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Page 14
BEGGAR (to the STRANGER). Shall we?
STRANGER. We? This begins to look like a conspiracy.
(The church bells are heard. The sun comes out and illuminates the
coloured rose window above the church door, which is now opened,
disclosing the interior. The organ is heard and the choir singing
Ave Maris Stella.)
LADY (coming from the church). Where are you? What are you doing?
Why did you call me? Must you hang on a woman's skirts like a
child?
STRANGER. I'm afraid now. Things are happening that have no natural
explanation.
LADY. But you were afraid of nothing. Not even death!
STRANGER. Death ... no. But of something else, the unknown.
LADY. Listen. Give me your hand. You're ill, I'll take you to a
doctor. Come!
STRANGER. If you like. But tell me: is this carnival, or ... reality?
LADY. It's real enough.
STRANGER. This beggar must be a wretched fellow. Is it true he
resembles me?
LADY. He will, if you go on drinking. Now go to the post office and
get your letter. And then come with me.
STRANGER. No, I won't. It'll only be about lawsuits.
LADY. If not?
STRANGER. Malicious gossip.
LADY. Well, do as you wish. No one can escape his fate. At this
moment I feel a higher power is sitting in judgment on us and has
made a decision.
STRANGER. You feel that, too! I heard the hammer fall just now; and
the chairs being pushed back. The clerk's being sent to find me!
Oh, the suspense! No, I can't follow you.
LADY. Tell me, what have you done to me? In the church I found I
couldn't pray. A light on the altar was extinguished and an icy
wind blew in my face when I heard you call me.
STRANGER. I didn't call you. But I wanted you.
LADY. You're not as weak as you pretend. You have great strength;
and I'm afraid of you. ...
STRANGER. When I'm alone I've no strength at all; but if I can find
a single companion I grow strong. I shall be strong now; and so
I'll follow you.
LADY. Perhaps you can free me from the werewolf.
STRANGER. Who's he?
LADY. That's what I call him.
STRANGER. Count on me. Killing dragons, freeing princesses,
defeating werewolves--that is Life!
LADY. Then come, my liberator!
(She draws her veil over her face, kisses him on the mouth and
hurries out. The STRANGER stands where he is for a moment,
surprised and stunned. A loud chord sung by women's voices, rather
like a cry, is heard from the church. The rose window suddenly
grows dark and the tree above the seat is shaken by the wind. The
MOURNERS rise and look at the sky, as if they could see something
terrifying. The STRANGER hurries out after the LADY.)
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