“Scene Seven.” The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, New Directions, 2011.
1 SCENE 7
2 A SOUVENIR
3 Half an hour later. Dinner is just being finished in the upstage area which is concealed by the drawn portières.
4 [As the curtain rises LAURA is still huddled upon the sofa, her feet drawn under her, her head resting on a pale blue pillow, her eyes wide and mysteriously watchful. The new floor lamp with its shade of rose-colored silk gives a soft, becoming light to her face, bringing out the fragile, unearthly prettiness which usually escapes attention. There is a steady murmur of rain, but it is slackening and stops soon after the scene begins; the air outside becomes pale and luminous as the moon breaks out. A moment after the curtain rises, the lights in both rooms flicker and go out.]
5 JIM: Hey, there, Mr. Light Bulb!
6 [AMANDA laughs nervously.
7 LEGEND: 'SUSPENSION OF A PUBLIC SERVICE! .]
8 AMANDA: Where was Moses when the lights went out? Ha-ha. Do you know the answer to that one, Mr. O'Connor?
9 JIM: No, Ma'am, what's the answer?
10 AMANDA: In the dark!
11 [JIM laughs appreciatively.]
12 Everybody sit still. I'll light the candles. Isn't it lucky we have them on the table? Where's a match? Which of you gentlemen can provide a match?
13 JIM: Here.
14 AMANDA: Thank you, Sir.
15 JIM: Not at all, Ma'am!
16 AMANDA: I guess the fuse has burnt out. Mr. O'Connor, can you tell a burnt-out fuse? I know I can't and Tom is a total loss when it comes to mechanics.
17 [SOUND: GETTING UP: VOICES RECEDE A LITTLE TO KITCHENETTE.]
18 Oh, be careful you don't bump into something. We don't want our gentleman caller to break his neck. Now wouldn't that be a fine howdy-do?
19 JIM: Ha-ha! Where is the fuse-box?
20 AMANDA: Right here next to the stove. Can you see anything?
21 JIM: just a minute.
22 AMANDA: Isn't electricity a mysterious thing? Wasn't it Benjamin Franklin who tied a key to a kite?
23 We live in such a mysterious universe, don't we? Some people say that science clears up all the mysteries for us. In my opinion it only creates more!
24 Have you found it yet?
25 JIM: No, Ma'am. All these fuses look okay to me.
26 AMANDA: Tom!
27 TOM: Yes, Mother?
28 AMANDA: That light bill I gave you several days ago. The one I told you we got the notices about?
29 [LEGEND: 'HA!']
30 TOM: Oh. - Yeah.
31 AMANDA: You didn't neglect to pay it by any chance?
32 TOM: Why, I -
33 AMANDA: Didn't! I might have known it!
34 JIM: Shakespeare probably wrote a poem on that light bill, Mrs. Wingfield.
35 AMANDA: I might have known better than to trust him with it! There's such a high price for negligence in this world!
36 JIM: Maybe the poem will win a ten-dollar prize.
37 AMANDA: We'll just have to spend the remainder of the evening in the nineteenth century before Mr. Edison made the Mazda lamp!
38 JIM: Candlelight is my favorite kind of light.
39 AMANDA: That shows you're romantic! But that's no excuse for Tom.
40 Well, we got through dinner. Very considerate of them to let us get through dinner before they plunged us into everlasting darkness, wasn't it, Mr. O'Connor?
41 JIM: Ha-ha!
42 AMANDA: Tom, as a penalty for your carelessness you can help me with the dishes.
43 JIM: Let me give you a hand.
44 AMANDA: Indeed you will not!
45 JIM: I ought to be good for something.
46 AMANDA: Good for something? [Her tone is rhapsodic.] You? Why, Mr. O'Connor, nobody, nobody's given me this much entertainment in years - as you have!
47 JIM: Aw, now, Mrs. Wingfield!
48 AMANDA: I'm not exaggerating, not one bit! But Sister is all by her lonesome. You go keep her company in the parlor! I'll give you this lovely old candelabrum that used to be on the altar at the church of the Heavenly Rest. It was melted a little out of shape when the church burnt down. Lightning struck it one spring.
49 Gypsy Jones was holding a revival at the time and he intimated that the church was destroyed because the Episcopalians gave card parties.
50 JIM: Ha-ha.
51 AMANDA: And how about you coaxing Sister to drink a little wine? I think it would be good for her! Can you carry both at once?
52 JIM: Sure. I'm Superman!
53 AMANDA: Now, Thomas, get into this apron!
54 [The door of kitchenette swings closed on Amanda's gay laughter; the flickering light approaches the portières.
55 LAURA sits up nervously as he enters. Her speech at first is low and breathless from the almost intolerable strain of being alone with a stranger.
56 THE LEGEND: 'I DON'T SUPPOSE YOU REMEMBER ME AT ALL! '
57 In her first speeches in this scene, before JIM's warmth overcomes her paralyzing shyness, LAURA's voice is thin and breathless as though she has just run up a steep flight of stairs.
58 JIM's attitude is gently humorous. In playing this scene it should be stressed that while the incident is apparently unimportant, it is to LAURA the climax of her secret life.]
59 JIM: Hello, there, Laura.
60 LAURA [faintly]: Hello. [She clears her throat.]
61 JIM: How are you feeling now? Better?
62 LAURA: Yes. Yes, thank you.
63 JIM: This is for you. A little dandelion wine. [He extends it toward her with extravagant gallantry.]
64 LAURA: Thank you.
65 JIM: Drink it - but don't get drunk!
66 [He laughs heartily. LAURA takes the glass uncertainly; laughs shyly.]
