The Painful Predicament of Sherlock Holmes Gillette, William Derived Text Format to access the structural information conversion Mathias Göbel TextGrid CC-BY-4.0 Lizenzvertrag William Gillette, 1853 – 1937 The Painful Predicament of Sherlock Holmes: A Fantasy in One Act by William Gillette Chicago Ben Abramson 25 p.Every attempt has been made to trace the copyright holder for this work. ProQuest Information and Learning would welcome information concerning the literary estates of authors for whom no copyright holder has been found. BILLY GWENDOLYN One-act Fantasy Prose data extraction from source 1955 First performed: 1905
GWENDOLYN COBB SHERLOCK HOLMES BILLY AND TWO VALUABLE ASSISTANTS ARE THE PEOPLE MOST CONCERNED

IT ALL TRANSPIRES IN SHERLOCK HOLMES' BAKER STREET APARTMENTS SOMEWHERE ABOUT THE DATE OF DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY

THE TIME OF DAY IS NOT STATED

DARK CURTAIN

( Sherlock Holmes is discovered seated on the floor before the fire smoking. The fire is at L. There is a table C with various things on it, an arm chair right of it. A high upholstered stool is at its left. Firelight from fire at L. Moonlight from window up C and up L )

( Strange lights from door R and from door up R when it is open. After the curtain is up and the firelight on, there is a PAUSE)

( Sudden loud ringing at front door bell outside at R in distance, continuing impatiently. After time for opening of door, loud talking and protestations heard outside R in distance, Gwendolyn pouring forth a steady stream in a high key insisting that she must see Mr. Holmes, that it is very important, a matter of life and death, etc., Billy trying to tell her she cannot come up and shouting louder and louder in his efforts to make her hear. This continues a moment and then suddenly grows louder as the two come running up the stairs and approach the door; Billy leading and the voice after him )

( Enter Billy at door up R, very excited. He pulls the door shut after him, and holds it while he turns to speak to Holmes )

 BILLY

Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 25 chars .

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Contains 52 words in 4 sentences using 228 chars .

( Holmes rises and moves up L C. Turns up lamp. Lights on )

Contains 34 words in 2 sentences using 149 chars .

( Holmes moves toward C carrying pipe in left hand and watches Billy and the door with interest )

Contains 45 words in 2 sentences using 208 chars .

( Door suddenly pulled upon from outside while Billy is talking to Holmes )

Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 29 chars .

( Enter Gwendolyn Cobb at door up R with unrestricted enthusiasm ) GWENDOLYN ( Entering joyously )

Contains 97 words in 12 sentences using 482 chars .

( He motions her to seat, she does not pause an instant for any business )

Contains 8 words in 2 sentences using 37 chars .

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Contains 95 words in 11 sentences using 485 chars .

( Holmes nods again to indicate that he thinks so too )

Contains 63 words in 6 sentences using 302 chars .

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Contains 35 words in 2 sentences using 165 chars .

( Holmes shakes head emphatically )

Contains 57 words in 10 sentences using 263 chars .

( Holmes lights pipe )

Contains 29 words in 7 sentences using 134 chars .

( Stamps about on violin trying to extricate herself. Continues talking and apologizing all the while. Suddenly sits on lounge to get loose from violin and breaks the bow which lies across the arm of lounge )

Contains 11 words in 3 sentences using 48 chars .

( Takes out broken violin bow )

Contains 35 words in 3 sentences using 149 chars .

( Goes up C to retort, etc. )

Contains 65 words in 7 sentences using 308 chars .

Contains 0 words in 0 sentences using 0 chars .

Contains 0 words in 0 sentences using 0 chars .

Contains 91 words in 8 sentences using 444 chars .

Contains 0 words in 0 sentences using 0 chars .

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Contains 25 words in 6 sentences using 140 chars .

( Turning up papers on wall )

Contains 50 words in 5 sentences using 241 chars .

( The other sketches fall down )

Contains 39 words in 5 sentences using 169 chars .

( Pulls it down. Other sketches hung up fall with it )

Contains 101 words in 11 sentences using 479 chars .

( Holmes motions her to sit )

Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 62 chars .

( She is sitting on stool L of table. Holmes remains standing )

Contains 57 words in 5 sentences using 279 chars .

( Holmes has edged round on the upper side of table and as she shudders, etc. he quietly takes a handerkerchief out of her dress or pocket and moves quietly to R side of table and sits. Puffing occasionally and listening to her. He examines the handkerchief while she is not looking, using magnifying glass, etc. )

Contains 104 words in 19 sentences using 550 chars .

( Holmes shakes head )

Contains 23 words in 5 sentences using 120 chars .

( Holmes quietly scribbles on a pad of paper )

Contains 65 words in 11 sentences using 321 chars .

( Holmes rises and politely passes her handkerchief to her and sits again as before )

Contains 8 words in 3 sentences using 40 chars .

Contains 0 words in 0 sentences using 0 chars .

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Contains 58 words in 4 sentences using 287 chars .

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Contains 20 words in 6 sentences using 116 chars .

( Holmes scribbles on piece of paper )

Contains 33 words in 4 sentences using 171 chars .

( Holmes pushes the paper across to her. She snatches it up and reads it in a loud voice )

Contains 4 words in 2 sentences using 30 chars .

( Stop music )

Contains 87 words in 15 sentences using 427 chars .

( Holmes scribbles on piece of paper )

Contains 49 words in 6 sentences using 238 chars .

Contains 0 words in 0 sentences using 0 chars .

Contains 0 words in 0 sentences using 0 chars .

Contains 15 words in 4 sentences using 84 chars .

(MELODRAMATIC MUSIC)

Contains 207 words in 12 sentences using 1098 chars .

( Raises voice in excitement and moves about L C wildly )

Contains 38 words in 3 sentences using 222 chars .

( Enter two uniformed men up L C followed by Billy. They stop an instant up R looking at Gwendolyn. In the height of her excitement she sees them and stops dead with a wild moan. They go down to her at once and get her quickly off at door up R. She goes without resistance ) BILLY

Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 29 chars .

( Exit at door up R )

( Holmes rises. Takes an injection of cocaine. Lights pipe with candle which he then blows out )

( Lights off except red light of fire, etc. )

( Holmes goes to lounge at L before fire, and sinks down upon it, leaning back on the cushions )

(LIGHTS GRADUALLY OFF)

DARK CURTAIN

(STOP MUSIC)