AN HOUR LATER

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Glances out the window.)

Thantasy: A strange man is securing a horsecarriage to the hitching post.>

Thantasy: <He is stocky, middle-aged, has a moustache.>

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Starts to call for Liza, remembers she's occupied.)

Thantasy: <Looks as though he's been traveling.>

Thantasy: <He seems a bit muddled, perplexed. He has a black satchel with him, like a medical bag. He makes his way to the front door and is about to ring the bell.>

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Opens the door, thinking the doorbell may distract Liza from whatever it is she is doing.)

Thantasy: [Man] Oh! I say! Gave me a bit of a start, you did.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Yes, can I assist you in some way?

Thantasy: [Man] Yes. I understand a friend of mine is staying here.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Looks puzzled.) I don't believe so.

Thantasy: [Man] Oh, surely I don't have the wrong place. A Colonel Hugh Pickering.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Oh! Yes, Pickering.... ah, here he is! (Pickering is nearby, at the entrance to the parlour.)

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Thought at he first he must have been referring to Hester.)

Thantasy: [Watson] Perhaps you could announce me to the master of the house. <Thinks Higgins is the butler.>

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Watson!! By God!!

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] What on Earth are you doing here?

Thantasy: [Watson] Hugh!!

Thantasy: <The two men shake hands in a odd way, and pat each other on the shoulder simultaneously.>

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] It's devilish good to see you! It's been... oh.....

Thantasy: [Watson] I'm afraid that I've come with some bad news.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Smile fades.) Ah?

Thantasy: [Watson] <Turns to Higgins.>

Thantasy: [Watson] Perhaps you could excuse us, my good man?

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Offers hand.) Not before I meet a friend of Pickering's. I am Henry Higgins.

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, my apologies!

Thantasy: [Watson] Professor Henry Higgins!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Smiles.) Yes.

Thantasy: [Watson] My friend Holmes is a great admirer of yours. Your papers on various regional dialects have been most helpful to him in identifying crime suspects by their speech.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Is he indeed! Would that be Mr. Sherlock Holmes?

Thantasy: [Watson] The very fellow, yes! It is an honor to meet you, sir!

Thantasy: [Watson] Dr. John Watson at your service, sir!

Thantasy: [Watson] My word, meeting Professor Higgins. Wait until I tell Holmes.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Well, it's a pleasure meeting you, sir. The colonel is an esteemed associate of mine.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Wonders if Watson has lost his original train of thought.) Watson, you mentioned something about bad news....?

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, yes, yes. The bad news.

Thantasy: [Watson] Our dear brother, er, friend, Charley Bromworth...

Thantasy: [Watson] I just went to pay him a visit in Dover.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Bromworth! Dear me, what's wrong?

Thantasy: [Watson] I'm sorry to tell you that Brommy has passed on. Quite suddenly.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Gasps.) Well, I'm dashed.

Thantasy: [Watson] Quite a shock. Such a robust fellow, always had an eye for the ladies.

Thantasy: [Watson] I wish I had gotten there in time to examine him, but he was already buried when I arrived yesterday.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] You mean they'd already interred him?

Thantasy: [Watson] Hot June weather, you know.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Ah, so sad for his family. How are they taking it?

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, his brothers and sisters were grieved. You know, Brommy never did marry.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Of course... who would have him, eh? (Wry smile.) Now, how did it happen?

Thantasy: [Watson] The accounts that I got from the local undertaker were very vague. Difficult to tell what happened. Perhaps a sort of siezure.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Did any doctor have a chance to examine him?

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, yes, and but I only had the second hand report of the undertaker to go on.

Thantasy: [Watson] According to the undertaker, the symptoms were consistant with some form of asphyxia.

Thantasy: [Watson] Stopped breathing, you know.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Frowns) Well, I suppose you would say any deceased has stopped breathing. No obvious cause, though?

Thantasy: [Watson] Not as such. Now, this may not be accurate...

Thantasy: [Watson] but Brommy had a most peculiar smile on his face.

Cardaniel80: (Pickering looks at Higgins. The condition is quite familiar to them, if not the specific cause.)

Thantasy: [Watson] The problem is, as I understand it, there were no obvious instruments of asphyxia about. No pillow, no noose. No bruising on the throat.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Was he.... ahhh, clothed?

Thantasy: [Watson] Some slight bruising about the ribs. No, naked as the day he was born.

Thantasy: [Watson] I shall have to get more details from the doctor when he returns to Dover.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Frowns, thinking.) I should think even if no obvious instrument were found, the authorities must suspect foul play.

Thantasy: [Watson] I believe they suspect that he may have had some kind of ecstatic seizure.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Rolls eyes.) Yes, especially if they knew him.

Thantasy: [Watson] Perhaps some old head injury finally kicked in.

Thantasy: [Watson] He was quite a rounder, you know. <Laughs.>

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Perhaps. No ladies about, though?

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, that's what's odd. He did have a visitor. An old girl friend, I think, that he had met abroad. (Laughs.) I suppose Brommy was entirely too happy to see her.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] No doubt.

Thantasy: [Watson] I say, do you have a bit of drink about? I'm parched from the long drive. Rented a carriage in Dover.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Oh, Lord, where have my manners gone? Come in, let's go to the parlour.

Cardaniel80: (They enter the parlour. Pickering heads for the sherry bottle.)

Thantasy: [Watson] I was in need of seeing someone to share the news with. Thought of you, Hugh.

Thantasy: [Watson] <Without looking, sits in the same chair that Hester sat in.>

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Yes, it's quite shocking.

Thantasy: [Watson] Yes. And I'm afraid that not only am I shocked, but I have also let my friend Holmes down.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Hands out two glasses and keeps one.)

