Expulsion : Crowley in Sicily

8/13/2019 Expulsion : Crowley in Sicily

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EXPULSION -CROWLEYIN SICILY

by

Miles [email protected]

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CHARACTERS *

Aleister Crowle (45)

!inette Shumwa (25)Crowley's lover and disciple

Howard (3) Ninette's son

Hansi (2) Leah's son

"iordano "iosusA local landlord

#eah Hirsig (37)Crowley's lover and disciple

Crowle as !arrator(54)

$talian %aternit &ard !urse

'ou(eeCrowley/irsi!'s "a"y !irl

%essenger )o (1#)

Cecil rederick Russell (25)$isciple

Raoul #oveda(23)$isciple

)ett %a (27)Loveday's wi%e

+ane &ol,e (45)$isciple

'oliceman -

'oliceman

* See postscript for full character info.

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SCENE ONE

April 2nd1920. Morning. Cefalu in Sicily. A run-down hotel.

Crowley, Ninette and the two boy !oward and !ani are at the brea"fat table.

Crowley #loo"ing around in conte$pt% I'm not spending a second night here.

Ninette (nodding) I agree. he !ood's dread!"#.

Howard(ha"ing Ninette& ar$) $"mmy% can &e go bac to merica no&

Crowley Ignore his &hining. It's "nman#y. 'Stamp do&n the &retched and the &ea% this

is the #a& o! the strong.'

Howard$"mmy I hate this rotten p#ace*

Crowley (ho'e unfinihed plate aide) +ermes does ha,e a point. I! I o&ned this p#ace%

I'd !ire the che!.

Howard I don't li"e Sici#y*

Crowley(pointing at !ani) -ionys"s has maintained a stoica# si#ence thro"gho"t o"r

tria#s. +e's on#y t&o% b"t he's p"tting yo" to shame. ((o Ninette) I can't to#erate this dining

room any #onger. Let's go and sit o"tside.

(hey lea'e the dining roo$.

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SCENE TWO

(he adult are itting on a bench at the front of the hotel. (he boy run around playing.!ani tart throwing tone at a cat.

Ninette (houting) Stop being so cr"e#* hat creat"re has done yo" no harm.

CrowleyNo ea"ty% #et him contin"e. he games o! the boy re,ea# the r"e Wi## o! the

man.

NinetteLeah is too so!t. +er son's become a #itt#e b"##y.

Crowley -on't yo" see +is nat"re has a strain o! br"ta#ity. he S"nday Schoo#

hypocrites &o"#d deny him it% b"t I &i## not. Let him tread a sa,age path* -ionys"s may

gro& "p to be a great genera#. We need s"ch men to de!end o"r nation.

Ninette I thin the tr"th o! the matter is that yo" detest cats.

Crowley(chuc"le ruefully) I don't. ho"gh I did s#ay one at age !o"rteen.

NinetteWhy

Crowley I'd been to#d 'a cat has nine #i,es.' I decided to s#ay one% as +erc"#es did the

se,en/headed hydra. I there!ore ca"ght a cat% and ha,ing administered a #arge dose o!

arsenic% I ch#oro!ormed it% hanged it abo,e the gas 0et% stabbed it% c"t its throat% smashed its

s"## and% &hen it had been pretty thoro"gh#y b"rnt% dro&ned it and thre& it o"t o! the

&indo& that its !a## might remo,e the ninth #i!e. In !act the operation &as s"ccess!"#% I had

i##ed the cat. I remember that a## the time I &as gen"ine#y sorry !or the anima#1 I simp#y

!orced myse#! to carry o"t the e2periment in the interest o! p"re science.

()iordano )iou approache the$)

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Giordano (hea'ily accented *nglih) re yo" the mericans

Crowley No% I'm Eng#ish.

Ninette +&$merican.

Giordano Yo" need some&here to stay

Crowley Yes.

Giordano I ha,e a ,i##a to #et. I can sho& yo" it% i! yo" #ie

Crowley When

GiordanoNo&% i! yo"'re ready

Crowley Yes. We sho"#d #ie that ,ery m"ch.

()iordano lead, and the four of the$ follow)

Crowley (nder breath to Ninette) I hope yo" can appreciate this mirac#e* It norma##y

taes at #east a month to get the most tri!#ing b"siness done in Ita#y.

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SCENE THEE

(he ground of the illa Santa arbara. (he 'iitor gather outide the front door.Crowley i pacing about, inpecting the ground. !e point at o$ething, e/citedly.

Crowley &o 3ersian n"t trees% #ie the ones &hich gre& near the 4i##a Ca#dara55o. It's a

toen !rom the gods* hey mean me to #i,e here. ((o )iordano) $ay &e #oo inside

Giordano Certain#y.

Crowley enter. Ninette follow, then the boy. *choe e$anate fro$ within a the boy

ta$p their feet and hout. )iordano wait outide, $o"ing. (he four of the$ e'entually

e$erge.

Crowley he innermost chamber is encirc#ed by !i,e rooms. he con!ig"ration o! a star.

Ninette 'E,ery man and &oman is a star.'

Crowley he centra# chamber &i## be a temp#e de,oted to magica# &orings. We'## p#ace

the a#tar there. 6pon it sha## rest the s&ord% dagger% c"p% #amen and be##.

(he regard )iordano)

Giordano We## Yo" #ie

Crowley Yes. What is the rent

Giordano 78 #ira per month.

Crowley I thin it's &orth 97.

Giordano(*/tending hand) -one. I'## co##ect on the !irst :riday o! e,ery month.

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(hey ha"e hand. */it )iordano.

Crowley his 4i##a !"#!i#s a## my conditions. here's e,en a &e## !or "s to drin !rom.

Ninette No r"nning &ater

CrowleyR"nning &ater* +o& spoi#ed yo" are% ea"ty*

Ninette I'm "sed to city #i,ing.

Crowley Yo" didn't !ind &hat yo" &anted in Ne& Yor% did yo" What did her

sophisticated degenerates ha,e to o!!er

Ninette Nothing% I g"ess.

Crowleyhere are no tr"e mystics in merica. ;"st char#atans pedd#ing snae oi#. "t

yo" hall disco,er yo"r r"e Wi## here% in Ce!a#".

Ninette It's a bea"ti!"# to&n% a#right. he !ishing boats on the shore. he &hite&ashed

ho"ses.

Crowleyhe name means 'head'% by the &ay% as in 'encepha#itis'.

Ninette Isn't that a disease

Crowley In!#ammation o! the brain tiss"es. I do"bt yo" are at ris.

Ninette (gaing around) he ,ie&'s bea"ti!"#. Yo" can 0"st stand in the door&ay and see

the great roc o! Ce!a#" and the $editerranean sea.

CrowleyI can't stand the sight o! "ncon


9/72

Crowley ae the boys and &a# bac to the hote#. +a,e the porters !etch o"r !"rnit"re

and be#ongings here. hen send the pe a te#egram% s"mmoning her.

Ninette I'## need money.

Crowley(hand her o$e ban" note) Whi#st yo"'re at it% hire a man. We need someone

to maret% coo and c#ean ship.

Howard re &e going to #i,e here% "nc#e #eister

Crowley(rubbing the boy& head) Yes% +ermes. We sha## be as m"ch at home as a

m"mmy in a pyramid*


10/72

SCENE !OU

awn. Crowley, eah and Ninette tand outide the 'illa, facing the riing un. (hey'oice a ritual alutation.

"ll+ai# "nto hee &ho art Ra in thy rising% e,en "nto thee &ho art Ra in thy strength% &ho

tra,e##est o,er the hea,ens in thy bar at the "prising o! the s"n. ah"ti standeth in his

sp#endo"r at the pro&% and Ra/+oor abideth at the he#m. +ai# "nto thee !rom the abodes o!

night*

Crowley tand before hi two lo'er, deli'ering a peech.

Crowley he pe has arri,ed% and o"r !ami#y is comp#ete. No& the e2periment can begin

in earnest. We sha## estab#ish the La& o! he#ema as the ethica# basis o! a ne& socia# order.

+ere% in this Collegiu$ ad Spiritu$ Sanctu$% &e sha## estab#ish a &oring mode# o! the

society to come. society &here e,ery man and &oman !o##o&s their r"e Wi##s.

:"rthermore% this Co##ege o! the +o#y Spirit &i## stand as a training gro"nd% attracting ne&

discip#es !rom across the g#obe. hey sha## be initiated in the mysteries o! the rgenti"m

str"m% the Si#,er Star. he oo o! the La& sha## be o"r ho#y te2t% rendering a## others

obso#ete* &ay &ith the capita#ists% the crass and so"##ess ones% chasing the tai# o! pro!it.

