“Murder At Millers Court”

By M. J. Siciliano

Cast

Sir William Gull

As the personal physician to Queen Victoria, William Gull has always shown a strong devotion to Her Majesty. At 72 years old, and having suffered a recent stroke, his mind is slowly starting to slip away from reality. As a result, he has grown increasingly delirious and violent. A high-ranking Freemason, Gull is a man of both tradition and honor; he often uses his status, both in the organization and with the Queen, as a means of enforcing his authority on others.

Robert Arthur Cecil, “Lord Salisbury”

Lord Salisbury is the British Prime Minister at the time of the Jack the Ripper murders, and has been given full authoritative control over the scandalous matters brewing in Whitechapel. A long time friend of William Gull, and an equally dedicated supporter of the Queen, Lord Salisbury has agreed to collaborate with Gull to bury the secret that threatens of the royal family.

Walter Sickert

A 28 year old German-born painter living in the East End of Whitechapel, Walter is responsible for aiding the Prince’s relationship with an illiterate Catholic girl, resulting in the birth of the Prince’s illegitimate child. Walter feels tremendous guilt for allowing the relationship to blossom and is guilt-stricken over what may become of the Royal Family should then whole of Britain discover the scandal.

John Netley

A coachman in Whitechapel, john Netley has ferried the likes of every commoner and royalty in the district, including Prince Eddy during his slumming days. At 28 years old, he is an apprentice of William Gull within the Freemasons; William is very strict with John, often resorting to methods of disciplinary action not condoned by the organization.

Sir Robert Anderson

Robert Anderson is the Second Assistant Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police, as well as another high-ranking member of the Freemasons equal to William. The two have been long time acquaintances, but Robert often disagrees with the methods William enforces on the lower ranks. They have rarely seen things from the same perspective and as a result have created a bit of tension with regards to authority and respect. Despite this, Robert Anderson still considers William to be a dedicated member of the Freemasons as well as a life-long supporter of the Queen and a man of justice.

Lord Salisbury is standing alone at center stage, a lit street lamp behind him illuminating the street post positioned at upstage and slightly off towards right. He begins pacing nervously left and right, occasionally glancing out into the audience, up toward where the ceiling or balcony-level might be. He looks concerned. He steps downstage, his concerned expression gazing out over the audience.

[LORD SALISBURY]

“My friends, on this night, you will bear witness to the conception of Britain’s savior. For the throne is in jeopardy, and there are those among us who wish to cripple the Royal family. Her majesty, the Queen, has ordered me to set right the crimes of common harlots – to silence the defaming of Queen Victoria’s name. My friends, on this night, you will see a legend born – a phantom in the minds of men; the streets of decadent Whitechapel will know fear, and those who seek to tear our precious world apart will see the beauty of justice served.”

A horse-drawn carriage is heard off stage left, as the sound of hooves prancing along stone slows until a complete stop. A collection of voices is mixed together as four men enter from stage left, one man, William Gull, out in front, dressed very formally in a full black suit with a red handkerchief sticking out of his left breast pocket and a gold chain extending from the inside of his waistband to the lower-left pocket. Two of the men following behind him are holding a third man, each by his left and right arms, forcing him along. The foremost newcomer steps aside as the other two push the captive forward in front of Lord Salisbury. The man stands there, sulking his head and body forward, not turning to look Lord Salisbury in the eyes.

[LORD SALISBURY]

“Your sin has caused her majesty great pain.”

The man, Walter Sickert, remains silent in shame. Lord Salisbury turns his attention to the three other men; the already-mentioned William Gull, coachman John Netley, and Assistant Commissioner Robert Anderson.

[LORD SALISBURY]

“My friends, welcome. Many thanks for your cooperation.”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“Milord, the pleasure of once more serving her Majesty’s needs deserves no thanks – it is an honor.”

[LORD SALISBURY]

“Your dedication will go far, Sir Gull. Have Mr. Netley and Sir Anderson been informed”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“They have, Milord, but I have only told them of the prostitute’s crimes. I thought it best if Walter confessed his own sins before them tonight; perhaps an act of penance may absolve him.”

[LORD SALISBURY]

“He should pray for so much.”

Lord Salisbury turns back towards Walter, whose head was still hung in shame.

[LORD SALISBURY]

“I should hope you suffer the same agony as her Majesty, Mr. Sickert. Your crimes have soiled the face of Britain. So repent, sinner. Confess what you have done to all who will listen. Tell the world of your shame.”

Walter makes a slow approach downstage, his eyes now lifting out and over the audience, shifting up at an angle.