67 Where shall I set the candles?
68 LAURA: Oh-oh, anywhere. . . ,
69 JIM -. How about here on the floor? Any objections?
70 LAURA-No.
71 JIM: I'll spread a newspaper under to catch the drippings. I like to sit on the floor. Mind if I do?
72 LAURA: Oh, no.
73 JIM: Give me a pillow?
74 LAURA: What?
75 JIM: A pillow!
76 LAURA: Oh ... [Hands him one quickly.]
77 JIM: How about you? Don't you like to sit on the floor?
78 LAURA: Oh - yes.
79 JIM: Why don't you, then?
80 LAURA: I - Will.
81 JIM: Take a pillow! [LAURA does. Sits on the other side of the candelabrum. JIM crosses his legs and smiles engagingly as her.] I can't hardly see you sitting way over there.
82 LAURA: I can - see you.
83 JIM: I know, but that's not fair, I'm in the limelight. [LAURA moves her pillow closer.] Good! Now I can see you! Comfortable?
84 LAURA: Yes.
85 JIM: So am I. Comfortable as a cow! Will you have some gum?
86 LAURA: No, thank you.
87 JIM: I think that I will indulge, with your permission, [Musingly unwraps it and holds it up.] Think of the fortune made by the guy that invented the first piece of chewing gum. Amazing, huh? The Wrigley Building is one of the sights of Chicago. - I saw it summer before last when I went up to the Century of Progress. Did you take in the Century of Progress?
88 LAURA: No, I didn't.
89 JIM: Well, it was quite a wonderful exposition. What impressed me most was the Hall of Science. Gives you an idea of what the future will be in America, even more wonderful than the present time is! [Pause. Smiling at her.] Your brother tells me you're shy. Is that right, Laura?
90 LAURA: I - don't know.
91 JIM: I judge you to be an old-fashioned type of girl. Well, I think that's a pretty good type to be. Hope you don't think I'm being too personal - do you?
92 LAURA [hastily, out of embarrassment]: I believe I will take a piece of gum, if you - don't mind. [Clearing her throat.] Mr. O'Connor, have you - kept up with your singing?
93 JIM: Singing? Me?
94 LAURA: Yes. I remember what a beautiful voice you had.
95 JIM: When did you hear me sing?
96 [VOICE OFFSTAGE IN THE PAUSE]
97 Voice [offstage]: 0 blow, ye winds, heigh-ho,
98 A-roving I will go!
99 I'm off to my love
100 With a boxing glove
101 Ten thousand miles away!
102 JIM: You say you've heard me sing?
103 LAURA: Oh, yes! Yes, very often I don't suppose - you remember me - at all?
104 JIM [smiling doubtfully]: You know I have an idea I've seen you before. I had that idea soon as you opened the door. It seemed almost like I was about to remember your name. But the name that I started to call you - wasn't a' name! And so I stopped myself before I said it.
105 LAURA: Wasn't it - Blue Roses?
106 JIM: [springs up. Grinning]: Blue Roses! - My gosh, yes - Blue Roses! That's what I had on my tongue when you opened the door!
107 Isn't it funny what tricks your memory plays? I didn't connect you with high school somehow or other.
108 But that's where it was; it was high school. I didn't even know you were Shakespeare's sister!
109 Gosh, I'm sorry.
110 LAURA: I didn't expect you to. You - barely knew me!
111 JIM: But we did have a speaking acquaintance, huh?
112 LAURA: Yes, we - spoke to each other.
113 JIM: When did you recognize me?
114 LAURA: Oh, right away!
115 JIM: Soon as I came in the door?
116 LAURA: When I heard your name I thought it was probably you. I knew that Tom used to know you a little in high school. So when you came in the door Well, then I was - sure.
117 JIM: Why didn't you say something, then?
118 LAURA [breathlessly]: I didn't know what to say, I was - too surprised!
119 JIM: For goodness' sakes I You know, this sure is funny!
120 LAURA: Yes I Yes, isn't it, though ...
121 JIM: Didn't we have a class in something together?
122 LAURA: Yes, we did.
123 JIM: What class was that?
124 LAURA: It was - singing - Chorus!
125 JIM: Aw!
126 LAURA: I sat across the aisle from you in the Aud.
127 JIM: Aw!
128 LAURA: Mondays, Wednesday, and Fridays.
129 JIM: Now I remember - you always came in late.
130 LAURA: Yes, it was so hard for me, getting upstairs. I had that brace on my leg - it clumped so loud I
131 JIM: I never heard any clumping.
132 LAURA [wincing at the recollection]: To me it sounded like thunder!
133 JIM: Well, well, well, I never even noticed.
134 LAURA: And everybody was seated before I came in. I had to walk in front of all those people. My seat was in the back row. I had to go clumping all the way up the aisle with everyone watching I
135 JIM: You shouldn't have been self-conscious.
136 LAURA: I know, but I was. It was always such a relief when the singing started.
137 JIM: Aw, yes, I've placed you now I I used to call you Blue Rom. How was it that I got started calling you that?
138 LAURA: I was out of school a little while with pleurosis. When I came back you asked me what was the matter. I said I had pleurosis - you thought I said Blue Roses That's what you always called me after that I
139 JIM: I hope you didn't mind.
140 LAURA: Oh, no - I liked it. You see, I wasn't acquainted with many - people....
141 JIM: As I remember you sort of stuck by yourself.
142 LAURA: I - I - never have had much luck at - making
143 friends.
