suppose I can stand to.

MARY

Thank you very much, madam! I will not disappoint you.

MRS. HAWKING

I may hope.

MARY

When shall I move in my things?

MRS. HAWKING

I beg your pardon?

MARY

I shan’t need much space. And I can wait for your convenience.

MRS. HAWKING

Nathaniel, I said did not want anyone in the house.

MARY

Oh, dear. I was told that this would be a billeted situation.

NATHANIEL

Aunt Victoria, I explained to you that this would be the way of it.

MRS. HAWKING

I consented to a day maid only.

NATHANIEL

Such is the situation of any girl you may hope to have. And may I point out that you have chased all your other options off?

MRS. HAWKING

Very well. You shall be tested straightaway, it seems. I warn you that I am not a sociable creature, Miss Stone. Heed me well and things shall get on.

MARY

Thank you so much, Mrs. Hawking! I’ll not disappoint.

MRS. HAWKING

Well, then. Can you arrive at ten-thirty sharp tomorrow?

MARY

I will not be late.

MRS. HAWKING

Good. It is another thing I cannot abide. There, Nathaniel, I have done.

NATHANIEL

Of course, dear aunt. The Colonel would have wanted me to take care of you.

MRS. HAWKING

Bless him for that.

(MRS. HAWKING begins to walk away.)

NATHANIEL

Good day. I shall bring the children by for a visit soon!

(She exits without acknowledging him. He chuckles and turns back to MARY.)

NATHANIEL

Oh, she is a character. I am very glad she’ll have you, Mary.

MARY

She seems very displeased with the whole matter.

NATHANIEL

Have no fear. Compared to what she thought of the others, she seems quite taken with you.

MARY

Oh, my.

NATHANIEL

She’ll come round in time. My aunt has always been of odd habits, but she’s become… withdrawn of late. I worry for her if things continue on this way. I think you may be precisely what she needs.

Scene 2(MARY enters to meet MRS. HAWKING in the parlor. She is sorting through the pages of some notebooks.)

MARY

I believe that’s everything settled in.

MRS. HAWKING

And you find your accommodations adequate, then?

MARY

Oh, very much so, madam. I’m quite ready now.

(MRS. HAWKING stares at her.)

MARY

To learn my duties. If you’ll tell me what they are.

(MRS. HAWKING stares a bit longer, then clears her throat.)

MRS. HAWKING

I shall be frank. I’ve no idea what to do with you.

MARY

I… I see. Still, I should very much like to make myself useful. Your appointments, perhaps the managing of them—

MRS. HAWKING

No need, miss. I have things well in hand today.

(MARY deflates a little. Taking pity on her, MRS. HAWKING thinks very hard.)

MRS. HAWKING

I like to take tea in the afternoons.

MARY

Tea? Ah. Well… that is something to begin with it, now, isn’t it?

(MARY pulls out a rag from her pocket and begins dusting and straightening up.)

MARY

I make a very good cup of tea. I’m a fair cook as well, if I may say so, and I’ve spent years learning to keep house. It does a soul good to be of service, as my sister likes to say.

MRS. HAWKING

Your sister!

MARY

Yes, Catherine. She lives in Durham.

MRS. HAWKING

You’ve family living? Surely not!

MARY

In fact I do, Mrs. Hawking.

MRS. HAWKING

How irregular! Then why is it that upon your return this sister did not take you in?

MARY

I beg your pardon, madam?

MRS. HAWKING

It was my understanding that such was the done thing when it came to unmarried women thrust suddenly into your predicament.

MARY

Ah… yes, I suppose it is.

MRS. HAWKING

Then what kept you? To turn away a dear sister otherwise alone in the world must mean they are in dire financial straits. Or do you simply get on ill with her boorish husband?

MARY

Goodness, no! It’s nothing like that. They are a lovely family.

MRS. HAWKING

Then what, then?

MARY

In truth… I didn’t fancy growing old as just Maiden Aunt Mary in some north country town. So I turned Catherine down and said I wanted to make my own way of it.

MRS. HAWKING

I see.

MARY

I’m sure you must think me dreadfully silly.

MRS. HAWKING

Not at all. I do believe that’s the most sensible thing I’ve heard from a young woman in ages.

MARY

You do?

MRS. HAWKING

When the alternative is to either sell yourself into marriage or else endure the shame of having failed to find a buyer.

MARY

The town spinster on the charity of her family. People do often chide a girl of my age for it. Or worse, pity.

MRS. HAWKING

After all, there’s no greater tragedy than a woman going about without a husband.

MARY

Is that what people said when your husband died?

(Pause.)

MRS. HAWKING

People like my sweet, well-meaning fool of a nephew.

(As MARY goes to dust the mantle, she looks up at the portrait of the distinguished gentleman hanging over the fireplace.)

MARY

This is he? Your late husband?

MRS. HAWKING

The Colonel Reginald Prescott Hawking, yes.

(She begins packing her things into a bag.)

MARY

Your nephew speaks very highly of him. He must have been a great man.

MRS. HAWKING

Oh, indeed.

(Pause.)

MARY

I know very little about him, I suppose. Just what Mr. Hawking had mentioned.

MRS. HAWKING

You must ask him sometime. He does love to talk about his uncle.

MARY

I… I am sorry, madam. It must be painful to speak of him.

(Pause.)

MRS. HAWKING

On one occasion we were visiting at his brother’s house in the south country, I happened to remark on a fine red rosebush. It was… nothing, a meaningless murmur of idle conversation. But for me, he dug up that bush with his own two hands, carried it back on his lap, and planted it there in the garden behind the house. Because he could not see that I do not care one whit about roses.

(Pause.)

MRS. HAWKING

Now. I have an appointment. That will be all, Miss Stone.

 

(Exit MRS. HAWKING. MARY is left alone and adrift onstage. After a moment, she bends her head to look at the open appointment book left on the table.)

Scene 3 

(A well-dressed upper middle class woman, MRS. CELESTE FAIRMONT, sits alone, fretting. The bell rings and MRS. FAIRMONT leaps up to let in MARY in a walking hat.)

MRS. FAIRMONT

Oh, my goodness!

MARY

Forgive me for the intrusion at this hour, but I must speak to Mrs. Celeste Fairmont.

MRS. FAIRMONT

I am she. Who are you?

MARY

I am Mary Stone, I’ve recently come into the employ of Mrs. Victoria Hawking.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Mrs. Hawking sent you?

MARY

Ah— not as such. But madam didn’t come home last night, and according to her book, she was engaged to see you that evening. Begging your pardon, but I didn’t know what else to do.

MRS. FAIRMONT

She was here last night… but she hasn’t returned. Not yet.

MARY

Did you expect her? Do you know where she went?

MRS. FAIRMONT

I, ah, I cannot precisely say—

(There is a crashing sound outside. The ladies’ heads whip around.)

MRS. FAIRMONT

What was that?

(A commotion of running feet and raised voices from a gang of people outside. MARY runs to the window beside the door and looks out.)

MARY

There’s a whole gang of ruffians!

MRS. FAIRMONT

Oh, God!

(Enter a figure dressed in black through a second window. Again MRS. FAIRMONT panics and cowers behind a chair. MARY seizes the poker from the fireplace and places herself between the figure and MRS. FAIRMONT. The figure drops catlike to the floor, then stands, collapsing on one side in pain.)

MARY

Stop! Stop right there!

MRS. HAWKING

Mary?

(The figure pulls off her mask.)

MARY

Mrs. Hawking!?

(MARY lets the poker clatter to the ground.)

MRS. FAIRMONT

Is that blood?

MARY

Are you hurt?

(MRS. HAWKING runs to the door and peers through the peephole.)

MARY

What— what’s happened to you?

MRS. HAWKING

No matter now. Celeste, where are they?

MRS. FAIRMONT

I don’t know, I don’t know!

MARY

They’re nearby but they haven’t come here yet.