Thantasy: [Watson] I shall have to wire him that I was unable to get any information from Brommy.

Thantasy: [Watson] Holmes is on a case.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Information? You mean you had planned on seeing Brommy before the unfortunate event?

Thantasy: [Watson] Indeed.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] In what regard, if I may ask?

Thantasy: [Watson] Holmes remembered that I had once mentioned a story told me, by Brommy, about something that happened during his travels, that bears a remarkable similarity to the case that Holmes is now engaged in. Holmes was hoping that I could pump Brommy for further details.

Thantasy: [Watson] Most interesting case. Came to Holmes's attention in a most unusual way.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] I suppose it's natural to wonder whether Brommy was murdered for his knowledge. Such things do happen.

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, I hardly think that likely. Unless he was murdered by the old girlfriend.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Well, no doubt several have considered it.

Thantasy: [Watson] Indeed.

Thantasy: [Watson] And it is a murder case that Holmes is on. Several murders in fact. Or at least disappearances.

Thantasy: [Watson] You see, I was visiting Holmes at the old flat, and he was having a bit of a debate....

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, perhaps you don't know, Hugh, I've married! Moved out of Baker Street.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Jumps to his feet) Why, congratulations, Watson! (Pumps his hand.)

Thantasy: [Watson] Thank you. I must say that I've found married life very satisfactory. Although I doubt that I shall ever convince bachelors such as you and Holmes of it!

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] I can't say I understand that, but I know many men consider it pleasant.

Thantasy: [Watson] Trust me, the state of marriage has much to recommend it.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] I shall make a note for future reference.

Thantasy: [Watson] But I do go back to visit Holmes from time to time, and I happened to be with him one night when he was having a debate with a young man -- I believe his name was Charles Wagstaff -- on the subject of how patterns emerge in the investigation of case.

Thantasy: [Watson] Holmes took the position that any observable pattern must have a significance, and, indeed, a pattern that, at first glance, would seem to have no relevance might indeed lead to the solution of the case.

Cardaniel80: (Both men listen attentively, Higgins with profound respect.)

Thantasy: [Watson] Young Wagstaff took a contrary position, suggesting that a pattern, though very regular, could easily be the product of mere coincidence and have no bearing whatsoever on a case. I guess they had discussed the subject before.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Probably with no resolution in sight.

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, on the occasion of my visit, young Wagstaff seemed pleased as a peacock. He was certain he had found irrefutable support for his position.

Thantasy: [Watson] He had been looking into a series of disappearances up in the north country of young women. The disappearances occurred on a semi-regular basis, the disappearances taking place at intervals of between five and seven months.

Thantasy: [Watson] Here I put in that it certainly seemed to me that such a pattern would indeed be significant, that fiends who preyed upon young women often did so at nearly regular intervals, but tried to vary their pattern enough that suspicion of a single agent might be avoided.

Thantasy: [Watson] I said that the phenomenon appeared to be world-wide, that a friend of mine -- referring to Brommy, of course -- had once told me of a series of similar crimes with almost the same near approximation of regularity that occurred before and during his sojourn in Hispanola about a half dozen years ago.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Starts at the mention of Hispanola.)

Thantasy: [Watson] Wagstaff looked at me as though I were to be pitied. He said, "Of course, the basic regularity of the pattern points to a single agent or agency. However, there is a sub-pattern which, though astonishing in its regularity, can only be pure coincidence; it can have no possible meaning."

Thantasy: [Watson] Holmes wanted to hear the details, naturally.

Thantasy: [Watson] Wagstaff had done some research on the missing women. They were all from the working class and unmarried, however, there the similarities seemed to end.

Thantasy: [Watson] They ranged in age from late teens to mid thirties, which he thought was a considerable variation. As for physical appearance, some were fair and some were dark; some had short hair and some had long hair. Most fiends who prey upon women seem to be attracted to a certain type, but these women even varied significantly with respect to stature and girth.

Thantasy: [Watson] It was this last dissimilarity that led him to notice the peculiar pattern that he was certain had to be mere coincidence. It seemed that the larger a woman was, the longer a time would pass before the disappearance of the next victim. The smaller a woman, the shorter the interval before the disappearance of her successor.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Frowns. His thoughts turn in a certain direction due to current circumstances.)

Thantasy: [Watson] Holmes asked if by "larger" and "smaller," Wagstaff was referring to height or weight. Wagstaff said that he was referring to weight. Holmes thought for a moment...

Cardaniel80: (Higgins's frown deepens.)

Thantasy: [Watson] went to a bookshelf, took down a volume on herpetology, read for a moment, and then asked when this series of disappearances had commenced. Wagstaff responded that they had been going on for about five years.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Feels as if he is trying to remember the details of a dream he has had, and they remain just out of reach. He feels something pulling at his thoughts, but cannot pin it down.)

Thantasy: [Watson] At that point, Holmes urged me to take a train at once for Dover and pump Brommy for details, all that he could remember about the disappearances in Hispanola.

Thantasy: [Watson] Holmes has a way of finding meaning in things that people don't usually see as meaningful...

Thantasy: [Watson] perhaps some small detail that Brommy could recall would be helpful. In any event, there was some urgency about the matter...

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Dover.... hadn't Miss Heston arrived from Dover as well? He recalled thinking that odd -- as she was not from there.)

Thantasy: [Watson] because the young man mentioned that the last disappearance had been about five and a half months previous. So, I was to head for Dover, while Holmes went the opposite direction.

Thantasy: [Watson] I shall have to wire him there to report my failure.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] When was this? When did the discussion take place?

Thantasy: [Watson] The discussion, oh, four days ago. I had to arrange a few affairs before I left. Holmes, however, took off immediately, for Norfolk.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Norfolk! (Sharply.) Why?

