Shadows

by Jon Fosse

English version by May-Brit Akerholt

copyright Mars 2006

FATHER
MOTHER
THE MAN
THE MATE
THE GIRL
THE WOMAN

Wahr spricht, wer Schatten spricht

Paul Celan

2
 Father enters, stops, stands and looks down. Mother enters.

MOTHER
Are you here
well
quite short pause
I’ve been waiting for you
quite short pause
I haven't seen you for so long
and then you’re here
yes so suddenly
quite short pause
and it’s so good to see you
quite short pause
suddenly you just stand there
quite short pause
that makes me so happy
quite short pause
and where have you been
all this time
quite short pause
it’s such a long time since I’ve seen you
you just disappeared
you were there
quite short pause
and then you were gone
were just gone
but answer me
say something
don’t just stand there
I
I
your dearest
is here
I’m talking to you
quite short pause
say something to me
quite short pause
don’t just stand there like that
quite short pause
but it was good to see you again
it’s such a long time since I’ve seen you
yes how long can it be
do you remember
the man doesn’t answer
no of course you don’t
neither of us can remember
short pause
but it’s good to see you again
it certainly is
really good
pause
so there you are
Mother moves away, stands and looks down, and The Man enters, sees
Father and walks quickly towards him

3
THE MAN
And you
Well how nice
Fancy seeing you
here
yes it’s
breaks off, short pause
No I don’t know what to say
quite short pause
it’s been a long time
quite short pause
such a long time
I can barely remember
how long ago it is
quite short pause
and then you just stand there
yes so suddenly

MOTHER
But where am I
Quite short pause
I don’t know where I am
Short pause

FATHER
to The Man
No I can’t remember how long it is since
the last time I saw you
quite short pause
and then you just stand there
so suddenly
quite short pause
it’s been a long time
quite short pause
everything’s a long time ago

MOTHER
I’m scared
Where am I

4
FATHER
to The Man
It’s good to see you again
quite short pause
because everything’s such a long time ago
quite short pause
yes it is
Quite short pause
Ages
quite short pause
yes it certainly is
it’s been ages
Quite short pause
Yes time flies
it flies so fast
I don’t understand it
Quite short pause
Time flies so fast
that it almost stands still
Short pause
But it was good to see you again
quite short pause
and I do hope
yes that you think it’s good
to see your old Dad again too
quite short pause, questioningly to The Man
or don’t you
The Man doesn’t answer
And why should it be
quite short pause
yes be good to see your old Dad again
I mean
why should it
quite short pause
no why
quite short pause
no it doesn’t have to be
not at all
Short pause
But there you are
quite short pause
yes finally
The Man moves away, stands and looks down

MOTHER
But where are we
Short pause
I’m so scared

5
FATHER
I don’t know where we are
Quite short pause
But you mustn’t be scared
quite short pause
my dear
you mustn’t be scared
Pause. The Mate enters

MOTHER
I am scared
I’m always scared

FATHER
You mustn’t be scared
quite short pause
my dear
please
don’t be scared

THE MATE
to The Man
So it’s you
I haven’t seen you
for so many years
How nice
quite short pause
yes
I’m happy
seriously
I’m so happy
to see you
it’s true
I feel quite simply
a happiness washing over me
quite short pause
it’s good
quite short pause
very good
But how are you going
short pause
everything’s fine
quite short pause
or
short pause

MOTHER
I’ve never been here before
Quite short pause

6
FATHER
No
Short pause

MOTHER
Have you been here before

FATHER
No
quite short pause
or perhaps
quite short pause
perhaps I’ve been here before

MOTHER
Are you scared

FATHER
Yes
Pause

THE MATE
to The Man
Yes it’s good to see you again
quite short pause
to see my good old friend again
Quite short pause
The best friend
I had when I was a boy
Quite short pause
But are you well
Quite short pause
No perhaps it’s not easy to say
quite short pause
no of course not
It’s just the sort of thing you say
yes when you meet again
quite short pause
yes you have to say something
don’t you
Short pause
And it’s good to see you again
So it is

MOTHER
I’m scared

7
FATHER
I’m scared
as well

THE MATE
to The Man
And you’re well
The Man doesn’t answer. Short pause
It’s been such a long time
The Mate moves away, stands and looks down and The Girl enters

MOTHER
We must go

FATHER
Yes
quite short pause
yes we must
Short pause

THE GIRL
to The Man, surprised
But are you here
quite short pause
imagine seeing you again
quite short pause
after all these years
and then you just stand there
quite short pause

THE MATE
So glad you came
I’ve been waiting for you

THE GIRL
to The Man
Imagine you just standing there
Quite short pause
Isn’t that incredible
and you haven’t changed
quite short pause
you’re exactly the same
as when we were married and lived together
quite short pause
I can hardly
believe it
You’re just like you were
quite short pause
yes a long time ago

