Plays Part 23

CLAIRE: And even you think this is so important? (carelessly raises the revolver, and with her left hand out flat, tells TOM not to touch her) Harry thinks it important he shoot d.i.c.k, and d.i.c.k thinks it important not to be shot, and you think I mustn't shoot anybody-even myself-and can't any of you see that none of that is as important as-where revolvers can't reach? (putting revolver where there is no Edge Vine) I shall never shoot myself. I'm too interested in destruction to cut it short by shooting. (after looking from one to the other, laughs. Pointing) One-two-three. You-love-me. But why do you bring it out here?

ANTHONY: (who has resumed work) It is not what this place is for.

CLAIRE: No this place is for the destruction that can get through.

ANTHONY: Miss Claire, it is eleven. At eleven we are to go in and see-

CLAIRE: Whether it has gone through. But how can we go-with d.i.c.k against the door?

ANTHONY: He'll have to move.

CLAIRE: And be shot?

HARRY: (irritably) Oh, he'll not be shot. Claire can spoil anything.

(d.i.c.k steps away from the door; CLAIRE takes a step nearer it.)

CLAIRE: (halting) Have I spoiled everything? I don't want to go in there.

ANTHONY: We're going in together, Miss Claire. Don't you remember? Oh (looking resentfully at the others) don't let any little thing spoil it for you-the work of all those days-the hope of so many days.

CLAIRE: Yes-that's it.

ANTHONY: You're afraid you haven't done it?

CLAIRE: Yes, but-afraid I have.

HARRY: (cross, but kindly) That's just nervousness, Claire. I've had the same feeling myself about making a record in flying.

CLAIRE: (curiously grateful) You have, Harry?

HARRY: (glad enough to be back in a more usual world) Sure. I've been afraid to know, and almost as afraid of having done it as of not having done it.

(CLAIRE nods, steps nearer, then again pulls back.)

CLAIRE: I can't go in there. (she almost looks at TOM) Not today.

ANTHONY: But, Miss Claire, there'll be things to see today we can't see tomorrow.

CLAIRE: You bring it in here!

ANTHONY: In-out from its own place? (she nods) And-where they are? (again she nods. Reluctantly he goes to the door) I will not look into the heart. No one must know before you know.

(In the inner room, his head a little turned away, he is seen very carefully to lift the plant which glows from within. As he brings it in, no one looks at it. HARRY takes a box of seedlings from a stand and puts them on the floor, that the newcomer may have a place.)

ANTHONY: Breath of Life is here, Miss Claire.

(CLAIRE half turns, then stops.)

CLAIRE: Look-and see-what you see.

ANTHONY: No one should see what you've not seen.

CLAIRE: I can't see-until I know.

(ANTHONY looks into the flower.)

ANTHONY: (agitated) Miss Claire!

CLAIRE: It has come through?

ANTHONY: It has gone on.

CLAIRE: Stronger?

ANTHONY: Stronger, surer.

CLAIRE: And more fragile?

ANTHONY: And more fragile.

CLAIRE: Look deep. No-turning back?

ANTHONY: (after a searching look) The form is set. (he steps back from it)

CLAIRE: Then it is-out. (from where she stands she turns slowly to the plant) You weren't. You are.

ANTHONY: But come and see, Miss Claire.

CLAIRE: It's so much more than-I'd see.

HARRY: Well, I'm going to see. (looking into it) I never saw anything like that before! There seems something alive-inside this outer sh.e.l.l.

d.i.c.k: (he too looking in and he has an artist's manner of a hand up to make the light right) It's quite new in form. It-says something about form.

HARRY: (cordially to CLAIRE, who stands apart) So you've really put it over. Well, well,-congratulations. It's a good deal of novelty, I should say, and I've no doubt you'll have a considerable success with it-people always like something new. I'm mighty glad-after all your work, and I hope it will-set you up.

CLAIRE: (low-and like a machine) Will you all-go away?

(ANTHONY goes-into the other room.)

HARRY: Why-why, yes. But-oh, Claire! Can't you take some pleasure in your work? (as she stands there very still) Emmons says you need a good long rest-and I think he's right.

TOM: Can't this help you, Claire? Let this be release. This-breath of the uncaptured.

CLAIRE: (and though speaking, she remains just as still)

Breath of the uncaptured?

You are a novelty.