ACT FIVE, Scene 2: (INSIDE DESDEE'S BEDROOM)

INT. DESDEE'S BEDROOM, BEDTIME

(LAZARO AND DESDEE ENTER FROM STAGE RIGHT. DESDEE GOES TO BED AND LIES DOWN ON HER SIDE. LAZARO PICKS UP HIS KNIFE SHARPENER FROM THE TOP OF DESDEE'S SIDE DRAWER, THEN SITS AT THE EDGE OF THE BED AND PROCEEDS TO SHARPEN HIS KNIFE.)

Lázaro: It is the cause. It is the cause, my soul, let me not name it to you, chaste stars. It is the cause, yet I don't shed a tear nor scar his heart of mine, transparent as snow.

(LAZARO STARES AT HIS KNIFE.)

Lázaro:Put out the light and then cut out the mic. If it quench thee, thou flaming Desdee, I can again thy former light restore. Should I retreat this once from your cunning method of transcendent nature?

(LAZARO PUTS AWAY HIS KNIFE.)

Desdee: Come, my fella, get some sleep.

Lázaro: Did you say your prayers tonight, Desdee?

Desdee: Yes, Lázaro.

Lázaro: If you but think of yourself of any crime, not reconciled as yet to see our cause, solicit it, let it be straight.

Desdee: Alas, my lord, what do you mean?

(LAZARO'S BODY TENSES UP IN ANGER.)

Lázaro: Let your repentance be brief. Just walk by, for heaven's no, if I'm to die, I'll not poison your soul.

Desdee: Heaven forbid to love with such a heart. And yet I feel that 'tis a fatal blow.

(LAZARO MAD DOGS DESDEE, TRYING TO CONTAIN HIS ANGER.)

Desdee: Especially when you squint your eyes like that. Why should I fear? What guiltiness do I know? And yet I'm still afraid.

Lázaro: Just think again of your most naive thoughts.

Desdee: My only sin is loving you too much.

(LAZARO KISSES DESDEE.)

Lázaro: And for this cause, I sacrifice myself.

(LAZARO BITES DOWN ON DESDEE'S BOTTOM LIP. DESDEE PULLS AWAY.)

Desdee: A life that dies for love's unnatural to me. Alas, why do you gnaw at such gentle lips?

(LAZARO TREMBLES WITH RAGE.)

Desdee: Some blood-filled passion shakes you every frame. These sound like omens, yet I hope, I hope they do not point at me.

Lázaro: That perfumed bandana, which she thus gave to him, did she not give away for heart and soul?

Desdee: No, please, but spare his life. Send for the men they can explain.

Lázaro: Therefore thus I do confess my intent. That today ev'ry account reveals.

Desdee: Have mercy on him then.

Lázaro: To hell wit' that.

(LAZARO HOLDS DESDEE DOWN.)

Desdee: And mercy on me too for my offense, I never loved a man in all my life to warrant this arrest.

(LAZARO LOOSENS HIS GRIP ON DESDEE AND SHE SITS UP.)

Lázaro: Then did you not see her thus hold his hand? Oh perjured woman you defeat my heart. Don't dare call out what I intend to do. A murder which is but a sacrifice.

Desdee: Oh, fear approaches, why to go out like this?

Lázaro: Should all these tales be lies, I'd still have stomach for this great revenge.

Desdee: Alas betrayed and I undone.

(DESDEE LOOKS AWAY.)

Lázaro: Do not bow down now, look me in the face.

Desdee: Oh, banish me, my man, but shame me not. If thou would kill, but leave me one more night.

(DESDEE CLINGS TO LAZARO. HE PUSHES HER AWAY.)

Lázaro: Not if you strive.

Desdee: But half an hour then.

Lázaro: This shit is finished so there is no pause.

Desdee: But wait, just one more prayer.

Lázaro: No, it's too late.

Desdee: Oh my God, Lázaro, what will you do?

(LAZARO GETS UP AND GOES OVER TO THE WINDOW TO LOOK OUTSIDE.)

Lázaro: Soft by and by, let me the curtains draw.

(LAZARO DRAWS THE CURTAINS.)

Lázaro: These erring thought's bot' near and far, do make of me a mad man.

Desdee: Let guiltiness speak.

Lázaro: You heard her say not him.

Desdee: Did she say not him? Lázaro, report the truth. When will it cease?

Lázaro: Him, like a liar will burn in hell. And I will send him there.

Desdee: Oh, the angel, he. And this his darkest night.

Lázaro: He turned to folly.

Desdee: Thou dost betray him.

Lázaro: Through fairness, the most foul.

Desdee: And you as rash as fire.

[END SCENE]