ACT TWO

 

Notes:-

Throughout the play, George never touches Teresa until near t the end of the play

​

 

SCENE ONE

(A week had passed since George's passionate morning with  Moira.  

In the end, he forgot the bitterness and his wounding words.  He forgot all about the diverse memories he had. His attitude changed in the last seven days, but not towards Teresa; he'll never do that to her. She's always there for him at night when he needs her most, but he has changed. His endless writing stopped, and that's not what he promised her, but what he wrote was with a passion, which is always good. But his mind was distracted.

Moira  is  sitting  on  the  armchair , and George  is standing restlessly)

 

GEORGE

I presume you want to leave him now?

 

MOlRA

Well, yes!

 

GEORGE

Suppose you're thinking what I'm thinking, please don't. I have Teresa, and I have warned you before about this.

 

MOlRA

I know you did. Anyway, where does she go? She's never in. Are you sure she hasn't got a lover?"

​

GEORGE

(Angrily)

Don't you dare? Don't you dare compare her with you? Do you think everybody else is doing so because you're having a fling? Teresa is not like that; she never……

(He poured some wine into his glass.)

I was happy before you bloody hooked me.

 

MOlRA

Happy. When were you ever happy? You don't even know the meaning of the word.

 

GEORGE

A  person can be happy without showing it. I don't need to laugh to be satisfied. Since Teresa came back to me, I have been pleased in a way—happier. It feels good. She's a wonderful woman.

 

MOlRA

You still have not told me where she goes, this paragon of virtue?

 

GEORGE

Wherever she goes, I can assure you she doesn't go with other men. How do I know? Because I know her heart.

 

MOlRA

Sometimes, I don't believe she exists. If you want me to believe you, show me her wardrobe. Or are you afraid?

​

GEORGE

You have no right. And please don't ever come here again, even with Simon.

 

MOlRA

Don't see me again? I thought we were...…

 

GEORGE

You thought wrong?

 

MOlRA

(slaps him on the face)

You're a bastard.

 

GEORGE

(Calmly)

I know. Please go before we say something else we don't mean.

 

MOlRA

You've already said a lot, and you damn well meant them.

 

(At this moment, we see Teresa slowly walking in. She crosses the room without looking and walks into the other room. GEORGE follows her with his eyes. Moira stands still and says nothing.)

 

GEORGE

(Nicely)

Please, Moira, go now...…

​

MOlRA

What's up? What's wrong?

 

GEORGE

What's up?  Are you mad?  Did you not see her? Please go. I'll talk to you later, but go!

 

MOlRA

See who?

 

GEORGE

Never mind. Please go now!

 

MOlRA

All right. All right, but don't forget to call.

(She exits angrily)

 

GEORGE

(pours himself another drink and sits. Calls out)

Teresa.

(He waits for an answer, but there is none.)

Teresa, did you go upstairs? Teresa……

(He gets agitated and runs out, and we hear him calling for her)

Teresa, where are you, my love?Teresa … …

 

(He comes in again and looks around him, but there is no sign of Teresa. He is in a state of confusion while consuming a wine glass. He keeps looking around him)

 

END OF SCENE ONE

 

SCENE TWO

 

(A few months have passed since that afternoon; there should be significant changes to the scene from the previous one, even the characters' costumes, except for Teresa. George looks weary, and his state of mind deteriorates immensely. His writing has stopped, and his drinking has accelerated considerably.

George is standing by the drinks cabinet, giving his back to the audience. Teresa is sitting on a chair by the drinks cabinet, motionless.)

(The doorbell sounds. George exits.) (From outside)

 

GEORGE

I did not expect you to come and visit me, Simon.

 

(George and Simon enter.

 

GEORGE

(Still pouring drinks)

Is this a good idea, Simon?

 

SIMON

Of course, it is. This isn't an everyday occasion and should be a very civilised conversation while one's wife of ten years empties her wardrobe. This is a new experience for me. One wonders what to say exactly. Certainly, we must have something in common we can talk about. We've been friends for a Long time. You're practically one of the family now.

