Hugo in London

by Marina J. Neary

Scene 14

An attorney’s cabinet in Westminster. Wynfield and Kip are sitting side by side on a sofa against the wall. Kip, with his sleeves rolled up, holds a wet towel to Wynfield’s head.

KIP: Just think: one vial of chloroform ends a massacre. Half of the Parliament was unconscious on the floor. We’re all equal before narcotics, lords and ruffians. Dr. Grant could write an entire pamphlet about the triumph of chemicals over social hierarchy.

WYNFIELD (still dazed): I had the strangest vision. I was wrestling with a giant squid inside a cave lined with mirrors.

KIP: Now you understand why so many artists turn to chemicals for inspiration. Who in his right mind would think this up? Keep your head straight.

WYNFIELD: As soon as I step off this merry-go-round. It’s Ponies ‘n Lollipops all over again. (Looks up at Kip): Why did you save me?

KIP: So I’d have something to brag about on my deathbed.

WYNFIELD (grabs Kip’s forearm and examines it): I see you’ve gotten your share.

KIP: No, nobody laid a finger on me.

WYNFIELD: Then where did these bruises come from?

KIP: I’ve had them for weeks. After the age of forty, one’s flesh begins to abdicate. Don’t worry about me. You gave me a fright, baby brother.

WYNFIELD (perks up): What did you call me?

KIP: What I’ve been calling you for twenty-five years, Jeremy. (Throws the towel): Hungerton was more than my idol. He was my father, not only in spirit but in blood.

WYNFIELD (with sarcasm): I should probably be astonished, but I’m not. A lord having bastards? Anywhere but here! The Parliament is filled with King William’s offspring.

KIP: Our father wasn’t a lord when he met my mother, just a law student. And she was married to Roger Barrymore, whose family name I bear. Roger sensed that something was amiss and tormented me at every opportunity.

WYNFIELD (squeezes his temples): Wait... Speak slowly, I beg you. My brain can’t absorb another name.

KIP: When I turned eighteen, my mother sent me to Oxford, so I could meet my natural father, who by then was a professor. Without revealing our kinship, I became his most devoted pupil. He’d invite me to his house for supper and political debates. I attended his wedding and your baptism. Then he received a title of nobility and left Oxford for the Parliament. The story is quite mundane. You inherited his title, and I — his ideology and, apparently, his disease too. It’s called “white blood,” though my arms are black and blue.

WYNFIELD (with disbelief): So you don’t hate me?

KIP: Not in the least. Your fate is more burdensome than mine. I’ll be dead soon, but you must return to the Parliament and face those beasts. Why do you think I ventured into Southwark? I didn’t want to spend my remaining days here. Be careful, Jeremy. Next time I may not be here to save you.

WYNFIELD: There won’t be a next time. I’m leaving England tonight.

KIP: A wise decision. I’ve always wished you well as a friend, and I now wish you well as a brother. You see, I never believed that you died, at least not by our father’s hand. I’m grateful for the chance to witness your last prank before dying.

WYNFIELD: Can nothing be done to prolong your life?

KIP (with resignation): Only to relieve my pain. A German physician gave me this flask of chloroform, should my sufferings become unbearable. But, don’t let that sadden you, Jeremy. I’ve made my peace. You’ve much glory ahead of you, but not in this country.

Enter Hugo, looking disturbed and disconcerted.

WYNFIELD (straightens up anxiously): Why are you alone? Where’s my family?

HUGO (lowers his eyes and shakes his head): I’m deeply sorry... I regret to say...

WYNFIELD (leaps to his feet and grabs Hugo’s arm): What happened?

HUGO: I was on my way to fetch them, and when I reached Stones Street, I found...

WYNFIELD (pushes Hugo in the chest): What? What did you find?

HUGO: A pile of smoking rubble... where the Golden Anchor once stood.

Silently, Wynfield shoves Hugo again, this time with doubled force, nearly knocking him down. Kip jumps between them, protecting Hugo.

KIP (to Wynfield): In God’s name, Jeremy! Let Victor finish. He’s not your enemy. Otherwise he wouldn’t be here now. Before you strangle him, hear him out.

Wynfield steps back reluctantly, breathing heavily.

HUGO: There’s no reason to assume the worst. There were no bodies found. Dr. Grant and Diana must be alive, because... If that girl had died, I would’ve felt it. We’ll search for your family together, all three of us.

WYNFIELD (points at Hugo and Kip): No, you two stay out of this mess. I’ll untangle it on my own. It’s my fault.

HUGO (folds his hands as if praying): Please, let us come with you. I’m just as desperate to find that girl as you are.

WYNFIELD (throws his arms up): Victor, she’s not your daughter! Quit fooling yourself already. Diana is nobody’s daughter. She’s just an orphan girl. There are thousands of those in London. Have your pick! Or better yet, take them all with you. But leave us alone. We aren’t pawns from your bloody book, and we’re not your kin.

He runs out of the room.

HUGO (to Kip): We must follow.

KIP (suddenly wavers and subsides on the sofa): In a minute...

HUGO (pulls his arm): Come, Edmund, hurry! And don’t tell me that it’s not our battle. I won’t hear it. He needs us! (Sees the bruises and recoils) Dear God... Is this...

KIP (faintly): White blood. Don’t worry, it’s not contagious. It’s hereditary. Long story... You go after him. I’ll join you as soon as I catch my breath.

To be continued...