8
 quite short pause
you’re just how you were
when we were together
you and me
quite short pause
and that’s a long time ago
quite short pause
even if it doesn’t
feel like that
quite short pause, thinks
Because it must be a long time ago
yes of course
how could I think
that it wasn’t so long ago
It’s very long ago
Incredibly long ago
Quite short pause
Yes
Quite short pause
Yes of course it’s long ago
how could I think that it
isn’t so long ago
quite short pause
but it doesn’t feel
yes as if it’s all that long ago
quite short pause
in a strange way
it feels as if
yes
yes as if it’s just now
The Girl laughs lightly
You understand

MOTHER
I don’t know where I am
quite short pause
and I’m scared

THE MATE
to The Girl
So glad you came
I’ve been waiting for you

FATHER
I don’t know where I am either
quite short pause
but
breaks off. Pause

9
THE GIRL
to The Man
Imagine seeing you again
Quite short pause
Everything is just now
quite short pause
and everything is always
she laughs
no you can’t say
something like that
quite short pause
because you can’t understand something like that

THE MATE
Why don’t you come to me

THE GIRL
to The Man
And how can I even
think it
Quite short pause
No
quite short pause
no of course you don’t understand
what I’m saying
Because you can’t understand
something like that
quite short pause
I don’t understand myself
what I’m saying
quite short pause
and you can’t say something like that
but I’m saying it anyway
Because you’re just like yourself
after all these years
you’re just like yourself
you’re exactly like you’ve always been
just like it
Just like you’ve always been
yes exactly
quite short pause
I was so happy
so very happy
to see you again

THE MATE
I was so happy you came
quite short pause
and why don’t you come to me

10
THE GIRL
Very happy
it’s true
And you’re well

THE MAN
Yes thanks
everything’s fine

THE GIRL
Good to hear

MOTHER
I feel so alone
listen
quite short pause
why don’t we go away from here

FATHER
Yes
yes let’s

THE GIRL
It’s so good to see you
quite short pause. The Girl moves away, stands and looks down and
The Woman enters

MOTHER
But why don’t we go
Short pause

FATHER
I think we have to stay here

MOTHER
No
quite short pause
no we must go
quite short pause
we should be at our place

THE MATE
Why don’t you come

THE GIRL
I’m here
can’t you see me
Pause

11
THE WOMAN
to Father
But where have you been
Short pause
Yes not that I’ve missed you
quite short pause
no not at all
quite short pause
not you
no
quite short pause
because I haven’t
not at all
how could I even
think of it
I haven’t missed you
quite short pause
but still
quite short pause
I’ve thought about you
now and then I’ve thought about you
of course I have
and then
yes then you’re just there
quite short pause
suddenly you just stand there
quite short pause
and it’s so strange to see you again
yes it certainly is
I
I have to say it is
but listen
quite short pause
yes how are things with you

MOTHER
I don’t want to be here
Short pause

THE GIRL
Where am I

FATHER
We must be here

THE MATE
I’m just here
quite short pause
suddenly I was just here
Pause

12
THE WOMAN
to Father
But are you well
everything’s fine
why don’t you answer
say something

MOTHER
I don’t want to be here

THE GIRL
I am here
quite short pause
and it feels
yes
like I’ve always been here

THE MATE
Don’t you want to come and talk
to me

THE WOMAN
to Father
And you’re the same
yes as you’ve always been
quite short pause
or
quite short pause
is something wrong
what’s happened
almost afraid
what is it
tell me
what’s happened
why do you just stand there
why don’t you say something
you must say something
quite short pause
just tell me
tell me what’s happened
quite short pause
you can tell me
can’t you
yes
yes it’s
breaks off. Quite short pause
Well then
Quite short pause

13
 Well if you don’t want to answer
that’s fine
too
yes of course
quite short pause
but it’s such a long time since I’ve seen you
The Woman moves away, stands and looks straight ahead. Pause. The
Man moves a little forward, stops, he looks around and The Girl
comes towards him, they walk towards each other, they embrace each
other, they stand like that for a while, then they move apart

THE MAN
But I’m so glad you came
quite short pause
I didn’t think you’d come
no
quite short pause
or I thought perhaps you would
quite short pause
but I didn’t quite dare
yes to hope you would
yes I did have a hope

THE GIRL
Of course I came

THE MAN
Yes

THE GIRL
I wanted to

THE MAN
You wanted to

THE GIRL
Yes why don’t you believe me

THE MAN
No nothing

THE GIRL
Nothing

THE MAN
No
Pause

14
THE GIRL
But we’re here now

THE MAN
Yes

THE GIRL
Shall we do something?

