My Music
by
Harvey E. Ostroff
Act One
A young man and woman, approximately twenty years of age, are standing outside of the entrance to a small, brick house in Montreal, circa 1910. They are laden with suitcases. The young man has a violin case under his arm. They have just arrived in the city, having escaped from the pogroms in Russia and are wearing "Old country garments." The woman has a bright scarf on her head. The man wears a cloth cap. They are tired out from the ocean voyage, but are excited to be in the new land. They put the suitcases down on the stoop and the man takes out a pocket handkerchief and wipes his brow. They are both wearing coats that are much too heavy for the hot and humid weather.
Hilda
Are you sure that this is the right place Yossel?
Yossel
Did we follow the map Hilda?
Hilda
What do I know from a map? A bunch of squiggly lines on a crumpled piece of paper.
Yossel
All right, never mind the map. Did you see the lettering on the sign on the corner?
Hilda
You know I can't read this meshugener language.
Yossel
And I can? It matched didn't it?
Hilda
I...I..can't tell. I ..Maybe it matched.
Yossel
Three times you made me check. Three times you agreed, Now you are telling me that you are not sure. What do you want? I should go back to the corner and check again?
Hilda
I would feel better. Go check.
Yossel
( Starts to laugh) Oi!
Hilda
What is the matter with you. I see nothing to laugh about.
Yossel
Hilda my heart, you could be standing in front of a raging snow storm and you would question whether or not it was winter time. Look, you see the numbers? 143. Will you at least agree that the numbers are the same?
Hilda
All right, all right, so the numbers are the same. So what?
Yossel
Cousin Avrum said that he would leave the key under the flower pot by the door handle. I'll check. ( He does so and flourishes the key that he finds.) You see? Right where he said it would be. (He begins to insert the key in the lock.)
Hilda
Wait! What if the people from this house always leave their key under the flower pot. What if the house belongs to a stranger and the Cossack come in and arrest you for break---
Yossel
There are no Cossacks in America. What's wrong Hilda?
Hilda
Such a big house Yossel. I don't feel right going in until Avrum comes.
Yossel
Don't worry faigelah, Avrum will be hours yet before he comes home. He is working now. Let's go inside. I am excited to see what a house looks like in America. Did you see the Horseless Carriages in the streets? If such marvels can appear on the streets, just think of the wonders they must have in their houses.
Hilda
Yossel. I'm not going inside without Avrum and that's that. (Takes off her coat and sits on the stoop) Now, Sit down, take off your coat and wait with me. It took us a long time to get here, Another hour or two won't make such a difference.
Yossel
But Hilda, I...
Hilda
Sha shtill!....Thats better. Now sit. (He does so.) Gut! Take off your coat. (She helps him.) All right, It's nice to see that you know who's the big macher in this family. ( She smiles) Don't you pout. Come here and give me a kiss. Our first kiss in the new land.
(They embrace)
Yossel
(Smacking his lips) It's funny. You don't taste any different than you did in Zhitomir.
Hilda
Or in Kiev...Or in the ship, Or..... Oi Yosseleh, Yosseleh. Hold me close. You are the only thing here in this strange land that makes any sense to me.
Yossel
I shpiel for you. ( He takes his violin lovingly from its case)
What shall I play?
Hilda
Hotchichornia. (Dark Eyes) Shpiel Hotchichornia. * (Yossel plays and Hilda joins in , humming with a sweet voice. When the music is ended, both of them have become closer and less afraid.)
*Although it would be ideal if the actor playing Yossel could play the violin, it is unlikely that this is possible. Therefore, the action could be either mimed or syncronised to a taped or live rendition.
I still can't believe it Yossel. We're here in America. I began to think that we would never get off the ship. It's so different here. It feels so strange.
Yossel
So exciting.
Hilda
So hot. Oi! It's like a shvitz in this country. Give me the paper.
Yossel
(He takes a newspaper out of a small carpet bag.)
Hilda
I still can't believe it that they have Yiddish papers in America. (She takes the paper and starts to fan herself)
Yossel
I haven't even read it yet. What are you doing?
Hilda
What does it look like I'm doing, plucking a chicken?
Yossel
Give me the paper.
Hilda
I need it.
Yossel
You'll ruin it. (He tries to grab it from her.)
Hilda
( Suddenly, she thrusts it at him.) Here. You read the paper. I'll sit here and suffer in the heat.
Yossel
(Giving it back) Take it. Take it. Better I should hear from Avrum what it is like in this country......Are you sure that we shouldn't go inside?
