(Annette, at a table. Eileen returns from bar with two drinks that have burnt marshmallows.)
Eileen
A “dirty girl scout” each for you and me.
Annette
I have not been called that in fifteen years.
Eileen
Annette, you churl! Have you not changed a bit?
Annette
Some yes, some no. i’ truth, my friend, there’s not
a day goes by I think not on my youth.
Eileen
A girl scout wast thou then?
Annette
Indeed, I was.
Troup two‐nine‐five.
Eileen
I never was allowed.
My dad was strict, but we would camp in Maine.
Annette
Aye, Maine! Twas where I went to girl scout camp.
Eileen
Thou liest!
Annette
My heart is crossed in hopes of death!
‘twas where I met my first dear love.
Eileen
A boy?
Annette
A man. Of forty year and five or so.
Eileen
Thou wast a very dirty scout indeed!
Your first?
Annette
Almost, but never “all the way”.
Eileen
Thou must spill all the beans, I beg of thee.
Annette
One eve I walked myself down to the lake.
I must have been fourteen. I’d taken off
My shoes, all set to wade, when—
Buck
Careful, dear,
Annette
A voice said,
(Rob enters, wearing a fishing hat. Annette rises.)
Rob
Thou shalt make the waters boil.
Annette
And there he was: a man in a canoe.
Rob
Thy legs like molten irons are, and should
You now submerge them in this lake, the fish
Should cook, and I, your humble servant, too.
Eileen
Some line!
Annette
And on its end my heart was hooked.
For Summers three together would we tryst.
Each chance I got I went down to the lake,
and every time I wished it, there he was.
Rob
Some wine for you, my lady of the lake?
Annette
I’m not so sure I should.
Rob
Why ever no?
Is life for living? Is not wine to drink?
And are thy lips not to…
Annette
Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss.
(Rob fades away.)
Eileen
It sounds like love, but for his advanced age.
Annette
Perhaps, or just a fancy of the flesh.
I’ll never know. One day he came no more.
(A pause.)
Annette
And you camped, too, you said? Pray tell of that.
Eileen
‘tis not as much to tell. The lake with dad…
The happ’yest days, and aye, the saddest, too.
Annette
Why sad?
Eileen
Twas at the lake my father died.
A heart attack. And in my arms, as well.
Annette
I did not know.
Eileen
‘tis fine, you could not have.
More oft I think upon the happy times.
There was no place on earth he’d rather be.
(Rob enters, without hat.)
Rob
Nature, my dear girl! Nature! Is’t not grand?
Eileen
And so it is, old man.
Rob
“Old man”? Pish posh!
In nature we are all our younger selves.
For this the morning air doth brace my legs,
And in the silence hear I bloodhound sharp.
The wilderness is a restorative.
Look you!
Eileen
At what?
Rob
The morning star, like fire!
Eileen
And on and on. We’d hike and swim and nap.
He’d fish at evening time while I did read,
And catching none, we’d eat our fish from cans.
I’ve never known such peace before or since.
Rob
Nature, my dear, sweet girl, and love. It’s true,
Two stronger worldly forces there are none.
Annette
With that I must agree.
(Rob fades away.)
Your story’s sweeter.
Eileen
Your story’s hotter.
Annette
Still, I’d gladly trade.
Eileen
Me thinks you wouldn’t if you’d heard mine’s end.
Annette
Oh. No. Of course. I had forgotten me.
Eileen
Fret not, my friend. To live is to forget.
Annette
Still…
Eileen
Shhh… And yours? How did your romance end?
Annette
Like most: a fizzle, with no bang.
Eileen
So bad.
Annette
He came to me one eve and begged for it.
(Rob enters, in hat. Frenzied.)
Rob
I’ll die without it! Let me be inside!
I promise I’ll be gentle as a breath!
Annette
But I would not. I was but seventeen,
And still a virgin, too. I asked for time.
I sent him off, alone, in his canoe,
And never once did see his face again.
Eileen
Married, was he, thinkst thou?
Annette
I’d bet on yes.
In truth, I think he lied in every word.
He swore to me “Buck Hunter” was his name.
(Eileen turns white.)
‘twas sad, but ‘tis most likely for the best.
The last day I laid eyes on him it was—
BOTH
July the twenty‐fifth.
(Annette looks at Eileen, stunned)
Eileen
I sat and read.
The sinking sun had set the lake ablaze,
So I could only see his silhouette
As he came lurching forward from the dock.
(Rob enters, clutching the hat.)
Rob
Eileen, I’m sorry, I’m‐
Eileen
All drenched in sweat.
And then collapsed upon the ground.
Rob
I’m so…
It’s all… all nature…
Eileen
Pounded on his chest
Will all my might, I gave a hundred breaths…
But all for naught. Alack.
(she cradles Buck’s head and looks to Annette)
And that was the…
Last time I kissed my father on the lips.
(Silence. Annette and Eileen stare at each other, each taking it in. Blackout
Art and Music in Our Souls 