With my ha&'s head I pec at the eyes o! ;es"s as he hangs "pon the cross* I !#ap my

&ings in the !ace o! $ohammed and b#ind him* With my c#a&s I tear o"t the !#esh o! the

Indian and the "ddhist% $ongo# and -in. I spit on yo"r crap"#o"s creeds*

(paue)

-o &hat tho" &i#t sha## be the &ho#e o! the #a&.

Wo#enLo,e is the #a&% #o,e "nder &i##.

Crowley -"ring the ne2t !e& days% I sha## occ"py myse#! &ith my magic% painting and

poetry. Sisters Cypris and #ostrae#% yo" m"st begin yo"r systematic training. -o not

neg#ect to #og yo"r acti,ities in yo"r magica# diaries.


11/72

SCENE !I$E

(he te$ple cha$ber. (he (hele$ite are holding a e/ $agic rite, deigned to celebratethe entry of the un into the odiacal ign of (auru. Crowley enter, robed in a golden

gown and ah. Ninette wear a carlet gown and ah. eah, deep indigo.

Leah and Ninette +ai# "nto thee% +e#ios/po##o* +ai# "nto thee Ra and So#* reader o!

days% on thy sanda#s o! !#ame. Come "nto "s as a phoeni2% a chi#d.

Ninette e$brace hi$.

NinetteWi#t tho" not c#ea,e to the bosom o! ries $ine is the #"st o! the goat1 myrt#e =

pheasant are sacred "nto me. I &o"#d anoint thee &ith the b#ood o! thine enemies% #aying

their s&ords be!ore thee.

Crowley hy ho"se &anes% maid o! ries. he ho"se o! a"r"s gro&s strong.

Ninette $y d"s o"tshines her da&n*

Ninette trip, then "neel. She raie Crowley& robe, fellating hi$. eah lowly circle

the$, with an alluring trut, before pea"ing.

Leah Sh"n the ro"gh gir# o! $ars% s&eet #ion. With mine ,apo"rs I god thee.

She put ether under hi noe.

CrowleyWho tempteth me !rom marriage to the da"ghter o! stri!e

Leah I% the b"## o! 4en"s. $y #imbs are 0e&e##ed &ith topa5 and my garden's ripe &ith

ma##o&. With my b#ood I in,ite thee. -rin% and be dr"nen thereo!.

She cut her ar$, letting blood drip into a goblet of wine. She hand it to Crowley who

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conu$e it.

Crowley Let modesty be o!!% or I'## !ore,er sh"n thee.

eah hi"e up her gown, bending o'er the altar pro'ocati'ely.

LeahYo" &ho ha,e &andered acacia gardens% come% be e2a#ted in my ho"se.$ae thy

,o&% then sacri!ice "nto me.

CrowleyI% #eister Croey% Laird o! o#esine% do hereby ,o& to attain the grade o!

Ipsissim"s be!ore the &inter so#stice.

!e $o'e toward eah, preparing to $ount her.

Crowley(loo"ing bac" at Ninette) -a"ghter o! ries% I desert and sh"n yo". ho" art #e!t

deso#ate% shado&ed% a#one. Yo"r iron cro&n r"sts% it's r"by !a##en.

Ninette (weeping) >o then*

Crowley ho" art !a##en !rom !emininity. noint thy s"ccessor &ith oi# and isses. Ser,e

her as a man1 coo# her #"st &ith yo"r #ips.

Ninette tride to the altar. She angrily plahe ritual oil o'er eah& bac".

Crowley ?iss her*

Ninette No* Why sho"#d+be the man I don't #o,e her* She's not e,en pretty. I'm the

pretty one* I sho"#d ha,e p#ayed a"r"s% not her*

Leah -o as yo"'re to#d*

Ninette No* Yo" t&o designed this rit"a# behind my bac% 0"st to h"mi#iate me* I'm not

ha,ing any more o! it*

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3ut on her robe and tor$ out in tear.

CrowleyNinette* Where are yo" going

Leah Come bac* We ha,en't !inished*

eah neaten her gown.

Crowley She can't go o"t in the dar #ie that. She's practica##y naed. esides% it's

po"ring &ith rain.

Leah She's 0"st s"#ing. She'## ret"rn.

CrowleyI can't ha,e her roaming abo"t in that state. Wait here% I'## go a!ter her.

!e lea'e.

eah& left alone a Crowley earche for Ninette. A light trobe lowly on, then off,

howing the paage of ti$e.

*ach ti$e it flahe, eah i een brooding in a different poition. After the third flah,

he i een clutching a bottle of brandy. A few flahe later, it& e$pty and he& rolling on

the floor, drun". (hen it i $ahed, and he bahe her head on the wall.

(he light go up a Crowley return with Ninette. oth are oa"ing wet. Crowley wear a

raincoat, Ninette 4ut her gown. Ninette hi'er. eah narl.

LeahYo" si##y #itt#e s#"t* Where ha,e yo" been

NinetteO"t.

LeahYo" rotten :rench so&* Yo"',e r"ined e,erything*

Ninette E"ghh* Yo"r breath rees o! #i


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Leah -on't eughhme* Who do yo" thin yo" are

Ninette (point) I'm his #o,er* Yo"'re 0"st a shabby dr"n.

eah narl and attac" Ninette. (hey cratch, lap, wretle and pull each other& hair.Crowley ta"e a long-handled opiu$ pipe fro$ the altar. !e light it, watching the

$ayhe$ with growing indifference.

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15/72

SCENE SIX

Spring, 1921. A year after their arri'al in Cefalu. Ninette ha been in the 'illage all day.She arri'e bac" inide the illa. eah greet her, in an e/cited $ood, ta"ing her by the

ar$ and leading her.

LeahCome


16/72

Ninette In yo"r bedroom I sho"#dn't #ie to spend a night in here.

Leah Nobody's in,iting yo" to% Sh"m&ay* I share this bedroom &ith herion*

CrowleyNo& no&% sisters* Yo"'re beha,ing #ie t&o s#"ts at scot. 6s he#emites are

abo,e petty 0ea#o"sies.

Ninette and LeahSorry.

!e face Ninette.

CrowleyYo" g"essed the tr"e p"rpose o! this chamber% Sister Cypris. hese m"ra#s are

meant to be contemp#ated a#one thro"gho"t the co"rse o! a !"## night.

Leah She made a #"cy g"ess.

Crowley No% it &as a sign. Cypris sho"#d be !irst to end"re he Chamber o! Nightmares.

LeahNo% #et me* She'## be scared o"t o! her &its* What "se &o"#d that be

Crowley he process is simi#ar to that o! psychoana#ysis. Cypris m"st !athom the abysses

o! horror. She m"st con!ront the most ghast#y possibi#ities o! he##. hen% &hen she's come

s"ccess!"##y thro"gh the tria#% she'## be imm"ne to those ideas o! e,i# &hich di,ide the so"#

!rom its di,ine se#!. She'## ha,e attained permanent mastery o! her mind.

(handing her a goblet)

Come% Sister Cypris. -rin this e#i2ir o! nightmares. I ha,e prepared it by a secret process.

It contains opi"m% anha#oni"m and hashish.

Ninette accept the goblet, but hold it ner'ouly, reluctant to drin". (he other regard

her intently.

Ninette ## night #one I can hard#y stand these horrors !or a second.

Crowley(placinghi ar$ round her houlder) Come% drin* S#ay a## yo"r ne"roses in one

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!e## s&oop. I sha## re#ease yo" !rom the !ear o! rea#ity.

Ninette :ear $y on#y !ear is that I sha## go star ra,ing mad.

Leah(oftly "iing her chee"%$adness is geni"s.

Ninette I !ee# #ie #ice in Wonder#and.

Crowley >ood. hen perhaps yo"'## be#ie,e si2 impossib#e things be!ore s"pper

!e clap her writ, raiing the cup to her $outh, then tipping it bac". A he wallow,

he whiper o'er her right houlder.

>ood gir#. Yo" sha## remain in here a## night% and I sha## brace the door c#osed. Yo"r #o&er

se#! sha## die in here. When da&n comes% the nightmare o! rea#ity sha## be "tter#y dispe##ed.

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SCENE SE$EN

Crowley and eah ha'e $o'ed into the te$ple cha$ber in the centre of the houe.

Ninette i loc"ed in the ad4oining night$are roo$. eah light a cigarette. Crowley ta"ea $all gla 'ial, and nort two doe of cocaine fro$ a poon.

LeahYo"'re taing too m"ch o! that*

Crowley I'm tired.

Leah hat's no e2c"se.

CrowleyYo" &ant to be !"ced tonight% don't yo"

LeahYes.

