by David Hare
Mona You OK?
Donald Yes, fine. I’m enjoying myself. You?
Mona Very much so. Nice party.
Mona hovers a moment, but then leaves. Donald looks a moment at her retreating figure. Then he reaches for a bottle, and knocks down another double. Ingrid reappears.
Ingrid The weather’s worse. Much worse. As bad as I’ve ever seen it. We should have gone home.
TEN
The sound of a radio broadcast: the newscaster reports that the whole of the Northern Seaboard has endured the worst snowstorm of the century. Parts of the country have been isolated, fifteen million people without power. Ten people are known to have died and many more are missing. Now the clear-up has begun.
The living room, again. Mona is sitting on one of the sofas. There is the sound of car drawing up and Donald is at the door, letting Olsen in. He takes off his hat respectfully. Mona gets up.
Olsen My condolences, Mrs Sanders.
Mona Thank you.
Olsen It was exactly as you imagined, Mr Dodd.
Donald What I imagined?
Olsen Yes.
Donald Remind me.
Olsen He lost his way near the rock and slipped. He broke his leg in the fall.
Donald The body’s still there?
Olsen Oh yes. We’re leaving it till you’ve paid your respects.
Donald nods slightly, as if he had thought of this.
Donald A drink would do you good, Mona. What about you, Lieutenant?
Olsen shakes his head. Donald goes to pour two scotches.
Olsen Later I’ll have the body taken to the mortuary. All you’ll have to do then is give the necessary instructions.
Donald gives her the scotch. He puts his arm round her.
Donald Courage, Mona, darling.
Mona is a little taken aback. Then:
Donald You are sweet, Donald. Thank you.
He takes his arm away and raises his glass. Olsen shifts.
Olsen I’m wondering where Mrs Dodd is.
Donald She went shopping. In town. We’re out of fresh produce. So she went to get some.
He smiles at Olsen, a little defiant.
Olsen I have to warn you, the press is taking an interest.
Donald The press?
Olsen Yes. The storm is big news. Any fatality, I’m afraid, is going to be in the headlines.
Donald It’s not going to be a problem. My father edits the local paper. He’s the proprietor too. He owns it. Has done for years.
Olsen I know your father.
Donald Then you know Dad’s not a sensationalist. Rather the opposite.
Olsen Even so.
Donald We can trust him to –
Olsen To what, Mr Dodd?
Donald Trust him to handle things.
Olsen It’s not the locals you need to worry about. The nationals’ll be on your doorstep. This storm’s a big story, and anyone caught up in it. You should prepare yourself.
He nods in deference to Mona.
I’m going to leave. As soon as you’ve visited the body will be moved. Our job is finished. We withdraw. Mr Dodd.
Donald Lieutenant.
Olsen I’m sorry, Mrs Sanders, that this tragedy had to happen here.
Donald leads Olsen to the door. Mona lights a cigarette. Donald closes the door and comes back.
Mona I can say this to you now we’re alone. I keep wondering if Ray didn’t do it on purpose.
Donald Deliberately?
Mona Yes.
Donald He committed suicide?
Mona That’s not a word I like. He may have given fate a little push.
Donald I’m astonished.
Mona Are you? Why?
Donald You knew him better but I knew him longer.
Mona And?
Donald Never once, in all those years – I never saw anything in Ray which – not for a moment.
Mona just looks at him.
Was he in trouble?
Mona Not in business trouble, no.
Donald He said things were going well.
Mona Beyond his wildest dreams.
Donald Well then. And in his intimate life?
He waits a moment.
Mona?
Mona It’s not simple. I don’t know how to put it. He and I – well, we were wonderful friends. We hid nothing from each other. It was that kind of – that’s how our marriage was.
Donald So?
Mona I’ll tell you the truth. What it came down to.
Donald Tell me.
Mona I think he was discontented.
Donald How can Ray have been discontented?
Mona In fact, I know he was.
Donald He had everything.
Mona It may have looked like that. From the outside.
Donald It’s how it looked to me.
Mona He felt the opposite. He felt he should have been a proper lawyer, like you. In his eyes, you did everything right.
Donald He was a great success.
Mona Yes. Financially. We live in one of the most beautiful apartments on Sutton Place. Every night we entertain. Why do you think Ray drinks so much? Drank so much?
Donald I don’t know.
Mona He was sick of it.
Donald Ray?
Mona He was sick of the life. We both drank. One night – you want to know this? He told me how disgusted he was.
Donald Disgusted why?
Mona He said, disgusted with playing the fool.
Mona nods.
Donald Playing the fool?
Mona Yes. He was thinking about his father.
Donald Herbert Sanders. I met him several times at Yale. Palaeontology, wasn’t it? Archaeology. He was a book dealer.
Mona That’s right.
Donald He had a fantastic collection.
Mona He did indeed. And not just of books. He was terribly attractive.
Donald Yes.
