SCENE SEVEN
I fellowl But Sister Blanche is no lilyt Ha-hal Some lily
she is!
stella:
What have you heard and who from?
stanley:
| Our supply-man down at the plant has been going through
Laurel for years and he knows all about her and every'
body else in the town of Laurel knows all about her. She
is as famous in Laurel as if she was the President of the
United States, only she is not respected by any party! This
supply-man stops at a hotel called the Flamingo.
blanche [singing blithely]:
"Say, it's only a paper moon, Sailing over a cardboard sea
--But it wouldn't be make-believe If you believed in me!"
stella;
What about the--Flamingo?
stanley:
She stayed there, too.
stella:
My sister lived at Belle Reve.
stanley:
This is after the home-place had slipped through her lilywhite
fingers! She moved to the Flamingo! A secondclass
hotel which has the advantage of not interfering in
the private social life of the personalities there! The Flamingo
is used to all kinds of goings-on. But even the management
of the Flamingo was impressed by Dame Blanche! In fact they were so impressed by Dame Blanche that they
requested her to turn in her room-key--for permanently!
This happened a couple of weeks before she showed here.
blanche [singing]:
"It's a Bamum and Bailey world. Just as phony as it can
be--
But it wouldn't be make-believe K you believed in me!"
stella:
What--contemptible--lies!
stanley:
Sure, I can see how you would be upset by this. She pulled
the wool over your eyes as much as Mitch's!
99
l.l'lil.^rfSOBNE
SEVEN
stella:
Ifs pure invention! There's not a word of troth in it and
if I were a man and this creature had dared to invent such
things in my presence--
blanche lsfinging:
"Without your love,
It's a honky-tonk parade!
Without your love,
It's a melody played In a penny arcade..."
stanley:
Honey, I told you I thoroughly checked on these stories!
Now wait till I finish. The trouble with Dame Blanche
was that she couldn't put on her act any more in Laurel!
They got wised up after two or three dates with her and
then they quit, and she goes on to another, toe same old
line, same old act, same old hooey! But the town was too
small for this to go on forever! And as time went by she
became a town character. Regarded as not just different
but downright loco--nuts.
[Stella draws back.}
And for the last year or two she has been washed up like
poison. That's why she's here this summer, visiting royalty,
putting on all this act--because she's practically told
by the mayor to get out of town! Yes, did you know there
was an army camp near Laurel and your sister's was one of
the places called "Out-of-Bounds"?
blanche;
"It's only a paper moon. Just as phony as it can be--
But it wouldn't be make-believe If you believed in me!"
stanley:
Well, so much for her being such a refined and particular
type of girl. Which brings us to Lie Number Two.
stella:
I don't want to hear any morel
stanley:
She's not going back to teach school! In fact I am willing
to bet you that she never had no idea of returning to
Laurel! She didn't resign temporarily from the high school
because of her nerves! No, siree. Bob! She didn't. They
100
SCENE SEVEN
lacked her out of that high school before the spring term
ended--and I hate to tell you the reason that step was
taken! A seventeen-year-old boy--she'd gotten mixed up
with!
(LANCHE:
"It's a Bamum and Bailey world, Just as phony as it can
be--"
[In the bathroom the water goes on loud; little breathless
cries and peals of laughter are heard as if a child
were frolicking in the tub.}
stella:
This is making me--sick!
iTANLEY:
The boy's dad learned about it and got in touch with the
high school superintendent. Boy, oh, boy, I'd like to have
been in that office when Dame Blanche was called on the
carpet! I'd like to have seen her trying to squirm out of
that one! But they had her on the hook good and proper
that time and she knew that the jig was all up! They told
her she better move on to some fresh territory. Yep, it
was practickly a town ordinance passed against her!
[The bathroom door is opened and Blanche thrusts her
head out, holding a towel about her hair.]
blanche:
Stella!
[tella [faintly]:
Yes, Blanche?
blanche:
Give me another bath-towel to dry my hair with. I've just
washed it.
?tella:
Yes, Blanche. [She crosses in a dazed way from the kitchen to the bathroom door with a towel.]
blanche:
What's the matter, honey?
