The House on the Hill
Monday Morning
ACT 3 â€" Scene 2
CONNIE
POLICE OFFICER 1
POLICE OFFICER 2
NESSA
Connie is doing dishes in the kitchen. She hears loud sirens outside. She watches the commotion at Miranda's house through her window.
CONNIE
What on earth is going on over there? (She stands watching out of her kitchen window)
Oh dear... police officers. (watching) Ambulance... oh no. (pause, whispers) Paul.
There is a knock at the door. Connie opens the door finding a police officer standing in the doorway.
POLICE OFFICER
May I come in, ma'am? I would like to ask you some questions.
CONNIE
Regarding?
POLICE OFFICER
Your neighbor. (looks at his notepad) Ma'am, did you know ... Miranda Ellis?
Connie opens the door and allows the Police Officer into the house.
CONNIE
Not very well. I had spoken to her a few times ... here and there.
POLICE OFFICER
What can you tell me about her friends? Or people coming and going from her residence?
CONNIE
Oh, ahh ... not much. I know she had friends coming and going quite a lot ... but they never caused a problem for me.
POLICE OFFICER
Were they different people? Or the same ones?
CONNIE
I don't know. However, from what I vaguely remember is they seemed to be different people all of the time. (pause) You would have to ask my husband, he would often help Miranda around the house.
POLICE OFFICER
(leans in, eagerly listening) How so, Ma'am?
CONNIE
Oh, heaven's.... well, he... oh ... fixed her car once. Umm... I think he was trying to give her a job within his office. He would talk about going on business trips with her. I'm not certain of this however, he rarely discusses work with me.
POLICE OFFICER
What type of work does your husband do?
CONNIE
He's in business... I don't know the exact details of his job. As I said, he doesn't speak much about his work with me.
POLICE OFFICER
Have you spoken to him lately?
CONNIE
Oh, no. Umm, he ... is on ... a business trip. He said he would be gone for a while. (pause) That's all I know.
POLICE OFFICER
When was the last time you saw him?
CONNIE
A couple of days ago. We argued.
POLICE OFFICER
What about?
CONNIE
(surprised at the questioning) His ... drinking. Did he do ... something ... officer?
POLICE OFFICER
We need to speak to him. We found his wallet next door on the floor in a bedroom.
Connie looks surprised and shakes her head in astonishment.
Does your husband do drugs, Ma'am?
CONNIE
No! Not to my knowledge, officer.
POLICE OFFICER
But he drinks?
CONNIE
Yes, it's often a point of disagreement between the two of us.
POLICE OFFICER
How much does he drink?
CONNIE
I don't know. I try to stay away from him while he is drinking. He ... (stops, looks at the officer) He drinks heavily... gin is his go-to. He can drink two or more bottles a night. He can drink to the point of not knowing what he is doing or saying (pause) which is why I stay away from him.
POLICE OFFICER
Has he ever hurt you physically?
Another police officer comes to the door.
2nd POLICE OFFICER
Sir, we found him. You should come with me... (pause, sharp tone) Now, Sir.
POLICE OFFICER
(turns and looks at Connie) Thank you, ma'am. We might be back to ask you some more questions.
CONNIE
I guess so. (pause) What happened next door? Is it serious?
The police officer walks toward the door, stops next to the second police officer.
POLICE OFFICER
I'm not at liberty to say. Thank you for your time, ma'am. Good Night.
Both Police Officers leave. Connie continues to watch outside the kitchen window. A look of horror overcomes Connie as she watches intently. She steps away from the window.
CONNIE
(slumps in a kitchen chair) Body bags. (long pause) Two ... body bags.
There is a knock on the door. Connie is reluctant to answer the door. She opens the door to find Nessa standing there.
CONNIE
(excited) NESSA! Are you okay?
NESSA
Yes. I think so.
CONNIE
Oh, my heaven's ... come in.
NESSA
(tears flowing down her face) I can't find my mom.
CONNIE
What do you mean, you can't find your mom? Did she go somewhere?
NESSA
She was sleeping in her room ... now she isn't there. I've looked all over. I can't find her.
CONNIE
(loud sigh) Oh, Nessa. (Connie looks out the window and sees the commotion next door still going on) There are police officers at your house. Do you know about this?
NESSA
I was hiding with Bob in my closet when they came. (looks at Connie) I did what you said to do. I did.
CONNIE
What did I say to do?
NESSA
... eat the blueberries. (pause) I took some from your garden yesterday. I had a huge bowl full of them.
CONNIE
Oh, you poor dear... you must have been so frightened.
NESSA
My mom was yelling at ... umm ... someone.
CONNIE
Paul? Was the person Paul, Nessa? (pause) You can tell me. I won't get mad if it was.
NESSA
It sounded like ... Puh ... Paul. But I don't know, he didn't come to my room. I couldn't see from my closet.
CONNIE
Oh, dear god.
NESSA
Connie, the blueberries helped. You were right. I ate all of them and didn't feel scared anymore.
CONNIE
I'm happy to hear this Nessa. I'm happy you are here with me. (she looks out the window again) Nessa the police officers are still at your house. I think they will want to speak with you and possibly myself when they are done.
NESSA
No! They are bad.
CONNIE
No, Vanessa... no. I already spoke with one officer. He simply asked me questions. Okay? He said he will come back to ask some more. You can stay here until he comes back, Okay? Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?
NESSA
Okay.
CONNIE
Here, sit down at the table. Now, what would you like to eat?
NESSA
(tears flowing down her cheeks) I don't know.
CONNIE
Don't worry. We'll figure it out, together.
NESSA
Something bad happened, didn't it?
CONNIE
I don't know. The police officer wouldn't say. (pause) Don't worry, right now. Let's have something to eat and drink and wait for the officer. In the meantime, we won't worry until he comes to ask questions. Okay?
NESSA
Okay.
Connie stands up and starts preparing food, while Nessa sits at the kitchen table.
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