Jon Fosse

Fosse: Plays Six

FOREWORD BY BERIT GULLBERG. TRANSLATED BY MAY-BRIT AKERHOLT

Twenty years ago, Jon Fosse was known as a poet and essayist in some well-read circles; his future success as a dramatist was at its very beginning. Maybe one could call him the reluctant playwright at the start of this period. His plays were being produced in Norway, although with a certain caution, later to move across the borders to insightful and quality-hungry theatres, most of them small, with underground status.

Directors were fascinated by the musical, stringent minimalism and the profundity yet apparent simpleness of his stories.

The Swedish author and critic Leif Zern, who has followed Fosse’s career from the beginning, should, eventually, write The Luminous Darkness, an enlightening book about Fosse which highlights the mysticism of the author’s steadily growing body of work. As the years have passed, agents, directors, translators and other fiery spirits have transferred the flaming torch between theatres in various countries.

From having been a modestly recognised author, Jon Fosse now has a weighty and luminous name as a dramatist across continents. Only India and Africa are left. His more than forty plays are translated to all the European languages as well as to Farsi, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Russian. We know of at least 900 productions, and I believe that an unspecified number of performances take place without our knowledge and without payment of any copyright. At the beginning of the 2000s, a tsunami of Fosse plays premiered in Germany as well as France, where the wave is still rolling on. The great French director Claude Régy put Fosse on the world map with his outstanding and sensational production of Someone Is Going to Come in 1999 at Théâtre Nanterre in Paris. After that, a long line of Europe’s leading directors continued to stage a series of Jon Fosse’s plays. It was almost like a race. The first English production, The Child, took place at the Gate Theatre in London in 1998, directed by Ramin Gray. The performance was met with mild and courteous interest. A few productions followed, among them Nightsongs directed by Katie Mitchell in David Harrower’s translation at the Royal Court, but that was a less successful event. It proved difficult to mount another attempt with any great success. Several other translators tried their talents on Fosse’s texts, among them Geoffrey Mutton and Ann Henning, and in USA, Sara Cameron Sunde. But the truly great artistic break-through in UK would not happen until May 2011, when Fosse finally managed to bring English critics as well as audiences enthusiastically into his world. I am referring to the recently tragically deceased French director Patrice Chéreau’s illuminating, vibrant staging of I Am the Wind at the Young Vic in London, in Simon Stephens’ version. It muted all resistance in England. Simon Stephens and Patrice Chéreau travelled to Jon Fosse in Bergen before the rehearsals. Simon told me later: ‘It was a special night. One of the most beautiful nights in my working life. It felt like a special honour to spend the evening with these two towers of European theatre.’

Welcome to Fosse’s illuminating darkness!

RAMBUKU

Characters

SHE

HE

RAMBUKU

Rambuku premiered at Det Norske Teatret –

The Norwegian Theatre — 2 February 2006.

Director: Kai Johnsen

Designer: Kari Gravklev

Cast:

She: Ragnhild Hilt

He: Svein Erik Brodal

Rambuku: Morten Espeland

A living-room

An elderly woman in an overcoat and with a small bag over her shoulder

An elderly man in an overcoat

SHE

So

yes

yes here we are

quite short pause

and how often haven’t we been

standing here

quite short pause

like this

quite short pause

it is as if

we have always been here

quite short pause

just been here

quite short pause

year in and year out

have you and I

been here

quite short pause

always

short pause

and you don’t say anything

Why don’t you say something

quite short pause

can’t you say something

quite short pause

don’t just stand there

please

quite short pause

you just stand there

quite short pause

and look and look

yes

quite short pause

but don’t do it

don’t just stand there

and look and look

can’t you do something

quite short pause

say something

short pause

why don’t you say something

surely you can say something

talk to me

can’t you

quite short pause

you can

can’t you

quite short pause

say something then

short pause

oh well

just stand there

then

just stand there

quite short pause

yes

yes why don’t you

quite short pause

but it can’t just be

like this

quite short pause

no

no that’s not possible

Quite short pause

And why won’t you say anything

Long pause

But do you know

quite long pause

yes

yes that today’s the day

when you and I

are going to Rambuku

you know that

laughs briefly to herself

we’re going

all the way to Rambuku

quite short pause

you know that

don’t you

quite short pause

you know that

right

short pause

but why can’t you answer

say something

say

yes say if you know it

say if you know that today you and I

are going to Rambuku

quite short pause

but you don’t answer

don’t say anything

quite short pause

no matter what I say

you don’t answer

but it’s true

that today you and I are going

to Rambuku

quite short pause

for you know that far away somewhere

there is Rambuku

quite short pause

and there we shall live

there you and I

shall live now

Short pause

Yes we shall

Quite short pause

You and I

shall live there

quite short pause

yes

quite short pause

and do you know

what it’s like in Rambuku

no

I don’t suppose you do

short pause

in Rambuku there are angels

and trees

trees that are

almost

translucent

and they sway in the wind

quite short pause

and there are bright birds there too

yes

there in Rambuku

and many people I know

and many people you know

are already in Rambuku

quite short pause

they are there

quite short pause

yes all those I miss

are there

quite short pause

all those I haven’t seen

for a long time

they’re there

yes

yes and your friends too

they too are there

yes they’re there in Rambuku

you know that

quite short pause

and if you don’t know it

it doesn’t matter

yes not as long as

I know it

quite short pause

for Rambuku exists

whether you know about it

or not

I know that

yes

Short pause

And in Rambuku

there are

quite short pause

such big trees

and such big birds

laughs to herself

yes

yes big birds

quite short pause

no the birds are not as big as houses

but they’re still big

very big

quite short pause

and you can hear songs

in Rambuku

fine songs

sung by voices

so very thin and light

so very deep and dark

quite short pause

and the songs

they swing

like the thin branches of a tree

in a strong wind

laughs to herself

yes the voices swing

round and round

they are fine songs

quite short pause

and the sea there

in Rambuku

is as blue and deep

as the bluest sky

and the waves there

yes they are like clouds

and when you get there

yes to Rambuku

you don’t feel cold and you don’t feel pain

I know that

You can look forward to it

quite short pause

yes

yes look forward to it

Quite short pause

It’s true

Quite short pause

For that’s how it is

in Rambuku

Short pause

And in Rambuku

there are good people

quite short pause

there I can be with

quite short pause

mum

dad

my sister

my grandparents

quite short pause

for they are in Rambuku

short pause

and those who live there

in Rambuku

they understand everything

quite short pause

yes you can see it in the light of their eyes

quite short pause

in the sudden light of their eyes

short pause

don’t you agree

quite short pause

yes I know you agree

don’t you

don’t you agree

quite short pause

why can’t you answer

say something

don’t just stand there

quite short pause

you must say something

short pause

but of course you agree

quite short pause

because you know

of course

that it’s like that

in Rambuku

quite short pause

and of course you know

that today we are going

to Rambuku

quite short pause

how could I think

that you don’t know that

for you and I

standing here

quite short pause

are ready to go to Rambuku

Everything is ready

And today it will happen

I know that

yes

quite short pause

for now

today

Rambuku is coming

quite short pause

and then we shall go

across seas

across land

across sky and sea

and all the way to Rambuku

you and I shall go

and there we shall be

and live in Rambuku’s being

quite short pause

there I shall live in a song

she laughs briefly to herself, quite short pause

I shall live in Rambuku’s song

She laughs a little to herself

And we shall be together

in Rambuku

you and I

in a house

which is not a house

in a day

which is not a day

in a night

which is not a night

yes

yes there

in Rambuku

shall we be

you and I

quite short pause

and everything’s ready

everything

yes

quite short pause

everything

everything that can be done

has been done

quite short pause

and I’ve spent many years

getting it ready

quite short pause

yes you know that

Quite short pause

You know that

Quite short pause

But you don’t say anything

quite short pause

no matter what I say

you just stand there

and look and look

Quite short pause

But you

quite short pause

can hear the song

from Rambuku

quite short pause

how could I’ve thought

quite short pause

that you couldn’t hear the song

and not know that today’s the day

quite short pause

when Rambuku will open up

Short pause

Today Rambuku is coming

so now

yes

quite short pause

yes now it’s over

quite short pause

now

now this is over

quite short pause

now

do you understand that

now this no longer exists

quite short pause

for now Rambuku shall begin

short pause

and I know you can hear the song

quite short pause

from Rambuku

can you hear it

the song is far away

and very near

yes it is

can you hear it

can you hear Rambuku sing

quite short pause

yes

yes I know you can

quite short pause

I know you can hear Rambuku sing

for everyone who listens

can hear Rambuku sing

Quite loudly

Rambuku shall come to us

quite short pause

and it’ll happen today

quite short pause

and then we shall no longer be

quite short pause

in this unbearable here

short pause

here

quite short pause

for I don’t want to be here

quite short pause

here

short pause

everyone just walks around and sees

the one they think is the other

but it’s themselves they see

they don’t see others

they see something small and petty

they see themselves

yes

quite short pause

here you can see neither

sky nor ocean

no one can

quite short pause

and the angels cannot be

here

the light cannot shine

here

and here we have been

quite short pause

here

here

quite short pause

where everything’s empty

empty and empty

and alike and alike

quite short pause

here it’s like that

but in Rambuku everything is

both unlike and alike

in its bursting abundance

how many years have I not been

here with you

you and I have been here

always here

quite short pause

year in and year out

have we been here

quite short pause

but we won’t be here

any longer

quite short pause

for after all these years

Rambuku is coming

Short pause

I don’t understand it

I don’t understand myself

quite short pause

yes that I’ve been here

I shouldn’t have been here

with you

you and I shouldn’t have been here

quite short pause

for no one can be here

quite short pause

but why don’t you say something

why don’t you answer

say something

quite short pause

don’t just stand there

straight up and down

that you just stand there

and look and look

always the same

quite short pause

you don’t say anything

just stand there

quite short pause

but now

tosses it aside

now it’s gone

now there’s nothing left

now it’s all finished

now I don’t have to watch

that you just stand there

and look and look

Quite short pause

For it’s not like that in Rambuku

quite short pause

you are not like that in Rambuku

do you understand what I’m saying

you’re not like that in Rambuku

quite short pause

yes you know that

you understand that

quite short pause

don’t you

you do

you understand that

quite short pause

of course you understand that

and you can see that I’m beautiful

that I’ve dressed up

can’t you

I’ve dressed up for Rambuku

you do see

don’t you

that I’m beautiful

yes you do

yes of course you do

quite short pause

and when you come to Rambuku

quite short pause

you’ll see the big birds

birds as big as houses

almost

And they are

translucent

And the songs in Rambuku

they move

in the wind

like the branches of a vast tree

And they spread outwards

and stroke your hair lightly

quite short pause

the songs

in Rambuku

are there

for you and me

for us

Yes

Quite short pause

And everything’s ready

quite short pause

you’re ready

I’m ready

and then Rambuku will come

Short pause

And you just stand there

and say nothing

just stand there

and look and look

as if nothing has happened

as if nothing will happen

as if this is just an ordinary day

that’s how you stand there

Loudly

But this is not just an ordinary day

Quite short pause

Can’t you see that

But look around

don’t just stand there

look around

look

see what’s happening

see Rambuku opening up

Look

He looks around, quite short pause

And you can see

you can can’t you

that this is not

just an ordinary day

yes you can see that

I know you can see that

quite short pause

you can see

that this is an extraordinary day

quite short pause

you can see

that this is the last day

and the first day

I know you can see that

Pause

But don’t stand there like that looking around

He stops looking around

I don’t want to see you here

anymore

I want to see you

quite short pause

somewhere else

quite short pause

and now

yes now

now I shall finally

see you in Rambuku

quite short pause

finally

finally I’ll get to see you in a different light

get to see you

in Rambuku’s light

in the radiant light of Rambuku

shall you be

and there shall I be

there we shall be

quite short pause

and don’t just stand there

as if someone once

had placed you there

forever

that’s how you stand there

quite short pause

stand and stand

pause

and look and look

Quite short pause

So say something

yes

quite short pause

just say something

say something to me

say something

quite short pause

for I want to know

quite short pause

yes that you too know

quite short pause

that something will finish

and something else

great and bright

will begin

Short pause

And now you’ll say

please do

for you’ll be saying these things

so often in Rambuku

but say it now

yes

she smiles to herself

say it now

already

say

You are a beautiful woman

please do

You can say that

can’t you

yes

yes

quite short pause

say it then

say after me

You

Pause

But say it then

say

You

HE

You

SHE

Good

And then you say

quite short pause

are a beautiful woman

HE

are a beautiful woman

SHE

That’s good

Quite short pause

Say

Quite short pause

You are a beautiful woman

HE

You are a beautiful woman

Pause

SHE

Thank you

Thank you so much

takes his hand again, shakes it

It makes me

yes happy

quite short pause

to hear you say it

She lets go of his hand. Pause

And then you say

I don’t understand anything

HE

I don’t understand anything

SHE

And say

For today Rambuku

shall open up

HE

For today Rambuku

SHE

More

say the rest

say it

HE

Rambuku

SHE

Say more

say what I said

Today Rambuku shall

HE

Today Rambuku shall

SHE

Say after me

then

say

Today

HE

Today

SHE

Rambuku shall

HE

Rambuku shall

SHE

open up

HE

open up

SHE

Say all of it

HE

Today Rambuku shall

SHE

open up

Yes

Pause

Today’s the day

when Rambuku shall remove

these years

this life

and transform it to nothing

quite short pause

transform it to a memory

which disappears

like the landscape when it darkens

fades away

quite short pause

and grows black

quite short pause

and then Rambuku shall stand forth

quite short pause

in all its light

quite short pause

in all its

luminescent

transparent

being

quite short pause, as if she is reflecting

it

quite short pause

Rambuku

should come today

quite short pause

so why doesn’t Rambuku come

it must come

And it comes

and then it’s over

then it’s finished

Then this is finished

Pause

Then it’s finished

say it

Say

Then it’s finished

HE

Then it’s finished

SHE

Then it’s finished

Pause

Do you understand that

that it’s finished

quite short pause

no

no you don’t understand that

not here

for here it’s not possible

quite short pause

to understand anything

here you just stand

and look and look

and say nothing

and understand nothing

and that’s how it is here

But in Rambuku it’s not like that

say it

say after me

say

In Rambuku it’s not like that

HE

In Rambuku

Short pause

SHE

Yes

Say

Quite short pause

It’s not like that

HE

It’s not like that

SHE

In Rambuku

it’s not like that

short pause

in Rambuku

quite short pause

you become beautiful

quite short pause

for no one was more beautiful than you

quite short pause

I could’ve had anyone I wanted

yes

I could

yes it’s true

and in Rambuku

I shall have you back

short pause

for you

yes

quite short pause

yes you looked like Rambuku

quite short pause

and I chose you

of course

for you were

like Rambuku

long pause, she smiles to herself

it was these

reflects

yes these beautiful tosses

of thoughts

they were sudden

you thought just like they think

in Rambuku

and your voice

the strange arcs that formed

suddenly

quite short pause

and the clouds disappeared

and the sky turned blue

and shimmering

across our life

quite short pause

such were the tosses

of your thoughts

you had Rambuku

in you

quite short pause

and your voice surged

like the waves on the sea

waves

there in Rambuku

quite short pause

that’s how you were

short pause

I say something beautiful about you

and you just stand there

stand there

and say nothing

just stand there

and stare and stare

straight up and down

you stand there

quite short pause

can’t you say something

I tell you

looks at him, in a clear voice

there were beautiful tosses in your thoughts

I tell you that

quite short pause

and you just stand there

and say nothing

quite short pause

why don’t you say something

quite short pause

say something

at least you can answer

when I talk to you

say something

answer

answer me

say something

She sighs. Pause

Well read it then

She takes a pad and a pencil from her bag and writes, tears off the sheet, hands it to him, and he stands and fumbles with the sheet

Read it then

Read

Read what I’ve written

quite short pause

oh well

don’t do it then

just leave it then

just leave reading it

quite short pause

or

yes read it

read it at once

now

read

Read

Pause

HE

reads

Rambuku

SHE

Thank you

thank you so much

quite short pause

it was

quite short pause

yes so beautiful to hear you say

Rambuku

Short pause

Why don’t you read it one more time

Yes

yes

yes you must do that

Read

read it one more time

Pause

HE

reads

Rambuku

SHE

And yet one more time

please

Pause

HE

reads

Rambuku

SHE

Thank you

thank you so much

He stands with the note in his hand and she walks over and takes it from his hand, she puts the pad, the pencil and the note in her bag. Pause

