A Sentence of Sorts

The Pseudoscientists, Act I, scene 5: A Rachel-esque Interlude

(Summary: First, we see what Lanyon has been up to. He is dead-set upon learning more about Hyde. Then we are introduced to Rachel, the chambermaid. This becomes a bit of a Save-the-Cat moment for Mr. Hyde, although … at this point I should probably be concerned that he is TOO lovable and not nearly evil enough. Anyway, the main point of this scene is to establish their relationship, especially Rachel’s sisterly feelings for Hyde.)

Jekyll’s respectable daytime London gives way to Hyde’s night, the dark streets lit by eerie gas lamps, shrouded in fog. Under one of these lamps stands Dr. Lanyon, who has brought along with him two other stuffy, respectable friends, Mr. Utterson and Mr. Enfield. They stand less than a block away from the Society, watching for any suspicious activity that might take place there.

They have been standing there for some time with nothing to report, and Utterson and Enfield are getting listless. Lanyon tells them to stand up straight and pay attention. He is sure this Hyde character is a slippery one, and he won’t be caught unless they keep their eyes sharp as hawks. “Remember, we’re doing this for Henry’s sake.”

Utterson says, “Wait, how is this–”

“Just shut up and watch.”

————————————————–

Meanwhile, in Jekyll’s kitchens, a mousy chambermaid is taking cookies out of the oven. She is in her own warm little world, seemingly innocent of the dangers lurking just outside her door. As she hums to herself, a dark figures sneaks up behind her. She hesitates, turns around, lets out a shriek and then catches herself.

“Oh, Master Hyde! You nearly gave me a fright. I thought it was in real danger there, for a minute.”

Hyde pouts. “You are STILL in real danger.” He steals one of her cookies and bites into it peevishly.

Rachel rolls her eyes. “I meant like a stranger or something. I know YOU’RE all spooky-scary, but at least I know you.”

Hyde is skeptical of this—he is, after all, very dark and mysterious. He is sure that no one really knows him. Nonetheless, he and Rachel seem to have a certain camaraderie together, a kind of nightly ritual: Hyde tries to get a rise out of Rachel, they tease back and forth, he nabs a load of treats for the road. Unlike the Society lodgers, who regard Hyde with cautious admiration, Rachel seems utterly unperturbed by his presence. If anything, she seems a little concerned for him.

Rachel has heard about the werewolf chase and its fall-out, and she chides Hyde for chasing after such dangerous creatures. Hyde finds her worrying ridiculous but plays along, amused: He assures her that his plans for tonight are quite tame, little more than a glorified shopping trip.

“An illegal shopping trip!” Rachel quips. She teasingly asks him why he can’t satisfy himself with normal interests or a normal job.

(It is worth noting that Rachel is never outright critical or moralistic towards Hyde. From her past experience with such people, she knows that directly criticizing Hyde would only cause him to shut down in her presence or avoid her entirely. Instead she jokes with him, hoping to nudge him rather than push him towards safer choices.) 

But their banter is cut short by a great booming noise from outside, as though a giant is stomping around the streets. This is not … quite business as usual, and Hyde reacts in offended surprise. “Have they started a raid without me?” As a second and a third tremor rock the house, Hyde rushes to the front door. Rachel follows him out, hoping to get a glance at whatever it was that made the noise.