Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf

For Richard Barr and Clinton Wilder CHARACTERS MARTHA, a large, boisterous woman, 5 , loo!ing some what "ounger# Am$le, but not %lesh" &E'R&E, her husband, ()# Thin* hair going gre" H'+E,, ), a $etite blonde girl, rather $lain

+-C., /0, her husband# Blond, well1$ut1together, good loo!ing The scene is the li2ing1room o%a house on the cam $us o% a small +ew England college 3Who3s A%raid o% 4irginia HTool% was %irst $er%ormed at the Bill" Rose Theater, +ew ,or! Cit", on 5/ 'ctober 56) with the %ollowing cast7

MARTHA 8ta Hagen &E'R&E Arthur Hill +-C. &eorge &ri99ard H'+E, Melinda :illon :irected b" ; < A + SCH+E-:ER -;

- ;;; 7 C'+TE+TS ACT '+E# F8+ A+: &AMES ACT TW'# WA<=8R&-S+ACHT 5> ACT THREE# THE E?'RC-SM7 log ACT '+E F8+ A+: &AMES Set in dar!ness# Crash against %ront door# MARTHA3S laughter heard# Front door o$ens, lights are switched on# MARTHA enters, %ollowed b" &E'R&E# MARTHA7 @esus ### &E'R&E7 ### Shhhhhhh##AA MARTHA7 ### H# Christ #AA &E'R&E7 For &od3s sa!e, Martha, it3s two o3cloc! in the ##A MARTHA7 'h, &eorgeB &E'R&E7 Well, -3m sorr", but AAA MARTHA7 3What a cluc!B What a cluc! "ou are# &E'R&E7 -t3s late, "ou !nowC <ate# MARTHA Dloo!s about the room# -mitates Bette :a2isE7 What a dum$# He", what3s that %romC 3What a dum$B3 &E'R&E7 How would - !now what ### MARTHA7 Aw, come onB What3s it %romC Tou !now AAA &E'R&E7 ### Martha ##A MARTHA7 WHAT3S -T FR'M, F'R CHR-ST3S SA.EC &E'R&E Dwearil,E7 What3s what %romC

MARTHA7 - Fust told "ou* - Fust did it# 3What a dum$B3 HunhC What3s that %romC &E'R&E7 - ha2en3t the %aintest idea what ##A MARTHA7 :umbbellB -t3s %rom some goddamn Bette :a2is $icture ### some goddamn Warner Brothers e$ic A#AA &E'R&E7 - can3t remember all the $ictures that A## MARTHA7 +obod"3s as!ing "ou to remember e2er" single goddamn Warner Brothers e$ic #A# Fust oneB 'ne single little e$icB Bette :a2is gets $eritonitis in the end ##A she3s 5 ACT '+E got this big blac! %right wig she wears all through the $icture and she gets $eritonitis, and she3s married to @ose$h Cotten or something##### &E'R&E7 AAA Somebod" A#A MARTHA7 AAA somebB5d" AA# and she wants to go to Chicago all the time, 3cause she3s in lo2e with that actor with the scar#### But she gets sic!, and she sits down in %ront o% her dressing1table##A# &E'R&E7 What actorC What scarC MARTHA7 - can3t remember his name, %or &od3s sa!e# What3s the name o% the $ictureC - want to !now what the name o%the $icture is# She sits down in%ront o%herdressing 3G table ### and she3s got this $eritonitis #AA and she tries to

$ut her li$stic! on, but she can3t #A# and she gets it all o2er her %ace #3 #A but she decides to go to Chicago an" wa", and ### &E'R&E7 ChicagoB -t3s called Chicago# MARTHA7 HunhC What ### what isC &E'R&E7 The $icture ### it3s called ChicagoA #AA MARTHA7 &ood grie%B :on3t "ou !now an"thingC Chicago was a thirties musical, starring little Miss Alice Fa"e# :on3t "ou !now an"thingC &E'R&E7 Well, that was $robabl" be%ore m" time, but #AA MARTHA7 Can itB @ust cut that outB This $icture #A# Bette :a2is comes home %rom a hard da" at the grocer" store###A &E'R&E7 She wor!s in a grocer" storeC MARTHA7 She3s a housewi%e* she bu"s things AA# and she comes home with the groceries, and she wal!s into the modest li2ing1room o% the modest cottage modest @ose$h Cotten has set her u$ in# # AA &E'R&E7 AHe the" marriedC MARTHA Dim$atientl,E7 ,es# The"3re married# To each other# Cluc!B And she comes in, and she loo!s around, and she $uts her groceries down, and she sa"s, 3What a dum$B3 F8+ A+: &AMES 5/ &E'R&E D$auseE7 'h#

MARTHA D$auseE7 She3s discontent# &E'R&E D$auseE7 'h# MARTHA D$auseE7 Well, what3s the name o% the $ictureC &E'R&E7 - reall" don3t !now, Martha###A MARTHA7 Well, thin!B &E'R&E7 -3m tired, dear AAA it3s late #AA and besides ##A MARTHA7 - don3t !now what "ou3re so tired about #A# "ou ha2en3t done an"thing all da"* "ou didn3t ha2e an" classes, or an"thingA### &E'R&E7 Well, -3m tired#A## -% "our %ather didn3t set u$ these goddamn Saturda" night orgies all the time AAAA MARTHA7 Well, that3s too bad about "ou, &eorge ##AA &E'R&E DgrumblingE7 Well, that3s how1it is, an"wa"# MARTHA7 ,ou didn3t do an"thing* "ou ne2er do an"thing* "ou ne2er miH# ,ou Fust sit around and tal!# &E'R&E7 3What do "ou want me to doC :o "ou want me to act li!e "ouC :o "ou want me to go around all night bra"ing at e2er"bod", the wa" "ou doC MARTHA Dbra"ingE7 - :'+3T BRA,B &E' R & E DsI%tl,E7 All right ### "ou don3t bra"# MARTHA DhurtE7 - do not bra"# J&E'R&E7 All right# - said "ou didn3t bra"# MA#RTHA D$outingE7 Ma!e me a drin!# &E'R&E7 WhatC

MARTH7G Dstill sIt5l,E7 - said, ma!e me a drin!# &E'R&E Dmo2ing to the $ortable barE7 Well, - don3t su$$ose a nightca$3d !ill either one o% us#### MARTHA7 A nightca$B AHe "ou !iddingC We32e got guests# &E'R&E Ddisbelie2ingE7 We32e got whatC MARTHA7 &uests# &8ESTS# &E'R&E7 &8ESTSB MARTHA7 ,es #AA guests AAA $eo$leA### We32e got guests coming o2er# &E'R&E7 3WhenC 5( 55 ACT '+E MARTHA7 +'WB &E'R&E7 &ood3<ord, Martha A#A do "ou !now what time it ### Who3s coming o2erC MARTHA7 What3s1their1name# &E'R&E7 WhoC MARTHA7 WHAT3S1THE-R1+AMEB &E'R&E7 Who what3s1their1nameC MARTHA7 - don3t !now what their name is, &eorge#AAA ,ou met them tonight AAA the"3re new AAA he3s in the math de$artment, or somethingA#AA &E'R&E7 Who #A# who are these $eo$leC MARTHA7 ,ou met them tonight, &eorge#

&E'R&E7 - don3t remember meeting an"one tonight ###A MARTHA7 Well "ou did #### Will "ou gi2e me m" drin!, $leaseA#AA He3s inthe math de$artment A## about thirt", blond, and #AA &E'R&E7 AAA and good1loo!ing##AA MARTHA7 ,es #AA and good1loo!ing#A#A &E'R&E7 -t %igures# MARTHA7 AAA and his wi%e3s a mouse" little t"$e, without an" hi$s, or an"thing# &E'R&E D2agueh3E7 'h# MARTHA7 ,ou remember them nowC &E'R&E7 ,es, - guess so, Martha##A# But wh" in &od3s name are the" coming o2er here nowC MARTHA Din a so1tMre 2oiceE7 Because :add" said we should be nice to them, that3s wh"# &E'R&E Dde%latedE7 'h, <ord# MARTHA7 Ma" - ha2e m" drin!, $leaseC :add" said we should be nice to them# Than! "ou# &E'R&E7 But wh" nowC -t3s a%ter two o3cloc! in the morn ing, and #AA MARTHA7 Because :add" said we should be nice to themB &E'R&E7 ,es# But -3m sure "our %ather didn3t mean we were su$$osed to sta" u$ all night with these $eo$le# F8+ A+: &AMES

mean, we could ha2e them o2er some Sunda" or some thingJ #A# MAlt THA7 Well, ne2er mind#AA# Besides, it is Sunda"# 4er" earl" Sunda"# K3E'lt&E7 - mean #AA it3s ridiculous #AAA MARTHA7 Well, it3s doneB &E'lt&E Dresigned and eHas$eratedE7 All right# Well AA# where are the"C -%we32e got guests, where are the"C MARTHA7 The"3ll be here soon# &E'R&E7 What did the" do AA# go home and get some slee$ %irst, or somethingC MAltTHA7 The"3ll be hereB &E'R&E7 5 wish "ou3d tell me about something some time#AAA - wish "ou3d sto$ s$ringing things on me all the time# MARTHA7 - don3t s$ring things on "ou all the time# &E'R&E7 ,es, "ou do ### "ou reall" do AAA "ou3re alwa"s s$ringing things on me# MAlt THA DFriendh31$atroni*7,ingE 7'h, &eorgeB &E'R&E7 Alwa"s# MARTHA7 =oor &eorgie1=orgie, $ut1u$on $ieB DAs he sul!sE Awww####2ww ### what are "ou doingC Are "ou sul!ingC HunhC <etme see AA# are "ou sul!ingC -s that what "ou3re doingC &E'R&E D2er" Iuieth3E7 +e2er mind, Martha###A

MARTHA7 AWWWWWWWWWWB &E'R&E7 @ust don3t bother "oursel% #### MARTHA7 AWwwwwwwwwwB D+o reaction#E He"B D+o reaction#E HE,B D&E'R6E loo!s at her, $ut1u$on#E He"# DSM singsE G4ho3s a%raid o% 4irginia Wool%, 4irginia Wool%, 4irginia Wool% ### Ha, ha, ha, HAl D+o reaction#E What3s the matter ### didn3t 5) ACT '+E "ou thin! that was %unn"C HunhC D:Lantb3E - thought it was a scream ### a real scream# ,ou didn3t li!e it, hunhC &E'R&E7 -t was all right, Martha###A MARTHA7 ,ou laughed "our head o%% when "ou heard it at the $art"# &E'R&E7 - smiled# - didn3t laugh m" head o%% AAA - smiled, "ou !nowC #A# it was all right# MARTHA Dgadng into her drin!E7 ,ou laughed "our goddamn head o%%# &E'R&E7 -t was all right#### MARTHA Dugb3E7 -t was a screamB &E'R&E D$atientb3E7 -t was 2er" %unn"* "es# F8+ A+: &AMES 5M

&E'R&E7 - su$$ose it is# - su$$ose it3s $rett" remar!able #A# considering how old "ou are# llARTHA7 ,'8 C8T THAT '8TB D=auseE ,ou3re not so "oung "oursel%# &E'R&E Dwith bo"ish $leasure A A# a chantE7 -3m siH "ears "ounger than "ou are A##A - alwa"s ha2e been and alwa"s will be# MARTHA Dgluml"E7 Well ### "ou3re going bald# &E'R&E7 S' are "ou# D=ause A A# the" both laugh#E Hello, hone"# MARTHA7 Hello# C3mon o2er here and gi2e "our Momm" a big slo$$" !iss# MARTHA Da%ter a moment3s considerationE7 ,ou ma!e me $u!eB &E'R&77l77 WhatC MARTHA7 8h AAA "ou ma!e me $u!eB &E'R&E Dthin!s about it # AA then # AAE7 That wasn3t a 2er" nice thing to sa", Martha# MARTHA7 That wasn3t whatC &E'R&E7 AAA a 2er" nice thing to sa"# MARTHA7 - li!e "our anger# - thin! that3s what - li!e about "ou most ##A "our anger# ,ou3re such a ### such a sim$B ,ou don3t e2en ha2e the ### the whatC ## # --&E'R&E7 AAA gutsC #A# MARTHA7 =HRASEMA.ERB D=ause # A# then the" both laugh#E

He", $ut some more ice in m" drin!, will "ouC ,ou ne2er $ut an" ice in m" drin!# Wh" is that, hunhC &E'R&E Dta!es her drin!E7 - alwa"s $ut ice in "our drin!# ,ou eat it, that3s all# -t3s that habit "ou ha2e ### chewing "our ice cubes ### li!e a coc!er s$aniel# ,ou3ll crac! "our big teeth# i MARTHA7 THE"3RE M, B-& TEETHB -&E'R&E7 Some o% them ### some o% them# MARTHA7 -32e got more teeth than "ou32e got# &E'R&E* Two more# MARTHA7 Well, two more3s a lot more# &E'R&E7 AAA oh, now ### MARTHA7 - WA+TA B-& S<'==, .-SSB &E'R&E - don3t want to !iss "ou, Martha#

Where are these $eo$leC 3Where are these $eo$le "ou in 2ited o2erC MARTHA7 The" sta"ed on to tal! to :add"A##A The"3ll be here##A# Wh" don3t "ou want to !iss meC &E'R&E Dtoo matter1o%1%actE7 Well, dear, i% - !issed "ou -3d get all eHcited #A# -3d get beside m"sel%, and -3d ta!e "ou, b" %orce, right here on the li2ing1room rug, and then our little guests would wal! in, and A # # well, Fust thin!

what "our %ather would sa" about that# MARTHA7 ,ou $igB &E'R&E DhaughtibE7 'in!B 'in!B MARTHA7 Ha, ha, ha, HAl -2la!e me another drin! #AA lo2er# &E'R&E Dta!ing her glassE7 M" &od, "ou can swill it down, can3t "ouC MARTHA Dimitating a childE7 -3m %ust"# &E'R&E7 @esusB MARTHA Dswinging aroundE7 <oo!, sweetheart, - can drin! "ou under an" goddamn table "ou want# # # so don3t worr" about eeB # ACT '+E 5> &E'R & E7 Martha, - ga2e "ou the $ri9e "ears ago #AA# There isn3t an abomination award going that "ou A## MARTHA7 - swear AA# i% "ou eHisted -3d di2orce "ou###A &E'R&E7 Well, Fust sta" on "our %eet, that3s allA### These $eo$le are "our guests, "ou !now, and ##A# MARTHA7 - can3t e2en see "ou #AA - ha2en3t been able to see "ou %or "ears #AAA &E'R&E7 AAA i% "ou $ass out, or throw u$, or some thing ### MARTHA7 #AA - mean, "ou3re a blan!, a ci$her ###A &E'R&E7 #A# and tr" to !ee$ "our clothes on, too# There aren3t man" more sic!ening sights than "ou with a cou$le

o% drin!s in "ou and "our s!irt u$ o2er "our head, "ou !now#A#A MAR THA7 AA# a 9ero #AAA &E'R&E7 ### "our heads, - should sa" #A#A DTh%ront door1bell chimes#E MARTHA*=an"B=art"B &E'R&E DmurderousD"E7 -3m reall" loo!ing %orward to this, Martha#### MARTHA DsameE* &o answer the door# &E'R&E Dnot mo2ingE7 ,ou answer it# MARTHA7 &et to that door, "ou# DHe does not mo2e#E -3ll 7%iH "ou, "ou # # # &E'R&E D%a!e1s$itsE7 AAA to "ou #AAA D:oor chime again#E MARTHA Dshouting # A# to the doorE7 C3M'+ -+B DTo &E'R&E, between her teethE - said, get o2er thereB &E' R & E Dmo2es a little towards the di@or, smiling slightl"E7 All right, lo2e #A# whate2er lo2e wants# DSto$s#E @ust don3t start on the bit, that3s all# MARTHA7 The bitC The bitC G3That !ind o%language is thatC What are "ou tal!ing aboutC &E'R&E7 The bit# @ust don3t start in on the bit# F8+ A+: &AMES

56 @iARTHA7 ,ou imitating one o% "our students, %or &od3s sa!eC What are "ou tr"ing to doC WHAT B-TC &E'R&E7 @ust don3t start in on the bit about the !id, that3s all# MARTHA7 What do "ou ta!e me %orC &E'R&E7 Much too much# MARTHA Drealr" angeredE7 ,eahC Well, -3ll start in on the !id i% - want to# &E'R&E7 @ust lea2e the !id out o% this# MARTHA DthrealmingE7 He3s mine as much as he is "ours# -3ll tal! about hlm i% - want to# &E'R&E7 -3d ad2ise against it, Martha# MARTHA7 Well, good %or "ou# D.noc!#E C3mon in# &et o2er there and o$en the doorB &E'R&E7 ,ou32e been ad2ised# MARTHA7 ,eah #A# sure# &et o2er thereB &E'R&E Dmo2ing towards the doorE7 All right, lo2e ### what e2er lo2e wants# -sn3t it nice the wa" some $eo$le ha2e manners, though, e2en in this da" and ageC -sn3t it nice that some $eo$le won3t Fust come brea!ing into other $eo$le3s houses e2en i% the" do hear some sub1human monster "owling at 3em %rom inside #AA C MARTHA7 SCREW "ouB DSimultaneousr" with MARTHA3S last remar!, &E'R&E

%lings o$en the %ront door# H'+E, and +-C. are %ramed in the entrance# There is a brie% silence, then # ##E &E'R&E7 Dostensibr" a $leased recognition o% H'+E, and +-C., but realD" satis%action at ha2ing MARTHA3S eH$losion o2er heardE7 AhhbbbbhhhB MARTHA Da little too loud# A # to co2erE7 H-B Hi, there #AA c3mon inB H'+E, and +-C. Dad libE7 Hello, here we are AA# hi #AA Detc#E &E'R & E D:er" matter1o%1%actl"E 7 ,ou must be our little guests# MARTHA7 Ha, ha, ha, HAB @ust ignore old sour1$uss o2er 0 ACT '+E there# C3mon in, !ids # # # gi2e "our coats and stu%% to sourN$uss# +-C. Dwithout eH$ressionE7 Well, now, $erha$s we shouldn3t ha2e come #A#A H'+E,7 ,es #AA it is late, and ##A MARTHA7 <ateB Are "ou !iddingC Throw "our stu%% down an"where and c3mon in# &E'R&E D2agueO, A## wal!ing awa"E7 An"where ### %urni ture, Hoor A AA doesn3t ma!e an" di%%erence around this $lace# +-C. Dto H'+E,E7 - told "ou we shouldn3t ha2e come# MARTHA DstentorianE7 - said c3mon inB +ow c3monB

H'+E, Dgiggling a little as she and +-C. ad2anceE7 'h, dear# &E'R&E Dimitating H'+E,3S giggleE7 Hee, hee, hee, hee# MARTHA Dswinging on &E'R&EE7 <oo!, muc!mouth ### "ou cut that outB &E'R&E Dinnocence and hurtE7 MarthaB DTo H'+E, and +-C.E Martha3s a de2il with language* she reall" is# MARTHA7 He", !ids ### sit down# H'+E, Das she sitsE7 'h, isn3t this lo2el"B +- C. D=eT%unctoril,E 7 ,es indeed #AA 2er" handsome# MARTRA7 Well, than!s# +-C. Dindicating the abstract $aintingE7 Who #A# who did the ### C MARTHA7 ThatC 'h, that3s b" #AA &E'R&E7 ##A some &ree! with a moustache Martha at tac!ed one night in # A A H'+E, Dto sa2e the situationE7 'h, ho, ho, ho, H'# +-C.7 -t3s got a A#A a ### &E'R&E7 A Iuiet intensit"C +-C.7 Well, r#o ### a A## &E'R&E7 'h# D=auseE Well, then, a certain nois" relaHed Iualit", ma"beC +-C. D!nows what &E'R&E is doing, but sta"s griml,, cooll, $oliteE7 +o# What - meant was #AA F8+ A+: &AMES 5

&E'R&E7 How about A## uh ### a Iuietl" nois" relaHed

intensit"# H'+E,* :earB ,ou3re being Foshed# +-C. DcoldE* -3m aware o% that# DA brie%, aw!ward silence#E &E'R&E Dtrul,E7 - am sorr"# D+-C. nods condescending %orgi2eness#E &E'R&E7 What it is, actuall", is it3s a $ictorial re$resenta tion o% the order o% Martha3s mind# MARTHA7 Ha, ha, ha, HAl Ma!e the !ids a drin!, &eorge# 71 What do "ou want, !idsC What do "ou want to drin!, hunhC +-C.7 Hone"C What would "ou li!eC H'+E,7 - don3t !now, dear AA# A little brand", ma"be# 3+e2er miH 1 ne2er worr"#3 DShe giggles#E &E'R&E7 Brand"C @ust brand"C Sim$le* sim$le# DGMo2es to the $ortable bar#E What about "ou A## uh ### +-C.7 Bourbon on the roc!s, i% "ou don3t mind# &E'R&E Das he ma!es the drin!sE7 MindC +o, - don3t mind# don3t thin! - mind# MarthaC Rubbing alcohol %or "ouC MARTHA7 Sure# 3+e2er miH 1 ne2er worr"#3 &E'R&E7 Martha3s tastes in liIuor ha2e c05ll7e down ##A sim$li%ied o2er the "ears # A A cr"stalli9ed# Bac! when was courting Martha 1 well, - don3t !now i% that3s eHactl" the right word %or it 1 but bac! when - was courting

Martha ### MARTHA Screw, sweetieB

&E'R&E Dreturning with H'+E,3S and+-c.3s drin!sE7 At an" rate, bac! when - was courting Martha, she3d order the damnedest thingsB ,ou wouldn3t belie2e itB We3d go into a bar ##A "ou !now, a bar # AA a whis!", beer, and bour bon bar #AA and what she3d do would be, she3d screw u$ her %ace, thin! real hard, and come u$ with ### brand" AleHanders, creme de cacao %ra$$es, gimlets, %laming $unch1bowls ### se2en1la"er liIueur things# ACT '+E F8+ A+: &AMES / 8nless "ou carr" on li!e a h"ena "ou aren3t ha2ing an" MARTHA7 The" were good ### r li!ed them# &E'R&E7 Real lad"1li!e little drin!ies# MARTHA7 He", where3s m" rubbing alcoholC &E'R&E Dreturning to the $ortahle harE7 But the "ears ha2e brought to Martha a sense o% essentials A # # theJ !now ledge that cream is %or co%%ee, lime Fuice %or $ies ### and alcohol DBrings MARTHA her drin!#E $ure and sim$le # # A here "ou are, angel ##A %or the $ure and sim$le# DRaises his glass#E For the mind3s blind e"e, the heart3s ease, and the li2er3s craw# :own the hatch, all# MARTHA Dto them allE7 Cheers, dears# DThe" all drin!#E ,ou

ha2e a $oetic nature, &eorge# # # a :"lan Thomas1" Iualit" that gets me right where r li2e# &E'R&E7 4ulgar girlB With guests hereB MARTHA7 Ha, ha, ha, HAB DTo H'+E, and +-C.E He"* he"B DSings, conducts with her drin! in her hand# H'+E, Foins in towards the end#E Who3s a%raid o% 4irginia Wool%, 4rrginia Wool%, 34irginia Wool%, Who3s a%raid o%4rrginia Wool% ##A DMARTHA and H'+E, laugh* +-C. smiles#E H'+E,7 'h, wasn3t that %unn"C That was so %unn"##A# +-C. Dsna$$ing toE7 ,es ### "es, it was# MARTHA7 r thought -3d bust a gut* r reall" did ###A rreall" thought -3d bust a gut laughing# &eorge didn3t li!e it#### &eorge didn3t thin! it was %unn" at all# & E 'R &E7 <ord, Martha, do we ha2e to go through this againC MARTHA7 -3m tr"ing to shame "ou into a sense o% humour, angel, that3s all# &E'R&E Do2er1$atientl", to H'+E, and +-C.E7 Martha didn3t thin! r laughed loud enough# Martha thin!s that unless # # # as she demurel" $uts it### that un less "ou 3bust a gut3 "ou aren3t amused# ,ou !nowC

%un# B'+E,7 Well, r certainl" had %un ### it was a wonder%ul $art"# # h3E , # tainl +-C. Dattem$ting ent unasm7 es ### -t cer " was# B'+E, Dto MARTHAE 7 And "our %atherB 'hB He is so mar 2ellousB +-C. Das abo2eE7 ,es #A# "es, he is# B'+E,7 'h, r tell "ou# # MARTHA Dgenuinel" $roudE7 He3s Iuite a gu", isn3t heC Kuite a gu"# &E'R&E Dat +-C.E7 And "ou3d better belie2e itB H'+E, Dadmonishing &E'R&EE7 'hhhhhhhhhB He3s a won der%ul man# &E'R&E7 -3m not tr"ing to tear him down# He3s a &od, we all !now that# MARTHA7 ,ou la" o%% m" %atherB &E'R&E7 ,es, lo2e# DTo +-C.E All - mean is ### when "ou32e had as man" o% these %acult" $arties as - ha2e A## +-C. D!illing the attem$ted ra$$ortE7 - rather a$$reciated it# - mean, aside %rom enFo"ingit, - a$$reciated it# ,ou !now, when "ou3re new at a $lace #### D&E'R&E e"es himJ sus $iciousl"#E Meeting e2er"one, getting introduced around # # A getting to !now some o% the men# # # # When - was teaching in .ansas ### H'+E,7 ,ou won3t belie2e it, but we had to ma!e our wa"

all b" oursel2es A AA isn3t that right, dearC +-C.7 ,es, it is#### We ### B'+E,7 AAA We had to ma!e our own wa"#### - had to go u$ to wi2es ### in the librar", or at the su$ermar!et ### and sa", 3Hello, -3m new here ### "ou must be Mrs So1and1so, :octor So1and1so3s wi%e#3 -t reall" wasn3t 2er" nice at all# MARTHA7 Well, :add" !nows how to run things# +-C. Dnot enough enthusiasmE7 He3s a remar!able man# ( ACT '+E MARTHA7 ,ou bet "our sweet li%e# &E'R&E Dto +-C. AAA a con%idence, but not whis$eredP7 <et me tell "ou a secret, bab"# There are easier things in the world, i% "ou ha$$en to be teaching at a uni2ersit", there are easier things 3Lan being married to the daughter o% the $resident o% that uni2ersit"# There are easier things in this world# MARTHA Dloud # AA to no one in $articularE7 -t should be an eHtraordinar" o$$ortunit" ### %or some men it would be the chance o% a li%etimeB &E'R&E Dto +-C. AAA a solemn win!E7 There are, belie2e me, easier things in this world# +-C.7 Well, - can understand how it might ma!e %or some

### aw!wardness, $erha$s ### concei2abl", but ### MARTHA7 Some men would gi2e their right ann %or the chanceB &E'R&E DIuietl,E7 Alas, Martha, in realit" it wor!s out that the sacri%ice is usuall" o%a somewhat more $ri2ate $ortion o% the anatom"# MARTHA Da snarl o%dismissal and contem$tE7 +,,,AAABHHHB H'+E, Drising Iuic!l,P7 - wonder i% "ou could show me where the # # # DHer 3'oice trails o%%E &E'R&E Dto MARTHA, indicating H'+E,E7 Martha ##A +-C. Dto H'+E,E7 Are "ou all rightC H'+E,7 '%course, dear# - want to ### $ut some $owder on m" nose# &E'R&E Das MARTHA is not getting u$E7 Martha, won3t "ou show her where we !ee$ the ### eu$hemismC MARTHA7 HuhC 44hatC 'hB SureB DRises#E -3m sorr", c3mon# # - want to show "ou the house# H'+E,7 - thin! -3d li!e to ##A MARTHA7 AAA wash u$C Sure ### c3mon with me# DTa!es H'+E, b" the arm# To the menE ,ou two do some men tal! %or a while# H'+E, Dto +-C.E7 We3ll be bac!, dear# F8+ A+: &AMES 5 MARTHA Dto &E'R&EE7 Honestl", &eorge, "ou burn me u$B

&E'R&E Dha$$il,E7 All right# MARTHA7 ,ou reall" do, &eorge# &B'R&E7 '#.# Martha AAA '#.# @ust AAA trot along# MARTHA7 ,ou reall" do# &E'R&E7 @ust don3t shoot "our mouth o%% ##A about A#A "ciu1mow1what# MARTHA Dsur$risingl, 2ehementE7 -3ll tal! about an" goddamn thing - want to, &eorgeB &E'R&E7 '#.# '#.# 4anish# MARTHA7 An" goddamn thing - want toB D=racticall, drag ging H'+E, out with herE C3mon#A## &E'R&E7 4anish# DThe women ha:e gone#E SoC 44hat3ll it beC +-C.7 'h, - don3t !now ### -3ll stic! to bourbon, - guess# &E'R&E Dta!es +-C.3S glass, goes to $ortable barE7 That what "ou were drin!ing o2er at =arnassusC +-C.7 '2er at ### C &E'R&E7 =arnassus# +-C.7 - don3t understand#### &E'R&E7 S!i$ it# DHandQ him his drin!#E 'ne bourbon# +-C.7 Than!s# &E'R&E7 -t3sFust a $ri2ate Fo!e between li3l 053 Martha and me# DThe" sit#E SoC D=auseE So #A# "ou3re in the math de $artment, ehC +-C.7 +o A## uh, no#

&E'R&E73 Martha said "ou were# - thin! that3s what she said# D+ot too %riendl,E 44hat made "ou decide to be a teacherC +-C.7 'h ### well, the same things that A## uh A#A moti 2ated "ou, - imagine# &E'R&E7 What were the"C +-C. D%ormalE7 =ardonC &E'R&E7 - said, what were the"C What were the things that moti2ated meC +-C. Dlaughing uneasil,E7 Well ### -3m sure - don3t !now# ) ACT '+E &E'R&E7 ,ouFust %inished sa"ing that the things that moti 2ated "ou were the same things that moti2ated me# +- C . Dwith a little $iIueE7 - said - imagined the" were# &E'R&E DI%%M9andE7 :id "ouC D=auseE Well#### D=auseE ,ou li!e it hereC + - C . Dloo!ing about t!e roomE 7 ,es # # # it3s # A # it3s %ine# &E'R&E7 - mean the 8ni2ersit"# +-C.7 'h#### - thought "ou meant ### &E'R&E7 ,es AA# - can see "ou did# D=auseE - meant the 8ni2ersit"# +-C.7 Well, - ### - li!e it A#A %ine# DAs &E 'R&E Fust stares at himE @ust %ine# DSameE ,ou ### "ou32e been here Iuite a long time, ha2en3t "ouC &E'R&E Dabsent%Q3, as i%!e had not heardE7 WhatC 'h ### "es#

E2er since - married ### uh,

### uh,

Martha# E2en be%ore that# D=auseE For e2er# DTo himsel%E :ashed ho$es, and good intentions# &ood, better, best, bested# DBac! to +-C.E How do "ou li!e that %or a declen sion, "oung manC EhC +-C.7 Sir, -3m sorr" uwe ### &E'R&E Dwith an edge in his 2oiceE7 ,ou didn3t answer m" Iuestion# +-C.7 SirC &E'R&E7 :on3t "ou condescend to meB DTI"ing with himE - as!ed "ou how "ou li!ed that %or a declension7 &ood* better* best* bested# HmC WellC +-C. Dwith some distasteE7 - reall" don3t !now what to sa"# &E'R&E D%eignediTlCTedulousnessE7 ,oureall"don3t!nowwhat to sa"C +-C. Dsna$$ing it outE7 All right ### what do "ou want me to sa"C :o "ou want me to sa" it3s %unn", so "ou can con tradict me and sa" it3s sadC 'r do "ou want me to sa" it3s sad so "ou can tum around and sa" no, it3s %unn"# ,ou can $la" that damn little game an" wa" "ou want to, "ou !nowB GG3 F8+ A+: &AMES 3 M

