Ray Mooney Under the Spiral Staircase

7/23/2019 Ray Mooney Under the Spiral Staircase

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Under the Spiral Staircase

By Evan Papamichael

Characters:

Antoinette: 18 year old housemaid

Betty: 42 year old mother of Alfred and William

Alfred: 18 year old son of Betty

Aggressive and humorous etrovert

William: 1! year old son of Betty

"ntrovert #ith a dry sense of humour

Barry: $% year old Policeman

&atasha: 1' year old daughter of (eo )olstoy

(eo )olstoy: $2 year old *afia man

+yodor ,ostoevs-y: $8 year old *afia man

1



1. E/). &"0).

+A,E "&: PE&"&0 3CE&E

noc- at the front door of the house #here a murder has occurred.

)he setting is in a )oora- mansion at present5 in *el6ourne. )he old house has a#arm fire 6urning in the living room. "t is pouring #ith rain and thunder. Everyone is

confined indoors. Antoinette #al-s to#ards the door only to find a policeman #aiting

to 7uestion her.

)he policeman5 fficer Barry is investigating the murder5 #hich happened a fe#

hours ago. "t #as committed under the spiral staircase5 at the house #hich fficer

Barry is visiting.

fficer Barry is in his early fifties5 handsome5 #ith closely cropped hair and a neatlytrimmed moustache5 and is approaching the investigation #ith a cool calm and

collective attitude.

Antoinette: 0ood evening officer5 #hat can " do for you

3he 6egins to s#eat as she -no#s there is something #rong. fficer Barry

senses her uneasiness and 6rea-s the ne#s gently.

Barry: *adam did you hear or see anything suspicious5 at a6out !:9% pm

tonight

e loo-s at her deep in the eyes as if he is #aiting for her to panic. Antoinette

starts to trem6le and is uncomforta6le a6out replying.

Antoinette is a real plain ane. 3he dresses in red5 conservative clothes and she does

not #ear much ma-eup. er hair is in a mess and she is over#eight. Although

Antoinette is not attractive #e #ill see as the film unfolds that she is the mastermind

#ho holds the -ey to solve the murder. But the audience is left guessing throughout

the film 6ecause an opposing outcome eventuates.

Antoinette the housemaid5 is shoc-ed and horrified #hen she sees #ho is at the door

and ans#ers it. 3he is trem6ling5 fearful agitated and unsure of #hat is going to

happen.

Which 7uestions is fficer Barry going to thro# at her and in #hat #ay. o# #ill

she give a reply #ithout getting herself and the other mem6ers of the family5 in the

household into trou6le

Antoinette: Why #hat has happened

2



Barry: )here #as an incident on the side of your house.

Antoinette: " #as doing my house duties; coo-ing5 cleaning and dusting. " am so

ehausted5 that " #ould not have noticed anything.

Barry: " mean on the side of your house5 in the secluded area5 covered #ith

gumtrees< #ell< #e found a dead man=s 6ody. We suspect that it

#as *r. Bruce (uc-y. " thin- he hit the >ac-pot5 at the 6ottom of your

eterior spiral staircase. 3adly that=s #here #e found him.

Antoinette: Why did he #in )attslotto What has happened

Barry: We thin- that he #as murdered. )here #as 6lood every#here. And it

appears he suffered a violent death.

Barry pauses and is careful #ith his net 7uestion.

Barry: Are you sure that you did not see or hear anything suspicious5 over the

past t#o hours

Antoinette panic-ing

Antoinette: Well5 it has 6een pouring #ith rain and there #ere thunder and

lightning<and it is free?ing cold.

3he tries to divert the policeman=s attention.

Antoinette: ,on=t you thin- you had 6etter come inside " mean out of the cold.

Barry: )hat=s a good idea. )hat #ay #e can tal- more. @e enters the house

,id you go any#here near the spiral staircase tonight

Antoinette:

@3hivering &o5 sir " s#ear5 " didn=t. And any#ay5 #hy do you -eep on

emphasi?ing the spiral staircase. o# do you -no# the murder5 did not

actually ta-e place5 some#here else What evidence do you have to

su6stantiate your clues

Barry: &o# #e are getting some#here5 my s#eet child. Why do you suspect

that there #as any evidence5 #ithout me even suggesting such a thing

,o you have anything to add to that

Antoinette @trem6ling and panic-ing she 6egins to s#eat5 is pale in the face

and cannot loo-5 at the policeman in the eyes.

