PLAYING ON FIRE’S HEART

PLAYING ON FIRE’S HEART



By: Kasim Matrood
Translated by: Ahlam PairDawood


1
The characters :

The old man, a well-known pianist in the seventies.
The old woman, a new- inhabitant in the building and she is in the seventies also.

(A light spot in the middle of darkness in one of theatre corners. The old man enters this light spot holding some plastic bags. Immediately the old woman follows leaning on her cane and breathes hardly.)

The man it’s nice to meet you for the third in the same place . I’d
like to invite you to a cup of coffee so that we get know
each other well. This is how we welcome newly- arrived
inhabitants, and this was done to me also when I came first
here for twenty years ago.

The woman (gladly) thanks, that’s very kind of you. I am glad to accept
your invitation. In fact I need to know many things about the
building and its inhabitants.
.
The man I’ll wait for you today.
The woman today?
The man isn’t it suitable for you?
The woman no, I don’t have so much except arranging things in my
new flat. You know there’re a lot of things to be done in
a new flat.
The man (laughs) it took me many months before I get used to my flat.
Finally I got used to it as it is.
The woman I’ll definitely come once I am up with everything.
The man I have also something to do. I’ll wait for you.
The woman Ok.

(Darkness, we come to the central scene through lightening or opening the
curtains.)

The view
( In the upper stairs, there is the old woman’s flat and we can see only
sitting room with its furniture and lightings which are shown through the

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wide windows with their velvet curtains.)

( In the basement, we can see the sitting room which contains a piano, a small chair and a little library which contains some books on music and many musical CDs. In the end of the room there are three chairs and a table on which there are papers, letters, a cup of coffee and a half empty glass of water. To the left of the stage there is a t.v set on a small table with many cables lying on the earth and connected to a play station. In the middle of the theater, there is a railway train placed in a circular shape on hills and valleys, and this is a game for children… the old man enters holding many plastic bags, he puts them on the table and he tries to empty them.)

The man I have bought this game finally, this is the latest outcome of the
violent fighting, and these are batteries for my train because it didn’t work last time and didn’t transport passengers. These are some sweets that can break my routine (a pause, he sits on the ground), let’s try the batteries first, (he sets the batteries in the small train on the railway and runs it directly.) This is the third time I change batteries, I don’t know why they get finish so quickly,( he becomes happy just like a child), wonderful! come on, go up, how beautiful all this is! I’m happy. I’m happy because you worked again, I thought you became out of work and stopped transporting passengers,( he screams), stop, you come to a crowded stations, stop and get them to their places (a pause), good job, wonderful, you made me very happy.( He stops the train and gets it out of the railway and stands up), tomorrow I held the most important party in my life. It’ll be attended by many famous people and officials. Party’s income will be devoted to treat sick children with cancer, this damned dreadful sickness that kidnapped our beloveds.
(He sits to the piano and plays Shoban’s Bolonis , the scene gets dark a little bit that we hardly can see the man while it lightens in the woman’s sitting- room. She moves in front of the window and once she hears the music, she opens the curtains and enjoys listening.

The woman (playing music is continuous) what a talented player, you draw
me back to the old times when I used to listen to music and
read the most enjoyable stories. You canceled more than fifty
years from my age.(She dances a little bit). Go on, break with
your talents all the losses in my life. I can see you as a young


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man full of life and emotions and many bright aspirations.
Play and touch my heart.

The man ( stops playing and the lights are directed on him). I played
and was fond of piano since I was a little child and didn’t become a famous pianist before I loved music and it became my world, soul, and weapon which I fight with against life’s dilemmas. It was so since I was left alone in this room. I go out only to take part in a concert or to attend a special invitation or to buy something to eat or drink. I break this slow death only
by these simple games which entertain me a little bit.(He puts on the t.v. and sits on the ground in front of it, watches some canals and changes from
one to another quickly. We can hear through his silence political news in review). I’m tired of politics news. They wouldn’t change since I was a child. The only change is sentences formulation and personalities. (A pause) let’s play Playstation and try this new game.( He puts the c.d. into the device and starts playing…we hear high sounds and characters’ struggle. The scene is darkened again and only t.v.’s lights are left while the lights turns to the upper floor where we can see the woman smoking and puffing the smoke up out of the window and contemplates it and repeats again. She hears the sound of the game soon.

