the HORSE and the SAINT,

one-act negro play

CHARACTERS:

JORGE

MARINA

MOM

DUDU

SEVERINO, who is not a negro at all

the action takes place in BRAZIL.

A really poor home which is not a house
but a little more than a hut.

There is a table, only one chair and this
one is very old. There are two boxes made
out of wood: those boxes are used as chairs.

There is a cabinet to keep glasses. But unfortunately there is no glass to keep.

Two doors; one window.

Misery.

## scene one

MARINA is lying on the floor, reading a paper. She uses a kind of turban which makes her look very funny. She is thirty but she behaves as if she were sixteen.

PAUSE.

**A GIRL'S VOICE**, from outside - Jorge! (A BRIEF PAUSE). Jooooorge!

PAUSE.

**MOM'S VOICE**, from inside - Marina! (A BRIEF PAUSE). Marina! Please, Marina, come.

MARINA doesn't pay her the least attention and reads on. She turns a page.

MOTHER enters bringing along a tablecloth and four plates. The tablecloth is worn out and so are the plates. MOTHER is an old woman, fat and funny. But if she could cry she would not be funny.

**MOM** - Marina. For God's sake, Marina. Come and help me. I can't do everything alone by myself. You don't think I can, do you? Marina, please, for God's sake. You hear me? For God's sake. (LOWERING HER VOICE). I have something to tell you. Come to the kitchen. (MARINA TURNS ANOTHER PAGE). Oh, how tired I am. (SITS DOWN)

MARINA goes to the window, furious.

**MARINA** - He didn't come tonight. He was murdered! He is dead!!!

**GIRL'S VOICE** - Jorge?! Dead?!!

**MOM** - Is it Dudu?

**MARINA**, for the first time looking at her - Who else could be?

**MOM** - Jorge is not dead - (SUDDENLY GOES TO THE WINDOW). Dudu. Dudu!

**DUDU**, from outside - Yes -

**MOM** - Do me a favor, will you? Go and get me some potatoes. (SMILING). Tonight we have a - (SHE STOPS, AFRAID AND LOOKS AT MARINA. SHE IS READING AGAIN ON THE FLOOR). Get me some potatoes, will you?

**DUDU** - Gimme the money.

**MOM** - Oh, Dudu. Do me that favor. I'll call you as soon as Jorge comes in.

**DUDU** - Okay. Okay. (MOTHER COMES BACK AND SITS DOWN).

**MOM**, yelling - Thank you, Dudu. (A BRIEF PAUSE). A nice girl - but too much ugly. I don't like ugly girls, do you, Marina? I never was beautiful but you are not ugly. That's what I am proud of. And Jorge is quite handsome, isn't he? That's what I am proud of.

2.

A PAUSE.

MOM - So much reading - What for? If you happen to be a stupid you are a stupid, if you happen not to you are not. Reading won't change anything, won't help any. Take me, for instance. During my whole life I have never read a single line, a single word, and - and, yes, I am a stupid. But it wouldn't help any.

A BRIEF PAUSE. MOTHER GOES TO THE WINDOW.

MOM - Oh, my potatoes, my potatoes. A nice girl. Please, Marina, are you deaf? Don't you hear me? What are you reading? Tell me? Poems? (SHE LOOKES AT THE PAPER). Comics. Comics. The Little King, Donald Duck - That's good. Very good. You can follow the story without reading it. Like in the movies.

MOTHER GOES AGAINST TO THE WINDOW.

MOM - Oh, my potatoes. It is so late. I'm in a big rush and my potatoes doesn't come. (A BRIEF PAUSE). I remember once I went to the movies - It's just like comics. The only difference is that in the movies they speak. Yes, sure, they do. They speak aloud so that you can hear them. And they really move from one place to another. You can follow the story just by listening to it. You don't have to read anything. Sometimes, I was told, they speak a language nobody understands. Those are bad. But I don't believe because there is no use in speaking in such a way nobody understands. That must've been a joke.

TO THE WINDOW ONCE MORE.