9



Antoinette: onest sir5 " did not notice anything. Why do you -eep on insisting5

that " suspect5 -no#5 sa#5 heard< or< or<#itnessed anything

3he is uneasy5 frustrated5 nervous and 6eginning to 6ecome hysterical. )he

cunning policeman thro#s a line at Antoinette5 #hich #ill 6rea- her do#n

completely. e reaches for his right >ac-et poc-et and pulls out ahand-erchief.

Antoinette thin-s that he #ill #ipe the s#eat from his face. But he is not

s#eating only she is. 3he does not -no# #hat #ill happen net.

3he tries not to loo- at the hand-erchief 6ut cannot help herself. +rom the

corner of her eye5 Antoinette notices that Barry=s hand-erchief is full of 6lood.

"t is carefully #rapped5 in a forensic plastic 6ag. "t o6viously is evidence5 in

the murder case.

Ded is the colour of Antoinette=s dress. )his colour red5 frightened Antoinette

and she did not -no# #hat to do net.

Barry: ere is #hat #e found5 at the 6ottom of the spiral staircase5 on the side of your

house. A #hite hand-erchief #ith the initials D*5 carefully stitched on it. ,o

you recogni?e it " mean do you -no# #ho it 6elongs to

Antoinette: Well5 sir " do all the #ashing in the house. " must admit " go

through many #hite clothes and hand-erchiefs5 especially during the colder

months. But <6ut< @3he -no#s she cannot lie <

3he 6rea-s do#n in tears. At first she stutters5 then murmurs. "t is hard for her

to utter or even 6reathe any #ords.

Barry gra6s her 6y the right shoulder. "n a stern authoritative voice he says.

Barry: @uite firmly

Fou must spea- the truth. "t is for your o#n good.

Antoinette: But sir5 " can=t destroy one of the masters of the house. )hey feed and

clothe me< they are the source of my life. )hey really loo- after me. )hey are my

everything.

Barry claps his hands together #ith a loud 6ang.

Barry: @Angrily But you said one of the masters of the house. What is that supposed

to mean @Barry #al-s to#ard her5 to overpo#er Antoinette and frighten her into

saying the truth.

4



Antoinette: 3ir5 D* are the initials of Ding *aster5 you -no# the official em6lem

of the 0reat *osco# Circus. )he leader of this circus um<um< " thin- his name is

(eo )olstoy<#ell< he #ent missing >ust t#o days ago. "t #as something to do #ith

money.

Barry: And #hat does (eo )olstoy loo- li-e "s he tall #ith a solid 6uild5 a 6londeman #ith a goatee 6eard

Antoinette: Fes. Eactly.

Barry: Well that=s the eact description of the deceased man at the 6ottom of your

spiral staircase. And #hat a6out this money situation ,id someone o#e money )ell

me more child.

Antoinette: @Bursting into tears Well5 sir5 there are t#o 6oys in this house. ne is

Alfred and his younger 6rother is William. )hey are al#ays fighting and arguing over

the silliest things. ,omestic things you -no#. )heir mother Betty al#ays tries to calmthem do#n 6ut it is hard.

$



2. "&). &"0)

+(A3BAC &E

3cene ne: Betty and her t#o sons in the lounge room

Betty is in her forties and is mother to Alfred and William. Betty is a #ell to do classy

#oman5 or should " say a )oora- toff. 3omeone #ho -no#s #hat it means to 6e upper

class. But even though Betty is attractive and #ell groomed there is another element

to her character. Betty is a devoted Christian #ith old fashioned values of respecting

all mem6ers of society and of course teaching these values to her children.

We do not hear a6out Betty having a hus6and as she #as #ido#ed ten years ago. er

hus6and died of a natural death. is passing a#ay has nothing to do #ith the murder

investigation.

Betty: William and Alfred #ould you try to act your age. Why do " al#ays see the

t#o of you arguing

William: Fou see *um5 " >ust #ant to -eep to myself and read an interesting 6oo-.

American istory is my favourite. " pic-ed up an ecellent account of )he Civil War

at Angus and Do6ertson last #ee-. " am half #ay through it and am loving it. )his

pathetic 6rother of mine #on=t leave me alone5 in peace and 7uiet. All " #ant to do is

read 6ut<

Alfred: But #hat Fou thin- you=re a scholar 6ut really you are >ust a simpleton. "=ll

6et you don=t even -no# #ho A6raham (incoln #as

And 6esides #hy don=t you read a6out Australian istory )his is Australia5 do#n

under5 our country is so rich in culture<the 37uatters in the nineteenth century5 and

the 0old Dushes in Ballarat and Bendigo and of course our heroes #ho fell during the

t#o #orld #ars. "f you=re a true 6lue Aussie you=ll stic- to our culture5 history and

traditions. ,on=t pay any attention to those arrogant Fan-s.

