The following is a script which we will use for the rest of this lesson. You might want to print a copy.

Winter's Night
a play by Neith Boyce

Characters:
Rachel Wescott
Jacob Wescott (Rachel's brother - in - law)
Sarah (a neighbor)

Setting:
A room in the Wescott farmhouse.
A cold winter day

Sleigh bells heard off stage, stopping before the house. A man's voice.

Voice.     Whoa, boys! Steady now, steady!

(Sound of key turning in lock. Door opens. Enter Rachel She turns and calls out.)   

R.     Better blanket the team, Jacob. It'll be down to zero before morning.

J. ( (off stage)    Yes, yes, I'll tend to it. Don't hold the door open.

(Rachel closes door, throws off heavy cloak, goes to lamp and lights it, looks at key. she has the door key, with a note tied to it in her hand. She is a woman of middle age, dressed in black, with a widow's bonnet and a long crape veil hanging over her shoulders. She sits down in rocking chair beside table, reads the note, then looks absently about the room. In the light it is very attractive-the woodwork painted white, the curtains, couch cover and table covers of scarlet, several red and blue rugs on the floor, gay china showing in the cupboards, and some flowers planted on the windowsills. After a moment, Rachel takes off her bonnet, holds it in her hand, shaking out the crape veil, looks at it fixedly, and lays it on the table. She smooths her thick gray-black hair, rocks back and forth, then, clasping her hands, sits motionless, looking before her.)   

(Stomping of feet is heard. Enter Jacob in heavy ulster and fur cap, carrying an armful of wood and a lighted lantern, hangs it by the door, goes to stove, and puts down the wood, then takes off his coat and cap. He is dressed in stiff, black clothes. A lean man, gray, carefully shaved. He glances at Rachel, who does not look at him; then makes up the fire, and stands warming his hands and staring at Rachel.)   

J.      You must want something to eat, don't you, Rachel?

R.    No. I don't want anything.

J.      It was a long drive, and cold. You'll have a cup of tea, anyway.

R.     No - Yes - I don't care. Sarah left a note, Jacob - she says she'll be over later to stay the night.

J.      That so? (He is fixing coffee, gets cup, etc. Pours it from the thermos.)   Drink your tea, Rachel. You must be mortal cold and tired.

R.     No - (stirs sugar in the tea and drinks it slowly.)   It's queer - but I don't feel tired - or anything. I didn't feel the cold so much, coming home. The wind was behind us. But going over - it was a long journey.

J.      You should have stayed at the minister's tonight, after all. When they asked you, after the funeral, I thought...

R.     Why? I didn't want to stay at the minister's.

J.      Well-I only thought it would by so lonely to you, coming back here.

R.     Lonely? It does seem strange to be here, without him. So strange, doesn't it, Jacob. It does seem strange. You and me alone here, without Daniel. I can hardly realize he's gone-

(Jacob hastily gets up. Takes off his black coat, puts on his brown one. Takes out his pipe, fills it, etc.)   

R.     Death is a strange thing, Jacob. It changes everything. Daniel's gone.

J.      Yes.

(Rachel sighs, turns to look at Jacob)   

R.     Oh, you've taken off your black already!

J.      Well, it is a bit tight - the black coat. It's a bit too tight. You don't mind do you, Rachel?

R.     No. I suppose. But you'll wear black when you go out, for a while. He was your brother.

J.      Of course. Yes, of course.

R.     I'm sorry. I suppose it is a bit old fashioned. I always hated black, but now, it just seems the proper thing to do. My duty, as his wife. my husband. For a year. I always did my duty and I shall now.

J.      Yes. Of course.

R.     And you did your duty by him, also, Jacob.

J.      I - hope - so.

R.     Yes. You were a good brother. All these years he's been ill. And you've been a good brother to me. I don't know what I would have done without you.

(Jacob goes to window and looks out. Knocks over flower pot which falls and breaks.)   

R.     Heavens, what was that. The begonia.

J.      I'm sorry. I...

R.      No bother, Jacob. (Jacob drops his pipe)   Heavens, Jacob, now you've broken your pipe, too. You're never so clumsy. Your as pale as a sheet, too! I know what's the matter. I'm sorry, it's been such a long day. Let me make supper.