Crowleyhen don't begr"dge me a #itt#e arti!icia# stim"#"s.

Leah >i,e me some% then.

CrowleyNot &hi#st yo"'re pregnant.

(hey "i paionately, until interrupted by crea$. (hee echo fro$ the Cha$ber of

Night$are ne/t door. eah truggle to turn her head, but Crowley beco$e aroued

and pull her bac", "iing her harder. (he crea$ increae in 'olu$e, beco$ing $ore

ani$alitic and de$ented.

!oward and !ani enter the roo$, !oward in tear. !e tug on eah& lee'e until he

top "iing Crowley and turn to hi$.

HowardWhy is mother screaming

Leah here's a mo"se in the bedroom.

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19/72

HowardIt m"st be !right!"##y #arge. $ay I go and com!ort her

!oward goe o'er to the bo/ of cigarette, e/pertly lighting one. !e puff at it and

cough.

Crowley ae the boys o"t !or an e,ening stro##% pe.

Leaht this time Where on earth sha## &e go

Crowleyhat o#d maid in the ,i##age dotes on them. She'## ha,e them !or the night.

Leahs yo" say.

(hey lea'e. Crowley i left alone in the te$ple, with Ninette& de$ented crea$ echoing

fro$ ne/t door.

Ninette:or god's sae% #et me o"t*

Crowley ignore her plea. !e begin pacing up and down, co$poing poetry. !e ta"e

down note in an e/peni'e leather-bound diary.

CrowleyOh "ddha co"#d'st tho" no&here rest% a pi,ot !or the "ni,erse1 m"st a## things

be a#ie con!essed% mere changes r"ng "pon a c"rse.

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20/72

SCENE EIGHT

+nide the cha$ber of night$are. Crowley and eah ha'e 4ut finihed ha'ing e/. (heylie ide by ide on the bed. eah i wearing a lip, co'ering her pregnant belly5 Crowley

wear only hi hirt.

Crowley I'm &riting to the patent o!!ice tomorro&.

Leah Oh Why's that

CrowleyI'm app#ying to ha,e yo"r c"nt patented. he '+irsig patent ,ac""m p"mp'.

Leah-onAt be so !#ippant* Yo" are the >reat east% and I am yo"r Scar#et Woman.

CrowleyYo"'re po"ting% pe. -o yo" need another !"c "rn o,er% #et me tae yo" #ie a

man.

LeahYo" so"nd #ie a na"ghty chi#d* Why do yo" re,e# in petty sins% #ie sodomy

CrowleyWhy do yo" goad me

Leah eca"se yo" are sti## yo"r !ather's son. he preacher's son in rebe##ion against the

ib#e. Yo" are good at breaing r"#es in a r"#e/boo% that's a##.

Crowley I piss on the ib#e.

LeahWho cares abo"t that* I &i## in,ent ne& sins% !resh b#asphemies. garden o! eterna#

transgression.

Crowley (tro"ing her hip) $mmmmmm. Where do &e start

Leah I &i## taeyouas a gir# this time. s my #esbian #o,er.

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21/72

Crowley4ery &e##.Alice has been po"ting !or &ant o! #o,e.

She lap hi face then ho'e hi$ off the bed, onto the floor. She perche on the edge of

the bed.

LeahYo"A## get no #o,e !rom me% remember :or I ha,e i##ed my heart. >et on yo"r

nees% pretty one% and iss my !eet.

!e co$plie

e a dear and open yo"r shirt.

!e obey. She reache out, idly careing hi$.

Yo"r breast is ro"nded% #ie a &omanAs.

Crowley I ha,e a bise2"a# nat"re. I am a per!ect !#o&er. I rape myse#!.

Leah Not this time. :etch me a cigarette.

!e obey, ta"ing one fro$ a ide table, then lighting and inhaling it. !e hand it to eah,

who ta"e a long drag, before blowing $o"e in hi face.

I need an ashtray. pretty one &hich screams.

She e/tend her hand, o that the tip of the cigarette glow inche fro$ hi chet.

3ress onto it.

Crowley flinche bac", $oaning.

Co&ard* Yo" hide yo"r !ear o! s"!!ering* ## the mo"ntains yo"',e c#imbed. ## the tigers

yo"',e shot. hey'## co"nt !or nothing i! yo" !ai#.

She puhe the cigarette toward hi$. 6nce again, he hrin" bac".

I no& a## yo"r &eanesses. I a#one can c"re yo" o! them. No& be a good gir# and !o#d yo"r

arms.

!e obey. She uc" at the cigarette until the tobacco crac"le. (hen he lower it in front

of hi$. !e tighten hi lip and pree againt the cigarette.

Crowley rrrrrrr*** hat h"rt% yo" b#oody so&*

Leah (touling hi hair a he "neel before her) >ood gir#% #ice. Yo" see We can ha,e !ar

more !"n breaing yo"r r"#es. ## the #ies yo"',e to#d me. ## the b#"!!s. t !irst I tho"ght

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22/72

yo" &ere a &hore. "t no& I see yo"'re nothing b"t a !ra"d. Yo"',e b#"!!ed yo"r &ay

thro"gh #i!e.

Crowleyitch* (he point to hi chet, hi pride outraged) I s"r,i,ed ?angchen0"nga*

I i##ed a thie! in Ca#c"tta* I attained the trance o! Samadhi% and the ?noedge andCon,ersation o! mine +o#y >"ardian nge#* +o& then am I a b#"!!er

LeahYo"r magica# boasts are beyond yo"r po&ers* Yo" c#aim that yo" can contro# matter%

and t"rn my shit into nectar and ambrosia.

CrowleyYes.

Leah>o on then* Eat my shit*

CrowleyWhat

Leah I'm going to shit on the !#oor% and yo" are going to eat it*

eah $o'e into deep hadow, where he hit. Crowley watche aghat. After, he

point to the e/cre$ent.

LeahEat it*

Crowley No*

Leah-e,o"r the he#emic +ost*

Crowley (ha"e hi head) here is no &isdom a!ter this.

Leah #"!!er* Liar* he Indian Saddh"s #i,e on cremation gro"nds% and gorge themse#,es

on h"man !#esh. heir magic has beaten yo"rs*

Crowley!ter this% I'm going to !"c yo" in the arse.

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23/72

Leah "t !irst yo" m"st obey me% #itt#e #ice*

Crowley obey. !e $o'e into the hadow where he "neel and eat, retching, cho"ing

and 'o$iting all the while. eah tand o'er hi$ watching, her face conte$ptuou. After

a $inute he 4oin in, eating her own wate without apparent difficulty. (o the ide of thetage, an older 'erion of Crowley decribe the deed.

Crowley as Narratorhen I obeyed. $y mo"th b"rned1 my throat choed1 my be##y

retched1 my b#ood !#ed &ither &ho no&s% and my sin s&eated. She stood abo,e me

hideo"s in contempt1 she !i2ed snae's eyes on mine% and &ith most patient discip#ine% as

&ith most eager passion% as &ith s"b#ime de#ight% &as !ace to !ace &ith me% epiphany o! my

d"ty's archetype. +ierophantia stood she% her eyes "ttering #ight% her mo"th radiant

si#ence. She ate the body o! god% and &ith her so"#'s comp"#sion she made me eat. $y teeth

gre& rotten% my tong"e "#cered1 ra& &as my throat% spasm/torn my be##y% and a## my do"bt

o! that &hich to her teeth &as moon#ight% and to her tong"e ambrosia1 to her throat nectar%

in her be##y the one god o! &hose p"re body she sho"#d !resh her b#ood.

22


24/72

SCENE NINE

eah i in a hopital bed, following labour. Crowley i ad$itted to her roo$ by a nure.!e approache eah, and tand by the bedide bea$ing. She i holding a baby girl.

CrowleyYo"'re #ooing &e##. 3ositi,e#y g#o&ing.

Leah Rea##y I !ee# e2ha"sted.

Crowley di!!ic"#t #abo"r

Leah No. :ar easier than &hen I bore +ansi.

eah coo and ing to the baby.

LeahYo" ha,e a baby da"ghter. Wo"#d yo" #ie to ho#d her

Crowley lift the baby.

Crowley She's ,ery pretty. She deser,es a dainty 3arisian name. I sha## name her 3o"pee.

Leah She has yo"r eyes.

Crowley he Orienta# physiognomy comes !rom my mother's side. +er schoo# !riends

ca##ed her 'the #itt#e Chinese gir#' on acco"nt o! it. I inherited her #oos% a#ong &ith a

pre!erence !or Chinese and Egyptian tho"ght. (7oc" her in hi ar$, $iling proudly.) I

thin she'## gro& "p to be a &anton% heart#ess s#"t.

