THE GAME.

A Morality Play by Louise Bryant.

Decorated and staged by Marguerite and
William Zorach.

The Persons.

LIFE . . . . . . . . . . .
DEATH . . . . . . . . . . .
YOUTH . . . . . . . . . . .
THE GIRL . . . . . . . . . .

The Place: A height overlooking the sea.

The Provincetown Players offer THE GAME as an interesting experiment, an attempt to synthesize decoration, costume, speech and action in one mood. The Zorachs, starting from the idea that the play is symbolic of rather than representative of life, have designed the decorations to suggest rather than to portray; the speech and action of the players being used as the plastic element in the whole unified convention. This attempt to restore the severe ritual of all primitive poetic drama makes the experiment one of unusual interest.

# THE GAME /

AT THE RISE Death is lying on the ground at left, idly flipping dice.
Now and then he glances sardonically at Life who is standing at the
extreme right and counting aloud.

## LIFE

Counting abstractly. Fifty thousand, fifty-one, sixty-five,
ninety - She goes on through the next speech.

## DEATH

Grinning. Come come, Life, forget your losses. It's no fun play-
ing with a dull partner. I had hoped for a good game tonight,
although there is little in it for me - just a couple of suicides.

## LIFE

With a gesture of anxiety. My dear Death, I wish you would grant
me a favor.

## DEATH

Grumbling. A favor. A favor. Now isn't that just like a woman?
I never saw one yet who was willing to abide by the results of a
fair game.

## LIFE

Earnestly. But I want these two, whether I win or lose. I really must
have them. They are geniuses - and you know how badly I am in
need of geniuses right now. Ungrateful spoiled children! They
always want to commit suicide over their first disappointments.

## DEATH

Impatiently. How many times must I tell you that the game
must be played! It's the law - you know it as well as I do.

## LIFE

Shrugging. O, the law! Laws are always in your favor, Death!

DEATH

There you are. I always said the universe would be in a wild state of disorder if the women had any say! No, you must play the game.

LIFE

Indignantly. Whoever said anything about not playing? All I want is your consent to let them meet here before the game begins.

DEATH

I'll bet this isn't so innocent as it sounds. Who are they? I haven't paid much attention to the case.

LIFE

Youth and The Girl. He is a Poet, and she a Dancer.

DEATH

A strong man and a beautiful woman. He laughs, ironically. Up to the same old tricks, eh? You sly thing, you think if they meet they'll fall in love and cheat me! Pause. Well, suppose I consent. What will you give me?

LIFE.

Quickly. I'll give you Kaiser Wilhelm, The Czar of Russia, George of England and old Francis Joseph - that's two to one!

DEATH

Now that's dishonest. You're always trying to disburden yourself of a lot of monarchs on me when you know I don't want them. Why, when you play for them you almost go to sleep and I always win. No bargaining in kings, my dear.

LIFE.

I'll give you a whole regiment of soldiers.

DEATH

With scorn. Soldiers! What do you care about soldiers? Look at
your figures again. You've been losing millions of soldiers in
Europe for the past two years - and you're much more excited about
these two rattle-pated young idiots. Your idea of a fair
trade is to get something for nothing. Sometimes I wish you were
a man - you're so sentimental. You love too much. With such covet-
ness how can you ever know the thrill of chance?

LIFE

Pleading. O I'll give you anything.

Enter Youth, with hanging melancholy head.

DEATH

Finger to lips. Sshh! Too late! Here's one of them.

LIFE

Turning. Youth! To Death. You've tricked me. You were only
playing for time.

DEATH

Come, sister. Be game. All's fair in everything but the dice.
And just think. If you win this cast the other is half won. They'll
Meet then . . .

YOUTH

Seeing the two and starting. To Life. Who are you?

LIFE

Anxiously. I am Life!

YOUTH

Bitterly. O, I am through with you. . . I want none of you !
Turning his back and addressing Death. And who are you?

DEATH

Rising, with cheerful complacency. I am Death !

YOUTH

Taken

**Taken aback.** Death! How different from my dream of you. I thought
you were sombre, austere; and instead, you're - if I may say so - jus-
just a trifle commonplace.

DEATH

I'm not as young as you I once was. One's figure, you know +

LIFE

Delightedly. Ah!

DEATH

Look at her. A pleasing exterior, eh? And yet you wouldn't
be seeking me if you didn't know better. Alas, my boy, beauty
is not even skin deep.

YOUTH

That is true. Going to Death. Ah, Death, I have been seeking
you for weeks.

DEATH

Yet I am always present. Where did you seek me?

YOUTH

**Excitedly, with gestures.** I tried poison, but just as I was
about to swallow it they snatched it from me. . . I tried to
shoot myself. They cheated me; the pistol wouldn't go off.

DEATH

Well-meaning idiots!

YOUTH

So I came here to leap into the sea!

DEATH

Very good. Only hurry. Some one might come.

LIFE

Why do you wish to die?

YOUTH

Hotly.

