Man of La Mancha (10 page)

CAPTAIN
(
Shouting
) Cervantes! Cervantes! Prepare to be summoned!

CERVANTES
(
Confusedly
) By whom?

CAPTAIN
The Judges of the Inquisition!

THE GOVERNOR
Captain! How soon?

CAPTAIN
Soon!

(
He exits
)

THE GOVERNOR
But not yet. (
To
CERVANTES
,
with satisfaction
) Good. You’ll have time to finish the story.

CERVANTES
But the story is finished.

THE GOVERNOR
What?

CERVANTES
At least so far as I know it.

THE GOVERNOR
I don’t think I like this ending. (
A growl from the
PRISONERS
) I don’t think the jury likes it, either.

THE DUKE
Well, then—he’s failed!

THE GOVERNOR
Miguel de Cervantes. It is the sentence of this court—

CERVANTES
(
Panicky
) Wait!

THE GOVERNOR
For what?

CERVANTES
If I could have a little more time?

THE GOVERNOR
(
After a glance at the
PRISONERS
) Oh,
I’ll
grant it. But the Inquisition …?

CERVANTES
A few moments only! Let me improvise …

(
He snaps his fingers, pointing out the
PRISONERS
who are to play in the following scene. Music underscores: a melancholy version of “I’m Only Thinking of Him” as the setting is improvised in the shape of a bedroom in
ALONSO QUIJANA
’
s home. Limiting alters to shafts of dying sun as the bed and its occupant—
DON QUIXOTE—
are revealed.

QUIXOTE
’
s eyes are open but deep-hollowed and remote, windows on a mind that has retreated to
some secret place. There is silence a while but for the music
)

ANTONIA
(
Voice low, to
CARRASCO
) Can you do
nothing?

PADRE
(
With soft compassion
) I’m afraid there’ll be more need of my services than his. (
Waves a hand slowly across
QUIXOTE
’
s
unseeing eyes
) Where is he, I wonder? In what dark cavern of the mind?

DR. CARRASCO
According to recent theory—

PADRE
Doctor. Please.

DR. CARRASCO
(
Resentfully
) Don’t you think I did right?

PADRE
(
Sighing
) Yes. There’s the contradiction …

(SANCHO
enters timidly, hat in hand
)

ANTONIA
You again?

DR. CARRASCO
Tell him to go away.

PADRE
(
Wearily
) What harm can he do?

ANTONIA
Yes—it’s all been done!

(
She lets him pass, grudgingly
)

SANCHO
(
Bobbing his head to the
PADRE
) Your Reverence. (
Diffidently
) Could I talk to him?

PADRE
I’m afraid he won’t hear you.

SANCHO
Well, then, I won’t say much.

DR. CARRASCO
And no mention of knight-errantry!

SANCHO
Of course not. Does one speak of the rope in the house of the hanged? Oh—excuse me, Your Grace.

ANTONIA
(
Bitterly
) Your Grace.

SANCHO
(
Seating himself by the bed
) Just a few words … to lighten his heart. (
Music: he sings
)

A little gossip … a little chat …

A little idle talk … of this and that …

I’ll tell him all the troubles I have had

And since he doesn’t hear, at least he won’t feel bad.
(
To
QUIXOTE
)

When I first got home my wife Teresa beat me,

But the blows fell very lightly on my back.

She kept missing every other stroke and crying from the heart

That while I was gone she’d gone and lost the knack! (
Spoken
)

Of course I hit her back, Your Grace, but she’s a lot harder than I am, and you know what they say—“Whether the stone hits the pitcher or the pitcher hits the stone, it’s going to be bad for the pitcher.” So I’ve got bruises from here to—
   (
An admonishing look from the
PADRE
.
He sings
)

A little gossip … a little chat …

A little idle talk … of this and that …

If no one listens, then it’s just as well,

At least I won’t get caught in any lies I tell!
(
Conspiratorially to
QUIXOTE
)

Oh, I haven’t fought a windmill in a fortnight,

And the humble joys get duller every day.

Why, when I’m asleep a dragon with his fiery tongue a-waggin’

Whispers, “Sancho, won’t you please come out and play?”

DR. CARRASCO
(
Roused
) That’s enough now.

SANCHO
Why? What did I do?

DR. CARRASCO
I warned you!

SANCHO
I didn’t do anything, I was only trying to—

DON QUIXOTE
(
Barely audible
) My friend.

SANCHO
(
Politely, as all turn, startled
) Did Your Grace say something?

DON QUIXOTE
You’re a fat little bag stuffed with proverbs.

SANCHO
Yes, Your Grace. Well, as I was saying—

ANTONIA
(
Running to
QUIXOTE
) Uncle!

DON QUIXOTE
My dear … (
His eyes go to the others
) Good morning, Padre … or is it evening?

PADRE
Alonso …

DR. CARRASCO
How do you feel, sir?

DON QUIXOTE
Not well, my friends.

DR. CARRASCO
Can you speak your name?

DON QUIXOTE
(
Puzzled
) Should a man not know his own name?

DR. CARRASCO
If you would say it …?

DON QUIXOTE
(
In surprise
) Alonso Quijana. (
DR. CARRASCO
gives a triumphant look to the others
) Padre …

PADRE
Here beside you.

DON QUIXOTE
I should like to make a will.

PADRE
Of course.

(
He exits to get materials
)

ANTONIA
(
Anxiously, as
DON QUIXOTE
closes his eyes and is silent
) Uncle …?

