Scene 5: Edmund’s home

(REID enters stage right. His wife, EMILY JANE is waiting for him.)

Reid

I’m home! (He walks up to his wife).

Emily

Elizabeth is in bed. She missed you tonight.

Reid

I’m sorry. I had to work late. Smith was making us stay later tonight. We had another letter from The Ripper.

Emily

Another? What is this? The third letter? What was this one about?

Reid

Well, The Ripper claimed to have fried and eaten half of a kidney.

Emily

Gross.

Reid

Yeah, so, I don’t know what to do. I got a partner though. His name is Thomas Bond.

Emily

That’s great!

Reid

He’s ok. He’s on the young side.

Emily

Edmund, you know you need all the help you can get. You need to solve this case.

Reid

Right, because if I don’t, I lose my job. And if I lose my job, we have no money.

Emily

Edmund w-

Reid

No! Emily! I need this job. We go to bed hungry every day. I don’t want our daughter to have this life. She needs better. We need to give her better. If I solve this case, I can get a raise. Possibly a promotion.

Emily

Edmund. Maybe it’s time for me to get a job. I can work at the flower shop down the street. Or at the bakery. I can send Elizabeth to my parents’ house for the day.

Reid

No. No. You don’t need to get a job. You could sell some of our clothes. We only need a few articles of clothing, right?

Emily

Edmund! We are not selling our possessions!

Reid

Clothes aren’t sentimental possessions, Emily. It’s not like I’m selling your grandmother’s watch.

Emily

I just don’t understand why I can’t get a job.

Reid

Maybe because I don’t want you on the streets when a murderer is out there killing women!

Emily

Yes! Prostitutes, Edmund! I’m not a prostitute!

Reid

I never said you were!

Emily

(Softly) You implied it.

Reid

I just want you and Elizabeth to be safe.

Emily

I understand. What time will you be home tomorrow night?

Reid

I don’t know, Emily. I’m tired and going to bed. (Exit stage left)

(Emily exits stage left upset and angry).

Scene 6: Whitechapel Police Station

(BOND is sat at his desk. REID enters stage left).

Bond

Reid! Something big came in last night!

Reid

Something big, ey? What? Couldn’t have been that big. They didn’t bother to call me in last night.

Bond

Well, I was here. You weren’t.

Reid

(Annoyed)What is it, Bond?

Bond

Oh, yeah! Last night, this man, kinda big fella, runs in screaming. He was holding a small box. He threw it on Smith’s desk and fainted.

Reid

Fainted?

Bond

Fainted. Smith looked in the box. Guess what was in there? (REID shrugs). A kidney!

Reid

A what?!

Bond

Reid! This is the best thing ever!

Reid

Explain.

Bond

In the “From, Hell” letter, Jack the Ripper said that he fried and ate the other kidney.

Reid

Yes, thank you. I’ve read the letter.

Bond

No! But listen. What if The Ripper really did send one of the women’s kidney? On her autopsy they said she only had one kidney.

Reid

And how would that help us find him?

Bond

It won’t. But, we can go to the morgue, where they sent the kidney and check it out.

Reid

(Slowly)You. Want to go see a kidney? We don’t have the technology to check for fingerprints anyway. Let alone even if he left any. (Exit stage left)

Bond

Reid! We have to at least try. (Follows REID, exits stage left).

Scene 7: The Whitechapel Morgue

(DR.WILLIAMS is standing next to a table with a box. REID and BOND enter stage left).

Dr. Williams

Mr. Reid. Mr. Bond. Pleasure.

Reid

Where is it?

Williams

Over here, sir.

(BOND and REID peer into the box. They are disgusted when they find a kidney).

Reid

Ugh. Disgusting. This fella certainly has a morbid mind.

Williams

Yes, well. There seems to have been...a problem.

Bond

With what?

Williams

You see. The kidney...it’s a fake.

Reid

A fake. (Looks at BOND annoyed. BOND shrugs).

Bond

Everyone at the station thought it was real.

Williams

After tests on the kidney, it’s a practical joke. The Ripper was playing games, Detective.

Bond

So...the man that brought this in, faked it? He set this up just to mess with us?

Reid

Or he didn’t know...Thank you, Dr.Williams for your time.

(BOND and REID exit stage left).

Scene 8: Whitechapel Police Station

(REID is sitting at his desk reading the letters again. BOND runs in from stage left).

Bond

Reid! Reid!

Reid

What is it, Bond? Can’t you see I’m busy. I’m doing all of your work, since you weren’t here. You’re lucky that Smith wasn’t here or else you wou-

Bond

Someone else is dead!

Reid

What?

