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Streetcar Named Desire

Page 2

by Tennessee Williams

Come on. [He goes out.] stella:

  Be over soon. [To the white woman] Hello, Eunice. How

  are you?

  eunice:

  Tm all right. Tell Steve to get him a poor boy's sandwich

  'cause nothing's left here.

  [They all laugh; the colored woman does not stop. Stella

  goes out.} colored woman:

  What was that package he th'ew at 'er? [She rises from

  steps, laughing louder.] eunice:

  You hush, nowl

  neoko woman:

  Catch whati

  [She continues to laugh. Blanche comes around the corner,

  i4

  SCENE ONE

  currying a valise. She looks at a slip of paper, then at the

  building, then again at the slip and again at the building.

  Her expression is one of shocked disbelief. Her appearance

  is incongruous to this setting. She is daintily dressed in a

  white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and earrings of

  pearl, white gloves and hat, looking as if she were arriving

  at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district.

  She is about five years older than Stella. Her delicate

  beauty must avoid a strong light. There is something

  about her uncertain manner, as well as her white clothes,

  that suggests a moth.}

  eunice [finally]:

  What's the matter, honey? Are you lost?

  blanche [with faintly hysterical humor}:

  They told me to take a street-car named Desire, and then

  transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and

  get off at�Elysian Fields!

  eunice:

  That's where you are now.

  blanche:

  At Elysian Fields?

  eunice:

  This here is Elysian Fields.

  blanche:

  They mustn't have�understood�what number I wanted.

  eunice:

  What number you lookin' for?

  [Blanche wearily refers to the slip of paper.}

  blanche:

  Six thirty-two.

  eunice:

  You don't have to look no further.

  blanche [uncomprehendingly}:

  Tm looking for my sister, Stella DuBois. I mean�Mrs.

  Stanley Kowalsld.

  eunice:

  That's the party.�You just did miss her, though.

  15

  SCENE ONE

  blanche:

  This--can this be--her home?

  eunice:

  She's got the downstairs faere and I got the up.

  blanche:

  Oh. She's--out?

  eunice:

  You noticed that bowling alley around the corner?

  blanche:

  I'm--not sure I did.

  eunice:

  Well, that's where she's at, watchin' her husband bowl. [There is a pause] You want to leave your suitcase here an'

  go find her?

  blanche:

  No.

  negro woman:

  I'll go tell her you come.

  blanche:

  Thanlffl.

  negro woman:

  You welcome. [She 'goes out.}

  eunice:

  She wasnt expecting you?

  blanche:

  No. No, not tonight

  eunice:

  Well, why don't you just go in and make yourself at home

  tfll they get back.

  blanche:

  How could I--do that?

  eunice:

  We own this place so I can let you in.

  [She gets up and opens the downstairs door. A light goes

  on behind the blind, fuming it light blue. Blanche slowly

  follows her into the downstairs flat. The surrounding areas

  dim out as the interior is lighted.]

  W 1G

  ^^y^".' ~v^ -..ffi^i^'.^ ' , 'S.^BSS.''8

  SCENE ONE

  [Two rooms can be seen, not too clearly defined. The one

  first entered is primarily a kitchen but contains a folding

  bed to be wed by Blanche. The room beyond this is a bedroom.

  Off this room is a narrow door to a bathroom.]

  eunice [defensively, noticing Blanche's look}:

  It's sort of messed up right now but when it's clean it's real

  sweet.

  blanche:

  Is it?

  eunice:

  Uh, huh, I think so. So you're Stella's sister?

  blanche:

  Yes. [Wanting to get rid of her} Thanks for letting me in.

  eunice:

  Par nada, as the Mexicans say, por nodal Stella spoke of

  you.

  blanche:

  Yes?

  eunice:

  I think she said you taught school.

  blanche:

  Yes.

  eunice:

  And you're from Mississippi, huh?

  blanche:

  Yes.

  eunice:

  She showed me a picture of your home-place, the plantation.

  blanche:

  Belle Reve? eunice:

  A great big place with white columns.

  blanche:

  Yes...

  eunice:

  A place like that must be awful hard to keep up.

  17

  _i1'^ ^E^iai^JlJ

  90BSH OXB

  blanche:

  If you will excuse me. Tm just about to drop.

  eunice:

  Sure, honey. Why dont yon set down?

  blanche:

  What I meant was I'd like to be left alone.

  eunice:

  Aw. I'll make myself scarce, in that case.

  blanche:

  I didn't mean to be rude, but--

  eunice:

  111 drop by the bowling alley an' hustle her up. [She goes

  out the door.]

  [Blanche sits in a chair very stiffly with her shoulders

  slightly hunched and her legs pressed close together and

  her hands tightly clutching her purse as if she were quite

  cold. After a while the blind look goes out of her eyes and

  she begins to look slowly around. A cat screeches. She

  catches her breath with a startled gesture. Suddenly she

  notices something in a half-opened closet. She springs up

  and crosses to it, and removes a whiskey bottle. She pours

  a half tumbler of whiskey and tosses it down. She carefully

  replaces the bottle and washes out the tumbler at the

  sink. Then she resumes her seat in front of the table.}

  b'anche [faintly to herselfl:

  I've got to keep hold of myself!

  [Stella comes quickly around the corner of the building

  and runs to the door of the downstairs flat.]

  stella [calling out joyfully]:

  Blanche!

  [For a moment they stare at each other. Then Blanche

  springs up and runs to her with a wild cry.]

  blanche:

  Stella, oh, Stella, Stella! Stella for Star! [She begins to speak with feverish vivacity as if she feared

  for either of them to stop and think. They catch each other

  in a spasmodic embrace.}

  blanche:

  Now, then, let me look at you. But dont you look at me,

  li

  SCENE ONE

  Stella, no, no, no, not till later, not till I've bathed and

  rested! And turn that over-light off! Turn that offi I won't

  be looked at in this merciless glarel [Stella laughs and complies] Come back here now! Oh, my baby! Stella! Stella for

  Star! [She embraces her again] I thought you would never

  come back to this horrible place! What am I saying? I didn't mean to say that. I meant to be nice about it and say

  --Oh, wh
at a convenient location and such--Haa-ha!

  Precious lamb! You haven't said a word to me.

  stella:

  You haven't given me a chance to, honey! [She laughs, but

  her glance at Blanche is a little anxious.]

  blanche:

  Well, now you talk. Open your pretty mouth and talk while

  I look around for some liquor! I know you must have some

  liquor on the place! Where could it be, I wonder? Oh, I spy, I spy!

  [She rushes to the closet and removes the bottle; she is shaking

  all over and panting for breath as she tries to laugh.

  The bottle nearly slips from her grasp.]

  stella [noticing]:

  Blanche, you sit down and let me pour the drinks. I don't

  know what we've got to mix with. Maybe a coke's in the

  icebox. Look'n see, honey, while I'm-- blanche:

  No coke, honey, not with my nerves tonight! Where--

  where--where is--?

  stella:

  Stanley? Bowling! He loves it. They're having a--found

  some soda!--tournament...

  blanche:

  Just water, baby, to chase it! Now don't get worried, your

  sister hasn't turned into a drunkard, she's just all shaken

  up and hot and tired and dirty! You sit down, now, and

  explain this place to me! What are you doing in a place

  like this?

  stella:

  Now, Blanche--

  blanche:

  Oh, I'm not going to be hypocritical, Tm going to be

  19

  SCENE ONE

  honestly critical about it! Never, never, never in my worst

  dreams could I picture�Only Poe! Only Mr. Edgar Allan

  Poel�could do it justice! Out there I suppose is the ghoulhaunted

  woodland of Weir! [She laughs.}

  stella:

  No, honey, those are the L & N tracks.

  blanche:

  No, now seriously, putting joking aside. Why didn't you

  tell me, why didn't you write me, honey, why didn't you

  let me know?

  stblla [carefully, pouring herself a drink}:

  Tell you what, Blanche?

  blanche:

  Why, that you had to live in these conditions!

  stella:

  Aren't you being a little intense about it? It's not that bad

  at all! New Orleans isn't like other cities.

  blanche:

  This has got nothing to do with New OIreans. You might

  as well say�forgive me, blessed baby! [She suddenly stops

  short} The subject is closed!

  stella [a little drily}:

  Thanks.

