Unpleasant Incidents--Excerpt 1

So, my friend and I wrote a play recently and I thought I'd share a couple excerpts. Here's the first of many. Background: Murder mystery about a bunch of really depraved British Aristocrats in the 1930s. This scene brings us to the first interrogation scene, between the detective, Basil Shams, and the deceased's mistress. Enjoy

Charlotte: You wanted to see me?
Basil: Er…yes…now Mrs.Chaddesley-Corbett…
Charlotte: Please, call me Charlotte...I feel such a connection with you. I think perhaps, that we knew each other in a past life - I’ve had several. Tell me Basil, do you believe in a world beyond this one?
Basil: well, ah, you know –
Charlotte: I sensed that you were spiritual. You should join me for a séance one night…perhaps more. Well it may comfort you to know that last night, I was able to communicate with Matthew. He assured me that he is perfectly comfortable and at peace.
Basil: (dryly) I’m delighted to hear it. Now if I could just ask you a few questions. I understand you’re a cousin of Cecelia’s?
Charlotte: Yes. My husband and I lived in India for many years. Such a divine place – so spiritual, so mystical, I just adore the culture. When my husband died, I returned to England and decided to devote myself to my art. Cecelia graciously invited me to work on it here – the country is so nourishing for creativity.
Basil: Oh are you an artist then?
Charlotte: I prefer to think of myself as a life-force.
Basil: Now can you think of anyone who wanted to kill Sir Matthew?
Charlotte: Before we go any further, there’s something you should know. Matthew and I…we were lovers.
Basil: (minimal surprise)Oh really?
Charlotte: Yes, it’s true. As soon as we met, I felt his soul crying out to me. We communed on a higher plane of being. No one else understood him the way I did.
Basil: Yes. Now where were you between 6:30 and quarter-to?
Charlotte: I was in the library with Col. Bassington. I was trying to explain how past lives work to him. Such a narrow-minded philistine that man is. When I was telling him about my life in Ancient Rome, his comments were quite vulgar and offensive.
Basil: Did you see anyone acting suspiciously? Was there anything that struck you as odd?
Charlotte: No, I’m sorry, I don’t think I noticed anything of use. Oh! Ouch! I seem to be sitting on something. (reaches behind her). Oh look, it’s one of Cecelia’s perfume bottles. I’ll give it back to her, she might be wondering where it is.
Basil: I’ll take that.(pockets it).
Charlotte: Oh, certainly. Well, if you don’t have any more questions, I’m going to work on my sculpture.
Exit Charlotte