&E'R&E D%eigned aweE7 4er" goodB 4er" goodB +-C. De2en angrier than be%oreE7 And when m" wi%e comes bac!, - thin! we3ll Fust ### &E'R&E DsincereE7 +ow, now ### calm down, m" bo"# @ust A AA calm ### down# D=auseE All rightC D=auseE ,ou want another drin!C Here, gi2e me "our glass# +-C.7 - still ha2e one# - do thin! that when m" wi%e comes downstairs # # # # &E'R&E7 Here ### -3ll %reshen it# &i2e me "our glass# DTa!es it#E +-C.7 What - mean is ### "ou 57R350 AAA "ou and "our Q2ue J ## seem to be ha2ing some sort o% a ## # &E'R&E7 Martha and - are ha2ing ### nothing# 55artha and - are merel" ### eHercising # # # that3s all ### we3re merel" wal!ing what3s le%t o% our wits# :on3t $a" an" attention to it# +-C. DundecidedE7 Still ### &E'R&E Dan abru$t change oF $aceE7 Well, now ### let3s sit down and tal!, hunhC +-C. Dcool againE7 -t3s Fust that - don3t li!e to ### become in2ol2ed AA# DAn a%terthoughtE uh ##A in other $eo$l#e3s a%%airs# &E'R&E Dcom%orting a childE7 Well, "ou3ll get o2er that ### small college and all# Musical beds is the %acult" s$ort around here#

+-C!7 SirC &E'R&E7 - said, musical beds is the %acult" ### +e2er mind# - wish "ou wouldn3t go 3Sir3 li!e that ### not with the Iuestion1mar! at the end o% it# ,ou !nowC SirC - !now it3s meant to be a sign o% res$ect %or "our DWincesE elders A ## but # # # uh # A # the wa" "ou do it#### 4h ### SirC J ## MadamC +-CE# Dwith a smail, noncommittal smileE7 +o disres$ect in tended# &E'R&E7 How old are "ouC

> ACT '+E +-C.7 Twent"1eight# &E'R&E7 -3m %ort"1something# DWaits %or reaction # #A gets none#E Aren3t "ou sur$risedC - mean ### don3t - loo! olderC :oesn3t this ### gre" Iualit" suggest the %i%tiesC :on3t - sort o% %ade into bac!grounds AAA get lost in the cigarette smo!eC HunhC +-C. Dloo!ing around%or an ashtra"E7 - thin! "ou loo! A## %ine# &E'R&E7 -32e alwa"s been lean AAA - ha2en3t $ut on %i2e $ounds since - was "our age# - don3t ha2e a $aunch, eitherA### 3What -32e got ### -32e got this little distension Fust below the belt# A A but it3s hard# A A # -t3s not so%t %lesh# - use the handball courts# How much do "ou weighC

+-C.7 - ### &E'R&E7 Hundred and %i%t"1%i2e, siHt" ### something li!e thatC :o "ou $la" handballC +-C.7 3,ell, "es ### no ### - mean, not 2er" well# &E'R&E7 Well, then ### we shall $la" some time# Marthais a hundred and eight ### "ears old# She weighs somewhat more than that# How old is "our wi%eC +-C. Da little bewilderetlE7 She3s twent"1siH# &E'R&E7 Martha is a remar!able woman# - would imagine she weighs around a hundred and ten# +-C.7 ,our ### wi%e ### weighs ##A C &E'R&E7 +o, no, m" bo"# ,oursB rour wi%e# M" wi%e is 1 Martha# +-C.7 ,es ### - !now# &E'R&E7 -% "ou were married to Martha "ou would !now what it means# D=auseE But then, i%- were married to "our wi%e - would !now what that means, too AA# wouldn3t -C +-C. Dli%ter a $auseE7 ,es# &E'R&E7 Martha sa"s "ou3re in the Math :e$artment, or something# +-C. Das i%%or the hundredth timeE7 +o ##A -3m not# &E'R&E7 Martha is seldom mista!en ### ma"be "ou should be in the Math :e$artment, or something# F8+ A+: &AMES 6

+-C.7 -3m a biologist# -3m in the Biolog" :e$artment# &E'R&E DI%ier a $auseE7 :h# DThen, as i% remembering some thingE 'HB +-C.7 SirC &E'R&E7 ,ou3re the oneB ,ou3re the one3s going to ma!e all that trouble # # # ma!ing e2er"one the same, rearranging the chromo9ones, or whate2er it is# -sn3t that rightC +-C. Dwith that small smileE7 +ot eHactl"7 chromosomes# &E'R&E7 -3m 2er" mistrust%ul# :o "ou belie2e ### DShi%ting in hi#r chairE AAA do "ou belie2e that $eo$le learn nothing %rom histor"C +ot that there is nothing to learn, mind "ou, but that $eo$le learn nothingC - am in the Histor" :e $artment# +-C.7 Well #AA &E'R&E7 - am a :octor# A#BAAAA M#AAAAA =H#:AAAA ABMA=H-:B Abma$hid has been 2ariousl" described as a wasting disease o% the %rontal lobes, and as a wonder drug# -t is actuall" both# -3m reall" 2er" mistrust%ul# Biolog", hunhC ## D+-C. does not answer # A# nods # ## loo!s#E - read somewhere that science %iction is reall" not %iction at all #A# that "ou $eo$le are rearranging m" genes, so that e2er"one will be li!e e2er"one else# +ow, - won3t ha2e thatB -t would be a ### shame# - mean ### loo! at

meB -s it reall" such a good idea ### i%e2er"one was %o@*3t" something and loo!ed %i%t"1%i2eC ,ou didn3t answer m" Iuestion about histor"# +-C.7 This genetic business "ou3re tal!ing about AAA &E'R&E7 :h, that# D:ismisses it with a wa2e o% his hand#E That3s 2er" u$setting ### 2er" ### disa$$ointing# But histor" is a great deal more ### disa$$ointing# - am in the Histor" :e$artment# +-C.7 ,es ### "ou told me# &E'R&E7 - !now - told "ou ### - shall $robabl" tell "ou se2eral more times# Martha tells me o%ten, that - am in / 0 ACT '+E the Histor" :e$artmc77nt ### as o$$osed to being the Histor" :e$artment ### in the sense o% running the His tor" :e$artment# - do not run the Histor" :e$artment# +-C.7 Well, - don3t run the Biolog" :e$artment# &E'R&E7 ,ou3re twent"1oneB +-C .7 Twent"1eight# &E'R&E7 Twent"1eightB =erha$s when "ou3re %ort"1some thing and loo! %i%t"1%i2e, "ou will run the Histor" :e$art ment#### +-C.7 AAA Biolog"#### &E' R & E7 A A A the Biolog" :e$artment# - did run the Histor" :e$artment, %or %our "ears, during the war, but that was

because e2er"bod" was awa"# Then ### e2er"bod" came bac! ### because nobod" g't !illed# That3s +ew England %or "ou# -sn3t that ama9ingC +ot one single man in this whole $lace got his head shot o%%# That3s $rett" irrational# DBroods#E ,our wi%e doesn3t ha2e an" hi$s ### has she ### does sheC +-C.7 34hatC &E'R&E7 - don3t mean to suggest that -3m hi$1ha$$"#### -3m not one o%those thirt"1siH, twent"1two, se2ent"1eight men# +o1siree ### not me# E2er"thing in $ro$ortion# was im$l"ing that "our wi%e is ### slim1hi$$ed# +-C.7 ,es ### she is# &E'R&E Dloo!ing at the ceilingE7 What are the" doing u$ thereC - assume that3s where the" are# +-C. D%alse heartinessE7 ,ou !now women# &E'R&E Dgi2es +-C. a long stare, o%%eigned incredulit" # AA then his attention mo2esE7 +ot one son1o%1a1bitch got !illed# '% course, nobod" bombed Washington# +o ### that3s not %air# ,ou ha2e an" !idsC +-C.7 4h ### no ### not "et# D=auseE ,ouC &E'R&E Da !ind o% challengeE7 That3s %or me to !now and "ou to %ind out# +-C.7 -ndeedC /

5 F8+ A+: &AMES &E'R&E7 +o !ids, hunhC +-C.7 +ot "et# &E'R&E7 =eo$le do ### uh #A# ha2e !ids# That3s what meant about histor"# ,ou $eo$le are going to ma!e them in test tubes, aren3t "ouC ,ou biologists# Babies# Then the rest o% us ##A them as wants to # # # can screw to their heart3s content# What will ha$$en to the taH deductionC Has an"one %igured that out "etC D+-C., who can thin! o%nothing better to do, laughs mildb3#E But "ou are going to ha2e !ids A## an"wa"# -n s$ite o% ; histor"# +-C. DhedgingE7 res # A# certainl"# We ### want to wait #A# a little ### until we3re settled# &E'R&E7 And this ### DWith a handswee$ ta!ing in not onb3 the room, the house, but the whole countr"sideE ### this is "our heart3s content 1 -ll"ria ### =enguin -sland ### &omor rah##A# ,ou thin! "ou3re going to be ha$$" here in +ew Carthage, ehC +-C. Da little de%ensi2eb3E7 - ho$e we3ll sta" here# &E'R&E7 #And e2er" de%inition has its boundaries, ehC Well, it isn3t a bad college, - guess# - mean ### it3ll do# -t isn3t M#<T##A# it isn3t 8#C#<#A# ### it isn3t the Sorbonne ### or Moscow 8# either, %or that matter#

+-C.7 - don3t mean ### %or e2er# &E'R&E7 Well, don3t "ou let that get bandied about# The old man wouldn3t li!e it# Martha3s %ather eH$ects lo"alt" and de2otion out o% his # # # sta%%# - was going to use another word# Martha3s %ather eH$ects his ### sta%% ### to cling to the walls o% this $lace, li!e the i2" ### to come here and grow old ### to %all in the line o% ser2ice# 'ne man, a $ro%essor o% <atin and Elocution, actuall" %ell in the ca%eteria line, one lunch# He was buried, as man" o% us ha2e been, and as man" more o% us will be, under the shrubber" around the cha$el# -t is said ### and - ha2e no reason to doubt it ### that we ma!e eHcellent %ertili9er# ; 5555---ii / ACT '+E But the old man is not going to be buried under the shrubber" ### the old man is not going to die# Martha3s %ather has the sta"ing $ower o% one o% those Micronesian tortoises# There are rumours# A# which "ou must not breathe in %ront o% Martha, %or she %oams at the mouth A A # that the old man, her %ather, is o2er two himdred "ears old# There is $robabl" an iron" in2ol2ed in this, but - am not drun! enough to %igure out what it is# How man" S

!ids "ou going to ha2eC +-C.7 - ### - don3t !now#AAA M" wi%e is AAA &E'R&E7 Slim1hi$$ed# DRises#E Ha2e a drin!# +-C.7 ,es# &E'R&E7 MARTHAB D+o an#swer#E :AM+ -TB DTo +-C.E ,ou # as!ed me i% - !new women#A#A Well, one o% the things - do not !now about them is what the" tal! about while the men are tal!ing# D4agueb3E - must %ind out some3 time# MARTHA3S 4'-CE7 WHA::3,A WA+TC &E'R&E Dto +-C.E7 -sn3t that a wonder%ul soundC What mean is ### what do "ou thin!# the" reall" tal! about ##A or don3t "ou careC +-C.7 Themsel2es, - would imagine# MARTHA3S 4'-CE7 &E'R&EC &E'R&E Dto +-C.E7 :o "ou %ind women ### $u99lingC +-C.7 Well ### "es and no# &E'R&E Dwith a !nowing nodE7 8nh1hunh# DMo2es towards the hall, almost bum$s into H'+E,, re1entering#E 'hB Well, here3s one o% "ou, at least# DH'+E, mo2es towards +-C.# &E'R&E goes to the hall#E H'+E, Dto &E'R&EE7 She3ll be right down# DTo +-C.E ,ou must see this house, dear # A # this is such a wonder%ul old house#

+-C.7 ,es, - A## &E'R&E7 MARTHAB F8+ A+: &AMES // MARTHA3S 4'-CE7 F'R CHR-ST3S SA.E, HA+& '+ A M-+8TE, W-<< "ouC B'+E, Dto &E'R&EE7 She3ll be right down AAA she3s changingJ &E'R&E DincredulousE7 She3s whatC She3s changingC B'+E,7 ,es# &E'R&E7 Her clothesC B'+E,7 Her dress# &E'R&E Dsus$iciousE7 Wh"C B'+E, Dwith a ner2ous little laughE7 W3h", - imagine she wants to be A## com%ortable# &E'R&E Dwith a threatening loo! towards the hallE7 'h she does, does sheC B ' + ; , 7 Well, hea2ens, - should thin!# #AA &E'R&E7 ,'8 :'+3T .+'WB +-C. Das H'+E, startsE7 ,ou %eel all rightC B'+E, Dreassuring, but with the echo o% a whine# A long1$ractised %(PneE7 'h, "es, dear AA# $er%ectl" %ine# &E'R&E D%uming A AA to himsel%E7 So she wants to be com %ortable, does sheC Well, we3ll see about that# B'+E, Dto &E'R&E, brightT"E7 - didn3t !now until Fust a

minute ago that "ou had a son# &E'R&E Dwheeling, as i% struc! %rom behindE7 WHATC B'+E,7 A sonB - hadn3t !nown# +-C.7 ,ou to !now and me to %ind out# Well, he must be Iuite a big #AA B'+E,7 Twent"1one AAA twent"1one tomorrow A#A to morrow3s his birthda"# +-C . Da 2ictorious smileE 7 WellB 'E'lt&E Dto H'+E,E7 She told "ou about himC B'+E, D%lusteredE7 Well,"es# Well, - mean ### # &E'R&E Dnailing it downE7 She told "ou about him# B'+E, Da ner2ous giggleE7 ,es# &E'lt&E DstrangebE7 ,ou sa" she3s changingC B'+E,7 ,es ###A #### /( ACT '+E &E' R & E7 And she mentioned # # # C H'+E, Dcheer%ul* but a little $u99led7E7 #AA "our son3s birthda" A## "es# &E'R&E Dmore or less to himsel%E7 '#.#, Martha ### '#.## +-C.7 ,ou loo! $ale* Hone"# :o "ou want a ### C H'+E,7 ,es, dear #A# a little more brand", ma"be# @ust a dro$# &E'R&E7 '#.#, Martha#

+-C.7 Ma" - use the #A# uh ### barC &E'R&E7 HmC 'h, "es ##A "es ### b" all means# :rin! awa" ### "ou3ll need it as the "ears go on# DFor MARTHA, as i% she were in the roomE ,ou goddamn destructi2e AAA H'+E, Dto co2erE7 24hat time is it, dearC +-C.7 Two#thirt"# H'+E,7 'h, it3s so late A## we should be getting home# &E'R&E Dnasti%", but he is s,K $reoccu$ied he hard%" noticeshis own toneE7 For whatC ,ou !ee$ing the bab"sitter u$, or somethingC +-C. Dalmost a warningE7 - told "ou we didn3t ha2e children# &E'R&E7 HmC DReali9ingE 'h, -3m sorr"# - wasn3t e2en listening ### or thin!ing AA# DWith aFlic! o% his hand7E AAA whiche2er one a$$lies# +-C. Dsi%t%", to H'+E,7E We3ll go in a little while# &E'R&E Ddri2ingE7 'h no, now ### "ou mustn3t# Martha is changing A # # and Martha is not changing %or me# Martha hasn3t changed %or me in "ears# -% Martha is changing, it means we3ll be here %or ### da"s# ,ou are being accorded an honour, and "ou must not %orget that Martha is the daughter o%our belo2ed boss# She is his AA# right ball, "ou might sa"# +-C.7 ,ou might not understand this ### but - wish "ou wouldn3t tal! that wa" in %ront o% m" wi%e#

H'+E,7 'h, now ### &E'R&E DincredulousE7 Reall"C Well, "ou3re Iuite right ##AA We3ll lea2e that sort o%tal! to Martha# F8+ A+: &AMES /5 MARTHA 3DenteringE7 What sort ohal!C DMARTHA has changed her clothes, and she loo!s, now, more com%ortable and A A A and this is most im$ortant A A A most 5@'lu$tuous# E &E'R&E7 There "ou are, m" $et# +-C. Dim$ressed* risingE7 Well, now ##A &E'R&E7 Wh", Martha ### "our Sunda" cha$el dressB H'+E, Dslightl" disa$$ro2ingE7 'h, that3s most attracti2e# MARTHA Dshowing o%%@7 ,ou li!e itC &oodB DTo &E'R&EE What the hell do "ou mean screaming u$ the stairs at me li!e thatC &E'R&E7 We got lonel", darling #A# we got lonel" %or the so%t $urr o% "our little 2oice# MARTHA Ddeciding not to rue to itE7 'h# Well, then, "ou Fust trot o2er to the barie1$oo # # # &E'R&E Dta!ing the tone %rom herE7 A#A and ma!e "our little momm" a gweat big dwin!# MARTHA DgigglesE7 That3s right# DTo +-C.E Well, did "ou two ha2e a nice little tal!C ,ou men sol2e the $roblems o% the world, as usualC

+-C.7 Well, no, we ### &B'R&E DIuic!U"E7 What we did, actuall", i%"ou reall" want to !now, what we did actuall" is tr" to %igure out what "ou two were tal!ing about# DH'+E, giggles, MARTHA laughs#E MARTHA Dto H'+E,E7 Aren3t the" somethingC these

A G DCheer%ul%" disdairi%ulE ##A men the absolute endC DTo &E'R&EE Wh" didn3t "ou snea! u$stairs and listen A C m# &E'R&E7 'h, - wouldn3t ha2e listened, Martha ### - would ha2e $ee!ed# DH'+E, giggles, MARTHA laughs#E +-C. Dto &E'R&E, with%alse heartinessE7 -t3s a cons$irac"# &E'R&E7 And now we3ll ne2er !now# Shuc!sB l%ARTHA Dto +-C., as H'+E, beamsE7 He", "ou must be

/M / ) ACT '+E Iuite a bo", getting "our Masters when "ou were AAA whatC #A# twel2eC ,ou hear that, &eorgeC +-C.7 Twel2e and a hal%, actuall"# +o, nineteen reall"# DTo H'+E,E Hone", "ou needn3t ha2e mentioned that# -t AAA

H'+E,7 'hhhh ## 7 -3m $roud o% "ouAAAA &E'R&E Dsmousr", i% sadb3E7 That3s 2er" ### im$ressi2e# MARTHA Daggressi2er"E7 ,ou3re damned rightB &E'R&E Dbetween his teethE7 - said - was im$ressed, Martha# -3m beside m"sel% with Fealous"# What do "ou want me to do, throw u$C DTo +-C.E That reall" is 2er" im$ressi2e# DTo H'+E,E ,ou should be right $roud# H'+E, Dco"E7 'h, he3s a $rett" nice %ella# &E'R&E Dto +-C.E7 - wouldn3t be sur$rised i% "ou did ta!e o2er# the Histor" :e$artment one o% these da"s# +- C.7The Biolog" :e$artment# &E'R&E7 The Biolog$ :e$artment #AA o% course# - seem $reoccu$ied with histor"# 'hB What a remar!# DHe stri!es a $ose, his hand o2er his hearl, his head raised, his 2oice sten torian#E 3- am $reoccu$ied with histor"#3 MARTHA Das H'7QlE, and +-C. chuc!leE7 Ha, ha, ha, HAB &E'R&E Dwith some disgustE7 - thin! -3ll ma!e m"sel%a drin!# MARTHA7 &eorge is not $reoccu$ied with histor"A#AA &eorge is $reoccu$ied with the Histor" :e$artment# &eorge is $reoccu$ied With the Histor" :e$artment because ### &E'R&E7 ### because he is not the Histor" :e$artment, but is onl" in the Histor" :e$artment# We !now, Martha #AA we went all through it while "ou were u$stairs A## getting u$# There3s no need to go through it again#

MA R THA7 That3s right, bab"## # !ee$ it clean# DTo the othersE &eorge is bogged down in the Histor" :e$artment# Hes an old bog in the Histor" :e$artment, that3s what, &eorge is# A bog#### A %en###A A#&#:# swam$# Ha, ha,3 ha, HAGB A SWAM=B He", swam$B He" SWAM=,B &E'R&E Dwith a great dlort he controls himsel% # A# then, as i%SM F8+ A+: &AMES Vu9-@ saitinothing more than 3&eorge, dear3 AAAE7 ,es, MarthaC Can - get "ou somethingC MARTHA Damused at his gameE7 Well AAA uh AAA sure, "ou can light m" cigarette, i% "ou3re o% a mind to# &E'R&E Dconsiders, then mo2es o#%%@7 +o AA# there are limits# - mean, man can $ut u$ with onl" so much without he descends a rung or two on the old e2olutionar" ladder AAA D+ow a Iuic! aside to +-C.E #AA which is u$ "our line ##A DTnen iac!#to MARTHAE A#A sin!s, Martha, and it3s a %unn" ladder AAA "ou can3t re2erse "oursel% AAA start bac! u$ once "ou3re descending# DMARTHA blows him an arrogant !iss#E +ow A## -3ll hold "our hand when it3s dar! and "ou3re a%raid o%the boge" man, and -3ll tote "our gin bottles out a%ter midnight, so no one3ll see AA# but - will not light "our cigarette# And that, as the" sa", is that# DBrie% silence#E

MARTHA Dunder her breathE7 @esusB DThen, immediatel", to +-C.E He", "ou $la"ed %ootball, hunhC H'+E, Das +-C. seems sun! in thoughtE7 :ear #AA +-C.7 'hB 'h, "es AA# - was a A## Iuarterbac! #AA but was much more #A# ade$t ##A at boHing, reall"# MARTHA Dwith great enthusiasmE7 B'?-+&B ,ou hear that, &eorgeC &E'R&E Dresignedr"E7 ,es, 52#-artha# MARTHA Dto +-C., with $eculiar intensir" and enthusiasmE 7 ,ou musta been $rett" good at it ### - mean, "ou don3t loo! li!e "ou got hit in the %ace at all# H'+E, D$roudU"E7 He was intercollegiate state middleweight cham#$ion# +-ClU DembarrassedE7 Hone" #A# H'+E,7 Well, "ou were# MARTHA7 ,ou loo! li!e "ou still got a $rett" good bod" now, too A#A is that rightC Ha2e "ouC &E'R&E Dintenser"@7 Martha ### decenc" %orbids ### / > ACT '+E MARTHA Dto &E'R&E AAA still staring at +-C., thoughE7 SH8GG 8$B D+ow, "our bod"C +-C. Dunsei%conscious AAA almost encouraging herE7 -t3s still to +-C.E Well, ha2e, "ouC Ha2e "ou !e$

$rett" good# - wor! out# MARTHA Dwith a hal%1smileE7 :o "ouB +-C.7 ,eah# H'+E,7 'h, "es ##A he has a 2er" ##A %irm bod"# MARTHA Dstill with that smile # #A a $ri2ate communication with +-C.E7 Ha2e "ouB 'h, - thin! that3s 2er" nice# +-C. Dnarcissistic, but not directl" %or MARTHAE7 Well, "ou ne2er !now A#A DShrugsE AAA "ou !now #A# once "ou ha2e it A#A MARTHA7 A# 7 A "ou ne2er !now when it3s going to come in hand"# # +-C.7 - was going to sa" #AA wh" gi2e it u$ until "ou ha2e to# MARTHA7 - couldn3t agree with "ou more# DThe" both smile, and there is a ra$$ort o% some uti%ormed sort established#E - couldn3t agree with "ou more# &E'R&E7 Martha, "our obscenit" is more than #A# MARTHA7 &eorge, here, doesn3t cotton much to bod" tal! A # # do "ou, sweetheartC D+o re$l"#E &eorge isn3t too ha$$" when we get to muscle# ,ou !now A#A %lat bellies, $ec torals##A# &E'R&E Dto H'+E,E7 Would "ou li!e to ta!e a wal! around the gardenC

H'+E, DchidingE7 'h, now #A#A &E'R&E DincredulousE7 ,ou3re amusedC DShrugs#E All right# MARTHA7 =aunch" o2er there isn3t too ha$$" when the con2ersation mo2es to muscle# How much do "ou weighC +-C.7 A hundred and %i%t"1%i2e, a hundred and ##A MARTHA7 Still at the old middleweight limit, ehC That3s F8+ A+: &AMES /6 7## $rett" good# DSwings around#E He" &eorge, tell 3em about t the boHing match we had# 7#*E'R&E Dslamming his drin! down, mo2ing towards the hallE7 WEblistB # &eorgeB Tell 3em about itB &E'R&E Dwith a sic! loo! on his%aceE7 ,ou tell them, Martha# ,ou3re good at it# DEHits#E H'+E,7 -s he AAA all rightC MARTHA DlaughsE7 HimC 'h, sure# &eorge and - had this boHing match #AA 'h, <ord, twent" "ears ago ##A a cou$le o% "ears a%ter we were married# +-Clt#7 A boHing matchC The two o% "ouC H'+E,7 Reall"C MARTHA7 ,u$ AAA the two o% us ### reall"# H'+E, Dwith a little shi2er" giggle o% antici$ationE7 - can3t imagine it# MARTHA7 Well, li!e - sa", it was twent" "ears ago, and it

wasn3t in a ring, or an"thing li!e that, "ou !now what mean# -t was wartime, and :add" was on this $h"sical %itness !ic! ### :add"3s alwa"s admired $h"sical %itness AA# sa"s a man is onl" $art brain ### he has a bod", too* and it3s his res$onsibilit" to !ee$ both o% them u$ 3 #A# "ou !nowC +-C.7 8nh1hunh # MARTHA7 Sa"s the brain can3t wor! unless the bod"3s wor!ing, too# +-C.7 Well, that3s not eHactl" so#### MARTHA7 Well, ma"be that isn3t what he sa"s ### some thing li!e it# But # A# it was wartime, and :add" got the idea all the men should learn how to boH ### sel%1de%ence# - S8$$ose the idea was i% the &ermans landed on the coast, or something, the whole %acult"3d go out and $unch 3em to death #### - don3t !now# +-C.7 -t was $robabl" more the $rinci$le o% the thing# MARTEA7 +o !idding# An"wa", so :add" had a cou$le o% l #####

( 0 ACT '+E us o2er one Sunda" and we went out in the bac!, and :add" $ut on the glo2es himsel%# :add"3s a strong man#

A## Well, "ou !now# +-C.7 ,es #A# "es# MARTHA7 And he3 as!ed &eorge to boH with him# Aaaaannnnd ### &eorge didn3t want to ### $robabl" some thing about not wanting to blood"1u$ his meal tic!et A#AA +-C.7 8nh1hunh# MARTHA7 #A# An"wa", &eorge said he didn3t want to,and :add" was sa"ing, 3Come on, "oung man ### what sort 3 o% son1in1law are "ouC3 #A# and stu%% li!e that# +-C.7 ,eah# MARTHA7 S', while this was going on ### - don3t !now wh" - did it ### - got into a $air o% glo2es m"sel% ### "ou !now, - didn3t lace 3em u$, or an"thing ### and - snuc! u$ behind &eorge, Fust !idding, and - "elled 3He", &eorgeB3 and at the same time - let go sort o% a round house right A## Fust !idding, "ou !nowC +-C.7 8nh1hunh# MARTHA7 ### and &eorge wheeled around real Iuic!, and3 he caught it right in the Faw ### $owB D+-C. laughs#E hadn3t meant it ### honestl"# An"wa" ### ='wB Right in the Faw # # # and he was o%% balance # # # he must ha2e been # # # and he stumbled bac! a %ew ste$s, and then, CRASH, he landed # # # 7%lat# # A in a huc!leberr" bushB D+-C. laughs# H'+E, goes ts!, ts!, ts!, ts!, and shti!es her

head#E -t was aw%ul, reall"# -t was %unn", but it was aw%ul# DShe thin!s, gi2es a mu%%led laugh in rue%ul contem$lation o% the incident#E - thin! it3s coloured our whole li%e# Reall" - doB -t3s an eHcuse, an"wa"# D&E'R&E enters now, his hands behind his bac!# +o one sees him#E F8+ A+: &AMES (5 -t3s what he uses %or being bogged down, an"wa" AAA wh" be hasn3t gone an"were# D&E'R&E ad2ances# H'+E, sees him#E MG,RTHA7 And it was an accident### a real, goddamn accidentB U&E'R&E ta!es %rom behind his bac! a short1barrelled shotgun, and calml" aims it at the bac! o% MARTHA3S head# H'+E, screams A A# rises# +-C. rises, and, simultaneousl", MARTHA turns her head to %ace &E'R&E# &E'R&E $ulls tM trigger#E &E'R&E7 $owBBB , ,D=o=B =rom the barrel I% the gun blossoms a large red and "ellow Chinese $arasol# H'+E, screams again, this time less, and mostl" %rom relie% and con%usion#E ,ou3re deadB =owB ,ou3re deadB

+-C. DlaughingE7 &ood <ord# DH'+E, is beside hersel%# MARTHA laughs too A#A almost brea!s down, her great laugh booming# &E'R&E Foins in the general laughter and con%usion# -t dies, e2entuall"#E H'+E,7 'hB M" goodnessB MARTHA DFtr"ousl"E7 Where3d "ou get that, "ou bastardC +-C. Dhis hand out%or the gunE7 <et me see that, will "ouC D&E'R&E hands him the gun#E H'+E,7 -32e ne2er been so %rightened in m" li%eB +e2erB &E'R&E Da tri%le abstractedE7 'h, -32e had it awhile# :id "ou li!e thatC MARTHADgigglingE7 ,ou bastard# H'+E, Dwanting attentionE7 -32e ne2er been so %rightened #A# ne2er# +-C.7 This is Iuite a gadget# &E'R&E Dleaning o2er MARTHAE7 ,ou li!ed that, did "ouC MARTHA7 ,eah ### that was $rett" good# DSti%terE C3mon ### gi2e me a !iss# &E'R&E Dindicating +-C. and H'+E,E7 <ater, sweetie# DBut MARTHA will not be dissuaded# The" !iss, &E'R&E *,r ; 3 1 ( ACT '+E standing, leaning o2er MARTHA3S chair# She ta!es his hand, $laces it on3her stage1side breast# He brea!s awI"#E

'h1hoB That3s what "ou3re a%ter, is itC 44bat are we going to ha2e A## blue games %or the guestsC HunhC HunhC MAR THA Dangr"1hurt/7 ,ou ### $ric!B &E'R&E Da ="rrhic 2ictor"E7 E2er"thing in its $lace, Martha A A A e2er"thing in its own good time# MARTHA Dan uns$o!en e$ithetE7 ,ou ##A &E'R&E Do2er to +-C., who still has the gunE7 Here, let me show "ou #A# it goes bac! in, li!e this# DCloses the $arasol, reinserts it in the gun#E +-C.7 That3s damn cle2er# &E'R&E D$uts the gun downE7 :rin!s nowB :rin!s %or allB DTa!es +-C.3S glass without Iuestion A A A goes to MARTHA#E MARTHA Dstill angr"1hurtE7 -3m not %inished# H'+E, Das &E'R&E $uts out his hand %or her glassE7 :h, thin! - need something# DHe ta!es her g%,ass, mo2es bac! to the $ortable bar#E +-C.7 -s that @a$aneseC &E'R&E7 =robabl"# H'+E, Dto MARTHAE7 - was ne2er so %rightened in m" li%e# Weren3t "ou %rightenedC @ust %or a secondC MARTHA Dsmothering her rage at &E'R&EE7 - don3t remember# H'+E,7 'hhhh, now #A# - bet "ou were# &E'R&E7 :id "ou reall" thin! - was going to !ill "ou,

