书城外语那些美轮美奂的舞台剧(每天读一点英文)
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第5章 The Hairy Apes

毛猿

The Hairy Apes

在这部戏剧中,主人公扬克是一艘远洋轮船上的司炉,以其身强力壮得到了同伴的敬畏而自豪。但有一次遭到一位有钱女人的侮辱,于是便到处寻找他的社会地位,最后只好与动物园的一只大猩猩结为朋友,结果却死在它的大力拥抱之中。剧本表明在冷酷无情的资本主义社会,像扬克这样的工人只能忍受非人的待遇。要想改变这种状况,只会得到更加悲惨的结局。

Scene Ⅶ

SCENE Nearly a month later. An I. W. W. local near the waterfront,showing the interior of a front room on the ground floor,and the street outside. Moonlight on the narrow street,buildings massed in black shadow. The interior of the room,which is general assembly room,office,and reading room,resembles some dingy settlement boys club. A desk and high stool are in one corner. A table with papers,stacks of pamphlets,chairs about it,is at center. The whole is decidedly cheap,banal,commonplace and unmysterious as a room could well be. The secretary is perched on the stool making entries in a large ledger. An eye shade casts his face into shadows. Eight or ten men,longshoremen,iron workers,and the like,are grouped about the table. Two are playing checkers. One is writing a letter. Most of them are smoking pipes. A big signboard is on the wall at the rear,“Industrial Workers of the World— Local No. 57.”

(Yank Comes down the street outside. He is dressed as in Scene Five.

Secretary:(turning around on his stool) What the devil is that—someone knocking? (shouts) Come in,why don’t you?

Yank:(blurts out) Hello.

Men:Hello.

Yank:I tought I’d bumped into de wrong dump.

Secretary:Maybe you have. Are you a member?

Yank:Naw,not yet. That’s what I come for—to join.

Secretary:That’s easy. What’s your job—longshore?

Yank:Naw. Fireman—stoker on de liners.

Secretary:(with satisfaction) Welcome to our city. Glad to know you people are waking up at last. We haven’t got many members in your line.

Yank:Naw. They’re all dead to de woild.

Secretary:Well,you can help to wake ’em. What’s your name? I’ll make out your card.

Yank:(confused) Name? Let me think.

Secretary:(sharply) Don’t you know your own name?

Yank:Sure;but I been just Yank for so long—Bob,that’s it—Bob Smith.

Secretary:(writing) Robert Smith,(fills out the rest of card) Here you are. Cost you half a dollar.

Yank:Is dat all—four bits? Dat’s easy,(gives the secretary the money)

Secretary:(throwing it in drawer) Thanks. Well,make yourself at home. No introductions needed. There’s literature on the table. Take some of those pamphlets with you to distribute aboard ship. They may bring results. Sow the seed,only go about it right. Don’t get caught and fired. We got plenty out of work. What we need is men who can hold their jobs—and work for us at the same time.

Yank:Sure.

Secretary:(looking at him—curiously) What did you knock for? Think we had a coon in uniform to open doors?

Yank:Naw. I tought it was locked—and dat yuh’d wanter give me the once-over trou a peep-hole or somep’n to see if I was right.

Secretary:(alert and suspicious but with an easy laugh) Think we were running a crap game? That door is never locked. What put that in your nut?

Yank:(with a knowing grin,convinced that this is all camouflage,a part of the secrecy) Dis burg is full of bulls,ain’t it?

Secretary:(sharply) What have the cops got to do with us? We’re breaking no laws.

Yank:(with a knowing wink) Sure. Youse wouldn’t for woilds. Sure. I’m wise to dat.

Secretary:You seem to be wise to a lot of stuff none of us knows about.

Yank:(with another wink) Aw,dat’s aw right,see. (then made a bit resentful by the suspicious glances from all sides) Aw,can it! Youse needn’t put me trou de toid degree. Can’t youse see I belong? Sure! I’m reg’lar. I’ll stick,get me? I’ll shoot de works for youse. Dat’s why I wanted to join in.

Secretary:(breezily,feeling him out) That’s the right spirit. Only are you sure you understand what you’ve joined? It’s all plain and above board;still,some guys get a wrong slant on us. (sharply) What’s your notion of the purpose of the I. W. W.?

