Ten Little Indians
Cluedo:
Why thank you!
----------------------------------
Vera Claythorne wasn't sure what to wear. She didn't realize how more or less formal the dinner was going to be. On one hand, she didn't want to be shabby and wear the clothes she was wearing when she arrived. On the other hand, she didn't want to be ogled at by the gentlemen. She hoped the light blue frock she brought would be decent and classy enough for the dinner. Sure, it was a little more revealing than she wanted (and she really didn't want to give the wrong impression to Mrs. Owen!), but it was a hot summer night and sweating wouldn't do her good either. Sure enough though, with her being the de-facto IT female of the house, Mr. Marston who was going to be "lust-deprived" for the weekend was noted to be counted upon....
He whistled.
"Simply gorgeous."
Vera blushed a little. She figured that must have meant a lot coming from someone of such high standing as Tony Marston. However she didn't know what to say. The most striking article of clothing was Marston's smoking jacket...
"Why...err..thank you, Mr. Marston" Vera said, embarrassed, "Your jacket is very....lovely as well."
She didn't know what adjective to use.
"You like it?" Replied Marston pretending to be surprised, "I got it this Autumn in Paris."
Marston thought to himself.
"Alright, I've got her hooked...."
"How would you like to sit next to me at dinner?" He proposed confidently.
Vera didn't have the courage to say no. She was under Tony's spell. Of course however, Vera's boldness would undergo a slight change before the weekend was out....
Cluedo:
Everyone was gathered in the Dining Room ready to devour the feast in front of them prepared by Mrs. Rogers. The vistors were dressed up in their formal attire (Blore worried if he looked right and didn't give the show away. He wasn't good with bow-ties). The atmosphere was warm and inviting and the guests would admit that they were starting to warm up to occasion. The meal consisted of some of the best cooking they've had. One thing was missing....
...no Mr. and Mrs. Owen.
"I wonder where the Owens were planning to sit." Declared Lombard as he seated himself, "I only see eight chairs."
"Well this is rather strange..." Agreed Armstrong, "Rogers, perhaps you know why the Owens have yet to arrive?"
"I couldn't say say sir," Replied Rogers looking equally dumbfounded.
"Well at any rate," Said Blore changing the subject, and he let out a slight belch, "This is a damned good meal! My compliments to your woman, Rogers."
"Yes," Agreed Brent, shooting a glare at Blore's oblivious habits, "I must say this is a very pleasant meal."
"Miss Brent" The General said suddenly, "I don't suppose we've met before in St. Tredenick?"
"No...." Emily Brent replied curiously, "I don't recall...oh yes, I do recall now."
"Yes, yes..." Said General MacArthur, "My cousin Ben married a cousin of yours."
"Yes, I believe he did." She replied with a smile, however she really wished to change the subject. She liked General MacArthur; a refined polite old gentleman. However she didn't wish to discuss personal matters at the table.
"I don't know if my mind is going," Continued the General, "I seemed to recall somebody then mentioning a rather tragic accident that happened to somebody who was close. My condolences to you Miss Brent, my condolences."
Brent's face pinched a little. What could he possibly be talking about? After all, she never was married. Not many gents good enough for her. Miss Brent has rather high standards, and even yet the General still looked at her with his weary eyes...
Cluedo:
Dinner was starting to come to close. The meal had been perfect, and everybody was in their best spirits.
"If they aren't comfortable after that meal," Thought the mellowed Judge, "I don't know what would could appease them."
Tony Marston was getting a little restless. He picked up his plate as he gave it a little tap with his knife, and another...and another....
"Young man," Said General MacArthur, "Just what are you doing?"
"Well how the HeII does that old song go?" He asked.
"If you don't mind me asking," Said the Judge, "What old song?"
"The rhyme," Replied Marston, "You know..the Ten Little Indians!"
"That's funny," Said Lombard, "I found a copy of that song in my room."
"And so did I," Voiced in Dr. Armstrong.
"And I!" Chirped Vera Claythorne, "I remember it from the time I was a governess. I dealt with a children and their songs all the time. Funny, it all seems to fit. Indian Island, those figurines in the Parlor, and the rhyme itself! What fun!"
"Well then?" Asked Marston, curious, "Do you remember how it goes?"
"Well, I can't recall for sure," Replied Vera, "I saw the song on the piano in the next room. Perhaps you would like to have a go at that."
Anthony Marston sat down at the piano in the Parlor. His eyes scanning the music sheet. Sure enough at the top, he saw the title, "Ten Little Indians." The scene was set!
He plunked down the first notes....
"Ten little Indians....," He sung aloud, clearly under a bit of courage from the wine, "went out to dine; One choked his little self, and then there were nine...."
