(Lights come up. The UNICORN appears on stage. He wanders around searching for MAGDALENE. He is thirsty, pale, and is having difficulty breathing. He appears to be losing his life force.
The UNICORN exits. Lights fade.)

(Lights come up. The set is GEORGE’S bedroom. GEORGE’S bedroom is fit for a king. It is adorned with expensive and stately furnishings.
The New York City skyline can be seen in the distance and the sounds of the nightlife can be heard through an open window.
It is a hot summer night, the air sticky and moist.
Crickets can be heard from his patio garden, which can be seen from the French doors.)

GEORGE
(Sitting up in bed)
Who the hell left the window open ? Nurse ?

MAGDALENE
(Standing by the window which looks out on the garden)
Your nurse has gone home, George.

GEORGE
Then who the hell are you ? The angel of death ?

MAGDALENE
Such a crass man you are, George.

GEORGE
Who the hell are you ? Don’t look like a thug to me. Are you a thief ? Look like you could be an art thief. You look like the type.

MAGDALENE
Do I ?

GEORGE
(Sitting up to get a closer look)

Nice voice, doll. And you’re a pretty one, too.
(He runs his fingers through his hair.)

MAGDALENE
Doll ?
GEORGE
How’d you get in here, doll ? I have expensive security. Who the hell let you in ?

MAGDALENE
I let myself in.

GEORGE
Can’t be. Damn it ! Breaking and entering’s a crime, you know ? I could have you arrested. Thrown in jail.

MAGDALENE
I don’t need your permission to enter this room.

GEORGE
You don’t ? Who says ? You’re trespassing. On my property ! If you want to get nasty with me, I’m gonna call security. Have you thrown outta here. On your tail.

MAGDALENE
Your security isn’t working, George.

GEORGE
(Fumbling through his night-stand)
What’d you cut the phone lines ?

Now look here, pretty stranger. Tell me what you’re doing in my bedroom or I’m going to get you tossed outta here. Don’t want to embarrass a pretty dame like you.

MAGDALENE
Dame ?

GEORGE
What am I talking here – a foreign language ? Me hablo espanol ?

MAGDALENE
You are a crass man, George.

GEORGE
You said that before, miss.

MAGDALENE
But I don’t think you heard me.
(MAGDALENE walks towards GEORGE’S bed. She fixes his blankets for him. She pauses and stares at him.)

GEORGE
Heard you. Loud and clear…now, are you gonna tell me who you are or should I call security ?
(George grins and looks closer at MAGDALENE.

Oh, no…did my brother send you ? Is it my birthday ? Are you - ?

MAGDALENE
Am I ?

GEORGE
Did my brother hire you ? To sing to me ? Or maybe…

MAGDALENE
I don’t think it’s your birthday, George.

GEORGE
Well, maybe it’s my lucky day then ?

MAGDALENE
Maybe.

GEORGE
Well, then…get on with it. Maybe the family thinks I’ll do it one last time and then I’ll keel over.

MAGDALENE
Why would your family want to do that ?

GEORGE
For money…we can talk later, miss. If I don’t die of excitement. Got any music ?

MAGDALENE
Music ? George, what are you talking about ? I came –

GEORGE
I don’t need music. Just take your clothes off, that’ll be enough.

MAGDALENE
What ?

GEORGE
Just take ‘em off. You look like top shelf to me. Just looking at you’ll probably give me a heart attack.
(GEORGE rubs his hands together.)

MAGDALENE
I’m not taking my clothes off, George.

GEORGE
Oh come on. Don’t tease me. I can’t take the excitement…oh…I get it…this is part of your act. Okay…I’ll play along.

MAGDALENE
You’re not listening, George.

GEORGE
Gonna play hard to get ?

MAGDALENE
I’m not playing.

GEORGE
I’m ready…I was born ready. At my age…the old boy still stands at attention !

MAGDALENE
George !

GEORGE
Just take off your clothes and sit next to me. How ‘bout that ? I won’t even touch you.

MAGDALENE
Touch me and I’ll break your hands !