And now

short pause

Now this is soon finished

now we won’t stand here any longer

you and I

now we won’t be here any longer

you and I

now we’re going

quite short pause

to where everything opens wide

like a vista

over everything that exists

that’s where we’re going

you and I

quite short pause

yes it ended up being the two of us

and you had such a big and beautiful power

you were as beautiful as Rambuku

yes you had a power

hesitates

yes a power as headstrong

as Rambuku

quite short pause

you were this power

this headstrong power

quite short pause

this power

which showed itself most of all

in your sudden tosses

from one thought

to another

reflects a little

just like Rambuku

yes

you were

yes exactly

quite short pause

yes you were

as beautiful

as Rambuku

quite short pause

your smile

the way you tossed your head

I think I can say

quite short pause

yes that I understand myself

quite short pause

yes that I chose you

quite short pause

and do I regret it

quite short pause

no

no I don’t think I regret it

or

quite short pause

yes I regret it

quite fast

I regret as much as it’s possible to regret

I always feel regret

all the time

every time I see you

every time I hear you voice

I feel regret

I keep regretting it

I feel nothing but regret

quite short pause

and then

quite short pause

and then I keep saying

quite short pause

yes that I don’t regret it

quite short pause

how stupid can you be

quite short pause

no

quite short pause

no not that

no regret

just

breaks off

but

quite short pause

but now

quite short pause

yes

quite short pause

yes won’t Rambuku come soon

he should come today

quite short pause

and then he doesn’t come

Why doesn’t Rambuku come

quite short pause

yes he’s coming

he’s coming soon

quite short pause

and then it’s over

then this is over

then it’s finished

quite short pause. Quite loudly

He’s coming

Rambuku’s coming today

do you know that

Short pause

I’m talking to you

why don’t you answer me

don’t just stand there

you must answer

quite short pause

do you hear me

I’m talking to you

Short pause

Are you looking forward to Rambuku coming

quite short pause

to getting away

from here

not having to

stand here any longer

to being in

Rambuku

Quite short pause

Answer me then

say something

You must answer me

You’re looking forward to it

Pause

But I feel so sad

short pause

that I almost begin to cry

quite short pause

for you

quite short pause

for you

for you standing there

good old you

you were always

yes so obstinately persevering

so

quite short pause

yes

quite short pause

but that’s a long time ago

quite short pause

a very long time ago

quite short pause

it doesn’t exist anymore

so why think about it

quite short pause

but this

no

pause

no I

breaks off

no I

breaks off

I suppose I must

I

breaks off

I

breaks off

I

I must

breaks off

I

breaks off, short pause

and you

standing there

quite short pause

I must

breaks off, short pause

No it’s too awful

Short pause

It’s too awful

Quite short pause

I must be the one I was

quite short pause

I can’t

breaks off, quite short pause

I must be

quite short pause

the one I am

and the one I shall be

quite short pause

and I am beautiful

I’ve dressed up

today I’m beautiful

for today

is a big day

a day for decisions

today is Rambuku’s day

quite short pause

I know that

short pause

but you

quite short pause

you

quite short pause

standing there

good old you

you’re good

you with your hands

with your fingers

with your movements

quite short pause

you

quite short pause

you stand there

and I stand here

you and I

are here

quite short pause

the two of us

quite short pause

just you and I

no one else

just you and I are here

just the two of us

short pause, almost whispering

you and I stand here

ready

everything’s ready

for Rambuku coming

quite short pause

to you and me

quite short pause

to the two of us

quite short pause

and in Rambuku everything becomes a song

short pause

a song from seas and stars

where everything is large

and everything disappears

quite short pause

and just the two of us

are left

and everything fades

into something which is and lasts

there in Rambuku

quite short pause

and not even the memories

are left

of the two of us

there

there in Rambuku

they are gone

they are gone

like the sea in the darkness

short pause

so don’t just stand there

quite short pause

and look and look

you

say something

tell me something about Rambuku

Tell me what you know

about Rambuku

Short pause

No

no don’t say anything

quite short pause

just stand there

A little questioningly

Good

Short pause

Say it’s good

She walks over to him, looks him in the face

Say yes

HE

Yes

SHE

Okay

She holds his chin

But say it one more time

say it

She pulls his chin up and down

Say it

Say it at once

Say it

Loudly

Say it

say yes

HE

Yes

Long pause

SHE

Yes

Pause. She lets go of his chin, walks out on the floor, turns suddenly to him

But why isn’t Rambuku coming

pause

for something is going to happen

quite short pause, a little angrily

and you’re

quite different

my dear

quite short pause

it’s only here

you’re like this

in Rambuku you’re not like this

I know that

for there you are the most beautiful

of them all

not so big and strong

but with a few tosses

of your thoughts

of your soul

a few tosses

radiant in their movements

quite short pause

yes like Rambuku

short pause

but you just stand there

just stand there

quite short pause

and look and look

and we’re not going to be here

we’re going to Rambuku

quite short pause

come on walk

walk a little

Walk

I’m telling you

Walk

He begins to walk slowly

You

short pause

yes you

quite short pause

you rotten man

very sad

that’s right

you rotten man

quite short pause

for I suppose you’ve always been rotten

quite short pause

always

short pause

always other women

always that

quite short pause

and how could I stand being

with you

but I

quite short pause

yes indeed I took what was mine

I want you to know that

and you do know that

quite short pause

yes of course

quite short pause

you know that

quite short pause

or

quite short pause

do you

answer

answer now

short pause

and you don’t answer

quite short pause

why don’t you answer

quite short pause

why don’t you speak

say something

quite short pause

you don’t say anything

you don’t answer

quite short pause

I tell you to answer

and you don’t answer

quite short pause

answer

say something

quite short pause

and don’t just walk around

answer

say something

don’t walk

don’t walk anymore

stop

he stops

answer

say something

pause

No

Short pause

No alright

Short pause

Do you want to go to Rambuku

quite short pause

or don’t you

quite short pause

I know you want to

so don’t just stand there

and look and look

quite short pause

Walk

Walk

He begins to walks slowly. Short pause

For now it’s finished

now

quite short pause

now Rambuku shall open up

now

today

quite short pause

finally

quite short pause

do you understand

say something

do you understand

that Rambuku shall open up

quite short pause

and don’t just walk around

stop that

can’t you

stop walking

stop

he stops

and say say that you understand it

Say

I understand it

HE

I understand it

SHE

Good

Say

Now we’re going to Rambuku

HE

Now we’re going to Rambuku

SHE

Thank you

Thank you so much

Thank you

Short pause. She takes his hand

It felt so good

to hear you say it

She shakes his hand

to hear your voice say it

so thank you

thank you so much

thank you

She lets go of his hand. Quite short pause

Would you like to read for me

Short pause

No I don’t suppose you do

Almost threateningly

You must answer me when I speak to you

say something

you used to do that

to talk to me

you were always doing it

you answered

talked

said things to me

quite short pause

called me whore

quite short pause

but now

short pause

now you just stand there

and look and look

quite short pause

you don’t exist

aren’t here

you just stand there

quite short pause

And I have lived my life with you

Pause

But you were

yes

She smiles

you were beautiful

yes beautiful

like Rambuku

quite short pause

but if only I could’ve given you back

to the woman you left

laughs a little to herself

I could’ve married

anyone

and then

and then I married you

quite short pause

who just stand there

and look and look

I married you

quite short pause

I don’t understand myself

I don’t understand what I was thinking

what made me do it

short pause

yes I understand it

Do you understand

that I understand it

quite short pause

no of course you don’t

but I

quite short pause

I understand it

because

quite short pause

you were such a beautiful man

there were so many nuances

in you

quite short pause

Rambuku

was in you

quite short pause

and married

yes you were married

and to a beautiful woman

and I

breaks off

yes

quite short pause

yes you were

quite short pause

and she was a

breaks off. She takes the pad and the pencil from her bag, writes, tears off the sheet, hands it to him, he stands and fumbles with the sheet

Look

And read

Read loudly and clearly

Read

Pause

HE

reads

Whore

SHE

Yes exactly

see

you could do it

you were married to

yes

yes read it one more time

loudly and clearly

yes

yes read it

He stands and fumbles with the note, looks at it

Read it one more time

You were married to a

Pause

HE

reads

Whore

SHE

Good

That’s a good boy

And then

then you must say

yes what was her name

yes her

that

that whore

yes

yes say it

why don’t you say it to me

say it

quite short pause

no

no don’t say it

quite short pause

let it be gone

let’s leave it behind

her name shall not exist

in Rambuku

of course not

short pause

for there

finally

she is gone

finally she no longer exists

quite short pause

there’s no room for her

in Rambuku

very sad

and soon everything’s gone

do you understand that

don’t just stand there

look around

can’t you see Rambuku is coming

but look

come look

Look

He looks around

yes

yes finally the day has come

when you shall see Rambuku

you see that

don’t you

of course you see that

I know that you

can see that

I know that

quite short pause

so don’t

quite short pause

don’t

She writes, tears off the note, hands it to him

don’t look around

quite short pause

look at the note

He looks at the note

But read it then

Read

Pause

HE

reads

I’ve lived here

But soon I’ll live in Rambuku

SHE

nods

That was good

so good to hear

Short pause

Read it one more time

please

let me hear you read it again

yes

Pause

HE

reads

I’ve lived here

But soon I’ll live in Rambuku

SHE

Thank you

Thank you that was beautiful

quite short pause, she puts the pad and the pencil in her bag. She walks over to him and strokes his hair

But you

my

quite short pause

my good boy

my good old boy

She puts her arm under his arm, they stand like that, arm in arm, long pause

yes

quite short pause

yes that’s how we stood

do you remember

we stood like this

quite short pause

and then we walked inside

quite short pause

into the church

She smiles a little to herself and leads him slowly forwards

do you remember

this is how we walked

they stop, stand still. Long pause. She lets go of his arm, walks a little away from him

No

quite short pause

no perhaps you don’t remember

quite short pause

no of course you don’t

quite short pause

But no one can remember here

quite short pause

no one can be here

quite short pause

and we have been here

always been

always here

quite short pause

year in and year out

have we been here

Pause

But read what I wrote in the note

Pause. He fumbles with the note

HE

reads

Whore

SHE

And the other note

Pause

HE

reads

I’ve lived here

But soon I’ll live in Rambuku

SHE

Read what the first note says

Pause

HE

Whore

SHE

Read it one more time

Pause

HE

reads

Whore

SHE

Read it yet one more time

Pause

HE

reads

Whore

Pause

SHE

Now read what the other note says

Pause

HE

reads

I’ve lived here

But soon I’ll live in Rambuku

SHE

Yes

Short pause

It makes me

quite short pause

yes happy

when I hear you say

that you’ll soon live

in Rambuku

Short pause, she takes a pile of sheets from her bag, leafs through them, hands him one

Read

Pause

HE

reads

And when she came towards me

I saw that she was the most beautiful woman

I’d ever seen

the way she moved

her eyes

the enormous song welling up in her

SHE

Yes

Pause

Keep reading

HE

reads

I could not imagine being with

any other woman

quite short pause

she was the most beautiful

Pause

SHE

Keep reading

Pause

HE

reads

To him there would never

be anyone else

He was sure of that

Pause

SHE

No

She goes and takes the sheet of paper from him. She looks at him, reads

She was such a beautiful woman

She looks at him

She is such a beautiful woman

Pause

Yes

Pause. She puts the sheet back in the pile, finds another sheet, puts the pile back in her bag and hands him the sheet she has selected and He looks at the sheet, stands and looks at it

Read

quite short pause

why do you just stand there

and look and look

Read

Long pause

HE

reads

I see that the mountain opens up

and out of the mountain comes a man

a young beautiful man

and he walks quietly forwards

he is beautiful

dressed in a black suit

he stops

Rambuku enters, dressed in a black suit

he stands calmly

and looks around

then he seems to become a little restless

a little worried

almost

he stands and looks down

and then a woman comes walking towards him

She walks towards Rambuku

and he walks towards her

Rambuku walks towards her

and when they see each other

they walk quickly towards each other

they meet

and they embrace each other

She and Rambuku embrace each other, pause

they stand like that for a long time

short pause

then they let go of each other

She and Rambuku let go of each other

and the man says

It’s been such a long time

RAMBUKU

It’s been such a long time

pause

SHE

Yes

RAMBUKU

But finally

we’re together again

SHE

Yes

Yes it has been a long time

Short pause

RAMBUKU

I never thought we’d meet again

short pause

that we would find each other again

SHE

Neither did I

RAMBUKU

And now we meet

short pause

finally we meet

SHE

Yes

RAMBUKU

Yes

SHE

Where have you been

RAMBUKU

But you know that

SHE

Yes

quite short pause

yes I’ve missed you so

RAMBUKU

And you are so beautiful

SHE

I’ve dressed up for you

Today

this very day

I dressed up for you

and it’s you

who shall take me with you

to Rambuku

quite short pause

today it shall happen

today Rambuku shall

open up

quite short pause

yes

quite short pause

I knew you’d come

that today was the day

when you’d come

quite short pause

For Rambuku was coming

today

RAMBUKU

Yes

Pause. Rambuku and She take each other’s hands and lead each other around

SHE

But

quite short pause

are you sure

short pause

that we’ve met before

RAMBUKU

Yes

SHE

No

quite short pause

no we haven’t

They let go of each other’s hands, stand there. Long pause. To He

Read

Pause

HE

reads

and then the man moves away from her

and he stands and looks at her

Rambuku walks away from her and stands and looks at her

with a strange expression on his face

quite short pause

an expression which

yes how should I describe it

yes an expression which

SHE

Don’t stand there like that

RAMBUKU

questioningly

Like

SHE

Don’t stand there like that

quite short pause

don’t stand there like that

now that you’re finally here

RAMBUKU

I won’t stand here like that

SHE

No

RAMBUKU

No

quite short pause

I’m finally here

Pause

SHE

I have waited and waited for you

And now you’re here

She and Rambuku look at each other, look down, look at each other again. Long pause. To He, without looking at him

Read

Pause

HE

reads

And then the man turned

and he walked away from her

and she walked after him

Rambuku walks away from her, and She walks after him

she stopped and looked

She stops and looks at Rambuku

she stood there and looked

as he walked away

Rambuku walks away and She stands and looks at him

and then she stood and looked straight ahead

She stands and looks straight ahead

and she said

in a quiet voice

that finally he was there

the finally he came

she said

that finally Rambuku shall

open up

Pause

SHE

Finally Rambuku shall

open up

Long pause. To He

Read then

Keep reading

HE

reads

And then the man came back to her

Rambuku enters, he brings a carafe of water and a glass. Pause

SHE

to He

Yes

quite short pause

yes that’s how it is

She looks at him

isn’t it

isn’t it

Rambuku has come now

right

quite short pause

yes

short pause

Keep reading

Pause

HE

reads

And then the man walked slowly towards her

Rambuku walks slowly towards her

And she walked slowly towards him

She walks slowly towards Rambuku

And they both stopped

they stood and looked at each other

They stop, look at each other

And she said

But there you are

SHE

But there you are

RAMBUKU

You must come now

my dear

I’m waiting for you

Pause. Rambuku pours water in the glass and hands it to her, she drinks the water, gives the glass back to Rambuku

SHE

Thank you

Thank you for being here

You came today

Pause. She turns to He

But you

breaks off. She walks to him, takes the sheets of paper from him, leafs through the pile, picks out one sheet, hands it to him

Read

Pause

HE

reads

I’ve lived here

But soon I’ll live in Rambuku

SHE

Yes

Yes

yes now he has come

now Rambuku has come

quite short pause

and then

quite short pause

neither you

nor I

shall live here anymore

quite short pause

you

I

you and I

shall live in Rambuku

Pause

It’s over now

finally

finally it’s over

Short pause

Read

read what the note says

Pause

HE

reads

I’ve lived here

But soon I’ll live in Rambuku

Long pause

SHE

Yes

Long pause. She goes and takes the sheet of paper from him, puts all the sheets in her bag. Rambuku walks over to her, pours water in the glass, hands it to her and She hands it to He, who drinks it. She takes the glass from He, gives it to Rambuku. She takes He’s arm. Rambuku walks slowly out, holding the carafe and the glass in front of him, and She and He walk slowly, arm in arm, after him and out

FREEDOM

Characters

THE WOMAN

THE MAN

THE SECOND WOMAN

Black. Lights up. The Woman stands, looking down. Long pause. The Woman looks up, towards The Man

THE WOMAN

But you see

well

you do understand that

yes

yes that

Yes that I

quite short pause

Wanted to be free

quite short pause

I didn’t want to go round

with all those ties

that I had entered into

quite short pause

and of course I was

yes so young

yes when I became tied

yes when I entered into

quite short pause

yes the ties

quite short pause

yes the ties

you know so well

THE MAN

Yes

THE WOMAN

And I wanted to create

Yes my own ties

quite short pause

I wanted

stops

THE MAN

But now you are free

THE WOMAN

Yes I suppose so

THE MAN

And now you don’t want to be free

THE WOMAN

No I don’t want to be free

THE MAN

Why don’t you want to be free

THE WOMAN

Because one

when one is free

one is not free

at all

THE MAN

Why not

THE WOMAN

Because then one

is tied

tied and tied

by just one’s self

THE MAN

Yes

THE WOMAN

And the one who is tied

by and to her self

is

stops, short pause

THE MAN

Lonely

THE WOMAN

No

Yes

Pause

THE MAN

But the others they are there

yes they are everywhere

it is impossible to be alone

because the others

they are there

THE WOMAN

Yes

yes exactly

quite short pause

but in relation to the others

one doesn’t become free

short pause

and then there’s my children

THE MAN

Your children

quite short pause

yes your children

of course

yes

yes a child is a tie isn’t it

yes of course

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

And you want to be free

quite short pause

Not be tied

yes

yes to

stops

THE WOMAN

Yes

Pause

THE MAN

And now you are free

THE WOMAN

Yes

Pause

THE MAN

And now you don’t want to be free

THE WOMAN

No

Pause

Or yes

THE MAN

Yes you can be

quite short pause

yes lover

yes

yes

yes with whoever you want

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

With one or the other

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

Go to bed with whoever you want

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

You are free

THE WOMAN

Yes

Pause

But I

stops

THE MAN

Don’t you want to be free

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

Wasn’t it as you imagined

To be free

THE WOMAN

No

Pause

THE MAN

Freedom is not a good thing

THE WOMAN

No

quite short pause

But it is a condition

THE MAN

It is a condition

Short pause

Yes like death

quite short pause

like loneliness

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

But it isn’t good

quite short pause

yes doesn’t one try

all one can

laughs briefly

yes almost

to get away from freedom

permanent relationships

laughs briefly

having dogs

a permanent residence

regular income

a permanent job

quite short pause

yes children

THE WOMAN

Freedom is a good thing too

quite short pause

If you are shut in

quite short pause

yes then you want to go where you want to go

there is nothing else you want

THE MAN

But there is something else

THE WOMAN

No

THE MAN

Another person

other people

are not a room one is

shut up in

THE WOMAN

Aren’t they

THE MAN

No

THE WOMAN

Never

THE MAN

Never

Pause

THE WOMAN

But

quite short pause

now

yes now I have tried being free

and now

yes now I would like to tie myself

quite short pause

yes that is what it is called

to tie oneself

THE MAN

Yes

THE WOMAN

To you

To the children

THE MAN

So that’s what you want

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes I regret

or

quite short pause

yes I regret it

I should not have gone

it was wrong of me

I shouldn’t have done it

THE MAN

And now you want to go back

THE WOMAN

Yes

Pause

THE MAN

But it’s not possible

THE WOMAN

Not possible

THE MAN

No it’s not possible

THE WOMAN

Why not

THE MAN

No

THE WOMAN

But can you not forgive

THE MAN

Yes

quite short pause

Yes I have no difficulties

forgiving

quite short pause

it’s just that

yes to see the other

like oneself

and to see that the other

THE WOMAN

interrupts

Yes

THE MAN

continues

yes is like oneself

yes that the other

quite short pause

Yes also has freedom

As their damned condition

THE WOMAN

Damned condition

THE MAN

Yes

THE WOMAN

What would a person be

without freedom

THE MAN

What would a person be

without death

THE WOMAN

What would a person be

without loneliness

THE MAN

Yes

Pause

THE WOMAN

A person without freedom

is

quite short pause

yes a stone

a tree

quite short pause

no that was badly put

quite short pause

but a person

without freedom

is not a person

THE MAN

Yes

Pause

Yes that is the condition of the soul

quite long pause

THE WOMAN

But I miss

stops

THE MAN

You miss

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

What do you miss

THE WOMAN

You

THE MAN

You miss me

quite short pause

but it was me

you couldn’t stand

that I was close

quite short pause

that I was there

yes like a tie

quite short pause

yes like a constraint

quite short pause

as if I was a room

that shut you in

THE WOMAN

No

quite short pause

no it wasn’t like that

THE MAN

You wanted to travel

meet others

get close to others

quite short pause

that was what you

called freedom

THE WOMAN

Yes

yes maybe

THE MAN

But if you got too close

quite short pause

yes what then

THE WOMAN

Did I come too close to you

THE MAN

How could I know

THE WOMAN

And the journey

THE MAN

continues

became the journey’s constraint

the journey’s tie

to travel

is the greatest constraint

of all

THE WOMAN

Yes

Pause

But

quite short pause

can’t I come back

to you

to the children

The Man shakes his head

But why not

THE MAN

Because you are free

THE WOMAN

But I don’t want to be free

THE MAN

But you are free

THE WOMAN

Aren’t you

THE MAN

No

Long pause. Footsteps are heard. The Second Woman comes in

THE MAN

To the Second Woman

Yes

Yes you must say hello to

Yes my first wife

The Woman and The Second Woman go over and take each other’s hands.

