Rockabye Baby. (3)
Russell: Can I see you to night? Frankel: No, not to night I’ve got a meeting with Doctor Khanbe. Russell: Will it last long? Frankel: Bound to. He rambles on so. And half the time it’s too abstract even for me to follow. Russell: Is it just you and him? Frankel: No, there’s six of us. I won’t bore you with the names of the others. They’re all psychiatrists of different schools of thought and practice. Boring as hell. Russell: Poor you. Frankel: Poor you. I at least have company. Russell: What about tomorrow night? Frankel: Yes. That’ll be fine. (Kisses her cheek.)Have you recovered from last night? Russell :( Laughs light-heartedly.)Just about. Frankel: It was good. I enjoyed your company. Russell: So you should you naughty psychiatrist. (Pause.)What about your wife? Will she suspect anything? Frankel: No. She’s too busy to notice anything. She wouldn’t notice if I went around the house banging a drum stark naked. Russell: I would. Frankel: I should hope you would. Russell: Are you and your wife not happy together? Frankel: What is happiness, Marylyn? Can you define it? Russell: When I’m with you, I can. Frankel: You may feel it, but can you define it? Russell: Define it? Well, I feel full, life makes sense, and everything takes on a different and higher meaning and I… (Stops. She kisses Frankel.) Frankel: You may have touched on happiness there. (Embraces her to him.)Happiness as far as I’ve defined it for myself, is the fulfilment of desire. Russell: You mean lust and that? Frankel: No, no. More than that, Marylyn. The desire of whatever it is you are seeking. Whether it is God, peace, women, money, or whatever. If that desire is fulfilled then happiness follows. If that desire is thwarted then unhappiness holds sway until the desire is fulfilled if it ever is. Russell: Are you happy? Frankel: On many levels. With you. With my occupation. With my house and money… Russell: Your wife? Frankel: She reminds me of an old suit I once had. I adored it for many years and wore it as much as I could, but eventually it became worn and threadbare and it became unsuitable for day to day wear and I…I was loathed to part with it. I liked it. I adored it for sentimental reasons, but never wore it again. Russell: And your wife? Frankel: I would be loathed at the moment to part from her. Russell: I see. And what about us? Frankel: That’s an existential question. Russell: And what’s the existential answer? Frankel: We live each day to find the answer. Russell: I see. (Pause. She moves away a few paces.)But do you love me? Frankel: In as much as I know what love means, then, yes. I think I do love you. Do you love me? Russell: That’s an existential question. Frankel :( Chuckles. Moves towards Russell and kisses her.)What do you think of Stella? Russell: Stella? Why? Frankel: You seem very fond of her. I just wondered how you felt about her and how you think about her. Russell: Yes, I suppose I am fond of her. I don’t know why. I think she’s like a lost child. I feel I want to mother her. Frankel: She can be dangerous. Russell: Yes, I know. But I still want to try to find out what makes her tick. Frankel: Oh, oh, oh, very dangerous ground to get onto. Beware, Marylyn. That’s a dangerous ground to tread on. Look out she doesn’t pull you down into her abyss with her. Russell: I will. (Smiles. Kisses him.)So, where are we going tomorrow? Frankel: Where would you like to go? Russell: Dinner? Frankel Yes. And then? Russell: Film or theatre? Frankel: Yes. And then? Russell: A walk? Frankel: Yes. And then? Russell: That’s an existential question for you to discover. Frankel :( Laughs mildly.)Perhaps I will. Russell: I had better get back to Monroe and Stella before they kill each other. I miss you. Frankel: I miss you, too. Russell :( Kisses Frankel and goes to the door.)What did you say to Monroe the other day? Frankel: Not a lot. She has a closed mind. Russell: Yes, I’m afraid she has. (Smiles and goes out the door. Frankel looks out at the auditorium. Room darkens.) End of Scene Two. Act Two. Scene Three. In Stella’s cell a few moments after leaving Frankel’s room. Monroe unlocks Stella’s handcuffs and stands watching her as she walks to the window and peers out.) Stella: Want to go out in the grounds. Monroe: You don’t deserve to go anywhere the way you’ve behaved. You’re like a spoilt child. (Pause.) In fact, you’re more like a child than a child is. (Pause. Moves towards the window.)What are you looking at? Stella: I want to go out. Want to look