adaptation

LOLITA Based on Vladimir Nabokov’s novel “Lolita”

Adaptation by Oliver Micevski

(first draft)

Characters:

Humbert Lolita Charlotte Quilty Dick

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SCENE 1

Charlotte: Oh M'sieur Humbert, if what you need is peace and quiet, I can assure you that you couldn't get more peace anywhere, hahahahaha. Yeah, this would be your room. It's what you might call a studio… well, you know, a semistudio affair ... it's very male… and, uh, quiet. We're really very fortunate here. And, uh, we're very progressive - intellectually. Humbert: That is immediately obvious Madame Haze! Charlotte: Oh, I do hope you'll want to address our club. There's a nice view from this window - of the front lawn, and a good place for you to do your writing. (Gesturing.) Shelves for your books...I am Chairman of the Great Books Committee. The bathroom's back here, right next door. Well, we still have that good old-fashioned quaint plumbing... (She flushes it to demonstrate.) WOOSH! Hahahahahaha. Oh, excuse the soiled sock! I see that you're interested in art. In that case, in that case, you really must see, uh, the collection of reproductions I have in my bedroom. Voila! Du-fee, and there's my little Van Gock, Monet. (Quilty passes by.) Quilty: Ciao Charlotte. What’s up? (To Humbert.) Ciao. Humbert: Hello. Charlotte: Oh Quilty… you already finished with the class? Quilty: Yes, today bit earlier. I go. Ciao. Charlotte: Ciao Quilty, Ciao. (To Humbert) He is our old family friend. you know… Is Madame Humbert, also ummm...? Humbert: There's no Madame. We are divorced... Happily divorced. Charlotte: When did all this happen? Humbert: About a year ago. Charlotte: Oh, c’est la vie...You know, Monsieur, I really believe that French is only language that, uh, one is able to really relate in a mature fashion. In fact, I remember when the late Mr. Haze...yes, he's passed on. But, uh, when we were on our honeymoon abroad. He was a lovely human being. A man of complete integrity....Those are his ashes. It's very difficult for a woman, an attractive woman alone, you know, ha-ha.

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(Lolita passes by.) Charlotte: My yellow roses. Lolita: Hello Charlotte: My daughter....I could offer you a comfortable home Monsieur, a sunny garden, a congenial atmosphere, my cherry pies. Humbert: I think that I will take the room Madame. Charlotte: What was the decisive factor? Uh, my garden? Humbert: I think it was your cherry pies!

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SCENE 2 Charlotte: I have a proposal. What say you I, uh, teach you some of the new steps, huh? Humbert: Oh Charlotte, I don't even know the old ones. And you do this so very well, I'd much rather sit down and watch you. Very good. Charlotte: Oh come on, Humbert. Ah, Humbert Humbert, what a thrillingly different name. ... Charlotte: A little more joie de vivre! You know, when you smile like that, you remind me of someone. Oh, ah, a college boy I had, uh, a date with. I went dancing with him. A young, blue-blooded Bostonian. Oh, my very first glamour date. And you know, in certain lights, you remind me of Harold..I adored Harold, I really did. I swore at the time I would never marry again. I don't think I will, but, uh, it wouldn't be fair to his memory, do you think? Humbert: No, one doesn't always find such loyalty these days. Charlotte: Shouldn't life be for the living? What think you? You see, I'm a strongly emotional woman. Very strongly emotional. Oh, don't be afraid of hurting me...Take me in your arms! Oh, I can't live in the past, not any more Hum, not any more. Lolita: Hi! Charlotte: Darling, did you come back for something? Lolita: Mona's party turned out to be sort a boring. So I thought I'd come back and see what you two were doing. Humbert: We had a wonderful evening. Your mother created a magnificent spread. Charlotte: Thank you. Darling, take it upstairs. Lolita: I don't want to go to bed. It's too early. Charlotte: We all think that Lo should go to bed. Lolita: I don't have to. This is a free country.

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Charlotte: Which means there will be money for you this week. Lolita: Which means I think you stink this week. Charlotte: To bed this instant! Go to bed. Lolita: I heard that. Humbert: Goodnight, Lo.

