CHARACTERS
LULU,
model, muse, heroine, femme fatale and an innocent at one and the same, late
teens-early 20s
LUCAS, a
visual artist; also plays MARK, a young man by the sea, 20s
ADRIAN, a
journalist; also plays RHINEHART, Lulu’s fiancé, a psychiatrist, and BEGGAR,
Lulu’s father, 30s-40s
CALLIE, Adrian’s wife, Lucas’ agent; also plays ROBERT, Lulu’s lover, a woman dressed as a man, 20s
AVA, an arts patron, 30s-40s
THE PLACE:
A
cosmopolitan city in decline.
Note:
style='text-decoration:none'>
Melody to
original song “Blue Yellow Red” featured in the text may be obtained by
contacting the author, or may be re-set by another songwriter.
CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS ISSUE
[Months later. Lucas and
Lulu’s apartment. The two portraits from Act One are prominently displayed,
along with one more, which is unfinished. Voiceover is heard as light hits each
portrait:]
VOICE MIX (RHINEHART, LUCAS,
CALLIE)
The girl
delights.
The girl
represses.
The girl is
kept
By nature,
Mirror,
By eyes
which dream her.
Often you
wish
And yet
again
she would
be yours.
What a sad
story.
(No sadder
for being true)
Your love
does not see you.
How can
she?
(How can
he?)
She is
silent, broken,
Made to be
taken.
Again,
And again,
and you do
not know what you should do.
Make her
something definite,
Something
concrete.
She does
not want this in between
interval
self
Intervalled
[Lulu’s
voice is heard, as if from out of one of the portrait’s mouths.]
LULU (VO)
Eternally.
[All the paintings are
illuminated. Lulu is seated in a plush chair. A clock strikes. Adrian is at her
feet.]
LULU
Get out.
ADRIAN
Molly.
Please. I am without an axis. Can’t you see? Love’s fire has made a ghost of
me.
LULU
You always
talked such crap.
ADRIAN
Why did you
marry him?
LULU
Lucas
adores me.
ADRIAN
He hasn’t
even finished the third portrait. Look at it. Nothing but a squiggly line. You
call that adoration? He feels nothing. He does nothing.
LULU
He takes pictures
now. He’s a star.
ADRIAN
Callie
divorced me. I lost my job. I have nothing except you.
LULU
Tell me a
tale of woe.
ADRIAN
Don’t laugh
at me. I no longer know where I am. I am an atlas that questions itself daily.
I love you.
LULU
You’ve gone
soft. You’ve gone runny like an egg. I can’t even look at you.
ADRIAN
I have
nowhere to go.
LULU
Kill
somebody else. That shouldn’t be too hard for you. You’ve got practice now.
ADRIAN
I didn’t
kill him…
LULU
Popsy
poisoned himself?
[Adrian
reaches into his pocket, offers her a pearl necklace]
What’s
that?
ADRIAN
A gift.
LULU
Did you steal it?
ADRIAN
What I do…
doesn’t matter now… I write your name in large letters on windowpanes; Your
name vanishes the moment the wind blows. A bit of air extinguishes my writing,
but not my love.
LULU
You are
straight out of a novella. Who would’ve thought?
ADRIAN
Say what
you like. Your words hold me captive. Destroy me.
LULU
[looking
at pearls] They’re
pretty. Lucas has bought me so many things, but not pearls.
ADRIAN
Shall I - ?
[She
nods. He places necklace on her.]
They’re
rare pearls. Very expensive.
LULU
How do they
look on me? Do I look rich?
ADRIAN
Very.
LULU
…I don’t
want them. I don’t want your fucking gifts.
ADRIAN
Love me,
then.
LULU
Why should
I?
ADRIAN
Because I
found you. I lifted you up.
LULU
I’ve done
fine on my own. I’m not stupid.
ADRIAN
I never
said …
LULU
I am
fucking everyone’s fantasy. You think that’s easy? I think things. I plan
things. What I do to get things… well, what of it? What wouldn’t anyone do?
Nature’s law is one thing, society’s law is another. Besides, in the end, you
married Callie.
ADRIAN
She’s left
me.
LULU
You claimed
a proper middle-class existence.
ADRIAN
So did you.
LULU
Lucas is an
artist. He’s different.
ADRIAN
He’s as
middle-class as anyone.
LULU
Well, at least he doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not.
ADRIAN
I’ve never
pretended with you. I’ve sacrificed everything for you.
