1

THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH

By Thornton Wilder

CAST OF CHARACTERS:

SABINA

MR. ANTROBUS

MRS. ANTROBUS

HENRY

GLADYS

ENSEMBLE:

MAN #1 (Announcer, Moses, Bingo Caller, Man/Broadcast Official)

MAN #2 (Dinosaur, Director, Conveener 1)

MAN #3 (Telegram Boy, Professor, Conveener 2)

WOMAN (Miss Muse, Fortune Teller)

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ACT ONE

(a newsreel)

ANNOUNCER: And now, the management of the theatre takes pleasure in bringing you the
news of the world!
Freeport, Long Island: The sun rose this morning at 6:32 a.m. This gratifying
event was first reported by Mrs. Dorothy Stetson of Freeport, Long Island, who
promptly telephoned the mayor. The Society for Affirming the End of the World at once
went into a special session and postponed the arrival of that event for twenty-four
hours. All honor to Mrs. Stetson for her public spirit!
Tippehatchee, Vermont: The unprecedented cold weather of this summer has
produced a condition that has not yet been explained. There is a report that a wall of ice
is moving southward across these counties. The disruption of communication by the
cold wave sweeping the nation has rendered exact information difficult. For more
information, see your daily papers.
Excelsior, New Jersey: The home of George Antrobus, inventor of the wheel. The
discovery of the wheel, following so closely on the discover of the lever, has centered
the attention of the country on Mr. Antrobus of this attractive suburban residence
district. Mr. Antrobus comes of very old stock and has made his way up from next to
nothing. It is reported that he once was a gardener but left that situation under
circumstances that have been variously reported.
This is Mrs. Antrobus, the charming and gracious president of the Excelsior
Mothers Club. Mrs. Antrobus is an excellent needlewoman; it is she who invented the
apron on which so many interesting changes have been wrought since that time.
Here we see the Antrobuses with their two children, Henry and Gladys, and
friend. The friend, in the rear, is Lily Sabina, the maid. I know we all want to
congratulate this typical American family on its enterprise. And know, we bring you into
the interior of their home for a brief visit.

(The screen rises to reveal the interior of the Antrobus home: late 1950s modern, more stylish
than comfortable. There is a television set which is currently off. )

SABINA: Oh, oh, oh! Six oclock and the master not home yet. Pray God nothing serious
happened to him crossing the Hudson. If anything happened to him, we would certainly
be inconsolable and have to move into a less desirable neighborhood. Oh, I dont know
what will become of us. Here it is, the middle of August and the coldest day of the year.
Its simply freezing; the dogs are sticking to the sidewalk. But Im not surprised. The
whole worlds at sixes and sevens, and why this house hasnt fallen down long ago is a
miracle to me. Every night its the same anxiety; whether the master will get home
safely; whether hell bring anything to eat. In the midst of life, we are in the midst of
death. A truer word was never said.

(crosses to a wall of four framed photographs and the dim outline of where a fifth once was)
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Of course, Mr. Antrobus is a fine man, an excellent husband and father, a pillar
of the church, and has all the best interests of the community at heart. And Mrs.
Antrobus is as find a woman as you could hope to see. She lives only for her children;
and if it would benefit her children, shed see the rest of us stretched out dead at her
feet without blinking an eye thats the truth. If you want to know more about Mrs.
Antrobus, go look at a tigress and look hard.
As to the children well, Henry is a real, clean-cut American boy. Hell graduate
from high school one of these days, if they make the alphabet any easier. And when he
has a stone in his hand, hes a perfect shot; he can hit anything from a bird to an older
brother Oh! I didnt mean to say that! But it certainly was an unfortunate accident,
and it was very hard getting the police out of the house. Mr. and Mrs. Antrobus
daughter is named Gladys. Shell make a good man a good wife someday if hell just
come down off the movie screen and ask her.
So here we are! Weve managed to survive for some time now, catch as catch
can, the fat and the lean, and if the dinosaurs dont trample us to death, and if the
grasshoppers dont eat up our garden, well all live to see better days. Weve rattled
along, hot and cold, for some time now, and my advice to you is not to inquire into why
or whiter, but just enjoy your ice cream while its on your plate; thats my philosophy.
Dont forget that a few years ago we came through the depression by the skin of
our teeth! One more tight squeeze like that and where will we be?

(pause this is a cue line. SABINA looks offstage nervously)

- we came through the depression by the skin of our teeth! Once more tight
squeeze like that and where will be?

(still nothing. Flustered, SABINA begins the play from the top)

Oh, oh, oh! Six oclock and the master not home yet. Pray god nothing happened
to him crossing the Hudson. Here it is the middle of August and the coldest day of the
year. Andand

DIRECTOR: (voiceover) Make up something! Invent something!

SABINA: Well uh this certainly is a fine American home and uh everyones very happy
and uh
I cant invent any words for this play and Im glad I cant! I hate this play and
every word in it! All about the troubles the human race has gone through, theres a
subject for you! And the author hasnt even made up his mind if were all living back in
caves of in New Jersey, and thats the way it is all the way through!

DIRECTOR: Miss Somerset!1

1
In production, the name of Miss Somerset will be changed to the actual name of the actress playing Sabina.
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SABINA: Fine! Anyway, nothing matters! Itll all be the same in a hundred years! (loudly) WE
CAME THROUGH THE DEPRESSION BY THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH! ONE MORE TIGHT
SQUEEZE LIKE THAT AND WHERE WILL WE BE?
(MRS ANTROBUS rushes in and grandly composes herself)

MRS ANTROBUS: (referencing the television set) Sabina, youve let the fire go out.

SABINA: One-thing-and-another; dont-know-whether-my-wits-are-upside-or-down!

MRS ANTROBUS: Youve let the fire go out! Here it is, the coldest day of the year right in the
middle of August, and youve let the fire go out.

SABINA: Mrs. Antrobus, Id like to give my two weeks notice. A girl like me can get a situation
in a home where theyre rich enough to have a fire in every room, Mrs. Antrobus, and
where a girl dont have to carry the responsibility of the whole house on her two
shoulders. And a home without children, because children are a thing only a parent can
stand, Mrs. Antrobus. And a home, Mrs. Antrobus, where the master of the house
doesnt pinch decent self-respecting girls when he meets them in a dark hallway. I
mention no names and I make no charges, but you have my notice, Mrs. Antrobus. I
hope thats perfectly clear.

MRS ANTROBUS: Youve let the fire go out. Have you milked the mammoth today?

SABINA: (I dont understand a word of this play) Yes, Mrs. Antrobus, Ive milked the
mammoth.

MRS ANTROBUS: Good. Now, until Mr. Antrobus comes home, we have no food and we have
no fire. Youd better go over to the neighbors and borrow some fire.

SABINA: I cant, Mrs. Antrobus! Id die along the way, you know I would! Its worse than
January! The dogs are sticking to the sidewalk! Id die!

MRS ANTROBUS: Very well, Ill go.

SABINA: (throwing herself to the floor) You cant, Mrs. Antrobus! Youd die along the way! Wed
all perish! How do we know Mr. Antrobus will be back? We dont know! If you go out, Ill
kill myself!

MRS ANTROBUS: Get up, Sabina.

SABINA: Every night, its the same thing. Will he come back or wont he? Will we starve to
death, or freeze to death, or boil to death, or be killed in our beds? I dont know why
we go on living. Its easier being dead.
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MRS ANTROBUS: Always throwing in the towel, Sabina. Always announcing your own death.
But give you a new hat, or a ticket to the movies, and you want to live forever.

SABINA: You dont care whether I live or die; all you care about are those children. If it
would be of any benefit to them, youd be glad to see me stretched out dead.

MRS ANTROBUS: Well, maybe I would.

SABINA: And what do they care about? Themselves thats all they care about. They make
fun of you behind your back. Half the time, they pretend theyre someone elses
children. Little thanks you get from them.

MRS ANTROBUS: Im not asking for thanks.

SABINA: And Mr. Antrobus you dont understand him. All the work he does trying to
discover the alphabet and the multiplication table whenever he tries to learn anything,
you fight against him.

MRS ANTROBUS: Oh, Sabina I know you. When Mr. Antrobus stole you from your Sabine hills,
he did it to insult me. He did it for your pretty face and to insult me. You were the new
wife then, werent you? For a year or two, you lay in bed all day and polished your nails.
And I washed your underclothes and made you chicken broths. I bore children and
between my very groans, I stirred the cream that you put on your face. But I knew you
wouldnt last. You didnt last.

SABINA: But it was I who encouraged Mr. Antrobus to make the alphabet and the multiplication
table. Im sorry to say it Mrs. Antrobus, but youre not a beautiful woman, and thats the
Gods truth.

MRS ANTROBUS: You didnt last You sank into servitude. And what do you do there?
You let the fire go out! No wonder to you it seems easier being dead. Reading and
writing and counting on your fingers are all very well in their way, but I keep the home
going.

(we see the DINOSAUR crossing in front of the house)

Oh! Theres that dinosaur on the front lawn again! Shoo! Go away! Go away!

DINOSAUR: Its cold

MRS ANTROBUS: Shoo! You go around to the back of the house where you belong!

(DINOSAUR exits. We see the TELEGRAM BOY coming up to the house)

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SABINA: Mrs. Antrobus! Help! Theres a strange man coming up to the house! Hes coming
up the walk!

MRS ANTROBUS: Help me, quick! (they push a chair up against the door) Who is it?
What do you want!?

TELEGRAM: A telegram for Mrs. Antrobus from Mr. Antrobus in the city!

SABINA: How do we know? Maybe its a trap!

MRS ANTROBUS: I know his voice, Sabina. We can open the door. (They let him in) Im so
sorry we kept you waiting. One cant be too careful these days. Please come in.
So what about this weather?

TELEGRAM: They say theres a wall of ice moving down from the north, thats what they say.
It moves everything in front of it; churches and post offices and city halls and all! Theyre
burning pianos in Hartford! I live in Brooklyn, myself.