23


25/72

SCENE TEN

Morning. Ninette i in the te$ple, writing in her $agical diary. eah enter, loo"inge/hauted. Ninette hatily cloe the boo".

LeahWhere's #eister

Ninette +e'sAlicetoday. +e's gone into 3a#ermo to !ind some coc.

Leah nd &hat are yourp#ans !or today

Ninette I don't no&. pinch o! this% a dash o! that.

Leah+o& is yo"r mediation progressing Come on% I &ant to see yo" in asana.

NinetteYoga phooey. It isn't my Wi## to be a mystic. I'm more o! a sorceress.

Leah -on't "se that tone o! ,oice. It maes yo" so"nd #ie a cretin.

Ninette-on't #ect"re me. Yo" aren't my g"r".

Leah-id he s#eep &ith yo" #ast night

NinetteYes. What &ere yo" "p to% yo" #oo e2ha"sted

LeahN"rsing 3o"pee. She had a high !e,er.

NinetteIs she better no&

LeahYes% no thans to yo".

NinetteWhat's that s"pposed to mean

24


26/72

LeahI mean that in bygone days% yo"'d ha,e been b"rnt at the stae.

Ninettere yo" saying I'm a &itch

LeahYo" said it.

Ninette -on't ca## $e a &itch% yo" haggard o#d s#"t*

eah lap Ninette hard acro the face. Ninette burt into tear.

Leah+and o,er yo"r magica# diary* I &ant to no& &hat yo"',e been "p to*

NinetteNo* It's !or hi eyes% not yo"rs* Yo" aren't my master1 yo" mean nothing to me*

Or to anyone e#se !or that matter.

LeahI am the Scar#et Woman o! the >reat east*

NinetteOne in a #ong #ine* Yo" sho"#d chec #eister's diaries1 he casts &omen aside #ie

cigarette b"tts.

LeahYo"'re sore#y mistaen i! yo" thin yo" can tae my p#ace*

NinetteOpen yo"r eyes% pe. I a#ready ha,e* +e on#y eeps yo" here as a &et/n"rse to his

da"ghter.

Leahitch* +and o,er that diary.

eah lurche forward, grabbing for Ninette& Magical 7ecord. Ninette clap it to her

chet. (he two wo$en pit, cure, cratch and wretle for the boo". 8inally Ninette pull

away, running out of the cha$ber.

eah reache for a 'ial of cocaine, norting it aggrei'ely up her noe.

25


27/72

SCENE ELE$EN

All fi'e $e$ber of the fa$ily are ae$bled at the dinner table. (hey tand for$ally

before their plate.

Crowley Let "s say &i##. '-o &hat tho" &i#t sha## be the &ho#e o! the #a&'.

"ll-o &hat tho" &i#t sha## be the &ho#e o! the #a&.

Crowley'Lo,e is the #a&% #o,e "nder &i##'.

"ll Lo,e is the #a&% #o,e "nder &i##.

Crowley e seated and dine.

(hey obey. brie! si#ence is broen &hen Ninette stops eating and #oos at Croey.)

Ninette I ha,e some good ne&s.

CrowleyWhat

Ninette I'm e2pecting yo"r baby.

Ninette tare at eah, gauging the i$pact of her word. eah $ile bac" cal$ly.

Leah Rea##y hat maes t&o o! "s.

Crowley($iling) here m"st be something in the &e## &ater. 3erhaps I sho"#d bott#e it%

and se## it to chi#d#ess co"p#es

Leah +o& can yo" 0oe abo"t money/maing schemes We're bare#y ab#e to pay the rent.

2&


28/72

CrowleyS"##en ape* Why do yo" snar# in this time o! happiness

Leah eca"se &e ha,e t&o more mo"ths to !eed. +o& &i## 0oes pay !or more !ood

CrowleyCa"tion is the dead#iest sin. #&ays #eap be!ore yo" #oo1 the gods &i## s"re#y

c"shion yo"r #anding.

Leah 3o"pee is i##* +er medicine is e2pensi,e. We can't a!!ord more o! yo"r rec#ess

e2tra,agance.

CrowleyI! I &ere in a desert and I had b"t a ga##on o! &ater% my !irst act &o"#d be to

drin it to the dregs. I am the !oo# o! the tarot% tr"sting my !eet to the ya&ning abyss.

Ninette ($ug, uperior) he master's right. he gods ha,e a#ready repaid o"r !aith. he

broch"re &e printed has attracted a !irst rate discip#e.

LeahWho

Ninette certain ;ane Wo#!e &ants to ,isit "s. She's a +o##y&ood actress. Others &i##

!o##o& in her &ae% and pay !or the pri,i#ege.

Leah Oh. Why &asn't I to#d

Ninetteeca"se yo" ne,er ased.

Leah (tanding up to lea'e) 3o"pee needs me.

NinetteYes% go to yo"r da"ghter. he sic#y chi#d o! do"bt.

eah lea'e the roo$, 'iibly upet.

27


29/72

SCENE TWEL$E

Crowley i lying flat on hi bac" in the te$ple cha$ber. !i eye are cloed, a if$editating. A boy of ten enter, holding an en'elope. !e regard Crowley with a $i/ of

fear and bewilder$ent. *'entually he pluc" up the courage to "neel beide Crowley,

gently ha"ing hi ar$. (hi ha no effect, o he ha"e harder. (hen again, uite

'iolently. Crowley wa"e. !i eye nap open, the ret of hi$ $otionle.

Messen%er &oy (proffering the en'elope) $essage mister Cro&/#er.

Crowley turn to face hi$

CrowleyWhat is it Who sent yo"

Messen%er &oyI bring message.

Crowley it up, rubbing hi nu$b ar$ before ta"ing the en'elope.

Crowley4ery good.

!e fihe in hi poc"et, then tip the boy with a coin.

Messen%er &oyYo" are dr"n

Crowley No. I &as pro0ecting my body o! #ight. 3erhaps in !"t"re yo"'d be so ind as to

#ea,e me to it. o be shoo a&ae is terrib#y 0arring to one's energies.

Messen%er &oyWhat

Crowley read the $eage, and hi face fall.

Crowley (flat tone) Ne,er mind. ;"st go% there's a good #ad.

2


30/72

SCENE THITEEN

Crowley tride into the hopital at 3aler$o. eah it in the waiting roo$. A he hearhi$ approach, he glance up at hi$ blea"ly. Crowley tand a few feet fro$ her ide.

Leah(till eated) Yo"r da"ghter died #ast night.

Crowley $o'e away. !e lean againt a wall in the tre poition, burying hi face.

eah tentati'ely approache hi$, tanding to hi right.

Leah (doubtful, hyterical 'oice) his is right. he gods &ere right to s#ay o"r da"ghter.

Yo" are a prophet% not a !ather. his &as neither o! o"r &i##s. he baby &as an accident.

Right

No repone.

It's my o&n !a"#t. he oo o! the La& &arned me this &o"#d happen. 'Let the Scar#et

Woman be&are* I! pity and compassion and tenderness ,isit her heart% i! she #ea,e my

&or to toy &ith o#d s&eetnesses% then sha## my ,engeance be no&n. I &i## s#ay me her

chi#d% I &i## a#ienate her heart% I &i## cast her o"t !rom menB as a shrining and despised

har#ot sha## she cra thro"gh d"s &et streets% and die co#d and an/h"ngered.' his is the

0"stice o! the gods. Right

Crowley hrug her away. !e re$ain froen in poition. eah $o'e to hi left, facing

tage front. She drop to her "nee and huddle in a ball, obbing, her face buried.

2


31/72

SCENE !OUTEEN

eah i reco'ering in a bedroo$ at the 'illa, ha'ing uffered a $icarriage. Ninette itending to her, $opping her brow.

Leah (enfeebled 'oice) Where is #ec +e hasn't "ttered a &ord to me since the

miscarriage.

Ninette $editating. +eAs been sitting in asana !or !i,e ho"rs. +e says menta# discip#ine is

his on#y re!"ge no&.

Leahnd &hat is my re!"ge e a dear and pass me the coe.

Ninette&e',e none #e!t.

Leah he heroin% then.

NinetteNo. Yo"'re too &ea.

Leah So &hat i! it i##s me What ha,e I #e!t to #ose oth my babies are dead. Yo"r baby is

hea#thy &ithin yo"r be##y. So be a good &inner% and prepare a !e& grains o! dope.

Crowley enter.

Leah Co"#d yo" #ea,e "s% p#ease% Sister Cypris I'd #ie to spea to #ec a#one.

NinetteO! co"rse. (Ninette lea'e. Crowley begin tending to eah.)

LeahWe need to ta#. It's abo"t Sister Cypris.

