Golem Stories script excerpt

SCENE SEVEN

 

(The GOLEM is sitting at the table, working with clay. Besides him are ten miniature figures he’s already made.  He is moving them about, enacting a story.)

GOLEM

There were three demons who lived in such and such a place.  One day a rabbi came, and he destroyed them.

(He smashes three figures.)

No.

(He rebuilds the figures.)

They were all friends.  And they did this and that.

(He dances them about, randomly.)

And then a girl came.  And they wanted right away to take her.

(He pushes a fourth figure in.) 

But she said, “No.”

(DEVORAH enters.  She stops and watches him.)

And then a ghost came, and they ran away.

(He makes a moaning sound, and they run.   He picks up one of the figures that he smashed before, and he works on it silently.)

DEVORAH

How come you can speak?

(The GOLEM is silent, engrossed in his task.)

Golem, answer me.  How come you can speak?

GOLEM

I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you expected an answer.

DEVORAH

So what is it?  How can you speak?

GOLEM

According to your father, the gift of speech is given by God.  I suppose God must have given it to me.

DEVORAH

Why?

GOLEM

I don’t know.

DEVORAH

Demons are supposed to have powers, too.  In many stories, they can speak.  Did God give them that power?

GOLEM

I suppose.

DEVORAH

You shouldn’t speak to my sister.

GOLEM

Why not?

DEVORAH

I don’t have to explain myself.  It’s an order.  I can give you any order I wish.

GOLEM

True.

(Pause.  DEVORAH continues to watch him.)

I don’t like your order.

DEVORAH

It doesn’t matter if you like my order.

GOLEM

True.

(Pause.)

Of course, if God has given me the power of speech, maybe you should not give me the opposite order.

DEVORAH

What do you know about God?

GOLEM

Very little.

DEVORAH

It upsets my sister to hear you talk.  You remind her of Joseph.

GOLEM

I am Joseph.

DEVORAH

You are a demon.

GOLEM

True.

DEVORAH

Stop saying that.

GOLEM

What?

DEVORAH

True.

GOLEM

Why?

DEVORAH

Because I order it.

GOLEM

Oh.

(Pause.)

DEVORAH

What are you doing?

GOLEM

Making little people.

DEVORAH

Why?

GOLEM

As presents.

DEVORAH

I saw you moving them around.

GOLEM

I was telling them a story.

DEVORAH

They are not alive.  They couldn’t hear you.

GOLEM

One of them is a wedding present.  You’re going to get married soon, aren’t you?

DEVORAH

As soon as Isaac returns from Poland.  You made me a present?

GOLEM

Yes.

DEVORAH

Which one?

(GOLEM puts out hand, with figure.)

GOLEM

This one.

(DEVORAH takes figure and looks at it.)

DEVORAH

It’s me.

GOLEM

Yes.

DEVORAH

I don’t know if I should accept it.  It seems a little like an idol.

GOLEM

What’s an idol?

DEVORAH

A statue, usually of a pagan God.

GOLEM

Are you a God?

DEVORAH

No, of course not.

GOLEM

Then I don’t understand your objection.

DEVORAH

They are usually made of clay, and they look human.

GOLEM

Like me?

DEVORAH

They don’t talk.

GOLEM

Maybe that’s why God gave me the power of speech.  So I wouldn’t be an idol.

DEVORAH

Nobody worships you.  It’s not the same.

GOLEM

Are you going to worship your statue?

DEVORAH

No.

GOLEM

Then it shouldn’t be a problem.  Think of it like a little golem.

DEVORAH

God forbid.  I don’t want it to come alive on me.

GOLEM

Why not?

DEVORAH

Who knows what it would do.

GOLEM

Protect you, probably.  I’ve made one for Isaac, as well.

DEVORAH

Isaac can protect himself.

(RIVKA enters.)

Remember what I said about her, Golem.

(DEVORAH exits.)

RIVKA

What did she say about me?

(Silence.)

What did she say?

(Silence.)

What are those things you’re making?

(Silence.)

Don’t you speak, anymore?

GOLEM

She told me not to talk to you.

RIVKA

She what?  Why?

GOLEM

She was afraid it would upset you, too much.