The woman your soul and heart are beating together, you handsome
young man. (A pause) ,(she imitates him), he says, what
a good luck to see you for the third time in the same place
(she comes back to her ordinary situation…the man is still
playing a game, making sounds and enjoying amusingly
the game. He’s totally preoccupied). I intended to meet you
when I had known that you came back. I’ve waited for you
a long time. Oh, you’re playing on my soul’s strings.

The man (the lights are focused on him) wonderful! I can play this new game for a week without stop. Once I heard about it, I hurried and bought it although it’s expensive but I can’t without games. I’m crazy in them. Otherwise how should I spend my similar days? Should I practice? I don’t need training, but only recalling. When I’m invited to a concert, I start preparing and recalling the music piece that I’m going to play either being mine or another’s for I know many, I don’t need to train (he went back to

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Playing music.) At last I got over this beast that made me tired. (A pause) now I can go back to playing music again after defeating those strong beasts (he stands up, sits to the piano and plays romantic music…he keeps on playing). I feel that I have met this new neighbor previously, her face is close to my soul (the scene is darkened again save from the man’s fingers while the upper floor is lightened gradually, the old woman sits on a chair in front of the window and keeps on smoking).

The woman why didn’t you followed him directly when he invited you? What important work you have in your new home that prevents you to go. You have nothing more than smoking and waiting. Come on finish your cigar and go to see his fingers dancing on the piano, you must be braver than him and ask him to dance with you (a pause) no, you old woman look at your face in the mirror, you’re in the seventies, leave these thoughts to a girl in the twenties or a little bit older. (A pause) but who said that he has the same feelings towards you? Stop this crazy desire and behave reasonably! (the man is still playing music), go to him now and you’ll know his hidden motives. It’s just a coincidence for him and you’re not more than a new neighbor, finish your cigar and make it sure now. (She withdraws a deep breath of the cigar and extinguishes it quickly). Luckily I have a bouquet
of flowers that I’ve got from my neighbor and haven’t opened it yet. I’ll take it with me. It’ll be a nice prestige. (The scene above darkens and turns back gradually to the man who merges with his music…he finishes playing.)

The man great, it’ll be a unique wonderful party tomorrow. (A pause…
the bell rings.. he goes towards the door… opens and sees the
new neighbor standing by the door and smiling.)
The woman good afternoon.
The man good afternoon, you’re late.
The woman houseworks have no end.
The man actually! Come in.
The woman (giving him the flowers) I beg your pardon, you surprised
me with your invitation today and I had no time to buy you
a valuable present.
The man you’re the most beautiful bouquet of flowers that I‘ve seen in
my life, you gave light to my house with your arrival.



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The woman (happily) you’re a nice gentleman, are you a poet or a
musician?
The man both.
The woman what a good luck!
The man is it good luck for you?
The woman (confused) it’s because I have such a talented neighbor.
The man That’s very kind of you, sit down (the woman sits down
on the nearest chair) what would you like to drink?
The woman nothing specific.
The man I can prepare what you’d like to drink so quickly.
The woman in this case, I drink coffee.
The man Coming soon (the man disappears and the woman is left alone, she examines the place, looks at the train on the earth, television and Playstation and finally at the piano. Oh you, there’s a great difference between piano and your games (a pause). I have a desire to touch piano’s
keys (she presses them and makes some sounds.. the man enters holding two coffee cups).
The man do you play piano?
The woman no, but I’m fond of music.
The man who doesn’t like music or listens to it has a heart of stone.
The woman I can feel your music through the walls when you play.
The man (laughs) oh you say poetry also.
The woman when one is honest one approaches poetry.
The man sometimes (a pause). Can I ask you a question as long as it is
our first meeting?
The woman surely and you’ll encourage me also with your question.
The man why did you come to live in this house and where have you
lived previously?
The woman I lived in a house nearby. My old house is still there but I
decided to have a new life and a new house without fear.
The man What are you afraid of?
The woman I don’t know how my loneliness could penetrate me so
fiercely and get me back to my youth, my dreams and
fragmented aims.