3#


32/72

SCENE !I!TEEN

(he te$ple cha$ber. Crowley and eah are tood behind the altar. oth are wearing

blue and gold robe. Crowley ha a word in hi right hand, holding it point upward,li"e a ceptre. eah hold a la$p in her left hand. (he roo$& in hadow, e/cept a few

candle on the altar.

A "noc" on the door.

CrowleyEnter.

Ninette enter.

Crowley ?nee# on both thine nees.

Ninette obey.

CrowleyI ha,e e2amined yo"r magica# record. It's c#ear that yo"',e &ored a b#ac

magica# c"rrent against my chi#dren% born and "nborn. -o yo" ha,e anything to say in

yo"r de!ence

NinetteIt's a pac o! #ies* he pe doctored my diary. She !orged my hand&riting.

Crowley(hout) Si#ence* Yo" m"rdered my chi#dren*

3aue.

NinetteWhat sha## become o! me

CrowleyYo" admit it% then (3aue.) I ne,er dreamed s"ch things &ere possib#e. hat I

had this mess in my o&n circ#e.

Leah I demand her death* Send demons to rend her% and her "nborn chi#d*

31


33/72

Crowley (regarding Ninette) No. She carries my #i,ing chi#d. Let her be banished instead.

Ninette protrate herelf at Crowley& feet, claping hi an"le and obbing hyterically.

Ninette No* I can't be parted !rom yo"% my #o,e* Yo" ha,e cast the &or#d into shado&.

Yo" are my on#y #ight*

Crowley egone &itch. egone ,ampire. egone asp. ho" sha#t be sh"nned hence!orth%

as a centre o! pesti#ence.

NinetteI did it !or yo"* he oo o! the La& co"nse#s "s to s#ay the &ea* It commands

brothers to !ight% so that the pro"d and bea"ti!"# may be dr"n on the p#eas"re o! tri"mph.

hat they may stamp the &ea#ings into the soi#. What abo"t sisters re &e not &arriors

too I sa& &eaness and "g#iness in the pe and a## her brood. So I t"rned yo"r &ords into

deeds and s#e& her o!!spring.

Crowley -on't #ect"re me on my o&n re#igion* >o*

Ninette lea'e laughing hyterically.

32


34/72

SCENE SIXTEEN

A dar" tage. (he elder Crowley tand in a potlight.

Crowley as Narrator $y bbey o! he#ema began to attract ne& discip#es. hey &ere o!

mi2ed


35/72

Crowley hat's


36/72

e2periments at home% nothing happened. Yo"'re the ey ,ariab#e. hey ca## it 'the Croey

e!!ect'.

Crowley hey're #a5y% that's a##.

Ce'ilYo" sho&ed them &onders.

Crowley r"e. "t I don't pride myse#! on empty mirac#es. ## my po&ers are de,oted to

one ca"seB besto&ing theoo" of (he aw "pon manind. hat% and e#"cidating the

mysteries encoded in its pages. Wi## yo" p"t aside yo"r persona# ambitions% and he#p me

&ith this ca"se

Ce'ilI &i##% great teacher* Yo"r nobi#ity is an inspiration. With yo"r po&ers% yo" co"#d

achie,e any goa#. Yo" co"#d become rich% or sei5e &or#d#y po&er. Instead yo" see to teach

manind.

Crowley($ile) >ood. nd I'## repay yo"r ser,ices by teaching yo" the !"ndamenta#s.

Yo" mericans are easi#y sed"ced by g#amo"r. So &e'## start &ith the #east g#amoro"s% and

most ard"o"s co"rse o! st"dy. Yo" are to #earn yoga.

Ce'ilYoga I don't see myse#! as one o! those India/r"bber men.

CrowleyNo

Ce'il$y goa# is to #earn astra# !#ight. o rise on the p#anes% and con,erse &ith s"per/

h"man inte##igences.

CrowleyWhat "se &i## that be% i! yo" ha,e no inte##igence o! yo"r o&n

Ce'ilI'm sorry

CrowleyYo"r mind #acs discip#ine* I co"#d send yo" soaring "p into the astra# p#anes%

0"st as s"re#y as I co"#d #o!t a ba## onto the green at St. ndre&s. "t it &o"#d be a point#ess

e2ercise*

35


37/72

Ce'il"t that's precise#y &hat I came here !or*

Crowley I co"#d b"y +ermes a ticet to the Lo",re% and &atch him mi## abo"t #ie the

rest#ess yo"ng anima# he is. I sho"#d ha,e &asted my :ranc. he same is tr"e o! yo"% inre#ation to the astra#. Yo" ha,en't #earnt yo"r C's yet.

Ce'ilI'm not s"re I #ie yo"r ana#ogy.

Crowley (pat hi$ on the houlder) -on't tae it persona##y% o#d chap. his is a scienti!ic

organi5ation. Impersona# criticism is the order o! the day. (!e roll up hi lee'e,

re'ealing a ladder of horiontal car.) Yo" see these scars +o&'d yo" s"ppose I got

them

Ce'il (itting bac", croing hi ar$) I',e no idea.

Crowley hey're so",enirs o! bitter d"e#s I !o"ght &ith my o&n mind. Yo" see% e,ery time

my attention &a,ered d"ring meditation practice% I c"t myse#! &ith a ra5or. I sha##% o!

co"rse% e2pect yo" to do the same.

Ce'ilYo" can't serio"s#y e2pect me to c"t myse#!

CrowleyIt's nothing &hen yo" consider the re&ards. Consider any mo"ntaineer. Isn't he

prepared to sacri!ice his toes to !rostbite% 0"st to e2perience the ,ie& !rom the s"mmit

Ce'ilYes% I s"ppose...

Crowley 3recise#y. $editation &i## sho& yo" things &hich mae the most spectac"#ar

,ie&s seem #ie p#ates in a chi#d's pict"re boo. I promise yo"% the re&ards are &orth it.

Start by sitting in the #ot"s position.

Cecil it in the lotu poition, leg croed, hand reting on hi thigh.

he ne2t step is to remain motion#ess in yo"r asana.

Crowley fill a gla fro$ a pitcher, and ret it on Cecil& head.

3&


38/72

Crowleynd so yo"r !irst test begins. I'## ret"rn in an ho"r to chec yo"r progress. "t be

&arned. I! yo"',e spi##ed so m"ch as a drop% it &i## mean !ai#"re. hen the &ho#e e2ercise

&i## start !rom scratch.

Cecil lift the gla fro$ hi head.

Ce'il I didn't come a## this &ay to #earn deportment*

Crowley 3erse,ere. Concentration is e,erything in magic.

Ce'ilWhy Why is it e,erything 3ro,e it*

CrowleyYo" &ant to see &hat a trained mind can do 4ery &e##. Crowley ta"e a eat at

the dining table. !e unwind hi il" carf, uing it to blindfold hi$elf.

Ce'ilWhat are yo" doing

CrowleySet "p the chessboard. (Cecil obey.) Is it done

Ce'ilI thin so.

Crowley>ood. here's another board in the st"dio. e## the pe to stop &hate,er she's

doing% and set it "p. I'm going to p#ay yo" both% b#ind!o#ded.

Cecil lea'e, returning a $inute later.

Ce'ilShe's ready.

Crowley E2ce##ent. Yo"r board &i## be designated board 1 Leah's board . $ae yo"r

!irst mo,e.

Ce'il I'm sorry% I',e ne,er p#ayed chess be!ore. Is it the same as dra"ghts

CrowleyWhat

37


39/72

Ce'il It's on#y a game.

Crowley(angrily re$o'ing the blindfold) Can't p#ay chess* hat's yo" mericans a## o,er%

isn't it ## be##s and &hist#es and gimmics* Not a brain amongst yo".

Ce'il -on't ins"#t my co"ntry*

Cecil tor$ out of the cha$ber.

3


40/72

SCENE SE$ENTEEN

(hat night, in hi bedroo$, Crowley it down at a dreing table $a"ing hi face up

with co$etic. eah $a"e e/ual ad'ance which he refue.

LeahWhat are yo" doing

Crowley$aing "p my !ace #ie the #o&est ind o! &hore.

LeahWhy Where are yo" going

CrowleyO"r merican g"est is being


41/72

Ce'ilCroey* What do yo" &ant

Crowley o stir thee &ith rapt"res &hich transcend reason. I &o"#d anoint thee &ith the

in o! c"tt#es% and per!"me thee &ith the song o! snaes.

Ce'ilSorry #ice. Yo"'re not my type.

Crowley hen #ea,e tomorro& morning.

Cecil open the door a fraction.

Ce'ilre yo" serio"s

CrowleyYo" ne& that se2 magic &as on the c"rric"#"m. Yo" are o! no !"rther "se to

me.