A few people glanced at him, some of them a little more than irritated.
"Nine little Indian boys sat up rather late," He continued, "One overself himself, and then there were eight...."
Rogers entered the room with the after dinner drinks. He stared with curiosity at the young man at the piano.
"Eight little Indian boys traveling in Devon; One said he'd stay right there, and then there were seven...."
Marston feeling more confident than ever began to play a little louder...
"Seven little Indian boys chopping up sticks; One chopped himself in halves and then there were six...."
Wargrave walked over to the drinks. He had enough of that young philistine!
"Six little Indian boys playing with a hive; A bumblebee stung one of them and then there were five...."
Emily Brent sniffed in distaste. This was all getting rather gruesome!
"Five little Indian boys going in for law; One got in Chancery and then there were four...."
Blore was trying to not pay attention to the music, he was closely examining each guest. One last look before bed.
"Four little Indian boys going out to sea; A red herring swallowed one, and then there were three."
Vera smiled to herself. The others may not appreciate Marston's flamboyant attitude, but she found him fun, and very handsome to look at.
"Three little Indian boys walking in a zoo; A big bear hugged one, and then there were two..."
The music was starting to get faster, louder and more suspenseful at it was approaching the climax.
"Two little Indian boys standing in the sun; One got all frizzled up and then there was one."
"I can hardly take much more of this..." Sighed Wargrave almost in a whisper.
"Don't worry!" Reassured Dr. Armstrong, "He's down to his last little Indian!"
"One...little...Indian boy...left all alone....." Marston paused, simply to hold the moment, "He went and hung himself, and then....there...were....[size=18]NONE![/size]"
Cluedo:
Everything became silent after Tony's piano playing. It was comfortable silence. One that had everybody relaxed and in the best mood. They had been well fed and well cared for. And afterwards? They would return to their comfortable, well decorated rooms.
Suddenly within that silence came a voice. A cold condemning voice, abrupt and unexpected....
[size=18]
"Ladies and Gentleman Silence please!"[/size]
Everybody jumped at the sound of the voice. Who was speaking? The disembodied voice continued...
"This is your host U N Owen speaking! You are charged with the following indictments:
Edward George Armstrong, that you did upon the 14th day of March 1925, cause the death of Louisa Mary Clees."
"Emily Caroline Brent, that upon the fifth November,1931, you were responsible for the death of Beatrice Taylor."
"William Henry Blore, that you brought about the death of James Stephen Landor on October 10th, 1928."
"Vera Elizabeth Claythorne, that on the 11th day of August, 1935, you killed Cyril Ogilvie Hamilton."
"Philip Lombard, that upon a date in February, 1932, you were guilty of the death of twenty-one men, members of an East Africa tribe."
"John Gordon Macarthur, that on the 14th of January, 1917, you deliberately sent your wife’s lover, Arthur Richmond, to his death."
"Anthony James Marston, that upon the 14th day of November last, you were guilty of the murder of John and Lucy Combes."
"Lawrence John Wargrave, that upon the 10th day of June, 1930, you were guilty of the murder of Edward Seton."
Thomas Rogers and Ethel Rogers, that on the 6th of May, 1929, you brought about the death of Jennifer Brady.
"Prisoners at the bar, have you anything to say in your defense?"
There was a short scream and loud thud from the other room...
Cluedo:
Dr. Armstrong rushed out of the Parlor. He joined with with Rogers looking down on a huddled mass on the floor shaken with fear. It was none other than Mrs. Rogers who has fainted dead at the gramophone recording.
"Doctor!" Cried Rogers.
"It's alright Rogers," Replied Dr. Armstrong, "She's only fainted."
The Doctor bent down and patted her cheek to revive her. Then he lifted the shaken Mrs. Rogers to her feet.
"How do you feel?" He asked.
Mrs. Rogers gave a little moan in response.
"Come Ethel," Said Rogers calmly, yet with a little worry in his voice, "Pull your self together."
"I...I..." Mrs. Rogers was trying to speak. She turned to Rogers, "I told you we shouldn't have come! I knew that something horrible was going to happen! I told you! Didn't I! You didn't listen...no you didn't!"
By now, a group was gathering at the Parlor doorway watching the spectacle of Mrs. Rogers. Rogers looked around turning white and embarrassed.
"Shut up!" He snapped, "Shut it I say! I don't want to hear any more of this!!"
"Easy now Rogers," Commanded Dr. Armstrong, "She needs comfort, not condemnation."
"I'm..sorry Ethel," Replied Rogers numbly, trying to pull himself together, "I didn't mean that. Come here my dear.."
He drew Mrs. Rogers close and gave her a tight hug, rubbing her back.
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