Black You talk german?
White Not really. A little. It’s a quotation.
Black Didnt do them Germans much good though, did it?
White I dont know. The Germans contributed a great deal to civilization. (Pause) Before Hitler.
Black And then they contributed Hitler.
White If you like.
Black Wasnt none of my doin.
White I gather it to be your belief that culture tends to contribute to human misery. That the more one knows the more unhappy one is likely to be.
Black As in the case of certain parties known to us.
White As in the case.
Black I dont believe I said that. In fact, I think maybe you said it.
White I never said it.
Black Mm. But do you believe it?
White No.
Black No?
White I dont know. It could be true.
Black Well why is that? It dont seem right, does it?
White It’s the first thing in that book there. The Garden of Eden. Knowledge as destructive to the spirit. Destructive to goodness.
Black I thought you aint read this book?
White Everyone knows that story. It’s probably the most famous story in there.
Black So why do you think that is?
White I suppose from the God point of view all knowledge is vanity. Or maybe it gives people the unhealthy illusion that they can outwit the devil.
Black Damn, Professor. Where was you when I needed you?
White You’d better be careful. You see where it’s gotten me.
Black I do see. It’s the subject at hand.
White The darker picture is always the correct one. When you read the history of the world you are reading a saga of bloodshed and greed and folly the import of which is impossible to ignore. And yet we imagine that the future will somehow be different. I’ve no idea why we are even still here but in all probability we will not be here much longer.
Black Them is some pretty powerful words, Professor. That’s what’s in your heart, aint it?
White Yes.
Black Well I can relate to them thoughts.
White You can?
Black Yes I can.
White That surprises me. What, you’re going to think about them?
Black I done have thought about em. I’ve thought about em for a long time. Not as good as you said it. But pretty close.
White Well you surprise me. And you’ve come to what conclusions?
Black I aint. I’m still thinkin.
White Yes. Well, I’m not.
Black Things can change.
White No they cant.
Black You could be wrong.
White I dont think so.
Black But that aint somethin you have a lot of in your life.
White What isnt?
Black Bein wrong.
White I admit it when I’m wrong.
Black I dont think so.
White Well, you’re entitled to your opinion.
The black leans back and regards the professor. He reaches and picks up the newspaper from the table and leans back again and adjusts his glasses.
Black Let’s see here. Story on page three.
He folds the paper elaborately.
Black Yeah. Here it is. Friends report that the man had ignored all advice and had stated that he intended to pursue his own course.
He adjusts his glasses.
Black A close confidant stated (he looks up)—and this here is a quotation—said: You couldnt tell the son of a bitch nothin. (He looks up again) Can you say that in the papers? Son of a bitch? Meanwhile, bloodspattered spectators at the hundred and fifty-fifth street station—continued on page four.
He wets his thumb and laboriously turns the page and refolds the paper.
Black —who were interviewed at the scene all reported that the man’s last words as he hurtled toward the oncomin commuter train were: I am right.
He lays down the paper and adjusts his spectacles and peers over the top of them at the professor.
White Very funny.
The black takes off his glasses and lowers his head and pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head.
Black Oh Professor. Mm. You an amazin man.
White I’m glad you find me entertaining.
Black Well, you pretty special.
White I dont think I’m special.
Black You dont.
White No. I dont.
Black You dont think you might view them other commuters from a certain height?
White I view those other commuters as fellow occupants of the same abyssal pit in which I find myself. If they see it as something else I dont know how that makes me special.
Black Mm. I hear what you sayin. But still I keep comin back to them commuters. Them that’s waitin on the Sunset? I got to think maybe they could be just a little bit special theyselves. I mean, they got to be in a deeper pit than just us daytravelers. A deeper and a darker. I aint sayin they down as deep as you, but pretty deep maybe.
White So?
Black So how come they cant be your brothers in despair and selfdestruction? I thought misery loved company?
White I’m sure I don’t know.
Black Well let me take a shot at it.