144 JIM: I don't see why you wouldn't.
145 LAURA:' . Well, I - started out badly.
146 JIM: You mean being -
147 LAURA: Yes, it sort of - stood between me -
148 JIM: You shouldn't have let it!
149 LAURA: I know, but it did, and -
150 JIM: You were shy with people!
151 LAURA: I tried not to be but never could -
152 JIM: Overcome it?
153 LAURA: No, I - I never could!
154 JIM: I guess being shy is something you have to work out of
155 kind of gradually.
156 LAURA [sorrowfully]: Yes - I guess it -
157 JIM: Takes time!
158 LAURA: Yes -
159 JIM - People arc not so dreadful when you know them. That's what you have to remember! And everybody has problems, not just you, but practically everybody has got some problems. You think of yourself as having the only problems, as being the only one who is disappointed. But just look around you and you will see lots of people as disappointed as you are. For instance, I hoped when I was going to high-school that I would be further along at this time, six years later, than I am now - You remember that wonderful write-up I had in The Torch?
160 LAURA:: Yes! [She rises and crosses to table.]
161 JIM: It said I was bound to succeed in anything I went into!
162 [LAURA returns with the annual.] Holy Jeez! The Torch! [He accepts it reverently. They smile across it with mutual wonder. LAURA crouches beside him and they begin to turn through it. LAURA's shyness is dissolving in his warmth.]
163 LAURA:: Here you are in The Pirates of Penzance!
164 JIM: [wistfully] : I sang the baritone lead in that operetta.
165 LAURA [raptly]: So - beautifully!
166 JIM [protesting]: Aw -
167 LAU R A: Yes, yes - beautifully - beautifully!
168 JIM: You heard me?
169 LAURA: All three times!
170 JIM: No!
171 LAURA: Yes!
172 JIM: All three performances?
173 LAURA [looking down]: Yes.
174 JIM: Why?
175 LAURA: I - wanted to ask you to - autograph my program.
176 JIM: Why didn't you ask me to?
177 LAURA: You were always surrounded by your own friends so much that I never had a chance to.
178 JIM: You should have just
179 LAURA: Well, I - thought you might think I was
180 JIM: Thought I might think you was - what?
181 LAURA: Oh
182 JIM [with reflective relish]: I was beleaguered by females In those days.
183 LAURA: You were terribly popular !
184 JIM: Yeah
185 LAURA: You had such a - friendly way
186 JIM: I was spoiled in high school.
187 LAURA: Everybody - liked you !
188 JIM: Including you?
189 LAURA: I - yes, I - I did, too - [She gently closes the book in her lap.]
190 JIM: Well, well, well! - Give me that program, Laura. [She hands it to him. He signs it with a flourish.] There you are - better late than never!
191 LAURA: Oh, I - what a - surprise!
192 JIM: My signature isn't worth very much right now. But someday - maybe - it will increase in value! Being disappointed is one thing and being discouraged is something else. I am disappointed but I am not discouraged. I'm twenty-three years old. How old are you?
193 LAURA:: I'll be twenty-four in June.
194 JIM: That's not old age!
195 LAURA: No, but
196 JIM: You finished high school?
197 LAURA [with difficulty]: I didn't go back.
198 JIM: You mean you dropped out?
199 LAURA: I made bad grades in my final examinations. [She rises and replaces the book and the program. Her voice strained.] How is - Emily Meisenbach getting along?
200 JIM: Oh, that kraut-head!
201 LAURA:: Why do you call her that?
202 J I M: That's what she was.
203 LAURA: You're not still - going with her?
204 J I M: I never see her.
205 LAURA: It said in the Personal Section that you were engaged!
206 J I M: I know, but I wasn't impressed by that -propaganda I
207 LAURA: It wasn't - the truth?
208 J I M: Only in Emily's optimistic opinion!
209 LAURA: Oh
210 [LEGEND: ' WHAT HAVE YOU DONE SINCE HIGH SCHOOL?' ]
211 JIM lights a cigarette and leans indolently back on his elbows smiling at LAURA with a warmth and charm which lights her inwardly with altar candler. She remains by the table and turns in her hands a piece of glass to cover her tumult.]
212 JIM: [after several reflective puffs on a cigarette] : What have you done since high school? [She seems not to hear him.] Huh? [LAURA looks up.] I said what have you done since high school, Laura?
213 LAURA:: Nothing much.
214 JIM: You must have been doing something these six long years.
215 LAURA: Yes.
216 JIM: Well, then, such as what?
217 LAURA: I took a business course at business college
218 JIM: How did that work out?
219 LAURA: Well, not very - well - I had to drop out, it gave me - indigestion
220 J I M [laughs gently.]: What are you doing now?
221 LAURA: I don't do anything - much. Oh, please don't think I sit around doing nothing! My glass collection takes up a good deal of time. Glass is something you have to take good care of
222 JIM: What did you say - about glass?
223 LAURA: Collection I said - I have one - [she clears her throat and turns away, acutely shy.]
224 JIM: [abruptly]: You know what I judge to be the trouble with you?
225 Inferiority complex I Know what that is? That's what they call it when someone low-rates himself! I understand it because I had it, too. Although my caw was not so aggravated as yours seems to be. I had it until I took up public speaking, developed my voice, and learned that I had an aptitude for science. Before that time I never thought of myself as being outstanding in any way whatsoever I
226 Now I've never made a regular study of it, but I have a friend who says I can analyze people better than doctors that make a profession of it. I don't claim that to be necessarily true, but I can sure guess a person's psychology, Laura I [Takes out his gum] Excuse me, Laura. I always take it out when the flavor is gone. I'll use this scrap of paper to wrap it in. I know how it is to get it stuck on a shoe.