MOM - Marina, I want tell you something. You know why I said I am in a big rush? Do you? (A BRIEF PAUSE). A deaf daughter I've got. (PAUSE).COMICS. That's good, I know, but that's not the only thing in life. You gotta do something else. You can't live from reading, can you? Nobody can. You know why I sent Dudu for the potatoes? Because I have no money left. Neither money nor credit. The money Jorge gives me is not enough. And he doesn't trust me very much I guess. My own son, doesn't trust me enough to leave all his money with me. (A BRIEF PAUSE). MARINA, you gotta do something. Now we have Jorge - but Jorge has ideas - foolish ideas - to get married. So stupid my poor son. You gotta do something. Take me, for instance. I got married at the age of sixteen. I didn't get married but I did get a man, which is the important thing. Your father. Every girl has to get a man. A husband if she is able to or just a man if she isn't. She can't live alone by herself all her life through. Alone by herself, I mean, without a man of her very own. Man, understand? That's the important thing. Husband or not, that's all the same: they all end up leaving us, alone by ourselves again - What's important is to take some happiness out of them while they're still living with us. To be happy quickly, but not so quickly as I did. He got tired and left me too early. We've got to be happy without showing it off, without letting them notice that we're happy. I think they don't like, they think it's - kinder - immoral. But it isn't, it isn't. There is nothing immoral in that. Provided you are honest to the man you have for the time being. As I was to your father and to Jorge's father, although this one was a vagabong, a tramp, a drunkard, everything at the same time. I was honest to him. He loved me. He did not love me but desire me which is not different at all. And left me. And died alone. I'd rather he hadn't left me and had died in my arms so that I'd have something else to tell you right now.

3,

A BRIEF PAUSE.

MOM - Marina, please, help me getting dinner ready. I got married, I mean, I got my first man at the age of sixteen. Understand? I got my first man at the age of sixteen. (PULLS HER SKIRT). Marina.

MARINA - What?

MOM - I got my first man at the age of sixteen.

MARINA - And so what?

MOM - So what? So come and help me. Don't think too much about your white dead poet.

MARINA - I'm not thinking.

MOM - I know, I know. But don't look too much at the comics. (A BRIEF PAUSE). Oh, my fate, my fate. You and your white dead poet, Jorge and his ideas - Married. Married!

DUDU COMES IN BRINGING ALONG SOME POTATOES.

MOM - Thank you, Mr. Dudu, thank you very much. Now you are going to do me another favor.

DUDU - Did Jorge come?

MOM - Not yet. He didn't. I'll tell you as soon as he comes.

DUDU - I have a gift for him. A sweater.

MOM - Okay. Now you please go to the kitchen and peel some potatoes.

DUDU - I embroidered it myself.

MOM - Not all of them, just three or four. Will you? Four.

DUDU - But Jorge -

MOM - I'll call you as soon as - Go, go, will you? You're a nice girl. Go, go. (PUSHED HER OUT). Nice indeed. What you think she would do if I tell her that Jorge is planning to get married - with someone else?

MARINA - I'm so sleepy - (STANDS UP).

MOM - Well, at least get yourself ready for dinner. That's all I ask you.

MARINA - I'm ready, ain't I?

MOM - Take that think off your head. Oh, your hair, your hair. I had forgot about. Anyway, try to look nice tonight. Put that blue dress on.

MARINA - What's the matter? I'm okay, I'm all right. I'm fine.

MOM - Try to look nice.

MARINA - Gimme. (TAKES THE PLATES. A BRIEF PAUSE). Four plates? What for?

4.

MOM, afraid of her - Tonight - someone's coming -

MARINA - Who?

MOM - To dinner.

MARINA - Someone who?

MOM - Jorge's friend.

MARINA, excited - Why didn't he tell us?

MOM - He did. He told me.

MARINA - Why didn't you tell me?

MOM - I was trying - I'm telling you.

A BRIEF PAUSE. MARINA THROWS THE FOURTH PLATE AGAINST THE WALL AND BREAKS IT UP.

MOM - Marina!

MARINA - I won't have dinner.

MOM - Why not?

MARINA - I won't. I won't. You hear me? I won't.

MOM, afraid - All right, Marina, that's all right. (A BRIEF PAUSE). No it's not all right. You know it isn't. You cannot, Marina, you cannot.

MARINA - Why?

MOM - You can't behave that way.

MARINA - Why? Why not?

MOM - Because - 'Cause - he's coming - because of you. (A BRIEF PAUSE).

MARINA - Because of me?

MOM - 'Cause of us, I mean, 'cause of us.

MARINA - Us?

MOM - Yes indeed. He's coming to meet Jorge's family. Us. Because of us. We're Jorge's family, ain't we? He's one of Jorge's friends. They work together in the same store. No, no. Jorge first met him in the store, understand?

MARINA - This is the first time Jorge brings a friend along - to dinner.

MOM - What's wrong about that?

MARINA - What's he coming for - besides dinner.

MOM - How could I know, Marina, how could I?

MARINA - What for?

5.

**MOM** - Meet us. Come, come, help me.

**MARINA** - What for?

**MOM** - Wanna know?

**MARINA** - I'm asking.

**MOM** - (GIVING UP). Meet us, Marina, meet us. Just that. For God's sake believe me.

**MARINA** - (SHOUTING AT HER). What for?

**MOM** - Jorge - he thinks he thinks that you -

**MARINA** - Go ahead.

don't

**MOM** - He thinks I know what he thinks but - but I'm sure he thinks that - something is wrong with you. Lately, at least, something isn't working out well about - well -

**MARINA** - He thinks I'm mad?

**MOM** - Mad? Mad, Marina? What an idea. Why mad? Just a little bit - a little bit much too much - much too much I don't know what - Much too much something - Nervous. That's what he said. Nervous. Lately you've been just a little bit much too much nervous. (SMILING). That is all. Nervous, understand?