I don’t suppose you’ve met each other before

THE WOMAN

No

THE SECOND WOMAN

No never

Pause

THE WOMAN

To The Second Woman

Yes I just wanted

Yes to pop in

I

quite short pause

say hello

yes

THE SECOND WOMAN

Yes

Pause

You’re in old parts

yes

THE WOMAN

Yes

laughs briefly

yes you might say so

Pause

THE SECOND WOMAN

Yes

Pause

THE WOMAN

to The Man

Yes it was nice

talking to you again

THE MAN

Yes

yes it was

THE WOMAN

But I suppose I’d better go

Pause

THE SECOND WOMAN

Nice to meet you

Pause. The Woman goes. Long pause

What did she want

THE MAN

Just to say hello

THE SECOND WOMAN

She just came

THE MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes there was a ring at the door

and there she stood

she just stood there

THE SECOND WOMAN

Yes

Short pause

And she didn’t want

yes anything in particular

THE MAN

No

Pause

THE SECOND WOMAN

Sure

THE MAN

Yes

Long pause. Lights down. Black

OVER THERE

Characters

THE MAN

THE WOMAN

Lights up slowly

THE MAN

stands and looks at something in the far distance

Do you see

short pause

but look

look over there

pause

don’t you see anything

pause

is there nothing to see

there

over there

don’t you see

answer me

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

There

over there

THE WOMAN

No I don’t really see anything

quite short pause

not anything unusual

quite short pause

I see

quite short pause

I only see what’s always been there

quite short pause

I see

quite short pause

I see the ridge

quite short pause

and behind the ridge I see the mountain

quite short pause

and beyond the mountain

yes there I see the sky

THE MAN

Yes

THE WOMAN

continues

and I see that the sky

yes it’s like before

yes like it usually is

quite short pause

not blue

but grey and grey

yes

yes that’s what I see

and

then

quite short pause

yes

THE MAN

You don’t see anything else

THE WOMAN

No

short pause

well

quite short pause

well I see

quite short pause

I see

yes

yes over there on the ridge

yes there’s the farmhouse

quite short pause

yes that has always been there

and the old hay barn

oh yes that’s there too

THE MAN

Nothing else

THE WOMAN

Well what do you mean

THE MAN

No

Pause. The Man turns and looks at The Woman

THE WOMAN

No it was nothing

THE MAN

No maybe not

THE WOMAN

Just something you thought

Pause

But did you see something

THE MAN

No it was probably nothing

THE WOMAN

But did you see something

THE MAN

Nothing worth mentioning

THE WOMAN

But what was it

THE MAN

Just forget it

Pause

THE WOMAN

So you saw something

THE MAN

Yes

Pause

THE WOMAN

But you don’t want to say what it was

THE MAN

It’s nothing worth mentioning

THE WOMAN

Not if I didn’t see it

THE MAN

No

THE WOMAN

Because then it was only you who saw it

THE MAN

Yes

THE WOMAN

And then it doesn’t exist

THE MAN

Yes I suppose

Pause

THE WOMAN

Shall we move on

THE MAN

Yes

The Man remains where he is. Pause

THE WOMAN

Don’t you want to walk any further

THE MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes of course

short pause

THE WOMAN

But you don’t have to

quite short pause

if you don’t want to

we don’t have to walk any further

quite short pause

it’s quite alright

yes

of course

quite short pause

it has been a nice walk

yes so far

Short pause

THE MAN

Yes

of course we’ll walk further

Short pause

THE WOMAN

But we don’t have to walk to the very top of the mountain

quite short pause

not if you don’t want to

THE MAN

I said I wanted to

THE WOMAN

Yes

Short pause

But still

THE MAN

Let’s go

THE WOMAN

If you want to

quite short pause

yes let’s go then

THE MAN

I want to

He remains where he is. Long pause

THE WOMAN

But

yes

quite short pause

yes what did you see

THE MAN

Don’t ask about it

THE WOMAN

Sorry

Short pause

It’s just

since I didn’t see it

quite short pause

yes

yes I mean

THE MAN

I’m sure it was nothing

THE WOMAN

Just something you imagined

THE MAN

I’m sure

THE WOMAN

Maybe

quite short pause

in any case I didn’t see anything

Pause

THE MAN

Let’s sit down for a moment

THE WOMAN

Yes why not

The Man and The Woman sit down

Are you tired

THE MAN

No

THE WOMAN

But it’s nice to rest the legs

THE MAN

Yes

THE WOMAN

We’ve been walking for some time

THE MAN

Not for that long

THE WOMAN

No

quite short pause

no but for quite a bit

THE MAN

Yes

Long pause. The Man turns around and looks and then he stands up, again he stands and looks. Pause

THE WOMAN

Do you see anything

Pause

You want something to eat

quite short pause

something to drink

perhaps

Pause

The weather’s not too bad

quite short pause

at least it’s not raining

quite short pause

it’s not so nice to go for a walk then

not when the sun’s burning

either

short pause

this is good weather for walking

short pause

it couldn’t have been much better

quite short pause

no

quite short pause

and wasn’t it good that we finally got to take

this walk

quite short pause

we’ve been talking about it for so long

quite short pause

yes about walking up to that mountain

quite short pause

I don’t even know what it’s called

and

quite short pause

you don’t either I suppose

short pause

no

no I don’t suppose you do

quite short pause

and so far

it’s been a nice walk

quite short pause

hasn’t it

quite short pause

at least that’s what I think

and wasn’t it good that we both

finally found the time to do it

quite short pause

perhaps we should walk a little further

yes before we have something to drink

quite short pause

before we stop to eat

quite short pause

yes we should probably do that

quite short pause

but it was good to sit down for a bit too

quite short pause

have a rest

quite short pause

I can feel it in my legs

yes

that we’ve been walking for some time

quite short pause

can’t you

quite short pause

can you feel it too

quite short pause

The Man walk forwards a little

So it was good to sit down for a bit

Rest for while

The Man continues to walk forwards

You don’t want to sit for a bit longer

rest a bit more

yes

quite short pause

yes we still have quite a distance to cover

quite short pause

it’s a long walk all the way

to the top of the mountain

quite short pause

it looks pretty far

quite short pause

but we’ve got the whole day

quite short pause

that’s good isn’t it

The Woman stands up and looks at The Man

you don’t want to rest any longer

we can just keep walking

yes

yes of course

The Man continues to walk forwards

I’ll come

too

The Man stops and stands and looks

What are you looking at

What is it you see

THE MAN

But don’t you see

THE WOMAN

looks

No

THE MAN

Don’t you see that it shines

quite short pause

yes over there

THE WOMAN

No

THE MAN

points

there from over the mountain

quite short pause

and down the mountain

quite short pause

and then here

THE WOMAN

No

quite short pause

no I don’t see anything

THE MAN

That strong light

THE WOMAN

No

no nothing

I don’t see anything

THE MAN

You don’t see that awfully strong light

THE WOMAN

No

The light begins to fade

THE MAN

And you don’t see that it’s like

yes gleaming space

in the light

THE WOMAN

No

THE MAN

And that the light is like

breaks off. The Man walks unsteadily forwards and The Woman walks after him.

THE WOMAN

I don’t see anything

Wait

wait for me

I’m coming

The Man walks out and you can hear that he collapses. The Woman hurries out after him. Lights down.

THESE EYES

Characters

FIRST VOICE

SECOND VOICE

THE SHADOW

YOUNG WOMAN

OLD WOMAN

YOUNG MAN

OLD MAN

FIRST VOICE

I am here

I am here always

Quite short pause

And I have always

been here

quite short pause

but yet

quite short pause

I must have

come here once

quite short pause

I came here

quite short pause

and then I was here

And now I am here

SECOND VOICE

I am always here

FIRST VOICE

I have been here always

SECOND VOICE

I’m just here

FIRST VOICE

We are just here

quite short pause

and this land

where we are

quite short pause

it is the land from our dream

SECOND VOICE

We came from the ocean

FIRST VOICE

Are we still the ocean

SECOND VOICE

We are the ocean

we too are the ocean

and we can never part

from the ocean

because we are the ocean

FIRST VOICE

And we are the sky

SECOND VOICE

We are the sky

FIRST VOICE

We are the ocean

SECOND VOICE

And even if we are not

quite short pause

where the ocean is

quite short pause

we are still the ocean

FIRST VOICE

And we are still the sky

SECOND VOICE

Yes

FIRST VOICE

Because the ocean is our dream

SECOND VOICE

And the sky is our dream

FIRST VOICE

And the ocean is in our eyes

SECOND VOICE

And the sky

is in our eyes

FIRST VOICE

And in our faces

quite short pause

in everything which is us

there is the ocean

SECOND VOICE

continues

and there is the sky

Quite short pause

FIRST VOICE

And we shall always be here

Quite short pause

SECOND VOICE

Always shall we be here

FIRST VOICE

We are here

quite short pause

but I don’t want to be here anymore

SECOND VOICE

We are here always

Pause

FIRST VOICE

And we have always

been here

SECOND VOICE

Yes

quite short pause

where it comes

goes away

Short pause

We are here

FIRST VOICE

But I don’t belong here

Pause

You can see that

Quite short pause

Don’t you understand that

Quite short pause

Don’t you see that

SECOND VOICE

We are the world

quite short pause

where it comes

goes away

Short pause

FIRST VOICE

Yes

quite short pause

yes I belong here

quite short pause

with you

I belong here

SECOND VOICE

continues

where

quite short pause

it comes

goes away

FIRST VOICE

Will you hold me please

SECOND VOICE

Yes I will

Pause. The Shadow enters

THE SHADOW

Here

This is where you will be

This is where you will always be

I am here

I am always here

Pause. The Young Woman enters and behind her The Old Woman enters

FIRST VOICE

Oh look

quite short pause

look there she comes

there she is

don’t you see her

SECOND VOICE

Yes

yes I see her

FIRST VOICE

And isn’t she beautiful

SECOND VOICE

Yes

FIRST VOICE

Very beautiful

THE SHADOW

This is where you’ll be

This is where you’ll always be

FIRST VOICE

She is beautiful

Pause

SECOND VOICE

wonderingly

This is the world

This is the land

from our dream

THE SHADOW

This is where you’ll be

I am always here

The Shadow looks at The Young Woman

YOUNG WOMAN

And now

quite short pause

and now

now

quite short pause

he’ll soon come now

I know that

that he’ll be here soon

THE SHADOW

I am here

SECOND VOICE

wondering

So this is the world

that we are

FIRST VOICE

This is the world

And this is where we’ll be

THE SHADOW

This is where you must always be

SECOND VOICE

This is the land from our dream

FIRST VOICE

We are the world

YOUNG WOMAN

I am here

and I am waiting

for him

THE SHADOW

I am here

Always am I here

YOUNG WOMAN

I am here now

And soon he’ll come

I know that

Short pause

Because I’m born

quite short pause

and that’s no small thing

Laughs briefly

But why am I thinking that

I mustn’t think like that

quite short pause

but it’s quite a big thing

in fact

to be born

I mean

quite short pause

yes being born

and before that

quite short pause

before I was born

quite short pause

no

quite short pause

no I don’t want to think about that

but then

yes

yes before I was born

quite short pause

yes where was I then

Short pause

I was born

and then all the other things were gone

Quite short pause

I am just here

I am here

by the ocean

beneath the sky

SECOND VOICE

I am here

I am here always

I must always be here

FIRST VOICE

We shall never disappear

Questioningly

We must always be here

THE SHADOW

You must be here always

FIRST VOICE

I was just here

suddenly I was here

Pause

SECOND VOICE

continues

here

quite short pause

where it comes

goes away

FIRST VOICE

We are always here

YOUNG WOMAN

I am here

And soon he’ll be

breaks off

But I wasn’t anywhere was I

yes before I was born

of course

I mean

Short pause

And still

quite short pause

yes that’s not possible

either

yes that I wasn’t anywhere

quite intensely

because I am here

breaks off

and I must have been somewhere before

quite short pause

because from nothing

comes nothing

Because that’s also true

Quite short pause

But I don’t remember anything

yes from before I was born

quite short pause

or

well

yes

yes

quite short pause

well I can’t really say I remember anything

of course not

but that’s because the word remember

yes

yes it means something else

quite short pause

but if I know something

quite short pause

surely I can say that I know something

she walks around a little

yes

almost dancingly

yes in its own way

in one way

I suppose I know something

yes

quite short pause

yes that which is me

that which thinks

which moves

around the place

which thinks itself around the place

yes that

yes that knows something

quite short pause

yes that was there

yes before I was born

somehow

yes

quite short pause

but no

quite short pause

no listen to me

thinking

SECOND VOICE

We are here

And we must be here

THE SHADOW

You must always be here

FIRST VOICE

We are here

quite short pause

and here we shall be

quite short pause

but

quite short pause

but must we be here

quite short pause

why must we be here

SECOND VOICE

We just have to

be here

YOUNG WOMAN

continues

and I who

yes I who am not used to thinking

who am

yes just

breaks off, giggles

who yes just

breaks off, giggles

and why am I here

quite short pause

yes right here

right now

quite short pause

yes I

yes I know that

quite short pause

I can tell you

quite short pause

but I don’t want to tell you

She turns around and sees The Young Man who enters, with The Old Man entering behind him

Oh hello

You’re here already

I

breaks off, becomes a little embarrassed

I

breaks off

YOUNG MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes I may be a little early

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes me too

Pause

FIRST VOICE

And there he is

there he comes

quite short pause

but look

can’t you see

quite short pause

look how beautiful he is

SECOND VOICE

Yes

quite short pause

yes he is beautiful

Pause

FIRST VOICE

But

look

SECOND VOICE

Yes

yes I see

Short pause

YOUNG MAN

Yes here we are

then

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes it’s become a habit

yes to meet here

YOUNG MAN

Yes it has

Pause

YOUNG WOMAN

And it’s a nice

place

yes

YOUNG MAN

Yes

Pause

YOUNG WOMAN

Really nice

YOUNG MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes I suppose that’s why

breaks off

YOUNG WOMAN

continues

Yes that we meet here

YOUNG MAN

Yes I suppose it is

Pause. She walks around a little. Pause.

YOUNG WOMAN

Any news

YOUNG MAN

No

quite short pause

no nothing special

or

yes

YOUNG WOMAN

Tell me

YOUNG MAN

No

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

YOUNG MAN

No

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes you must

She nudges him

YOUNG MAN

No

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

YOUNG MAN

No

He looks at her, and then he stretches his hand out and she takes his hand, they stand and hold hands and look down

Yes here we are then

Pause

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

Pause

YOUNG MAN

Yes

Pause

YOUNG WOMAN

You and I

YOUNG MAN

You and I

They look at each other, smile to each other. Long pause

Do you want to go for a walk

YOUNG WOMAN

Alright

Short pause

And it’s so

yes nice here

quite short pause

here by the sea

YOUNG MAN

Yes

YOUNG WOMAN

Here

sheltered from the ocean

YOUNG MAN

sheltered by the mountains

YOUNG WOMAN

By the tall mountains

THE SHADOW

This is where you’ll be

Quite short pause

And I am here always

YOUNG WOMAN

But look

She looks at the mountains

I’ve never quite

seen the mountains before

I see them now as if for the first time

And the rocks

I see them as if for the first time

YOUNG MAN

The mountains and the rocks

quite short pause

and then us

And this is where we’ll be

YOUNG WOMAN

If we want to

we’ll be here

yes

quite short pause

yes for here there’s air

quite short pause

there’s earth

YOUNG MAN

And there’s wind here

There’s always wind here

YOUNG WOMAN

And here’s where we met

YOUNG MAN

And here’s where we’ll live

quite short pause

here we’ll stay

YOUNG MAN

And we’ll be alright

YOUNG FIRST VOICE

Because we won’t give up

YOUNG MAN

No

And we’ll be fine

We’ll be alright

YOUNG WOMAN

We’re young and strong

YOUNG MAN

And we’re together

YOUNG WOMAN

We’ll be alright

YOUNG MAN

Everything’s fine

YOUNG WOMAN

We’re strong

YOUNG MAN

We’re young

We can do anything

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes we can do anything

YOUNG MAN

We can do it

Quite short pause

We’ll provide fire

We’ll provide food

YOUNG WOMAN

Fire and food

for our children

YOUNG MAN

We’ll provide fire

and food

YOUNG WOMAN

For the children we’ll have

we’ll provide food

YOUNG MAN

We’ll provide shelter

YOUNG WOMAN

We’ll provide fire

We’re young and strong

YOUNG MAN

It’ll all be fine

YOUNG WOMAN

We’ll provide food

YOUNG MAN

We’ll provide shelter

YOUNG WOMAN

We are so strong

YOUNG MAN

We can do anything

YOUNG WOMAN

We can do everything

YOUNG MAN

We are strong

YOUNG WOMAN

And when we are together

we can do it

Pause

But

quite short pause

listen

quite short pause

yes I just wonder if

breaks off

yes

YOUNG MAN

Just tell me

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes if

breaks off

YOUNG MAN

Was there something

YOUNG WOMAN

No maybe not

YOUNG MAN

You just wanted to say something

no matter what

YOUNG WOMAN

Maybe

quite short pause

yes

perhaps

Short pause

YOUNG MAN

Tell me

Can’t you just tell me

YOUNG WOMAN

No

YOUNG MAN

You don’t want to

YOUNG WOMAN

No

She lets go of his hand and walks away from him, towards The Shadow

but

short pause

yes can’t you feel

yes

quite short pause

yes that there’s something here

that

breaks off

YOUNG MAN

Everything’s right

Everything’s the way it should be

Yes

quite short pause

everything’s just fine

quite short pause

and here

here where we are

here where we walk

I’m thinking that

yes here people have

yes lived

yes for so long

YOUNG WOMAN

Not you and I

YOUNG MAN

No

quite short pause

no

not you and I

because we

yes we’re young

we’ve just

arrived here

quite short pause

but people

quite short pause

other people have lived here

for people must’ve lived here

for a long time

yes

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

I’m sure

YOUNG MAN

Yes on this piece of earth

at this shore

quite short pause

on this coast

YOUNG WOMAN

You think so

YOUNG MAN

Don’t you think so

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes of course

YOUNG MAN

But you don’t believe

yes

yes that it’s something to think about

YOUNG WOMAN

Well yes

Pause

YOUNG MAN

And we’ll live here too

Pause

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes we’ll live here

Pause

YOUNG MAN

You look a little tired

you want to rest

YOUNG WOMAN

Perhaps for a bit

Pause

YOUNG MAN

Is something wrong

YOUNG WOMAN

No

Pause

YOUNG MAN

But are you tired

quite short pause

shall we sit down for a while

YOUNG WOMAN

Alright

Short pause

YOUNG MAN

But where

YOUNG WOMAN

We can sit down

quite short pause

yes wherever

YOUNG MAN

Wherever

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

why not

YOUNG MAN

As long as we can see the ocean

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

Pause

And today

YOUNG MAN

continues

you and I got together

She sits down and he comes and sits down next to her, a short distance away from her, and The Shadow walks between them and she gets up and walks after The Shadow

