ACT 2, SCENE 1
(CASSANDRA and OLIVER’s apartment, the next day. Photo albums are on the bed.)
(CASSANDRA and ANGELICA enter carrying boxes.)
ANGELICA: Where should I put this one?
CASSANDRA: There. I’ll take care of everything later.
ANGELICA: I’ll go grab another box. I’ll be right back.
(ANGELICA exits. CASSANDRA drops her box on the coffee table. She opens it, and grabs a letter. She reads silently.)
VOICE: (O.S.) May 7, 1985. Dear Myriam, thank you so much for your response. I am glad to read that you are fine. I am also very happy you attended my reading. I was actually worried you would not come. But, when I saw you, I felt so special! I love the flowers you brought; they are near the window in my bedroom. When shall we meet again? Yours, affectionately, Celeste.
(CASSANDRA folds the letter, replaces it in its envelope. ANGELICA re-enters.)
ANGELICA: I think we’re done! I will take a small break in the kitchen.
CASSANDRA: I made some fruit salad. Help yourself.
(ANGELICA exits. CASSANDRA chooses another letter from the box and reads silently.)
VOICE: (O.S.) December 12, 1985. Dearest Myriam, oh this kiss! This kiss turned my heart into a million suns! And my soul is overjoyed, brimming with thy touch. When shall we meet again? Simply yours, Celeste.
(CASSANDRA stares at the last letter. She folds it and carefully replaces it in its envelope.)
CASSANDRA: Wow. Auntie?
ANGELICA: (O.S.) Yes, dear?
CASSANDRA: How are you?
ANGELICA: (O.S.) I’m alright. But I don’t sleep very well... My asthma is back.
CASSANDRA: Since when? The doctors had said...
(ANGELICA re-enters.)
ANGELICA: Doctors... Well... They are sometimes wrong. Actually, they are most of the time. And it applies to depression too.
CASSANDRA: I believe they were right, though.
(Long pause.)
ANGELICA: So, how are YOU? How are things going with Oliver?
CASSANDRA: I am fine. Unlike you, I sleep well. But, but I don’t dream.
ANGELICA: Dream is not a prerequisite.
CASSANDRA: Oliver has been very busy.
ANGELICA: I asked you how things were with him.
CASSANDRA: I’ve been busy too. I guess... I think... Things are OK.
ANGELICA: You would tell me if something was wrong, wouldn’t you?
CASSANDRA: Of course! Why?
ANGELICA: It might be easier to talk to me than...
CASSANDRA: (kissing her on the cheek) Yes I would tell you, Auntie.
ANGELICA: Good. Did you...
CASSANDRA: Yes. Dad was really nice. What did you say or do to him?
ANGELICA: Oh, your dad and I...
(They laugh.)
CASSANDRA: You can spend a few days here.
ANGELICA: I know. But you need your space. And I don’t want to remind you...
CASSANDRA: Oh, Auntie, you are different.
ANGELICA: Am I?
CASSANDRA: Yes, there’s no question about it.
ANGELICA: It’s not only physical... Comparisons have abounded over the years...
CASSANDRA: I don’t care what the world says. You are YOU.
ANGELICA: If my favorite niece is fine with it, what else do I need? But, I want to go home.
CASSANDRA: I understand. Thanks for the help!
ANGELICA: You’re very welcome. Good night.
CASSANDRA: Good night.
(ANGELICA exits. CASSANDRA resumes her seat and chooses another letter.)
VOICE: (O.S.) August 23, 1997. My love, I spent a wonderful time with you this weekend. The ocean was so beautiful, so blue! But when I woke up this morning, you had left. I know you had to, but it was hard not to feel you --
(OLIVER enters carrying a bouquet of flowers. He kisses CASSANDRA on the cheek.)
CASSANDRA: What the.... Oh, it’s you!
OLIVER: Well, yes, it’s me. I’m home!
(OLIVER sees the letters.)
CASSANDRA: I can see that. How was your day?
OLIVER: Fine! And how was yours? Did you miss me?
CASSANDRA: Hmm… What?
OLIVER: Did you enjoy your day? Did you miss me?
CASSANDRA: Yes, I did, of course.
OLIVER: Which did, honey?
CASSANDRA: Well, both. I like to cut to the chase. You know me.
OLIVER: (kissing her on the cheek) Definitely. I can see you’ve been busy.
CASSANDRA: Same old, same old.
(OLIVER feels CASSANDRA is absent-minded.)
OLIVER: Well, actually, it was not a very good day. I quit.
CASSANDRA: Good, good. You needed that anyway. Didn’t you?
OLIVER: Considering I am my own boss --
CASSANDRA: Oh! Matt called!
