THE HOLLOW REED

A PLAY IN V ACTS

By

SVANUR GÍSLI THORKELSSON

The Characters

1. Mr.Alexander Bergmann approx, 60 years old music composer

2. Mr. Magni Antonsson 18 year’s old student

3. Ms. Elsa Hermannsdóttir 40 years old Musician and mother of     Magni

4. Ms. Sól Sverrisdóttir 18 - 20 year’s old fiancé of Magni

5. Ms. Freyja, Elsa’s mother

Act l

The surrounding is the workroom of a composer. There is a grand piano, expensive furniture, a large chiming clock, chairs and tables and books line the walls. The only sound effect which is constantly used is the ticking clock. It is magnified at the end of each act and fated again for the beginning of the next one in order to indicate the passing of time.

(Ring of a modern phone.)

Alex

(Picks up the phone after few rings and answers rather grumpily)

Hallo.

Elsa

Is this Alexander Bergmann?

Alex

Yes, this is Alexander.

Elsa

How are you Alex? This is Elsa.

Alex

Elsa.

Elsa

Yes Elsa Hermannsdóttir. (Silence.)  Are you still there?

Alex

Yes

Elsa

Aren’t you going to say something?

Alex

I do not know what to say. After all this time….

Elsa

Yes, it’s been awhile, hasn’t it?

Alex

Quite.

Elsa

Well then. I have a favour to ask of you.

Alex

A favour?

Elsa

Yes, a big favour.

Alex

Very well, what do you have in mind?

Elsa

It’s Magni. He is in trouble.

Alex

What kind of trouble.

Elsa

All kinds. (Short silence)

Alex

And how can I be of help?

Elsa

You can help straighten him out.

Alex

How?

Elsa

You can teach him.

Alex

Teach him what?

Elsa

Music, what else? I think he’s is a musician though he doesn’t know it. And I don’t know any one who can help him except you.

Alex

I have not taught in years. How old is he now, eighteen isn’t he? Surly it is too late.

Elsa

It’s not too late for anything.

Alex

I don’t know if this is such a good idea.

Elsa

Can’t you at least talk to him?

Alex

I can talk to him of course.

Elsa

Good, please help him Alex.

Alex

I will do what I can of course, but I really…

Elsa

That’s all really. Thank you.

Alex

But Elsa, what….

Elsa

I will send him to you tomorrow if that all right with you.

Alex

Do you know were I live?

Elsa

I have known for a long time. I hope you are as good as you used to be.

Alex

I don’t know if…

Elsa

Thank you Alex and good bye,  (Hangs up)

Alex

Elsa, Elsa…

Alex

(The next day the composer sits at his piano hard at work. Very faintly in the background, you can hear the ticking of the clock. There is a bussing of a doorbell and Alex gets up immediately to open the outdoor. The voices are heard as in a hallway) Ah, well. (Awkwardly) You are here then. How are you? Err my name is Alexander. But please just call me Alex.

Magni

Hi. I am Magni. You can call me Magni.

Alex

(Chuckles) Please come in. (Door closes) Can I take you coat?

Magni

Na, I think I’ll keep it on.

Alex

(They enter the study) This is my study. Just let me take this away. (Removes some papers from a chair.) there, will you have a seat?

Magni

Thanks. (Sits down)

Alex

            Ah so you are Magni, Elsa Son. How is you mother?

Magni

She is fine, just fine I think. You spoke to her yesterday, right?

Alex

And you are interested in music she told me.

Magni

Did she say that? Yeah, well I suppose that’s what I am here for. I was wondering if I could learn to play the piano.

Alex

The piano. Sure I have taught a few how to play the piano but not many recently. Can I see your hands please? (Magni stretches his hands forward and Alex examines his oil stained hands.) You have good hands Magni. But you need to get the oil off. The ivory will quickly become grimy if you are not careful. Do you work at a gas station?

Magni

No, I have a motorcycle. I’ve got some trouble with the clutch. I bought the bike from a mate of mine recently. I knew of course a lot was wrong with it. But what can you get for a grand and a case of beer?  I hear that you are very famous; are you?

Alex

Famous is hardly the word, but true, what do you get for money these days, or a case of beer. Why don’t you have a seat my boy? There are a few things we need to discuss. (Magni sits down) Can I offer you a cup of tea?

Magni

No, thanks I don’t drink tea.

Alex

Ah well. A cup of something else then?

Magni

No thank you I am fine.

Alex

Do you play any other instruments?

Magni

No.

Alex

Have you ever studied any music?

Magni

Not really, no.

Alex

Tell me, why do you want to learn to play the piano?

Magni

I don’t know. It was my mother’s idea actually. As you probably know, she plays the piano. She tried to teach me some when I was younger but I wasn’t interested. But now after I quit school, well I sometimes fool around with it. But it was she who decided to call you.

Alex

Your mother yes. She is a very talented woman. She could have gone far…Well…Are you determined to learn to play the piano? Why not the guitar?

Magni

I don’t have a guitar.

Alex

What do you play when you are fooling around at home?

Magni

Just something. I really just mess around.

Alex

(Sits down at the piano and hammers out the first notes in Beethoven’s fifth symphony)

Does this sound familiar to you? Listen, have you heard this before?

Magni

Maybe. I think I’ve heard mom play it sometimes.

Alex

It is the beginning of the most famous music ever written, the fifth symphony of Ludwig Van Beethoven. You must have heard of him.

Magni

He only wrote symphonies didn’t he? I really don’t listen to that stuff much. I quickly put on my earphones when she starts. All this classical stuff is too complicated. I really don’t get it at all.

Alex

Do you recognize this?

(Plays “Old man Noah)

Magni

That? That is just “Old man Noah” isn’t it?

Alex

Just so, but it is also the beginning of Beethoven’s fifth, played backward. (Plays the tune and then backward) Can you hear it? (Sings along dadada da)

Magni

Beethoven? So he wrote, “Old man Noah” as well. He must have been really famous.

Alex

He certainly was famous and still is. One of the most famous and best composer the world has ever seen. Nevertheless, he did not write, “Old man Noah” The author of that little tune was a man called Bellman. However, you can hear that this music, like all music really, is not complicated at all. It is based upon the same notes repeated again and again in different order. Fundamentally, music is repetitions, just like life. But let’s wait with the philosophic side for now. Perhaps you can tell me why you think that any given piece of music has such different effect on people.

Magni

What do you mean different effect?

Alex

Well, some are filled with exuberance when they hear something when others just get irritated hearing the same thing.

Magni

People just have different tastes.

Alex

Yes, people’s tastes are different, why do you think that is?

.

Magni

People just fancy different kinds of music, that’s all.

Alex

It looks like we have to get into the philosophy of music after all. Have you ever contemplated that in order to understand something we have to consider its purpose?

Magni

Eh No.

Alex

Music is no exception. Music is made for different purposes and the composer determines its purpose. Essentially, you tend to like the kind of music that speaks to your spirit. If your spirit is numb and your emotions few or simple, I dare say when your emotions are limited to your material longings, you don’t need more than a simple rhythm like beating of a drum to move you.

Magni

You way of saying things is so complicated way that I can hardly follow you. Can’t we just get started? Don’t you know some simple stuff you can teach me?