at the flowers. Monroe: Well you can’t, so there. (Pause.) Monroe: Can’t always have your own way. (Walks close to the window and peers out with Stella beside her.)You have to realise why you’re here. Stella: Want to go out in the grounds. See flowers. Monroe: You’ve lost that privilege. You’re to stay inside as a punishment. Stella: Sunshine. Like the sunshine. Monroe :( Looks at the sun and then looks at Stella.)Why did you murder your babies? Stella :( Sings hymn slowly.) Morning has broken like the first morning… (Puts her hands over her mouth. After a few seconds, she removes her hands and looks at them.)Mustn’t sing that song, Mummy said. Monroe: Why? Stella: She doesn’t like me singing it. Naughty girl to sing it, if Mummy says no. Monroe :( Shakes her head.)There’s no hope for you, that’s for sure. (Sighs.)I wish you’d say why you murdered your babies. That would be something worth staying here for. Something worth putting up with all this nonsense for. Stella: Like the first blackbird. Monroe: What? Stella: The first blackbird sang the first word. Is that it? Is that the way it went? Monroe: I’ve no idea. I don’t like hymns. Stella: Long ago now. Monroe: What’s long ago? Stella: Since the first blackbird. Monroe: Yes, I suppose it is. Stella :( Kisses her hands.)Babies sleeping. Monroe: Yes, eternal rest. Stella: David gets angry if they wake him. Monroe: Does he? Stella: Yes. Gets annoyed if they wake in the night. Monroe: What’s he say? Stella: Tells me to shut them up. Monroe: And did you? Stella: No. Monroe: Did David shut them up? Stella: Babies asleep now. Monroe: Did David shut them up, Stella? Stella :( She walks away from the window and sits on the ground by her mattress.)Do you think of me when you go home, Brunie? Monroe: No. Stella: Blondie does. She thinks about me a lot. Monroe: Who murdered your babies? Stella: Do you and David make love behind my back? Monroe: Did David kill the babies? (She goes and kneels by Stella.) Stella: You and him together? Monroe: Did he, Stella? Stella :( She suddenly grabs Monroe and pulls her to the ground. She puts her hands around Monroe’s throat and there is a struggle.) You and him together. Behind my back? (Monroe tries to push Stella away from her, but fails and Stella tightens her grip around Monroe’s throat.)Why did you let him do that? (Suddenly stops and pushes Monroe away. Monroe moves away and breathes with difficulty.)You girls never learn. Never listen. Men like David are always after girls like you. Monroe :( Moves to the nearest wall and leans against it.)You have to tell me the truth, Stella. (Breathes harder.)The truth. Tell me the truth. Stella: Quiet or you’ll wake the babies. (Moves over to Monroe and puts her finger on Monroe’s lips. Monroe holds Stella’s finger away from her lips.) Monroe: I must go, Stella. I must let you go to sleep with your babies. Stella :( Looks at her hands and rocks them.)Let them sleep? Monroe :( Voice croaky.) Yes. Let them sleep. Stella :( Lays her chin against her hands.)Mustn’t let them wake David. (Pause.) Monroe: No, mustn’t let them wake David. (Closes her eyes and lays her head against the wall.) Mustn’t wake David. (Softer.)Mustn’t wake him, Mustn’t wake him. (Stella rocks her hands back and forward. Monroe is now silent. Light fades.) End of Scene Three. Act Two. Scene Four. Early morning two days later. In Stella’s cell. Stella is asleep on the mattress. The door opens and Monroe and Russell enter. The close the door behind them and walk over to where Stella sleeps. Russell: She’s still out cold. Monroe: I’m not surprised after being drugged like that. Russell: Mr Frankel has no choice. Monroe: He decided to do what he did before he consulted me. Russell; Why would he need to consult you? You’re just a nurse. Besides, after attacking you twice the other day he had no choice. Monroe: I think I know the truth about what happened. Russell: The truth about what? Monroe: The babies. I don’t think Stella murdered her babies. Russell: How did you come to that conclusion? Did she say she didn’t? Monroe: No. Well, not in so many words. Russell: Well, what did she say then? Monroe: She said lots of thing in a way, but it wasn’t what she said outright, it was what she said in passing. Russell: What are you talking about, Jane? Either she said something or she didn’t. Are you sure, she didn’t hurt your head as well as your throat? Monroe: I’m certain she didn’t murder her babies. Russell: Well, if she didn’t who did? Monroe: Her husband. I think