The Infernal Machine and Other Plays Read online

  They pick up their torches, and start to move away.

  YOUNG SOLDIER. All the same, when the King asks me to warn…

  SOLDIER. A dead king isn’t a king. And even if Laius was still alive, he wouldn’t need you to run his errands.

  They move off right, patrolling along the path, as Jocasta and Tiresias begin to mount the steps at the left.

  JOCASTA, she has the international accent of royalty. Oh, not another flight of steps! I detest steps. Where are we? I can’t see a thing.

  TIRESIAS. Your Majesty, I didn’t approve of this escapade, and…

  JOCASTA. Zizi, this is not the time for a sermon.

  TIRESIAS. You should have asked somebody else to bring you. You know I’m almost blind.

  JOCASTA. What’s the use of being a prophet? You can’t even foresee the next step. I shall break a leg and it’ll be your fault, Zizi, as usual.

  TIRESIAS. The eyes in my head have dimmed, in favor of the inner eye of my mind, which has more important duties than to count steps.

  JOCASTA. There, there, Zizi. You know I’m fond of you, but these steps infuriate me.

  TIRESIAS. It was not my idea …

  JOCASTA. We had to come, Zizi, we had to.

  TIRESIAS. Your Majesty, please …

  JOCASTA. Don’t be obstinate. I had no idea there would be all these horrible steps. I know — I’ll go up backward. Hold onto me. Don’t be afraid; I’ll guide you, and keep my head up. If I look down at the steps I shall fall. Here we go.

  Slowly.

  One, two, three …

  They come into full view.

  … four, five, six, seven …

  Jocasta arrives on the platform and moves tight. Tiresias, following her, treads on her scarf. She cries out.

  Oh!

  TIRESIAS. What is it?

  JOCASTA. Your foot, Zizi. You’re stepping on my scarf.

  TIRESIAS. I beg your pardon.

  JOCASTA. I’m not blaming you — it’s the scarf. This scarf is against me. It’s always trying to strangle me. One moment it catches in branches, another moment in the moving wheel of a carriage; then you step on it. I’m afraid of it, but I can’t part with it. In the end, it will kill me.

  TIRESIAS. How nervous you are!

  JOCASTA. What’s the use of your third eye? tell me that. Did you find the Sphinx? Did you pacify the people? There are guards posted outside my door, but how about the inanimate objects inside that are against me and want to kill me?

  TIRESIAS. All this talk about objects …

  JOCASTA. I can feel things, better than any of you. I feel them here.

  She lays her hand on her stomach.

  Has everything been done to find the murderers of Laius?

  TIRESIAS. The Sphinx prevented further searching. You know that.

  JOCASTA. I don’t trust your silly methods. Exploring chickens’ insides — ugh! — ridiculous! I know more than all of you, because I sense things. I can sense that Laius is suffering and wants to speak to us. I’m going to talk to this guard myself. This is my wish, and I’m your queen.

  TIRESIAS. You don’t understand me, my dear. I am an old, blind man. I only want to worship you and watch over you. And I still think you should be asleep in your room, instead of chasing after a shadow on these ramparts, on a night like this.

  JOCASTA. I can’t sleep, anyway. The Sphinx and the murder of Laius have unnerved me. You’re quite right there. But I’m glad I don’t sleep; when I do, even for a moment, I dream … always the same dream, and I am ill all the following day.

  TIRESIAS. Shouldn’t you tell me about it?

  JOCASTA. No, I can’t.

  TIRESIAS. It’s my business to interpret dreams …

  JOCASTA. This one is too close to me, too personal.

  TIRESIAS. The only way to free yourself of it is to tell me.

  JOCASTA, hesitantly. I dream I am somewhere rather like this ledge. It’s night, and I am holding a baby. Suddenly the baby becomes a sticky pulp which runs through my fingers. I scream and try to rid myself of it, but it clings to me. Then, when I think I’m free of it, it flies back and hurls itself against my face. And this thing … this pulp … is alive! With a kind of mouth that fixes on mine. And it creeps about me, feeling for my belly and my thighs … Oh!

  TIRESIAS. My dear, my dear.

  JOCASTA. I don’t want to sleep again, Zizi. I never want to sleep.

  Music becomes barely audible as she speaks.