THE MAN
Alright

THE GIRL
We could go for a walk or something

THE MAN
Yes
yes perhaps

THE GIRL
Where do you want to go

THE MAN
I don’t mind
Pause

THE GIRL
Yes
Pause
We could just go for a walk somewhere
But have you missed me

THE MAN
Yes
yes of course

THE GIRL
But why don’t you say it

THE MAN
No
quite short pause
no you can’t
just go around and say something like that
say that I’ve missed you
sort of

THE GIRL
Course you can

15
THE MAN
No
no I can’t

THE GIRL
Yes you can
if you have missed me
you may as well say it

THE MAN
Maybe

THE GIRL
So why don’t you do it

THE MAN
I can’t bring myself to

THE GIRL
Can’t bring yourself to

THE MAN
No I can’t quite bring myself to say something like that
quite short pause
to say those words

THE GIRL
Yes you can

THE MAN
No I can’t

THE GIRL
Oh yes

THE MAN
No
Short pause

THE GIRL
I’ll help you

THE MAN
How

THE GIRL
Say after me

16
THE MAN
After you

THE GIRL
Yes
I have

THE MAN
I have

THE GIRL
Missed you

THE MAN
Missed you

THE GIRL
Say all of it

THE MAN
I have missed you

THE GIRL
There
you said it

THE MAN
But it’s not the same

THE GIRL
No
quite short pause
perhaps not
but
yes you’ve missed me
and you’ve said it
so then

THE MAN
But it’s not right
Quite short pause
When I say it
it comes out wrong
Then it becomes something else

THE GIRL
Never mind
The Girl kisses The Man. They hold hands and walk around

17
FATHER
But there they are
quite short pause
those two

MOTHER
Where

FATHER
There
points
can’t you see
there

MOTHER
Are they here too
quite short pause
everything’s such a long time ago
and everything’s now
just now

FATHER
There they are
points
look

MOTHER
They’re here
as well
Pause
I don’t want to be here

THE WOMAN
I don’t know where I am
I’m just here

MOTHER
She mustn’t be here

THE WOMAN
I’m here
I must be here

MOTHER
She mustn’t be here

THE WOMAN
I’m just here
Pause. Father moves towards The Woman, they meet, they embrace

18
MOTHER
I don’t want to be where she is
I can’t bear it
Pause. Father and The Woman kiss each other
She doesn’t exist
quite short pause
it’s just something I believe
yes
that she exists
Short pause
But where am I
I don’t want to be here
I’m scared
Pause. Father and The Woman let go of each other, stand and hold
hands

FATHER
And then you and I got together

THE WOMAN
Yes
yes

FATHER
You and I

THE WOMAN
It was inevitable

FATHER
It became inevitable
took on its own power
and became inevitable
Short pause

THE WOMAN
A power
that no one can control

MOTHER
I am here
quite short pause
and I can’t be here
I must be somewhere else

THE WOMAN
And now the two of us
will always be together

19
FATHER
We will be together

THE WOMAN
You and I

FATHER
You and I
Pause

THE WOMAN
But where are we

FATHER
I don’t know
quite short pause
and you don’t know
either

THE WOMAN
I haven’t been here before
quite short pause
but it’s still familiar

FATHER
Yes
quite short pause
it’s as if
yes as if it’s utterly familiar
quite short pause
and utterly unfamiliar

THE WOMAN
Yes that’s how it is
Short pause

FATHER
I don’t understand it

THE WOMAN
Me neither
Short pause
I’m a little scared

FATHER
No don’t be scared
This isn’t dangerous
There’s nothing
looks around

20
FATHER (cont.)
dangerous here
or
is it

MOTHER
I’m scared
quite short pause
just scared

THE WOMAN
No not like that
Short pause
But still
Short pause
Well it’s
breaks off. The Woman and Father start to walk around

MOTHER
You mustn’t be with her
you must come
we must go
Father lets go of The Woman and walks towards Mother

FATHER
I’m here now

MOTHER
You left
quite short pause
just disappeared

FATHER
Yes

MOTHER
You mustn’t just disappear
from me
quite short pause

FATHER
But finally you’re there again
Quite short pause
Now I’ve come back

MOTHER
Yes now we’re finally together again

21
FATHER
And now we won’t be here any longer
we’ll go now

MOTHER
But can we do that

FATHER
Yes
quite short pause
can’t we

MOTHER
I don’t know
Father puts his arms around Mother and they stand and hold each
other. Pause. The Woman walks towards The Girl and The Man, but
stops, she looks at The Mate

THE WOMAN
to The Mate
But have we met before

THE MATE
I don’t think so
quite short pause
or have we

THE WOMAN
I’m not sure

THE MAN
We may have seen each other before

THE WOMAN
I think we have

THE MAN
But where was it

THE WOMAN
I don’t know

THE MAN
Me neither

THE WOMAN
Some place or other
some time or other

22
THE MAN
Yes
quite short pause
yes it seems like it

THE WOMAN
But you can’t remember where

THE MAN
No
You can’t either

THE WOMAN
No

THE MAN
And not when it was

THE WOMAN
No
Pause

MOTHER
But I don’t understand where we are
Quite short pause
And I don’t want to be here any longer
Short pause
Do we have to be here