Yank:Aw,I know all about it.

Secretary:(sarcastically) Well,give us some of your valuable information.

Yank:(cunningly) I know enough not to speak outa my toin. (then resentfully again) Aw,say! I’m reg’lar. I’m wise to de game. I know yuh got to watch your step with a stranger. For all youse know,I might be a plain-clothes dick,or somep’n,dat’s what yuh’re tinkin’,huh? Aw,forget it! I belong,see? Ask any guy down to de docks if I don’t.

Secretary:Who said you didn’t?

Yank:After I’m ’nitiated,I’II show yuh.

Secretary:(astounded) Initiated? There’s no initiation.

Yank:(disappointed) Ain’t there no password—no grip nor nothin’?

Secretary:What’d you think this is—the Elks—or the Black Hand?

Yank:De Elks,hell! De Black Hand,dey’re a lot of yellow backstickin’ Ginees. Naw. Dis is a man’s gang,ain’t it?

Secretary:You said it! That’s why we stand on our two feet in the open. We got no secrets.

Yank:(surprised but admiringly) Yuh mean to say yuh always run wide open—like dis?

Secretary:Exactly.

Yank:Den yuh sure got your noive wit youse!

Secretary:(sharply) Just what was it made you want to join us? Come out with that straight.

Yank:Yuh call me? Well,I got noive,too! Here’s my hand. Yuh wanter blow tings up,don’t yuh? Well,dat’s me! I belong!

Secretary:(with pretended carelessness) You mean change the unequal conditions of society by legitimate direct action—or with dynamite?

Yank:Dynamite! Blow it offen de oith—steel-all de cages—all de factories,steamers,buildings,jails—de Steel Trust and all dat makes it go.

Secretary:So—that’s your idea,eh? And did you have any special job in that line you wanted to propose to us. (He makes a sign to the men,who get up cautiously one by one and group behind Yank. )

Yank:(boldly) Sure,I’ll come out wit it. I’ll show youse I’m one of de gang. Dere’s dat millionaire guy,Douglas—

Secretary:President of the Steel Trust,you mean? Do you want to assassinate him?

Yank:Naw,dat don’t get yuh nothin’. I mean blow up de factory,de woiks,where he makes de steel. Dat’s what I’m after—to blow up de steel,knock all de steel in de woild up to de moon. Dat’II fix tings! (eagerly,with a touch of bravado) I’ll do it by me lonesome! I’ll show yuh! Tell me where his woiks is,how to git there,all de dope. Gimme de stuff,de old butter—and watch me do de rest! Watch de smoke and see it move! I don’t give a damn if dey nab me—long as it’s done! I’ll solve life for it—and give ’em de laugh! And I’ll write her a letter and tell her de hairy ape done it. Dat’ll square tings.

Secretary:Very interesting. (He gives a signal. The men,huskies all,throw themselves on Yank and before he knows it they have his legs and arms pinioned. But he is too flabber-gasted to make a struggle,anyway. They feel him over for weapons. )

Man:No gat,no knife. Shall we give him what’s what and put the boots to him?

Secretary:No. He isn’t worth the trouble we’d get into. He’s too stupid. (He comes closer and laughs mockingly in Yank’S face.) Ho-ho! By God,this is the biggest joke they’ve put up on us yet. Hey,you Joke! Who sent you—Burns or Pinkerton? No,by God,you’re such a bonehead. I’ll bet you’re in the secret service! Well,you dirty spy,you rotten agent provocator,you can go back and tell whatever skunk is paying you blood-money for betraying your brothers that he’s wasting his coin. You couldn’t catch a cold. And tell him that all he’ll ever get on us,or ever has got,is just his own sneaking plots that he’s framed up to put us in jail. We are what our manifesto says we are,neither more or less—and we’ll give him a copy of that any time he calls. And as for you—Oh,hell,what’s the use of talking? You’re a brainless ape.

Yank:(aroused by the word to fierce but futile struggles) What’s dat,yuh Sheeny bum,yuh!

Secretary:Throw him out,boys. (In spite of his struggles,this is done with gusto and eclat. Propelled by several parting kicks.)