The man and what happened then?
The woman I married a man and lived happily with him when I was in the
twenties. I didn’t know that he’ll leave me alone (a pause).

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The fifth year of our marriage didn’t end before death had
started lurking my husband and finding many ways to murder
him. He woke me up in the middle of the night and said
- I’ll die
- Just sleep you’re dreaming.
- It’s the end. I would like to say goodbye.
He slept after I had slept but he has never woken up again (a
pause ,she remembers) I became very sad, I felt that life has
ended and the whole world stopped.
The man but….
The woman I was wrong, life doesn’t care of us, it goes without stop even
if we have a mountain -like sadness and moans.
The man you were in the thirties or less and since….
The woman I tried to change my life because I have been haunted by the
idea of death for quite a long time (a pause). Therefore
I decided to get back to my first hobby and searched for an
acting band to work with. I’m talented in acting.
The man and you did it surely.
The woman (happy), yes, my kind neighbor, you are not the only talented,
spectators’ eyes followed me on the stage even if I was silent.
The man It seems that you have a special presence even in the real life.
The woman This may be the reason why Hamlet proposed to me urgently.
The man Hamlet?
The woman yes Hamlet has proposed to Offilia.
The man Offilia also?
The woman I have played Offilia’s role and many other roles. After each
training sits Hamlet next to me and often asks me, he was more
brave behind the scenes than on the stage. I knew then that he
wanted to marry me.
The man did you accept?
The woman I didn’t have another choice, I wanted to overcome my
loneliness. As soon as I married Hamlet, I felt I was married
for the first time and lived a happy life with him. My soul
started opening up and spring is back again.
The man Where’s he now?
The woman he’s there (a little silence) he suffers from loneliness also, I
couldn’t resist my jealousy. He has got many admirers. I
decided to have an end to my pains and asked divorce.

7
The man did you get divorced?
The woman Of course. I can’t stand living so. I suffered a lot from
loneliness just like him (she tries to preserve her pride) but all
this has become past and only memory. It has been a long time
ago. Therefore I decided to change my life, I’m no longer
Offilia, I want to be myself.
The man I see, I didn’t mean to disturb you.
The woman never, this is the reality that we must comprehend but
sometimes forget.
The man on the whole, it’s a sad reality.
The woman (a little pause…she goes to the train.. holds it) whose train
is this, is it for your grandson? Or….
The man it’s mine, I’ve got no grandsons but I have sons.
The woman yours!
The man I used to play when I feel bored, I drive cars, take risks in the
streets and mountains, collide with other vehicles, break
columns, penetrate buildings and jump on the roofs.

The woman (astonished) you do all this!
The man In Playstation games of course, I wrestle the most powerful
monsters and defeat them.
The woman great! How long have you been alone?
The man Since my wife died of that damned sickness, cancer, and left me
alone (a pause…he speaks sadly) I was watching her wilting just
like a flower that lacks water. I could do her nothing, I saw her
collapsing, her body dried and she could hardly open her eyes.
( A pause) . Sometimes a week passed and we didn’t talk with each
other. It wasn’t because we had a problem but rather we have said
everything to each other and there wasn’t more left. We have
talked about our memories and often repeated them. But I must
say, if she was absent for hours , I would have felt alone(a pause)
She screamed loudly in the hospital’s corridors searching after me
and the air that disappeared, she couldn’t breathe and asked them
to open the windows as if she wanted that her spirit would go out
peacefully. As soon as windows were opened she fell down and
died.
The woman Sorry, I disturbed you also, I didn’t mean it.
The man I thought I would die after few days. I loved her so, she was my

