In “Done to Death,” Jane, the maid, is stunned by the behavior of the five mystery writers gathered at Vulture’s Vault. You see, there’s a dead body on the floor.

JANE: But you’re all sitting around and doing nothing. Shouldn’t someone call the police?

RODNEY (turns to the others as if Jane were an idiot): Impossible, isn’t it?

MILDRED: Out of the question.

WHITNEY: You’re very naïve – Jane, is it?

JANE: Yes. But what’s naïve about calling the police? Isn’t that what they’re there for?

BRAD: We can’t call them.

JANE: Why not?

RODNEY: Naturally, the phone is dead.

JANE: You tried it?

MILDRED: We don’t have to, dear.

JANE: Pardon me, but how do you know the phone is dead?

RODNEY: Shall we explain it to her?

MILDRED: It’s very simple, Jane. We are brought out here. We – the great mystery writers of all time. We walk in the door, a body flops out of a closet. Do you really imagine that one of us is going to walk to the phone and call the police on the mainland? Nonsense. Of course the phone is dead. It has to be.

JANE: I don’t believe you. You’re all crazy. I’ll do it.

JESSICA: I cherish naivete. It’s so rare.

JANE (into phone): Hello . . .hello . . . The phone is dead.

THE AUTHORS: Uh –huh.

The Tryon Little Theater’s mystery/comedy “Done to Death” plays the Workshop, located at 516 S. Trade Street in Tryon, through May 8. The box office is open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. For reservations, call 828-859-2466.