Act II
LAURA’S ROOM—THE SAME NIGHT
Laura stands in her
room, sorrowful, drawn face, bruises exposed.
LAURA
If I could only dream this world away
I’d awake
In your arms
If I could keep this bitter life at bay
Wide awake
In your arms
The vow that keeps me from you
I cannot undo
I’m lost
Lost in a fantasy that can’t come true
If I could only dream this world away
I’d awake
In your arms
I long to sleep forever
Dreaming only of you
I’m lost
How many nights like this can I go through?
Marian
enters and accidentally startles Laura
MARIAN
I am sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. Oh, Laura,
you look so pale!
LAURA
What are they doing?
MARIAN
They have retired to the library
LAURA
Stay here with me!
MARIAN
We can’t just wait like victims
I’ll find out what they’re up to
LAURA
I’m so frightened
Please don’t leave me!
MARIAN
We must know what their next move is.
LAURA
No!
MARIAN
Laura, they don’t scare me
Hush, now, go to sleep.
IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING—OUTSIDE THE HOUSE
Fosco stands outside,
speaking to his rat.
FOSCO
Feast my friend, enjoy your little dinner
And pay attention now you little dickens!
This is where the story, it gets int’resting!
As we Italians say, “the plot she
thickens!”
The storm arrives and
it begins to rain.
Aw! This English
weather!
He goes back
inside. The scene shifts to a window
ledge outside, and we see Marian in her nightgown walking across it, trying to
get to the Library. She is successful,
and she hides beside the balcony, listening through the open French doors. The audience is able to see Glyde and Fosco
playing billiards.
FOSCO
The storm is almost upon us!
To our little game, I propose a toast!
GLYDE
Well we haven’t won, it’s too soon
to boast!
There’s a lot at stake!
FOSCO
It’s a large amount!
GLYDE
Twenty-thousand plus, in her bank account.
She will never sign,
What would twist her arm?
FOSCO
Here’s a novel thought, you could try some charm!
GLYDE
I was not cut out for a diplomat.
FOSCO
There are other ways one can skin a cat.
We just need a new plan!
GLYDE
But I need the money now!
FOSCO
Let me think my friend,
There’s always a solution.
Just be patient,
You’re a hard one to convince!
And the elegance is in the execution!
we can have our cake and not leave finger prints.
GLYDE
But I—
FOSCO
I think both of us could use a shot of brandy!
Wait! Another course
of action’s coming clear!
We’ll persuade her to do anything we ask her…
Thunder cracks, and
Marian, and the audience, is unable to hear what is said.
…and our problems disappear.
Marian sneezes. Fosco hears.
What was that?
GLYDE
What?
FOSCO
On the balcony…
It was just the rain…
GLYDE
What the devil do we do about Anne Catherick?
Just the thought of her could drive this man to drink!
FOSCO
I’ve a most obscure location we can put her!
In…
Thunder claps again.
…perfect, don’t you think?
GLYDE
She’ll be on my mind till she’s out of site.
FOSCO
She’ll be locked away by the morning’s light.
GLYDE
Well, the woman’s mad!
FOSCO
Which I’ll certify, on my doctor’s oath…
And I “never lie!”
He signs a document.
GLYDE
Keep those papers close, under lock and key!
FOSCO
At my
home they’ll be safe with me.
GLYDE
Don’t forget my wife!
FOSCO
She’s a thorn, it’s true…
He suddenly has a
thought…
Wait! Oh God I’m good!
I know what we’ll do!
What we do is…
Marian loses her
footing on the balcony and almost slips off.
The two men hear, and Marian rushes back over the ledge, into the house.
GLYDE
That wasn’t the rain!
Who is it?
FOSCO
I couldn’t see…but I have pretty good idea. Miss Halcombe, the little minx!
GLYDE
My wife’s sister!
Good God, what did she hear?
FOSCO obviously
infatuated with her
She is quite remarkable!
Incredible! I cannot tell you how
much I admire this woman!
GLYDE
What are you saying?
We must go after her, restrain her!
If this plan doesn’t work, I will be sunk, man. – I will be bankrupt- I will lose this
house!!!!
FOSCO
Glyde,
Glyde! Calma, calma! Leave this to me!
Fosco taeks his hip
flask and pours the brandy into a glass. He then takes a vial with powder within it and
mixes the powder into the brandy. He
then pours the doctored brandy back into the flask.
We have simply got to build a better mouse trap.
We will not emerge the victor as it stands.
Though we’ll do whatever dire is required,
I’d prefer to have them eating from our hands.
He exits and goes to
Marian’s bedroom.
MARIAN’S BEDROOM
Marian is freezing, soaked to the bone. Fosco knocks and enters without an answer.
FOSCO
I thought I’d come to see how you are feeling.
MARIAN mock cheerful,
trying to hide her fear
I was caught out in a sudden shower.
FOSCO mock hurt
I thought for a promenade you’d come to me.
And why go out at this ungodly hour?
My dear, you’re dripping wet and shivering with fever.
I can guarantee that this will help you sleep.
He takes out the hip
flasks and pours the brandy into a glass.
