Scenes 1-5

Scenes 6-10

Scenes 11-15

Scenes 16-20

Scenes 21-25

Scenes 26-30

Scenes 31-36

The Voice of Vincent: Scenes 11-15

 

 





Scene 11

[ Lilia sits over Elizabeth who is sleeping, wringing a wet cloth above her head. The two are in a dark room]

Lilia: Time to wake, princess.

(Elizabeth opens her eyes and sits up in a hurry)

Elizabeth: Where have you taken me, Lilia?

Lilia: This…(she looks around, and stands up.) used to be my room.

Elizabeth: What? Are you lying to me?

Lilia: Surely you jest, Elizabeth dear.

Elizabeth: No?

Lilia: Why would I lie to you? (takes Elizabeth’s hands, Elizabeth rises. She looks in Elizabeth’s eyes.) I will never tell you a lie, my dear. I swear on your life that a lie shall never escape my lips when I speak to you.

Elizabeth: Have you ever lied to me?

Lilia: I have never lied.

Elizabeth: But how am I to believe that you would live here in- what is this place?

Lilia: It’s the basement.

Elizabeth: But where did you sleep?

Lilia: On that cot. (points to the corner of the room where lays a tattered cot.)

Elizabeth: Why would your parents allow such a thing?

Lilia: My brother, the wretched monster needed all of their attention. They forced me down here.

Elizabeth:(bewildered) They could not just give you a nicer room? Like you have now?

Lilia: That was always my room, but this is where I was kept.

Elizabeth: That'ss awful. Why would they send you down here?

Lilia: They felt I was cruel to my brother.

Elizabeth: Were you?

Lilia: I showed him not more cruelty than he rightly deserved.

Elizabeth: Was he unkind?

Lilia: Never unkind, but always cruel.

Elizabeth: I’m afraid I don’t understand.

Lilia: And I don't expect you to, princess. Princesses needn’t trouble themselves over such matters and over the troubles of others.

Elizabeth: But couldn't a princess trouble over the worries of a dear friend?

Lilia: (stays silent for a moment. Her face twitches) Never, Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: Well then, may I leave?

Lilia: Why do you wish to leave now?

Elizabeth: I wanted to leave before, and I would have hadn’t I fainted. Did you have anything to do with that, Lilia?

Lilia: As I told you, I would not lie. So yes, I put something in your tea to make you sleep. But now I will accept your leave.

Elizabeth: May I ask, then, one— No, two more questions of you?

Lilia: If you wish.

Elizabeth: Isn't it a lie to keep important information from one who seeks it?

Lilia: It is.

Elizabeth: Then, will you tell me the name of your brother, as you have promised not to lie.

(Lilia looks very angry)

Lilia: I will tell you later, Elizabeth, but not now. (pushes Elizabeth up the stairs and to the front door, handing her her coat.)

Elizabeth: But when will later be?

Lilia: In some number of years, I don't know how many. I trust you will be alright on your walk home.

Elizabeth: I will.

Lilia: Then goodbye Elizabeth. And goodnight.

(Elizabeth puts on her coat and leaves the house, looking back at Lilia who stands waving in the doorway)

Lilia: I pray you have pleasant dreams and will come to visit me soon!



Scene 12

[ Elizabeth walks in and her parents are talking again]

Mom: Come in here quickly Elizabeth, (Elizabeth walks into the living room)

Mom: You have heard of the death of the son of our dear Mr. Welton?

Elizabeth: Indeed. It's very tragic.

Mom: Yes, well the funeral will be in two days and we are attending.

Elizabeth: Very well, will Lilia’s family also be attending?

Dad: Oh I would suspect so, they were also good friends of the families.

Elizabeth: Also good friends? I hardly thought we were even good friends with the Welton’s.

Mom: You are dismissed.

Elizabeth: Yes mother (walks up the stairs)



Scene 13

[ Elizabeth enters her room, immediately undressing and getting into her nightgown. She goes on her stomach, facing the vent and looks down.]

Elizabeth: Vincent? Are you there?

Vincent: My! Elizabeth! I have missed you!

Elizabeth: I missed you too. How have you been doing?

Vincent: Wonderfully. Your father removed all my bandages today.

Elizabeth: Well…that’s wonderful

Vincent: And I trust you had a nice day?

Elizabeth: Well I went to see Lilia.

Vincent: Did you help her as you had hoped to?

Elizabeth: Not quite. But I did find out some more about her. (sighs heavily) Oh! A frightful life she leads!

Vincent: Why do you say that?