**MARINA** - He thinks I am mad.

**MOM** - Not mad, Marina, that's not it. Nervous. Not mad, just nervous.

**MARINA** - Nervous - And that friend of his - is a doctor -?

**MOM** - Doctor? Well, he is a kind of doctor.

**MARINA** - Kind of doctor?

**MOM** - A big shot.

**MARINA** - Big shot?

**MOM** - Jorge told me about. He has got money - and brains. He's got lots of money - and brains. I think you should -

**MARINA** - Should what?

**MOM** - Should try.

**MARINA** - Try?

**MOM** - You know, may be - If - if he likes you - you could - And - if you like him too, of course, you should - I think Jorge told me he has seen you already. And he said you are quite a pretty girl.

**MARINA** - Me?

**MOM** - Sure, you. You're quite a pretty girl.

6.

**MARINA** - Where did he see me?

**MOM** - Where? I don't know. At the window, may be. Have you never been at the window? Yes, you have. Not often, but you have - sometimes. But even if he didn't say you're quite a pretty girl it doesn't mean that you are not, does it? (SMILING). Jorge said he's very rich. He has lots of houses of - of - He's a big shot.

**MARINA** - Big shot of what?

**MOM** - Big shot of what? You know - voodo?

**MARINA** - Is he - that thing?

**MOM** - Which thing?

**MARINA** - Father of - Of what? Of Saint?!

**MOM** - Yes, sure, he is. Father of the Saint. Yes, sure.

**MARINA** - Sorcerer.

**MOM** - Not sorcerer. Father of the Saint is not a sorcerer. It's just a kind of sorcerer. Half sorcerer, half doctor.

**MARINA** - Jorge thinks I am mad. Father of the Saint. He's coming to try to cure me. Jorge thinks I am mad. Tell me. Tell me the truth. Not nervous but mad. He thinks I am mad.

**MOM** - Yes, he thinks you are mad.

**MARINA** - Do I look like mad? Do I behave like mad? Do I?

**MOM** - Yes, you do. You do behave like mad. You do look like mad. (TAKES PITY ON HER). But not all the time. Just once in a long while. That is all. Your hair, for instance. How did you burn your hair that way? Why? You tried to make it blonde, blonde like some white girls. But you are a negro, Marina, you are a negro. That's nothing to be ashamed of, Marina, there is no shame in it. That's the way you were born, that's the way I bore you. (A BRIEF PAUSE). You trying to be blonde - That's a mad thing, Marina. Sometimes you behave like a madwoman. Just once in a very long while, but sometimes yes, you do. (A BRIEF PAUSE). I am sorry, Marina. I am really sorry.

MARINA KNEELS DOWN AND STARTS PICKING UP THE PLATE'S FRAGMENTS.

**MARINA** - Is there any other plate - inside?

**MOM** - Other plate? Inside? I, won't have dinner.

MOM KNEELS DOWN AND HELPS HER. THEY HEAR A NOISE AT THE DOOR. THEY GET AFRAID BUT DON'T STAND UP. JORGE ENTERS, LOOKS AT THEM

**JORGE** - What's the matter?

**MOM** - lowering her voice - Is he outside?

**JORGE** - No.

**MOM** - He isn't coming?

7.

**JORGE** - Sure he is. He isn't coming with me. I though I'd find him here.
What happened?

**MOM** - We've been talking.

**JORGE** - About me. (SMILES).

**MOM** - Also about you. And your friend.

**JORGE** - Marina knows - (A BRIEF PAUSE). Does she?

**MOM** - She does.

**JORGE** - A fine guy. A fine guy indeed. It's good to have friends like
him around. That's why I invited him to dinner.

**MARINA** - You think he'll cure me?

**JORGE** LOOKS AT HER, THEN AT MOTHER.

**MOM** - She knows everything about you friend. (SHE LEAVES).

**MARINA** - Do you?

**JORGE** - Dunno. May be - May be you're just fine - Only -

**MARINA** - Only a little nervous.

**JORGE** - That's it. A little nervous, that's all.

**MARINA** - You think that's really all?

**JORGE** - May be it is. May be you're just tired.

**MARINA** - May be I am not.

**JORGE** - In that case I am sure, - If you are not, he'll get you cured. If
you have something else - besides being tired - besides being a
bit nervous, I'm sure he'll get you cured. Something with your
brains, I mean. (LOOKS AT HER). You're not going to cry, are you?

