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His Enemy
(7 reels) (This is a mere outline sketch, to show the main idea)
From a Collection of Crowley's Plays and Scenarios
Homer Paulsen, an ambitious, but honourable, statesman, consults Dr. Robert Patterson, a nerve specialist. He has been worried by an unknown enemy. He half fears he is suffering from persecution-mania. The doctor reassures him: that morning he has received an anonymous letter warning him of P's visit, denouncing him as a rogue, etc. Posted previous night.
P.[aulsen] “I didn't think of coming here till this morning!” Cross-questioned on this.
Patterson prescribes sedative — tonic.
Paulsen: “When shall I see you again,”
Patterson: “Afraid I've just accepted appointment as State Inspectorship Prison — so give up private practice.” “However, I'll see you sometimes, as your uncle is a governor of the prison.”
The men part cordially: but the doctor is shewn refusing to ring for the next patient, puzzled, irritated. Inspects letter very serious again. He rings the bell in sheer annoyance.
Early Scenes. These show various annoyances and injuries to which Paulson is exposed, and his failure to discover their origin. Primarily a cheque is forged and this is traced by the police. The man is caught. He gives the show away. He is a very minor member of a Secret Society whose chief is unknown to them. He gives orders by a Telewriter, so that there is not even his voice to betray him.
Paulsen's fiancée is also annoyed by his enemy. She gets insulting letters, acid is thrown on her clothes, etc.
Police ultimately trace the lieutenant of Paulsen's enemy. They find that he gets funds at a certain place, a dark cellar, where his mysterious chief leaves them for him to find.
Middle Scenes. Paulsen discovers the rendezvous in the cellar and determines to be there. He arrives before the police do. His searchlight shows the bag with the money. A scream. A shot in the dark. The police rush in, and find him slightly wounded with a dagger. No trace of the enemy. His dagger is found. Paulsen has a revolver and has fired on being stabbed. Similar instances increase the tension.
Climax. Paulsen dressing for dinner. Long cloak over ordinary evening dress. His fiancée phones him to come. He finds her agitated by threats received that evening.
“Do take me out to dinner: servant going out tonight.” “I am going to stay alone in the flat.”
“Can't: but let nobody in while I'm gone. Don't open the door to anyone but me.” She gives him the latchkey. He goes; servant leaves same time.
Shewn at next phone postponing dinner engagement: too worried. He paces street irresolutely: goes back to girl. The door is ajar! He rushes in, revolver in hand, scared. Finds her with throat cut. Throws off cloak, bends over her, quite dead. Phones police. Inspectors arrive. Note blood on his shirt-front.
“Yes, as I bent over her just now.”
“Nonsense, that blood has been there these two hours!”
Dénouement. Paulsen, arrested, in prison. Patterson, very grave, assigns him special cell with apparatus for watching. His noble attitude of innocence. At last he sleeps, after prayer; his face becomes calm and radiant.
He wakes a violent madman, and beats at the door. The assistants rush in and master him. Patterson hastens up,
“Why am I locked in here? You've got the wrong man. Paulsen alone is guilty!”
Please note well —
This story is not like “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.”
1. The machinery is not supernatural. 2. The man does not know of his dopplegängers doings.
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