Free Personae by Sergio De La Pava Page B

see. Paint me a more accurate picture then.
     
    LUDWIG: It’s not good. The picture’s not altogether clear but through the snow and other interference what I see is problematic.
     
    CLARISSA: You say what you see but wasn’t Nestor with you? Did he not see the same as you?
     
    LUDWIG: How sure can we ever be of what another has seen or experienced but I believe he saw the same.
     
    CLARISSA: I see.
     
    LUDWIG: I’m sorry. It’s with a heavy heart that I…
    CLARISSA: Stop! I want for motivation, not apologies.
    LUDWIG: But you’re right to lack motivation, you shouldn’t go.
    CLARISSA: Not my motivation, Ludwig, yours.
    LUDWIG: Oh. Just… the thought of being alone… eternally… not joining with the opposable sex… Nestor made some good points…
    CLARISSA: Ah.
    LUDWIG:  . . . about the advisability of romantic love and such.
    CLARISSA: Say no more, preferably ever.
    On subsequent thought tell me, what is unrequited love like? I’ve never experienced it, at least not from the end you’re in. Oh and sorry I couldn’t requite.
    LUDWIG: No you don’t understand.
    CLARISSA: I just admitted as much. I simply can’t conceive of demonstrating love towards someone to no effect. Although I must say that your demonstrations lacked the appropriate vigor, not that any amount of vigor could have overcome the nullity that is my inclinations towards you. Silly boy…
    LUDWIG: That’s just it.
    CLARISSA:  . . . all you needed was a one word explanation: jealousy. I can scarcely think of a more valid human emotion.
    LUDWIG: Jealous yes but not the way you think. Not jealous of you but of him.
    CLARISSA: Precisely.
    LUDWIG: Wait how does that work? Who are you jealous of when you wish…
    CLARISSA: Listen I’d love to stay here and work this out with you Mr. Full-of-Surprises but time matters here and I have to get going. Yes, I’m still going. As for your conscience you can let it rest in peace as it’s nothing you said impels me. The next person to embark on a successful manipulation of me will be on a maiden voyage.
    LUDWIG: You knew? Then why…
    ( Clarissa leaves abruptly towards the exit and after a moment Ludwig follows urgently. There they find Charles in the process of hobbling out. )
    ADAM: Clarissa quick!
    NESTOR: He insisted, insistently.
    CLARISSA: What’s this now?
    CHARLES: I’m going. I need to be the one who goes and there’s no time for debate.
    CLARISSA: There’s always time to listen to reason right Charles?
    CHARLES: You want reason? I have all the reason I need. The reason I’m going is that, unlike you all, I do not have the luxury of time to wait and see how it all works out in the end. My end nears and I need to work against it.
    CLARISSA: Just listen Charles because we have strong reason to believe that what you’ll find out there will not be great.
    CHARLES: So who do you say should go?
    CLARISSA: I’ll go like we decided. ( Charles and Nestor exchange a quick glance ) If everything’s fine I’ll come back for the rest. If not you’ll be safe here.
    CHARLES: I’m not safe here, I’m not getting better.
    CLARISSA: Maybe not but you’re also not getting appreciably worse. I’ll come back if everything’s fine.
    CHARLES: No you won’t, why would you? Linda said she would return and the only thing that replaced her was desolation. She said we would never part.
    CLARISSA: She was using metaphor Charles.
    LUDWIG: A perfectly legitimate way to speak.
    CLARISSA: You know that.
    CHARLES: I’m going, I have the most to lose.
    ( He resumes hobbling. )
    LUDWIG: Wait!
    ( Ludwig removes his hat and beautiful long hair unfurls. He removes his jacket to reveal that he is a woman, a striking one! Adam and Clarissa look at each other, Nestor doesn’t react. Charles moves closer to get a better look. )
    CHARLES: Heaven!
    LINDA: See, it’s me. It’s Linda. I told you I’d return and I did. We’re together again, don’t leave.
    CHARLES: Linda?
    LINDA: Yes, Linda. Stay.
    CHARLES: Say