MRS. HAWKING

Thank God.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Why are they here?

MRS. HAWKING

Because I was sloppy. Very sloppy.

MRS. FAIRMONT

What are we to—?

(There is a hard thumping at the door. MRS. FAIRMONT freezes. She and MARY both look to MRS. HAWKING.)

MRS. HAWKING

They cannot find me here.

(She ducks out. There is another THUMP THUMP THUMP. MARY opens the door to JOHN COLCHESTER, a large man dressed in rough clothes.)

MARY

Fairmont residence. May I help you?

COLCHESTER

There’s been some commotion in the neighborhood.

MARY

Yes, we heard.

(He pushes past MARY into the room and takes a few steps around, searching.)

COLCHESTER

There’s a dangerous person about. We was after them just now but it seems they’ve disappeared. You haven’t seen nothing?

MARY

I’m sure we’ve no idea.

COLCHESTER

What are you all doing up and about at this hour?

MARY

We were disturbed by the noise! And by banging at the door in the wee hours of the morning!

COLCHESTER

And you don’t have any notion of where this fellow went off to?

MARY

Of course we don’t! Now I must insist that you leave. You have frightened Mrs. Fairmont quite enough.

(COLCHESTER looks around once more, then nods and moves toward it.)

COLCHESTER

Right, then. Good evening to you ladies.

MARY

Good evening, sir.

(MARY closes the door behind COLCHESTER. MRS. HAWKING emerges.)

MRS. HAWKING

That was quite splendid of you, Mary.

MARY

Mrs. Hawking, this is— this is—

(MRS. HAWKING goes to peer out the window.)

MRS. HAWKING

Good, they’re clearing off now.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Thank God! Oh, how awful that was!

MRS. HAWKING

Entirely my fault, Mrs. Fairmont. I was spotted due to an unfortunate misstep on my part. I very much apologize for drawing them to you.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Have they discovered us, then?

MRS. HAWKING

They never saw my face… but if they know your name, it may not bode well that they came knocking on your door. Still, for the moment I believe the enterprise is still secure.

MARY

Mrs. Hawking! When you didn’t return last night— Mrs. Hawking— I beg your pardon, but I must ask that you tell me what all this is about.

MRS. HAWKING

My word, Mary.

MARY

Mrs. Hawking! I must insist.

(Pause.)

MRS. HAWKING

Very well. You’ve done a great deal this evening without being asked… you’ve the right to ask something of me.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Never mind that! Did you find the culprits? Who are they?

MRS. HAWKING

I tracked them all up and down the row. They were shockingly circumspect for an alley gang. It led me to suspect they answered to a higher authority. And when at last the crows returned to roost, they confirmed my suspicion. There was such a man.

MRS. FAIRMONT

And who was that?

MRS. HAWKING

Brockton.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Heaven help me.

MARY

Brockton— Lord Cedric Brockton? The— the undersecretary to the minister?

MRS. FAIRMONT

But he’s a well-born, prominent man! My God, he’s hosting the queen’s ball in celebration of the new Afghan victory! What is the meaning of this?

MRS. HAWKING

I believe you should soon expect a pageboy with a rather serious letter for you, madam.

MRS. FAIRMONT

What? Why?

MRS. HAWKING

Because if he has set his sights on you, it is because he means to blackmail you.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Oh, no. Oh, good heavens, no…

MARY

Blackmail!?

MRS. HAWKING

We must discuss, Mrs. Fairmont, just what it is that you’ve done.

MRS. FAIRMONT

You promised me you would not pry!

MRS. HAWKING

Circumstances have changed. I had occasion to investigate a certain place in my tracing of those men. You had done your best to purge it of all your connection to it, but there was no mistaking the cherub trim along the baseboard, nor the profession of the nursemaid you employed.

MRS. FAIRMONT

It is a private matter!

(MRS. FAIRMONT protests, growing more and more hysterical. MRS. HAWKING speaks sternly over her.)

MRS. HAWKING

I know this man, Celeste, I know how he operates. If I am to help you against him, I must understand what it is at stake. Brockton’s men that broke in, it was clear that they were looking for something. Something you’ve been hiding.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Good heavens.

MRS. HAWKING

Tell me who it was, Mrs. Fairmont, that they were looking for.

 

(MRS. FAIRMONT wrestles with it, then relents.)

MRS. FAIRMONT

Not looking for. They found him. They found my son.

MARY

Your son?

MRS. FAIRMONT

My boy, my Gabriel. They’ve taken him. They’ve stolen away my boy.

MARY

Why in God’s name would they take your child?

MRS. HAWKING

For the same reason, I would imagine, that you should keep him in rented rooms and may visit him only on occasion.

MRS. FAIRMONT

I was young. I made a mistake.

MRS. HAWKING

Before or after your marriage?

MRS. FAIRMONT

Before. I was but a girl. We lived in the country, there was a young man… my father was beside himself. He sent my young man away, but… the damage was done. And when Gabriel was born, he sent my child away as well.

MARY

Oh, madam. How terrible.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Jacob and I were wed, and we came here to London. I would never do anything to compromise our good names, you must understand that. But… I could not leave my boy.

MRS. HAWKING

You have been running quite a risk these last few years to keep him.

MRS. FAIRMONT

He is my son! What was I to do, leave him in that dreadful workhouse my father had given him to?

MRS. HAWKING

And now he has fallen into the clutches of Cedric Brockton.

MARY

Were the police of no assistance?

MRS. FAIRMONT

I could not go to the police! Our reputation, Jacob’s career would be at stake! But I had heard… something that women whispered of, society ladies, their washerwomen, women of all standings… that when a lady finds herself in a predicament that she cannot resolve alone… there is someone… someone outside the usual workings of society, who can take extraordinary action to help. I took steps to learn who this person was, to seek this service for myself.

MRS. HAWKING

And that is where I come in.

MARY

You?

MRS. HAWKING

This world offers so little recourse to women when its presses become too great. Someone must step outside all of that to do what’s necessary. That someone is me.

MARY

My God.

MRS. HAWKING

Mrs. Fairmont engaged me to discover who had broken into her rooms. And now that I am certain that your assailants acted on the orders of Lord Cedric Brockton, I must tell you immediately that your situation is quite serious.

MRS. FAIRMONT

You’ve had dealings with this man before?

MRS. HAWKING

Not directly, but I am familiar with his operations. He appears outwardly to be a man of minor nobility holding a post as a minor public official. But he is one of the most dangerous blackmailers in Europe. His network of spies and operatives gather for him the secrets of the most powerful personages in the country, those secrets that would destroy them were they ever made known, and exacts a heavy price to keep them concealed. He would not have set his sights on you unless he meant to use your secrets against you.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Surely— surely there’s something you can do. They say you have saved dozens of women. For my blameless husband’s sake, and for my poor child whose only crime is the folly of his mother.

MRS. HAWKING

I shall be frank, madam. This will not be a simple operation. But I will do everything that is in my power to see you through.

(MRS. FAIRMONT clings to her in desperate gratitude. MRS. HAWKING winces and tenses her left side.)

MARY

Mrs. Hawking, your wound.

MRS HAWKING

I’d quite forgotten.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Oh, my goodness, you’re hurt! We should— we should send for someone.

MRS. HAWKING

No doctors, Celeste.

MRS. FAIRMONT

But Victoria—

MRS. HAWKING

Certainly not!

MARY

Please— allow me.

(She moves close to MRS. HAWKING, who instinctively withdraws.)

MARY

I have some knowledge of this, madam.

(MRS. HAWKING exposes her wounded side.)

MARY

Oh, my. This requires some attention. Madam, if you’ll bring me the dipper.

(MRS. FAIRMONT brings over the basin of water. MARY draws a white cloth from her apron pocket.)

MARY

Mrs. Fairmont, have you any clean linen about? This will want wrapping.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Oh, yes, of course.

