A Conversation

by "another entity in my universe" aka Alicia

The scene is a hotel room in Europe at the end of or just after WW1. The part we see is a sitting room; there is a door on the right, which is meant to lead to the bedroom. This door may be placed at any point on the wall. There is another door upstage left, this is the main entrance to the room and must not be blocked form any angle. Furniture in the room is turn of the century and modestly comfortable. There are two high-backed chairs with a table between them just a little down of center stage. Between the chairs is a table with a teapot, cup and saucer, and some sandwiches. There are pictures of mountainous scenery on the walls, and any other furniture appropriate to the time and place. The lighting should suggest that of evening, with the main light coming form an unseen fire directly in front of the chairs. As the lights come up the audience is given a moment to study the room and then a young woman enters from the main door. She is somewhere around 19 or 20, tall (nearly six feet), with long blonde hair that has been pulled back into a single braid, she also wears glasses. She is in men's hiking attire, and has obviously been out walking a good deal as some of her hair has come loose from the braid, and there are mud splatters on the bottom of her trousers and some on her face. She trudges for the door to the bedroom emerging a few moments later drying her face with a hand towel. She is dressed to retire for the evening. She collapses in the right chair and throws the towel on the floor. She begins devouring the sandwiches, and pours herself a cup of tea. She takes a sip, closes her eyes, looks as if she is about to scream, stops herself and sighs resolutely. When she speaks she has an English accent reminiscent of Oxbridge.

Young Woman: (In a mocking tone) Russell you look like hell. It's been a long day for both of us, go on to bed, I'll relate our discoveries to the client, there should be some tea ready for you in your room. Ha! I'll bet you'll relate to the client. Give her time the work her charms on you no doubt. (She sighs and pours herself another cup of tea) Stop it Mary, nothing is going to happen, someone watching you now would think you were jealous. Besides, they knew each other a long time before you ever came into the picture. You'll just have trust him. (Looking at the tea things on the table) And when in God's name did he have time to order this? (Thinks for a moment) Damn the man! I am not a child. I am his partner whether he likes it or not, and I will not be sent off to bed like a good little girl. (Looks around her and at her clothes) Well, not next time at least. I'll give him an earful (yawning) tomorrow. (There is a knock at the main door) The devil himself no doubt to make sure I'm having my tea and am ready for bed. (Fairly shouting) Come in.

Young Woman: (Who is staring at the fire) As you can see I'm being a good little girl. I'm drinking my tea and am ready for bed. But please don't ask if I need you to tuck me in. I think I can manage that on my own.

Older Woman: Well, I'm glad to hear that.

The Young Woman is so shocked to hear the Older Woman's voice that she nearly chokes on her tea she was drinking. She stands coughing and staring at the Older Woman.

Older Woman: Oh, dear. (The Older Woman goes into the bedroom and emerges with a glass of water) Here, drink this. Slowly now. I'm sorry, my dear, I didn't mean to startle you so, but you did say I could enter. I must say that it isn't wise to keep you door unlocked so just anyone can walk in.

Young Woman: (Finally able to speak) It's quite all right. I was simply expecting someone else.

Older Woman: I'm sure you were. Sorry to disappoint you. He was going to come and check on you, but he looked so tired I told him I would check on you myself, and sent him to his room.

Young Woman: (Looking suspicious) And he agreed?

Older Woman: I think you know him a little better than that. It did take some persuading on my part. But of course I prevailed. He also had that same look of suspicion on his face as I ushered him down the hall. But I assure you, as I did him, my intentions are honorable. I'm not here to get rid of the competition as it were.

Young Woman: (With mock wonder) Are we competing?

Older Woman: (Crossing over to the left chair and sitting) Oh, come now, Miss Russell, we are both intelligent women and that little charade won't do. I see right through your paltry little act.

Young Woman: (Resuming her seat) I forget that you are the consummate actress. Very well, thank you for taking the trouble to see to my well-being, and I'm sure we are both grateful to you for your generosity.

