(Scene: Somewhere in Europe during the late 19th century. We find ourselves in Charles’ house, which consists of a grimy living room and an empty closet. In the living room, there sits a chair and a table, the latter of which holds a statue of Aphrodite. A mattress lies in the corner as well. Charles is sitting in the corner talking on a telephone.)

Charles

Father, I beg of you; it’s only five-hundred dollars— just enough to get me through the month. (He pauses to listen to his father) Jonathan? Forgive me, but I fail to see what he has to do with… (Another pause) No, I have not heard from him. I will let you know when I do. I’m sure he’s fine. Now please, Father, the landlord says that if I don’t have the rent by next Sunday— (pause) Oh. Well, may I call you back this evening, then? Hello? Father? (Slams phone on ringer) Jonathan, Jonathan. If I hear that villain’s name one more time... (The front door knocks. Charles ignores it.)

(The door knocks again)

Charles

Be gone!

(The door knocks again)

Charles

(Stomps towards door) Be gone, I say! Or I’ll— (Opens door. Jonathan is standing in the doorway, holding a suitcase)

Jonathan

Or you will what?

Charles

Jonathan!

Jonathan

I’m pleased that you finally have your temper under control. Fetch me some tea, Charles; I am weary from traveling.

Charles

Of course, dear brother!

(Charles begins making tea as Jonathan begins unpacking. Jonathan’s suitcase includes an array of books and journals, a microscope, empty glass jars and test tubes. He places each item on the table.)

Charles

It’s quite the surprise to see you— a pleasant surprise, though!

Jonathan

Naturally.

Charles

What brings you to my humble abode?

Jonathan

Humble indeed. It is a pity that I must take up my residence here for the time being.

Charles

(Stops making tea and glares at Jonathan, stunned) Here? That can’t be.

Jonathan

Do you believe I am lying?

Charles

Of course not. But what about university? What about your fiance?

Jonathan

I have temporarily abandoned my schooling and my fiance is dead.

Charles

Dead!

Jonathan

My tea, Charles.

Charles

My apologies. (Returns to tea) That’s terrible news. What on earth happened to the poor girl?

Jonathan

Never mind what happened to her. She's dead. There is no need to pry into my personal affairs.

Charles

(Resentfully) My apologies. Again. May I at least offer you my condolences?

Jonathan

If you insist.

Charles

But, my dear brother, would you not rather stay and mourn with her family, or in the company of your schoolmates, or with Father?

Jonathan

Charles, if I didn’t know any better, I’d believe that you are trying to dissuade me from staying here with you.

Charles

No, that’s not—

Jonathan

I know. Of course you aren’t. To answer your question, I have already mourned and moved on. The reason I am here today is to settle a controversy for which I am the unlucky subject. My schoolmates, nay, everyone in the city of my university wants my head on a stick because of a...little disagreement. Thus, I must settle this matter while in hiding. And where better else to hide than the miserable slums upon which poverty casts its unsightly shadow? Where lazy vagabonds idle in wait for a change in fortune of which they are eternally exempt and wholly undeserving? Bah! It shames me to sleep in such a pitiful dwelling. My god, I don't know how you do it night after night.

(As he speaks, the kettle whistles louder and louder, with Charles growing more and more furious from his brother's insults)

Jonathan

I believe the tea is ready.

Charles

Indeed.

(Pours Jonathan a cup and hands it to him)

Jonathan

I expect that you will not disturb me while I am working.

Charles

Of course.

Jonathan

And that you will not ask any questions regarding my work.

Charles

Of course.

Jonathan

(Takes shoes off and slips in Charles’ bed, cup in hand)

And, as your guest, I am entitled to your bed as well.

Charles

Of—er— yes, of course.

Jonathan

Ah, I sense hesitation. Don’t worry, Charles. My visit won't last too long. And you are welcomed to sleep in that little room next door.

Charles

You mean my closet?

Jonathan

I don’t care what you call it. Just don’t stay in this room, for goodness sake, for I require as much space for work and sleep as possible. And now, with that said, I must bid you goodnight.

(Pause)

Goodnight, Charles.

(Pause)

What is it, man? Must I spur you like a horse?

Charles

Goodnight, dear brother.

(Charles exits into the closet, closing the door behind him and settling on the floor there)

(As soon as his brother exits, Jonathan rises from the bed, picks up phone and begins dialing)

Jonathan

(Speaking on phone) Professor. It’s me, Jonathan. No, I can’t tell you where I am. Compose yourself. Let me speak! Now, I need you to inform everyone that I shall be continuing my research despite the setbacks, and that all their questions shall be answered in time.

(Intrigued, Charles begins eavesdropping through the door)

Jonathan

(Disheartened by the conversation) I see. Should I presume, then, that you will not help me? How unfortunate. Threatened by what you cannot understand, you’ve aligned yourself with savages. Will you burn me at the stake, then? Well, you better get to it, and send my heathen soul into the fiery pits! (Slams phone on receiver)

(Charles sneaks out of the closet, picks up and begins inspecting one of Jonathan’s notebooks)

Jonathan

Idiots! Idiots! (Turns, discovers Charles’ snooping, and seizes the notebook) Get your paws off of that!

Charles

I’m very sorry. I was merely—

Jonathan

I had ordered you to ask no questions regarding my work!

