Come on. [He goes out.] stella:
Be over soon. [To the white woman] Hello, Eunice. How
are you?
eunice:
Tm all right. Tell Steve to get him a poor boy's sandwich
'cause nothing's left here.
[They all laugh; the colored woman does not stop. Stella
goes out.} colored woman:
What was that package he th'ew at 'er? [She rises from
steps, laughing louder.] eunice:
You hush, nowl
neoko woman:
Catch whati
[She continues to laugh. Blanche comes around the corner,
i4
SCENE ONE
currying a valise. She looks at a slip of paper, then at the
building, then again at the slip and again at the building.
Her expression is one of shocked disbelief. Her appearance
is incongruous to this setting. She is daintily dressed in a
white suit with a fluffy bodice, necklace and earrings of
pearl, white gloves and hat, looking as if she were arriving
at a summer tea or cocktail party in the garden district.
She is about five years older than Stella. Her delicate
beauty must avoid a strong light. There is something
about her uncertain manner, as well as her white clothes,
that suggests a moth.}
eunice [finally]:
What's the matter, honey? Are you lost?
blanche [with faintly hysterical humor}:
They told me to take a street-car named Desire, and then
transfer to one called Cemeteries and ride six blocks and
get off at?Elysian Fields!
eunice:
That's where you are now.
blanche:
At Elysian Fields?
eunice:
This here is Elysian Fields.
blanche:
They mustn't have?understood?what number I wanted.
eunice:
What number you lookin' for?
[Blanche wearily refers to the slip of paper.}
blanche:
Six thirty-two.
eunice:
You don't have to look no further.
blanche [uncomprehendingly}:
Tm looking for my sister, Stella DuBois. I mean?Mrs.
Stanley Kowalsld.
eunice:
That's the party.?You just did miss her, though.
15
SCENE ONE
blanche:
This--can this be--her home?
eunice:
She's got the downstairs faere and I got the up.
blanche:
Oh. She's--out?
eunice:
You noticed that bowling alley around the corner?
blanche:
I'm--not sure I did.
eunice:
Well, that's where she's at, watchin' her husband bowl. [There is a pause] You want to leave your suitcase here an'
go find her?
blanche:
No.
negro woman:
I'll go tell her you come.
blanche:
Thanlffl.
negro woman:
You welcome. [She 'goes out.}
eunice:
She wasnt expecting you?
blanche:
No. No, not tonight
eunice:
Well, why don't you just go in and make yourself at home
tfll they get back.
blanche:
How could I--do that?
eunice:
We own this place so I can let you in.
[She gets up and opens the downstairs door. A light goes
on behind the blind, fuming it light blue. Blanche slowly
follows her into the downstairs flat. The surrounding areas
dim out as the interior is lighted.]
W 1G
^^y^".' ~v^ -..ffi^i^'.^ ' , 'S.^BSS.''8
SCENE ONE
[Two rooms can be seen, not too clearly defined. The one
first entered is primarily a kitchen but contains a folding
bed to be wed by Blanche. The room beyond this is a bedroom.
Off this room is a narrow door to a bathroom.]
eunice [defensively, noticing Blanche's look}:
It's sort of messed up right now but when it's clean it's real
sweet.
blanche:
Is it?
eunice:
Uh, huh, I think so. So you're Stella's sister?
blanche:
Yes. [Wanting to get rid of her} Thanks for letting me in.
eunice:
Par nada, as the Mexicans say, por nodal Stella spoke of
you.
blanche:
Yes?
eunice:
I think she said you taught school.
blanche:
Yes.
eunice:
And you're from Mississippi, huh?
blanche:
Yes.
eunice:
She showed me a picture of your home-place, the plantation.
blanche:
Belle Reve? eunice:
A great big place with white columns.
blanche:
Yes...
eunice:
A place like that must be awful hard to keep up.
17
_i1'^ ^E^iai^JlJ
90BSH OXB
blanche:
If you will excuse me. Tm just about to drop.
eunice:
Sure, honey. Why dont yon set down?
blanche:
What I meant was I'd like to be left alone.
eunice:
Aw. I'll make myself scarce, in that case.
blanche:
I didn't mean to be rude, but--
eunice:
111 drop by the bowling alley an' hustle her up. [She goes
out the door.]