Older Woman: You're welcome. Let me also express my thanks to you for helping us with our little problem. I know it must be awkward for you and that your studies must be suffering because of it.

Young Woman: I am currently on holiday, so you are not interfering with my studies. And as for helping here, I wouldn't dream of making him go through this alone. (This last statement has a pointed meaning not lost on the Older Woman.)

Older Woman: Ah, I see. Yes, I dare say that this case poses many threats to him (smiles a mischievous grin). Although I think it poses many dangers for you as well.

Young Woman: (Staring intently at the fire and speaking in a quiet voice) I don't have a clue as to what you mean.

Older Woman: I told you that little act wouldn't do. We both know why you came along. I certainly didn't ask for your assistance and I am more than sure he tried to persuade you from coming. But from what I've noticed of you we are a lot alike so I'm sure his persuading only made you more resolute to come. I'm glad you did, otherwise I would have been left speculating about the woman who has replaced me in his regard.

Young Woman: (Made noticeably uncomfortable by this topic and growing defensive) It is hard to replace something that was not there to begin with.

Older Woman: Touche Miss Russell. I should be made angry by that remark, but I know it comes out of a deep caring for him, and so I'll let it be. Besides, now that I've met you, I see my fears were unfounded.

Young Woman: (Looking intently at the Older Woman) Why did you come back?

Older Woman: (Sighing heavily and with a dramatic flair) It took you long enough to come to that. And I'm very disappointed in the way you tried to change the subject; I thought you'd use more subtlety. The truth? I needed his help. He's the only person who could find my son. He's the only one I could trust to do it. I won't lie to you. It scared me to death to ask him. I sat in that cottage waiting for him with such dread. Mrs. Hudson was fairly seething with contempt for me, but was too polite to ask me to leave. I was also very surprised he still had that old picture I gave him. Hmmm. Anyway, I just knew he would say no. I was ready with every trick I knew to persuade him. And it all went exactly as I anticipated. He wouldn't even hear me out. He all but threw me out the door, so you can imagine my shock when he called me a the next day and said he had changed his mind. (Looking at the Young Woman) I wonder what could have happened to persuade him to change it?

Young Woman: (Smiling mischievously and sitting up in her chair) I came over to his cottage early the next morning and saw the photo on his desk. Of course, it was hidden under some papers, but I saw a corner of it peeking out. I had never seen it before, so I asked him who it was. At first he said no one, but I could tell from his attitude that there was something about this photo that bothered him greatly. After a lot of yelling, cursing, and trying to change the subject, he finally gave in and told me about your visit. I made him see that you obviously were in a great amount of distress in order to come crawling to him and asking for help. Funny, he had that same look of suspicion on his face at the time. In the end, I prevailed, and call you he did and took the, um, case. If you don't mind my saying so, your son is quite lovely.

Older Woman: Not in the least. He is very handsome, and warm. Oh, and his sense of humor. You'll like him very much. I think he'll like you very much as well. In fact I'm sure of it.

Young Woman: (Not taking the bait) No doubt. He seems quite an agreeable sort of man, reminds me of a few friends at Oxford. There is something familiar about him. Something in his shape and form, in his eyes, I can almost place them but they're just slightly off somehow. Tell me, does he look like his father? (Older Woman smiles) Oh, that was very forward of me, I'm sorry, I have no right...

Older Woman: That's quite all right. He has his father's height, and hands. Those long delicate fingers. And, unfortunately, he has his father's biting wit and temper. But, I managed to soften the edges a little. And his eyes, though they have his father's intensity, are mine. I've also taught him to be freer with his emotions than his father was. I've worked very hard to make sure he is nothing like his father in that regard, but I couldn't get rid of that stubbornness he inherited from both of us. (Becoming quite upset) You can't tell him not to do anything. If he had only listened to me and stayed out of this bloody war. Then we wouldn't be here. Then I wouldn't be left wondering if he were...