227 Yep - that's what I judge to be your principal trouble. A lack of amount of faith in yourself as a person. You don't have the proper amount of faith in yourself. I'm basing that fact on a number of your remarks and also on certain observations I've made. For instance, that clumping you thought was so awful in high school. You say that you even dreaded to walk into class. You see what you did? You dropped out of school, you gave up an education because of a clump, which as far as I know was practically non-existent! A little physical defect is what you have. Hardly noticeable even! Magnified thousands of times by imagination!
228 You know what my strong advice to you is? Think of yourself as superior in some way!
229 LAURA: In what way would I think?
230 JIM: Why, man alive, Laura! just look about you a little. What do you see? A world full of common people! All of 'em born and all of 'em going to die!
231 Which of them has one-tenth of your good points I Or mine! Or anyone else's, as far as that goes - Gosh!
232 Everybody excels in some one thing. Some in many!
233 [Unconsciously glances at himself in the mirror.]
234 All you've got to do is discover in what. Take me, for instance.
235 [He adjusts his tie at the mirror.]
236 My interest happens to lie in electro-dynamics. I'm taking a course in radio engineering at night school, Laura, on top of a fairly responsible job at the warehouse. I'm taking that course and studying public speaking.
237 LAURA: Ohhhh.
238 JIM: Because I believe in the future of television!
239 [Turning back to her.]
240 I wish to be ready to go up right along with it. Therefore I'm planning to get in on the ground floor. In fact I've already made the right connexions and all that remains is for the industry itself to get underway I Full steam
241 [His eyes are starry.]
242 Knowledge - Zzzzzp! Money - Zzzzzzp I - Power! That's the cycle democracy is built on I
243 [His attitude is convincingly dynamic. LAURA stares at him, even her shyness eclipsed in her absolute wonder. He suddenly grins.]
244 I guess you think I think a lot of myself!
245 LAURA: No - o-o-o,!
246 JIM: Now how about you? Isn't there something you, take more interest in than anything else?
247 LAURA: Well, I do - as I said - have my - glass collection [A peal of girlish laughter from du kitchen]
248 JIM: I'm not right sure I know what you're talking about What kind of glass is it?
249 LAURA: Little articles of it, they're ornaments mostly I
250 Most of them are little animals made out of glass, the tiniest little animals in the world. Mother calls them A glass menagerie! Here's an example of one, if you'd like to see it I
251 This one is one of the oldest. It's nearly thirteen.
252 [MUSIC: ' THE GLASS MENAGERIE''
253 He stretches out his hand.]
254 Oh, be careful - if you breathe, it breaks!
255 JIM: I'd better not take it. I'm pretty clumsy with things.
256 LAURA: Go on, I trust you with him!
257 [Places it in his palm.]
258 There now - you're holding him gently!
259 Hold him over the light, he loves the light I You see how the light shines through him?
260 JIM: It sure does shine!
261 LAURA: I shouldn't be partial, but he is my favorite one.
262 JIM: What kind of a thing is this one supposed to be?
263 LAURA: Haven't you noticed the single horn on his forehead head?
264 JIM: A unicorn, huh?
265 LAURA: Mmmm-hmmm!
266 JIM: Unicorns, aren't they extinct in the modern world?
267 LAURA: I know!
268 JIM: Poor little fellow, he must feel sort of lonesome.
269 LAURA [smiling]: Well, if he does he doesn't complain about it. He stays on a shelf with some horses that don't have horns and all of them seem to get along nicely together.
270 JIM: How do you know?
271 LAURA [Iightly]: I haven't heard any arguments among them!
272 JIM: [grinning]: No arguments, huh? Well, that's a pretty good sign! Where shall I set him?
273 LAURA: Put him on the table. They all like a change of scenery once in a while!
274 JIM: [stretching]: Well, well, well, well Look how big my shadow is when I stretch!
275 LAURA: Oh, oh, yes - it stretches across the ceiling!
276 JIM: [crossing to door]: I think it's stopped raining. [Opens fire-escape door.] Where does the music come from?
277 LAURA: From the Paradise Dance Hall across the alley.
278 JIM: How about cutting the rug a little, Miss Wingfield?
279 LAURA: Oh
280 JIM: Or is your programme filled up? Let me have a look at it. [Grasps imaginary card.] Why, every dance is taken! I'll just have to scratch some out. [WALTZ MUSIC 'LA GOLONDRINA'.] . Ahhh, a waltz ! [He executes some sweeping turns by himself then holds his arms toward LAURA.]
