Fosse: Plays Six

SEA. A PLAY

Characters

THE SHIPMASTER

THE GUITAR PLAYER

THE WOMAN

THE OLDER MAN

THE OLDER WOMAN

THE MAN

Lights up

Two men (The Shipmaster and The Guitar Player) stand at short distance from each other, turned away from each other.

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Who are you

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

short pause

I told you

and I’ve told you so many times

and you’ve asked me about it

so many times

Why can’t you remember it

That I’m the shipmaster

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You are the shipmaster

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes as I said

quite short pause

and now I’ve said it again

And I don’t mind saying it one more time

I am the shipmaster

Quite short pause

And now

quite short pause

now you’ll remember it

and you won’t ask again

you remember it now

don’t you

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I’ll remember it now

You are the shipmaster

quite short pause

you’re the master of ships

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes that’s right

I’m the master of ships

Short pause

I’m the master

of this ship

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But is this a ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But there’s no sea here

THE SHIPMASTER

We’re on the sea

we’re on board a ship

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

no this can’t be a ship

And we’re not on the sea

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes we are

We’re on a ship

We’re on the sea

Pause

Or

pause

or

pause

or perhaps we’re not perhaps

pause

or

pause

or are you and I

the only ones here

Pause

No

no of course not

I did tell you

quite short pause

yes that we’re on board a ship

And I am the shipmaster

And there are many people here

Quite short pause

It’s a big ship

And on a big ship

there are many people

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And where are the others

THE SHIPMASTER

They are here

they’ll come soon

Quite short pause

Because they are here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But they’re not here now

THE SHIPMASTER

They are here

quite short pause

they’re on board the ship

yes

like you and me

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

Short pause

But I don’t see anyone

THE SHIPMASTER

They’re here just the same

quite short pause

there are many here

there are many many here

quite short pause

it’s not only you and me

who are here

if that’s what you think

quite short pause

your mother and your father

are here

yes for instance

quite short pause

and my mother

and my father

are here

quite short pause

many

many

all

quite short pause

yes some people are here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

It’s not like that

it’s only you and me

who are here

THE SHIPMASTER

And you think that’s what it’s like

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes okay

Pause. A woman (The Woman) enters, stops, stands and down

THE GUITAR PLAYER

That’s what it’s like

it’s just you and me here

No one else

THE SHIPMASTER

I hear what you’re saying

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Of course you do

Short pause

But

quite short pause

yes which ship are we on

which ship are you the master of

An older man (The Older Man) enters, stops, stands and looks down

THE SHIPMASTER

I’m the master of this ship

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

This ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

THE GUITAR PLAYER

So this is a ship

THE SHIPMASTER

I’ve told you

I told you just now

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

quite short pause

but still

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Can we talk about something else

THE SHIPMASTER

About what

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I don’t know

Where the others are for instance

THE SHIPMASTER

Where the others are

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

The others are around

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes exactly

We are here

you and I

no one else is here

Yet there are others here somehow

somewhere around

And somehow

yes

we’re on a ship

Short pause

But you’ve been on board many ships

An older woman (The Older Woman) enters, stops, stands and looks down

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You’ve been the master of many ships

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Sailing on the seven seas

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

quite short pause

yes on the seven seas

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But now you’re here

quite short pause

yes I mean

here

here where I am

And it’s not a ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes I’m here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And you’re the master of ships

that sail the seven seas

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes I am

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But you can’t do that here

THE SHIPMASTER

But we are on a ship

we are on the sea

Quite short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But there’s no sea here

And this is no ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Well then

THE GUITAR PLAYER

hesitates

Well

quite short pause

yes

yes perhaps we are on a sea

perhaps this is the sea

becomes happy

because we’re on the sea

right

isn’t that right

Quite short pause

Perhaps that’s how it is

Quite short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes that’s how it is

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

That’s what the sea’s like

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

quite short pause

yes perhaps that’s how it is

THE SHIPMASTER

We’re on the sea

We’re on a ship

Or perhaps we’re not

Because there’s no one else here

quite short pause

and on a ship

there are many people

THE GUITAR PLAYER

questioningly

There’s no one else here

THE SHIPMASTER

No

quite short pause

or perhaps

perhaps there are some others here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But you just said

that that there were many here

that’s what you said

and you said

yes yes that we were on the sea

I don’t understand you

It was you who said we were on the sea

that we were on board a ship

You were so sure

just now

quite short pause

and then

yes finally

yes I believed you

yes I believed we were on the sea

that we were on board a ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Pause