Are you leaving

Can’t you stay here with me

YOUNG WOMAN

I don’t know

I think I have to go

I can’t stay here any longer

YOUNG MAN

Don’t you just want to

well stay here with me

YOUNG WOMAN

But

breaks off

YOUNG MAN

You want to go

YOUNG WOMAN

I’m so jumpy

I’m so scared

Short pause

THE SHADOW

You must come now

YOUNG MAN

No

quite short pause

you mustn’t be scared

for nothing is dangerous

He stands up and walks after her and The Shadow

Well

quite short pause

perhaps

quite short pause

yes when you mention it

quite short pause

perhaps there is something here

THE SHADOW

I am here

Always am I here

FIRST VOICE

I am here

Always am I here

SECOND VOICE

I am here

YOUNG MAN

But wait for me

THE SHADOW

I am here

I am here always

I am the sky

Quite short pause

I am the shimmering

quite short pause

deep down inside you

You are me

I am you

I am the sky

I am the ocean

in blue

in white

YOUNG MAN

But wait

why are you going

YOUNG WOMAN

No reason

YOUNG MAN

We were having such a good time

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes we were

we certainly were

YOUNG MAN

But you’re going

YOUNG WOMAN

I’m not going

YOUNG MAN

Yes you’re going

YOUNG WOMAN

No

YOUNG MAN

Yes

pause

you’re just going

suddenly you’re just going

Short pause

Is there something

Is something wrong

Quite short pause

Have I done something wrong

YOUNG WOMAN

No

no it’s not that

Quite short pause

But it feels

breaks off

I got scared

there’s something here

YOUNG MAN

Yes

YOUNG WOMAN

continues

it feels

yes so dangerous

to be here

I’m scared

I’m a little scared

YOUNG MAN

No

don’t be scared

THE SHADOW

I am the sky

I am the ocean

I am here

FIRST VOICE

I am here

SECOND VOICE

I am here always

YOUNG WOMAN

I think there’s something here

YOUNG MAN

But there’s no one here

Only we are here

So why are you scared

No one’s here

No one can see us

You

just you and I

are here

Come here

Come here to me

THE SHADOW

I am here

YOUNG WOMAN

I

quite short pause

I think maybe

yes

quite short pause

yes that

quite short pause

yes that

breaks off, quite short pause

no I don’t know

I’m just scared

YOUNG MAN

You are here

I am here

We are here

It’s just the two of us here

so come now

He goes to her, stretches his hand out to her

come to me now

YOUNG WOMAN

But I am scared

It’s true

YOUNG MAN

You mustn’t be scared

I am here

You are here

There’s nothing

to be scared of

YOUNG WOMAN

But

quite short pause

yes

yes it feels in a way

yes

in a way

quite short pause

it doesn’t feel

as if it’s right

quite short pause

that we’re here

quite short pause

and there’s something here

YOUNG MAN

Not right

YOUNG WOMAN

No

quite short pause

no because

the land threatens

in a way

with its mountains

quite short pause

but you can’t say things like that

quite short pause

the land threatens

with its mould

YOUNG MAN

Don’t be silly

The mould threatens

THE SHADOW

I am here

I am here always

FIRST VOICE

I am here

SECOND VOICE

I am

here

always

YOUNG MAN

Everything’s fine

We’re here

You’re here

I’m here

It’s just the two of us here

THE SHADOW

I am here

And I shall always be here

I follow everything

I am part of everything

YOUNG WOMAN

But something’s here

Something’s looking at us

YOUNG MAN

No

quite short pause

no just you and I

are here

come to me now

She remains where she is

Alright then

Do you want me to go

I can go if you like

Pause

YOUNG WOMAN

No don’t go

I don’t mean it like that

You mustn’t go

It’s not like that

YOUNG MAN

But come then

Short pause

No

You don’t want to

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

He goes and takes her hand. Short pause

YOUNG MAN

Don’t be so silly

Always us

you know that

from now on

always us

right

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

YOUNG MAN

Always us

YOUNG WOMAN

Always you and me

YOUNG MAN

You and me

YOUNG WOMAN

Always you and me

Pause. He pulls her tightly against him, and she puts her arms around him and they kiss each other. Pause. She pulls away from him. Pause

I’m not scared

now

not now

it’s true

truly

YOUNG MAN

You’re no longer scared

YOUNG WOMAN

No

no I’m calm now

quite short pause

because

for when you held me

when we kissed each other

quite short pause

yes then I felt it

yes that I was no longer scared

quite short pause

and that here

here we can be

I felt it so clearly

I saw it so clearly

YOUNG MAN

Always us

YOUNG MAN

Always us

always you and me

Short pause

THE SHADOW

I am here

quite short pause

I am the blue movements

in the sky

quite short pause

the vanishing movements

I am here

I am the sky

I am the shimmering

deep down inside you

I am the ocean

FIRST VOICE

I am here

SECOND VOICE

Always am I here

quite short pause

and everything else

quite short pause

comes

goes away

FIRST VOICE

Comes

Goes away

SECOND VOICE

Is there

Goes away

FIRST VOICE

But we shall always be here

SECOND VOICE

Here where it

quite short pause

comes

disappears

comes

goes away

THE SHADOW

You must always be here

YOUNG WOMAN

But

quite short pause

there’s something here

something that’ll make us

disappear

quite short pause

and it’s vast

THE SHADOW

I am the sky

I am the blue

disappearing

movements

in the sky

I am there always

I am the wind

Pause. The Young Man moves towards The Old Man

YOUNG MAN

There

looks at The Old Man, points

can you see

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

Long pause

YOUNG MAN

Everything’s gone so fast

YOUNG WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes where did those years go

Where have the years gone

YOUNG MAN

I don’t understand it

YOUNG WOMAN

And our children

Short pause

YOUNG MAN

continues

they’ve grown up already

they live their own lives

Short pause

But can’t you see

Look

YOUNG WOMAN

I can see

She walks towards The Old Woman

YOUNG MAN

Where are you going

you mustn’t leave me

you mustn’t go away

THE SHADOW

I am here

I am here always

FIRST VOICE

I’m always here

SECOND VOICE

I’m here

Short pause

YOUNG MAN

But

quite short pause

why are you leaving

She continues to walk towards The Old Woman

You can’t just leave me

You and I

we’ve been together for so long

And we’ve

loved each other

And we’ve been happy

Short pause

Haven’t we

We’ve been good to each other

you and I

haven’t we

we’ve looked after each other

our children

each other

Short pause

SECOND VOICE

It comes

and goes away

FIRST VOICE

But we are here

We are here always

SECOND VOICE

We must always be here

Short pause. The Young Man walks over to The Old Man

OLD MAN

Everything’s so long ago

Quite short pause

And everything’s

now

in a way

quite short pause

and she’s gone

quite short pause

and she’s here

in a way

still

no

no she’s gone

And only I am here

And I don’t want to

be here any longer

not now

I don’t want to be alone

quite short pause

She has to be here

she as well

as always

as always before

Quite short pause

Because we

because she and I

the two of us were here

not me

quite short pause

and now

quite short pause

now it’s me

quite short pause

just me

and as me

as just me

I’ve never

belonged here

Quite short pause

I came here

I was here

quite short pause

because she was here

I was here too

quite short pause

and now

breaks off

THE SHADOW

I am here

Always am I here

SECOND VOICE

I’m here

FIRST VOICE

I’m here

OLD MAN

continues

and everything’s

so long ago

quite short pause

and everything’s

just now

because we were always here

she and I

quite short pause

and then

breaks off

and then

she was gone

we were here

all those days

all those nights

all those years

FIRST VOICE

But why must we always

be here

SECOND VOICE

We must be here

OLD MAN

I’m just here

We were just here

And then it was just me

yes who was here

THE SHADOW

I am here

I am here always

SECOND VOICE

Everything comes

goes away

FIRST VOICE

But we’ll always be here

OLD MAN

And I don’t want to be here any longer

quite short pause

I can’t be here

not now

not alone

quite short pause

I don’t belong

quite short pause

yes here

in this

quite short pause

And why doesn’t she come

quite short pause

I can’t

breaks off

Where is she

Calls

Why don’t you come

come

please

where are you

FIRST VOICE

Was this the land

from our dream

SECOND VOICE

Perhaps this was

the land from our dream

FIRST VOICE

This was the land from our dream

OLD MAN

Why don’t you come

please come

Why are you gone

Why don’t you come

Quite short pause

No

Pause

No I don’t want to anymore

quite short pause

for now

quite short pause

yes now

yes I’ve been here

long enough

I’ve looked

long enough

quite short pause

resignedly

at this fjord

these shores

these islands

these mountains

Short pause

And why is she gone

why did she just go away

quite short pause

for ever gone

quite short pause

But is she gone

quite short pause

or

breaks off. Pause

and now she must come

why don’t you come

Pause. He looks at The Old Woman

But there you are

quite short pause

it’s so good to see you

quite short pause

I’m glad you’re here

I’m glad you came

OLD WOMAN

Of course I come

I always come

Quite short pause

Because I know

you don’t like to be alone

OLD MAN

Yes

OLD WOMAN

Yes

yes I know that

Pause

But now I’m here

Now I came

OLD MAN

Yes

thank you

Thank you for coming

Pause

OLD WOMAN

Are you hurting

quite short pause

are you in pain again today

OLD MAN

No

quite short pause

no it’s not that

Short pause

OLD WOMAN

No

Pause

OLD MAN

It’s good to see you again

OLD WOMAN

You too

Pause

They walk around a little

And here everything’s

yes the way it’s always

been

OLD MAN

I suppose it is

OLD WOMAN

And here you and I have been

quite short pause

yes for all those years

OLD MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes we stayed here

you and I

OLD WOMAN

We’ve been here

for so very

many years

OLD MAN

That’s how it turned out

yes

Pause

THE SHADOW

This is earth

and mould

This is rock

and sea

This is air

and wind

Short pause

OLD MAN

We were here

And then you were gone

OLD WOMAN

I’m gone

and I’m here

OLD MAN

Yes

OLD WOMAN

But now I’m

here with you

OLD MAN

And you must be here

Quite short pause

OLD WOMAN

I will

quite short pause

I’ll always be

with you

Pause

OLD MAN

And I will

yes

short pause

I’ll disappear in this

quite short pause

the way you have disappeared

the way you are gone

OLD WOMAN

Yes

OLD MAN

continues

I want to be gone in this

I want to be gone in all this

I

breaks off

I

I like them

like all of them

I just like them

like you’re gone

I want to be gone too

like all those

who have been here before me

have existed here

lived here

quite short pause

they have all disappeared

all are gone

quite short pause

forever gone

quite short pause

my father

my mother

my grandfather

my grandmother

All of them

All of them are gone

all of them have disappeared

quite short pause

here

here in this landscape

have they disappeared

OLD WOMAN

And they have become

this landscape

OLD MAN

continues

and now

breaks off

now

now

short pause

no I don’t want to any longer

I don’t want to anymore

because where are you

THE SHADOW

to The Old Woman

You must come now

We’re going now

OLD MAN

I don’t want to any longer

Short pause

I don’t want to any longer

no longer

be the one who sees

I see

I’m the eyes that see

And I don’t want to see

Quite short pause

And were are you

I’m waiting for you

always

I miss you

OLD WOMAN

I’m here

You can see that

I’m here

I’m here with you

THE SHADOW

to The Old Woman

You must come now

OLD MAN

I’ve seen enough

I look and look

I am these eyes

that see

everything

short pause

and I see

breaks off, quite short pause

and always all this talk

always I just talk

He starts to walk around, and The Young Man follows him

Talk and talk

OLD WOMAN

And now it’s just you

who are left here

OLD MAN

Yes

THE SHADOW

to The Old Woman

But come now

You must come now

What are you waiting for

Why don’t you come

OLD MAN

I don’t want to be here any longer

Quite short pause

OLD WOMAN

But

Short pause

OLD MAN

Yes

OLD WOMAN

But

quite short pause

yes do you remember when we met

quite short pause

here

when we got together

you and I

do you remember

OLD MAN

Yes

yes of course

Short pause

OLD WOMAN

Always you and I

do you remember

OLD MAN

Yes

yes I remember

OLD WOMAN

Always you and I

Now don’t you forget that

OLD MAN

No

quite short pause

no I won’t

forget that

THE SHADOW

to The Old Woman

You must come now

OLD WOMAN

You and I

always you and I

OLD MAN

Yes

Short pause

OLD WOMAN

Yes

And here where there was

so much life so much noise

short pause

our children

OLD MAN

Yes

OLD WOMAN

And now it’s quiet

OLD MAN

Yes

And you

quite short pause

you were just gone

quite short pause

left me

were gone

Quite short pause

OLD WOMAN

Now everything

quite short pause

is quiet

short pause

but

quite short pause

but the islands

and the fjord

quite short pause

and out there

the ocean

are still the same

quite short pause

and the mountains

they are still the same

OLD MAN

And may it always be like that

OLD WOMAN

That’s the way it is

and the way it shall be

Pause

OLD MAN

Yes may it always be

Pause

OLD WOMAN

You’re not feeling well today

OLD MAN

No

No I don’t suppose I am

not quite

OLD WOMAN

You’ll get better

you wait

OLD MAN

I’ll get better

yes perhaps

OLD WOMAN

It always gets better

Short pause

And we should be

yes be happy

that we have each other

you and I

OLD MAN

But I’m alone

You’re not here any longer

OLD WOMAN

Always you and I

you old thing

you good thing

OLD MAN

Good old thing

OLD WOMAN

You good old thing

OLD MAN

And you

you good thing

OLD WOMAN

Good thing

THE SHADOW

to The Old Woman

But you must come now

You can’t be here any longer

come now

come then

OLD WOMAN

Good thing

Good old thing

short pause

it’ll be fine

you’ll see

quite short pause

and I’m here with you

I am

OLD MAN

Yes

OLD WOMAN

Even when I’m not here with you

I still am

OLD MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes perhaps

you are

OLD WOMAN

Good thing

you good thing

short pause

and we who were

quite short pause

so young

quite short pause

so young

and so vulnerable

quite short pause

fumbling

The Young Woman and The Young Man look at each other, then they look down

insecure

OLD MAN

Were we vulnerable

OLD WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

you remember

OLD MAN

Yes

Quite short pause

But

short pause

I’ve nothing more to say

OLD WOMAN

No

quite short pause

but does anything need to be said

OLD MAN

No

quite short pause

no perhaps not

OLD WOMAN

Nothing

needs to be said

OLD MAN

No

quite short pause

But

short pause

are you alright

OLD WOMAN

Yes

yes I’m alright

OLD MAN

And you’re never scared anymore

OLD WOMAN

I’m never scared anymore

Long pause

THE SHADOW

to The Old Woman

You must come now

OLD MAN

I don’t understand

that you’re gone

quite short pause

and then suddenly

you’re there

again

OLD WOMAN

That’s just how it is

OLD MAN

questioningly

I can’t understand it

OLD WOMAN

No

Short pause

OLD MAN

questioningly

No place

No thing

OLD WOMAN

No place

No thing

Pause

And one place

And one thing

Pause

OLD MAN

I’m tired

Short pause

And I no longer want

to be here

OLD WOMAN

almost despairingly

Yes

quite short pause

yes you shall be here

quite short pause

you shall be here

with me

quite short pause

always

always here

you and I

you and I together

for ever

anything else

quite short pause

anything else is unthinkable

anything else doesn’t exist

you

quite short pause

you and I

always you and I

Quite short pause

And you see

I’m here now

Quite short pause

OLD MAN

I don’t want to be alone

OLD WOMAN

But I’m here

THE SHADOW

You must come now

Pause. The Shadow walks over to The Old Woman

OLD MAN

Are you tired

OLD WOMAN

Yes

Pause. The Shadow moves away from The Old Woman and she walks after him, followed by The Young Woman

OLD MAN

But

my dear

my good old thing

you mustn’t go away from me

OLD WOMAN

I’m always here

OLD MAN

I’m always alone

OLD WOMAN

I’m always

where you are

OLD MAN

But I don’t want to be here any longer

Pause

I don’t want to

Short pause. The Old Man and The Young Man follow The Old Woman and The Young Woman and The Shadow

OLD WOMAN

You mustn’t say things like that

OLD MAN

I’ve been here for so long

OLD WOMAN

We must be here

You and I must be here

Pause. The Shadow stands still and The Old Woman and The Young Woman stand behind The Shadow and The Old Man and The Young Man stand behind them again

