Read Online Resurrection Blues by Arthur Miller - Free Book Online Page B

is it? You all right? Felix?
    Â 
    Felix straightens up, grasps her hand, kisses it, holds it
to his cheek.
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    EMILY: What is it?
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    FELIX: I will divorce.
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    EMILY, blurting: Oh no, you mustn’t do that! . . . I mean you’re a Catholic, aren’t you?
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    FELIX: I am ready to go to hell! I cannot lose you!
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    EMILY: But my dear, I’m not prepared for . . . I assume you’re talking commitment?
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    FELIX, striking his chest: You have exploded in my mind like a grenade! I have never had such a feeling . . . it is like all my windows have blown out and a fresh breeze is passing through me . . . I must not let you go, Emily—what can I give you! Anything! Tell me!
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    EMILY: Ralph!
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    FELIX: Ralph?
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    EMILY: Let him go!
    FELIX, at the height of tension—dives: That is what you truly wish?
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    EMILY: Oh yes, Felix—yes! It would solve everything for me! And he sounds like such a dear person!
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    FELIX: And you will surely see me in New York.
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    EMILY: Of course, I’ll be happy to!—I mean not necessarily on a permanent basis . . . I mean I travel a lot, but . . . yes, of course!
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    FELIX: All right, then—it is done!
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    EMILY: Done! Oh, Felix, I’m overwhelmed!
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    FELIX: I have fallen in love with you, Emily! Come—let me take you to my best house.
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    EMILY: Your best?
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    FELIX, solemnly: It was my mother’s. I have never brought anyone there before. It is sacred to me. I haven’t been there since I was seven.
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    EMILY: That’s very touching. But first could we go into the mountains? I would like to see one of those high villages where they love this Ralph fellow so. It’s just an experience I’ve never had, have you?—to walk in a place full of love? Up close to him, face raised . Take me there, Felix?
    Â 
    FELIX, sensing her distant surrender: My god, woman—yes, anything! Come . . . come to the mountains!
    He grips her hand and they hurry off with all the guards following, their heads revolving in all directions in the search for killers.
    Â 
    Blackout.

SCENE 6
    Jeanine rises from her wheelchair with help of a cane,
and walks with a limp to a point. Henri enters,
stands, astonished.
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    HENRI: Jeanine!
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    She turns to him.
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    JEANINE: I don’t understand it. I woke up, and I was standing.
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    HENRI: And the pain?
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    JEANINE: It seems much less. For the moment anyway.
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    HENRI: This is absolutely astonishing, Jeanine. This is marvelous! How did this happen?
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    JEANINE: The lightning this morning shot a lot of electricity into the air—
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    HENRI:—Could that have affected you?
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    JEANINE, cryptically: I . . . don’t know, really.
    Pause. Henri settles in.
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    HENRI: I’m sorry, dear, but we have to talk about Felix.
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    JEANINE: Oh god, why?
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    HENRI: He called me this morning—woke me at dawn. He’s convinced you can lead him to this god-fellow.
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    Jeanine is silent.
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    He’ll be here to see you this morning. He insisted. Coming to his point . . . . Do you know a fellow named Stanley?
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    JEANINE, hedging: Stanley.
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    HENRI: They have him.
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    She stiffens.
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    He has apparently told Felix you and this . . . god-fellow are lovers.
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    She is silent.
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    Felix is convinced you would know where to find him.
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    JEANINE: Papa, I have no way of contacting this man, so let’s just forget it, will you?
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    HENRI, a moment; swallows resentment: According to Felix this Stanley fellow has hinted that your friend may actually welcome crucifixion. In order to accomplish his . . . whatever it is . . . his mission.
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    Jeanine is silent.
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    In any case, I’m not sure I can keep you from being arrested for harboring him and failing to turn him in.
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    JEANINE: But how can I turn him in! I don’t know how to contact him!
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    HENRI: . . . For one thing,