**MARINA** - No, I'm not.

**JORGE** - Understand, Marina? I'm your brother, I do like you so very much.
But it's just impossible - to go on that way. Things you do -
so childish. Things nobody understands - Let's say, for instance -

**MARINA** - I know, my hair.

**JORGE** - Your hair, yes. But that is not all. Your - temper. You gotta do
something. You look - you look like - wild. Not always, but -

**MARINA** - But once in a very long while.

**JORGE** - Sometimes nobody can stand you. That friend of your, Dudu. Maybe
she does, but she's the only one.

8.

**MARINA** - Dudu unashamed. I know what she wants. I know very well what she comes here for.

**JORGE** - Go ahead.

**MARINA** - She stands me, sure, she peels potatoes, she lends mom money, but she doesn't come here because of the potatoes -

**JORGE**, curious - Because of who? 'cause of -

**MARINA** - You, of course.

**JORGE** - Me? What an idea. (SMILING). Why do you think she - Did she tell you anything -?

**MARINA** - Of course not.

**JORGE** - Why "of course not"? She could tell you something - (SMILING). Well, that's better; I don't like her that much - (SMILING). But I don't know why you - Mat be she likes me, may be -

**MARINA** - You were talking about your doctor.

**JORGE** - Who? Oh, I see. Well, he's not exactly a doctor. Not at all.

**MARINA** - (SHOWING CONTEMPT). Voodoo.

**JORGE** - Yeah, I know - few people believe in it, nowadays - It is something amazing, Marina, amazing. As simple as that, amazing.

**MARINA** - That's what you think now.

**JORGE** - Yes, now, because I've seen many things lately.

**MARINA** - You used to say voodoo is a negro business.

**JORGE** - After all I am a negro. And so are you.

**MARINA** - What about him?

**JORGE** - He isn't, but he likes us, he takes interest on our - our problems. In our way of living, understand? He works hard. He says he studies. He is an example. For us he is an example.

**MARINA** - I took for granted you wanted me to marry him.

**JORGE** - Nonsense. (THEY SMILE). He is coming just to meet you, to have a look at - what he called "environment". Why did you think I wanted you to marry him?

**MARINA** - Mom told me. (MOTHER ENTERS. SHE HAS BEEN LISTENING BEHIND THE DOOR).

**MOM** - Me? I didn't say that. I said you should try to - You should look - lovable. That's all I told you.

**JORGE** - Mom, you know I don't want you to borrow Dudu's money. Why did you?

**MOM** - Son, I had to peel some potatoes but I had none.

9.

JORGE - Didn't I warn you so many times? Didn't I?

MOM - She doesn't mind, sonny, she loves you.

JORGE - We have just been talking about that.

MOM - I know, I overheard - by chance.

JORGE - I know it's you who puts such ideas into her head. It's you who advises her not to give up. I ain't gonna marry her.

MOM - I would if I were you.

JORGE - I don't like her, I told you.

MOM - Even so. We better marry someone we already know.

JORGE - Who told you I don't know my - my - Her.

MOM - You did.

JORGE - I didn't.

MARINA - He said she doesn't know him.

JORGE - She does know me.

MARINA - Since when?

JORGE - She only didn't speak to me as yet.

MOM - Did you speak to her?

JORGE - I did.

MOM - What did you say?

JORGE - It was in the store I work in. She came in -

MARINA - What did you say?

JORGE - "May I help you, Miss?"

MARINA - What did she answer?

JORGE - She didn't.

MOM - Didn't she?

JORGE - Her father did. "Yes, boy". I'm sure we won't get along, me and her father.

MARINA - But don't you know anything else about her?

JORGE - Of course, I do.

MOM - What else you know.

JORGE - I know everything about her. Please don't tease me.

MOM - Tell your mom: what else you know about her?

10.

**JORGE** - Mom, will you do me a favor? Shut up, will you? Shut up and get dina
ner ready.

**MOM** - Oh, Jorge, Jorge, you hope too much.

**JORGE** - If I do it's because I know I can hope. I don't like you to treat me as if I were a child. I'm not a child anymore.

**MOM** - You'll never have courage enough to propose. Never. (SHE STARTS LEAVING).

**JORGE** - Don't worry.

**MOM** - By the way, gimme some money to pay Dudu. (HE COUNTS HIS MONEY AND GIVES HER). Why don't you leave your money at home, with me? I'd take care of it.

**JORGE** - You'd steal from me.

**MOM** - But they also can steal from you in the street.

**JORGE** - Okay, okay, go ahead. I'll think about it.

**MOM** - I wonder how can someone be such a fool: to love a woman he has never spoken to. (SHE LEAVES). (A PAUSE).

**JORGE** - I love her, what can I do? Mom is quite mad peculiar. You know that? She is quite peculiar. Now you understand what I mean? About Severino.