 

GEORGE

(Turns and faces him)

I'm sorry that you had to find out. I'm not up to this sort of thing.

 

SIMON

I can see you're not. I'm not up to it if it makes you feel more comfortable. I'd better sit down.

(He sits down, feeling uncomfortable)

You mean you fucked my wife, destroyed my marriage, and now you're going to throw her away like a piece of garbage?

 

GEORGE

I have never made any promises to her. From the start, from the first day, she came here and practically seduced me...…

 

SIMON

(Sarcastic)

I should have realised.  It's not your fault at all. She's the guilty one. It is a good example of a hypocrite like you. You are very good at denial. I am not comfortable. I mean, all this...... It's one thing to take a man's wife and another to chat about it with him, isn't it?"

​

GEORGE

You shouldn't have come at all. I want to say I'm sorry, but it happened and...…

 

SIMON

Is that it? You're sorry? What about me? She is about to leave me for you.

(He is nearly in tears.)

 

GEORGE

No, that's not true. She is not coming to live with me. You've got that wrong.

 

SIMON

(Surprised)

What do you mean?

 

GEORGE

Exactly that. We are not an item. Moira and I……

You'd better go.

 

SIMON

Why are you afraid that Teresa will start to hate you, too?

 

GEORGE

(Looks at Teresa, but she doesn't move an inch)

Teresa has nothing to do with this. She's suffered enough. She knows that I was unfaithful to her, but unlike you, she understands.

 

SIMON

Does she? Well, she's naive, that's all I  can say. Maybe she's a bit simple in the head?

 

GEORGE

(Shouts angrily, and Simon gets frightened.)

That is enough!

(He walks to Teresa)

I'm sorry about this, my love.

 

SIMON

(Gathering courage)

What did you say?

(George  doesn't  answer and  moves  near Simon again)

What's on your mind, George? If Teresa really understands, why doesn't she defend you?"

 

GEORGE

I told you not to involve her.

(He moves to her and stands beside her)

Your Moira got it all wrong. I'm to blame, too; I know that. I thought all Moira wanted was a bit of fun.  Honestly, I was against it from the start. But I was going to say that when an attractive woman like Moira approaches you, it is very hard for a man, especially a man like me, who cannot resist his hunger, his desire and his sex addiction……

 

SIMON

You know you disappoint me, George. You really do.

 

GEORGE

Disappoint you?

 

SIMON

Very much, I thought at least you loved Moira.

 

GEORGE

(Laughs out loud)

Love? What does love have to do with it? I'm very fond of her ……"

 

SIMON

That is not the same thing. I respected you, George, but I despise myself for it. Have you ever thought about me? When you were fucking my wife, did you have a slight thought about me? How much are you going to hurt me and destroy me?

 

GEORGE

Yes, I thought about it.

 

SIMON

But not for long enough?

 

GEORGE

No, not long enough, I'm afraid.

(He walks back and pours himself another drink)

Simon, tell me the truth, please, why did you come here?

 

SIMON

I wanted to face my adversary. You are the enemy of all husbands. You know that, don't you?

 

GEORGE

And now that you faced me? Now what? I told you that it's over between your wife and me.

 

SIMON

So she's my wife again now, is she? How can she be my wife after what she's done to me with you? Do you know how humiliating it is? Every time I see her, I feel your aftershave on her. Every time I touch her, I feel your presence.

 

GEORGE

But she loves you, Simon.

 

SIMON

She's got a funny way of showing it.

 

GEORGE

I know. If it's a consolation, I don't think she was really happy with the affair at the end.

 

SIMON

No, that's not a consolation. When Moira and I were married, I was in my twenties when I met her. She was a remarkable woman, and before I met her, incredible as it might sound, I had never made love to another woman after I divorced my first wife. She was young and full of life. The moment I saw her, I loved her. I wanted her. After a year of longing for her, I did. A year, George, it is a very, very Long time. Moira was new in my town but knew precisely what she wanted. Marriage and money, and she got both. I wondered if she ever looked at me as a man with those feelings, but I was happy and loved her too much, even though she did not pity my feelings. I didn't know this; I learned it slowly over the years.