Hilda
Later Yossel. Tell me, what do you think is happening at home?
Yossel
Nothing, I hope. The pogroms are like a pot of tea to them. It boils up for a while, then it simmers, then it cools down until they get thirsty again. I'm sure that your family will be all right. Don't worry. We'll send for them. It won't be long. ( He reaches into one of the suitcases and pulls out a loaf of bread. He breaks off a piece and gives it to her.) Take. You'll feel better.
Hilda
Are you crazy? How can you eat?
Yossel
I can always eat Hilda. Take. (He offers it again. This time she accepts)
(Pause)
Hilda
The bread is not so bad here. It needs some honey, but its not so bad.
Yossel
Soon you'll be baking your own bread again. Just like in the old country.
Hilda
(Glancing about) Look how many buildings. More even than Kiev. Brick and stone. It must get cold here in the wintertime.
Yossel
I wonder...Look! Do you see?
Hilda
See what? ...Oh, there. That man you mean?
Yossel
If I didn't know any better, I would say it was Avrum.
Hilda
Don't be ridiculous, that couldn't be Avrum. Look at his clothes. Look at his face. Where is his beard? Avrum has a fiery red beard, he was so proud he could grow a beard before everyone else. Remember how he would comb it and groom it until it gleamed? Black, black,hair and a beard of fire. All the girls used to whisper that there must have been a devil in him that was making his beard so red.
Yossel
But look at the way he walks, that man. From side to side like a Katchka. Only Avrum walked like that....... I'm sure its him. ( He stands up and waves) Avrum!! Avrum!!! ..... You see Hilda? He is waving back. Gottenu! Look at him. A regular American.
Avrum can now be seen entering from stage left. He is a good-looking man in his mid-twenties. He carries a summer weight coat across his arm. His collar is open and his tie is sporty. A straw boater finishes off the outfit. He seems almost shocked at the appearence of the two immigrants that await him on his front stoop but manages to cover up. Yossel runs to him and joyfully swings him around. Hilda hangs back on the stoop watching them. She seems frightened.
Yossel
Oi Avrum, look at you. Look at you! You're a stranger. (He swings him around again) Where's your beard of fire? The girls in the village won't believe it if I write. You look so...so.. American.
Avrum
Canadian Yossel. There's a difference.
Yossel
Canadian, American. It doesn't matter. Its good to see you. Come, come and see Hilda.
(They approach the stoop and Hilda comes down to meet them. Avrum hugs her and kisses her cheek.)
Avrum
She's beautiful Yossel. You are a fortunate man. She was a child when I left. Both of you were children. If it weren't for the baggage and your clothes, I wouldn't recognize you.
Yossel
You're four years older than me Avrum. You weren't much more than a child yourself when you left.
Avrum
Alvin, Yossel. My name is Alvin now......but never mind that now. You must be exhausted, both of you. Come in. ...Didn't you find the key? Why didn't you wait in the house?
Yossel
We were fine. (He produces the key)
Hilda
I'll stay out here for a while. You two go in. You have plenty to talk about.
Avrum
Don't be ridiculous. Of course you're coming inside.
Hilda
Soon, soon I'll join you. Yossel, I just want to be by myself for a moment.
Yossel
Avrum, you go ahead. Make some tea. We'll be in in a few minutes.
Avrum
All right. Let me take some of your bags. ( He takes two of the suitcases and enters the house.)
The part of the house that we can see consists of two rooms. These are Avrums quarters and will be shared by the new arrivals until they can find a place of their own. The kitchen is the larger of the two rooms. It contains an oil stove, ice box, sink, and a drop leaf table with four chairs.. Avrum has painted the cupboards and the table yellow. The floor has a new oil cloth on it . This set will have to be constructed so that it can be aged and slightly altered for acts two and three. Yossel and Hilda buy the house and live in it until their deaths. The combination living room-bedroom is sparsly furnished. This has been, to this point, bachelors quarters. A curtain is used to separate Avrums sleeping area from that of the young couple.In the main part of the room, there is a couch and small table. A roll-away bed stands in one upstage corner of the room. There is a doorway that leads to an unseen bathroom.
(As Avrum enters the house, he pulls back the drapes and the lights come up. He places the bags near the roll-away, goes into the kitchen and starts the kettle for the tea. Yossel and Hilda are still on the stoop. While they are talking, Avrum can be seen in the background preparing the tea.)