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SCENE 3 Humbert: Who is it? Lolita: Lolita. Humbert: Come in. Lolita: Here's your breakfast. Humbert: Thank you very much. Good morning! Lolita: Good morning. Don't tell Mom, but I ate all your bacon. You have a very long face today. Humbert: Oh, yeah? Lolita: What were you writing? Humbert: I was writing a poem. Lolita: What's it about? Humbert: It's about people. Lolita: You know, it's funny, it sort of looked like a diary when I came in. Humbert: I always write my poems in a diary. Would you like me to read you some poetry? Lolita: Sure, why not? Humbert:This is my favorite poet. Lolita: Who's the poet? Humbert: The divine Edgar. Lolita: Who's the divine Edgar. Edgar who? Humbert: Edgar Allan Poe, of course. "It was night in the lonesome October. Of my most immemorial year" Notice how he emphasizes this word. "It was hard by

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the dim lake of Auber In the misty mid region of Weir". You see, he takes a word like "dim" in one line and twists it? And it comes back as "mid region of Weir". Lolita: "Mid region", and twists it to "dim". Humbert: That's pretty good, pretty clever. "Thus I pacified Psyche and kissed her. And conquered her scruples and gloom. And we passed to the end of the vista. But were stopped by the door of a tomb. And I said, 'What is written, sweet sister?' She replied, 'Ulalume, Ulalume'." Lolita: Well, I think it's a little cheesy, to tell you the truth. Humbert: What do you object to? Lolita: Well, the "vista-sister", that's like, "Lolita-sweeter". Humbert: That's very true. That's a very acute observation. If you were in my class I would give you an A plus. Lolita: Let me tell you something. Humbert: Do, please. Lolita: No, I'd better not tell you. You'll blab. Humbert: I will never give away any of your secrets. Lolita: You wouldn't? Humbert: I promise. Lolita: Well, for that you get a little reward. Humbert: Thank you very much. Lolita: Here! Humbert: Oh, no, please. No. Lolita: Put your head back. Put your head back. Open your mouth.You can have one little bite. Charlotte: (Off) Lolita? Lolita! Lolita: What?

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Charlotte: Come down here. Lolita: What do you want? Charlotte: Firstly...when I call you I want you to come right down... Secondly, I want you to go right into your room and put on a dress. I'm going out and I want you to come. Lolita: But I'm supposed to meet Mona at the lake. Charlotte: And lastly, I forbid you to disturb Professor Humbert again. He is a writer and he is not to be disturbed. Lolita: Sieg heil.

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SCENE 4 Charlotte: I have a surprise. Humbert: Mh? Charlotte: Mona is leaving for summer camp tomorrow. Lolita is going with her....isolation from boys would be the best thing for both of the girls this crucial summer. Humbert: Do you think that the camp is the answer? Charlotte: Oh, frankly Hum, I do. And it's all arranged. I phoned the camp and I did all the shopping this ...Is something the matter with your face? Humbert: Toothache! Charlotte: Oh, you poor man. Lolita: (Comes) Hello! Charlotte: That miserable little brat. She is becoming impossible, simply impossible. The idea of her sneaking back here and spying on us. Humbert: I don't think she was spying on us. Charlotte: Really? What would you call it? Humbert: I'm sure she intended no harm. Charlotte: Like hell she didn't! She's always been a spiteful, little pest. Since the age of one, you know, she kept throwing her toys ...out of her crib so that I would have to keep stooping over to pick them up. She has always had some kind of gripe against me. I mean, is it my fault if I feel young? Do you think I'm just a foolish, romantic American girl? Humbert: No... no. Charlotte: Why don't I throw on a wrap and we can go out for a little ride in the car? Humbert: Well, it's a little late, Charlotte. Charlotte: Well, let's at least finish our champagne, shall we?

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Humbert: I've had a very exhausting evening. I think I'd best go to bed. Charlotte: But it's not even 1 PM. Humbert: My neuralgia's about to strike with heartburn, an old ally, and so... Charlotte: Goodnight, and thank you for a charming evening. Humbert: You're very welcome.