**MARINA** - Who?

**JORGE** - His name is Severino. Suppose I get married. I can't support my wife, and mom, and you and... What about the kids kids? Yeah, I want some. That's too much for what we have only as men. (A BRIEF PAUSE). He is liable to find necessary for you to attend some reunions. Please, Marina, that'll be good for you. At least it can't do you any harm.

**MARINA** - I don't know.

**JORGE** - I think we should do whatever he thinks is good for you. We have to take advantage of his interest. What you think about?

**MARINA** - You decide everything for me and then ask me what I think about. And call me wild.

**JORGE** - Thank you, Marina. Now, listen - (KNOCK AT THE DOOR. MARINA, AFRAID, STARTS LEAVING). Marina. Stay here.

**MARINA** - I - I - I'll do something - with my turban.

SHE LEAVES. JORGE OPENS THE DOOR. SEVERINO ENTERS. HE'S A SHORT MAN IN A WHITE SUIT. NOBODY WOULD TRUST HIM. NOBODY BUT JORGE.

**SEVERINO** - Am I late?

**JORGE** - Not at all. Just on time.

**SEVERINO** - Where's she?

11.

**JORGE** - Getting ready. Mom too.

**SEVERINO** - Well, here we are. It looks like something serious if it is as you said. We gotta start right away. May I sit down?

**JORGE** - Surely. Of course. I hadn't noticed you were standing.

**SEVERINO** - That's all right. (THEY SIT DOWN). We gotta start at once. A little delay may ruin the whole thing. And we have to work secretly.

**JORGE** - How secretly?

**SEVERINO** - Without her knowing who I - You didn't tell her who I really am, did you?

**JORGE** - Not me, it was mom.

**SEVERINO** - That's bad - Very bad.

**JORGE**, apologizing - You know, mom is a little old - she doesn't understand things well enough. She -

**SEVERINO** - That's all right. I'll find a way to capture her sympathy.

**JORGE** - Pardon me.

**SEVERINO** - What did you, or your mother, tell her exactly?

**JORGE** - Well, we said she should do whatever you think is good for her -

**SEVERINO** - What else?

**JORGE** - I said sex that may be you'd find convenient to attend some reunions.

**SEVERINO** - Reunion? Yeah - May be - Yeah - That's a good idea. I did not think about that. That's a good idea. Really good. What did she say?

**JORGE** - She understands.

**SEVERINO** - Listen, how old is she?

**JORGE** - Lemme see - I'm not sure. Thirty. No, no. Twenty-nine, I guess.

**SEVERINO** - You know, Twenty-nine, you guess. That's very important. I was afraid she could be younger. The age is very important. Listen. Does she have a fiancé? A sweetheart?

**JORGE** - No.

**SEVERINO** - Are you sure?

**JORGE** - Yes, I am. She hasn't. She had once. Not exactly a sweetheart. Just a boy she was in love with. That was when she was at school. Very young, both of them. He was white. And he - he used -

**SEVERINO** - Yes.

12.

**JORGE** - He used to write poems.

**SEVERINO** - Write what?

**JORGE** - Poems, you know. (COMICALLY INSPIRE OF HIMSELF). He used to think only about his poems. Eating, walking in the streets - thinking about his poems.

**SEVERINO** - Walking?

**JORGE** - He got run over. (A BRIEF PAUSE). Some people who should die, live long and people who should live long -

**SEVERINO**, who has nothing better to say - That's really sad.

**JORGE** - They found the corpse with a book. Close to his heart. A book of poems.

**SEVERINO** - Say, is that why she - she is so strange?

**JORGE** - Who knows? (SMILING). You will.

**SEVERINO** - So I hope. Listen. She has nobody - nobody to take care of her?

**JORGE** - Sure she has. Me and mom. Her family.

**SEVERINO** - I mean, nobody else?

**JORGE** - Why do you ask that? Because of money?

**SEVERINO** - No, no.

**JORGE** - Don't worry about money. I ain't rich, but - I'd even expend all my money - in case it were necessary - I know it isn't. I would. All I want is to have her cured.

**SEVERINO** - All your money? How much?

**JORGE** - I don't know - exactly.

**SEVERINO** - We'll see that later on. It won't be so expensive, I guess. But may be it will take long. (SMILING). I'm sure I'd take care of her case even if I had no hopes to get paid for my work. You know, a girl so young, wasting her youth - (MARINA ENTERS).

**JORGE**, introducing - My sister Marina.

**SEVERINO**, bowing - I'm simply delighted to meet you.

**JORGE**, introducing - Doctor Severino.

**SEVERINO** - Oh, please, I ain't exactly a doctor. (A PAUSE). What about the weather?

**JORGE** - Awful.

**SEVERINO** - What about the weather, Marina?

13.