MARY

And some alcohol to bathe it.

MRS. FAIRMONT

I’ll go and fetch it.

(MRS. FAIRMONT exits. MARY wets her cloth and begins dabbing at MRS. HAWKING’s wound.)

MARY

This is serious.

MRS. HAWKING

I have seen worse.

MARY

You have… so many scars.

MRS. HAWKING

As I said.

MARY

Does this happen… often? In this work that you do?

MRS. HAWKING

On occasion. You may count how often.

MARY

And… what do you do? If you will not see a doctor.

MRS. HAWKING

I manage well enough on my own.

MARY

I see. If I may ask… what if it were more serious than this? Something that you could not manage on your own?

MRS. HAWKING

I cannot risk exposure of my enterprise.

MARY

But… you’ve no other assistance? Is there no one trustworthy?

MRS. HAWKING

I cannot chance it. Discovery by the wrong person could mean the end of everything.

MARY

I think you make a great mistake in that.

MRS. HAWKING

You are out of turn, Miss Stone.

MARY

Forgive me, madam… but if there is never anyone to help when you need it, it could mean the end of everything.

MRS. HAWKING

It is an easy thing to say when you need not live in fear of your blasted husband putting a stop to you for what he thinks is your own good.

MARY

He never knew?

MRS. HAWKING

I could not permit it.

MARY

In all those years of marriage?

MRS. HAWKING

One can hide anything from anyone if one so chooses.

MARY

You couldn’t hide it from me.

(MRS. FAIRMONT returns with the linen and alcohol. She hands it over to MARY.)

MARY

Thank you.

(She soaks the linen in the alcohol.)

MARY

There will be pain, madam.

MRS. HAWKING

I have no fear of that.

Scene 4 

(Back in MRS. HAWKING’s parlor. MRS. HAWKING stands at a table regarding a spread of papers. MARY enters with a tea tray.)

MARY

Afternoon tea, madam.

(They stare at one another a long moment.)

MRS. HAWKING

No more of this nonsense, now. I’d have your intentions, if you please.

MARY

Forgive me, my intentions?

MRS. HAWKING

You know my business now. You’ve nearly as much to hold over my head as Brockton does over Mrs. Fairmont. And you must be aware this is not something I’ll allow to come out.

MARY

Mrs. Hawking…

MRS. HAWKING

So enough of this. What do you want from me, Mary?

MARY

Madam… I want to help.

MRS. HAWKING

I beg your pardon?

MARY

In your work. I want to help you. If I understand, what you do… what you’re doing for Mrs. Fairmont… it’s the best thing I ever heard anyone do.

MRS. HAWKING

You’ve a great deal of pity for the tribulations of a woman privileged beyond anything you’re ever like to know.

MARY

Madam, do they pay your for your assistance?

MRS. HAWKING

I do not do this for money.

MARY

I thought so. Because it’s not only the society women you’ve helped. I heard what Mrs. Fairmont said. The washerwomen and the scullery maids and the house girls too. Women precisely like me, who have nowhere else to turn.

MRS. HAWKING

Money makes little difference; all we women are caught.

MARY

And I’d like to help you save them.

MRS. HAWKING

You’ve no idea how dangerous it can be.

MARY

I can be brave if the circumstance calls for it.

MRS. HAWKING

So I’ve seen. But it isn’t only risk to life and limb, Miss Stone. What I do… is unacceptable in the eyes of the public. If such effort should fail, or so much as be discovered… I assure you, we shall come to envy the painted birds in parlor cages. And any hope of decent reputation shall be dashed forever.

MARY

Madam… I have lived a respectable life where I have done what was expected of me. For my first twenty years, I did nothing with myself except keep house for my father, and care for my unwell mother. And when they passed, and I had nothing more left… I realized how little that was. How little that was to make a life. Can you… can you imagine what that’s like?

MRS. HAWKING

I can. As a matter of fact.

MARY

And there’s no money or place in the world that can change what it is to have your child taken from you. What you are doing for Mrs. Fairmont, and have done for others like her… more than anything, that means something, and that is what I would like to do.

MRS. HAWKING

I am accustomed to working alone.

MARY

I know. You’ve had no other choice. But… as I said before. Everyone has need of help sometime. I told you once, I can be brave, and I have a strong back and the good sense God gave me. Please… let me help you.

(Pause.)

MRS. HAWKING

Good heavens. I must be losing my mind.

MARY

So… we shall give it a go, then?

MRS. HAWKING

God help us. All right, brave girl. All right.

MARY

Oh, thank you. Thank you, madam! I swear, I will not disappoint you.

(MARY throws herself at MRS. HAWKING in a hug. MRS. HAWKING stiffens awkwardly.)

MRS. HAWKING

Very well. I grant you have not yet.

MARY

Are you at work on the case?

MRS. HAWKING

Indeed, considering how best to overcome the varied challenges presented by Mrs. Fairmont’s predicament.

(She throws open a small box, revealing a collect of slim knives. MRS. HAWKING takes one of the box and shows it to MARY.)

MRS. HAWKING

Challenge the first—

MARY

The safety of the child.

MRS. HAWKING

Correct. To rescue the boy from the villain’s clutches.

(She sticks the knife into the mantle piece. Then she takes out another knife.)

MRS. HAWKING

Challenge the second—

MARY

The security of her reputation.

MRS. HAWKING

—To prevent the knowledge of the child’s existence from reaching the public.

(She sticks the second knife in beside the first. Out comes a third.)

MRS. HAWKING

And finally, challenge the third…

(MARY furrows her brow in thought, then shakes her head.)

MARY

I’m sorry.

MRS. HAWKING

That would be the villain himself. Lord Cedric Brockton is no petty threat. The man conceals the traces of his enterprise as well as any man I’ve tangled with.

(She stabs the third knife into the mantle.)

MARY

So there is the third. To put paid to his machinations once and for all.

MRS. HAWKING

Precisely, Miss Stone.

MRS. HAWKING

And there is the trouble, then. I am uncertain how to proceed here.

MARY

Have you never encountered this sort of case in the past?

(As MRS. HAWKING speaks, she takes out her black stealth costume. She shakes it out, examines it, and finds a tear in the fabric.)

MRS. HAWKING

I’ve returned a missing child or two in my time, but in this instance my usual methods have not served. My thought had been to trace his lackeys back to where they were keeping the boy, but I have been trailing them for days and seen no sign.

MARY

What does that mean?

(MRS. HAWKING sits down with needle and thread and begins to sew up the tear.)

MRS. HAWKING

I can only conclude that the child has not been placed into the keeping of his hired toughs. Beyond that, I have no data.

MARY

Therefore… we find must find a way to gather some. Do we not?

MRS. HAWKING

We can make no forward progress otherwise.

(Finally MARY is struck with an idea.)

MARY

Madam… if I may suggest…

MRS. HAWKING

Yes?

MARY

What was it that Mrs. Fairmont said, about… about Lord Brockton hosting a ball?

MRS. HAWKING

Yes, some society nonsense in celebration of yet another victory for the Empire. My husband devoted the damned whole of his life to winning it, and yet they keep on.

MARY

Will his lordship be hosting it at his home?

MRS. HAWKING

I believe so.

MARY

Perhaps that’s the way to gather intelligence.

MRS. HAWKING

By attending this ball?

MARY

It’s a way into his house. There— there might be something useful to discover there!

MRS. HAWKING

Surely he is not keeping the boy in his own house.

MARY

No, not if he’s as circumspect as you say. But there may be something, some sliver of a secret that the lion is hiding in his den.

(MRS. HAWKING regards her critically for a moment, then nods.)

MRS. HAWKING

Yes. There is logic to it. Surely there must be something he would desire to keep close, and under his own oversight.

MARY

So you shall go?

MRS. HAWKING

I shall. Now, we must prepare, and we haven’t much time. I have been out of the roar of things for some time now, but I daresay the Hawking name still holds enough sway to secure an invitation. And of course we shall have to see about acquiring you a suitable gown.