LULU
And look
where you are now. That should tell you something.
ADRIAN
Molly.
LULU
The name’s Lulu. Molly’s dead.
ADRIAN
…I see
Rhinehart.
LULU
He’s not
here.
ADRIAN
He is
dancing. He wears his blood like a veil. Fucking vomit house.
[Adrian leaves. Robert the girl appears from within. She is dressed as a man.]
ROBERT
He’s a
nasty prick. Where’d you pick him up?
LULU
I don’t
remember now.
ROBERT
I thought
he’d never leave.
LULU
Come here.
Be good to me, Robert.
ROBERT
I like how
you say my name.
LULU
How do I
say it?
ROBERT
Like I’m a
man. No pretense.
LULU
I don’t
need to pretend with you. Come on. Do me up. Lulu needs to be done up.
ROBERT
Why?
LULU
Because she
says so.
ROBERT
And what if
I don’t want to?
LULU
…Then I’ll
have to spank you very hard.
ROBERT
My bottom’s
ready.
LULU
Naughty
boy. You’re such a naughty boy.
ROBERT
I’ve been
taught right.
LULU
We’ve both
been.
ROBERT
We’re the
best of the lot.
LULU
You’re so good to me, Robert. You give me what I need.
ROBERT
I give you
what you want.
LULU
You should
ask Lucas for a raise.
ROBERT
In time.
LULU
You’re a
good assistant.
ROBERT
I never
tire of you.
LULU
Of me or of my body?
ROBERT
Both.
LULU
Can you tell the difference?
ROBERT
They’re one
and the same.
LULU
They’re not.
ROBERT
They are to
me.
LULU
…I almost
believe you. Why is that?
ROBERT
Because I’m
completely free.
LULU
No ties.
ROBERT
None.
LULU
No allegiances.
ROBERT
Nothing but
what you see. I live a dream.
LULU
I don’t
know what to believe. Rhinehart, sweet Callie, Lucas, and fucking Adrian…The world’s a burning tire in the middle of the road. That’s the truth of it. I sit
here in this house surrounded by myself. See that portrait? And the other?
That’s me. They’re all me. What did I fucking make of myself?
ROBERT
What you
are. Lulu. Right?
[Pause]
What do you
want to wear today?
LULU
Pick
something out. Something Lucas will like.
ROBERT
How’s this?
[She
offers a chain link belt.]
LULU
Is that
all?
ROBERT
Need you
anything else?
LULU
A little
more than that.
ROBERT
How bout
these?
[She
offers designer lace-up shoes.]
LULU
I like
those.
ROBERT
They’ll
make a good picture.
LULU
You always
pick the best things, Robert.
ROBERT
Because I
know you better than anybody. That’s why.
LULU
You’re my
twin.
ROBERT
I’m your
burglar.
LULU
What are
you going to steal from me that hasn’t been already stolen?
ROBERT
Are you
damaged goods?
LULU
Very.
ROBERT
Well then,
Lulu, we’ll have to do something about that.
LULU
Will we?
ROBERT
Most
definitely.
LULU
Go on,
then.
[She
strips Lulu.]
6.
[The clock strikes. Lulu
is standing on a dais wearing nothing but a chain-link belt around her waist
and lace-up shoes. Lucas is photographing her.]
LUCAS
Very still.
The swift
arrow of clarity.
Part your
lips. More. Yes. Not too much.
Look at me.
Don’t move.
Just look.
Feel
everything.
Cold. Yes.
Pain in
your toes.
How long
have you been standing?
Twelve
hours? Fifteen?
The clock
strikes. You will remain.
You’ll stay
there until…
The pain
escalates. The legs are numb.
The toes
ache. They burn.
The shoes
are too tight. The laces are starting to hurt.
Your body
is rigid.
Want
things. Crave things. Want everyone, Lulu.
But think
only of me.
[Flash
of camera.]
7.
[The
photograph from previous scene is now on display. Lulu rests. There’s a noise
from outside.]
LULU
Adrian?
LUCAS
[enters]
It’s just me.
LULU
You’re
early.
LUCAS
And you’re
delirious.
LULU
What?
LUCAS
Am I
Adrian?
LULU
I’m sorry.
I was…I don’t know what I was thinking.
LUCAS
Every day I
feel more and more contempt for you.
LULU
What do you
mean?
LUCAS
See how you say things? So prettily, so stupidly. I can’t believe I love you.
