Haunted

Haunted by Benjamin Humphreys

Haunted by Benjamin Humphreys- Full Text

LAZARUS and MARIA, a young married couple, stand alone on stage. The place is non-specific although it seems that they are outside. It seems to be night time but there is no weather, no moon and no stars. A gentle, rolling wind, or perhaps the sea is heard very faintly in the background. A thin, wispy mist floats across the stage. The atmosphere is tense, but stagnant. LAZARUS is watching the empty sky, MARIA is watching him, waiting.

LAZARUS     Isn't this a fine night? Aren't the stars out? Do you remember how we used to walk in the night, how it pleased us by suppressing idle details of terrestrial things, allowing us to enrich the landscape with our love?

MARIA           The stars are not out, my love. Tonight is neither soft, nor cool, nor sweet as  others have been. The sharp edges of the world are subdued not by  fondness, but by the cautious brush strokes of your memory.

LAZARUS     You used to say that the day existed as a counterpoint to show humanity how tender the night was. How you laughed as we strolled together through the grounds at Twilight. Do you not remember laughter?

MARIA           It is not so any more. Circumstances have changed and we must change with them. Please do not taunt me with what cannot be.

LAZARUS     But it was. I'm not taunting you, my love, my conscience would never allow it.I'm simply trying to relive those happy times and you must help me. You  wouldn't deny the night, would you? You wouldn't deny our love?

MARIA           No.

LAZARUS     Then that is a joyous thing. I'll tell the sun not to rise and make tonight last forever if  you ask me to. We can walk hand in hand into eternity, all you have  to do is make the choice.

MARIA           My love. You would always try to make things work. Always play the hero, even when all else around you was in shadow. You're very brave for trying, but you must accept that you cannot save me now.

LAZARUS     But I love you. I've always loved you. That which has been made cannot be unmade. God cannot die.

MARIA           But we can.

                        He looks as if he's been struck. He slowly sags to the floor.

LAZARUS     No... I know – I – I'm... that's not... not what...

MARIA           I'm sorry. I know it's hard but you must surely see. There's something wrong here, Lazarus.

                        PAUSE

LAZARUS     It's... everything. This. The universe.

                        PAUSE

                        The sky is out of place.

MARIA           My love, you're not-

LAZARUS     Even the night is wrong. There is no light any more, no real light. The world  has no need of it now. Where is the moon? It left when you did. You were my moon, Maria.

                        He starts to break down

                        You were my stars. How do I know where to go without your light to guide me? Without your light shining on my face how do I know I'm here?

MARIA           You'll know, my love, you'll know. It just takes time.

LAZARUS     Tell me what to do.

MARIA           Nothing. There's nothing.

LAZARUS     Come to me, Maria, won't you come to me? Come to me my moon and stars and tell me to wake up.

MARIA           Lazarus I (can't touch you) You must, you must understand.

                        PAUSE

LAZARUS     Yes. I must understand. That's what... I... that's what I'll do.

MARIA           I know, my love. You always could. You just have to accept (my death).

LAZARUS     I'll find out the reasons, I'll see what's changed from before and I'll make it better. We will walk together again.

MARIA           My love you musn't. You need to stop trying, it will only end in pain for you.

LAZARUS     My life is pain without you. Pain is how I know I'm alive, pain from the wound  that was made when you were torn from me. I must work this out, I cannot exist without you, you must be here.

MARIA           You can't understand what's happened, no man can, but you can live on, you can accept it, I'm begging you please, why won't you?

LAZARUS     I'm sorry my love. I know... I – accept what's (happened), but I.. not being  without you. I refuse to accept that.

MARIA           You're never without me, my love. You'll always have those memories, you'll always have the night. And for now I-

                        PAUSE

                        I'm here now.

LAZARUS     Yes. That is why. Why I persist. If I stop trying you'll – you'll leave and – and you don't want that, do you?

MARIA           So you know? You know why I must remain and yet you choose to haunt the  dead.

LAZARUS     Dead? No. So long as I'm here to love you you can't... love cannot die.

MARIA           But when I'm here because of you all I am is in you. I cannot choose to love you.

LAZARUS     We were always united in spirit, even before.

MARIA           It's not the same.

LAZARUS     Why? Can't you let it be? Why must I accept you're gone, why can't you accept that you're not?

MARIA           Because I am. It's too late. If we stay like this there will be no future for you.  Why are you afraid?

LAZARUS     Because I love you.

MARIA           Do you remember how it started? How we were in the beginning? When love was new and we'd be young forever. Were you not afraid then? Was love not a trepid journey?

LAZARUS     I remember... but the night was pleasant and there was always joy on the  horizon, not this... abyss.

MARIA           Lazarus, my love, look at me. Look at yourself. You're just ignoring one torture in favour of another. Acceptance is the only way to break this limbo.

LAZARUS     You're right. You were always right, but I cannot do what you ask. Don't worry  though. I know what to do.

MARIA           Lazarus?

LAZARUS     I accept it.

                        He laughs

                        I ACCEPT IT.

MARIA           Lazarus? My love, what (do you mean?)

LAZARUS     I accept my death.

MARIA           What? No, no my love – I'm gone, let me go. Please let me go!

LAZARUS     But I don't have to any more. It's better this way, don't you see? You're all that's good in the world.

MARIA           Lazarus, I'm not in the world, not any more, I'm gone, let me go, I'm gone- you don't have to do this.

LAZARUS     I know. I didn't have to love you. I didn't have to be me, but I did. And I am.

MARIA           Don't do it for me, no, please Lazarus, I don't want this. I can't bear it.

                        He can't hear her any more, he seems possessed, enlightened.

LAZARUS     And now I'm going to stop being me, for you.

MARIA           No, Lazarus, don't leave me alone, I was happy in death because I wouldn't have to live without you.

                        He suddenly turns to look at her, smiling

LAZARUS     We'll never be apart, my love. We'll be united, one, forever.

                        He turns away from her, the mist swirls about them, growing into a tempest, the now roaring wind drowns out her cries as he disappears off into the blackness, leaving her alone on stage.

                        The chaos subsides, she is quieter now. Fearful. Alone.

MARIA           Lazarus... my love. My soul.

                        She is sitting alone, centre stage. A single silvery moonbeam falls on her face, as it shines all the other lights wink into nothingness.

                        She looks up.

                        She cries.

End.