MarthaC MARTHA Ddri$$ing contem$tE7 ,ouC A## .ill meC ### That3s a laugh# &E'R&E7 Well, now, - might #A# some da"# MARTHA7 Fat chance# +-C. Das &E'R&E hands him his drin!E7 3Where s the FohnC & E 0 R & E7 Through ; he hall there # # # and down to "our le%t# H'+E,7 :on3t "ou 7777ome bac! with an" gtms, or an"thing, now# F8+ A+: &AMES (/ +-CS7 DlaughsE7 'h, no# MARTHA7 ,ou don3t need an" $ro$s, do "ou, bab"C +-CS77 8nh1unh# MARTHA Dsuggesti2eE7 -3ll betnot# +o %a!e @a$gun%or "ou, ehC @i-CS7 D#smiles at MARTHA# Then, ro &E'R&E, indicating a side table near the hallE7 Ma" - lea2e m" drin!# hereC &E'R&E Das +-C. eHits witlwut waiting %or a re$r"E7 ,eah A AA sure AAA wh" notC We32e got hal%1%illed glasses e2er" where in the house, where2er Martha %orgets she3s le%t them AA# in the linen closet, on the edge o% the bathtub # ## - e2en %ound one in the %ree9er, once# MARTHA Damused in s$ite oF hersel%E7 ,ou did notB &E'R&E7 res - did# MARTHA Dibid#E7 ,ou did notB

&E'R&E Dgi2ing H'+E, her bran(,E7 ,es - did# DTo H'+E,E Brand" doesn3t gi2e "ou a hango2erC H'+E,7 - ne2er miH# And then, - don3t drin!# 2er" much, either# &E'R&E Dgrimaces behind her bac!E7 'h AA# that3s good# ,our AAA "our husband was telling me all about the #AA chromo somes# liARTHA Dugh3E7 The whatC &E'R&E7 The chromosomes, Martha### the 1genes, or whate2er the" are DTo H'+E,E ,ou32e got Iuite a #AA # terri%"ing husband# H'+E, Das i%she3s beingFoshedP7 'bbhbbbbbb#AAA &E'R&E7 +o, reall"# He3s Iuite terri%"ing, with his chromo somes, and all# MARTHA7 He3s in the Math :e$artment# &E'R&E7 +o, Martha #A# he3s a biologist# MARTHA Wher 2oice risingE7 He3s in the Math :e$artmentB B'+E, Dtimidh3E7 8h ### biolog"# MARTHA3 Wuncon2incedP7 Are"ou sureC B'+E, Wwith a little giggleE7 Well, - ought to# DThn as an a%terthoughtE Be# h# ## * == (5 (( ACT '+E

MA R THA Dgrum$"E7 - su$$ose so# - don3t !now who said he was in the Math :e$artment# &E'R&E7 ,ou did, Martha# MARTHA Db" wa" o% irritable eH$lanationE7 Well, - can3t be eH$ected to remember e2er"thing# - meet %i%teen new teachers and their goddamn wi2es ##A $resent com$an" outlawed, o% course A#A DH'+E, nods, smiles silli%"#E A## and -3m su$$osed to remember e2er"thing# D=auseE SoC He3s a biologist# &ood %or him# Biolog"3s e2en better# -t3s less A A # abstruse# # &E'R&E7 Abstract# MARTHA7 ABSTR8SEB -n the sense o% recondite# DStic!s her tongue out at &E'R&E#E :on3t "ou tell me words# Biolog"3S e2en better# -t3s ### right at the meat o% things# D+-C. re1enters#E ,ou3re right at the meat o% things, bab"# +-C. Dta!ing his drin! %rom the side tableE7 'hC H'+E, Dwith that giggleE7 The" thought "ou were in the Math :e$artment# +-C.7 Well, ma"be - ought to be# MARTHA7 ,ou sta" right where "ou are ### "ou sta" right at the ### meat o% things# &E'R&E7 ,ou3re obsessed with that $hrase, Martha# #AA -t3s ugl"# MARTHA Dignoring &E'R&E AAA to +-C.E7 ,ou sta" right

there# D<aughs#E Hell, "ou can ta!e o2er the Histor" :e$artment Fust as eas" %rom there as an"where else# &od !nows, somebod"3s going to ta!e o2er the Histor" :e$art ment, some da", and it ain3t going to be &eorgie1bo", there # # # that3s %or sure# Are "a, swam$" A## are "a, HunhC &E'R&E7 -n m" mind, Martha, "ou are buried in cement, right u$ to "our nec!# DMARTHAgiggleS#E +o ### right u$ to "our nose #A# that3s much Iuieter# MARTHA Dto +-C.E7 &eorgie1bo", here, sa"s "ou3re terri %"ing# Wh" are "ou terri%"ingC F8+ A+: &AMES +-C. Dwith 0 small smileE7 - didn3t !now - was# H'+E, D0 little thic!%"E7 -t3s because o% "our chromosomes, dear# +-C.7 'h, the chromosome business AAAA MARTHA Dto +-C.E7 What3s all this about chromosomesC +-C.7 Well, chromosomes are ### MARTHA7 - !now what chromosomes are, sweetie, - lo2e 3em# # +-C.7 'hAA#A Well, then # &E'R&E7 Martha eats them### %or brea!%ast### she s$rin!les them on her cereal# DTo MA R T H A, nowE -t3s 2er" sim$le, Martha, this "oung man is wor!ing on a s"stem whereb" chromosomes can be altered ### well not all b"

himsel% 1 he $robabl" has one or two co1cons$irators 1 the genetic ma!e1u$ o% a s$erm cell changed, reordered ### to order, actuall"# # # %or hair and e"e colour, stature, $otenc" # # # - imagine # # # hairiness, %eatures, health ### and mind# Most im$ortant # # # Mind# All imbalances will be corrected, si%ted out ### $ro$ensit" %or 2arious diseases will be gone, longe2it" assured# We will ha2e a race o% men # ## test1tube1bred# # # incubator1born ##A su$erb and sublime# MARTHA Dim$ressedE7 HunhB H'+E,7 How eHcitingB &E'R&E7 ButB E2er"one will tend to be rather the same# A A # Ali!e# E2er"one# # # and -3m sure -3m not wrong here ##A will tend to loo! li!e this "oung man here# MARTHA7 That3s not a bad idea# # +-C. D AA- - ; ; A E All ng # h t, now#### lmt3Su77nt 7 &E'R&E7 -t will, on the sur%ace o%it, be all rather $rett" ### Iuite Foll"# But o% course there will be a dan! side to it, too# A certain amount o% regulation will be necessar" ### uh ### %or the eH$eriment to succeed# A certain number o% s$erm tubes will ha2e to be cut# lrlit#R7THA7 HunhB ###

- il ,-ll --------5 -i## ( ) ACT '+E &E'R&E7 Millions u$on millions o% them ### millions o% tin"1little slicing o$erations that will lea2e Fust the small est scar, on the underside o%the scrotum DMARTHA laughs#E but which 421ill assure the sterilit" o% the im$er%ect ### the ugl", the stu$id ##3# the ### un%it# +-C. Dgrim%"E7 +ow loo! ### B &E'R&E7 ### with this, we will ha2e, in time, a race o% glorious men# MARTHA7 HunhB &E'R&E7 - sus$ect we will not ha2e much music, much $ainting, but we will ha2e a ci2ili9ation o% men, smooth, blond, and right at the middleweight limit# MARTHA7 Awww#### &E'R&E7 ## * a race o% scientists and mathematicians, each

dedicated to and wor!ing %or the greater glor" o% the su$er1ci2ili9ation# MARTHA7 &ood"# &E'R&E7 There will be a certain ### loss o% libert", imagine, as a result o% this eH$eriment ### but di2ersit" will no longer be the goal# Cultures and races will e2en tuall" 2anish ### the ants GGill ta!e o2er the world# +-C.7 Are "ou %inishedC &E'R&E Dignoring himE7 And -, naturall", am rather o$$osed to all this# Histor", which is m" %ield ### histor", o%which - am one o% the most %amous bogs ## # MARTHA7 Ha, ha, HAB &E'R&E7 ### will lose its glorious 2ariet" and un$redicta bilitP,# -, and with me the ### the sur$rise, the multi $leHit", the sea1changing rh"thm o% ### histor", will be3 eliminated# There will be order and constanc" ### and - am unalterabl" o$$osed to it# - will not gi2e u$ BerlinB MARTHA7 ,ou3ll gi2e u$ Berlin, sweetheart# ,ou going to de%end it #2ith "our $aunchC H'+E,7 - don3t see what Berlin has to do with an"thing# F8+ A+: &AMES (M &E'R&E7 There is a saloon in West Berlin where the bar sto'ls are %i2e %eet high# And the earth # # # the %loor ##A

is #AA so ### %ar ### below "ou# - will not gi2e u$ things li!e that# +o #A# - won3t# - will %ight "ou, "oung man *3AA one hand on m" scrotum, to be sure #AA but with m" %ree hand - will battle "ou to the death# MARTHA Dmoc!ing, laughingE7 Bra2oB +-C. Dto &E'R&EE7 That3s right# And - am going to be the wa2e o% the %uture# ilA@l#THA7 ,ou bet "ou are, bab"# B'+3E, DIuite drun! 1 to +-C.E7 - don3t see wh" "ou want to db all those things, dear# ,ou ne2er told me# =i%d. Dangr"E7 'h %or &od3s sa!eB R'+E, Dshoc!edE7 'HB &E'R&E7 The most $ro%ound indication o% a social malig nanc" ### no sense o% humour# +one o% the monoliths could ta!e a Fo!e# Read histor"# - !now something about , histor"# +-C. Dto &E'R&E, tr"ing to ma!e light o% it allE7 ,ou ### "ou ,(on3t !now much about science, do "ouC &E'R&E7 - !now something about histor"# - !now when ,@m being threatened# MARTHA Dsalacious%" 1 to +-C.E7 S', e2er"one3s going to loo! li!e "ou, ehC + ; 3 C . 7 'h, sure# -3m going to be a $ersonal screwing mach8ieB

MARTHA7 -sn3t that nice# H'+E, Dher hands o2er her earsE7 :ear, "ou mustn3t ### "ou tnustn3t ### "ou mustn3t# +-C. Dim$atient%"E7 -3m sorr", Hone"# B'+E,7 Such language# -t3s ##A +-C.7 -3m sorr"# All rightC B'+E, D$outingE7 Well ### all right# DSudden%" she giggles in sanel", subsides# To &E'R&EE ### 24hen is "our sonC D&iggles again#E ;, X (B ACT '+E &E'R&E7 WhatC +-C. Ddirtastgul%"E7 Something about "our son# &E'R&E7 S'+B H'+E,7 When is AAA where is "our son AAA coming homeC D&iggles#E &E'R&E7 'hhhh# DToo %ormalE MarthaC When is our son coming homeC MARTHA7 +e2er mind# &E'R&E7 +o, no #A# - want to !now ### "ou brought it out into the o$en# Wnen is he coming home, MarthaC MARTHA7 - said ne2er mind# -3m sorr" - brought it u$# &E'R&E7 Him u$ A#A not it# ,ou brought him u$# Well,

more or less# When3s the little bugger going to a$$ear, hunhC - mean isn3t tomorrow meant to be his birthda", or somethingC MARTHA7 - don3t want to tal! about itB &E'R&E D%alsc%" innocentE7 But Martha A#A MARTHA7 - :'+3T WA+T T' TA<. AB'8T -TB &E'R&E7 -3ll bet "ou don3t# DTo H'+E, and +-C.E Martha does not want to tal! about it A## him# Martha is sorr" she brought it u$ A#A him# B'+E, Didiotical%"E7 When3s the little bugger coming homeC D&iggles#E &E' R & E7 ,es, Martha # # # since "ou had the bad taste to bring the matter u$ in the %irst $lace A## when ir the little bugger coming homeC +-C.7 Hone", do "ou thin! "ou ### C MARTHA7 &eorge tal!s dis$aragingl" about the little bug ger because ### well, because he has $roblems# &E'R&E7 The little bugger has $roblemsC What $roblems has the little bugger gotC MARTHA7 +ot the little bugger ### sto$ calling him thatB ,ouB ,ou32e got $roblems# & E 0 R & E D%eigned dirdainE7 -32e ne2er heard o% an"thing more ridiculous in m" li%e# F8+ A+: &AMES

(6 S'+B,7 +either ha2e -+-CE#7 Hone" ### -o-AaT.A7 &eorge3s biggest $roblem about the little ##A ha, h%#, ba, HAB A## about our son, about our great big son, is3that dee$ down in the $ri2ate1most $it o% his gut, he3s :ot com$letel" sure it3s his own !id# &B'a&E Ddee$%" seriousE7 M" &od, "ou3re a wic!ed woman# M3iRTBA7 And -32e told "ou a million times, bab" ### wouldn3t concei2e with an"one but "ou ##A "ou !now that, bab"# &Boa&E7 A dee$l" wic!ed $erson# B'+B, Ddee$ in drun!en grii%E7 M", m", m", m"# 'h, m"# +-CE#7 -3m not sure that this is a subFect %or ### &Boa&E7 Martha3s l"ing# - want "ou to !now that, right now# Martha3s l"ing# DMARTHA laughs#E There are 2er" %ew # things in this world that - am sure o% ### national boun 3darles, the le2el o% the ocean, $olitical allegiances, $rac tical moralit" # # # none o% these would - sta!e m" stic! on an" more #A# but the one thing in this whole sin!ing *world that - am sure o% is m" $artnershi$, m" chromo , l'-llological $artnershi$ in the # # A creation o% our AAA# J#@ # # bl blue1haired #A# son#

R'+Er7 'h, -3m so gladB

That was a 2er" $rett" s$eech, &eorge# &B'R&E7 Than! "ou, Martha# liARTBA7 ,ou rose to the occasion A## good# Real good# B'+E,7 Well A#A real well# +-CT#7 Hone" #A# &E'R&E7 Martha !nows #A# she !nows better# --ARTBA D$roud%"E7 - !now better# - been to college li!e e2er"bod" else# &E'R&E7 Martha been to college# Martha been to a con 2ent when she were a little twig o% a thing, too# liARTBA7 And - was an atheist# D8ncertainl"E - still am# &E'R&E7 +ot an atheist, Martha ##A a $agan# DTo H'+E, ######### ## < 50 ACT '+E and +-C.E Marthais the onl" true $agan on the eastern sea board# DMAR1rHA laughs#E H'+E,7 'h, that3s nice# -sn3t that nice, dearC + - C . Dhumouring herE7 ,es # # A wonder%ul# &E'R&E7 And Martha $aints blue circles around her , things# +-C.7 ,ou doC MARTHA Dde%tnsi2el",%or the Fo!e3s sa!eE7 Sometimes# DBec!on

ingE ,ou wanna seeC &E'R&E DadmonishingE7 Tut, tut, tut# MARTHA7 Tut, tut "oursel% ### "ou old %loo9ieB H'+E,7 He3s not a noo9ie ### he can3t be a %loo9ie AAA "ou3re a %loo9ie# D&iggles#E MARTHA Dsha!ing a%inger at H'+E,E7 +ow "ou watch "our sel%B H'+E, Dcheer%ull"E7 All right# -3d li!e a ni$$er o% brand", $lease# +-C.7 Hone", - thin! "ou32e had enough, now AAA , &E'R&E7 +onsenseB E2er"bod"3s read", - thin!# DTa!es glasses, etc#E H'+E, Dechoing &E'R&EE7 +onsense# +-C. DshruggingE7 '#.# MARTHA Dto &E'R&EE7 'ur son does not ha2e blue hair #AA or blue e"es, %or that matter# He has green e"es #A# li!e me# &E'R&E7 He has blue e"es, Martha# MART H A DdeterminedE7 &reen# & E' R & E D$atroni9ingE7 Blue, Martha# MARTHA Dugl"E7 &REE+B DTo H'+E, and +-C.E He has the lo2eliest green e"es ### the" aren3t all %la!ed with brown and gre", "ou !now #A# ha9el ### the"3re real green ##A dee$, $ure green e"es ### li!e mine# ,G

+-C. D$eersE7 ,our e"es are ### brown, aren3t the"C MARTHA7 &reenB DA little too %astE Well, in some lights the" F8+ A+: &AMES 55 loo! brown, but the"3re green# +ot green li!e his ### more ha9el# &eorge has water" blue e"es ### mil!" blue# &E'R&E7 Ma!e u$ "our mind, Martha# 3@-WARTHA7 - was gi2ing "ou the bene%it o% the doubt# D+ow -H79c! to the othersE :add" has green e"es, too# &E'R&E7 He does notB ,our %ather has tin" red e"es ##A li!e a white mouse# -n %act, he is a white mouse# MARTHA7 ,ou wouldn3t dare sa" a thing li!e that i%he was hereB ,ou3re a cowardB &E'R&E Dto H'+E, and +-C.E7 ,ou !now ### that great shoc! o% white hair, and those little bead" red e"es ### a great big white mouse# MARTHA7 &eorge hates :add" ### not %or an"thing :add"3s # done to him, but %or his own # # # &E'R&E Dnodding # ## %inishing it%or herE7 AA# inadeIuacies# MARTHA Dcheer%ull"E7 That3s right# ,ou hit it ### right on , ,the snout# DSeeing &E'R&E eHitingE Where do "ou thin! "ou3re goingC &E'R&E7 We need some more boo9e, ange< MARTHA7 'h# D=auseE So, go#

&3E'R&E DeHitingE7 Than! "ou# !ARTHA Dseeing that &E'R&E has goneE7 He3s a good bar tender ### a good bar nurse# The S#'#B#, he hates m" %ather# ,ou !now thatC +-C. Dtr"ing to ma!e light o% itE7 'h, come on# MARTHA DwendedE7 ,ou thin! -3m !iddingC ,ou thin! -3m Fo!ingC - ne2er Fo!e #A# - don3t ha2e a sense o% humour# DAlmost $outingE - ha2e a %ine sense o% the ridiculous, but no sense o% humour# DA%%irmati2el"E - ha2e no sense o% h8-nourB 8'+E, Dha$$il"E7 - ha2en3t, either# +-C. DhalF1@t#eartedl"E7 ,es, "ou ha2e, Hone" #A# a Iuiet one# a'+E, D$roudl"E7 Than! "ou# -rARTaA7 ,ou want to !now wh" the S#'#B# hates m" ##### <## 5 ACT '+E %atherC ,ou want me to tell "ouC All right# A A A - will now tell "ou wh" the S#'#B# hates m" %ather# H'+E, Dswinging to some sort o% attentionE7 'h, goodB MARTHA Dsterng, to H'+E,E7 Some $eo$le %eed on the c a l a ; mities o% others# # H'+E, DI%%endedE7 The" do notB +-C.7 Hone"###A

MARTHA7 All rightB Shut u$B Both o%"ouB D=ause#E All right, now# Momm" died earl", see, and - sort o% grew u$ with :add"# D=ause 1 thin!sE #A# - went awa" to school, and stu%%, but - more or less grew u$ with him# @esus, - ad mired that gu"B - worshi$$ed him### - absolutel" worshi$$ed him# - still do# And he was $rett" %ond o% me, too # # A "ou !nowC We had a real A## ra$$ort going AAA a real ra$$ort# +-C.7 ,eah, "eah# MARTHA7 And :add" built this college ### - mean, he built it u$ %rom what it was ##A it3s his whole li%e# He is the college# +-C.7 8nh1hunh# MARTHA7 The college is him# ,ou !now what the endow ment was when he too! o2er, and what it is nowC ,ou loo! it u$ some time# +-C.7 - !now ### - read about it##AA MARTHA7 Shut u$ and listen ### DAs an a%terthoughtE AAA cutie# So a%ter - got done with college and stu%%, - came bac! here and sort o%# ## sat around, %or a while# wasn3t married, or an"thing# Wellllll, -3d been married #A# sort o% ### %or a wee!, m" so$homore "ear at 572#%iss Mu%%3s Academ" %or ,oung <adies ### college# A !ind o%Funior <ad" Chatterle" arrangement, as it turned out # # A the

marriage# D+-C. laughs#E He mowed the lawn at Miss Mu%%3s, sitting u$ there, all na!ed, on a big $ower mower, mowing awa"# But :add" and Miss Mu%% got together and $ut an end to that AA# real Iuic! AA# annulled AAA F8+ A+: &AMES 5/ which is a laugh #AA because theoreticall" "ou can3t get an annulment i% there3s entrance# HaB An"wa", so - was re2irgini9ed, %inished at Miss Mu%%3s #A# where the" had one less gardener3S bo", and a real shame, that was #AA and#- came bac! here and sort o% sat around %or a while# tP73- was hostess %or :add" and - too! care o% him AAA and it was A#A nice# -t was 2er" nice# itJ -dclt#7 ,es ### "es# MARTHA7 What do "ou mean, "es, "esC How would "ou 3#J!nowC D+-C. shrugs hel$lessg#E <o2er# D+- C . smiles a little#E # And - got the idea, about then, that -3d marr" into the college A## which didn3t seem to be Iuite as stu$id as it turned out# - mean, :add" had a sense o% histor" #A# o% A #A continuation#### Wh" don3t "ou come o2er here and sit b" meC

5B-C. Dindicating H'+E,, who is bareg with itE7 - A#A don3t thin! - ### should# # # # - # # # liARTHA7 Suit "oursel%# A sense o% continuation ##A histor" J A# and he3d alwa"s had it in the bac! o% his mind to ##A groom someone to ta!e o2er ##A some time, when he Iuit# A succession ##A "ou !now what - meanC +-C.7 ,es, - do# liARTHA7 3Which is natural enough# When "ou32e made something, "ou want to $ass it on, to somebod"# So, - was S'%t o% on the loo!out, %or # ## $ros$ects with the new men# An heir1a$$arent# D<aughs#E -t wasn3t :add"3s idea that - had to necessaril" marr" the gu"# - mean, - wasn3t the albatross #A# "ou didn3t ha2e to ta!e me to get the $ri9e, or an"thing li!e that# -t was something - had in the bac! o%5MBP5 mind# And a lot o% the new men were married J A# naturall"# Bi-C.7 Sure# ;,# #### ; 5( ACT '+E MARTHA Dwith,a strange smileE7 <i!e "ou, bab"# H'+E, Da mindless echoE7 <i!e "ou, bab"# MARTHA Dironical2E7 But then &eorge came along ### along come &eorge#

&E'R&E Ere1entering* with liIuorE7 And along came &eorge, bearing hooch# What are "ou doing now, MarthaC MARTHA Dun%a9edE7 -3m telling a stor"# Sit down A#A "ou3ll learn something# &E'R&E Dsta"s standing# =uts the liIuor on the $ortable barE7 All rightie# H'+E,7 ,ou32e come bac!B &E'R&E7 That3s right# H'+E,* :earB He3s come bac!B +-C.#7 ,es, - see A## - see# MARTHA7 Where was -C H'+E,7 -3m so glad# +-C.#7 Shhhhh# H'+E, Dimitating himE7 Shhhhh# MARTHA7 'h "eah# And along came &eorge# That3s right# WH' was "oung ### intelligent A## and ##A bush"1tailed, and # # # sort o% cute #A# i% "ou can imagine it ##A &E'R&E7 #A# and "ounger than "ou#AAA MARTHA7 #A# and "ounger than me###A &E'R&E7 ### b" siH "ears #### MARTHA7 A## b" siH "ears# # ## -t doesn3t bother me, &eorge# # # # And along he came, bright1e"ed, into the Histor" :e$artment# And "ou !now what - did, dumb cluc! that - amC ,ou !now what - didC - %ell %or him# H'+E, Ddream"E7 'h, that3s nice#

&E' R & E 7 ,es, she did# ,ou should ha2e seen it# She3d sit outside o%m" room, on the lawn, at night, and she3d howl and claw at the tur% ### - couldn3t wor!# MAR THA Dlaughs, reall" amusedE7 - actuall" %ell %or him ##A it ### that, there# &E 'R&E7 7+lartha3s a Romantic at heart# F8+ A+: &AMES 55 MARTHA7 That - am# So, - actuall" %ell %or him# And the match seemed AA# $ractical, too# ,ou !now, :add" was loo!ing %or someone to # # # &E'R&E7 @ust a minute, MarthaA##A MARTHA7 ### ta!e o2er, some time, when he was read" to #A# &E'R&E Dston"E7 @ust a minute, Martha# MARTHA7 ### retire, and so - thought ### &E'R&E7 ST'= -T, MARTHAB MARTHA DirritatedE7 Whadda "ou wantC &E'R&E Dtoo $atientl"E7 -3d thought "ou were telling the stor" o% our courtshi$, Martha ### - didn3t !now "ou were going to start in on the other business# MARTHA Dso1thereishE7 Well, - amB &E'R&E7 - wouldn3t, i% - were "ou# MARTHA7 'h AA# "ou wouldn3tC Well, "ou3re notB &E'R&E7 +ow, "ou32e alread" s$rung a lea! about "ou1

!now1what###A MARTHA Da duc!E7 WhatC WhatC t &E'R & E7 # # # about the a$$le o%our e"e # # # the s$rout # # # the little bugger# # # DS$its it outE AAA our son ### ar*td i% "ou start on this other business, - warn "ou, Martha, it3s going to ma!e me angr"# MARTHA Dlaughing at himE7 'h, it is, is itC &E'R&E7 - warn "ou# MARTHA DincredulousE7 ,ou whatC &E'R&E D2er" Iuietl"E7 - warn "ou# +-C.7 :o "ou reall" thin! we ha2e to go through ### C MARTHA7 - stand warnedB D=ause # A# then, to H'+E, and +-C.E S', an"wa", - married the S#'#B#, and - had it all $lanned out# # # # He was the groom # # # he was going to be groomed# He3d ta!e o2er some da" ### %irst, he3d ta!e o2er the Histor" :e$artment, and then, when :add" retired, he3d ta!e o2er the college ### "ou !nowC That3s - ; the wa" it was su$$osed to be# -3 l ACT '+E 5) DTo &E'R&E, who is at the $ortable bar with his bac! to

herE ,ou getting angr", bab"C HunhC D+ow bac!E That3s the wa" it was su$$osed to be# 4er" sim$le# And :add" seemed to thin! it was a $rett" good idea, too# For a while# 8ntil he watched %or a cou$le o% "earsB DTo &E'R&E againE ,ou getting angrierC D+ow bac!E 8ntil he watched %or a cou$le o% "ears and started thin!ing ma"be it wasn3t such a good idea a%ter all ### that ma"be &eorgie bo" didn3t ha2e the stu%% A A# that he didn3t ha2e it in himB &E'R&E Dstill with his bac! to them allE7 Sto$ it, Martha# MARTHA D2iciousl, trium$hantE7 The hell - willB ,ou see, &eorge didn3t ha2e much ### $ush ### he wasn3t $ar ticularl" aggressi2e# -n %act he was sort o% a ### DS$its the word at &E'R&E3S bac!E AAA a F<'=B A great ### big ##A# %at ### F<'=B # DCRASHB -mmediatel" a%ter F<'=B &E'R&E brea!s a bottle F8+ A+: &AMES 5M MA=# THA Dher 2oice rising to &E'R&E Dunder her, then match hisE7 AA# who3s marned co2ering, to drown herE7 - said, to the =resident3s daughter, don3t# All right ### all right7 who3s eH$ected to be some DSingsE bod", not Fust some no Who3s a%raid o% 4irginia

bod", some boo!worm, Wool%, somebod" who3s so damn 4irginia Wool%, ### contem$lati2e, he can3t 4irginia Wool%, ma!e an"thing out o% him Who3s a%raid o% 4irginia sel%, somebod" without the Wool%, earl" in the morning# guts to ma!e an"bod" $roud o% him # # # A<< R-&HT, &E'R&EB &E'R&E and H'+E, Dwho Foins him drun!enl,E7 Who3s a%raid o% 4irginia Wool%, 4irginia Wool%, 4irginia Wool% #A# Detc#E W 1 MARTHA7 ST'= -TB against the $ortable bar and stands there, still with his bac! to , DA brie% silence#E them all, holding the remains o% the bottle b" the nec!# There is , t # ;R# H'+E, Drising, mo2ing towards the hallE7 -3m going to be a silence, with e2er"one %ro9en# Then# # #E ,;, sic! ### -3m going to be sic! ### -3m going to 2omit#

&E'R&E Dalmost cr"ingE7 - said sto$, Martha# DEHitsE MAR THA Da%ter considering what course to ta!eE7 - ho$e that was +-C. Dgoing a%ter herE7 'h, %or &od3s sa!eB an em$t" bottle, &eorge# ,ou don3t want to waste good DEHitsE liIuor ### not on "our salar"# MARTHA Dgoing a%ter them, loo!s bac! at &E'R&E contem$ D&E'R&E dro$s the bro!en bottle on theFloor, not mo2ing#E G# tuousl,E7 @esusB DEHits# &E'R&E is alone on stage#E +ot on an Associate =ro%essor3s salar"# DTo +-C. and H'+E,E - mean, he3d be ### no good ### at trustees3 C8RTA-+ dinners, %und raising# He didn3t ha2e an" ### $ersonalit", "ou !now what - meanC Which was disa$$ointing to :add", as "ou can imagine# So, here - am, s ; c ! with this %lo$#### &E'R&E Dturning aroundE7 AA# don3t go on, Martha### # MARTHA7 ### this B'& in the Histor" :e$artment### # &E'R&E7 ### don3t, Martha, don3t#A## , ACT TW' WA<=8R&-S+ACHT

D&E'R&E, b" himsel%7 +-C. re1enters#E +-C. Da%ter a silenceE7 - ### guess #AA she3s all right# D+o answer#E She #A# reall" shouldn3t drin!# D+o answer#Y She3s AA# %rail# D+o answer#E 8h ### slim1hi$$ed, as "ou3d ha2e it# D&E'R&E smiles 2ague4#E -3m reall" 2er" sorr"# &E'R&E DIuiet4E7 Where3s m" little "um "um#C Wbere3s MarthaC +-C.7 She3s ma!ing co%%ee AA# in the !itchen# She AA# gets sic! Iuite easil"# &E'R&E D$reoccu$iedE7 MarthaC 'h no, Martha hasn3t been sic! a da" in her li%e, unless "ou count the time she s$ends in the rest home# # # A +-C. Dhe, too, IuietC*JE7 +o, no* m" wi%e ### m" wi%e gets sic! Iuite easil"# ,our wi%e is Martha# &E'R&E Dwith some rueE7 'h, "es ### - !now# +-C. Da statement o%%actE7 She doesn3t reall" s$end an" time in a rest home# &E'R&E7 ,our wi%eC +-C.7 +o# ,ours# &E'R&E7 'hB Mine# D=auseE +o, no, she doesn3t #A# would* - mean i% - were ### her ### she ### - would# But -3m not# # # and so - don3t# D=auseE -3d li!e to, though# -t gets $rett" bounc" around here sometimes# +-C. Dcoo-4E7 ,es ### -3m sure# &E'R&E7 Well, "ou saw an eHam$le o% it#

