Free A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller

the bedroom, and Eddie grabs her arm. Where you goin’?
    CATHERINE, trembling with fright: I think I have to get out of here, Eddie.
    EDDIE: No, you ain’t goin’ nowheres, he’s the one.
    CATHERINE: I think I can’t stay here no more. She frees her arm, steps back toward the bedroom. I’m sorry, Eddie. She sees the tears in his eyes. Well, don’t cry. I’ll be around the neighborhood; I’ll see you. I just can’t stay here no more. You know I can’t. Her sobs of pity and love for him break her composure. Don’t you know I can’t? You know that, don’t you? She goes to him. Wish me luck. She clasps her hands prayerfully. Oh, Eddie, don’t be like that!
    EDDIE: You ain’t goin’ nowheres.
    CATHERINE: Eddie, I’m not gonna be a baby any more! You—
    He reaches out suddenly, draws her to him, and as she strives to free herself he kisses her on the mouth.
    RODOLPHO: Don’t! He pulls on Eddie’s arm. Stop that! Have respect for her!
    EDDIE, spun round by Rodolpho: You want something?
    RODOLPHO: Yes! She’ll be my wife. That is what I want. My wife!
    EDDIE: But what’re you gonna be?
    RODOLPHO: I show you what I be!
    CATHERINE: Wait outside; don’t argue with him!
    EDDIE: Come on, show me! What’re you gonna be? Show me!
    RODOLPHO, with tears of rage: Don’t say that to me!
    Rodolpho flies at him in attack. Eddie pins his arms, laughing, and suddenly kisses him.
    CATHERINE: Eddie! Let go, ya hear me! I’ll kill you! Leggo of him!
    She tears at Eddie’s face and Eddie releases Rodolpho. Eddie stands there with tears rolling down his face as he laughs mockingly at Rodolpho. She is staring at him in horror. Rodolpho is rigid. They are like animals that have torn at one another and broken up without a decision, each waiting for the other’s mood,
    EDDIE, to Catherine: You see? To Rodolpho: I give you till tomorrow, kid. Get outa here. Alone. You hear me? Alone.
    CATHERINE: I’m going with him, Eddie. She starts toward Rodolpho.
    EDDIE, indicating Rodolpho with his head: Not with that. She halts, frightened. He sits, still panting for breath, and they watch him helplessly as he leans toward them over the table. Don’t make me do nuttin’, Catherine. Watch your step, submarine. By rights they oughta throw you back in the water. But I got pity for you. He moves unsteadily toward the door, always facing Rodolpho. Just get outa here and don’t lay another hand on her unless you wanna go out feet first. He goes out of the apartment.
    The lights go down, as they rise on Alfieri.
    ALFIERI: On December twenty-seventh I saw him next. I normally go home well before six, but that day I sat around looking out my window at the bay, and when I saw him walking through my doorway, I knew why I had waited. And if I seem to tell this like a dream, it was that way. Several moments arrived in the course of the two talks we had when it occurred to me how—almost transfixed I had come to feel. I had lost my strength somewhere. Eddie enters, removing his cap, sits in the chair, looks thoughtfully out. I looked in his eyes more than I listened—in fact, I can hardly remember the conversation. But I will never forget how dark the room became when he looked at me; his eyes were like tunnels. I kept wanting to call the police, but nothing had happened. Nothing at all had really happened. He breaks off and looks down at the desk. Then he turns to Eddie. So in other words, he won’t leave?
    EDDIE: My wife is talkin’ about renting a room upstairs for them. An old lady on the top floor is got an empty room.
    ALFIERI: What does Marco say?
    EDDIE: He just sits there. Marco don’t say much.
    ALFIERI: I guess they didn’t tell him, heh? What happened?
    EDDIE: I don’t know; Marco don’t say much.
    ALFIERI: What does your wife say?
    EDDIE, unwilling to pursue this: Nobody’s talkin’ much in the house.