The Early Ayn Rand

PERKINS: No. [His voice is suddenly firm] No. [He rises and stands looking straight at her] You see, I'm not unhappy at all. In fact, I'm a very happy man — as happiness goes-Only there's something in me that knows of a life I've never lived, the kind of life no one has ever lived, but should.

KAY GONDA: You know it? Why don't you live it?

PERKINS: Who does? Who can? Who ever gets a chance at the... the very best possible to him? We all bargain. We take the second best. That's all there is to be had. But the... the God in us, it knows the other... the very best... which never comes.

KAY GONDA: And... if it came?

PERKINS: We'd grab it — because there is a God in us.

KAY GONDA: And... the God in you, you really want it?

PERKINS: [Fiercely] Look, I know this: let them come, the cops, let them come now and try to get you. Let them tear this house down. I built it — took me fifteen years to pay for it. Let them tear it down, before I let them take you. Let them come, whoever it is that's after you... [The door Left is flung open. MRS. PERKINS stands on the threshold; she wears a faded corduroy bathrobe and a long nightgown of grayish-pink cotton]

MRS. PERKINS: [Gasping] George!...

[KAY GONDA rises and stands looking at them]

PERKINS: Dovey, keep quiet! For God's sake, keep quiet... come in... close the door!

MRS. PERKINS: I thought I heard voices... I... [She chokes, unable to continue]

PERKINS: Dovey... this... Miss Gonda, may I present — my wife? Dovey, this is Miss Gonda, Miss Kay Gonda! [KAY GONDA inclines her head, but MRS. PERKINS remains motionless, staring at her. PERKINS says desperately:] Don't you understand? Miss Gonda's in trouble, you know, you've heard about it, the papers said... [He stops. MRS. PERKINS shows no reaction. Silence. Then:]

MRS. PERKINS: [To KAY GONDA, her voice unnaturally emotionless] Why did you come here?

KAY GONDA: [Calmly] Mr. Perkins will have to explain that.

PERKINS: Rosie, I... [Stops]

MRS. PERKINS: Well?

PERKINS: Rosie, there's nothing to get excited about, only that Miss Gonda is wanted by the police and —

MRS. PERKINS: Oh.

PERKINS: — and it's for murder and —

MRS. PERKINS: Oh!

PERKINS: — and she just has to stay here overnight. That's all.

MRS. PERKINS: [Slowly] Listen to me, George Perkins: either she goes out of the house this minute, or else I go.

PERKINS: But let me explain...

MRS. PERKINS: I don't need any explanations. I'll pack my things, and I'll take the children, too. And I'll pray to God we never see you again. [She waits. He does not answer] Tell her to get out.

PERKINS: Rosie... I can't.

MRS. PERKINS: We've struggled together pretty hard, haven't we, George? Together. For fifteen years.

PERKINS: Rosie, it's just one night... If you knew...

MRS. PERKINS: I don't want to know. I don't want to know why my husband should bring such a thing upon me. A fancy woman or a murderess, or both. I've been a faithful wife to you, George. I've given you the best years of my life. I've borne your children.

PERKINS: Yes, Rosie...

MRS. PERKINS: It's not just for me. Think of what will happen to you. Shielding a murderess. Think of the children. [He doesn't answer] And your job, too. You just got that promotion. We were going to get new drapes for the living room. The green ones. You always wanted them.

PERKINS: Yes...

MRS. PERKINS: And that golf club you wanted to join. They have the best of members, solid, respectable members, not men with their fingerprints in the police files.

PERKINS: [His voice barely audible] No...

MRS. PERKINS: Have you thought of what will happen when people learn about this?

PERKINS: [Looks desperately for a word, a glance from KAY GONDA. He wants her to decide. But KAY GONDA stands motionless, as if the scene did not concern her at all Only her eyes are watching him. He speaks to her, his voice a desperate plea] What will happen when people learn about this?

[KAY GONDA does not answer]

MRS. PERKINS: I'll tell you what will happen. No decent person will ever want to speak to you again. They'll fire you, down at the Daffodil Company, they'll throw you right out in the street!