-ACTONE SCENE1 Wendlaisrevealedinsonglight,asif atamirror.Shegently exploreshernewlymaturingbody,pullsonanear-transparent schoolgirl dress. WENDLA: Mamawhoboreme. Mamawho gaveme No wayto handle things.Whomade meso sad. Mama,theweeping. Mama,the angels. No sleep inHeaven,or Bethlehem. Somepraythat,one day,Christwill come a-callin ~Theylight a candle,and hope that it glows. And some just liethere,cryingforhimto come and find them. But whenhecomes,they don'tknow how to go. .. Mamawhoboreme. Mamawho gaveme Nowayto handle things.Whomade mesobad. 15 STEVENSATER Mama,theweeping. Mama,the angels. NosleepinHeaven,or Bethlehem. (Thelightsshifttotheworldof 1891:aprovincialGerman living room.FrauBergmansuddenly enters,beaming.) FRAUBERGMAN:Wendla! WENDLA:Mama? FRAUBERGMAN:Goodness,lookatyou-inthat... that kindergartendress!Wendla,grown-upgirlscannotbe seen strutting about in such-WENDLA:Letme wear thi.s one, Mama! I love this one. It makes mefeellike a little ... faerie-queen. FRAUBERGMAN:But you're already ... in bloom. (Off herlook)Now,sssh.Youmademeforgetallour good news. Just imagine, Wendla, last night the stork finally visited your sister. Brought her another little baby girl. WENDLA:I can't wait to see her, Mama. FRAUBERGMAN:Well, put on a proper dress, and take a hat. (Wendlastarts out,hesitates.) WENDLA:Mama, don't be cross-don't be. But I'm an aunt for the second time now, and I still have no idea how it happens. (FrauBergmanlooksstricken.) Mama, please. I'm ashamed to even ask. But then, who can I ask but you? FRAUBERGMAN: Wendla, child, you cannot imagine that I couldWENDLA:Butyoucannot imagine I still believe in the stork. FRAUBERGMAN:Ihonestlydon'tknowwhatI'vedoneto deserve this kind of talk. And on a day like today! Go,child,put your clothes on. WENDLA:And if I run out,now,and askGregor?Our chimney sweep ... ? (AbeaU 16 SPRINGAWAKENING FRAUBERGMAN:Verywell,I'll tell youeverything. But not today.Tomorrow. Or the day after. WENDLA:Today,Mama. FRAUBERGMAN:Wendla Bergman, I simply cannot... WENDLA:Mama! FRf\UBERGMAN:Youwill drive memad. WENDLA:Why?I'll kneel at your feet,laymy head in your lap ... Youcantalkas i.f Iweren't even here. (Noresponse.) Please. FRAUBERGMAN:Verywell,I'll tell you. (Wendlakneels.Flustered,FrauBergmanburiesthegirl's head inherapron.) WENDLA(Waits):Yes?. FRAUBERGMAN:Child, I . WENDLA:Mama. FRAUBERGMAN:Allright,then.In orderforawoman to conceive a child ... Youfollowme? WEND LA:Yes,Mama. FRAUBERGMAN:Forawoman tobearachild,shemust ... in her own personal way, she must ... love her husband. Love him,asshecanloveonlyhim.Onlyhim... shemust love-with her whole... heart. There.Now,you know everything. WENDLA:Everything? ... FRAUBERGMAN("Yes"):Everything. So help me. WENDLA(Notbudging):Mama! (Thelightsshift-we arebackinthesongworld.Contemporary musicsounds.The Girlsappear.Wendlarisesand joins them.Sheddinghernineteenth-centuryformality,shesings, asdoalltheGirls,inthemannerof acontemporary young woman.) 17 STEVENSATER WENDLAANDGIRLS: Mamawhoboreme. Mamawho gaveme No waytohandle things.Whomade me so sad. Mama,theweeping. Mama,theangels. No sleep inHeaven,or Bethlehem. Somepraythat,one day,Christ will come a - c a l l i n ~Theylight acandle,and hope that it glows. And some just liethere,cryingforhim to comeandfind them. But when he comes,they don't know how to go... Mamawho boreme. Mamawho gaveme Nowayto handle things.Whomade meso bad. Mama,theweeping. Mama,theangels. No sleepinHeaven,or Bethlehem. SCENE2 School.TheBoyssit upright at their desks,recitingfromVirgil's Aeneid.Theystand, one after the other,fortheir recitation. Herr Sonnenstichwalksthe aislesbeside them,listening. HERRSONNENSTICH:Again. OTTO(Mid-recitation): ... vi superum saevaememorem Iunonis ob iram... HERRSONNENSTICH("Welldone"):Better, Herr Lammermeier. Continue, Herr Zirschnitz. GEORG: ... multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem. 18 SPRINGAWAKENING HERRSONNENSTICH:Herr Rilow.From the beginning. HANSCHEN: Arma virumque cano, Troiae qui primus ab oris-HERRSONNEN STICH:Herr Robel. And ... ERNST: .. Italiam, fatoprofugus, Laviniaque venit litora-HERRSONNENSTICH:Herr Stiefel. (But,alas,Moritz isasleep.) Herr Stiefel. MORITZ(Waking):Sir?... HERRSONNENSTlCH:Continue.Please.(Moritzhesitates)Herr Stiefel ... MORITZ(Haltingly): .. Laviniaque venit ... HERRSONNENSTICH:Yes... ? MORITZ: .. litora ... multum enim-HERRSONNENSTICH: "Multum enim"? MORITZ(Takinganother stabat it): .. multum olim-HERRSONNENSTICH(Losingpatience):"Olim"?1"Multum olim" ... ?!So then, somehow the Pious Aeneas has "already" suffered much "in the daysstill to come" ... ? (Noresponse.) Herr Stiefel? 