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SCENE 5 Lolita: Well, I guess I won't be seeing you again, huh? Humbert: I shall be moving on. I must prepare for my work in the fall. Lolita: Then I guess this is goodbye. Humbert: Yes. Lolita: (She half-winks at him and races off) Don't forget me.

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SCENE 6

Charlotte: (In a note to Humbert.) “This is a confession. I love you. Last Sunday in church, my dear one, when I asked the Lord what to do about it, I was told to act as I am acting now. You see, there is no alternative. I have loved you from the minute I saw you. I am a passionate and lonely woman. And you are the love of my life. Now you know. So you will please at once pack and leave. This is a landlady's order. I am dismissing the lodger. I am kicking you out. Go! Scram! Departez! I shall be back by dinnertime. I do not wish to find you in the house. You see, cherie, if you decided to stay, if I found you at home, which I know I won't, and that's why I'm able to go on like this, the fact of your remaining would only mean one thing. That you ... (He begins to hysterically and uncontrollably burst out laughing with a fiendish sound), that you want me as much as I do you, as a life-long mate. And you are ready to link up your life with mine forever and ever and be a father to my little girl. Goodbye, dear one, pray for me, if you've ever prayed.”

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SCENE 7

Charlotte: (Humbert is locked in the bathroom.) Dear, the door is locked. Sweetheart, I don't want any secrets between us. It makes me feel insecure. Humbert: Can't this wait 'til I come out of here? Charlotte: I suppose. Hum, what do you do in there so long? I want to talk to you. Humbert: I haven't been here long. In point of fact, I only just came in. Charlotte: Were there a lot of women in your life before me? Humbert: I've told you about them already. Charlotte: Well, you didn't tell me about all of them. Humbert: Charlotte, if it would make you any happier, I will sit right down and I will make out a complete list of every woman I have ever known. Will that satisfy you? Charlotte: Ohh, I'm lonesome...I think it's healthy for me to be jealous. It means that I love you. You know how happy I can make you. Charlotte: Darling, I don't care about any other woman. I know that our love is sacred. The others were profane. Humbert: Yeah, sacred. That's right. That's what it is, hmmm. Charlotte: Oh Hum, hum-baby, you know, I love the way you smell. You do arouse the pagan in me. Hum, you just touch me, and I-I go as limp as a noodle. It scares me. Humbert: Yes, I know the feeling. Charlotte: Do you believe in God? Humbert: The question is, does God believe in me?'

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Charlotte: (pulling out a gun) But if I ever found out that you didn't believe in God, I think I would commit suicide. This is a sacred weapon, it's a tragic treasure. Mr. Haze purchased it when he found out he was ill. He wanted to spare me the sight of his suffering. Happily or unhappily, he, he was hospitalized before he could use it. Darling, you know, I have a most ambitious fantasy. Humbert: What's yours? Charlotte: I would love to get hold of a real French servant girl, you know...and have her come live in the house...We could put her in Lo's room. I've been meanin' to make a guest room out of that hole, anyway. Humbert: And where, pray, will you put your daughter, when you get your guest or your maid? Charlotte: You know, I've decided to send her straight from camp to a good boarding school, you know, with strict religious training, and then on to college. It's going to be you and me, alone forever. Darling, you've gone away.

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SCENE 8

Charlotte: (To Humbert, after reading his diary.) The demon...the cow...the obnoxious mama...the brainless baba...Well, the stupid Haze is no longer your dupe....You're a monster. You're a disgusting, despicable, loathsome...fraud. Get out of my way...I'm leaving here today. You can have all of it. But you are never gonna see that miserable brat again! (To her husband Harold's ashes) Harold, look what happened! I was disloyal to you. I couldn't help it, though. Seven years is a very long time. Why did you go and die on me?! I didn't know anything about life. I was very young. If you hadn't died, all this wouldn't have happened. Oh, darling, forgive me. Forgive me. You were the soul of integrity. How did we produce such a little beast? I promise, I promise, I promise you that I'll know better next time. Next time, it's gonna be somebody you'll be very proud of. (Charlotte runs on the street. Pause. Phone rings. Humbert pick up the phone.) Humbert: Hello. Yes. No no. You must be kidding. She is here. Charlotte! Someone called and said that car hit you and you are dead. Hahaha. Charlotte!

