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
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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