Characters:
Lydia. Wilder (Lydia.
Fischer)
--
The head of the United Ferry Company, the head of the Fischer family.
Lisa. Ritchie
(Lisa
. Fisher)
--Lydia's sister
.
Reed.
Fishel - Lydia and Lissa's brother, youngest member of the Fishel family. Branch manager.
Tantu. Wilder - Lydia's husband, becomes manager of the ferry company.
Bunander. Ritchie - Lissa's husband, runs the Springview Inn.
Gran. Rich - Bunander's brother, helps out at the inn.
Vit. Kashi - Lydia's personal secretary.
Smart. Gill - Famous detective, friends with Bunander.
Scene 1
(A long couch is placed on the left side of the stage, with a table in the center, looking at the table, which has obviously just finished eating, some plates are stacked, and there is some cutlery around it. There are three chairs around the table, and a wine cooler to the right.)
(Noise rises, music plays, stage, Lydia, Tantu sitting on couch, Lissa sitting in chair at table, Bunand busies himself)
Lydia is undoubtedly beautiful, but the queenly glow that emanates from her face more or less offsets the charms that the face itself possesses. She carried a distinct sense of superiority and pride in every move she made, and her tone of voice was never the same, no matter who she was addressing. Her laugh is never out loud, indicating a certain attitude, while hand gestures aid and enhance the effect.
Tantu, as the husband of a strong woman, is not as weak as one might expect. He was fairly stiff and even-tempered, and always laughed when interrupted by his wife most of the time. He seemed to be friendly and welcoming to everyone. He seems to care about everything. But after a long time you will realize that he really cares about himself. Perhaps one could call it hypocrisy, but he has turned such a flaw into a personal trait that has to be admired.
Lisa and her sister are like two sides of the same apple, with completely different colors despite their similar appearance. Lisa is gentle and considerate. She is the kind of wife a man wants to see when he comes home. Her tone of voice, her eyes, her movements, her steps, were as soft as if she was afraid of hurting the things around her. Please note, I'm not saying she's weak like Daiyu. Besides, Daiyu has too many thorns, and she has none. To describe her, I need only emphasize gentleness.
Lydia:
Oh, dear. Bunand, you don't usually have too many guests at your little inn, how do the servants even get their hands dirty with this.
(Bunand on)
Bunand has the tall frame and tough face of a mature man.
But to assume he's mature enough is an overstatement. He runs the hotel with the skill of a born leader, but his almost unprincipled optimism about the world reveals a lack of basic political awareness. He loved his wife, thank God. He loves this country, this world, this life. So he's happy, at least he thinks so. Let him live comfortably on the island. Don't think of him as an unattractive man. He looks like an aristocrat even in front of people.
Bernand: (rubbing his hands together) What's the matter Lydia? I think the steak was served too slowly.
Lydia:
Not exactly. I mean, we had a few people over, and look at the mess you guys are in.
Lily
Sa:
Sister, don't be so hard on him. Bligh didn't want to intrude on our family gatherings and sent the servants back this weekend. He did the house all by himself.
Lydia: What's the matter, Lissa, you're hurt just because you said something about him?
Leigh
Sa:
Sister!!!!
Bhunand: (afraid that his wife will think he is not feeling well hurriedly said) Lydia, don't worry, the cocktail will be ready in a minute, the recipe is made by me personally, it is guaranteed to suit your taste.... If there is any greeting that is not good, this will make you feel better.
Lydia: Really? I'll have to prepare myself then. Haha.
(Reid on, bottle and glass in hand)
Reid is not like the pampered sons of London, who have cultivated an interest in all things demoralizing since childhood. Reid, after all, had spent years of his old man's life in the straight and narrow. There was a time when he wanted to make a career out of it. It was only when the unfairness of the inheritance hit him and he decided to give up all enterprise that the fall began. He waited until he'd used up his share of the money and started going straight to his sister for it, not getting discouraged when he hit a nail, and treating it as an exercise in deadbeat behavior. His clothes were always immaculately clean, and the lace styles on his collar and cuffs were never kept up for a month. Though he had no title, he preferred to be called "lord". It was only in front of his sister that he would put everything away and be at ease as a younger brother.