And we are

We are on a ship

That’s how it is

I’m the shipmaster

and now we’re on the sea

And if you want

I can tell you where on the sea we are

how far north we are

how far east we are

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Are we northbound

I thought we were southbound

THE SHIPMASTER

You should know things like that

not think

Short pause. A man (The Man) enters, stops, stands and looks down

Haven’t you been

on the sea before

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

quite short pause

no I haven’t

THE SHIPMASTER

Yet you were so sure

that this is not the sea

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

You shouldn’t have been

so sure about it

The Shipmaster and The Guitar Player move further away from each other. Long pause. The Shipmaster talks into space

I am the shipmaster

Pause

I am the master of ships

big ships

quite short pause

I have sailed ships

across the seven seas

big ships

little ships

quite short pause

through storms and calm waters

THE GUITAR PLAYER

talks into space

Do you like the sea

THE SHIPMASTER

I like the sea

and I don’t like it

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Don’t you want to talk about it

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes of course

THE GUITAR PLAYER

So answer me

say one or the other

THE SHIPMASTER

I like the sea

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Why do you like it

THE SHIPMASTER

It’s not possible to say

why I like it

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Why not

THE SHIPMASTER

Because the sea’s not like that

quite short pause

the sea is

yes

yes not something you like or don’t like

yes in a way

the sea is just something that is

quite short pause

and it is

yes a little like I am myself

it’s as calm and happy and beautiful

yes as the calm sea

can only be

and then it’s

tricky and tough

and furious

yes as only the sea can be

quite short pause

and then

yes quite commonly

it’s grey and cross

and minding its own business

quite short pause

yes that’s the way of the sea

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And is it like that here

THE SHIPMASTER

No

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But still

yes this place does look like

the sea

still we are on the sea

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes it does

Yes we are on the sea

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But here there are neither

storms nor calm waters

quite short pause

here there’s just nothing

THE SHIPMASTER

But that too is the way of the sea

yes

yes in its way

that’s what it’s like

Short pause

Yes perhaps it is like that

Pause

That’s the way of the sea

Quite short pause

And I’ve been on the sea

since I was quite young

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But why are you and I

the only ones here

THE SHIPMASTER

It’s not like that

THE MAN

I’m here

Pause. The Man sees The Woman and walks towards her

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

no perhaps it’s not like that

Long pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the master of ships

I sail on the seven seas

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

Pause

THE MAN

to The Woman

But how nice to see you

Quite short pause

I’ve been waiting for you

quite short pause

yes it feels as if

I’ve been waiting

all these years

quite short pause

and then

then you just stand there

yes so suddenly

THE WOMAN

Yes good to see you

THE MAN

To think we’d meet here

THE WOMAN

Do we know each other

THE MAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes I suppose we do

in a way at least

we know each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes you’re probably right

Short pause

But we’ve never met each other before

THE MAN

No

quite short pause

no perhaps not

THE WOMAN

No we never have

met each other have we

THE MAN

Not like this

quite short pause

at least

but in another way

in its own way

we have known each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

yes perhaps

THE MAN

We’ve known each other

yes

yes in the sense

that we’ve always been looking for each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

Always

Short pause

And now

now we’ve finally

found each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE MAN

Now we’ve found the way to each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes perhaps it is like that

THE MAN

It is like that

you mustn’t doubt

for if you doubt

yes

yes then it won’t be like that

THE WOMAN

Can it really be like that

THE MAN

Yes

Yes I

you

we

quite short pause

we decide ourselves

how it will be

Pause

THE WOMAN

But it can’t be like that

quite short pause

it’ll be what it’ll be

quite short pause

you and I

don’t decide

quite short pause

it’s not like that

THE MAN

afraid

You mustn’t say that

Pause

THE WOMAN

questioningly

I shouldn’t say that

THE MAN

No

Pause

You mustn’t say that

quite short pause

not now

not when you and I

have found each other

have finally found the way to each other

Short pause

Aren’t you happy

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes I’m very happy

The Woman goes to The Man and kisses his cheek and they take each other’s hands, they stand and hold hands. Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And I am the guitar player

THE SHIPMASTER

But why is there no one here

quite short pause

just you

just me

THE GUITAR PLAYER

questioningly

There’s no one here

THE SHIPMASTER

No

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

I’m here

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

We’re on a ship

and I’m the master of the ship

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m here

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

This is not a ship

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

And who are you

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Who I am

I’ve told you so many times

I’ve told you who I am

I am the guitar player

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Pause. The Older Man looks at The Older Woman

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I play the most beautiful guitar music

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

But there you are

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m here

I’ve been here all the time

yes

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

Good

glad you’re here

Short pause

I

quite short pause

yes I didn’t see you

quite short pause

I didn’t seem to notice you

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

But where are we

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t know

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t think I’ve been here before

