CASSANDRA: Part 8
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!
Act Two
Scene Two
(HELEN and HECUBA are in the kitchen, having breakfast. CASSANDRA wanders into the kitchen, looking like a living zombie. She clearly has not slept at all. HELEN slightly jumps when she sees CASSANDRA.)
HELEN
Mom! Are you okay?
CASSANDRA
Huh? What do you mean, sweetheart?
HELEN
You look dead! (HECUBA elbows her.) Ow! What was that for?
HECUBA
Rude!
CASSANDRA
Oh…I didn’t get any sleep at all last night…
HECUBA
You were thinking about him, weren’t you?
HELEN
Now who’s rude?
(HECUBA gives HELEN a severe stare.)
CASSANDRA
Don’t be silly, Hec.
HECUBA
Mom…
CASSANDRA
I’m fine, dear. Just tired, that’s all. Nothing a cup of coffee can’t fix!
HELEN
Are you sure you’ll be okay, Mom? I can stay home from school if you need someone around.
CASSANDRA
Very funny, Helen. You know you’ve missed enough school this year already!
HELEN
Just trying to help…
HECUBA
Uh-huh, sure, sis.
HELEN
Oh wait! Does this mean you can actually pick us up from school today?
CASSANDRA
I think so. It depends on how long the cable guy takes.
HELEN
Can we go out to dinner tonight for once?
(CASSANDRA chuckles.)
CASSANDRA
What, you don’t like my refrigerated dinners?
HELEN
They’re good! I just…sometimes want something that’s just been cooked…
HECUBA
Helen!
CASSANDRA
It’s okay, Helen. I understand. Sure, we can do that tonight.
HELEN
Really? Thanks Mom! You’re the best!
CASSANDRA
You’re welcome, dear. I love you both. Alright, let’s get you girls to school.
(HELEN and HECUBA bound out of their seats, grabbing their belongings. CASSANDRA wearily follows.
The office. CASSANDRA stares at her computer screen, inches from falling asleep. KEVIN pokes his head into the office.)
KEVIN
Cassie, before you go, can you get those reports to me? (Pause.) Cassie? (He enters.) Cassie, are you listening? (He approaches CASSANDRA.) Jesus, Cass, are you okay?
(KEVIN puts his hand on CASSANDRA’s shoulder. She immediately recoils, pushing him away.)
CASSANDRA
Don’t touch me!
KEVIN
Woah! I’m sorry!
CASSANDRA
Oh god, Kevin, it’s just you. I’m so sorry, you startled me.
KEVIN
Are you alright, Cassie? You look like you’ve seen a ghost. I didn’t frighten you that bad, did I?
CASSANDRA
I’m sorry, Kevin. I’ve just been out of it all day.
KEVIN
Even more than yesterday?
CASSANDRA
Yeah, sorry, I didn’t get any sleep last night.
KEVIN
Did something happen?
CASSANDRA
Well, I…no, it’s nothing.
KEVIN
Are you sure?
CASSANDRA
Yes, I’m fine.
KEVIN
Cassie…do you need to head home early? You look exhausted.
CASSANDRA
I’m heading home in an hour. I’m okay, I promise.
KEVIN
I never believe your promises…
CASSANDRA
What’s that supposed to mean? Is this about-
KEVIN
No, sorry, that’s not what I meant to say. I just meant that you’re…
CASSANDRA
Untrustworthy.
KEVIN
Magnanimous.
(CASSANDRA arches an eyebrow.)
CASSANDRA
What?
KEVIN
That’s not right, is it?
CASSANDRA
I don’t think so…
KEVIN
I never know what to say around you. Words stop making sense. They lose definition.
CASSANDRA
Kevin, stop…
KEVIN
Why do you keep pushing me away? I’m just trying to be friendly.
CASSANDRA
You…remind me of someone when you do that.
KEVIN
What? Who?
CASSANDRA
I’d rather not say.
KEVIN
I’m…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to open up old wounds.
CASSANDRA
No, it’s fine…(There is a pause.) Look, I need to finish up my work before I go home.
KEVIN
Right. Well…take care of yourself. Get some rest.
CASSANDRA
Will do.
(KEVIN leaves. CASSANDRA goes back to her desk, then packs up and leaves.
The street. APOLLO waits in the same location as the previous evening. He makes eye contact with CASSANDRA as she passes by. It lasts far too long. She picks up speed, quickly walking by. Leisurely, he eventually follows.
Home, the living room. CASSANDRA sits on the couch. She looks around nervously and checks her phone.)
CASSANDRA
Where is he? He was supposed to be here already. Ugh, never trust the cable company.
(The doorbell rings and CASSANDRA jumps slightly. She catches her breath and puts her phone on the table. She goes to the door and opens it. APOLLO is standing outside.)
CASSANDRA
You!
(She tries to slam the door, but APOLLO pushes his way in. CASSANDRA backs away from him as he closes and locks the door.)
CASSANDRA
You followed me. How? I drove like hell out of there.
APOLLO
I knew where you lived, Cassandra. I’ve been watching you for a very long time.
CASSANDRA
Who the hell are you?
APOLLO
Do names matter anymore? I am. I have been. You know me, Cassandra.
CASSANDRA
Stop calling me that! That’s not my name!
APOLLO
I’m impressed. You made yourself forget everything, just like you said. You truly are a brilliant woman. I thought I had lost you for good this time. But I always sniff you out in the end.
CASSANDRA
Forget? I don’t understand. What are you talking about?
APOLLO
Remember, Cassandra. Remember your destiny, your fate. Remember what has transpired, and remember what will come to be. You have two gifts, gifts that I instilled in you. I am Apollo of the Sun, and I am your lord.
CASSANDRA
Apollo? You’re fucking insane, is what you are.
APOLLO
And yet you know the truth, Cassandra of Troy.
CASSANDRA
Troy…?
(APOLLO quickly approaches CASSANDRA, backing her up against the wall. He reaches towards her as she tries to jerk away. He touches his fingers to her temple, and she gasps as her mind floods with images of the past.)
Bryce Duzan will be wrapping up his play this month, just in time for this year’s festival to begin on November 6! Keep your eyes on the site for the conclusion, this year’s exciting schedule, and more!