Act I Scene 3

Act I scene 31

It is the next morning. Jonquil and her nurse Weig Mum stand on the balcony of Lanternon. Jonquil wears a white dress, with unfathomable lace and flounce suggesting an ethereal perfection but rags and grunge also. Her face is like a little girl's, with huge eyes which are expressive to the point of looking tortured.2

JONQUIL and WEIG MUM3

(Singing softly.) 4

Rain, rain, go away, come again another day...5

JONQUIL6

Go away, rain, Mr Violet is walking today.7

WEIG MUM8

Is he? I can't see him.9

JONCHéE10

Oh yes. He is a long, long way away. All I can see is that he wears a black hat.11

WEIG MUM12

Oh yes, then it is most certainly him. Jonquil, this is the man - that is swallowing all the hills. When he walks on them, they turn into sinking traps that can kill... when the hills are all gone, Ville Noir will be like a field of quicksand. 13

JONQUIL
And he will come to Lanternon, if I am not a good lady for it, and if I don't behave, he will walk down the hill the Estate is built on. And nightmares will come true.14

WEIG MUM15

The Violet man will destroy everything, Jonquil, no matter what you do now... maybe you have not been good enough. But maybe there will still be a way to stop him... I will look for an opportunity, precious.
(She holds Jonquil's shoulders kindly.)
Maybe you will be able to save Lanternon. We must keep the Estate hill.16

(Enter Wistful. Jonquil and Weig Mum are surprised.)17

JONQUIL18

(With huge eyes.)19

Good morning, sir.20

WISTFUL21

Good - good morning, madame.22

(Clearing his throat.)23

WEIG MUM24

(With a squint.)25

It's Wistful, dear!26

(Jonquil nods quickly, staring.)27

Would you like tea, Wistful?28

WISTFUL29

(With a small smile.)30

Thank you.31

(Exit Weig Mum. There is silence.)32

WISTFUL33

(Stiffly.)34

Will you please come over tonight. It will be a warm, windy night. The moon is full and the fields are like velvet. All the trees around my house are still green.35

JONQUIL36

It sounds lovely.37

WISTFUL38

(Mumbling.)39

Yes - it will be very lovely, particularly if you are there...40

JONQUIL41

Shall I know all your guests?42

WISTFUL43

Yes, there will be only the Lad and Damysel that live on Billy Street, and the Weig Mum, if she will come.44

JONQUIL45

She will not want to. The Weig Mum sleeps when the moon is awake.46

WISTFUL47

She's wise. But all the wisest people in the world couldn't have a happier party than we shall have. Are we going down the stairs? Let me escort you. Your hand, please...48

(They descend.)49

Oh, you are trembling, my lady!50

JONQUIL51

(Sharply.)52

I? No, not I!53

WISTFUL54

Oh... was I mistaken... I'm sorry.55

(He hangs his head.)56

JONQUIL57

(Very kindly.)58

Good day, Wistful.59

WISTFUL60

(More happily.)61

Good day, madame.62

(Exit Wistful.)63

JONQUIL64

(Looking after him.)65

Wistful - I thought you'd never come see me... I don't know why I thought that. I wish I knew what to say, but I just barely believe you're back. You're the most beautiful sort of friend.66

CURTAIN