[Blanche sits in a chair very stiffly with her shoulders
slightly hunched and her legs pressed close together and
her hands tightly clutching her purse as if she were quite
cold. After a while the blind look goes out of her eyes and
she begins to look slowly around. A cat screeches. She
catches her breath with a startled gesture. Suddenly she
notices something in a half-opened closet. She springs up
and crosses to it, and removes a whiskey bottle. She pours
a half tumbler of whiskey and tosses it down. She carefully
replaces the bottle and washes out the tumbler at the
sink. Then she resumes her seat in front of the table.}
b'anche [faintly to herselfl:
I've got to keep hold of myself!
[Stella comes quickly around the corner of the building
and runs to the door of the downstairs flat.]
stella [calling out joyfully]:
Blanche!
[For a moment they stare at each other. Then Blanche
springs up and runs to her with a wild cry.]
blanche:
Stella, oh, Stella, Stella! Stella for Star! [She begins to speak with feverish vivacity as if she feared
for either of them to stop and think. They catch each other
in a spasmodic embrace.}
blanche:
Now, then, let me look at you. But dont you look at me,
li
SCENE ONE
Stella, no, no, no, not till later, not till I've bathed and
rested! And turn that over-light off! Turn that offi I won't
be looked at in this merciless glarel [Stella laughs and complies] Come back here now! Oh, my baby! Stella! Stella for
Star! [She embraces her again] I thought you would never
come back to this horrible place! What am I saying? I didn't mean to say that. I meant to be nice about it and say
--Oh, wh
at a convenient location and such--Haa-ha!
Precious lamb! You haven't said a word to me.
stella:
You haven't given me a chance to, honey! [She laughs, but
her glance at Blanche is a little anxious.]
blanche:
Well, now you talk. Open your pretty mouth and talk while
I look around for some liquor! I know you must have some
liquor on the place! Where could it be, I wonder? Oh, I spy, I spy!
[She rushes to the closet and removes the bottle; she is shaking
all over and panting for breath as she tries to laugh.
The bottle nearly slips from her grasp.]
stella [noticing]:
Blanche, you sit down and let me pour the drinks. I don't
know what we've got to mix with. Maybe a coke's in the
icebox. Look'n see, honey, while I'm-- blanche:
No coke, honey, not with my nerves tonight! Where--
where--where is--?
stella:
Stanley? Bowling! He loves it. They're having a--found
some soda!--tournament...
blanche:
Just water, baby, to chase it! Now don't get worried, your
sister hasn't turned into a drunkard, she's just all shaken
up and hot and tired and dirty! You sit down, now, and
explain this place to me! What are you doing in a place
like this?
stella:
Now, Blanche--
blanche:
Oh, I'm not going to be hypocritical, Tm going to be
19
SCENE ONE
honestly critical about it! Never, never, never in my worst
dreams could I picture?Only Poe! Only Mr. Edgar Allan
Poel?could do it justice! Out there I suppose is the ghoulhaunted
woodland of Weir! [She laughs.}
stella:
No, honey, those are the L & N tracks.
blanche:
No, now seriously, putting joking aside. Why didn't you
tell me, why didn't you write me, honey, why didn't you
let me know?
stblla [carefully, pouring herself a drink}:
Tell you what, Blanche?
blanche:
Why, that you had to live in these conditions!
stella:
Aren't you being a little intense about it? It's not that bad
at all! New Orleans isn't like other cities.
blanche:
This has got nothing to do with New OIreans. You might
as well say?forgive me, blessed baby! [She suddenly stops
short} The subject is closed!
stella [a little drily}:
Thanks.