David murdered them. Russell: Why would he do a thing like that? Monroe: He couldn’t cope with their crying. It got too much for him and he strangled them and blamed it on Stella. Russell: Did Stella say that? Monroe: Of course not. She doesn’t mention anything about that day, but she did talk about David and how he told her to shut them up and she wouldn’t. Russell: But you don’t have proof. You only have your suspicions and that is rather limited. (Stella stirs, but doesn’t wake up.)Besides, I thought you were convinced she was the murderer. Monroe :( Kneels down beside Stella and looks at her.)I was. (Pause.)Now I’m not convinced. I think she’s innocent. Russell: There’s no proof that David was there at the time. Monroe: He could have been there and left before Stella arrived back in the room. Russell: Why would he blame Stella? Monroe: I don’t know. Perhaps he panicked. Perhaps he wanted to blame her. I don’t know. Russell: The police officer who got there saw only Stella with the babies. She was holding one of them in her arms and David only arrived afterwards. And she confessed. There is a written confession. Monroe :( Strokes Stella head gently.)She was in no state to make any confession. She would have been totally in shock. After such an event, she would not know what she was saying. Russell: I think you’ve been sucked into believing her because you feel sorry for her. Monroe: Don’t talk such rot. I’m not being sucked into anything. I listened to her and something she said made me realise that events could have been different. David could have murdered them and left. Russell: No witnesses. Only the police officer saw anything and that was Stella with the dead babies. No one else was about he said. Monroe :( Gets up and walks to the window. Russell Looks at Stella.)I think he did it. I’m convinced he did it and blamed Stella. Russell: But you’ve no proof of any of this. It’s just what you believe happened. Anyway, David’s dead. The jury convicted her of the murders while of an unsound mind. There is no other evidence to support your idea. Monroe: So, she stays here until she rots? Russell: She tried to strangle you the other day. She’s attacked others since she’s been here. It doesn’t help her case. A jury would not see things any different in the case. Monroe: There must be a way of proving her innocent. Russell: I don’t see how you can prove anything. David’s dead and she’s out of her mind. Monroe: What about Mr Frankel? He might have a way of getting through to her and getting her to open up about what happened? Russell: He hasn’t had much success up until now. Nor have the other psychiatrist who’ve seen her and talked with her. It’s unlikely she’ll talk about any of it. Monroe: But she’s innocent. Russell: You’ve changed your mind about her that’s for sure. But you could be mistaken about what she said. She may even be putting on an act. Monroe: No, no. She may have been an actress, but even she couldn’t have acted this mad for this long. No, she’s innocent I’m certain. Russell :( Walks to the window and stands beside Monroe.)You’re convinced aren’t you? Monroe: Yes. Russell: But I think you’re mistaken. I think she did it. I think she’s as guilty as hell, but did it while out of her mind and was not fully in control of her actions. Monroe: But you never heard her speaking like I did. It lit up in my mind like a flare in a dark ocean. Russell: Maybe you want her to be innocent? Monroe: I want the truth. I want to know the truth and now I’ve got it I can’t do anything with it. Russell: Maybe you should keep what you think you’ve found out to yourself. Monroe: What? Let an innocent woman rot in here? Russell: She’s not innocent as far as the law is concerned. Only you have any doubt of her guilt. Even her father believes she did it. Monroe: I don’t care about him. (Stella stirs. The nurses look over at her. But Stella doesn’t wake.)I care about her. (Pause. Looks out of the window.)I thought you cared about her? Russell: Yes, I do. But only in as much as I want her to recover and get on with her life as such as it is and will be. Monroe: But she’s innocent. Russell: It would be best to say nothing to anyone about what you think. Monroe: Why? Russell: Did might harm your job here. It might even bring doubts about your own sanity. Monroe: But that’s wrong. The truth must be told. Russell: There are times when we think we know the truth, but there are times when we should keep our truth to ourselves. Monroe: I can’t say nothing. I can’t