The Sunset Limited

Black: Well why is that? It dont seem right, does it?

White: It’s the first thing in that book there. The Garden of Eden. Knowledge as destructive to the spirit. Destructive to goodness.

Black: I thought you aint read this book?

White: Everyone knows that story. It’s probably the most famous story in there.

Black: So why do you think that is?

White: I suppose from the God point of view all knowledge is vanity. Or maybe it gives people the unhealthy illusion that they can outwit the devil.

Black: Damn, Professor. Where was you when I needed you?

White: You’d better be careful. You see where it’s gotten me.

Black: I do see. It’s the subject at hand.

White: The darker picture is always the correct one. When you read the history of the world you are reading a saga of bloodshed and greed and folly the import of which is impossible to ignore. And yet we imagine that the future will somehow be different. I’ve no idea why we are even still here but in all probability we will not be here much longer.

Black: Them is some pretty powerful words, Professor. That’s what’s in your heart, aint it?

White: Yes.

Black: Well I can relate to them thoughts.

White: You can?

Black: Yes I can.

White: That surprises me. What, you’re going to think about them?

Black: I done have thought about em. I’ve thought about em for a long time. Not as good as you said it. But pretty close.

White: Well you surprise me. And you’ve come to what conclusions?

Black: I aint. I’m still thinkin.

White: Yes. Well, I’m not.

Black: Things can change.

White: No they cant.

Black: You could be wrong.

White: I dont think so.

Black: But that aint somethin you have a lot of in your life.

White: What isnt?

Black: Bein wrong.

White: I admit it when I’m wrong.

Black: I dont think so.

White: Well, you’re entitled to your opinion.

The black leans back and regards the professor. He reaches and picks up the newspaper from the table and leans back again and adjusts his glasses.

Black: Let’s see here. Story on page three.

He folds the paper elaborately.

Black: Yeah. Here it is. Friends report that the man had ignored all advice and had stated that he intended to pursue his own course.

He adjusts his glasses.

Black: A close confidant stated (he looks up)—and this here is a quotation—said: You couldnt tell the son of a bitch nothin. (He looks up again) Can you say that in the papers? Son of a bitch? Meanwhile, bloodspattered spectators at the hundred and fifty-fifth street station— continued on page four.

He wets his thumb and laboriously turns the page and refolds the paper.

Black: —who were interviewed at the scene all reported that the man’s last words as he hurtled toward the oncomin commuter train were: I am right.

He lays down the paper and adjusts his spectacles and peers over the top of them at the professor.

White: Very funny.

The black takes off his glasses and lowers his head and pinches the bridge of his nose and shakes his head.

Black: Oh Professor. Mm. You an amazin man.

White: I’m glad you find me entertaining.

Black: Well, you pretty special.

White: I dont think I’m special.

Black: You dont.

White: No. I dont.

Black: You dont think you might view them other commuters from a certain height?

White: I view those other commuters as fellow occupants of the same abyssal pit in which I find myself. If they see it as something else I dont know how that makes me special.

Black: Mm. I hear what you sayin. But still I keep comin back to them commuters. Them that’s waitin on the Sunset? I got to think maybe they could be just a little bit special theyselves. I mean, they got to be in a deeper pit than just us daytravelers. A deeper and a darker. I aint sayin they down as deep as you, but pretty deep maybe.

White: So?

Black: So how come they cant be your brothers in despair and selfdestruction? I thought misery loved company?

White: I’m sure I don’t know.

Black: Well let me take a shot at it.

White: Be my guest.

Black: What I think is that you got better reasons then them. I mean, their reasons is just that they dont like it here, but yours says what they is not to like and why not to like it. You got more intelligent reasons. More elegant reasons.

White: Are you making fun of me?

Black: No. I aint.

White: But you think I’m full of shit.

Black: I dont think that. Oh I dont doubt but what it’s possible to die from bein full of shit. But I dont think that’s what we lookin at here.

White: What do you think we’re looking at?

Black: I dont know. You got me on unfamiliar ground. You got these elegant world class reasons for takin the Limited and these other dudes all they got is maybe they just dont feel good. In fact, it might could be that you aint even all that unhappy.

White: You think that my education is driving me to suicide.

Black: Well, no. I’m just posin the question. Wait a minute. Fore you answer.