LULU
Is
something wrong, Lucas? Don’t you like the photograph?
LUCAS
I thought
taking your picture would grant me accuracy, but it hasn’t. I still can’t
capture you. That’s the truth. You stand there, you sit there, you do what I
say, and in the end, you’re not there.
LULU
Paint me,
then.
LUCAS
No.
LULU
Finish the
third portrait.
LUCAS
What for?
LULU
For me.
LUCAS
I can sell
a hundred photographs of you for the price of one painting. I put you in a pair
of Prada shoes, a Westwood corset, a Galliano skirt, and…
I’m just
the eye that snaps your frozen fucking image.
LULU
Monster.
LUCAS
And you’re my Dolce doll. Aren’t you?
LULU
Give here. Come on.
LUCAS
I don’t want to.
LULU
Fill yourself up with me.
LUCAS
To what end?
LULU
No end. Just do. Be.
LUCAS
Why should I?
LULU
I married you.
LUCAS
It was convenient for you.
LULU
You wouldn’t be anything
without me.
LUCAS
You’re my subject.
LULU
I’m your star. Relish me.
LUCAS
Why did you call out for
Adrian? Do you see him?
LULU
Not since Vertigo. And it’s
not even there anymore.
LUCAS
Everything’s closed down,
shut down…There won’t be an oasis left us. What are you doing?
LULU
Do you like it?
LUCAS
You’ve an active tongue.
LULU
And you’re hard.
LUCAS
It’s involuntary.
LULU
I have no effect? What game
is this?
LUCAS
To not feel. To not want.
Pure control.
LULU
I can do that.
LUCAS
Can you?
LULU
Test me.
[He moves on her.]
Harder. More. More.
…See? Nothing. No feeling.
And you?
LUCAS
I’ve eliminated all feeling. Do what you like.
[She moves on him.]
LULU
You’re burning.
LUCAS
I’m not.
LULU
You are.
LUCAS
I won’t…
[He breaks away. ]
LULU
We’re like empty jars. Not wanting to be filled.
LUCAS
We’re beyond pleasure. We’re above everything, Lulu. That’s how we should be.
LULU
You don’t want me.
LUCAS
I want every bit of you. I
always have.
LULU
From the first portrait?
LUCAS
From the first time you
stood before me without a stitch. [He kisses her]
LULU
I love your taste.
LUCAS
…What’s that on your feet?
LULU
Slippers. They’re new.
LUCAS
I don’t remember getting those for you.
LULU
I ordered them from a catalogue.
LUCAS
Take them off. They’re cheap.
LULU
I don’t want to.
LUCAS
Is that how you’re going to
be today? Willful and unreasonable?
LULU
They’re just slippers.
LUCAS
Little pearls on them.
LULU
Aren’t they pretty?
LUCAS
They’re all right.
LULU
Did you see that lady?
LUCAS
Which one?
LULU
The patron.
LUCAS
Ava? She likes you. No doubt about that. I just have to come up with something
special. A unique image of some kind.
LULU
You can do that.
LUCAS
Do they come off?
LULU
What are you talking about?
LUCAS
Just the pearls. Like you’ve
come out of the ocean. Like a gorgeous sea figure. A Venus for a new age.
LULU
What’d you mean?
LUCAS
I’ll show you.
[He grabs a tube, and
scissors from his work-space.]
LULU
You’re so clever. I never
know what you’re going to do. That’s why I love you.
LUCAS
Do you?
[He cuts pearls off of
her shoes.]
LULU
You silly boy. Sweet, silly
boy. What is that? What are you doing? Is that glue? Lucas?
LUCAS
Shh…
[He begins to glue the
pearls to her skin one by one.]
8.
[Lulu stands in
half-light. She sings reprise of “Blue Yellow Red” to herself.]
LULU
“I don’t care where you take
me
As long as you take me…
Come on, come on, take me…
Wear me red
Wear me blue
Liquid is my mood
In the dark night
In the swell night, In the
last night…”
[A beggar appears.]
BEGGAR
Christ would you look at
this… would you look at all this fucking…
LULU
What are you doing here?
BEGGAR
Come to see
you. Miss you. I come for a bit of taste. You’re famous now, eh? Paintings,
photos… Look at that one: just a squiggly…
LULU
Go away.
BEGGAR
What?
You’re tired? You’re never tired. Not my girl.
