Desire Under the Elms Page #4

Now I can say to you.

I love you.

And I love you, Anna. Now I can say it.

I've been dying for want of you

since you came.

This is the first time in my life

I have ever been happy.

- Sure they won't fall out?

- You won't lose 'em.

I'll be back before dark.

What's the matter, old boy?

A couple of nails will put that right.

Ever since my mother died,

I've had to hide what I am,

what I'm like, from everybody,

to protect myself.

Now you are here to protect me.

I will, Anna.

You loved your mother molto,

very much, didn't you?

Yes.

My mother died when I was small,

far away from here.

Poor... In a village where men

walked slow with weariness,

and the animals cried with hunger.

I've had a hard life.

Now you will help me forget it,

won't you?

I'll help you.

Years of trouble.

A servant in the homes of others.

Then, in the port of Naples,

I met a seaman off an American ship.

He said he loved me

and that he was the captain of a ship.

We were married

and I thought that finally I was free.

Only it happened

he was not the captain of any ship.

And he did not love me.

My baby died,

one day while I was serving dinner

in a hotel for railroad men.

My husband left me and went west.

And after a while

I got a letter that he'd died, too.

I was glad, thinking,

"Now I'm free for once."

Then I found that I was free, yes.

To work in the homes of others.

And do the work of others.

I almost gave up hope

of ever doing my own work,

in my own home,

and having my own land.

Such beautiful land.

And my own home.

One day, this'll be our home.

We'll have nothing to hide.

We'll come in and out

of the front door openly.

We are going to be lucky, you and me,

for the rest of our lives.

He's back!

I'll get a hammer and nails, we'll be

back on the road in five minutes.

Where did I put that nail box?

Maybe I...

There it is.

Must be gettin' old and forgetful.

There we are, boy, good as new.

See? I told you.

We are going to be lucky

for the rest of our lives.

What are you smilin' at?

What's funny so early in the morning?

Nothing, I just feel light of heart.

Don't waste the morning feeling light

of heart. There's work to be done.

- More coffee?

- Thank you.

- So, you feel light of heart?

- Yes, and you know why.

My heart, too, is light.

- I miss you so all day.

- And I miss you, too.

- Do not forget me.

- I won't.

- Stargazing in daylight?

- It's pretty, ain't it?

- It's a pretty farm.

- I mean the sky.

Your eyes can't see that far.

Feelin' chipper.

Where'd you steal the liquor?

It ain't liquor, it's just life.

Look, you and me are quits.

Let's shake hands.

What's come over you?

Don't then. Probably just as well.

- Let's get to work.

- You bossin' me now, you calf?

Yeah, see how you like it.

That's a born fool.

You promised me a son

and you gave me a son.

Give thanks to the Lord.

Pray and give thanks.

Leave me alone, Ephraim.

I jumped aboard the Liza ship

and travelled on the sea

And every time I thought of home

I wished it wasn't me

Oh, California,

that's the land for me

I'm back from California

with my washbowl on my knee

How much longer do we have to go?

Don't be impatient.

We'll be there right after dark.

Why did we have to traipse up here?

- Why not stay in New York?

- We've plenty of time there.

We had to come and show the old mule

how good we done.

It'll cut 20 years off his life.

I can't wait to see his face

when he sees us.

A dutiful son's gotta

introduce his wife to his father.

After all, he introduced

his wife to us, didn't he?

He sure did.

- Do you think he'll like us?

- Like you? He'll love you.

He's the lovin'est old man

this side of hell.

The lovin'est.

Why stop here?

I wanna pick up

some of the local news.

Might be a good idea

to see what's been happening.

- Who is it?

- Min, it's an old, old friend.

Sim! Well, look at you!

Come on in.

That was a woman opened that door.

I wouldn't be a mite surprised if it was.

- I'm not so sure I like this.

- Me neither.

Don't worry.

Since we discovered gold,

our taste in ladies has changed.

Real nice to see you again,

and thanks for the news.

- What you grinning about?

- We're just in time for the party.

- What party?

- A christening at our house.

- A christening? Who of?

- Our brother. A new brother.

They're singing, dancing and celebrating.

First time Pa offered anyone a drink.

Glad we ain't gonna miss it.

- How old do you say your father is?

- Seventy-somethin'.

- He just had himself a new baby?

- Yep, a son.

Well. I gotta meet that man.

- What's going on in that house is plain.

- What do you mean?

The boy, he's the father.

- Do you know where Eben is?

- No, I haven't seen him in ages.

Since you've come, it seems

he spends most of his time at home.

That's the way I heard it.

- What d'you say we wet our whistles?

- Suits me.

- Do you know where Eben is?

- I bet I do.

He's at the church,

offering prayers of thanks.

What for?

Because, unto him...

...a brother is born.

Why don't you dance? I asked you

here to eat, drink and be merry.

There you all sit,

cackling like a bunch of wet hens.

Swilled liquor and guzzled food,

haven't you?

Then dance for me.

Ain't that fair and square?

We're waitin' for Eben.

To hell with Eben, I got me a new son.

You needn't laugh at Eben.

He's my blood, even if he's a fool.

He's better than any of you.

- Can do as good a day's work as me.

- He sure can!

Laugh, you idiots. But you're right.

He can work day and night if need be.

Ain't many can touch you, Ephraim.

A son at 76. That's a real man for you.

I'm only 68 and I couldn't do it.

I'd never expect weakness from you.

- Never reckoned you had it in you.

- I got a lot in me.

A lot that folks don't know about.

Well, I'll be...

Simeon and Peter.

Hiya, folks.

- Hiya, Pa.

- Howdy, Pa.

Where'd you get them clothes?

Look like a circus.

These are the latest things

in San Francisco.

- Won't you shake our hands?

- Why not?

Today I'd shake any man's hand,

even my own sons'.

Where'd you pick them up?

Are they the latest thing too?

Let me make the introductions

nice and proper.

This is my wife, Florence.

- Well, I'll be...

- This one's mine, Lucinda.

Marryin' critters like that

in San Francisco? Must be some town.

- Very pleased to meet you.

- Especially on this happy day.

- It is a happy day, ain't it?

- We heard the news. Congratulations.

Have a cigar.

I finally got me a son

who'll be worth something as a man.

He won't be wearing

yellow shoes like them, neither.

I guarantee he won't be leaving the land,

chasing after sinful, easy gold

and sinful, easy...

Oh, now, Pa.

We're only here a little while.

We have to look at a New York mansion.

- Save the sermons for Eben.

- Yeah, where is he?

Ain't he included in this celebration?

Anna, go tell Eben

his worthless brothers are here

with two worthless women.

Tell him to come and say hello.

Bring the boy.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes