SCENE SEVEN
(The GOLEM is sitting at the table, working with clay. Besides him are ten miniature figures he’s already made. He is moving them about, enacting a story.)
GOLEM
There were three demons who lived in such and such a place. One day a rabbi came, and he destroyed them.
(He smashes three figures.)
No.
(He rebuilds the figures.)
They were all friends. And they did this and that.
(He dances them about, randomly.)
And then a girl came. And they wanted right away to take her.
(He pushes a fourth figure in.)
But she said, “No.”
(DEVORAH enters. She stops and watches him.)
And then a ghost came, and they ran away.
(He makes a moaning sound, and they run. He picks up one of the figures that he smashed before, and he works on it silently.)
DEVORAH
How come you can speak?
(The GOLEM is silent, engrossed in his task.)
Golem, answer me. How come you can speak?
GOLEM
I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you expected an answer.
DEVORAH
So what is it? How can you speak?
GOLEM
According to your father, the gift of speech is given by God. I suppose God must have given it to me.
DEVORAH
Why?
GOLEM
I don’t know.
DEVORAH
Demons are supposed to have powers, too. In many stories, they can speak. Did God give them that power?
GOLEM
I suppose.
DEVORAH
You shouldn’t speak to my sister.
GOLEM
Why not?
DEVORAH
I don’t have to explain myself. It’s an order. I can give you any order I wish.
GOLEM
True.
(Pause. DEVORAH continues to watch him.)
I don’t like your order.
DEVORAH
It doesn’t matter if you like my order.
GOLEM
True.
(Pause.)
Of course, if God has given me the power of speech, maybe you should not give me the opposite order.
DEVORAH
What do you know about God?
GOLEM
Very little.
DEVORAH
It upsets my sister to hear you talk. You remind her of Joseph.
GOLEM
I am Joseph.
DEVORAH
You are a demon.
GOLEM
True.
DEVORAH
Stop saying that.
GOLEM
What?
DEVORAH
True.
GOLEM
Why?
DEVORAH
Because I order it.
GOLEM
Oh.
(Pause.)
DEVORAH
What are you doing?
GOLEM
Making little people.
DEVORAH
Why?
GOLEM
As presents.
DEVORAH
I saw you moving them around.
GOLEM
I was telling them a story.
DEVORAH
They are not alive. They couldn’t hear you.
GOLEM
One of them is a wedding present. You’re going to get married soon, aren’t you?
DEVORAH
As soon as Isaac returns from Poland. You made me a present?
GOLEM
Yes.
DEVORAH
Which one?
(GOLEM puts out hand, with figure.)
GOLEM
This one.
(DEVORAH takes figure and looks at it.)
DEVORAH
It’s me.
GOLEM
Yes.
DEVORAH
I don’t know if I should accept it. It seems a little like an idol.
GOLEM
What’s an idol?
DEVORAH
A statue, usually of a pagan God.
GOLEM
Are you a God?
DEVORAH
No, of course not.
GOLEM
Then I don’t understand your objection.
DEVORAH
They are usually made of clay, and they look human.
GOLEM
Like me?
DEVORAH
They don’t talk.
GOLEM
Maybe that’s why God gave me the power of speech. So I wouldn’t be an idol.
DEVORAH
Nobody worships you. It’s not the same.
GOLEM
Are you going to worship your statue?
DEVORAH
No.
GOLEM
Then it shouldn’t be a problem. Think of it like a little golem.
DEVORAH
God forbid. I don’t want it to come alive on me.
GOLEM
Why not?
DEVORAH
Who knows what it would do.
GOLEM
Protect you, probably. I’ve made one for Isaac, as well.
DEVORAH
Isaac can protect himself.
(RIVKA enters.)
Remember what I said about her, Golem.
(DEVORAH exits.)
RIVKA
What did she say about me?
(Silence.)
What did she say?
(Silence.)
What are those things you’re making?
(Silence.)
Don’t you speak, anymore?
GOLEM
She told me not to talk to you.
RIVKA
She what? Why?
GOLEM
She was afraid it would upset you, too much.
RIVKA
Why?