just let it go and say nothing. Russell: You may find that no one will believe you and you will bring only wonder and doubt upon yourself. (Pause. Stella stirs, but still sleeps. Monroe stares at Russell who stares out of the window.) Monroe: Do you mean to tell me you won’t back me up? What about Frankel? Russell: I don’t see things as you see them. I don’t think Franz will see it your way either. Nor the other psychiatrists who have seen her and talked with her ever since she came here. Monroe: But I can’t say nothing. I must say something. Russell: Then you’re on your own. Franz will probably have you moved to another ward or maybe suggest you leave altogether as a bad influence on the hospital. Monroe: He wouldn’t do that. Russell: Franz will do whatever he thinks is best for the smooth running of the hospital and what is best for the patient’s welfare. Monroe: I don’t believe you. I want to see Frankel. Russell: Go see him. See what he says. But you’re on your own. (Monroe looks at Russell and then at Stella.)And she won’t back you up. She’s too far out of it to be of any use to you. Monroe: This is madness. Russell: Yes it is. So why delve too deep beneath the stone? Their might be things too dark and unhealthy for the unwary. Monroe :( Sighs. Looks at Stella again.)I will see Frankel. I will. (Gives the key to Russell and storms out of the cell. Russell looks at the door and shakes her head. Speaks to Stella.) Sleep on my beautiful beast. (Says it softer.) Sleep on. Sleep on. (Stella stirs and moves her arms and legs.)Hush my baby, hush now. Hush now. (She smiles and then she walks to the door and goes out. Light fades.) End of Scene Four. Act Two. Scene Five. An hour later in Frankel’s room. Russell and Frankel are standing by the window looking out at the grounds. Frankel: I shouldn’t worry about Monroe she’ll get nowhere. She has no influence. Even Stella’s father won’t want it all stirred up again. Russell: Not even if he thought his precious daughter was innocent after all? Frankel: If he thought his daughter was innocent, he would have believed it at the trial, but he didn’t. Oh, he got the the best lawyer he could afford, but once she confessed and the police officer told what he saw and her husband told his side of things, she was pretty much sunk. No, Monroe’s hasn't a chance of even raising a mild interest from any quarter. Russell: But she seemed so convinced that David murdered the babies. Monroe: I know she tried to persuade me, but I think she’s been with Stella too long and it’s begun to rub off on her. I’ shall recommend she be moved elsewhere and maybe even moved to a different hospital. Russell: You think she’ll go without causing trouble? Frankel: I’ve stressed that her reputation may suffer terribly if she persists with her wild accusations about Stella’s innocence and the husband being the murderer. Russell: What did she say? Frankel: Made a number of wild threats, but eventually she quietened down and by the time she left here, she was almost convinced herself she had been wrong. Especially when I read the report of five other psychiatrists before me who had seen and her and listened to her. Russell: She seemed so sure of herself when she left me. Frankel: Ah, my dear, Marylyn, you’re not a psychiatrist. I think Monroe’s going to see sense and Stella can be left to recover from her deeds in her own good time without anymore fuss. Russell: Are you sure? Frankel: Yes. (Pause. Kisses Russell’s cheek.)No, forget about Stella and Monroe for the moment. How was last night? Russell: It was lovely. I was fearful you might have left to get back to your wife. Frankel: What? And leave the paradise of your arms and bed for the cold comfort of my betrothed? No, no, that was not even on my mind once. Russell: And the film was very good. Frankel: Yes. Delightful. Russell: The food at the restaurant was excellent. Frankel: It was ambrosia of the gods. Russell: And after that, it was like a dream come true. Frankel: Beware of what Freud said of dreams. Russell: What did he say? Frankel: Trade secret. (Smiles. Kisses Russell again.)Never mind Freud. You are my therapy for happiness. Russell: Am I? Frankel: Yes. You’re the last item in Pandora’s Box. Russell: Who's this Pandora? And what was this last item? Frankel: Oh, never mind all that. You’re my last hope of happiness before dull middle age and the cobwebs of my class completely subdue me into sweet old age. (Laughs. Russell laughs too.) Russell: You’ll always be young to me. Frankel: You have the gift of eternal youth. (They kiss and embrace. Light fades.) End of Scene Five. Act Two. Scene Six. In Stella’s cell. Monroe enters and closes the door after here. She has just come from Frankel’s room. She goes to where Stella is sleeping on the mattress. Monroe: Stella? (Kneels down beside Stella and shakes her shoulder.)Stella. Stella, wake up. (Shakes Stella again. Stella stirs, but doesn’t wake.)Stella, come on. Listen. You’ve got to speak the truth. (Pause. Shakes Stella wildly. Stella stirs and then suddenly sits up anxiously. She stares at Monroe.)You’ve got to tell me the truth, Stella. What happened the day your babies died? Stella :( Looks around the room.)I’m tired. Monroe: They’ve pumped the drugs into you. Listen. I want you to tell me what happened the day your babies died. Stella: Too sleepy. I want to sleep. (Monroe lifts Stella up and tries to walk her around the room.)Where we going? I want to sleep. (Pulls herself away from Monroe and walks down to the edge of the stage.)Where’s Brunie? Monroe: Don’t worry about her she’ll let you rot in here. What happened about the babies? (Stands next to Stella.)What did David do? Stella: David? David? What’s he been up to now? Monroe: Did he murder the babies? Stella: I can’t trust him anymore. He’s here, there and everywhere. And the girls he goes with are enough to make me feel sick. (Becomes aggressive.)What’s wrong with me? Why does he go with them other girls when he has me? (Pause. Looks at Monroe.)You wouldn’t sleep with him would you? You’re not his type are you? He thinks I’m a fool. Thinks I can’t smell them on him. Their cheap scent and sickly perfume clogging up his damned pores. I know scent. I’ve had the best scent and I know cheap scent when I smell it. (Grabs Monroe’s hand.)You don’t think Bruni sleeps with him, do you? Monroe :( Pats Stella’s hand.)David’s dead. He committed suicide. Stella: Bruni’s not his type either is she? Can’t tell with David. I think he’d sleep with any woman who would…Dead? David’s dead? Monroe: Yes. He committed suicide. Stella: What happened to make him do that? (Begins to weep like a child.)My David can’t do this to me. I want him to deny he’s dead. Monroe: He murdered the babies. Stella :( She stops crying and glares at Monroe. She releases Monroe’s hand and holds her hands against her breast.)Don’t you dare touch my babies. How could you even suggest such a thing? (Kisses her hands.)Sweet babies, don’t listen to the wicked nurse. (Pause. Holds her hands and rocks them back and forth all the time glaring at Monroe.)Rockabye, baby, on the treetop, when the wind blows the cradle will rock… (Suddenly claps her hands and clutches them tightly.)Of all the bars in all the world you had to come into mine…Is that it, Blondie? Oh, my sweet girl. So you thought you could come and try to sweeten me up so you and David could go on sleeping together and doing such awful things while his babies sleep and eat and do what babies do? And I have to sacrifice my acting career to feed his want of babies? And all the damned time he’s making love to you? (Grabs Monroe’s uniform and holds her tight.)I’m watching you Blondie. I know. I know what you’re trying to do. Monroe: You didn’t kill your babies. David did. (Pulls herself free of Stella’s grip and walks a few steps away.)He murdered them and tried to blame you. Stella :( Laughs. Looks at her hands.)Babies are safe and sound. He can’t harm them now. See. They’re here. They’re safe and sound. (Laughs wildly. Monroe touches Stella’s arm, but Stella shrugs her off.)Leave them be! Get away from my babies! Monroe: I want to help you. I know what happened. Stella :( Holds out her hands towards Monroe.)Take them. You’ve taken my husband take them as well. Go on! Take them! (Hits Monroe’s face and then seizes her by the throat and pushes her against the wall stage left. She holds her hands around the Monroe’s throat and pushes hard. Monroe tries to push the hands away and attempts to speak, but Stella is too strong and gradually Monroe gives up struggling and her eyes close. Stella releases Monroe who slides down the wall and falls sideward to the floor. Stella looks down at her. (Babies are mine. Always will be mine. (Door opens and Russell enters with Frankel. They look at the two women. Frankel goes out and an alarm bell rings. Russell backs out of the door and closes it behind her. Light fades as Stella rocks her hands back and forth.) End of Act two and Scene Six.
Copyright © 2005 Terry Collett |