Scene Eleven
We hear more thunder, then
the sound of rain. The lights rise and we are back in the Temple of Vesta.
CRISTELLE is doing exactly what we saw her doing in Scene Six, sprinkling
sacred water on the sacred fire. A very wet CATALUNI appears from stage
left, hurrying into the imaginary entranceway. When CRISTELLE sees him
she lets out a tiny yelp.
CATALUNI
I told you I would be back in seventeen
days.
CRISTELLE
Please. You must go.
CATALUNI
But you have nothing to worry about
now. Look.
(HE extracts the long tube from his satchel.)
You see. We place this through
the coffin and then up through the ground so that when you are buried alive,
you can still breathe and…
CRISTELLE
(in horror)
You are mad!
CATALUNI
All who love as I do are mad.
CRISTELLE
Not that mad!
CATALUNI
But if we are to remain together for
the rest of our lives…
CRISTELLE
Who said anything about the rest of
our lives?
CATALUNI
You said to come back in seventeen
years and you’d be waiting for me.
CRISTELLE
I said that to get rid of you.
CATALUNI
It was more than that!
CRISTELLE
It was not!
CATALUNI
You’re not trying hard enough
to love me.
You’re not trying hard enough to
fall.
I know
We were fated for each other,
But you refuse
To see the writing on the wall.
Oh, my darling, can’t you tell?
You’re all I’m thinking of!
We fit together, oh, so well---
Why be afraid of love?
You’re not trying hard enough to
show me
Emotions you’re fighting to conceal;
If you would only try as hard to
love me,
You’d know
Exactly how I feel.
CRISTELLE
For the love of Venus, I’m a Vestal
Virgin!
CATALUNI
I know that.
CRISTELLE
Don’t they have Vestal Virgins where
you come from?
CATALUNI
I never saw one. If I ever had I’m
sure I’d never have left Gaul.
CRISTELLE
I explained to you…
CATALUNI
About being buried alive. That’s why
I created this. You’ve nothing to fear. When they bury you alive, I’ll
be right there.
(CRISTELLE begins to scream,
cannot stop screaming. FIVE OTHER VESTAL VIRGINS, all wearing the same
outfits as Cristelle, appear from the upstage entranceway. CATALUNI begins
to back off, truly shocked and hurt.)
LIGHTS DIM