281 LAURA [breathlessly]: I - can't dance!
282 JIM: There you go, that inferiority stuff! Come on, try!
283 LAURA: Oh, but I'd step on you!
284 JIM: I'm not made out of glass.
285 LAURA: How - how - how do we start?
286 J IM: just leave it to me. You hold your arms out a little.
287 LAURA: Like this?
288 JIM: A little bit higher. Right. Now don't tighten up, that's the main thing about it - relax.
289 LAURA [laughs breathlessly]: It's hard not to. I'm afraid you can't budge me.
290 JIM: What do you bet I can't? [He swings her into motion.]
291 LAURA: Goodness, yes, you can!
292 JIM: Let yourself go, now, Laura, just let yourself go.
293 LAURA: I'm
294 JIM: Come on!
295 LAURA: Trying!
296 JIM: Not so stiff - Easy does it I!
297 LAURA: I know but I'm -
298 JIM: Loosen th' backbone! There now, that's a lot better.
299 LAURA: Am I?
300 JIM: Lots, lots better!
301 [He moves her about the room in a clumsy waltz ]
302 LAURA: Oh, my!
303 JIM: Ha-ha!
304 LAURA: Oh, my goodness!
305 JIM: Ha-ha-ha!
306 [They suddenly bump into the table. JIM stops] What did we hit on?
307 LAURA: Table.
308 JIM: Did something fall off it? I think-
309 LAURA: Yes.
310 JIM: I hope that it wasn't the little glass horse with the horn!
311 LAURA: Yes.
312 JIM: Aw aw aw- Is it broken?
313 LAURA: Now it is just like all the other horses.
314 JIM: It's lost its -
315 LAURA: Horn!
316 It doesn't matter. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise.
317 JIM: You'll never forgive me. I bet that that was your Favourite piece of glass.
318 LAURA: I don't have favorites much. It's no tragedy, Freckles. Glass breaks so easily. No matter how careful you are. The traffic jars the shelves and things fall off them.
319 JIM: Still I'm awfully sorry that I was the cause.
320 LA U R A [smiling] I'll just imagine he had an operation. The horn was removed to make him feel less - freakish!
321 [They both laugh.]
322 Now he will feel more at home with the other horses, the ones that don't have horns. .
323 JIM: Ha-ha, that's very funny!
324 [Suddenly serious]
325 I'm glad to see that you have a sense of humor. You know - you're - well - very different! Surprisingly different from anyone else I know!
326 [His wire become soft and hesitant with a genuine feeling]
327 Do you mind me telling you that?
328 [LAURA is abashed beyond speech]
329 I mean it in a nice way ...
330 [LAURA nods shyly, looking away.]
331 You make me feel sort of - I don't know how to put it! I'm usually pretty good at expressing things, but This is something that I don't know how to say!
332 [LAURA touches her throat and clears it - turns the unicorn in her hands. Even softer.]
333 Has anyone ever told you that you were pretty?
334 [PAUSE: MUSIC.
335 LAURA looks up slowly with wonder and shakes her head.]
336 Well, you are! In a very different way from anyone else. And all the nicer because of the difference, too.
337 [His voice becomes low and husky. LA U R A turns away, nearly faint with the novelty of her emotions.]
338 I wish that you were my sister. I'd teach you to have some confidence in yourself. The different people are not like other people, but being different is nothing to be ashamed of. Because other people are not such wonderful people. They're one hundred times one thousand. You're one times one! They walk all over the earth. You just stay here. They're common as - weeds, -but - you - well, you're - Blue Roses!
339 [IMAGE ON SCREEN: BLUE ROSES.
340 MUSIC CHANGES.]
341 LAURA: But blue is wrong for - roses...
342 JIM: It's right for you! - You're - pretty!
343 LAURA: In what respect am I pretty?
344 JIM: In all respects - believe me! Your eyes - your hair are pretty! Your hands are pretty!
345 [He catches hold of her hand.]
346 You think I'm making this up because I'm invited to dinner and have to be nice. Oh, I could do that ! I could put on an act for you, Laura, and say lots of things without being very sincere. But this time I am. I'm talking to you sincerely. I happened to notice you had this inferiority complex that keeps you from feeling comfortable with people. Somebody needs to build your confidence up and make you proud instead of shy and turning away and - blushing - Somebody -ought to - Ought to - kiss you, Laura !
347 [His hand slips slowly up her arm to her shoulder.
348 MUSIC SWELLS TUMULTUOUSLY
349 He suddenly turns her about and kisses her on the lips.
350 When he releases her, LAURA sinks on the sofa with a bright, dazed look.
351 J IM backs away and fishes in his pocket for a cigarette.
352 LEGEND ON SCREEN: ' SOUVENIR'.]
353 Stumble-john!
354 [He lights the cigarette, avoiding her look.
355 There is a peal of girlish laughter from AMANDA in the kitchen.
356 LAURA slowly raises and opens her hand. It still contains the little broken glass animal. She looks at it with a tender, bewildered expression.]
357 Stumble-john!
358 I shouldn't have done that - That was way off the beam. You don't smoke, do you?
359 [She looks up, smiling, not hearing the question.
360 He sits beside her a little gingerly. She looks at him speechlessly - waiting.
361 He coughs decorously and moves a little farther aside as he considers the situation and senses her feelings, dimly, with perturbation.
362 Gently.]
363 Would you - care for a - mint?
364 [She doesn't seem to hear him but her look grows brighter even.]
365 Peppermint - Life-Saver?
366 My pocket's a regular drug store - wherever I go ...
367 [He pops a mint in his mouth. Then gulps and decides to make a clean breast of it. He speaks slowly and gingerly.]
368 Laura, you know, if I had a sister like you, I'd do the same thing as Tom. I'd bring out fellows and - introduce her to them. The right type of boys of a type to - appreciate her.