Ce'ilOh yeah We## I don't thin m"ch to yo"% or yo"r magic* Yo"'re an a"thor% a

#itterate"r. Yo" dream "p metaphors &hi#st meditating. Yo"r magic is a peg on &hich to

hang yo"r a"thoring.

Crowley $y pen is mightier than any s&ord yo" co"#d hope to &ie#d.

Ce'ilre yo" threatening me

CrowleyNo. "t I &i## destroy yo" in print. >ood night. -on't #et the ,ampires bite.

!e wal" off. Cecil i left leaning againt the doorfra$e, de'atated.

4#


42/72

SCENE EIGHTEEN

ondon. Noon. A cheap flat off 7egent Street. 7aoul o'eday i in bed, in a doped leep.

!i wife, etty May, ha"e hi$ awa"e.

Loveday$mmmm. $y head's sp#itting. :etch a g#ass o! &ater% p#ease

etty fetche the water, handing it to hi$. o'eday drin". !i wife it on the ide of the

bed.

&etty MayYo"',e been gone t&o days.

Loveday Oh >one &here

&etty May >od no&s. When yo" ret"rned #ast night% yo" &ere co,ered in d"st and soot.

Yo"r breath reeed o! ether. I had to p"t yo" to bed.

LovedayWhat time is it no&

&etty MayNoon. Yo"',e been as#eep se,enteen ho"rs.

Loveday :"c.

&etty May I tho"ght &e both agreed to #ay o!! dope

LovedaySorry. It's a## starting to come bac. I "sed some ether as a scienti!ic e2periment.

&etty MayYo" no& it too me year to


43/72

Loveday Sorry. I didn't &ant to "ndermine yo".

&etty MayWho &ere yo" &ith% any&ay

LovedayCroey.

&etty May#eister Croey he mystic

LovedayYes. +e ga,e me ether to #oosen the girders o! my so"#.

&etty MayI',e met him. +e ,isited Epstein's st"dio &hen I &as mode##ing there. I'd

sooner yo" stayed a&ay !rom him.

LovedayWhy

&etty May+e scared me.

Loveday +e's a great man. nd he sees greatness in me. +e says I'm the man he's been

seeing !or the #ast ten years. man &ith e,ery gi!t that a $ag"s co"#d need.

&etty May hat's 0"st !#attery% Rao"#* +e's a parasite. +e'## #atch onto yo"% and s"c yo"

dry.

Loveday Listen% etty $ay. I no& he "ses &ea#thy patrons to !"nd his &or. "t &e ha,e

no money% so he can't be e2p#oiting "s. I'm a nat"ra# magician. It's my !orte% 0"st as yo"rs is

mode##ing. It's my r"e Wi## to de,e#op my po&ers.

&ettyMay No& yo"'re spo"ting his gobb#edegoo.

Loveday3#ease. We',e been in,ited to stay &ith Croey in his abbey at Ce!a#". +e'## be

paying o"r #i,ing e2penses. I sincere#y &ant to go% and I'd #ie yo" to bac my decision.

&etty May#right% a#right. We're !#at broe% so I s"ppose &e sho"#d consider his o!!er.

42


44/72

Where'd yo" say he's based

Loveday Ce!a#". It's a sma## to&n on the coast o! Sici#y.

&etty MayIt so"nds bac&ards and d"##.

LovedayWe'## stay !or a year% at most. +is organi5ation% the rgenti"m str"m% is

attracting &ea#thy discip#es !rom E"rope and merica. Once I',e attained the grade o!

$ag"s% I'## be entr"sted &ith a #odge in Ne& Yor or London.

&etty May So yo" ,ie& it as a career mo,e

LovedayYes. Croey's training methods are s&i!t and s"re. +e achie,es res"#ts in wee"%

&hereas it too the >o#den -a&n year to de,e#op their candidates. +e's the rea# thing%

that's !or s"re. he heosophists and Rosicr"cians are !ae% b"t their members n"mber in

the tho"sands. Once &ord gets aro"nd that there's a rea# mystica# schoo#% their members

&i## !#oc to "s.

&etty May >en"ine or not% Croey has a habit o! maing enemies. I &o"#dn't &ant to be

amongst them.

43


45/72

SCENE NINETEEN

o'eday and etty May arri'e outide the Abbey. o'eday "noc" on the front door.Crowley anwer.

Crowley (to o'eday) -o as tho" &i#t sha## be the &ho#e o! the #a&.

Loveday Lo,e is the #a&% #o,e "nder &i##.

Crowley Enter. (o'eday enter, Crowley regard etty a he re$ain tanding

outide). -o as tho" &i#t sha## be the &ho#e o! the #a&.

&etty May >ood e,ening*

Crowley glare at her. A few econd aw"ward ilence.

$ay I come in no&% p#ease

Crowley (enraged) 6se the correct greeting*

&etty May Is it rea##y necessary

Crowley his is the bbey o! he#ema. Yo" &i## ,oice an appropriate greeting% or be

denied entry.

&etty MayWhat &as it Rao"# said

CrowleyLo,e is the #a&% #o,e "nder &i##.

&etty MayOay% oay. (half-heartedly) Lo,e is the #a&% #o,e "nder &i##.

Crowley (preing hi face to her%Say. It. 3roper#y.

44


46/72

&etty May (uddenly inti$idated) Lo,e is the #a&% #o,e "nder &i##.

Crowley>et inside.

45


47/72

SCENE TWENT(

+nide the "itchen:dining roo$. Crowley lead the pair to the dining table. eah i buycoo"ing at a to'e. ;ean


48/72

(hey ign, handing bac" the heet. Crowley reache into hi poc"et. !e hand each guet

a $all ob4ect wrapped in red il".

Crowley R"#e n"mber !i,e is o! specia# importance. I bo"ght yo" each a sma## gi!t% to he#pyo" obey it.

&etty Mayopen it c"t/throat ra5or* I did pac my o&n% yo" no&. I',e no intention o!

t"rning into the earded Lady o! 3a#ermo.

Crowley his is no #a"ghing matter. -"ring yo"r stay% yo"'## be s"b0ect to strict magica#

discip#ine. he ra5ors are to be se#!/administered on yo"r arms% in the case o! yo" #apsing

into the "se o! the persona# prono"n.

&etty May he &hat

LovedayWe're not a##o&ed to "se the &ord 'I'.

CrowleyYo" 0"st did.

Loveday3oint taen.

o'eday open the raor and roll up hi left lee'e. !e ad$initer a $all cut on hi left

ar$, wincing at the pain. Crowley watche appro'ingly, before handing hi$ a dreing.

etty watche with growing horror.

&etty May(hurling the raor acro the roo$%We## I'm ha,ing none o! it* I'## spea

e2act#y as I sho"#d &here,er I am.

LovedayRemember that yo"'re a g"est% etty*

&etty MayI'm a mode#% I can't a!!ord to &rec my arms. esides% I can't stand the sight o!

b#ood*

47


49/72

Crowleyhat's se,en times yo"',e "sed the persona# prono"n. I thin yo" sho"#d

!o##o& yo"r h"sband's e2amp#e.

&etty MayWhat abo"t yo" Yo" 0"st said 'I'

CrowleyI'm the teacher. Yo" are both my p"pi#s. What ind o! teacher gi,es himse#!

#ines

Lovedaypo#ogies% #eister. We're both a #itt#e tired !rom o"r #ong 0o"rney. One thins

etty needs a #ie/do&n.

Crowley4ery &e##. I',e prepared separate rooms !or yo" in the 6mbi#ic"s.

LovedayI'## e2p#ain the e2ercise to my &i!e tomorro&. Once she no&s the point% she'## be

eager to co/operate.

&ettyMay No I &on't.

CrowleyYo" "sed the persona# prono"n again% :rater "d.

Loveday-id I Oh drat*

Crowley hat's t&o more c"ts. "t since yo"'re !atig"ed% &e'## ca## it one.

Loveday4ery &e##.

!e cut hi ar$ again.


50/72

CrowleyNo. Indeed one &o"#dn't.

4


51/72

SCENE TWENT(-ONE

o'eday i in the te$ple, tripped to the wait. !e it cro-legged, $o"ing fro$ ahoo"ah pipe. 6n hi right i hi $agical diary, on the left i a copy of Crowley& boo" ===.

!e ta"e a long drag, then cloe hi eye for a $inute, in re'erie. (hen he write an

entry in hi diary, before conulting ===. etty enter.

&etty MayOh my* Yo"r &ho#e body is co,ered in scars*

LovedaySo",enirs o! my d"e#s &ith the persona# prono"n.

&etty MayWhat're yo" smoing It sme##s #ie hashish.