+-C.7 - tr" not to ### &E'R&E7 &et in2ol2ed# 8mC -sn3t that rightC +-C.7 ,es ### that3s right# -; G, ;# 37G F WA<=8R&-S+ACHT 56 &E'R&E7 -3d imagine not# +-C.7 - %ind it ### embarrassing# &E'R&E DsarcasticE7 'h, "ou do, hunhC +-C.7 ,es# Reall"# Kuite# &E'R&E Dmimic!ing himE7 ,es# Reall"# Kuite# DMM9en aloud, but to himsel%E -T3S :-S&8ST-+&B +-C.7 +ow loo!B - didn3t ha2e an"thing #AA &E'R&E7 :-S&8ST-+&B DKuiet2, but with great intensir"E :o "ou thin! - li!e ha2ing that A## whate2er1it1is ##A ridicu ling me, tearing me down, in %ront o% A## DWa2es his hand in a gesture o% contem$tuous dismissalE "ouC :o "ou thin! care %or itC +-C. Dcold 1 un%riend2E7 Well, no AAA - don3t imagine "ou

care %or it at all# &E'R&E7 'h, "ou don3t imagine it, hunhC +-C. DantagonisticE7 +o ### - don3t# - don3t imagine "ou doB &E'R&E DwitheringE7 ,our s"m$ath" disarms me ### "our ### "our com$assion ma!es me wee$B <arge, salt", un scienti%ic tearsB +-C. Dwith great disdainE7 - Fust don3t see wh" "ou %eel "ou ha2e to subFect other $eo$le to it# &E'R&E7 =# +-C.7 -% "ou and "our #A# wi%e #AA want to go at each other, li!e a cou$le o% AAA &E'R&E7 -- Wh" - want toB +-C.7 ### animals, - don3t see wh" "ou don3t do it when there aren3t an" ##A &E'R&E Dlaughing through his angerE7 Wh", "ou smug, sel% righteous little ### +-C. Da genuine threatE7 CA+ AA# -T #AA M-STERB DSilence#E @ust ### watch itB &E'R&E7 A## scientist# +-C.7 -32e ne2er hit an older man# &E'R&E Dconsiders itE7 'h# D=auseE ,ou Fust hit "ounger ACT TW' )0 men A # A and children # A # women # # A birds# DSees that

+-C. is not amused#E Well, "ou3re Iuite right, o% course# -t isn3t the $rettiest s$ectacle #A# seeing a cou$le o%middle age t"$es hac!ing awa" at each other, all red in the %ace and winded, missing hal% the time# +-C.7 'h, "ou two don3t miss AAA "ou two are $rett" good# -m$ressi2e# &E'R&E7 And im$ressi2e things im$ress "ou, don3t the"C ,ou3re AAA easil" im$ressed AAA sort o%a AAA $ragmatic idealism +-C. D07 tight smileE7 +o, it3s that sometimes - can admire things that - don3t admire# +ow, %lagellation isn3t m" idea o% good times, but ##A &E'R&E7 AAA but "ou can admire a good %iagellator AAA a real $ro# +-C.7 4nh1hunh ##A "eah# &E'R&E7 ,our wi%e throws u$ a lot, ehC +-C.7 - didn3t sa" that# AAA - said she gets sic! Iuite easil"# &E'R&E7 'h# - thought b" sic! "ou meant ### +-C.7 Well, it3s true #A# She ### she does throw u$ a lot# 'nce she starts ##A there3s $racticall" no sto$$ing her# A A A - mean, she3ll go right on #A# %or hours# +ot all the time, but A## regularl"# &E'R&E7 ,ou can tell time b" her, hunhC

+-C.7 @ust about# &E'R&E7 :rin!C +-C.7 Sure# DWith no emotion, eHce$t the %aintest distaste, as &E'R&E ta!es his glass to the barE - married her because she was $regnant# &E'R&E D$auseE7 'hC D=auseE But "ou said "ou didn3t ha2e an" children # # # When - as!ed "ou, "ou said # # # +-C.7 She wasn3t ### reall"# -t was a h"sterical $regnanc"# She blew u$, and then shl** went down# &E'R&E7 And while she was u$, "ou married her# WA<=8R&-S+ACHT )5 ; +-C.7 And then she went down# DTh" both laugh, and are a little sur$rised that the" do#E &E'R&E7 4h ### Bourbon is right# +-C.7 4h ### "es, Bourbon# & E 0 R & E Dat the bar, stillE7 When - was siHteen# and going to $re$ school, during the =unic Wars, a bunch1o%us used % < to go into +ew ,or! on the %irst da" o% 2acations, be%ore we %anned out to our homes, and in the e2ening this bunch# o% us used to go to this gin mill owned b" the

R;7 gangster1%ather o%one o%us 1 %or this was during the &reat EH$eriment, or =rohibition, as it is more %reIuentl" called, and it was a bad time %or the liIuor lobb", but a %ine time %or the croo!s and the co$s 1 and we would go to this gin mill, and# we would drin! with the grown1u$s and listen to the Fa99# And one time, in the bunch o% us, there was this bo" who was %i%teen, and he had !illed his mother with a shotgun some "ears be%ore 1 accidentall", com$letel" accidentall", without e2en an unconscious moti2ation, - ha2e no doubt, no doubt at all 1 and this one e2ening this bo" went with us, and we ordered our drin!s, and when it came his turn he said, -3ll ha2e bergin # ## gi2e me some gergin, $lease ### bergin and water# Well, we all laughed # # # he was blond and he had the %ace o%a cherub, and we all laughed, and his chee!s went red and the colour rose in his nec!, and the assistant croo! ;;# #; who had ta!en our order told $eo$le at the neHt table 3Z what the bo" had said, and then the" laughed, and then more $eo$le were told and the laughter grew, and more

$eo$le and more laughter, and no one was laughing more than us, and none o% us more than the bo" who had shot his mother# And soon, e2er"one in the gin mill !new what the laughter was about, and e2er"one started ordering bergin, and laughing when the" ordered it# And soon, o% course, the laughter became less general, but it did not subside, entirel", %or a 2er" long time, %or alwa"s at this i ) ACT TW' table or that Someone would order bergin and a new area o%laughter would rise# We dran! %ree that night, and we were bought cham$agne b" the management, b" the gangster1%ather o% one o% us# And, o% course, we su%%ered the neHt da", each 1o% us, alone, on his train, awa" %rom +ew ,or!, each o% us with a grown1u$3s hango2er AAA but it was the grandest da" o% m" ### "outh# 3 DHands +-C. a drin! on the word#E +-C. D2er" Iuietr"E7 Than! "ou# What ### what ha$$ened to the bo" ### the bo" who had shot his motherC &E'R&E7 - won3t tell "ou# +-C.7 All right# &E'R&E7 The %ollowing summer, on a countr" road, with his learner3s $ermit in his $oc!et and his %ather on the %ront seat to his right, he swer2ed the car, to a2oid a $orcu$ine, and dro2e straight into a large tree#

+- C. D%aintr" $leadingE7 +o# &li*'R&E7 He was not !illed, o% course# And in the hos$ital, when he was conscious and out o%danger, and when the" told him that his %ather was dead, he began to laugh, ha2e been told, and his laughter grew and he would not sto$, and it was not until a%ter the" ; a m m e d a needle in his arm, not until a%ter that, until his consciousness sli$$ed awa" %rom him, that his laughter subsided ##A sto$$ed# And when he was reco2ered %rom his inFuries enough so that he could be mo2ed without damage should he struggle, he was $ut in an as"lum# That was thirt" "ears ago# +-C.7 -s he ### still thereC &E'R&E7 'h, "es# And -3m told that %or these thirt" "ears he has ### not ### uttered ### one ### sound# DA rather long silence7Fi2e seconds, $lease#E MARTHAB D=auseE MARTHAB +-C.7 - told "ou ### she3s ma!ing co%%ee# &E'R&E7 For "our h"sterical wi%e, who goes u$ and down# WA<=8R&-S+ACHT )/ +-C.7 Went# 8$ and down# &E'R&E7 Went# +o moreC +-C.7 +o more# +othing#

&E'R&E Da%ter a s"m$athetic $auseE7 The saddest thing about men#### Well, no, one o% the saddest things about men is the wa" the" age ### some o%them# :o "ou !now what it is with insane $eo$leC :o "ouC ### the Iuiet onesC +-C.7 +o# &E'R&E7 The" don3t change ### the" don3t grow old# +-C.7 The" must# &E'R&E7 Well, e2entuall", $robabl", "es# But the" don3t -*3 # # # in the usual sense# The" maintain a### a %irm# s!inned serenit" ### the ### the under1use o% e2er"thing lea2es them ### Iuite whole# +-C.7 Are "7ou recommending itC &E'R&E7 +o# Some things are sad, though# D-mitates a $e$ tal!erE But "a Fest gotta buc! u$ an3 %ace 3em, 3at3s ail# -J Buc! u$B D=auseE Martha doesn3t ha2e h"sterical $reg nancies# +-C.7 M" wi%e had one# &E'R&E7 ,es# Martha doesn3t ha2e $regnancies at all# +-C.7 Well, no ### - don3t imagine so ### now# :o 3"ou ha2e an" other !idsC :o "ou ha2e an" daughters, or an"thingC &E'R&E Das i@it3s a great Fo!eE 7 :o we ha2e an" whatC

+-C.7 :o "ou ha2e an" ### - mean, do "ou ha2e onl" one ### !id # # # uh # # # "our sonC &E'R&E Dwith a $ri2ate !nowledgeE7 'h no ### Fust one AA# one bo" # # # our son# +-C.7 Well ### DShrugsE A## that3s nice# &E'R&E7 'h ho, ho# ,es, well, he3s a ### com%ort, a bean bag# +-C.7 A whatC &E'R&E7 A bean bag# Bean bag# ,ou wouldn3t understand D'ller1distinctE Bean ### bag# i )5 )( ACT TW' +-C.7 - heard "ou #A# - didn3t sa" - was dea% AAA - said didn3t understand# &E'R&E7 ,ou didn3t sa" that at all# +- C.7 - meant - was im$l"ing - didn3t understand# D8nder his breathE For Chris%s sa!eB &E'R&E7 ,ou3re getting test"# +-C. Dtest"E7 -3m sorr"# & E 0 R & E7 All - said was, our son AAA the a$$le o% our three e"es, Martha being a C"clo$s AA# our son is a bean bag, and "ou get test"# +-C.7 -3m sorr"B -t3s late, -3m tired, -32e been drin!ing

since nine o3cloc!, m" wi%e is 2omiting, there3s been a lot o% screaming going on around here# # # # &E'R&E7 And so "ou3re test"# +aturall"# :on3t A#A worr" about it# An"bod" who comes here ends u$ getting #AA test"# -t3s eH$ected ### don3t be u$set# +-C. Dwr"E7 -3m not u$setB3 &E'R&E7 ,ou3re test"# +-C.7 ,es# &E'R&E7 -3d li!e to set "ou straight about something ##A while the little ladies are out o% the room ##A -3d li!e to set "ou straight about what Martha said# +-C.7 - don3t #A# ; e Fudgements, so there3s no need, reall", unless "ou ##A &E'R&E7 Well, - want to# - !now "ou don3t li!e to become in2ol2ed # # # - !now "ou li!e to # # # $reser2e "our scienti %ic detachment in the %ace o%1 %or lac! o% a better word <i%e #A# and all # # # but still, - want to tell "ou# +-C. Da tight, %ormal smileE7 -3m a ### guest# ,ou go right ahead# &E'R&E Dmoc!ing a$$reciationE7 'h ### well, than!s# +owl That ma!es me %eel all warm and runn" inside# +-C.7 Well, i% "ou3re going to ##A MARTHA 3> 4'-CE7 HE,B +-C.7 ### i%"ou3re going to start that !ind o%stu%% again ##A WA<=8R&-S+ACHT

&E'R&E7 Har!B Forest sounds# +-C.7 Hm#C &E'R&E7 Animal noises# MARTHA Dstic!ing her head inE7 He"B +-C.7 'hB &E'R&E7 Well, here3s nursie# MARTHA Dto +-C.E7 We3re sitting u$ #AA we3re ha2ing co%%ee, and we3ll be bac! in# +-C. Dnot risingE7 'h ### is there an"thing - should doC MARTHA7 +a"h# ,ou Fust sta" here and listen to &eorge3s side o% things# Bore "oursel% to death# &E'R&E7 MonstreB MARTHA7 CochonB &E'R&E7 Betel MARTHA7 CanailleB &E'R&E7 =utainl MARTHA Dwith agesture o%contem$tuousdismissalE7 ,aaaahhhhB ,ou two t"$es amuse "oursel2es ##A we3ll be in# DAs she goesE ,ou clean u$ the mess "ou made, &eorgeC &E'R&E DMARTHAgoes# &E'R&ES$ea!s to the em$t" hallwa"E7 +o, Martha, - did not clean u$ the mess - made# -32e been tr"ing %or "ears to clean u$ the mess - made# +-C.7 Ha2e "ouC &E'R&E7 HmC

+-C.7 Ha2e "ou been tr"ing %or "earsC &E' R & E Da%ter a long $ause # ## loo!ing at himE 7 Accommoda tion, malleabilit", adFustment# ## thosedo seem to be in the order o% things, don3t the"C +-C.7 :on3t tr" to $ut me in the same class with "ouB &E'R&E D$auseE7 'h# D=auseE +o, o% course not# Things are sim$ler with "ou ### "ou marr" a woman because she3s all blown u$ ### while -, in m" clums", old1%ashioned wa" ### +-C.7 There was more to it than thatB &E'R&E7 SureB -3ll bet she has mone", tooB F )M )) ACT TW' +-C. Dloo!s hurt# Then, determined, I%ter a $auseE7 ,es# &E'R&E7 ,esC D@o"%8lr"E ,ESB ,ou mean - was rightC - hit itC +-C.* Well, "ou see ### &E'R&E7 M" &od, ; h a t archer"B First tr", too# How about thatB +-C.7 ,ou see ### &E'R&E7 There were other things# +-C.7 ,es# &E'R&E7 To com$ensate# +-C.7 ,es# &E'R&E7 There alwa"s are# DSees that +-C. is reacting badB@i#E

+o, -3m sure there are# - didn3t mean to be ### %li$# There are alwa"s com$ensating %actors# # # as in the case o% Martha and m"sel%# ### +ow, on the sur%ace o% it ### +-C.7 We sort o% grew u$ together, "ou !now ### &E'R&E7 AAA it loo!s to be a !ind o%!noc!1about, drag1out a%%air, on the sur%ace o% it ### +-C.7 We !new each other %rom, oh &od, - don3t !now, when we were siH, or something ### &E'R&E7 AAA but somewhere bac! there, at the beginning o% it, right when - %irst came to +ew Carthage, bac! then ### +-C. Dwith some irritationE7 -3m sorr"# &E'R&E7 HmC 'h# +o, no ### -3m sorr"# +-C.7 +o ### it3s ### it3s all right# &E'R&E7 +o ### "ou go ahead# +-C.7 +o ### $lease# &E'R&E7 - insist #### ,ou3re a guest# ,ou go %irst# +-C.7 Well, it see-ns a little sill" ### now# &E'R&E7 +onsenseB D=auseE But i% "ou were siH, she mmt ha2e been %our, or something# +-C.7 Ma"be - was eight ##A she was si#H# 3We ### we wed to $la" ### doctor# &E'R&E7 That3s a good health" heteroseHual beginning# WA<=8R&-S+ACHT

&E'R&E7 The scientist e2en then, ehC +-C. DlaughsE7 ,eah# And it was ### alwa"s ta!en %or granted AA# "ou !now #AA b" our %amilies, and b" us, too, - guess# And A A # so, we did# &E'R&E D$auseE7 :id whatC +-C.7 We got married# &E'R&E7 When "ou were eightC +-C.7 +o# +o, o% course not# Much later# &E'R&E7 - wondered# +-C.7 - wouldn3t sa" there was an" AA# $articular $assion between us, e2en at the beginning A## o% our marriage, mean# &E'R&E7 Well, certainl" no sur$rise, no earth1sha!ing dis co2eries, a%ter :octor, and all# +-C. Duncertainr"E7 +o#### &E'R&E7 E2er"thing3s all $rett" much the same, an"R2a" ### in s$ite o% what the" sa" about Chinese women# +-C.7 What is thatC &E'R&E7 <et me %reshen "ou u$# DTa!es +-C.3S glass#E +-C.7 'h, than!s# Mter a while "ou don3t get an" drun!er, do "ouC &E'R&E7 Well, "ou do A## but it3s di%%erent ### e2er"thing slows down #### "ou get sodden #### unless "ou can u$ chuc! ### li!e "our wi%e #A# then "ou can sort o%start all o2er again#

+-C.7 E2er"bod" drin!s a lot here in the East# DThin!s about it#E E2er"bod" drin!s a lot in the middle1west, too# &E'R&E7 We drin! a great deal in this countr", and sus$ect we3ll be drin!ing a great deal more, too ### i% we sur2i2e# We should be Arabs or -talians ### the Arabs don3t drin!, and the -talians don3t get drun! much, eHce$t on religious holida"s# We should li2e on Crete, or something# 5R5 - C . DsarcasticalD2 #A# as i%!illing a Fo!eE 7 And that, o%course, +-C. DlaughingE7 ,u$# would ma!e us cretins# i ACT TW' )> &E'R&E Dmild sur$riseE7 So it would# DHands +-C. his drin!#E Tell me about "our wi%e3s mone"# +-C. Dsuddenr" sus$iciousE7 ,4h"C ill il# &E'R&E7 Well ### don3t, then# ill +-C.7 GWhat do "ou3want to !now about m" wi%e3s mone" %orC D8gr"E HunhC &E'R&E7 Well, - thought it would be nice# +-C.7 +o "ou didn3t# 3--&E'R&E Dstill dece$ti2er" blandE7 All right# ### - want to

!now about "our wi%e3s mone" because ### well, because --3 -3m %ascinated b" the methodolog" ### b" the $ragmatic accommodation b" which "ou wa2e1o%1the1%uture bo"s are going to ta!e o2er# +-C.7 ,ou3re starting in again# &E'R&E7 Am -C +o -3m not# <oo! ### Martha has mone" too# - mean, her %ather3s been robbing this $lace blindJ %or "ears, and # G# # +-3C.7 +o, he hasn3t# He has not# &E'R&E7 He hasn3tC +-C.7 +o# &E'R&E DshrugsE7 4er" well#### Martha3s %ather has not been robbing this $lace blind %or "ears, and Martha does not ha2e an" mone"# '#.#C # +-C.7 We were tal!ing about m" wi%e3s mone" ### not "ours# &E'R&E7 '#.#### tal!# +-C.7 +o# D=auseE M" %ather1in1law ### was a man o% the <ord, and he was 2er" rich# &E'R&E7 What %aithC +-C.7 He ### m" %ather1in1law ### was called b" &od when he was siH, or something, and he started $reaching, and he ba$ti9ed $eo$le, and he sa2ed them, and he tra2elled around a lot, and he became $rett" %amous ## #

not li!e some o% them, but he became $rett" %amous ## # and when he died he had a lot o% mone"# WA<=8R&-S+ACHT )6 &E'R&E7 &od3s mone"# +-C.7 +o ### his own# &E'R&E7 ,4hat ha$$ened to &od3s mone"C +-C.7 He s$ent &od3s mone" ### and he sa2ed his own# He built hos$itals, and he sent o%% Merc" shi$s, and he brought the outhouses indoors, and he brought the $eo$le outdoors, into the sun, and he built three churches, or whate2er the" were, and two o% them burned down #AA and he ended u$ $rett" rich# &E'R&E Da%ler considering itE7 Well, - thin! that3s 2er" nice# +-C.7 ,es# D=ause# &iggles a little#E And so, m" wi%e3s got some mone"# &E'R&E7 But not &od3s mone"# +-C.7 +o# Her own# &E'R&E7 Well, - thin! that3s 2er" nice# D+-C. giggles a little#E Martha3s got mone" because Martha3s %ather3s second wi%e J ## not Martha3s mother, but a%ter Martha3s mother died J ## was a 2er" old lad" with warts who was 2er" rich# +-C.7 She was a witch#

&E'R&E7 She was a good witch, and she married the white mouse ### D+-C. begins to giggle#E J ## with the tin" red e"es ### and he must ha2e nibbled her warts, or something li!e that, because she went u$ in a $u%% o% smo!e almost immediatel"# ='8FB +-C.7 ='8FB &E'R&E7 ='8FB And all that was le%t, aside %rom some wart medicine, was a big %at will# ### A $each $ie, with some %or the townshi$ o% +ew Carthage, some %or the college, some %or #Martha3s dadd", and Fust this much %or Martha# ; - C . DIuite beside himsel%E7 Ma"be ### ma"be m" %ather1in law and the witch with the warts should ha2e gotten together, because he was a mouse, too# t M 0 ACT TW' &E'R&E Durging +-C. onE7 He wasC +-C. Dbrea!ing downE7 Sure ### he was a church mouseB DThe" both laugh agreat deal, but it is sad laugh8r AAA eoentu#alC@ the" subside,%all mother# &E'R&E Dconsiders itP7 Well ### ma"be it isn3t true# +-C. Dnarrowing his And ma"be it is# ,our wi%e ne2er mentioned a ste=G3

&E'R&E7 Might be ### might not# Well, - thin! "our stor"3s a lot nicer ##A about "our $um$ed1u$ little wi%e, and "our %ather1in1law who was a $riest# ### +-C.7 He was nota $riest ### he was a man o% &od# &E'R&E7 ,es# +-C.7 And m" wile wasn3t $um$ed u$ #A# she blew u$# &E'R&E7 ,es, "es# +-C. DgigglingE7 &et things straight# &E'R&E7 -3m sorr" ### - will# -3m sorr"# 3+-C.7 '#.# &E'R&E7 ,ou reali9e, o% course, that -32e been drawing "ou out on this stu%%, not because -3m interested in "our terrible li%ehood, but onl" because "ou re$resent a direct and $ertinent threat to m" li%ehood, and - want 3to get the goods on "ou# +-C. Dstill amusedE7 Sure ### sure# & E 0 R & E7 - mean### -32e warned "ou### "ou stand warned# +-C.7 - stand warned# D<aughs#E -t3s "ou snea!" t"$es worr" me the most, "ou !now# ,ou ine%%ectual sons o% bitches # # # "ou3re the worst# &E'R&E7 ,es ### we are# Snea!"# An elbow in "our steel"J blue e"e ### a !nee in "our solid gold groin ### we3re the

worst# +-C.7 ,u$# &E'R&E7 Well, -3m glad "ou don3t belie2e me #A## - !now WA<=8R&5S+ ACHT M 5 +-C.7 8nhJunh# rou32e got histor" on"our side#### -32e got biolog" on mine# Histor", biolog"# &E'R&E7 - !now the di%%erence# +-C.7 ,ou don3t act it# &E'R&E7 +oC - thought we3d decided that "ou3d ta!e o2er the Histor" :e$artment %irst, be%ore "ou too! o2er the whole wor!s# ,ou !now ### a ste$ at a time# +-C. Dstretching # AA luHuriating # AA =la"ing the gameE7 +"aah ### what - thought -3d do is ### -3d sort o% insinuate m"sel% generall", $la" around %or a while, %ind all tb#e wea! s$ots, shore 3em u$, but with m" own name $late on 3em ### become sort o% a %act, and then turn into a ### a what ### C &E'R&E7 An ine2itabilit"# +-C.7 EHactl"#### An ine2itabilit"# ,ou !now #### Ta!e o2er a %ew courses %rom the older men, start some s$ecial grou$s %or m"sel% ### $lough a %ew $ertinent G2i2es#### &E'R&E7 +ow that3s itB ,ou can ta!e o2er all the courses "ou want to, and get as much o% the "oung elite together

in the g"mnasium as "ou li!e, but until "ou start $lough# ing $ertinent wi2es, "ou reall" aren3t wor!ing# The wa" to a man3s heart is through his wi%e3s beli", and don3t "ou %orget it# +-C. D$la"ing alongP7 ,eah#### - !now# &E'R&E7 And the women around here are no better than $untas 1 "ou !now, South American ladies o% the night# ,ou !now what the" do in South America ### in RioC The =untasC :o "ou !nowC The" hiss ### li!e geese ### # The" stand around in the street and the" hiss at "ou ## # li!e a bunch o% geese# +-C.7 &angle# &E'R&E7 HmC +-C.7 &angle ### gangle o%geese ### not bunch ### gangle# &E'R&E7 Well, i% "ou3re going to get all cute about it, all 5 ornithological, it3s gaggle ### not gangle, gaggle# "ou32e got histor" on "our side, and all###A M ACT TW' +-C.7 &aggleC +ot &angleC &E'R&E7 ,es, gaggle# +-C. Dcresi%allenE7 'h# &E'R&E7 'h# ,es#### Well the" stand around on the

street and the" hiss at "ou, li!e a bunch o% geese# All the %acult" wi2es, downtown in +ew Carthage, in %ront o% the AO=, hissing awa" li!e a bunch o% geese# That3s the wa" to $ower 1 $lough 3em allB + - C . Dstill $la"ing alongE7 -3ll bet "ou3re right# &E'R&E7 Well, - am# +-C.7 And -3ll bet "our wi%e3s the biggest goose in the gangle, isn3t she ### C Her %ather $resident, and all# &E'R&E7 ,ou bet "our historical ine2itabilit" she isB +-C.7 ,essirree# DRubs his hands together#E Well now, -3d Fust better get her o%% in a corner and mount her li!e a god damn dog, ehC &E'R&E7 Wh", "ou3d certainl" better# +tC. Dloo!s at &E'R&E a minute, his eH$ression a little sic!E7 ,ou !now, - almost thin! "ou3re serious# &E'R&E Dtoasting himE7 +o, bab" ### "ou almost thin! "ou3re serious, and it scares the hell out o% "ou# 35 +-C. DeH$loding in disbelie%E7 MEB &E'R&E DIuietr"E7 ,es ### "ou# +-C.7 ,ou3re !iddingB & E 0 R & E Dli!e a %atherE7 - wish - were# # # # -3ll gi2e "ou some good ad2ice i% "ou want me to #### +-C.7 &ood ad2iceB From "ouC 'h bo"B DStarts to laugh#E &E'R&E7 ,ou ha2en3t learned "et #### Ta!e it where2er "ou can get it# # # # <isten to me, now#

+-C.7 Come o%% itB &E'R&E7 -3m gi2ing "ou good ad2ice, now# +-C.7 &ood &od ### B &E'R&E7 There3s Iuic!sand here, and "ou3ll be dragged dm2n, Fust as ## # +-C.7 'h bo" ### B WA<=8R&-S+ACHT M/ &E'R&E7 #AA be%ore "ou !now it #A# suc!ed down ###A D+-C. laughs derisi2er"#E ,ou disgust me on $rinci$le, and "ou3re a smug son o% a bitch $ersonall", but -3m tr"ing to gi2e "ou a sur2i2al !it# :' ,'8 HEAR MEC +-C. Dstill laughingE7 - hear "ou# ,ou come in loud# &E'R&E7 A<< R-&HTB +-C.7 He", Hone"# &E'R&E Dsilence# Then Iuietr"E7 All right ### '#.# ,ou want to $la" it b" ear, rightC E2er"thing3s going to wor! out an"wa", because the time1table3s histor", rightC +-C.7 Right ### right# ,ou Fust tend to "our !nitting, grandma#### -3ll be '#.# &E'R&E Da%ter a silenceE7 -32e tried to #A# tried to reach "ou ### to ### +-C. Dcontem$tuousr"E7 A#A ma!e contactC &E'R&E7 ,es#

+-C. DstillE7 AAA communicateC &E'R&E7 ,es# EHactl"# +-C.7 Aw AA# that is touching ### that is ### downright mo2ing ### that3s what it is# DWith sudden 2ehemenceE 8= ,'8RSB &E'R&E Dbrii% $auseE7 HmC +-C. DthreateningE7 ,ou heard meB &E'R&E Dat +-C., not to himE7 ,ou ta!e the trouble to con struct a ci2ili9ation ### to ### to build a societ", based on the $rinci$les o% ### o% $rinci$le ##A "ou endea2our to ma!e communicable sense out o% natural order, moralit" out o% the unnatural disorder o% man3s mind ### "ou ma!e go2ernment and art, and reali9e that the" are, must be, both the same # # # "ou bring things to the saddest o% ; l l $oints ### to the $oint where there is something to lose #AA then all at once, through all the music, through all the sensible sounds o%men building, attem$ting, comes the :ies %rae# And what is itC 4lhat does the trum$et -# ;# , M( ACT TW' soundC 8$ "ours# - su$$ose there3s Fustice to it, a%ter all the "ears# A # # 8$ "ours# +- C . Dbrie%$ause A AA then a$$laudingE7 Ra, hal Bra2oB Ha, hal

D<aughs on#E DA#nd MARTHA re1enlers, leading H'+E,, wlw3is wan but smiling bra2e%"#E H'+E, Dgrand%"E7 Than!# "ou ### than!# "ou# MAR THA7 Here we are, a little sha!", but on our %eet# &E'R&E7 &oodie# +-C.7 RRThatC 'h ### 'RB Hi, Hone" #AA "ou betterC H'+E,7 A little bit, dear#### -3d better sit down, though# +-C.7 Sure ### c3mon ### "ou sit b" me# H'+E,7 Than! "ou, dear# &E'R&E Dbe55TathG his breathE7 Touching ##A touching# MARTHA Dto &E'R&EE7 WellC Aren3t "ou going to a$olo gi9eC &E'R&E DsIuintingE7 For what, MarthaC 3MAR THA7 For ma!ing the little lad" throw u$, what elseC &E'R&E7 - did not ma!e her throw u$# MARTHA7 ,ou most certainl" didB &E'R&E7 - did notB H'+E, D$a$al gestureE7 +o, now ### no# MAR TEA Dto &E'R&EE7 Well, who do "ou thin! did # SeH" o2er thereC ,ou thin! he made his own little wi%e sic!C &E'R&E DhelF@%8l%"E7 Well, "ou ma!e me sic!#

MARTHA7 THAT3S :-FFERE+TB H'+E,7 +o, now# - ### - throw u$ ### - mean, - get sic! ### occasionall", all b" m"sel% ### without an" reason# &E'R&E7 -s that a %actC +-C.7 ,ou3re ### "ou3re delicate, Hone"# H'+E, D$roud%"E7 -32e alwa"s done it# &E'R&E7 <i!e Big Ben# +-C. Da warningE7 Watch itB WA<=8R&-S+ACHT M5 GH'+E,7 And the doctors sa" there3s nothing wrong with me ### organicall"# ,ou !nowC +-C.7 '% course there isn3t# H'+E,7 Wh", Fust be%ore we got married, - de2elo$ed ### a$$endicitis ### or e2er"bod" thought it was a$$endicitis ### but it turned out to be #AA it was a #A# D<aughs bri(5"E A A A %alse alarm# D&E'R&E and +-3C. eHchange glances#E MARTHA Dto &E'R&EE7 &et me a drin!# D&E'R&E mo2es to the bar#E &eorge ma!es e2er"bod" sic!# # #A GWhen our son was Fust a little bo", he used to 7 #A &E'R&E7 :on3t, Martha###A MAR THA7 AAA he used to throw u$ all the time, because o% &eorge#A##

