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Stripped (el despojaminto, 1974)Griselda GambaroPublished online: 03 Jun 2008.

To cite this article: Griselda Gambaro (2000) Stripped (el despojaminto, 1974), Women & Performance: a journal of feministtheory, 11:2, 97-106, DOI: 10.1080/07407700008571334

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STRIPPED(EL DESPOJAMINTO, 1974)

Griselda GambaroTranslation by Ana Puga

Characters:WomanYoung Man

(A small table with magazines, a chair, a small sofa. The womanenters. She is dressed with a pretense of elegance, a mid-lengthskirt, blouse, and a short cape. She wears dangling earrings andhigh-heeled shoes, twisted and worn. She carries an ordinarypurse and a big envelope, with photos, and speaks with a smile outtoward the audience.)

WOMAN: Yes, yes, I know I got here early. I'm not in a hurry, I'llwait. Thanks! {To herself) Cretins! Why even make an appointment?They waste your time like it was theirs. (She looks around) Theycould have a nicer waiting room with what they earn. Cheapskates.

(She leaves the purse and the envelope on top of the table. Shetakes off the cape. She hesitates. She puts it on again. She takes afew steps, thinks, she takes off the cape. She folds it and puts it on

Women £? Performance: A Journal ofFeminist Theory, Issue 22,11:2© 2000 Women & Performance Project, Inc.

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98 WOMEN & PERFORMANCEtop of the sofa. She hesitates. She puts it on the back of the chair.She opens the purse, takes out a mirror, looks at herself)What eyes! One look and they fall at my feet. (She thinks, sighs)

Well, not everyone now...(She puts away the mirror) Anyway, inphotos you can't see the wrinkles, you can't see the pain...Bull.The photos this jerk took of me! He hated me. (She laughs softly) Ididn't pay him. He deserved it. He didn't just get my crows' feet,he got the whole crow. (She looks from the sofa to the chair, uncertainabout which to sit in. She chooses the sofa) But if I don't bringphotos they'll think I'm a...one of the crowd that doesn'teven...They're terrible, but they'll do: I'm the original. They'lllook at me, and I'll come out on top. (She is subtly disconcerted) Ornot? "Ah, are you the one from the photos? They don't do youjustice, ma'am! No one would say that you're that girl there,(Shesinks) that woman...How you've changed!" (She remainspreoccupied for a moment. Abruptly, she recovers) I hope Pepedoesn't get home early. I didn't leave him his dinner, and he's sofussy! Everything ready, everything on the dot. You would think Iwas his maid! I don't know why I put up with it. (Sad) I love him,that must be it...

(The young man enters. His manner is depersonalized, as if hewere dealing only with objects, including the woman, to whom heis indifferent. Without noticing her smile, which carries a pretenseof seduction, he nears the table. After finding the envelope, hetakes it and exits)How rude! He could have asked for it! I hope they notice the

ones where I look good. In which ones do I look good? In almostall, I think. I was thinner then, without a belly. (She sucks in herstomach, laughs bitterly) Without a belly. But with crow's feet! Andwhy did I bring the girl ones? Yellowing...the urge to show how Iwas then, without wrinkles, innocent. They'll see...how I've aged.I'm nervous, how stupid. Everything turned out badly for me.Even Pepe. Just a poor guy. (The young man enters. She smilesinstantly) How about it? How did they seem to you? Lovely, no?(With a gesture that she doesn't finish) Did you notice the one whereI'm by the sea, my hand extend...(The young man stops for asecond, walks past her, and exits on the opposite side. She is left withher mouth hanging open in surprise. She composes herself) Hired help.I always make these mistakes. I think any nobody is worthwhile. Ithink being decently dressed is enough, and that's that. I'll never

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GR1SELDA GAMBARO 99learn! Too anxious.. .And what I need is. ..(She can't find the word)condescension.

(She smiles, sits, crosses her legs, with effort adopts an attitude thatshe supposes attractive. She stiffens in the pose. She abandons it. Sheopens her purse, looks.)I didn't bring cigarettes. What a shame! If I go buy some...No,

better not move. Someone might come and take my turn. Who doI complain to? Screw yourself, they'll tell me. I could call an officeboy and send him.. .{She shrinks) But how to tell him that I smokethe cheapest ones? And.. .and I'd have to give him a tip.