 

GEORGE

She is not like that, what you're saying. You're wrong. She is the most understanding woman I have ever known, sympathetic and helpful. You don't love her, Simon,  it's not true.  Everything you say proves you don't.

 

SIMON

(Stands goes to the cabinet and pours himself a glass of wine)

I need this!

 

GEORGE

But you don't drink, Simon!

 

SIMON

I know.

(He goes back to his seat and drinks half the glass, and he makes a face of disgust)

I kept reminding myself when I judged her. You know she was an ambitious girl in those days!

 

GEORGE

You may not be able to understand me or believe it, but I am very fond of her. I never had any intentions of…….

 

SIMON

 

You're not the first man she's had an affair with, and you won't be the last, either.

 

GEORGE

 

I don't intend to listen to this anymore.

 

SIMON

Moira started drifting about three years ago. I noticed it, but I couldn't stop it. She was searching for someone to love her, someone to love me for, the right man. Why she chose you, I will never know or understand.

 

GEORGE

I don't know either. Tell me, Simon, what have you decided to do?

 

SIMON

(Stands finishes his drink quickly, and in doing so, he nearly chokes himself)

What do you expect me to do? Forgive and forget. No. She can go to hell with you or without you. As for you, my so-called friend, I'm going to tell you to fuck off for good.

 

(He exits abruptly)

(George goes and sits on the couch, trying to figure out Simon's reason for coming and seeing him. Teresa is still sitting on a chair when she gets up slowly, moves towards the   sofa, and sits beside George, who looks at her with so much love.)

 

GEORGE

I'm sorry about that. I hope Simon didn't upset you.

 

TERESA

Why should he? You are a very kind man, George, and whatever you do or don't do, there is a reason. It is not your fault that you have these sexual urges. It's a sexual addiction that you have. I know that you have to intensify your sex behaviour to satisfy your cravings.  It's like your alcohol addiction; you cannot stay without a drink, or you can have a seizure. I have always known that, and I have accepted it. Even after a few months, I met you, I knew you couldn't stay without a woman, and I also knew how well you treated me. You could have taken advantage of me when I was still very young, but you didn't, even though I craved you. Oh yes, George, I craved you so much. Maybe that's why I came back into your life.

 

GEORGE

The truth is, I always loved you.

 

TERESA

I know. It must have been very difficult not to make love to me when we used to stay long hours together.

 

 

GEORGE

To be with you was all that I wanted. It is true that I looked and found other women after I took you home, but they did not mean a thing. It was pure, like drinking a bottle of red wine because I wanted it. Sex is meaningless and impersonal if it is not with the one you love. That's my opinion anyway.

 

TERESA

So, George, why should I get upset about what Simon said? I knew that Moira wanted you; any woman could see that, and I admired the way you fought against it.

 

GEORGE

I didn't fight hard enough. After you and I parted years ago, my sexual activity hindered my relationships;  it kept me from forming long-term kinship, honest, loving relationships and compelled me to be deceptive.

I haven't been faithful to one woman, including you, even though I adore the ground you walked on.

 

TERESA

Did you wish you had made love to me then?

 

GEORGE

No! and I don't regret it. You're the only woman I  haven't made love to,  and  I have no intention of doing so.

 

TERESA

Why didn't you?

​

GEORGE

You were and are very special. I loved you because you are you, not for any other reason at all. I don't love you because you're beautiful, have a smashing figure, or are a great Lover. I love you for what you are.

 

(For the first time, he grabs her face gently with both hands. He is very sad and emotional.)

I love you!  I love your spirit, not your body. If I had made love to you, you would have become like one of the other women. There would be no difference between you and them, and  I didn't want that to happen. I couldn't.