&E'R&E7 - said, don3tB MAR THA7 -t got so bad that whene2er &eorge came into the room he3d start right in retching, and ### & E 0 R & E7 A A A the real reason DS$its out the wordsE our son ## ; used to throw u$ all the time, wi%e and lo2er, was nothing more com$licated than that he couldn3t stand "ou %iddling at him all the time, brea!ing into his bedroom with "our !imono %l"ing, %iddling at him all the time, with "our liIuor breath on him, and "our hands all o2er his ### MARTHA7 ,EAHC And - su$$ose that3s wh" he ran awa" %rom home twice in one month, too# D+ow to the guestsE Twice in one monthB SiH times in one "earB & E' R & E Dalso to the1guestsE7 'ur son ran awa" %rom home all the time because Martha here used to corner him# MARTHA Dbra"ingE7 - +E4ER C'R+ERE: THE S'+ 'F A B-TCH -+ M, <-FEB &E'R&E Dhanding MARTHA her drin!E7 He used to run u$ to me when -3d get home, and he3d sa", 37Mama3s alwa"s coming at me#3 That3s what he3d sa"# MAR THA7 <iarB i ; MM M

) ACT TW' &E'R&E Dshrugging@7 Well, that3s the wa" it was ### "ou -ii,3 # were alwa"s coming at him# - thought it was 2er" ---7 embarrassing# 7,5 -,7* +-C.7 -% "ou thought it was so embarrassing, what are "ou tal!ing about it %arC ---3 ,7* H'+E, Dadmonishing@7 :ear ### B MARTHA7 ,eahB DTo +-C.@ Than!s, sweetheart# &E'R&E Dto them allE7 - didn3t want 3to tal@i about him at all ### - would ha2e been $er%ectl" ha$$" not to discuss the whole suhFect #### - ne2er want to tal! about it# MARTHA7 ,es "ou do# &E'R&E7 When we3re alone, ma"be# MARTHA7 R3Rle3re aloneB &E'R&E7 8h ### no, lo2e ### we32e got guests# MARTHA Dwith a co2etous loo! at +-C.E7 We sure ha2e# H'+E ,7 Could - ha2e a little brand"C - thin! -3d li!e a little brand"# .-C.7 :o "ou thin! "ou shouldC

H'+E,7 'h "es ### "es, dear# &E'R&E Dmo2ing ta tire bar againE7 SureB Fill 3er u$B +-C.7 Hone", - don3t thin! "ou ### H'+E, D$etulance cree$ing inE7 -t will stead" me, dear# - %eel a little unstead"# &E'R&E7 Hell, "ou can3t wal! stead" on hal% a bottle ### got to do it right# H'+E,7 ,es# DTo 7MARTHAE7 - lo2e brand" ### - reall" do# MARTHA Dsomewhat abstractedE7 &ood %or "ou# +-C. Dgi2ing u$@7 Well, i% "ou thin! it3s a good idea ##A , Dreal%" - !now what3s best %or me, dear#

+-C. Dnot e2en$leasant@7 ,es ### -3m sure "ou do# --H'+E, D&E'R&E hands lrer a brand"E7 'h, goodieB Than! "ou# DTo +-C.E '% course - do, dear# -&E'R&E D$ensi2eD2@7 - used to drin! brand"# -MARTHA D$ri2atebE7 ,ou used to drin! bergin, too# & E 0 R & E Dshar$E7 Shut u$, MarthaB -WA<=8R&-S+ACHT MARTHA Dher hand o2er her mouth in a little girl gestureE7 #

'ooooo$s# + - C . Dsomething ha2ing clic!ed, 2ague%"E7 HmC &E'R&E Dbur"ing itE7 +othing ### nothing# MARTHA Dsire, too@7 ,ou two men ha2e it out while we were goneC &eorge tell "ou his side o% thingsC He bring "ou to tears, hunhC +-C.7 Well ### no##AA &E'R&E7 +o, what we did, actuall", was #A# we sort o% danced around# MARTHA7 'h, "eahC CuteB H'+E,7 'h, - lo2e dancing# +-C.7 He didn3t mean that, Hone"# H'+E,7 Well, - didn3t thin! he didB Two grown men dancing ### hea2ensB MARTHA7 ,ou mean he didn3t start in on how he would ha2e amounted to something i%it hadn3t been %or :add"C How his high moral sense wouldn3t e2en let him tr" to better himsel%C +oC +-C. DIualiFied@7 +o#### MARTHA7 And he didn3t run on about how he tried to # $ublish a goddamn boo!, and :add" wouldn3t let him# +-C.7 A boo!C +o# &E'R&E7 =lease, Martha#### +-C. Degging her on@7 A boo!C What boo!C &E'R&E D$leadingE7 =lease# @ust a boo!#

MARTHA Dmoc! incredulit"E7 @ust a boo!B &E'R&E7 =lease, MarthaB MARTHA Dalmost disa$$ointedE7 Well, - guess "ou didn3t get thewhole sad stor"# What3s the matter with "ou, &eorgeC ,ou gi2en u$C &E'R&E Dcalm A ## seriousE7 +o ### no# -t3s Fust -32e got to %igure out some new wa" to %ight "ou, Martha# &uerilla tactics, ma"be ### internal sub2ersion ### - don3t !now# Something# O# 5 M6 WA<=8R&-S+ACHT MARTHA7 Well, "ou %igure it out, and "ou let me !now when DMusic starts# AAA Second mo2ement, Beetho2en3s Mth S"m "ou do# $hon"#E &E'R&E Dcheer"E7 All right, lo2e# H'+E, Du=, dancing b" hersel%E7 :e, de de da da, da1da de, ACT TW' H'+E,7 Wh" don3t we danceC -3d lo2e some dancing# +-C.7 Hone"A##A H'+E,7 - wouldB -3d lo2e some dancing# +-C.7 Hone" #AA H'+E,7 - want someB - want some dancingB &E'R&E7 All right A## B For hea2en3s sa!e AAA we3ll ha2e

some dancing# H'+E, Dall sweetness againE DTo MARTHAE7 'h, -3m so glad ### - Fust lo2e dancing# :on3t "ouC MARTHA Dwith a glance at +-C.E7 ,eah AA# "eah, that3s notB a baa idea# +-C. Dgenuinel, ner2ousE7 &ee# &E'R&E7 &ee# H'+E,7 - dance li!e the wind# [ARTHA Dwithout commentE7 ,eahC &E'R&E D$ic!ing a ,recordE7 Martha had her daguerrot"$e in the $a$er once ### oh, 3bout twent"1%i2e "ears ago###A Seems she too! second $ri9e in one 03 them se2en1da" dancin3 contest things ### bice$s all bulging, holding u$ her $artner# MARTHA7 Will "ou $ut a record on and shut u$C &E'R&E7 Certainl", lo2e# DTo allE How are we going to wor! thisC MiHed doublesC MARTHA7 Well, "ou certainl" don3t thin! -3m going to dance with"ou, do "ouC &E'R&E Dconsiders itE7 +oooooo ### not with him around #### that3s %or sure# And not with twin!le1toes here, either# H'+E,7 -3ll dance ####2i#th an"one ### -3ll dance b" m"se-T +-C.7 Hone"#### H'+E,7 - dance li!e the wind# &E'R&E7 All right, !iddies ### choose u$ and hit the

sac!# da da1da de da ### wonder%ul ### B 3 +-C.7 Hone"### # MARTHA7 All right, &eorge ### cut that outB H'+E,7 :um, de de da da, da1da de, dum de da da da ##AA Wheeeee #A# B MARTHA7 Cut it out, &eorgeB &E'R&E D$retending not to hearE7 What, MarthaC WhatC +-C.7 Hone"AA#A MARTHA Das &E'R&E turns u$ the 2olumeE7 C8T -T '8T, &E'R&EB &E'R&E7 WHATC MARTHA Dgets u$, mo2es Iuic!l", threateningl", to &E'R&EE7 All right, "ou son o% a bitch#### &E'R&E Drecord o@%, at once# Kuietl"E7 What did "ou sa", lo2eC MARTHA7 ,ou son o% a ### H'+E, Din an arrested $ostureE7 ,ou sto$$edB 24h" did "ou sto$C +-C.7 Hone"#### H'+E, Dto +-C., sna$$ingE7 Sto$ thatB &E'R&E7 - thought it was %itting, Martha# MARTHA7 'h "ou did, hunhC H'+E,7 ,ou3re alwa"s at me when -3m ha2ing a good time# +-C. Dtr"ing to remain ci2ilE7 -3m sorr", Hone"#

H'+E,7 @ust ### lea2e me aloneB &E'R&E7 Well, wh" don3t "ou choose, MarthaC DMo2es awa" %rom the $honogra$h #AA lea2es it to MARTHA#E Martha3s going to run things ### the little lad"3s going to lead the band# H'+E,7 - li!e to dance and "ou don3t want me to# +-C.7 - li!e "ou to dance# H'+E,7 @ust ### lea2e me alone# DShe sits # ## ta!es a drin!#E &E'R&E7 Martha3s going to $ut on some rh"thm she >0 >5 , ACT TW' understands ### Sacre du =rintem$s, ma"be# DMo2es # AA sits b" H'+E,#E Hi, seH"# H 0 + E , Da little giggle1screamE7 'ooooohhhhhB &E'R&E Dlaughs moc!ing%"E7 Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha# Choose it, Martha # # # do "our stu%%B MARTHA Dconcentrating on tM machineE7 ,ou3re damn rightB &E'R&E Dto H'+E,E7 ,ou want to dance with me, angel1 titsC +-C.7 What did "ou call m" wi%eC &E'R&E Dderisi2e%"E7 'h bo"B H'+E, D$etulant%"E7 +oB -%B can3t do m" inter$reti2e dance, - don3t want to dance with an"one# -3ll Fust sit here and A A A DShrugs A # # drin!s#E

MART H A DRecord on A A A a Faa" slow $o$ tuneE7 a#.# stu%%, let3s go# D&rabs +-C.#E +-C.7 HmC 'h ### hi# MARTHA7 Hi# DTn-43 dance, close together, slow%"#E H'+E, D$outingE7 We3llFust#sit here and watch# &E'R&E7 That3s rightB MARTHA Dto +-C.E7 He", "ou are strong, aren3t "ouC +-C.7 8nh1hunh# MARTHA7 - li!e that +-C.7 8nh1hunh# H'+E,7 The"3re dancing li!e the"32e danced be%ore# &E'R&E7 -t3s a %amiliar dance ### the" both !now it##A# MA3RTHA7 :on3t be sh"# +-C.7 -3m ### not#AA# &E'R&E Dto H'+E,E7 -t3s a 2er" old ritual, mon!e"1ni$$les # # # old as the" come# H'+E,7 - ### - don3t !now what "ou mean# D+-C. and MARTHA mo2e a$art now, and dance on either side o% where &E'R&E and H'+E, are sitting* the" %ace A each other, and while their %eet mo2e but little, their bodies undulate congruent%"#### -t is as i% the" were $ressed together#E WA<=8R&-S+ACHT MARTHA7 - li!e the wa" "ou mo2e#

+-C.7 - li!e the wa" "ou mo2e, too# &E'R&E Dto H'+E,E7 The" li!e the wa" the" mo2e# H'+E, Dnot entire%" with itE7 That3s nice# MARTHA Dto +-C.E7 -3m sur$rised &eorge didn3t gi2e "ou his side o% things# &E'R&E Dto H'+E,E7 Aren3t the" cuteC +-C.7 Well, he didn3t# MARTHA7 That sur$rises me# D=erha$s MARTHA3S statements are more or less in time to tM music#E +-C.7 :oes itC MARTHA7 ,eah AAA he usuall" does AAA when he gets the chance# +-C.7 Well, what do "ou !now# MARTHA7 -t3s reall" a 2er" sad stor"# &E'R&E7 ,ou ha2e ugl" talents, Martha# +-C.7 -s itC MARTHA7 -t would ma!e "ou wee$# &E'R&E7 Hideous gi%ts# +-C.7 -s that soC &E'R&E7 :on3t encourage her# MARTHA7 Encourage me# +-C.7 &o on# DTne" ma" undulate towards each other and then mo2e bac!#E &E'R&E7 - warn "ou ### don3t encourage her#

MARTHA7 He warns "ou ### don3t encourage me# +-C.7 - heard him ### tell me more# MARTHA Dconscious%" ma!ing rh"med s$eechE7 Well, &eorgie1bo" had lots o% big ambitions -n s$ite o% something %unn" in his $ast##AA &E' R & E DIuiet%" warningE7 Martha # # # MARTHA7 Which &eorgie1bo" here turned into a no2el# ### His %irst attem$t and also his last##AA He"B - rh"medB - rh"medB > >/ ACT TW' &E'R&E7 - warn "ou, Martha# +-C.#7 ,eah ### "ou rh"med# &o on, go on# MARTHA7 But :add" too! a loo! at &eorgie3s no2el #AA &E'R&E7 ,ou3re loo!ing %or a $unch in the mouth# AAA ,ou !now that, Martha# MARTHA7 :o tellB ### and he was 2er" shoc!ed b" what he read# +-C.#7 He wasC MARTHA7 ,es ### he was#A#A A no2el all about a naught" Sbo"Jchild A # A &E'R&E DrisingE7 - will not tolerate thisB +-C. Do@%hand, to &E'R&EE7 'h, can it#

MARTHA7 ##A ha, hal naught" bo"child who ### uh ### who !illed his mother and his %ather dead# &E'R&E7 ST'= -T, MARTHAB ,MARTHA7 And :add" said #A# <oo! here, - will not let "ou $ublish such a thing# # AA &E'R&E Drushes to $honogra$h # AA ri$s the record I%%E7 That3s itB The dancing3s o2er# That3s it# &o on nowl +-C.#7 3What do "ou thin! "ou3re doing, hunhC H'+E, Dl9a$$il,@7 4iolenceB 4iolenceB MARTHA Wloud7 a$ronouncementE7 And :add" said A#A <oo! here, !id, "ou don3t thin! %WPra second -3m going to let "ou $ublish this cra$, do "ouC +ot on "our li%e, bab" AAA not while "ou3re teaching here# A A A ,ou $ublish that goddamn boo! and "ou3re out AA# on "our ass&E'R&E7 :ES-STB :ES-STB MARTHA7 Ha, ha, ha, HAl +-C.# DlaughingE7 :e AA# sistH'+E,7 'h, 2iolence #AA 2iolencel MARTHA7 3Wh", the ideaB A teacher at a res$ected, conJ ser2ati2einstitution li!e this, in a town li!e +ew Ca#rthage, $ublishing a boo! li!e thatC -% "ou res$ect "our $osition WA<=8R&-S+ACHT here, "oung man, "oung ### whi$$ersna$$er, "ou3ll Fust

withdraw that manuscri$t### # &E'R&E7 - will not be made moc! o%B 7+-C.7 He will not be made moc! o%, %or Christ3s sa!e# D<aughs#E DH'+E, Foins in the laughter, not !nowing eHactl, wh"#E &E'R&E7 - will notl DAll three are laughing at him#E D-n%uriatedE THE &AME -S '4ERB MARTHA W$ushing onE7 -magine such a thingB A boo! about a bo" who murders his mother and !ills his %ather, and #$retends it3s all an accidentB H'+E, Dbeside hersel%with gleeE7 An accidentB +-C.# Dremembering something relatedE7 He" ### wait a minute 7l(ARTHA Dher own 2oice nTBwE7 And "ou want to !now the clincherC ,ou want to !now what big bra2e &eorgie said to :add"C &E'R&E7 +'B +'B +'B +'B +-C.7 Wait a minute now### # 7l(ARTHA7 &eorgie said ### but :add" ### - mean ### ha, ha, ha, ha ### but Sir, it isn3t a no2el at all ### D'ther 2oiceE +ot a no2elC DMimic!ing &E'R&E3S 2oiceE +o, sir ### it isn3t a no2el at all#### &E'R&E Dad2ancing on herE7 ,ou will not sa" thisB ; - C . # Dsensing the dangerE7 He"#

MARTHA7 The hell - won3t# .ee$ awa" %rom me, "ou bastardB DBac!s o%% a little # # # uses & E'R & E3s 2oice again#E +o, Sir, this isn3t a no2el at all ### this is the truth ### this reall" ha$$ened#### T' MEB &E'R&E Don herE7 -3<< .-<< ,'8B D&rabs her b" the throat# The" struggle#E ; - C . # 7 HE,B DComes between them#E B'7+E, Dwildh,@7 4-'<E+CEB 3RB#it #TG## W<3-l#B >5 ACT TW' >( D&E'R&E, MARTHA, and +-C. struggle # A # "ells, etc#E MARTHA7 -T HA==E+E:B T' MEB T' MEB &E'R&E7 ,'8 SATA+-C B-TCHB +-C.7 ST'= THATB ST'= THATB H'+E,7 4-'<E+CEB

DTM9e other three struggle# &E'R&E3S hands are on MARTHA3S throat# +-C. grabs him, tears him %rom MARTHA, throws him on theFloor# &E'R&E, on theFloor* +-C. o2er him* MARTHA to one side, her hand on her throat#E ZA# +-C.7 That3s enough nowB H0 + E , Ddisa$$ointment in her 2oiceE7 'h ### oh ### oh ### D&E' R & E dragB himsel% into a chair# He is hurt, but it is

moTe a $ro%ound humiliation than a $h"sical inFur"#E & E 0 R & E Dtho3 watch him # # # a $ause # # #E7 All right # # # all right # # # 2er" Iuiet now ### we will all be ### 2er"3 Iuiet# 3MARTHA Dsli%tr", with a slow sha!ing li% her headE7 Murderer# Mur ###der ### er# +-C. Dso%tr" to MARTHAE7 '#.# now ### that3s enough# DA brie%silence# The" all mo2e around a little, sel%1consciousl", li!e wrestlers FleHing a%ter a %all#E & E 0 R & E Dcom$osure seemingr" reco2ered, but there is a great neroous intensir"E7 WellB That3s one game# R4hat shall we do now, hunhC DMARTHA and +-C. laugh nen%ousr"#E 'h come on ### let3s thin! o% something else# We32e $la"ed Humiliate the Host ### we32e gone through that one ### what shall we do nowC +-C.7 Aw ### loo!#### &E'R&E7 AW <''.B DWhines itE Awww ### -oooooo!# DAlertE - mean, come onB We must !now other games, college1t"$e t"$es li!e us ### that can3t be the ##A limit o% our 2ocabular", can itC +-C.7 - thin! ma"be ### WA<=8R&-S+ACHT &E'R&E7 <et3s see now ##A what else can we doC There are

other games# How about #A# how about ### Hum$ the HostessC H8+HCC How about thatC How about Hum$ the HostessC DTo +-C.E ,ou wanna $la" that oneC ,ouwanna $la" Hum$ the HostessC H8+HC H8+HC +-C. Da little %rightenedE7 Calm# down, now# DMARTHA giggles Iuietr"#E &E'R&E7 'ris that%or later ##A mount her li!e a goddamn dogC B'+E, Dwildb toasting e2er"botb@7 Hum$ the HostessB +-C. Dto H'+E, ### shar$r"@7 @ust shut u$ ### will "ouC DH'+E, does, her glass in mid1air#E &E'R&E7 ,ou don3t wanna $la" that now, htlnhC ,ou wanna sa2e that game till laterC Well, what3ll we $la" nowC We gotta $la"a game# MARTHA DIuietbE7 =ortrait o%a man drowning# &E'R&E DaF@irmati2er", but to none li%themE7 - am not drowning# H'+E, Dto +-C., tear%ulr" indignantE7 ,ou told me to shut u$B +-C. Dim$atientbE7 -3m sorr"# H'+E, Dbetween her teethE7 +o "ou3re not# +-C. Dto H'+E,, e2en more im$atientr"E7 -3m sorr"# &E'R&E Dcla$s his hands together, once, loudE7 -32e got itB -3ll tell "ou what game we3ll $la"# We3re done with Humiliate the Host ### this round, an"wa" ### we3re done with that ### and we don3t want to $la" Hum$ the Hostess,

"et ### not "et ### so - !now what we3ll $la"#### We3ll $la"a round o% &et the &uests# How about thatC How about a little game o% &et the &uestsC MARTHA Dturning awa", a little disgustedE7 @esus, &eorge# &E'R&E7 Boo! dro$$erB Child mentionerB H'+E,7 - don3t li!e these games# +-C.7 ,eah#### - thin! ma"be we32e had enough o%games, now#### &E'R&E7 'h, no ### oh, no ### we ha2en3t# We32e had >M >) ACT TW' onl" one game#AAA +ow we3re going to ha2e another# ,ou can3t %i" on one game# +-C.7 - thin! ma"be #A# &E'R&E Wwith great authorit"E7 S-<E+CEB D-t is res$ected#E +ow, how are we going 3to $la" &et the &uestsC MARTHA7 For &od3s sa!e, &eorge #AAA &E'R&E7 ,ou be IuietB WlQlARTHA shrugs#E - wonder# A A A - wonder# D=u99les# A A then## #E '#.#B Well AAA Martha #AA in her indiscreet wa" A AA well, not reall" indiscreet, because Martha is a nai2e, at heart AA# an"wa", Martha told "ou all about m" %irst no2el# True or %alseC HunhC - mean, true or %alse

that there e2er was such a rlllng# HAB But, Martha told "ou about it #A# m" %irst no2el, m" A#A memor" boo! A## which -3d sort o% $re%erred she hadn3t, but hell, that3s blood under the bridge# B8TB what she didn3t do ##A what Martha didn3t tell "ou about is she didn3t tell us all about m" second no2el# D78ARTHA loo!s at him with $u99led curiosit"#E +o, "ou didn3t !now about that, did "ou, MarthaC About m" second no2el, true or %alse# True or %alseC MARTHA Wsincerer"E7 +o# &E'R&E7 +o# rHe starts Iuietr" but as he goes on his tone becomes harsher, his 2oice louder#E Well, it3s an allegor", reall" 1 $robabl" 1 but it can be read as straight, cos" $rose ### and it3s all about a nice "oung cou$le who come out o% the middle1west# -t3s a bucolic "ou see# A+:, this nice "oung cou$le comes out o% the middle1west, and he3s blond and about thirt", and he3s a scientist, a teacher, a scientist ### and his mouse is a wire" little t"$e who gargles brand" all the time #A# and ### +-C.7 @ust a minute here#### , WA<=8R&-S+ACHT &E'R&E7 ### and the" got to !now each other when the"

was onl" teensie little t"$es, and the" used to get under the 2anit" table and $o!e around, and # # A +-C.7 - said @8ST A M-+8TEB &E'R&E7 This is m" gameB ,ou $la"ed "ours ##A "ou $eo$le# This is m" gameB H'+E, Ddream"E7 - want to hear the stor"# - lo2e stories# MARTHA7 &eorge, %or hea2en3s sa!e #### &E'R&E7 A+:B And Mousie3s %ather was a hol" man, see, and he ran sort o%a tra2elling cli$ Foint, based on Christ and all those girls, and he too! the %aith%ul #AA that3s all # # # Fust too! 3em## #A H'+E , D$u99lingE7 This is %amiliar#3# A A +-C. W2oice slu9!ing a littleE7 +o !iddingB &E'R&E7 A## and he died e2entuall", Mousie3s $a, and the" $ried him o$en, and all sorts o% mone" %ell out##A# @esus mone", Mar" mone"#### <''TB H'+E, Wdream", $u99lingE7 -32e heard this stor" be%ore# +-C. Wwith Iuiet intensit" A AA to wa!en herE7 Hone"###A &E'R&E7 But that3s in the bac!wash, in the earl" $art o% the boo!# An"wa", Blondie and his %rau out o% the $lain states came# WChuc!les#E MARTHA7 4er" %unn", &eorge #### &E'R&E7 ### than! "ou ### and settled in a 3town Fust li!e nou2eau Carthage here# # # #

+-C. WthreateningE7 - don3t thin! "ou3d better go on, mis ter#### &E'R&E7 :o "ou notB +-C. Wless certainr"E7 +o# - #A# - don3t thin!# "ou3d better# H'+E,7 - lo2e %amiliar stories ### the"3re the best# &E'R&E7 How right "ou are# But Blondie was in disguise, reall", all got u$ as a teacher, 3cause his baggage tic!et had bigger things writ on it ### H#-# H-B Historical ine2itabilit"# +-C.7 There3s no need %or "ou to go an" %urther, now#### >> >6 ACT TW' H'+E, %#$ua#ling to ma!e sense out o@wlu9t she is hearingE7 <et them go on# &E'R&E7 We shall# And he had this baggage with him, and $art o% this baggage was in the %orm o% his mouse###A +-C.7 We don3t ha2e to listen to thisB H'+E,7 Wh" notC &E'R&E7 ,our bride has a $oint# And one o% the things nobod" could understand about Blondie was his baggage A A A his mouse, - mean, here he was, $an1.ansas swim ming cham$een, or something, and he had this mouse, o% whom he was solicitous to a $oint that %aileth human understanding # A A gi2en that she was sort o% a sim$, in

the long run# # # # +-C.7 This isn3t %air o% "ou# ### &E'R&E7 =erha$s not# <i!e, as - said, his mouse, she tooted brand" immodestl" and s$ent hal% o% her time in the , u$chuc!# ##A H'+E, D%ocusingE7 - !now dB#ese $eo$le##AA &E'R&E7 :o "ouB #AA But she was a mone" baggage amongst other t-lingB # A # &odl" mone" ri$$ed %rom the golden teeth o% the un%aith%ul, a $ragmatic eHtension o% the big dream # # # and sne was $ut u$ with# A # A H'+E, Dsome terrorE7 - don3t li!e this stor"#### +-C. Dsur$risingl" $leadingE7 =lease ### $lease don3t# MARTHA7 Ma"be "ou better sto$, &eorge#### &E'R&E7 ### and she was $ut u$ with#AA# ST'=C Ha1ha# +-C.7 =lease A## $lease don3t# &E'R&E7 Beg, bab"# MARTHA7 &eorge###A &E'R&E7 ### and #A# oh, we get a %lashbac! here, to How The" &ot Married# +-C.7 +'B &E'R&E Dtrium$hantE7 ,ESB +-C. Dalmost whiningE7 Wh"C WA<=8R&-S+ACHT &E'R&E7 How The" &ot Married# Well, how the" got

married is this# # # # The Mouse got all $u%%ed u$ one da", and she went o2er to Blondie3s house, and she stuc! out her $u%%, and she said A## loo! at me# H'+E, Dwhite A #A on her %tetE7 - ### don3t A## li!e this# +-C. Dto &E'R&EE7 Sto$ itB &E'R&E7 <oo! at me #A# -3m all $u%%ed u$# 'h m" good ness, said Blondie# # # # H'+E, Das%rom a distanceE7 #AA and so the" were married ### &E'R&E7 ### and so the" were married##AA H'+E,7 #A# and then A## &E'R&E7 ### and then ##A H'+E, Dh"steriaE7 WHATC A## and then, WHATC +-C.7 +'B +oB &E' R & E Das i% to a bab"E7 AAA and then the $u%% went awa" ; ## li!e magic # # # $ou%B +-C. Dalmost sic!E7 @esus &od#### H'+E,7 ### the $u%% went awa"#AAA &E'R&E DsI%tl"E7 ### $ou%# +-C.7 Hone" ### - didn3t mean to #A# honestl", - didn3t mean to ### H'+E,7 ,'8 ##A "ou told them##AA +-C.7 Hoile" # , # - didn3t mean to#### H0 + E , Dwith outlandish horrorE 7 ,ou # # # told themB ,ou told themB ''''EHHHB 'h, no, no, no, noB ,ou couldn3t ha2e told them ### oh, nooooB

+-C.7 Hone", - didn3t mean to#### H'+E, Dgrabbing at her bell"E7 'hhhhh ### nooooo# +-C.7 Hone" ### bab" ### -3m sorr" ### - didn3t mean to# ### &E'R&E Dabru$tl" and with some disgustE7 And that3s how "ou $la" &et the &uests# H'+E,7 -3m going to ### -3m going to be ### sic!# ##A &E'R&E7 +aturall"B +-C.7 Hone"###A i ACT TW' 6 0 H'771lE, D%:istericalE7 <ea2e me alone ### -3m going ##A to ### be ### sic!# DShe runs out o@ the room#P MARTHA Dsha!ing her head, watching H'+E,3S retreating%ormP7 &od Almight"# # &E'R&E DshruggingE7 The $atterns o% histor"# +-C. DIuiet%" sha!ingP7 ,ou shouldn3t ha2e done that A#A "ou shouldn3t ha2e done that at all# &E'R&E Dcalml"E7 - hate h"$ocris"# +-C.7 That was cruel ### and 2icious AAA &E'R&E7 ### she3ll get o2er it####

+-C.7 ### and damaging #A# B &E'R&E7 ### she3ll reco2er ###A +-C.7 :AMA&-+&BB T' MEBB &E'R&E Dwith wonderE7 To "ouB +-C.7 T' MEBB &E'R&E7 To "ouBB +-C.7 ,ESBB &E'R&E7 'h beauti%ul #A# beauti%ul# B" &od, "ou gotta ha2e a swine to show "ou where the tru%Hes are# DSo calml"E Well, "ou Fust rearrange "our alliances, bo"# ,ou Fust $ic! u$ the $ieces where "ou can ### "ou Fust loo! around and ma!e the best o% things # # # "ou scramble bac! u$ on "our %eet# MARTHA DIuiet%", to +-C.E7 &o loo! a%ter "o8r wi%e# &E'R&E7 ,eah ### go $ic! u$ the $ieces and $lan some new strateg"# +-C. Dto &E'R&E, as he mo2es towards the hallE7 ,ou3re going to regret this# &E'R&E7 =robabl"# - regret e2er"thing# +-C.7 - mean, -3m going to ma!e "ou regret this# &E'R&E DsI%i%"E7 +o doubt# Acute embarrassment, ehC +-C.7 -3ll $la" the charades li!e "ou32e got 3em set u$#AAA -3ll $la" in "our language#### -3ll be what "ou sa" - am# &E'R&E7 ,ou are alread" ### "ou Fust don3t !now it# WA<=8R&-S+ACHT 6

+-C. Dsha!ing withinE7 +o ### no# +ot reall"# But -3ll be it, mister#### -3ll show "ou something come to li%e "ou3ll wish "ou hadn3t set u$# &E'R&E7 &o clean u$ the mess# +-C. WIuiet%" A#A intense%"E7 ,ou Fust wait, mister# WHe eHits# =ause# &E'R&E smiles at MARTHA#E MARTHA7 4er" good, &eorge# &E'R&E7 Than! "ou, Martha# MARTHA7 Reall" good# &E'R&E7 -3m glad "ou li!ed it# MARTHA7 - mean ### ,ou did a good Fob ### "ou reall" %iHed it# &E'R&E7 :nh1hunh# MARTHA7 -t3s the most ### li%e "ou32e shown in a long time# &E'R&E7 ,ou bring out the best in me, bab"# MARTHA7 ,eah ### $igm" huntingB &E'R&E7 =-&M,B MARTHA7 ,ou3re reall" a bastard# &E'R&E7 -C -C MARTHA7 ,eah ### "ou# &E'R&E7 Bab", i% Iuarterbac! there is a $igm", "ou32e cer tainl" changed "our st"le# 3What are "ou a%ter now ### giantsC

