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• The Bells of Orleans : ACT ONE Scene Two , ACT TWO Scene Two

The Bells of Orleans, translated by Gwynneth Dowling

ACT ONE Scene Two

Context:

In this scene Lorenzo seduces Consuelito with declarations of love and the promise to take her to Orleans. At first she resists his advances, believing him to be joking with her. In the end, she surrenders to his kisses.

Sample text

LORENZO:

Consuelito. (CONSUELITO enters, eyes lowered.) Why didn’t you want to talk to me back there?

CONSUELITO:

What’ve you come here for?

LORENZO:

You're not happy here.

CONSUELITO:

I used to be. Back when I toured the villages. Jumping like a monkey, with no one going ‘sit down, shut up, clean the bog’. I was just getting used to not being happy. Then you come along and look at me and all I hear are bells ringing somewhere. I don’t know where.

LORENZO:

Orleans. Consuelito, I love you.

CONSUELITO:

Yeah. Pull the other one. You make sweet-talking an art form, you do.

LORENZO:

You’re an artist, too, you know. Unlike them.

CONSUELITO:

Not a bit of it. My muscles are killing me – it’s those jumps I was doing earlier. I’m out of shape. You should leave. Let us get back to normal ‘round here. Don’t even look back. Don’t do what I did …

LORENZO:

You could help me.

CONSUELITO:

How’s that?

LORENZO:

I’ll tell you soon enough …

CONSUELITO:

Well, I’m here to help. You’re gonna be happy soon. I can see it. Better than my Ma would’ve, I think.

LORENZO:

Speak into my ear. That way we won’t disturb the churchgoers.

CONSUELITO:

I was saying, you’ll play the bells in Orleans. And when you’ve done that, you’ll have done everything!

LORENZO:

And what about you? What do you want to conquer in your lifetime? How can I conquer you?

CONSUELITO:

Me? (He starts kissing her, taking advantage of the fact that she is talking into his ear.) Lorenzo? What’re you doing? I’m married … not well, but I’m still married Lorenzo, your belt’s sticking into me!

(She is talking about his uniform.)

LORENZO:

Consuelito, come with me to Orleans.

(She sighs, giving in.)

CONSUELITO:

Orleans! God, I’m so weak! (He murmurs: ‘Weak, weak, weak’, while he kisses her.) I’m lost … But what else am I supposed to do, since I’m so weak? This is real happiness!

Copyright

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

ACT TWO Scene Two

Context:

This excerpt takes place near the end of the play. Lorenzo has departed, leaving Consuelito dejected. Her dream of going to Orleans has ended, but she still fixates on it. Distracted and distanced from the reality around her, she goes up to the bell tower, intent on ringing the bells of Orleans.

Sample text

CONSUELITO:

I’m going to ring the Angelus.

HORTENSIA: (Shouting.)

Now's not the time!

CLEOFAS: (Defending CONSUELITO.)

It’s always time.

HORTENSIA:

And anyway, there are no bells! I’ve just sold the last one. (Defiantly, on seeing CLEOFAS’s glare.) You heard what I said.

CLEOFAS: (To CONSUELITO.)

Consuelito, the bells are gone.

CONSUELITO: (Shrugging her shoulders.)

I’ll ring them in Orleans.

CLEOFAS:

Don’t be stupid. Come here.

CONSUELITO: (Refusing.)

I have to go up …

CLEOFAS:

Be careful. Those stairs are really steep. (He carefully climbs up a step.) But, where are you going?

CONSUELITO:

To Orleans.

HORTENSIA: (Meanly.)

She pays great attention to you, doesn’t she!

CLEOFAS: (Momentarily distracted from CONSUELITO who is still climbing, distanced from her surroundings, CLEOFAS addresses his mother.)

Shut up!

HORTENSIA:

Who do you think you are? Ordering me about!

CLEOFAS:

I’m the head of this family.

HORTENSIA:

And what does that make me, the ass?

CLEOFAS:

Shut up!

CONSUELITO: (In a low voice.)

In Orleans, no one argues.

CLEOFAS:

It’s not time for the Angelus. Come back down, Consuelito!

CONSUELITO:

In Orleans, it’s always time.

CLEOFAS:

Come down! Orleans is a lie!

CONSUELITO:

No. It’s real. It’s the only thing that’s real.

(She disappears from sight above. CLEOFAS runs up. His last words are heard off-stage.)

CLEOFAS:

Consuelito! Come back! Wait! No, not that! (He descends immediately, Devastated, dejected. He looks at HORTENSIA.) She’s … She’s fallen.

HORTENSIA: (Looking at him.)

Yes. She’s fallen. There’ll be an investigation now. (She makes a gesture. After a moment, without any further hesitation, CLEOFAS runs out into the street.) Well, she was weak right up until the end. She was useless. Not even fit to live! (The actual Angelus begins to ring out.) What are those bells? Is it a miracle? (In a ruthless tone.) Thanks be to God, at least there’s something left to sell. (Feigning devastation, she heads towards the street.) Consuelito! My darling daughter! It’s a tragedy! A tragedy!

Copyright

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

Entry written by Gwynneth Dowling. Last updated on 13 November 2010.

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