This intriguing play, written by Paul Clements, surmises that Bram Stoker's Dracula was based on actual events. Jonathan Harker, a pseudonym, is living with his wife Mina in relative obscurity in Wimbledon. He is alarmed when he hears that an obscure Irish author has written a book about Dracula and the strange events that occurred in the Carpathian mountains. How did he come upon the name of Jonathan Harker for one of the main characters in his book? The events undermined Harker's and Mina's lives. Harker has never told Mina what really happened when he first ecountered Dracula. Fearing for his sanity and the welfare of his family, Harker believes that Dracula has used some kind of thought transference to plant the germ  of the story in Stoker's mind. He knows that the lead coverings he has placed in the walls of their home can only protect them for so long until Dracula discovers their hiding- place.I have included an extract from the play below.

As the lights rise, Jonathan Harker, early thirties, sits in his rocking chair. He is agitated, almost skeletal, as he twists the fingers on his left hand. His clothes are ill fitting; his eyes haunted. The squeaking of the rocking chair is too much for him as Mina Harker, his wife, early thirties, enters stage left. She has an ethereal beauty and looks anxiously at the writing bureau which is to her right. Her dress makes the tiniest sound as it drags across the floor. Harker appears terrified as he puts his hands over his eyes. She picks the newspaper up off the floor and reads quickly.

Mina:   Jonathan? (She walks towards him. He stares into space, his eyes not truly seeing her). Where did you get this newspaper?

 Harker:   He said I was ill-omened, my love. That is all the evidence I ever needed. I took it from the reading room at the British Museum. Why did you light the lamp? I wanted to sit here in the darkness with no-one to see me.

 She sits opposite him and holds his hand. He will not let her. She shakes her head with despair.

 Mina:    I am anxious about your worsening condition. Why will you not let me contact Abraham? He will come if I ask him.

Harker:    What use was that blundering imbecile Van Helsing? He was versed in folkloric beliefs and much good it did the ensuing events.

 Mina:  He will understand your predicament, Jonathan. You cannot keep yourself locked up in your study for days on end, afraid of everyone. You have not eaten for days. Even the children are afraid of you and run when they hear you on the stairs.

Harker:    You of all people should understand. I have tried to convince you, Mina. This is never ending. I have tried to sleep and my mind will not let me because of the terrors.

Mina:    I have put up with your temperamental behaviour, not knowing how you are going to be from day to day. Why did you steal this newspaper? The date is 24^th January, 1785, and you have circled an advertisement for a vacancy for a clerk. (Harker does not hear her; he believes that he can sense something. He cocks his head to the right, listening). Did you not hear what I just said?

Harker:  Of course, I heard you, Mina That was he. He is probing for our weaknesses.

Mina:    That is preposterous! I took you for a man of some intelligence and understanding.

 Harker:   He told me that he looked for employment as a clerk and placed that advertisement when he did. The name should be familiar to you. You read my diary.

Mina:   Abraham will stop you thinking of these ridiculous thoughts.  This occurred ages ago. It is now four years into the new century and have I still not been forgiven? I was never responsible for those terrible events.

 Harker:    We are all in danger. Seward and Holcomb are most at risk. I have written to them and told them of what I know. There will be no errors about keeping a diary like I did previously. Is it no wonder that I am ill with the calamity that befell us?  Quincy, Lucy, and her mother deserved much more from us. Their deaths were avoidable 

 Mina:    Why should you suddenly speak of them like this? 

Harker:   Your memory is most convenient, Mina!

Mina:   I try not to dwell on such unpleasantness. (She hears the sound of laughter in the background; the low murmur of voices). Quincy is annoying Sarah.

Harker:    Our son will be indifferent to all this. He is untainted.

Mina:    I have told myself that I will try to explain all that happened to him one day.

Harker:  That would be unwise. There will always be innocence to the lad. I was terrified of holding him after he was born. I felt unsure of how I would protect my son. The emotion was too strong in me, Mina. I can hardly make sense of it now. I still see the compassionate eyes of our dying friend in our son’s expressions.

Mina:    Quincy would have been engaged to Lucy. He did not fear death as you do.

Harker:   That was uncalled for. I may be asleep as I speak with you. Why am I so confused? I cannot think properly about anything. There is something inside my mind that will tear me apart if let it. That is why I cannot sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see a different light to this and I am encouraged to walk forward to meet whatever is just out of my purview. Say that you will sit with me, Mina. I wish not to be alone. I would gladly end my wearisome existence if it were not for you and the children. Your face transfigures, with the red blotch on your forehead, into Lucy’s visage. Her dead eyes never change with their unyielding stare. There are voices, indistinct, urging me to accept my lot and I am to lie with Lucy while you watch us.

Mina:   I find it difficult to speak about death. My feelings are private, Jonathan. I know there should be no secrets between a husband and wife. I know not what else to say. You must make more of an endeavour to come overcome these fevered dreams. Quincy would be ashamed of you if he could see you like this. The blemish left my forehead when Dracula’s dominance was weakened after you decapitated him.

Harker:   There you are wrong? What of the earth in which his spirit resided? There is no end for a life such as his.

Mina:    Conscience cannot survive after death. You recall that Abraham and Arthur were with you in the clearing when Dracula was killed.