FATHER
Perhaps I’ve been here before
but it’s a long time ago
quite short pause
And I think that I liked
to be here

THE MATE
I think I’ve been here before too

MOTHER
I may have been here before
as well
quite short pause
but
breaks off. Quite short pause

23
THE GIRL
It looks so familiar
and so unfamiliar
in a way
Pause

THE MAN
Yes

THE GIRL
But now I know where it is

THE MAN
Yes

THE GIRL
It was here
yes that we met for the first time
Short pause

THE MAN
Yes I see that now
Quite short pause
Imagine not remembering it

THE GIRL
It’s here

THE MAN
Yes
quite short pause
yes I’ve noticed
quite short pause
I see that

THE GIRL
I see it so clearly
Quite short pause
And what a good thing we met

THE MAN
And it was here
we met
yes
yes I see it now

24
THE GIRL
And we’ve had a good life together
you and I
quite short pause
so it was a good thing we met

THE MAN
Yes
yes of course

THE GIRL
Yes we have

THE MAN
And it’s been many years now

THE GIRL
Yes
And the years have passed quickly

THE MAN
Incredibly quickly

THE GIRL
Yes
The Girl lets go of his hand and moves away from him

THE MAN
But where are you going

THE GIRL
I’m not going anywhere

THE MAN
But why are you leaving

THE GIRL
I’m not leaving

THE MAN
Yes you are

THE GIRL
No
The Man looks around and sees The Mate, they walk towards each
other, they stop, stand there without saying anything. Pause
So you both stand there

THE MAN
Yes

25
THE GIRL
Yes why don’t you just stand there
quite short pause
didn’t mean it like that

THE MAN
No

THE GIRL
And you’ve known each other for a long time

THE MAN
Since we were kids
to The Mate
Right
yes
yes that we’ve known each other since we were kids

THE MATE
Yes
yes we grew up together
lived near each other
quite short pause
and we always played together

THE MAN
Yes
Always

THE GIRL
With other kids as well surely

THE MAN
Yes
yes of course

THE GIRL
What did you do

THE MAN
to The Mate
Yes what did we do

THE MATE
Well
well what can you say
we were just there
yes like kids are
quite short pause

26
THE MATE (cont.)
went to school together
did things

THE GIRL
What things

THE MAN
Do you remember

THE MATE
No what was it

THE GIRL
And then

THE MAN
And then
what do you mean

THE GIRL
When you grew up

THE MAN
We were still friends

THE GIRL
You are still friends

THE MAN
Yes we’re friends

THE MATE
Of course we’re friends
Pause. The Girl goes and takes The Mate’s arm
But this place
quite short pause
yes where are we

THE MAN
I’m not sure

THE MATE
It looks like a place
from our childhood

THE MAN
Yes

27
THE MATE
But I can’t remember
exactly what place

THE MAN
It looks like
yes of
quite short pause
no I can’t say it
but of being in that little hut
we built
quite short pause
you remember that one

THE MATE
Yes
When you say it
yes

THE MAN
Yes it does
quite short pause
it’s autumn
it’s getting dark
it’s raining
quite short pause
and we
you and I
sit in the hut
at the table
and it’s a bit cold

THE MATE
But we’re not cold

THE MAN
And we’ve lit a candle

THE MATE
And the candle is dripping
wax on the table

THE MAN
It’s like that

THE MATE
Yes very
Pause
But I think I must go

28
THE GIRL
Yes let’s go

THE MAN
Yes
The Mate and The Girl walk away, they stop, she turns to The Man.
Mother looks at The Man

THE GIRL
Come on then

THE MAN
Yes
The Man remains

THE GIRL
We must go
We can’t stay here
This is not a place you can stay
Come

THE MAN
Yes I’m coming
Pause

THE GIRL
So come then
The Girl goes and takes The Man’s hand
You must come
now

THE MAN
Yes

THE GIRL
Yes
yes we must go
quite short pause
and then you can’t just stand there
you must come

THE MAN
Yes

THE GIRL
But don’t just stand there
come

29
THE MAN
Yes
The Man remains where he is. The Girl walks towards The Mate, she
puts her arms around him and they stand and hold each other. Pause.
Mother and Father start to walk towards The Man. Mother holds
Father’s arm

MOTHER
to Father
And what’s up with him
what’s he doing

FATHER
Doing

MOTHER
Don’t you understand what I mean

FATHER
No
quite short pause
not really

MOTHER
And that girl he hangs around with

FATHER
What’s wrong with her

MOTHER
No nothing’s wrong
with her
quite short pause
perhaps
breaks off. Short pause

