/ubu editions

SAO PAOLO

MADELYN KENT

~

São PaoloMadelyn Kent

Permission kindly granted by Madelyn Kent© 2004 /ubu editions

/ubu editionswww.ubu.com/ubu editions series editor: Brian Kim Stefans

/ubu editions2004

SAO PAOLOMADELYN KENT

~

Scene One

Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Morning. Street. A boy, JACKO, 12 stands behind a makeshifttable, with wooden dolls.

A Girl, CAROLA, walks up.

CAROLA Hi.

JACKO Hi.

CAROLA Did you made it?

JACKO Yes I made all of This doll.

CAROLA Can I show meYou show it?

JACKO Sure.

SHE picks it up.

JACKO ButDon’tDon’tBreak it

CAROLA Yes

JACKO It isMyMyItems

CAROLA Yes I don’t want it

JACKO I knowBecause you are not tourist

CAROLA How many did youSell today?

JACKO Just three dolls

CAROLA Really

4

JACKO You knowToday is coolTourists doesn’t comeHere

CAROLA I can’t believeThey want it

JACKO Me tooBut they’reSatisfiedJust buyBrazil thingAs souvenir

CAROLA Don’t you Made another Craft?

JACKO I used To made But I Don’tMakeAnother Thing

CAROLA How did you learnTo makeThe doll?

JACKO Just my wayI like to make somethingWhen I wasChild

CAROLA So youYou soldThree items todayYou have a little money

JACKO Yes but why doYouAsk About that?

CAROLA I don’t eat for two daysI’m really hungry nowPlease give me change

5

JACKO You knowI can’t

CAROLA Why?

JACKO It’s a rule to live hereIf you wantTo eatYou have to make moneyYourself

CAROLA But I don’t haveAnySkillTo get money

JACKO I know a lotOf People whoDoesn’t have skillsBut theyIf they don’t have skillsTheyThey made moneyThey can make moneyTo do SomethingSoHow boutHow

Pause.

You look so beautifulHow bout sellYourself

Pause.

Have to everSold Yourselves?

CAROLA No I never sell

JACKO It’s strangeI know a lotOf girl

6

WhoSoldHerselves

CAROLA YesI’mI’m different from herI have prideTo myself

JACKO But youInstead ofSell yourselvesYou ask for moneyYou don’t have prideWhy do youAsk meA lotAnother Person In here

CAROLA So...II want to see your dolls.

JACKO Do you like?

CAROLA No I don’t like theseBut I can sell these

JACKO Do you wantTo sell these?

CAROLA Yes You will makeMany dolls and I willSell themHow bout my plan?

JACKO That made good planBecauseYou can beautifulYou can sellSellMoreThanMe

7

CAROLA Yes IMaybe ISellMore thanYouSo we willGive more moneyThan now

I will sellOne dollI keep two dollars.

JACKO Two dollars! These dollsAre eachFive dollarsI sell but youJust sellDollIIt takes aboutThree hours toMake a DollSoIf youSellADollSoIf youSellADollYou can keepOne dollar.How bout it?

CAROLA One dollar?I don’tI’m not satisfiedWith one dollar.

JACKO Oh.Have you everSold something?

CAROLA NoI have never sold

8

Something

JACKO That’s difficult.Tourist.If you want toSell something you have toCommunicate with touristCan youWill you do?

CAROLA I will do.Okay if I will sellTen dollsI’ll keepIt two dollars.

JACKO Two dollars!

CAROLA I will sellTen dolls and thenI will keepIt.

JACKO Each two dollars

CAROLA Yes.

JACKO I can’t agreeYour offer

Please offer Another person.

CAROLA So you wantTo see more?

JACKO Of course

CAROLA If we will succeedWe will get a lot of money

JACKO Why Do youHave confidence?

CAROLA Because I’mYoung andBeautiful.Many tourist

9

Want to buyFrom me.Don’t you think so?

JACKO No.You don’tYou don’t knowSellingYou areYou don’t have skillTo sell.

CAROLA I want to tryOne daySo if IWillI willBe ableI will sellOnly One dollI give up.

JACKO OkayI’ll give youOne chance

CAROLA Really

JACKO YesButIfYou will notSell ThemYouNeverCome toHereRight?

CAROLA OkayI understand

A TOURIST is passing.

CAROLA Is she tourist?

Hi Miss.

10

How are you?

TOURIST I’m fine.

CAROLA How bout this doll?

TOURIST Did you makeThis doll?

CAROLA No my owner did.

TOURIST Is this animals?I can’t understand.

CAROLA It’s original BrazilArtIt’s not animalAnd not person.

TOURIST That’s interesting.

CAROLA It’s a good ideaFor souvenir

TOURIST Do you thinkIs thisIs thisConcern withReligion orSomething?

CAROLA Mmm... yes- ah-mmmm...I’m sorryI don’tKnow wellBut I...

TOURIST Is thisProtect meIf II am in trouble

CAROLA SureI haveI have itI always have it

11

TOURIST Really

CAROLA YesIt will helpYouNow it’s justSix dollar

TOURIST Six dollar

CAROLA Very cheap

TOURIST I don’t think soY’know it’s soSmall and lightIt’s not Valuable.Six dollars.

CAROLA But it’sUmmm... like a god

TOURIST Godmmm...

CAROLA I don’tI can’t sellSo cheap

Pause.

OkayHow boutFive dollar?

Do you haveFamily?

TOURIST Yes I haveA husbandAndOnly husband

The GIRL picks up another doll.

GIRL This is for your husbandIf you get twoI can sellNine dollar.

12

TOURIST That means EachFour fifty

CAROLA Yes

TOURIST I don’t thinkMy husbandLike dollsMaybe he don’tBelieve inDolls

CAROLA Do you have parents?

TOURIST They are still alive

The GIRL picks up another doll.

CAROLA They’re for themYou will get three

TOURIST If I get threeHow much?

CAROLA I will sellThirteen dollar

TOURIST Thirteen dollar

That is About Four

CAROLA Yes

TOURIST How boutSix dollar

CAROLA Only six?

NoI can’t-

TOURIST I thinkIt’s enoughFor you

13

CAROLA It’sThey’re not mine.

TOURIST Whose are they?

CAROLA My Friend made Them.

SoI can’t sellUnder thirteen.

TOURIST Under thirteenI can’t sell them.

The TOURIST puts them back, andwalks away.

CAROLA Wait waitYou look soRich than meI don’t haveFamily and houseSo p[lease helpUs

TOURIST But II sawAnother storeLikeAnother doll storeHe sold dollsLike theseEachThree dollarsI wonderHeIt’s enough for him

CAROLA I don’tBelieveMaybe heMade byMachineBut my ownerMade by his handAnd he has highSkill to make

14

Dolls.

The TOURIST comes back and picks upa doll.

TOURIST I can’t understandHow he is creativeCan youDiscountCheaper?

