Out of the Wings

Un hombre en la puerta (1984), Jaime Salom Vidal

A Man at the Door : ACT ONE, excerpt 1 , ACT ONE excerpt 2 , ACT ONE excerpt 3 , ACT TWO , Un hombre en la puerta

A Man at the Door, translated by Gwynneth Dowling

ACT ONE, excerpt 1

Context:

Victor has come to Miriam’s house for the first time in many years. They reminisce about when they first met, when he burst through her door. As they do so, a younger Victor appears on stage to re-enact the incident.

Sample text

MIRIAM:: We were overcome with such passion. All of a sudden! We made love for hours. I don’t know how I had any strength left to dance at night…
VICTOR:: Do you still love me?
MIRIAM:: I’m very fond of you. Hugely fond. And I’d do anything you asked me to…
VICTOR:: Is that true?
MIRIAM:: I spent a long time waiting for you. A long time… I had this feeling that, when I least expected it, you’d come through that door again…
VICTOR:: And you weren’t wrong.
MIRIAM:: Until I stopped waiting.
VICTOR:: It took a lot for me to forget you as well. (Pause.) Thanks for the cake. It’s been years since anyone remembered that I love orange cake.; He sits down again, head in hands once more. The light changes. YOUNG VICTOR comes through the door to the kitchen, closing it behind him.
YOUNG VICTOR:: Please, don’t make a sound.
MIRIAM:: But… what do you want?
YOUNG VICTOR:: Don’t move. Don’t scream.
MIRIAM:: What’s going on?
YOUNG VICTOR:: Don’t be afraid, I’m not going to hurt you. They’re after me. I headed down the alley and opened the first door I found… I’m sorry, I had no choice. (Puffing.) What a fright! I didn’t see them until they were on top of me. And there were three of them, no less. Can I wash my hands? They’re covered in paint – that’ll give me away more than anything.
MIRIAM:: I don’t know who you are and I’m not interested in your hands either.
YOUNG VICTOR:: I’m Victor.
MIRIAM:: Why would I care about your name? Get out.
YOUNG VICTOR:: If I go now they’ll grab me.
MIRIAM:: Away you go. I don’t want trouble. (YOUNG VICTOR takes out papers from a bag he carries.) What have you got in that bag?
YOUNG VICTOR:: Leaflets.
MIRIAM:: Pick them up right now and take them out of here.
YOUNG VICTOR:: Hide them or destroy them. Please … It’ll be a disaster if they find them on me.

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation A Man at the Door by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

ACT ONE excerpt 2

Context:

Victor is despondent about his life. Miriam tries to make him feel better. At this point in the play, Victor does not know that Miriam is living with a woman.

Sample text

VICTOR:: It’s best if I go.
MIRIAM:: Home?
VICTOR:: I don’t want to go home.
MIRIAM:: Where will you go, then?
VICTOR:: I’ll see in a moment.
MIRIAM:: Stay here and relax. Then you can decide what suits you best.
VICTOR:: I don’t want to get in the way.
MIRIAM:: Nonsense.
VICTOR:: Who do you live with?
MIRIAM:: Why do I have to be living with someone?
VICTOR:: You never liked being on your own.
MIRIAM:: No. I’m not on my own. But it’s not important.
VICTOR: (Taking another cigar.): Do I know him?
MIRIAM:: Who? Oh no… Here. I’ll get a knife to cut your cigar. (She does it.) What are you going to do now?
VICTOR:: I don’t know. I don’t have another job, another way of making a living.
MIRIAM:: What about your degree?
VICTOR:: I didn’t finish it.
MIRIAM:: I don’t want to offend you, but you can stay here as long as you need. We own the academy. I opened it with a colleague and it’s doing well for us.
VICTOR:: No. Please, let’s not have history repeating itself.
MIRIAM:: It didn’t go too badly for us…
VICTOR:: Actually, if I was being true to myself, I’d kill myself.
MIRIAM:: Don’t talk nonsense.
VICTOR:: I might have done it if this old key – which I never took off my key ring – hadn’t opened the door to your house.
MIRIAM:: Nonsense!
VICTOR:: Today only you can restore my faith in life… in the future.
MIRIAM:: Me?
VICTOR:: Faith in me. Because it’s not about anything else now. I’m alone.
MIRIAM:: We’re old friends. And friends are there to help when we feel alone. End of story. You might say you’re not hungry but I’m going to make you something to eat.; She goes to the kitchen. YOUNG VICTOR comes out of the kitchen. Light change.
MIRIAM:: I told you to get out! That I didn’t want to find you here when I came back!
YOUNG VICTOR:: I know. Please, forgive me.
MIRIAM:: Get going then!
YOUNG VICTOR:: Would you mind if I stayed here tonight?

