End of Story

We're nearly there! The play is almost written. So let's see what we have so far.

We're aiming for a play in two acts. Each act will be at least 30 minutes long. A good length to aim for is a 90-minute play, with two acts, each lasting 45 minutes.

But these are technical issues. If your play is brilliant—and of course it will be—then it doesn't matter if it's short, medium or long. You have a story to tell, and it's up to you to make that story as gripping as possible. Your audience have to leave the theatre happy!

Let's look at a possible scenario for the play. (This is only a suggestion, to help kick-start your own imagination.)

ACT ONE

Scene One: Amelia and Violet are discussing the recent spate of hauntings at Kensington Hall. Millie announces that the paranormal investigators have arrived. She shows them in.

Amelia and Violet inform them of the deaths of Sir Geoffrey and Lady Elora. It's decided that the ghost must be that of Elora. The PIG team take their leave, promising to return with their equipment the next day.

Scene Two: Amelia is reading the newspaper when Millie announces another visitor. It's Detective-Sergeant Mick Grady. He's the last person Amelia wishes to see. Millie tells her that Grady is here at her invitation.

The Sergeant had investigated Elora's death and found nothing suspect. He declared at the time that she died accidentally. But now he's telling Amelia that tongues are wagging in the village. Certain people believe that Elora may have been murdered. We're beginning to suspect Amelia.

Scene Three: Following up on Krystal's suggestion, the PIG team hold a séance. Krystal digs out her crystal ball and they gather round a table. They're joined by Lady Violet and Millie. Lady Amelia pokes her head in the door before the séance begins and declares it a "superstitious waste of precious living time" or some such.

The group join hands. Krystal looks into the ball and calls up the "spirits". Before long there are raps and thumps. Then Krystal makes contact with Sir Geoffrey. We only hear his voice. He tells the group that not only was his own death suspect but that Lady Elora was probably murdered as well.

Somebody asks: "Who's the murderer? Was there more than one?"

"I cannot say," answers Sir Geoffrey. But he also tells them that he made a secret will and hid it somewhere in the house.

"Where?" somebody asks.

"That's for me to know and for you to find out," says Geoffrey.

ACT TWO

Scene One: Detective-Sergeant Grady meets Millie. She tells him about the séance and her suspicions. He scoffs. He's a realist and doesn't believe into all that "hocus-pocus" as he calls it.

But Sir Geoffrey's spirit has said something. He's given a clue (apart from the will) that no living person could have known. What is it? Mick Grady starts to believe Millie.

Maybe we find out here that the two are old friends, perhaps secret lovers. Is there some sort of conspiracy? At that moment Amelia and Violet return to find them together. Amelia demands to know what's going on. Grady tells her that he has his suspicions and that he wants to see everybody present in the drawing-room the following day.

Scene Two: Everybody is assembled as requested. Sergeant Grady tells of his suspicions. He hints that he knows who the murderer is. He paces the room, reminding us of the events that took place at Kensington Hall, of the two "accidents".

This could be an opportunity to reveal something about one of the PIG team. Perhaps he or she has a link with Lady Amelia. Grady tells us. But it isn't enough. He still has no hard evidence. Robyn announces that her team will conduct a final investigation that very night. Maybe the truth will out....

Scene Three: The PIG team are assembled. They check their equipment. The clock strikes twelve. The ghost of Lady Elora appears. She tells what really happened: Lady Amelia is the killer.

The ghost leaves. The lights come on. Sergeant Grady enters. The PIG team tell him about what they saw and heard.

There's a mighty crash off stage. Millie comes rushing in. She has bad news. Lady Amelia has fallen down the stairs—the very stairs that Lady Elora fell down. She's dead.

Millie is holding a document. She says she found it under the top stair. When Amelia tripped, her foot dislodged it.

It's Sir Geoffrey's will. Lady Violet snatches it from Millie and reads it aloud. Geoffrey stated that in the event of his sudden death, his estate and fortune should go to Elora's family and to the daughter he and Elora had together in secret.... Millie.