OLD WOMAN

I’m where you are

I’m always

where you are

quite short pause

always you and I

The Young Woman takes The Old Woman’s arm

OLD MAN

I don’t know what to say

I don’t know what to do

THE SHADOW

I am here

Always am I here

FIRST VOICE

I’m here

quite short pause

I’m always with you

SECOND VOICE

I’m here always

I am you

I am the world

OLD MAN

I don’t want to be here any longer

I’ve been here long enough

The Young Man takes The Old Man’s arm

THE SHADOW

to The Old Woman

I am waiting

You must come now

I am waiting for you

I am the sky

FIRST VOICE

We are always here

SECOND VOICE

Must we always be here

THE SHADOW

You must always be here

SECOND VOICE

We are here

quite short pause

where it comes

goes away

FIRST VOICE

They come

Disappear

SECOND VOICE

Are here

Go away

FIRST VOICE

But we must always be here

SECOND VOICE

Come

Go away

FIRST VOICE

Are born

SECOND VOICE

Are here

FIRST VOICE

Go away

quite short pause

SECOND VOICE

And we

quite short pause

we are in them

quite short pause

they are us

laughter

and we are them

quite short pause

we shall never be gone

We will never go

We are always here

FIRST VOICE

questioningly

Always

SECOND VOICE

We are always here

Quite short pause

Because we are in them

FIRST VOICE

And we shall be in them

Quite short pause

Always be in them

We shall never go

SECOND VOICE

How can we ever go

FIRST VOICE

They come

They go away

SECOND VOICE

Come

Go away

SECOND VOICE

We are in them

We’ll never go away

FIRST VOICE

Can we never disappear

SECOND VOICE

We cannot disappear

FIRST VOICE

It cannot be like that

SECOND VOICE

It is like that

And it

quite short pause

comes

goes away

Laughter. Short pause

FIRST VOICE

They go away

SECOND VOICE

We are

quite short pause

the ocean

the sky

quite short pause

and the earth

FIRST VOICE

We are the world

Quite long pause

But is it too late

to return

to the ocean

and to the sky

SECOND VOICE

Yes

quite short pause

yes it’s too late

FIRST VOICE

We cannot return

to the ocean

and to

breaks off

SECOND VOICE

We’re here now

quite short pause

where it comes

goes away

FIRST VOICE

But I don’t want to be here

SECOND VOICE

continues

where it comes

goes away

FIRST VOICE

I long for the ocean

I want to return to the ocean

And to the sky

SECOND VOICE

But that’s not possible

You cannot return

to the ocean

because the ocean is no longer for us

And the sky is no longer

for us

Pause

But look

quite short pause

they

quite short pause

come

go away

Quite short pause

They live here

They live

Quite short pause

They come

They go away

Pause

OLD MAN

I’m just here

And everything that has ever been

is here

And everything’s gone

THE SHADOW

to The Old Woman

You must come now

Pause. The Shadow leaves and The Old Woman and The Young Woman and The Old Man and The Young Man follow

FIRST VOICE

But this is not where

I belong

Pause

SECOND VOICE

We are here

quite short pause

where it comes

goes away

We are here always

FIRST VOICE

And the ocean

is in our eyes

SECOND VOICE

And the sky is

in our eyes

FIRST VOICE

And we are the world

SECOND VOICE

We are the world

GIRL IN YELLOW RAINCOAT

Characters

LONELY MAN

FIRST WOMAN

FIRST MAN

SECOND WOMAN

SECOND MAN

LONELY WOMAN

Lights up

The Lonely Man enters, he glances around, hesitates, he stands and looks down, he looks up

LONELY MAN

I am not all that old

but it feels

as if I

have been here a long time

quite short pause

and the same thing that has happened before

happens again

quite short pause

and you have to be somewhere

quite short pause

and now I am here

quite short pause

and I may as well

be here

as anywhere else

quite short pause

because it is not possible

not to be anywhere

quite short pause

everyone has to be somewhere

It’s not possible

not to be anywhere

And so I’ve been here

He takes a few steps forwards

Everyone has to be somewhere

Short pause. He stands straight

And it’s good to be here

everything is as it should be

here

quite short pause

and of course I’ve been waiting for someone

I could say that I chose

to live alone

but that’s not true

I have never chosen it

that’s just how it has turned out

that’s just how it turned out

because it’s not good to be alone

He stands and stares straight ahead. Pause

I am alone

quite short pause

and alone is what I

will be

The First Woman enters, she hesitates, stops

FIRST WOMAN

Always here

Always am I here

And still I am

somewhere else

She turns

LONELY MAN

I am here

FIRST WOMAN

I am here

And I am

somewhere else

LONELY MAN

I’m here somehow

short pause

and I understand so little

and I don’t know

either

if I want to understand

FIRST WOMAN

I am here

And I’m not here

Quite short pause

And he is here

LONELY MAN

I am here

FIRST WOMAN

I’m alone

Quite short pause

I’m alone

even if he is here

quite short pause

and I’m so small

quite short pause

I’m a little girl

in a yellow raincoat

Quite short pause

And my hair hangs straight down

I’m big

I want to be big

I’m wearing

a yellow raincoat

I’m looking

at someone

quite short pause

is it my father

I’m looking at

quite short pause

is it my brother

Pause. The Lonely Man turns towards her

LONELY MAN

I

quite short pause

yes I wonder

yes

yes we have

been here a long time

haven’t we

I think we’ve been here a long time

yes

yes that’s what it feels like

quite short pause

but

quite short pause

but I don’t think we can say

yes

yes that we know each other

FIRST WOMAN

No

No we don’t

I don’t know you

LONELY MAN

No

quite short pause

no we don’t know

each other

FIRST WOMAN

We haven’t seen

each other before

or have we

LONELY MAN

I don’t think so

No I don’t think we’ve

seen each other before

FIRST WOMAN

No

No I don’t think we’ve seen each other

before now

Pause. The First Man enters, he hesitates, stands straight and looks down

LONELY MAN

No

quite short pause

no I don’t think so

FIRST WOMAN

I don’t think

so either

Short pause

LONELY MAN

No

No I think that’s right

FIRST WOMAN

looks at The First Man

But there you are

LONELY MAN

I’ve been here

for some time

FIRST WOMAN

to The First Man

I’m glad you came

LONELY MAN

I am here

and everyone has to be somewhere

no one can be

nowhere

FIRST WOMAN

to The First Man

Dear

my dear

friend

quite short pause

I’m glad you finally came

quite short pause

but say something

then

don’t just stand there

Please say something

Please come

Why don’t you want to come

FIRST MAN

looks at her

I’ll come

FIRST WOMAN

Well come then

The First Man goes and stands next to The First Woman. Pause

FIRST WOMAN

I am here

quite short pause

but it’s as if

I’m still

not here

FIRST MAN

Yes

quite short pause

I’m here now

quite short pause

but you

quite short pause

you

just left

FIRST WOMAN

Yes well I had to

FIRST MAN

You could’ve waited

quite short pause

and not left me

FIRST WOMAN

But I had to leave

FIRST MAN

I don’t like to be alone

FIRST WOMAN

No

FIRST MAN

I don’t like it

when you just leave

FIRST WOMAN

But

I had to leave

FIRST MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

But now we’re together

now we’re at

our place

FIRST MAN

Yes

quite short pause

but

breaks off

FIRST WOMAN

What do you want to say

FIRST MAN

No nothing

Quite long pause. The Lonely Man turns to The First Man

LONELY MAN

to The First Man

Yes we are here

yes

quite short pause

and I suppose we have to

yes just be here

quite short pause

yes I mean

yes once we’re here

then we are here

yes

yes somehow

FIRST MAN

So you’ve been here a long time

LONELY MAN

Yes

yes quite long

Short pause

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

LONELY MAN

That’s how it is

quite short pause

yes

FIRST WOMAN

I suppose it is

LONELY MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

Must be

Pause. The Lonely Man turns away. Long pause. The Second Woman and The Second Man enter

SECOND WOMAN

Good to be here

SECOND MAN

Yes

yes it is

Short pause. He stops, stands and looks down.

Quite long pause

SECOND WOMAN

But why are you just standing there

SECOND MAN

looks at The Second Woman

I’m thinking about a girl I saw

today

she was standing there alone

in a yellow raincoat

her hair was hanging straight down

quite short pause

she was so small

and so big

and so totally worn out

quite short pause

and next to her stood a man

with grey work gloves

SECOND WOMAN

Was it her father

SECOND MAN

Perhaps it was her father

I don’t know

SECOND WOMAN

Or perhaps it was her brother

SECOND MAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

What was wrong with her

SECOND MAN

I don’t know

SECOND WOMAN

You can picture her

SECOND MAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

Why

SECOND MAN

It’s just an

quite short pause

an image

quite short pause

but it’s full

of something

SECOND WOMAN

Of something sad

SECOND MAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

It’s very sad

SECOND MAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

Why

SECOND MAN

I only know

that it’s sad

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

Short pause

But don’t just stand there

then

why don’t you come

SECOND MAN

I’ll come

He remains where he is

SECOND WOMAN

So come then

SECOND MAN

I’ll come

He remains where he is

SECOND WOMAN

So come then

quite short pause

you

you must come

because

quite short pause

yes it gets so lonely

yes

being here

on my own

quite short pause

come

quite short pause

won’t you

won’t you come to me

quite short pause

because

quite short pause

yes you and I

we

yes

we belong together

quite short pause

and it has been you and I

for so long

quite short pause

us

quite short pause

us two

quite short pause

you and I

quite short pause

so come

why don’t you come

SECOND MAN

Yes

quite short pause

but I

breaks off

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

SECOND MAN

No it was nothing

SECOND WOMAN

Don’t think about

that girl anymore

quite short pause

about the girl you saw today

quite short pause

about the girl in a yellow raincoat

Quite long pause. The Second Man goes and stands next to The Second Woman

And it’s nice here

quite short pause

it’s snug

isn’t it

SECOND MAN

Yes

yes it is

SECOND WOMAN

And nice

SECOND MAN

Yes

Yes it’s nice here

SECOND WOMAN

Nice and light

SECOND MAN

questioningly

Light

SECOND WOMAN

Yes don’t you think

SECOND MAN

Perhaps

SECOND WOMAN

I think

yes

yes that it’s nice and light here

It is isn’t it

SECOND MAN

Perhaps

SECOND WOMAN

It is

Pause

SECOND MAN

Yes

Short pause

SECOND WOMAN

But why don’t you

short pause

yes touch me

touch me a little

hold me

hold my hand

quite short pause

hold my hand a little

quite short pause

why don’t you

quite short pause

why don’t you want to

quite short pause

you must do it

quite short pause

no

no alright

The Second Man takes her hand

Thank you

quite short pause

thank you that feels good

Thank you

quite short pause

thank you my friend

thank you so much

Long pause. The Lonely Woman enters, she looks at The First Man and he nods to her and then she goes and stands straight. Long pause

FIRST WOMAN

But listen

FIRST MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

No it was nothing

FIRST MAN

No

FIRST WOMAN

I am not here

somehow

quite short pause

even if I am here

FIRST MAN

You’re somewhere else

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes in a way

FIRST MAN

But you’ve been here

for so long

quite short pause

we’ve been here

for so long

FIRST WOMAN

hesitates

Yes

short pause

but that girl

she

FIRST MAN

Who do you mean

FIRST WOMAN

The girl

FIRST MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

Her

FIRST MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

The one who came alone

FIRST MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

Did you know her

FIRST MAN

No

FIRST WOMAN

You didn’t

FIRST MAN

No

Pause

FIRST WOMAN

But then

quite short pause

yes

yes why did you nod

to her then

FIRST MAN

I didn’t nod to her

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

yes you did

FIRST MAN

No

I don’t think I nodded

to her

FIRST WOMAN

You know her

She kept looking at you

FIRST MAN

Who

FIRST WOMAN

That girl

her

the one who came alone

FIRST MAN

No

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

FIRST MAN

No I didn’t know her

FIRST WOMAN

So you say

FIRST MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

But I saw it

of course

quite short pause

yes

yes that you know her

I could see it on her

FIRST MAN

How could you see it

Because I don’t know her

FIRST WOMAN

You just see things like that

Quite short pause

I saw it in the way

she looked at you

And of course you nodded to her

FIRST MAN

No

FIRST WOMAN

No

Why do you say no

FIRST MAN

Because I didn’t know her

FIRST WOMAN

Why do you say that

FIRST MAN

Why I say that

FIRST WOMAN

I could see it on her

yes in her eyes

that she knew you

FIRST MAN

You could see it

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

FIRST MAN

How can you see

things like that

FIRST WOMAN

I just did

You just do

Quite short pause

And you didn’t nod

to her

FIRST MAN

No

no I didn’t

I don’t think

I nodded to her

FIRST WOMAN

How do you know her

FIRST MAN

I don’t know her

Short pause

You mustn’t be so scared

You don’t need to be scared

FIRST WOMAN

No

And you

breaks off. Pause

SECOND WOMAN

But

quite short pause

SECOND MAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

continues

but

quite short pause

yes why

SECOND MAN

continues, a bit flippantly

why are we standing here

holding hands

SECOND WOMAN

Don’t you want to

hold my hand

SECOND MAN

Yes

yes I want to

yes of course

SECOND WOMAN

Why did you say that then

SECOND MAN

I just said it

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

Short pause. The Second Man lets go of her hand. Long pause

FIRST MAN

I wonder

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

FIRST MAN

Yes

Yes if this could be wrong

yes if something isn’t

what it should be

It suddenly struck me

FIRST WOMAN

That something is wrong

FIRST MAN

Yes

Short pause

FIRST WOMAN

I too think

something is wrong

FIRST MAN

I don’t know

But something is wrong

somehow

yes

quite short pause

yes something is not quite right

quite short pause

I shouldn’t be here

somehow

quite short pause

and it’s

breaks off

FIRST WOMAN

You think that

FIRST MAN

Yes

Short pause

FIRST WOMAN

We are here

We live here

We’ve been here a long time

FIRST MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

And I suppose it’s

yes neither

right nor wrong

FIRST MAN

No

FIRST WOMAN

And then it’s wrong

all the same

FIRST MAN

Perhaps

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

Pause. The Lonely Man turns to The First Man

LONELY MAN

Well once

breaks off

FIRST MAN

Yes

Pause

But

yes

quite short pause

yes do you know

yes by the way

yes if this is right

LONELY MAN

questioningly

If this is right

FIRST MAN

Yes

LONELY MAN

No

No I cannot know that

FIRST MAN

No

LONELY MAN

That’s just

how it is

FIRST MAN

Yes

yes of course

LONELY MAN

Of course

yes

FIRST WOMAN

So that’s how it is

LONELY MAN

Yes

Pause

FIRST WOMAN

And you

why are you standing there

why are you here

LONELY MAN

I’m just here

FIRST WOMAN

You’re just here

somehow

LONELY MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

And why are you tricking us

LONELY MAN

I’m not tricking you

FIRST WOMAN

Yes you’re tricking us

LONELY MAN

No

no I’m not tricking anyone

FIRST WOMAN

No

You’re just standing there

quite short pause

you were just standing there

quite short pause

you’re just standing there

yes

somehow

quite short pause

yes to trick us

LONELY MAN

To trick you

quite short pause

no

no not at all

FIRST WOMAN

You trick people

do you

LONELY MAN

No

no of course not

FIRST WOMAN

For if that’s how you are

breaks off

LONELY MAN

No

no not at all

Why are you saying that

yes

yes that I’ve tricked you

FIRST WOMAN

Is that how you are

LONELY MAN

No of course not

quite short pause

why should I want to do that

why would I wish for it to be like that

why want it

to be like that

FIRST WOMAN

No I don’t know

I don’t know why people are like that

why you are like that

LONELY MAN

Of course not

FIRST WOMAN

And that you are like that

LONELY MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

I don’t understand it

Quite short pause

Because I’ve always tried to do

what I should do

that’s what I’ve always done

quite short pause

I just want to be

yes with the others

LONELY MAN

I suppose that’s how we are

quite short pause

that’s how everyone is

Short pause. The Lonely Man turns away

FIRST WOMAN

And then you just turn away

Listen

I’m talking to you

I’m standing here talking to you

and you just turn away

you turn away from me

Short pause. The First Woman turns to The Second Man

Excuse me

But

The Second Man nods to her

yes

yes isn’t it awful how terrible

people can be

to each other

SECOND MAN

Yes it’s

breaks off

SECOND WOMAN

So someone has behaved badly

towards you

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

Short pause

SECOND WOMAN

But you don’t want to talk about it

SECOND MAN

No I don’t think I feel like

talking about it

maybe

Pause

FIRST WOMAN

No it’s nothing to talk about

SECOND MAN

No of course not

SECOND WOMAN

No it can’t be very nice to talk about it

Pause. The First Woman turns away. Pause

But that woman

SECOND MAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

yes why does she talk like that

quite short pause

what’s wrong with her

SECOND MAN

What’s wrong with her

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes why is she like that

SECOND MAN

I don’t know

SECOND WOMAN

Was she quite

right in the head

Pause

And you

quite short pause

why did you look at her

like that

SECOND MAN

Did I look at her

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes at her

the one standing there

over there

and you nodded to her

SECOND MAN

questioningly

I looked at her

I nodded to her

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

SECOND MAN

Did I

Short pause

SECOND WOMAN

Do you know each other

yes

from before

yes in some way

SECOND MAN

No

No I don’t know her

SECOND WOMAN

No

Short pause

SECOND MAN

No

no I don’t think so

SECOND WOMAN

But you nodded to her

SECOND MAN

No

No I didn’t

Pause

SECOND WOMAN

quite loudly

No I can’t take this

Quite short pause

I don’t want to be here any longer

I’m just here

quite short pause

I get scared

I am scared

short pause

and you

quite short pause

you don’t even want to

hold my hand

quite short pause

and why am I so scared

Short pause

Tell me

you tell me

tell me

tell me why I’m so scared

Short pause

why am I always

so scared

SECOND MAN

I don’t know why

you are scared

SECOND WOMAN

But I am scared

all of me

is scared

It’s as if

everything solid

is loose

inside me

I am scared

all of me

is scared

And I am loose

and I tremble

all of me trembles

quite short pause

and you

quite short pause

you were just there

suddenly you just came

were just there

quite short pause

suddenly you were there

were just there

and now you stand there

quite short pause

straight up and down

quite short pause

somehow you just stand there

straight up and down

and look and look

as if you don’t

see anything

and then you see a

breaks off, quite short pause

and then you nod to her

quite short pause

you just stand there like that

why do you stand there like that

why don’t you want to hold my hand

why are we standing here like this

why are we here

quite short pause

no we must

breaks off

no we can’t just be here

we must be somewhere else

I am so scared

SECOND MAN

You mustn’t be scared

SECOND WOMAN

But I am scared

SECOND MAN

It’s not dangerous

Nothing is dangerous

SECOND WOMAN

How can you know that

yes that it’s not dangerous

For I am scared

I am scared of something

SECOND MAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

I don’t want to be scared

Pause

But

quite short pause

yes

yes tell me something

quite short pause

say something to me

why don’t you

SECOND MAN

Once

quite short pause

there

breaks off

SECOND WOMAN

I want to hear

quite short pause

I want you to tell me

breaks off

SECOND MAN

continues

That nothing is dangerous

SECOND WOMAN

Nothing is dangerous

SECOND MAN

No

Pause

SECOND WOMAN

What are you thinking about

SECOND MAN

Nothing

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

SECOND MAN

I’m thinking about something

then

SECOND WOMAN

You’re thinking about that girl

SECOND MAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

The girl in a yellow raincoat

SECOND MAN

Yes I am

She was so scared

To her

everything was so big

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

SECOND MAN

Life

was too big

quite short pause

or too small

quite short pause

perhaps she was too kind

too strange

too good

quite short pause

perhaps

pause

SECOND WOMAN

loudly

No

Loudly

Don’t just stand there

Don’t stand there like that

You just stand there

Don’t just stand there

Pause. The Second Man moves away from The Second Woman, he stops and stands straight, looks down. The First Woman looks at him