[WALTER SICKERT]

“If shame is my punishment, then I have already suffered more than any man I know. My actions, however generous I once considered them, have caused a grave threat – a potential revolution by my hands. Her Majesty, the Queen’s son, Prince Eddy, a royal by day and a commoner by night, came to me one year ago for aid. He sought adventure and discovery. He wished to view the world not through the eyes of a Prince, but as a worker. I was hesitant, for I knew the dangers should something happen to the Prince. But I was foolish, and I accepted. And through me, he fell in a love with a woman. A poor, illiterate, Catholic commoner named Alice Crook. The Prince was naïve, and so was I. My guilt was no stronger than when, nine months later, their child was born. The world as I viewed it was crumbling before me.”

“Alice worked at a local tobacco shop, and came to me for assistance in raising the child. I hired a nanny; a name now synonymous with threat: Mary Jane Kelly. She was a young girl, ambitious, proud, yet sadly, ill-fated. In one month, our entire way of living was violently disrupted at her Majesty’s request; Alice was kidnapped, Mary Jane fled with the child, and I was placed under strict surveillance. For weeks, I was oblivious to the whereabouts of all three – until now. At the instruction of William Gull, Alice was unjustly certified as insane and locked away; Mary Jane placed the child into the protection of a private order of nuns before she fled into hiding of her own. But the vigilance of Lord Salisbury cannot be feigned. Mary Jane sleeps before us, in the complex that stands at the corner of this gathering tonight. She has been led down a path of sin, lust, and greed: a prostitute defacing the already-misguided Whitechapel.”

“A trio of her kind share the knowledge of her past, and because of that, the stability of the throne is in jeopardy. Should these women speak to their black hearts’ content, law as we know it would be overrun by anarchy, and a dark day shall befall our noble Kingdom. Royalty toppled by blackmail - and I would take full responsibility.”

Walter steps back in line, standing to William’s left again and lowering his head in shame.

[WILLIAM GULL]

“You should be so lucky to feel shame, Sickert. Had I my way with you as I did with that temptress who seduced Prince Eddy, you would be no more seen than she.”

[LORD SALISBURY]

“Patience, William. Direct your anger not at him, but at the situation. It is a far worse consequence we face now than we did when Alice walked the streets. The decency and respect of Prince Eddy rests in the minds of these scarlet women, and that must be remedied. Mr. Netley, Sir Anderson; have you any say in these matters?”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

“Milord, I pray you acknowledge my dilemma. I have sworn a duty to Whitechapel so that we may clean up our streets. I ask why I am being included in such a meeting of the worst intentions?”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“It is not he that summoned you, my friend, but I. We have also sworn allegiances to our Masonic heritage, and that eclipses any duty you should feel for this city of Dis. Your obligations to our society binds you to a vow of secrecy. What we speak here tonight is never to be spoken of again.”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

“You have used our rites as a cruel responsibility, William. The Freemasons are not a conspirator.”

[JOHN NETLEY]

“No, Sir Anderson, but you are, and because of your constrictions, you will remain so.”

[LORD SALISBURY]

“If you should consider that this is in the best interest of the Royal Family, Sir Anderson, would that erase your doubts?”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

“My doubts will persist, but I will take no part in whatever fiendish plans you may concoct, William.”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“I do not ask your participation, but merely your cooperation. For what I have devised concerns only myself and my good friend John Netley. I need only one thing from you - ignorance. The less the police know of our crimes, the quicker we may perform them and end this masquerade.”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

“You would wish me to keep the Metro in the dark?”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“Blackness, Sir Anderson. I want them to be turned around at every conceivable lead.”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

“What is this evil deed that you so desperately wish to keep hidden, William? What are you planning?”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“You know me in my profession well, the lot of you gentleman. You know of my finesse with a surgical blade, and you know of my dedication to Her Majesty. That is why I will bear the name of Whitechapel’s phantom.”

William steps away from the group and approaches down stage, directing his speech to the audience.

[WILLIAM GULL]

“On this night the devil gave us his weapon; a knife, as sharp as the serpent’s tongue, shall be the resolution to Britain’s darkest secret. What the world will come to associate with infamy, I call Jack, born out of servitude and revenge. What shall he else be called but my son? I conceived him, I nurtured his very image, and it was I who named him. So, Father William am I, and Jack, too. My dear reluctant friend Anderson will come to embrace this necessity, and it is in him that I place my trust. For without his silence and cooperation, this cannot succeed. But there must be a scapegoat for my safety; one who shall receive the blame should all else fail.”

