The Vortex - Act III

Act III

The scene is Florence’s bedroom the same night. About two hours have elapsed. When the curtain rises Florence is lying face downwards on the bed; she is dressed in a very beautiful but slightly exotic negligee.

Helen is standing by the window, fully dressed; she is holding the curtain aside, and a bar of moonlight comes in to mingle with the amber of the dressing-table lights. Florence is obviously extremely hysterical.

Helen	Florence, what is the use of going on like that?
Florence	I wish I were dead!
Helen	It’s so cowardly to give way utterly⁠—as you’re doing.
Florence	I don’t care⁠—I don’t care!
Helen	If you don’t face things in this world, they only hit you much harder in the end.
Florence	He loved me⁠—he adored me!
Helen	Never! He hadn’t got it in him.
Florence	After all I’ve done for him, to go to⁠—to Bunty!
Helen	Leaving the window. If it hadn’t been Bunty it would have been someone else⁠—don’t you see how inevitable it was?
Florence	How dared they!⁠—Here!⁠—In this house!
Helen	That’s a little thing; it doesn’t matter at all.
Florence	It does⁠—it does⁠—
Helen	Florence, sit up and pull yourself together.
Florence	Sitting up slowly. I think I’m going mad.
Helen	Not a bit of it; you’re just thoroughly hysterical.
Florence	Give me some water.
	Helen goes to the bathroom and returns with a glass of water.
Florence	Taking it. What time is it?
Helen	Looking at her watch. Ten past one.
Florence	Don’t go to London by the early train, Helen; stay and come up with me in the car.
Helen	Very well.
Florence	Thank God, you were here!
Helen	I wish I’d known what was happening; I might have done something.
Florence	What can I do to get him back?
Helen	Don’t be silly.
Florence	What can I do⁠—what can I do?⁠—
Helen	Do you mean to say you’d take him back after tonight?
Florence	No, never. Not if he crawled to me⁠—never⁠—
Helen	Well, then, make up your mind definitely never to see him again whatever happens.
Florence	Yes⁠—I will.
Helen	Why don’t you go to bed now?
Florence	I couldn’t sleep.
Helen	Put it all out of your mind⁠—make an effort.
Florence	I can’t⁠—I’m too unhappy.
Helen	Think of Nicky.
Florence	Nicky’s young.
Helen	That doesn’t make it any better for him.
Florence	He’ll get over it in the long run.
Helen	The long run never counts at the moment.
Florence	He wasn’t in love⁠—really?
Helen	As much as either you or he are capable of it.
Florence	He’s well rid of her. She’d never have appreciated him properly⁠—she hasn’t the intelligence.
Helen	I don’t agree with you there⁠—she’s got intelligence right enough.
Florence	Treacherous little beast!
Helen	Yes, but farseeing.
Florence	Are you standing up for her? Do you think it was right of her to get Tom away from me?
Helen	Yes, quite right.
Florence	Helen!
Helen	To do her justice, she didn’t deliberately set herself out to get him away from you at all. She discovered that in spite of the somewhat decadent years Tom was still her type, and likely to remain so. So with common sense she decided to shelve Nicky forthwith and go for him.
Florence	Her type indeed!
Helen	Yes, she’d have been quite a nice girl really if she’d been left alone and not allowed to go to Paris and get into the wrong set.
Florence	You are extraordinary, Helen. Do you realize that you’re making excuses for the girl who’s betrayed your best friend?
Helen	Don’t be so utterly absurd. I’m not making excuses, and, anyhow, she hasn’t betrayed you. She hardly knows you, in the first place, and she’s just followed her instincts regardless of anyone else’s feelings⁠—as you’ve done thousands of times.
Florence	Helen⁠—you’re being horrible to me!
Helen	I’m not, I’m trying to make you see! You’re battering your head against silly cast-iron delusions, and I want to dislodge them.