FATHER
No
short pause
but were are we going

MOTHER
How should I know
short pause

FATHER
I don’t quite recognise this place
Have we been here before

30
MOTHER
No I don’t know

FATHER
You don’t know

MOTHER
No
quite short pause
No I don’t know where we are
Short pause
Do you

FATHER
No
No I don’t think I’ve been here before

MOTHER
Me neither

FATHER
It doesn’t remind me of anything I’ve seen before

MOTHER
No
No it doesn’t
Short pause
I don’t understand

FATHER
Neither do I

MOTHER
No
Pause. Mother looks at The Man
But look who’s here
You’re here too

THE MAN
Yes
quite short pause
yes I suppose I am
Quite short pause
And you
yes you’re here
as well

31
FATHER
So we are
yes
Quite short pause
And you
quite short pause
well it’s been a long time

THE MAN
It’s good to see you again

MOTHER
It is
yes so it is
Short pause

FATHER
But do you know where we are

THE MAN
No
quite short pause
not quite
quite short pause
but
breaks off

FATHER
You haven’t been here before

THE MAN
No not that I remember

MOTHER
No neither Dad nor I
can remember that we’ve been here before
quite short pause
and you can’t remember either

THE MAN
No
Pause

MOTHER
But it’s so good to see you again

32
FATHER
Yes it’s good to meet each other again
Mother moves a short distance from Father, and he moves a short
distance from The Man. The Girl and The Mate let each other go, move
a short distance from each other.

THE GIRL
I’m so glad you and I got together

THE MATE
Yes
yes me too

THE GIRL
What a good thing
we met each other

THE MATE
We were lucky
to meet each other

THE GIRL
It might just as well
not have happened

THE MATE
Yes of course

THE GIRL
It was
quite by accident

THE MATE
Yes

THE GIRL
And now we’ve lived together
for so many years

THE MATE
Yes
quite short pause
yes it’s turned into many years
Quite short pause

THE GIRL
But where are we

33
THE MATE
I’m not
quite sure
if truth be told

THE GIRL
I can’t remember
that I’ve been here before
Quite short pause
Can you

THE MATE
No
Quite short pause

THE GIRL
But what is it
Quite short pause
I almost get a bit scared
I get very scared

THE MATE
No don’t get scared

THE GIRL
Well I do
Quite short pause
And how did we get here

THE MATE
We just got here I guess
Suddenly we were just here

THE GIRL
Yes
Short pause

THE MATE
But I don’t understand
how we got here

THE GIRL
I don’t either
Short pause
Does it look like something

THE MATE
Perhaps the place we met

34
THE GIRL
Yes
quite short pause
yes it looks like the place we met
So it does

THE MATE
Yes
The Mate looks around and sees The Man
To The Man
Hi there
are you here
The Girl tries to hold The Mate back, but he frees himself and he
walks towards The Man, they shake hands
Good to see you again

THE MAN
And you
Short pause

THE MATE
But do you know
quite short pause
yes do you know where we are

THE MAN
No

THE MATE
You don’t know either

THE MAN
No
quite short pause
no I don’t understand
The Girl goes over to The Man, puts her arms around him, leans
against him

THE MATE
Suddenly I was just here
quite short pause
sort of

THE MAN
Yes
quite short pause
yes me too
quite suddenly
I was just here
quite short pause
you too

35
THE MATE
Yes

THE GIRL
to The Man
Good to touch you again

THE MAN
to The Mate
And I’m sure I’ve
never been here before

THE MATE
Are you quite sure

THE MAN
No perhaps not

THE MATE
I think I might’ve been here before
quite short pause
it’s familiar
and unfamiliar
at the same time
sort of

THE MAN
Yes it’s a bit like that

THE GIRL
kisses The Man on the cheek
I’ve missed you so often
And I don’t know where I am
Quite short pause
I’m so scared

THE MAN
Yes you’re right
quite short pause
I’ve been here before too
sort of
quite short pause
without quite remembering it

THE GIRL
lets go of The Man
But there’s nothing to see here
Quite short pause
Everything’s exactly the same

36
THE MAN
to The Mate
I don’t understand
The Girl puts her arms around The Mate and leans against him

THE GIRL
I’m so scared
I don’t understand where we are
quite short pause
what’s happening
quite short pause
what is it
The Mate puts his arms around The Girl

THE MATE
Don’t be scared
just be calm
alright
nothing’s dangerous

THE GIRL
How do you know

THE MATE
I just know

THE MAN
No you mustn’t be scared

THE MATE
It’s not dangerous

THE MAN
Don’t be scared
alright
quite short pause
nothing’s dangerous

THE GIRL
But how do you know that

THE MATE
I just know

THE MAN
No nothing’s dangerous
You mustn’t be scared

37
THE MATE
No
No it can’t be dangerous

THE GIRL
But you too are
a bit scared
And even if we can see
it’s still so dark
so very dark

THE MAN
Yes
Yes it’s not a light you can see in
yes in a way
It’s light
but still dark

THE MATE
It’s very dark

THE GIRL
We must go
The Girl takes The Mate’s hand

THE MATE
to The Man
Well then take care

THE MAN
Yes it was good to see you

THE GIRL
Good to see you again
it’s like the old days

THE MATE
Good to see you again
Short pause. The Mate and The Girl walk forwards, she stops
suddenly, runs back to The Man, takes his hand