Ri
De: Sorry, I can't wait. I saw it readily available in the cellar, so I had to open the bottle and taste it first anyway. (To Bunand) By the way, I can tell you which ones will sell well in town.
Leigh
Sa: (angry) Reed! You're so unlikeable.
Bhunander:(forgiving) That's all right, dear. Just let him be.
Lydia: Bunand, you don't have bars in kegs in your house?
Leigh
Sa:
Sister, this is not the time for brewing, the barrels are empty.
Lydia: That's a relief, at least Reid won't be moving the kegs into the parlor. Look at him, he'll break his back.
Lily
Sa: (covering her mouth) Haha.
Lee
De: (unimpressed) Oh, really, dear sisters, if I did break my back, a dozen girls would cry for me.
Leigh
Sa: (to Bunand) You see, my dear, he is pleased.
Lydia: Our brother is a very important man in London society. Do you know, Lissa, there are more girls queuing up every day to be invited to dinner by him than there are green peas on his plate just now.
Bhunander: (walks over to the other side and asks his wife quietly) Did Lydia think there were fewer green peas at dinner?
Tan
Tu: I think...
Lydia: (interrupting) You don't have to feel anything, dear, if you're feeling sorry for Reid, I'll tell you, no one here is laughing at him. If you're the one feeling envious and wanting to claim some kind of power, there's nothing I can do about it.
Tan
Tu:
(making a fool of himself) No no, of course not. Of course there's no such thing ......
Bunand: Glenn, come on, here's a couple more plates.
(Glenn on)
Glen. Richie wasn't exactly handsome, but he looked like he could win people over. Perhaps it was his large eyes, which seemed to have a lot on their minds that they wanted to call attention to. He is not tall, so he looks more like a child in front of his brother. When he gets to know you well, he will show his stubbornness and childishness. If he's determined to do something, he'll keep his thin lips so tightly shut that no one will be able to convince him easily. In this respect, the artist's temperament is more or less the same.
Lydia: Wait, Glenn, first hand me my handkerchief from the table.
(Glen comes quickly and hands it to her, immediately turning away.)
Lydia: (shaking her handkerchief, not without mockery) Ho, still the same uncaring face.
Bhunander:
Lydia, please don't mind. I've spoiled this brother of mine.
Lydia:
Don't say that, Bunand, you'll never be as good as me at spoiling your brother. Right, Reed.
(Lissa quietly tugs on Glenn's sleeve from the sidelines, Glenn shakes his head and goes down with his plate)
(Reed whispers to Tantu, Smut goes up and knocks on the door)
Smut is not the kind of man who looks like a detective at first glance, just as Poehler is nothing more than a bad old man to most people. Smartt wasn't old; after all, it hadn't been long since he'd left that age of hesitation. Years of office work had made him bulky, but he didn't care. In his words, he was only responsible for recognizing criminals, and arresting them was a matter for the police. Smuts always spoke courteously, only when dealing with the case in the words of the sharpness will be revealed. On this occasion he was dressed in summer clothes and a visor, wiping the sweat off his face as he knocked on the door.
Bunander:
Strange, who could this be?
Smart: (cordially) Hello there, Bunand. It's been another year since I've seen you.
Bunander: (enthusiastically) Ah, Gil! Where have you come from, old friend.
Smart: London, of course, it's a hot day.
Bunander: (puzzled) Didn't you say in your telegram that you weren't coming here on vacation this year?
Smart: (helpless) Oh yes, who'd have thought it, suddenly a client has asked me to meet him.
Bunander: here? When? How come I didn't get any call to book a room.
