56
MOTHER: (smiles grimly) You're a funny thing, Jo.
JO: (smiles) How is she, anyway?
MOTHER: Still the same. Do you want to say anything to
her? Come on, come and talk to her.
(The MOTHER stands and moves aside as, with a
little trepidation, JO comes around and sits by
CYNTHIA, taking her hand in hers.)
JO: (laughs self consciously) I don't know what to
say.
BECKY: Say hello.
JO: (pause) Hi, Cynthia, it's Jo. (pause) Can she
hear me?
MOTHER: I like to think so but I don't know. (pause)
Don't feel silly, talk to her from your heart.
JO: (pause) There's a lot of people who care about you
that are hoping and praying for you...We're on
your side...Don't give up, Cynthia, don't give up.
(Fade to blackout.)
SCENE 8:
The grassy hill. CYNTHIA and the BOY are sitting under the
tree. CYNTHIA has the pan pipes and is improvising, she is
quite skilful now although a little rough around the edges.
The tune is sometimes filled with turmoil, sometimes slow and
sad, she finishes on a long, low, sad note.
BOY: It seems you have a gift for playing the pipes,
You have learnt all that I taught swiftly.
CYNTHIA: I've had a good teacher.
BOY: But the tune I just heard I did not teach,
'Twas sad and heavy and full of turmoil.
Such free-flowing music betrays your thoughts,
Can it be that you have a change of heart?
The music never lies, what troubles thee?
CYNTHIA: I was thinking about my little sister...I was
thinking that I've deserted her. (pause) You see
I promised her I wouldn't leave her...and I
have...She trusted me and I've broken my promise
to her.