Loveday he $aster herion said his p"pi# is s"!!ering !rom spirit"a# dryness. he hemp

e2cites the acti,ities o! said p"pi#'s so"#.

&etty MayYo"'re pa#e* +o& m"ch ha,e yo" smoed

Loveday Eno"gh. een at it !o"r ho"rs. he ,isions began an ho"r ago. One #ogs them in

one's magica# record% and interprets them &ith===. What do yo" s"ppose a b#ac cat

represents

&etty May here's one sitting o,er there% &hy don't yo" as it

Crowley enter. !e glare at the cat.

CrowleyWho #et that b#asted thing in the temp#e

&etty May It #ooed dread!"##y thin% so I !ed it some scraps in the itchen. It m"st ha,e

crept in here a!ter&ards.

CrowleyIt has to go. It's attracting bad #"c.

5#


52/72


53/72

SCENE TWENT(-TWO

(he te$ple cha$ber. etty enter to find the cat till rooted to the pot.

&etty May (to the cat) What are yo" doing bac here I carried yo" !ar !rom the bbey

this morning. -on't te## me yo" &ant to be sacri!iced

*nter o'eday and Crowley in cere$onial robe. A large >u"ri "nife i trapped to

o'eday& belt.

CrowleyStep aside% etty $ay.

&etty MayNo* his &ho#e a!!air is rep"gnant* It rees o! anima# cr"e#ty.

Loveday 3#ease% etty. Lea,e the bbey !or an ho"r. >o !or a stro##.

&etty May (lea'ing) Yo"'re as re,o#ting as he is*

A brief ilence. (hey regard the ani$al a it it froen in place.

CrowleyS#ay the cat.

o'eday draw the "u"ri. !e hold it poied abo'e the ani$al& head, hi hand tre$bling.

CrowleyWhat are yo" &aiting !or% :rater "d

Loveday It's 0"st....I',e ne,er act"a##y i##ed be!ore.

CrowleyYo" eat meat% don't yo"

LovedayYes.

Crowleynd yo"'re happy eno"gh to #et s#a"ghter/men do yo"r dirty &or% so #ong as it's

52


54/72

done o"t o! yo"r sight

LovedayYes.

Crowley hen b#ood's a#ready on yo"r hands. Come on% the cat &on't mind. 3erhaps it'##be reborn as a god.

Loveday#right.

o'eday wing the blade clu$ily. (he cat howl horribly. +t run around the te$ple

cha$ber, wailing.

LovedayIt...it's sti## a#i,e* Oh the &retched s"!!ering* What am I s"ppose to do

Crowley Stand aside yo" !oo#. Let me etherise it.

Crowley ta"e a bottle of ether and oa" hi hand"erchief. !e catche the cat and hold it

to it noe.

+ere. No& ho#d it !irm#y.

Loveday #holding the cat under hi left ar$)It's b#eeding a## o,er me. I% I can't stand it*

CrowleyYo"r co&ardice is pro#onging its s"!!ering* ?i## it !ast% yo" &ea#ing*

Loveday It's escaped*

Crowley?i##*

LovedayCan't &e spare it

Crowleynd #et it die a s#o& death !rom in!ection -on't be s"ch a !oo#.

!e catche it.

53


55/72

+ere% I'm ho#ding it. S&ing hard% s&ing s"re. -on't b#in this time.

Crowley e/tend hi ar$, holding the cat in both hand. o'eday obey.

Crowley Idiot. Yo"',e a## b"t decapitated it* F"ic% grab a bo and !i## it &ith b#ood.

o'eday co$plie. Crowley dip hi finger in and trace a pentagra$ on o'eday&

forehead. (hen he pour a little blood into a il'er cup.

ae this c"p% and drin to the dregs.

o'eday obey. Crowley $ile.

>ood. his bbey has been prey to hosti#e spirits !or too #ong. O"r b#ood sacri!ice has

p"rged and c#eansed it.

o'eday cho"e, and 'o$it a little in the corner. Crowley pat hi$ on the houlder.

Crowley## done No& be a good man and he#p me c#ean "p this mess.

54


56/72

SCENE TWENT(-THEE

A bedroo$ in the Abbey. o'eday i ill in bed. !e leep. etty it beide hi$, touchingher pal$ to hi hot forehead. Crowley tand watching.

&etty May +e's !e,erish* +e &as a !oo# to tr"st yo". I can't be#ie,e yo" made him drin

cat's b#ood* +e's probab#y contracted hepatitis. nd !or &hat What p"rpose did the &ho#e

,i#e charade ser,e

Crowley i ilent.

&etty May Rao"# is a good man* he best yo" co"#d hope to attract to yo"r #"natic sect.

+a,e yo" any idea ho& precio"s he is to me

Crowley i ilent.

&etty May(raied 'oice) Yo" doped him &ith hashish and &eaened his hea#th. Yo" too

a good man and &rote him o!! him% cas"a##y and rec#ess#y. Yo"rs is a re#igion o! death*

CrowleyIt's 0"st a #itt#e !e,er. Sister #ostrae# has sent !or a doctor.

o'eday awa"en. !e pea" in a wea", fe'erih 'oice.

Loveday-on't b#ame Croey. I bro"ght this on myse#!.

&etty MayWhen &i## yo" stop de!ending him*

LovedayIt's tr"e* Remember &hen &e &ent hiing the other day Croey &arned "s not

to drin !rom the springs. Yo" heeded him% b"t I didn't. he midday s"n &as

o,er&he#ming. I became so thirsty that I co"#dn't resist.

CrowleyIs this tr"e

55


57/72

etty nod.

hose springs are s&arming &ith bacteria. Why did yo" ignore me*

LovedayI'm sorry.

Crowley I ased those imbeci#es to p"t "p &arning signs. hey didn't #isten.

!e loo" at o'eday, gra'ely.

(8orcing opti$i$) Come on% etty $ay. -r. $aggio &i## be a#ong in d"e co"rse. We

sho"#d #et yo"r h"sband rest.

5&


58/72

SCENE TWENT(-!OU

o'eday i till in bed. !i health ha deteriorated. etty May 'iit hi$. She herelfloo" pale and unwell.

&etty May his sho"#d cheer yo" "p. It's a #etter !rom yo"r mother.

7aoul open and read it.

Loveday +mmm% this isn't good at a##. he ne&spapers are sti## attacing Croey. I!

anything their attacs are getting &orse. $other's beside herse#! &ith &orry.

&etty May -o yo" ha,e copies o! those ne&spapers

LovedayYes. $others been sending them e,ery !ortnight. We need to &rite bac and p"t

her mind at ease. I'## dictate a #etter.

etty ta"e pen and paper. o'eday begin dictation.

Loveday

-earest $other.

It appears that some cheap ne&spapers ha,e been printing #ies in order to increase their

circ"#ation. ##o& me to reass"re yo" that their scanda#/mongering has no !o"ndation in

!act. Croey and his bbey are thoro"gh#y respectab#e. Li!e &ithin its &a##s is &ho#esome

and a"stere. +is integrity and cond"ct are e2emp#ary.

I'm p#eased to add that both myse#! and my &i!e are in good hea#th. We are sa!e and happy.

Ce!a#" is a simp#e% "nspoi#ed Ita#ian to&n. We are ab#e to en0oy !resh !ish% o#i,es and c#ean

co"ntry air. O"r days are !i##ed &ith hard% honest &or% and &e are bo"nd together in

!e##o&ship.

57


59/72

I tr"st that yo"r !ears ha,e been a##ayed. 3#ease a,oid the g"tter press in !"t"re.

Lo,e%

Yo"r son% Rao"#.

&ettyMay hat &as a pac o! #ies* Yo"'re as &ea as &ater% and bare#y ab#e to mo,e*

Loveday3#ease% etty $ay. ;"st post the #etter. I &ant it sent in the ne2t post.

&etty Mays yo" &ish.

etty May lea'e. 6n the way out, he urreptitiouly grab o$e of the newpaper.

5


60/72

SCENE TWENT(-!I$E

etty it at the table in the "itchen:dining roo$. She write on the bac" of o'eday&letter.

&etty MayIt grie,es me to go behind my h"sband's bac% b"t I am dread!"##y &orried.

Yo"r son has been sending reass"ring #etters !or the #ast t&o months. 6n!ort"nate#y he has

been sparing yo" the harsh !acts. Yo"r son is se,ere#y i##% and is too &ea to be mo,ed. nd

that's not the &orst o! it.

