Read Online Broken Glass by Arthur Miller - Free Book Online Page B

Yes, And what? What is happening?
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HYMAN, forcefully, contained: ... What are you trying to tell me?
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SYLVIA: Well ... what...
    Everything is flying apart for her; she lifts the edge of the newspaper; the focus is clearly far wider than the room. An unbearable anxiety ...
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What is going to become of us?
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HYMAN, indicting the paper: -But what has Germany got to do with... ?
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SYLVIA, shouting; his incomprehension dangerous: But how can those nice people go out and pick Jews off the street in the middle of a big city like that, and nobody stops them... ?
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HYMAN: You mean I’ve changed? Is that it?
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SYLVIA: I don’t know... one minute you say you like me and then you turn around and I’m ...
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HYMAN: Listen, I simply must call in somebody...
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SYLVIA: No! You could help me if you believed me!
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HYMAN, his spine tingling with her fear; a shout: I do believe you!
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SYLVIA: No!—you’re not going to put me away somewhere!
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HYMAN, a horrified shout: Now you stop being ridiculous!
    SYLVIA: But... but what... what... Gripping her head; his uncertainty terrifying her: What will become of us!
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HYMAN, unnerved: Now stop it—you are confusing two things... !
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SYLVIA: But... from now on ... you mean if a Jew walks out of his house, do they arrest him... ?
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HYMAN: I’m telling you this won’t last.
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SYLVIA, with a weird, blind, violent persistence: But what do they do with them?
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HYMAN: I don’t know! I’m out of my depth! I can’t help you !
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SYLVIA: But why don’t they run out of the country! What is the matter with those people! Don’t you understand ... ? Screaming: ... This is an emergency! What if they kill those children! Where is Roosevelt! Where is England! Somebody should do something before they murder us all!
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Sylvia takes a step off the edge of the bed in an hysterical attempt to reach Hyman and the power he represents. She collapses on the floor before he can catch her. Trying to rouse her from her faint ...
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HYMAN: Sylvia? Sylvia!
    Gellburg enters.
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GELLBURG: What happened!
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HYMAN: Run cold water on a towel!
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GELLBURG: What happened!
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HYMAN: Do it, goddam you!
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Gellburg rushes out.
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Sylvia!—oh good, that’s it, keep looking at me, that’s it dear, keep your eyes open...
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He lifts her up onto the bed as Gellburg hurries in with a towel. Gellburg gives it to Hyman, who presses it onto her forehead and back of her neck.
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There we are, that’s better, how do you feel? Can you speak? You want to sit up? Come.
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He helps her to sit up. She looks around and then at Gellburg.
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GELLBURG, to Hyman: Did she call you?
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HYMAN , hesitates; and in an angry tone: ... Well no, to tell the truth.
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GELLBURG: Then what are you doing here?
    HYMAN : I stopped by, I was worried about her.
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GELLBURG: You were worried about her. Why were you worried about her?
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HYMAN, anger is suddenly sweeping him: Because she is desperate to be loved.
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GELLBURG, off guard, astonished: You don’t say!
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HYMAN: Yes, I do say. To her: I want you to try to move your legs. Try it.
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She tries; nothing happens.
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I’ll be at home if you need me; don’t be afraid to call anytime. We’ll talk about this more tomorrow. Good night.
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SYLVIA, faintly, afraid: Good night.
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Hyman gives Gellburg a quick, outraged glance, Hyman leaves.
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GELLBURG, reaching for his authority: That’s some attitude he’s got, ordering me around like that. I’m going to see about getting somebody else tomorrow. Jersey seems to get further and further away, I’m exhausted.
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SYLVIA : I almost started walking.
    GELLBURG: What are you talking about?
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SYLVIA: For a minute. I don’t know what happened, my strength, it started to come back.
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GELLBURG : I knew it! I told