MRS ANTROBUS: What are people doing about it?

TELEGRAM: Well uh talking, mostly.

MRS ANTROBUS: Oh. So what is this telegram you have for me?

TELEGRAM: Wait a minute, Ive got to remember it. It was flashed from Murray Hills to
University Heights, and then by puffs of smoke from University Heights to Staten Island,
and then by lantern from Staten Island to Plainfield. Okay, here it is (clears his throat)
To Mrs. Antrobus, Excelsior, New Jersey: Dear wife, will be an hour late. Busy day at
the office. Dont worry the children about the cold. Just keep them warm. Burn
everything except Shakespeare.

MRS ANTROBUS: He knows Id burn ten Shakespeares to prevent a child of mine from having
one cold in the head. What does it say next?

TELEGRAM: Have made great discoveries today. Have separated M from N.

SABINA: I know what that is! Thats the alphabet! Mr. Antrobus is just the cleverest man!
Why, when the alphabet is finished, well be able to tell the future and everything!

MRS ANTROBUS: The earths turning to ice and all he can do is make up new letters. What
does he say next?

TELEGRAM: I I cant do this next part too well. (clears his throat)
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Happy wdding annversry to you.

Happy wdding annversry to you.
Happy wdding annversry dear Eva (MRS ANTROBUS flinches)
Happy wdding annversry to you.

SABINA: They have singing telegrams now? The earths getting so silly, no wonder the sun
turns cold.

MRS ANTROBUS: Young man, Id like to give you something for all your trouble. Mr. Antrobus
isnt home yet so I have no money or food

TELEGRAM: Well, I dont like to appear to ask for anything, but

MRS ANTROBUS: What is it youd like?

TELEGRAM: Well, if its not too much trouble, do you happen to have an old needle you could
spare? My wife just sits at home all day thinking about needles.

SABINA: (shrilly, to MRS. ANTROBUS) We only got two in the house, Mrs. Antrobus! You know
we only got two in the house!

MRS ANTROBUS: (grandly, after a look at SABINA, takes a needle from her collar or hat) Why,
yes, I think we can spare this.

TELEGRAM: Well, hot dog! Oh, how can I thank you?

MRS ANTROBUS: Well, if its not too much trouble, I wonder if you might have a match? It
seems that someone has let the fire go out.

(TELEGRAM BOY looks at the television set, walks over and plugs it in. It comes to life
with a black and white image of a burning fire)

MRS ANTROBUS: Our hero! Oh, how can we thank you?

TELEGRAM: Well, if its not too much trouble, Id like to ask your advice on something. I have
two sons of my own. If the cold gets worse, what should we do?

SABINA: I think well all perish, thats what I think. Cold like this in August is just the end of the
world.

(pause)

MRS ANTROBUS: I dont know. After all, what does one do about anything? Just keep as warm
as you can. And dont let your wife and children see that youre worried.
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TELEGRAM: Yes. Thank you, Mrs. Antrobus. Well, Id better be going oh, I forgot! Theres
one more sentence in the telegram: Three cheers! Have invented the wheel!

MRS ANTROBUS: A wheel? Whats a wheel?

TELEGRAM: I dont know. But the sign for it is like this (gestures in a wide circle). Goodbye!
(exits)

SABINA: Like I told you, Mrs. Antrobus; two weeks. Thats the law. I hope thats perfectly clear.
(exits to kitchen)

(HENRY and GLADYS rush in excitedly, shedding hats and scarves)

MRS ANTROBUS: Henry! Gladys! Children! Come right in and get warm! Henry, put down that
stone! You remember what happened last time! Gladys! Put down your dress! Try and
be a lady!

(HENRY and GLADYS speak simultaneously)

HENRY: Mama, why doesnt it snow? Mama, whens supper ready? Maybe itll snow and we
can make snowballs
GLADYS: Mama, Im hungry. Mama, why is it so cold? Its so cold that in one more minute I
couldnt have stood it

MRS ANTROBUS: (interrupting) Settle down, both of you, I want to talk to you. Its just a cold
spell of some kind. Now, listen to what Im saying. When your father comes home, I
want you to be extra quiet. Hes had a hard day at the office and he may be in one of his
moods. But I just got a telegram from him and he sounds very excited and happy so you
know what that means. Your fathers temper is uneven, but I guess you know that.
(HENRY looks up at her. She shrieks) Henry!! Why cant you remember to keep your hair
down over your forehead?? You must try to keep that mark covered up. Dont you know
that when your father sees it, he goes crazy? (she attempts to smooth his hair down)
Stop squirming! Blessed me, sometimes I think its going away and then, there it is, as
red as ever.

HENRY: Mama, today at school two teachers forgot and called me by my old name. They forgot,
Mama. Youd better write another letter to the principal, so that hell tell them Ive
changed my name. Right out in class, they called me: Cain.

MRS ANTROBUS: (putting her hand on his mouth) Dont say it! If youre good, theyll forget.
Henry you didnt you didnt hurt anyone today, did you?

HENRY: Oh no-o-o, mama!

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MRS ANTROBUS: And Gladys, I want you to be especially nice to your father tonight. You know
what he calls you when youre good his little angel, his little star. Keep your dress
down like a little lady and keep your voice nice and low. (gasps) Gladys Antrobus!
Whats that red stuff you have on your face?

GLADYS: All the girls at school wear it, Mama.

MRS ANTROBUS: Youre a filthy detestable child! Dont you know your father would go crazy
if he saw that paint on your face? Dont you know your father thinks youre perfect?
Dont you know he couldnt live if he didnt think you were perfect? Get away from me,
both of you! I wish Id never seen sight or sound of you. Let the cold come! I dont want
to go on!

(We hear Mr. ANTROBUS approaching from offstage, singing)

ANTROBUS: (approaching) Ive been working on the railroad, all the livelong day (etc)

SABINA: (rushing in from kitchen) Mrs. Antrobus, whats that noise outside? Its a drunken
tramp, Mrs. Antrobus! Well all be killed in our beds!

MRS ANTROBUS: Help me, quick! (they push the chair against the door) Who is it? What do
you want? Sabina, get the boiling water ready Who is it?

ANTROBUS: (outside) Broken-down camel of a pigs snout, open this door!

MRS ANTROBUS: God be praised, its your father! Just a minute! Gladys, come here while I
clean your nasty face!

ANTROBUS: She-bitch of a goats gizzard, let me in or Ill tear the whole house down!

MRS ANTROBUS: Just a minute, George, somethings the matter with the lock.

ANTROBUS: Open the door or Ill turn your livers out!

MRS ANTROBUS: Now, Im ready, Sabina. You can open the door.

(ANTROBUS enters, silent and serious. He carries a bag of groceries and

a large stone wheel. Suddenly, he bursts into a joyous roar.)

ANTROBUS: Well, hows the whole crooked family? (relief and laughter) Ill be scalded and
tarred if a man cant get a little welcome when he comes home. Maggie, you old
gunny-sack and the children! Howve my little stinkers been?
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GLADYS and HENRY: Papa! Papa!

ANTROBUS: Howve they been, Maggie?

MRS ANTROBUS: Theyve been as good as gold. I havent had to raise my voice once.

ANTROBUS: Sabina, old fish-bait! Theres some food there for you. (to GLADYS) Hows papas
little weasel?

GLADYS: Papa, youre always teasing me.

ANTROBUS: And Henry? Nothing rash today, I hope.

HENRY: No, papa.

ANTROBUS: Well, thats good. Ill bet Sabina let the fire go out. (He slaps SABINAs backside as
she is bent over the groceries)

SABINA: Mrs. Antrobus, Ive given my notice. Im leaving two weeks from today.

ANTROBUS: Well if you leave, youll freeze to death, so go and cook some dinner.

SABINA: Two weeks, thats the law.

(SABINA exits into kitchen with groceries)

ANTROBUS: Did you get my telegram?

MRS ANTROBUS: Yes whats a wheel?

ANTROBUS: Why, there it is!

(The children examine the wheel excitedly. MRS ANTROBUS pulls her husband aside)

MRS ANTROBUS: What does this cold weather mean? Its below freezing!

ANTROBUS: Not in front of the children!

MRS ANTROBUS: Shouldnt we do something about it? Start off; move?

ANTROBUS: Not in front of the children!! Take a look at that wheel, Maggie! When Ive got that
to rights, youll see a sight! Theres a reward there for all the walking youve done.

MRS ANTROBUS: How do you mean?

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ANTROBUS: Maggie weve reached the top of the wave. Theres not much left to be done.
Were there!

MRS ANTROBUS: And the ice??

ANTROBUS: The ice!

MRS ANTROBUS: Children, go into the kitchen. I want to talk to your father alone.

HENRY: Papa, you could put a chair on this!

ANTROBUS: Yes, any boob can fool with it now; but I thought of it first.

(The children exit into the kitchen, taking the wheel)

MRS ANTROBUS: Well?

ANTROBUS: Its cold.

MRS ANTROBUS: I know its cold. But you can try and prevent us freezing to death, cant you?
You can do something? We can start moving.

ANTROBUS: By midnight, wed turn to ice. The roads are full of people now who can scarcely
lift a foot off the ground. And the people up north where are they? Frozen crushed.

MRS ANTROBUS: Is that whats going to happen to us?

ANTROBUS: I dont know, Maggie. I dont know anything. Some say that the ice is going slower.
Some say that its stopped. The suns growing cold. What can I do about that? Nothing
we can do but burn everything in the house. Keep the fire going. When we have no
more fire, we die.

(PROFESSOR, MOSES, and MISS MUSE appear at the window, calling for Mr.
Antrobus)

MRS ANTROBUS: Whos that? Whos that calling you?

ANTROBUS: Umhm.. let me see

MOSES: Could we warm our hands for a moment, Mr. Antrobus?

MISS MUSE: Its very cold, Mr. Antrobus.

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PROFESSOR: Mr. Antrobus, do you have a piece of bread or something you can spare?

MRS ANTROBUS: Who are those people? George, tell those people to go away. Tell them
to move right along.

(SABINA rushes in from the kitchen)

SABINA: Mr Antrobus! Theres a big white thing moving this way! Its ice, Mr. Antrobus its
ice!

ANTROBUS: Sabina, I want you to go into the kitchen and make a lot of coffee. Make a whole
pailful.

SABINA: A pailful?

ANTROBUS: And sandwiches, piles of them, like this (gestures)

SABINA: But, Mr. Ant (dropping character) Oh, I see what this part of the play means now.
This means refugees. Oh, I dont like it I dont like it at all. (to the audience) Ladies
and Gentlemen, dont take this play seriously. The worlds not coming to an end you
know its not. People exaggerate. Most people really have enough to eat and a roof
over their heads. Nobody actually starves you can always eat grass or something. And
that ice business why, it was a long, long time ago.

DIRECTOR: (voiceover) and ALL: Miss Somerset!...

SABINA: Fine. Ill say the lines but I wont think about them! (to audience, darkly) And I advise
you not to think about them either

(SABINA exits into the kitchen. Meanwhile, MRS ANTROBUS has been at the window
investigating the refugees)

MRS ANTROBUS: George, those tramps say that you asked them to come to the house. What
does that mean?

ANTROBUS: Maggie, theyre just theyre a few friends I met on the road.

MRS ANTROBUS: George, youre not to let those people in!

ANTROBUS: Theyre real nice real useful people

MRS ANTROBUS: George Antrobus, not another soul comes in here over my dead body!

ANTROBUS: But Maggie, theres an old professor, a particular friend of mine

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MRS ANTROBUS: Im not listening

ANTROBUS: It was really he who started off the ABCs.

MRS ANTROBUS: I dont care if he perishes. We can do without reading or writing. We cant
do without food.

ANTROBUS: And theres the man who makes all the laws Judge Moses!

MRS ANTROBUS: Laws cant help us now. And whos that old woman?

ANTROBUS: She lives here in town with her sisters. There are nine of them. Theyre sort of
music teachers and one of them recites, and one of them

MRS ANTROBUS: Thats the end! Take your choice! Live or die. Starve your own children
right in front of your face!

ANTROBUS: These people dont take much. Theyre used to hunger. Theyll sleep on the floor.
Besides, Maggie, listen! Whove we got in the house but Sabina? Shes always afraid the
worst will happen. Whose spirits can she keep up? Those people out there, they never
give up. They think theyll live and work forever.

MRS ANTROBUS: All right. Let them in. Youre the master here.

ANTROBUS: Wonderful! (Throws open the door) Welcome, everyone! Come in! Come in!

(The refugees shuffle inside. The DINOSAUR attempts to sneak in with them)

DINOSAUR: Its cold

ANTROBUS: (pushing him outside) Yes, nice cold fresh air! Bracing! (To the guests) Make
yourselves at home. Professor, this is my wife. And Judge Maggie, you know the
Judge and this is Miss Muse

MRS ANTROBUS: How-do-you-do-pleased-to-meet-you-make-yourselves-at-home.

ANTROBUS: Maggie! Make yourselves at home, friends! (SABINA enters from the kitchen
with a heaping tray of cocktail sandwiches) Sabina, pass the sandwiches.

SABINA: Thought I was working in a respectable house with respectable guests two weeks!
Thats the law!

ANTROBUS: Theres the law! Thats Moses! (MOSES waves)

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SABINA: The Ten Commandments? Faugh!! (to audience) Thats the worst line Ive ever
had to say in any play ever.

(SABINA exits into the kitchen and quickly re-enters with a tray of coffee and cups. She
exits again into the kitchen)

ANTROBUS: Lets not stand on ceremony, just pass the sandwiches around. Everyone help
yourselves.

MISS MUSE: These look delicious!

MRS ANTROBUS: (serving coffee) So the roads are crowded, I hear?

PROFESSOR: People are trampling one another.

MOSES: You cant imagine.

MISS MUSE: You can hardly put one foot before you.

MRS ANTROBUS: Well, you know what I think it is, - I think its sunspots!

(awkward pause then the guests speak simultaneously)

PROFESSOR: Oh, youre right, Mrs. Antrobus!

MOSES: Thats what it is
MISS MUSE: Thats just what I was saying the other day.

ANTROBUS: Well, I dont believe the whole worlds going to turn to ice. I cant believe it.
Judge! Have we worked for nothing? Professor! Have we just failed in the whole thing?

MRS ANTROBUS: It is certainly very strange. But on both sides of the family, we come of very
hearty stock. You must meet my children. Theyre eating their supper right now. And of
course I want them to meet you.

PROFESSOR: Of course!

MISS MUSE: How many children do you have, Mrs. Antrobus?

MRS ANTROBUS: I have two a boy and a girl.

MOSES: I understood you had two sons, Mrs. Antrobus.

(The other guests look sharply at him. MRS ANTROBUS is stricken)

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MRS ANTROBUS: Abel Abel, my son

(A piercing shriek from the kitchen)

ANTROBUS: What in heavens name?

(SABINA rushes in from the kitchen, followed by GLADYS)

SABINA: Mr. Antrobus! That son of yours that Henry! I wont stay in this house another
moment! Hes not fit to live among respectable folks and thats a fact!

MRS ANTROBUS: Dont say another word, Sabina! Ill be right back! (exits into kitchen)

SABINA: Mr. Antrobus, Henry has thrown a stone again and if he hasnt killed the boy next door,
Im very much mistaken. He finished his supper and went out to play; and I heard such
a fight; and then I saw it. I saw it with my own two eyes. And it looked like stark murder.

(MRS ANTROBUS brings HENRY in from the kitchen, shielding him)

HENRY: He was going to take the wheel away from me! He threw a stone first!

MRS ANTROBUS: George, it was just a boyish impulse! Remember how young he is, George
hes only four thousand years old!

SABINA: And everything was going along so nicely.

ANTROBUS: Put out the fire! Put out all the fires! No wonder the sun grows cold!

MRS ANTROBUS: George, have you lost your mind?

ANTROBUS: There is no mind! Well not try to live! Give it all up. Give up trying.

SABINA: Mr. Antrobus!

MRS ANTROBUS: George, have some more coffee. Gladys!

GLADYS: Yes, mama?

MRS ANTROBUS: Go upstairs and bring your fathers slippers. How can you forget a thing like
that when you know how tired he is?

(GLADYS exits upstairs. MRS ANTROBUS turns to the guests)

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How about we sing? (To MISS MUSE) You! Its your job to sing, isnt it?

(MISS MUSE begins to tentatively sing Jingle Bells. She will sing this song throughout
the rest of the act, eventually being joined by MOSES and the PROFESSOR)

George, remember all the other times. When the volcanoes came right up to the front
yard. And the time when the locusts ate all the grain and spinach youd grown with your
own hands. And the summer there were earthquakes every night.

(Meanwhile, GLADYS has re-entered and is putting her fathers slippers on)

ANTROBUS: Myself. All of us. Were covered in blood.

MRS ANTROBUS: Henry!

HENRY: Yes, mama?

MRS ANTROBUS: Come and recite to your father the multiplication tables that you do so nicely.

HENRY: (kneeling) Two times six is twelve; three times six is eighteen I dont know the sixes
Two times four is eight; three times four is twelve (Continues until his next line)

GLADYS: Papa, I was very good in school today. Miss Conover said in front of the whole class
that if all the girls had as good manners as Gladys Antrobus, that the world would be a
better place.

MRS ANTROBUS: You recited at assembly, didnt you?

ANTROBUS: You did? You didnt forget it?

GLADYS: No, I was perfect! And look, papa, heres my report card. Look! Conduct A!

(The television flickers)

MRS ANTROBUS: The fires going out! There isnt enough wood! Come around the fire,
everyone!

ANTROBUS: Henry, did you take a good look at that wheel?

HENRY: Yes, papa!

MRS ANTROBUS: More coffee, anyone? (She refills cups)

GLADYS: Papa, do you want to hear what I recited at assembly today?

 17

ANTROBUS: (to HENRY) Six time two are

HENRY: Twelve! Six times three are eighteen, six times four are (continues with difficulty)

GLADYS: Papa, youre not mad at me, are you? I know itll get warmer. Soon it will be Spring
and we can go on a picnic!

MRS ANTROBUS: Sabina! Find things to burn! Anything! At least the young ones may pull
through.

(SABINA exits)

HENRY: Papa, its cold it makes my head all funny and sleepy.

ANTROBUS: Wake up! I dont care if your head is sleepy.

GLADYS: Papa, just look at me once!

ANTROBUS: Six times six is

GLADYS: Papa, do you want to hear what I recited at assembly? The Star by Henry Wadsworth
Longfellow!

ANTROBUS: Maggie! Put something into Gladys head on the chance that she can use it.

MRS ANTROBUS: What should it be, George?

ANTROBUS: (to HENRY) Six times six is thirty-six. (to MRS ANTROBUS) Teach her the beginning
of the Bible.

GLADYS: But Mama, its so cold

HENRY: Six times seven is forty-two (continues)

(SABINA re-enters)

SABINA: Theres nothing, Mrs. Antrobus! Nothing to burn! Its just an empty backstage!

MRS ANTROBUS: (to GLADYS) In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth; and
the earth was waste and void; and the darkness was upon the face of the deep

SABINA: (speaking to the auditorium) Please start handing up your chairs. Well need everything
for the fire!
 18

HENRY: Six times nine is fifty-four; six times ten is sixty

SABINA: Programs! Purses! Anything thatll burn! Save the human race!

(SABINA exits through an audience aisle, ringing a large bell)

GLADYS: And God called the light Day and the darkness he called Night

SABINA: (now offstage, still ringing bell) Save the human race! Save the human race!