Florence	Helen, I’m so unhappy⁠—so desperately unhappy.
Helen	Yes, but not because you’ve lost Tom; it’s something far deeper than that.
Florence	What then?
Helen	You’re on the wrong tack, and have been for years.
Florence	I don’t understand.
Helen	You won’t understand!
	Florence gets off the bed and goes over to the dressing-table. She sits and stares at herself in the glass for a moment without speaking.
Florence	My eyes are sore. She powders her face and sprays a little scent on her hair. It’s so lovely this⁠—and so refreshing.
Helen	I think I’ll go to bed now.
Florence	No, wait a little longer with me⁠—please, Helen⁠—just a few minutes.
Helen	It’s so hot in here.
Florence	Open the window then.
Helen	All right.
	She goes to the window and opens it. Florence* takes a cigarette out of a box and then shakes a scent-bottle and rubs the cigarette lightly with the stopper.*
Florence	Do you ever do this? It’s divine.
Helen	What a wonderfully clear night. You can see the hills right across the valley⁠—the moon’s quite strong.
	Florence goes to the window and stands next to Helen, looking out⁠—she is puffing her cigarette.
Florence	I chose this room in the first place because the view was so lovely.
Helen	Do you ever look at it?
Florence	Listlessly. Of course I do, often!
Helen	It’s been raining. I wish you’d throw away that cigarette⁠—it spoils the freshness.
Florence	Turning away. It’s soothing me⁠—calming my nerves.
Helen	I do wish I could help you⁠—really!
Florence	You are helping me, darling⁠—you’re being an angel.
Helen	Suddenly angry. Don’t talk so emptily, Florence; I’m worth more than that.
Florence	I don’t know what you mean.
Helen	It sickens me to see you getting back so soon.
Florence	Getting back?
Helen	Yes, to your usual worthless attitude of mind.
Florence	Helen!
Helen	A little while ago you were really suffering for once, and in a way I was glad because it showed you were capable of a genuine emotion. Now you’re glossing it over⁠—swarming it down with your returning vanity; soon you won’t be unhappy any more⁠—just vindictive.
Florence	Don’t go on at me like that⁠—I’m too wretched.
Helen	Going to her. Florence dear, forgive me, but it’s true⁠—and I don’t want it to be.
	The door opens and Nicky* enters. He is in dressing-gown and pyjamas. His face looks strained and white.*
Florence	Nicky!
Nicky	Helen, I want to talk to mother, please.
Helen	All right, Nicky.
Florence	What is it?
Nicky	I couldn’t sleep.
Helen	Florence dear⁠—good night.
Florence	No⁠—no, Helen⁠—don’t go yet⁠—
Helen	I must.
Florence	Helen⁠—stay with me.
Nicky	Please go.
Helen	I can’t stay, Florence⁠—it’s quite impossible.
	She goes out.
Florence	I don’t know what you mean⁠—by coming here and ordering Helen out of my room.
Nicky	I’m sorry, mother. I felt I had to talk to you alone.
Florence	At this hour of the night? You’re mad!
Nicky	No, I’m not; I think I’m probably more unhappy than I’ve ever been in my life.
Florence	You’re young⁠—you’ll get over it.
Nicky	I hope so.
Florence	I knew the first moment I saw her⁠—what sort of a girl she was.
Nicky	Oh, mother!
Florence	It’s true. I had an instinct about her.
Nicky	It’s all been rather a shock, you know⁠—
Florence	Becoming motherly. Yes, dear⁠—I know⁠—I know⁠—but you mustn’t be miserable about her; she isn’t worth it. She goes to kiss him.
Nicky	Gently pushing her away. Don’t, mother!
Florence	Listen, Nicky. Go back to bed now⁠—there’s a dear; my head’s splitting.
Nicky	I can’t yet.
Florence	Take some aspirin; that’ll calm your nerves.
Nicky	I’m afraid I’m a little beyond aspirin.