GEORGE
Hey, you’re a feisty dame…I like that ! (Pats the bed) Here…come closer. Let me see you. Yah, you’re top shelf alright. Quite a looker. Got some figure there, doll. My brother always had good taste in women.

MAGDALENE
George –

GEORGE
Well…what are you waitin’ for ? I’m not gettin’ any younger.

MAGDALENE
You don’t listen. Never DID listen. I’m not taking my clothes off. Your brother didn’t send me. I’m not here to entertain you. I am not your whore, George !
GEORGE
Don’t do this to me. Haven’t been this excited in a long time, doll. Hey…what’s your name ? Tell me your name.

MAGDALENE
Mary.

GEORGE
Mary…do you have a last name ?

MAGDALENE
Magdalene.

GEORGE
(Snickering)
Mary Magdalene ? Is that your stage name ?

MAGDALENE
No.
(Thunderstorms have been building since late afternoon.
Now intermittent thunder can be heard offstage.)

GEORGE
You’re teasing me now.

MAGDALENE
No, not teasing you, George. I have something to tell you.

GEORGE
(Moving closer to MAGDALENE)
My wife sent you, didn’t she ? This is a joke from the great beyond, right ? She wants you to tell me I’m going to hell.
(MAGDALENE laughs. There is silence.)
She’s dead, you know. Been three years. My God – three years already ! I miss my girl…

MAGDALENE
Your wife, Margaret ?

GEORGE
I knew she was behind this.

MAGDALENE
She’s not behind anything.

GEORGE
Then why are you here ? And what do you want from me ?

(Sitting back in resignation)
You’re really not going to take your clothes off for me…are you ? Not gonna give this ol’ man once last thrill, are you ?

MAGDALENE
Get it through your head, George. I have not come here to give you sexual pleasure.

GEORGE
Damn it…but…I thought that’s what you did, Miss Mary Magdalene.

MAGDALENE
No, sir. That’s not what I did.

GEORGE
But that’s what the Good Book said.

MAGDALENE
The Good Book didn’t say that. Didn’t you read it ?

GEORGE
The whole thing ? No, my Margaret…now she knew the whole Bible. Inside and out. She was the religious one.
(GEORGE looks down and shakes his head.)
Guess it’s not my lucky day…

MAGDALENE
Sorry to disappoint you, George.

GEORGE
It’s not easy getting old, doll. ‘Specially for a guy like me. (He pauses.) In command of my world…my whole life. In control. They used to call me General George in my day. Now I’m just a decrepit old man. Getting weaker every day. No, Mary…not easy gettin’ old.

MAGDALENE
I understand getting old. I’ve been around a long time, George.

GEORGE
(Pinching MAGDALENE’s cheek)
Are you really her ? Really Mary of Magdala ? You look pretty darnn good, considerin’ you’re 2000 years old. Can’t be.
MAGDALENE
Funny things happen on the other side…

GEORGE
Geez ! So, you’re the real McCoy ?

MAGDALENE
You’re looking at her.

GEORGE
You’re a striking woman. Sexy, too…if you don’t mind me sayin’. Now, don’t get all upset with me. I know you’re not taking your clothes off…figured that out. Even in the grave, the good woman made sure of that one…Hey, I’ll admit it. Had my share of women in my day. Got no regrets.
(Getting up out of bed)

Hand me my robe, Mary. Over there - on the chair. Got to go to the bathroom. It’s the prostate thing. I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere. Sit down. Make yourself at home.

(GEORGE walks into his master bathroom and shuts the door.
MAGDALENE walks around the room and glances at his belongings.
There are many family pictures.
MAGDALENE then walks over to the window and stares into the patio garden.
It is a hot and humid night, with the smell of summer rain in the air.)

Well, what’d ya think ? Pretty nice, isn’t it ? Worked my whole life to earn that spot. It was the missus’ idea, and I liked it. That was a good one. And this view over here. You should see the view from the living room. Now that’s extraordinary. Took 35 years to earn that.