19 STEVENSATER (Noresponse.) Do you have any idea what you're saying, Herr Stiefel? (Moritz istoomortified torespond.Melchiorrises.) MELCHIOR:If you please! HERRSONNENSTICH:Pardon me? MELCHIOR(Coveringgracefully):If youplease,HerrSonnenstich... can'tweatleastconsider "multumolim" asa plausible conjecture forhow the text might read? HERRSONNENSTICH:HerrGabor.Wearehardly heretoday to conjectureabouttextualconjectures.Theboyhasmade an error. MELCHIOR:Yes.But an understandable error, sir. Indeed, if we could only entertain the fitness of the conjecture-HERRSONNENSTICH: "Multum olim"?! MELCHIOR:Looktothefreshrhetoricalbalance-"multum olim" introducing "multaquoque"-a parallel,sir,between whatAeneashasalreadysufferedinwarandthosesufferingson land andsea just ahead. HERRSONNENSTICH:HerrGabor,sincethedaysofServius, AulusGellius,andClaudiusDonatus-nay,sincethe momentof Virgil'sdeath-ourworldhasbeenlittered with morethan sufficientcriticalcommentary on textual conjecture. MELCHIOR:With allrespect, sir, are you then suggesting there isno furtherroom forcritical thought or interpretation? Why indeed, then, do we even-HERRSONNENSTICH(StrikingMelchiorwithhisteacher'scane): Iam suggesting no such thing. I am confirming that Herr Stiefel has made an error. And I am asking-nay, demanding-thatyouemendhisfaultytextandproceedfrom there. Do I makemyself clear? (Melchior's jaw locks.) Herr Gabor? (Noresponse.He strikes Melchiormoreforcefully.) 20 SPRINGAWAKENING Herr Gabor, do I make myself clear? MELCHIOR:Yes,Herr Sonnenstich: "litora multum ille." HERRSONNENSTICH:All of you-together with Melchior Gabor: "Laviniaque venit ... " BOYS: ... litora,multum ille et terris iactatus et alto vi superum saevaememorem Iunonis ob... (TheBoys'recitationgrowslouder,moreinsistent,more numbing-asif somehowwewereenteringintoMelchior's psychicexperienceof it.Abitof contemporary,electronic musicdriftsthrough.Shimmering songlightfindsMelchior. He turnsout and sings-like a rockerinconcert:) MELCHIOR:BOYS: All that's known... iram; InHistory,inScience,multa quoque et bello Overthrownpassus, dum conderet At school,at home,urbem ... byblind men. Arma virumque cano, Troiae Youdoubtthem,qui primus aboris And soonthey barkItaliam, fato profugus, and hound you Laviniaque venit Till everything you saylitora, multum ille et terris isjust another badiactatus et alto about you.vi superum saevae memorem All they sayIunonis ob iram; Is,"Trust inWhat Ismulta quoque et bello Written."passus, dum conderet Warsaremade,urbem ... And somehowthat is wisdom. And money istheir idol, And nothing isokayunlessit'sscripted intheir Bible. 21 STEvr:NSATER But I know There'ssomuchmore tofind-just inlookingthroughmyself,and not at them. Still,I know Totrust my owntruemind, And tosay: "There's awaythroughthis . .. " On J go, Towonder and tolearning-Namethestarsand knowtheir darkreturning. I'mcalling, Toknow theworld'strue yearning-The hunger that achild feelsforeverything they're shown. Youwatchmejust watchmeI'm calling, And one dayall will know . .. YouwatchmeJust watchmeI'mcalling, I'mcalling, And one day all will know . .. (Melchior'ssongconcludes.AsherejoinstheBoysintheir recitation,the lightsshift back tothe classroom.) BOYSANDMELCHIOR: ... multa quoque et bello passus, dum conderet urbem ... HERRSONNENSTJCH(Ontofresbmatters):Thankyou,gentlemen. Now,if you please: "inferretque deos Latio... " The followingsevenlinesofPiousAeneas'journey.From memory. (TheBoysbeginscribbling.HerrSonnenstichstepsaway. Moritz taps Melchior'sshoulder') 22 SPRINGAWAKENING MORITZ(Sottovoce):Melchi, thank you. MELCHIOR:It's nothing. MORITZ:Still, I'm sorry. Youdidn't need to-MELCHIOR("Nottoworry";ironic):Think what Aeneas suffered. MORITZ:But I should have known it. "Multum ille." It's just ... I didn't sleep all night. In fact,I,uh, suffered avisit from the most horrific, dark phantasm ... MELCHIOR:Youmean, a dream?... MORITZ:Anightmare,really.Legsinskybluestockings, climbing over the lecture podium. MELCHIOR:Oh.That kind of dream. MORITZ("Indeed"):Haveyoueversufferedsuch ... mortifying visions? MELCHIOR:Moritz, of course. We all have.Otto Lammermeier dreamt about his mother. MORITZ:Really?!! MELCHIOR:GeorgZirschnitz?Dreamthewasseducedbyhis piano teacher. MORITZ:Fraulein Grossebustenhalter?! HERRSONNENSTICH(Suddenly,grabbingMoritzbytheear): MoritzStiefel.Ineedhardlyremindyouthat,of allour pupils, youare in no position to be taking liberties. I will not warn you again. (Moritznods-absolutely petrified.Anintense alt-rock guitar riff Herr Sonnenstichfreezes.The world around Moritz comes to a halt as concert-like light finds him. He turns out insong:) MORITZ: God,Idreamed therewasanangel,whocould hear me th roughthewa II, AsI cried out-like, inLatin: "Thisissonot life at all. Helpmeout-out-of thisnightmare." ThenI heard her silver call-Shesaid: "just giveit time,kid.I come toone and all." Shesaid: "Givemethat hand,please,and the itch you can't control, Let meteach you how tohandle all the sadnessin your soul. 23 STEVENSATER Oh,we'll workthat silvermagic,thenwe'll aimit at the wall." She said: "Lovemay make youblind,kid-but Iwouldn't mind at all." (Allthe BoysexceptMelchiorbegintomove, joining Moritz one byone,their energybuilding into a dance.) MORITZANDBOYS: It'sthebitchof living Withnothing but your hand. Justthebitch of living As someone you can't stand . .. GEORG: See,eachnight,it's,like,fantastic-tossing,turning, without rest, 'Causemy day'sat thepiano-with my teacherand her breasts; And themusic's,like,the one thing I caneven get at all, And those breasts! Imean,God,please, just let those applesfall. .. BOYS: It'sthe bitchof living Withnothing going on. Justthebitch of living, Asking: "What went wrong?" Dothey think wewant this? Oh-who knows? ERNST: See,there's showering ingymclass. .. HANSCHEN: Bobby Maler,he'sthebestLooks sonasty inthosekhakis. .. SPRINGAWAKENING ERNST: God,my wholelife'S,like,sometest. OTTO: Thenthere's MariannaWheelan-as if she'd returnmy call. HANSCHEN: It's like, just kisssome ass,man-then you canscrew'em all. (Melchior joins the song.) MELCHIOR: It'sthebitch of livingAnd living inyour head. It'sthebitch of living, And sensing God isdead. MORITZANDBOYS:MELCHIOR: It'sthebitchof livingYouwatchmeAnd trying to get ahead.JustwatchmeIt'sthebitchof living I'm calling, And one day all will know ... MORITZ: Just getting out of bed. MORITZANDBOYS: It's thebitchof livingAnd getting what you get. Justthebitch of living-MELCHIOR: And knowing thisisit. MELCHIOR,MORITZANDBOYS: God,isthisit? This can't beit. OhGod,what a bitch! 24 25 STEVENSATER (Thesong ends.Thelights shift back.Theschool dayresumes.) HERRSONNENSTICH:Gentlemen, turn in your verses, and clear away your personal effects. I will see you tomorrow, seven A.M. (Herr Sonnenstich goesout.TheBoys gather their books.) OTTO(Heading out):Well, I'm off. ERNST:Me,too. HANSCHEN:I'll walk with you,Ernst. ERNST(Pauses,turnsback):Youwill? HANSCHEN("Yes";suggestively):We'll huddle overthe Homer. Maybe do a little Achillesand Patroclus ... (Hanschenleads Ernst off.) GEORG("Goodnight"):Melchior, Moritz. MELCHIOR(Archly):Home to Bach?... GEORG:Fraulein Grossebustenhalter will not be kept waiting. (Georgshiversinvoluntarily,andgoes.Melchiorturnsto Moritz withawink,but Moritz wavesit away.) MORITZ:Ach,Melchi!Sixty lines of Homer,allthose quadratic equations ... I'll be LIpall night again, haunted by another of those ... dreams. And still I won't getthrough it. MELCHIOR:Oh, yes. Yourdream. MORITZ("The horror!"):Melchi, why-why-am I haunted by the legsof a woman?Bythe deepening conviction:some dark part of my destiny may liethere between them? ... MELCHIOR:All right then. I'll tell you. I got it out of books. But prepare yourself:itmade an atheist out of me. (Abeat.) So-MORITZ:Nono-not here!I can't talk it!No-do me afavor: writeitdown.All of it.Concealitinmysatchel-after Gymnastics -tomorrow. 26 SPRINGAWAKENING (Abeat.) If you like, you could add some illustrations in the margins. (Abeat.) MELCHIOR:Topto bottom? MORITZ: Everything. (HeadmasterKnochenbruchandhisassociate,FrauleinKnuppeldick,strollpastandpause.) HERRKNOCHENBRUCH:Unfathomable. Fraulein Knuppeldick. FRAULEINKNUPPELDICK:Herr Knochenbruch ... ? HERRKNOCHENBRUCH:Lookatthat.MelchiorGabor,ayoung man of distinct intellectual capability-FRAULEINKNUPPELDICK:Thoroughly distinct. HERRKNOCHENBRUCH:A youngman whocouldbe ourfinest pupil-FRAULEINKNUPPELDICK:Our finest,Herr Knochenbruch. HERRKNOCHENBRUCH:Butthereheis,pollutinghimself, cavorting about with that, that... FRAULEINKNUPPELDICK:Neurasthenic imbecile, Moritz Stiefel? HERRKNOCHENBRUCH:ThankHeaventheuppergradeonly holdssixty. (Herr Knochenbruchand FrauleinKnuppeldick gooff.) SCENE3 Late afternoon. Abridgeinthe countryside.Wendla,Martha,Thea and Anna walkhome,talking excitedly. THEA(Mid-conversation):... And the bodice in lace, with a satin bow in back ... ANNA:Ooh!And Wendla-what will you wearto Greta Brandenburg's wedding? WENDLA:Mama said we cannot go. 27 '.IiIoo....~STEVENSATER THEA:ToGreta's wedding?! MARTHA:Becauseshe's marrying that forestinspector? WENDLA:Mama feltit wasa little improper. ANNA:But, they're decking the entire sanctuary in orchids and chrysanthemums!... WENDLA:Mama said no. (AnnaandTheaexchange a look.) ANNA:Icertainly hope your mama approvesthe man Imarry. THEA:And the man Imarry! WENDLA(Teasing):Well, we all know who Thea longs to marry! MARTHA:Melchior Gabor! THEA(uGimmea break"):And who doesn't? ANNA(Stillplayful):He is rather handsome ... WENDLA:SOwonderful. MARTHA(Hersecretcrush):Butnotsowonderfulasthatsad soulful sleepyhead, Moritz Stiefel ... ANNAANDTHEA:Moritz Stiefel!? THEA:Howcanyouevencomparethem?MelchiGabor,he's such a radical. Youknow what the whisper is? (Allthe Girlsleanin,eagertohear.) He doesn't believe inanything.Not in God. (TheGirls gaspinwonder.) Not in Heaven. (Another gasp.) Notin a singlething in this world. (TheGirlsutter a final,collectivesigh.) ANNA:Theysayhe'sthebest,ineverything.Latin,Greek, Trigonometry ... TH EA:The best part is:hedoesn't care a whit about any of it ... 