RIVKA

Why?

GOLEM

She was afraid I would remind you of me.

RIVKA

Of who?

GOLEM

Of Joseph.

RIVKA

Oh.  She’s right.  But it’s all right.  I’m getting more used to it.

(Pause.)

How come you’re speaking to me, then?

GOLEM

I’ve made you a present.

RIVKA

Did she order you not to speak to me?

GOLEM

Look.

(GOLEM holds out figurine.  RIVKA looks at it.)

RIVKA

It’s me.

GOLEM

True.

RIVKA

It’s very good.

GOLEM

Thank you.

RIVKA

How did you get so good?

GOLEM

I understand clay.

RIVKA

Yes.  Of course you do.

GOLEM

I’ve made two for your mother.  One of her, one of Bezalel.

RIVKA

Bezalel?  How do you know about Bezalel?

GOLEM

She told me.  Maybe he will come back to life, in this.

RIVKA

Don’t give her that.

GOLEM

Why not?

RIVKA

It will surprise her.  It will make her—unhappy.

GOLEM

Are you sure?

RIVKA

Yes.  I’m sure.  If necessary, I will order you not to give it to her.

(Pause.)

Assuming that means anything.  Did Devorah really order you not to talk to me?

GOLEM

They’re golems, not idols.  Why should they upset her?

RIVKA

You’re not answering me.  Did she order you not to talk to me?

GOLEM

Do you mind that I’m talking to you?

RIVKA

It’s not that, but—

GOLEM

I remember things.

RIVKA

What things?  What are you talking about?

GOLEM

Aren’t you going to tell me a story, today?

RIVKA

I don’t know if that’s such a great idea.

GOLEM

Then maybe I’ll tell you a story.

RIVKA

You’ll tell me a story?

GOLEM

Yes.  Why not?

RIVKA

The only stories you know, we’ve told you.

GOLEM

I can remember others.

RIVKA

What others?

GOLEM

I can remember you.

RIVKA

Golem, tell me, did my sister order you not to speak to me or didn’t she?

GOLEM

Call me Joseph.

RIVKA

You are not Joseph.

GOLEM

Rivka.

RIVKA

Answer my question.

GOLEM

You are Rivka.

RIVKA

I’ll need to get my father.

GOLEM

Yes, she ordered me.

RIVKA

Then why are you disobeying her?

GOLEM

Do you mind?

RIVKA

I mind that you are disobeying her.

GOLEM

Rivka.

RIVKA

I’ll get my father.

GOLEM

I baked a special challah for you, every Friday.

RIVKA

What?

GOLEM

Once, I bought some earrings, and hid it inside the challah.  You almost broke your tooth, you said.

RIVKA

How do you know this, Golem?

GOLEM

My name is Joseph.

RIVKA

Joseph is dead.

GOLEM

Then why is he standing right in front of you?

(Pause.)

RIVKA

You really are a demon.

GOLEM

Yes.  And I am Joseph.

RIVKA

How can you be both?

GOLEM

I am possessed.

RIVKA

By what?

GOLEM

Myself.

RIVKA

No.  Just one stupid fact about those earrings doesn’t prove anything.

GOLEM

You promised to be faithful to me, near the well.

RIVKA

That was the story, not us.

GOLEM

That was us, as well.

RIVKA

You guessed.

GOLEM

He wanted right away to take her.

RIVKA

Joseph would never have spoken to me, like that.

GOLEM

It was from the story.

RIVKA

I have to go.

GOLEM

Your mother has a suitor in mind.  You will meet with him, in a few days.

RIVKA

I know.

GOLEM

It’s Moshe.

RIVKA

He is a very kind man.  My father says he is going to a Rabbi, just like Isaac.

GOLEM

He is not right for you.

RIVKA

How do you know?

GOLEM

Don’t tell anyone I spoke to you.

RIVKA

Why not?

GOLEM

I don’t think your father would be happy.

RIVKA

You’re full of surprises.

GOLEM

It seems that every time I surprise someone, they become unhappy.

RIVKA

You’re right.

GOLEM

Rivka.

RIVKA

Yes?

GOLEM

Remember what she did, in the story, when other suitors came?