**MARINA** - Pretty bad.

**SEVERINO** - Sometimes it rains, sometimes - what a beautiful sunny day. Sometimes a sunny rainy day. Nobody understands the weather nowadays. (A PAUSE).

**JORGE** - Yes, mom. (STARTS LEAVING). Excuse me.

**MARINA** - Where are you going?

**JORGE** - Mom, called me. Didn't you hear? I'll be right back. (HE LEAVES).

**MARINA** - Where are you going? **SEVERINO** - Here we are. Won't you sit down?

**THEY** SIT DOWN.

**SEVERINO** - I know lots of people suffering from nerves. That's not unusual. Not at all. On the contrary. I think I know the reason. War. (A BRIEF PAUSE). That's it: the war. The international situation, you know, somewhat unstable - That's not good for nerves. Incidentally, I'll tell you a story. About a lady, a distinguished lady, wealthy. Well, that lady used to suffer from nerves. During her crisis she used to be the Devil himself. Nobody, nor even her husband, could stand her. She went to every doctor in the world. Real doctors, I mean, with certificate. Nobody could cure her. They all only could take her money. It happened that I was very close friend of her family. Especially her husband. Well, he wasn't exactly her husband but that's another story. So I finally decided to take care of her. I started studying carefully her case and before the first month she was okay. (LOWERING HIS VOICE). Wanna know something? She was horse. (A PAUSE).

**MARINA** - Horse?

**SEVERINO** - Yes, horse.

**MARINA** - But how can a distinguished lady be a horse?

**SEVERINO** - What you understand by horse?

**MARINA** - Just a horse.

**SEVERINO** - No, not at all. I don't mean a horse with a cart. No. She was a woman like all other women, quite pretty. Like you, for instance. I'll explain. You know a Saint? Well, during the reunion the Saint has to come down to Earth, hasn't he?

**MARINA** - I guess so.

**SEVERINO** - He has. So he gotta find a body because Saints have no body of their own. What can they do? They choose someone attending the reunion. And they ride that one they choose. That's why we call them horses, understand? Cause Saints ride them.

**MARINA** - So she was a horse?

**SEVERINO** - Not a horse: she was horse. Got the difference?

14.

**MARINA** - And is there any man - horse?

**SEVERINO** - Not usually. Saints normally choose a woman.

**MARINA** - Horse -

**SEVERINO** - As simple as that. Does talking about (SMILING) mental disease, nervous disease and I don't know what foolishness else and - and so simple.

**MARINA** - But what's the _advantage_?

**SEVERINO** - Advantage? Well, she stops having crises, she starts feeling better. No more crises - outside the reunions, of course. That is the big advantage.

**MARINA** - But what exactly a horse gets for being a horse?

**SEVERINO** - Isn't that enough?

**MARINA** - I mean, the Saint likes better the woman who is a horse?

**SEVERINO** - I think so. Yes, surely, he does. Of course.

**MARINA** - And the horse can ask him anything, can't she?

**SEVERINO** - Yes, I think so. Of course she can ask whatever she wants to.

**MARINA** - What about him? Does he listen to her?

**SEVERINO** - Who? The Saint? Sometimes - Sometimes - Almost always.

**MARINA** - You think I am a horse?

**SEVERINO** - You always confound. Not a horse.

**SEVERINO** - I'm sure.

**MARINA** - How can you be sure?

**SEVERINO** - Experience. But it's not easy. Come and visit me some time. I'll show you some girls - horses. Distinguished ladies - horses. But, please, don't think it's easy, it isn't. Quite hard. If you want you may bring your brother along, but I think you better not to.

**MARINA** - Does it take a long time?

**SEVERINO** - Depends.

**MARINA** - On what?

**SEVERINO** - Will power. Much strong will power is needed. Wanna try? Do you really want to?

**MARINA** - I do.

16.

## second scene

Some days after the first scene.

There are lots of flowers on the table and elsewhere. Some of them are withered but those are few. Bright colors.

MOTHER is seated. She has a flower which she bites very often. MARINA enters from outside. She looks very busy.

**MARINA** - Mom, for God's sake. Mom, help me. I can't do everything - alone by myself. You don't think I can, do you? (LOWERING HER VOICE.) Mom, I wanna ask you something - (MOM DOESN'T ANSWER. SHE BITES HER ROSE). Come on, come on, help me. (MARINA TAKES THE ROSE FROM MOM). Okay, you are deaf. (SHE LEAVES).

MOM - (Without the rose) - My chile - you make things so hard for yourself - So hard -

THE DOOR IS OPENED. DUDU ENTERS BUT STAYS NEAR THE DOOR.

