surreal love

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SURREAL LOVE(Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez)

ALTHEA JENINE ROSE MONTAÑO

CHRISTIAN NHEIL REGALA

LIT102A ² PHILIPPINE LITERATURES

17 FEBRUARY 2010



CHARACTERS:

Alfredo "Al" Salazar - Richard Gutierrez Esperanza "Anz" De Lavernia - Angel Locsin Julia Salas - KC Concepcion Don Julian Salazar- Christopher De Leon

Judge Del Valle - Eddie Garcia Carmen De Dios - Carmina Villaruel Dona Adela - Jean Garcia

SETTING:

2008Summer Pansol, Batangas

SCRIPT:

I

Focus on the month of March.It is a bright summer day at their garden, Don Julian and Carmen are talking..

Carmen: Dad, when is Alfredo getting married?

Don Julian: I don't know yet. Alfredo is still undecided, but I believe Esperanza wants it to be soon.

Carmen (sighs impatiently ): I wonder why is he not a bit more decided. He's almost thirty, is he not? And still a bachelor! Esperanza must be tired waiting.

Don Julian (his rose scissors busily snips away ): She does not seem to be in much of a hurryeither.

Carmen: How can a woman be in a hurry when the man does not hurry her? (P auses for a while) Dad, do you remember how much in love he was?

Don Julian: In love? With whom?

Carmen: Esperanza, of course. He has not had another love affair that I know of. What I mean isthat at the beginning he was enthusiastic -- flowers, serenades, notes, and things like that...

" If You're Not the One by Daniel Bedingfield " plays as background music. There is a flashback of memories. Alfredo reminisces what he felt less than four years ago. He remembers how intimately inlove he was back then. He looks back particularly on one quiet moonlit evening, under thedappled shadow of the trees in the plaza where he wooed for the young woman's heart, Esperanza.He also remembers how they would have dinner together at some fancy restaurants, or simple



picnics at the park. He remembers how they would walk at the shore holding hands watching thesun set. He recalls their first kiss wrapped around in each other's arms.

Back to Carmen and Don Julian's conversation..

Carmen: What do you think happened?

Don Julian (monologue pitch): I suppose long-engaged people are like that; warm now, cooltomorrow. I think they are more often cool than warm. The very fact that engagement has beenallowed to prolong itself argues certain placidity of temperament -- or of affection -- on the part of either, or both. That phase you were speaking of is natural enough for a beginning. Besides, that,as I see it, was Alfredo's last race with escaping youth.

Carmen imagines her brother in the way their father is depicting engagement.

Don Julian: A last spurt of hot blood.

II

Alfonso is being focused. Wearing a blue-and-green-checkered polo shirt, he looks notably respectable; his appearance is portrayed as betokened little of exuberant masculinity; rather a poet with wayward humor, a fastidious artist with keen, clear brain. He rises from his seat and quietly gets out of the house. He lingers a moment on the stone steps; then goes down the path shaded by immature acacias, through the little covered gate which he leaves swinging back and forth, now opening, now closing, on the gravel road bordered along the farther side by madre cacao hedge intardy lavender bloom.

He looks deeply at the Martinez house reminiscing the time when he first met Julia Salas...

Don Julian (walking with Alfredo on a gravel road ): A little mental relaxation now and then isbeneficial. Besides, a judge's good will, you know, is worth a rising young lawyer's trouble.

Alfredo: All right, I'm here now. I'm visiting the Judge and his family.

Don Julian: This a rare opportunity, you seldom go to the Judge, is it not?

They stop at a house on the hill. Before Alfredo could answer, a young woman opens the door and lets them in.He greets everyone in the room, and finally,

Alfredo: Good evening, Miss del Valle.

The lady only smiles every time he calls her that way.

Don Julian: Her name is Julia Salas, the Judge's sister-in-law

Alfredo (feels embarrassed, blushes): Oh, I thought she was the Judge's sister. (turns to Julia) I amso sorry. Forgive me. You should have corrected me.



Julia: That is nothing. Each time, I was about to correct you, but I remembered a similar experienceI had before.

Alfredo (relieved ): Oh.

Julia: A man named Ramon Cabrerra -- I kept calling Mr. Cabral. After the tenth time or so, theyoung man rose from his seat and said suddenly, 'Pardon me, but my name is Cabrerra, RamonCabrerra.' With his approach, I never forgave him!

He laughs with her.

Julia: The best thing to do under the circumstances, I have found out... is to pretend not to hear,and to let the other person find out his mistake without help.

