Scene Ten
from The Bells of Amersfoort
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 May 2019
Summary
Lights rise on the first world. TAMI, KATJA and MARTIJN are sitting or standing around idly. MARTIJN is toying around with his little drum, beating some stray sounds. In the third world HELEEN enters. She is dressed like St Nicholas.
KATJA: Heleen is back.
But TAMI does not make any attempt to move to the window to watch. She just remains where she is. In the third world JOHAN VAN DER BIJL enters. HELEEN takes out a big chocolate amsterdametje and puts it in JOHAN's mouth.
KATJA: She is tingling his tongue with a phallic chocolate amsterdametje.
HELEEN strips to her regulation underwear as before. But JOHAN is not responsive. She holds the big chocolate and pushes it in and out of his open mouth.
KATJA: Tami, you should see this. You always enjoy watching this. They are doing it for you. I am sure the dominee is doing for you. He hasn't closed the curtains this time. Perhaps it is a peace offering to you, Tami.
TAMI: When I skipped the country … went into exile, that is … my parents didn't even know I was going. I didn't tell them because I knew the police would harass them. For a long time they did not know where I was.
KATJA: It just doesn't look right. Catharina and Fritz are not there to sing for him.
TAMI: And when they died I couldn't go to their funerals. It's a big thing with us, you know? A funeral. I was wandering about refugee camps until a place was found for me here. I missed their funerals … both of them … two years apart.
KATJA: It's not the same when Catharina and Fritz are not there to sing for them.
It would seem that JOHAN and HELEEN think so too, they give up their amorous activity in frustration and exit as lights fall on their world.
KATJA: Damn! They are gone. Without doing anything. She had brought him a St Nicholas gift and had to leave without giving it to him. And it's all your fault, Tami. They can't do a thing without the fanfare that you guys usually make.
TAMI: I have made up my mind. I am going back to South Africa.
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- Information
- Fools, Bells and the Habit of EatingThree Satires, pp. 152 - 155Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2002