MARY

A gown? For me? I… I may come along with you?

MRS. HAWKING

It was your plan, Miss Stone.

MARY

But shan’t it be an affair for high society?

MRS. HAWKING

You shall quickly learn, child, if you are to ply this trade for long you must master the art of disguising yourself as something you are not. For you, it shall be as high society. For me, it shall be as a creature that can bear to spend the evening in whalebone stays. Besides, when it comes to facades one must put on, society is a common one. I imagine you shall manage it no worse than most.

Scene 5 

(The ballroom at the home of LORD CEDRIC BROCKTON. Well-dressed men and women mill about socializing. After a moment, enter MRS. HAWKING and MARY from opposite sides of the stage in fancy gowns. They hurry over to one another.)

MRS. HAWKING

There you are. I’ve observed the lay of the house and I believe I’ve found the place to look. There is a locked study on the second floor from which the valet keeps chasing away the guests. If Brockton keeps sensitive material in this house, that will be the place.

(MARY tosses uncomfortable looks over her shoulder.)

MRS. HAWKING

Are you quite all right?

MARY

That gentleman over there was staring at me. Can he tell I don’t belong?

MRS. HAWKING

I imagine, Miss Stone, it is because we have dressed you in entirely too becoming a gown.

MARY

Oh! Well, I’ve never worn anything so grand.

MRS. HAWKING

It suits you, I’m afraid, which has naturally rendered you public property. Fortunately, I have been able to turn this distasteful consequence to our advantage.

MARY

How so?

MRS. HAWKING

When I observed how many were murmuring about the mysterious and lovely young woman, I may have given them the impression you were a niece of the viceroy of India, sent home to escape a scandal with a prominent soldier.

MARY

Me? But I am no— why?

MRS. HAWKING

Brockton is a blackmailer, Mary. He is always interested in persons with secrets. While he sounds you out for his wicked purpose, I shall take advantage of his distraction.

MARY

I don’t know how to behave like the niece of the viceroy! He’ll see right through me!

MRS. HAWKING

See that he doesn’t. You were raised in India, make use of your experience. Now, listen to me closely. You must keep him engaged for as long as you possibly can while I infiltrate the study. I can elude the servants with ease but the master will be more wary.

MARY

But madam— very well. I shall do my best.

MRS. HAWKING

Good girl. Now I must make myself scarce. It is imperative that Brockton not observe us speaking together.

MARY

Good— good luck, madam.

MRS. HAWKING

To you as well.

(MRS. HAWKING walks off and exits. MARY, now left alone, shifts nervously at first. She then awkwardly attempts to affect the carriage of what she imagines is the mysterious, high-class niece of a viceroy. Enter LORD CEDRIC BROCKTON, middle-aged, handsome, impeccably dressed. He spots MARY and makes his way over to her.)

LORD BROCKTON

I don’t believe we’ve met.

(MARY jumps a little, startled, but collects herself quickly back into her new persona.)

MARY

Oh? Ought we to?

LORD BROCKTON

Allow me to introduce myself. I am Lord Cedric Brockton, and I would like to personally welcome you to my party.

MARY

Why, this is your house? Oh, it’s a— it’s a dear little place.

LORD BROCKTON

I am glad you like it. You must know, miss, that everyone is buzzing about you and no one seems to know your name.

MARY

Ah… my uncle calls me Tigerlily.

LORD BROCKTON

How very charming. Have you been long in London?

MARY

Oh, no. No time at all. Only long enough to learn that London is so dreadfully dreary and dull. I haven’t the faintest idea how you tolerate all this fog.

(She takes a quick look around for MRS. HAWKING.)

LORD BROCKTON

It is dreary, indeed. Certainly not as… temperate and exciting as life on the subcontinent.

MARY

Good heavens, you’ve no idea! Why, back home, if I so chose, I could ride to finishing school on the back of an elephant!

LORD BROCKTON

Well, we’ve certainly nothing like that here. So, tell me, miss, whatever could you draw you away from all that?

MARY

Oh, well, you know how things are… uncle dear thought it was best for me to go away for a while… he feared I was becoming too popular with some of his, well…

LORD BROCKTON

Soldiers, miss?

(She affects a carriage of indignation.)

MARY

My lord! What kind of lady do you take me for? Fraternizing with enlisted men?

(She pauses dramatically.)

MARY

They were all officers!

(They burst out laughing. Over his shoulder, she spies MRS. HAWKING reenter.)

MARY

Oh, but I’ve said too much! Uncle John would be furious with me. You must excuse me, Lord Cedric, we shall talk again soon. Lovely party you’ve thrown!

LORD BROCKTON

I shall look forward to it!

(She turns and leaves. BROCKTON watches her go for a moment. Then he turns around and spots MRS. HAWKING. He laughs.)

LORD BROCKTON

Why, fancy that. You’re in attendance this evening.

(He approaches her. She tenses almost imperceptibly, then turns to face him.)

MRS. HAWKING

You know me, sir?

LORD BROCKTON

Oh, my yes. We’ve never had occasion to meet, but I am certainly aware of Mrs. Colonel Reginald Prescott Hawking. Oh, but forgive me my manners— allow me to formally introduce myself.

MRS. HAWKING

Of course, Lord Cedric, undersecretary to the minister and our gracious host.

LORD BROCKTON

It’s been some time since you’ve made an appearance in society.

MRS. HAWKING

Haven’t you heard? My husband died, I’ve been in mourning.

LORD BROCKTON

Of course. His passing was a great loss to the empire. And you’ve chosen this time to reemerge. Remarkable.

MRS. HAWKING

Some would say it was time.

LORD BROCKTON

To be sure. You’ve grown something of a reputation for reclusion. It is, then, also remarkable that the notoriously withdrawn wife of the late colonel should develop associations with no fewer than three ladies with whom I have had business in the last several years.

(Pause.)

LORD BROCKTON

I make a point of observing such things, Mrs. Hawking. Particularly when there is a discernible pattern of the enterprises in question going awry. When such a thing occurs, I take pains to learn why.

MRS. HAWKING

Perhaps you have made a wrong move.

LORD BROCKTON

Perhaps you have, madam. For your own wellbeing, I advise you to make no more.

(He bows.)

LORD BROCKTON

I am glad to have finally made your acquaintance, Mrs. Hawking. Do enjoy the rest of the party.

(He exits. After a moment MARY reenters and approaches her with caution.)

MARY

Madam? Did you find anything?

MRS. HAWKING

Not now. We must not be seen speaking.

(MRS. HAWKING presses a sovereign into her hand.)

MRS. HAWKING

Hire a hansom and meet me at home, we shall talk then. Things have become more complicated.

(She hurries away, leaving Mary onstage.)

ACT IIScene 1 

(Back in her parlor, MRS. HAWKING paces, her elaborate gown is partially disassembled. After a moment, MARY rushes in through the front door.)

MARY

Oh, madam! That was— oh, how exhilarating that was! Oh, the splendor of that grand ballroom, all of those elegant people, and this beautiful gown! I’ve never been so carried off!

MRS. HAWKING

Mary—

MARY

When Lord Brockton came over, I thought I would faint! But I didn’t, I handled him, I can hardly believe myself! It was like something out of an adventure novel! Who would ever have thought that a girl who spent her life making beds and scrubbing pots could have tangled with—

MRS. HAWKING

Mary, please! We have serious matters to attend to!

MARY

Oh, do forgive me. You found something?

MRS. HAWKING

It is more than that, Miss Stone. Brockton spoke to me just before we left. He suspects.

MARY

My goodness! He does?

MRS. HAWKING

Regrettably, he is more observant than most of my adversaries. He has not divined the extent of things, I’m sure; doubtless he thinks I’ve simply whispered in a few choice ears, but any attention at all could prove disastrous.