Alex

I am not a young man anymore Magni. In fact, I am getting so old that all I do matters. I have no time to waste. Oddly, the same is true of you. You are what, 18 years old and you do not know anything. Of course, you can learn how to play the piano, even get good enough to play in some band, but most would think it too late for you to become a great pianist. If it were not for the plea of your mother, I would not even have considered interviewing you. Before I can decide if I want to be your teacher, I have to be sure that you do have, what it takes. Just so you know it, I have absolutely no interest in just teaching you to play the piano.

Magni

I guess I am wasting both our time then.

Alex

Not so quickly my dear fellow. The most important thing for me to establish is what your attitude is. What is in your soul, if you like? Almost everybody can learn to read notes and practise playing until technically they are quite decent, but that does not make them real musicians.

Magni

So what do you have in mind?

Alex

Teach you to be a real artist.

Magni

What do you mean by a “real artist?”

Alex

A true artist is like a hollow reed. In it self it’s common and unremarkable vegetation. However, when you make a few holes in it and then blow in it with some skill then from it streams the most wonderful music. Can you understand now what I am on about?

Magni

I just came to see if you could teach me to play something. What ever makes you think I have anything that can meet these incredible standards?

Alex

I know you do not remember, but this is not the first time we have met. I used to come to your home at times, when you were very young and listen to you play. You were so small that your mother had to put a stack of books under your behind so you could reach the piano keys.

Magni

You heard me play? I don’t think so. I don’t know how to play and I never knew how to play. Are you sure, it was I?

Alex

I have never seen any child rehearse its finger positions as carefully and with such concentration as you. You were very promising. Your mother and I were friends back then but…Well; as I said; what matters is your attitude and your soul.

Magni

What are you on about, my soul, what? You speak like a priest or something. Are you sure, something like a soul exists?

Alex

I am sure of it Magni. The soul is what animates music and all other art. All art is an expression of the human spirit. The artist expresses in his art the way he experiences the world. If his spirit or soul is numb, his art will reflect just that. It will seem as dead and never transcend the matter. It will become mechanical and technical trickery, disarrayed sounds or smudges on the canvas. An artist with a vibrant soul stretches beyond the material spheres; he moves our souls and lifts us up to higher planes. Beethoven, Mozart, Bach. Their music is like food to the soul.

Magni

You sound so lofty that I can hardly keep up with you. But in some ways I think I know what you mean. I feel it sometimes when I am on my bike. It feels like I just can’t go fast enough. I am always too heavy and too slow. Still I try to go faster and faster and hope fly.

Alex

(Exited) Exactly. But your bike is not made for flying is it? For flying, you need an airplane. Even an airplane may scoot around on the ground at great speed but it is not until it’s in the air that it truly fulfils its purpose.

Magni

I should then consider becoming a pilot.

Alex

I do not know, perhaps it’s not too late to make the piano your instrument. (They chuckle together and a short silence follows)

Magni

Did you come quite often to our home when I was young?

Alex

I knew your mother quite well before she got married.

Magni

I can’t remember you at all. How did you know mom?

Alex

We were very close friends for a few years. She is such a talented woman. (Reaffirms himself) But we are here to talk about your future, not to dwell on the past. What do you think about all this? Do you want to become an aeroplane?

Magni.

Don’t they crash sometimes?

Alex

They certainly do, sometimes. But you are a plane that has never flown and I think you will not crash unless you want it to happen.

Magni

You said before that my mom is talented. I know she is doing ok now and has a lot to do, accompanying all these singers all over the place. At least when she is sober. But she sometimes talks like she expected more. Did she crash or was she maybe never a real aeroplane?

Alex

Elsa was clearly a plane my boy, even a jet. Nevertheless, things did not work out for her for some reason. I knew her as I said many years ago. But we have not been in touch until she phoned me  yesterday asking me if I would consider teaching you. However, you can be sure of one thing, if you have only but some of her music genes you will do fine.

Magni

Do you think that music talents are inherited?

Alex

They may very well be. I have read that one third of persons attributes are inherited, one third acquired and one third assigned, that is to say gifts of God to you. And it is possibly that assigned part which makes you unique in the universe. One thing is certain though, no one becomes a genius unless all thirds work together. (The clock on the wall chimes three times) Then time comes into it as well of course.

Magni

Time? What about time?

Alex

Ah well, they have discovered that what all geniuses have in common is that they use time to its optimum. They sleep very little and work continuously.

Magni

Do you sleep little?

Alex

Six hours a night or there about. But that’s far too much to be a genius.

Magni

Six hours. I can sleep around the clock sometimes.

Alex

(Chuckles) We have yet to establish whether you want to become a real artist or whether you are satisfied being a motorcyclist.

Magni

I don’t know what to say. Your expectations are so high but I also get the feeling that I will miss out on something if I don’t agree to everything you say.

Alex

If you are not sure then answer me this. Are you happy Magni?

Magni

Happy? What do you mean?

Alex

Happy. H A P P Y. (Spells it out) Are you satisfied with your life?

Magni

My life is just fine. I am of course not always in a good mood and some things can make me incredibly frustrated. But over all things are fine.

Alex

Do you have many friends?

Magni

Friends? I know I can’t call many my friends. But I do have a few good mates.

Alex

Is there any one who you would call a real friend?

Magni

(Becomes agitated.) What does that have to do with anything? Can’t you just decide if you want to teach me to play the bloody piano or not? I really can’t be bothered to hang around here all day if you are going to continue like this.

Alex

(Steps back to the piano and begins to play Old Noah) Very well Magni. In fact, I have decided to take you on as a pupil. Sit down here beside me and learn. Can you play Old Noah?

Magni

This is a child’s rhyme. Childs stuff.

Alex

Play it backwards.

Magni

(Does as Alex says) What did you call this again?

Alex

It from Beethoven’s fifth symphony.

Magni

Wow (Laughs)

Alex

I am sorry that I became so forward with you. The truth is that it is very hard to tell who ones friends are and who are not. For true friendship is based upon love. Have you known love?

Magni

      You are something else, aren’t you? Do you have to get so deeply into everything? And you are sly as well. You make excuses for your prying one second and the next you start with something even more private than before.

Alex

Do you think love is a private matter?

Magni

I am not going with anyone, if that’s what you want to know.

Alex

I was not really nosing in on your girl situation. I just wondered what ideas if any, you had about the subject.

Magni

Aren’t all lyrics more or less about that subject?

Alex

(Stands up and picks up a stack of books) The love I was referring to is life’s most important principle. Without it, there would be nothing, and least of all music. Look at what happens when I drop these books. (Alex lets the books fall on the floor) You were probably taught that the power that makes the books fall to the floor is the power of gravity. And it’s true. The power of gravity is essentially the power of attraction. You could there fore say it is the manifestation of love in the world of physics.

Magni

(Sarcastically) Sure, the force of gravity is love. So what is hate?

Alex

Attraction is one of matter’s attributes. What happens when you become attracted to some thing? In a way the same that happened to the books which are attracted to the earth. Between humans, this power of attraction appears in a way we cannot define as entirely physical. When we are attracted to someone, and cannot explain it away as lust or animalistic attraction, we call it love. So what happens when the power of attraction somehow disappears? Things start to disintegrate and, that process in human emotional terms is hate.

