Redemption and Two Other Plays | Page 5

pause.
To think that men can touch eternity like that, and then--nothing--
nothing at all.
MUSICIAN. Yes, it's very original.
[Taking notes.
FÉDYA. Original be damned. It's real.

MUSICIAN. It's all very simple, except the rhythm. That's very
strange.
FÉDYA. Oh, Masha, Masha! You turn my soul inside out.
[Gypsies hum a song softly.
MASHA (sitting on couch L. with FÉDYA). Do I? But what was it I
asked you for?
FÉDYA. What? Oh, money. Voilà, mademoiselle.
[He takes money front his trousers pocket. MASHA laughs, takes the
money, counts it swiftly, and hides it in her dress.
FÉDYA. Look at this strange creature. When she sings she rushes me
into the sky and all she asks for is money, little presents of money for
throwing open the Gates of Paradise. You don't know yourself, at all,
do you?
MASHA. What's the use of me wondering about myself? I know when
I'm in love, and I know that I sing best when my love is singing.
FÉDYA. Do you love me?
MASHA (murmuring). I love you.
FÉDYA. But I am a married man, and you belong to this gypsy troupe.
They wouldn't let you leave it, and--
MASHA (interrupting). The troupe's one thing, and my heart's another.
I love those I love, and I hate those I hate.
FÉDYA. Oh, you must be happy to be like that.
MASHA. I'm always happy when handsome gentlemen come and say
nice things to me. (Gypsies stop singing.)
[A GYPSY entering speaks to FÉDYA.
GYPSY. Some one asking for you.
FÉDYA. Who?
Gypsy. Don't know. He's rich, though. Fur coat.
FÉDYA. Fur coat? O my God, show him in.
AFRÉMOV. Who the devil wants to see you here?
FÉDYA (carelessly). God knows, I don't. (Begins to hum a song.)
[KARÉNIN comes in, looking around the room.
(Exclaiming). Ha! Victor! You're the last man in the world I expected
to break into this enchanting milieu. Take off your coat, and they'll sing
for you.
KARÉNIN. Je voudrais vous parler sans témoins.
[MASHA rises and joins the group R.

FÉDYA. Oh.... What about?
KARÉNIN. Je viens de chez vous. Votre femme ma chargé de cette
lettre, et puis--
[FÉDYA takes the letter, opens it, reads. He frowns, then smiles
affectionately at KARÉNIN.
FÉDYA. You know what's in this letter, Victor?
[He is smiling gently all the time.
KARÉNIN (looking at FÉDYA rather severely). Yes, I know. But
really, Fédya, you're in no--
FÉDYA (interrupting). Please, please don't think I'm drunk and don't
realize what I'm saying. Of course I'm drunk, but I see everything very
clearly. Now go ahead. What were you told to tell me?
KARÉNIN (is standing L. C. Shrugging his shoulders). Your wife
asked me to find you and to tell you she's waiting for you. She wants
you to forget everything and come back.
[Pause.
KARÉNIN (stiffly). Elizaveta Protosova sent for me and suggested that
I--
FÉDYA (as he hesitates). Yes.
KARÉNIN (finishing rather lamely). But I ask you not so much for her
as for myself--Fédya, come home.
FÉDYA (looking up at him, smiling rather whimsically). You're a
much finer person than I am, Victor. Of course that's not saying much.
I'm not very much good, am I? (Laughing gently.) But that's exactly
why I'm not going to do what you want me to. It's not the only reason,
though. The real reason is that I just simply can't. How could I?
KARÉNIN (persuasively). Come along to my rooms, Fédya, and I'll
tell her you'll be back to-morrow.
FÉDYA (wistfully). To-morrows can't change what we are. She'll still
be she, and I will still be I to-morrow. (Goes to the table and drinks.)
No, it's better to have the tooth out in one pull. Didn't I say that if I
broke my word she was to leave me? Well, I've broken it, and that's
enough.
KARÉNIN. Yes. For you, but not for her.
FÉDYA (down L. Politely insolent). You know ... it's rather odd, that
you, of all men, should take so much trouble to keep our marriage from
going to pieces.

KARÉNIN (revolted). Good God, Fédya! You don't think--
[MASHA crosses L., goes to FÉDYA. FÉDYA interrupting him with a
return of his former friendliness.
FÉDYA. Come now, my dear Victor, you shall hear them sing.
MASHA (whispering to FÉDYA). What's his name? We must honor
him with a song.
FÉDYA (laughing). O good God, yes! Honor him by all means. His
name is Victor Michaelovitch. (Saluting Karénin.) Victor, my lord! son
of Michael!
[The gypsies sing a song of greeting and laudation. As they begin to
sing, MASHA and FÉDYA sit on couch L.
(When song is finished.)
KARÉNIN (in an imploring tone). Fédya!
[Exits quietly L. U.
FÉDYA (business with MASHA). Where's the fur coat? Gone, eh? All
right. May