Yank:(bitterly) So dem boids don’t tink I belong,neider. Aw,to hell wit ’em! Dey’re in de wrong pew—de same old bull—soapboxes and Salvation Army—no guts! Cut out an hour offen de job a day and make me happy! Gimme a dollar more a day and make me happy! Tree square a day,and cauliflowers in de front yard—ekal rights—a woman and kids—a lousey vote—and I’m all fixed for Jesus,huh? Aw,hell! What does dat get yuh? Dis ting’s in your inside,but it ain’t your belly. Feedin’ your face—sinkers and coffee—dat don’t touch it. It’s way down—at de bottom. Yuh can’t grab it,and yuh can’t stop it. It moves,and everything moves. It stops and de whole woild stops. Dat’s me now—I don’t tick,see?—I’m a busted Ingersoll,dat’s what. Steel was me,and I owned de woild. Now I ain’t steel,and de woild owns me. Aw,hell! I can’t see—it’s all dark,get me? It’s all wrong! (He turns a bitter mocking face up like an ape gibbering at the moon.) Say,youse up dere,Man in de Moon,yuh look so wise,gimme de answer,huh? Slip me de inside dope,de information right from de stable—where do I get off at,huh?

A policeman:(who has come up the street in time to hear this last—with grim humor) You’ll get off at the station,you boob,if you don’t get up out of that and keep movin’.

Yank:Sure! Lock me up! Put me in a cage! Dat’s de on’y answer yuh know. G’wan,lock me up!

Policeman:What you been doin’ ?

Yank:Enuf to gimme life for! I was born,see? Sure,dat’s de charge. Write it in de blotter. I was born,get me!

Policeman:(jocosely) God pity your old woman! But I’ve no time for kidding. You’re soused. I’d run you in but it’s too long a walk to the station. Come on now,get up,or I’ll fan your ears with this club. Beat it now! (He hauls Yank to his feet)

Yank:(in a vague mocking tone) Say,where do I go from here?

Policeman:(giving him a push—with a grin,indifferently) Go to hell.

Scene VIII

Scene:Twilight of the next day. The monkey house at the Zoo. On the one cage a sign from which the word“gorilla”stands out. The gigantic animal himself is seen squatting on his haunches on a bench in much the same attitude as Rodin’s“Thinker.”Yank enters from the left. Immediately a chorus of angry chattering and screeching breaks out. The gorilla turns his eyes but makes no sound or move.