CAROLA OkayHow bout twelve theseThree items

TOURIST Okay.No thanks.

SHE leaves.

CAROLA Come backPlease come backHi MissHow ten dollar?

TOURIST Ten dollar?

CAROLA Yes

TOURIST Nine dollar?

CAROLA Okay.Please come back.I’ll sell you for nine dollar.

The GIRL starts packing them up.

TOURIST Okay.Let me see themIt’sIt’sThere isA chipAnd this isBad smell.And this isI don’t like this faceI’m sorry

15

CAROLA You interested in them

TOURIST But I changed my mind.

The TOURST leaves.

JACKO comes back.

JACKO See.

CAROLA Hi.

JACKO It’sReally hard

CAROLA No.

JACKO But you couldn’t sellEven one doll.

CAROLA So that womanThat womanmmm...doesn’t understand wellMaybeMan or boyWill come(whispering) I can sell

JACKO I said I haveOnlyOne chanceBut you failedSo It’sOver.Go home.

CAROLA Please giveMe one moreChance.

JACKO I don’t think so

YouDon’tSell anythingGet out of hereI have to

16

ContinueMy work.

The GIRL is leaving.

JACKO Here isHere isMy gift

HE hands her a doll.

CAROLA Why doYou give me

JACKO You practiceYour selling.

CAROLA Thank you.

SHE leaves.

LIGHTS DOWN.

17

Scene Two

A Kitchen.

A woman, DIANA, 32, stands at a kitchen table.

Her HUSBAND, wearing a police uniform enters.

DIANA Hi.

HUSBAND Morning

DIANA You’re home.

HUSBAND Yeah

DIANA You looked tired.

HUSBAND Yes I’m really tired

DIANA You want breakfast?

I madeSpicy chickenLast nightAnd IHadI ate itAloneIt’s left over.

SHE puts a plate in front of him.

HUSBAND You know I don’t like Meat

HE pushes it away.

DIANA What did You say?

HUSBAND I don’t like meat.

DIANA You don’t like meat.

HUSBAND You remember?

DIANA Yes. I’m sorry.

18

HUSBAND Do you have Some fruit?

DIANA Yes

SHE gives him a plate of cut fruit. HEeats it.

HUSBAND I have to arrestMy friendSo I’m really nervous

DIANA What did he do?

HUSBAND He didHe did

Long Pause.

HUSBAND He kidnapped One children

DIANA Oh.

HUSBAND Do you rememberDo you remember

Long Pause.

Do you remember Pedro?

DIANA YesI remember him

HUSBAND YeahHe kidnap

DIANA Did he?

HUSBAND Yes he did

DIANA Oh I don’t believe that.

Maybe you should eat something

HUSBAND NoNo I smoke

19

HE lights up a cigarette.

DIANA Please eat somethingFor me

HUSBAND I just want water

DIANA Did you eat somethingLast night

HUSBAND I just drink

DIANA You seem to have lost weight

HUSBAND A little bit

DIANA Recently I Couldn’t sleepVery well

I haven’tSeen your faceIn the daylight

HUSBAND Are you bored?

DIANA No I’m notI’m just worrying about you

HUSBAND I have a lotI haveHard workSoI don’tI don’t have timeSo we can’tWe can’t talk

SHE looks down at her palms.

HUSBAND I think you should You should WorkDon’t you think so?

DIANA Yes I’ve been Thinking about

HUSBAND What about it?

20

DIANA Do you mind If I go outAt midnight?

HUSBAND It’s all rightWhat kind of job?

DIANA You knowIt’s a jobWhere I used to workBefore we met

Pause.

Do you know that barIn downtown?

HUSBAND My friendCalled me yesterdayAsked me to workWith her

HUSBAND Is it safe?

DIANA Of courseIt is

HUSBAND Why doYou think so?

DIANA Because it wasSafe before.

HUSBAND Downtown is Too dangerousI think

DIANA But nothing has changedIn downtown

It was safe Before and it isSafe now too

HUSBAND All right

How long Would you work?

21

DIANA I would be thereAt eleven.

From eleven to three.

Pause.

It is nightshift.

HUSBAND Three times or four?

DIANA Three times a week.

Maybe you You have aNightshift three times a weekSo I think it all rightWith us

HUSBAND How much wouldYou make?

DIANA Fifty dollars a day

HUSBAND That’s nice.OkayI agree with youYou can work

DIANA Are you worryingAbout me?

HUSBAND No I’m not

DIANA OkayI will call herIf you don’t eatI have to wash up

SHE clears the table.

HUSBAND Could you changeAn ashtray?

DIANA You have beenSmokingYou’ve been smokingThree packs

22

It is too muchWhole pack sinceYou came home

HUSBAND ButI can’tI can’t quitSmokeI haveA stressIAnd I drunkEveryday too muchBut I’m healthyDon’t worry about it

DIANA OkayIf you say soDo you wannaSleep?

HUSBAND Yes.I wanna sleep One hourBecause I have toBecause I have toGo out

DIANA OkayDo you haveAnythingThat I have to wash?

HUSBAND All right

HE gets undressed. Hands her his dirty clothes.

HUSBAND Here you are

DIANA OkayThis is whatI washYesterday

HUSBAND Do you mind changing the sheet?

SHE changes the sheet.

HE sits down on the bed.

23

HUSBAND And Could youPolish myLeather shoesBoots

DIANA Sure

HUSBAND Thank you.

HE lies down.

I feel sleepy.

LIGHTS DOWN.

24

Scene Three

The street. The BOY with his dolls.

The GIRL runs past him with a loaf of bread under her arms.SHE trips and falls.

The BOY hides his dolls and runs to her.

JACKO Hey you

CAROLA What?

JACKO Are you okay?

CAROLA Yes

JACKO You need help?

SHE is on the ground.

CAROLA I justI’m not painIn my AnkleBut it’s okayDon’t worry

JACKO But you Can’t standLet me seeYour ankle

HE touches her ankle.

JACKO Do you feel hurt here?

CAROLA Yes I feelA littleHurtBut I have toGoHave to go.

JACKO Wait.

SHE drops the doll he had given her.

HE picks it up.

25

JACKO Oh this isMine My doll.

What happenedYou YouDid you doSomething bad

CAROLA No I justFall downOn the street

JACKO Where isYour home?

CAROLA I live

Pause.

I don’tDecide to liveI change everyday.

JACKO Where areYou going?

CAROLA I’m going toMeet my friendGood-bye

JACKO Maybe youWill be caughtBy them

SHE tries to hide the stolen loaf ofbread.

JACKO If you willBe caughtYouIf you areCaught by themYou willPunishBy themI can

26

Carry yourBreadIf youWantI think it is betterDon’t you think so?

CAROLA But I’m really hungryIf I can’t eat itI’mI can’t live anymore

JACKO ButIt’s hard toRun awayFor youBecause of your legMy place is near hereYou canHideProtect youYou needRestTo rest

CAROLA Why are you kind to me?

