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Twitter Writer: Yang Ming
PLAY SYNOPSIS
An unsuccessful pianist has been struggling with his past—especially with his memories of the father who abandoned the family 12 years ago and was never heard from again. He also has to deal with his mother, who has given in to alcoholism, and his idealistic sister, who desires to keep the family together against all odds.
This excerpt is taken from Act 1, Scene 1.
Photo credit: Sharon Huang-Wok
JOHN: Hello. (He is sitting a few metres across from EL. He is an aged. medium-built man dressed in a brown overcoat, hat and black pants.) Would you like a drink?
ELI: No, thank you.
JOHN: It’s been so many years and you still reject me every time I offer you a drink.
ELI: Yes.
JOHN: Look outside. It’s been snowing since I entered this place. (Pause) Cold day, isn’t it?
ELI: Yes.
JOHN: I remember when we went for a holiday in South Korea during the winter. You saw snow for the very first time… you were only 12, back then. You were so excited that you pulled me aside and forced me to create snow angels with you on the cold, frosted floor.
ELI: That was a long time ago. I don’t remember that incident anymore. You have a perfect memory.
JOHN: That winter was just as harsh as this. (They look out of the window.) But you didn’t care. You just loved the way the snow fell onto your shoulders.
ELI: This snowy weather doesn’t seem to end. It’s quite pathetic. I hope spring will come soon so that the people can enjoy the fun of the spring.
JOHN: Actually, I enjoy winter. I enjoy drinking a glass of Bourbon and keeping myself warm near the fireplace. (ELI remains quiet.) How are Jessie and your mother? Are they well?
ELI: They are doing well. (Beat.) Does their presence bother you at all?
JOHN: I think about them occasionally.
ELI: Then you shouldn’t have done that in the first place. And they don’t miss you at all.
JOHN: I didn’t expect them to miss me at all.
ELI: Perhaps you might want to tell me why you’re here. I’ve seen you visiting this place every day. I have been observing you all this while. You are always sitting at the same place, ordering the same drinks but without any company. You are always alone.
JOHN: Isn’t it obvious? I am always waiting for you.
ELI: You mean you just want to talk, like you always do?
JOHN: No— yes, I mean… (His shoulders seem to sag in hesitation.) I want to talk to you. I was hoping that maybe we could talk—settle our differences. (ELI remains silent.) This has to stop. You cannot keep ignoring me. I am your father!
ELI: You are not my father. My father would never do what you did to us for all those years.
JOHN: All I ever want is to ask, to receive, your forgiveness.
ELI: You have asked the wrong person.
JOHN: If I hurt you, I deserve to be punished, and I have to ask for forgiveness.
ELI: You cannot ask such a thing of me! You know my answer.
JOHN: Surely you don’t mean that.
ELI: Perhaps it’s time for you to understand me. (He gets up and starts to walk away.)
JOHN: But why won’t you grant me your forgiveness? The rest of our family has!
ELI: Why do you always like to gain sympathy from others? Your actions abhor me. And incidentally, they are my family. Not yours!
JOHN: Can’t we put the past behind us and move on?
ELI: She’s left you, hasn’t she? (JOHN bows his head in shame as he looks at his empty drink. ELI laughs in delight.) So you have been abandoned. Finally, you’ve cast aside, thrown into the gutter for dogs and cats to feed on. Fantastic! You must be feeling alone and penniless now. Is that why you came crawling to reclaim your precious and awful pride and face, just like before?
JOHN: That was cruel.
ELI: Don’t you dare to talk to me about cruelty. You are the master of all this mess. How will you convince me to forgive you the sins you’ve committed? Will you start shedding crocodile tears and then laugh at us behind our backs? Is that how you received my sister’s forgiveness and my mother’s trust?
JOHN: How can you be so unfeeling? When will you ever stop to listen to my explanations and to understand what I have been through?
ELI: What I understand is that my father decided to run away with a younger woman in order to continue his affair with her. (Beat.) It’s the money you’re after, isn’t it?
JOHN: Perhaps you need to learn how to be a little more grateful. Even though I physically left all of you, I still fed you and I saw to your needs. I paid for your bills, I gave you money and an education!
ELI: Why are you so happy about such material lusts? Do you see how corrupted you have been? Blinded and spurred on only by your greed and your insatiable lust for money and power! If anything, you gave me the ticket to experience hate.
JOHN: I have learned my lesson, Eli. I have spent months in repentance, wishing that I could make up for what hurt and confusion I have caused. My love for you and your sister have never changed and was never questioned once!
ELI: That’s it. Enough. First of all, you deserve no right to even see me!
JOHN: I deserve to see my son! I deserve to receive his forgiveness because I have truly repented! I want to go back to the times when we had our father and son talks. I want to go back to the times when we had fun in South Korea.
ELI: Well, that didn’t happen.
JOHN: I know—I did cast aside my duties as a father and I have failed terribly. But if you will give me another chance, if your pride will allow me back…
ELI: You are asking the impossible.
JOHN: How can I convince you?
ELI: You cannot convince me. You had your chance. I am doing this to protect my family. You are a cruel father. You are insensate and uncompassionate. You are not here for reunion. You are here for money.
JOHN: I am really sorry that I did not cherish all of you enough. I didn’t fulfill the basic role of being a good father. (He starts to bawl, burying his head in his hands. The sound of laughter in the bar resonates loudly.)
ELI: Trust needs to be earned. You are not man enough to take what I’ve said. (ELI looks out the window.) The sky is getting dark. You’d better get going. You may have won now, but let me assure you that you have not won me.
JOHN: I have won nothing for myself. Not when my son has yet to forgive me.
ELI: I have said my piece. I have nothing more to say to you. I have moved on, and I did that a long time ago. (He smiles sadly.) Goodbye.
JOHN: Will you still be here tomorrow?
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