Mona He had a string of women. You could even call them a collection.
Donald Yes, but surely he remarried?
Mona Yes. Eventually. His second wife was a much younger woman. She went out one night. He shot himself. Remember?
Donald Yes.
Mona No letter, no explanation.
She looks at Donald.
She came home. There he was.
Donald I didn’t know that.
Mona Slumped down among his books. You see what I’m saying? The most charming man you ever met. On the surface. Girlfriends galore –
Donald Are you saying –
Mona His father shot himself in the head.
Donald It’s different. It’s completely different.
He is shaking his head, but Mona is becoming more emphatic.
Mona That’s why he envied you.
Donald Me? Why would anyone envy me?
Mona You’re a good father. You love your children. You weren’t going to spend your life –
Donald What? I wasn’t going to what?
Mona Do I need to spell it out? Obviously, you know, not to chase women –
Donald Oh –
Mona You chose to settle down. Chose to live out here. He said you chose to live decently.
Donald frowns, bewildered.
Donald Was he making fun of me?
Mona No, of course not. Ray said, let’s face it, anyone who chose Ingrid, who could marry her, who could live with her, year in, year out – it was a choice, he said –
Donald Meaning? Meaning what? You’ve started now, you can’t leave it there.
He has raised his voice, insistent. Mona smiles slightly at his concern.
Mona Donald, look, Ingrid’s an extraordinary woman. We both know that –
Donald She is.
Mona One look at her – she has high standards. She’s incapable of doing anything cheap or low. But that’s not all. She expects those standards of others. Well?
Donald nods, assenting.
Mona I’ve watched you together so often.
Donald And?
Mona Why would anyone choose to live with her if –
Donald If what?
Mona That’s what Ray admired. That’s why he envied you. You wouldn’t have chosen Ingrid if you didn’t want to follow those high standards yourself.
Donald moves away, a little lost, trying to make sense of what he’s hearing.
A lot of people are frightened of her.
Donald Of Ingrid?
Mona Yes.
Donald ‘Frightened”s too strong.
Mona They’re intimidated. By her scrutiny. When she looks at you. Sometimes – you must have noticed –
Donald What?
Mona Someone so – with such a clear view –
Donald She’s not cold.
Mona I didn’t say she was cold. She detects weakness, that’s all. When you look in her eyes –
Donald Yes.
Mona Her clear green eyes – Ingrid misses nothing. You see too, but you pretend not to.
Donald Like when?
Mona Like that night when you’d been looking for Ray. What was going on then?
Donald Going on?
Donald is panicking, trying not to show it.
And the girls, too. I’ve met your girls –
Donald Oh, the girls –
Mona Mildred, is it?
Donald Yes. And Cecilia.
Mona They’re fine girls. I can tell you, in New York, girls are worldly by the age of ten. Little minxes. Everything for effect. Whereas, with your girls – it’s not just Ingrid’s genes, it’s yours too.
Donald shrugs, as if it’s nothing to do with him.
Ray felt worthless. A life of – I don’t know –
Donald Say.
Mona Pills. Alcohol. Instability.
Donald looks down ironically at his own whisky glass.
Donald I don’t believe it.
Mona I’m not making it up.
Donald We all have moods.
Mona I lived with him, remember?
They are suddenly intimate. Donald speaks quietly.
Donald I wish I could comfort you. I wish I could comfort you better.
Ingrid has entered silently, carrying shopping bags. She comes into the room.
Ingrid You’re still here.
Donald Yes.
Ingrid I thought you’d have gone down to see the body.
Mona We’re going. We were waiting for you.
Ingrid I’m sorry, Mona. Let me give you a hug.
She has put down her shopping and crosses the room to embrace Mona.
Mona I wanted us all to go together.
Ingrid Of course. Have you called the undertakers?
Mona Actually, we haven’t, no.
She looks a little desperately to Donald for support.
Ingrid Don’t worry if it’s all too much, we can help.
Mona That’s kind.
Ingrid Do you know if there’s a will?
Mona Again, I just haven’t –
Ingrid Quite. I understand.
Mona I’m not worried for myself.
Ingrid I didn’t mean that. Just – these things can be complicated.
Mona I’m sure Ray will have taken care of me. He’ll have made provision. I know that. And I know Ray always wanted Donald to be his lawyer.
Ingrid So whatever happens, you’re in good hands.
They both smile.
Donald In a private capacity. Please. There’s no question of a fee.
Mona I’m going to view the body and then go back to New York.
Ingrid That seems like a good plan.
She throws a glance towards Donald.
Would you like Donald to go with you?
Mona I’m sorry?
Ingrid No, I was thinking – you’re going to be alone. You’re going to be lonely. That enormous apartment –
Mona The maid’ll be there.
Ingrid Even so. If Donald went with you to the city –
Mona Really, I’ll be fine.
Ingrid Are you sure?
There’s a slight impasse. Donald shifts.