^
ella:
Matter? Why?
101
-^ 1
SCENE SEVEN
blanche:
You have such a strange expression on your facel
stella:
Oh--[She tries to laugh} I guess I'm a little tired!
blanche: '^&,
Why dont you bathe, too, soon as I get out? S;^ stanley [calling from the kitchen}: ^�
How soon is that going to be? ^
blanche:
Not so terribly longi Possess your soul in patiencel
stanley:
It's not my soul, ifs my kidneys I'm worried about! [Blanche slams the door. Stanley laughs harshly. Stella
comes slowly back into the kitchen.]
stanley:
Well, what do you mink of it?
stella:
I dont believe all of those stories and I think your sup- ply-man was mean and rotten to tell them. It's possible
that some of the things he said are partly true. There are wings about my sister I don't approve of--things that
caused sorrow at home. She was always--flighty!
stanley:
Flighty!
stella;
But when she was young, very young, she married a boy
who wrote poetry. ... He was extremely good-looking. I
think Blanche didn't just love him but worshipped the
ground he walked on! Adored him and thought him almost
too fine to be human! But then she found out--
stanley:
What?
stella:
This beautiful and talented young man was a degenerate.
Didn't your supply-man give you that information?
stanley:
All we discussed was recent history. That must have been
a pretty long time ago.
ioa
BOBNB SEVEN
stella:
Yes, it was�a pretty long time ago...
[Stanley comes up and takes her by the shoulders rather
gently. She gently withdraws from him. Automat
ically she
starts sticking little pink candles in the birthday cake.}
stanley:
How many candles you putting in that cake?
stella:
I'll stop at twenty-five.
stanley:
Is company expected?
stella:
We asked Mitch to come over for cake and ice-cream.
[Stanley looks a little uncomfortable. He lights a cigarette
from the one he has just finished.]
stanley:
I wouldn't be expecting Mitch over tonight
[Stella pauses in her occupation with candles and looks
slowly around at Stanley.}
stella:
Why?
stanley:
Mitch is a buddy of mine. We were in the same outfit
together�Two-forty-flrst Engineers. We work in the same
plant and now on the same bowling team. You think I
could face him if�
stella:
Stanley Kowalski, did you�did you repeat what that�?
stanley:
You're goddam right I told him! I'd have that on my
conscience the rest of my life if I knew all that stuff and
let my best friend get caught!
stella:
Is Mitch through with her?
stanley:
Wouldn't you be if�?
103
SCENE SEVEN
stella:
I said, Is Mitch through with her?
[Blanche's voice is lifted again, serenely as a bell. Shesings "But it wouldn't be make-believe if you believed in
me."}
stanley:
No, I don't think he's necessarily through with her�just
wised up!
stella:
Stanley, she thought Mitch was�going to�going to marry
j her. I was hoping so, too.
stanley:
Well, he's not going to marry her. Maybe he was, but he's
not going to jump in a tank with a school of sharks�now!
[He rises] Blanche! Oh, Blanche! Can I please get in my
bathroom? [There is a pause.]
blanche:
Yes, indeed, sir! Can you wait one second while I dry?
stanley:
Having waited one hour I guess one second ought to pass
in a hurry.
stella:
And she hasn't got her job? Well, what will she do!
stanley:
She's not stayin' here after Tuesday. You know that, don't
you? Just to make sure I bought her ticket myself. A busticket!
stella:
In
the first place, Blanche wouldn't go on a bus.
stanley:
She'll go on a bus and like it.
stella:
No, she won't, no, she won't, Stanley!
stanley:
She'll go! Period. P.S. She'll go Tuesday!
stella [slowly]:
What'11�she�do? What on earth will shs�dol
104
SCENE 8EVEN
stanley:
Her future is mapped out for her.
stella:
What do you mean?
[Blanche sings.]
stanley:
Hey, canary bird! Tootst Get OUT of the BATHROOM!
[The bathroom door flies open and Blanche emerges with
a gay peal of laughter, but as Stanley crosses past her, a
frightened look appears on her face, almost a look of panic.