MARIAN
No! Really, I feel
quite fine!
FOSCO
Do be a good girl, drink this down!
I’ll have the servants change your gown.
He hands her the
brandy.
MARIAN
No, thank you.
FOSCO
I am the doctor,
I know best!
And I prescribe a good night’s rest!
She drinks
There we are!
She stand
up to go to bed. She becomes woozy, and
Fosco helps her into bed.
Just a step! Rest,
rest!
He strokes her
forehead.
Sweet dreams!
He kisses her
sensually in her unconscious state.
Sweet dreams!
He leaves.
THE NIGHTMARE
We are no in Marian’s
nightmare, which recaps everything that has happened in a terrifying
manner. The chorus sings The Holly and
the Ivy and Lammastide in the background.
ANNE
I can trust you!
LAURA
So strange and yet so true, I see myself!
GLYDE
I will not stand for it, I will not!
FOSCO
You’ll be fine Lady Glyde!
LAURA
I don’t trust him, or anyone!
WALTER
Are you happy now?
MARIAN
Laura, you know you can trust me!
LAURA
Trust you, now why would I trust you?
ANNE
You have betrayed me!
GLYDE
Take her back to the asylum!
FOSCO
You will not be harmed!
LAURA
Marian, wake up!
ANNE
I’ll haunt you!
WALTER
She had a secret she would tell!
ANNE
I’ll haunt you till you die!
LAURA
Wake up, help me!!!
WALTER
Perhaps I’m not the only one with secrets!
FOSCO
I am a doctor, trust me!
ANNE
They’ve come to lock me up!
GLYDE
You must be confined!
ANNE
Noooooo! Nooooooo!
CHORUS
Sweet singing in the choir,
Sweet singing in the choir,
Sweet singing in the choir!
Sing for it’s Lammastide!
Sing for it’s Lammastide!
WOMEN
Dance for who knows if we’ll live till the spring?!
CHORUS
Dance for who knows if we’ll live till the spring?!
What will protect us, a doll made of corn?
LAURA
What have they done to you?!
FOSCO
And I never lie!
The dream ends, and
Marian awakes with a start.
MARIAN’S BEDROOM—THE NEXT MORNING
MARIAN
I would wake and find her…
Wake and find her…
She realises now that she is awake. She calls out:
Laura? Laura! Laura!
She leaves her
room. Maids walk by, very somber and
silent. Marian calls out to one walking
by, as she senses something is wrong.
What is it, what has happened?
The maid runs
away. Marian, frustrated, takes hold of
another by the shoulders and firmly says:
Talk to me! Where is
Laura? Where is Lady Glyde?
All the maids run
away. Fosco enters.
FOSCO
Miss Halcombe, mi dispiace.
I am so terribly sorry.—There is no easy way
for me to say this…Your sister…She is dead!
MARIAN in disbelief
No!
FOSCO
She was walking in her sleep…
MARIAN fearing what she is about to hear
What are you saying?
FOSCO
She had sent her maid away as was her custom, I
understand. She walked to the window,
and she fell from a great height!
Marian breaks down,
sobbing into the ground.
MARIAN
NO! No! No! NO!
FOSCO
Her husband, he found her this morning lying on the ground
like a little broken doll! He is beside
himself with grief! It’s a tragic
accident! Pause Miss Halcombe, marry—he
stops before he completes his sentence because of her sobs. I am sorry!
I must go to
today. But if you need anything,
anything at all, this is where you’ll find me.
He hands her a business card. She continues sobbing. Ana ver, te
monde. Ciao.
Marian is left alone,
and she sobs uncontrollably.
LAURA’S FUNERAL AT LIMMERIDGE—EARLY APRIL
Marian is dressed in
black with a veil over her face, she stands alone. Mr. Fairlie is there, distraught. Glyde pretends to be deeply saddened.
PRIEST
I am the resurrection and the life sayeth the Lord. Whoever shall liveth and believeth in me
shall never die.
GLYDE
How can the good Lord take my love away?
Far too young, far too good!
I have to face forever
All without my wife!
There’s no describing my sadness!
She was the light of my life!
And life is so unfair,
Such a cross to bear.
Still there’s the will to contend with.
All kinds of papers to sign!
I can’t believe she’s gone,
Yet we must go on.
FAIRLIE
How can you talk of business?
Good God it’s much too soon!
GLYDE
Of course, we’ll wait a bit.
That’s appropriate.
FAIRLIE
I’m much too overcome now,
My nerves are simply frayed!
Why don’t you come to me in June?
Glyde nods in
agreement. Everyone prepares to
leave. Glyde has been shaking everyone’s
hand, but Marian refuses to give him her own.
FAIRLIE shocked
Marian!
GLYDE
I hope you’ll still think of me as a brother.
It is charged moment,
and Glyde leaves with the others, leaving Marian alone at Laura’s grave.
MARIAN
I don’t believe a word!
Everything he utters is a lie!
I was powerless!
Just a woman!
Too weak to save you!
I have no doubt they murdered you Laura!
You were all I had
And I can’t believe you’re gone!
Where is Walter?
