First few pages anyway
Doyle and Pratt
Episode 2
The murder at Willoughby Hall
ACT I
Scene 1
LIGHTS UP
(Interior, DOYLES study. DOYLE and PRATT are sat at a circular table in the middle of the room. They are playing chess)
DOYLE
Have you grasped it yet, Mr Pratt?
PRATT
I thinks so, so the horses move this way?
DOYLE
Correct!
PRATT
And the rook can fly to here
DOYLE
What? No! The rook cannot fly
PRATT
What sort of bloody rook is it that can't fly?
DOYLE
The rook is a castle, Mr Pratt, it is incapable of flight
PRATT
So it just sits there the whole bloody game doing nothing?
DOYLE
No, the rook can move this way, or this way but can only move if it's path is unobstructed
PRATT
Funny bloody game this, moving castles
DOYLE
Let's just start with the basics, the pawns, these chaps here, can move two places to start with but can only move forwards, they can't go backwards or sideways
PRATT
Not good for much then
Doyle
Not so, the pawn is a key strategic piece, it can be sacrificed for greater tactical gain
PRATT
Poor bugger
DOYLE
And if it reaches the other side of the board it can be promoted to a senior piece
PRATT
Like the King?
DOYLE
Technically, although it would be wiser to promote it to the position of Queen
PRATT
Rather be King meself
DOYLE
But the Queen can move anywhere
PRatt
Not when I'm king she can't!
DOYLE
Shall we play now?
(they play for a few moments)
DOYLE
What are you doing?
PRATT
Moving me Queen
DOYLE
You can't move it like that
PRATT
Don't see why not, makes sense for the Queen to ride on the horse don't it?
DOYLE
It's not allowed
PRATT
Says who? The King?
DOYLE
No, it's in the rules of Chess!
PRATT
So what can I bloody do?
DOYLE
Maybe we should take a break, a drink perhaps?
(DOYLE walks over to a side table and lifts a decanter)
PRATT
Have you got any gin?
DOYLE
I'm afraid not, you shall have to make do with triple malt
PRATT
So, we sitting round playing daft games everyday?
DOYLE
What do you mean?
PRATT
Only we still hasn't had any work
DOYLE
Worry not, Mr Pratt, work will find us, just like it did last time. In a city this crime-ridden we are sure to find our services in demand
PRATT
It's all the same to me, Mr Doyle, so long as I'm getting paid
(there is the sound of knocking at the door)
DOYLE
Could you get that please, Mr Pratt
(PRATT walks to the door, he walks back to the middle of the room holding an envelope and hands it to DOYLE who opens it)
DOYLE
From my contact at Scotland Yard, it seems a Lord Willoughby has been murdered in his home during the night
PRATT
Lord eh? Could be money in this one then
DOYLE
Irrelevant, Mr Pratt, this is our opportunity to establish ourselves, come, let us depart
(DOYLE and PRATT put on their coats and hats and exit)
Lights FADE
ACT II
SCENE I
LIGHTS UP
(Interior sitting room. LADY WILLOUGHBY is sitting at a chair crying.MARY is stood next to her. INSPECTOR BATTEN is stood at the other end of the room holding a notebook and pencil. DOYLE and PRATT enter)
DOYLE
Good afternoon, Inspector
BATTEN
(under breath)
Jesus wept!
DOYLE
So, what are we looking at then?
BATTEN
Well, I've examined the crime scene, spoken to the wife and the witnesses and I think we're definitely looking at a police matter so you and your criminal lackey can take yourselves elsewhere
DOYLE
Come now, Inspector Batten, you have a short memory. Need I remind you who my cousin is?
BATTEN
Some nit that writes comics wasn't it?
DOYLE
Hardly, Inspector. Cousin Arthur created the greatest investigating mind the world has ever scene
BATTEN
On paper, maybe, but this is the real world. I can't be having civilians hanging around sticking their noses into police business
DOYLE
Inspector! You must surely admit that you found my assistance in our last encounter invaluable
BATTEN
More like intolerable
DOYLE
Regardless, I know that your superiors at the yard would appreciate your letting me assist in the investigation
BATTEN
I suppose you can't do any harm now, just stay away from me. You keep your grubby little hands to yourself, Bill!
Looking at the latest blog I'm thinking I should have got into the plot a little sooner (letter arrives at the end of page 3) though there's not much I can do about it now