Yank:(with a hard,bitter laugh) Welcome to your city,huh? Hail,hail,de gang’s all here! Say,yuh’re some hard-lookin’ guy,ain’t yuh? I seen lots of tough nuts dat de gang called gorillas,but yuh’re de foist real one I ever seen. Some chest yuh got,and shoulders,and dem arms and mits! I bet yuh got a punch in eider fist dat’d knock ’em all silly! Sure,I get yuh. Yuh challenge de whole woild,huh? Yuh got what I was sayin’ even if yuh muffed de woids. And why wouldn’t yuh get me? Ain’t we both members of de same club—de Hairy Apes? (They stare at each other—a pause—) So yuh’re what she seen when she looked at me,de white-faced tart! I was you to her,get me? On’y outa de cage—broke out—free to moider her,see? Sure! Dat’s what she tought. She wasn’t wise dat I was in a cage,too—worser than yours—sure—a damn sight—’cause you got some chanct to bust loose—but me—(He grows confused.) Aw,hell! It’s all wrong,ain’t it? (a pause) I s’pose yuh wanter know what I’m doin’here,huh? I been warmin’ a bench down to de Batten—ever since last night. Sure. I seen de sun come up. Dat was pretty,too—all red and pink and green. I was lookin’ at de skyscrapers—steel—and all de ships comin’ in,sailin’ out,all over de oith—and dey was steel,too. De sun was warm,dey wasn’t no clouds,and dere was a breeze blowin’. Sure,it was great stuff. I got it aw right— what Paddy said about dat bein’de right dope—on’y I couldn’t get in it,see? I couldn’t belong in dat. It was over my head. And I kept tinkin’—and den I beat it up here to see what youse was like. And I waited till dey was all gone to git yuh alone. Say,how d’yuh feel sittin’ in dat pen all de time,havin’to stand for ’em comin ’and starin’at yuh—de white-faced,skinny tarts and de boobs what marry ’em—makin ’fun of yuh,laughin ’at yuh,gittin’scared of yuh—damn ’em! (The gorilla rattles the bars of his cage and snarls. All the other monkeys set up an angry chattering in the darkness. Yank goes on excitedly.) Sure! Dat’s de way it hits me,too. On’y yuh’re lucky,see? Yuh don’t belong wit ’em and yuh know it. But me,I belong wit ’em—but I don’t,see? Dey don’t belong wit me,dat’s what. Get me? Tinkin’ is hard—(He passes one hand across his forehead with a painful gesture. The gorilla growls impatiently. Yank goes on gropingly.) It’s dis way,what I’m drivin’ at. Youse can sit and dope dream in de past,green woods,de jungle and de rest of it. Den yuh belong and dey don’t. Den yuh kin laugh at ’em,see? Yuh’re de champ of de woild. But me—I ain’t got no past to tink in,nor nothin’ dat’s coming’,on’y what’s now—and dat don’t belong. Sure,you’re de best off! Yuh can’t tink,can yuh? Yuh can’t talk neider. But I kin make a bluff at talkin’ and tinkin’— a’most git away wit it—a’most!—and dat’s where de joker comes in. (He laughs.) I ain’t on oith and I ain’t in heaven,get me? I’m in de middle tryin’to separate ’em,takin’all de woist punches from bot’ of ’em. Maybe dat’s what dey call hell,huh? But you,yuh’re at de bottom. You belong! Sure! Yuh’re de on’y one in de woild dat does,yuh lucky stiff! (The gorilla growls proudly.) And dat’s why dey gotter put yuh in a cage,see? (The gorilla roars angrily.) Sure! Yuh get me. It beats it when you try to tink it or talk it—it’s way down—deep—behind—you’n ’me we feel it. Sure! Bot’members of dis club! (He laughs—then in a savage tone.) What de hell! T’hell wit it! A little action,dat’s our meat! Dat belongs! Knock ’em down and keep bustin’ ’em till dey croaks yuh wit a gat—wit steel! Sure! Are yuh game? Dey’ve looked at youse,ain’t dey—in a cage? Wanter git even? Wanter wind up like a sport ’stead of croakin’slow in dere? (The gorilla roars an emphatic affirmative. Yank goes on with a sort of furious exaltation.) Sure! Yuh’re reg’lar! Yuh’ll stick to de finish! Me and you,huh? —bot’members of this club! We’ll put up one last star bout dat’II knock ’em offen deir seats! Dey’II have to make de cages stronger after we’re trou! Pardon from de governor! Step out and shake hands! I’ll take yuh for a walk down Fif’Avenoo. We’ll knock ’em offen de oith and croak wit de band playin’. Come on,Brother. (The gorilla scrambles gingerly out of his cage. Goes to Yank and stands looking at him. Yank keeps his mocking tone—holds out his hand. ) Shake-de secret grip of our order. (Something,the tone of mockery,perhaps,suddenly enrages the animal. With a spring he wraps his huge arms around Yank in a murderous hug. There is a crackling snap of crushed ribs—a gasping cry,still mocking,from Yank.) Hey,I didn’t say,kiss me. Say—dey oughter match him—wit Zybszko. He got me,aw right. I’m trou. Even him didn’t think I belonged,(then,with sudden passionate despair) Christ,where do I get off at? Where do I fit in? (checking himself as suddenly) Aw,what de hell! No squakin’,see! No quittin,get me! Croak wit your boots on! (He grabs hold of the bars of the cage and hauls himself painfully to his feet—looks around him bewilderedly—forces a mocking laugh.) In de cage,huh? Ladies and gents,step forward and take a slant at de one and only—(his voice weakening) — one and original—Hairy Ape from de wilds of—(He slips in a heap on the floor and dies. The monkeys set up a chattering,whimpering wail.