Magni

I thought you were supposed to be a music teacher, not some kind of scientific Dr. Love. What has all this to do with learning how to play the piano?

Alex

It has to do with your understanding of music. I love music. I am attracted to the attributes of sound and the effect that different compositions of sounds have on others and me. Sound is definitely a physical phenomenon, but it has the ability to carry emotions and thought. You do however have to place them there. When you do, the sounds stops being mere physical wave frequency and becomes something beyond matter. It becomes music.

Magni

You seem to have a speech prepared for all subjects. Tell me, you and mom were good friends were you not?

Alex

I told you so didn’t I?

Magni

And did you know my dad?

Alex

Yes, I was only acquainted with your dad. Anton was always on the go and never stayed long enough for me to really get to know him. He is still in Australia, isn’t he?

Magni

Mom says he lives in Sydney. I don’t know him at all and nothing about him. So you knew mom really well back then. Right?

Alex

Well enough to know that she is a good woman.

Magni

How did you get to know her?

Alex

I was her teacher at the Music College of Reykjavík. We became good friends almost right away.

Magni

(Suspicious) Friends yes. You have said that many times. And what attributes of hers were you attracted to?

Alex

Elsa has so many beautiful attributes. She is generous, cheerful and has keen intuition and great creative abilities. But we have now drifted from our subject once more have we not?

Magni

Did you ever marry?

Alex

No, I never married.

Magni

And Why, if I may ask?

Alex

I think people should marry the one they love and only the one they love. I have only found one woman I was prepared to spend my life with.

Magni

What happened to her?

Alex

You could say we were overtaken by unavoidable events that made our relationship impossible.

Magni

So, you are just a motorcyclist when it comes to love. Was she not “attracted” to you or what?

Alex

I suspected that you would be quick to learn. (Laughs)

Magni

And what?

Alex

I think we should stop here my friend. We will be spending a lot of time together and we will doubtless get to know each other much better. Perhaps we can now decide when and how often you can come to see me.

Magni

Mom was talking about like once a week. You don’t come cheap you know.

Alex

Let us forget the money matters for now. I recommend that you attend classes here five times a week to begin with.

Magni

Five times a week. Are you nuts? That means that all my time will go into this.

Alex

You will have to look at this undertaking as both work and studies. Four hours, five days a week, that is what it takes.

Magni

Have you gone mad? I will not have time for anything else.

Alex

Exactly.

Magni

And how long is this going to go on.

Alex

At least four years, perhaps six.

Magni

Four years? You must be joking.

Alex

Remember, time is relative. If you were enrolling in a university, it would not take less time. To become a doctor would take you six years at least. But what is time anyway? Is it not just another name for change and everything that does not change is in fact dead. A change is something desirable is it not.

Magni

And If I want to quit some time during those four years, what then?

Alex

I think I can state unequivocally that you will change your mind many times during the next four years. It will turn and turn again, but it is your mind and yours to turn.

Magni

And what will happen… if mom falls of the wagon?

Alex

She has been fine lately, hasn’t she?

Magni

It’s been two years I think. But that doesn’t mean anything. She could go off the rail anytime.

Alex

Ok. You tell me what will happen if your mom starts to drink again.

Magni

I will have to look after her like before.

Alex

What happened before?

Magni

I lost a whole season of school before she went in for a treatment again.

Alex

Some things we can control Magni, others not. You are almost a grown man and you are primarily responsible for your own life. Your mom was well aware of the demands I would make of you when she asked if she could send you to me. I am sure she is confident she will be a support to you rather than the opposite.

Magni

I am not sure this will work out. Too many things could go wrong.

Alex

Like what?

Magni

I was going to get a job.

Alex

To study is to work and I have said you do not have to pay me.

Magni

I will still need money.

Alex

What ever for?

Magni

To live, I also owe a little and it needs to be paid.

Alex

Whom do you owe?

Magni

The state.

Alex

The state? Hardly taxes?

Magni

No, a fine.

Alex

A parking ticket or something like that? That cannot be much.

Magni

I owe the state two thousand pounds. It’s a fine for being involved in a break in. If I don’t pay I will have to do time.

Alex

Ah yes. The break-in. You stole some cigarettes didn’t you?

Magni

Did you know about it?

Alex

Yes, I knew. But not that you received a sentence for it.

Magni

Six months suspended and two thousand pounds fine.

Alex

What do you think about selling the bike and pay the fine.

Magni

I could never get that much for it.

Alex

What if you would get that much for it?

Magni

Well, I don’t know.

Alex

Would you sell me the bike?

Magni

What, selling the bike to you? You are weird. What would you do with a bike?

Alex

I am willing to pay you two thousand and five hundred pounds for it.

Magni

It isn’t worth it. You can get a decent bike for two and a half grand.

Alex

Do you want to sell?

Magni

I am then to take the bus from now on.

Alex

Do you want to sell or not?

Magni

I don’t know. What are you going to do with a bike?

Alex

That is my affair. Do you want to sell me the bike or not? Do you think you can get more for it elsewhere?

Magni

Ok then. It’s a deal and you’ll pay the registration charge.

Alex

(Alex writes out a cheque right away.) You can use this money to pay Cesar what belongs to Cesar. We will have to find a way to get it back later.

Magni

When do you want to do the paper work?

Alex

Later if you don’t mind. Later.  However, I was going to ask you to do me a favour if you would be so kind.

Magni

Sure, what is it?

Alex

Could you take care of the bike for me for a while? You can use it if you want in return for maintaining it and not attempt to fly on it.

Magni

Why are you doing this? To make me somehow depended on you. Do I now have to sit and stand as you wish? Are you Cesar now?

Alex

In no way, you are only responsible to your self. We will need all your attention to study and if the price for that is no more than the price of a motorcycle, I am willing to pay it.

Magni

Are you rich or what?

Alex

I am rich in many things albeit not money. I have however enough for that cheque not to bounce.

Magni

You said you did not teach piano any longer. So how do you make your money?

Alex

From time to time, I am well rewarded for different projects and some money trickles in from royalties.

Magni

Do they play your music on the radio?

Alex

It still happens occasionally.

Magni

Mom says you are a fantastic composer but plagued by a perfection compulsion. She says that most of your compositions are probably somewhere in drawers around your studio.

Alex

(Now audibly upset Alex takes a stack of notes from the top of the piano and throws it on the table in front of Magni) Do you think this work is akin to some kind of Mosque decorations?

Magni

Moscow. Do you mean the graffiti on the walls of Moscow?

Alex

I said Mosque not Moscow. How are you to know anything? Have you never heard of mosques, the places where Muslims worship?

Magni

Yes, I have. And what of them?

Alex

Some Mosques are adorned with most exquisite mosaic patterns. They are so intricate and symmetrical that they appear to be perfect. However, if carefully examined, you will find that their makers have intentionally flawed them. The reason is that Muslims think it is a sign of pride to endeavour doing something perfectly and only God can do that. Unlike these excellent artisans that lay these mosaic patterns, I have never had a reason to make anything I have done worse. My efforts have been to make the flaws fewer and it sometimes takes a long of time before I am reasonably satisfied.