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, most of the women who disappeared were from Norfolk, and the others from surrounding towns and villages.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Attempting to conceal his anxiety. Everything certainly points in an obvious direction, but something more concrete is needed. At this point, Holmes's friend Wagstaff would probably point out that everything that seemed to link Miss Heston to the disappearances and the murder of Brommy could be mere coincidence.) Dr. Watson, this is a most fascinating story. Is there anything else of significance that you can remember about the Hispanola case?

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, let me think.

Thantasy: [Watson] <Gets up, paces.>

Thantasy: [Watson] <Some of the flakes which Miss Heston left on the chair cling to the seat of his pants.>

Thantasy: [Watson] As in the case young Wagstaff had described, the women varied considerably with regard to their physical particulars.

Thantasy: [Watson] They were of working class background. Single.

Thantasy: [Watson] <Turns. Notices he has left a trail behind him.> I say!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Looks down.)

Thantasy: [Watson] These flakes on the carpet! Did they come from me?

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Looks.) There seem to be some stuck to your pants.

Thantasy: [Watson] Can't believe that I didn't get them all dusted off before I left Dover.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Dover! Where did you see flakes like that in Dover?

Thantasy: [Watson] They were all over Brommy's quarters. Got them all over me when I was searching the room for any clues that something other than an ecstatic fit might have taken Brommy.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Breaks out in a sweat.) Pickering, why don't you pour Doctor Watson a bit more sherry. Excuse me, please...

Thantasy: [Watson] What's up dear fellow?

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Dashes out the parlour door.)

Thantasy: [Watson] Come Pickering!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Up the stairs.)

Thantasy: [Watson] The game is afoot!

Thantasy: [Watson] Where the deuce is he going in such haste?

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Tries guestroom door.)

Thantasy: <LOCKED, AND SOUNDS OF A STRUGGLE WITHIN.>

Thantasy: <They follow.>

Cardaniel80: (Pickering is mystified.)

Thantasy: [Watson] <Hurrying up behind him.>

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Delivers a sharp kick near the latch. The latch shatters. The men enter the room.)

Thantasy: <Liza is naked, being held off the floor by Hester, who has her arms tightly about Liza's waist. Liza has been struggling to dislodge her arms and is blue in the face. She loses consciousness and her arms drop just as the door opens.

Thantasy: <Hester's arms and front side are bare, the scales that covered her having been dislodged by the struggle. She hisses at the men as they enter.>

Thantasy: [Watson] Good Lord! Pickering! Quick! Apply that paralyzing East Indian neck grip you showed me once! We must subdue the woman!

Cardaniel80: (Pickering leaps forward.)

Cardaniel80: (Pickering throws his forearm around Hester's neck, choking her.)

Thantasy: <Liza slumps to the floor, lifeless.>

Thantasy: [Watson] Good heavens! She's not breathing!

Thantasy: [Watson] <Kneels and begins to breathe into her mouth, pressing on her chest.>

Cardaniel80: (Higgins dashes forward, bends towards Liza.)

Thantasy: [Watson] Her heart's still beating.

Thantasy: [Watson] If I can just get her to start breathing again!

Cardaniel80: (Pickering struggles to maintain his grip as Hester whips around wildly, her struggles slowly losing force.)

Thantasy: [Watson] <Applies himself diligently.>

Cardaniel80: (Higgins, without thinking, bends down and presses his lips to Liza's.)

Thantasy: [Watson] Come, my girl!

Thantasy: [Watson] Come back to us!

Thantasy: [Liza] <Eyes flicker.>

Thantasy: [Liza] <Coughs.>

Cardaniel80: (Higgins breathes into her, sees her chest expand, waits, breathes into her again.)

Thantasy: [Liza] <Sucks in deep breath.>

Thantasy: [Liza] <Realizes Higgins is kissing her.>

Cardaniel80: (Hester has stopped struggling, is limp in Pickering's grip.)

Thantasy: [Liza] <Kisses him back, puts arms around him!>

Thantasy: [Liza] Oh Sir!

Cardaniel80: (Higgins's face still close to Liza's.)

Thantasy: [Liza] <Tears in her eyes!>

Thantasy: [Liza] You saved me!

Thantasy: [Liza] You saved little Liza!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Are you all right, Eliza? Are you hurt anywhere?

Thantasy: [Liza] That woman! She was going to make kibbles out of me to feed to her snake, she was!!

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Watson, help me tie her. There, there is a belt there for a robe, use that.

Thantasy: [Watson] Yes, quite!

Thantasy: [Liza] Got me undressed like she wanted to be friendly.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Yes, dear, go on....

Thantasy: [Liza] Ooooo! Let me get me hands on her!

Thantasy: [Liza] I'll give her what for! Sneaking up on me like that! Gonna make snake food out of me, she was!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Holds her, tries to calm her.) We have the situation in hand, my dear, you just rest a moment.

Thantasy: [Hester] I asssssure you, Lizzzza. I had no intention of feeding you to Albert!

Thantasy: [Hester] I merely wanted to kill you!

Thantasy: [Liza] Oh, that's supposed to make me feel better!

Thantasy: [Hester] It'ssss only that I've ssssseen Albert kill sssso many women.

Thantasy: [Hester] I wanted to sssssee what it wasss like mysssself once!

Thantasy: [Liza] Killing me for a bloody experiment!

Thantasy: [Liza] Oh, I'll tear your eyes out, I will!

Thantasy: [Liza] You're a bad, bad woman you are!

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Tightens his forearm at Hester's throat again.)

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Looks at Hester's state of.... undress.) Bad perhaps, Liza, but not altogether a woman, I don't believe.