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SCENE 9

Humbert: You know, I've missed you terribly. Lolita: I haven't missed you. In fact, I've been revoltingly unfaithful to you. Humbert: Oh. Lolita: But it doesn't matter a bit, because you've stopped caring anyway. Humbert: What makes you say I've stopped caring for you? Lolita: Well, you haven't even kissed me yet, have you?

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SCENE 10

Lolita: (Entering the hotel room, which has only one bed.) Is, uh, this it? Humbert: You mean, uh... Lolita: Yeah. Humbert: Well, yes. You see, I'm quite sure that they'll manage to find a cot for us. I asked them downstairs in the lobby to find a cot. Lolita: A cot? Humbert: Yes. Lolita: You're crazy. Humbert: Why, my darling? Lolita: Because, my darling, when my darling mother finds out, she's going to divorce you and strangle me. Humbert: Yes, now look, now. I have a great feeling of, um, tenderness for you. While your mother is ill, I'm responsible for your welfare. We're not rich, but while we travel, we should be obliged - we should be thrown a good deal together - two people sharing one room inevitably enter into a kind of, um, how should I say? A kind of, hmm... Lolita: Aren't you going to go down and see about the cot?

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SCENE 11

Quilty: Hello, heh-heh, heh-heh. Hello. Humbert: Oh, you're addressing me? I thought there was perhaps someone with you. Quilty: No, I'm not really with someone. I'm with you, heh-heh. I didn't mean that as an insult. What I really meant was that, uh, I'm with the Police, uh, here, and, uh, when I'm with them, I'm with someone, but right now, I'm on my own. I mean, I'm not with a lot of people, just you. Heh. Humbert: Well, I wouldn't like to disturb you. I'll leave you alone if you prefer it. Quilty: No, you don't really have to go at all. I like it, you know, because, uh, I don't know what it is. I sort of get the impression that you want to leave. I noticed when you was checking in, you had a lovely, pretty little girl with you. She was really lovely. As a matter of fact, she wasn't so little, come to think of it, you know what I mean. But, uh, she was really lovely. I wish I had a lovely, pretty, lovely little girl like that, I mean...Your daughter? Gee, isn't it great to have a lovely, tall, pretty little, small daughter like that, it's really wonderful. I don't have any children, boys or little tall girls or anything. I'm not even...Heheh, may I say something? I thought you was looking a little uneasy at the desk there. Maybe I was thinking that you want to get away from your wife for a little while. I don't blame you. If I was married, I'd take every opportunity to get away from my wife. Humbert: She had an accident. Quilty: That's really terrible. I mean, fancy a fella's wife having, a normal guy's wife having an accident like that. What happened to her? Humbert: She was hit by a car. Quilty: Gee, no wonder she's not here. Gee, you must feel pretty bad about that. What's happening? Is she coming on later or something? Humbert: Well, that was the understanding. Quilty: What? In an ambulance? Heheh. Gee, I'm sorry, I shouldn't say that. Humbert: No, please. Humbert: Well, the little girl is probably asleep already - in the bed - and, uh... [laughs] I don't know why we're discussing this because...

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Quilty: Listen, why don't you let me have a look at the room - at the accommodation that you have, now? Humbert: If you'll excuse me. Quilty: Goodnight.

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SCENE 12

Humbert: Of course I need a shave, because I've not shaved since yesterday morning and I'm a man who (needs) two shaves a day. Lolita: Hmm. Do you always have to shave twice a day? Humbert: Yes, of course. All the best people shave twice a day. Lolita: ...I-I learned some real good games in camp. One in particularly was fun. Humbert: Well, why don't you describe this one in particularly - good game? Lolita: Well, I played it with Charlie...Charlie? He's that guy that you met in the office. Humbert: You mean that boy? Lolita: Mmm, hmm. Humbert: You and he? Lolita: Yeah. You sure you can't guess what game I'm talking about? Humbert: No, I'm not a very good guesser. (She whispers in his ear and then giggles.) I don't know what game you played. (She whispers a few more words.) Lolita: You mean you never played that game when you were a kid? Humbert: Oh, no. Lolita: (Smiling.) All righty then...

