Evening High School - Owl Yearbook (Reading, PA)

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THE OWL 99 FAREWELL TO DREAMS A One-Act Play By Ellen Britton Claire Gordon - the girl. Anne Gordon - her sister. Larry Gordon - her brother. David Stuart - the man. Announcer - Scene I. The study of the Gordon home. I As the curtain rises We discover Anne reading at a table. Claire enters and wanders aimlessly about the room. Anne watches her for a few moments then speaks. Anne: If you'd get over the illusion that you're in love with David Stuart you'd be a lot happier. Claire Cbitterly D: I suppose Jerry told you? I might have known he Would. , . Anne: No, he didn't tell me. I knew it last spring. Claire lincredulouslybz You - knew - it - last - spring? ' amazedlyl But how? I thought I guarded my secret jealously. Anne iamusement patent in her voicejz Nonsense. One needed only to look at you when his name was men- tioned. You might as Well have shouted it from the housetops. Claire Cdespairinglyl: I should have realized youid guess it. lDefiantly J Yes, I do love him! What of it? Anne Cnonchalantlylx Nothing - only I think you're a fool. You've one chance in a million of ever meeting him. Claire: live already met him. Anne: Cincredulouslyl : Claire! Claire: You must think me an even bigger fool than I really am if you think I'd fall in love With a man I'd never even met. Yes, I met him lruefullyb though I've no reason to suppose that he will remember it. It Was after his concert, Pop said, and this is my daughter, Claire? David smiled and said, So you're

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98 THE OWL drifted in different directions. A few had gone to the hotel for something, others sat on the beach smoking and the rest went out in motor boats. A few minutes later, he heard a motor boat with a terrific exhaust. It sounded as though it was traveling very fast. Looking up, he saw her with another girl riding an aquaplane. She was standing erect, the salt spray splashing her face and she seemed to enjoy it, too. He admired her poise and could just see the wicked little gleam of mis- chief in her large, brown eyes. They always gleamed like that when there was some sort of excitement. Now her body leaned a little forward and to one side as the boat went into a wide turn and the two of them brought the board around without upsetting. He got a little drowsy after Watching them awhile and doiedi off to sleep. The next thing he knew someone jumped over him and scattered sand over him. Sitting up and shaking the sand out of his hair he saw her run- ning toward the car and what was left of the crowd was getting ready to leave because they all wanted to get home before sundown. Shouting good-by to the others, he strolled to the car and started for home. Neither one said a word. I guess they were both rather tired. When they arrived at home, she hopped out of the car and went into the house while he put the car in the garage. A few minutes later when he came strolling into the house, she was waiting for him by the fireside and had his slippers at the edge of his big chair. After he had changed to his slippers and settled back in his chair, she sat on his lap and put her head on his chest. . It certainly was comfortable to hold her on his lap. It gave him a feeling of satisfaction. VVhere else could one find such a companionship ex- cept in his dog?

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100 THE OWL Mr. Gordon's daughter. That smile was my flnish. lPauseD Cruminativelyl Funny things, hearts. A smile a glance, and pouf-they belong to someone else. CI-Jausel That was over two years ago .... Anne: But, Claire, it's all so foolish, so hopeless. Claire Csighinglz I suppose it is- to you, but to me, I love him and I'm glad of it. If it wasn't for being in love with him I'd have gone on drifting, doing nothing, idly dreaming just as I've always done. It's only be- cause I want to be worthy of him that I'm trying to make myself into the kind of woman. who could win his respect and admiration and perhaps Cvery softlyj perhaps his love. Anne: Granted, its a good thing you're making yourself over, how are you going to meet him again? Claire: I'll manage, somehow. And then .... Anne Ccuriouslyl: And then, what? Claire Cslowly, brokenlylz I don't know! I don't know! Anne Cstill curiouslz How do you expect this meeting to take place? Claire: Larry will be singing at the Metropolitan someday. Anne Cvehementlylz Claire, you're crazy. It'll be years before that happens, if it ever does. Claire Lstaunchly, loyallyl: I-Ieill get there. I know he will. Listen I Ca voice is heard singing La Reve from Manen, the last few barsb. CClaire callsl Larry? Larry: Yes. Claire: Sing HE. Lucevan Le Stellef' please. Larry sings. Anne: Very well, he'll get there. CSoberlyD But, Claire, it will take at least five years. Claire: Cquietlylz I know. i Anne: Cquestioninglylz And in the meantime? Claire Cquietly but Hrmlylz Work, study and Qsoftlyb dream. Anne: Cpityinglyb: I still think you're a fool.