Elizabeth: She has just been very unhappy, and her parents are so strange and cruel towards her, so she says. But she told me it was as a result of her cruelty towards her brother before he died. But it's horrible! They keep the body in the house!

Vincent: Why?

Elizabeth: I don't know. And there is apparently no burial site or tombstone of which to speak of. At least as Lilia says, I don’t know that she’d lie, but maybe she doesn’t know about it? I've already heard that her parents didn't care for her because of her cruelty. Perhaps then they are keeping the burial site of their beloved son a mystery so she couldn't defile it?

Vincent: A burial site for one not buried there? It seems strange…

Elizabeth: Indeed, but couldn't it be only for the purpose of show? After all, the death of a so beloved son would not go unnoticed by the community would it?

Vincent: Perhaps you're right. But why be afraid of her defiling the grave but keep the body where she knows?

Elizabeth: I couldn't imagine a girl would do anything to a dead body. It would be frightening and disgusting. And she will not even look at it.

Vincent: Would your parents know?

Elizabeth: They may. Maybe I will ask. But not now.

Vincent: Are you going to sleep now?

Elizabeth: Yes. It was nice talking to you again Vincent. Though I pray I will soon learn more of you. I'm so used to you being there now that I have forgotten how strange you really are.

Vincent: Strange?

Elizabeth: Oh! I’m sorry! That meant no offense!

Vincent: Don't worry. Goodnight Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: Goodnight Vincent. (gets up and crawls into bed staring up and the ceiling before closing her eyes and going to sleep.)



Scene 14

[ A crowd of people, including Elizabeth’s family, and Lilia’s are standing around in a graveyard as the funeral service is ended. Lilia grabs Elizabeth’s hand tightly]

Lilia: Let’s go take a walk.

Elizabeth: Right now?

Lilia: Of course right now! While these silly people are crying over the dear departed we can do whatever we want!

Elizabeth: Not quite…

Lilia: You aren’t afraid of a graveyard, are you?

Elizabeth: No…

Lilia: Are you sure? Because if you are, then I will understand and we can mourn like the rest of these people.

Elizabeth: Ok…we can take a walk I suppose.

Lilia: Wonderful!

(The two leave the crowd. They walk in complete silence until they are a good distance from the people. Lilia kneels to the ground, placing her hands on the grass. She curls her fingers, and starts to tear out the grass.)

Elizabeth: Lilia! What are you doing?

Lilia: Haven’t you ever wanted to see a dead body?

(Lilia starts to dig)

Elizabeth: I’ve seen one!

Lilia: Yes! But have you seen one so long dead that it is so absolutely filthy you would rather claw your own eyes out than be forced to look at it for too long?

Elizabeth: Why would I want to see it if it would make me want to do that?

(Lilia cups a clump of dirt in her hands.)

Lilia: You would only have to look at it for a second. It could be like committing the worse but most pleasurable sin, but only for a moment! Then you wouldn’t be condemned, would you?

Elizabeth: I’m afraid I don’t think that’s how it is. God would punish you if you knew what you were doing and that it was bad, if only for a second, wouldn't he?

Lilia: Yes, perhaps, but it wouldn't be that bad, would it? Wouldn’t it be worth it for the small smack on the hand?

(Lilia throws the dirt down, and continues to dig.)

Elizabeth: And you? Have you ever seen such a thing that you would know it’s so wonderful?

Lilia: I’ve dreamt of it forever. So yes, I have seen the delightful sight in my dreams. I wake up screaming, but because it was only a dream, I won't be punished for it. I can’t control what goes on in my head.

Elizabeth: But how can you be so sure that is will be what you are expecting?

Lilia: Oh, it is.

(Lilia’s eyes grow wide and she licks her lips.)

Elizabeth: Lilia, please stop digging! You can’t just dig up someone’s grave! You cannot show such disrespect!

Lilia: Is it such disrespect to yourself to be sought for your beauty?

Elizabeth: Don't you understand? You can’t do this Lilia!

Lilia: Then stop me, dear Elizabeth, or does the dear princess not wish to soil her pretty dress?

Elizabeth: Lilia, what you are doing, you won't even get to the body, somebody will catch you. Would you like to be in so much trouble over something so trivial?

Lilia: Is that it is to you? You think something so thrilling is simply 'trivail'? They won't see me, I know it, and I won't stop until I get to lay eyes on the body that lies below!

(Elizabeth kneels, grabbing Lilia’s hands from the hole in the ground.)

Elizabeth: What are you saying? Why do you want to see such a thing so badly.

Lilia: Wouldn't want to see something you have loved so many times in dreams?

