ELSE AND HENRY
Written by Puy Navarro © 2015
“Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks.”
Samuel Johnson, The Vanity of Human Wishes.
ELSE AND HENRY
DRAMATIS PERSONAE:
HENRY KLUMB, ARCHITECT
YOUNG HENRY
ELSE KLUMB, HIS WIFE
YOUNG ELSE
DR. FERNANDEZ
RICHARD KLUMB, SON OF HENRY AND HIS FIRST WIFE
SCENE ONE.
ELSE (65), lies in bed in their tropical home at Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Sound of crickets and nocturnal animals. Light rain. The room has large windows, through which we can see dense tropical vegetation lit by the full moon. Bottles of prescription drugs on the bedside table. There is a door that leads to the bathroom.
(ELSE moans. She tries to reach something on the bedside table. A little bell falls on the ground. HENRY (66), enters. He is wearing pajamas and brings a glass of water. He switches on the night lamp. DR. FERNANDEZ (55), narrates HENRY’s action.)
DR. FERNANDEZ
Henry puts on gloves, lubricates a feeding tube and he sprays it with lidocaine. He introduces the feeding tube through Else’s nostril. Henry asks Else to bring her chin to the chest and to swallow saliva so the tube can reach the esophagus. Henry extracts some liquid by pumping the knob at the end of the tube. ELSE gags. Henry finishes. ELSE relaxes.
ELSE
Wouldn’t you rather see me dead, already?
HENRY
(Ignoring her.) Where do you feel the pain?
(ELSE brings her hand to her stomach.)
ELSE
I’d rather be dead.
HENRY
Drink some water. You’ll feel better.
ELSE
Better?
HENRY
Let me help you.
ELSE
I don’t want to go on like this.
HENRY
Do you want me to read you something?
ELSE
No… What time is it?
HENRY
4 am.
ELSE
Call Dr. Fernandez… I need to talk to him, I want to stop the treatment.
HENRY
Be patient, you’ll feel better soon. Do you remember the tale of the mice and the wolf?
Count to ten…
ELSE
Count to ten… Do you believe it’s that easy?… I’ll feel better, and then worse and worse…
‘til when?
HENRY
Until God decides.
ELSE
You and your goddamned God. Would you rather see me suffering?
HENRY
I’d rather be with you.
ELSE
Like this?
HENRY
Like this.
ELSE
You and your God love to do penance, I don’t. I can’t bear this heat.
(HENRY turns on the fan.)
ELSE
Don’t you smell it?… It’s the odor of my body decomposing… I feel disgusted. Don’t you?
HENRY
No… When has your body disgusted me? Until death bring us together… Remember?
ELSE
Until death bring us together again… we were so innocent, weren’t we?… Sit here, next to me. (PAUSE). I want to depart now… do you understand? I can’t stand seeing you wandering around a cripple who is withering in her muddy death bed.
HENRY
Can we talk about this tomorrow? Now you have to rest.
ELSE
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creeps in this petty pace from day to day.
(HENRY goes to the bathroom and turns on the shower. ELSE angrily throws all the prescription bottles to the floor. She cries. We hear the song: “Sorje dich nicht” [Don’t you worry] by Wise Guys. HENRY walks to the bed and, one by one, collects all the prescription bottles and puts them on the bedside table. Patiently he undresses ELSE and walks her to the bathroom. Takes her clothes off and bathes her. HENRY gives her a gentle massage on her back and feet.)
BLACK OUT.
SCENE TWO.
Sound of a plane taking off. 25 years earlier. Interior of plane. Two seats. ELSE (40), young and elegantly dressed, sits with her seat-belt on, and looks out the window. HENRY (41), young and absent-minded, approaches her while he checks his ticket.
HENRY
Excuse me, I believe you are in my seat.
ELSE
Impossible.
HENRY
9A, if I’m not mistaken you’re seated in 9A.
ELSE
I always fly in a window seat. My assistant would never have made that mistake.
HENRY
No problem, I’ll just sit here.
ELSE
You’re right. This is your seat. I’m sorry. You can sit here.
HENRY
Don’t worry, it’s not a big deal, I’ll stay here.
ELSE
I insist, this is your seat. Please sit down.
HENRY
Are you always this authoritarian?
(SILENCE. They exchange seats. HENRY makes himself comfortable and brings out a book from his briefcase.)
HENRY
Does it bother you if I turn on my reading light?
ELSE
No.
HENRY
It’s a great book. Do you know it? It’s the biography of Madame de Stael. Napoleon forced her to leave Paris a couple of times because she spoke publicly against his political views.
(SILENCE.)
HENRY
Magazines dubbed her the first modern woman.
(SILENCE.)
HENRY
She bullied her lovers…
ELSE
Are you going to read your book, or are you trying to sell it to me?
HENRY
So attractive… and so unsocial…
(ELSE ignores him. She brings out a notebook and scribbles something. HENRY reads his book and looks at her out of the corner of his eye.)
HENRY
Nice penmanship, are you a writer?
ELSE
No.