Bond

Another woman, Mary Kelly was found dead.

Reid

Christ. Five women, Bond. Five dead women.

Bond

Smith says he’s bringing someone in. A suspect by the name Joseph Barnett. He was close to the last victim, Mary Kelly.

Reid

They think he murdered her? And the other women?

Bond

I would be surprised if he didn’t. Reid, this man is all sorts of crazy. Friends of his said that he dressed up as The Ripper.

Reid

He has friends?

Bond

Reid, listen. This guy is bad news. He started calling Mary Kelly his wife, but yet there’s no marriage license. Friends said that Mary and Joseph were just roommates.

Reid

So, he’s delusional?

Bond

Appears so. Smith is interrogating him now. A-

Reid

Wait. He’s here? Now?

Bond

Yes. They’re questioning him now. I just told you that.

Reid

I’m going. (Exits stage right).

Bond

(running after REID) Wh- Reid! We can’t just barge in there!

Scene 9: Whitechapel Police Interrogation Room

(BARNETT is being questioned. He sits at a table. SMITH is standing at the other end of the table, leaning on it).

Smith

I told you, Barnett. Answer me. Did you kill Mary Kelly?

Joseph

I told you before, Commissioner Smith. I didn’t kill my wife.

Smith

God dammit! She’s not your wife! There’s no record of you two ever being married. You’re roommates. In that case, you were until you killed her. Slit her throat. Sliced her up real nice. Isn’t that right, Barnett?

Joseph

(leaning close to Smith)

(softly) I didn’t kill her.

Smith

Damn you!

(REID storms in from stage right)

Bond

(Chasing after REID)

Reid! Reid! I’m not kidding, you can’t just-

Reid

Smith!

Smith

Reid! What the hell do you think you’re doing?! You can’t just barge in he-

Reid

Oh, shut it, Smith! You know damn well that this is my case.

Smith

It’s not your case, Reid. It’s Whitechapel’s case. We work together. You are not authorized to be here.

Reid

Let me have 5 minutes with him, sir. You haven’t gotten anywhere with him.

Smith

Reid. This is highly inappropriate-

Reid

Sir, please. You want to catch The Ripper, right? 5 minutes with him and he’s yours.

Smith

5 minutes, Reid. (Exits stage right) 5 minutes!

Reid

(Angry) Did you kill Mary Kelly?

Bond

She was your wife, right? Were you married in secret or something?

Joseph

What is this? The good cop, bad cop routine?  What did you do, Detective Reid? You let five people die. Maybe more if you keep up with this! You got this kid here! What is he your ward? You take him down here...to talk to me? Hate to break it to ya...I’m not him. But I wish I was. He’s fascinating, isn’t he? What motive does he have? He killed my Mary. Mary Kelly was my wife.

Bond

What about a marriage license?

Barnett

Screw marriage papers. She was mine. She was my wife! We were poor. Living in a rundown apartment. Barely enough food for both of us. What does she decide to do? She decides to roam around London with her legs spread open. She’s a prostitute.

Barnett Con’t

I told her to stay off the streets, but she didn’t listen. She got what she deserved. If only I could thank the man who did this, at least then I’ll be at peace.  

Reid

If she was your wife? Then why do you want to thank the man that killed her?

Barnett

10 days before her death, we had a fight. I was yelling screaming about how I didn’t want her out on the streets. She was whining and moaning. She didn’t listen to me anyways. She left our apartment and didn’t come back. She was then found dead. I was heartbroken. As I told you before, I didn’t do it.

Reid

Maybe. Maybe not. Maybe you killed all those women to scare Mary off the streets. You tried to scare her off the streets. It worked for a little bit. She thought of going back out. You disagreed. Fought. She left and you felt angry. Betrayed. Wanted to kill her didn't you, Barnett? So, you did. You murdered her! Didn't you, Joseph?!

Bond

Reid! Enough.

Barnett

I told you before. I didn't kill her! I swear!

Reid

If you didn't kill her, then who did?

Barnett

Not me. I'm innocent.

Reid

We’ll be checking your apartment, Mr. Barnett. Just to be sure.

Barnett

Go right ahead. I'm not hiding anything.

(SMITH enters stage right).

Reid

We’ll see about that (Exits stage right. BOND follows).

(SMITHS enters stage right).

Smith

Well?

Barnett

Well, what?

Smith

What did he say to you?

Barnett

A bunch of bull. Can I go now?

(SMITH unlocks BARNETT’S handcuffs).

Smith

Get the hell out of here.

(BARNETT and SMITH exit stage right).

Scene 10: Whitechapel Police Station

(REID enters stage left. BOND is running around the office trying to recreate the crime scene where MARY KELLY was found. REID looks confused at the mess BOND has made).

