Boris Akunin - All the World's a Stage

The lantern is lit again. We can see two silhouettes. Izumi is sitting up on her bed, with the Inaudible One standing over her. What follows is in the style of a shadow theatre.

IZUMI Ah, so it is you? I knew that you would come to me!

The Inaudible One backs away.

Now why are you embarrassed? Was your heart bold, but then turned cold? Do you think I will push you away in disgust? Then let me tell you, I was waiting here for you impatiently.

She holds her arms out to him.

I have heard so many vows of love from others, I am not ashamed to make my own confession first. I love you with all my heart, you were sent to me by destiny. And it does not matter to me whether you are ugly or not. Ah, what stupid nonsense is that? Now your face will become the ideal of heavenly beauty for me. From henceforth pretty faces will seem ugly to me, disgusting even to behold. Quickly, take off your mask! I shall accept your trust with great delight, as a most precious gift!

A single drumbeat. The Inaudible One tears off his mask.

IZUMI ( in confusion ) But you have not a single flaw! Your face is handsome! I do not understand, why did you hide it? My dearest chosen one is silent and handsome, like the moon in a black sky, like a bright star! Without my make-up, also without my mask, do I appear before you now. You see me, too, just as I am… let us swear that never again shall we hide our faces from each other. I do not wish to be a geisha! I shall go away with you. We shall simply be together, two of us – the same as everybody else. Or almost the same… It is no misfortune that you are dumb. You will see. I shall be talkative enough for two.

Ah, but does it really matter what will happen afterwards? Here and now we are together, my love, you and I!

He reaches out his arms to her and she pulls him onto the bed.

The light goes out in the pavilion again, and then on all the stage.

Quiet music.

The third mitiyuki

The Inaudible One walks out onto the hanamichi , holding a lantern in his raised hand. The audience sees his face for the first time – it is impassive. Izumi walks behind the Inaudible One, carrying a bundle. Her face, with no ceruse or make-up, is lit up by a beam of light. She is dressed in a simple, dark kimono. They both freeze motionless.

STORYTELLER

He strikes his drum.

They are both walking in ‘ koaruki ’ style. But the Inaudible One is taking broad strides and Izumi, in keeping with the canonical rules of femininity, is taking small steps.

IZUMI There are no stars to be seen in the sky, there is no moon. We shall disappear now, you and I, dissolve into the night. I used to think my life would streak past like a comet, trace a path across the sky and vanish without trace. But fate has prepared another destiny for me: I shall live with my beloved, just as thousands live. One leaf among the other leaves, one blade of grass among the others. With you I am happy to be like this, like everyone. But why did you tell me to bring with me the kimono in which I used to perform for an audience? ( She points to the bundle .) It is too luxurious for a modest life, I cannot go out in it, or wear it for receiving guests…

Suddenly the Inaudible One stops and turns towards her.

IZUMI ( putting down the bundle ) Have you chosen this spot to make a halt? You’re right, it is so lovely here, with this cliff and the river down below… ( She walks to the edge of the hanamichi and looks down .) That is the genuine karyukai , the world of flowers and willow trees, where Beauty lies concealed, faithful to yugen …

Meanwhile the Inaudible One takes the kimono out of the bundle and spreads it out on the ground. Then he takes a scroll of paper out of the sleeve and hands it to his companion.

IZUMI ( laughing quietly ) Yes, you wrote something before we left, I remember. Only you wouldn’t let me read what you had written. But I have realised now: is it love poems? Have you chosen this place to show them to me?

Taking the piece of paper in one hand and the lantern in the other, she reads. After a little while the lantern starts to tremble.

STORYTELLER

The Inaudible One puts on his mask.

He strikes the drum.

The Inaudible One pulls the snake-blade dagger out from behind his back. pierces his own throat with it, leans down so that the blood pours out onto the outspread kimono, turns round and falls over the cliff (into the dark corner between the hanamichi and the hall). We hear water splashing.

Izumi gives a piercing scream. She drops the lantern and everything is plunged into darkness.

We hear the singing of the funeral sutra to the steady beating of the drum. At this point the actress must creep behind the curtain, taking the lantern and kimono with her.

Scene five

Izumi’s room.

She is standing motionless on the threshold of the room, to which she has only just returned.

STORYTELLER

He strikes the drum.

Izumi slowly gazes round the room, as if seeing it for the first time, and sits down in front of the casket, in profile to the audience. She looks at the casket and raises the lid with the mirror.

STORYTELLER