Thantasy: [Hester] I am a woman!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] What, exactly, are you shedding, then?

Thantasy: [Hester] I've jusssst, asss many loversss do, taken on the characterisssticsss of my beloved!

Thantasy: [Hester] I don't know what hasss happened to me over the yearssss.

Thantasy: [Hester] I only know that I have become more and more like Albert in every ressspect!

Thantasy: [Hester] I, too, have been drawn to prey upon the innocent, the weak. the helplessssss.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Perhaps, then, it is time you became part of him.

Thantasy: [Liza] You'll think I'm helpless when you look down and see me wearing your guts for garters!

Thantasy: [Liza] I'll play Ricki-ticki-Tavi to your Kaa anytime in a fair fight!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Lets Liza sit up but still holds her back.)

Thantasy: [Liza] <Tries to attack, but allows herself to be held back.>

Thantasy: [Hester] I am glad thisss intervention hasss taken placcce!

Cardaniel80: (Higgins is partly enjoying the feeling of holding her, as much as trying to prevent unscheduled bloodshed.)

Thantasy: [Hester] I am glad that you will live, Liza!

Thantasy: [Hester] I had the thrill of feeling you go lifelessss in my armssss.

Thantasy: [Hester] I am sssatisssfied.

Thantasy: [Hester] My only wish now issss to be joined to Albert.

Thantasy: [Hester] Forever.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Higgins? I believe I've got her under control, but what do we do with her?

Thantasy: [Liza] Well, I say we get the little lad's bib and tucker on him right now! I say he could use a good meal.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I can't think of anything better than letting her have her wish.

Thantasy: [Liza] You're not like the other ladies that come here.

Thantasy: [Liza] Come to the professor for help.

Thantasy: [Liza] They's nice ladies.

Cardaniel80: (Higgins's eyes widen, looking suddenly towards Watson.)

Thantasy: [Liza] You're bad.

Thantasy: [Watson] I say, other ladies?

Thantasy: [Watson] Pickering?

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Higgins gives... ahhh, advice to women.

Thantasy: [Watson] Perhaps you and I should go somewhere...

Thantasy: [Watson] and you can explain this all to me?

Thantasy: [Watson] As one lodge brother to another.

Thantasy: [Watson] Under our pledge of secrecy.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Looks at him and nods) As brothers, indeed.

Thantasy: [Watson] You think you will be able to manage her alone, you two?

Thantasy: [Liza] I'll manage her all right!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Looks at Liza.) Now, Liza, don't kill her right away.

Thantasy: <Watson and Pickering leave.>

Thantasy: [Hester] Liza, really, I know my act issss passst forgivenesss.

Thantasy: [Liza] Bloody right!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Eliza, I believe you know where some ropes are. We should restrain Miss Heston a bit more.

Thantasy: [Hester] Pleasssse.

Thantasy: [Liza] I'll fetch them right away!

Thantasy: [Hester] Professssssor Higginsssss, the paperssss that I ssspoke of....

Thantasy: [Hester] are full confessssion of all my crimesssss.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Sits on the bed with a hand holding Hester's arm. She shows no signs of trying to escape.)

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I believe others are aware of those crimes, at this time.

Thantasy: [Hester] I am impossssing on mysssself the ssssame penalty the law would.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Yes, I believe that is fitting.

Thantasy: [Hester] I knew that my time wasss up when I heard that Missster Ssssherlock Holmessss had arrived in Norfolk and wasss asssking quessstionssss about the disssappearancesss of young women....

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] If anyone could find you out, I believe it would have to be him.

Thantasy: [Hester] I though that I might cover my trail by traveling to Dover and ssssilencing the one persssson who might make a connection between my esssscapadesss here and thossse in Hissspanola.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] That, it seems, proved your undoing.

Thantasy: [Hester] But I realized after I had killed him, that essscape wasss futile.

Thantasy: [Hester] I had heard of you and decccided to come here for your aid.

Thantasy: [Hester] I hope that you will not think too badly of me.

Thantasy: [Hester] Or you either, Lizzzza.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I believe we will wait only until Pickering has apprised Dr Watson of the situation, and then we shall carry out your last wishes.

Thantasy: [Hester] Is that THE Dr. Watssson?

Thantasy: [Hester] The biographer of Mr. Holmessss?

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] It is indeed. Holmes was indeed on your trail.

Thantasy: [Hester] Perhapsss he ssshould recccieve the paperssss I alluded to.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I can see to it that he gets them.

Thantasy: [Hester] But I fear that he would interfere with my time with Albert.

Thantasy: [Hester] He might have ssssscruplesssss about sssuch thingssss.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Yes, I believe we can trust his discretion, but he should not be a witness here.

Thantasy: [Hester] Yesss.

Thantasy: [Hester] Pleasssse. Now, quickly.

Thantasy: [Hester] Get me into Albert'ssss boxxx.

Thantasy: [Liza] Bloody pleasure it will be.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Enters the room.) He has gone. I explained.... well, an approximation of what we do here. He can be trusted.

Thantasy: [Hester] Just simply stand me in his box. He will know what to do. You may have to lay me out properly for him.

Cardaniel80: (Higgins and Pickering lift her and carry her to the box. Liza lifts the lid, a little queasily.)

Thantasy: [Hester] I have done thissss many timesss. With othersss.

Cardaniel80: (Liza moves back quickly, but not too far.)

Thantasy: [Hester] <Stands quite still.>

Thantasy: [Hester] <In a very low voice.> Come, Albert!

Thantasy: [Hester] It'sss dinner time...

Thantasy: <Albert moves a little faster than one might expect, wrapping around her legs...>

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Lord, he's big!

Thantasy: <contracting and expanding as he moves up her legs, thighs.>

Thantasy: [Hester] Yes, Albert, come to me.