(Lilia pulls her hands away, and continues to dig. Elizabeth grabs her wrists, and struggles to pull them out of the hole, but Lilia fights back, she jumps on top of Elizabeth and holds her throat.)

Lilia: Princess, would you like to die, I promise I will allow your body to rot in a nice room, and I will decorate your body with flowers.

(Elizabeth struggles to get up, but Lilia is too strong.)

Elizabeth: No, Lilia, I don't want to die yet. I still have someone I wish to help.

Lilia: Is this person important?

Elizabeth: So important.

Lilia: But I wouldn't attempt to dig up this body if I would only have yours!

(Lilia tightens her grip on Elizabeth’s throat.)

Elizabeth: Stop Lilia! Stop!

(Elizabeth’s hand searches for something on the grass, she finds a rock and hits Lilia in the side of the head. Lilia falls to the ground. Elizabeth grabs Lilia’s hands)

Elizabeth: Are you ok Lilia?

(Lilia’s head begins to bleed.)

Lilia: I thought you were my friend…

Elizabeth: But I am! I want to help you!

Lilia: But…I want to see…

Elizabeth: Why don't you just look at your brother? If you wish to see a real dead body, why not look at his dead face? You have never done that have you? Your hate is much too strong! What did he ever do to you?

Lilia: He was loved. And I hated him for it.

Elizabeth: What?

Lilia: People only have so much room for love in their hearts, though their hate seems to be never-ending. All their love was for him, and the only feeling left for me was the awful hate they showed me! I don't want to see the body of my brother! I would rather see my own! In fact, that is the one I want to see the most! But I cannot, I will never see the comfort in my face as I lay there dead! I only wish to see you have that comfort, but not him, oh no, not him!

Elizabeth: Did he hate you as well?

Lilia: Please! I don't want to speak of it! If it bothers you so much, then I will come back here later, and look myself.

Elizabeth: Please don't do that Lilia.

Lilia: You have made me angry Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: But that's all right. Friends are supposed to get angry with each other on occasion, isn’t that right?

Lilia: No.

Elizabeth: Then we are no longer friends?

(Lilia sits still, looking away for a moment. Then turns back to Elizabeth, throwing her arms around her.)

Lilia:(smiling) Oh! We are still friends Elizabeth! And I forgive you! Oh! If you wish for me to leave the bodies alone then I will!

Elizabeth: Thank you, Lilia.

Lilia: I love you, Princess. Shall we go?



Scene 15

[Elizabeth enters her room, and lies on the bed. Staring awake at the ceiling. She sighs deeply.]

Vincent: Elizabeth?

(Elizabeth springs out of bed, and gets on the floor.)

Elizabeth: Vincent! Oh how I’ve missed you today! Why, I had a close experience with death!

Vincent: What happened?

Elizabeth: Lilia nearly killed me today. My! She is such a confusing person.

Vincent: What did she do?

Elizabeth: She has a fascination with dead bodies. And she wanted to see my own. But she says the one she wants to see the most is her's…But Vincent! How was your day today? What did you do?

Vincent: I waited for you, a read a few books.

Elizabeth: Really? Did you enjoy them?

Vincent: I suppose…

Elizabeth: When will I be able to see you Vincent?

Vincent: You don't wish to see me.

Elizabeth: Why?

Vincent: Can't you just believe me? I have such a hideous face.

Elizabeth: Oh I am sure that you don't Vincent.

Vincent: But I do. Could you promise never to look at my face?

Elizabeth: I don't understand.

Vincent: Could you please promise? Then I will let you down here, next time your parents are not around.

Elizabeth: I can't wait.

Vincent: But Elizabeth…

Elizabeth: Yes?

Vincent: I am afraid.

Elizabeth: Of what?

Vincent: I am afraid that if you see me, you won't be alive.

Elizabeth: I don’t understand.

Vincent: I am afraid that one day…Oh never mind Elizabeth. Do you like to dance Elizabeth?

Elizabeth: I suppose I do.

Vincent: Then would you dance with me? When the time came?

Elizabeth: The time? I would dance with you anytime you liked me to…

Vincent: Thank you Elizabeth.

Elizabeth: Vincent, may I touch your hands again?

(Elizabeth sticks her fingers through the grates, and they are met again with the same, icy cold hands.)

Elizabeth: Why are you so cold?

Vincent: I'm sorry…

Elizabeth: No…I will go to sleep now.

Vincent: Sweet dreams then.

(Elizabeth stands up, and then gets into bed.)

Elizabeth: Will you sing me a song as I go to sleep?

(Without another word, Vincent starts to hum, his voice is unearthly and carries her into a dream.)