(The television has completely turned to static snow)

(Amidst the myriad voices and guests now singing Jingle Bells together;
Genesis, multiplication tables, and pleas to save the human race, we see the
DINOSAUR appear at the window)

DINOSAUR: Its cold its cold its cold

(Curtain descends)
 19

ACT TWO

(A newsreel)

ANNOUNCER: And now, more news of the world!

Atlantic City, New Jersey: This great convention city is playing host this week
to the anniversary convocation of that great fraternal order The Ancient and
Honorable Order of Mammals; Subdivision Human. This esteemed society is celebrating
on the Boardwalk its six hundred thousandth annual convention and has just elected its
president for the ensuing term Mr. George Antrobus of Excelsior, New Jersey;
renowned inventor of the wheel, the alphabet; and, most recently, distilled spirits.
Credit has also been extended to his charming wife for her many practical suggestions
over the years.
As many of you know, this great celebration of the Order of Mammals has
received delegations from the other orders the Wings, the Fins, the Shells, and so on.
These orders are holding their conventions in other parts of the world but have sent
representatives to our own; two of a kind.
Later in the day, President Antrobus will broadcast his words of greeting to the
collected assemblies of the natural world; but, for now, we bring you live as he accepts
his nomination

(MR and MRS ANTROBUS appear by a microphone on the side of the stage. He wears
a sash and a bright lodge hat; something between a fez and a legionnaires cap)

ANTROBUS: Fellow vertebrates, fellow humans, I thank you. Little did my parents think, when
they told me to stand on my own two feet, that Id arrive at this place. My friends, we
have come a long way. During this week of happy celebration, we must remember the
difficult times we have been through. The dinosaur is extinct, the ice has retreated, and
the common cold is being pursued by every means within our power. In our memorial
service yesterday we did honor to all our friends who are no longer with us, by reason of
cold, earthquakes, plagues, and differences of opinion. As our Bishop so ably said, uh
so ably said

MRS ANTROBUS: Gone, but not forgotten.

ANTROBUS: They are gone but not forgotten. I think I can say I think I can prophecy
with complete uh, complete

MRS ANTROBUS: Confidence.

ANTROBUS: With complete lack of confidence, that a new day of security is about to dawn.
The watchword of the past year was: work. I give you the watchword of the future
Enjoy Yourselves!
 20

(applause)

Before I close, however, I wish to answer one of those unjust and malicious
accusations that were brought against me during this electoral campaign. The
charge was made that at various points in my career, I leaned toward joining some of
the rival orders. That is a lie. I do not deny that a few months before my birth I hesitated
between uh between pinfeathers and gill-breathing as did many of us here but
for the last million years, I have been viviparous, diaphragmatic, and hairy! (applause)

ANNOUNCER: (live) Thank you, Mr. Antrobus. Now Im sure our viewers would love to hear
a word from that gracious and charming mammal, Mrs. Antrobus wife and mother!

(applause)

MRS ANTROBUS: Dear friends, I dont really think I should say anything. After all, it was my
husband who was elected and not I. But as President of the Womens Auxiliary, I do
have some reports from our committees that have been meeting in this beautiful city.
Perhaps it might interest you to know that it has finally been decided that the tomato is
edible. Can you all hear me? The tomato is edible. Also, a delegate from across the sea
reports that the thread woven by a silkworm produces a smooth and elastic cloth.

ANNOUNCER: Mrs. Antrobus, we understand that you are about to celebrate a wedding
anniversary.

MRS ANTROBUS: Yes, Mr. Antrobus and I have been married five thousand years. Each
anniversary reminds me of the times when there were no weddings. We women had to
crusade for marriage. We fought for it, didnt we? We chained ourselves to lampposts
and made disturbances in the senate but at last, we women got the ring! A few men
helped us, of course, but most just blocked our way. They said we were unfeminine. I
only bring up these unpleasant memories because I see some signs of backsliding from
that great victory. Oh, my fellow mammals, keep hold of that. My husband says the
watchword for the year is Enjoy Yourselves. I think thats very open to
misunderstanding. My watchword for the year is: Save the Family. Its held together for
over five thousand years. Save The Family. Thank you!

(Light applause)

ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Mrs. Antrobus. (MR and MRS ANTROBUS exit newsreel resumes)
Earlier today, the citys annual Beauty Pageant! President Antrobus, an
experienced judge of pretty girls, gave the title of Miss Atlantic City to Lily-Sabina
Fairweather, charming hostess of our Boardwalk Bingo Parlor.
Now, we take you to some views of the convention city and its conveeners
enjoying themselves!
 21

(The screen rises to reveal the Atlantic City Boardwalk: various concessions,
including a Fortune Telling booth and a Bingo Parlor. A bench. There is also
a weather signal with four lights)

BINGO CALLER: (offstage voice) B-Nine; B-Nine; O-Twenty-six; O-Twenty-six

(Two CONVEENERS cross the stage)

CONV 1: (mimicking Mrs. Antrobus) My watchword is save the family its held together for
five thousand years save the family

CONV 2: (producing a flask) Enjoy yourselves!

BOTH: Enjoy Yourselves! (they exit)

BINGO CALLER: G-Four (offstage voice yells Bingo!)

(a MAN exits nervously from the fortune tellers booth, pursued by the
FORTUNE TELLER herself)

FORTUNE TELLER: (calling after him as he exits) Cirrhosis of the liver! Your partners deceiving
you in that Kansas City deal! Avoid high places!

(SABINA enters from behind the Bingo Parlor, incognito)

SABINA: Psssst! Esmeralda!

FORTUNE TELLER: Keck!

SABINA: Has President Antrobus come along yet?

FORTUNE TELLER: No. Get back there. Hide yourself.

SABINA: But Im afraid Ill miss him. Oh, Esmeralda, if I fail in this Ill die; I know Ill die!

FORTUNE TELLER: Keck!

SABINA: President Antrobus!! And Ill be his wife! If its the last thing I do, Ill be Mrs. President
George Antrobus! Tell me my future.

FORTUNE TELLER: Keck!

SABINA: All right, Ill tell you my future. Ive won the Beauty Contest in Atlantic City and Ill
 22

win the Beauty Contest of the whole world! Ill take President Antrobus away from that
wife of his. Ill take every man away from his wife! Ill turn the whole earth upside down.

FORTUNE TELLER: Shut your foolish mouth. When Mr. Antrobus comes along you can see what
you can do. Until then go away.

(SABINA exits with a laugh behind the Bingo Parlor)

I tell the future. Keck! Nothing easier! Everyones future is in their face. Nothing easier.
But who can tell your past, eh? Nobody. Your youth where did it go? It slipped away
while you werent looking. While you were sleeping. While you were drunk? What did it
mean? What was it trying to say to you? Think! Split your heads! I cant tell the past and
neither can you. But I can tell the future

(MAN re-enters. FORTUNE TELLER turns sharply to him)

Apoplexy!

(the MAN runs off.)

Nobody listens. Keck! I see a face among you now; it may be you: next year, the
watchspring inside you will crumble. Death by regret. Its in the corners of your mouth.
Youll decide that you should have lived for pleasure, but that you missed it. Death by
regret.
And whats the future of our friends, the Antrobuses? Oh, youve seen it as well
as I have that dizziness of the head; that Great Man dizziness. The sudden fits of
temper and the long stretches of inertia. Im a sultan, let my slave girls fan me. Keck!
You know as well as I whats coming. Rain. Rain. Rain in floods. But first youll see
shameful things shameful things. Some of you will say let him drown, hes not worth
saving. But youre wrong. Keep your doubts and despairs to yourselves. Again, therell
be a narrow escape from destruction from total destruction. Even of the animals, a
few will be saved: two of a kindtwo of a kind

(The CONVEENERS enter. She turns sharply to them)

And you! Mark my words before its too late where will you be?

CONV 1: Charlatan!

CONV 2: Killjoy!

FORTUNE TELLER: Yes, stick out your tongues! You cant stick them out far enough to lick the
death-sweat from your foreheads! Its too late! Youve had your chance and youve lost.
 23

BOTH: Enjoy yourself!! (they exit)

FORTUNE TELLER: (looking off) Theyre coming! The Antrobuses! Your hope. Your despair.
Your selves.

(She withdraws as MR and MRS ANTROBUS and GLADYS enter)

MRS ANTROBUS: Gladys Antrobus, stick your stomach in.

GLADYS: But its easier this way.

MRS ANTROBUS: Well its too bad the president has such a clumsy daughter, thats all I can
say. Try to be a lady.

FORTUNE TELLER: (aside) Keck! Thats been said a hundred billion times.

MRS ANTROBUS: Goodness! Wheres Henry? He was here a minute ago.

(HENRY enters with a slingshot, calling behind him to an offstage person)

HENRY: Ill put your eye out! Ill make you yell like you never yelled before!

ANTROBUS: Henry! What is this? Put down that slingshot!

MRS ANTROBUS: Henry! Behave yourself!

FORTUNE TELLER: (aside, to HENRY) Thats right, boy. There are too many people in the
world as it is. Everybodys in the way, except ones self. (Exits into her booth)

ANTROBUS: What were you doing Henry?

HENRY: Everyones always trying to push me around! Ill make him sorry for this Ill
make everyone sorry!

ANTROBUS: Give me that slingshot.

HENRY: I wont. Im sorry I came to this place. I wish I werent here. I wish I werent anywhere.

MRS ANTROBUS: Come now, lets forget about this. Everybody take a good breath of that sea
air and calm down.

(The CONVEENERS enter)

CONV 1: Well, hello, George; I see you brought the whole family along
 24

(They exit, laughing)

MRS ANTROBUS: Who on earth was that, George?

ANTROBUS: Nobody, Maggie. Just the candidate who ran against me in the election.

MRS ANTROBUS: The candidate who (calls off stage after them) How dare you speak to
my husband?!

HENRY: Mama!

MRS ANTROBUS: After all those lies you told about him? Lies thats what they were!

