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C 1985
CHARACTERS
Mr. Pemberton, a tutor
Mrs. Moreen, a handsome woman in her late forties
Morgan, a boy of about thirteen
A study in the Moreens' home. Pemberton, very ill at ease, is talking to Mrs. Moreen about his soon to begin employment. Morgan has been sent out of the room to fetch something and Pemberton is trying to screw himself up to asking about his salary.
Pemberton
I've never done tutoring before, you understand.
Mrs. Moreen
We understand perfectly, Mr. Pemberton. We made inquiries. You are
well educated and have fallen on hard times—
Pemberton
I spent my inheritance on a European tour, and, you see—
Mrs. Moreen
Of course, of course. Unfortunate for you, but fortunate for us.
We're quite sure you'll be perfect. Morgan is an unusual child—really
quite wonderful—but his heart is weak, so school is out of the
question.
Morgan (a precocious lad of about eleven or twelve comes in)
I can't find it, mama.
Mrs. Moreen
Oh, never mind.
Pemberton (strangled)
As to the salary.
Mrs. Moreen
Oh, I can assure you, that will be quite regular—
Pemberton
Yes, of course, of course, but—
(Morgan, amused, turns away.)
Pemberton
I think that—
Mrs. Moreen
My husband will be delighted to meet your wishes. As I told you, he
has been to London for a week. As soon as he comes back, you shall have
it out with him.
Pemberton
Oh, I don't imagine we shall have much of a battle.
Morgan
They'll give you anything you like. We don't mind what anything
costs. We live awfully well.
Mrs. Moreen
My darling, you are too quaint! (Mrs. Moreen tries to caress
Morgan, but he deftly escapes) You pompous little man! We are not
extravagant. You must know what to expect. (this last directed at
Pemberton)
Morgan
The less you expect, the better! But, we are in fashion.
Mrs. Moreen
You'll start Friday. I'm sorry the girls are out. I guess you'll
like the girls. And you know, I've another boy, quite different from
this one.
Morgan
He tries to imitate me, but I'm inimitable.
Mrs. Moreen
Why, he's twenty years old.
Pemberton (to Morgan)
You're very witty.
Mrs. Moreen (proudly)
Indeed. Everyone who knows Morgan, loves him.
Morgan (seriously)
Do you really want to come?
Pemberton
Do you doubt it?
Morgan
I think you don't want to come, but you have to. Fresh out of
money, I suppose.
Mrs. Moreen
Morgan!
Pemberton
You are a clever boy.
Morgan
Well, I'll do the best I can for you, (going out) if you come.
Pemberton
Perhaps, I should have a get acquainted session with him.
Mrs. Moreen
Leave him, leave him! He's so strange. I apologize for his
rudeness. But he's a genius. You'll love him. He's much the most
interesting person in the family.
Pemberton
Geniuses are not invariably loveable.
Mrs. Moreen
But Morgan is, you'll see. We're all loveable in this family.
(Mrs. Moreen gives Pemberton her hand and goes out. Pemberton is about to leave when Morgan returns.)
Morgan
Hsst!
Pemberton
What can I do for you?
Morgan
Do you really want to come to us?
Pemberton
There would be no sense applying for the job if I didn't.
Morgan
You must be hard up. How do I know you'll stay? I'm almost sure you
won't stay very long.
Pemberton
I hope you aren't planning to get rid of me.
Morgan
If I were to do right, I would.
Pemberton
Well, I know I'm supposed to instruct you in virtue, but, in this
case, we'll make an exception. Don't do right.
Morgan
How old are you?
Pemberton
Twenty-one
Morgan
You're very young.
Pemberton
Compared with you!
Morgan
Green, too. So, it won't make too much difference if you waste some
of your time.
Pemberton
That's the way to look at it.
Morgan
Do you like my mother?
Pemberton
Yes. Charming woman.
Morgan
You're a sweet liar.
Pemberton
You must never say anything bad about your parents.
Morgan
I never dreamed of it.
Pemberton
Then, why am I a liar?
Morgan
Well, she's not your parent.
Pemberton
I'm sure she loves you better than anything in this world.
Morgan
Is that why you like her so much?