Yossel
What's wrong my heart? Come inside. Don't worry. Everything will be fine.
Hilda
I...Yossel lets go back. I don't think I will be happy in...
Yossel
We can't go back. Don't be so crazy.
Hilda
All right so I'll go by myself. Give me my satchel.
Yossel
Before we left you made me a solemn promise that you would never leave me. Are you ready to break that vow?...........What's wrong Hilda? What's wrong?
Hilda
We don't belong here Yossel. Did you see the looks on the peoples' faces as we walked from the ship? They were not kind looks. I saw no smiles of welcome on their faces. Avrum too Yossel. You were right when you called him a stranger. Did you notice how he flinched when you were swinging him? It was like he didn't want to get his clothes dirty with you. This is no place for us Yossel. I don't even want to go into the house. Let's just---
Yossel
Now you just listen to me Hilda. Enough is enough. We are going in to that house whether you like it or not.......She won't budge. I don't believe this. Hilda, I know that you are frightened. I understand. I, too was shocked to see cousin Avrum looking like a Canadian...uh...sport, but if you think about it, Avrum
Hilda
Alvin. He said Alvin. Now I ask you this, what kind of a name is that for a boy from Zhitomir.
Yossel
May I continue?
Hilda
Continue, continue. Who's to stop you?
Yossel
Avrum was always different. He never quite fit in with the rest of us. You know that. He was always dreaming of becoming an American. All right, so now he's an American and his name is Alvin. What difference does that make to us. We carry our memories of Zhitomir, of our homeland with us. (He touches his heart) in here. We won't forget. He never really wanted to remember. Come inside. Come faigeleh.
Hilda
It's only that I feel that once we go inside, we....
Yossel
A year. We'll try for one year. If you still don't like it, at least then we'll have some money for the passage.
Hilda
We'll never go back Yossel. In your heart, you know that.
Yossel
We'll see Hilda. Come inside. Av..Alvin is waiting.
( They enter with the rest of the baggage)
Yossel
Very nice Alvin, very nice.
Avrum
Welcome. Welcome to your new home. You can stay as long as you like. Don't worry about anything.
Hilda
(Examining the stove) Where do you put the wood Avrum?
Avrum
Oil. You use oil. Later I'll show you how it works. For now, sit down and rest a minute. I'll bring you some tea.( The tea is served in glasses and drunk Russian fashion, with a lump of sugar held between the teeth.) Sugar? Old habits die slow...ah..slowly.
Hilda
What Avrum?
Avrum
Alvin. I told you Alvin.
Hilda
Are you apologizing for serving the tea like in the old country Avrum?
Yossel
(Whispers) Alvin. He wants Alvin.
Hilda
What do you mean he wants Alvin? If he wants that...that goyische name then you can call him.....whatever he wants. I will not. So, answer the question Avrum. Are you ashamed of who you were?
Avrum
No. Of course I'm not ashamed. It's only ...I've changed. I'm not the same person that I was when I left Zhitomir. I know that I've been here only..what? Four years? Yeh, Yeh, four. but ..I don't know how to explain it to you... It's not like I don't remember. ( Laughs) I remember very well. Sometimes I can smell my Mama's borscht so clear...clearly. I miss them. I miss a lot of things that I used to know, but Hilda...You have to grow away from the past here. Everything is so different. No. That's not true. I don't want to lie to you. There are some that cling to the old ways like honey on a piece of black bread. You don't get honey here that tastes like real honey. Here it tastes like sugar....What was I saying?
Hilda
About the people that still---
Avrum
Yeh, yeh, I remember. They're not happy Hilda. They all the time are grumbling. This is no good and that's no good. They want to go back but, at the same time, they are afraid to go back. They're nowhere Hilda. That's no good. Me. I like it here. I'm no longer a greener. I understand what has to be done to get along . I am taking English lessons. I am saving my money. Soon I'll have enough for a motor car. If you want my advice Yossel, you'll do the same.
Yossel
What should I do then? Shave off my beard and call myself Alvin? I don't want to forget. I'll never forget.
Avrum
When I first arrived, I would have told you the same thing. You'll see. After you've been here for a while, you'll sing a different tune...Oioioioioi! Speaking of tunes Yossel, take out your violin and play. I can still remember the time that you played at Shloime and Chaveh's wedding. It was your first time. Everybody thought that you were a genius. A prodigy. How good you must be now.
Yossel
Later, Later I'll play for you. Right now I'm too tired.