[During the pause, Blanche stares at her. She smiles at
Blanche.}
blanche [looking down at her glass, which shakes in her
hand}:
You're all I*ve got in the world, and you're not glad to see
me!
stella [sincerely}:
Why, Blanche, you know that's not true.
blanche:
No??I'd forgotten how quiet you were.
stella:
You never did give me a chance to say much, Blanche. So
I just got in the habit of being quiet around you.
blanche [vaguely}:
A good habit to get into ... [then, abruptly} You haven't
39
BOBNE ONE
asked me how I happened to get away from the school before
the spring term ended.
stella:
Well, I thought you'd volunteer that information--if you
wanted to tell me.
blanche:
You thought Fd been fired?
stella:
No, I--thought you might have--resigned...
blanche:
I was so exhausted by all I'd been through my--nerves
broke. [Nervously tamping cigarette] I was on the verge
of--lunacy, almost! So Mr. Graves--Mr. Graves is the high
school superintendent--he suggested I take a leave of absence.
I couldn't put all of those details into the wire ... [She drinks quickly] Oh, this buzzes right through me and
feels so good!
stella:
Won't you have another?
blanche:
No, one's my limit.
stella:
Sure?
blanche:
You haven't said a word about my appearance.
stella:
You look just fine.
blanche:
God love you for a liarl Daylight never exposed so total
a ruin! But you--you've put on some weight, yes, you're
just as plump as a little partridge! And it's so becoming
to you!
stella:
Now, Blanche--
blanche:
Yes, it is, it is or I wouldn't say iti You just have to watch
around the hips a little. Stand up.
stella:
Not now.
21
SCENE ONE
blanche:
You hear me? I said stand up! [Stella complies reluctantly] You messy child, you, you've spilt something on the pretty
white lace collar! About your hair--you ought to have it cut
in a feather bob with your dainty features. Stella, you have a
maid, don't you?
stella:
No. With only two rooms it's--
blanche:
What? Two rooms, did you say?
stella:
This one and--[She is embarrassed.]
blanche:
The other one? [She laughs sharply. There is an embarrassed
silence.]
blanche:
I am going to take just one little tiny nip more, sort of to
put the stopper on, so to speak. ... Then put the bottle
away so I won't be tempted. [She rises] I want you to look
at my figure! [She turns around] You know I haven't put on
one ounce in ten years, Stella? I weigh what I weighed the
summer you left Belle Reve. The summer Dad died and
you left us...
stella [a little wearily]:
It's just incredible, Blanche, how well you're looking.
blanche:
[They both laugh uncomfortably] But, Stella, there's only
two rooms, I don't see where you're going to put mel
stella:
We're going to put you in here.
blanche:
What kind of bed's this--one of those collapsible things? [She sits on It.]
stella:
Does it feel all right?
blanche [dubiously]:
Wonderful, honey. I don't like a bed that gives much. But
there's no door between the two rooms, and Stanley--will
it be decent?
sea
SCENE ONE
stella:
Stanley is Polish, you know.
blanche:
Oh, yes. They're something like Irish, aren't they?
stella;
Well?
blanche:
Only not so?highbrow? [They both laugh again in the same
way! I brought some nice clothes to meet all your lovely
friends in.
stella:
I'm afraid you won't think they are lovely.
blanche:
What are they like?
stella:
They're Stanley's friends.
blanche:
Polacks?
stella:
They're a mixed lot, Blanche.
blanche:
Heterogeneous?types?
stella:
Oh, yes. Yes, types is rightl
blanche:
Well?anyhow?I brought nice clothes and FU wear them.
I guess yo
u're hoping I'll say I'll put up at a hotel, but I'm
not going to put up at a hotel. I want to be near you, got
to be v^ith somebody, I can't be alone! Because?as you
must have noticed?I'm?not very well . . . [Her voice
drops and her look is frightened.}
stella:
You seem a little bit nervous or overwrought or something.
blanche:
Will Stanley like me, or will I just be a visiting in-law, Stella?
I couldn't stand that
stella:
You'U get along fine together, if youll just try not to?
23
well?compare him with men that we went out with
home.
blanche:
Is he so?different?
stella:
Yes. A different species.
blanche:
In what way; what's he like?
stella:
Oh, you can't describe someone you're in love with! He,"
a picture of him! [She hands a photograph to Blanche.]
blanche:
An officer?
stella:
A Master Sergeant in the Engineers' Corps. Those e!
decorations!
blanche:
He had those on when you met him?
stella:
I assure you I wasn't just blinded by all the brass.
blanche:
That's not what I?
stella:
But of course there were things to adjust myself to la
on.
blanche:
Such as his civilian background! [Stella laughs uncertain;;
How did he take it when you said I was coming?
stella:
Oh, Stanley doesn't know yet
blanche [frightened]:
You?haven't told him?
stella:
He's on the road a good deal.
blanche:
Oh. Travels?
stella:
Yes.
