The Anarchist Read Free Page A

: About God.
    ANN : And would you bring him your manuscript?
    CATHY : No.
    ANN : Why?
    CATHY : I believe it would upset him.
    ANN : Why?
    CATHY : My father’s a Jew.
    (Pause.)
    ANN : Would he think it Heresy?
    CATHY : Well, it might be, to his mind, just the one more crime.
    ANN : To have changed your “covenant.”
    CATHY : That’s right.
    ANN : Is it a crime?
    CATHY : No. People change.
    ANN : And you want to talk to him about God.
    CATHY : I want to . . . I want, no.
    ANN : You said you want to talk to him about God.
    CATHY : I want him to experience Grace.
    ANN : Through Christ.
    CATHY : No, he won’t embrace Christ.
    ANN : Then how would you enable him to Experience Grace? Believing as you do? (Pause) You’re tired.
    CATHY : Yes.
    ANN (Reads from a file) : You didn’t have breakfast.
    CATHY : They offered it to me.
    ANN : Would you like me to get something . . .?
    (She picks up the phone.)
    CATHY : I want to see my father. To allow him to Forgive me.
    ANN (Pause; puts the phone down) : Is it your intention to publish the book?
    CATHY : If I were to be allowed. Or of course . . .
    ANN : Yes?
    CATHY : If I were released.
    ANN : In which case . . .?
    CATHY : I would need no permission.
    (Pause.)
    ANN : The royalties . . .
    CATHY : The royalties, would, under the law, still accrue to the
    Families. If I . . . if I remained . . .
    ANN : And if you were released?
    CATHY : After my father’s death, I’m going to assign them the money.
    ANN : The royalties ?
    CATHY : No. My inheritance.
    ANN : You’re going to give them part of your inheritance?
    CATHY : No. All of it.
    (Pause.)
    ANN : That’s an extraordinary sum of money.
    CATHY : That’s right.
    ANN : Does it concern you that the Board might consider that a sort of bribe.
    CATHY : Perhaps it is.
    ANN : And is it?
    CATHY : My motives are sufficiently opaque to me. I doubt the Board can see them clearly.
    ANN : I believe the Board might consider that a bribe.
    CATHY : Then don’t tell them. I’m not telling the Board. I’m telling you.
    ANN : To influence my decision?
    CATHY : Can you conceive of any thing that one in my position might do with a different motive? (Pause) I’m an old woman. I would like to be released.
    ANN : I understand. Upon what grounds?
    CATHY : Would you mock me for suggesting “kindness.”
    ANN : “Kindness to the wicked is cruelty to the Just.” Where is that written?
    CATHY : I don’t know.
    ANN : It’s in the Bible. Isn’t it?
    CATHY : I . . .
    ANN : It’s in Proverbs.
    CATHY : I don’t know . . .
    ANN (Looking at files) : But you studied The Bible. You’re on record. As having requested a copy. A, a Bible. Some time ago. (Reads) “A Concordance Bible” . . . to replace . . .
    CATHY : Yes. The other was lost.
    ANN : To “continue your studies.” It was . . .
    CATHY : . . . yes.
    ANN (Checks file) : “Lost, misplaced, or stolen.” In your last move.
    CATHY : Who would steal a religious book?
    ANN : Someone might. With your notes. And your name in it.
    CATHY : Why?
    ANN : To sell it. (Pause) For quite a bit of money.
    (Ann takes the Bible from her briefcase and hands it to Cathy.)
    â€œA Concordance Bible.”
    CATHY : Yes. I remember it. At the beginning.
    ANN : You may keep it.
    CATHY : I remember it. Thank you.
    ANN : You’re welcome.
    CATHY : How . . .?
    ANN : It was advertised. In a rare book catalog. And it was purchased.
    CATHY : . . . yes?
    ANN : For quite a lot of money. And it came to the notice of the Board.
    CATHY : What happened to the money?
    ANN : What do you think?
    CATHY : It went to the Officer’s family?
    ANN : Eventually. That’s correct.
    (Pause.)
    CATHY : Who stole it?
    ANN : I am not permitted to “discuss a criminal enterprise” with you. Isn’t it funny?
    CATHY : And who bought it?
    ANN : I . . .
    CATHY : At the auction. Was it an auction?
    ANN : Yes.
    CATHY : Whoever bought it.