Act One, Scene One

Question 1

Opening Monologue

Answer 1

I was once told the story of a man who, while surveying the grounds of his home, dug his walking stick into the earth as a reminder of where he wished to one day have an acacia tree. One he could watch from his veranda and lie under with his wife on warm summer afternoons, cooled in the shadow of its white flowers, and blanketed in their sweet scent. But when planting season came ‘round and he returned with a space and an acacia sapling, the man was vexed. The stick he had left had taken root and begun to grow. It was nearly as tall as himself now, in fact, with young, awkward branches and small clusters of frail new leaves. This, on the very spot that was to be his acacia. The man buried his spade into the ground to unearth the strange thing…but stopped. For among the leaves, underneath, he spied a small blossom. (Enchanted) It was acacia. (considers) “Enchantment”, some would say. Or “providence”, perhaps. I suppose the only real certainty is that the fellow had lost a

Question 2

Rose: To those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine

Answer 2

A small advert placed discreetly in the agony column of the times

Question 3

Rose: Small castle on the Mediterranean, Northern Italy

Answer 3

Heaven!

Question 4

Rose: To be let for the month of April. Cook, gardens, ocean view. Reply box eleven

Answer 4

The words washed over me, filling me suddenly with warmth and peacefulness, as if the advertisement were there especially for me, and was pleased I’d found it. “To those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine”. That’s me! (THUNDER) But who am I to be reading about Italian castles, and Aprils on the Mediterranean? Who am I? But then, why would I bother to read the newspaper at my ladies’ club, when I surely would read my husband’s copy tomorrow morning after housekeeping? And why would I come to my club at all on a Tuesday when my regular city day is Wednesday? And Certainly why would I notice the lady, that particular lady I see so often at church, and was thinking of only moments ago? Providence? Enchantment? (To Rose) Are you reading about the castle and the wisteria?

Question 5

Rose: I beg your pardon?

Answer 5

The advertisement about the castle. It sounds so wonderful, doesn’t it? Can you just imagine? Italy and sunshine and wisteria. And when I saw you…you, of all people…well, I couldn’t help but think…well, I mean, all this rain…and oh, the mediterranean…imagine…and this not even being my city day…well…I, I…(Flustered, uncomfortable) Oh, I am sorry. Here we’ve only just met and I must apologize already. My husband says that my mind is like a hummingbird. One seldom sees it land. I feel i know you. and yet we’ve never actually met. My husband and I see you in church in Hampstead.

Question 6

I see

Answer 6

You are our “Disappointed Madonna.” I see you each Sunday, marshalling the children from Sunday School, always so right on time for services, and with the schoolchildren so very well-behaved. And I once commented to my husband that you looked to me somewhat like a disappointed Madonna.

Question 7

I…

Answer 7

My husband had been speaking to me about finding satisfaction through doing one’s job well. Saying something about that if one does one’s job well, then one will not be depressed, but will instead be automatically bright and brisk with satisfaction. And seeing you, I just felt that…well…that sure there is also the chance for certain…disappointment.

Question 8

Perhaps it would be best if we begin at the beginning. I am Mrs. Arnott. Rose.

Answer 8

Thank you. I am Lotty. Charlotte. Mrs. Wilton.

Question 9

Right then.

Answer 9

I don’t expect that conveys much to you, “Wilton” Sometimes it doesn’t seem to convey anything to me, either. Such a small, sad name. I don’t like names.

Question 10

Do you need some kind of advice, Mrs. WIlton?

Answer 10

Oh no, it was just the advertisement. It sounded so wonderful, that’s all.

Question 11

I’m sure it’s only this gloomy weather that makes it seem so.

Answer 11

Then you were reading it?

Question 12

I…was.

Answer 12

I knew it! I saw it!

Question 13

Saw it?

Answer 13

The two of us. At the castle.

Question 14

Yourself and your husband.

Answer 14

Oh no, me and you!

Question 15

Mrs. Wilton!!

Answer 15

Do you ever see things in a kind of flash before they happen?

Question 16

Never.

Answer 16

Really? Well, when I saw you. I suddenly saw us both. You and me, on the shores of the Mediterranean. Surrounded by beauty. Beauty and blissful peace.

Question 17

Really, Mrs. Wilton. And our husbands??

Answer 17

I didn’t see them. I’ve never seen Mr. Arnott. He is “With us”, then?

Question 18

Oh, yes. Quite.

Answer 18

One never knows these days. So many war widows.

Question 19

Sad times.

Answer 19

Perhaps that’s why we need something beautiful now. No remind us of the possibility. I did see us, rose.

Question 20

WEll, that is really the most extraordinary, Mrs. Wilton

Answer 20

Isn’t it? Isn’t it wonderful enough just to think about? April in Italy. And here it’s February already. In two months we could be in it all!

Question 21

It’s easy to think of such things, Mrs. WIlton. But it’s no use wasting one’s time thinking too long.

Answer 21

Oh but it is! It’s essential! and I really do believe, if one considers hard enough, things can happen.

Question 22

I’m not sure I believe that.

Answer 22

But you must! Even if it isn’t true. I’ve been saving a nest egg, from my dress allowance. It’s not much, but my husband himself encouraged me to save it for a rainy day. My husband speaks often of rainy days. My husband speaks often of many things. I could never have imagined spending it on a holiday, but if this isn’t that rainy day, well…

Question 23

Money, I fear…

Answer 23

Rose. Close your eyes and think with all your heart of getting away from Hampstead, from husbands, from this relentless rain, from everything. To heaven!

Question 24

You shouldn’t say things like that, Mrs. Wilton.

Answer 24

But it would be heavenly!

Question 25

Heaven isn’t somewhere else. It is here and now, within us. We are told that on the very highest authority. The kindred points of heaven and home. Heaven is in our home.

Answer 25

But it isn’t.

Question 26

But it is. It is here, if we choose, if we make it.

Answer 26

I do choose, and I do make it. And it isn’t. I have done nothing but what was expected of me all of my life, and thought that was goodness. I thought I would be…well…rewarded in some way, I suppose. That’s selfish, I know. But it is what I was told. One prepares, is good, and is rewarded. I didn’t know how quickly things change. That one must keep an eye on what one is preparing for, in case it no longer even exists. Someone forgot to tell me that. Where everyone is racing to, i don’t know. I only know that i’ve been left behind. No. NOw i’m convinced that there are blind sorts of goodness and there are…enlightened sorts of goodness. Women such as ourselves have been living the blind sort. Preparing for nothing but…oblivion.

Question 27

Mrs. Wilton, I assure you that i am a most happy individual.

Answer 27

Yes. Of course. Will you believe that I have never in my life spoken like this to anyone?

Question 28

It’s the weather, I’m sure.

Answer 28

Yes. And the advertisement.

Question 29

Yes.

Answer 29

And both of us being so miserable. Something has been lost, Rose. Something has shifted, and I don’t recognize anything anymore.

Question 30

We must all deal with loss, Mrs. Wilton. Each in his way.

Answer 30

Yes. That’s true. But don’t you ever wish you could go back, to hold on tighter? But we can’t, can we? We can only go forward. But how? This I haven’t seen.

Question 31

Do you see things often, Mrs. WIlton?

Answer 31

Lotty. Yes, I do. But seeing and doing are two different things, aren’t they? “To those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine” That’s you and me, Rose. That much I do see.