Pemberton
She's very kind to me.
Morgan
You are a liar. (kicks his shins)
Pemberton
Don't kick my shins.
Morgan
There's another reason, too. Besides her not being your parent.
Pemberton
I don't understand.
Morgan
You will before long. At any rate, you'll hang on to the last?
Pemberton
To the last.
Morgan
Till you're beaten?
Pemberton
You ought to be beaten.
Morgan
I won't be beaten, you will.
Pemberton
I'm not planning on that.
Morgan
You wait, you'll see.
BLACKOUT
The same. Some months later. Morgan looks up from his book at which he has been working and addresses Pemberton.
Morgan
You can't go on like this, you know.
Pemberton
Like what, my boy?
Morgan
You know! They don't pay you.
Pemberton
Don't pay me? What on earth put that in your head?
Morgan
It's been there a long time. From the beginning.
Pemberton
They pay me beautifully.
Morgan
What's the Latin for big lie?
Pemberton
What do I want with money?
Morgan
That's another question. Do you like being cheated?
Pemberton
Actually, your mother gave me several hundred not long ago.
Morgan
But, they still owe you, don't they? (pause) I'm not afraid. Why
don't you tell me you plan to leave?
Pemberton
No. I haven't yet seen the thing you're afraid of. You're fearless.
I've been thinking of leaving for a long time.
Morgan
Don't just think about it. Go. But, (crying) make them pay you.
Don't let them get away with it.
BLACKOUT
The same. Some weeks later. Mrs. Moreen is talking to Pemberton. She is agitated.
Mrs. Moreen
You haven't told him?
Pemberton
He knows I plan to go away. If he knows more, it's nothing I've
said.
Mrs. Moreen
What use can you have for so much money?
Pemberton
It's not a lot of money. It's a small salary and little I've seen
of it.
Mrs. Moreen
You do put the knife to one's throat. It's really too absurd to
expect us to pay you.
Pemberton (flabbergasted)
Absurd!
Mrs. Moreen
Aren't you paid enough just by living with us? You're practically a
member of the family? Surely, we treat you as one of us, don't we?
Pemberton
Yes, but—
Mrs. Moreen
If you'd only be reasonable.
Pemberton
It seems to me I've been very reasonable and patient—for over a
year.
Mrs. Moreen
We can't afford to pay you regularly, and you know you've stayed
on. Let me suggest that we admit the facts and put our relations on a
regular basis. You stay without pay, and, when we can, of course, we'll
give you a gratuity.
Pemberton
I suppose it's only a difference in theory. The fact remains, I
stay and get nothing. But it's a kind of organized blackmail.
Mrs. Moreen (indignant)
What do you mean by that?
Pemberton
You know very well I'm afraid of how Morgan will react if I go
away. You trade on that!
Mrs. Moreen
And pray, what would happen to him in that event?
Pemberton
He'd be alone with you.
Mrs. Moreen
And, why shouldn't he be with his family?
Pemberton
If you think that, why don't you let me go?
Mrs. Moreen
Do you pretend that he loves you more than he loves us?
Pemberton
He ought to. I make real sacrifices for him. You talk about the
sacrifices made for his sake. But I don't see any.
Mrs. Moreen
Will you make the sacrifice?
Pemberton
I'll see. I'll do what I can. I'll stay a little longer. I can't
bear to give him up. You know my situation perfectly. I haven't a
penny, and occupied as I am with him, I can't earn any.
Mrs. Moreen
Can't you write or translate as I do?
Pemberton
I don't know. Translating is wretchedly paid.
Mrs. Moreen
I'm glad to earn what I can.
Pemberton
I've tried writing. But, all I get is high praise and a rejection
slip.
Mrs. Moreen
Well then, you're not sacrificing any opportunities by staying on.
Pemberton
I haven't time to do things properly. If I stay on, it is on one
condition.
Mrs. Moreen
Which is?
Pemberton
That Morgan shall know distinctly on what footing I am staying.
Mrs. Moreen
Surely you don't want to show off to a child?
Pemberton
Show you up, you mean?
Mrs. Moreen
And you accuse me of blackmail!
Pemberton
And you talk of practicing on fears! No doubt I'm a great
scoundrel.