MAGDALENE
Was it worth it ?

GEORGE
Sure was. It was my golden parachute that did it.

MAGDALENE
Golden parachute ?

GEORGE
Oh…when you work your way up the company ladder…make the right moves and work hard. Morning, noon, and night. Six…seven days a week…whatever…whatever it takes. And then one day, after a lifetime of work, a company bigger than your big company knocks on your door. Buys you out. But I was ready…
MAGDALENE
And your wife ?

GEORGE
What about her ?

MAGDALENE
Didn’t she miss you – six, seven days a week ?

GEORGE
She had the kids to raise.

MAGDALENE
And that was enough ?

GEORGE
Had to be. That was the deal. Margaret knew it. I was the breadwinner and she’d raise the family. Take care of the house. Run things around here. I couldn’t do both.

MAGDALENE
I guess not.

GEORGE
(Still standing by the window)
What’s that supposed to mean ?

MAGDALENE
Nothing.

GEORGE
Oh, come on…spit it out. Don’t beat around the bush with me.

MAGDALENE
Don’t you think your wife missed you ?

GEORGE
She had a good life with me. I gave her everything she ever wanted.

MAGDALENE
You did ?

GEORGE
Don’t you dare waltz into my home and tell me I wasn’t a good husband. Margaret had a good life. I took good care of her.
MAGDALENE
Oh come on, George. Don’t you think she knew about the other women ? Don’t you think she ever wanted you in a more intimate way ?

GEORGE
She had her charity work.

MAGDALENE
So what !

GEORGE
Once I started getting promotions, I treated her like a queen – good as gold. She had a housekeeper. Then a gardener. Even a personal assistant.

MAGDALENE
So she had more time to miss you. To wonder where you were, what you were doing, to wonder about the other women you were with.

Was she ever so lonely that she looked to another man, George ?

GEORGE
Margaret, my dear wife…was not that KIND of woman. She was a good Christian woman. Oh hell…she knew about the women. But she knew those other women meant nothing to me. I didn’t love them. They were just –

MAGDALENE
What ?

GEORGE
Well, you know…

MAGDALENE
No, I don’t. Fill me in.

GEORGE
They were…you know…they were whores. Tramps. Like you were.
(GEORGE clutches his chest and wobbles on his feet. He face grimaces with pain.)

MAGDALENE
Watch what you say, George.

GEORGE
Just thought it’d make sense to you…knowin’ how men get lonely. Need a woman. In that way.
MAGDALENE
You mean in a sexual way ?

GEORGE
See…I knew you’d get it.

MAGDALENE
Get what ? The loneliness…Oh I get the loneliness…I understand loneliness…but…not because I was a whore.

GEORGE
I know you changed but that’s how you started out.

MAGDALENE
No, George I didn’t.

GEORGE
Oh come on, Mary. Everyone knows what you were. Quite a busy lady. Hell, you had ‘em lined up. Night and day !

MAGDALENE
You bastard !

GEORGE
I call it as I see it. Not afraid to call a spade a spade.

MAGDALENE
(MAGDALENE slaps GEORGE on the face.)
And I’m not afraid to call you an idiot.

GEORGE
Hey !

MAGDALENE
You perpetuate lies, George. You live them and believe they are true. Would you know the difference between a lie and the truth ?

GEORGE
Listen, I don’t care what you did. All the power to you. You were an independent woman. A little on the wild side. Did your own thing. But you came to your senses. That’s all that counts.

MAGDALENE
(Sitting GEORGE down in the chair by his nightstand)
Listen to me. I was not a prostitute. Fiction. False. Not so. Didn’t happen. A big mistake.

GEORGE
Hey…easy on the old bones. (Pauses) You mean business, don’t you ?

MAGDALENE
George -

GEORGE
Because I’ve seen enough in my day to know. You’re all worked up about this. Got passion, Mary. I like that !

MAGDALENE
You’re hearing me. Finally. You’re actually listening to me and making the connection.