JACKO BecauseThis dollTold meDo you rememberThis isI made thisAnyway weHaveNo TimePlease give meThe bread

CAROLA SoIs yourPlaceDo youHave anyFoodIn your place?

JACKO Yes

27

I haveSomeBananasIn my hut

CAROLA Can I eat banana?

JACKO SureIf you want

SHE reluctantly gives him the bread.Pointing to the doll.

CAROLA And it’sMine

HE gives her the doll.

JACKO You can have it

CAROLA Thank you

JACKO I’ll take youTo my placeSoWait.

CAROLA Where are you going?

HE starts to pack up dolls.

JACKO I have to make errand.I justThere is myImportant itemsMy living

Now I willBring this breadFirst and then I’ll Take you

CAROLA SoI keepYour dollsAnd I’m waitingThat youBack soon

28

JACKO I swearI don’tCheat you

But If youBut I canUnderstand yourFeelingsBecause we didn’tKnowEach other

CAROLA Yes soWhen you will come back hereI might sell your dolls

SHE limps to him.

Please Give meThe dolls

JACKO OkayYou Give meThis breadI trust youHereYou are.

HE hands her the dolls.

JACKO StayHere.

CAROLA They’reChasing to youYou haveTo hurry

HE runs off with the bread.

SHE sets up the dolls and waits.

MUSIC. People pass, some are dancing.

The sudden sound of RAIN. Peopleflee.

29

SHE packs up.

A MOMENT LATER, HE comes back.

SHE’s not there.

30

Scene Four

CAROLA sits in a shack. The bag of dolls.

Waiting.

The sound of HEAVY RAIN.

JACKO comes in.

CAROLA Someone there?

JACKO What are you doing here?

Why are you hereThis is My Place

CAROLA I didn’t knowI’m just running awayFrom the barAndFound the shackAnd IHid here

JACKO I can’t believeThatI saidYou have toI saidStay thereAnd waiting for me

CAROLA I waitedThereButYouDidn’t come.Long timeAnd I thought

It started toRainAnd I thoughtmmm...I change Place for

31

My work

JACKO So where isMy dollsDid youAlreadySell the,How much did you get

So maybeYouYouLooking for another dollsDon’t you?To steal

CAROLA No I neverStealSo...How bout theHow bout bread

JACKO Here

HE takes it, hidden away, and gives it toher.

CAROLA This is my bread!

JACKO I know its yourI knowHow much youYouNeedThe bread

SHE starts to eat.

JACKO Instead I bought I bought the breadI apologize to the ownerHe punchedMy faceBut I Saved the bread And I stoleSome strawberry jam.

HE gives it to her.

32

CAROLA You didn’tPay money

JACKO Yes, you knowI didn’t sellOnly dolls todayI don’tHaveI have no money

CAROLA These areYour dollsI’m sorry I couldn’t sellThem

SHE gives him back the dolls. HE holdsthem.

JACKO These areNo meanThese don’tHave any meaningIt takesAbout three hours toMake a dollButI can’tI sell itAboutAround

Pause.

FiveI sell itLess thanFive dollarsThey couldn’tThey couldn’t make big moneySo IDon’t need themAnymore

HE throws them down.

SHE picks them up.

CAROLA I love these dolls

33

JACKO What?

CAROLA I loveYou made dolls

JACKO Why?I think almost all peopleDon’t likeDon’t likeDollsThey thoughtThese justA souvenir orChildish thing

CAROLA But I don’t thinkSoMy grandfather madeMy grandfather wasA wood craftsmanHe madeDollsHis skill was soHigh and hisMade His dollHas

(Japanese)

Soul.ItThey didn’tJust a dollI felt ahh...I felt whatI saw your dollsAt firstYour dollsReminded meGrandfather

SHE is holding her bread like a baby.

We can hearMusic

JACKO Really

34

I can’t hear

CAROLA I can hear

JACKO What kindOf musicDo you hear?

CAROLA I hear

Pause.

Dance music

JACKO Really

CAROLA I can hearSomethingApproaching

JACKO Yes.Maybe somebodyHas a stereoAnd they willThey are approachingHere. Bicycle.

MUSIC gets LOUDER. CAROLA startsto dance.

CAROLA I am a dancer.

SHE continues to dance until it fades.

CAROLA Who is he?

JACKO I don’t knowBut maybe it’s someStupid guys

SHE walks around the shack.

JACKO SoHow was yourAnkle?

CAROLA It’s okayBut I Run

35

Run awayWhen I ran awayThe pain disappeared

Pause.

HE watches her. SHE sits near him.

JACKO Where didYou run from?

CAROLA So I wasIn barUntil I came hereBecause II thoughtI have to sell theseDolls and thenI went to the barI talkedMany peopleAnd II explainedThe dollsBut I couldn’tSell.

So in the barI met aStrange personHeHe wantedTalkWanted to talk with meBut I didn’t wantTo do.He

Pause.

He wanted To drinkTo buy me a drinkBut II said I don’t needItHe was angryAnd heHe

36

HeWanted to hit meSo I run awayFrom him.And then I foundThe shack (happy)And I hideHereFrom him.

JACKO Are you okay?

CAROLA Yes but I’mAfraidScaredWhen he willCome here

JACKO Don’t worryYou knowThis isHere under the bridgePeopleCan’t findThis placeEasilyBut whyDid youGo the barYou knowThere isDangerous placeDangerous placeAs a young girl

CAROLA Yes butI thoughtThe drunken personWould buyThem

JACKO Oh.You areSmart.ButI thinkI toldNotValuable.

37

YouDon’t have toSell them.Such a Dangerous place.

CAROLA So I want toWhen youCome backI want to sellAll ofThese dolls.And you will admire meBut I Couldn’t.

Pause.

JACKO You lookSo tired

You shouldSleep

CAROLA YesIActually I wantTo sleepBut here is your houseI have to go outTo my place

JACKO You canSleepHereIf you want

CAROLA Thank youForKindness

So whereCan I sleep?

JACKO Oh, this isVeryDirtySo how boutThere

38

CAROLA Is thisYour bed?

JACKO YesBut it’s okayIt’sCleaner

CAROLA Thank you I’ll sleepOn the bed

SHE lies down with the bread.

Pause.

Do you want toEat?

JACKO YesActuallyI forgotThat I didn’tEatAnythingToday

HE sits next to her.

SHE gives him a piece.

CAROLA It’s your’s

THEY eat.

JACKO This is reallyNice

CAROLA Yes I loveThisBreadSo do youDo youLive hereAlone?

JACKO Yes I’ve been hereFor long time.

39

CAROLA How bout your family?

JACKO When I wasEight. I hadFather mother and sisterYounger sisterBut my fatherWas arrestedBy policeAnd heWas in jailHe went to the jailHe wasDied In the jail.

Pause.

