CASSANDRA: Scene Two
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
Scene 1 (cont.)
CASSANDRA
I see those forms moving before me, even now. The soldiers slaughtering each other, the women and children sobbing, lives being snuffed out. The war dragged on and on for years, but for me it was one bloody, endless night. Here I see my beloved brother—our beloved champion—Hector, being laid low by Achilles. There I see the champions of Greece hiding in a wooden steed, ready to pounce on a Troy in the throes of supposed victory. And here, I see Paris ending the bright spark of Achilles, even so shortly after he had won his revenge…
CLYTEMNESTRA
“Bright spark?” Shouldn’t you hate Achilles for what he did to Troy? To your brother?
(At this point, the bodies of the dead rise as restless spirits and depart the “battlefield.”)
CASSANDRA
In this history, yes. But before I saw them die, I saw a glimpse of another history that could have been. I saw Hector and Achilles, fighting side by side, exploring the world, achieving their destinies…but it was not to be. Their lives were snuffed out before their time was due, ended by a foolish war started by foolish people.
CLYTEMNESTRA
What else do you see?
CASSANDRA
I see my family being cut down. I see my once-sister, Helen, being taken by her husband, full of wrath and jealousy. And then I see…nothing more.
(In truth, a lone figure enters, watching CASSANDRA closely.)
CLYTEMNESTRA
Nothing?
CASSANDRA
Nothing.
(CASSANDRA and the lone figure watch each other, then the figure departs.)
CLYTEMNESTRA
I see.
(There is another pause.)
CLYTEMNESTRA
I should go back to the palace. You are free to go.
CASSANDRA
Thank you.
CLYTEMNESTRA
I am sorry for what has happened to you. I know not what you will do now, but I hope…I hope that you find peace.
CASSANDRA
I hope that you shall as well.
(CLYTEMNESTRA nods, then leaves. CASSANDRA watches her go. She then lets out a sigh of relief.)
CASSANDRA
I am free! And that blessed fog that covers my thoughts is back as well. Thank the…but Clytemnestra is right. Where shall I go? What shall I do with my new freedom? The world itself is open, and yet…it is unknown to me. In fact…in all the world right now, there is only one person I know that is still alive and I can easily find. But…would she even want to speak to me? In Troy, I saw into her eyes the night of the conquest. She understood where all others rejected my sight. Yes…she will help me. I should prepare to leave-(She looks around.) Is someone there?
(Pause.)
CASSANDRA
Strange. I thought I heard someone call my name. It floated gently upon the wind…(She suddenly looks frightened.) This place isn’t safe…I must go.
(CASSANDRA exits.)
(BLACKOUT)
SCENE 2
(The palace of MENELAUS. A gaudy, lavish throne room. MENELAUS and HELEN sit arguing.)
MENELAUS
So what do I have to do? Must I execute every man who enters my court?
HELEN
You are imagining things, my husband. He did not “make eyes” at me, and I certainly did not pay him any special attention. He simply greeted me, as is customary.
MENELAUS
Bah! Say what you will, I know what I saw! And I will not have you traipsing off with the first young man who strides into my throne room. Not again!
HELEN
Fine then, perhaps you will have me wear a blindfold, so that none may look into my eyes? Or perhaps a mask, so none may see my face? Will you still execute them for giving me a questioning look, wondering why the Queen of Sparta wears a mask? Will you still kill them in jealous rage for looking upon a beauty that they cannot see? Go on, then! Kill them all! Kill every man who helped you get me back, for surely they only served you for a decade because each and every one of them had their eye on me too!
MENELAUS
Enough of this! If I had known my wife had been replaced with a harpy, I would have left you to rot in Troy!
(MENELAUS exits, with HELEN shouting after him. CASSANDRA enters, veiled, watching this.)
HELEN
Left me in Troy?! You were responsible for hundreds of deaths, of your friends and your enemies, of soldiers and of innocents, and all you can say is that you should have left me in Troy?! You sicken me, you monster! You heartless wretch! I hope you get what’s in store for you! I hope you fall into Hades, and every soul you have wronged each tears you to pieces and devours you! You-
CASSANDRA
It is not becoming of the queen to curse her king, least of all not in public.