(The young man enters. She notices him a second later. Quickly,she puts together her smile and her elegant pose. The young manignores her, searches for something. He finds the cape, takes it andleaves. She looks surprised and moves forward.)What are you doing? How dare you? {She follows him anxiously)

Do you need it? Don't ruin it, please! It's not mine! (The youngman stops and looks at her) Of course it is, it is mine. I said that soyou would be careful. Fold it well. (Timidly, she takes it out of theyoung man's hands, she folds it and hands it to him) It looks verygood, very elegant. It wears well. My friend always lends it to me.(She corrects herself) I lend it to her. As if it were mine. Elegant,no? What do you need it for?

(The young man doesn't answer and exits.)Idiot, why did I apologize? Why did I explain? I'll never learn to

be quiet! I could cut out my tongue! And I put it in his handsmyself! It's all right, calm down, a courtesy can't hurt me. On thecontrary. The director must have asked for it. He must want toknow how I'm dressed. A cape, not just anybody wears a cape.

(She sings softly, very badly, happy:)I'll be loving you eternally.There'll be no one new, my dear, for meThough the sky should fall, remember I shall always beForever true and loving you, eternally.How badly I sing. It's a shame. That would be another

possibility. Everyone pays with pleasure to have their earscaressed. (She hums briefly) Pepe never let me sing. "Shut up,foghorn!" He's frustrated, that's Pepe. He's a sad sack and won'tlet anyone else be happy. Wonder if he's home yet? When are thesepeople going to take care of me? You would think they had all day!What time could it be? If I asked? What could I lose? (Dignified)"Please, the time." (She answers herself) "Don't you have a

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100 WOMEN & PERFORMANCEwatch?" {Insecure) I don't know what sort of impression thatwould make, not having a watch. They might think I'm penniless.Like Pepe, you look at him and your heart aches. What a guy! Hedoesn't make a good impression at all. I didn't iron his shirt, Ididn't leave him his meal. He'll raise hell. "What good are you if Ican't have a clean shirt?" As if that were my mission in life, whenI'm here to.. .{She gets tired. Suddenly, she opens her purse, takes outa mirror, looks at herself, touches her cheek) No, you can't see it.What a punch he gave me, the bastard. He tried to ruin me. It'sblack.

(She sits. Nervously, she pats a large amount of face powder on thecheekbone. She moves the mirror back and looks at herself)They'll think I made myself up badly. {She rubs it in. She looks

at herself, desolate) What a wreck! But people don't look at yourface hunting for bruises, they look into your eyes, they search forwhat you are and then, with these zyes...{Laughs) I've got thebattle won! I still have a pair of eyes in my tool kit that. . .Whenthat jerk comes back, I'll look at him like this {With patheticcoquetry), seductively, and I'll leave him stiff. "Boy, have you everseen a look like this?" No, I'd better not speak. No familiarity. Iwon't risk it! {Theyoung man enters) But I can ask him if he likedthe photos, zn<\...(She crosses her legs, smiles. She hikes up her skirta bit, swinging her leg. She tries to look at him intensely. In spite ofherself) And the cape? {He doesn't answer) Bring me the cape,please.

(He draws closer, takes off the shoe she is swinging in the air andtakes it away. After a moment of complete confusion, she recoversquickly and follows him)Impertinent! Come here! How dare you? {He exits, as if he hadn't

heard her, leaving her totally perplexed) And if they call me now? Whatwill I tell them? That I was swinging my leg, and he took it away fromme? And if he's not there? If he went to the bathroom? "I let him takemy shoe, sir." What a ridiculous situation! What does he take me for?No, I'm going to go and ask him for it.

(She goes limping toward the door. She stops, fixes her blouse. Sheturns, takes the purse, goes again toward the door and runs intothe young man)Give me the shoe! I'm talking to you! They're new. I bought

them to come here. They cost me enough! No. It doesn't matter. Ihave others, but they're at home. Is it that...the director wants toknow what shoes I'm wearing? They're not very elegant, but...I

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GRISELDA GAMBAR0101liked them. I took a fancy to them. I don't usually use them. I havebetter ones: of leather, suede, clogs, sandals. I can give you these.They aren't worth anything. Not now, naturally. But tomorrow I'llbring them to you. (Without conviction, sadly) You must have alittle friend and want to...make an impression. I understand. Youunderstand that I can't go around barefoot, or half-barefoot, no?Unless you have other shoes in the dressing room and you wantme to change these for those because they go better with...(Theboy looks at her, immobile) Well, you decide! That's what I'm herefor. (Humble) Tell the director to see me.

