(Scene: The police station. The Officer is writing in a notebook while sitting across another Man, who appears anxious, as if he is hiding something.)

Man

Yes, sir. It was him alright, creeping about that old abandoned windmill.

Officer

And did you see the murder weapon?

Man

Yes, sir. He used a brick. Saw him pounding against that poor bastard's head again and again and again. He must have killed him after the fifth blow, but, no, he didn't stop until the twentieth or thirtieth at least, the devil. Now, I saw what he was doing, and I knew he had to be stopped.

Officer

Did you interfere?

Man

Yes sir. I ain't no coward, you see. I says to him, "Demon! Leave that poor lad alone!" And I charged at him, arms swinging. We fought, but the coward ran off.

Officer

You resolved to thwart the assailant after the victim had already been struck twenty to thirty times with a brick?

Man

Yes, sir.

Officer

And you had done so without receiving a single injury?

Man

Yes, sir.

Officer

Yes, yes, that all sounds perfectly credible to me. (Winks at Man, who smiles) Thank you for speaking to me today, sir. If you have any further information that would assist our case, please feel free to drop--

(Charles enters. Man withdraws and avoids eye contact with him)

Charles

Officer, I need your assistance, and fast. I fear my father is conspiring to destroy me. I don't know how or when, but the longer we prolong this case, the more danger I shall be in.

(Pause)

Officer

Mr. Edgar. I'm quite glad you dropped by today. I was about to call you in for questioning.

Charles

Questioning? What the devil for?

Officer

Do you remember where you were last night between ten and midnight?

Charles

I was at home. Why?

Officer

Because last night, another murder occurred, and this man here says that he saw you committing the crime.

Charles

That's absurd! I hadn't left my house all night!

Man

(Still avoiding eye contact) It was him. I know what I saw. I'm certain of it.

Charles

You're certain of it. Why don't you look me in the eye and tell me that you're certain? Condemn me as a murderer. Send me to the gallows. But I must know that he who shall hang me swears to the law and to God that I deserve to be hanged.

Man

Officer, I know what I saw. I'm certain of it.

Officer

Mr. Edgar, do you have any credible alibis who can confirm your whereabouts last night?

Charles

Dammit. I don't. The only man who was with me was my f-- (Comes to a horrible realization) (To Man) It was my father, wasn't it! He paid you to accuse me of murder! (Seizes Man. Officer holds him back) This is part of his scheme!

Man

I know what I saw! I'm certain of it!

Officer

Now, Mr. Edgar. Don't get all frenzied. He's just reporting what he saw.

Charles

(To Officer) Officer! Tell me, if I am indeed the murderer, then why is there not a speck of blood on my clothes, or on my skin?

Officer

...Well, I suppose if I were arguing a case against you-- not that I am, of course-- but if I were, I could say that you went home afterwards and washed up.

Charles

He got to you too, didn't he!

Officer

Now, Mr. Edgar…

Charles

Is the whole town setting up the gallows for me? Am I to be hanged by the end of the week?

Officer

Settle down now.

Charles

No, I refuse! You are accusing an innocent man, and relinquishing your souls to the devil in doing so!

Officer

(Places hand on holster) Settle down, I say. (Pause) Now Mr. Edgar, am I to understand that you don't have any alibis?

Charles

No.

Officer

And do you have any further evidence to disprove this man's claim?

Charles

No.

Officer

Well. Come along, then. (Leads Charles into jail cell). You are to stay here until your sentencing.

Charles

Sentencing? What about my trial?

Officer

(Awkwardly) Well, with normal crimes, such as robbery or vandalism and such, we would, of course, provide you with a trial. But considering how heinous these crimes are, and how dangerous of a man you are, we've decided it would perhaps be wiser to convict and sentence you as soon as possible. It's for the safety and betterment of the town, my friend. It's nothing personal.

(Enter Jonathan and George. Jonathan is alarmed to see Charles imprisoned)

Officer

Ah! Master and Mister Edgar.

George

Good evening, Officer.

Officer

I wanted to thank you again for...um…

George

Go on. Don't be bashful. Be proud of your imminent education. I assure you that Jonathan shall be a valuable teacher.

Officer

Thank you, sir.

Man

And master! (Nears George) (Quietly) You promised you'd fulfill the other part of our deal.

George

(Aloud) Ah, yes! Twenty pounds upfront, and another thirty after the deed was done. Here you go, my little servant. (Hands Man cash). You've done well.

Man

Thank you, sir. May I go now? I can't bear another moment here.

George

Of course. Be gone. (Man exits) (To Charles) Charles, Charles. Had I not warned you about how… particular the law can be? Well, fortunately for you, I've spoken to the magistrate, and he was gracious enough to let you off with a warning. But, should he catch you committing another misdeed, it shall be the gallows for you. Do you understand? (Charles nods) (To Officer) Release him. (Officer releases Charles, who lunges at George. Officer tears him away and throws Charles back in the cell) I suppose that's what I deserve for trusting a savage. Come Jonathan. Let us take our leave. I am sure Charles would not mind us watching over his home while he is occupied here.

Jonathan

In a moment, Father. I would like a word with him. Alone, if I may.

George

Very well. If you insist.

Officer

Should I leave as well?

George

(To Officer) Silly little twit. Why on earth would you of all people be excluded?

Officer

Quite sorry. That was quite senseless of me to ask.

(George and Officer exit)

Charles

Alright, you've got your time alone with me. What do you want? To gloat? To spit in my face?

Jonathan

You're a fool. If you hadn’t meddled in my business, if you had just given me more time, you wouldn't have gotten yourself locked up here.

Charles

I wanted justice.

Jonathan

I wanted it too! Dammit! And if it weren’t for your idiocy, perhaps I would have gotten my justice. (Hands Charles cash) Bribe that clown of an officer with this; he'll be sure to let you go. After that, I want you to run as far and as fast as you can. Don’t show your face around this town until you receive a letter from me. Can your dull mind comprehend these orders?

Charles

Why are you doing this?

Jonathan

Because you are a nuisance to my plans.

Charles

Your plans of murdering everyone in this town?

Jonathan

I’m not—! (Pause) Just take my money. Everything will be explained in time. (Charles takes money) Promise me that you will flee from here and not return until I write to you. (Charles nods) Good. This will all be over soon. That is my promise to you. (Jonathan exits)