DOROTHY
Just that. We prevented them from changing his life. What might he have understood—what might he have written—if they had come, as living beings, into his imagination. Instead—restrictions, protection—overprotection—
OLGA
He needs peace and quiet.
DOROTHY
Yes, yes. You and I were united, in giving him that. But did you ever feel … saddened? I believe there was a loss … a great loss … for all of us. There are hours—days—when I regret …
OLGA
When our children were born, Dorothy, he was already becoming forgotten.
DOROTHY
He set out to become the greatest poet of the twentieth century. I loved him for that. I suppose I encouraged him.
OLGA
He could have done it—before these wars.
DOROTHY
You encouraged him, as well.
OLGA
I believed in him. I believe in him.
DOROTHY
Very well. Then, care for him. Love him.
(They embrace, tentatively.)
Goodbye.
OLGA
Remember: “This cannot be wrest from thee”—all those years …
(OLGA moves to the bed and DOROTHY exits.)
Dolcezza mia, how happy she is to see him …
(Caressing him)
The most beautiful head, the most expressive hands.
EZRA
(He sits bolt upright suddenly.)
Let those I love try to forgive what I have made.
OLGA
There’s nothing to forgive. I chose my life.
LIGHTS SLOWLY FADE TO BLACK
SALLIE BINGHAM is the author of fifteen books, including most recently Treason: a Sallie Bingham Reader; Silver Swan: In Search of Doris Duke; The Blue Box: Three Lives in Letters; and Mending: New & Selected Short Stories. The latter collection won a Gold Medal in Fiction from Foreword Magazine in 2012 and she’s been included in both Best American Short Stories and The PEN/O. Henry Prize Stories. Her nine plays have all been produced, including the one in this book, Treason, directed by Martin Platt at the Perry Street Theater in New York City. Bingham is founder of the Kentucky Foundation for Women, The Sallie Bingham Center for Women’s History at Duke University, publisher of The American Voice, from 1989 to 1998 and Book Editor at The Courier Journal from 1983 to 1989. She has received fellowships from Yaddo, MacDowell, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, along with many other honors. She lives in Santa Fe with her dog Pip.
SARABANDE BOOKS is a nonprofit literary press located in Louisville, Kentucky. Founded in 1994 to champion poetry, short fiction, and essay, we are committed to creating lasting editions that honor exceptional writing. For more information, please visit sarabandebooks.org.
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