Avrum
I understand. Don't worry I can wait , but not for too long. So...here you are. It's hard to believe it. Did your parents give you the passage?
Hilda
No Avrum. The dowry they gave us, we didn't spend.
Avrum
Then how did you pay for the tickets?
Yossel
(Points to his violin) This was my ticket.
Hilda
You should have seen him Avrum. It was like a dybbyuk was on his shoulder. He would play on a street corner and the people would come from miles around, so beautiful was his music.
Yossel
You are my music Hilda and you are beautiful.
Hilda
Don't embarrass me Yossel.
Avrum
And why shouldn't he embarrass you Hilda. You are his wife. Better he should embarrass you than he should shame you. Besides, he is telling the truth.
Hilda
Sha shtill, both of you. They would throw coins and I would stoop to pick them up. Then, almost every evening, we would be invited to play at a party or a celebration and more money would appear. It was a miracle. In only three weeks we had enough for our passage. A little bit we got from our families, but most of it we collected on the streets...Tell me Avrum, do you think something like that could happen here?
Avrum
It's not necessary Hilda. I have jobs for both of you. Yossel will work with me in the shop and you can work for Maxie Rosen as a seamstress. It's all arranged.
Yossel
Work in the shops? What do I know about making cabinets? I think twice in my life I held a hammer in my hand. Once I lost a nail and the second time, I broke my thumb. I couldn't play for a month. At the immigration, the people from Baron de Hirsch told me that they would find me a job where I could shpiel my violin. I can't work making cabinets.
Avrum
The people from the Baron de Hirsch are wonderful. They helped me to get started. They fed me, gave me clothes and found me a roof over my head but it took weeks for them to find me a job and I'm certain that it is more difficult to find a job for a musician than it was for a carpenter. When they find you a job, you'll take it. In the meantime, you need money to live. Tomorrow you'll come with me to the shop. I'll teach you how to hold a hammer without breaking your bones and we'll see what we'll see.
Hilda
Who is Maxie Rosen?
Avrum
A mensch. A mensch with his own small tailor shop. I met him at the steam baths. You should see Hilda. They even have a mikva there but...ach! Never mind. Maxie is my tailor and my friend. When I told him that my cousins were arriving from Zhitomir, he told me that his seamstress was leaving to move to Winnipeg in a couple of weeks and could my cousin sew. I told him that you were a genius with a needle and thread.
Hilda
You didn't exaggerate as much as you might think.
Avrum
I'm glad...Listen Yossel, don't worry about working in the shop with me. They'll start you at sweeping the floors and then you'll haul in the lumber. Then, little by little, they' show you the tools. Besides we can go to work together and I'll teach you about being a Canadian.
Yossel
We appreciate all that you've done for us. Alvin, when you wrote to us in Zhitomir, you told us that you were sharing this place with another family. It's not such a big place. Where are we all going to stay?
Avrum
The Finkelstiens that were living here are having a baby. Last month, they found a place for themselves. Just a couple of doors down the street. You can stay as long as you like........Hilda, how would you like to take a bath; wash up from your journey.
Hilda
That I would love Alvin. Oi I said it!
Avrum
Down the hall there is a water closet with indoor plumbing. Come with me. I'll show you how it works.....I'll be a minute Yossel.
Avrum and Hilda exit. Yossel starts to look through one of the suitcases. He finds a bottle and holds it smiling to himself. After a moment, Avrum returns.
Yossel
Look Avrum. Gefilteh fish. Your mama made me shlepp this bottle all the way from Zhitomir.
Avrum
She didn't by any chance, send also some borscht......Never mind, the next best thing is Mameh's gefilteh fish. When Hilda comes out, we'll serve it.... Tell me Yossel, what was it like at home when you left?
Yossel
Not so good Avrum, The pogroms are starting again. Gottenu! I wish that they would leave us alone.
Avrum
You won't find any pogroms here Yossel but it's best that you try to ...to look a little more like the Goyim. It's easier to get along that way.
Yossel
I might be able to get along better with the Goyim that way, but you don't know my Hilda. With her, I won't get along so good. She ...She doesn't like it for things to change too fast.
Avrum
All women are like that. She'll get used to it.
Yossel
How do you know so much about women Alvin? Is there something that you haven't told us yet?
Avrum
There is a lot that I haven't told you yet. But first, lets have some schnapps to celebrate your safe arrival. (He rises and finds a bottle and some glasses in the kitchen area.)
Yossel
I won't say no. ( The whiskey is poured) L' chaim.
