The Canterville Ghost. Scenes I & 2

  Scene I 

An American family, The Otis, has just moved to England. Mr Otis, the father, wants to buy an old castle. He is talking to the owner.

Lord Canterville:      I have to tell you that there is a ghost.

                                We can’t sleep at night because of the noise.

Mr. Otis:                   There aren't ghosts. I'll buy the castle. Give me the papers.

Lord Canterville:     Here you are ... and these are the keys. The castle is all yours!

 Scene II

The Otis family are having dinner in the castle.

 Mrs. Otis:              There’s a red stain on the floor.

Maid:                     Yes, madam… it’s a blood stain.  Simon de Canterville killed his wife                                 Eleanore in 1575 … on that very spot.

Mrs. Otis:               How terrible! Clean it up please!

Maid:                     It ’s impossible to remove it…at least, not until Sir Simon de Canterville

                              rests in peace ...

   

Mr. Otis:                That’s all nonsense. I’ll clean it up myself.

Mr. Otis cleans the stain. Suddenly there’s a thunder

Maid:                      I have seen the ghost of Sir Simon with my own eyes!

Mrs. Otis:              There aren 't ghosts!

The thunder strikes again