Episode 9: Interrogations

Frances and Margaret learn something they are not quite ready to believe.

The Greatest Matter was written & directed by Conor Reid

It was Recorded at The Podcast Studios, Dublin and produced by Hilary Barry

Editing, Sound Design, and Original Music by Conor Reid

The show is a HeadStuff Podcast. For more on the network, all the great shows, and details on how you can support the podcast, go to HeadStuffPodcasts.com

CAST

Dramaturgy & Script Support from Peter Dunne

Artwork & Design by Matt Mahon

Marketing & Promotional Support from Claudia Grandez & Hilary Barry

Transcript: Interrogations

SCENE 1

[FX: Bolt lock and door opens]

BURTON:                             Good evening, ladies.

Sergeant, you can leave us now.

[FX: Door opens and closes]

FRANCES:                            What is the meaning of this? Why are you holding us here in this….prison cell?

BURTON:                             Firstly, Ms Hunter it’s hardly a prison cell.

MARGARET:                       (Quietly)In fairness, Frances, this room is bigger than my flat.

FRANCES:                            Well, the door is bolted!

BURTON:                             That’s true, but this is a restricted area and we just needed you to stay where you were until we had a little chat.

MARGARET:                       We being who exactly? G-Division?

BURTON:                             No, Ms Malone, you are actually being detained by a rather elite section of Her Majesty’s Dragoon Guards. I’m…assisting them with an inquiry.

FRANCES:                            Well, you have no right to drag us to Portobello and throw us into this… room without any grounds to…to…

BURTON:                             Ms Hunter,I thinkyou’llfind far worse has happened to people, for far less.

FRANCES:                            Mmm. Well, I see you know who we are, anyway?

BURTON:                             I’m a very good detective, Ms Hunter. I know a lot of things. I know, for example, that you are a well-off, somewhat successful author, living on Merrion Square…

MARGARET                        Somewhat successful? She’s a very successful novelist I think you’ll find.

BURTON:                             (interrupting, continuing)Living on Merrion Square. Only child, daughter of English businessman, Desmond Hunter, and his Irish wife, Grace…

FRANCES:                            (not impressed) Yes, yes, and?

BURTON:                             And, Ms Malone,I know that you are a doggedly determined journalist who I believe I have met before…

MARGARET:                       And who wrote a story about your wife, very much taking her side in that scandal with a Supreme Court judge’s wife, I believe you’ll recall.  

BURTON:                             Because that judge’s wife was a backstabbing liar who… (stopping himself)Not important!

All I want to know is why you were apprehended, in the company of an Italian professor and a….(checking notepad) Ms Kate Carey, attempting to evade arrest by a group of soldiers?

MARGARET:                       We weren’t “attempting to evade arrest”.

FRANCES:                            Exactly. We simply went over to talk to the Professor, saw him and a lady terrified and running from a group of menacing-looking men…

MARGARET:                       Men who were not in uniform, we should add.

BURTON:                             Men who clearly identified themselves.

FRANCES:                            I certainly heard no identification; it was a noisy room.Chief Inspector, we saw Mr Lombroso and Ms Carey running, we were beside them, the men looked to be threatening us too, and we left the hotel.

BURTON:                             So you know her?           

FRANCES:                            Who?

BURTON:                             Kate Carey.

MARGARET:                       No, she introduced herself when we were waiting for a lift from the shop.

BURTON:                             Escaping in the back of a wagon.

FRANCES:                            Accepting the kind offer of a lift back home.

BURTON:                             (cynical)Of course.

                                                So why were you at the Gresham Hotel?

MARGARET:                       We went to talk to the Professor.

BURTON:                             Why?

MARGARET:                       As I’m sure you’re aware, with all of your detecting, I am covering a story. A man was murdered in the Phoenix Park in suspicious circumstances. My editor wants the full story. This Lombroso seemed to be tangentially involved. We went to talk to him. That’s all.

BURTON:                             What did you think he was going to tell you?

MARGARET:                       I don’t know! We got chased by a group of armed men and brought here before we had a chance to ask him anything!

BURTON:                             Andwhat do you know about the Professor?