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dear wife and the first listener to my music. She used to
encourage me to continue (a pause) and now I still live even
when she is dead, what a ridicule!
The woman a human being is stronger than all the difficulties. Man
sometimes thinks that it is the end but time is always able
to jump over difficulties and bring about all the new.
The man (with a low voice) really! (looks at her smiling) you haven’t
drunk your coffee.
The woman (drinking coffee) what a tasty coffee! You’re very good at
making coffee.
The man and cooking also, you can say I’m a talented kook.
The woman very few men like working in the kitchen.
The man when a man lives alone, he will be forced to enter the kitchen
and cook. Are you a good cook?
The woman You’ll certainly taste my cooking one day.
The man certainly! Why?
The woman ( she escapes answering) I have heard you playing music
beautifully today.
The man I have an important party tomorrow and I hope that you’ll
be able to come, if you want, of course.
The woman surely, I’d like to listen to you and see you in others’ eyes,
The man what?
The woman I mean I would like to know what the audience think of you.
The man (sitting on the ground) would you like to try Playstation?
The woman I haven’t tried it previously.
The man come, sit down beside me and look how I kill the wrestlers and
defeat ruthless monsters (he starts playing while his face
expressions changes from joy to sadness and surprise. He’s
excited just like children, makes sounds and interacts with the
game…the woman follows him one time and looks at the t.v.
another time) come on, sit down, it’s great fun. (She sits
besides him, holds the steering wheel and starts playing) press
this button quickly, the next button gives you power and press t this (pointing to steering wheel) if you want to kick monsters,
come the monster is coming near, you must keep this line, it’s
your spirit that must continue.
The woman (gives him back the steering wheel) it’s very difficult, I can’t,
take it and play, you’ve trained a lot and therefore enjoys it.

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The man would you like to watch t.v?
The woman no, I came to visit you and get acquainted with you and not….
The man t,v. brings headache and high blood pressure (a pause) I’ve
bought new batteries for this train (sitting beside the train)
come, let’s play.
The woman you take me back to my childhood which was joyless.
The man I, too. It’s therefore I prepare this child and play with him
now.
I like trains’ game and I feel that a train goes just like man’s
age and stops in stations to leave some passengers and take
others to leave them again in a crowded station and continues to
its last station.

The woman I get suspended with your game. Let’s see how it works.
(Sitting beside him.)
The man he runs the train, gets surprised as if he plays alone , oh, go
quickly my train and take with you all our luggage and sleeping
bodies. Stop in the most crowded station because I’m dying to
see people’s faces (turns to the women and regrets forgetting
and leaving her alone), I’m sorry, I’m sometimes so preoccupied
with this train that I feel sitting beside the driver or as if I hold
my bags and look the way.
The woman I imagine sitting against you and looking at the distance that
the train swallows as if it announces the remaining distance to
the last station.
The man I have a desire to return to childhood, playing in the streets and
going to school. My parents ask me about homework and I
answer that I haven’t any, I’d like to throw my school bag
and run to play with the other boys in the neighborhood
(a pause.. remembers), how happy I was when I played with
them (he turns to the old woman) would you like to go back to
childhood.
The woman no.
The man (astonished), but why?
The woman my childhood was unhappy, I was poor but I’d like to go
back to my youth because I got freedom, decision making and
I can say I was happy a little bit in that time. (A little pause),
would you like to go back to youth age?

10
The man ( as if he didn’t listen to her) what?
The woman I was saying…….
The man you would like to be young again, it’s great, but how?
The woman with your help.
The man I!
The woman when you finish your childhood you’ll certainly find me
waiting for you. Then can we live our youth.
The man what do you mean?
The woman I’ll help you to regain confidence and say poetry in your
beautiful eyes and your black hair.
The man will you say poetry in my white hair?
The woman you had strong muscles and black hair when you were young.
The man (surprised) I feel strong and have great power when I play
Playstation games and defeat …….
The woman we can do this together, let’s play, you old inhabitant, and
you must know that your new neighbor who is over seventy
has returned to the age of twenty. Look at my hair (she moves
her curly white hair slowly with her hand), it’s dark and flows
on my shoulders just like a night. Look at my shining eyes,
they are stirring on you just like dawn’s face. ( A pause) let
me know more of you my hero.
The man (he starts the game unwillingly) I feel glad that I’ve had left this
age and sometimes I feel I’m dead despite I’m busy with playing
music and public’s admiration.
The woman great, let’s start the game here.
The man what do you mean?
The woman that which happens always, you’re a famous musician and
have many women admirers.
The man it isn’t exactly like this.
The woman It’s only a game. I know that you have many admirers in this
age but let’s go back and imagine that you’re only thirty years
old (she imagines)or may be younger, you play the piano, I
listen to you, get fascinated with you and falling in love with
you.
The man a good idea (as if he asks her permission) shall I play now?
The woman and I sit, listen to you and get impressed by you.
The woman (as if he speaks with himself) let’s train the music I’ll play
tomorrow in the party.