Reid

Bond…

(BOND doesn’t hear him).

Bond

(Moving objects around the room).

That goes there, and-oh! This goes here…

Reid

Bond!

Bond

(Stops what he’s doing and looks up at RIED)

Yes? What? What?

Reid

What the bloody hell are you doing to my office?

Bond

(Trying to catch his breath).

I...looked over...the files...of Eddowes’ and Stride’s...deaths...and something doesn’t seem right.

Reid

(Looking around his office).

(Sarcastically) Yeah...something doesn’t seem right.

Bond

Forget about your office right now, Reid. When Stride died, the time it took for Jack to get rid of the evidence, then go west to kill Eddowes, and for the police to get to the crime scene, it-it just doesn't  match up.

Reid

Wait, your saying…?

Bond

Jack would have had to have passed the police, after he killed Stride or Eddowes, when he was getting away.

Reid

How did he do it? How did the police not see him?

Bond

That’s what I’m trying to figure out here! It doesn’t add up. His description matches every man in London.

Reid

What about the back streets near where Eddowes’ body was found?

Bond

That’s what I’m thinking. At 4am, neighbors claimed to have heard a young women scream “Oh! Murder!” They called the police instantly and they arrived 5 minutes after. But, see...if he walked along…

(JACK THE RIPPER, POLICE #1 and #2, EDDOWES and STRIDE appear and follow what BOND is saying. BOND and REID can’t see them).

Bond

So...he walked east of the murder, away from Burner Street where he killed Stride. He would then murder Eddowes. Police were already showing up at the scene of Stride. He couldn't have gotten away when he still had to hide evidence and kill another woman.

Reid

Maybe he knew the police routes…

(There's a pause. JACK, POLICE #1 and #2, EDDOWES and STRIDE stop moving).

Bond

This is making my head pound.

Reid

We have to keep moving, Bond.

(BOND and REID sit at their desks and begin looking over letters and files).

Reid

How about suspects? Any more of those?

Bond

Yes, just some Polish man named Aaron Kosminski.

Reid

Immigrant?

Bond

No. He’s a resident in the Whitechapel area. He’s a barber. His father Abr-

Reid

A barber? A barber killed all those women?

Bond

He does have a history of violent behaviors and threatening women. He was threatened about being admitted into asylums.

Reid

Anything else?

Bond

Just that he has a hatred of women, especially prostitutes, has strong homicidal tendencies.  

Reid

Interesting. I want to question him, tonight.

Bond

Tonight? Reid, I don’t kno-

Reid

Just get him here, Bond. Prove yourself to me. I need to make sure I can count on you.

(REID and BOND exit stage left).

Scene 11: Whitechapel Police Interrogation Room

(AARON is sat at the table. BOND and REID are opposite him).

Reid

Mr. Kosminski?

Aaron

Yes?

Reid

Is it true that you have a hatred for women, mostly prostitutes?

Aaron

Yes, sir. Women are weaker than men. They must be home, cleaning, and taking care of the children. In my country, it’s always been that way. The husband is the one that has a job. Goes out on the streets.

Reid

And is it true that you’ve been threatened to be sent to an asylum?

Aaron

Yes. I’ve gotten help. I’m better. If this is about the asylums-

Bond

It’s not.

Aaron

Then, what is this?

Reid

We think you’re The Ripper.

Aaron

Sir, please. I’m just a barber. I would never kill.

Bond

Have you had violent tendencies towards women?

Aaron

Yes, but-

Bond

And have you ever hit a woman, Mr. Kosminski?

Aaron

Just my sister.

Bond

Right.

Aaron

We were 10.

Bond

But you do have a history of violence towards women.

Aaron

But I didn’t do anything. I wouldn’t really hurt them!

Reid

Really?

Aaron

Not on purpose, sir. Not on purpose.

Reid

We have nothing on him, Bond. We can’t arrest this man.

Aaron

Thank you! Thank you!

Reid

Hey! That doesn’t mean that we’ll let you that easily. We’re going to keep an eye on you, Kosminski.

(BOND releases AARON. He’s upset. AARON exits stage left)

Bond

What about Barnett, anything more on him?

Reid

You and I, along with Smith are going to his apartment on Thursday hoping to find some evidence.

Bond

Do you really think you’ll find anything?

Reid

I’m not sure, I hope so. This case has been a real big pain.

(REID and BOND exit stage left)

Scene 12: Smith’s Office

(REID and BOND enter stage right. SMITH is packing up his things).

Reid

Sir, is it just us going to Barnett's?

Smith

No...it’s just you and Bond, Reid.

