31 Plays in 31 Days, #24 - "The Gang Case"

[breakinglight11]

I am almost out of postable scenes from Gilded Cages. This might be the last one. Even though there were thirty-nine separate scene pieces, some of them were more "connective tissue" between moments, and others were pieces I don't want to show yet for fear of spoiling the ending. So I've only only a couple remaining, and I'm probably going to have to write a few more new things just to round out the thirty-one days.

I'm showing some of the early scenes of the case of Gilded Cages, which definitely need some clarifying work. It starts in medias res, and deciding exactly what bit of information should be parceled on when needs some fixing. Also, I need to make it super clear that the issue discussed here between the women is "men suck and marriage is awful" rather than anything like, say, the client's religion or other things. With Mrs. Hawking, the issue is ALWAYS "men suck and marriage is awful," but I don't want any confusion on that point. 😁

Also, I'm changing Mrs. Khan's name to Mrs. Chaudhary, on the advice of several readers.

Day #24 - "The Gang Case"
From Gilded Cages
By Phoebe Roberts

London, England, 1884

VICTORIA HAWKING, lady's society avenger
MARY STONE, her housemaid and protege
NATHANIEL HAWKING, her nephew and other assistant
AMINA KHAN, the client
~~~

(Enter MRS. HAWKING.)

MRS. HAWKING:

Is that Mary I hear?

MARY:

Yes, madam.

MRS. HAWKING:

Do tell me your venture was more successful than ours were.

NATHANIEL:

I certainly hope so.

MARY:

Nathaniel!

MRS. HAWKING:

What?

MARY:

It was, madam. I found the warehouse where they base their operations.

MRS. HAWKING:

And you’re certain?

MARY:

Certain as I can be.

MRS. HAWKING:

Good work, Mary. When Mrs. Khan arrives, we’ll make our report. Now, tell me exactly what you—

(The bell rings.)

MRS. HAWKING:

And there she is. Mary, if you please.

MARY:

We still don’t have a plan.

MRS. HAWKING:

We’ll see to that next. I still have questions that our client may be able to resolve.

(Mary goes to the door to let in MRS. KHAN.)

MRS. HAWKING:

Mrs. Khan, please come in.

MRS. KHAN:

Thank you. Has there been any progress?

MRS. HAWKING:

Indeed. My associates and I believe we have identified the base of operations of the Wilder gang.

MRS. KHAN:

Have you found him, then? Have you found my husband?

MRS. HAWKING:

Not as yet; we’ve only just determined the location. But it is an important step forward.

MARY:

We had a few questions still, madam, that might be of help.

MRS. KHAN:

Of course, of course.

MRS. HAWKING:

You said you believe the gang itself is responsible for your husband’s disappearance. Can you explain what made you so certain?

MRS. KHAN:

They had to know he was growing sorry of his joining them. With all he knew of their doings, they would not have let him just leave.

NATHANIEL:

So his outlook on their activities turned?

MRS. KHAN:

He did not know what he was truly getting into. When he told me he was taking work from a smuggling operation, he said it would improve our lot. But the more he did with them, the more afraid he became.

MRS. HAWKING:

If he has indeed crossed them, then it may have placed your entire family in danger.

MRS. KHAN:

I need no detective to tell me that, madam. He never meant to bring all this down upon us, but… he does not think before he acts.

MRS. HAWKING:

We can protect you. We can see you out of the city where the gang cannot find you. Without your husband, if need be.

MRS. KHAN:

I have two children, madam. I am bound to him.

MRS. HAWKING:

Of course, of course. But I feel I must prepare you for the possibility that he is dead.

NATHANIEL:

Madam— is that kind?

MRS. KHAN:

Kind enough not to give me false hope.

NATHANIEL:

We still don’t have enough information to be sure. He could be in hiding, or perhaps even off on some enterprise on the gang’s bidding.

MARY:

One way or another, we’ll find him. And bring him back if he lives.

MRS. KHAN:

Do you really believe they will allow him to go?

MARY:

Let us find him first; then we’ll decide how best to bring him home.

MRS. KHAN:

It’s my children I worry for more. What all this has brought down upon them I shudder to think.

MRS. HAWKING:

We will not rest until you are delivered from this. I promise you that.

MRS. KHAN:

Thank you, Mrs. Hawking. Mr. Hawking, Miss Stone.

MRS. HAWKING:

Thank you for coming by, madam. You shall hear from us soon, after we’ve made our investigation.

MRS. KHAN:

Allah forgive me, but if it weren’t for my children, I might leave him to reap what he’s sown.

MRS. HAWKING:

I assure you, madam, you’ll find no judgment here.

(MARY shows her out the door.)

MRS. HAWKING:

I swear to you, were it not for that woman’s suffering, I would leave that man to his fate.

MARY:

It sounds as if he meant no harm.

MRS. HAWKING:

Oh, they never do. And yet it never seems to stop them. Now, I must consider the possibilities. We must determine our preparations and our approach.