PARTISAN
REVIEW
43
FRENCH STUDENT: You know, I suppose, that down there in the com–
munity center, in Grenoble, Thorez and Ilya Ehrenburg are being
feted by the town. We went to the meeting. Ehrenburg started off with
a panegyric for his government, then said hopes for preserving peace
now lie in the Red Army. In the discussion afterwards we asked him
if he was going to visit the founder of the Red Army up here in the
mountains.
The
STUDENTS
go ott laughing.
TROTSKY
comes forward, takes up
the telescope and looks through it.
15. THE EXECUTION
TROTSKY
straightens up.
NATALIA
appears at front.
TltOTSKY: Beautiful. Life is beautiful. This shining grass. White walls.
The blue sky behind you. It's a long time since I felt so well.
NATALIA
comes up beside him and puts a hand on his shoulder.
You know, Natalia, on this stage you are the main character.
(They
laugh)
We have lived together nearly forty years. Forty years. In–
conceivable without you.
NATALIA
kisses him on the forehead.
NATALIA: Jacson is outside. He wants to show you his essay.
TROTSKY: Yes, on the situation in occupied France. I can't imagine it
will say very much.
(He laughs)
But we must encourage him.
JACSON
appears at front from the side. He is wearing a hat and
holds a raincoat pressed against his side.
NATALIA
goes towards him.
NATALIA: Why the hat and coat? It's so hot.
JACSON: There are thunder clouds over the mountains. It might rain.
NATALIA: I've never seen you with a coat before, even in the rain.
JACSON
gives a nervous laugh.
You don't look well, Jacson.
JACSON: I feel a bit sick. Full up to here.
(He moves a hand jerkily to
his throat)
NATALIA: Would you like a cup of tea?
JACSON: Water, perhaps. I've got a terrible thirst.
NATALIA
goes ott.
JACSON
crosses to the desk. He clumsily extracts
a manuscript from the pocket of the raincoat, holding the coat close
against his body.
TROTSKY
takes the manuscript.
JACSON
sits on the
edge of the desk. He is still wearing his hat.
TltOTSKY: Good, it's typewritten. Makes it easier to read.
He bends over the manuscript, as at the beginning of the play.
NATALIA
comes in with a glass of water, which she gives to
JACSON.
He drinks
it
all.