GEORGE
Listen, I’ve seen history changed. Saw it when I was in the war. What they told the folks back home and what we were going through. They had their reasons. At the time… maybe…seemed like the right thing to do.

MAGDALENE
It wasn’t the right thing to do. Don’t try and justify it.

GEORGE
Listen, you’re a woman. You don’t understand these things –

MAGDALENE
Just like Margaret didn’t understand why you had to sleep with all those other women. And when she asked you, did you come up with some insensitive answer for her ? Like, Margaret…I work long hours…I put bread on the table…and I get lonely…you’re busy with the kids. A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do, Margaret.

GEORGE
(Waving his finger at her)
Just stop right there. Right now. Margaret understood. She knew I loved her. But –

MAGDALENE
But what ?

GEORGE
I was a lonely man.

MAGDALENE
And Margaret – she wasn’t lonely ?

GEORGE
That’s not the point.

MAGDALENE
Oh…here’s where George tells a lie but he thinks it’s the truth.

GEORGE
What do you care so much about my marriage for ? It was MY marriage. And it’s over. Just like my life.

(Thunder can be heard in the background. A cool breeze filters through an open window.)

How much time do you think I have left ? Margaret’s gone. And it’s unbearable without her. Believe it or not. Those women didn’t mean anything to me.

It was like coming in first in the race - but there was no prize at the end. I was in competition with the other V.P.’s – we had an unofficial tally – who could score the most. I was hard to beat in my day. No pun intended. But it was a game, Mary. Half the time I couldn’t wait to get home.
(Looking down)
Take a shower. Wash my guilt away.

And I would get into bed with Margaret, and she would roll over and rub my face with her hand. Is that you ? she would say. What time is it ? And I’d tell her to go back to sleep…she was a good wife…her hands were always warm.

MAGDALENE
And your heart was always cold.

GEORGE
(Getting up from the chair and walking over to the window with the view of the skyline)

You know this town will eat you alive – if you let it. I always provided for my family. Always loved my wife. Paid my taxes, made charitable donations…big ones.
So, I cheated on my wife. It didn’t make me happy. But it didn’t stop me, either.

MAGDALENE
Then why did you do it ? Why did you cheat on your wife ?

GEORGE
Why did history make you a prostitute ?
MAGDALENE
Do you think they’re the same thing ? That they go together ?

GEORGE
No…I’m not saying that. What I’m saying…oh hell…I don’t know why I’m saying.

MAGDALENE
You mean – you don’t have an answer.

GEORGE
(Touching his heart)
Cold hearts. Men have cold hearts.

MAGDALENE
Not all men, George.

GEORGE
Most of ‘em.
(GEORGE walks over to the a dresser and pours himself a drink.)

Would you like to share some misery with me, young lady ?

(MAGDALENE declines a drink. She walks over to GEORGE’S chair by the nightstand and sits down.)

You know…in my day there wasn’t a lot of sensitivity floatin’ around.

MAGDALENE
When was there ever, George ? In my time there wasn’t much sensitivity either. Roman soldiers…crucifixions…not too sensitive, George, trust me.

GEORGE
(offering up a laugh)
Mary…you didn’t go to war, did you ?

MAGDALENE
I saw the effects of war.

GEORGE
Then you know how difficult it is to accept life after you’ve seen war.
(GEORGE gulps down his drink.)

Maybe you tended to the wounded…back in your time. But I – I was the one who did the wounding. The mutilating. Damn – it was kill or be killed…so I killed. I didn’t want to die. As much death as I saw, it would have been easier to die…but I didn’t want to die. It scared the hell out of me. Kept me alive. Kept me going. Crazy, isn’t it ?

All I saw…the whole time…was my father. Pushing me into the military. He said, son, a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. Nothing else. No preparation. No sensitivity. Not a damn thing. And I was too scared to ask. But the worst part, I couldn’t tell him that, no. That would have been worse than dying – tellin’ my ‘ol man I was afraid. I would’ve seen the back of his hand so fast. You just didn’t ask questions. No sir. No questions.

(A few cracks of thunder can be heard.
George pulls the curtain back and looks out the window.)