THE OLDER MAN

No

quite short pause

no it doesn’t feel familiar

quite short pause

I don’t think I’ve been here before

quite short pause

or

THE OLDER WOMAN

Me neither

Quite short pause

But it’s good that we’re here together

you and I

you and I

like always

Quite short pause

THE OLDER MAN

But why are you just standing

there

so far away from me

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m just standing here

THE OLDER MAN

Why don’t you come

over here to me

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes okay

yes of course

Short pause

I could do that of course

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

Why don’t you come then

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes I’m coming

Quite short pause

If you weren’t here with me

I’d have been very scared

quite short pause

because here

quite short pause

because here

I haven’t been here before

and it’s so

breaks off

THE OLDER MAN

But I’m with you

I’ll always be with you

yes

THE OLDER WOMAN

It’s as if I’m waking up

and suddenly I’m somewhere else

THE OLDER MAN

Is this somewhere else

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

yes it is isn’t it

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

it is

THE OLDER MAN

This is nowhere somehow

and then somehow it’s still

somewhere

THE OLDER WOMAN

continues

that is and that isn’t

at the same time

THE OLDER MAN

You’re just talking now

THE OLDER WOMAN

Just talking

THE OLDER MAN

Yes you’re just saying things

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

There’s nothing to see here

THE OLDER MAN

No

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

And is there someone here

THE OLDER MAN

It doesn’t feel like it

THE OLDER WOMAN

Can you see anyone

THE OLDER MAN

No

no no one

There’s no one here

just us

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m scared

THE OLDER MAN

It doesn’t feel dangerous

THE OLDER WOMAN

No it can’t be dangerous

can it

THE OLDER MAN

This is just somewhere to be

The Older Man walks forward a little, he looks around, stops, he turns towards The Older Woman

There’s someone here

I think there’s someone here

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

Pause. The Shipmaster turns towards The Older Man

THE SHIPMASTER

Oh Dad

Are you here

I haven’t seen you for a long time

Dad

The Shipmaster turns to The Older Woman

And you

Mum

How lovely to see you again

Pause. The Older Man and The Older Woman look bewildered at each other

THE OLDER WOMAN

to The Older Man

Why don’t you come over here to me

THE OLDER MAN

Yes okay

The Older Man walks over to The Older Woman

THE OLDER WOMAN

Touch me

I’m so scared

I must feel that I’m here

quite short pause

that I’m awake

THE OLDER MAN

We are awake

THE OLDER WOMAN

We’re not dreaming

THE OLDER MAN

No

no not exactly

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

Please won’t you touch me

THE OLDER MAN

Yes okay

THE OLDER WOMAN

But well it’s

yes so long since he disappeared

vanished

yes

breaks off, short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

It’s not him

He’s not our son

You can see that

You can hear that

THE SHIPMASTER

But Dad

But Mum

Quite short pause

Don’t you see me

Don’t you want to talk to me

THE OLDER MAN

Come let’s go

The Older Man takes The Older Woman’s arm. They stand there.

Long pause.