DUDU - Is Jorge in? (A PAUSE). Did Jorge come back? (A PAUSE). Mommy!

MOM - You little brat, what you want this once?

DUDU - Jorge - He gave me his pants - to patch - here. (SHE SHOWS HER THE PAWN ON THE BACK). I did. It's not too bad, is it? The patch isn't quite the same color - but I couldn't find, you know. The pants' color is a little, not too much but just a little faded.

MOM - Okay, leave it with me and get lost.

DUDU - Will you explain him that - about the color? It wasn't my fault.

MOM - I will, I will. Get lost.

DUDU - And thank you, mommy. (SHE STARTS LEAVING). And this is a gift for Jorge's birthday. MOM - Birthday? DUDU - Yes, sure. Isn't today his birthday?

MOM - Dudu!

DUDU - Yes, mommy.

MOM - You have some money?

DUDU, eagerly, producing some money from her purse - Yes, yes. Sure.

MOM - You know, I spent much money with these flowers - It's because, to-night - Well, that's none of your business. I spent much money.

DUDU, giving her the money - Yes, sure. (A BRIEF PAUSE). Is that enough?

MOM - You have more?

DUDU - No, no, I don't. I'm sorry.

MOM - All right. I'll pay you as soon as Jorge gets home. Yes, I'll call you. Good-bye.

17.

**DUDU** - Good-bye, mommy. (STARTS LEAVING). And thank you. Very much.

DUDU LEAVES.

**MOM** - So hard, my chile, so hard - (MARINA ENTERS).

**MARINA** - Mom, didn't I ask you? (SHE BRINGS MORE FLOWERS).

**MOM** - What you want me to do?

**MARINA** - Fix these flowers for me, will you?

**MOM** - Where can I put them? There is no place no more. You want me to hold them and stand still over here?

**MARINA** - Mom, I want to ask you - Oh, God, it's so late. So late. (SITS DOWN). Oh, I don't know what to do. (A BRIEF PAUSE).

**MOM** - Marina. You think it's worth while?

**MARINA** - What, mom, what?

**MOM** - These flowers, for instance - Everything -

**MARINA** - What I want to ask you - is about Jorge. (A BRIEF PAUSE). Is he coming tonight?

**MOM** - He comes always -

**MARINA** - Will you do me a favor? Will you please? Will you tell him not to come tonight? Will you, mom?

**MOM** - He should be here already.

**MARINA** - Go and meet him. Ask him to have dinner anywhere - out. Will you please, mom dear?

**MOM** - I will, Marina dear.

**MARINA** - Out, understand? And you - please have your dinner with him. Okay?

**MOM** - Yes, Marina dear. Yes, yes, I will. (STARTS LEAVING).

**MARINA** - Mom! (A BRIEF PAUSE). Thank you. Thank you very much.

MARINA LEAVES.

**MOM** - Go ahead, mom. That's what you've asked for your daughter. Go ahead mom dear. (SHE OPENS THE DOOR. MARINA KNOWS JORGE ENTERS).

**JORGE** - Where are you going? (ASTONISHED). What's that? What's that?

**MOM** - I was going out.

**JORGE** - What is that?

**MOM** - That's flowers. (A BRIEF PAUSE).

18.

**JORGE** - What happened?

**MOM** - Nothing. Nothing yet. (A BRIEF PAUSE). Still nothing.

**JORGE** - Are those flowers for me?

**MOM** - No, Jorge. I'm very sorry but they ain't for you. Jorge. Won't you sit down? Jorge. Won't you have dinner out? With me? Let's commemorate your birthday. Let's go, Jorge.

**JORGE** - Whom are those flowers for? (A BRIEF PAUSE).

**MOM** - I'm really very sorry, Jorge. It's because - he's coming - to dinner.

**JORGE** - Who? Him?

**MOM** - Yes, him. Severino. (JORGE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY). What's the matter.

**JORGE** - That son of a bitch.

**MOM** - Jorge!!!

**JORGE** - He was coming, wasn't he?

**MOM** - Why not?

**MOM** - Explain me that.

**JORGE** - I will. I will (PICKS UP SOME FLOWERS AND THROWS THEM ON THE GROUND).

**MOM** - Please, Jorge, don't do that. Don't do that, for God's sake.

HE SITS DOWN. SHE KNEELS DOWN AND PICKS UP THE FLOWERS, CAREFULLY).

**MOM** - What happened?

**JORGE** - That son of a bitch. And I myself brought him over.

**MOM** - who didn't stand up yet - You did, You did. Don't blame me.

**JORGE** - imitating her - "Don't blame me. Don't blame me." Why shouldn't I blame you.

**MOM** - (AFRAID) - You brought him over; and It was you, your own self.

**JORGE** - "Get yourself a man." Whose idea is this? Yours. Yours.

**MOM** - still knelt gatherin flowers - But not any man. Get yourself a man who is good. I don't like Severino. I myself I don't like him. (LOWERING HER VOICE). But you did. You did like him.