(HELEN whirls around.)
HELEN
Who are you?
CASSANDRA
A simple traveler, from a far-away land.
HELEN
Please, leave me be, I do not need my fortune told today.
(She makes to leave.)
CASSANDRA
What an oddly prescient thing to say.
(HELEN stops and turns back to CASSANDRA.)
HELEN
Do I know you?
CASSANDRA
An interesting question. What does it mean to truly know someone?
HELEN
Do I know your name, then?
CASSANDRA
Indeed, you have known it, though I’m sure it’s a name that you have not uttered in many months.
HELEN
It can’t be…
(HELEN reaches out and removes CASSANDRA’s veil.)
HELEN
Cassandra…!
(HELEN embraces CASSANDRA, who slowly reciprocates the gesture.)
HELEN
Gods above, it’s really you! You’re alive! I was so worried…
CASSANDRA
Yes, I live. As far as I know.
HELEN
What happened to you? After the siege…
CASSANDRA
I was taken by the one named Agamemnon.
HELEN
I know him. He is Menelaus’ brother.
CASSANDRA
Was.
HELEN
What? He’s dead? How? You didn’t-
CASSANDRA
No. Not I. His wife, Clytemnestra, was the one who did him in.
HELEN
Menelaus will be furious when he hears. So you must have escaped?
CASSANDRA
Yes. She meant to kill me too, but I managed to convince her to let me go. And now I am here.
HELEN
Have you heard from others? Other survivors?
(CASSANDRA remains silent.)
HELEN
I see.
CASSANDRA
No word. I fear the worst for them all.
HELEN
I’m sorry, Cassandra.
CASSANDRA
As am I. Their deaths were meaningless.
HELEN
…what brings you here?
CASSANDRA
Helen. You are the only one I know who has survived.
HELEN
It would seem that way. Do you need a place to stay? I’m sure I can provide you with-
CASSANDRA
No. I cannot stay here, especially if your husband figures out my relation to Agamemnon.
HELEN
You’re probably right. Then…what can I do for you?
CASSANDRA
You know what I was known for in my homeland.
HELEN
I have heard things, yes.
CASSANDRA
Then you know my condition.
HELEN
I suppose. I don’t know what you’re getting at, Cassandra.
CASSANDRA
Please, Helen. I saw into your eyes, I saw that hint of recognition that finally broke through the curse…I dictated everything that would happen to Troy. Everything!
HELEN
Cassandra, what are you talking about? You’re starting to frighten me…
CASSANDRA
Helen…I can see that which has not yet come to pass. I can see into the future.
(HELEN balks, laughing slightly.)
HELEN
Wh…what? You jest…and here I thought you were serious!
(CASSANDRA takes HELEN by the arms and looks into her eyes.)
CASSANDRA
No, Helen, listen to me. You were there when I declared that Troy would burn. And you saw me that terrible night when it happened. I looked into your eyes, and I saw that you understood. Don’t turn away from me now. Please. You know that I was right.
(HELEN squirms, physically reacting to what she is being told.)
HELEN
You…you are right. You described everything…down to the last detail. It only struck me as the soldiers of Greece breached the walls that it was your words that were ringing in my ears. But…that’s impossible. Nobody can tell the future.
CASSANDRA
You can. If you were touched by a god.
HELEN
A god? Truly? You’ve been blessed by a god?
CASSANDRA
Not blessed, no. Cursed. By Apollo. I am doomed to tell the future and no man, woman, or child shall believe me.
HELEN
By Apollo? But why?
CASSANDRA
He…told me that he loved me. But I could not love him back.
HELEN
You rebuked him.
CASSANDRA
I had to! He is a god. Our lives mean nothing to them. We live and die in the time it takes a god to blink. I could give myself to him, be his plaything, and then be tossed aside when he had grown bored of me. Or I could have refused him. Either way, I paid the price.
HELEN
It is truly a terrible thing to catch the attention of the gods, no matter how “pure” their intentions may seem. My dear Paris could attest to that…judge our contest, win the woman of your dreams…they forgot to say that he’d also cause a war that would end in his people’s demise.
More to come!