Magni

You believe in God then.

Alex

I am almost convinced that a He exists. Whether I believe in him is another matter.

Magni

How can you be sure that he exists? Can you prove it?

Alex

Prove it and not prove it. My question is how an order can come out of chaos without any kind of intelligence. If the natural state of matter is chaos like scientists claim it was in the beginning, it should have kept on being in chaos. No powers associated with any kind of order did exist. Where did the order come from? The fact that intelligence is a part of the universe proves that it has existed in one form or another from the beginning. That in turns proves intelligent design to me. It is the source of this intelligence I call God.

Magni

Since you claim to know that God exists, why do you say you don’t believe in him?

Alex

I have sometimes compared faith to music. You have to live by it. Otherwise, it becomes mere rhetoric and rituals.

Magni

I have never been sure about anything when it comes to God. I underwent confirmations like everyone else. I remember mom came out of rehab just to attend the party and left immediately after it was finished. But it was aunt Maggie who arranged everything.

Alex

I remember your aunt Maggie.

Magni

How did you know her?

Alex

I associated with her and Thor her husband for a while when your mom and I were friends. Thor is a very accomplished bass player.

Magni

That may well be. He plays with the symphony orchestra and all. But he is still an asshole. He beats both his wife and his kids. Mom says he is a sadist.

Alex

He was quite moody I remember. He was a good friend of your father. They used to hang out together a lot in those days.

Magni

I don’t give a damn. He is a jerk and nothing else.

Alex

You seem to have strong opinions of him. Do you know him?

Magni

No, I don’t know him and I don’t want to know him. He comes around at times to see mom and behaves as he is in his own home. Mom can’t stand him either.

Alex

He is perhaps a bad player after all.

Magni

You just said he was an accomplished player.

Alex

I was just thinking of the old Indian myth that says that the universe is made of a single note that extends out of the mouth of God. It follows therefore that to walk in his ways you have to channel that tone through your reed. Those that cannot do it will always end up making one mistake after another.

Magni

Thor is one of those for sure. He is so out of tune with everything… and so is mom. They both are. She thinks I don’t know she is sleeping with him, but I do. I have known from the start.

Alex

You did say your mother did not like him.

Magni

You obviously don’t know her. She is messed up. How do you make sense of people that one minute talk about someone like he’s a monster and the next she is sleeping with him.

Alex

I understand that you are angry but you need to tone town your language. Whatever you might think of your mom, she is not a bad woman.

Magni

She has always failed and she is going to fail this time as well.

Alex

Everyone will fall at one time or another. But when things are tallied up what matters is how many times you have got up again. And now she is standing up isn’t she?

Magni

Standing up? Why is she then lying with this loser? He is married and all, and still….

Alex

Have you spoken to her about this?

Magni

You can’t speak to her about anything. She would just tell me to mind my own business. I don’t even know why I am telling you this. I don’t even know you……

Alex

Tell me Magni, Can you remember your grandma Freyja?

Magni

Sure I can remember her. But she was strange as well. I once went with mom to visit her in Keflavík. Her house was a shambles.

Alex

Did you get to know her at all? She was into music you know. She sang with a band for many years on the NATO base.

Magni

I know. That’s where she met mom’s dad didn’t she? But there was never any close connection between us. She was sick when I met her and then she died. I saw her only once again, at the hospital before she died.

Alex

(A clock chimes in the room) Well, just look at the time. You are determined to honour our agreement aren’t you? And you’ll be here promptly at ten o’clock on Monday.

Magni

I guess so. I’ll take the bike like you said and keep it for you.

Alex

If you’d be so kind. (Laughs) It’s been a pleasure meeting you. It’s been a good start. Give my regards to your mom and take good care of my bike.

Magni

See you Monday.

Alex

(Goes to the piano and plays Old man Noah. The sound of the ticking clock magnifies and then fades out again)

Act ll

(Two years later.  A Class in Alex’s study. Magni sits picking at the piano. Alex comes in with cups of tea.)

Alex

Ooh its cold outside. Wasn’t it difficult on the bike in all this snow?

Magni

Actually I left the bike at home and took the bus.

Alex

That was sensible. You had to wake up a little earlier I suppose.

Magni

How is your sonata coming along? Have you worked at it at all since last fall?

Alex

I am making progress but it is not done yet. I hear you have been snooping around once more.

Magni

You can’t call it snooping around when you just look at what’s right in front of your eyes. I did not detect any major changes in it.

Alex

Composing involves attention to the small things, as you know.

Magni

(Mockingly) You have perhaps become bored with the piece.

Alex

Far from it.

Magni

Don’t you never become tired of it all?

Alex

Sometimes I am tired but never bored.

Magni

I have to admit that lately I have been feeling quite fatigued. We have been at it for two years without a break not counting the few days we stopped over Christmas. I have been contemplating whether it would not be a good idea to take, say a 10 days break. I really could use the rest.

Alex

What do you mean? Stop rehearsing?

Magni

Only for a few days. I was thinking it would even be fun to go abroad.

Alex

Sól parents have a house in Florida don’t they?

Magni

True. Sól is going there over Easter and there are discount tickets available now. I was thinking of going.

Alex

I wasn’t aware that your relationship with her had gotten so serious. You have known her for such a short time.

Magni

Remember, time is relative. We have been together for more than three months. I like her a lot like I told you.

Alex

You didn’t tell me you had fallen in love with her. That explains the bright sound of the piano lately.

Magni

She is fantastic. She was so pleased with her birthday present. When I played the minuet for her, she said it was the best birthday present she ever had.

Alex

Ah, that little tune you call the Sunbeam Dance. So you devoted it to her. It is a fine tune, and the name is beautiful as well.

Magni

What about it Alex? Can we take a 10 days break? It would give you time to finish your sonata.

Alex

The longest time we have not seen each other during the past two years is three days. Those days you did practice faithfully at home but still I felt it took us a week to get our tempo right again. Because we have adhered to this rigorous program, you have accomplished more than others do in ten years. Are you ready to risk all that for 10 days on a sandy beach?

Magni

I just want to spend some time with Sól. What’s wrong with that?

Alex

Are you in love with her?

Magni

I don’t really know whether I am or not. People use this term like an umbrella over everything. I just know I feel good when I’m near her. I want to be close to her. I am attracted to her and according to you that is some kind of……

Alex

I know, I know but…..

Magni

So why not take a little break over Easter?

Alex

Have you discussed this with your mother?

Magni

I mentioned it. I think she is in better shape than ever before. But I think in fact that this doesn’t really concern her. I can pay for my ticket. Though the part time job at the swimming pool is not a well paid job I’ve still managed to save a little. You have seen to it that I had no time to spend my money.

Alex

So you aren’t afraid of rocking the boat?

Magni

Don’t you dare use this on me. I know my change of direction has had a good effect on her. She hasn’t had a drop for four years now. But we are only talking about a few days break. And since we have started to talk about her, you should know there are other things that might rock the boat, much more than my absence. Things that have recently surfaced. For instance, I don’t wonder any longer why you never wanted to speak of your friendship with my mom.