My motherand sisterGo awayWithAnotherMan.When I wasA little boySo after thenI live byMyself.

CAROLA Why didn’t youRun away with them?

JACKO My motherLeftMe because IDon’t needShe don’t need meTo make a new familySo my sisterWas a babyWhenSheCouldn’tMaybe she couldn’tBe left.

CAROLA Why you fatherArrest?

40

JACKO He wasA sailorSailorAnd he carried

Pause.

CoffeeBeansToNeighbor countryByBoatBut-

Pause.

The payWas not enoughFor usSo heHeSo heHeImportedIllegalThingLikeDrug or somethingTo makeMoney

THEY eat.

So would you Like strawberryJam?

HE opens the jar.

CAROLA YesThank youI haven’t such aJam for a longTime.

THEY eat.

LIGHTS DOWN.

41

Scene Five

HEAVY RAIN.

A garden. The HUSBAND is gardening on his knees.

DIANA comes out of the house with an umbrella.

DIANA Hi. You’re head.

HUSBAND Yeah.

Morning.

DIANA Morning.

HE stands up and stretches.

DIANA Very beautiful.

HUSBAND Hmmm?

DIANA They are beautiful.

HUSBAND Do you like roses?

DIANA Yes. I love it.

You haven’tEaten beforeI made fruit juiceFor youBut you haven’t drunk it

HUSBAND I’m sorry I don’tHave appetite today

Can you help me?

I’m putting support rodIn

DIANA Do you knowIt’s raining

HUSBAND Yes it’s heavy rainBut I have toDo it

42

SHE holds the umbrella over him.

DIANA But you shouldTake offYour uniformIt will get dirtDirty

HUSBAND Yes I know

Will you get me The shovel please?

DIANA Which one?

HUSBAND The large one

SHE gives it to him.

HUSBAND Could you give meYour jacket?

I need a few minutes.

DIANA Okay.

SHE holds the umbrella over him.

DIANA Look there areA lot of insects

HUSBAND Yeah I know

Could you Bring the insecticide?

DIANA What?

HUSBAND Insecticide.

DIANA InsecticideInsecticideThis one?

HUSBAND No

DIANA Oh this one

43

There is label

Do you kill The insect?

HUSBAND Where is theMask?The mask?

DIANA Okay

SHE gives him a mask.

HUSBAND Oh it’s too dirtyCould you change it?

DIANA Yes.

HUSBAND Thank you

DIANA It’s poison

HUSBAND YesCould you leaveFor a moment

Oh excuse meCould I take umbrella?

SHE gives it to him and goes away.

HE sprays. SHE returns.

DIANA Could I go close toYou?

SHE stands under the umbrella.

DIANA Why those insectsComing?You use insecticideEveryDayBut why those insectsAre comingBack?

44

HUSBAND Because

Pause.

It’s naturalDo you like gardening?

DIANA I don’t knowBut I likeFlowersWhich is the best flowerToday?

HE kneels.

HUSBAND I think thisOne but myFavorite one isLily.

DIANA Which one?

THEY bend forward, towards it.

DIANA It’s really beautiful.Could you pick it for me?

HUSBAND No I can’tDo that.

DIANA I have to bring theBest flower to Church

HUSBAND Why do you have To go to Church?

DIANA It’s the day toGo to Church

HUSBAND Why?

DIANA I told youSo you should takeSpecial drink before We go toChurch and we have toBring this lily.

HUSBAND I can’t cut them.

45

DIANA How bout This rose?

Pause.

HUSBAND Ummm...

Kneeling.

Which color do you want?

DIANA I love red.

HUSBAND How many Do you need?

DIANA Ummm...Maybe mmm...Just one

HUSBAND One

DIANA Just one

HUSBAND Okay

DIANA Thank youThat’s beautiful

HUSBAND Really big, yeah?

DIANA YesBut could youTake offThis insect?

HUSBAND Yes

HE takes it off.

I feel likeSleeping

DIANA But we areGoing to Church

HUSBAND Me?

46

Pause.

But I feelLike sleepingCould you go thereAlone?

DIANA But today isSpecial day

HUSBAND What celebration?

DIANA It’s not Celebration dayBut you haveTo goWith me

Pause. (Japanese)

HUSBAND Why Are we going toHave to goChurch?

DIANA You haveA lot of ThingsTo tellGod.

HUSBAND I’m afraidI can’t believe In God

DIANA ButYou haveTo haveSomething toBelieve in.WhyHow can youLiveWithoutThose things?

HUSBAND To tell the truthI can’t believeIn religion

47

DIANA What’s the matterWith you?TodayIsWe have toGo to ChurchTo meet my mother

HUSBAND Your mother

DIANA You haven’tGrieved forMy motherFor a long time.

HUSBAND I can’t goThereSorry

DIANA But she is waitingFor us

HUSBAND Because I’m really tiredBesidesI have to workThe day.

DIANA How bout afterYou work?

HUSBAND I couldn’t sleepFew days

DIANA So you meanIf you hadSome restYou could goWith me

HUSBAND If I had Some timeI willI want to sleep.

DIANA YouYouAre you tired?

48

HUSBAND I’m really tired.Could you talkTo your motherAbout me?

DIANA I’ve been talkingAbout you

HUSBAND What didShe say?

DIANA She wantsTo hearAbout yourAbout yourAbout you.

SHE follows him around with umbrellaas HE gardens.

DIANA She wants toMeet you

HUSBAND Some day.

DIANA MaybeOne dayShe is gladIf you giveHer your flower.

HUSBAND OhI see.

(Music.)

Does she likeLily?

DIANA YesShe loves flowers.

HUSBAND OkayI willCut them

HE cuts the lilies.

HUSBAND Here you are

49

DIANA I can makeBouquet

How long doesHow long doThose flowersLast?

HUSBAND I think aboutOne week

DIANA One week?It’s enough

I’m going To ChurchSo if youFeel BetterYou can come.

HUSBAND All right.

DIANA Your breakfast isOn the tableYou must You mustDrink fruit juiceAt least

HUSBAND Thank you

Could you Bring me cigarettesPlease?

SHE goes into house.

DIANA But it’s only one left.

Here.

SHE gives him the opened pack.

HUSBAND And matches Please.

DIANA Sorry

50

SHE goes in the house, comes back withmatches.

SHE holds the umbrella while HE lightsup.

HUSBAND Do you mindGetting cartonOf cigarettes?

DIANA OkayI will get itOn the wayFrom Church

HUSBAND Thank you

HE works.

DIANA All right.

SHE enters house with umbrella. HEfollows, soaking.

HUSBAND I will have A glass of juiceInside

HE dries himself off.

HUSBAND What time are you going to Church?

DIANA I’m leaving.

HUSBAND MaybeI will restOn couch.

DIANA I’m waitingFor youAt the Church.

SHE leaves the house with umbrella.

He smokes.

LIGHTS DOWN.

51

Scene Six

LIGHTS UP.

A Church.

