PARTISAN REVIEW
483
or "Mitch" or "Mitya." Or "X." You would be obliged to an–
swer. Or anyone of a cascade of names here, if one opened up
for your use. Some of these names are adorable!
(Flips through note–
book; addresses audience. As he speaks
SHELLEY
approaches him
with the knife raised, as if hypnotized. )
Listen to this -lovely
names, lovely American sounds - Debby, Rose Ann, Ruthie, Dora
Lee, Suzy, Bitsy, Dolly, Blondie, Annie, Kitsie, Kitty-
SHELLEY: You love them and not me....
PETER: Franny, Barbie, Sylvie, Laurie, Trixie, Shelley, Nancy,
Kathy....
SHELLEY
(screaming):
You love them and not me!
SHELLEY
runs at him with the knife.
PETER
backs up, alarmed.
PETER: Of course I love them! I love all of them and I love you.
They are your sisters. You should love them yourself!
SHELLEY: You love them and not me!
PETER: You are only names in my book, why are you upset? You
know what your place is among them! You are lovely little girls,
you are lovely little names. None of you exist. You are only names
in my book, don't worry, you are all loved equally, I will take care
of you, you would all have died years ago except for lovers like
me-
SHELLEY
(shaking her head):
You love them and not me!
PETER: I love them and I love you. I love all of you. It's all the
same girl. What would you do without me? I tunnel inside you,
I put you to sleep, I liberate you, I take you gently apart in hand–
fuls, I put you back together again, I take you apart, I put you
back together, I take you apart, I put you back together-
SHELLEY: I want to be the only one you love! Only me!
PETER: But there isn't any you. What do you mean?
SHELLEY
(about to rush at him):
I can see you. I know you. I can
see my hand. I can see this knife. I am going to kill you,
I
am
going to kill you....
I am going
to kill you.... I know that I am
going to do something after all these weeks, it's myself that will do
it,
I
am going to do it....
PETER
(with his arms outspread, smiling):
Yes, but why?
SHELLEY: Why ...?
PETER: Why are you going to do it?
SHELLEY
(confused):
Why ...? I don't know....
PETER: It isn't you, but an evil spirit in you. Who is it? Who is
poisoning you against me?
