Here’s another installment of Bryce Duzan’s CASSANDRA play, which we’re serializing this year to help build your appetite for the festival in November. Enjoy!
CASSANDRA
by Bryce Duzan
Act Two
Scene One
(CASSANDRA’s bedroom. CASSANDRA is asleep. It is now modern day. CASSANDRA awakes with a start, gasping. She looks wildly about the room, a look of confusion on her face. Finally, she lies back down, looking fearful.
The sun rises, and CASSANDRA awakes again. She dresses and goes to the dining room, where HELEN and HECUBA. They are not the characters from the first act; rather, CASSANDRA’s teenage daughters. They greet her with a chorus of “Hi, Mom!” CASSANDRA stands, looking confused again. Then, she slowly smiles.)
CASSANDRA
Good morning, girls.
HELEN
How’d you sleep?
CASSANDRA
Alright. I had the strangest dream, though.
HECUBA
What was it about?
CASSANDRA
I don’t…exactly remember. It’s all a haze right now. But it was so vivid!
HELEN
I’m sure it’ll come back to you.
CASSANDRA
Me too. How did you two sleep?
HELEN
Good! I was exhausted from our soccer game last night, so I was out like a light.
HECUBA
I slept good—
CASSANDRA
Slept well.
HECUBA
-I slept well, except for Helen snoring all night.
HELEN
Hec!
CASSANDRA
Mmhmm, I heard it too!
HELEN
Oh stop it, Mom!
(They all laugh.)
HECUBA
Can you pick us up from school today, Mom?
CASSANDRA
I don’t know. I’ll probably have to stay late tonight since I have to leave early tomorrow. We’re in crunch time right now and Kevin isn’t very happy about me leaving early, but I know all three of us will go insane if we go another day without internet. You’ll probably have to ask Stacey’s mom if she can drive you home today. I’m sorry.
HECUBA
That should be fine. Stacey said her mom was happy to drive us home.
CASSANDRA
That’s good. I just don’t want to be a burden on her.
HECUBA
I know.
HELEN
She just lives next door, Mom. I don’t think it’s that much of a burden.
CASSANDRA
I know, I know. Still, it’s the principle of the thing.
HELEN
Ooookay, Mom. (HELEN checks her phone.) Oh, we should go soon!
CASSANDRA
Okay, let me grab my stuff and I’ll drive you to school.
(CASSANDRA gets up, leaves for a moment, then comes back with a briefcase. HELEN and HECUBA both stand and hug CASSANDRA.)
HELEN
Love you, Mom.
(For a moment, CASSANDRA is frozen. She is unsure how to react. Her eyes well with tears, but she pushes them back and smiles.)
CASSANDRA
I…I love you too, girls. (She hugs them back.) Come on, let’s get you to school!
(CASSANDRA, HELEN, and HECUBA leave. The scene shifts to CASSANDRA’s office. She sits at her desk, giving her computer an odd look. A few moments pass before she shakes off her confusion and powers it on. She begins to work, slowly at first, her fingers clumsily hitting the keys on the keyboard. Eventually, she speeds up to a regular working pace. Office workers come and go, giving her documents or talking to her or other basic tasks. Each thing takes CASSANDRA a bit longer than normal to do. She is having trouble remembering everything. Soon, CASSANDRA is alone again. Then, KEVIN enters. KEVIN is a genial man in his mid-40s.)
KEVIN
Hey, Cassie, mind if I come in?
CASSANDRA
Oh…Kevin! Yeah, come in. What’s up?
KEVIN
Is everything alright?
CASSANDRA
What do you mean?
KEVIN
Everyone has been saying that you’re not yourself today.
CASSANDRA
Not myself?
KEVIN
Yeah…like you’re a zombie or something.
CASSANDRA
Oh…no, everything’s fine.
KEVIN
Are you sure?
CASSANDRA
I’ve just felt like I’m in a daze today, that’s all.
KEVIN
Why?
CASSANDRA
I’m not sure…I had a weird dream last night that I can’t even remember, and now I feel all strange.
KEVIN
Hmm…do you want to take the rest of the day off?
CASSANDRA
What? No, I’m fine. Really.
KEVIN
Are you sure?
CASSANDRA
Yes! Plus I’m already leaving early tomorrow. I don’t want to do that two days in a row.
KEVIN
Look, I know I was upset about you leaving early tomorrow, but your health is more important to me than quarterly reports.
CASSANDRA
I appreciate it, Kevin. But I’m fine, trust me! (She smiles.)
KEVIN
…alright. Well, let me know if you need anything, okay?
CASSANDRA
Thank you.
(KEVIN leaves and CASSANDRA continues to work. Eventually, night descends and CASSANDRA prepares to leave. The scene shifts to the street as CASSANDRA walks to her car. Under a street light, APOLLO stands watching her. He is much less resplendent than before, wearing plain clothes now. They lock eyes as CASSANDRA walks by. There is a moment of recognition from CASSANDRA.)
CASSANDRA
Who are you?
APOLLO
You know me, Cassandra.
CASSANDRA
What? No, I don’t. How do you know my name?
APOLLO
Remember, Cassandra. Remember.
CASSANDRA
I said I don’t know you! Leave me alone!
(CASSANDRA flees. APOLLO makes no attempt to follow her.)
APOLLO
Soon, Cassandra.
(The scene shifts again to CASSANDRA’s home. She is having dinner with HELEN and HECUBA. She is visibly shaken from the earlier encounter.)
HELEN
Mom? Mom. Mom. Mom!
(CASSANDRA snaps put of her trance.)
CASSANDRA
What…what is it, sweetie?
HELEN
You were spacing out again.
HECUBA
Are you okay, Mom?
CASSANDRA
Oh, yes, I’m fine.
HECUBA
Are you sure? You don’t look well.
CASSANDRA
I…ran into this guy when I was walking to my car after work. He…knew my name. But I didn’t know him. And…he frightened me. I don’t know why.
HELEN
That’s…really scary, Mom.
HECUBA
Did you call the police?
CASSANDRA
No…he didn’t follow me.
HECUBA
You should have someone walk you to your car tomorrow.
CASSANDRA
I should be fine. I’m going home early tomorrow.
HECUBA
Okay…just be careful, Mom.
CASSANDRA
I will.
(CASSANDRA hugs her daughters, then retires to her room. She lays in bed, but does not fall asleep. Her eyes are wide open, and she is afraid. Before long, it is morning again. She drags herself out of bed, dresses, and meets her daughters for breakfast in the kitchen.)
Keep checking in every month for more installments!