MARGARET:                       (exasperated)Nothing! That’s what I’m trying to tell you, he was just a lead I was following up, we saw his name in the paper. Frances agreed to come along and keep me company. She’s interested in stories like this as a very successfulcrime novelist.

BURTON:                             (pause) What about spiritualism?

MARGARET:                       Excuse me?!

BURTON:                             You heard me, Ms Malone.

MARGARET:                       Spiritualism? Ghosts and séances and things like that?

BURTON:                             Yes.

MARGARET:                       I…don’t know. What do you want me to say? I don’t really have much of an opinion on all that stuff. I think it’s all a little suspect, to be honest. But I’m not sure what this has to do with….

BURTON:                             Lombroso is, among many other things, a devoted advocate of spiritualism.

MARGARET:                       I see. Well, we simply heard that you had talked to him in the zoo, and then we saw his name mentioned in the paper in connection with the murder, so we thought we’d talk to him. I don’t know what séances have to do with any of this.

BURTON:                             And what about you, Ms Hunter? Do you believe in the spirit world?

FRANCES:                            I’m a very open-minded person, Chief Inspector. Recent scientific discoveries have brought us to previously unthought of places – sound waves, radio waves, electrons – is it so hard to believe there are other invisible forces at play, yet to be discovered?

BURTON:                             So, more open to the idea then?

FRANCES:                            There is plenty about this world we don’t understand. Planes of being beyond the veil, dimensions outside our own, as Mr Abbott might have it.

BURTON:                             Who? Actually, I don’t care. You two are getting involved in a murder investigation, which has been solved, as you know. You need to stop. Find a new story, leave Professor Lombroso and Ms Carey alone, and move on.

MARGARET:                       Mr Burton we…

BURTON:                             Chief Inspector

MARGARET:                       Chief Inspector Burton. We have every intention of going straight home to our beds, if you would be so good as to let us leave?

BURTON:                             We’ll see.

I know you, Ms Malone, and despite what you think you know, believe me when I say I know more. Including some further details of the exact nature of your “friendship”

MARGARET:                       What are you implying?

FRANCES:                            (angry)Listen here….

BURTON:                             (shouting over her) No, you listen! I don’t give a damn about your private life and nobody other than me needs to know about it. But this god damn “investigation” of yours has got to stop…

(calming down, changing tack) Look, I don’t think you realise the danger you are in, or the fortunethat it is me questioning you, and not the men who arrested you. There are some very powerful people who are far less inclined to let you leave here tonight. So let me say this one more time. Go home. Find another story.

                                                Good evening. (walking out)

FRANCES:                            Wait, what are we supposed…

MARGARET:                       (Interrupting, quietly) Quiet, Frances!

BURTON:                             (Calling) Sergeant!

                                                [fx: door opens]

BURTON:                             Inform the Colonel that these ladies have told us everything we need to know and I am releasing them. Then please escort them out of the barracks.

SCENE 2

GODLEY:                              Lord Grimshaw, sir,Professor Lombroso is inside. Are we going ahead with the interrogation as planned?

GRIMSHAW:                      Yes, you question him first. He’ll be annoyed I haven’t come myself. See if you can push him, get him angry, see what he reveals. I’ll come in if needs be but it may be that we realise him and follow him, and see where that takes us.

GODLEY:                              Yes, sir

GRIMSHAW:                      In the meantime, I’ve been rather looking forward to talking to Kate Carey. She might need a little persuasion but we can get what we need from her.

[FX: Door unlocks, etc]

GODLEY:                              Professor Lombroso, good evening. My name is Colonel Godley, Lord Grimshaw has asked me to…

LOMBROSO:                      You!Ma donna, you’re working for Lord Grimshaw?! What is going on? This is an outrage!

GODLEY:                              As I say,Lord Grimshaw begs your pardon, but he is required urgently elsewhere and asked me to clear everything up with you.Firstly, let me apologise for the inconvenience.

LOMBROSO:                       Inconvenience!? My companion and I were attacked by soldiers! Arrested and detained by the…by the army!

