Revised second act of Mrs. Hawking

[breakinglight11]

And here is the second act of the revised script of Mrs. Hawking.

Act II

Scene 1

(Back in her own parlor, MRS. HAWKING paces back and forth, thinking intensely. Her elaborate gown is partially disassembled.)
(After a moment, MARY rushes in through the front door with a shawl and hat on over her fancy dress.)

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 excited!

MRS. HAWKING
Mary—

MARY
When Lord Brockton came over, I thought I was going to 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, I was quite carried away. You found something, didn’t you?

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’ll need to 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, Mrs. Hawking!

MRS. HAWKING
This world would trap her into the obligation of motherhood, and yet fulfilling that obligation risks destroying her life.

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

MRS. HAWKING
(Sighing) Quite right, of course. Forgive me, Mary, it is the frustration of the circumstance.

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

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, delivered instead by messenger for the sake of anonymity. 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 the missive 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 however can we determine the writer if there is nothing to identify him?

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 takes the page in her hands and studies it.)

MRS. HAWKING
See here. The hand is firm and even, that of an educated man, 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 erudite, articulate… 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
Oh, my, 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 used to belong 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 serious 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 black canvas bag from a corner and pulls black clothing 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 of her stealth costume over her head.)

MRS. HAWKING
I do not intend to be seen at all.

MARY
Oh, my.

(MARY, a look of excitement on her face, begins taking off the pieces of her fancy gown. MRS. HAWKING takes the mask off again and begins laying out her blacks.)

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
I am glad. It… it feels right, to be of use this way.

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. The light is warm and low. Several plush leather chairs sit in front of a fireplace with a huge rhinoceros head hung over the mantel. A large round table is off to the right side with a rich cloth over it that reaches to the floor. There is a grand door in the wall beside the fireplace. Rafters rise up from the top of the backdrop to extend out over the stage to create the illusion of a ceiling.)

(Two maid girls enter through the door. They dust and straighten the room, lay out brandy on the table, clip cigars, and ready the place for use. In the course of this one girl pulls back the kerchief over her hair and we see it is MARY. As she works she glances around surreptitiously but does not see what she’s looking for. Then she glances at the other servant. When her back is turned, she sneaks off stage left.)

(When the other girl is through, the maid goes out. She turns the lock on the inside, then pulls the large door closed and leaves.)

(As the door swings closed, MARY sticks her head out, looking at the door in concerned. MRS. HAWKING suddenly appears from beneath the cloth on the table, dressed in her stealth blacks. Moving silently but quick as lightning, MRS. HAWKING throws herself out of hiding with her Bowie knife extended.)

MARY
Madam!

(MARY gasps as she thrusts the knife between the door and the frame just moments before it closes.)

MARY
Oh, my goodness! There you are!

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

MRS. HAWKING
Apologies, Mary. I did not mean to startle you, but it would not do to trap ourselves back here.

MARY
Why did you want me to meet you here?

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

(MRS. HAWKING begins running her gloved hands over the frame around the fireplace as if searching for something.)

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 mantel, she steps up onto the knife blade. From there she climbs from the mantel, onto the rhinoceros head, and 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. She looks up to MRS. HAWKING, who reaches down for it, but before she can pass it up the door is pushed open. In desperation she crouches down and sticks 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, agitated but trying to contain himself. He speaks with a distinct, coarse Yorkshire accent, in strong contrast to the crisp London accents of everyone else.)

LORD GRAINGER
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?

(Enter LORD CEDRIC BROCKTON, to the shock of MARY and MRS. HAWKING.)

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

LORD GRAINGER
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.

(LORD GRAINGER leans in fiercely towards him, but finally he breaks and moves off in submission. LORD BROCKTON grins smugly.)

LORD BROCKTON
So I thought, my lord.

(Enter another wealthy gentlemen club member in a jovial mood. GRAINGER collects himself.)