Mrs. Moreen
My husband desired me to give you this on account.
Pemberton
I'm much obliged to your husband, but we have no account.
Mrs. Moreen
You won't take it?
Pemberton
No. It leaves me more free.
Mrs. Moreen
To poison my darling's mind!
Pemberton
Oh, Morgan's mind.
Mrs. Moreen
You may tell him any horror you like.
BLACKOUT
The same. Months later. Morgan and Pemberton are talking.
Pemberton
What do you mean: “you know”?
Morgan
I'll tell you how I know. I know it through Colette.
Pemberton
Who in the world is she?
Morgan
A nurse I used to have. She loved me.
Pemberton
There's no accounting for tastes. What is it you know through her?
Morgan
How they do it! She went away because they wouldn't fork out. She
stayed two years. She told me about it. As soon as they saw she loved
me, they stopped giving her anything. They thought she'd stay—just
because, don't you know?
Pemberton
Did she?
Morgan
For a long time. She was a poor girl—she had to send money to her
mother. At last, she couldn't afford it any longer. She went off in a
fearful rage one night. She told me everything before she left.
Pemberton
Colette was very sharp. And she made you so.
Morgan
That was heredity. And experience.
Pemberton
And Colette was part of your experience.
Morgan
And, I'm part of yours.
Pemberton
A very important part. But, how do you know I've been treated like
Colette?
Morgan
Do you take me for stupid?
Pemberton
No, not for stupid.
Morgan
You're a hero.
Pemberton
Well, you're another.
Morgan
No, I'm not. But, I am ashamed. You must get some occupation that
pays you.
Pemberton
We ought to go off and live somewhere together.
Morgan
I'll go off like a shot if you'll take me.
Pemberton
I've got to get some work to keep us afloat.
Morgan
I'll work, too.
Pemberton
It's all a dream. Your parents won't hear of it.
Morgan
Huh! They put me off on you, morning till night. I don't see why
they should object to my taking up with you completely. I'd help you.
Pemberton
They're not keen about my being helped. They think of you as
belonging to them. They're proud of you.
Morgan (fiercely)
I'm not proud of them!
Pemberton
Except for the little matter we're speaking of, they're charming
people.
Morgan
I'd have talked to them about you long ago—except they'd only say
what they said about Colette.
Pemberton
What did they say about Colette?
Morgan (derisively)
They said they'd paid her every penny they owed her. I hate to hear
them lie.
Pemberton
Perhaps, they did pay her.
Morgan
The way they've paid you?
Pemberton
Let's not talk about it any more.
Morgan
They accused her of lying and cheating. That's why I don't want to
talk to them.
Pemberton
Don't trouble them. Except for that, they are charming people.
Morgan
Except for the lying and cheating.
Pemberton
I dare say your father has his reasons.
Morgan
What reasons can there be?
Pemberton
To save money and to put his means to the best account. You're an
expensive family.
Morgan
Yes. I'm expensive. I have everything. I'd rather have less, but
have it paid for.
Pemberton
They are doing it for you. They think of you in everything they do.
Morgan
While they're about it, they might consider my feelings. What is it
all for—this endless deception? Are they rich? Are they poor? What do
they want to pass for?
Pemberton
I haven't the least idea.
Morgan
And, what good does it do?
Pemberton
I don't know.
Morgan
You've got to go. That's what you've got to do.
Pemberton
And, what will become of you?
Morgan
Oh, I'll grow up. We'll separate next week. The sooner it's over,
the better.
Pemberton
If I hear of anything, I promise to go.
Morgan
You won't pretend you haven't heard?
Pemberton
Anyone listening would think you were the tutor.
Morgan
You keep things back.
Pemberton
How so?
Morgan
You think I won't make old bones, and you can stick it out.
Pemberton
You're too clever to live.
Morgan
I call it a mean idea. But, I'll punish you by hanging on a long
time.
Pemberton
Look out, or I'll poison you.
Morgan
I'm stronger every year. Haven't you noticed, there hasn't been a
doctor near me since you came?
Pemberton (hugging Morgan)
I'm your doctor.
