Clasp of the Fallen

Yes? ... as he opened the door.

...Jason Mallach?
Yes ... thats right.
Come on in ... Im Ivan Hollander, he smiled gleefully and invited in his visitor.
What do you think of it?
It was spacious and palatial. The red chiffon drapes were flowing from the open latticed
windows. The chandelier was dimly lit.
It is nice.
Have a seat, He was highly strung that made his movements calm and orderly, dressed in
his best a black buttoned coat, stiff starched collar, bowler hat and top boots.
No ... Id rather stand, staring at the velvety blue couch.
Have a drink? Im having vodka.
Scotch please.
You must be surprised to get my call? Ivan howled as he went to the other side of the room
to pour in the drinks from the bar.
Where abouts you from?
The east side.
Oh ... heres your scotch.
Pause



Cheers!
Pause
Thank you for coming to see me.
What do you do? Ivan continued.
Im a painter.
What do you paint?
Mainly landscapes ... portraits ... though I have started on abstract now ... and work in a
coffee shop to support my art.
A Pinter moment
Come with me.
Ivan leads him to another corner and pulls the cord to the lamp overhead that illuminates a
special book room.
These are everything I have written.
Pause
Amicably he points to a portrait of Eva, his wife.
And I suppose you did that? he looks absentmindedly at Jason and twitches his lips in
frustration.
The latter nodded.
Youve read them, I suppose?
Afraid not.
Revolution?
No.

Candice.
No.
The Mouse Trap.
No.
God youre one in a million!
Pause
What about the divorce?
All in good time.
I understand you are fucking my wife?
Obviously since Im seeing her.
Is she a good fuck?
Ive been with other women but Eva has been far the greatest.
Good we have got that cleared.
Pause
Why should I deny it?
Well she is my wife.
But she is fucking me.
Oh she fucks you too? Ivan guffaws. Well Ill be buggered.
Its mutual.
You take turns.
We fuck each other.


Well thats what people do.
We love each other
Youre in love?
Yeah ... thats right.
Jason finished half of his scotch and stared at the bottom of the glass.
Do you want to get married to her?
Yes.
But why? ... In todays times ... is marriage absolutely necessary?
You cant. Shes married to me ... unless I divorce her.
So will you? She wants to know. I cant wait.
She should have come to me.
I think shes afraid.
I dont understand ... we have been married for so long.
Pause
So if you marry her Eva, shell be Eva Mallach?
Does it bother you?
He came back with two filled glasses.
Come here.
They walk up the winding stairs and enter a splendidly lit room.
This is our bedroom ... and her dressing room ... these are her dresses.
Pause


They are worth thousands ... thousands my friend!
This leather coat alone is $10,000!
The thing is my wife spends a lot of money like water.
If youre not careful ... shell eat you out of house and home ... she was born to luxury ...
Paris, Milan, London, New York ... and you a part-time painter, part-time waiter ... you are
out of your depth, young man!
Pause
Shell dry you out ... leave you penniless.
She is in love with me.
Oh fuck your love! ... never trust it!
Pause
It will turn to contempt very soon.
Thats what your experience?
No ... observation ... Im a writer ... I observe people. I give her what she wants and she will
leave you and come back to me.
I wont divorce her ... but I dont want to stay with her ... and I want you two to be together
... but you have to listen to me ... or else there would be consequences ... I want to make a
proposal to you.
I will give you a million dollars.
A Pinter moment
I get rid of my wife ... and you live happily ever after with Eva.
What are you talking about? Is this a trap?


Take your time ... but tell me before you finish your drink, he sneered at Jason.
And why would I accept your proposal?
I am a simple, honest man.
You want to destroy me ... we ... our relationship. You know very well ... society will not
accept an un-divorced woman ... how can she live with one and yet be married to another?
Pause
It will malign her character ... No! No! No!
She is an adulteress ... actually she should be stoned to death!
Why should I trust you?
This is a simple proposal ... you have an expensive woman and no money.
Take the money if you want to keep the woman.
If I agree will you give a divorce?
One million is no small money.
She wants a legal settlement.
She is greedy wants part of my estate.
I dont want to see an intelligent man like you waste your life ... for what love?
She told me you were no good in bed ... and that you are a manipulator.
You seem a desperate man ... and would do anything to change your life.
Pause
A man of integrity.
Im a normal guy ... she admires my mind.


Does your mind excite her sexually? ... and here I thought I was the one writing wonderful
stories.
Suddenly Jason removed and pointed a revolver on Ivans face.
Youre gonna shoot me?
What do you think?
Im her husband.
It's no excuse ... and youve invited yourself to attend your own death.
Please dont shoot me!
Jason lit a cigar.
I dont like smokers.
Shut up! So will you give her a divorce?
I cannot decide under duress, Ivan indicated the gun.
Fuck you! This is the only way youll understand arsehole! Youre full of shit!
I often put myself in Evas shoes and try to find out what attracts her to you.
How did you know about us?
Oh I had you followed ... he brought me pictures, slowly took out some 8x10 photographs
from his coat.
You are quite a handsome man?
Where is she now?
She is afraid because she knows you are weak.
Faint heart never won fair lady.
How long have you been married?

Fifteen years ... It was love at first sight ... and were still in love, I think.
You must be dreaming.
You are in pain ... are you a sensitive person?
Pause
You want to be in charge, aye? The thing you are holding gives you power?
She always said you were malevolent, spiteful, arrogant, jealous and ruthless.
Thats right.
I like your style ... how you go about thinking. points at the revolver.
Heed my proposal ... put the gun down?
You have finished your drink ... and you have not replied yet?
I can see that you are lonely ... that you need someone who would look after you ... you want
Eva to do that.
For Christ sakes make up your mind! cocks the gun.
Dont let her dominate you. Be yourself.
Is this the marriage bed isnt it?
Pause
This is where we sometimes made love ... it is a lovely bed.
What? ... You used my bed!
Pause
Well youve got her now ... shes all yours.
There is a struggle. The gun goes off.


Just then Eva rushed in, screaming at the sound of gunshot and sees Jason tumble down the
stairs and die, covered in a pool of blood.
She drops at his lain figure and caresses his face and hair.
A beautiful thought. To die in the arms of your beloved ... can you imagine anything more
poignant, Ivan mediates quietly, looking at her.
She looks up at him the resentment resonating in her eyes as she wept, tears rolling down
her cheeks.
Eva picked up the revolver and sighing with determination she looked yonder.

END