Alex

I only meant that going on a holiday might disturb your concentration. So what are you on about? What has recently surfaced? Has your mother been talking about our old relationship?

Magni

You might say so.

Alex

It isn’t so much the holiday I’m worried about. The fact is that if you are really starting to form strong bonds with this girl, bonds you want to strengthen, it will affect our work relationship and your whole future. Have you considered that?

Magni

I have and I have not. They say that love is blind, don’t they?

Alex

They do although it’s not entirely true. Love is blind to begin with regarding flaws. It only sees the good qualities. It would perhaps be better if it was reversed. If one could see the flaws as clearly as the good qualities it would be easier to decide if one could live with them.

Magni

You almost always speak as if you are just a head and nothing else. If everyone just looked to the flaws in people, humanity would be extinct.

Alex

Getting babies born doesn’t require deep relationships between the sexes history tells us, I’m afraid.

Magni

And what do you know about it. You don’t have any children, do you?

Alex

So that’s where we are. Something simmering underneath I believe. What exactly did you and your mother discuss recently?

Magni

We discussed you.

Alex

It had to happen eventually. What did she tell you?

Magni

It only happened last night. We talked about some things you have certainly not volunteered so far. According to her you were much more than just friends.

Alex

So you spoke of the past.

Magni

The past for you maybe, but apparently not for her. She told me about the time you were together.

Alex

That time has long passed.

Magni

She told me you betrayed her. That one morning you stood up from her bed and walked out never to return, without an explanation of any kind.

Alex

That’s right, I left.

Magni

You must have discovered something terrible in her character. What flaws did she have you could not live with? Wasn’t she the woman you spoke of that you wanted to marry?

Alex

That’s right Magni. She was the one. However, her flaws had nothing to do with my departure. I understand you want me to tell you everything. But I can tell you nothing beyond what I have said before. Things happened out of our control that made it imperative for me to leave her without any explanation. That has not changed.

Magni

Sure, I understand. You are quite comfortable to discuss private matters as long as they are not your own. You have always insisted, after I began as your student, that there was nothing so trivial about my life that it wasn’t worth your interest. It is also clear as day, that for the past years, my mom’s life has been about just getting on somehow without you. The drinking, the doping, and all that began when you left. You are of course aware of the fact that my life and hers are somewhat intertwined. Do you not think you owe me, not to mention my mom some explanation, why you ignored her all these years and disappeared without any warning?

Alex

I did what I had to do.

Magni

You worried about it when I first started that I would not last and give up on the lessons. Now I see it might have been you who were in danger of not lasting. What do you have to hide?

Alex

Your criticism is somewhat justified. The truth is that I made a mistake of a certain nature that made my actions unavoidable. I don’t know how else to explain it.

Magni

You made a mistake and you are trying to live with it and to make others live with it as well.  It’s that simple.

Alex

Simple and not. Let me tell you something. You know that Persian carpets are world famous for their intricacies and beauty. They were made in villages where all the villagers took part in the weaving process, hence their great prices. Someone was in charge of designing the pattern, deciding upon the colours that were to be used and then everyone started weaving. Sometimes the villagers were well into the project when a mistake was discovered. Someone had not used the right colour or not followed the pattern. But it was too late to be undone. The mistake had to be incorporated into the pattern in such a way it would enhance the beauty of the rug. Our life is in many ways the same. When we make mistakes, which is unavoidable, for none of us are perfect, we have to make amend. Not by undoing, the mistakes but learn to live with them and from them.

Magni

It’s just as mom says, you are a genius. Let’s continue with your little antidote. You and mom started to weave your rug; you made a mistake and ran without even notifying anyone. No one but you knows to this day, what the mistake was.

Alex

Yes, I quit and left, I could not do anything else. And since then I have been weaving on my own. But I can assure you dear Magni that by doing right by you and assisting you in realizing your potentials, my rug is finally starting to look a little better.

Magni

Are trying to make amend by helping me?

Alex

I am trying to do the right thing that is all. I suspected early on that your abundant talents could lead you anywhere if they were not taped to make music. Your mom had an easy job convincing me to take you on you know. The last two years have proved me right I think.

Magni

So you think I was created to play the piano just like you?

Alex

In so many words, yes. Your talents lie in the fields of music no doubt, but you have like everyone else a wider purpose as well.

Magni

Of which you are, no doubt, dying to inform me. Bring it on.

Alex

Everyone has to satisfy to the best of their ability the material and spiritual needs that we all have. The material ones are readily recognised while the spiritual are not.

Magni

And they are?

Alex

The two spiritual drives I believe are innate to every man are the need to know and the need to love. Those two form the bases for all spiritual activity of man and in fact are the primus motor of human civilizations.

Magni

You are never short of explanations when it comes to defining life philosophically. If the need to know is one of our basic spiritual instincts, it must be the truth we are after and you have chosen not to tell it. Do you have the right to do that?

Alex

Some things we have the right to know, other not. I admit it would have been better if I could have explained to your mother why I had to leave. But it was my opinion then and still is, that it is a private matter.

(Silence)

Magni

Do you really think I shouldn’t go to Florida?

Alex

I really think you should go. I just wanted to be sure you would go for the right reasons. Is there a piano in their home in Florida?

Magni

I don’t know. But there is one here waiting for us. Shall we get started.(Magni sits down at the piano and starts playing) What have you got here for me? (Stops and scans trough the pages of music) This is your stuff isn’t it?

Alex

Yes, something you haven’t heard or seen before. Its one of my many unfinished offspring’s. Let’s see now how you treat your mentor.

Magni

You call it, From the doors of death. That is a horribly depressing title.

Alex

I do not think so. It is a sonata about life.

Magni

Why don’t you call it from the doors of life or something more cheerful?

Alex

Because I am trying exploring life from the point of death and beyond.

Magni

It still sounds quite depressing.

(Magni starts to play the sonata and the music fades into act.lll. See Music sheets. The ticking of the clock is lauder but this time fades much quicker.)

Act III

(Later that same day. Alex and Magni have finished the lesson and Alex is hard at work composing at the piano. Elsa enters the room without Alex noticing it)

Elsa

Long time no see Alex.

Alex

(Startled) Elsa! What… How…Uh…Has something happened?

Elsa

Happened? Yes some things have happened as a matter of fact. Aren’t you going to greet me properly Alex or has it been too long.

Alex

I am sorry. (Stands up) I just got kind of flustered. (Walks to her and kisses her on the forehead) Welcome my dear. What brings you here?

Elsa

It’s just like I Imagined.

Alex

What?

Elsa

Everything. A peck on the forehead. How you arrange your furniture.

Alex

Eh well, you ought to know how I want things to be.

Elsa

I am not sure about that.

Alex

You did once anyway.

Elsa

Yes, once upon a time there lived a king and queen in their castle. What are you working on these days aside from my boy?

Alex

You know the same things repeatedly in infinite ways.

Elsa

You will perhaps offer me a cup of tea for the sake of old times.

Alex

Yes of course. Let me take your coat.

Elsa

No, I’ll keep it on. I’m not sure I’ll stay for long.