MARTHA7 ,ou ma!e me sic!# &E'R&E7 -t3s $er%ectl" all right %or "ou #### - mean, "ou can ma!e "our own rules # # # "ou can go around li!e a ho$$ed1u$ Arab, slashing awa" at e2er"thing in sight, scarring u$ hal% the world i% "ou want to# But somebod" else tr" it ### no sirB MARTHA7 ,ou miserable ### &E'R & E Dmoc!ingE7 Wh" bab", - did it all %or "ou# - thought "ou3d li!e it, sweetheart ### it3s sort o% to "our taste ### blood, carnage and all# Wh", - thought "ou3d get all e#Hcited ### sort o% hea2e and $ant and come running at me, "our melons bobbling# #l# 6/ 6 ACT TW' liARTHA7 ,ou32e reall" screwed u$, &eorge# &E'R&E Ds$itting it outE7 'h, %or &od3s sa!e, MarthaB MARTHA7 - mean it ### "ou reall" ha2e# &E'R&E Dbareh3 contained anger nowE7 ,ou can sit there in that chair o % " o ; , "ou can sit there with the gin running out o% "our mouth, and "ou can humiliate me, "ou can tear me a$art ### A<< +-&HT #AA and that3s $er%ectl" all right #AA that3s '#.###A

MARTHA7 ,'8 CA+ STA+: -TB &E'R&E7 - CA++'T STA+: -TB MARTHA7 ,'8 CA+ STA+: -TB ,'8 MARR-E: ME F'R -TB B DA silence#E &E'R&E DIuieth3E7 That is a des$eratel" sic! lie# 7MARTHA7 :'+3T ,'8 .+'W -T, E4E+ ,ETC &E'R&E Dsha!ing his headE7 'h AAA Martha# MARTHA7 M" arm has gotten tired whi$$ing "ou# &E'R&E Dstares at her in disbelie%E7 ,ou3re mad# MARTHA7 For twent"1three "earsB &E'R&E7 ,ou3re deluded ### Martha, "ou3re deluded# MARTHA7 -T3S +'T WSHAT -34E WA+TE:B &E'R&E7 - thought at least "ou were ### on to "ourse-T - didn3t !now# - ### didn3t !now# MARTHA Danger ta!ing o2erE7 -3m on to m"selT &E'R&E Das i% she were some sort o% bugE7 +o ### no #AA "ou3re ### sic!# MARTHA Drises 1 screamsE7 -3<< SH'W ,'8 WH'3S S-C.B &E'R&E7 All right, Martha ### "ou3re going too %ar# MARTHA Dscreams againE7 -3<< SH'W ,'8 WH'3S S-C.# -3<< SH'W ,'8# &E'R&E Dhe sha!es herE7 Sto$ itB D=ushes her bac! in her chair#E +ow, sto$ itB

MARTHA DcalmerE7 -3ll show "ou who3s sic!# DCalmerE Bo", "ou3re reall" ha2ing a %ield da", hunhC Well, -3m going to %inish "ou ### be%ore -3m through with "ou##A# WA<=8R&-S+ACHT &E'R&E7 AA# "ou and the Iuarterbac! A## "ou both gonna %inish me # # # C MARTHA7 ### be%ore -3m through with "ou "ou3ll wish "ou3d died in that automobile, "ou bastard# &E'R&E Dem$ha#si#dng with his %ore%ingerE7 And "ou3ll wish "ou3d ne2er mentioned our sonB MARTHA Wdri$$ing contem$tE7 ,ou ##A &E'R&E7 +ow, - said - warned ,'l< MAR THA7 -3m im$ressed# &E'R&E7 - warned "ou not to go too %ar# MARTHA7 -3m Fust beginning# &E'R&E Dcalmh3, matter1o%1%acth3E7 -3m numbed enough #A# and - don3t mean b" liIuor, though ma"be that3s been $art o% the $rocess 1 a gradual, o2er1the1"ears going to slee$ o% the brain cells 1 -3m numbed enough, now, to be able to ta!e "ou when we3re alone# - don3t listen to "ou A ## or when - do listen to "ou, - si%t e2er"thing, - bring e2er"thing down to re%leH res$onse, so - don3t reall" hear "ou, which is the onl" wa" to manage it# But "ou32e ta!en a new tac!, Martha, o2er the $ast cou$le o% centuries 1 or howe2er long it3s been -32e li2ed in this house with "ou

that ma!es it Fust too much ### too much# - don3t mind "our dirt" underthings in $ublic ### well, - do mind, but -32e reconciled m"sel% to that ### but "ou32e mo2ed bag and baggage into "our own %antas" world now, and "ou32e started $la"ing 2ariations on "our own distortions, and, as a result A # A MARTHA7 +utsB &E'R&E7 ,es #AA "ou ha2e# MARTHA7 +utsB &E'R&E7 Well, "ou can go on li!e that as long as "ou want to# And, when "ou3re done ### MARTHA7 Ha2e "ou e2er listened to "our sentences, &eorgeC Ha2e "ou e2er listened to the wa" "ou tal!C ,ou3re so %rigging ### con2oluted #A# that3s what "ou are# , 65 ACT TW' 6( ,ou tal! li!e "ou were writing one o% "our stu$id $a$ers# &E'R&E7 Actuall", -3m rather worried about "ou# About "our mind# MARTHA7 :on3t "ou worr" about m" mind, sweetheartB &E'R&E7 - thir##! -3ll ha2e "ou committed#

MARTRA7 ,ou WHATC &E 'R&E DIuiett2 ### distir9ett2E7 - thin! -3l-Gha2e "ou com mitted# MARTHA Dbrea!s into long laughterE7 'h bab", aren3t "ou somethingB &E'R&E7 -32e got to %ind some wa" to reall" get at "ou# MARTHA7 ,ou32e got at me, &eorge ### "ou don3t ha2e to do an"thing# Twent"1three "ears o% "ou has been Iuite enough# &E'R&E7 Will "ou go Iuietl", thenC MARTHA7 ,ou !now what3s ha$$ened, &eorgeC ,ou want , to !now what3s reall" ha$$enedC DSna$s her %ingers#E -t3s sna$$ed, %inall"# +ot me ### it# The whole arrangement# ,ou can go alcng ### %ore2er, and e2er"thing3s ## # manageable# ,ou ma!e al7 sorts o% eHcuses to "oursel% ## # "ou !now ### this is li%e ### the hell with it ### ma"be tomorrow he3ll be dead ### ma"be tomorrow "ou3ll be dead ### all sorts o% eHcuses# But then, one da", one night, something ha$$ens ### and S+A=B -t brea!s# And "ou Fust don3t gi2e a damn an" more# -32e tried with "ou, bab" ### reall", -32e tried# &E'R&E7 Come o%% it, ; 5 a r t h a # MARTHA7 -32e tried ### -32e reall" tried# &E'R&E Dwith some aweE7 ,ou3re a monster7 ## "ou are# MARTHA7 -3m loud, and -3m 2ulgar, and - wear the $ants

in this house because some bod"3s got to, but - am not a monster# - am not# &E'R&E7 ,ou3re a s$oiled, sel%1indulgent, 42il%ul, clirt" minded, liIuor1ridden ### WA<=8R&-S+ACHT MARTHA7 S+A=B -t went sna$# <oo!, -3m not going to tr" to get through to "ou an" more#### -3m not going to tr"# There was a second bac! there, ma"be, there was a second, Fust a second, when - could ha2e gotten through to "ou, when ma"be we could ha2e cut through all this cra$# But that3s $ast, and now -3m not going to tr"# &E'R&E7 'nce a month, MarthaB -32e gotten used to it ### once a month and we get misunderstood Martha, the good1hearted girl underneath the barnacles, the little lR5iss that the touch o% !indness3d bring to bloom again# And -32e belie2ed it more times than - want to remember, because - don3t want to thin! -3m that much o% a suc!er# - don3t belie2e "ou ### - Fust don3t belie2e "ou# There is no moment ### there is no moment an" more when we could ### come together# MARTHA Darmed againE7 R4ell, ma"be "ou3re right, bab"# ,ou can3t come together with nothing, and "ou3re nothingB S+A=B -t went sna$ tonight at :add"3s $art"# D:ri$$ing contem$t, but there is %ur" andloss under it#E - sat there

at :add"3s $art", and - watched "ou ### - R2atched "ou sitting there, and - watched the "ounger men around "ou, the men who were going to go somewhere# And - sat there and - watched "ou, andP3ou weren3t thereB And it sna$$edB -t %inall" sna$$edB And -3m going to howl it out, and -3m not going to gi2e a damn what - do, and -3m going to ma!e the damned biggest eH$losion "ou e2er heard# &E'R&E D2er" $ointedl"E7 ,ou tr" it and -3ll beat "ou at "our own game# MARTHA Dho=i%ull"E7 -s that a threat, &eorgeC HunhC &E'R&E7 That3s a threat, Martha# MARTHA 8a!e1s$its at himE7 ,ou3re going to get it, bab"# &E'R&E7 Be care%ul, Martha ### -3ll ri$ "ou to $ieces# MARTHA7 ,ou aren3t man enough ### "ou ha2en3t got the guts# &E'R&E7 Total warC i 6M , ; ; 6 ) ACT TW' HARTHA7Total# DSilence# The" both seem relie2ed # AA elated# +-C. re1enters#E +-C. Dbrushing his hands oF@E7 Well #A# she3s ### resting# 3&E'R&E DIuTetl, amused at +-C.3S calm, o%%1hand mannerE7 :hC

MARTHA7 ,eahC She all rightC +-C.7 - thin! so #A# now# -3m AAA terribl" sorr" #AAA E5 BB MARTHA7 Forget about it# &E'R&E7 Ha$$ens all the time around here# +-C.7 She3ll be all right# MARTHA7 She l"ing downC ,ou $ut her u$stairsC :n a bedC -G +-C. Dma!ing himsel% a drin!E7 Well, no, actuall"# :h ##A ma" -C She3s ### in the bathroom A#A on the bathroom %loor ### she3s l"ing there# &E'R&E Dconsiders itE7 Well #A# that3s not 2er" nice# +-C.7 She li!es it# She sa"s i73s ### cool# &E'R&E7 Still, - don3t thin!# ## # MARTHA Do2erruling himE7 -%she wants to lie on the bathroom , %loor, let her# DTo +-C., seriousl,P7 Ma"be she3d be more com%ortable in the tubC +-C. Dhe, too, seriousl,E7 +o, she sa"s she li!es the %loor A## she too! u$ the mat, anci she3s l"ing on the tiles# She AAA she lies on the %loor a lot ### she reall" does# MARTHA D$auseE7 :h# +-C.7 She ### she gets lots o% headaches and things, and she alwa"s lies on the %loor# DTo &E'R&EE -s there ### iceC

&E'R&E7 WhatC +-C.7 -ce# -s there iceC &E'R&E Das i% the word were un%amiliar to himE7 -ceC +- C.7 -ce# ,es# MARTHA7 -ce# &E'R&E Das i% he suddenl, understoodE7 -ceB MARTHA7 Attabo"# &E'R&E Dwithout mo2ingE7 :h, "es ### -3ll get some# MARTHA7 Well, go# DiR5ugging ### to +-C.E Besides, we want to be alone# WA<=8R&-S+ACHT &E'R&E Dmo2ing to ta!e the buc!etE7 - wouldn3t be sur$rised, Martha ### - wouldn3t be sur$rised# MARTHA Das i%insultedP7 :h, "ou wouldn3t, hunhC &E'R&E7 +ot a bit, Martha# MARTHA D2iolentE7 +'C &E'R&E Dhe tooE7 +'B DKuietl, againE ,ou3ll tr" an"thing, Martha# D=ic!s u$ the ice buc!et#E +-C. Dto co2erE7 Actuall", she3s 2er" AAA %rail, and AAA &E'R&E7 ### slim1hi$$ed# +-C. DrememberingE7 ,es ### eHactl"# &E'R&E Dat the hallwa" A #A not !indl,E7 That wh" "ou don3t ha2e an" !idsC DHe eHits#E

+-C. Dto &E'R&E3sretreating%ormE7 Well, - don3t !now that that3s ### DTrails oF@E ##A i% that has an"thing to do with an" AA# thing# HARTHA7 Well, i% it does, who caresC HunhC +-C.7 =ardonC DMARTHA blows him a !iss#E +-C. Dstill concerned with &E'R&E3S remar!E7 - ### whatC #AA -3m sorr"# MAR THA7 - said ### DBlows him another !iss#E + - C . Duncom%ortableE7 :h # # # "es# MARTHA7 He" ### hand me a cigarette ### lo2er# W+-C. %ishes in his $oc!et#E That3s a good bo"# DHe gi2es her one#E :nh #A# than!s# WHe lights it %or her# As he does, she sli$s her hand between his legs, somewhere between the !nee and the crotch, bringing her hand around to the outside o% his leg#E :mmmmmmmm# DHe seems uncertain, but does not mo2e# She smiles, mo2es her hand a little#E +ow, %or being such a good bo", "ou can gi2e me a !iss# C3mon# 6 > 66

ACT TW' +-C. Dner2ousbE7 <oo! ### - don3t thin! we should #AAA MARTHA7 C3mon, bab" ##A a %riendl" !iss# +-C. Dstill uncertainE7 Well###A MARTHA7 AAA "ou won3t get hurt, little bo" #AAA +-C.7 AAA not so little##A# MARTHA7 -3ll bet "ou3re not# C3mon##AA +-C. Dwea!eningE7 But what i%he should come bac! in, and # # # or ### C MARTHA Dall the while her hand is mo2ing u$ and down his legE7 &eorgeC :on3t worr" about him# Besides, who could obFect to a %riendl" little !issC -t3s all in the %acult"# DMM9e" both laugh, Iuietb ### +-C. a little ner2ousb#E We3re a close1!nit %amil" here ### :add" alwa"s sa"s so# ### :add" wants us to get to !now each other ### that3s what he had the $art" %or tonight# So c3mon AAA let3s get to !now each other a little bit# +-C.7 -t isn3t that - don3t want to ### belie2e me ###A ,MARTHA7 ,ou3re a scientist, aren3t "ouC C3mon ### ma!e an eH$eriment #AA ma!e a little eH$eriment# EH$eriment on old Martha# + - C . Dgi<ing inE7 A # # not 2er" old# # # # MARTHA7 That3s right, not 2er" old, but lots o% good eHJ $erience ### lots o% it# +-C.7 -3ll #A# -3ll bet#

MART H A Das the" draw slowb closerE 7 -t3ll be a nice change %or "ou, too# +-C.7 ,es, it would# MARTHA7 And "ou could go bac! to "our little wi%e all re%reshed# +-C. Dcloser # #A almost whis$eringE7 She wouldn3t !now the di%%erence# MARTHA7 Well, nobod" else3s going to !now, either# DMM9e" come together# What might ha2e been a Fo!e ra$idl" becomes serious, with MARTH A urging it in that direction# There is no %renetic Iualit", but rather a slow, continuall" WA<=8R&-S+ACHT in2ohing intertwining# =erha$s MARTHA is still more or less ; n Uu7i ; , # # and +-C. is sort o% beside and on the chair# &E'R&E enters # ## sto$s # ## watches a moment # A# smiles #AA laughs silentb, nods his head, turns, eHits, without being noticed# # +-C., who has alread" had his hand on MARTHA3S breast, nouP $uts his hand inside her dress#E B#%A R THA Dslowing him downE7 He" ### he"# Ta!e it eas", bo" # :own, bab"# :on3t rush it, hunhC +717,1r7 ,#,# S0 still closedP7 'h, c3mon, nowA### MARTHP #Aing him awa"E7 8nhJhunh# <ater, bab" AAA later

+- CM3G T tole 2ou # # # -3m a biologist# MA# DsT G himE7 - !now# - can tell# <ater, hunhC <&E'R&- heard o%%1stage, singing3 Who3s a%raid o% 4ir ginia WooiFC3 MARTHA and +-C. go a$art, +-C. wi$ing his mouth, MARTHA chec!ing her clothes# Sa%eb later, &E'R&E re1enters with the ice buc!et#E &E'R&E7 AAA o% 4irginia Wool%, 4irginia Wool%, 4irginia AA# # # # ahB Here we are# A # ice %or the lam$s o% Ch-na, Manchuria thrown in# DTo + - C .E ,ou better watch those "ellow bastards, m" lo2e ### the" aren3t amused# Wh" don3t "ou come on o2er to our side, and we3ll blow the hell out o% 3 em# Then we can s$lit u$ the mone" between us and be on Eas" Street# What d3"a sa"C +-C. Dnot at all sure what is being tal!ed aboutE7 Well AA# sure# S; I B -ceB &E'R&E Dwith hideousl" %alse enthusiasmE7 RightB D+ow to MARTHA, $urringE Hello, Martha #A# m" do2e##A# ,ou loo! ### radiant# MARTHA Dt%%11handE7 Than! "ou# &E'R&E D2er" cheer%ul@7 G4e-l now, let me see# -32e got the lce ##A #### 505

-i3 3T # 500 ACT TW' MARTHA7 AAA gotten#### &E'R&E7 &ot, Martha# &ods $er%ectl" correct ### it3s Fust a little AA# archaic, li!e "ou# MARTHA Dsus$iciousE7 GWhat are "ou so cheer%ul aboutC &E'R&E Dignoring therem#ar!E7 <et3s see now #A# -32e got the ice# Can - ma!e someone a drin!C Martha, can - ma!e "ou a drin!C MARTHA Dbra2uraE7 ,eah, wh" notC &E'R&E Dta!ing her glassE7 -ndeed AAA wh" notC DEHamines th( glass#E MarthaB ,ou32e been nibbling awa" at the glass# MARTHA7 - ha2e notB &E'R&E Dto +-C., who is at the barE - see "ou3re ma!ing "our own, which is %ine### %ine# -3ll Fust hootch u$ Martha, here, and then we3ll be all set# MARTHA Dsus$iciousE7 All set %or whatC &E'R&E D$ause A AA considersE7 GWh", - don3t !now# We3re ha2ing a $art", aren3t weC DTo +-C., who has TT8@2ed%rom the barE - $assed "our wi%e in the hall# - mean, - $assed theFohn and - loo!ed in on her# =eace%ul AAA so $eace%ul# Sound aslee$### and she3s actuall"### suc!ing her

thumb# MARTHA7 AwwwwwwB &E'R&E7 Rolled u$ li!e a %oetus, suc!ing awa"# +-C. Da little uncom%ortabr"E7 - su$$ose she3s all right# &E'R&E DeH$ansi2er"E7 '%course she isB DHands MARTHA her drin!#E There "ou are# MARTHA Dstill on her guardE7 Than!s# &E'R&E7 And now one %or me# -t3s m" turn# MARTHA7 +e2er, bab" AA# it3s ne2er "our turn# &E'R&E Dtoo cheer%ulE7 'h, now, - wouldn3t sa" ##lartha#

MARTHA7 ,ou mo2ing on the $rinci$le the worm tur:SC Well, the worm $art3s '#.###A 3cause that %its "ou but the turning $art ### unh1unhB ,ou3re in a straight line, budd"1bo", and it doesn3t lead an"where AAA D##(# 2ague a%terthoughtE AAA eHce$t ma"be the gra2e# WA<=8R&-S+ACHT &E'R&E Dchuc!les, ta!es his drin!E7 Well, "ou Fust hold that thought, Martha# # # hug it close# # # run "our hands o2er it# Me, -3m going to sit down A## i% "ou3ll eHcuse me# # # # -3m going to sit down o2er there and read a boo!# DHe mo2es to a chair %acing awa" %rom the centre o% the room, but not too %ar %rom the %ront door#E MARTHA7 ,ou3re gonna do whatC &E'R&E DIuietr"* distinctr"E7 - am going to read a boo!#

Read# Read# ReadC ,ou32e heard o% itC D=ic!s u$ a boo!#E MARTHA DstandingE7 GWhadd"a mean "ou3re gonna readC What3s the matter with "ouC &E'R&E Dtoo calmr"E7 There3s nothing the matter with me, Martha#### -3m going to read a boo!# That3s all# MARTHA Doddr"%uriousE7 We32e got com$an"B &E'R&E Do2er1$atientr"E7 - !now, m" dear ### D<oo!s at his watchE #A# but ### it3s a%ter %our o3cloc!, and - alwa"s read around this time# +ow, "ou ### D:ismisses her tuith a little wa2eE #AA go about "our business#A## -3ll sit here 2er" Iuietl" #### MARTHA7 ,ou read in the a%ternoonl ,ou read at %our o3cloc! in the a%ternoon ### "ou don3t read at %our o3cloc! in the morningB +obod" reads at %our o3cloc! in the morningB &E'R&E Dabsorbing himsel% in his boo!E7 +ow, now, now# MARTHA Dincredulousr", to +-C.E7 He3s going to read a boo!# # ## The son o% a bitch is going to read a boo!B +-C. Dsmiling a littleE7 So it would seem# DMo2es to MARTHA, $uts his arm around her waist# &E'R&E cannot see this, o% course#E MARTHA Dgetting an ideaE7 Well, we can amuse oursel2es, can3t weC +-C.7 - imagine so#

MARTHA7 We3re going to amuse oursel2es, &eorge# &E'R&E Dnot loo!ing u$E7 8nh1hunh# That3s nice# ## #t 50/ 50 ACT TW' MARTHA7 ,ou might not li!e it# &E'R&E Dne2er loo!ing u$E7 +o, no, now AAA "ou go right ahead ### "ou entertain "our guests# MARTHA7 -3m going to entertain m"sel%, too# &E'R&E7 &ood #A 7 good# # MARTHA7 Ha, hat ,ou3re a riot, &eorge# &E'R&E7 8nh1hunh# MARTHA7 Well, -3m a riot, too, &eorge# &E'R&E7 ,es "ou are, Martha# D+B C . ta!es MARTHA3s hand, $ulls her to him# The" sto$ %or a moment, then !iss, not brit*,H"#E MARTHA Dti%terE7 ,ou !now what -3m doing, &eorgeC &E'R&E7 +o, Martha AA# what are "ou doingC ,# MARTHA7 -3m entertaining# -3m entertaining one o% the guests# -3m nec!ing with one o% the guests# &E'R&E Dseemingr" relaHed and $reoccu$ied, ne2er loo!ingE7 'h, that3s nice# W3hich oneC MARTHA Dli2idE7 'h, b" &od, "ou3re %unn"# DBrea!s awa"

%rom + - C . AAA mo2es into & E 0 R & E 3s side1line o%2ision b" hersel%# Her balance is none too good, and she bum$s into or brushes against the door chimes b" the door# The" chime#E &E'R&E7 Someone at the d o o r ; Martha# MARTHA7 +e2er mind that# - said - was nec!ing with one o% the guests# &E'R&E7 &ood ### good# ,ou go right on# MARTHA D$auses # A# not !nowing Iuite what to doE7 &oodC &E'R&E7 ,es, good ### good %or "ou# MARTHA Dher e"es narrowing, her 2oice becoming hardE7 'h, see what "ou3re u$ to, "ou lous" little ## # &E'R&E7 -3m u$ to $age a hundred and ## # MAR THA Cut itB @ust cut it outB DShe hits against the door chimes again* the" chime#E &oddamn bongs# &E'R&E7 The"3re chimes, Martha# 24h" don3t "ou go bac! to "our nec!ing and sto$ bothering meC - want to read# MARTHA7 Wh", "ou miserable#### -3ll show"ou# WA<=8R&-S+ACHT &E'R&E Dswings around to%ace her #AA sa"s, with great loathingE7 +o ### show him, Martha ### he hasn3t seen it# Ma"be he hasn3t seen it# DTurn to +-C.#E ,ou ha2en3t seen it "et, ha2e "ouC +-C. Dturning awa", a loo! o%disgust on his%aceE7 - ### - ha2e no res$ect %or "ou#

&E'R&E7 And none %or "oursel%, either#### D-ndicating MARTHAE - don3t !now what the "ounger generation3s coming to# +-C.7 ,ou don3t ### "ou don3t e2en ##A &E'R&E7 CareC ,ou3re Iuite right#### - couldn3t care less# So, "ou Fust ta!e this bag o% laundr" here, throw her o2er "our shoulder, and ### +-C.7 ,ou3re disgusting# & E 0 R & E DincredulousE7 Because"ou3re going to hum$ Martha, rm disgustingC DHe brea!s down in ridiculing laughter#E MARTHA Dto &E'R&EE7 ,ou MotherB DTo +-C.E &o wait %or me, hunhC &o wait %or me in the !itchen# DBut +-C. does not mo2e# MARTH Agoes to him, $uts her arms around him#E C3mon, bab" ### $lease# Wait %or me ### in the !itchen ### be a good bab"# D+-C. ta!es her !iss, glares at &E'R&E #A# who has turned his bac! again # A# and eHits# MARTHA swings around to &E'R&E#E +ow "ou listen to me#### &E'R&E7 -3d rather read, +lartha, i% "ou don3t mind#### MARTHA Dher anger has her close to tears, her%rustration to%ur"E7 Well, - do mind# +ow, "ou $a" attention to meB ,ou come o%% this !ic! "ou3re on, or - swear to &od -3ll do it# - swear to &od -3ll %ollow that gu" into the !itchen, and then -3ll

ta!e him u$stairs, and # # # &E'R&E DSu,5nging around to her again A AA loud A A# loathingE7 so WHAT, MARTHAC MARTHA Dconsiders him%or a moment # #A then, nodding her head, -t 505 50(1 ACT TW' bac!ing o%%slowr"E7 '#.## AA# '#.## ##A ,ou as!ed %or it AAA and "ou3re going to get it# &E'R&E DSI%tr", sadl"E7 <ord, Martha, i% "ou want the bo" that much ### ha2e him ### but do it honestl", will "ouC :on3t co2er it o2er with all this ##A all this AAA %ootwor!# MARTHA Dho$elessE7 -3ll ma!e "ou sorr" "ou made me want to marr" "ou# DAt the hallwa"E -3ll ma!e "ou regret the da" "ou e2er decided to come to this college# -3ll ma!e "ou sorr" "ou e2er let "oursel% down# DShe eHits# Silence# &E'R&E sits still, staring straight ahead# <isten ing A # A but there is no sound# 'utwardl" calm, he returns to his boo!, reads a moment, then loo!s u$ #AA considers# #AAE &E 'R&E7 3And the west, encumbered b" cri$$ling alliances, and burdened with a moralit" too rigid to accommodate itsel% to the swing o% e2ents, must ### e2entuall" ##A %all#3

DHe laughs, brie%l", rue%ulr" A # # rises, with the boo! in his hand# He stands still # AA then, Iuic!r", he gathers all the %ur" he has been containing within himsel% # ## he sha!es A A# he loo!s at the boo! in his hand and, with a cr" that is $art growl, $art howl, he hurls it at the chimes# The" crash against one another, ringing wildr"# A brie% $ause, then H'+E, enters#E H'+E, Dthe worse %or wear, hal% aslee$, still sic!, wea!, still staggering a little # ## 2aguer", in something o% a dream worldE7 Bells# Ringing# -32e been hearing bells# &E'R&E7 @esusB H'+E,7 - couldn3t slee$ ### %or the bells# :ing1ding, bong A## it wo!e me u$# G4hat time is itC &E'R&E DIuietr" beside himsel%@7 :on3t bother me# H0 + E , Dcon%used and %rightened@7 - was aslee$, and the bells started ### the" B''ME:B =oe1bells ### the" were =oe bells ### Bing1bing1bong1BooMB &E'R&E7 B''MB H0 + E ,7 - was aslee$, and - was dreaming o% ### something WA<=8R&-S+ ACHT A ## and - heard the sounds coming, and - didn3t !now what it was# &E'R&E Dne2er Iuite to herE7 -t was the sound o% bodies#### H'+E,7 And - didn3t want to wa!e u$, but the sound !e$t comrng###A

&E'#R&E7 #AA go bac! to slee$ ###A H'+E,7 ### and it FR-&HTE+E: MEB &E'R&E DIuietr" AA# to MARTHA, as i%she were in the roomE 7 -3m going to get "ou # # # Martha# H'+E,7 And it was so ### cold# The wind was ### the wind was so coldB And - was l"ing somewhere, and the co2ers !e$t sli$$ing awa" %rom me, and - didn3t want them to #AA &E'R&E7 Somehow, Martha# H'+E,7 ### and there was someone there #AA B &E'R&E7 There was no one there# H'+E, D%rightened@7 And - didn3t want someone there##A# - was ### na!ed ### B &E'R&E7 ,ou don3t !now what3s going on, do "ouC H'+E, Dstill with her dreamE7 - :'+3T WA+T A+, ##A +' ### B &E'R&E7 ,ou don3t !now what3s been going on around here while "ou been ha2ing "our snoo9ette, do "ou# H'+E,7 +'B ### - :'+3T WA+T A+, ### - :'+3T WA+T THEM#### &' 3WA"#### DBegins to cr"E - :'+3T WA+T A ## A+, ### CH-<:RE+#### - ### don3t ### want ### an" J ## children# -3m a%raidB - don3t want to be hurt# AA# =<EASEB &E' R & E Dnodding his head # ## s$ea!s with com$assionE7 - should ha2e !nown#

-i 0 + E , Dsna$$ing awa!e %rom her re2erieE7 WhatB WhatC &E'R&E7 - should ha2e !nown ### the whole business A#A the headaches ## the whining # # # the # A # -i'+E, Dterri%ied@7 What are "ou tal!ing aboutC &E'R&E Dugr" againE7 :oes he !now thatC :oes that A## stud "ou3re married to !now about that, hunhC A7 50) ACT TW' H'+E,7 About whatC Sta" awa" %rom meB &E'R&E7 :on3t worr", bab" ### - wouldn3t#### 'h, m" &od, that would be a Fo!e, wouldn3t itB But don3t worr", bab"# HE,B How "ou do itC HunhC How do "ou ma!e "our secret little murders stud1bo" doesn3t !now about, hunhC =illsC =-<<SC ,ou got a secret su$$l" o% $illsC 'r wha tC A$$le Fell"C W-<< ='WERC H'+E,7 - %eel sic!# &E'R&E7 ,ou going to throw u$ againC ,ou going to lie down on the cold tiles, "our !nees $ulled u$ under "our chin, "our thumb stuc! in "our mouth ### C H'+E, D$anic!edE7 Where is heC # &E'R&E7 Where3s# whoC There3s nobod" here, bab"# H'+E,7 - want m" husbandB - want a drin!B # &E'R&E7 Well, "ou Fust crawl o2er to the bar and ma!e "oursel% one# DFrom o%%1stage comes the sound i% MARTHA3S laughter and

the crashing i% dishes#E DTellingE That3s rightl &o at itB H'+E,7 - want ### something#### &E'R&E7 ,ou !now what3s going on in there, little 7MissC HunhC ,ou hear all thatC ,ou !now what3s going on in thereC H'+E,7 - don3t want to !now an"thingB &E'R&E7 There are a cou$le o% $eo$le in there#AAA DMARTHA3S laughter again#E # # # the" are in there, in the !itchen#### Right there, 3With the onion s!ins and the co%%ee grounds # A # sort o% ### sort o% a # # # sort o% a dr" run %or the wa2e o% the %uture# H'+E, Dbeside hersel%E7 - #AA don3t AAA understand AAA "ou#### &E'R&E Da hideous elationE7 -t3s 2er" sim$le#### 3When $eo$le can3t abide things as the" are, when the" can3t abide the $resent, the" do one o% two things ### either WA<=8R&-S+ACHT -0M the" ### either the" turn to a contem$lation o% the $ast, as - ha2e done, or the" set about to ### alter the %uture# And when "ou want to change something ### "ou BA+&B BA+&B BA+&B BA+&B

