Doctor Faustus by Colin Teevan

Author:Colin Teevan [Teevan, Colin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781849434133
Publisher: OBERON BOOKS Ltd
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

SCENE 9

A dressing room similar to the last, though perhaps glitzier. The rider has been cleared. A largely empty buffet table with sits in its place. A chaise longue downstage. FAUSTUS dressed in his sharpest suit yet reads his book, restlessly looking for a new trick. Enter WAGNER who crosses with trays of canapés which she places on the buffet table.

WAGNER

There’s a line of limos out there. The special guests are arriving.

FAUSTUS tries not to be distracted by her, but he cannot help himself. He sneaks one of the canapés. Then another. He is just about to eat a third when WAGNER sees. FAUSTUS puts the canapé down and smiles guiltily. She smacks his hand.

WAGNER

Some day I’ll have to take you in hand.

FAUSTUS

(Smiling.)

Why someday?

An awkward beat.

WAGNER

It’s just a saying.

They both revert to what they were doing.

FAUSTUS

If you could do anything by magic, Wagner, what would it be?

WAGNER

I can’t do magic.

FAUSTUS

But if you could, would you use it to do something big, something good? Like wars, or hunger?

WAGNER

If something like that were possible, someone would have tried it long ago.

FAUSTUS

Maybe there hasn’t been someone with my powers.

WAGNER

Yeah, sure. Dream on!

(Thinking as she works.)

But even if you could fix something by magic, like wars or hunger, they wouldn’t stay fixed. You’d have to fix people. And to fix them you’d have to fix their abilities to fuck things up. Which is sort of what makes us human.

WAGNER smacks FAUSTUS’ hand as he reaches for another canapé.

FAUSTUS

But if I had real magic?

WAGNER

In which case, you’d be, like, God? In which case, what would you be waiting for? The world is full of people trying to be God, or thinking they’re God. The best we can do is try to be decent to those around us, and then maybe if the next person does that, and the next … Maybe then.

WAGNER goes to lift a crate of glasses.

FAUSTUS

Let me.

FAUSTUS attempts to take them from her.

WAGNER

Get off! You’ve got a show to do and I’ve got a million and one things to sort for the after party.

Beat.

FAUSTUS

(Risking it, serious.)

Do you like me, Wagner?

WAGNER for the briefest moment stops what she’s doing, then starts again.

WAGNER

What kind of a question’s that?

FAUSTUS

You know.

Beat.

WAGNER

Yeah, sure. But lots of people like you. You’re famous, remember.

FAUSTUS

But as a person, do you like me as a person?

WAGNER

You seem happier with many people liking you.

FAUSTUS

You think I’m shallow?

WAGNER

I didn’t say that. Some people want to be loved by many. Others just want to love one person, and be loved by one person in return. The first are called celebrities, the second … losers, I suppose.

Awkward beat. FAUSTUS looks for something to say.

FAUSTUS

What’s your first name, Wagner? You never told me.

WAGNER

Grace.

FAUSTUS

Grace. Call me John, Grace.

Beat.

WAGNER

Sometimes, though, what people want, it can change. If they’re willing –

Enter MEPHISTOPHELES. She is dressed for the show. She busies herself, making up, going and returning to the bathroom, but always keeping an ear out for their conversation.

FAUSTUS

Why should I want to change, when I have everything I want?

WAGNER

And you’ve got her and she’s got 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.