The Brothers of Landrake Manor

by Luke Brett

(Sound of rain from indoors, thunder and lightning. Sound of three knocks at the door. At first, there is only more rain. Sound of three more knocks, more insistent. Sound of a door creaking open. The rain sound amplifies as the door opens)

EPHRAM:
(Surprised) Why...constable! Good evening. I didn't expect visitors, it's quite late.

CONSTABLE:
Good evening Lord Ephram. Sorry for disturbin' you, but I've had several reports of a light, a lantern light, flashing on again and off again from inside your manor. Looked a bit like a distress signal, sir.

EPHRAM:
Well I- (laughing) I suspect it was only me, or one of the servants. A wick that didn’t take to its flame.

CONSTABLE:
No sir. The light was coming from the arch window, the one that sits at the top of Landrake Manor. From inside the attic that's supposed to 'ave been walled off. Where is your brother?

EPHRAM:
...he's sleeping.

CONSTABLE:
You'd best wake him up, sir. We'll have to search the house from top to bottom.

EPHRAM:
You'll do no such thing. It's raining outside, what you saw was lightning- or the dance of it shot across the windowpane. Why do you pester me?

CONSTABLE:
There's folks missin' in town, and with the church being broken into week before last, ya can't blame folks fer bein' jumpy. There's a light been seen in yer window, sir, and someone reported it. Now I've a job to do. I'll have to check the house.

EPHRAM:
Well I don't see what you hope to gain. You said it yourself, the-the attic's been walled off.

CONSTABLE:
Just the same, sir, I'll 'ave to have a look around.

EPHRAM:
...fine.

(Sound of the door closing, the sound of the rain is muffled by the shut door)

CONSTABLE:
You, uh...been studying late into the night? There's an awful lot of books layin' 'ere, sir. Like someone grabbed a few and then never put 'em back. Every night, for weeks on end.

EPHRAM:
The books are my brother's. He doesn't put his things away.

CONSTABLE:
I see, sir. ...just 'ow long have you been living with your brother?

(Sound of pounding from the top floor and screaming from behind a wall)

ALAN:
Let me out! Let me out! Someone!

CONSTABLE:
What's that, sir? Watch it now! Keep those 'ands where I can see 'em.

EPHRAM:
I had to lock him away- he's crazy! He tried to kill me! You don't know what he's like! He was aiming a pistol at me! He still has it!

ALAN:
Let me out! Please!

CONSTABLE:
Right sir, up the stairs. Up to the attic. On the double!

(Sound of footsteps racing upstairs)

CONSTABLE:
Let's 'ave that door. You locked 'im in there, you can get 'im out.

(Sound of ALAN pounding on the attic wall)

ALAN:
Let me out! Before he kills again!

EPHRAM:
He's insane. He'll shoot me once I open the door!

CONSTABLE:
Give me that key then. I tell ye, sir, I'll 'ave it open.

(Sound of an iron set of keys unlocking a door, sound of a door opening, sound of a pistol cocking)

ALAN:
Get down, constable! Get back!

(Sound of a flintlock pistol being shot. Sound of feet stomping down the stairs)

ALAN:
Damn! Stop him, constable! Stop him!

(Sound of the door swinging open, amplifying the rain again. The door swings lazily, knocking the doorway as wet footsteps splash away into the night. Amplified rain plays under the rest of the script)

ALAN:
I missed. All that planning and I missed.

CONSTABLE:
Now see here, Alan Landrake, you're under arrest! Drop that pistol.

ALAN:
Fine.

(Sound of a heavy pistol hitting a wood floor)

ALAN:
It's no good to me anymore. Constable, you must arrest me. I tried to murder my brother. And you can arrest me for robbing the church.

CONSTABLE:
You broke into the church, sir?!

ALAN:
Of course. It was the only place I could get the silver.

(Sound of a wolf howling far off in the rain)

ALAN:
He's loose now. He's out. Out of his mind, out of his skin.