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SCENE 13

Lolita: Hey, let's tell mother. Humbert: Tell mother what? Lolita: (She smiles knowingly.) You know what. Humbert: No, I don't think that would be very funny. Lolita: (Laughing.) I wonder what she'd do? Hmm? Lolita: Why? What difference does it make? I want to call her. Humbert: I just don't think it would be a very good idea. That's all. Lolita: Why can't I call my mother if I want to? Humbert: Because you can't! Lolita: Why? Humbert: Because… (Long pause.) your mother is dead. Lolita: (Laughs) Come on, now, cut it out! Why can't I call her? Humbert: Your mother is dead.

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SCENE 14

Humbert: Try to stop crying. Everything's going to be all right. Lolita: Nothing will ever be all right. Humbert: I'm sure that we're gonna be very happy you and I. Lolita: But everything is changed all of a sudden. Everything was so, oh, I don't know, normal. Humbert: Lolita, please, please stop crying. We'll do things, we'll go places. Lolita: But there's no place to go back to. Humbert: We'll find a new home. Lolita: Where? Humbert: Anywhere, You'll like it. Lolita: I'll hate it, I know I will. Humbert: No you won't. Lolita: But what about all my things back in our house? Humbert: We'll take care of all those things. Lolita: Promise you'll never leave me. I don't want to ever be in one of those horrible places for juvenile delinquents...And anyway, I'd rather be with you. You're a lot better than one of those places. You will promise, won't you? Lolita: Cross my heart and hope to die. Humbert: Cross my heart and hope to die.

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SCENE 15

Humbert: I thought we understood. No dates! Lolita: What do you mean, no dates?! Humbert: I don't want you around them. They're nasty-minded boys. Lolita: Oh, you're a fine one to talk about someone else's mind. Humbert: Don't avoid the issue. I told you, 'No dates.' Lolita: It wasn't a date. Humbert: It was a date. Lolita: It wasn't a date. Humbert: It was a date, Lolita. Lolita: It was not a date. Humbert: IT WAS A DATE! Lolita: It wasn't a date. Humbert: Well, whatever it was that you had yesterday afternoon, I don't want you to have again. While we're on the subject... how did you come to be so late on Saturday afternoon? Lolita: Saturday I went to my piano lesson. Humbert: Your piano lesson? I thought that was on Wednesday. Lolita: No, it's changed to Saturday, remember? Humbert: Wednesday! Between 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm, piano. Lolita: Ask Michele. She was with me. Humbert: Ask Michele", that's what you always say. Why does Michelle give me these searching looks whenever she comes to the house?

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Lolita: How should I know? Humbert: Have you told her anything about us? Lolita: No. Have you? Humbert: You've told her nothing? Lolita: You think I'm crazy? (Humbert kisses her.) You never let me have any fun. Humbert: No fun? You have all the fun in the world. We have fun together, don't we? Ay, whenever you want something, I buy it for you automatically. I take you to concerts, to museums, to movies. I do all the housework. Who does the-the tidying up? I do. Who does the cooking? I do. You and I have lots of fun - don't we Lolita? Lolita: (she smiles) Come here. (He kneels in front of her) Still love me? Humbert: Completely. You know that. Lolita: You know what I want more than anything else in the world? Humbert: What do you want? Lolita: I want you to be proud of me. Humbert: I am proud of you, Lolita. Lolita: No, I mean really proud of me. You see, they want me for the lead in the school play. Isn't that fantastic? And I have to have a letter from you, giving your permission. Humbert: Who wants you? Lolita: Well… the drama teacher. And the others. Humbert: And who might they be? Lolita: They're the authors. Humbert: But you've never acted before. Lolita: Oh, they say I have a unique and rare talent. Humbert: And how do they know that?

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Lolita: Well, we had readings. I was chosen over thirty other girls. Humbert: That's the first I've heard about it. Lolita: I know. I wanted to surprise you. Humbert: And you suddenly are, overnight, an actress. Well, it's out of the question. Lolita: Out of the question? Humbert: I don't want you in that atmosphere. Lolita: What atmosphere? It's just a school play. Humbert: I've told you over and over again. I don't want you mixing with those boys. It's just another excuse to make dates with them, and to get together close with them. Lolita: You don't love me. Humbert: I do love you. Lolita: You don't love me. Humbert: I do love you, Lolita. Lolita: You're driving me crazy. You won't let me do anything. You just want to keep me locked up with you in this filthy house!...Someday you're going to regret this. You'll be sorry...

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SCENE 16

Quilty: COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF For some time, Mr.Humbert has housed a creature named Lolita under conditions that violate the agency's standards. Lolita is kept in a room so small that it fails to meet the minimum size requirements. She is denied the ability to show herself to the lovely sun. She is also not provided the company of a compatible creature of the same or a biologically related species. Moreover, Mr.Humbert has also failed to establish, as required, written contingency plans regarding emergency sources of water and electric power in the event of failure of the primary sources, when such failure could reasonably be expected to be detrimental to the health and well-being of Lolita. The persistent failure to ensure the humane treatment of Lolita and recent renewal of Mr.Humbert license violates the AWA and is arbitrary and capricious, an abuse of discretion, and not in accordance with law within the meaning of the Administrative Procedure Act ("APA"), 5 U.S.C. § 706(2). 1 1 10. ALDF also has members who have aesthetic interests in Lolita-they have seen her in captivity, have grown fond of her, and are aesthetically harmed by seeing her confined to a small room with no ability to show herself to the lovely sun and with no companions of her own or a biologically related species. These members' aesthetic and emotional interests are harmed by USDA's decision to renew Mr.Humbert's license, which allows Mr.Humbert to continue treating Lolita inhumanely. ALDF's members' emotional and aesthetic interests will be redressed if ALDF prevails in this case because Mr.Humbert would not be able to maintain a license under the A W A to exhibit Lolita without improving her conditions, which means that it would either have to provide Lolita with a larger living space, show to the lovely sun, and companions of her own species, or, if unable to improve her conditions in compliance with the AWA, ensure that she was placed in a different environment that is humane and consistent with the law. In either event, ALDF's members who have emotional and aesthetic interests in Lolita could visit her and enjoy her under much more humane conditions, which they would do as often as possible.

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SCENE 17

Humbert: All right, perhaps I was wrong in the attitude that I took about the school play. It's partly my fault, I realize that. It's something that's happened on account of this horrible place. All these people poking their nose into our business. STOP DOING THAT! If we could leave this place perhaps. Yes, there's there's nothing to keep us here. We haven't any obligations here...We could just pack up our bags - TONIGHT! We could go now. I could take you for a wonderful trip around the country! Don't you want to get back to where we were before we came to this horrible place? Don't you want to come away with me? Lolita: NO! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! WHY DON'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE? DON'T TELL ME WHAT TO DO! YOU'RE A CREEP! Humbert: You're not gonna see these filthy boys anymore, I can tell you that. Lolita: I'VE GOT NEWS FOR YOU. I'M GONNA DO ANYTHING I WANT TO, ANYTIME I WANT TO, WITH ANYBODY I WANT TO - AND YOU CAN'T STOP ME! You're hurting my arm! You let me go, you jerk! Let go of me!...You've got a big fat nerve dragging me away like that!...Who the heck do you think you are not letting me go to my cast party? I wish the police do come in here. You creep!

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SCENE 18

Lolita: (To Humbert.) Listen, I've decided something...I want to leave school...I don't want you to be mad at me anymore. Everything's gonna be great from now on...I hate school and I hate the play. I really do. I never want to go back...Let's leave tomorrow. We can go for a long trip and we'll go wherever I want to, won't we? Humbert: All my love to you! All my love to you! Lolita: I want some chocolate. And some juice. I will go to buy. Will you give me some money? Humbert: Here you are. (Lolita kisses him.) Lolita: Bye Hambi! (Humbert kisses her.)