LULU
How much do
you want?
BEGGAR
You’re
always trying to get rid of me.
LULU
You want
money. You always want money. You’ll never change.
BEGGAR
And neither
will you.
LULU
Get off.
BEGGAR
Poor little
delicate one. You’re made of muscle and bone like all the rest. A bit hurt?
What of it? No use pretending you’re above things. You smell of roses, but
you’ll always stink.
LULU
Your hands
are rough.
BEGGAR
Not used to
that? You are losing all your strength in this house.
LULU
I’m tired.
BEGGAR
Have you
got a baby in you? I thought we fixed that.
LULU
Did we?
BEGGAR
You like to
forget things. You always did. You’ve no head for nothing except giving it.
That’s a fact. You were born stupid. Like an animal. All motion, no sense.
LULU
I don’t
remember now.
BEGGAR
Silly tart
girl, that’s what you are. He’s got you dressing up. Silk robe, eh? What money
can do… if you want a baby you’re going to have to buy one. I could sell you
one. I got connections. But you ain’t having one. That was taken care of long
ago. Madam hanger done the trick.
LULU
Son-of-a-bitch.
BEGGAR
Get your
claws out. Come on. Let’s see the animal.
LULU
Son-of-a-fucking
bitch.
BEGGAR
I could
still take you on.
LULU
You
wouldn’t dare.
BEGGAR
Wouldn’t I?
LULU
Not in this
house.
BEGGAR
Cause of
your husband? I’ve seen him. He’s a nothing.
LULU
Because
it’s my house, father.
BEGGAR
Don’t use
that word with me. I’ll cut you to ribbons. I’ll do it. I’m not like your
husband. I’m not an artist type. I cut, you bleed. Get me?
LULU
Stop.
BEGGAR
Give, then.
LULU
How much?
BEGGAR
Give kiss.
LULU
No.
BEGGAR
I’ll cut.
LULU
I don’t
care.
BEGGAR
Little
animal, little slut. You always liked being hurt.
[He cuts
her. She stops him with a kiss.]
You’ve got blood on my
clothes. What are people going to think?
LULU
Think nothing. Think what
they like.
BEGGAR
You’re not even crying. What
are you made of, girl? You got stone in you? Blood trickles but it don’t do
nothing.
LULU
You trained me.
BEGGAR
I made you strong. That’s
right. Flesh and bone, hard muscle. No feelings.
Give another kiss. I’m not
long in this world. I’ve a sickness. I’ll die soon. And won’t you be the sorry
one. … No pity? A couple dollars, then. Send me on my way. I’d like to take a
trip. Things aren’t right anymore. Things are savage. I can’t walk down
a street without feeling the knives out.
LULU
Here’s my
purse. Take whatever’s in it.
BEGGAR
Gold
necklace, some coins, what’s this…little ring? One of your men gave this to
you? You’re a lucky girl. …So, is this what you do now? Model for fancy
pictures?
LULU
I sing.
BEGGAR
Sing for
your supper, strip for your pimp.
[She
slaps him]
Hit harder.
Like this.
[He
slaps her.]
Firm hand.
Remember what I taught you.
[She
slaps him.]
That’s
right. Strong. Pure animal.
And lift
your arms.
LULU
What?
BEGGAR
High up to
heaven.
LULU
My arms?
BEGGAR
Don’t you
remember? Sun was beating. And you had weakness in your heart and what did I
say? What did I say? “Molly, my little angel, raise your arms to heaven while I
put my hand in and take the weakness out of you. High up to the clouds. And
hold your tongue.”
LULU
High up. To
the clouds.
BEGGAR
While I put
my hand in.
LULU
And I hold…
BEGGAR
…That’s a
good girl now. That’s my little Molly girl. You’ll always have room for me in
your poison heart. This debt is eternal. Keep your arms up, girl. Straight up
to the sky. Remember the words I taught you. They were good words, girl. They
were a prayer.
[He
exits with Lulu’s purse. Lulu keeps her arms up for a long time. She recites
from memory.]
LULU
ruin and
death
worms
devour us
how good to
eat
red blue
purple
ruin and
death
a bowl of
darkness
how good to
eat
for when I
am went
a
thumb-less nail
dark
still
beaten
I will
I will be
good.
[Lucas
appears.]
LUCAS
Lulu?
LULU
Go back to
bed, Lucas.
LUCAS
Are you all
right?
LULU
I was
dreaming.