ANTROBUS: Now, Maggie

MRS ANTROBUS: George, youre a worm! If you cant speak up for yourself, I will!

HENRY: (with admiration) Mama!

MRS ANTROBUS: (calling off) My husbands a saint a downright saint! And youre not fit
to speak to him on the street!

GLADYS: Mama, you act so awful in public.

MRS ANTROBUS: and if you must know, we have two children! Weve always had two
children! (recovering) Of course, it hasnt always been the same two children
(a breath) Well, I feel better now. Children, what would you like to do?

GLADYS: I want to rent a bicycle!

HENRY: Can we rent a bicycle?

MRS ANTROBUS: No, sir. We have no money to spend on foolishness.

ANTROBUS: But its one of the things you do in Atlantic City. Were on vacation, arent we? We
have a right to some treats, I guess.

MRS ANTROBUS: All right, throw your money around. I can starve. Ive starved before. I know
how.

ANTROBUS: Gods Heaven, Maggie, havent I worked enough? Dont I get any vacation? Cant
I give my children so much as a ride on a bicycle?
 25

MRS ANTROBUS: Anyway, its going to rain very soon and you have your broadcast to make.

ANTROBUS: Now Maggie, I warn you. Youre driving me crazy. A man can stand a family
only just so long.

MRS ANTROBUS: Why, George Antrobus, how can you say such a thing? You have the best
family in the world!

(SABINA appears from the Bingo Parlor, shedding her wrap to reveal a bright red
bathing suit. She crosses by the family, eyeing MR ANTROBUS as she exits)

ANTROBUS: Good morning, Miss Fairweather

MRS ANTROBUS: Who on earth was that, George?

GLADYS: Wasnt she beautiful, Mama?

HENRY: Papa, introduce her to me!

MRS ANTROBUS: Children, please be quiet while I ask your father a simple question Who.
On. Earth. Was. That?

ANTROBUS: Oh uh a friend of mine. Thats the girl I gave to prize to in the beauty contest.

MRS ANTROBUS: Hm! She looked like Sabina to me.

HENRY: (looking off) Mama, the lifeguard know her too. He knows her real well!

MRS ANTROBUS: Henry, come away! George

ANTROBUS: A very refined girl and nice in every way.

MRS ANTROBUS: So was Sabina. And it took a wall of ice to open your eyes about her.

ANTROBUS: Shes a very different matter from Sabina. Miss Fairweather is a college graduate,
Phi Beta Kappa. Reduced circumstances have required her taking a position as a
hostess in a bingo parlor; but there isnt a girl with higher principles in the country.

MRS ANTROBUS: Well, lets not talk about it. Henry, I havent seen a whale yet.

ANTROBUS: She speaks seven languages and has more culture in her little finger than youve
acquired in a lifetime.

MRS ANTROBUS: Well, Im glad to know there are such superior girls in the bingo parlors.
 26

(pointing to the weather signal) Henry, whats that up there?

HENRY: Papa, what is it?

ANTROBUS: What? Oh, thats the storm signal. One of those lights means rain; two means
storm; three means hurricane; four means the end of the world.

(as they watch, the first light turns on)

MRS ANTROBUS: Goodness! Im going this minute to buy you all some raincoats.

GLADYS: Dont go yet, Mama, the oceans coming in! Papa, dont you like it?

ANTROBUS: H-mm-mm..

MRS ANTROBUS: Well, theres only one thing I lack to make me a perfectly happy woman
Id like to see a whale.

HENRY: Mama, Gladys and I saw two, right out there. Theyre delegates to the convention.

GLADYS: Papa, ask me something. Ask me a question.

ANTROBUS: Umm how big is the ocean?

GLADYS: Papa, youre teasing me. Its three hundred and sixty million square miles and its
deepest place is five and a half miles deep and its average depth is twelve thousand
feet. No, Papa, ask me something hard. Really hard.

MRS ANTROBUS: Now Im going off to buy those raincoats. I think this weathers going to
get worse and worse. I hope it doesnt come before your broadcast. I think we should
have about an hour or so.

HENRY: I hope it comes and (airplane gesture/sound) everything before it! I hope it (machine
gun sound)

MRS ANTROBUS: Henry! George, maybe its one of those storms thats just as bad on land as
it is on sea, when youre just as safe in a good stout boat.

HENRY: (pointing off) Theres a boat on the end of the pier!

MRS ANTROBUS: Well, keep your eye on it. George, you shut your eyes and get a good rest
before your broadcast.

ANTROBUS: Thundering Judas! Do I have to be told when to open or shut my eyes? Go and
 27

buy your raincoats.

MRS ANTROBUS: Children, you have ten minutes to walk around. Ten minutes. And Henry;
control yourself. Gladys, stick by your brother and dont get lost.

(HENRY and GLADYS exit excitedly)

Will you be all right, George?

(The CONVENEERS cross the stage on a tandem bicycle)

CONV 2: Geo-rr-gie

CONV 1: Domesticated Georgie!!

CONV 2: Leave the old hencoop at home!

(The exit, laughing)

MRS ANTROBUS: Low, common oafs, thats what they are! Guess a man has a right to bring his
wife to a convention, if he wants to. Whats the matter with a family, Id like to know.
Hmph what else have they got to offer?

(she exits)

(ANTROBUS sits tiredly on the bench, perhaps takes an indigestion pill.

SABINA enters)

SABINA: Oh, Mr. Antrobus, dare I speak to you for a moment?

ANTROBUS: What? Oh certainly, certainly Miss Fairweather.

SABINA: Mr. Antrobus, Ive been so unhappy. Ive wanted to make sure that you dont think
that Im the kind of girl who usually goes out for beauty contests.

ANTROBUS: Oh, I understand I understand perfectly.

(FORTUNE TELLER enters, crossing slowly behind the scene)

SABINA: But honestly, Mr. Antrobus, in this world, a good girl doesnt know where to turn.

FORTUNE TELLER: Thats the way

ANTROBUS: My dear Miss Fairweather!

 28

SABINA: You wouldnt know how hard it is. With that lovely wife and daughter you have.
Why, I think Mrs. Antrobus is the finest woman I ever saw.

FORTUNE TELLER: Give it a little more

SABINA: I wish I were like her.

ANTROBUS: There, there theres room for all kinds of people in the world.

SABINA: How wonderful of you to say that. How generous! Mr. Antrobus have you a moment
free? Im afraid I may be a little conspicuous here could you come down, just for a
moment, to my beach cabana?

FORTUNE TELLER: Thats it. Lean on it.

ANTROBUS: Well, uh just for a moment

SABINA: Theres a nice comfortable deck chair there. Because, you know, you do look tired.
Isnt it true, Mr. Antrobus: you work too hard?

FORTUNE TELLER: Bingo! (she exits)

SABINA: Now you come along and just stretch out in my cabana. I shant say a word, not a word. I shall
just sit there privileged.

ANTROBUS: Miss Fairweather youll spoil me.

(He moves in for an embrace. She stops the scene.)

SABINA: Just a minute I have something I need to say to the audience. Ladies and Gentlemen,
Im not going to play this particular scene tonight. Its just a short scene and were going
to skip it. But Ill tell you what happens and well move on from there.

ANTROBUS: But, Miss Somerset

SABINA: In this scene, I talk to Mr. Antrobus, and at the end of it he decides to leave his wife,
get a divorce at Reno, and marry me.

DIRECTOR: (voiceover) Miss Somerset, we insist on you playing this scene.

SABINA: Im sorry but I cant and I wont. Ive told the audience all they need to know.

DIRECTOR: And why cant you play it?

 29

SABINA: Because there are some lines in that scene that would hurt some peoples feelings
and I dont think the theatre is a place where peoples feelings ought to be hurt.

DIRECTOR: Miss Somerset, you can pack up your things and go home. I shall call the understudy
and I shall report you to Actors Equity.

SABINA: Ive sent the understudy up to the corner for a cup of coffee and if Equity tries to
penalize me Ill drag the case right up to the Supreme Court.

ANTROBUS: Whats wrong with the scene?

SABINA: Well, if you must know, I have a personal guest in the audience tonight. Her life hasnt
been exactly a happy one. I wouldnt have my friend hear some of those lines for the
world. I dont suppose it occurred to the author that some other women may have gone
through the experience of losing their husbands like this. Wild horses wouldnt drag
from me the details of my friends like, but well, theyd been married twenty years,
and before he got rich, why, shed done the washing and everything. As for the other
harrowing details, well

(A WOMAN IN THE AUDIENCE bursts into loud sobbing and rushes out of the theatre)

(pause)

Now everybodys nerves are on edge.

ANTROBUS: All right! Well skip the scene!

SABINA: Thank you. I knew youd understand. So Mr. Antrobus is going to divorce his wife and
marry me. Now, you say it wont be easy to lay all this before my wife.

ANTROBUS: I cant just jump back into it as easily as that. I say my wife is a very obstinate
woman hm then you say hm Miss Fairweather, I mean Lily, it wont be easy to
lay all this before my wife. Itll hurt her feelings a little.

SABINA: Listen, George: other people havent got feelings. Not in the same way that we have
we who are presidents like you and prize-winners like me. They just imagine they have.
Most people have no insides at all. Now that youre president, youll see that. Listen,
darling, theres a kind of secret society at the top of the world, like you and me, that
know this. The world was made for us. Whats life, anyway, except for two things
pleasure and power. Except for those two things, life is nau-se-ating. So, come here!

(she pulls him in to a kiss)

Now, when your wife comes, its really very simple. Just tell her.
 30

ANTROBUS: Lily youre a wonderful woman

SABINA: Of course I am.

(She pulls him offstage. There is a distant roll of thunder and a second light on the
weather signal turns on. MRS ANTROBUS enters, carrying a raincoat)

MRS ANTROBUS: Gladys! Henry! George!

(GLADYS enters. She is wearing bright red stockings)

GLADYS: Here I am, mama.