FIRST WOMAN

to The First Man

What is he doing there

why is he standing there

like that

FIRST MAN

You tell me

FIRST WOMAN

Imagine just standing there

like that

Why do that

FIRST MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes why is he standing there like that

quite short pause

he just stands there looking down

why is he doing that

FIRST WOMAN

I don’t understand it

I don’t understand

why people do the things they do

FIRST MAN

No

Quite long pause. The First Woman walks over to The Second Man

FIRST WOMAN

You’re just standing there

SECOND MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes I suppose I am

FIRST WOMAN

Yes I saw you standing here

and then I thought

breaks off

SECOND MAN

looks up

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

Yes why are you just

standing here

SECOND MAN

I don’t know

FIRST WOMAN

But

quite short pause

yes you and I

yes have we met each other before

It feels a bit like that

SECOND MAN

Perhaps

Could well be

FIRST WOMAN

But you don’t remember it

SECOND MAN

Not quite

no

FIRST WOMAN

I think we’ve met each other before

SECOND MAN

Yes

yes when you say it

FIRST WOMAN

How come you don’t remember

I remember

yes

yes that we’ve met before

SECOND MAN

Maybe

FIRST WOMAN

But you don’t remember me

SECOND MAN

Yes perhaps

quite short pause

yes let me think

you

quite short pause

you

quite short pause

you and I

FIRST WOMAN

Me and you

SECOND MAN

You and I

Short pause

FIRST WOMAN

Yes you and I

SECOND MAN

You and I

we

breaks off

FIRST WOMAN

No you don’t remember

Short pause

SECOND MAN

I don’t seem to

FIRST WOMAN

Oh well then

The Other Woman walks over to The First Woman and The Second Man

SECOND WOMAN

So here you are

Pause. The First Man moves towards The Lonely Woman

FIRST MAN

So you’re here too

Quite short pause

It’s good to see you

LONELY WOMAN

Yes I’m here

quite short pause

I have to be

quite short pause

yes you know

yes you have to be somewhere

FIRST MAN

Yes

And you’re alone

LONELY WOMAN

I enjoy being alone

FIRST MAN

You like being alone

LONELY WOMAN

That’s not it

perhaps

but

quite short pause

yes

yes well I am alone

Short pause

FIRST MAN

And we haven’t met before

LONELY WOMAN

I don’t think so

FIRST MAN

Or perhaps

LONELY WOMAN

Perhaps we have met before

FIRST MAN

But we don’t remember it

LONELY WOMAN

No

no in that case we’ve forgotten

Pause

SECOND WOMAN

I’m saying that here you are

quite short pause

and that it was nice to meet again

to see each other again

quite short pause

or wasn’t it

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

Yes it was nice

but you and I

yes have we met each other before

did we shake hands you and I

quite short pause

no I don’t think so

The First Man turns away

SECOND WOMAN

Let’s shake hands now

FIRST WOMAN

Yes now

quite short pause

now that we’ve met each other

SECOND WOMAN

Then we should

shake hands

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

yes let’s

SECOND WOMAN

Let’s shake hands

FIRST WOMAN

If you don’t want to shake hands

quite short pause

of course that’s fine too

SECOND WOMAN

Why should we shake hands

FIRST WOMAN

Well because

quite short pause

yes it’s what you do

when you meet someone

SECOND WOMAN

Yes you shake hands

FIRST WOMAN

You do don’t you

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

yes you do

FIRST WOMAN

But you don’t want to shake hands

SECOND WOMAN

I didn’t say that

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

Oh alright then

Pause

Why are you so nasty to me

FIRST WOMAN

I’m not nasty to you

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes you are

And why are you

FIRST WOMAN

I’m not

SECOND WOMAN

Yes you are

and I shall tell you

yes why you are

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

yes why don’t you

SECOND WOMAN

No I don’t want to

Short pause

FIRST WOMAN

Just say it

just say what you were going to say

SECOND WOMAN

No

FIRST WOMAN

Yes say it

why don’t you say it

Pause. The First Man walks towards the three of them. Pause. The Second Woman walks towards The First Man and embraces him, lays her head on his chest

To The Other Man

Oh look

quite short pause

look what she’s doing

SECOND MAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

And you think it’s fine

for her to do that kind of thing

quite short pause

but can’t you see

quite short pause

can’t you see

she and my husband

there

look

look there

look at what’s happening

quite short pause

don’t stand there without taking any notice

pay attention

you

yes you there

SECOND MAN

Yes

yes I see it

FIRST WOMAN

Is that fine with you

SECOND MAN

Fine and fine

FIRST WOMAN

It’s not fine with me

quite short pause

but you don’t pay attention to anything

you just stood there

and looked down

yes as usual

quite short pause

you don’t see anything

She goes and takes The Other Woman’s arm, she pulls her away and The Other Woman lets go of The First Man

SECOND WOMAN

But what on

breaks off

FIRST WOMAN

And you can say that

what are you doing

standing like that

he’s my husband

To The First Man

And you

quite short pause

you only have to clap eyes on someone

and

breaks off. Pause

SECOND WOMAN

What’s wrong with you

FIRST WOMAN

What’s wrong with me

SECOND WOMAN

Yes what’s wrong with you

quite short pause

coming here

pulling me

yes

yes as if I was

yes just anyone

FIRST WOMAN

But he’s my husband

SECOND WOMAN

Your husband

FIRST WOMAN

Yes he is my husband

Short pause

SECOND WOMAN

What are you doing here

FIRST WOMAN

What am I doing here

SECOND WOMAN

Yes what do you want

FIRST WOMAN

And you ask me that

What makes you ask me that

What gives you permission to ask me that

Quite short pause

Do you know yourself

do you know what you’re doing here

SECOND WOMAN

Of course I know

FIRST WOMAN

He is my husband

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

Well how can anyone

how can anyone

become like you

FIRST WOMAN

Like you

like you yourself

you mean

Short pause

To The First Man

But come

then

don’t just stand there

The First Man looks at The Second Man, they nod to each other

SECOND WOMAN

Oh stop it

FIRST WOMAN

Oh yes

I see

SECOND WOMAN

You

how can anyone

become like you

FIRST MAN

to The Second Man

So you’re here

quite short pause

too

yes

SECOND MAN

Well yes

I am

FIRST MAN

And we’ll just have to

be here don’t we

SECOND MAN

There’s nothing else we can do

FIRST MAN

No we don’t have

a choice do we

SECOND MAN

No

quite short pause

not strictly speaking

quite short pause

we’ll just have to

breaks off

SECOND MAN

Yes

that’s how it is

Pause

SECOND WOMAN

to The First Woman

And you

breaks off

FIRST WOMAN

We

breaks off. Pause. The Second Man goes and stands in front of The Lonely Woman, but quite close to her

FIRST WOMAN

to The Second Woman

But

quite short pause

once

yes a long time ago

do you remember

SECOND WOMAN

What should I remember

FIRST WOMAN

You don’t remember anything

SECOND WOMAN

No

Short pause

SECOND MAN

to The Lonely Woman

And you’re well

LONELY WOMAN

Yes as well I can be

SECOND MAN

That’s good to hear

Quite short pause

LONELY WOMAN

Yes

yes everything’s fine

SECOND MAN

And you’re alone

LONELY WOMAN

Yes it seems that’s how it turned out

I’m alone it seems

quite short pause

but

quite short pause

but I’m fine

on my own

yes

The Other Man turns away from her. Short pause. The First Man walks over to him

SECOND MAN

To The First Man

Yes

quite long pause

all we can do is

keep going

FIRST MAN

Yes

Pause. The Lonely Woman begins to walk away and he watches her. Pause

But she’s just leaving

that woman

Short pause

Did you know her

SECOND MAN

No

Or perhaps

Quite short pause

And she’s just leaving

FIRST MAN

Yes

quite short pause

she’s just disappearing

she’s just leaving

SECOND MAN

Yes

yes she is

Short pause

FIRST MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes she’s just leaving

quite short pause

she’s just vanishing

quite short pause

she’s just disappearing

SECOND MAN

That was sad

short pause

yes that she was just leaving

Pause. The Lonely Woman exits

FIRST MAN

Yes

SECOND MAN

She didn’t want to be here anymore

FIRST MAN

And why did she just leave

quite short pause

just disappear

Quite long pause. The First Man begins to leave.

Long pause

FIRST WOMAN

after The First Man

But why are you leaving

quite short pause

you must wait

you mustn’t leave me

I didn’t mean to say anything wrong

to you

I just talk

I just say things

I just do things

yes

yes you know me

I talk and talk

I don’t mean anything with it

I don’t mean to hurt anyone

you mustn’t leave

you must come back

you mustn’t leave me

quite short pause

wait

quite short pause

wait for me

The First Man exits

no

no don’t leave

don’t disappear

you mustn’t vanish

wait

I’m coming

I’m coming

please wait

Short pause

SECOND WOMAN

He left

he just left

quite short pause

he just disappeared

quite short pause

he just vanished

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

yes he just left

he just disappeared

Short pause

But imagine him just leaving

quite short pause

and I

quite short pause

I’m left here on my own

SECOND WOMAN

I’m so scared

FIRST WOMAN

He just left

Pause

LONELY MAN

turns to The Second Man

And once

breaks off

SECOND MAN

Once

Short pause

LONELY MAN

Yes once

breaks off. Short pause

SECOND MAN

Once

quite short pause

yes

yes today

I saw a girl

in a yellow raincoat

LONELY MAN

Yes

SECOND MAN

She stood close to a man

with grey work gloves

Short pause

FIRST WOMAN

And so I’m alone

because he

he just left

LONELY MAN

Yes

Short pause

And you

don’t understand why

SECOND MAN

No

Pause

FIRST WOMAN

He just left

he disappeared

LONELY MAN

A girl

in a yellow raincoat

SECOND MAN

Yes

LONELY MAN

She just stood there

SECOND MAN

Yes

quite short pause

alone

a bit lost

perhaps

quite short pause

and her hair

was hanging straight down

quite short pause

LONELY MAN

And she was pale

SECOND MAN

Yes

Pause

SECOND WOMAN

I must go to my husband

I’m so scared

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

My husband’s waiting for me

FIRST WOMAN

I’m sure he is

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

FIRST WOMAN

But I

quite short pause

I too want to go to my husband

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

But

I must go

breaks off

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

Pause

My husband’s waiting for me

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

yes I understand that

I too want to go to my husband

SECOND WOMAN

But can you do that

FIRST WOMAN

Why not

SECOND WOMAN

But where will you go

You can’t just go

Do you know where he is

where he went

quite short pause

he just left

quite short pause

he just disappeared

FIRST WOMAN

Perhaps

Short pause

But how do you know

yes that he just left

SECOND WOMAN

No one was calling him

FIRST WOMAN

No

no not that I heard

SECOND WOMAN

Or was there someone

FIRST WOMAN

Perhaps there was someone

calling him

SECOND WOMAN

And no one came to get him

FIRST WOMAN

No

quite short pause

no not that I could see

SECOND WOMAN

He just left

FIRST WOMAN

He just left me

SECOND WOMAN

But how did he know

where he was going

FIRST WOMAN

Well

how would I know

SECOND WOMAN

He was your husband

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

Pause

SECOND WOMAN

But my husband’s waiting

so I must go

FIRST WOMAN

Yes of course you must

SECOND WOMAN

He’s waiting for me

Pause

FIRST WOMAN

But

quite short pause

yes do you remember

because it was you

wasn’t it you

yes it must’ve been you

do you remember that time

perhaps it was you

do you remember

when we

that time

when we were little

there in the rain

when we were girls

when we were little girls

when we were together

when we were together

in the rain

quite short pause

when we were such close friends

when we always wanted to be together

when we were inseparable

when it was always

you and me

always us

when we were always together

do you remember

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

happily

yes it was you

and it was me

I remember

I remember everything

vividly

I remember the rain

I remember the sea

I remember the sky

FIRST WOMAN

That’s what I thought

yes that it was you

quite short pause

and now

now I’m sure

quite short pause

yes that

yes that it was you

Do you remember the rain

Do you remember how blue

the sea was

The Other Man begins to leave

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

short pause

yes I remember us

you and I

there in the rain

there by the blue sea

And do you remember

how blue the sky was

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

yes I remember

I remember the rain

I remember the sea

I remember the sky

Quite short pause

You and I

Always you and I

SECOND WOMAN

Always us

FIRST WOMAN

But look

Your husband

Look there

SECOND WOMAN

No don’t leave

You must wait for me

Why are you leaving

I get so scared

You mustn’t leave

I’m so scared

I’m always scared

You must wait for me

You must hold my hand

I am here

You mustn’t leave me

Wait

quite short pause

we came here together

The Second Man exits

we’re together

you

you and I

and we must be together

Pause

FIRST WOMAN

He just left

He too

just left

he just disappeared

he just vanished

SECOND WOMAN

Yes

Almost in tears

He just left me

disappeared

vanished

he didn’t even say goodbye

He just left

Pause

FIRST WOMAN

Why do they just leave

Why do they just disappear

Did you say something to him

yes to my husband

did you tell him that he should go

SECOND WOMAN

No

No of course not

FIRST WOMAN

Are you sure

SECOND WOMAN

Yes of course

you were here yourself

you heard what I said

I didn’t say anything to him

to your husband

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

yes you did

now I know

now I understand

Now I know

SECOND WOMAN

No

FIRST WOMAN

Because earlier

quite short pause

didn’t you touch him

didn’t you stand there holding him

holding him tight

holding him

for a long time

didn’t you talk to him

didn’t you whisper something

to him

didn’t you ask him to leave

SECOND WOMAN

No not like that

FIRST WOMAN

Yes

yes I know it

yes now I understand it

SECOND WOMAN

No it’s not like that

pause

and now at least

he is

gone

FIRST WOMAN

He just left

SECOND WOMAN

And they left

FIRST WOMAN

continues

following her

SECOND WOMAN

They followed her

that’s how it is

Pause

And now we should

quite short pause

yes we can’t just

stay here

FIRST WOMAN

No

SECOND WOMAN

We should

breaks off. Pause

LONELY MAN

by himself

A girl in a yellow raincoat

Pause. The First Woman walks over to The Lonely Man and stands next to him

FIRST WOMAN

questioningly

Did she look a little worn out

that girl

LONELY MAN

Yes

yes she looked a little worn out

FIRST WOMAN

And she just stood there

LONELY MAN

Yes

Pause. The Second Woman goes and stands next to The Lonely Man, but on the other side. The Lonely Man turns to The Second Woman

SECOND WOMAN

Did her hair hang straight down

LONELY MAN

Yes

yes it hung straight down

SECOND WOMAN

Were there people around her

LONELY MAN

Yes there were many people there

SECOND WOMAN

Was she pale

LONELY MAN

A little pale

and her eyes were a little scared

The Lonely Man begins to leave. Pause

SECOND WOMAN

Do you know that girl

quite short pause

the one in the yellow raincoat

FIRST WOMAN

No

no I don’t think so

SECOND WOMAN

Me neither

FIRST WOMAN

But perhaps it was you

SECOND WOMAN

Or you

FIRST WOMAN

Perhaps it is me

Pause. The Lonely Man exits

SECOND WOMAN

Am I a girl

in a yellow raincoat

FIRST WOMAN

Am I a girl

in a yellow raincoat

who stands next to

a man

with grey work gloves

SECOND WOMAN

And there are many people around me

quite short pause

and now darkness is falling

it’s soon evening

quite short pause

and it’s a bit cold

and it’s raining

and I’m a bit cold

and I’m wearing a yellow raincoat

and I’m scared

quite short pause

a bit scared

a bit grown-up

quite short pause

and this

it’s just something I’m thinking

this

it’s just something I’m imagining

for this

breaks off

FIRST WOMAN

And it mustn’t become dark

not now

quite short pause

because I mustn’t just stand there

in a yellow raincoat

quite short pause

and it mustn’t

become cold

Pause

And it’s soon evening

It’s raining

But he should come back soon

quite short pause

yes of course

of course he will

and the girl who stood there

quite short pause

a little scared

a little grown-up

and brave

and saw herself

as someone else

quite short pause

and as someone who is different

to the others

SECOND WOMAN

And then

breaks off

And he

breaks off

and the girl

breaks off

And then

quite short pause

yes and then

breaks off

and this

it’s

breaks off

and the girl

the one who was here

she too just left

She turns and sees The First Woman starting to leave

and she was here

quite short pause

and then she just left

just disappeared

quite short pause

just left

vanished

quite short pause

and now

quite short pause

I’m alone

And it’s dark

And I am a girl

in a yellow raincoat

I’m alone

Short pause

And now

now

quite short pause

no

no

quite short pause

but I’m sure it’s right

I’m sure that’s how it

should be

I just came here

I’m just here

Quite short pause

And I am

still

somewhere else

quite short pause

and that’s the way it is

quite short pause

everything’s the way it is

short pause

and cannot be changed

and that’s the way it is

night

day

light

dark

Quite short pause

And it has to be the way it is

Quite short pause

And it has neither colour nor smell

And it’s soon evening

It’s raining

And it’s nothing

Long pause. The First Woman exits

But it

breaks off

And then in

breaks off

And where it goes

breaks off

but then

yes

quite short pause

yes

yes and then

quite short pause

and then I suppose it was

yes

quite short pause

yes I suppose there’s

no one else here

or

quite short pause

is there someone here

quite short pause

are there many here

quite short pause

perhaps there are

many here

quite short pause

and then something quite different

quite short pause

or

quite short pause

just something different

Quite short pause

I am here

It is raining

And I suppose I am

somewhere else

quite short pause

or

Lights down

CHRISTMAS TREE SONG

A man enters with a Christmas tree, more a bush than a tree, and a Christmas tree stand

So

quite short pause

so there we were

quite short pause

we

I

I

we

were there

quite short pause

I

I yes

so we were

yes I

breaks off

and so

quite short pause

yes

quite short pause

yes

yes it is

breaks off

it’s chr

chr

chr

he puts the tree down

chr

chr

chr

and he puts the stand down a little distance from the tree

chri

chri

chri

he walks away from the tree and looks at it

Christm

short pause

Christma

quite short pause

Christmas

Christmas E

quite short pause

Christmas Eve

quite long pause

and I have a Christmas tree

I shall have a Christmas tree

and I have a Christmas tree

I have a Christmas tree

I celebrate

as I shall

even if I’m alone

because I really want to

so I have a Christmas tree

he lifts up the tree

and it’s a fine tree

look just look

quite short pause

look at the branches

look at the green

the brown

quite short pause

look

yes

yes look

look at the green

and at the brown

quite short pause

yes look at my Christmas tree

it’s a fine tree

it’s my tree

it’s my Christmas tree

short pause

well

quite short pause

yes I think it’s a fine Christmas tree

yes a fine tree

the way a Christmas tree should be

and that’s a fine thing

isn’t it

quite short pause

for I have got myself

a Christmas tree

short pause

and there

looks at it

there’s the Christmas tree stand

quite short pause

my Christmas tree stand

quite short pause

there’s the Christmas tree stand

for my Christmas tree

quite short pause

and the Christmas tree goes into the Christmas tree stand

quite short pause

because of course the Christmas tree

must have a Christmas tree stand

He begins to position the tree into the stand

A Christmas tree in a Christmas tree stand

Quite short pause

A Christmas tree and a Christmas tree stand

and now it’s time to celebrate

with a Christmas tree

in a Christmas tree stand

and the Christmas tree must be decorated

short pause

and all mothers

and all children

shall be happy

around my Christmas tree

quite short pause

for a Saviour is born to you

A Saviour is born to you

short pause

but

short pause

I can imagine

that is if I’ll be able to

that maybe

quite short pause

yes that you

you my Christmas tree

he looks at the tree

yes would have been better off

there in your soil

short pause

in your soil

in your mould

in your light

in your weather

and in whatever it is

you were in

quite short pause

yes

quite short pause

than here with me

in my Christmas tree stand

long pause

you green and brown tree

with me

in my Christmas tree stand

short pause, he goes and lifts up the tree

yes green

green

green

quite short pause

and brown

brown

brown

short pause

and a Saviour is born to you

Short pause

A Saviour is born to me

short pause

and truly

truly

yes

yes

yes

yes truly a Saviour

is born to me

short pause

no

no there is no Saviour

He begins to walk out with the tree

No

No

there’s no Saviour

Short pause

But the Christmas tree

yes it’s a fine tree

green

and brown

green

and brown

a Christmas tree

in a Christmas tree stand

a Christmas tree in my Christmas tree stand

so green

and brown

so green

and brown

a Christmas tree

in a Christmas tree stand

He goes out with the tree

SEA. A PLAY

Characters

THE SHIPMASTER

THE GUITAR PLAYER

THE WOMAN

THE OLDER MAN

THE OLDER WOMAN

THE MAN

Lights up

Two men (The Shipmaster and The Guitar Player) stand at short distance from each other, turned away from each other.