28 SPRINGAWAKENING (Musicbegins-aninnocentuptempofeel.TheGirlsturn out-glistening ingirl-grouplight:) WENDLA: Inthemidst of thisnothing,thismissof a life, Still,there'sthis onething-just tosee you goby. MARTHA: It's almostlikelovin'-sad asthat is. THEA: Maynot becool,but it's sowhereI live. ANNA: It'slikeI'm yourlover-or,morelike your ghost-I spendthedaywonderin' what youdo,where you go ... THEA: I try and just kickit,butthen,whatcanI do? We'veall got our junk,and my junkis you. GIRLS: Seeuswinterwalkin'-after a storm. It's chillinthewind-but it's warminyour arms. Westop,allsnow blind-may not betrue. But we've all got our junk,and my junk is you. (Thelights shift, revealing Georg at his piano. Fraulein Grossebustenhalter hovers.) FRAULElNGROSSEBUSTENHALTER:Welldone,Georg.Andnow, the Prelude in C Minor ... (GeorgbeginsplayingBach'sPrelude.Ashedoes,Fraulein Grossebustenhaltertoucheshishand.Heletsoutanillicit sigh-amomentof privatebliss.Thelightsshift,revealing Hanschenseated inhisbathroom,wearing hisnightshirt. He pullsareproductionof Correggio's10fromhispocket.His freehand sneaksunder hisnightshirt.) 29 STEVENSATER SPRINGAWAKENING ~ - . L. HANSCHEN(To10/Desdemona):Haveyouprayedtonight, Desdemona? You don't look like you're praying, darlinglying there, contemplating the coming bliss ... (Aknocking onthedoor.Hanschenfreezes.) HERRRILOW:Hanschen, youallright? HANSCHEN:My stomach again,Father.But I'll be fine. HERRRILOW:Yes? HANSCHEN:Fine. HERRRILOW:Well, then. (HerrRilowgoes.Slowlyandsteadily,Hanschenbeginsto masturbate-building steam asthe scenecontinues.) HANSCHEN(To 10/Desdemona): Darling, don't think I take your murder lightly.The truth is,I can hardly bear to think of the long nights ahead ... But it's sucking the marrow from my bones, seeing you lie there. Motionless. Staring at me, so innocently. One of us must go-it's you or me. (Thelightsshift... FrauleinGrossebustenhaltersternly interruptsGeorg'splaying.) FRAULEINGROSSEBUSTENHALTER:No, no!Georg, please. Again. And this time, bring out the lefthand. (FrauleinGrossebustenhalter touches his hand again-double the bliss. Hanschendutifully switcheshands-to theleft.) HANSCHEN:Darling,why-why-doyoupressyourknees together?Evennow,on thebrink of eternity?Don't you see it's yourterrible chastity that's driving me to ... (Aknocking at the bathroomdoor.Hanschenfreezes.) HERRRILOW:Hanschen, that's enough in there. HANSCHEN:Yes,sir. 30 HERRRILOW:Back to bed. (Hanschendoesnot move.) Son? HANSCHEN:One minute. (Hanschenwaits,listening. Herr Rilow goes.Hanschen redoubles his exertions.) Onelastkiss.Thosesoft,whitethighsthosegirlish breasts ... 0, those cruel cruel knees. (FrauleinGrossebustenhalter claps,interrupting Georg's playing.) FRAULEINGROSSEBUSTENHALTER:Repetez,s'il vous plait. (Georgturnsout and sings.We enter theworld of hisfantasy.) GEORG: Well,you'll haveto excuseme,1 knowit's sooff, 1 lovewhenyou dostuff that's rude and sowrong. (FrauleinGrossebustenhalterripsopenherbodice,exposing herbustier.Georgbeckonsherontohislapandfondlesher. Ashe does,Hanschenturns out,inaworldof his own:) HANSCHEN: 1gouptomyroom,turnthestereoon, Shootupsome youinthe "you" of some song. (TheGirlssurroundHanschen,dancing.Oblivioustotheir charms,heonly haseyes-and thumbs-for his 10.TheBoys joinin,asa vocal chorus:) GIRLS,MORITZ,GEORGANDOTTO: 1 lieback, just driftin; and play out these scenes. 1 rideonthe rush-all thehopes,all the dreams. .. 31 STEVENSATER ANNA: Imay beneglectin'the things I should do. We've all got our junk,and my junk isyou. BOYSANDGIRLS: See,westill keep talkin'-after you're gone. You'restill withme then-feels so good inmy arms. They say you goblind-maybe it'strue. But we've all got our junk,and my junk is you . .. (Asthesong reachesa climax,sodoesHanschen.) It'slike,westoptime.What canIdoWe'veall got our junk,and my junk is you. And my junk is youYou-you-you. SCENE4 Evening.Melchior'sstudy. Alampburning onthe table.Melchior sits alone,writing inhis journal. MELCHIOR(Readingaloud ashewrites):16October.Thequestion is:Shame. What is its origin? And why are we hounded by its miserable shadow? Does the mare feel Shame asshe couples with a stallion? Aretheydeaf toeverythingtheirloinsaretellingthem, until we grantthem a marriage certificate? I think not. To my mind, Shame is nothing but a product of Education. Meanwhile, old Father Kaulbach still blindly insists, in every single sermon, that it's deeply rooted in our sinfulHumanNature.Whichiswhy1 nowrefusetogoto Church-FRAUGABOR(Fromoff):Melchior? MELCHIOR:Yes,Mama? FRAUGABOR(Fromoff):Moritz Stiefel to see you. 32 SPRINGAWAKENING (Melchiorsitsup.Moritz enters,looking pale and agitated.) MELCHIOR:Moritz? ... MORITZ:SorryI'msolate.Iyankedona jacket,ranabrush throughmyhair,anddashedlikesomephantomtoget here. MELCHIOR:Yousleptthrough the day?... MORITZ("Yes"):I'mexhausted,Melchi.Iwasuptillthreein the morning-reading that essay you gave me, till I couldn't see straight. MELCHIOR:Sit. Letme roll you a smoke. (Melchiorrolls Moritz a cigarette.) MORITZ:Lookatme-I'm trembling.LastnightI prayed like Christ in Gethsemane: "Please, God,giveme Consumption and take these sticky dreams awayfromme." MELCHIOR:With any luck, he'll ignore that prayer. MORITZ:Melchi,Ican'tfocus-onanything.Evennow,it seems like ... Well, I see, and hear, and feel,quite clearly. And yet, everything seems so strange ... MELCHIOR:Butallthose illustrations I gaveyou-didn't they help illuminate your dreams? MORITZ: They only multiplied everything ten times! Instead of merely seeing Stockings, now I'm plagued by Labia Majora and(FrauGabor enters withtea.) FRAUGABOR:Well, here weare,with tea. Herr Stiefel, how are you? ii,MORITZ:Verywell,thank you, Frau Gabor. FRAUGABOR(Skeptical):Yes? MELCHIOR(Bustinghim):Justthink,Mama.Moritzwasup, reading all through the night. MORITZ:Uh, conjugating Greek. FRAUGABOR:Youmusttakecareof yourself,Moritz.Surely, your health is more important than Ancient Greek. 33 STEVENSATER (Indicating his books) Now,what have you been reading, Melchior? MELCHIOR:Goethe's Faust,actually. FRAUGABOR:Really?Atyour age?... MELCHIOR;It's so beautiful, Mama. MORITZ("Indeed");Sohaunting. FRAUGABOR:Still, I should havethought ... Butsurely,youboysarenowof anagetodecidefor yourselves what is good foryou and what is not. (Sighs) If you need anything else,children, call me. (FrauGabor goes out.) MORITZ:Well,your mother certainly is remarkable. MELCHIOR("Yes,but"): Until she catches her son reading Goethe. MORITZ;I think she meant the story of Gretchen and her illegitimate child. MELCHIOR; Yes. You see how obsessively everyone fixes on that story. It's as if the entire world were mesmerized by penis and vagina. MORITZ:Well, Iam.Allthe moreso,I'm afraid, since reading your essay.What you wrote about the ... female. .. I can't stopthinkingaboutit.(Pullsouttheessay)Thispart here-is it true? MELCHIOR:Absolutely. MORITZ:But, how can you understand that, Melchi?What the womanmust feel. MELCHIOR("Whynot?"):Givingyourselfovertosomeone else?... Defending yourself until,finally,yousurrender and feelHeaven break over you?... (Moritz nods.) I just put myself inher place-and imagine ... MORITZ("You've gottobekidding");Really?!(Flippingthrough theessay-one diagramafteranother-increasinglymesmerized)What it feelslike?... forthe woman?... SPRINGAWAKENING (Atwelve-stringguitarsounds-subtlechords,aworldof longing.TheBoysandGirlsgatheraroundMelchiorand Moritzinradiantlight,singing and moving asa chorus.The Boys hold copiesof Melchior'sessay.) MELCHIOR: Where I go,when I gothere, Nomore memory anymore Only drifting onsome ship; Thewind that whispers,of the distance,toshore . .. MORITZ: Where Igo,when Igothere, Nomorelistening anymore Only hymns upon your lips; A mystic wisdom,rising withthem,toshore . .. ERNST: Touchme-just likethat. And that-O, yeah-now, that's heaven. Now,that Ilike. God,that's sonice. Nowlower down,wherethefigslie. .. (Melchiorturnsbad?toMoritz.Thelightsshiftbacktothe lamplitstudy,buttheBoysandGirlshover,singingquietly, underscoring thescene.) MORITZ(Still inhis private moment with the diagrams);... Still, you must admit ... with all the differing ... (Mispronouncing, witha "hard g") geni ... geni ... MELCHIOR(Correctinghispronunciation);Genitalia? MORITZ:Genitalia.Ittrulyisdaunting-Imean,how... everything might ... MELCHIOR:Measure up? (Moritz looksstricken.) Fit? 34 35 1'11\

(Morestricken,) Moritz, not that I'm saying I myself have ever-MORITZ:NotthatI'msaying Iwouldn'twant... Wouldever want to not- Would ever not want... MELCHIOR:Moritz? MORITZ:I have to go! (Moritz abruptly rushesout.) MELCHIOR:Moritz, wait(Buthe's gone,) (Moreto himself) Moritz ... (FrauGabor enters,and clearsthetea.) FRAUGABOR:Melchior, what isit? MELCHIOR:Nothing, Mama. FRAUGABOR:Has Moritz gone? MELCHIOR:Yes. FRAUGABOR:Well, he does look awfully pale, don't you think? I wonder, is that Faustreally the best thing forhim? (FrauGabor exits. Melchior shakes his head,incredulous.The world recedes.All reenterthesong.) OTTO: Where I go,when I gothere, Nomore shadows anymore Only youthereinthe kiss; And nothing missing,as you're drifting,toshore . .. GEORG: Where I go,whenI gothere, Nomoreweeping anymore Onlyinand out your lips; Thebrokenwishes,washing withthem,toshore. .. 36 SPRINGAWAKENING MELCHIORANDMORITZ: Touchme-all silent. Tellme-please-all isforgiven. Consumemy wine. Consumemymind. I'lltell you how,how thewinds sigh. .. BOYSANDGIRLS: Touchme-GEORG: -just try it. Now,there-that's it-God, that's heaven. I'lllove your light. I'll love youright . .. We'll wander downwherethe sins cry . .. BOYSANDGIRLS: Touchme-just likethat. Nowlower down,wherethe sinslie . .. Loveme-just fora bit . .. We'll wander down,wherethe windssigh. .. Wherethewinds sigh. Wherethewindssigh. SCENE5 Afternoon. Melchior and Wendladiscover each other inthe woods. WENDLA:Melchior Gabor? MELCHIOR(Indisbelief):Wendla Bergman?!Like a tree-nymph fallenfromthe branches. Whatareyou doing-alone up here? WENDLA:Mama's making May wine. I thought I'd surprise her with some