Content area
Full Text
A Play in free Act
commissioned by McCarter Theatre,
Princeton, New Jersey
PLAYWRIGHT, middle-aged
BLOND ACTRESS, childlike but about thirty
Lights up. The Playwright is typing on an old portable typewriter on a stool or a small raised table. His actions need not seem realistic. He faces the audience, brooding.
The Blond Actress appears at the rear, glimpsed through a scrim. She may also be veiled or wear something diaphanous over her face. Her clothing is white, and she is barefoot.
Blond Actress talks and laughs to herself. We need not hear her words clearly.
ACTRESS: . . . promised. "Always love you:' "Never write about you:' He said! Oh, I knew... But I didn't... did I? (Laughs.)
PLAYWRIGHT: (Has been typing rapidly with two fingers but now ceases.) She's always in the way ... Oh God.
Blond Actress emerges with a flourish through the scrim, gliding rapidly behind the Playwright to the other side of the stage. A light, shrill ripple of laughter.
Playwright shivers. Has he heard? He removes the sheet of paper from the typewriter, hesitates, and crumples it. (As the Blond Actress mimes closing a window.) Playwright becomes warm, uncomfortable.
Playwright suddenly becomes excited, angry. He inserts another sheet of paper and quickly types a line or two.
PLAYWRIGHT: (Voice raised.) You did lie! Oh yes. When there wasn't yet any need.
Blond Actress moves behind the Playwright. Fluffs the back of his hair and eases away, giggling, as he turns and fails to see her.
ACTRESS: That again?
PLAYWRIGHT: (An old argument.) There was never any need. You debased us both, making me out to be ... jealous. (Pause.) Who shut that window? (Pause, in a louder voice.) What about him? Actress shakes her head vigorously, like a child.
PLAYWRIGHT: You know who I mean.
ACTRESS: (Reluctantly, but its an earnest, breathless manner:) It was that . . : magic in him . . . he could reach right irs . . .
PLAYWRIGHT: (Meanly.) Busy fingers, eh?
ACTRESS: His eyes ...
PLAYWRIGHT: Myopic, like mine. (A beat.) But he exploited you. As a woman.
ACTRESS: A woman? What do I care about myself as a woman...? I came to New York to act.
PLAYWRIGHT: Bullshit. You always gave him...