He’s the only one
You and I can count upon!
All for Laura
I must be strong!
I will live to right this wrong!
She storms off, ready
to find Walter…
It is a gloomy
man. He is now depressed and poor.
BEGGAR
Spare me a penny, sir?
WALTER
This is my last one.
BEGGAR
Then I won’t deprive you.
WALTER
Please take it, it’s yours.
BEGGAR 2 offering him
a bottle of gin
Here take some comfort
To help you forget, sir.
WALTER
My thoughts and my memories are all I have left now.
He takes a swig and
leaves them to walk an empty
street. He takes out his portrait of
Laura from the summer of 1859 and looks at it.
Ever on my mind
Evermore without you
I’ll never know a thought or feeling
That isn’t about you!
Never more alone
Never to forget you!
Not when my life was changed forever the first time I met you!
You’re all I know
And though I’ve lost you, you’re someone I can’t let go of!
Every living day
Ever filled with sorrow!
How can I face a life without you
Or even tomorrow?
Evermore without you,
Were we never meant to be?
He arrives at a pawn
shop
Nevermore alone
Never to forget you
Not when my life was changed forever the first time I met you!
You’re all I know!
And though I’ve lost you you’re someone I can’t let go of!
Every living day
Ever filled with sorrow
How can I face a life without you
Or even tomorrow?
Evermore without you
Were we never meant to be?
The pawn shop owner
approaches Walter.
PAWN SHOP OWNER
Have you got something for me?
Walter hands him the
portrait of Laura. Walter is paid a
measly sum and he is left alone.
Every living day
Ever filled with sorrow
How can I face a life without you?
Evermore without you
We were never meant to be.
LOST SOULS—MAY
It is late April, and Marian has arrived in
Being a naïve country woman, she is overwhelmed by the mass hysteria
around her in the
LONDONERS
Lost souls!
All of searching
Never finding
What we are seeking!
All hope
Long ago buried
Here in
In a sea of strangers!
We’re pris’ners
In darkness.
Rats in a cage
With anger
And hunger
To fuel the rage!
More of the same each bloody day.
Best you should stay out of our
way!
We drink to let go of
The life that we know
It’s hopeless
We’re caught in
The undertow!
Drowning in gin and endless
night,
Endlessly spoiling for a fight!
Marian tries to grab the attention of passersby, but all they do is
laugh at her. She enters a pub where it
is an unhelpful, crowd. She approaches a
man. When he rebuffs her, she tries
others who do the same.
MARIAN
Can you help me?
There’s a man I’m searching for.
To another man
Can you help me?
Walter Hartright
Is the name.
She is driven out, and she makes her way to another bar. She looks at the card Count Fosco gave her
the morning of Laura’s death.
LONDONERS
Questions
All without answers,
And our business
Is to forget them!
Lost souls
All of us searching,
Here in
In a sea of str5angers.
We’re here to
Let go of
Our worries.
Fill your bitter cup!
No need to look forward
Or backwards,
Only bottoms up!
She approaches man at the new bar.
Marian
Please, sir, help me?
There’s a man that I must find!
Can you help me?
Walter Hartright
Is his name?
Another man overhears and approaches Marian. He takes her by the arm and brings her to a
different bar.
CONMAN
Hartright?
Did you say Walter Hartright?
Yes, I know him!
I’ll take you to him.
I know him
I’ll take you to where he will be.
Delighted to help you,
Believe in me!
They arrive at the third bar, where it is loud and foreboding. The people inside are urchins ready to tackle
anyone in sight. During the next, they
grab Marian and assault her, one man kissing her. She is threatened with a knife. Her necklace is stolen, her bag’s
contents. She is robbed of everything
she has.
LONDONERS
Here among the missing
A city with no answers!
We’re looking for salvation
In endless desperation
With gin to dull our senses
And chase away our demons!
And though you’ll never find it,
We drink until we’re blinded!
The first stanza is repeated by others in the background during the
following.
Lost souls!
All of searching
Never finding
What we are seeking!
All hope
Long ago buried
Here in
In a sea of strangers!
Marian is thrown out of the bar, completely humiliated and alone.
She sobs uncontrollably. She has
basically given up hope of finding Walter in foreboding
looks at the card Fosco gave her the day of Laura’s murder. She gets up to leave the deserted street when
she passes by the pawn show. In the
window she sees the portrait of Laura; the one Walter had drawn the summer
prior. She runs in with a rush.
MARIAN to the Pawnbroker
How did you get that picture?
I need to know who brought it!
Tell me was it Walter Hartright?!
I must find him, you must help me!
The subject is my sister!
I can’t believe I’ve found it!
I’ll redeem it,
Take this bag!
PAWNBROKER
That’s not enough!
MARIAN
Then take this coat!
I have got to find the owner!
You must tell me where he’s
living!
PAWNBROKER handing her the portrait and address
I wouldn’t be too hopeful,
It might be a false address!