MARY

What are we to do? I suppose… we must act quickly, then, before he has the chance to bolster his defenses.

MRS. HAWKING

Indeed, but I fear that may not be enough. Even if we recover the boy, Mrs. Fairmont’s secret is still in his power. We must find some intelligence we may hold over him, to force him to keep his silence.

MARY

Oh, my. That sounds difficult.

MRS. HAWKING

Which is what makes his weapon of choice so dangerous.

MARY

But we can’t leave poor Gabriel in that man’s clutches.

MRS. HAWKING

Better off as Mrs. Fairmont may be.

MARY

Why, madam!

MRS. HAWKING

This world would trap her into the obligation of motherhood, and yet she risks destroying herself to fulfill it.

MARY

What else can she do? She cannot be faulted for loving him.

MRS. HAWKING

Of course, of course.

MARY

We must get him out of there as soon as we can. You did find something that could help, didn’t you?

MRS. HAWKING

I did indeed. I tell you, Brockton may suspect me, but I daresay he did not see my lock picks coming— that study could keep no secrets from me. Oh, if only I’d had more time! I could have unearthed leads to any number of this man’s blackmailed victims!

MARY

But what of Mrs. Fairmont’s case?

MRS. HAWKING

Ah, yes. Among his most recent papers I discovered a letter. The note was unsigned and the envelope bore no postmark. But the text spoke very frankly of having received the child and agreeing to secret him away as a condition of Brockton’s continued silence. I have no doubt that he has imposed upon another of his victims to aid him in this scheme.

MARY

Did it say where this man is keeping Gabriel?

MRS. HAWKING

Unfortunately, no, it was vague on that detail. We shall have to discover that by another means.

(MRS. HAWKING produces a piece of fancy stationary covered with writing.)

MARY

You took it away with you? Shan’t he notice?

MRS. HAWKING

Only the second page, with no sensitive information. A risk, I know, but we must have something to study.

MARY

But you said there was nothing to identify it.

MRS. HAWKING

Ah, but there is. It simply requires the proper eye to see it. Even the smallest unique detail can carry the marks of identity.

(She studies the page.)

MRS. HAWKING

See here. The hand is firm and even, yet not so handsome as to be the work of a professional secretary. Our culprit authored this himself; he does not trusts his dealings with his blackmailer to a servant. The language is that of an educated man… and contains several noteworthy turns of phrase, such as… “…which I should say is far aboon the call of my debt…” and “…for the concealment of a cobby boy…” which are very distinctly of the Yorkshire dialect. So it is safe to say the writer is a man of some background, and was raised in the county.

MARY

That’s astounding!

MRS. HAWKING

A trifle. Now, as for the paper… it is very fine, certainly expensive…

(She holds the page up to light of the gas lamp.)

MRS. HAWKING

And this watermark… I’ve seen it before. A large B styled within a ring. This is the stationary of the Bombay Club.

MARY

What is the Bombay Club?

MRS. HAWKING

It is a supper club for distinguished soldiers of the empire and their relations. The Colonel belonged to it, and my nephew does in his honor. It is the sort of place where such men escape to in order to congratulate one another for their victories over savages armed with darts and spears.

MARY

So to use this paper, our writer must be a member.

MRS. HAWKING

Most likely.

MARY

Why, what luck! If Nathaniel belongs as well, perhaps he can help!

MRS. HAWKING

Certainly not. Nathaniel would only stand in our way and behave as if it were for our own good.

MARY

Perhaps if we explained to him the seriousness of the situation.

MRS. HAWKING

Mary, I have been at this for some time now, and it has become clear that no man will brook a challenge to his comfortable order of things. You will learn this too in time.

MARY

But surely a member of your own family—

MRS. HAWKING

Mary. It is out of the question.

MARY

If you insist, Mrs. Hawking.

MRS. HAWKING

Regardless, the club seems to be our best lead at present. We shall have to investigate for the presence of any members with a background in Yorkshire. Even if there are a number, it certainly narrows things down.

MARY

Very well. I suppose we’ll have to proceed in secret, then?

(MRS. HAWKING fetches a bag from a corner and pulls her stealth suit out of it.)

MRS. HAWKING

Indeed. Women are not permitted as guests, of course, but there are some girls who work in the kitchen. We’ll disguise you as one of the maids and as long as you keep your head down, no one should trouble over you.

(She pulls takes a knife off the mantelpiece, a plain sturdy Bowie.)

MRS. HAWKING

The Colonel’s old service knife. An American style, unusual for a soldier of the empire. Leaving it was one of the few useful things he ever did for me.

(She lays it on the table beside the bag.)

MARY

And what of you?

(MRS. HAWKING pulls the black mask over her head.)

MRS. HAWKING

I do not intend to be seen at all.

MARY

Oh, my.

(Pause.)

MARY

If you’d like me to come with you again… does this mean you were pleased with me the first time?

MRS. HAWKING

I am. Another set of wits and another pair of hands proved… surprisingly useful. And you acquitted yourself most admirably.

MARY

As I said. It does a soul good to be of service.

MRS. HAWKING

Perhaps you were right, Miss Stone. Perhaps there is something to having some help upon which to rely.

(MARY glows. The women continue their preparations.)

Scene 2 

(A special room at the Bombay Club. Two maid girls, one of whom is MARY, enter. They dust and straighten the room, lay out brandy on the table, clip cigars, and ready the place for use. She glances around but does not see what she’s looking for. Finally the other girl exits. As soon as she is gone, MRS. HAWKING suddenly appears from beneath the cloth on the table, dressed in her stealth blacks, quick as lightning, Bowie knife extended.)

MARY

Oh, my goodness! There you are!

(MRS. HAWKING gets up off the ground and pulls up her mask.)

MARY

Why did you want me to meet you here?

MRS. HAWKING

Because I’ve spotted our man, or at least a likely suspect. There is a gentleman with a strong Yorkshire accent in the supper room as we speak. Dinner shall be concluded soon, and then they shall retire here.

(MRS. HAWKING begins inspecting the backdrop.)

MRS. HAWKING

I intend to observe the man from hiding until I learn his identity. You are to remain nearby in case some action is needed.

MARY

Yes, Mrs. Hawking. And where will you hide?

(MRS. HAWKING settles on a spot. She draws her long knife and MARY gasps as she jams it halfway along the blade into a slit in the wood. With one hand on the structure for balance, she steps up onto the knife blade. From there she climbs up on top of one of the rafters.)

MARY

My goodness!

MRS. HAWKING

I have found to my advantage, over the years, that people seldom look up.

(The sound of voices and footsteps can be heard just outside the door.)

MRS. HAWKING

Quickly, Mary, hand up the knife!

(MARY grabs it and with effort wrenches it out of the wood. MRS. HAWKING reaches down for it, but before MARY can pass it up the door is pushed open. In desperation she tosses it under one of the high-backed chairs. MRS. HAWKING perches still on top of the rafter while MARY pretends to scrub the floor. WALTER GRAINGER, a well-dressed country squire, pushes in, followed by LORD CEDRIC BROCKTON.)

SIR WALTER

I’ve had quite enough, sirrah. I’ve paid you your money, I’ve hidden your documents, I’ve secreted away your stolen boy! Do you mean to bleed me dry?

LORD BROCKTON

A few pounds and favor or two are a small price to pay to harbor mistakes like yours, my lord.

SIR WALTER

Now you dog me to my club! I’ve had near enough of your poison.

LORD BROCKTON

You’ll drink it up and more before I’m through. Unless you want the peerage to know what sort of man Sir Walter Grainger truly is.

(SIR WALTER leans in fiercely towards him, but finally he moves off in submission.)

LORD BROCKTON

So I thought, my lord.

(SIR WALTER stalks off to sit down in one of the chairs, where he discovers the knife.)

LORD BROCKTON

What’s that?

SIR WALTER

Looks to be a service knife.

LORD BROCKTON

What’s it doing here?

SIR WALTER

I know this. That odd American sort—it belonged to the Colonel. Old Colonel Reginald Hawking.

LORD BROCKTON

Hawking!

MARY

(whispered) Oh, no.

 

(NATHANIEL wanders in, examining his pocket watch.)

MARY

(Urgent whisper) Mr. Hawking!

(NATHANIEL looks around in confusion.)

NATHANIEL

Excuse me?

MARY

Nathaniel!

(She stands and creeps closer. NATHANIEL turns in the direction of her voice and recognizes her in surprise. She quickly stands up.)

NATHANIEL

Mary? What the devil are you—!? Good lord, did Aunt Victoria fire you?

(She pulls him aside stage left.)

MARY

Never mind that! You must help!

NATHANIEL

Help? With what?

MARY

You must take Lord Brockton from the room!

(NATHANIEL glances over his shoulder at the cluster of men.)

NATHANIEL

Lord Brockton— the undersecretary? He is here?

MARY

Mr. Hawking, please! It is for your aunt, he must not find her here!

NATHANIEL

But how could she—?

MARY

There’s no time! Take them from the room, and get back that knife!

(She spins him and shoves him toward the men, then pretends to dust.)

NATHANIEL

What ho, gentlemen, I was… hoping I might interest everyone in a game of cards. I think we’re a large enough company for a decent rubber.

SIR WALTER

Ah… why, yes, sounds a capital idea.

NATHANIEL

Right then, I’ll call for a table.

(They rise with their brandy and cigars to go into the other room.)

LORD BROCKTON

Forgive me, sir, but— Hawking, did you say?

NATHANIEL

Ah— yes, you did, my lord. Nathaniel Hawking’s the name— the late Colonel’s my uncle.

(They shake hands. NATHANIEL notices the knife.)

NATHANIEL

My good graces! You found Uncle’s service blade! Oh, I’m ever so grateful. It was a gift from him, we were terribly close. I would have been most distraught if I’d lost it for good.

(BROCKTON hands over the knife.)

LORD BROCKTON

Ah, I see. Of course, sir. I ask because I recently had the pleasure of meeting of the late Colonel’s wife.

NATHANIEL

Oh, did you? Ah— how is the old girl? Haven’t seen her in ages. Doesn’t go out much, I hear, since my uncle passed. She’s quite lost in the world without him.

(NATHANIEL shepherds them out. MARY freezes when BROCKTON approaches her, but he looks right through her.)

LORD BROCKTON

Out of the way, girl.

(The other maid comes back in to clean up. MARY hurries to help, tossing apologetic glances to MRS. HAWKING. Finally she draws a knife and leaps down right behind the maid.)

MRS. HAWKING

Oh, blast it!

(MRS. HAWKING strikes her solidly in the back of the head and she drops like a stone.)

MARY

My God!

MRS. HAWKING

Calm yourself, she’ll wake. What have you done?

MARY

I believe you’re safe now, Nathaniel has—

MRS. HAWKING

I told you, you were not expose our work to anyone! Least of all Nathaniel!

MARY

But, Mrs. Hawking—

(NATHANIEL bursts back in.)

NATHANIEL

Brockton’s occupied with the other gentlemen. Aunt Victoria! What is the meaning of all this? Why— why on earth are you dressed this way?

MRS. HAWKING

Nathaniel, do not speak a word more! Mary, make your escape, we have what we came for. I shall deal with you at home.

(She pulls her mask back down and sneaks out the window.)

Scene 3 

(MARY and NATHANIEL are in MRS. HAWKING’s parlor. MARY pours brandy as NATHANIEL sprawls in an armchair.)

NATHANIEL

Surely, Mary, surely this must all be a joke!

MARY

I promise you, sir, it’s all true.

NATHANIEL

But— it’s madness! Breaking into buildings! Knives and bullets! Games of cat and mouse with… society blackmailers! Why hasn’t she come back? Where the devil is she?

MARY

She’ll be along, she must take care that she is not followed.

NATHANIEL

Not followed? By Jove!

(Enter MRS. HAWKING from the right, still dressed in her stealth blacks with her mask pulled down. NATHANIEL springs out of the chair, the Colonel’s knife in his hand.)

NATHANIEL

Good lord, you’re here!

(MRS. HAWKING begins sorting through her things.)

MRS. HAWKING

I thought it would be best if I entered through the alley window.

NATHANIEL

Madam, I— madam, I hardly know what to say!

MRS. HAWKING

Then say nothing, Nathaniel.

NATHANIEL

Am I to understand that you have been— going out on these… ventures… for some time now?

MRS. HAWKING

Since before you wore trousers.

(She snatches the service knife out of his hand.)

NATHANIEL

Madam! Have you lost your mind!? Risking your life against criminals and lowlifes, consorting with all manner of disreputable people! What in the world possessed you?

MRS. HAWKING

If you cannot see that, then I cannot explain.

MARY

She does so many people a great deal of good, sir! People who have nowhere else to turn—

NATHANIEL

Mary, please. Aunt, this is simply not done. And by a lady of your position! Whatever did Uncle think of all this?

MRS. HAWKING

I did not trouble for your uncle’s approval any more than I do yours. My work is too important to concern myself with the opinions of the likes of you.

NATHANIEL

No. No, this won’t do at all. Aunt Victoria, I’m afraid I must lay down the law on this. I cannot allow you to— I must insist that you put an immediate stop to all this madness.

MRS. HAWKING

What did you say?

NATHANIEL

I must— I must insist. I forbid you to continue in this business.

MRS. HAWKING

You forbid me? You forbid me?

NATHANIEL

Aunt Victoria, be reasonable—

MRS. HAWKING

You dare to interfere in that which you so little understand?

NATHANIEL

The Colonel would want—

MRS. HAWKING

Nathaniel. Do not speak again of what the Colonel would want.

(Pause.)

MRS. HAWKING

Now I want you to leave.

NATHANIEL

I am concerned for you—

MRS. HAWKING

Nathaniel!

NATHANIEL

Very well. We’ll— we’ll speak of this again. Later. When you’re feeling better.

(He dithers helplessly a moment, then, resigned, he goes to the door.)

NATHANIEL

Good evening, dear aunt.

(He waits a moment for response, but there is none. He exits.)

MARY

We’ll speak to him. I’m sure we can reason with him. We’ll make him understand, I am certain of it.

(MRS. HAWKING whirls on her.)

MRS. HAWKING

How dare you?

MARY

Oh, Mrs. Hawking, I am so sorry, but—

MRS. HAWKING

Over the course of years I have worked to devise the means and methods to carry this delicate operation upon which so many desperate people depend. And you see fit upon just a few days’ experience to place it all in jeopardy!

MARY

You were on the verge of discovery, I only wanted to help!

MRS. HAWKING

Your help may prove to be the ruin of everything! But I suppose I should have expected no more; you are an ignorant child who knew no better, and I was a fool to bring you into this. Leave me now, I can no longer bear to look at you.

(MRS. HAWKING turns away. MARY begins to slink off, but stops suddenly, then firmly turns to face her.)

MARY

No. No, madam. What would you have done!?

MRS. HAWKING

I beg your pardon?

MARY

If I hadn’t been there— if I hadn’t asked Nathaniel to cover your tracks— what would you have done? How would you have escaped?

MRS. HAWKING

I have managed my endeavors for years without detection before a house girl deigned to lend her expertise! And I protected the information from my fool of nephew and the husband that lived in this house all that time until you revealed everything! This would have been no different.

MARY

But it is different! You said it yourself, Cedric Brockton is a more formidable opponent than you’ve faced before. He’s already wary of your looking into his affairs! If we hadn’t been there to help you, Brockton would have discovered you and you would have fallen into his power. You would have lost everything!

MRS. HAWKING

I will yet if Nathaniel has his way.