HENRY
Oh… a calligrapher?
ELSE
No.
HENRY
A heartbreaker?
ELSE
Do you ever give up?
HENRY
Never if the reward is worth it. (PAUSE) Are you flying to Berlin for business or for pleasure?
ELSE
For business.
HENRY
May I ask what you do?
ELSE
I am the senior curator at The Schinkel Museum.
HENRY
I’m afraid you are going to have to bear with me for a while. (Offers her his hand to shake). Henry Klumb, I am Frank Lloyd Wright’s assistant, I’m helping him with his exhibition at The Schinkel… Nice to meet you!
BLACK OUT.
SCENE THREE.
Present time. Night. Home of HENRY and ELSE in Rio Piedras.
(Light on HENRY who writes on a desk. YOUNG ELSE looks over Henry’s shoulder and narrates what is being written. YOUNG HENRY tucks ELSE in her bed.)
YOUNG ELSE
4:05 AM. After urinating and attempting to pass stool. Pain starts. Seems to be in the stomach area. 4:15 AM Nasogastric tube needed. Back massage & feet. 4:25 AM Shower. Pain eases.
(HENRY falls asleep on the desk. First rays of sun. Dr. Fernandez enters and wakes Henry up by knocking on his desk.)
DR. FERNANDEZ
Good morning Henry.
HENRY
Good morning… we were talking about you last night.
DR. FERNANDEZ
Oh, really?… How are you
HENRY
Half asleep.
DR. FERNANDEZ
How’s work?
HENRY
I need to finish some blueprints and take them to San Juan, but right now everything can wait. We had a difficult night, Else is in a lot of pain.
DR. FERNANDEZ
I’ve just received the “Medical Update” journal from the U.S. There is a very interesting research article. Apparently there is a direct relationship between the infertility of certain women and the development of Else’s disease.
HENRY
Is that good news or bad news?
DR. FERNANDEZ
It’s just an explanation. (PAUSE.) Listen, there is a new treatment we can try. It’s been tested in the U.S. with great results.
HENRY
What does it entail?
DR. FERNANDEZ
Well, the first stage is to identify the efficiency of the vasodilators and locate a possible valve shortage she may have. She would have to spend at least three months hospitalized under strict supervision with a severe treatment before the surgery.
HENRY
Does she have to undergo surgery?
DR. FERNANDEZ
She does…
HENRY
I don’t want her to suffer any more.
DR. FERNANDEZ
I know, but It could prolong her life two, maybe three years.
HENRY
All right, …but you know she will say no…
DR. FERNANDEZ
Three full years, Henry.
(ELSE coughs and moans.)
HENRY
She is not ready for another treatment…
DR. FERNANDEZ
She is feeling extremely vulnerable right now, but trust me, I know what is best for her.
HENRY
You know her, she is going to do whatever she pleases.
DR. FERNANDEZ
In her condition she shouldn’t be making any decisions.
HENRY
We still need to respect her right to choose what to do.
DR. FERNANDEZ
Henry, Else is a very strong woman, I wouldn’t suggest this to you if I didn’t think there is a great chance for success. It’s a unique opportunity to test the treatment in this country. And honestly, it’s her best option.
HENRY
Are you doing this for her or for your reputation?
DR. FERNANDEZ
That’s unfair… I’ve known Else for twenty years, you know I would do anything for her.
HENRY
Would you give up your life?
(PAUSE.)
DR. FERNANDEZ
I’ve given her all my love and care. And I’m giving you my expert opinion, so you can have the opportunity to be with her for a few more years with a decent quality of life. Think about it, Henry, soon science may find a cure. We would be giving Else her life back!
(The little bell rings.)
HENRY
Excuse me.
(HENRY exits. A few moments later he enters with ELSE.)
ELSE
Are you two conspiring behind my back?
DR. FERNANDEZ
You look great, dear Else. How do you feel?
ELSE
I feel like a wet chicken that has been rolling around in its own vomit.
(Dr. Fernandez kisses Else in one cheek and inspects her eyes.)
DR. FERNANDEZ
I was actually talking to Henry about the possibility of a new and revolutionary treatment that–
ELSE
I am not going to try any more treatments, that’s for sure. If you really want to help me, make this end as soon as possible. You know what to do.
HENRY
Please, Else.
ELSE
I am very serious.
DR. FERNANDEZ
You know that what you are asking for is illegal. And goes against my principles.
ELSE
What kind of principles are those that prolong human suffering? I’d rather die with dignity.
DR. FERNANDEZ
Hippocrates said: “The physician must not only be prepared to do what is right himself, but also make the patient cooperate.”
ELSE
Hippocrates is not going to spare me the suffering and neither are you. I’m free and I choose freely to end this suffering.
HENRY
Please, leave us alone. This conversation is over. I will call you later.
DR. FERNANDEZ
I’m sorry Else, I am only trying to do my job the best I can. (In private to Henry). Henry, please, when you have a minute, stop by the clinic. I want to do some tests to see if you are compatible… Her current treatment can result in kidney failure and she would need an emergency transplant.