Reid

What? Where are you going?

Smith

Didn't you hear, Reid? I'm resigning.

Bond

Resigning? Why? You can't just give up on us.

Smith

This whole case is bull. It's like playing cat and mouse. We can't seem to catch up. It's useless. I suggest you do the same.

Reid

No, sir. We-

Smith

Are you close to solving this case?

Reid

I-

Smith

Are you close to solving this case?

Reid

I'm not giving up. Not yet. Bond and I are going to Barnett's apartment.

Smith

What is it? A week till January. If you don't solve this case by next week, you'll be forced to resign.

Bond

Sir, you can't do that. You have no control, you resigned.

Smith

Good luck. I wish you the best, boys. Work hard. Go get‘em. (Exit stage right).

(BOND and REID exit stage right).

Scene 13: Barnett's Apartment

(REID and BOND enter stage right. The apartment seems normal and clean).

Bond

He disagreed with Mary Kelly's life as a prostitute and they lived together. Here, in this very apartment.

Reid

And?

Bond

What? You don't think that's interesting? We're in one of the victim’s homes.

Reid

(Sarcastically) Yeah, so cool.

Bond

I believe that he's Jack.

Reid

Excuse me?

Bond

You said it yourself, Reid. Maybe Barnett killed those women to scare Mary off the streets. Then, when he lost his job, she returned to the streets for money. Neighbors claimed to hear yelling. Their financial problems led to fights. Their last fight got violent, Barnett moved out. And then what happens? 10 days later, Mary was found dead in her apartment. Barnett having lived there would have knowledge of the apartment and how to unlock the door from the outside. He also knew about Mary’s schedule.

Reid

And since Mary was a prostitute, he is someone local prostitutes know, which could allow him to get close to them, and kill them.

Bond

Yes! Exactly. And his friends call him Jack. And, he matches the physical description.

Reid

What about his friend, James Maybrick? He's a wealthy man, a cotton merchant. We could ask him some questions about Joseph.

(BOND and REID exit stage right)

Scene 14: Battlecrease House, Liverpool.

(MAYBRICK, BOND and REID enter stage right).

Maybrick

Welcome, welcome. What can I do for you gentlemen?

Reid

We came to ask you about your friend, Joseph.

Maybrick

Ah, yes! Joseph. Well, I'm sorry to say, but I haven't talked to him in years.

Bond

What could you tell us about him? Any strange behavior?

Maybrick

Strange? No. Joseph is always a very interesting man.

Reid

He hates prostitution.

Maybrick

Yes. But so do I. He also was in love with Mary Kelly. She never loved him back.

Bond

Right. We think he's Jack the Ripper. Did Joseph say anything about Mary being his wife?

Maybrick

Yes. He would brag about it to other men. Make them jealous. I worked but Mary always denied being married to him. She was with me for a while before I settled down with my riches.

Reid

With you? Were you and Mary romantic with one another?

Maybrick

I’d like to think so. But, who knows with her. She slept with a different man almost every night.

Bond

Do you have toxic feelings towards her?

Maybrick

Well of course I do! But I would never kill her. So if that's what you're suggesting then I-

Reid

No, Mr. Maybrick. It's just we need I find this man. I apologize for making it seem like we thought you were Jack.

Maybrick

Thank you, gentlemen. Wait here, I'll bring some tea. Would you like some?

Bond

No thank you.

Reid

Yes, please. Very kind of you. 2 sugar cubes as well, please.

(MAYBRICK exits stage left)

Bond

He’ll poison your drink, Ried.

Reid

What makes you say that?

Bond

Classic serial killer move.

Reid

I believe him. He's not Jack.

Bond

How do you know? Because he seems normal enough? That's how they get you Reid! That's how they get away! They hide in plain sight.

Reid

You're acting ridiculous, Bond.

Bond

Really? Then what's he hiding under the floorboards?

Reid

What are you talking about?

Bond

(Hush whisper) When we walked in, the wood sounded hollow. Like, under the floor there was space. Possibly to hide something.

Reid

(Not believing BOND) Really? You heard that?

Bond

Yes! I'm being serious, Ried.

Reid

Where'd you hear it?

Bond

Over by the front door.

(They walk to the front door (stage right) and stomp their feet on the wood. It sounds hollow).

Reid

Here, help me get the wood off.

Bond

Reid, he could come back any second!

Reid

Do you want to find out if you're right or not? Now stop panicking, hurry and help me get the floorboards off.

(They take the floorboards off. Underneath is a journal).

Reid

A journal?

Bond

What does it say?

Ried

(He opens the journal and begins reading).