MARY

Madam, he saved you!

MRS. HAWKING

And then marched over here and forbade me to carry me on.

MARY

Even so, he cares for you!

MRS. HAWKING

His uncle cared for me too, and he would have kept me like a bird in a cage. Oh, our men all care for us, our nephews and husbands and fathers. As your father did, Mary, and mine, so far as they can keep us under their power.

(She grabs the service knife and hurls it to the floor.)

MRS. HAWKING

Well, that for their care! When my father had no thought for me, I was left to my own way and did as I pleased! It was when he had a care that he sold me to the Colonel whether I would or no! All that mattered was that I was of use. Tell me, Mary, was your father any different?

(MARY says nothing.)

MRS. HAWKING

Of course not. They’re all of a kind. If you place your trust in them, they will betray you, until we are the faithful dogs and pliant sheep they wish us to be.

MARY

I have been a servant in other peoples’ houses all my life! You think you need explain to me?

MRS. HAWKING

I will permit that of no one! Neither foolish women nor beastly men!

MARY

Is that the sum of it, then? The women are fools and the men are beasts? Is there no one worth taking into your life and your confidence? But why risk so much for people if you think so little of them all?

MRS. HAWKING

Your forget yourself, Miss Stone.

MARY

You do God’s work when you give help and protection to those in need, but how can you save them if you don’t think them worth saving? I hear the contempt in you for even Mrs. Fairmont as she fears for her husband and her son.

MRS. HAWKING

She wouldn’t require saving were she not ruining herself for that man and that boy.

MARY

That boy is the child of her body— and you won’t even speak his name. It is Gabriel!

MRS. HAWKING

I know his name!

MARY

But you will not deign to use it! The souls in question matter, madam, yours as well. This cannot only be your vengeance. For the sake of those you save, and for your own sake, it must be more than that.

MRS. HAWKING

Do not presume to judge me, girl! It is not your place!

MARY

And yet this must mean something better! If that is outside my place, well, then, madam, I’ve no more use for my place than you do for yours.

(MRS. HAWKING stares at her intensely. MARY takes a few deep breaths, shocked at her own passion. She collects herself, smoothing her hair and straightening her skirt.)

MARY

Forgive me, Mrs. Hawking. But… I had to speak.

MRS. HAWKING

Well, then. You’ve said your piece. Now I will thank you to make yourself scarce and leave me to myself for a while.

MARY

Are you… are you dismissing me, madam?

MRS. HAWKING

To your room, Miss Stone. I shall deal with you later.

MARY

You said I was of help to you.

(Pause.)

MARY

I see. Very well, then, madam.

(She curtseys, then turns and walks out.)

Scene 4(It is the next day at MRS. HAWKING’s home. MARY paces uncomfortably around the parlor, wringing her hands. The bell rings, and MARY rushes to answer the door. She steps back to let in NATHANIEL.)

MARY

Oh, Mr. Hawking, it’s you.

NATHANIEL

Hello, Mary. Is my aunt at home… and do you think that she’ll see me?

MARY

Goodness, no… I mean, she’s not at home. I have not seen her since she sent me to my room last night, and she was quite upset with the both of us.

NATHANIEL

Oh, dear.

MARY

Mr. Hawking… Nathaniel… forgive me for saying so, but… you don’t know what it’s like, sir. You who have a decent family, and a little money, and everyone’s always listened to what you have to say. Without that… someone like Mrs. Hawking could be the only hope one has.

NATHANIEL

Truly? She… saves people? My God. All this time, I’d no idea. And… the Colonel had no idea.

MARY

She feared he would have stopped her.

NATHANIEL

As I tried to do. Oh, Mary. You must understand… Uncle Reginald meant a great deal to me. All I’ve ever wanted was to be like him. That meant, when he passed, that I’d try to step into his shoes and be the one to look after things. And he loved my aunt, Mary. He only meant to take care of her.

MARY

Nathaniel… it wasn’t right. Not for her.

NATHANIEL

What else was he to do?

MARY

Whatever your uncle meant… she’s become so angry. Angry at all the world. Even the child she’s set out to rescue. She will not utter the poor thing’s name.

NATHANIEL

I don’t believe I know it myself.

MARY

It’s Gabriel. The boy’s name is Gabriel.

NATHANIEL

Indeed? Oh, heavens.

MARY

Yes. Is there… something about it?

NATHANIEL

Well… that was what Uncle Reginald wanted to name their boy.

MARY

Their boy? They— they had a child?

NATHANIEL

Ah— not quite so. Poor little fellow was stillborn. It happened many years ago. I don’t really recall, I was just a boy myself.

(Pause.)

NATHANIEL

At any rate, where is she?

MARY

I don’t know. I’m afraid she’s gone to Sir Walter’s home on her own.

NATHANIEL

Oh, no. If Lord Brockton is as dangerous as you say, why—

MARY

We must help her! If only I knew… oh!

(She runs to grab the appointment book and leafs through it.)

MARY

My God, she did, she wrote a note! “Grainger estate… bring Mrs. F…”

NATHANIEL

What does that mean?

MARY

It means we must hire a hansom straightaway. There’s no time to lose!

NATHANIEL

But wait! This is a powerful man! What can we do against the likes of him?

MARY

Nathaniel. The Colonel would want you to be brave.

(NATHANIEL is struck by this, and nods. MARY grabs the poker from the fireplace. Then the two of them run out the door.)

Scene 5 

(The Grainger home. Lights up on SIR WALTER sitting alone, breathing hard, shaking with nerves. Suddenly MRS. HAWKING springs out in her stealth blacks, face concealed by her mask, one of her slim knives in her hand. SIR WALTER leaps a foot in shock.)

MRS. HAWKING

Sir Walter.

SIR WALTER

Good lord! Who are you!?

MRS. HAWKING

Never mind that. Where is the boy? Do you have him?

SIR WALTER

It wasn’t my doing, Brockton forced me to it! I dassent deny him!

MRS. HAWKING

He’s blackmailed you into his power?

SIR WALTER

Yes. Suddenly he threatened to ruin me unless I kept the child for him. But that is all I know of the matter, he’s told me nothing else!

MRS. HAWKING

The child, he’s here in the house?

SIR WALTER

Yes, there was no time to move him.

MRS. HAWKING

Move him? Why?

SIR WALTER

Don’t you see? Brockton knew you were coming. He’s snicked you in his trap! Him and all his ruffians… when they realize you’re here, they’ll kill you— whoever you are.

MRS. HAWKING

I shall handle his lordship and his men. But there is not much time, Sir Walter, and I have questions for you to answer. Find yourself a pen and paper, if you wish to free yourself from Brockton’s grasp, and listen close.

(Lights down on them. Lights up on LORD BROCKTON pacing. Enter JOHN COLCHESTER.)

COLCHESTER

Lordship, he’s here! He just tried to get at the boy’s room but we ran him off!

LORD BROCKTON

Who is it?

COLCHESTER

Can’t rightly tell, sir, he’s wearing a mask. But he’s lightning quick, and I’d stake me life he’s the same body what was tracking us the other day!

LORD BROCKTON

Whoever it is, catch him! I want that intruder found! Take your men and go!

(COLCHESTER runs out and BROCKTON strides offstage after him. Lights down. Lights back up on MRS. HAWKING proceeding through the house. Enter MARY with the fireplace poker.)

MARY

Madam! Thank heaven it’s you!

MRS. HAWKING

Mary! You found me.

MARY

It wasn’t hard. And you left the appointment book.

MRS. HAWKING

I knew you’d know to look.

MARY

I would have come with you. If you’d asked.

MRS. HAWKING

Sometimes it is useful to have reinforcements your enemy does not expect. And… I owe you more than orders. But for now, did you follow my instructions?

MARY

Yes, madam. Nathaniel! She’s here!

(Enter NATHANIEL followed by MRS. FAIRMONT.)