A storm’s comin’. Been brewin’ all day.

MAGDALENE
In more ways than one.

GEORGE
(Pouring himself another drink and walking to center stage)
I’m an old man, Mary. Can feel the dampness in my bones. I’m in pain every time it’s going to rain. Can barely get out of bed anymore. Don’t want to either. Margaret’s gone. The kids are all grown, even the grandkids are too busy.

MAGDALENE
Just like you were –

GEORGE
Mary, give a dying man his due. I know my sins. I committed them. And I’ve paid the price…wasn’t always like this. When I look in the mirror, I barely recognize myself. So many wrinkles, so many years…I was a handsome man in my day…had my fair share of dames interested…but when I met Maggie, I knew. My heart melted when I saw her. She had the most beautiful smile. Could light up a room with that smile.

(GEORGE dances by himself, centerstage.)

Boy we could dance. We were the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers of the neighborhood. All eyes were on us - on that dance floor. And we loved every minute of it !

MAGDALENE
What happened, George ?

GEORGE
That was before the war. All the men, we had to go. Hitler was our number one enemy.

MAGDALENE
Satan himself.

GEORGE
We were just kids, Mary. Havin’ fun. We didn’t have much but…we were happy. Not like today. Everybody has everything they could ever want and more and they’re just plain miserable. Why be young if you can’t enjoy your youth ? Should be simple.

(GEORGE salutes to the audience.)

George McCormack reporting for duty, sir.

They we were. Ready, willing, and able. Hell, we had to save the world. We didn’t have time to get ready. We just went. Thrown in – like lambs to the slaughter.

MAGDALENE
Like my beloved.

GEORGE
The battlefield cried out for our young blood. Soldiers wounded everywhere. Blood everywhere. Fresh blood, dried blood. Death.

Kept a picture of Margaret tucked inside my sock, so I could pull it out when I needed some hope. Most times it was the only hope I had.

MAGDALENE
Why didn’t you turn to God ?

GEORGE
(Turns around sharply)
What did you say ?

MAGDALENE

Why didn’t you turn to God ?

GEORGE
GOD ?

MAGDALENE
Yes, God.

GEORGE
Have you ever seen a battlefield ? Mary…you’re a woman. You didn’t fight battles, you didn’t kill other men. You don’t find God on a battlefield !

You witness the evil in man’s heart when you walk through a battlefield. You see your buddy and you turn and he’s blown to bits. You watch his leg fly through the air, trying to dodge the bullets coming at you. You hear the screams, the pain. You see the terror in their eyes as you try to keep your heart from pounding so fast the damn thing’ll explode ! You…you run. You hide. Dig yourself deep inside a trench and wait for the enemy to retreat.

And if you came out alive, and in one piece, hell, everything else was a piece a cake -

MAGDALENE
I wish you could have turned to God then.

GEORGE
No, Mary, that’s not the way it works out there.

MAGDALENE
You should –

GEORGE
Don’t tell me how it works, God damn it. Don’t try and tell me what’s right. War is not right and the men who fight it are never right after it.

MAGDALENE
Wars have been fought since the beginning of time.

GEORGE
Precisely ! Since the beginning of time. That oughta tell you something about men.

MAGDALENE
But, I knew differently.

GEORGE
(Walking over to get another drink)
You don’t know a damn thing.

MAGDALENE
I know more than you give me credit for, George.

GEORGE
You just don’t think like a man, Mary. Can’t compete with a man. That’s why women aren’t in combat. They can’t handle it. They don’t have what it takes.

MAGDALENE
And what’s that ?

GEORGE
They don’t have that instinct. Kill or be killed. Hell, some MEN can’t do it either. Don’t feel bad. It’s not something to be proud of…it’s just something men know how to do.

MAGDALENE
And men don’t know how to turn to God ?

GEORGE
Sissies do.
(A loud clap of thunder can be heard. George looks around and clenches his heart.)