11
The woman what did you say?
The man I said I must play something impressive ( he sits to the piano),
I’ll play Mandelson’s Andat. (She sits against him and
moves her hair with her fingers as if she is a young in the
twenties. She attracts his attention by viewing her legs….
playing goes on) come on, move your hands and head…move
(she goes to the bucket, takes a flower, she leans against the
piano and puts the flower on it, she smells the flower and puts its
half towards him ..she comes back to her seat. When he finishes
playing, she stands up, applauds warmly and shakes hands with
him), you impressed me really, you’re a magician.

The man (shyly) thanks.
The woman (takes a pen and a paper from her pocket) may I have your
signature here so that I put it under my pillow. I haven’t seen
such a wonderful and handsome musician in my life.
The man do you have a pen?
The woman no, sorry, I should have brought a pen. Don’t you ……
The man no, I don’t have any.
The woman (takes a pen from her handbag) you can sign with this
The man (holds the pen and looks at it) it’s an eyeliner.
The woman I know, come sign don’t miss this golden opportunity.
The man (he signs smiling but not satisfied) here?
The woman yes and on my arm also (she withdraws blouse’s sleeves up).
The man please, you should be …..
The woman you played your role efficiently and now do what your
admirers want.
The man I’ll sign only on the paper.
The woman never mind, forget about my arm, I’ll have your signing on t the paper only although I wanted your signing elsewhere but..
The man oh, my neighbor ….
The woman I’m not your neighbor, forget all and try to throw fifty years
from your age in the nearest river, don’t spoil the dream, let’s
live it together.
The man oh, I remembered, it’s only a game.
The woman life is only a game and we’re the heroes (a pause) can I
have piano lessons?
The man is this going to be in my house?

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The woman if you don’t mind?
The man at all..
The woman ok, I’ll be here in the morning.
The man I’ll wait for you (a pause, he stirs in the woman) what shall I
do now, how should the game continue? You’re in my house.
The woman it’s easy, as it is only a game, I’ll leave and come back later
and imagine that you’re in tomorrow.
The man playing with Playstation is much more easier.
The woman we’ll stop the game, I’ll leave (she leaves and the man is left
alone).
The man (astonished) what an eccentric neighbor, but she’s nice, she has
turned my usual monotonous day to strange games and dreams.
(the door’s bell rings) who? (he opens the door).
The woman (the woman enters and she has changed into bright and
beautiful clothes. She has put a red flower in her hair and
holds a bag in her hand as if she is a student going to her
classroom) sir.. I respect my appointments and time and
it is therefore I came in the exact time and minute.
The man I evaluate this in you … come in.
The woman I couldn’t sleep yesterday.
The man yesterday?
The woman when I shook hands with you and felt the warmth in your
hands … I tried to sleep but…. you were busy with admirers
and journalists.
The man shall we start the lesson?
The woman hasn’t it started?
The man no.
The woman but I had already had the first lesson. It is written on my
copybook… my heart has learned to play music.
The man great, it is good that you have high music sense, come on
sit to the piano and let’s start the first lesson.
The woman you mean the second lesson (she goes to the piano and sits).
The man move your little finger on this key.
The woman which finger? (she wants him to touch her hand).
The man I said the little.
The woman in which hand?
The man the left.
The woman show me.

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The man this(he touches her hand).
The woman (stands up) the second lesson is over.
The man but we haven’t started yet.
The woman (sitting) let’s have the third lesson, you charming magician.
The man put your finger here (she makes sounds when she touches
the keys) now put your fingers gradually on the keys.
The woman I don’t know if I can ask you something, really, it’s a
question from one of my friends.
The man certainly.
The woman are you married?
The man is it your question or your friend’s?
The woman (smiling) it’s my friend’s.
The man I haven’t married yet.
The woman (gladly) I’ll tell her, she’ll be very happy.
The man why?
The woman because she won the bet (she gets confused).
The man may I ask you?
The woman certainly.
The man are you married?
The woman you mean I or my friend?
The man (he smiles) your friend.
The woman ( she smiles too) now you won the bet, no sir, she’s not
married.
The man let’s go back to the lesson again.
The woman which lesson? We’re done with the third lesson (a pause).
Is there anything new in the fourth lesson.
The man yes, we must learn reading the notation.
The woman teach me your magic’s arts.
The man as long as it’s a game, let’s make it more exciting.
The woman wonderful! You’re in the right way.
The man would you like to take next lesson outside.
The woman where?
The man in a café I used to go to. It’s in a nice place near my house.
We can sit there by the candles’ lights.
The woman let’s go then.(she was ready to go out).
The man where?
The woman to the café.
The man you spoil the game now, stay with me and play your role

