ACT I
AT RISE:
The bedchamber of JOCASTA, the widowed
Queen of Thebes. The room is spare
with a large bed dominating. There is
a screen for changing and a makeup
table. A small table overflows with
fruits, bread, olives, water and wine.
JOCASTA sits watching her young
maidservant, IRIS, stands in the
middle of the room about to perform
her poetry. We can hear the sound of a
storm passing overhead.
IRIS
The night sighs.
Ahhhhh.
She kisses the moon.
Ohhhhhh.
Morning rises.
Listen. Remember. Sleep.
Well?
JOCASTA
It's over?
IRIS
Completely.
JOCASTA
Of course.
IRIS
Then you don't think the ending was too abrupt?
JOCASTA
I admit I was surprised.
IRIS
I could restore the other verse.
JOCASTA
No. No. No.
IRIS
I could start again then. Perhaps it was too quick.
JOCASTA
Absolutely not. It was perfect just as you recited it. Very
dramatic, please restore nothing.
IRIS
But abrupt.
JOCASTA
I was surprised at first but it was such a moving performance
-- you were moving. The poem was moving.
IRIS
I feel I am making progress.
JOCASTA
Absolutely. You should be happy with your progress. Tonight
we should both be very happy. Come Iris.
(JOCASTA goes back to putting on her makeup)
IRIS
You'll be a beautiful bride tomorrow. I can't wait to see
you. All of Thebes is waiting to see the Queen marry King
Oedipus.
JOCASTA
I'll be a bride tomorrow IF my mother remembers to bring my
wedding gown.
IRIS
Of course she'll remember. She's your mother.
JOCASTA
Exactly. When I married Laius she was so drunk she thought it
was her wedding.
IRIS
I'm sure she'll bring your dress and it will be beautiful.
JOCASTA
I wish I had your optimism.
IRIS
It's the biggest celebration in Thebes. The entire city is
shining like a jewel.
JOCASTA
You are the poet tonight.
IRIS
"What walks on four legs in the morning, two legs in the
afternoon and three legs at night." I would never have
guessed it was a man. If it were up to me to solve that
riddle we would all be dead.
JOCASTA
Water. (pause) Only the men could guess Iris. Those were the
rules.
IRIS
And only men could be ripped apart in places I've never seen.
JOCASTA
We're safe now. The Sphinx is dead. The plague is over.
IRIS
You should've seen it when that beast leaped from the
mountain.
JOCASTA
You went to see her die?
IRIS
Oh, no, I only went to see justice done. You should have seen
the crowd.They were shouting ,"Jump, jump, jump" and then,
she did it. Just like that. Leaped off from the cliff and
dropped straight down to the rocks below. It was too
terrible. I couldn't look.
JOCASTA
Not even a little?
IRIS
Oh, no.
JOCASTA
The truth?
IRIS
That beast would have killed all our men if Oedipus hadn't
come. We're so lucky to have somoene who's smart and
handsome. They say it's a rare quality in the same man. It
must be wonderful to think of marrying such a hero.
JOCASTA
I'll tell you tomorrow.
(A crash of thunder. IRIS cringes)
Iris? It's just a storm. It's almost over. It's been years
since you were so frightened.
IRIS
It's embarrassing.
JOCASTA
I can still remember you were small enough to hide under this
bed. Then Melina would come and coax you out with something
sweet.
IRIS
I'm not a child anymore. I'm first servant to the Queen now
and I shouldn't be frightened of anything.
JOCASTA
You're the Queen's first servant and someday you won't be
frightened of anything. Now bring me my jewel box and then
take the rest of the evening for yourself.
IRIS
Wouldn't you like a nice warm bath of olive oil and flowers.
JOCASTA
I'm working on my make-up.
IRIS
The flowers smell heavenly.
JOCASTA
If I have one more bath today I'll shrivel up like those
olives.
IRIS
I could start on your hair? I love to brush it and I could
start to put it up in a crown.
JOCASTA
I'm sure my mother will have something to say about my hair
so just leave it until tomorrow. Just bring my box. Iris,
what's wrong?
IRIS
The other servants have been talking.
JOCASTA
What is it this time?
IRIS
They said perhaps the Queen will want a new servant in her
bedchamber.
JOCASTA
The Queen's marrying a new husband. I don't need a new
servant too. They're teasing you because you let them. Don't
listen.
IRIS
I assumed they might be right.
JOCASTA
Assume nothing. You're here because I trust you. You take
care of my every wish and I'm happy with your service. I've
always been happy with you. I'm simply giving you the night
off as reward, not a punishment.
IRIS
What would I do if I wasn't here?
JOCASTA
Listen to me, you'll serve me tomorrow and all the years to
come. I've no intention of replacing you, ever.
IRIS
Oh, thank you my Queen. I'm so happy. Shall I take all these
things away.
(IRIS starts to clear the small table with the
food)
JOCASTA
No, leave them all. I'm sure my Mother will have a ferocious
appetite.
IRIS
I could bring more food later.
JOCASTA
Good-night Iris.
IRIS
Good night. (exits)
MOTHER
Jocasta?
(JOCASTA runs behind the dressing screen)
It's Ismene? You're mother? Remember?
(ISMENE comes in carrying a wedding gown.)
Jocasta? Where are you?
JOCASTA
I haven't forgotten who you are Mother. Just sit down. I'm
changing. I'll be right there.
MOTHER
I love what you've done to this room.
JOCASTA
What are you talking about. It's exactly the same.