MAGDALENE
I warned you George. But, true to form, you don’t -

GEORGE
You know…I didn’t have to sell my soul to the devil when I got out of the service. I was a talented man. But –

MAGDALENE
But what ?

GEORGE
But I heard more men call out for God on the battlefield. When they were right in the face of death, what did they do ? Cried like babies and called out for God. Jesus, Jesus, save me. And their throats were slit. Blood poured out. And they died. No Jesus. No God. How many times do you have to see it to know God’s just not coming ? You’re screwed and you’re going to die.

MAGDALENE
You are a sad man, George. You have lived all these years and you have forsaken your God.

GEORGE
He forgot about me a long time ago.

MAGDALENE
Maybe it was the other way around.
GEORGE
I respected God.

MAGDALENE
(Laughing)
You did ?

GEORGE
The wife wanted the kids baptized, and I went along. They were baptized. They made their communion. Confirmation. All the things they were supposed to do.

MAGDALENE
Why did you bother ?

GEORGE
Because the wife wanted it. I went along with it. Respected it. Didn’t believe in it, but respected it. Wasn’t that good enough, Mary ?

MAGDALENE
It’s so easy to hate you, George.

GEORGE
You think you’re the first person to tell me that ?

MAGDALENE
I doubt it.

GEORGE
You see…Mary…there’s something you don’t understand.

MAGDALENE
Enlighten me, please.

GEORGE
(Walking over to the window by the patio garden and opening the French doors)

I accept myself. I know who I am. What I am. I’m not a phony. People don’t like that. They want me to be something I’m not. They want the pretty picture. Well, I’m NOT the pretty picture.

(Turning to MAGDALENE)
Margaret wanted this patio garden. Loved to grow things. Make ‘em pretty. And boy could she grow things. See. That’s the difference. Me – I’d kill everything. It’s not in my nature to grow things. I just don’t have what it takes.
MAGDALENE
You just don’t believe you do, George. Perception becomes reality.

GEORGE
Don’t try any of that psycho-babble on me, Mary…

MAGDALENE
Ever the sensitive one –

GEORGE
At least I’m comfortable in my own skin. At least I’m not wasting my time or anyone else’s pretending to be someone I’m not.

MAGDALENE
I really want to hate you, George. At this moment you make me so angry.

GEORGE
That’s okay. Been pissin’ people off all my life. But I still hold my head up high. Contributed alot to society in my day. Worked hard. Paid my taxes. Helped build this country into what it is today.

MAGDALENE
You remind me of the Romans. They thought they did too. As they crucified and beat my beloved.

GEORGE
The Romans were great soldiers. A great civilization.

MAGDALENE
And they were masters of the art of crucifixion.

GEORGE
Proves my point, Mary. Don’t beat a dead horse.

MAGDALENE
Are you the horse ?

GEORGE
(Smiles)
Afraid so. There ain’t much life left in this old man.

(George walks out into the patio garden and it begins to rain. He hears the thunder and runs in when he sees lightening strike. He is soaking wet.)

MAGDALENE
Enough to hear one last word ?

GEORGE
What ?

MAGDALENE
Enough life left in you to hear one last word ?

GEORGE
I’m soaking wet, Mary. Boy, it feels good. It was so hot all day. Grab me a towel in there, would ya, doll ? In there.

MAGDALENE
(Enters the bathroom and grabs a towel)
I’m not your servant, George…remember ? Here -

GEORGE
Yah, yah.
(GEORGE wipes himself off with the towel.)
So, what’s the word ? Do you mind if I have another drink ?

MAGDALENE
It’s over George.

GEORGE
What the hell’s that supposed to mean ? Are you threatening me again ?

MAGDALENE
No.

GEORGE
Then what the…what are you doing ?

MAGDALENE
Forgiveness.

GEORGE
What ?

MAGDALENE
I’m forgiving you.

GEORGE
Well, thank you, Miss Magdalene. Now I’ll die a better person.

MAGDALENE
I don’t think so.

GEORGE
(Falls to floor with a serious groan and gasping for air)
My medicine. Over there. Grab it.

