Mourning Becomes Electra Page #14

Don't you see you'll only drag him

into this terrible thing, whatever it is?

There is no terrible thing.

Oh, Vinnie, you've got to be fair

to Peter.

You've got to consider his happiness,

if you really love him!

I do love him.

He fought with Mother last night.

The first time he ever did

such a thing.

He left home and went to the hotel.

He said he'd never speak to Mother

or me again.

You've changed him.

We've always been so happy before.

It's broken Mother's heart.

All she does is sit and cry.

Oh, Vinnie, you can't do it!

You will be punished if you do!

Peter will get to hate you in the end!

No!

Do you want to drive him to do

what Orin did?

He might, if he ever discovered the truth!

What truth, you little fool?

I don't know, but you know.

Look in your heart and ask your conscience

before God if you ought to marry Peter!

Yes, before God, before anything.

You leave me alone. Go away

or I'll get Orin's pistol and kill you!

You are wicked.

I believe you would.

Vinnie, what's made you like this?

Go away.

All right, I'll go.

But remember one thing.

You owe it to Peter to let him read

what Orin wrote in that envelope.

Orin asked me to make him read it

before he married you.

I've told Peter about that,

Vinnie.

I know you're suffering.

And I know your conscience

will make you do what's right.

And God will forgive you.

I'm not asking God or anyone

to forgive me.

I forgive myself.

Oh, I hope there's a hell for the

good somewhere.

The dead... why can't the dead die?

Vinnie.

Sit down, Peter.

Vinnie, you look so terribly worn.

Haven't you slept?

We'll be married soon.

The first thing is to get you away

from this house.

Yes.

Love can't live in it.

We'll go away and leave it alone

to die.

And we'll forget the dead.

We can't move too far away

to suit me!

I hate this town now and everyone

in it.

I never heard you talk

that way before.

So bitter.

Some things would make anyone bitter!

You've quarrelled with your mother

and Hazel on account of me.

How did you know that?

Hazel was just here.

The darned little fool!

What did she have to tell you that for?

She doesn't want me to marry you.

The little sneak! What right has she...?

You won't pay any attention

to her, I hope.

No, no.

She and Mother suddenly got a lot of

crazy notions. But they'll get over them.

If they don't,

I'm through with both of them.

Peter.

Let me look at you.

Are you beginning to suspect me?

Are you wondering what it was

Orin wrote?

Of course not. Don't I know Orin

was out of his mind?

You swear you'll never suspect me

of anything?

What do you think I am?

Nothing can keep us from being happy,

can it? You won't let it, will you?

Of course I won't.

Now I'm glad I destroyed

what Orin wrote.

You destroyed it?

I burned the envelope, yes...

Oh, Peter. I want to get married

right away. I'm afraid.

Would you marry me now, this evening?

Marry me today, Peter.

I'm afraid to wait.

But, Vinnie, we can't.

It...

It wouldn't look right

on the same day that Orin was...

Out of respect for him...

I don't see why you're so afraid to wait.

Nothing can happen, can it?

Was there anything in what Orin wrote

that would stop us?

The dead coming between...

They always would, Peter.

You trust me with your happiness!

But that means trusting the Mannon dead,

and they're not to be trusted with love!

I couldn't bear to watch your eyes grow bitter

and hidden from me the way they are now.

Wounded in their trust of life.

I love you too much!

What are you talking about, Vinnie?

Why did you burn that envelope?

You make me think there was something...

No, nothing. No!

Don't think of that, not yet.

I want a little happiness.

I've earned it, I've done enough.

Listen, Peter.

Can't you be strong?

Can't you be simple and pure? Can't you

forget sin and see that all love is beautiful?

Oh, hold me close.

Want me so much you'd murder anyone

to have me.

Our love will drive the dead away.

It will shame them back into death.

Oh, love me, Adam...

Adam!

Oh, why did I call you Adam?

I never heard that name before,

outside of the Bible.

Always the dead between.

Vinnie! You're talking crazy! You don't

know what you're saying!

I can't marry you, Peter.

There's no use trying any more.

You mustn't ever see me again.

Go home.

Make it up with your mother and sister.

Marry someone else.

I can't have love.

Vinnie! What's changed you like this?

Is it what Orin wrote?

What was it?

I've got a right to know, haven't I?

He acted so queer when he talked

about the islands.

Was it something to do with that native,

that Avahanni?

Peter!

All right. If you must know.

It was Avahanni.

Oh, no, Vinnie. You couldn't.

I don't believe you.

Why shouldn't I?

I wanted to learn love.

Love that wasn't a sin.

I did, I tell you.

Mother and Hazel were right about you.

You are bad at heart.

No wonder Orin killed himself.

I hope you'll be punished.

I...

Peter!

It's a lie. I didn't.

Goodbye, Peter.

"Oh, Shenandoah, I long to hear you

Way-ay, my rolling river

Oh, Shenandoah, I can't get near you

Way-ay, I'm bound away

I'm not bound away.

Not now, Seth.

I'm bound here.

To the Mannon dead.

Vinnie!

Don't go in there, Vinnie!

Don't be afraid.

I'm not going the way Mother

and Orin went.

I'll never go out or see anyone!

I'll live alone with the dead

and keep their secrets.

And let them hound me till

the curse is paid out

and the last Mannon is let die!

I know they'll see to it

that I live for a long time.

It takes the Mannons to punish themselves

for being born!

Ayeh.

And I ain't heard a word

you've been sayin'.

You go now and close the shutters.

And nail them tight.

Ayeh.

And throw out all the flowers.

Ayeh.

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