The Vortex

wonderfully clear night. You can see the hills right across the valley⁠—the moon’s quite strong. Florence goes to the window and stands next to Helen, looking out⁠—she is puffing her cigarette. Florence I chose this room in the first place because the view was so lovely. Helen Do you ever look at it? Florence

Listlessly.

Of course I do, often!

Helen It’s been raining. I wish you’d throw away that cigarette⁠—it spoils the freshness. Florence

Turning away.

It’s soothing me⁠—calming my nerves.

Helen I do wish I could help you⁠—really! Florence You are helping me, darling⁠—you’re being an angel. Helen

Suddenly angry.

Don’t talk so emptily, Florence; I’m worth more than that.

Florence I don’t know what you mean. Helen It sickens me to see you getting back so soon. Florence Getting back? Helen Yes, to your usual worthless attitude of mind. Florence Helen! Helen A little while ago you were really suffering for once, and in a way I was glad because it showed you were capable of a genuine emotion. Now you’re glossing it over⁠—swarming it down with your returning vanity; soon you won’t be unhappy any more⁠—just vindictive. Florence Don’t go on at me like that⁠—I’m too wretched. Helen

Going to her.

Florence dear, forgive me, but it’s true⁠—and I don’t want it to be.

The door opens and Nicky enters. He is in dressing-gown and pyjamas. His face looks strained and white. Florence Nicky! Nicky Helen, I want to talk to mother, please. Helen All right, Nicky. Florence What is it? Nicky I couldn’t sleep. Helen Florence dear⁠—good night. Florence No⁠—no, Helen⁠—don’t go yet⁠— Helen I must. Florence Helen⁠—stay with me. Nicky Please go. Helen I can’t stay, Florence⁠—it’s quite impossible. She goes out. Florence I don’t know what you mean⁠—by coming here and ordering Helen out of my room. Nicky I’m sorry, mother. I felt I had to talk to you alone. Florence At this hour of the night? You’re mad! Nicky No, I’m not; I think I’m probably more unhappy than I’ve ever been in my life. Florence You’re young⁠—you’ll get over it. Nicky I hope so. Florence I knew the first moment I saw her⁠—what sort of a girl she was. Nicky Oh, mother! Florence It’s true. I had an instinct about her. Nicky It’s all been rather a shock, you know⁠— Florence

Becoming motherly.

Yes, dear⁠—I know⁠—I know⁠—but you mustn’t be miserable about her; she isn’t worth it. She goes to kiss him.

Nicky

Gently pushing her away.

Don’t, mother!

Florence Listen, Nicky. Go back to bed now⁠—there’s a dear; my head’s splitting. Nicky I can’t yet. Florence Take some aspirin; that’ll calm your nerves. Nicky I’m afraid I’m a little beyond aspirin. Florence I don’t want you to think I don’t sympathize with you, darling⁠—my heart aches for you⁠—I know so well what you’re going through. Nicky Do you? Florence It’s agony⁠—absolute agony⁠—but, you see⁠—it will wear off⁠—it always does in time. Nicky doesn’t answer. Nicky, please go now! Nicky I want to talk to you. Florence Tomorrow⁠—we’ll talk tomorrow. Nicky No, now⁠—now! Florence You’re inconsiderate and cruel⁠—I’ve told you my head’s bursting. Nicky I want to sympathize with you, too⁠—and try to understand everything⁠—as well as I can⁠— Florence Understand everything? Nicky Yes, please. Florence I don’t know what you mean⁠— Nicky Will you tell me things⁠—as though I were somebody quite different? Florence What kind of things? Nicky Things about you⁠—your life. Florence Really, Nicky⁠—you’re ridiculous⁠—asking me to tell you stories at this hour! Nicky

With dead vehemence.

Mother⁠—sit down quietly. I’m not going out of this room until I’ve got everything straight in my mind.

Florence

Sinking down⁠—almost hypnotized.

Nicky⁠—please⁠—I⁠—

Nicky Tom Veryan has been your lover, hasn’t he? Florence

Almost shrieking.

Nicky⁠—how dare you!

Nicky Keep calm⁠—it’s our only chance⁠—keep calm. Florence

Bursting into tears.

How dare you speak to me like that⁠—suggest such a thing! I⁠—

Nicky It’s true, isn’t it? Florence Go away⁠—go away! Nicky It’s true, isn’t it? Florence No⁠—no! Nicky It’s true, isn’t it? Florence No⁠—I tell you⁠—no⁠—no⁠—no! Nicky You’re lying to me, mother. What’s the use of that? Florence You’re mad⁠—mad⁠— Nicky Does father know? Florence Go away! Nicky Does father know? Florence Your father knows nothing⁠—he doesn’t understand me any more than you do. Nicky Then it’s between us alone. Florence I tell you I don’t know what you’re talking about. Nicky Mother⁠—don’t go on like that; it’s useless. We’ve arrived at a crisis; wherever we go⁠—whatever we do we can’t escape from it. I know we’re neither of us very strong-minded or capable, and we haven’t much hope of coming through successfully⁠—but let’s try. It’s no good pretending any more⁠—our lives are built up of pretenses all the time. For years⁠—ever since I began to think at all, I’ve been bolstering up my illusions about you. People have made remarks, not realizing that I was your son, and I’ve pretended that they were inspired by cattiness and jealousy. I’ve noticed things⁠—trivial incriminating little incidents, and I’ve brushed them aside and not thought any more about them because you were my mother⁠—clever and beautiful and successful⁠—and naturally people would slander you because you were so beautiful⁠—and now I know⁠—they were right! Florence Nicky⁠—I implore you⁠—go away now⁠—leave me alone. Nicky No, I can’t. Florence You’re cruel⁠—cruel to torment me⁠— Nicky I don’t want to be cruel⁠— Florence Go to bed then, and we’ll talk everything over quietly another time. Nicky It is true about Tom Veryan, isn’t it? Florence No. No⁠— Nicky We’re on awfully dangerous ground. I’m straining every nerve to keep myself under control. If you lie to me and try to evade me any more⁠—I won’t be answerable for what might happen. Florence

Dropping her voice⁠—terrified.

What do you mean?

Nicky I don’t know⁠—I’m frightened. Florence Nicky⁠—darling Nicky⁠—I⁠— She approaches him. Nicky Don’t touch me, please. Florence Have a little pity for me. Nicky Was Tom Veryan your lover? Florence

In a whisper.

Yes.

Nicky I want to understand why⁠— Florence He loved me. Nicky But you⁠—did you love him? Florence Yes. Nicky It was something you couldn’t help, wasn’t it⁠—something that’s always been the same in you since you were quite, quite young?⁠— Florence Yes, Nicky⁠—yes⁠— Nicky And there have been others, too, haven’t there? Florence

With her face in her hands.

I won’t be cross-questioned any more⁠—I won’t⁠—I won’t⁠—

Nicky I wish you’d understand I’m not blaming you⁠—I’m trying to help you⁠—to help us both⁠— Florence What good can all this possibly do? Nicky Clear things up, of course. I can’t go on any more