woodruff. And you? 37 STEVENSATER MELCHIOR:Thisismyfavoritespot.Myprivateplace-for thinking. WENDLA(Startsaway):Oh.I'm sorryMELCHIOR:No-no. Please. (She pauses.) So... how haveyou been doing? WENDLA:Well, this morning was wonderful. Our youth group brought baskets of foodand clothing to the day-laborers' children. MELCHIOR:I remember when weused to do that. Together. WENDLA: You should have seen their faces, Melchior. How much webrightened their day. MELCHIOR:Actually,it'ssomethingI'vebeenthinkingalot about. WENDLA:The day-laborers? MELCHIOR("No"):Ourlittleactsofcharity.Whatdoyou think, Wendla, can ourSunday School deeds reallymake a difference? WENDLA:They haveto.Of course.Whatother hopedo those people have? MELCHIOR:Idon'tknow,exactly.ButIfearthatIndustryis fastdetermining itself firmlyagainst them. WENDLA:Againstus all,then. MELCHIOR:Thank you, yes! WENDLA:It seems to me:whatserves eachof usbest is what serves all of us best. MELCHIOR:Indeed. (Abeat.) WendlaBergman,Ihaveknownyoualltheseyears,and we've never truly talked. WENDLA:Wehaveso few opportunities. Now that we're older. MELCHIOR:True.Inamoreprogressiveworld,of course,we could allattend the same school. Boys and girls together. Wouldn't that be remarkable? 38 SPRINGAWAKENING (Inthemomentof intellectualengagement,Melchiorhas drawnsoclosetoWendlathatshe grolVsself-consciousand pullsback.) WENDLA:What time isit? MELCHIOR:Must be close to four. WENDLA:Oh? I thought it was later. I paused and lay so long in themossbythestream,and just letmyself dream... I thought it must be... later. MELCHIOR:Then, can't yousit fora moment? When you lean back against this oak, and stare up at the clouds, you start to think hypnotic things ... WENDLA:I haveto be back before five. MELCHIOR:But, when youliehere,such astrange, wonderful peace settles over you... WENDLA:Well, foramomentmaybe. (WendlaandMelchiorsettlebeneaththeoak.Thelights shift,isolatingtheminaworldof vibrantshadow.Aclassic arpeggio begins.) Justtoounreal,allthis. Watching thewordsfallfrommy lips. .. MELCHIOR: Baiting some girl-with hypotheses! WENDLAANDMELCHIOR: Haven't youheard the word ofyour body? 1111j'(Melchiorreaches,tentatively,takesWendla'shand.They beginaprivate pas de deux.) MELCHIOR: Don'tfeelathing-you wish. WENDLA: Grasping at pearlswithmy fingertips ... 39 STEVENSATER MELCHIOR: Holding her hand like some little tease. WEND LAANDMELCHIOR: Haven't youheard theword of mywanting? 0, I'mgonnabewounded. 0, I'm gonnabe yourwound. 0, I'mgonna bruise you. 0, you're gonna bemy bruise. Justtoounreal,all this. 'VVENDLA: Watching hisworld slipthroughmy fist ... MELCHIOR: Playing withherinyour fantasies. WNDLAANDMELCHIOR: Haven't youheard aword-how J want you? 0, I'm gonnabewounded. 0, I'mgonna be yourwound. 0, I'mgonnabruise you. 0, you're gonnabemy bruise. (Thelightsshift.Back tothewoods.) WENDLA:The sun's setting, Melchior.Truly, I'd better go. MELCHIOH(Touches her):We'll gotogether. I'll have you on the bridge in ten minutes. (Shehesitates,thenallowshimtotakeherhand.Theywalk off together.) 40 SPRINGAWAKENTNr. SCENE6 Theschoolyard.Georg, Hanschen,Ernst and Otto wait expectantly. OTTO(Pointing):Look-there he is! (Moritz boundson.) HANSCHEN:So, did you getcaught? MOR[TZ:No-no-thank GodERNST:But,you're trembling. MORITZ:For joy.Forpureand certain joy! GEORG(Sarcastic):Cross your heart? MOIHTZ:Twice over! (Melchiorenters.) ERNST:Melchior! MELCHIOR:Moritz, I've been looking foryou. GEORG:Hesnuck into the headmaster's office. MELCHIOR:Moritz, what were you thinking? MOR1TZ:I had to, Melchi.Ijust had to. The goodnews is: J passed! HANSCHN:The middle-terms, thatis. MORITZ:Yes.Everything willnow bedetermined bythefinal exams. Still, I know I passed. Truly, Heaven must feel like this. (Melchior embracesMoritz.Thelightsshift. HeadmasterKnochenbruchisrevealed,asif inhisoffice. HeturnstoFrauleinKnuppeldick.) HERRKNOCHENBRUCH:Well,well.Fraulein Knuppeldick. FRAULEINKNUPPELDICK:Herr Knochenbruch? HERRKNOCHENBRUCH:Now that... thatskittish, near-aphasic moron ... FRAULEINKNUPPELDICK:Moritz Stiefel. 41 STEVENSATr.R HERRKNOCHENBRUCH("Indeed"):Hassomehowpassedour middle-termexams,itwouldappearwefaceacertain dilemma. FRAULEINKNUPPELDICK:Ah. HERRKNOCH EN BRUCH:The upper grade,as weknow,willhold only sixty. I hardly think wecan promote sixty-one. FRAULEINKNUPPELDICK:Hardly,HerrKnochenbruch.But,let us look to the finalsahead. HERRKNOCHENBRUCH:Yes?... FRAULEINKNUPPELDICK:Remember, it is Iwho shall be marking them. HERRKNOCHENBRUCH:Then I am assured the good name of our school issecure. (Herr Knochenbruch and FrauleinKnuppeldick exchange a look.) SCENE7 Afternoon.Awindyday.Wendla,Martha,Theaand Annawalk arminarm. ANNA:Shall wetake the short wayhome? THEA:Nono-by the bridge. WENDLA:After two hours marching with that medicine ball?! THEA:Come on! ANNA(Teasing):Someonewantstosee:hasMelchiGabor taken a raftout? THEA("Evenso"):Lastonetherehastoholdhandswith Hanschen!... (TheGirls start off.) ANNA:Martha, careful-your braid's coming loose. MARTHA(Concerned):No. THEA:Justletit.Isn'titanuisanceforyou-day andnight. Youmaynot cut it short, you may not wear it down... WENDLA:Tomorrow, I'm bringing scissors. 