The Third Act - Page 2

Keep quiet, keep quiet. Listen. (Both are listening)

TONY (in whisper)

Those are faces.

SPERANSKY

Yes?

TONY

It's faces that are going. A lot of faces--can't you see them?

SPERANSKY (staring)

No, I can't.

TONY

But I can. There they are, laughing. Why aren't you laughing, eh?

SPERANSKY

I feel very despondent.

TONY

Laugh. You must laugh. Everybody is laughing. Hush, hush! (Pause) Listen, nobody exists, nobody--do you understand? There is no God, there is no man, there are no animals. Here is the table--it doesn't exist. Here is the candle--it doesn't exist. The only things that exist are faces--you understand? Keep quiet, keep quiet. I am very much afraid.

SPERANSKY

What are you afraid of?

TONY (bending near to Speransky)

That I'll die of laughter.

SPERANSKY

Really?

TONY (shaking his head affirmatively)

Yes, that I'll die of laughter. I am afraid that some day I'll catch sight of a face which will send me off roaring with laughter; and I'll roar and roar until I die. Keep quiet. I know.

SPERANSKY

You never laugh

TONY

I am always laughing, but you don't see it. It's nothing. The only thing I am afraid is that I'll die. I'll come across a face one of these days which will start me off in a fit of laughter, and I'll laugh and laugh and laugh and won't be able to stop. Yes, it's coming, it's coming. (Wipes his chest and neck)

SPERANSKY

The dead know everything.

TONY (mysteriously, with awe)

I am afraid of Savva's face. It's a very funny face. One could die laughing over it. The point is that you can't stop laughing--that's the principal thing. You laugh and laugh and laugh. Is there nobody here?

SPERANSKY

Apparently no.

TONY

Keep quiet, keep quiet, I know. Keep quiet. (Pause; the tramp of the pilgrim's footsteps grows louder, as if they were walking in the very room itself) Are they going?

SPERANSKY

Yes, they are going. (Pause)

TONY

I like you. Sing me that song of yours. I'll listen.

SPERANSKY

With your permission, Anthony. (Sings in an undertone, almost in a whisper, a dismal, long-drawn-out tune somewhat resembling a litany)

Life's a sham, 'tis false, untrue, Death alone is true, aye, true.

(With increasing caution and pedantry, shaking his finger as if imparting a secret)

All things tumble, vanish, break, Death is sure to overtake Outcast, tramp, and tiniest fly Unperceived by naked eye.

TONY

What?

SPERANSKY

Unperceived by naked eye, Wheedling, coaxing, courting, wooing, Death weds all to their undoing And the myth of life is ended.