Mockinbird has always been a champion for culture and art. To further educate our readers on some of the most important works of drama, we present to you some scenes from critically acclaimed playwright, Weginald Wose.

 

From his 1972 play, “David, the Man Who Spoke,” Wose brought to light those who spoke but made no sound. This first scene comes from Act 2, Scene 3 where we are presented with Babette, David’s estranged lover, who has finally returned from Paris. Enjoy.

 

David:

 

Babette: Well, that’s a fine how do you do… how dare you say that to me? (Throws baggage out of the window. A duck is heard dying.) I came back from Paris to see you! Your letter said you had changed, but clearly, from what you just said, NOTHING has changed.

 

David:

 

Babette: Don’t you dare bring our child into this! How can you sit and ramble on about what a great father you are, when you have that drained bottle of whisky in your hand?

 

David:                                     (Slams down bottle.)

 

 

                                                                                          (Crying.)

 

 

              (Falls to his knees.)

 

Babette: I’ve heard that before! It’s the same old line you used to feed me when we were young and in love. (Babette places a chair on the table and climbs to the top of it, balancing on one leg.) We used to walk down the boulevard together, holding each other, and feeling like the world was ours! Now look at you!

​

David:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Babette: I didn’t know about that. How could I have? Oh David, I am so sorry. We must find a better place. Let us return to the horses.

 

SCENE

 

As you can tell, this selection shares a lot of horrifying details into David’s life, his demons and his brief flings with snorting pencil eraser shavings. The audience is able to identify in David’s final soliloquy, why he briefly joined a traveling circus full of ne’er do wells. At one point, David even says, “                                                                                                                   ” As an outside viewer, we are left to determine our own idiosyncrasies. Wose’s interjection of David quoting Seneca the Younger and Jean Baudrillard takes us out of our comfort zone. His view is one that many can understand, yet not comprehend at the same time.

 

18th century poet, Gaius Musonius Roofroof, once said, “Sorry, losers and haters, but my I.Q. is one of the highest—and you all know it! Please don’t feel stupid or insecure. It’s not your fault.” Maybe we truly are the stupid and insecure.