Betty: &o# Alfred5 your 6rother is free to do as he pleases. (eave him alone. Fou

must respect and sho# consideration for one another. America #as a saviour during

the t#o #orld #ars. "n the first #ar it #as the European nations #ho nearly #ent

do#n 6ecause 0ermany had po#erful and highly technical su6marines5 #arfare and

armed forces. America defeated the 0ermans and ended the #ar. )han- 0od for that.

"n the second #ar5 once again the 0ermans nearly defeated the allies. &ot only did the

&a?is have superior #arfare and armed forces 6ut they had the "B* computer #hich

#as used to trac- do#n the movements5 6an- accounts5 secrets and everyday #ay of

life of the e#s and everyone in 0ermany.

!



@Betty Contd.

)his po#erful tool almost overpo#ered all of Europe. nly America #ith her

epertise5 intelligence and superiority #as a6le to outsmart the &a?is and end the #ar.

ust as Europe and the #orld payed for peace in the first half of the t#entieth century5that=s ho# " pray for peace in my house.

)he lounge room in Betty=s house is filled #ith anti7ue furniture5 imported lighting5

drapes and ornaments from Europe. )he room has period features from the Gictorian

era5 as the house #as 6uilt in the 188%s. )he room is al#ays dar- as this 6rings a

depressing atmosphere to the scene. )he only real 6rightness that the audience sees is

the fire flic-ering from the fireplace. "t is #inter and the scene is at night time. )he

mood and atmosphere of the characters #hen it=s dar- is gloomy5 as is the #intery

#eather outside. "t is #et5 thundery5 cold and melancholy.

Betty opens her anti7ue lounge room cup6oard. 3he reaches out for an

istory 6oo-.

Betty: ere 6oys5 you #ill love to get stuc- into this. "t is an history 6oo- a6out the

Dussian C?ars. " mean the ings and ueens of pre;communist Dussia. "t is definitely

a great read. As " flic- through the pages " can outline the many #ars #hich the

Dussians encountered.

&apoleon unsuccessfully tried to ta-e over Europe and #as defeated 6y Dussia. Also

the Dusso;apanese #ar of 1'%15 #ith the apanese. But amongst all this5 #as there

any happiness you may as-

Well5 loo- up this chapter on the life and times of the C?ars. )hey #ere real

aristocrats5 imperial ones #ith the royal name of )he Domanovs.

Betty hands the 6oo- over to William

William: Boy5 this 6oo- is great. )here are lots of maps indicating #here #ars #ere

#aged throughout Europe. And this 6it a6out the C?ars= life is interesting. (oo- attheir clothes and palaces. "t is so 6reathta-ing. And #hat do #e have here. 3ome

character called +a6erge.

Betty: Fes5 he #as the official craftsman to the Dussian monarchy from the 188%s

until the early t#entieth century. +a6erge made >e#ellery and of course the #orld

famous +a6erge eggs out of the finest gold5 diamonds5 ru6ies and sapphires. )his

treasure #as made eclusively for the C?ars.

H



GI

Alfred is an etravert5 smart ass and of course a con artist. e #ill try any shifty tric-

for his o#n advantage. Alfred is al#ays 7uarrelling #ith his 6rother William.

William on the other hand5 is a 7uiet5 reserved and #ithdra#n introvert. e -eeps to

himself and tries to avoid trou6le. But Alfred is al#ays stirring up his 6rother William5

over trivial things. )herefore the t#o 6rothers do not get along and are al#aysengaging in confrontation.

Alfred:Who cares a6out some old eggs and >e#ellery aven=t you t#o got anything

6etter to tal- a6out

William: uiet you fool these +a6erge >e#els and eggs are so famous5 eclusive and

priceless5 according to this 6oo-5 that they are -ept safely protected5 in Dussian

museums5 li-e the Catherine Palace in 3t. Peters6urg.

Alfred:Fou idiot<it=s called the ermitage museum<don=t you -no# anything

William: Well it >ust goes to sho# #ho is ignorant. With the fall of communism in

Dussia5 in 1''15 the #hole country 6ecame democratic and capitalist. Catherine the

0reat @#ho is the only 7ueen in history to #in the title 0reat5 ruled Dussia in the

eighteenth century and 6uilt a palace in 3t. Peters6urg5 naming it after herself. )his

grand 6uilding is presently called )he Catherine Palace. "t houses art#or-s5 paintings5

>e#ellery and the #orld famous +a6erge eggs #hich are made out of gold5 diamonds5

ru6y and sapphire. )he priceless +a6erge goods #ere produced eclusively for the

Dussian monarchy from the late nineteenth century until the early 1'%%s.