第七幕

场景 将近一个月之后。靠近岸边的一个世界产联分部,可以见到底层的一间客厅和外面的街道。月光照在窄窄的街道上,高楼形成大片的黑影。客厅的内部,看上去既是会议厅,办公室又是阅览室,有点类似那些简陋邋遢的少年俱乐部。角落处是一张办公桌和一把高凳子。中间还有张桌子,上面是报纸,一摞摞的宣传小册子,旁边是几把椅子。无疑,整个屋子档次很低,平俗,蹩脚而且毫无新意。秘书高坐在凳子上,在一个大账簿上登记着什么。一个眼罩遮住了他的脸。约八或十个人,有码头工人,钢铁工人等人,都围在那张桌子前。两个人在下跳棋,一个人在写信,大多数人在抽烟斗。一个大招牌挂在后面的墙上,“世界产业工人联合会——第57地方分会”。

扬克:(从外面的街道走进来。他穿得和第五场里一样。)

秘书:(在他的凳子上转过身)那究竟是什么——有人敲门?

(喊)进来啊,为什么不呢?

扬克:(脱口说出)好啊。

大家:好啊。

扬克:我以为我走错了。

秘书:也许是错了。你是会员吗?

扬克:不,还不是。那就是我为什么来这儿——我要加入。

秘书:那容易。你干哪一行——码头上的?

扬克:不是,烧火工——在邮轮上烧火。

秘书:(满意地)欢迎来到我们社区。很高兴你们这些人终于醒悟过来了。在你们这行里,我们的会员不多。

扬克:嗯。他们对世事全都麻木了。

秘书:那你倒可以帮着唤醒他们。你叫什么名字?我给你填张卡片。

扬克:(困惑)名字?让我想想。

秘书:(尖锐地)你连自己的名字都不知道吗?

扬克:当然知道,只是他们叫我扬克太久了——罗伯特,对了——罗伯特·史密斯。

秘书:(写)罗伯特·史密斯。(填好卡片的其他项)给你。要交半块钱。

扬克:就那么多吗——四个十二分半?那容易。(把钱给了秘书)

秘书:(把钱扔到抽屉里)谢谢。好了,随便点,不用我介绍了,桌上有文件。带几本小册子去船上发发,那就有效了。撒下种子,但要做得适当,别被抓住给开除了。我们中失业的人太多了。我们要有工作的人——同时又能替我们工作。

扬克:当然。

秘书:(看着他——好奇地)你为什么敲门呢?不会认为我们这儿有个穿制服的黑鬼给你开门吧?

扬克:那倒没有。我以为门是锁着的——你们会从门孔或其他什么地方先大概看看我是不是对路?

秘书:(警觉,怀疑地,但却坦然一笑)以为我们是开赌场啊?门从来都不锁的,你怎会有那种念头呢?

扬克:(心知肚明地一笑,确信这是一种伪装,是秘密的一部分)这一带条子多,不是吗?

秘书:(尖锐地)条子和我们有什么关系啊?我们又没犯法。

扬克:(会心一笑)当然,你们不会的。当然,我很清楚。

秘书:好像你知道很多我们自己都不知道的事儿。

扬克:(又挤挤眼)啊,好啦,我明白。(然后被四面投来的怀疑目光弄得有点气恼)哦,够了!你们别那样看我。难道你们不明白我顶用吗?当然,我是个牢靠的人。我会坚持,懂吗?我会替你们工作——这就是我要加入的原因。

秘书:(一边说笑着,一边试探他)这种精神可嘉。但是你确切知道你加入的是什么吗?这里一切都是明明白白可以拿到台面上的;但是有些家伙还是对我们看走了眼。(尖锐地)你认为世界产联的宗旨是什么?

扬克:哦,那个我知道的。

秘书:(讽刺地)那么,给我们说说你那些宝贵的消息吧。

扬克:(狡黠地)我完全明白说话要懂得避讳。(接着忿忿地)啊,我说,我可是个牢靠的人。我清楚这一套。我也知道和陌生人打交道得小心。也许你们认为,我是个便衣探子或什么的,你们就是那样想的,嗯?啊,算了吧!我顶用,明白吗?去码头上随便问问看我行不行。

秘书:谁说你不行的?

扬克:等我入了会,让你们瞧瞧。

秘书:(惊讶地)入会?这里没有入会仪式。

扬克:(失望地)难道没有暗号——没有握手式,什么都没有吗?

秘书:你认为这是什么?——麋鹿兄弟会——或者黑手党?

扬克:麋鹿兄弟会?见鬼!黑手党,不就是一帮背后捅刀子的意大利佬吗?不是,这是个好汉帮,对吧?

