The Gas Heart: ACT III
NECK: The sky is clouded
my finger is opened
sewing-machine these staring examinations
the river is opened the brain clouded
sewing-machine these staring examinations.
MOUTH: We will make fine material for the crystal dress with
it.
NOSE: You mean to say: "despair gives you its explanations
regarding its rates of exchange."
MOUTH: I don't mean to say anything. A long time ago I put
everything I had to say into a hatbox.
NECK: Everybody knows you, installation of conjugal bliss.
NOSE: Everybody knows you, tapestry of forgotten ideas,
crystallization.
NECK: Everybody knows you, formula for a song, running board of
algebra, insomnia number, triple-skinned machine.
MOUTH: Everybody does not know me. I am alone here in my
wardrobe and the mirror is blank when I look at myself. Also I love
the birds at the ends of lit cigarettes. Cats, all animals and all
vegetables. I love cats, birds, animals and vegetables which are the
projection of Clytemnestra in the courtyard, bedding, vases and
meadows. I love hay. I love the young man who makes such tender
declarations to me and whose spine is ripped asunder in the sun.
Dance of the gentleman fallen from a funnel in the ceiling onto
the table.
MOUTH: Dreams dampen the evening of stretched hide. (Exits.)
EYE: Imagine that my dear friend I no longer love him.
EAR: Which one do you mean?
EYE: I mean the one I've loved too long.
EAR: Me too I've lost an illusion. The prize horse in my stable
has lost his energy.
EYE: Well then, my dear, his life must be renewed.
EAR: You're just bitter. (Exits.)
Enter Mouth.
EYE: Clytemnestra you are beautiful. I love you with the
intensity of a diver . . . his seaweeds. My blood trembles. Your eyes
are blue. Why can't you hear, Clytemnestra, the quiet laughter of my
cells awaiting you, the violence of my breath and the sweet childish
possibilities fate has in store for us? Are you perhaps awaiting
further sensational revelations regarding my temperament?
Exit Mouth.
Eye falls to the stage.
NOSE: Huge.
NECK: Fixed.
NOSE: Cruel.
NECK: Broad.
NOSE: Small.
NECK: Short.
NOSE: Shrill.
NECK: Feeble.
NOSE: Magnificent.
NECK: Long.
NOSE: Narrow.
NECK: Strong.
NOSE: Sensitive.
NECK: Fat.
NOSE: High.
NECK: Slim.
NOSE: Trembling.
NECK: Fine.
NOSE: Clear.
NECK: Courageous.
NOSE: Thin.
NECK: Obscure.
NOSE: Timid.
NECK: Pretty.
NOSE: White.
NECK: Flexible.
NOSE: Deep.
NECK: Nasty.
NOSE: Ugly.
NECK: Heavy.
NOSE: Low.
NECK: Black.
NOSE: Superficial.
NECK: Scentless.
NOSE: Harmonious.
NECK: Smooth.
NOSE: Rigid.
NECK: Tangerine and white from Spain
I'm killing myself Madeleine Madeleine.
EAR: (entering with Mouth, who crawls on all fours, and shouting)
:
Clytemnestra, race horse:
3,000 francs
Going once!
Going twice!!
Going thrice!!!
Gone!
Eye goes up to Mouth, on all fours.
EAR: This will end with a lovely marriage.
EYE: This will end with a lovely marriage.
EYEBROW: This will end with a lovely marriage.
MOUTH: This will end with a lovely marriage.
NECK: This will end with a lovely marriage.
NOSE: This will end with a lovely marriage.
EAR: Go lie down.
EYE: Go lie down.
EYEBROW: Go lie down.
MOUTH: Go lie down.
NECK: Go lie down.
NOSE: Go lie down.
FINIS