Alfred: Well "=ll 6et organi?ed crime #ould love to get their hands on this +a6erge

stuff Fou could ma-e a mint selling it on the 6lac- mar-et.

William: 3o do you intend on getting involved in organi?ed crime5 my foolish

6rother

William starts laughing sarcastically. Alfred 6lushes and furiously turns

his face to#ards the audience.

Alfred: Fou -no# #hat5 William5 you are >ust one 6ig #eirdo<" have got this

mansion5 #hich " am going to inherit in partnership #ith you<#hy #ould " need to

turn to a life of crime

William: Fou no good half gone 6ludger. Fou never #ant to #or- 6ecause you >ust

#ant the easy life. "nstead of #or-ing for an honest living you prefer the 7uic- #ay

out and that is a life of 6egging5 6orro#ing or stealing.

Betty: &o# William that is no #ay to spea- to your 6rother. " have 6rought up 6oth of

you to have strict Christian values. )hat is to love and respect one another and your

fello# man in the community. " don=t #ant to hear this tal- a6out stealing and

dishonesty. ,o you hear me &o# sha-e hands li-e mature and dignified gentlemen

and apologi?e to one another.

William and Alfred sha-e hands and apologi?e.

William and Alfred together: " am sorry mate @E&, +(A3BAC

8



BACK TO THE PRESENT

Antoinette: Alfred seems to al#ays manipulate the other mem6ers of the family

#ith his cunningness and tactfulness.

Barry: What do you mean ,oes he have a part5 in the murder5 Antoinette

Antoinette starts so66ing

Antoinette: " don=t -no#. " overheard something5 #hile Alfred #as tal-ing5 on his

mo6ile phone. At first he #as upset5 then agitated and to#ards the end5 furious.

Barry: What #as this a6out )he murder that #as going to happen

Antoinette: Well5 " heard Alfred specifically say5 that the person on the other side

of the phone5 #as going to pay him 6ac-5 for the #rong he had done to the circus.

Barry: &o# #e are getting some#here. But ho# does this lin- up #ith the victim at

the 6ottom of your spiral staircase

Antoinette: @Almost hysterical (eo )olstoy #as at the other end of the phone.

Barry: )hen that hits the nail on the head.

'



9. "&). (A)E A+)ED&&

+(A3BAC )W

3cene )#o: Phone conversation 6et#een Alfred and (eo )olstoy

)here is very little light in the room. Antoinette is perceived 6y the audience as 6eing

cunning and conniving #ith her feminine intuition. 3he eavesdrops on Alfred=s

conversation #ith (eo )olstoy. )his is Antoinette=s first insight into the trou6le facing

Alfred in the future. "t also -eeps the audience vie#ing the suspense 6uilding up in the

story line.

)he audience is introduced to the concept of the 0reat *osco# Circus and here this

leads to the syndicate stealing and importing +a6erge >e#ellery and eggs from Dussia

and 6ringing it to *el6ourne. 3o #e get a feel of ho# the crime is lin-ed 6et#eenAlfred and (eo )olstoy.

Alfred is relaed happy and on an ego trip. e relaes at home in the dra#ing room.

e thin-s he is alone and en>oys listening to some music. )he radio is playing popular

early roc-=n=roll songs5 on magic 12H8.

@Alfred singing ne t#o three o=cloc-5 four o=cloc- roc-5 five si seven o=cloc- eight

o=cloc- roc-5 #e=re gonna roc- around the cloc- tonight.

Alfred happily sings along to Bill alley and the Comets. As the song finishes5

Alfred=s mo6ile phone rings. )he doors and #indo#s of the dra#ing room are closed.

)he lights are out and the curtains and drapes are dra#n. )he room is 6eautifully

furnished #ith a 6ar area and epensive anti7ue furniture from "taly.Alred is lying

do#n on a leather sofa. While lying do#n and forgetting a6out life Alfred is at peace

#ith the #orld5 6ut not for long.

Alfred=s mo6ile phone rings #hile he is at home5 thin-ing that he is

alone. Alfred is una#are that Antoinette is eavesdropping 6ehind the

drapes5 as the room is dar-5 #ith hardly any light.

Alfred:ello5 and #hat do you #ant5 #hoever you are

)olstoy: "s that a pleasant #ay to greet a friend

Alfred: @"nnocently

3orry mate 6ut " have 6een receiving hoa calls all day. " am >ust so sic- of it.

3o is it (eo )olstoy from the 0reat *osco# Circus Fou -no# the Ding *aster. "suppose " can call you JD.*K.

1%



)olstoy: Fou can call me #hatever you #ant. " am ringing to let you -no# a6out the

stuff.

