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About the Play
The Characters
Stanley Dubois An English instructor, 30s
Stella Dubois His wife, 30
Blanche Kowalski Stella's sister, late 30s
Harold Twitch Stanley's colleague, 40
Pablo Villareal A Spanish instructor, 30S
The Place
Stella and Stanley's Living-Room
A MidwesternCity of 160, 000
The Time
Recently
Act One
(A middle-class living-room; 'Arty' in that it might be decorated with the art work of friends.
STELLA pours ice-tea for BLANCHE)
BLANCHE
It's so good to see you, sweetie.
STELLA
It's wonderful to see you, Blanche. Here's your drink.
BLANCHE
(Sips it, makes a face) What the heck is this?
STELLA
Iced-tea.
BLANCHE
Honey, I said I wanted a drink.
STELLA
I'm sorry. I think we have some wine.
BLANCHE
That's more like it. (STELLA finds some wine in the refrigerator, pours a glass for BLANCHE) I know it's early for a drink, but I am worn out from that lousy bus ride and it's so hot, and I'm nervous about being here, so I
need this to calm my nerves. Okay?
STELLA
Of course. But why would you be nervous about being here, Blanche?
BLANCHE
Well, I'm nervous about meeting your husband under these circumstances.
STELLA
But that's foolish. Where else would you go at a time like this?
BLANCHE
That don't make it any less an imposition.
STELLA
I mean we know you lost everything. You did lose everything, didn't you?
BLANCHE
Of course I did. Is that some kind of accusation?
STELLA
Blanche, I'm only saying that Stanley understands this is where you belong.
BLANCHE
Where is your husband?
STELLA
He's still at the college.
BLANCHE
Oh yeah. What's he teach again?
STELLA
I told you. He teaches poetry mostly.
BLANCHE
Yeah, and you also told me he likes his privacy.
STELLA
He does when he's writing. Stanley is also a poet.
BLANCHE
You really think we'll get along okay?
STELLA
Of course you will. But just try to remember there are a few things Stanley is very sensitive about.
BLANCHE
Meaningyou're warning me about the way I talk.
STELLA
No, No. I was only going to say he's very sensitive about his eyesight. He's really almost blind and his glasses are thick.
BLANCHE
Thick glasses? (She laughs) Hey, remember ol' Iguana-eyes Jackson?
STELLA
Blanche! That's exactly the sort of thing I'm talking about. Now listen, Stanley is very kind and considerate and I'm sure you'll get along fine.
BLANCHE
Hey, sweetie, I try to get along.
STELLA
Not always.
BLANCHE
No? Maybe not. I try to get along, but there are some folks who won't let you. I mean they are nitpicky and they're always finding fault.
STELLA
Have I gotten you angry?
BLANCHE
No!
STELLA
I'm sorry, Blanche. I know you're a good person.
BLANCHE
I know, I know. When I wannabe.
STELLA
You said it. Not me.
BLANCHE
It's okay.
STELLA
And I'm really happy you're here.
BLANCHE
So can I ask. You said your husband knows I lost everything. I mean there's nothing left. He wouldn't think I was cheating you, would he?
STELLA
Blanche,Stanley is a very kind and trusting person. He'd never suspect you of doing anything underhanded. You're being unfair.
BLANCHE
I'm sorry, sweetie, but everybody ain't trusting. In fact, just the opposite. Now I don't wanna sound like I'm feeling sorry for myself, but you don't know what it was like. Everyone was dying on me. First Pa, then Ma.Then the
cows, then the chickens. You only came home for the funerals. Well, let me tell ya, funerals are easy! Dying's the hard part, and damn, is it expensive!
STELLA
Blanche, try to forget all that. And remember you're welcome here as long as you care to stay.
BLANCHE
You know, I think I'd like to rest for a while.
STELLA
Of course. I'll get your room ready.
(When STELLA exits, BLANCHE goes to pour herself another wine. STANLEY enters, only sees BLANCHE from the rear)
STANLEY
(Thinking BLANCHE is STELLA, he grabs her from behind) Hello, I'm home.
. . . . . .
Copyright © 2005 George Freek
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