Smart: (understatement) Maybe he'll arrive tomorrow. This mystery client was referred by an old friend. Otherwise I wouldn't be running around in the heat. Luckily, it's a beautiful place and I can get some rest before the work begins. (Pause) What's the matter, from what you're saying, it sounds like I'm not in a good position to be here right now?
Bunander: Oh no, of course not. It's just that the hotel is closed today, and I'm making room for a small house party. (Carries over the luggage) Oh, you'd better come in!
(In a loud voice) Glenn! Come here, we have guests ......
(Glenn. Richie on)
Gram
Lan: Is that a call for me?
BRNAND:
(walks over and hands Glenn his bags) Take the bags upstairs. (To Smart) Come on, I'll introduce you to my family.
Smart: It would be an honor.
(Glenn. Richie down)
Brendan: (excited) Lisa dear. Look who this is.
Leigh
Lisa: (comes forward and curtsies) So it's Mr. Gill. How have you been?
Smart: The usual. Ma'am, you've gotten prettier and prettier since I've seen you for a few days.
Leigh
Sa: (Smiling skillfully) Oh, Mr. Gill, you have a sweet mouth.
Smart: (sees the people on the couch, turns around) I think these three are meeting for the first time.
Bhunander: ah ...... this is ......(interrupted)
Leigh
Sa: (not intentionally snippy, causing Bhunander's hand to pause in the air for a moment, though he wasn't offended by it) This is my sister Lydia. Wilder (pressing her hands on her sister's shoulders) and this is her husband, Tantu. Wilder. (To Lydia) Sister, this is Smuts of London. Mr. Gill.
Smart:
Nice to meet you all.
Tan
Tu: (stands up and shakes hands with Smart) Of course, so are we, sir.
Lee
Dee:
(condescending) May I ask, what is your profession in London?
Smart: (humble) I co-own a detective agency.
Lydia: (quickly) And what do you do?
Bunander:(Thinking she didn't hear correctly) Lydia, didn't Mr. Smartt say that? He's a detective.
Lydia: (with a little mockery) I know, I'm just curious,how do you so-called detectives work on a regular basis? Do you look at footprints on the ground with a magnifying glass or do you sit in your office and look at photos.
(The people around him felt awkward and suddenly chilled out, only Reid made a noise of drinking)
Smart:(Chuckling) You probably think that we come into contact with dead cases every day, and it's natural to think that way. But the work of a detective agency isn't as ......(after a moment of deliberation) exciting as outsiders might think, more often than not we're just boringly looking up information.
Tan
Tu: (trying to liven up the atmosphere) In that case, wouldn't all this work be tiresome at all times.
Smart:
(seemingly oblivious to the embarrassment) It's not so bad, though I have to support my family, but I can't pray for someone to commit a crime. At least in my heart of hearts I want things to be peaceful in this world.
Tan
Tu: So there's not much you can do in a year.
Smart: (politely explaining) Sir, we work on a much wider range of things than you can imagine right now, and we dabble in a lot of things on the legal side. Well, generally speaking, I like to take on estate disputes and the like, solving the puzzles of wills for widows and orphans who have nothing better to do. At least it cuts down on unnecessary disputes, and I get paid well for it.
Lydia: Yes, and if I should die, you will be counted among the witnesses to my estate.
Lily
Sa: (disgruntled) Sister!
Lydia: (waving her hand) Oh, just kidding. Bunand, why don't you invite this, oh ...... this ......
Tan
Tu: (softly prompting) It's Mr. Gill ......
Lydia: Oh sure, why don't you ask Mr. Gill to sit down .
Bunander:(breaking out of his nervousness) Oh, dang, sure.
Leigh
Sa: Gosh, I almost forgot. Mr. Smart, this is my brother Reed. Fisher, the youngest member of our family.
Reid
Reid: (laughing to himself) It's okay you don't have to mind me, they'll always be like that to me. Mr. Smart is it? RICHARD: It's good to see you. Come on! Let's drink to that not caring (drinking).