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better than this. The café, the candles, you and I are here.
We’ve only to play right.
The woman I get it now, you make the dream true (they sit on the
tables, the table is in the middle, they light the candles.
Lightening goes off and only the light of the candles
dominates the scene).
The man I haven’t seen you for a week. I come sometimes to this
place. It’s quiet. Isn’t it?
The woman it stimulates you to contemplate.
The man we didn’t come here to contemplate.
The woman oh, I forget. I’m inspired by the beauty of the place.
The man (he gets out a few papers from his bag and puts them on the
table. He starts writing the notation letters)look, it’s very
important to learn, write and pronounce music letters
(he writes) this letter is called “do”.
The woman (she gets a pen and paper from her bag and writes) “do”.
The man and this is “re”. repeat after me and write.
The woman “re” (she writes).
The man fa, so, la, si.
The woman fa, so, la, si (a pause) music’s language is much more
beautiful than ours, sir. Can we speak music language?
The man I’ll finish this game and go back to my ordinary life and
you …..
The woman (she tries to get him back to the game quickly) come back
you skilled musician, don’t spoil the imagination, we’ve
flied too high in the sky. Let’s leave this depression and
sadness. I just wanted you to say, for example, do, re, mi
which means that you admire me and I answer fa, so, la,si
which means I too(she nods in agreement) and so on.
Can’t we find out a new language as long as we could
throw nearly fifty years from our ages swimming in the
nearest brook.

The man will you have another music lesson? Otherwise, I’ll go
back home.
The woman surely, I’d like to take the lesson out of your house.
The man but……
The woman these are game’s rules.

15
The man shall we sit here long?
The woman you invited me and I’ll do what you say.
The man wouldn’t you like to sit by the river’s bank. There we can
walk barefoot. It’s said it’s healthy to walk barefoot
because the feet touch the ground……
the woman you don’t need to explain, it’s a wonderful idea. Where
is the river?
The man it’s nearby. When we walk for few minutes out of the café
you’ll see the river and its wet bank.
The woman let’s go then.
The man now?
The woman I still remember the game’s rules. Take me dear to the
river (the lights are directed on them, they walk slowly,
they pretend walking. Gradually forestage is lightened
to represent the river’s bank. The light spot follows them
to the theatre’s forestage . As soon as they arrive the light
disappears and only the forestage is lit.
The man (he pants) the river is in the end of the next street.
The woman it’s nice to be with you anywhere.
The man look here’s the river, water fascinates always me.
The woman it’s a wonderful place. (They approach the stage’s edge and
enter the light spot.)
The man do you like to walk barefoot?
The woman will you try first?
The man I used to do this when I come here (he takes off his shoes
and socks, holds them in his hand and walks barefoot. He
touches the ground quietly as if he feels the cold sand). It’s
fun to step on it although it’s cold. Try it!
The woman certainly, are you sure it’s healthy? (she takes off her shoes
and holds them in her hand.
The man undoubtedly.
The woman with whom did you come here?
The man with myself, the best friend whom I can speak with and
tell my secrets freely and shamelessly.
The woman but sometimes loneliness……
The man I couldn’t have survived if it wasn’t loneliness. (They walk
back and forth) I’m tired, we can sit here and watch the
water coming near.

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The woman it’s nice to sit and dream by the river’s waves. (She sits.)
The man (he sits next to her) and what did you dream about?
The woman I’ve dreamt always to work as a waitress so that I could see
the world in the passengers’ eyes.
The man it’s an interesting job, and why didn’t you work as …….
The woman I didn’t pass the test.
The man look at the waves (he points to the audience.) every single
wave cancels its previous and covers it violently, as soon as
a wave creates, another overcomes it and so on.(A pause)
everything perishes nearly in the same way.