(Suddenly, but without brusqueness, the boy extends his handtoward her, as if he were going to caress her, though the gesture iswithout emotional charge. She looks at him in suspense, as if in theface of an unexpected friendly gesture. The young man holds hishand still and then, with a rough gesture, he rips off her earring.She screams)Watch what you're doing! You hurt me! (Theyoung man exits)If Pepe were here! Pepe! No, why do I scream? Relax. He could

have ripped my ear off. And if they were gold? Huh? If they weregold? They'll realize they're junk. When they're on, they pass,they seem elegant. At least I should have told him that the realones are at home, or in the bank, or in a safe. But why don't theycome here and see me in one piece? When it's my turn, the firstthing I'm going to say is: This employee you have is a brute, abrute with no manners. In my day...we worked differently. You'dtell him what to do and he'd do it. No, he does whatever he wants!Goes up to people and treats them like garbage! With me he'ssunk, he's met...his match. Relax, honey. They're testing to seehow much I can...Ma'am, they'll come to tell me, you have anamazing serenity. We congratulate you. (Puzzled) But why do theyneed serenity? I can manage myself well, I know how to move, norole is too large or too small for me.

And how I photograph! Even if they don't know how to setlights, my face is naturally luminous, because of my skin. (Shetakes out the other earring, goes to put it in her purse. She hesitates,puts it on again) They don't know what they'll be losing if theydon't take me! And I have so many ideas! When he comes back, I'lltell him, ideas are born in me, kicking, like flowers. "Honey, whatan imagination you have!" Pepe marvels. That's another advantagein this business: They give me a script and I enrich it. Mostpeople think like slaves! I, on the other hand, I fly. That story, do

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102 WOMEN & PERFORMANCEyou remember, Honey? The girl was going to marry herboyfriend, because they thought, the idiots, that love alwaystriumphs. With money it triumphs better. So, I went like a shot tothe director. I know so much about life! And I said to him: No, letthe poor boyfriend be a millionaire, he abandons everything forher: home, family, status, everything, except the millions. Andafterwards they forgive her, his mother forgives her, she calls her"daughter dear," and then the grandchildren come! {She sighssweetly) What a hit I was! The director gave me a kiss and said,"Honey, you are a gem!" The last time I was a gem for someone. Iremember how it was before. It just so happens that I didn't get tobe in films, bad luck. I played ingenues, girls in love. Until my facegot full of lead. The neighborhood girls would look at me withtheir magazines open and they'd die laughing. Sluts! And fromingenues to now...nothing. Except Pepe's blows...and Pepe's love.

{Theyoung man enters, looks at her) You've turned up! And? I'mwaiting. Give me back what you took! Everything! And youalmost...ripped off my ear! If you ruin the cape or you lose it onme...You'll see what I'm made of! It's a cape that costs a lot,that...it's not even mine! Bring it in now, right now! What are youhere? Thieves? Where did I end up? In a den of outlaws? {Theyoung man turns away to go) Come here, you crook! Answer me!{The young man stops and looks at her. A pause. She is disarmed) Ididn't mean to say that. I...I lost my head. You could be morecourteous. I'm not uppity with you, so why take advantage? And Iwait patiently, as you can see. When it comes to work, I can waitall the time you want, time means nothing to me, I'll lend you thecape, yes, I'll lend it to you! But...when the director calls, I wantto be...{She ends with a gesture. The young man indicates the skirt,impassive. She looks at herself, she looks at him) What do you want?You're crazy! I'll scream. Go! {Theyoung man turns and exits)

