Dramatic Play: Acts One and Two – A Family’s Turmoil
ACT ONE
Page 66
TELVA: (They say that inside… … … bells under water) (Down the stairs, put the parka she picks up the nail)
MARTIN: Are you involved with the mare? (Going to Grandpa)
MOTHER: (Is it necessary to go to the braña tonight?)
MARTIN: I want to remove the cattle myself.
Page 67
MOTHER: (Can you not… Ever? Forgot what day is today?)
MARTIN: Today? (Sees the GRANDFATHER. The two head down, Martin understands, sighs, and lowers his head as well). Yes.
MOTHER: (I know you do not like… next to me in silence)
MARTIN: (Elusive) The mayoral is waiting for me.
MOTHER: (Is this trip so important?)
MARTIN: Although it was not. It is better to sow a new crop than to mourn for that which is lost.
MOTHER: (Three days I understand… Not long to want)
MARTIN: (Affirming and going a step) It was mine and that was enough! I would not have wanted in thirty years, (pause) what I wanted in those three days.
MOTHER: (Going to him) …So… do not look at me when I talk to you?
MARTIN: (CRISP) Enough! (Exits resolutely into the pen)
Page 70
PILGRIM: (I’ve heard… and the best horse in the mountains.)
MARTIN: The mare is not in the yard. They left the gate open and she is heard neighing in the forest. (To mother)
GRANDFATHER: (It cannot be. Quico left her saddled)
MARTIN: (Energetic) Are you blind then? The one that is saddled is the cuatralbo. (Pointing to the back gate)
Page 71
MOTHER: (Is it the colt? …Do not think… …is frightened by lightning!)
MARTIN: And why not? After all, once had to be the first. Where is the spur?
MOTHER: (Do not tempt the sky… the passage of rapids is dangerous.)
MARTIN: Always with your fears. Do you want to get into a corner, as your children? (Pointing towards them) I’m tired of turning my back to hold my wife’s advice and hide the shotguns. (Energetic) Where is the spur?
PILGRIM: (Picks it up from the fire) Is it this one?
MARTIN: (Looks surprised. Low tone) Excuse me for speaking so loud. I had not seen you. (Looks at the others as if to ask)
PILGRIM: (I’ve been offered… humility. May I?) (Puts the spur on him)
MARTIN: Thank you…
(They look at each other a moment in silence. She is still kneeling)
PILGRIM: (The Narcos were always good riders)
MARTIN: So they say. If I do not see you again, happy trip. (Leaving, doing a gesture towards the door) And quiet sleep, mother, do not wait for me at night with light in the windows.
ACT TWO
Page 90
PILGRIM: (Thanks, Grandpa… …Goodbye). (Goes to the door. Hears the voice of MARTIN outside screaming.)
VOICE: Telva! …Telva!
PILGRIM: (Why not? …Open without fear)
(The voice is heard again)
VOICE: Soon… Telva!
Page 91
MOTHER: (So soon? He has not had… Halfway.)
(Grandfather opens the door. Enter MARTIN bringing in a girl in his arms…)
GRANDFATHER: (What? Have you gone mad?)
(Martin leaves the girl in the chair by the fire)
MOTHER: (But then… Who is this?)
MARTIN: (Surprised) I do not know. I saw her falling into the river and I arrived on time. She just fainted.
Page 92
GRANDFATHER: (And you, did you think of something?)
MARTIN: When passing the rapids, lightning dazzled the horse and drove the two of us into the ravine. But it was nothing.
PILGRIM: (Approaches him, drawing a handkerchief from her breast) (May I?).
MARTIN: What do I have?
PILGRIM: (Nothing… A speck in the temple). (Cleans it lovingly)
MARTIN: (Looks at her for a moment, fascinated) Thanks.
ADELA: Who brought me here?
MARTIN: I was passing along the river and saw you fall.
GRANDFATHER: (At your age? If you have not had time to meet life.)
Page 93
MARTIN: Courage. Tomorrow it will have passed like a bad dream.
ADELA: (I’ve never had anything of mine… I could not remember anything.)
MARTIN: Among many days. Have you not had any happier?
PILGRIM: (Calm down, Grandpa. She’s asleep, quite simply.)
MARTIN: (Energetic) We cannot leave her. She must lie down at once.
MOTHER: (Where?)
MARTIN: (Energetic) There is more than one room in the house.
(Martin follows his mother, carrying ADELA in his arms)