Alex

I’ll put the kettle on. (Goes in to the kitchen adjacent to the room)

Elsa

(Walks around the room) So this is where you have been for the past years sweating on the Keyes. (Runs her fingers over the piano Keyes)

Do you still smoke? Do you mind if I light one up. (Takes a cigarette from her purse and light it) Do you have an ashtray somewhere?

Alex

(Comes in with cups and starts to lay the table for tea) I’m sorry, no ashtray I’m afraid. But feel free to smoke. I’ll bring something for the ash.

Elsa

Yes, I feel free to smoke Alex. So how are you? You do not have to leave soon or anything.

Alex

No, I don’t have to leave.

Elsa

No, I didn’t think so. Just wanted to be sure. What do you think about Magni´s little trip to Florida.

Alex

So you know. I wasn’t sure if he had told you.

Elsa

Of course, I knew. We are very close Magni and I. He tells me everything. Have you given him the green light then?

Alex

Yes, I have. He is perfectly aware of what is at stake though. I just cannot see anything preventing him in finishing his exams this spring.

Elsa

Those exams are just formalities, just to get the papers as you know. What do you think of Sól?

Alex

I haven’t, at least not until now. I don’t know her and I have never met her. But I know Magni likes her, that for sure.

Elsa

Yea, you can’t really complain about the natural rush of the boys hormones, can you? You ought to know that Alex. On the other hand, are those things now too far in your past to remember?

Alex

(Firmly) Why did you come here for Elsa?

Elsa

Why? I don’t think it’s inappropriate at all for a mother to consult with her child’s teacher. I also wanted to thank you for all you have done for him. Better late than never, don’t you think?

Alex

You do not have to thank me for anything…

Elsa

I also wanted to talk to you about Magni´s future. It can’t be denied that you have saved him and you have been very generous. You may have compensated him in many ways for what he never got from his father.

Alex

I have just given him….

Elsa

You don’t have to pretend around me Alex. You have made him the most promising pianist in the land and a great artist. He has changed so much that no one recognises him for the same person. The truth is that some of the things Magni has learned from you would have been useful for me to know back then. But you can’t teach old dog new tricks, can you Alex? But that was then. What about the future

Alex

Yes the future. Magni´s future is bright. The next step is to get him into a school that suits him. Julliard is of course a consideration but it is expensive. Something in Vienna is also always in the picture.

Elsa

(Displeased) Vienna?

Alex

He also has to decide whether he wants to compose or become concert pianist. He could do both if he wanted to of course. I think as a concert pianist he would end up as a conductor before reaching forty. He has both the resolve and the ability to do what ever he wants.

Elsa

He is like you used to be.

Alex

Just think of it. Two years and he has become a better pianist than I ever was. Sól or no Sól, nothing can stop him now except perhaps us.

Elsa

What do you mean stop him? To what are you referring?

Alex

Only that the two of us are closest to him and the only ones really in position to harm him. If he is in love then its good. He needs to go through the fire like everyone else. And if it doesn’t work out, I am sure he has the strength to deal with it.

Elsa

The fire yes, we do know all about the fire Alex.

Alex

Very well Elsa. Let’s get to the point. Magni has told me of the conversations you had recently about our past. He demanded to know why I didn’t stay with you. He also said that I am responsible for your difficulties in life. If that is so, believe me, I was not aware of it. I only knew that soon after I left you, you got together with Anton again and then I left for Vienna like I had always planed.

Elsa

Yes, you left for Vienna and I for the vino. You know that Magni thinks you are his father.

Alex

What do you mean?

Elsa

He has said it many times. He is convinced you are his father. He thinks that what you have said but mostly though what you have not said somehow bears this out.

Alex

You must have told him that I am not, didn’t you?

Elsa

I tried but I’m not sure it did any good. He wants to be your son Alex.

Alex

But you must have been able to convince him other vice somehow. Shown him some pictures or..

Elsa

Dam you Alex. Why did you leave me?

(Short silence)

Alex

Believe me Elsa I could not stay, I could not do anything else.

Elsa

Why not anything else? You could have stayed with me. Two years by the fire and then what, permafrost? Do you know that I have spent years and shit loads of money on different couches all over town, just trying to find out exactly when and why you decided to go? And I am no closer to any answers. What did I do to you? What was so wrong with me?

Alex

I left because I could not go on loving you the way I did. It was not you. It was I…Me being me.

Elsa

Bullshit Alex. You should hear you self talking. Why can’t you just admit that you, the genius, the philosopher, the man of the world, decided suddenly that the being who on her knees in adoration, was not worth loving any longer. Or, or you just thought you loved me. Maybe that was it. Was it? You must have been fooling your self badly when you used all the tricks in the book to get me away from Anton. And the funny part is that you didn’t need to. He and I were already trough when you came along.

Alex

(Almost shouting) I made a mistake Elsa. Can’t you just accept that?

Elsa

(Shouts back) A mistake? So that’s your explanation. (Calms down) Ok darling, so you don’t want to tell me. I really hope that your God is truly merciful for otherwise you are in deep trouble.

Alex

(Goes into the kitchen to get the whistling kettle) We were going to have some tea weren’t we?

Elsa

I don’t think I can drink tea with you. (Lowers her voice) In fact, I don’t drink with scoundrels anymore.

Alex.

It’s almost ready. (Comes back in) You were saying?

Elsa

(Takes of her coat to reveal she is naked underneath) Look darling. What do you think? I have kept my figure pretty well in spite of it all, haven’t I? You used to say my naked body inspired you. According to Magni, you could do with a little inspiration just now. Don’t I get your juices flowing anymore?

Alex

You are beautiful Elsa and always will be. (Walks to Elsa and wraps her coat about her) Please put your coat back on.

Elsa

What’s wrong darling? Are you completely dead? (Buttons the coat and walks away from him) It didn’t take much to get you going 20 years ago. How long is it since you have been with a woman?

Alex

Stop Elsa, please stop.

Elsa

Stop What? Nothing is going on. That’s the trouble.

Alex

You don’t know anything.

Elsa

How right you are. I don’t know a thing. Nothing, except that you have been hiding here in your silence and inaction all these years. And meanwhile I have been waiting. I waited for you dead drunk, waited for with some men inside me whose name didn’t even know, waited for you to come and build Camelot with me. And you never came.

Alex

I went my way and you yours.

Elsa

What is your terrible secret Alex? Did you fall in love with someone else and didn’t have the guts to tell me. No, I don’t think so; you have been alone since you left. Maybe you found out you were gay. Ah that’s an interesting theory. But no, you never cared for Disco music that much. Did you rob a bank? No, no such in the news. This is how I have gone on and on and I am still at it.

Alex

It’s no use Elsa. I have nothing to say. If I could have, I would have talked to you 15 years ago, but nothing has changed.

Elsa

I have sometimes pretended you were dead. That way I felt better. Bit it didn’t take much to remind me it wasn’t true. Until two years ago I had to fight the urge every day to get wasted on something. I couldn’t stand the world. Then, this decision to ask you to help Magni. I knew the streets would have him if I didn’t do something. But asking for your help wasn’t easy. I loved you and hated you at the same time. Tell me Alex, what kind of monster are you anyway?

