Dead Stars (Script 1)

SCENE 1: THE ASOTEA DON JULIAN AND CARMEN ARE TALKING. DON JULIAN IS BUSY TENDING TO THE PLANTS WHILE CARMEN HELPS HIM.

Carmen: Papa, Alfredo seems quiet lately. Don Julian: Maybe he's been deeply in thought of his marriage. Carmen: I wonder why he seems to be still thinking about getting married. He's already thirty years old! And I'm pretty sure Esperanza is already becoming anxious. Don Julian: She does not seem to be in much of a hurry either. Carmen: How can a woman be in a hurry when the man does not hurry her? Papa, do you remember how much in love he was? Don Julian: In love? With whom? Carmen: With Esperanza, of course. He has not had another love affair that I know of. What I mean is that at the beginning he was enthusiastic-flowers, serenades, notes, and things like that-What do you think happened? Don Julian: I supposed long-engaged people are like that; warm now, cool tomorrow. I think they are oftener cool than warm. The very fact that an engagement has been allowed to prolong itself argues a certain placidity of temperament--or of affection--on the part of either, or both. That phase you were speaking of is natural enough for a beginning. Besides, that, as I see it, was Alfredo's last race with escaping youth--A last spurt of hot blood . Carmen: (laughs) Well yes, I suppose that could be a reason. SCENE 2: THE FAMILY LIVING ROOM DON JULIAN AND CARMEN SIT AT THE SOFA WHILE ALFREDO PACES AROUND THE LIVING ROOM. ESPERANZA SITS ON THE OTHER COUCH.

Don Julian: So when will be your wedding? Esperanza: We want our wedding to be as quick as possible yet well prepared, so Alfredo and I decided to schedule it in three months' time. Carmen: In three months? Is that enough time? Alfredo: We think so. After all, the parish priest is a very close friend of the family. Am I right, papa? Don Julian: Yes. The Reverend Father has been a close friend of mine. The preparations for the church wedding would be somewhat more easy. Carmen: How about the guests? Alfredo: We got the reception covered. Esperanza: We called some of our friends who are in the business of arranging events to come and help us. So it won't be much of a problem. Don Julian: Are you sure? Carmen: You didn't even asked us for our help. Esperanza: (laughs) Oh, Carmen, do not be so sad. We would still need you for the arrangements with the church. Don Julian: By the way, Judge Del Valle is inviting us to dinner tomorrow evening. It would be a fantastic time to get to know each other. Carmen: Judge Del Valle? Doesn't he have a sister? Don Julian: Oh, yes. Julia Salas. I've met her before. Very nice young girl. Carmen: I gratefully accept their invitation. It's a great time for us to bond with the neighbors. and besides, the silence in this house is driving me insane. I'd like to get out. Don Julian: You two? (to Esperanza and Alfredo) Alfredo: (looks at Esperanza. Esperanza nods with approval.) Sure. We'd be happy to come with you. Esperanza: Oh, I almost forgot. Carmen: What is it? Esperanza: I have to attend to something across town tomorrow. Alfredo: Do you want me to come with you? Esperanza: Oh, no need. It's for my Women's Club. You'd get bored with it, anyway (laughs). Alfredo: Alright. So what time tomorrow evening, papa? Don Julian: Maybe past 6 o'clock. Esperanza are you sure you can't come?

Esperanza: How I wish I could. Don't worry, I'll be fine. enjoy yourselves.

SCENE 3: THE HOUSE OF THE JUDGE DON JULIAN, CARMEN, ESPERANZA, ALFREDO, THE JUDGE AND JULIA MEET IN THE LIVING ROOM Judge: Welcome, Don Julian! Who are these people you've brought with you? Don Julian: Ah, here's my daughter Carmen. Carmen: (walks to the Judge and shakes his hand) a pleasure to meet you! Don Julian: And this is Alfredo, my son. Alfredo shake hands with the Judge. Julia emerges from her room wearing a dress. Judge: Oh, there you are, my dear, I thought you were going to leave me here to tend to our guests all alone. Everyone, this is Julia Salas, my dear sister-in-law. Julia: A pleasure to meet you, everyone. Judge: (to Julia) Where is my wife? Julia: Oh. It seems that the journey to Manila has made her exhausted and she retired to her room almost immediately after arriving earlier. Judge: Ah. Of course. well, tell the maids to serve our dinner. Judge gestures for everyone to sit while the dinner is being served. SCENE 4: JUDGE'S HOUSE AFTER THE DINNER ALFREDO AND JULIA WERE TALKING. Alfredo: Why were you laughing during dinner? Julia: (giggles) It's nothing. Alfredo: Oh come on. I'm pretty sure it meant something.

