Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A Play - Ch. 1-3
2/13/03
Narrator: Chapter One, the story of the door. Mr. Utterson and his friend, Mr. Enfield, are out on one of their weekly walks. On this particular walk, however, they pass an odd-looking door.
Enfield: Do you see that door?
Utterson: Yes, why do you bring it up?
Enfield: Well, I have a remarkable story that deals with that very door.
Utterson: Oh? Do tell.
Narrator: Enfield, Jekyll, etc. act this out: Enfield begins his story by explaining on one, dreary night, he found himself walking the very same street. While he walked, he saw a strange, short man running along the sidewalk. Unfortunately, a small girl was caught in his way. He easily mowed the child down and did not have the decency to explain himself. Enfield chased after this mysterious assailant. He eventually caught the man and brought him back to the girl’s location. A crowd has formed, and they are all ordering the short man to pay retribution. The odd man enters the strange door and returns with a check.
Enfield: The strange part about the whole incident was the name on the check.
Utterson: Whose name was it?
Enfield: I cannot tell you for fear of darkening his name. However, I can tell you that he is a respectable man in our society.
Utterson: The check must have been a forgery then!
Enfield: No. I followed the man to the bank, where it was cashed without hassle.
Utterson: Hm, that is odd. Tell me about this unknown man, if you please.
Enfield: That is another odd factor. I cannot really describe why, but there was something about the man, ...something evil. I will tell you though: his name was Mr. Hyde.
Utterson: gasps: I believe I know the name of the honest man who Hyde used.
Enfield: This may be so, but the subject disturbs me. Let us not speak of it again.
Utterson: If it pleases you, we will not.
Narrator: Together, the two men continue their quiet walk. Unknown to Enfield, Utterson’s mind is racing, as we will se in a few moments.
Narrator: Chapter Two, search for Hyde. Utterson’s inquisitive mind brings him now to his safe, where he retrieves a piece of legal paper and reads it aloud.
Utterson: “In case of the decease of Henry Jekyll,… all his possessions {are} to pass into the hands of his ‘friend and benefactor Edward Hyde,’ but that in case of Dr. Jekyll’s ‘disappearance or unexplained absence for any period exceeding three calendar months,’ the said Edward Hyde should step into the said Henry Jekyll’s shoes without further delay and free from any burthen or obligation...”
Narrator: Disturbed by this statement in the will of his dear friend, Dr. Jekyll, Utterson begins his search for Hyde & Jekyll’s connection.
Utterson: If he be Mr. Hyde, I shall be Mr. Seek.
Narrator: Therefore, Utterson begins his search by speaking with Jekyll & Utterson’s mutual friend, Mr. Lanyon.
Lanyon: Hello, Mr. Utterson. What brings you to my humble estate?
Utterson: Good day, Lanyon. I’ve come to ask you about Dr. Jekyll-
Lanyon: I’m sorry, Utterson, but I cannot tell you much about Jekyll these days.
Utterson: Oh?
Lanyon: Yes, unfortunately, Jekyll and I have had a falling out of sorts.
Utterson: I’m sorry to hear that, but I’m sure you two will be fine soon. Do you, by chance know of a Mr. Hyde?
Lanyon: No, I cannot say I do.
Narrator: Having learned nothing from Lanyon, Utterson begins a new task. He now waits outside of the mysterious door in hopes that Hyde will return. After a few days pass, Hyde finally reveals himself.
Utterson: Mr. Hyde, I think?
Hyde: That is my name, what do you want?
Utterson: I simply wished to meet you. Would you tell me where you are from?
Hyde: hands Utterson paper: There you are. Now if you don’t mind, I bid you good-bye.
Narrator: Seeing Hyde’s face, Utterson is disturbed.
Utterson: Enfield was right; something is truly evil about that man.
Narrator: With that thought in mind, Utterson takes another step in his search. He walks to Jekyll’s home, hoping his friend will shed light on the situation. He walks around the side of the home with the unknown door, and it is revealed that this is actually connected to Dr. Jekyll’s house. Utterson knocks, Utterson knocks on a door, but is answered by Jekyll’s faithful servant, Mr. Poole.
Utterson: Good evening, Poole.
Poole: Hello, Mr. Utterson.
Utterson: Tell me Poole, is the good doctor in?
Poole: No, I’m afraid he is not. Would you like to come in and wait?
Utterson: Thank you for the offer, but I really have no time to. Tell me though, do you know anything about a Mr. Hyde?
Poole: Yes, sir. He is our master’s good friend. Dr. Jekyll has even asked us to listen to Hyde’s commands. Hyde also has a key to the estate, so he can come and go as he pleases.
Utterson: I see... Thank you for your time, Mr. Poole.
Narrator: Utterson leaves Jekyll’s home with a heavy heart. His friend is clearly in danger, and from all the information Utterson believes it to be blackmail.
Narrator: Chapter Three, Dr. Jekyll was quite at ease. Several weeks later, Utterson is invited to a party that Jekyll is hosting. Utterson enjoys himself at the party, but once it ends, he decides to stay and wait for Jekyll. Jekyll eventually returns to his friend and they begin a difficult conversation.
Utterson: Who is Mr. Hyde, Henry?
Jekyll: caught off guard: He is my friend, as are you, dear Utterson.
Utterson: Why did you make your will with his name?
Jekyll: He is a very close friend.
Utterson: Close enough to alter your will after short months of contact?
Jekyll: Yes.
Utterson: Tell me again, Jekyll, who is he? Why did he come here? Who is his family?
Jekyll: Utterson, his and my case is very special. I’m afraid I can tell you no more, for you would simply misunderstand.
Utterson: Is he blackmailing you, Jekyll?
Jekyll: You would not understand.
Utterson: Is he?
Jekyll: Utterson...
Utterson: Is he?!
Jekyll: “the moment I choose, I can be rid of Mr. Hyde. I give you my hand upon that…” Let us drop this subject before one of us is hurt. Please just do not worry yourself with such matters.
Utterson: I... alright, Jekyll.
Jekyll: Please promise me something, my dear friend. Please promise you will follow through with my will.
Utterson: I worry about your choice in friends now, Jekyll, but I will comply.
Narrator: And so, Jekyll and Utterson part ways.
