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  • GWENDOLYN COBB
  • SHERLOCK HOLMES
  • BILLY
  • AND TWO VALUABLE ASSISTANTS ARE THE PEOPLE MOST CONCERNED

IT ALL TRANSPIRES IN SHERLOCK HOLMES' BAKER STREET APARTMENTS SOMEWHERE ABOUT THE DATE OF DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY

THE TIME OF DAY IS NOT STATED

DARK CURTAIN

( Sherlock Holmes is discovered seated on the floor before the fire smoking. The fire is at L. There is a table C with various things on it, an arm chair right of it. A high upholstered stool is at its left. Firelight from fire at L. Moonlight from window up C and up L )

( Strange lights from door R and from door up R when it is open. After the curtain is up and the firelight on, there is a PAUSE)

( Sudden loud ringing at front door bell outside at R in distance, continuing impatiently. After time for opening of door, loud talking and protestations heard outside R in distance, Gwendolyn pouring forth a steady stream in a high key insisting that she must see Mr. Holmes, that it is very important, a matter of life and death, etc., Billy trying to tell her she cannot come up and shouting louder and louder in his efforts to make her hear. This continues a moment and then suddenly grows louder as the two come running up the stairs and approach the door; Billy leading and the voice after him )

( Enter Billy at door up R, very excited. He pulls the door shut after him, and holds it while he turns to speak to Holmes )

BILLY

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 25 chars.

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Note: Contains 52 words in 4 sentences using 228 chars.

( Holmes rises and moves up L C. Turns up lamp. Lights on )

Note: Contains 34 words in 2 sentences using 149 chars.

( Holmes moves toward C carrying pipe in left hand and watches Billy and the door with interest )

Note: Contains 45 words in 2 sentences using 208 chars.

( Door suddenly pulled upon from outside while Billy is talking to Holmes )

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( Enter Gwendolyn Cobb at door up R with unrestricted enthusiasm )
GWENDOLYN
( Entering joyously )

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( He motions her to seat, she does not pause an instant for any business )

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( Holmes nods again to indicate that he thinks so too )

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Note: Contains 35 words in 2 sentences using 165 chars.

( Holmes shakes head emphatically )

Note: Contains 57 words in 10 sentences using 263 chars.

( Holmes lights pipe )

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( Stamps about on violin trying to extricate herself. Continues talking and apologizing all the while. Suddenly sits on lounge to get loose from violin and breaks the bow which lies across the arm of lounge )

Note: Contains 11 words in 3 sentences using 48 chars.

( Takes out broken violin bow )

Note: Contains 35 words in 3 sentences using 149 chars.

( Goes up C to retort, etc. )

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Note: Contains 25 words in 6 sentences using 140 chars.

( Turning up papers on wall )

Note: Contains 50 words in 5 sentences using 241 chars.

( The other sketches fall down )

Note: Contains 39 words in 5 sentences using 169 chars.

( Pulls it down. Other sketches hung up fall with it )

Note: Contains 101 words in 11 sentences using 479 chars.

( Holmes motions her to sit )

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 62 chars.

( She is sitting on stool L of table. Holmes remains standing )

Note: Contains 57 words in 5 sentences using 279 chars.

( Holmes has edged round on the upper side of table and as she shudders, etc. he quietly takes a handerkerchief out of her dress or pocket and moves quietly to R side of table and sits. Puffing occasionally and listening to her. He examines the handkerchief while she is not looking, using magnifying glass, etc. )

Note: Contains 104 words in 19 sentences using 550 chars.

( Holmes shakes head )

Note: Contains 23 words in 5 sentences using 120 chars.

( Holmes quietly scribbles on a pad of paper )

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( Holmes rises and politely passes her handkerchief to her and sits again as before )

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Note: Contains 20 words in 6 sentences using 116 chars.

( Holmes scribbles on piece of paper )

Note: Contains 33 words in 4 sentences using 171 chars.

( Holmes pushes the paper across to her. She snatches it up and reads it in a loud voice )

Note: Contains 4 words in 2 sentences using 30 chars.

( Stop music )

Note: Contains 87 words in 15 sentences using 427 chars.

( Holmes scribbles on piece of paper )

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(MELODRAMATIC MUSIC)

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( Raises voice in excitement and moves about L C wildly )

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( Enter two uniformed men up L C followed by Billy. They stop an instant up R looking at Gwendolyn. In the height of her excitement she sees them and stops dead with a wild moan. They go down to her at once and get her quickly off at door up R. She goes without resistance )
BILLY

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 29 chars.

( Exit at door up R )

( Holmes rises. Takes an injection of cocaine. Lights pipe with candle which he then blows out )

( Lights off except red light of fire, etc. )

( Holmes goes to lounge at L before fire, and sinks down upon it, leaning back on the cushions )

(LIGHTS GRADUALLY OFF)

DARK CURTAIN

(STOP MUSIC)

CC-BY-4.0
Lizenzvertrag
Holder of rights
Mathias Göbel
Citation Suggestion for this Object
TextGrid Repository (2024). American Drama. The Painful Predicament of Sherlock Holmes. The Painful Predicament of Sherlock Holmes. American Drama Corpus. Mathias Göbel. https://hdl.handle.net/21.11113/0000-0014-A412-C