Alfred:What stuff

)olstoy: Ever fancied 6acon and eggs for 6rea-fast

Alfred:What are you on a6out5 you drongo

)olstoy: @appily and )actfully

Eggs Charlie5 as in specially decorated #ith gold5 diamonds5 ru6ies and

sapphires. Wouldn=t you >ust love to get your hands on them We are tal-ing a6out

6ig time stuff here. 3omething so uni7ue not even the Fan-s or Poms5 #ere a6le to

poach from us5 and regal #hich the richest #oman in the #orld5 li-e your ueen

Eli?a6eth could not have in her palm.

" am trying to eplain to you5 that it is a piece of priceless #or- of art5 6elonging to

the former C?ars of Dussia. "t is a one of a -ind5 #hich is sort after5 the #orld over.

Alfred:3o once " have it5 " can sell it on the 6lac- mar-et5 for as much cash as " #ant

)olstoy: Fou said it Ba6y

Alfred:But #hat=s in it for me

)olstoy: 3ince you are a )oora- toff5 you -no# a 6oy from a rich area you must

find me some potential customers. " #on=t settle for less than ten million dollars for

each piece of art.

Alfred:Are you serious mate. What do you ta-e my locals for5 idiots

)olstoy: @0ently ,o you -no# #hat #e are dealing #ith here5 son

Alfred: &o;#hat

)olstoy: )he #orld famous and highly treasured5 +a6erge >e#ellery and eggs. "t has 6een carefully stolen5 from museums and art galleries5 in 3t. Peters6urg and *osco#5

in Dussia.

Alfred: And ho# #as it smuggled into *el6ourne.

)olstoy: Fou have to meet me at )oora- Central in t#o hours5 and " #ill

eplain.

11



Antoinette overheard everything #hich Alfred and (eo )olstoy said #hen they spo-e

on the phone. 3he does not -no# #hat to do. 3he epects the #orst. Antoinette is

pu??led at first then anious. "n the end she #aits for Alfred to leave the room. While

trem6ling #ith fear Antoinette slo#ly and gently steps out of the dra#ing room. 3he

gets out from 6ehind the drapes opens the door to the room and then goes to the

-itchen5 to attend to her duties. Alfred does not suspect that she #as present5 #hile he#as on the phone5 to )olstoy.

Antoinette -eeps the secret to herself5 as she -no#s the matter #ill only 6ecome

#orse if she do6s in Alfred5 a6out the danger he is facing5 #ith the croo-s he is

dealing #ith. )his scene 6egins the 6uild up of tension and suspense in the film.

@E&, +(A3BAC

12



4."&). A+)ED&&

+(A3BAC )DEE

3cene )hree: )oora- Central

Alfred is in a noisy and 6usy environment. )he trams and cars passing 6y the cafL

#here he is situated5 are causing this.)here are diners in the cafL5 #ith a fe# tourists

and locals. Everyone is en>oying themselves5 #ith a snac- and coffee. Alfred is 6ored.

e seems very interested and #illing to meet (eo )olstoy and his mate5 +yodor

,ostoevs-y.

Alfred is en>oying a cappuccino and a ham and cheese

croissant. ust as he is a6out to ta-e his last s#allo# and final

6ite (eo )olstoy enters the cafL #ith another man.(eo )olstoy is in his fifties #ith a solid 6uild5 6londe hair5 6lue eyes and a charismatic

personality. is tric-ery and evilness sees his eventual do#nfall. e is a no good5 evil

criminal5 involved in international organised crime. )olstoy is the mastermind5 6ehind

the illegal operations in the film.

+yodor ,ostoevs-y is dar-5 short5 mean and simple minded. e #ill ta-e orders from

anyone. is naivety sees his destruction at the end of the film.

)olstoy: @3lo#ly Alfred this is my friend5 +yodor ,ostoevs-y5 from Dussia.

,oyestevs-y: 0ee gee gee um< umm< 0idday is that hoe you say this in Afstralia

&ice to see you tomorro#5 " mean today my friend.

Alfred: " am pleased to meet you +yodor and than-s5 for introducing me5 (eo.

)olstoy: Well Alfred5 " have to let you in on a little secret. Fou see those eggs

and >e#els um< the +a6erge stuff <#ell< they o6viously need a middle man< to

distri6ute them throughout *el6ourne. *e and +yodor -no# ho# loyal you are to

6oth of us. )hat=s #hy #e are letting you get involved5 in the little J3F&,"CA)EK.

Alfred:Fou mean (eo5 that if " can help you and +yodor5 sell the +a6erge stuff5

throughout *el6ourne and especially in )oora-5 then "=ll get a 6ig slice of the profits.