Florence	I don’t want you to think I don’t sympathize with you, darling⁠—my heart aches for you⁠—I know so well what you’re going through.
Nicky	Do you?
Florence	It’s agony⁠—absolute agony⁠—but, you see⁠—it will wear off⁠—it always does in time. Nicky doesn’t answer. Nicky, please go now!
Nicky	I want to talk to you.
Florence	Tomorrow⁠—we’ll talk tomorrow.
Nicky	No, now⁠—now!
Florence	You’re inconsiderate and cruel⁠—I’ve told you my head’s bursting.
Nicky	I want to sympathize with you, too⁠—and try to understand everything⁠—as well as I can⁠—
Florence	Understand everything?
Nicky	Yes, please.
Florence	I don’t know what you mean⁠—
Nicky	Will you tell me things⁠—as though I were somebody quite different?
Florence	What kind of things?
Nicky	Things about you⁠—your life.
Florence	Really, Nicky⁠—you’re ridiculous⁠—asking me to tell you stories at this hour!
Nicky	With dead vehemence. Mother⁠—sit down quietly. I’m not going out of this room until I’ve got everything straight in my mind.
Florence	Sinking down⁠—almost hypnotized. Nicky⁠—please⁠—I⁠—
Nicky	Tom Veryan has been your lover, hasn’t he?
Florence	Almost shrieking. Nicky⁠—how dare you!
Nicky	Keep calm⁠—it’s our only chance⁠—keep calm.
Florence	Bursting into tears. How dare you speak to me like that⁠—suggest such a thing! I⁠—
Nicky	It’s true, isn’t it?
Florence	Go away⁠—go away!
Nicky	It’s true, isn’t it?
Florence	No⁠—no!
Nicky	It’s true, isn’t it?
Florence	No⁠—I tell you⁠—no⁠—no⁠—no!
Nicky	You’re lying to me, mother. What’s the use of that?
Florence	You’re mad⁠—mad⁠—
Nicky	Does father know?
Florence	Go away!
Nicky	Does father know?
Florence	Your father knows nothing⁠—he doesn’t understand me any more than you do.
Nicky	Then it’s between us alone.
Florence	I tell you I don’t know what you’re talking about.
Nicky	Mother⁠—don’t go on like that; it’s useless. We’ve arrived at a crisis; wherever we go⁠—whatever we do we can’t escape from it. I know we’re neither of us very strong-minded or capable, and we haven’t much hope of coming through successfully⁠—but let’s try. It’s no good pretending any more⁠—our lives are built up of pretenses all the time. For years⁠—ever since I began to think at all, I’ve been bolstering up my illusions about you. People have made remarks, not realizing that I was your son, and I’ve pretended that they were inspired by cattiness and jealousy. I’ve noticed things⁠—trivial incriminating little incidents, and I’ve brushed them aside and not thought any more about them because you were my mother⁠—clever and beautiful and successful⁠—and naturally people would slander you because you were so beautiful⁠—and now I know⁠—they were right!
Florence	Nicky⁠—I implore you⁠—go away now⁠—leave me alone.
Nicky	No, I can’t.
Florence	You’re cruel⁠—cruel to torment me⁠—
Nicky	I don’t want to be cruel⁠—
Florence	Go to bed then, and we’ll talk everything over quietly another time.
Nicky	It is true about Tom Veryan, isn’t it?
Florence	No. No⁠—
Nicky	We’re on awfully dangerous ground. I’m straining every nerve to keep myself under control. If you lie to me and try to evade me any more⁠—I won’t be answerable for what might happen.
Florence	Dropping her voice⁠—terrified. What do you mean?
Nicky	I don’t know⁠—I’m frightened.
Florence	Nicky⁠—darling Nicky⁠—I⁠—
	She approaches him.
Nicky	Don’t touch me, please.
Florence	Have a little pity for me.
Nicky	Was Tom Veryan your lover?
