Visible Noir, Act II, Scene 1

Act II Scene 11

It is the next evening. The Rogue, waiting for Mr Violet, is dressed as he was in Act I. He is leaning against the upstage wall.2

ROGUE
---(Checking a large watch on a chain.)
Is it four-thirty already? Well, that means Mr Violet is late. For his own meeting.
---(Pidgin-Brow appears on the stage, wandering with his nose near the ---ground.)3

ROGUE
---(With a playful manner, but roughly.)
Hello pony! You be a careful girl; this is an awfully dark alley. Here.
---(He jams his hand in his pocket and finds a biscuit,
---which he holds out to Pidgin-Brow. The pony takes it in
---his lips.)
Now run home.
---(He slaps the pony's neck. Pidgin-Brow stays.)4

ROGUE
---(As though a question had been asked.)
Yes me love?...
---(After a pause.)
No - run home dearie, I don't marry for the asking!
---(He laughs raucously. There is another pause. Pidgin-Brow
---remains where he is.)
You wants advice, pony? Well here's a piece: never never stay at the flats on Billy Street. Not nice places.
---(He pauses.)
Fortunately I'm only put up there for - well, until Mr Violet gives me a green light. We'll see.
---(He grasps a piece of the pony's mane and yanks it back
---and forth playfully.)
First time I've been paid to do this sort of work. Killings aren't in great demand in Ville Noir.
---(Enter Mr Violet: he has a moustache and black hat. The
---Rogue hauls the pony by the bridle to look him in the
---face.)
Run off now, Violet's here: a dangerous man.
---(He laughs. Pidgin-Brow jerks his head up at the sound
---and walks to the left-stage wall, nodding excitedly. He
---remains at the wall.)
A dangerous man.5

MR VIOLET
---(With a broken sort of rasp to his easy quiet Cockney
---speech, and a defeated or cautious manner.)
Not me. 6

ROGUE
---(Slyly.)
Do you think the pony will tell anyone?7

MR VIOLET
Are you planning a bloody murder?8

ROGUE
Yes, of course I am. 9

MR VIOLET
Listen, you can't. It must not be violent.10

ROGUE
Then it's not much of a murder. 11

MR VIOLET
Well I'm not killing for the sake of killing. 12

ROGUE
I like to. But I'll wait for your instructions.13

MR VIOLET
Please don't play with her mind; don't do anything to let her know you're around. 14

ROGUE
---(Sullenly.)
Whatever you like. But it's not the way I'd do it.15

MR VIOLET
I want it to be quick, so there can be no warning - furthermore, I don't want her to be afraid before it happens.
---(After a pause.)
I hate this, all of these doings.16

ROGUE
Oh dear Violet! Jonchée is a poison, anyway - a prideful, hateful, beautiful lady! Isn't that reason enough to have her killed?17

MR VIOLET18

---(Softly.)
Not for me, not ever. 19

ROGUE
I'm sorry she's ensnared you.20

MR VIOLET
I have her to forgive for that. 21

ROGUE
Listen, don't be sorry. This murder will be a merciful thing. 22

MR VIOLET
---(Very sadly.)
I don't trust a word you say.23

ROGUE
But you should! If it isn't fast and painless, you'll know where to find me to make me pay.24

MR VIOLET
No! I just want it over with quickly, and then to never see you again.25

ROGUE
Now Violet! Don't pretend you're better than me; you hired me!26

MR VIOLET
I had to, but I don't like it. 27

ROGUE
It's this, or let the lady suffer at the hands of the crazy things you're going to let into Ville Noir. Ain't that what you said?28

MR VIOLET
Yes... well you don't seem terribly upset about it.29

ROGUE
You know me. I'll take any job I get. But Mr Violet, if you really aren't happy with the idea, you might not take away the hills. Then we wouldn't have this problem. Why do you take them down?30

MR VIOLET
---(After a long look.)
Why do they grow up?
---(Silence.)
Or I might ask you why you murder - why do you murder people, Rogue?31

ROGUE
---(With a slow smile.)
Why do people get born when they know I'm going to get them in the end?32

MR VIOLET
Right. ...Well, not really. But you can't help it anymore than I can, I suppose.33

ROGUE
Shall we discuss the time of this famous event?34

MR VIOLET
Whenever you are ready, Rogue, you may act.35

ROGUE
Now, since there can be no warning, let's kill her while she's away from Lanternon.36

MR VIOLET
That seems best.37

ROGUE
And my fee.38

MR VIOLET
Suggest one. But, the farther you remove yourself from Ville Noir after the deed is done, the more generous I shall be.39

ROGUE
---(Musingly.)
You...are...generous, in the oddest way, Mr Violet...
---(Quietly.)
But I'm not going anywhere. Don't try to get rid of me.
---(Silence.)
Will I see you again before Jonchée is dead?40

MR VIOLET
No.41

ROGUE
Goodbye, then.
---(Mr Violet begins to walk to left-stage. He runs a hand up
---and down Pidgin-Brow's neck.)42

MR VIOLET
Is this Jonchée's horse?43

ROGUE
I would guess so. Are you going home now?44

MR VIOLET
Yes.
---(Exit Mr Violet. The Rogue waits for a minute, then
---straightens and approaches the pony.)45

ROGUE
Nowhere to go, pretty? Come on. You want to help me draw up a murder sketch?46

---(He lays his arm across Pidgin-Brow's withers and the two
---leave the stage.)