Minute 024: Scotch, Gin, Vodka

Roger and his mother approach the front door of the Townsend estate, followed by two detectives and Thornhill’s attorney. Anna, the housekeeper answers the door. “Yes?” she says.“Remember me?” asks Thornhill.“Yes, sir,” replies Anna. “Good,” says Thornhill.“Is Mister Townsend at home?” asks Detective Junket.“No,” replies Anna, “I’m sorry, he’s left for the day, sir.”“Mrs. Townsend?” asks Junket.“Who shall I say is calling?” asks Anna.“County detectives,” replies Junket.“Come in, please,” says Anna, opening the door further. The visitors all step inside to the foyer. “This way, please,” says Anna, leading them into the same room where Roger was attacked the night before. “This is the room,” says Roger to the detectives. “I’ll call madam,” says Anna, closing the door behind her. “You do that,” says Junket.“And here’s the sofa, where they held me down!” says Thornhill, pointing at the sofa. “They spilled bourbon all over it. I’ll show you the stains.” Roger lifts up a sofa cushion that’s free of any stains.  “Well, they must have cleaned them off,” says Roger, as his mother painfully looks at the detectives.  Roger walks to the other side of the room.“This is the cabinet where they keep the liquor.  “Scotch, gin, vodka,” he explains, opening the cabinet doors to reveal a row of hardcover books. “And – ” begins his mother.