Florence	In a whisper. Yes.
Nicky	I want to understand why⁠—
Florence	He loved me.
Nicky	But you⁠—did you love him?
Florence	Yes.
Nicky	It was something you couldn’t help, wasn’t it⁠—something that’s always been the same in you since you were quite, quite young?⁠—
Florence	Yes, Nicky⁠—yes⁠—
Nicky	And there have been others, too, haven’t there?
Florence	With her face in her hands. I won’t be cross-questioned any more⁠—I won’t⁠—I won’t⁠—
Nicky	I wish you’d understand I’m not blaming you⁠—I’m trying to help you⁠—to help us both⁠—
Florence	What good can all this possibly do?
Nicky	Clear things up, of course. I can’t go on any more half knowing⁠—
Florence	Why should that side of my life be any concern of yours?
Nicky	But, mother!
Florence	I’m different from other women⁠—completely different⁠—and you expect me to be the same. Why can’t you realize that with a temperament like mine it’s impossible to live an ordinary humdrum life. You’re not a boy any longer⁠—you’re a man⁠—and⁠—
Nicky	I’m nothing⁠—I’ve grown up all wrong.
Florence	It’s not my fault.
Nicky	Of course it’s your fault, mother⁠—who else’s fault could it be?
Florence	Your friends⁠—the people you mix with⁠—
Nicky	It wouldn’t matter who I mixed with if only I had a background.
Florence	You’ve got as much money as you want⁠—you’ve got your home⁠—
Nicky	Bitterly. Home! That’s almost funny⁠—there’s no peace anywhere⁠—nothing but the ceaseless din of trying to be amused⁠—
Florence	David never complains.
Nicky	I don’t suppose you’ve looked at father during the last few years⁠—or you wouldn’t say that.
Florence	He’s perfectly happy because he’s sensible⁠—he lives his own life and doesn’t try to interfere with mine.
Nicky	It must be your vanity that makes you so dreadfully blind⁠—and foolish.
Florence	Understand once and for all, I won’t be spoken to like this⁠—
Nicky	You’ve had other lovers besides Tom Veryan⁠—haven’t you?
Florence	Yes, I have⁠—I have. Now then!
Nicky	Well, anyhow⁠—that’s the truth⁠—at last⁠—
	He rises, turns his back on her and stands looking out of the window.
Florence	After a pause⁠—going to him. Nicky⁠—don’t be angry⁠—please don’t be angry with me.
Nicky	I’m not angry a bit. I realize that I’m living in a world where things like this happen⁠—and they’ve got to be faced and given the right value. If only I’d had the courage to realize everything before⁠—it wouldn’t be so bad now. It’s the sudden shock that’s thrown the whole thing out of focus for me⁠—but I mean to get it right. Please help me!
Florence	Dully. I don’t know what to do.
Nicky	It’s your life, and you’ve lived it as you’ve wanted to live it⁠—that’s fair⁠—
Florence	Yes⁠—yes.
Nicky	You’ve wanted love always⁠—passionate love, because you were made like that. It’s not your fault⁠—it’s the fault of circumstances and civilization; civilization makes rottenness so much easier. We’re utterly rotten⁠—both of us⁠—
Florence	Nicky⁠—don’t⁠—don’t⁠—
Nicky	How can we help ourselves? We swirl about in a vortex of beastliness. This is a chance⁠—don’t you see⁠—to realize the truth⁠—our only chance.
Florence	Oh, Nicky, do stop⁠—go away!
Nicky	Don’t keep on telling me to stop when our only hope is to hammer it out.
Florence	You’re overwrought. It isn’t as bad as you think.
Nicky	Isn’t it?
Florence	No, no. Of course it isn’t. Tomorrow morning you’ll see things quite differently.
Nicky	You haven’t understood.
Florence	Yes, I have⁠—I have.