GODLEY:                              I am very sorry you have got entangled in this mess, especially after your assistance with Redgrave’s murder. But I have to ask, why were you found in the back of a wagon, with a wanted criminal suspect, attempting to escape from my soldiers?

LOMBROSO:                      Criminal suspect!? Who, Ms Carey? 

GODLEY:                              Yes.

LOMBROSO:                      Allora,I don’t know exactly what you and Lord Grimshaw are trying to achieve here, Colonel, but let me explain myself very clearly before I leave this barracks.

GODLEY:                              Please do.

LOMBROSO:                      Earlier this evening, I met an acquaintance for a drink. Before we had a chance to converse, a group of menacing-looking men, including yourself, started shouting and attempting to push their way across a very busy room in Ms Carey’s direction. She was terrified and got up to leave. You and your men followed. We left by the side door as I was very worried for Ms Carey’s safety. When it looked as if your men were intent on harming poor Ms Carey, she ran, and I followed, as any gentleman would. Two other ladies had joined us at that point.

GODLEY:                              Ah yes, and they were acquaintances too?

LOMBROSO:                      Hmm? No, I’d never seen them before in my life. But they said they knew a shopkeeper at the top of the road if we wanted to wait in his shop. We agreed and before we had a chance to even catch our breath, we were offered a lift back home, which we gladly accepted. Which is when you arrived.

GODLEY:                              I see. And whatwereyou discussing with Ms Carey?

LOMBROSO:                      Colonel Godley, I am not here to answer to your curiosity about my private discussions. We had matters to discuss. None of which are of any importance to you.

GODLEY:                              A late-night drink in your hotel. Perhaps you had plans for later with the lady…

LOMBROSO:                      (Angry)How dare you?I am a married man and will brook no such accusations!

GODLEY:                              I merely suggested…

LOMBROSO:                      You merely suggested nothing! Inform Lord Grimshaw I am leaving. I will expect a formal apology, in writing, in the morning. Where is Ms Carey?

GODLEY:                              Ah yes, Ms Carey. Your meeting was more professional in nature then? To discuss the latest developments in ectoplasmic materialisations, perhaps?

LOMBROSO:                      I…no, well, yes we briefly discussed the matter of spiritualism. Ms Carey is a noted medium, and I make no attempts to hide my interest in the subject.

GODLEY:                              So I hear.

LOMBROSO:                      What has this got to do with anything?

GODLEY:                              Perhaps nothing, I am just trying to get a better sense of what happened last night, so we can clear everything up.

LOMBROSO:                      Where is Ms Carey? And those two other women, come to think of it.

GODLEY:                              Ms Hunter and Malone are nearby. We just need a few details from them.

LOMBROSO:                      And Ms Carey?

GODLEY:                              Ah, she is unfortunately wrapped up in something quite unsavoury. Classified, I’m afraid. We needed to talk to her urgently.

LOMBROSO:                       Ms Carey is a renowned medium, a well-educated lady, and most certainly not some sort of criminal, as you seem to be believe.

GODLEY:                              That is to be determined.

LOMBROSO:                       Colonel, I am leaving, and I am taking Ms Carey with me.

GODLEY:                              I’m afraid I can’t allow that.

LOMBROSO:                       You can’t allow that? Listen carefully, I am a world-renowned scientist and Distinguished Professor at the University of Turin, an honoured guest of the Royal Zoological Society, of which your commanding officer is president, I need hardly remind you.

GODLEY:                              Yes, I….

LOMBROSO:                       (Insistently continuing) I have served my country, with honours. And I am a very well-connected member of European society.

I have lunch, tomorrow, with Lord Grantham, the British Ambassador to Italy. Perhaps you’ve heard he was in Dublin this week? How do you think he will feel about your questioning me like some common criminal in a military barracks?

GODLEY:                              Professor, professor. I think you misunderstand. I merely meant it won’t be possible to take Ms Carey with you now. She has been transferred to another barracks where she will be questioned and, I’m sure, released very shortly.

LOMBROSO:                       Which barracks?

GODLEY:                              Richmond Barracks, it’s not far from here. Her father has been brought in too, she’s in safe hands, I assure you. Lord Grimshaw simply wished to ask her a few questions, and she’ll be home with her father later this evening. I give you my word.