Marian leaves the pawn shop and rushes through
WALTER’S FLAT—THE SAME DAY
She arrives at the address, and to her surprise, it is a dingy
place. A prostitute passes by with a
customer and enters the building Marian has arrived at. Marian follows the two in. She heads to the top floor of the building to
find Walter’s flat. It appears
abandoned, as if no one lived there. She
puts the portrait on an empty canvas and she sits herself at a seat near a
desk.
Walter barges in with alcohol in his hand. He is enraged to see her.
WALTER
Have you no mercy?
Why are you haunting me?
How can you show your face?!
MARIAN she points out the portrait
I redeemed your pledge!
WALTER
Take that picture!
I cannot bear to look!
You spoke the truth
That she was never mine to keep!
MARIAN
How do I tell you?
I have such awful news!
WALTER
That story’s everywhere!
The tragic passing of Lady Laura
Glyde!
MARIAN
I know they killed her,
Although I have no proof!—
Glyde and Fosco—
How can we let them get away?
There is no justice while they’re
free!
You’ve got to help me!
I’ve no where else to turn!
WALTER
How can you dare
Call for my help
When you’ve robbed me of all I
cared for!
Walter shuns her away from him.
Marian walks away from him, distraught.
She goes to leave, but decides to make one more plea to him.
MARIAN
Laura truly loved you,
You once made her happy.
And that’s what consumes me…
And for that, I’ll always be
thankful.
Since you can’t find it in your
heart,
I will never again—
She breaks down. She follows
this by composing herself, and she prepares to leave.
WALTER a change of heart
We can stop him if we find Anne
Catherick,
I believe her secret is the key!
MARIAN
Fosco has a document
That will tell us where she’ll
be!
WALTER
Can we find him?
MARIAN
Yes, he’s here, in
WALTER
We must somehow find a way
inside…
MARIAN
I think the Count would welcome
me!
WALTER
Good, then I’ll take care of
Glyde!
MARIAN
Will you really come with me?
Will you really help me?
WALTER
It seems my calendar is free!
She grabs onto him and they hug enthusiastically. Walter drains his alcohol into a rubbish bin.
A CASINO IN
MAY
Glyde and Fosco are at the casino.
Glyde is surrounded by women. He
has a sense of invulnerability about him.
He is excited, looking forward to 1 June. Fosco is annoyed and composed. A copier is spinning the wheel. Glyde is surrounded by women.
COUPIER
Red 7!
ALL GAMBLERS
Sir Percival Glyde,
You’ve won again!
Congratulations!
GLYDE
Put it all on number one!
FOSCO
Don’t be a fool Glyde,
Where is your self control?
You’re betting money
That you have not received!
GLYDE
I get the whole estate from
Fairlie June, the first!
Copier
Black 8.
He’s lost the bet.
FOSCO
You are risking even more than
you’ll come in to!
You are ever putting my share on
the line!
Your behavior, Glyde, is making me embarrassed!
You’re a fool, a laggard, and a
philistine!
GLYDE
Sir, you bore me,
Please, don’t preach to me!
You should be the last to moralize!
I’m betting on the first of June,
put it all on number one!
COUPIER
Red 1!
ALL
Sir Percival Glyde,
You’ve won again!
What a thrilling pot, sir!
GLYDE handing Fosco chips
Here’s more than your share…
Although, do I owe you a parting
shot, sir?
FOSCO
I always know when to quit, sir!
If there ever was a moment, this is it, sir.
Sir Percival Glyde,
I clearly see that we won’t meet
again.
GLYDE
Fosco…goodbye!
Let it all ride on!
WALTER’S FLAT—29 May
Walter rushes into the room in frenzy.
The prostitute is standing in front of a divider, but he does not notice
her.
WALTER
Marian! I’ve sold a painting, we can eat
tonight! He notices the prostitute and is confused. Marian?
PROSTITUTE
She’s trying on me dress.
WALTER
Oh.
MARIAN from behind the divider
I’ve decided I shall go to Fosco
tonight!
WALTER
Marian, we have discussed this,
the man is unscrupulous, you cannot simply—
MARIAN
Oh, Walter! You mustn’t worry about me…
She has emerged and is dressed in a beautiful scarlet dress. It has bare shoulders and shows
skin…something she’s never worn before.
The prostitute leaves.
To prostitute, Thank you!
Walter…what is it?
WALTER
Nothing…it’s just…I’ve never seen
you look like this before.
MARIAN
I am going to find the
certificate of committal Fosco signed that night in the library…
WALTER
Marian…
MARIAN
And that will lead us to Anne
Catherick!
WALTER
Perhaps it would be better if I
confronted him!
MARIAN
Oh, Walter, that won’t work!
WALTER
I cannot simply allow you to
endanger yourself like this!
MARIAN
I know what his weak spot is!
WALTER
Fine, but if you need me you must
call for me.
MARIAN
Thank you.
She leaves to enter the house.
WALTER
He doesn’t stand a chance!
FOSCO’S HOUSE
Fosco is packing his bags, his pets all over the room. He is gleeful, preparing to leave the county.
Evermore Without You
HARTRIGHT:
Ever on my mind
Evermore without you
I’ll never know a thought or feeling
That isn’t about you
Never more alone
Never to forget you
Not when my life was changed forever the first time I met you
You’re all I know
And though I’ve lost you, you’re someone I can’t let go of
Every living day
Ever filled with sorrow
How can I face a life without you
Or even tomorrow?
