Читать книгу Mr. Burns and Other Plays - Anne Washburn - Страница 28

CHAPTER 15

Still raining, but slowed to a soft patter. The middle of the night.

Ruthie crosses the dark living room for a drink of water.

Jeremiah stirs, and half raises himself.

RUTHIE: You’re awake.

JEREMIAH: I am. I remember where I am.

RUTHIE: Do you want . . . water? I was just getting water. Or something to eat?

JEREMIAH: I want water.

She goes offstage, gets a glass of water, brings it to him. He drinks it in one go.

RUTHIE: You were thirsty. Do you want more?

JEREMIAH: Please. And I think I need food also.

She goes. Returns with the glass of water refilled, and a hunk of bread on a plate.

Thank you.

He drinks half the glass of water. Sits up and holds the plate of bread on his lap. Picks up the bread.

This is a—

This is a miracle. If I walk into a field. If I walk. This is a. If I walk into a field of wheat I can’t eat it. I can’t eat the wheat. This. This.

(To Ruthie) I’m sorry, I’m trying to. I’m trying to, uh

I can’t.

RUTHIE: You know, if you’re not hungry . . .

JEREMIAH: No, I’m hungry. I’m very hungry.

I’ll just. I’ll just eat it.

He eats it.

RUTHIE: Do you want more?

JEREMIAH: No, thank you. You’re kind.

RUTHIE: Not especially.

JEREMIAH: No? Maybe not. You’re kind to me.

RUTHIE: I don’t know you.

JEREMIAH: You’re his wife aren’t you.

RUTHIE: I’m. Yes. I am his wife.

JEREMIAH: Of course. I didn’t, I couldn’t have one. It wasn’t—I couldn’t.

RUTHIE: You couldn’t—

JEREMIAH: I couldn’t have a wife. So I don’t know anything about all of that.

RUTHIE: Why couldn’t you have a wife?

JEREMIAH: Because it was forbidden unto me. I didn’t mind. I didn’t think I minded. Now I think—

Wife.

He can hold your hand? Just like this?

He picks up her hand, he holds it, he spreads her fingers apart, he intertwines them with his own.

RUTHIE: Yes.

JEREMIAH: He can touch you, like this.

He touches her neck, the side of her face . . .

RUTHIE: Yes. When I’m not angry at him.

Her mouth . . .

JEREMIAH: Are you angry at me?

RUTHIE: No, but I’m not your wife.

JEREMIAH: Aren’t you? When I’m touching you like this.

She steps up. She steps back.

HANANIAH: Ruthie?

Hananiah steps into the room.

RUTHIE: He’s awake.

HANANIAH: I thought you were gone.

RUTHIE: I’m still here.

HANANIAH: I heard his voice. I thought she’s left me, and I’m alone in the dark with a man who thinks he’s talking to God. Come back to bed