(HENRY nods. Dr. FERNANDEZ exits.
HENRY kneels next to ELSE. He places his head
on ELSE’s lap. ELSE caresses his hair.)
ELSE
The look on your face tells me you are tired. Have you been able to sleep?
HENRY
A little bit. What about you?
ELSE
I felt a lot better after the shower. Thanks. (PAUSE). Dr. Fernandez should understand that medicine helps only to a certain point. It shouldn’t be all about preserving the body. We should be taking care of the soul and preserve the human dignity. (PAUSE). I’m sure your God would be pleased to meet me now that I still have a quick wit and can carry on a conversation.
HENRY
Oh, really?
ELSE
Of course… I would dress lovely, elegant and fabulous… to tempt him.
HENRY
No kidding…
ELSE
I will put on my favorite shawl, the red one with flowers.
HENRY
What would you say to him?
ELSE
I don’t know. I would ask him… why doesn’t he shave his beard.
HENRY
Nice… (They laugh).
ELSE
I would tell him that if death is the inevitable fate of all human beings, why is he making you believe that it’s a consequence of the original sin? A sin that neither you nor I have committed. At least I do not remember stilling apples from a snake.
HENRY
Always joking…
ELSE
The joke is on us. He is the one giving or taking our suffering and our joy at his own free will.
HENRY
Accepting pain and suffering makes us more human.
ELSE
Take mine…
HENRY
I wish I could alleviate your pain by trading your illness for my health.
ELSE
I know.
HENRY
In a moment I’ll prepare tea and some chopped fruit for you. But please keep caressing my hair a little longer. Would you like an apple?
ELSE
(She nods.) I dreamed of you. We were walking along the path that leads to Rio Piedras. I had my arm around you, but you were surprisingly tall and my arm would only reach up to your waist. And suddenly I was aware that you were excited and the next moment…
HENRY
Yes?
ELSE
We were lying in bed and I had all of your cock growing inside my mouth… and then… I woke up.
(They laugh.)
HENRY
Are you sure it was me? That tall?
ELSE
I’m sure.
HENRY
Tomorrow morning I need to go into town to deliver some blueprints and I was thinking to drop by the university. A while ago the Dean proposed that I teach some classes and I thought it would be great to do a course on comparative literature and its relationship with architecture. You could help me to plan the content and select the texts. What do you think about that?
ELSE
Kiss me.
BLACK OUT.
SCENE FOUR.
Jazz. A five star hotel room with a king size bed in NY. Young ELSE and young HENRY, are naked underneath the sheets. They’ve just made love.
(ELSE pours a streak of water from a bottle onto HENRY’s torso.)
HENRY
I’m going to be late for the gala.
ELSE
You are already late. Stay.
HENRY
They must be looking for me everywhere.
ELSE
Tell them you have more important things to do.
HENRY
They are doing a reception in my honor, they flew me here just for that.
ELSE
Tell them you are sick, that you got food poisoning. (PAUSE). Diarrhoea! It always works as a excuse; they won’t want to check if it’s true.
HENRY
Why don’t you come with me?
ELSE
Impossible, nobody knows I’m here. If my boss finds out I’ll get in big trouble.
HENRY
Are you ashamed to be seen in public with me?
ELSE
You know that’s not true.
HENRY
Let’s go like this, naked, the way God brought us to this world.
ELSE
What would your wife say?
HENRY
She is no longer my wife. We are separated, she can say whatever she wants.
ELSE
And your son?
HENRY
He is with his mother in Buenos Aires. He is old enough to understand that I need to start a new life.
ELSE
That easy?
HENRY
Parents set the rules, and children accept them.
ELSE
I think you are oversimplifying things…
HENRY
When you have children, you’ll understand.
ELSE
I can’t have children.
HENRY
I’m sorry.
ELSE
Don’t be… I’m fine with it. My job gives me enough drama.
HENRY
Well, look at it this way: my mother had eight children and always said that life without children is a lot sweeter.
(HENRY begins to kiss ELSE’s breasts.)
HENRY
Have you ever thought to change your life radically?
ELSE
What do you mean?
HENRY
Well… they’ve offered me a big position in Puerto Rico. I would be working for the government. The first assignment is to design the university. Complete artistic freedom. Would you come with me?
ELSE
We’re just getting to know each other… I think you are rushing things.
HENRY
We could live in separate houses in the beginning, I can build you one! Then I would make a secret underground passage between the two homes, so you could come visit me whenever you wish.
ELSE
And what am I supposed to do with my job at the museum?
HENRY
You’re joking, aren’t you? That’s the most boring museum I’ve ever been to.
ELSE
Oh, really?
HENRY
Puerto Rico is an empty canvas waiting to be painted. There are tons of opportunities. And it’s surrounded by the ocean.
ELSE
Tell me more…
(The phone rings.)
ELSE
Are you going to answer?
HENRY
They can keep looking for me.
(HENRY kisses ELSE passionately. They start making love.)
SCENE FIVE.
LIGHTS DIM.