Alex

I would tell you everything if I could, but I can’t.  You have to accept that.

Elsa

Look at you squirming there. And no wise antidotes, no advice for me, nothing? It had to happen sometimes. I know I should not have let you ruin my life Alex. I know deep down that you are not responsible for how I feel. I have spent uncounted hours on the couch. I just can’t understand all this waste. Waste of time, waste of love. Why did you leave without a hint you were going to?  I tried for years to contact you. But you took no calls, answered no letters. Even your family couldn’t help me reaching you. Its was somehow so unlike you. But now I see that you couldn’t help your self. You must have gone mad. And it’s becoming clear to me how you have become insensitive and numb, hiding from the world by immersing you in the music. I see now how what some saw as richness of emotions in your music is nothing but sulkiness and shame. God, I’m glad that I finally decided to face you and see your madness with my own eyes. Glad that I can now get up and leave you.

(Elsa walks out and slams the doors behind her)

Alex

(Walks to the piano and starts playing “The Ode to joy” by Beethoven, but madly slams his hands on the keys after a few notes. The ticking of the clock gets louder then fades)

Act IV

(Two ears later in Alex’s study. Alex sits by the piano when Magni and his girlfriend Sól enter the room)

Sól

(Singing) “Its going to be a party tonight, party all night long”.

Alex

(Starts to Play the cords to accompany Sól)

You have a good voce Sól. I didn’t know you sang so well.

Sól

How could you. It’s not like we’ve had the chance to get to know each other.

Alex

(Stops playing) Is you mother coming Magni?

Magni

She is on her way.

Sól

She just popped over to the store to get some cigarettes. (Sings) “New York, New York” (Picks up a newspaper) Look Magni, have you seen this. There is a review of your début by Edward Finnsson in the paper today.

Alex

It is quite good. I just read it.

Sól

Good. It’s fantastic. I don’t think I have ever seen Mr.Finnsson praise anyone like this before. Perhaps he doesn’t dare anything else you being maestros Alexander’s protégé.

Alex

Praise can be a double-edged sword.

Sól

Let me read this to you; Magni Antonsson gave his debut concert in the new City Music Hall last night. His repertoire bla bla bla. Magni is the son of Elsa Hermansdóttur who is an accomplished pianist and well known for accompanying many of the best classical singers of the country. Magni´s performance is a confirmation of the old saying that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Magni has studied piano for only four years and is a protégé of no other than Alexander Bergmann. That fact may partly explain Magni´s unprecedented accent on to the Icelandic music scene.

Alex

You have raised great expectation my boy.

Magni

(Looking at the party privations Alex has prepared) So, what have we got here? I’m famished.

Sól

Umm this looks good. Smoked salmon umm chocolate covered strawberries. You have really gone all out haven’t you Alex.

Alex

It has been a long time since I have given a party here at home. I cannot remember when I did it last.

Magni

Come on Alex. It was not that long ago. What about that huge party when your Dream Suite was premièred. The president and everyone who is anyone gorging them self at your expense.

Alex

I did not hold that party. Others arranged it all and…

(A doorbell rings out)

Magni

That must be mom.

Alex

(Goes to the door and from the hallway you hear him greet Elsa) Welcome Elsa. Its good to see you again.

Elsa

(Comes in to the study) Well everyone is here then? Hi kids. Here you can take my coat this time Alex. (Hands Alex her coat and sits down)  Come here darling and give mom a kiss. You look gorgeous. What a nice gesture Alex, to give a party on the occasion. And rather predictable If I may say so, to end your tutoring this way. Sól darling get me a drink if you would.

Sól

What will you have?

Elsa

Sprite. Umm I love sprite.

Alex

Well, Shall we not have something to eat?

(Noise indicating them putting food on the plates from a small buffet table)

Sól

Umm what is that Alex?

Alex

An olive filled ox tong. And that’s my own recipe if you can believe that. I am not much of a cook.

Elsa

I remember that Alex. I cut my hand badly helping you chopping the olives the first time you made it.

Alex

Yes I remember.

(Awkward silence)

Magni

(Makes a chiming sound with his glass and a spoon and starts to talk pretentiously.) Ahem. Alex, my dear mother, loving fiancé. (Loughs) Because this little party is to celebrate the conclusion of my apprenticeship with my illustrious tudor I find my self obliged to say a few words. (Drops the pretentious way of talking.) When I came here  for the first time, I was in trouble. Now when I’m about to leave, my troubles are even greater. For a long time I felt as if I had sold my soul to you Alex. When time passed I came to realize that were my soul’s caretaker. It sometimes felt like a prison but the great discipline you demanded of me was also the key to my freedom. The most important thing you have taught me is how a true artist has to love the truth. And therein lies my trouble. I feel that I can no longer participate in your big lie. In fact, I will not even continue on this road, which you have so carefully laid out for me if I cannot know the truth.

(Few seconds of silence)

Sól

Go on love. Finish it.

Magni

The big lie that poisons all we are doing Alex, is that you pretend to be someone you are not. I know for a fact in spite of yours and mom’s denials that you are my father. Everyone and everything bears me out. Too frequently, I hear people say, “You are so much like your teacher”, or “your resemblance with Alex is uncanny”. It cannot be just a coincident. I know you are my father and you are probably trying to make your own unfulfilled dreams come true trough me. Why else would you have agreed to teach me? And why, why you don’t admit it, is beyond me. There fore I will not, cannot go on with this farce. Alex, dad, what is so horrible anyway about having me for a son?

(Silence)

Elsa

Go on Alex answer the boy. What, cat caught your tong?

Alex

This, this is all a terrible misunderstanding. You are not my son Magni. I can assure you…

Magni

(Interjects) Am I not?  Why does everything point to it then? How can it be? How can I be so like you? You said yourself that talents like mine are hereditary.

Alex

I know it may seem so but it isn’t. That is the truth, Elsa you must…

Magni

Let’s go Sól. There is nothing more to say or do. I will notify Julliard that I have decided not to join them this fall after all.

Alex

(Extremely upset) You cannot just throw everything away.

Magni

Good-bye Alex. (Magni and Sól head for the door.)

Elsa

I think I’ll join them.

Alex

Do not do this Magni. You cannot let this end this way. Magni, Sól please come back here. You can’t let it end this way. Come back and sit down. Please.

Elsa

So, you have something to say after all, do you?

Alex

I have something to say. Since it has come to this, I have to. It cant go on like this.

Magni

(Magni and Sól come back in.) Go on we are listening.

Alex

Eighteen years ago, the day before the day I left you I had a phone call. It was from Freyja your mom Elsa, your grandmother Magni. She was then already suffering from an advanced cancer in her lungs that shortly afterward as you all know proved deadly. She asked if I could come to see her  as soon as possible . I knew Freyja from the past when she was singing with her band around the country. In those days, I used to be called in as a session man when someone in the band got ill or was indisposed for some reason. Anyway, I drove that same day do Keflavík to meet with Freyja.

(We hear the sound of Alex getting in his car and drive away as he begins to tell his story. The dialogue that follows is a flash back. There is a buss from a door phone and then Freyja answers. She speaks with a very hoarse voce. Alex voce sounds younger)

Freyja

Yes, who is there?