YOUTH

**Hotly.** As if you didn't know. Did you not give me the power to string beautiful words into songs - did you not give me Love to-sing to and take love away? I cannot sing any more! And yet you ask me why I want to die! I am not a slave! Slaves live just to eat and be clothed - you have plenty of them!

LIFE

**Sadly.** Yes, I have plenty of them.

YOUTH

If I cannot have love to warm me, I cannot create beauty.
And if I cannot create beauty, I will not live!

LIFE

Are you sure it was love? I think it was only Desire I gave you;
You did not seem ready for Love.

YOUTH

**Passionately.** Falsehoods. Evasions. What is Love, then? You gave me a girl who sold flowers on the street. She had hair like gold and a body all curves and rose-white like marble. I sang my songs for her, and the whole world listened. Then an ugly beast came and offered her gold. . . and she laughed at me - and went away.

DEATH

**Laughing indulgently.** That is Love, my boy. You are lucky to find it out so young.

LIFE

Now I know it was desire.

YOUTH

**To Death.** Why will she persist in lying?

DEATH

I am a gentleman and I must admit that Life is as truthful
as I am.

LIFE

Listen, Youth, and answer me. Did your sweetheart understand
your songs?

YOUTH

Why should she? Women do not have to understand. They must be
fragrant and beautiful - like flowers.

LIFE

And is that all ?

YOUTH

Slightly confused . I do not know many women.

LIFE

I will show you one who understands your songs. She is coming
here)-

DEATH

Harshly. To leap into the sea, like you!

LIFE

Because she is lonely - waiting for you.

YOUTH

For me : But I do not know her :

LIFE

But she knows you - through your songs. . .

DEATH

Scornfully. And you have been seeking me for weeks: Are you to
be fooled again by this tricky charlatan? You who have had enough
of Life ? There is no place for cowards among the lofty dead!

YOUTH

O Death, forgive me ! Life, farewell ! He stretches out his arms
and turns towards the cliff.

LIFE

Crying out. Hold! We must play first. Youth stands as he is,
with outstretched arms as they play.

DEATH

Jovially. So now it is you who are asking me to play : Come, Life
do me a favor. Give me this one and the girl shall be yours !

LIFE

Excitedly. No. The game must be played. It is the law! Death
laughs. They go to inextensible centre stage and know throw the dice.
Death frowns and grumbles.

LIFE

Rising with a happy smile. I have won!

YOUTH

Dropping his arms and turning slowly. Sadly. Then I am to live -
in spite of myself. Death, I have lost you. Life, I hate you.
Without Love you are crueller than Death.

LIFE

Soon the Girl will be here. Then you will think me beautiful.

DEATH

That's the comedy of it. You probably will, you know.

YOUTH

With a gesture of revulsion. Promises. Promises. Love comes
but once. He breaks off and stares as the Girl rushes in. She
almost runs into Life, then suddenly recoils.

GIRL

Who are you?

LIFE

I am Life.

GIRL

O, Life dear, I must leave you ! I cannot bear you any longer.
You are so white and so cold!

LIFE

What have you to complain of? Have I not given you Fame, and Worship
and Wealth?

GIRL

What are all these . . . without Love?

DEATH

With a smile. What - you without Love? How about those who stand
at the stage door every evening - and send you flowers and jewels?
One of them shot himself because you stamped on his flowers. Believe
me, my dear, that is all the Love there is -

GIRL

Love? No, That was Desire!

DEATH

Bah! That's your absurd idea of the urge of creation. Desire when
they seek you - Love when you seek them. But it's all the same to
the philosopher.

GIRL

No, No. Love understands. They didn't. They wanted to buy me
in order to destroy me. That is why I stamped on their flowers.

DEATH

Humorously. Ah, the young. Incورably sentimental.

YOUTH

Impetuously. Good. I'm glad you did.

GIRL

Startled. Why, who are you ?

YOUTH

I am Youth.

GIRL

Drawing back. Youth, the Poet? You? O I know all your songs by
heart. I have kissed every line. Always, when I dance, I try to dance
them. Looking around fearfully. But why are you here?

DEATH

Grimly. He came to throw himself into the sea !

GIRL

Alarmed. Clutching him by the arm. Oh, no. You Must not. What
would the poor world do without your beautiful songs ?

LIFE

Do not be afraid, my dear, I have won.

YOUTH

Sighing. Alas !

Girl

Why did you want to die?

DEATH

Slyly. His sweet-heart left him.

GIRL

Drawing back.coldly. His sweet-heart : So he loves someone :
I don't believe you. How could any woman he loved. . . When he
sings so sweetly -

LIFE

His songs meant nothing to her.

GIRL

Nothing : Going to Youth. O then she was not worth your love.
She was like the men who wait for me at the stage-door; she wanted to
destroy you.

DEATH

Such is Life, my dear young lady, Love is the destroyer always.

YOUTH

Bitterly. You are right. It is all a myth - Life, Love, Happiness.
I must idealize someone, something - and then the bubble bursts and
I am alone. Now, if she could not understand, no one could understand.