What...! (She reconsiders) Oh, my God! What did I do? I threwhim out. And now? What a stupid way of losing my head! Alwaysthe same. This stubbornness that gets the better of meand... Every thing goes like this for me! But why didn't they tellme that they need a...1 don't know.. .a show girl. It's all right. I'mnot against that! Work is...work, one has to be willing tobe...flexible. It's all right. Not nude! Show girl, well, I still knowhow to kick up my little leg. (She does so) If Pepe could see me."Careful what you do. Bring me the photos, Honey." It's easy forhim to ask. A doormat, that's what you are. Not that much, not

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GRISELDA GAMBAR0103me. At least I still demand respect. I was right to tell him off.What do they think? That I don't have any backbone, that they canwalk all over me? (Smiles) I remember that time, when Pepe beatme until I was out flat and the neighbors called the police, and Isaid, "Nothing happened here, I fell from the ladder." (Laughs)They got their comeuppance! And Pepe came and kissed me. Onthe other hand, if I had accused him, poor Pepe! What ahumiliation! For him, for me.

(She remains lost in thought for a second)For me, already humiliated because I let him hit me. {Pause. She

hums) A show girl in photos, I could do. It's classier. They'll payme more, surely. {She sings and dances awkwardly) If Pepe sees me,he'll strangle me! {Laughs) I give him the name of anothermagazine, he buys it and nothing! I'm not there. But if they'repostcards...not in the nude! He'll kill me. He expects wives,housewives, mothers of youngsters. Grandmothers! He neverwanted me to pose nude, he checked my necklines, and now he'llhave a good excuse. {Laughs acidly) "You're too wrinkled to posenaked." Cretin! And why does he have to know? I can lie to him,protect him...{She opens her purse brusquely) I'll put on moremakeup. This makeup is very subtle and my skin now...I'll comeout too pale, anemic. {She makes herself up crudely) How do I getrid of these dark circles? These spots? They could audition me andget it over with! What do they want? How should I behave? {Shesinks) Where does it say how I should behave? Where?

(The boy enters. Quickly, she puts away the powder case in herpurse and shuts it. She straightens up, smiles)I'm sorry. I was nervous. What time is it? No, the time isn't

important, I told you. I can do any work. I thought it was somethingmore serious, no, not more serious. More in keeping widi my age,not with my age, with my experience of.. .1 know how to dance, too!Not sing! {Laughs) Well, one doesn't sing in photos, no.. .{Theyoungman draws near to her, tries to rip off her skirt) What are you doing?Get away! {She resists) What are you doing? Let go! Let go, I tell you!{She moves away. The young man gestures toward her skirt, impassive)Stop ripping things off me! Weren't you taught any manners? Askme for what you need! Who do you think I am? You could be morepleasant!...You could be more...delicate...What does it cost? Itdoesn't cost anything.. .you tell me.. .the director is busy, he needs tosee how you're dressed to decide if...you'll work out, if you canstay.. .now. And I'll give it to you! We all have our own style. I don't

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104 WOMEN & PERFORMANCEknow anything about technique. I suppose that this is.. .faster, moreeffective. Take it! I'll give it to you. {She unfastens the skirt and hands itto him) See? Such friends.

Why infuriate me when with a little bit of delicacy, we canunderstand each other and work better together? {The young manexits) We're happy. On the other hand, if you have the gall to ripthings from me by force, I get mad. I don't know what I'm saying.I'm liable to...leave. You won't get anything that way. Believe youme! And I won't get...anything either. {Low) It takes somuch...{She looks at herself, buttons her blouse. Trying to behumorous) What a look! Like...a little too much. I'm out of shape,that's what's happened.(.S7tf looks at her legs) Stay in shape, that'sthe bottom line. Be docile. If I had cigarettes. {She stands upstraight) It looks good, chic. I'll have to send the cape to the drycleaners after so much handling. If I return it stained, she won'tlend it to me again. {She takes off her shoe, rubs her foot, puts it onagain) It's so tight! {Laughs, acidly) I'm a size larger! Let's see ifthey lose the other one on me. No, they're sure to bring me somemore elegant ones from the dressing room. . .I'll show them thatthere is no role I can't face with...talent. I have more than enoughof that. When I act for Pepe, he's captivated. "Honey, do theingenue for me. . . "