Thantasy: [Hester] Come to me my dear, dear lover.

Thantasy: [Hester] Take me in your embraccccce.

Cardaniel80: (Higgins is in awe, nearly forgetting to breathe.)

Thantasy: [Hester] Embracccce me and then devour me! Make me one with you. One with your power, your sssstrength.

Thantasy: <Albert wraps around her waist, her chest.>

Thantasy: <His head is on a level with her shoulder. He begins to contract.>

Thantasy: [Hester] Ahhhhh...

Thantasy: [Hester] Yesss.

Thantasy: [Hester] Squeeze me assss no man can!!!!

Cardaniel80: (Both men have prominent bulges in their trousers.)

Thantasy: [Hester] Enwrap me!

Thantasy: [Hester] Squeeze the very breath of life out of me!!!

Thantasy: <The asphyxiation effect begins.>

Thantasy: <Hester finds herself fighting for breath.>

Thantasy: <Albert is very obedient.>

Thantasy: <Doing just what she has said.>

Thantasy: <Her breasts, what can be seen of them, heave with the struggle for breath.>

Thantasy: <Her eyes roll up.>

Cardaniel80: (Higgins admires the beauty of her body, the parts which have been revealed.)

Thantasy: <She is already feeling the rush of being deprived of air.>

Thantasy: <She also feels the strength in the animal.>

Thantasy: <She imagines herself going into his mouth.>

Thantasy: <She can take in a tiny bit of air, very, very short breaths, timed with his contractions -- not enough to interfere with the asphyx effect, though.>

Thantasy: <She has not enough breath to make a sound, but her mouth froms into the smiling O of a woman in orgasm.>

Thantasy: <There is a tiny sound as one of her lower ribs is cracked, but she seems not to react to the pain.>

Thantasy: <Juices can barely be seen in the crack between her legs.>

Cardaniel80: (The two men watch silently, mesmerized by the beauty of the scene.)

Thantasy: <She begins to swoon, to topple.>

Thantasy: <Rather than simply fall, however, she lets herself down, and lays in the box with him wrapped around her.>

Cardaniel80: (Higgins sees his help will not be needed.)

Cardaniel80: (Higgins and Pickering both step closer, unable to tear their eyes away.)

Thantasy: <In a prone position, even with all of Albert's weight around her, she writhes in ecstasy, provocatively twisting.>

Cardaniel80: (Higgins's hand rubs his crotch in an absent-minded way.)

Thantasy: <The blood flow to her head is not decreased by this form of strangulation, so she is not bothered by the sound of pounding blood, but her body does fight for breath.>

Thantasy: <Her eyes roll wildly.>

Thantasy: <She seems in delerious pleasure.>

Thantasy: <Her fading out is very slow.>

Thantasy: <Those tiny little breaths that she can get sustain her for a long time.>

Thantasy: <How much of her excitement is due to the asphyx and how much to the sensation of the feel of his skin against hers is difficult to judge.>

Cardaniel80: (Higgins cannot remember witnessing such a long, sustained orgasm. Ever.)

Thantasy: <Her hips twist and turn, her mouth wide, wide open -- in an attempt to draw in air or in an expression of pleasure, it is hard to tell.>

Thantasy: <Her movements lessen, weaken. Her eyes roll up and seem to fix there.>

Thantasy: <All eye movement, all other movement stops. Another lower rib is heard to crack, and then another.>

Thantasy: <Albert maintains his hold on his prey perhaps longer than necessary.>

Thantasy: <A little trickle of blood appears at the corner of her mouth. Her lips are quite blue.>

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Quietly.) I'll wager instinct tells him when her heart has stopped.

Thantasy: <The rest of her, very pale.>

Thantasy: <Five minutes after all signs of life are gone, he begins to uncoil himself, slowly unwrapping himself from around her.>

Thantasy: <Her body, now completely devoid of the scales, is quite lovely, almost pristine.>

Thantasy: <It appears that Albert is going to swallow her head first.>

Thantasy: <Then it appears not.>

Thantasy: <He begins to move as though he is going to take her feet into his mouth first.>

Thantasy: <In the confined space, he has difficulty twisting around.>

Thantasy: [Liza] I say, I don't want to deprive the little lad of his hard-won dinner...

Cardaniel80: (Higgins bends down and pulls her legs up a bit, getting her feet farther from the edge of the box.)

Thantasy: [Liza] but do you suppose we might take a leg off of her?

Thantasy: [Liza] Think he would mind?

Thantasy: [Liza] Thinking of dinner.

Thantasy: [Liza] Our own, that is.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I believe he has enough to occupy him without a leg.

Thantasy: [Liza] Good.

Thantasy: [Liza] I'll fetch an ax. <Leaves.>

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Nods and smiles.) I don't believe anything will happen while you're gone.

Thantasy: [Liza] <Returns rather quickly with the ax.>

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Would you like me to do that, Eliza?

Thantasy: [Liza] I wouldn't mind doing it meself, if you don't mind.

Cardaniel80: (Higgins smiles and gestures, go ahead.)

Thantasy: [Liza] Think we can get her out of the box for just a second? And lay her on the floor?

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Yes, it would be awkward with her still in there. Albert, you understand we'll put her right back?

Thantasy: [Liza] Yes, Albert, we're just borrowing her for a minute.

Cardaniel80: (Higgins And Pickering bend over the box, hoping Albert has no great objection.)

Thantasy: <Once Hester is spread on the floor, Liza kneels at an appropriate distance and raises the ax.>

Thantasy: [Liza] You was a bad, bad woman, Miss Hester.

Thantasy: [Liza] Luring sweet young girls to their doom.

Thantasy: [Liza] And wanting to kill me for mere sport!