42 SPRINGAWAKENING MARTHA:ForGod'ssake,Wendla,no!Papabeatsmeenough asit is. WENDLA:Really? MARTHA:No,no, 1- It's nothing. THEA:Martha ... ? ANNA:Martha, we're your friends ... (AbeaU MARTHA:Well,when I don't do as helikes ... ANNA:What? MARTHA:Some nights ... Papa yanks out his belt. THEA:But where is your mama? MARTHA: "We have rules in this house. Your father will not be disobeyed." (AbeaU Theothernight,Iranforthedoor."Outthedoor?All right, I like that. That's where you'll spend the night-out on the street:' THEA:No! MA RTI-lA:It wasso cold. ANNA:My God. (Abeat.) WENDLA:He beats you with a belt? MARTHA:Anything. WENDLA:With a buckle? MA RTHA(Rollsup her sleeve):Rightthere ... ANNA:Oh my God! WENDLA:Martha, the welts-they're terrible. ANNA:We must tell someone. MARTHA:Anna, no! ANNA:But wemust. MARTHA:No,no,please. They'd throw me out forgood. THEA:Likewhat happened to lise, you mean. WENDLA:Remember! 43 STEVENSATER ANNA:Butstill ... MARTHA:Anna,no. (The utter degradation) Just look what's become of Ilse now!Living who knows where-with who knowswho?! WENDLA:I just wish I could somehow gothrough it foryou ... (Abeat.) THEA:MyUncleKlaussays,"If youdon'tdisciplineachild, you don't loveit." MARTHA:That must be. (Abeat.) ANNA:When Ihavechildren,I'll letthem be free.Andthey'll grow strong and tall. THEA:Free?Buthowwillweknowwhattodo if ourparents don't tell us? (Amenacing eighth-note guitar riff.The lightsshift.We enter the song world of Martha. Her mother, FrauBessell, casting a longshadow. Over the course of the first verses,Wendla, Anna and Thea walk off,one after the other.) FRAUBESSELL:Martha, time forbed now. MARTHA: Thereisa part Ican't tell About thedark Iknow well. .. FRAUBESSELL:Martha, darling ... ? (Noresponse.) Puton thatnewnightgown.The pretty ruffledoneyour father bought you. 44 SPRINGAWAKENING MARTHA: Yousay,"Time for bed now,child," Mom just smilesthat smile'IJustlikeshenever sawme. Justlike shenever sawme... I, So,Ileave,wantin'just tohide. Knowin'deepinside Youarecomin'to me, Youarecomin'to me... Yousay all you wantis just akiss good night, Then you hold me and you whisper, "Child,the Lord won't mind. It's just youand me. Child, you're a beauty." "God,it's good-the lovin'-ain't it good tonight? Youain't seennothin'yet-gonna treat youright. It's just youand me. Child,you're abeauty." (Aknocking ona door.Ilseisrevealed insong light.Herfather, Herr Neumann,peers out of the dark.) HERRNEUMANN:Ilse... ? Ilse.Story time. :/ ILSE: i ! ! ~Idon't scream.Though Iknowit's wrong. ii,I just play along, Iliethere and breathe. Liethere and breathe . .. Iwannabestrong-IIVanttl1eIVorldto find out That you're dreamin' onme, Me and my "beauty." 45 ---- --STeVENSATER ILSEANDMARTHA: Me and my "beauty" . .. ILSE,MARTHAANDBOYS: Yousay all youwant is just akiss good night, Then youhold me and youwhisper, "Child,the Lord won't mind. It's just youandme. Child,you're abeauty." "God,it's good-the lovin'-ain't it goodtonight? Youain't seennothin' yet-gonna teach youright. It's just youand me. Child,you're abeauty." Thereisa part I can't tell About the dark I know well. Thereisa part I can't tell About the darkI know well. Thereisapart I can't tell About thedarkI knowwell. Thereisa part I can't tell About thedarkI knowwell . . , (Blackout.) SCENE8 Thewoods.Melchiorsits,writing inhisjournal. MELCHIOR(Readingaloudashewrites):27November.The trouble is:the terrible prerogative of the ... Parentocracy inSecondary Education ... (Thelightsshift,risingonMoritzintheschoolyard.Herr Knochenbruchand FrauleinKnuppeldick summonhim,) 46 SPRINGAWAKENING FRAULEINKNUPPELDICK:Herr Stiefel, may we have aword with you'? (Moritz stiffens.) MELCHIOR(Continuing inhisjourna/):... a world where teachers-like parents-view us as merely so much rawmaterial foranobedient and productive society ... (HerrKnochenbruchandFrauleinKnuppeldickapproach Moritz,and addresshiminprivate conference,) ... aunified,military-likebody,whereallthatisweak must be hammered away... (HerrKnochenbruchandFrauleinKnuppeldickcontinueon their way,leaving Moritzlookinglikea ghost.) ... where the progress of the students reflects back only on therankand order of the faculty,andtherefore a singlelow mark can be seen as a threat to(Moritz wanders off-lost. WendlaapproachesMelchior,) WENDLA:Melchior'? MELCHIOR(jumps up,startled):You?!.. , WENDLA(Shrugs):Iwas lying by the stream, and then ... Isaw you here... MELCHIOR:Yes. (Anawkward pause,) WENDLA:So. MELCHIOR:SOthe stream. Dreaming again'?. , . WENDLA:I was, I guess. MELCHIOR:And, what were youdreaming oU WENDLA:It's silly. MELCHIOR:Tellme. 