Imaginative Writing. Blanche and Mitch Scene Six

BLANCHE: I was sixteen when I made the discovery - love. All at once and much too completely.... But he died and it was my fault. I didn't know what to do, he came to me for help and I let him down – I led him to his death. After that I couldn't live with myself, I was miserable – I didn't know what to do. I had to live with myself everyday hearing that music the ‘Varsouviana’ and the BANG! that come after it, the bang of the gunshot that drives me crazy. I loved him too much but I couldn't help him, he died! And I let it happen. Will you forgive me Mitch? I haven’t been very truthful to you all this while. I’m sorry

MITCH (His expression is one of pity, he looks like he was about to have an outburst of emotion He speaks softly): Tell me everything Blanche, the truth. Everything. I want to hear to truth now.

(BLANCHE slouches into a chair next to her, there is a silence. MITCH is looking hysterical with unbelief dead into BLANCHE’s face from the distance he is in. There is the music of the blue piano in the background. She hesitates for a minute then speaks out loudly)

BLANCHE: I had to look for myself and I found it in liquor. Sweet liquor that was my comfort for many nights, I didn't deserve to live with this guilt for life it wasn't going to stop me and I made sure it didn't  I had to always hide myself – my true feelings, state of mind, emotions, from people because I wanted to feel wanted and sort after not pitied, definitely not pitied. I became a woman who enjoyed the pleasure of men – only strangers who wouldn't know who I was after I was done that sense of want and desire gave me happiness and assurance that I was somebody, it filled my empty heart. Even a seventeen year old boy! YES he made me feel young again but I lost my job in the process, I wasn't given a temporary leave. Definitely not.

(She starts to sob loudly avoiding MITCH’s steamy eyes. MITCH’s face is stone hard with disbelief. She takes a breath and then continues amidst her sobs)

 Then we lost Belle Reve, I couldn't keep up any longer – I tried but it was hard. I was almost turning into a beggar my only source of joy and happiness – my beauty was disappearing; I was no longer appealing to men. My craving for liquor got worse. Then I thought one day of my Stella – oh! Stella for Stella Star, my sweet young sister who had left me all alone and married a POLAK and I decided to come here to find good fortune. I found you Mitch, you are my good fortune.

(The music of the Blue Piano intensifies and can now be very audibly heard)

MITCH: Why didn't you tell me how you were from the start? You lied to me Blanche! You deceived me. I cannot believe how stupid I was to fall for your tricks and lies. You Blanche are a farce!

(MITCH is walking steadily towards BLANCHE but stops abruptly and turns away. BLANCHE is crying loudly with her head down trying to hide from MITCH’s angry stare)

BLANCHE: I needed you; I wasn't going to ruin what we had together that quickly.

(MITCH storms out)