Avrum
L' chaim.
They down the whiskey in one gulp and Avrum refills the glasses.
Yossel
This is nice Avrum. Do you remember, you gave me my first drink.
Avrum
Do I remember? Your Mama was so angry that she didn't even wait for my Tateh to get home. She took a paddle and smacked me so hard, that you could have fried an egg on my tuchus. ( They drink and the glasses are filled once more)
Yossel
Enough already, I'll be so shikered by the time that Hilda comes out from her bath, I won't be able to see straight.
Avrum
It's your first day in your new land. She'll understand.
Yossel
I told you once already, you don't know my Hilda. ( He drinks.)
Avrum
So tell me then. Tell me about your Hilda.
Yossel
Avrum, I only wish for you that you could one day find a woman like her. In the little things, she is frightened, but when it's important....when you need help, or advice, or strength...or love, you couldn't find a more wonderful partner. That she's beautiful, I don't have to tell you. That you can see for yourself. But you should have seen her on our journey to Odessa. It was not an easy thing for her to leave her family. Her Mama was sick. The pogroms were coming. Who knows what could happen. I had travelled before. She had never been away from our village. Each new town would bring new fears, new experiences...and yet each day, she would plot out the journey, count the money, buy us food...even find the best corner for me to play my violin. I am a dreamer Avrum. I am a bird flying here, flying there. She is the earth. Without her, I would have no place to land.
Avrum
And so , the bird has flown to America. You'll like it here. ( Pours another drink) I know it.
Yossel
Tell me Avrum.
Avrum
At home, things were always the same. Everything was expected. For centuries, men would go to the synagogue, women would go to the market place. At simchas the men would dance together and drink their schnapps while the women talked in the corner. At the funerals the women would wail and the men would look solemn and brave. Nothing ever changed.
Yossel
(His drunkenness beginning to show) People here don't do these things? What do they do ? Dance at the funerals? ( Laughs and pours another drink.)
Avrum
Oi, I'm definitely not explaining myself so good...well....Everything in the old country was traditions. Here, it is different.
Yossel
I can see that. Here you go barefaced, correct your own speech and wear funny clothes.
Avrum
Stylish Yossel, stylish. Here. ( He takes off his straw boater and puts it on Yossel's head.)
Yossel
Gay Avek!!
Avrum
I'm not finished. Wait a minute. (Exits)
While he is gone, Yossel surruptitiously adjusts the hat. He likes it but will cover up when Avrum returns. Avrum comes in with a striped jacket, a shirt collar, a natty bow tie and a hand mirror.
Avrum
Look Yossel. Try this.( He takes another drink)......... You'll look wonderful. Like a real sport.
Yossel
(Hesitates) Nah.
Avrum
Come on.....(Yossel puts on the clothes) Not bad. Not bad Yos--No. Joey. Joey Zaiger. Gib a kik Joey. (He shows him the mirror)
As Yossel preens in the mirror, Hilda enters.
Yossel
I don't think I should---
Avrum
Of course you should. Can't you see it? You and Hilda , me and ..and Rosalie strolling into Park Mount Royal on a Beautiful Sunday afternoon.
Yossel
Who is Rosalie?
Avrum
My language teacher. You'll like her. She's very nice. We've been out walking twice now. What do you think Joey?
Hilda
I think that he should take off those ridiculous clothes. What is this? I leave you two alone for twenty minutes and Yossel is turned into a drunken Canadian. I'm telling you Alvin or Avrum or ...or...whatever, my Yossel is never going to be like you. What do you want from him. You want a companion to---Ach! Never mind. Do what you want Yossel. I'm only the wife.( She sits. There is a long silence which Hilda punctuates with a sigh)
Avrum
How did you like the bath?
Hilda
....All right. (Hilda is obviously angry. Her tactic in anger is to remain silent.)
Avrum
I didn't mean to ...we had a few drinks to celebrate your arrival. I thought it would be fun to......What's so terrible? Most of the time we talked about how much Yossel is in love with you......Is she always like this Yossel? She doesn't say a word. It's driving me crazy.
Hilda
I'm sorry.
Avrum
I accept your apology. We'll start over again. Did you enjoy the bath?
Hilda
Yes. ( She is trying very hard not to cry but she is not succeeding)
(Pause)
Avrum
This isn't finished is it Yossel?
Yossel
Avrum, Maybe there is something you can do for a few minutes. I think Hilda and I have to talk.