Young Woman: I didn't mean to upset you. We'll find him don't worry. (Not convincingly) I'm sure he's quite all right.

Older Woman: I'm no fool, Miss Russell, I'm perfectly aware that this could all be for nothing. That I'm putting a lot of people through a lot of pain only to find him... But I can't give up hope, no matter what anyone else says. Until I see his dead body before me I will never give up.

Young Woman: With all of our determination, we'll find him. One way or another.

Older Woman: (Laughing bitterly) No doubt. (Looking at the Young Woman) If circumstances weren't as they are, we would be very bitter enemies.

Young Woman: (Meeting the other's gaze) You can hardly say we are currently on good terms.

Older Woman: Why did you come?

Young Woman: Because he needs me here. My support. And, because I was curious about you. I wanted to meet The Woman. I wanted to see you in the flesh. You've always held such sway over him. (Older Woman looks at her curiously) Well, we are both intelligent women, as you said, no need in trying to hide my motives.

Older Woman: (Chuckling) My dear girl, oh, sorry. I can see why he is smitten with you.

Young Woman: (Again becoming uncomfortable, rising she tries to distract herself by tidying up the tea things) He is not smitten with me.

Older Woman: No?

Young Woman: No. We do care for each other a great deal, but what you're suggesting is absurd.

Older Woman: Is it?

Young Woman: Yes. Why you're making it sound as if he... he...

Older Woman: He was in love with you?

Young Woman: (Drops the dish in her hand and fall on her knees to pick it up) DAMN IT! How dare you...how could you even suggest such a thing?

Older Woman: I have eyes my dear, though it is obvious that you don't. Have you never noticed the way he looks at you? Do you think he would take just anyone under his wing and teach him or her everything he knows? Especially a female. Do you think he would have let you meet me if he didn't care a great deal for you and trust you?

The Young Woman stands up and tosses the pieces onto the tray. She looks at the Older Woman who is waiting for a response, but the Young Woman is speechless. She walks toward the bedroom as if she is going to get something, but stops at the door. She looks about the room and starts pacing like a caged animal. The Older Woman watches all of this with quiet scrutiny; a cat watching it's captive mouse. At length, the Young Woman comes and sits back in her chair, undoes her hair, and begins to try and re-braid it.

Young Woman: As I said before, I don't deny that we care for each other a great deal. Perhaps we are more than friends, and our feelings are not quite that of father and daughter. I have no words to ascribe to it, but it is definitely not love.

Older Woman: Then what IS the word for it?

Young Woman: (With more force than necessary) I told you I don't know. And, you're more sinister than I thought to come in here and throw out such base accusations. I will not let you try and make our relationship into some twisted and vulgar...thing.

Older Woman: (Smiling with menace) I am not making base accusations. I am merely going by the facts as I've observed them. There is no need to try and hide it. You've done your job well. The innocent child routine is something I used a lot when I was your age. I don't blame you. From what I understand of your present situation, you needed a benefactor to take care of you until you come of age and can use your own inheritance. Who better than a lonely old bachelor to fill that job. I'm sure it was easy for you at first, but now...well, you forget I fell in love with him too.

Young Woman: (Flexing her hands and trying to keep her composure) My aim was never to seduce him, unlike you. And as for you so-called love, it nearly destroyed him. I will not let that happen again. You will not use his regard for me to bait me into some sort of petty competition for his affection. I see your game, now, trying to upset me with all this talk of his...caring for me. It won't work.

Older Woman: (Holding up a piece of broken China) It already has.

Young Woman: (Trying to gain control) Well, not anymore. Leave us be. Don't bring your bitter jealousy and regret into our lives. You won't win this game. This time, you beauty and charm won't blind him. This time, you're dealing with me as well, and I won't be taken in. Now that I see you game, I am better prepared to defend him, and myself.