GOLEM
She was afraid I would remind you of me.
RIVKA
Of who?
GOLEM
Of Joseph.
RIVKA
Oh. She’s right. But it’s all right. I’m getting more used to it.
(Pause.)
How come you’re speaking to me, then?
GOLEM
I’ve made you a present.
RIVKA
Did she order you not to speak to me?
GOLEM
Look.
(GOLEM holds out figurine. RIVKA looks at it.)
RIVKA
It’s me.
GOLEM
True.
RIVKA
It’s very good.
GOLEM
Thank you.
RIVKA
How did you get so good?
GOLEM
I understand clay.
RIVKA
Yes. Of course you do.
GOLEM
I’ve made two for your mother. One of her, one of Bezalel.
RIVKA
Bezalel? How do you know about Bezalel?
GOLEM
She told me. Maybe he will come back to life, in this.
RIVKA
Don’t give her that.
GOLEM
Why not?
RIVKA
It will surprise her. It will make her—unhappy.
GOLEM
Are you sure?
RIVKA
Yes. I’m sure. If necessary, I will order you not to give it to her.
(Pause.)
Assuming that means anything. Did Devorah really order you not to talk to me?
GOLEM
They’re golems, not idols. Why should they upset her?
RIVKA
You’re not answering me. Did she order you not to talk to me?
GOLEM
Do you mind that I’m talking to you?
RIVKA
It’s not that, but—
GOLEM
I remember things.
RIVKA
What things? What are you talking about?
GOLEM
Aren’t you going to tell me a story, today?
RIVKA
I don’t know if that’s such a great idea.
GOLEM
Then maybe I’ll tell you a story.
RIVKA
You’ll tell me a story?
GOLEM
Yes. Why not?
RIVKA
The only stories you know, we’ve told you.
GOLEM
I can remember others.
RIVKA
What others?
GOLEM
I can remember you.
RIVKA
Golem, tell me, did my sister order you not to speak to me or didn’t she?
GOLEM
Call me Joseph.
RIVKA
You are not Joseph.
GOLEM
Rivka.
RIVKA
Answer my question.
GOLEM
You are Rivka.
RIVKA
I’ll need to get my father.
GOLEM
Yes, she ordered me.
RIVKA
Then why are you disobeying her?
GOLEM
Do you mind?
RIVKA
I mind that you are disobeying her.
GOLEM
Rivka.
RIVKA
I’ll get my father.
GOLEM
I baked a special challah for you, every Friday.
RIVKA
What?
GOLEM
Once, I bought some earrings, and hid it inside the challah. You almost broke your tooth, you said.
RIVKA
How do you know this, Golem?
GOLEM
My name is Joseph.
RIVKA
Joseph is dead.
GOLEM
Then why is he standing right in front of you?
(Pause.)
RIVKA
You really are a demon.
GOLEM
Yes. And I am Joseph.
RIVKA
How can you be both?
GOLEM
I am possessed.
RIVKA
By what?
GOLEM
Myself.
RIVKA
No. Just one stupid fact about those earrings doesn’t prove anything.
GOLEM
You promised to be faithful to me, near the well.
RIVKA
That was the story, not us.
GOLEM
That was us, as well.
RIVKA
You guessed.
GOLEM
He wanted right away to take her.
RIVKA
Joseph would never have spoken to me, like that.
GOLEM
It was from the story.
RIVKA
I have to go.
GOLEM
Your mother has a suitor in mind. You will meet with him, in a few days.
RIVKA
I know.
GOLEM
It’s Moshe.
RIVKA
He is a very kind man. My father says he is going to a Rabbi, just like Isaac.
GOLEM
He is not right for you.
RIVKA
How do you know?
GOLEM
Don’t tell anyone I spoke to you.
RIVKA
Why not?
GOLEM
I don’t think your father would be happy.
RIVKA
You’re full of surprises.
GOLEM
It seems that every time I surprise someone, they become unhappy.
RIVKA
You’re right.
GOLEM
Rivka.
RIVKA
Yes?
GOLEM
Remember what she did, in the story, when other suitors came?