Sound of percussion. The night sky fills with stars. A line of light joins one star after another tracing the constellations of the Big Bear and the Small Bear. First rays of sun.
(Young HENRY pick up HENRY’s diary from his desk and reads.)
YOUNG HENRY
7:00 AM. Warm water. Baby aspirin. Pressure to pass stool. No success. Suppository taken. Walk in hall a few minutes. Pass a small finger size portion of stool & urine. Relief shortly after. 7:10 AM, nasogastric tube taken.
Porch of HENRY and ELSE’s home.
(ELSE sits on a chair covered with a blanket. HENRY brings a tray with the breakfast. He cuts an apple with his pocket knife and gives a piece to ELSE.)
ELSE
I don’t taste the flavor.
HENRY
Do you remember Peter Pan? When there was no food he played a game of imagining his favorite dishes and they would get filled by the imaginary food. We can imagine the flavor
ELSE
A high school drop out who starved innocent children to death making them imagine the food… Very interesting.
(HENRY mimes eating imaginary food.)
HENRY
Hmm… Delicious. It’s my favorite cake. New York famous Blueberry cheesecake. Do you remember when we tried it for the first time at the awards ceremony for the Biennial?
ELSE
All I remember is that we didn’t leave your hotel room for two days. I had forgotten the cheesecake. (PAUSE. Playing along.) Well your cake tastes like.. (Mimics eating something delicious ). Tastes like… hmm… red clay with pebbles and concrete frosting.
(They laugh.)
HENRY
I am afraid. (PAUSE.) I fear being lonely. I fear not to be able to listen to you nagging anymore. I fear the moment when I won’t bathe you and I won’t be able to alleviate your pain any longer. I fear not to hear your laughter any more.
ELSE
The body dies but the spirit lives.
HENRY
Easy to say.
ELSE
I am not afraid. It’s more like a morbid curiosity.
HENRY
I’d rather not talk about it.
ELSE
Read something to me. Read me your favorite book.
HENRY
Which one?
ELSE
The biography of Madame de Stael.
HENRY
It is my favorite book.
ELSE
When I first met you you used to carry it under your arm everywhere as if it was your Bible.
HENRY
Madame de Stael was an emblematic woman that’s why I was so attracted to her… almost as much as I am to you.
(HENRY looks for the book on a shelf, picks it up, brings a chair close to the bed and sits down. He reads out loud.)
HENRY
“I have always been the same, vital and sad; I’ve loved God, my father and freedom.”
ELSE
But I’m an atheist, I never met my father and my life slips inevitably away. I love freedom, that’s true… I don’t think I have very much in common with her.
HENRY
For sure, you are stubborn and pessimistic… I don’t know what I was thinking when I set my eyes on you.
ELSE
Because I love you…
HENRY
I don’t believe you.
ELSE
It’s true.
HENRY
Then fight to stay with me a little longer.
(SILENCE.)
HENRY
Richard called yesterday.
ELSE
What?
HENRY
He called and we had a chat.
ELSE
Like that? Out of the blue after so many years?
HENRY
Yes, it’s odd…
ELSE
What did he want? To laugh at me in my death bed.
HENRY
He is my son after all and he is worried about me… and about you.
ELSE
A little too late, don’t you think? Many years ago he forgot you were his father.
HENRY
I think it’s time for you two to make peace.
ELSE
What did you talk about?
HENRY
Nothing in particular. It was a short conversation. He wants to come visit you if you will permit him.
ELSE
Is he going to fly from Buenos Aires and leave his work just to see me?
HENRY
He is already here. He phoned me from San Juan.
ELSE
Have you been talking to him behind my back?
HENRY
No… I got a letter from him not long ago. He sent it to the office.
ELSE
Why didn’t you tell me?
HENRY
Because I didn’t want to upset you now that you’re in this state.
ELSE
Do you want to see him? Yes… Do you?
HENRY
No.
(ELSE coughs, she covers her mouth with a handkerchief. She stains the handkerchief with blood. She writhes in pain. HENRY lifts her in his arms and brings her to the bed.)
ELSE
Aaaaaah….
BLACK OUT
ELSE (VOICE)
9:15 AM Pain starts. 10:15 AM Urge to belch & pass gas continues. Pain increases. 1:55 PM Pain continues mainly in stomach and abdomen. 2:15 PM Electrocardiogram. Pain lessens shortly after. I can’t go on like this anymore!!!!!!
(Ambulance Siren Sound)
SCENE SIX
A waning crescent moon. HENRY’s office. Books everywhere. Architects drawing board. A record collection that goes from wall to wall.
(HENRY puts a Chet Baker’s record on the turntable, pours brandy in a snifter and gives it to RICHARD. HENRY sits across from him in a wing chair. The long version of the song “Funny Valentine” plays.)
HENRY
Thank you for coming.
RICHARD
I’ve been meaning to get in touch with you for a while…
HENRY
How is work?
RICHARD
Good. (Pause) Your recommendation letter helped me a lot
HENRY
That was years ago…
RICHARD
I know… I meant to thank you but never found the right time to do it.