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SCENE 19

Humbert: Wanted, wanted: Dolores Haze. Hair: brown. Lips: scarlet. Age: five thousand three hundred days. Profession: none, or "starlet" Where are you hiding, Dolores Haze? Why are you hiding, darling? (I Talk in a daze, I walk in a maze I cannot get out, said the starling). Where are you riding, Dolores Haze? What make is the magic carpet? Is a Cream Cougar the present craze? And where are you parked, my car pet? Who is your hero, Dolores Haze? Still one of those blue-capped star-men? Oh the balmy days and the palmy bays, And the cars, and the bars, my Carmen! Oh Dolores, that juke-box hurts! Are you still dancin', darlin'? (Both in worn levis, both in torn T-shirts, And I, in my corner, snarlin'). Happy, happy is gnarled McFate Touring the States with a child wife, Plowing his Molly in every State Among the protected wild life. My Dolly, my folly! Her eyes were vair, And never closed when I kissed her. Know an old perfume called Soliel Vert? Are you from Paris, mister? L'autre soir un air froid d'opera m'alita; Son fele -- bien fol est qui s'y fie! Il neige, le decor s'ecroule, Lolita! Lolita, qu'ai-je fait de ta vie? Dying, dying, Lolita Haze, Of hate and remorse, I'm dying.

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And again my hairy fist I raise, And again I hear you crying. Officer, officer, there they go-In the rain, where that lighted store is! And her socks are white, and I love her so, And her name is Haze, Dolores. Officer, officer, there they are-Dolores Haze and her lover! Whip out your gun and follow that car. Now tumble out and take cover. Wanted, wanted: Dolores Haze. Her dream-gray gaze never flinches. Ninety pounds is all she weighs With a height of sixty inches. My car is limping, Dolores Haze, And the last long lap is the hardest, And I shall be dumped where the weed decays, And the rest is rust and stardust.”.

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SCENE 20

Lolita: (In a letter to Humbert.) Dear Dad, How's everything? I have gone through much sadness and hardship. I'm married. I'm going to have a baby. I'm going nuts because we don't have enough to pay our debts and get out of here. Please send us a check.

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SCENE 21

(The home of Lolita and her husband Dick.) Humbert: Hello. Lolita: Hello. I'm afraid you'll have to excuse my appearance, but you caught me on ironing day. Do come in. (Humbert enters.) Gee, you're looking marvellous...I wrote to you about a week ago. I was beginning to think maybe you were sore or something. I must say, I wouldn't blame you if you were. It's a fine thing me dropping out of sight for so long and then writing you for a handout. Humbert: Who did it? Lolita: Oh, there's no point in going into that! It's all over. Humbert: Lolita. I have to know. Lolita: Well, I'm sorry, but I can't tell you. (Dick enters.) Dick: Hello Mr. Haze. I am Dick. She's sure a swell kid, Professor Haze. She sure is, she's just nuts about dogs and kids. She's gonna make a swell mother too. (Dick exits.) Humbert: ...If you're a sensible girl, and if you want what I've come to give you, you'll tell me what I want to know. Lolita: Do you remember Quilty? Humbert: Was it him?Tell me who it was. Lolita: It was Clare Quilty. He told me to trick you into letting me be in his play. Otherwise, how would I ever get to see him? Humbert: So that's why you wanted to be in the play. Lolita: That's right. Humbert: And all those afternoons you were supposed to be practicing the piano, you were actually with this man? Lolita: Mmm, hmm. I guess he was the only guy I was ever really crazy about.