Donald I can do whatever anyone thinks best.
Neither of the women respond. They look at each other.
Ingrid Donald, I wonder can you give Mona your card?
Donald Yes, of course.
Ingrid So that if anything urgent –
Donald I have one here.
He has reached into his wallet and got out a white card.
Higgins and Dodd. Higgins, my partner. We have an answering service. Night and day.
They stand a moment.
Ingrid Everything’ll get sorted. Everything’ll be fine.
Mona We’ll see.
Ingrid Shall we see him now?
Mona nods and goes out.
Mona I’ll get my coat.
Ingrid thinks a moment, then moves away.
Ingrid She’s going to need looking after.
She goes to the kitchen. Donald stands alone a moment, thinking.
ELEVEN
Darkness. The sound of a phone conversation.
Donald (voice) Mona?
Mona (voice) Yes?
Donald (voice) It’s Donald.
Mona (voice) Donald?
There’s a slight pause.
I took some sleeping pills. I just pace the rooms. I don’t know what to do with myself.
Donald (voice) I’m here with Ingrid.
Mona (voice) OK.
Donald (voice) It’s Ingrid who suggested I call.
Mona (voice) Ingrid?
Donald (voice) Yes.
Mona (voice) Do say thank you for the thought.
Mona’s voice has a touch of irony. She slurs as well.
Donald (voice) We hated leaving you at the funeral. We wondered how you were getting on.
Mona (voice) I saw you with the Millers. Did you have a word?
Donald (voice) Mona, I don’t want to impose myself.
Mona (voice) Are you free on Monday?
Donald (voice) At what time?
Mona (voice) Would eleven o’clock suit you?
Donald (voice) I’ll be there.
TWELVE
Sutton Place. The Sanders apartment. A vast room, looking out on the East River. There is a feeling of space and corridors disappearing into silence. The maid Janet, in a neat black uniform, is answering the door. Donald has a briefcase.
Donald I’m sorry, I’m a little early. Janet, isn’t it?
Janet Yes, that’s right.
Donald I got an earlier train.
Janet Mrs Sanders is changing, sir.
Donald Then I’ll wait.
Donald smiles and comes into the room.
Janet Is there anything I can get you sir?
Donald Nothing.
Janet She knows you’re here. I’m sure she won’t be long.
Janet disappears down a long corridor. A door at the back is slightly open. Donald sets down his briefcase.
Mona (off) Donald, is that you?
Donald Yes.
Mona (off) Would you prefer to talk in here?
Donald is thrown, picking up his briefcase to take it into the other room. Then putting it down again. As he moves across to the door, Mona appears, wearing a dark blue house-dress. She holds out her hand, and he takes it. Then he pulls her towards him and they kiss. The kiss deepens and becomes more passionate. They look into each other’s eyes.
Mona Let’s go in.
Donald Mona –
Mona Come.
She goes into the room. He follows. He closes the door.
THIRTEEN
Sutton Place. The bell rings. Janet walks through quickly and opens the front door. Not much is audible or visible in the darkened corridor, but she soon passes back with a large bunch of flowers. She goes out again down the corridor. Nothing. Then Donald comes out of the bedroom. He’s in shirtsleeves and trousers, carrying his shoes. He looks tousled. He goes across to the sofa to put them on. His tie is round his neck. After a while, Mona comes
in, also unkempt, in her blue house-dress. She goes to get a cigarette from a silver box.
Donald Forgive me, Mona.
Mona What am I forgiving you for?
Donald I was desperate.
Mona I could see.
Donald Too much?
Mona Of course not. Far from it.
Donald Good.
Mona What’s your drink?
Donald The same as yours.
Mona Then scotch.
She goes to a small bar.
I’m sorry if I startled you.
Mona I admit I was surprised.
Donald I thought, if I don’t do it now, the whole day will be ridiculous, because I’ll spend all our time together thinking of nothing else. That’s why –
Mona You mean, get it over?
Donald Not quite. More: it was going to happen, so.
She gives him a scotch and they lift their glasses.
Mona To us, Donald.
Donald To us.
They drink. Mona is apparently casual.
Mona Did Ingrid say anything?
Donald What about?
Mona About your coming to see me.
Donald On the contrary. It was her idea.
Mona What a strange woman she is. I told you I was scared of her. But then for a long time I was a little scared of you.
Donald looks down, smiling.
Donald It was your hand.
Mona My hand?
Donald Yes. That’s how it started. That night, when we put the mattresses out …
Mona Oh, then.
Donald On the floor. Side by side.
Mona By the fire?
Donald Yes. To sleep. Your hand was lying on the floor. I had this insane desire to touch it. To reach out and touch your hand.
Mona But you do actually like me, Donald, don’t you?
Donald Oh yes.
Mona Are you sure?
Donald I like you very much.
Mona is serene, confident. Janet comes in with the flowers, now in a vase.