HENRY
You’re welcome.
(SILENCE.)
HENRY
I’ve heard you have a child.
RICHARD
Three.
HENRY
Oh… Very nice… (SILENCE). I want you to know that Else had nothing to do with what happened to your mother.
RICHARD
If I hadn’t made peace with that I wouldn’t be here.
HENRY
My relationship with your mother was over. It was fate that Else and I were on vacation disconnected from the world when your mother had the accident. I was never able to explain that to you. I am deeply sorry if I let you down. I wanted to be there for you but you didn’t want to see me anymore.
RICHARD
It’s all in the past.
HENRY
Thanks for coming.
RICHARD
You’ve said that already.
HENRY
Can I give you a hug?
RICHARD
I guess.
(HENRY hugs him, RICHARD lets him embrace but is unable to reciprocate.)
HENRY
I haven’t offered it to you but you know you can stay here if you want.
RICHARD
No thanks. I’m in a very nice hotel.
HENRY It’s your first time in Puerto Rico. Right?
RICHARD
Yes.
HENRY
Do you like it?
RICHARD
It’s OK… A piece of land surrounded by water.
HENRY
So… what made you decide to come?
RICHARD
I wanted to see you.
HENRY
And here I am…
RICHARD
Yes…
HENRY
Disappointed?
RICHARD
No… (SILENCE.) A few months ago our little cat past away and my son, who is only four, asked me if death was painful. I said ‘no’ to him. And then he replied, ‘that’s a good thing because then your mum and your dad will be happy in death, and they can take care of Balboa.’ Our cat. It was then when I decided to write you.
HENRY
You told your son I was dead?
RICHARD
I told all of them…
HENRY I see… Well, thank you for the letter.
RICHARD
You’re welcome… I can see you’re doing very well here.
HENRY
I can’t complain.
RICHARD
It would be hard for me to live on an island.
HENRY
One can adapt to almost anything. Although after so many years surrounded by nature and living next to the sea, I think it would be impossible for me to live in a big city again.
RICHARD
How is Else?
HENRY
Bad. (Pause.) We took her to the hospital this afternoon.
RICHARD
Is it serious?
HENRY
Right now we are trying to prolong her life. But the treatment she was following hasprovoked a kidney failure.
RICHARD
I’m sorry…
HENRY
The doctor says that there is a new treatment we could try that could extend her life years, but she needs a transplant immediately. We are waiting for a donor. I was just tested and we are incompatible.
RICHARD
I see… I guess I’ve come at the worse possible time.
HENRY
Maybe destiny has brought you here at the right moment.
RICHARD
What do you mean?
HENRY
You can help Else… I would have never asked you a thing like this, but you are young and strong…
RICHARD
What?
HENRY
Maybe you could be the donor.
RICHARD
Pardon?
HENRY
Else’s donor.
RICHARD
You are joking.
HENRY
I’ve never been more serious about anything.
RICHARD
Are you for real?
HENRY
It’s a life and death situation.
RICHARD
To come visit you has been a big step for me. Do you realize what you are asking?
HENRY
Absolutely.
RICHARD
I was not even thinking of paying her a visit. I mentioned it in the letter out of politeness.
HENRY
Richard, I need you. Else needs you.
RICHARD
No.
HENRY
It’s just a test. Think about it. You could be giving life to a human being. I would give up my life in order to save her. She is the most important thing in the world to me.
RICHARD
Of course she is.
HENRY
I didn’t mean it like that.
RICHARD
You and your perfect wife happily living at the end of the world, without giving a flying fuck about what happens to your own son or the woman who gave you the best years of her life. I came to reconcile with you, to start all over again, but I can see that you haven’t changed a bit and you never will. You are a selfish son of a bitch. You only care about your standing, your career, your promotion and the whore who destroyed my mother’s life.
(HENRY slapss RICHARD across the face and he falls on the ground.)
HENRY
Don’t ever talk like that about Else! Show some respect!
RICHARD
Respect? My mother didn’t die in a accident, she took her life because she couldn’t stand any more humiliation.
(RICHARD gets up and the two of the tussle. The music keeps playing on the turntable. During the following dialogue they keep on wrestling.)
HENRY
That’s a lie! It was an accident!
RICHARD
An accident provoked by all the alcohol she had ingested in order to forget you!
HENRY
It is not my fault if your mother was an alcoholic.
RICHARD
It is your fault to leave me alone, fatherless and motherless…
HENRY
You were a grown man when I left. I provided everything you needed.
RICHARD
Ineeded you, dad!
(RICHARD exhausted by the fight physically and emotionally breaks down crying. HENRY hugs him and cries with him.)
The sound of the music playing is distorted. Lights slowly dim.
BLACK OUT.
SCENE SEVEN
Sound of waves crushing into the shore. Video projection of a idyllic beach. White sand. The sea.
(ELSE in a white period swimming suit, adjusts a crown of orange blossom flowers on her head. HENRY in a tuxedo, covers his eyes with his hands and waits.)