The woman and therefore I wanted to play against my perishing
and agreed to go to the café and have a walk with you
along river’s bank.
The man it’s a game.
The woman I know and we have made it.
The man I have a desire to play music here, it’s so imaginative
atmosphere (stands up) I’ll play music when I’m home.
The woman (she stands up too) let’s go, I’d like to hear your playing
(they put on their shoes and walk in the same way. They
arrive home..the scene is lighted and the house’s corners
are shown.
The man come in, I haven’t seen you for a couple of weeks.
The woman it’s really a long time. I’d like to thank you for your
invitation, everything was wonderful , sitting in the café,
walking barefoot, it’s……..
The man I enjoyed it too. We sometimes need change (a pause)
come to the piano, I’ll play some music, but can I ask you
a direct question?
The woman of course.
The man why haven’t you married yet?
The woman I think it’s early to do that, I’m still young and have many
dreams and ambitions to fulfill . What about you?
The man I haven’t met the woman that can free me from my prison.
The woman (to herself) conceited.
The man music has captured my interest and occupied my mind to
the point that made me care of nothing than playing music,
but what kept you without a partner?

17
The woman I’ll soon put an end to my loneliness.
The man (afraid) inside the game or outside it?
The woman both in…….
The man (he sits to the Playstation) I’ll continue playing, I’m
good at fighting monsters and not at……
The woman playing with me, you old neighbor, is just like solving
the secrets of your old prison. Forget your age and
damn your black sad days (a pause). I’d like to ride
a bike. Have you one?
The man no, I’ve lost it for a long time ago. I don’t need it any
more.
The woman this means, when you were one year(she reproaches
him) don’t step out of your written role, try to stay
in the youth.
The man (doesn’t care) it was a strong bike. I used to
wander from town to town and behind me…..(he
becomes silent and remembers)
The woman who? Remember who was sitting behind you?
The man (smiles) the goods that I used to sell to earn my
living.
The woman it’s only a game, you said you wanted to ride a bike
don’t make it hard, you’ll ride the bike and I’ll sit
behind you and we’ll sing together.
The man but I missed……
The woman I know, forget about your old bike. Don’t forget,
we play. Take a seat (she takes a chair) this is for
you and this is for me(she takes two seats and
puts them one beside the other) come on, ride your
bike in the street and I’ll sit behind you and I hold
in you. I ask and you answer. It’s better than the
goods that you move from a place to another. (The
man sis on a seat and the woman does the same…..
a light spot is directed only on her.

18
The man you’re an eccentric neighbor.
The woman take care, look at the way and don’t spoil what
we’ve built. I haven’t seen you for two weeks.
You may have an accident if you don’t care( she
screams)slow down, you’re riding too fast. I
think you couldn’t have put goods behind you.
The man believe me.
The woman (screams) I believe you but be careful (a pause).
You ride better now and we can speak. It’s a great
pleasure to be with you in this nice weather.
The man the way has become more beautiful with you.
The woman (gladly), I think that your bike and tongue are in the
right direction.
The man did you believe that your old neighbor…..
The woman oh, please, not again…
The man I mean, did you know the best of guys?
The woman what about him?
The man he was riding his bike like a bird swimming in the
wind.
The woman stop vanity you swimming bird and let’s reach
peacefully.
The man isn’t it a game? so let’s play and exaggerate.
The woman stop your bike in a nearby place.
The man we can stop in this wonderful garden and mediate
each other.
The woman a good idea.
The man look it’s all green here.
The woman then, stop next to this tree. (They step away from the
Bike, the seats, they put hands one against another
as if they lean against a tree.)
The man it’s an old tree.
The woman look at its trunk, it may be hundred years old.
The man it looks like, but it isn’t a problem for her. It doesn’t

19
complain.
The woman let’s write a memory on it, we write our names and
the date. (She digs her fictitious name). Do you
know? I don’t know your name.
The man neither I do.
The woman this is my name, come and read yourself, isn’t it
Nice? It’s your turn now, come and write your name
beside my name (he starts writing his fictitious name
on the fictitious tree.)The signature is my affair, (she
writes the date of the play’s show.)