)olstoy and ,oyestevs-y together: Fou said it 6a6y

(eo )olstoy is a con artist. e greets Alfred #ith a friendly smile and offers him a

smo-e. Alfred declines the offer. (eo is confident5 cool5 calm and collective. Alfred

appears simple minded and gulli6le 6ut the audience #ill see #ho has the last laugh.

19



(eo )olstoy introduced Alfred to +yodor ,ostoevs-y and the t#o foreigners act

stupid5 to tric- Alfred into a #rong doing5 #hich is a trap. But in reality it is only the

audience #ho sees that Alfred is playing the fool=s role5 as he goes along #ith the

tric-ery5 of the t#o Dussians.

Alfred acts stupid only to uncover the *afia plot5 6et#een the t#o croo-s.3o as #e gothrough the film5 #e see ho# cunning calculated and collected5 Antoinette and Alfred

are. fficer Barry is the middle man5 #ho puts together the pieces of the pu??le as the

mystery and story unfold.

Alfred:Boy " am so ecited5 that " need a smo-e. But first " have to use the pu6lic

phone outside. " left my mo6ile phone some#here< " < " <cannot find it any#here.

Alfred lied5 as his mo6ile phone is hidden under his >ac-et. Alfred tactfully leaves his ta6le and stays in an

open area5 #here he can eavesdrop on ,oyestevs-y and

)olstoy5 #ithout them suspecting anything.

,oyestevs-y: (eo5 these Australian 6oys are so naive and simple minded.

Alfred hears everything

)olstoy: Feah " -no# Mthis idiot is una#are that #e are going to use him. nce

the +a6erge merchandise is sold5 #e are going to get one of our 6oys5 to put a 6ullet

through his head5 or dro#n him in the Farra Diver.

,oyestevs-y: o# #ill that 6e done

)olstoy: We #ill get the money off him first. )hen the deed #ill 6e done.

@3olilo7uy 6y Alfred" am furious and frustrated. " must act 7uic-ly and thin-

carefully. An evil5 cunning idea has passed through my mind. "

am going to find out the location of the +a6erge >e#ellery and

eggs. " #ill steal the goods5 sell them and -eep the profits5 for

myself5 as an act of revenge.

@E&, +(A3BAC

14



BAC ) )E PDE3E&)

Barry: But my child5 " must tell you something 7uite frightening. )his (eo )olstoycharacter is in police custody at present.

Antoinette: Deally5 " thought you told me >ust five minutes ago that he is dead<at

the<6ottom of my spiral staircase. " am confused no#.

Barry: )ell me a 6it more5 and please eplain to me5 a6out this money situation5

6et#een (eo )olstoy and Alfred.

Antoinette: 5 sir " #ill tell you all that " -no#5 if you #ill only leave me alone

after#ards. (eo )olstoy is part of an international crime syndicate. )hey steal

treasures5 from museums and palaces5 in *osco# and 3t. Peters6urg5 in Dussia. )heir

specialty is the uni7ue #or-s of art 6y +a6erge.

Barry: Where are the stolen goods hidden o# do they leave Dussia5 and come to

countries li-e Australia )hey must 6e pretty sophisticated.

Antoinette: ave you heard of the famous Dussian drin-5 God-a

Barry: f course " have.

Antoinette: )here is a guy in *osco# called +yodor ,ostoevs-y. e is a #orld

famous li7uor producer. )his man5 #hile pac-aging his God-a in *osco#5 sends it out

of the country via 3t. Peters6urg.

Barry: Why through 3t. Peters6urg

Antoinette: )hat=s #here the syndicate gets involved. )he God-a is produced in

,ostoevs-y=s factory in *osco#5 6ut in the process of this pac-aging5 the stolen

merchandise is cleverly sealed in the li7uor=s 6oes. ere the connections do their 6it5in 3t. Peters6urg5 6efore it heads for Australia.

Barry: )his is #hen the treasure5 from the palaces and museums comes into it5 right

Antoinette: " am ashamed to say it5 6ut the #orld famous +a6erge eggs5 and the

other stolen treasure5 #hich are meant to 6e #orth a fortune5 are actually imitations5 or

should " say replicas. "n fact all the stolen goods are fa-es.

Barry: @Gery 7uic-ly

)hose dirty dou6le crossing Dussians. )hen that means these criminals5 or this

syndicate5 or *A+"A #or-ing out of Dussia5 outsmarted the #hole of Australia. 3o

1$



that=s #hy these shifty people5 #ere the first into space5 in the 1'!%s. But then ho#

does (eo )olstoy fit into the picture.