GENTLEMAN
Why, Lord Cedric! Fancy seeing you here tonight! What brings you the Bombay Club?

LORD BROCKTON
Why, our dear friend Sir Walter here. We had some business to discuss, so I’m honored to be his guest for the evening.

(BROCKTON places his hand on GRAINGER’s shoulder. GRAINGER’s expression hardens in distaste. The gentleman comes closer to shake his hand.)

GENTLEMAN
Well, it’s quite the honor, my lord. I hope you’ll have a brandy and stay a while.

(He sits down in one of the high-backed chairs. He kicks his foot under the chair and taps the knife. Confused, he looks down, discovers it, and picks it up to show to the others.)

GENTLEMAN
Why, hello. Here’s a fine old service knife. What’s it doing here?

LORD GRAINGER
I know that knife. That odd American sort—it belonged to the Colonel. You remember good old Colonel Reginald Hawking?

(BROCKTON’s head jerks to attention at the sound of the name “Hawking.”)

GENTLEMAN
Why, of course, I do believe you’re right! Fancy that!

MARY
(whispered) Oh, no.

(The men sit around and continue chatting, passing the knife from one to the next. BROCKTON’s expression is one of stern suspicion as he glances side to side. MARY looks around desperately, until suddenly NATHANIEL wanders in, examining his pocket watch. After a moment she decides, and creeps close to him.)

MARY
(Urgent whisper) Nathaniel!

(NATHANIEL, startled to be suddenly called, looks around in confusion.)

NATHANIEL
Excuse me?

MARY
Nathaniel!

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

NATHANIEL
Who’s calling me?

(At last he looks down, and does a shocked double-take when he sees her. 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
No! Never mind that! Nathaniel, 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
Nathaniel, 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 is uncertain, but sallies forth with his best try.)

NATHANIEL
What ho, gentlemen, I was… hoping I might interest everyone in a game of cards. It’s been some time since I’ve been in a large enough company for a decent rubber.

LORD GRAINGER
Ah… why, yes, sounds a capital idea, Nathan.

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— did I hear someone mention the name Hawking?

(NATHANIEL turns to him, a bit uncertain but trying to act his part naturally.)

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, and I would have been most distraught if I’d lost it for good.

(BROCKTON visibly relaxes and 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 the group of them out through the upstage door. MARY freezes when BROCKTON approaches her, fearing to be recognized, but he looks right through her, too important to notice a maid girl.)

LORD BROCKTON
Out of the way, girl.

(MARY is visibly relieved, but then the other maid comes back in to clean up the remains of the brandy and cigars. MARY hurries to help, tossing apologetic glances to MRS. HAWKING. She waits a moment, then, with an expression of frustration, draws a knife and leaps down from the mantle right behind the maid.)

MRS. HAWKING
Oh, blast it!

(MARY looks on in horror as MRS. HAWKING strikes her solidly in the back of the head with the hilt and she drops like a stone.)

MARY
My God!

(MRS. HAWKING yanks back her hood.)

MRS. HAWKING
Calm yourself, she’ll wake with no more than a headache before long. 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 of this! Mary, make your escape forthwith, we have what we came for. I shall deal with you at home.

(She pulls her mask back down and sneaks out the door. NATHANIEL and MARY look at each other, distressed and speechless.)

Scene 3

(MARY and NATHANIEL are in MRS. HAWKING’s parlor. MARY pours tea as NATHANIEL sprawls in an armchair, wild with confusion.)

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 and her pack of tools on her back. NATHANIEL springs out of the chair. The Colonel’s service knife is in his hand.)

NATHANIEL
Good lord, you’re here!

(MRS. HAWKING begins sorting through her things, pointedly not looking at MARY or NATHANIEL.)

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 the wraith of criminals and lowlifes, consorting with all manner of disreputable people! What in the world possessed you to do such a thing?

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 tries to push past his discomfort and draw himself up authoritatively.)

