The Other Shore (8 page)

(
Witnessing this, the Crowd is stunned
.)

Crowd:

Dead.

Dead?

Dead?

She’s dead!

(
The Crowd disperse in a hurry
.)

Was she strangled to death?

It’s you—

No, he started it.

You shouted first!

I was only following you, you were all shouting.

Who shouted first? Who?

Who shouted first to grab her, strip her and strangle her?

Who?

We all shouted.

I shouted because you did.

I shouted because all of you were shouting.

But she’s dead! Strangled alive!

I didn’t kill her.

I didn’t kill her.

I didn’t kill her.

I didn’t kill her.

I didn’t kill her.

I didn’t.

I didn’t.

Didn’t.

Didn’t.

Didn’t.

But she’s dead for sure, so lovely even when she’s dead.

So beautiful, nobody could help loving her.

Her skin is like jade, it’s got no blemishes, it’s so pure.

Look at her pretty little hands, they’ve got her endless tenderness in them.

My, she’s like a statue of the Bodhisattva!

So pure, so prim and proper.

She gave us language, she brought us wisdom, but she was murdered!

This is the greatest sin of all, you despicable lot!

Who are you talking about?

Murderers! You, all of you!

How dare you smear me? You bastard!

You’re a thug!

You’re a rascal!

(
The Crowd fight among themselves
.)

Man:

Are you finished? We killed her, there’s no question about it. It’s you, it’s him, it’s me, and it’s all of us. We’re all in it together! On this desolate other shore, she gave us language, but we didn’t know how to cherish it; she gave us wisdom, but we didn’t know how to use it! We ought to be shocked by what we did, but we’re cowards, we’re too spineless to feel any shame.

Crowd:

What do you think we should do?

We need a leader, a flock of sheep also needs a leader. We’ll follow you.

Man:

I detest you, I detest myself. It’s better for us to go our separate ways.

Crowd:

No, don’t abandon us.

We’ve made up our mind to follow you, and you want to leave us?

Man:

Follow me where? Where can I lead you? (
He leaves by himself. The Crowd follow behind
.) Don’t follow me! (
Troubled
.) I don’t even know where I want to go myself. (
Stops and tries to figure out where to go. The Crowd still follow him at a distance.
)

(
Mother appears in front of him.
)

Mother:

Do you still remember me?

Man:

Yes, mother.

Mother:

You’ve almost forgotten me, haven’t you?

Man:

(On his knees.) Yes, mother.

Mother:

(Stroking his head.) Find yourself a girl, you really should start a family.

Man:

But I want to make something of myself.

Mother:

You’re too ambitious.

Man:

(Looks down.) I’m still your son.

Mother:

Are they all following you? Where are you going to take them?

Man:

I don’t know. I only know we should go forward, is that right, mother?

Mother:

My good son. (Embraces his head.)

Man:

Your hands are cold! (Shocked by his discovery.) Mother, is this the world of the dead? Am I in another dimension?

Mother:

There’s nothing to be scared of, son. It’s just a bit dark, a bit cold and damp, that’s all.

Man:

(Leaves her.) How do I get out of here? Mother, I haven’t lived long enough!

(
Mother turns and disappears. He hesitates for a moment and then follows in a hurry. A young girl blocks his way
.)

Man:

Who are you? I’ve seen you somewhere, but I can’t recall your name. It seems like we used to live on the same street or something, many years ago. Every day on my way to school I always hoped that I could catch a glimpse of you, even if it’s only your back. My heart would keep on pounding whenever I saw your long ponytail and your crimson red dress, you seemed to be wearing that crimson dress all that time…. I used to follow you, follow you right to your doorsteps, hoping that when you turned around to close the door, you’d at least say one word to me before you went inside, or smile at me just once. But every time you’d only look at me, saying nothing. Oh, I can see those eyes of yours again…(
He rubs his eyes and looks more closely, but she has disappeared into the dark shadows of the Crowd.
)

(
To the Crowd.
) We’ve got to get out of this ghastly place. Once we’re away from this darkness we’ll find light ahead of us. With the light there’ll be houses, and we’ll be able to dry our clothes around the stove and drink some hot tea. (
Incitingly.
) We’d be able to return to our homes, see our families, our wives and husbands, our children and parents, and all our loved ones and those who love us!

(
Young Girl appears again from behind the Crowd.
) Who are you?

(
Blocking her way
.) Wait, your name is on the tip of my tongue! It seems like I used to write poetry for you, that we used to go to the movies together and I held your hand in the dark, those tiny frail hands of yours…(
She turns and gets away from his grasp. She is now behind him, becoming more illusory. He turns around but cannot see her, no matter how hard he tries.
)

She always appeared in my dreams to torment me whenever I was worried and couldn’t set my mind free. I couldn’t recall her name, I couldn’t see her face clearly, I couldn’t even get hold of her presence in any way, but she still kept on tormenting me.