Thantasy: [Liza] I don't feel one bit sorry for you!

Thantasy: [Liza] <Brings ax down on her right thigh, just below the hip.>

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Looks at Pickering.) Good muscles, little fat. She should roast quite well, I'd think.

Thantasy: [Liza] Bad, bad woman!

Thantasy: [Liza] Kill poor little Liza, you would! Shame on you!

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] I'm going to try an herb seasoning. Very good for legs.

Thantasy: [Liza] I ain't done nothing to you that you should want me life! Especially for mere sport!

Thantasy: [Liza] <Continues to chop way until she has severed the leg!>

Thantasy: [Liza] Whew! That was a job of work!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Very well done though, Eliza.

Thantasy: [Liza] Now, I'll wrap this in a blanket and we can take it down to the kitchen.

Thantasy: [Liza] You gents get Albert's dinner back to him.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Yes. You could leave it right on the table if you want.

Thantasy: [Liza] You know, you nearly had to be putting out an advert for someone to replace me!

Cardaniel80: (Higgins and Pickering lift Hester once more, setting her in the box as Albert watches. They try to arrange her so that Albert has a good angle at her.)

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Smiling.) I don't believe you could easily be replaced, Eliza.

Thantasy: [Liza] Thank you, sir!

Thantasy: [Liza] Oh, look at the lad go after his dinner!

Thantasy: [Liza] Oh, what a mouth!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Hester did say he should be quite hungry.

Thantasy: [Liza] Taking her in real quick he is.

Thantasy: [Liza] Stopping like he's sniffing her pussy a bit.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I'm sure there is a lot there to smell.

Thantasy: [Liza] Well, you shan't having to be servicing that no more, lad.

Thantasy: [Liza] Ah, there he goes.

Thantasy: [Liza] Moving up right well, he is!

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] How did you suppose he did it exactly, Higgins? Their sexual encounters, I mean.

Thantasy: [Liza] I would think he would have done it with great reluctance. Even snakes got to have some taste in the company they keeps.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I suspect it was something similar to what we just witnessed, though in a less deadly fashion.

Thantasy: [Liza] Yes, you get your mouth over those nice breasties of hers.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Now, Eliza, you know what they say: "A pig among people is a pig, but a pig among pigs is people." I suppose you could replace the word "pig" with "snake."

Thantasy: [Liza] Well, no accounting for taste, I guess. She do have a wonderous look of pleasure on her though.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] That she does, indeed.

Thantasy: [Liza] And I got to admit that what she was doing to me, did feel good. Up to when I realized that she was not going to stop, that is!

Thantasy: [Liza] I did have my moments of pleasure in the early part of the experience.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] I must admit Higgins realized much sooner than I, what was probably happening here. His quick thinking saved your life.

Thantasy: [Liza] Yes. And I thank you so much! You saved your little Liza.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Smiling.) Can't have her sending off a valued colleague.

Thantasy: [Liza] <She kisses him.>

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (He kisses back, again smiling.)

Thantasy: [Liza] <Glows at these words!>

Thantasy: [Liza] Right glad there was a doctor in the house, though.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Indeed, it seems fate was on our side all around.

Thantasy: [Liza] I think I'll invite him to stay for dinner, though I'll not be mentioning the precise nature of the menu.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] I don't believe he would really understand that, you're quite right.

Thantasy: [Liza] We'll tell him it's suckling pig or some such.

Thantasy: [Liza] No, bit too meaty for that. We'll think of something. Oh, there goes her head!

Cardaniel80: (Both men watch, fascinated.)

Thantasy: [Liza] She's one with her Albert now!

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Yes, and he'll be slowly digesting her for many weeks.

Thantasy: [Liza] Imagine, naming a snake after the late beloved husband of Queen Victoria!

Thantasy: [Liza] The woman had some nerve! And very little patriotism.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Oh, I think we'll all agree on that.

Thantasy: [Liza] Well, let's leave Albert to his dinner and we'll get to fixin' ours.

Thantasy: [Liza] Oh, and do put that lid back on the box. In case he wants to go for an after dinner stroll or something.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Excellent idea. Colonel, why don't Eliza and I keep Doctor Watson company while you work in the kitchen?

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Yes, I've a bit of work to do but it really won't take long. She'll be cooking soon.

Thantasy: <All exit.>

AFTER DINNER

Thantasy: Liza and Dr. Watson are strolling the grounds. Watson has expressed great admiration for Liza's spirit and thinks she would make a good housekeeper for Holmes, as Mrs Hudson is getting on in years. He mentioned the idea to Higgins, and the professor, being a gentleman, gave permission for him to make the suggestion to her, knowing, of course, that she would decline. Or, hoping that she would. And she did. Liza and Watson are now standing, watching the sunset.

Thantasy: [Liza] So, thank very much for thinking so highly of me, but, as I said, I've got some feelings for the professor...

Thantasy: [Liza] and I think I saw something in his eyes today that indicates they might be mutual.

Thantasy: [Liza] I want to stick around and see what happens.

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, I quite understand my dear. Still, should you change your mind, you have my card.

Thantasy: [Liza] Thank you. I'll keep it in one of your books. I've read them you know. Very good.

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, thank you my dear.

Thantasy: <SUDDENLY, THERE IS A SOUND IN THE BUSHES BEHIND THEM!!!!! THEY TURN...>

Thantasy: <A HUGE DOG EMERGES FROM THE BUSHES! APPARENTLY HIS MOUTH IS AFIRE.>

Thantasy: <HE MOVES TOWARD THEM RAPIDLY.>

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, my lord! I thought we had killed that beast!

Thantasy: [Watson] He's tracked me all the way here!