Alfredo: As you did this time. Still, you looked amused every time I --

Julia: I was thinking of Mr. Manalang.

Don Julian and the Judge plays chess while Alfredo and Julia goes off to chat in the vine-covered porch. The latter two listen to the piano played in the neighborhood.

Kung Malaya Lang Ako by Kris Lawrence plays as background music. No audio. Just background music. Alfredo and Don Julian goes out of the church, walks to the Judge's house. The Judge's wifeoffers them beer; Don Julian enjoys but Alfredo doesn't. The chess is played again. Alfredo and Julia goes out in the porch and chat again. Julia sits in the low hammock while Alfredo in therocking chair. They look happy with each other. They enjoy the conversation. Different clothes, but same position and same laughter (to show that this setup is routinely happening.) Music stops.

Alfredo goes home. He finds Esperanza waiting for him there.

Esperanza (calm): Where have you been? You dont come with me anymore after mass.

Alfredo (looks somewhere but avoids Esperanza's eye contact ): Sometimes I go with Papa toJudge Del Valle.

Esperanza (smiles, seems relieved and confident ): All right. I know there's nothing to worry about. Itrust you. And I know you wouldn't ruin that trust.

III

Next scene, Alfredo is with Julia again, in the same spot where they hang out. " Kung Malaya Lang Ako" plays again as background music, but the music's volume is faintly tuned down. They look upat the quiet sky. They stare at the stars shining, shimmering splendid.

Alfredo: Look at the stars. They seem so alive. They seem to sparkle forever. Up here, I find --something --

Julia (laughs): Amusement?



Alfredo: No; youth -- its spirit --

Julia (laughs): That's too deep. Are you that old?

Alfredo (dreamily ): And heart's desire. ( pauses) (looks at the distance and worries) Down there, the

road is too broad, too trodden by feet, too barren of mystery.

There are fireflies in the darkness.

Julia: Mystery. ( pauses) That is so brief.

Alfredo: Not in some. Not in you.

Julia: You have known me only for a few weeks; so that's a mystery.

Alfredo: I could study you all my life and still not find it.

Julia: So long?

Alfredo (looks deeply into her eyes): I should like to.

Next scene. The Judge and his family are together with Don Julian and his family in the latter'scoconut plantation and a house on the beach.

View at the beach: four children are playing in the sand, two children are busy forming a sand castle. Carmen comes to them and offers kebab which she and Dona Adela are preparing. Shereturns to the kitchen indoor. She chats with Dona Adela again.

Carmen (toasts a pair of sandwiches): My husband, Vicente is so occupied with his work; he can't

even accompany me to this visit with my father.

Dona Adela (washes the dirty plates): My husband, Dionisio, is the most absent-minded of men!He sometimes go out without a collar or with unmatched socks.

At the beach,

Don Julian (walks with the Judge away from the beach): Come, Judge, I'll show you a thrivingyoung coconut -- plenty of leaves, close set, rich green -- (disappears in the scene)

Julia convoys the children as they play with the rippling sand left by the ebbing tide.

Alfredo leaves his perch on the bamboo ladder of the house and follows. Why Can't I by Liz P hair plays as background music plays. He looks at Julia's footsteps. As he catches up with them, Juliasees him. She smiles. Music volume slowly decreases but does not fade.

Alfredo: I hope you are enjoying this.

Julia: Very much. It looks like home to me, except that we do not have such a lovely beach.



The wind blows the hair away from her forehead, and whips the tucked-up skirt around her straight,slender figure.

Julia (looks at the sea): The afternoon has seemed very short, hasn't it? ( pauses) This, I think, isthe last time -- we can visit.

Alfredo: The last? Why?

Julia (fakes a smile): Oh, you will be too busy perhaps.

Alfredo: Do I seem especially industrious to you?

Julia (look back at him): If you are, you never look like it. Not perspiring or breathless, as a busyman ought to be. But, always unhurried, too unhurried, and calm. (smiles)

Alfredo: I wish that were true. (looks at the beach and pauses) A man is happier if he is, as yousay, calm and placid.

Julia: Like a carabao in a mud pool

Alfredo: Who? I?

Julia: Oh, no!

Alfredo: You said I am calm and placid

Julia: That is what I think.

Alfredo: I used to think so too. Shows how little we know ourselves

( pause)

Julia: I should like to see your home town.

Alfredo: There is nothing to see -- little crooked streets, bunut roofs with ferns growing on them,and sometimes squashes

Julia: Nothing? But there is you.