From the ceiling hang hundreds of molds of people’s afflictedbody parts that they have hung in hopes of relief. A commonpractice in South American Catholicism. Usually made of wood,these are made of slightly transparent wax and are referred tohere as “ex-votos.”

A WOMAN, 55, well-dressed, beautiful, sits in a pew watchingDIANA across the aisle. SHE is putting lilies on a statue, kneel-ing. And then stands and sits in a pew.

THEY sway in the same direction.

WOMAN What a beautiful lilyI like it

DIANA Of reallyThank you

WOMAN I like it

DIANA My husband raised them

WOMAN Oh

DIANA They are special In the morning

WOMAN Today

DIANA Yes

Do you oftenCome here?

WOMAN Yes of course‘Bout two times a week

DIANA I have never seen you

WOMAN And youYour husband and youHow many timesCome here

52

DIANA I often come hereBut my husbandDoesn’t knowHow to get here

WOMAN Where do you live In the neighborhood?

DIANA St. Antonio Street

WOMAN St..Antonio Street!

DIANA Did you getDid you getWalk here

WOMAN Yes

DIANA And where doYou live?

WOMAN I live nearbyI walked hereAbout ten minutes

DIANA Oh reallyNear

Silence.

WOMAN I haveMany ex-votosIn my house.And you?

DIANA What did you say?

WOMAN Do you have ex-votos?

DIANA No never

WOMAN I have a lotOf ex-votosIn my houseAnd also a lotAre mine

Pointing to the wax casts of body parts.

53

Arms, feet, breasts.

DIANA You areEx-votos person

WOMAN No.I had several timesI have a pain andIn my body

DIANA I knowThe story

Does itWork well?

WOMAN Yes Yes

DIANA Oh really?

WOMAN Yes

DIANA How manyBody partsHave youHad made?

WOMAN I don’t know.I didn’t count.

DIANA Which isYour’s?

THEY stands an walk underneath. TheWOMAN pointing to her’s.

WOMAN This footAnd right footAnd left footAnd elbowAndAndNeckIt’s mine

DIANA What happenedTo your elbow?

54

WOMAN Almost I slippedOn the streetWhen I stepped downAnd thenSeveral times I slippedOn the streetFront roadI slippedIIAlways I takeI put on High heels.

DIANA Mmmm...

Old roadGet yourHigh heel

WOMAN I don’t likeLow shoesI don’t like.

Finished with the tour, the WOMANgoes back to her seat.

DIANA Thank you

The WOMAN sits.

WOMAN By the wayWhat’s your name?

DIANA I’m Diana

What’s your name?

WOMAN I’m Señora Viera.

DIANA What?

WOMAN Señora Viera

DIANA Hmmm...

WOMAN I- I- is a Viera

DIANA Wonderful name

55

Pause.

WOMAN Do you have anyPain in yourBody?

DIANA YesBut I’m fine

WOMAN I have painIn my lungBut maybeIt is because of the air

DIANA I think you shouldMake aEx-voto.You mustBe well.

WOMAN Oh.Thank you butI’m just fine.

Pause.

DIANA May I ask youA questionYou have lived aloneFor a long time, haven’t you?

WOMAN YesI liveTwenty years alone

DIANA You must beLonely

WOMAN No.But I feelWellAnd...

DIANA You have some You have someDogs?

WOMAN No

56

I haven’t

DIANA Oh

WOMAN And you?

DIANA No.

WOMAN Do you have anyChildren?

DIANA NoI mean I haven’tYet

And doYou?

WOMAN No.

DIANA WhyAre youDo you wantTo be healthyHealthierLike making Those ex-votos

WOMAN I make ex-votos And thenRight nowI feel very well

DIANA So you wantTo liveLonger

WOMAN YesBut several timesOther parts pain but rightNow well and different partsPain

DIANA You’re Really busyBody parts

WOMAN YesBut

57

I didn’t made themI went toEx-voto maker

Pause.

DIANA MaybeIt must cost a lot of money

WOMAN My husband deadTwenty years agoBut my husband left a lot of money

Pause.

Can I ask youA question

DIANA Sure

WOMAN How long Did youIn this city

DIANA I cameHereWhen I wasFourteen and Almost

Hands finger

Twenty years ago

WOMAN When did you Get married?

DIANA I got married When I was twenty-five

WOMAN How old are you?

DIANA I’m thirty-two

WOMAN And your husband?

DIANA My husband isThirty-six

58

WOMAN Thirty-six?OhWhat doesHe do?

DIANA He’s a policeman

WOMAN A policeman

And where are youOriginally from?

DIANA I wasBorn in countryside

WOMAN And howBout your husband?Same place?

DIANA NoWe metEach otherIn this city?

Pause.

WOMAN Your husband jobVery busy

DIANA Yes.He’s beenVery busy

Pause.

WOMAN Are you stayIn your home Long time?

DIANA NoI have many placesTo go

WOMAN Do you haveA work?

DIANA No butI am going to findA job

59

WOMAN Why do youSee the statue?

DIANA I don’t know butI just feel like it

WOMAN I thinkYou somethingSomethingProblem

DIANA Why doYou say that?

WOMAN You lookYou haveA problem

DIANA I’m fine

WOMAN You seem upset.WhyDo you seeThe statue?

DIANA I when ISee the statueI feel(Japanese)somethingfeel like I did it.Or (Japanese)Sense of Accomplishment

Angel is Standing on a manAngel has little black faceAnd he has a ringA halo on his faceAnd a Bible in his handAnd he is standing on a manWho isWhite manAnd the white man is begging Something

WOMAN Oh.

60

DIANA MaybeMost of peopleDon’t like it.

WOMAN I thinkMaybeYou have a painIn your mind.You shouldGot oEx-voto maker Ad then youFeel good become well

DIANA Thank you

WOMAN Do you havePain in your head?

DIANA NoI don’tNoI don’t

WOMAN I’m seriousI’m afraid yourPhysical mindI think you shouldGo ex-voto makerThen you feelVery wellAnd then becomeYour mind is healthy

The WOMAN moves closer.

He willMold if youHead painAnd put theWax and then Put offBecome youRight now you Feel well And then come to ChurchYou come to ChurchAnd hang this.

61

Don’t you think so?

DIANA It’sVery kind of youTo sayBut I’ve neverHad hadIn my mind

WOMAN Are you sure?

DIANA Yes I’m very sure

WOMAN But I don’tThink so.You’re veryDeeply painIn your mind

DIANA Thank youI’m just fineI’ve got to go.

SHE stands quickly and starts to walkaway.

WOMAN I think you should Make your own Ex-votos Of your head

The WOMAN stands.

PleaseHisAddress

The WOMA shouts after DIANA, as sheleaves the church.

His addressThis streetOne block andThen go straightAnd on your rightYellow house.

LIGHTS DOWN.

62

Scene Seven

LIGHTS UP.

The sound of RAIN, still.