  Listen to that music. Where’s it from? They can’t sleep, either. They’re lucky to have that music, Zizi. They too must have horrible dreams, and don’t want to sleep. Who gave them permission to have music? Do I have music to keep me awake? I didn’t know these places stayed open all night with music playing. Creon will have to forbid that music. It’s scandalous. It must be stopped at once.

  TIRESIAS, taking her arm. Please, let’s go back. We authorized the music and dancing to keep up public morale. Without them there would be crime — even riots — in the slum quarter.

  JOCASTA. Do I dance?

  TIRESIAS. That is different. You are in mourning for Laius.

  JOCASTA. So is everybody else! Yet they can dance and I can’t. It isn’t fair. I’ll…

  The Soldiers come back slowly.

  TIRESIAS. Someone’s coming.

  JOCASTA. Oh, dear, I have all my jewels on.

  TIRESIAS. Don’t be afraid. It must be the patrol guards.

  JOCASTA. Perhaps it’s the soldier who sent me the message.

  TIRESIAS. Wait. We’ll see.

  YOUNG SOLDIER. I thought so. Somebody over there.

  SOLDIER. Where did they spring from?

  Loudly.

  Who goes there?

  TIRESIAS. Look here, my good men …

  YOUNG SOLDIER. What’s the password?

  TIRESIAS. You see, we should know the password. You’ve put us in an awkward situation.

  JOCASTA. Password? What nonsense! Let me talk to him

  TIRESIAS. These guards have their orders; they may not recognize you nor listen to me. This could be very dangerous.

  JOCASTA. You make a drama out of everything.

  SOLDIER. They’re whispering. They’re up to something.

  TIRESIAS, loudly. You have nothing to fear. I am old and almost blind. Let me explain why this lady and I are here.

  YOUNG SOLDIER. No explanations. Just give the password.

  TIRESIAS. One moment, my good men; have you ever seen any gold coins?

  SOLDIER. He’s trying to bribe us. You stay here and I’ll cover the path.

  He goes back to cover the path, while the Young Soldier confronts Tiresias.

  TIRESIAS. You’re mistaken. I meant, have you ever seen the Queen’s portrait on a cold coin?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. Yes.

  TIRESIAS, points to Jocasta, who is counting the stars. Now look at this lady. Don’t you recognize her?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. I don’t see the connection. The Queen is quite young, but this lady …

  Tiresias stops him.

  JOCASTA. What’s he saying?

  TIRESIAS. He finds you rather young for the Queen.

  JOCASTA. That’s nice. TIRESIAS. Where’s your officer?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. Never mind that. I’ve got my orders. Move on — and quick!

  TIRESIAS. You’ll hear more about this!

  JOCASTA. Zizi, what’s the matter now? What does he say?

  The Officer comes along the path.

  OFFICER. What’s going on here?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. These people don’t know the password, sir.

  OFFICER. Who are you?

  He stops short.

  Why, Your Excellency! My humblest apologies.

  TIRESIAS. Thank you, Captain. I was afraid this young warrior would run us through.

  OFFICER. You fools! Haven’t you got eyes in your heads? I’ll have you flogged! Twice! Three times!

  To Tiresias.

  I am so sorry, Your Excellency.

&
nbsp; Young Soldier joins his comrade.

  TIRESIAS. He was only doing his duty.

  OFFICER. It’s a surprise to find you here, Your Excellency. What may I do for you?

  TIRESIAS. Her Majesty is here.

  The three soldiers spring to attention.

  OFFICER. My deepest respects, Your Majesty.

  SOLDIER. What a mistake!

  JOCASTA. No formalities! I want to know which sentry saw the ghost.

  OFFICER. This young fool. If Your Majesty …

  JOCASTA. You see, Zizi! I was right to come. Officer, tell that young man to come here.

  OFFICER. Your Excellency, I don’t think Her Majesty is aware of it, but this soldier will explain himself better through his officer.

  JOCASTA. What is it now?

  TIRESIAS. The officer has volunteered to act as an intermediary.

  JOCASTA. The boy has a tongue of his own, hasn’t he? Let him come over here.

  TIRESIAS, quietly. You’d better not argue when the Queen wants her own way.

  OFFICER. Very good, Your Excellency.

  Roughly.

  Now then, you! The Queen wants to have a word with you. Careful what you say.

  In a low tone.

  I’ll make you pay for this!

  JOCASTA. Come here!

  OFFICER. Go on! Do as you’re told. Nobody’s going to bite you. Forgive him, Your Majesty. He still has a lot to learn.