Hilda
You talk. I'll leave. ( She gets up)
Yossel
No! Sit down.
Hilda
Yes master.
Yossel
And stop this.
Hilda
Yes.
Avrum
I just remembered, I need some ..rolls for tomorrow's breakfast. I'll be a few minutes.
Yossel
Good. We'll see you soon.
Avrum
Goodbye Hilda.
Hilda
( Nods)
Avrum
Oi! ( He exits )
Yossel
Well? ...........Say something....This is making me meshugeh....I hate it when you do this.
Hilda
I have nothing to say.
Yossel
So I'm supposed to guess? .......I don't have to guess. Hilda, I am not going to change like Avrum but I don't think that we can be the same as we were either. We are living in a new country. Things are different here. We will probably have to dress different. We will have to get used to a lot of new things but....we are together. Isn't that enough?
Hilda
No.
Yossel
Now I'm starting to get just a little bit annoyed. You're like an onion with your head in the ground and your feet in the air. Hilda, Avrum is giving us a place to live. If not for him we might not have been able to even come here. Don't be a judge in his house. Let him live his life and we will live ours......... I'm telling you, if you just try we will make a success in this new land....... At home it was not good for us Hilda. We had to come here.
Hilda
All right... Joey.
Yossel
I have no intention of changing my name, Hilda. This I promise you. I didn't come to America to become a Goy.
Hilda
Yossel..I ....I know that it can't be the same as it was. I just....There is no one here for me Yossel. No one but you and I.....
Yossel
Shh.
Hilda
First he complains that I don't say enough, then, the moment I start talking he shhshes me.
Yossel
We will be happy here. I know it.
Hilda
Just hold me.
Yossel
I will. (He hugs her)
Hilda
Not so tight!
Black out
Scene Two
Three months later.
Hilda is sitting on the couch sewing a pair of pants. Yossel enters.He is dressed stylishly. He wears a black Homberg and fall coat. Hilda has not changed her appearance but seems contented. Yossel does not.
Hilda
You are home early today.
Yossel
( Shrugs)
Hilda
Look at these slacks. Not a stitch out of place. Maxie ought to triple my salary. Then you wouldn't have to work at that place.
Yossel
I...It doesn't matter. The slacks are very nice.
Hilda
What's wrong Yossel. The last few days you've been acting like...I don't know. Usually when you are feeling unhappy, you roll yourself into a little ball and go to sleep. The next morning you are happy again. When you do that I watch you and I marvel at it. I like to watch because what happens is, in the middle of the night, all of a sudden you uncurl and your whole face lights up in a smile. These last two nights you curl up but in the morning you haven't changed your position and your face is set with bitterness. You grind your teeth all night long.
Yossel
Here (He hands her a letter) I'm sorry Hilda. I am so sorry. (He begins to weep)
Hilda
(Reads but seems perplexed)Where did you get this? What does it mean?
Yossel
It was delivered to me at the shop two days ago; From the boat. The pogrom came to Zhitomir.
Hilda
But in the letter, Mama says that everything is all right. She said that---
Yossel
I know my heart. The letter was delivered to me by Zalman Bordenovsky from the next village. You may remember he ....He said that they came to the village three weeks ago. Your Mameh was ironing the linen for the Shabbat table. They took the iron and with it they broke her back. She lies in bed unable to move. He said that she will pretend that nothing has happened so you won't be worried---
Hilda
Won't be worried? Does she think that I am still a child? What can we do Yossel?
Yossel
We cannot send for them. She won't be able to travel. In the letter, she says to make a good life in America where there is no sadness. I think that she is glad that we are here. I don't think that there is anything we can do except to send money so it will be easier for them. I would like to send back the dowry.
Hilda
I want to be with her.
Yossel
I don't think that that is the answer.
Hilda
And why not? The dowry will pay for my passage.
Yossel
Will your being there bring her the peace of mind that your being here does? Will she be happier if you if you put yourself in danger? I won't tell you what to do. I only want to hold you and squeeze away your pain.
(Pause)
Hilda
You are right Yossel. We can't go back. We can never go back. And she tries to keep this a secret from me. How dare she! What else did Zalman tell you.
Yossel
She will not walk again but she is not in pain.
Hilda
Not in pain! Not in pain!! In the fields outside the village she would walk every Shabbes before sunset and fill her arms with purple and golden wildflowers for the table. We would go with her. The Pinsky girls, they would say, prettier than all the flowers they carried. ( She reads the letter again) Look Yossel ( She shows him a passage)
Yossel
I think she means that she would like some American grandchildren.