Antoinette: Alfred 6efriended (eo )olstoy=s daughter. As they 6ecame lovers5 she

confessed to Alfred all the #rong doings5 lies and corruption of the syndicate. Alfred

threatened to do6 (eo )olstoy5 into the authorities. )olstoy #as furious and #arnedthat he #ill -ill Alfred5 as a pay6ac- if he lets out the 6ig secret.

1!



$."&). &"0)

+(A3BAC +ND

3cene +our: ff to the circus

Alfred #as given a free tic-et to the 0reat *osco# Circus5

#hich he #on in a radio competition. &o# Alfred is arriving at

the opening night at Goda Phone Arena. nce the performance

has finished Alfred is attracted 6y a 6eautiful Dussian lady

called &atasha. 3he is (eo )olstoy=s daughter.

)he circus #as everything Alfred epected it to 6e. )here #ere clo#ns and trape?e

artists every#here. A lion tamer #as present as #ere a magician5 #omen and men on

horse6ac- galloping up and do#n. And there #ere the occasional ventrilo7uist and

illusionist.

"t #as all so eciting that it seemed to Alfred as if it only lasted5 for 2% minutes. Even

though its duration #as for three hours. Alfred #as captivated 6y a gorgeous

performer. er name #as &atasha.

&atasha is an innocent5 naive teenager. 3he does not -no# #hat she #ants in life.

3he #ants to eperience everything5 6ut does not -no# #hat she is truly searching

for. 3he #ants a sta6le family environment5 6ut cannot have one5 as her mother died

of a natural death5 #hen she #as an infant.

&atasha: Fou<you is Afstralian 6oy

Alfred: Fes " am. And #ho are you

&atasha: " am daughter of him<this um< (eo )olstoy.

Alfred: Fou are 6eautiful.

&atasha: Fou so also. " >ust love Australian men. )hey are so macho<"<

mean<6ecause they play foot6all and smash into each other5 #ithout even #earing

6ody guards. Fou drin- 6eer and spirits5 in one go5 and you are all so active night

and day.

Alfred and &atasha -iss and hug.

Alfred: Boy " am feeling so tired and " need to sit do#n.

1H



&atasha: *y father is very strict. "f he sees me #ith another man<" mean <

alone<he #ill -ill me. But " have al#ays #anted to ma-e love #ith an English

spea-ing man from do#n under. (oo- over there 6ehind this 6uilding. "t is my

private caravan<shall #e go in for some God-a and caviar " #ill treat you.

Alfred: What do you mean< you #ill give me a treat<5 and ma-e my #orries

go a#ay<6oy "=ll go for that.

&atasha=s caravan #as simple5 hum6le 6ut neat and tidy. "t had little or no furniture5

ecept for a 6ed5 ta6le and three chairs. "t #as not heated5 so Alfred and &atasha

#ere practically free?ing. But #ho cares #hen you are ma-ing love.

)hey secretly ma-e love in &atasha=s caravan5 for forty minutes.

Alfred seduces &atasha. While getting her drun-5 he ma-es her to locate and sho#

him5 #here the +a6erge >e#ellery and eggs5 are hidden. &atasha is so impressed 6y

Alfred=s lovema-ing5 that she helps him put the >e#els into the 6oot of his car. edrives off.

"t is late at night and the circus cre# is drun- on vod-a. )hey are ehausted from the

performance. )hey are either sleeping or too tired to notice Alfred. &atasha is also

heavily intoicated. )his is circus tradition5 once the sho# is over for the night.

Alfred drives home #ithin 2% minutes. e arrives at his )oora- home

and hides the goods5 in a secluded part of the cellar.

&atasha is heavily asleep in her caravan. &o one suspects anything at

this point.

18



!. E/). 3N&D"3E

+(A3BAC +"GE

3cene +ive: )he ,B "n

&et morning the circus cre# a#a-ens. )olstoy and

,ostoevs-y5 head to#ards the +a6erge >e#els and eggs5 for a random inspection.

)hey are shoc-ed and do not -no#5 ho# it could have 6een stolen.

)olstoy: Who could have done this " #ill -ill them.

)olstoy 6angs his fist against the secret safe5 #here the >e#els and eggs #ere

hidden. e is in a state of fury.

,ostoevs-y: We have to find out.

)olstoy: At least " still have my most pri?ed possession5 my 6eautiful little girl5

&atasha.

&atasha overhears everything.

&atasha: h Papa5 oh Papa5 if you only -ne# #hat " have done

)olstoy: What my s#eet one.

&atasha: Well Papa5 you see there #as this Australian man< " thin- his name

#as Alfred< he came here last night and 6efriended me. We 6ecame friends 6ut

more than friends. e< he seduced me and one thing led to another<h Papa "have disgraced you and your people.