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation A Man at the Door by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

ACT ONE excerpt 3

Context:

Victor and his younger self talk together on stage, as this character’s past and present come together

Sample text

VICTOR:: I was never motivated by particular interests. I was always ready to give up anything I had to. Including what I loved the most. You know that better than anybody.
YOUNG VICTOR:: Are you talking about Miriam?
VICTOR:: I gave her up without a second thought and I’d do it a thousand times over no matter how painful it was.
YOUNG VICTOR:: I’m the one who’s going to break up with her. Not you. In a few months. And I’m the one who’ll be bent double with the pain of missing her.
VICTOR:: And yet, to preserve the idealism of your youth, you won’t hesitate to accuse her of being an informer. Even though you know it’s a lie.
YOUNG VICTOR:: It was you who did that. As for me, they haven’t even arrested me yet.
VICTOR:: But you already carry that proud little grub of orthodoxy inside you. Rotting everything, devouring everything.
YOUNG VICTOR:: And you don’t?
VICTOR:: I think I’ve started to break free… Although I’m not very sure. In any case, that’s my last hope.; MIRIAM comes in from the kitchen with a steaming cup and a bottle of water.
MIRIAM: (To YOUNG VICTOR.): I’ve warmed some soup for you. Take it before it gets cold.; She puts it on the table. YOUNG VICTOR sits with his back to the public.
YOUNG VICTOR:: Aren’t you joining me?
MIRIAM:: I’ve just had dinner. I’ll have dessert with you after. I’ve a piece of orange cake in the fridge. Do you like that?
YOUNG VICTOR:: I’ve never tried it.

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation A Man at the Door by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

ACT TWO

Context:

After making love with Miriam, Victor meets her new partner, Berta. He and Berta cautiously get to know one another.

Sample text

VICTOR:: I’m finding the situation a little ridiculous.
BERTA:: Why?
VICTOR:: Coming back here, after so many years, as if nothing had happened. I’d always kept the key to this house and it seemed so easy to come and open the door. It was completely naïve of me to do that.
BERTA:: Let’s be frank, Victor. The only thing that shocks and shames you about this situation – as it does for all men – is that it took place… in my presence.
VICTOR:: Come on. I’ve no hang-ups of that sort… Although, if I’m honest, it did surprise me.
BERTA:: This has been your first experience of this kind. And since we’re being honest with each other I’ll tell you something – it may seem impossible for you to believe, but she’s the only person I’ve ever been intimate with. Physically, and spiritually… What we have together has been a clean and rewarding break in our lives – which haven’t been easy ones, I assure you.
VICTOR:: How long have you been together?
BERTA:: Almost six years. Since she retired from the profession and we set up the dance academy.
VICTOR:: Were you a dancer as well?
BERTA:: I was a schoolteacher. Physical education, Literature, Greek. A little of everything. (Changing the subject.) You’re married, isn’t that right?
VICTOR:: We’ve two children.
BERTA: (Shouting.): How’s that coffee coming along?
MIRIAM:: I’ll bring it out now. I’m looking for the new cups.
BERTA:: Don’t hurt her again, for heaven’s sake. It was all very painful for her… She might act like the strongest woman in the world, but she’s delicate and fragile. Please, don’t hurt her.
VICTOR:: I don’t want to.
BERTA:: I must admit you’ve been like a ghost hanging over her life… still appearing many nights in her nightmares...
MIRIAM: (Entering with the coffee.): Isn’t she extraordinary?
BERTA:: Come and pour us some coffee.
MIRIAM:: I don’t know what my life would be like without her.
BERTA: (To VICTOR.): Sugar?
VICTOR:: Yes. One lump. Thanks.
MIRIAM:: I love having you both here. I want you to be good friends.
BERTA:: We will be. Don’t worry.
MIRIAM:: You don’t mind Berta if he stays with us a few days?
VICTOR:: No! Don’t say that…
MIRIAM:: He doesn’t want to go home.
VICTOR:: Right now, I’d prefer to…
MIRIAM:: Will you be anywhere better off than here?
VICTOR:: I’ll find somewhere.
BERTA:: You can stay as long as you like. I mean it.
VICTOR:: I’m really grateful. But I can’t accept.
BERTA:: You can see that Miriam really means what she’s offering you.
MIRIAM:: She knows everything that’s happened between us, Victor. Including this morning on the sofa. We’ve always been completely honest with each other.

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation A Man at the Door by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.