H'+E,7 Sto$ itB &E'R&E7 And "ou, "ou sim$ering bitch #A# "ou don3t want childrenC H'+E,7 ,ou lea2e me ##A alone# Who #A# WH' RA+&C &E'R&E7 WhatC H'+E,7 What were the bellsC Who rangC &E'R&E7 ,ou don3t want to !now, do "ouC ,ou don3t want to listen to it, hunhC H'+E, Dshi2eringE7 - don3t want to listen to "ou##A# - want to !now who rang# &E'R&E7 ,our husband is ### and "ou want to !now who rangC H'+E,7 Who rangC Someone rangB &E'R & E Dhis Faw dro$s o$en A # # he is whirling with an ideaE7 ### Someone ##A H'+E,7 RA+&B &E'R&E7 ### someone ### rang ### "es ### "essss##AA H'+E,7 The ### bells ### rang### # &E'R&E Dhis mind racing aheadE7 The bells rang A## and it was someone # # # H'+E,7 Somebod"##AA &E'R&E Dhe is home, nowE7 A#A somebod" rang ### it was somebod" A## with ### -34E &'T -TB -34E &'T -T, MARTHA ### B Somebod" with a message ### and the message was ### our son ### '8R S'+B DAlmost whis$eredE

-t was a message ### the bells rang and it was a message, and it was about ### our son ### and the message ### was ### and the message was ### our ### son ### is AAA :EA:B H'+E, Dalmost sic!E7 'h ### no# &E'R&E Dcementing it in his mindE7 'ur son is ### dead###A 5 50> ACT TW' ## And ### Martha doesn3t !now #AAA - ha2en3t told ##A Martha# H'+E,7 +o ### no ### no# &E'R&E Dslowh3, deliberateh3E7 'ur son is dead, and Martha doesn3t !now# H'+E,7 'h# &od in hea2en AA# no# &E'R&E Dto H'+E, #A# slowl", deliberatel", dis$assi'T8ltel"E7 And "ou3re not going to tell her# H'+E, Din tearsE7 ,our son is dead# &E'R&E7 -3ll tell her m"sel% ### in good time# -3ll tell her m"sel%# H'+E, Dso%aintT"E7 -3m going to be sic!# &E'R&E Dturning t\l<3a" %rom her A AA he, too, That3s nice# Dl-#ARTHA3S laugh is hTard again#E 'h, listen to that# AHe "ouC

H'+E,7 -3m going to die# t &E' R & E DIuite b" himsel% nowE7 &ood AA# good # A # "ou go right ahead# D4er" so MARTHA could not $ossibl, hearE

MarthaC MarthaC - ha2e some ### terrible news %or ,'l< DThere is a strange hal%1smile on his liF@s#E -t3s about our ### son# He3s dead# Can "ou hear me, MarthaC 'ur bo" is dead# DHe begins to laugh, 2er" so%tl" A AA it is miHed with cr"ing#E C8RTA-+ ACT THREE THE E?'RC-SM DMARTHA enters, tal!ing to hersel%#E MARTHA7 He", he"###A Where is e2er"bod" AA# C D-t is e2ident she is not bothered#E SoC :ro$ me* $luc! me li!e a goddamn # # # whate2er1it1is #AA cree$ing 2ine, and throw me o2er "our shoulder li!e an old shoe# ## &eorgeC D<oo!s about her#E &eorgeC DSilence#E &eorgeB What are "ou doing7 Hiding, or somethingC DSilence#E &E'R&EBB DSilence#E 'h, %a Chri #A# D&oes to the bar, 3TT8@lces hersel% a drin! and amuses hersel% with the %ollowing $er%ormance#E :esertedB Abandon1edB <e%t out in the cold li!e an old $uss"1cat# HAB Can - get "ou a drin!, MarthaC Wh", than! "ou, &eorge* that3s 2er" !ind o% "ou# +o, Martha, no* wh" -3d do an"thing %or "ou# Would "ou, &eorgeC Wh", -3d

do an"thing %or "ou, too# Would "ou, MarthaC Wh", cer tainl", &eorge# Martha, -32e misFudged "ou# And =2e misFudged "ou, too, &eorge# WHERE -S E4ER,B':,BBB Hum$ the HostessB D<aughs greatl" at this,%alls into a chair,3 calms down, loo!s de%eated, sa"s, so%tl"E Fat chance# DE2en so%terE Fat chance# DBab"1tal! now#E :add"C :add"C Martha is abandon1ed# <e%t to her own 2ices at ### D=eers at a cloc!E AA# something o3cloc! in the old A#Y-# :add" White1Mouse* do "ou reall" ha2e red e"esC :o "ouC <et me see# 'hhhhhB ,ou doB ,ou doB :add", "ou ha2e red e"es ### because "ou cr" all the time, don3t "ou, :add"# ,es* "ou do# ,ou cr" alllll the time# -3<< &-4E A<< ,'8 BASTAR:S F-4E T' C'ME '8T FR'M WHERE ,'83RE H-:-+&BB D=auseE - cr" all the time too, :add"# O --- --' ACT THREE THE E?'RC-SM - cr" alllll the time* but dee$ inside, so no one can see me# - cr" all the time# And &eorgie cries all the time, too# We both cr" all the time, and then, what we do, we cr", and we ta!e our tears, and we $ut 3em in the ice boH, in the goddamn ice tra"s DBegins to laughE until the"3re all %ro9en D<aughs e2en moreE and then ### we $ut them #AA in our ### drin!s# DMore laughter, which is something else, too# A%ter sobering silenceE 8$ the drain, down the s$out, dead,

gone and %orgotten# # # # 8$ the s$out, not down the s$out* 8$ the s$out7 THE ='.ER +-&HT# 8$ the s$out# # A # DSadl,E -32e got windshield wi$ers on m" e"es, because - married "ou ### bab"B ### Martha, "ou3ll be a writer "et# D@iggles the ice in her glass#E C<-+.B D:oes it again#E C<-+.B D&iggles, re$eats it se2eral time*#E C<-+.B A A A C<-+.B AAA C<-+.B A A A C<-+.B D+-C. enters while MARTHA is clin!ing* he stands in the hall entrance and watches her* %inall" he comes in#E +3lC.7 M" &od, "ou32e gone cra9" too# MARTHA7 Clin!C +-C.7 - said, "ou32e gone cra9" too# MARTHA Dconsiders itE7 =robabl" ### $robabl"# +-C.7 ,ou32e all gone cra9"7 - come downstairs, and what ha$$ens#### MARTHA7 What ha$$ensC +-C.7 AAA m" wi%e3s gone into the can with a liIuor bottle, and she win!s at me ### win!s at meB ### MARTHA Dsadl,E7 She3sne2erwun!at"ou*whatashame#### +-C.7 She is l"ing down on the %loor again, the tiles, all curled u$, and she starts $eeling the label o%% the liIuor bottle, the brand" bottle# # # # MARTHA7 AAA we3ll ne2er get the de$osit bac! that wa"A#A# +-C.7 AAA and - as! her what she3s doing, and she goes7 shhhhhhB, nobod" !nows -3m here* and - come bac! in

here, and "ou3re sitting there going Clin!B, %or &od3s sa!e# Clin!B MARTHA7 C<-+.B +-C.7 ,ou32e all gone cra9"# MARTHA7 ,es# Sad but true# +-C.7 Where is "our husbandC MARTHA7 He is 2anish1ed# =ou%B +-C.7 ,ou3re all cra9"7 nuts# MARTHA Da%%ects a brogueE7 Awww, 3tis the re%uge we ta!e when the unrealit" o% the world weighs too hea2" on our tin" heads# D+ormal 2oice againE RelaH* sin! into it* "ou3re no better than an"bod" e5se# +-C. Dwearil,E7 - thin! - am# MARTHA Dher glass to her mouthE7 ,ou3re certainl" a %lo$ in some de$artments# +-C. DwincingE7 - beg "our $ardon ### C MARTHA Dunnecessaril, loudE7 - said, "ou3re certainl" a %lo$ in some ### +-C. Dhe, too, too loudE7 -3m sorr" "ou3re disa$$ointed# MARTHA Dbra"ingE7 - didn3t sa" - was disa$$ointedB Stu$idB +-C.7 ,ou should tr" me some time when we ha2en3t been drin!ing %or ten hours, and ma"be # # # MARTHA Dstill bra"ingE7 - wasn3t tal!ing about "our $oten tial* - was tal!ing about "our goddamn $er%ormance#

+-C. DsI%tl,E7 'h# MARTHA Dshe so%ter, tooE7 ,our $otential3s %ine# -t3s dand"# DWiggles her Absolutel" dand"# - ha2en3t seen

such a dand" $otential in a long time# 'h, but bab", "ou sure are a %lo$# +-C. Dsna$$ing it outE7 E2er"bod"3s a %lo$ to "ouB ,our husband3s a %lo$, -3m a %lo$#### MARTHA Ddismissing himE7 ,ou3re all %lo$s# - am the Earth Mother, and "ou3re all %lo$s# DMore or less to hersel%E disgust me# - $ass m" li%e in crumm", totall" $ointless in%idelities ### D<aughsrui%ull,E would1be in%idelities# Hum$ the HostessC That3s a laugh# A bunch o% boo9ed1u$ ### im$otent lun!1heads# Martha ma!es goo1goo e"es, and 5 #G 55 ACT THREE thelun!1heacts grin, and roll their beauti%ul, beauti%ul e"es bac!, and grin some more, and Martha lic!s her cho$s, and the lun!1heads sla$ o2er to the bar to $ic! u$ a little courage, and the" $ic! u$ a little courage, and the" bounce bac! o2er ,to old Martha, who does a little dance %or them, which heats them all u$ ### mentall" A## and so the" sla$ o2er to the bar again, and $ic! u$ a little more courage, and their wi2es and sweethearts stic! their noses u$ in the air # # # right through the ceiling, some

times #A# which sends the lun!1heads bac! to the soda %ountain again where the" %uel u$ some more, while Martha1$oo sits there with her dress u$ o2er her head ##A su%%ocating 1 "ou don3t !now how stu%%" it is with "our # dress u$ o2er "our head 1 su%%ocatingB waiting %or the lun!1heads* so, %inall" the" get their courage u$ ### but that3s all, bab"B 'h m", there is sometimes some 2er" nice $otential, but, oh m"B M", m", m"# DBrightl"E But that3s how it is in a ci2ili9ed societ"# DTo hersel% againE All the gorgeous lun!1heads# =oor babies# DTo +-C., now* earnestl"E There is onl" one man in m" li%e who has e2er ### made me ha$$"# :o "ou !now thatC 'neB ; ### +-C.7 The ### the what1do1"ou1call1itC ## uh ### the la,,,n mower, or somethingC MARTHA7 +o* -3d %orgotten him# But when - thin! about him and me it3s almost li!e being a 2o"eur# Hunh# +o* - didn3t mean# him* - meant &eorge, o%course# D+o res$onse %rom +-C.#E 8h ### &eorge* m" husband# +-C. Ddisbelie2ingE7 ,ou3re !idding# MARTHA7 Am -C +-C.7 ,ou must be# HimC MARTHA7 Him# +-C. Das i% in on a Fo!eE7 Sure* sure# MARTHA7 ,ou don3t belie2e it#

+-C. Dmoc!ingE7 24h", o% course - do# MARTHA7 ,ou alwa"s deal in a$$earancesC THE E?'RC-SM 55/ +-C. Dderisi2el"E7 'h, %or &od3s sa!e #A## MARTHA7 AAA &eorge who is out somewhere there in the dar!#### &eorge who is good to me, and whom - re2ile* who understands me, and whom - $ush o%%* who can ma!e me laugh, and - cho!e it bac! in m" throat* who can hold me, at night, so that it3s warm, and whom - will bite so there3s blood* who !ee$s learning the games we $la"as Iuic!l" as - can change the rules* who can ma!e me ha$$" and - do not wish to be ha$$", and "es do wish to be ha$$"# &eorge and 7M7artha7 sad, sad, sad# +- C. Dechoing, still not belie2ingE7 Sad# MARTHA7 AAA whom - will not %orgi2e %or ha2ing come to rest* %or ha2ing seen me and ha2ing said7 "es* this will do* who has made the hideous, the hurting, the insulting mista!e o%lo2ing me and must be $unished %or it# &eorge and Martha7 sad, sad, sad# +-C. D$u99ledE7 Sad# MARTHA7 AAA who tolerates, which is intolerable* who is !ind, which is cruel* who understands, which is be"ond com$rehension# # ## +-C.7 &eorge and Martha7 sad, sad, sad#

MARTHA7 Some da" ### hahB some night A #A some stu$id, liIuor1ridden night# ## - will go too %ar# # # and -3ll either brea! the man3s bac! ### or $ush him o%% %or good ### which is what - deser2e# +-C.7 - don3t thin! he3s got a 2ertebra intact# MARTHA Dlaughing at himE7 ,ou don3t, huhC ,ou don3t thin! so# 'h, little bo", "ou got "oursel% hunched o2er that micro$hone o% "ours# # # # -i-C.7 Microsco$e### # MARTHA7 AAA "es ### and "ou don3t see an"thing, do "ouC ,ou see e2er"thing but the goddamn mind* "ou see all the little s$ecs and cra$, but "ou don3t see what goes on, do "ouC #i 55( ACT THREE +-C.7 - !now when a man3s had his bac!# bro!en* - can see that# MARTHA7 Can "ouB +-C.7 ,ou3re damn right# MARTHA7 'h ### "ou !now so little# And "ou3re going to ta!e o2er the world, hunhC +-C.7 All right, now #### MARTHA7 ,ou thin! a man3s got his bac!# bro!en 3cause he

ma!es, li!e a clown and wal!s bent, hunhC -s that reall" all "ou !nowC +-C.7 - said, rightB

MARTHA7 'hhhhB The stallion3s mad, hunh# The gelding3s all u$set# Ha, ha, ha, HAl +-C. Dso%tl"* w$undedE7 ,ou #AA "ou swing wild, don3t "ou# MARTHA Dtrium$hantE7 HAHB +-C.7 @ust ### an"where# MARTHA7 HAHB -3m a gattling gun# Hababahahahaha hahaB +-C. Din wonderE7 ##A#@#mless# # butcher"# =ointless#

MARTHA7 Awl ,ou $oor lide bastard# +-C.7 Hit out at e2er"thing# Dne door chimes chime#E MARTHA7 &o answer the door# +-C. What did "ou sa"C

MARTHA7 - said, go answer the door# What are "ou, dea%C +- C . Dtr"ing to get it straightE 7 ,ou #AA want me A # A to go answer the doorC MARTHA7 That3s right, lun!1head* answer the door# There must be something "ou can do well* or, are "ou too drun! to do that, tooC Can3t "ou get the latch u$, eitherC +-C.7 <oo!, there3s no need A##

D:oor chimes again#E MARTHA DshoutingE7 Answer itB DSI%ierE ,ou can be housebo, THE E?'RC-SM --5 around here %or a while# ,ou can start o%%being housebo" right now# +-C.7 <oo!, lad", -3m no %lun!" to "ou# MARTHA Dcheei%ull"E7 Sure "ou areB ,ou3re ambitious, aren3t "ou, bo"C ,ou didn3t chase me around the !itchen and u$ the goddamn stairs out o% mad, dri2en $assion, did "ou nowC ,ou were thin!ing a little bit about "our career, weren3t "ouC Well, "ou can Fust housebo" "our wa" u$ the ladder %or a while# +-C.7 There3s no limit to "ou, is thereC D:oor chimes again#E MARTHA Dcalml", surel"E7 +o, bab"* none# &o answer the door# D+-C. hesitates#E <oo!, bo"* once "ou stic! "our nose in it, "ou3re not going to $ullout Fust whene2er "ou %eel li!e it# ,ou3re in %or a while# +ow, gitB +-C.7 Aimless ### wanton ### $ointless###A MARTHA7 +ow, now, now* Fust do what "ou3re told* show old Martha there3s something "ou can do# HunhC Atta bo"# +-C. Dconsiders, gi2es in, mo2es towards the door# Chimes againE7 -3m coming, %or Christ3s sa!eB

MARTHA Dcla$s her handsE7 Ha HAl Wonder%ul* mar2ellous# DSingsE 3@ust a gigolo, e2er"where - go, $eo$le alwa"s sa" ## #3 +-C.7 ST'= THATB MARTHA DgigglesE7 Sorr", bab"* go on now* o$en the little door# + - C . Dwith great rueE7 Christ# DHeFlings o$en the door, and a hand thrusts into the o$ening a great bunch o% sna$dragons* the" sta" there %or a moment# +-C. strains his e"es to see who is behind them#E MARTHA7 'h, how lo2el"B &E'R&E Da$$earing in the doorwa", the sna$dragons co2ering his %ace* s$ea!s in a hideousl" crac!ed%alsetto@7 Flores* %lores $ara los muertos# Flores# #O --) ACT THREE MARTHA7 Ha, ha, ha, HAB &E'R&E7 Da ste$ into the room* lowers the %lowers* sees +-C.* his %ace becomes glee%ul* he o$ens his armsE7 Sonn"B ,ou32e come home %or "our birthda"B At lastB +-C. Dbac!ing o@BE7 Sta" awa" %rom me# MARTHA7 Ha, ha, ha, HAB That3s the housebo", %or &od3s sa!e# &E'R&E7 Reall"C That3s not our own little sonn"1@imC 'ur own little all1American something#ar1otherC

MARTHA DgigglingE7 GWell, - certainl" ho$e not* he3s been acting aw%ul %unn", i% he is# &E'R&E Dalmost manicE7 'hh##5iliB -3ll betB Chi$$ie1chi$$ie chi$$ie, hunhC DA%%ecting embarrassmentE - ### - brung"a dese %lowers, Mart3a, 3cause - ### wull, 3cause "ou3se AA# # awwwwww hell# &ee# MARTHA7 =ansiesB Rosemar"B 4iolenceB M" wedding bou IuetB l3R-C. Dstarting to mo2e awtr"E7 Well, i% "ou two !ids don3t mind, - thin! -3ll Fust ### MARTHA7 AchB ,ou Fust sta" where "ou are# Ma!e m" hubb" a drin!# +-C.7 - don3t thin! - will# &E'R&E7 +o, Martha, no* that would be too much* he3s "our housebo", bab", not mine# +-C.7 -3m nobod"3s housebo" #### &E'R&E and MARTHA7 ### +owB DSingE -3m nobod"3s housebo" now A### DBoth laugh#E +-C.7 4icious #AA &E'R&E D%inishing it %or himE7 AAA children# HunhC That rightC 4icious children, with their oh1so1sad games, ho$ scotching their wa" through li%e, etcetera, etcetera# -s that itC +-C.7 Something li!e it#

&E'R&E7 Screw, bab"# MARTHA7 Him can3t# Him too %ulia boo9e# THE E?'RC-SM --M &E'R&E7 Weall"C DHanding the sna$dragons to +-C.E Here* dum$ these in some gin# D+-C. ta!es them, loo!s at them, dro$s them on the %loor at his %let#E MARTHA Dsham disma"E37 Awwwwwww# &E'R&E7 What a terrible thing to do AAA to Martha3s sna$dragons# MARTHA7 -s that what the" areC &E'R&E7 ,u$# And here - went out into the moonlight to $ic! 3em %or Martha tonight, and %or our sonn"1bo" to morrow, %or his bir%da"# MARTHA D$assing on in%ormationE7 There is no moon now# saw it go down %rom the bedroom# &E'R&E D%eigned gleeE7 From the bedroomB D+ormal toneE Well, there was a moon# MARTHA Dtoo $atient* laughing a littleE7 There couldn3t ha2e been a moon# &E'R&E7 Well, there was# There is# MARTHA7 There is no moon* the moon went down# &E'R&E7 There is a moon* the moon is u$# MARTHA Dstraining to !ee$ ci2ilE7 -3m a%raid "ou3re misJ ta!en# &E'R&E Dtoo cheer%ulE7 +o* no#

MARTHA Dbetween her teethE7 There is no goddamn moon# &E'R&E7 M" dear Martha A## - did not $ic! sna$dragons in the ston" dar!# - did not go stumbling around :add"3s greenhouse in the $itch# MARTHA7 ,es ### "ou did# ,ou would# &E'R&E7 Martha, - do not $ic! %lowers in the blin!# - ha2e # ne2er robbed a hothouse without there is a light %rom hea2en# MARTHA Dwith%inalir"E7 There is no moon* the moon went down# &E'R&E Dwith great logicE7 That ma" 2er" well be, Chastit"* the moon ma" 2er" well ha2e gone down ### but it came bac! u$# @## l-> ACT THREE MARTHA7 The moon does not come bac! u$* when the moon has gone down it sta"s down# &E'R&E Dgetting a little ugl,E7 ,ou don3t !now an"thing# -F the moon went down, then it came bac! u$# MARTHA7 B8<<B &E'R&E7 -gnoranceB Such ### ignorance# MARTHA7 Watch who "ou3re calling ignorantB &E'R&E7 'nce ### once, when - was sailing $ast MaForca, drin!ing on dec! with a corres$ondent who was tal!ing

about Roose2elt, the moon went down, thought about it %or a little ### considered it, "ou !now what - meanC #AA and then, ='=, came u$ again# @ust li!e that# MARTHA7 That is not trueB That is such a lieB &E'R&E7J ,ou must not call e2er"thing a lie, Martha# DTo +-C.E Must sheC +-C.7 Hell, - don3t !now when "ou $eo$le are l"ing, or what# ,MARTHA7 ,ou3re damned rightB &E'R&E7 ,ou3re not su$$osed to# MARTHA7 RightB &E'R&E7 At an" rate, - was sailing $ast +%aForca AAAA MARTHA7 ,ou ne2er saileci $ast MaForca #AA# &E'R&E7 Martha#### MARTHA7 ,ou were ne2er in the goddamn Mediterranean at all ### e2er#### &E'R&E7 - certainl" wasB M" Momm" and :add" too!# me there as a college graduation $resent# MARTHA7 +utsB +-C.7 Was this a%ter "ou !illed themC D&E'R&E and MARTHA swing around and loo! at him* there is a brie%, ugl, $ause#E &E'R&E Dde%iantl,E7 Ma"be# MARTHA7 ,eah* ma"be not, too# +-C.7 @esusB

D&E'R&E swoo$s down, $ic!s u$ the bunch o% sna$dragons, THE E?'RC-SM --6 sho#!es them li!e a %eather duster in + - C . 3 S %ace, and mo2es awa" a little#E &E'R&E7HAHB +-C.7 :amn "ou# &E'R&E Dto +-C.E7 Truth and illusion# Wbo !nows the di%%erence, eh, tootsC EhC MARTHA7 ,ou were ne2er in the Mediterranean AAA truth or illusion ##A either wa"A # &E'R&E7 -% - wasn3t in the Mediterranean, how did - get to the AegeanC HunhC MARTHA7 '4ER<A+:B +-C.7 ,eahB &E'R&E7 :on3t "ou side with her, housebo"# +-C.7 - am not a housebo"# &E'R&E7 <oo!B - !now the gameB ,ou don3t ma!e it in the sac!, "ou3re a housebo"# +-C.7 - AM +'T A H'8SEB',B &E'R&E7 +oC Well then, "ou must ha2e made it in the sac!# ,esC DHe is breathing a little hea2"* beha2ing a little manic#E ,esC Someone3s l"ing around here* somebod" isn3t $la"ing the game straight# ,esC Come on* come on* who3s l"ingC MarthaC Come onB #

+-C. Da%ter a $ause @ 3 to MAR THA, Iuietl, with intense $leadingE7 Tell him -3m not a housebo", MARTHA Da%ter a $ause, Iuietl,, lowering her headE7 +o* "ou3re not a housebo"# &E'R&E Dwith great, sad relii%@7 So be it, MARTHA D$leadingE7 Truth and illusion, &eorge* "ou don3t !now the di%%erence# &E'R&E7 +o* but we must carr" on as though we did# MARTHA7 Amen# # &E'R&E D%lourishing theFlowersE7 S+A= WE+T THE :RA&'+SBB D+-C. and Y-ARTHA laugh wea!l,#E HunhC Here we go round the mulberr" bush, HunhC +-C. Dtenderl,, to MARTHAE7 Than! "ou# Fi - 0 ACT THREE MARTHA7 S!i$ it# &E'R&E DloudE7 - said, here we go round the mulberr" bushB MARTHA Dim$atientr"E 7 ,eah, "eah* we !now* sna$ go the dragons# &E'R&E Dta!ing a sna$dragon, throwing it, s$ear1li!e, stem1%irst at MARTHAP7 S+A=B MARTHA7 :on3t, &eorge# &E'R&E Dthrows anotherE7 S+A=B

+-C.7 :on3t do that# &E'R&E7 Shut u$, stud# +-C.7 -3m not a studB &E'R&E Dthrows one at +-C.E7 S+A=B Then "ou3re a house bo"# Which is itC Which are "ouC HunhC Ma!e u$ "our mind# Either wa" AAA DThrows another at him#E S+A=B AAA "ou disg8st me# MARTHA7 :oes it matter to "ou, &eorgeBC &E'R&E Dthrows one at herE7 S+A=B +o, actuall", it doesn3t# Either wa" AA# -32e had it# MARTHA7 Sto$ throwing those god damn things at meB &E'R&E7 Either wa"# DThrows another at herE S+A=B +-C. Dto MARTHAE7 :o "ou want me to AAA do something to himC MARTHA7 ,ou lea2e him aloneB &E'R&E7 -%"ou3re a housebo", bab", "ou can $ic! u$ a%ter me* i% "ou3re a stud, "ou can go $rotect "our $lough# Either wa"# Either wa"A#AA E2er"thing# +-C.7 'h %or &od3s ##A MARTHA Da little I%raidE7 Truth or illusion, &eorge# :oesn3t it matter to "ou ### at allC &E'R&E Dwithout throwing an"thingE7 S+A= 5DSilence#E ,ou got "our answer, bab"C MARTHA Dsadr"E7 &ot it#

&E'R&E7 ,ou Fust gird "our blue12eined loins, girl# DSees## +-C. mo2ing towards the hall#E +ow* we got one more game to $la"# A##nd it3s called bringing u$ bab"# THE E?'RC-SM 5 5 +-C. Dmore1or1less under his breathE7 'h, %or <ord3s sa!e #### BliARTHA7 &eorge#### &E'R&E7 - don3t want an" %uss# DTo +-C.E ,ou don3t want an" scandal around here, do "ou, big bo"C ,ou don3t want to GG3rec! things, do "ouC HunhC ,ou want to !ee$ to "Z*mr time1table, don3t "ouC Then sitl D+-C. sits#E DTo MARTHAE And "ou, $rett" 7Miss, "ou li!e %un and games, don3t "ouC ,ou3re a s$ort %rom wa" bac!, aren3t "ouC MARTHA DIuietb, gi2ing inE7 All right, &eorge, all right# &E'R&E Dseeing them both cowed* $urrsE7J &oooooooood* gooooood# D<oo!s about him#E But, we3re not all here# DSna$s his %ingers a cou$le oF times at + - C .#E ,ou* "ou #A# uh ### "ou* "our little wi%elet isn3t here# +-C.7 <oo!* she3s had a rough night, now* she3s in the can, and she3s ### &E'R&E7 Well, we can3t $la" without e2er"one here# +ow that3s a %act# We gotta ha2e "our little wi%e# DHog1calls towards the hallE s'''WWW---EEEBB s'''WWW---EEEBB +-C. Das MARTHA giggles ner2ousT2E7 Cut thatl &E'R&E Dswinging around, %acing himE7 Then get "our butt out o% that chair and bring the little di$ bac! in here# DAs

+-C. does not mo2eE +ow be a good $u$$"# Fetch, good $u$$", go %etch# D+-C. rises, o$ens his mouth to sa" something, thin!s better oF it, eHits#E 'ne more game# MARTHA DI%ter +-C. goesE7 - don3t li!e what3s going to ha$ $en# & E 0 R & E Dsur$risingb tenderE7 :o "ou !now what it isC # MARTHA D$atheticE7 +o# But - don3t li!e it# lE'R&E7 Ma"be "ou will, Martha# ; A R T H A 7 +o# &E'R&E7 'h, it3s a real %un game, Martha# -WARTHA D$leadingE7 +o more games# &E'R&E DIuietr" trium$hantE7 'ne more, Martha# 'ne more T, 5 / 5 ACT THREE

game, and then beddie1b"e# E2er"bod" $ac! u$ his tools and baggage and stu%% and go home# And "ou and me, well, we gonna climb them well1worn stairs# MARTHA Dalmost in tearsE7 +o, &eorge* no# &E'R&E DsoothingE7 ,es, bab"# MARTHA7 +o, &eorge* $leaseC &E'R&E7 -t3ll all be done with be%ore "ou !now it# MARTHA7 +o, &eorge#

&E'R&E7 +o climb stairs with &eorgieC MARTHA Da slee$" child7E7 +o more games AA# $lease# -t3s games - don3t want# +o more games# &E'R&E7 Aw, sure J"oudo, Martha ### original game1girl and all, 3course "ou do# MARTHA7 8gl" games ### ugl"# And now this new oneC &E'R&E Dstro!ing her hairE7 ,ou3ll lo2e it, bab"# MARTHA7 +o &eorge# &E'R&E7 ,ou3ll ha2e a ball# MARTHA Dtenderl"* mo2es to touch himE7 =lease, &eorge, no more games* - # # # &E'R&E Dsla$$ing her mo2ing hand with 2ehemenceE7 :on3t "ou touch meB ,ou !ee$ "our $aws clean %or the under graduatesB MARTHA Da cr" o% alarm, but%aint#E &E'R&E Dgrabbing her hair, $ulling her head bac!E7 +ow, "ou listen to me, Martha* "ou ha2e had Iuite an e2ening #AA Iuite a night %or "oursel%, and "ou can3t Fust cut it o%% whene2er "ou32e got enough blood in "our mouth# We are going on, and -3m going to ha2e at "ou, and it3s going to ma!e "our $er%ormance tonight loo! li!e an Easter $ageant# +ow - want "ou to get "oursel% a little alert# DSla$s her lightl" with his %ree hand#E - want a little li%e in "ou, bab"# DAgain#E MARTHA DstrugglingE7 Sto$ itB

&E'R&E DagainE7 =ull "oursel% togetherB DAgain#E - want "ou on "our %eet and slugging, sweetheart, because -3m going THE E?'RC-SM to !noc! "ou around, and - want "ou u$ %or it# DAgain* he $ulls awa", releases her* she rises#E MARTHA7 All right, &eorge# What do "ou want, &eorgeC &E'R&E7 An eIual battle, bab"* that3s all# MARTHA7 ,ou3ll get itB &E'R&E7 - want "ou mad# MARTHA7 -3M MA:BB madderB MARTHA%:'+3T W'RR, AB'8T -TB &E'R&E7 &ood %or "ou, girl* now, we3re going to $la" this one to the death# # MARTHA7 ,oursB &E'R&E7 ,ou3d be sur$rised# +ow, here come the tots* "ou be read" %or this# MARTHA Dshe $aces, actuall" loo!s a bit li!e a%ighterE7 -3mread" %or "ou# D+-C. and H'+E, re1enter* +-C. su$$orting H'+E,, who still retains her brand" bottle and glass#E +-C. Dunha$$il"E7 Here we are# H'+E, Dcheei%ull"E7 Hi$, ho$# Hi$, ho$# +-C.7 ,ou a bunn", Hone"C DShe laughs greatl", sits#E