Lee
Sa:
You're too much, stop drinking. One of these days you're gonna get yourself killed over this. (goes for the bottle).
(Reid gets up and hides on the other side of the couch)
Leigh
Reid:
Mr. Smart, can you tell us a few stories about murders, kidnappings and such?
Lee
Sa:
Reed! That's so rude! (to Smart) He's young, I hope you don't mind ......
Leigh
Reid:
Hey, don't forget, I'm not the youngest here. It's that Glen. Richie.
He proved it the year his father's factory burned down (Lisa coughed on purpose), when he had his fifteenth birthday in our garden.
Leigh
Lisa:
Don't be ridiculous, I remember Glenn was three months older than you.
Lee
De:
Hmm, not again! Why is it that my words are always considered nonsense? He's coming up, ask him yourself.
(Glen Ridge)
Glen
Lan: Sir, your luggage has been put away. Here is your room key.
Smart: Oh, thank you.
Bunander: (walks over to Glenn, squeezes his shoulder) Smart, this is my brother Glenn, he just came back from studying painting (Glenn disgruntledly reminds ---- that it's fine art) in Paris, and he's helping out here now. (To Glenn) Glenn, Smut. Gil.
Ger
Glan: Hello, Mr. Smart. (shakes hands)
Smart: How do you do, Mr. Ritchie.
(While Glenn is talking to Smart, Lissa finally gives up on taking Reid's drink)
Lydia:
(In a loud voice) Bunand, you never stop talking, think about what you were going to do?
Bhunander:(slaps his forehead) Oh, I almost forgot, wine! Smuts, you sit down and I'll get the cocktails I've made.
Smart: (Owes again) Vomit, you're welcome.
(Bunand down)
(Glenn starts to take out a cloth to wipe the table, Reid comes to him and asks him his birthday, overlapping with the words that follow)
Tan
Tu:(looking at his wife first) Are you here on business this time?
Smart: (seems to wake up from his thoughts) Ah, yes.
Lydia: (distracted) So, again, who are you getting ready to help divide up the inheritance?
Smart: (serious) Well, I haven't met the client yet, so there's nothing to talk about.
Ri
De:
Don't you dare lie to me. I have a very good tongue.
Ger
Lan:
Okay. Okay, yes. The bottle was on the top shelf, unlabeled.
Leigh
D:
(Returning to her seat) For the record, Glenn is indeed younger than me.
Lydia:
You have once again demonstrated how far the gap between your intelligence and your age can be.
Tan
Tu:
(smiling reassuringly at his wife) Oh, isn't it nice to be perpetually energized like Reid?
(Bunand comes on, holding a plate, and distributes glasses to everyone on stage except Lisa, who snatches them away when it comes to Reid)
Bunand:(a little nervous) Long time no see.
Smart: (offhandedly) Ah, it tastes good. Doesn't it? Mistress.
Leigh
Sa:
(Regretfully) Unfortunately I am not up to the task, and I have not tasted Bly's bartending skills once.
(Tantu tries to say something, but suddenly stops again)
Lydia:(Slowly) Bunand, if that's what you call a well-mixed concoction, all I can say is. (shakes his head, spreads his hands)
(Everyone looks at Lydia without saying a word, the atmosphere seems to turn tense. Smut watched the scene with interest)
Lydia: (smiles a bit teasingly) Thank you.
Leigh
Sa: (relieved, with thoughtfulness) Sister.
(Lydia looked at Lissa and wanted to reach out, but in the end, she withdrew her hand, when Vitkash came striding up with a briefcase)
Vit looked as if he had served in the army, his back was straight no matter how he stood or sat. His eyes don't move when he speaks, and he doesn't even turn his shoulders. His words were simple and clear, and after so many years of serving under Lydia, he knew how to best and most efficiently convey information, and how to get the clearest instructions in the words that came back to him. When he's silent, you can tell he's thinking, but you can't tell what he's thinking about. But when he looks at you, you feel he can be trusted. He's probably the most puzzling person on the entire field.