  JOCASTA. Ask that man to leave us alone with the soldier.

  TIRESIAS. But…

  OFFICER. But …

  JOCASTA. If he stays for another minute I’ll kick him.

  TIRESIAS, taking Officer’s arm. The Queen wants to be alone with the guard who saw whatever it was. Don’t oppose her. She might easily make things bad for you, and I wouldn’t be able to help.

  OFFICER. Very good, Your Excellency. If I may say so, I don’t think you should pay too much attention to this ghost story.

  Bows obsequiously to the Queen after giving Tiresias a long salute.

  Your Excellency! Your Majesty!

  To Soldier.

  You! The Queen wants to speak to your comrade alone.

  JOCASTA. Who is that other soldier? Did he see the ghost too?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. Yes, Your Majesty. We were on duty together.

  JOCASTA. Let him stay then. I’ll call him if I want him. Good night, Captain, you may go.

  OFFICER, loudly. Your Majesty! Your Excellency!

  In a low voice to the soldiers.

  I’ll see you later.

  Exit.

  TIRESIAS. You’ve hurt that officer badly.

  JOCASTA. That’s a change. It ’ s usually the men who are hurt, not the officers. Now … how old are you, young man?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. Nineteen.

  JOCASTA. The same age. He’d be exactly the same age. How good-looking he is! Come a little nearer. What muscles, Zizi — look! And what darling knees! Fine knees are a sign of breeding. He would be very much like this. Isn’t he handsome, Zizi? Look at this bicep — like iron.

  TIRESIAS. I’m no authority, my dear. My sight is not good.

  JOCASTA. Feel, then, feel! He has the thigh of a stallion. He’s shy.

  To Young Soldier.

  Don’t be afraid — he’s quite blind … and old.

  To Tiresias.

  Heaven knows what he’s thinking, poor boy … he’s blushing. How adorable he is! And nineteen years old.

  YOUNG SOLDIER. Yes, Your Majesty.

  JOCASTA. Yes, Your Majesty! What a pity — he probably doesn’t even know that he’s good-looking. Now, did you really see the ghost?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. Yes, Your Majesty.

  JOCASTA. The ghost of King Laius?

  YOUNG SOLDIER, shakily. Yes, the — er — King told us he was the King.

  JOCASTA. You see, Zizi, with all your chickens and your stars, how much do you know? Listen to this child!

  To Young Soldier.

  And what did the King say?

  TIRESIAS, taking her aside. Please be on your guard, my dear. Young people are reckless, ambitious, ready to believe anything. Can you be certain that this boy has seen the ghost, and, if he has, was it really your husband’s ghost?

  JOCASTA. You’re an unbearable cynic. Always breaking the mood and shattering miracles with your logic. Let me question this boy on my own. You can lecture me later.

  To Young Soldier.

  How did the King speak?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. Quickly, as if he had a lot to say. But he was all mixed up.

  JOCASTA. That’s Laius, poor dear. But why here on the ramparts? With all this stench?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. That’s just it, Your Majesty. He said he could only appear because of these marshes and stinks.

  JOCASTA. How interesting! You never learned that from your chickens, Tiresias, did you? And what did he say?

  TIRESIAS. You’ll confuse him if you don’t ask your questions in some order.

  JOCASTA. You’re quite right, Zizi. How did you see him? What did he look like?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. Like a statue … a transparent statue in the wall. You could see his beard and his mouth — when he was speaking. And there was a red blotch on his temple.

  JOCASTA. Blood!

  YOUNG SOLDIER. We didn’t think of that.

  JOCASTA. It was a wound! How horrible!

  The ghost of Laius appears.

  What did he say? Did you understand anything?

  YOUNG SOLDIER. It wasn’t easy, Your Majesty. My friend noticed that it was a strain for him to materialize, and every time he came close to saying what he meant, he disappeared.

  JOCASTA. My poor dear Laius!

  GHOST. Jocasta! Jocasta! My wife, Jocasta!

  They do not see him or hear him.

  TIRESIAS. And did you catch anything that made sense to you?

  GHOST. Jocasta!

  SOLDIER. Yes, in a way, Your Excellency. He wanted to warn you, especially the Queen. But last time, he said he’d uncovered a dangerous secret to tell you, and he wouldn’t be able to appear again if he was caught.