“I know a man, a hapless barrister who has once crossed my way. He would have been excluded had he not expressed his disinterest in the Queen. Such an unlawful disposition surely deserves the ridicule of a crime, and what better crime should belie

him than the pretense for murder? There will be no debate about this; Montague John Druitt is Jack in the eyes of the law, but under the light of starry skies, it is I who walks the streets the vigilante of Her Majesty’s honor. So I have spoken it, and so history has been written. I am Jack, let it be known to you all, but no one else.”

William turns away from the audience and approaches Lord Salisbury.

[WILLIAM GULL]

“Should Her Majesty approve of my methods, then there must be no delay.”

[LORD SALISBURY]

“The Queen has given me all authority over the matter, and I permit you to carry out your desires. Only a man of your dedication to Her Majesty could ever succeed, Sir William.”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

(terrified)

“Murder, William? Have you gone mad? You would risk your position…(beat)…for what?”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“For justice, Robert. For honor. Would you not die for Her Majesty if it meant the family would be safe?”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

“You are mad, William. How can you possibly think to get away with this? I will not be a puppet for your killing spree, (sarcastic) old friend.”

William passes a suggestive glances toward John.

[JOHN NETLEY]

“You will conspire, Sir Anderson. There is no ultimatum; there is no choice. You will help us.”

John swiftly removes Robert’s police baton from the holster at his waist and swings a quick strike to his ribs. Robert staggers and then drops to one knee, holding his side with both hands.

[WILLIAM GULL]

“You see, Robert. There are various methods of persuasion. I have asked you politely; now we have arrived at force. Do you still intend on disobeying?”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

(struggling through deep breaths)

“This is madness, William. Murder serves no justice.”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“On the contrary, Robert. Murder is the perfect form of justice. The ultimate penance.”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

“Is this what you think? And what of Mr. Netley? You’ve corrupted his mind as well, haven’t you?”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“Mr. Netley sees things as I do. He is by far my most promising apprentice.”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

“Then why not let him speak for himself?”

Standing at ready with the baton prone to strike.

[JOHN NETLEY]

“What will you have me say that Sir Gull can not answer himself?”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

(looking up at John with pitiful eyes)

“Can’t you see the insanity in this, John? You are getting involved in something you cannot hope to survive. Even without my assistance, you will be caught - I promise you.”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“Enough, Robert. I have decided to make up your mind for you. You will help us, or Mr. Netley will not be so gentle next time.”

[ROBERT ANDERSON]

“William…you bring shame to the Freemasons.”

Grabbing Robert by the collar of his suit, Robert pulls him back to his feet and forcefully brings him closer.

[WILLIAM GULL]

(angered)

“Shame? Do you wish to see what shame is? The shame of Her Majesty should this

blasphemous news spread across all of Great Britain. We would all suffer that shame, Robert - every one of us. Her Majesty’s pain is our pain. I serve Her honor well. But you speak whispers in dark corners about the Queen. I have heard you slander the royal family. I feel no shame for my actions. I am proud to have served for this long, and am proud to serve for as long as I can - in any way I can.”

Finished with Robert, William pushes him back towards John who swings the baton at the same spot once more. William now turns to Walter.

[WILLIAM GULL]

“And you, propagator of this mess - your silence will be forced upon you should the need arise.”

[WALTER SICKERT]

“Please, sir, I have suffered already. Show me the same sympathy you show your patience, I beg you.”

[WILLIAM GULL]

“Mr. Sickert, you know not of my patients, nor of my sympathy. I suggest you silence yourself now and forevermore lest you wish to become the first warning for Whitechapel.”

Walter turns to look away, frightened of William. Lord Salisbury interrupts before William begins to assault Walter as well.

[LORD SALISBURY]

“So it has been settled. You have your victims, you have your guise, and you have our support. The names of Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, and Mary Jane Kelly will serve as a warning to all of Whitechapel.”

Straightening and wiping his suit clean of dust, William calms himself with a deep breath and turns to look back at Robert in disgust, before acknowledging Lord Salisbury.

[WILLIAM GULL]

“We will leave you now, Milord. I send my condolences once more to the Queen; assure her that these matters will be dealt with swiftly.”

William grabs Walter by the arm and pulls him along as John lifts Robert to his feet and escorts him off stage left, followed by the other two. The sound of the carriage begins again and fades off quickly until it can no longer be heard. Lord Salisbury returns down

stage and, like before, addresses the audience.

[LORD SALISBURY]

“Sir Anderson promised capture - but history tells otherwise. My friends, justice was served. The sinners were silenced and Whitechapel cleansed. A killer walked the streets of London, a savior and a devil, seeking the midnight sacrifice that would free Great Britain from the constraints of blackmail. And what Jack sought, Jack caught. In a quest enduring two vigilant months, the Ripper issued his warning to all of Whitechapel, ending with the murder at Millers Court.”

BLACKOUT