秘书:叫你说准了!这就是为什么我们能两条腿站得直,因为我们行事光明磊落,没有秘密。

扬克:(惊讶但带有佩服地)你是说所有的事情都光明正大——就像这样。

秘书:是的。

扬克:那你们可都真是有种的汉子!

秘书:(尖锐地)快说你为什么要加入我们吧,实话实说。

扬克:你说我吗?好吧,我也有种!我来帮忙的。你们不是要搞爆炸吗,嗯?对,交给我!我顶用!

秘书:(假装随随便便地)你是说改变不平等的社会条件用合法的直接行动——还是用炸药?

扬克:用炸药啊!把它从地球上炸掉——钢铁——所有的笼子——所有的工厂,汽船,楼房,监狱——那个钢铁托拉斯和所有让它转的东西。

秘书:哦——那就是你的想法,嗯?那么,在你那一点上还有什么其他特别的活动,可以提点建议给我们的吗?(对其他人使了个眼色,他们一个接一个小心地站起来,聚拢到扬克身后)

扬克:(无畏地)当然,我想出来了。我要让你们看看我也是这帮里的。那个家伙,百万富翁,叫道格拉斯的?

秘书:你是说,钢铁托拉斯的总经理?你要行刺他吗?

扬克:不,那没什么用。我是说炸掉那些工厂、工程,他们炼钢的那些地方。那就是我想干的——炸掉那些钢铁,把那些钢铁都炸到月球上去。那就解决问题啦!(渴求地,带着点虚张声势)我要一个人自己干!我要叫你们瞧瞧!告诉我他的工厂在哪儿,怎么去,还有所有其他事。给我炸药——别光说漂亮话——接下来就看我吧!看看那黑烟,看看他们飞起来!我才不怕他们抓住我——只要做完这事!我能坐一辈子牢——好好地嘲笑他们。我还要给她写封信,告诉她那是毛猿干的。那就扯平了。

秘书:非常有意思。(他发了令。那些人,都是壮汉,全身扑压到扬克身上,在他反应过来之前,已把他的手脚都绑缚上了。然而他是这样地目瞪口呆,以至于未做任何反抗。他们在他全身上下搜武器)

那些人:没枪,也没刀。我们要告诉他真相再把他赶走吗?

秘书:不,他还不值那些个麻烦。他太蠢了。(他凑近些,对着扬克的脸嘲讽地笑着)嗬——嗬,看在上帝的份上,这可是他们和我们开得最大的玩笑。喂,你这开玩笑的,谁叫你来的——彭斯还是平克顿?不,你是个傻蛋,我敢打赌你是秘密机关的人!哼!你这肮脏的特务,你这坏透了的探子,拿了几个钱就出卖弟兄们,不管是谁让你来的,回去告诉那个混账,这是白费钱。你什么也得不到的。还要告诉他,他想要识破我们或者已经识破我们,只不过是他阴谋诡计想把我们投到监狱里。我们就是我们的宣言所说的,不多不少——什么时候他来,我们都能送他一份。至于你嘛——噢,见鬼!跟你说什么呢?你这没脑子的人猿。

扬克:(被那个字眼激怒了,激烈而徒劳地挣扎)你说什么,你这犹太流氓,你!

秘书:把他扔出去,小子们。(尽管他在挣扎,他们还是吆喝着、兴致勃勃地把他扔了出去,还被踢了几脚。)

扬克:(辛酸地)所以连那些家伙也认为我没用。唉,见他们的鬼去!他们站错了地方——还是那老一套——肥皂箱演说和救世军——没种!一天少工作一个钟头,让我快乐吧!一天多给一块钱,让我快乐吧!一天三餐饭,花菜种前院——权利平等——老婆和孩子——一张倒霉的选票——那我就可以等着见上帝啦,呃?哦,见鬼!那能带给你什么?问题是在你内部。不是你的肚子。喂你的嘴——炸面圈和咖啡——那沾不上边。——它在下面——在底部。你抓不住它,也不能叫它停下。它动,一切都跟着动;它停,世界都停下来。现在那就是我——我不想了。懂吗?——我是败了的殷格索尔,就那么回事。我曾经是钢铁,全世界都是我的。现在我不是了,世界控制了我。嗷,见鬼!我不明白——太黑暗了,懂吗?这一切全错了!(他抬起一张苦苦嘲笑着的脸,像一只对着月亮叽里咕噜说话的人猿)我说,你们那月亮上的,你们看起来倒聪明,告诉我答案吧。呃?把那些内幕消息都告诉我吧——我该从哪儿脱身呐,呃?