Hilda
I think maybe you're right. We can't go back. I will write to them. She takes paper and pen and goes to the table.
Yossel
No. We can't go back. ( He takes out his violin and plays softly as she writes.) The song is Brent a Fierle [ Burns the Fire; an old yiddish lullaby])
Hilda
That's nice Yossel. Shpiel.
(The music continues)
Hilda
You couldn't tell me right away?
Yossel
(Shakes his head and continues playing)
Hilda
My Mameh once broke her arm. She slipped on the ice getting some wood for the fire. I could tell how much it hurt but she never told anyone. She put it in some cloth and finished cooking the dinner. She didn't want to worry us. It was wrong that she never told but she was...is...Oi Gott Yossel I keep thinking she's dead, she's so far away. She is stubborn like an ox. She thinks that it is weak to let anyone know that she is hurting. Don't ever let me be like that.
Yossel
( Puts down the instrument ) Two things you inherited from your mameh; her stubbornness is one of them.
Hilda
And the other?
Yossel
Her strength.
Hilda
I am afraid so much of the time that I forget how strong I can be..... So, how was it at the shop today?
Yossel
It was all right.I used for the first time a new carving tool. I made a groove right through the wood. Tomorrow, I go back to pulling lumber. A carpenter I am not. I don't think that I will ever learn to do anything more than hammer in a nail. My hands are made for softer work. But....
Hilda
Yes?
Yossel
The people are very nice. Zeilig Stienberg has invited us to his house on Sunday. For dinner. I told him we would come. If that is all right?
Hilda
He is the one with the twin boys you told me about?
Yossel
One day that man is going to be a macher in this town. A real big shot. You know what he is doing now? He is learning to talk in French. He talks all the time to Gerard the Shaigetz. He says you have to get along if you're going to make a success. I asked him the other day what it is that they talk about and he looks at me right in the eye and he says " We are planning to open up a furniture store together." Imagine, a Yid and a Frantsoyzen doing business like that. I wonder what they'll keep our furniture from the cabinet shop in the store. Stienberg and Leduc. It's like gefilteh fish and lard.
Hilda
They keep a kosher home.
Yossel
Of course, his wife is from the Budapesht Rubenstiens. They have been here now nearly six years. Avrum and Rosalie will be there too. It will be a real Simcha. The twins will be three years old.
Hilda
Good. You need some happiness Yossel.
Yossel
You are my happiness Hilda.
Hilda
(Points to the violin) That is your happiness. I am your cleaning woman, your cook and your----
Yossel
(With a gleam in his eye) Yes?
Hilda
Your valet. Don't get any ideas big shot. It's the middle of the afternoon.
Yossel
(Kissing her) I thought that you agreed that your Mameh wants grandchildren.
Hilda
I agreed that she wants them. I never said that I would give her any. (She kisses him back) Especially not in the middle of the afternoon. Go away Yossel. ( She laughs ) I have to finish the sewing........Yossel. I don't want you to keep secrets from me.
Yossel
Your mameh didn't want you to know.
Hilda
My mameh will be all right. She is like you. Nothing can bother her for very long. Not even this, but I am not like that. If I don't know, I imagine the worst. Don't hide things from me Yossel. I can tell when you're upset and I don't like to wait for you to tell me.
Yossel
All right.
Hilda
Yossel?
Yossel
I already told you that---
Hilda
What can I wear to the house of a Rubenstein?
Yossel
A dress would be nice.
Hilda
(Playfully attacks him) You.. you schvuntz. I'm serious
Yossel
I'll ask Avrum.
Hilda
You'll never remember anyways. I'll walk over and talk with Rosalie....After I change out of this old shmuttah. (She goes behind the bedroom drape)
(Avrum comes to the door. He is bubbling with news.)
Avrum
Yossel,I was looking for you all over. Then they told me that you had gone home early. Anyways I'm glad that I found you. I have wonderful news. You don't have to sweep the shop anymore.
Yossel
Do you mean that they're going to put me on the machines again? Because I don't really think that----
Avrum
No. They are not putting you back on the machines. Do you think they're so crazy. You are a disaster with legs in the shop. Anything that you touch falls apart.
Yossel
So I'm fired. Then where is the good news.
Avrum
Let me tell you.
Yossel
I wish you would.
Hilda
(From off stage) Me too.
Avrum
Oh hello Hilda. I didn't know that you were home. How's by you?