THE SHIPMASTER

But Mum

But Dad

quite short pause

don’t you see me

It’s me

Your son

Don’t you see me

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

We can’t stay here

We must go

THE OLDER WOMAN

No it wasn’t him

of course not

THE OLDER MAN

No

THE OLDER WOMAN

I should recognise

my own son

THE OLDER MAN

No

it wasn’t him

short pause

but why did he call me Dad

THE OLDER WOMAN

And me Mum

THE SHIPMASTER

But Mum

but Dad

don’t you see me

It’s me

It’s your son

THE OLDER MAN

Let’s go

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

Quite short pause

Let’s leave this place

We can’t stay here

Short pause

And why can’t he let up

he just keeps at it

THE OLDER MAN

He’s not my son

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

no of course not

THE SHIPMASTER

But Mum

but Dad

THE OLDER WOMAN

We can’t stay here

THE SHIPMASTER

Mum

THE OLDER MAN

We must go

THE SHIPMASTER

Dad

THE OLDER MAN

But where can we go

THE OLDER WOMAN

At least we have to go

THE SHIPMASTER

Mum Dad

I’m talking to you

don’t you see me

Me

your son

Short pause

It was so good to see you again

Short pause

But don’t you see me

Quite short pause

Why don’t you answer me

Quite short pause

I’m talking to you

but you don’t answer me

quite short pause

what’s wrong with you

THE OLDER WOMAN

Let’s go

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

yes let’s go

THE OLDER WOMAN

Because here

we can’t stay here any longer

THE SHIPMASTER

Mum Dad

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t like it here

we have to go

we have to be somewhere else

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

quite short pause

we’ll go now

we’ll go somewhere else now

THE OLDER WOMAN

Somewhere where it’s good to be

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

I’m so happy to see you

Quite short pause

And how nice that you finally wanted to come on board my ship

THE OLDER WOMAN

We must hurry up

We must get away from here

THE OLDER MAN

Where shall we go

THE OLDER WOMAN

There’s always somewhere

to go

THE OLDER MAN

But where

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t know

Short pause

Don’t you know where we are

THE OLDER MAN

No

THE OLDER WOMAN

You don’t know

THE OLDER MAN

No

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

And how did we get here

THE OLDER MAN

Where were we before we came here

THE OLDER WOMAN

We would’ve been at home at our place

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

THE OLDER WOMAN

And now we’re here

THE OLDER MAN

And there are others here

And there are no others here

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m scared

Short pause

I just don’t like it here

THE OLDER MAN

But no matter where we look

and no matter where we go

yes everything’s the same

THE OLDER WOMAN

That’s how it is

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t think we can do anything

THE OLDER WOMAN

What do you mean

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t think we can do anything about it

Short pause

Everything is the way it is

THE OLDER WOMAN

But then

quite short pause

then we must create something else ourselves

THE OLDER MAN

But can we do that

THE OLDER WOMAN

We can imagine it

as something else

THE OLDER MAN

Can we

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes we can

THE OLDER MAN

How

THE OLDER WOMAN

We can imagine it differently

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

THE OLDER WOMAN

We can imagine

quite short pause

yes what it was like

yes when he

when our son

was born

quite short pause

his childhood years

what they were like

quite short pause

he was such a beautiful child

THE OLDER MAN

And such a friendly child

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But Dad

but Mum

quite short pause

it’s so good to see you again

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

And so good and kind

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

And so

breaks off, quite short pause

yes what can I say

somehow there’s not much to say

what there was

is not something

somehow

that can be said

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Dad

Mum

Don’t you see me

Imagine seeing you here

quite short pause

it’s so unexpected

Short pause

THE OLDER MAN

I can’t remember what he

yes our son

looked like when he was little

THE OLDER WOMAN

No all that’s left are pictures

faded pictures

quite short pause

blurry

almost gone

quite short pause

THE OLDER MAN

And our daughter

Somehow I can’t picture her

THE OLDER WOMAN

continues

but good pictures

yes they are

good pictures

quite short pause

about to disappear

quite short pause

I see him

I see him lying there in his bed

he lies there sleeping

in his bed

yes like that

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

Pause

But what there is

quite short pause

yes it’s a little

yes

quite short pause

yes like being here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But don’t you see me