Julia: (giggles again) when you were calling me Ms. Del Valle. Alfredo: Oh? Julia: You see, I'm not Ms. Del Valle. I'm Julia Salas. Alfredo: Oh, I see. My apologies. Julia: That is nothing, Each time I was about to correct you, but I remembered a similar experience I had once before. Alfredo: Oh. Julia: A man named Manalang--I kept calling him Manalo. After the tenth time or so, the young man rose from his seat and said suddenly, 'Pardon me, but my name is Manalang, Manalang.' You know, I never forgave him! The best thing to do under the circumstances, I have found out is to pretend not to hear, and to let the other person find out his mistake without help. Alfredo: As you did this time. Still, you looked amused every time I-Julia: I was thinking of Mr. Manalang. Alfredo: Of course you were. Julia: Well (standing up) Time seems to fly away when you are enjoying yourself, doesn't it? Alfredo: Yes, it does. Julia: It's getting late. Thank you so much for your time. Alfredo: No, thank you. Julia: shall we see each other again? Alfredo: Maybe some other time. (Turns to the door) Now I have to go. Goodbye, Ms. Salas. Julia: Call me Julia. Alfredo: Alright then. see you soon, Julia. Alfredo turns to the door and leaves. SCENE 5: DON JULIAN'S LIVING ROOM ESPERANZA AND CARMEN ARE BUSY WITH CLEANING UP THE DISHES WHILE ALFREDO WALKS OUT TO THE DOOR. Esperanza: Where are you going?

Alfredo: Uh, to the Judge's. Esperanza: Why go there? Alfredo: (Shrugs) Just chatting with a friend. Carmen: who? Julia? Alfredo: (nods) why? Esperanza: you seem pretty close with this woman. Alfredo: (sighs) Esperanza, don't tell me you're Esperanza: No I most certainly am not jealous. Just......don't be long. Alfredo: All right. I won't. (walks out the door) Carmen: Shouldn't you be worried? Esperanza: Why should I? I trust Alfredo. And besides, he's too old to flirt. Carmen: Nobody's too old to flirt. SCENE 6: THE JUDGE'S LIVING ROOM DON JULIAN AND THE TALKING

JUDGE

ARE

Don Julian: I am very much into plants. Farming has been my family's business for years now. Judge: Yes, it is evident in your plantation. By the way, I would like to show to you our own plantation in our rest house. Would you and your family like to come? Don Julian: Of course, my friend. You plant? Judge: I try. Coconuts. Don Julian: Of course. When would this be? Judge: This coming summer. Don Julian: Yes, we'd be happy to come. Judge: Excellent. SCENE 7: THE REST HOUSE. AT NIGHT. JULIA AND ALFREDO ARE TALKING. Julia: The afternoon has seemed very short, hasn't it?" Then, "This, I think, is the last time--we can visit. Alfredo: The last? Why? Julia: Oh, you will be too busy perhaps. Alfredo: Do I seem especially industrious to you?