Vi
T:
(businesslike tone) Ms. Lydia,
Lydia: (also businesslike tone) Ah, you're here too.
Weee
T:
Yes, the last ship of the day. Here are a few documents you need to sign.
Lydia: I'll take a look at it later. Just put it in my room for now.
Vi
T: (taking the papers) Okay.
Tan
Tu: (disgruntled) Honey, isn't this a purely family gathering?
Lydia: (as if intending to dismiss him) Yes, but that doesn't stop me from talking business with Viktor does it? I don't think I need to explain to you why I bring my business here, and you do realize that I have to work every day to support you and your family, don't you? Of course, it's a good thing we have someone we can trust like Viktor. (beckoning) Bunand, you still have the room I asked you to keep. Can you give the key to Veit?
Bunander: It's done, and I've put in the typewriter you asked me to prepare.
(Bunand pulls out the key, Vit takes it and prepares to go upstairs)
Ri
D: (gets up) Ah, Kashi, it's good to see you here, how about a cocktail?
Vi
T: (accepts the drink) Thanks a lot, Reid. That's a nice new dress you have. If I'm not mistaken, the style seems to be the most popular this year.
Reid
Reid: (happy) That's great, I thought you were bored in your office every day and didn't know anything about what's going on outside.
Vi
Te: (by chance) I got that perfume you asked me to find for you that is specially sprayed on letterhead.
Ri
De: Really? That's great. (glances behind him) Let's come over and talk.
(After that the two stayed on stage right whispering, then down)
Lydia: What time is it?
Tan
Tu:
Oh, let's see, it's almost seven-thirty.
Lydia: It's so boring, and it's a slow enough evening, a whole lot of boring people...hmmm...Glenn - Glenn - put some wine in my glass.
Gram
Ran:
Coming, coming.
(As Glenn pours the wine, Lydia sneezes and spills it on her shirt)
G
Lan: Oh, I'm sorry.
Lydia: Why are you such a klutz!
G
Lan: (backing up) I didn't realize you'd...
Lydia: (looking down) Oh, no...
G
Lan: I'm sorry, okay, but isn't it just a dress?
Lydia: You you, you know what you're saying? My poor dress, do you have any idea how hard it is to get a hold of, do you know how delicate the material is, you stupid, intellectual minion with less than a millionth of the intelligence of a normal human being. Don't touch me! You're just like your clumsy brother, you only cause trouble.
G
Ran: (very upset) I'm sorry, but I'd like you to retract what you just said.
Lydia: Why, aren't you? That's what you are supposed to be, people like you stupid waiters and these playthings that aren't even as good as scrubbing water should have been taken away from me a long time ago. No wonder I'm having such a hard time tonight. Tantu, take him away.
G
Ran: You incomprehensible, hysterical woman. It's none of my business, it's your own fault for sneezing, you've got yourself to blame for that.
Lydia: You're really good at arguing, Bunand, this is the good brother you've raised out there. Hmph, doing everything halfway and trying to be a painter is ridiculous.
G
Ran: Look, what I am going to do, what I will do is none of your business.
Smart: Uh, ma'am.
Lydia: please shut up Mr. Detective, this environment does not require your reasoning, don't let me discount your good impression.
Bunander: (speaking suddenly) Glenn, go to your room.
G
Lan:
Brother, you're still helping her, after what she just did ......
Bunander: (seemingly starting to get angry, but with a hint of a plea) Glenn-
G < /p>
Lan: (looks at Bunand, then at Lydia) Please, so I don't have to talk to a crazy person again. (turns to leave)
Lydia: (scornful) Stop, do you think you still have the right to throw a tantrum? Do you think you're still a child? If you feel aggrieved, hide back in your bed and cry
Lee
Sa: Sister.
Lydia: I'm sorry, dear, did I embarrass you? Well, go ahead and be embarrassed. (Rising) I think I'll go to my room and rest. (To Tantu) Don't follow me. I want to be alone. (Walks quickly to the edge of the stage and whispers) Ha, what a house party, whose bad idea was it?