THE MAN
Let’s go then

THE GIRL
Yes
yes let’s
let’s go home to our place

38
THE MAN
Yes
quite short pause
yes let’s go
Short pause
It’s good to have you back

THE GIRL
I think I’m a real homebody

THE MAN
Me too

THE GIRL
And I really don’t like this place

THE MAN
No I don’t either

THE GIRL
Come let’s hurry home

THE MAN
Yes
Short pause

THE GIRL
Come then

THE MAN
Yes I’m coming
Pause

THE GIRL
But there’s
quite short pause
there’s you mum and dad

THE MAN
Where

THE GIRL
points
There

THE MAN
I can’t see them

39
THE GIRL
They’re right there
Look
look there

THE MAN
Yes

THE GIRL
We must talk to them
The Man and The Girl walk towards Father and Mother
Hello
Short pause
Hello
Short pause
Hello
quite short pause
but is it so dark
that they can’t see us
ha
quite short pause
why don’t they answer
Short pause
Is it so dark here that they can’t see us

THE MAN
It’s not all that dark
The light’s quite normal
quite short pause
or perhaps not quite normal
but
breaks off

THE GIRL
But still they don’t see us

THE MAN
Yes

THE GIRL
But why don’t they answer

THE MAN
They
breaks off

THE GIRL
They’re standing there
right there

40
THE MAN
Yes
The Girl walks over and takes Mother’s arm, and she looks up

THE GIRL
Hi there

MOTHER
Why it’s you
You just came here
quite short pause
quite suddenly
I didn’t notice you coming
Suddenly you were just there

THE GIRL
Yes

MOTHER
Suddenly you’re just here

THE GIRL
I called you
quite short pause
but you didn’t answer me

MOTHER
I didn’t answer

THE GIRL
No

MOTHER
But I didn’t hear you calling

THE GIRL
You didn’t hear me
Pause

FATHER
So you’re here

THE GIRL
Yes
yes you as well
quite short pause
it’s been a long time

41
MOTHER
Yes very long
Quite short pause

THE GIRL
Yes it’s many many years since
we saw each other

MOTHER
It’s much too long

THE GIRL
Yes
we were just going for a walk

MOTHER
Yes we were too

FATHER
The weather’s so nice
so

THE MAN
Yes
quite short pause
yes it’s a nice day

THE GIRL
We were just thinking of going home
quite short pause
and then we saw you

MOTHER
And you’re
yes you’re both well

THE GIRL
Yes thanks
And you

MOTHER
Yes thanks
yes we are

THE GIRL
It’s good to get out now and then

42
MOTHER
Yes
quite short pause
we don’t often get out of the house
these days

THE GIRL
Yes we too tend to stay at home

MOTHER
Yes
Quite short pause

FATHER
Yes it becomes an effort

MOTHER
It’s a long time since you’ve
paid us a visit

THE GIRL
Yes that too
quite short pause
we say to each other that now
now we must go and visit
quite short pause
but then
well we don’t

MOTHER
That’s how it is
Talking about it is as far you get
quite short pause
yes that’s how it is
yes

THE GIRL
Yes

MOTHER
But you’re both well

THE GIRL
Yes thanks

THE MAN
Yes everything’s fine
Pause

43
MOTHER
Yes it was good to see you

FATHER
Yes
really nice

MOTHER
And you must come and see us
one day

THE GIRL
Yes we’ll do that

THE MAN
We’ll do that
Pause

THE GIRL
But it’s so
yes I don’t quite know where we are
The Girl laughs briefly

MOTHER
No that’s true
I don’t know either
I
breaks off

FATHER
You don’t know where we are

THE GIRL
No

FATHER
But
breaks off. Pause. Father looks around and sees The Woman coming
towards him, and he walks towards her

THE GIRL
Yes we were on our way home

MOTHER
Yes we were too
Pause. The Mate comes over to The Girl

44
THE MATE
Why don’t you come
I’m waiting for you

THE GIRL
Yes I’m coming
Short pause
Yes I’ll come now
The Girl takes The Mate’s arm and they walk away, they stop and
stand there holding each other

MOTHER
to The Man
Do you miss her
quite short pause
yes that girl
the one you were married to

THE MAN
A bit perhaps
Short pause

MOTHER
But you’re not angry with her

THE MAN
No
quite short pause
no not the least

MOTHER
Not with
this mate of yours
either

THE MAN
No
Short pause

MOTHER
No I suppose not
Short pause
But
yes
yes do you know where we are

THE MAN
No I
breaks off

45
MOTHER
You’re not sure

THE MAN
No
Pause
And Dad

MOTHER
No I don’t know
Short pause
But this
quite short pause
that we’re here
yes
it’s familiar
in a way
quite short pause
yes perhaps
yes
quite short pause
yes perhaps it looks like you
she laughs briefly
yes you when you were little
you when you were tottering around
and were so infinitely happy
and then so infinitely unhappy
from one extreme
to the other
yes
yes it does
yes it looks like you
as a little boy
yes
quite short pause
but that’s not possible
that it looks like you
Father and The Woman meet and they take each other’s hands, stand
and look at each other