J.      No - Rachel, no. I don't want supper.

R.     Yes you do. You need to eat. whether you want to or not. People have to eat, Jacob, as long as they're alive, whether there is death in the house or not. (Rachel takes an apron with a red bow on it, goes to the cupboard, gets things to eat. Jacob stands with his broken pipe in his hand, watching her. She moves briskly.)   There - some bread and cheese and apple pie. Sit down, Jacob. I don't believe you've eaten all day.

J.      I don't want it, Rachel.

R.     You feel it a great deal, Jacob - Daniel's going. I never thought you would feel it so much. You're so quiet, but your feelings run deep. You thought a lot of Daniel. In all these years, I never heard a harsh word from you to him. though goodness knows he was unreasonable enough at times, poor man. He was in so much pain. Well, it's a mercy he's at rest at last. These four years were nothing but suffering. You're not eating, Jacob.

J.      I don't want it, Rachel. It chokes me, somehow - (Jacob pushes away from the table. His eyes fall on the red bow on the apron. He gently pulls it off)   May I have this?

R.     The ribbon? Whatever for?

J.      I - I don't know. The color I guess. I've always liked red.

R.     Well, yes, you may have it. It's my favorite color, too. - bright red. - scarlet - Though I like purple, too. - deep purple - Well, I mustn't think of such things. It's foolish, thinking of such things. (she moves about, cleaning up the table)   

J.      No! It isn't foolish! It's wonderful, liking colors, the way you do, and fixing things up to look pretty. You made a wonderful difference in this old house, Rachel. Before you came, it was gray and dull. You made it a different place. Bright and cheerful with flowers - even in winter. - Oh, the plants. I almost forgot your plants. They'd freeze there tonight, it's going to be mighty cold by morning. (He moves the flowers from the window sill)   I'm sorry I broke the begonia.

R.     Oh, it doesn't matter. It does look cold. I don't believe Sarah will come over after all.

J.      Oh, she'll come. She said she didn't think you should be alone tonight.

R.     Well, it's kind of her - though I don't know that I need her. I don't feel much like talking. I'd rather be alone with my own thoughts. It looks so terribly cold in the moonlight. I wish I had some work to do. I could never sit idle. There's that dress of Mrs. Gray's - but I suppose it would seem heartless of me to sit sewing tonight, and Daniel hardly in his grave.

J.      I don't think so Rachel. It's got nothing to do with your feelings. I'll get the dress for you.

R.     No - I don't know - yes, just hand me the basket there. I guess everything's just where I left it when Daniel took so bad a week ago - but Sarah mustn't see me sewing; it'll be all over the neighborhood.

(Jacob gets the basket)   

J.      Oh, we'll hear her in time when she comes.

( Rachel shakes out the dress)   

R.     It's a nice color, but the stuff is cheap. I never would have cheap things.

(She begins to sew. Jacob wanders about the room. He takes the shotgun, sits near Rachel, and begins to wipe the barrel)   

J.      I'll get that old coon one of these nights. He'll kill that new apple tree - sitting in it all the time.

R.     That so?

J.      Those young branches can't take his weight. Broke off two more last November. I followed his tracks. Goes up the hill into the woods. I'll get him.

R.     I suppose - I was just thinking, Jacob - it's been nineteen years since I came to this house. It doesn't seem possible.

J.      No.

(He finishes wiping the gun and puts it across his knees)  

R.     It was June, though - when I married Daniel - nineteen years next June. He was twenty - three and I was eighteen. And you - Let's see, your four years older than Daniel, aren't you?

J.      Five.

R.     Well, you seemed more than that - always so strange, so quiet. It's too bad you never married. You wouldn't be alone now.

(Jacob gets up to put the gun back)   

J.      I'm not alone, as long as you're here.

R.     No - but I don't suppose I'll be here forever.

(Jacob drops the gun. Rachel jumps up, startled.)   