LUCAS
What are
you doing?
LULU
What?
LUCAS
Why are you
standing like that?
LULU
I’m
praying.
LUCAS
For what?
LULU
For everything.
9.
[The
clock strikes. A party. The portraits, and photographs are arranged in a
slightly different fashion.]
AVA
And I said
“Take your hands off her, she’s mine.”
ROBERT
Did you
really?
AVA
I am a woman of my word. Aren’t I, Lucas?
LUCAS
You are
many things, Ava.
AVA
Countess
Ava, if you please.
LUCAS
You come
into your inheritance finally?
AVA
Hungarian royalty, my dear. Vineyards and bitter lemons. Hardly worth the
ground we shit on.
LUCAS
You mean
the ground we walk on?
AVA
Oh, no, I prefer shit much better. Truer to life. And where is the dear angel?
LUCAS
Lulu is
getting dressed.
AVA
A change for her.
LUCAS
Do you
object to my art?
AVA
Never, my
dear. As long as Lulu remains your subject, I will be your greatest champion.
LUCAS
And patron.
AVA
Of course.
LUCAS
She is
acting strangely these days.
AVA
Our Lulu?
LUCAS
She wanders
about at night, can’t sleep.
AVA
You should
both come to my house in the country. A change of scene is what you need.
ROBERT
Can I come
too?
AVA
Robert, you are such a nothing. Really. I’ve never met a more nothing thing.
Are you completely empty, my dear?
ROBERT
As empty as
I can be.
AVA
Of course you can join us. There’s always room for a doll like you.
ROBERT
Am I your
doll?
AVA
Lulu is the
only doll for me, my dear. But you’re pretty enough. And that’s not such a bad
thing. Where is she?
[Lulu
appears]
LULU
I’m right
here, silly.
AVA
My dear, you look a bit …
LULU
What?
AVA
Nothing. You’re perfect. Isn’t she, Lucas?
LUCAS
Always.
AVA
A little
more makeup than usual.
LULU
Shall I
take it off?
AVA
No, my dear. I just like you a bit more natural, that’s all. I am terribly
old-fashioned, I’m afraid.
LUCAS
Times
change.
AVA
They do. We live in graffiti and gunpowder now. We stink and celebrate our
filth.
LUCAS &
ROBERT & AVA
Hurrah.
AVA
Why aren’t you cheering, Lulu?
LULU
Sorry?
AVA
You’re not listening to me. What is the matter with you? Is that a scar?
LULU
What?
AVA
Near your breast. I don’t remember seeing it before. Do you, Lucas?
LUCAS
No.
AVA
Robert?
ROBERT
It’s hard
to say…
AVA
You’re always the polite one, doll.
ROBERT
I can be.
AVA
When it’s convenient for you, right?
LULU
I must’ve
brushed up against something in the garden.
LUCAS
We don’t
have a garden.
LULU
In the
park.
LUCAS
When do you go to the park?
LULU
I always
go. It’s very soothing.
LUCAS
I didn’t
know this.
LULU
I do things
all the time without your knowing. It’s wonderful. Isn’t it, Robert?
ROBERT
I wouldn’t
know.
AVA
…A little scar can be very attractive. Imperfections are what make a great work
of art. Have you finished the third portrait, Lucas?
LUCAS
No.
AVA
It’s mine. You promised me.
LUCAS
I know.
AVA
And you, my dear Lulu, promised me a great big kiss, and you haven’t so much as
touched me….I think you are a bit distracted tonight. Is that a fair
assessment? Lulu is distracted.
LUCAS
Lulu is away.
ROBERT
Lulu will
come back another day.
LULU
Stop it.
AVA
It’s a little game, my dear. Try to smile, would you?
LULU
Like this?
AVA
That’s not a smile.
LULU
I’m showing
teeth.
AVA
A smile must be sincere, must have sweetness about it.
LULU
Like this?
AVA
You mock me. I deserve it, I suppose. I come here to your little house with my
grand ways and make a mess of things.
LULU
Are you
grand?
LUCAS
Of course
she is, Lulu. She’s a Countess.
LULU
When did
that happen?
AVA
Quite
recently.
LULU
You got
more money, then?
AVA
I’ve a
title. It’s not worth much. But to some people, it means something.
ROBERT
Society
people.
AVA
Yes.
ROBERT
I had a
title once.
LUCAS
You?
ROBERT
When I was
married.