The man you know! I like this tree.
The woman of course, my name is written on it.
The man no, I look at its form and trunk which express nothing
but strength and rigidity against rain and storms
and…….
the woman I’ve got a good idea! I’ll leave you with your beloved
tree and go to that far corner and call you. I want to
hear your voice. I suppose that I’m lying on my bed
and speak with you.
The man I don’t mind as long as I’m standing beside this tree.
The woman (she hastens) look at me, I’ll go and you call me.
The man I?
The woman yes, you vain, it’s a game.
The man I’ll try.
The woman I’ll definitely wait for you. (She goes to one of the
theatre’s corner)
The man (he holds the fictitious phone…speaks to himself
lowly) I should go to a psychiatrist after this meeting
with my neighbor.
The woman (she stands far away) did you forget my telephone
number?
The man no, no, but it’s somehow difficult to call, I’m trying

20
(he puts the receiver on his ear) at last …..
The woman (with a delicate soft voice) hello.
The man It’s me.
The woman who are you?
The man (irritated and speaks loudly) shall I end the call?
The woman no, no, I remembered, you’re the musician.
The man yes, it’s me.
The woman I didn’t know your voice. I’ve just had a doush and
my hair is still wet, how are you? I haven’t heard of
you for four weeks.

The man I was busy. How are you?
The woman fortunately, you still remember me.
The man I just wanted to know about you. I have an appoint-
ment, I must go, goodbye.
The woman so quickly?
The man see you soon.
The woman I’ll wait for you.
The man (he puts the fictitious receiver in its place and looks
at the woman) the call is ended, shall we go home and
train music?
The woman (she approaches him) who are you, musician? I
haven’t seen you for six weeks.
The man (bored) why do you want to learn music?
The woman I don’t know, why do you play music then?
The man I found myself preoccupied in the world of music.
The woman I want to be preoccupied also and change my life by
learning something new, but the most important
reason is the magical attraction of that musician who..
The man where’s he?
The woman you make me bored and spoil my dreams.
The man show me how you write si or re, write on this paper.
The woman (she writes) si is written this way and so re, alfa, sol

21
do you mind making tea?

The man I beg your pardon. Do you want tea?
The woman yes, and I’d like very much to prepare it myself.
Where’s the kitchen? I’ll show you some of my
skills.
The man o.k the kitchen is this way, (he points to the kitchen,
she disappears…he remains alone), I got lost and
couldn’t make an impression of this old woman(he
hears the woman singing a folklore song melodiously
and now you remember this song. I heard it before
forty years ago, (singing is continuous), but she has
right, I don’t understand why we long to the present
while it’s sad and darker than the past. As soon as the
present ends, it’ll become only past. I think we’re past
therefore thought this old woman to throw away fifty
years from my age and hers (she comes in singing,
dancing and holding a tray in her hands.)
The woman I beg your pardon, I made the tea with lemon flavor.
I like tea with lemon.
The man so do I.
The woman (she gives him a cup of tea) we share many things.
The man I want to tell you something.
The woman (anxious) say what you want I listen to you.
The man I must say that you’ve made my day extraordinary. I
didn’t imagine that I’d mess around my memories
and could throw all the years of loneliness and pain.
The woman and can I tell you something?
The man certainly.
The woman once I saw you, I felt that my days would change
and that strange spirits live in you. These spirits
wander and reach my flat up.
The man It seems that you don’t want to learn music.

22
The woman I’ve learnt a lot today and I’ve had the most enjoy-
able lessons. We’ll continue tomorrow after the party
The man what?
The woman yes, I’ll come with flower bucket that you deserve,
on which you’ve signed. We’ll stand in front of the
audience and you’ll say this is my neighbor who…..
The man I’ll do.
The woman I’ll leave.
The man before you leave, I’ll play you this piece of music as
a thank for your presence and I’m going to play it
tomorrow also if you don’t mind and then I let you
enjoy your day.

(The man begins playing… the scene is darkened
except from old man’s face and fingers that goes on
playing. During darkness the old woman goes up to
her flat which is lightened. She sits on the same chair,
smokes cigarette and listens to music……..
The scene is darkened gradually. The playing
goes on a little while with the movement of the cigar’s
fire.

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