Croey has become a manip"#ati,e tyrant. +e is #aying do&n a## sorts o! r"#es% r"#es that

co"#d not possib#y be ept. I ha,e ne,er &ored so hard in my #i!e as I ha,e here. I am ,ery

i##% myse#!% b"t I am #ooing a!ter Rao"# as best I can. +e &ants a good &arm bed and

no"rishment &hich &e cannot get here. I! Rao"# gets better% Croey thins o! parting "s

and &hat can &e do We ha,e no money and are dependent "pon him !or o"r !ood.

etty eal the en'elope. (hen he begin to read the *nglih newpaper. Crowley wal"

in and catche her.

CrowleyWhat the he## are those*

&etty MayWhat does it #oo #ie

CrowleyYo" are !orbidden to read Eng#ish ne&spapers. Yo" s&ore an oath in &riting on

yo"r arri,a#.

&etty MayWhy% &ere yo" trying to hide something

She tart reading the headline aloud.

'#eister Croey's Orgies in Sici#y.' 'he Wicedest $an In the Wor#d.' ' $an We'd Lie

to +ang.' Yes% &o"#dn't &e*

5


61/72

Crowley (grabbing at the paper) >i,e me those*

&etty May No*

!e chae her around the table, finally natching the paper fro$ her grap, and tearing

the$ in two.

Crowley No& get o"t*

&etty MayWhat

CrowleyYo"',e broen bbey r"#es !or the #ast time* >o* I order yo" to #ea,e*

&etty May No* I'm not abandoning Rao"# to die in this !i#thy madho"se.

Crowley au$e a wretling tance.

Crowley>et o!! my property% be!ore I thro& yo" o!!*

!e $o'e forward. etty grab the re'ol'er fro$ the table.

Yo" &o"#dn't dare*

etty fire a wild hot which $ie. Crowley laugh, lapping the pitol fro$ her hand.

She ruhe at hi$, failing to get a grip on hi ha'ed head. Crowley pic" her up, flinging

her out of the front door. !e la$ it.

&etty May(fro$ behind the door) Where am I s"pposed to go

CrowleyYo" can stay in the hote#*

&etty May I'm not going any&here &itho"t Rao"#. I'd rather s#eep on the doorstep.


62/72

CrowleyWe shoot stray dogs% etty $ay. Yo"'d better #ea,e the gro"nds.

#She ob%

Crowley I'm s"re yo"'## be conso#ed by a host o! admirers*

&1


63/72

SCENE TWENT(-SIX

o'eday i in bed, left unconciou by a fe'er-leep. Crowley enter, and begin tro"inghi hair.

CrowleyYo"r &i!e thins I'm a monster% Lo,eday. She b#ames me !or yo"r condition. he

tr"th is% I am a monster. Yet I'm a#so an ange#. I am the mo"ntain t&inned &ith the abyss.

##


64/72

Yo"'re dying% Lo,eday.

o'eday $oan

-on't &orry% it is yo"r right. Yo" can go no&1 I &on't #et the others ho#d yo" bac. Not yo"r&i!e% not yo"r parents% not yo"r d"ties. Yo"r &or here is done% and the go#den da&n

a&aits yo".

Stro"e hi hair, 'ery tenderly.

Yo" came here to die. I a#&ays ne& this. ae my hand% Rao"#.

Crowley ta"e hi hand, then whiper in o'eday& ear.

'I ca## it gro&th% and #o,e#ier than a## the g#amo"rs o! the day.'

o'eday $oan, awa"ening.

LovedayWhat is it What's happening

Crowley Nothing. >et some rest% my !riend.

!e lea'e the bedroo$.

&3


65/72

SCENE TWENT(-SE$EN

Afternoon in the Abbey. Crowley i itting at the dining table, along with eah. o'edayi propped up in a chair, with a wo'en blan"et up to hi nec", loo"ing pale and wea".

;ane


66/72

SCENE TWENT(-EIGHT

(he ground of the illa Santa arbara. etty tand outide the front door. Crowley,eah and ;ane tand in front, denying her entry.

&etty MayI demand to see my h"sband% and n"rse him bac to hea#th*

CrowleyWe'## meet yo"r demands on one condition.

&etty MayWhat

eah wal" toward her with an affida'it and a pen.

Crowley I &ant yo" to sign this a!!ida,it. It's a ne"tra# acco"nt o! recent e,ents% dra&n "p

by Sister #ostrae#.

&etty MayWhy sho"#d I

Crowley o ho#d yo"r #ies in chec. I no& yo"',e been p#anning a smear campaign.

etty "i$-read the affida'it, before rapidly igning. She thrut it toward eah.

&etty May here. Satis!ied*

Crowley and the other tep aide, e/poing the doorway.

Crowley Stay in yo"r room and don't bother the others.

&5


67/72

SCENE TWENT(-NINE

rea"fat in the "itchen:dining roo$ of the Abbey. Crowley, etty, eah and ;ane aretood at the dining table. Crowley i aying


68/72

LeahYo" sho"#d &rite to the ritish Cons"#ate. hey'## send the ret"rn tra,e# !are.

&etty May I can't thin straight at the moment. Yo"'re good &ith these things% Leah. Wi##

yo" arrange it !or me

Leah ($iling) O! co"rse.

)ane(to Crowley) She can stay here &hi#st she &aits !or the money% can't she It'## on#y be

a matter o! days.

CrowleyYes. I thin &e can manage a brie! detente.

&7


69/72

SCENE THIT(

(he dining roo$ again. etty ha returned to *ngland. Crowley i pacing up and down

in a fury, reading bad pre. ;ane and eah watch ner'ouly in their chair.

Crowley -amn those #iars at the S"nday E2press* hey',e t&isted the !acts to me #oo

#ie a i##er*

)aneWhy What ha,e they printed

Crowley (read) 'Sinister death at bbey. -read!"# ordea# o! yo"ng &i!e.' here are reams

o! this dri,e#.

(hrow the paper down.

Leah hey're act"a##y acc"sing yo" o! Lo,eday's m"rder

CrowleyNo% the co&ards are "sing inn"endo. hey',e co,ered themse#,es by ascribing

his death to enteritis. "t then they',e gone on to ca## him my '#atest ,ictim'. he

imp#ication is p#ain.

)aneYo" sho"#d tae them to co"rt. S"e them !or #ibe#.

CrowleyWith &hat money

3aue.

hat bitch etty $ay* In,iting her here &as the mistae o! my #i!e.

(here& a loud "noc" at the door. Crowley anwer. (here are two police$en outide.

Crowley &eed#e -"m and &eed#e -ee. No pri5es !or g"essing &hat yo" &ant.

&


70/72

Poli'e#an *re yo" #eister Croey

Crowley I dreamed I &as% in a !ormer incarnation. "t no& I am an Ipsissim"s. he

creat"re yo" see be!ore yo" is b"t a she##. he !#o&er has b"rst its seed.

Poli'e#en + (reading fro$ notice) $r. #eister Croey% by order o! enito $"sso#ini

yo" are hereby e2pe##ed !rom Ita#y.

Crowley4ery &e##. I &o"#dn't &ant to bring yo"r :ascist regime into disrep"te% &o"#d I

Poli'e#an *(grippingthe truncheon on hi belt) re yo" 0oing &ith "s

CrowleyNo. hat &o"#d be !oo#ish% &o"#dn't it

3aue.

$ight I re


71/72

etty $ay p"b#ished a #"rid acco"nt o! the period% entit#ed (iger


72/72

C+RCER IN:OR$ION

"leister Crowley (97).?.. '3erd"rabo'% '$aster herion'% 'GGG'% '#ice C"sac'% '#ec'

Ninette Sh,#way (H7)Croey's #o,er% -iscip#e o! he#ema

.?.. 'Sister Cypris'% 'ea"ty' :rench nationa# &hose merican h"sband recent#y died

Howard () Ninette's son.?.. '+ermes'Not !athered by Croey

Hansi (H) Leah's son.?.. '-ionysi"s'Not !athered by Croey

Giordano Gios,s #oca# #and#ord

Leah Hirsi% ./0Croey's #o,er and Scar#et Womanorn S&it5er#and% gre& "p in Ne& Yor.?.. 'he Scar#et Woman'% '#ostrae#'% 'he pe'Note@- pregnant fro$ tart, hea'ily by Scene *ight.

Crowley as Narrator(79)

Italian Maternity Ward N,rse

Po,1eeCroeyK+irsig's baby gir#

Messen%er &oy (8)

Ce'il !rederi'2 ,ssell (H7)merican $athematician% -iscip#e o! he#ema

ao,l Loveday(H)ritish -iscip#e o! he#ema% .?.. ':rater "d'

&etty May (HJ)Lo,eday's &i!e% artist's mode#

)ane Wol3e (97)merican ctress% -iscip#e o! he#ema

Documents

Expulsion : Crowley in Sicily