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 endanger yourself in this manner. I must insist that you put an immediate stop to all this madness.

(MRS. HAWKING turns on him, her fury mounting.)

MRS. HAWKING
What did you say?

(NATHANIEL quails a little but tries to remain firm.)

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

(She advances on him and he cannot help but take a few steps back.)

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.

(There is a long pause. MRS. HAWKING stands as still as a statue.)

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.

(NATHANIEL tries to embrace her but she shakes him off. She goes to the table and leans over it on her arms, refusing to look at him. 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. Sadly, he exits. MARY waits a moment, uncertain, watching MRS. HAWKING. At last she steps forward, trying to smooth things over.)

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 now. MARY cringes apologetically.)

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 a dozen 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 any 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 control.

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

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
No. No, he wasn’t.

MRS. HAWKING
They’re all of a kind. If you place your trust in them, they will only betray you. And we women become their faithful dogs and pliant sheep when we bend to their will.

MARY
I have been a servant in other peoples’ houses all my life! You think you need explain to me why you will not be put in a cage?

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
Miss Stone, you’ve no idea what you’re talking about.

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 your voice 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, it must be more than that. For the sake of those you save, and for your own sake.

MRS. HAWKING
You forget yourself, Miss Stone.

MARY
You’ll never strike back against your father or your husband, madam, no matter how many men you thwart.

MRS. HAWKING
Do not presume to judge me, girl! It is not your place to do so!

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 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.

MRS. HAWKING
Perhaps I was hasty.

MARY
I see. Very well, then, madam.

(She curtseys, then turns and walks out. MRS. HAWKING stands still for a moment, then leans against the table, hand pressed up against her brow.)

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, Nathaniel, 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 still quite upset with the both of us.

NATHANIEL
Oh, dear.

MARY
Yes. 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. Women who have no one, she rescues. She champions.

NATHANIEL
Truly? She… saves people? My God. 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. My aunt as well, as he did. And he loved her, 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
She is no ordinary woman. 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.

(He looks at her askance.)

NATHANIEL
Truly? 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— she had a child?

NATHANIEL
(Stammering a little) A, 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.

(MARY covers her mouth with her hand, thinking. NATHANIEL shifts uncomfortably.)

NATHANIEL
At any rate, where is she?

MARY
I don’t know. I’m afraid she’s gone to Grainger’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 is struck by an idea, then runs to grab the appointment book. She leafs through it. She regards a page in shock.)

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 take care of her. The Colonel would want you to be brave.

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

Scene 5

(The Grainger home. LORD GRAINGER sits in a darkened room, breathing hard, all but 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. GRAINGER leaps a foot in shock.)

MRS. HAWKING
Lord Grainger.

LORD GRAINGER
Good lord! Who are you!?

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

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

MRS. HAWKING
He’s blackmailed you into his power?

LORD GRAINGER
Yes. Suddenly he threatened to ruin me unless I cleped 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?

LORD GRAINGER
Yes, there was no time to move him.

MRS. HAWKING
Move him? Why?

LORD GRAINGER
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, Lord Grainger, and I have a few questions for you to answer. Find yourself a pen and paper, if you wish to free yourself from Brockton’s grasp, and listen close.

(Blackout. Lights up on the other side of the stage, where LORD BROCKTON paces like a caged tiger in another part of Grainger’s house. There is a sound of yelling voices and running feet. Enter JOHN COLCHESTER.)

COLCHESTER
Lordship, they’re here! They just tried to get at the boy’s room but we ran them off!

LORD BROCKTON
Who is it?

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

LORD BROCKTON
Whoever it is, catch them! 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, masked with knife drawn, proceeding with silent steps through a hall in the Grainger house. She cocks her head at a noise and crouches in a ready position. She lifts the knife to strike but pulls up when she realizes that the person approaching is MARY. MARY lowers the fireplace poker she holds in her hands.)

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
Why didn’t you just ask me to come?