LOMBROSO:                       I see.

GODLEY:                              Shall I fetch a private to accompany you to your hotel?

LOMBROSO:                       Not necessary. Good evening, Colonel. I am returning to Italy next week. I very much hope this is the last we see of each other before my departure.

GODLEY:                              Well, I certainly hope if we meet again, it’s under better circumstances.

(to a solider) Lieutenant, escort this gentleman out and ensure he gets a cab.      

SCENE 3

GRIMSHAW:                      Ms Carey, please sit down

CAREY:                                 What is going on? Let me go!     

GRIMSHAW:                      (shoves her) Sit. Down.

CAREY:                                 Ow! Who are…wait, you’re Lord Grimshaw?

GRIMSHAW:                      Ah, you know me to see, that’s interesting.Ms Carey,I’ve been hoping to talk to you for quite some time now.I need some answers and you can provide those answers freely… or we can try a different method.

CAREY:                                 I have nothing to say to you

GRIMSHAW:                      I’m afraid I very much doubt that.

CAREY:                                 What are you talking about….[fx: metallic sound] oh, my god, what are those for!?

GRIMSHAW:                      (to another soldier)Private, shut the door. This might get a little loud.

CAREY:                                 What?! No! Jesus. Stop! Help! Heeelp! (Screaming/crying)

[FX: Door shuts loudly, muffling screams]

SCENE 4

                                                [FX: Heavy gate opens, closes, then sounds of street and traffic]

MARGARET:                       (Long exhale). Jesus, Fran, I didn’t know what way that was going to go in the barracks.

FRANCES:                            I know, but look, we’re out (pause) Margaret, what are we doing? This is getting out of hand.

MARGARET:                       I know, I know. We are going to have to be very, very careful.

FRANCES:                            No, I mean should we just stop this? All of this. Is it getting…too much? I don’t know…

MARGARET:                       Frances, look where we are. Several people are dead. Áine is missing, maybe because we talked to her. And we know more than anyone about what’s going on here.

FRANCES:                            But do we? I mean what do we know?

MARGARET:                       We know enough to understand there’s something very big going on here. And all those questions Burton asked us about spiritualism. What was that about?

FRANCES:                            Yes, that was strange, wasn’t it?And what about that poor woman, Ms Carey, that the soldiers took. Where is she? She looked terrified.

MARGARET:                       And the Professor.I meanI thought he was helping the police with the case?!

                                                I think he might be in over his head too. I don’t know. We need to talk to him properly.

FRANCES:                            Well, I don’t think going to his hotel again is an option.

MARGARET:                       No, I know. But could we leave a note for him at reception, to meet us somewhere private? We can put in the note that we know this is all connected with spiritualism. Clearly there’s something in it, and it might be enough to intrigue him.

FRANCES                             Maybe. He didn’t seem that keen to talk to us earlier.

MARGARET:                       Look, it’s late. Why don’t we take the tram to Sackville Street, see if we can slip a young lad a few pence to leave a note at the reception of the hotel and hope for the best. Where would we suggest to meet?

FRANCES:                            It has to be somewhere that wouldn’t arouse suspicion (pause, thinking)What about Trinity College, at the library? Nothing unusual about a professor going to a university. We can go there a little earlier and talk to Benjamin Henthorn. Did you ever meet him? I know him from London, but he’s the new Library Keeper in Trinity. He can find us a quiet area to speak to Lombroso.

MARGARET:                       It’s Trinity College, though. They’re not exactly going to be welcoming us in, are they? Two women, uninvited.

FRANCES:                            It’s fine, leave it to me.

MARGARET:                       If you think you can get us in then, yes, it’s a good idea. We can meet at College Green beforehand. Sure, what could go wrong?

FRANCES:                            (sarcastic) Yeah, exactly.

(yawning) Ugh, I need some sleep!

SCENE 5

                                                         

                                                [FX: general outdoor noise, students, etc]

MARGARET:                       So, what do you think the odds are of Lombroso showing up this morning?

