31 Plays in 31 Days, #28 - “Not Like You Mean”

[breakinglight11]

Ugh. I am struggling. But onward to the finish.

Bernie had an idea that maybe one day Justin and Rosaline would get married out of convenience and companionate connection, but remain the open libertines that they’ve always been. I’m not sure if I like that, but it’s an idea worth exploring. It occurred to me what people would think if Justin, so vocally against ever settling down in ANY way, would react… particularly Clara, given certain concepts that arose when I was working out their breakup, in #3 - Rake and Coquette.

There’s also a little gesture towards #5 - Sisters Against Strange Men.


Photo by John Benfield

Day #28 - Not Like You Mean
From the Mrs. Hawking
By Phoebe Roberts

JUSTIN HAWKING, a liberated gentleman, late thirties
CLARA HAWKING, his lady sister in law and former paramour, late thirties

London, 1892
~~~

(In NATHANIEL’s study, JUSTIN is finishing off a brandy before heading off to bed. He is surprised to see CLARA enter.)

JUSTIN: Clara, darling. I didn’t know you were still awake.

CLARA: I had to ask… is it true?

JUSTIN: I beg your pardon?

CLARA: That you’re married.

JUSTIN: Ah. I suppose Nathaniel told you.

CLARA: I only ask because the heavens still seem to be in the sky where I left them. I’ve heard no word from the devil that hell has frozen.

JUSTIN: I’ll have to ask him at Vivian’s next party. She always seems to have one of those spiritualists skulking about.

(Pause.)

JUSTIN: Never thought you’d see the day, eh?

CLARA: Certainly not. Particularly after your endless protestations of it.

(Pause.)

CLARA: How?

JUSTIN: Well. I suppose it’s a bit of a story. Not… entirely fit to tell a lady.

CLARA: No… what was it? Why now? Why her?

JUSTIN: Oh.

(Pause.)

JUSTIN: Clara, it’s not what you’re thinking.

CLARA: And what is that? After years saying you could never marry anyone, and most certainly not me?

JUSTIN: It wasn’t you, Clara.

CLARA: Oh? Because that’s what you said. “Did you think I would marry you? You’re not as special as you think you are.”

JUSTIN: Oh, God. You remember that?

CLARA: How could I forget?

(Pause.)

JUSTIN: It’s not… what you mean, when you say marriage. It’s not… promise, and children, and forsaking all others. Rosaline, she’s like me. She wants the same things— the same things I’ve always wanted. And she’ll be much safer doing it if she can call herself someone’s wife.

CLARA: Do you love her?

JUSTIN: You know, I rather think I do. But… not, I think, the way you mean.

CLARA: How is that?

JUSTIN: Like the way Nathaniel loves you. The way that you need.

(Pause.)

JUSTIN: You know we were never to be, Clara.

CLARA: Most certainly not.

JUSTIN: Then… you know it wasn’t because you weren’t enough.

(Pause.)

CLARA: What’s her name?

JUSTIN: Rosaline. Nee Pembroke.

CLARA: Not… Pembroke’s of London?

JUSTIN: (Chuckling) I’ve gone across enemy lines.

CLARA: You traitor, you. Shall I… get to meet her?

JUSTIN: You know… you may already have.