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Characters: Mason, Peter, and Veronica
Premise: After the meeting, Mason sees the two bankers to the elevator, and Veronica
goes down with them to see them to the door. After the elevator doors close, Mason turns
around to find Peter standing behind him. Peter is getting desperate, with Kelly having
gone off to think and Mason riding his back so hard, he feels like everything is slipping
away.
Mason: Peter! Do you always make a habit of lurking about in the hallway?
Peter: Where's Kelly.
Mason: I don't know. I find it odd that her fiancé doesn't know either. I guess Kelly doesn't want
anybody to know.
Peter: Joe Perkins is free thanks to you, and now Kelly seems to be missing. I would think you'd be
a little more concern, Mason. Unless there's something you'll not telling me.
Mason: Oh, calm down, Peter. Hysteria doesn't suit the image you're trying to cultivate.
Peter: And incompetence doesn't suit yours.
Mason: I couldn't agree with you more.
Peter: You know where Kelly is but you're not saying. Perkins is free on account of you. I'd say that
adds up to incompetence.
Mason: You know, Peter, the sign of a good executive is being able to follow through on things after
only being told once.
Peter: What's your point, Mason.
Mason: My point is you have consistently fumbled your responsibilities, or have done a half-hearted
job. I'm concerned with how little initiative you've shown. As Assistant Manager of the Capwell Hotel
Chain, the very least you're expected to do is to provide prompt room service.
Peter: (Shouts) We have excellent room service!
Mason: (Remaining calm). Oh, really? Then why haven't more Champaign and my caviar arrived
yet?
Peter: I have no ideal.
Mason: Well, I suggest you find out. (Starts to go back inside the presidential suite, but stops). Oh,
and, um, while you're at it Peter, mention to maintenance that the windows in the presidential suite
need washing. (Again hesitates before entering the suite). Oh, and one other thing, I found
something quite disgusting in the sink, a dead fly.
Peter: I'm not your errand boy! I demand to know where Kelly is.
Mason: You know Peter, I may have to have a little talk with Kelly and when I'm finished, I doubt that
she'll ever want you to know her whereabouts.
Peter: There's nothing you could say to her that would hurt our relationship.
Mason: Oh, no. Well the truth is there's quite a lot I could say. For example, I could tell her that you
were the one that blew the whistle on her five years ago when she and Joe were going to elope.
Peter: She already knows that.
Mason: Oh, really?
Peter: I told her.
Mason: Am I supposed to be impressed?
Peter: Of course not! It's just you're never been able to have an honest relationship with a woman.
Mason: (Laughs) You know nothing of my private life, Peter. Oh, I know you're curious because you
keep referring to it, but I'm not going to let you in. Sorry. You know Peter, I wish you could find-find
what? (He's searching for the right phrase), some dignity, integrity, some quality that I could admire,
something to recommend you as a future brother-in-law. Otherwise, I'm going to be forced to ruin
things with you and Kelly.
Peter: That would be a very stupid ideal, Mason. Because if you try to do that you would send your
sister right back to Joe Perkins.
Mason: I doubt that.
Peter: They could be together right now. Has that thought even occurred to you?
Mason: Oh, a great many things occur to me, Peter. But I'm selective about what I choose to believe.
Peter: You know if I were you I'd use every ounce of influence that I had at the D.A.'s office to find
Kelly.
Mason: (Laughs) Well, you're not me, Peter.
Peter: (Charges Mason and grabs his suit coat, pinning his back against a wall. He mumbles
angrily under his breath). Now if you know where Kelly is, is she with Joe Perkins?
Mason: (Still calm). Let go of me Peter. Don't make things any worse for you than they already are.
You have a great prevision for making a fool of yourself. (Peter lets go.) You know you amaze, Peter.
Peter: Is that a compliment, Mason?
Mason: Not at all. I'm amazed you'd lose your temper with me. You forget who I am.
(The elevator doors open.)
Mason: Veronica? (He approaches her as she exits the elevator). Oh, good, you're back. You were
lovely tonight, (kisses her on the cheek), very effective at the meeting.
Veronica: Thank you.
Mason: Um, that will be all, Peter. Oh, don't forget to have the caviar and Champaign sent up, post
hast. I wouldn't want to disappoint my lovely companion. (He takes Veronica by the hand and starts
to lead her back into the presidential suite.)
Peter: (Remaining very tense, he puts his hand out to stop Mason's progress.) If you don't mind? I
would like to have a talk with my secretary. In private.
Mason: Now?
Peter: Yes. Business.
Mason: Oh, all right. She is your secretary. I must say I'm tempted to ask her if she's interested in
being promoted to becoming mine. (He pats Veronica's hand.) Um, don't be long. (Goes into the
suite leaving Peter and Veronica out in the hallway.)
Veronica: (Looks at Peter with a concerned expression as she whispers). What's the matter?
Peter: (Talking low so Mason won't overhear.) I want you to do me a favor.
Veronica: What?
Peter: When you're with Mason, I want you to lead him into certain discussions.
Veronica: What kind of discussions?
Peter: Get him to talk about his personal life, business endeavors, whatever he says is going to be
recorded.
Veronica: Anything in particular you're wanting to know?
Peter: No, not this time. I just want to get the real Mason Capwell on tape.
Veronica: I'll try. Peter, I hate the way Mason talks to you. I hate that tone of voice he uses when he
speaks to you.
Peter: I try not to worry about it. I just ignore it.
Veronica: Well, I don't know how you do it. It must be difficult.
Peter: Veronica, you do me a big favor, I won't forget it. I'll appreciate it.
Veronica: No problem. (She enters the presidential suite where Mason is waiting for her, giving
Peter a final wave just before going in.)