(Lydia goes down, Reid goes up, Reid gets pushed)
Reid
Reid: What's up with her old man, never mind don't tell me. I'm not interested in that, and I know I didn't start it this time anyway. (walks over to the table and sits down)
Tan
Tu: (to the crowd) I think I'll go down and talk to her. (Down)
Leigh
Sa: Ugh, how can she do this, sister, there are guests here! (sits down and covers her chest) Ugh!
Brnand: Smut, I'm really sorry to make you laugh. Lissa, what's wrong with you? Not feeling well?
Smart: I think I'll go back to ....
Bunander: No, no, no, don't ever spoil your fun, Glenn! Come and keep Mr. Smartt company. I'll excuse myself for a moment. (Pulls Glenn over and sits down) My brother is actually quite nice, just stubborn. Glenn, don't be a baby.
(Smart helps Lisa down)
Ri
De: (downing another drink) Huh? Seems like everyone's gone, well, I've got to go do my own thing too, Mr. Smart, it was nice to meet you tonight, and I hope to see you again tomorrow.
Smart: Will do sir, good night. (Reid goes down)
G
Lan: (bitter smile) You must think me out of order. I may have disgraced my brother.
Smart: From what I know of your eldest brother, he has always been proud of you. What happened today was purely a minor accident.
G
Lan:
Maybe, I don't want to talk about what just happened. By the way Mr. Smart, are you really a detective? I think your profession is very mysterious. It's much more colorful than on my life, (gets up) my brother was supposed to send me to Paris to study medicine, but I really wasn't interested at all, every day I was looking at pale clothes, test tubes, and faces that screamed horribly in retrospect. So I secretly started studying art.
Smart:
Everyone's life has its own path. My career is kind of my own choice. In fact, the detective's work is not mysterious, just to pay attention to the observation of life, careful collection of evidence, coupled with simple reasoning, anyone can do. The difference is that some people have a higher rate of correctness.
G
Lan: Mr. Smart, I'd like to ask you something about your career. I should say, there is about something opinion.
Smart: Ask whatever you want.
G
Lan:
When studying art you often come across ****ing points of commonality between the different arts, because the arts are all essentially the same, but do you think crime is an art?
Smart: It's a question that's been discussed in both the detective world and the performance art world. At the moment, well, there's still no absolute answer.
G
Lan: What do you think yourself?
Smart: Simply put, not really. Art needs to be appreciated, and if a crime is perfect, no one will know about it, so where is the appreciation? But if someone knew, the crime would naturally be established, and it would not be perfect at all. In such a dilemma, it is impossible for a crime to become art.
G
Ran: But what if the crime is accomplished and then told?
Smart: That would be tantamount to an admission of guilt, and would not conform to the rules of action of a normal criminal. Unless, of course, he does want to prove something!
G
Ran: Which means you still think it happens. It's just that no one does it.
Smart: No, let's put it this way, I don't believe there is a crime in the world that is without merit. Anyone who commits an unforgivable sin is bound to leave something behind in some way that will later bring him or her to punishment.
G
Ran: That doesn't sound like the words of a detective, it sounds like the advice of some priest.
Smart: Priests and detectives have the same view of good and evil, just different scales of punishment. There, I've said enough for tonight. The next thing I'm going to say is - good night! Sir. I need to see my client tomorrow, and I can't afford to be unprepared.
G
Lan: (looking at the clock) Well, I should go clean up the kitchen too.
(There was a scream from the stage: ah, someone come, sister, she died in her room.)
(Glenn was about to speak when he heard the scream and changed color. The two immediately stood up. Smarter immediately went to the stage, and then Bunand came on)
Bunand: (panicked) What's wrong, I heard Lisa screaming. (Savingly) It was upstairs.
Smart: We'd better check it out right away.
G
Lan: Yeah, let's go right away.