OLIVER: What did he say?
CASSANDRA: Oh, I don’t know. I was in the shower.
OLIVER: It’s been an eventful day.
CASSANDRA: Right! Are you hungry?
OLIVER: I can see you’ve been busy...
(OLIVER points at the letters.)
CASSANDRA: I’ll go make something for you, ok?
OLIVER: Did you check the mail?
CASSANDRA: I should have?
OLIVER: I’ll go relax in the bathroom.
(Both exit in opposite directions. The entry phone rings. CASSANDRA runs to the door.)
CASSANDRA: Hello? … Oh, Dad? Come in! Oh, no!
(She tries to hide the letters while DANIEL enters.)
DANIEL: Good evening, Cassy.
CASSANDRA: Good evening, Dad. Let’s go in the kitchen. I’m making something for Oliver.
DANIEL: Well, I just wanted to say hi.
CASSANDRA: Ok. How are you today?
DANIEL: I’m fine. Where is Oliver?
CASSANDRA: Oh, in the shower. He’ll be done soon. You needed him?
DANIEL: No, no.
(CASSANDRA tries to draw her father’s attention away from the sofa.)
CASSANDRA: Have you eaten already? Let’s go to the kitchen, please.
DANIEL: That’s not the reason I came, Cassy. The garage was… well, you drove to the house today, didn’t you?
CASSANDRA: Yes.
DANIEL: Did you need something in particular? Why didn’t you stop by the house?
CASSANDRA: (nervously) I didn’t have time. Auntie had to leave and I wasn’t sure if you were home.
DANIEL: I play cards on Wednesdays, not Tuesdays.
CASSANDRA: I didn’t want to bother you.
DANIEL: And why not?
CASSANDRA: I didn’t want to bother you, that’s all.
DANIEL: A daughter never troubles her father.
CASSANDRA: Let’s go to the kitchen, Dad. Oliver needs to eat...
DANIEL: Then, I’ll stay here. Make him something. I’ll wait for you.
CASSANDRA: I’ll cook later, then.
DANIEL: Are you alright? (sitting on the sofa) What is that?
CASSANDRA: Nothing. I was going through some of my old stuff from school...
DANIEL: Really? May I see?
CASSANDRA: It is boring. It really is, Dad.
DANIEL: Cassandra, you used to show me –
CASSANDRA: I didn’t use to show you anything. I was ten. And you forced me to...
DANIEL: Then, should I again?
CASSANDRA: Why, Dad?
DANIEL: Because I want to see. What a question! Women... They always need to know why. I just want to see.
(He takes the letter on the table.)
CASSANDRA: Dad, this is personal. It’s mine... It’s none of your business! Dad!
DANIEL: Do not talk to me that way.
CASSANDRA: Well, this is my apartment, so I make the rules. This is mine!
DANIEL: (coldly) As far as I know, your mother and I named you Cassandra.
(DANIEL tears down the envelope, starts reading, and his face changes. He sits down, throws the letter on the ground. CASSANDRA sits next to him.)
CASSANDRA: Dad. Dad. Please, say something.
DANIEL: I’m exhausted! I will go home. (mumbling) Lies! Lies!
CASSANDRA: (putting her hand on his shoulder) Dad --
DANIEL: Do not touch me! You knew… You knew and you never told me! Your mother and you! All those secrets! All those lies! How am I supposed to feel now?
CASSANDRA: Dad, I swear I didn’t know. I didn’t know until yesterday! And, and, and how was I... supposed to tell you that? I am still as shocked as --
DANIEL: As I am? Oh, come on! Do not pretend you did not know!
(OLIVER enters.)
DANIEL: Oh, hi Oliver! Would you care for an argument?
CASSANDRA: Dad!
OLIVER: Mr Philip, well, Daniel. Cassandra? What’s going on here?
CASSANDRA: Ollie, could you give us a minute, please?
DANIEL: Maybe less.
CASSANDRA: Dad! (to OLIVER) Please, give us a minute.
OLIVER: Will someone tell me what’s going on here?
DANIEL: Ask your wife. She knows better.
CASSANDRA: Dad! Please, compose yourself. Oliver, give us a minute. Please.
(OLIVER exits, speechless.)
CASSANDRA: I swear I didn’t know until yesterday --
DANIEL: (pointing at the box on the coffee table) And what is that? Something else you were trying to hide from me? I asked you what that was. Answer me!
CASSANDRA: It is a box full of letters. Letters from that lady… I’m sorry, Dad.
(DANIEL furiously kicks the box. CASSANDRA rushes to pick up the letters.)
CASSANDRA: (Cont’d) I think you should go now. I won’t tolerate such behavior in my apartment.
