ACT 2, SCENE 3
(CASSANDRA and OLIVER’s apartment, at night.)
(Both are sleeping on each side of the bed. CASSANDRA tosses and turns for a while.)
CASSANDRA: Oliver, honey? Are you sleeping? (CASSANDRA exits and re-enters holding a glass of water. She notices a piece of paper on the coffee table. She reaches for it and sits down in the sofa.)
CASSANDRA: (Cont’d) March 28, 1994. I wrote this poem last night, while thinking of you. I know why God created you: He wanted me to feel complete. And presently, as I review Our love for each other, I see it! The benevolence in your face, The greatness that we dare embrace, My heart they have charmed; My soul they have armed Against fear, Against jeer. You are my manna, My lovely aura, Un je ne sais quoi Of brilliance. You are my heaven, My rightful beacon, The finest option On life’s pathway. I know why God created you: He wanted me to feel vibrant. And believe me, since I’ve loved you, My happiness has been constant! You are my manna. Simply yours, Celeste.
(She smiles, closes her eyes, and falls asleep. Knocks are heard, then two female voices.)
FIRST VOICE: (O.S.) Oh, I loved it! It made me cry! (pause) Did I wake you?
SECOND VOICE: (O.S.) No. I was writing and thinking of –
FIRST VOICE: (O.S.) I know it’s late...
SECOND VOICE: (O.S.) No, no. It’s a very nice surprise. I’m glad you came. (pause) Don’t stay there! Come in.
(Two people enter in half-light and walk to the dining room, holding hands. CASSANDRA opens her eyes, sees them, and starts on her feet. She moves to the far right corner of the room.)
FIRST VOICE: Let’s sit down and talk. I meant to come before...
SECOND VOICE: It’s fine. (pause) I’m glad you came.
FIRST VOICE: I had to be quiet. They didn’t hear me... Oh, I missed you!
SECOND VOICE: (shyly) You are always very discreet.
(CASSANDRA stares in astonishment.)
SECOND VOICE: My reading went really well. You missed a lot this time.
FIRST VOICE: I’m very sorry I couldn’t attend. I tried to call, but –
SECOND VOICE: It’s ok.
FIRST VOICE: No, I mean it. I tried to call.
(Pause.)
SECOND VOICE: One day, you won’t need to call anymore. (pause) Look! I bought a nice frame for the picture I took of us the other day.
FIRST VOICE: I look so young!
SECOND VOICE: You look very happy too.
(Pause)
FIRST VOICE: Well, it's my favorite place after all. The sound of water is so soothing! And we were there together...(pause) Your sister is very nice. I hadn’t seen her in ages.
SECOND VOICE: She knew she had to be there. It was very special.
FIRST VOICE: You are very special yourself.
(The light focuses on CASSANDRA.)
CASSANDRA: Mother?
SECOND VOICE: What do you mean, Myriam?
(The light now focuses on the two women. CASSANDRA is left in semi-darkness.)
MYRIAM: Well, the way I see it... You are just very special.
SECOND VOICE: Things happen in life, sometimes. You have to make the most of them.
MYRIAM: Celeste, I think that’s how you react to them, rather.
CASSANDRA: Where am I?
CELESTE: I almost forgot to tell you! After the reading, a man came to ask me a few questions. He didn’t say who he really was, but I guess he must have been in his late forties. He just told me he loved my poetry. That my words had helped many people. He looked like a priest. (short pause) Anyway, we talked for a few minutes and he asked me to autograph one of my books. And, you won’t believe it! The book in question was the first edition of my first book. He had purchased it in a local bookstore, back in 1973!
(CASSANDRA walks to the bedroom, picks up a book and walks back to the dining-room.)
MYRIAM: See, Celeste? Many people love you!
CELESTE: After all these years, I am still amazed that people love my early work.
MYRIAM: But it really defines who you are, deep inside.
CELESTE: It made me think about life and things undone. Don’t you find that amazing?
(CASSANDRA goes closer to them.)
CASSANDRA: The book Father Gibrerson gave me!
CELESTE: (caressing MYRIAM’s hair and smiling) Yes, it is amazing.
MYRIAM: (childishly showing a letter) Can you read it to me?
CELESTE: Yes, I can. (long pause) I know why God created you: He wanted me to feel complete. And presently, as I review Our love for each other, I see it! The benevolence in your face, The greatness that we dare embrace, My heart they have charmed; My soul they have armed Against fear, Against jeer.
(CASSANDRA drops the book, starts crying, hiding her face in her hands.)
CELESTE: (Cont’d) You are my manna, My lovely aura, Un je ne sais quoi Of brilliance. (beat) You are my heaven, My rightful beacon, The finest option On life’s pathway. (beat) I know why God created you: He wanted me to feel vibrant. And believe me, since I’ve loved you, My happiness has been constant! (beat) You are my manna.
CASSANDRA: Oh, mother!
MYRIAM: Oh, Celeste! Your voice is beautiful! (kissing her on the cheek) So beautiful!
CELESTE: You are beautiful. I love you.
(The light now focuses on CASSANDRA, who is still hiding her face in her hands. A shape brushes against her. She looks around and recognizes AMADI. She looks in amazement while AMADI sits in the sofa.)
CASSANDRA: Amadi? Is that you?
AMADI: (not looking at her) I came as soon as I heard.
CASSANDRA: Amadi?
AMADI: Yes, I know. We haven’t talked in a while...
CASSANDRA: What do you mean?
AMADI: I’m sorry. I really mean it. I was away for a few months...
CASSANDRA: It’s in the past now...
AMADI: Please, don’t cry. (pause) Look, I know it’s a very emotional time for you, but, but, we have to talk... Your mom will be fine. She will be... Oh, yeah, I know...
CASSANDRA: (joining her in the sofa) I’m not angry anymore...
AMADI: (turning her head on the other side) Look, I can’t stay long. Hakim is waiting in the car. I just wanted to see you. And make sure you were ok. Wait. Don’t say that... What was I supposed to do?
CASSANDRA: (shyly) Amadi, please, look at me. Your brother can wait...
AMADI: And why should I? Your father hates me!
CASSANDRA: Please, listen to me...
AMADI: No!
CASSANDRA: Then, at least, let me try to explain!
AMADI: What do you mean?
CASSANDRA: I mean –
AMADI: I never said that! I needed to go away... No, not from...
(CASSANDRA's face changes. They both start crying.)
CASSANDRA: (whispering) I’m not angry anymore.
AMADI: Yes, maybe we should... You’re right. (pause) I’ll take my things then.
CASSANDRA: (whispering) I’m not angry anymore.
AMADI: Yes, you are! I can tell! I’m tired of all that. I’m exhausted, actually. It’s not fair!
CASSANDRA: Please, stay! (whispering) I swear I’m not angry anymore... Please, stay.
AMADI: It’s not fair! But it doesn’t mean I will stop...
(AMADI exits without looking back.) CASSANDRA I’m not angry anymore. I’m not angry anymore.
(CASSANDRA stares offstage, crying. She then stares blankly at the audience.)
CASSANDRA: I am so tired!
(CASSANDRA closes her eyes and falls back asleep in the sofa.)
(END OF ACT II)
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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