MOTHER
What have you been doing all day? Tell me everything.
JOCASTA
I've been waiting all day for my mother to bring my wedding
gown.
MOTHER
(ISMENE looks at the gown, then hides the dress)
Doesn't this food all look delicious. And expensive too.
JOCASTA
I hope you like it. You sent it.
MOTHER
Only the best for my daughter on this special night.
JOCASTA
There's wine too. If you're interested.
MOTHER
Will you be drinking with me?
JOCASTA
Of course I'll drink with you.
MOTHER
Wonderful. What good taste I have. Though I guess you didn't
find this food quite as appetizing as I do. These grapes are
wonderful. And these olives are divine. No matter what they
say Jocasta, a man finds a woman who eats much more
desireable than one who's all skin and bones.
(coming out in her dressing gown)
Oh, there you are my beauty. Now eat something. (pause)
Don't look at me that way, I only want to make my daughter's
wedding day special.
JOCASTA
Second wedding day Mother. But then it's been years since we
celebrated anything special together.
MOTHER
Second, first, fourth, each wedding each be special in their
own way. No one is counting but you.
(pops fruit into her mouth sensuously)
Hmmmmm. Heavenly.
JOCASTA
I'm surprised you ever needed lovers at all.
MOTHER
Have I mentioned what a wicked sense of humor you've acquired
since your first wedding.
JOCASTA
No, but I'm sure you will.
MOTHER
I mention it only because it's not that becoming.
JOCASTA
I had the best teacher.
MOTHER
Melina was a wonderful servant but she had no sense of humor.
JOCASTA
Melina wasn't my mother.
MOTHER
A disappointment to be sure. Here. Eat.
JOCASTA
If I ate everything you sent I wouldn't fit into my beautiful
wedding gown. You do remember that dress you were bringing
me? Your gift?
MOTHER
Patience Jocasta, it's a virtue men think they love.
JOCASTA
Perhaps you've decided you'll be the bride this time and had
my wedding gown fitted for your own sweet torso.
MOTHER
That's not amusing. I'm old enough to be his grandmother.
JOCASTA
That's never stopped you before.
MOTHER
Oh, those old rumors again. I told you not to listen to
gossip. Those writers love to exaggerate about the Queen
mother.. They lie about everything I say and do. Not a word
is true. There'll be no more marriages for Ismene. You heard
it straight from your mother's mouth.
JOCASTA
Why not marry again and again.
MOTHER
You approve?
JOCASTA
Why not. You know you love it.
MOTHER
Women my age are supposed to be dead or at least boring.
Certainly not thinking of marrying again.
JOCASTA
You're still beautiful.
MOTHER
That is my curse.
JOCASTA
You love the ceremonies.
MOTHER
It's true.
JOCASTA
The gifts.
MOTHER
I have everything.
JOCASTA
The funerals.
MOTHER
You've convinced me. I'll marry again.
JOCASTA
Good. And don't worry, you could never be boring.
MOTHER
You are wicked.
JOCASTA
You know I'm teasing. You make me smile.
MOTHER
I don't make you smile so if you find me amusing tonight I'm
very happy. You do want to smile don't you?
JOCASTA
Yes Mother, tonight I want to smile very much.
MOTHER
Good, now let's get to work. There's so much to do and so
little time. Where shall we start? Is that girl coming back?
JOCASTA
You mean Iris? I sent her away for the evening.
MOTHER
The whole evening?
JOCASTA
I'm yours completely.
MOTHER
Just the two of us? Oh, this is too, too delicious. More wine
and let's get started on your hair. It's just like a tree
root.
JOCASTA
You always left my hair to Melina.
MOTHER
Melina had patience. I don't. Especially when it came to your
hair.
JOCASTA
After all these years I still miss her.
MOTHER
I miss her too. She was a very good servant.
JOCASTA
She was much more than a servant Mother. She was part of our
family.
MOTHER
I miss having you around. And you are my family.
JOCASTA
Don't let Creon hear you.
MOTHER
Oh Creon is a son. You're my daughter. A mother grows old so
much faster when she has no daughters to tend.
JOCASTA
You make me sound like one of your pet goats.
MOTHER
Baaaa.I'm the goat who must bow and scrape to her very own
daughter who is soon to be our Queen again. But who's
counting. Baaaaa.
JOCASTA
You're impossible. Get up.
MOTHER
I'm your loyal subject.
JOCASTA
Get up before your knees lock.
MOTHER
Whatever pleases my Queen.
JOCASTA
You'll never change.
MOTHER
Oh, I change all the time. Sit me in the sun, I grow warm.
Put me in the shade, I turn cold. Hold me in the moonlight
and I disappear. We all must change Jocasta or we don't
survive.
JOCASTA
I'm not like you mother. That must be a terrible
disappointment.
MOTHER
Absolutely not. One of me is quite enough.Being here these
last few weeks has only reminded me how empty my life is
without you.
JOCASTA
You've been gone a long time.
MOTHER
I miss you.
JOCASTA
What you miss is your last lover.
MOTHER
Is that what they say? Poor Ismene's all alone now,what a
pity. They always have something to say about Ismene and her
men. Ismene and her women. Ismene and her wine. Well let them
say what they want, Ismene never wines about her lovers to
anyone. BAAAAA. That's what I think of all of them. Baaaaa.
That's what I taught you.
JOCASTA
You taught me not to tell anybody anything.
MOTHER
A good rule to live by. A Golden Rule.
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