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Who are you

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

short pause

I told you

and I’ve told you so many times

and you’ve asked me about it

so many times

Why can’t you remember it

That I’m the shipmaster

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You are the shipmaster

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes as I said

quite short pause

and now I’ve said it again

And I don’t mind saying it one more time

I am the shipmaster

Quite short pause

And now

quite short pause

now you’ll remember it

and you won’t ask again

you remember it now

don’t you

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I’ll remember it now

You are the shipmaster

quite short pause

you’re the master of ships

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes that’s right

I’m the master of ships

Short pause

I’m the master

of this ship

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But is this a ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But there’s no sea here

THE SHIPMASTER

We’re on the sea

we’re on board a ship

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

no this can’t be a ship

And we’re not on the sea

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes we are

We’re on a ship

We’re on the sea

Pause

Or

pause

or

pause

or perhaps we’re not perhaps

pause

or

pause

or are you and I

the only ones here

Pause

No

no of course not

I did tell you

quite short pause

yes that we’re on board a ship

And I am the shipmaster

And there are many people here

Quite short pause

It’s a big ship

And on a big ship

there are many people

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And where are the others

THE SHIPMASTER

They are here

they’ll come soon

Quite short pause

Because they are here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But they’re not here now

THE SHIPMASTER

They are here

quite short pause

they’re on board the ship

yes

like you and me

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

Short pause

But I don’t see anyone

THE SHIPMASTER

They’re here just the same

quite short pause

there are many here

there are many many here

quite short pause

it’s not only you and me

who are here

if that’s what you think

quite short pause

your mother and your father

are here

yes for instance

quite short pause

and my mother

and my father

are here

quite short pause

many

many

all

quite short pause

yes some people are here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

It’s not like that

it’s only you and me

who are here

THE SHIPMASTER

And you think that’s what it’s like

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes okay

Pause. A woman (The Woman) enters, stops, stands and down

THE GUITAR PLAYER

That’s what it’s like

it’s just you and me here

No one else

THE SHIPMASTER

I hear what you’re saying

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Of course you do

Short pause

But

quite short pause

yes which ship are we on

which ship are you the master of

An older man (The Older Man) enters, stops, stands and looks down

THE SHIPMASTER

I’m the master of this ship

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

This ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

THE GUITAR PLAYER

So this is a ship

THE SHIPMASTER

I’ve told you

I told you just now

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

quite short pause

but still

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Can we talk about something else

THE SHIPMASTER

About what

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I don’t know

Where the others are for instance

THE SHIPMASTER

Where the others are

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

The others are around

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes exactly

We are here

you and I

no one else is here

Yet there are others here somehow

somewhere around

And somehow

yes

we’re on a ship

Short pause

But you’ve been on board many ships

An older woman (The Older Woman) enters, stops, stands and looks down

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You’ve been the master of many ships

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Sailing on the seven seas

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

quite short pause

yes on the seven seas

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But now you’re here

quite short pause

yes I mean

here

here where I am

And it’s not a ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes I’m here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And you’re the master of ships

that sail the seven seas

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes I am

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But you can’t do that here

THE SHIPMASTER

But we are on a ship

we are on the sea

Quite short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But there’s no sea here

And this is no ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Well then

THE GUITAR PLAYER

hesitates

Well

quite short pause

yes

yes perhaps we are on a sea

perhaps this is the sea

becomes happy

because we’re on the sea

right

isn’t that right

Quite short pause

Perhaps that’s how it is

Quite short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes that’s how it is

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

That’s what the sea’s like

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

quite short pause

yes perhaps that’s how it is

THE SHIPMASTER

We’re on the sea

We’re on a ship

Or perhaps we’re not

Because there’s no one else here

quite short pause

and on a ship

there are many people

THE GUITAR PLAYER

questioningly

There’s no one else here

THE SHIPMASTER

No

quite short pause

or perhaps

perhaps there are some others here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But you just said

that that there were many here

that’s what you said

and you said

yes yes that we were on the sea

I don’t understand you

It was you who said we were on the sea

that we were on board a ship

You were so sure

just now

quite short pause

and then

yes finally

yes I believed you

yes I believed we were on the sea

that we were on board a ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Pause

And we are

We are on a ship

That’s how it is

I’m the shipmaster

and now we’re on the sea

And if you want

I can tell you where on the sea we are

how far north we are

how far east we are

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Are we northbound

I thought we were southbound

THE SHIPMASTER

You should know things like that

not think

Short pause. A man (The Man) enters, stops, stands and looks down

Haven’t you been

on the sea before

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

quite short pause

no I haven’t

THE SHIPMASTER

Yet you were so sure

that this is not the sea

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

You shouldn’t have been

so sure about it

The Shipmaster and The Guitar Player move further away from each other. Long pause. The Shipmaster talks into space

I am the shipmaster

Pause

I am the master of ships

big ships

quite short pause

I have sailed ships

across the seven seas

big ships

little ships

quite short pause

through storms and calm waters

THE GUITAR PLAYER

talks into space

Do you like the sea

THE SHIPMASTER

I like the sea

and I don’t like it

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Don’t you want to talk about it

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes of course

THE GUITAR PLAYER

So answer me

say one or the other

THE SHIPMASTER

I like the sea

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Why do you like it

THE SHIPMASTER

It’s not possible to say

why I like it

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Why not

THE SHIPMASTER

Because the sea’s not like that

quite short pause

the sea is

yes

yes not something you like or don’t like

yes in a way

the sea is just something that is

quite short pause

and it is

yes a little like I am myself

it’s as calm and happy and beautiful

yes as the calm sea

can only be

and then it’s

tricky and tough

and furious

yes as only the sea can be

quite short pause

and then

yes quite commonly

it’s grey and cross

and minding its own business

quite short pause

yes that’s the way of the sea

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And is it like that here

THE SHIPMASTER

No

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But still

yes this place does look like

the sea

still we are on the sea

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes it does

Yes we are on the sea

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But here there are neither

storms nor calm waters

quite short pause

here there’s just nothing

THE SHIPMASTER

But that too is the way of the sea

yes

yes in its way

that’s what it’s like

Short pause

Yes perhaps it is like that

Pause

That’s the way of the sea

Quite short pause

And I’ve been on the sea

since I was quite young

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But why are you and I

the only ones here

THE SHIPMASTER

It’s not like that

THE MAN

I’m here

Pause. The Man sees The Woman and walks towards her

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

no perhaps it’s not like that

Long pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the master of ships

I sail on the seven seas

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

Pause

THE MAN

to The Woman

But how nice to see you

Quite short pause

I’ve been waiting for you

quite short pause

yes it feels as if

I’ve been waiting

all these years

quite short pause

and then

then you just stand there

yes so suddenly

THE WOMAN

Yes good to see you

THE MAN

To think we’d meet here

THE WOMAN

Do we know each other

THE MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes I suppose we do

in a way at least

we know each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes you’re probably right

Short pause

But we’ve never met each other before

THE MAN

No

quite short pause

no perhaps not

THE WOMAN

No we never have

met each other have we

THE MAN

Not like this

quite short pause

at least

but in another way

in its own way

we have known each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

yes perhaps

THE MAN

We’ve known each other

yes

yes in the sense

that we’ve always been looking for each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

Always

Short pause

And now

now we’ve finally

found each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

Now we’ve found the way to each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes perhaps it is like that

THE MAN

It is like that

you mustn’t doubt

for if you doubt

yes

yes then it won’t be like that

THE WOMAN

Can it really be like that

THE MAN

Yes

Yes I

you

we

quite short pause

we decide ourselves

how it will be

Pause

THE WOMAN

But it can’t be like that

quite short pause

it’ll be what it’ll be

quite short pause

you and I

don’t decide

quite short pause

it’s not like that

THE MAN

afraid

You mustn’t say that

Pause

THE WOMAN

questioningly

I shouldn’t say that

THE MAN

No

Pause

You mustn’t say that

quite short pause

not now

not when you and I

have found each other

have finally found the way to each other

Short pause

Aren’t you happy

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes I’m very happy

The Woman goes to The Man and kisses his cheek and they take each other’s hands, they stand and hold hands. Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And I am the guitar player

THE SHIPMASTER

But why is there no one here

quite short pause

just you

just me

THE GUITAR PLAYER

questioningly

There’s no one here

THE SHIPMASTER

No

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

I’m here

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

We’re on a ship

and I’m the master of the ship

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m here

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

This is not a ship

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

And who are you

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Who I am

I’ve told you so many times

I’ve told you who I am

I am the guitar player

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Pause. The Older Man looks at The Older Woman

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I play the most beautiful guitar music

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

But there you are

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m here

I’ve been here all the time

yes

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

Good

glad you’re here

Short pause

I

quite short pause

yes I didn’t see you

quite short pause

I didn’t seem to notice you

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

But where are we

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t know

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t think I’ve been here before

THE OLDER MAN

No

quite short pause

no it doesn’t feel familiar

quite short pause

I don’t think I’ve been here before

quite short pause

or

THE OLDER WOMAN

Me neither

Quite short pause

But it’s good that we’re here together

you and I

you and I

like always

Quite short pause

THE OLDER MAN

But why are you just standing

there

so far away from me

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m just standing here

THE OLDER MAN

Why don’t you come

over here to me

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes okay

yes of course

Short pause

I could do that of course

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

Why don’t you come then

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes I’m coming

Quite short pause

If you weren’t here with me

I’d have been very scared

quite short pause

because here

quite short pause

because here

I haven’t been here before

and it’s so

breaks off

THE OLDER MAN

But I’m with you

I’ll always be with you

yes

THE OLDER WOMAN

It’s as if I’m waking up

and suddenly I’m somewhere else

THE OLDER MAN

Is this somewhere else

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

yes it is isn’t it

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

it is

THE OLDER MAN

This is nowhere somehow

and then somehow it’s still

somewhere

THE OLDER WOMAN

continues

that is and that isn’t

at the same time

THE OLDER MAN

You’re just talking now

THE OLDER WOMAN

Just talking

THE OLDER MAN

Yes you’re just saying things

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

There’s nothing to see here

THE OLDER MAN

No

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

And is there someone here

THE OLDER MAN

It doesn’t feel like it

THE OLDER WOMAN

Can you see anyone

THE OLDER MAN

No

no no one

There’s no one here

just us

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m scared

THE OLDER MAN

It doesn’t feel dangerous

THE OLDER WOMAN

No it can’t be dangerous

can it

THE OLDER MAN

This is just somewhere to be

The Older Man walks forward a little, he looks around, stops, he turns towards The Older Woman

There’s someone here

I think there’s someone here

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

Pause. The Shipmaster turns towards The Older Man

THE SHIPMASTER

Oh Dad

Are you here

I haven’t seen you for a long time

Dad

The Shipmaster turns to The Older Woman

And you

Mum

How lovely to see you again

Pause. The Older Man and The Older Woman look bewildered at each other

THE OLDER WOMAN

to The Older Man

Why don’t you come over here to me

THE OLDER MAN

Yes okay

The Older Man walks over to The Older Woman

THE OLDER WOMAN

Touch me

I’m so scared

I must feel that I’m here

quite short pause

that I’m awake

THE OLDER MAN

We are awake

THE OLDER WOMAN

We’re not dreaming

THE OLDER MAN

No

no not exactly

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

Please won’t you touch me

THE OLDER MAN

Yes okay

THE OLDER WOMAN

But well it’s

yes so long since he disappeared

vanished

yes

breaks off, short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

It’s not him

He’s not our son

You can see that

You can hear that

THE SHIPMASTER

But Dad

But Mum

Quite short pause

Don’t you see me

Don’t you want to talk to me

THE OLDER MAN

Come let’s go

The Older Man takes The Older Woman’s arm. They stand there.

Long pause.

THE SHIPMASTER

But Mum

But Dad

quite short pause

don’t you see me

It’s me

Your son

Don’t you see me

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

We can’t stay here

We must go

THE OLDER WOMAN

No it wasn’t him

of course not

THE OLDER MAN

No

THE OLDER WOMAN

I should recognise

my own son

THE OLDER MAN

No

it wasn’t him

short pause

but why did he call me Dad

THE OLDER WOMAN

And me Mum

THE SHIPMASTER

But Mum

but Dad

don’t you see me

It’s me

It’s your son

THE OLDER MAN

Let’s go

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

Quite short pause

Let’s leave this place

We can’t stay here

Short pause

And why can’t he let up

he just keeps at it

THE OLDER MAN

He’s not my son

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

no of course not

THE SHIPMASTER

But Mum

but Dad

THE OLDER WOMAN

We can’t stay here

THE SHIPMASTER

Mum

THE OLDER MAN

We must go

THE SHIPMASTER

Dad

THE OLDER MAN

But where can we go

THE OLDER WOMAN

At least we have to go

THE SHIPMASTER

Mum Dad

I’m talking to you

don’t you see me

Me

your son

Short pause

It was so good to see you again

Short pause

But don’t you see me

Quite short pause

Why don’t you answer me

Quite short pause

I’m talking to you

but you don’t answer me

quite short pause

what’s wrong with you

THE OLDER WOMAN

Let’s go

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

yes let’s go

THE OLDER WOMAN

Because here

we can’t stay here any longer

THE SHIPMASTER

Mum Dad

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t like it here

we have to go

we have to be somewhere else

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

quite short pause

we’ll go now

we’ll go somewhere else now

THE OLDER WOMAN

Somewhere where it’s good to be

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

I’m so happy to see you

Quite short pause

And how nice that you finally wanted to come on board my ship

THE OLDER WOMAN

We must hurry up

We must get away from here

THE OLDER MAN

Where shall we go

THE OLDER WOMAN

There’s always somewhere

to go

THE OLDER MAN

But where

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t know

Short pause

Don’t you know where we are

THE OLDER MAN

No

THE OLDER WOMAN

You don’t know

THE OLDER MAN

No

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

And how did we get here

THE OLDER MAN

Where were we before we came here

THE OLDER WOMAN

We would’ve been at home at our place

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

THE OLDER WOMAN

And now we’re here

THE OLDER MAN

And there are others here

And there are no others here

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m scared

Short pause

I just don’t like it here

THE OLDER MAN

But no matter where we look

and no matter where we go

yes everything’s the same

THE OLDER WOMAN

That’s how it is

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t think we can do anything

THE OLDER WOMAN

What do you mean

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t think we can do anything about it

Short pause

Everything is the way it is

THE OLDER WOMAN

But then

quite short pause

then we must create something else ourselves

THE OLDER MAN

But can we do that

THE OLDER WOMAN

We can imagine it

as something else

THE OLDER MAN

Can we

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes we can

THE OLDER MAN

How

THE OLDER WOMAN

We can imagine it differently

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

THE OLDER WOMAN

We can imagine

quite short pause

yes what it was like

yes when he

when our son

was born

quite short pause

his childhood years

what they were like

quite short pause

he was such a beautiful child

THE OLDER MAN

And such a friendly child

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But Dad

but Mum

quite short pause

it’s so good to see you again

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

And so good and kind

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

And so

breaks off, quite short pause

yes what can I say

somehow there’s not much to say

what there was

is not something

somehow

that can be said

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Dad

Mum

Don’t you see me

Imagine seeing you here

quite short pause

it’s so unexpected

Short pause

THE OLDER MAN

I can’t remember what he

yes our son

looked like when he was little

THE OLDER WOMAN

No all that’s left are pictures

faded pictures

quite short pause

blurry

almost gone

quite short pause

THE OLDER MAN

And our daughter

Somehow I can’t picture her

THE OLDER WOMAN

continues

but good pictures

yes they are

good pictures

quite short pause

about to disappear

quite short pause

I see him

I see him lying there in his bed

he lies there sleeping

in his bed

yes like that

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

Pause

But what there is

quite short pause

yes it’s a little

yes

quite short pause

yes like being here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But don’t you see me

