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The Sunset Limited(22)

By:Cormac McCarthy






He pushes back his chair and rises.





Black Just stay a few more minutes.

White No. No more time. Goodbye.





He turns toward the door and the black rises.





Black Come on, Professor. We can talk about somethin else. I promise.

White I dont want to talk about something else.

Black Dont go out there. You know what’s out there.

White Oh yes. Indeed I do. I know what is out there and I know who is out there. I rush to nuzzle his bony cheek. No doubt he’ll be surprised to find himself so cherished. And as I cling to his neck I will whisper in that dry and ancient ear: Here I am. Here I am. Now open the door.

Black Dont do it, Professor.

White I’m sorry. You’re a kind man, but I have to go. I’ve heard you out and you’ve heard me and there’s no more to say. Your God must have once stood in a dawn of infinite possibility and this is what he’s made of it. And now it is drawing to a close. You say that I want God’s love. I dont. Perhaps I want forgiveness, but there is no one to ask it of. And there is no going back. No setting things right. Perhaps once. Not now. Now there is only the hope of nothingness. I cling to that hope. Now open the door. Please.

Black Dont do it.

White Open the door.





The black undoes the chains. They rattle to the floor. He opens the door and the professor exits. The black stands in the doorway looking down the hall.





Black Professor? I know you dont mean them words. Professor? I’m goin to be there in the mornin. I’ll be there. You hear? I’ll be there in the mornin.





He collapses to his knees in the doorway, all but weeping.





Black I’ll be there.





He looks up.





Black He didnt mean them words. You know he didnt. You know he didnt. I dont understand what you sent me down there for. I dont understand it. If you wanted me to help him how come you didnt give me the words? You give em to him. What about me?





He kneels weeping rocking back and forth.





Black That’s all right. That’s all right. If you never speak again you know I’ll keep your word. You know I will. You know I’m good for it.





He lifts his head.





Black Is that okay? Is that okay?