Thantasy: [Watson] Get behind me, Miss Doolittle. I'll do my best to protect you.

Thantasy: <The dog advances rapidly, is about to leap.>

Thantasy: [Liza] Nonsense!

Thantasy: <She steps in front of the doctor.>

Thantasy: <As the dog prepares to leap, she points at the ground and says...>

Thantasy: [Liza] SIT!

Thantasy: <The dog meekly sits.>

Thantasy: <She steps forward and pets him.>

Thantasy: [Liza] You see, doctor....

Thantasy: [Liza] you got to learn to talk to the animals.

Thantasy: [Liza] That's what me cousin says.

Thantasy: [Liza] He's a doctor, too. Doctor for animals.

Thantasy: [Liza] Dr. Dolittle. His branch of the family spells the name with one "o." He's a remarkable man.

Thantasy: [Liza] And, truth to tell....

Thantasy: [Liza] the professor reminds me very much of him!

Thantasy: [Liza] Striking resemblence.

Thantasy: [Liza] Like twins separated at birth almost.

Thantasy: [Liza] Might invite him down. He might be able to see after Albert. Might even talk the lad into becoming a vegetarian!

NEXT MORNING

Thantasy: A hearty breakfast has been prepared. Higgins, Pickering, and Liza are seated at the table. Watson enters to join them.

Thantasy: [Watson] Good morning, all.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Ah, Watson! Sit, we're just starting.

Thantasy: [Watson] Very pleasant night's sleep I had.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] yes, we all had a busy day yesterday.

Thantasy: [Liza] Can I get you something special for breakfast, Doctor?

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, no, my dear. This will do quite nicely. A good hearty English breakfast. Made the Empire what it is, I say.

Thantasy: [Watson] <Sits, helps himself.>

Cardaniel80: (There are muffins, butter, and also a plate of meat from last night.)

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, is that what we had for dinner last night? Very tasty it was.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Yes, we have our own stock.

Thantasy: [Watson] Can't get anything like this in London.

Thantasy: [Watson] Country cooking!

Thantasy: [Watson] <Digs in.>

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Yes, London's really a bit removed from some things.

Thantasy: [Watson] By the way, Miss Heston...

Thantasy: [Watson] Her papers, I was going over them last night.

Thantasy: [Watson] Very interesting. Nasty bit of work, she was.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Yes, I did not read them all, but quite fascinating.

Thantasy: [Watson] <Biting into the meat.> I must say, something about her gets under my skin.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I should like to thank you again for your quick thinking with Miss Doolittle. She surely owes her life to you.

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, it's a very useful technique. I'm glad that I learned it.

Thantasy: [Watson] I'll send Holmes a wire as soon as I get to town, tell him the case is solved!

Thantasy: [Watson] My, won't he be surprised!

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] I believe Miss Heston could be a very useful illustration of the evil which may dwell within a person.

Thantasy: [Watson] Yes, Must say, she left a bad taste in my mouth.

Thantasy: [Watson] Unlike this delicious meat, of course.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Quite right. (Taking another piece.)

Thantasy: [Watson] I stumbled right into the solution of a mystery.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Perhaps he will be jealous of you!

Thantasy: [Watson] Yes, this will be a first!

Thantasy: [Watson] Also resolved the case of what happened to poor Brommy.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Sighs.) Yes, poor Brommy. Wrong place, wrong time. I knew a woman would be the death of him someday.

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, I understand that, from his expression, he didn't think so. <Chuckles.> Now, before I leave, I wonder if I might discuss a matter with you all.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Certainly, Watson!

Thantasy: [Watson] A rather serious matter, I'm afraid.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] We shall give it our strictest attention.

Thantasy: [Watson] Professor Higgins, Pickering told me something of what goes on here.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Nods.) He has told me that, yes.

Thantasy: [Watson] And, as I was told under pledge of secrecy, I am bound to be quiet about that.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Nodding again.) I perceive you to be a man of great honor.

Thantasy: [Watson] But I am hoping that you will give me permission to somewhat make an exception to that pledge.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Brows contract.) Well, I don't know....

Thantasy: [Watson] I have a patient, a young woman, whom I would like to refer to you.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Understanding.) Ah! This is a medical problem.

Thantasy: [Watson] I won't tell her much in the way of detail, but I think she will know why I suggest that she come to see you without my being explicit. Yes, the worst sort of medical problem.

Thantasy: [Watson] The woman in question, Miss Lucy Harker, has a terminal condition. It's very, very sad.

Thantasy: [Watson] She is as full of sweetness and light as her name, Lucy.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I assume you will at least make it clear to her that I cannot cure her illness. In the sense of restoring her to a normal life. Wouldn't want those sorts of hopes raised.

Thantasy: [Watson] No, I've had the sad duty of telling her that no hope exists, and that she shouldn't be taken in by anyone offering such hope.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Frowns.) The most difficult part of your job, I'm sure.

Thantasy: [Watson] The medical practice has its charlatans like any other profession.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Nodding.) Indeed.

Thantasy: [Watson] I understand from Pickering that most of the ladies who come to see you have a certain darkness about them -- few as dark as Miss Heston, I hope.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Quite correct -- I have found them to be charming and direct, and none before Miss Heston has lied to me. But darkness, yes.

Thantasy: [Watson] But this young woman has nothing of that about her. She is bright and full of the love of life.

Thantasy: [Watson] She did mention once, a certain fascination with that vampire story by Stoker, but I believe that her interest is in the, um, romantic aspect of the novel rather than the morbid aspect.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] It sounds as if she will be quite delightful.... I strongly hope I can do something to ease her passing.

Thantasy: [Watson] Now, at present, she is not suffering much. But I'm afraid the disease has another year to run its course. And the last six months would be pure agony for her. She's caught in a very hard place.