FRANCES:                            Well, it depends if he got the note. We don’t even know if he went back to his hotel last night.

MARGARET:                       True. But he presumably did? And if he got the note, I think he has to be intrigued enough to come and meet us.

FRANCES:                            Unless of course he’s working for them.

MARGARET:                       Yes…but why would he run from the soldiers, then? No, I think there’s more going on here. I think he’ll want to talk to us.

FRANCES:                            If he got the note.

MARGARET:                       If he got the note.

MARGARET:                       So you’ve got us into the hallowed halls of Trinity College Dublin – nicely done by the way. Now what do we say to your librarian friend?

FRANCES:                            Leave that that me. He’ll help us out, don’t worry.

MARGARET:                       (pause) So….Fran, can you please just keep talking to me like this.

FRANCES:                            Hmm?

MARGARET:                       Just keep walking and talking, everything is fine…

FRANCES:                            (Hushed) What are you talking about?

MARGARET:                       Don’t turn around, but there’s a man behind us, just by the archway. Look, come here. Walk over to the campanile with me here, and then, I don’t know, drop your bag and pick it up. Tall gentleman, navy blue overcoat, very stylish hat.

[fx: walking on cobbles, bag drop]

FRANCES:                            Oh, yes, I see him.

MARGARET:                       Well, when westopped at that pastry shop he was kind of loitering outside. I just remember him because that hat is lovely. I thought I could buy one like it for Diarmuid’s birthday. His hats are all so boring, have you noticed that?

FRANCES:                            Margaret.

MARGARET:                       Well, they are. Anyway, I noticed him. That’s the point. Then when we left, he was walking our way. I saw him again on College Green, and now he’s followed us in here.

FRANCES:                            Fine. But he could just be going to college.

MARGARET:                       Maybe.But the army have raided my house and arrested us. I don’t think it’s crazy that they might be watching us. Keep walking, come on, act normal.

FRANCES:                            I am acting normal! But yes, you are right, it’s not at all an unreasonable supposition.

MARGARET:                       Exactly, (in Frances’ accent) “it is not at all an unreasonable supposition”

FRANCES:                            Shut up! We need a plan. We can’t just go and meet Lombroso with the army watching. [fx: bells ring] Oh and there we go, right on cue, it’s 11.45.

MARGARET:                       This is your world, Fran. What do we do?

FRANCES:                            I don’t know! Look, why don’t we split up, and whoever isn’t followed can meet Lombroso?

MARGARET:                       That’s not a terrible idea.             

FRANCES:                            Unless….wait, I’ve got a better plan. Look at all the people coming out of the chapel. Something has just finished up; I think it’s a graduation.

                                                [FX: Noise, people talking, etc]

                                                Quick, in here, look, he’s on the far side. Just keep low and keep moving

MARGARET:                       Let’s stay with this group, they’re heading the same way as us.

FRANCES:                            Look, there’s the man! He’s gone the other way.

                                                That’s the library just up there, quick, quick, quick!

                                                [FX: Quick steps on stone, then door, then noise dies down as they enter the library]

                                                (hushed)Look, the sign says the Keeper’s office is down this corridor.

HENTHORN:                       (confused as to why women would be in the library) Excuse me, eh…ladies? This is a place of scholarly research. Do you need… any help? 

FRANCES:                            Hello Benjamin!

HENTHORN:                       Frances, my god I didn’t’ recognise you!? What are you doing here?

FRANCES:                            (sarcastic)Great to see you too, Benjamin.

HENTHORN:                       No, sorry, I didn’t mean that, it was just a surprise to…how are you? It’s been far too long.

FRANCES:                            It has been too long. Listen, Benjamin, I’m terribly sorry to arrive unannounced like this but could we possibly talk privately in your office? This is my friend, Ms Malone. We have a small matter we were hoping you could help us out with. We’re also expecting an Italian professor shortly, maybe you could ask the gentleman at the desk there to show him up?

HENTHORN:                       An Italian professor? Eh, yes, of course. Please, my office is just down here.