369 Only - well - he made a mistake about me.
370 Maybe I've got no call to be saying this. That may not have been the idea in having me over. But what if it was? There's nothing wrong about that. The only trouble is that in my case - I'm not in a situation to - do the right thing.
371 I can't take down your number and say I'll phone. I can't call up next week and - ask for a date.
372 I thought I had better explain the situation in case you misunderstand it and - hurt your feelings. .
373 [Pause.
374 Slowly, very slowly, LAURA's look changes, her eyes returning slowly from his to the ornament in her palm.
375 AMANDA utters another gay laugh in the kitchen.]
376 LAURA [faintly] You - won't - call again?
377 JIM: No, Laura, I can't.
378 [He rises from the sofa.]
379 As I was just explaining, I've - got strings on me. Laura, I've - been going steady!
380 I go out all of the time with a girl named Betty. She's a home-girl like you, and Catholic, and Irish, and in a great many ways we - get along fine.
381 I met her last summer on a moonlight boat trip up the river to Alton, on the Majestic.
382 Well - right away from the start it was - love!
383 [LEGEND: 'LOVE!'
384 LAURA sways slightly forward and grips the arm of the sofa. He fails to notice, now enrapt in his own comfortable being.]
385 Being in love has made -a new man of me !
386 [Leaning stiffly forward, clutching the arm of the sofa LAURA struggles visibly with her storm. But JIM is oblivious, she it a long way of.]
387 The power of love is really pretty tremendous!
388 Love is something that - changes the whole world, Laura!
389 [The storm abates a little and LAURA leans back. He notices her again.]
390 It happened that Betty's aunt took sick, she got a wire and had to go to Centralia. So Tom - when he asked me to dinner - I naturally just accepted the invitation, not knowing that you - that he - that! [He stops awkwardly.]
391 huh - I'm a stumble-john!
392 [He flops back on the sofa.
393 The holy candles in the altar of LAURA's face have been snuffed out.
394 There is a look of almost infinite desolation.
395 JIM: glances at her uneasily.]
396 I wish that you would - say something. [She bites her lip which was trembling and then bravely smiles. She opens her hand again on the broken glass ornament. Then she gently takes his hand and raises it level with her own. She carefully places the unicorn in the palm of his hand, then pushes his fingers closed upon it.] What are you - doing that for? You want me to have him? Laura? [She nods.] What for?
397 LAURA: A - souvenir ...
398 [She rues unsteadily and crouches beside Lim victrola to wind it up.
399 LEGEND ON SCREEN: ' THINGS HAVE A WAY OF
400 TURNING OUT SO BADLY !'
401 OR IMAGE: GENTLEMAN CALLER WAVING GOOD-BYE! - GAILY.
402 At this moment AMANDA rushes brightly back in the front room. She bears a pitcher of fruit Punch in an old-fashioned cut-glass Pitcher and a plate of macaroons. The Plate has a gold border and poppies painted on it.]
403 AMANDA: Well, Well, Well! Isn't the air delightful after the shower? I've made you children a little liquid refreshment.
404 [Turns gaily to the gentleman caller.]
405 JIM, do you know that song about lemonade? 'Lemonade, lemonade Made in the shade and stirred with a spade Good enough for any old maid !'
406 JIM [uneasily]: Ha-ha! No - I never heard it.
407 A M: A N D A: Why, Laura! You look so serious!
408 JIM: We were having a serious conversation.
409 AMANDA: Good! Now you're better acquainted!
410 J I M: [uncertainly]: Ha-ha! Yes.
411 AMANDA: You modem young people are much more serious-minded than my generation. I was so gay as a girl I
412 JIM: You haven't changed, Mrs. Wingfield
413 AMANDA: Tonight I'm rejuvenated! The gaiety of the occasion, Mr. O'Connor!
414 [She tosses her head with a pod of laughter. Spa lemonade.]
415 Oooo! I'm baptizing myself!
416 JIM: Here - let me
417 AMANDA [Setting the pitcher down]: There now. I discovered we had some maraschino cherries. I dumped them in, juice and all!
418 JIM: You shouldn't have gone to that trouble, Mrs. Wing, field.
419 AMANDA: Trouble, trouble? Why, it was loads of fun! Didn't you hear me cutting up in the kitchen? I bet your ears were burning! I told Tom how outdone with him I was for keeping you to himself so long a time! He should have brought you over much, much sooner! Well, now that you've found your way, I want you to be a very frequent caller! Not just occasional but all the time. Oh, we're going to have a lot of gay times together! I see them coming!
420 Mmm, just breathe that air! So fresh, and the moon's so pretty!
421 I'll skip back out - I know where my place is when young folks are having a - serious conversation!
422 JIM: Oh, don't go out, Mrs. Wingfield. The fact of the matter is I've got to be going.
423 AMANDA: Going, now? You're joking! Why, it's only the shank of the evening, Mr. O'Connor!
424 JIM: Well, you know how it is.
425 AMANDA: You mean you're a young working man and have to keep working men's hours. Well let you off early tonight.
426 But only on the condition that next time you stay later.
427 What's the best night for you? Isn't Saturday night the best night for you working men?
428 J I M: I have a couple of time-clocks to punch, Mrs. Wingfield. One at morning, another one at night!
429 AMANDA: My, but you are ambitious! You work at night, too?
430 JIM: No, Ma'am, not work but - Betty! [He crosses deliberately to pick up his hat. The band at the Paradise Dance Hall goes into a tender waltz.]
