AT THE WASHING FOUNTAIN

Written by
Joseph Frost
Draft
8/28/15
written for the 2015 31 Plays in 31 Days project

Joseph Frost, 2015

4550 Normandy Dr.
Jackson, MS 39206
atticscripts@gmail.com
* member, Dramatist's Guild

Stone walkway. To one side, the stone slopes down

below some water, to become a pool that is not much more
than ankle deep.
An old blind man enters, making his way to a tree,
opposite the water.
A woman, MAGDA, enters carrying a pack. She goes to
the waters edge, and sets down the pack.
Magda removes her sandals.
BLIND MAN
It is the washing
the washing of feet and hand
washing the dinge and dust
and cleansing
cleansing the connections
between the world and she
and making all new
making all fresh and new
it is the washing
Magda steps into the water. She reaches her hands down.
MAGDA
It is why I come to the water. I bring myself here every day. And I wash. Feet. Hands. I
bring my feet and hands to this place. For the washing.
(beat)
But today...
BLIND MAN
Today
the day of the waning moon
the day of the new night
the day of the lasting sorrow
MAGDA
I bring myself today. And I bring these.
Magda reaches for the pack. She pulls out some fabric.

2.
BLIND MAN
In the hour of grief
the hour of despair
for longing relief
the grieving beware
Magda turns to the Blind Man.
MAGDA
What would you have me do?
BLIND MAN
I would that your grief had never come.
MAGDA
But since it has made itself a home within...
BLIND MAN
Woman, I tell you. Your grief. Is not your own.
Magda steps from the water - holds the fabric out toward
him.
MAGDA
What are these then? What are they?
(beat)
The bonds that held my son.
BLIND MAN
The boy who was your son.
MAGDA
My child. My flesh. And this is all. This is all.
(beat)
I have brought them here. To this place. I have brought them for cleansing.
BLIND MAN
There is danger in the simple. To cleanse them is to wash away your grief. Your grief is
part of your love. Do not wish it gone.
Magda goes back to the water.
MAGDA
I will wash them. And I will return to him.

3.
She steps into the water.
She raises the fabric.
MAGDA (CONTD)
This is my son. This is his body. This is his soul that I have brought to this place. And I
take this water, from which earth is sprung, and I offer him.
She lowers the fabric into the water.
BLIND MAN
You have brought these things here, it is true. But cleansing is not for these things. It is
for you.
Magda looks at the fabric. It has become dirtier.
She pulls it out of the water. She scrubs it together to
wash it. It does not come clean.
MAGDA
But...
BLIND MAN
Woman, he is gone.
MAGDA
But I must...
BLIND MAN
He is gone.
MAGDA
No.
BLIND MAN
He is gone.
(beat)
Let go.
She clutches the drenched fabric to herself.
MAGDA
I mustnt.
BLIND MAN
Woman.

4.
Magda pulls the wet fabric over her face. She pulls it over
her hair. She drapes it across her body.
MAGDA
I want it to go.
BLIND MAN
Then let it.
MAGDA
I want him to stay.
BLIND MAN
Let your love for him stay. Let him go.
Magda drops to her knees in the water. She peels the
fabric from her and places it in the water. She bends
down, placing her face in the water.
A long moment.
Magda sits upright very quickly, gasping for air.
She raises her arms above.
MAGDA
Take him.
The blind man walks away.

BLIND MAN
It is the washing
The washing of feet and hand
washing the dinge and dust
and cleansing
cleansing the connections
between the world and she
and making all new
making all fresh and new
it is the washing
The blind man exits.

5.
She rises.
Lights down.
End.