He doesn't look at her but slams the bathroom door shut as he goes in.}
blanche [snatching up a hairbrush}:
Oh, I feel so good after my long, hot bath, I feel so good
and cool and--rested!
stella [sadly and doubtfully from the kitchen}:
Do you, Blanche?
blanche [brushing her hair vigorously}:
Yes, I do, so refreshed! [She ankles her highball glass.} A
hot bath and a long, cold drink always give me a brand
new outlook on life! [She looks through the portieres at
Stella, standing between them, and slowly stops brushing} Something has happened!--What is it?
stella [fuming away quickly}:
Why, nothing has happened, Blanche.
blanche:
You're lying! Something has!
[She stares fearfully at Stella, who pretends to be busy at the table. The distant piano goes into a hectic breakdown.}
105
SCENE EIGHT -
Three-quarters of an hour later.
The view through the big windows is fading gradually into
a still-golden dusk. A torch of sunlight blazes on the side
of a big water-tank or oil-drum across the empty lot toward
the business district which is now pierced by pinpoints
of lighted windows or windows reflecting the sunset.
The three people are completing a dismal birthday supper.
Stanley looks sullen. Stella is embarrassed and sad.
Blanche has a tight, artificial smile on her drawn face.
There is a fourth place at the table which is left vacant.
blanche [suddenly]:
Stanley, tell us a joke, tell us a funny story to make us all
laugh. I don't know what's the matter, we're all so solemn. Is it because I've been stood up by my beau? [Stella laughs feebly.]
It's the first time in my entire experience with men, and I've
had a good deal of all sorts, that I've actually been stood
up by anybody! Ha-ha! I don't know how to take it. ...
Tell us a funny little story, Stanley! Something to help us
out.
stanley:
I didn't think you liked my stories, Blanche.
blanche:
I like them when they're amusing but not indecent.
stanley:
I don't know any refined enough for your taste.
blanche:
Then let me tell one.
stella:
Yes, you tell one, Blanche. You used to know lots of good
stories.
[The music fades.]
blanche;
Let me see, now. ... I must run through my repertoire!
Oh. yes--I love parrot stories! Do you all like parrot stories?
Well, this one's about the old maid and the parrot. This
106
j^J
SOEWE EIGHT
old maid, she had a parrot that cursed a blue streak and
knew more vulgar expressions than Mr. Kowalski!
stanley:
Huh.
blanche:
And the only way to hush the parrot up was to put the cover
back on its cage so it would think it was night and go back
to sleep. Well, one morning the old maid had just uncovered
the parrot for the day--when who should she see coming
up the front walk but the preacher! Well, she rushed back
to the parrot and slipped the cover back on the cage and
then she let in the preacher. And the parrot was perfectly still, just as quiet as a mouse, but just as she was asking the
preacher how much sugar he wanted in his coffee--the
parrot broke the silence with a loud--[She whistles]--and
said--"God damn, but that was a short day!"
[She throws back her head and laughs. Stella also makes
an ineffectual effort to seem amused. Stanley pays no attention
to the story but reaches way aver the table to spear his
fork into the remaining chop which he eats with his fingers.]
blanche:
Apparently Mr. Kowalski was not amused.
stella:
Mr. Kowalski is too busy making a pig of himself to think
of anything else!
stanley:
That's right,
baby.
stella:
Your face and your fingers are disgustingly greasy. Go and
wash up and then help me clear the table.
[He hurls a plate to the floor.]
stanley:
That's how I'll dear the table! [He seizes her arm] Don't
ever talk that way to me! "Pig--Polack--disgusting--vulgar--greasy!"--them
kind of words have been on your
tongue and your sister's too much around here! What do you
two think you are? A pair of queens? Remember what
Huey Long said--"Every Man is a King!" And I am the
king around here, so don't forget it! [He hurls a cup and
107
SCENE EIOHT
saucer to the floor] My place is cleared! You want me to
clear your places?
[Stella begins to cry weakly. Stanley stalks out on the porch
and tights a cigarette.
