As if it was always there
and never there
and it can never be known
and never be
forsaken
It is a life
with another tranquillity
than the one we’ll see
THE OLDER MAN (looks at her, wondering):
we’ll see
THE OLDER WOMAN (continues as if he isn’t there):
And it snatches its opportunities
(Short pause.)
but continues deeper
and deeper
into a night
revealed
THE OLDER MAN:
What are you talking about
THE OLDER WOMAN (continues as if he isn’t there):
into a night
a transparent connection
where inadequacy reigns
and lets you think
that you understand
what there is to understand
THE OLDER MAN (wonderingly):
That you understand
THE OLDER WOMAN (looks at him):
Yes that you understand
(She moves away, looks at him.)
It’s so terrible
I don’t understand it
(He nods.)
That she could
(Breaks off.)
THE OLDER MAN (shakes his head resignedly):
No
(Short pause.)
I don’t understand it
THE OLDER WOMAN:
We should have done something
and a long time ago
THE OLDER MAN:
Yes
(Pause.)
THE OLDER WOMAN (in despair):
We have to do something
THE OLDER MAN:
There’s nothing we can do
THE OLDER WOMAN:
Is it too late
THE OLDER MAN:
It’s all too late
THE OLDER WOMAN:
Why did she do it
THE OLDER MAN:
I don’t understand it
THE OLDER WOMAN:
Our only daughter
our only
(Breaks off.)
THE OLDER MAN (continues):
Our only child
THE OLDER WOMAN:
But that’s not how it is
it’s not possible
THE OLDER MAN:
She followed her death
THE OLDER WOMAN:
Don’t say that
She can’t be dead
that’s not how it is
(Short pause.)
THE OLDER MAN:
She is dead
She is gone
forever gone
THE OLDER WOMAN:
She can’t be gone
It’s not possible
THE OLDER MAN:
No
(Pause.)
THE OLDER WOMAN:
And how could she
THE OLDER MAN (suddenly):
Why don’t you leave
I want you to leave
THE OLDER WOMAN (surprised):
You want me to leave
THE OLDER MAN:
Yes
THE OLDER WOMAN:
But we
(Short pause.)
well we
well it’s just the two of us left
now that she’s gone
THE OLDER MAN:
You have to leave
(Short pause.)
because I can’t bear
to see your face
(She moves away from him.)
THE OLDER WOMAN:
I just thought
you see I had to
well I had to tell you
THE OLDER MAN:
Yes
(Short pause.)
But
well
well you can’t stay here any longer
You have to leave
(Pause. THE YOUNG WOMAN, who is pregnant, enters and walks towards THE OLDER WOMAN, they look at each other.)
THE OLDER WOMAN (to THE OLDER MAN):
It’s all so long ago
I remember me
when I was carrying her
(Short pause.)
But it feels
well almost as if
(Short pause.)
it’s never happened
(Short pause.)
Don’t you feel like that too
(He nods. THE YOUNG WOMAN holds her stomach, stands and feels it, and THE FRIEND enters, he looks at THE YOUNG WOMAN, then looks down. THE OLDER WOMAN and THE OLDER MAN look at him, afraid, then they look down.)
I don’t want to anymore
(Short pause.)
because everything is a vanishing
(Short pause.)
I no longer have a reason
(Pause.)
Stupid thing to say
(THE YOUNG WOMAN turns around and sees THE YOUNG MAN who enters and walks towards her, they meet, they embrace, move away from each other, look at each other.)
I don’t exist anymore
I don’t want to anymore
THE YOUNG MAN (to THE YOUNG WOMAN):
Well we’re finally here
wasting our time
with that stupid landlord
(Short pause.)
But now
(Happy, he brings out a set of keys.)
now
Well now we’ve finally somewhere to live
Isn’t that great
THE YOUNG WOMAN:
Yes great
(Short pause.)
THE YOUNG MAN:
We have lived
how many places have we
lived
It’s more than a few
that’s for sure
THE YOUNG WOMAN:
An awful lot of places
(THE YOUNG MAN looks at THE OLDER MAN, they both look down and THE YOUNG MAN looks at looks at THE YOUNG WOMAN, who stands and looks around.)
THE YOUNG MAN:
This isn’t too bad
(Short pause.)
We could easily live here
for a while at least
OK so it’s a basement
And I’m sure it’s damp and cold
But
yes
(Short pause.)
it was all we could get
THE YOUNG WOMAN:
I don’t think I like it much
well perhaps it’s alright
at least when you’re here
it’ll be alright
yes
(She smiles at him.)
But that terrible landlord
(Short pause.)
I hope he won’t be pestering us
come knocking
and things
THE YOUNG MAN:
Oh it’ll be fine
