Exits Exist/Existen Salidas
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
(For the purpose of this preview, the dialogue is combined.) DIANA
GABRIEL
DIANA
GABRIEL
DIANA
GABRIEL
DIANA
GABRIEL
DIANA
GABRIEL
DIANA
GABRIEL
DIANA
GABRIEL
DIANA
I thought you might come back.
Sabía que volverías.
You did? Well, that's very thoughtful of you.
¿Ah sí? Muy considerado de tu parte?
But why now?
Pero, ¿por qué ahora?
What are you doing in the dark? Who are you hiding from? What are you doing over there? Why don't you come over here where I can see you?
(Diana does not move.)
Have you been outside? It's really coming down out there. I'm soaking wet. Hey, what happened to the doormat? The old welcome...it's gone. I couldn't wipe my feet...and I'm so used to always having a welcome to wipe my feet on. What's new? Anything?
(Pause.)
I see you're still a prisoner. Still chained to the fat of the land.
¿Qué haces en la oscuridad? ¿De quién te estás escondiendo? ¿Por qué no vienes acá para que yo pueda verte?
(Diana no se mueve.)
¿Estuviste fuera? Está cayendo una tromba de agua. Vengo empapado. Escucha, ¿qué ocurrió con la vieja alfombra? ...¿bienvenido? se fue para siempre. No pude limpiarme los pies...y estoy tan acostumbrado a limpiarme los pies al ser bienvenido. Bueno, ¿qué hay de nuevo?
(Pausa.)
Puedo ver que sigues siendo una prisionera. Que sigues encadenada al seno de la familia.
Why Gabriel?
¿Por qué dices eso, Gabriel?
How should I know? I don't make the rules. Plan your own escape. It's your life. I thought you might have a place of your own by now.
¡Y qué sé yo! Yo no hago las leyes. Debes encontrar tu modo de escapar, es tu vida. Pensaba que ya tendrías tu propio lugar a estas alturas.
Why are you here?
¿Por qué estás aquí?
But I wouldn't worry about it. Give it time. You'll break loose someday. Well, what do you think? How do I look?
(Pause.)
Not too good, huh? Well, that's the way it goes...when you're forced to live anything but the good life, you end up looking like this.
Pero a mí no me preocuparía esto mucho. Da tiempo al tiempo. Algún día te vas a soltar. Bueno, ¿qué te parece? ¿Te gusta mi aspecto?
(Pausa.)
¿No estoy muy bien, eh? Así es como van las cosas...cuando te ves forzado a vivir una vida dura, uno termina pareciendo basura.
What are you doing here?
¿Qué haces aquí?
Coming in from the storm. Isn't it obvious?
Escapando de la tormenta. ¿No te parece obvio?
No...it's not obvious.
No...no me parece obvio.
Oh, no...here we go!
¡Oh no...de nuevo la cantaleta!
Answer me.
Respóndeme.
You want the truth? But are you ready...are you ready for it...sure you can handle it?
(Pause.)
Okay, well, let me think. Truth...is there such a beast? Yes. Truth is a beast, you know...a monster with many cruel dimensions. Well, maybe you don't know, but this I can tell you...
¿Quieres saber la verdad? ¿Pero, estás preparada?...¿estás preparada...estás segura que podrías soportarla?
(Pausa.)
Bien, déjame que piense. Verdad...¿existe en realidad una bestia semejante? Sí. La verdad es una bestia...¿Sabías?...un monstruo de dimensiones crueles. Bueno, quizás no lo sabías, pero puedo asegurarte...
I WANT AN ANSWER!
¡QUIERO UNA RESPUESTA!
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About the Book
The purpose of this book is to serve as a resource for students, teachers, actors, directors and others interested in contemporary drama originally written in English and translated into Spanish. I hope that it will also serve to inspire other playwrights to make their work available to the public in additional languages, and that these plays stimulate productions and classroom discussions that reach beyond cultural and national boundaries. Diana has just buried her mother and is surprised by the homecoming of her brother, Gabriel, who returns unaware of their mother’s passing. Gabriel witnesses the destructive influence his mother continues to exert, even in death, as Diana makes her own funeral arrangements. Gabriel gradually discloses the psychological cruelty inflicted on him. He reveals why he left home after high school and how his estrangement from the family was his only defense against an unhealthy environment.
About the Author
Paul M. Kelly received his doctorate from Fordham University, specializing in Educational Administration. An associate member of the Dramatists Guild of America, he has had numerous productions of his plays developed through the Village Playwrights. Dr. Kelly is a registrar and teaches English at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.