THE MAN
No
no it can’t look like me
as a little boy

46
MOTHER
Yes
yes it does
Quite short pause

THE MAN
And Dad

MOTHER
Yes
Pause

THE MAN
You don’t want to talk about it

MOTHER
No
Pause

THE MAN
But are you angry with him

MOTHER
No not now
I was
yes of course
but now
here
I’m not
not any more
I’m not the least bit angry with him

THE MAN
Not any more

MOTHER
No not now
not here
quite short pause
I have been
but I’m not any more
I’m not the least bit angry with him
I don’t understand it
Short pause. The Man and Mother turn and look at Father and The
Woman, they still hold hands, they look at each other, and then
Mother and The Man move away from each other

MOTHER
But it was good to talk

47
THE MAN
Yes it was
The Girl lets go of The Mate’s hand and walks towards The Man

MOTHER
And don’t let it be
this long till the next time

THE MAN
No
no I won’t

MOTHER
And look after yourself

THE MAN
You too
Father and The Woman put their arms around each other, stand there
and hold each other. Mother walks towards them, stops, stands and
looks at them

THE GIRL
to The Man
But where are you going

THE MAN
Nothing

THE GIRL
You mustn’t leave me

THE MAN
No I won’t leave you
Short pause

THE GIRL
Now that we’ve met each other
have found each other
you can’t just leave me

THE MAN
No I won’t leave you

THE GIRL
Sure

THE MAN
Yes
yes quite sure

48
THE GIRL
I’m so scared you’re
going to leave me

THE MAN
I won’t leave you
quite short pause
I’ll never leave you
You know that
I won’t leave you
The Mate walks towards The Man and The Girl and Mother walk towards
Father and The Woman

MOTHER
to Father
But aren’t we going home soon

FATHER
lets go of The Woman
Yes
yes we are

MOTHER
I don’t recognise this place
I’m a bit scared
Let’s go

THE WOMAN
I don’t recognise this place either
no I don’t either

THE MOTHER
You don’t

THE WOMAN
No
No I
quite short pause
no I don’t think I’ve been here before

MOTHER
Were you
suddenly here too
sort of

THE WOMAN
Yes
yes quite suddenly

49
MOTHER
Do you want to go too

THE WOMAN
Yes
To Father
Let’s go
I don’t want to be here any longer

MOTHER
Nor do I

FATHER
But where can we go

MOTHER
We just have to go

THE WOMAN
Yes
Pause

MOTHER
to Father
Let’s go

THE WOMAN
Yes we must go
Short pause

MOTHER
But I really don’t want to see you

THE WOMAN
No

MOTHER
I don’t want to see you

THE WOMAN
No
quite short pause
no I understand that

MOTHER
So why don’t you go

50
THE WOMAN
Yes
quite short pause
yes I’ll go

MOTHER
So go then

THE WOMAN
I don’t know where to go
I don’t have anywhere
to go
To Father
Why don’t you come

MOTHER
to Father
Come let’s go

FATHER
Yes
Mother takes Father’s arm and The Woman goes to Father, takes his
other arm. The Girl moves away from The Man

THE GIRL
turns to The Man
I was sorry about your father

The Man
Yes

THE GIRL
And it happened so suddenly

THE MAN
I can’t understand it
quite short pause
my whole life
he’s been there
yes like something you take for granted
sort of

THE GIRL
Yes that’s how it is

THE MAN
And then
suddenly
he was gone

51
THE GIRL
Yes
quite short pause
there’s nothing else to say about it
is there

THE MAN
No
Short pause

THE GIRL
And your mother

THE MAN
Yes it’s difficult for her
of course
to be alone

THE GIRL
He moved back to her

THE MAN
Yes
Pause. The Man turns away from The Girl, and she turns away from
him. Pause. The Woman leans against Father, he frees himself, and
moves away from her

THE WOMAN
But you can’t just leave

FATHER
No
I know that

THE WOMAN
So why are you doing it

FATHER
I’m not really leaving

THE WOMAN
Yes you’re leaving
just leaving
Pause. Father walks slowly forward and The Mate comes walking
towards him. The Mate and Father meet

52
FATHER
But we
quite short pause
we haven’t met since
quite short pause
yes since you were little
were a boy
quite short pause
well that’s a long time ago

The Mate
Yes it’s many many years ago

FATHER
And then we meet again here
quite short pause
quite suddenly

THE MATE
Yes
Long pause. The Mate goes to The Girl, they look at each other, hold
each other. Father stands and looks down and Mother walks over to
him, strokes his cheek, she turns around, looks at The Man