Mum

Dad

I’m here

quite short pause

you son

quite short pause

I’m here

THE OLDER WOMAN

No it’s not like that

You mustn’t say that the picture of our son

is a little like being here

No

No you mustn’t say that

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Mum

Can’t you see me

quite short pause

don’t you see that I’m here

THE OLDER MAN

No

quite short pause

no I won’t say that

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And Dad

quite short pause

it’s so good to see you again

THE OLDER WOMAN

It’s not like that

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

No it’s not like that

Pause

But what is it

THE OLDER WOMAN

You’ve always been the strong one

you must know that

THE OLDER MAN

I

quite short pause

I’ve never been

the strong one have I

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes you have

THE OLDER MAN

No that’s you

not me

you’ve been the strong one

always

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

You’re not who I think you are

THE OLDER MAN

What do you mean

THE OLDER WOMAN

You can’t be the good man

I married

and the man I’ve lived with

all my life

THE OLDER MAN

I can’t

THE OLDER WOMAN

You can’t be him

Quite short pause

Because he wasn’t like that

quite short pause

he was always

my good support

he supported me

in everything

THE OLDER MAN

I have always supported you

And I’m supporting you as much as I can

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes I’m sorry

I didn’t mean it like that

Long pause

I’m tired

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

I’m tired

too

THE OLDER WOMAN

We’re both tired

THE OLDER MAN

We’re both old and tired

THE OLDER WOMAN

And soon we’ll sleep

THE OLDER MAN

Soon we’ll fall asleep

THE OLDER WOMAN

Sleep forever

THE OLDER MAN

Be gone

THE OLDER WOMAN

We shall soon sleep forever

and be gone

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

Sleep and sleep

The Older Man looks at The Woman

and do you see

do you see

quite short pause

we’re not alone

do you see the woman who stands there

her

over there

do you see

don’t you see how much she looks like

you when you were young

don’t you see

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

yes the woman who stands over there

The Older Man points

You see her

You must see her

THE OLDER WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes

yes now I see her

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

THE OLDER WOMAN

But she doesn’t look like

yes like me when I was young

THE OLDER MAN

Yes she does

I can see it

I can see that she looks like

you when you were young

oh yes she does

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

quite short pause

no she can’t

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

yes she does

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

THE OLDER MAN

She’s so like you

that if I didn’t know it couldn’t be

I would’ve thought it was you

when you were young

THE OLDER WOMAN

Don’t talk like that

I get scared

Quite short pause

You mustn’t say things like that

THE OLDER MAN

I think it must be you

THE OLDER WOMAN

Don’t look at her

The Woman turns towards The Older Man and The Older Woman

Now she’s looking at us

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

The Woman lets go of The Man’s hand and starts to walk towards The Older Man and The Older Woman

THE OLDER WOMAN

And now she starts to walk towards us

THE OLDER MAN

But why does she do that

THE OLDER WOMAN

And we were alone here

THE OLDER MAN

There was no one else here

THE OLDER WOMAN

And now she’s walking towards us

THE OLDER MAN

We were all alone

quite short pause

but now she comes walking towards us

THE OLDER WOMAN

She mustn’t come

THE OLDER MAN

What does she want from us

Short pause

We must go

The Older Woman and The Older Man walk slowly away from The Woman

THE WOMAN

Please don’t go

THE OLDER WOMAN

She’s talking to us

THE WOMAN

You mustn’t go

Short pause

Mum

Dad

quite short pause

it’s me

THE OLDER WOMAN

What does she want from us

THE WOMAN

Wait

you can’t just leave me

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t understand what she wants from us

THE WOMAN

Please don’t go

Quite short pause

Mum

Dad

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t know her

THE OLDER WOMAN

Me neither

THE WOMAN

Can’t you wait for me

Quite short pause

Don’t just go

THE OLDER MAN

What does she want from us

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t understand

what she wants from us

The Woman stops, stands and looks down. Pause. The Older Man and The Older Woman stop, he lets go of her arm, they move a little away from each other, stand and look down. Pause

THE WOMAN

Don’t just go

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

We can’t be here

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

quite short pause

we must be somewhere else

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And I am the guitar player

THE SHIPMASTER

You’re the guitar player

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

So that’s what you are

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

yes and I’ve told you

yes so many times

Short pause

I’ve been the guitar player

I am the guitar player

Quite short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

So that’s what you’ve been

you’ve been the guitar player

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

THE SHIPMASTER

So you are the guitar player

Short pause

And what is it like

yes

yes your guitar music

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

THE SHIPMASTER

No

quite short pause

you can’t just say no

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I don’t say it to be difficult

The Man walks towards The Woman

THE SHIPMASTER

So why do you say it

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Because I don’t know what to say

