Overview
- Female: 0
- Male: 2
Context
The night before, Rolly Kingsbury hosted a drag party in his New York City home. It was bright and rollicking, but ended suddenly when it seemed that the police were going to raid the house. After everyone left, Rolly learned that his new business associate (and object of his affection), Grayson, would not be attending; the news left Rolly dejected, and shortly after he exited, a shot rang out. The next morning, the inspector calls Allen Grayson to the scene of the crime.
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INSPECTOR: Rolly Kingsbury's been shot.
GRAYSON: Shot!
INSPECTOR: Yes, murdered.
GRAYSON: Murdered!
INSPECTOR: Yeah, perhaps you can tell us something about it.
GRAYSON: Why this is the first I've heard. I don't know what to say. (Looks at CLAIR) God---this is terrible!
INSPECTOR: Where were you at three o'clock this morning?
GRAYSON: I was at a card game. But, why question me?
INSPECTOR: When was the last time you spoke to Rolly Kingsbury?
GRAYSON: Friday evening.
INSPECTOR: Oh, that is the evening you escorted Mrs. Kingsbury to the opera. The evening you held her in your arms and kissed her. The evening you quarreled with Rolly Kingsbury over his wife.
GRAYSON: That's a lie. I quarreled with him, but it was not about his wife.
INSPECTOR: What did you quarrel about?
GRAYSON: Men can quarrel over other things besides women.
INSPECTOR: Then what did you quarrel over?
GRAYSON: We quarreled over business matters.
INSPECTOR: Ambitious young engineer---employed by the wealthy Kingsbury iron works---accepts the hospitality of Rolly Kingsbury---is trusted with his young, innocent wife. He falls madly in love with her---a quarrel with Rolly Kingsbury over his plans. He sees dismissal and ambition unrealized---a dream of a wealthy young widow---the great Kingsbury wealth at the tip of his finger---a life's ambition realized. Then Rolly Kingsbury is murdered! Now tell us who killed Rolly Kingsbury.
GRAYSON: Your story is very interesting, Inspector, but I'm sorry, I don't know who killed Rolly Kingsbury.
INSPECTOR: You phoned Rolly Kingsbury, last night.
GRAYSON: Why, yes, Rolly invited me to come here last night to a---party, I phoned him that I couldn't attend. I had a previous engagement.
Links
- Article: The Guardian: Brutal! Vulgar! Dirty! Mae West and the gay comedy that shocked 1920s America
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