Thantasy: [Watson] She's caught between the lack of medical knowledge that would help her recover, and the superabundance of medical ethics that prevents a doctor from giving her -- well, the only help that would be possible.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] If I understand you, she has not literally expressed a desire to die.... but in her circumstances, she may decide to avail herself of the assistance I can offer.

Thantasy: [Watson] I'm afraid that she might in desperation, turn to some shady doctor for help. There are those who would do it, of course.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Frowning, nodding.) Yes, we must surely avoid that.

Thantasy: [Watson] There's a certain Dr. Pratt who will do anything to get a few bob for meat for his cats.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Indignantly.) The fellow ought to be fed to his cats himself!

Thantasy: [Watson] Indeed.

Thantasy: [Watson] So, perhaps my coming here served several purposes at once.

Thantasy: [Watson] I was of some use to Miss Doolittle...

Thantasy: [Watson] I solved a case for Holmes...

Thantasy: [Watson] and I may have found someone who can be helpful to Miss Harker.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] We shall certainly try, if you can persuade her to come here.

Thantasy: [Watson] Oh, she is trusting. She will follow my suggestion.

Thantasy: [Watson] It's that trusting nature that worries me so much.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Watson, you always were the kindhearted one.

Thantasy: [Watson] I shall be very glad to put her in your hands.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I believe she will benefit from your thoughtfulness.

Thantasy: [Watson] She's an orphan and her parents left her rich as Croessus. Plenty of people might take advantage of her.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Ah, lost her parents too! (Shakes his head sadly.)

Thantasy: [Watson] Yes, she lost them at an early age. Fortunately, she has had a very faithful companion...

Thantasy: [Watson] a woman named Martha who was her nanny.

Thantasy: [Watson] Not that much older, really. Became a nanny at the age of 12 or 13.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Indeed! She must still be quite young, then.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Hmmm. Will the nanny be a problem, do you think?

Thantasy: [Watson] No, she's a splendid woman!

Thantasy: [Watson] Very supportive of Miss Harker.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Miss Harker has had good luck mixed with bad, then. Lucky in her parents' choice of a nanny, lucky in her own choice of a doctor.

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, I hope so.

Thantasy: [Watson] I'm sure you'll like her, Hugh! She strikes me as rather your type, in fact.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Smiles.) You think you know my type, do you?

Thantasy: [Watson] I think I've come to know you over the years, my dear fellow.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Yes, doubtless you have. Well, I shall eagerly await their arrival, then.

Thantasy: [Watson] Miss Harker could have been more fortunate in her choice of doctors, however.

Thantasy: [Watson] She could have found someone who could cure her, if such existed.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Surely that is not your fault. If such a cure existed a diligent man such as yourself would have found it.

Thantasy: [Watson] You've been very quiet Liza.

Thantasy: [Watson] Anything bothering you?

Thantasy: [Liza] No, just feeling mush sympathy for the poor darling, that's all.

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, I shall continue to exhaust every resource the Royal Society and King James Hospital have in trying to find a way to help her.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Turning to Liza.) You may be able to provide a helpful service to her, my dear. As you did for Miriam and Jessie.

Thantasy: [Liza] I will, as always, do me best, sir.

Thantasy: [Watson] I'm sure you will find her a delightful companion, Liza.

Thantasy: [Watson] Even in her present state, she has the same strength and love of life that make you so charming.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Back to Watson.) I trust you will continue your efforts to treat Miss Harker.... yet if the time comes whe we are needed, I promise we will be here to help.

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, really, there is no hope. Nothing at present, at least. But a man does what he can.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Gravely.) Yes, I believe you are in a position to know that.

Thantasy: [Watson] Well, thank you for your splendid hospitality and a very interesting visit.

Thantasy: [Watson] Liza, it's been charming to meet you.

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] Really terrific seeing you again, Watson. You must come again!

Thantasy: [Watson] Professor Higgins, Holmes will be green with envy that I have met you!

Thantasy: [Watson] And Hugh, as always, very good to see you.

Thantasy: [Watson] Perhaps I shall come again, indeed.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] I have followed your accounts of Mr Holmes's exploits for many years, and I'm delighted to have met you.

Thantasy: [Watson] Thank you sir.

Thantasy: [Watson] That means a lot to me.

Thantasy: [Watson] <Rises.> Well, I had best be on my way.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] (Rising also.) Shall I summon a cab?

Thantasy: [Watson] <Gives Pickering the special handshake.> No, my rented carriage is, I hope, still secured out front.

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Ah, of course. (Blinking at the handshake, thinking that the discretion implied by it has saved his own hide.)

Thantasy: [Watson] See me to the door, Liza?

Thantasy: [Liza] Be my honor, sir.

Thantasy: <Exit Liza and Watson.>

Cardaniel80: [Higgins] Well, Pickering, this sounds quite interesting!

Cardaniel80: [Pickering] (Thinking about Martha.) Yes, I'm sure it will be.

Thantasy: [Liza] <In the hallway, going to the door.>

Thantasy: [Watson] I'm sure that you will enjoy the company of Miss Harkin. And I wish you the best of luck with the Professor.

Thantasy: [Watson] And please do what you can to encourage something between Hugh and Martha, if you can. Hugh really should let a woman into his life.

Thantasy: [Liza] I will do my best sir.

Thantasy: [Liza] And say hi to Mr. Holmes for me!

Thantasy: [Watson] I shall. And you say hello to that animal doctor cousin of yours for me. He sounds like an amazing man.

Thantasy: [Liza] I shall do that sir.

Thantasy: [Liza] Have a safe trip.

Thantasy: [Watson] Thank you. <Enters carriage and rides off.>