The Stonemason(19)

Ben folds shut his notebook and folds his hands in front of his chest.

BEN As for the rest. As for the rest. I know that evil exists. I think it is not selective but only opportunistic. I don't know where the spirit resides. I think in all things rather than none. My experience is very limited. But it is because of him that I am no longer reduced by these mysteries but rather am one more among them. His life is round and whole but it is not discrete. Because it is connected to a way of life which he exemplifies but which is not his invention. I know nothing of God. But I know that something knows. Something knows or else that old man could not know. Something knows and will tell you. It will tell you when you stop pretending that you know.

MAVEN (Calling from downstairs) Ben! Ben!

Ben looks up and smiles.





SCENE V

The scene at stage left is the interior of a church, at a baptismal font, the black MINISTER holding the baby and giving the blessing. The minister hands the baby to Papaw and Papaw and Ben (his double) and Maven and Mama turn to have their picture taken. Carlotta and Mason are in the front pew with Big Ben and Osreau and other RELATIVES. They come forward now that the ceremony is over. A black WORKER in overalls comes forward from the rear of the crowd and looks at the baby.

WORKER What's his name, Ben?

MAMA Edward. His name is Edward.





SCENE VI

The kitchen at night. Papaw is sitting at the table, his bible and his teacup at his elbow. He is leaning forward with his head cradled in his arms apparently asleep. Ben enters the kitchen and smiles to see him and goes to the sink and fills the kettle and puts it on the stove.

BEN Papaw?

He turns the heat on under the kettle and comes to the table and puts his hand on the old man's arm.

BEN Papaw.

He puts his hand over the old man's hand.

BEN Papaw?

He sits down, holding the old man's hand. Tears run down his cheeks.

BEN (Almost whispering) Oh Papaw. I didn't want you to go. (Shaking his head) I didn't want you to go.





SCENE VII

Papaw's bedroom, stage right. A small iron bed with a nightstand and a lamp. Papaw is lying on the bed and Ben is sitting in a chair alongside the bed. Ben is asleep with his head resting on the bed in the crook of his arm. He is holding Papaw's hand. The lights come up and it is morning and he wakes. There are steps on the stairs and Mama enters the kitchen humming a spiritual and turns on the kitchen lights and begins to prepare breakfast. Ben puts his left hand on the old man's hand and withdraws his right hand from the old man's grasp and stands and looks down at him and bends and kisses him on the forehead and turns and goes into the kitchen as Mama finishes humming the piece. Mama turns and sees him standing there.

BEN Mama.

She shakes her head no. Her mouth is trembling.

BEN Mama.

MAMA Oh no. Benny. Benny. Oh no. Not that man. No.

BEN Mama.

MAMA (Shaking her head no) No. No.

Ben crosses the floor and puts his arms around her and she begins to wail openly.

MAMA Oh Lord Jesus no don't take that sweet man. Don't take him. Don't take him.

BEN Mama. Mama. He's already gone, Mama.





SCENE VIII

The church interior again, stage left. The family stands in front of the pew and the minister stands before them reading from the bible. The ladies wear veiled hats.

MINISTER And he called his son Joseph and said unto him If now I have found grace in thy sight put I pray thee thy hand under my thigh and deal kindly and truly with me. Bury me not I pray thee in Egypt. But I will lie with my fathers and thou shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burying place. And he said I will do as thou hast said.





SCENE IX

The kitchen, mid day. Mama is on the telephone. A car pulls in the driveway. Mama looks out the window. The car door opens and closes.

MAMA Well. I got to go, Louise. Here comes Ben in the middle of the day. I expect he be wantin somethin to eat. Well.

She hangs up the phone and Big Ben enters the kitchen. He is dressed in a light colored suit with a shirt and tie. He looks at her without expression.

MAMA Honey did you want somethin to eat?

He crosses the room and exits and goes up the stairs.

MAMA I'm goin to fix you some of that pepper steak.

The light comes on stage right which is Big Ben and Mama's bedroom. There is a double bed and a night table and a door which leads to the bathroom offstage. Big Ben enters and sits on the bed. He takes an envelope out of his pocket and tears it in several pieces and puts the pieces on the table. He opens the table drawer and takes out a revolver and puts it on the table. He rises and goes into the bathroom and turns on the light. It is a very white light that comes from the bathroom and there is the sound of water running and then he comes back into the room and begins to undress. He puts his watch and billfold on the table. He hangs his suit carefully on a hanger together with his tie and lays it across the bed. He crumples his shirt and throws it in the corner and he takes off his shoes and takes off his socks and garters and puts them in the shoes and puts the shoes under the bed. Then he rises, dressed only in very clean white shorts and undershirt and takes up the revolver and goes into the bathroom and shuts the door. Mama has been busy at the stove. She is reaching up to the shelf for the pepper when the sound of the shot reaches her. She freezes, then lowers her hand and turns to look at the door stage left. She crosses the kitchen.