Julia: If you are, you never look it. Not perspiring or breathless, as a busy man ought to be Alfredo: But-Julia: Always unhurried, too unhurried, and calm. Alfredo: I wish that were true. A short pause. Alfredo: A man is happier if he is, as you say, calm and placid. Julia: Like a carabao in a mud pool. Alfredo: Who? I? Julia: Oh, no! Alfredo: You said I am calm and placid. Julia: That is what I think. Alfredo: I used to think so too. Shows how little we know ourselves. Julia: I should like to see your home town. Alfredo: There is nothing to see--little crooked streets, bunut roofs with ferns growing on them, and sometimes squashes. Julia: Nothing? There is you. Alfredo: Oh, me? But I am here. Julia: I will not go, of course, until you are there. Alfredo: Will you come? You will find it dull. There isn't even one American there! Julia: Well--Americans are rather essential to my entertainment. (laughs) Another short pause. Julia: We live on Calle Luz, a little street with trees. Alfredo: Could I find that? Julia: If you don't ask for Miss del Valle. Alfredo: I'll inquire about-Julia: What? Alfredo: The house of the prettiest girl in the town Julia: There is where you will lose your way. Now, that is not quite sincere. Alfredo: It is. Julia: I thought you, at least, would not say such things.

Alfredo: Pretty--pretty--a foolish word! But there is none other more handy I did not mean that quiteJulia: Are you withdrawing the compliment? Alfredo: Re-enforcing it, maybe. Something is pretty when it pleases the eye--it is more than that when-Julia: If it saddens? Alfredo: Exactly. Julia: It must be ugly. Alfredo: Always? Julia: No, of course you are right. Alfredo: Why did you say this is the last time? Julia: I am going home. Another short pause. Alfredo: When? Julia: Tomorrow. I received a letter from Father and Mother yesterday. They want me to spend Holy Week at home. That is why I said this is the last time." Alfredo: Can't I come to say good-bye? Julia: Oh, you don't need to! Alfredo: No, but I want to. Julia: There is no time. Another short pause. Julia: Home seems so far from here. This is almost like another life. Alfredo: I know. This is Elsewhere, and yet strange enough, I cannot get rid of the old things. Julia: Old things? Alfredo: Oh, old things, mistakes, encumbrances, old baggage. They hear Don Julian calling them. Julia: Good-bye. (walks away and leaves Alfredo)

SCENE 9 AT THE CHURCH. THE PROCESSION.

ALFREDO SEES THE PROCESSION OF THE PATRON FROM THE CHURCH. JULIA WAS ALSO WATCHING THE PROCESSION.

Alfredo: (walks up to Julia) Good evening. Julia: Good evening. Alfredo: I had been thinking all this time that you had gone, Julia: No, my sister asked me to stay until they are ready to go. Alfredo: Oh, is the Judge going? Julia: Yes. A short pause. Julia: Mr. Salazar, I wish to congratulate you. Alfredo: For what? Julia: For your approaching wedding. I should have offered congratulations long before, but you know mere visitors are slow about getting the news. Alfredo: Are weddings interesting to you? Julia: When they are of friends, yes. Alfredo: Would you come if I asked you? Julia: When is it going to be? Alfredo: (sighs) May. Julia: May is the month of happiness they say. Alfredo: They say. Would you come? Julia: Why not? Alfredo: No reason. I am just asking. Then you will? Julia: If you will ask me Alfredo: Then I ask you. Julia: Then I will be there. Alfredo: Julia, did you ever have to choose between something you wanted to do and something you had to do? Julia: No! Alfredo: I thought maybe you had had that experience; then you could understand a man who was in such a situation. A short pause.

Alfredo: You are fortunate. Julia: Is--is this man sure of what he should do? Alfredo: I don't know, Julia. Perhaps not. But there is a point where a thing escapes us and rushes downward of its own weight, dragging us along. Then it is foolish to ask whether one will or will not, because it no longer depends on him. Julia: But then why--why--Oh, what do I know? That is his problem after all. Alfredo: Doesn't it--interest you? Julia: Why must it? I--I have to say good-bye, Mr. Salazar; it is getting late. Alfredo: Oh. Sure. Good bye. SCENE 10: THE ASOTEA. ESPERANZA PACES AROUND WHILE ALFREDO SITS, DEEP IN THOUGHT. Esperanza: ...why would Calixta do such a thing? (turns to Alfredo) Well, what of it? Alfredo: You are very positive about her badness. Esperanza: But do you approve? Alfredo: Of what? Esperanza: What she did. Alfredo: No. Esperanza: Well? Alfredo: All I say is that it is not necessarily wicked. Esperanza: Why shouldn't it be? You talked like an--immoral man. I did not know that your ideas were like that. Alfredo: My ideas? The only test I wish to apply to conduct is the test of fairness. Am I injuring anybody? No? Then I am justified in my conscience. I am right. Living with a man to whom she is not married--is that it? It may be wrong, and again it may not. Esperanza: She has injured us. She was ungrateful. Alfredo: The trouble with you, Esperanza, is that you are-Esperanza: Why do you get angry? I do not understand you at all! I think I know why you have been indifferent to me lately. I am not blind, or