Alfredo: Oh, me? But I am here.

Julia: I will not go, of course, until you are there.

Alfredo: Will you come? You will find it dull. There isn't even one American there!

Julia: Well -- Americans are rather essential to my entertainment. (laughs) We live on Calle Luz, alittle street with trees.

Alfredo: Could I find that?

Julia (smiles teasingly ): If you don't ask for Miss del Valle



Alfredo (looks deeply into her eyes): I'll inquire about --

Julia: What?

Alfredo: The house of the prettiest girl in the town.

Julia: There is where you will lose your way. (turns away ) Now that is not quite sincere.

Alfredo: It is.

Julia: I though you, at least, would not say such things.

Alfredo: Pretty -- pretty -- a foolish word! But there is none other handier I did not mean that quite --

Julia: Are you withdrawing the compliment?

Alfredo: Reinforcing it, maybe. Something is pretty when it pleases the eye -- it is more than that

when --

Julia: If it saddens?

Alfredo: Exactly.

Julia: It must be ugly.

Alfredo: Always?

Julia: No, of course, you are right.

They look at the sea. Toward the west, the sunlight lay on the dimming waters in a broad, glinting streamer of crimsoned gold.

Alfredo: Why did you say this is the last time?

Julia: I am going home.

(Silence)

Alfredo: When?

Julia: Tomorrow. I received a letter from Mom and Dad yesterday. They want me to spend Holy

Week at home. That is why I said this is the last time.

Alfredo: Can't I come to say good-bye?

Julia: Oh, you don't need to.

Alfredo: No, but I want to.

Julia: There is no time.



The sun sets.

Julia: Home seems so far from here. This is almost like another life.

Alfredo: I know. This is Elsewhere, and yet strange enough, I cannot get rid of the old things.

Julia: Old things?

Alfredo: Oh, old things, mistakes, encumbrances, old baggage.

He walks close, his hand sometimes touching hers for one whirling second.

Don Julian (calls from the distance): Alfedo, Julia, the sun has set now. Where are you?

Alfredo (grips Julia's hand ): Wait --

Julia (turns her face away ): Good-bye.

Music ends.

IV

Alfredo Salazar walks in the heart of the town -- Chinese stores also called tiangge sheltered under low-hung roofs, drug stores, tailor shops, different establishments. He sees Esperanza with her mother. He continues walking. He passes some more small shops. He finds Julia Salas.

Alfredo (with a voice that is both troubled and excited): Good evening. I had been thinking all this

time that you had gone

Julia (continues walking ): No, my sister asked me to stay until they are ready to go.

Alfredo: Oh, is the Judge going?

Julia (looks straight ): Yes.

(Silence) Music starts playing: I Love You Goodbye by Nina.

Julia: Mr. Salazar, I wish to congratulate you

Alfredo: For what?

Julia: For your approaching wedding. ( pauses and fakes a smile) I should have offeredcongratulations long before, but you know mere visitors are slow about getting the news.

Alfredo: Are weddings interesting to you?

Julia: When they are of friend, yes.



Alfredo: Would you come if I asked you?

Julia: When is it going to be?

(Silence)

Alfredo: May.

Julia (flashes a mere smile): May is the month of happiness, they say.

Alfredo (sighs): They say. Would you come?

Julia: Why not?

Alfredo: No reason. I am just asking. Then you will?

Julia (disdained ): If you will ask me.

Alfredo: Then I ask you.

Julia: Then I will be there.

Walking in the gravel road, they head to the house on the hill.

Alfredo (after a long silence): Julia, did you ever have to choose between something you wanted todo and something you had to do?

Julia (tears are ready to fall but she keeps them hidden): No!

Alfredo: I thought maybe you had had that experience; then you could understand a man who wasin such a situation.

(Silence)

Alfredo: You are fortunate.

Julia: Is -- is this man sure of what he should do?

Alfredo: I don't know Julia. Perhaps not. But there is a point where a thing escapes us and rushesdownward of its own weight, dragging us along. Then it is foolish to ask whether one will or will not,because it no longer depends on him

Julia: But then why -- why -- ( pauses then, rolls eyes) Oh, what do I know? That is his problem after all.

Alfredo: Doesn't it -- interest you?

Julia: Why must it? I -- I have to say good-bye, Mr. Salazar; we are at the house.



She quickly turns and walks away. Alfredo is left alone. He stares at the door for a little while. Thenwalks away.

Music ends.

V

He finds Esperanza sitted on the sofa.