MRS. HAWKING

You brought Nathaniel.

NATHANIEL

Only to help, Auntie, I swear it.

MRS. HAWKING

Very well, then. We may as well make use of you.

(She pulls a folded piece of paper from her pocket and presses it into his hands.)

MRS. HAWKING

Here. Read this with care and carry it out exactly as written. Can you do this for me?

NATHANIEL

Yes, I’ll be at it forthwith.

MARY

Good man. Good luck, Nathaniel!

NATHANIEL

To you as well.

 

(NATHANIEL dashes off. MARY leads MRS. FAIRMONT over to MRS. HAWKING.)

MARY

But I don’t understand why you wanted Mrs. Fairmont here.

MRS. HAWKING

Because you were right about other things as well, Mary. Mrs. Fairmont, your child is at hand.

MRS. FAIRMONT

You’ve found him? You’ve found my baby?

MRS. HAWKING

He is here, madam. He is here, safe in this house, and we shall recover him soon.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Oh, thank God! May I see him? Will you take me to him?

MRS. HAWKING

One thing remains. His captors know we are here. They mean to assail us, and they must be dealt with while someone recovers the boy. Now, madam, I must ask you to be very brave. You must go in and retrieve your son.

MRS. FAIRMONT

Me? But Brockton’s men are everywhere!

MRS. HAWKING

Miss Stone and I will deal with them. But someone must retrieve the child. He is in the chamber at the end of the east wing, waiting only for you to go and rescue him.

MRS. FAIRMONT

I can’t!

MRS. HAWKING

You can, Celeste. That is your boy in there… that is your Gabriel. He has need of his mother. You can do this for Gabriel.

(MRS. FAIRMONT gathers her courage, clutching MRS. HAWKING’s hands tightly. Then she gathers her shawl around herself and dashes off.)

MARY

Won’t he be guarded?

MRS. HAWKING

They know we’re here, they are searching the house for us now. We must draw them off until she can get the child. So we must be ready for them to come.

(They wait nervously for a moment.)

MARY

Nathaniel told me about… about your boy. Your Gabriel.

(Pause.)

MARY

Madam, I— forgive me.

MRS. HAWKING

I told you Nathaniel could not keep his mouth shut.

(Pause.)

MRS. HAWKING

You called it my vengeance, Mary, but perhaps I can be forgiven for it. I was not meant for the lot of women… and certainly not that part of it. I must have wished a thousand times for it to just… begone. Like some burrowing beast from the hollow of a rotted-out tree. But then, when it was… well, I had not wanted that. But I suppose that was the way of it. My nature did not fit into any part of life with the Colonel.

MARY

Was he very bad to you?

(Pause.)

MRS. HAWKING

That man would have done anything in the world for me except for what I wanted. Him and his damned red rosebush.

(There are voices and footsteps.)

MRS. HAWKING

They’re coming. Mary, if you wish to leave, it must be now.

MARY

Not a chance, madam.

 

(MRS. HAWKING pulls her back into the shadows. Two of BROCKTON’s men enter. MRS. HAWKING leaps and handles one with an athletic show of martial arts, while MARY swings her poker to drive them out. LORD BROCKTON enters, holding a gun.)

LORD BROCKTON

Stand down!

(MRS. HAWKING and MARY whirl on him. BROCKTON is genuinely shocked to see her.)

LORD BROCKTON

My God. Victoria Hawking? You yourself?

MRS. HAWKING

Indeed.

LORD BROCKTON

I knew you had a hand in this somehow, but that you came yourself… you must be even madder than I thought. And who is this… slip of a girl? Another brave avenger for the unfortunate ladies of society?

(Enter JOHN COLCHESTER.)

COLCHESTER

It’s the boy, boss, he’s gone!

LORD BROCKTON

What!?

(He whirls on MRS. HAWKING.)

LORD BROCKTON

How!? What did you do!?

MRS. HAWKING

What I set out to do, sir, returned the boy to the arms of his mother where he belongs.

(BROCKTON gestures wildly to COLCHESTER.)

LORD BROCKTON

Go now, you dolt, find him! Stop him before he escapes!

(The men run out.)

LORD BROCKTON

It’s no matter anyway! I still know Celeste Fairmont’s secret. Even without the boy, I still can ruin her. And you, now that I know what you are up to as well!

(Enter NATHANIEL.)

NATHANIEL

I wouldn’t try that, if I were you.

LORD BROCKTON

What? Nathaniel Hawking, isn’t it? Have you and your whole blasted family gone mad?

MRS. HAWKING

Nathaniel has been of some assistance to me. It seems he’s found some secrets of yours as well.

LORD BROCKTON

What are you talking about?

NATHANIEL

You rely too much upon the fear you instill in your victims, Lord Brockton. You should not have entrusted such information to the keeping of one who hates you as Sir Walter Grainger does.

LORD BROCKTON

Grainger is in my power!

NATHANIEL

I’ve found the documents you ordered him to keep, my lord. Bits and pieces of the evidence you held over the heads of London society. I am certain those people would be delighted to see it out of your hands. And what do you think they will do to you once you no longer have that particular club to wield?

LORD BROCKTON

I’ll— I’ll ruin that idiot Grainger. I’ll ruin all of you!

NATHANIEL

You do and we’ll see you’re brought down with us.

LORD BROCKTON

People know you, Hawking, you have position and a family in this city! Does your reputation mean so little to you? You would risk your own good name just to help this madwoman?

NATHANIEL

That is exactly what I would do, my lord. Will you risk yours?

(Pause. BROCKTON fumbles to put up the gun again, but MRS. HAWKING knocks it out of his hand.)

MRS. HAWKING

That’s enough, Cedric. We will be going now.

(The three of them begin to exit. BROCKTON explodes as they go.)

LORD BROCKTON

No! No, blast you, you couldn’t! You’re just a woman!

MRS. HAWKING

And you, just a man.

(They exit, leaving BROCKTON alone.)

Scene 6 

(MRS. HAWKING’s parlor. MRS. HAWKING has changed into a house dress, and she and MARY sit exhaustedly, sipping at cups of tea. NATHANIEL leans on the windowsill.)

MARY

I’ve received a note from Mrs. Fairmont. Gabriel is restored to her, and they are home safe and sound.

NATHANIEL

Ah, thank God. That was… a wonderful thing you did there. I owe you an apology, Aunt Victoria.

MRS. HAWKING

As much as I owe you a debt of thanks, for what you’ve done this day. I shall consider us even if you shall.

(He goes to her and takes her hands.)

NATHANIEL

I always knew you were a remarkable woman… I only didn’t know how.

MRS. HAWKING

Nathaniel… the Colonel would have been proud of you.

NATHANIEL

I should be on my way home now. Good evening, ladies.

(He bows, then leaves through the front door.)

MRS. HAWKING

I do owe Nathaniel a great deal of thanks. He brought you to me, Mary.

(The bell rings. MARY goes to answer it. GRACE MONROE, a working-class woman, steps inside the house.)

GRACE

Begging your pardon, is this the house of Mrs. Victoria Hawking?

MARY

It is. Who may I say is calling?

GRACE

Grace Monroe, miss. Please, I’ve just got to see the lady.

MRS. HAWKING

I am she. What brings you here, Miss Monroe?

GRACE

Oh, madam, I’ve heard all about you. How you help women in rough spots. I’m in a proper one now, madam, and I ain’t got nowhere else to turn.

MRS. HAWKING

Indeed, Miss Monroe. Please, have a seat, and tell us what the trouble is.

GRACE

Thank you kindly, madam. And, if I might ask… who might this be with you?

MRS. HAWKING

This is Miss Mary Stone. My associate. You may trust her as you would me.

(MARY sits down beside GRACE.)

MARY

Please, Miss Monroe. I’m certain we shall be able to help you.

(GRACE begins telling the ladies her story, as they listen to her intently.)

CURTAIN