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• Eclipses : ONE-ACT PLAY, excerpt 1 , ONE-ACT PLAY, excerpt 2 , ONE-ACT PLAY, excerpt 3

Eclipses, translated by Gwynneth Dowling

ONE-ACT PLAY, excerpt 1

Context:

Belén spots a local celebrity and Ana makes fun of her friend’s uncharacteristic lust. Belén, perhaps slightly sarcastically, praises Ana’s life experience.

Sample text

BELÉN:

Look, there’s that guy off the telly. Look there, he’s going.

ANA:

Where?

BELÉN:

There. Up where the surfers are.

ANA:

I don’t see him.

BELÉN:

Make an effort. He’s one of the most interesting men I know.

ANA:

You know so many men, do you?

BELÉN:

More than you think.

ANA:

And what would you do with this one?

BELÉN:

I’d go wild.

ANA:

Wild?

BELÉN:

Yes, wild.

ANA:

It’s really strange to hear you talk like that. It’s like someone’s put words in your mouth. And it sounds wrong.

BELÉN:

Apparently you know me better than I do myself.

ANA:

Perhaps a little.

BELÉN:

You think you’re so clever.

ANA:

I don’t want you to get upset …

BELÉN:

Get upset? All I have to do is take a look at you and I feel better. Obviously.

ANA:

What are you trying to say?

BELÉN:

You’re a very-experienced woman. Everyone knows that. You flaunt it at every opportunity. How things should be done, how to behave, how to dress - chic or cool, modern or classic. You know so much. I’ve asked your advice many times. I could listen to you for hours, without opening my mouth once. You always seem to know what to say. I know I could learn a lot from you. Things that I’m missing, right now. I spend my days in the hospital while you get even more life experience out here. What did you do all yesterday? We were supposed to meet up.

ANA does not answer. She takes a pocket mirror and examines her eyebrows, the corners of her mouth, her eyelids. She takes out some lip liner and touches up her lips. BELÉN watches her.

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation Eclipses by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

ONE-ACT PLAY, excerpt 2

Context:

The women discuss a handsome young man on the beach. Then the conversation moves on to their mutual friend. Their dialogue is peppered with unsaid accusations and regrets.

Sample text

BELÉN:

I’m old enough to be his mother.

ANA:

Well then I’m his grandmother.

BELÉN:

You’re a little young for that.

ANA:

Belén …

BELÉN:

Although the way you look at those surfers …

ANA:

You know you like that guy just as much as I do. If not more ...

BELÉN:

It’s immoral.

ANA:

But it’s not fattening.

BELÉN:

If anyone found out …

ANA:

Who?

BELÉN:

You.

ANA:

No.

BELÉN:

I’m sure you’d tell someone.

ANA:

We’re friends.

BELÉN:

Do I have to remind you?

ANA:

What is it that you want to throw in my face?

BELÉN:

We’re friends.

ANA:

Leave it.

BELÉN:

Go and see her.

ANA:

I thought we’d resolved this issue. As I said …

BELÉN:

Promise me you will.

ANA:

I can’t. And you know I can’t.

BELÉN:

There must be something left between you two.

ANA:

You don’t know everything that went on.

BELÉN:

She’s forgotten about it.

ANA:

There’s nothing to forget.

BELÉN:

She’s doing very badly.

ANA:

Nobody gave a shit when I was going through hell.

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation Eclipses by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

ONE-ACT PLAY, excerpt 3

Context:

Belén and Ana have attracted the attention of two men. One of them is Alberto, the local celebrity who works as a relationship expert on television. Belén deliberately gets Ana to rub lotion on her. This means Ana has to go and clean her hands, leaving Belén free to flirt with both men. This excerpt concludes the play.

Sample text

ANA:

He’s looking this way. He’s looking at me.

BELÉN:

At you? Or me?

ANA:

He’s got a lovely smile.

BELÉN:

He looks like the ‘Diet Coke Break’ guy.

ANA:

I saw him first.

BELÉN:

Look over there. It’s your friend, the Love Doctor. He’s waving.

ANA:

Since you liked him so much, I’ll give him to you.

BELÉN:

In exchange for what?

ANA:

Nothing, honey. It’s a gift.

BELÉN:

So you’ll be left with ‘Diet Coke Break’ boy? No way.

ANA:

You don’t want them both for yourself, do you?

BELÉN:

I’m having trouble choosing. Careful! You’re hurting me.

ANA:

I didn’t mean to.

BELÉN:

I bet you didn’t. Rub some more lotion on me.

ANA:

Okay, it’s settled. I’ll introduce you to Alberto, and I’ll work out a way to get my man.

BELÉN:

And what about your hands?

ANA:

Shit!

BELÉN:

Go clean yourself off.

ANA:

You’re a pig. Stop smiling at him.

BELÉN:

Bye! Byeeee!

ANA:

There's no way you'll ...

BELÉN:

I’ll tell you about it later. Maybe Alberto will have me on his show.

ANA:

You’re a fat cow.

BELÉN:

And you’re a bag of old bones.

ANA:

Weren’t we friends?

BELÉN:

Look after my towel.

Curtain

Copyright

The above sample taken from the translation Eclipses by Gwynneth Dowling is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Entry written by Gwynneth Dowling. Last updated on 6 June 2011.

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