                                                [Walking down corridor. Fade out]

SCENE 6

[FX: Knock on door]

FRANCES:                            Yes? Come in [fx: door opens]

LOMBROSO:                       Ms Malone. Ms Hunter. You are two very resourceful ladies.

MARGARET:                       We try.

FRANCES:                            Nice to see you under slightly better circumstances, Professor Lombroso.

LOMBROSO:                       Indeed.

I take it this Dr Henthorn is not joining us?

FRANCES:                            No, he was just a useful connection to set up our meeting. A medium, I suppose. Which is what we need to talk about as a matter of some urgency. Unless we ladies are holding you back?

LOMBROSO:                       Yes, well perhaps I was a little eager to leave with Ms Carey yesterday. It was a moment of tension and, well, clearly you are more resourceful than I had given you credit for. And I realise now I need…resources.

FRANCES:                            Good. And we need answers.

LOMBROSO:                      You were treated civilly at the barracks, I trust?

MARGARET:                       Not too bad. I think Burton is probably one of the better ones. You?

LOMBROSO:                       I can take care of myself. But I have made a powerful enemy in Lord Grimshaw.

FRANCES:                            Who?

LOMBROSO:                       Field Marshall Lord Decimus Grimshaw

MARGARET:                       Quite the name!

LOMBROSO:                       Eh…yes, well, he is the head of the British Army in Ireland, as well as the President of the Royal Zoological Society.

MARGARET:                       The Royal Zoological Society…as in the zoo?

LOMBROSO:                       Exactly, the society that invited me to Dublin in the first place, although Lord Grimshaw didn’t have any real connection with the invitation. In any case, he appears to be leading a very discrete army unit – one that arrested us.

FRANCES:                            And it’s connected to spiritualism, isn’t it?

LOMBROSO:                       I see you’ve put much of this together already. Yes, it is. Are you believers?

MARGARET:                       No.

FRANCES:                            What Margaret means is she hasn’t seen anything to convince her. I myself have always been more open-minded, and was involved with the Theosophical Society in London during my time there.

LOMBROSO:                       Ah, very good. Well, Madame Blavatsky’s feats were but one area in a field that is becoming increasingly difficult for the sceptics to deny. Verifiable, scientific proof has been elusive until relatively recently but there is a body of evidence being assembled now that will put all doubts to rest.

MARGARET:                       Sorry, how is this connected to Redgrave’s murder?

LOMBROSO:                       Because, Ms Malone, Redgrave was murdered by a materialized spirit form, in this case of a pithecanthropus.

MARGARET:                       A what?

LOMBROSO:                       A pithecanthropus, an early form of man. You might call him an “ape-man”.

FRANCES:                            So that explains the brutality of the attack.And all this sudden interest in mediums.

MARGARET:                       I’m sorry but are we just immediately accepting “ghost apes”?

FRANCES:                            Oh god, and the “ghost” seen by Joe O’Callaghan. That really was a ghost.

MARGARET:                       Frances!

FRANCES:                            Come on, Margaret. I know you. You know this all makes sense. Why was Burton asking us about spiritualism? Why have mediums started disappearing? Why did they arrest Kate Carey, a renowned medium? And all this after the murderer was supposedly caught?

MARGARET:                       Ugh (pause). I will reserve my final judgement but, yes, quite a few things make sense now.

                                                And so if there was an ape-man, where did it comefrom?  Who “materialised” it, or whatever you say… (dawning) oh. Oh, no…Ms Carey.

LOMBROSO:                       Yes. Entirely unintentionally, I might add, she was not attempting to contact it. Kate Carey is the greatest medium in this country. She may well be one of the greatest mediums alive. Her ecteneic force is unlike anything I’ve encountered. She has managed to bring forth a spirit that remained on our plane, and was able to fully interact with it, for what seems to be many hours or more. This has never happened before, to my knowledge.

FRANCES                             But it has happened to Grimshaw’s knowledge? He knows what’s going on, I take it?

LOMBROSO:                       It would appear that way, yes. Clearly his men are detaining mediums in the area because they know what really happened to Redgrave. The O’Callaghan arrest and shooting was a cover up.

MARGARET:                       Jesus, so they killed the poor guy knowing full well he wasn’t the murderer?