Hilda
I'll be much better if I could take my heart out of my mouth. Will you stop already and tell us what is going on. (Enters the room)
Avrum
All right. I could see that it was not going to work for you at the shop. Believe me Hilda this man is the worst carpenter that ever existed. Give him a hammer, a nail and a piece of wood and within two minutes, you have a bent nail, a broken hammer and a splintered piece of wood. I could see that soon he was going to be let go and I am the sponsor. I had to sign my name so that this klutz could enter Canada. To me that means that I am responsible. So, I decided to go and talk to the people from Baron de Hirsch about getting for you.....getting you a new job where you could shpiel your violin. They said that they wrote to the man who was the conductor of the symphony but that he didn't answer yet. "So how long are you going to wait?" I says.
So Nathanson says" Until we get an answer."
So I says "that's very nice. Give me the address and the name please. I'll go talk to them." Nathanson didn't even want to do that but I convinced him and I went to see the conductor. I went in to his office. What a nice office. Classy furniture, nice paintings on the walls. and big enough to hold a grand piano...Hilda could you maybe put up some tea? My throat is getting dry.
Hilda
When you finish you can have some tea.
Avrum
So I shook his hand and I told him about the genius that has recently arrived from Europe and that it was a shame that a man of his talent was wasting away in a wood shop making cabinets. I should have said breaking cabinets. So he asked me your name and the name of the master that you studied with. I told him your name and I said I wasn't sure who you studied with but I thought it was Litovsky or Tchaikovsky or....Anyways, to make a long story shorter, when I said that, he said that he had to meet you and I told him that that was what I had been saying all along. So he is coming here.
Hilda
When is he coming Avrum?
Avrum
Right after work today. (He takes out a pocket watch) In a few minutes. That's why I had to leave work early. I tried to tell Yossel earlier but there was no time.
Hilda
The house is a mess. How can we receive such an important visitor? How could you wait so long to tell us? Oi Avrum. I'm telling you, right after I kiss you, I'm going to kill you.
Avrum
Can I have some tea now?
(Hilda just glares at him as she speeds around the house trying to get everything in order. Yossel gets his violin out of the case and begins to warm up with some scales and some cadenzas.)
Yossel
Tell me when he is coming Avrum. Watch the window.
Avrum
He is coming now .
Hilda
Oi abruch!!
(Yossel calmly puts the instrument away. He has undergone a change. He is not nervous but erect and strong as if tingling with anticipation.
Avrum answers the knock at the door and greets the conductor as if greeting an old friend. The conductor is elegantly dressed.)
Avrum
Hello Mr. Newman, how are you today.
Newman
Fine Mr. ..uh
Avrum
Thats right. Fine, Alvin Fine. I'm glad you remembered. And this( He points to Yossel with a flourish) is Yossel Zaiger from Kiev
Yossel
Zhitomir. ( Shakes his hand)
Newman
And Zhitomir to you too, Mr. Zaiger.
Yossel
(Smiles) I come from the small village of Zhitomir Mr. Newman.
Newman
But you are too young to have studied with Tchaikovsky?
Yossel
Litovsky. Shmuel Litovsky---
Avrum
I said I wasn't sure.
Yossel
I am sorry if you came here under the illusion that I had studied with the great master .Even if I were older, as a Jew, I would have been denied that privilege. Since you are here, perhaps I could play for you some thing from this same Tchaikovsky, Peter Illyich. He wrote beautiful music.
Newman
Do you know Swan Lake?
Yossel
(Nods) One of Litovsky's favorites.
Newman
This is highly unusual. I want you to know that.
Yossel
(Nods)
Newman
Play the Adagio from the second movement.
Yossel
(Begins to play. As he is playing, Newman finds the tempo for him by snapping his fingers)
Newman
Nice tone. Technique is not bad either. You can read music?
Yossel
(Nods)
Newman
(To the air) Sometimes they can't. Rehearsal at 10:00 O'clock tomorrow morning. And... ( He looks around him as if for the first time) buy yourself a tuxedo. (He exits)
Avrum
Can I have my tea now ?
Hilda
Oi! I never even offered him a cup of tea. What will he think. Yossel! In a Symphony. With a tuxedo yet!! I'll speak to Maxie in the morning.
Yossel
(Yossel sits there calmly nodding to himself and murmers ) My music. (With a swell, he begins to play Dark Eyes as the lights fade for Act One)
Act one Curtain.
Act two - 1950........
Act three - 1985...........