I give my name that all know of me, so history do tell, what love can do to a gentleman born. Yours truly, Jack the Ripper.

Bond

So this is it, Maybrick is Jack.

Reid

It has intimate details of the murders. How he did it. Everything.

Bond

Put it back!

Reid

What? No. This is evidence.

Bond

Not the journal, the floorboards!

(They rush to place the floorboards back. REID puts the journal in his bag. MAYBRICK enters stage left)

Maybrick

Here you go, tea, two sugar cubes.

Reid

Oh, we must be going now. Terribly sorry for the trouble.

Maybrick

Oh. Are you sure? Stay a few more minutes. Enjoy some tea.

Reid

No, we really must be going. Lots to do.

Maybrick

No, I insist.

Bond

(Nervous and stressed) You heard him. We really must be going. It’s a long way back to Whitechapel.

Maybrick

Well, then I bid you adieu. Safe travel on your journey, gentlemen.

Reid

Thank you, Mr. Maybrick.

Maybrick

I wish you find Jack soon.

Reid

As do we.

Bond

(Rude and accusingly) Yes, I have a feeling he’s right under our noses.

Maybrick

(Confused and Disturbed) Yes, um...good night!

(REID and BOND exit stage right. MAYBRICK exits stage left).

Scene 15: Streets of Liverpool, England

(BOND and REID enter stage right, walking the streets of Liverpool).

Bond

Did you see that?

Reid

(Sarcastic) No, Bond. I didn't. I seemed to have missed it all.  

Bond

(Excited) We need to get the journal to the station. We’ve got to run analysis, bring Maybrick to the station. We’ll have this in the papers by next week!

Reid

(Annoyed) Pull yourself together, Bond. We’re supposed to be professional here.  

Bond

(He straightens his back and starts to act more mature and professional). Right.

Reid

And try not to look so suspicious.

Bond

What?

Reid

Really? Another second of you blabbering would have made him know that we know and then maybe we wouldn’t have known that he knows and we can’t have him know that we know.

Bond

(Extremely confused). What?

Reid

Just don’t talk. Ever. Pipe down next time.

Bond

Understood.

Reid

What did I say about talking?

Bond

I just said that I understo-

Reid

Shh. Please. For the love of God. Stop.

(BOND and REID exit stage left).

Scene 16: Whitechapel Police Station

(BOND and REID enter stage left).

Bond

(Holding the journal up in the air waving it around). We found something! Ha! Ha!

Reid

(Sternly) Bond!

Bond

Sorry, sorry. (Whispering) We found something.

(REID rolls his eyes and walks up to YARD).

Reid

Detective Yard, we found more evidence of who Jack is. We need to talk to Smith.

Yard

I apologize, Reid, but Smith left this morning. He resigned. Didn’t he tell you?

Reid

I thought he wasn’t leaving until tonight.

Yard

I’m sorry, Reid. I wish there was something I could do. They closed the case a-

Reid

What?

Bond

He closed the case?

Reid

Why?

Yard

I don’t know. They said something about not enough evidence. False leads.

Reid

Listen, Yard. We have the journal from James Maybrick claiming he’s Jack. So, open the damn case!

Yard

I can’t, Reid. I truly am sorry.

Bond

We’ve got to get analyses on this journal.

Yard

You can’t. You don’t have clearance to do analyses, Bond.

(BOND looks at REID)

Reid

Smith denied me access to run analyses last month.

Yard

Yes, because you punched a suspect in the face last year because he wouldn’t give you the answer you wanted. Smith finally realized that you weren't mature enough to handle evidence. (He snatches the journal from BOND)

Bond

Can you please just get this to the forensic scientist?

Yard

Very well. And, I’m sorry about Smith. (Exits stage left).

Reid

Smith should be glad that he wasn't here or else I would have punched him.

Bond

What now?

Reid

Look over evidence, a-

Bond

We’ve already done that, along with another 50 people around England. There’s nothing we’ve missed.

Reid

I’m going to write about the journal in a file. Hopefully, that will get Maybrick in a jail cell.

(BOND and REID exit stage left).

Scene 17: Present Day, Whitechapel, London

(TREVOR enters stage right)

Trevor

We’ve reached the end of our story. Edmund Reid and Thomas Bond resigned in January as Commissioner Smith had said. The case opened back up in the early 1910s and still remained one of the greatest unsolved mysteries of all time. But, that was until this March, they found him. On a stained shawl from Catherine Eddowes, a murder victim was the DNA of Aaron Kosminski. They were able to match the DNA with one of Kosminski’s descendants. Though some of the evidence is dismissible, Jack the Ripper’s identity still captivates historians. The question of his identity will never be known...

END OF PLAY