LOMBROSO:                       Sadly, a sensible move on Grimshaw’s part if he’s trying to keep this all quiet, but still find the medium responsible. If they have Ms Carey, it’s only a matter of time before they get a confession. And that puts everything at risk. We need to convince the world of the truth, but that is going to be difficult if it involves uncontrollable spirits gruesomely murdering people at random. This was a terrible accident, it’s not what spiritualism has ever been about. The vast majority of mediums are helping people, comforting them, bringing them peace.

MARGARET:                       So where is Ms Carey?

LOMBROSO:                       Right now, I don’t know. Grimshaw’s man gave me his word she would be released and out with her father by today. Honestly, I don’t know if I believe him but I couldn’t do much at the time. I need to find out where she is.

FRANCES:                            We’ll help you.

LOMBROSO:                       Why? I don’t understand why you are still involved in all this.

FRANCES:                            Well, firstly there’s the stubbornness. Neither of us is renowned for taking no for answer, I will admit. And there’s also the matter of one of the zoo employees – Áine is her name – we talked to her and she then got taken by this army unit.

MARGARET:                       The same unit who absolutely trashed my house, I might add. Oh, and who are following us.

LOMBROSO:                      What?!

MARGARET:                       Yes, we managed to get away from him but a man followed us here and into Trinity.

LOMBROSO:                       And you still met with me?!

FRANCES:                            Don’t worry, he lost us in a crowd of people, and we are well hidden away here.

LOMBROSO:                       Ms Hunter, I’m not sure you appreciate the danger we are in here. These men are highly trained. They are not that easy to lose in a crowd. We need to get out of here as soon as we can. Perhaps your friend Dr Henthorn can show us out separate exits?

FRANCES:                            Yes, I’m sure he can. But we need a plan, Professor. What is the next step?

LOMBROSO:                       Get Ms Carey, get her as far away from Grimshaw and his men as possible, so they can’t expose Spiritualism as some sort of murderous cult. And so the poor woman doesn’t end up hanged for murder.

MARGARET:                       Absolutely. And then surely you must have some society contacts or something. Can you find out what is going on with Grimshaw and his unit? What is their goal here? Maybe they don’t want to expose spiritualism at all, maybe they want to just kill all the mediums or something like that, we don’t really know.

LOMBROSO:                       Yes, I have a lunch with the British Ambassador to Italy today. I’ll make some inquiries, and I’ll send a message to Ms Carey’s father to confirm his daughter’s whereabouts.

Allora,we can’t be seen talking to each other. Send a note as you did before, to my room at the Gresham, and we can arrange to meet as soon as we know more. Now, let’s leave, discreetly and from different exits.

                                                And, eh…

FRANCES:                            Yes?

LOMBROSO:                      Thank you. Both of you.

SCENE 7

[FX: walking out of the library, hushed, sounds]

                                                (both speaking quietly, still in the library)

FRANCES:                            So, what did you make of all that?

MARGARET:                       My god, Fran, there’s a lot to take in. If Kate Carey isn’t at home, she’s in a serious amount of trouble. She could hang!

FRANCES:                            But it wasn’t her!

MARGARET:                       Well, she… I can’t believe I’m saying this…she “summoned” – or whatever the term is – the ghost that did it. It was her creation.

FRANCES:                            Well, I don’t know. This pithecanthropus…

MARGARET:                       (impressed) Nice

FRANCES:                            Thank you. Well, Prof Lombroso said it just “arrived” uninvited. I mean if you invited someone to your house for a dinner party. And someone entirely different arrived, and then murdered one of your guests. Would that be your fault?

MARGARET:                       I suppose not. But this is different… Oh, I don’t know. Anyway, what would happen? Grimshaw gives evidence in court: your honour, this lady channelled the spirit of an ape-man who then went about murdering a gentleman in the Phoenix Park. Please find her guilty?! What’s a judge going to say to that?! Or else Grimshaw claims this small, gentle woman with no criminal record went out and violently mauled a man to death?!

FRANCES:                            True. Although with this Grimshaw character, do you think it would even reach a trial? Look what happened Joe O’Callaghan.

