Tiegan Blake

‘A Doll’s House’ during lockdown

The same people. The same scene. The table has been moved back into the middle of the living room, as
during the day Torvald placed it in his office for extra workspace, a lamp is alight flickering on the table. The
door leading to the hall is locked shut, as it had been for months

[Mrs Linde is sitting at Torvald’s table, against regulations she has been living with the Helmer’s, idly turning
the pages of a book of which she had no interest in. She attempts to focus but is unable to concentrate, her
only thought was of the past and how her life had become even more mundane and dull. With no children
to care for, or her own home to keep in order, or a husband to tend to - her life felt obsolete.]

Mrs Linde [looking at her watch] : I do hope he hasn’t been caught out of curfew! There’s not much more
time - where is -[Listens anxiously]

Ah, finally.

[She rushes to unlock the door and cautiously peeks through the crack to peer into the hallway and sees
Krogstad looking down the hall and lets him in. She whispers:]

Come in - there’s no one here.

Krogstad [rushes in past the doorway] : What’s this about? We are taking a great risk. This is the last mask I
have before I have to find more. I’ll have you know they’re getting more pricey by the day.

[Holds up a note Mrs Linde left at home]

Mrs Linde: Well, Nils, let us have a talk

There are things you must understand.

Krogstad: There is nothing to understand - except that you are a heartless and greedy woman who threw
me over when someone richer was within your grasp?

Mrs Linde: Nils, what else could I do? My mother was quite helpless, she was soon to be stricken with the
disease and I could not wait for you, otherwise there would be no hope to afford her the care that she
needs.

Krogstad: Even so, you had no right to throw me over.

Mrs Linde: I had to break up with you Krogstad, but know it was not an easy decision but a necessary one.
My life in that year leeched away my very soul, my life, infecting me and has left me hollow. No one to care
for. No children to raise. I have nobody now, but I need someone.

Krogstad [softly] : When I lost you, it was just as if the very ground had given way under my feet. All alone,
when death came knocking at my door, I wish it had done its job. But no. Look at me now - a shipwrecked
man clinging to a spar.

Mrs Linde: Two alone, locked away is better than oneself clinging to a spar in solitude. Remaining sane in a
world as isolated as now is already demanding enough. We can stay together elsewhere.

Krogstad: This is a huge risk… no one is sure of who is infected. I have had it once before. I do not wish to
force this onto your shoulders. I can’t.

I must hurry - if the Helmer’s saw me here, they will blame you for corrupting their health.
Tiegan Blake

[He goes out by the front door. Careful to not be seen by people outside.]

Mrs Linde: [wiping the table and tidying the room a little. Talking to herself quietly.]
What a difference - what a difference! Someone to work for - live for. [Listens]

Ah, they’re back.

[Helmer’s and Nora’s voices are heard outside. The key turns and Helmer almost forcibly pulls Nora into the
room. Her dress is crumpled and dirty and her black-laced mask is lopsided, falling off her her nose and
mouth.]

Nora: [Still struggling at the doorway] I do beg you… I need to go out! The risk is the same! We have not
been out in months!

Helmer: What would you - a woman - know about something as complex as the spread of disease. My little
songbird, you know what we have agreed. Now come along in, and wash your hands before you infect the
children.

Nora: Kristina! Please tell Torvald about the news you read – the one about opening the streets again.

Mrs Linde: Yes, it does seem that people will be able to have small gatherings in the streets soon. Things
are getting better very quickly I’d say.

Helmer: The streets are not open now, and so Nora will not go out now. Simple. It is unfortunate that you
women cannot understand that.

Nora: [Ripping off her gloves and mask.] You will be very sorry you didn’t let me out, Torvald - even for just
half an hour. I still had my mask and gloves on – it wouldn’t have hurt anyone.

Torvald: Of course! How could you know – you know nothing about disease, after all, but you should know
that if you were seen outside, I would be made a laughing stock around town. I would be seen as the
husband who has given into his wife’s childish desires, rather than protecting her.

Nora [Frenzied and panicked] : Torvald I know, but I can’t any longer. I must go. I can’t –

Torvald: You don’t understand, and you never will. My reputation will be better without you here, even if I
am seen without a wife.

[Torvald leaves to his study]

Mrs Linde: Nora you know that you can’t go outside, why not just stay here? I will keep you company, and
we can tell stories to the children. They would love to hear stories – they haven’t been outside either.

Nora [Slumping towards the stove] : Things will never change then. Kristina, could you put the children to
bed please.

[Mrs Linde walks out of the room]