警察:(从街上走过来,刚好听到这最后一句话——带着无情的幽默)你到警察局脱身吧。你这笨蛋,还不学清醒点儿,赶快离开这儿。

扬克:不错,把我锁起来!把我关在笼子里!那就是你们的答案?快,把我关起来吧!

警察:你犯了什么事?

扬克:足够关一辈子了!我生在这人世,明白吗?没错,那就是罪名。记在你的本子上吧。我活在人世了,懂吗?

警察:(开玩笑地)上帝怜悯你母亲吧!但我没时间跟你开玩笑。你醉了。如果不是到局里的路太长,我就把你带走了。快点起来吧,不然我就用这棍子扇你耳光了。快滚吧!(他把扬克拖起来)

扬克:(模模糊糊的嘲讽口气)我该上哪儿去呢?

警察:(推搡了他一下,咧嘴一笑,冷漠地)到地狱去吧。

第八幕

场景 第二天黄昏。动物园的猴房。有个笼子上挂了个牌子,上面写着“大猩猩”。那个庞大的动物蹲在个长凳上,样子就像罗丹的“沉思者”。扬克从左上。顿时爆发出一阵愤怒的咯吱声和尖叫声。大猩猩转过眼睛,但没动弹也没作声。

扬克:(带着苦涩刺耳的笑)欢迎来到我们社区,呃?好啊,好啊,这一帮全在这儿呢!我说,你看起来真结实啊,不是吗?我见过许多被称为猩猩的硬汉子,但你是我见到第一个真家伙。你的胸脯,肩膀,那胳臂,那手掌,可真都够棒的!我打赌你一拳就能把他们都打倒!当然,我懂你的意思。你在挑战全世界吗?我说的那些你都有,虽然你不会说话。你怎么会不懂我的话呢?我们不都是同一个俱乐部的吗,毛猿俱乐部?(他们互相看着——顿了顿)她看着我时,你就是她看见的,那个白脸婊子!对她来说,我就是你,懂吗?只是在笼子外面——逃出去的——随便就可以弄死她,懂吗?那就是她的想法。她不知道我也在笼子里——比你还悲惨——当然——那个情形——因为你还有机会逃出去——但我呢——(他糊涂了)嗷,见鬼!这都错了,不是吗?(停顿)你是想知道我在这儿干什么,嗯?从昨晚起,我就在巴特里公园那长凳子上躺着。没错,我看见太阳升起来。那真漂亮——全是红的、粉的、绿的。我看着那摩天楼——钢铁——还有那些出来进去的船,到全世界的——它们也是钢的。阳光暖和极了,没有云却有阵小风。当然,那可真不错。我完全懂了——那些是好酒,派迪是对的——只是那时我没明白过来,懂吗?我也不属于那个地方,它罩在我头顶上。于是我—直想——后来我想到要来看看你是什么样的。我等到他们都走了,来单独找你。我说,你觉得在那里面怎么样,忍受那些人来瞪着眼看着你——那些白脸的,骨瘦如柴的婊子和她们的蠢男人——拿你开心,嘲笑你,又被你吓跑?去他们的!(大猩猩摇晃笼子上的栅栏,嗥叫。其他的猿猴在黑暗中发出愤怒的咯吱声。扬克激动得继续着)对,他们就是那样打击我的。但是你很走运,懂吗?你不和他们一伙的,这你知道。可我呢?我就是他们一伙的——但我进不去,懂吗?他们不让我进去,就是那样,懂吗?思考真累啊——(他用一只手擦擦前额,做了个痛苦的手势。大猩猩不耐烦地嗥叫了一声。扬克思索着,继续说)就是这样,这就是我想说的。你可以坐在这儿,梦想着过去,绿树林呀,丛林还有其他的一切。在那儿你顶用,他们却不。这样你就可以嘲笑他们,明白吗?你就是世界冠军。但我呢——我没有过去,也没有将来,只有现在——但是那不顶用。当然,你是最好的!你不能思想,对吧?你也不能说话。但我可以拿话语和思想吓唬人——几乎就能过关——几乎!——但这也就是开玩笑的地方。(他笑)我不在地球上,也不在天堂,懂吗?我在中间试图要分开它们,却受到两方面最惨烈地攻击。也许这就是他们说的地狱,呃?