47 STEVENSATER WENDLA:IdreamedIwasaclumsylittlegirl,whospiltmy father'scoffee.AndwhenhesawwhatIhaddone,he yanked out his beltand whipped me. MELCHIOR:Wendla,thatkindof thingdoesn'thappenanymore. Only in stories. WENDLA:Martha Bessell is beaten almost every evening-the nextday,you can see the welts. It's terrible. Really, it makes you boiling hot to hear her tell it. Lately, I can't think about anything else. MELCHIOR:Someone should filea complaint. WENDLA:Youknow... I'veneverbeenbeaten.Notonce. I can't even imagine it. Itmust be just awful. MELCHIOR:I don't believe anyone is ever better for it. WENDLA:I'vetriedhittingmyself-to findouthowitfeels, really,inside. (Wendlasees a switch onthe ground and picksit up.) With this switch, forexample? It's tough. And thin. (She offers Melchior the switch.Hetakesit.Triesit,through the air.) MELCHIOR:It'd draw blood. WENDLA:Youmean, if you beat me with it?... MELCHIOR:Beatyou? WENDLA:Me. MELCHIOR:Wendla, whatare you thinking?! WENDLA:Nothing. MELCHIOR:I could never beat you. WENDLA:But if I let you? MELCHIOR:Never. WENDLA:Butif I asked you to? MELCHIOR:Have you lostyour mind? WENDLA:Martha Bessell, she told me-MELCHIOR:Wendla!Youcan't envy someone being beaten. WENDLA:ButI'veneverbeenbeaten-myentirelife.I've never ... felt... MELCHIOR:What? 48 SPRINGAWAKENING WENDLA:Anything. (Noresponse.) Please.Melchior ... (Sheoffershimherbackside.Heconsiders,thenstrikesher lightly.) Idon't feelit! MELCHIOR:Maybe not, with your dress on. (Wendla hikes her skirt, offering Melchior the prospect of her somewhat more exposed backside.) WENDLA:On my legs,then. MELCHIOR:Wendla! WENDLA:Come on. Please. MELCHIOR:I'll teach you to say: "Please" ... (He firmly takes her by the arm, and strikes her with the switch.) WENDLA(Wincesfromthe pain, but . .. ):You're barely stroking me. (Hestrikes her again.) MELCHIOR:How's that then? WENDLA:Martha'sfather,heuseshisbelt.Hedrawsblood, Melchi. (Melchior strikes her again.) MELCHlOR:How's that? WENDLA(Alie):Nothing. MELCHIOR:And that? WENDLA:Nothing. MELCHIOR:Youbitch. I'll beat the hell out of you. 49 III I;iI,', I ~ "I'\ I" STEVENSATER (MelchiorflingstheswitchasideandthrowsWendlatothe ground,soviolently that shebegins sobbing. Suddenly,he realizes what he's done.He stumbles, sobbing, into the UJoods.Otto and Georg arerevealed,soulful members of the band.) OTTO(Gently): 0, you're gonnabewounded. 0, I'm gonnabe your UJound ... OTTOANDGEORG: 0, I'm gonnabruise you. 0, you're gonnabemybruise ... SCENE9 The Stiefel sitting room. Moritz approaches hisfather,HerrStiefel. MORITZ:Father ... ? HERRSTIEFEL:Moritz. (Moritzremainssilent.) Yes... ? MORITZ;Well,I,uh,waswondering-hypotheticallyspeak-ing-what would happen if ... HERRSTIEFEL: "If ... "? MORITZ:If, one day,I,uh,failed.Not thatHERRSTIEFEL:You're telling me you've failed? MORITZ;No-no! I only meant-HERRSTIEFEL:You'vefailed,haven't you?I canseeiton your face. MORITZ:Father, no! (HerrStiefel strikes Moritz.) Father-! 50 SPRINGAWAKENIN (HerrStiefel strikes Moritz again.And again.Heturns away indisgust.) HERRSTIEFEL:Well,it'sfinallycometothis.Ican'tsayI'm surprised. " I' _"I II' (AbeaU~ I I \11 ,. ! ~ IFailed. l,lh ~I",1\' (Abeat.)I)," iI:,IIl So, now,what are your mother and I supposed to do? (Noresponse.) You tell me, Son. What? (Noresponse.) How can she show her faceat the Missionary Society? (Noresponse.) What do I tell them at the Bank? (Noresponse.) How do wego to Church? (Noresponse,) What do wesay? (Noresponse.) Myson. Failed. (Abeat.) 51 -- -------------STEVENSATER Failed. (AbeaU Thank God myfather never livedto see this day. (Thelightsfade,and simultaneouslyriseon... ) SCENE10 Two discretespaces arerevealed.Over the course of the scene,the lightsshift back and forthbetween them. FrauGaborsits,asif inher study,writing aletter. Moritz steps forward,onthe other side or the stage-in brilliant concertlight-reading that letter. Adriving beat underscoresthe scene,building as Moritz sings. FRAUGABOR:Dear Herr Stiefel(Thinks again) Moritz,I'vespent the entire daythinkingaboutyournote.Truly,ittouchedme,itdid,that you'dthinkof measafriend.Of course,I wassaddened tohearthatyourexamscameoffratherlesswellthan you'd hoped, and that you will not be promoted, come fall. And yet, I must say straightaway, that fleeing to Americaishardlythesolution.Andevenif itwere,Icannot provide the money you request. MORITZ: Uh-Iwh. .. uh-huh ... uh-huh ... well,fine. Not likeit's evenworththe time. But still, you know, youwanted more. Sorry,it won't change-been therebefore. FRAUGABOR:Youwoulddomewrong,HerrStiefel,toread into myrefusal anylackof affection. On the contrary,as Melchior's mother, I truly believe it to be my duty (to curb this momentary loss 0052 SPRINGAWAKENINGMORITZ: Thething that sucks-okaY?-for me, Athousand bucks,I'm,like,scot-free. And Imean,please . .. That's all Ineed. Get real-okay? Bynow,youknow thescore. FRAUGABOR:Should you like,I am ready to write to your parents.Iwilltryto convince themthatnoone couldhave workedharder last semester, andalso thattoo rigorous a condemnation of your current misfortune