CATHERINE Callback Side

START

In the year that you’ve been with us, a lot of water has flowed over the dam. You’ve come to mean a great deal to me….to us……

(She looks menacingly at the LEADING PLAYER, then coldly:)

to our very ordinary lives.

The LEADING PLAYER leaves

So, I just want to say for me…and for Theo…we’re glad you’re here. And now we have so many good years ahead of us.

I move PIppin to the head of the table.

Sit Here. Sit right here….right at the head of the table.

I sit. I notice it’s awkward.

Well, isn’t anybody going to eat my pudding?

I can’t stay here.

Pippin—

I’m sorry, I have to go.

Why?

Because this isn’t enough! Life has got to be more than ducks that die, and leaking roofs, and flaming quince pudding!

Are you sure?

I am not going to be stuck doing the same damn thing every day.

And night?

Don’t you see, there has to be something more than this! There has to be.

Maybe there isn’t anymore.

I know there is….

I loved my husband very much. The years we spent together were the happiest of my life. And then one day he was struck by fever. When his hand went cold in mine, I felt my life, too, was over. I was overcome by the deepest despair. I took to my bed for five days. On the sixth day I got up. There were things to be done. An estate to run. A boy to raise.

Pippin leaves, lights go out.

SHT! Could you hold the light for a minute?!

Change tactic

Come on….could you hold the light for a minute, please?

The light comes back on.

Thanks.