Requiem for a Nun

REQUIEM FOR A NUN 249

(to Governor) Where was I?

GOVERNOR

(quotes)

That Temple Drake knew had done the murder for the very good reason

that-

TEMPLE

Oh yes. -for the very good reason that she saw him do it, or at least his

shadow: and so produced by his lawyer in the Jefferson courtroom so that

she could swear away the life of the man who was accused of it. Oh yes,

that's the one. And now I've already told you something you nor nobody

else but the Memphis lawyer knew, and I haven't even started. You see? I

cant even bargain with you. You haven't even said yes or no yet, whether

you can save her or not, whether you want to save her or not, will

consider saving her or not; which, if either of us, Temple Drake or Mrs

Gowan Stevens either, had any sense, would have demanded first of you.

GOVERNOR

Do you want to ask me that first?

TEMPLE

I cant. I dont dare. You might say no.

GOVERNOR

Then you wouldn't have to tell me about Temple Drake.

TEMPLE

I've got to do that. I've got to say it all, or I wouldn't be here. But

unless I can still believe that you might say yes, I dont see how I can.

Which is another touch~ for somebody: God, maybe-if there is one. You see?

That's what's so terrible. We dont even need Him. Simple evil is enough.

Even after eight years, it's still enough. it was eight years ago that

Uncle Gavin said-oh yes, he was there too; didn't you just hear him? He

could have told you all of this or anyway most of it over the telephone

and you could be in bed asleep right this minute-said how there is a

corruption even in just looking at evil, even by accident; that you can't

haggle, traffic, with putrefaction-you cant, you dont dare-

(she stops, tense, motionless)