TODAY - IN THE ARCTIC
Viktor Frankenstein Hello, I’m scientist Viktor Frankenstein – well, I used to be a scientist but I came to hate everything about my job. I was back in the town where I was born, Geneva, after six years at university in Germany. I was brought back by bad news in my father’s letter. I found him, and my sweet Elizabeth, very upset. My young brother William had been killed! How? By whom? The police were there too.
IN THE PAST - AT THE FRANKENSTEIN FAMILY HOME
Policeman We’re doing everything we can to find who killed your son, Mr Alphonse Frankenstein.
Viktor Frankenstein’s Father Thank you, detective.
Policeman Miss Elizabeth, we’re sorry about what happened to the boy: we know you’re very close to the family.
Elizabeth Yes.
Policeman The marks of the killer’s fingers that we found on the boy’s neck were still fresh. The body was in the woods.
Elizabeth That’s horrible!
Viktor Frankenstein’s Father Calm down, my dear Elizabeth. Sir, we were having a family day out and my son William disappeared.
Policeman Very unfortunate, Mr Frankenstein. But we’ve just arrested a suspect.
Viktor Frankenstein’s Father A suspect?! Who killed my boy?
Policeman Well, we found a valuable locket with the boy’s mother’s picture in the pocket of one of the nanny’s dresses.
Elizabeth Justine?! It’s not possible!
Policeman I’m sorry, Miss Elizabeth. Justine hasn’t explained yet how it got there! Was it stolen?
Elizabeth But I know she’s innocent!
Viktor Frankenstein’s Father Elizabeth my dear, I want to believe that she’s innocent, but what about the locket?
Elizabeth Everyone believes Justine is guilty. I don’t. She loved William very much.
TODAY - IN THE ARCTIC
Viktor Frankenstein Yes, everyone believed Justine had killed William - everyone except Elizabeth and I. Why? Because I knew who the murderer was. On my journey back to Geneva, I saw a very large figure run over the hills and disappear. It was the Creature! It was the murderer! And now, what would happen to poor Justine? She went to trial.
IN THE PAST - IN THE COURTROOM
Prosecutor Justine, you were out the whole night in which the child was killed, weren’t you?
Justine I’ve already told the police and everybody else. I paid a visit to my auntie in the village. On my way back I heard people talking about a boy who went missing. It was William. I spent hours looking for him.
Prosecutor A woman from the market saw you near the place where the child’s body was found. What were you doing there?
Justine I didn’t know I was near the place.
Prosecutor The woman asked you what you were doing there. She said you sounded confused.
Justine Yes. I was tired and worried about William.
Prosecutor You went back to the Frankenstein family home in the morning and asked to be told any news about the boy.
Justine Yes! I’ve just told you, I was worried about him!
Prosecutor Or maybe you felt guilty… When shown the body you started to scream!
Justine Yes. It was horrible! Horrible!
Prosecutor And you stayed in your bed for several days. That’s when someone found this: the boy’s locket with a picture of his mother - yes, this very locket - in your dress pocket. How do you explain that?
Justine I… I… I can’t explain!
TODAY - IN THE ARCTIC
Viktor Frankenstein Poor Justine! But I knew the monster had done something to make her look guilty… Our family was very rich and powerful. The crime was shocking. They had to find someone to blame quickly…
IN THE PAST - IN THE COURTROOM
Judge Silence! For the murder of the child William Frankenstein on May, the 7th, I sentence Justine Moritz to death!
TODAY - IN THE ARCTIC
Viktor Frankenstein Justine was innocent but she was executed anyway. I felt that I was guilty of two deaths because I had created the monster! I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. So I decided to take long walks in the mountains. That’s when I had an unexpected meeting. I’m going to tell you all about it next time.
Vocabulary
upset sad and angry
suspect someone who is believed to be responsible for a crime
locket a type of necklace with a part that opens and has a picture inside
nanny a person who works in a house to take care of the children
innocent describes someone who is not responsible for a crime
guilty describes someone who is responsible for a crime
murderer someone who kills a person by choice
sentence punishment for a crime, given by a judge
executed killed as a punishment for a crime, by order of a judge
Credits
Story adapted and produced by Graciela Damiano
Cast: Peter Kenny, Nick Cavell, Sophie Napleton, Simon Haynes, Neil Edgeller, Alice Brown, Paul Scott
Illustration: Carolina Thwaites-Lastra
English Language Teaching consultant: Nicola Prentis
Studio Manager: Philip Bull