Scene VI
BLANCHE
He was a boy, just a boy, when I was a very young girl. When I was sixteen, I made the discovery - love.
All at once and much, much too completely. It was like you suddenly turned a blinding light on
something that had always been half in shadow, that's how it struck the world for me. But I was unlucky.
Deluded. There was something different about the boy, a nervousness, a softness and tenderness
which wasn't like a man's, although he wasn't the least bit effeminate looking— still - that thing was
there.... He came to me for help. I didn't know that. I didn't find out anything till after our marriage when
we'd run away and come back and all I knew was I'd failed him in some mysterious way and wasn't able
to give the help he needed but couldn't speak of! He was in the quicksands and clutching at me -- but I
wasn't holding him out, I was slipping in with him! I didn't know that. I didn't know anything except I
loved him unendurably but without being able to help him or help myself. Then I found out. In the worst
of all possible ways. By coming suddenly into a room that I thought was empty -- which wasn't empty,
but had two people in it...
A locomotive is heard approaching outside. She claps her hands to her ears and crouches over. The headlight of the
locomotive glares into the room as it thunders past. As the noise recedes she straightens slowly and continues
speaking.
Afterwards we pretended that nothing had been discovered. Yes, the three of us drove out to Moon Lake
Casino, very drunk and laughing all the way.
Polka music sounds, in a minor key faint with distance.
We danced the Varsouviana! Suddenly in the middle of the dance the boy I had married broke away from
me and ran out of the casino. A few moments later - a shot!
The Polka stops abruptly.
BLANCHE rises stiffly. Then the Polka resumes in a major key.
I ran out--all did! --all ran and gathered about the terrible thing at the edge of the lake! I couldn't get near for
the crowding. Then somebody caught my arm. "Don't go any closer! Come back! You don't want to see!"
See? See what! Then I heard voices say--Allan! Allan! The Grey boy! He'd stuck the revolver into his
mouth, and fired-- so that the back of his head had been--blown away!
She sways and covers her face.
It was because--on the dance-floor--unable to stop myself—I’d suddenly said--"I know! I know! You disgust
me..." And then the searchlight which had been turned on the world was turned off again and never for one
moment since has there been any light that's stronger than this-kitchen-candle...
MITCH gets up awkwardly and moves towards her a little. The Polka music increases. MITCH stands beside her. She
stares at him vacantly for a moment. Then with a soft cry huddles in his embrace. She makes a sobbing effort to speak but
the words won't come. He kisses her forehead and her eyes and finally her lips. The Polka tune fades out. Her breath is
drawn and released in long, grateful sobs.
Sometimes -- there's God - so quickly!
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