(Scene: The police station, which consists of a chair and a table, the latter of which has Jonathan's books scattered across it. There is a space in the corner designated as a jail cell. Jonathan sits in it, as the Officer sits at the desk skimming through one of Jonathan's books, with Charles standing over him.)

Charles

He has gone mad. I am sure of it. Last night, before he went out, I overheard him speaking to his old professor over the telephone about salvaging his tainted name. When his professor refused, Jonathan sounded absolutely frantic and unhinged. Unable to cope with the faintest taste of failure, he must have bludgeoned the first man whom he encountered on his walk. Quite pathetic, eh?

Officer

I can’t make heads or tails of it.

Charles

What do you mean?

Officer

I mean all of this cell and DNA stuff (Gestures to the book in his hand) It bewilders me, I’m truly ashamed to say. See, ever since I was a young lad, I’d always wanted to be a scientist. The sort that deals with all the tiny workings of our bodies, like what’s talked about in these books here. (To Jonathan) What do they call those scientists?

Jonathan

Molecular biologists.

Officer

Right, right. I’ve no doubt I’d have gone to a university and become… whatever you just called those. Alas, my papa, bless his soul, got stuck in one of the gears at the factory he worked at back in ‘42, and his bones got pulverized bit by bit, from his toes up to his head. And me and my poor mama, we needed the extra money, so I was forced to—

Charles

(Angrily) What are you going on about?

Officer

(Laughs) No, no, you’re right. I’m sure you gentlemen aren’t in the mood for a poor old man’s melodrama. (To Jonathan) But if it wouldn’t trouble you, perhaps you might be able to educate me on cells and DNA and the like? You’d be making my childhood dream come true.

Charles

What on earth are you doing! This man is a murderer for God’s sake!

Officer

(Begrudgingly) Yes, I suppose you’re right. (To Jonathan) Perhaps you can educate me when all this murder nonsense is over, then.

(Enter George Edgar)

George

What the devil is going on here?

Jonathan

(Horrified) Father!

George

Why is my son locked up in this dingy cell?

Officer

Well, this gentleman here is suspected of having—

Charles

(Interrupts him) Jonathan is a murderer, Father. He crushed a man’s skull last night in a fit of rage. Here’s a police sketch of him from this morning’s paper. (Hands paper to George)

George

(Analyzes paper)

Looks more like you, Charles.

Officer

I said the same thing.

Charles

His eyebrows! For God’s sake, everyone look at his eyebrows! And no sooner after he left my house was a man’s battered corpse discovered in the neighborhood. Explain that!

George

Charles, I find your betrayal of your brother disgraceful. Explain this, then; if Jonathan had murdered that man in such a grisly fashion, why can I not detect a single spot of blood on his clothes?

Officer

(Inspects Jonathan) He’s right. I don’t see any blood on him either.

Charles

He must have washed them.

George

Blood cannot be washed from fabric so easily, especially from a filthy water source such as the one supplied to this meager town.

Charles

But he… the witness! We must track down the witness and get him to verify that Jonathan is, indeed, the murderer.

George

Dammit, Charles! Do stop complicating things already! (Removes cash from his wallet and hands it to the Officer). (To Officer) Why not make this easier for all parties involved and let my son go?

Officer

(Stunned to see so much money in one place) (To Jonathan) Well, good sir, it seems that justice is on your side today. You’re free to go.

George

(To Jonathan) Come son. You have been through hell, I have no doubt. But you will suffer no more. Return home with me, and be free from whatever controversy has ensnared you. I will sue your university for slander and send you to a more refined and civilized school.

Charles/Jonathan

(In unison)

But father!

(All are shocked, notably Charles)

Jonathan

I can’t. I must continue my work here. The success of my research is more important to me than my life. My dignity is at stake! And additionally, I…

(Pause)

George

What is it, son?

Jonathan

(Grimly) I must now settle an affair here.

(Pause)

George

Are you sure you wish to stay here, son? (Jonathan nods) Very well. I find nothing more respectable than a man endeavoring to preserve his dignity. And whatever affair it is that you must settle, you will do so with me by your side. (To Charles) Charles, prepare my sleeping arrangements. I am staying at your home until my son has resolved all of his predicaments.

Charles/Jonathan

(In unison)

What!

Charles

But father, he is a murderer!

George

Nonsense.

Jonathan

Father, I must keep my affairs private, for if I were to fail in your presence… what would you think of me?

George

You shall not fail. No Edgar has ever failed. Now, come, come! We’ve no time to lose! (Approaches door)

Officer

(Grabs Jonathan’s shoulder) And, uh, after you’ve got your troubles resolved, will you teach me all that micro-science stuff?

George

(Pulls Jonathan away from Officer) Get your grubby paws off my son! You’ve got your money, now let us be! (He and Jonathan exit)

Officer

(To Charles) You and him are brothers?

Charles

Unfortunately.

Officer

You think you could teach me, then?