MAGDALENE
No more medicine for you, George. Your time has come. All the medicine in the world will not save you today. This is not your lucky day.

GEORGE
Please –

MAGDALENE
(Walking over to the nightstand where all his medication is)
This one George ? Or is it this one ? How many are there ?

GEORGE
(Shaking his head)
That one…hurry.

MAGDALENE
(Walking over slowly and handing GEORGE a pill)
Here you go, George.

(GEORGE quickly swallows it and regains his breath. He makes his way over to his bed and lies back in bed. MAGDALENE leans over him and props a pillow behind his head.)

GEORGE
A minute ago you’re trying to kill me. Now you’re propping a pillow behind my head. Gonna suffocate me next ?

MAGDALENE
Sometimes I wish I could. But I can’t do it.

GEORGE
See – what’d I tell you ? Killin’ just doesn’t come natural to your kind. Sooner or later you’ll come around to my way of thinking.

MAGDALENE
Never. I’m not here to come around to your way of thinking.

GEORGE
Then why the hell are you here ? Why won’t you answer that ? Been asking you all night. Can’t get a straight answer out of you.

MAGDALENE
(Walks to centerstage)
I’m not here…to save you…from death. There is no saving you. I think you know that.

GEORGE
(Coughing)
I’ve been TRYIN’ to tell you that all night. You don’t listen. There is no salvation for ME. I accept that. Gonna take it like a man. I turned my back on God a long time ago. Don’t expect him to save me on my deathbed, Mary.

MAGDALENE
You’ve had so many chances.

GEORGE
(Clenching his fists)
Swore to myself on that battlefield. Wasn’t gonna cry out for God when my time finally came. No, gonna take it like a man.

MAGDALENE
(Looking around)
Forgive me, my beloved. …he brings out the worst in me. I feel you near me.

GEORGE
What are you mumbling ?

MAGDALENE
(Looking off to the corner of the room)
Why must I forgive HIM ?

GEORGE
Nonsense…sheer nonsense.
(He clenches his heart again.)

MAGDALENE
(Looking down at George)
I must forgive you, George. And all those like you. That is why I’m here.
GEORGE
The pain – it’s never been like this. I’m not gonna make it – damn – this is it…

MAGDALENE
I forgive you. And all who resemble you.

The kind that tortured and beat my beloved. The ones that didn’t understand his silence. His heart. His love. Or my purpose. I forgive them. As angry as they make me. As angry as George makes me -

GEORGE
Stop your babbling and get me a glass of water !

MAGDALENE
(Looking out to the audience)
I forgive them for what they have done.

GEORGE
(Choking)
Water !

MAGDALENE
And I forgive him…and those like him…for what they did to me. How they twisted my name, and buried my truth. Their hatred. My pain. No more.

GEORGE
(Calming down)
Mary, here. Please.
MAGDALENE
(Walking over to his bed.)
Yes ?

GEORGE
Mary, please. Hold my hand.

MAGDALENE
Your hands are freezing cold.
(MAGDALENE rubs her hands on his.)

GEORGE
(Looking onto MAGDALENE’S eyes)
Remember…an old soldier never dies. He just fades away…time’s running out, Mary.

MAGDALENE
(With a tear in her eye)
I’m sorry…

GEORGE
Margaret’s waitin’ for me -

MAGDALENE
(Holding George’s hand)
Call out to her George.
(Looking around again)
He IS close. I FEEL it.

GEORGE
Margaret…I’m coming…Mary…forgive me. Mary…please…please…forgive me. Forgive me my sins.

(GEORGE closes his eyes and dies.

MAGDALENE wipes her tears, leans over, and kisses his forehead. She fixes his body and arranges his bedding.

MAGDALENE goes to the table with all the family pictures. She takes the picture of GEORGE and his wife and tucks it in his arms.

MAGDALENE walks toward the foot of the bed and stops, and turns around.
She turns back towards the audience.)

MAGDALENE

We have all needed this day. All of us. Each and every one.

Look after him…Margaret… George is coming home.

(Lights fade.)