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Humbert: Aren't you forgetting something? Lolita: Oh, Dick. Dick's very sweet. We're very happy together, but I guess it's just not the same thing. Humbert: And I? I suppose I never counted, of course. Lolita: You have no right to say that. After all, the past is the past. Humbert: What happened with this Quilty? Lolita: Look, don't make fun of me. I don't have to tell you a blasted thing. Humbert: I am not making fun of you. I am merely trying to find out what happened. Where did he take you? Lolita: To his ranch near lake. The only problem with it was, he had such a bunch of weird friends staying there...painters, nudists, writers. I loved him and he wanted me to cooperate with the others making some kind of a, you know, an art movie. Humbert: An art movie? And you did it? Lolita: No, I didn't do it. And so he kicked me out. Humbert: You could have come back to me. Humbert: This may be neither here nor there, but I've got to say it. Life is very short. Between here and that old car outside is twenty-five paces. Make them now, right now...Come away with me now, just as you are. Lolita: Oh, you mean you'll give us the money only if I go to a hotel with you. Humbert: No, you've got it all wrong. I want you to leave your husband and this awful house. I want you to live with me and die with me, and EVERYTHING with me. Lolita: You must be crazy! Humbert: I'm perfectly serious, Lo. I've never been less crazy in all my life. We'll start a-fresh. We can forget everything that has happened. Lolita: No, it's too late. Humbert: No, it's not too late...don't tell me that it's too late because it's not too late. If you want time to think it over, that's perfectly all right with me, because

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I've waited already for three years and I think I could wait for the rest of my life if necessary. You're not giving anything up. There's nothing here to keep you...You're not bound to him in any way, as you are bound to me by everything that we have lived through together - you and I. Lolita: I'm going to have his baby in three months...I've wrecked too many things in my life. I can't do that to him. He needs me. (Humbert begins crying) Oh, come on, now don't make a scene. Stop crying! He could walk in here at any minute. Will you please stop crying? Humbert: There are no strings attached. It's only money anyway. It comes from the rent of the house - that's four hundred in cash...I made out a check here for two thousand, five hundred. There's who's prepared to take care of the mortgage of the house. There's the downpayment. That's the payment. Lolita: You mean we're getting thirteen thousand? Wonderful. Oh, come on now, don't cry. I'm sorry. Try to understand. I'm really sorry that I cheated so much, but I guess that's just the way things are. (Humbert leaves.) Lolita: Hey, well listen, let's keep in touch, huh? I'll write to you. Humbert: Don't touch me; I'll die if you touch me.

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SCENE 22

(In the home of Quilty.) Humbert: Quilty, Quilty. Quilty: What? What? What's that? Humbert: Are you Quilty? Quilty: Yeah, I am Quilty. Yes, sure. Humbert: Shall we have a little chat before we start? Quilty: I don't mind. I don't. I just don't mind. Come on. Humbert: You really don't remember me, do you? Quilty: No Humbert: Do you recall a girl called Dolores Haze? Quilty: No Humbert: (Bangs on the table loudly with the paddle) Lolita?! Quilty: Lo-li-tah. Yeah, yeah. I remember that name, all right. Maybe she made some telephone calls. Who cares? (Humbert draws a gun.) Hey, you're a sort of bad loser. I never found a guy who pulled a gun on me. Didn't anyone ever tell ya? It's not really who wins, it's how you play. Listen, I don't think I want to play anymore. Gee, I'm just dyin' for a drink. I'm just dyin' to have a drinkie. Humbert: You're dying anyway, Quilty. Quilty, I want you to concentrate - you're going to die. Try to understand what is happening to you. Quilty: You are rude! Humbert: Think of what you did, Quilty, and think of what is happening to you now. Read this. Quilty: What's this? Humbert: It's your death sentence. Read it.

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Quilty: I can't read, ah, mister. I never did none of that there book learnin', ya know. Humbert: Read it, Quilty! Quilty: Mmm? 'Because you took advantage of a sinner. Because you took advantage...Because you took...Because you took advantage of my disadvantage. Because you cheated me. Because you took her at an age, when young lads...' Humbert: That's enough! Quilty: Say, what you take it away for, mister? That was getting kind of smutty there! (Laughs) Humbert: Do you have any last words? Quilty: Listen dude. You're drunk, and I'm a sick man. This pistol-packing farce is becoming a sort of nuisance. Humbert: Do you want to die standing up or sitting down? Quilty: I wanna die like a champion.(Humbert fires the gun) Gee. You want to be more careful with that thing. Listen… (Humbert fires again, hitting Quilty in the leg.) Gee! Gee, that hurt me, that... You really hurt me. Listen, if you're tryin' to scare me, you did a pretty swell job all right. My leg'll be black and blue tomorrow! (Humbert shoots him again) That hurts! (Humbert shoots last time. Quilty is dead.)

THE END

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