**JORGE** - I did.

**MOM** - What did you find out. He is no good. I know he is no good. But why?

13.

JORGE - That son of -

MARINA, from inside - Are you still in there?

MOM - Yes, I'm still in here.

MARINA, from inside - Come here first, will you? Just a minute.

MOM - Help me to stand up. (HE DOESN'T. SHE GRABS HIS LEGS AND ARMS AND STANDS UP, BREATHING HARDLY). She invited him - (SHE LEAVES).

JORGE PICKS UP MORE FLOWERS AND IS JUST ABOUT THROWING THEM ON THE GROUND BUT REPAINS HIMSELF FROM DOING SO. HE SMELLS THEM, ALTHOUGH HE IS VERY ANGRY. HE SMELLS SOME MORE. HE CHOOSES SOME AND PUTS THEM IN HIS POCKET.

MOM, from inside - Marina! You are - nuts. Marina. What've you done.

A PAUSE. MARINA ENTERS. MOM FOLLOWS HER. MARINA IS DRESSED IN AN AWFUL AND AWESOME RED DRESS. A BLUE TURBAN. HER FACE IS EXAGERATEDLY MADE UP. SHE LOOKS ALMOST LIKE A CLOWN.

MARINA - Jorge. Are you in here? Did you come? I had told mom to go and meet you. (HE IS SIMPLY ASTONISHED). I'll ask you a favor. A big favor. Will you do me a favor? Will you please have your dinner out? Will you, Jorge? Just this once. Just tonight. And take mom with you. Will you, please?

JORGE - You're stinking, Marina.

MARINA - Someone is coming - tonight - to see me.

JORGE - You're stinking.

MARINA - That's perfume.

JORGE - Where did you get it?

MARINA - I've bought it, of course. Awfully expensive. (A BRIEF PAUSE).

JORGE - My money. The money I gave you, mom! The money I gave you to buy my drawers and shirts - for my marriage. These flowers - your stinking and these flowers - my money.

HE STARTS PICKING UP ALL THE FLOWERS HE CAN AND MARINA CRIES AFTER HIM.

MOM - Jorge, my Jorge, please stop that.

JORGE

- Let go of me, you too. "I'm not to blame."

MARINA, childishly - Gimme back my flowers.

JORGE, embracing the flowers - They are mine. They are my money.

MARINA, almost crying - Gimme back.

JORGE -

21.

**MARINA** - And so what?

**JORGE** - So what?

**MOM** - Explain me, sonny, for God's sake. Don't mix me up anymore.

**MARINA** - And so what?

**MOM** - What's a pimp, sonny? I gotta know it.

**JORGE** - You think that - You think that maybe he is different with you?

**MARINA** - He loves me.

**JORGE** - You fool. Stupid.

**MOM** - shaking him - I've made you up out of nothing, at least out of very little. Son, answer me: what's a pimp?

**JORGE** - If you don't know yet I can't tell you, mom. You wouldn't understand. But she knows. Crazy as she is she knows it very well. She knows and asks me -

**MARINA** - And so what?

**JORGE** - And so this!

HE SLAPS HER. SHE CRIES OUT. HE IS NOW JUST ABOUT CRYING TOO.

**JORGE** - I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Marina. Forgive me. You ain't stinking. Not at all. Not a bit. Take your flowers, they are yours.

FLOOR

SHE IS DOWN ON THE FLOOR AND HE THROWS THE FLOWERS ON HER.

**JORGE** - I'll give you more money to buy more flowers if you wish. I'll give you all my money. I won't get married. I have no courage to propose, mom said that and that's true.

HE PRODUCES MONEY FROM EVERY OF HIS KNOWN OR UNKNOWN POCKETS.

**JORGE** - Take it, please. It's yours. This is the fifty cents pop gave me once, remember? He gave fifty to me and twenty-five to you because he wasn't your father. Remember? Take it. It's yours. All yours. All the money I saved for my marriage and to buy myself a gift on my birthday. I won't give me anything. I'm very sorry, Marina. Please, forgive me, will you?

**MARINA** - Don't worry, Jorge. (SMILING). That's all right. I was a fool.

SHE TAKES OFF HER TURBAN. HER MAKE-UP IS ALL OVER HER FACE. LIPSTICK, ROUNDED AND TEARS. SHE HAS PLENTY OF FLOWERS IN HER ARMS. SHE AGAIN LOOKS LIKE A CLOWN. A CLOWN WHO HAS WLEPT.

MOTHER HAS BEEN WATCHING HER CHILDREN, MOTIONLESS.

**MOM** - Is a pimp that bad?

curtain