NIGHT 2
Who But You
(HUSBAND and WIFE enter from opposite wings. HUSBAND and WIFE are in costume joining at center stage, grasp hands and embrace. Look at one another, beam. HUSBAND gestures to WIFE to dance downstage-center. She complies, the two dance close to one another, a stiff but well-rehearsed slow-dance that embodies the two’s contentment. She looks into his eyes. The two sit on the bench upstage center in tableau. DREAMER appears in Stage Right apron.)
DREAMER: I do. Husband and Wife. A complete set. And yet, why don’t they smile? They have each other. Shouldn’t that be enough? (Pause) Oh, no. Of course, they want to add one more. (Pause) Hope is a funny thing. It can strengthen, or if impatient, it can destroy. Disappointment of the things to come… broken vows. A promise is a promise, isn’t it? Breaking is easy. Once fractured, breaking ourselves requires very little effort… But fixing… well, that’s another matter entirely. Fixing a broken heart maybe, but a broken soul… is that even possible? Look at their eyes, aged with betrayal and heartache. Their hope of the impossible is pathetic. One day they will see, or one day they will die, whichever comes first.
(DREAMER sits )
HUSBAND: (stage right. Slow. Walks down to edge of apron.. Turns around and walks downstage right. He speaks with a gentleness and as if he has seen his life come and go. However, his voice does not sound old; in fact, he sounds youthful; tired, with the wisdom of the world on his shoulders.)
Too little too late,
His time has come and gone,
Is that what they say when I walk by?
I’ve got a little more grey,
My steps are slow and long,
And the promise you’ve made fades in the moonlight.
(pause)
I see a star,
You see the Milky Way.
I see one man counting sand,
But you see generations
(pause)
Who, but you, would ever choose
To dream your dream in me?
Who, but you, would dare me to
Believe what I can’t see?
Who but you?
WIFE. (Sitting. Sighs. Stands, walks downstage stage left. A slow walk. Teeters on edge of apron. Looks at HUSBAND. A woman of understanding of the world.)
You’d think by now
It wouldn’t bother me,
The hush from the crowd as I walk by.
And you’d think somehow
I’d let my heart believe
It’s time to let go of lullabies.
(Pause)
I see a star,
You see a galaxy.
There’s just one hope-
Just one way-
These arms will not stay empty.
(Pause)
Who, but you, would ever choose
To dream your dream in me?
Who, but you, would dare me to
Believe what I can’t see
Who but you?
WIFE. So call me crazy
HUSBAND. Call me a fool
WIFE. You alone can do the things you promised to.
For You are greater.
HUSBAND. I’m just one man. I’m counting tiny grains of sand.
WIFE. Placing every promise in your hand.
HUSBAND. Who, but you, would ever choose
WIFE. To dream your dream in me?
HUSBAND. Who, but you, would dare me to
WIFE. Believe what I can’t see
H&W. Who but you?
(WIFE is crestfallen, gently touches her stomach as if beginning to despair. HUSBAND walks over to her and sits her down. Gently lifts her chin to meet his eyes.)
HUSBAND. I believe you. (both exit to wings.)
YOU ARE READING
Vita de Fracta (The Life of the Broken)
PoetryThe play blurs the line between reality and fantasist dreams as a young girl, known only as Dreamer, lives her life as an isolated observer; reflecting upon the people she watches during the day. Once night falls, however, she bends inwardly to her...