&atasha starts crying

&atasha appears stupid5 simple minded and childish to the audience. er immaturity

is sho#n here.

1'



&atasha: h papa5 " #as so over#helmed5 6y his handsome face and

charismatic personality. " had so many drin-s< " lost my sense of direction and

logic<

)olstoy: Fou didn=t help him steal the goods did you

&atasha: Fes Papa5 h yes

)olstoy: " am going to finish him off once and for all.

)olstoy is not thin-ing logically. e is already in enough trou6le as he is 6y 6eing

part of the Dussian *afia and the syndicate. )olstoy #ants to -ill Alfred.

@E&, +(A3BAC

BAC ) )E PDE3E&)

Antoinette: @Confused 3ir5 " can=t ta-e it any longer5 " >ust can=t<all these lies5

scandals5 corruption5 conspiricies5 deceit and misfortune. "t is all >ust too much for me.

Antoinette ta-es Barry 6y the hand and heads for the spiral staircase.

)hey advance through the rain5 thunder and cold. )he yard is muddy5 and #et5 and the

night is gloomy and depressing.

Antoinette 6egins to scream and cry hysterically5 as she is confronted

#ith the dead 6ody.

Antoinette: 3ir5 this dead man5 is not the shifty criminal5 (eo )olstoy.

"t is #ell<" can=t say it<it<it is hard for me to epress myself. )his innocent dead

man is Alfred=s 6rother5 William. e never hurt anyone. e never lied5 cheated or

6ro-e the la#. " #itnessed (eo )olstoy murder William5 a6out five and a half hours

6efore you arrived5 tonight5 fficer Barry. Fou see5 it #as a case5 of mista-en identity.

)olstoy mista-enly -illed William5 thin-ing that he #as Alfred. And no# " do not

-no# #hat is going to happen.

2%



H.E/). EGE&"&0

BAC ) )E PDE3E&)

3cene 3i: )he *urder

)he tension5 mood and atmosphere have ta-en a turn for the #orst here. 3omething

drastic5 sinister or even deadly is going to happen. )his concluding scene is confusingat first 6ut has an interesting t#ist. "t is ironic that5 the t#o supposedly murderers5 #ill

cause their o#n do#nfall.

)he situation has 6ecome confused at this point. Both

,ostoevs-y and )olstoy #ant to -ill Alfred. )hey are out for revenge5 no matter #hat

it ta-es.

)olstoy arrives at Alfred=s house at dus-5 #hile not -no#ing that ,ostoevs-y #as

present5 2% minutes 6efore hand. )he t#o Dussians are in opposing positions5 in the

garden5 near the spiral staircase. "t is dar-5 thundery and pouring #ith rain. With

traffic driving past and so much interruption< and since )olstoy and ,ostoevs-y<

are still very drun-5 they do not notice each other5 in the garden5 at Alfred=s house.

)#o cats fight and a dog 6egins 6ar-ing. ,ostoevs-y and )olstoy lose it and >ump out

of the 6ushes5 thin-ing that each one of them is Alfred5 their murder victim.

)hey 6oth pull out their gun and shoot one another dead. Betty runs out5 as she hears

the dog 6ar-ing and gun shots. Betty is shoc-ed and horrified5 as she thin-s that oneof her children #as -illed5 through all the confusion5 6ut this did not occur.

Betty screams: *F 0, 3ome dear soul is dead.

ut of hysteria5 Betty does not go into the house5 to notify Antoinette5 or anyone else.

Betty rings the police on her mo6ile phone and reports the murder.

)he police say that they #ill send someone do#n immediately. Betty 6rea-s do#n in

tears and faints over the dead person=s 6ody.

21



@Barry=s mo6ile phone 6egins to ring

Barry: ello5 fficer Barry spea-ing.

GI: We=ve got these naOve5 simple minded 6rothers5 in the Prahran police station and

are presently getting a statement off them. Alfred is going to ma-e a plea 6argain in

court net #ee- and is #illing to testify against ,ostoevs-y and )olstoy and provide

evidence to convict them. Alfred and his 6rother William and everyone in their

household #ill get off 3cot free and #ill 6e re#arded for their 6ravery.

By the #ay5 the re#ard #ill 6e a free dinner5 in the lion cage5 at the 0reat *osco#

circus.

Barry: " thin- #e should all have a Dussian 6oo?e up no#<. or should " say

an Aussie one<

)he audience is relieved that Betty and her t#o sons #ere not -illed. )he Dussian

culprits actually deserved to die. 3o a tragic tale ends up leaving a fe# people

innocent5 happy and to some etent invinci6le5 namely5 Alfred.

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Documents

Ray Mooney Under the Spiral Staircase