(
Speaking to the shadowy Crowd.
) Why do you keep following me? I need some peace and quiet, I need to be alone! I don’t need to be stared at by a crowd, I don’t need you, just as you don’t need me. What you need is someone who can guide you, to show you the way, even though once you’ve found a way out, or think you have, you’d put on a spurt, darting away faster than rabbits. And you’d abandon your guide without even taking a second look, just like throwing away a worn-out shoe. I understand, I understand it only too well. You’ve all experienced loving and being loved, possessing and being possessed. I, too, have a right to be in love, to love a woman and to possess a woman, and to be loved and possessed by her. I’m human just like you are, so full of desires and ambitions, I’m what you may call a career-minded man, a man who is competitive yet extremely weak sometimes, and a man who is righteous, compassionate, willing to sacrifice himself and…(
He rolls on the ground and wails loudly like a fretting and self-indulgent child.
)

(
The Crowd is stunned. When Man has had enough wailing and is totally exhausted, he settles down and gets up from the floor. He continues his way forward and the Crowd follow silently behind him. A faint light in the dark becomes brighter. A man is seen drinking and playing cards alone under an oil lamp. Man mimes knocking on the door. The Crowd clap their hands three times.
)

Man:

Sorry to bother you.

Card Player:

(
Without lifting his head
.) Come in. Take a seat.

Man:

May I ask—

Card Player:

(
Tosses a card from his hand. Looks up.
) You play cards?

Man:

I’ve played before.

(
The Crowd try to squeeze in through the door
.)

Card Player:

Come in, come in. Do you all want to play cards? Close the door for me. I hate draughts, they make the light flicker, which is bad for a card player’s eyes. Alright, let’s form a circle, I’ll be the banker here. All of you will each take a card, and I’ll take one myself, only one, just like you. That’s only fair. The card in my hand will be the trump, there’s got to be a trump, right? And it’s better if I choose the trump card instead of you, it’s more convenient that way. (
Turns over his card.
) My card is the two of spades. I’m not trying to fly low, luck is all you need when you’re playing cards. Now if you pick a spade, any spade, you’d have a higher number than mine and I’r be the loser and you’d be the winner. But if you didn’t pick a spade, you’d lose no matter what, it doesn’t matter which card you’ve picked. You got me?

Man:

What happens if one wins or loses?

Card Player:

The winner gets to drink the wine in this pot.

Man:

And the loser?

Card Player:

There’ll be a penalty.

Man:

I have no money, no land, no property, and no wife.

Card Player:

But you do have a face, haven’t you?

Man:

I don’t get it.

Card Player:

You’ll find out soon enough. All of you, anyone who loses will stick a piece of paper on his face for me.

Crowd:

That’s easy enough.

How big is the paper?

Any paper?

The thing is, have you really got wine in your pot?

Card Player:

Have a taste first.

Crowd:

It’s good.

What aroma!

Of course, it’s the real thing.

Let me have a sip.

It’s worth playing for.

Card Player:

In a moment you’ll pick your cards. I’ve shown you my card, all of you have seen it, right? Now you can only look at your own card, no ganging up, that’s a no-no.

Crowd:

(
Eager to pick their cards
.)

That’s nothing, it’s fine with me.

We should play our own games.

Don’t worry, I won’t look even if you let me.

Me, I’m honesty personified.

Integrity comes first, winning and losing second.

Hear! Hear!

(
Those who have picked their cards are silent.
)

Card Player:

(
To the person who picks first.
) Show me your card. You lose.

This Person:

(
Nods.
) What’s the penalty?

(
Card Player takes a piece of paper and spits on it. He sticks the paper onto the cheek of This Person, who mutters something. The Crowd watch and laugh. This Person is relieved and laughs with them
.)

Card Player:

(
Turns to another person.
) My friend, how about you? (
That Person shows his card
.) You lose too.

That Person:

Well, give it to me.

Card Player:

Stick it under your chin.

(
That Person takes a piece of paper, spits on it, and sticks it under his chin. He is somewhat embarrassed, but when he sees the Crowd laughing, he is himself again
.)

Third Person (Female):

It’s fun.

Card Player:

(
Turns towards her
.) And you? (
She shows her card and hurriedly takes it back.
)

Crowd:

Did you win?

You won!

Did you really win?

(
She frets demurely and shakes her head.
)

Why aren’t you sticking the paper on your face?

Stick the paper on, stick it on!

Come on, it’s the rule, no exceptions allowed.

If you don’t stick it on, we won’t either.

Third Person (Female):

It’s too embarrassing.

Crowd:

You think we’re not?

That won’t do. Stick it on the ear.

Right, on the ear.

Stick it on the nose!

It must be different with everybody, okay? No repetitions.

Everybody gets one.

(
When the Card Player looks at someone, the person will show his card and then obediently stick a piece of paper on his face
.)

Crowd:

(
Sticking paper to their own faces.
)

Fair and square.

No doubt about that.

Nobody tells you to lose, but when you do, you’ve got to take what comes.

Everyone gets a penalty, everyone sticks a paper on their face.

If you haven’t got a paper on your face, you’ll look odd and out of place, and people will be afraid of you.

(
The strange-looking, papered faces all turn towards Man.
)

Card Player:

My friend, it’s your turn now.

Man:

Idon’t play.

Card Player:

Everybody plays, why don’t you?

Man:

I find the whole thing very silly. What’s more, I’ve got to go.

Crowd:

Yes, that’s right. We should all be going.

Don’t go by yourself.

Where are we going?

Right, where exactly are we going?

Man:

In any case I’ve got to go.

Card Player:

I’ve got the whole place lit up and I’ve prepared wine. I went through all these troubles just to play cards with you people. I’ve never heard of anyone who comes here and leaves without playing. You shouldn’t have come in the first place!