I felt that I needed to do something for her. I left her alone with mother. Mother is a tough woman, she will not be repressed by anyone. Laura, however, she is different.
Oh! My dear sister, she is kind as a dear, smooth going as a sheep and pure as a lovely white rabbit. She cannot take too much, she is afraid of everything. This is why I am here today. I want to release myself, to see how mother and Laura are going, I wish to help Laura.
Tom arranges his collar, then his merchant marine hat.
The interior lights up.
Tom (in a shaking voice) Mother? Laura? (Count to five) Anybody home?
At fist there is no reply, then, a quiet but agitated mumbling slowly becomes more and more audible. Tom looks around and finds Amanda seated in the old sofa. Amanda is in a very relaxed position, completely leaning into the sofa with both hands on her knees. Amanda has grown much older.
Amanda (mumbling in a sad tone) Everything’s gone, everything! My house, my children, my job, my furniture, my… My youth. Oh no, even my youth! I shall bring to mind that, back there in the mountains, I used to have seventeen gentleman callers! Seventeen! That is a whole bunch of them! And then of course, I chose the wrong one, he lied to me, he used his mouse and his charm as a weapon to seduce me! How stupid I was to let myself be caught like a fish in a net. And now, nothing is left for me, how dreadful! Why is my life so pitiful? Laura, my poor Laura. We had had a gentleman caller for her, he was terribly in love with her. They liked each other. (count to 3) but then of course, he had to leave. He was a responsible young man, Laura is just a girl with bad luck, she is just like me.
Then, there is Tom. Five years ago, he left. Another person who left me. I didn’t receive any letter from him. Not even one saying ‘Hello – good-bye!’ with no address. Nothing. It is just as if he has evaporated, withdrawn from our little family to apprehend his dreams. It is good that he has ambitions. He loves us, he doesn’t want to make us sad by reading letters that he has written to us. Yes, it must be that way… Oh why is my life so cheerless…
TOM Mother is that you? It’s me, Tom, I’m back to see you.
Amanda (trembling) Tom? Jesus Christ! You’re back! I can’t believe that you came back!
Tom Yes, here I am, I wanted to see you, and also Laura. How have you been lately? This house is darker and more humid than what I remember.
Amanda Oh yes, things have changed. We are not going fine. I felt sad when you left.
Are you back to the warehouse? You are moving in right?
Tom I’m sorry mother for what I have done, but actually I was just passing by, our navy anchored near here, so I thought I’d stop off to see how things are. I will leave soon.
Amanda So you’re not staying? You are truly abandoning us? With all the hard work I have done in order to raise you and Laura. Yes, of course, my son is a grown up man now, he doesn’t want to stay with his mother, his wings are solid, it is fundamental that he will fly away. Leaving his poor mother behind.
Tom Mother, please, you know this is not what happened. I am realizing my dreams.
(quickly changing topic) Where is Laura? I don’t see her.
Amanda She’s off to work. You must not know yet, she found a job, she undusts the shelves of a glass decoration shop and sweeps the floor before closing. She should be back soon.
Tom (surprised) Laura has a job! That’s great!
Amanda Yes it is! Her manager is a very kind person, in addition to her wage, he offers her a piece to add to her glass menagerie once every trimester. She loves that job, everyday she comes home smiling, telling me about her observations of the clients who had entered the shop.
Do you want a cup of coffee while waiting for her? Coffee is good for health. Oh and I hope you don’t smoke anymore, do you?
Tom I still do, only a little bit, much less than before, thank you mother, but I can take care of myself. I’m sorry I’m running late, I need to go before the ship leaves the port. Please tell Laura I said hi, it is a shame that I didn’t get to see her. It was very nice seeing you mother, I promise that I will come back to see you soon. Good-bye mother!
Tom leaves the room hurriedly before Amanda has the time to say anything
Amanda Good-bye Tom, my son.
Light becomes dimmer. Tom reappears on stage, addressing to the audience.
Tom That day, after I had left, I thought a lot. I will never forget mother’s look on her face when she said ‘So you’re not staying? You’re truly abandoning us?’ I hope I didn’t hurt her.
I was glad to find out that Laura had found a job and was living a happy life. But I never had the courage to go back. Maybe, one day I might, who knows.