JACKO is sitting where DIANA was.

The HUSBAND walks into the Church, wearing a raincoat, butno umbrella. HE is soaked.

HE bumps his knee.

HUSBAND Oops.

Hi

JACKO Hi

HUSBAND Did you see the womanShe wear wearingRed sweater and Black pants

JACKO Well I just Come to hereAboutTen minutes

HUSBAND Ten minutes

JACKO Ago

I met an oldA womanWho has an Umbrella

HUSBAND Ten minutes ago

I think she’sMy wife

Did she look like a stranger?

JACKO I don’t know but I rememberBut she was holdingA lot of ex-votosAnd also

63

Recommended to meTo makeEx-votos

HUSBAND Did she?

I didn’t knowHer hobbiesI didn’t know that

JACKO I don’t knowBut if she is your wifeYou shouldYou shouldPayPay attentionAbout herI think she isKind ifCrazy woman

HUSBAND Did sheWith somebodyWoman or people

JACKO No she wasJust alone andJust aloneBut she said she often come to this Church

HUSBAND Yes I know

Anyway, tell meWhy your hand dirty?

JACKO Oh Because I

HUSBAND What do you?

JACKO WhyDo youAskAbout that?

Pause.

HUSBAND I’m interested inYou

64

JACKO Me?

HUSBAND Yes you looksLikeA little Poor

JACKO It That doesn’tConcern with youEven if I’m poorYouYouIs that something wrong?

HUSBAND Are you going to school?

JACKO School

HUSBAND I’ve never seenASchool

Em, tell meHow oftenGo toHere?

JACKO stares straight at statue.

Tell me.

Pause.

JACKO Don’t you findYour wife?

HUSBAND Maybe

JACKO You shouldGo back home

HUSBAND I know

What do you thinkAbout Church?

To tell the truth

65

I don’t likeThis mood

What do you think?

JACKO (whispering)ChurchICame hereICame hereWhen I wasWhen I haveSomethingProblem with myHeartmmm...butI don’tDepend on godEvery time.

HUSBAND I think I’mFeeling

Pause.

Ummm...

Touches heart.

I’m feelingDizzy

JACKO Dizzy

HUSBAND Dizzy andI feel likeVomiting

Pause.

JACKO MaybeYouYou feelYou feelBad secret

HUSBAND Are you Christian

66

JACKO YesPeople who live inHereBelieveBelieve in godBecause It isOnlyIt’s only thingsTo give usHopeDon’t you think so?

HUSBAND I don’t think so

Pointing to an ex-voto.

They looks likescary

JACKO YesThey look like so realButIf you believeThe godYou canYou canHappierYour life is More happier.

HUSBAND Anyway do youHave a timeWhy don’t you go toMy homeI wanna talk moreWith you

JACKO WhyDid you ask me about thatI’m only a twelve year old boyWe have noWe have noWe have nothing in common

HUSBAND If you haveThe timeI want

67

You to meet my wife

JACKO Your wife?

I don’t want toMeet your wifeYouI think you haveAnother reason toTake MeYour home, don’t you?

HUSBAND BecauseShall weHave lunch withMy wifeYou looks likeHungry

JACKO Don’t look downTo meI can eat by myself

He eats some bread.

HUSBAND Where did you get it?

JACKO This bread?

HUSBAND YeahJACKO I bought

I bought

HUSBAND You looks likeYou don’t have money

How did you get it?

JACKO My friendsMy friends gave me This bread

HUSBAND But it looksLike stolenBecause it doesn’t haveA bag

JACKO To tell you the truth

68

I didn’tBut thisMy friend Stole fromA store

HUSBAND Your friend?

JACKO She didn’tHave anythingForThree saysYou knowIt’s aIt’s usualThingsTo steal food for us

I know YouYou areA policemanBecauseII recognize Your face

HUSBAND Yes I’m policemanI usuallyI usuallyCatch a lot of thieves

JACKO Maybe You knowHerShe isA dancerShe is a Famous dancer

YesterdayShe stayedMy homeBecause II wasHiding herFrom thePolice

69

BecauseShe stoleA breadBut whenWhen IWoke upThis morningSheShe disappearedButSheSheShe ate this breadYesterday with strawberry jamBut when IWoke up and look aroundMy homeThisWholeThere isAWhole breadOn the tableAnd also weDrankWaterThere wereTwo glassesOn the tableOne of themIs emptyThat I wasDrinkingThe other oneWas fullII rememberShe Was drinkingThat waterButThe waterIs stillWas still fullSoIPinchedMy cheekAnd I want to

70

Make sure that I’mStillAliveI want to make sure soI came here

HUSBAND I want to Help youSoWhy don’t weLook for her

JACKO I can’tBecauseI don’t believePolicemen

HUSBAND You can believe meI knowAlmost all policemenPlay dirtyBut you can believe me

JACKO Of you’reIf you want me toBelieve youYouYouShow meSomethingTo proveThat you are notA bad policeman

Pause.

HUSBAND What shouldI doYou can believe?

Long Pause.

JACKO leaves the Church.

LIGHTS DOWN.

71

Scene Eight

A BAR. Sunny afternoon. Two weeks later.

Fado music plays. There are professional bar dancers on a stageoff-stage.

DIANA, a waitress, is serving A MAN WITH A MOUSTACHE.

SENORA VIERO walks in, carry a heavy suitcase.

SENORA VIERO May I have a seat

DIANA You can sit anywhereWhat can I get for you

SENORA VIERO Coffee please

DIANA Coffee

SENORA VIERO Yeah

DIANA Sure

Here’s your coffeeAnything else?

SENORA VIERO No thanks

JACKO comes in.

DIANA Hi How are you

JACKO Can I haveA beer?

DIANA A beer

JACKO Yeah

DIANA Sure

SHE brings a beer.

JACKO What is the cheapest dishIn your bar

DIANA I’m sorry

72

JACKO I’m hungry butI don’t haveEnough moneyDo you have some food

DIANA I knowThere is menu

SHE shows it to him.

HE slaps some money in her hand.

SHE puts a bowl down.

DIANA Here are nuts

JACKO How much are the nuts

DIANA It’s okayYou can take it

JACKO Thanks

Excuse me miss

SENORA VIERO Yes

JACKO If you don’t eat themCan I have them

SENORA VIERO Take them

He eats

JACKO This is goodWhat’s this?

SENORA VIERO Dried plum

Pause.

JACKO I haven’t eatenAnythingSinceYesterday

SENORA VIERO Excuse me?

JACKO I

73

This taste very goodMaybe this isThis is luxury food

YouYouAlways eatEatEatEat like this

SENORA VIERO YesOf course

Do youSome more dried plumsWould you like more

JACKO Yes

SENORA VIERO Have you ever eaten that

JACKO No!This is first time to eat.

SENORA VIERO Do you wantTo eatMore

Excuse me

DIANA I’ll be right there

SHE comes

Yes.