Evermore without you
Were we never meant to be?
Nevermore alone
Never to forget you
Not when my life was changed forever the first time I met you
You’re all I know
And though I’ve lost you you’re someone I can’t let go of
Every living day
Ever filled with sorrow
How can I face a life without you
Or even tomorrow?
Evermore without you
Were we never meant to be?
Every living day
Ever filled with sorrow
How can I face a life without you?
Evermore without you
We were never meant to be.
FOSCO
Time to fly the coop, my doves!
Arriverderci, Londra! No tears, bambini.
You must learn to far la bella figura!
Put on a good show!
Always Count Fosco-he puts on a good show!
My little friends, you are all in this world
that I trust
Now we must find a new home and I see you’re non plussed
Now that we’ve won
and we have all the spoils
We must see that we don’t miss the boat
But you’ll forgive me if I take a moment to gloat
You can get away with anything
It all comes down to style
You’ll have a captive audience
As long as you beguile
Yes, you can have your cake and eat it
The love of those whom you betray
But you can’t get away with anything
If you don’t get away
I admit that I’m a criminal
obsessed with perfect crimes
But even one as good as I
can bungle it sometimes
Yes even one who is a genius
can now and then get in a scrape
But no endeavor’s a catastrophe
as long as you escape
And we are off! Out that door!
We’ll pack our bags my little friends
and leave the scene while we are winners
And long before the story ends
as wealthy unrepentant sinners
We all have got a spot of farce in us
but only some of us are larcenous
And few still the divine thrill in us
that comes from being truly villainous
You can get away with anything
to prove it is my sport
I live to push the boundaries
to break the rules, in short
One must be something of a bounder
if one intends to play this game
There’s only one thing that one has to have
one has to have no shame
Yes I can get away with everything because I
have no shame
SERVANT:
Miss Marian Halcombe
FOSCO
To what, Miss Halcombe, do we owe this honour?
Each successive day was getting duller
MARIAN
Well I somehow thought you might be missing me
FOSCO
I must tell you scarlet is your color
MARIAN
I cannot spend all my life in mourning
Though in ev’ry way I miss my sister
FOSCO
Truly you display a healthy attitude
MARIAN
I’m for the first time on my own
FOSCO
Really you need not be alone
One should explore one’s playful side
MARIAN
You are a guide most qualified
FOSCO
I leave in the morning for the continent
MARIAN
In my provincial world I cannot be content
FOSCO
We could lead a life that would be well mis-spent
MARIAN
And I have no doubt that would be thrilling
But alas it seems my glass requires refilling
Delicious!
Sir if I remove my shoes would that be
shocking?
FOSCO
I’d be breathless as your buckles are undone
I would walk to
And to see your shapely ankle I would run
MARIAN
You should know it took great courage for this visit
But I must admit that I am glad that I am here
FOSCO
And that dress you’re falling out of is exquisite
MARIAN
Though I’m trembling it is clearly not from fear
FOSCO
It’s apparent we were made for one another
We’re each other’s moon and sun, we’re so well matched
Though my feelings aren’t remotely like a brother
We are over twenty-one and unattached
MARIAN
I’ve been waiting all my life for an adventure
FOSCO
What in truth you have been waiting for is me
Let us begin our minuette
MARIAN
No looking back and no regret
Don’t I deserve a life of bliss?
FOSCO (intimate)
Think of this as the precipice
(They kiss)
I can open up a world you’ve only heard of
MARIAN :
Introduce me to a life beyond your dreams
FOSCO
We’ll share secrets that we’ll never breathe a word of
And we’ll take pursuit of pleasure to extremes
BOTH:
You and I are willing to defy convention
You’re my equal both in joie de vivre and wit
We find another worthy of attention
we don’t care what others think of us one bit
FOSCO
As a paramour I’m rather out of practice But I’ll rise to this occasion I
embrace
MARIAN
But that beard of yours is rather like a cactus
May I save, if not my virtue then my face?
Would you kindly shave it off
Do be a darling?
FOSCO
Then I will fly back to your side just like a startling
MARIAN (sotto voce)
Think, think Marian. Where is it? Where is it?
Please! Yes!
FOSCO
Now my chin is even softer than a baby
Let’s resume this tete a tete from where we were
MARIAN
Though my heart says yes, my head’s now saying maybe And my feet are growing
colder and concur
FOSCO
When I left this room were we both not on fire?
Weren’t we both about to give romance a whirl?
MARIAN
On reflection I found out I’m
somewhat shy-er
And perhaps I’m not really that kind of girl
FOSCO
It appears that you have lost your taste for kissing
So I’d appreciate if you’d return what’s missing
He
takes her and holds a knife to her throat.
MARIAN
Please. Please let me go. Please.