THE SHIPMASTER

It’s not like that or like that

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

Pause

THE MAN

I love you

Short pause

THE WOMAN

And I love you

THE MAN

I was always so alone

quite short pause

and then I met you

THE WOMAN

Yes

Short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

It’s like the sea

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But

quite short pause

well

yes

yes like the sea is to you

quite short pause

yes that’s what the guitar music is to me

quite short pause

it’s just something that is

quite short pause

it is what is

in what there is

that’s what

yes that’s what the guitar music is like

quite short pause

and everything else

people

events

becomes what it is

yes because the guitar music

makes it like that

THE SHIPMASTER

So that’s how it is

Pause

THE MAN

But now we’ve met each other

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes now we’ve met each other

Short pause

THE MAN

And it took such a long time

before I met you

THE WOMAN

Always alone

I was always alone

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

quite short pause

and now I shall play

The Guitar Player begins to play air guitar. Pause

I play my guitar music

quite short pause

I play my guitar music

for anyone who wants to listen

do I play my guitar music

quite short pause

my whole life I’ve played

my guitar music

from when I was a kid

and to this day

Short pause

THE MAN

You my best friend

you my very best friend

THE WOMAN

And you are my very best friend

Short pause

THE MAN

You’re here

and I still

miss you

THE WOMAN

I’m here

quite short pause

I’m always here

Short pause

But listen

quite short pause

listen to the beautiful

guitar music

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

But where are the others

It’s not just you and me who are here

Is it

Short pause

there are so many others on board

this ship

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

THE SHIPMASTER

But there’s no one here

no one who’s listening

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We’re not alone

we can’t be alone

Short pause

THE OLDER MAN

I’m here

Short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

But no one’s here

no one’s listening

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m here

Quite short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

No one’s listening

Short pause

It’s just you and me here

quite short pause

here on this ship

THE WOMAN

I’m here

I’m listening

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

No one is here

Short pause

And what’s become of the others

quite short pause

they have to be there

And we’ve been here for so long

that’s what it feels like

We’ve been here for so long

here on this ship

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I play my guitar music

and it’s everything

that is

quite short pause

a guitar music

my guitar music

quite short pause

I play my guitar music

THE SHIPMASTER

No one’s here

No one’s listening

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No one’s here

THE SHIPMASTER

Is no one here

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No one’s here

Short pause

THE WOMAN

I’m here

Pause

THE MAN

Finally

finally I’ve found you

Pause

THE WOMAN

I hear the most beautiful guitar music

Pause

THE MAN

Finally I found you

THE WOMAN

But don’t talk

you must listen

you must listen to the beautiful guitar music

Short pause

THE MAN

Yes

short pause

but

but aren’t you happy

quite short pause

THE WOMAN

Yes

Yes I’m happy

THE MAN

And now we don’t need to be alone anymore

not you

not I

THE WOMAN

No

quite short pause

but listen

quite short pause

listen to the beautiful guitar music

Short pause

THE MAN

Yes

Short pause

THE WOMAN

You must listen

The Woman begins to move to the guitar music. Pause

THE OLDER MAN

And then we were here

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

But where are we

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

yes where are we

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m so scared

quite short pause

why don’t you come over here

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

The Older Man walks over to The Older Woman

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t know where we are

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

quite short pause

I play the most beautiful

guitar music

quite short pause

I play the most beautiful

guitar music

that I am able to play

Short pause

THE WOMAN

But listen

THE MAN

I’ll listen

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes listen to the beautiful guitar music

THE MAN

I’ll listen

THE WOMAN

He plays so well

THE MAN

Does he play well

THE WOMAN

Yes

yes it’s the loveliest guitar music

I’ve ever heard

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m so scared

THE OLDER MAN

You mustn’t be scared

Short pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

But I am scared

THE OLDER MAN

Come

come let’s go

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I am the shipmaster

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

I play the most beautiful guitar music

Pause

THE WOMAN

You must listen

THE MAN

I’m listening

Short pause

THE WOMAN

Listen to the most beautiful guitar music

The Woman moves away from The Man towards

The Guitar Player. Pause

THE MAN

But you mustn’t leave me

Don’t go

Short pause

Can’t you wait for me

Don’t go

Short pause

You mustn’t leave me

Pause. The Woman moves closer to The Guitar Player

You can’t leave me

quite short pause

I was so happy to see you

happy that you came

that you’re here

that I finally

got to meet you

Quite short pause

THE WOMAN

It’s the most beautiful guitar music

Quite short pause

THE MAN

You mustn’t go

quite short pause

because finally

finally

I met you

THE WOMAN

You must listen

THE MAN

I don’t want to listen

to the guitar music

quite short pause

I want to be

in you

quite short pause

I want to be

in all that’s yours

THE WOMAN

Listen

quite short pause

listen to the guitar music

THE MAN

I want to listen to you

quite short pause

for you

for you

are so lovely

quite short pause

you’re the loveliest guitar music

Quite short pause

You mustn’t go

THE WOMAN

Don’t talk

Listen

Listen to the guitar music

THE MAN

I can’t listen

to that

THE WOMAN

But it’s so beautiful

The Woman stands next to The Guitar Player, she still moves to the guitar music, looks at him

You play so beautifully

you play the most beautiful guitar music

Quite short pause

You play the most beautiful guitar music

I have ever heard

Long pause

THE SHIPMASTER

loudly

No

The Guitar Player stops playing air guitar and The Woman stops moving

No

Short pause

No

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

questioningly

No

Short pause

THE MAN

You mustn’t go

I’m so happy

that I met you

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But imagine you being here

THE WOMAN

Yes

quite short pause

yes I don’t quite understand it

myself

but well

looks around a little

yes

yes well here I am

THE GUITAR PLAYER

So here we are

both you and I

THE SHIPMASTER

You know each other

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We seem to

THE WOMAN

We know each other

a little at least

at least we knew each other

yes a little

yes a long time ago

Short pause

But you

yes you know each other

you and he

quite short pause

yes he

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

THE SHIPMASTER

No we don’t

Short pause

THE WOMAN

But why are you here

yes together

yes if you don’t know each other

THE SHIPMASTER

You may well ask

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You may well wonder

THE WOMAN

You must know

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes we must

but we don’t

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No we don’t know

THE SHIPMASTER

We are just here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We just are here

THE SHIPMASTER

It just happened

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We just were here

THE SHIPMASTER

We just are here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

And now you are here too

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You came here just now

THE WOMAN

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

And it’s so good to see you

The Shipmaster wants to touch The Woman, but she slips away and goes and takes The Guitar Player’s arm