 

TERESA

What about my needs? What about me?  Was I not entitled to have you for my pleasures?

 

GEORGE

Was I wrong, then?

 

TERESA

You were, in a way, but not entirely. You did what your heart told you to do.

 

GEORGE

Do you know how much I wanted you? Do you know how I ached at not having your body? But there was something that I could not figure out. Forty years have passed, and I know you are not a child anymore, but the thought of …...

 

TERESA

(Comforts him)

I know my love. I know. This time, it is definitely not your fault. You see, my beloved George, you cannot make love to me because, in truth, I am not here.

 

GEORGE

(Confused)

What are you saying? What do you mean you're not here? I can see you. I can feel you. I am cuddling you.

 

TERESA

I do not exist for you anymore.

 

GEORGE

What do you mean?

 

TERESA

You see, my dear George, I am only a figment of your imagination. You wanted me so much all these years that somehow, you created me with your mind.

You indeed see and touch me, but in truth, you are not touching anything, you are not seeing anything, and you are not hearing anything.

You are doing all these things because you crave them, like the wine you drink.

 

GEORGE

How can this be? I don't believe it?"

​

TERESA

Why do you think Simon and Moira never saw me? Why did nobody else see me?

​

GEORGE

I don't know, because you always went out.

 

TERESA

No, George. You didn't want them to see me in your head, so you imagined me going shopping.

 

GEORGE

What you're saying is that I am crazy. Mad?

 

TERESA

Not as such, but you are not yourself. The abuse of alcohol has gone much further. You're at the end of your tether. There is not much help left.

 

GEORGE

So what are you saying? Are you leaving me? You cannot leave me now, can you?

 

TERESA

Yes, I have to go now.

 

GEORGE

I don't want you to. If, as you said, I created you, you cannot leave unless I decide to. Is that not how it goes?

​

TERESA

Not this time, George.

​

GEORGE

(Looks at her intensely. He Kisses her all over.)

I cannot lose you, not again.

 

TERESA

You don't have to if you don't want to.

 

GEORGE

What do you mean? Can I come with you?

 

TERESA

If that is what you truly want? Come with me and end it all.

 

GEORGE

In spirit, you mean?

(He gives a huge smile of happiness)

Oh yes, my love, that is definitely what I genuinely want. That way, I will not suffer anymore.

(He kissed her again frantically.)

When? When do we go?"

 

TERESA

Now, if you are ready?

(George turns quickly and pours another glass of wine, and as he is about to drink it, Teresa takes it from his hands)

You don't need that anymore now.

(She takes his hands, and they stroll, hands in hands, to the door.)

​

GEORGE

(George stops suddenly and looks at her.)

Teresa, if you are not here now, where are you?

 

(As she walks out with him, she tells him the truth)

 

TERESA

I am happily married with two sons.

 

(As they exit, we hear George's voice reciting his poem)

 

HOW BEAUTlFUL lT lS

 

How beautiful it was to hold you in my heart,

while darkness vanished and gave me light;

How beautiful it was that I slept and woke up,

knowing that you were with me through the night.

 

How beautiful it was to talk to you in my dreams,

I felt uplifted by the sublime love that you gave me;

How beautiful it was that our love redeemed,

I felt comfortable knowing that, from guilt, I was free.

 

You were the symbol of compassion and happiness,

the proper way of our mingled lives cherished;

The truth that is sometimes drowned by cruelness,

My life, my ardour, my heart with love, it flourished.

 

How beautiful it was to dream about you at the time,

dreaming about your great love for me and nature;

contemplating the simple life you have lived,

Yet a life that did openly change my future.

 

How beautiful it was that the sun rose every morning,

and the moon appeared in many shapes at night;

How beautiful it was to have believed in the original dawning;

it showed that in my wisdom, my heart was filled with light.

 

How beautiful it is that time came for my demise,

how beautiful it is to be born and yet to die with strife;

How beautiful it is that I don't have to express any goodbyes.

How beautiful it is that I shall not cry for my life.

 

 

THE END