FOSCO
This game is through
You think you win
But think about
What might have been
If you had let romance begin
Instead of hiding
In your shell
One day you’ll see
What you have spurned
My precious gift
That you returned
A gift for living well
Your every day
A great event
Living on the continent
Yes, it’s true
I would have you
spellbound
This game of hearts
You gladly trade
For solitaire
(with venom) and old maid
And so I say fare well
MARIAN
Someday your past will catch you up!
FOSCO
Please don’t let me keep you…
She
exits
I can get away with ev’rything
Except the girl, perhaps
My epic charms have undergone
a temporary lapse
But when it’s time to make an exit
and I am halfway out the door
As long as one is leaving anyway
then leave them wanting more
OUTSIDE FOSCO’S HOUSE, IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS
MARIAN
I have played him,
Played him at his game,
And I have won!
I now know where she is!
Thank God for his vanity,
He though I was his!
All the time Anne’s been in
In an asylum,
We must set her free!
WALTER
You are quite remarkable!
MARIAN
Walter!…I agree!
WALTER
Come here!
They embrace.
Time travels into the
next night. It is sunset and we are now
in
OUTSIDE THE ASYLUM—1 JUNE 1860
WALTER
We must go to her! The
woman in white awaits us!
MARIAN
In my heart I know that she’s the key!
WALTER
It’s all because of you we’ve found her!
MARIAN
And at last we’ll solve the mystery!
Walter rings the bell
and a matron answers the door.
MATRON
Yes? What’s your
business here?
WALTER
We are representatives are Sir Percival Glyde…we are here to
see Anne Catherick.
The Matron believes
their white lie and allows them into a dark, gloomy lobby. She gestures for them to wait.
Marian and Walter are
alone. Marian is anxious, and Walter
approaches her to comfort her.
MARIAN
Oh…I feel so nervous!
WALTER
You’ve been so brave…
MARIAN slowly turning
to him
There is something I must say to you…
Something I’ve held
Down inside for so long…
These feelings…that I’ve held for you…
I what I feel today…
WALTER
And we will stay together now,
So don’t send me away!
They come dangerously
close to a full embrace…but the Matron enters to interrupt them. Marian has finally told Walter her
feelings…but nothing has been allowed to advance yet.
MATRON
Only one of you!
Walter gestures to
Marian to go.
The Matron leads the
way though the asylum. “Patients” sneer,
jeer, and stare. All are mentally
ill. They come to a woman in white bent
over, crying.
MATRON
Catherick. Ya can
have five minutes…not that you’ll get much sense from her…
Marian is left alone
with her. She slowly approaches her, as
not to startle the paranoid woman.
MARIAN
Anne…Anne Catherick?
Marian sees her face
and falls back in disbelief.
Laura?!….Laura?!
LAURA
Marian?!…MARIAN!!!!!!!!
Marian rushes over to
Laura and holds her in her arms as they both sob with joy.
MARIAN calling out
Walter!
WALTER!!! You must come at once!
Walter rushes in and
sees Laura…he, too, holds Laura in his arms.
They break the embrace.
WALTER
But how can this be?
LAURA
They held me down and drugged me,
They dressed me in Anne’s clothing…
MARIAN half to
herself, half to Walter
I was sure I’d heard her screaming,
But they told me I was dreaming!
LAURA
They brought me here that evening,
Beneath the cloud of darkness…
Though I told them who I was,
There was nobody who believed me!
WALTER
There isn’t time now,
We must get out of here!
We have to stop Glyde
Before he gets away!
LIMMERIDGE HOUSE—THE SAME NIGHT
Glyde is with Fairlie outside
the study. It is the 1st of
June, and thus Laura’s inheritance will now be given to Glyde. It is the middle
of the night.
FAIRLIE
My nerves will not take this rude
intrusion—
GLYDE
This is no intrusion…I have come
to Limmeridge at the time appointed.
FAILRIE
Since the tragic death of my
niece, I have found myself much depleted.
I am a poor weak invalid, and I must not be disturbed.
GLYDE
That is not possible sir!
FAIRLIE
I will not tolerate this!
GLYDE
And I will not leave until these
papers are signed!
FAILRIE
This is most disagreeable!
GLYDE
Then let us not run gladly….you
are testing my patience!
FAIRLIE to his servant
Take me to my study.
They enter the study. Glyde
takes out the legal papers.
GLYDE
Sign here, use this pen,
Sign here, and here, and we’ll be
done.
FAILRIE hesitating
There is just small question of
my future…
GLYDE
Yes?
FAILRIE
Limmeridge House has been my home
for many years…
You have no plans to sell, sir?
GLYDE
No immediate plans.
FAILRIE
Then my future here is
assured? I am old sir, and infirm.
GLYDE
I am well aware of that!
FAIRLIE
So…you have no plans?
GLYDE
I leave straight from here for a
long sojourn on the continent! My seat
on the train is booked…sir, you signature…
Fairlie again hesitates, but he signs in several places.
FAILRIE
Her estate is yours,
Spend it wisely Glyde.
GLYDE
Thank you kindly, sir.
FAILRIE
Tragic that she died.
Join in a silent prayer, in
memory of my niece.
After a short pause, as Glyde is merely appeasing.
GLYDE hastily
I have to catch my train.
