(B enters, looks around, then whistles. Pause.)
(A enters, looks around, then whistles a response. Pause.)
(B whistles again. A whistles back. Pause.)
(B whistles again. A whistles back. Pause.)
(They approach each other, keeping in the shadows.)
Well?
The word. What was?
(Beat)
What word?
You said.
(Beat)
Said when?
Said yesterday. As you talked.
(Beat)
Which word exactly?
Over and over. The word you kept saying. Do you remember?
I was talking.
To me.
I said this word.
Do you remember?
Yesterday.
Yes.
Over and over
Yes.
and over again. I said this word. So you say.
Yes.
(Pause)
I remember.
You do?
I think so.
(Pause)
Yes. Now I remember. I remember quite well. Why do you ask?
(Beat)
Because...
Yes?
(Beat)
Because I...
Yes?
(Beat)
Out with it.
(Beat)
Because I have forgotten.
Over and over. This word I said. Over and over so you would not forget.
Yes.
And yet you have forgotten. It was your task.
To forget?
No. To remember.
(Pause)
I'm sorry.
(Pause)
All is forgiven. Again I will say this word. Because you must remember. So much depends on it. But only once will I say this word. Now: Listen very carefully.
(Beat)
Are you listening?
Yes.
(Beat)
Are you still listening?
Yes.
(Beat)
Are you listening still?
Yes.
(Beat)
Only once and you must remember.
Yes.
(Beat)
The word is—
Yes?
(Beat)
The word I said is—
Yes?
(Beat)
The word which over and over I yesterday said is—
Yes?
(Beat)
The word I said is this:
This?
Yes. This:
This is the word?
Yes. This is the word:
The word is this?
Yes. The word is this:
[END OF EXCERPT]