GIRL

Eagerly. O how wrong you are : I understand. Don't you believe me?
I have danced all you have sung. Do you remember "The Bird Calla"?
She dances. Youth watches with astonishment and growing delight.

YOUTH

How beautiful! You do understand - you do - Wings flash and soar
when you dance! You skim the sea gloriously, lifting your quivering
feathery breast against the sunny wind. Dance again for me. Dance n
my "Cloud Flight"!

GIRL

The loveliest of all: Remembering sadly. But I can never dance for
you anymore. I came here to die!

DEATH

And you'd forgetten it already! O you're all alike, you suicides.
Life's shallowest little deceit fools you again - though you have
seen through her and know her for what she is.

GIRL

Hesitating. But I have found Youth ♡

YOUTH

Swiftly. Yes, and Youth has found Love - real Love at last. Love
that burns like fire and flowers like the trees. You shall not die.
To Death. And I will fight you for her! Love is stronger than Death!

DEATH

Than Life, you mean. Think of the great lovers of the world - Paola
and Francesca, Romeo and Juliet, Tristan and Isolde. Death xehsizna
I, I claimed them all. Who are you to set yourselves up against such
august precedents? To Girl. You think he loves you. It is not you
he loves, but your dancing of his songs. He is a poet - therefore
he loves only himself. And his sweet-heart, for lack of whom he
was going to die. See! He has already forgotten her! Slowly.
As you will one day be forgotten.

LIFE

To Girl.

Why ask too much of me? I can only give happiness for a moment -
but it is real happiness - Love, Creation, unity with the tremendous
rhythm of the universe. I can't promise it will endure. I won't say
you will not some day be forgotten. What if it is himself he loves
in you? That, too, is Love.

GIRL

To be supremely happy for a moment - an hour - that is worth living for!

DEATH

Life offers you many things - I but one. She pours out the sunshine be
before you to make you glad; she sends the winter to chill your heart.
She gives you Love and Desire-and takes them away. She brings you
warm quietness - and kills it with hunger and anxiety. Life offers
you many things - I but one. Come closer, tired heart, and hold out
your weary hands. See: What a pearl I offer - to kings and beggars
alike. Come - I will give you peace :

GIRL

Spurning him. Peace? Do you think I want Peace - I, a dancer, a
child of the whirling winds ? Do you think I would be blind to the
sunlight, deaf to Youths music - to my sweet applause, dumb to laught-
er? All this joy that is in me - scattered in darkness? Dust in my
hair • in my eyes - on my dancing feet? And yet - and yet Life
is so cruel!

YOUTH

Going to her. My dearest. We will never leave one another.

LIFE

She is mine !

DEATH

Sardonically. Haven't you forgotten something? The game !

LIFE

It is half won. She too has found Love.

YOUTH

Yes. But we will have _lived_. Until then, Death, you are
Powerless. I fear you not, and I will guard her from you.

DEATH

_Shrugging._ Geniuses! Geniuses!

GIRL

_To Youth._ How brave - how strong - how beautiful is my lover!
They go off stage with their arms about each other.

DEATH

Well, it was a good game after all. You see, that's the difference
between you and me; you play to win, and I play for the fun of the
thing. _He laughs._ But tell me, Life; why is it you make such a
fuss dreamers and care so little for soldiers?

LIFE

O, soldiers don't matter one way or the other to me; but some day
the dreamers will chain you to the earth, and I will have the game
all my way.

DEATH

That remains to be seen. But how about kings?

LIFES

Kings are _my_ enemies. Do you remember how careless I was during
the French Revolution? I've always had it on my conscience, and
I think I'd feel better if I told you; whenever I threw a good
combination, I - juggled the dice !

DEATH

_Nodding._ I'm not surprised. Heavens, aren't women unscrupulous !
And yet they call me unfair. . . Well, I suppose I've got to keep
an eye on you.

DEATH

Ah ! But in willing to die she laid her life on the knees of the
Fates. So we must play for her. It is the law.

LIFE

O I am not afraid to play. This time I have you, Death.

DEATH

Have me: Ho. Ho. Nay, Life, I am cleverer than you. On this
game hangs the doom of both!

LIFE

<u>Astonished.</u> Of both ? <u>Furiously.</u> You lie, Death ! I have already won
Youth. he cannot die.

D DEATH

<u>Laughing.</u> Ho. Ho. Youth cannot die, you say. True. But the Girl
dies if I win; isn't that so? <u>Life nods.</u> Well, and if she dies,
what then ? He loves her, yet he cannot follow. Nay, he shall live-
forever mute, forever regretting his lost love, until you yourself
will beg me to take him !

LIFE

<u>Falling on her knees.</u> xMx O Death, I beg of you -

DEATH

Ho. Ho. Life on her knees to Death. No, sister, I couldn't
help you if I would. It is the law. Let us play.

LIFE

<u>Resigned.</u> It is the law. <u>They go to the center of stage and play.</u>
<u>Joyously.</u> O I have won again !

DEATH

<u>Blackly.</u> <u>Hurling the dice to the ground.</u> Yes, curse the luck!
But some day we'll play for those two again - and then it will
be my turn.