Older Woman: He's a big boy, Miss Russell; he can take care of himself. And, you are hardly a match for me. I'm too practiced at this game. Look how easy it was for me to keep him away from you tonight. You may be onto me, and you may have a bit of sway over him, but I still rule the court.

Young Woman: And what a court it is. Built on a the sturdy foundations of lies, trickery and deceit. And you forget that he wouldn't be here if it weren't for me. He was ready to forget all about this case, to let you and your son fend for yourselves. It was I who persuaded him into taking it. You couldn't--you said so yourself. I'm afraid, my dear, that though you rule the land, I rule the king. Stay away from him.

Older Woman: (Low and threatening) Don't tell me what to do. No one has and no one ever will, least of all you.

Young Woman: (Rising to the unspoken challenge) Of course not--no one tells the GREAT Irene Adler what to do. She does what she wants, regardless of the consequences. (Older Woman rises) She seduces kings, lawyers, even the Great Detective himself, but none of them tell her what to do. Because as soon as they try and enforce one bit of their will, she bolts. (Young Woman rises) She runs scared. Not caring what happens in her wake, how the men she leaves behind are left to pick up the fragile pieces of their lives. Oh no, all that matters is--Irene Adler bows down to no one. Tell me, I never did find out the whole truth behind it all. Did you just merely leave your husband because the man you truly loved was now available, or had Norton simply become boring to you and you needed another challenge?

Older Woman: (With forced control) Watch yourself, Miss Russell.

Young Woman: (To pleased to have the upper hand to stop) Is that why you left them all? Did they just stop being a challenge to you? Once you had them, where was the fun? And, wasn't he your greatest conquest? Irene Adler, great actress of the stage, seduces and then destroys the greatest man who ever lived...

Older Woman: (Taking a step closer to the Young Woman) I'm warning you Miss Russell...

Young Woman: Tell me will you epithet read: "Here lies Miss Irene Adler Norton: Actress, Seductress, Whore and The Woman who Defeated and Destroyed Sherlock Holmes"?

The Older Woman can control herself no longer and slaps the Young Woman so hard she lands on the floor.

Older Woman: (Towering above the other) Don't you presume, little girl, to know the inner workings of my mind and heart. I didn't just seduce men in order to toy with them; I did what I had to survive. You forget that in my younger days women didn't have the freedoms your generation takes for granted. We couldn't just do as we wished. And, I was no where near being independently wealthy. The only arsenal open to me was my charms. Yes, I made a few imprudent choices, and yes they landed me into a lot of trouble, but you have no right to sit as judge and jury over me. I didn't toy with anyone's, least of all Sherlock's, affections simply to amuse myself. I honestly loved him. And no one, least of all an insignificant thing like you, is going to sit here and trivialize my feelings for him. Do you think it's been easy for me? And ever since that simpleton Watson published his story do you know what I've gone through every time I'm introduced to someone new and they hear my name? (By this time the Young Woman has regained her composure and has stood up. She merely stares of the Older Woman) All of your information has been one sided. You've heard the story form his view alone. I couldn't make him understand then, and I sure as hell won't be able to make him understand now, but that is between us. You don't factor in this at all.

Young Woman: Maybe not, but can you blame me for wanting to protect him from someone who causes him such obvious pain? Even after all these years, the wound is not completely healed. I've seen the way he looks at you with all the pain, anger, and confusion still displayed there in his eyes. It may not register in any other way, but his eyes never lie.

Older Woman: No they never did. And, despite what you think I too have noticed the emotions that lurk there when I'm around. But for the sake of my son I must ignore them.

Young Woman: It's so touching to know that in your later years, you have finally learned to care for someone other than yourself.

Older Woman: The same may be said of someone else we both know.

Both women look at each other. They are still wary, but have backed away from each other a bit. Finally, the Older Woman sighs and sits on the edge of her chair.