24
SCENE ONE
BLANCHE:
Good. I mean--isn't it? stella [half to herself}:
I can hardly stand it when he is away for a night...
blanche:
Why, Stella!
stella:
When he's away for a week I nearly go wild!
blanche:
Gracious!
stella:
And when he comes back I cry on his lap like a baby...
[She smiles to herself.} blanche:
I guess that is what is meant by being in love ... [Stella
looks up with a radiant sntile.] Stella--
stella:
What?
blanche [in an uneasy rush]:
I haven't asked you the things you probably thought I
was going to ask. And so I'll expect you to be understanding
about what / have to tell you.
stella:
What, Blanche? [Her face turns anxious.}
blanche:
Well, Stella--you're going to reproach me, I know that
you're bound to reproach me--but before you do--take
into consideration--you left! I stayed and struggled! You
came to New Orleans and looked out for yourself. / stayed
at Belle Reve and tried to hold it together! I'm not meaning this in any reproachful way, but all the burden descended
on my shoulders.
stella:
The best I could do was make my own living, Blanche.
[Blanche begins to shake again with intensity.}
blanche:
I know, I know. But you are the one that abandoned Belle
as
SOBNE ONE
Reve, not II I stayed and fought for it, bled for it, almost
died for it!
stella:
Stop (his hysterical outburst and tell me what's happened"! What do you mean fought and bled? What kind of--
blanche:
I knew you would, Stella. I knew you would take this attitude
about it!
stella:
About--what?--pleasel
blanche [slowly]:
The loss--the loss...
stella:
Belle Reve? Lost, is it? Nol
blanche:
Yes. Stella.
[They stare at each oilier across the yellow-checked linoleum
of the table. Blanche slowly nods her head and Stellc. looks slowly down at her hands folded on the table. The
music of the "blue piano" grows louder. Blanche touches. her handkerchief to her forehead.}
stella:
But how did it go? What happened?
blanche [springing up]:
You're a fine one to ask me how it went!
stella:
Blanche!
blanche:
You're a fine one to sit there accusing me of it!
stella:
Blanche!
blanche:
I, I, / took the blows in my face and my body! All of those
deaths! The long parade to the graveyard! Father, mother!
Margaret, that dreadful way! So big with it, it couldn't be
put in a coffin! But had to be burned like rubbish! You just came home in time for the funerals, Stella. And funerals
are pretty compared to deaths. Funerals are quiet, but deaths
20
SCENE ONE
--not always. Sometimes their breathing is hoarse, and
sometimes it rattles, and sometimes they even cry out to
you, "Don't let me go!" Even the old, sometimes, say, "Don't let me go." As if you were able to stop them! But
funerals are quiet, with pretty flowers. And, oh, what gorgeous
boxes they pack them away in! Unless you were there
at the bed when they cried out, "Hold mel" you'd never
suspect there was the struggle for breath and bleeding. You
didn't dream, but I saw! Saw! Saw! And now you sit there
telling me with your eyes that I let the place go! How in
hell do you think all that sickness and dying was paid for? Death is expensive, Miss Stella! And old Cousin Jessie's
right after Margaret's, hers! Why, the Grim Reaper had put
up his tent on our doorstep! ... Stella. Belle Reve was
his headquarters! Honey--that's how it slipped through my
fingers! Which of them left us a fortune? Which of them
left a cent of insurance even? Only poor Jessie--one hundred
to pay for her coffin. That was all, Stella! And I with my pitiful salary at the school. Yes, accuse me! Sit there
and stare at me, thinking I let the place go! / let the place
go? Where were you! In bed with your--Polack!
stella [springing]:
Blanche! You be still! That's enough! [She starts out.]
blanche:
Where are you going?
stella:
I'm going into the bathroom to wash my face.
blanche:
Qh, Stella, Stella, you're crying!