DANIEL: Now, listen up, young lady! (kicking the letters left on the floor) I am warning you --
CASSANDRA: You are warning me? You are warning me? You come to my apartment! You don’t even call and –
DANIEL: I am your father!
CASSANDRA: And I am your daughter! And as such, you owe me respect.
DANIEL: Is that so? And what do you owe me?
CASSANDRA: I lived under your roof and rules for 26 years. Now, you are a visitor, and this is my apartment.
DANIEL: Cassandra, I am warning you again. I am hurt! Don’t you understand? You, my daughter, lied to me! You lied! How am I supposed to feel? And you’re telling me I’m... disrespecting you?
CASSANDRA: Yes, I actually am. But I respect my mother’s wishes.
DANIEL: Or uncanny desires?
CASSANDRA: Father! You may leave...
DANIEL: Now, let me be clear about a few things. I do not care what you may think of me. I do not care if you think me an asshole of the grandest kind. I don’t care! What I do care about is, is my wife’s personal life! People were right!
CASSANDRA: Father, you may leave right now.
DANIEL: I’m not done. And you will listen to my words very carefully. I understand now, why your mother protected you years ago. Now I get it! Birds of a feather flock together, don’t they? Now...
CASSANDRA: Now what? Now, what? I won’t listen to you anymore! What do you want from me? What is it you want from people? My mother, your wife, is dead. She killed herself, and, and, the only thing you can do is, is, is think about your little you? No, I wasn’t supposed to tell you. And, and now I understand why Mom didn’t want to tell you. I know it must hurt, Dad, but hey, you know what? It hurts me too! So stop being a baby, and grow up! Keep your warnings and lectures for someone else. And do yourself a favor. Come back here when you’re willing to respect me and my mother! Birds of a feather... My goodness! How can you talk to me like that? Don’t you have any pride? Why do you like to hurt me?
DANIEL: I will go home now... I... I...
CASSANDRA: Yes, do go home, and tell the neighbors how disrespectful your daughter is!
(DANIEL exits silently. CASSANDRA sits down in the sofa and holds the letters with care. OLIVER re-enters. The phone rings.)
OLIVER: I’ll answer... Hello?... Matt! Hi! How are you doing, pal? ... What do you mean, the inventory? ... Oh ok. I guess, we can do that, tonight. Hold on. Cassandra?
CASSANDRA: (picking up letters) Yes!
OLIVER: Matt and I need to finish the inventory tonight. Do you mind?
CASSANDRA: Fine.
OLIVER: Matt? ... Yes, it’s good for tonight... No, no, you don’t need to... OK... OK... See you there, then. Bye.
(CASSANDRA exits.)
OLIVER: (Cont’d) Wow! That was quite the argument!
CASSANDRA: (O.S.) My father!
OLIVER: Will you now tell me what happened?
CASSANDRA (O.S.) No. Are you staying for dinner?
OLIVER: Actually, no. What happened?
(CASSANDRA enters.)
CASSANDRA: Oliver, I don’t want to talk about it.
OLIVER: Come on, you guys were so loud!
CASSANDRA: Please, let’s not talk about that now.
OLIVER: It would do you good, though.
CASSANDRA: Maybe. I don’t know. My father! I have things to do. I’m tired of talking.
OLIVER: I just asked you --
CASSANDRA: Do I need to wait for you tonight?
OLIVER: I don’t know. Look, your father --
CASSANDRA: My father what? My father what?
OLIVER: Whatever. That’s good, call Amadi. You two are the right pair!
CASSANDRA: (rolling her eyes) And you’re an ass.
(She sits down and arranges the letters on the table. OLIVER leaves silently.)
CASSANDRA: Ollie? Oh, he left!
(CASSANDRA picks up the unfinished letter on the floor and wipes it.)
VOICE: (O.S.) August 23, 1997. My love, I spent a wonderful time with you this weekend. The ocean was so beautiful, so blue! But when I woke up this morning, you had left. I know you had to, but it was hard not to feel you near me. There was a crease where your body had rested, and I touched it, and it was still warm. Then, a ray of sunshine fell on it, and I felt so lonely! Yes, I know I must be strong. One day, our time will come. I shall wait patiently. Time is nothing when you love and are loved in return. I understand. I understand you need to go back to him. He is your mooring. I shall wait patiently. Simply yours, Celeste.
(CASSANDRA silently stares at the letter. She grabs the phone and dials a number, still holding the letter in her hand.)
(END OF SCENE 1)
Copyright © 2007 Cendrine Marrouat
Cover design by Cendrine Marrouat
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Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
In the Silence of Words: A Three-Act Play is available for purchase on Amazon.
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