SENORA VIERO Could youPleaseSome dried plumsTo him

DIANA To himAnd then

SENORA VIERO I pay

DIANA Okay okay okay

74

Just one plate?

JACKO Three plate please

SHE returns with three plates.

DIANA Here youAre

SHE places them down. HE eats fast.

JACKO OhI rememberI saw youAt the Church

SENORA VIERO Really?I don’t know

JACKO Maybe You areRich becauseYouHaveA lot ofEx-votos and

SENORA VIERO I don’t knowWhat’s ex-votosMaybe youMaybe the personWasn’t me

JACKO I don’t think soI remember yourFaceBecause youHaveA bigMoleOn the Forehead

SENORA VIERO MaybeThe person Wrong

JACKO Have you everMade

75

Ex-voto

SENORA VIERO I don’t knowEx-voto?

JACKO Yes

SENORA VIERO What is theEx-voto?

JACKO Ex-votoIsMolds If you have somethingProblems in your bodyYou makeYou makeA molds and bring toThe ChurchAnd putIt overThe altarYou problems will goAway

SENORA VIERO ReallyDo you believe it?

JACKO YesBut I have neverMake itBecause I amI haveI don’t have Any problems in my bodyBecause I am youngI thinkYour ageYour generationHas something problemDon’t you?

SENORA VIERO I think soBut if I had a painI will go toThe hospital

JACKO Finished.

76

DIANA takes the three plates away.

DIANA You want some coffee

SENORA VIERO Yes please

DIANA pours

Thank you

DIANA looks at SENORA VIERO upand down.

DIANA Excuse me

Mrs. Senora Viero

SENORA VIERO Yes

DIANA OhI don’tI can’tBelieveWe meet hereHow are you?

SENORA VIERO Do you know Me?

DIANA Don’t you recognize me

SENORA VIERO I don’t know

DIANA We met in the Church

SENORA VIERO Church?

DIANA You gave meAddress of mold maker

SENORA VIERO Mold maker. That mold maker

DIANA ActuallyI went to meet himTwo weeks agoAnd II gotMy headYesterday

77

SENORA VIERO Did you makeEx-voto

DIANA It’s kinda bigYou know

I have to go to ChurchTo hang itI don’t know ifI can get space

SENORA VIERO I rememberDid you payTo himThe ex-votoFee

DIANA Yeah I pay him

SENORA VIERO That’s too bad

DIANA What?

SENORA VIERO You Do you believeThe ex-votoDo you believeHim?

DIANA Of courseI believe him

He’s aHe’s a nice man

SENORA VIERO I’m sorryI want toSay about him

DIANA What do you mean?

SENORA VIERO I wan toI want toForget about him

DIANA He saidSomethingDid he sayAnything bad

78

To you

SENORA VIERO I don’t wantTo say

DIANA Maybe youWill be free

SENORA VIERO You look happy

DIANA I feel greatI feel great

Now I canNow I canSee everything vividAnd cheerfulThanks you thank you

SENORA VIERO You’re welcome

DIANA Yeah I like Your outfit

DIANA leaves.

JACKO, looks at the stage.

JACKO I am not wrong.

You were the womanWho I sawAt the Church

SHE nods

But I thinkYou lookHappyNow

When I saw youAt the ChurchYou wereScared fromSomething

SENORA VIERO Now I’m free

79

JACKO Free

SENORA VIERO I feel very wellI rearrange my room andNow I’m going to go tripI’m very happy

JACKO TripOh that sounds goodI envy youBecause I haveNever gone out Of this town

SENORA VIERO Really?Now what do you do?

JACKO I make aWooden dollsAnd sells themOn the street

Excuse meCan youMove?

DIANA crouches.

SENORA VIERO How old are you?

JACKO I’m fifteen years old

SENORA VIERO Fifteen?

JACKO Fifteen.But Don’t you thinkI’m teenager

SENORA VIERO You look likeEighteen or nineteenI think

JACKO MaybeIILiveAloneAnd

80

Make moneyBy myself

DIANA returns.

DIANA What a nice suitcaseOh looks like you are going away

SENORA VIERO YesOf courseToday I am going on trip

DIANA Where are you going?

SENORA VIERO Around the world

DIANA Sounds great

Alone?

SENORA VIERO Yes

DIANA You hear that?She’s going on tripAround the world

JACKO OhWhat cityAre you going toFirst

SENORA VIERO MaybeI’m going toLisbon

JACKO LisbonWhere is Lisbon?

SENORA VIERO There isPortugalAndFamousSeaside city

DIANA YeahYour parents Living there?

SENORA VIERO Nobody

81

NobodyLive there

DIANA You knowHow wonderfulLisbon is

JACKO I can’t imagine

DIANA Maybe you can’t imagineOld castleYou can feelYou can feelAncient atmosphereWhere you areWalking on the streetIt’s fancy.We neverWe neverImagineWe can neverImagineLet me open The bottleOf portoLet’s celebrate

SENORA VIERO Thank you

SHE opens a bottle of wine.

Pours each a glass.

JACKO Here’s toSenora Viero’s

SENORA VIERO Trip

JACKO Good trip

SENORA VIERO (to Diana)Here’s toYour happiness

DIANA AndHere is to(To Jacko)

Pause.

82

Here is toAdolescence

THEY drink and laugh.

SENORA VIERO I don’t knowThe reason

JACKO It tastesLike adult

DIANA You should put onMoustache

THEY laugh.

SENORA VIERO I have to goNowCheck please

SHE brings the check.

DIANA Here is your check

Need change

SENORA VIERO No, keep the change

SHE lifts her suitcase.

Thank you

DIANA Have a nice trip

SENORA VIERO Bye now

SHE leaves

DIANA She is nice

JACKO Yes

DIANA She is a generous person

JACKO She is rich

DIANA Do you have family?

83

JACKO No I don’t

DIANA You live by yourself?

JACKO Yeah, how bout you?

DIANA Yes me too

JACKO Don’t you dancing

Beat

DIANA Of course

Can you dance

JACKO NoI like justTo see

DIANA Oh I teach you

JACKO No thanksIt’s okaySo how longHave you workedAt this bar

DIANA It’s been Two weeks

HE motions to the stage.

JACKO How manyDancersAre there?

DIANA You meanThose dancers

TheyThey’re performingThree times a weekWe have Always ten dancers

JACKO Ten dancers?I’m looking for A girl

84

WhoWho name is

CAROLA Do you know-

DIANA Carola?

JACKO Do you know her

DIANA There is no oneBy that name

Can I ask youWho is

CAROLAHE unfolds a piece of paper.

JACKO This is a pictureIDrew it

DIANA Really

JACKO She is CarolaHave you everSeen her

DIANA What a nice picture

JACKO She is goodAt dancingI think mightBeDancing somewhere

DIANA Do youWant meTo hang it?

JACKO NoNever mind

HE takes it from her.

