Script OIB

Script OIB

HELMER in a Christmas tree farm. He is sitting on a wooden rocking chair on the porch of the owner of this Christmas tree farm’s chalet. In HELMER’s hands, a warm coffee dimming and warming his face. Frost is coming out of his mouth each time he exhales. Another empty rocking chair next to him. On it a tartan pattered knitted blanket. Someone plays the piano inside of the chalet. Inside of the chalet people are making offers for the Christmas trees and a smothered brouhaha is mixed with the soft melody of the piano.  NORA exits the chalet and enters a porch. She is wearing a bright long dress under a big furry coat. Without paying attention to HELMER, she sits next to him and puts the blanket on her knees.

NORA. (staring at the Christmas trees): These are a nice bunch of Christmas trees, don’t you think?

HELMER. (sipping from his coffee): Indeed Madam, a nice bunch of trees in such a nice time of the year.  

NORA. (closing her eyes) You surely mean Christmas time, don’t you? I agree. The most memorable moments of my life happened during this time.

HELMER. (closing his eyes as his smile fades, nostalgically ) Me too madam, me too.

They stay silent for a few seconds. HELMER opens his eyes and turns his head towards NORA. He immediately recognizes her. His opens his mouth to speak.

HELMER. (hesitantly) Actually, my wife ran away during this time of the year.

NORA. (opening her eyes brusquely) Maybe she had her reasons.

HELMER. Nora…

NORA. (facing HELMER) Torvald! (gets up)

HELMER. (grabbing her arm) Stay, please!

NORA. I don’t have anything more to say to you.

HELMER. But you should. You should talk to me. I want to talk to you.

NORA. You aren’t a part of my life anymore

HELMER. Maybe I can become one. We could be friends. I beg you, stay! Stay, little songb…

NORA. (furiously cutting him) Oh Helmer, would you stop calling me that! Would you stop talking to me in this ornated theatralized way. You know what? You win. I’ll stop and talk to you for a minute but not more. After this, even if we walk past each other one day, I will not even dare to look at you. Is that clear to you, my (ironically) little squirrel!

HELMER. (surprised, smiling). It is perfectly clear to me, Nora. Know, would you please do me the favor of sitting next to me and telling me what road you took after you left?

NORA. (sighing with relief). When I left I went to my sister’s house but she took too good care of me. I wanted to be left alone to myself, so I moved into a little studio in Oslo where I sleep at night. During the day. I even have a job!

HELMER. (amused) That’s great, Nora!

NORA. What? Are you making fun of me? You think that I am lying. You think that woman should not have a job. Pardon me, but as you may have noticed, I, unlike you, do not really of what people think of me.

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