MRS. HAWKING
Sometimes it is useful to have reinforcements your enemy does not expect. And… old pride makes it difficult to come out and say that you were right.

(Her momentary softness fades and she becomes businesslike again.)

MRS. HAWKING
Now. Did you follow my instructions?

MARY
Yes, madam. Nathaniel! She’s here!

(Enter NATHANIEL followed by a terrified-looking MRS. FAIRMONT.)

MRS. HAWKING
You brought Nathaniel.

NATHANIEL
Only to help, Auntie, I swear it.

(MRS. HAWKING considers him very seriously, almost suspiciously, for a moment. She looks away briefly, but then back at him as she decides.)

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
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.

(They briefly embrace, then NATHANIEL dashes off. MARY leads MRS. FAIRMONT over to MRS. HAWKING.)

MARY
And here is Mrs. Fairmont, just as you asked. But I don’t understand why you wanted her 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 the lord! 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. (To MRS. FAIRMONT) 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.

MRS. HAWKING
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.

(MRS. HAWKING looks at her in silence.)

MARY
Madam, I— madam, I am sorry.

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 life of women… and certainly not that part of it. How I hated it when it happened, growing in me like some burrowing beast in the hollow of a rotted-out tree. I wished so hard for it to just… be gone. I suppose I wished so hard that it did. I didn’t want it… but I didn’t want that either. But I suppose that was the way of it, my nature did not fit well into any part of life with the Colonel.

MARY
Was he very bad to you?

MRS. HAWKING
Quite the contrary. He did all he could to treat me like a queen. A delicate, helpless little queen he wished to protect from the world.

(Pause. She scowls.)

MRS. HAWKING
Him and his damned red rosebush. That man would have done anything in the world for me except for what I wanted. If his love would have kept me in cage, then I shall never forgive him for loving me.

(She stands in silence in silence a moment, MARY watching her. Suddenly there are voices and footsteps, and she shakes her head to drive out her thoughts.)

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. One of BROCKTON’s men enters, searching around the stage. MRS. HAWKING leaps and handles him of them with an athletic show of martial arts, while MARY swings her poker and connects the ruffian squarely in the stomach. As they fight, LORD BROCKTON enters, holding a gun.)

LORD BROCKTON
Stand down!

(MRS. HAWKING and MARY whirl on him. The attacker limps back. 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 his men.)

LORD BROCKTON
Go now, you dolts, find him! Try and stop him before he escapes!

(The men run out.)

LORD BROCKTON
It’s no matter anyway! You are a fool, madam. 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
Not if you know what’s good for you.

LORD BROCKTON
What? Nathaniel Hawking, isn’t it? Has the whole blasted family gone mad? Your dear aunt has dragged you into this as well?

MRS. HAWKING
Yes, 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 sensitive information to the keeping of one who hates you as Lord Grainger does.

LORD BROCKTON
Grainger is in my power!

NATHANIEL
I found the documents you ordered him to keep, my lord. Bits and pieces of the evidence you held over the heads of London’s 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?

(BROCKTON stands there frothing, paralyzed with rage, and jerks the gun up. He can’t decide whether to level it at NATHANIEL or at MRS. HAWKING)

MRS. HAWKING
Now put up that gun, 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 fuming 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 everything you did this day. I shall consider us even if you shall.

NATHANIEL
I should be glad to.

(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
The Colonel would have been proud of you.

(NATHANIEL dips his head modestly, but grins from ear to ear.)

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

(He bows, then leaves through the front door. They sit quietly for a long moment.)

MRS. HAWKING
I believe I owe Nathaniel a great deal of thanks. He brought you to me, Mary. And I owe you most of all.

(MARY looks at her in gratitude. The bell rings. MARY goes to answer it. GRACE MONROE, a working-class woman, plainly dressed and wearing a bonnet, 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 what have no other place to go. I’m in a real rough spot 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, who listen to her intently. The lights go out.)

CURTAIN