Alfredo: Well, what of it?

Esperanza: She is not married to him. Besides, she should have thought of us. Nanay practicallybrought her up. We never thought she would turn out bad

Alfredo: You are very positive about her badness.

Esperanza: But do you approve?

Alfredo: Of what?

Esperanza: Of what she did.

Alfredo: No.

Esperanza: Well?

Alfredo: All I say is that, it is not necessarily wicked.

Esperanza: Why shouldn't it be? You talked like an -- immoral man. I did not know your ideas werelike that!

Alfredo: My ideas? The only test I wish to apply to conduct is the test of fairness. Am I injuringanybody? No? Then I am justified in my conscience. I am right. Living with a man to whim she is notmarried -- is that it? It may be wrong, and again it may not.

Esperanza (resentful ): She has injured us. She was ungrateful.

Chorus of I'll Never Go by Erik Santos plays as background music.

Alfredo: The trouble with you, Esperanza, is that you are --

Esperanza: Why do you get angry? I do not understand you at all! I think I know why you havebeen indifferent to me lately. I am not blind, or deaf; I see and hear what perhaps some are trying tokeep from me. ( pauses with teary eyes) Why don't you speak out frankly before it's too late? Youneed not think of me and of what people will say.

Alfredo: Yes, one tries to be fair -- according to his lights -- but it is hard. One would like to be fair to one's self first. But that is too easy, one does not dare --



Esperanza (with repressed strong emotion): What do you mean? ( pauses) Whatever myshortcomings, and no doubt they are many in your eyes, I have never gone out of my way, of myplace, to find a man.

Alfredo (quite pleading ): Esperanza -- if you suppose I --

Esperanza: If you mean you want to take back your word, if you are tired of -- why don't you tell meyou are tired of me?

She bursts out in tears.

VI

Years have passed.

Focus on Alfredo's ring in his finger. He is in a boat heading to Sta. Cruz. After a long while, the

boat stops.

Alfredo: Where can I find Calle Luz?

Someone: It's the street at the right next to this one.

Alfredo: Thank you.

He walks slowly to the next street. His heart pounds fast at every step he makes.

Alfredo: Where does Julia Salas live?

Old Woman: Why? What do you need from her?

Alfredo: I am Alfredo. Alfredo Sa--

Old Woman (face brightens): Oh, Alfredo Salazar! You must be the attorney. I am Julia's mother.Come inside.

Alfredo: Thank you, but --

Old Woman ( pleads): Please do come inside.

Alfredo: All right, then. If you insist.

The gate screeches as the old woman open it.

Old Woman: I'm sorry for the mess. Ever since Julia -- would you like to have a cup of tea?

Alfredo: No, I'm sorry but I would have to leave after I see her. Where is she, Mrs. Salas?

Mrs. Salas: What brings you in our town?



Alfredo: I am working on the case of Belinda et al.

Mrs. Salas: Julia often mentions your name whenever she talks about her visit at Batangas.

Alfredo: Where is she?

Mrs. Salas: Wait here.

Mrs. Salas leaves and returns after a few minutes. She hands a white envelope to Alfredo. He could smell the floral scent of the letter as he opens the envelope.

My Dear Alfredo,

It's been five years since we said goodbye. You don't know how much it hurt me to say those words. My heart tore into pieces when I heard that you were getting married. I needed to go. I

know I promised to attend your wedding but I could not watch you get married to someone whowasn't me. I am happy when I'm with you. I know you felt it too. We shared something exceptional.

I consider you someone really special. But I realized that we weren't meant to be together.Everything was fine but they weren't perfect. Maybe what we felt wasn't love after all.

Goodbye. Thank you for everything that we've shared.

Truly yours,

Julia Salas

Mrs. Salas: It's a big regret she's not here to see you. She died two years ago. She made this letter

when she was diagnosed with brain tumor that was on stage four.

Alfredo ( just on mind ): Why does it feel this way? It doesn't hurt the way that it should. Now I realize that everything must be infatuation. Yes, we felt something incredibly different -- special. But that was all it can be. What's past had passed. It can never get back. I feel sad now that you'regone. But you had taught me a lot of things. Love, as others say, may be a mere fabrication of fervid imagination, an exaggeration of the commonplace, a glorification of insipid monotonies.Things happen because we are meant to learn from everything that comes to us. I've learned that love may face some hindrances and obstacles but in the end, it would find the one whom you truly belong to. With what we felt, what seems to be so real, perhaps was just something surreal after all...

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