Requiem for a Nun

REQUIEM FOR A NUN 225

TEMPLE

What perjury?

STEVENS

Not venal then, worse: inept. After my client is not only convicted but

sentenced, I turn up with the prosecution's chief witness offering

evidence to set the whole trial aside-

TEMPLE

Tell them I forgot this. Or tell them I changed my mind. Tell them the

district attorney bribed me to keep my mouth shut-

STEVENS

(peremptory yet quiet) Temple.

She puffs rapidly at the cigarette, removes it from her mouth.

TEMPLE

Or better still; wont it be obvious? a woman whose child was smothered

in its crib, wanting vengeance, capable of anything to get the vengeance;

then when she has it, realising she cant go through with it, cant

sacrifice a human life for it, even a nigger whore's?

STEVENS

Stop it. One at a time. At least, let's talk about the same thing.

TEMPLE

What else are we talking about except saving a condemned client whose

trained lawyer has already admitted that he has failed?

STEVENS

Then you really dont want her to die. You did invent the coincidence.

TEMPLE

Didn't I just say so? At least, let's for God's sake stop that, cant we?

STEVENS

Done. So Temple Drake will have to save her.

TEMPLE

Mrs Gowan Stevens will.

STEVENS

Temple Drake.