LIBRARIAN:                         Excuse me, ladies? This note was left for you at the front desk here.

MARGARET:                       Hmm? Oh, eh, thank you. [FX: Opens letter]

                                                [FX: Sound changes as they walk outside. They are now walking and talking]

FRANCES:                            What does it say?

MARGARET:                       “I’m the man who was following you. Meet me in the chapel in 5 minutes. I’m not with them”

MARGARET:                       Jesus, Fran, the man from earlier!

FRANCES:                            I know! But look, if he was going to arrest us, surely he would have already done it? And if he was secretly following us, then why identify himself?

MARGARET:                       Yes.

FRANCES:                            What is that? A card?

MARGARET:                       Yes, look. It has the note on the back and then the front just has a little fork symbol or something?

FRANCES:                            A fork? Let me see. No, that’s Psi, the Greek letter.

MARGARET:                       Of course you know that.

So… do we meet him? Which building is the chapel? Finally, your Protestantism is coming in useful!

FRANCES:                            Oh quiet. But yes, this is the chapel here, where the graduates were coming out earlier.

MARGARET:                       Well, like you say, it would be a bit strange if he is one of Grimshaw’s men. So, let’s go see what he has to say.

FRANCES:                            Fine. But let’s not do anything stupid

MARGARET:                       Us?Come on

                                                [Enter church, sound changes, etc]

FRANCES:                            (quietly)Any sign of him?

MARGARET:                       No

FRANCES:                            Let’s keep going down here.

                                                [FX: Echoey footsteps]

MAN:                                   (hushed)Overhere!      

FRANCES:                            What’s going on? Who are you?

MAN:                                    I’ll be quick because you two are under plenty of scrutiny right now; I don’t know who might be following you.

MARGARET:                       Well you, for one. Who are you?

MAN:                                    I am a member of the Psychical Society of Ireland, a dedicated group of supernaturalists. Given our pursuits, we try keep our society very discreet.I can tell you far more but let me just say that we know all about Grimshaw and his unit. And we would be very interested to know how you and Professor Lombroso have got caught up in all this and what you know. Would you be interested in comparing notes?

FRANCES:                            I…think so. Where?

MAN:                                    There is a meeting of our society tonight. All the details are here. When you arrive, knock, and give the password: “Palladino”.

MARGARET:                       What’s your name?

MAN:                                    That’s not important now. I’ll see you this evening. I’ll get word to the Professor to be there too. I have to go now, good day.

[FX: footsteps as he leaves]

FRANCES:                            Well, that was unexpected.

MARGARET:                       I know. What did he say, the what? The Psychical Society?

FRANCES:                            Psi

MARGARET:                       Hmm?

FRANCES:                            P.S.I. – the Psychical Society of Ireland. Like Psi, the Greek letter on his card.

MARGARET:                       Ohhh, I get it.

FRANCES:                            I’ve never heard of them, though.

MARGARET:                       You’re usually in the know with these sorts of people. Weren’t you involved in the English Psychical Society?

FRANCES:                            I had some friends who were in The Institute for Psychical Research, yes. But that is a very distinguished institute, they publish peer-reviewed papers and are very open about everything. This fellow seems a little…shadier.

MARGARET:                       Well, I don’t think we have much else to go on at this point. At the very least it’ll be an evening’s entertainment. Sure, what else would we be doing of a Wednesday evening?

FRANCES:                            I had plans, actually. But I can cancel. Look, why don’t I go and make a few inquiries, see if I can find out a bit more about this Psi group? If we’re going to go to some secretive society gathering, we should find out as much as we can first.

Oh, in fact, I can talk to Henthorn. He was very involved in psychical research when we were in London, maybe he knows someone. I’ll call back to the library and see if I can make an appointment with him later this afternoon. I can meet you at this event later.

MARGARET:                       That suits me. I am so far behind on my work. I’ll go home, get a few articles written, and meet you there. 7pm at this address on Molesworth Street?

FRANCES:                            Perfect, we have a plan. Let’s get a cup of tea or something first though, shall we?

MARGARET:                       Excellent idea!