ELSE
Not yet.
HENRY
This is torture! I can see you in my mind’s eye, but can’t touch you…
ELSE
Be patient, all good things come in time.
HENRY
If I have to wait much longer I’m going to melt in this suit. It’s a sauna.
ELSE
You can open your eyes now.
HENRY
Wow! You are a Goddess fallen from the heavens… And a trickster too, that’s not a gown.
ELSE
I didn’t want to melt inside a sauna… ha, ha…
HENRY
Come to my arms.
ELSE
No…first the ceremony.
HENRY
It’s our ceremony, we can alter the order of the events, we are alone, nobody will know.
ELSE
Henry, this is a very important moment for me.
HENRY
Whatever you say, my Goddess…
ELSE
Give me your hands.
HENRY
Can I take off my jacket?
ELSE
Of course…
HENRY
And open the top button of my shirt?
ELSE
Sure. (Pause) Look me in the eye.
HENRY
Do you mind if I take off my pants too.
ELSE
Henry!
HENRY
Then we are even. Fair’s fair.
ELSE
You are right.
(HENRY takes off his pants. He is wearing very colorful and outlandish trunks. ELSE laughs out loud.)
HENRY
Shouldn’t all ceremonies be like this? Finding the space where you can be yourself and somebody ends up laughing at you without it mattering . Ha, ha…
ELSE
Give me your hand. I want you to know that I love you to pieces and I want to be by your side loving you, supporting you and understanding who you are…
HENRY
Was it Shakespeare who said that love is a form of insanity and lovers deserve the nut-house just like crazy people do?
ELSE
Yes… And that the only reason they don’t get cured is that the disease is so commonplace that the nut-house nurses are usually suffering from it, too.
HENRY
Well, I want to suffer that disease with you.
ELSE
And I with you.
HENRY
With nature as our witness, I declare ourselves husband and wife.
ELSE
And that’s it?
HENRY
That’s it… Until death bring us together again.
ELSE
Until death bring us together.
HENRY
May I devour the bride?
ELSE
You may…
(They kiss passionately. They fall to the ground and roll around in the sand.)
HENRY
I promise to take care of you even when you are a nuisance.
ELSE
I promise to be a nuisance.
HENRY
I promise to love you the way you are and won’t try to change you.
ELSE
I promise to love you unconditionally and respect your freedom.
HENRY
I promise not to judge your cooking.
ELSE
I promise not to cook.
HENRY
I promise not to be jealous when you go out with your friends.
ELSE
Wait a second, I don’t have any friends here.
HENRY
I bet you’re going to be the most popular person on the island.
(HENRY opens a bottle of champagne, sprays ELSE with it, drinks and passes a sip from his mouth to hers.)
HENRY
Soon we’ll be able to celebrate the ceremony in a church, as God intended.
ELSE
I don’t need another ceremony. If your God doesn’t like this beach it’s not my fault. You could have invited him today.
HENRY
I want to marry you in a church. What’s wrong with that?
ELSE
Nothing. But as far as I’m concerned we are already married…
HENRY
Well… Sara has not signed the divorce papers yet, she is giving me some trouble. I know Richard tried to contact me but I’ve been completely out of reach this past week and I have not been able to call him back.
ELSE
Your son hates me.
HENRY
No he doesn’t. You are not his favorite person on this planet, that’s all… Don’t worry, it’s just normal, to him you are the reason why I’m not with his mother… I would probably have reacted the same way. He’ll get used to it. In life everything happens for a reason.
ELSE
But maybe the reason is that we are stupid and we make the wrong choices… I would love to have a good relationship with him. After all he’s the closest to a son that I will ever have.
HENRY
It’s just a matter of time, I’m sure everything is going to be alright. There is no evil that lasts a hundred years or a body that can resist it.
ELSE
I hope so…
HENRY
Hey… Are you getting upset the first minute of our life together?
ELSE
No… Kiss me.
(They embrace and kiss.)
Sound of the waves crushing. A saxophone tune begins.
SCENE EIGHT.
Hospital. ELSE is in a bed connected to an IV drip and to different machines. She looks rested and she is in good spirits. There are two chairs next to the bed. HENRY and RICHARD sit quietly, both with bruises and broken lips.
(ELSE looks at HENRY, he turns away. She looks at RICHARD and he also turns away.
SILENCE.)
ELSE
I can see you have been clearing up old quarrels. Hi Richard.
RICHARD
Hi.
ELSE
Henry?
HENRY
Hi.
ELSE
Hi?… Can you please explain to me what happened?
HENRY/RICHARD
Nothing.
HENRY
It was nothing…
RICHARD
Just an accident.
ELSE
I’m sick, not stupid.
HENRY
Let bygones be bygones.
ELSE
Welcome to Puerto Rico, Richard. What brings you here?
RICHARD
I wanted to see Henry…
ELSE
Aha… And?
RICHARD
That’s all.
ELSE
Very good… Are you planning to spend a few days?
RICHARD
I’m going back tomorrow, my family is waiting for me.
