Act Two, Scenes One And Two

Scene One
Jean’s apartment in St John’s Wood and George’s rooms in Kilburn.

Jean sits drinking tea. Arthur stands in his outer clothes, ready to go out. He has just finished explaining the Edalji case to her.

The scene cross cuts between the two pairs as Arthur muses on marrying Jean and Maud muses about leaving home. Jean also discusses spiritualism and Arthur’s beliefs.

Scene Two
Arthur is in Captain Anson’s study. Anson thinks that George has sent poison pen letters to himself and that George’s father has lied to give George an alibi. Anson suggests that George has committed the crimes as a reaction to not being able to fulfil his sexual desires. Anson notes the sleeping arrangments in the Edalji house, the fact that George does not play ‘manly’ sport, and the fact that he has never been seen in the company of a woman as his evidence.

“And my speculation, based on much experience, is that a continued sexual frustration, year after year after year, can turn a man’s mind. He can end up worshipping strange Gods, and performing strange rites too.”

The conversation ends awkwardly, with both men turning into bed.