但你呢,你在最底层,你顶用!当然!你是世界上唯一顶用的,你这走运的家伙!(大猩猩傲慢地嗥叫)那就是他们为什么把你关在笼子里,懂吗?(大猩猩愤怒地咆哮)当然,你懂我意思!你想思考,想说出它时,它就不见了——它在下面——很深——背后的什么地方——我和你能感受到。是的!我们都是这个俱乐部的嘛!(他大笑——然后用野蛮的调子)去他妈的!见鬼去吧!要有点行动,那才是我们要的!那样顶用!把他们打倒,摁住他们直到他们用手枪杀死你——用钢铁!不错!你就是个把戏吗?他们那样看着你,不是吗——在笼子里?想报仇吗?想干的像条汉子而不是慢慢地憋死在那儿吗?(大猩猩发出肯定的吼叫,扬克继续着,怒极而后狂喜)当然!你是个硬汉子!你会坚持到最后!我和你,呃?——这个俱乐部的两个成员,我们大干一场,把他们从位置上打下去!我们出去干完后,他们就不得不把笼子建得更牢了。州长给你特赦!出来吧,咱们握握手!我带你逛逛第五大街。我们把他们扔出地球,让他们在乐队伴奏声中死去。过来,兄弟。(大猩猩谨慎小心地走出来。走到扬克面前。站在那儿看着他。扬克还带着他那嘲讽的腔调——伸出手去)握手——按照我们规定的秘密式。(也许是那嘲讽的腔调突然激怒了大猩猩。它一下子跳起来,用那巨大的手臂抱住扬克,死命一搂。骨骼断裂的喀嚓声——一声喘不过气来的叫喊声,扬克仍带着嘲讽)咳,我可没叫你吻我呀。它可以比得上——祖帕斯科嘞。它干倒我了,不错,我完蛋了。连它也认为我不顶用。(接着,强烈的绝望突然爆发)上帝,我该从哪儿脱身?我到底属于哪里?(猛地克制住自己)啊,见鬼!不能妥协,懂吗?不能退缩,明白吗?死也要穿着靴子光荣地死!(他狠抓住笼子的栏杆,痛苦地拖起身子——迷惑地看着周围——勉强地发出嘲讽的一笑)在笼子里,呃?女士们、先生们,向前走一步,看看这唯一的——(他的声音弱下去)——唯一真正的——野毛猿——(他一下子瘫在地上,死了。猴子们发出吱吱咯咯,低低的哀鸣。)

作者介绍

尤金·奥尼尔(Eugene O’Neill)是美国民族戏剧的奠基人、诺贝尔文学奖获得者。奥尼尔的《天边外》获普利策奖,由此奠定了他在美国戏剧界的地位。奥尼尔创作的鼎盛期不仅题材和主题丰富多样,而且形式上也从早期的以自然主义为主,发展成一种糅合着象征主义、表现主义和意识流手法等现代艺术意识和技巧的新型风格。

核心单词

decidedly [di5saididli] adv. 确定地;断然地;明确地

grin [^rin] v. 露齿而笑

legitimate [li5dVitimit] adj. 正当的,合理的

manifesto [7mAni5festEu] n. 宣言;告示

exaltation [7e^zC:l5teiFEn] n.欣喜;提拔;晋升

名句诵读

I seen lots of tough nuts dat de gang called gorillas,but yuh’re de foist real one I ever seen.

我见过许多被称为猩猩的硬汉子,但你是我见到第一个真家伙。

Yuh challenge de whole woild,huh? Yuh got what I was sayin’ even if yuh muffed de woids.

你在挑战全世界吗?我说的那些你都有,虽然你不会说话。你怎么会不懂我的话呢?我们不都是同一个俱乐部的吗,毛猿俱乐部?