Older Woman: You want a reason, fine. Perhaps you may understand where he didn't. I left him, because I knew we could never be together. He has to be a part of every aspect of his lover's life (Young Woman flinches at this) --there can be no he and she. With him iit's an all encompassing US. I needed my space to live the life I wanted, which was as an actress, well a singer. He had to live his life as a detective. Never the two shall meet. (Sighs heavily) I knew that I would be his ruin if our affair were known. Watson had already published that story about me, and you know only too well the way I was perceived by the public because of it. How well do you think his detection service would have done if we stayed together? Do you think those prim and proper Victorians would have been so eager to solicit his services if it were known that we were lovers? (Young Woman shakes her head and sits down) No. Even if he had married me, the damage to my reputation was done. I was not going to be the cause of his ruin. It wasn't easy to leave him. He could see through every excuse I made, and when I tried to reason with him he only snorted and said what did he care what those simple minds thought of us? We could live out our days in obscurity. All we needed was each other. But I couldn't stay out of the public eye, and he was beginning to grow more and more agitated with inactivity. So, in the end the only way I could make him let me go was to hurt him where it really counted. His pride. I remember it all in every vivid and painful detail. He had gone for a walk, and while he was out I began packing my bags. When he came back all my stuff was loaded onto the carriage waiting outside. He just simply looked at me with those eyes. I nearly broke down and ran into his arms, but instead I laughed as coldly as possible and said "My dear Sherlock, I was trying to be nice about this, but I see in the end this is the only way to make you understand. I've grown bored with you. Surely you've realized that? It's all been a game, love, and now I'm tired of it. I'm sorry if this little sport of mine has inconvenienced you in any way, but what can I do? I'm leaving tonight. I've met a handsome foreign minister that has a lot of money, and I think he will be beneficial to my career. This holiday has been amusing, but I simply must get back to my public. I'll toy with him for a while and then who knows. Good-bye."

Young Woman: And he just let you leave?

Older Woman: (Smiling bitterly) Hardly. He grabbed me, yelled at me, threatened me, nearly hit me, but I remained resolute. I mocked him, teased him, everything I could think of to make me out to be the heartless and cruel woman I was perceived as being. In the end he broke down. I don't know if you've ever seen him cry. It's the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen in my life. To this day I don't know how I kept my resolve. How my will power carried me through, but it did. I merely disengaged my arms from his grasp, he sunk to the floor, and I walked quietly out the door. (She is quite shaken up by this flood of memories and takes a moment to compose herself. When she speaks again her voice is shaky) If he had followed me, I would have been defeated. If he had looked out the window, he would have seen me nearly faint as I got into the carriage. If he had only come after me...but I had played my part too well. My second triumph over him. (Places her hands over her eyes and bows her head) It's also a good thing he didn't try and track us down or he would have learned the truth. (Look and the Young Woman) There was no foreign minister; there wasn't anyone else. I took that carriage to the nearest train station and set off for the coast and America, alone. I've never been with another man since, despite popular opinion.

Young Woman: Why don't you tell him this?

Older Woman: I tried. Anyway, now I think it's best to just let it lie. It wouldn't do any good opening old wounds like that. It never does. Besides, he's moved on (looks knowingly at the Young Woman) in whatever capacity you look at it. You have filled a void I left; you're helping him to heal. I hate you for it. I still love him.

Young Woman: I know. And to be honest, I am jealous of you as well. I can't quite place my finger on the reason why. Perhaps it's because you knew him when he was younger, at the height of his game. Perhaps...

Older Woman: You think that, Miss Russell, and I'll think what I know. (Standing and going on before the other can reply) The two of us will never be friends, but if we are to continue to work together a peace must be formed. (Offering her hand) Truce?

Young Woman: (Standing and taking the Older Woman's hand) Truce.

They stand there and shake hands. A respectful peace has been made. The Older Woman turns and heads for the door. Suddenly a thought occurs to the Young Woman.

Young Woman: Wait. You said that you were never with another man after Holmes, but your son, he was born after you left him.

Older Woman: (Opening the door and with her back to the Young Woman) Correct.

Lights out