  [During the pause, Blanche stares at her. She smiles at

  Blanche.}

  blanche [looking down at her glass, which shakes in her

  hand}:

  You're all I*ve got in the world, and you're not glad to see

  me!

  stella [sincerely}:

  Why, Blanche, you know that's not true.

  blanche:

  No?�I'd forgotten how quiet you were.

  stella:

  You never did give me a chance to say much, Blanche. So

  I just got in the habit of being quiet around you.

  blanche [vaguely}:

  A good habit to get into ... [then, abruptly} You haven't

  39

  BOBNE ONE

  asked me how I happened to get away from the school before

  the spring term ended.

  stella:

  Well, I thought you'd volunteer that information--if you

  wanted to tell me.

  blanche:

  You thought Fd been fired?

  stella:

  No, I--thought you might have--resigned...

  blanche:

  I was so exhausted by all I'd been through my--nerves

  broke. [Nervously tamping cigarette] I was on the verge

  of--lunacy, almost! So Mr. Graves--Mr. Graves is the high

  school superintendent--he suggested I take a leave of absence.

  I couldn't put all of those details into the wire ... [She drinks quickly] Oh, this buzzes right through me and

  feels so good!

  stella:

  Won't you have another?

  blanche:

  No, one's my limit.

  stella:

  Sure?

  blanche:

  You haven't said a word about my appearance.

  stella:

  You look just fine.

  blanche:

  God love you for a liarl Daylight never exposed so total

  a ruin! But you--you've put on some weight, yes, you're

  just as plump as a little partridge! And it's so becoming

  to you!

  stella:

  Now, Blanche--

  blanche:

  Yes, it is, it is or I wouldn't say iti You just have to watch

  around the hips a little. Stand up.

  stella:

  Not now.

  21

  SCENE ONE

  blanche:

  You hear me? I said stand up! [Stella complies reluctantly] You messy child, you, you've spilt something on the pretty

  white lace collar! About your hair--you ought to have it cut

  in a feather bob with your dainty features. Stella, you have a

  maid, don't you?

  stella:

  No. With only two rooms it's--

  blanche:

  What? Two rooms, did you say?

  stella:

  This one and--[She is embarrassed.]

  blanche:

  The other one? [She laughs sharply. There is an embarrassed

  silence.]

  blanche:

  I am going to take just one little tiny nip more, sort of to

  put the stopper on, so to speak. ... Then put the bottle

  away so I won't be tempted. [She rises] I want you to look

  at my figure! [She turns around] You know I haven't put on

  one ounce in ten years, Stella? I weigh what I weighed the

  summer you left Belle Reve. The summer Dad died and

  you left us...

  stella [a little wearily]:

  It's just incredible, Blanche, how well you're looking.

  blanche:

  [They both laugh uncomfortably] But, Stella, there's only

  two rooms, I don't see where you're going to put mel

  stella:

  We're going to put you in here.

  blanche:

  What kind of bed's this--one of those collapsible things? [She sits on It.]

  stella:

  Does it feel all right?

  blanche [dubiously]:

  Wonderful, honey. I don't like a bed that gives much. But

  there's no door between the two rooms, and Stanley--will

  it be decent?

  sea

  SCENE ONE

  stella:

  Stanley is Polish, you know.

  blanche:

  Oh, yes. They're something like Irish, aren't they?

  stella;

  Well�

  blanche:

  Only not so�highbrow? [They both laugh again in the same

  way! I brought some nice clothes to meet all your lovely

  friends in.

  stella:

  I'm afraid you won't think they are lovely.

  blanche:

  What are they like?

  stella:

  They're Stanley's friends.

  blanche:

  Polacks?

  stella:

  They're a mixed lot, Blanche.

  blanche:

  Heterogeneous�types?

  stella:

  Oh, yes. Yes, types is rightl

  blanche:

  Well�anyhow�I brought nice clothes and FU wear them.

  I guess yo
u're hoping I'll say I'll put up at a hotel, but I'm

  not going to put up at a hotel. I want to be near you, got

  to be v^ith somebody, I can't be alone! Because�as you

  must have noticed�I'm�not very well . . . [Her voice

  drops and her look is frightened.}

  stella:

  You seem a little bit nervous or overwrought or something.

  blanche:

  Will Stanley like me, or will I just be a visiting in-law, Stella?

  I couldn't stand that

  stella:

  You'U get along fine together, if youll just try not to�

  23

  well�compare him with men that we went out with

  home.

  blanche:

  Is he so�different?

  stella:

  Yes. A different species.

  blanche:

  In what way; what's he like?

  stella:

  Oh, you can't describe someone you're in love with! He,"

  a picture of him! [She hands a photograph to Blanche.]

  blanche:

  An officer?

  stella:

  A Master Sergeant in the Engineers' Corps. Those e!

  decorations!

  blanche:

  He had those on when you met him?

  stella:

  I assure you I wasn't just blinded by all the brass.

  blanche:

  That's not what I�

  stella:

  But of course there were things to adjust myself to la

  on.

  blanche:

  Such as his civilian background! [Stella laughs uncertain;;

  How did he take it when you said I was coming?

  stella:

  Oh, Stanley doesn't know yet

  blanche [frightened]:

  You�haven't told him?

  stella:

  He's on the road a good deal.

  blanche:

  Oh. Travels?

  stella:

  Yes.

