Scene 10

MAX enters reading from a medical text. Throughout this scene, MAX remains present while GLASS and the girls are seen in flashbacks from the past ten years.

MAX

The blood is an opaque—

ANGELIQUE

Viscid fluid of a bright red… ummm…

GLASS

Poubelle?

POUBELLE

Or scarlet colour when it flows from the veins. It is salt to the taste, has a faint odour with an alkaline reaction. Consists of the yellow liquor sanguinis in which the blood corpuscles are suspended, giving it its crimson colour. The coloured material consists chiefly of the proteid hemoglobin. This proteid has a great affinity for oxygen and crystallizes when removed from the body.

GLASS

Very good, Poubelle. I do believe you have a natural affinity for biology.

POUBELLE

Oui, Monsieur?

GLASS

My little scientist. Now, girls, get your books out and we will go over your English lessons. You may go and pick one book each off the shelf to read this week.

The girls are excited at the prospect of picking a new book. They each hold the one they have chosen.

MAX, in the present.

MAX

Crystallizes when removed from the body.

He continues to read silently. The girls stand outside of the scene, neutrally as adults. They don't acknowledge MAX while they speak.

ANGELIQUE

Sanguine, crimson, and tasting of salt.

POUBELLE

Because we love, is that our fault?

ANGELIQUE

Spin the red liquor, shake it, whip it up.

POUBELLE

The clotting starts when the air hits the cut.

ANGELIQUE

A future with freedom, where dreams can come true.

POUBELLE

Like blood from the veins, the sky will be blue.

Shift into flashback.

GLASS

Any questions?

POUBELLE

Monsieur? What is an experiment?

GLASS

It is a method of observation and investigation into a question, something you would like to know more about.

ANGELIQUE

Something you study?

GLASS

Yes, partly.

POUBELLE

Monsieur, are we an experiment?

GLASS

I learn from you every day.

MAX continues to read through the textbook.