431 AMANDA: Betty? Betty? Who's - Betty!
432 [There is an ominous cracking sound in the sky.]
433 JIM: Oh, just a girl. The girl I go steady with [He smiles charmingly. The sky falls]
434 [LEGEND: 'THE SKY FALLS'.]
435 AMANDA [a long-drawn exhalation]: Ohhhh. ... Is it a serious romance, Mr. O'Connor?
436 JIM: - We're going to be married the second Sunday in June.
437 AMANDA: Ohhhh - how nice! Tom didn't mention that you were engaged to be married.
438 JIM: The cat's not out of the bag at the warehouse yet. You know how they are. They call you Romeo and stuff like that.
439 [He stops at the oval mirror to put on his hat. He carefully shapes the brim and the crown to give a discreetly dashing effect.]
440 It's been a wonderful evening, Mrs. Wingfield. I guess this is what they mean by Southern hospitality.
441 AMANDA: It really wasn't anything at all.
442 J I M: I hope it don't seem like I'm rushing off. But I promised Betty I'd pick her up at the Wabash depot, an' by the time I get my jalopy down there her train'll be in. Some women are pretty upset if you keep 'em waiting.
443 AMANDA: Yes, I know - Ile tyranny of women!
444 [Extends her hand.]
445 Good-bye, Mr. O'Connor. I wish you luck - and happiness - and success ! All three of them, and so does Laura !- Don't you, Laura?
446 LAURA: Yes!
447 JIM [taking her hand]: Good-bye, Laura. I'm certainly going to treasure that souvenir. And don't you forget the good advice I gave you.
448 [Raises his voice to a cheery shout.]
449 So long, Shakespeare ! Thanks again, ladies - Good night !
450 [He grins and ducks jauntily out.]
451 Still bravely grimacing, AMANDA closes the door on the gentleman caller. Then she turns back to the room with a Puzzled expression. She and LAURA don't dare face each other. LAURA crouches beside the victrola to wind it.]
452 AMANDA [faintly] Things have a way of turning out so badly.
453 I don't believe that I would play the victrola. Well, well - well Our gentleman caller was engaged to be married!
454 TOM!
455 TOM [from back]: Yes, Mother?
456 AMANDA: Come in here a minute. I want to tell you something awfully funny.
457 TOM [enters with macaroon and a glass of lemonade]: Has the gentleman caller gotten away already?
458 AMANDA: The gentleman caller has made an early departure. What a wonderful joke you played on us !
459 TOM: How do you mean?
460 AMANDA: You didn't mention that he was engaged to be married.
461 TOM: JIM? Engaged?
462 AMANDA: That's what he just informed us.
463 TOM: I'll be jiggered! I didn't know about that
464 AMANDA: That seems very peculiar.
465 TOM: 'What's peculiar about it?
466 AMANDA: Didn't you call him your best friend down at the warehouse?
467 TOM: He is, but how did I know?
468 AMANDA: It seems extremely peculiar that you wouldn't know your best friend was going to be married!
469 TOM: The warehouse is where I work, not where I know things about people!
470 AMANDA: You don't know things anywhere! You live in a dream; you manufacture illusions!
471 [He crosses to door.]
472 Where are you going?
473 TOM: I'm going to the movies.
474 AMANDA: That's right, now that you've had us make such fools of ourselves. The effort, the preparations, all the expense ! The new floor lamp, the rug, the clothes for Laura ! all for what? To entertain some other girl's fiancé ! Go to the movies, go ! Don't think about us, a mother deserted, an unmarried sister who's crippled and has no job! Don't let anything interfere with your selfish pleasure I just go, go, go - to the movies!
475 TOM: All right, I will! The more you shout about my selfishness to me the quicker I'll go, and I won't go to the movies!
476 AMANDA: Go, then! Then go to the moon - you selfish dreamer!
477 [Tom smashes his glass on the floor. He plunges out on the fire-escape, slamming the door. LAURA screams -cut by door.
478 Dance-hall Music up. TOM goes to the rail and grips it desperately, lifting his face in the chill white moonlight penetrating narrow abyss of the alley.
479 LEGEND ON SCREEN: ' AND SO GOOD-BYE...'
480 TOM 's closing speech is timed with the interior pantomime. [The interior scene is played as though viewed through soundproof glass. AMANDA appears to be making a comforting speech to LAURA who is huddled upon the sofa. Now that we cannot hear the mother's speech, her silliness is gone and she has dignity and tragic beauty.
481 LAURA’s dark hair hides her face until at the end of the speech she lifts it to smile at her Mother. AMANDA' s gestures are slow and graceful, almost dancelike as she comforts the daughter. At the end of her speech she glances a moment at the father's picture - then withdraws through the portières. At the close of Tom's speech, LAURA blows out the candles, ending the play.]
482 TOM: I didn't go to the moon, I went much further - for time is the longest distance between places. Not long after that I was fired for writing a poem on the lid of a shoebox.
483 I left Saint Louis. I descended the step of this fire-escape for a last time and followed, from then on, in my father's footsteps, attempting to find in motion what was lost in space - I traveled around a great deal. The cities swept about me like dead leaves, leaves that were brightly colored but tom away from the branches.
