Eugene O'Neill - The First Man

BIGELOW-No. And I think you've done enough morbid raving, if you ask me.

CURTIS-The thought that came to me was that if a certain thing happened, Martha could still go with me. And I knew, if it did happen, that she would want to go, that she would fling herself into the spirit of our work to forget, that she would be mine more than ever.

BIGELOW- [Afraid to believe the obvious answer.] Curt!

CURTIS-Yes. My thought was that the child might be born dead.

BIGELOW- [Repelled-sternly.] Damn it, man, do you know what you're saying? [Relentingly.] No, Curt, old boy, do stop talking. If you don't I'll send for a doctor, damned if I won't. That talk belongs in an asylum. God, man, can't you realize this is your child-yours as well as hers?

CURTIS-I've tried. I cannot. There is some inexorable force in me-

BIGELOW- [Coldly.] Do you realize how contemptible this confession makes you out? [Angrily.] Why, if you had one trace of human kindness in you-one bit of unselfish love for your wife-one particle of pity for her suffering-

CURTIS- [Anguished.] I have-all the love and pity in the world for her! That's why I can't help hating-the cause of her suffering.

BIGELOW-Have you never thought that you might repay Martha for giving up all her life to you by devoting the rest of yours to her?

CURTIS- [Bitterly.] She can be happy without me. She will have this child-to take my place. [Intensely.] You think I would not give up my work for her? But I would! I will stay here-do anything she wishes-if only we can make a new beginning again- together-ALONE!

BIGELOW- [Agitated.] Curt, for God's sake, don't return to that! Why, good God, man-even now-while you're speaking-don't you realize what may be happening? And you can talk as if you were wishing-

CURTIS- [Fiercely.] I can't help but wish it!

BIGELOW- [Distractedly.] For the love of God, if you have such thoughts, keep them to yourself. I won't listen! You make me despise life!

CURTIS-And would you have me love life? [The door in the rear is opened and JAYSON enters, pale and unnerved. A succession of quick, piercing shrieks is heard before he can close the door behind him. Shuddering.] My God! My God! [With a fierce cry.] Will-this-never-end!

JAYSON- [Tremblingly.] Sh-h-h, they say this is the crisis. [Puts his arm around CURT.] Bear up, my boy, it will soon be over now. [He sits down in the chair BIGELOW has vacated, pointedly ignoring the latter. The door is opened again and EMILY, ESTHER, JOHN and SHEFFIELDfile in quickly as if escaping from the cries of the woman upstairs. They are all greatly agitated. CURT groans, pressing his clenched fists against his ears. The two women sit on the lounge. MARK comes forward and stands by JAYSON'S chair, JOHN sits by the door as before. BIGELOW retreats behind CURT's chair, aware of their hostility. There is a long pause.]

ESTHER- [Suddenly.] She has stopped- [They all listen.]

JAYSON- [Huskily.] Thank God, it's over at last. [The door is opened and MRS. DAVIDSON enters. The old lady is radiant, weeping tears of joy.]

MRS. DAVIDSON- [Calls out exultantly between sobs.] A son, Curt-a son. [With rapt fervor-falling on her knees.] Let us all give thanks to God!

CURTIS- [In a horrible cry of rage and anguish.] No! No! You lie! [They all cry out in fright and amazement: "CURT!" The door is opened and the NURSE appears.]

NURSE- [Looking at CURTIS, in a low voice.] Mr. Jayson, your wife is asking for you.

BIGELOW- [Promptly slapping CURT on the back.] There! What did I tell you? Run, you chump!

CURTIS- [With a gasp of joy.] Martha! Darling, I'm coming- [He rushes out after the NURSE.]

BIGELOW- [Comes forward to get his hat and coat from the sofa- coldly.] Pardon me, please. [They shrink away from him.]

EMILY- [As he goes to the door-cuttingly.] Some people seem to have no sense of decency!

BIGELOW- [Stung, stops at the door and looks from one to the other of them-bitingly.] No, I quite agree with you. [He goes out, shutting the door. They all gasp angrily.]

JOHN-Scoundrel!

JAYSON- [Testily-going to MRS. D., who is still on her knees praying.] Do get up, Aunt Elizabeth! How ridiculous! What a scene if anyone should see you like that. [He raises her to her feet and leads her to a chair by the fire. She obeys unresistingly, seemingly unaware of what she is doing.]

ESTHER- [Unable to restrain her jealousy.] So it's a boy.

EMILY-Did you hear Curt-how he yelled out "No"? It's plain as the nose on your face he didn't want-

ESTHER-How awful!

JOHN-Well, can you blame him?

EMILY-And the awful cheek of that Bigelow person-coming here-

ESTHER-They appeared as friendly as ever when we came in.

JOHN- [Scornfully.] Curt is a blind simpleton-and that man is a dyed-in-the-wool scoundrel.

JAYSON- [Frightenedly.] Shhh! Suppose we were overheard!

EMILY-When Curt leaves we can put her in her proper place. I'll soon let her know she hasn't fooled me, for one. [While she is speaking MRS. D. has gotten up and is going silently toward the door.]

JAYSON- [Testily.] Aunt Elizabeth, where are you going?

MRS. D.- [Tenderly.] I must see him again, the dear! [She goes out.]

ESTHER- [Devoured by curiosity-hesitatingly.] I think I-come on, Emily. Let's go up and see-

EMILY-Not I! I never want to lay eyes on it.

JOHN-Nor I.

ESTHER-I was only thinking-everyone will think it funny if we don't.

JAYSON- [Hastily.] Yes, yes. We must keep up appearances. [Getting to his feet.] Yes, I think we had better all go up-make some sort of inquiry about Martha, you know. It's expected of us and- [They are all standing, hesitating, when the door in the rear is opened and the NURSE appears, supporting CURT. The latter is like a corpse. His face is petrified with grief, his body seems limp and half-paralyzed.]

NURSE- [Her eyes flashing, indignantly.] It's a wonder some of you wouldn't come up-here, help me! Take him, can't you? I've got to run back!

[JAYSON and SHEFFIELD spring forward and lead CURT to a chair by the fire.]

JAYSON- [Anxious.] Curt! Curt, my boy! What is it, son?

EMILY- [Catching the NURSE as she tries to go.] Nurse! What is the matter?

NURSE- [Slowly.] His wife is dead. [They are all still, stunned.] She lived just long enough to recognize him.

EMILY-And-the baby?

NURSE- [With a professional air.] Oh, it's a fine, healthy baby- eleven pounds-that's what made it so difficult. [She goes. The others all stand in silence.]

ESTHER- [Suddenly sinking on the couch and bursting into tears.] Oh, I'm so sorry I said-or thought-anything wrong about her. Forgive me, Martha!