ELSE
I see… How is your family?
RICHARD
Very well thanks.
ELSE
It’s very nice to meet you, despite the circumstances.
RICHARD
Same here.
ELSE
Oh, really?…. I thought otherwise.
HENRY
Please, Else.
ELSE
I’m talking from my heart and Henry knows it. I didn’t want to see you, but when you came in through the door I said to myself, this is Richard, the man who sent me the most despicable and humiliating letters that I have ever received.
HENRY
Else!
RICHARD
She is right…
ELSE
I didn’t mean to offend, I’m just stating the obvious. (To Richard) Here you are and for some inexplicable reason I feel happy to meet you.
(Dr. Fernandez comes in holding a syringe.)
DR. FERNANDEZ
It’s so beautiful to see the family together. You’re going to have to forgive me but I need a moment alone with my patient.
(HENRY and RICHARD exit. ELSE turns over reluctantly. Dr. FERNANDEZ gives her a shot.)
ELSE
Our dear Dr. Fernandez. What’s your first name? We’ve known each other for twenty years and it never crossed my mind that you have one.
DR. FERNANDEZ
Concepción.
ELSE
Really? Ha ha… Sorry, it is funny.
DR. FERNANDEZ
That’s the reason why nobody knows my name… It’s a long story… My mother was hoping for a girl.
ELSE
Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me. I’ll keep calling you doctor. How marvellous! Did you see? Henry and his son have reconciled? I think it’s a sign.
DR. FERNANDEZ
A sign?
ELSE
I don’t really believe in signs, I leave that to Henry and his God. But I’ve just realized that it’s useless to hold a grudge for so long. It hit me just now, when I saw Richard. He looks like he’s a good man, doesn’t he? It feels like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. Now I can go in peace.
DR. FERNANDEZ
Stop philosophizing or I’ll give you a sedative.
ELSE
That’s my point. Don’t you get it, Concepción? To prolong my life makes no sense… Why would you give me a sedative? To shut me up?, To stop me from bothering you? People spend their whole lives sedated… But I, who have just been awakened, have decided that this is the right time for me to go.
DR. FERNANDEZ
Do you know what your problem is?
ELSE
What’s my problem?
DR. FERNANDEZ
That you don’t believe in anything or in anyone… not even in yourself.
ELSE
I believe in life… and in death. They are the two sides of the same coin. What do you believe in?
DR. FERNANDEZ
In the human ability to help one another. You are too proud. You don’t want to be helped, and that is no good… We need each other. Henry needs you.
ELSE
Henry has his God… and now he has Richard too. I wonder if his God is right after all. He decides when it’s the right time to leave this world. But we resist and we invent machines and build hospitals that chain us to this existence.
DR. FERNANDEZ
Else, you know I will never let you suffer.
ELSE
What if the world that awaits us is sweeter?
DR. FERNANDEZ
What if it’s not?… The only one we know is this one. I operate in the real world, doing the things that must be done. Imagine that in the near future they find a cure for your illness, then all this would have been worth it.
ELSE
Have you ever heard a voice inside your head telling you, “do this” or “do that” ? Well, in this very moment the voice is telling me “it’s done, you can go in peace.”
DR. FERNANDEZ
Now you hear voices? What science and my head are telling me now, is to try the newtreatment. You are a strong woman with a brilliant mind, we could do a lot for you.
ELSE
Help me end this misery.
DR. FERNANDEZ
It’s impossible to have a conversation with you. You are too stubborn.
ELSE
The same applies to you…
DR. FERNANDEZ
If you don’t mind, I must go now.
ELSE
…Concepción.
(DR. FERNANDEZ exits. HENRY and RICHARD enter. At the door DR. FERNANDEZ grabs HENRY by the arm.)
DR. FERNANDEZ
Please Henry, come with me. I need to talk to you.
(RICHARD sits close to ELSE. SILENCE.)
ELSE
Tell me about your family.
RICHARD
My wife, Florencia is an accountant.
ELSE
Hmm… And you know each other from…?
RICHARD
We met at the firm I work for.
ELSE
You have children, right?
RICHARD
Two wins, Maia and Ardra, and a son… Henry.
ELSE
Nice name. Does he like to draw?
RICHARD
Yes… He also likes cats.
ELSE
And the girls?
RICHARD
No, they play basketball, they are very tall.
ELSE
Do you have a picture?
RICHARD
I do.
ELSE
What a beautiful family… I like the fact that you named them after stars
RICHARD
Not everyone notices that… I’ve always liked astronomy.
ELSE
Me too… If I could have had children I would have named them after constellations.
RICHARD
I didn’t know your situation was so delicate… In fact I hadn’t intended to come see you at all.
ELSE
I understand.
RICHARD
I always imagined you as an opportunistic, manipulative… woman.
ELSE
Sometimes I am.
RICHARD
I had imagined hundreds of different scenarios of our first meeting, telling you what I thought about you, but now that I’ve met you, I see you’re quiet normal.
ELSE
I think this is the first time anyone has called me that.
RICHARD
I mean it in a good way.
ELSE
So, what would you have said to me?
RICHARD
I don’t know…
ELSE
Tell me, don’t be afraid.
RICHARD
That you are a bitch and I hate you for having taking my father from me.
ELSE
OK, now you’ve said it. How do you feel?
RICHARD
Like an idiot… I’m sorry.
ELSE
It’s good that you vent these feelings. Now we can start afresh. Hi Richard, it’s a pleasure to meet you.
RICHARD
Hi Else, the pleasure is mine.
ELSE
Would you give me a hug? I would love one.
(RICHARD goes to ELSE and gives her a hug.)
RICHARD
My father has told me that you need a kidney transplant…
ELSE
Did Henry give you a beating for this?
RICHARD
No… I wouldn’t mind to do the test…
ELSE
Thanks Richard, it’s not necessary.
RICHARD
Are you sure?
ELSE
Your words are the biggest gift you could have given me… Thank you.
(HENRY enters.)
HENRY
The doctor has just told me that Else’s vital signs are becoming stable. (To Else.) This afternoon you’ll be discharged and I’ll be able to take you home.
ELSE
Great.
RICHARD
Please let me know if I can be of any help. I’ll be at the hotel.
HENRY
Do you have time for lunch?
RICHARD
Of course. (PAUSE.) Do you mind if I take a picture of you two?
HENRY/ELSE
Please!/Of Course.
(HENRY fluffs the pillows behind ELSE and kisses her softly. RICHARD takes the photograph.)
HENRY
I’ll be back in a few minutes.
ELSE
No worries.
RICHARD
Take care.
ELSE
Good bye Richard.
(HENRY and RICHARD exit. She reclines, closes her eyes and sings a lullaby to herself.)
SCENE NINE.
Dark stormy clouds. Lightning and thunder. Heavy rain. Lullaby song that ELSE was singing. ELSE lies in bed. Henry reads to her from “The Life of Madame de Stael.”
HENRY
Part three. Two tyrants. “There are only two powers in the world, the sword and the spirit… In the long run, the sword is always beaten by the spirit.” Quote of Napoleon in a letter to Fontanes.
ELSE
To who?
HENRY
Fontanes, the poet… he wrote “No Way Back.”
(SILENCE)
HENRY
You used to teach him in your classes… Remember?
ELSE
No… My head hurts, I think I’m going to throw up.
(HENRY brings a bowl from the bathroom and holds it underneath Else’s mouth.)
ELSE
I’m fine now.
HENRY
Would you like some water?
ELSE
No… You and the doctor… the doctor and you, always conspiring against me… Have you changed my medication?
HENRY
Of course not. You know we would never do a thing like that. Dr. Fernandez is going to respect your wishes. (PAUSE) Let’s take a little walk along the corridor, it’s going to do you good. And then I’ll give you a bath…
ELSE
All right…
(HENRY helps ELSE to get up. They walk up and down the corridor.)
HENRY
Richard left on the last flight, he called while you were sleeping. It’s been an intense day, but I am very happy he came.
ELSE
Me too.
HENRY
I took him for lunch to El Morro restaurant, I think he really enjoyed it.
ELSE
He is going to fall in love with the island, you’ll see… (PAUSE) It’s odd… now I’m hungry. When I was a little girl my grandmother used to make me toast with butter and sugar. I’d love to have some now, but I can’t taste the flavor anymore. My stomach feels heavy. Henry, it doesn’t sit well with me the whole grain bread that you give me.
(ELSE collapses. HENRY can’t hold her and she falls on the ground.)
HENRY
I’m sorry.
ELSE
I have no strength… Don’t you see?…
HENRY
Let me help you.
ELSE
Stop fighting… Sometimes giving in is the most courageous thing to do.
HENRY
I’m so sorry.
ELSE
I’m fine. Let’s rest. Let me stay here for a little while. (PAUSE). Life has no flavor.
HENRY
Else…
ELSE
Can you hear the crickets?
HENRY
Yes.
ELSE
Can you hear the coquís?
HENRY
Yes.
ELSE
They are full of life. They are born, they grow up, they sing and then, they depart… Without a complaint, without a fuss… “In the long run, the sword is always beaten by the spirit.”
HENRY
Do you want to go?
ELSE
Do you remember when we used to walk to El Yunque. A horse fell off a cliff once, nobody knows how it happened.
HENRY
Would you like us to go to El Yunque?… Now?
ELSE
I think I must go by myself.
HENRY
We’ll go now… Together.
ELSE
Are you afraid?
HENRY
No… I’m with you, that’s all I need.
HENRY
I am going to dress you with your favorite shawl. Would you like that?
ELSE
I would love that
(HENRY sits ELSE on the bed. We hear the song “Sorje dich nicht” [Don’t you worry] by Wise Guys. HENRY combs ELSE’s hair and puts a colorful silk shawl over her shoulders. He lifts her in his arms and they exit.)
ELSE
It’s raining. There must be a rough sea.
(Sound of a car driving away.)
BLACK OUT
CURTAIN