Charles

I had not asked—

Jonathan

No, no, what you did was far worse. You nearly opened a Pandora’s Box which you with your feeble brain would be unable to close. Damn! It’s no wonder you’re stuck in these slums, Charles. But what I can’t fathom is why the whole world isn’t stuck here with you. I’m going for a walk. (Takes the other books) And I’m taking these with me so you won’t be able to snoop any further. (Exits through front door)

(Charles slams the door shut)

...

(Time passes. It is now morning in Charles' house. Jonathan has since returned, and is now sitting at the table. He is surrounded by the test tubes, which now contain strange looking liquids. He writes into his notebook before peering into his microscope. After a moment, he angrily tears a sheet from his notebook and crumples it)

Jonathan

Dammit! What am I doing wrong!

(Charles enters the living room from the closet, exiting through the front door, then reenters with a newspaper)

Jonathan

I thought I told you not to disturb me while I am working.

Charles

My apologies. I was only fetching the newspaper.

Jonathan

Very well. You may read it in the closet, then. (Seizes statue of Aphrodite and hands it to Charles) And take this hideous kitsch with you. I can’t bear to have it glaring at me while I work. It shames me that a blood relation of mine purchased something as trite as that.

Charles

(Angrily) It is not trite! This is a prized possession of mine; Aphrodite, the goddess of life and fertility.

Jonathan

Aphrodite. I think we've had enough of Her meddling in the business of men.

Charles

And I’ll also have you know that this was a gift from Mother. Right before she died.

Jonathan

Mother? Well. You ought to toss it away, then. Father would be furious if he knew that you were holding onto something of hers.

Charles

Oh, nonsense! Years have passed and he still whines about her like a petulant child. And what on earth could he do to me if he did find out? Disown me? (Gestures to the room) He has already done a fine job at that, don’t you think?

Jonathan

Perhaps he would help you if not for your disrespect of our name. And you better watch your tongue now, for you are exhibiting that disrespect as we speak.

Charles

Disrespect! And what would he do if he found out that you’ve been banished from your University?

Jonathan

(Rises and approaches Charles) He will not find out. I will settle this controversy and my life there will resume as if nothing had ever happened. Understood?

(Charles nods fearfully)

Jonathan

Now go. And I won’t have you speaking so disrespectfully of either me or father.

(Charles nods again and exits into the closet)

(Jonathan sits back down and resumes his work.)

(In the closet, Charles begins reading the paper. After a moment, he grows stunned by what he is reading. He grins, then exits into living room)

Charles

How was your walk last night?

Jonathan

How many times must I tell you—

Charles

I only ask because a murder has just occurred.

(Pause)

Jonathan

(Distressed)

A murder?

Charles

Yes. Apparently, last night a man was bludgeoned to death no less than three miles from here—just about within walking distance from this house, wouldn’t you say?

Jonathan

What the devil are you trying to imply?

Charles

I’m not implying anything. Many men go out for evening strolls. The culprit could very well be anyone living among these “slums” as you had so charmingly called my town. But what I find fascinating is that our local detectives have graciously produced a sketch of the culprit based on an eye-witness description. And the sketch, provided here in this paper, bears an uncanny resemblance to you, Jonathan.

Jonathan

To me?

Charles

Indeed.

Jonathan

(Swipes paper from Charles) Nonsense. This sketch looks nothing like me. If anything, it looks more like you.

Charles

Ah, but see those devilish eyebrows? They are the very same which you have inherited from Father. They convey a particular... arrogance, do they not? I doubt Lucifer’s brows arched any higher when he attempted his unholy coup.

Jonathan

What do you want from me?

Charles

Justice. Turn yourself in right now and I won’t call the police.

(Pause)

Jonathan

Give me more time. Everything will be explained soon enough. I just need more time.

Charles

You’ve had enough time, Jonathan. It’s all over; your education, your prospects, your reputation, your life.

(Jonathan attacks Charles. The two fight. Charles manages to open the front door)

Charles

Help! I’m being attacked!

(The two continue struggling)

(Officer enters)

Officer

Alright, settle down now. Settle down.

(The two continue struggling)

(Officer pulls out a pistol and fires it into the air. The two stop fighting. Officer laughs)

Officer

That always calms 'em down. Now how can I help you two?

Charles

This man is a murderer. Last night he bludgeoned someone to death and—

Officer

Down on Main Street? Ah, yes. I saw the poor fellow myself last night. Got his face caved in. Looked as though someone had blown a watermelon to bits. Blood everywhere. Ghastly thing. Ghastly thing. (Lights a pipe)

Charles

Well, I’ve got your culprit! Look here! (Hands Officer the newspaper) See! That’s him!

Officer

(Analyzes paper) Looks more like you, I’d say.

Charles

What! No, no! Look at those eyebrows!

Officer

(Further analyzes paper, then looks at Jonathan) Oh. Yes, yes, I suppose they are quite similar. Very well. (Seizes Jonathan) My apologies, lad, but I’ve got to take you down to the station now for questioning.

Jonathan

(Lunges at Charles as Officer restrains him) You fool! All I needed was more time!

Officer

Now, now, settle down.

(Exits with Jonathan out of front door)

Charles

(Dials phone, smirking)

Hello, Father. I have some shocking news.