MRS ANTROBUS: Gladys Antrobus!! Where did you get those dreadful things?

GLADYS: Wha-a-at? Papa likes this color.

MRS ANTROBUS: You go back to the hotel this minute!

GLADYS: I wont. I wont. Papa likes this color!

MRS ANTROBUS: Fine. Suit yourself. Ive got a good mind to let your father see you that way.
You stay right here.

GLADYS: I I dont want to stay if if you dont think hed like them.

MRS ANTROBUS: Oh, its all one to me. I dont care what happens. I dont care if the biggest
storm in the whole world comes. Let it come. Wheres your brother?

GLADYS: (in a small voice) Hell be here.

MRS ANTROBUS: Will he? Well, let him get into trouble. I dont care. I dont know where your
father is, Im sure. What are you crying about?

GLADYS: You dont like my stockings.

(BROADCAST OFFICIAL enters hurriedly, placing a microphone. MRS ANTROBUS

calmly places her raincoat over GLADYS legs)

OFFICIAL: Mrs. Antrobus! Thank God I found you at last. Wheres Mr. Antrobus? Weve been
hunting everywhere. Its almost time for his broadcast to the conventions of the world.

MRS ANTROBUS: I expect hell be here any minute.

 31

OFFICIAL: If he doesnt show up in time, youll need to broadcast in his place. Its the most
important broadcast of the year!

MRS ANTROBUS: No, I shant. I havent one single thing to say.

OFFICIAL: Then help us find him, Mrs. Antrobus, a storms coming up. A deluge!

GLADYS: There he is!

(MR ANTROBUS enters, followed by SABINA. He has lipstick marks on his face.)

OFFICIAL: In the name of God, Mr. Antrobus, youre on the air in five minutes! Come and test
the instrument. Just say the alphabet slowly.

ANTROBUS: Ill be ready when the time comes. Until then, I have something to say to my wife.

OFFICIAL: But, Mr. Antrobus, this is the most important broadcast of the year!

SABINA: (whispering behind ANTROBUS) Dont let her argue. Remember arguments have
nothing to do with it.

ANTROBUS: Maggie, Im moving out of the hotel. In fact, Im moving out of everything. For
good. Im going to marry Miss Fairweather. I shall provide generously for you and the
children. In a few years youll be able to see that its all for the best. Thats all I
have to say.

MRS ANTROBUS: (composed, with eyes lowered) George, I cant talk to you until you wipe
those silly red marks off your face.

ANTROBUS: Theres nothing to talk about. Ive said what I have to say.

SABINA: Splendid!!

ANTROBUS: Youre a fine woman, Maggie, but I man has his own life to lead in the world.

SABINA: Tell her that conversation would only hurt her feelings. Its-kinder-in-the-long-run-
to-do-it-short-and-quick.

(Thunder. The third light on the signal turns on)

OFFICIAL: Mr. Antrobus, the hurricane signals gone up! We need to begin right now!

MRS ANTROBUS: (calmly, almost dreamily) I didnt marry you because you were perfect,
 32

George. I didnt even marry you because I loved you. I married you because
you gave me a promise. That promise made up for your faults. And the promise
I gave you made up for mine. Two imperfect people got married and it was the
promise that made the marriage.

ANTROBUS: Maggie, I was only nineteen.

MRS ANTROBUS: And when our children were growing up, it wasnt a house that protected
them; and it wasnt our love that protected them it was that promise. And when
that promise is broken this can happen.

(She sweeps the raincoat off GLADYS stockings)

ANTROBUS: Gladys!!! Have you gone crazy? Has everyone gone crazy? (turning on SABINA)
You did this! You gave them to her!

SABINA: I never said a word to her.

ANTROBUS: (to GLADYS) You go back to the hotel and take those horrible things off.

MRS ANTROBUS: Stop you noise. Ill take her back myself. But before I go, I have a letter
I have a message to throw into the ocean (fumbling in her bag) Where is the
plagued thing? Here it is.

(She flings something invisible to us far over the heads of the audience)

Its a bottle. And in the bottles a letter. And in the letter is written all the things that a
woman knows. Its never been told to anyone, and if it finds its destination, a new time
will come. Were not what books and plays say we are. Were not what advertisements
say we are. Were not in the movies and were not on the radio. Were not what youre
all told and what you think we are: were ourselves. And if any man can find one of us
hell learn why the universe was set in motion. And if any man harm any of us, his soul
the only soul hes got had better be at the bottom of the ocean and thats the only
way to put it. Come on, Gladys, were going back to the hotel.

(MRS ANTROBUS exits. GLADYS begins to follow, then turn back to ANTROBUS)

GLADYS: Before I go, Ive got something to tell you. Its about Henry. I think you ought to know
that Henry hit a man with a stone. He hit one of those colored men that rent the
bicycles and the mans very sick. Henry ran away and hid and some policemen are
looking for him very hard. And I dont care a bit if you dont want to have anything to
do with Mama and me, because Ill never like you again and I hope nobody ever likes
you again. So there. (She exits)
 33

ANTROBUS: I I have to go and see what I can do about this.

SABINA: You stay right here. Dont go now while youre excited. Gracious sakes, all these
things will be forgotten in a hundred years. Come now, youre on the air.

OFFICIAL: Thank you, Miss Fairweather! Thank you very much.

(SABINA leads ANTROBUS to the microphone)

SABINA: Just say anything it doesnt matter what. Just a lot of birds and fishes and things.

OFFICIAL: Ready, Mr. Antrobus!

ANTROBUS: What is it? What is it? Who am I talking to?

OFFICIAL: Why, Mr. Antrobus! To our order and to all the other orders of the world!

ANTROBUS: (raising his head) What are all those birds doing?

OFFICIAL: Those are just a few of the birds. Theyre delegates to our convention two of a kind.

ANTROBUS: (pointing into the audience) Look at the water. Look at them all. Those fishes
jumping. The children should see this! Theres Maggies whales!! Here are your whales,
Maggie.

OFFICIAL: Ten nine eight

ANTROBUS: And look at the beach! You didnt tell me these would be here!

SABINA: Yes, George. Those are the animals.

OFFICIAL. The vertebrates. We hope the lion will have a word to say when youre through.
Quickly, Mr. Antrobus well just have time before the storm. Two one!

(pause)

Theyre waiting.

ANTROBUS: Friends. Cousins. Fourscore and ten million years ago our forefathers brought
forth upon this planet the spark of life!

(Thunder and darkness. The fourth light of the weather signal blinks a deep red and
a distant siren grows. The BROADCAST OFFICIAL disappears and, in a flash of lightning,
the FORTUNE TELLER appears beside MR. ANTROBUS)
 34

FORTUNE TELLER: Antrobus, theres not a minute to lose. Dont you see the four lights on
the signal? Take your family into that boat at the end of the pier.

ANTROBUS: My family? I have no family. Maggie! Maggie! They wont come.

FORTUNE TELLER: Theyll come, Antrobus! Take these animals into the boat with you. All
of them two of each kind.

SABINA: George! Whats the matter with you? This is just a storm like any other.

ANTROBUS: Maggie!

SABINA: Stay with me, well go (losing conviction) This is just a little thunderstorm, isnt it?
Isnt it?

ANTROBUS: Maggie!

(MRS ANTROBUS and GLADYS enter)

MRS ANTROBUS: (matter-of-fact) Here I am and heres Gladys.

ANTROBUS: Where have you been? Quick, were going into that boat out there.

MRS ANTROBUS: I know we are. But I havent found Henry.

(MRS ANTROBUS wanders off, calling for Henry)

SABINA: I dont believe its anything at all. Ive seen hundred of storms like this!

FORTUNE TELLER: Not a minute to lose! Go push the animals along! Start a new world!
Begin again!

SABINA: Esmeralda! George!

(ANTROBUS crosses to the forestage, addressing unseen animals)

ANTROBUS: Elephants, first. Gently, gently watch where youre going. Is the kangaroo
there? There you are! Take those turtles in your pouch.

GLADYS: Look, Papa! the snakes!

(MRS ANTROBUS crosses the stage, calling for Henry)

 35

ANTROBUS: Go along, go along climb on their backs.

SABINA: Mr. Antrobus, take me with you! Dont leave me here. Ill work. Ill help. Ill do
anything!

ANTROBUS: Wolves! Jackals, - whatever you are, - tend to your own business!

GLADYS: Oh, Papa! Look!

(The two CONVEEVERS drunkenly cross the stage)

CONV 2: Georgie!!... What are scared of, George?

CONV 1: (imitating ANTROBUS) Maggie, Maggie, wheres my umbrella?

(They exit laughing. MRS ANTROBUS re-enters)

GLADYS: Mama! Papa! Hurry, the piers cracking!

(The Bingo Parlor glows ghastly)

BINGO CALLER: N forty-two; N forty-two; G seventeen; G seventeen (etc)

ANTROBUS: Come on, Maggie! The piers going to break any minute!

MRS ANTROBUS: Not without Henry! (calling) Henry! Henry! Cain! Cain!

(HENRY dashes on stage)

HENRY: Here I am, Mama!

MRS ANTROBUS: Thank God! (embraces him)

HENRY: I didnt think you wanted me.

MRS ANTROBUS: Now, come quick!

SABINA: Mrs. Antrobus, take me! Dont you remember me? Ill work. Ill help. Dont leave me
here!

MRS ANTROBUS: All right. Theres a lot of work to be done. Just hurry.

(They exit off the forestage. FORTUNE TELLER calls after SABINA)
 36

FORTUNE TELLER: Back to the kitchen with you!

(Thunder, lightning, and the sound of the pier cracking. The CONVEENERS rush
on, terrified)

CONV 1: Get a canoe! Get a canoe!

CONV 2: (to the FORTUNE TELLER) Help us! Tell us our fortune!

FORTUNE TELLER: Paddle in the water, boys enjoy yourselves!