Aren’t you happy to see me

THE WOMAN

Why should I be

THE SHIPMASTER

No

quite short pause

no it’s just

quite short pause

just that I was so happy to see you

THE WOMAN

But you haven’t seen me before

THE SHIPMASTER

No

no but still

quite short pause

still I was

yes happy to see you

THE WOMAN

It is

quite short pause

yes good of you

yes that

yes that you were happy to see me

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

But you liked

yes that guitar music of his

THE WOMAN

overcome

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

No

quite short pause

no you didn’t

THE WOMAN

Yes I did

THE SHIPMASTER

You couldn’t have liked it

It’s impossible to like

that kind of guitar music

THE WOMAN

But I liked his guitar music

I did

so

yes

yes then it is possible

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You hear

She liked my guitar music

It’s only you who can never like

my guitar music

THE SHIPMASTER

You don’t mean it

yes that you liked his guitar music

it’s just something you say

yes

yes to be nice to him

to please him

THE GUITAR PLAYER

She says she liked my guitar music

because she liked it

THE SHIPMASTER

How can you know it’s like that

What I say is just as true

THE GUITAR PLAYER

No

no she says it herself

that she liked my guitar music

THE SHIPMASTER

But it could just be

something she says

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes of course

THE SHIPMASTER

And then

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Yes

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes then she didn’t like it

THE WOMAN

goes and stands between the two of them

I liked his guitar music

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

You hear

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

to The Woman

I am the shipmaster

THE WOMAN

You are the shipmaster

THE SHIPMASTER

I sail ships on the seven seas

THE GUITAR PLAYER

And I am the guitar player

Pause

THE WOMAN

But where are we

THE SHIPMASTER

You may well ask

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We are where we are

THE WOMAN

But where is that

Short pause

And is there no one else here

Short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

yes there are many people here

everyone

someone

I’m here

you’re here

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I’m here

Short pause

THE WOMAN

But no one else

There has to be someone else here

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I’m here

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

We are the only ones here

THE OLDER MAN

I’m here

THE SHIPMASTER

We’re on a ship

so there are many others here

THE WOMAN

questioningly

We’re on a ship

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

THE WOMAN

We’re on the sea

THE SHIPMASTER

Yes

Short pause

And I am the shipmaster

THE WOMAN

questioningly

You are the shipmaster

THE GUITAR PLAYER

He is the shipmaster

Pause

THE MAN

You mustn’t leave me

Short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I sail ships on the seven seas

The Woman looks at The Older Woman and The Older Man

THE MAN

We’ve only just met each other

and then you leave me again

I’ve been waiting for you

quite short pause

always

always have I

been waiting for you

And finally you were there

finally you came

to me

Pause

THE WOMAN

But Mum

Dad

How good to see you again

Pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

It was good to see you again

really good

Short pause. The Woman starts to walk towards The Older Man and The Older Woman

THE SHIPMASTER

Glad you came

I was so happy to see you

Short pause

THE WOMAN

But Mum

but Dad

THE MAN

You mustn’t leave me

quite short pause

because now we’ll be together

you and I

quite short pause

always you and I

The Guitar Player starts to follow The Woman

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I never thought I’d see you again

Pause. The Shipmaster starts to follow The Woman

THE SHIPMASTER

It was so good to see you

THE WOMAN

Mum

Dad

THE MAN

starts to follow The Woman

I’m so glad that I’ve finally

met you

Quite short pause

Don’t just go

THE SHIPMASTER

Finally you were here

THE WOMAN

Mum Dad

I’m here

Don’t you see me

I

your daughter

am here

THE MAN

I never thought you’d come

quite short pause

for all these years

I was here on my own

quite short pause

yes it sounds so stupid

quite short pause

but then you came

quite short pause

and then we were together

you and I

quite short pause

and I was so happy

that I finally

had someone I could

be with

THE WOMAN

Mum

Dad

Long pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

But don’t look at her

Come

We must go

Come

THE OLDER MAN

Yes

The Older Woman and The Older Man start to walk in the same direction as the others, away from them