DON QUIXOTE
(
Faintly
) Forgive me, my dear. When I close my eyes I see a pale horse … and he beckons me—mount.

ANTONIA
No, Uncle. You will get well!

DON QUIXOTE
(
Smiling
) Why should a man get well when he is dying? It’s such a waste of good health. (
With a feeble gesture
) Come closer, my friends. (
They come to the bedside
) In my illness I dreamed so strangely … Oh, such dreams! It seemed I was a … no … I dare not tell lest you think me mad.

ANTONIA
Put them from your mind!

DON QUIXOTE
(
Deeply weary
) They are gone, my dear … nor do I know what they meant. (
As the
PADRE
re-enters
) Padre …?

PADRE
Speak, my friend, and I shall write.

DON QUIXOTE
I, Alonso Quijana … with one foot in the stirrup and the agony of death already upon me …

(
The
PADRE
’
s
pen scratches busily. From the front of the house the thudding of the doorknocker is heard
)

ANTONIA
(
To the
HOUSEKEEPER
as she goes to see
) Don’t admit
anyone
.

DON QUIXOTE
 … do hereby make the following disposition of my estate. The bulk I bequeath to my beloved niece, Antonia Quijana … (
From off comes a racket of voices in vehement argument
)
—
with the exception of certain personal bequests which are as follows—

(
The
HOUSEKEEPER
backs in, pushed roughly by
ALDONZA
.
Everyone speaks at once
)

HOUSEKEEPER
(
In fear and
ANTONIA
What is this?
frenzy
) You cannot! I Sansón! say you cannot!

HOUSEKEEPER
I tried to stop her! She threatened to—

ALDONZA
Tear your eyes out!

DR. CARRASCO
(
Advancing on
ALDONZA
grimly
) Get out of here.

ALDONZA
And if you touch me again, by God—

DR. CARRASCO
Get out of here!

ALDONZA
Not before I see him!

DR. CARRASCO
I’m warning you—go quietly or I’ll—

DON QUIXOTE
(
Voice weak but commanding
) Let be.

DR. CARRASCO
Señor Quijana—

DON QUIXOTE
In my house there will be courtesy! (
DR. CARRASCO
reluctantly steps aside
) Come closer, girl.

(
ALDONZA
approaches
) Now. What is it you wish?

ALDONZA
(
Incredulously
) Don’t you know me?

DON QUIXOTE
(
Puzzled
) Should I?

ALDONZA
I am Aldonza!

(
A movement forward from the others. A pause
)

DON QUIXOTE
(
Blankly
) I am sorry. I do not recall anyone of that name.

ALDONZA
(
Looks about wildly. Sees
SANCHO
.
Points to him
) He knows! (
DON QUIXOTE’
s eyes go to
SANCHO
,
who steps forward as though to speak.
DR. CARRASCO
warns him fiercely with a gesture.
SANCHO
closes his mouth, shrugs feebly. Panicky, to
DON QUIXOTE
) Please, my lord!

DON QUIXOTE
(
Curiously
) Why do you say “my lord”? I am not a lord.

ALDONZA
You are my lord, Don Quixote!

(
The others react, then hold very still
)

DON QUIXOTE
Don Quixote. (
Rubs his forehead, troubled
) You must forgive me. I have been ill … I am confused by shadows. It is possible I knew you once, but I do not remember.

(
ALDONZA
is stunned
.
DR. CARRASCO
smoothly steps forward and takes her by the arm
)

DR. CARRASCO
(
Moving her along
)
This way
.

(
ALDONZA
allows herself to be led. But she stops, pulls loose suddenly, and in a rush comes back and flings herself to her knees beside the bed
)

ALDONZA
Please! Try to remember!

DON QUIXOTE
(
With helpless compassion
)
Is it so important?

ALDONZA
(
Anguished
) Everything. My whole life. You spoke to me and everything was—different!

DON QUIXOTE
I … spoke to you?

ALDONZA
And you looked at me! And you called me by another name! (
She sings, pleadingly
)

Dulcinea … Dulcinea …

Once you found a girl and called her Dulcinea,

When you spoke the name an angel seemed to whisper—

Dulcinea … Dulcinea …

(
DR. CARRASCO
takes her by the arm, leads her toward the door but she resists, holding back to sing
)

Dulcinea … Dulcinea …

Won’t you please bring back the dream of Dulcinea …

Won’t you bring me back the bright and shining glory

Of Dulcinea … Dulcinea …

DR. CARRASCO
I’m afraid I must insist—

DON QUIXOTE
Let be! (
Disturbed, mind stirring
) Then perhaps … it was not a dream …

ALDONZA
You spoke of a dream. And about the Quest!

DON QUIXOTE
Quest?

ALDONZA
How you must fight and it doesn’t matter whether you win or lose if only you follow the Quest!

DON QUIXOTE
The words. Tell me the words!

ALDONZA
(
Speaking to music
)

“To dream the impossible dream …”

But they’re your own words!

“To fight the unbeatable foe …”

Don’t you remember?

“To bear with unbearable sorrow …”

You must remember!

“To run where the brave dare not go—”

DON QUIXOTE
(
Remembering, speaks, then sings
)

To right the unrightable wrong,

ALDONZA
(
A whisper
) Yes …

DON QUIXOTE

To love, pure and chaste, from afar,

ALDONZA
Yes …

DON QUIXOTE

To try, when your arms are too weary,

To reach the unreachable star!