LULU
You’ve been
married?
ROBERT
I’ve been
everything.
LUCAS
Darling,
where’s your ring? You’re not wearing it.
LULU
I gave it
away.
LUCAS
Sorry?
LULU
I can’t
find it.
LUCAS
Our wedding
ring? You lost it?
AVA
Rings are a token, a symbol for society. I have never believed in them.
LUCAS
I’ll buy you a new one.
LULU
I don’t want one.
LUCAS
A sapphire with diamonds round it; something spectacular. It’s what you
deserve.
And if I
can’t buy it, there are beautiful things in cracked places, luminous objects in
a junkheap. I’ll find one for you.
AVA
Such gallantry. You can be quite the romantic, Lucas.
LULU
He’s very
sweet.
LUCAS
And you’re
my angel.
LULU
Don’t.
LUCAS
What?
LULU
I don’t
like that word.
AVA
All that saintliness, holiness…it’s hard to live up to. I see what Lulu means.
“Angel.” It’s not a good word. Is it, Robert?
ROBERT
I think
some words should be axed.
AVA
Exactly. That’s exactly how I would put it.
ROBERT
You’re a
liar.
AVA
I am a woman of my time, Robert. As are you. Aren’t you? …Oh, did I tell you
about the story?
LUCAS
What’s that, Ava?
AVA
I was reading the paper today and there was this little item. I didn’t think
much of it at first, but then when I started reading…Some man was found dead
not far from here. A young man. A pity. Apparently he was holding a picture of
our dear Lulu in his hand when he died.
LULU
Of me?
AVA
He was a suicide. Slit-wrist type. It was just a little story, in the back of
the paper. But I thought “How funny that someone would die for Lulu.”
LUCAS
Why
wouldn’t they?
AVA
I know what you mean, of course. I’d die for her. In an instant. I know her. To
know is to love. But a total stranger?
LUCAS
Who was he?
AVA
I don’t know. Name didn’t ring. He was a journalist apparently.
LUCAS
Must have
been a critic.
AVA
Critics should kill themselves. I agree. They’re parasites.
LULU
Christ…
AVA
Don’t take it to heart. You inspire love, my dear. You require admiration. I
just thought it was a rather funny little story. A funny sad pathetic kind of
thing. What people will do, right?
LUCAS
It’s the
curse of celebrity, the power of the image: you don’t know who is going to love
you, you don’t know what kind of feelings you will inspire in people. It’s a
loveless world, after all, and people grab on-
AVA
…Yes. It’s very sad. To whatever they desire. How shallow is our world to
confine us to one thing only, and seek consolation in only one thing? It’s
enough to make one cry. Lulu, dear, sing for us a bit.
LULU
I don’t do that anymore. I just model. I have a charmed life. I remain still
for hours and pretend I am a fucking corpse
AVA
Dressed in
Prada.
ROBERT
If you’re
going to be a corpse, might as well be the best-dressed one.
LUCAS
Lulu, I
don’t know what’s gotten into you, but Ava’s a patron of the arts. Now, give a
song, if that’s what she wants.
AVA
I come all
this way to see you, my favorite nymph, I deserve a little something. Indulge
me, my dear.
LULU
You’re
after my ass, then be after it, but know it’ll never be yours.
LUCAS
What kind of way is that to talk to Countess Ava?
LULU
Shh…
LUCAS
What?
LULU
Hear it? Rattling outside. Do you hear it?
ROBERT
They’re
smashing windows.
LULU
An egg
sails through the air. See it?
LUCAS
Bad luck on whoever it falls upon.
LULU
Poison tongue.
LUCAS
It’s lore. Handed down from generations. “Broken egg brings bad luck.”
AVA
We live with broken eggs against our skin. That’s the way we live now. Smashed
houses and shattered glass. That’s why beauty is important. That’s why I admire
Lulu so much. I’d do anything for you. It’s true, my dear. My love is pure.
ROBERT
All this
talk of love. What’s it to me? You have sex and then you get on with things.
AVA
You are quite empty.
LULU
Sometimes I
think Robert is the only one in the world who understands me.
AVA
The only one? My dear, why won’t you kiss me?
LULU
Because I
don’t want you to die for me.
AVA
I’d do it. Gladly.
LULU
Your love
is that pure?
AVA
Yes.
LULU
You’re a
cunt.
[Lulu
kisses Ava deeply.]
AVA
I’m at your mercy.