MOTHER
Glad you came

THE MAN
Yes well we have to
quite short pause
of course
It happened so fast

MOTHER
Yes
yes quite suddenly
quite short pause
he sat there
at the table
quite short pause
and then he fell across the table
quite short pause
and then he was dead
Pause
Good to see you

THE MAN
Yes

53
MOTHER
He was there
quite short pause
and then he was gone

THE MAN
Yes
Short pause

MOTHER
Like a glimmer of light

THE MAN
A glimmer

MOTHER
Yes like a glimmer of light
Pause
When’s your wife coming

THE MAN
Yes
yes she’ll be here soon

MOTHER
That’s good

THE MAN
Yes
Mother stands there looking down, and The Man takes a few steps
forward, stops. The Girl walks over to him, and she takes his arm,
they stand there. The Woman walks over to Father, puts her arm
around him. Mother comes over to The Man and The Girl

MOTHER
Well we should go

FATHER
I suppose we should

THE GIRL
Yes
Pause

THE MAN
Yes
Pause. They stay where they are. Mother turns and looks at Father,
he looks at her, moves away from The Woman. Mother and Father walk
towards each other

54
MOTHER
We can’t stay here any longer

FATHER
No

MOTHER
We must go

FATHER
But
quite short pause
but we’ve gone already
we’ve gone several times
yes
quite short pause

MOTHER
No
quite short pause
but still
quite short pause
you and I
we must go now
you and I
Pause

THE MAN
I don’t want to be here
Short pause

THE MAN
We’re just here
Short pause

THE GIRL
We have to be here
Short pause

THE WOMAN
We can’t be here always
can we
Short pause

MOTHER
I’m scared
We must go
Short pause

55
THE MAN
Perhaps we must be here always
Short pause

THE GIRL
But always
quite short pause
yes what does that mean

THE MAN
It means nothing
quite short pause
not here

THE GIRL
And we must be here

THE MAN
We must be here
Short pause

MOTHER
I don’t want to be here
Short pause

THE GIRL
I want to be somewhere else

FATHER
I’ve been here for so long
Short pause
And I’ve just arrived

THE MATE
But tell us
quite short pause
tell us
tell us where we are

FATHER
to Mother
We can’t stay here

MOTHER
No
No that’s impossible
We must go
Quite short pause
I’m getting scared

56
THE GIRL
I’m scared too

THE MATE
to Father
You’ve been here the longest

FATHER
That makes no difference

THE GIRL
But still

THE WOMAN
We must go now
Everyone must go
We can’t stay here

THE GIRL
goes and takes The Man’s arm
Come
come let’s go

THE MAN
Yes
They remain where they are

THE WOMAN
to Father
We can’t stay here
You must help me
why don’t you help me
The Woman takes Father’s arm. The Mate goes and takes The Girl’s
arm, and The Woman goes and takes Father’s arm
Let’s go now
quite short pause
let’s go now all of us

THE MAN
Yes
Pause

FATHER
But where shall we go

THE GIRL
We must go

57
FATHER
I can’t stay here
quite short pause
and I
yes I’ve been here for a long time

MOTHER
We’ve all been here for a long time

THE MATE
Very long

THE MAN
Infinitely long
Pause

THE WOMAN
How long do we have to be here

THE GIRL
Let’s go
quite short pause
let’s go
we’ll all of us go

MOTHER
We must go together
Pause

THE MATE
But there’s nowhere to go
Pause

THE WOMAN
We can’t go anywhere

MOTHER
We must stay here
Pause
But look

FATHER
What

MOTHER
points
There
can’t you see

58
FATHER
No
Short pause

THE GIRL
Yes
points
yes there
quite short pause
can’t you see
look
look

THE MAN
Yes
quite short pause
yes I see

THE WOMAN
What do you see

MOTHER
But look
look for yourself
Pause

THE MATE
Yes
quite short pause
yes now I see
The Man frees himself, and The Girl takes The Woman’s hand, and The
Man moves a few steps away, and he looks up, looks around, looks at
them

THE MAN
I see it
Short pause
I see that it’s there
points into the space
and I see
yes it’s in you
it is you
I see it

MOTHER
It’s in me

THE MAN
Yes

59
MOTHER
Yes
quite short pause
yes I can feel it
Yes
quite short pause
yes
yes it’s there
points
and there
points
and there
points
and there’s
yes there is me
not as me
but as me
as something else

THE MATE
I see it
I am it
I am here
yes
yes
and I am there
points
I am
breaks off

THE GIRL
Yes
I am both there
and I am here
and there
I am you
she looks at The Woman
and I am
quite short pause
me

FATHER
Yes
yes I see it
to The Man
I see it around you
and I see it in you
And now we shall go

60
MOTHER
We are going now
To The Man
Come
come we are going
come
The Man comes and takes Mother’s hand and they all walk slowly out

61