A Few Stout Individuals by John Guare

Author:John Guare
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Grove Atlantic
Published: 2003-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

ACT TWO

Darkness. Then golden light. The room is filled with flowers. USG stands. The Emperor of Japan sits in USG’s chair, the Empress of Japan by his side.

USG Was being with you the last time I was ever happy?

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN I hope so.

USG Being in a new strange place but liking it.

THE EMPRESS OF JAPAN Why?

USG Country beautifully cultivated. Scenery grand. The people from the highest to the lowest, the most kindly . . . the most cleanly in the world. Meeting you. You wanted nothing from me. We were the two most powerful men in the world. It made me smile.

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN I wanted you to be happy in Japan.

USG Oh, I was.

THE EMPRESS OF JAPAN We are very happy visiting you.

USG Could you stay?

THE EMPRESS OF JAPAN We would love to! Could we?

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN I cannot leave my country.

USG I understand. I apologize.

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN For what?

USG My memory. You asked for things I couldn’t give you.

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN I apologize.

USG For what?

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN For my solution. Giving you my play.

USG But you wanted to help.

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN I did.

THE EMPRESS OF JAPAN He did. You did it very well.

USG It felt good.

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN You told it most admirably.

USG Could I have a photograph of you?

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN No representations of me are allowed.

USG That’s a shame. I’d like a picture of the two of us, our arms slung over each other’s shoulders, looking into the camera. We could each hold a glass of whiskey and a cigar. We could have a map of the world between us. One half yours. One half mine.

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN I would like to be the face of your savior. When you need help, think of me.

Bells toll in the street.

USG What’s going on out there?

The Emperor and Empress of Japan go to the window.

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN People are crowding outside this house—

THE EMPRESS OF JAPAN Up onto Fifth Avenue—

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN Back into Central Park—

USG What’s happened? Why are they there?

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN Funeral bells.

USG Whose funeral?

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN There are hundreds—

THE EMPRESS OF JAPAN Maybe thousands—

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN—of people out in the street.

USG Who else lives on this block?

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN It’s you. Yes, it’s your funeral.

USG Have I died?

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN Not yet. They’ve come to be with you. I remember when my father was dying. Thousands of people stood in front of the palace.

THE EMPRESS OF JAPAN A deathwatch. That’s what they call it.

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN This is your deathwatch.

USG Is it a bloodthirsty deathwatch?

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN They’re very quiet. Very Japanese. Some of them have on their old uniforms. They carry flags. They have signs.

USG Saying that I’m a thief? That I stole money from Mr. Vanderbilt? What do the signs say?

THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN I’m so sorry. I can’t read. My readers read to me.

THE EMPRESS OF JAPAN The signs say they love you.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.