Nicky	You haven’t understood. Oh, my God, you haven’t understood! You’re building up silly defenses in your mind. I’m overwrought. Tomorrow morning I shall see things quite differently. That’s true⁠—that’s the tragedy of it, and you won’t see. Tomorrow morning I shall see things quite differently. All this will seem unreal⁠—a nightmare⁠—the machinery of our lives will go on again and gloss over the truth as it always does⁠—and our chance will be gone forever.
Florence	Chance⁠—chance? What are you talking about⁠—what chance?
Nicky	I must make you see, somehow.
Florence	You’re driving me mad.
Nicky	Have patience with me⁠—please⁠—please⁠—
Florence	Wildly. How can I have patience with you? You exaggerate everything.
Nicky	No I don’t⁠—I wish I did.
Florence	Listen⁠—let me explain something to you.
Nicky	Very well⁠—go on.
Florence	You’re setting yourself up in judgment on me⁠—your own mother.
Nicky	No, I’m not.
Florence	You are⁠—you are. Let me speak. You don’t understand my temperament in the least⁠—nobody does⁠—I⁠—
Nicky	You’re deceiving yourself⁠—your temperament’s no different from thousands of other women, but you’ve been weak and selfish and given way all along the line⁠—
Florence	Let me speak, I tell you!⁠—
Nicky	What’s the use? You’re still pretending⁠—you’re building up barriers between us instead of helping me to break them down.
Florence	What are you accusing me of having done?
Nicky	Can’t you see yet?
Florence	No, I can’t. If you’re preaching morality, you’ve no right to. That’s my affair⁠—I’ve never done any harm to anyone.
Nicky	Look at me.
Florence	Why⁠—what do you mean?
Nicky	You’ve given me nothing all my life⁠—nothing that counts.
Florence	Now you’re pitying yourself.
Nicky	Yes, with every reason.
Florence	You’re neurotic and ridiculous. Just because Bunty broke off your engagement you come and say wicked, cruel things to me⁠—
Nicky	You forget what I’ve seen tonight, mother.
Florence	I don’t care what you’ve seen.
Nicky	I’ve seen you make a vulgar, disgusting scene in your own house, and on top of that humiliate yourself before a boy half your age. The misery of losing Bunty faded away when that happened⁠—everything is comparative, after all.
Florence	I didn’t humiliate myself⁠—
Nicky	You ran after him up the stairs because your vanity wouldn’t let you lose him. It isn’t that you love him⁠—that would be easier⁠—you never love anyone, you only love them loving you⁠—all your so-called passion and temperament is false⁠—your whole existence had degenerated into an endless empty craving for admiration and flattery⁠—and then you say you’ve done no harm to anybody. Father used to be a clever man, with a strong will and a capacity for enjoying everything⁠—I can remember him like that⁠—and now he’s nothing⁠—a complete nonentity because his spirit’s crushed. How could it be otherwise? You’ve let him down consistently for years⁠—and God knows I’m nothing for him to look forward to⁠—but I might have been if it hadn’t been for you⁠—
Florence	Don’t talk like that. Don’t⁠—don’t. It can’t be such a crime being loved⁠—it can’t be such a crime being happy⁠—
Nicky	You’re not happy⁠—you’re never happy⁠—you’re fighting⁠—fighting all the time to keep your youth and your looks⁠—because you can’t bear the thought of living without them⁠—as though they mattered in the end.
Florence	Hysterically. What does anything matter⁠—ever?
Nicky	That’s what I’m trying to find out.
Florence	I’m still young inside⁠—I’m still beautiful. Why shouldn’t I live my life as I choose?
Nicky	You’re not young or beautiful; I’m seeing for the first time how old you are. It’s horrible⁠—your silly fair hair⁠—and your face all plastered and painted⁠—
Florence	Nicky⁠—Nicky⁠—stop⁠—stop⁠—stop!
	She flings herself face downwards on the bed. Nicky* goes over to her.*
Nicky	Mother!