  24

  SCENE ONE

  BLANCHE:

  Good. I mean--isn't it? stella [half to herself}:

  I can hardly stand it when he is away for a night...

  blanche:

  Why, Stella!

  stella:

  When he's away for a week I nearly go wild!

  blanche:

  Gracious!

  stella:

  And when he comes back I cry on his lap like a baby...

  [She smiles to herself.} blanche:

  I guess that is what is meant by being in love ... [Stella

  looks up with a radiant sntile.] Stella--

  stella:

  What?

  blanche [in an uneasy rush]:

  I haven't asked you the things you probably thought I

  was going to ask. And so I'll expect you to be understanding

  about what / have to tell you.

  stella:

  What, Blanche? [Her face turns anxious.}

  blanche:

  Well, Stella--you're going to reproach me, I know that

  you're bound to reproach me--but before you do--take

  into consideration--you left! I stayed and struggled! You

  came to New Orleans and looked out for yourself. / stayed

  at Belle Reve and tried to hold it together! I'm not meaning this in any reproachful way, but all the burden descended

  on my shoulders.

  stella:

  The best I could do was make my own living, Blanche.

  [Blanche begins to shake again with intensity.}

  blanche:

  I know, I know. But you are the one that abandoned Belle

  as

  SOBNE ONE

  Reve, not II I stayed and fought for it, bled for it, almost

  died for it!

  stella:

  Stop (his hysterical outburst and tell me what's happened"! What do you mean fought and bled? What kind of--

  blanche:

  I knew you would, Stella. I knew you would take this attitude

  about it!

  stella:

  About--what?--pleasel

  blanche [slowly]:

  The loss--the loss...

  stella:

  Belle Reve? Lost, is it? Nol

  blanche:

  Yes. Stella.

  [They stare at each oilier across the yellow-checked linoleum

  of the table. Blanche slowly nods her head and Stellc. looks slowly down at her hands folded on the table. The

  music of the "blue piano" grows louder. Blanche touches. her handkerchief to her forehead.}

  stella:

  But how did it go? What happened?

  blanche [springing up]:

  You're a fine one to ask me how it went!

  stella:

  Blanche!

  blanche:

  You're a fine one to sit there accusing me of it!

  stella:

  Blanche!

  blanche:

  I, I, / took the blows in my face and my body! All of those

  deaths! The long parade to the graveyard! Father, mother!

  Margaret, that dreadful way! So big with it, it couldn't be

  put in a coffin! But had to be burned like rubbish! You just came home in time for the funerals, Stella. And funerals

  are pretty compared to deaths. Funerals are quiet, but deaths

  20

  SCENE ONE

  --not always. Sometimes their breathing is hoarse, and

  sometimes it rattles, and sometimes they even cry out to

  you, "Don't let me go!" Even the old, sometimes, say, "Don't let me go." As if you were able to stop them! But

  funerals are quiet, with pretty flowers. And, oh, what gorgeous

  boxes they pack them away in! Unless you were there

  at the bed when they cried out, "Hold mel" you'd never

  suspect there was the struggle for breath and bleeding. You

  didn't dream, but I saw! Saw! Saw! And now you sit there

  telling me with your eyes that I let the place go! How in

  hell do you think all that sickness and dying was paid for? Death is expensive, Miss Stella! And old Cousin Jessie's

  right after Margaret's, hers! Why, the Grim Reaper had put

  up his tent on our doorstep! ... Stella. Belle Reve was

  his headquarters! Honey--that's how it slipped through my

  fingers! Which of them left us a fortune? Which of them

  left a cent of insurance even? Only poor Jessie--one hundred

  to pay for her coffin. That was all, Stella! And I with my pitiful salary at the school. Yes, accuse me! Sit there

  and stare at me, thinking I let the place go! / let the place

  go? Where were you! In bed with your--Polack!

  stella [springing]:

  Blanche! You be still! That's enough! [She starts out.]

  blanche:

  Where are you going?

  stella:

  I'm going into the bathroom to wash my face.

  blanche:

  Qh, Stella, Stella, you're crying!

 

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