[Ava
returns the kiss.]
LUCAS
Lulu? Lulu?
LULU
[breaking
away from Ava] What
is it, Lucas?
LUCAS
Why don’t
you fuck her? Like you fucked Rhinehart, and everyone else. I’m the bastard who
married you. I’m the one who puts up with your filthy words and silly games.
LULU
And in turn you do what you want with me. I’d say that’s a fair exchange.
AVA
Perhaps a little song wouldn’t be so bad now. Perhaps a record. Robert?
ROBERT’
What do you
want?
AVA
Some music. Something with horns and strings.
LUCAS
Well, I know what I want. And it’s to be rid of you. Rid of feeling so much for
you all the time. And not ever once getting a kind anything. You can’t even
make an effort anymore.
LULU
What’s
gotten into you, Lucas?
LUCAS
I’m here. I
see things. I saved you, and you wreck me. Your body has become disgusting to
me. There isn’t an inch of you I don’t know and yet what of it? You don’t
really want me. You never have. I photograph you over and over, and what? You’re
still the same. You pose. Like you pose as my wife. I come home and you smell
of everyone else. Not of me. Never of me. Not completely. You want to know
where the third portrait is, Countess Ava? There isn’t one. There will never be
one. I will never finish it.
AVA
My dear
Lucas…
LUCAS
[to
Lulu] I love you. I
love you. I love you. I love you. I love you. I love you.
LULU
Stop. Stop.
LUCAS
I love you.
I love you.
LULU
Stop.
LUCAS
I love you.
LULU
Stop. Stop.
Stop it! Stop.
Where are
you going? Where are you going?
Lucas?
[Lucas
leaves]
AVA
Such emotion… I never knew
Lucas…
LULU
Shut up.
AVA
I think emotion ruins
things. It confuses the picture.
Don’t you agree, Robert?
ROBERT
Emotion’s what it is.
Nothing more.
AVA
You’re such a doll.
LULU
Leave her be.
AVA
Jealous now?
LULU
Lucas wants
a baby. I can’t give him it.
AVA
Well, I
made it all the way fucking down in a gypsy cab who charged me a swell fortune.
I couldn’t even stop a bit and walk into Cartier. I ruined my coat. See the
lining? It got ripped. One hundred percent silk absolutely destroyed. The
cabbie insisted on telling me his life story. Everybody’s got a damn story,
right? Why is it people feel they can just talk to me about anything and
everything? I must have a kind face. Damn curse it is. And your beauty is the
most exquisite mirror…Tell Lucas I’ll send him a check for the third portrait.
It was lovely to see you, Lulu. It’s always lovely to see you. Even if you do
think of me as a cunt.
LULU
I didn’t
mean-
AVA
We all make
mistakes, my dear. Mine is to love you.
[Ava
exits.]
LULU
Beauty is
sin. It is. It is an error.
ROBERT
You want a
rub? Just the shoulders and neck… You need it.
LULU
I want a
different life.
10.
[Lulu is in Lucas’
workspace. Cocaine vials near her. Lucas is photographing her. He wears
lipstick.]
LUCAS
I don’t
want to see your breasts now. Only your box.
She
wants the third portrait, right? I’m going to give it to her in close-up.
LULU
Are you
all right?
LUCAS
I need a
line.
LULU
…Shit on
my belly. You can snort it right from me.
LUCAS
You know what I like.
LULU
I know
you well.
LUCAS
Your
belly is so hard.
LULU
…Are you
shooting in color or black and white?
LUCAS
Black and white. I’m giving it a noir
effect.
LULU
What
about my face?
LUCAS
I’ll do color. And then I’ll superimpose it on your black and white crotch.
Would you like that?
LULU
You’re a
genius.
LUCAS
I’m
wearing your lipstick.
LULU
You like
being me.
LUCAS
I like this game. Another line, please.
LULU
…I serve
you on my belly.
LUCAS
I lick and snort.
LULU
Pig.
You’re smearing me.
LUCAS
Lipstick remains…What color is this?
LULU
“Pandora’s
Box.”
LUCAS
Did I buy it for you?
LULU
You buy everything. Everything I desire.
LUCAS
Another
line. Come on.
LULU
Slow
down.
LUCAS
Magic
fucking blow. Inspire me.
LULU
I’m your
drug.
LUCAS
Screw
me.
LULU
Take my
picture.
LUCAS
It’s like old times. I miss Rhinehart.