JACKO I knew sheI can’t findHerAnymore

HE crumbles it up.

85

DIANA What are youDoing?

JACKO It’s okayI decideToForgetHer

DIANA How do you feel?

JACKO I have lookedFor herFor two weeksButTwo weeksIn allThis cityBut ICan’tI can’t find anyTrace of herMaybe sheWouldLeave somewhereDon’t youThink so?

DIANA Do you thinkYou think sheWill neverBe back

JACKO YesBecauseSheHasI thinkShe hasOnly bad memoriesOf this city

DIANA You are youngAnd youHave timeHow old are you

JACKO I’m eighteen

86

I’m eighteen years old

DIANA Really

JACKO Yes

DIANA I thoughtYou wereNever mind

Her boss is looking at her, SHE stands.

DIANA I’m offAt twelveYou wanna comeTo the Church?

JACKO Church

DIANA Y’know the ChurchOn the hill

JACKO YesI sometimesGo there

DIANA I have toGo there But I wantCompanyI wantSomeoneTo goWith me

JACKO You meanIt’s almostMidnightI’ll escort youDon’t worry

DIANA puts her hands at her heart.

DIANA You are soDependable

SHE leans in.

Thank you

87

I will see youBehindThe bar

JACKO OkaySee you then

LIGHTS DOWN.

88

Scene Nine

Church. After midnight. DIANA climbs up a ladder holding theex-voto of her head.

DIANA I’m going to useThis ladderBut I thinkThere is no spaceFor my voto

JACKO Do you need help

DIANA YeahThere is a spaceUp

JACKO I will makeSpace for you

HE climbs up the ladder

JACKO This legIs oldMaybe itDoesn’t have power

I’ll moveMove itCould youTake-

HE removes the leg

DIANA Okay-

JACKO Take it

DIANA I take it

JACKO OkayHere is yourSpace

DIANA Thank you

JACKO Is it

Pause.

89

Straight

DIANA moves her hand

DIANA DownMove itDown a littleBitAnd move it to theRight a little bit

HE holds it

No I don’t think soMove it to the left

JACKO Here

DIANA A little bit more

Stop

JACKO Is that perfect

DIANA YesIt is

I’m gonna putThis leg On the floor

SHE puts it down. Looks at it.

JACKO Why did youMakeEx-voto?

DIANA Don’t youBelieve In it?

Pause.

JACKO YesOf courseI believe inThem

90

DIANA But maybeYou don’tNeed it

JACKO What do you mean?

DIANA I just think so

JACKO But if I hadMore moneyI want to make Mine

DIANA WhatPartDo youWant to make

JACKO IWant toI wannaMoreMong legs

DIANA It’s a little bigGreedyYou haveHealthy legsYou have wonderful legs

JACKO If IIf I’m moreIf I had longer legsPeopleThinkWe areGoodPeople looks we areGood couple

DIANA What do you meanWe?

JACKO YesI’m youngerThan youBut If I haveMoustache

91

HighLongLonger legsI will fit you

DIANA You don’t haveTo think soYou knowThe statueThe statue

SHE sits down. HE joins her.

JACKO YesThat is myFavorite one

DIANA Really?

JACKO Yes

DIANA How do you like it

Pause.

JACKO Because it’s made ofWood

DIANA Oh

JACKO I feelI always feelA powerFrom woods

DIANA It sounds interestingI’ve never thoughtIt hasIt has a powerFrom wood

JACKO You canYou shouldTouch it

It’s okayNobody in this Church

DIANA I don’t think so

92

Have you everTouched the statue?

JACKO Yes I haveTouched itAny timesBecauseI am DollsMakerI make them From wood

HE stands up and touches the statue.

You canCome hereTouch the face of angel

SHE laughs.HE laughs.

DIANA Do you alwaysRubHis face like this

JACKO Yes

SHE laughs

JACKO Is there somethingWrong?When IRubHis faceI feelIt alwaysMakes meCalmYou should try

DIANA No I don’t think so

Look his noseHis noseIs worn off

JACKO But he saidHe said

93

HeHe said

Long Pause.

It isHe is happy

HE rubs the statue

DIANA Did he talkTo you?

JACKO Yes whenOnly ITouch himI canUnderstand

DIANA Really

JACKO Yes

DIANA Try

SHE looks around and laughs.

HE laughs.

DIANA I can’t

The Church DOOR OPENS. Nightnoise.

A MAN IN A COWBOY HAT walks inand sits in the back.

JACKO stops touching the statue.

Silence.

DIANA How do you feel

JACKO I feel good

DIANA Yeah, me too

Silence.

94

DIANA This placeIt’s specialII don’tI don’t believeThis is in Sao PaoloLikeWhen I go out

JACKO Uh-huh

DIANA All things areA messSee Nothing

Beat.

Nothing

Pause.

Quiet

Long Pause.

DIANA You knowSomeSome peopleAre notAre notFamiliar withThoseSilence

JACKO I rememberA manWho I metLast timeIn this ChurchDidn’tLikeA ChurchHeAlso saidHeHe don’t likeThe Smells and

95

96

Silence

DIANA YeahI can imagineBut whyDid heCome here

JACKO He wasFor his Wife

OhBut IKnowHis faceBecause he’sA policeman

DIANA Really

SHE stands up.

DIANA I put these flowersLast weekThey wiltedThis placeReminds me ofLisbon

JACKO Lisbon?Why do youThink so?

DIANA Do youHow beautifulLisbon is?

JACKO I don’t knowI can’t imagineThe place

DIANA You canImagine the placeBecause this place Is like Lisbon

My mother Used to talk about Lisbon

97

She said itIt wasMade ofGold

SHE laughs.

JACKO Gold?

HE laughs. THEY laugh.

DIANA Do youKnowWhereOur ancestors Came from?

JACKO I don’t knowMaybe theyAre from Africa

DIANA AfricaI heardThat my ancestors Lived in Lisbon

JACKO That’s funnyThat’s strangeYou don’t lookEuropean

DIANA Oh

JACKO I meanYou areMore beautifulThan European

DIANA Really

JACKO YeahBecauseYou areI knowYou areI know you are not only beautifulBut alsoYou are very

Kind

DIANA I’ve never thoughtI am kind

HE stands at the statue, distracts himself.

JACKO I know how kind you areBecauseTonightYouTreat meOf three dishesDried fruitAndII sawThat youTook care of An old drunken manAnd alsoI sawYou feedA leaving mealsToStreet catsSee you areI have neverMetSuch a Kind people

THE MAN IN A COWBOY HAT standsand leaves. The Sound of the DOORCLOSING. THEY are alone.

DIANA walks up to the statue and kisseshim on the cheek, slowly.

Silence.

JACKO Do you thinkHow longCan weStayHere

SHE looks around.

98

DIANA I thinkNo oneIs coming until

SHE pushes her hands back.

Sunrise.

LIGHTS DOWN.

99

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