Alex

It is I Freyja, Alex.

(There is a buss, a click as the door is unlocked, and Alex walks into the house to find Freyja in bed that has been set up in the living room.  The “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin is played loudly of a CD)

Freyja

Come on in here Alex.

Alex

How are you Freyja? It has been some time has it not.

Freyja

Yes, long time no see Alex. You can turn down the music if it’s too loud for you. (Alex turns down the CD player but the music stays in the background)

Help me put this pillow behind me back. (Alex does so as Freyja grunts) There that’s better. I feel like a bloody invalid. I am a bloody invalid.

Alex

Are you in pain?

Freyja

No, not while I have these. Its pure smack you know. Two injections a day keeps the pain away.

Alex

Well here I am. You sounded urgent on the phone. I thought it best to come right a way.

Freyja

Yea, thank you for coming Alex. I really don’t know how longer I am going to hold out, this cancer is killing me you know.

Alex

Are you still taking chemotherapy?

Freyja

I lost all my hair you know. That’s why I look now like Dolly Pardon. See It’s a wig. (Loughs and coughs) I really don’t know why I put this bloody rug on every day. But no, it isn’t any use anymore. No more Chemo, no more pills, just these, my own needle park beside my bed.

Alex

Who takes care of you?

Freyja

Oh don’t you worry; I get all the care I need. But this matter has to be dealt with what ever happens.

Alex

What matter? Is there anything I can do for you?

Freyja

Anton came to see me few days ago. He told me something very disturbing.

Alex

Anton can be quite thoughtless sometimes.

Freyja

Oh I know Anton, I wasn’t born yesterday you know. He told me that you and Elsa were actually going together now and that you had in fact come up between them.

Alex

It just happened Freyja. I don’t know what Anton told you but Elsa and he had split long before anything serous happened between her and me. It happened fast I admit, but they were already separated.

Freyja

These things always do. (Laughs that ends in a severe cough) Be that as it may but that’s not my point. Is it true you are now living together?

Alex

Well, I still have my place but for all other purposes, I guess so.

Freyja

OK. Here we go then. Do you remember about twenty years ago that time when you were called to Akureyri to play with us. You had to fill in for Gunnar the keyboard player who had burned his hand badly the night before?

Alex

Yes, quite a night as I remember.

Freyja

And how we all got pretty blasted after the dance and during it. (Chuckles)

Alex

We went to some party or another after the dance didn’t we?

Freyja

That we did. And you ended up in my bed that morning.

Alex

Ah Well. I suspect that is the reason you wanted to talk to me. Do you feel it’s not appropriate for me do sleep with your daughter having had a fling with you?

Freyja

Does she know about it?

Alex

Of course not. It was only that one night and I do not even remember the half of it.

Freyja

We were pretty out of it weren’t we? Oh well, Shit happens.

Alex

So what are you saying?

Freyja

I am sorry for many things I have done in my life and even ashamed of some. But having Elsa is not one of them. Even though our relationship has never been what anyone would call a mother daughter relationship, I have always loved her. But I haven’t spoken to her for almost two years now, did you know that.

Alex

I know she tried to see you when you were first submitted to the hospital. You didn’t want to see her.

Freyja

I was never a real mother to her and I wasn’t about to start acting like one just because I was sick. (Drifts of)  I don’t know why Anton came to see me, maybe it was just fate. I am sure he didn’t know a thing.

Alex

What are you on about? If you are not bothered about me being with Elsa because we have a history however short, what is the matter?

Freyja

Don’t get angry now, but I have to tell you this. Elsa bares my maiden name you know, ever wondered why? l was sleeping around in those days with the solder boys. We were working a lot on the NATO base back then. Then I got pregnant and everyone assumed that one of them was her father. But I always knew Elsa wasn’t the daughter of any one of them.

Alex

Do you know who the her father is?

Freyja

I do. Of course I do.

Alex

And do you now want to tell her?

Freyja

I don’t know. What do you think?

Alex

I imagine she would like to know who her real father is. Who is her real father then?

Freyja

She is your daughter Alex.

Alex

(Loughs nervously) Mine? You can’t be serious. She cant be my daughter.

Freyja

Its true Alex. Just look at her.

Alex

(Now Angry) This is ridiculous.  How do I know, I mean if you were sleeping…

Freyja

I know because she looks just like you. Always has.

Alex

This is madness. How could you let this happen?

Freyja

I didn’t let anything happen. I just had no idea that you and she even knew each other until Anton told me.

Alex

And why didn’t you ever let me know. I surly had the right…

Freyja

Common Alex. (Starts to cough.)

Alex

(Returns to the present time and his older voice resumes) I never heard the rest of her explanations. By now they did not matter anyhow. I just ran out. I didn’t even say good bye. In my heart I knew what she had just told me was true. It explained everything. The strong attraction I felt immediately toward you when we met, and why we seemed to…..It all came crashing down on me like a load of bricks.

Elsa

(Her voice breaking up) Oh God Alex. What have we done?

Alex

No Elsa, What have I done? I guess it would have been possible for me to tell you with this before if it hadn’t been for what happened next. For I drove back to Reykjavík in a daze and headed like a fool straight to the nearest bar. I drank whiskey until they closed and then I took a taxi, not to my place but to you Elsa. Remember how drunk I was. (Silence) And that night I slept with you.

Elsa

(Now in sobs.) Knowing I was your daughter.

Alex

Yes, knowing it. Thinking about it.

(Silence)

Magni

Mom. Didn’t grandma ever say anything to you?

Elsa

No. Maybe she assumed I knew, who knows anyway. She died shortly afterwards.

Magni

So this makes me what, your grandson doesn’t it?

Alex

Yes, you are my grandson Magni.

Magni

And Anton is really my father?

Elsa

He is Magni. (Gathers her self) I thought I had experienced it all, but this, this is like a bad movie or something. How do you respond to something like this? Why in hell did you not tell me this before Alex?

Alex

I know I’m a coward. I could not face you with this, could not face myself knowing what I had done.

Elsa

Sometimes when I was brushing my teeth, I saw your face for a second in the mirror. Now I know why.

Magni

(Sits down at the piano and starts playing. See music sheet.)

Act V

(More than year has passed. As before, the surrounding is Alex’s study. He sits at his piano composing when Elsa walks trough the doors carrying a bag in her hand)

Elsa.

Morning Dad.

Alex

Good morning Elsa.

Elsa

I brought some milk. (Starts to straighten out his study) Why don’t you get your own computer Alex? It would make this all easier. You could keep in touch with them daily by your self.

Alex

You know I have no need for one. However, if I did get one you would not have any excuse to come here daily as you do. So what is the news today?

Elsa

They are coming home for Easter. Both, or should I say all of them.

Alex

I thought they might. Yes, it is going to be a long journey for Sól, six months pregnant.

Elsa

It only takes them four and a half hour from New York. She will live.

(Silence except for Alex plonking on the piano)

Alex

There, I think I am done. What do you think?

Elsa

Let me see. Hmm looks interesting. What are you going to call it.

Alex

I don’t know yet. Do you want to try it?

Elsa

Hmm. Move over old man. (She starts playing.)  The End.