The Anarchist by David Mamet Read Free Book Online Page B

“clients” you’ve seen, over the years, has done anything but lie to you—while you took notes?? And you would lie, too. If the machine, which you serve, had oppressed, rather than co-opted you. You served a corrupt State in a failed institution. That’s the story of your life . . . Why ?
    ANN : . . . all right.
    CATHY : For the sick thrill of hearing women cry. And lie to you. To see them wonder, “Can I seduce her?” And you, who could have had any of them. Yes, as I did, had and have nothing . Having had nothing but power , and too weak to use it, and now it’s gone. It’s you who should confess. And then you would be saved. Give me a cigarette.
    ANN : I haven’t smoked for years.
    CATHY : Does the girl have one?
    ANN : I don’t know.
    CATHY : And shall I tell you what I plan to do?
    ANN : When?
    CATHY : I beg your pardon. No. You haven’t “said” it.
    ANN : But I’ve changed your cell. For “out-processing.”
    CATHY : Isn’t it true?
    ANN : No. (Pause) I’ve moved your cell. And have removed: your book. Your manuscript, and all of your drafts and notes. I want the location of your accomplice. And unless you give it to me, I’m going to burn the lot.
    (Pause.)
    CATHY : Do you fear me that much?
    ANN : Yes, I do.
    CATHY : Why?
    ANN : Because you killed.
    CATHY : Your successor will set me free. That’s she, isn’t it? In the outer office.
    ANN : She will set you free because?
    CATHY : Because she’s young , because she’s new, because she’s stupid. And believes in the perfectibility of man. Against all evidence. She will read my book, and be moved by it. As will anyone. Who reads it.
    ANN : Because?
    CATHY : Because it reassures the frightened their passivity will keep them safe.
    ANN : You didn’t hear me. I’m going to have it destroyed.
    CATHY : I. Will. Walk. Out of this office. Right now. Into hers. And tell her of your threat. And file a complaint , against you. Which must be heard; and the State will be debarred by law, from destruction of my property. In fact . They will be forced to review it—which is to say read it. And will be “moved” by it. Don’t you see. All of your notions. All come down. To the willingness. Or the refusal to use force.
    ANN : In service of “Historical Necessity”?
    CATHY : Marx was a fool. And he was a Jew: No less a parasite than those he indicted, “writing.”
    ANN : Words have no power?
    CATHY : “only to misdirect . . .”
    ANN : As in your book.
    CATHY : “. . . by what universal test do we know power?”
    ANN : It comes from a gun?
    CATHY : How else have you held me here? Through “natural right”? Through “a consensus of the governed”? People with guns were paid to keep me here. As someone Feared me.
    ANN : . . . they feared your ideas.
    CATHY : Ideas more vicious and violent than mine are entertained every day, in the minds of the most peaceful people on Earth. Doctrines more seditious are taught in the schools. They feared me .
    ANN : As they should.
    CATHY : That’s right. And I’ll tell you about your Brave Announcement. That you were interested in our sex.
    ANN : Between Althea and you . . .
    CATHY : People are seduced by the forbidden. The Weak? Are not “terrified” by this or that act of transgression—they’re thrilled by it.
    ANN : . . . thrilled by it? . . .
    CATHY : What else is a newspaper? (Pause) People are killed every day . . .
    ANN : And what are The Weak frightened by?
    CATHY : The dissolution of their country.
    ANN : “The country is dying”?
    CATHY : “Dying bankrupt, and the wastrel children squabbling about the will.”
    ANN : He wrote well.
    CATHY : It’s nothing to write well.
    ANN : “He fought well”?
    CATHY : He fought, just as you fight. With the weapons at hand. With your guns.
    ANN : Our guns are used to enforce . . .
    CATHY :