  GHOST. Jocasta! Tiresias! Can’t you see me? Can’t you hear me?

  JOCASTA. Didn’t he say anything else? Anything in particular?

  SOLDIER. It’s likely that he didn’t want to say anything particular to us, Your Majesty. He kept asking for you. That’s why my comrade tried to get word to you.

  JOCASTA. I’m glad you did, both of you. That’s why I’m here. I knew it … I felt it. You see, Zizi, you and your suspicions! Tell me, young soldier, where did the ghost appear? I want to touch the very spot.

  GHOST. Jocasta, look at me, listen to me! You soldiers — my friends — you always saw me before — why not now? It’s agony! Jocasta!

  SOLDIER, touches the Ghost.

  That’s where it was.

  Banging on the wall.

  Right there, in the wall.

  YOUNG SOLDIER. Or in front of the wall. We couldn’t quite make it out.

  JOCASTA. Do you think he will appear again?

  GHOST. Jocasta! Jocasta! Jocasta!

  YOUNG SOLDIER. I don’t think so, not after last night. There was a little trouble; Your Majesty may be too late.

  JOCASTA. I am always too late, always the last one in Thebes to be told anything. All that time wasted, Zizi, with your chickens and your oracles. Now we shall know nothing — nothing at all! There will be terrifying disasters, and it will be your fault, Zizi, as usual.

  TIRESIAS. Please remember that you are speaking in front of these men.

  JOCASTA. And why not, when King Laius, the dead King Laius, has himself spoken in front of these men? He didn’t speak to you, Zizi, nor to Creon. He didn’t show himself in the temple. He showed himself on this patrol path, to these men … to this boy of nineteen, who is so good-looking and reminds me of —

  TIRESIAS. I beg of you —

  JOCASTA. Yes, it’s true, I am excited. And no wonder! The tensions, the phantom, the music, the smell of decay … and t
here’s a storm coming up; I can feel it, my shoulder is aching. Zizi, I’m suffocating!

  GHOST. Jocasta! Jocasta!

  JOCASTA. Didn’t you hear anything? I think I heard my name.

  TRESIAS. My poor lamb! It’s dawn already; you’re tired out and dreaming on your feet. Are you sure these young men didn’t dream this ghost story while they were struggling to stay awake in this gloomy, swampy atmosphere?

  GHOST. Jocasta — for pity’s sake, listen to me! Look at me! My friends, you are good; don’t let the Queen leave now! Tiresias! Tiresias!

  TIRESIAS. Young man, would you move away for a moment? I want to speak to the Queen.

  The soldiers step to one side.

  SOLDIER. How about that? The Queen likes your knees.

  YOUNG SOLDIER. Now, wait a minute.

  SOLDIER. You’re on the way up. Don’t forget your friends!

  There is the sound of cocks crowing.

  TIRESIAS. The cocks are crowing. The ghost won’t come now. We should go back to the palace.

  JOCASTA. Didn’t you see how handsome he is?

  TIRESIAS. Don’t open old wounds, my dove. If you had a son …

  JOCASTA. If I had a son he would be handsome, he’d be brave, he’d solve the riddle, kill the Sphinx, and return as a conqueror.

  TIRESIAS. You’d still be without a husband.

  JOCASTA. All little boys say, “I want to be grown up so that I can marry my mother.” It isn’t so foolish, Tiresias. Is there a liaison sweeter, more cruel, and yet more proud, than that of a son and a young mother? When I touched that soldier a moment ago, who knows what he thought, poor boy; as for me, I almost swooned. He would be nineteen, now, Zizi, the same age. Do you think Laius appeared to him because of the resemblance?

  A cock crows.

  GHOST. Jocasta! Jocasta! Tiresias! Jocasta!

  TIRESIAS. You men, is there any point in our waiting?

  GHOST. For pity’s sake!

  SOLDIER. No, Your Excellency, I don’t think so. The cocks are crowing. He won’t appear now.

  GHOST. Can’t you soldiers see me? Can’t you hear me?

  JOCASTA. Very well, I’ll come. But I’m glad I questioned the boy. You must find out his name and where he lives. Oh, I’d forgotten about these steps. The music makes me ill. Zizi, why don’t we go back through the upper town, along the back streets? We can see the night life.

  TIRESIAS. My dove, you’re not serious?

  JOCASTA. There you go again! You’re infuriating. How on earth could anyone recognize me? I’m wearing my veils.