A LAST BREATH comes up, MODIFYING into the ELECTRIC CRACKLE of PURL’S MACHINE. It PEAKS. SILENCE.
OVER:
JACK
(At last)
Oh yes, that happened too—
(Quieter)
—more than once.
TABLEAU EIGHT: WHEN THE GREEN FIELD COMES OFF LIKE A LID
BRING UP the SOUND OF BIRDS in PURL’S garden. JACK is planting rosebushes, humming slightly, atonally (the MUSIC BOX tune). FOOTSTEPS ON GRASS, as MRS. BENTHAM approaches.
MRS. BENTHAM
Good morning, Stephen. A lovely day, isn’t it?
JACK
Very. Won’t you sit down?
MRS. BENTHAM
Just for a moment. Did Dr. Purl tell you to plant those bushes?
JACK
Bowker said I might, if I kept out of his way.
MRS. BENTHAM
Such a heavenly smell. I’m told you do very good work here,
in the garden.
JACK
As my position requires.
(Off her reaction)
The truth is, I enjoy it. That makes me try harder.
MRS. BENTHAM
Fair enough.
(A beat)
Oh, I had meant to ask you: Did you tamper with Asa’s
bandages last night, by any chance?
JACK