Mum

Dad

I’m here

quite short pause

you son

quite short pause

I’m here

THE OLDER WOMAN

No it’s not like that

You mustn’t say that the picture of our son

is a little like being here

No

No you mustn’t say that

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Mum

Can’t you see me

quite short pause

don’t you see that I’m here

THE OLDER MAN

No

quite short pause

no I won’t say that

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And Dad

quite short pause

it’s so good to see you again

THE OLDER WOMAN

It’s not like that

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

No it’s not like that

Pause

But what is it

THE OLDER WOMAN

You’ve always been the strong one

you must know that

THE OLDER MAN

I

quite short pause

I’ve never been

the strong one have I

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes you have

THE OLDER MAN

No that’s you

not me

you’ve been the strong one

always

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

You’re not who I think you are

THE OLDER MAN

What do you mean

THE OLDER WOMAN

You can’t be the good man

I married

and the man I’ve lived with

all my life

THE OLDER MAN

I can’t

THE OLDER WOMAN

You can’t be him

Quite short pause

Because he wasn’t like that

quite short pause

he was always

my good support

he supported me

in everything

THE OLDER MAN

I have always supported you

And I’m supporting you as much as I can

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes I’m sorry

I didn’t mean it like that

Long pause

I’m tired

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

I’m tired

too

THE OLDER WOMAN

We’re both tired

THE OLDER MAN

We’re both old and tired

THE OLDER WOMAN

And soon we’ll sleep

THE OLDER MAN

Soon we’ll fall asleep

THE OLDER WOMAN

Sleep forever

THE OLDER MAN

Be gone

THE OLDER WOMAN

We shall soon sleep forever

and be gone

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

Sleep and sleep

The Older Man looks at The Woman

and do you see

do you see

quite short pause

we’re not alone

do you see the woman who stands there

her

over there

do you see

don’t you see how much she looks like

you when you were young

don’t you see

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

yes the woman who stands over there

The Older Man points

You see her

You must see her

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes

yes now I see her

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

THE OLDER WOMAN

But she doesn’t look like

yes like me when I was young

THE OLDER MAN

Yes she does

I can see it

I can see that she looks like

you when you were young

oh yes she does

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

quite short pause

no she can’t

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

yes she does

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

THE OLDER MAN

She’s so like you

that if I didn’t know it couldn’t be

I would’ve thought it was you

when you were young

THE OLDER WOMAN

Don’t talk like that

I get scared

Quite short pause

You mustn’t say things like that

THE OLDER MAN

I think it must be you

THE OLDER WOMAN

Don’t look at her

The Woman turns towards The Older Man and The Older Woman

Now she’s looking at us

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

The Woman lets go of The Man’s hand and starts to walk towards The Older Man and The Older Woman

THE OLDER WOMAN

And now she starts to walk towards us

THE OLDER MAN

But why does she do that

THE OLDER WOMAN

And we were alone here

THE OLDER MAN

There was no one else here

THE OLDER WOMAN

And now she’s walking towards us

THE OLDER MAN

We were all alone

quite short pause

but now she comes walking towards us

THE OLDER WOMAN

She mustn’t come

THE OLDER MAN

What does she want from us

Short pause

We must go

The Older Woman and The Older Man walk slowly away from The Woman

THE WOMAN

Please don’t go

THE OLDER WOMAN

She’s talking to us

THE WOMAN

You mustn’t go

Short pause

Mum

Dad

quite short pause

it’s me

THE OLDER WOMAN

What does she want from us

THE WOMAN

Wait

you can’t just leave me

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t understand what she wants from us

THE WOMAN

Please don’t go

Quite short pause

Mum

Dad

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t know her

THE OLDER WOMAN

Me neither

THE WOMAN

Can’t you wait for me

Quite short pause

Don’t just go

THE OLDER MAN

What does she want from us

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t understand

what she wants from us

The Woman stops, stands and looks down. Pause. The Older Man and The Older Woman stop, he lets go of her arm, they move a little away from each other, stand and look down. Pause

THE WOMAN

Don’t just go

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

We can’t be here

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

quite short pause

we must be somewhere else

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And I am the guitar player

THE SHIPMASTER

You’re the guitar player

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

So that’s what you are

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

yes and I’ve told you

yes so many times

Short pause

I’ve been the guitar player

I am the guitar player

Quite short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

So that’s what you’ve been

you’ve been the guitar player

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

THE SHIPMASTER

So you are the guitar player

Short pause

And what is it like

yes

yes your guitar music

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

THE SHIPMASTER

No

quite short pause

you can’t just say no

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I don’t say it to be difficult

The Man walks towards The Woman

THE SHIPMASTER

So why do you say it

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Because I don’t know what to say

THE SHIPMASTER

It’s not like that or like that

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

Pause

THE MAN

I love you

Short pause

THE WOMAN

And I love you

THE MAN

I was always so alone

quite short pause

and then I met you

THE WOMAN

Yes

Short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

It’s like the sea

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But

quite short pause

well

yes

yes like the sea is to you

quite short pause

yes that’s what the guitar music is to me

quite short pause

it’s just something that is

quite short pause

it is what is

in what there is

that’s what

yes that’s what the guitar music is like

quite short pause

and everything else

people

events

becomes what it is

yes because the guitar music

makes it like that

THE SHIPMASTER

So that’s how it is

Pause

THE MAN

But now we’ve met each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes now we’ve met each other

Short pause

THE MAN

And it took such a long time

before I met you

THE WOMAN

Always alone

I was always alone

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

quite short pause

and now I shall play

The Guitar Player begins to play air guitar. Pause

I play my guitar music

quite short pause

I play my guitar music

for anyone who wants to listen

do I play my guitar music

quite short pause

my whole life I’ve played

my guitar music

from when I was a kid

and to this day

Short pause

THE MAN

You my best friend

you my very best friend

THE WOMAN

And you are my very best friend

Short pause

THE MAN

You’re here

and I still

miss you

THE WOMAN

I’m here

quite short pause

I’m always here

Short pause

But listen

quite short pause

listen to the beautiful

guitar music

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

But where are the others

It’s not just you and me who are here

Is it

Short pause

there are so many others on board

this ship

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

THE SHIPMASTER

But there’s no one here

no one who’s listening

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We’re not alone

we can’t be alone

Short pause

THE OLDER MAN

I’m here

Short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

But no one’s here

no one’s listening

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m here

Quite short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

No one’s listening

Short pause

It’s just you and me here

quite short pause

here on this ship

THE WOMAN

I’m here

I’m listening

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

No one is here

Short pause

And what’s become of the others

quite short pause

they have to be there

And we’ve been here for so long

that’s what it feels like

We’ve been here for so long

here on this ship

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I play my guitar music

and it’s everything

that is

quite short pause

a guitar music

my guitar music

quite short pause

I play my guitar music

THE SHIPMASTER

No one’s here

No one’s listening

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No one’s here

THE SHIPMASTER

Is no one here

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No one’s here

Short pause

THE WOMAN

I’m here

Pause

THE MAN

Finally

finally I’ve found you

Pause

THE WOMAN

I hear the most beautiful guitar music

Pause

THE MAN

Finally I found you

THE WOMAN

But don’t talk

you must listen

you must listen to the beautiful guitar music

Short pause

THE MAN

Yes

short pause

but

but aren’t you happy

quite short pause

THE WOMAN

Yes

Yes I’m happy

THE MAN

And now we don’t need to be alone anymore

not you

not I

THE WOMAN

No

quite short pause

but listen

quite short pause

listen to the beautiful guitar music

Short pause

THE MAN

Yes

Short pause

THE WOMAN

You must listen

The Woman begins to move to the guitar music. Pause

THE OLDER MAN

And then we were here

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

But where are we

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

yes where are we

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m so scared

quite short pause

why don’t you come over here

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

The Older Man walks over to The Older Woman

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t know where we are

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

quite short pause

I play the most beautiful

guitar music

quite short pause

I play the most beautiful

guitar music

that I am able to play

Short pause

THE WOMAN

But listen

THE MAN

I’ll listen

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes listen to the beautiful guitar music

THE MAN

I’ll listen

THE WOMAN

He plays so well

THE MAN

Does he play well

THE WOMAN

Yes

yes it’s the loveliest guitar music

I’ve ever heard

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m so scared

THE OLDER MAN

You mustn’t be scared

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

But I am scared

THE OLDER MAN

Come

come let’s go

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

I play the most beautiful guitar music

Pause

THE WOMAN

You must listen

THE MAN

I’m listening

Short pause

THE WOMAN

Listen to the most beautiful guitar music

The Woman moves away from The Man towards

The Guitar Player. Pause

THE MAN

But you mustn’t leave me

Don’t go

Short pause

Can’t you wait for me

Don’t go

Short pause

You mustn’t leave me

Pause. The Woman moves closer to The Guitar Player

You can’t leave me

quite short pause

I was so happy to see you

happy that you came

that you’re here

that I finally

got to meet you

Quite short pause

THE WOMAN

It’s the most beautiful guitar music

Quite short pause

THE MAN

You mustn’t go

quite short pause

because finally

finally

I met you

THE WOMAN

You must listen

THE MAN

I don’t want to listen

to the guitar music

quite short pause

I want to be

in you

quite short pause

I want to be

in all that’s yours

THE WOMAN

Listen

quite short pause

listen to the guitar music

THE MAN

I want to listen to you

quite short pause

for you

for you

are so lovely

quite short pause

you’re the loveliest guitar music

Quite short pause

You mustn’t go

THE WOMAN

Don’t talk

Listen

Listen to the guitar music

THE MAN

I can’t listen

to that

THE WOMAN

But it’s so beautiful

The Woman stands next to The Guitar Player, she still moves to the guitar music, looks at him

You play so beautifully

you play the most beautiful guitar music

Quite short pause

You play the most beautiful guitar music

I have ever heard

Long pause

THE SHIPMASTER

loudly

No

The Guitar Player stops playing air guitar and The Woman stops moving

No

Short pause

No

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

questioningly

No

Short pause

THE MAN

You mustn’t go

I’m so happy

that I met you

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But imagine you being here

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes I don’t quite understand it

myself

but well

looks around a little

yes

yes well here I am

THE GUITAR PLAYER

So here we are

both you and I

THE SHIPMASTER

You know each other

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We seem to

THE WOMAN

We know each other

a little at least

at least we knew each other

yes a little

yes a long time ago

Short pause

But you

yes you know each other

you and he

quite short pause

yes he

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

THE SHIPMASTER

No we don’t

Short pause

THE WOMAN

But why are you here

yes together

yes if you don’t know each other

THE SHIPMASTER

You may well ask

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You may well wonder

THE WOMAN

You must know

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes we must

but we don’t

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No we don’t know

THE SHIPMASTER

We are just here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We just are here

THE SHIPMASTER

It just happened

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We just were here

THE SHIPMASTER

We just are here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

And now you are here too

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You came here just now

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

And it’s so good to see you

The Shipmaster wants to touch The Woman, but she slips away and goes and takes The Guitar Player’s arm

Aren’t you happy to see me

THE WOMAN

Why should I be

THE SHIPMASTER

No

quite short pause

no it’s just

quite short pause

just that I was so happy to see you

THE WOMAN

But you haven’t seen me before

THE SHIPMASTER

No

no but still

quite short pause

still I was

yes happy to see you

THE WOMAN

It is

quite short pause

yes good of you

yes that

yes that you were happy to see me

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

But you liked

yes that guitar music of his

THE WOMAN

overcome

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

No

quite short pause

no you didn’t

THE WOMAN

Yes I did

THE SHIPMASTER

You couldn’t have liked it

It’s impossible to like

that kind of guitar music

THE WOMAN

But I liked his guitar music

I did

so

yes

yes then it is possible

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You hear

She liked my guitar music

It’s only you who can never like

my guitar music

THE SHIPMASTER

You don’t mean it

yes that you liked his guitar music

it’s just something you say

yes

yes to be nice to him

to please him

THE GUITAR PLAYER

She says she liked my guitar music

because she liked it

THE SHIPMASTER

How can you know it’s like that

What I say is just as true

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

no she says it herself

that she liked my guitar music

THE SHIPMASTER

But it could just be

something she says

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes of course

THE SHIPMASTER

And then

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes then she didn’t like it

THE WOMAN

goes and stands between the two of them

I liked his guitar music

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You hear

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

to The Woman

I am the shipmaster

THE WOMAN

You are the shipmaster

THE SHIPMASTER

I sail ships on the seven seas

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And I am the guitar player

Pause

THE WOMAN

But where are we

THE SHIPMASTER

You may well ask

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We are where we are

THE WOMAN

But where is that

Short pause

And is there no one else here

Short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes there are many people here

everyone

someone

I’m here

you’re here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I’m here

Short pause

THE WOMAN

But no one else

There has to be someone else here

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m here

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We are the only ones here

THE OLDER MAN

I’m here

THE SHIPMASTER

We’re on a ship

so there are many others here

THE WOMAN

questioningly

We’re on a ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

THE WOMAN

We’re on the sea

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Short pause

And I am the shipmaster

THE WOMAN

questioningly

You are the shipmaster

THE GUITAR PLAYER

He is the shipmaster

Pause

THE MAN

You mustn’t leave me

Short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I sail ships on the seven seas

The Woman looks at The Older Woman and The Older Man

THE MAN

We’ve only just met each other

and then you leave me again

I’ve been waiting for you

quite short pause

always

always have I

been waiting for you

And finally you were there

finally you came

to me

Pause

THE WOMAN

But Mum

Dad

How good to see you again

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

It was good to see you again

really good

Short pause. The Woman starts to walk towards The Older Man and The Older Woman

THE SHIPMASTER

Glad you came

I was so happy to see you

Short pause

THE WOMAN

But Mum

but Dad

THE MAN

You mustn’t leave me

quite short pause

because now we’ll be together

you and I

quite short pause

always you and I

The Guitar Player starts to follow The Woman

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I never thought I’d see you again

Pause. The Shipmaster starts to follow The Woman

THE SHIPMASTER

It was so good to see you

THE WOMAN

Mum

Dad

THE MAN

starts to follow The Woman

I’m so glad that I’ve finally

met you

Quite short pause

Don’t just go

THE SHIPMASTER

Finally you were here

THE WOMAN

Mum Dad

I’m here

Don’t you see me

I

your daughter

am here

THE MAN

I never thought you’d come

quite short pause

for all these years

I was here on my own

quite short pause

yes it sounds so stupid

quite short pause

but then you came

quite short pause

and then we were together

you and I

quite short pause

and I was so happy

that I finally

had someone I could

be with

THE WOMAN

Mum

Dad

Long pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

But don’t look at her

Come

We must go

Come

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

The Older Woman and The Older Man start to walk in the same direction as the others, away from them

THE WOMAN

But don’t go

Can’t you see

It’s me

It’s your daughter

Short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

You mustn’t go

Short pause

That you came here now

yes that’s the best thing that has happened to me

in my life

Quite short pause

But you can’t say things like that

It’s just the sort of thing you say

But it’s true

It is like that

quite short pause

so don’t go

Quite short pause

And I want you to know

Because it’s true

You must know it

Quite short pause

I have to say it to you

Quite short pause

And that’s why

when I saw you

when I saw you

quite short pause

yes I was so happy to see you

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But why are you leaving me

you my lovely woman

you my lovely lovely woman

Pause

THE WOMAN

But Mum

but Dad

quite short pause

why don’t you want to talk to me

why are you leaving

I’m your daughter

I only want to talk to you

I was so happy

to see you again

THE MAN

Why are you leaving me

THE WOMAN

You’re leaving me

Mum Dad

You abandon me

You have always

abandoned me

quite short pause

but I don’t demand anything

I only want to talk to you

I’m not asking

for anything

THE SHIPMASTER

Don’t just go

quite short pause

after so many years

yes I was so happy

to see you

and then you just go

quite short pause

you can’t just go

THE WOMAN

Mum

You’re my mother

You must answer me

when I speak to you

THE MAN

Finally you came

I love you so much

Don’t leave me

THE WOMAN

And Dad

why are you leaving

why are you just leaving

why do you want to disappear

from me

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Don’t leave me

THE SHIPMASTER

Don’t go

THE MAN

But can’t you stay here

stay here with me

you mustn’t go

Everyone stops, stands and looks down. Long pause

THE OLDER MAN

It’s as if I don’t know you anymore

THE OLDER WOMAN

You don’t know me

THE OLDER MAN

No

THE OLDER WOMAN

I get so scared

You scare me

THE OLDER MAN

But you become more and more unknown to me

quite short pause

I still know you a little

you are standing there

I can recognise you

I recognise your face

quite short pause

but you

but the one you are

yes you’re standing there

more and more becoming someone else

THE OLDER WOMAN

You mustn’t say that

It can’t be like that

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t know you

THE OLDER WOMAN

But you have

yes known me

for so many years

quite short pause

you’ve known me all these years

quite short pause

you remember

don’t you

THE OLDER MAN

I remember

in a way I remember like never before

Somehow I remember everything

yes everything that stands out

from things that always just happened

all that

as if it was one

and as if it was many things

I can remember

and at the same time

in the middle of it all

you’re there as someone I don’t know

quite short pause

and that

that I don’t know you

becomes bigger than everything else

everything I remember

and takes the place of what I remember

I don’t know you

THE OLDER WOMAN

No not like that

THE OLDER MAN

It is like that

And there’s nothing

we can do about it

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

THE OLDER MAN

And I want so much

to have known you

THE OLDER WOMAN

But you do know me

What can I do

to make you know me

THE OLDER MAN

There’s nothing you can do

to teach me to know you

THE OLDER WOMAN

There must be something I can do

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t think so

Short pause

And I’m so tired of all that’s unknown

THE OLDER WOMAN

Me too

THE OLDER MAN

Nothing here is known to me

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

THE OLDER WOMAN

And I don’t even

recognise you

THE OLDER WOMAN

You don’t recognise me

THE OLDER MAN

No

The Older Man walks further away from The Older Woman and stands there alone. Pause. The Woman walks over to The Guitar Player and leans against him, starts to stroke him. Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I am here

Pause

THE MAN

I am so glad I met you

Short pause

THE WOMAN

To The Guitar Player

And you

my good friend

you my best friend

The Guitar Player frees himself from The Woman and goes and stands alone. Pause

THE MAN

You are my great love

Pause. The Woman goes to The Shipmaster, leans against him, strokes him

THE WOMAN

It’s so good to touch you

I feel safe

when I touch you

It makes me feel good

Pause

THE MAN

And you must never leave me

Pause

THE WOMAN

to The Shipmaster

You’re my best friend

Pause. The Shipmaster frees himself from The Woman and goes and stands alone. Short pause. The Guitar Player starts to play air guitar. Everyone listens. Very long pause. Then The Woman begins to move to the guitar music and after a while the others also begin to move to the guitar music, each on their own, each in their own way.

Long pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I am here

Pause

THE WOMAN

I am here

Mum Dad

can’t you see me

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t want to be here

Pause

THE MAN

I’m just here

I just came here

I want to be somewhere else

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t know anyone

quite short pause

and no one knows me

Long pause. The Older man exits to the guitar music. Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I sail ships on the seven seas

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

I play the most beautiful guitar music

Long pause. The Man exits moving to the guitar music.

THE WOMAN

I am here

The Woman exits moving to the guitar music. Long pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I am here

The Older Woman exits moving to the guitar music. Long pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

stops playing air guitar, stands motionless

I am the guitar player

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

stands motionless

I am the shipmaster

Black

Content

Jon Fosse
Fosse: Plays Six

FOREWORD BY BERIT GULLBERG. TRANSLATED BY MAY-BRIT AKERHOLT

RAMBUKU

FREEDOM

OVER THERE

THESE EYES

GIRL IN YELLOW RAINCOAT

CHRISTMAS TREE SONG

SEA. A PLAY