H'+E,7 -3m a bunn", Hone"# &E'R&E Dto H'+E,E7 Well, now* how3s the bunn"C H'+E,7 Bunn" %unn"B DShe laughs again#E +-C. Dunder his breathE7 @esus# &E'3R&E7 Bunn" %unn"C &ood %or bunn"B MARTHA7 Come on, &eorgeB &E'R&E Dto MARTHAE7 Hone" %unn" bunn"B DH'+E, screams with laughter#E +-C.7 @esus &od#### &E'R&E Dsla$s his hands together, onceE7 All rightB Here we goB <ast gameB All sit# D+-C. sits#E Sit doRR1Gll, Martha# This is a ci2ili9ed game# MARTHA Dcoc!s her %ist, doesn3t swing# SitsE7 @ust get on with it# 5R0## 5 5 - ( ACT THREE H'+E, Dto &E'R&EE7 -32e decided - don3t remember an" thing# DTo +-C.E Hello, :ear# &E'R&E7 HunhC WhatC MARTHA7 -t3s almost dawn, %or &od3s sa!e #### H'+E, Dibid#E7 - don3t remember an"thing, and "ou don3t remember an"thing, either# Hello, :ear# &E'R&E7 ,ou whatC

H'+E, Dibid# An edge cree$ing into her 2oiceE7 ,ou heard me, nothing# Hello, :ear# &E'R&E Dto H'+E,, re%erring to +-C.E7 ,ou do !now that3s "our husband, there, don3t "ouC H'+E, Dwith great dignir"E7 Well, - certainl" !now that# &E'R&E Dclose to H'+E,3S earE7 -t3s Fust some things "ou can3t remember ### hunnC H'+E, Da great @augh to cu2er* then IuietU", intenseU" to &E'R&EE7 :on3t remember* not can3t# DAt +-C., cheei%ulU"E Hello, :ear# KE'R&E Dto +-C.E7 Well, s$ea! to "our little wi%elet, "our little bunn", %or &od3s sa!e# +- C. Dsi%tU", embarrassedE7 Hello, Hone"# &E'R&E7 Awww, that was nice# - thin! we32e been ha2ing a # # # a real good e2ening # # # all things considered# # #A We32e sat around, and got to !now each other, and had %un and games A## curl1u$1on171the1%loor, %or eH am$le#### B'+E,7 AAA the tiles##A# &E'R&E7 AAA the tiles #### Sna$ the :ragon # # B'+E,7 AAA $eel the label# ### &E'R&E7 AAA $eel the ### whatC MARTHA7 <abel# =eel the label# H'+E, Da$ologeticalU,, holding u$ her brand" bottleE7 - $eel

labels# &E'R&E7 We all $eel labels, s22eetie* and when "ou get through the s!in, all three la"ers, through the muscle, slosh aside the organs DAn aside to +-C.E them which is THE E?'RC-SM still sloshable 1 DBac! to H'+E,E and get down to bone #A# "ou !now what "ou do thenC B'+E, DterribU, interestedE7 +oB &E'R&E7 When "ou get down to bone, "ou ha2en3t got all the wa", "et# There3s something inside the bone A## the marrow ##A and that3s what "ou gotta get at# DA strange smile at MARTHA#E B'+E,7 'hB - see# &E'R&E7 The marrow# But bones are $rett" resilient, es $eciall" in the "oung# +ow, ta!e our son #AA B'+E, DstrangeU"E7 WhoC &E'R&E7 o8r son ### Martha3s and m" little Fo"B +-C. Dmo2ing towards the barE7 :o "ou mind i% - AAA C &E'R&E7 +o, no* "ou go right ahead# MARTHA7 &eorge##AA &E'R&E Dtoo !indU"E7 ,es, MarthaC MARTHA7 @ust what are "ou doingC &E'R&E7 Wh" lo2e, - was tal!ing about our son# MARTHA7 :on3t# &E'R&E7 -sn3t 7Martha somethingC Here we are, on the e2e

o% our bo"3s

the e2e o% his

bir%da", the e2e o%his maForit" ##A and Martha sa"s don3t tal! about him# MARTHA7 @ust ### don3t# &E'R&E7 But - want to, MarthaB -t3s 2er" im$ortant we tal! about him# +ow bunn" and the ### well, whiche2er he is ##A here don3t !now much about Funior, and - thin!# the" should# MARTHA7 @ust #A# don3t# &E'R&E Dsna$$ing hisFingers at +-C.E7 ,ou# He", "ouB ,ou want to $la" bringing u$ bab", don3t "ouB +-C. DhardU" ci2ilE7 Were "ou sna$$ing at meC &E'R&E7 That3s right# D-nstructing himE Tou want to hear about our bounce" bo"# +BC . D$ause* then, shortU"@7 ,eah* sure# i l THE E?'RC-SM HB) ACT THREE - M &E'R&E7 &ood bo"* "ou3ll go %ar ## All right, Martha* "our &E'R&E Dto H'+E,E7 And "ou, m" dearC ,ou want to hear recitation, $lease#

about him, too, don3t "ou# MARTHA D%rom%ar awa"E7 What, &eorgeC H'+E, D$retending not to understandE7 WhomC &E'R&E D$rom$tingE7 3'ur son #A#3 &E'R&E7 Martha3s and m" son# MARTHA7 All right# 'ur son# 'ur son was born in a Se$ H'+E, Dner2ousl"E7 'h, "ou ha2e a childC tember night, a night not unli!e tonight, though to DMAR THA and +-C. laugh uncom%ortabl"#E morrow, and twent" ### one #AA "ears ago# &E'R&E7 'h, ir#deed* do we e2erB :o "ou want to tal! &E'R&E Dbeginning o% Iuiet asidesE7 ,ou seeC - told "ou# about him, Martha, or shall -C HunhC MARTHA7 -t was an eas" birth#### MARTHA Da smile that is a sneerE7 :on3t, &eorge# &E'R&E7 'h, Martha* no# ,ou laboured A## how "ou &E'R&E7 All rightie# Well, now* let3s see# He3s a nice !id, laboured# reall", in s$ite o%his home li%e* - mean, most lcids3d grow MARTHA7 -t was an eas" birth ##A once it had been ##A u$ neurotic, what with Martha here carr"ing on the wa" acce$ted, relaHed into# she does7 slee$ing till %our in the =#M#, climbing all o2er &E'R&E7 Ah ### "es# Better# the $oor bastard, tr"ing to brea! the bathroom door down

1 MARTHA7 -t was an eas" birth, once it had been acce$ted, to wash him in the tub when he3s siHteen, dragging stran and - was "oung# gers into the house at all hours# # # # &E'R&E7 And - was "ounger ##A# D<aughs Iuietl" to himsel%#E MARTHA DrisingE7 K#.# "oul MARTHA7JAnd - was "oung, and he was a health" child, a &3E'R&E Dmoc! concernE7 MarthaB red, bawling child, with sli$$er" %irm limbs ### MARTHA7 That3s enoughB &E'R&E7 ### Martha thin!s she saw him at deli2er"#### &E'R&E7 Well, do "ou want to ta!e o2erC MARTHA7 ### with sli$$er", %irm limbs, and a %ull head o% H'+E, Dto +-C.E7 RRTh"would an"bod" want to wash some1 blac!, %ine, %ine hair which, oh, later, later, became blond bod" who3s siHteen "ears oldC as the sun, our son# +-C. Dslamming his drin! downE7 'h, %or Christ3s sa!e, Hone"B &E'R&E7 He was a health" child# H'+E, Dstage whis$erE7 Well, wh"C MARTHA7 And - had wanted a child ##A oh, - had wanted &E'R&E7 Because it3s her bab"1$oo# a child# MARTHA7 A<< R-&HTBB

DB" rote* a !ind 0V almost1tear%ul recitationE &E'R&E D$rodding herE7 A sonC A daughterC MARTHA7 A childB DKuieterE A child# And - had m" 'ur son# ,ou want our sonC ,ou3ll ha2e it# child# &E'R&E7 ,ou want a drin!, MarthaC &E'R&E7 'ur child# MARTHA D$atheticall"E7 ,es# MARTHA Dwith great sadnessE7 'ur child# And we raised +-C. Dto MARTHA !indl"E7 We don3t ha2e to hear about it him ### D<aughs, bri%Fi", bitterb3#E "es, we did* we raised ### i% "ou don3t want to# him ## # &E'R&E7 Who sa"s soC ,ou in a $osition to set the rules &E'R&E7 R4ith tedd" bears and an antiIue bassinet %rom around hereC Austria ### and no nurse# +-C. D$ause* tight1li$$ecl@7 +o# 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ; 5 6 5 > ACT THREE MAR THA7 AAA with tedd" bears and trans$arent %loating

gold%ish, and a $ale blue bed with cane at the headboard when he was older, cane which he wore through #AA %inall" ### with his little hands ### in his ### slee$###A &E'R&E7 AAA nightmares#### MAR THA7 AAA slee$# #A# He was a restless child #### &E'R&E7 AAA WSZdl chuc!le, head1sha!ing o% disbelie%#E AAA 'h <ord#### MARTHA7 AAA slee$ ### and a crou$ tent ### a $ale green crou$ tent, and the s51ining !ettle hissing in the one light o% the room that time he was sic! ### those %our da"s #AA and animal crac!ers, and the bow and arrow he !e$t under his bed# # ## &E'R&E7 the arrows with rubber cu$s at their ti$ ### MARTHA7 at their ti$, which he !e$t beneath his bed#### dE'R&E7 Wh"C 243h", MarthaC MA R THA7 AAA %or %ear ### %or %ear o% AAA &E'R&E7 For %ear# @ust that7 %or %ear# MARTHA D2agueg wa2ing him o%%* going onE7 AAA and ### and # sandwiches on Sunda" night, and Saturda"s ### D=leased recollectionE #A# and Saturda"s the banana boat, the whole $eeled banana, scoo$ed out on to$, with green gra$es %or the crew, a double line o% green gra$es, and along the

sides, stuc! to the boat with tooth$ic!s, orange slices #A## SH-E<:S# &E'R&E7 And %or the oarC MARTHA Duncertaint"E7 A ### carrotC &E'R&E7 'r a s2#3i99le stic!, whate2er was easier# MARTHA7 +o# A carrot# And his e"es were green ### green with ### i% "ou $eered so dee$ into them ### so dee$ ### bron9e # # # bron9e $arentheses around the irises # # # such green e"esB &E'R&E7 AAA blue, green, brown ##AA THE E?'RC-SM MARTHA7 AAA and he lo2ed the sunB ### He was tan be%ore and a%ter e2er"one # # # and in the sun his hair # # # became ### %leece# &E'R&E Dechoing herE7 #A# %leece#### MARTHA7 AAA beauti%ul, beauti%ul bo"# &E'R&E7 Absol2e, :omine, animas omnium %idelium deJ %unctorum ab omni 2inculo delictorum# MARTHA7 AAA and school ### and summer cam$ ##A and sledding ### and swimming#### &E'R&E7 Et gratia tua illis succurrente, mereantur e2adere Fudicium ultionis# MARTHA Dlaughing, to hersel%E7 #A# and how he bro!e his arm ### how %unn" it was ### oh, no, it hurt himB ##A but, oh, it was %unn" ### in a %ield, his 2er" %irst c o w ; the

%irst he3d e2er seen ### and he went into the %ield, to the cow, where the cow was gra9ing, head down, bus" ### and he moo3d at itB D<aughs ibid#E He moo3d at it ### and the beast, oh, sur$rised, swung its head u$ and moo3d at him, all three "ears o% him, and he ran, startled, and he stumbled ### %ell # # # and bro!e his $oor arm# D<aughs ibid#E $oor lamb# &E'R&E7 Et lucis aeternae beatitudine $er%rui # MARTHA7 &eorge criedB Hel$less ### &eorge ### cried# carried the $oor lamb# &eorge snu%Hing beside me, - carJ ried the child, ha2ing %ashioned a sling ### and across the great %ields# &E'R&E7 -n =aradisum deducant te Angeli# MAR THA7 And as he grew ### and as he grew ### ohB so wiseB ### he wal!ed e2enl" between us ### WShe s$reads her hands#E #A# a hand out to each o% us %or what we could o%%er b" wa" o% su$$ort, a%%ection, teaching, e2en lo2e ### and these hands, still, to hold us o%% a bit, %or mutual $ra# techon, to $rotect us all %rom &eorge3s ### wea!ness ### and m" ### necessar" greater strength ### to $rotect him sel% ### and us# #1## 5/0 ACT THREE

&E'R&E7 -n memoria aeterna eritFustus7 ab auditione mala non timebi t# MARTHA7 S' wise* so wise# +-C. Dto &E'R&EE7 4,hat is thisC What are "ou doingC &E'R&E7 Shhhhh# # H'+E,* Shhhhh# +-C. DshruggingE7 '#.# MARTHA7 S' beauti%ul* so wise# &E' R & E Dlaughs Iuietl,E7 All truth being relati2e# MARTHA7 -t was trueB Beauti%ul* wise* $er%ect# &E'R&E7 There3s a real mother tal!ing# H'+E, DS8ddenl,* almost tear%ull"E7 - want a child# +-C.7 Hone"###A H'+E, Dmore%orci%ulB,@7 - want a childB &E'R&E7 'n $rinci$leC H'+E, Din tearsE7 - want a child# - want a bab"# MAR THA Dwaiting out the interru$tion, not reall, $a"ing it an" , mindE7 '% course7 this state, this $er%ection ### couldn3t last# +ot with &eorge ### not with &eorge around# &E'R&E Dto the othersE* There* "ou seeC - !new she3d shi%t# H'+E,7 Be stillB &E'R&E Dmoc! aweE7 Sorr" ### mother# +-C.7 Can3t "ou be stil-C &E'R&E Dma!ing a sTgn at +-C.E7 :ominus 2obiscum# MAR THA7 +ot with &eorge around# A dr'wning man ta!es

down those nearest# &eorge tried, but, oh, &od, how %ought him# &od, how - %ought him# &E'R&E Da satis%ied laughE7 Ahhhhhhh# MAR THA7 <esser states can3t stand those abo2e them# R,"ea! ness, im$er%ection cries out against strength, goodness and innocence# And &eorge tried# &E'R&E7 How did - tr", MarthaC How did - tr"C MARTHA7 How did "ou ### whatC ### +oB +o ### he grew ### 'ur son grew ### u$* he is gro4R3l5 u$* he is awa" at school, college# He is %ine, e2er"thing is %ine# THE E?'RC-SM 5/ 5 &E'R&E Dmoc!ingE7 'h, come on, MarthaB MARTHA7 +o# That3s all# &E'R&E7 @ust a minuteB ,ou can3t cut a stor" o%% li!e that, sweetheart# ,ou started to sa" something # # # now "ou sa" itB MARTHA7 +oB &E'R&E7 Well, - will# MARTHA7 +oB &E'R&E7 ,ou see, Martha, here, sto$s Fust when the going gets good# # # Fust when things start getting a little rough# +ow, Martha, here, is a misunderstood little girl* she

reall" is# +ot onl" does she ha2e a husband who is a bog # ## a "ounger1than1she1is bog albeit A## not onl" does she ha2e a husband who is a bog, she has as well a tin" $roblem with s$irituous liIuors 1 li!e she can3t get enough#### MARTHA Dwithout energ"E7 +o more, &eorge# &E'R&E#7 ### and on to$ o% all that, $oor weighed1do2*n girl, =<8S a %ather who reall" doesn3t gi2e a damn whether she li2es or dies, who couldn3t care less what ha$$ens to his onl" daughter ### on to$ o% all that she has a son# She has a son who %ought her e2er" inch o%the wa", who didn3t want to be turned into a wea$on against his %ather, who didn3t want to be used as a goddamn club whene2er Martha didn3t get things li!e she wanted themB MARTHA Drising to itE7 <iesB <iesBB &E'R&E7 <iesC All right# A son who would not disown his %ather, who came to him %or ad2ice, %or in%ormation, %or lo2e that wasn3t miHed with sic!ness 1 and "ou !now what - mean, MarthaB 1 who could not tolerate the slashing, bra"i#ng residue that called itsel% his HAHBB MARTHA DcoldE7 #A@- right, "ou# A son who was so ashamed o% ills %ather he as!ed me once i%it 1 $ossibl" 1 wasn3t true, as he had heard, %rom some cruel bo"s, ma"be, that he F M'THERC

11#@ 5// THE E?'RC-SM 5/ ACT THREE was not our child* who could not tolerate the shabb" %ailure his %ather had become#### &E'R&E7 <iesB MAR THA7 <iesC Who would not bring his girl %riends to the house ## # &E'R&E7 ### in shame o% his mother###A MAR THA7 ## A o% his %atherB Who writes letters onl" to meB &E'R&E7 'h, so "ou tllin!B To meB At m" o%%iceB MARTHA7 <iarB &E'R&E7 - ha2e a stac! o% themB MARTHA7 ,'8 HA4E +' <ETTERSB &E'R&E7 And "ou ha2eC MARTHA7 He has no letters# A son A## a son who s$ends his summers awa" # # # awa" %rom his %amil" # # # '+ A+, =RETE?T ### because he can3t stand the shadow o% a man %lic!ering around the edges o% a house AA## &E'R&E7 ### who s$ends his summers awa" ### and he doesB ### who s$ends his summers awa" because there isn3t room %or him in a hc#use %ull o% em$t" bottles, lies, strange men, and a harridan who A # #

MARTHA7 <iarBB &E'R&E7 <iarC MARTHA7 ### A son who - ha2e raised as best - can against ### 2icious odds, against the corru$tion o% wea!ness and $ett" re2enges# # ## &E'R&E7 ### A son who is, dee$ in his gut, sorr" to ha2e been born### # DB'TH T'&ETHERE MARTHA7 - ha2e tried, oh &E'R&E7 <ibera me, :o &od - ha2e tried* the one mine, de morte aeterna, in thing ### the one thing -32e die illa tremenda7 Kuando tried to carr" $ure and un1 caeli mo2endi sunt et terra7 scathed through the sewer o% :um 2eneris Fudicare saecu this marriage* through the lum $er ignem# Tremens sic! nights, and the $athetic, %actus sum ego, et timeo, stu$id da"s, through the de dum discussio 2enerit, atIue rision and the laughter ##A 2entura ira# Kuando caeli &od, the laughter, through mo2endi sunt et terra# :ies one %ailure a%ter another, one ilia, dies irae, calamitatis et %ailure com$ounding another

miseriae* dies magna et %ailure, each attem$t more 2alde# :um 2eneris amara sic!ening, more numbing Fudicare saeculum $er ig than the one be%ore* the one nem# ReIuiem aeternam thing, the one $erson - ha2e dona eis, :omine7 et luH tried to $rotect, to raise $er$etua luceat eis# <ibera me :omine de morte aeter abo2e the mire o% this 2ile, crushing marriage* the one na in die ilia tremenda7 light in all this ho$eless ##A Iuando caeli mo2endi sunt et terra* :um 2eneris Fudi dar!ness A AA our S'+# care saeculum $er ignem# DEnd together#E H'+E, Dher hands to her earsE7 ST'= -TBB ST'= -TBB &E'R & E Dwith a hand signE7 . "rie, eleison# Christe, eleison# . "rie, eleison#

H'+E,7 @8ST ST'= -TBB &E'R&E7 Wh", bab"C :on3t "ou li!e itC H'+E, DIuite h"stericalE7 ,ou ### can3t ### do ### thisB &E'R&E Dtrium$hantE7 RGGho sa"sB H'+E,7 -B Sa"B &E'R&E7 Tell us wh", bab"# H'+E,7 +oB +-C.7 -s this game o2erC H'+E,7 ,esB ,es, it is# &E'R&E7 Ho1hoB +ot b" a long shot# DTo MARTHAE We got a little sur$rise %or "ou, bab"# -t3s about sunn"1 @im# MARTHA7 +o more, &eorge# &E'R&E7 ,ESB +-C.7 <ea2e her beB ; 5/( ACT THREE THE E?'RC-SM &E'R&E7 -3M R8++-+& TH-S SH'WB DTo MARTHAE Sweet heart, -3m a%raid -32e got some bad news %or "ou A## %or us, o% course# Some rather sad news# DH'+E, begins wee$ing, head in handr#E MARTHA DI%raid, sus$iciousE7 What is thisC & E 0 R & E Doh, so $atientl"E7 Well, Martha, while "ou were out o% the room, while the # A A two o% "ou were out o% the

room # # # - mean, - don3t !now where, hell, "ou both must ha2e been somewhere D<ittle laughE # AA# While "ou were out o% the room, %or a while A## well, Misse" and were sittin3 here ha2in3 a little tal!, "ou !now7 a chaw and a tal! # # # and the doorbell rang #AAA H'+E, Dhead1still in handrE7 Chimed# &E'R&E7 Chimed ### and ### well, it3s hard to tell "ou, Martha#### MART H A Da strange throat" 2oiceE7 Tell me# H'+E,7 =lease #A# don3t# MARTHA7 Tell me# &E'R&E7 AAA and ### what it was #A# it was good old Western 8nion, some little bo" about se2ent"# MARTHA Din2ol2edE7 Cra9" Bill"C &E'R&E7 ,es, Martha, tha1773s right ### cra9" Bill" ### and he had a telegram, and it was %or us, and - ha2e to tell "ou about it# MARTHA Das i%%rom a distanceE7 Wh" didn3t the" $hone itC Wh" did the" bring it* wh" didn3t the" tele$hone itC &E'R&E7 Some telegrams "ou ha2e to deli2er, Martha* some telegrams "ou can3t $hone# MAR THA DrisingE7 24hat do "ou meanC &E'R&E7 Martha#### - can hardl" bring m"sel% to sa" it ###

H'+E,7 :on3t# &E'R&E Dto H'+E ,E7 :o "ou want to do itC H'+E, Dde%ending hersel% against an attac! o% beesE7 +o no no no no# 5/5 &E'R&E Dsighing heauil"E7 All right# Well, Martha ### -3m a%raid our bo" isn3t coming home %or his birthda"# MAR THA7 '% course he is# &E'R&E7 +o, Martha# MARTHA7 '% course he is# - sa" he isB &E'R&E7 He ### can3t# MARTHA7 He isB - sa" soB &E'R&E7 Martha ##A D<ong $auseE AAA our son is AAA dead# DSilence#E He was A## !illed AAA late in the a%ternoon A#A DSilence#E DA tin" chuc!leE on a countr" road, with his learner3s $er mit in his $oc!et, he swer2ed, to a2oid a $orcu$ine, and dro2e straight into a ### MARTHA Drigid%ur"E7 ,'8 AAA CA+3T AAA :' AAA THATB &E'R&E7 AAA large tree# MARTHA7 ,'8 CA++'T :' THATB +-C. DsI%tl"E7 'h m" &od# DH'+E, is wee$ing louder#E &E 0 R & E DIuietl", dis$assionatel"E 7 - thought "ou should !now#

+-C.7 'h m" &od* no# MARTHA DIui2ering with rage and lossE7 +'B +'B ,'8 CA++'T :' THATB ,'8 CA+3T :EC-:E THAT F'R ,'8RSE<FB W-<< +'T <ET ,'8 :' THATB &E'R&E7 We3ll ha2e to lea2e around noon, - su$$ose ### MARTHA7 - W-<< +'T <ET ,'8 :EC-:E THESE TH-+&SB &E'R&E7 AAA because there are matters o% identi%ication, naturall", and arrangements to be made#### MARTHA Dlea$ing at &E'R&E, but ine%%ectualE7 ,'8 CA+3T :' TH-SB D+-C. rises, grabs hold o% MARTHA, $ins her arms behind her bac!#E - W'+3T <ET ,'8 :' TH-S, &ET ,'8R HA+:S 'FF MEB &E'R&E Das +-C. holds on* right in MARTHA3S %aceE7 ,ou don3t seem to understand, lR%artha* - ha2en3t done 5 5 5/M 5/ ) ACT THREE an"thing# +ow, $ull "oursel% together# 'ur son is :EA:B Can "ou get that into "our headC MARTHA7 ,'8 CA+3T :EC-:E THESE TH-+&S# +-C.7 <ad", $lease# MARTHA7 <ET ME &KB

&E'R&E7 +ow listen, Martha* listen care%ull"# We got a telegram* there was a car accident, and he3s dead# $ou$B @ust li!e thatB +ow, how do "ou li!e itC MARTHA Da howl which wea!ens into a moanE7 +''''''# 000000# &E'R&E Dto +-C.E7 <et her go# DMARTHA slum$s to the %loor in a sitting $osition#E She3ll be all right now# MARTHA D$atheticE7 +o* no, he is not dead* he is not dead# # &E'R&E7 He is dead# ."rie, eleison# Christe, eleison# ."rie, eleison# MARTHA7 ,ou cannot# ,ou ma" not decide these things# + ; C . Dleaning o2er her* tenderl"E7 He hasn3t decided an"thing, lad"# -t3s not his doing# He doesn3t ha2e the $ower###A &E'R&E7 That3s right, Martha* -3m not a &od# - don3t ha2e the $ower o2er li%e and death, do -C MARTHA7 ,'8 CA+7T .-<< H-MB ,'8 CA+3T HA4E H-M :-EB H'+E,7 <ad" AA# $lease##AA MARTHA7 ,'8 CA+3TB &E'R&E7 There was a telegram, Martha# MARTHA Du$* %acing himE7 Show it to meB Show me the telegramB &E'R&E Dlong $ause,3 then, with a straight%aceE7 - ate it# MARTHA Da $ause* then with the greatest disbelie%$ossible, tinged

with h"steriaE7 What did "ou Fust sa" to meC & E 0 R & E Dbarel" able to sto$ eH$loding with laughterE7 - AAA ate A## it# DMARTHA stares at him%or a long moment, then s$its in his %ace#E THE E?'RC-SM &E'R&E Dwith a smileE7 &ood %or "ou, Martha# +-C. Dto &E'R&EE7 :o "ou thin! that3s the wa" to treat her at a time li!e thisC Ma!ing an ugl" goddamn Fo!e li!e thatC HunhC &E'R&E Dsna$$ing his %ingers at H'+E,E7 :id - eat the telegram or did - notC H'+E, DterriFiedE7 ,es* "es, "ou ate it# - watched AAA watched "ou A## "ou #A# "ou ate it all down# &E'R&E D$rom$tingE7 AAA li!e a good bo"# H'+E,7 ### li!e a AAA g1g1g1good AA# bo"# ,es# MARTHA Dto &E'R&E, coldl"E7 ,ou3re not going to get awa" with this# &E'R&E Dwith disgustE7 ,'8 .+'W THE R8<ES, MARTHAB ='R CHR-ST3S SA.E, ,'8 .+'W THE R8<ESB MARTHA7 +'B +- C. Dwith the beginnings o% a !nowledge he cannot %aceE7 What are "ou two tal!ing aboutC &E'R&E7 - can !ill him, Martha, i% - want to#

MARTHA7 HE -S '8R CH-<:B &E'R&E7 'h "es, and "ou bore him, and it was a good deli2er"AAAA MARTHA7 HE -S '8R CH-<:B &E'R&E7 A+: - HA4E .-<<E: H-MB MARTHA7 +'B &E'R&E7 ,ESB D<ong silence#E +- C. D2er" Iuietl"E7 - thin!# - understand this# &E'R&E Dibid#E7 :o "ouC +-C. Dibid#E7 @esus Christ, - thin! - understand this# &E'R&E Dibid#E7 &ood %or "ou, buster# +-C. D2iolentl"E7 @ES8S CHR-ST - TH-+. - 8+:ERSTA+: TH-SB MARTHA Dgreat sadness and lossE7 ,ou ha2e no right AAA "ou ha2e no right at all#### &E'R&E Dtenderl"E7 - ha2e the right, Martha# We ne2er 5/6 5/> ACT THREE s$o!e o% it* that3s all# - could !ill him an" time - wanted to# MARTHA7 But wh"C Wh"C A &E'R&E7 ,ou bro!e our rule, bab"# ,ou mentioned him A A # "ou mentioned him to someone else# MARTHA Dtem%ulT2E7 - did not# - ne2er did#

&E'R&E* ,es, "ou did# MARTHA7 WhoC WH'CB H'+E, Dcr"ingE7 To me# ,ou mentioned him to me# MARTHA Dcr"ingE7 - F'R&ETB Sometimes A## sometimes when it3s night, when it3s late, and AAA and e2er"bod" else is AAA tal!ing# A A - %orget and - ### want to mention him ### but - ### H'<: '+ AA# - hold on ### but -32e wanted to A A A so o%ten A A A ah, &eorge, "ou32e $ushed it AAA there was no need #A# there was no need %or this# mentioned him #A# all right A#A but "ou didn3t ha2e to $ush it o2er the E:&E# ,ou didn3t ha2e to AAA !ill him# &E'R&E7 ReIuiescat in $ace# H'+E,* Amen# MARTHA7 ,ou didn3t ha2e to ha2e him die, &eorge# &E'R&E7 ReIuiem aeternam dona eis, :omine# H'+E,7 Et luH $er$etua luceat eis# MARTHA7 That wasn3t AAA needed# DA long silence#E &E'R&E Dsi%tU"E7 -t will be dawn s o o n ; - thin! the $art"3s o2er# +-C. Dto &E'R&E* IuietU"E7 ,ou couldn3t ha2e AAA an"C &E'R&E7 We couldn3t# MARTHA Da hint i% communion in thisE7 We couldn3t# &E'R&E Dto +-C. and H'+E,E7 Home to bed, children* it3s

wa" $ast "our bedtime# +-C. Dhis hand out to H'+E,E7 Hone"C H'+E, Drising, mo2ing to himE7 ,es# &E'R&E DMARTHA is sitting on theFloor b" a chair nowE7 ,ou two go now# THE E?'RC-SM +-C.7 ,es# H'+E,7 ,es# +-C.7 -3d li!e to AAA &E'R&E7 &ood nightA +-C. D$auseE7 &ood night# D+-C. and H'+E, eHit* &E'R&E closes the door a%ter them* loo!s around the room* sighs, $ic!s u$ a glass or two, ta!es them to the bar# This whole last section 2er" so%tU", 2er" slowU,#E &E'R&E7 :o "ou want an"thing, MarthaC MARTHA Dstill loo!ing awa"E7 +o ### nothing# &E'R&E7 All right# D=auseE Time %or bed# MARTHA7 ,es# &E'R&E7 Are "ou tiredC MARTHA7 ,es# &E'R&E7 - am# MARTHA7 ,es# &E'R&E7 Sunda" tomorrow* all da"# MARTHA7 ,es#

DA long silence between them#E :id "ou A## did "ou A#A ha2e toC &E'R&E D$auseE7 ,es# MARTHA7 -t was ### C ,ou had toC &E'R&E D$auseE7 ,es# MARTHA7 - don3t !n'W# &E'R&E7 -t was #AA time# MARTHA7 Was itC &E'R&E7 ,es# MARTHA D$auseE7 -3m cold# &E'R&E7 -t3s late# MARTHA7 ,es# &E'R&E Dlong silenceE7 -t will be better# MARTHA Dlong silenceE7 - don3t ### !now# &E'R&E7 -t will be ### ma"be# MARTHA7 -3m #A# not ##A sure# 5 5(0 ACT THREE &E'R&E7 +o# MARTHA7 @ust ### 8SC &E'R&E7 ,es# MART#HA7 - don3t su$$ose, ma"be, we could #AA &E'R&E7 +o, -R5artha#

MARTHA7 ,es# +o# &E'R&E7 Are "ou all rightC MARTHA7 ,es# +o# &E'R&E D$uts his hand gentl" on her slwulder* she $uts her head bac! and he sings to her, 2er" sI%tl"E7 Who3s a%raid o% 4irginia Wool% 4irginia Wool% 4irginia Wool%, MARTHA7 - # #3 ; am ### &eorge#AA# &E'R&E7 Who3s a%raid o% 4irginia Woo%%# ### MARTHA7 - ##A am ### &eorge ### - ### am# ### D&E'R&E nods, slowl"#E DSilence* tableau#E C8RTA-+