FAIRLIE
May she rest in piece…
GLYDE
But sir…I can’t miss the train!
Glyde leaves through the side exit.
Fairlie is left alone and he stairs at the portrait of his brother,
Laura’s father.
FAIRLIE
So…I am alone and homeless
now! Addressing
the portrait Darkness is creeping
in, brother!…Memories…long buried in my mind.
I’m tired…I cannot hold on much longer.
Just let me rest…just leave me in peace.
Suddenly from the darkness of the central doorway, Laura, still in her
Catherick clothing, appears.
LAURA
I must disturb your peace.
FAIRLIE
Oh, my God! Laura!
No! Laura is dead! My niece is dead!
LAURA
Touch me!
FAIRLIE
Get away from me!
LAURA
Do not be afraid!
FAIRLIE
Is this the end then? Has my time come to leave this earth?
Marian runs in, after overhearing Fairlie’s exasperation.
MARIAN
She’s flesh and blood, sir.
FAIRLIE
Wait, what, Marian?
Walter follows Marian in.
WALTER
The niece you mourn is as alive
as you are!
FAIRLIE
I don’t understand! Why are you tormenting me like this?!
MARIAN
Your niece is……….
LAURA
That terrible night, my husband
drugged me and dressed me in Anne Catherick’s clothing.
WALTER
It was Anne Catherick who fell to
her death that fateful night.
FAIRLIE
What fantasy is this?!
LAURA
The night they brought me to the
asylum…I told my captors my name, but they would not acknowledge me!
MARIAN
Laura was imprisoned Anne
Catherick is buried in her place …it was Fosco’s plan.
WALTER
And Glyde carried it
out! We cannot rest until these men
brought to justice!
LAURA
Anne Catherick lies in my
grave!
WALTER
He wanted her dead and her
secret buried with her.
MARIAN
If you know anything at all
about Ann Catherick, uncle, you must tell us.
A pause.
FAIRLIE to Laura
She was your sister…
LAURA
What?
FAIRLIE
She was your sister born
out of wedlock.
LAURA
I don’t understand.
FAIRLIE
There was a pretty young
girl in service here. Her name was
Catherick. My brother was young and weak
and handsome…and what happens behind closed doors…
MARIAN annoyed with ambiguous answers.
What do you mean?!
FAIRLIE
A girl was born…a year
before Laura. When the resemblance
between you two became too…striking….she and Catherick were sent to Glyde’s
residence, out of sight, out of mind.
LAURA half to herself
She was my sister…
WALTER
When she was there…what was
Anne’s secret?
FAIRLIE
That I do not know. She was Glyde’s responsibility then. I had responsibilities of my own.
WALTER
Then Glyde is the only one who can
tell us. He alone knows this secret.
FAIRLIE
He left for the continent.
MARIAN
What?!
FAIRLIE
He was here! He left just before you arrived!
WALTER
To catch the
FAIRLIE
I believe so…
LAURA
Marian! Anne was my sister, she was my own flesh and
blood, she was my sister!
WALTER
We will find these men and we will
bring them to justice! The end is upon
us! The end is drawing us on!
The three run out quickly to catch Glyde, leaving Fairlie alone.
THE TRAIN STATION—LATER THAT
SAME NIGHT
The station is almost exactly as it was the year prior. Glyde arrives in a frenzy, checking his
pocket watch.
GLYDE
Hello! You there!
Signal Man!
The Signal Man emerges from his box.
Where in hell is the damn
train?!
SIGNAL MAN
I’ve heard reports there’s
trouble on the line.
GLYDE
But is it expected? My business is over. I must make my connection! He notices that the Signal Man has started
to stare at him in fear.
Man, why do you look at me in
that way?
I’ve done nothing wrong!
He now notices the singing wires
What is that infernal noise?
SIGNAL MAN
The wires singing in the wind!
And they’re calling me with news,
sir,
There’s danger on the line!
The man runs into his box. Glyde
is left alone, being driven mad and more frustrated by the sounds, as if they
are his conscience.
GLYDE in a rage
This terrible noise within my
head!!!
At the moment when the wires’ sound escalates to a deafening pitch, a
veil-over-face Woman in White appears in the train tunnel, standing still,
pointing at Glyde in judgment. It is
Laura masquerading as a ghost of Anne Catherick.
GLYDE in total fear and shock
Oh, God! Anne Catherick!
This isn’t real, this cannot be!
You do not exist! Get away from me!
LAURA as Anne
You know why I’m here,
And what you must say,
Sir you must confess!
GLYDE
Woman, stay away!
LAURA as Anne
Tell the truth Percival Glyde!
You’ll hear my voice inside your
head
For all your life and when you’re
dead.
You can’t be free till you
express
What you have done, till you confess!
You cannot hide, you can’t go
far!
Everywhere you go, I’ll know
where you are!
I know what you’ve done!
We both know what’s true!
Secrets must be told!
GLYDE
I’m not afraid of you!
LAURA as Anne
Everything you did, everyone will
know!
GLYDE
That was in the past, buried long
ago!
LAURA as Anne
Tell the truth Percival Glyde!
