Staging Modernist Lives by Colby Sasha;

Author:Colby, Sasha;
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 4787308
Publisher: MQUP
Published: 2016-03-05T16:00:00+00:00

ACT II

Next morning in the archive. A tape

recorder and headphones have been added

to the researcher’s desk to simulate an

audio archive. GERTRUDE sits at her

desk doing a variety of tasks. NEVA

enters S.R., looks around for LLOYD,

and approaches GERTRUDE’s desk.

NEVA

Good morning.

GERTRUDE

Good morning.

NEVA

Have my Loy tapes arrived by any chance?

GERTRUDE

(Looking on the shelf behind her desk and finding the tapes) Yes. Here they are. When I finish here, I’ll take you to the audio area.

GERTRUDE pointedly finishes up some

paperwork while NEVA waits. NEVA is

exasperated but tries to be patient and

inconspicuous as she looks around for LLOYD.

Eventually, GERTRUDE stops her work and

leads NEVA to the researcher’s desk.

GERTRUDE opens up the tape machine

and hands NEVA the earphones.

GERTRUDE begins to adjust the dials.

NEVA

(Talking to fill the silence) This is an interview that Loy did in 1965 in Aspen. There was a writers’ festival and a couple of the poets thought it would be a good idea to tape record her –

GERTRUDE

She always did have broad appeal. It was her class, I think. (Looking at NEVA pointedly) It drew people in.

NEVA

Well, she certainly was charismatic.

GERTRUDE

I’ll never forget her in Libeled Lady,67 sitting on the garden wall with William Powell.

The scene from the 1936 Myrna Loy

film plays in the background silently.

GERTRUDE’s voicing of Myrna Loy’s

line is in sync with the film.

GERTRUDE

Her character thinks Powell will never get around to asking, or that he might be engaged to someone else, so she finally says, “It’s the most important question I’ll ever ask. Just answer yes or no. But don’t explain. If it’s no, don’t explain.” And then she says: “Bill, have you been proposed to much? You know. Proposed to. Your hand in marriage.” And then she just straight out and says it. “I’m asking you to marry me. Will you marry me? Will you?” And then she says “Now. I mean now. Tonight. Will you, Bill? We’ll take the car and drive.” And he says … “To the moon.”

The film clip ends.

GERTRUDE

(Shaking it off) Well, it’s about time a book came out about her. She’s due.

NEVA

Myrna Loy.

GERTRUDE

Yes, of course.

GERTRUDE turns to leave but then turns

to face NEVA again.

GERTRUDE

You don’t think it’s possible, do you?

NEVA

What’s that?

GERTRUDE

That you and I have something in common. You think you’re so different.

NEVA

Well, I –

GERTRUDE

I see the way you feel about these records. The way you hold them. The way you want to protect them, despite your lack of training.

You’re not so different.

NEVA

Well, I think we have different material in mind and different approaches –

GERTRUDE

You know what, honey? – Give it forty years.

NEVA

For –

GERTRUDE

They’ll listen to you now because you’re young. Because your approach is “fresh.” You won’t stop caring but first they’ll stop watching … and then they’ll stop listening. Just stop. For no reason, really, not any you can tell. You’ll still have interesting things to say, you think. You’ll still have opinions. Only no one’s listening. It will be you and the files.

NEVA

Ah –

GERTRUDE

And stop looking around for him. He doesn’t come in until one on Wednesdays.

GERTRUDE marches back to her desk.

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