Page:Plunder (Perlman).djvu/87

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81

PRETORIA

(hysterically shaking the body of "Indio")

Indio! Speak to me! It's Pretoria!

(The frightened actor "Indio" removes his mask and stares at Pretoria, whose mouth twists into an awful grimace. He writhes out of Pretoria's grasp, leaves mask on ground, and backs off the stage, still staring at Pretoria.)

VAISYA

(Motions for the moving "Soldiers" to stop.)

That's enough.

(The "Soldiers" continue to move, making a closing semicircle.)

PRETORIA

I killed him. I killed Indio! I murdered my brother!

(pause)

Indio! Forgive me! I killed mother!

BRUNO

(runs to center of stage)

Wake up, Pretoria!

PRETORIA

(looks backstage)

Mother! Father! Where are they? They were here! They're alive! I saw them!

BRUNO

(shakes Pretoria)

They're actors in a play, Pretoria! They're masks!

PRETORIA

Then give me a mask that will make me one of them! They need me!

(looks at Bruno)

You. . . go away from me!