BLACKOUT
The same. Some months later. Mrs. Moreen is talking to Pemberton.
Mrs. Moreen
I was wondering if you could lend us three hundred dollars.
Pemberton
Dear lady, that is too much. Where in the world would I get money,
following you about?
Mrs. Moreen
I thought you wrote things. Don't they pay you?
Pemberton
Not a penny.
Mrs. Moreen
Are you such a fool as to work for nothing?
Pemberton
You ought to know about that.
Mrs. Moreen
Why do you drag it in so often?
Pemberton
I think it apropos to hint that if I had the money, I surely
wouldn't give it to you.
Mrs. Moreen
Nonsense. If you had the money, you'd give it to me. I know you.
Pemberton
Morgan. Morgan, to what a pass have you brought me?
Mrs. Moreen
Odious! Everything is too odious!
BLACKOUT
The same. Some months later. Pemberton and Morgan are talking.
Pemberton
I'll earn a lot of money in a short time and we'll live on it.
Morgan
Well, I hope the opulent youth will prove a dismal dunce and keep
you a long time hammering his Latin into him.
Pemberton
The longer he keeps me, the more we'll have for our old age.
Morgan
Suppose they don't pay you?
Pemberton
There are not two such— (stopping short) —two such fatalities.
Morgan (bitterly)
Two such rascally crews. No, it is unlikely you'll meet up with
someone like my father again in a long while.
Pemberton
What will become of you? What will you do?
Morgan
Grow up. I'll get on with them better when you're not here.
Pemberton
Oh, don't say that—it makes me feel I'm setting you against them.
Morgan
You do. The sight of you. It's all right, you know what I mean.
Your very existence is a reproach to my parents. Never mind. I shall be
beautiful. I shall take my sisters in hand and marry them.
Pemberton
You'll marry yourself.
BLACKOUT
The same. The room is being packed up. Mrs. Moreen is pacing up and down, dressed in a manner no longer fashionable. Pemberton rushes in. He is well-dressed, no longer threadbare. His fortunes, too, have undergone a reversal.
Pemberton
How is he? Where is he?
(Morgan, hearing Pemberton's voice, rushes in and embraces him.)
Pemberton (to Mrs. Moreen)
You said he was dreadfully ill. I don't see it. (to Morgan) Why
didn't you answer my last letter?
Morgan
I answered all your letters.
(Pemberton stares at Mrs. Moreen in an accusing manner. She bears the exposure without comment.)
Mrs. Moreen
I acted from a sense of duty. You've taken him away from us. He's
your responsibility.
Pemberton
Taken him away from you!
Morgan (excitedly)
Do it! Do it! That's just what I want. They're such awful frauds.
(Morgan begins to pant and has to sit down.)
Mrs. Moreen
Now do you pretend that I've been dishonest?
Morgan
I say it, not he!
Mrs. Moreen
It's your place, Mr. Pemberton.
Morgan
Take me away! Take me away!
Mrs. Moreen
Now that you're back, it will be the same again. We'll all be happy
as we used to be. It's Mr. Pemberton's place to take care of you.
Everyone in his place. You in yours, your papa in his, me in mine.
We'll all forget how foolish we've been and have lovely times.
Pemberton
I can't stay.
Mrs. Moreen
Nonsense, of course you can. You're just rebelling against your
fate.
Pemberton
I can't stay.
Morgan
We can't stay either. They're kicking us out.
Mrs. Moreen
Morgan!
Morgan
They're kicking us out. Because we can't pay.
Mrs. Moreen
All right, it's true. Someone must take care of Morgan. We have to
reduce our expenditures. YOU must take Morgan!
Pemberton
What?
Morgan (joyously)
Forever and ever?
Mrs. Moreen
Yes, dear. Forever and ever.
Pemberton
But—
Mrs. Moreen (implacably)
You must. He's your responsibility. Will you desert the child?
Pemberton
I can't desert Morgan.
Mrs. Moreen (happily)
Then everything's arranged, you see. I knew you could be counted
on, Mr. Pemberton. From the beginning. You're the type one can rely on.
Morgan (weeping)
I want to die of shame.
Pemberton
No. She's right. You're my responsibility.
CURTAIN