THE WOMAN

But don’t go

Can’t you see

It’s me

It’s your daughter

Short pause

THE SHIPMASTER

You mustn’t go

Short pause

That you came here now

yes that’s the best thing that has happened to me

in my life

Quite short pause

But you can’t say things like that

It’s just the sort of thing you say

But it’s true

It is like that

quite short pause

so don’t go

Quite short pause

And I want you to know

Because it’s true

You must know it

Quite short pause

I have to say it to you

Quite short pause

And that’s why

when I saw you

when I saw you

quite short pause

yes I was so happy to see you

THE GUITAR PLAYER

But why are you leaving me

you my lovely woman

you my lovely lovely woman

Pause

THE WOMAN

But Mum

but Dad

quite short pause

why don’t you want to talk to me

why are you leaving

I’m your daughter

I only want to talk to you

I was so happy

to see you again

THE MAN

Why are you leaving me

THE WOMAN

You’re leaving me

Mum Dad

You abandon me

You have always

abandoned me

quite short pause

but I don’t demand anything

I only want to talk to you

I’m not asking

for anything

THE SHIPMASTER

Don’t just go

quite short pause

after so many years

yes I was so happy

to see you

and then you just go

quite short pause

you can’t just go

THE WOMAN

Mum

You’re my mother

You must answer me

when I speak to you

THE MAN

Finally you came

I love you so much

Don’t leave me

THE WOMAN

And Dad

why are you leaving

why are you just leaving

why do you want to disappear

from me

THE GUITAR PLAYER

Don’t leave me

THE SHIPMASTER

Don’t go

THE MAN

But can’t you stay here

stay here with me

you mustn’t go

Everyone stops, stands and looks down. Long pause

THE OLDER MAN

It’s as if I don’t know you anymore

THE OLDER WOMAN

You don’t know me

THE OLDER MAN

No

THE OLDER WOMAN

I get so scared

You scare me

THE OLDER MAN

But you become more and more unknown to me

quite short pause

I still know you a little

you are standing there

I can recognise you

I recognise your face

quite short pause

but you

but the one you are

yes you’re standing there

more and more becoming someone else

THE OLDER WOMAN

You mustn’t say that

It can’t be like that

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t know you

THE OLDER WOMAN

But you have

yes known me

for so many years

quite short pause

you’ve known me all these years

quite short pause

you remember

don’t you

THE OLDER MAN

I remember

in a way I remember like never before

Somehow I remember everything

yes everything that stands out

from things that always just happened

all that

as if it was one

and as if it was many things

I can remember

and at the same time

in the middle of it all

you’re there as someone I don’t know

quite short pause

and that

that I don’t know you

becomes bigger than everything else

everything I remember

and takes the place of what I remember

I don’t know you

THE OLDER WOMAN

No not like that

THE OLDER MAN

It is like that

And there’s nothing

we can do about it

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

THE OLDER MAN

And I want so much

to have known you

THE OLDER WOMAN

But you do know me

What can I do

to make you know me

THE OLDER MAN

There’s nothing you can do

to teach me to know you

THE OLDER WOMAN

There must be something I can do

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t think so

Short pause

And I’m so tired of all that’s unknown

THE OLDER WOMAN

Me too

THE OLDER MAN

Nothing here is known to me

THE OLDER WOMAN

No

THE OLDER WOMAN

And I don’t even

recognise you

THE OLDER WOMAN

You don’t recognise me

THE OLDER MAN

No

The Older Man walks further away from The Older Woman and stands there alone. Pause. The Woman walks over to The Guitar Player and leans against him, starts to stroke him. Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I am here

Pause

THE MAN

I am so glad I met you

Short pause

THE WOMAN

To The Guitar Player

And you

my good friend

you my best friend

The Guitar Player frees himself from The Woman and goes and stands alone. Pause

THE MAN

You are my great love

Pause. The Woman goes to The Shipmaster, leans against him, strokes him

THE WOMAN

It’s so good to touch you

I feel safe

when I touch you

It makes me feel good

Pause

THE MAN

And you must never leave me

Pause

THE WOMAN

to The Shipmaster

You’re my best friend

Pause. The Shipmaster frees himself from The Woman and goes and stands alone. Short pause. The Guitar Player starts to play air guitar. Everyone listens. Very long pause. Then The Woman begins to move to the guitar music and after a while the others also begin to move to the guitar music, each on their own, each in their own way.

Long pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I am here

Pause

THE WOMAN

I am here

Mum Dad

can’t you see me

Pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I don’t want to be here

Pause

THE MAN

I’m just here

I just came here

I want to be somewhere else

Pause

THE OLDER MAN

I don’t know anyone

quite short pause

and no one knows me

Long pause. The Older man exits to the guitar music. Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

I sail ships on the seven seas

Short pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

I am the guitar player

I play the most beautiful guitar music

Long pause. The Man exits moving to the guitar music.

THE WOMAN

I am here

The Woman exits moving to the guitar music. Long pause

THE OLDER WOMAN

I am here

The Older Woman exits moving to the guitar music. Long pause

THE GUITAR PLAYER

stops playing air guitar, stands motionless

I am the guitar player

Pause

THE SHIPMASTER

stands motionless

I am the shipmaster

Black