31 Plays in 31 Days, #3 - "Gentle"

[breakinglight11]

Content note: sexual assault.

I have been very interested lately in exploring what Mrs. and Colonel's Hawking's marriage was like. Part of it is because I find the exquisite torture of their disconnection to be fascinating high drama. I've been toying with the idea of collecting a series of scenes that are representative of their relationship and recording them as a chapter-based audio drama. But it's also useful for me to be able to understand what went on between them that informed who my protagonist is today.

One thing that's become increasingly clear— as Mrs. Hawking herself says in part III —she did not "spring into the world fully formed a crusader for justice." She had to come to the realization that the world worked in unfair ways, that it didn't have to be the way it was, and that she could fight to break free of her oppressions. So going through the circumstances of her marriage demonstrates the moments that led to her realizing what was wrong. It also means that the first time she encountered it all, she didn't necessarily immediately respond with outrage and defiance— even if she had a gut reaction that something is not right.

This scene, Victoria and Reginald's wedding night, is one such moment. I also enjoy the tragedy and pain of Reginald's position. He's trying so hard to be what he thinks he ought to be— and he's doing something awful without realizing it. My goal here was to write (spoiler) the gentlest rape in the world.



Day #3 - “Gentle”
by Phoebe Roberts

CAPTAIN REGINALD PRESCOTT HAWKING, hero of the Indian rebellion, just married
VICTORIA HAWKING, his new bride

Singapore, 1860
~~~

(VICTORIA sits on the bed, in her nightdress, with her hair down. Enter REGINALD in his robe. He pauses a moment, watching her.)

REGINALD: Evening, Mrs. Hawking.

(She turns to look at him.)

REGINALD: I’m not the first, am I?

(Pause as she realizes his meaning.)

VICTORIA: No. The vicar said it at the end of the ceremony. But it’s… still strange to hear.

REGINALD: Victoria Hawking. It has a ring to it. Have you come through all the fuss all right?

VICTORIA: I suppose. But it was a lot of people. I wish it hadn’t been… all so much.

REGINALD: Goodness, I know. I’d rather have slipped off to some little church somewhere to do the deed. Of course that was never to be, marrying a governor’s daughter. But at least it’s done.

VICTORIA: Is it?

REGINALD: Well. It’s just the two of us now.

VICTORIA: That’s the part I mean.

REGINALD: I see. And… what do you make of that?

VICTORIA: I don’t know what to think.

REGINALD: Did no one tell you?

VICTORIA: Elizabeth did. A little.

REGINALD: (Amused) Oh, dear. I shudder to wonder.

VICTORIA: I know what it is. But I don’t… know about it. I’ve never done it before.

REGINALD: Of course not.

VICTORIA: Have you?

(Pause.)

REGINALD: A long time ago. I was little more than a boy. But I’ve been concerned with other things since then. Until you, that is.

(Pause.)

REGINALD: Did you never think of it?

VICTORIA: No.

REGINALD: Hm. I expect a lot of girls don’t.

(Pause.)

REGINALD: But I’ve thought about you. Perhaps… longer than was gentlemanly.

VICTORIA: Really?

REGINALD: Are you surprised?

VICTORIA: I… I don’t know.

REGINALD: Looking at you… I’ve never seen a girl like you— the… lines of you, so lean, so strong. It’s not something you find much in London girls. It’s… most intriguing.

(Pause.)

REGINALD: You’re a remarkable young woman, Victoria. And I should very much like to see you. All of you. Would that be all right?

VICTORIA: I feel strange.

REGINALD: You needn’t be shy anymore. Not around me.

(Pause.)

REGINALD: Are you afraid?

VICTORIA: I don’t know.

REGINALD: Don’t be, Victoria. It’s me.

VICTORIA: Only it seems so… awkward.

REGINALD: (Chuckling) Perhaps. But it can be love itself, my dear. Please. Let me show you.

(Pause.)

VICTORIA: Will it hurt?

REGINALD: I’ll be gentle. I promise.