{She lowers her eyes, acts) "No, sir, no sir! Mama won't let metalk to strangers. What are your intentions? {Laughs prudishly. Shebalances pathetically. She stiffens) They want a show girl. Too bad.With the experience I have in ingenues! I should have studieddance. If I'd known about this opportunity, I'd have made theeffort. I'm always late. I'm going to be on time for my burial, that'sfor sure! {Laughs bitterly) Who knows! One of these days, maybeI'll be lucky. They'll wait for me with the grave ready but I don'tshow up. And Pepe will be angry. "Honey, you're always the same!Why did I cry so much? Drop dead!" {Laughs) And that would beeven better. To be timely, not to fail. . .there. What did he expect?An ingenue? Not even if I were born again could I do it, because...all things come to an end, no? Pepe will come home hungry. Ishould have left him an omelet...I shouldn't be frightened of thework, they'll put on music, they'll be nice. Will there be others, orwill it be me...alone? But there are younger, prettier girls. {Shesmiles sadly) The competition. Why would they choose me?Why...me? An...old hag who isn't even in shape? Wrinkledand...bow-legged. And I threw him out! He shouldn't have been

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GRtSELDA GAMBAR0105offended, if people talk, dialogue, they understand each other.Could he have understood? Was I clear? He was so impertinent!

Too bad that I didn't tell him I have some ideas about acting onthe spur of the moment. A show girl dances, winks, wiggles herbottom. I'll come up with some brilliant idea! I'll leave them withtheir mouths open. And after all, why would he complain aboutme? I myself put the cape in his hands, the skirt. And if he hadtold me that he wanted the earrings, well the earrings, too! Asavage. I'm used to good manners. I yelled at him. Why is hetaking so long? A flunkey, that's what he is. Not too nice, but nicedoesn't put food on the table. That must be his way, insolence. Ofcourse, they think they walk on water and that they're not going tosink. They don't want a show girl, maybe they want a slu. . .aprostitute. And well, in photos! It doesn't mean I am one! Theyput, "a woman of questionable virtue." And if it's not that. . .theymight have some other idea. They'll tell me. What do I care? Theycontract, they shoot, they make sure the work comes across. Theygive me my cues, the script, and I'm off! With my talent, myflexibility, I can act all sorts of mothers, crazy women, caring ones,distinguished ones. Pepe will be waiting, I should have left himthe omelet...I'll do moms and later grandmothers, and afterwardsthey'll realize that I'm young and I'll be able to be the girl in loveor the ingenue...(She takes off her shoe, slowly takes off herstockings) And later.. .later...

(The young man enters and takes away the little table)When he comes back, I'll look at him with these eyes...He still

hasn't noticed my eyes, but when he looks at them he'll be stunned.And I'll tell him that my imagination is boundless. I enrich a script,if they let me, I.. .1 round it out. In this scene, I can kiss father, andlater, in this one, I disrobe.. .and it will come out tender.. .moving. Ihave to act naturally, as if I were an ingenue. (Tries to laugh)Innocence is the last thing you lose! When you have it, and I'vealready.. .No work is beneath you. Work is what's visible, it's outside;and inside, how do you have to be inside for certain jobs? You have tobe broken or dead. Not me! Me: daisies inside! And a girl whoswings on a hammock like it's the gallows, because I am...happy.They'll have a good time with me, and that's something, no? Poorguys...alone. They don't touch you . . it's a job that humiliates...noone. I don't even think they get excited. They're so...used to it.They.. .take pictures of you, alone or.. .with others, with children orold people. I'll be the madam, or they'll put a beautiful girl in bed

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106 WOMEN & PERFORMANCEand I'll...I'll be the mirror where everything ends. No. I'm stillgood, my beauty still...(Laughs. She covers her mouth) Come on, Ishouldn't fall apart.

What's wrong, Honey? Get up on the wrong side of the bed?What energy you have for work! I can still...attract...They canstill...go crazy for me. They'll pay me well. In poses thatare...pleasant. And there will be a heater, so that I don't feel thecold...(Sitting, she unbuttons her blouse, she reveals her cleavage in apathetically provocative gesture, her legs open. The young man comesin and takes away the sofa. She doesn't move, she follows him with hereyes wide open and an artificial smile. Jovial) I'm waiting here! (Thesmile freezes on her, she lowers head, bursts out crying) Pepe!

THE END.

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