(The CONVEENERS regard each other quickly, then desperately kiss and rush off
the stage. The FORTUNE TELLER emits a hearty laugh then calls after them,
eventually turning her focus toward the audience)

Go back and climb on your roofs! Put rags under the doors nothing will keep
out the flood. Youve had your chance. Youve had your day. Youve failed. Youve
lost.

(She turns and looks out to sea in the direction in which the Antrobuses left)

Theyre safe! George Antrobus! Think it over! A new world to make. Think it over!

BINGO CALLER: C twenty-four

FORTUNE TELLER: Bingo!!!

(The deluge hits. Lights, chaos, thunder and roaring water. The end of the world. As the
boardwalk disappears, the sounds morph into those of violent war; missiles, machine
guns and a blinding nuclear blast.)

Blackout
 37

ACT THREE

The Antrobus home. It has been devastated by war. Furniture is overturned,

the front door hangs off its hinges, and the center wall leans precariously
forward. The television screen is shattered and there is rubble strewn throughout.

Lights up to reveal SABINA standing center. She is again dressed in her maids
uniform but wears a gun on a holster and perhaps a gas mask. She carries the
same bell she used at the end of Act One)

(pause)

SABINA: The wars over. (rings her bell) The War Is Over! Mrs. Annnntrobus! Glaaadys!
You can come out now. The wars over. The peace treatys been signed. Mr. Antrobus
will be home this afternoon. I just saw him downtown. He says that now that the wars
over, well all have to settle down and be perfect. Mrs. Antrobus? Gladys? Hmph are
they dead too? Maybe theyre just hiding out in back.

(SABINA exits into the kitchen, calling for Mrs. Antrobus and Gladys and ringing her
bell.)

(Pause)

(A trap door in the stage slowly rises. Cautiously, MRS ANTROBUS appears from it,
disheveled and smudged)

MRS ANTROBUS: Its getting light. Theres still something burning out there Newark, or
Jersey City. I could have sworn I heard someone moving about up here. But I cant
see anybody. I cant see anybody

(MRS ANTROBUS climbs out of the trap. GLADYS emerges. She wears a shawl over
her head and holds a baby in swaddling cloth.)

GLADYS: Oh, Mama. Be careful!

MRS ANTROBUS: Now, Gladys, you stay out of sight.

GLADYS: But I want the baby to get some fresh air.

MRS ANTROBUS: All right, but keep your eyes open. Ill see what I can find. Ill have a good
hot plate of soup for you before you can say Jack Robinson.

(MRS ANTROBUS crosses down to an unseen window. Gasps.)

 38

Why, Gladys Antrobus! Do you know what I think I see? Theres old Mr. Hawkins
in front of the A and P store. Sweeping it with a broom. Why, he must have gone
crazy, like the others. I see some other people moving about, too.

GLADYS: Mama, come back, come back.

MRS ANTROBUS: Gladys, theres something in the air. Everybodys moving sort of differently.
I see some women walking right in the middle of the street.

SABINA: (offstage) Mrs. Antrobus. Gladys.

GLADYS: Whats that?!

MRS ANTROBUS: Why, thats Sabinas voice, as sure as I live! Sabina! Sabina!

(SABINA enters)

Sabina! Youre alive!

SABINA: Of course Im alive. Howve you girls been?

MRS ANTROBUS: (moving toward her) Oh, Sabina!

SABINA: Dont hug me. Pull yourself together. The wars over.

MRS ANTROBUS: The wars over?? Oh, I dont believe you - I cant believe you. Gladys,
Sabina says the war is over!

(The baby cries)

SABINA: Whats that?

MRS ANTROBUS: Thats Gladys baby.

SABINA: Goodness! Are there any babies left in the world? Can it see? And can it cry and
everything?

GLADYS: Yes, he can. He notices everything very well.

SABINA: Where on earth did you get it? Oh, I wont ask. Now, weve got to think about
the men coming home. Mrs. Antrobus, go and wash your face. Im ashamed of you. Mr.
Antrobus will be here this afternoon. I just saw him downtown.
 39

GLADYS: Hes alive!!

MRS ANTROBUS: Sabina, are you joking?

GLADYS: Hell be here?

MRS ANTROBUS: And Henry??

SABINA: (dryly) Yes. Henrys alive too. Or so they say.

MRS ANTROBUS: But Sabina, who won the war?

SABINA: Dont stop to talk. Get yourselves fixed up. Gladys, you look terrible.

GLADYS: Sabina, how soon after peacetime begins does the milkman start coming again?

SABINA: As soon as he catches a cow. Give him time to catch a cow, dear.

(GLADYS exits into the trap. A distant whistle blows)

Oh my God, whats that silly noise?

MRS ANTROBUS: Why it sounds like it sounds like what used to be the noon whistle at
the shoe polish factory!

(MRS ANTROBUS exits into the trap)

SABINA: Thats what it is. Seems to me like peacetimes coming along pretty fast shoe
polish! (talking down into the trap) Mrs Antrobus, guess what I saw Mr. Antrobus
doing this morning? He was tacking up a piece of paper on the door of the Town Hall.
Youll die when you hear it was a recipe for grass soup; for a grass soup that doesnt
give you diarrhea. Mr. Antrobus is always thinking up new things. Hes got all sorts of
ideas for peacetime, he says. No more laziness and idiocy, he says. And, oh, yes! Where
are his books? Pass them up. The first thing he wants to see are his books. He says if
youve burnt those books, or if the rats have eaten them, he says it isnt worthwhile
starting over again. Everyones going to be beautiful, he says, and diligent, and very
intelligent.

(MRS ANTROBUS starts tossing books up from the trap)

What language is that? Pugh, German! And hes got such plans for you, Mrs.
Antrobus. Youre going to study history and algebra and so are Gladys and I and
philosophy. You should hear him talk. (examining more books) Well, these are in English,
anyway. To hear him talk, Mrs. Antrobus, seems like he expects you to be a combination
 40

of a saint and a college professor, and a dance hall hostess, if you know what I mean.
Yes, peace will be here before we know it. In a week or two, well be playing bridge.
Well turn on the radio and hear how to be big successes with a new toothpaste. Well
trot down to the movies and see how girls with wax faces live. All that will begin again.
Oh, Mrs. Antrobus, God forgive me but I enjoyed the war. Everybodys at their best in
wartime. Im sorry its over. And, oh, I forgot! Mr. Antrobus has a message for you can
you hear me?

(HENRY slowly enters, unseen by SABINA. He is tattered and militant, and wears a
gun in a holster.)

Listen! Henrys not to step foot in this house again, he says. Hell kill Henry on sight if
he sees him. You dont know about Henry??? Well, where have you been? What? Well,
Henry rose right to the top. Top of what? Listen, Im telling you. Henry rose from
corporal to captain, to major, to general. I dont know how to say this, but the enemy is
Henry. Henry is the enemy. Everybody knows that.

HENRY: Hell kill me, wont he?

SABINA: Who are you? Im not afraid of you. The wars over.

HENRY: Ill kill him first. Ive spent seven years trying to find him; the others I killed were just
substitutes.

SABINA: Goodness! Its Henry! Im not afraid of you. The wars over, Henry Antrobus, and
youre not any more important than any other unemployed. Now go away and hide
yourself until we calm your father down.

HENRY: The first thing to do is burn those books. Its the ideas he gets from those old books
that that makes the whole world so you cant live in it!

(HENRY begins to kick and stomp on the books, quickly losing strength)

SABINA: You leave those books alone! Mr. Antrobus is looking forward to them especially!

(HENRY collapses)

Gracious sakes, Henry, youre so tired you cant stand up. Your mother and sisterll
be here in a minute and then well think about what to do with you.

HENRY: What did they ever care about me?

SABINA: Theres that old whine again. All you people think youre not loved enough, nobody
loves you. Well, you start being lovable and then well love you.
 41

HENRY: I dont want anybody to love me!!

SABINA: Then stop talking about it all the time.

HENRY: I never talk about it. The last thing I want is for anybody to pay attention to me.

SABINA: I can hear it behind every word you say.

HENRY: I want everybody to hate me.

SABINA: Yes, youve decided thats second best, but its still the same thing. Mrs. Antrobus!
Henrys here! Hes so tired he cant stand up.

(MRS ANTROBUS and GLADYS, with her baby, emerge from the trap)

GLADYS: Henry!!
MRS. ANTROBUS: Henry! Henry!

HENRY: Do you have anything to eat?

MRS ANTROBUS: Of course, Henry. Ive been saving it for this very day. Two good baked
potatoes. One of them is for your father.

(HENRY rushes at her, grabbing both potatoes)

Henry!! Give me that other potato back this minute!

SABINA: Hes so dog tired he doesnt know what hes doing.

MRS ANTROBUS: Eat that potato good and slow, so you can get all the nourishment out
of it. Now you just rest there until I can get your room ready.

HENRY: I havent come back here to live.

MRS ANTROBUS: Your rooms hardly damaged at all. Your football trophies are a little
tarnished but well polish them right up.

HENRY: Did you hear me? I dont live here. I dont belong to anybody. (falling asleep)

MRS ANTROBUS: Why, how can you say a thing like that? You certainly do belong right
here. Where else would you want to go? Youd better give me that gun, Henry.
You wont need that anymore.
 42

(MRS ANTROBUS carefully slides the gun from HENRYs holster)

GLADYS: Look, hes fallen asleep already, with his potato half-chewed.

SABINA: Puh! The terror of the world.

MRS ANTROBUS: Sabina, mind your own business, and start putting the room together.

(SABINA closes the trap and straightens the furniture as MRS ANTROBUS neatly
gathers the books and GLADYS rocks her baby)

SABINA: Thats all we do always beginning again! Over and over. How do we know that
itll be any better than before? Why do we go on pretending? Some day the whole
earths going to burn up anyway, and until that time, all those other thingsll be
happening again: more wars and walls of ice and floods and earthquakes

MRS ANTROBUS: Sabina! Stop arguing and go on with your work.

SABINA: All right, Ill go on just out of habit, but I wont believe in it.

MRS ANTROBUS: Now, Ive let you talk long enough I dont want to hear any more of it.
Do I have to explain to you what everybody else already knows everybody who keeps
a home going? Do I have to say what nobody should ever have to say, because they can
read it in each others eyes? Now listen to me: I could live for seventy years in a cellar
making soup out of grass and bark, without ever doubting that this world has work to do
and will do it?

(With a mighty heft, MRS ANTROBUS pushes the center wall back into place)

Do you hear me?

SABINA: (frightened) Yes, Mrs. Antrobus.

MRS ANTROBUS: Do you see this house 216 Cedar Street do you see it?

SABINA: Yes, Mrs. Antrobus.

MRS ANTROBUS: Well, just to have known this house is to have seen what this world can do
some day, if we keep our wits about us. Too many people have suffered and dies for
us to start reneging now. So well go on putting this house to rights. Now go and see
what you can do in the kitchen.

SABINA: Yes, Mrs. Antrobus.

 43

(SABINA exits into the kitchen. HENRY begins to murmur in his sleep)

HENRY: Comrades what have they done for us? Blocked our way at every step kept
everything in their own hands and youve stood it when are you going to
wake up?

MRS ANTROBUS: Sh, Henry. Go to sleep. Go to sleep. Come on, Gladys, lets go help
Sabina.

GLADYS: Mama, Im going out into the back yard and hold the baby right up to the light.
And show him that we dont have to be afraid anymore.

MRS ANTROBUS: (without conviction) Thats right.

(MRS ANTROBUS exits into the kitchen. GLADYS gives a hopeful look at her
baby, then follows. After a moment, MR. ANTROBUS enters carefully through
the front door. He is exhausted and wears a weathered overcoat. He surveys
the room until he hears HENRY talking in his sleep. Slowly and purposefully,
he draws a gun from his pocket and aims it at his son)

HENRY: What have you got to lose?... What have they done for us?... nothing! Tear
everything down well begin again and well show them

(HENRY awakes with a start, sees his father and scrambles to his feet. He reaches
quickly for his gun and finds it gone. A moment of standoff)

Dont think Im afraid of you. Do what you were going to do. Do it. You dont have to
think Im any relation of yours. I havent got a father or mother and I dont want any. Im
alone and thats all I want to be. So you can just shoot me.

ANTROBUS: Youre the last person I wanted to see. The sight of you dries up all my plans and
hopes. I wish I were back at war, because its easier to fight you than to live with you.
Wars a pleasure compared to what faces us now trying to build up a peacetime with
you in the middle.

HENRY: Im not going to be a part of any peacetime of yours. Im going a long way from here
and make my own world thats fit for a man to live in. Where a man can be free - and
have a chance.

(A moment. ANTROBUS throws down his gun.)

ANTROBUS: Henry lets try again.

HENRY: Try what? Living here? Speaking politely downtown to all the old men like you?
 44

Standing like sheep at the street-corner until the light turns green? Being a good
boy and a good sheep, like all the stinking ideas you get from your books. Oh, no.
Ill make a world, and Ill show you.

ANTROBUS: How can you make a world for people to live in until youve first put order in
yourself? Mark my words: I shall continue fighting you until my last breath as long as
you mix up your idea of liberty with your idea of begging everything for yourself. I shall
have no pity on you. You and I want the same thing: but until you think of it as
something everyone has a right to, you are my enemy and I shall destroy you.

MRS ANTROBUS: (calling from offstage) George? Is that you?

ANTROBUS: Thats your mothers voice in the kitchen. Have you seen her yet?

HENRY: I have no mother. I have no home.

ANTROBUS: Then why did you come here? With the whole world to choose from, why did
you come to this one place 216 Cedar Street; Excelsior, New Jersey well?

HENRY: So what if I did? What if I wanted to look at it once more, to see if

ANTROBUS: Oh, youre related all right. When your mother comes in, you must behave
yourself.

HENRY: (wildly) What is this? must behave yourself? Dont you say must to me! All my
life, everybodys been crossing me everybody, all of you! Im going to be free even if
I half to kill half the world for it - Now!!

(HENRY lunges at his fathers throat. SABINA and MRS ANTROBUS rush in from the
kitchen, calling the actors by their real names and pulling them apart)

SABINA: Stop! Stop the play! Dont play this scene you know what happened last night.
Stop the play!!

(The men fall back, panting. HENRY covers his face with his hands.)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I forbid these men to play this scene. Last night, the boy
nearly killed him.

HENRY: Its true. Im sorry. I dont know what comes over me. I have nothing against him
personally. I respect his talent very much. I I admire him, but but something comes
over me. Its like Im fifteen again. My father and my uncle used to whip me and lock me
up every night. They tried to prevent my living at all
 45

MRS ANTROBUS: Go on, dear say it all

HENRY: In this scene, its like Im back in High School. Like I have some big emptiness inside of
me. The emptiness of being hated and blocked at every turn. And that emptiness fills
me with the one thought that you have to strike and fight and kill. That you have to kill
somebody else so as not to kill yourself.

(pause)

SABINA: Oh, Bullshit. I know your father and your uncle and your mother. They did everything
they could for you. They never locked you up. You imagined all that.

HENRY: They did! They did! They wished I had never been born!

SABINA: Thats not true!

ANTROBUS: I have something to say. Its not his fault if he wants to strangle me in this scene.
Its my fault too. He wouldnt feel that way unless there was something in me that
reminded him of all that. He talks about emptiness. Well, theres an emptiness in me
too. Yes work, work, work thats all I do. Ive stopped living.

MRS ANTROBUS: There at last youve said it.

SABINA: Were all as wicked as can be.

MRS ANTROBUS: (to HENRY) Come; come and put your head under some cold water.

SABINA: No, Ill take him. You have to go on with the play. Ive known him a long time. Come.

HENRY: Thanks. Ill be all right tomorrow. I promise.

(SABINA leads HENRY off into the kitchen)

(Silence. MR and MRS ANTROBUS take a deep breath. MRS ATROBUS moves
slowly to the forestage)

MRS ANTROBUS: Lights are coming on. The first in seven years. People are walking up and
down looking at them. Over at the Hawkins, theyve built a bonfire to celebrate the
peace. Theyre dancing around it like scarecrows. As though they havent seen enough
things burning.

ANTROBUS: Maggie. Ive lost it. Ive lost it.

MRS ANTROBUS: What, George? What have you lost?

 46

ANTROBUS: The most important thing of all: the desire to begin again. To start rebuilding.

MRS ANTROBUS: It will come back.

ANTROBUS: Right now, I feel like all those people dancing around the bonfire just relief.
Just the desire to settle down; to slip into the old grooves and keep the neighbors
from walking all over my lawn. Hm But during the war in the middle of all that
blood and dirt and hot and cold every day and night, Id have moments, Maggie,
when I saw the things that we could do when it was over. When youre at war, you
think about a better life; when youre at peace, you think about a more comfortable
one. - Ive lost it. I feel sick and tired.

MRS ANTROBUS: Listen, George; when Gladys and I were living here like moles, like rats
the only thing we clung to was that you were going to bring something good out of
all this suffering. In the night, in the dark, wed whisper about it; starving and sick
Oh, George, youll have to get it back again. Think! What else kept us alive all these
years? Even now, its not comfort we want. We can suffer whatevers necessary
just give us back that promise.

(Stars appear above the house.)

ANTROBUS: Now I remember what three things always went together when I was able to
see things most clearly during the war. Three things. The voice of the people in their
confusion and their need. And the thought of you and the children and this house. And
Maggie? I didnt dare ask you my books? They havent been lost, have they?

MRS ANTROBUS: No, George theyre right here.

(She hands him his books. He looks through them during the following)

ANTROBUS: Yes Remember, we almost lost them once before? And when we finally did
collect a few torn copies out of old cellars, they ran in everyones head like a fever. They
as good as rebuilt the world.
Ive never forgotten that living is struggle. I know that every good and excellent
thing in the world stands moment by moment on the razor-edge of danger and must be
fought for whether its a field, or a home, or a country. All I ask is the chance to build
new worlds and God has always given us that second chance, and voices guide us; and
the memory of our mistakes to warn us. Maggie, you and I must remember in
peacetime all the resolves that were so clear to us in the days of war. Weve come a
long way, Maggie. Weve learned. Were learning. And the steps of our journey are
marked for us here.
Sometimes out there in the war standing all night on a hill Id try to
remember some of the words in these books. Parts of them and phrases would come
 47

back to me. And after a while, I gave names to the hours of the night. Nin oclock I used
to call Spinoza. Where is it: After experience had taught me

(Members of the ENSEMBLE appear in small pools of light. They are dressed in
vaguely contemporary street clothes)

ENS 1: That the common occurrences of daily life are vain and futile: and I saw that all the
objects of my desire and fear were in themselves nothing good nor bad save as the
mind was affected by them.

ENS 2: I at length determined to search out whether there was something truly good and
communicable to man.

ENS 3: How will a man choose the ruler that shall rule over him? Will he not choose a man
who has first established order in himself, knowing that any decision that springs from
anger or vanity can by multiplied a thousand fold in its effects upon the citizens?

ENS 4: In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth; and the Earth was waste
and void; and the darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Lord said, let
there be light.

(Blackout. Lights up on SABINA, as she was at the start of the play)

SABINA: Oh, oh, oh. Six oclock and the master not home yet. Pray God nothing serious
happened to him crossing the Hudson. But I wouldnt be surprised. The whole
worlds at sixes and sevens, and why this house hasnt fallen down long ago is a miracle
to me.

This is where you came in. We have to go on for ages and ages yet. Go home. The end
of the play isnt written yet. Mr. and Mrs. Antrobus? Their heads are full of plans and
theyre as confident as the first day they began and they told me to tell you:
good night.