LULU
You liked taking orders?
LUCAS
I liked
executing. Yes.
LULU
…Take my
picture.
LUCAS
Make me.
LULU
…How much
for my box?
LUCAS
A fortune.
LULU
More.
LUCAS
What’s more than a fortune?
LULU
Think.
Look at
me. How much?
Must I be
ever waiting?
LUCAS
Just give, Lulu. Come on. That’s what you’re good at.
[She sprinkles the cocaine
slowly in a pattern upon a knife. He sniffs; he snorts. She stabs him.]
11.
[Near the sea. Lulu is
looking out. She is dressed as a man. Mark stands next to her.]
MARK
There are
plenty of places to have sex.
LULU
What’s
that?
MARK
That’s the
beauty of the sea. The beauty of being near it. You can have sex anywhere. The
ocean spooks you?
LULU
I can see
it clear as day.
MARK
Clear as
muck. There’s nothing to look at. Why look?
LULU
I imagine I
am a voyager.
MARK
A voyeur?
LULU
A voyager,
voyager, voyager.
MARK
You repeat
words.
LULU
Words are
porous. They are made of water. I imagine I am on the water discovering a new
world.
MARK
What’s it
like?
LULU
It has big
strings, giant elbows of sound. And huge letters painted over marble walls.
MARK
Is that
all?
LULU
What else
do you need?
MARK
…I could
suck you off. Would you like that? I could suck you til sundown?
LULU
You have a
foul mouth.
MARK
You got
crap on your shirt. Yellow stain.
LULU
I am
immaculate.
MARK
You’re got
big splotchy runny… right there. Egg. You’ve got egg on you. Fucking bad luck.
Must cut that stain out.
LULU
What are
you doing?
MARK
What’s it
look like?
LULU
Put the
knife down.
MARK
You’re
afraid?
LULU
No.
MARK
You like
it?
LULU
I like cold
things.
MARK
I’m just
scratching the stain off. Doing a service. I hate stains. They remind me of
when I was a kid. I was always spoilt. People made fun of me.
LULU
I’ll take my shirt off.
MARK
What? Here?
LULU
Isn’t that
what you want?
MARK
I don’t
care.
LULU
How old are
you?
MARK
Old enough.
LULU
You’re a
boy.
MARK
I’m not.
I’ve got, what you call it, baby face. Yeah. That’s me. Mark with the baby
face. That’s what they call me.
LULU
Mark?
MARK
It’s a good
name, isn’t it?
LULU
Plain but
good.
MARK
Yeah.
That’s what I say. Plain but good.
What’s your
name?
LULU
I’m James
now. Unbutton me, Mark. There’s no one round.
MARK
…All right.
LULU
Slowly now.
There’s no rush. We’ve all the time in the world.
MARK
Nimble
fingers fiddle with buttons. I’ve no trouble.
[He
unbuttons her shirt; she unzips her fly.]
What are
you -?
You ain’t
got no sex or nothing. You’re fucking alien.
LULU
That’s the
beauty of me.
MARK
Fuck.
LULU
Don’t you
want me? I can do anything. I have no limits.
I’m perfect
now.
[Noise]
MARK
What was
that?
LULU
Rattling
from the city. Sounds closer than it is. We should be quiet.
We should
be very quiet.
Very still.
[Noise.
Then silence.]
Nothing
now.
MARK
I think I
need to piss. I used to know what my body felt. Don’t know now. It’s tricking
me. I think I’m getting an erection.
LULU
Yeah?
MARK
I feel
weird.
LULU
You’ll be
fine. We will all be fine in time.
MARK
Sounds a
riddle.
LULU
Does it?
MARK
Like at
school. Like in a rhyme or something.
Can I touch
you?
LULU
Go ahead.
MARK
…You feel
normal. You feel like a boy, or a girl or something.
…I feel
funny.
LULU
Calm down.
MARK
I don’t
know what I’m doing.
LULU
How old are
you?
MARK
Old enough.
LULU
Have you
ever made love?
MARK
What you
think I am?
LULU
Make love
to me, then.
Put the
knife down.
MARK
Speck of
stain. I still see it.
LULU
Make love
to me.
MARK
Like how?
LULU
However you
wish.
[…Mark touches Lulu
awkwardly, stops. He caresses her face lightly with the blunt edge of the
knife. She lets him. …He touches her hand. He kisses her palm. ]
end of play