Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: A Play - Ch. 4-6
2/13/03
Narrator: Chapter Four, the Carew murder case. Nearly a year later, the city is sent into shock as the murder of Mr. Carew, a respectable man in society, is announced. The only witness of the crime was Carew’s maid. She claimed that right when she was about to fall asleep, she heard a noise outside. When she looked, she saw (act this out) the innocent Carew speaking with Mr. Hyde. In a surge of sudden anger, Hyde began storming around like a madman. With an audible crack, Hyde used his cane to break Carew’s body. Hyde then ran. As police searched the scene they find a letter addressed to Utterson, so they immediately call him to the scene.
Utterson: Good God, what’s happened here?
Police: There’s been a murder, and we think you might be able to help us catch the villain.
Utterson: looks down: Is this the criminal’s weapon?
Police: Yes. From what the maid tells us, Hyde brutally murdered Carew with that very staff.
Narrator: Utterson’s stomach sinks as he realizes the cain was a present he gave Jekyll many years earlier.
Police: Is there any information you have that might be useful?
Utterson: Indeed there is. I know of Hyde’s present residence. I would gladly point that path out to you.
Police: Please do so, Mr. Utterson, it may prove vital to the investigation.
Narrator: (act this out) And so Utterson leads the policemen to Hyde’s only know estate. As they travel, Utterson notices an eerie feeling in the air. He and the policemen make small talk but it is obvious they are both agitated. Eventually they arrive at Hyde’s home and Utterson knocks.
Police: It’d be best if my men and I stayed out of sight for now. (walks away)
The door opens a moment later with Hyde’s maid behind it.
Hyde’s Maid: Yes, how may I help you, Mr...
Utterson: Utterson. I’d like to know if Hyde is in at the moment.
Hyde’s Maid: Hyde? No, he very rarely shows his face here. Would you like to come in?
Utterson: Actually yes. I’m also sure my police friend would...
Hyde’s Maid: “Ah! He is in trouble! What has he done?”
Utterson: If we may (motions to enter)
Hyde’s Maid: By all means.
Narrator: The police and Utterson enter the home and begin their search for some evidence of Hyde’s location. Eventually, they arrive on two findings, a section of the murder weapon that had broken off as well as a charred check book.
Utterson: What good will a burned check do you?
Police: It will be very useful. It means he has a bank account, and if he ever wishes to retrieve money from this account, he will need to go to the bank, where we will capture him easily.
Narrator: Several days later, Utterson calls his police friends to see if the mystery has been solved. The police reply that Hyde never appeared at the bank. To make matters worse, all background checks had come back empty-handed. Apparently, Hyde had no family, children, or friends, save Jekyll. Utterson feels a wave of disappointment but somehow he knew the cops would never find Hyde.
Narrator: Chapter five, the incident of the letter. Utterson is determined to find out what happened to Hyde. Therefore, on the next day, he rushes to Dr. Jekyll’s home to run an interrogation of his own while the police continue to search for Hyde.
Utterson: Where is he, Jekyll?
Jekyll: He is gone, Utterson; believe me when I say that. Whatever happens to him means nothing to me now. We have lost contact, and I shall never see that man again.
Utterson: How do you know?
Jekyll: hands Utterson a letter: This is how. It states that the police will never find him. It also apologizes for having brought any shame to my name. I believe Hyde is telling the truth in this letter, Utterson, but I ask of you a favor.
Utterson: What is this favor?
Jekyll: Will you keep this letter for me? If I am caught with it, I will clearly be brought down several rungs in stature.
Utterson: Of course, I will keep it in my safe. Utterson reads part of the letter. He commanded you to write your will as you did, didn’t he?
After a moment, Jekyll nods yes.
Utterson: He planned to kill you, my dear friend.
Again, after a pause, Jekyll nods.
Utterson: Alright, Jekyll. You’ve made a mistake in your choice of a friend, but surely things will be natural soon enough. If you do not mind however, I must be off to another engagement.
Narrator: The two men say their good-byes and Utterson then heads towards the door, where he intercepts Poole.
Utterson: Good day, Poole. Would it trouble you if I asked who delivered this message?
Poole: looks a little confused: Today, sir?
Utterson: Yes, who delivered this message today?
Poole: There has been no mail today, sir.
Utterson: I see... Well, good day to you, sir.
Narrator: Later that evening, Utterson meets with his long friend, Mr. Guest. Guest is a specialist of hand-writing styles and techniques. Utterson gives Guest both a document which Jekyll had written several days prior and the letter Hyde had written. Guest spends minutes analyzing them and then looks up to Utterson.
Utterson: So?
Guest: Interesting indeed. These two letters are written with the same hand, save there are sloped in different directions.
Utterson: You mean to say...
Guest: Yes, Jekyll wrote both letters.
Narrator: The plot thickens as we continue our story. Utterson now believes Jekyll is being controlled by the evil Hyde and will soon attempt to break that control any way he can.
Narrator: Chapter six, the remarkable incident of Dr. Lanyon. With Hyde’s presence no longer interfering him, Jekyll is able to enjoy his life and become much more social. He begins to hold parties, and at one such party both Utterson and Lanyon arrive. All three men speak as though nothing had ever happened, and revert to their previous friendship. Soon after, however, things turn sour.
Utterson: phone: Hello, Poole! Tell me is Jekyll in?
Poole: phone: I’m sorry sir, but Jekyll is not accepting messages or visitors at this point.
Utterson: He’s not? Why would this be?
Poole: To be honest I’m not sure, Mr. Utterson.
Utterson: Alright. If you have a chance to talk to him, tell him I called.
Poole: Of course, sir.
Narrator: Similar conversations take place over the coming days. Each time, Utterson is turned away from Jekyll. Utterson begins to worry, and eventually visits Lanyon to see if he knows any reason that Jekyll would not accept his calls.
Utterson: Hello, old... oh dear lord. Lanyon, are you alright?
Lanyon: sick: No, dear Utterson, I am not. I’ve had a dreadful shock so deep that it has ruptured my body. I’m afraid I will not be long to this world.
Utterson: Do not speak such things, Lanyon. You will be healthy soon enough. Does any of this have anything to do with Jekyll, by chance?
Lanyon: Do not mention him now. I do not wish to speak of him, with him, or about him until after I leave this world. Make note of your curiosity, but keep it tame until after I die, for then you will learn everything about Jekyll and what has caused by early departure.
Narrator: Stunned by Lanyon’s words, Utterson heads home. Once in his office, he immediately grabs pen and paper and writes an inquisitive letter to Jekyll, asking what happened with Lanyon and why Jekyll will not speak with him. Days later, Jekyll’s written response arrives.
Jekyll: I understand why Lanyon never wishes to speak with me again. I have caused him much alarm on an earlier date. I also understand why you worry so much about myself. However, I must tell you that you should not contact me. I must remain a recluse for a short period of time as punishment for a crime which you do not know and could not understand. I’m sorry, my friend, but you must trust me.
Narrator: Several days later, Lanyon dies. The doctors found in his home a letter addressed to Mr. Utterson. After receiving this letter, Utterson reads the cover.
Utterson: Private: for the hands of G.J. Utterson alone, and in case of his predecease to be destroyed unread.
Narrator: The words send a cold chill down his spine, but Utterson continues to open the envelope. Much to his surprise, inside resides another envelope, this one addressed “Do not open until Jekyll’s death.” Respecting his deceased friend’s wishes, Utterson does not open the letter. Soon his attempts to contact Jekyll become less and less frequent and their lives slowly divide.