deaf; I see and hear what perhaps some are trying to keep from me (voice shaking, like about to cry) .Why don't you speak out frankly before it is too late? You need not think of me and of what people will say. A short pause Alfredo: Yes, one tries to be fair--according to his lights--but it is hard. One would like to be fair to one's self first. But that is too easy, one does not dare-Esperanza: What do you mean? Whatever my shortcomings, and no doubt they are many in your eyes, I have never gone out of my way, of my place, to find a man. Alfredo: Esperanza--If you--suppose I-Esperanza: If you mean you want to take back your word, if you are tired of--why don't you tell me you are tired of me? Esperanza leaves the room crying.

SCENE 11: DON JULIAN'S LIVING ROOM DON JULIAN AND ALFREDO ARE TALKING. Don Julian: Tell me what the problem is. Alfredo: Papa, it is so hard to explain. Don Julian: Does this have something to do with Alfredo: Papa, please. Do not overtake me...... A short pause Alfredo: Papa.....I think I am falling out of love with Esperanza. Don Julian: (stands up) Falling out of love?! Near the date of your wedding?! Why? with whom?! Alfredo: With...with Julia, Papa. Don Julian paces through the living room, trying to maintain his composure.

Don Julian: this is unacceptable, Alfredo. The Judge and his entire family is leaving. You will marry Esperanza! Alfredo: (buries his head in his hands) I know my duty to her, Papa. Don Julian: And you better do it. For the sake of the reputation of our family! (leaves Alfredo)

SCENE 12: AT CALLE LUZ. TIME HAD PASSED BY. ALFREDO AND ESPERANZA ARE LONG SINCE MARRIED. ALFREDO IS IN CALLE LUZ FOR A BUSINESS TRIP. HE WALKS AROUND TO FIND THE HOUSE WHERE, LITTLE DID HE KNOW, JULIA SALAS LIVES NOW. Julia: ALFREDO!!! Alfredo: (turns to Julia) Julia! Is that you? Julia: Oh! you're in town? Alfredo: For some little business. Julia: Oh. would you like to come in? Alfredo: No, thank you. Maybe some other time. I'll be here for about a week. Julia: I wish you could visit here sometime. Alfredo: I will. see you soon! Alfredo turns to leave. SCENE 13: DON JULIAN'S LIVING ROOM DON JULIAN AND ALFREDO ARE TALKING. Alfredo: I saw Julia. In Calle Luz. Don Julian: Oh? Alfredo: Yes. Remember she told me that's where they live now? Don Julian: Ah, yes. How is she? Alfredo: doing good, I suppose. Don Julian: You did not visit her? Alfredo: (shakes his head) No, I did not. Don Julian: Oh.

A short pause Don Julian: Your feelings for her Alfredo: - are gone. Papa, it has been a long time. So all these years I had been seeing the light of dead stars, long extinguished, yet seemingly still in their appointed places in the heavens. Don Julian: You do not feel anything for her now? Alfredo: Yes, it seems that is the truth. Maybe I was just blinded by the passion and the surge of guilt I felt. Don Julian: Maybe it had been like that all along, son. A phantom feeling. Of a love that never was. Alfredo: Maybe that is the truth. Yet somehow, I feel grateful for the chance to be enlightened to this feeling. It answered a lot of questions inside me. Don Julian: It did? Alfredo: Yes, it did. Questions that I did not think have answers before,

THE END.