Didn’t you use me and hurt me?
GLYDE
You were a beautiful girl,
Like none I’d ever seen…
You were just fifteen…
LAURA as Anne
You and I both know the secret!
GLYDE
Something that no one could
prove,
And who’d believe it’s true
From the likes of you?
You told me you were pregnant,
You told me it was mine.
It could have been a lie,
It deserved to die!
I had to drown your bastard,
I had no other choice.
Before the child was due,
I’d had enough of you!
All that remains of your secret,
Is buried in
I watched while your disgrace
Sank without a trace!
LAURA as Anne
You beat me and you raped me
And then you drowned my child!
When I was mad from grief,
You imprisoned me!
My precious little baby,
The heart within my heart.
The child I never knew
All because of you!
And then you threw away my life!
GLYDE
Your precious secret’s meaningless!
No one alive remembers you,
And you can save your prayers,
For no one truly cares!
It’s just like you were never
born,
And no one ever mourned for you!
LAURA revealing herself
You’re wrong, I mourn for Anne,
Anne Catherick,
And the child of yours that yours
destroyed!
GLYDE
Laura?!
LAURA
Your secret seals your fate
forever
And the judgment that you can’t
avoid!
You have kept us both a prisoner,
But the truth has set us free!
It will lock you up and damn your
soul
For all of eternity!
GLYDE
You little witch; you think you
can trick me?! Come here, I killed her,
and I can kill you, too! And the beauty
of it is no one will ever know because you’re dead, you’re already dead!
He attacks Laura. Walter and
Marian come running out from their hiding place to save Laura.
WALTER
Let go of her!
GLYDE
The drawing master? I might have known…
WALTER
Just give yourself up!
They fist fight, each gaining the upper hand at different points. Marian and Laura continuously have to run out
of the way. Eventually, Walter gains the
final upper hand.
Villagers appear above atop the tunnel…it is inferred that Walter and
Marian brought them as extra witnesses.
VILLAGERS’ lines overlap
He’s over there!
We know the truth!
There is no hiding,
We know exactly what you’ve
done!
WALTER
You see Glyde? We all know what you’ve done! You’ve signed your own confession! The game is over!
GLYDE
The game is never over!
As a loss of what to do, Glyde runs into the dark train tunnel. Walter runs after him.
WALTER
Don’t go in there, he said
there’s danger on the line!
Laura and Marian, with other Villagers, run toward the tunnel to try
and stop the men. Before they can get
into the tunnel, a steam engine train comes rushing in from the other end of
the tunnel, and they quickly jump out of the way as it dangerously speeds past
them. Laura screams.
Villagers run in to see if the men have died. They emerge moments later with the lifeless
body of Glyde, and Walter, alive, walking behind them.
Laura walks away, alone, relieved to tears at the outcome. Marian notices her and goes to comfort her.
MARIAN
You were so brave, and now
you’re free!
LAURA
It seemed like Anne was
there with me.
Her spirit was my guide,
My sister by my side.
LAURA & MARIAN
With Anne I know we’ll
never part,
Her heart beats on within
my heart.
They embrace. They then both
hear in the distance…
ANNE/LAURA/MARIAN’s voices from when they first met
Somehow you complete me,
I know I can trust you!
Here with you I am safe at last,
You were there, you were always there!
Like your heart beats within my heart,
And the truth it can set us free!
Marian leaves Laura with Villagers.
She sees Walter alone on the side.
She can tell he is conflicted.
MARIAN
Go to Laura now,
Nevermore without you.
You know that you belong
together…
And you have been with me…
WALTER
How could I have known?
All that’s unspoken,
And all that we both have
been through!
MARIAN
Everything has changed,
Altered now forever…
As long as we live it’s all
for Laura!
Now I have a secret.
Walter silently thanks her. He
makes his over to Laura…nervously. Laura
is alone, praying as the sun is rising.
Marian watched center stage.
WALTER
Every part of every thought
Leads me straight to you!
WALTER & LAURA
And with all my soul
I believe my heart!
The portrait that it paints
of you
Is a perfect work of art!
They passionately kiss each other upon the lips in a full embrace. As they slowly break away from it, Laura
takes action and pulls the two of them toward Marian, where the three embrace.
Walter and Laura break away…but Laura beckons Marian to join. She declines with a smile. But before Laura goes, she takes the white
shawl that Anne Catherick had worn from her own shoulders and places it around
Marian’s shoulders.
Marian watches the two lovers run off stage together and she silently
thanks the heavens before she realises the
significance of Anne’s shawl upon herself.
MARIAN crying out
I close my eyes and I still
see his face…
Time passes and we are brought to the autumn wedding of Walter and
Laura.
VIILLAGERS
All ever after
As man and wife
Dancing through life,
Merrily, merrily!
She is a source of pride in his arms,
Pride in his arms,
Merrily, merrily
Off to a life of a contentment and bliss
No other day is as happy as this!
Time for rejoicing
And time for a kiss!
Here’s to the bride and groom!
Cheers to the bride and groom!
Here’s to the bride and groom!
The bride and groom honour Anne at her
grave. Marian watches from the side.