C H A P T E R 
131

Langley was giving a better performance tonight than last night, thought Keith as the final scene began. Though the director thoroughly knew the lines, he consulted his script from time to time, marking the passages he wanted to discuss with Langley.

ACT TWO, SCENE FOUR

When the lights come up, DAVIS has followed VALERIE onto the balcony. The sky is riddled with stars, and the moon is bright. DAVIS admires the view and then turns his attention to VALERIE, who is standing in the center of the balcony. DAVIS is frighteningly calm.

DAVIS:	Why shouldn’t these narrow balconies ever be called “widowers’ walks”? Do architects not imagine that men who have suddenly found themselves alone in life need a breath of fresh air? (He looks up at the night sky.) Are not the stars meant to bring solace to grieving husbands, too?
VALERIE:	I have already told you. I am not going to commit suicide for you, Davis. (She brings her hand up to her head, teeters dizzily for a moment, and finding the railing with her other hand, steadies herself.) I’ve got such an awful head. I had better get to the medicine cabinet.
DAVIS:	For what? This? (He holds up a small paper envelope.) I don’t think I can let you have your medicine, my dear Valerie. I prefer you dizzy and unsteady. Alas, suicides are far too messy. (DAVIS walks toward VALERIE until he is next to her, blocking her exit.) It will have to be an accident.
VALERIE:	(Holding on to the railing with both hands) Keep away from me, Davis. I have looked into your eyes lately and seen something horrible, something inhuman and evil. I beg you, if there is a shred of decency left in you, let me pass. And if you refuse me my medicine, at least let me go back inside and lie down.
DAVIS:	The night is too beautiful to spend indoors. (He whispers in her ear.) Look at how high up we are. Imagine how quickly the end would come if the railing were to give way. What blessed relief it would be to finally have these headaches behind you. (He begins slowly to shake the railing, loosening it from its moorings.) Marriage to me has been a living hell, has it not? You want peace, don’t you?
VALERIE:	Stop it, Davis. Stop it. (She steps away from the railing and in two steps has her back against the wall.) I cannot fight you any longer. I surrender, do you hear? I surrender!
DAVIS:	(He finally loosens the railing completely, and it crashes to earth, leaving them both just steps away from the edge. He pulls the revolver from the pocket of his smoking jacket and aims it at his wife.) Surrender is all I needed to hear, darling. (He reaches out to her, putting his free hand on her shoulder.) Now come. Two small steps and it will be over. Your surrender will be complete.

(VALERIE resists DAVIS, pinned to the wall as if by nails. DAVIS pulls harder while VALERIE fights to stay where she is. DAVIS finally yanks VALERIE away from the wall, and the two of them stand tottering on the edge. In a flash, VALERIE rips the gun from DAVIS’s grip, and DAVIS falls, silently, off the balcony. VALERIE stands stricken for a moment and then, triumphant, she EXITS.)

LIGHTS OUT. FINAL CURTAIN.

Yes, Langley was certainly inspiring, thought Keith as he watched the actors take their bows.