[The Negro entertainers around the corner are heard.] blanche:
What happened while I was bathing? What did he tell you,
Stella?
stella:
Nothing, nothing, nothing!
blanche:
I think he told you something about Mitch and me! You
know why Mitch didn't come but you won't tell me! [Stella
shakes her head helplessly] I'm going to call him!
stella:
I wouldn't call him, Blanche. %<?;
blanche:
I am, I'm going to call him on the phone.
stella [miserably]:
I wish you wouldn't blanche:
I intend to be given some explanation from someone!
[She rushes to the phone in the bedroom. Stella goes out on
the porch and stares reproachfully at her husband. He
grunts and turns away from her.]
stella:
I hope you're pleased with your doings. I never had so
much trouble swallowing food in my life, looking at that
girl's face and the empty chair! [She cries quietly.]
blanche [at the phone]:
Hello. Mr. Mitchell, please. . . . Oh. ... I would like to
leave a number if I may. Magnolia 9047. And say it's important to call. . . . Yes, very important. . . . Thank you.
[She remains by the phone with a lost, frightened look.]
[Stanley turns slowly back toward his wife and takes her
clumsily in his arms.] stanley:
Stell, it's gonna be all right after she goes and after you've
108
SCBNE EIGHT
had the baby. It's gonna be all right again between you and
me the way that it was. You remember that way that it
was? Them nights we had together? God, honey, it's gonna
be sweet when we can make noise in the night the way that
we used to and get the colored lights going with nobody's
sister behind the curtains to hear us! [Their upstairs neighbors are heard in bellowing laughter
at something. Stanley chuckles.} Steve an' Eunice...
stella:
Come on back in. [She returns to the kitchen and starts
lighting the candles on the white cake.] Blanche?
blanche:
Yes. [She returns from the bedroom to the table in the
kitchen.] Oh, those pretty little candles! Oh, don't bum them, Stella.
stella:
I certainly will.
[Stanley comes back in.]
blanche:
You ought to save them for baby's birthdays. Oh, I hope
candles are going to glow in his life and I hope that his eyes are going to be like candles, like two blue candles lighted
in a white cake!
stanley [sitting down]:
What poetry!
blanche [she pauses reflectively for a moment]:
I shouldn't have called him.
stella:
There's lots of things could have happened.
blanche:
There's no excuse for it, Stella. I don't have to put up with
insults. I won't be taken for granted.
stanley:
Goddam, it's hot in here with the steam from the bathroom.
blanche:
I've said I was sorry three times. [The piano fades out.] I
109
SOBNE EIGHT
take hot baths for my nerves. Hydro-therapy, they caB it. You healthy Polack, without a nerve in your body, of course
you dont know what anxiety feels likel
stanley:
I am not a Polack. People from Poland are Poles, not
Polacks. But what I am is a one hundred percent American, born and raised in the greatest country on earth and proud
as hell of it, so don't ever call me a Polack. [The phone rings. Blanche rises expectantly.}
blanche:
Oh, that's for me, I'm sure.
stanley:
Fm not sure. Keep your seat [He crosses leisurely to phone.] H'lo. Aw, yeh, hello, Mac.
[He leans against wall, staring insultingly in at Blanche. She
sinks back in her chair with a frightened look. Stella leans
over and touches her shoulder.}
blanche:
Oh, keep your hands on me, Stella. What is the matter
with you? Why do you look at me with that pitying look?
stanley [bawling}:
QUIET IN THERE1--We've got a noisy woman on the
place.--Go on, Mac. At Riley's? No, I don't wanta bowl at
Riley's. I had a little trouble with Riley last week. I'm the
team-captain, ain't I? All right, then, we're not gonna bowl
at Riley's, we're gonna bowl at the West Side or the Galal
All right, Mac. See youl
[He hangs up and returns to the table. Blanche fiercely
controls herself, drinking quickly from her tumbler of
water. He doesn't look at her but reaches in a pocket. Then
he speaks slowly and with false amiability.}
Sister Blanche, I've got a little birthday remembrance for
you.
blanche:
Oh, have you, Stanley? I wasn't expecting any, I--I don't
know why Stella wants to observe my birthday! I'd much
rather forget it--when you--reach twenty-seveni Well--
age is a subject that you'd prefer to--ignorel
Streetcar Named Desire Page 8