484 I would have stopped, but I was pursued by something.
485 It always came upon me unawares, taking me altogether by surprise. Perhaps it was a familiar bit of music. Perhaps it was only a piece of transparent glass. Perhaps I am walking along a street at night, in some strange city, before I have found companions. I pass the lighted window of a shop where perfume is sold. The window is filled with pieces of coloured glass, tiny transparent bottles in delicate colours, like bits of a shattered rainbow.
486 Then all at once my sister touches my shoulder. I turn around and look into her eyes ...
487 Oh, Laura, Laura, I tried to leave you behind me, but I am more faithful than I intended to be !
488 I reach for a cigarette, I cross the street, I run into the movies or a bar, I buy a drink, I speak to the nearest stranger -anything that can blow your candles out !
489 [LAURA bends over the candles.]
490 - for nowadays the world is lit by lightning! Blow out your candles, Laura - and so good-bye.
491 [She blows the candles out.]
492 THE SCENE DISSOLVES
0 General Document comments
295 Sentence and Paragraph comments
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Laura still on the sofa, but seeing a little lightness around her.
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this character show since the beginning a relax stay of mind
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Laura didn’t even move from the sofa, the entire dinner. She stay in the living room.
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I guess that Tom forgot to pay the light bill. Now they have to uses the candle because of that.
- I remember from the other scene that Tom is responsible for the house cost.
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Jim is trying to make fun of the situation. After Tom neglect the bill payment.
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Episcopalians
a member of the Episcopal Church.
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After the dinner they decide to drink wine.
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supposed to do
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That see like Tom and Laura are alone in the living room now.
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It shows that the plan to unify them is getting along well
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Jim brought Laura a glass of wine.
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he even try to have some jokes to make her laugh
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Laura want to be in the dark, but Jim ask her to move more close to him.
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That see as Jim like to talk about business.
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he want her to see what his interests are
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I believe that Jim is trying to be open with her.
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our points of views are constantly changing and evolving that is the reason why we shouldn’t judge without knowing
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Laura still remember Jim amusements.
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Jim remember how he used to call her during they school year.
Blue Roses!!
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I think she will try to make the victim herself in order to try to make him closer to her
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Laura was feeling nervous that why she didn’t talk. She prefer to save her comment instead of being social and open with other people.
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Laura look back to every detail that connect herself with Jim.
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Laura has always had that problem with her leg.
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Talking about their past.
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Laura don’t have self-esteem or self confidences at all.
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pleurosis
pleurisy causes sharp chest pain (pleuritic pain) that worsens during breathing. One pleural layer of tissue wraps around the outside of the lungs.
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sometimes we think that we are going through the worse problems but there is actually people that have much more problems than we do
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Jim showed a great experience during his high school years and gave the impression that he was going to go far in life. However, six years later he has not served as a witness himself that he has gone as far as he or people expected him to be
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That see like Jim used to have many friend or at list be famous at the school.
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That why Laura never felt comfortable to be closed to Jim because at lot girls used to be close to him during that time.
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Laura ask him to make an autograph in her book.
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never give up on your dreams no matter how unreachable they look you will get there if you put the work in
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In life one can get disappointed by the actions of other people but not discouraged to the point of giving up in what one’s goals are in life.
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Laura and Jim are young both almost have the same age
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Laura change the topic that see like she were uncomfortable.
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Kraut
countable) herb; useful plant (plant used to flavor food, or for medicinal effect) (countable, botany) plant whose above-ground portions are not woody.
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Why propaganda ?
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That see like they don’t talk each other any more or they separated ending with hatred.
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Jim like to smoke the same as Tom
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That see like Laura has being sick her entire life.
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That show that Laura is peaceful because she take care of her glass collection with at lot patience.
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Jim is being honest with Laura about herself what have being affecting her.
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I like the way how Jim is doing, trying to help Laura giving her some advices so she can be a better person.
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Jim is telling Laura about his life and what is doing for his future.
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seeing potential ahead of time
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Laura don’t like to think in big, she just care about her glass collection.
She never challenge herself to do more and more.
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In fact, it shows that people are not always what one thinks they are at the beginning. The key is to make sure everyone is on the same page in order to understand each other
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we will always feel comfortable around specie that look like us
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the hardest thing of all is to try
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She was used to depend on others opinion
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Jim invited Laura to dance and she accept it.
-She is trying to be open with him now. Jim taught how to danced.
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Laura and Jim were dancing when they hit the table were the small glass was and then broken.
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he really sees something different on her
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This part is reflection to Tom because, he have never try to change Laura mind about the world.
He never advices or try to change her personality.
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Jim is using a cute language with Laura
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I like Jim motivation to Laura !!!
I also believe that Lara have so much to work in herself.
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he want her to feel supported
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wow !!! Jim kiss her.
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I don’t like the way how is Jim acting
after he kiss her !!! Please he abuse of her basically.
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Jim is a betrayer he didn’t mentioned anything from the beginning.
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That river is ubicate in Mississippi
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it can make you go almost crazy but is worth it :)
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The author shows resolution to point how Laura’s moments were not oftentimes going to be good. But that they were not to her favor
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they both may like each other
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Laura is not saving resentment again Jim after all.
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she just want a gay friend really
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Jim is leaving, after Amanda invited him to stay more time with them.
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he doesn’t want none of that non-sense
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Amanda is surprise about it.
Jim didn’t mentioned anything about his wedding.
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Not one form the warehouse know about Jim wedding.
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Amanda is blaming Tom
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she a real trouble maker
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hiding who you really are is nowhere near good for personal relationships and connections
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