R.     Heavens, Jacob. What is with you? Is that gun loaded?

J.      Yes - it's loaded.

R.     Well my heavens, the way you've been acting. Jacob, have you been drinking. Have you broken your promise to me?

J.      No! I haven't had liquor in six years, and you know it Rachel.

R.     Well heavens, put that gun away. I think you better go to bed, Jacob. You must be tired out, the way you act.

(She picks up her basket and sits down again)   

J.      No, I'm not tired. It isn't that (puts the gun away)   It's only.

R.     Only what? (He stands with his back to her, head bent)   Only What? You're in one of your strange moods again, Jacob. Heavens there's times when I can't make you out, no more than the man in the moon - and after living side by side all these nineteen years!

J.      Side by side! Yes - It was what you said, Rachel, about my being alone here. You said "Perhaps I won't be here forever".

R.     Well yes. I've been thinking

J.      Thinking! Thinking what Rachel!

R.     Thinking I've spent enough of my life here, Jacob. I never meant to stay here forever. I've had ambitions, Jacob, and for all my thirty - seven years - I can't feel my life is over yet. You know there isn't enough here to keep me busy. If I had children now, it might be different. But just looking after you two men, and with you taking all the care of the farm - no, it wasn't enough. That's why I took up dress making. I didn't need the money. I like the work. For years I've had a plan, only it was no use talking about it - Daniel would have worried so. Jacob, I want to start a business, dress making, in a big town, Bridgeport, maybe. I've got some money, even without my share of the farm. And I'm free now. Free to do it. I can have what I always wanted - more life, something going on, a business of my own - and Jacob, all my life I've loved colors and nice things! I want to make clothes for people who are well off and can have nice things. Just to handle the velvets and silks and the rich colors would make me happy! I can't say why it is - it seems foolish - but it's the colors I like - deep reds and purples - I enjoy it so! Why Jacob.     

J.      And how about me? How about me? You're planning to go off and just leave me here as if - as if.

R.     Why Jacob I never thought of you taking it this way! Why surely I...

J.      You never thought a thing about me. You would just go off and leave me here, to go and leave me here - when all my life's been spent for you.

R.     For me! Jacob!

J.      Yes - for you! Why else do you think I've stayed here? Wasn't there other things I could have done? Do you think I had no ambitions? Haven't I got a man's heart in me? Why do you think I've lived lonely here beside you? - Don't you know, Rachel?

R.     Jacob!

J.      Don't you know I've loved you all my life?

(Long pause)   

R.     Jacob - and Daniel - not - not even cold in his grave.

J.      I loved you before he did. You knew it. - You knew it. I loved you before he ever laid eyes on you. All my life - all my life. You - you - never - knew that? You never knew?

R.     You're crazy!

J.      Am I Rachel? Am I? Maybe I am. To hear you say, so cold, that it was too bad I never married, so I wouldn't be alone now - Alone! Haven't I always been alone? How could I even think of other women after you? Yes, yes I know this isn't the time to speak to you - but I couldn't help it - When you said all that about going away, my heart seems to be bursting. Rachel - Oh Rachel!

R.     Jacob you are crazy. Stark crazy. It's awful, just awful! Even if I hadn't just buried your brother.

J.      He had his life! I never had mine! No more than you had yours - Rachel you never truly loved Daniel.

R.     How can you say that to me? Me! I was a faithful and dutiful wife to your brother all his years! I won't talk to you!

J.      Rachel, for God's sake don't be angry. Try to understand.

R.     I don't want to understand. This is madness, raving madness.

J.      Rachel listen to me, listen to me now. All these years I've kept silent. You wouldn't believe all I've had in my heart for you - how I would have loved you! It's never changed, Rachel - it's just the same to me now. I can't feel it is lost, I can't feel you are lost. Don't throw away my love for you, Rachel, don't turn away. Let me go with you, wherever you are going. If you won't stay here with me, then take me with you, Rachel, I can't live without you!

R.     Get out of my way!

J.      No! Why do you act like this? Is it wrong to love you? There's no law against us marrying if...

R.     Marrying! You're mad, stark crazy!

J.      Yes , marrying. Why not. There's no law against it. It's natural enough us living together so long under one roof and you being used to me - Of course I know you don't feel as I do to you. But you were always fond of me.

