Hamilton

say your name was? Mrs. Reynolds Mrs. Reynolds⁠—Maria is my first name. At home I was always called Joy. Hamilton Joy! Mrs. Reynolds Yes, Joy, but I haven’t had much joy since I married. Breaking down. Oh, but I want it! I want joy and happiness. Hamilton After a pause. Rising and moving to R. and not quite knowing what to say to her; she glances at him quickly as he does so. Things will look brighter tomorrow. Bending over her. Mrs. Reynolds Despondently. No, I’ve waited for years for things to be brighter tomorrow. Hamilton Sympathetically. I fear you are very tired. Mrs. Reynolds I am. With a side glance at the things on the table. I’ve had nothing since morning. Hamilton Haven’t you? Suddenly remembering. Why, neither have I! Coming down R. a step or two. Mrs. Reynolds Nothing to eat since morning! Rising. You poor boy! Putting her arms on his and then going quickly to back of C. table. Why, you’ve got all sorts of things here⁠—and wine. Hamilton Will you have a glass of wine? Curtain warning. Mrs. Reynolds L. of table and above it. Oh, yes, I love wine! He gives it to her laughing. She drinks. Oh, I don’t think I should have had it⁠—I’ve had nothing to eat. Hamilton In that case, I believe, it goes straight to the head. They laugh. Mrs. Reynolds Putting down glass. Aren’t you going to have one? Hamilton Yes, I’m going to have one. Here’s wishing that joy may come back into your life. Drinks the glass he had already filled when the knock came. Mrs. Reynolds Watches him and comes down a little in front of table. Do you know what it is to be lonely? Hamilton At R. corner of table. I do. I’ve been very lonely sometimes. Mrs. Reynolds Going to him. I believe you’re lonely now. Hamilton I believe I am. Mrs. Reynolds Two lonely people, alone! Have you nobody here to talk to? Hamilton Nobody⁠—but you. Recovering. And that is why I am going to send you away. But first, you must have some food. Moving to back of C. table. Mrs. Reynolds Gently. Oh, no⁠—not if you’re afraid of my staying. I see you think it isn’t right. Backing away a little toward L. Hamilton I think it’s better not. But you must have some food. Mrs. Reynolds Passing her hand over her brow. No, no, thank you. I will go. Moving over to R. of him. Hamilton Coming down a step. But I can’t let you go like this. Mrs. Reynolds No, I see I was wrong. I had no right to ask you for money. Hamilton But I don’t like to⁠— Mrs. Reynolds No, thank you, I’ll go⁠—I⁠⸺⁠ She reels slightly, falling into his arms. Hamilton Catching her. What’s the matter? Mrs. Reynolds Recovering; dazed. I don’t know what’s come over me. I feel so hot and funny. Hamilton Well⁠—Looks for a place to seat her. Sit here. Sits her on sofa. Mrs. Reynolds Looking up at him. It must have been the wine. They laugh. Hamilton Having one knee on sofa, steps over sofa and comes behind her; arranges pillows at head of ditto. Rest here a moment. Mrs. Reynolds Reclining and feeling her face. Feel my face how it’s burning. Takes his left hand and puts it on her left cheek, using her right hand to do so. Hamilton I’ll get you some water. As he goes, she watches him and takes cloak from her shoulders with a quick movement, which shows the audience she is acting. He goes to L. U. end of table left and fills a glass of water from a decanter and brings it over to her. She looks up at him very appealingly and then slowly takes the glass in her right hand and sips. Mrs. Reynolds It’s wonderful to be with someone who is kind to me. Passing the glass into her left hand and giving to him; he takes it in his right hand. Hamilton Are you feeling better? Bending over her. Mrs. Reynolds Subtly getting her fingers into his right hand; he takes the glass in his left. Yes, yes. Let me stay⁠—just a moment. She holds his hand very unconsciously and rests a moment with eyes closed. Now I’ll go. Hamilton Bending low over her, recovers himself with an effort. I’ll call my old negro servant. He shall take you home. Puts glass on C. table. Mrs. Reynolds Rising quickly, and gathering cloak around her. Oh, no, no! What would he think? No, I’ll go, thank you. Hamilton But I can’t let you⁠—Mrs. Reynolds slightly reels. I’ll see you to your door. Takes his hat and cloak from corner of bookcase up C. at back; puts cloak on. Mrs. Reynolds With a triumphant gleam in her eyes. Will you? Oh, but, Mr. Hamilton, I couldn’t dream of taking you out at this hour. It’s so late. Moves up L. of sofa. Hamilton Coming down to her. That’s why I can’t let you go alone. Feels her thin cloak. But I’m afraid you’ll be chilly in the night air. Putting his hat on and taking a second cloak from chair R. of bookcase C. at back. Here, put this around you. Puts it around her. Mrs. Reynolds Cuddling into it, they bump slightly and both laugh. Is it one of yours? Hamilton Yes. Laughing. And very big for you. Stands L. of her. Mrs. Reynolds It’s very cozy. Hamilton Now. Mrs. Reynolds Brightly. May take your arm? Takes his right arm with her left. Hamilton Why, you’re feeling much better. Mrs. Reynolds Oh, yes! Hamilton I think you had better have another glass of wine? Laughing. Mrs. Reynolds Oh, no, thank you; just take me home. Isn’t it wonderful to be taken home by Alexander Hamilton?

They go toward street door up R. Hamilton