Florence	Go away⁠—go away⁠—I hate you⁠—go away⁠—
Nicky	Mother⁠—sit up⁠—
Florence	Pulling herself together. Go out of my room⁠—
Nicky	Mother⁠—
Florence	I don’t ever want to see you again⁠—you’re insane⁠—you’ve said wicked, wicked things to me⁠—you’ve talked to me as though I were a woman off the streets. I can’t bear any more⁠—I can’t bear any more!
Nicky	I have a slight confession to make⁠—
Florence	Confession?
Nicky	Yes.
Florence	Go away⁠—go away⁠—
Nicky	Taking a small gold box from his pocket. Look⁠—
Florence	What do you mean⁠—what is it⁠—?
Nicky	Don’t you know?
	Florence takes the box with trembling fingers and opens it. She stares at it for a moment. When she speaks again her voice is quite dead.
Florence	Nicky, it isn’t⁠—you haven’t⁠—?
Nicky	Why do you look so shocked?
Florence	Dully. Oh, my God!
Nicky	What does it matter? Florence suddenly rises and hurls the box out of the window. That doesn’t make it any better.
Florence	Flinging herself on her knees beside him. Nicky, promise me, oh, promise you’ll never do it again⁠—never in your life⁠—it’s frightful⁠—horrible⁠—
Nicky	It’s only just the beginning.
Florence	What can I say to you⁠—what can I say to you?
Nicky	Nothing⁠—under the circumstances.
Florence	What do you mean?
Nicky	It can’t possibly matter⁠—now.
Florence	Matter⁠—but it’s the finish of everything⁠—you’re young, you’re just starting on your life⁠—you must stop⁠—you must swear never to touch it again⁠—swear to me on your oath, Nicky⁠—I’ll help you⁠—I’ll help you⁠—
Nicky	You!
	He turns away.
Florence	Burying her face in her hands and moaning. Oh⁠—oh⁠—oh!
Nicky	How could you possibly help me?
Florence	Clutching him. Nicky!
Nicky	Almost losing control. Shut up⁠—shut up⁠—don’t touch me⁠—
Florence	Trying to take him in her arms. Nicky⁠—Nicky⁠—
Nicky	I’m trying to control myself, but you won’t let me⁠—you’re an awfully rotten woman, really.
Florence	Nicky⁠—stop⁠—stop⁠—stop⁠—
	She beats him with her fists.
Nicky	Leave go of me!
	He breaks away from her, and going up to the dressing-table he sweeps everything off on to the floor with his arm.
Florence	Screaming. Oh⁠—oh⁠—Nicky⁠—!
Nicky	Now then! Now then! You’re not to have any more lovers; you’re not going to be beautiful and successful ever again⁠—you’re going to be my mother for once⁠—it’s about time I had one to help me, before I go over the edge altogether⁠—
Florence	Nicky⁠—Nicky⁠—
Nicky	Promise me to be different⁠—you’ve got to promise me!
Florence	Sinking on to the end of couch, facing audience. Yes⁠—yes⁠—I promise⁠—The tears are running down her face.
Nicky	I love you, really⁠—that’s why it’s so awful.
	He falls on his knees by her side and buries his face in her lap.
Florence	No. No, not awful⁠—don’t say that⁠—I love you, too.
Nicky	Sobbing hopelessly. Oh, mother⁠—!
Florence	Staring in front of her. I wish I were dead!
Nicky	It doesn’t matter about death, but it matters terribly about life.
Florence	I know⁠—
Nicky	Desperately. Promise me you’ll be different⁠—promise me you’ll be different⁠—
Florence	Yes, yes⁠—I’ll try⁠—
Nicky	We’ll both try.
Florence	Yes, dear.⁠—Oh, my dear⁠—!
	She sits quite still, staring in front of her⁠—the tears are rolling down her cheeks, and she is stroking Nicky’s* hair mechanically in an effort to calm him.*
	Curtain.