R.     Fond of you as a brother, but now.

J.      Now what, Rachel? Now what?

(Pause)   

R.     Now it's best that we part as quickly as can be.

J.      No! I can't part from you. If I could've gone years ago, I would have. But I couldn't. I stayed. And you never thought anything against my staying. And you took the work of my hands and the love of my heart - yes, even if you say you didn't know it, you took it! And now you owe me something, Rachel! You owe me!

R.     You have half the farm, Jacob. If you want more you can have all of it.

J.      No! Don't speak to me like this. It's too heartless - you know better. Oh, I know you're heartless, right enough! I haven't lived near you and watched you, and not know that, for all your kind and do your duty - there's no love in your duty! But you can't speak to me that way, you owe me some kindness, you owe me.

R.     Let me go! I'm afraid to be here with you. I always knew there was something crazy about you. Next thing you'll be in an asylum.

J.      Yes. That's the truth. And it's you who will drive me to it. If you leave me.

R.     Jacob, listen to me. I don't want to part with you like this, after all our years together. You've done for me, and I've done for you, too, and we've lived peaceful. Years ago you'd have drunk yourself to death, if it hadn't been for me, and you know it.

J.      Better if I had.

R.     Better to lie in a drunkard's grave? I saved you from that and you've lived decent. Maybe you've had some crazy ideas, but you had sense enough to keep them to yourself. And you have sense enough now, Jacob, to see things must change. You must see I can't stay here - You take the farm and run it, or we'll sell, whatever you like.

J.      So you mean to go?

R.     Yes, I mean to go. I'm in prison here. I have been for years.

J.      Rachel, take me with you. I'll go wherever you want. I'll work for you.

R.     Jacob, I can't do that. I'll just have a room at first, until I get started.

J.      I could be somewhere near you.

R.     No. Can't you see after what you've said it can't be? I wouldn't have an easy minute. Anybody who could have such an idea - you and me marrying - (laughs nervously)   

J.      Don't laugh, Rachel.

R.     (placating)   Well, it did sound so foolish - but I guess you were just scared about being left alone - you didn't really mean it and now we'll forget all about that.

J.      We'll forget - all.

R.     That's right, Jacob. And we'll part good friends. Two old friends like us, we can't be thinking of such things - (she laughs a little, nervously)  

J.      Don't laugh! (he grabs her)   

R.     Oh, my God, he's crazy! Help! - Help! (She breaks free)   

J.      Rachel - I wouldn't hurt you - don't be afraid - my dear, my dear - I'd never hurt you - I'll never say any more - We'll just forget - forget.

(There is a knock at the door.)   

R.     Oh, thank God. (Rachel rushes to door and opens it)   Sarah! Sarah! Oh, I thought you'd never come!

S.      Why, of course I wouldn't leave you alone this night, you want a woman with you. And Jacob - ah the poor man, he's feeling it too.

R.     Yes, Jacob's feeling bad. Take off your things, Sarah, come and warm yourself, it's so cold. Oh Sarah, I'm so thankful you came.

S.      I know, I've been through it too, Rachel. It's so lonesome at first, it seems as if you can't stand it - (Jacob slowly takes gun and exits)   But we have to live on, Rachel. You must bear up as best as you can. Poor Jacob. He seems to feel it terribly so. No wonder, fond of Daniel as he was. A lonely man like him, it's hard to see changes. It's lucky for him he could have a home here with you all these years. There's not many would've put up with his strange ways, for all he was so faithful, working year in, year out. You couldn't have kept up the farm without him, Rachel, Daniel being laid up for so long. But now, it's to be hoped you'll have a good rest, and a little peace and quiet, and well you've earned it - ( A gun shot is heard)   What's that?

R.     It's Jacob - he went out - look, he took the shotgun.

S.      What on earth is he doing with a shotgun? Rachel, you're so cold, and trembling.

R.     It must be the raccoon - he was talking about shooting the old raccoon that's killing the apple tree. (She goes to the window)   . I can't see him, Sarah.

S.      What's the matter, Rachel. Why, you're all trembling. What's the matter?

R.     I'm going out!

S.      What are you thinking? Why you're shaking so much you can hardly stand. Here, let me go.

(Sarah takes her coat and goes out. There is a long pause while Rachel returns to the chair and sits.

Sarah screams from off stage.)

Slow fade out.