Requiem for a Nun

REQUIEM FOR A NUN 213

STEVENS

Not time for what? Before your plane leaves tonight? She has a little time

yet-four months, until March, the thirteenth of March-

TiMPLE

You know what I mean-her lawyer-seeing her every day-just a nigger, and

you a white maneven if you needed anything to frighten her withyou could

just buy it from her with a dose of cocaine or a pint of . . .

(she stops, stares at him, in a sort of amazement, despair; her

voice is almost quiet)

Oh, God, oh, God, she hasn't told you anything. It's me; I'm the one

that's-Dont you see? It's that I cannot believe-will not

believe-impossible-

STEVENS

Impossible to believe that all human beings really dont-as you put

it-stink? Even-as you put itdope-fiend nigger whores? No, she told me

nothing more.

TEMPLE (prompts) Even if there was anything more.

STEVENS

Even if there was.

TEMPLE

Then what is it you think you know? Never mind where you got it; just tell

me what you think it is.

STEVENS

There was a man there that night.

TEMPLE

(quick, glib, almost before he has finished)

Gowan.

STEVENS

That night? When Gowan had left with Bucky at six that morning to drive

to New Orleans in a car?

TEMPLE

(quick, harsh)

So I was right. Did you frighten her, or just buy it? (interrupts herself)